The Press.
London, England, 1858-02-06 00:00:00

THE PRESS, FEBRUARY 6, 1858.

I

Fraser this month is scarcely an average number.
We miss the natural history an r
Intepreter"
" Lady Strathmore's Daughter " is only
msorelyiddling.The conclusion of the paper on Fielding
does not strike us as anything very extraordinary,
nor ran we account for the popularity of " Thorn-
doe" either with the English or the Scotch maga-
zine. No doubt there is considerable thought in
some of Mr. Smith's political speculations, but it is
thought of that kind which loves to dwell in the
region of the merely possible. No doubt, striking
effects may be produced by grouping together a cer-
tain number of plausible reasons for the possibility
of extremely improbable events. Mr. Smith's style
is we admits good, but we must adhere to our pre-
viously-expressed opinion that a great portion of his
earlier pages are feeble and watery. The three last
articles in Fraser are the three best. " A Word
about Our Theatres " is true, and especially oppor-
tune after recent national performances. Alter
pointing out in what respect the newspapers have
neglected their critical office—an evil rightly attri-
buted to the improper relations between critics,
managers, and actors—the writer concludes as fol-
lows :

But while the press may do much, the regeneration of
the drama must, we believe, come mainly from actors them-
selves. As a body, they are behind the time. They have
not kept pace with its culture, and they do not seem to be
at any pains to make up the leeway they have lost. Their
ranks have not of late years been recruited from the better
educated classes, and it may be that there is little
encouragement for ladies and gentlemen to join a profes-
sion where doubtful virtue in the one and forward preten-
sion in the other seem for the time to carry off the prizes,
and where the class c,f plays in vogue offers so little to
dignify the actor's art. But it is impossible that, pos-
sessing as we do the noblest drama in the world, and with
the great love of the stage inherent in the people, this
state of things should go on much longer. The want of a
better stage is felt by all thinking men to have become
intolerable. As an engine of popular education, especially
of that instruction of the art which in these times is too
much neglected for that of the head, it is invaluable. As
an amusement, the world has never devised one that can
compete with it. We waste our money on opera, but the
drama is our natural element. An Englishman cannot go
on for ever "laying down his understanding at the door,"
as Lord Chesterfield said he must do, when he enters the
opera-house. At no time were good theatres more longed
for. People begin to find out that they may read too much,
that they may be too much alone ;—that to be transported
out of the round of their own persecutit.g and petty cares
into sympathy with the creatures of the dramatist's fancy,
and to be moved to tears or laughter in company with
their fellow-men, is better than to have a smattering of all
the ologies. Most cordially, we believe, would the men
who are the moving spirits of our time second the efforts
of any manager who should rest his claims to popularity
on good plays and thoroughly trained actors. Men of
ability would then write plays, who ere now deterred from
doing so, because they know they cannot be acted, and we
might hope to see a drama arise which would be at once
a reflex and a monitor to the times. An intelligent
audience before the curtain would operate beneficially
behind it, and in time a new cluster of artists would spring
up to rival the Kembles, Mnndens, Glovers, and Farrens
of recent times, or those great delineators of character and
manners of a former period, with whom the pictorial record
at the Garrick Club has made us familiar.
The review of Cyrus Redding's " Recollections " is
a very amusing epitothe of the best parts of the book.
The sketch of Sir Charles Napier is admirable—
eloquent, and at the same time, we firmly believe, just.
The Dublin University Magazine, as the Irish
periodical, has necessarily a heavy task to perform.
It must have a flavour of nationality. It must keep
its readers abreast of all the more important con-
temporary literature, and it must find some space
for fiction and poetry. Under these circumstances,
we cannot look for the same proportion of merely
light and fanciful articles as we find in the English
magazines. But the Dublin fulfils its mission. All
the above conditions are complied with in the pre-
sent number. Mr. Lever's story promises plenty of
romance, and a comparatively unbeaten line of
country. " Irish Convict Pnsons " and the " Sani-
tary Condition of the Army" are two very useful
papers. "Curiosities of the English Language" is
mainly a review of Dean Trench's late publication.
It is very sensible and able, and is a wholesome cor-
rective to that passion for archaisms which is just
now prevalent. How true, for instance, is the fol-
lowing :

