MYTHOLOGY.
If we wish the young generation to understand more about allusions than is conveyed in the foot-notes of their School Readers, we must let them have access to a few books containing the more remarkable myths. I do not recommend Sir George Cox’s, as the reducing them to the supposed Aryan origin of natural phenomena mars the pleasure of reading them. The best books are:
510. The Heroes. By C. Kingsley. (Macmillan) 6s.
The earlier myths are here told to perfection. The only pity is that there are not more of them.
511. Tanglewood Tales: and the Wonder Book. By N. Hawthorne. (Routledge) 2 vols. 2s. each, or 1 vol. 3s. 6d.
Several of these are on the same subjects as those of Kingsley, but told with less deference to the original outline. Prometheus and Midas are specially memorable for the point given them. I have seen Midas delight clever village children and utterly perplex dull ones.
512. Stories from Heathen Mythology. By Rev. J. M. Neale. (Masters) 2s.
Simply and charmingly told.
513. Greek Hero Stories. By Niebuhr. (Shaw) 2s. 6d.
These are translated from the German in which Niebuhr told them to his little son.
514. The Heroes of Asgard. By A. and E. Keary. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d.
To add the myths of our own ancestors to those of Greece, we have here the stories of Odin and Thor beautifully told.
Professor Church’s series, published by Seeley, should be in school libraries of a higher class, but they are too numerous and too expensive for the ordinary parish library.
515. Cruise of Ulysses and his Men. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 2s. 6d.
516. Old Greek Stories. By Charles Henry Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.
517. Wanderings of Æneas. By Charles Henry Hanson. (Nelson) 3s. and 3s. 6d.
Narratives well told and illustrated. In the ‘Æneid’ it is often almost translation. Outline illustrations in Flaxman’s style, often from the antique, very small, but as nude figures occur, they must be shown with caution. Excellent prizes for boys aiming at cultivation of mind.
