Norwegian Fairy - Tales. Translated by Abel Heywood from the Collection of
P. Chr. Asbjornsen and Jurgen Moe. (George Routledge and Co.)—We should say that these tales have very various derivations, and some of them have a curious want of proportion, and sudden changes of style, due to their having been handed down orally. Some are variants of the more widespread folk-tales,—" The Twelve Wild Ducks," for instance. One or two of them seem to us remarkable for their excellent handling of problems of life and the attendant moral. "The Way of the World" is as short and effective a story as one could find in any language. " Gudbrand of the Mountain Side " relates the story of a peasant who went to market with his cow, and, failing to do business, on his way home exchanged it for a horse, and making a series of " swaps," was finally reduced to a gamecock, which he sold to buy himself food. He then made a wager with a neighbour that his good-natured wife would find no fault with him. The neighbour accompanies him home, and listens outside while the good wife excuses and even commends the several exchanges, con- cluding with an outburst of thankfulness that her husband has come home. The wager is fairly won ; the tale is not only an interesting but a very beautiful one. There are many others nearly as good, and all are worth reading. The illustrations are suitable, and some show the true characteristics of fairy-tale trolls and their kindred folk. The Norwegian ideas of wealth will raise a smile, even among children, and contrast strangely with the other gorgeous descriptions.
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