First of all, we must settle what it is that entitles any
thing calling itself a Word to be accepted as truly such.
With regard to the great mass of words this point presents
no difficulty. But take a term which can only be discovered
to have been once or twice used, will that constitute it an
element of the language, whatsoever it may be, to which it
claims to belong ? If so, then the power and right of
adding to a language to any extent must be held to belong
to every individual. The maker of the dictionary himselt,
orbis tiirnds and acinaintances, may introduce as many
new words into it as they please, of their own contrivance.
Many of them might be in all respects as deserving of
a loption, tried by any test you will, as some of those that
all the dictionaries have admitted on the strength of their
occurrence, it may be, in a single passage. Many of the
additional ones collected by Dr. Trench have, probably, no
better claim—sucb, for instance, as henry Id ore's hiapidity

and speciosity, Fuller's floireretry and fushionists, and a
whole crop of hideous break-jaw monatrocities, sehleragog y,
hecatontarchy, consieacle, solertioueness, dec., dec., in
Bishop Hacket. If all formations similarly circumstanced
with these, that is to say, wanting altogether the authori-
sation of general acceptance and currency, are to be recog-
nised as English words, then there is no innovation that
any person chooses or chances to devise that is not en-
titled to be so recognised. Even if a legitimate extraction,
accor ling to the rules or principles of etymology, should be
exacted in every case, there would still be no end of the
private fabrications that would thus be continually im-
ported into the language We should all, of course,
be ready to acknowledge any word found, although once
only, in any one of our greatest writers, in Spenser, or Bacon,
or Milton, or Shakespeare; but what is to be said to the
peculiar vocabulary of a Sir Roger L'Estrange, or a Tom
Brown ? Probably very few, if any, of the strange terms
found in either of these two last-named worthies are pure
inventions of his own ; they are only words that have not
elsewhere been employed in writing Several such words
might probably be found in Shakespeare—words which he
borrowed from the patois of his native Warwick, as they
found theirs in the street language of London. If
Shakespeare's bleaded and hollered are to be received as good
English, what are we to say to the hoiking of Sir Francis
Palgrave.

Some prettyish verses are, as usual, to be found
scattered up and down the pages of this magazine.
We have a sparkling number of Bentley before us.
Mr. Costello's story—the two memoirs of Rachel
and Beranger—" Queen Stork," a really comic and
natural sketch—and " Season the Second," a con-
tinuation of " Moat Grange "—are all well-chosen
and well-written papers. The Indian article is tem-
perate and plain, though we cannot bring ourselves
to agree with the concluding paragraph, or imagine
that any large number of Englishmen have any faith
at all in Lord Palmerston's "firmness and virtue."
This is a mere way of talking. The dirge on Have-
lock contains some really fine lines.
The New Monthly we really find it very difficult
to say anything about. The commencement of a
new story by the author of " Ashley " is the most
noticeable thing in it. That eternal "Swedish
Voyage round the World" still confronts us, and all
the other articles are of such a truly level character
that, with all willingness to praise, we know not what
to pick out.
Tait this month is very much occupied with social
questions. " The Condition of Poor Woman "
" Prohibited Marriages "—" The Early Marriage
Question "—" The Greatest Social Evil," ctc., will,
as the reader may see, fill up a considerable propor-
tion of the sixty-four pages. All these subjec'.s are
treated with earnestness. We have some sensible
observations on the social position of young men
and women, and a useful protest against the cant
talk of despising that position. On the other side
of the question we fear the writer is too sanguine.
Is there no alternative, he asks indignantly, between
imprudent marriages and vice? A shrug of the
shoulders is all the answer we are permitted to give
to such questions. Civilisation has its penalties.
Similarly on the present well-intentioned crusade
against prostitution, we would say, if the thing itself
can be crushed, well and good ; if not, let us take
care we do not exaggerate its evils by futile attempts
at suppression. However, as long as plain speaking
is forbidden on this subject, writers do but mystify
one another by these vague generalities. Some
good stories, and passable verses, make up as good
a number of Tait as we have seen for some time.
The National Magazine, the Irish Metropolitan,
the London University, and Titan, exhibit no
symptoms of falling off. Each possesses some good
writers on its staff and presents us with the usual
combination of fiction, essay, and poetry. The
National has now established a peculiar character
for itself, as eminently a domestic and household
periodical, and adheres to its type so closely that no
special notice is required.

