13 MARCH 1926, Page 47

The Happy Ghost and Other Stories. By H. H. Bashford.

(Heinemann. 7s. 6d net.)-A collection of stones gathered from many periodicals must necessarily vary widely ; and there is little in common between the hilarious wit of " Back to the Trees," the gruesome horror of " Farquarson," and the s tber humour of " Mr. Parchester and the Gods." Mr. Bashford, happily, is as skilful as he is various, and out of twenty stories there is but one, " The Bud Openers," which does not justify its reappearance.