Literary And Antiquarian Gossip.

attention to the study of the past . He also contributes occasional articles , always interesting , to various influential issues of the hebdomadal jiress . We bad recently the pleasure of reading in the smartly edited Boston Independent some excellent and appreciative critical notes on the exhibition of tbe Royal Academy , written by Bro . Appleby , Avhieh afford unmistakeable evidence of the writer ' s taste and skill in the realm of fine art . From time to time , also ,

his well-written sketches are published in some of our most popular monthlies . Bro . Appleb y is by no means unknown to the readers of this magazine . We arc always entertained ancl instructed by bis bright and eminently readable articles . He enjoys an enviable and ivelI-deserved reputation , ancl his ivories are always remarkable for thoroughness of treatment and originality of style . We understand that Bro . Appleby is about to re-publish , in volume form , a number of bis scattered magazine papers , ancl Ave cannot doubt that the undertaking Avill meet Avitb much success .

We haA'e on our table a handsomely bound A'olinne of A'erse , recently published by Messrs . Wyman ancl Sons , from tbe powerful pen of Mr . Percy Russell , tbe Avell-knoivn London Journalist . Mr . Russell has a high reputation is a writer on political ancl social subjects , and is , moreover , a poet of no mean \ bility . His rhythmical productions , characterised by a graceful style and fanciful imagination , are familiar to the readers of tbe metropolitan magazines . In the book before us" King Alfredand other poems" ive noticemany old

, , , , favourites ancl not a few fragments of vigorous verse Avhich see tbe . li ght for the first time . The delightful metrical legend which gives title to the volume is a masterly production , faithful in its principal features to history , and full of poetic poivev . " King Edward the Second , " a drama dealing with another stirring epoch in the annals of England , is also well conceived , and Avorked out ¦ with a clue regard to detail . Tbe brihtest things in the book areboivever

g , , three "Battle Ballads , " sterling specimens of heroic verse , reminding us forcibly of Macanlay ' s brilliant "Lays . " We have had much pleasure in perusing Mr . Russell's elegant volume , and Ave can recommend it ivitb confidence to our readers .

Bro . William Andrews , F . R . H . S ., is contributing to the widely-circulated Nottingham Guardian a series of smart historical sketches under the title of "Strange Stories of the Midlands . " These carefully prepared and well digested articles are finding much favour amongst the many readers of the leading Nottinghamshire journal . We learn that eventuall y tbey will be reissued in volume form .

We bave received from Messrs . Simpkin , Marshall , and Co . a copy of tbe second edition of " Canterbury in the Olden Time , " by Mr . John Brent , F . S . A . It is an important production in every sense of the Avoid , and b y far the best guide to the arclneological associations of tbe seat of tbe metropolitan see of England . No one word is wasted in its three hundred pages of learned letterpress , and the valuable information conveyed is further elucidated by some thirt y illustrations , seA'eral of tbem coloured . There is a pleasant chapter on guilds , fraternities , and lnediasval mysteries .

Messrs . Hurst and Blackett announce a second series of "Tales of our Great Families , " by Mr . Edward Watford , M . A ., the erudite editor of The Antiquary . Tbe work consists of tAvo elegant volumes of hi ghly interestinoinformation anent the family histories of " the upper ten . " Lovers of tbe remarkable will find a fund of entertainment in these "tales , " for the accuracy of AA'hich Mr . Walford ' s reputation as a biographical historian is a sufficient guarantee .