or the despair of eclipsing
so notable a success as had been achieved by their predecessor, that
deterred other scholars from making the attempt, we know not; but certain
it is that the version put forth by Sir Thomas Urquhart in 1653 has
remained, and seems likely to remain, the standard representation of the
fantastic 'Doctor in Physick' in this language. Urquhart, that polished
and gifted Scottish d'Artagnan, translated the first three books only;
the last two were added by Motteux, a French refugee, in 1694. Urquhart's
work, 'precise, elegant, and very faithful,' comes as near perfection as
any translation can hope to be. Motteux's rendering was revised by Ozell;
but unfortunately it falls far short of the version of Sir Thomas, who,
with a longer life, might perhaps have undertaken these last two books as
well.

Of these five books of Master Francis Rabelais thus english'd, there
have been, of course, numerous editions. Our book-hunter prefers that
which appeared in three quarto volumes in 1904, with photogravure
illustrations by M. Louis Chalon. Both from a scholarly and a
bibliographical standpoint it is all that can be desired, and one can
have a copy for less than a pound.

Why is it that we all have some acquaintance at least with the Arabian
Nights? What have these purely Eastern tales to do with us? Both
questions may be answered at once. It is because they contain the very
essence of oriental thought, manners, customs, habits, speech, and deeds:
because we can learn from them more of the everyday life of the orient,
both of to-day and of a thousand years ago, than an entire library of
travels can teach us. Surely it is more than mere curiosity that urges us
to know something at least of the manner in which so many millions of our
fellow-beings live.

Who has not read at least some of these glorious tales? Who has not heard
of Sinbad or the Roc, of Scheherazade or of Haroun al Raschid? Truly they
are

'The tales that charm away the wakeful night
In Araby, romances';

Wordsworth himself came early under their spell. He tells how as a young
child

'A precious treasure had I long possessed,
A little yellow, canvas-covered book,
A slender abstract of the Arabian tales;
And, from companions in a new abode,
When first I learnt that this dear prize of mine
Was but a block hewn from a mighty quarry--
That there were four large volumes, laden all
With kindred