Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

THE MIDDLE A GES
great extent of his knowledge and his perfect understanding
of the limitations and possibilities of the decoration of a
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These quotations from Mr. Boyesen and from Mr. Pennell show the appreciation of a literary man and of an artist.
Needless to say, the book was at once a success, and has remained very popular. It shows, perhaps, more insight into a
child's life, more sympathy with and more understanding
of the trials of childhood, and at the same time it is a piece
of work more serious in tone than the Robin Hood or the
fairy books. It does not have the same playful humor and
the light fantasy, but succeeds altogether on account of the
unerring truth of its character portrayal and the poignant
feeling of pathos which is never for a moment allowed to
grow commonplace.
The next book to be grouped with these is Men of Iron,
a stirring tale of England in the troublous times of Henry
IV. It is pure adventure, full of resounding arms, of tournaments, and knightly feats. Here there is little fancy;
it is a romantic tale, which none the less gives a nearly accurate picture of the period. Myles Falworth, the son of
a former supporter of the deposed Richard, regains through
his own valor and nobility a position equal to that of his
father, who had suffered as an adherent to the old order
after the insurrection against Henry. It is a story to make
any boy's ambition surge; true worth is the only criterion by
which judgments are made; Myles makes his way solely
through his own merits. Howard Pyle has shown his sense
of fitness by making of it a straightforward story, vigorous
and manly. The "strenuous life" of America is carried
back to medieval England. Although it lacks the subtle
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