LITERARY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 54

LITERARY NOTES.

— Messrs Methuen and Co. will shortly commence the publication of an .edition of Thackeray's novels which have passed out of copyright. Each book will be in two or three small volumes,, and *il? contain an introduction by Mr Stephen Gwynn. — We are glad--to note, says the Literary World, that Miss Beatrice Harraden has changed the title of her new book to the simple and expressive " The Fowler." " I Too Have 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. Its publishers reply that they sold 24,190 copies of " John Halifax, Gentleman " in 1898. This is astonishing, and justifies the publishers complacent remark that if "John Halifax" is dead, it is a particularly lively corpse. — In. the current number of Literature is a letter from Mr R. Brimley Johnson entitled "A Plea for Three Volumes."" The threevolume novel died hard. But let us all pray that ifc really is dead, not merely comatose. Standard booke may be borne with in more than one volume. But for " light " literature (avoirdupois and otherwise) one volume surely is sufficient.

— "It has been my endeavour to collect in the following pages the scattered fragments of historic and romantii lore connected with poisons from the earliest peric* 1 - 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 bjr the Scientific Press.

(( — Further volumes of Mr Fisher Unwin's , Builders of Great Britain" Series (in whioh Chye " has just appeared) are to be " Rajah .Brooke : the Englishman as Ruler of an Easy torn State," by Sir Spenqer St. John ; " Sir Stamford Raffles : England in the Far East," y j „ H - F - w i ]6 °n, editor of the series;' and Admiral Philip.- the Founding of New bouth Wales," by Louis Becke and Walter Jeirery.

—„ The . Stor y of the Nations " enters its fiftieth volume with " Austria," which Mr 1. I'isher Unwin published recently. It is, therefore, one of the most voluminous series extant, but there is no reason why it 'should stop, for there are many more nations still to be written of. Mr Sidney Whitman, with the collaboration of Mr J. R. M'llruith has written " Austria." . '

—We do not envy C. E. Raimond her responsibility. 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 remembered the letters were chiefly addressed to Mrs Harming, Carlyle's sister, in Canada, who fortunately look 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 tho title-page. Here aro some of them: — Fanny Moon Cuwey, William Morgan Mussey, Mollie Margaret Ivatts, Jnme3 Augustus Blatts, William Littla Bigger, and Moses Martin Baddies. — The reading public knows hardly more of Susan Ferrier than it does of her contemporary, Joanna Baillic, and much less that it knows of her other contemporary, Maria. Kdgewoith. "Marriage,' " The Inheritance,"

" Dostiny," — the?e were the only novels which issued from her pen, though she was born in 1782 and lived until 185^, and they are no- * glecled by all save the curious. And yet she enjoyed one advantnjje which most authors jyould have given their eye 3to possess. She was prnipcd — one might almost say " puffed " — by the great Sir Waller. — London Telegraph.

— Messrs Chapman and Hall will have ready at an early date 'Mr .Bennett Burleigh's new book, entitled "The Khartoum Campaign, 1898: or, the Reconquest of the Soudan." The distinguished war correspondent takc-s up his narrative from the battle of Atbara, which h* so graphically described in his last volume, " Hmlnv and Khalifa," and closes with the Faphoda incident. ' The book will contain somo maps, plans of battles, a portrait of the author, and many other illustration?.

— Did a journalist in any country commence writing novels when over 60 years of age? The late Theodore Fontane, who 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 and stories dealing in most instances with, the society of Berlin and its surroundingp, and with the characteristic scenery of the M«,rk of Braddonburg. This series of volumes, whioh was bo%un in 1880 and concluded in 1896 with " Efli Briest," has been twice reprinted. Despite local interest of subject, Fontane's novels are remarkable for their br^tuUh of sympathy, their skilful portraiture, ancl their refined and subtle humour. Two of them at leapt, Effi Brieet" and " Irrungon Wirrungon," are already on the way to becoming German elassiop.

— The 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. "E. L. Voynich," we gather, stands for Ethe l Lillian Voynich, who was born ot English parents, some 33 years ago, in Ireland, and educated in London. Her 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, and her life has been singularly quiet and happy. "The Gadily " is her first published book.

— I hoar from a correspondent who has seen Mr Ruskin recently, says a writer in the Sunday Sun, that the great critic is in fairly good health, but is very feeble and quite unable to do any work. Ho receives very few visitors. The fiery, illuminating, widely-sympa-thising mind has broken down. He will never work any more. However, as I pointed out last week, he has do2i>e enough for fame and long remembrance. 1 have bden reminded, too, of the " Notes " he used to write on the Academy pictures. It must be quite 40 years since, referring to these. Punch put these lines into the mouth of a British artist: — I paints and paints, Hears no complaints, And sells before I'm dry; Till savage Buskin Sticks his tusk in, And nobody will buy.

— A theatrical car is the latest in tho way of railway novelties in Ameijica. Light shows are to be put on somt of the fast trains early in the spring.