3 MAY 1902, Page 24

A Lover of Music, and other Tales. By Henry Van

Dyke. (G. Newnes. 6s.)—" Tales of Ruling Passions" is Mr. Van Dyke's description of his short stories, and it is true enough. But it is not the passion that really rules; it is duty, or faith, or steadfast affection. All are fine bits of work, and absolutely sound and wholesome. The racial type of character that Mr. Van Dyke most -a Teets is the French-Canadian ; and at its best, as he loves to paint it, it has a remarkable attraction about it. Perhaps of these seven stories the last, "The Keeper of the Light," is the best. No one can fail to be better for reading about this heroine of the lighthouse.