LITERATURE AND ART.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10425, 24 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

LITERATURE AND ART.

The first English edition of "Ziska," Marie Corelli's now novel, was 000 copies. " The Life of Admiral Tryon," by RearAdmiral C. C. Penrose-Fitzgerald (Blackwood) has been issued.

Mr. Watts, R. A., completed his eightieth year on February 23, and a representative address of congratulation was presented to him.

A true and original portrait of Virgil has just been discovered. It is in the form of a small mosaic, almost miniature size, and was unearthed by a party of archaological Turcos at Susa, some eighty miles south of Tunis.

To their Colonial Library Messrs. Longmans have just added Mr. Hall Caino's powerful romance, "The Deemster," and " For the White Rose of Arno," by Owen Rhoscomyl, a novel of the days of the Pretender.

Mr. Austin Dobson is engaged in preparing a single-volume edition of his collected poems, which will contain all the verse by which he elects to be known. The volume, which will contain some 400 pages, will (the Bookman says) be published in the early autumn.

Ouida, who, for a woman? is nob so hardhearted as she is spiteful, writes in the Westminster Gazette "As there are not more than two out of every hundred books issued in England worth the paper they are printed on, it would be well if the press gave more attention to the two, and none at all to the other ninety-eight." There were 6573 novels published in the United Kingdom in 1896, being an increase of over 100 in new work* and of 200 in reprints as compared with 1895. The issue of theological, educational, and poetical works had not increased, but there were 200 more historical books. The totals are lower, but the proportions are probably about the same in the United States.

New books on India are coming out with a rush just now, almost liko the crocuses. We have had Mrs. Steel's Mutiny novel, Lord Roberts' Reminiscences, Mr, Fraser's " British India" in the Story of the Nations Series, Sir George Baden-Powell's " Indian Village Communities," and now Mr. Heinemann tolls us he will publish, under the title of " Romantic India," a book of Andr6 Chevrillon, which is the narrative of a series of visits to the principal cities of India and to Ceylon.

A seventh edition has just been published of The Standard of Value" by William Leighton Jordan. The argument of this book is to the effect that the double standard of gold and silver is not only required for the general welfare of the country, but that it also represents the cause of justice and of honour. The author advocates the independent action ot this country for the restoration of silver to the standard of value without international treaties. The preface to the present edition defends the policy of the Silver party in the United Statee. Wherever there are lovers of literature Charles Lamb's name draws forth enthusiasm, as was witnessed at the Urban Club, when the members commemorated the humorist's birthday. In giving "The Eulogy of Elia and His Sister, Bridget," the chairman, Mr. Christie Murray, vividly and graphically referred to Lamb's subtle and elusive irony, critical insight, and abounding humanity, specially illustrated in the essays. The hon. sec., Mr. W. E. Church, drew attention to Lamb's London residences and the story, of Mary Lamb's insanity. Mr. Church also described at some length the brother and sister's supper parties in the Temple, with anecdotes of their friends and acquaintances. Mr. Rudy Kipling has written a letter to Mr. Christie Murray anent the literary criticisms from the pen of the latter which are at present appearing in various papers under the title of " My Contemporaries in Fiction." Mr. Kipling says that he hopes the time will come when he will be able to write " a real novel—nob a one-volume or a two-volume, but a real ..decent threedecker." He considers that "no man this side of forty at the earliest has secreted enough observation—not to ■ say thought— to write a novel which, in spite of all they say of the short story, Is, in bis opinion, the real vehicle.'. Independent firing by marks*' men is a pretty thing, but it is the volley* .firing-.,-of-, a fall battalion that- clean the front." ' . .... V.-vyfrfj.'; ■