BROWNIE, the name of a serviceable kind of sprite,
who, according to a superstitious notion formerly pre-
valent in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland (as
well as among the country people in England, where
he had the name of Robin Goodfellow), was wont to
clean the houses, helped to churn, threshed the corn,
and would belabour all that pretended to make a jest
of him. He was represented as stout and blooming,
had fine long flowing hair, and went about with a
wand in his hand. He was the very counter part of
Milton's Lubber Fiend, who
Tells how the drudging goblin swet,
To earn his cream-bowl duly set,
When in one night, ere glimpse of morn,
His shadowy flail hath thresh'd the corn,
That ten day-lab'rs could not end;
Then lies him down the Lubber Fiend,
And, stretch'd along the chimney's length,
Basks at the fire his hairy strength.