The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Edinburgh Reniew. No. CXCVI. Longman
Already we have, more than once, commented upon
the arguments set forth in the current political article.
of our eltstinguished Whig contemporary. We have
noticed the crochetty nature of the suggestions
offered, for example, in reference to the question of
" Representative Reform," more especially in regard
to the Substitute proposed for the Ballot by the en-
thusiastic reviewer in the Edinburgh. Again, we
have directed attention by the same means, to the
observations made by the chief of the Whig organs
when speaking of the results of the "Late Elections"
and the prospects of Free-trade, as indicated by the
position of parties in the new Putrliament. Eight
other contributions of various interest diversify the
rest of the pages in the number issued for the quarter
beginning with this present October. Scarcely any-
thing could be more generally eulogistic than the
paper—part critical and part biographical—upon
"Joseph de Maistre :" a fact the more remarkable, be-
cause the article is avowedly from the pen of one who
differed diametrically from the author of the great
work "Du Pape," as a religionist. Speaking in one
last burst of panegyric, of the masterly writings of
the Comte de Maistre, the reviewer says that every
intelligent reader must rise from their perusal " in-
vigorated and refreshed." As a Protestant, the
critic acknowledges that this great Catholic—Joseph
de Maiitre—was " one of the clearest intellects of the
age," and while dissenting in tote from the vast ma-
jority of his opinions, declares that he is tempted to
exclaim, " Would that he had been one of us ! " An
instructive epitome is subsequently given—through
the medium of a delightful contribution —of the
career of "Mr. Justice Story," one of the most enlight-
ened among the many eminent lawyers already produced
by America. Every reader of " Uncle Tom's Cabin"—
and their name is by this time, assuredly, legion—will
observe with interest the gratifying mention made of
the sympathy felt by Joseph Story for the unfortu-
nate negro population. his would infallibly have
been amongst the number of those warm and gentle
hearts that throb with a mingled sense of gratitude
and tenderness towards Harriet Beecher Stowe. His
principles, indeed, throughout life, were akin to
those of Clarkson and Wilberforce. Every
one ignorant of the mysteries of " Japan,"
should turn to the clever chapter upon that tabooed
country here described in the Edinburgh by one who
has studied well the scanty materials supplied by the
traveller and the Jesuit missionary. Whatever facts
of value or of curiosity were already upon record,
have, in this ingenious stricture, been collected toge-
ther and arranged with a considerable degree of
adroitness. For further particulars, us they say in
the postscript of a commercial advertisement, see, not
the prospectui, but the result of the humane expedi-
tion about to proceed against the Japanese, in obedi-
ence to the orders of the United States' Government.
Alluding to the probable results of that undertaking,
the reviewer observes very justly and very admir-
ahly—

" The moment is rapidly drawing near when those
who hare anxiously looked for the opening of this sealed
book may hope to hear more of the strange customs and
fashions of Japan. But it is not from purely literary
or fantastic considerations of this kind that we regard
with satisfaction the speedy restoration of Japan to the
comity of nations. The compulsory seclusion of the
Japanese is a wrong not only to themselves, but to the
civilized world. Every one is so far master at home,
that the law of nations has been hitherto very tender of
authorising a country to force its commerce or its society
upon another. But the rights of independant sovereignty
must be so construed as to be reconcilable with the greet
principles upon which all titles of property or jurisdic-
tion ultimately depend. It is difficult to entertain a
doubt that, after so long and so patient a delay, other
nations are justified in demanding intercourse with
Japan, as a right of which they are unjustly deprived.
The Japanese undoubtedly have an exclusive right to
the possession of their territory ; but they must not
abuse that right to the extent of debarring all other
nations from a participation in its riches and virtues.
The only secure title to property, whether it be in a
hovel or an empire, is, that the exclusive possession of
one is for the benefit of all." _ _

Another reviewer, taking as the theme of his criti-
cism the remarkable fictions of William Carleton,
estimates, with no small amount of acumen, the
merits of that great national romancist, in a paper
charmingly appreciative of his " Traits of the Irish
Peasantry. The gist of the whole criticism, for
blame and for praise, may be summed up in the
writer's indignant, but at the same time most enco-
miastic, inquiry, " Why will Mr. Carleton persist in
spoiling his stories—to say nothing of the needless
offence given to a large portion of his readers—by
dissertations on topics which any fourth-rate news-
paper correspondent would handle much better than
he has done, leaving that field in which he stands
without as equal amo the livi or the dead?
ng
There is much reason inng
this blame, as there is most
certainly the fullest truth in the
paneygric. A some-
what arresting paper on " Artillery and Ships of
War," and a rather severe, though still graceful,
review of " Pardoe's Life of Marie de Medici," appear
also in the present number of the Edt burgh—a
"
number which is yet further distinguished
Cholera
an
elaborate statement upon the subject of the
and Quarantine."

The Journal of Agriculture. No. XXXV 111.
Blackwood.

As the quarterly organ of the agriculturists, this
useful publication continues very admirably to sus-
tain its reputation. The " Transactions" here given,
showing
what has been done and written during the
past three months by members of the Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland,
would alone be
sufficient of itself to give importance to the character
of the periodical ; but, prefixed
to these " Transac-
tions," are the really valuable
contributions to the
authentic journal, followed by tabular statements re-
ferr:ng to the foreign markets, to the price of
butchers' meat, of wool, and of grain, and giving a
digest of the revenue—matters of no small moment to
the great body
of the agriculturists. Perhaps the
most attractive and • intelligent paper in the number
before us is the
additional chapter contributed by Mr.
Burn, upon •
agricultural architecture and engineering.

MR. MACAULAY, M.P.—A letter was received in
Edinburgh on Saturday, from Mr. Macaulay, stating hie
intention to leave London on Thursday or Friday next,
on h's long-promised visit to his constituents. The
right honourable gentleman, however, will not address
any public meeting till the following Monday or Tuesday.
Most probably the latter day will be fixed, as the Mon-
day is the closing day of the series on which public
reli-
gions services are held in connection with the hair-yearly
di,peneation of the sacrament in Edinburgh. Mr. Mac-
aulay will leave Edinburgh for London on the Wednes-
day, preparatory to taking his seat in the flouse:of Com-
mons on the following day.

VICJIREGAL COURT.—'their Excellencies the Earl
and Countess of Eglinton entertained on Friday night.
at the Viceregal Lodge, upwards of 600 of the nobility
and gentry, at a bill and slipper, given in a style of
princely magnificence and hospitality. The ball was
opened shortly before ten o'clock, and dancing was kept
up with much spirit to a late hour, when the company
separated highly delighted with the urbanity of their
noble hosts, and the splendour of the entertainment.