The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

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IC_ _

WE have time only to glance at the contents of the
magazines which have reached us this mouth. Po-
litics do not occupy much space in them, but we
must direct attention to an able article iu Black-
wood on " The Ministerial Changes." It is truly
said, that not only are our departments breaking
down principally through the mere " clerk-govern-
ment" of late years, but that our representative sys-
tem itself is failing us. Certes, as the expedition to
the Crimea is the gloomiest episode in our military
annals, notwithstanding the brilliant valour of our
troops, so the Ministerial intrigues, commencing
with the secession of Lord John ltussell, and ending
with his return to office in the double capacity of
Minister Plenipotentiary and Colonial Secretary,
form the most shameful chapter in our political his-
tory. Another article, which will be eagerly read, is
a continuation of the " Story of the Campaign,"
throwing much light on our misfortunes in the
Crimea. The commissariat and transport services
have evidently, by their deficiency, done most mis-
chief, and for the neglect of the latter--a neglect
which seems absolutely unaccountable to military
men—the Duke of Newcastle is directly responsible.
A " Peep at Paris" is amusing. Without knowing
the author of the romance of " Zaidee," now pub-
lishing in this magazine, we must congratulate the
editor on having found so admirable a contributor.
Thus far, we can honestly say—and it is a real
pleasure to the critic to commend with all his heart
—that we have rarely read the opening chapters of
a tale which promised better, or both pleased and
affected us more.
The political views of Fraser are not very clear—
the result probably of their independence of recog-
nised divisions of opinion. It, is admitted, however,
that " the Government is left in a state of anarchy,"
and that the circumstances of the country are so
alarming as to justify " a committee of public safety."
The opinion of the writer will soon be shared by the
public, that Lord Palmerston is nut " the Minister
"best qualified for the management of the war." Of
the other articles, that on the " Past and Future of
Germany" is the most striking ; but there are many
readable papers in the number.
Some well-written reviews occupy a large portion
of the Dublin University. That one on the " Me-
moirs of the Countess of 131essington " reminds us
that we have yet to pass judgment on a work which,
whatever may be its attractions for the curious, is
yet a sad stain on English literature. We are in-
clined to blame this Review for not assuming a more
distinctive character, and giving greater prominence
to Irish topics.

tne opening. ~
Forty years afterwards (1562) the Calvanists, rising en inhabitants of the valleys which filled those pleasant Places trie 11111.11.11.11 l/!. .giu 4...... r......., .. .........,, ..,....
masse, carried havoc and desecration into all the churches with song, and, in the course of a very brief period of lishing in this magazine, we must congratulate the
in the land. This n)hle temple was among the first to time, created a celebrity for those merry strains from the editor on having found so admirable a contributor.
suffer from their brutality, and the tomb of the Conqueror Vaux de Vire—the valleys of the Vire—(corrupted, even- Thus far, we can honestly say—and it is a real
became the special object of attack. The mercenary vil- tually, and with great absurdity, into Ville), which led to pleasure to the critic to commend with all his heart
lains protested it contained hidden treasure, and, in the their more extensive use throughout entire France. —that we have rarely read the opening chapters of
blind rage of disappointed sectarian frenzy, scattered in Nearly two centuries had elapsed since liasselin's day of a tale which promised better, or both pleased and
all directions the dry bones of the illustrious dead (the
only fame before the musical dramatic writers of his country affected us more.
deposit they found there ), and heaped the grossest indig- began to appropriate the light cheerful measure of the The political views of Fraser are not very clear—
nide(' on both tomb and sanctuary. A thighbone was re- ballads of Vire to the cumediettes in one or two acts, the result probably of their independence of recog•
covered; and some idea may be formed of the "majesty of whose business (to use a stage phrase) is carried on from • . .
niseddivisions of opinion. It is admitted, however,
buried " Normandy, from the circumstance of this having the rise to the fall of the curtain, through frequently.recur- .
that "the Government is left in a state of anarchy,"
been found to measure eight inches beyond the average ring little songs, thrown off in a manner peculiar, in its
and that the circumstances of the country are so
length of that part of the human frame. By dint of labo- pleasing sprightliness, to the French; and serving, on
rious search and untiring zeal, the dispersed portions of many an occasion, to reconcile the most critical of alarming as to justify " a committee of public safety."
the skeleton were ultimately found ;—an act of loyalty audiences to a large amount of flimsy and frivolous The opinion of the writer will soon be shared by the
attaching everlasting credit to Jean de Ilaillehache, the matters. Olivier, though the Sims Reeves of his day in the public, that Lord Palmerston is nut " the Minister
successful finder ;—and these were once more deposited, valley, never could have dreamed of such immortality; but " best qualified for the management of the war." Of
in the year 1642 (beneath the pavement where they °--o- riffi
- some men "achieve greatness "—unconsciously ; and, the other articles, that on the " Pest and Future of
nally lay), with honourable pomp and ceremony. This could he now revisit the old mill, he would probably read Germany "is the most striking ; but there are many
worthy man likewise erected a new and simple monument with wondering eyes his name, in large gilt letters, inscribed
upon the spot where the ruined sarcophagus and its adorn- on a black painted board which signalises the gable-end of readable papers in the number.
Some well-written reviews occupy a large portion
mental had stood,—annexing a latin inscription which re- the mill-house facing Vire.
corded the fate they had encountered. Singular to relate ofo.tbera 066 me_
even this memorial was not suffered to remain above a Many of the author's descriptions of scenery the itev e rss i
0t yi .
13 ile.
shgai That
g onetoo
o"nrethmeinds us
century without disturbance and removal. On the occa- are exquisitely penned, and we may especially
that we have yet to palm judgment on a work whioh,
siou of the eastern extremity of the church being notice the charming chapter relating the whatever may be its attractions for the curious, is
extended, and the old sanctuary becoming, inconsequence, journey from Caen to Viie. The eye of an yet a sad stain on English literature. We axe in-
the lower end of the choir, the monument was found to be artist and the feeling of a poet are blended dined to blame this Review for not assuming a more
so inconveniently in the way of the ministering priests, on :__ the
of his
journeyaccount through this distinctive character, find giving greater promui • enoa
every performance of Divine service, that the clergy in
obtained ' • from Lo • toremove it nearer lovely tract of country. Of Norman antiqui- to Irish topics.
permission ms XV.
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