The Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.]: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
The Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.]: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.] is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Martin, Theodore, Sir (1816–1909); Aytoun, William Edmondstoune (1813–1865).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Book of Ballads" edited by Bon Gaultier is a collection of humorous poems and parodies written in the mid-19th century. Featuring contributions from authors Martin and Aytoun under the pseudonym of Bon Gaultier, the work satirizes popular literary trends of the time, particularly the romanticization of criminals and the melodramatic style found in contemporary literature. The collection is known for its playful engagement with themes of chivalry, crime, and romance, making it an entertaining read for those interested in literary humor. At the start of "The Book of Ballads," the editor provides a preface, discussing the origins and collaborative nature of the poems included. He reflects on the social context that inspired these humorous works, particularly a trend towards glorifying criminals, which the authors sought to parody. The opening portion introduces their intent to critique this cultural phenomenon through witty verse, using lively characters and scenarios, such as a Moorish maiden who turns the tables on a pursuing knight and the misadventures of a humorous American hero facing a snapping turtle. This establishes the book's tone of lighthearted satire and clever wordplay, drawing readers into its whimsical narrative style.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.]
- Author credits: Martin, Theodore, Sir (1816–1909); Aytoun, William Edmondstoune (1813–1865)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Parodies
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Humour
- Category: Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



