Literary Notes

Wliy does "Marie BashklrtsefP' sell eo well ? Because she Is always a Russlan, - (Rushing .) The gala of the Marcli Wide AwaVe tías been exceptlonully lurge, owlns; to the demand for Mrs. Francés A. Ilumphrcy'g chiirminc sketch of "The Ik-autitul Emily Manhall." Sophie Swett, the nuthor of ■ Captain Polly,'1 will "contribute a feliort story to tlie Dombér of Ilarper's Young People to be publislied April 8th. In the same Dumber W. iï. Oibson will continue his series of ilhistrated liUtory anieles wlih a talk on " Quickening Beeds." Miss A. M. Machar, whosp "Stories of New France" just issued by D. Lotlirop Company has t'ound an immcilinie success botli in Canada and (he 8tatee," is a Kingston (Ontario) lady of culture and literary ibilily. Her sonnet on tttouning- in the Miircli Century Itas attüicttd mucii attention. Tlie April number of Our Little Ones and tlie Nursery comes In advanee of the spring tlowers and it Is fully as attractive as a boquet of violets to the children. It is just the tliing to amuse thetn on rainy davs; the illustrated stories ure very takin; and they ncver tire of hearing thein rend. Why don't yon subscribe for it ? It is not generally kno.vn Muit our famoiij Smlthsonian Institution at Vshinfïton owes lts existence to an Englisliman, James Smithson, who lialf a century ago bequeathed half a mllllon dollars to our government lor its establishment, the only drect bcqnest ever made to the government. Wide Awake teil the story of Suiithson and the Institution.