Pilgrimages are made to many holy wells and springs in the 

 United Kingdom, for the purpose of curing certain diseases by the 

 virtues contained in their waters, or to dress these health-restoring 

 fountains with garlands and posies of flowers. It is not surprising 

 to find Ben Tonson saying that round such " virtuous " wells the 

 Fairies are fond of assembling, and dancing their rounds, lighted 

 by the pale moonshine — 



" By wells and rills, in meadows greene, 

 We nightly dance our hey-day guise ; 

 And to our Fairye king and queene 



We chant our moonhght minstrelsies." — Percy Rdiques. 



In Cornwall pilgrimages are made in May to certain wells 

 situated close to old blasted Oaks, where the frequenters suspend 

 rags to the branches as a preservative against sorcery and a pro- 

 pitiation to the Fairies, who are thought to be fond of repairing at 

 night to the vicinity of the wells. From St. Mungo's Well at 

 Huntly, in Scotland, the people carry away bottles of water, as a 

 talisman against the enmity of the Fairies, who are supposed to 

 hold their revels at the Elfin Croft close by, and are prone to resent 

 the intrusion of mortals. 



