t writers, and
forming a very miracle of expensive and _recherche_ typography and
binding. Dibdin had never so good a subject for his _Bibliomania_.

* * * * *

Jules Sandeau, one of the most _spirituel_ and elegant of French romance
writers, announced a new novel, _Catherine_, to appear on the 15th of
April.

* * * * *

Another book on the _Fall of Louis Philippe_ has been published at Paris
by M. Francois de Groiseillez. It is in the Orleanist interest, and is
praised by the _Journal des Debats_.

* * * * *

The most profligate woman of whom we have any account in Roman history
was the empress Massalina, and nothing is more natural than that she
should be selected for a heroin by a Frenchman. In a new five act play
of which the Parisian journals give us elaborate criticisms, she is
represented as a very virtuous wife, by the ingenious contrivance of
giving a certain courtezan such a striking personal resemblance to her
that it was impossible to distinguish between the two, and making the
courtezan commit all the atrocities of the real Massalina. The play is
not without literary merit. It is called _Valeria_--the heroine's
_other_ name being considered too strong to figure on a play-bill.
Rachel plays the two characters of Massalina and the courtezan--of
course with the most perfect success.

* * * * *

A new Review has been established in Paris under the title of _La
Politique Nouvelle_. It comes out as the rival of the _Revue des Deux
Mondes_, and as the champion of the new republican _regime_ (as opposed
to the conservative tendencies of the older established Review), offers
battle with a promising array of names of future contributors. The
department of English criticism is confided to M. Leon de Wailly, author
of _Stella and Vanessa_ and the translator of Burns; whose name promises
a knowledge and intelligent appreciation of English literature. The
first two numbers contain contributions from the brilliant and caustic
pen of Eugene Pelletan, and a serial from Madame Charles Reybaud, author
of the _Cadet de Calubrieres, Helene, &c_.

* * * * *

Victor Hugo, since the appearance of the last volume of _Le Rhine_, four
or five years ago, has not printed a new book. The proprietor of his
copyrights, who had brought out two splendid editions of his complet