Notes and References 233

-Formally, its interest consists in large measure in the curious frame-

work in which the subsidiary stories are imbedded ._ This is not of the
elaborate kind introduced into Europe from the East’by the Crusades,

‘but more zazve, resembling rather, as Mr. Nutt points out fo me, the

loosely-knit narratives of Charles Lever in his earlier manner.

XLII. HOW FIN WENT TO THE KINGDOM OF
THE BIG MEN.

Source.—J. G. Campbell, Zhe Fians (Watfs and Strays, No. iv.), pp.
175-92. e
- Parallels —The Voyage to Brobdingnag will occur to many readers,
and it is by no means impossible that, as Swift was once an Irish lad,
The Voyage may have been suggested by some such tale told him in
his infancy. It is not, however, a part of the earlier recorded Ossianic

“cycle, though over-sea giants occur as opponents of the heroes in that

as well as in the earlier Ultonian cycle.

XLIV. HOW CORMAC MAC ART WENT TO FAERY.

Source.—Kindly condensed by Mr. Alfred Nutt from an English
version by Mr. S. H. O'Grady in Osstanic Society's Publications,
vol. iii. The oldest known version has been printed from fourteenth
century MSS., by Mr. Whitley Stokes, Trische Texte, iii. 1. The story
existed in some form in the early eleventh century, as it is cited in the
epic catalogue contained in the Book of Leinster.

Parallels —Mr. Nutt in his Studies on the Legend of the Holy
Grail, p. 193, connects this visit of Cormac to the Otherworld with
the bespelled Castle incident in the Grail Legend, and gives other
instances of visits to the Brug of Manannan. Manannan Mac Lir is

the Celtic sea-god.

' XLV. RIDERE OF RIDDLES.

Source-—Campbell, West Highland Tales, No. xxii. vol. ii. p. 36,
seg. Ihave modified the end, which has a polygamous complexion.

Parallels. —Campbell points out that the story isin the main identical
with the Grimms’ “ Rathsel,” No. xxii. There the riddle is: “ One slew

- none, and yet slew twelve.” MacDougall has the same story in Waifs

and Strays, iii. pp. 76 seg.
Remarks.—There can be no doubt that the Celtic and German
Riddle Stories are related genealogically. Which is of the earlier
* Q