In "Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy," John M. Batten presents an evocative memoir that captures the complexities of naval life during a pivotal period in American history. With a vivid and engaging literary style, Batten shares his firsthand experiences aboard a Navy ship, providing insight into the day-to-day realities of sailors, the camaraderie forged under duress, and the broader socio-political landscape of the time. His narrative is both personal and reflective, ...

This is a short memoir that recalls John Batten’s service in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. From the beginning: “After bidding my relatives and friends good-bye, I proceeded to Philadelphia, Pa., and reported for duty on board the United States steamer Princeton, which was lying anchored in the Delaware river off Philadelphia, and which was the same vessel on which Abel Parker Upshur, Secretary of State under President Tyler, was killed by the explosion of a monster cannon whilst visi...

Excerpt...Newbern on the Neuse river, Washington on the Tar river, and Plymouth on the Roanoke river, lie in a circle which might be described from a point somewhere in Pamlico Sound—the former and latter towns being each about thirty miles from Washington, the latter town being in the middle; so that the report of heavy artillery could be heard at Washington from either of the other two places.Saturday, April 16, 1864, my diary states that Plymouth was attacked by the Confe...

"Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy" by John M. Batten offers a vivid account of naval life during a transformative period in American history. Batten, drawing from his personal experiences, provides readers with a unique perspective on the challenges and adventures faced by sailors. His narrative captures the camaraderie among crew members, the rigors of naval duty, and the impact of broader historical events on daily life at sea. The book serves as both a memoir and a h...

This book, like the others of this series, has only been rendered possible by the courtesy and complaisance of the various collectors from whom I have culled my treasures. In particular, I have to thank Mr. Larminie and Mr. Eliot Stock for permission to include that fine tale "Morraha" from the former's "West Irish Folk-tales," the chief addition to the Celtic store since the appearance of my last volume. I have again to thank Dr. Hyde for permission to use another tale from his delightful...

Excerpt: "After bidding my relatives and friends good-bye, I proceeded to Philadelphia, Pa., and reported for duty on board the United States steamer Princeton, which was lying anchored in the Delaware river off Philadelphia, and which was the same vessel on which Abel Parker Upshur, Secretary of State under President Tyler, was killed by the explosion of a monster cannon whilst visiting said vessel, in company with the President and other members of the Cabinet. The duty aboard this vesse...

In "Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy," John M. Batten provides an intimate and evocative account of his naval service during a tumultuous period in American history. The narrative unfolds with vivid detail and engaging prose, blending personal anecdotes with broader reflections on naval life and the challenges faced by sailors. Batten's literary style combines a conversational tone with keen observations, making the text accessible yet rich in historical context. Set ag...

Excerpt: "From the extreme West of the Indo-European world, we go this year to the extreme East. From the soft rain and green turf of Gaeldom, we seek the garish sun and arid soil of the Hindoo. In the Land of Ire, the belief in fairies, gnomes, ogres and monsters is all but dead; in the Land of Ind it still flourishes in all the vigour of animism. Soils and national characters differ; but fairy tales are the same in plot and incidents, if not in treatment. The majority of the tales in thi...

Every version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in one beautifully formatted e-book with historical footnotes, audio links and stunning original art.The Eleanor Mure pamphletThe Robert Southey versionScrapefootSilver-hair and the Three BearsThe Three BearsThe Story of the Three BearsAnd more ...*Stunningly illustrated with original art from renowned artists John Batten, L. Leslie Brooke, H. J. Ford, Peter Newell, Kay Nielsen, Charl...

Excerpt: "For the last time, for the present, I give the children of the British Isles a selection of Fairy Tales once or still existing among them. The story store of Great Britain and Ireland is, I hope, now adequately represented in the four volumes which have won me so many little friends, and of which this is the last." This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.

This volume will come, I fancy, as a surprise both to my brother folk-lorists and to the public in general. It might naturally have been thought that my former volume (English Fairy Tales) had almost exhausted the scanty remains of the traditional folk-tales of England.

From the extreme West of the Indo-European world, we go this year to the extreme East. From the soft rain and green turf of Gaeldom, we seek the garish sun and arid soil of the Hindoo. In the Land of Ire, the belief in fairies, gnomes, ogres and monsters is all but dead; in the Land of Ind it still flourishes in all the vigour of animism.Soils and national characters differ; but fairy tales are the same in plot and incidents, if not in treatment. The majority of the tales in this volume ha...