LITERATURE AND ART.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 4 (Supplement)

LITERATURE AND ART.

It i;? said tbab over 100,000 people paid to view Millet's " Angelas" while on exhibition in New York.

A new-colour, nmcthystmingled with gold, has been introduced into Venetian glass, and is dividing popularity with tender seagreen.

Arrangements are being made to hold a great exhibition of painting at Stuttgart in 1891, the feature of which will be tho predominance of works of the old masters. The Queen has been pleased to command Mr. W. E. Lockhnrb, R.S.A.. to exhibit his picture of '"The Jubilee Celebration in Westminster Abbey, ISS7," at Buckingham Palace during Her Majesty's visit to town. Although not quite finished, the picture now contains '.'To portraits of royal and other personages. Messrs. Macmillan and Co. will shortly publish a new novel, in three volumes, entitled "Tho lleriots," by Sir Henry Cunningham, whoso " Chronicles of Dustypore" arc well known to fame. This time the author has laid his scene in London. The same publishers have in tho press a new tale entitled "The .Miner's Right," by Mr. Rolf Boldrewood, author of that successful story " Robbery under Anns." Mr. Hugh Thompson, whose charming pictures of old country life in the last, century have appeared from time to time in the' English Illustrated, has received a commission from Messrs. Black to illustrate Scott's novels. This is a task which will occupy Mr. Thomson for some years. Mr. Thompson is a genial young Irishman, with all the humour and some of the accent for which his race is famous. His new task is one which any artist might indeed be proud to undertake. In view, says the Academy, of the probable sale of the world-renowned, but almost- inaccessible, Middlehill Library at Cheltenham, which was formed early in the present century by Sir Thomas Bhillipps, we understand" that the British Museum and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have agreed to unite in securing those MSS. which should be retained in this country. The total sum of money for purchases to be guaranteed by these three bodies will probably amount to £20,000. The mass of Crowning literature called into being by the poet's death grows apace: Mr. Kingsland has given us a second and enlarged edit of his "Robert Browning, Chief Poet of the Age." Dr. Berdoe has published a volume of papers on various scientific aspects of the poet's work. Dr. Furnivall is still pursuing :md adding to his researches into Browning's ancestry. A shilling volume of selections is promised. And now it is announced that "Mrs. Sutherland Orr is engaged on a biographical and critical account of Robert Browning and his works, with the authority and assistance of Mr. Browning's family." MM. Erckmann and Chatrian, literary collaborated for 40 years, parted company about Pi months ago. The latter related his grievances to M. Ceorgel. a writer to the Figaro, and that paper published a version of the quarrel, according to which M. Ere km aim had. accepted the German annexation of Alsace, and had been grasping and avaricious. M. Krckmann sued the writer and publisher for defamation, and the Paris court gave judgment re cently. M. (teorgel was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, the publisher to a 2000fr. line, and both jointly are to pay 10,000fr. damages.

It is reported from Simla that Col. Hammond has been instructed by Sir Frederick Roberts to prepare for publication an abridged and expurgated edition of the "History of the Second Afghan War," which was compiled by Captain S. Pastield Oliver, R.A., under the orders and supervision of the late Sir Charles MacGregor. when that officer was Quarter-master-General in India, at least. six years ago. It will be remembered that the original history was printed in six volumes by the Intelligence Branch of the Quarter-master-General's department at Simla and Calcutta, but was suppressed ; and it was made official, and marked "strictly confidential."