the Theatre Francais, and to the
establishment of his reputation as a dramatic author. He has composed
ten comedies in five acts, and twenty in one, two, or three acts, for
the Francais. He has written one hundred and fifty vaudevilles for the
Gymnase. As a lyrical poet he stands unequalled for the number of his
_libretti_, having written the poetry of forty grand operas and of one
hundred comic operas. His works, exclusive of novels, are three hundred
and forty in number.

* * * * *

The Literature of the Western States has not yet furnished any name that
shines with a fairer and serener lustre than that of ALICE CAREY,
several of whose poems, of "imagination all compact," and faultless in
rhythmical art, will live among the contributions which this age offers
to the permanent in literary creation. Her younger sister, PH[OE]BE
CAREY, is also a woman of genius, and has written almost as largely as
Alice, in a similar vein of thought and feeling. They are now on a visit
to New York, and will pass the summer among the resorts in the vicinity
of the city.

* * * * *

MRS. OAKSMITH, we are pleased to be advised, is engaged upon an epic
poem, which has been meditated several years. The _Jacob Leisler_ of
Mrs. Oaksmith is probably the finest specimen of dramatic writing of
which we can boast. Her other tragedy, _The Roman Tribute_, is in
rehearsal in Philadelphia, where it will be produced with a strong cast
and the utmost scenic magnificence. Mrs. Oaksmith will pass the summer
among the seaside retreats of Maine, with Fredrika Bremer.

* * * * *

PROFESSOR NICHOL'S sometime expected work upon the United States has
just appeared, from the press of Parker, the publisher of _Fraser's
Magazine_. It is about two years since Professor Nichol returned to
Scotland, after giving his astronomical lectures in our principal
cities, and traveling widely in the agricultural portions of the
country. His book, we understood him to state, was to be addressed to
the middling classes, and to treat principally of points connected with
emigration.

* * * * *

BAYARD TAYLOR'S "El Dorado" is praised in all the English journals as
the best book that has been written upon California. Bohn has published
it in his "Shilling Series," and it is also issued by Bentley.

* * * * *

MR. CYRU