chapter in Ruskin's life. Though but twelve years old, she sought to

enliven the melancholy student, absorbed in art and geology, and bade

him leave these and write for her a fairy tale. He accepted, and after

but two sittings, presented her with this charming story. The incident

proved to have awakened in him a greater interest than at first

appeared, for a few years later "Effie" Grey became John Ruskin's wife.

Meantime she had given the manuscript to a friend. Nine years after it

was written, this friend, with John Ruskin's permission, gave the story

to the world.

It was published in London in 1851, with illustrations by the

celebrated Richard Doyle, and at once became a favorite. Three

editions were printed the first year, and soon it had found its way

into German, Italian, and Welsh. Since then countless children have

had cause to be grateful for the young girl's challenge that won the

story of Gluck's golden mug and the highly satisfactory handling of the

Black Brothers by Southwest Wind, Esquire.

For this edition new drawings have been prepared by Mr. Hiram P.

Barnes. They very successfully preserve the spirit of Doyle's

illustrations, which unfortunately are not technically suitable for

reproduction here.

In the original manuscript there was an epilogue bearing the heading

"Charitie"--a morning hymn of Treasure Valley, whither Gluck had

returned to dwell, and where the inheritance lost by cruelty was

regained by love:

The beams of morning are renewed The valley laughs their light to see

And earth is bright with gratitude And heaven with charitie.

R.H. COE

CONTENTS