23 DECEMBER 1893, Page 23

Seven Christmas-Eves. By Clo. Graves and others. (Hutchinson.) —Seven writers

tell the story, which each takes up in his or her turn, of two "waifs and strays." The said story is commonplace enough. Such collaboration must result either in the common- place or the fantastic. Nevertheless, it may be read with a certain amount of interest. As for criticism, one hardly knows what to do. Mrs. Mary Cheevers, who gives her " testimony " in chap. i., has evidently but little notion of consistency in style. On p. 1 she talks of the "Fall of Smackerib ; " on p. 29 she can say, "And Nick's mother went on before us with light, unsteady steps to the End that was in store ; " on p. 32, "Let those that have never known temptation be gentle in their thoughts of her." Such a liberal education it is to tell a story !