HISTORICAL TALES.
These are of considerable value, not only as serving as ‘sugared history’ and conveying facts, but sometimes as supplying the element of romance which is almost essential to a wholesome development. Moreover, these stories are of great assistance in making it evident that the actors in history are not mere names with dates attached, to load the memory for an examination, but that they have been flesh and blood beings like ourselves.
There has been of late a great attempt to supply these tales, with very varied success. Some are so interesting as to be read apart from all purpose, for their mere interest. Others present nothing but wooden puppets put into the carefully studied costume of their period, and stiffly working out the facts, with much pains but no life. These, however, have a certain value, not only because perverse youth will read them when it will not read real history; but also because when a special period has to be ‘got up,’ they impress details of manners, dress, and habits in a convenient way. We shall therefore endeavour to give a chronological list of English, foreign, and Church history tales.
TALES ON EARLY CHURCH HISTORY.
There are many of these, and it is difficult to choose among them. Those are here mentioned which may serve best to interest young people in the primitive Church, and give some idea of the days of martyrdom.
361. Triumphs of the Cross, and Deeds of Faith. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) Two series, each 2s.
362. Lent Legends. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.
363. Followers of the Lord. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.
Brief tales through the whole range of Church history, some of them quite unrivalled in effectiveness.
364. Helena’s Household. By the author of ‘The Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 4s.
This tells of the days of the Catacombs.
365. Gaudentius. By the Rev. G. F. Davies. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.
The builder of the Colosseum, who afterwards became a martyr there.
366. Lapsed not Lost. By the Author of ‘The Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.
A failure from weakness in the days of St. Cyprian.
367. The Egyptian Wanderers. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.
Giving with much vividness the trials of the Christians at different times of persecution.
368. Narcissus. By the Bishop of Ripon. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.
369. Conquering and to Conquer. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.
The days of St. Jerome and the Gothic invasion of Rome.
370. Bilihild. By Julie Sutter. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.
The conversion of part of Germany.
371. Mitslav, or the Conversion of Pomerania. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.
372. Tales illustrating Church History. (Parker, Oxford) In seven 3s. 6d. vols., to be had separately.
I regret that these tales are not to be had singly as before, and that they are arranged by countries, not chronology. The most useful for illustrations of primitive Church history are those called ‘Asia and Africa’ and ‘France and Spain,’ containing the four following:—
373. The Quay of the Dioscuri.
On the persecution of St. Athanasius.
374. The Exiles of the Cevenna.
Persecution in Gaul.
375. Lucia’s Marriage.
Christians in Africa.
376. The Lazar House of Leros.
The Lepers in an island of the Archipelago.
377. The Farm of Aptonga. (Masters) 2s.
African adventures of Christians.
TALES ON ENGLISH HISTORY.
These tales of English History are given in greater numbers and with less sifting than the others, because when a particular period is proposed for study or examination a story even of no great merit may be an assistance. Also some belonging to higher literature are enumerated so as to make out a complete list.
378. The Camp on the Severn. By Rev. E. Cutts. (Mowbray) 2s.
379. No. XIII. The Lost Vestal. By Emma Marshall. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.
Both these start from St. Alban’s martyrdom. Neither is quite satisfactory as to correctness, but the second is the more vivid, the latter part being upon scenes at Rome. The first needs less education to be understood.
380. Stories of the Days of King Arthur. By C. H. Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.
Hardly to be called historical, but with the grand outlines of Sir T. Malory’s great romance and with excellent illustrations by Gustave Doré. Desirable as giving the genuine English heroic tale, noble in itself, and furnishing allusions. It is intended to prepare the way for Malory and Tennyson, and there is thus little said of the Quest of the Holy Grail.
381. Edwy the Fair. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.
382. Alfgar the Dane. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.
383. The Rival Heirs. By Rev. A. D. Crake. (Rivingtons) 3s. 6d.
This and the other ‘Chronicles of Æscendune’ endeavour to dramatise the days of Anglo-Saxon history. Young people like them very much, but there is more of adventure and research than of character or life.
384. The Champion of Odin. By Hodgetts. (Cassell) 5s.
A fierce story of wild Northmen invading England. The manners are well touched, but there is the great error of making Alfred knowingly re-baptise a Dane who had recurred to his wild life.
