The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-05 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

A Visit to India, China, and Japan, in the Year
1853. By Bayard Taylor. London : J. Low and Son.
This work upon India, China, and Japan, is the
production of one who is evidently well versed in the
art of literary composition. His incidents are well
and cleverly introduced ; and the characters by which
the scene is generally animated are drawn with much
power, and grouped with a happy as well as a ready
skilL The pictures presented to his readers by Mr.
Bayard Taylor are vivid and impressive, highly, some
might say overcoloured, and not unfrequently over-
drawn—in fact, too artistic to be literally true—but,
nevertheless, they are so invested with an air of reality,
that they are readily accepted as truthful, and no reason
whatever exists for denying their fascinations. Im-
pelled by a commendable curiosity and a highly com-
municative disposition, Mr. Taylor effected visits and
secured ingress to the remarkable places which lay in
kis route ; and where these could not be reached by
strict adherence to his prescribed line of progress, he
made small difficulty in so arranging the time or object
of his journey, as to admit of his explorations being
made to embrace the object of his intended investiga-
tion. Where circumstances did not conveniently bend
to his wishes, he, with the true and instinctive non-
chalance of an inquisitive traveller, bent his disposition
to the circumstances. Pursuing this sensible plan of
operations, he obtained or made opportunities for ob-
serving much that is not generally revealed to the eyes
and ears of wandering bookmakers and erratic note-
takers. The information thus acquired, he is no
niggard in communicating ; and he narrates his ex-
periences and retails his gossip with lively good sense,
combined with great ability and shrewdness.
At Delhi, as in some other places, he encountered
many unexpected incidents and individuals, not the
least remarkable of which was the meeting with a
Hindoo minstrel, in the ancient capital of the Moguls,
who, accompanying himself on his mandolin, regaled
the ears of his auditory by singing the spirited strain
of " Old Dan Tucker," and inspired the listeners with
lively emotions by playing and singing to them the
favourite Irish ditty, Drops of Brandy," without
understanding a word of either. While here, how-
ever, Mr. Taylor did not confine his observations to
the performances of native minstrels, or the devout
wisdom of solemn dervishes, but directed his attention
to all sorts of matters which offered instruction or
promised amusement. Conspicuous among these, the
architecture of the place, the customs of the people,
and the habits of social life, presented to him a fertile
and interesting field for remark. In recording the
decay of physical grandeur and the visible traces of
mental prostration which have overclouded the condi-
tion of the people, he was much struck with the
imbecile pretence and vain-glory of the prince who
occupies the throne once filled by a line of bold and
warlike sovereigns. The following is so quaintly told,
yet so expressive and characteristic, as to deserve quo-
tation. It is an

ANECDOTE OP AKBAR'S VANITY.

Until recently the law administered within the palace bore
a resemblance to the bloody rule of former days. Persons who
had incurred the royal displeasure had their bands, ears, or
noses cut off, and were then thrust out of the gates. Finally,
the English Resident at the Court hinted to his Majesty that
these things were very disagreeable, and ought to cease.
" What !" said the descendant of Tamerlane, "am I not King
in my own palace ?"—" Undoubtedly," blandly replied the
Resident ; " your Highness is the Conqueror of the World and
the Protector of Princes ; but such a course is not pleasing to
the Governor-General, and it would be a great evil to the
world if the friendship of two such mighty and illustrious
sovereigns were to be interrupted !" The forms of respect to
the phantom of the old authority being thus preserved, the
Emperor instituted a milder regimen.
Mr. Taylor seems to have looked out with consider-
able shrewdness of observation for the weak points
and soft places of the regal character in those states
in which he sojourned ; and it is singular to note the
success which seems to have crowned his industry in
thin romped,. In Oude, the reigning. Nawab seems
to be afflicted with equal weakness, with that re-
corded above, and to be likewise the pleased dupe
of his own credulity. Besides a passion for the
possession of vessels and substantial ornaments of
gold and silver, and for being decorated with lus-
trous crystals, he is also, it appears, haunted
by a desire for male issue ; this latter passion is con-
verted into a source of gratifying amusement by his
courtiers, after the following fashion, as narrated by
Mr. Taylor

THE NAWAB OF OUDE LAMENTING OVER HII3 CHILDREN.

About once a week (so I was informed), the Chief Eunuch
rushes into his presence, exclaiming in great apparent joy,
" 0 Lord of the World, a son is born unto you !"—" Praise be
to God !" exclaims the happy king; " which of my wives has
been so highly honoured ?" The eunuch names one of them,
and the king rises in great haste to visit her and behold his
new offspring. But suddenly cries and shrieks resound from
the women's apartments. A band of females bursts into the
room, shrieking and lamenting. " 0 great king ! a terrible
demon suddenly appeared amongst us. He snatched your
beautiful son out of the nurse's arms, and flew through the
window with a frightful noise." And so this trick is repeated
from week to week, and the poor fool continually laments
over his lost children.

