A. K. Hamilton Jenkin says that for
"a large proportion of the country people of this date, indeed, the presense of fairies and their participation in human affairs were regarded as matters concerning which there could be no question or doubt. Hence it was that many women would never leave their cottages without first making provision for the small people, or preparations against other less welcome visitants from the spirit world. With this in view the fire hook and prong would be crossed to keep off witches, the brandis turned down on the baking-iron to prevent the small people sitting on the former and burning themselves, whilst last, but not least, the hearthstone would be neatly swept, and a basin of spring water left before it, so that the fairies might enter and wash their children under pleasant conditions if they felt inclined to do so."
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