But everybody is not in love with Fairies; some people don't care for them, some (as we have seen) don't even believe in them! Many don't care to read about them, being insensible to their grace and pretty elegance, their exquisite dignity, and their ever-present youth. Who ever heard of a middle-aged fairy? Such folk, be their age what it may, generally prefer fun; especially do they love what Charles Dickens once for all defined and established as the Spirit of Christmas. Well, here they may find Father Christmas at home, and on his rounds. Here they will find revealed and laid bare the whole secret and mystery of Santa Claus--where the presents come from, and where they are stored--how they are packed and how delivered while we are all asleep in our beds, delivered from the waits. Here, too, the "old-fangled father" is justified in the eyes of his "new-fangled sons," who recognise that fundamental truths--and such truths!--are not shaken by the on-coming tide of Time. And here, besides, you may learn what goes on on that other side of the moon which we never see, and what is its service to Man, and to Woman and Child as well. And for the first time in the history of romance we discover what it was that the Sleeping Beauty dreamt. And there are stories of other kinds--with a touch of pathos, too. Story-telling is the oldest of the arts--the art of which we never tire--the art which will be out-lived by none other, however fascinating, however beautiful, however perfect. It may deal with human thought and human passion; it may appeal to the highest intellect and the profoundest sentiments of men; or just to the brightest and dreamiest fancy of the young. Be it but well told, even though it does not stir our emotions, the little story delights the imagination, and makes us grateful to the teller for an hour well spent or pleasantly whiled away. That is the greatest reward of the writer, as it is the sole ambition of the author of these little tales. _Mister_ M. H. SPIELMANN. CONTENTS ADVENTURES IN WIZARD-LAND-- _Illustrated by_ ARTHUR RACKHAM, A.R.W.S. I. A Knock at the Red Door II. The Wizard at Home III. The Bird-Fairy Speaks IV. The Lost Catseye V. In the Fish-King's Realm VI. The Mystery of the Crab VII. The Magic Bracelets VIII. The Spell--and how it Worked THE OLD-FANGLED FATHER AND HIS NEW-FANGLED SONS THE LITTLE PICTURE GIRL _Illustrated by_ HUGH THOMSON, R.I. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY'S DREAM _Illustrated by_ BERNARD PARTRIDGE, R.I. THE GAMEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER _Illustrated by_ LEWIS BAUMER ALL ON A FIFTH OF NOVEMBER FATHER CHRISTMAS AT HOME _Illustrated by_ ARTHUR RACKHAM, A.R.W.S. A BIRTHDAY STORY LITTLE STARRY CEDRIC'S UNACCOUNTABLE ADVENTURE _Illustrated by_ HARRY ROUNTREE ROSELLA THE CUCKOO THAT LIVED IN THE CLOCK-HOUSE