Practising upon the credulity of imbecile sovereigns
has been a fertile source of amusement and profit to
court flatterers from an early period of human history;
but the preceding instance is possessed of so many
novelties of feature and incident as to entitle it to a
notice which may increase its popularity.
From Calcutta, Mr. Taylor proceeded to China,
where he found the civil war raging at no great dis-
tance from the British and American settlements.
Into the details of this it is not our present purpose to
enter, but it may not be uninteresting to our readers
to peruse the subjoined account of

A CHINESE REVIEW.

First came half-a-dozen old six-pounders, mounted on
clumsy carriages, which made a frightful clatter as they rolled
over the rough pavement. They were followed by porters
bearing chests of ammunition, slung from bamboo poles ; then
a company of soldiers in dark blue dresses, with a circular
coat-of-arms on the breast and back, armed with long spears ;
another company, with ginjalls, a long, heavy stock, mounted on
a tripod when it is fired, and carrying a ball about the size of a
grape-shot; afterwards, more spearsmen, alternating with
companies of matchlocks, and followed by more lumbering
six-pounders, chests of ammunition, gongs, yellow banners
covered with hieroglyphics and other curious and fantastic
objects—the procession rushing along without order or
organization, shouting and laughing, or brandishing their
arms in the most uncouth and barbaric style. Such a display
never was witnessed in Shanghai before. There were about
four hundred regular soldiers, some of whom were exceedingly
well-formed, lusty men, and clothed in an appropriate cos-
tume—a short tunic girdled around the waist, full trowsers
gathered at the knees, and tight leggings—but the greater
portion were evidently porters and peasants, hired for the
occasion, to swell the ranks of the soldiery, and produce an
impression of the Imperial power. There were in the pro-
cession some very curious weapons, which I do not suppose
any other army in the world can exhibit. In addition to pikes
for sticking the enemy, poles for punching them, clubs for beat-
ingthem,and flails for threshing their heads, Isaw some wooden
beams about five feet long, with handles at each end, the use
of which is—to push them out of the way ! When part of
the procession was retarded at any point, the companies be-
hind them made up the loss by rushing down the street at
full speed, leaping in the air as they went, charging with their
lances, swinging their flails and shaking their clubs, with
cries which were meant to be terrific, but which were ludicrous
in the extreme.

Such a military spectacle must, without doubt, have
produced a severe tax upon the risible faculties; yet
they are but little more calculated to excite a smile
than are some of the exaggerations by which the
Celestials are inclined to believe they may impose upon
the barbarians of the outer world. Of these, Mr.
Taylor furnishes many amusing illustrations, which
we had marked as worthy of quotation, but which
want of space compels us to omit. Among others, he
tells us that, over the entrances to some of the tea
warehouses, there are inscriptions intimating that
customers may be supplied with "heavenly-prepared
leaves." Adventurers are wooed to take passages in
ships bound for California, as being freighted to de-
part "to the Golden Mountains." The Chinese gin-
palace-keepers, if we may credit Mr. Taylor, are in-
clined to push their trade by means of arguments
not—openly, at all events—adduced by the British
representatives of the same class of traders. At least
one dealer in " rice whiskey," Mr. Taylor informs us,
has inscribed over his door a cabalistic inscription,
intimating that " the joys of Paradise are nothing but
a state of perpetual intoxication."
It is, however, time to stop in reference to Mr.
Taylor and his book, and we take leave of both by
saying that tallith information and amusement will he
gleaned from its pages; and that we have been much
gratified in thus having made the acquaintance of its
author.

The Sabbath and the Sanctuary. By the Rev.
Robert Wilson, B.A. Liverpool : Joshua Walmsley.
This is a sermon which was preached at the open-
ing of the new Chapel of the Liverpool Workhouse,

and, as might be supposed, it is eminently practical in
its bearing and objects. In opening his discourse, the
reverend gentleman said that, although it was not
strictly enjoined upon parties holding such appoint-
ments as that in which he now ministered, to make a
formal declaration of adherence in every particular to
all that is contained in the Book of Common Prayer,
he considered it to be his duty, as it was his pleasure,
to acknowledge his unfaltering faith in the doctrines
of the Prayer-Book, taken in their literal and general
sense—his motto being that of the good old American
bishop, " Evangelical truth and Apostolical order."
In expounding his text, which he took from Leviti-
cus xxvi., 2, " Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence
my sanctuary: I am the Lord," he proceeded to
consider the divine origin and objects of the Sabbath,
as these are pointed out in the holy Scriptures. In
its venerable antiquity, coeval with that of the
world, he said the Sabbath was the most enduring as
it was the most ancient of monuments, sanctified by
God for himself, and commanded to be kept holy
through all time. After alluding to the sublimity of
the commemorations associated with the Sabbath, as
connected with the creation and the redemption of
man, he proceeded to consider

THE SABBATH AS A DAY OF BODILY REST AND OF SPIRITUAL

SANCTITY.

