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PREFACE

It comes to me as a very welcome piece of news, and yet a piece of news
which I have been long expecting, that a special American edition of
Edmund Leamy's Irish fairy tales is about to be published. This, then,
will be the third issue of the little book. I venture to predict that it
will not be the last; and I fancy the American publisher who has had the
judgment to take the matter up will soon be rewarded for his enterprise.
For I believe the book to be a little classic in its way, and that it
will go on making for itself a place in the libraries of those who
understand children, and will hold that place permanently.

This is the verdict of competent literary judges. I am spared the
necessity of attempting a discussion of the grounds on which so strong
an opinion of Leamy's fairy tales is based by the fact that this is
already done in Mr. T. P. Gill's Introductory Note. Mr. Gill, though he
was, like myself, one of Leamy's intimate friends, is a conscientious
critic, and to his analysis not merely of the "Tales," but of that
attractive personality which Leamy infused into all he said or wrote
I can safely refer the reader. I think no one of taste and judgment who
reads these Tales will fail to agree with the view which is expressed in
that Note and which I here, with some confidence, venture to reiterate.

My chief hope with regard to this American edition is that when it has
made its mark with the general public, as it is sure to do, it will be
taken note of by those who are specially concerned with education.
Leamy, while a public man, a patriot steeped in the lore of Ireland's
past and ever weaving generous visions for her future, was before all
things else a child-lover. That was his own, his peculiar endowment.
He had an exquisite gift with children and seemed always able to speak
directly with the higher parts of their nature. It is this, I think,
which is evident in every page of these Tales, and which gives the book
its unique character. One to whose judgment on an educational matter
I attach the greatest value writes to me these words: "For refining
influence, for power to stimulate the sense of beauty, the tenderness,
the sentiment of nobleness of the child-soul, I can imagine no volume
more worthy of a place on the book-shelf of the people's schools."
Having myself often witnessed this influence at work, I can emphatically
indorse this opinion. I say I hope American educ