Fairy Tales Utilised For The New Generation.

to convince the hard and often doubting intellect of man . I have said this because I wish to meet " Higginbottom ' s " objection at the outset , the objection I make bold to say of a misplaced fanaticism , of an uncritical mind , of a destructive

negativism , which good old Johnson stoutly laughed to scorn , and which piety and prudence , and religion itself , have long since utterly scouted and condemned . A fairytale is a fairy tale , and nothing more — the employment of the medium of

imagination , to " point the moral" and touch and sway the heart and will of the listener . So I go on to-day with my not disagreeable task , and come to " Beauty and the Beast . " We all remember that fairy legend . We all are aware how " Beauty" a veiy

good-looking and " conformable" young Avoman , admirably brought up , of high principles , slightly bullied by her sisters who could not get an offer , came across a " Beast , " a great Bear , under very peculiar circumstances . We recall to our remembrance

how that Bear who had evidently been trained by "Mr . Politoffsky , the Jamrach " of his locality , had become polite and soft mannered ; how he stood on his hind logs , and was sugary and spoony , as some are among men as among beastsat the same

, time , in those witching hours of this our sublunary lot ! Whether , like the " learned pig , " he knew his letters , we are not told , but some howorother he could make himself

understood , and Beauty ' s papa who like some papas are queer about money and matrimony , and who hacl met with difficulties , evidently could understand his " lingo " and read his letter of proposal . With this " Beast" the fair " Beauty " began an innocent flirtation ! Some strait-laced

persons may condemn her ; I do not . For Beauty , after many " pros , and cons , " would say , " here I am 22 , very good looking , very Avell brought up , highly educated , my ' pater' is in a very awkward position , and though that 'beast' may be a

queer customer , it is my duty to find a good ' parti , ' and as the ' Beast' is so pressing , I don't very much object . The circle in which I have lived requires that I should havea certain income , and many enjoyments and amusements which I know cannot be obtained for nothing . ' If the 'Beast' is a foreign nobleman in disguise , or a Millionaire , or the eldest son of a peer , or a well-to-do

Baronet , or asleek and a prosperous Banker , I do not see why I am to throw a chance away ; I may go further and fare worse . It is my duty for my father ' s sake , and my own , to take the ' Beast . ' And was not " Beauty" quite right in her reasoning 1 I

think she was . " Mrs . Grundy " says she was ; and oh , farseeing parents , don't you say so too ? I feel sure of your answer in the affirmative before I ask the question ! In fact " Beauty " is meant to be the type of a very reasonable and calm young

Avoman , who sacrifices her " emotions " to a sense of duty , AVIIO surrenders her " young love's dream" to the sedate counsels and less sentimental aspirations of her own dear parient . We all of ns know cases , Avherein as in the present , in this life , " Virtue " is

ever " its own reward . " Indeed the end of the story is most touching . " Beauty " who had " spotted" the disguised and desirable " parti , " through the fur . coat of this civilized member of the brute creation , gaA'e him , as we shall remember " a Red ,

Red Rose , " and Bruin became a " swell , " and a fond " lovier , " and a charming young man all at the same time . The happy , happy pair made it up on the spot , and were duly married at St . George ' s , "No Cards , " which , by the Avay , in my

opinion , is very " geinin " and " fast . " That Beauty was duly recompensed for her " savoir faire " for her " coup d'ceil , " for her readiness to oblige , and her filial obedience , her intense amiability and her gushing tenderness , we shall all rejoice to-day . Rnfc what of the moral ? I think that I

have found one ! It is this . Young women are to exercise greater discernment than they sometimes do , as regards then ? suitors Avhether like the " Beast" in the fairy tale , or some nice young man who parts his front hair , and neatly divides his back hair , and is a very well got up youth" bien

, gante bien chausse " & c . & c . & c . All is not gold that glitters , all is not silver that seems to be . The smart-looking p lateauof anornamented dinner service , may be electro-plated , ( see the Hall mark , ) the magnificent " service" of seemingly

gorgeous plate , may only be albata ! Look therefore a little nearer and deeper , oh ye fair ones ! The rough outside and the ungainly attitude and the brusque manner may conceal a true and living heart within , the " educated whiskers , " and the