We have a more than usual number of serials
" going on " at the present time. Mr. Lever's
Davenport Dunn improves ; the introduction of
Davis's daughter is an agreeable surprise, and the
subsequent adventure very graphically told.
The Gordian Knot is written with all Mr. Brooks'
sprightliness, and more than his usual power. But
after all there is a something that rings false in his
characters. The relations about to be established
between a family like the Spencers and one like the
Arundels is not according to the way of the world.
To one thing, however, in this number we must call
special attention—it is the last page :

There was one thing more to be done before the young
London gentleman could honourably proffer matrimonial
vows. There was a letter to be written. _

No wrong, save of the most respectable character—so
respectable that it passes in a crowd for right—shall
obtrude itself in our story. But lam to tell the truth ;
and the truth is, that Philip Arundel had, in decorous
language, to disembarrass himself of a connection.
Happily for him and his conscience in the Last Hour, the
great crime that lures a helpless being to a life of igno-
miny is not to be laid to his charge. But in a little box-
like house in a suburb—a tiny dwelling, fall of comforts
And not without elegancies, mostly his own presents--

141

there waited for him, not often in vain, one whose erring
but affectionate nature had been developed by his kindness
—and who in future would wait in vain.

There was to be an allowance, and I think a small life-
assurance, and a confirmed gift of all in the house ; and—
you are quite right, madam—what more could a Creature
expect or deserve?
Nevertheless Arundel, having written his letter, gave It
to his friend to be delivered—that Philip might not know
the hour or the day when it would be received, and when
the pang which even Creatures can feel would be inflicted
in that quiet little home.
Here Mr. Brooks knows what he is writing about ;
anti we invite all those honest and zealous clergy-
men and gentlemen who are just now talking and
writing so mach upon a certain subject to ponder
well on this fact—i.e., that a popular writer of the
day, a man whose age, and habits, and talents es-
pecially fit him to understand, and give a fair verdict
on, such a subject, has introduced his "representa-
tive " young man keeping a mistress as a matter of
course. Mark the words—" a wrong, so respect-
" able that it passes in the crowd for right"—
: and will any one pretend that our language on
this subject some week or two since• was too de-
cided? We said the world now judges more leniently
of these things than it once did. Here we have at
least one qualified witness who confirms our opinion.
Paved with Gold—ln this number young Phil is
married, but we fear we cannot say " settled." The
marriage, however, is too gross a violation of pro-
bability to go down with any class of readers. Mr.
Mayhew seems to suppose that Phil could have put
on the manners and conversation of decent people
as easily as he changed his clothes.

Mervyn Clitheroe does not belie the expectations
we originally formed of it. It continues spirited and
full of incident.

Of Illustrated Works, we have—let, the Art
Journal, in which the illustrations of the river
Thames are very elegantly continued. The artist
has now got as far as Cbertsey, and Cowley's House,
St. Anne's Well, Otway Stakes, &c, form his prin-
cipal subjects. The text contains some appropriate
explanations, as well as a few useful hints to anglers.
" Tombs of English Artists" is also a very interest-
ng paper. Many will linger over the two cuts which
represent the Protestant Cemetery at Rome and the
tombs of Keats and Shelley. The whole number is
excellently got up, the illustrations well chosen, and
the subjects selected for dissertation appropriate.
2nd, Le Follet, with several bewitching young persons
enveloped in considerable circumferences of crino-
line. Two out of the four toilets here given are very
pretty. 3rd, Wild Flowers of the Alphabet—an in-
genious method of sweetening the rudiments of
learning with the two more advanced studies of
poetry and floriculture. Whether a child will be
satisfied if, when be asks for a lump of sugar, he is
given a daisy, we dont know ; but the attempt to
refine his tastes is certainly praiseworthy, and has
resulted in a pretty book we can recommend for the
purpose.

