pride which we might have expected from children spoiled by the world's applause. (Laughter). I have to propose the last toast of this evening. The fluency with which speeches have been delivered made me almost despair of being able to interest you at all, but I gather some confidence and comfort from the nature of my subject. You have heard your chairman-you have seen him for yourselves. You have heard a speech, weighted with good sense and humour, and you will take him, as I take him, to be more than a mere ornament for a banquet, and you may gauge his worth each one for yourselves. I do not think Mr. Moberly Bell has distinguished himself in the fields of fiction-of which there are so many representatives here this evening, ladies and gentlemen-but he has distinguished himself in other fields of literature. He has been away for many years in a distant land, as a narrator of facts, as a student of history, as an observer of political strategy, as an analyst of human motives. Week after week his letters have appeared in this country, and by them we were able to diagnose public feeling in that land. I dare say that he will submit to your superior gifts of divine imagination. He may not be able to raise à mortal to the skies, or bring an angel down to earth, like some of you can, but he can at least write most veracious political letters, and in his book "Pharaohs and Fellahs " you will be able to find the keen discrimination and varied talents of a Plutarch. (Laughter.) I have known Mr. Moberly Bell for many years. Those who may only have been able to claim a slight acquaintance with him may be able to say that they would like to cultivate his acquaintance more closely, but I am sure those who are already possessed of his friendship can boast of a thing of which they are, and may well be proud. This is the gentleman to whose health I ask you to drink heartily-to his health and long life-and it is with all affection and sincerity that I give you "Our Chairman, Mr. Moberly Bell." (Applause.)

The CHAIRMAN.-Mr. Stanley, Your Excellency, My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen: I thought I had forgotten how to blush, but Mr. Stanley is an artist of the renaissance, and he has discovered the lost art. I never before heard myself compared with Plutarch, and I never knew half the great things I had done, but I attribute a great deal of what Mr. Stanley has said to an acquaintance of twenty-eight years, and I beg that you will take Mr. Stanley's remarks about myself in a very different way to what you would take his remarks upon other matters with which he is even more acquainted-that you will take it with a grain of salt. (Laughter.) As I was coming into this room I was told by a lady that

the speech of the chairman in reply to his health was expected to be extremely witty. That would have appalled me-did appal me, until I suddenly remembered what is the soul of wit. I therefore approach my task with that consolation in mind, and I have nothing more to do than to thank you very heartily for the support you have given me, for the way in which you have welcomed me, for the warmth with which you have drunk my health, and on behalf of the Society of Authors I thank everyone here for their presence to-night. (Applause.)

The company then rose.

A

by

BOOK TALK.

UTOBIOGRAPHICAL memoranda were left the late Lord Selborne, and are now in course of preparation for issue. The work will be published by Messrs. Macmillan.

Mr. George Barlow has written a story of artistic life, styled "Woman Regained," which will appear shortly from the Roxburghe Press.

Two art works of importance are announced by Messrs. Geo. Bell and Sons for publication in the autumn. One is on the paintings of Velasquez, and is being brought out by Mr. R. A. M. Stevenson, the eminent art critic, who is also cousin of the late Robert Louis Stevenson. The other concerns Sir Frederick Leighton, and among the hundred reproductions of his pictures which it will contain will be that of "Cimabue," by permission of Her Majesty. Mr. Ernest Rhys has written a biography of the P.R.A. for the work, while an appreciation of him as artist is from the pen of Mr. F. S. Stephens.

A technical dictionary of sea terms, phrases, and words used in the English and French languages has been compiled by Mr. William Pirrie, and will be issued shortly from the house of Messrs. Crosby Lockwood and Son.

M. Alphonse Daudet, who has, of course, been the centre of attraction for literary London during rather, May, is writing the story of his youth-or, he is telling it to his intimate friend, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, who will put it into form and write it. For "Premier Voyage-Premier Mensonge" is to be published in English, and the work of collaboration has been begun.

