3 MARCH 1906, Page 26

Crosspatch Marietta, and other Stories. By Helen Margaret Dixon. (Cornish

Brothers, Birmingham. 5s. net.)—Some of these stories are of the fairy sort, with now and then a little touch of rationalism—the sensible mother thinks that Marietta was a cross old woman and nothing more, while Nan still thinks her a fairy—and some are of real life. On the whole, we prefer the latter. They are easier to write, as good sense is always easier than good nonsense. "The Letter that was Lost," for instance, is very good, simple as it is and old-fashioned, just the thing that a child would like, or, at least, ought to like. Both kinds of story have the advantage of being well illustrated by Miss K. M. Rathbone. Her pencil, certainly, is always faithful to life.