(_Contes Marins_) supposed to be told by an old
woman during a voyage to St. Domingo. Among
these was "Beauty and the Beast" in a
long-winded style extending to more than 250
pages. In 1757, a greatly abridged form of this
version was published by Madame de Beaumont,
who was then living in England and who wrote
many spirited tales designed for children. Her
stories are full of the didactic element, and
"Beauty and the Beast" is no exception to the
rule. These "edifying commonplaces," however,
are so sound and fit into the story so
naturally that the reader does not suffer from
their presence. The artificial character of the
story is easily felt in contrast to the natural
qualities of a folk version. The plot has all
the perfection of a finished piece of literary
art, and for this quality especially Madame de
Beaumont's abridgement has always been heartily
and rightly admired.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Once upon a time, in a far-off country, there lived a merchant who had
been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich.
As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his money
was not too much to let them have everything they fancied, as they were
accustomed to do.

But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house caught
fire and was speedily burned to the ground, with all the splendid
furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, and precious goods it
contained; and this was only the beginning of their troubles. Their
father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways, suddenly lost
every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck, or
fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he had
trusted entirely, had proved unfaithful, and at last from great wealth
he fell into direst poverty.

All that he had left was a little house in a desolate place at least a
hundred leagues from the town in which he had lived, and to this he was
forced to retreat with his children, who were in despair at the idea of
leading such a different life. Indeed, the daughters at first hoped that
their friends, who had been so numerous while they were rich, would
insist on their staying in their houses now they no longer possessed
one. But they soon found that they were left alone, and that th