The Sun.
London, England, 1852-06-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE

PERSOIVAL ADVENTIII?ES of" OUR
OWN , C ie SPO A' DE NT'' in ITALY.
Ay Michael Burke Ronan. 2 Vols. Chapman
and Ball.
The reader is particularly informed, at the com-
mencement of these. hooks, that " they are not a
reprint nor a reehauffe of the corresnandenee from
Italy in the Times." They are, oe the contrary,
perfectly original; and the author has specially
avoided making my reference to of aial statements,
the object being to relate his personal adventures,
and cot compile historical facts. The anecdotes are
written in a humorous style, and great ingenuity is
displayed in their arrangement. They are evidently
the reminiscences of ono who writes con aware,- and
enjoys his pleasures over again in the recital. The
events of his travels are very remarkable, and it is
evident that he possessed the true spirit of a traveller,
especially one seeking information, accommodation to
circumstances, and the genius fur contrivance and
invention. This facility enabled him to effect his
entrance where others found closed doors ; and on
one important occasion he managed to convey authen-
tic reports to London of the Congress at Iveplitz, in
Bohemia. This last achievement took piece, how-
ever, at a much earlier period. A great deal of infor-
mation concerning the war in Italy is here
given, and, from an intimate acquaintance with many
leading characters, the narrator has gleaned intelli-
gence. of much value, which is made manifest in a
novel and attractive manner. To all desirous of ex-
tending their knowledge of that momentous epoch
referred to, and eager to become acquainted with the
customs of those often discussed characters, it will
doubtless be gratifying to meet with, these volumes.
The following is a sample of his many difficulties :--
" I bad at Plaisance to undergo the greatest danger
that bad occurred to me since the opening of the Canis
paign.
,‘ It seems that my bad manner of pronouncing.
Italian, added to my fair complexion, and desire to push
forward, had induced sew ral of the violent but not fight-
ing patriots to believe that I was an Austrian, and of
course a spy. Many a man was sacrificed for less
during the latter days of the war of independence—not
where the Piedwontese soldiers were found, for they
were ready to prott et one, but in out of the way places,
where native susceptibility or Italian pusillanimity had
full play.
"I was followed from the inn door by a crowd, till
at our arrival at the bridge of boats which crosses the
Po, I had to meet a mob of at least a thousand men, all
vociferating 'Tadeschi and `Spin!' followed by the
consoling word ' Mortal' Happily for me I retained a
moderate share of composure; so standing up in the
carriage, I entreated a moment's silence, stated I was
an Englishman, and asked if there was any one present
who could read. This appeal was answered by a school-
master or a parish clerk, and to him I unfolded first
my British passport, and next the special privilege I
had obtai❑ed from Charles Albert. This last document
was a cleneher, as it was written in Italian, and bore
all the official seals, and, confirmed by it, the validity of
the passport was admitted. Had I not produced the
Italian pass, the other paper would have been disre-
garded, or rather it exposed me to fresh suspicion, as
no one in reality knew what it meant, and the eagle at-
tached to the Austrian Minister's visa rather produced
an impression against me.
"I saw at a glance, however, that a new doubt was
engendered, certainly not creditable to an, and if I were
first stopped as an Austrian spy, it was clear I was now
sent as one employed by Charles Albert. The mob
cheered me as I drove off, though one moment before
they would have spilled my blood—hut such are the
risks we correspondents run, though no lady thinks o
giving us credit for nor adv.pro,

HISTORY OF TIIE IL CONQUESTS
IN INDIA. By Horace St. John. Colburn.
This interesting work commences with toe intro-
duction of the Ecglish to India, and follows the his-
tory of the establishment of their power to the present
constitution of the company. It is a singular fact
that the first English who proceeded to India did so
in the simple character of merchants, and the original
charter of their association recognised no idea of
political empire. "It has," observes the author,
" been deprecated by the representatives of British
power in the country, forbidden by peremptory de-
crees of the Imperial Legislature, opposed by the
supreme authorities in the Company, and, since 1784
especially, incredible pains have been taken to confine
its limits. Their policy throughout has been opposed
to territorial acquisition." The following extract
from the second volume shows, however, that though
opposed to territorial acquisition, it has nevertheless
been their destiny
The monuments of a genuine and pious civilization
are not pyramids, or pagodas, or towers, or columns, or
any of those huge trophies by which the daring but bar-
barian genius of a Pharoah or a Mogul endeavoured to
perpetuate its fame. The achievements of the English in
their Indian possessions belong to another order.
" They did not appear to the natives like the Spaniards,
as centaurs, wielding the lightnings of heaven, or like
the Arabs, irressistible in their religious z-al, or like
the Tartars in China, or the Gethic invaders of Southern
Europe. They came without a plan ; they followed
those who had dedicated the old Nestorian churches on
the coast of Malabar, and in less than one hundred years
accomplished the erection of an empire, spacious as
that which nine centuries of .113 man conquest, from
Romulus to Trajan, were required to complete. Every
ancient power has disappeared before them. The only
independent princes remaining, are recent usurpations,
and the governors whom their toleration allows to rule,
are stanning accusations against their justice, and the
sincerity of their desire to promote the civilization of
Asia."

