The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-05 00:00:00

L IT BRAT U RA

The Neweomes. No. XVII. By W. M.
novelist in-the'vte-velopment of the plot of his pre-
Thackeray.
sths
°ha.:
mbpeae: moradtehebythoru.or
pre-
sent ntraarrer:litlynear:wpirthogrine
notable chapters here published. Our dear 'old
Colonel TkomAs Newcom• discovers' the villainy,
or rather the little priggish, petty, mean rascality
of Sir Barnes—giving the latter, thereupon " a bit
of his mind," in the presence of his clerk, Mr.
Bolthy, and of Uncle Hobson, within the sanctuary
of the unsuspecting back parlour of the great city
banking-house. The whole scene is delightfully
real in every particular, from the Colonel's " Ah !"
of satisfaction, directly Sir Barnes makes his ap-
pearance, up to the climax of the gallant old
trump's outburst of indignation. Trump we call
him on the authority of his beloved son Clive, as
uttered. by that brave but gentle artist (painter
and glazier, as he is called by Crackenthorpe of
Ours), in the most exquisite little incident re-
counted this month by Mr. Thackeray. The fond
and manly fraternisation of father and son, in
Clive's atelier, in the presence of Arthur Pendennis
and George Warrington—when the Colonel lays
his hand on young Clive's shoulder, and stroking
the youth's yellow moustache, asks if Barnes really
sent no answer to the challenge : Clive having but
that moment sketched an illustration to those
charming and tender lines of Sir Walter—
" He turned his charger as he spake,
Beside the river shore ;
He gave his bridle rein a shake,
With adieu for evermore,
My dear !
Adieu for evermore 1"

Georg© and Pendennis trolling out as the colonel
enters—.

"Adieu for evermore,
My dear !
ddieu for evermore t"

It is scarcely possible for any one really " up" in
the story, and alive to the sweet and natural pathos
of Mr. Thackeray, to road without a moistening of
the eyes the result of the colonel's query as he rests
his hand upon his sou's shoulder, and smilingly
strokes Clive's yellow moustache :—"Clive broke
out into a laugh that was almost a sob. Ho took
both his father's hands. ' My dear, dear old
father,' says be, ' what a—what an—old—trump
you are I' " No wonder Arthur Pendonnir: adds,
when recounting the circumstance—" My eyes
were so dim I could hardly see the two men as they
embraced." For they both stand, serene, but
sad at heart, under the shadow of a great. home
calamity—une affaire de ccettr—Ethel being the be-
trothed of Priucekin, otherwise of the Most Hon.
Fergus Angus Malcolm Mango Roy, twenty-fifth
Earl of Glenlivat and Rossment, and third Mar-
quis of Farrintosh, in the peerage of Scotland.
Hobiou Newcome thinks it jolly to be uncle to a
marquis. Young Mr. Samuel, his son, is, if pos-
sible, yet more vulgarly elated at the prospect of
so lofty a connexion—young Mr. Sam, of whom
Laura Pendennis could not help saying to her liu--
band, that she thought the said Sam " an odious
little creature." Aud, by the way, how wonder-
fully our friend Pen wins upon our affections, now
that his conceit and coxcembry are sweetened into
marital wisdom under the womanly influence of
the gentle Laura. Never was such an im-
provement in novel hero from the time when
young Martin Chuzzlewit returned unselfish
from the wilds of the backwood Paradise.
If we can speak thus, however, of the wifely
influence of Mrs. Arthur Pendenuis, what
can we say of the Lady Clara, wife of Sir Barnes
Newcome ? What—but that we dread in her re-
gard a catastrophe in relation to her old " flame"
Jack Belsize, now Lord Highgate. Perhaps the
next number will show whether or not our anxie-
ties in this particular are premature. There are
sundry matters in the instalment now before us
yet demanding reference in words of no stinted
commendation. Instance—the entomological sketch
of the character of Sir Barnes Nowcome (who goes
about his life's business "as a bug crawls, and
[ stings, and stinks,") dashed off with_ the ease and
vigour of a master-hand,. in that finest speech that
has yet fallen from the lips of the usually too taxi-
turn George Warrington. Instance, likewise, the
confab on horseback, in the park, between our dear
old Colonel and General Sir George Tato
(surely another name, if we mistake not, for
General Sir Thomas do Boots), where the padded
warrior says to Colonel Newcome that he re-
torted upon the unexpected poltroonery of
Sir Barnes, by exclaiming, " Dash me, sir, if you
don't want me, why the dash do you send for rue
dash me ?" adding, " A. 22 is your man, Sir Barnes
Newcome." Instance finally, the tragic event re-
corded at the close of the present number, in the
announcement of the sudden death of the witch-
like sister of the late Marquis of
Steyne (renowned
in the annals of " Vanity Fair ") ; in other words,
I. the decease one night, in her velvets and ermine,

