11 NOVEMBER 1893, Page 24

The Shadrach, and other Stories. By Frank R. Stockton. (W.

H. Allen.)--" The Shadrach " is very much in the manner of Mr. Anstey's "Fallen Idol ;" so is "The Knife that Killed Po Haney." The title of the first is taken from a mineral, the product of the iron-furnace, which, having the power of resisting any extremes of beat, has also the power of cooling the temper and desires of its possessors. The possessor of this curiosity complicates matters considerably by endeavouring to regulate the affections of two fair friends. In "The Knife that Killed Po Haney," a gentleman of sedentary habits inoculates himself with the blood -of a Burmese dacoit, and thereby considerably changes his nature. We have said that this is Mr. A.nstey's manner ; it may be Mr. Stockton's too,—still, we do not associate it with his best-known books, " Rudder Grange," "The Squirrel Inn," "The Casting Away of Mrs. Aleshine." To these there is a certain resemblance in the other stories. But to whatever class they may belong, they are most distinctly amusing.