The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-06 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

7he Spirit of the Giant Mountains. A Series of
Fairy Tales. By M. C. E.; from the German.

Murray and Co,
This little volume records the varying legends in
which Rubershl, the Giant Spirit of the Mountains,
plays a prominent part. They are full of interest and
humour, not devoid either of the moral so often found lurk-
ing under fairy lore. The spirit is a whimsical creature,
who occasionally plays stern tricks, but he is oftener repre-
saited as a just, though kindly creature, who rewards
honest industry and kindliness in the most liberal fashion,
reserving his terr.rs for the cruel and crafty or the avari-
cious. There are many instances of poor labourers and
their families suddenly enriched, of merry-hearted fearless
children befriended by the mountain sprite. Rubezahl's
healing plants, too, gives rise to many a legend. Alto-
gether it is a very pleasant collection of tales, which will
introduce their young readers into a world quite new to
them.

Luttrell of Arran. By Charles Lever, Part 6.
This periodical does not come up to what might
have been expected from the pen of Mr. Lever, on
a.aubject of which he is such a master as that of Irish

DIIBLIN.—" General Garibaldi" is the subject of
he first article. It gives us a brief resume of some

of the most striking incidents in that remarkable
man's career, and will doubtless be attractive to the
large class of readers who wish to know as much as

possible of his doings, and like to study the chief

attributes of his character. "Madame George Sand's

life and character. As the characters of the dra-
matis persona are developed, they show evident
signs of exaggeration. It is certainly not consistent with
the description given of Sir Gervais Viner that he should
employ such a simpleton as ➢ir. Brinlay for his legal ad-
viser, nor is it natural that the old Irish peasant should be
at once so noble in his rough nature, and yet possess such
low cunning as he displays in some passages. The young
Irish peasant girl Kitty O'Mara has been adopted
by 'Sir Gervais Viner, much to the annoyance of his sister-
in-law, Georgina, who forthwith sets her wits to work to
oust her from her position, and, as the concluding chapter
indicates, with a certain amount of success. The plot of the
tale is cleverly contrived, and in spite of the objections above
alluded to, cor.tains much to interest the reader.

Early Opinion of Herself" is a parer which is written with
care, and, while acknowledging the great talents displayed
by this remarkable woman, it justly condemns her want of
principle and exposes her want of faith. There is one thing
to say in part extenuation of her strange ways and objec-
tionable opinions—that her surroundings were very unfur-

:unate, and the influences to which she was subject were

Mr. Facey Romforch Hounds, By the Author o.
"Handley Cross," &c.

not at all beneficial ones. Still it seems rather effrontery

for one so situated to attempt to put the world to rights, and
to discourse so fluently on the bringing up of children, and

other matters which intimately concern the welfare of
society. As so much exaggeration bas been employed in
discussing this writer's career, it is very desirable that some
one should take up the subject who deals with it in a calm
and moderate tone. " Yaxley and its Neighbourhood" is
continued at some length. It is a well-written story, and
is now approaching the climax of its interest. Mrs. Pilmer's

selfish and cunning plans seem likely to triumph, but before
the close of the tale it is most probable that she will come
to a sad termination of her unworthy attempts. Bessie is

A new serial by the author of " Handley Cross "
and " Mr. Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour," is sure
to be welcomed by the public, but we had rather so
able an author bad introduced us to an entirely
new hero, and likewise to one of better repute than Mr.
Rumford, whom the readers of Mr. Sponge's adventures
may remark as an individual a few shades lower in charac-
ter and honesty than even that gentleman himself. Mr.
Pacey Romford having been disappointed in his expecta-
tions from his uncle, determines to play a bold card, and
becomes the master of a subscription pack, in which en-
deavour he seems to have succeeded, Mr. Sponge and his
pretty wife are introduced, and if we are to draw an inference
from the illustration on the cover, Lucy, who has been
deserted by her faithless husband, will possibly figure in
future numbers. The descriptions are clever, and what
might be expected from the author's antecedents, although
he, as is his wont, delights to pourtray the dark side of
sporting character,

