LITERARY GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5737, 4 November 1905, Page 16

LITERARY GOSSIP.

Mr Arthur H. Adams, AssociateEditor of tho “New Zealand Times,” is represented in tlio excellent Christmas number of tho “Sydney .Mail” by contributions in both prose and verse. His story of “Tho First Alan into Peking” is a.s graphic and animated a bit of writing as one could desire, and lias besides tho merit of high literary qualitv. “An Australian It ooing” is the appropriate title of Air Adams’s verses, which are based on a quaint and humorous conceit. They are accompanied by several spirited equestrian illustrations by Mr Fred Loist. Messrs Dent announce tho early publication of “The Life and Letters of Queen Alary of Modena,” the consort of James 11. of England. The book will, it is said, contain letters and despatches which have not been previously printed. The veteran scientist Dr Alfred Russel Wallace, tho co-discoverer with Darwin of the principle of Natural Selection, lias written an autobiography, ; which will shortly bo published. I Another biograph of Charles Stewart ■ Parnell is in course of preparation by 1 1 1 is lister, Airs Dickinson. Air Wilfrid Ward has boon entrusted with tho task of writing tho late Cardinal Newman’s biography. Other biographies promised are “The Life a.nd Work of Sir Lawrence AlraaFadeina,” by Percy Cross Standing, and “Tho Life of Granville George Levcson Gower. Second Fail of Granville,” by Lord Edmond FitzAlaurice. A new volume of essays by Augustine Birrell is announced for early publication. Messrs Putnam will shortly publish “Practical Rifle-shooting,” by Air IV. Winaus, a book which should prove of interest to volunteers and sportsmen. “Tho Story of the Harp,” by Dr. IV. H. Grattan Flood, is the latest edition to the ‘Music Story Series” published by Walter Scott. Captain Mahan’s new work, “Sea Power in its Relation to tho War of 181,2,” will shortly be published in two volumes by Alcssrs Sampson Low. Tho following are among tho new novels announced for early publication: ■‘•‘Tho Dream and the Business,” by John Oliver Hobbes; “Adventures of a Supercargo,” by Louis Bccke; “Tho Speculations of John Steele,” by Robert Barr; “Maurice,” by Joseph Keating; “The Lost Earl of Elian,” by Mrs Campbell Praod; “The Ferryman,” by Helen Mathers; “A FinancieFs Wife,” by Florence "Warden. , Tho “Literary World” for September has portraits of two popular novelists, Mr Maurice Hewlett and Mr Anthony Hope.

The fourth volume of “Main Currents in (Nineteenth Century Literature,” by the well known Dutch writer Mr George Braudes, denis with “Naturalism in England.” Air Brands connects Naturalism in poetry with Radicalism in politics. and reviews the political condition of Europe at tho end of the Eighteenth century as a preliminary to discussing Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, Shelley, Byron, Keats, and Moore.

Prote.sor Saintsbury has in preparation “A History of English Prosody from tho Twelltli Century,” which will be published by Alessre AlacAilillan in three volumes.

Alcssrs Longman have issued the opening volume of a “Political History or England.” The volume issued first is in reality Volume X. of the whole work, which is to be completed m twelve volumes. Its editors are tho Rev. IVm. Hunt and Air Reginald Lane Poole. “Tho War of the Classes” is a series of socialistic studies by Jack London, which is published by Air Heincmann at 3s Gd. Professor Elio MotchnikofF’s latest work, “Immunity in Infectious diseases,” is now published in an English translation by the Cambridge University Press, at 6s. Miss Edith All on by, aged 29, headmistress of a Lancaster National School committed suicide last month by drinking a cupful of carbolic acid. Aliss Allonby wt s the authoress of two novels, ‘Marigold” and “The Jewel Sowers,” ami had written a third called “The Fulfilment.” This she could not persuade her publishers to issue in its original form, on account, as they (Messrs Greening) explained in a subsequent letter, of “certain religious fantasies which made revision needful.” The deceased left a letter addressed to her sisters, in which she stated that her book contained “one of cither two things—truth, or page on page of blasphemy. I know it,” she added, “to be truth, but so simple that tho world can hardly recognise it, and whilst I stand iu the light I am afraid it cannot be seen at all. When I am gone and when it once bus a fair cha tee of being read and discussed as it deserves to be, it will appear different from whet it ever could with me living. . . . I have died to give God's gift to tbo world,”

