A Fairy Borrowing A Gridiron

: FAIRY MOTHERS AND HUMAN MIDWIVES.

The following Fairy legend was told to Mr. W. W. Cobb, of Hilton House,

Atherstone, by Mrs. Williams, wife of Thomas Williams, pilot, in whose

house he lodged when staying in Anglesey:--Mary Roberts, of Newborough,

used to receive visits once a week from a little woman who used to bring

her a loaf of bread in return for the loan of her gridiron (gradell) for

baking bread. The Fairy always told her not to look after her when she
/>
left the house, but one day she transgressed, and took a peep as the

Fairy went away. The latter went straight to the lake--Lake

Rhosddu--near the house at Newborough, and plunged into its waters, and

disappeared. This took place about a century ago. The house where Mary

Roberts lived is still standing about 100 yards north of the lake.



Compare the preceding with the following lines:--



If ye will with Mab finde grace,

Set each platter in its place;

Rake the fire up and set

Water in ere sun be set,

Wash your pales and cleanse your dairies,

Sluts are loathsome to the Fairies;

Sweep your house; who doth not so,

Mab will pinch her by the toe.



Herrick's Hesperides, 1648. (See Brand, vol. ii., p. 484.)



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