The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-05 00:00:00

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TLrE MAGAZINES,

DUBLIN.—" Yexley and its NeighbourLoa" is
continued at some length, and the story increases
greatly in interest. It is now evident that all the
young people whose lives arc so sunny, and who are
disporting themselves so gaily on the threshold of
life, have many dark days in store for them, and
much sadness to encounter. By a dexterous manoeuvre
Mrs. Pilmer has sent Dillon away to Germany, thus
maturing her dark plans, and paving the way fur the pee.
session of Mrs. Meiklam's properly. The scene described
as taking place on Bessie's birthday is very effective, and
well displays the nascent nature of pride and self conceit
that appear so etrongly marked at an early ego in some
characters. " Two Half. Cenl uri( sof the Light Litera-
ture of France" is a veryrcadable paper, and conveys much
information in its critical analysis. There is generally
something very attractive in these dirquieitions of literature
in an earlier age ; and, concerning foreign countries, wa
should not keep ourselves in ignorance, since nothing so
aptly or adroitly
discloses the changes wrought in the mired
and morals of a people as the different phases of its litera-
ture. In conclusion, the 'v: her of this essay pens this wise
reflection—" If our paper dare boast of a moral, it is that
fashion is as arbitrary in the publisher's ()thee as in the
show-rooms of the milliner, and that the fume of no book is
sr clued that does not give pleasure both to the prince on his
throne and the peasant on his wooden stool." " Unfortunate
Doctor Dodd" is rather a curious subject, that may never-
theless be welcome to some readers, as affording them an
insight into the career of a remarkable individual. " Shake-
perian Notes," No, 11., is a consideration of some of the
most important passages in the works of the great drama-
tist; at this time when it is the fashion to discues ever and
anon all the works of that author, it is appropriate in its
appearance. "Wilkes the Actor—his Later Career," is an
interesting paper, that revives the memory of the histrionic
splendours of past days, and presents us with a detailed
account of the career of a man who was much celebrated in
his own generation, and whose fame has come down to our
days, if it is in somewhat a modified form. " The Duchies,
Danish Rights, Customs, and Legends," is a very appro-
priate article just now, but the views expressed by the
writer, aro hardly in accordance with the strong sentiment
of popular opinion that has been universally expressed on
behalf of Denmark. "My Aunt Margaret's Adventure" is
an amusing narrative, that is sure to attract young readers
for its spice of the horrible. "Non me Ricordo" relates
to the Mhow and Aldershot courts martial, Another
instalment of anecdotes of the civil war in Spain is given,
and an analysis is furnished of the estimates of both ser-
vices. Chapters on the Invasion of Denmark, and the
Political Crisis, Notes on M‘Clellan's Campaign in Mary-
land, and the general naval and military intelligence of the
month conclude the table of contents.
THE UNITED SERVICE.—The United Service opens
with an article, by Dept. Knollys, on " The Soldier
off Duty," which contains some very sensible re-
marks on the employment of the leisure hours of the
private soldier. Captain Knollys observes that the
soldier is not individually worse than other men,
that vice and dissipation should possess in itself especial
attractions for him, but that he has so much more leisure
than the mechanic or the labourer that his unemployed
hours become to him a curse rather than a blessing. lie
therefore proposes to employ the spare hours of the soldier
in profitable or amusing occupation. Great advances have
been made in the right direction at many of our principal
depots, but much more may yet be done. The paper upon
the improvements in small arms and artillery is concluded,
and the description of the large 'Whitworth guns wil be read
with interest. Unlike the Armstrong guns, Mr. Whit-
worth's guns are hooped up cold, which is considered in
many respects advantageous. Trio mocha operandi is as
follows :—The inner tube is formed of homogeneous iron,
and its external diameter tapers about one inch in every
hundred of its length. Over this the hoops, also of
homogeneous metal, and each from 20 to 40 inches in
width—their interior surface being fitted with mathema-
tical accuracy to the exterior surface of the tube—are
forced slowly on by hydraulic pressure till the requisite
amount of tension is reached, and which, it is said, is
easily calculated. In this manner beating the metal for
welding hoops, or fur "shrinking" them on, as practised
in the Armstrong process, is dispensed with in the Whit-
worth guns. A second series of hoops is in like man-
ner drawn over the first, and a third, when
necessary in largo guns, over the second, and the
same may be done even to a fourth casing by the same pro-
cess. The rifling of the cannon in Mr. Whitworth's fac-
tory is precisely on the same principle as that adopted for
his small arms, experience having demonstrated its appli-
cability to fire arms of every size and description." In
concluding his remarks on the subject of artillery and
armour plates, the writer passes a well-merited eulogiune
on Sir J. Emerson Tennant's recent work, " The Story of
the Gnus." "The Military Engineering of the Ancients"
is continued," and contains some interesting information.
Captain Acklom, late of the 23th Regiment, furnishes a
description of his deep sea anchor. The system is, how-
ever, is not a new one; it is, in fact, a development of the
drag used by the fishermen on the eastern coasts. The
inventor has, however, a high opinion of the project, which,
under certain circumstances, may be doubtless very ser-
viceable.

