scenery, and depicts it with an artistic hand and poetic heart, and shows all who examine his exhibits what 66 fairy-land is in our colony, whilst also giving a faithful transcript of the particular landscape. Mrs. William Ford is making rapid progress, some of her groups of flowers being highly meritorious. She is a thoroughly conscientious artist, and her study of her talented late husband's gems has not been without its good results. Mr. Tom Roberts has a clever and life-like portrait in No. 35. He also sends in "The Old Sacramento," No. 19. 66 It is to be regretted that Signor Ugo Catani has only forwarded one painting, Curiosity," No. 28, which is so good as to make the visitor wish for more from the same skilful hand. It represents one of his highly finished 66 Interiors," where the servant is listening to the conversation of some lovers in the adjoining room. Whilst on this subject we may mention that Senhor Loureiro (whose works we have so often and so favourably alluded to in our 66 Art Notes") has removed from his own studio to that recently occupied by Mr. Robert Dowling. It is shared by the Florentine artists, Signori Nerli and Catani, who intend holding classes for painting and drawing similar to those found in Continental art schools. It is to be hoped at the next exhibition that Signor Nerli will also show some of his good work. The recently-elected Secretary of the Academy-Mr. C. V. Wilson-has but one exhibit, "Melrose Abbey," No. 6, in which the drawing is very accurate, though the tone throughout is somewhat too cold; this, however, may be perhaps attributable to the peculiar light of the building, as several other paintings appear to have the same defect. N. Costelli has a clever painting in Sad News," No. 7, many of the details being worked out with great skill, but the whole effect is not pleasing. Mr. Walter Seehusen has no less than twelve exhibits, many of them of great merit, the colouring of "Mount Juliet," No. 34, being especially soft and pleasing. Some clever work is always to be found from this artist's brush, and he is evidently a true lover of nature, from the picturesque views he selects. G. Guzzardi has one painting, 67, "Merriment," full of life and vigorously executed, but with the same touch of vulgarity to be noticed in those of F. R. Neydhart. The latter is, we fancy, a new exhibitor, who forwards three works-48, 86, and 88; they have all decided merit up to a certain point, but there is more disappointment than pleasure in examining them. Mrs. A. M. Boyd (née A'Beckett) sends in several pleasing views of Gippsland scenery, and we are glad to see she has not relaxed her artistic efforts since her recent marriage. Mr. Malcolm A. Campbell has, as usual, a scene from Williamstown, and has also a nice bit entitled "Moonlight," 59. The water-colour drawings number some seventy-seven. Mr. J. W. Curtis has three exquisite cabinet bits-175, 176, 177; they are all glimpses of bush scenery in which he is well known to excel, and certainly form a decided addition to the collection. The tramps by the fire, with the swamp, gums, and hot lurid sky, are graphically delineated, and the artist has the rare gift of making a lovely painting out of the simplest incidents, added to a fidelity to Nature not always seen on such occasions. Mrs. George Parsons is as industrious as ever, sending in no less than ten pictures, the subjects taken from New Zealand, Marysville, Narbethong, Tasmania, etc., No. 166 and 171 being particularly good. This lady is always more successful in water-colour drawings than any other style; 141, "Evening at Hepburn," is also a very nice bit. in Mr. G. W. Foster exhibits his usual artistic power in 159,"Slip at Williamstown," which has a good deal of clever work in it. Mr. M. A. Campbell shows "Camomile Flowers," 165, which is very pleasingly treated; the subject seems a favourite one this season, as Mr. James Robertson has chosen the same at Kew. The former Secretary-Mr. F. B. Gibbesforwards six exhibits, a very pretty one being "A Peep Through the Sandhills near Point Lonsdale," 173; he also shows views of New Zealand scenery-167 and 108-and two from Tasmania-122 and 106. The latter is an exceedingly interesting painting, the artist having chosen a very singular subject at Eaglehawk, "A Natural Pavement," which almost looks as if laid down by human hands. Upon the opening day, Mr. F. B. Gibbes was congratulated by one of the visitors at the exhi bition upon the great accuracy of the scene, which he instantly recognised. The atmospheric effects are very cleverly treated. Four charming English views are shown by Felix Werry; 104, "River Lea, Brox bourne," is one of those calm, lovely views so familiar and dear to all belonging to the old country; 121 shows a quaint Cornish country road; 123, "A Sketch on the Lea at Flood. time," and 125, a delightful bit of "Epping Forest in the Sunlight," the tones of which are exceedingly mellow and true to nature. Mr. R. W. Bugg displays his usual refined style in his eight paintings, and is evidently making rapid strides in his profession, where he will doubtless gain a foremost place amongst our colonial water-colour artists. The head master of St. James' Grammar School, Mr. J. Murray, sends in a capital bit of work which, though perhaps not exactly of the class of exhibits generally admitted at the academy, is yet so exceedingly good that one is glad to see it upon the walls. The subject is some shells in crayon, enlarged from nature, and