LITERARY GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8708, 2 February 1894, Page 6

LITERARY GOSSIP.

It would seem as if Mr George Dv Maurierhas seriously taken to the trade of novelist, His *' Peter lbbetson," which had considerable success, was generally regarded as making merely a diversion from his work as an artist. But now Mr Dv Maurier is to contribute another story to Harper's iv the course of next year. ''Trilby" ia the title, and shortly described, the novel is one of English life, with some scenes moved to Paris. As. in the case of " Peter lbbetson," Mr Dv Maurier himself will illustrate " Trilby." Mrs Annie Besant's autobiography, the last sheets of which she revised before leaving for India, is to be out immediately. It has a page and a half of preface, allusion being made therein to Mrs Besant'3 conversion to Theosophy—an entering into light. If the autobiography has one note it is that of frankness. In many ways it may be said to be a series of analytical confessions. There are 12 illustrations, three of them being fine photogravures on India paper of Mrs Besant, Madame Blavatsky and Mr Charles Bradlaugh. Tbe Cheeryble Brothers of " Nicholas Nickleby" constitute one of the most charming examples of Dickens's habit of lifting bodily iuto his stories specially interesting figures in real life. Most people know by this time that the originals of the Brothers Cheeryble were found in the neighbourhood of Mauchester. but a great many admirers of Dickens would like to go beyond that. This they will shortly be enabled to do by the Rev. W. Hume Elliot, of Ramsbottom, who has written the history of tbe family of the Brothers Grant and of their fortunes.

The oracle who replies to the multitudinous correspondents of the Family Herald was at one time Mr Grant Allen himself. Mr Allen, who incidentally confides to us this piece of autobiography in his memoir of Mr Ruucintan, says that for many years he had answered the correspondence and written the.social essays iv that excellent little journal, and he is " not ashamed to say" that ou this piece of work he always looks back with affectionate pleasure. It was only, ie appears, owing co failure ot health that ne recommended Mr Runciman to succeed him in a post which, besides demanding something like omniscience, places the bolder iv the position of "confidant and father confessor tb tens of thousands of troubled and anxious souls among his fellow countrymen, and still more his fellow countrywomen."