LITERARY GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4318, 29 March 1901, Page 3

LITERARY GOSSIP.

“An Englishwoman’s Love Letters was not copyrighted in America, and the ■ ensation that the book has caused there aas led to a scramble among the pirates to meet the demand. In addition to the authorised edition, there are already eight pirate editions of the book, and the recognised publishers have issued a special cheap edition, in order to compete with the pirates and drive them out cf the market. A similar course was adopted in the case of “Elizabeth and Her German- Garden,” editions being sold at less than cost price in order to stifle the illegitimate trade. The novel on, which Air George Gissing has been at work for near,;/ twe years past is to be published early thi. spring. It is called "The Young Alan eloquent,” the chief character being a young man of political ambitions. The story will probably excite comparison with Mr Anthony Hope’s • Quisaiite’ and Air Zangwill’s Tviantle of j-Aijah,’ but Mr Gissing’s handling of the political theme is characteristically different.

Alost of us Jcnow how Ladysmith, the besieged town of Natal, got its name. It was in compliment to tne wile of Sir Harry Smith, at one time Governor at the Cape. Bir Harry fought in the Peninsula, as later he did at Waterloo. During a. light with the French in some Peninsula town he and a brother officer rescued two young Spanish ladies —handsome and winsome sisters —from a position of peril. The acquaintance so romantically begun led to marriage in both, cases. Tne romance w’ili be published in book form.

A. C. Benson lias made an abridged edition of the biography of his father, the late Archbishop of Canterbury. Since there will only be one volume, where before there were two, he has necessarily had to leave out a good deal of However, he has aimed at retaining all that is essential for following the story of the Archbishop’s life and the development of his character. Mr Benson dwells upon the great assistance which he received from his mother and sister while writing the biography. Mr Herbert Spencer has given up the idea, which he entertained at one time, of revising all the books that form his system ef philosophy. The task would necessarily nave been a great one for a man of his age to carry through, and that he no doubt recognises. He has already revised the •‘First Principles,” and, in the view of Ids most authoritative disciples, nothing further was called for.

Lord Charles Beresford contributes a preface to a book on “Our Naval Heroes.” As he notes, the gallery of sailors dates from the time of Edward HI. to the time of Nelson. He is pleased to- find little-known but splendid sailors like Commodore Watson singled out for adequate notice. Lord Charles urges once more that a strong Navy—an overwhelming force—is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the Empire. A notable-thing about this book is that the biographies are in most oases written by descendants of those tjiey concern. Mr Wells is «« ft keek ta W ewlad "AMielpsrtionsf" siWi will ye iieittm asp f»Qth As th® fitly N»«’ puts* It is k m a serifs »f w wsrlft'e devetapmwvt in ww eomfon years, based on sofentiflo knowledge and a reasoned survey of the tendencies of the age. Although the book is to contain no story, there will be in it a great deal of imaginative work, and many of the subjects which in his novels are only briefly touched 1 Will in the new work be developed seriously. The book is to be published serially in one of the monthly reviews before its appearance iu volume. form. For the last two centuries the French have been exceedingly, and. most proper, ly, susceptible to the influence of English literature. Its last effect is -probably the most remarkable; it is raising the tone of the Latin Quarter. That pleasant romance "Trilby” has caused an extraordinary influx ot American girl mc students into it, not of scores nut of Hundreds. Tucy have come, they have seen, and they are conque.ing. Vv*tu C:ubs and magazine—nob rifles, but printed—they are taming, it. ' Aim under the humanising influence of these ingenious invaders "l,es Jeunes” are f. fling from their pristine purple to a very much healthier tint. •

Sir Walter Besaub thinks editors should review only two novels each week. Can any one pretend, asks Sir Walter, that there are more than one hundred novels every year which are worthy of serious treatment ? There are some thousand new novels published every year. How, is the busy editor to 1 discern which are the hundred that de.j serve to be reviewed, And if he goes slavishly for the well-known names the editor would abandon the most essential part of Ills duty—the discovery of new merit.—“ Literature.”. We learn that the NeW Century will -herald the publication of a_ new romance, by a well-known writer, on a muck discussed theme. The title of the book is “The Master Sinner,” and Mr John Long is the publisher. This extraordinary work is dedicated “to those Inspired Persons who quarrel amongst themselves whilst attempting;, to instruct the world by means of Religions Novels.” A tale of weird and appalling intensity runs through its pages. Followers of all creeds will read it with unalloyed interest, and there is little doubt it will be the bock of the year.