One aspect of the present problem (as this sounds a little too like a leading article, I should explain that I mean the Christmas present problem) has this year been very satisfactorily settled. Everybody buys some books at this time; and when you know that for two shillings and sixpence you can now purchase the best and most characteristic work of two-score famous writers and artists, and, moreover, that the said half-crown will go to one of the most sensible and practical of all the Funds, naturally _Princess Mary's Gift Book_ (HODDER AND STOUGHTON) is going to figure large in this year's list of things-not-to-forget. Honestly and without hyperbole, I question if a better collection has ever been brought together. From the first page (on which you will find a charming portrait by Mr. J. J. SHANNON of the gracious young lady to whose timely inspiration the volume is due) to the last, everyone seems to have given his or her best. Not only this, but the precise kind of best that we most like to have from them. To take a few examples at random, here is a song of _Big Steamers_ by Mr. RUDYARD KIPLING, with the jolliest ship-pictures by Mr. NORMAN WILKINSON; a Zulu tale by Sir RIDER HAGGARD; a _Pimpernel_ story by the Baroness ORCZY; and a comic upside-down dream of a little London child by Mr. PETT RIDGE. This last has drawings by Mr. LEWIS BAUMER that are fully worthy of it; indeed it cannot but be a proud sensation for the peculiarly gallant heart of Mr. _Punch_ to find that he is represented by so many of his knights of the pencil in this worthy cause. It is satisfactory to learn that the originals of the drawings in the book will shortly be on sale at the Leicester Galleries in aid of the QUEEN'S Work for Women Fund. Upon the assured success of a delightful book the reviewer begs to offer to its only begetter his most respectful congratulations. * * * * *