New-York tribune., 1879-12-06
LITERARY NOTES.

Beginning with the January number 1Rt
Atlantic Sonuly will be enlarged TO 144 pages. The
size Of the pages will be increased and larger type VIII
be used Mr. Howelss new story. which begins In Jann
arv will run for half year or more. Its title Is The
Undiscovered Country Serial stories also an
nounced 10 appear from Henry James, jr., and l. b.
Adrich
Anton Schiefner, who recently died at st.
Petersburg bad made for himself considerable reputa
ton in Europcby collecting, arranging and translatine
from the MOUTHS Of the people the Finnish epic kale
vaa "a poem Of some "a 900 verses. He showed that
the fragments when placed together formed perrec'
whole. This speedily recognized as strong argu
ment IN favor OF Wolns theory respecting hin""i
origin Of the Homeric epics.
A sumptuous edition. limited to 500 copies,
OF Bunyans Pilgrims Progress is In preparation in
England and the intention ia to make 1t IN point VI
type illustrations and paper, the haDdsomes one ever
issued II is moro than 200 years since this book nrst
got Itself out OF Bedford Jail and into print ana Win
the execution Of the Bible book in the language has
had so largo circulation Shakespeare is far behind IT.
I'm the twentyt wo years before 1900 fifteen editions OF
IT said have been printed Shakespeare remaeu
seyenty-f years IN folos.
After all the charges which have been laid
at the door OF The Saturday Re5iew for its gross ig-
norance of American affairs, disposition to reform IL
self is In the highest degree encouraging Ignorance
SO long persisted In seemed case OF wu ana hopeicss
depravity. But perhaps IL is not The last number OF
that paper in n notice OF Mr.. Johnstons History OF
Holt Co., says the book is exactly such guide as
English journalists familiar with the general
principles and leading events than with the details OF
American politics have constantly required. ana CON
cludes with observing that the book "may contribute
materially 10 render their references TO transatlantic
disputes and instructive TO English,
II less amusing 10 American readers"
Here are some fresh anecdotes OF Gilbert
Stuart which Mr. Mason gives IN his Lite of the Artist
now IN press at Charles scribners Sons When copy
Of Davids celebrated portrait of Napoleon ut the coro
nation making Its grand tour through this country
Stuart urged by his friends to go and see 1t; but
from natural distase for tinsel aud stage effects In
art he repeatedly refused TO do So At last how
ever, he was prevailed upon. and when lie
had looked carefully at the picture. he ex-
claimed L" How delicately the lace is drawn; dd
richer satin the crmine Is wonderful In
its finish and, by Jove. the thing has head! When
be was studying in London under Benjamin West, Dr.
johnson called one day TO converse with West on
American affairs and found stuart present The young
artist after little drawn uto the conversations
aud Johnson turning 10 West. observed that Stuart
spoke very good English. and tLen bluntly asked
Stuart where he had learned it. The reply was
| this: sir, I eau better tell you where i did
not learn tit was from your dictionary. Stuart
first met Wa ashngtOD whose portrait ne afterward
paut reception in 1894. with letter OF intro
ducon from John Jay. Familiar he was with emil
nent men and occasions he aterward declared that
no human being awakened III him the sentiment OF
reverence TO such degree. For moment he lost bis
sclf-pOsSessiOO.