4 NOVEMBER 1899, Page 9

Fairy Folk from Far and Near. By Annie C. H.

Woolf. (J. MaeQueen.)—These fairy tales are described as coming from China, Arabia, Greece, Rome, and we know not what other places. Miss Woolf introduces them without any preface, and names no authorities. They may be what they are said to be, but some at least are familiar in other characters. The lanky suitor, for in- stance, who beats the Princess Rosamund in a foot race by throw- ing down a wreath of roses, a girdle, and a purse which the young lady is constrained to pick up, may have lived in Rome, but he learnt the trick from a Greek gentleman named Hippomenes. The mouse who puts his teeth to such good use may have been Arabian, but lEsop knew about him. A fairy story, however, is none the worse for being an old favourite.