ELVES (0. Eng., self; Germ. Alp; phan tom, spirit), imaginary creatures of the north ern mythology, forming, according to some classifications, with the undines, salamanders and gnomes, groups of elementary sprites identified respectively with the water, fire, earth and air. The elves are of the air, and have been more widely received in the faith and poetry of Eu rope under this name than under that of sylphs, invented by Paracelsus. They are capricious spirits, of diminutive size but preternatural power. Their stature is less than the size of a young girl's thumb, yet their limbs are most delicately formed, and when they will they can hurl granite blocks, bind the strongest man or shake_a house. They are divided in the sagas into good and bad, or light and dark elves, the former having eyes like the stars, countenances brighter than the sun, and golden yellow hair, the latter being blacker than pitch, and fearfully dangerous. The elves ordinarily wear glass shoes, and a. cap with a little bell hanging from it Whoever finds one of these slippers or bells may obtain from the elf who has lost it any thing which he asks for. In the winter they retire to the depths of mountains, where they live in much the same way as men, and in the first days of spring issue from their grottoes, run along the sides of hills, and swing upon the branches of the trees. In the morning...they sleep in blossoms or watch the people who pass by, but at the evening.twilight they meet to
g.ether in the fields, Join hands and sing and thnce by the light of the moon. They are gen erally invisible, but children born on Sunday can see them, and the elves may extend the privilege to whomsoever they please. In Eng land and Scotland they became fairies in the former, and brownies in the latter country, and were subject to a king and queen. The islrds of Stern and Rugen, in the Baltic, are especially subject to the Icing of the selves, who rides in a chariot drawn by four black horses, and whoSe passage from island to island is recognized by the neighing of the steeds, the blacicriess of the water, and the bustle of the great aerial com pany who follow in his train. The elves some times become domestic servants, and would ba valuable as such if they were less easily offended and less dangerous after taking offense. As long as their caprices are gratified, their food and drink regularly left at an appointed place, and no attempt made to interfere with their freedom, the furniture is sure to be dusted, the floor to be swept and every chamber to be perfectly in order. But the brothers Grimm, in their 'Deutsche Sagen,) have chronicled the misfortunes of many a Young girl, who, having called an elf to her aid, repented too late of having offended it.