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Subscriptions to THE BOOKSELLER for 1865 are now due, and Subscribers are requested to transmit the amount, 5s., either in Postage Stamps or by Post-office Order, payable to MR. EDWARD TUCKER.

Subscribers are reminded that the amount is too small to admit of application being made for it by post, and they will consequently see the necessity for promptly responding to this intimation without putting the Publisher to any needless trouble or expense.

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Advertisements inserted in the BOOKSELLER are charged at the following rate :Four lines in column, 3s., per line beyond, 6d.; six lines across the page, 10s. 6d., per line beyond, 1s. 6d.; page 31. 3s.; half-page, 1. 15s.; quarter-page, 18s. Displayed Advertisements are charged according to the space occupied.

Bankrupts :

THE GAZETTE.

Amis, David, Hern's Cottage, Pentonville, stationer. Baxter, George, Northampton Square, patentee of oil colour printing; solicitor, J. Mills, City Road. Dix, James Charles, St. Ann's Lane, St. Martin's-le-Grand, engraver and stationer; solicitor, R. J. Dobie, Guildhall Chambers.

Freeman, Henry, trading as Freeman and Co., Fetter Lone, wholesale newsagents; solicitors, Pratt and Nickinson, Chancery Lane.

Foster, Samuel, and Henry King, Regent Street, music publishers; solicitor, Denton and Hall, Gray's Inn Square.

Jackson, George, Soho Street, Liverpool, stationer; solicitor, J. Buckhurst, Liverpool.

Keet, George James, Vine Street and Renshaw Street. Liverpool, stationer and photographer; solicitor, M. Nordon, Liverpool.

Levy, Nathaniel, Little Alie Street and Bury Street, St. Mary Axe, printseller; solicitor, R. J. Dobie, Guildhall

Chambers.

Mair, Robert Henry, Cecil Street, Strand, clerical agent;
solicitor, G. M. Wetherfield, Moorgate Street.
Page, William, Lewes, bookseller and stationer; solicitor,
J. G. Langham, Uckfield.

Rees, David, Pontardawe, near Swansea, stationer, &c.; solicitors, Simous and Morris, Swansea.

Tuckwell, John Horsham, stationer and bookbinder; solicitors, G. and W. Webb, Austin Friars.

Wickwar, Francis, late of Poland Street, stationer and bookbinder; solicitor, J. Geoghegan, Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Witney, Charles, Walsall, newsagent, bookseller, and stationer; solicitor, W. C. Thomas, Walsall.

TRADE AND

Partnerships Discolved :—

Burg, Karl, and Percy Hopkins, Hastings, stationers, booksellers, and printers; debts paid by Burg. Faithfull, Emily, and Henry Stone, Prince's Strect, Hanover Square, booksellers and stationers.

Farrar, Janies William, James Dowding, and Samuel John Roberts, Monmouth, printers, stationers, and newspaper proprietors.

Hearne, A. J., and Robert E. Elliston, Nichol Square, wholesale stationers.

James, Richard, and Richard James Thwaites, Liverpool, printers.

Marshall, Rebecca, and Thomas Henry Burditt, Louth, booksellers and stationers; debts paid by Burditt. Morgan, Henry John, and Frederick William Skerry, proprietors of the Comic News; debts paid by Skerry. Potter, J. G., Dr. Graham, William Preston, and John Carlisle, Over Darwen and elsewhere, paper makers. Assignments, Compositions, Trust Deeds, &c. :

Darley, William, Melton Mowbray, bookseller and sta tioner; comp. of Ss. by 2 instalments, secured. Edwards, John, Sussex Terrace, Westbourne Grove, stationer: to pay in full by 3 instalments of 6s Sd. Hancock, Francis Albert, Wood Street, Cheapside, sta tioner; comp. of 5s. by 3 instalments at 3, 6, and 9 months, secured.

Levy, Philip. Hounsditch, stationer; to pay debts in full, 10s in 12, and 10s. in 18 months.

Phillips, James, Russell Street, Mile End Gate, printer; comp. of 1s. in 3 months.

Whitehouse, Job, Birmingham, bookseller and stationer: comp. 58. by 2 instalments of 2s. 6d., 21 Dec. and 21 April.

