Transcriber's Note
Minor punctuation inconsistencies have been silently corrected.Variable, archaic andunusual spelling as well as apparent printer's errors have beenretained as they appear in the original.The poems "Bohemians, hail!" and"Sonnet on shares" do not appear in the table of contents.
SPOOK BALLADS
BY
W. THEODORE PARKES.
Crown 8vo, Cloth gilt, 5s.
Popular Edition 2s.
LONDON:
Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, & Co., Limited.
And all Booksellers.
CHEERS OF THE PRESS!
"Ingoldsby, Thomas Hood, W. S. Gilbert,—these are the names thatoccur to one in trying to 'place' Mr. Parkes after reading this volume ofrollicking, verbal and pictorial fun. The Spook Ballads are in no sense imitationsof any of those classics of the comic muse, yet we find in them the samethorough abandonment to 'the humour of the thing.'"—The Publisher's Circular.
"A substantial volume introducing a Comic Poet, who in the futuremay give us a modern Ingoldsby. Mr. Parkes has an intellectual touch tohis drollery and his sense of the possible humours of versification ispleasantly keen, the Spook Ballads is far above the contemporary averageof the lighter rhymesters. Mr. Parkes wields a sprightly pencil, and hehas illustrated his verses lavishly and with effect."—The Stage.
"Not only are the literary merit of these fantastic ballads of a highorder, but the illustrations by the author are of such a humorous natureas to give a unique pleasure to the reader."—The Morning Leader.
"Well written, well illustrated, and funny is a combination of goodqualities not often met with even in the Spook world, so Messrs. Simpkin,Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, and Co., ought to be well pleased with theirpublication."—The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.
"Dealing largely with ghosts and legends embracing a dash of diableriesuch as would have been dear to the heart of Ingoldsby. There is a ruggedforce in 'The Girl of Castlebar' that will always make it tell in recitation; andeven greater success in this direction has attended 'The Fairy Queen,' a storyunveiling the seamy side, with quaint humour and stern realism. It is speciallyworthy of note that Mr. Parkes's skill in versification has received the warmestacknowledgment from those best qualified to appreciate the bright local coloringas well as the blending of fancy and fun."—Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper.
"A cheery and spirited production, and full of fun; the style remindsone of 'Bon Gaultier,' the style and illustrations combined inevitablyrecall the famous 'Bab Ballads.' Indeed it is hard to say which is themost felicitous, the draughtsman or the poet."—The Bookseller.
"In the attractive Spook Ballads, the talented Irish artist hasdisplayed qualities to a remarkable degree. There are many pieces reciterswill be glad to lay hold of, while the Ballads and Illustrations are full ofthe pleasing humour which characterises all Mr. Parkes' work, and whichwill serve to cheer and to amuse many readers."—The Sun.
"As the combined production of a cleve