The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

THE QUARTERLY REVIEW, No. 232.—A very in-
teresting number of the Quarterly opens with a
lengthened paper on " Cochin-China," a part of the
world very little known or thought of, but, never-
theless, well deserving of attention. Within the
last few years several volumes have been added to
our store of information respecting it, and the article before
us endeavours to fill up the gap now existing between the
present state of Cochin-China and the received accounts of
its earlier condition. In connection with the geographical
portion of this account we meet with a very interesting de-
scription of the regions of Cambodia, which border closely
upon Cochin-China, and were visited by the French
admiral (Bouard) while exploring the westward streams of
the newly conquered country. The realm of Cambodia is
remarkable for possessing many traces of an ancient extinct
civilisation. It has, too, natural features of great importance,
foremost among which is the great lake.of Touli-sap, which
is said to be more than 120 miles lorg and 400 in circum-
ference. It is entered by a branch of the great Me-Kong
river, which falls into the main stream about 50 miles south
of the lake. It was thus that Admiral Bouard reached it,
but it had been previously visited by another Frenchman,
M. Mouhot, who, unhappily fell a victim to the malaria of
the country, leaving a most interesting account of his re-
searches and explorations. The ruins of Aug-coi are de-
scribed by him with enthusiasm, and he pronounces them
to be grander than anything left us by Greece or Rome.
These ruins are situated about 15 miles from the northern
shore of the great lake. After the traveller has passed across
an arid plain, and through a dense forest, the first objects
of interest are seen at the angles of an esplanade, where the
forms of two colossal lions, sculptured out of the solid rock,
astonish him by the appearance of high art in the midst of
a desolate wilderness, This is the entrance to the Buddhist
Temple of Aug-coi, where gigantic flights of steps lead up to
a terrace with 112 fluted columns, surmounted by capitals
formed in every case of a single block of stone. Their base-
ment, like that of the whole build ng, is ornamented with
very beautiful sculptured mouldings, varied in style, and
entirely covered with delicate rose and arabesque carvings,
worked with the chisel with a taste and skill equally won-
derful, The extent of these ruins is no less remarkable
than their beauty. Terrace rises above terrace, colonnade
leads to colonnade, all communicating with one another
through grand porticoes and flights of steps. On the
walls, after the manner of most ancient nations, are re-
presented different series of events and characters, as well
as the Hindi» Paradise and Infernal Regions, But it is
a strange and noticeable fact that of the people thus chro.
nieled before us, not only no trace remains, but absolutely
nothing is known. Silently and surely they have passed
away, leaving no record of their existence save these won•
drous ruins—yet they must have attained a very high
degree of civilisation. Mr, Mouhot, in his interesting and
enthusiastic description of these singular remains, ob-
serves--" What strikes the observer with not less admi-
ration than the grandeur, regularity, and beauty of these
m'jestic buildings, is the immense size and prodigious
number of the blocks of stone of which they are con-
structed, In this temple alone are as many as 1,532
columns. IVhatmeans of transport, what a multitude of
workmen must this have required, seeing that the moun-
tain out of which the stone was hewn is 30 miles distant.
In each block are to be seen holes 21 centimetres in
diameter, and 3 in depth, the numbers varying with the
size of the blocks; but the columns and the sculptured
portions of the building bear no traces of them. . . .
Was this incomparable edifice the work of a single
genius who conceived the idea and watched over the execu-
tion of it? One is tempted to think so; for no part of it is
deficient, faulty, or inconsistent." Almost the only tradi-
tion preserved respecting the ancient kingdom of Cambodia
tells that twenty kings paid tribute to it, that its army
amounted to five or six millions, and that the buildings of
the royal treasury covered three hundred square miles I
Making all allowance for the extravagance of tradition, it is
plain that this now obscure and insignificant country once
occupied a foremost place in the history of the world.
The French colony in there parts has not as yet proved
very successful; the European population there, exclusive
of the naval and military element, being less than 600. Ac-
cording to the account given in the article before us, the
French admiral has not proceeded well or wisely in his
dealings with the people, and the result of the French con-
quest on Saigou, the capital city of Cochin China, has been
most disastrous. Those who wish to learn something of
the doings of our continental neighbours in these remote

