DONEGAL FAIRY STORIES.
Donego2 Fairy Stories. Collected and Told by Seumas MacManus. (Isbister and Co. 5s.)—We are told in the preface that the peasants of Donegal still listen to the sold stories with keen interest, and certainly the ten collected in this book are a worthy addition to fairy literature. In many of them the native humour gives an unexpected turn to the development of a familiar form of folk-tale, and the chara eters do not always follow the expected lines. The little Red Man who often appears to help the heroes is a far more respectable character than one naturally expects to find in one so well versed in magic. One of the best stories is " Hookedy Crookedy," and tells how Jack, the King of Ireland's son, went to seek his fortune, and beginning by taking service with a giant, ended with great bravery and skill in winning the heart of the charming Princess, Yellow Rose. Then there is the story of the lady who spent the time between midnight and cock- crow in chatting with the Devil. but Jack, the King of Ireland's son, saved her from this perilous situation, and exorcised the fiend by breaking ten blackthorns on the Princess's back. One or two of the stories are rather grim, particularly "Donal that was Rich and Jack that was Poor," and might frighten a nervous child. The illustrations are simple and spirited.
Previous page
