North, South, and Over the Sea. By M. E. Francis
(Mrs. Francis Blundell). (G. Newnes. 6s.)—These fifteen short stories, repub- lished from Country Life, may be supposed to represent the manners of Lancashire ("North "), Ireland (" Over the Sea"), and some less-defined region south of the Trent. The gem of the collection, "The Girl He Left Behind Him," belongs to the third class, but as far as local colour is concerned is neutral. It is not a love story; the "girl" is a child of three, about whom a soldier newly returned from the front mystifies his mother in a very delightful way. It is as sweet and tender a little bit of life as we have ever seen. Next to this we should put "Blackbird's Inspiration." `Blackbird' is a worn-out horse whose affection for home and ingenuity in finding his way back to it upset the economical resolve which dooms him to the knacker. "Giles in Luck" is an excellent story. The " House " cannot be so hateful when a pauper, suddenly enriched, cannot live outside of it. But prisoners have been known to feel the same nostalgia. All the stories are good, but we could have spared the more distinctly cynical. Is it usual in Lancashire for the parson to begin the reading of banns with " Be it known unto all present" P
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