The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-04 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Lender " of her fault in exaggerating the conven-
tional. Here is a remark founded on substantial
truth, but made ludicrous by its overstatement :
" Let him who, after lasouring under the pressure of
pecuniary embarrassments, buds himself suddenly and un-
expectedly released from thraldom, declare whether any
earthly triumph can exceed that soul•stirring emancipation,
The king may make a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a: that—

but far surpassing any ennoblement recorded in the peer.
age is the creation of a free man out of a wretch on whose
shoulder the gripe of the bailiff has been felt by agonising
anticipation.'

If the fair authoress were treating of the agonies of
an upraiding conscience, or the misery of blasted
affection, or the sufferings of bereaved kindred, she
could scarcely have expressed herself with more
strength. The thrilling words of the poet are pro-
faned in the use of them in the foregoing extract.

Plea for a Colonial and Missionary College at Cain•
bridge. By J. R. Crowfoot. London: Rivingtons.
THE writer laments that British colonisation has
been "gradual and unsystematic," and represents
colonial society as democratic, disaffected to Eng-
land, and indifferent to sound religious doctrine. He
also dwells on the number of heathen nations and
tribes which acknowledge our supremacy, and on the
duty, hitherto neglected, of converting these. His
proposal is to establish at Cambridge a seminary or
place of training for students who intend to emigrate,
either as missionaries or colonial clergy. He would
keep down the expenses of each student to 75/.
yearly, and make some provision for professors, lec-
turers, and fellows. All this is well enough ; but be
then proceeds to suggest the seizure and appropria-
tion of Downing College for this purpose, merely on
the ground that it would thus be more useful than
it is at present. Mr. Crowfoot appears himself to
be a moderate minded, if not a judicious, projeCtor,
and his suggestion only shows how far the idea of
an unlimited State interference with private endow-
ments may be carried, and with what extreme cau-
tion it should be approached by any legislative body.
There is no more reason why the funds of Downing
College should be diverted to missionary uses than
why those of Trinity, or of Christ Church at Oxford,
should be appropriated to found an hospital.

Palmerston for Premier. London : T. and W. Boone.
AN ingenious and elaborate, but unfair, attack on the
foreign policy of Lord Palmerston, who is made re-
sponsible in his own person for the Afghan invasion,
for the success of Russian intrigues in Persia, for the
annexation of Poland, the seizure of Cracow, the
war with China, and the present position of Turkey
Judging by the tone and language of this production,
it would appear to emanate from a supporter of Lord
Aberdeen. The author displays considerable skill in
misrepresentation, and a sufficient knowledge cf de-
tails to give plausibility to his arguments.

Family Prayers, Original and Selected By W.
Hastings Kelke, B.A. London : Cox.
THIS volume will scarcely supply the deficiency felt
amongst the devout of a good volume of "prayers."
The composition of addresses to the Deity would
task the highest intellects, and it is nut a little
strange that our great divines have not given that
attention to the composition of " prayers" which
they have bestowed upon sermons and polemical
exercises. The "Liturgy " and the " Psalms," how-
ever, are amply sufficient to meet the wants of the
pious; but" manuals of family devotion" are useful
to give variety to the language of thanksgiving. Mr.
Kelke's volume is printed to correspond in type and
sizo with Mr. Thornton's " Family Prayer," with
which, also, it was the compiler's object to make his
volume accord in doctrine.

The Nature, Symptoms, and Treatment of ',Con-
sumption. By Richard Payne Cotton, ➢I.D.
London : Churchill.

THIS book comes before us with a guarantee of
excellence, it being the essay to which the Fother-
gillian prize medal was awarded by the Medical
Society of London. It affords, perhaps, one of the
best illustrations of the rapid strides which have
been accomplished within the last thirty years in this
particular department of medical science. The
benevolent promoters and supporters of the Brompton
Hospital for Consumption will see in Dr. Cotton's
valuable treatise some of the first fruits of ther
labours, and the benefits of their noble institution
will thus be diffused beyond the comparatively limited
circle of their own patients.

