17 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 23

IN A GRAIN OF SAND. By Yof Maraini. (Collins. 6s.)

Whether these slight sketches in and around Florence would seem so attractive in a more commonplace binding is hard for the reviewer to say. The covers are so extraordi- narily charming, the paper and printing are so good, that it would be an enormity if the reader's judgment of the interior were not coloured by them. However, the incidents and anecdotes are not too sentimental, and the writing, though by no means arresting, is adequate. Some of the drawings by Antonio Maraini, with which the book is embellished, are excellent : all are interesting.