The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-07
Literary Notes.
BY MRS. MARGARET j. PRESTON.

bi Mrs MAkTAREI j. PRESTON.
Among thereaders of the Central Presbyterian
there are, no doubt, not a few who have more
taste and desire for culture, and for wider
knowledge of what is passing in the world of
Literature and Bellies Lettres, than they have
the power to crafty. Multitudes of them live
IN the depth of the country, and the Central is.
perhaps, the only channel through which any
news from the realm of books comes to them.
Circulating libraries are not yet one of the good
institutions we hope to see engrafted upon our
Virginia civilization, so that even in our towns
new literature is not to be had readily. Jour
mails of critical character such as The BOSTON,
Literary Horld The Saturday (London) Re-
oie'0 THE Academy or even the great dailies
which employ upon their staff men of letters
as critics-are not generally taken among Ms
and will not be, until better times brighten over
the dear Old Dominion Our own papers-our
religious weeklies, will have to come to the helm
OF such readers, and at least break the edge of
their hunger by giving them some little idea of
what goes on in the world of culture. literature
and art outside the boundary lines of our own
State. We propose therefore, to furnish sncb
bret weekly notes as may convey modicum OF
''i'''iviA al
the wider criticism and views of the important
magazines and journals. Not for the CLERGY nor
college and divinity professors, nor scholars nor
professional men, do we in the least aim to be
a Purveyor. They have their Forni1bHl and In
ternationali and Southern Pres5vterian r e,ie,o
and British Quarterly and CathoLc Pyes5,te-
rian and Edinburgh r eyie,O, and dozen others
SO we have nothing TO say to Heu1l We address
ourselves to the large CLASSIFY far the largest
who never see these stimulating pages who
have neither the means nor the leisure for the
satisfying repast which they offer, but who, not
withstanding, will be willing to receive at onr
hands, such dessert-spoonfuls of literary notice
and criticism as our good editors can allow room
for
Let us take up then some Of the lists Of the
publishers. The first that comes to our hand il
that Of the Messrs. Harper, Franklin Souare
New York and we may here say, once for all
that for the convenience of the class of readers
Tor whom we write, so far as we can. we will
give the price Of the books we may name to-
gether with the address Of the publishers so
that persons living far from publishers counters
may be able, with entire ease and security INV
means Of the added ten cents for the registered
letter. to send by mail for any volume, with the
same advantage that they could purchase it in
person on the spot
Mr. Morleys Series English Men of Letters
is one Of the most popular Of the Harpers'
recent issues. 1t goes as far back as spenser
and Milton and one Of the latest if not its latest
volume, concerns itself with Thackeray. from
which it will be seen how comprehensive the
scheme Of the Editor is. The writer's OF the va
rious lives are chosen from among the best Eng
hsh scholars and always with a special reference
to their fitness for the special memoir under
taken. Principal Sharp, (e g. gives the Life