Hieroglyphic Tales by Horace Walpole

Name: Hieroglyphic Tales
Author: Horace Walpole

Hieroglyphic Tales is a collection of stories written by Horace Walpole, the 4th Earl of Orford. The stories are written in a style that combines elements of the Gothic and the Oriental, and are set in a variety of exotic locations. The stories are all based on the idea of a mysterious hieroglyphic language, which is used to tell tales of adventure, romance, and mystery. The stories feature a variety of characters, including a princess, a prince, a wizard, a giant, and a dragon. The stories are full of suspense and intrigue, and the reader is taken on a journey through a world of fantasy and mystery. The stories are also full of moral lessons, and the reader is encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions. Hieroglyphic Tales is a classic collection of stories that will delight readers of all ages. It is a great way to introduce children to the world of fantasy and mystery, and to encourage them to think about the consequences of their actions.

By Horace Walpole · First published 1785 · Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Horror · 8 chapters · 11,352 words

First lines

As the invaluable present I am making to the world may not please all tastes, from the gravity of the matter, the solidity of the reasoning, and the deep learning contained in the ensuing sheets, it is necessary to make some apology for producing this work in so trifling an age, when nothing will go down but temporary politics, personal satire, and idle romances. The true reason then for my surmounting all these objections was singly this: I was apprehensive lest the work should be lost to posterity; and though it may be condemned at present, I can have no doubt but it will be treated with due reverence some hundred ages hence, when wisdom and learning shall have gained their proper ascendant over mankind, and when men shall only read for instruction and improvement of their minds. As I shall print an hundred thousand copies, some, it may be hoped, will escape the havoc that is made of moral works, and then this jewel will shine forth in its genuine lustre. I was in the greater hurry to consign this work to the press, as I foresee that the art of printing will ere long be totally lost, like other useful discoveries well known to the ancients. Such were the art of dissolving rocks with hot vinegar, of teaching elephants to dance on the slack rope, of making malleable glass, of writing epic poems that any body would read after they had been published a month, and the stupendous invention of new religions, a secret of which illiterate Mahomet was the last person possessed.

What this Textopian page supports

Hieroglyphic Tales is listed on Textopian as a novel by Horace Walpole, dated 1785 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Horace Walpole
Date: 1785 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 11,352 words
Structure: 8 chapters, 342 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Fantasy — Hieroglyphic Tales is a collection of stories written by Horace Walpole, which are set in a fantastical world and feature mythical creatures and supernatural elements.
Romance — The stories in Hieroglyphic Tales often feature romantic relationships between characters, and the themes of love and loss are explored throughout the book.
Horror — The stories in Hieroglyphic Tales often contain elements of horror, such as supernatural creatures and dark settings, which create a sense of dread and suspense.
Mystery — The stories in Hieroglyphic Tales often contain elements of mystery, as the characters must unravel the secrets of the fantastical world they inhabit.