PUBLICATIONS REC EIVED:FEBRUARY 4.
BOOKS.
Memoirs of Rec. George Wagner, M. 4. J. N. Slmpkiit-
son, M.A. Macmillan and Ca
Parthena. Routledp.,
Bothwell. W. E. Aytonn, D.C.L. Slackwoo&
Tales. Professor Wilson. Ditto.
T)iamonds and Spades. Hain Friswell. H. Les.
Uncle Jack, the Fault-kilkr. By the Author of "Bound
the Fire." Smith and Elder.
_ _ _

Ma- rga;elilamillon. Mrs. C. J. Newby. Three Vole.
Bentley.
Parliamentary Government. Earl Grey. Ditto.
The Spirit of Home. Sylvan. Saunders and Otley.
Katherine Randolph. Edieed by G.A. Gleig. Hodgson.
Charmione. By E. A. Leatham, M.A. Two Vols.
Bradbury and Evens.
Shelley and hie Writings. C. S. Middleton. Two Vol.
Newby.
The Shareholder's Legal Guide. Robertson.
The Year-book of Facts in Science and Art. John
Timb■, F.S.A. Kent and Co.

PAMPIELETB.
The Earliest Inhabitants of Italy. J. W. Parker and
Son—The Life and Poetry 4 Chaucer. Ditto—The Ate
Pamphlet. An Officer. Ridgway—Political Catechise.
Richards—Contributions to the Ethnography of Italy and
Greece. J. W. Parker and Son—lingiovensents in ddmi•
nistration of India.

PERIODICALS.
Irish Metropolitan Magasius. Simpkin and Marshall
—New Quarterly Review. Bosworth and Harrison—Wert
of Scotland Magasine. Hall and Virtne--Ladid Trosorry.
Ward and Lack—Cassell's .fit Treasure Exhibition.
Kent and Co.—North British Review. Hamilton and Co.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD.

Two scholarships of the value of 521. a year, open
to all persons under twenty years of age, will be
filled up at Pembroke College on Friday, the sth of
March. Canilidates who may desire it will be ex-
amined chiefly in mathematics. A scholarship of
the value of 40/. a year, open to all persons educated

• Boyles of "A Wamau's Thoughts about WolastO.

