W. H. D. Rouse

Once upon a time there lived a very good King, whose name was Godfrey. Of course, when a man is King, everybody is ready to call him good; but this King really was good. He used to hold courts of justice for people to come to when they had a quarrel; and he decided all the cases so wisely that nobody durst bring an unjust cause before him. So after a while the result was, that the courts became empty; all the rustle and bustle was quiet, the wigs and gowns were hung up on pegs, and as dusty as dusty could be; and nobody had any quarrels at all.

“What a blessing!” thought King Godfrey to himself. “Now we have a little peace. And they say it’s all my doing! I wonder if I am really as good as people make me out. Suppose I try to see?” No sooner said than done with this King. He asked one and he asked another; he begged and prayed them to tell him of his faults, so that he might mend them; but no, they said they really could not tell him of his faults, when he had none to tell of. He tried in the palace, he tried in the city; high and low, to and fro, it was just the same: all praise and no blame.

The King’s Lesson.

The King’s Lesson.

“Well, upon my word,” thought the King, “I had no idea I was such a good fellow. Still, who knows what they say behind my back? Happy thought! I’ll disguise myself, and that will soon show me the truth.” So he dressed himself like a traveller, and got a carriage and pair, and drove all over the country, asking everybody what they thought of the King. Wonder of wonders! they said the same behind his back as they did to his face! That must have been a very nice country to live in, but I am sure I cannot tell where it is.

Now in such a strange country as that, strange things will happen; and so it turned out that, as our King was driving along, he came to a narrow lane sunk between two steep banks, with only just room for the carriage; and right in the middle of this lane another carriage met him. There they stood, both of them, and neither would budge. Our King did not know who was in that carriage, but I will tell you who it was. This was the King of the next country, who was also a good king as kings go, though not so good as the first; and he had got the same idea into his head, that he would wander about in disguise, and find out what people thought of him. Everybody had a good word for him too, it seems; but if he found no one to pick faults in him before, here was one now, as you shall see.

“Get out of the way!” said the driver of the other carriage.

“Get out of the way yourself!” said King Godfrey’s man. “I have a King inside,” said he; you see, he knew who the disguised traveller was, and he thought there was no need to hide it now, when it might save him trouble.

“If you have one King, I have another!” said the other man; and imagine how astonished King Godfrey’s coachman was to hear that.

“Oh dear, oh dear,” he said, “what is to be done? Both Kings! How old is your King?” he added suddenly, hoping, you see, that the younger might be willing to give way.

“Fifty.”

“Fifty! So is mine! And how rich is he? ”

But it turned out they were just the same in that point; and though he cudgelled his brains to find out some difference, there seemed to be none; their kingdoms were exactly the same size, with exactly the same number of people in them, and their ancestors had been just as brave and glorious in peace or war. In fact, they were as like as two peas in a pod.

All this time the horses were champing their bits and pawing the ground, as if they would like to jump over each other’s heads; and I daresay the Kings were getting impatient too, though they were much too dignified to say anything. And there they might have stayed till doomsday, but that King Godfrey’s coachman hit on a fine idea. He suggested that perhaps one of them was a better King than the other; what were his master’s virtues, would the other coachman kindly tell him?

The other coachman had his answer all ready, in poetry too, and this it was:

“Rough to the rough, my mighty King the mild with mildness sways,

Masters the good by goodness, and the bad with badness pays:

Give place, give place, O driver! such are this monarch’s ways!”

“H’m,” said King Godfrey’s driver, “tit for tat is all very well, but I shouldn’t call it virtue to pay out a bad man in his own coin.”

“Oh, well,” says the other in a huff, “you can call it vice if you like; and I should be very glad to hear all your King’s virtues, if you laugh at mine!”

“Certainly,” said King Godfrey’s coachman; and, not to be beaten, he did his answer into poetry, like the other:

“He conquers wrath by mildness, the bad with goodness sways,

By gifts the miser vanquishes and lies with truth repays.

