15 DECEMBER 1917, Page 19

By the Wayside. Illustrated and Translated by Una Hook from

the Danish of Vigo Stuokenberg. (Chatto and Windus. 6.s. tld. net.) —These " little tales and legends " are well translated, and the style fits the subject admirably. Tho original, was published in 1889, six years before the death of Stuokenberg, who, Miss Hook tells us in her Introductory Note, " was of great importance to the younger generation of Danish authors, among whom he was both respected as an artist and a critic, and loved as a friend." The fables which make up this book are generally strung on a thread of fairytale, or on a cynical parody of a fairy.telo, and for the most part emphasize the sadness of life, though the gloom of the old jinsIssiaels atmo- sphere is shot through by touches of delicate fancy. The author is also fond of poking sly fun at the fairytale point of view, as when he tells us how glad the Troll was when the Weaver's son relieved him of the beautiful but shrewish Princess who was making life impossible by her disagreeable ways. The block-and-white illus- trations are very attractive.