This monograph argues that, although legendary stories are not chronicles of actual events, they are of historical value in helping us to determine the intellectual characteristics, social conditions and moral standards of the various peoples of whose life and literature they have formed a part. Believing that all legends, fables and myths contain some germs of truth, and are invaluable sources of information to us, the author has made free use of them in these pages. Indeed, he argues, from them alone, sometimes, can be gained correct ideas of the true meaning and significance of rites and customs which still, in modified survivals, form an interesting and important part of our daily lives. This book was initially published in 1905.