The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-20
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.

COLERIDGE was man OF infinite title pages He
projected q hundred works, without ever complet-
ing one History, philosophy, poetry, criticism,
biography-his fertile brain was. forever teeming
with new volumes, which never got beyond the
announcement The titles Of the works he med
itated, but never executed, would fill large
volume.
WHEN NEcKER, in 1881, published his celebrated
"Compte Rendu," report on French finances, the
eagerness to obtain it was unparalleled. SIX
thousand copies were sold the first day, and two
presses were kept at work to supply the demand.
Madame De Stael Nccker's daughter) says that
$4,000 copies were sold. Think Of one of Mr. Bout
wells finance reports being IN such ravenous
demandl
In THE LIBRARY which Napoleon l. carried with
him there was perpetual presence Of "Ossian,'
"Werther," the "New HeloYse" and the Old Testa-
ment, which Chateaubrand regards as indicative of
the chaos in the Emperor's brain, where matter-ol-
fact ideas mingled with romantic sentiments,
serious studies with the caprices OF fancy
HENRY G. LEA, OF Philadelphia, has published IN
one handsome volume Rodwcns Dictionary of
Science" in which the last word on all leading
scientific topics is to be found in condensed form.
Professor Rodwell had the aid as contributors to
his dictionary of Professor Crookes Mr.. r. A. Proc
tor, Charles Tomlinson, Professor Guthrie and
others.
GEORGE SANDS translation OF the Psalms Is pro-
nounced by the critics, to whom she has read spec
linens oft, the MODEST work she has ever written
The REV. DIR. SYLVAN EVANS, Rector of Liam YIN
Mawddwy, Is preparing dictionary Of the Welsh
language, from original sources.
BALzAC was the despair OF compositors. He was
never known to keep any engagement with
printer, and his MS, when obtained, was never
printed without undergoing infinite alteration.
Gunner, the French publisher OF one OF his works,
could get nothing from him. At last, on the eve Of
publication, the printers messenger was sent to
Balzac's lodgings, with strict injunctions not to
come back empty handed. The envoy returned
with three or four slips OF paper, on which few
lines had been hastily scribbled Gunner, however,
knew his man. The manuscript was speedily In
type and proof was despatched to the author.
Balzac returned 1t double Its former size with
erasures corrections and additions, crossing each
other between the lines In inextrcable confusion.
Eight times was this process repeated, and at last
the memorable monograph entitled mos Epiciers"
was the result. "The corrections OF that proof,r
Gunner used to say, "cost me one thousand francs,
but sold twenty thousand copies OF the first mum.
ber.n
WASHINGTON IRVING never had more fiattering,
though silent, tribute than was paid to mis-
"Knickerbocker's New York" by Coleridge who
got hold OF the book late at night and finished it at
a sitting about dawn.
DIR. JOHNSON told Beattie that he never read
Milton through till lie was obliged to do 1t in order
to gather words for his dictionary.
A MANUSCRIPT OF THE DIVINE COMEDY" was the
constant companion OF Michael Angelo, who was
the first illustrator Of Dante. 1t lay his easel by
day and was thrust under his bolster by night.
THE PRINCIPAL NEW Books of Belgium during the
year 1872 have been on popular education and ma
tiona Defence subjects which have been largely
enhanced In present interest by the Franco-Ger-
man war.
THE NEW "LIFE AND TIMES OF ALGERSoN SYD-
NEY,n by A. O. Ewald, Is complained Of by the
Attengun as inexact and wanting accuracy In de-
tails besides that the book contributes very little
not already known to the history OF the man.
RorsToN's new 'Tales from the Russian" win
be published next Spring.
DR.. Fcuchtwanger's treatise on Gems" re-
vlscd edition OF which has just been published by
the author seems to be useful book for persons
who wOnld inform themselves on the sanect OF