The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-09 00:00:00

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LITERATURE
THE BELLE OF THE VILLAGE. By
John Mills, Author of " The Old English Gen-
tleman," 6-c. 3 Vols. Coll:urn
The Lutbwr of thi; book is well known to novel
readers as a clever writer in his peculiar style. In
the descriptive and field sports, and the details of a '
country life, ho is inimitable ; hut it will be found
that when he brings us into mere civilized circles he
is not so felicitous in his endeavour.4. The Squire
Wocdbee is very well put forth in his character
throughout, but nevertheless much more interest is
inspired by the rough and hardy, but honest and true,
Corporal Crump. The ladies are most deplorable he-
roines—it is to be hoped that there are not many
living likenesses to them. They are two sisters, the
daughters of a merchant prince, who was ruined prac-
tically, but managed to keep up appearances. It
will be found that in the lower walks of life more
talent is displayed by this author, and the lovers of
the ludicrous and witty repartees will delight in many
scenes here met with :
" Here's ah, ath to the King!' said the loyal coach-
man, raising his glass.
" Crud bless him? responded a voice, and upon esti...
mining the quarter whence it proceeded, the cauliflower
head of Corporal Crump was detected.
" Since you put a kind of amendment to my toast,'
said the coachman, addressing the corporal at a distance,
and holding out his glass, perhaps you'll take a sip
with me before I'm off, mate.'
" "We're not blessed with a superabundance of good
offers in this replied the old soldier, rising from
his position of perfect ease, and coming forward.
" Truer words were never spoken, mate,' rejoined
Jonathan, who, in personal appearance bore a striking
resemblance to his companion the guard; and when we
do catch one, we should put as much store by it as a
pearl dropped in a hail-storm.'
" added the corporal; and as be delivered
the monosyllable he received the proffered glass from
the coachman's hand, and, to the infinite surprise of the
bystanders, drained it to the last drop.
" There must be,' continued he, with great gravity,
at the finish of his draught, no heeltaps where the

King's concerned.' ✓
" Well!' returned the coachman, rolling his head
from side to side, while the guard administered a few
playful digs in his ribs, and appeared on the point of
making every button fly from his garments with the ex-
cess of mirth at seeing his friend sold,' as he called it,
I ~.han't forget that for the time to come.' "
"‘ He is dead now,' said the Squire musingly; but
not many years since there was a great man on 'Change,
one whose reputed wealth and position made him an ob-
ji ct of adulation and worship, and sycophants were ever
bowing at the shrine—among them myself.'
" But I hated him, Starkie,' continued he, as the
veins again roped across his brow, with the envy of a
heart burning to be what he was. I know not how or
why he came to occupy my thoughts, but sleeping or
waking I dreamt of this man, and his power was that
which I longed to grasp.
" At the time of which I am speaking I was little
noticed by far less important persons, and he had but a
slight visionary idea that we had ever met before, when
once we parted, although, perhaps, but the short date of
yesterday hteivened.
" In abort, he was the great man on 'Change, I a no-

body.'
" Revolving years, however, bring revolving changes.
I grew rich, and, knowing it, took care that others
should know it too. Hr, the great man on 'Change, be-
came poor, and knowing it, did all in his power to pre-
vent the information frum spreading beyond the limits
of his own breast. We were being worked upon by ex-

actiy opposite causes, and yet these brought us together
in closer union than, at one time, could have been con-
jet:Luta d possible. He wanted assistance, I rendered it;
he wanted more, I gave him more; and, not losing my
own depth, the great man on 'Change was under there r
and Tobias Woodhce struck a thumb on the edge or his
seat, and pressed it till the blood laded from the nail.
" The storm thickened, clouds lowered upon the
house, but no expenditure was retrenched, no scheme
abandoned, no venture given up. Ruin gradually stole
upon him like the darlincss of night tailing around; but
he suitl remained the great man on 'Change.
It was now, being unable to do without me, that I
beemn, his constant guest, and one mere honoured never
e,Ated in a mansion wherein luxury reigned paramount:
It was, indeed, a palace in which he lived, and all that
art could do, or money purchase, met the eye in weary-
ing prolusion."'

COURT CittUULAR.
OSBORNE, SATURDAY.
Yesterday was the birthday of his Royal Highness
Prince Alfred. The band of the 88 Regiment ussem
bled on the terrace at Osborne at seven o'clock in the
morning, and played for nearly an hour, and again from
two to three o'clock in the afternoon.
The Doke of Northumberland arrived on a visit to
her Mikjek,ty, and remains to be in attendance during her
Majesty's marine excursion.
The Queen and Prince, accompanied by the Princess
Royal and Princess Alice:, the Princess of Hohenlohe,
and Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, drove out yester-
day afternoon in a char-I•banc and four. Colonel Bon-
veil.° was in attendance on horseback.
The dinner party yesterday included her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Princess and Prin-
cess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Duke of Northumber-
land, and Viscount Newport.
Lady Caroline Barrington, the Hon. Colonel and Mrs.
Phipps, and the Hon. Major Macdonald, had the honour
of being invited in the eyeing.
Mr. Charles Coote had the honour of attending with
a select band, comprising Messrs. Macfarlane, Streather,
and Champion, who performed a variety of favourite
music.

SUNDAY.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and their
Serene Highnesses the Princess and Princess Adelaide
of H6henlobe left Osborne yesterday morning, and
crossed over to Southampton in her Majesty's steam-
packet Vivid, commanded by Master-Commander
Smithett. Colonel Bouverie was in attendance on her
Royal Highness.
Owing to the tempestuous weather, her Majesty was
prevented embarking on board the royal yacht.
The steam Equ a dron renasins at anchor in Cowes
Roads, ready for sea immediately the weather moderates

Her Royal Highnesi the Duchess of Kent, accompa:
nied by their Serene Highnesses the Princess Hoberdoe
and the Princess Adehide of Holtenloe, and attended by
Sir George Couper, arrived at Clarence House, St.
James's, at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon from
oLborne.
A deputation on the subject of closing the burial
ground in the Bayswater-road, belonging to St.
George's, Hanover-square, bad an interview with Mr.
Secretary Walpole on Saturday, at the Home-office.
The deputation consist-d of L'rd Courtney, Mr. Vincent,
Mr. Drury, Mr. Deeks, Mr. Warrington, and Mr. Charles
Thrupp.
Mr. Stapleton had an interview with the Earl of
Derby on Saturday, at his official residence in Downing-
street.