385. Harold. By Lord Lytton. (Routledge) 6d., 2s., and 3s. 6d.
This and other historical novels of high merit are here mentioned to complete the series, though only for advanced readers.
386. The Camp of Refuge. (Leach) 5s.
The legend of Hereward le Wake, not told with the fire of imagination which Kingsley has thrown into it.
387. Hereward, the Last of the English. By C. Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.
But we should prefer the former of the two for younger and simpler readers.
388. Lady Sybil’s Choice. By Emily S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
Miss Holt’s tales will be enumerated in their order of chronology, but the following description must be understood to apply to all. Manners and customs, history and chronicle, are minutely studied; but the mediæval Church is never understood, and sympathy is uniformly with those who separated from it. What is especially to be regretted is that there are often innuendoes and even more direct attacks on present practices and opinions, which the author thinks a return to what she reprobates.
389. The Knight’s Ransom. By Mrs. Valentine. (Warne) 2s. 6d.
Greatly relished by young people. It is founded on the legend of the lady whose hand was the ransom of her crusading knight.
390. The Betrothed. By Sir Walter Scott.
Belonging to the higher order of literature. Bringing out the state of things on the Welsh border under Henry II., not accurately but impressively.
391. The Talisman. By Sir Walter Scott. Scott’s novels may be had at any price from 6d. upwards. It is of no use to specify publisher.
The master hand has lighted up the relations between Cœur-de-Lion and Saladin. There is no need to touch on the inaccuracies where the scene is made so real.
392. Ivanhoe. By Sir Walter Scott.
The same may be said of this romance of the return of Cœur-de-Lion.
393. Philip Augustus. By G. P. R. James. (Warne) 6d.
Vividly giving the relations of King John with the astute Frenchman.
394. Earl Hubert’s Daughter. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
The reign of Henry III., with a curious picture of Jewish life in England.
395. The Prince and the Page. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.
The prince is Edward I., the page a son of Simon de Montfort.
396. Prentice Hugh. By F. M. Peard. (National Society) 3s. 6d.
Burgher and apprentice life under Edward I., chiefly concerned with the carvings of the corbels in Exeter Cathedral; fit to raise the sense of responsibility in such work.
397. The Lord of the Isles. By Sir Walter Scott.
The rise of Bruce and battle of Bannockburn had best be illustrated by this grand tale in poetry.
398. Castle Dangerous. By Sir Walter Scott.
The perilous castle of Douglas.
399. In All Time of Our Tribulation. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw)
The times of Edward II., whose two favourites are well painted.
400. Not for Him. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
On the Earl of Lancaster and the Order of Poor Brothers.
401. The Well in the Desert. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.
The persecuted daughter of Hugh Le Despenser.
402. Golden Horse-shoes. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 5s.
Founded on the golden horse-shoes in the Guildhall at Oakham. Spirited and interesting to children, though the chivalry is rather fanciful than real.
403. The Lances of Lynwood. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.
Gives the doings of the Black Prince in Spain and at Bordeaux.
404. Tales from Chaucer. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.
Not exactly historical, but useful to those who have to get up knowledge of history and English literature.
405. John de Wycliffe. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.
The Reformer according to Miss Holt’s view.
406. The Lord Mayor. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
A sad and veritable tale.
407. The Lord of the Marches. By E. S. Holt. 3s. 6d.
Roger Mortimer, whose untimely death led to the Wars of the Roses.
408. The Fair Maid of Perth. By Sir Walter Scott.
Poor Robert III. of Scotland and the murder of Rothsay.
409. The Boy Bishop. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan)
A short outline in ‘Byewords,’ [No. 574].
410. The Caged Lion. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
James I. of Scotland and the last days of Henry V.
411. The White Rose of Langley. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
412. Mistress Margery. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.
413. Red and White. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
414. Margery’s Son. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
These four give the York and Lancaster times from a Lollard point of view.
415. A Stormy Life. By Lady G. Fullerton. 1s. 6d.
The history of poor Margaret of Anjou, supposed to be written by one of her ladies, putting her in a favourable point of view.
416. For and Against. By F. M. Wilbraham. (Parker) 10s. 6d.
A carefully written tale on the Yorkist side.
417. The Last of the Barons. By Lord Lytton. (Warne) 6d. (Routledge) 2s. and 3s. 6d.
This is real literature and almost worthy to stand beside Scott.