naturally described in her levity, and little Lisette, as usual,
is quite an exception to the others, with her peaceful de-

meanour and thoroughly unselfish disposition. " Nineveh"
is a poem which describes that majestic spot, but it is
written in rather too heavy a style to be attractive to many,
though some of the thoughts are good and the ideas well

expressed. "Orpheus" is a more ambitious attempt. The
first part here is given : it is melodious in its strain occa-

sionally, and well calculated to please the reader. "An Old

Shakpere Weighed in an Even Balance. By the
Rev. A. Pownall, M.A. Saunders and Otley.
The motto of this work aptly explains its pur-
port. It is taken from King Henry the Sixth,
" Who hath not heard it spoken—How deep you
are within the books of God." The author explains in his
preface that he has attempted to illustrate the striking
stmiliarity ,that exists between passages of Shakapere's
writings and texts from the Scriptures. This interesting
pamphlet is worthy of attention, and the author has the
merit of originating the idea of thus collecting and com-
piling the several examples at the present time. It is to
be presumed that everything that has reference to the works
of this immortal authorwill bo welcome,and there is no reason
to doubt that the issue of this little work will be success-
ful, exemplifying as it does how the mighty composer did
not draw all his inspiration from the sources of human in•
telligence, but delved in a deeper mine of wisdom, and
ascended to more sublime heights of glory.

Irish Actor and his Times" recounts the adventures of

'homes Dogget. It is interesting, and the man put before

ua must have been no common character, " Tho Grand

Tour," in its fourth excursion, treats of the Court of Saxony.

This series of papers is worthy of notice, since they bring
various places tetore the reader who may not always have
time to study them in a more detailed form. "Notes on

Dante—Epic Poetry" will suit classic tastes; and two or

three other articles of interest complete the contents of this
number.

DR. JOAN BROWN'S NEW CHAPTER OF GOSSIP,
•Under the odd title of " Jeems the Doorkeeper,"

the author of " Rab and his Friends" has another
of his delightful chats with us. He calls it by a
sub-title a lay sermon. He prefixes to it the
whimsicallest woodcut of a bottlenosed fellow, knife in
hand, round whose effigy we decipher the words—" Wall
oo ripp 'er up noo t'' We needs must read on through the
twenty-three pages, Dr. John Brown has us fairly by the
buttonhole : and what is more, while listening to him we
never for an instant have a sense of feeling bored,
DALZIEL'S ILLUSTRATED VICAR OF WAKEFIELD

—in this third part for May—sustains its high
reputation. The artist, G. J. Pinwell, and the engravers,
the Brothers Dalziel, vie with each other. How success-
fully, the very first embellishment in the current number
before us will of itself sufficiently attest.

DALZIEL'S ILLUSTRATED ARABIAN NIGHTS EN-
TERTAINMENTS—Part V. of which is published with
the May magazines —we may speak yet more
highly of than of the Dilziel's Goldsmith just
particularised. Yet, while saying this, it should be borne
in mind that whereas the fancy of one clever artist alone is
called into play for the illustration of the Vicar of Wake-
field, several artists—two of them men of no less celebrity
than Mr. Millais and Mr. Tenniel—supply embellishments
to the Arabian Nights. The best of all the drawings this
month is the first, viz., that of Bedreddin Hassan and the
Pastrycook.
ARCLIBISHO? TRENCH'S SERMON ON SHANSPERE
—the sermon, that is to say, that was preached by

his grace in the parish church of Stratford•upon-
Avon, on Sunday, April 24, 1864, at the celebration

of the Tercentenary of Shakspero's birth—has been recently
published in the form of a shilling pamphlet of 20 pages, by
the Messrs. Macmillan. " Every Good Gift from Above"
is the suggestive and reverent title of it—a title hinted, of
course, by the text, which is from James, ch. I. v. 17. As a
memorial of the tercentenary celebration at Stratford, it
will be especially interesting, of course, to those who lis-
tened to it.

