4 JANUARY 1902, Page 25

Within the Radius. By Albert Kinross. (Duckworth and Co. Gs.)—Mr.

Kinross has forestalled the reviewer, and has himself called attention to the fact that his book is written in the manner of Stevenson's "New Arabian Nights." The wisdom of thus defrauding the critics is perhaps doubtful, as some of them might bear the author a grudge for so taking the words from their pens. But without joking, the stories are amusing, and when the assumption is granted that the improbable is the most likely thing to happen, they are not too fantastic for interest- In the story called "The Other Death" Mr. Kinross weakens the effect he would produce by too minute a description, for the utmost depths of horror are only to be reached by the judicious use of mystery and the unknown.