The Press. — London, England, 1856-11-29 00:00:00

1146 in her efforts to persuade her father to make restitu tion that Judith's character is displayed. Max..vell had already agreed privately with Sir Roderic to resign all his claims it his nephew and heir, Horace, should become the husband of Judith. But Horace is already in love with Beatrice ; and so the Lindsays are expelled from 'Juror Castle, and Horace ie obliged to betake himself to a profession. At this part of the story the scene is laid in Scotland ; and the account of Horace's coming of age, and the festivitives at Castle Duror, are perhaps the most attractive portions of the tale. The plot is defective, because, in the first place, it wants unity, and be cause, in the second, the conclusion, by which we mean the marriage of the hero and heroine, in no way depends on the catastrophe. Beatrice and Horace would have been married whether the latter had never lost or had never recovered the estates; and the device in the underplot, by which Judith's marriage is made to depend on her father's confes sion of guilt, seems forced and unnatural. The two young ladies, Beatrice and Judith, repre sent, of course, the Myrtle and the Heather. The expression is a pretty one, and the contrast is prettily sustained. Beatrice is all love, and Judith is all energy ; the one cannot say a harsh word even of those who injure her, the other is severe even to those who love her. The remaining characters all have sufficient reality about them to maintain the necessary illusion, but the authoress does not attempt analysis of character. 1 n her personages there is no gradual formation of habits, or development of the passions ; what they are at the beginning of the story that they are at the end, and our whole interest in them is dependent on the romance thrown around the career of Beatrice. The morality of the story is of the ordinary kind. The virtue of unselfishness is the theme of eulogy, but we find occasional observations which prove the authoress to have studied human nature with effect, and to have acquired skill in the expression of sorrow. Such are contained in the following pas sages : I will explain your meaning for you. It is, that, with all your pretty, gentle ways, you would not like to be directed —or, at least, not by iiie. Well, this is honest, and not altogether discouraging; though, perhaps, you wish me to consider it so. I have always found that those who solicit advice, and affect to need guidance and invite correction, are those who least avail themselves of either of the three. Moreover, when I have taken a fancy to any one, I am not easily shaken off. I will serve you, not absolutely against your consent, but ua far as you will allow me. Don't be frightened; and, above all, be as honest with yourself as you have been with me. If my advice prove unpalatable, take care that you do not reject it because you weakly prefer something pleasanter, and fancy the while that you resent my interference only be• cause you wish to maintain a becoming independence. Again : SATURDAY, tables are important. Thus, we find that in the year 1855 the National Debt was augmented by the sum of 27,988,3061., a charge upon us and our posterity for ever of at least ono million annually. Having regularly pre-erved this volume we can speak with confidence of its permanent value. "As worth less as an old almanac " is certainly in no degree applicable to it. It forms a handy annual register full of facts, and most convenient for reference. German Reading Book. By Dr. M. M. Fischel. Second Edition. London : Nutt. THE rapid sale of a first edition of this " German Reading Book" is some evidence of its usefulness. The plan of it is easily explained. A simple en gaging tale by Franz Hoffman is printed on one page in the original German text, while a literal translation in English, word for word, and line for line, is printed on the opposite page. In foot-notes are explained the various significations, figurative and proper, attached to particular words, while the principal rules of German grammar suggested by the text are also kept in the stu,lent's mind by refer ences in the notes. An elementary German grammar is added ; so that the book, while supplying a copious vocabulary or words, and exhibiting the construction of the German language, familiarises the reader with grammatical rules, and initiates him into the mys teries of conjugation of verbs, and inflection of sub stantives. Dr. Fischel assures us that he has tried this volume in his tutorial labours with the greatest