LE DAUPHIN.
This story details the adventures of an exceedingly ugly prince named Alidor, who, travelling in disguise, falls in love with a beautiful princess named Livorette, and by the assistance of a dolphin, the life of which he preserves while fishing, acquires the power of assuming at pleasure the form of a canary-bird. Under this form he becomes a favourite with Livorette, who had laughed at his attentions as Alidor. A mock marriage with the canary-bird leads to a real scandal through the instrumentality of a spiteful fairy accidentally offended by Alidor; and the prince, his wife, and infant are thrown into the sea in a tub by order of the infuriated father of Livorette, and are only saved from destruction by the intervention of the friendly dolphin, who conveys them to his own island, and ultimately restores the princess to the arms of her relenting parents, and Alidor to the crown of his father. There is nothing in the purport of the story to cause the reader to regret, while there is sufficient in its details to justify its omission.
These latter stories are introduced by Madame d'Aulnoy in one called "Le Nouveau Gentilhomme Bourgeois;" avowedly suggested by the Gentilhomme Bourgeois of Molière, and not a little indebted to the author's recollections of "Don Quixote" Although not without humour and character, it is, like the two Spanish novels before it, a mere vehicle for the "Fairy Tales," and, as I have previously remarked, quite unnecessary.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
I take advantage of the new issue of this volume, consequent on the great favour with which it has been received by the public, to correct a few typographical errors, to add some little information respecting the family of Madame d'Aulnoy, and to reply to a kindly critic, who, in a most flattering notice of this book,[1] called my attention to the "Pentamerone" of Basile, and the "Nights of Straparola."
With great respect for Mr. Dunlop, the authority I was
- ↑ Civil Service Gazette.
