The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-28 00:00:00

CHEAP NOVELS.

The readers of fiction will remember that some
time ago Mr. Routledge commenced a series of
original novels, in two volumes, at the price of
seven shillings. They are now restricted to one
volume, and reduced to prices varying from one to
two shillings. Though, of course, not of the highest
class of romance, yet they are fully equal to many
which appear under a much more expensive form,
and most of them are by well-known writers.
Among those that have recently appeared, " The
Family Feud," by the clever author of "Alderman
Ralph," 'and "The Pride of the Mess," a naval
novel of the Crimean war, by the author of " Ca-
vendish," are the most worthy of notice. "My
Brother's Keeper" is an American tale of domestic
life, by Miss "Wetherell, who is favourably known
among transatlantic writers. It is of the time of
the War of Independence, and is a simple and in-
teresting narrative. Among the works by well-
known writers, recently issued at these low prices,
we may mention " Frank Hilton " and " Israel
Potter," by the authors of "The Romance of War"
and " Typee." The Parloui Library is chiefly de-
voted to reprints of popular works of fiction, and
among the list may be found some works of a stan-
dard character. The novels of Mrs. Marsh have
appeared at a shilling in this series. " Castle
Avon," by the same authoress, is just published.
Those who can obtain "Emilia Wyndham" for such
a price may, indeed, esteem themselves fortunate.
The works of another of the best novel writers
of the day are also re-appearing in the Parlour Li-
brary. "Margaret Maitland," the first, and perhaps
most popular, though by no mean the best, of her
tales, is one of the latest instalments. We trust
to see it followed by " Adam Graeme," " Caleb
Field," and " Harry Muir." Works like these
cannot fail to elevate as well as charm the reader.
They reduce high principles and noble thoughts to
the practice of every-day life. They teach us that
the days of romance and chivalry may have gone
by, but that in the cares and trials of our common
life there is scope still left for all the highest aspi-
rations—the most fervent feelings—the most su-
blime endurance. Instead of disgusting the reader
with the things around him, they fling the halo of
romance over the dusty highways of existence, and
help to elevate the practical and commonplace by
viewing it through the medium of a lofty principle
and unshaken faith. Could such works be more ex
tensively circulated, and supersede the weak and
silly romances which are too often the best within
reach of the poor, we should indeed have cause to
thank the promoters of cheap literature. The
nun and Read Library, established with
the express purpose of publishing moral
tales, has recently issued -two " Beatrice,"
by Miss Sinclair, and an original story
entitled "To Love - and to be Loved," by the
author of " I've been Thinking." The latter is a
simple and pleasing tale, but we are sorry to see a
writer of Miss Sinclair's abilities lend herself to
the encouragement of intolerance and want of
charity. While firmly retaining our own convic-
tions, there is surely no need to portray those of
another faith as they appear in this volume-
" Stories from a Screen," by Dudley Costello, have
previously appeared in the pages of periodicals. In
the preface he says, that while endeavouring to find
a subject for a story his eye fell upon an old screen
he had lately purchased. From the pictures he
drew the subjects of a number of tales and sketches,
and he informs us that, should these prove success-
ful, there are leaves of the screen which yet remain
to be.unfolded. They are written in the usual
lively style of this author, and as they include all
kinds of subjects, and range from grave to gay,
there is no doubt they will provide entertainment
for a large circle of readers.

The Museum of Economic Botany at Kew. By
Sir W. J. Hooker, R.H. Longman, Brown,
Green, and Longruans.

An excellent guide for all classes to the useful
and remarkable vegetable products of the above
highly popular and instructive museum, the utility
and moral influence of which it would be difficult
to overrate. The guide is published in connection
with " The Travellers' Library."

The Briar of Threave and the Lily of Barholm.
By Henry Inglis.. Longman, Brown, Green,
and Longmans.

One of the most spirited metrical romances we
have seen since the tune of Scott—the musical
verse now flowing like a placid sunlit stream, and
anon gathering force and rushing on with the ra •
pidity of a torrent, full, deep, and sonorous. The
Briar of Threave is the wanton wife of the last Earl
Douglas ; and the Lily of Barholm a pure-minded
and beautiful maiden, loving and beloved by a cer-
tain young Roland, the hero of the story. How
Roland is seized by the Black Douglas, how the
Briar tempts him, how Mous Meg, the leviathan
of cannons, almost miraculously releases him, and
the Lily of Barholm rewards him for his constancy,
is it not set down in this at once exciting and
charming volume I—which, by the way, is further
enriched with interesting historical notes. Had
space permitted us we should have given a quota•
tion—passages suitable for which, both tender, de-
scriptive, and stirring, being to be found in abun-
dance.