. . , ... ,
THE PRESS FEBRUARY 6, 1858
1141
Fraser this month is scarcely an average number. and speciosity, Fuller's flotveretry and fashioniate, and a there waited for him, not often in vain, one whose erring
ese miss the natural history and "The Interpreter" whole crop of hideous break-jaw monstrocities, schleragogy, but affectionate nature had been developed by his kindnese
sorely. " Lady Strathmore's Daughter is only
hecatontarchy, consiuncle, solertioueness, cite.,stsc., in —and who in future would wait in vain.
ind "
The conclusion of the paper on Fielding There was to be an allowance, and I think a small life-
doeswith these, that is to say, wanting altogether the auttiori. assurance, and a confirmed gift of all in the house ; and—
id
nottirig. strike us as anything very extraordinary,
we account for the popularity of " Thorn- sation of general acceptance and currency, are to be recog• you are quite right, madam—what more could a Creature
rm. can raised as English words, then there is no innovation that expect or deserve?
dale" either with the English or the Scotch maga- any person chooses or chances to devise that is not en- Nevertheless Arundel, having written his letter, gave it
sine. No doubt there is considerable thought in titled to be so recognised. Even if a legitimate extraction, to his friend to be delivered—that Philip might not know
some of Mr. Smith's political speculations, but it is according to the rules or principles of etymology, should be the hour or the day when it would be received, and when
thought of that kind which loves to dwell in the exacted in every case, there would still be no end of the the pang which even Creatures can feel would be inflicted
region of the merely possible. No doubt, striking private fabrications that would
‘tvheusebheoncldonatliln, uefalelyoninsme: iHnetrheatNqiuri.etßlirttlooekhsome.
knows what he is writing about ;
effects may be produced by grouping together a cer- ported into the languas,.e
and we invite all those honest and zealous clergy-
ofbe ready to acknowledge any word found, although once
men and gentlemen who are just now talking and
fain number of plausible reasons for the possibility
only, in any one of our greatest writers, in Spenser, or Bacon,
writing so much upon a certain subject to ponder
extremely improbable events. Mr. Smith's style
' admit, good, but we must adhere to our pre -
la, we or Milton, or Shakespeare; but what is to be said to the
well y ,
ao nni this swfhaecst
whose
. ee. ~
andt hat a
habits,pop u
pesuliar vocabulary of a Sir Roger L'Estrange, or a Tom
larandwritatelernotsf the
es-
articles viously-expressed opinion that a great portion of his Brown? Probably very few, if any, of the strange terms
earlier pages are feeble and watery. The three last found in either of these last-named worthies areda
ecially fit him to understand, and give a fair verdict
pure
in Fraser are the three best. " A Word inventions of his own ; they are only words that have not P
about Our Theatres "is true, and especially oppor- elsewhere been employed in writing Several such words on, such a subject, has introduced his "represents,-
tune after recent national performances. Atter might probably be found in Shakespeare—words which he tive " young man keeping a mistress as a matter of
pointing out in what respect the newspapers have borrowed from the patois of his native Warwick, as they course. Mark the words—" a wrong, so respect.
• ht
buted to the improper relations between critics,"
neglected their critical office—an evil rightly attri- found theirs in the street language of London. If "able
that it passes in the crowd for
Shakespeare's blended and boltered are to be received as good and will any one pretend that our languagerte ....
. English, what are we to say to the hoiking of Sir Francis this subject some week or two since* was on
managers, and actors—the writer concludes as foltoo de-
Palgrave.
lows : tided? We said the world now judges more leniently
Some prettyish verses are, as usual, to be found
But while the press may do much, the regeneration of of these things than it once did. Here we have at
the drama must, we believe, come mainly from actors them-
scattered up and down the pages of this magazine. least one qualified witness who confirms our opinion.
selves. As a body, they are behind the time. They have We have a sparkling number of Bentley before us. Paved with Gold—ln this number young Phil is
not kept pace with its culture, and they do not seem to be Mr. Costello's story—the two memoirs of Rachel married, but we fear we cannot say " settled." The
at any pains to make up the leeway they have lost. Their and Beranger—" Queen Stork," a really comic and marriage, however, is too gross a violation of pro.
ranks have not of late years been recruited from the better natural sketch—and " Season the Second," a con- bability to go down with any class of readers. Mr.
educated classes, and it may be that there is little tinuation of " Moat Grange "—are all well-chosen Mayhew seems to suppose that Phil could have put
encouragement for ladies and gentlemen to join a profes-
and well-written papers. The Indian article is tern- on the manners and conversation of decent people
sion where doubtful virtue in the one and forward preten-
perate and plain, though we cannot bring ourselves as easily as he changed his clothes.
sion in the other seem for the time to carry off the prizes,
