nsely human
fashion is so exquisite, that the dullest of us must feel keen pleasure
when we mingle intimately with the little people who have quite recently
asserted their right to be reckoned with the greatest upon earth.'

G. A., in the _Westminster Gazette_, says: 'Mr. Douglas Sladen's first
novel is a distinct success. To begin with, he has managed to capture a
real live heroine, as charming and convincing a pretty girl as we have
met with for years. Her flesh-and-blood reality is quite undeniable. She
imposes herself upon one from the very first; she is winning and
genuine, and as fresh as a daisy.'

GILBERT BURGESS, in the _Illustrated London News_: 'This time
it is the woes of the deceased wife's sister which are brought before us
in a narrative that is invariably picturesque, and, especially as to the
latter half of the volume, is of considerable humour and pathos.'

NORMAN GALE, in the _Literary World_: 'Bryn, a girl beautiful
exceedingly, only a little past twenty years of age--"sweet and twenty"
indeed!--loving Philip purely, and purely loved by him in return, living
alone with a young widower. The moment when Bryn proves her love is a
most exciting one, and shows that Mr. Sladen is a master of vivid
recital.'

JAS. STANLEY LITTLE, in the _Academy_: 'He writes with
knowledge and freshness of a country and a people as full of interest as
Japan and the Japanese.'

MARION HEPWORTH DIXON, in the _Englishwoman_: 'A story
strikingly told and animated with the doings of English residents in
Japan.'

RICHARD LE GALLIENNE, in the _Star_: 'An exceedingly sprightly
and readable novel.'

A. & C. BLACK, SOHO SQUARE, LONDON.

* * * * *

MERE STORIES.

BY MRS. W. K. CLIFFORD.

Crown 8vo, paper covers, in the style of a French novel, price 2s.

'Mrs. W. K. Clifford's "Mere Stories" is not only notable for the
excellence and uniform interest of the stories it contains, but also for
the novelty of its shape--that of the yellow French novel pure and
simple. The innovation deserves encouragement. You do not want, at this
time of day, an introduction to Mrs. Clifford's many good qualities. She
has become one of those few writers of English fiction no one of whose
books one can afford to leave unread.'--_Review of Reviews._

'They are neatly and incisively written, with an unfailing strain of
humour running through them. Altogether, this is a volume to read, and
we like its get-up