The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-04 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

DIIBLIN.—" Dublin Society" presents some
animated sketches of life which are interesting to
peruse, they afford an insight into the modes and
manners of a pecUliar people, and they doubtless
relate many customs and habits that are not generally
known to all readers, and m,y thus improve their ideas of
this vivacious capital. " Yaxles and its Neighbourhood" is
the commencement of a new tale. It begins in an impressive
manner, and some of the young people ate well described.
It is a painful sight where the dying man is so forlorn and
lonely in his cottage, and his child watching with anxious
eyes while he is preparing her for his approaching depar-
ture. "Demoniacal Ideals in poetry," is a short disquisi-
tion that may prove suggestive in its elaborate criticism.
Several extracts are given to explain the meaning of the
term from divers authors of note. " Wylder's Hand" be-
comes very exciting in this number. We see Stanley Lake
in his true colours, and Rachel is nearly distracted with the
revelation of her dark secret by one whom she little thought
was in possession of it, the crafty attorney. As the
tale nears its ending the plots and counterplots multiply,
and the general mystery increases. Tnere is no at-
tractive character in this story, but they are all very power-
fully delineated, and afford specimens of the bold and
reckless, the crafty and cunning, and the weak and irreso-
lute beings who make up the sum of human troubles, and
create sin and sorrow wherever their footsteps bend. "The
Pulpit and its Critics" enters at some length into the sub-
ject of preaching in all its bearings, and will please the theo-
logical reader. "The Ring of Gyges" is one of those
dreamy enthusiastic sketches which have before appeared
in this magazine. It is appropriately written, and seems
like a fairy tale, or one of those Eastern extravaganzas,
which blend poetry and prose in a strange form. "Ameri-
can Scenes and Portraits" is a very good article, and will
well repay perusal. It treats of some of the most notable
productions relating to this great crisis. A good deal may
be gathered from this comprehensive criticism, " Sensa-
tion " is a satirical sketch of the vices and follies of
the day. It is smartly done, and brings in most of the
extravagances indulged in, and conceits entertained by
those who are perpetually running after a nine days'
wonder, and pass useless lives with all their gaudy frippery
and meretricious renown.

COLEURN'S UNITED SERVICE,—We meet with I
an article on "The Court Martial on (It:11°nel Craw-
ley," which is greatly in fAvour of the Colonel. It
is to be regretted that a m.gezine that has so long
been associated with popular feeling in most important cases
should go out of i,s way to uphold proceedings like those
at Mhow. It is too much to be told that it is the duty of
those who made a stir about these events to make their
good opinion of Colonel Crawley as public as was their
hastily -formed bad opinion. As to the suggestion that Mr,
Fortescue and Mr. Uonyngham are c,llled on as honest men
to retract their former remarks in the house ; all that can be
hoped for is that they will renew them with increased
energy, and demand that reform in our military code
which justice so imperatively calls for. It is of no use to
argue and declaim, because prejudice and partiality cannot
alter the facts, and right is not wrong, nor wrong right, if
all the tribunals in the world proclaim the innocence of the
offender. There is the usual excellent quota of Naval and
Military information met kith in this periodical, and some
articles on various subjects, among which we may par-
ticularise that on " Military Engineering, Ancient
and Modern," There is a paper on the " Political Crisis,"
which treats of the proposed Congress, and contains some
very pertinent observations on the difficulties of the posi-
tion, and alludes to the general dilemma in which all aro
placed by the present confused aspect of public affairs.

COLBURN'S NEW MONTLILY.—"An Incursion into
Labrador" is the first article in this number, founded
on the recent explorations of Mr. Hind. The pic-
ture given of this distant and scarcely-known re-
gion is inviting and picturesque. Nicholas Michell
contributes some of his expressive verses on the
year that is past, and Sir Nathaniel chronicles the fortunes
of " Wilhelraina of Anspach," otherwise Queen Caroline,
consort of our own George the Second. After this we have
a Christmas story, "The Ghost's Hand," whose name will
be sufficient attraction to all lovers of marvel and mystery.
"Cyrus Redding," whose indefatigable pen has for many
years done good service in this magazine, has an article on
" Life, its Nature and Phenomena," a work recently issued.
" Comedy of Travel" is an entertaining paper, and the
seventh part of " Strathmore" rec ,rds a terrible catas-
trophe. Among the remaining papers is an essay on the
characteristics of Yantree•land, and a brief bat melan-
choly story, showing how rapidly a happy home may be
turned into a scene of wretchedness.

BENTLEY'Y MISCELLANY.—The first part of the
editor's story " John Law," is given in this number,
the prologue having been completed last month. It
narrates his introduction to the Regent Orleans and
the dawn of his success in Paris. A paper on the
German A snacks for the New Year gives an amusing
summary
oirtheir contents. Dudley Costello proceeds with
" Mr. Grinahaw's Little Love Affair," the interesting tale
of " Six Weeks at Hunsdon Manor," is also continued.
" The login of Smith the Weaver," is an essay on nom
sequiturs. 4. Tilsit and Erfurt" is a readable article on the
palmy days of the First Empire. " Some recent Dramatic
Successes" are discussed and descanted on, and a memorial
paper on the late lamented Lord Lyndhurst does justice to
his merits.

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF TUE INDEPENDENT
ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS—This excellent and well-
conducted little serial maintains its reputation, and
has some really good reading. The interesting story
of " Self-help ; or, Work, Wait, and Win," proceeds with
spirit, and other articles provide the reader with entertain-
ment. A paper on " The Registrar's Annual Report" will
be read with much interest after recent discussions. It
vindicates the Manchester Order of Odd Fellows from any
charge of extravagance or mismanagement. A little tale
called " Home Kindliness" teaches a valuable lesson to
heads of households. An original lyric, by Eliza Cook,
adds greatly to the attractions of the number, and will de-
light her numerous admirers.

LONDON SOCIETY .—Fresh and sparkling as ever,
in its gay dress and with its numerous pictures,
London Society appears a most seasonable serial.
Its contents, although containing nothing very
solid, afford pleasant reading enough, the most
noticeable feature being the commencement of a
new story by the author of "The Morals of Mayfair," en-
titled, "The Ordeal for Wives," Its fist chapters are
animated and promise interest, although the heroine is a
litt e forward, after the manner of the damsels of the pre-
sent day. Miss Morton's "Mince Pies" is a light tale of
an heiress's good deeds, which, in this instance, take a
somewhat quaint fowl.. Other Christmas tales and New
Year's thoughts are pleasantly interspersed, one of the most
readable being the article on Christmas and New Year's-
day in Pa:is. The illustrations are plentiful, although
not quite up to the usual standard, and altogether this esta-
blished favourite has begun the year with spirit.

THE ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGAZINE.—
This little sem!, always a marvel of cheapness,