* * * * *

M. AND MAD.  DE LAMARTINE having returned from the East, are at present Staying at the Villa du Prado, a branch of the Hotel des Empereurs, a pleasant house on the banks of the Huveaune, in the midst of the most beautiful landscape.  It was in a country box, upon the Avenue du Prado, that Lamartine wrote, in 1847, his “Histoire des Girondins.”  Lamartine is pleased with his Smyrna estate; he was received there by his vassals en grand seigneur, but he found that he would be obliged to expend a good deal of money before the estate would be profitable.

* * * * *

THEODORE PARKER’S “Massachusetts Quarterly Review,” is dead, and—­God be Praised that New England refused to support it any longer.  Mr. Parker says in the farewell to his readers, that the work “has never become what its projector designed that it should be;” and expresses a hope that “some new journal will presently be started, in a more popular form, which will promote the great ideas of our times, by giving them an expression in literature, and so help them to a permanent organization in the life of mankind.”

* * * * *

CAPT.  SIR EDWARD BELCHER, R.N., known in the literary and scientific world by his extensive voyages of survey and discovery, is now on a visit to New York, whence he will shortly proceed to Texas.  Sir Edward Belcher is a gentleman of remarkable energy of character, and of eminent abilities.

* * * * *

A LETTER from M. Guizot, assigning the motives of his refusal to appear as a candidate of the Institute for a seat in the Superior Council of Public Instruction, is published by the Esperance of Nancy.  The Principles avowed by M. Guizot lead directly to a separation of Church and State.

* * * * *

JOHN G. SAXE will soon publish a new poem which he delivered recently at the commencement of Middlebury College, with the applause which crowns all his efforts in this way.

* * * * *

A RE-ISSUE of the Complete Works of Eliza Cook will be shortly commenced in her Journal, and continued weekly until completed.

* * * * *

THE INSTITUTE OF GOETHE has just been founded by the government of Saxe Weimar.  It consists simply of a prize of twenty thousand francs offered to the competition of the literary and artistic world.  The first year it will be given to the best among the poems, romances, and dramatic works submitted; the second year to the best picture; the third year to the best piece of statuary; the fourth year to the best piece of music, whether sacred or profane, opera or oratorio.  This circle having been completed, the prize will next be given as at the first year; and so on in regular succession.  The successful competitor is to remain proprietor of his work, as are all the others.  The prize will he allotted by two committees, one at Weimar the other at Berlin.  The establishment of the fund was celebrated at Weimar on the 23d of August.