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TO $20 PER DAY easily made by

any one. We want men, women, boys and girls all over the country to sell our Fine Steel Engravings, Chromos, Crayon Drawings, Illuminations, Photographs, etc., etc. We now publish the finest assortment ever placed before the public, and our prices are marked down so low as to defy all competition. No one subscribes for a premium-giving paper in order to get a picture after seeing our pictures and learning our prices. We have many old agents at work for us who have made canvassing for books, papers, etc., their business for years, and they all report that they can make much more money at work for us than at anything else. Our prices are so low that all can afford to purchase, and therefore the pictures sell at sight at almost every house. New beginners do as well as agents who have had large experience, for our beautiful subjects and low prices are appreciated by all. To make large sales everywhere all an agent has to do is to show the pictures from house to house. Don't look for work elsewhere until you have seen what great inducements we offer you to make money. We have not space to explain all here, but send us your address and we will send full particulars, free, by mail. Don't delay if you want profitable work for your leisure hours, or for your whole time. Now is the favorable time to engage in this business. Our pictures are the finest and most pleasing in this country, and are endorsed by all the leading papers, including the New York Herald. Those who cannot give the business their entire attention can work up their own localities and make a handsome sum without ever being away from home overnight. Let all who want pleasant, profitable employment, without risking capital, send us their addresses at once Address and learn all about the business for themselves. GEORGE STINSON & CO., Art Publishers, Portland, Maine.

OLD PRINTS.

Ав ✓.6-7

Vol. VI.

LITERARY (AND OTHER) GOSSIP. The publishers have to apologise for the condensation of the BIBLIOPOLIST last year, remarking that the greatest imposition on subscribers occurred during the panic. We will amend the matter this year as far as possible by giving the subscribers the "Handy Book about Books," printing a portion in each number; thus furnishing, besides usual matter, for one dollar, a book of which the price is three dollars. The bibliographical portion is under revisal. It will not be a mere reprint.

François Victor Hugo, the translator of Shakespeare, died last December, in the prime of his life, after a prolonged and painful illness.

The

Hugos have been, indeed, heavily afflicted. Eugène, the poet's younger brother, died in a mad-house, after giving promise of a brilliant future.

M. Victor Hugo has lost successively his only remaining brother, his daughter, his wife, and his two sons; so that towards the close of a magnificent career he remains alone amidst the tombs of those he cherished. François Victor Hugo, his last remaining son, was born in 1828. But for the overwhelming burden of his name, he might have taken rank among the most earnest and conscientious writers of his time. His first attempt in literature was in a paper founded by M. Victor Hugo. François Victor followed his father to Guernsey, and there, during long years of melancholy exile, he devoted himself wholly to a work which will preserve his name to posterity. He was for twelve years engaged on his translation of Shakespeare's complete works; and he at length gave to his countrymen a rendering of the great poet which in all respects surpassed previous attempts, not excluding M. Émile Montégut's translation, which is saying not a little. From 1867 to within two years of his death, he was one of the most thoughtful and effective contributors of the Rappel. So free from all ideas other than those of the highest kind were his pleadings in favor of the Republic, that the Empire could never find a plausible pretext for proceeding against him. Beyond the works we have mentioned, his productions are few and of little importance. To have translated Shakespeare so admirably as François Victor Hugo

Nos. 61 & 62.

did is enough to occupy the life of a writer of merit. It is a noble task, as arduous and painful as would be that of translating the "Comédie Humaine" into English. Few men could carry it out, and François Victor deserves the gratitude of France for the fervent devotion with which he completed the work.

M. J. Ph. Berjeau is preparing for the press a fac-simile reprint, with introduction, French and English translations of a Dutch narrative of the second voyage of Vasco de Gama to the East Indies The book, unknown to bibliographers, was printed in Antwerp, circa 1504, 4to, and is now in the British Museum.

In his Annual Report the Librarian of Congress mentions that 12,407 volumes have been added to the collection during the year closing December Ist. The aggregate number of books now in the library is 258,752 volumes, besides about 50,000 pamphlets. In the copyright department there have been 15,352 entries made during the year, and the Librarian has paid into the treasury the sum of $13,404 as the receipts from copyright fees. This exceeds the entries of the year preceding by about ten per cent. The rapid growth of the library and of the copyright business of the country renders a new building to accommodate the overflowing collections an imperative necessity. While retaining in the Capitol a sufficiently large library for legislative and judicial use, Congress has already authorized the preparation of plans for a separate building, and the Commission appointed to select a plan will shortly make the award of premiums. The site of the building, however, is not yet selected.

Prof. Karl Elze, the author of a Life of Lord Byron, is going to publish a translation into English of some essays on Shakespeare. Writing the name reminds us that Herr Elze's last essay is another discussion of the often discussed orthography of Shakespeare's name. Another is on "Shakespeare's Supposed Travels," and one on "Hamlet in France." The aim of the volume is to unite the wide scope and ardor of the so-called Transcendental school of criticism with more modern methods, historic and comparative; and it consists of complete accounts in

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