CORNIIILL.—Tho readers of this periodical will
turn, w:th interest of a peculiar character, to the
story of the late Mr. Thackeray. It is difficult to
judge from the opening chapters of any tale what

it may prove in its further development. Yet it
must bo observed that the narrative of "Dennis
Duval" is singularly complete in its character, narrating,
as it does in this part, au entire tragedy of domestic life.
The form is autobiographical, the story being told by an
old admiral. The scone is supposed to be laid towards the
close of the last century, The greater number of the
characters arc French. However, we cannot criticise too
closely a fragmentary sketch like this, which is all that is
left to us of the last attempt of a groat man, and seems his
parting legacy to the readers who so delighted in his works,
and who mourn the untimely departure of him who
traced out life for them with a master hand.
" The Small house at Allinston" does not make much
progress this time with the more pleasing characters, but
records very important events concerning Croabie, whose
aristocratic lady takes herself off to Baden-Baden with her
mother and sister, abandoning the petty grandeurs and dig-
nities of Princess Royal-crescent alter about 10 weeks' trial.
This is a good satire on the pleasing results of marriages
g la mode, but the reader grudges Croabie his felicitous

liberty, which boon ho certainly does not deserve. Lily,
who would bo a charming maiden, spoils herself by her
infatuated folly in persisting to worship as an idol a man
who deserved to bo scouted from respectable society for his
paltrooncry and dishonourable conduct, " 'rho Fashion of
Furniture" is a very sensible article, which the foolish and
flippant of the day would do well to peruse attentively, and
the result cannot be otherwise than beneficial to their taste
and profitable to their fortutee. It is very truly said that
the present generation have not made progress in this spe-
cialty. We often congratulate ourselves on the compara-
tive low price of certain articles for which our forefathers
paid so much, but we forget that furniture in their days
often lasted a lifetime. Much of ours becomes rickety in a
short time after purchase, and before many years has to be
replaced altogether. There is a want of solidity and a want
of purpose about it which tends to this result. " The
Forest of Essex" is a pleasure sketch of a very delightful
locality, and the historical association of the place claim for
it a duo respect and reverence. Wo are hero informed
that " Caractacus had a good deal to do with us, and
Boadicia was finally beaten somewhere between
Epping and Waltham." " Margaret Deezd's llis-
tory is continued at some length in this number.
" Sentence of Death Recorded," is a striking article that ia
well worthy of notice, and brings home to us a subject that
cannot ho too much and too earnestly contemplated. Tho
concluding passage ought to reassure those who shrink from
all mention of the theme, which is sombre or splendid as it
granted prayer, and lose
is regarded either with the eye of desk or the vision of faith.
mighta one day die, no greater
If in our petition to the enemy to spare us we were,
human being. ' Saved
to die disproveth right to grieve.' Death is even a better
ctlha'ioltahi ultimatetuy s
co i iuklhops e b.mheaa tcgulroseedt do
for
obryany
gift than life, and abill ad Plures is often the happiest thing
that can be said of any man.,,

T/TE SIXPENNY MAGAZINE.—The chief feature in
this number is the commencement of a new story by
the author of " The Cross of Honour." It is called Barry
o.3yrne, and, although amusing, is somewhat extrava—
gant. " Singed /sloths" is continued, and the wretched
Sumgglefusses proceed in their attempts atter greatness in
a manner quite worthy of their name. One of the best
papers in this part is one on " Josiah Wedgwood."
EVERY BOY'S MAGAZINE.--This littlo serial is
full of fun and frolic, and as captivating as ever to
its young readers.

LE FOLLET.—The gorgeous dresses in the plates
show that the reign of fashion is at its height, and
testify to the variety if not always the elegance of the pre-
vailing /nodes. There is au additional plate this month,
and the letterpress of the magazine is the usual compound
of romance and poetry.

The EVENTS OF THE MONTH, and the GAR"
DENERS' WEEKLY MAGAZINE, both contain much
valuable information, which, in each of them, is arranged
in the most concise and interesting manner.
NEWTON'S LONDON JOURNAL for this month
contains an elaborate account of the principal recent patents
and scientific notices, as well as an excellent article on
" Patent Adjudication Reform."

WS have to announce the death of Mr. James
Maxse, who expired yesterday at his residence in Upper
(}rosvenor•street. The doceased gentleman married, in
1829, Lady Caroline Fitz-Harding° Berkeley (draghter or
the late Earl of Berkeley), whe now survives him.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SIIILLING DAY, Fri•
day, March 4.—Admissions on payment, 463 ; ditt o uY
en= tickets, Gs7—tot4l Visitors, 1,150