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LEGENDS
OF
SWITZERLAND
By the Same Author
Legends of the Virgin and Christ
Legends of the Rhine
Legends of the Middle Ages
Stories of the Wagner Operas
Stories of Famous Operas
Myths of Greece and Rome
Myths of Northern Lands
$1.50 per volume
LEGENDS
OF
SWITZERLAND
BY
H. A. GUERBER
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
1899
Copyright, 1899,
By Dodd, Mead and Company.
All rights reserved.
University Press:
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A.
DEDICATED
TO
SWITZERLAND
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF HAPPY SUMMERS SPENT
WITHIN ITS BORDERS
vii
PREFACE
Aside from the picturesque, historical, andgeological interest connected with ajourney in Switzerland, that country also boastsof a rich fund of legends, delightfully characteristicof the people at whose firesides they havebeen told for centuries.
The grand scenery, terrific storms, suddenearthquakes, landslides and avalanches, togetherwith the barbaric invasions and fierce warswhich have swept over it for thousands of years,have all left their indelible stamp, not only uponthe face of nature, but also in the imaginationand folklore of the people.
In varying keys, and touching upon manychords and themes, these legends refer to saintsand to sinners, to heathen gods, giants, ghosts,dwarfs, Devil, and fairies, as well as to kingsand queens, knights and ladies, monks and nuns,viiibesides dwelling particularly upon shepherds,pastures, cattle, and game.
The rustic crudity of some of these tales, themediæval halo of romance around others, addedto the poetic subtle charms of a few, have beenrendered as faithfully as possible, to enable thereader to gain a nearer insight into the life andthoughts of the