Legends And Stories of Ireland First Series

to infer that a certain resemblance cannot but attach, where a similarity of title exists, and that a family likeness must follow a family name. This, I beg to say, is not the case, and with the extensive family of " Legends," (fairy or otherwise,) " Stories," " Traits," " Sketches," etc. there is not a relationship, even within the seventh degree. So much the worse, perhaps, for its goodness; but I am anxious to plead for its novelty only, and therefore has giving it a name been no small trouble to "What's in a name ? " says Shakespeare; ? but did he live in our days, he would know its value. In whatsoever light you view it ? in whatsoever scale it may be weighed ? name is a most important concern now-a-days. In fashion, (place aux damesj) literature, politics, arts, sciences, etc., etc. name does wonders; ? it might be almost said, every thing ? whether for the introduction of a measure in Parliament, or in the length of a waist, for the success of a bad book, a new system, or an old picture. Name, like the first blow, is half the battle. Impressed with this conviction, every huckster now calls his hovel a Provision Store?a barber's shop is elevated into a Magasin des Modes ? the long line of teachers, under the names of French master, dancing- master, fencing-master, music-master, and all the other masters, have dignified themselves with the self-bestowed title of " Professor " ? a snuff-and-tobacco shop is metamorphosed, for the benefit of all " true bel... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.