Indian history and antiquities, while his youngest brother, Peter, gained a reputation as an editor of Marlowe, Ben Jonson, Massinger, Johnson’s Lives of the Poets, Goldsmith’s works, and he compiled an excellent handbook of London.
SHORT NOTICES.
Czech Folk-Tales.
Czech Folk-Tales, selected and translated by Dr. Josef Baudis. London, George Allen & Unwin. 1917.
In this little volume Dr. Baudis provides an interesting collection of Czech tales, from sources unfamiliar to English readers. He remarks that “it is often supposed that Protestantism is very unfavourable to the development and preservation of folk-tales; but those of Bohemia are certainly an exception to the rule. The Czech nation was the first to adopt the Protestant faith, and even to-day is still Protestant at heart, though the Hapsburgs forced it back into the Catholic fold.” The leading characteristics of the stories are their strong ethical tendency and the natural tendency to satire which appears among the Czechs.
Ki-Swahili Folk-Lore.
Aids to the study of Ki-swahili. Four Studies, compiled and annotated by M. W. H. Weech. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., London, n.d.
The interest of this book is mainly philological; but it contains some matter of folk-lore interest: the tale of the Banawasi, the man who has always an answer ready and excels in repartee: and “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.” These are followed by a collection of Enigmas and Aphorisms with explanations as given by the Wa-swahili, and a Study on Magic in Pemba. This last includes papers on the Spirit Dance (by a sceptic); the Witches’ Sabbath; Four Charms whereby to cause evil to an enemy; a charm to obtain a wish from a rich man, a
