The Press. — London, England, 1854-07-08 00:00:00

PERIODICAL LITERATURE. JULY 8, 1854. Nicholas 1., Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russia,. By the Rev. Henry Christmas, M.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.R.G.S. London: Shaw. A HISTORICAL summary of recent events in Russia, beginning with the accession of the present Czar. Mr. Christmas is merely a compiler, and pretends to no original information; but he writes in an agreea• ble style, and with an evident desire to repress rather than excite prejudice. The disasters of the imperial reign are thus briefly summed up : " His reign began by a revolt in 1825. " In 1858 he lost a mother whom he revered. "In 1830 Poland revolted against her Russian rulers. " In 1831 Constantine, the Emperor's brother, died, and, is more than suspected, of poison. "In the early part of his reign St. Petersburg was inundated by the overflow of the Neva, and the Winter Palace was ravaged by fire. "A mutiny at the military colonies. " A Turkish war. "A Caucasian war. " And his sincere endeavours to repair the internal evils of the administration for ever impeded, his intention of giving freedom to the serfs for ever opposed. Later still, the alliances which it has been the business Elf his life to form, breaking up or broken up. The mightiest powers of the West in league against him. The allegiance of Austria and Prussia, once deemed so secure, trembling in the balance. "An enemy long despised starting up with unexpected power and energy. "An empire oppressed with debt, declining popularity, and war in a bad cause. With these drawbacks, is Nicholas, the Imperial Autocrat, an enviable or a happy man?" He concludes with a brief comment on the exist ing war, of which he lays the blame on Lord Aber deen. " Nicholas never would have acted as "he has done had he not counted on his friends "in the English Cabinet." So says Mr. Christmas, and the English people in general agree with him. The Infallible Time and Money Tables for Calcu. lating Seamen's Wages. By John Wilson. London Neely. THE plan of these tables is very clear. There is one set for time and another for money. The dates being given when a seaman joined his ship and when he loft, a reference to the time tables shows the number of days, or of months and days, for which he has a claim. The money tables include ratings from 10s. to 501. per month, and show the total amount due for any number of months and days. Thus, suppose a man entered on the 26th April, and served to 16th December, at 755. per month, by referring to the table of the 16th April his time is found to be seven months and twenty-one days, and referring to the money table of 755. the amount due to him is found to be 281. 17s. 6d. We do not see how handier tables for the purpose could be compiled, and there can be no question that they must be of great service in simplifying the duties and shortening the labour of all persons engaged in the pay-offices of our mercantile marine. AN interesting paper in Blackwood, entitled " Evelyn and Pepys," suggests a somewhat curious speculation —whetter it happened by accident, orpro-causd, that the period when the English Court most resembled that of Louis Quinze should, like the Court of Louis Quinze, have abounded in memoir-writers ? Not only the world-famous Pepys and John Evelyn, but Mrs. Godolphin, Mrs. Hutchinson, and Lady Fan shawe, are among the memorialists whose contempo rary pictures have given to posterity so minute and personal acquaintance with the " Merry Monarch" and the England over which he did not rule. With the exception of this article the contents of the cur rent Blackwood are rather heavy. There is a rhymed collection of riddles, with their solutions, and a dull introductory story by way of preface thereto, which Is decidedly not worth the space it occupies. The political article on the" European Alliance" discusses somewhat wildly "the map of Europe," anticipates a war which the present generation may not see the end off, and insists on the reconstitution of the king dom of Poland—with various other reconstitutions— in order to render Russia completely powerless. The New Monthly presents a varied table of con tents, and though many of the articles have been suggested by the literature of the season—and es pecially by French and German books—they will not prooably be read with the less interest on that account. Among the original papers we notice " A Soldier's Career," a romance of the Punjaub war ; and the story of a duel by Mr. Costello—a farcical extrava ganza. The criticism, under Mr. Ainsworth's super intendence, is usually generous, but the notice of Dr. Croly is less than just to his various attainments. Probably no living writer has contributed more largely to our periodical literature, or done more to exalt its