The Kinder Mermaid and the English and Welsh Lake Ladies.

The article focuses on the folklore surrounding the Kinder Mermaid, a spirit associated with the Mermaid Pool in the Peak District of England. It traces the origins and evolution of the Kinder Mermaid legend from the 19th century, highlighting various accounts and sources that document local traditions, including the belief that seeing the mermaid on Easter Eve grants immortality. The article also contrasts the Kinder Mermaid with other water spirits in England and Wales, categorizing her as a "lake lady" who is generally benign, unlike the more malevolent mermaids found in other folklore. Additionally, it critiques the portrayal of the Kinder Mermaid in literature, particularly by Mary Augusta Ward, who dismissed her existence in her novel, suggesting that such narratives have obscured the mermaid's folkloric significance. [Extracted from the article]