Note 819 — Chapter XII · HEATHENDOM. (continued 2)

I would particularly call attention to W. Grimm’s Deutsche Heldensage, P. Müller’s Sagabibliothek, and J. Grimm’s Deutsche Mythologie; the last, a very storehouse of all that bears upon this most interesting and important subject, important whether we consider it merely in a literary point of view, or in the far higher one of a revelation of the creed of our forefathers, the sources of their hope and fear, the basis of their moral being and directing motive of their actions. If it be true that nothing human can be without interest for a man, surely that which tells of the religious belief of our forefathers must be of the deepest and nearest interest. It has had something to do with making us what we are.