character. Biographical sketches of living authors are objectionable unless proceeding from thoroughly competent pens. The claims of De Quincey to a pension are forcibly urged. If it be true THE PRESS. that " reverses and physical suffering have made it desirable," his title to the remembrance of the public is too good to be neglected. Fraser shows judicious editorship. The papers are readable, and so well compacted as to produce the agreeable effect always resulting from artistic blend ing, whether the composition be an entrée or a maga zine. " General Bounce " is one of those run•and read fictions, made up of sketch and gossip, which railway reading has made popular; and "Cousin William " is a novel in five pages, beating, in respect to brevity at least, "Christie Johnstone" hollow. New ground is broken by the papers headed " Re searches in Dutch Literature," which contain both curious and amusing matter. Beside some lively sketches of travel, and a paper on music in St. Petersburg, the number contains a critical examina tion of the singular prophecy recorded by Gibbon, that " the Russians in the last days should become masters of Constantinople," and some remarks on the war, which we should have thought sensible but for their lame conclusion. Whether before Fraser next appears "the combined fleets in the Black and " Baltic Seas will have performed great and glorious "duties," time only can show. Though the storm has been long gathering, it would be rash to say when and where the clouds will open and the bolt fall. An unreasonable portion of the Dublin University is, in our judgment, occupied with reviews of books with which the reading public must by this time be tolerably familiar. The leading original paper attempts to estimate the present aspect of the war and the forces engaged. In some verses " the " poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling," conjures up " Hungaria's bleeding bosom" and Poland dreaming to revenge her " brave Sarmatic sires." Should such fancies spread, as if our periodical literature be a straw in the air they may, who can tell what direction Lord Aberdeen's war may take? The opening chapters of the story entitled " Mosses upon Gravestones' are striking. They certainly exhibit poetic power, but whether of a kind available for romance we are yet unable to judge. A dispo-ition to rhapsody appears to be the writer's rock ahead. The Art• Journal has still the advantage of Mr. S. C. Hall's energetic superintendence. The engravings in the present number are from Maclise's " Play Scene—Hamlet;" one of his finest compositions we think, looking better in the Vernon Gallery at present than when first painted; the "Death of Nelson," from Slingeneyer ; and a charming piece, "The Garden," from Watteau. The number is full as usual of information on art. We must dismiss Tait's Magazine with a hint that, however strongly and sincerely it may hold Radical opinions, it might recommend them better than by such sheer cant as exhorting our senators to be no longer" the slaves of a pampered hierarchy" !—The grave papers of the Church of Scotland Magazine seem well considered, and the themes, as "Modern Science and Revelation" and "American Religious Fiction," represent subjects of general interest.—The Journal of Industrial Progress, from a Dublin press, and conducted with great intelligence, is a cheering sign of the times.—The name of Mr. Glenny, the persevering, skilful, and independent floriculturist, as editing the garden department cf the Horticultural Journal—the first number of which is on our table — will probably recommend it to public favour. The first number of a new monthly periodical, under the title of Magazine for the Blind, has just been published, the letters being raised or embossed, so as to bo legible by the touch. The work is beautifully printed, the articles in • teresting, and the price moderate (sixpence), and, above all, it has the great advantage of being in the common or Roman alphabet, and not limited in its usefulness by arbitrary characters or mysterious symbols. We congratulate the blind upon so valuable and agreeable an addition to their litera ture, and trust that, for their sakes, it will be well supported by all who feel grateful for the possession of that great blessing, sight. Among serial publications on our table, we parti cularly notice Parts I. and 11. of The Theory and Practice of Landscape Painting in Water Colours, by Mr. Barnard. The descriptive portions of this work are extremely clear, and the illustrations expla natory of the process deserving great praise, from the simplicity of the details and the beauty of the ef fects produced. We may mention at the same time that the illustrations printed in oil colours are among the best specimens of this art we have seen. There is so great a charm in colour that we gladly welcome every attempt to bring this ingenious and beautiful process of printing into more general use : perhaps, at no distant date, it may altogether supersede the present mode of engraving.