success, and we can believe it. Whatever tends to interest the mind during the necessarily tedious process of acquiring a language, must be beneficial in stimulating the intellect of the pupil. With due precaution to make the pupil keep to grammatical labours as he proceeds with the tett, we can imagine that he will by aid of this book gain a good store of words, and a tolerable knowledge of construction, while mastering the difficulties of grammar. The volume is produced with great care and intelligence, and, we imagine, requires only to be known to come into general use. One of its merits is, that it may be studied with advantage by those who have made some progress in the language, as well as by those who are about to commence the work of acquisition. It will be the part of the teacher to see that the book is made an aid to real study, and not a substitute for it. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.—Nov. 17. BOOKS. Queen Eleanor's Vengeance, and other Poems. W. C Bennett Three Vols. Hurst and Blanket A Manual of Domestic Economy. Routledge and Co Kansas, its Interior and Exterior Life. Sarah T. L. Robinson. i: THE PRESS. or mils would he necessary to exchange them. It is the first essential of every coinage that each piece should be readily exchangeable with all other pieces. The present farthing, halfpenny, and penny, might conveniently subsist to represent respectively one mil, two mils, and four mils; but it would be highly ex pedient to nave coins representing five mils, or half a cent (lid.), ten mils, or a cent (20.), and twenty mils, or two cents (5d.). The shilling would then represent fifty mils, or two and a half cents, and the florin a hundred inils or jive cents. It is to the practical question of detail that the advocates of a lecimal coinage should now address themselves. The chief difficulties are, the slight difference that would exist between the penny and proposed half cent were both of the same metal, copper; the small size of the proposed cent, were it to be of silver ; and the substitution by cent pieces and two cent pieces (with the existing florin) for the present silver threepence, fourpence, sixpence, and half-crown. The simplest plan would seem to be to preserve copper, silver, and gold for coins, making the five mil piece or half-cent of copper of an entirely dif ferent character from the existing penny, and form. ing the cent piece of silver, which would then be very slightly different from the existing threepence. The new coinage, as compared with the present, would then be : COPPER COINAGE. have never felt young or happy since my father's first injury, as I did before it. A first sorrow is very terrible, and robs you of what no other sorrow finds to rob you of. The vivid sensations of youth and joy wither at its touch, and never recover their springtide verdure. All who have experienced any deep grief will re cognise the truth and beauty of this sentiment. The language and style of the " Myrtle and the Heather" are unpretending, and equal to all the situations of the story. If the authoress will correct one or two minor faults, such as a slight prolixity in her dialogue, and looseness in the arrangement of her narrative, which render some passages of her book wearisome, and others superfluous, she may attain much higher success as a novelist. In the first part of the second volume the reader will find examples of the former detect, wbile the whole episode of Vincent and Camilla Clare we think is an instance of the latter. By the book, as a whole, we have been much pleased, and where so extensive a choice of fiction as the present age affords necessarily engenders fastidiousness, a writer may well be saris• fled to be pronounced even moderately agreeable. The British Almanac and Companion for 1A57. London : Knight and Co. THIS useful and well conducted publication fully maintains its established reputation. The Almanac itself occupies ninety six closely-printed pages, and contains all the information, well classified, which can be looked for in such an annual. Those who want an almanac merely for general purposes could not select a better one. The " Companion " has this year more than its usual number of original articles. The first, by Professor de Morgan, discusses the question of decimal coinage, concluding strongly in favour of the scheme, taking the pound sterling as the unit of account, and reducing the copper coinage by four per cent. It is said, " our coinage is "decimalised as soon as the coins below sixpence a are lowered by proclamation