LITERARY GOSSIP.

We regret to announce the failure of Messrs. Southgate and Barrett, the well-known Auctloneers of Fleet Street. The liabilities are said to be very heavy. Although the business has been continued in the name of Southgate and Barrett, Mr. Southgate alone has carried it on since the death of his late partner about three years ago.

The well-known establishment of Messrs. Day & Son is being turned over to a Limited Liability Company. The capital is to be £160,000 in 16,000 shares of £10 each-5,000 of these shares being taken by Messrs. Day as part payment of the purchase money. The new Company will take the premises in Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, the German Gallery, 168, New Bond Street, with all the fittings, plant, machinery, and stock-in-trade, including a number of valuable publications. Mr. William Day will be managing director, and a minimum dividend of 10 per cent. for three years is guaranteed.

The directors of Cramer and Co. (Limited), Music Publishers, have declared the guaranteed dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum. The balance of net profit is £3,452; the charges incidental to the business, £6,385; and the interest paid on calls, £530. The gross profit from the 1st of July to the 31st of December, has

The partnership of Messrs. Hodson and Son, of Portugal Street, having terminated, Mr. J. S. Hodson, jun. has entered into a fresh partnership with Mr. J. S. Castle. The business of chromographic printing will be carried on at Nos. 2 and 3, Church Street, Lambeth, under the firm of Hodson and Castle.

Mr. H. M. Blanch, formerly manager of the London house of Mr. Geo. Robertson, of Melbourne, has commenced business as a publisher at 15, Gough Square, Fleet Street. His first book, "Mysteries of the Italian Cloister: being an Autobiography of the Princess Henrietta Caraccioli, of Forino, translated from the Italian,' has just been issued; and, from the interest caused by reviews of the original, will no doubt command a good sale.

Mr. Holmes informs us that he has recently disposed of the old established Business belonging to Mr. Polley at Wandsworth, to Mr. Lester. Also, Mr. Johnson's business, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, to Mr. Sumfield, of Leath Lane, London; and Mr. Wenborn's busines, Tulse Hill, to Mrs. Simmons, St. John's Wood

Mr. John Gray informs us that Mr. Hugh Hughes, from the firm of Messrs. Hughes, Wrexham, has succeeded Mr. Phillip White, in

THE LITERARY GAZETTE.-Subscribers have, from time to time, requested us to reprint that portion of the BOOKSELLER which gives the classified list of books, in order that they might circulate it amongst their customers. Had we isael it in the form proposed, we think it would have had scarcely enough interest for the majority of book-buyers; it would have been little better than the monthly lists issued by Messrs Longman, Whittaker, or Hamilton. We have therefore prepared a new Work which, while it gives all the required information, gives also a good deal more, and will, we believe, be welcomed by a large circle of literary men, and by book-bayers generally. The Literary Gazette, published on the 10th of every month, will contain a complete list of books issued up to the time of going to press-and will also contain descriptive notices of the greater portion. Our subscribers will find no difficulty in obtaining orders for a considerable number of copies amongst their book-baying customers, who, for two shillings a year, will thus be placed in possession of all the literary news of the month. It is published at this low rate, and is also supplied in quantities at the mere cost of paper and print, for the purpose of promoting the sale of books; and, we believe that, if the circulation of the Literary Gazette be taken up by the trade with any amount of earnestness, the sale of new books may be largely increased. Apart from any sale, and as a mere monthly catalogue in a bookseller's own local wrapper, the Literary Gazette will be found one of the most efficient modes of increasing general business, and of securing a circle of regular customers. A new edition of the first number will be ready in a few days, so that those who wish to commence the work from the beginning may do so.

GLASGOW.-Mr. William Porteous, 41, West Nile Street, having "assumed" his brother Thomas as partner, the business will in future be conducted under the firm of Porteous Brothers.

CANTERBURY.-Mr. Charles Goulden has retired from business in favour of his son, Mr. William E. Goulden.

The "Taunton Courier," established in 1808 by J. W. Marriott, Esq., and for some years past published by Mr. F. May, has been purchased by Messrs. W. Bragg and Son, who will incorporate it with the "Somerset County Herald " established by Mr. William Bragg in 1843, and which has obtained an influential connection in the locality.