(from a sudden seizure, while going her rounds in
the fashionable assemblies in May-fair) of Louisa
Joanna Gaunt, Countess Dowager of Kew. Upon
this unlooked-for occurrence much of the remain-
ing plot of " The Newcomes" may probably- be
dependent. Who can possibly aver that it may
not deprive of a blooming young bride, the high and
mighty PrincekiH, Fergus Angus Malcolm Roy,
Earl of Rossmont and Marquis of Farintosh.

Mammon ; or, the _Hardships of an Heiress. By
Mrs. Gore. 3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
" Glories, like glow-worms, far away shine bright,
But looked to near have neither heat nor light,"
is the motto prefixed to this work, and it exactly
typifies its general purpose and intention. The
object of the authoress is evidently to demonstrate
and exemplify how many and bitter are the troubles
which attend on enormous wealth. Janetta Wool-
ston was indeed a " nameless martyr ;" no pity or
sympathy was given to her sufferings. She was
considered by every one as free from care or an-
noyance, and as likely to be happy and prosperous as
any of the most favoured araongmortals. The secret
truth and hidden reality which lurked amid all
this overpowering grandeur and intruded into her
palace home was widely different. From her
earliest childhood the young heiress was forced to
give up every pleasure and sacrifice every tie of
kindred and friends at the shrine of her worldly
father's idol, Mammon. In his exclusive homage
to that golden image, John Woolston Wraysbury
gradually shut out all better thoughts and feelings
from his mind. He became so wrapt up in the
idea of his daughter being the richest heiress
in the kingdom, that he neglected every other
consideration that should have influenced his con-
duct towards her. Janetta herself was a gentle,
unassuming girl, more fitted by nature and disposi-
tion for a simple and humble walk of life than to
be the " cynosure of neighbouring eyes," and the
observed of all observers. A great deal of skill is
displayed in the representation of Gerald Moly-
neux, or " Old Molynemx," as ho was generally
called. Although he was eventually earl, his old
habits and manners remained the same, and not
all the caution and wisdom of his sagacious referee,
"Reuben Howard," could effectually metamorphose
him and convert the reckless man of fashion into a
staid and respectable member of the House of
Peers, a worthy representative of his respected
father and honoured brother, who had commanded
the reverence and homage of all classes, and who
had departed the self same year, the one in the ful-
ness
of time, and the other in the prime of life. The
portion of the story which relates to Lord Dinton and
Bessy Pennington is touching and full of feeling.
It forms an agreeable contrast to the spirit which
pervades the chronicles of worldly ambition, and
animates the records of fashionable manoeuvres.
" Constancy's the gift of heaven " was proved in
the lives of those pure-minded and highly-principled
beings, who were at last put asunder by a sudden
and awful death. It was a sad day for all con-
nected with the family, from the highest to the
lowest, when the promised husband of Bessy
Pennington was carried to the grave. The selfish
and overbearing Gerald and Emma Molyneux could
ill replace their gracious and gentle predecessors.
One point in the story is very successfully described,
the constant dread evinced by the crafty Sir John
and his equally cunning, sister Emma, of coming
into contact with each other under unpleasant
circumstances. Thus, when in his days of adver-
sity at the " weedy villa " at Hendon, the future
raillionnaire was never visited by his sister, who
was then flourishing in aristocratic circles with
small means, but fashionable exterior. The scene
changed ; Emma and her husband were obliged
to retire a little from their extravagant circle,
while the neglected brother was master of fabulous
wealth. To forgive and forget was not one of the
virtues of the baronet, and he repaid scorn for
scorn, and thought himself the wilier in the con-
flict, when the sadden and premature death of
his brother raised the exiled Molyneux to the rank
of the Earl of Dinton, and enriched him with thou-
sands. Then the subtle relations were puzzled
how to act, but the preference was on the side of
the Diutons. They had the highest standing in
society, and were the most accustomed to its
usages. Sir John Wraysbury made the mistake of
thinking that money was the substitute instead
of the auxiliary of everything else in public and
private life. The consequence was that he was
looked upon with contempt by society, and regarded
with distrust by his domestic) circle. The know-
ledge that he was master of great wealth at pre-
sent, and the trustee of enormous riches for the
future, was not enough to induce the world to
tolerate overbearing conduct and unrefined man-
ners. While in his private intercotrse he made
enemies of friends and strangers of relations, by
cold selfishness and cruel neglect, ho offers a strik-
ing example to all who devote themselves to the
pursuit and increase of worldly gain, unmind-
ful of the more excellent and enduring pos-
sessions that wealth neither gives nor takes
away—the ties of kindred, the bonds of friend-
ship, the respect of their fellow-men, and,
above all, the satisfaction of an approving con-
science. The rotary of Mammon forfeited all
claims to these treasures, and felt his life a failure,
and his existence a burden. With all the skill, for
which she is celebrated, the authoress shows forth
such a life in its meanness, its harshness, and its
short-sightedness. The hardships of an heiress,
who possessed such a guardian, may be imagined.
Besides the chequered career of Sir J ohu, who
migrated through every stage of life, as a poor
man, and a millionnaire, there are various claims on
the notice of the reader. Fashionable life is de-
scribed, not in its usual stereotyped monotony, but
new and striking characters emerge from its
chronicles. Reuben Howard is a life-like portrait,
and though no exact prototype may exist, he is
no fancied or imaginary sketch. Emma Molyneux
is another clever delineation, and Roger Farmer
likewise attracts attention. More powerful than
amusing, and more descriptive of people than
illustrative of events, this work is,one that will not
be passed over as ordinary or common-place, but
must belong to the superior and lasting.