Constantine ; or, The Last Days of an Empire

By Captain Spencer. Samson Lo* and Sons.
An historical romance, in which the principa,
events of that disastrous period when Constanti-
nople and the Eastern Empire fell before the vic-
torious arms of Mahoinet the Second are faithfully
recorded—every individual figuring
in the story
being, as we are told, made to act the part assigned

to lilin by ooiltomporilty rfitpehi 1,40
author being " that the rising generation may
be-
come intimately acquainted with the history of
countries dcstine,d, at no d:=7.tant period, to assume
a high political and social position among tiro great;
nations of the civilised world." Captain Spencer
is one of those who believe in the approaching re-
trogression of the Moslem power into Asia ; and,
aware of the dangerous preponderance the seizure
of Turkey in Europe would give to Russia, are
naturally anxious to havo an effectual barrier
erected to her ambition. This, he is of opinion, is
to be found in the re-establishment of a Greek
empire, the materials for which are to be found in
the fifteen millions of the Christian subjects of the
Sultan, in amity and league with liberated
Poland and Hungary, and the Allied Powers
of France and England. Thus, while care-
fully tracing in these pages the causes which
led to the fall of the Byzantine Empire, it
is with the design to prevent mistakes as to the
difficulties to be encountered in raising up another
from its ruins. Chief among these causes, it is
made apparent, were a want of due self-reliance
and harmony among the Greeks themselves, and a
wretched infatuation on the part of the powers of
Europe, who, blinded by religious feuds and a
deplorable selfishness, left them to stem, alone and
the aggressive march of the common
y of
Europe and cwilisation. What the
Oeunnteatmoidmed,
an power was then the author believes Russia
to be now ; and discovers in the disgraceful Rus-
sianised condition of the German Courts the same
Peril, with, however, this important mitigation-..
the alliance of France, ,En.gland, and Sardinia,
le-secuOvty is given to Europe. Of
whose incumbent duty it is to persevere until
Russian power is""pared down to its proper dimen-
sions and aro
course the'usual materials for a romance are not
wanting to clollie the events and actions conveying
the intended lesson with fascinations to which his-
torians rarely have recourse, though, when they
d. o, the romance is generally the sufferer. In this
portrayel, and the stirring events
instance we have brilliant scenes of eastern life
graphically .
preceding and accompanying the fall of an empire
described with considerable
force and freedom, in
connection with the hopes, fears, struggles, adven-
tures, triumphs, and sufferings of the actors in the
struggle. The history opens just after the death of
John Paleologus and the accession of Constantine,
and terminates with the storming of Constantinople.'

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNAL&

(From (lee Times of this day.)
The speeches delivered by Lord Lyndhurst and Lord
Clarendon on Tuesday night in the House of Lords on
the present relations of the Austrian Government to the
Allied Powers deserve to be read with the utmost atten-
tion, not only in this country bat abroad, for they are a
most creditable proof of the forbearance and moderation
with which English statesmen of the highest erperience
and position have never ceased to deal with the most
cautious and timid of the German Powers. But we
cannot admit that this forbearance and moderation have
been confined to our statesmen alone ; on the contrary,
the press of this country and public opinion in general
have been disposed to make the greatest allowances for
the difficulties of the position in which the Austrian Go-
vernment has been placed. A foolish attempt has been
occasionally made, by those who write under the influ-
ence of the Hungarian or Italian refugees, to impute to
us what are called Austrian opinions, and this class of
agitators has avowed its disappointment that the present
contest did not assume the character of a revolutionary
war ; but, upon the whole, the people of this country
have not lost sight of the historical fact, that in the
greatest struggles we have had to carry on f)r the last
150 years Austria has been our useful, though cautious,
ally ; and that on the present occasion it is far better
to have her partially with us than altogether against us.
France and England knew, when they engaged in.
offensive operations against the Russian empire, that
their own territories and interests were wholly out of the
reach of the enemy, and that the losses caused by this
war must all be borne by the offending party. Austria,
on the contrary, has been compelled to act in this ques-
tion as a Power conterminous with the Russian empire,
with a frontier in some degree commanded by the power-
ful strategical position , and immense fortified works of
Russia in Poland, and with a capital ssithin a few days'
march of this stronghold of the Russian power. Wo
have no doubt—and Lord Clarendon frilly confirmed thie
opinion on Tuesday evening—that when the Cabinet of
Vienna separated itself from that of Berlin, proposed
the four bases of peace, and urged upon the Western
Powers the conclusion of the treaty of the 2d of Decem-
ber, Count Buol and the young Emperor reed upon
the speedy success of• our operations in the Crimea, and
hoped to obtain, either from Germany or from the other
belligerents, the assistance required to enable
them to confront the armies of Russia in the field.
Throughout the autumn rand winter Austria made
strenuous exertions to obtain from the Diet the
mobilisation of the armie3 of the Germanic Confedera-
tion, but her policy was defeated at Frankfort by the
active intrigues of Prussia and of the Russian agents,
as well as by the inertness and repugnance of the Barn-
berg party. She then appealed, though less officially, to
France, to know what number of French troops could
be sent to her assistance ; and to England; to ascertain
what pecuniary contributions she might expect to enable
her to support an army already far exceeding the limits of
her finances. From P iris she was told that every avail-
able regiment would be sent to the Crimea ; and from
London, that the British Government and the British
Parliament had no disposition to recommence the system
of subsidies. Being thus deprived of the hope of direct
assistance from Germany, France, and England, the Aus-
trian Government appears to have thought that it was too
weak to hold theposition which it had attempted, and,rus
we believe,intended to assume. As Lord Lyndhurst justly
observed, there cannot be a stronger proof of the territo-
rial ascendancy which the partition of Poland has given
to Russia over the German States, and especially over
the Austrian empire, than this transaction. It is the
first time since the consummation of that political enor-
mity that the Northern Courts have been divided and
brought to the verge of hostilities by a great political
interest, and the result shows that Austria cannot stand
against Russia on the Vistula, even when she is backed
by the indirect support of the Western Powers, who ars
attacking Russia elsewhere.

