"We have much pleasure in welcoming back to our weekly literature, this graceful critic and always agreeable writer. His plan is full of promise, being every way much above the ordinary compilations of that kind which have hitherto been attempted. Its purpose is to collect and preserve the best specimens of the fugitive literature of Europe, to which, as to a worthy feast, the editor invites his friend the reader, giving him the advantage of a rare experience and judgment in selection, and of a most kindly and enjoying spirit in criticism. We shall be heartily glad of the success of THE STORYTELLER. The stories of the number are admirable, and the occasional introductions of old verse will be particularly welcome."-Examiner. "THE STORY-TELLER is altogether of so superior a character to the ephemeral periodicals that every week gives birth to, that we should regret to see it confounded with them. The editor is Robert Bell, the author of the charming comedy of Marriage,' and one of the chastest writers and most elegant critics of his day. In his name the public have a security that nothing will be admitted into the pages of the STORY-TELLER that has not a tendency to elevate the mind as well as to amuse it."-Britannia.

"We have been so wearied with the shoals of illustrated works which have poured from the press of late, that we received with the cordial welcome of an old friend the unadorned pages of THE STORYTELLER, and selecting it from a pile of illustrated, illuminated, and tricked-out periodicals, we set ourselves to peruse the honest-looking face; and well were we rewarded for our trouble in the rich and varied treat we then enjoyed. The object of THE STORY-TELTER is to rescue from oblivion the best specimens of romantic fiction at home and abroad, and to preserve those exquisite touches of fancy and imagination which,' as the editor so truly observes, so rarely find their way into the large collections of national fiction, and so often perish in the evanescent periodicals to which they are consigned.' Valuable notes and observations are prefixed to some of the articles, and the original sketches and tales are intermingled with rich gleanings from the wide field of ancient and modern literature. A pleasant literary gossiping paper, after the manner of Christopher North's celebrated Noctes,' in Blackwood, forms the introduction to the present number. It is called Festivals of the Story-Tellers-Gathering the First,' in which much sound sense is heightened by flashes of merriment and sparkles of rare wit. When we add that Mr. Robert Bell, the author of Marriage,' 'Mothers and Daughters,' &c., is the editor of the work, we need offer no better guarantee that the task he has undertaken will be performed with taste and scholar-like ability."-Sunday Times.

"We are exceedingly glad to see any publication under the sanction of the name of this acute critic and graceful writer. The title of the publication, full as it is, does not suffice to expound the true nature of the editor's labours. This weekly publication is not to be the vehicle of any commonplace matter or things of vulgar notoriety. The editor has imposed upon himself a very laborious occupation. His task will be to dive into books of by-gone periods, and examine the literary remains in the various literatures of Europe, and from them to glean fitting materials for the contents of his very interesting pages. He is, in every respect, competent to the undertaking."--Atlas.

"Our weekly contemporary bids fair to make a prominent stand in our light, or as it is better called, our polite literature, The opening dialogue touches on many literary topics, and is very spirited. The purport is to form a library of minor fiction, romance, &c., and Mr. Bell is precisely the man to execute such a task in a judicious and agreeable manner."-Literary Gazette.

"The object of this publication,' the editor says, 'is to collect and preserve the best specimens of the fugitive literature of Europe,' &c. This object is well executed in the number before us (No. 1.), which contains several things to which the above description is completely applicable.'"-John Bull.

"THE STORY TELLER, edited by Mr. Robert Bell, is a new weekly candidate for public favour; and, judging from the first number, it well deserves it. It is a cheap and tastefully got-up publication. Mr. Bell is a man of tasteful mind in matters of this nature, and, therefore, there is every reason to expect the work will be successful."Observer.

"Here are thirty-six pages of light reading for summer bowers, winter-hearths, or any other season and scene where such pastime is desirable; and light reading, too, of a very superior order, including translations from the German legends, real narratives of real actions, and poetry-all for sixpence !"-Court Journal.

"The preface to this serial- the present being the first issued informs us, that the objects of the publication is to collect and preerve the best specimens of the fugitive literature of Europe,' and in this the editor has certainly succeeded. The contents, in fact, are of a varied and interesting nature; and the spirited publishers offer to the public, for sixpence, quite as much as will be found in an octavo volume!"-City Chronicle.

"This work is infinitely superior to the generality of publications of this class. It is issued in sixpenny numbers, and will comprise romances, short standard tales, traditions, and poctical legends of all nations. It is edited by Robert Bell, Esq., for whose high critical powers, cultivated taste, and fine imagination we entertain much respect. THE STORY-TELLER is, we believe, calculated to be a general favourite; but if coarseness and vulgarity be, as some suppose, essential to the popularity of such periodicals, we are very sure, from our knowledge of the editor, that it will never be rendered 'popular.' We have great pleasure in wishing it the utmost success."-Ipswich Express.

"THE STORY-TELLER is a new weekly publication of far higher pretensions than its title would import. It is under the editorship of Mr. Robert Bell, the author of Lives of the Poets,' Mothers and Daughters,' &c., and is altogether very far superior to the crowd of ephemeral publications which issue weekly from the press. We wish we had room for an extract or two from the opening paper in the manner of the famed 'Noctes' of Blackwood. It would appear from Statements made therein, and bearing an appearance of authority, that Southey was the author of 'The Doctor."—Cambridge Chronicle.

