Literary Gossip.

which seem to be the order of the day in some quarters when dealing with the doings of amateurs . Mr . Thomas Baines , one of the best known of local historians , ancl a veteran member of the Fourth Estate , has just died suddenly at Seaforth Hall , near Liverpool . He was a brother of Sir ' Edward Baines , the father of the Liberal in Leedsand for connected with the Yorkshire newspaper

party , many years press . Mr . Thomas Baines vvas long the editor of the Liverpool Times , at one time a hig hly influential journal . Another new journal has been established to guide those who are purchasers of neAV books , either for themselves or others . It is called The Boohbuyer , and is sort of index to current literatureancl will contain a ithcriticism of

a , py every important new work . An interesting feature of The Boo , buyer is that a part of its pages are set apart as a medium of communication between buyers and sellers of rare books , and this free of charge . The journal is published at the small charge of twopence per month , at 9 , Essex Street , Strand .

" Gleanings of Lancashire Lore , " a series of local historical sketches now appearing in the columns of the Ashton Beporter , from the pen of Mr . William Andrews , ivill shortly be published in volume form . Miss E . OAvens Blackburne ' s new novel , " The Love that Loves Alway , " is just to hand , in the orthodox three volume form , from White and Co . It is a story of great power , and will doubtless be widely read . Miss Blackburne is

deservedly advancing in popularity as a novelist . As a collection of current intelligence , The People , the new Conservative weekly journal , is a worthy example to the old established papers . The news columns are surprisingly full and well arranged . An attempt has been lately made to institute a novel departure in London journalism . The Illustrated Evening News lived , however , only four clays The idea is not , we think , a bad one , but in this case it fell short of success entirely through absence of enterprise . It was a very rude print indeed .

The Freemasons' Apron.

THE FREEMASONS' APRON .

From an Unpublished Volume of Masonic Sonnets , BY BRO . GEORGE MARKHAM TWEDDEH ,. AS spotless as the Aprons Avhich we wear , As innocent as Lamb's , our lives should be ; For we are marching to eternity

, And from our souls must all defilement tear . Our ancient brethren , building temples rare In honour of the Almighty Architect ( Whose skill ancl love hath reared ancl does protect The Universe with more than Father ' s care ) Should teach us all to square our actions so

That Ave may each become as living stones In his immortal Temple , though our bones Are crumbling into dust . Then let us go Through life not slipshod , nor blindfolded quite , But as true Masons , who have seen the Light .