3

other works comprised in the series is undoubtedly Le Sage's 'The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane,' rendered into English by Tobias Smollett, and with a biographical and critical notice of Le Sage by George Saintsbury. Three volumes of beautifully-perspicuous type dispose of the story of 'Gil Blas,' and the rest of the series is devoted to less famous but not less attractive works. Le Sage contributes his 'Asmodeus' and 'The Bachelor of Salamanca,' as well as the story of 'Vanillo Gonzales.' In two other volumes we are introduced to the admirable comic and amorous romances of 'Lazarillo de Tormes,' by Mendoza, and 'Guzman d'Alfarache,' by Mateo Aleman. It may safely be stated that an introduction to the study of these great Spanish authors could not be more agreeably effected than through the medium of the present edition. Those who have already made acquaintance with these masterpieces of exotic humour will need no encouragement to send them once again to a fountain from which such pure enjoyment is to be derived, and in so acceptable a shape as Messrs. Nimmo and Bain have provided."

"The Scotsman," October 7, 1881.

6

"What man of middle age is there, who has been a reader of books, who does not look back with pleasure to his first acquaintance with Don Quixote' or the Adventures of Gil Blas'? If he has been a wise man of equal mind, he has gone further afield in these romances, and has made acquaintance with Asmodeus,' The Bachelor of Salamanca,' and other works of a like kind. They have been read by many thousands of British readers, and they will be read by many thousands more. Towards this result the publication of the twelve volumes named above will greatly contribute. They are good and goodlooking books. Handy in form, they are well printed from clear type, and are got up with much elegance. French etchers have turned their attention to the work of illustrating romances and novels and plays of the period to which most of these stories belong, and they have added greatly to their value as works of In regard to these volumes, the etchings which have been produced by R. de Los Rios are full of humour and force. What the reading public have reason to congratulate themselves upon is, that so neat, compact, and well-arranged an edition of romances that can never die is put within their reach. The publishers have spared no pains with them. It has already been said that Mr. Saintsbury has written a prefatorial notice of Le Sage; a similar work has been done by other hands in the case of Cervantes. It is satisfactory to find publishers turning their attention to the reproduction, in worthy form, of classic fiction; and the hope may be entertained that in this case the enterprise will meet with merited reward."

art.

4

66 The Figaro," December 1881.

"It is difficult to speak too highly of the manner in which the publishers of these tasteful volumes have fulfilled their task. The complete set of 'Old Spanish Romances,' which they have taken such obvious pains to render in every way attractive to the public, will, we do not doubt, be widely appreciated. No library can, of course, be worthy of the name which does not include the principal literature of other countries. Those who are familiar with 'Don Quixote' and 'Gil Blas' do not require to be told that there is plenty of capital reading in the old Spanish romances. The less known works are scarcely less entertaining. But the set now published will be particularly welcome on account of the original etchings, which are a great feature, and are really admirable. The books, which make a handsome present, are well got up in respect to binding and paper, and the type is excellent. We believe they have only to be known to obtain the lasting measure of popularity they so richly merit. The publishers, in short, are to be congratulated upon having achieved a marked success."

"The Bookseller," December 1881.

"It was fitting that this choice edition of the great humourist of Spain should be illustrated by the foremost etcher of that country, one who completely understands the characteristics of the people and the places described by Le Sage. In these charming etchings the artist proves himself a versatile and faithful depicter of character. His men and women are real people, the play of their features is unmistakable, they think and act the very thoughts of their creator, and a study of any one of these sketches is a key to the whole of the book. So much for the intrinsic merits of the artist's conceptions. In point of technical quality these etchings are among the first of any yet produced for book illustrations. Their comparatively small scale increases the delicacy of execution. Every line has its meaning; there is no coarse work nor over-elaboration. The management of the lights is that of a consummate master of effect. There have been no such illustrations of Le Sage's books before, and the exquisite daintiness of this edition is immensely enhanced by these wonderful etchings. Connoisseurs of good books will be glad to meet with the series, and those who are commencing to form a library could not receive a more welcome addition as a Christmas gift than these sumptuous octavos in their parchment bindings.”

J. C. NIMMO & BAIN,

14 KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.