Literary Gossip.

yond the Tweed . Recently launched serials include Land , a promising sixpenny weekly paper published by Cassell ' s , which ought to find plenty of interested readers in the city and country circles whose wants it aims specially to supply ; and The Common Good ( J . A . Brooks ancl Co . ) , a journal projected with the laudable intent of bringing about a better understanding between Capital and Labour . We have no fault to find with the tone of the latter ,

ivhich is fair and impartial . It appears to be under able editorial control . Let the conductors continue to steer their literary barque clear of the quicksands of party prejudice , and they will not fail to do the " State some service . " A sparkling new society serial has sprung into life at London-by-the-Sea , with the distinguishing title of The Brightonian . The popular watering place which aspires to bo called the " Queen of the South " should be able to support a

paper of this description amongst its many inhabitants and visitors . The early numbers are full of piquant writing , ancl well worth the published price . The little affair at Wimbledon a while ago has caused the advent of the Volunteer Revieiv , the aim of which is to set straight the somewhat crooked paths surrounding our reserve forces and their administration . Doubtless it will do good in a much needed direction .

Pan , progresses favourably . Mr . Oscar Wilde is , we believe , now the editor , and shortly Mr . George Augustus Sala , whose bright pen has contributed largely to the paper ' s popularity , will commence a serial in its pages . Mr . James L . Maclean , of the Caledonian Railway Company , recently concluded a succession of interesting ancl pi'actical articles respecting the "Duties ancl Positions of Railway Officials " in the columns of the Railway Sheet and

Official Gazette . These papers will shortly be issued in volume form , and cannot fail to be of value to all concerned in matters appertaining to the rail . Besides having a thorough knowledge of his theme , Mr . Maclean possesses a taking literary style , as a glance at his gossipy Scotch letter to the Sheet is sufficient to show . Messrs . McCorquoclale ancl Co . will publish "the volume of collected articles .

To the recent Burns' birthday number of the Hull Miscellany Mr . John H . Leggott supplied an able essay on the genius and writings of the famous ploughman poet . More than a thousand copies of Mr . Andrews ' s forthcoming work on " Popular Punishments in the Olden Time " have already been subscribed for . The book will be ready at an early date , and will contain much curious information anent the pillory , stocks , ducking stool , ancl other ancient instruments of correction . The letterpress will be interspersed with illustrations b y George Cruikshank , T . Tinclal Wildridge , W . Geo . Fretton , F . S . A ., etc .

" Bygone Berkshire , " a series ot carefully prepared historical sketches , are appearing week by week in the columns of the leading paper of the county which they immediately concern . Mr . Henry Calvert Appleby , a writer well known to these pages , is the author . A number of prominent provincial journals are simultaneously issuing hebdomadal instalments of a fascinating new work of fiction from the clever pen of Mr . Horace Weir ( L'Allegro ) . This novelist seems to be advancing high up the ladder of literature . So far as popular repute goes , at any rate , he is making rapid strides .