The classic children’s fantasy of two mice on a mission to save a Norwegian poet—and the inspiration for the beloved 1977 animated Disney movie!“Miss Sharp’s delicate and sophisticated humor is good fun for wise children from age 10 to 100.” —Los Angeles TimesMiss Bianca is a white mouse of great beauty and supreme self-confidence, who, courtesy of her excellent young friend, the ambassador’s son, resides luxuriously in a porcelain...

Regarded by many as the classic work and primary source on Magna Carta this 1914 book from Professor William Sharp Mckechnie is a timely and essential introduction to the understanding of the historical background, origins and circumstances of "The Great Charter of the Liberties of England".It includes an in-depth historical introduction alongside the original Latin text, his translation and scholarly commentary.The Magna Carta was one of the foundations of English liberty....

After the dim purple bloom of a suspended spring, a green rhythm ran from larch to thorn, from lime to sycamore; spread from meadow to meadow, from copse to copse, from hedgerow to hedgerow. The blackthorn had already snowed upon the nettle-garths. In the obvious nests among the bare boughs of ash and beech the eggs of the blackbird were blue-green as the sky that March had bequeathed to April. For days past, when the breath of the equinox had surged out of the west, the missel-thrushes ha...

Protagonist: The main character is typically portrayed as a passionate and conflicted individual, whose romantic and personal struggles drive the plot. The protagonist's journey involves deep emotional and psychological exploration.Setting: The novel is set in an exotic location, which plays a significant role in creating the atmosphere of the story. The setting enhances the romantic and adventurous elements of the narrative, contributing to the overall mood.Romantic Plot: Central to the s...

Life of Robert Browning presents an insightful blend of biography and literary critique, tracing the journey of a poet whose work became a defining voice of the Victorian era. The narrative opens with depictions of his childhood in London, shaped by a supportive family environment and early immersion in literature and the arts. His youthful curiosity and precocious talent are highlighted alongside encounters with varied cultural influences that expanded his poetic vision. As the account pr...

It is when the trees are leafless, or when the last withered leaves rustle in the wintry air, creeping along the bare boughs like tremulous mice, or fluttering from the branches like the tired and starving swallows left behind in the ebbing tides of migration, that the secret of the forest is most likely to be surprised. Mystery is always there. Silence and whispers, still glooms, sudden radiances, the passage of wind and idle airs, all these inhabit the forest at every season. But it is n...

It must, to admirers of Browning's writings, appear singularly appropriate that so cosmopolitan a poet was born in London. It would seem as though something of that mighty complex life, so confusedly petty to the narrow vision, so grandiose and even majestic to the larger ken, had blent with his being from the first. What fitter birthplace for the poet whom a comrade has called the "Subtlest Assertor of the Soul in Song," the poet whose writings are indeed a mirror of the age? A man may be...

Set on the Hebridean island of Pharais, the novel follows Pharis, a young woman who is both the daughter of a chieftain and the keeper of ancient traditions. The island is portrayed as a magical and mysterious place, where the boundaries between the natural and supernatural blur. Pharis is torn between her responsibilities to her people and her personal desires, particularly her love for a young man named Ewen. The story explores themes of love, duty, and the conflict between tradition and...

Originally published in 1988, this volume contains papers from, and commissioned after, "The Passing of Arthur", a conference on Medieval and Renaissance Studies in November 1986. No Arthurian story is experienced without some foreknowledge of its end, which the text acknowledges through a complex range of methods. This collection takes this as its point of origin, suggesting that all such narratives concern the passing of Arthur, even indirectly, so the chapters not only look at the death...

The Laughter of Peterkin by William Sharp is a captivating retelling of ancient Celtic myths and legends. Through the narrative frame of Peterkin, a curious and whimsical character, the book brings to life the magic and mystery of the Celtic Wonderworld. The tales include stories of heroic deeds, mystical creatures, and the interplay of mortals with the supernatural, showcasing the rich imagination of Celtic folklore.Sharp’s lyrical prose and vivid imagery make these timeless tales accessi...

In "The Laughter of Peterkin," William Sharp intricately retells enchanting tales of the Celtic Wonderworld, weaving together folklore, myth, and the whimsical essence of childhood. Sharp'Äôs literary style is characterized by rich, evocative language and a deep appreciation for oral tradition, inviting readers into a vibrant tapestry of magic and adventure. Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century literary revival, this work reflects a broader cultural resurgence of Celtic identity a...

Modern Short Stories: A Book for High Schools is a curated exploration of the variances in tone, technique, and thematic depth that defined the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The anthology showcases an impressive amalgamation of narratives that traverse genres from adventure to social commentary, aligning with the educational needs of burgeoning readers. From the gripping accounts of morality to poignant depictions of human condition, each tale is carefully selected to engage critical...