is executed with great softness and The gem of the water colours is, without doubt, J. Varley's "Street in Morocco,” 113, which is a wonderful specimen of that great artist's power. Altogether, those interested in the Academy cannot but be well pleased at the Exhibition, and it is to be hoped that its dark days are over, as we have, we believe, already alluded to the promise made by the Premier to interest his colleagues on the subject. Since our description of the exhibition by Mr. Folingsby's students, sixteen drawings in black and white have been added to it, and, we are informed, are to be forwarded to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition as specimens of the studies from life and the antique, by Mr. M'Cubbin (formerly a student, but at present assistant drawing master in the gallery), and six other of the most promising pupils. MUSIC. By E. A. C. A child of eighteen months old is mentioned as the youngest performer on the London boards. It appears at nine every evening in the last act of "My Sweetheart," now being played at the Strand, and takes part in a baby song-half-an-hour later sees the little one again safe in bed. It is the fourteenth child of a working gun-maker in Edinburgh, and is said to earn more from its nightly efforts than its poor father does during the week! No good, however, can possibly result to the child from such an unhealthy state of things, though every care is alleged to be taken of it. Miss B. Grosvenor Gooch has been awarded the "Maybrick Prize" for ballad singing, given by Trinity College, London. At a musical lecture, "The Life and Character of Mendelssohn," delivered recently by Mr. F. G. Edwards, organist of St. John's Wood Presbyterian Church, the son-in-law and one of the grand-daughters of the composer were amongst the audience. A Practical School of Music for Ladies has been started at King's College, London; lessons on the pianoforte, violoncello, violin, and singing will all be given. The plan is to be tried during the present term. The Broadstairs Convalescent Home for sick children has issued an urgent request for £25, in order to enable them to start a "Choristers Cot." A musical competition has been recently held, the prizes for which were given for the most suitable Whitsuntide hymn-tunes. The competition was in connection with the Manchester Sunday School Union. W. Spark, Mus. D., F.C.O., of Leeds, gained the first prize, the second being awarded to Adam Watson, Head Master of the Township Schools, Sale, Cheshire. Drs. Hopkins, Longhurst, and Lott have received the degree of Mus. D., honoris causâ, from the University of Trinity College, Toronto. Messrs. W. E. Hill and Sons have become the fortunate possessors of the "Helier Stradi varius Violin ;" it is one of the inlaid kind, and is considered nearly the most perfect of the maker's works. Only twelve are known to exist indeed, some say not so many. It is to be regretted that a few years since, the original letter of Stradivarius, containing the price he received for ft (40), was lost. The date of the violin is 1679, and was bought in 1734, from the maker, by Sir Samuel Helier, and Messrs. Hill and Sons are the third owners of this musical treasure. The exhibition of ancient musical instruments, held in 1872 at South Kensington, was the first time it was shown in public. The death is announced of Amilcare Ponchielli, on the 16th January. Italians thought highly of him, regarding him as the probable successor of Verdi. He was best known in England by his " Gioconda," which appeared in 1883, at Covent Garden. It is proposed to erect a monument over the grave of Joseph Maas, and found a scholarship (to bear his name) in one of the English Musical Academies. There is no doubt but that large subscriptions will be sent in reply to the circular on the subject. Joseph Maas was for some time a pupil of Mrs. Galton, eldest sister of Louisa Pyne, at whose concerts, later on, he sang as a boy-treble. More than a thousand people assembled at the cemetery at West Hampton, on the day of the funeral. He was a truly charitable man, and his benevolent actions were numerous. His friends say, "His life was entirely blameless, all his actions were above board, and he took the most generous view of men and things. private life he was greatly beloved." In A series of historical concerts is to be given at the Museum of Milan, and at the same time an exhibition of antique musical instruments will be thrown open to the public of that city. It is said that Verdi does not intend his new work, " Iago," to be brought out in public, giving as his reason that he has simply written it for his personal enjoyment. A few friends of the maestro have seen the complete score. This news may be incorrect, as it is asserted in Paris that the opera will be proposed to bring him up as an engineer; it was when he was secretary to the Crystal Palace Company that he began to write the analytical remarks on the programmes of the Crystal Palace Saturday Concerts, and he was glad to learn that they had been of use to many amateurs, as he had written purposely for their instruction. Great preparations are said to be going on for the German festival that has been announced for performance in July at Milwaukie ; the cantata "Columbus" will be rendered at it. Our readers may remember that the Festival Association offered a prize of $1000 for such a composition, and that it was gained by Herr Brambach, of Bonn. "Music Study in Germany" by Miss Fay, is