New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-15
LITERARY NOTES.

Burns's poetical works have been issued by
Macmillan & Co. in two handsome volumes. prm'eu
from the Golden Treasury plates on handmade paPe''
with the edges uncut Matthew Arnolds seiecuons
from Wordsworth aud Mr. ArDcld's own selected poems
have also been published I'm this form for those VINO
have fancy for outof-theway aud rare editions ony
500 copies OF the "Burns 4" have been printed. Ihe
American branch OF this firm has Just issued supple
ment 10 ITS general catalogue containing ist o, booE
recently published which includes many OF INC pes'
late English works IN almost every uepar'"e"' vi
knowledge.
Geike's Life of Christ" in the new one
volume edition the American Book Exchange COM
prises something 500 pages. and Is sold Tor Oh
ceuts. IL understood that Or. Geke has never re-
ceived any return from tho very large safes
OF his book this country that this new ana cheap
edition may. when he secs 1t. give him assurance
that there IT, after n such thing as retributse justice
in this world. The publishers have already exhausted
their first supply OF tubs edition and have another
under wav Volume III lie ready of their Idnrarv OF
the word Caterpillar; aud the first volume Of the
American ADDITIONS which will comprise the last six vol
umcs, has gone 10 press.
OF Milton's reply to "Eikon Basilike" Mark
Patison OF oxford. his volume on Milton QUAR-
per e. Brohers) says II was "worse than tedious IL
was "a tone OF rude railing and insoent s"aggei'
which at any time would have been unbecomihg' pu'
appearing when It did was :" grossly indecent MI
Pattson ramarkng upon the records which are
teenth century, cites that OF Milton more personal de-
tails are known than Of Of letters OF that tne
In the present generation all that printed Dooks OF VIII
ten documents have preserved about MN mas Deeh
brought together in MaSsons Life Of him. which Is the
exhaustive biography that ever was cop,e1 u
uncs, with total or four or I'VE thousand pages MI
Patisons for thus coming after the KING Is ra
he writes for readers who cannot afford 10 KNOW more
of Milton than be told in some $50 pages
Few letters from Carlyle have as yet reached
the public eye Macvey Napiers correspondence brought
out several Carylc's unauthorized volume ION the
Choice OF Books contains few others. and there arc
two or three in Mr. Pages volume on DE Quincy. In
Edinburgh has Just appeared a collection OF Covenaner
laws In which few others are given. One Of them may
well be called characteristic. 1t is addressed TO some
friend who had solicited Caryles interest In behalf OF
cousin that ambitious OF place among writers for
periodical literature. Carlyle saws: There Is no mad
der section Of human business wcltcrng under the
sun than that of periodical literature IN England at this
day. The meagrcst breadand water wages at any hon
est steady occupation should say preferable for
Young man. especially for an ambitious excitabe young
man. mistake much II your cousin were not wise TO
stick steadfasy by his law and what benefits II VIII
yield him studying. of course In all ways TO perfect
and cultivate himself but leaving all literary glory etc,
etc TO lie In tie distance obscure possibility Of the
future which he might attain, perhaps but also could
do very well without attaining. In another year. 1t
seems his official salary may be expected to increase
into something toerabe he has his mother and loved
ones within reach he has. by diligence can borrow
and have some books worth reading his free heart
is within him, shape into humble wisdom, or mar
into violent madness; Gods great sky is over him. Gods
green, peaceabe earth around him. really know not
that he ought be In haste to quit such arrangements
Nevertheless if he persist in the purpose 10 write, which
In my ignorance OF the details OF his situation know
not that should absolutely avoid doing let him by all
means try it. fhe turn out TO have tho ut talent he
will decldedv find editor IL IL Is better in all
WAYS that he do not find one. They 1.-THE edtOr-]
will make short work OF the business. and answer truly,
This thing fit for this thing seems not iii
That all they will In conclusion should say
that your cousin ought decidedly 10 Try for other
subject with than criticism Shakespeare Doubt
less he must know best what he has the call To write
npOn If he have really inward call But the thing he
will have the chance TO write cDtertaningly upon will
be something specially himself has not rroba
bly, Shakespeare should say, which all the world these
two centuries has been doing its best 10 see Excuse
this abruptness. Heaven knows would gladly help
your cousin, IL could"