“A most delightful book, which ought to be given to every healthy boy, is ‘Legends of Olden Times.’ It consists of three versions of old sagas, not the least of which is ‘The Story of the Nibelung Hoard.’ The English is good and pure, and the stories are well told. Perhaps the author was wise in his generation, but we have always fancied that the Siegfried story, given in prose, demands the diction of the fifteenth century. But then it is not given to all men to write like Caxton, and the book is too good to quarrel about.”—Whitehall Review.
“English children ought to rejoice in them.”—Academy.
“The story of Bearwelf, the dragon slayer, is given with the genuine spirit and the feeling of the original, and is written in a style that bears a touch of archaism to make it as attractive as one of Sir Thomas Malony’s translations. The same remark applies to the story of Wolfderrick, which probably dates back to the period of the crusade mania, its Orientalism is so apparent. Of the three stories in the collection, however, that of the ‘Hoard of the Nibelung’ is the most welcome, and we are glad to find the old heroic legend so appreciatively rendered in prose. It is perhaps the most characteristic of all the legends of the Rhine-land. We trust that Mr. Callwell will supplement his volume with another, which can easily be made out of the abundant materials within reach f an adapter.”—Belfast News.
“Translations—or rather adaptations, adhering so far as possible to the simplicity of style of the original—of three of the old German myths, ‘Bearwelf, the Dragon Slayer,’ ‘Wolfderrick,’ and ‘The Nibelung Hoard.’ These famous old legends have been very tastefully ‘Englished,’ and this volume should be attractive to many readers.”—Scotsman.
“There are few more attractive story books.”—Graphic.
“The authoress has committed to words some graceful and pleasant fancies regarding flowers, narrated in appropriate fable form. Each fable will add to the reader’s store of associations with a number of our best-known and best-loved flowers. The publisher’s share in the production of the volume is thoroughly well fulfilled.”—London Figaro.
“A collection of pretty legends about flowers, very skilfully narrated by Miss Elsa Cowen. It is likely to be a favourite book with children.”—Sunday Times.
“Those who delight to revel in the literature of flowers will find something to their tastes in this small volume.”—Literary World.
