Seven Scots Stories. By Jane H. Findlater. (Smith, Eldet and
Co. 6s.)—It is really difficult for the reader to choose his, favourite among these delightful stories. Miss Findlater touches: both grave and gay with so delicate and yet sure a hand that each one in the book seems to be the best. The present writer, how- ever, has a predilection for the story of "Buckle," which portrays the awful end of a pet lamb. The whole sketch is reminiscent of the second version of the old nursery rhyme, which runs:-
•• Nary had a little lamb
Whose fleece was black as soot, And into Mary's cup of milk
It put its dirty foot."
But " Buckle " does much "worse deeds than putting its foot into al. cup of milk. The author gives a cynical touch to the list Scene, in which the father and mother of the little girl, Mysie, try to coll..: teal from her the fate of " Buckle," which Mysie, however, announces- herself to her uncle in a loud voice and withobvious relief : ." The" butcher's got her." The collection is altogether extremely well worth reading, and the Scottish dialect not too crabbed to be unintelligible.
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