*

To strike out a novelty in literature is, in our days, no ordinary achievement. When we considered these formidable perils of authorship, we regarded Mr. Bell as a bold and daring adventurer in launching a new periodical; but we knew his judgment, his experience, and tact, and opened his pages with a strong inclination to decide in its favour: a perusal of the first number removed all doubts as to his success, for it bore internal evidence of being as ably executed as it was happily conceived. What a mine of literary wealth is within his grasp! * ⭑ From this spacious parterre the editor

may cull choice flowers at his will, and present to his readers a weekly garland of varied beanty; and for such a delightful recreation is Mr. Bell eminently qualified by his extensive research and discriminating mind."-Sentinel.

"This is the first number of a new weekly publication of greater promise than any we have met with for a length of time. Its object that of collecting and preserving the best specimens of the fugitive literature of Europe is a most excellent one. Its execution, under the scholar-like editorship of Mr. Bell, is admirable; and, above all, its price and appearance are about as much at variance as cheapness aud handsomeness well can be. The opening dialogue is what we naturally judge the publication by. It is well calculated to evince a familiar acquaintance with all the best and most recoudite stores of European story. Its literature and language- -its poetry and prose- are alike of unusual merit; while its criticism is so completely written up to the moment, that if its selections formed no appendage whatever, the value of the purchase-money would be found twenty times over in the Festivals of the Story-Tellers,' as these opening pieces are called. After two pieces from the German, we have a Berkshire legend, a German legend from Mr. Rogerson's Rhyme, Romance, and Revery,' various specimens of French annuals, a story from Charles Lamb, various other contributions, which we take to be original, and poems from the age of James the First. Our friends will now have a sufficient notion of THE STORY-TELLER and its contents."-Berwick Warder.

"This is the first number of a new weekly publication, price sixpence, and edited by Robert Bell, Esq. The object of this publication, as we are told in the prospectus, is to collect and preserve the best specimens of the fugitive literature of Europe; and while the desirableness of such a work must remain unquestioned, we think its super intendence could scarcely have been placed in more appropriate or abler hands. We shall watch the progress and success of this work with much interest, inasmuch as it supplies a great desideratum in our current literature. The present number contains no less than eleven tales, with incidental notes, critical and illustrative; printed on beautiful paper, and with clear and excellent type, making in all thirty-six pages, at the moderate price of sixpence. The veriest glutton in romance may, thus, here be weekly fed to repletion itself, for a very trifling outlay. We most warmly recommend the work to all our readers."-Yorkshireman.

"This publication can scarcely fail of hitting the mark of popular favour, its object being to collect into a portable casket literary gemstale, song, romance, and legend from all quarters. That the selection will be made with taste and judgment we entertain little doubt, seeing that the work is to be edited by Mr. Robert Bell-a gentleman who, as a clever writer and accomplished critic, deservedly enjoys a high reputation."- Bristol Mercury.

"The stories are good, and well told. This is a new candidate for public favour; and, judging from the first number, we do not hesitate to augur for it a prosperous career. The object of this publication is to collect and preserve the best specimens of fugitive literature. Original tales are admitted, and the selected articles are accompanied with annotations, critical, biographical, or historical, by the editor, who is evidently a man of taste and judgment. THE STORY-TELLER is printed in a beautiful type; and from the comprehensiveness of its matter and the economy of its price, is likely to become a general favourite."Bolton Chronicle.

"This is the first number of a new periodical, under the editorial care of Mr. Robert Bell. It is intended to contain short tales, romances, both original and selected, poetical legends, and traditions of all nations, with illustrative notes. It will supply an enduring record for many of those fugitive pieces, often forgotten owing to the periodical form in which they appear, and are yet admirable for their fancy and imagination, conveying exquisite illustrations of the customs, manners, and spirit of the age. A wide and extensive field is open before it; THE STORY-TELLERS of every age and clime will lend their aid and grace its page. The songs of the Troubadour will there find a place by the side of modern creations of the imaginative faculty, thus affording to all matter for recreation and instruction. In the present number we have a sweet and gentle tale of fairy land from the German, a veritable Ghost Story' and legendary poetry, well translated also from the German, beside other tales of interest, from some of which we purpose at a future time to draw for the amusement of our readers. The work commences with a vigorous introduction, in a dramatic form, and entitled Festivals of the Story-Tellers, Gathering the First,' affording good promise of the vigour and power with which it will be carried on."-Oxford Chronicle.

"THE STORY-TELLER, a new periodical by Mr. Robert Bell, explains the circumstances of a correspondence between Mrs. Southey and Mrs. Sigourney, the American authoress, who has published a passage respecting the health of Southey, which has given great pain to his wife Mrs. Sigourney, a perfect stranger, wrote to Mrs. Southey to request her correspondence. Mrs. Southey, having other objects to engross her thoughts, declined the honour, but simply and politely answered her enquiries as to Mr. Southey's health. All this of course was under the recognised seal of private correspondence; which ought to have been considered all the more sacred from the way in which Mrs. Sigourney had herself brought it about. Mrs. Southey, to her utter astonishment, afterwards saw her letter not only printed in the public journals, but interpolated with phrases implying intimacy, and ejaculations of pathos, not one of which she ever penned.” Spectator.