Myths of the Rhine

The discussion of cosmic destruction treats the falling of the sky as an article of faith, saying that all the prophetic books concerned threatened destruction of the heavens. The narrator recalls a childhood game when considering the destruction of the globe after fearful catastrophes, distinguishing that recollection from a great historical fact. The suggested connection between the game and the Edda remains hesitant, with the narrator proposing only that the game may have been symbolic and may have descended from that source.

The childhood game involved passing a firebrand, burning stick or lighted bunch of straw quickly from hand to hand, and is described as formerly fashionable in town and country. A chapter heading lists women as missionaries and prophets, children's myths, godmothers, fairies, the magic wand and broomstick, as well as worlds of ghosts and shadows. The text asks whether the reader has seen enough of the gods and demigods of Germany, together with Nixen, goblins and Kobolds.