418. The Earl Printer. By C. MacSorley. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.
A young Lancastrian working as a printer under Caxton. Good.
419. Malvern Chase. (Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.) 5s.
Ranging through that portion of the Wars of the Roses which was connected with the Severn country, showing much local knowledge and research.
420. A Tangled Web. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
The fortunes of Perkin Warbeck. Not quite so good as another tale of him in the ‘Monthly Packet,’ which has never been republished.
421. The Armourer’s Prentices. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
‘Ill May-day’ and the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold.’
422. The Household of Sir Thomas More. By A. Manning. (Hall) 2s. 6d.
Supposed to be the diary of Margaret Roper. A charming book.
423. The Knevets. By Emily Taylor. (Houlston) 2s. 6d.
Norfolk in early Reformation days. Well and fairly drawn.
424. Lady of the Lake. By Sir Walter Scott.
425. Marmion. By Sir Walter Scott.
Though poems, neither of these should be left out from the course.
426. The Prince and the Pauper. By Mark Twain. (Chatto & Windus) 7s. 6d.
This most diverting book, exchanging Edward VI. for a little street boy, has one grievous flaw—it marries a man to his sister-in-law, but only in the last two pages, and with so little preparation that the passage might be extirpated without anyone missing them.
427. The Tower of London. By W. Harrison Ainsworth. (Routledge) 1s., 2s. and 3s. 6d.
This has a great fascination for young people, dealing as it does with Lady Jane Grey, Edward Courtenay, and the terrible plotter Simon.
428. Robin Tremayne. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
429. Isoult Barry. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
430. For the Master’s Sake. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.
All three pursuing the fortunes of the same family. On the Marian persecution in its worst light.
431. Her Majesty’s Bear. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 5s.
Very amusing and prettily told adventures at Dover in Queen Elizabeth’s time, lacking in probability and details of manner, but still a charming children’s book.
432. The Good Old Days. By Esmé Stuart. (Marcus Ward) 5s.
Life in Elizabethan times, beautifully illustrated by Mr. H. Stacy Marks.
433. Kenilworth. By Sir Walter Scott.
A noble romance founded on tradition and ballad. Though historic doubts question the truth of the legend, and Scott has, for the sake of effect, altered the circumstances, nothing gives so vivid an impression of the times of Queen Elizabeth.
434. The Abbot. By Sir Walter Scott.
Should be read for the sake of the escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven.
435. Unknown to History. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
Mary of Scotland in captivity.
436. Westward Ho! By Charles Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.
One of the most powerful historical romances in existence.
437. Clare Avery. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 5s.
Also on the Armada, with more hints on Romish perils than are quite needful.
438. Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare.
These are the best stepping-stones to Shakespeare himself.
439. The Cruise of the ‘Bonny Kate.’ (Hayes) 3s. 6d.
Telling well of Chancellor’s voyage to Russia.
440. For Queen and King. By Henry Frith (Cassell) 5s.
Essex’s rebellion and the Gunpowder Plot. It is rather wooden and devoid of character, and very hard upon Garnett.
441. The Fortunes of Nigel. By Sir Walter Scott.
A somewhat painful picture of the Court and manners of James I.
442. Lady Betty’s Governess. By L. E. Guernsey. (Shaw) 5s.
The story is pretty, but the ideas of the Laudian theology are very peculiar. Bishop Hall is quite incorrectly represented as at enmity with Laud.
443. The Siege of Lichfield. By Rev. W. Gresley. (Masters) 3s.
One of the earliest of Church tales. A little heavy, perhaps, but full of interest.
444. Mary Powell. By Anne Manning. (Hall) 2s. 6d.
The supposed diary of Milton’s first wife. Written with great sweetness and interest.
445. Judged by Appearances. By Eleanor Lloyd. (London Literary Society) 6s.
There is much reality, much character, much fairness and clearness of insight in this very worthy story of the Great Rebellion.
446. The Legend of Montrose. By Sir Walter Scott.
A brilliant fragment of the career of the great Marquess.
447. Journal of Lady Beatrix Graham. (Bell) 5s.
A lovingly written study of the character of Montrose, purporting to be by his sister. It has great sweetness.
448. The Draytons and the Davenants. By the Author of the ‘Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 3s. 6d.
Conscientious Roundheads and Cavaliers, a little too much inclined to think everybody in the right.