A Prospectus of the "Caxton Ink Company," (Limited) has come to hand; it is proposed to raise a capital of £12,000 in shares of £10 each. Accompanying the prospectus is a woodcut printed in the "Caxton Ink;" this, although it has been lying upon our table for a fortnight, is not yet dry.

Messrs. Cassell announce a new monthly journal, The Scientific Review, the main objects of which will be to record, from month to month, the progress of Science both at home and abroad, to point out the bearing of recent discoveries on those previously made, and keep their practical uility most steadily in view. Materials for Manufactures, Sanitary and other Improvemeuts, will be duly recorded. The Review will also be the accredited organ of the Inventors'

Institute.

THE EMPEROR'S CESAR.-A thousand copies of the quarto edition, we are informed, have been printed at the Imperial Press; these are for distribution amongst the Emperor's friends, to crowned heads, and others who may be honoured by the Emperor. An edition in Svo is being printed by M. Plon, for sale in France and elsewhere, and the first volume of this edition will be issued before the end of February. The work will also be published in German by Messrs. Gerold and Son, of Vienna, and in English by Messrs. Cassell, Petter, and Galpin; it will be translated by Mr. Thomas Wright, an accomplished French scholar. Some surprise has been expressed at the Emperor's choice of a publisher, and one paper-The Guardian-has even had the bad taste to mention the names of Messrs. Murray and Longman as having been overlooked. We believe the Emperor did no such thing; but, in making choice of Messrs. Cassell, did it with the view of securing the very widest circulation for his work. Had he intended to confine the book to a select circle of polite readers he would have gone to one of the classical publishers The Emperor who is not unmindful of fame, will be gratified by finding that before the expiration of another month every person who can read an advertisement or a placard, or that looks into a bookseller's shop-window, will be made acquainted with the fact of his Life of Cæsar having been published.

THE POET LAUREATE.-In the Athenæum of the 14th inst. appeared a somewhat pompons paragraph, announcing that a baronetcy had been offered to, and accepted by the Port Laureate. This was duly copied into the Times and all the other papers, and in the belief of its truth, Mr. Harrison, the editor of "Debrett's Baronetage," wrote, requesting the usual information respecting the arms, crest, and motto of the new baronet, but was astounded by Mr. Tennyson's reply, in which he said "the report was wholly without foundation.' This contradiction he communicated to the Times, and here the matter should have ended: the Athenæum having discovered a mare's nest should have hatched the eggs in quietness; but, to the astonishment of simple-minded people, in the following number appeared an anonymous letter, reminding its readers of the famous Old Bailey brief, No case, abuse the witnesses;" and the editor ends by a paragraph stating, that if the poet is not yet made into Sir Alfred, he will be some day.

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Messrs. Moxon and Co. have issued the first volume of their Miniature Series of the Poets. It has been a decided success, and it richly deserves all the success it has met. Nothing that the publishers could do has been left undone -the paper, the print, the ornamentation, and the binding, are all of the best and most appropriate description-and the contents deserve to be so enshrined. The selections from Tennyson comprise some of the best pieces he has written: The May Queen--Mariana-The Miller's Daughter-Lady Clare-Locksley Hall-Le Morte d'Arthur-The Charge of the Light Brigade-altogether fifty-two pieces selected with no grudging hand. A selection of this kind will go far towards making the poems household words in thousands of homes where hitherto they have scarcely been known even by name, and we think that, so far from the sale of the complete works being injured, their sale may even be increased, this selection serving as an avant | courier.