Works relating to the Far East come just now not singly but in battalions. Another book on Korea has just been published under the title of Quaint Korea," the writer being Mrs. Louise Jordan Miln, who is known for her larger work

"When We Were Strolling Players in the East;" Mr. Lafcadio Hearn will shortly make a further addition to the stock with " Out of the East: Reveries and Studies in New Japan," with the same publishers, Osgood, McIlvaine, and Co. Japan is also the subject of a volume of letters by Amy Wilson-Carmichael, which Messrs. Marshall Brothers are bringing out under the style "From Sunrise Land." Then Mr. J. Morris, who was many years in Tokio, in the service of the Board of Works, has written a work called "Advance Japan: A Nation Thoroughly in Earnest," a feature of which will be the Japanese national anthem done into English by Sir Edward Arnold. It is in the press of Messrs. W. H. Allen and Co. "OldWorld Japan," by Mr. Frank Rinder, is a volume which Mr. George Allen will issue shortly. Mr. Henry Norman's important and already wellknown work, too, "The Peoples and Politics of the Far East," has during the month entered its third edition.

Two other works on subjects of contemporary political interest are Five Years in Madagascar," by Colonel Francis C. Maude (Messrs. Chapman and Hall), and a book on Nicaragua by Mr. Archibald Colquhoun, special corresponeent of the Times.

Mr. Charles G. Leland has gone in among the people of Florence, and sought to know their world of legend, and his book of record is announced for early publication by Mr. Nutt, entitled "Legends of Florence."

Mr. Aubyn Trevor-Battye's adventures in the Arctic regions are embodied in "Icebound on Kolguev," which Messrs. Archibald Constable and Co. will publish for him very soon.

Mr. Lionel Johnson and Mr. Le Gallienne have written the letterpress of " Bits of Old Chelsea," which Messrs. Kegan Paul will issue in an artist's proof edition, Mr. Walter Burgess having drawn for it about forty etchings. Few subjects could be more interesting, associated as Chelsea is with the great names of Carlyle, Turner, Rossetti, and Leigh Hunt to mention only these. One notable sketch is of " A Corner in Sir Thomas More's Garden." Only a hundred copies will make up the edition, and the price is 10 guineas.

An association has been formed among the prominent houses which do business in foreign books, with the object of keeping a look-out upon questions concerning the improvemant of their trade, and generally to live in harmony and defend their interests. The society is called "The Association of Foreign Booksellers in London." Mr. H. Kleinan, of Messrs. Hatchette

66

The Hon. Denis Arthur Bingham will shortly issue, through Chapman and Hall, a volume of Recollections of Paris." He is the author of "A Journal of the Siege of Paris" and "The Marriages of the Buonapartes." French life is also the subject of a book by Mr. Albert D. Vandam, which the same publishers have in hand, entitled "French Men and French Manners."

A new series of short novels by well-known writers will be commenced towards the end of the month by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co. The first volume is to be "The Story of Bessie Cottrell," by Mrs. Humphry Ward, which is appearing serially in Cornhill and Scribner's. Messrs. Routledge and Sons also announce a new fiction series at 3s. 6d., of which the first will be 66 Two Women and a Fool," by H. Chatfield Taylor." Another is to be produced by Messrs. Archd. Constable and Co., who in it will make no distinction of names, but regard simply the merit of a story.

Mr. Lang edits a new edition of "The Death Wake," the poem by Thomas Tod Stoddart, which first appeared in 1831, and is now extremely rare. It will be issued from the Bodley

Head.

Two works of history which are to appear shortly are "The Model Republic," in which Mr. Grenfell Baker traces the evolution of Switzerland; and a history of the Australasian Colonies, from their foundation to the year 1893, by Professor E. Jenks, of University College, Liverpool. The latter will be the next volume in the Cambridge Historical Series, edited by Professor Prothero; while Mr. Baker's book will be published by Messrs. H. S. Nichols and Co.

