ASBJDRNSEN, PETER CHRISTEN (1812-85), and MOE, JORGEN ENGEBRETSEN collectors of Norwegian folk-lore, so closely united in their life's work that it is unusual to name them apart. Asbjornsen was born in Chris tiania on Jan. 15 1812 ; as early as 1832 in his twentieth year, he had begun to collect and write down all the fairy stories and legends which he could encounter. Later he began to wander on foot through the length and breadth of Norway, adding to his stores. Moe, who was born at Mo i Hole parsonage, in Sigdal Ringerike, on April 22 1813, met Asbjornsen first when he was 14 years of age. A close friendship began between them, and lasted to the end of their lives. In 1834 Asbjornsen discovered that Moe had started independently on a search for the relics of national folk-lore; the friends eagerly compared results, and determined for the future to work in concert. By this time, Asbjornsen had become by profession a zoologist, and with the aid of the university made a series of investigating voyages along the coasts of Norway, particularly in the Hardanger fjord. Moe, meanwhile, having left Christiania University in 1839, had de voted himself to the study of theology, and was making a living as a tutor in Christiania. In his holidays he wandered through the mountains, in the most remote districts, collecting stories. In 1842-43 appeared the first instalment of the great work of the two friends, under the title of Norwegian Popular Stories (Norske Folkeeventyr), which was received at once all over Europe as a most valuable contribution to comparative mythology as well as literature. A second volume was published in 1844, and a new collection in 1871. Many of the Folkeeventyr were translated into English by Sir George Dasent in 1859. In 1845 Asbjornsen pub lished, without help from Moe, a collection of Norwegian fairy tales (Huldreeventyr og Folkesagn). In 1856 Asbjornsen was appointed forest-master, and was sent by Norway to examine in various countries of the N. of Europe the methods observed for the preservation of timber. He died in Christiania on Jan. 6 1885. From 1841 to 1852 Moe travelled almost every summer through the southern parts of Norway, collecting traditions in the moun tains. He took holy orders in 1853 and he was appointed in bishop of Christiansand, after holding various cures. In Jan. 1882 he resigned his diocese on account of failing health, and died on the following March 27. Moe has a special claim on critical attention in regard to his lyrical poems, of which a small col lection appeared in 1850. He wrote little original verse, but in his slender volume are to be found many pieces of exquisite deli cacy and freshness. Moe also published a delightful collection of prose stories for children, In the Well and the Churn (I Bronde og i Kjaernet), 1851; and A little Christmas Present (En Liden Julegave), 186o. Asbjornsen and Moe had the advantage of an admirable style in narrative prose. It was usually said that the vigour came from Asbjornsen and the charm from Moe, but the fact seems to be that from the long habit of writing in unison they had come to adopt almost precisely identical modes of lit erary expression.