These things afford matter for grave reflection to any
far-sighted Austrian statesman, and we have little_doubt
that if Prince Schwarzenburg had lived fie would have
preferred to run any risk rather than to accept the pain-
fully humiliating position in which the Cabinet of Vienna
is placed by the failure of its policy. After spending 1$
millions of money in preparations, it is reduced to the
necessity of disbanding its army without having obtained
the smallest military result ; and, after entering into for-
mal engagements with the Western Powers to unite iti
efforts to theirs until the complete fulfilment of their
common policy, it is compelled to desist from the under•
taking without an effort to accomplish the task which
its own Ministers: lad projected. From such a result
Austria herself suffers immeasurably more than we can
do, for our military operations and political objects have
never been made to depend on her assert, ,and are now
completely released from any influence she might have
exercised over them. We read with the greatest satis-
faction Lord Clarendon's express declaration, that, " as
the four bases were to be maintained in their entirety,
and as the third bases bad been rejected, and the re-
sponsibility of breaking off the negotiations at Vienna
does not rest upon us, but upon Russia, we consider
ourselves entirely disengaged from those bases." That
is the language we have held in this journal from the
termination of the negotiations. It is the language
Lord Lyndhurst wisely and manfully recommended to
the Government. It is the only language becoming the
dignity and policy of this country, and we are confident
that it is cordially adopted by the nation. The German
Courts appear not yet to have discovered that in the
conduct of these great affairs nothing but themselves is
stationary. The course of events rolls rapidly onward ;
the policy of the Ministers who are actively engaged in
them is powerfully modified by the successive incidents
of the war; and it is absurd to argue that the solution
which might have terminated the contest at one time is
to be held to be equally satisf .ctory at another. At the
stage at which we are now arrived the German Powers
fall entirely into the second rank, and we learn from the
occurrences we are witnessing that of really great Powers
in Europe there are but three, since that term can only
be applied to states thoroughly capable of giving effect
to their own policy and of asserting their position in the
councils of Europe. Prussia and Austria have, as far as
the present state of affairs is concerned, we will not Say
forfeited that position, but resigned it ; for, although the
King of Prussia blustered a little a few months ago
about his exclusion from the Vienna Conferences, he
now appears to be satisfied with his lot.

AltbOugh, on general grounds, we may see reason to
deplore this state of things, yet, as regards the political
influence of this country and its allies, we find in it no
cause for apprehension or regret. 'The alliance of
France, which has now be" tried and gloriously ce-
mented by the events ofithe war, is of incalculably
greater moment to the people of England than
that of the German States ; indeed the long con-
tinuance of hostility between this country and
France was one of the maie causes of our alliances
with Germany, as our alliances with Germany Vitra
in the last century a fertile source of hostility to France
In the last 40 years, however, we have had Germany
against us, or lukewarm, in-1411 the principal transactions
in which we have been eng'a"ged, \cith the sole exception
of the Syrian question of 1840, when' Lord Palmerston
allied himself to Russia. and Germany against France.
The present crisis has, more than ay preceding one,
brought the value and honesty of out alliances to the
proof. We have seen the German Powers, not denying
the rightfulness of our cause and the justice of our do
of
giving effect totille
wands, gradualttattling out of thet probably
quarrel,incapable
bound
by some sort of secrete benefit of that neutrality which
tage understanding,engmens and
to afford our
had-
versary subsequently
openly. We have seen, on the con•
theyt
rary,refusedFrance
prosecuting
the war witb7a vigour worthy
of her great position
Power,
seen, and
likewisecordi l l
Sardinia y
united to our own eaffsoartms! military
Wer have
full effect to her engtiqements, and send
lug t
flowerof her army to the Crimea to stand besid e
the troops of the Western States. It is impossible no
giving
to lament that a nation like the Germans should sea
their influence neutralised and their independence sacri-
ficed by the Governments under which it is their fate to
live ; but in withdrawing their support from the muss
of the Western Powers those Governments have don e
themselves a far greater injury than they.can inflict upon
us ; they have weakened their influence in Europe, and
they have destroyed the confidence olice placed in thew.
by this country.