By

H.M. The Queen of Roumania

Very little is known in England about Roumanian literature, whichalthough not as rich as in many other countries, presents,nevertheless, features of real interest.

Like all people in touch with the East, even the peasants have astrain of poetry in their speech, their expression is picturesque andgentle, an almost fatalistic note of sadness rings through all thesongs they sing.

Our poets have adapted themselves to this particular strain, andmostly it is the popular form that has been developed by our literarymen both in prose and poetry.

Roumanian literature possesses eminent historians and critics. I amnot, in these few lines, going to touch upon their activities; butstrangely enough there are few writers of fiction amongst theRoumanians—great novel writers do not exist.

The Roumanian, above all, excels as poet and as a short-storywriter. In this last art he is past-master, and it is therefore a greatpleasure to me to encourage this book which Mrs. Schomberg Byng[viii]is sending out into the world at a momentwhen I am so anxious that my country should be better known andunderstood in England.

Each one of these short stories is a little work of art, and deeplycharacteristic of Roumanian popular life and thought; therefore I haveno doubt that they will interest all those who care aboutliterature.

I feel personally indebted to Mrs. Schomberg Byng to have thought ofmaking this interesting feature of Roumanian literature known to theBritish public. I therefore, with all my heart, wish this little volumeGood Luck.

Marie.

Jan., 1920. [...