66

THE OLD CITY.-Aleph, of the City Press, has, under the title of "The Old City," collected a variety of recollections and reminiscences which will interest all persons acquainted with the Great Metropolis as it existed before railways and other improvements had removed the ancient landmarks. Even those of us who have barely reached middle-age can call to mind the good old coaching days, when twenty-six coaches passed and re-passed each other on the Brighton road. We can also smile at the ancient race of “Jarvies," in their many-caped coats; at the Charlies," snoozing in their boxes, or drowsily calling out the hour. We can also remember the days when gas was looked upon as a dangerous innovation; and well do we recall the aching eyes caused by the damp tinder, when trying to get a light by means of flint and steel. It seems but the other day, too, that we waited half an hour to catch sight of a vehicle, just placed upon the road by a Frenchman named Shillibeer, and called an "omnibus." Who, again, does not remember the broad-wheeled London waggon, drawn by we forget how many horses? Well, such a memory has Aleph for all that relates to the past-to the London of his own early days and of preceding generations, and these recollections he has embodied in a very charming volume. First the Auction Mart, now no more; next, a glance at the mail coaches, on the King's birthday, when 150 or 200 coaches, carts, &c., passed in review; Volunteers in the time of Bonaparte; our own delightful neighbourhood, Warwick-lane-Ancient ConduitsLambe's Chapel and Almshouses-Milton's London-The South Sea Bubble-Sir Astley Cooper -John Wilkes and Liberty--Lackington, the Bookseller-Baynard's Castle--The Small Trades of London - The Boar's Head-The London Apprentices Sion College-Lions at Feeding Time-London after Dark-London Watchmen --and a score of other subjects, equally interesting. In saying that The Old City, and its Highways and Byways," forms a worthy companion to the same author's "London Scenes," we are giving a large amount of praise to this second work of Aleph.

66

Mr. W. Tweedie has in the press a halfguinea royal 8vo volume, entitled "The Study of the Human Face," illustrated by twenty-six full-page steel engravings.

The Christian Knowledge Society sends us the first portion of a New Illustrated Family Bible now publishing in shilling monthly parts. The text is printed at Oxford from a new and very distinct pica type with Dr. Blayney's marginal references; the Illustrations are, maps printed in colours by Stanford, and views of some scriptural sites from photographs. The Bible will be completed in thirty parts, and will contain twelve maps and twenty-four pictures. The Society has also recently published a second series of 'Hymns with Coloured Pictures;" another of those unrivalled little volumes of Natural History "Illustrated Sketches, with descriptions of animals ;" a second series of "Earth's Many Voices;" a volume of "Lives of Missionaries," containing sketches of John Eliot, Bp. Seabury, Bp. Chase, Bp. Stewart, and Mr. Mountain, men whose labours were connected with North America; and "The Colonial Empire of Great Britain, considered chiefly with reference to its physical geography and industrial productions," by the Rev. G. Rowe; "The American Colonies," a useful little volume which ought to be generally introduced into schools.

Mr. Nimmo of Edinburgh has published the first six volumes of a series of shilling presentation books, which deserve the attention of the scholastic profession. They are well printed, neatly bound in cloth, and have a coloured frontispiece. They consist of our old favourites, Elizabeth, Paul and Virginia, &c., and are admirably adapted for juvenile presents, or for school libraries.

Collectors of choice books will be glad to hear that M. Ambroise Firmin Didot has supplemented his exquisite little editions of Horace and Virgil, by an edition of Anacreon, which, for beauty of typography, and fitness of illustration, leaves nothing to be desired. Fifty-four charming little photographs, amazingly clear and distinct, illustrate the odes, which are prefaced by a luminous introduction from the pen of the accomplished editor.

Mr. Tegg has issued the fourteenth edition of "The Readiest Reckoner ever invented," a volume which appears to have fairly earned its Also, a fifth edition of "Gordon's Interest Tables at 5 per cent." One of the most easy works of reference published.

name.

Mr. Nichol has added the second volume of Clarkson's Works to his Library of Puritan Divines. The estimation in which these reprints are held by Evangelical, churchmen will be seen from the following letter of Mr. Ryle, addressed to the Editor of the Record.

SIR,-I venture to ask the attention of your readers to a new republication scheme which Mr. Nichol, of Edinburgh, is just initiating. I take leave to think that it deserves the cordial support of all lovers of sound Scriptural theology.

The scheme to which I refer is a series of reprints of the best Puritan expositions and Commentaries on single books of Scripture.

All who are conversant with the writings of the Puritan divines are doubtless aware of the fact that many of their most valuable works are Expositions. Some of them, such as "Greenhill on Ezekiel," "Adams on 2nd Peter," "Jenkyn on Jude," " Burroughs on Hosea," have been reprinted within the last thirty or forty years. Many of them, however, have never been reprinted at all, and are only to be bought as old books, at a very heavy price.

