Conishead Priory.

establishment , and as such attracts hordes of visitors in summer , who make it their quarters while visiting the lakes . Perhaps , under the new regime , it serves as useful a purpose as when cowled monks and age-beaten hermits trod its cloisters , and , in horse-hair clothing , courted a repose in stone cold cells which was unattainable . At any rate , we may reasonably hope that the comforts which the ancient hospice affords in this nineteenth century are in advance of mediaaval times . Through the kindness of the present proprietors , we are enabled to present our readers with a view of this noble edifice .

Literary Gossip.

LITERARY GOSSIP .

" rPHE Cuckoo is all right now . " So says the advertisement . Certainly this J- latest addition to the metropolitan post-prandial press is now printed on better paper than was the case in the earl y issues ; and the elaborate but almost unintelligble engraving which stood for a title has been eliminated . There is still room , however , we think , for further improvement . A number of unsightly literals occur in almost every issue , and . the editing shews occasional traces of hurry . Two paragraphsevidentlthe work of different writers

, y , now and then get into type in immediate proximity , conveying identical information . This should be guarded against in the future , though some allowance must be made for the express rate at which the columns of a journal which is published at one p . m ., and is expected to contain the essence of all news received up to the moment of going to press , have to be made up . On the whole , howeverthe Cuckoo is a very successful attempt at suppling a really readable

, y rechauffe of the news of the day ; and its smart and pleasantly written paragraphs , a la the .. best of the society serials , are an agreeable exchange from the prosy columns of the orthodox evening journals . We trust the Cuckoo will not be turned by its proprietors into an exponent and supporter of the views of either political party , but will be allowed to maintain a honest independence . If soit will not fail to be appreciated and patronized by all classes .

, We are pleased to note the spirit and enterprise infused into the new series of the Lady ' s Pictorial . As a weekly illustrated newspaper it is deservedl y finding favour among our wives and daughters both here in London and elsewhere . Several talented journalists are on the literary staff , and the artistic part of the periodical is fairly well performed . Long life to the Lady ' s Pictorial , say we .

At the end of April the once familiar Houseliold Words will be resuscitated . The elder Dickens , in the days when family journals of a satisfactory standard of excellence were few and far between , made Household Words a welcome weekly serial in myriads of English homes . Now the son of the master who " writ of Little Nell " essays to follow in his father ' s footsteps . Spite of the plethora of publications which vie with each other for popular reputethere

, is no reason why our old favourite should not once again win its way into the forefront of hebdomadal literature . Mr . Charles Dickens , Junior , has for some years past posed as a successful caterer for the requirements of the reading public ; and doubtless his reissue of Household Words will be well abreast of the times .

The Illustrated Phonographic Meteor , which may justly be described as by far the best of shorthand serials , has just been placed under new editorial management . Mr . Horace Weir , the author of several brilliant stories in Society and elsewhere , is now the conductor . He announces that in early numbers of the Meteor he will present his readers with contributions from