449. John Inglesant. By J. H. Shorthouse. (Macmillan) 6s.
Too grand and deep a book for the average readers of a parish library, but one that cannot be omitted here, though it is a very Triton among the minnows. It is a real study to such as can appreciate it.
450. The King’s Namesake. By C. M. Phillimore. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
A child’s tale of the captivity of King Charles.
451. St. George and St. Michael. By G. Macdonald. (Kegan Paul) 4s. 6d.
A noble and brilliant sketch of the time of the siege of Raglan Castle, the devices of Lord Glamorgan and the constancy of the grand old Marquis of Worcester.
452. Brave Dame Mary. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
The first siege of Corfe Castle made into a fairly interesting tale.
453. The Pigeon Pie. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 1s.
Also a child’s tale of the hiding of fugitive Cavaliers.
454. Under the Storm, or Steadfast’s Charge. By C. M. Yonge. (National Society) 3s. 6d.
A young lad left in charge of the church plate during the Rebellion. An attempt at realising the condition of the lower classes in those times.
455. The Two Swords. By Emma Marshall. (Seeley)
456. Dorothy’s Venture. (Nelson) 6d.
Prettily told of a child begging her uncle’s life of Cromwell, but with historical blunders. Vane had long broken with Cromwell. Moreover, the Protector loved practical jokes, and he is here said to have despised them.
457. Rosamond Fane. By M. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.
The escape of the Duke of York, very well told, so as to be thoroughly acceptable to children.
458. The Children of the New Forest. By Capt. Marryat. (Bell) 5s. (Routledge) 3s. 6d.
Adventures of the orphans of a Cavalier so related as to be a treasure to children.
459. Woodstock. By Sir Walter Scott.
One of the most delightful of all Sir Walter’s historical novels.
460. Scapegrace Dick. By F. M. Peard. (National Society) 3s. 6d.
A young runaway who serves under Admiral Blake, and, being taken prisoner, goes through very interesting experiences among the great Dutch artists.
461. The Carved Cartoon. By Austin Clare. (S.P.C.K.) 4s.
Awkwardly named, but exciting much interest even in persons with no knowledge of history by the vicissitudes of Grinling Gibbons, the carver, in the Plague and Fire of London.
462. The Brave Men of Eyam. By the Rev. E. N. Hoare. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.
The plague at Eyam. Authentic records told as a story, but unfortunately rather dry.
463. Peveril of the Peak (Scott) would complete the roll here, but it might not be desirable for all readers.
464. In the Golden Days. By Edna Lyall. (Hurst & Blackett) 6s.
Has a noble hero, but Algernon Sidney is scarcely a desirable subject for enthusiasm.
465. Under the Mendips. By Emma Marshall. (Seeley) 5s.
Monmouth’s rebellion and its consequences.
466. The Last of the Cavaliers. (Bentley) 6s.
Deservedly reprinted. On the battle of Killiecrankie.
467. The Oak Staircase. By M. and C. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 3s. 6d.
The troubles of one of the maids of Taunton related by herself. A great favourite with children.
468. The Danvers Papers: and Lady Hester. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
A Puritan lady and Jacobite husband at the time of the Revolution.
469. The Maidens’ Lodge. By E. S. Holt. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.
A pretty picture of Queen Anne’s time.
470. The Travels of Two Kits. By C. M. Yonge. In ‘Byewords.’ (Macmillan) 6s. See [No. 574].
Two children’s pilgrimage to Queen Anne to be touched for the King’s evil.
471. Rob Roy, more powerful than pleasant, comes in here.
472. Dorothy Forster. By W. Besant. (Chatto & Windus) 2s.
A powerful story of the Rebellion of 1715.
473. Lady Betty. By C. R. Coleridge. (Warne) 3s. 6d.
A very graceful, lady-like tale of early Jacobite times.
474. Lucy’s Campaign. By M. Lee. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 1s. 6d.
The ’45 as seen by a little girl. A great favourite with those for whom it is meant, though there are a few anachronisms as to manners.
475. Waverley. By Sir Walter Scott.
The unrivalled presentment of the ’45.
476. Redgauntlet. By Sir Walter Scott.
The Jacobite plotters when their cause was worn out.
