Literary Gossip.

may be pardonably proud , and we shall be much surprised if its reception by the reading public is not such as will warrant the accomplished writer in taking even a bolder fli ght . It is calculated to go a long way in the direction of establishing a reputation , the foundation of which has been most successfully laid .

Mr . Edward Walford , M . A ., has commenced the conduct of a new montaly devoted to the study of the past , under the title of The Antiquarian Magazine and Bibliographer , which is published by Mr . W . Reeves , of 185 , Fleet-street . The initial issue for January contains several valuable papers ; one , the first of a series , on " Gilds , " by Mr . Cornelius Walford , F . S . S ., whomay justly be considered facile princeps with regard to this especial theme , and another of great interest describing " A Year ' s Work at the Record Office . " '' The Scope and

Charm of Antiquarian Study " is a very practical paper ; and one describing a curious font at Hildesheim , with illustrations , will be entertaining to all . The " rest of the matter , including antiquarian and bibliographical articles , notices of the meetings of learned societies , antiquarian notes and news , ancl correspondence , is all readable , instructive , ancl interesting . The magazine is handsomely printed , and " got up " in antique sty le , reflecting equal credit on editor and publisher , and we heartily wish it all success .

Mr . Frederick Ross , F . R . H . S ., is engaged upon a history of the Earls of Northumbria for the Yorkshire Archfeological Society . From Simpkin , Marshall , and Co . we have received a copy of " The Book of Oddities , " an entertaining little volume from the pen of Mr . William Andrews , F . R . H . S ., the publication of which was announced in these pages a short time

ago . It is , we are pleased to see , very neatly printed , and contains much very entertaining matter on curious themes . " Revivals after Execution " are dealt with , and not a little information detailed that will be altogether new to nine out of ten readers . A chapter on " Female Jockeys " is very readable , and contains an account of Mrs . Thornton , the famous Yorkshire lady , who rode in a match on the Knavesmire course at the York August meeting of 1804 ;

besides allusions to several less known exploits of a similar character . " People and Steeple Rhymes , " "Odd Showers , " "Whimsical Wills , " "Singular Funerals , " and " Curious Epitaphs " are all treated at length ; the instances adduced in each case being at once extraordinary and remarkably well selected . Mr . Andrews has a most intimate acquaintance with the curious in literature , and his " Book of Oddities " gives evidence of the industry with which he has

peeped into the countless out-of-the-way corners of the storehouse of historical information . The volume shows also a careful collation of authorities and general accuracy , without being unnecessarily encumbered by references . Among curious characters we have notices of Kitt y Hudson , " the human pincushion ; " Charles Thompson , a Nottinghamshire eccentric ; and John Metcalf , the blind road maker . There are also articles headed " Dog Whippers and Sluggard Wakers , " " The Caistor Gad-Whip Manorial Service , " and "Playing at Cards for a Town . " On the latter theme we a . re told

that—There is an old tradition that the town of Alfreton was once played for , lost , and won , at a game of cards—" put . " It is said that the loser exclaimed on the cards being dealt out" If I have not an ace , a deuce , and tray , Farewell , Allfreton , for ever and aye . " A similar couplet we have heard respecting Carnfield Hall , near Alfreton . It is related that the owner of a large farm in Goosnargh , called Londscales , staked his land at the game of " put . " He received his three cards , which were a " tray , " a " deuce , " and an " ace , " and he " put "—that is , he struck the table with his fist , in proof of his resolution to abide by the