Rachel Busk - Household stories from the Land of Hofer

The value and efficacy ascribed in the old myths to a virgin’s blessing is one form in which the regard for maiden honour was expressed.

The dwarfs who were considered the genii of the mineral wealth of the country were a sub-class of the genus dwarf. Their myths are found more abundantly in North Tirol, where the chief mines were worked.

A deserted mine is called in local dialect taub .

Miners.

i. e. Joseph of Goign, a village near St. Johann. Such modes of designation are found for every one, among the people in Tirol.

Ann.

Every body wears feathers according to their fancy in their “Alpine hats” here, but in Tirol every such adornment is a distinction won by merit, whether in target-shooting, wrestling, or any other manly sport; and, like the medals of the soldier, can only be worn by those who have made good their claim.

Hof , in Tirol, denotes the proprietorship of a comfortable homestead.

To Spaniards the outline of a mountain-ridge suggests the edge of a saw — sierra ; to the Tirolese the more indented sky-line familiar to them recalls the teeth of a comb.

Garnets and carbuncles are found in Tirol in the Zillerthal, and the search after them has given rise to some fantastic tales – of which later.

Carbuncle.

Pray for him.

District.

Wild Georgey.

In some parts of Tirol where the pastures are on steep slopes, or reached by difficult paths – particularly the Zillerthal, on which the scene of the present story borders – it is the custom to decide which of the cattle is fit for the post of leader of the herd by trial of battle. The victor is afterwards marched through the commune to the sound of bells and music, and decked with garlands of flowers.

“Just as I wanted you.”

Little Frederick.

A local expression for a village fête.

The old race of innkeepers in Tirol were a singularly trustworthy, honourable set, acting as a sort of elder or umpire each over his village. This is still the case in a great many valleys out of the beaten track.

“Have mercy on them!”

The cry which in South Germany is equivalent to our “hurrah!”