Ebook John Bunyan's Dream Story

But suppose we divest the story of some of those qualities which may be described as Old-fashioned and out of date — suppose that, retaining its essential peculiarities of style and diction, we repeat it without apparent didactic intent, simply as a pleasing narra tive and John Bunyan's dream story becomes a delightful fairy tale, poetic in form and surpassingly interesting. Such was the intent with which the preparation Of the present little book was undertaken. In pursu ing this intent, an effort has been made to relate the story in a manner that will appeal to present day readers simply because of its inherent interest. Wherever it has been possible within the limits of this plan, the words of Bunyan have been retained, and much care has been taken to preserve as far as possible the quaint and beautiful style Of the original. Of course much abridgment has been necessary; and, in general, whatever the modern reader would be tempted to skip has been left out or rewritten.