(aggregate) | Goethe | |30,000 crowns| Ditto.
-------------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------
Ditto (ditto) |Chateaubriand| |500,000 francs| Ditto.
-------------------+-------------+------------+--------------+-------------

I perfectly agree with the suggestion of one of your correspondents, that,
in a publication like yours, dealing with historic facts, the
communications should not be anonymous, or made under _noms de guerre_. I
therefore drop the initials with which I have signed previous
communications, and append my name as suggested.

ALEXANDER ANDREWS.

* * * * *

COINCIDENT LEGENDS.

In the Scandinavian portion of the _Fairy Mythology_, there is a legend of
a farmer cheating a Troll in an argument respecting the crops that were to
be grown on the hill within which the latter resided. It is there observed
that Rabelais tells the same story of a farmer and the Devil. I think there
can be no doubt that these are not independent fictions, but that the
legend is a transmitted one, the Scandinavian being the original, brought
with them perhaps by the Normans. {592} But what are we to say to the
actual fact of the same legend being found in the valleys of Afghanistan?

Masson, in his _Narrative_, &c. (iii. 297.), when speaking of the Tajiks of
Lughman, says,--

"They have the following amusing story: In times of yore, ere the
natives were acquainted with the arts of husbandry, the Shaitan, or
Devil, appeared amongst them, and, winning their confidence,
recommended them to sow their lands. They consented, it being farther
agreed that the Devil was to be a _sherik_, or partner, with them. The
lands were accordingly sown with turnips, carrots, beet, onions, and
such vegetables whose value consists in the roots. When the crops were
mature the Shaitan appeared, and generously asked the assembled
agriculturists if they would receive for their share what was above
ground or what was below. Admiring the vivid green hue of the tops,
they unanimously replied that they would accept what was above ground.
They were directed to remove their portion, when the Devil and his
attendants dug up the roots and carried them away. The next year he
again came and entered into partnership. The lands were now sown with
wheat and other grains, whose value lies in their seed-spik