These are the landmarks of a life devoted to comparative literature and folk-lore. His chief works were a translation of the Pentamerone, in 1846; an essay on Barlaam, 1847; a translation of Dunlop’s Prose Fiction, with valuable notes, 1851; a selection from Gervasius of Tilbury, 1856. But his varied powers and wide erudition were shown to still greater advantage in his collection of short essays and studies, “Zur Volkskunde”, 1879. Folk-tale, superstition, myth, folk-song, custom, chap-book, or lives of the saints, he had something instructive and interesting to say on each and all of these. He contributed some interesting notes to the Folk-lore Record, and was a member of the Folk-lore Society till his recent mental illness. The catalogue of his library, sold before his death, was a monument of painstaking collection, and the best substitute for a list of Best Books on Folk-lore in existence.
With the present number, Folk-Lore concludes the first year of its existence. It must be left to our readers to judge how far it has fulfilled the promises held out in the opening editorial. If the judgment is in any degree favourable, that must be set down largely to the generous co-operation given by a somewhat limited number of workers. It is hoped that in the future the example of these gentlemen, mostly members of the Council of the Folk-lore Society, will be followed by other members of that Society. In particular, help will be welcome in making the bibliography as complete a record as possible of the current literature on Folk-lore.
The opening meeting of the Session of 1890-91 of the Folk-lore Society was held on Nov. 19th, when Mr. G. L. Gomme, the Director of the Society, in the unavoidable absence of its President, read the Annual Address.
Communications for the next number of Folk-Lore must reach the Office, 270, Strand, W.C., before Feb. 1st, 1891.
