3 DECEMBER 1927, Page 49

To those who like hounds and horses, nymphs and nectar,

and who enjoy the companionship of streams, meadows, and hills, Mr. Patrick Chalmers's book of stories, The Little Pagan Faun (Cape, 5s.), will come as a new delight. In it he describes a meeting with Persephone at a country railway station : he tells of a faun turned keeper. and of a cupid who leaves his rosy cloud on a painted ceiling. He knows that the water kelpies, who run " loose as lost sixpences on the purple sea-meadows," are about the size of baby unicorns ; that a witch's broom will retain its magical qualities even after it has been converted into a shooting stiek, and he shares these discoveries with the reader in a most entrancing manner. It is difficult to say which is the more captivating— the story of a huntsman who meets with John Peel, or that of the Little Pagan Faun himself, who follows " three rather self-esteeming girl seraphs." There is nothing " precious 12 here, but every story is delightful, and will appeal to sportsmen and poets, to scholars and lovers of fairy tales.