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Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, March 1, 1890

Volume 98 — THE FARTHING NOVEL SERIES.

Reading edition

Now that the entire works of the late William Shakspeare can be purchased (allowing for discount) for fourpence-halfpenny, it seems strange that no publisher has issued the more celebrated of our romances at the rate per volume of the smallest coin of the realm. That it can be done will be obvious to the meanest comprehension. All that is required is brevity and intelligibility. It is only necessary to give an outline of the story—the sketchier the better. If a little "local colouring" can be thrown in, no harm will be done. But that local colouring must be distinctly modern. Again, if sentiments calculated to be popular with the class by whom the series is likely to be purchased are introduced, a distinct gain will be the consequence. But as an example is better than pages of description, a sample is subjoined:—

IVANHOE;

Or, The Disguised Knight, the Distressed Jewess, and the Templar who did not Behave like a Gentleman.

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