1892. Leland was a 19th century journalist, author and folklorist, specializing in Native American, Gypsy and Italian traditions. This book is a classic study of the folklore of the Tuscan region of Italy. It ties these traditions to ancient Etruscan and Roman pagan practices. The central focus is the ideology and practice of Stregheria, Italian traditional witchcraft. The text includes many fairy-tales of the sort that are not suitable for children. Leland draws on often obscure sources which tie his data into classical and pre-classical pagan traditions, particularly the little-known Etruscan religion. See other books by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.