and where the class of plays in vogue offers so little to to agree with the concluding paragraph, or imagine Mervyn Clitheroe does not belie the expectations
dignify the actor's art. But it is impossible that, pos- that any large number of Englishmen have any faith we originally formed of it. It continues spirited and
sessing as we do the noblest drama in the world, and with at all in Lord Palmerston's " firmness and virtue." full of incident.
the great love of the stage inherent in the people, this This is a mere way of talking. The dirge on Have-
state
of things should go on much longer. The want of a lock contains some really fine lines. Of Illustrated Works, we have—tat, the Art
better stage is felt by all thinking men to have become The New Monthly we really find it very difficult Journal, in which the illustrations of the river
intolerable. As an engine of popular education, especially
to say anything about. The commencement of a Thames are very elegantly continued. The artist
of that instruction of the art which in these times is too
new story by the author of " Ashley "is the most has now got as far as Chertsey, and Cowley's House,
much neglected for that of the head, it is invaluable. As
an amusement, the world has never devised one that can noticeable thing in it. That eternal " Swedish St. Anne's Well, Otway Stakes, &c , form his prin-
compete with it. We waste our money on opera, but the Voyage round the World" still confronts us, and all cipal subjects. The text contains some appropriate
drama is our natural element. An Englishman cannot go the other articles are of such a truly level character explanations, as well as a few useful hints to anglers.
on for ever "laying down his understanding at the door," that, with all willingness to praise, we know not what " Tombs of English Artists" is also a very interest-
as Lord Chesterfield said he must do, when he enters the to pick out. ng paper. Many will linger over the two cuts which
opera-house. At no time were good theatres more longed Tait this month is very much occupied with social represent the Protestant Cemetery at Rome and the
for. People begin to find out that they may read too much, questions. " The Condition of Poor Woman e— tombs of Keats and Shelley. The whole number is
that they may be too much alone ;—that to be transported „ prohibited Marriages "—" The Early Marriage excellently got up, the illustrations well chosen, and
out of the round of their own persecuting and petty cares
Question "—" The Greatest Social Evil," itsc w
Ques.t .lill will, the subjects selected for dissertation appropriate.
into sympathy with the creatures of the dramatises fancy,
and to be moved to tears or laughter in company with as the reader may see, fill up a considerable propor- 2nd, Le Follet, with several bewitching young persons
their fellow-men, is better than to have a smattering of all lion of the sixty-four pages. All these subjec's are enveloped in considerable circumferences of crino-
theirfellow-men,
olives. Most cordially, we believe, would the men treated with earnestness. We have some sensible line. Two out of the four toilets here given are very
who are the moving spirits of our time second the efforts observations on the social position of young men pretty. 3rd, Wild Flowers of the Alphabet—an in-
of any manager who should rest his claims to popularity and women, and a useful protest against the cant genions method of sweetening the rudiments of
on good plays and thoroughly trained actors. Men of talk of despising that position. On the other side learning with the two more advanced studies of
ability would then write plays, who are now deterred from of the question we fear the writer is too sanguine. poetry and floriculture. Whether a child will be
doing so, because they know they cannot be acted, and we Is there no alternative, he asks indignantly, between satisfied if, when be asks for a lump of sugar, he is
might hope to see a drama arise which would be at once imprudent marriages and vice ? A shrug of the given a daisy, we dont know ; but the attempt to
a reflex and a monitor to the times. An intelligent •
audience before the curtain would operate beneficially all
shoulders is the answer we are permitted to give refine his. tastes is certainly praiseworthy, and. has
behind it, and in time a new cluster of artists would spring to such questions. Civilisation has its penalties. resulted in a pretty book we can recommend for the
up to rival the Kembles, Mnndens, Glovers, and Farrens Similarly on the present well-intentioned crusade purpose.
of recent times, or those great delineators of character and against prostitution, we would say, if the thing itself ...
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 4.
manners of a former period, with whom the pictorial record can be crushed, well and good ; if not, let us take
at the Garrick Club has made us familiar. care we do not exaggerate its evils by futile attempts BOOKS.
Memoirs of Rev. George Wagner, M.A. J. N. Simpkia-
The review of Crus Redding's " Recollections "is at suppression. However, as long as plain speaking son, M.A. Macmillan and Co.
a very amusing epitome of the best parts of the book. is forbidden on this subject, writers do but mystify Parthena. Routledp.
The sketch of Sir Charles Napier is admirable— one another by these vague generalities. Some Bothwell. W. E. Aytoun, D.C.L. Blackwoo&
