A number of tribes in Southern Rhodesia opened their hearts
to Mr. F. Posselt, who has accordingly given us some charming folk-tales in Fables of the Veld (Oxford University Press, 6s.). They are elegantly presented and carry with them the full flavour of the bush. Brer Rabbit reappears as the Hare, as usual the chief character, incredibly cunning, witty and malicious, while a number of old favourites take the stage once more in the thinnest of disguises. The univer- sality of folk-tales is astonishing. There is, however, anew and delightful story of a man with a pretty daughter who, being a splendid liar himself, would not give her in marriage to anyone but a still more splendid liar, and by way of contrast we may read the tale of an untruthful virago and her dis- comfiture. The author's short preface is a model of what prefaces should be. Altogether a decidedly attractive volume.
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