New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-17
LITERARY.

The Trade Sales OF New-York and Philadelphia
for the Spring season viii shortly take place. the
former commencing the 29th and the latter on the
10Th Of the current month. The Catalogue of each
Gale makes a goodly octave volume, and beside the
usual variety of stock there are in both sales large in
voices Of stereotype pates-that will attract the pres
ence Of publishing houses. Those offered at Pbilade-
pha comprise most Of the large works formerly pub
lished by Messrs. Carey and Hart, as "Griswolds
Poets" "Poetesses," and " Prose Writers Of
America Isold subject to copyright of % cents per
copy) Lord Bacon's works, 3 vols royal Syo; Mrs.
Sgourneys Poens illustrated editions Subject to 30
cents copyright, aDd many others lately published by
the dissolved house of Parry and Mcmillan. The stereo
type plates in the sale include foryeight works,
being the entire miscellaneous publication OF Messrs
Barnes and Burr, who concentrating their energies
on the School and College Text Book tradei among
them are many valuable works purchased at Mr.. Geo.
p Putnams great sale Of stereotype plates and copy
rights few years since. Though Trade sales con-
sdered TO be a convenience, both TO buyers and to
sellers, it is undenabe that their importance to the
trade has not lately advanced equally with its growing
dime nsc ns-some Of the leading firms MessIs Har-
pers keeping themselves aloof from them altogether,
and offering special terms to purchasers for limited
ployipg the agency of an auctiopeer.
Mr.. Thomas Adophus Trollope, the accomplished
author Of "a Decade of Italian Women" and CORE
spondeIt Of The AhenGun whose letters have excited
great interest during the present troubous times is
continuing bis studies in Italian history by the publica
ton of "The Merchant Princes of Florence" He has
inhabited that city for years past and is son of
the Mrs. Trolope and younger brother of the author
of DR.. Thorne," &c.
Mr.. John Ruskn announces, IN Fropria persona,
and in opposition 10 current rumor, in note of Feb =,
that I" the fifth volume of Modern Painters, which
am now engaged viii be the last; and, if acct
dent nervenes will be published about the beginning
of June"
The intentions of Lord Macaulay regarding the
period to which he hoped to carry forward his history
have been somewhat discussed. In letter to aScotch
gentleman, dated Holly Lodge, Oct b. 1858, he says;
&C. have long given up the hope that shall be able TO
bring the History OF England down 10 the time of the
Porteous Mob 1736). / have therefore, motive
for investigating infinitely the circumstances Of that
affair, and should not with to engage in an inquiry
which, however curious and amusing il might be, must
divert me from more useful researches"
The forthcoming volume ofMrs. Browning's has its
Poems before Congress"
The restless spark of the divinity that stirs the
togenarisn bosom of Walter Savage Lander, has in.
cited him to the publication, in The London Literary
Gazette of some private letters from the parties con-
nected with the famous libel suit in which he was
mucted in the sum of e. 900 for ISLANDERS on LADY,
their bearing on the question is scarcely Ineligible to
the public and the attempt to revive the matter is
tremely ill-advised.
The "mysteries" and mOralities of the middle
ages still fingered till within a few years in Lower
Brittany, and it that, with true Celtic tenacy
this medieval form Of dramatic representation yet
exant in Calynistc Wales. AT Swansea per-
foImancs lately took place, of "Joseph and his
Brethren in the Welsh language, the characters
dressed in oriental costume Chiefly white calico)
cept Joseph who of coure shone conspicuous in his
4" coat of many colOrs." The entertainment was pre-
sided over by Independent minister, and the per
formers were members of different chapes
The following is literal translation of letter in
the Imperial Library, Paris purporting to have bee
written by DIR. Franklin, and cent to the Ilterar
Gazette Feb lS, by correspondent who vouches 70
its genuneIess:
ON. Franklin never forgets any engagement whe
NJ. Helveus is expected. lie believes even that =
he had the prospect of going to Paradise this mornu
he would beg for permission TO remain OH earth till
half pact one O'clock TO receive the parting welcome
kindly promised him at a meeting at NJ. Targets.
"a Mons,
Monsieur LIABLE DE LA ROCHE
"A AuteuL"
II genuine, il is curious instance Of Franklin's
facility at catching the tone Of exaggerated compli-
mtnt common 10 the times and the society that he was
then distinguished member Of
In recording the death Of Sir William Napier the
Historian Of the Peninsular War, the obituaries all
record an affecting instance Of literary devotion in his
wife Lady Napier, who not only patiently puzzled out
the of letters written in CIPHER by Joseph Bona
parte, King Of Spain, Marshal Soult, and others,
iDhusted to him by the Duke Of Wellington but
actually copied fairly for the printer the whole of her
husbands some what rough and unlnienisible MSS.
Mr. Collier, in d communication TO The AiAendHm,