Mr. Grant Allen (who is dramatising his recent much-debated novel, "The Woman Who Did," assisted by a theatrical collaborator in the person of Mr. Dyce Scott) is one of several leading authors who will contribute to a new series of complete stories to be published by Messrs. Tillotson and Son, of Bolton. Mr. Crockett is of the

was

6.

66

to

Chief among the books published during May "The Life and Letters of Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L., LL.D.," by the Dean of Winchester (W. R. W. Stephens, B.D.), which Messrs. Macmillan issued in two volumes. It is interesting to note that the great historian had an insuperable repugnance to reading or writing "As if," he said once, in a public library.' take the lowest ground, money were not better and more cheaply spent in buying one's own books, than in buying railway tickets to go read other men's books a long way off." From the same publishing house early in the month came the first volume of a notable work, "A History of English Poetry," by Mr. W. J. Courthope. The definition of English poetry given by Mr. Courthope is metrical compositions in the language "from the period at which it becomes fairly intelligible to readers of the present day." The author anticipates his work will be completed before the end of the century. The first two volumes of the "Memoirs of Barras, Member of the Directorate," were published by Messrs. Osgood, McIlvaine, and Co. Mr. George Duruy edits the work, and in his introduction defends Napoleon from the attacks of Barras, and generally exhibits the latter as a scoundrel.

Mr. H. S. Hoole Waylen has compiled a selection of "Thoughts from the Writings of Richard Jefferies," which Messrs. Longmans will publish immediately. The same firm will send out Sir Edward Arnold's new book of verse, called “The Tenth Muse, and Other Poems; " and a volume of "Russian Rambles," by Isabel F. Hapgood, who relates inter alia a visit to Count Tolstoy in his home.

What is likely to be an excellent catalogue of the manuscripts in the Fitzwilliam Museum has been prepared by the director, Dr. M. R. James, and will come from the Cambridge University Press on an early day. Twenty pages of photographic reproductions of important manuscripts are given. The work is priced net at 258.

"The Rise and Growth of the English Nation, with special reference to Epochs and Crises," by Dr. W. H. S. Aubrey, is announced for publication by Mr. Elliott Stock. It will be completed in three volumes, the first being published early in May and the rest at short intervals.

The June number of the Antiquary will contain an interesting illustrated paper on "Some of the Round Towers of France;" also an article on the R. A. Exhibition under the title "The Antiquary among the Pictures."

The London Library has added 40,000 volumes to its shelves since 1888, when the present catalogue was published, and the census of January showed that the stock has grown to a total of 167,000. While the accommodation is thus severely taxed, the income also increases steadily-there are 2279 members-and at the general meeting on the 13th inst. a proposal will come up for the appointment of a professional auditor. A new catalogue will be ready three or four years hence. Mr. J. F. Hogan, M.P. has written "The Sister Dominions," in which he gives the impressions Canada and Australia made upon him during a recent tour. As he is secretary of the Colonial party in the House of Commons, the author had special means of receiving the opinions of public men in the colonies. The book will be published soon by Messrs. Ward and Downey. Australian life (along with that of Scotland) is also the concern of a novel called " By Adverse Winds," which Mr. Oliphant Smeaton, editor of the Liberal, has written, and Messrs. Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier will publish.

The produce of the past month in the department of periodicals includes a new monthly, on general lines, edited by Mr. William Graham, and called the Twentieth Century, devoted to articles on subjects of the day, but containing also fiction and verse; and a new quarterly of the same price as the Yellow Book and, like it, concerned with literature and art. This latter is the Evergreen, "a northern seasonal," published in Edinburgh by Patrick Geddes and Colleagues, and in London by Mr. Fisher Unwin. The contents of each issue are to correspond with the season of the year it appears in.

