Literary And Antiquarian Gossip.

Leisure , a quarterly magazine contributed to principally by railway men ( London : King ' s Cross Printing Works ) , is a very commendable little serial , containing choice contributions in poetry ancl prose . In the September issue we find tales and sketches of an eminently readable character , from the pens of such writers as L'Allegro , Henry Calvert Appleby , William AndreAvs , F . R . H . S ., and others AAdiose names are less widely known . Especially meritorions are two charming bits of Averse on that never-failing theme of tbe bard , loA e , signed " Hermione " and "H . E . " respectively . We have nothing but praise for this attractive periodical and the tact of its painstaking editor .

Experts in shorthand will find much to entertain them in tbe pages of the Phonographic Meteor , an illustrated monthly designed for their especial edification , and published by Mr . F . Pitman , of 20 , Paternoster Row . Mr . Charles J . Payne , whose heart is evidently in his work , ably occupies the editorial chair of tbe Meteor .

" Epochs in the Past of Huntingdonshire , a brochure issued from the press of Mr . B . W . Foster , of St . Ives , and written by Mr . Frederick Ross , F . R . H . S ., is a very valuable addition to local literature . The author displays much erudition in his contribution to the historical lore of a somewhat neglected county .

Those amongst us who ivould fain preserve for the admiration of generations yet unborn tbe productions of the mighty limners of our own time , have reason to be thankful to Mr . Holman Hunt . He has entered into a crusade against the use of non-permanent pigments in art , ancl whilst lamenting that our immediate progenitors have suffered the many traditions and art secrets which the old masters husbanded as necessary for tbe preservation of their creations to pass all unheeded into oblivionhe is bestirring himself and

, arousing his compatriots to work for the restoration of the "lost art" of colour mixing . All honour ancl every success to him in his earnest endeavours . Instead of being endowed with but a " fleeting glory that fadeth , " the "things of beauty " which emanate from tbe easels of the Victorian era may yet be " joys for ever . "

An agitation is afoot to obtain the opening of the British Museum and kindred institutions during a part of each succeeding Sunday . We fear that that sentiment which some of us are apt at times to think of as puritanical prejudice will prove too powerful to permit the movement making much headway at this present ; but eventually the supporters of the SundaySociety will , we doubt not , effect the end they haA ^ e in view . It seems to iis inconsistent that our invaluable treasure-houses of literature , science , ancl

artpotent promoters of civilization , culture , ancl sobriety as they admittedly are —should be closed against the masses upon the very clay on which they have most leisure to look on ancl learn from them . Jealous of the nation ' s Sabbathkeeping fame , our Legislature locks up the library ancl bars tbe museum door on the Lord ' s Day ( far be it from us , by word or deed , to sully its sanctity ) , and yet throAvs open the entrance to the public-house , the most powerful opponent of morality in the land . Well may ive ask " wherein lies the concord of this discord ? "

Messrs . S . W . Partridge and Co . are re-puhlishing the entertaining papers entitled "The Literary Ladder , " wliich have for some time past been appearing in tbe pages of the Phonetic Journal . The author discourses practically and pleasantly on the _ modus operandi of a literary life , ancl furnishes a large .. mount of interesting incidental information .