LITERARY NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5056, 15 September 1894, Page 6

LITERARY NOTES.

(Canterbury Times.) Archibald Forbes has written, a biography of Lord Clyde for the "English • Men of Action " series. 1 Only one of George Meredith's books ! has thus far been translated into a foreign language. This is " The Ordeal of Richard Foverel," which has appeared in Italian. Stanley J. Weymau haa completed a series of twelve stories, all dealing witu the period of Henry of Navarre. Tbey are to bo called "From the Diary of a Minister." Mark Twain's new story ie entitled "Tom Sawyer Abroad," by Huok Finn, edited by Mark Twain. It ie a continuation of the adventureo of Tom Sawyer, Huok Finn and Nigger Jim. The three-volume novel ia rapidly going ont of fashion in England. The ciroulalating libraries are greatly res (rioting their orders, and it is believed that single* volume editions will soon prevail there. An international exhibition of books, which it is presumed will possess much, interest for authors, publishers and book* eellerß, was announced to be held at Paris in July, remaining open till late in tho autumn. ' Arrangement! have been made in London for a uniform edition of Thomas Hardy'a novels. Heretofore there have been obstacles in tho way of issuing one, more than one firm of publishers having an interest, in them. Mrs Harriett Boecher Stovo who reached her 82nd year recently, keeps her physical vigour remarkably well. It is an interesting fact that, although the copyright on " Uncle Tom's Cabin " expired a year ago, Mrs Stowe still receives from Houghton, Mifflin and Co. & bonus from the Bales of the book. The most popular works of fiction in America, as determined by the demand for them in all the librarieo of the United States, ar* : (1) " David Copperfield," (2) "Iv»nhoe." (8) " The Scarlet Latter," (4) "Uncle Too>b Cabin," (5) "Ben Hur» (6) "Adam Bode," (7) "Vanity Fair." Miss Alcott's "Little Women" stands twelfth on the list, and "Little Lord Fauntleroy " is thirteenth. • Robert Louis Stevenson haa in hand two novels, neither of Yhioh will be published for come time. The firet, "8t Iveß," is the story of a Frenoh naval officer, who is captured by a British war-ship, is shut up in a Scotch prison, and finally escape*, to go through some wonderful adventures. The other story, "The Lord JusticeClerk," deals with Scottish life in the latter half of tho last century. The University of Pennsylvania has arranged a course of journalism in its vory wide programme. The course will be taken in the last two years of the student's career, and it is intended tbat the instruction shall be of tho completest and most practical character, an experienced "pro* fasßor of journaliom " having been pat in charge of the work. This attempt haa been made before at one or two American colleges, but has been considered a failure. It is not generally known that George Meredith had something to do with Thomas Hardy's first success &s an author. The manuscript of Mr Hardy's exquisite book, " Under the Greenwood Tree," was Bent in vain to several publishers, and at laat reached Chapman and Hall. Mr Meredith, who is still one of tho "readers" for the firm, read this manuscript by an unknown writer, advised that it be published, and straightway wrote to Hardy in hearty praise of it. . The London Chronicle saye :— Wilkie Collins' "Woman in White" is to be published at sixpence by Chatto, the first printing being 100,000 oopies. No ether novel by Wilkie Collins has oome qaite up to the popularity of this one. In three volumes it had the phenomenal sale of 4000 oopies. Recently the three-volumeri which have Bold most largely have probably been "Bobert Elsmere," "Tim Heavenly Twins," and •' A Yellow Aster," j bnt hone of them has come within 1000 I copies at least of the " Woman in White." i In single volume the novel has erer sinoe : kept up a eteedy popularity. Of the j Wilkie Collins taleß, "The Moonstone" j has taken a good place as second favourite* and " Man and Wife " stands third. The Tennyson Memorial which is to be erected on "the ridge of the noble down" ! at Freshwater will be an international, and ; not a local, undertaking, for the Americans : are showing au active interest in the proi ject. Mr Arthur Warren, the London ; correspondent cf the Boston Herald, is a I member of the committee having the : memorial in charge, and hie recent appeal : to his countrymen has resulted in the , organisation of an American committee, ; which has among its members Dr Oliver : Wendell Holmes; Misa Alice Longfellow, • : daughtor of the poet; Mrs Burnett, I daughter of the late James Russell Lowell; President Eliot, of Harvard University j Mrs Agagßiz, tho widow of the great naturalist; Professor Charles Eliot Norton, T. B. Aldricb, Mrs Jameß T. Fields, the widow of the publisher who introduced Tecnyson, oh well as Carlyle, to American readers j Dana E«trs, the head of the publishing house of Esfces and Launafc; Mrs Julia Ward Howe, Miss Sarali Orne J6wett, end Mr Howells. The English committee met recently at Freshwater, and accepted the dedgn which Mr Pesraon, E.A., baa snb- , xnitted for the memorial. The design is an lova cross, 3lfl; hi^h, gfacefi/l in proporiior<B, »ad beautifully orr'amenti'ii. By aa RTtaugenient. with the Masters of Trinity House, the cross will supersede tho present Nodes Beacon, a wooden structure, and will be kuown as the Tennyson Beacou. On one face of the base will bu carced in bold letters the name "Tonnjsin," r<nd on another face these iv.nd-:-- Erected by Friars in Encrlund (%«il America." Tho oio.-j> will ufiyl near tho seaward edge of [he grcas down, 71GfC above high-water mark, and will be vliible • for many wttes by oea and lwd. .