Mr. Nichol is now proposing to do an immense service to the churches, by reprinting the best Expository works of the Puritans at a singularly cheap rate. His scheme embraces such works as "Airay on Philippians," "Hardy on 1st John," "Rogers on 1st Peter,' "Bayne on Ephesians," "Gouge on Hebrews," "Taylor on Titus," "Byfield on Colossians," "Hall on 2nd Timothy," "King on Jonah," and many others, forming too long a catalogue for me to enumerate in a letter. The selling price of many of these works, I need hardly tell book-buyers, is such as to put them completely out of the reach of most persons. By Mr. Nichol's scheme they will be attainable at 78. a volume.

Now, in a day like this, when better knowledge of Scripture is the great antidote to the theological poison which abounds, I cannot refrain from urging on my brethren the importance of giving Mr. Nichol their support. They will not regret it, I am sure. They will get full value for their money. They will find in many of the works about to be reprinted abundant proof, that he who concentrates all his attention on the exposition of one or two books of Scripture will produce far better results than he who undertakes to comment on the whole Bible. For "excellent works on Scripture, commend me to the "man of one book."

If any one wishes to see a specimen of Mr. Nichol's new series, I advise him to get the volume already published, viz., "Airay on Philippians," and "Cartwright on Colossians," in one handsome quarto.

Mr. Nichol's reprints of Goodwin, Sibbes, Adams, &c., are undoubtedly an admirable addition to our theological literature. But, if I may venture an opinion, I think his new series is even more valuable than his old one.

The Dean of Canterbury told us at Bristol that we want more and better expository sermons. Let those who want to see a specimen of good expository preaching read "Airay's Expository Lectures on Philippiaus." I remain, yours faithfully,

J. C. RYLE, Vicar of Stradbroke, Suffolk.

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The second number of the Englishman's Magazine is a decided improvement upon the first. With one exception the articles are well selected and well written; the exceptionable article is that by Mr. Street upon town churches, an article which might have edified the select readers of the Ecclesiologist, but which will be thrown away upon the wider circle aimed at by the conductors of the Englishman's Magazine. There is one article on the Revision of the Sunday Lessons, by Lord Lyttelton, which deserves the thoughtful attention of all good churchmen.

Amongst the recent Obituary Notices in the Times we notice the names of Mr. Wm. Hayley Mason, a well-known bookseller at Chichester, and Mr. John Crockford, publisher of the Law Times, the Field, the defunct Critic, the Clerical Journal, and a host of other papers with which Mr. Cox, the Recorder of Helston, has been connected.

Appended to the New Edition of Festus, Mr. P. J. Bailey has given "Opinions and Notices." Amongst them is one- "As times go, and as Poets Write, the author is remarkable for the plenitule of his faith, and the piety of his verse."-Professor Aytoun. The Professor disclaimed the honour; Mr. Bailey said it was taken from an article in Blackwood, in 1850, attributed to the pen of Professor Aytoun, "then, as now, the Editor." Mr. Bailey is wrong again, writes the Professor-"I never seted, and do not now act as Editor. For nearly twenty years Mr. John Black wood has been the sole editor of the Magazine." On referring to the critique upon Festus in the Magazine, we observe that the context by no means warrants the publication of the isolated passage. It is painful to see a man so remarkably clever, as Mr. Bailey undoubtedly is, stooping to the practices of a Robert Montgomery. One wrote of Satan, and the other of Lucifer. Can it be that the subject of the poetry infects the poet?

From Messrs. Dean we have Debrett's Peerage, a work which, under the present management, loses none of its ancient reputation. The accounts of the various peers are corrected by themselves, the school and college, with the academical degrees are given, also the names of the livings of which the respective peers are patrons. Mr. P. S. King also forwards his really handy "Handbook of the Court, Peerage, and House of Commons," a closely packed volume giving more political information than can be found in any similar work.

Mr. John Heywood, of Manchester, has recently recovered damages against the North Western Railway for delay in the delivery of his parcels. For the defence it was alleged that the delay was unavoidable, and arose from the breaking of an axletree, but the judge would not admit this as a reasonable cause for four hours' delay in the delivery of the parcel.

