Rusalki
66 Rusalki, the lovely river nymph of Southern Russia seems to have been endowed with the beauty of person and the gentle characteristics of the Mermaids of Northern nations. Shy and benevolent, she lived on the small alluvial islands that stud the mighty rivers which drain this extensive and thinly-peopled country, or in the detached coppices that fringe their banks, in bowers wovèn of flowering reeds and green-willow-boughs; her pastime and occupation being to aid in secret the poor fishermen in their laborious and precarious calling. Little is known of these beautiful creatures as if the mystery and secrecy which was inculcated and enforced in all affairs of government in this country had been extended to its fairy faith. Even Keightley, so learned in fairy lore, knows little of Rusalki, and dismisses her with the following brief notice :- They are of a beautiful form, with long green hair; they swim and balance themselves on the branches of trees , bathe in the lakes and rivers, play on the surface of the water, and wring their locks on the green meads at the water's edge. It is chiefly at Whitsuntide that they appear; and the people then, singing and dancing, weave garlands for them, which they cast into the stream."