LITERATURE AND ART.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8842, 2 April 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

LITERATURE AND ART.

Mr. J. Jacob's " Jews in Medieval Ensland" may be expected about Easter. M. Kenan's fourth volume of the " History of Israel" has grown so much that it will be divided into two parts. M. Dettiille, the eminent painter of military subjects, is putting the last touches to an historical work, which will prove one of the chief attractions of the forthcoming Salon. The picture represents the "Surrender of Huningan," which, garrisoned by French troops, refused to haul down its flag until three mouths after the disaster of Waterloo had rendered all further resistance useless. A movement is on foot to petition the First Lord of the Treasury for a pension on the Civil List for Mrs. Riddell, author of "George Geith," "The Senior Partner," "Too Much Alone," etc. Mrs. Riddell's novels have been so good as well as popular (says the Athcnanim) that it is not very cheering to hear that, though she has written no fewer than twenty-eight works of fiction, her income from literary work has never exceeded £-70 a year. Out of this she has supported herself anil several near relations, so that saving has been impossible. Mr. Rudolf Lehman lias just finished a picture dealing with a little-known incident in the career of Cromwell. On July 2, 1044, after the battle of Marston Moor, Cromwell proposed to take up his night's lodging at, Ripley Castle. Its owner was absent, and his "lady was with difficulty compelled to admit the parliamentary general. Finally, induced to yield a reluctant hospitality, the fiery dame received Cromwell armed with a pair of pistols, and, leading tho way to the great hall, seated herself opposite him, and passed the night in this position, weapons in hand. It is announced by the Athennsum that the literary executors of the late Cardinal Manning are the Very Rev. Dr. Butler and the Rev. H. Bayley, "members of he Congregation of the Oblatcs of St. Charles. His Eminence has left 110 autobiography ; but there are many letters from moil famous in Church and State arranged in a row of red boxes at Archbishop's House, many of them dating back to his Anglican days. The letters which he wrote to Mr. Gladstone during the earlier period of their intimacy were returned to the Cardinal some two years ago, when the Liberal Leader was making a general arrangement of his papers, Mr. 'Gladstone remarking, " I do not forget old days." These will be arranged for publication in duo course, but probably not without some delay. Messrs. Christie, Manson, and Woods sold lately at their rooms in King-street, St. James', a remarkable series of drawings of ancient funeral processions, including that of Queen Elizabeth, evidently of contemporaneous origin, and designed to show the various costumes, trapping, and funereal pomp which were displayed upon the actual occasions. The drawings are on long slips of cartridge paper, some of them being coloured, and the coats-of-arms and banners properly and minutely emblazoned in gold and colours. No such examples are known to have been sold by auction before, and it is doubtful whet any other similar drawings are in existence. The funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth consists of twentyfive coloured diawings about (JOft in length, and is quite complete, even to the catafalque. It is much larger and more perfect then the pen-and-ink sketch of the same procession in the British Museum, engraved in vol. 3 of the " Veiusta Munumenta." These remarkable drawings fetched £252. The other sets went as follows, Mr. Nattali being the purchaser of all of them, in spite of some bitts made on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen Three drawings in sepia of the funeral procession or Anne of Cloves, fourth wife of Henry VII!., about Oft in length, most of the figures on horseback, £22 ; four drawings in sepia of the funeral procession of Henry Ratciill", Ear! of Sussex, £-3; four drawings in sepia of the funeral procession of Mary, Queen of Scots, to Peterborough Cathedral, £50 ; seven drawings in colours, with the arms emblazoned, of lie funeral procession of Lady Lusnley \1578), 14ft 6in in length, £100. This lady, who was greatly distinguished for her learning and talent, was the eldest daughter and co-heiress of Henry Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, and the first wife of Lord Lumley. Ten drawings in sepia of the funeral pro cession of Sir Christopher Hatton realised £•21) ; and ten drawings of the funeral processions of a Knight of the Garter and a Duchess, £20. The seven lots realised altogether i'o'Jii.