THE
Wonderful Story
OF
BLUE BEARD,
AND
HIS LAST WIFE.
With many illustrations
BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK.
NEW-YORK:
PUBLISHED BY HUESTIS & COZANS,
No. 104 Nassau, corner of Ann St.
STEREOTYPED BY VINCENT L. DILL.
THE WONDERFUL STORY
OF
BLUE BEARD.
"MANYyears ago, a noble castle stoodon the side of a hill, surrounded bythe most beautiful gardens, groves,and fields. It was the residence ofa man amazingly rich; and whotherefore had the rooms of his castlefurnished with all the elegance that opulence couldobtain.
Almost every one would suppose, that there couldhardly be a happier man than the possessor of so muchwealth, and such a stately dwelling: but it is not in thepower of riches to give happiness; nor can splendorremove every cause of sorrow and discontent.
It was the misfortune of this gentleman to be somewhatdisfigured, by the extraordinary circumstance ofhaving a blue beard. His general complexion was fair;and the hair on his head was of a light brown colour.It is therefore no wonder that, with a blue beard, his appearanceshould be considered so remarkable as to bealmost forbidding; indeed it was thought so strange,that he was known only by the name of Blue Beard.
One of the chief misfortunes which this deformity produced,was the unwillingness which every young ladyfelt, even to be in his company. It was in vain that hiscostly carriages and Arabian horses were continuallyadmired; it was in vain that his wealth was constantlymentioned in conversation; none of the young ladieswould speak to him, or meet him.
Perhaps one great cause of this aversion arose froma report that he had had several wives; but no oneseemed to know what had become of any of them.They had disappeared, but no one knew how.
Amongst the families that lived within a short distanceof his castle, there was an elderly lady and her twodaughters. Both these young ladies were highly accomplished,and much admired: but the younger of the twowas also thought to be unusually handsome, and wastherefore noticed rather more than her sister. It oftenhappens, that beauty is a misfortune; because, if ayoung lady has not good sense, it will make her vain;and a vain girl generally falls into some kin