The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-26 00:00:00

'l6

The intolerance of the national opinion cuts down indi-
vidual character to one out of a few set types, to which
every person or every family is constrained to adjust itself,
and beyond which all exceptions meet either with hatred
or derision. To impose upon man such restraints, either
of law or opinion, as are requisite for the security or com-
fort of society,—but to encourage rather than to repress
the free play of individual impulse, subject to those limits,
—is an ideal which, if it was ever approached at Athens,
has certainly never been attained, and has comparatively
been little studied or cared for, in any modern society.
No acute observer of modern life, and of its wide
%iversity end infinite variety of chareeter, will
feel disposed to concur in this sentence. •If Eng-,
land be more intolerant than Athens of freedom of
opinion, at all events her intolerance is milder in its
sentences. What Socrates have we put to death ?
Sir William Molesworth ? He died a Cabinet
Minister. Robert Owen ? The sage is in contforte
able circumstances; and, approaching ninetk
lectures freely in support of his very peculisr yte
The vegetarians are permitted to grow fat on
of turnip and tankards of lemonade. The spiiiti
rappers have no more formidable enemy to encounter
than Mr. Faraday. Harriet Martinestrie It light of
her age still; and Dr. Cumming snrviveeihe date he
has assigned for the destruction of the world. Te
speak in this day of " the intolerance of national
" opinion cutting down character to set types," is
simply absurd. In this, as in numerous other in.
stances, the reviewer selects for panegyric sentiments
by Mr. Grote which no thoughtful mind would think
of endorsing. Throughout, the praise is far too in-
discriminate to gain respect. Possibly it may be
independent;' assuredly it is not just. The political
articles are The Papal Government," represented
as utterly et:irrupt; and on the disputes with
America. In the last article alone do we find any
trace of the Conservative sentiment of which this
distinguished Review is supposed to be one of the
most powerful exponents. Speaking of the difficul-
ties which the Opposition hate had to encounter this
session, it is observed : . ,
Never, perhaps, had the leader of an Opposition a more
difficult task than has been imposed on Mr. Disraeli during
this session of Parliament. He sees before him an Ad-
ministration subsisting by its deference to Conservative
principles, while excluding Conservatives from power by
the help of Radical majorities. And we think in this state
of parties—too anomalous to last long—Mr. Disraeli has
strikingly manifested the great sagacity which accompanies
his vivid genius, less by what he has done, than by what he
has refrained from doing.
Illustrated Webster Spelling-book. London : Ward
and Lock.
HERE we have an edition of the Webster Spelling..
book, which has attained such reputation on the
other side the Atlantic that one million copies are
sold annually. The lessons are plain, progressive,
and conveniently adapted to the capacity of children,
beginning with the alphabet and ending with pretty
reading lessons. To render the book more attractive,
the publishers have had this edition copiously illus-
trated by some of the best artists of the day. The
pictures are of a nature to instruct the mind while
pleasing the eye of children. Taking into account
the usefulness of this primer, the delight the en- -
gravings (there' ire 06 lilind4dland fifty of then{)
will afford children, and the cheapness of the prise), -
there seems every probability that the Webster
Spelling book will enjoy at least as much popularity
in this country as in the United States.
Sunshine and Shadow. A Novel. By the Author of
" Mabel." Three Vols. London: Newby.
THERE is nothing very distinctive in this novel. It
is a story of domestic life, with such incidents, tpi
might naturally befall the family of a contdry
baronet. The narrative is quiet, without being dull.
The character of Louisa, the heroine, is gracefully
. drawn; she passes from the bud to the flower before
the reader, and has to suffer just enough of life's
crosses to draw forth the good principles of her na-
ture. Her first lover, Fitzormond, Is in-Wimple of
the wretchedness which attends ati litretrulated
nature. Publishing necessities, we'ettppose, have
cut up the story into three volumes, though the
matter is only just sufficient for one. The novel is
conceived in a good spirit, and penned with taste
' and feeling.

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‘,. I.vp I,ntm3

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.—Jvvr 24.
.11, 114. 1
BOOKS.
I.lll•Juri
England in Time of War. , .14mith and Elder
The Land Rerenue of British 1a444,1,8,„1 Thacker and Co.
Paraguay, Brazil, and the Plata."(l Macmillan and Co.
The Lion killer. °"""-' Lambert rind Co.
The History of Jean•Paui Choppier?. Ditto
The Camel; his Omanisellani.ileibitss end Usss.
, u •ii ~fl,ll ITelllboar and Co.
Crime and Justice. Chiniur4s. Ppii I.
stedow Ind Dims
#fiarilign s• Piffi Ppm, „ Seooo4,PWaßtklv."l"n
Crosland. Awn
V itiangs of ifts*iipsei oder tea-, 16 cm
19 81 0... ).: 10 ± 7:33‘soit