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The present volume is an attempt at collecting the folk-lore of the sea and its belongings. Many of the myths here recorded are as old as history itself, and far older, and some of the most interesting legends have Been frequently published; but, so far as I am aware, no comprehensive collection of the legends relating to the sea has heretofore been made. It is not claimed that the present work is exhaustive, for much has been written concerning the mysterious sea, and much remains for some future folk-lore collector, but the greater part of the legends of the sea are here assembled.
These legends are derived from various and widely-different sources. Comparative mythology has taught us not to despise despise the most frivolous tale, if we may, by comparison, illustrate more sober myths or legends by its use. I have adopted, as a safe guide for the interpretation of the nature-myths of the sea and the air, the teachings of Cox, whose writings have generally received the sanction of scholars. The standard works of Smith, Anthon, Murray, Gladstone, Keary, Fiske and Kelly have also been freely consulted and quoted. These mythological ideas of early nations often serve as a key to the interpretation of more recent superstitions.
"The religious myths of antiquity, and the fireside legends of ancient and modern times, have their common root in the mental habits of primitive humanity. They are the earliest recorded utterances of men concerning the visible phenomena of the world into which they were born."
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