14 APRIL 1928, Page 26

GREAT FRENCH SHORT STORIES. (Ernest Benn. 8s. 6d.)-Another library in

One voluine! We begin with a translation of Aucassin and Nicolete, pias to examples of the lively Marguerite of Navarre and Rabelais, and come to the moderns by way of La Fontaine and Voltaire. Balzac- and Gautier might be better represented ; Merimee and Flaubert, however, can be justly appreciated, the one by "The Venus of Ille," the other, by The Legend of St. Julian the Hos- pitaller." Perhaps we are over-familiar with Anatole France's Procurator of Judaea," and Maupa.ssant's " Necklace " ; both these authors are so rich in consummate conta However, since we have specimens from authors so recent as Barbusse, Morand, and --Hathp, we must be thankful, It' is a- volume of generous value, and should be a temptation to those who want 4 pleasurable introduction to French fiction.