LONDON SOCIETY.—There is as usual plenty o
entertainment to be found under this sparkling
cover, and he must be a very critical reader who
cannot while away an hour very pleasantly over its
lively pages. The anecdotal memoirs of the London
Opera Directors are continued, and this instalment is en-
riched with four portraits. The fifth number of " The
Merchant Princes of England" is devoted to the Greshams
of London, of whom the City bears many a goodly token,
"Notes drawn on the Avon Bank for General Circulation,"
is, of course, a Shaksperian article, end one worth reading,
and is adorned with a very pretty illustration. " The
Ordeal for Wives," which is the chief story in this magazine,
proceeds with interest, and there is also an amusing, though
rather improbable sketch, entitled " How Charley Blake
went in for the Heiress," in which the gentleman met with
better luck than he deserved. " Notes on Dress at a Fancy
Ball" discourse on the vagaries of costume, and "A. Gossip
about Garden Games" is not inappropriate at this season.
There are several other articles of varying merits.
CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL.—This old established
favourite has lost none of its merits in the new
series, but has rather added t 3 its attractions. The
part before us is chiefly remarkable for its Shak-
sperian Tercentenary number, which is the best of
the literary memorials of the poet which we have
seen. In the other numbers included in the monthly
part there is a groat variety of reading, The story of
"Lost Sir Massingberd," which has attracted some notice,
is brought to a conclusion, which is certainly original.
"The Station Master's Daughter" is an exciting tale of the
sensation class, while " Mr. and Mrs. Rose's Party" is a
clever humorous paper, "The Becoming of Attorneys and
Solicitors" is a well written sketch, as is also " Dramatic
Failures" and " What it costs to See the World." There
are many other articles ranging from grave to gay, from
amusement to instruction, which tend to maintain the old
reputation of the Edinburgh Journal.
THE GALLERY OF GEOGRAPHY. By the Rev.
T. Milner, ALA.—This really beautiful and valu-
able work has reached its seventh number. It is
altogether of a character above ordinary serial pub
lications, the illustrations being really excellent. It
is styled, correctly enough, a pictorial and descriptive tour
of the world. The representatives of Marseilles and Cher-
bourg are very good. The frontispiece representing the
City of New York, is admirable, and Antwerp and Amster-
dam are also highly effective. We advise all who regard
geography as something more than a mere list of names to
place these numbers on the shelves of their library.
THE JOURNAL OF THE WORKHOUSE VISITING
SOCIETY. Longman.—The third report of the
Industrial Home for Girls and the Home for In-
firm Women, opened some time since under the
auspices of Miss Twining, is the principal feature in this
number. It is very gratifying to find that these excellent
institutions have prospered as they deserve to do, and we
trust that there will be no lack of help forthcoming to en-
able them to extend their operations. There is the usual
amount of correspondence and general information on
workhouse matters. One fact, briefly stated, pleads forcibly
for the need of some kindly supervision of such establish-
ments. In the last 10 years, it is said, out of every 1,000
deaths in the city, no less than 145 occurred in workhouses ;
and this large proportion is not drawn exclusively from the
idle and dissolute classes, since half the deaths are among
five classes of persons—labourers, servants, and charwomen,
porters and messengers, and tailors and needlewomen—
thus including some of the most hardworking classes,
Such statistics speak for themselves.
"THE BRITISH ARMY REVIEW."—In the num-
ber for May, just now published with the maga-
zines, we find the following excellent remarks in
regard to the extravagance of " Hero Worship" re-
cently evidenced towards Garibaldi. After remark-
ing it to have been i❑ the writer's mind reasonable
" that he (Garibaldi) should receive the freedom of the
largest, wealthiest, and most influential city in the world ;
that he should bo feted and lionised ; that the nobility
of England should extend the hand of friendship to one of
the finest of Nature's noblemen," the " British Army Re-
view" adds "but, we apprehend, when the present excite-
ment has somewhat subsided, that a reaction to a certain
extent will set in, and that sensible men will acknowledge
in calmer and more impassive moments that we have al-
lowed our feelings to carry us too far, and that it is neither
right nor proper to venerate Joseph Garibaldi as a God, or
to seek to kiss the hem of his garment,' as we are told, on
the authority of the daily papers, thousands sought to do
on his entry into London."
THE ROSE, THE SHAMROCK, AND THE THISTLE
MAGAZINE.—This magazine has a special claim on
our attention from the fact of its being issued from
the Calednian Press in Edinburgh, and cones
quently being entirely composed by females. It
clear and excellent typography does honour to the fair com
positors, and may safely compete with any serial issued
from a regular establishment. Its merits, however, are by
no means restricted to the actual letterpress, since its con-
tents are quite up to the average of aerial literature. The
present number has several interesting topics, among them
"The Life of the Countess of Nithsdale," famous for the
romantic escape of her husband through her means, and a
memoir of " An English Admiral of the Olden Time," Sir
John Berry, a distinguished naval commander of the 17th
century, The female photographer gives uc w. sewible

