THE LADY OF THE LAKE BY SIR WALTER SCOTT. EDITED BY EDWIN GINN. BOSTON, U.S.A.: PUBLISHED BY GINN & COMPANY. 1893. HARVARD 050*120 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by EDWIN GINN, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TYPOGRAPHY BY J. S. CUSHING & Co., BOSTON, U.S.A. PRESSWORK BY GINN & Co., BOSTON, U.S.A. PREFACE. ON page v, under the heading "Classics for Chil dren," is giyen the origin and plan of a series of books intended for the young in our public schools. The series will be well printed in large type, on good paper, and firmly bound, and will be furnished at a price so low as to bring within the reach of every pupil in the land these books, which have hitherto been confined to the homes of those in more favored circumstances. Scott's writings seem well fitted for children, as the language is simple and graphic, the thought healthful and invigorating, and the events narrated based so largely on real life as to tend to create an interest in historical studies. This poem, with its beautiful descriptions of scenery, its vivid pictures of life, and the charming melody of its rhythm is especially well suited to interest the young. It has been urged against the use of Shakespeare, Scott, and such writers, in the grammar grades, that it will interfere with the course in the high school, where these authors are studied. If only one out of twenty-five ever reaches the high school, and the twenty-four can read these authors to advantage in the lower grades, Iwould it not be wise to remodel the entire course of study in such a way as to secure the greatest good to the greatest number? Should it seem to some that too many simple words have been defined, it must be borne in mind that the majority of children, nine years of age, attending public |