A good many of our readers have never seen a monthly magazine called "The Month," published by Simpkin and Co.-yet it is worth seeing. It is evidently edited and perhaps written by Roman Catholics, men and women of education, and contains much that will be found of interest by all classes. In the first article this month, Lady Georgiana Fullerton continues a well-sustained tale of the 16th century. J. H. N. contributes a chapter on Saints of the Desert, and all the other articles are well and interestingly written.

Mr. Keightley's Shakspeare has been completed by the publication of the sixth volume. This, although it will never take its place as a Standard Edition, will always be sought for by collectors, both on account of its textual peculiarities, and of its elegant typography.

Mr. Marr, of Glasgow, sends us his "Pianoforte Tutor," a marvellously cheap shilling'sworth, containing thirty pages full music size; likewise, a sixpenny Concertina Companion, also music size, containing one hundred and three popular tunes.

THE TIMES IN CHANCERY.-There has been a tumble out amongst the proprietors of the Times and the Evening Mail, and the Court of Chancery has been appealed to to settle their differences. The proprietors' names are John Walter, M.P., Lady Platt, David James, James Hale, Frederick Brodie, Jemima G. English, Richard Winsloe, Sophia Maria Knox, Henry Gordon Worlidge, Sir Robert Walter Carden, George Frederick Carden, Thomas Patten, and George and William Platt, the last two and some of the others being partners in the Evening Mail only. The Mail is a reprint of the Times' articles and some of the news, and is published thrice a week. All the type and printing plant of the Times, it seems, belongs to Mr. Walter, and he, in consequence of the quarrel, gave notice to his partners in the Mail that they must print the paper elsewhere; this would virtually destroy the paper. The dissentients moved the Court of Chancery to compel Mr. Walter to print the paper as heretofore, using the standing type of the Times for the purpose, and praying for an account of all profits since July 1847. Judgment was given against Mr. Walter, compelling him to print and manage the Evening Mail, as hitherto, until the rights of the various parties could be arranged.

THE CAXTON PUBLISHING COMPANY. - We give the benefit of a gratuitous advertisement to the following prospectus which deserves preserving :

THE CAXTON PUBLISHING COMPANY (LIMITED), for the Diffusion of sound Literature among all Classes of the People. Capital £50,000, in 10,000 Shares of £5 each. Honorary Committee-The Right Hon. Lord Brougham and Vaux; the Right Hon. Viscount Ingestre, M. P.; the Lord Mayor of York; Erasmus Wilson, Esq., F.R.S.; John R. L. Walmisley, Esq. (for "The Poor of Europe ") John Martin, Esq., Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law, President of the Law Department; Edward Howley, Esq., Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law, President of the Historical Department; Blanchard Jerrold, Esq., Presi dent of the Literary Department. Directors-Blanchard Jerrold, Esq., Chairman; James Bancks, Esq.; H. B. Stuart, Esq, 14, St. James's Square; Rev. James Harrison, M.A., Holywell, Oxford; with power to add to their number. Solicitor Charles Henry Edmands, Esq. 1, New Inn, Strand, W.C.

Prospectus.-This Company has been formed for the purpose of circulating standard and classical literature, in a cheap, instructive, and entertaining form, among the millions at home, in the colonies, and on the continent. From statistical data in the hands of the Directors, they confidently state a profit of not less than 30 per cent. may be expected as the result of the Company's operations. The Company have undertaken to carry out the inquiry into the Institutions of "The Poor of Europe,' which was arranged under the sanction of the above Honorary Committee. Detailed prospectuses are to b had on application at the offices.

THE MONTHLY PACKET (Mozleys), edited by the author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," is one of those publications which is singular enough to

On the 10th February will be published,

have a larger circulation in the fourteenth than THE LITERARY GAZETTE:

in the fourth year of its existence. Miss Yonge appears to have no lack of amusing subjects, which all have the same end in view, viz.making the readers better members of society, and better Churchmen, but altogether catholic and unsectarian. The twenty-eighth volume contains plenty of amusing articles, and fully bears out its title of "Evening Readings for Younger Members of the English Church."