Expose of the Royal Academy of Arts. By Thomas
Skaife. London : Piper and Co.
THIS is a large pamphlet of more than 100 pages, in
which the Royal Academicians are attacked partly

SATURDAY,

on public and general grounds, but principally
because they have rejected certain paintings executed
by the author: "at a word, Thomas Skaife, Esq.,
" saith he is wronged." But it must be admitted
that there is much in the constitution of the Royal
Academy that calls for reform. When an arst of
the eminence of the late John Martin abtlained
from sending pictures for exhibition to Trafalgar-
square, because he could not receive justice at the
hands of the academicians, we may be sure that Mr.
Skaife might have made out a better case against
them if he had written more calmly. The subject is
one which will probably come before the Legislature,
and until then we suspend our judgment; but one
remark we will make, viz., that no room can possibly
be built in which, if it be hung round with pictures
of every variety of tone and colour, the light will be
equally favourable to all. This, rejected or ill-used
artists seem to forget.

Church Questions. By the Rev. James Lancaster,
M.A. Second Edition. London : Seeleys.
THIS is a very useful little este:him), composed on
the plan of giving Scripture answers to the various
questions, and interspersed with judicious remarks
from the pen of the compiler. It well deserves the
honour of a "second edition," as it contains much
well-chosen matter compressed in a small space.

Alice Wentworth. A Novel. London : Hurst and

Blackett.
Tins is a first attempt at a fashionable novel, trying
to join the interest of domestic pathos with Bel-
gravian incident. The style is pleasing, but the
story wants power, for the recording pen has not
practice in the art of fiction. " Alice Wentworth" is
one of those novels which create opposition to the
present mode of publishing fictions. Here we have
scarcely enough of "copy " for one volume and a half,
spun out iuto three volumes, and in the last the
story is printed with seventeen lines on a wide page,
realising Sheridan's description of " a rivulet of text
" meandering through a meadow of margin." If the
writer should again venture on publication we ad-
vise her (for we have no doubt of the sex of the
author) to take more pains in studying from nature.

PERIODICAL LITERATURE.

MAGAZINES FOR MARCH.

THE still-increasing pressure on our literary columns
constrains us to be brief in reviewing the magazint
of the day. We propose before long to discuss
critically the general character of "periodical
literature;" and, while drawing attention to the
chief contributions of value in the magazines of the
month, we can select for special notice only those
articles possessing a marked utility. Along with
some " trash " there is much talent shown in this
department of active literature; and, while our
general notices under this head must be curtailed,
particular articles shall be criticised by us at length
proportionate to their merits or the value of their
topics—a plan by which we shall economise space,
while increasing the interest of this department of
the PRESS.

Blackwood contains ten articles. The first perhaps
too fiercely handles the author of the recent libel called
the " Biography of Mr. Disraeli," which has been
already reviewed in this journal. It is suggested
by the. reviewer that, if these libellous publications
continue, new laws should be enacted to suppress
the evil. Our own opinion is the reverse. That
long libel on the late Chancellor of the Exchequer
was alaborious tribute paid by dull malignity and envy
to brilliant genius, and is perhaps the greatest compli-
ment ever received by any man in his lifetime. Two
articles are devoted to three poets, Matthew Arnold,
Elwin Arnold, and Alexander Smith : all are praised,
but by no means without qualification. Perhaps our
great northern monthly contemporary is so sensible
of the value of his favourable opinion that he hesi•
Cates to pronounce it too emphatically. The "Epide-
mics of the Middle Ages" is highly interesting and
useful. "Thu New Reform Bill" concludes the
number.