477. Diary of Kitty Trevelyan. By the Author of ‘Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (Nelson) 3s. 6d.
Showing the enthusiasm of Wesleyanism. To be given with due caution.
478. With Wolfe in Canada. By G. A. Henty. (Blackie) 6s.
Valuable details of the conquest.
479. A Great Treason. By M. Hoppus.
Too long and involved, but showing the state of society in the American war, especially the desertion of Arnold and the death of André.
480. Lionel Lincoln. By Fenimore Cooper. To be had in cheap form.
The siege of Boston.
481. Mother Molly. By F. M. Peard. (Bell) 5s.
An admirable alarm of a French invasion at Plymouth. Very life-like.
482. The Prisoner’s Daughter. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.
French prisoners at Winchester.
483. Clare Saville. (Warne) 2s.
The days of the Blanketeers and of the Peninsular war.
484. How They were Caught in a Trap. By Esmé Stuart. (Marcus Ward) 5s.
English prisoners detained in France by Napoleon I.
485. Against the Stream. By the Author of ‘Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family.’ (S.P.C.K.) 4s.
The course of opinion and improvement in England during the reign of George III.
TALES FROM GENERAL HISTORY.
This is a brief list, but only those have been selected which have an interest as tales, apart from the history they are meant to illustrate.
486. Two Thousand Years Ago. By Prof. Church. (Blackie) 6s.
The adventures of a Roman lad in the days of Cæsar and Cicero.
487. Good King Wenceslas. By L. Schekky. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.
Why this is called a tale of old English life in the S.P.C.K. catalogue there is no guessing. Wenceslas is the King of Bohemia, well known in the ‘Christmas Carol.’
488. The Little Duke. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 4s. 6d.
Richard the Fearless of Normandy.
489. Brothers in Arms. (Church Extension Society) 2s. 6d.
The piteous story of the children’s crusade.
490. The King of a Day. By F. Wilford. (Masters) 1s.
A well-told tale of a little twelfth-day king in the fifteenth century.
491. The Constant Prince. By C. R. Coleridge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.
The noble history of the prisoner Dom Fernando, the Christian Regulus of Portugal.
492. The Dove in the Eagle’s Nest. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
German barons under Maximilian.
493. The Schönberg-Cotta Family. (Nelson) 5s.
The early days of Luther.
494. In the Olden Time. By the Author of ‘Mlle. Mori.’ (Longmans) 2s. 6d.
The days of the peasants’ war in Germany.
495. Espérance; or, The Siege of Rouen. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
496. For Faith and Fatherland. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s. 6d.
The above two are Reformation tales in France and Holland.
497. The Chaplet of Pearls. By C. M. Yonge. (Macmillan) 6s.
The massacre of St. Bartholomew and its consequences.
498. The Thorn Fortress. By M. Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
The retreat of some villagers to a hiding-place in the forests during the Thirty Years’ War, and the doings of a little girl captured by a Croat. An unusually charming book.
499. The Little Blue Lady. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 4s. 6d.
A pretty story, though scarcely natural, of the brighter days of Marie Antoinette.
500. Seeketh not her Own. By S. M. Sitwell. (Shaw) 3s. 6d.
The story of the Lagaraye Hospital very well told.
501. Isabeau’s Hero. By Esmé Stuart. (S.P.C.K.) 3s. 6d.
The revolt of the Cevennes, with the brave deeds of Cavalier.
502. By Fire and Sword. (Cassell) 2s. 6d.
A powerful portrait of the Huguenot persecution under Louis XV.
503. The Blue Ribbons. By A. H. Drury. (See [No. 80].)
A charming story of Marie Antoinette acting fairy to a little boy.
504. Through Rough Waters. By F. M. Peard. (Bell) 5s.
The rough waters are those of the first French Revolution.
505. Max Krömer. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.
The siege of Strasburg in the Franco-German war.
506. Kenneth; or, The Rear Guard of the Grand Army. By C. M. Yonge. (Parker) 5s.
The retreat from Moscow.
507. The Young Breton Volunteers. By M. Wilbraham. (Masters) 1s.
A rising of La Vendée against Napoleon in the Hundred Days.
508. Mademoiselle Mori. (Longmans) 2s. 6d.
An able and touching picture of the Italian struggles of 1848.
509. In Time of War. By J. F. Cobb. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.)
The siege of Paris first by Prussians and then by Communists.