The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer.
J. Nichol, Edinburgh.
This is another of Mr. Nichol's handsome series
of the British Poets, which will, when completed,
form a valuable library edition. Six volumes are
issued during the year to subscribers at the low
price of one guinea, and the catalogue is to include
all the British poets, with the exception, of course,
of those whose works are exclusively copyright.
Milton, Thomson, Young, and Cowper are already
published. Dryden is immediately to follow. The
present volume contains the works of three poets—
J ames Beattie, the author of the " Minstrel " and
many other well-known pieces, Robert Blair, and
William Falconer. A curious coincidence exists
between the two last, the reputation of both de-
pending on a single poem—few having heard of any-
thing of Falconer's but his " Shipwreck," and
Blair, we believe, having scarcely written anything
but " Tho Grave." 'We must not omit to mention
that Mr. flilfillim enntributon livcm of the }mots and
critical dissertations,' the explanatory notes being
wisely restricted to more pieces of information in
the margin. The paper and typo are both excel-
lent—the latter is indeed unusually distinct—and,
though the size is somewhat cumbersome for ordi-
nary perusal, as a library edition it is without
doubt the handsomest that has appeared for some
time.

A Ramble through Normandy. By G. M. Mus-
grave, M.A. Bogue.
This is an unpretending volume, which does not
narrate any lengthened travels, or describe un-
known countries. The author has found enough to
interest himself and his readers in a sketching CI:-
cursion through two or three of the numerous de-
partments of France. The writer started on his
expedition at the time when the French camp was
established at 13oulegne, which, of course, he
visited. With this exception the book has no re-
lation to the stirring topics which at present en-
gross so much attention. The writer takes much
interest in architectural and antiquarian topics,
and gives much information respecting the life of
William the Conqueror, of whom, naturally, many
traces are still extant in Normandy. The illustra-
tions are numerous, and give the reader a good
idea of some of the figures represented. The
varieties of the famous Normandy caps are amusing,
hut, sad to relate, these wonderful head-dresses are
fallinginto disuse. The neglect of them which
now prevails is
chiefly attributable to the intro-
duction of cheap
conveyances, so that tho lower
classes no longer journey about, on foot, or on a
horse, as before, and their great height, sometimes
two feet, forbids their entry into an ordinary
vehicle. On high days and holidays, therefore,
whoa it is absolutely indispensable to appear in full
costume, the dames of Normandy often wear a
?small cap for travelling, carrying the inconvenient
appendage in the lap. The author is very favour-
ably disposed towards the French, a sentiment
which, at the present time of cordial amity, will
meet with general recognition. He affirms his
journey to have been solely in search of archaeo-
logy and the picturesque. He is himself quite
satisfied with what ho found, and it is to be hoped
his example will convince his more adventurous
readers, that, should they feel disposed to travel,
they may find muck to interest and amuse them in
" A Ramble through Normandy."

