The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-24 00:00:00

DANISII CIVILISATION.

The style of buildng, even of the meanest peasant
dwellings is a perfect narvel to the beholder. The people's
love for a thatch, as tle best shelter in their opinion, both
for winter and summer, their preference for high-slanting
roofs, quaint gables, Tines, and chimney stacks, do not de-
tract from the solidity of the masonry, from the neatness
and 'elegance of the design of even the most unpretending
abode. There is no such thing as a but or hovel in the
y4om the ceilinc, all that can go towards making a mere
whole land, not an .11-fitting or shattered door, not one
broken pane of glassin the small low casements. Tidiness
and comfort, most fistidious cleanliness in barn, stable, and
dair
ibwer-pots lxhindthe window, wad bird•cages hang-
ing
house a home, was cantrived here. The subdued influence
of a severe climate seems to have a soaening effect on man
and beast. There is hardly a horse here but seems to be
born thoroughly broken; you can scarcely fall in with a
snarling dog,
hardly with one that will bark even in fun.
There is a friendliness, a good•nature, a thorough sterling
honesty, which bind all creatures, and render them fair and
considerate towards Each other, happy and well-pleased
with each other. It is not a little to be said in favour of
Denmark, that war can be waged here without marauders,
camp followers, or ether bad characters ; without the price
of a single article being enlanced by the sudden and exten-
sive demand. Tho closer I come into contact with it, the
more intimate I become pith it, the stronger grows any
sympathy with this
plain and unpretending, but real and
well-grounded Danish civilisation. You meet hardly a
man here but seems to be contented, and deserving to be to,
and desirous, as far as in bim lies, to contribute to yours
and everybody's contentment. Whatever may be said
well-being must be owing to the disciple of about the force of climate, however much I may myself
feel inclined to ascribe is it, it is evident that much of this
universal -being
wide-
spread education, and good, provident, liberal government.
This is one of the most valuable works that have
yet appeared upon the Danish War, giving as it
does a comprehensive view of the first rise and pro-
gress of the invasion.

Forty I ears of Americana Life. By Dr. Thomas
L. Nichols. Two Vols. Maxwell and Co.

A very interesting glimpse of the Americans by
one of thetneelves. Dr. Nichols introduces himsell
to our notice, and at once claims our sympathy and
attention as an emigrant who has turned for a
refuge to England, in order to escape taking part
in the civil war. Himself a native of the North,
recognising the justice of the claims of
but
Southernfulyl
independence, he protests with indigna-
tion against the idea of the Federal war. " War
for the Union! Fraternity or Death! Be my
brother, or I will kill you! Unite with me or I
will exterminate yon." Such, he says, is the lan-
guage of the upholders of the Union, With these
opinions Dr Nichols could take no part in the war.
" Fight the South I could not. There was no pre-
tence or right to nerve my arm or harden my heart.
I felt the war to be unjust." Neither was he dis-
posed to take up arms on the other side, in which
he numbered "neighbours, friends, and near rela-
tions,', As the happiest extrication from a difficult
situation, be took refuge with his family in Eng-
land. Here he is sometimes troubled with senti-
ments of compunction at having abandoned his

ecuntry to her fate, and with an agony of indigna.
lion he protests against the modern system of non-
intervention.

0, Powers of Ptirojoei!—to*ers of civilisation ! When
brother is murdering brother, it is every man's duty to stop
the fratricidal strife. How long must nations stand aside,
and ask, "Am I my brother's keeper ?" Is there one
morality and (413 religion for hien, Lod Another for nations ?
The public ()Onion. of Ettro-,:;o has denounced this war as a
useless cotlict. Why cannot the opinion of Europe—" the
just ju'lgusent of mankind"—make itself respected.
As some solace in his exile, Dr Nichols has written
about his country—
In the weary hours of a most anxious exile, I have writ-
ten the following pages. I hay.) described America, and
what seems to me most distinctive in its institutions and
people, as I remember them, looking back through a vista
of nearly half a century of a busy and varied life; and as
they appear to me viewed across the intervening ocean.
Americans have usually written of their country with pride
and exultation. I have written in sorrow and huo, illation ;
yet not without the hope that, purified as in the fire, she
may in the future be worthy of the promise of the past.

Beginning with his early life in New Eoglan7l,
some forty years ago, Dr. Nichols has given us
many interesting particulars respecting his country
and his countrymen, which would necessarily escape
the attention of the foreign visitor. As a picture
of American life,;by a thoughtful observer and actor
in the scenes which he describes, the book is full of
value. We must confess that when occasionally
the writer dwells upon the faults and shortcoming of
his people, we follow him with little sympathy.
That they have faults, and enough of them, we are
well convinced, but the telling of them comes with
ill-grace from the lips of a brother, Passing over
such passages, which are few and far between,
we have found much to please and interest
us in these American recollections. But the author
shall speak for himself. Here is a vivid glimpse of