The Andrew Lang Library

In which a youth, unlike his clever brother, sets out into the world determined to learn the mysterious art of shuddering, despite his father’s dismay and his own puzzlement at the strange and eerie occurrences he encounters. Through encounters with the supernatural and the strange, he steadfastly pursues his peculiar quest, unshaken by the uncanny trials that beset him along the way.

In which a gentle-hearted young girl, oppressed by her proud stepmother and stepsisters, finds solace and unexpected aid from a kindly fairy godmother. The wonder of a royal ball and the magic of a mysterious transformation set the stage for an enchanting tale of kindness and destiny.

In which a proud princess, beloved by many kings yet unwilling to marry any, becomes entangled in a perilous promise made by her anxious mother to a strange and fearsome Yellow Dwarf; and where a gallant King of the Gold Mines embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her from enchantments and traps laid by the treacherous Fairy of the Desert and her sinister ally. This tale unfolds through magic, da...

In which a princess is bestowed with many gifts by fairies, yet a grievous curse threatens her fate despite the efforts to prevent it, leading to a deep sleep over the kingdom guarded by enchanted thickets. And in years to come, curious tales and hidden dangers surround the sleeping palace, as royalty and wickedness alike vie around the enchanted princess and her family.

In which a little girl, known far and wide by her red riding-hood, sets out through the wood to visit her ailing grandmother with a custard and butter from her mother. Along the way, she encounters a cunning wolf whose dark intentions unfold in the grandmother’s cottage, revealing the peril that lurks beneath his seemingly polite guise.

In which a king’s son, Prince Hyacinth, grows up with an extraordinarily long nose and a heart convinced of its beauty, until fate and fairy intervention guide him to meet a dear little princess and face the truth about himself. Amid enchantments and peculiar encounters, the tale gently reveals how self-love can veil the mind’s and body’s defects until necessity calls for honest recognition.

In which a humble gardener’s son embarks on a perilous journey to win the hand of a princess, aided by a magical bronze ring possessing wondrous powers. Along the way, enchantments are wrought and misfortunes overcome, as courage and kindness reveal their triumph over envy and deceit.

In which a young and beautiful maiden braves a fearful white bear’s promise of wealth in exchange for her companionship, discovering a splendid castle and a mystery that unfolds as night falls. She embarks on a long and arduous quest guided by mystical winds and enchanted gifts, striving to reach a distant castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon.

In which the peculiar habits of modern readers are gently lamented, and the curious pleasures of perusing secondhand book and relic catalogues are charmingly extolled as an antidote to mental fatigue. Among these curiosities, the auction of historical treasures linked to the Spanish conquest of Mexico serves as a captivating glimpse into histories both grand and strange, inviting the reader to mus...

In which the curious struggles of amateur authors unleashing their works upon the world are examined with a discerning eye, highlighting the flood of self-published romances that challenge the realm of professional writers and the reading public alike. The treatise gently speculates on a future where a league of professional novelists might rise to shield their art from the chaos of amateur excess...

In which the strange enthusiasm for collecting seemingly worthless objects, such as old postage-stamps, is explored with keen observation, revealing the passion for perfection that drives collectors to extraordinary lengths amid scarcity and competition. Illustrations of this fervour are vividly drawn through the tale of a rare illustrated book, showing the intricate and costly quest to assemble t...

In which we are given a gentle survey of the annual Show Sunday, where painters, once bohemian and wild, reveal themselves as domesticated figures often more akin to affluent merchants than the romantic artists of yore. The episode with a wistful eye contemplates the trials artists endure under the gaze of well-meaning but often uninformed visitors, concluding with a thoughtful reflection on the n...

In which the gentle art of trout fishing is tenderly examined, transporting the reader from the languid waters of London’s outskirts to the delicate, dance-like casting over the clear streams of Kennet, revealing the patient skill and subtlety required to outwit these wary inhabitants. The narrative lovingly contrasts the ease of past centuries with the present challenge, celebrating the angler’s...

