Note 430 — Chapter V

Scott had theories as to what children's books ought to be. They should stir the imagination, he said, instead of simply imparting knowledge as certain scientific books attempted to do. (Lockhart, Vol. II, p. 27.) But he seriously objected to any attempt to write down to the understanding of children. Of the Tales of a Grandfather he said: "I will make, if possible, a book that a child shall understand, yet a man will feel some temptation to peruse, should he chance to take it up." (Lockhart, Vol. V, p. 112. See also ib., Vol. I, p. 19.) Anatole France has expressed ideas about children's books which are practically the same as those of Scott. (See Le Livre de Mon Ami, 3me partie: "A Madame D * * *.")