Five Favorite Fairy Fables: A Collection of the Favourite Old Tales Illustrated

The five favorite fairy legends which Mr. Gustave Doré has illustrated are so well known, have been so often told, and in so many different ways, that it was a matter of no small difficulty to determine the best mode of treating them. The plan I have adopted is to give the tales in a simple meter and in the most unpretending manner, going, in short, little if anything beyond mere recital in easy verse. From performing even this plain task as I could have wished I have been prevented by ill health, and I fear that what I have written little deserves the honor of association with works of genius like Mr. Gustave Dore's pictures. But I have the single satisfaction of knowing that I have done the best I could.