In which we explore the distinctive character of American humour, marked by its blend of local, middle-class jests and a bold irreverence toward sacred subjects, and admire the subtlety and intellectual vigour of celebrated figures such as Mark Twain and Mr. Frank Stockton amidst this lively tradition. The essay reflects on the contrast between American and English tastes in comedy, the rich oral...

In which the author reflects upon the spectral presence of Thackeray’s characters who haunt the streets of London with timeless familiarity, illustrating the intimate connection between place and literary imagination. There is a gentle contemplation of vanished clubs, forgotten allusions, and the enduring need for detailed guides to the cities graced by novelistic creations, highlighting the delic...

In which the oppressive heat of a torrid summer in London is keenly observed through the clothing of its citizens, the scarcity of refreshing indulgences, and the natural pleasures accessible to beasts and anglers alike. Amidst the trials of enduring fashion and medical decrees, the simple joys of water and twilight offer a gentle reprieve from the weariness of man’s restless spirit.

In which the melancholy condition of hypochondria is tenderly examined, revealing how a shadowy sadness and baseless foreboding pervade the minds of many gifted individuals, while the medical profession offers a catalogue of varied remedies, often more whimsical than curative. The essay delicately balances the sombre and the salutary aspects of melancholy, recognising its humanising poignancy yet...

In which the peculiar affliction of the 'Involuntary Bailee'—that hapless recipient of unsolicited literary offerings and earnest yet burdensome correspondence—is explored through the trials endured by Lord Tennyson and his fellow authors. The narrative gently illuminates the vexations of artists besieged by unknown admirers, trivial tributes, and the unwelcome obligation to reply or return manusc...

In which the restless vigour of sultry summer nights is explored with a gentle lament for the thief of sleep and the turmoil it wrought upon minds and manners alike. The landscape of London and country alike is painted with sounds and shadows that prey upon the quiet hour, proving that even amid nature’s calm, the human and animal worlds conspire to keep the night vigilant.

In which the candid and multifaceted life of Samuel Pepys is gently unveiled through his own honest and vivid diary, capturing the variegated temper, social habits, and ceaseless human contradictions of a devoted public servant and lively man of his time. His enduring charm lies not merely in the public office he held, but in the lively details of daily life and personality that enliven his confes...

In which we delve into the artistic contributions and limitations of Mr. Hablot K. Browne, known as Phiz, whose illustrations remain inseparable from the vivid imaginings of Dickens’s earlier works, albeit shaded with an exaggeration characteristic of his time and not without certain failings in grace or beauty. We also consider the shifting tides of literary taste among the younger generation, wh...

In which the various irritations and peculiarities of club members—ranging from quarrelsome diners and incessant coughers to loud conversationalists—are observed with a delicate blend of amusement and gentle censure, reflecting the social quirks of English club life. The essay muses on the nature of these “club-bores” and even entertains fanciful remedies, all the while acknowledging the enduring...

In which the curious customs and varied modes of marriage proposals are examined through the lens of fiction, revealing both delicate proprieties and occasional breaches of decorum among suitors and their beloveds. The discussion lingers on the contrast between real-life awkwardness and the romanticised speeches of novelists, while pondering the ethical and artistic questions born of these passion...

In which the restless clamour of London’s streets is dissected with a delicate blend of humour and exasperation, revealing the persistent howls of chimney-sweeps, milkmen, and costermongers as both a source of daily despair and a curious social refrain. The narrative gently contemplates the futility of reform amidst the city’s accustomed racket, acknowledging that only a minority suffer deeply fro...

In which the lamentations of book owners over lost, damaged, and unreturned volumes are gently explored, revealing a timeless truth about the perils of lending literary treasures to careless borrowers. With a touch of humour and a nod to venerable collectors, the narrative muses on the delicate nature of books and the melancholy gaps left on shelves by absent texts.