Stories of Norway in the Saga Days. By Mary Howarth.
(Gay and Bird.)—The writer of the stories contained in this volume has undoubtedly steeped her mind before writing them in the ever fascinating saga period, with the happy result that her personages are at least genuine flesh and blood. Thus Olaf Tryygoason, who figures in the first and most ambitious story, is clearly of the stuff of which berserkera are made, for, when he is but seven years old, he with one blow of an axe kills a tyrannical brute, Klierkin by name, who has murdered his foster- father. It has been prophesied that he and Prince Jarislief, the young and ailing Prince of Sweden, shall meet. This prophecy is fulfilled. It would be unfair of course to tell how Olaf becomes a king, or to reveal startling adventures with trolls and other wonderful beings. It must suffice to say that in the long run all the personages in the story are converted to Christianity. This is perhaps the only incident in the story that has a look of unreality. Several of the other tales, and in particular, "The Boy who would be a Viking," have a slight suggestion of a "purpose" in them. But they are all readable, interesting, and carefully written.
The Sea-King's Daughter and other Poems. By Amy Park. (G. Napier and Co., Birmingham.)—It is tolerably safe to say that, but for Preraphaelitism, the short poems, intended chiefly for children, which are contained in this little volume, would not have been written ; and it is quite certain that they would not have been illustrated in the way they are here,—a way which, before we became familiar with visions of long-haired, writhing, woe- begone maidens, we should have called fantastic. The story of the sea-king's daughter and the earth-maiden is, it must be allowed, however, told with simplicity. The quality—and teaching—of the verses generally may be gathered from these :— "Ob. we are happy in our Heaven!
Where are the biting frosts and driving rain ? Only soft showers, and warmth of gentle Ban. 1.he Martb is sweet, but, af.er it is done, What joy we gain! "
Previous page
