Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-09
GOSSIP FROM BOOKLAND.

work of especial interest to every southerner has just been issued from the press of the B. F. Johnston Publish ing company of Richmond, Va, and is entitled Southern Literature From 1579 to 1885" Upon its title page we find that 1t forms "a comprehensive review, with copious extracts and criticisms, for the use of schools and the general reader" This work is by Miss Louise Manly, and with It's numerous illustrations forms a most valuble work. In the preface the author says:
 The best way of teaching history has Of late years received much attention. One excellent method is to read, in con- nectlon with the text book, good works of fiction dramas, poetry and historical novels bearing upon the different epochs, and also to read the works of the authors themselves of these different periods. We thus make history and literature il- lustrate and beautify each other. The dry dates become covered with living facts, the past Is peopled with real beings instead of hard names, fiction receives a solid basis for its airy architecture. and the mind of the pupil is interested and broadened.
 And with this excellent purpose in view the author in her work on "Southern Lit erature"' has not only given dates and the dry facts of each individual writer, but has intensified, individualized and made distinct and apart each writer by giving characteristic specimens of their work, evincing the style, quality and in- dividuality of each one. This makes a work of this kind of enormous value, for these extracts are many of them, given from rare editions that the great major ity of readers may possibly never have an opportunity to read, and so even these frq at a with these old writers. The more modern ones, of course, are more accessible and lie within easy reach of the interested reader. For instance, the name of Will liam Byrd is given, the first native Vlr- ginia writer born at Westover, of whom the author says: His writings are among the most interesting that we have, being remarkable for their wit and culture, certain poetic vein, keen in- terest in nature, a simple religious faith, a fund of cheerful courage and good sense, and a fine consideration for Otn- ers" Several pages of extracts follow from his writings, giving not only spec imen of the work of William Byrd, but furnishing unique pictures of the years between 1728 and 1744. Of visit to FIX Governor Spotswood he says:
 Here I arrived about o'clock. ana found only Mrs. Spotswood al home, who received her old ac- uuaintance with many gracious smile. I was carried into a room elegantly set off with pier glasses, the largest of Wnicn came soon after to an odd misiortune. to. Amongst other favorite animals that cheered this lady's solitude, brace or tame deer ran familiarly about the house, and one of them came to stare at ihe as a stranger,'' and so on. There IS an ex- cellent picture given of Evelyn Byro. whom. we all remember was conslded one of the most beautiful women III Nir- lripia ar of her time.
 The bong list of southern writers is both interesting and complete, ailnoush an appendix is added including sup plementary list of authors too numerous The work is a splendid compendium or the subject, doing honor to its author, Miss Manly, and should be in possession of every student reader in the south.
 The "Stevenson Memorial" drinking fountain to be set up in San Francisco, is to have the following inscription by Bliss Carmen:
 God made me simple from the first
 And good to quench your body's thirst;
 Think you he has no ministers
 To glad that wayward soul of yours?
 Here, by the thronging Golden Gate,
 For thousands and for you wait
 Seeing adventurous sails unfurled
 For the four corners Of the Worid
 Here passed one day, nor came again.
 prince among the tribes of men.
 F'or man, like me, is from his birth
 A Vagabond upon this earth.)
 Be thankful, friend, as you pass on,
 And pray for Louis Stevenson,
 That by whatever trail he fare
 He be refreshed in Gods great care!
 The remaining manuscripts of Char lotte Bronte in the possession Of her nus band and others have now been pur- chased for publication. They are numer- ous and important and will form Valu- able addition to the body of her Work A large number of unknown letters nave also been recovered, and biographical volume of entirely fresh matter will soon appear, repeating nothing that has al- ready appeared in Mrs. Gaskelrs biogra- phy.
 It may be of interest to note that bill to establish a national university at Washington has been introduced in the senate and house of representatives It provides for its government board Of sixteen regents with the president of the United States at its head, and a univer- sity council, embracing the board and twelve educators, representing institu- tions belonging to different states.
 It will be remembered that Miss Beat rice Harraden, the very popular author of Ships That Pass in the Night" has been recuperating for some time past on our Pacific slope. She now gives us new novel. called "Hilda Stafford" the scenes of which are laid in California. The story will first appear serially in Blackwood's Magazine. The Black woods were Miss Harraden's literary sponsors and published Ships That Pass" after other publishers had re- fused it.
 "A Little Wizard" although it bears the imprint of 1895, must have been the very youthful work of Stanley J. Wey- man. At least it would be unfortunate to have his numerous admirers believe it follows in conception and execution such works as "A Gentleman of France or