Fraser contains fourteen articles, generally good.
The fir t, on the " I'lurality of Worlds," will most
attract those whose thoughts are elevated above
earthly things, while " Sinope after the Battle"
will have equal interest for others whose atten-
tion is concentrated on passing events. This
month's number ties a great diversity of subjects,
which, perhaps, has prevented due attention to
details. In an interesting sketch of Beaumarcha:s
there are several errors of the press, which we notice
because they are in important points—dates and the
age of the hero.
Tait has eight articles, together with the usual
political and literary information. One article,
" The Reporters' Gallery," is very amusing. In
illustrating the difference between the present and
the old system of parliamentary reporting the follow-
ing instance is given :
"At a later period the audacity and impudence of the
reporters increased, and loud and numerous were the

MARCH 4, 1854.

complaints made against them. Mr. Wilberforce, who
really deserved better treatment at their hands, read to the
house, on one occasion, au extract from a newspaper, in
. which he was reported as having said, ' Potatoes make
men healthy, vigorous, and active ; but what is still more
in their favour, they make men tall ; more especially was
he led to say so as being rather under the common size,
mid he must lament that his guardians had not fostered
him upon that genial vegetable.' "
Amongst the best of this month's periodicals is the
current number of the Dublin University Magazine.
We were much interested with its articles on
" British Spinsterhood Abroad" and. on "Van
" Diemen's Land." But the chief paper is the
elaborate memoir of " Captain APChire," the Polar
navigator, which will repay perusal. perceive
that this eminent person was educatud at Eton and
Sandhurst, and that his first appointment as mid-
shipman was on board Nelson's old ship the Victory.
The memoir has more biographical than literary
merits, and its author in referring to Sir Humphrey
Gilbert should not have omitted to notice the poem
written by Southey on the gallant voyager's tragic
fate. A portrait of Captain M'Clure, and a reduced
chart of the Arctic regions, accompany this timely
article. The paper on "The Food of the Irish" is
amusing ; and the other articles are not below, if
they are not above, the average merits of this well-
sustained periodical.
The New Monthly is of fair average merit. Two
articles, "The Cafés anti Restaurants of Paris" and
" German Singers and English Audiences," are
amusing, as sketches of the English by foreigners
usually are. The former is a notice of Dr. Veron's
memoirs, and various preposterous anecdotes of Eng-
lish eccentricity are culled from that work ; while th
latter is an account of what the German singers who
came to England last year saw and witnessed in this
unmerry and unmusical land.
Ainsworth. Mr. Harrison Ainsworth, who edits
both, seems to devote his energies more to the New
Monthly Magazine than to that which bears his
name. The latter is by no means equal to the
former.
Bentley's Monthly Review continues to improve.
The present number has an air of vivacity, along
with the light and anecdotical matter that is
attractive to readers. A cleverly-written memoir of
Albert Smith opens the present number—written in
a tone of goodnatured criticism, and humorously
recording that its subject is more "popular" than
several of " the great men" of the day. In another
article there is some sharp criticism on one of our
weekly contemporaries. But we dislike seeing
literary organs attacking each other.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.
Booxs.
The Purple Tints of Paris. By Bayle St. John.
Chapman and Hall.
Visit to Portugal arid Madeira. By Lady Stua►t Wortley.
Chapman and Hall.
The Ride Musket. By Captain J. W. Jervis.
Chapman and Hall.
The Lost Child. By Mrs. Bennett. Weaterton.
Annotated Edition of the English Po. ts. "Dryden." Vol. 11.
Parker and Son.
The Mediterranean. By Admiral Smyth. Parker and Son.
Gibbon's Roman Empire, Vol. I. Edited by W. Smith,
LL.D. Murray.

Poems. By I). Bates.
Lindsey and Blakiston, Philadelphia.
The Life and Correspondence of Henry St. George Tuck
entler.
Bey.
Secret and Inedited Documents. " Russia." By J. R. Mogue.orell.
B
PAMPHLETS.
Remarks on the Reorganisation of the Civil Serriee.
Ridse
R. Dawes. ay.
Speech 41 Earl Grey in the house of Lords on Feb. 1.1.
Ridgway.
Correspondence between Lord John Russell and Mr. Croker on
some Passages in Moore's Diary. Mun ay.
Speech of Lord John Russell in the House of Commons n
otate
31st of Jan. Ridy.
The Two Sacraments. Sermons by the Rev. B. L. Wilteys.
Seels.
Juvenile Delinquency: its Prevention easier than its Cure. By
the Rev. S. L. Wolley. Rivington.
A Dozen Ballads for the Times about White Slavery.
Bosworth.

