TRADITIONS. 347 



of the mystery attending the working of metals, particu- 

 larly of iron, in primeval times : 



' Far in the lane a lonely hut he found, 

 No tenant ventured on the unwholesome ground ; 

 Here smokes his forge, he bares his sinewy arm. 

 And early strokes the sounding anvil warm 3 

 Around his shop the steely sparkles flew. 

 As for the steed he shaped the bending shoe.' 



In Germany the same traditions are found, and have 

 been handed down from the remotest times. The 

 brothers Grimm have collected some of these from oral 

 tradition ; the following was found in the neighbour- 

 hood of Munster. ' In the Detterberg, about three hours 

 from Munster, in old times, lived a wild man named 

 Grinken Schmidt (Grinken the smith), who lived under- 

 ground in a deep cave, which is now covered with weeds 

 and briars ; but the spot may yet be seen. He had his 

 forge in this pit, and his workmanship was so solid and so 

 extremely perfect that it lasted for ever. No man could 

 open his locks without the keys. There is now on the 

 church-door of Nienberg, a lock made by him, that the 

 thieves and housebreakers have never been able to force. 

 When there was a wedding about to be celebrated, it was 

 customary for the country people to go to Grinken and 

 borrow a spit ; but in return for the loan, they had always 

 to give him a beefsteak. One day a peasant appeared 

 before his cave, and said, "Grinken Schmidt, give me a 

 spit." " You shall not have a spit if you do not give me 

 a steak," says Grinken. " Then you will not have a steak ; 

 so keep your spit," replied the peasant. Grinken, as 

 furious as possible, thereupon said, " Take care that I do 

 not take one from you by force." The peasant left the 