eloquent, and at the same time, we firmly believe, just. good stories, and passable verses, make up as good Tales. Professor Wilson. Ditto.
a number of Tait as we have seen for some time. Diatnonds and Spades. Hain Friswell. H. Lea.
The Dublin University Magazine, as the Irish
The National Magazine, the Irish Metropolitan, Uncle Jack, the Fault-killer. By the Author of " Round
periodical, has necessarily a heavy task to perform.
the London University, and Titan, exhibit no the Fire." Smith and Elder.
It must have a flavour of nationality. It must keep
symptoms of falling off. Each possesses some good Margaret Hamilton. Mrs. C. J. Newby. Three Vols.
its readers abreast of all the more important con- Bentley.
writers on its staff, and presents Us with the usual
temporary literature, and it must find some space Parliamentary Government. Earl Grey. Ditto.
combination of fiction, essay, and poetry. The
for fiction and poetry. Under these circumstances, The Spirit
established peculiar of Rome. Sylvan. Saunders and Duey
has now haracter
we cannot look for the same proportion of merely for itself, as eminently a domestic and household Katherine Randolph. Edited by G. R. Gleig. Hodgson.
light and fanciful articles as we find in the English(Sherri:lone. By E. A. Leatham, M.A. Two Vols.
magazines. But the Dublin fulfils its mission. All periodical, and adheres to its typo so closely that no Bradbury and Evans.
•
the above conditions are complied with in the pre-
special notice is required. Shelley and his Writings. C. S. Middleton. Two Vole.
New.
sent number. Mr. Lever's story promises plenty of
romance, and a comparativel unbeaten line of We have a more than usual number of serials The Shareholder's Legal Guide. Robertson.
country. " Irish Convict Prisony ,s
" and the " Sani- g going on "at the present time. Mr. Lever's The Year-book cl Facts is Science and Art. Joie*
Timbs, F.S.A. i Kent sad Co.
Davenport Dunn improves ; the introduction of
'Airy Condition of the Army" are two very useful PAMPNLETS.
Davis's daughter is an agreeable surprise, and the
papers. " Curiosities of the English Language " is The Earliest Inhabitants of Italy. J. W. Parker and
mainly a review of Dean Trench's late publication. subsequent adventure very graphically told.
Son—The Life and Poetry 4 Chaucer. Ditto—The Blae
The Gordian Knot is written with all Mr. Brooks'
It is very sensible and able, and is a wholesome cor• Pamphlet. An Officer. Ridgway—Political Catechise.
rective to that passion for archaisms which is just sprightliness, and more than his usual nower But
. • Richards—Contributions to the Ethnography of Italy and
after all there is a something that rings false in his . Greece. J. W. Parker and Son—/mek•oventents is /Mini-
now prevalent. How true, for instance, is the fol-
characters. The relations about to be established :tiara/ion of India.
lowing : between a family like the Spencers and one like the PERIODICI.I2.
First of all, we must settle what it is that entitles any Arundels is not according to the way of the world. Irish Metropolitan Magazine. Simpkin and Marshall
thing calling itself a Word to be accepted as truly such. Tin this number we must call —New Quarterly Review. Bosworth and Harrison—Wed
With regard to the great mass of words this point presents o one thing,. however,. .
special attention—it is the last page : of Scotland Magastne. Hall and Virtue—Ladies' Daemons,
no difficulty. But take a term which can only be discovered Ward and Lock—Cassell's Art Treasure Exhibition.
to have been once or twice used, will that constitute it an There was one thing more to be done before the young Kent and Co.—North British Review. Hamilton and CO.
element of the language, whatsoever it may be, to which it London gentleman could honourably proffer matrimonial
claims to belong ? If so, then the power and right of vows. There was a letter to be written.
UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
adding to a language to any extent must be held to belong No wrong, save of the most respectable character—so
to every individual. The maker of the dictionary himself, respectable that it passes in a crowd for right—shall OXFORD.
orbis trisnds and acenaintances, may introduce as many obtrude itself in our story. But lam to tell the truth; Two scholarships of the value of 521. a year, open
new words into it as they please, of their own contrivance. and the truth is, that Philip Arundel had, in decorous to all persons under twenty years of age, will be
Many of them might be in all respects as deserving of language, to disembarrass himself of a connection. filled up at Pembroke College on Friday, the sth of
adoption, tried by any test you will, as some of those that Happily for him and his conscience in the Last Hour, the March. Candidates who may desire it will be ex-
all the dictionaries have admitted on the strength of their great crime that lures a helpless beiug to a life of igno- amined chiefly in mathematics. A scholarship of
, occurrence, it may be, in a single passage. Many of the niiny is not to be laid to his charge. But in a little box- the value of year, - .
40/. aopen to all persons educated
.., additional ones collected by Dr. Trench have, probably, no like house in a suburb—a tiny dwelling, fall of comfortsy
better claim—such, for instance, as Henry More's hiepidity and not without elegancies, mostly his own presents— • Review of "A Woman's Thoughts about Woman"
. •
• • ,
At
...
.

