MY DEAR ANDERSEN, I HEREWITH send you what in fact is your own already-some of your charming Stories, in the language of that country where your works, and lately yourself, have met with so hearty a welcome. The translation of "Little Tuk" was begun, you know, in your own room in London, one day while I was awaiting your return. You were surprised and pleased to find me so employed; and your words, when I asked if you would like me to do the others "Oh, yes! Certainly! Pray do them all !"-determined me at once to complete the collection, part of which I had already sent you in 1846. They were, moreover, made doubly interesting by all you told me about them, and of the circumstances under which they were written. You see, then, I do "remember the fairy tales," as you write to me in your last letter; and as this little Volume which contains them-independent of the authorship—is thus in many ways connected with yourself, and with your stay in England, where we were so much together, allow me to beg you will accept it in remembrance of those pleasant hours, which (I think I may say it) will not soon be forgotten by either of us. Yours, dear Andersen, Faithfully and sincerely, CHARLES BONER. Donau Stauf, near Ratisbon, TO THE YOUNG READERS OF THESE TALES. MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS, HERE is another Volume of ANDERSEN'S charming Stories for you; and I am sure you will be glad to get it. For my part, I am always delighted to find one that I do not happen to have yet seen; and as I know the others pleased you-for I have heard so, both directly and indirectly, from a great many people, and not only English children, but Irish children too, and as to the children in Scotland, you will see presently how much they like them-there can be no doubt that you all will be overjoyed to have a few more of these stories told you. And there is no one who participates in this delight more than-whom do you think? Why, than Andersen himself! He is so happy that his Tales have been thus joyfully received, and that they have found their way to the hearts and sympathies of you all. He speaks of it with evident pleasure; and it is not vanity, but his kind affectionate nature, which inclines him to mention such little occurrences as prove how firm a hold his writings have taken on the minds of the young and gentle-natured. "So much praise might," he says, "spoil a man, and make him vain. Yet no, it does not spoil him on the contrary, it makes him better; it purifies his thoughts, and this must give one the impulse and the will to deserve it all." He was so pleased to hear, and I, you may be sure, was equally pleased to tell him, what had been written to me by a friend a short time before-that several little boys and girls, Miss Edgeworth's nephews and nieces, were so delighted with the "TALES FROM DENMARK," that they not only read and reread them continually, but used to act the stories together in their play-hours! |