Collectanea, ^8i
J'
low-born bride. As he rides to O'Brien's Court, he gets benighted, but no ray shines from the jewel; this awakes his conscience, and as he repents the light returns. He puts off his visit until his old father dies, and, as chief, avows his marriage. O'Brien hurls an army against him and seizes his territory, and the hapless chief flies with no other possessions than liis talisman and the love of his wife. This tale seems to have been either invented, or recast from "a forgotten memory" of the real folk-tale, probably by Lady Dunraven.
In the versions which I heard of the genuine story in 1884 the number of the swans was seven, but, as will have been seen above, the older versions mention one and "a number," while Dr. MacNamara heard of five. The lake actually abounds in these beautiful birds. I have myself often seen more than forty wild swans at one time sailing or playing on the waters.
Thus. J. Westropp.
{To be concluded.)
