29 NOVEMBER 1879, Page 23

Tales of Old Thule. Collected and illustrated by J. Moyr

Smith. (Chatto and Windus.)—Thero are eight stories of various merit, but all well told, and furnished with illustrations that are for the most part spirited and pleasing. The frontispiece is certainly not an attractive specimen of thorn, nor does it fairly represent their merit. Generally, the lose pretentious designs are the best. Nor was " Rashy- coat," we think, the best of the tales to put in the foreground. Our preference 'would be given to " Prinoo Coraliu" or "The Sandals of Hermod," in which the familiar apparatus of magic sword and in- visible helmet and flying sandals are used to good effect.