There is no need of many words in introducing the old familiar friends of fairy-land, who never fail of a welcome from those, not yet too old to feel the power of their fascination. The following collection of tales has been made in the assurance that, among the younger readers for whom they are intended, the genuine fairy tale is still without a rival, as a source of interest and amusement ; as a source of instruction also, might with truth be added, for, apart from the homely wisdom which underlies most fairy tales, there is in several of them touch of the fable, which, of all forms, is the most acceptable and convincing for the transmittance of moral teaching. The tales from the "Gammer Grethel " series, are given in the version, published in the "Bohn Library" from the admirable translation by Mr Edgar Taylor, which has, for many years past, delighted its readers; the tales from the "Kinder und Hans-Marchen" have been newly translated.

As much variety as possible has been put into the choice of tales, selection for the most part falling on those which are known to be universally acknowledged as favourites; and as such, it is the hope of the Editor, they may continue, under the new garb in which he now presents them to his young friends.

EDITOR.