Fairies Afield. By Mrs. Molesworth. (Macmillan and Co. 333. 6d.)
—Mrs. Molesworth tells the modern fairy story as well as anyone. The four which she gives us in this volume are good examples of the kind, and it would be highly unreasonable to complain. Lindie learns from the Robin the secret which turns leaves of the forest into fragrant rose leaves because she is good and brave, and even ready to expiate some one else's offence in killing a robin—how do the fairies deal with the nation which "eats this affectionate little songster with bread-crumbs" ?—and Michael gets the blessing of the magic table because he invites to his suppers guests poorer than himself. What could be more ad- mirable than that such virtue should be rewarded P But it is simpler to get these good things because you are a third son, or, still better, a seventh. Well, let us be content with the new, which is quite possibly better for us than the old, though it may be not quite so delightful.
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