E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Spectre of the Brocken.
The Brocken is the highest summit of the Hartz mountains in Hanover. This summit is at times enveloped in a thick mist, which reflects in a greatly magnified degree any form opposite at sunset. In one of De Quincey’s opium-dreams there is a powerful description of the Brocken spectre.