parts of the world, will find much readable information in
this paper. An article on Workmen's Benefit Societies
enters very fully into the merits of this important subject.
It is remarked that such institutions have effected much,
and are capable of efficting still more, by supplying a
groundwork for something better. One of the largest—the
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows—is here spoken of as
being, without exception, the most extensive self-governed
provident institution in ti►e world. The income is about
£350,060 a year, of which about £3,0,000 is annually distri-
buted among its members, chiefly in the form of sick relief,
and these vast sums are raised by voluntary contribut'ons
at the rate of 5d p3r week, This society often subscribes
large sums for public purpose; having raised among its
members nearly £2,000 for the relief of the Irish famine,

and more than £5,000 for the Lancashire distress. " Rawdon
Brown's Venetian State Papers" afford matter for a curious
and entertaining article, and the " Sanitary State of the
Army in India" is also considerered at some length. An essay
founded on the recently published "Life of Lockhart" finds
a suitable place in the pages of that Review of which he
was so many years the able and accomplished editor. It is
one of the best and most attractive papers in the number,
and gives a graphic and interesting sketch of a life which,
notwithstanding fame and friends and worldly prosperity,
was chGgivred with many sorrows. In another paper,
"Photography," the favourite art of the day is discussed with
care and skill. The concluding remarks on the expression
of photographic likenesses will be generally endorsed as
true. A brief article on Sir James Wilde's admirable ad-
dress on Law Reform, and an interesting essay on Dr New-
man's " Apologia," conclude the number.

MR ROMFORD'S HOUNDS. Part Seven.—ln this
number we meet with some very amusing adven-
tures, and first and foremost comes the grand dis-
appointment at the Dalberry-lees entertainment.
When all was ready for the start, and the hunt
breakfast was over, it was discovered that the fox
was not prepared, All the grand arrangements wore thrown
into the shade by this lamentable failure, and Mr Romford
was right glad to get away from his initiatory visit in fine
life, and return to his simple mode of existence. Mrs
Somerville's character is very vigorously described, and
the eagerness with which she pushes her acquaintance
into all the great houses of the vicinity is of great ad-
vantage to Mr Romford, who is always more tha.a half
inclined to draw back. The various shifts and contriv-
ances to which their sudden visits give rise, furnish an
entertaining fund of anecdotes, which enliven the chap-
ters before us, In the morning visit to Tarring Neville,
there are some smart expositions given of the manner in
which a certain set contrive to dispose of questionable
horses, which will prove edifying to the reader. The
writer exhibits much knowledge of character, and the
mask is taken from many a face that in society appears
to great advantage, but devoid of its meretricious aids
and appliances is but a very mediocre affair, and can
scarcely pass muster. On the whole, this sketch of sport•
ing life is equal to any of the works by the same author
that have preceded it, in style and spirit.

LUTTRELL OF ARRAN. No. XII. By Charles
Lever. Chapman and Hall,--The story advances
rapidly in this part, though poor Kate's fortunes
undergo another severe shock. She offends her
uncle, Luttrell of Arran, by her persistence in
visiting her oid grandfather in the gaol, and he
forbids her to return to him. her messenger to Sir Within
Wardle proves untrustworthy, being induced by young
Ladarelle, Sir Within's presumptive heir, to give him the
letter which the old man had written in answer to Kate's
appeal. Ladarelle is anxious to avoid any renewal cf
friendship between Kate and Sir Within, fearing their
marriage and the consequent burden of a heavy jointure on
the estate. What the result of all this entanglement will
be is not at present apparent, but decisive events may be
expected in the nezt number.

THE Jour,NAL OF AGRICULTURE. No. 86.
Blackwood.—This useful quarterly contains, as
usual, an abundance of sound practical information
for the agriculturist, besides the official returns,
tables of prices, state of foreign markets, &a. In
the Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural
Society of Scotland we find a paper on the comparative
value of the different grasses; an account of the varieties
of larch, by Mr Grigor, of the Forres Nurseries; and an
article on experimental agriculture, by Dr Anderson, chemist
to the society, The shows, exhibitions, &e., of the quarter
are duly chronicled.

THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. No, IV.
Churchill.—This very able and instructive work
belongs to a different order from the ephemeral
productions of the day. Its original articles are
moat of them by men of acknowledged ability and
high scientific reputation, while the subjects dis.
cuosed belong to the region of science and philosophy.
Those on the construction and mechanical properties Of
submarine telegraph cables, by William Fairbairn, and on
the formation of coral, by Pr( fessor Duthiers, of Paris, will
first attract the reader, hut the others are no less worthy of
attention. The department of " Reviews" is no less interest-
ing and valuable, and the carefully written essay on the
" Science of Language" is deserving the notice of every
philologist. There is, in fact, hardly a branch of scientific
discussion which is not here represented; and those who
desire a fund of profitable and interesting study should,
without hesitation, add this journal to their shelves.