Western TVoods and Waters. By John Hoekyns
Abrahall, Jun., M.A. Longman..

This is rather an original kind of work; much
care has been bestowed upon its compilation, and the
reader who likes to study the peculiarities and
wonders of an interesting region will be delighted
with its perusal. It consists of poems and illustrative notes.
There are also a map and a frontispiece. The subject is a
description of a July among the woods and waters of the
red man. It is mentioned in the introduction as "that
magnificent region which presents the grandest combina-
tion of inland woods and waters that earth can show."
Some various measures are adopted in the course of this
work, and occasionally the metre is of a very flowing de-
scription. Many characteristic sketches are given, and
some legends are skilfully introduced, which enliven the
course of the poem. Altogether there is quite enough in
the contents of this book to arouse the curiosity, awaken
the interest, and stimulate the inquiry of the reader. It is
written throughout in the style and spirit of one who enters
on his task con more, and thus it is animated and ex-
pressive.

Reynard, the Fox, in South Africa. By W. H,

Bleek. Trubner and Co.

The most industrious reader amongst ns is pro-
bably unaware of the fact that there exists such a
thing as a Hottentot literature, yet that such is the case is
amply proved by the little volume before us. It consists
of Hottentot fables and tales, and is chiefly translated from
original MSS. in the library of Sir G. Grey, K.C.8,, who
was at one time Governor of Cape C.)lony. The fables are,
as might be supposed, of the quaintest character, and great
numbers of them refer to the animal kingdom, wherein
lions, jackals, &c., hold discourse. But however primitive
these legends may be, they possess a certain interest from
their origin, as the translator observes in his preface. The
fact of Euch a literary capacity existing among a nation,
whose mental qualifications it has been usual to estimate at
the lowest standard, is of the greatest importance ; and that
their literary activity (in contradistinction to the general
character of native literature among negro nations) has
been employed almost in the same direction as that which
had been taken by our own earliest literature, is in itself of
great significance. Though we cannot suppose that the
general reader will care much for these singular narratives,
they will certainly, on the grounds thus enumerated, at-
tract the attention of the philologist.

A Woman's Example and a Nation's Work,
Ridgway.

We have here a tribute to the self devotion and
public services of Florence Nightingale, and a
ucord of the progress of the great work she set on
foot. It is chiefly occupied by an account of what
has been done for the care of the sick and wounded
in the American army of the North, and in the course of
the narrative supplies some fresh and interesting informa-
tion.

Spiritualism, its Facts and Phases. By J, H,

Powell, Pitman.

