The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-16 00:00:00

LIT EBATUBE.

The Moslem and the Christian. 3 vols. Hurst
and Blackett.

This work is translated from the Eastern original,
which is from the pen of Sadyk Pasha. It appeared
under the title of Kirdjali, which is the name of
its hero, who is not a fictitious character, but one
of those individuals that may be found in almost
every history. Half kero and half bandit, his
name forms one of those favourite topics for songs
and legend that Robin Hood or Rob Roy have
supplied in their own countries. The most extra-
ordinary tales of his valour, his daring, his won-
derful exploits and hair-breadth escapes are re-
lated, but the author avers that whatever is told
of him in these volumes is merely a narrative of
facts, collected among people who had personally
known him. The scene is laid in those Danubian.
Principalities which have lately been the scene of
such stirring events ; but of course, from the epoch
of the narrative, no reference is made to present
occurrences. .1k describes the revolt of the Ser-
vians under Mdosch, and the endeavours of the
Wallachs to throw off the Turkish dominion, and
establish their independence. It forms an exciting
narrative, and sustains the reader's interest. It is
certainly impartial, for several Mussulmans appear
to equal advantage with the Christians. The
heroine, Sarah Michaela, is the daughter of a
powerful Seraskier, and becomes the bride of Kird-
jali. Many extraordinary adventures occur to
them, and the reader regrets when he arrives at
the conclusion thatit should be so tragical, though,
according to the author's assertion, it agrees with
the facts. The work is translated and revised
by Colonel Lich Szyrma, who has already edited
several similar works. He affixes an interesting
sketch of the writer's life. Sadyk Pasha at this
moment occupies a prominent position in the Turk-
ish army on the Danube, being the commander of
the Turkish Cossacks. This corps consists of Chris-
tians; who are debarred, by the law of the Koran,
from serving in the army. This prohibition, how-
evrx, Sadyk Pasha persua,ded the Porte to abro-
gate, and the regiment having distinguished itself
a second is now being formed. They consist of
Bulgarians and other Christian volunteers from
Servia and Wallachia; their officers are chiefly
Poles. On their banner is the Crescent and the
Cross, signifying that, in fighting for the Porte,
they also fight for their own religious liberty,
which the Sultan has guaranteed throughout his
empire. Sadyk Pasha is a Pole by birth, and first
distinguished himself in the Polish insurrection.
He subsequently resided in France, where he pub-
lished several works, and where he became ac-
quainted with Prince Adam Czartoryski, who sent
him as his confidential agent to Constantinople.
here he succeeded well on his mission, and through
his agency Servia wa3 preserved in loyalty to
the Porte, which so enraged the Russians that
their ambassador demanded his extradition as the
Czar's subject. No resource was left him but to
embrace Islamism, or fly. He chose the first; and:
adopted the name of Sadyk Pasha, his former name
having been Czaykowski. Copious notes are ap-
pended to each of the volumes, and whether front
the intrinsic merit of the work, or from the inte-
rest attaching to the life of the author, or from the
attention which those countries have lately excited,
the lover of Oriental romance will not fail to be
attracted and entertained.

The Warhawk ; a Tale of the Sea. By Claudius

Armstrong, author of the cc Two Midshipmen."
3 vols. Newby.
_ _ _

This is an interesting story ; the plot is exceed-
ingly complicated, and at first rather difficult to
understand ; but as the narrative proceeds the
attention is riveted by the great skill and inge-
nuity displayed in the events. The nautical por-
tion of the work, above all, exhibits remarkable
ability, and shows that the author is well acquainted.
with the subject of which be treats. The last part
of the third volume especially deserves notice, and
the description of the race at sea between the cap-
tors and deliverers of the heroine, the beautiful
' Aleen, is intensely interesting and exciting. By s.
skilful manoeuvre the pirates bad possessed them-
selves of the boat belonging to their pursuers, and
thus gained a great advantage. However, not-
withstanding all these drawbacks, Gerald Gran-
ville contrived to come up witk them, as they
reached a Dutch sloop belonging to one of their
number; and although the turn of affairs was
most threatening he leaped on board, followed by
his brave companions. Considering the period
at which these incidents are supposed to have oc-
curred, and the lawless state of society then exist-
ing, they are not improbable or exaggerated. Some
of the characters are graphically described, and
altogether a variety o scenes, personages, and.
events is given to the reader. Most probably the.
story will entertain many from its talent and spirit.

Sr. VALENTINE'S DAY AT THE POST-OFFICE.—The
total number of letters posted during St. Valentine's
Day and stamped at the London district office, amounted
to the unprecedented number of 240,900, or a quarter of
a million within one hundred, and this in the " London
District" alone. Besides these there were about 10,000
"bye' letters and 100,000 at least destined for the pro-
vinces places beyond sea, which were transferred to
the Inland and
Department. The grand total, therefore,
reached 350,000. It is estimated that of this number,
at least 140,000 were sacrificed to the fame of St. Valen-
tine, as about 100,000 is now the February daily ave-
rage. Taking the number posted on Valentine's Day
and stamped at the Post-office during the day, as for-
warded to the reporter by the authorities, at 240,900
letters, we gather therefrom the following amusing- sta-
tistical facts. In the making of them, 502 reams o
apvaeprearerwinogutldhebperiucseeodf t
the 1141e0,
ovoaolenattin4eds.
would realise 1,0041. 4d. ; the height to which a pile
would be 2,333/. 6s. Bdt.h,e• tihmempboesrtawgeasolfaidtheon2e4Ou,9pOono
would reach, supposing
uepac;htio'enec7ft
the other at the rate of a dozen to the eighth of an inch,
would be 209 feet 2 inches, or 7 feet 2 inches higher than
the Monument at Fish-street-hill ; While the whole of
if opened, allowing 18
miles and 243
Dover by the
yards,
wiis.e,oiadurltl.hly et xaost
eefaancrdh
;Li is:
ofarao
ndistance
d 00
If),
Bt6o
South-Eastern line of railway.
PRICE Of SILVER.-The dollars brought by the last
West India steamer have been disposed of at sogd. per
ounce, being Id, above the price realised for the previous
arrival, although transactions to a limited extent took
plate at a higher rate at the end of the month. The
bar silver has been sold at 014 d. per ounce, being a de•
dine of id.