T. M. Plauti Miles Gloriosus. Parker e.nd Son.
T. M. Plauti Trinummus. Parker and Son.
Remarks on the Purchase of Landed Property. By G. H.
Rhodes. Wilson.
Observations on the Government Bill for Abolishing the Re-
moval of the Poor, tr., By B. Pashley, Q.C.
Longman and Co.
A Reply to Dr. Vaughan on the acrord Tutors
J ' Association.
. H. Parker.
Reports of the Oxford Tutors' Association, No. 3. J. H. Parker.
The Newspaper Press Directory.

DR. CtILLEN has pronounced against the polka. In the
Lenten pastoral which was read at all the chapels in Dub-
lin on Sunday last, he says :--" Never engage in those im-
proper dancer. imported from other countries, and retaining
foreign names, such as polkas and waltzes, which are so
repugnant to the notions of strict Christian morality, are
condemned by many of the highest and most respectable
members of society, and are at direct variance with that
purity and modesty of the female character for which Ire-
land has been ever distinguished."

THE

PRESS.

Ett prima.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

IF the public had never before seen 2'he Corsican
Brothers, its representation as played here would
be likely to obtain success. But there is no superior
merit in the American version of it, as given by Mr.
Brooke, to compensate for its want of the gloss of
novelty. The Drury Lane copy of this melodra
made piece is little better than a second edition of
the Princess's enlarged and rather disimproved.
The audience were thoroughly exhausted on the fall
of the curtain at eleven o'clock on Monday night;
and in our visit of Thursday, although its perform-
ance closed at ten, it was evident that many of the
spectators felt the piece wearisome. Mr. Brooke
rather fell below than rose beyond his average
standard of acting. He played with great tameness ;
and in the more intense parts,—as in the duel scene,—
he was far inferior in effect to Mr. Charles Kean.
We never saw his admirers so faint in their applause,
and very few called for his appearance at the close.
Mr. T. Mead received as much approval from the
audience as " the leading tragedian," and had also
to bow his thanks before the curtain ! The presence
of the latter gentlemaii:at Drury Lane, along with
that of Mr. G. Wild, made us almost fancy ourselves
at the Surrey side of the Thames. The theatre,
however, still continues to be crowded, and even on
Thursday nearly every corner was filled. The best
thing in the whole piece is the masked ball at the
Opera-house, and we were really sur; rised at the
brilliancy with which that gay scene is portrayed at
this theatre. Its spectacular effect, though inferior
to the same scene at the Princess's, may assist in
keeping The Corsican Brothers in the bills. Some
of the mechanical artifices were also cleverly done.
The sole point in which Mr. Brooke's version excels
Mr. Charles Kean's is in the rapidity with which
Mr. Brooke alternates between the two brothers
during a single scene, " the apparitions" (especially
that in the armchair) being adroitly managed.
But, taken as a whole, there was a general tameness
in the piece, and the earlier portions of it ought to
be still further greatly curtailed.
The Beggar'Bop era has been played as the after-
piece during the whole week. The new Polly (Miss
Maria Stanley) has a voice fit only for a concert-
room, or for the comprimaria parts in opera. Miss
Featherstone's Captain Macheath appears to be very
popular. She has certainly great vocal resources,
but no musical skill; and we never hear the rich tones
of her contralto without lamenting that in this
young lady's case nature has not been aided by art.
Her speaking voice also is remarkable for its sweet-
ness and distinct articulation. Amongst our rising
young actresses, however, she is certainly one of the
most promising, and with pains and more study
Miss Featherstone may attain a very high place in
her arduous profession. Her appearance is always
very cordially greeted by the audience.