19 MAY 1877, Page 22

The Evil Eye, and other Stories. By Katharine S. Macquoid.

(Chatto and Windus.)—These are short stories of French life and manners, some sad, some cheerful, the writer's leaning being rather to, the first kind, in which her gifts as a tale-writer appear, on the whole, to the best advantage. The lighter stories appear to have as a common idea the fact that love has its way in match-making France as it has over here. Stout, well-to.do tradesmen of middle age are postponed to lovers who are recommended by youth rather than wealth. "In the Rue Froide " is a good example of this kind. Everywhere French life and scenery, whether in town or country, are painted with grace and skill.