LITERARY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 30

LITERARY NOTES.

Mrs Richard A. Proctor, who is in London closing up her late "husband's affairs, has arranged to sell " Knowledge," and in the meantime is editing the paper herself. It is reported, says the "Academy," that a large, number of cuneiform tablets have reached Berlin, which are in 1 the Hittite language, some' of them being bMiriguai, and .that the problem of the Hittite inscriptions has at last been solved. It is only for the last 500 years or so that the English language has been used for letterwriting. Earlier than that French was the language of correspondence ; and beforethe reign of Edward the First all letters were written in Latin. It is stated that a copy of Thackeray's little pamphlet, " ThejSecond Funeral of Napoleon," has lately changed Lands at the following prices :-~ls, £8, £22, and £30; finally finding its resting-place in the' library of an enthusiastic collector. It seems settled (says a writer in the Times of Philadelphia) that the poet Tennyson cannot be induced to write a volume of his memoirs. One American publisher has authorised his London representative to offer ' Lord Tennyson£looo for the American rights of such a book. Another has offered £400 each for five chapters of such a book for magazine publication. Both offers have been declined. The will of the late Madame Buchere contains a bequest of 200,000fr to the French Academy of Fine Arts, as a fund for aiding female pupils of the Paris Conservatoire in perfecting their musical or vocal education. "Bach pupil," so the will reads, "who shall be admitted to the benefits of the fund shall receive an income of 2000fr a year, on the express condition of leading a virtuous and regular life." - ■ ■ Modern history is daring and revolutionary. Here is M. Dv Ohaillu coming upon us, in his new work on the Vikings, now nearly ready, with a startling theory about the Saxons, He will try to depose them from their post of honour as our forefathers. They were, he will show, poor in ships, and insignificant, and only half sea-going folk. The great ! Baltic race was the Swede, and M.DojOhailla is' intending to aim at putting the Swedes where former historians have put the Saxons I I quite expect he will stir considerable life amongst the dry bones of English history. It is always welcome and useful. The Vikings were ancestors well worth having in any case. —Theatre-goer (indignantly): "The idea of a baby yelling like that at a theatre! Why don't you have the youngster put out V Manager (helplessly) : " I dare not. It's the pet grandchild of the little actress you threw that bouquet to." ProßiLnri!-Po» ras Tbrx ato Bmuxh.-A few drop* of the liquid " FloHHne " sprinkled « a wet tooth-brmh produce* a pleaiahfc lather,' which thoroughly cleani**' the teeth from all. parairte* <* impurities', hardens the cams, prevents tartar; stop* decay, gives to the teeth a- peculiar pearly whiteness, and a delightful fragrance .to, the breath* « removes all unpleasant odour arising from decayed ' teeth or tobacco-smoke. - " The; Fragrant lioriline. Being cnmposedj In part of honey and-sweetherW, U delicious to the taste, and the greatest toilet dvof the age. Prio» as ad, of all Oneml*U and Perfumers. WMlcmls) depot, IS farringdou road, tondon.— (4»TT.J '"?«?» <s< . -vi