four per cent." It would be necessary. however, to call in all fourpenny and threepenny pieces, as they could not be ex changed in copper money, and the sixpence and half.crown would be inconvenient coins, as farthings EXISTING SYSTEM. PROPOSED DECIMAL SxsrEu. The present farthing (coin unnitered)..One mil. „ halfpenny (coin unaltered)..Two „ peony (coin unuttered).. Four mils. Five-mil piece (new). SILVER COINAGE. Threepenny piece (to be withdrawn)..Cent,or ten mils (new). Fourpenny piece (to be withdrawn)..Two cents, or twenty mile (new). Sixpence (to be withdrawn) Shilling (coin unaltered).. Five cents, or fifty mils. Florin Half-crown (to be withdrawn) Crown (to be withdrawn) GOLD COINAGE. Half•sovereign (coin unaltered).. Fifty cents, or 500 mile. Sovereign (coin unaltered)..One hundred cents, or 1,000 mile. Under the new system there would be four copper coins instead of three—the present three being preserved. Of silver coins there would be four instead of seven, two of the existing ones (and the shilling, the most important one) being retained. The gold coinage would be unaltered. Mr. de Morgan (and we entirely agree with him) thinks that any system of international coinage would be imprac ticable. If any decimal system is to be adopted it must substantially be the above. The next article is on the " Postal System, at Home and Abroad." It is satisfactory to observe that our example is being extensively followed in other countries ; in fact, the postal systems of foreign States are but modifications of our postal system. But there appears to be great indifference somewhere to the application of the principle to our colonies. We might take a hint from the United States ' • for Distances of 3,000 miles the postage is lid., and for all greater distances 3d. A uniform rate of 2d. for all colonial letters would be the just complement of our plan. As we have made a great sacrifice of revenue for the convenience of the public, we ought not to stand shivering on the edge of a great prin- ciple. In spite of the prophecies of postal reformers, the gross revenue is not even yet what it was before the change. In 1840 the net profit was 1,633,000/. In 1855 it was 1,36°,000/. It appears that the staff of postal officers at the commencement of 1856 was 22,547. Yet this patronage is but a very small part of that at the disposal of the Government. A third article (and an extremely interesting ones, is on "Arbitration in Trade Disputes." The principle has worked admirably in the carpet manufacture ; and it seems that the printers of London have lately adopted it, and with the best results. The paper on the " Material Progress of British India" is less complete than could be wished. Taking the facts of the writer, not much is said for the progress of our magni ficent Asian empire, with its 816,000 square miles of territory (five times as large as France) and its 128,000,000 of inhabitants (the population of the three great continental monarchies, France, Austria, and Russia put together), when it is stated that the total number of miles of railway completed is only 208, while the total revenue, with the Government the proprietor of the soil, fails to meet the expendi ture by two millions and a half sterling. The article on "Metropolitan Communications" contains much useful information, with some valu able hints. It is hinted that a new Westminster bridge is wanted at Charing-cross. The Duke of Nor thumberland, we imagine, would not be indisposed to part with Northumberland house, and a magnifi cent approach to a new bridge stretching in a direct line to the Surrey side would be thus secured. It would be one of the finest metropolitan improve ments imaginable. There are several other original papers in the " Companion," independent of the usual summaries and chronologies. Some of the facts in the finance Sampson Low Poems. Emeline Hinxman. Longinana California, Indoors and Out. Sampson Low History of the Reign of Charles F. Two Vols. Routledge Sa.relford. A Story for the Young. E. J. May. Routledg The Young Yagers. Captain M. Reid. Bog Poems. Edward Capern. Bogu . . Isuvauo inuvo uupoinusine, MAC Utln, LIMs you uo not reject ine next article is on tne - t'ostai system, at A Manual of Domestic Economy. Routledge and Co it because you weakly prefer something pleasanter, and Home and Abroad." It is satisfactory to observe Kansas, its Interior and Exterior Life. Sarah T. L. Robinson. fancy the while that you resent my interference only bie cause you wish to maintain a becoming iudepeudence. Again : that our example