JOSEPH HATTON, THE NOVELIST.

I am afraid it is quite thirty years ago since Mr. Joseph Hatton sent his first novel called “Bitter Sweets” to us to publish. At that time he was editor and part-proprietor of an old Worcester journal; but he had no desire for life in a country town, so made his home in London, and set earnestly to work to make a name as a novelist, with journalistic work combined; and I am sure I may say he has succeeded in both professions. In my time as a publisher I never met a more energetic or reliable author than Mr. Hatton. It would be unfair to say that he ever scrambled over another author's head for special literary work or place. But I think I may say that he has seldom lost a commission for literary work at all in his way for the lack of asking for it. In fact, for some years, so great was his energy, that he was as likely to be found in any part of America as in England; but wherever he was, it was quite certain that his busy pen was at work, and I am sure I may say for some profit. It was no bad sign of Mr Hatton's energy and ability when both Mr. Irving and Mr. Toole engaged him to do literary work for them; for it seems pretty certain that Hatton's ability and energy has given him good influence on journalism on this and the other side of the Atlantic.