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

LITERATURE.

The Edinburgh Reriew. No. CXCVI. Longman
Already we have, more than once, commented upon
the arguments set forth in the current political articles
of our Atinguished 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 Parliament. 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 Conte 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 Maistre—was " one of the clearest intellects of the
ege," and while dissenting in toto 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 Steely 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 llarriet 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 Edilibuggh 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, as they say in
the postscript of a commercial advertisement, see, not
the prospectus, 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-
ably—

" The moment is rapidly drawing near when those
who have 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 themt*lves, but to the
civilized world. Every one is so far master at home,
that the law of nations has been hitherto very tender of
authorisiug a country to forco its commerce or its society
upon another. But the rights of independent 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'std
ra but at the same time most enco-
m c inquiry, n
Mr. Carleton persist in
sqn h y
will
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 an equal among the living or the dead f"
There is much relson in this blame, as there is most
certainly the fullest truth in the paneygric. A some-
what arresting paper on " Artillery and Ships ofi
War," and a rather severe thou
de Medici," appear
though still graceful,
review of M
" Pardoe's Life of
also in the present number of the Edinburgh—a
"
number which is yet further distinguished by an
elaborate statement upon the subject of the Cholera
and Quarantine."

The Journal of 4,ariculture• No. XXXVIII,
Blackwood.
Transactions" here given
As the quarterly organ of the agriculturists, this
continues very admirably coThe to sus-
tuasienfuits
publication
reputation.
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
journal, followed by authentic VI 1
ferilog to the foreign markets, -011 st statements re-
butchers' meat, of wool, and to the price of
digest of the revenue—L tof grain, and giving a
the great body of
the a te.rs of no small moment to
most attractive and ariculturtsts. Perhaps the
intelligent paper in the number
before us is the
additional chapter contributed by Mr.
Burn, upon agricultural architecture and engineering.

MR. MicenLey, M.P.--A letter was received in
Edinburgh on Saturday, from Mr. Macaulay, stating his
intention to leave London on Thursday or Friday next,
on his long-promised visit to his constituents. The
right honourable gentleman, however, will not address
any public meeting till the following Monday or Tuesday.
Moat probably the latter day will be fixed, as the Mon-
day is the closing day of the series on which public &-
gins services are held in connection with the halt-yearly
dispensation of the sacrament in Edinburgh. Mr. Mae.
I 'inlay will leave Edinburgh for London on the Wednes-
day, preparatory to taking his nest in the House:of Com-
mons on the following day.
TICBREGAL Counp.—Their Excellencies the Earl
and Countess of Eglinton 110 te rtained on Friday night,
at the Viceregal Lodge, upwards of 600 of the nobility
and gentry, at a ball and supper, given in a style of
princely magnificence and hospitality. The ball was
ouppewneitdhshmourtclhy
abptt toreten o'clock, and dancing was kept
a late hour, when the company
separated highly delighted with the urbanity of their
nolo hosts, and the splendour of the entertainment.