Give place, give place, O driver! such are this monarch’s ways!”

Then the other man felt he had met his match. “I can’t cap that,” said he; “your master is better than mine.” And the new King, who had not said a word all this time, thought it was time to be moving; perhaps he had been asleep; anyhow, he was not at all angry with his coachman, but out he got, and they let the horses loose, and pulled the carriage up on the slope to let King Godfrey pass by. But King Godfrey, before he went on, gave the other King a little good advice, which the King promised to take; for in that strange country people used to follow good advice sometimes. And then they said “Good-bye,” and both went back home again, and both of them ruled their countries well until they died. The other King, we may be sure, was all the better for that lesson; and I hope Godfrey did not become conceited in that strange country, as he would have been if he lived here with us.

Boy carrying large book.

FINIS

MR. DAVID NUTT’S LIST OF GIFT-BOOKS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, for the most part fully illustrated by leading artists in black and white, sumptuously printed on specially made paper, bound in attractive and original covers, and sold at the lowest price consistent with equitable remuneration to authors and artists, and beauty and durability of get up.

CONTENTS.

FAIRY TALES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
WORKS BY HIS HONOUR JUDGE E. A. PARRY.
WORKS BY MRS. RADFORD.
WORKS ILLUSTRATED BY MISS WINIFRED SMITH.
WORKS BY MRS. LEIGHTON, ASBJÖRNSEN, ETC.

“The Ideal Gift-Books of the Season.”

FAIRY TALES OF THE

BRITISH EMPIRE.

Collected and Edited by JOSEPH JACOBS.

Illustrated by J. D. BATTEN.

Mr. Jacobs’ Fairy Tales, which have been appearing since 1890, have won immediate and widespread acceptance. The choice of matter, the simplicity and suitable character of the language of the text, the beauty, humour, and charm of Mr. Batten’s illustrations, and the large and legible type, have commended the series alike to children and to lovers of art; whilst the prefaces and elaborate notes, parallels, and references added by the Editor, have made them indispensable to the increasingly large portion of the public interested in the history and archÆology of popular fiction.

“Fairy Tales of the British Empire” are to be had in two forms, at 3s. 6d. and at 6s. a volume.

In so far as Tales and Illustrations are concerned, the 3s. 6d. Edition will be the same as the original 6s. one. But the Editor’s Prefaces, Notes, Parallels, and References are omitted.

A full list of the Series, a specimen of Mr. Batten’s beautiful Illustrations, and a very small selection from the numberless kindly notices which the Press has bestowed upon the Series, will be found on the following pages.

No Children’s Edition of the “Indian Fairy Tales” will be issued for the present.

N.B.—A few copies of the Japanese Vellum Issues, printed in large 8vo, with double state of the plates, are still to be had of Indian, More Celtic, and More English Fairy Tales. Prices may be learnt on application to the Publisher. The special issues of English and Celtic Fairy Tales, entirely out of print, command a heavy premium.

Some Press Notices

OF

JACOBS’ AND BATTEN’S FAIRY TALES.

English Fairy Tales.

Daily Graphic.—“As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages, ranks second to none.” Globe.—“A delight alike to the young people and their elders.” England.—“A most delightful volume of fairy tales.” Daily News.—“A more desirable child’s book ... has not been seen for many a day.” AthenÆum.—“From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are delightful.” E. S. Hartland.—“The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and contents together, ever presented to children.” Miss Thackeray.—“This delightful book.” Review of Reviews.—“Nothing could be more fascinating.”

Celtic Fairy Tales.

