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

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 1111, 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.
Hoems.. 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
zaanrdimJlDfaai
tellann;d
or;
,or6,7oPride 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 total revenue, with the Government
Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Nov. 18.
want an almanac merely for general purposes could the proprietor of the soil, fails to meet the expendi-
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 indisposed 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 proclamation 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.
-,„..

NOVEMBER 29, 1856.

Only a day before I received your despatch Lord Stanley
addressed to me a letter, which does him so much credit—
for that modesty which so often accompanies signal merit—
that it seems due to his lordship and friends to inclose it
to you. It will serve to console those who were his warmest
partisans for the preference which I owe to yourself and
my other friends, and may perhaps allay every disturbing
element of irritation which a contested election sometimes
rouses, even in minds the most philosophically composed.
—Believe me, yours truly and gratefully,

E. iIULWER LYTTON.
The following is the letter referred t 3 by S►r E
B. Lytton:—

Knowsley, Nov. 13..

Dear Sir Edward,-4 hear, on newspaper authority only,
but with some certainty, that it has been proposed to put
me forward as a candidate fur the Lord Rectorship of the
University of Glasgow, you being also in the field.
If I had any means of communication with the gentle.
men who are thus using my name, I should, with all
courtesy and gratitude to them, protest against the implied
aivalry.
Such honours are the fit rewards of intellectual pre-
eminence, and ought to be bestowed on no other grounds.
More than this—they should be reserved for those who
have achieved distinction, not conferred by way of en-
couragement on those who are only seeking it.
I wish you, therefore, clearly to understand that I neither
have encouraged, nor shall encourage, the proposal of my
name as a candidate. Nothing, except the authorised
channel of communication, prevents me from making
known this opinion to my too partial friends, be they few
or many, in Glasgow.—Believe me, very truly yours,
Sir. E. B. Lytton, M.P. STANLEY.

There is reason to believe that Sir Edward Lytton
pill visit Glasgow for the purpose of being installed
at an early date, at all events before the meeting
of Parliament.

THE LATE MR. BOGUE.

The following particulars concerning the
late Mr. Bogue has been communicated to us
by a correspondent :

Mr. Bogue, though engaged in trade, was a man of
a good old landed family. His ancestors for seve-
ral:centuries held estates in the county of Berwick,
carried coat armour, and were, we may add, such
zealous Covenanters, that when under the necessity
of going to church in the time of Charles IL, they
were in the habit of stuffing their ears so that they
might not hear the service.
Mr. Bogue's grandfather, who was " designed"
of Hallydown, a considerable estate in Berwickshire,
married the great granddaughter of Colonel Crooks
(one of the officers who fought with Cromwell at
Dunbar, and afterwards settled north of the Tweed),
and had several children. Of these the eldest be-
came " Laird," and managed CO get rid of the pro-
perty, as was the fashion cl the day. A second was
Dr. Bogue, the well-known Independent minister,
long settled at Gosport; and another was the father
of the publisher. The last of these proving utterly
unsuccessful in life, and having got through his own
and his wife's money, died in 1818, leaving his widow
with very small means, and a large family.
Mr. Bogue was then in his tenth year, and having
been taken under the wing of an uncle, was brought
up with a pet feet knowledge that he must fight his
own way. At an early age he was apprenticed to
31r. Ireland, a publisher in Edinburgh, and continued
in his establishment for a number of years.
At length, in 1833, circumstances led him to think
of trying his fortune in the south, and, with a little
money and a few letters of introduction in his
pocket, be took a passage for London. Among the
letters was one to Charles Tilt.

Mr. Bogue sometimes mentioned that when lie
first went to cell on Mr. Tilt it was a busy day, and
ho found everybody about. the place too much
occupied to give him any attention. In these cir•
cumstances he had the sagacity to refrain from pre-
senting his letter, and to beat a retreat. Had he
importuned Mr. Tilt at such a time the name of
David Bogue would never have appeared at St.
Bride's-passage.
When Bogue called again and presented the letter
Mr. Tilt said he wanted no assistants then, but asked
!um to leave his address. After waiting long, spend-
ing nearly all his money, and thinking of returning
to Scotland, Mr. Bogue was one morning sent for
and engaged at a small salary to do what be
could.

He was wonderfully industrious, however, and
made himself so useful to Mr. Tilt that in 1840 he
had the satisfaction of being taken into partnership.
Two years later Mr. Tilt retired from the business,
and Mr. Bogue, taking the whole concern on his
shoulders, commenced his career as a publisher in
earnest.

Before that time Bogue had become the author of
several works, chiefly books for children, among
which may be mentioned " Bingley's Stories," which
were praised by the Quarterly some years since in an
article on "Books for Children." He also contn-
touted an interesting sketch of his uncle's life to