Darton, F.J.H.
Tales of the Canterbury Pilgrims.
Stokes. 1.50
Mr. Darton has so delightfully made real the times of Richard II, and has so well adapted the tales told by the immortal pilgrims, that we owe him a debt of thanks. I say we, for certainly we older people will enjoy them as much as our children. In retelling the tales in prose the editor has introduced material from Lydgate and others. Dr. Furnivall contributes an illuminating introduction, and Hugh Thomson's illustrations are, as usual, very satisfactory.
He (Chaucer) carried his sunshine with him as he rode and walked about, observing with quick eye the varied life around him, and then reproducing it for us in words which enable us to recreate it, and to see the sun of his genius over the land we love.
F. J. Furnivall.
Lamb, Charles and MARY.
Tales from Shakspeare.
Illustrated by N. M. Price.
Scribner. 2.50
The following Tales are meant to be submitted to the young reader as an introduction to the study of Shakspeare, for which purpose his words are used whenever it seemed possible to bring them in; ... words introduced into our language since his time have been as far as possible avoided.... What these Tales shall have been to the young readers, that and much more it is the writers' wish that the true Plays of Shakspeare may prove to them in older years--enrichers of the fancy, strengtheners of virtue, a withdrawing from all selfish and mercenary thoughts, a lesson of all sweet and honourable thoughts and actions, to teach courtesy, benignity, generosity, humanity: for of examples, teaching these virtues, his pages are full.--Preface.