H. E. Marshall 
English Literature 
For Boys and Girls

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Dear Boys and Girls, – This is not the book you asked for – it is not the book that any of you have asked for, and I hope that you will not be very much disappointed. But in case you should be I will tell you how this book came to be written, and that may make you feel less disappointed.<br><br>Long, long ago I said, If ever I have two brass farthings to rub one against the other I know what I shall do – I shall write an English Literature for Boys and Girls. But the days and months and years went on, and I never saw even one brass farthing. I wonder if ever any one did. Did you?<br><br>Still I kept the hope and kept the wish ready. And at last one day a Magician came. I can’t stop to tell you what he was like, but he wasn’t a bit like any Magician I ever read about. He put two golden pennies into my hand and said in a very solemn voice, Rub them one against the other and the first wish you wish shall be granted to you. Be careful. Remember, only one wish. So choose with thought. Then he vanished. But of course I could not choose with thought, for the wish I had kept ready all the time just slipped off my tongue, and as I rubbed my golden pennies together I said quickly, I wish to write an English Literature for Boys and Girls.<br><br>So I had my wish and have done my part. It is for you to do the rest.