Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-21

The first issue of Nc Cltre's Magazine will
contain a dialogue between W. ID. Howells
AID II. II. Boyesen. who have been lntl-
mate friends for more than twenty years.
The dialogue will tell much that is new
about Mr.. Howells's early homo. his news
paper correspondence work in Venice. and
bis attempts on his return from abroad to
secure footing in journalism and lItera-
ture. The article will contain eight por-
traits of Mr.. Howells. taken at different
periods Of his life. This latter seems to
suggest " modern instance" Of eXtraordi-
nary vanity.
The third volume Of William Winters
"Shadows of the Stage" TO be published
by Macmillan & Co. next fall, will be de-
voted to Mr. Edwin Booth.
The Mermaid Series is the name given to
q collection OF unexpurgated editions Of the
best plays Of tho old dramatists, which the
Messrs. Scribner will publish IN this coun-
try by arrangement with Mr.. UnwIn, Of
London. Volume !. will consist Of the
best plays Of Ben. Jonson.
Messrs Sampson, Low & Co. advertise a
IlIt VI Auuli al III W. ~ tuDthAn n
I. Mahan, as "a biography. based on fam
lily papers, Of the great Confederate Adj
miral."
Charles /. Webster & Co. will publish
soon a new novel by John Kenduck
Bangs Its title il "Toppleton's Client"
and the story denis with the humorously
supernatural.
Messrs. Harper's newest books nre
Francois Coppee's Rivals" and Dir.
Howells's Unexpected Guests" both in
the Black and White Series; Kirk Mum
roe's Raftmates," Brander Mathews's
STORY of Story" q new edition Of
William Blacks adventures in Thule"
and the second volume OF the illustrated
edition Of" Green's Short History"
La Grand Dame is the name of a perjodi-
cal Just started in France-in Paris, pre-
sumaby. 1t deals with literature and
fashion.
OF 4. r. Sullivan, the Boston novelist
and dramatst. The Book Buyer says that.
although be never went to college, he has
taught himself not merely French and
German. but Italian. Spanish, and Latin.
and has lately taken up the study Of
Greek.
Says O leading literary journal: Tho
Way of the Transgressor is said to be the
title Of Mr. Rider Haggard's new novel.
Mr.. Haggard's father has Just died. The
connection between these two items seeuis
too close.
A copy of the original edition of Haw-
tbOrnc's FanshaWep which recently
came TO light sold for 800.
A narrative of Mrs Lews's two journeys
TO Mt. Sinai and of now she found the
codex of the Syriac Gospels. compiled
chiefly from her diaries. il being edited by
her sister. Mrs. james l Gibson.
The stone work around the grave of
George Eliot. which was near falling out
of place, has been thoroughly repaired
this season. II would seem that proper
appreciation of tue great genius of tins
remarkable woman would make sucl accl-
cents impossible.
OF the postman-poet. for whom Glad
stone has recommended grant of Glp1,
The AcldfDy SAYS: James DRYDEN f0skcn
l5 young COrnlshman OF He!ston. self
educated except for snort time spent ~
an elementary school. Unframed To any
trade. he found casual'emplo. InentIn East
London during three or four years. part
OF which he spent as an outdoor officer IN
the customs. He then became a rural
pOstman. then anight-sOrter IN the general
post-otfice, where his health failed, and he
returned TO hls native place much shat
tered and broken. A partial recovery has
enabled him to lind partial employment
as an auxiliary pOstman.'
The New York Cr.tc speaks in very high
praise of Colonel William hllan's book,
" The Army OF Northern Virginia in 1862"
" Take 1t all In ALL" says the critic, I'VE
know of no more conscientious and thor
ough work III the great library of books on
tie civil war. We trust that Mr.. Alian's
example will be followed by more Con-
federate officers. III order that scientific
material OF the first order may accumulate
and, like healthy wheat in good SOIL, Kill
oil the abundant crop of Unnecessary and
undesirable products"
The critic expresses its opinion of Rus
kin's appointment az poet-laureate as fol-
lows " ne only indication OF approach
ing senlllty that Mr.. Gladstone has vet
given Is to be found in his Offering the
poet-laureateshlp To SIR. Ruskiu. Ihepost
has been held by many man who would
hardly be accounted poet to-day. but
never before has 1t been given to one who
wanted the accomplishment OF verse;
The critic thinks that IF tho Office
is to be regarded as an acknowleds-
ment of great work already done it
should go TO s'winburne." William Wat.
son, 1t says, should have 1t if 1t is not 70
be merely sinecure, bu; Is TO be gwen 10
tho poet who IS expected 10 do better
work In the future than any of his con-
temporarles. As America mas already iur-
nlshed England with many good ideas,
why should not John Bull import a poet
laureate from here alsoS Either Truth
full Jeems" or Captain Martin Meredith
Lipscomb would I'LL the bill.