Literature.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2185, 10 July 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Literature.

— Mr G.A. Sala has returned well and strong f rpii^mpTi&nderings, and tva* at PresirV^v 6lthe Academy. — I£otten-I|p\v is the title ojt a new " society " journal which is to '-be pubtiBhred»'ulaiiy^during May, June*, and July. — Mr Astor, the American millionaire, has been presenting his friends with costly bound copies of his novel " Valentino," Two copies in ivory boards, enclosed in silver c.vsea, alone cost £120. .They are intended," respectively, for the |King of Italy and the Pope. — Kk- President Hayes 1 first magazine article was printed in The Brooklyn Maga/.me for May, and treated of " Nationa- Aid to Popular Education," a subject to which Mr Hayes has given considerable study arid examination. — A memorial to the late Keshab Chandra Sen is to bo raised at Calcutta, ami about £1,500 has been subscribed for the purpose. It is proposed to place a poitt'fiitin the Townhall, and to found two prizes, one confined to women, in the university. — It is proposed to establish a literary and scientific institution at Kensington, to be called the Kensington Athena?um. Sir Algernon Borthwiek, M.P., took the chair :it n proliminary meeting, when a committee was appointed to consider the feasibility of the scheme. — Amongst a volume of pamphlets found in an Edinburgh bookseller's threepenny box recently was a copy of "GVJenus and Vanessa," of 1726, the date of the iirst edition ; and one of the third issue of the first edition of " The Duncittd." A copy of the latter was sold at Sotheby's last year for five gninens. — It is stated by an American paper that the youngest son of the late Mr Vanderbilt is a thorough bookworm, and will probably be hpard of as a newspaper or magazine writer. He petitioned his father to be allowed to serve an apprenticeship to journalism as reporter on n New York daily, but Mr Vanderbilt did not quite approve of the project. The young man's fortune amounts to £0,000,000. —Mr Andrew W. Tver ha* written to The Times respecting "A New Crazo for Collectors." This consists of engraved copper and steol plates, framed as wall decorations, after being coated with a transparent resinous spirit varnish, to prevent tarnishing. Specimens so treated are on view at the GoUpil Galleries. — A good deal of comment has been occasioned by the number of Hugh Conwiiy's posthumous works. American papers are hinting that perhaps the aunounoement of the novelist's death was nothing but a fiction intended to increase his popularity. A still more extraordinary statement is made by the Enquirer, of Cincinnati, to the offeot that the real authors of " Living or Dead " are certain well-known dramatic writers in London. — Mr Matthew Arnold retires from his [ appointment as one of Her Majesty's In- ' spectors of Schools. Having now no other official duty than to draw his pen- : sion, he will be able to devote his undividtd attention to curing the horrid Philistinism of the middle classes which has always been so hateful to his soul. In the intervals of leisure from this congenial employment he will fulminate anathemas against Mr Gladstone and all his works. Meanwhile, the middle classes will contribute largely to Mr Arnold's pension, us they have hitherto done to his salary. —Sunday-school teachers have an opportunity of obtaining a most useful book for a nominal price at the present time. The publisher of the "Teacher's Storehouse and Treasury " is offering the volume at half-price, viz., one shilling, or post free for one shilling and fourpence. As the number to be sold under this arraueement is limited, early application should be made to Mr Elliott Stock, 62, Paternoster-row, E.C.