THE LICENSED VICTUALLER'S ALMANACK FOR
1865 appears with all its usual punctuality upon

_ ..
the approach of the New Year. It comes forth, we
say, with all its usual punctuality, and with more

than its usual excellence. it is issued from the press
us hitherto by Mr Slovene of the strand, and Wends to the

length of nearly 200 pages, the Almanack being avowedly
A National Handbook for Hotel Proprietors, Inn and
Tavern Keepers, Vintners, Brewers, Distillers, Maleters,
Hop Growers, Hop Merchants, Farmere, and it might even
have been added, both Yeomen and Country Gentlemen.
THE WEATHER ALMANACK for 1865 has again
come forth under the hand of Orlando Whistle-
craft, in the form of a little yellow sixpenny
brochure, published by Simpkin, Marshall and Co.,
of Stationer's-court. This being the ninth year of
its publication as a New Series, the current issue of
it may be taken as a favourable specimen of the almanack
while at its best. As a Rural and Meteorological Hand-
book it is lull of information—always useful, frequently
entertaining. Nor ought this to be very much wondered
at, seeing that Orlando Whistlecraft, as the Author of the
' Climate of England" (fancy being the Author of the
Cihnate of England I Why the Clerk of the Weather is
nothing to hint I) stands in the very foremost rank of our
Meteorologie ts.

THE GALE,

--o ---

YARMOUTH,

At an early hour yesterday morning a tremendous storm
from the southeast, accompanied by torrents of rain, burst
over this port and the adjacent coast. From half-past 1 a.m.
until 6 o'clock the gale raged with great fury, and the surf
dashed with such violence upon the beach that no ordinary
boat could have lived in it for an instant, There was a very
large fleet of vessels in the roadstead, consisting of coasters
and steam colliers. At about 4 o'clock the bark Sea Serpent,
Captain Ascough, of and from Shields for Jamaica, with
coals, dragged her anchors and drifted rapidly towards the
shore. The perilous position of the crew, 14 in number,
exclusive of the officers, was observed by the beachmen and
Coastguard, who promptly responded to their signals of dis-
tress. The former manned the surf lifeboat of the Na-
tional Lifeboat Institution, and gallantly launched her
through the breakers; while the Coastguard men,
under the direction of Captain Bevan, R.N., assisted by
Captain Rivers, R.N., and Mr Petts, prepared the rocket
apparatus, The bark, driven by the heavy seas, grounded
close to the Wellington Pier. The crew took to the rigging.
Notwithstanding the urgency of the case, the captain at first
refused to leave his vessel, and the lifeboat incurred great
danger alongside, one mountainous wave completely over-
whelming the lifeboat, causing her to disappear for an in-
stant, to the dismay of the spectators on shore, who feared
she was lost. Recovering from the shock, the boatmen again
approached the vessel and rescued a portion of the crew,
while the remainder were saved by the rocket apparatus.
At Gorleston and Garton, places in immediate proximity to
Yarmouth, the effects of the storm were much more severe.
The schooner Lady Ann, of Wells, Captain Harman, drove
from her anchors on to the beach. The crew took to the rig-
ging, the sea breaking over the vessel with fearful violence.
Neither steamers nor lifeboat were able .0 put out, there being'
no surf-boat here, the beachmen never having expressed
a desire to have such a boat in addition to their own large
private lifeboat, Nevertheless, the rocket apparatus was
used with good effect, and the crew were saved with the excep-
tion of a lad named Mayes, a relative of the master, who was
washed from the rigging and drowned. The schooner Light
of the Harom, of Whitstable, drove on the beach at Gorton,
The vessel's back was broken. The crew, seven in number,
were rescued by the rocket apparatus. The schooner Sul-
tana, Captain Shead, of Sunderland, for France, with coals,
drove on Gorleston beach. The crew were saved by the
rocket apparatus. A pig from this vessel swam through the
breakers,and upon reaching the shore was sold by the master
to a bystander. The Dutch galliot Capella, with a crew of
six, also drove on the beach, The men were saved by the
rocket apparatus. In these varied rescues the beachmen,
both of Yarmouth and Gorleston exhibited the utmost
daring, frequently rushing into the raging surf with lines
for the purpose of saving the lives of their fellow-creatures.
It is reported that there are other vessels on shore, and that
a fishing boat, with all hands, has foundered. The weather
still looks very threatening.

