word 'fable' comes; but the old Hellens called theirs 'Muthoi,'
from which our new word 'myth' is taken. But next to those old
Romances, which were written in the Christian middle age, there are
no fairy tales like these old Greek ones, for beauty, and wisdom,
and truth, and for making children love noble deeds, and trust in
God to help them through.

Now, why have I called this book 'The Heroes'? Because that was
the name which the Hellens gave to men who were brave and skilful,
and dare do more than other men. At first, I think, that was all
it meant: but after a time it came to mean something more; it came
to mean men who helped their country; men in those old times, when
the country was half-wild, who killed fierce beasts and evil men,
and drained swamps, and founded towns, and therefore after they
were dead, were honoured, because they had left their country
better than they found it. And we call such a man a hero in
English to this day, and call it a 'heroic' thing to suffer pain
and grief, that we may do good to our fellow-men. We may all do
that, my children, boys and girls alike; and we ought to do it, for
it is easier now than ever, and safer, and the path more clear.
But you shall hear how the Hellens said their heroes worked, three
thousand years ago. The stories are not all true, of course, nor
half of them; you are not simple enough to fancy that; but the
meaning of them is true, and true for ever, and that is--Do right,
and God will help you.'

FARLEY COURT,

Advent, 1855.