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the Eglantine flower and bud, have given rise to the following
rhymed riddle:—
“ Of US five brothers at the same time bom,
Two from our birthday ever beards have worn ;
On other two none ever have appeared,
While the fifth brother wears but half a beard.”
E L D E R .—The Elder or Ellan-tree(5'i?M&^r^5), in Scandinavian
mythology, was consecrated to Hulda, the goddess of love, and to
Thor, the god of Thunder, and is connecited with many ancient
Northern superstitions.
The Danes believe that in the Elder there dwells a being known
as the Hylde-moer (Elder-mother) or Hylde-qvinde (Elder-woman),
by whom all injuries done to the Elder are avenged. In a small
court in the Nybonder, a districil of Copenhagen, there stands a
weird tree, which at dusk is reputed to move up and down the
passage, and_ sometimes to peep through the windows at the
children. It is not deemed advisable to have furniture made of
Elder-wood. Tradition says that a child having been laid in a
cradle made of Elder-wood, the Hylde-moer came and pulled it by
the legs, nor would she let it have any rest until it was taken out
of the cradle. A peasant once heard his children crying in the
night, and on inquiring the cause, was told that some one had been
there and sucked them; and their breasts were found to be swollen.
This annoyance was believed to have arisen from the facil that the
room was boarded with Elder. The Elder branches may not be
cut until permission has been asked in the words, “ Hylde-moer,
Hylde-moer, allow me to cut thy branches.” Then, if no objecftion
be made by the spirit of the tree, the hewer proceeds, taking care
first to spit three times, as a precaution against molestation. In
Denmark, it is believed that he who stands under an Elder-bush
at twelve o’clock on Midsummer Eve, will see Toly, the king of
the elves, go by with all his train. Perhaps on account of the
supernatural halo surrounding it, the Elder was regarded as a cure
for various diseases. A Danish formula prescribes the taking of
an Elder-twig by a person aiflicfted with toothache, who must first
put it in his mouth, and then stick it in the wall, saying, “ Depart
thou evil spirit.” Ague may be cured by taking a twig of Elder,
and sticking it in the ground, without speaking a word; the disease
will then pass into the twig, and attach itself to the first person
who approaches the spot.
In Russia, there is a belief that Elder-trees drive away bad
and malignant spirits, out of compassion to humanity, and that
they promote long life.
In Sweden, women about to become mothers kiss the Elder ;
and it is thought that no one can damage the tree with impunity.
In Germany, the_Elder is regarded with great respect. From
its leaves a febrifuge is made: from its berries a sort of sour preserve,
and a wonder-working electuary ; the moon-shaped clusters
of flowers are narcotic, and are used in baking small cakes. The
smell of the leaves and blossoms has the reputation of causing
giddiness, whence arises the saying that “ he who goes to sleep
under an Elder-tree will never wake.” The cross which is affixed
to the rod on which the Easter Palms are fastened is made of
Elder-wood, as well as the cross which is carried before the coffin
in the funeral procession. Although essentially a tree of shade anc,
of death, yet it and the funeral cross just mentioned are known by
the name of “ Livelong.” It is a favourite hiding-place for children
when playing at “ hide-and-seek.” The pith of the branches, when
cut in round flat shapes, is dipped in oil, lighted, and then put to
float in a glass of water ; its light on Christmas E v e is thought to
reveal to the owner all the witches and sorcerers in the neighbourhood.
Since this tree drives away spirits, it is often planted by
the side of manure sheds, keeping them damp by its shade, and
also protecting from evil influences the cattle in the adjoining shed.
It is commonly believed that he who injures an Elder-tree will
suffer from its vengeance. “ Holderstock ” (Elderstock) is a name
of endearment given by a lover to his beloved, and is derived from
Hulda, the old goddess of love.
In Lower Saxony, it was customary to ask permission of the
Elder-tree before cutting it, in the words, “ L ad y Elder, give me
some of thy wood; then will I also give thee some of mine when it
grows in the forest.” This was repeated three times-, with folded
hands and bended knees. Pusch Kait, the ancient Prussian god
of the earth, was supposed to live under the Elder-tree.
In the Tyrol, an Elder-bush, trimmed into the form of a cross,
is often planted on the new-made g rave ; and if it blooms, it is a
sign that the soul of the dead person is in Paradise. The Tyroleans
have such a regard for the tree, that, in passing it, they always
raise their hat.
In Bohemia, three spoonfuls of the water which has been used
to bathe an invalid are poured under an Elder, with “ Elder, God
sends me to thee, that thou may’st take my fever upon thee.” This
must be repeated on three successive days, and if the patient has
not meanwhile passed over water, he will recover. The Serbs
introduce a stick of Elder, to ensure good luck, during their wedding
festivities.
In Savoy, branches of Elder are carried about on May-day.
In Sicily, it is thought a bough of Elder will kill serpents, anc,
drive away robbers better than any other stick. In Labruguitoe,
France, if an animal is ill, or has a wound infested by vermin, they
lead it to the foot of an Elder-tree, and twirling a bough in their
hands, they bow to the tree, and address it as follows :—“ Good^
day, Mons. Yeble; if you do not drive away the vermin, I shaP
be compelled to cut both your limbs and your trunk.” This
ceremony performed, a certain cure is confidently looked for.
In the country distriifls round Valenciennes, if an Elder-bough is