“Public Opinion” says, regarding the latest scheme of tho “Times” to hold its own in the journalistic struggle for existence ;—“The ‘Times’ continues to make departures. Its latest enterprise is a scheme for tho supply to its readers of all tho new books, and tho sale to them on advantageous terms of any volumes they desire to add to their libraries. Iho benefits of tho plan can bo secured by a year’s subscription to the ‘Times.’ On the receipt of £3 18s (or of £l. to be followed by three quarterly payments of £1) the subscriber, obtains 312 tickets, each one of which will bo exchanged by Ids newsvendor for a daily copy of the ‘Times.’ He becomes a member of tlio ‘Times’ Book Club, whoso homo is at 93, New Bond street, and hero a body of assistants give help to subscribers who desire works on any subject, and the bookshelves, containing books of all kinds, are open to visiters. It is an extraordinary scheme, and wo expect to hear next that the Times’ is prepared to give itself away witli a pound of tea. Why should not Mudic’s start a new threepenny daily? Tbo ancient axiom about the cobbler sticking to Ids last is losing its force.”

Under the title “A Shakespearian Dial Plate,” the following quotations from the “Bard of Avon” have appeared in tho “New York Tribune”: — I. Gardiner —It’s one o’clock, hoy, is it not? Boy—lt hath struck. King Henry YIIL, Act V, Sc. 1. 11. Sure, Lnoiana, it is two o’clock. Comedy of Errors, Act 11, Sc. 1. 111. Hie clock hath stricken three. Julius Caesar, Act 11, Sc. 1. iV. Richmond—How far into the morning is it, low's? ■ Lord—Upon the stroke of four. Richard 111, Act V, So. 3. V. At five o’clock I shall receive the money for the same. Comedy of Errors, Act IV, So. 1. VI. Prnspero—How's the day? Anol—On the sixth hour, at the which time, my lord, You said onr work should cease. . Tho Tempest, Act V, So. 1. VII. Let’s see: I think ’tis now some seven o’clock. The Taming of tho Shrew, Act TV, Sc. 1. VIII. ’Tis now dead midnight, and hy eight tomorrow you must bo made immortal. Measure for Measure, Act IV, Sc. 2 IX. It's supper time, my lord; It’s nine o’clock. . Richard 111, Act V, Sc. 3. X. Parolles—Ten o’clock; within these throe hours ’twill be time enough to go home. All’s Well That Ends Well, Act TV,Sc. 1. XI. Forth—Eleven o’clock the hour. Merry Wives of 'Windsor, Act 11, Sc. 2. XII. Tho clock hath stricken twelve upon tho bells. Comedy of Errors, Act I, Sc. 2.

Everyone who has to read many of the English “dailies” will appreciate the following excerpt from an article in the “Literary World”: —“How irrepressible is the desire for authorship is seen in the ‘silly season' correspondence of our groat dailies. The editor cunningly devises a topic on which everybody imagines he or she has a right to speak. It is preferably a topic on which in the nature of the case it is impossible to get ‘any forrader.’ Immediately, in every part of the country thousands of people take up pens, dip them in ink and scribble long letters to the editor. For ore letter the editor is able to use, probably twenty go into the wastcpapor basket; .but how exquisite is the delight of the fortunate correspondents who see their epistolary work in print with their name at the foot of it! They immediately order conies from the office or from the news agent, and send them, with the letter marked, and the corner of the page turned down, to all their friends with ‘Sec page 7’ on the wrapper. Let people lapgh at the ‘silly season’ correspondences if they will. Wo regard them as boons and blessings to the hundreds of thousands of people who have authorship lying latent within thorn, and who get, if hut for a day, and to the extent of only the sixth of a column, the ineffable delight of seeing themselves in print, and feeling that hundreds of thousands of their fellow beings are also seeing that name and reading their little creation. The pride of authorship exists as a spark in the real of every human creature who can read and write. It only needs a little fostering breeze to blow it into flame. Just now the editors or subeditors of the dailies are using the bellows. Verily they shall have their reward!” ,