The Curse of the Village, The Happiness of Being Rich, and Blind Rosa: Three Tales

Front matter

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CURSE OF THE VILLAGE.

Preface

full of the nature, simplicity, humor, and pathos that have made Boz and Andersen household names throughout our country. A British writer has well remarked that the characteristics of his works **are a hearty, sincere appreciation and love of the simple life of the poor in all its forms ; a genial sympathy with its occupations, its joys and sorrows ; a recognition of its dignity ; and an earnest, reverent treatment of all its conditions."

The first tale in this volume is a bold description of the ravages of intemperance, — that bane of villages in the Old World as well as the New. The second story is a humorous account of the discomforts and disasters of an humble and industrious family by a sudden accession of wealth, and teaches the admirable moral of contentment with our lot in the world.

The sketch of " Blind Rosa'' is one of those simple and rapid narratives in which the delicate and tender characteristics of M. Conscience are peculiarly displayed. The four or five persons of both sexes who are employed to develop some of the more delicate traits of humanity, are drawn from humble life, and are represented with a power that engages our sympathy from beginning to end.

The present volume will be followed quickly by others from the same pen. The second will contain the **Lion of Flanders,'' which the British press has well compared with the most striking portions of "Ivanhoe'' and "The Heart of Mid- Lothian." In the third we shall give Tales of Old Flanders : —

Count Hugo of Craenhove;" "Wooden Clara;" and "The Village Innkeeper." The fourth will present another admirable romance in " Veva; or, the War of the Peasants;" and " The Conscript ;" while the fifth will close the series with " The Miser," " Ricketicketack," and that excellent story of pathetic humor, " The Poor Gentleman."

We have caused three of these tales to be translated in this country expressly for our edition.

Baltimore, June, 1856.

THE

CURSE OF THE VILLAGE.