The English Cyclopedia. Bradbury. and Evans.
This valuable work has now reached the twenty-
second part, continuing the publication of geo-
graphy and natural history, which two sections will

be completed in the course of the present -year.
The third volume will be ready in March, and the
fourth will shortly follow, thus completing two of
the four divisions of the work. The remaining
portions, sciences and arts, and biography mid
history, will then be issued in the same manner,
thus forming a work of reference including all the
great branches of general knowledge.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.
The .National Miscellany opens with a paper on
the North-Eastern provinces of Turkey. Certainly
if no other benefits result from the much-talked-of
Eastern question, it ought to have very much in-
creased our geographical knowledge. An essay on
mottoes and devices is one of the most attractive
in the number. The articles in this magazine are
usually of a superior class ; and this month there
are several on subjects of interest.—Sharpe's Lon-
don Magazine is of a more entertaining and lighter
character. Its contents generally consist of tales and
sketches. The chief among these are " The Cogi-
tations of Mrs. Clarinda Singlehart" and " Harry
Covordale's Courtship", by our old friend, Frank
Smedley, which is also appearing in shilling monthly
parts. Hogg's Instructor has several interesting
topics. A paperon the "Cephalopods ; or, Cuttle Fish
Tribe," gives much new and curious information
respecting there. " Sister Anne," is a pleasing
domestic story, by the author of "Ethel." New-
ton s London Journai of Arts and Sciences is
now reduced to a shilling, but the contents are in
no way inferior. The usual description of recent
patents is given with illustrative diagrams, to-
gether with the scientific reports and adjudications
of the month. The Patriotic Fund Journal is
a magazine whose proceeds are to;be devoted, as
the name implies, to the Patriotic Fund. The
contents are chiefly connected with the war,
ill
ustrious
generals, brief memoirs of the most
generals, &c., and describing the events of
the battles and the siege. Some of the
verses en this subject are of a superior kind. The
Family Friend is an excellent little serial, the best
of the kind. lime Thoughts, and Our Friend,
which is now called The Englishman's Magazine,
are of a more ambitious description. The Statist,
and _Evangelical Christendom, are serials devoted
to a particular class of readers. The Statist is the
most generally interesting, some of the statistics
given being curious and useful. The Youth's Ma-
gazine and Penny Post, are cheap and simple mis-
cellanies for juvenile readers. Le Follet has, u
usual, the pro-eminence over all our English books
of fashion from the Parisian taste and elegance
with which it is conducted.

LAW INTELLIGENCIL-(TIIIS DAY).

COURT OF QUEEN'S BIiNCI.

(Sittings at Nisi Priui.—Before Lord Campbell and a
Special Jury.)
COOKS AND AWOTHER V. ITILDIS.

Thu. was an action for libel in which the plaintiffs,
who are printers at Maidstone, sought to recover da•
mazes to the amount of 5001. for an alleged ;libel by the
defendant, who is deputy clerk of the peace for the
county of Kent.

The plaintiffs it appeared had been employed by the
county to print the register of voters as their prede-
cessor in business, Mr. Hall, had done. Mr. Hall had
been in the habit of charging 1401. for the work, and the
plaintiff continued to do it at the same price. Finding,
however, that in consequence of a rise in price in mate.
rials, &c., it did not pay them at that rate they applied
to the defendant for an increase, stating at the same
time that they had written QLI the subject to three Lon•
don printing firms, and that the lowest estimate for the
work was from Messrs. Shaw, who said they could not
do it under 235/. The defendant subsequently wrote to
Messrs. Shaw, and eventually agreed with them to do
the wcrk on much lower terms, and in his report to the
Finance Committee, with reference to the transaction,
he alleged that the plaintiff had "attempted to extort
money from the county by his representation." This
report was read before the magistrates at the ensuiag►
sessions, and formed the ground of the present action.
Sergeant Ryles, with Mr. Phinn, were for the plain.
tiffs, aid Sir P. Thesigor and a junior counsel, for the
defendants.

Sir F. Theaiger submitted to the Court that the pre.
sentation of the report in question was a privileged
transaction, that it was the duty of the defendant in his
official capacity to state kis reasone to the Finance
Committee for taking the printing out of the hands of
the plaintiffs, and that in reading the report at the yes•
sions he was only obeying the command of the magis-
trates.

Lord Campbell concurred in this, excepting so far as
regarded the words quoted above, which he said he must
put to the jury.
The case was proceeding when our reporter left.