The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-05 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Zoist for April contains a curious and inte-
resting " Account of Native Mesmerism in India,"
by a resident, in which it is asserted that " there
is nothing more certain than that mesmerism, with
all its modern improvements and discoveries, has
been known and practised by the Brahmins of
Madura from the most remote ages." The facts,
arguments, and suggestions advanced in support
of this opinion are deserving of attention. As
usual the particulars of a large number of cures
by the agency of mesmerism are recorded, in addi-
tion to which we may notice an account of the
" Extraordinary discovery of a drowned body at
Huddersfield by a clairvoyant," and a communica-
tion narrating the fulfilment of a prediction by a
clairvoyant relating to the recovery of her lost
sight and hearing.

FINE ARTS.

We have been favoured with an inspection of a very
able and characteristic picture by Mr. J. W. Carmichael,
which is intended for exhibition during the forthcoming
season at the Royal Academy. It embodies a view off
the Great Orme's Head, and is admitted by all those
who have yet seen it, and who are well qualified to
judge, to be one of the most—if not the most—clever and
successful of the many productions of its class which
have hitherto emanated from the easel of the talented
artist. In marine subjects of this kind there must, of
necessity, we presume, exist a degree of sameness, un-
less the difficulty is overcome by a peculiar genius and,
style in their handling ; and certainly, in his present
effort, Mr. Carmichael appears to have concentrated an
amount of skill in treatment which imparts to it a va-
riety and freshness which is as pleasing as it is admirable.
At the moment the scene is depicted by the artist a
steady breeze fills the broad sheets of a noble three-
decker—afin e specimen'ofßritish naval architecture, whose
open p orts bristle withformid able rows of gun s, and at whoss
peak flutters the proud ensign of England, as she
majestically rides upon the heaving bosom of the ocean
" like a thing of life." A couple of fishing boats roll
lazily in the foreground, the foaming spray lashing their
bows as a rising wave breaks over them. In the dis-
tance, to the right, rise the tall white cliffs of the coast,
whilst that to the left is occupied by crafts of different
sizes and descriptions. The water, especially in the
foreground, is warm in its tone, liquid, buoyant, and
full of motion ; and the atmospheric effects are no less
felicitously rendered, the contending influences of sun-
light, and a somewhat overcast and lowering sky, being
most truthfully and strikingly caught. As a whole, the
picture, which is of large proportions, is nicely balanced
in its component parts, and is no less remarkable for
the labour and fidelity with which its minutest &tails are
finished—as will be obvious to persons of any nautical
experience—than for its general breadth of scope: If
well " hung," it cannot fail to attract the notice it s°
highly merits.

EMIGRATION.-323,112 persons emigrated in 1854,
.7 viz 43,621 to Canada, &c., 192,993 to the United
States, 83.162 to Australia, and 3,336 to other places.
Since 1840 as many as 3,133,414 persona have emi-
grated from this country to the countries above men-
tioned.
EXTRAORDINARY RAILWAY COMPETITION.—The Edin-
burgh and Glasgow Railway Company have reduced
their fares to Glasgow to—first class, 2s. ; third class,
ls.—being the former prices of the competing hne ;
while the Caledonian Company have lowered their rates
to the unprecedently small sums of—first class, ls. ;
third class, 6d.—Edinburgh Courant.
THE FRENCH TRANSPORT SERVICE.—LIVERPOOL,
nesday.—A telegraphic despatch was received to-day by
the agents of the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steam-
packet Company, fr„,, Captain Leitch, of their fine new
screw steam-ship City of Baltimore, announcing the safe
arrival of his vessel at Marseilles this morning at 7.45
a.m., with the Ticonderoga ship, which she towed from
Liverpool. The City of Baltimore sailed from [Aver-
pool on the evening of the 20th March, and thus made
the run to Marseilles in 141 days, notwihstanding hav-
ing in tow a vessel of 1,250 tons. AU parties were well
0,11 board both voile's.