—Part IV. of The Land we Live In continues the republication of this useful work.—Orr's Circle of the Sciences, a cheap, sound, and well-produced publication, begins, in its twenty eighth number, a treatise on mechanical philosophy. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Booxs. 643 Matrimonial Shipwrecks. A. M. Milliard. Routledge. The Great War with France. LieutAieneral Bunbury. Bentley. Poetical Tentatives. LynnErith. Saunders and Utley. Alpine Lyrics. Longman and Co. The Languages of the Seal of War. Max Muller, M.A. Ditto. The Wafer Care, and Household Medical Science. Dr. Wilson. Churchill. History of England. Vol. V Lora Mahon. Stories on Proverbs. Muimy. Mozley. —.-...- -- - ....... __. The Roving Englishman. Routledge. Books for the Country. ".4 ngling." R. Blakey. Ditto. Hochelaga. U. Warburton. Ditto. The Cabin by the Wayside. Lady Campbell. Ditto. Legal Guide fur Sailors and Merchants. W. A. Lock. Longman and Co. John Bull; or the Comedy of 18.i4. Lacy. Satire and Satirists. J. Hannay. Hogue. A Military Tour in European Turkey. MajonGeneral Macintosh. Longman and Co. Sound and its Phenomena. Rev. 1)r. Brewer. Ditto. The Last of the Barons. Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart. Routledge. • JULY 8, 1854. Nicholas 1., Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russl By the Rev. Henry Christmas, M.A., F.R.S., F.R.G.S. London: Shaw. A HISTORICAL summary of recent events in Russ beginning with the accession of the present Cz. Mr. Christmas is merely a compiler, and pretends no original information; but he writes in au egret ble style, and with an evident desire to repress ratl than excite prejudice. The disasters of the imper reign are thus briefly summed up : " His reign began by a revolt in 1825. " In 1858 he lost a mother whom he revered. " In 1830 Poland revolted against her Russian rulers " In 1831 Constantine, the Emperor's brother, died, a is more than suspected, of poison. "In the early part of his reign St. Petersburg • inundated by the overflow of the Neva, and the Wir Palace was ravaged by fire. "A mutiny at the military colonies. " A Turkish war. "A Caucasian war. " And his sincere endeavours to repair the internal e of the administration for ever impeded, his intentior giving freedom to the serfs for ever opposed. Later e the alliances which it has been the business clf his lift form, breaking up or broken up. The mightiest power the West in league against him. The allegiance Austria and Prussia, once deemed so secure, tremblini the balance. "An enemy long despised starting up with unexpet power and energy. •An empire oppressed with debt, declining popula and war in a bad cause. With these drawbacks . Nicholas, the Imperial Autocrat, an enviable or a lie man?" He concludes with a brief comment on the e] ing war, of which he lays the blame on Lord Al dean. " Nicholas never would have acted "he has done had he not counted on his Inci "in the English Cabinet." So says Mr. Christi and the English people in general agree with his The Infallible Time and Money Tables for Ca lating Seamen's Wages. By John Wilson. Loud Neely. THE plan of these tables is very clear. There is set for time and another for money. The d being given when a seaman joined his ship when he loft, a reference to the time tables al the number of days, or of months and days, which he has a claim. The money tables inc ratings from 10s. to 501. per month, and show total amount due for any number of months days. Thus, suppose a man entered on the April, and served to 16th December, at 755. month, by referring to the table of the 16th his time is found to be seven months and twenty days, and referring to the money table of 755. amount due to him is found to be 281. 17s. 6d. do not see how handier tables for the purpose c be compiled, and there can be no question that must be of great service in simplifying the d and shortening the labour of all persons engagt the pay-offices of our mercantile marine. PERIODICAL LITERATURE. AN interesting paper in Blackwood, entitled " Ei and Pepys," suggests a somewhat curious specull —whether it happened by accident, orpro-causd, the period when the English Court most resew that of Louis Quinze should, like the Court of I Quinze, have abounded in memoir-writers ? only the world-famous Pepys and John Evelyn, Mrs. Godolphin, Mrs. Hutchinson, and Lady ahawe, are among the memorialists whose conte rary pictures have given to posterity so minute personal acquaintance with the " Merry Mont and the England over which he did not rule. the exception of this article the contents of tht rent Blackwood are rather heavy. There is a