Stories from the Faery Queens. By Mary McLeod. With an
Introduction by John W. Hales. (Gardner, Darton, and Co.)— Professor Hales writes an admirable introduction, containing in a very small compass a most instructive criticism of the poet. The " tales " themselves are skilfully done. It is impossible not to feel that Spenser is a writer whom it is difficult fully to enjoy. His plan is complicated, his language is what may be called bizarre, a dialect that never was spoken or written by any mortal man. Hence he needs an introduction. The average reader wants to be assured that there is something in him worth searching for, and this assurance he gets here. It would be a good thing to give any one who is going to begin either the Iliad, the Odyssey, or the .ZEneid an outline of the story in what may be called the natural order. Readers of "The Faerie Queene " need the help just as much, or even more, and Miss McLeod supplies it in these very well written tales. The illustrations, by A. G. Walker, are no small addition to the value of the book.
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