PREFACE.

——4-——

I HOPE no one will blame me for the title which
I have ventured to choose for my new book of
Fairy Tales. There is no particular reason why
such tales should not be spoken out in a loud voice,
but there is something more mysterious and Fairy-
like in a ‘whisper,’ and therefore I have chosen the
word, There would be something inappropriate in
‘Bawls from Fairy-land,’ ‘Shrieks’ or ‘ Yells’ would
be wholly out of the question, there is a sulky
sound about ‘ Mutterings,’ and ‘Howls’ would be
extremely objectionable. So, upon the whole, I
prefer ‘ Whispers ;’ and, indeed, the title is all the
more appropriate, because it is in this tone of voice
that the little elves generally impart information to

those whom they honour with their confidence.