TYNE3IOIITH, Thursday, 10 30 p,m.

The Stanley steamship, with passengers and cattle, from
Aberdeen for London, came on the rocks here in the gale
to-night. Only three of the crew have been got ashore. The
boat swamped and drowned three female passengers and one
seaman. No communication can be had with the vessel. It
is feared the crew (25 in number) and passengers will be
lost. There is a Scotch schooner ashore here, and her crew
are in a similar position. The Constance lifeboat got into
harbour disabled. Fuur of her crew are aboard the schooner,
The sea is fearful, and the night is extremely dark.
LOWESTOFT, Thursday Night.

While the Prudence smack was off Lowestoft this morning
a heavy sea washed overboard Charles Francis, one of the
crew, who was drowned. A French schooner, tho Actif, is
on shore at Gorton.

DUNGENESS, KENT, Thursday Night.

The following is a copy of the report of the coxswain of
the Dungeness lifeboat of the National Institution, relative
to some important services rendered by that lifeboat :
"Yesterday evening, in a gale of wind from the S.S.E.
with heavy rains, received information of a vessel being
stranded about a mile to the westward of this lifeboat sta,
tion of the National Institution. Immediately called the
lifeboat crew together, and sent a messenger to Romney for
horses, and in the interval attempted to get off in the Coast
Guard galley, which we failed to do, there being such a
heavy sea with the wind right on. We then launched the
lifeboat, manned by the Coastguard of this, Romney, and
17 Tower stations, and succeeded in getting on board.
Found the vessel to be the barque Louis XIV., 435 tons,
bound from Dunkirk to Liverpool, in ballast. She had
parted her cable in Dungeness-roads. We succeeded in
bringing the crew of 15 men, including captain and pilot,
ashore in the lifeboat at about 3 this (Thursday) morning.
There is every probability of the vessel becoming a total
wreck, as she is now partly full of water.—TitomAs Mock-
RIDGE, coxswain of the Dungeness lifeboat belonging to the
National Institution,"

IVALIuEu, Thursday Night,

. -
Admiral Cannon reports the following shipwreck off
Kingsdown, near Deal :—At about a quarter past 3 o'clock
this morning, blowing a gale from S.E. by E , with heavy
rain, a Kingsdown boatman reported here that the schooner
Devonport, of Teignmouth, was on shore a little to the
eastward of Kingsdown, and that the crew could be heard
calling for help ; but in consequence of the heavy sea upon
the beach at Kingsdown the shore boats there were unable
to launch, and stated that the assistance of the Walmer

lifeboat belonging to the National Institution was required.
In consequence of a heavy sea upon the Weiner beach,
and the wind and tide being against the progress
of the Walmer lifeboat by water, the coxswain
immediately sent to the Marine Barracks (according to
previous arrangements), which were close at hand, for a
party of 60 men to drag the lifeboat to Kingdown, a dis-
tance of one mile and three quarters. About 4 o'clock,
raining hard and still blowing a gale ; the marines and
the crew took the host at a quick pace towards Kingsdown,
with the view of launching the lifeboat to windward of
the vessel in distress, and then running down to her as •
sistance. When however they had reached about half way
were met by a Kingsdown coastguardsman, who reported
that the crew of 5 men of the vessel in distress had all been
safely landed in a Kingsdown boat,which had succeeded in
launching, as the sea had become smoother as the tide
flowed. The lifeboat's services being no longer required,
she was drawn back to Walmer by the marines, and
reached the boathouse about half-past 5 o'clock.
SCARBORO, Thursday Night.--.I have the honour to re.-
port (says Capt. Woodal) the following service of the life-
boat here, belonging to the Royal National Lifeboat Insti-
tution, at 2.30 p.m. :—A small sloop came in to the bay and
attempted to take the harbour. The wind was very light
from the coast, while the sea was very heavy. It was very
doubtful whether she could make the harbour, as she ran
great risk of being swamped by the heavy seas, which were
breaking a full mile from the shore. At last she approached
the pier head, and received several heavy blows from the
breakers, and at one time she seemed as if she must come
ashore. The lifeboat was then at once launched and rowed
out to her. Just then a breeze filled the sloop's sails, the
sea lulled for a few moments, and, gathering way, she shot
up into the harbour just as the lifeboat reached her. A
minute previous a coble from the pier got a warp to her,
and she was dragged up into a place of safety. There was
considerable risk to the men in the lifeboat, as the sea was
heavy on the beach.