Literature.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 17 April 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Literature.

— It is said that the next Gilbert and Still i van opera will treat fiu Egyptian subject in a very novel and amusing manner. — A fragment of the 0 l^sscy, dating from the eleventh century, has recently been discovered amongst the Archduke R6nier's papyri. — No less than fifteen books treating of the banjo ha\e appeared in America during the eight years 1876-1884. —Miss \V. A. Croffut is preparing an illustrated history of the Vanderbilt family, to be ready in May. — Mr A. P. Sinnett has on the point of publication a pamphlet in reply to the repot t prepared liy Mr HcHuson for the Society of Psychical Research upon the Coulomb • Blavatsky correspondence, which brought Mvh scandal upon the Thcosophical Society. — The latest work of Sir Robert Stawell Ball, who has received the honour of knighthood this week, at Dublin, is "The Story of the Hea\ens,'' which was published last autumn by Messrs Ca^sell and Company. A second edition of this work was called for before Christmas, and is now again reprinting. — Mr Ribtou Turner has completed his "History of Vagrants and Vagrancy, and Beggars and Begging." It comprises separate histories of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland,' the '.Channel Islands, and most European countries, together with au account of the mendicant friars, the gipsies, the beggars' secret jargon, and other cognate matters. — It seems that Mr George Newnes, M.P. for Newmarket, and the proprietor of Tit Bits, has been blackballed at the Reform Club, although nominated by Mr Trevelyan and Mr John Rigby. At the same time Mr Lawsoc, son of the proprietor of The Daily Telegraph, and the member for St. Pancras, was elected. — A number of mementoes of Charlotte Bronte" were sold at Saltaire last week. Many of them formerly belonged to Martha Brown, who was so long with the Bronte family. They included peucil and watercolour sketches, presentation copies of Charlotte Bronte's words, and some of her personal effects. A print dress fetched 163, and a pair of scissors 10s, while an autograph letter to Martha Brown sold for five guineas. — A Hawtnorne club has been organised in New York. Among the members are physicians, lawyers, merchants, painters, journalists, clergymen and authors ; and most of the ladies are the reverse of blue stockings, having a fondness for society as well as letters. Every month an essay will be read on the characteristics and comprehensiveness of Hawthorne's intellect, with a criticism on some one of his books. — Professor Rusk in has, we understand, contributed a Preface, bearing chiefly on his relations with the PreRaphaelite Brotherhood, to "Notes on the Principal Pictures at Millais Exhibitiou," now being held at the Groavenor Gallery. The work, which will be pub lished next week by Mr William Reeves, consists mainly of a selection of Mr Ruskiu's earlier criticisms on Millais and contains besides several fresh notes from the same pen, specially written for this catalogue. — The Saturday Review, remarking upon Mr Arch's strange misunderstanding of the term " hinds "as applied to labourers in Scotland, says : " The educated men who remain in the House of Commons must remember that only the comtnouest newspaper English will b* understood by their audience. Not only foreign or classical quotations, but all words not generally used in The Echo [why not also have added 'in Tit Bits?'] mast be shunned as stones of stumbling. —According to the New York Critic that city is in great need of a public ' library. The suggestion is calmly made that ten individuals among her wealthy citizens should each write a cheque for half a million dollars to commence with. It will take a little time for New York to get together a duplicate of the British Museum Library, but we have no doubt her citizens will, if they set about it, succeed in getting oue of as much practical use to students. Lot them devote some attention to the reading room or rooms as well as to the books.