LITERARY NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11401, 19 April 1899, Page 6

LITERARY NOTES.

— Messrs Methuen and Co. 'will shortly commence the, publication of an edition ot' Thackeray's novels which have passed but of copyright.- Each book will lie in two, oi three small volumes, and will contain an introduction by Mr Stephen Gwynn.

_— We are glad to: note, says'the Literary World, that Miss Beatrice Harraden hai changed the title of her new book to thi ' simple, and expressive "The Fowler." "■'■' 11 Too Havo Come Through Wintry Terrors" is a terror in itself that many readers would not willingly face. ~} — A week ago a writer in the Academy suggested that "John Halifax, Gentleman,'-, .was dead, and that its destiny was limbo. Iti -publishers reply that they sold 24,190 copio; of "John Halifax, Gentleman ".in 1898. Thii is astonishing, and justifies the publisher: complacent remark that if " John Halifax 7 is dead, it is a particularly lively corpse., —In the current. number of Literature ii a letter from Mr R! Brimley Johnson entitled "A Plea for Three Volumes." The three, volume novel died hard. But let us all pray that it really is dead,; not merely comatose! Standard books may be borne with in mora than one volume. But for "light ".literature (avoirdupois and otherwise) one volume surely is sufficient... ' 7 -.-.:.,

—"It has been my\mdeavour to colleenm the following pages the scattered fragments of historic and romantic lore connected with .(loisons • from ■■ _he earliest period, and to recount -.'the stories of some notable " poison mysteries ". of ancient and modern times."; Thus does Mr C. J. S. Thompson preface. his " Poison Romance and Poison Mysteries,',', issued by the Scientific Press;. ... •/...'..' — Further volumes, of Mr Fisher Un'-i.ill's "Builders of Great Britain" Series. (iii which "Clive" has just appeared) are to'be.'" Raj-'* Brooke: the Englishman as Ruler of an 'li ■ tern State," by Sir Spencer St. John, "t. Stamford Raffles: England in'the'.Far East,' by Mr H. F. AVilson, editor of the Series; and "Admiral Philip.:, the Founding of New .South-Wales," by Louis,Beeke. and-AValter Jeffery. '. ■■"''■

— .We do not envy C. E. Raimond her rsponsibility. It is a. fascinating subject this of her last, novel,. truly! the painfully minute record of two neurotic and decadent, lovers who marry for mutual gratification, and resolve to die together before their hereditary curse can be bequeathed to another generation. A brave and inspiring gospel this, which to the question whether life is worth; living answers, Yes—provided that we.realise.clearly that the duration of life is in our own hands. —Blackwood.

— The series of letters from Carlyle which recently appeared in the Atlantic Monthly are to be published in book,form by.Messrs Chapman and Hall. As will be remem. bered the letters were • chiefly addressed to Mrs Hanhing, Carlyle's sister, in Canada, who fortunately took unusual pains to preserve them. Mr Charles Townsend Copeland has prepared the volume for the press. - ■■■~-■''.'

— New, names are coming forward in the literary world, according to 'the! Atlanta (Georgia) Constitution. Whether the'works of, these new lights are as striking. as their names, the names at least .must impart a touch of originality.if only to.the titlerpage. Here are some, of them: —Fanuy. Moon Cussoy, William Morgan Mussey, Mollie- Margaret Kat-ts, James Augustus'Blatts.-. William Little Bigger, and'-Moses Martin Baddies! - ■ —The reading public knows,hardly more of Susan Ferrier than it does of her contemporary, Joanna Baillie, and much less that it knows of her other contemporary,' Maria Edgeworth. "Marriage,', "The.lnheritance," " Destiny,"—these were the only .novels,which issued from her pen.! though she Was born in 1782 and lived until T854-, and they are.! neglected by all save the curious. ."' And yet she enjoyed one advantage which most authors would have given their eyes to possess. She was praised—one might almoßt say " puffed " —by the great Sir.'Walter.—London Telegraph. .'. — Messrs Chapman and Hall will.haveveady at an early, date Mr'Bennett Burleigh's, new book, entitled •.'" The Khartoum Campaign, 1898,; or, the RecShquest of the Soudan." The distinguished war correspondent takes up his narrative from the battle of Atbai'a, which he so graphically described in his last, volume, "Sirdar and Khalifa," and closes with the Fashoda incident. . The book", will, contain some maps, plans pf battles, a portrait bf the author, and many other illustrations.

:—Did a journalist in any.country commence writing novels when over 60 years of age? The late Theodore Fontane, who died suddenly at his house in Berlin, in September last, attained literary reputation as a novelist very late in life. When ;more than 60 years old he began to write a series of'novels aud stories dealing in most instances 'with the society of Berlin and its surroundings; and with the characteristic scenery of the Mark of Braddenburg. This series of volumes, which was begun in 1880 and concluded in. 1896 with " Effi Briesl," has been twice reprinted. Despite local interest of subject, Font'ane's novels are , remarkable for their breadth of sympathy, their skilful portraiture, and their refined aiid subtle humour. Two of them, at least, Effi Briest" and "Irrungen Wirrungen," are already on the way-to.becoming German classics.

— Tho American Bookman gives some interesting particulars concerning the author of "The-Gadfly," a thrilling story of "Young Italy," which Mr' Heinemann published a year or so ago. ''"IS: L. Voynich," we gather, stands for Ethel Lillian Voynich, who was born of English parents, some 33 years ago, in Ireland, and educated in Londc.il. - He--husband is a native of Lithuania in Russian Poland, a quiet, cultivated gentleman, who, not approving of the methods of the Russian Government, migrated to England. Before her marriage, Mrs Voynich was -Miss Boole, the daughter of the eminent logician of that name, and, like many an English girl, .sho spent several years on the Continent, but since her marriage with Mr Voynich her home has been in London, aud her life_ha< been singularly quiet and happy. . "The Gadfly " is her first published book.