25 JANUARY 1913, Page 38

Seven Scots Stories. By Jane H. Findlater. (Smith, Eldet and

Co. 6s.)—It is really difficult for the reader to choose his, favourite among these delightful stories. Miss Findlater touches: both grave and gay with so delicate and yet sure a hand that each one in the book seems to be the best. The present writer, how- ever, has a predilection for the story of "Buckle," which portrays the awful end of a pet lamb. The whole sketch is reminiscent of the second version of the old nursery rhyme, which runs:-

•• Nary had a little lamb

Whose fleece was black as soot, And into Mary's cup of milk

It put its dirty foot."

But " Buckle " does much "worse deeds than putting its foot into al. cup of milk. The author gives a cynical touch to the list Scene, in which the father and mother of the little girl, Mysie, try to coll..: teal from her the fate of " Buckle," which Mysie, however, announces- herself to her uncle in a loud voice and withobvious relief : ." The" butcher's got her." The collection is altogether extremely well worth reading, and the Scottish dialect not too crabbed to be unintelligible.