The seven tales which are found in this work are not Untermeyer? own. Additionally, Untermeyer points out that this volume is not intended for the ?evotees or scholars who know their Gilbert and Sullivan forward and backward, and vice versa.?This book is for the younger and less learned reader. It is offered as a preparation for them and is intended for those who are unfamiliar with the almost perfect music and words which marks for example, The Gondoliers, and for the young people who have yet to hear their first performance of Ruddigore. Untermeyer has drawn on Gilbert? unmatched lyrics and has made almost continuous use of his prose.