Author: Jacob Grimm

Publisher:

Published: 2019-11-21

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 9781710374209

We can only afford the space briefly to chronicle the conclusion of this masterly translation of a great work, which revolutionized modern ideas in the field of comparative mythology. Since then, of course, much has been done to further develop and to systematize. The labours of Folklore societies are daily accumulating fresh stores, and from the remotest corners bringing new facts in evidence. But the latest workers and the most original thinkers will gladly turn back to Grimm, alike on account of his depth of thought, his research, and his stimulating freshness of style. Let the reader tarn to the passages in the present volume dealing with the Devil Ferns and Path-crossing, and he will see at once what is meant. A careful perusal of this volume once more impresses us with Grimm's persistence as an inquirer, his greatness as a thinker, and his craft as a critic. His work is a storehouse of learning, and as a reference book to all who engage in similar studies it is an essential piece of equipment. It is clear that Mr. Stallybrass has performed his labour of translation con amore: scarcely any other motive could have induced it; and we congratulate him on the successful termination of his task, by which he has added another German work of great value to our bookshelves. To the second German edition of this volume Grimm prefixed a very characteristic and exhaustive Preface, in which he deals with the sources and the results that had at that date been achieved. We should not omit to add that Mr. Stallybrass has shown signal skill in rendering this effort into English.--The British Quarterly Review, Volume 79