Fairy-Tales. By Basil Field. (Horace Cox.)—This is a beautifully printed
and beautifully illustrated volume of fairy- tales, which are quite original, and the author of which has set himself not to edify, but merely to amuse. The first, which bears the title of "Uncle Barney and the Three Black Elves," is typical of the book. Uncle Barney is a queer, harmless old fellow, who "kept a toy-shop on the ground floor of a quaint old house in a queer old street, in a sleepy old country town," and who manages to catch three black elves by the simple device of bird- lime. Having become the master of these elves, Barney is able to do wonders for himself and others with their aid, and finally to perform a very considerable service to his Monarch, and so find his way to fortune. It will thus be seen that the author of these tales works on old-fashioned lines. He does so very successfully, however, as indeed is shown by other stories, such as "Poor Hans," "The Green Lizard," and "The Wonderful Pipe." Altogether, this is an admirable book of its kind, well put together, elegantly printed, and most tastefully illustrated.
Previous page