said to be a charming work, and well worth perusal. At the last open monthly meeting of the ses sion of "The Sette of Odd Volumes," an instructive paper by Mr. Burnham Horner was read on "Old Organ Music," containing a résumé of the lives of composers of music for that instrument, principally in the last century, and dealing with the improvements from time to time and the changes in the music adapted to its use. LITERATURE. The famous old book, Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy," one of our great store-houses of learning, is to be issued in the form of a choice three-volume edition by Mr. J. C. Nimmo, of Edinburgh. Mr. A. Gardner, of Paisley, has just published "The King's Quhair," written by James I., King of Scotland. It is a quaint and remarkable book, and has been translated into English by Mr. W. McKean. The series of wonderfully cheap and excellent volumes now being published by Messrs. Cassell and Co., under the general title of Cassell's National Library, is meeting with general approval. Already a considerable number of volumes have been issued, and the price places them within the reach of all. Messrs. Routledge and Co., of London, are publishing a series of admirable volumes under the general title of the World's Library. Of this series we have seen only two volumes, namely, Auster's translation of Goethe's Faust," and Mr. Allen's finely written "Life of Nelson." These volumes, like those published in Cassell's National Library, may be purchased for threepence each unbound, or sixpence neatly bound in cloth. Not to be beat by other publishers, Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co. have commenced the issue of a series of standard works under the title of the "New Popular Library.' The first issue, Emerson's Essays, is noticed elsewhere. Other volumes, including Macaulay's Essays, Longfellow's "Voices of the Night," and Plutarch's "Lives of Alexander the Great, Julius Cæsar, and Pompey" are already published. The whole get-up of the volumes is excellent, and the price is only threepence each, or sixpence handsomely bound in cloth. Messrs. T. Y. Crowell and Co., of New York, have just published “ Anna Karenina,” by Count Leo Tolstoi, translated complete from the Russian by Mr. N. H. Dole. It is Count Tolstoi's latest, and said to be his greatest, work of fiction. The series of able and important articles by the Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott, which appeared recently in the New York Christian Union under the name of "Aids to Faith," have been revised by the author, and are now published in book form under the title " In Aid of Faith." The articles, as they appeared weekly, attracted considerable attention, and from personal knowledge of their value we com mend the volume to the attention of thoughtful readers. The small volume is published by Messrs. E. P. Dutton and Co., New York, and may be easily obtained through any Melbourne bookseller. The venerable American poet Whittier has chosen as the title of his new volume of poetry "Saint Gregory's Guest and Recent Poems.' The volume includes the poems written since 1883. Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons announce for immediate publication a volume entitled "Persia, the Land of the Imans." The author, Rev. James Bassett, was for many years a missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Persia, and traversed the length and breadth of the land, making a close study of the country and of the people. The same publishers announce as ready a volume by Mr. Andrew Carnegie, entitled "Triumphant Democracy." The announce ment naturally excited a good deal curiosity. The Hon. Roden Noel, author of "Living stone in Africa" and other excellent volumes, has a new work in the press. The title is Essays on Poetry and Poets." One essays is devoted to the poetry of Mr. Robert 66 Buchanan. the Mr. Martin F. Tupper, the poet, has just completed his autobiography. He has made a book of nearly 500 octavo pages, reviewing every detail of his life. A monthly magazine, entitled The Path, is soon to be started in New York, devoted to the interests of Theosophy. This periodical will have the benefit of the support of the Aryan Theosophical Society of New York. The Path will contain articles on Buddhism, Occulatism, Sanscrit literature, the Jewish Kaballah, and Theosophy, by Brahmins and students of Eastern wisdom. Professor Schaff, the well-known expositor and ecclesiastical historian, has recently published a small volume of great interest. It contains biographies of three kindred spirits, who, though lying widely apart in the history of the world and in the Church of Christ, flow together happily in such a biography, and conspire to produce an inspiring impression. The three are Augustine, Melanchthon, and Neander. The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge announces the purpose of publishing a series of new original novels by wellknown writers. The books will be printed on good paper at a penny each. The first two authors secured are Mr. Farjeon and the Rev. Baring Gould. We have rarely seen a more beautiful or attractive little book than "My Friends' Birthdays," just published by Mr. J. E. Hawkins, of London, and on sale at Mr. M. L. Hutchinson's, Collins Street. Each page is embellished with a chaste design in colours, and contains four passages of Scripture, with a date, and space between for inserting the name of a friend. The book is published at a moderate price, and neatly