Scotsman.—“One of the best books of stories ever put together.” Freeman’s Journal.—“An admirable selection.” Ariel.—“Delightful stories, exquisite illustrations by John D. Batten, and learned notes.” Daily Telegraph.—“A stock of delightful little narratives.” Daily Chronicle.—“A charming volume skilfully illustrated.” Pall Mall Budget.—“A perfectly lovely book. And oh! the wonderful pictures inside.” Liverpool Daily Post.—“The best fairy book of the present season.” Oban Times.—“Many a mother will bless Mr. Jacobs, and many a door will be open to him from Land’s End to John o’ Groat’s.”

More English Fairy Tales.

AthenÆum.—“Will become more popular with children than its predecessor.” Notes and Queries.—“Delightful and in every respect worthy of its predecessor.” Glasgow Herald.—“A more delightful collection of fairy tales could hardly be wished for.” Glasgow Evening News.—“The new volume of ‘English Fairy Tales’ is worthy of the one that went before, and this is really saying a great deal.”

More Celtic Fairy Tales.

Daily Chronicle.—“A bright exemplar of almost all a fairy-tale book should be.” Saturday Review.—“Delightful for reading and profitable for comparison.” Notes and Queries.—“A delightful companion into a land of enchantment.” Irish Daily Independent.—“Full of bold and beautiful illustrations.” North British Daily Mail.—“The stories are admirable, and nothing could be better in their way than the designs.” News of the World.—“Mr. Batten has a real genius for depicting fairy folk.”

Indian Fairy Tales.

Dublin Daily Express.—“Unique and charming anthology.” Daily News.—“Good for the schoolroom and the study.” Star.—“Illustrated with a charming freshness of fancy.” Gloucester Journal.—“A book which is something more than a valuable addition to folk-lore; a book for the student as well as for the child.” Scotsman.—“Likely to prove a perfect success.” Literary World.—“Admirably grouped, and very enjoyable.”

WORKS BY HIS HONOUR

JUDGE EDWARD ABBOTT PARRY.

Illustrated by ARCHIE MACGREGOR.

The issue of Katawampus: its Treatment and Cure, in the Christmas Season of 1895, revealed a writer for children who, in originality, spontaneity, and fulness of humour as well as in sympathy with and knowledge of childhood, may be compared, and not to his disadvantage, with Lewis Carroll. And, as is the case with “Alice in Wonderland,” an illustrator was found whose sympathy with his author and capacity for rendering his conceptions have won immediate and widespread recognition. A specimen of the illustrations and a small selection from the press notices will be found overleaf.

For Christmas 1897.

KATAWAMPUS: Its Treatment and Cure.
By His Honour Judge E. A. PARRY.
Illustrated by ARCHIE MACGREGOR.
Second Edition, Cloth, 3s. 6d.

Press Notices.

“One of the very best books of the season.”—The World.

“A very delightful and original book.”—Review of Reviews.

“The book is one of rare drollery, and the verses and pictures are capital of their kind.”—Saturday Review.

“We strongly advise both parents and children to read the book.”—Guardian.

“A truly delightful little book....”—Pall Mall Gazette.

“A tale full of jinks and merriment.”—Daily Chronicle.

“The brightest, wittiest, and most logical fairy-tale we have read for a long time.”—Westminster Gazette.

“Its fun is of the sort that children revel in and ‘grown-ups’ also relish, so spontaneous and irresistible is it.” Manchester Guardian.

“A delightful extravaganza of the ‘Wonderland’ type, but by no means a slavish imitation.”—Glasgow Herald.

“Since ‘Alice in Wonderland’ there has not been a book more calculated to become a favourite in the nursery.”—Baby.

THE BOOK OF WONDER VOYAGES.

Edited with Introduction and Notes by JOSEPH JACOBS.

Illustrated by J. D. BATTEN.

Contents.—The Argonauts—The Voyage of Maelduin—The Journeyings of Hasan of Bassorah to the Islands of Wak-Wak—How Thorkill went to the Under World and Eric the Far-Travelled to Paradise.

This, the latest of the volumes in which Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Batten have collaborated with such admirable results, will be welcomed as heartily as its predecessors by the children of the English-speaking world. A specimen of Mr. Batten’s illustration is appended.