is being extensively followed in other countries ;in fact, the postal systems of foreign Poems. Emeline Hinxman. States are but modifications of our postal system. California, Indoors and Out. I have never felt young or happy since my father's But there appears to be great indifference somewhere first injury, as I did before it. A first sorrow is very to the application of the principle to our colonies, terrible, and robs you of what no other sorrow finds to rob you of. The vivid sensations of youth and jay wither at its touch, and never recover their springtide verdure. All who have experienced any deep grief will re- cognise the truth and beauty of this sentiment. We might take a hint from the United States • for lietances of 3,000 miles the postage is 1 1 11, an ' d for all greater distances 3d. A uniform rate of 2d. for all colonial letters would be the just complement of our plan. As we have made a great sacrifice The language and style of the " Myrtle and the revenue for the convenience of the public, we ought Heather" are unpretending, and equal to all the not to stand shivering on the edge of a great prin- Julia situations of the story. If e authoress will coffee. ciple. In spite of the prophecies of postal reformers, one or two minor faults, such as a slight prolixity the gross revenue is not even yet what it was before in her dialogue, and looseness in the arrangement of the change. In 1840 the net profit was 1,633,0001. her narrative, which render some passages of her In 1855 it was 1,38°,0001. It appears that the staff book wearisome, and others superfluous, she may of postal officers at the commencement of 1856 was attain much higher success as a novelist. In the 22,547. Yet this patronage is but a very small part first part of the second volume the reader will find of that at the disposal of the Government. examples of the former defect, while the whole A third article (and an extremely interesting ones, episode of Vincent and Camilla Clare we think is an is on "Arbitration in Trade Disputes." The principle instance of the latter. By the book, as a whole, we has worked admirably in the carpet manufacture ; have been much pleased, and where so extensive a and it seems that the printers of London have lately choice of fiction as the present age affords necessarily adopted engenders fastidiousness, a writer may well be satis fled to be pronounced even moderately agreeable. The British Almanac and Companion for Ists7. Loudon : Knight and Co. it, and with the best results. The paper on the " Material Progress of British India" is less complete than could be wished. Taking the facts of the writer, not much is said for the progress of our magni- ficent Asian empire, with its 810,000 square miles of territory (five times as large as France) and THIS useful and well conducted publication fully its 128,000,000 of inhabitants (the population of the Sampson Low Longmana Sampson Low history of the , Beign of Charles F. Two Vols. Routledge Sa.relford. A Story for the Young. E. J. May. Routledg The Young Payers. Captain M. Reid. H oems.. Edward Capern.. Bog Itogu istorical and Political Dissertations. Lord Brougham. Granny's Wonderful Chair. Griffin and Co Griffin and Farrell of Pictures from the Pyrenees ; or, Agnes and Kate's Travels. The z a a n r d im Jl D fa a i te lla n n ; d or ; , or 6 , 7o Pride goes before a Fall. Stories to Think About. Ditto Ditto Ditto Our Eastern Empire; or, Stories from the liistory of British India. Ditto Gruffel Swillendrinken ; or, the Reproof of the Brutes. Ditto Laugh and Grow Wise. By the Senior Owl of Ivy Hall. Ditto The Office and Work of Universities. J. H. Newman, D.D. Longmans Poems of Robert Greene and Christopher Marlowe. Edited by Robert li ill. PAMPHLETS. A Song in Prose, to the Westminster Owl. J. W. Parker Morgan. —.4 Letter to Lord Palmerston on the Destruction of Grey- town.—.4 Narrative a/ the Defence of Kars. J. Ridgway — The Protestant Dissenters' At'sanack. Freeman. PERIODICAL. Orr's Circle tif the Industrial Arts. Orr and Co SIR E. B. LYTTON AND THE LORD RECTOR- SHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. maintains its established reputation. The Almanac three great continental monarchies, France, Austria, THE following letter and inclosure from Sir E. Bulwer itself occupies ninety six closely-printed pages, and and Russia put together), when it is stated that the Lytton was received at Glasgow last week, relative to contains all the information, well classified, which total number of miles of railway completed is only can be looked