Literary And Antiquarian Gossip.

The new literary journal The Pen is in future to be issued as a monthly . Tbe first few numbers , published weekly , have borne unmistakeablo evidence of a strong editorial hand ancl a talented staff of contributors . We trust that , under tbe altered arrangements , The Pen will take a permanent stand as a critical journal .

We learn that Mr . Samuel Smiles will shortl y bring out a book on " Duty , " as a companion volume to his widely-appreciated Avorks on "Self-Help , " " Thrift , " and kindred subjects . Mr . Charles H . Poole , F . R . S . L ., has in tbe press an inqiortant work on " Staffordshire Superstitions , Legends , Folk-lore , etc ., " somewhat similar in design and arrangement to the same author ' s popular production" Legends of

, Somerset . " MY . Edward Bradbury ( "Strepbon" ) is contributing to the Derbyshire Times a collection of picturesque descriptive sketches entitled " Undiscovered Derbyshire . " At the conclusion of the serial issue of these articles they are to be reissued by Mr . Bates , of Buxton , in book-form .

" Tbe Black Cottage , or Tom Brace ' s Picture , " by Mr . W . E . Brouggham ( Tinsley Brother ' s ) , is a very entertaining ghost story . The author deals with bis subject in sparkling style , and manifests much originality . Another excellent tale , "Elsie ' s Parrot , " is related in the volume . Miss Rosa Mackenzie is issuing an author ' s edition of ber deservedly popular noA'els . Two of the volumes , "Lord Maskelyne ' s Daughter" and " La Belle Marie , " have already appeared . This gifted authoress has a peculiar power of literary landscape painting , and ber character sketches are true to the life .

A Avell-wrilten ancl tastefully illustrated account of the " Churches of Yorkshire" is being published in monthly parts by Messrs . W . E . Fox and W . H . Hatton , F . R . H . S ., of Bradford . This important topographical serial merits every commendation . A series of pleasant papers entitled "Yorkshire Family Romances , " just

concluded in the Saturday supplements of tbe Leeds Mercury , bave been attracting much attention in the " county of broad acres " and elseivhere . We bave heard many expressions of desire that these Ayell-written articles were available for handy reference and reading ; ancl ive trust those concerned will accede to this wide-spread wish . We understand that the ivriter of "Yorkshire Famil y Romances" is Mr . Frederick Ross , F . R . H . S ., author of "Celebrities of the Yorkshire Wolds . "

In Badway , " a journal of pure literature" ( 121 , King ' s Cross Road ) , we find some interesting storiettes , Avritten by " UAllegro , " a clever litterateur who has the gift of casting round every-day occurrences all the fascination of fiction . "By the Waters of Babylon" is , Ave think , the best of the batch of tales which have already appeared . It is a well-painted picture of tbe lights and shadows of London life .