Six Trees. By Mary Wilkins Freeman. (Harper and Brothers. 3s.
6d.)—We cannot help thinking that these six "short stories" would be better, or at least as good, without the six trees. More than once the sentiment which joins the two things is somewhat forced. The elm, it is true, may have saved old David Ransom from being carried off to the poorhouse or its American equivalent, for he hid in its branches, and the elm is good for hiding; but we cannot see how the white birch consoled Joseph Lynn for being jilted by Sarah Beaton. Nor do the other trees play more effec- tive parts. Still, there is some good drawing of human character, seen, perhaps, to the best advantage in the easy-going Maddox family. But what strange heresy, promulgated, sad to say, by a woman, false to the traditions of her sex, that a family can be happy without a spring cleaning !
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