CHILDREN’S SINGING GAMES, with the Tunes to which they are Sung. Collected and Edited by Alice Bertha Gomme. Pictured in Black and White by Winifred Smith. Two Series, each 3s. 6d.

Charming albums in small oblong 4to, printed on antique paper and bound in specially designed cloth cover, and serving equally for the nursery, the schoolroom, and the drawing-room. Mrs. Gomme, the first living authority on English games, has carefully chosen the finest and most interesting of the old traditional singing games, has provided accurate text and music, has given precise directions for playing, and added notes pointing out the historical interests of these survivals of old world practices. The humour, spirit, and grace of Miss Winifred Smith’s drawings may be sufficiently gauged from the annexed specimens and from the following press notices.

Some Press Notices of “Children’s Singing Games.”

Baby.—“A delightful gift for little boys and girls.... Cannot fail to become quickly popular.”

Journal of Education.—“Most charmingly illustrated.”

Saturday Review.—“A truly fascinating book.... It is hopeless to make a choice which is best. The traditional rhymes and music, so quaintly and prettily illustrated, with moreover so much humour and go in all the designs, are charming.”

Scotsman.—“The pictures must please anybody who can appreciate delicate humour.”

Bookman.—“The designs are witty, pretty, and effective.”

Sylvia’s Journal.—“The illustrations are charming.”

NURSERY SONGS AND RHYMES OF ENGLAND.

Pictured in Black and White by Winifred Smith. Small 4to. Printed on hand-made paper. In specially designed cloth cover, 3s. 6d.

Some Press Notices of “Nursery Songs and Rhymes.”

WORKS BY MRS. ERNEST RADFORD.

SONGS FOR SOMEBODY. Verses by Dollie Radford. Pictures by Gertrude Bradley. Square crown 8vo. Six plates printed in colour by Edmund Evans, and 36 designs in monochrome. Coloured cover by Louis Davis. 3s. 6d.

GOOD NIGHT. Verses by Dollie Radford. Designs by Louis Davis. Forty pages entirely designed by the artist and pulled on the finest and the thickest cartridge paper. Boards and canvas back with label, 2s. 6d.

Some Press Notices.

MEDIÆVAL LEGENDS. Being a Gift-Book to the Children of England, of Five Old-World Tales from France and Germany. Demy 8vo. Designed cloth cover, 3s. 6d.

Contents.—The Mysterious History of Melusina—The Story of Æsop—The Rhyme of the Seven Swabians—The Sweet and Touching Tale of Fleur and Blanchefleur—The Wanderings of Duke Ernest.

Some Press Notices.

THE HAPPY PRINCE, and other Tales. By Oscar Wilde. 116 pages, small 4to. Beautifully printed in old-faced type, on cream-laid paper, with wide margins. Bound in Japanese vellum cover, printed in red and black. With three full-page Plates by Walter Crane, and eleven Vignettes by Jacomb Hood. Second Edition. 3s. 6d.

Some Press Notices.

For Christmas 1897.

FAIRY TALES FROM THE FAR NORTH. By P. C. AsbjÖrnsen. Translated by H. L. BrÆkstad. With 94 Illustrations by E. Werenskiold, T. Kittelsen, and H. Sinding. Small 4to (“Wonder Voyages” size), beautifully printed at the Ballantyne Press on specially manufactured paper. Cloth, designed Cover. 6s.

? The raciest and quaintest of stories, the most spirited and humorous of illustrations.

THE GIANT CRAB, and other Tales from Old India. Retold by W. H. D. Rouse. Profusely Illustrated by W. Robinson. Square crown 8vo, beautifully printed at the Ballantyne Press on special paper. Designed cloth cover. 3s. 6d.

? Adaptation for English children of Tales from the Oldest Story Book in the world, the Jatakas, or Birth-stories of Buddha.