The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-11-27 00:00:00

the dispute, the struggle, in all probability, would have been
avoided or postponed. Now her interference, besides being
late, comes, if it comes at all, with an ill odour, and will be
most suspiciously scrutinized. Meanwhile, as if roused to
desperation, the CZAR has issued an order for a levie en Inane
throughout the nation. So extraordinary a project savours so
much of insanity as to be credited only with the greatest dif-
ficulty; yet it may have its origin in some wild frenzy similar
to that which but the other day induced his brother CON-
STANTINE to propose a razzia on London with the Russo-
Baltic fleet. ALEXANDER 11. may probably entertain an
ambition to emulate ATTILA, and try to over-run Europe with
his hordes of Cossacks, Tartars, and Muscovites.
While war and its many revolting contemplations continue
to fill so large a space in the public mind, it is pleasing to
know also that they do not exclusively occupy attention. At
the time when the potentates of Europe are planning cam-
paigns, and arranging military levies. the bibliopolic monarchs
of the metropolis are not less busy in marshalling their literary
battalions. With them the period for breaking ground is
generally that which is shrouded in November fogs. The secret
works and masked batteries which are designed to blaze away
in hot-pressed foolscap or to resound in sonorous demy, are
uncovered to the general eye just about the advent of Decem-
ber. Unlike the missiles discharged under the direction of
those whom the Times irreverently styles " old fogies," the pro-
)ectiles of the Row are more persuasive than compulsory, and
not unfrequently end in the discharge of a shower of " buds
of beauty" as the others do in an avalanche of rockets. This
is particularly true of the Christmas publications. In these
there is generally a happy combination of art and literature,
and already many of them decorate the booksellers' counter
and crowd the warehouses of the publisher. ROUTLEDGE, as
usual, is early in the field, and this year, besides other works
of taste and merit, produces the poetry of LONGFELLOW, pro-
fusely illustrated by brilliant wood-cuts. LoNGme.if follows
with a sedate array of charming and seductive literature,
wedded in some few instances to younger but enchanting
sisters of the muse of art. The " Keepsake" is once more
prepared with the characteristic grace and sweetness, suited to
the Attic taste of BOGUE, by HEATH; in addition to which
he likewise offers to his friends the public some bewitching
mementoes of the Rhine and its scenery; and " though last
not least in our dear love," a series of portraits of the female
aristocracy. Fields of instruction and amusement are also
freely opened up and cultivated by other publishers of intelli-
gence and enterprise, conspicuous among whom stands the
princely house of the Edinburgh BLACXWOGDS. In their list
of announcements we have a rare and valuable combination
of science and pure literature, always sound and ever elegant.
Low, PARKER, and others follow in the commendable struggle
of intellect and virtue against ignorance and its companion
vice. The literary announcements of the period are numerous
and interesting in themselves, and they are doubly so when
contrasted with the comparative blank of this time twelve-
months, when there was no eye for anything but cypress and
no ear except for sounds of woe.

Public amusements seem also to be more numerous and
more pleasing. Oratorios, concerts, and other musical enter-
tainments are more frequent and better attended than they
were last year. The theatres are busy with preparations for
the Christmas pantomimes; but not to the neglect of present
business, in which latter category deserves to be mentioned
the revival of Sir JOHN V4NBURGIft3 favourite comedy of
"The Provoked Husband 7 as altered by CIBBES. This was
reproduced on Monday evening with good effect and success-
at the Haymarket, the character of Lady Townley being
well sustained by Miss CITSMIAN. It is scarcely suited to
the peculiarity of this lady's style, but the force of her his-
trionic talent and her general sense of dramatic propriety
carried her triumphantly through. She was ably supported;
by Mr. HOWE, whose gentlemanlike bearing and finely cul-
tured propriety of manner contrasted well with the more im-
petuous and impulsive acting of Miss Cuss/sr. The piece
was well put upon the stage, and the•revival was in an eminent
degree successful.