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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—­in paper covers on the French model, only neater and more substantial.’—­Daily Mail.

’In type, make-up, and size, it is exactly the volume to buy at the book-stall and slip into such convenient receptacle as you may chance to carry with you in the railway carriage.  It costs you no more than a few illustrated papers, and is more handy to bestow when you have read it.  As for the contents, they are eight slight stories, in Mrs. Clifford’s best manner.  Yet, simple and unpretending as they are, they contain the real novelist’s touch.  There is nature, drama, character, in these short histories, and, above all, that command of simple pathos which Mrs. Clifford has more than most writers.  We do not know many living writers who could have done either so well.’—­St. James’s Gazette.

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UNIFORM WITH ‘MERE STORIES,’

THE LAST TOUCHES.

BY MRS. W. K. CLIFFORD.

’Much skill is devoted to the narration of all these stories.’—­Saturday Review.

’Many of them surpass even “Aunt Anne” and “Mrs. Keith’s Crime” in terseness and brilliant originality.’—­Morning Post.

’One reads them from beginning to end enchanted.’—­National Review.

’There is some very pretty and delicate work in them, which the literary world would be the poorer for losing.’—­Daily Telegraph.

’Indeed, in every story there are touches of wonderful cleverness, signs of clear insight, of fresh and just observation.’—­Speaker.

’Two or three of the stories reach an uncommon level of thought and expression.’—­Standard.

’But they are all good, all original, all distinctive, and we advise readers to take care not to miss them.’—­Guardian.

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

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THE DREAM-CHARLOTTE.

BY M. BETHAM-EDWARDS.

Crown 8vo, cloth, price 6s.

’Miss Betham-Edwards is on her own special ground in her new novel, which she calls “The Dream-Charlotte.”  Provincial France of the Revolution time she knows with a detailed knowledge few other English writers, if any, possess.  It is a first-rate novel for youth, because of its irresistible, contagious youthfulness; and its wholesome enthusiasms.’—­The Sketch.