The third character of the Sabbath's excellence is the un-
speakable blessings which it brings along with it. It is a time
of refreshing both to the wearied body and burdened spirit of
man. And oh ! in how amiable a light does the appointment
of this rest place the Father of all our mercies ! Those in par-
ticular who are much and laboriously employed during the
week, are perhaps little aware of the momentous importance
of this day of rest, both to their souls and bodies. It is in con-
sequence of this most ancient and holy institution, that the
work of restoration is at this moment going on through your
frames, and that your secret nerves and fibres are regaining
that strength and energy, which during the week they may
have been wasting. And so it is with the spirits of all those
who rightly and conscientiously employ the privileges of this
most blessed festival. On this day, to those of you who truly
sanctify it, things unseen and eternal are recovering -that
power and conviction on your minds, which during the last
week must needs have been dimmed and weakened by the in-
fluence of the things that are seen and temporal. The springs
of the various Christian graces, such as faith, love, gratitude,
hope and patience, which may have been too far strained and
exerted by the trials and contentions of the week, are, this
day, we trust, regaining their force, and advancing to still
greater strength, beneath the secret influence of that Al-
mighty Comforter, who works His will both in the bodies and
souls of His people, as in His living temple.
The sermon concludes with an earnest exhortation
to all to venerate the Sabbath, and to keep holy the
sanctuary, as commanded by God himself, as a day
and a place set apart for the worship of God. As
already stated, the sermon is eminently practical in its
teaching, and gives evidence of a mind well tutored
in religious truth.
Blackwood's Magazine. Edinburgh: Blackwoods.
Whilst a great many of the magazines which once
held a good place in the popular literature of the day
have been rapidly declining in the scale of merit, so
as to diminish the interest which once attached to
' monthly publications, Blackwood's .Magazine not only
maintains its well-earned reputation at the head of the
magazines, but is fully equal, if not superior, to any of
the preceding numbers. That for this present month
of February opens with an article on " Modern Light
Literature," the subject being poetry, which in this
hard matter-of-fact age is difficult to treat of with any
thing like eulogy. We have then a conclusion of " A
Military Adventure in the Pyrenees," which the writer
has related with a considerable degree of humour and
dramatic effect. " The Wondrous Age" contains many
home truths which it would be as well should be borne
in mind by those new lights who would, attribute all
the blessings we enjoy through the bounty of Provi-
dence to the wisdom and foresight of human intelli-
gence. It is a vice of the age to elevate the intellect
of the creature above the goodness of the Creator, and,
we require occasionally reminding of our own nothing-
ness in comparison. In this respect Blackwood has
done good service, and should be appreciated accord-
ingly. "Public Lectures—Mr. Warren on Labour,"
is a review of an address recently delivered to the
Mechanics' Institute at Hull, by Mr. Samuel Warren,
on Labour; its rights, difficulties, dignity, and conso-
lations,—a subject which can never be without its
interest, and particularly when treated by so able a
writer as the author of the " Diary of a Late Physician."
In the succeeding article, " Touching Oxford," we have
a letter to Professor Nebel by Tlepolemus, on the im-
portant subject of the mode of instruction pursued at
the University of Oxford, with sundry suggestions of
improvements, many of them eminently deserving of
attentive consideration. A paper on " The Ancient
Coins of Greece," reviewing a work on the subject, by
Mr. Martin Leake, will be read with some interest,
particularly by antiquaries. " Tickler among the
Thieves," is the commencement of an extract from an
autobiography, by the Old Contributor, we presume,
who afforded us such au entertaining description of his
retreat by the sea-side, on the coast of France, during
last summer. "The Drama," in a humorous com-
mentary on the intellectual absurdities which afford
amusement to modern Londoners, gives a not very
flattering picture of metropolitan intelligence or refine-
ment. After an article entitled "Lessons from the
War," containing some valuable suggestions, the
number concludes with a brief review on the royally-
patronised sermon on " Religion in Common Life."

NEW MUSIC.

The Seaman's Daughter. Liverpool : Hime.

