MISCELLANEOUS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1581, 14 March 1879, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

Messrs Blackwood have prepared a volume containing select passages from George Eliot; Messrs Routledge publish a "Longfellow Birthday Book,” and Messrs Samuel Tinsley and Co. a "Byron Birthday Book.” The Duke of Argyll’s " History of the Eastern Question ” has, we (" Athenamm ”) hear, been delayed by the outbreak of the Afghan war. The Duke contemplates writing a special chapter on this new and important phase of the Eastern question.

Messrs Hurat and Blackett will issue a new novel, entitled “The Last of Her Line,” by the author of “ St. Olave’s ; ” and “The Grahams of Invermoy,” by M. C. Stirling, author of “A True Man,” &c. Joaquin Mille", the poet of the Sierras, has concluded a new play entitled “ Mexico.” A correspondent of the “Sporting and Dramatic News ” sends the following :—“ I do not know whether you are aware of a curious incident in connection with the late Major Whyte-Melville. It was new to me till the other day. For many years before his death he gave away in charity all the not inconsiderable profits which accrued to him from his successful and popular literary labors. This was done, I have heard hinted, as an amende for some youthful peccadillo, and in his liveliest and gayest pag«< there certainly cropped out occasionally a strange vein of meditative melanoholy. In the matter of imaiorai novels, says a writer in an English paper, the French can give us in racing men’s parlance “pounds of weight.” Madame Qmvogue, who writes under the pseudonym of Marc de Montifaud, has just been condemned to four months* imprisonment and £2O fine on ftOQOQQt of ner last jjovel, “Madame Da*

croisy,” which the Paris tribunal found to contain on almost every page scenes or words which constituted an outrage on public morality. The publisher of the book was also condemned to a line of £2O. Think of the feelings of the Lord Chamberlain if a play by that lady were submitted to his supervision ! The Opera Coraique Company in London have had the honorable distinction of producing the only new operatic works by English composers which have been heard during the year. “H.M.S. Pinafore,” a three-act comic opera, written by Mr W. S. Gilbert, and composed by Mr Arthur Sullivan, was produced on May 25th with a success which has continued unbroken until the present time. Two new operettas by Mr Alfred Cellicr have also been produced : “The Spectre Knight,” May 25th, and “ After All,” produced December 17th. The libretto of the first-named work was written by Mr Albery ; of the latter by Mr Frank Desprez Neither Mr Sullivan’s opera nor the slighter works by Mr Cellier will be likely to take a high place in the repertory of English operatic music; but they are nevertheless meritorious works, “The Spectre Knight ” especially so. As a contrast to the generous support given by the Government to the musical profession in France, an English critical journal as the following : —“ Musical education has been poorly aided by the State, although, as wo on a former occasion pointed out, a magnificent system of national musical education might be supported at a loss annual expense than half the cost of an ironclad, Mr John Hullah has worked hard in the cause; and hia earnest efforts, in connection with hia duties as musical inspector of schools, must help to hasten the day when musical instruction shall be indispensable at every school. The Royal Academy of Music, conducted by a board of professors, still receives an annual grant of £500; but its prosperity is built on the excellent results of the teaching given by Professor Macfarren and hia able colleagues, and the concerts given by the pupils have afforded sincere gratification to lovers of music. The National Training School of Music at South Kensington appears likely to languish for want of support; but the concert given by the pupils, October 17th, at the Mansion House, reflected credit on the principal, Mr Arthur Sullivan, and the teachers by whom he has been assisted.

Beferring to Mr B. L. Farjeon’a last Christmas story, “ The Mystery of Roaring Meg,” an English critic writes: —“ Mr Farjeon’s Christmas number of “Tinsley’s Magazine” is not a piece of his best work, but it is distinctly superior to his “ Solomon Isaacs,” last year, which was commonplace to a painful degree, Mr Farjeon has utilised his recent American experience, and laid his scene in California or thereabouts. The story is on the whole a stirring and interesting one, but would have been all the better for the omission of that foolish conceit of Prince and Princess Argental, which has an air of silliness about it that is aggravating. Mr Wallis Mackay’s (illustrations faithfully render the author’s conception. The Calcutta correspondent of an English paper, under date December 31st, writes : ‘ ‘ Some of your readers who are acquainted with Calcutta will be interested to learn that we are pretty gay this year, notwithstanding the limited opportunity we shall have of becoming more acquainted with our Viceroy. The inevitable Dave Carson is here in full form with a grand supply of ‘ jocatives’ and his vulgar personal allusions to particular individuals and caricatures of our East Indian compatriots and their peculiarities of speech. Dr. Sylvester is astonishing the public by suspending his pretty daughter on nothing, and we have a tht atre company of very fair average talent. A place formerly known as the Tivoli Gardens has re-opened under the style of the ‘ Alexandra Palace,’ but I should think stands a poor chance of success, as Calcutta is by no means a promising locality for open-air music-halls and poor imitations of Cremorne, One of the best of our entertainments is, however, the circus. Wilson’s Great World Circus is no doubt well known to you all, as the proprietor comes from the fifth continent, so I daresay you remember the playful eccentricities of the mule ‘ Barney. ’ ”

The manager of a certain theatre ia a lady, and she plays Juliet herself. She engaged a star Romeo for a time, and when the term was over he was to go. In the last scene, in an interval of the business, she said, “I am sorry, dear Montague, you are going.” He replied, “If you will reengage me, Mias Capulet, I will stay.” All soemed concluded ; but after Romeo had stabbed himself, and Juliet had died decorously on his padded chest, suddenly, just before the sorrowing friends rushed in, Romeo raised himself, and sat upon the stage and said, “On consideration, Miss Capulet, I will not remain unless you give me five pounds a week extra and a clear benefit.” The house enjoyed the “ situation,” as was evidenced by the loud laughter.