rh; collection of riddles, with their solutions, and a introductory story by way of preface thereto, is decidedly not worth the space it occupies. political article on the" European Alliance" disci somewhat wildly "the map of Europe," anticipa war which the present generation may not se end off, and insists on the reconstitution of the dom of Poland—with various other reconstitutic in order to render Russia completely powerless The New Monthly presents a varied table o' tents, and though many of the articles have suggested by the literature of the season—an pecially by French and German books—they wi pronably be read with the less interest on that acc Among the original papers we notice " A Sol Career," a romance of the Punjaub war ; an story of a duel by Mr. Costello—a farcical ex . ganza. The criticism, under Mr. Ainsworth's s intendance, is usually generous, but the notice Croly is less than just to his various attains Probably no living writer has contributed largely to our periodical literature, or done mi exalt its character. Biographical sketches of authors are objectionable unless proceeding thoroughly competent pens. The claims c Quincey to a pension are forcibly urged. If it b PAMPHLETS. Notes on Diseases in Turkey. Passing Clouds. Longman and Co. Biblical Literature. " The Exude." Freeman. The Eastern Question. Lord Lyndhurst. Petheram. What Was, What Is Now, and What May Be. Mrs. Newly. Letters of an American on Russia and Revolution. W. S. Lander. Chapman and Hall. Robert Owen's Address to the Human Race. Wilson. Remarks on Sir W. Napier's Pamphlet Regarding the Duke of Wellington's Letter. On the Advantages of Mutual Instruction and Debating Societies. Houlston and Stoneman. USit. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. THE only novelty, if such it can be called, this week has been the revival of Gneceo's operetta buffa, La Prova d'un' Opera Stria. The cast was a strong one. Mme. Viardot Garcia was the prima donna; Signor Ronconi the poet Pasticcio; and the veteran La blache, of course, the composer Campanone. Although the performers exerted themselves to the utmost, and seemed to amuse the audience highly, we confess we have no relish for witnessing such a species of enter tainment. Nothing is more amusing than genuine Italian humour ; but, as Italian singers seem quite alive to the fact that English audiences understand the Italian language but very imperfectly, they run, for the sake of creating a laugh, into such un bounded lengths of extravagance that their per formance finds no parallel except in the buffonate of a teatro diurno in Italy, or the comic business of a Christmas pantomime in England. Mme. Grisi's engagement is announced to have been extended to eight or ten additional representations. In all pro bability she will remain until the end of the season. FRENCH OPERA. MME. CAREL has again appeared in a good opera of the French school, La Sirene, by Auber, with a suc cess which quite justifies the policy of the directors. La Sirine, though perhaps not one of Auber's most important works, is an excellent specimen of its class, and is replete with that graceful, expressive melody and sparkling instrumentation which are so charac teristic of the composer's works. Light though the music be, it can always be heard with pleasure on the stage, because the representation is materially assisted by the lively nature of the libretto, written by the fertile, ingenious, and, we may add, incomparable Scribe. Mme. Cabel made a charming representative of the heroine, Zerlina, and sang most effectively. The parts of the other principals were sustained with chequered success by MM. Sujol, Legrand, and Leroy. MUSICAL UNION. Mn. ELI.A concluded his tenth season on Tuesday last with a very excellent' concert. The performers were Mlle. Clauss and Messrs. Vieuxtemps, Goffrie, Hill, and Piatti. Mr. Ella may reflect with great satisfaction upon the result of his labours. Not only has he for some time past succeeded in inducing large audiences to attend his concerts, but he has actually this year engaged M. Vieuxtemps to visit London for the sole purpose of leading the last two performances of the series. There can be no ques tion, then, that Mr. Elladeserves well of his country ; and, if he were to engage a better second violin and make less use of his pen, he might render his enter tainment still more attractive. M. DEICHMANN'S CONCERT. M. DEICHMANN, a young and very able German violinist, gave a concert on Wednesday last at the Hanover-square Rooms, when he was assisted by MM. Pauer, Mellon, Witt, and Hausmann, as instru mentalists, and a host of unknown ladies and gentle men as vocalists. The most successful performances of the evening were decidedly those of the concert giver, and his subscribers seemed well satisfied with the entertainment provided for them.