Celtic tales have been collected in modern times in a greater number than those of any nation. This has been due largely to the work of J.F. Campbell. Celtic tales are unusual in that they have been collected while the custom of story-telling is yet flourishing among the Folk. They are therefore of great literary and imaginative interest. They are especially valuable as the oldest of the European tales. The Irish tale of _Connla and the Fairy Maiden_ has been traced to a date earlier than the fifth century and therefore ranks as the oldest tale of modern Europe. The principal Celtic collections are:-- _Iolo M. S_., published by the Welsh M. S. Society. _Mabinogion_, translated by Lady Guest. (Contains tales that trace back to the twelfth century.) _Y Cymrodor_, by Professor Rhys. 1825. _Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland_, by T. Crofton Croker. 1842. _Popular Rhymes of Scotland_. Chambers. 1860-62. _Popular Tales of the West Highlands_, by J.F. Campbell. _Tales_, collected and published with notes, by Mr. Alfred Nutt. 1866. By Patrick Kennedy, the Irish Grimm. _Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts; Fireside Stories of Ireland_ (1870); and _Bardic Stories of Ireland_ (1871). In England the publication of fairy tales may be followed more readily because the language proves no hindrance and the literature gives assistance. In England the principal publications of fairy tales were:-- 1604. _Pasquil's Jests_. Contained a tale similar to one of Grimm's. 1635. _A Tract, A Descryption of the Kynge and Quene of Fairies, their habit, fare, abode, pomp, and state_. Eighteenth century (early). _Madame D'Aulnoy's Tales_, a translation. 1667-1745. _Gulliver's Travels_, by Dean Swift. (One modern edition, with introduction by W.D. Howells, and more than one hundred illustrations by Louis Rhead, is published by Harpers. Another edition, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, is published by Dutton.) 1700-1800. _Chap-Books_. Very many of these books, especially the best ones, were published by William and Cluer Dicey, in Aldermary Church Yard, Bow Lane, London. Rival publishers, whose editions were rougher in engraving, type, and paper, labored in Newcastle.