10 JUNE 1899, Page 24

Stories from Shakespeare. Written and Illustrated by M. * Surteee Townesend. (F.

Warne and Co. 6s.)—Here we have ten. of the dramas made into tales. Two of the tenure tragedies, two historical plays, the rest comedies. We cannot say that the attempt is success- ful. It suggests, of course, comparison with Charles and Mary Lamb, and this comparison is not to the advantage of the new experiment.

It wants simplicity. Thus of Ariel : " With a flash of his pearly wings." So again wIten Caliban has cursed Prospero and Miranda : With this amiable remark he would have turned into his den again." These things are not Shakespeare. The illustrations have a certain power.