English Dictionary

According to the pagan notion, the influence of spirits came from without; according to that of the Judaic–Christian system, the devil entered into the body of the man, and before the sorcerer could cease to practice his arts he must be expelled thence by spiritual force. Amongst the heathen, an idiot was supposed to be made so by the elves; the accused lunatic was said to be possessed. The elves stole the children of the heathen and left a changeling in its place: amongst the Christians, the devil entered the changeling. The devils, however, took possession of horses and cattle as well as of men, as Noisy Ghosts — Poltergeister. Amongst the heathen, at most, the little Grey Man took up his quiet abode there, not to mock, but to help, — not to terrify and injure.