Literary Gossip.

the first instalment of what promises to be a powerful novel , called "The Story of a Sin . " Shirley Smith , the popular author of " St . Martin ' s Summer , " etc ., gives the opening chapters of a storiette ; and other writers , such as Frederick Locker , H . W . Lucy , G . Barnett Smith , Oscar Wilde , etc ., make up an excellent number . The Burlington will succeed .

An Art Club is about to be established in the town of Hull , with Mr . T . Tindall Wildridge , a local artist of high repute , as its honorary secretary . Its principal objects will be the formation of au Art Gallery , and the encouragement of the study of Art iu all its varied branches . Mr . Edward Walford , M . A ., under whose guidance The Antiquary has achieved so marked a successhaswe regret to learnretired from the

editor-, , , ship of that magazine , which will for the future be conducted b y two Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries . The January number is well up to the high standpoint of excellence attained in the two completed volumes . We note amongst the announcements of forthcoming contributions an article entitled " Old-Time Terrors of Termagent Women , " by Mr . T . B . Trowsdale .

Through Siinpkm , Marshall and Co . Mr . J . Piatt has just produced a thoughtful volume entitled " Life . " Culture , health , recreation , commonsense , thrift , marriage , ancl reli gion are amongst the topics treated of ; and in most cases the advice given is of a thoroughly sound and practical description . Mr . William Smith , F . S . A ., an accomplished archasologist ancl historical

writer , sends us the prospectus of a work which he will shortl y issue in elucidation of the folk-lore , customs , and traditions of Yorkshire . It is to be made up principally from contributions to the antiquarian columns of the Leeds Mercury , and will be appropriately dedicated to Sir Edward Baines , D . L ., the veteran journalist , who has for so lengthened a period been associated with that paper . A large proportion of the contents will come from Mr . Smith ' s

own pen ; ancl he is able to announce the co-operation of such reputable writers as A , W . Morant , F . S . A . ; Frederick Ross , F . R . H . S . ; Canon Greenwell ; William Andrews , F . R . H . S . ; John Holmes , F . S . A . ; ancl a host of other authorities on the old-time associations of the North . The list of subjects to be dealt with is a most attractive one , ancl Mr . Smith ' s venture will doubtless meet with hearty appreciation and support . The volume , which will be published by Messrs . Longmans and Co ., will be uniform with the editor ' s elegant work on " The History and Antiquities of Moriey . "

" Golden Hours" ( W . Poole , Paternoster Row ) is a commendable sixpenny monthly . The current number contains the commencement of serial stories b y W . Gilbert ancl Mrs . Spender ; ancl articles by Messrs .. Martin F . Tupper and T . B . Trowsdale . Illustrations ancl letter-press arealike excellent . Shortly there will be published in Nottinghamshire a volume of considerable interest , national as well as local , from the competent pen of Mr . Cornelius

Brown , author of " The Annals of Newark . " In it will be given concise sketches of the lives of notable natives of Notts . We note that Mr . William Andrews is contributing a series of interesting sketches of old Caledonian customs to the deserving new northern serial , " The Blue Bells of Scotland . " The same authorin conjunction with Mrs . Andrewsis

concurrentlfur-, , y nishing to a number of provincial journals some practical articles entitled " Good Fare : What to Eat ancl How to Cook it . " From Mr . Elliot Stock we have the first volume of "The Churches of Yorkshire , " by W . H . Hatton , F . R . H . S . We have previously directed favourable attention to this important work , which is being issued in monthly parts . We would take the opportunity afforded by the publication of the initial