Chapter 4

When you take up _Russian Folk-Tales_ (KEGAN, PAUL), don't allow yourself to be subdued by the deplorably learned preface of the translator, Mr. LEONARD MAGNUS, LL.B., because it is not the proper attitude really. Forget how little business a Bachelor of Law has to lay his sceptical hands on such inappropriate material, and plunge into a jolly, bewildering tangle of tales of magic and adventure, bloodthirstiness and treachery, simple charity, _vodka_ and genial superstition. You will be led from one to the other, puzzled but, I dare conjecture, highly entertained. I think you may take it, too, that a certain healthy sort of children will like to have these queer stories read aloud. The villainies of the _Bába Yagá_, an old witch of terrific resourcefulness, and the oddly inconsequent animal stories should make particular appeal. But you will be hard put to it to answer the questions which will be thrust at you; and (by the way) perhaps you will discreetly have to leave out a phrase or two for prudence' sake. On no account let the youngsters read the preface. I am not really quite sure whether you ought to read it yourself.

* * * * *

* * * * *

The Charge of the Six Hundred.

Some three-score years or so ago six hundred gallant men Made a charge that cost old England dear, they lost four hundred then; To-day six hundred make a charge that costs the country dear, But now they take four hundred each--four hundred pounds a year.

* * * * *

"Somebody to steal of my cabbage, cauliflower, old potato, new potato, and a small rake and hooks, fork. Everything. Somebody snatch on Thursday and Saturday night. Perhaps anybody to see the steal man to take something from my garden to tell me about that is I will reward five pounds truth, £3 for tell-tale.--Wong Long."

_Poverty Bay Herald._

Wong Long apparently differs from the accepted authorities as to the value of hearsay evidence.