The Rev. A. B. Grosart, of Kinross, sends us his curious volume, "Lord Bacon not the Author of The Christian Paradoxes.'" Mr. Grosart has discovered that the author of the "Paradoxes" was not Lord Bacon, but Herbert Palmer, B.D. Mr. Grosart has only printed a limited number of his book, and is, we believe, his own publisher.

An Antipodean genius, who had been reading the Laureate's last work, describes it in the following lines. It will be observed that he has humorously managed to extract all the point of the story, in the effusion which he heads :

ENOCH ARDEN BOILED DOWN.
Philip Ray and Enoch Arden

66

Both were spoons" on Annie Lee; Phil did not ful-fill her notions,

She preferred to mate with E.

Him she wedded, and she bore him
Pretty little children three;
But, becoming short of rhino,
Enoch went away to sea,
Leaving Mrs. Arden owner

Of a well-stock'd village shop,
Selling butter, soap, and treacle,
Beeswax, whipcord, lollipop.
Ten long years she waited for him,
But he neither came nor wrote;
Wherefore, she concluded Enoch

Could no longer be afloat.

So, when Philip came to ask her
If she would be Mrs. Ray,
She, believing she was widow'd,

Could not say her suitor "nay;"
And a second time was married,
Gave up selling bread and cheese;
And in due time Philip nursed a
Little Ray upon his knees.
But, alas! the long-lost Enoch
Turn'd up unexpected-ly,
And was vastly disconcerted
By this act of biga-my. }
Yet reflecting on the subject,
He determined to atone
For his lengthened absence from her
By just leaving well alone.
Taking to his bed, he dwindled

Down to something like a shade,
Settled with his good landlady,
Next the debt of nature paid.
Then, when both the Rays discovered
How poor Enoch's life had ended,
They came out in handsome style, and
Gave his corpse a fun'ral splendid.

This is all I know about it;
If it's not sufficient, write
By next mail to Alfred Tenny.
Son, P.L., the Isle of Wight.

Melbourne Punch.

A Monthly Record of Literature.
No. II., PRICE 2D.

Containing a Classified List of all Books recently published; with a Full Transcript of the Title, Size, Price, and Number of Pages; and a Short Description of the more important. Intended for the Use of Authors, Literary Institutions, Secretaries of Book Clubs or Reading Societies, and Book-buyers generally.

[FROM NO. I.]

OUR FIRST WORDS.

IN compliance with that wholesome custom which demands from the conductors of a new publication some intimation of its aim and object, we venture to say a few words about ourselves.

The aim of THE LITERARY GAZETTE is a very humble one-it simply proposes to be useful.

We are aware that usefulness is not at present always regarded as a recommendation; but having nothing better to offer, we rest our claim to attention upon that alone. We hope to be useful by supplying all desirable information about recently published books, and occasionally about some that are unpublished, in a manner hitherto unattempted by any periodical.

In the first place, we shall strive to make each book speak for itself. The title of the work will be completely transcribed; the size and number of pages will be given; and then, believing that authors are usually as well informed on the special subject about which they write as the critics who sit in judgment upon their productions, we shall describe the contents and the author's aim, as succinctly as possible. Our notices will in general be simply descriptive, but it is hoped they will be so clear as to enable readers to find out from them the merits or demerits of the work under notice.

While thus confining ourselves to the supply of information about new books, we believe we shall occupy new ground. We conceive, that, like ourselves, most book-buyers and readers prefer information about the contents of a book to a mere ex cathedra opinion as to the style of the author, or even to a piece of elegant criticism, in which the author makes use of the book only as a peg whereupon to suspend his own effusions. We do not profess to eschew criticism. It is, however, not our intention to set up as mere critics; when we praise or condemn a book, we shall at the same time supply the facts upon which our verdict is based.

We shall endeavour to speak of the merits of a work in preference to its demerits; but occasions will of course arise, when our duty will make it necessary for us to condemn a publication. This we shall not hesitate to do.

Possessing no exclusive means for the collection of literary news or gossip, we cannot pretend to supply what will be news to all our readers, but from time to time we shall chronicle such intelligence as may appear of interest.

It is right to add that THE LITERARY GAZETTE is not connected, directly or indirectly, with any publishing house.

No. II., to be published 10th February, may be obtained of all Booksellers and Newsmen, Price Twopence.

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