13 DECEMBER 1930, Page 30

TALES FROM FAR AND NEAR. Edited by Ernest Rhys and

C. A. Dawson-Scott. (Appleton. 7s. 6d.)—The collection of stories from all parts of the world here brought together is certainly varied and exciting, even if they do not all reach the same level of literary achievement. The editors have succeeded in selecting examples typical of various countries from- whose literature they are taken. In their search for the " lastingly good " they have, perhaps,

concentrated too much upon the elementary, or as Sallie would call it the primitive in theme, but there are, of course, exceptions, and many of the tales will set-ye well as an intro- duction to little known authors or literatures.