# Fairy Tales, Now First Collected/Dissertation 2

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There is not a more generally received opinion, throughout the principality of Wales, than that of the existence of Fairies: amongst the commonalty it is, indeed, universal, and, by no means unfrequently, credited by the second ranks.
​Fairies are said, at a distant period, "to have frequented Bussers-hill in St. Marys island; but their nightly pranks, aërial gambols, and cockleshell abodes, are now quite unknown."
"Evil spirits, called fairies, are frequently seen in several of the isles [of Orkney], dancing, and making merry, and sometimes seen in armour."
* ↑ De Anglorum origine, p. 320. This is the observation of a gloomy and malignant mind; as the idea of a fairy could never inspire any but pleasing sensations; these little people being always distinguished for their innocent mirth, and benevolent utility. It was far otherwise, indeed, with superstition and witchcraft, which, though equally false, were nevertheless, as firmly believed; as they induced ignorance and bigotry to commit horrid crimes; but nothing of this kind is imputable to the fairies. So strongly, according to Waldron, are the Manks possessed of the belief of fairies, and so frequently do they imagine to have seen and heard them, that they are not in the least terrified at them, but, on the contrary, rejoice whenever visited by them, as supposing them friends to mankind, and that they never come without bringing good fortune along with them. They call them the good people, all the houses are blessed where they visit. The Scots, likewise, call them the good neighbours.
* ↑ Pratts Gleanings, &c. i, 137. He mentions a Welsh clergyman, who not only believes in Fairies, but is even so infatuated on the subject as to imagine they are continually in his presence, and has written a book about them.
* ↑ Heaths Account of the islands of Scilly, p. 129.
* ↑ Brands Description of Orkney, Edin. 1703, p. 61: at p. 112, is some account of a brouny.