142

for not less than two years in Charterlicuse School,
will also be filled up in this college. Candidates are
required to call on the master (the Rev. Dr. Jenne)
on Tuesday, March 2, with certificates of age and
testimonials of good conduct.

At a congregation held on Jan. 30, the majority of
the gentlemen who passed on Friday proceeded to
their degree in due form. The attendance in the
Senate House was much larger than usual, and the
cheers that greeted Mr. Slesser the senior wrangler,
who has succeeded in winning the academic laurel
again for a "small college," were tremendous. It
will be recollected that Queens' turned out the
senior wrangler last year. Mr. George Slesser, A.M.,
is a native of Rathen, in Aberdeenshire. He entered
King's College in November, 1849, and graduated
there in March, 1853, on which occasion he obtained
the highest honour in that university—the Simpson
mathematical prize of 801. He matriculated at
Queen's College in October, 1854, where be soon
took his position as the first of his year. While at
Cambridge he obtained, by competitive trial, a mathe-
matical scholarship from the University of London.
Mr. Richard P. Ebden, 8.A., of Christ's College,
has carried the last vacant clerkship in the Colonial-
office from a large body of competitors.

HMI MAJESTIES THEATRE.—La Zingara (The Bohe-
*kit Girl) will be presented, fur the first time, here
this evening. The opera is enriched in the second
sot by a pas entitled La Bonne Aventure. Mr. Balfe
has composed the music expressly for this occasion.
The melodies are light, catching, original, and ex•
tremely dansante. This pretty pas may be called a
divertissement, if we may judge by the different
dances of which it is composed :-1. Pastorale,
Mlles. Morlacchi and Pasquale. 2. Tarantella, Mile.
Clavelle and the corps de ballet. 3. Scene d'action
dansante, Mlles. Clavelle, Morlacchi, Pasquale, and
the corps de ballet. 4. Variations, Mlles. Morlacchi
and Pasquale. 5. Waltz, Mlle. Clavelle. 8. Gallop
Bohemien, by the principal dancers and the corps de
ballet. This new and varied pas is the composition
of Mons. Maggot, the talented maitre des ballets
at Her Majesty's Theatre.
Ma. HENRY LESLIE gave a concert at St. Martin's-
hall on Thursday night, at which the selection
recently performed by his choir at Buckingham
Palace, by her Majesty's command, was presented.
The first piece in this part of the programme was
the bridal song written in honour of the royal
nuptials—one of Mr. Leslie's most spirited, if not
one of his most elaborate, compositions. The hall
was full in every part, and the whole performance
was excellent. We are informed that Mr. Henry
Leslie's sew oratorio, Judith, which he has just
has been accepted by the committee of
the Festival, and is to be performed at
the meeting in autumn next.
Pomasosinc.—Their Royal Highnesses the Prince
of Wales and Prince Alfred paid a visit to the Poly-
technic so Saturday last. Mr. Pepper was in at-
tendance on the Royal visitors. After viewing the
numerous objects of interest in the galleries, the new
cosmoramic pictures, Montanari's exquisite Mexican
figures, and also groups by Mmo. Montanari, repro-
tenting the royal families of England and France,
they proceeded to the large tank, to view experiments
illustrating submarine blasting and the operations of
the diver. The whole results were very successful,
and the miniature Royal George was blown to atoms,
which ascended and floated upon the surface of the
water. Their Royal Highnesses, after kindly throw-
ing some golden likenesses of her most gracious
Majesty to the diver under water (the whole of which
were duly found and appropriated), passed to the
large lecture-room, to see the electric experiments
with the great steam hydro-electrical machine--
experiments nowhere else to be witnessed on such a
prapd and imposing scale. The Prince of Wales
inamined in close proximity to the machine, and
...peered to be much pleased with the gigantic
aparks, the falling star, and the aurora in vacuo.
After staying till about one o'clock the party retired,
expressing great satisfaction with their visit.

Nang Parket anb Cztg ,]itttiligenct.

FRIDAY EVENING.
THE return of the Bank of England for the week
ending Wednesday last, the 3rd inst., shows the
following changes compared with that for the week
preceding :

• Increase in Circulation
Increase in Public Deposits
Decrease in Other Deposits
Increase in Government Securities 271,581
Degrease in Other Securities
Increase in Bullion
Increase in Rest
Decrease in Reserve ..
Bullion in both Departments
Circulation, including Bank Post
Bills

116.