This book is made of two famous fairy tales. The first is titled The History of Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper. The second is Jack and the Bean-Stalk.
It's part of The Banbury Cross Series, prepared by Grace Rhys and illustrated by Robert Anning Bell.
J. M. Dent & Co. published it in 1894. The book was printed by Turnbull & Spears, London.
The frontispiece shows a scene from Cinderella's home. A beautiful young lady is preparing for the dance at the castle.
We'll present only the first story from the book.
By the way, as with all the books in the series, this one is dedicated as well - in this case to Hesper. Grace Rhys wrote a short introduction, focusing on Cinderella only.
There was a man who married for the second time. We don't know what happened to his first wife but we know he had a daughter with her. His second wife had two daughters from before too.
The man is just mentioned at the beginning and illustrator never bothered to portray him. He is a fine example of the absent father.
The man is just mentioned at the beginning and illustrator never bothered to portray him. He is a fine example of the absent father.
Right after marriage problems for the daughter from the first marriage started piling up. New ladies in the house demanded that she do all the dirty work. She was cleaning, ironing, rubbing, washing, ... She slept on the straw while other women enjoyed soft beds. When she finished with work, she sat in the chimney corner among the ciders.
This is why everybody started calling her Cinderella.
Despite her poor look Cinderella was very skillful with clothes and had ecquisite taste. When the prince from the neighborhood announced a ball at his castle, her stepsisters wanted to go. Cinderella was in charge of making them as attractive as possible.
When the party time came, stepsisters went to the dance but Cinderella was not allowed to.
She started crying.
Despite her poor look Cinderella was very skillful with clothes and had ecquisite taste. When the prince from the neighborhood announced a ball at his castle, her stepsisters wanted to go. Cinderella was in charge of making them as attractive as possible.
When the party time came, stepsisters went to the dance but Cinderella was not allowed to.
She started crying.
Then her godmother appeared. She was a fairy. She came to help Cinderella. This is what godmothers do.
But how? She should come to the castle in style.
Carriage was the first problem to solve. Cinderella had to bring a pumpkin from the garden and her fairy godmother turned it into a splendid carriage.
In the meantime, Cinderella had to empty mouse traps.
But how? She should come to the castle in style.
Carriage was the first problem to solve. Cinderella had to bring a pumpkin from the garden and her fairy godmother turned it into a splendid carriage.
In the meantime, Cinderella had to empty mouse traps.
Her fairy godmother changed mice into horses and a rat into a coachman.
Then they went to the garden where they found six lizards who became servants. The last problem was Cinderella's dress.
One strike of the fairy's wand turned her rugs into a spectacular dress made of silver and gold. Her shoes turned into elegant slippers made of glass.
Cinderella was ready to go.
One strike of the fairy's wand turned her rugs into a spectacular dress made of silver and gold. Her shoes turned into elegant slippers made of glass.
Cinderella was ready to go.
She was the star of the ball. Prince had eyes for her only.
But there was a catch. Her fairy godmother told her to leave the party before midnight because the magic would lose its power then. So she suddenly left everybody wondering who was the unknown princess.
But there was a catch. Her fairy godmother told her to leave the party before midnight because the magic would lose its power then. So she suddenly left everybody wondering who was the unknown princess.
She returned home and waited for her stepsisters among the cinders.
The stepsisters told her about the beautiful princess who stole the show at the ball. Nobody knew who she was and everybody talked just about her.
The prince was especially interested to see her again and he announced another dance.
The sequence of events repeated.
Cinderella's sisters went to the castle and Cinderella departed after them, equipped with the magic support of her fairy godmother.
The prince was especially interested to see her again and he announced another dance.
The sequence of events repeated.
Cinderella's sisters went to the castle and Cinderella departed after them, equipped with the magic support of her fairy godmother.
Prince had eyes for her only and she was interested too.
This time she almost forgot to leave before midnight. She was in such a hurry she lost one of her slippers.
Prince still didn't know who is the charming princess but at least he had a slipper.
This time she almost forgot to leave before midnight. She was in such a hurry she lost one of her slippers.
Prince still didn't know who is the charming princess but at least he had a slipper.
Some detective work had to be done.
Prince announced that every girl around should try the slipper. The one she had the foot to fit in would become his wife.
A lot of girls tried. None succeeded in putting her foot in the tiny glass slipper.
Cinderella's stepsisters tried too. Nothing.
Then Cinderella asked if she could try as well. Her stepsisters laughed at her but the servants had clear orders. Every girl had a chance, no matter her look.
Prince announced that every girl around should try the slipper. The one she had the foot to fit in would become his wife.
A lot of girls tried. None succeeded in putting her foot in the tiny glass slipper.
Cinderella's stepsisters tried too. Nothing.
Then Cinderella asked if she could try as well. Her stepsisters laughed at her but the servants had clear orders. Every girl had a chance, no matter her look.
The glass slipper fit perfectly!
Cinderella took the other slipper out of her pocket and it was obvious she was the one.
Then a fairy godmother entered and turned her dress into another amazing creation. The mysterious princess was not a mystery anymore.
Then a fairy godmother entered and turned her dress into another amazing creation. The mysterious princess was not a mystery anymore.
The prince was happy. He wanted Cinderella for his wife and she agreed.
Stepsisters threw themselves in front of her and begged her for forgiveness.
As we already know, Cinderella had a big heart. She pardoned her stepsisters and arranged for them to be married to two noblemen. They all lived in the castle. Happily ever after!
This is where the story of Cinderella ends and the book continues with Jack and Bean-Stalk.