Le Heads-Masterre of the Lycée Janson de Sailly.
THE FARTHING NOVEL SERIES.
Now that the entire works of the late William Shakspeare can be purchased (allowing for discount) for fourpence-halfpenny, it seems strange that no publisher has issued the more celebrated of our romances at the rate per volume of the smallest coin of the realm. That it can be done will be obvious to the meanest comprehension. All that is required is brevity and intelligibility. It is only necessary to give an outline of the story—the sketchier the better. If a little "local colouring" can be thrown in, no harm will be done. But that local colouring must be distinctly modern. Again, if sentiments calculated to be popular with the class by whom the series is likely to be purchased are introduced, a distinct gain will be the consequence. But as an example is better than pages of description, a sample is subjoined:—
IVANHOE;
Or, The Disguised Knight, the Distressed Jewess, and the Templar who did not Behave like a Gentleman.
Chapter I.
"You are very welcome," said Cedric the Saxon, for the fifth time, as Sir Brian de Bois-Gilbert took down the Fair Rowena to supper. "As for you, Wilfrid the Pilgrim, sit below the salt, and, Sir Seneschal, keep your eyes upon the horn spoons."
"And this is the curse of the land," murmured the heir, as he helped himself to plum-pasty, the forerunner of plum-pudding. "It is this haughtiness that causes our yeomen to strike, and makes Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, and the rest of his merry men possible!"