Mrs. Emma Marshall will shortly add to the series of her historical romances a story entitled "The White King's Daughter. Messrs. Seeley and Co. are the publishers of these stories, of which "Under Salisbury Spire" and "Kensington Palace" are amongst the most popular.

"Roughly Told Stories," is a book apparently by a new hand, named John Ingold. He aims at originality and epigram. He is also a cynic. One sketch in the volume at least is noticeable -that called "The Tramp." (The Leadenhall Press.)

The authorship of "A Superfluous Woman" has at length become public. That it was from a practised hand every one knew, but there was some doubt as to the sex of the writer. The book was quite one of the successes of 1894, and ran through several editions. Another novel by the same author, Miss Emma Brooke, entitled "Transition," has just been published. Let us wish it as large a success.

Sweet Avon glides where clinging rushes seem

To stay his course, and, in his flattering glass,
Meadows and hills and mellow woodlands pass,

A fairer world as imaged in a dream.

And sometimes, in a visionary gleam,

From out the secret covert's tangled mass,

The fisher-bird starts from the rustling grass,

A jewelled shuttle shot along the stream.

Even here methinks where moon-lapped shallows smiled
Round isles no bigger than a baby cot,
Titania found a glowworm-lighted child,
Led far astray, and, with anointing hand
Sprinkling clear dew from a forget-me-not,
Hailed him the Laureate of her Fairyland.

66

'A Life's Mistake" is a story told by Charles Garvice, and published in New York by "George Munro's Son's." Mr. Garvice writes like one who has a future before him. But he should compress. A story ought to be very good indeed to be continued for 350 long pages of closely packed type.

"Creation's Hope" (Baker and Son, Clifton) is a religious poem whose aim and scope are indicated by the title. It is by the Rev. Marcus S. C. Rickards, M.A. The following is an

extract:

In this fair life scene, over everything

There hangs a chilling fear-as the bright Noon
Is spoilt by haze, or as the smiling Spring
Is marred by blight—a fear, that late or soon
Tempers all bliss, and clouds each native boon.
Close as an ever-brooding presence sits

That fear of death, which now makes Nature swoon,
Now braces her for what this clime befits,
Which Ignorance alone for a brief spell outwits.

The warbler flitting on from spray to spray
Fears not the gun that compasses its doom:
The schoolboy stealing up to cap his prey
Starts not the shy moth settling on the bloom;
The sunny May-fly scorns eve's pending gloom :
The feasting grub recks not that ampler size
Yields the hid foe within more food and room:
The gleaming trout darts at the summer flies,
Nor shuns the murderous hook arrayed in kindred guise.
But we know we must die, and can but wait;
We lounge 'mid flowers and shine while distant claps
From gathering thunder-clouds forebode our fate;
Large rain-drops fall, and inky gloom enwraps,
Tho' sunbeams linger on awhile perhaps.
We roam life's strand, and eye the nearing tide,
Which gains on each, and all at length entraps :
We gather shells, we strut with childish pride,
We play about while Death creeps on with fatal stride.
The Rev. Atherton Knowles has produced a
little book which ought to become widely popular,

for its subject alone. Most of us are interested in Anglican Service Music, its history and development. It is a contribution not only to the history of religion but also to that of social manners and customs in which churchgoing occupies so large a place. (Elliot Stock.)

"Poems," by Louis H. Victory, is published by Elliot Stock. Here is one of them:

I walk the world in thought-engendered grief:
I grieve for all the pain that taints the years;
I grieve for wrongs that rend the soul of seers
Who find no power to bring the world relief.

I grieve for kings whose golden-sorrowed leaf
Of life's brief book is filled with kingly fears;
I grieve for beggars starving through their years,
Whose consolation dwells in sweet Belief.

If I could weep for all the wrongs I see

I would be blest with some relief from woe,
But my dim eyes will never yield the flow
My wearied heart one moment to set free.
And as I wander down the path of years,
I pray to God for His good gift of tears.