A tributary monody on the death of Grace Darling,
written by Mrs. Cornewell Baron Wilson, and set to
music by Mr. John Vinning, of this town. The un-
paralleled heroism of Grace Darling deserves to be
kept in memory ; and Mr. Vinning has not only con-
tributed in this monody to perpetuate her fame, but
also to enhance his own reputation as a composer of
no ordinary genius. It will no doubt become a great
favourite, the air being simple but effective.

FASHIONS FOR FEBRUARY.

(PROM THE LADY'S NEWSPAPER.)

THE headdresses worn in ball and evening costume are
very various in style, and most of them are extremely pretty
and becoming. Feathers are tastefully mounted either in
weeping plumes, drooping on each side of the head, or two or
three small ostrich feathers are twisted and intermingled with
ribbon, lace, or whatever else may compose the coiffure. Flow-
ers, lace, and ribbon form a favourite combination in head-
dresses. Some consist of barber of lace on one side, and bou.
quets of flowers and foliage on the other. In ball costume
flowers are generally preferred to any other ornament for the
hair. Many wreaths of flowers in natural hues have recently
appeared, far surpassing in beauty those of any previous season.
Among these may be mentioned a wreath of moss roses, hav-
ing on one side a full-blown rose, and on the opposite side of
the wreath a small tuft of half-blown roses. A novelty in the
mounting of flowers is observable in a wreath formed of ver-
bena of a rich birght purple, with its green leaves. It nearly
covers the hair at the back of the head, and forms a point
above the forehead : two pendent sprays of flowers and foliage
droop over the back of the neck. Laurel flowers made in
bright green velvet, combined with narrow pendent leaves in
gold, are very effective ornaments for the hair in ball costume.
Tulips mingled with grass and foliage of crape have just been
mounted by a Parisian fleuriste, as a dress trimming for the
Empress Eugenie.
At one of the recent balls given at the Tuileries, the Em-
press wore a dress of white moire antique, trimmed with
bouillonnes of white tulle, in which were fixed a number of
small bouquets of violet-colour heartsease, encircled by fern.
Another much admired dress worn on the same occasion con-
sisted of lemon-colour silk. The silk skirt was covered by
another of black spotted tulle, trimmed with three flounces
of the same, each bordered with lemon-coloured satin ribbon,
ornamented with narrow black velvet and white blonde. A
fichu of black spotted tulle was worn over the low corsage of
silk.
An elegant out-door dress just completed, consists of bro-
catelle of a bright maroon tint, sprigged with bouquets in
velvet woven in the silk. The corsage, high and with a basque
and revers, is slightly open as far as to the waist. At the
point in front of the waist it is terminated by a bow of the
silk composing the dress. The revers and basque are trim-
med with Chantilly lace ; two rows of the lace being placed at
the edge of the basque. The sleeves are terminated by a
deep frill, surmounted by a puffing ; and the frill is finished
at the edge by a trimming of Chantilly lace. The collar,
chemisette, and under sleeves are composed of worked muslin
and lace insertion. The under-sleeves, which correspond in
form with the sleeves of the dress, consist of a puffing and a
frill. The bonnet worn with this dress is of malachite green
velvet. It is trimmed on the outside with black lace and
small black and green ostrich feathers : the inside trimming
is of blonde, mingled with black and red berries. Strings of
green ribbon, ornamented at the edge with a stripe of black
velvet. A black velvet cloak and sable boa complete the
costume.

Some of the new velvet jackets are made rather loose.
They are destined to be worn within doors, over the corsage
of the dress, when the weather may render a slight additional
wrap necessary. They are variously trimmed; some being
ornamented with narrow bands of grebe or ermine, and others
with embroidery. Among several just received from Paris
may be mentioned one of black velvet, trimmed with passe-
menterie and embroidery in black and white bugles. Another,
completed of crimson velvet, is embroidered with .black and
garnet beads.

TUNNEL BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.—The Mining
Journal says that Mr., Wm. Austin, many years in Messrs.
Peto, Bette, and Brassey s establishment London, has, since
1853, matured a plan for the above object, which has' been
highly approved of by first-rate engineering talent. it is in-
tended to have a triple way of three arches, oval in form. The
fall is to be from the centre towards each shore, and it is cal-
culated that the crown of the tunnel will have a thickness of
chalk of 60 feet between it and the ocean bed at the deepest.
point, which does not exceed 140 feet below the tidal level, as
proved by soundings. There will be three double lines of
railway. The tunnel, by its length, will thoroughly ventilate
itself ; but, should it prove necessary, three or four, or even
more, air-shafts can be readily constructed, the upper portions
forming light-houses, or refuge in case of shipwreck, and for
signalling ships in the channel. The cost is estimated at
£6,000,000, and the time for construction seven years,