University of Virginia Library

“They are graphic stories, and in the highest degree attractive to the imagination as
well as instructive, and can not fail to be popular.”

“In all that Mr. Herbert has written, there is greater narrative power and felicity of
description than in the works of many whose books, from special excellence of style or
some happy selection of subject, have commanded a wider popularity.”

“They bring the past days of old England vividly before the reader, and impress upon
the mind with indelible force, the living images of the puritans as well as the cavaliers,
whose earnest character and noble deeds lend such a lively interest to the legends of
the times in which they lived and fought, loved and hated, prayed and revelled.”

“These tales are written in the popular author's best style, and give us a vivid and
thrilling idea of the customs and influences of the chivalrous age.”

“To those who love a retrospect of those ages when our ancestors warred for civil
and religious freedom, this must be a delightful volume. Mr. Herbert has here given us
a series of graphic delineations of those times, but the whole space covered by him may
be said to extend from the crusades to the renowned era of Louis XIV. He has never
before carried his readers through more interesting ground than this.”

“His narrative is always full of great interest; his descriptive powers are of an un-common
order; the romance of history loses nothing at his hands; he paints with the
power, vigor, and effect of a master.”

“This volume is destined to place the author yet higher in the temple of fame, and
render him yet dearer to the reading public of America and Europe.”

“Herbert's novels have always been noted for their interesting and exciting incidents
and well-managed plots.”

“This work is written in the author's easy and graceful style, and is replete with interest.”

“Mr. Herbert has collected in this volume a number of touching incidents and traditions
connected with the great revolution, which can not but prove entertaining to the
reading public.”

“The stories are full of love, and hate, and jealousy, and other things, much like G.
P. R. James's “Tales of the Passions,” though with more elaborate plot, written with
spirit, and likely to be welcomed by many readers.”

“The author of this work is a successful writer of historical novels. He is skilful in
giving a life-like representation of ancient usages and manners, which have passed away
except so far as they remain in tradition and written records. This volume is another
evidence of the growing powers of Mr. Herbert. No man in this country improves in a
faster ratio than he, and none is distinguished by a broader or more unremitting industry.
His contributions to our literature of late years have been varied, brilliant, and profound.”

“These tales are intended to illustrate the habits of society, life, and manners, the
usages and feelings, both military and domestic, of various countries, at different epochs,
from the commencement of chivalry in the crusades, to its conclusion in the epoch of
Louis XIV. of France.”

“Mr. Herbert's mind is fully imbued with the tone of the period, and acquainted intimately
with the historical material he so skilfully blends with the productions of his
own fine invention and disciplined imagination.”