bound. It is every way a gem. "Medical Missions: Their Place and Power" is the title of a volume announced as ready for publication by Mr. T. F. Unwin, of London. The author is the Rev. John Lowe, secretary of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society. The volume will contain an introduction by Sir William Muir. Mr. T. F. Unwin will publish shortly a "Memoir of Ole Bull, the Famous Norwegian Violinist." Besides a full biography the book will contain Ole Bull's "Violin Notes," and also reminiscences of Litz, Chopin, Wagner, Paganini, and other celebrities. The Religious Tract Society has just issued a cheap edition of "Christie Redfern's Troubles," a book which had a large circulation when it was first published. It may now be obtained at Mr. Hutchinson's store for threepence. We read the first edition many years ago with great pleasure, and can give it a most hearty commendation. It is a story that will please alike the young and old. "Bible Helps for Busy Men" is the title of a neat and useful little volume, obtainable at Mr. Hutchinson's store, Collins Street, at the moderate price of one shilling. The compiler, Mr. A. C. P. Coote, has evidently given much time and labour to his work, and has carefully arranged the texts of Scripture bearing upon special subjects. In our brief notes we cannot venture on quotation; we have examined the book and can see its value. To all students of the Bible it will be helpful. We may add that the little volume has reached a second edition. Messrs. Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier, of Edinburgh, who have for many years issued good and instructive books for the young, announce two new volumes. The first is entitled "Neil Wilcox," a story of Edinburgh in the days of Queen Marie, by Jessie McLaren; and the second is "Thomas Dry burgh's Dream," a story of the Sick Children's Hospital, by Annie S. Swan. Messrs. Kegan, Paul, Trench and Co. announce the twentieth edition of Mr. Lewis Morris' 66 Epic of Hades," and the fifth edition of his last work, "Songs Unsung." Mr. Elliot Stock announces a second edition of "The Wit and Humour of Life," by the late Rev. Dr. Standford. The Council of the London Chamber of Commerce offer a prize of £50 for the best essay on the means whereby Imperial Federation can be practically carried into effect. Essays are to be sent in by 31st August. It is in contemplation to publish a collected edition of the writings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Mr. M. W. Rossetti will edit the volumes. In the volume of the Encyclopædia Britannica just published, among many important articles, two are likely to excite much interest, especially among theologians, namely, "Psalms," by Professor Robertson Smith, and "Religions," by Professor C. P. Ticle, of Leyden. During the last year fifty-one grants, amounting to £2265, were made to authors from the Royal Literary Fund. The grants ranged from £10 to £120, and were distributed among thirty-five men and sixteen women. Mr. Elliot Stock, of London, announces that he will publish shortly a volume entitled "Our Forefathers in the Dark Ages." The author is Mr. R. G. Blunt. 66 Messrs. S. W. Partridge and Co., of London, have just published a beautiful and interesting volume, entitled "Queen Victoria: Scenes and Incidents of Her Life and Reign." The writer, Mr. T. F. Bull, does not profess to give a full history of the Queen, but a selection of facts and circumstances; his object being to give his readers some personal idea of the illustrious lady who rules over our island home." The volume is divided into twenty-one chapters. The first gives an account of the old palace at Kensington, and the last is filled with anecdotes nearly all well known. The volume is well printed, strongly bound in ornamental cloth, and profusely illustrated. Many of the illustrationsof which there are eighty-eight-are good. The book is well suited for young people, to whom it will be an acceptable present, and it might be well for Sunday school teachers to place it in any school library. The volume is on sale by Mr. Hutchinson, Collins Street, at the moderate price of two shillings and sixpence. Messrs. Kegan, Paul, and Co. have just issued, in two large and handsome volumes, the long-expected "Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow." The volumes are occupied by the poet's own letters and journal, and the editor, Samuel Longfellow, having abundant material at his command has used it with wisdom and care. To the admirers of the departed poet the biography will afford much delightful reading. Messrs. James Clarke and Co., of London, have just published a new story by Mrs. Amelia E. Barr, whose previous volume, "Jan Vedder's Wife," attracted much attention, was highly commended by reviewers, and has attained a wide circulation. The title of the new volume is "A Daughter of Fife." We have read every page of the volume with pleasure. The story from beginning to end is interesting. The principal characters-Maggie Promoter, and her brother David, Allan Campbell, and his cousin Mary -are capitally unfolded. To readers who can understand the dialect of "auld Scotland" there are bits in the book that will specially delight, but few who commence reading the story will be inclined to lay the volume down until they reach the close. We heartily commend "A Daughter of Fife" to our readers. The volume is published at three shillings and sixpence, and is on sale at Mr. Hutchinson's, Collins Street West. Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co., London, have commenced the publication of a series of volumes under the general title of "Literary Treasures." The volumes are published weekly, and already about a dozen have been issued. We have received from Mr. Hutchinson the first of the series, a volume containing Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Representative Men and English Traits." One hundred and fifty-six closely-printed columns, nicely bound in ornamental cloth, and published at sixpence. No man need fail to secure a large store of first-class books for a few shillings. Mr. M. L. Hutchinson, of Collins Street West, has just published a small, beautifully got-up volume, entitled "Wreaths of Love: or, Musings from the Manse." The author, the Rev. Alexander McNicol, has been for upwards of thirty years an earnest, hard-working, and esteemed minister of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria. Amid the pressure of other duties, Mr. McNicol employed brief seasons of rest in writing verse, expressing his thoughts on various Scripture subjects, Through infirm health the once laborious Country pastor has for a considerable time been laid aside from pastoral work, and has employed himself pleasantly in adding to his store of poetic manuscripts. Many friends having expressed an earnest desire that he should publish a selection of his poems, Mr. McNicol has issued this volume. The subjects are, for the most part, scriptural, and are treated in a very simple and pleasing style. Many of the pieces selected for publication were intended for particular families and individuals, and must have been very acceptable to the parties, and many young readers, we may hope, will be delighted and profited by the "Musings from the Manse." The author himself acknowledges that he is "no poet born," but he can rhyme generally well. In our brief notes we can give no quotations. The volume of over 300 pages is nicely printed, handsomely bound, and worthy of a place in any school or family library. We trust that a large sale will cheer the heart of the old minister. The Australian denominational magazines for May are all good average numbers. The Presbyterian Monthly, published by Messrs. William Inglis and Co., contains a large amount of religious intelligence and a great variety of interesting and instructive reading. The Current Notes" deal with many topics, and are well written. The readings from the American papers and magazines are instructive and well selected, and all the other depart ments of the journal, original or selected, are well worth reading. The editor knows what will gratify young people, and is careful to provide for them a good supply of interesting reading. The frontispiece of the number is a portrait of an old pioneer, the venerable Dr. Nicholson, of Hobart. The journal reflects credit on all connected with it, but it can never remunerate the publishers unless it attain a great circulation." The Victorian Freeman contains a large amount of denominational intelligence, and a number of well-selected articles. To many readers the most interesting papers in the number will be those referring to the funeral of the late venerable Isaac New, and the death of Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool. The editor is careful to provide for the young. The magazine would be greatly improved if the editor were more fully aided by his brethren in the ministry of the denomination. In the Victorian Independent a large share is given to a record of the proceedings at the half-yearly meetings of the Congregational Union at Kyneton. The excellent address of the chairman, Rev. William Allen, is fully reported, and the thoughtful sermon delivered by the Rev. J. II. Toms on "The Church according to the New Testament Ideal" is also given, we believe, verbatim. The journal contains, besides the usual amount of denomi national intelligence, a great variety of original and selected articles, poetry, and book notices. The editorial notes are numerous and well written. The magazine is every way worthy of the denomination, and deserves to be well sustained. The Australian Standard contains a full report of the Annual Conference of the Churches of Christ in Victoria, held at the close of April in Melbourne. The report and the statistical tables must be gratifying to the members of the denomination, as they show The usual progress in every department. amount of varied and instructive reading is given in the present number. The editors seem to have an abundance of able and willing contributors. This is encouraging, and will tend to the success and circulation of this well-edited and cheap monthly journal. Paper of better quality would add to the beauty of the Standard. "Thrift The April number of The Nineteenth Cen tury has a great variety of excellent and instructive articles. The initial paper is a continuation of Professor Huxley's discussion of "The Evolution of Theology." It is a very able and interesting paper, and will be found worthy even of the attention of those who have no sympathy with the opinions of the learned writer. The articles on among the Children," and "Three Attempts to Rule Ireland Justly,' ,"contain a large amount of information, and though the subjects of which they treat are widely different, both are worthy of consideration. We may commend to the attention of the admirers of Goethe, Professor Blackie's fine article on Sir Theodore Martin's translation of the second |