23 MARCH 1907, Page 23

Tales for the Homes. (Chatto and Windus. 5s. net.)—Mr. James

Merchant has collected and edited a volume of short stories and miscellanies of various kinds which is sold for the benefit of the " l3arnardo Homes." There are twenty-nine items in all. Of the serious kind we may mention "The Life of a Waif," as Mr. Hume Nisbet tells it. Of the lighter sort there is " Chrystars Century," by Mr. E. W. Hornung. The " century " is a cricket hundred, and its maker is an enthusiast for the game whose achievements are commonly unequal to his ideal, but who on this occasion is equal to his best self. The buyers of this book will find that they have combined in a quite unusual way the blessings of giving and receiving.