The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-20 00:00:00

LITERARY GOSSIP.

The Queen's autograph letter, in which she intimated
ter intention of presenting a bust of herself, sculptured
by the Princess Louise, to the Royal Academy, has, by
her Majesty's permission, been deposited in the archives
of the Academy.—Mr. Toni Hood is engaged en a
new novel, the right of publishing which has
been secured by the proprietors of the South Lon-
don Press, and it will shortly be commenced in that jour-
nal.—Fiyaro reports the probable establishment of an
English theatre in Paris, where the works of Shakespeare
will be performed.—Mr. Wilkie Collins is engaged on a
story which is intended for successive numbers of Cassell's
Magazine.—A French journal states that the grandfather
of Victor Hugo was tho son of a carpenter at Nancy.--
"Formosa" is said to be in active preparation at Niblo's
Garden, New York.—The contract is signed by which
M. Strakosch binds himself to give Madame Patti
1,000,000 francs for 100 representations in America.—
The first part of the Roxburghe Ballads, for the Ballad
Society, is at press.—A French provincial paper states that
a German astronomer has just written a " pamphlet" of
2,000 pages to prove that we shall shortly have a second
moon !—The New York Figaro states that Miss Elise Holt,
late of the Strand Theatre, finding the criticism
in the Sim Francisco News Letter unsatisfactory, armed
herself with a cowhide and called four times at the office
for the purpose of administering a thrashing to Mr.
Marriott, the editor. Hitherto, however, Mr. Marriott has
avoided an encounter.—Mr. Rossetti's new "Life of
Shelley" is in the press, and will be published, with his
edition of the poet's works, in November.—M. Gamier-
Page is just finishing a history cf the events of June,
1848.—Mr. William Michael Rossetti is editing a
cheap series of the later British poets for Messrs.
Moxon, with compendious biographico-critical Isetices
Six volumes will be ready next month.—A
society recently established, called the Welsh Literary
and Musical Society, has arranged for an Eistoddfcd to
be held at Bridal during the coming wiutcr.—The
Musical Siandard says several new hinds cf aladieli
have been called after the nausea of eminent musicians.—
The feminine orchestra, under the direction of M.

WeinHell, is about to make an artistic tour through
Europe.—Concerts (ancient and modern) are to be esta-
blished in Paris. Young c)rnporers will be invitel to
direct their own works.—The new French Minister of War,
General Lebocuf, is about to re:Tgai lie the irilitary bands
suppressed by the late Marshal I\l I.—One of the foreign
musical rapers informs its rcaleia tl at Mon iur a-son's
(sic) oratorio of " llezekiah (which, of cc; rs,, was also
mis-spelt) was reiformcd at the fts:ival of INT( rwick (!)
The opening of the Vinma Opera-hons:: took place on the
Ist of September, -with a magnificent performance of "Il
Flauto Blagico." It is sta'.ed that the expense of getting
up the opera Va. 3 27,C0) florins.

"Nature has written 'honest man' on his face,'
said a man to Jerrold, speaking of a person in whom
Jerrold's faith was not altogether blind. "Humph !''
replied Jerrold, " then the pen must have keon a very bad
one."

It is a significant fact that Sir George Bowyer
and Mr. Whalley—who do not cer!ainly agree very well in

the lines which they respectiv&y take inside the House of
Commons, when they are bah in Parliament—are acting
together as directors of an lion Tramway C_mpany, which
has just issued its prospectus. Has, then, the golden age
really arrived which Virgil foretold, when "Non magnos
metuent armenta leonos ?"

The _Manchester Guardian reports the laying of
the foundation stones of the first Armenian church in Eng-
land. It is situated in Clarence-street, Choriton-upon-
Medlock.

The death is recorded of Mr. James Vetch, the•
celebrated hcrticulturist. There is prol ably no ono con-
nected with the profession who has done so much for its
advancement, and whose loss will bo deplored by a largo
circle, both at home and abroad, as Mr. Veitch. To enume-
rate the many choice plants ho has by his perseverance and
skill added to our long catalogue would fill a volume.

There was a riot on Friday evening in London-
derry. Tho quay porters struck for higher wages
some short time since, and were replaced by
others from Belfast. On Friday the resident and immigrant
porters came into collision, and the mayor was obliged to
road the Blot Act and call out the military. The police
charged the mobs before they separated. No lives were
lost, and all was quiet on Saturday.

An addition to the Irish " National" Press, the
People of Ireland, has appeared in Dublin. It is of
the same politics and general character as its contemporaries
of that class. Tho editor says his project has boon well re-
ceived by his "exiled brethren in England and Scotland."

He intends to instruct the masses in tito "evils of alien rule,"
and warns them against "the sham ' concessions' wrung from
the alien Government, whose high priests are the hangmen
and the gaolers." His doctrine is, further, that the land
should belong to "those who can make the most of it, and
these, unquestionably, aro peasant proprietors—men who
pay no rent. The landlord's right to obstruct manducation
must be swept away, precisely like the rigbt to obstruct
locomotion." A department of the paper is devoted to the
doings of " the Irish nation in America."

The fire in the Tinsley Park colliery, near Sheffield,
is still burning, and two of the three men suffocated in tho
mine are still entombed. On Friday, by order of the Govern-
ment inspector, Mr. Frank N. Wardell, steps were taken for
the filling up of both shafts in connection with the workings,
in order to stop the supply of air, and so extinguish the fire. At
gre t p.:Tsonal risk, the Government inspector has been
`vi ,0 into the burning mine, and strenuous t fforts have
Leen made under his direction for the recovery of the bodies
of the missing men. In consequence of the determination to
seal the pit, some time will now elope before the bodies can
be reached.

On Fliday Robert Grindrod, clerk at the Rochdale
parish elauch, was summoned to the Rochdale Police-court
to answer a charge of assaulting Robt. Howe, jun., on Sunday
evening, iu St. Chad's Church. A settlement of some dis-
putes was arrived at, the vicar promising to detain the
procession of priests and choristers five minutes for the
congregation to depart. The plaintiff in this case charged
the clerk with pushing him violently. The clerk said he
requested Lim first to make way. It was stated in evideuco
that on this occasion five minutes wore not allowed. Tho
clerk was fined ss. and costs, and the magistrates expressed
a regret that the TicAi'f3 pr 91344.1 1461 42t. litAtlyl4-.
494'104_