for in such an annual. Those who 208, while the t o t a l revenue, w i t h t h e G overnment Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Nov. 18. want an almanac merely for general purposes could th e p ro p r i e t or o f t h e so il , fa i ls to meet the expend i - Sir,—Allow me to return you my best thanks for being not select a better one. Lure by two millions and a half sterling. the late election of Lord Rector of the University : the first to communicate to me, through telegraph, the . e The " Companion " has this year more than its The article on "Metropolitan Communications" .' i k 1 : 1111 usual number of original articles. The first, by contains much useful information, with some vain. Professor de Morgan, discusses the question of able hints. It is hinted that a new Westminster- gratifying news of the high distinction so unexpectedly conferred upon me by the students of your illustrious uni- versity. And if I did not at once acknowledge your con- decimal coinage, concluding strongly in favour of bridge is wanted at Charing-cross. The Duke of Nor- siderute courtesy, it was simply because I deemed it a the scheme, taking the pound sterling as the unit thumberlend, we imagine, would not be indi s p ose d necessary point of etiquette . . to wait for the more formal of account, and reducing the copper coinage to part with Northumberland house, and a magnifi- by four per cent. It is said, " our coinage is cent approach to a new bridge stretching in a direct " decimalised as soon as the coins below sixpence line to the Surrey side would be thus secured. It communication of the Principal, and address to him, as the representative of the university, the first expression of my gratitude for an honour which no one can appreciate i a are lowered by proc l amat i on four per cent. " It would be one of the finest metropolitan improve- more highly than I do. would be necessary, however, to call in all fourpenny ments imaginable. I now owe my especial thanks to those friends whose esteem and zeal have secured my election. Allow me to and threepenny pieces, as they could not be ex- There are several other original papers in the convey those thanks personally to yourself, and, through changed in copper money, and the sixpence and " Companion," independent of the usual summaries you, to all who have aided to bestow ou me so prized, '.. half crown would be inconvenient coins, as farthings and chronologies. Some of the facts in the finance though unmerited, an honour. -,„.. Historical and Politi;:al Dissertations. Lord 13rougham—. Griffii; and Co Granny's Wonderful Chair. Griffin and Farrau Pictures from the Pyrenees ; or, Agnes and Kate's Travels. Ditto Julia and Maitland; or, Pride goes before a Fall. Ditto The Early Dawn; or, .Stories to Think About. Ditto Our Eastern Empire; or, Stories from the tlistory of British India. Ditto Grnffel Swillendrinken ; or, Me Reproof of the Brides. Ditto Laugh and Grow U'iee. By the Senior Owl of Ivy Hall:.. I)itto The Office and Work of Universities. J. H. Newman, 1).1). Longmans Poems of Robert Greene and Christopher Marlowe. Edited by Robert 13 ill. J. W. Parker PAMPHLETS. A Song in Prose, to the Westminster Owl. Morgan. —A Letter to Lord Palmerston on the Destruction of Grey town.—.4 Narrative qj the Defence of Kurs. J. Ridgway — The Protestant Dissenters' Almanack. Freeman. Orr and Co PERIODICAL. Orr's Circle qf the Industrial Arts. SIR E. B. LYTTON AND THE LORD RECTOR SHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. THE following letter and inclosure from Sir E. Bulwer Lytton was received at Glasgow last week, relative to the late election of Lord Rector of the University : Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Nov. 18. Sir,—Allow me to return you my best thanks for being the first to communicate to me, through telegraph, the gratifying news of the high distinction so unexpectedly conferred upon me by the siudents of your illustrious uni versity. And if I did not at once acknowledge your con siderate courtesy, it was simply because I deemed it a necessary point of etiquette to wait for the more formal communication of the Principal, and address to him, as the representative of the university, the first expression of my gratitude for an honour which no one can appreciate more highly than I do. I now owe my especial thanks to those friends whose esteem and zeal have secured my election. Allow me to convey those thanks personally to yourself, and, through you, to all who have aided to bestow ou me so prized, though unmerited, an honour.