Criticism is perfectly useless with regard to such
a book as this, since if the author actually believes
the personal experiences which illustrate it to have
taken place, ho will not easily be convinced of the
light in which they appear to mortals unfavoured
with raps on the wall, and falls of the crockery.
We can only express our regret that such works
houicl be circulated, influencing, as their professed

authenticity doubtless does, the minds of weak and article on "Tact, and no tact," illustrating the startling
credulous persons, such as in the last generation would blunders sometimes made for lack of that useful quality,
have watched for coffins from the fire or windingsheets in "Railways and Railway Travelling" come under conside-
the candle. One thing is very evident, that education is at ration, chiefly as regards their effect upon health, The
very low ebb in this uncanny spirit world, judging from stories of "Jacob Morriston," "Harry Vowhampton," and
,he caligraphy of the officiating mediums. " Misses and Matrimony," proceed in their several styles,
mid there are several other contributions of varying
interest.
THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE INDEPEN-
DENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. April.—This very
excellent and well-edited journal pays duo tribute
to the honoured twenty-third. It has an original poem on
the subject by Eliza Cook, and a capital paper by the edi-
tor, entitled " How do you spell Shakspere ?" which as-
cusses the variations of the immortal name in a very enter-
taining fashion. The general contents are good as usual,
The story of " Self Help" is brought to an end ; and there
are articles on " Popular Applause," " Genius and Happi-
ness," "Small Talk," and " Moral Vanity." "A Voyage
over the Atlantic" is pleasantly described by -1,17. Aitken ;
and there is the customary full allowance of intelligenc9
respecting Oddtellowship and Friendly Societies.
THE ECLECTIC.—Tne _Eclectic opens with an

article o❑ " Good Sir John Eliot,' whom 11. r.
Forster has made so familiar to us. " The Sacred
Poetry of Heathendom" is an interesting subjeoL discussed
at some length. " Thackeray, the Preacher," is the title
of an article which renders high praise to the moral purpose
of the lamented novelist's writings.

THE SIXPENNY MAGAZINE.—" Barry O'Byrne"
is continued at some length, as is the eccentric story
of " Singed Moths." "An ex-Policeman's Story"
is, in its way, better worth reading than either, and there
are plenty of minor sketches. There is an article on
'• Balyac," and others of varying merits on Jerusalem,
nexico, and "Perils and Disasters." A new series of
papers on " Parlour Acceptations" describes the mysteries
of bead work, and gives twelve explanatory illustrations.
THE FISHERMAN'S REVIEW. Nos. 1 and 2.
The appearance of this little serial will no doubt
be attractive to many, and there is good ground for
the assertion in the preface that it seems inexplicable
that hitherto there has been no magazine devoted to Fish
and Fishing. The contents of these opening numbers bear
ample testimony to the skill with which thevarious contents
have been culled and collected. Illustrations, descriptions,
and reports are in turn presented to our notice, and several
chapters on various subjects, such as " Oyster Culture,"
&0., furnish a quantity of information to all who desire t
become better acquainted with such matters, and have
decided taste for piscatory pursuits.
THE MUSICAL MONTHLY is replete with interest-
ing information respecting music and the drama
Of course the Shakspere Festival is ably dealt with
The presentation piece for the piano is a pretty
little ballad, set in F, entitled " The Voice of the
Mcrning." We must still impress on the conductors
of the magazine the necessity of giving us something of
more pretension--a piece worthy of being played by a
clever and advanced musician.

BEETON'S Bor's i%IAGAAINE abounds in stories of fact,
fiction, and history.— fhe Englishwoman's Magazine is
more than usually attractive this month, and the other
cheap publications issued by the firm all evince spirit and
enterprise.

CASSELL'S PUBLICATIONS seem to increase in number
every month, and whilst this is the ease each one
seems intended to outrival its predecessors in beauty
of illustration. Shakspere (Part III.) contains the
opening portion of the "Merry Wives of Windsor."
Robinson Crusoe, with the two parts previously published,
compose the first quarterly section of the work. Dr. Waller,

the editor, seems determined to render the Illustrated
Goldsmith one of the best editions published ; and some
commendation may be awarded to the illustrated Bunyan,
which contains the opening numbers of " The Holy War,"
with five beautiful engravings. The Natural History and
History of England are each works of great merit and use-
fulness.

NIMMO'S COMPLETE WORKS OF SMARSPERE, edited by
Mrs. Cowden Clarke, will be found to be amongst the best
illustrated editions published; and the Gardener's Magazine
is replete with information, useful alike to proficients and
amateurs.