"A Japanese Marriage" (A. & C. Black), by Douglas Sladen. Here is a novel laid in that enchanted land of colour and sunshine which is now being talked about by everybody. The setting is strange, and the characters move about under new conditions among an Anglo-Japanese life which is new and delightful. It should be as popular as Loti's "Chrysanthème."

A new and cheaper edition of "A Prince of Como," by Mrs. E. M. Davy has just been issued by the authoress's publishers, Messrs. Jarrold and Sons. We are glad to see this solid recognition of the work of a young author. It will be followed, we venture to hope, by many other editions.

Miss Eleanor Holmes has completed a new novel entitled "To-day and To-morrow." It will be issued shortly in 3 vols. by Messrs. Hurst and Blackett.

A completed edition of the " Works of the late Griffith Edwards," consisting mainly of local histories in Wales, will be produced shortly (Elliot Stock). A number of the author's poems, both in Welsh and English, are added to the work, which is edited by Mr. Elias Owen, and is fully illustrated.

ness than I could have believed possible after twenty years."

The author of "Ernest England," mentioned in "Book Talk" of last month, is not "J. A. Tucker" but " J. A. Parker," to whom an apology is due for the mistake.

It was also in error that Mr. Harry Furniss was stated to "have accepted control of the art section" of the New Budget. He is the originator, chief proprietor, editor, and manager of the New Budget.

The March edition of 2000 copies of "A Maid of the Manse," by Mrs. E. Rentoul Esler, being exhausted, Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston, and Co. are preparing a larger edition for immediate issue.

Messrs. Bliss, Sands, and Foster have just published a novel by Miss H. P. Redden, entitled "McClellan of McClellan." The book is illustrated by the author. Price 6s.

The poet should certainly have a share in the performing rights of a larger musical work, but in a song these rights are practically worth nothing, they having completely lapsed from force of circumstances. Unless they were recognised universally insistence upon them would kill the song. I should suggest that the poet's

initial remuneration should cover the sale of a certain number of hundreds of copies, and upon the sale exceeding this amount a royalty should be given by the publisher to the poet.

MRS. MARY A. C. SALMOND. 21, St. Leonard's-terrace, Royal Chelsea Hospital, May 24.

II.-DREAM POEMS.

May I add to the number of dream-poems? Many a time I have wakened with metre and rhyme on my lips; but of only three such inspirations have I kept a record. Once I dreamed that I was pouring out tea for a large party, and, growing tired, made the following remark:

It is not fair

To make poor little me, Who am small and spare, Pour out all the tea.

The word spare must have been used for sake of the rhyme, as it does not at all describe my figure! Another night I dreamed a whole long poem, describing, as if for children, the career of a good little boy. I woke with the following couplet :

To follow this goodly example he's bound,

And he's sure to be happy wherever he's found. My third example is an excerpt from a serious poem, all of which is lost except these lines: Faces we have not seen for years, And some which last we saw in tears.

They struck me as rather pathetic.

Until I read the column so headed in your paper, I was totally unaware that any arrangements had been made by the publishers of "The Hispaniola Plate" (Cassell and Co., London) for reproduction by any firm in the United States, and, consequently, did not know that the edition from which you are undoubtedly quoting was in existence. Consequently, also, I know nothing of the biography to which you refer as bearing internal evidence" of having been written by me. And, "internal evidence notwithstanding, the statement that I wrote the biography is false. I have never seen it yet, since naturally it is not in the London edition; I repeat that I know nothing whatever about it, except that which I can glean from your article, and, moreover, no biography of me has ever been written or suggested by myself. I gather also, from what you say, that comparison favourable to me has been made in this production between myself and Mr. a piece of vulgarity which-in this country at least!-would have been quite sufficient to prove to any critic (as I imagine the writer of your article considers himself to be) that it could not possibly emanate from any author claiming to possess the slightest feelings of self-respect.

But, since the discussion of such a claim as this is,