New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-28
THE GOSSIP OF LITERATURE.

The late Professor Alexander Johnston of Prince
ton left the complete Ms. of second His
tory OF the United States" It's plan somewhat re-
sembles that of his former valuable textbook but 1t
is suited to shorter course and less mature minds.
That is delightful little story which Mr.. Rusbin
quotes concerning Carlyle at a Scotch church. Tho
minister, David Gillespie, was quaint person accus
toned 10 speak his mind very plainly from the pulpit
and while preaching sermon on "Youh and Beauty
being laid in the grave,' something tckled Carlyle
and he 10 smile; upon which Mr.. Gillespie
stopped suddenly, looked with frown at Carlyle, and
said Mistake not, young man IL is youth alone
that you possess
A volume of memoirs Of Richard Henry lee is in
course of preparation by his great grandson. G. H.
Lee, of Leesburg Va.
Anecdotes about the bride. Louise Of Wales. arc now
in order. Here is semi-terary contributions
distinguished writer visit to Sandringham
and had been asked to take the Princess Louise down
TO dinner His Royal host came TO him while he
exchanging few words with the Princess, and after
time asked "Why did you not put on some OF your or
ders 2" These had been left at home really some
what puzzled what 10 offer for my forgetful
ness, when the Princess kind enough to release
me from my difficulty by saying 10 her father Litter
airy do not need orders and decorations. Their
orders their published books, which they must not
the breast, since always before the eyes of
the world'" Pretty. but rather claptrap.y
1t is pleasant to chronicle the fact that Mr.. J. s.
Tunsons interesting book, Master Virgil IS going
into It's second edition, r. Clarke & Co., Of Cincin
natl, having It on the press The reprint VIII con-
tain additions the text and also an index
1t is said that Mr. J. F. Farmer the compiler of
"Americansms-Old and New is making slang
dictionary, which, both by its comprehensiveness and
by its historical treatment intended to slpersede all
Ike M he ind.
onary the heterodox speech of all classes from the
middle OF tho sixteenth century 10 the present time
The unwriteu colloqulasms of society and the Jar
CONS of sportsmon OF criminals of artists, of workmen
and Of professional men viii all DO given. Inc
method of treatment will be historical giving first tho
etymology a1d then illustrative quotations In
chronological ORDER together with synonyms and
foreign equivalents The whole will form three vol
umes handsomely printed on foolscap quaro' and
IL VIII be Issued limited edition of 500 copies, to
subscribers only.
The New-Haven Colony Historical Society proposes
to publish August the inscriptions in the old Mil
ford graveyard prior TO 1900 Tho transcription VIII
be literal the type being varied represent as nearly
as possible the appearance of each stone. The work
will fill seventy pages. and will be illustrated by fac
SMILES Of seventeen OF the most interesting stones.
Copous genealogical notes by Mr.. Nathan G. Pond
the transcriber will be included. Two hundred and
fifty copies only will be sold, the remainder being
served for binding in Vol. V. of the society's
Papers, which will not be published for several
years.
The leading French authors are. II we may believe
The St. James's Gazette" much more insular than
the people they have always been so
fond of calling insularies' NJ. Jules
Lemaitre, "The Gazette declares, "was once asked
to write article for of the most important Lon
don periodicals. What for7' he answered. don't
care about acquiring any reputation in England They
don't want to know what think. and don't want 10
tell them.' The request maho to W. Alexandra
Dumas met with this reply: Bother the English !
Thew tal0e our plays, make of them. and never
pay US SOU. Emile Angler observed Pooh!
don't like the idea of writing for people who don't
undeIs tand cooking Renan said / profess the
deepest interest and respect for England but really
feel IL duty devote TO my own country the powers
which age and infrmites leave me- Said Alphonse
Daudet How could write for country where there
IS hardly any sun at alll' Paul Bourget, on the
trary, is quite a literary 'anglomsne.' lie dreams
OF rehabilitatiig the contemporary English novel; which
Is rather looked down on just now In the country Of
Balzac stendhal, Flaubert and lola. This tendency
has drawn his head severe rebuke from the two
leading French critics. NJ. Jules Lemaitrc, already
mentioned and NJ. Brunetere, of the Revue des DeuX
Mondes' Very pleasant books indeed those two
volumes of Etudes Portraits" they wrote-or
words TO that effect; but why does NJ Bourget take
so much 10 English ways and customs :? AS for NJ.
c,,v dc Maupassant, he considers English literature
embarrassing not excluding the works of Shakes peae
which 10 speak truth, he scarcely ever reads, he
happens not TO know word of English and does not
think much OF translatons."
In Harpers Weekly" is to appear series Of arti-
cles about American who control millions. The
first paper will be published next week, and will deal
with railroad presidents.
The most extravagant instance of literary relic
worship on record said TO be that of Englishman
| of letters who wears constantly round his neck a
norton OF sheleys charred skull II Is inclosed in
little gold casket. The bones Of Victor Hugo arc
being turned money, for the relics exhibited
TO sght-scers at his former home is huge Qoth with
this Inscription below; Tooth drawn from Victor
Hugo BIZ the dentist on Wednesday. 18th August 1871.
at vianden tho gardens of the house of Mdme KOCH
at 3 O'Clock In the afternoon
There Is Just one little for the shallow and
unmanly sneer which the dead Fitzgerald wrote con-
corning the dead Mrs. Browning. Her poetry was
at that time Undoubtedly overrscd-and ovcrrated in a
fashion exaspcratlng a Of Fitzgerads peculiar
literary temperament.
SIR Percy Shelley, son of the poet, has inherited
little of his fathers literary taste and OF his
social enthusiasm, his political sympathles being
tlrely Conservative. But he is fond OF music and
is devoted to the drama. Lady Shelley, his wife, is
the very embodiment of gfacc and womsnly charm.
she at least keeps alive shelIcyian traditions by
her uboralty In religion. Sir Percy Shelley has In
beted his fathers for tho lie is fond Of
yachting.