19 DECEMBER 1885, Page 24

Halcyon and Asphodel, and Other Stories. By A. H. A.

(Hatcharde.) These are a fairly successful attempt at a very difficult kind of writing,—the fairy story. They are not quite free from the besetting sin of the modern variety, the disposition on the writer's part to let his readers know that he means something much more serious and valuable than what appears upon the surface. Such stories as "The White Cat" had positiiely no moral except that a lad should be brave and truthful. Still there is grace and fancy about the six tales which make up this volume, and with them just a touch of humour.