As we have before said, the work traces the whole
history of British India in its political aspects, as
well as in the more minute details respecting its in-
habitants. The style is attractive, and the informa-
tion to be gained considerable, and though not pos-
sessing the varied adventures of travels to fascinate
the reader, it commands his interest and attention by
its complete and consistent account of so important a
subject as the political history of British India.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INT-ITUTION.—During this
week the institution has been visited by the Duke of Wel-
lington, Duchess of Northumberland, Duchess of Sutherland
Duchess of Buccleuch, Marchioness of Exeter, Marchioness
of Douro, and a large number of the aristocracy.
ROYAL DISPENiARY FOR. DISEASES OF THE EAR.—
The thirty-fifth annual meeting of the governors and
friends of this useful institution was held yesterday at the
dispensary, Dean-street, Soho-square ; the Rev. W. Brock in
the chair. The report stated that the institution bad been
in operation upwards of thirty years, and during that time
had been the means of restoring an important faculty to
thousands, who would otherwise have been disqualified from
following their daily vonations. During the past year, 1,029
patients had been received,' of whom 335 were cured, 129
relieved, and 502 remained under treatment; and in no case
had the treatment adopted produced injurious results, where
it failed to effect a cure. The patients generally consisted
of clerks, needlewomen, domestic servants, artisans, dis-
tressed foreigners, soldiers, and sailors, who have received
advice from Mr. Harvey, the medical officer, to whom the
institution is chiefly indebted for its success. The principal
causes of the loss of hearing are stated to be living in confined
or damp localities, the want of due precaution against wet or
dampness, uncleanliness, and insufficient or adulterated food.
The mode of treatment has been purely constitutional.
Operations have not been resorted to except in urgent cases,
and the result is that none have been injured by the system
pursued. In conclusion, the report stated that the funds had
been augmented of late, although not commensurate with
the great increase of applicants. Strict economy had, how-
ever, prevented any great increase of debt. They acknowledged
a legacy of 1051. from the late Mr. T. Roberts, and the ready
assistance of the clergy. On the motion of Mr. Clarke, who
bore testimony to the able treatment adopted, seconded by
Dr. Richards, the report was unanimously adopted. Other
resolutions were also agreed to, returning thanks to the
patrons, subscribers, and officers of the institution. A vote
of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.

ROYAL GENERAL PENSION SOCIETY.--.-The apnual
general meeting of this society for granting pensions to de-
serving and necessitous aged persons was held yesterday at
the offices of the society,:32, Sackville-street, Piccadilly; Sir
Peter Pole, Bart., in the chair. The rep ,rt of the past year
was read and adopted, from which it appeared that there
were eight men at 3s. 6d per week, and 30 women at 2s. 6d
per week, who were receiving the society's bounty, twenty-
nine of whom were upwards of seventy years of age. The
receipts for the past year amounted to the sum of 8541 175.,
when, after paying all expenses, there was a surplus fund in
the hands of the treasurer amounting to 2351. 17s , in conse-
quence of which it was determined.to raise the weekly pay-
ments sixpence per week extra.

INFANT ORPIIAN ASYLUM, WANSTEAD.—Yesterday
the anniversary fete of the above institution took place in
the beautiful grounds and building at Wanstead. The
weather was truly propitious, and drew fourth a numerous
and fashionable assembly of about 400 ladies and gentle-
men, amongst whom were Earl Manvers, Lord R. Grosvenor
and daughter, the Bishop of St. Asaph, Lord Calthorpe, Sir
J. Morrison and lady, &c. The examination of the 280
children gave great satisfaction. Subscriptions were an-
nounced to the large amount of 5,53''1., which included do-
nations from her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Duchess of
Kent, Lord R. Grosvenor, &c.

MR. WILLIAM CORBETT. Thtlnsrgee returns have
the writs and ap-
plications for writs of habeas corpus iluiosnt btoeetnhperionnteedalbrLdoyrdeerotoifeetdh,eshlelwo eof Lords, in addi-
tt i
and the number of
Cobbett
actions brought by Mr. William Co
nthoe common law
'tsheßepnlcehe
were courts. In the Crown side of the Court
of
ases7,
actionsa n in
5 writs of habeas corpus were issued, and olueoefn
side 19. In forma pauperis there
person, 5, making the 19. In the same side
writse
were
brought. In the Court of Common Pleas 4of habeas
corpus were issued, besides which , 0 applications f writs
were made to the Court sitting in banco, all of which,of w
the exception of one, were refused. In the same coutitti7tho
actions were brought, and no further steps taken. In
Court of Exchequer 42 applications were made by Mr.t"
Cobbett or on his behalf, out of which 19 were refused. M
Cobbett brought 17 actions in the Court of Exchequer. The
return already noticed showed that 32 writs of habeas corpus
had been applied for out of the Court of Chancery by Mr.
Cobbett.
CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 24.—MEmBvits' PRIZE-
mAN
.—The prizes given annually by the representatives in
thebest dlssertw
compose the •
Parliament for the. Univer3ity to two Bochelors of Arts who
ions in Latin prose, have been ad-
judged Trinity College.
present year to Dr. Edward Henry Perowne,
o_dlege, and Dr.
Corpus Christi Spencer Perceval Butler,
have been awarded.
commencement. No under
pos„s at the rrheexercises
will
be recited by their com-
graduates' prizes

LIBERAL BEQuEcTs.—The will of Mrs. Msrianne
Becker, of Bath, has just been proved, in which a sum of
about 28,000/. is bequeathed to various charitable and reli-
gious purpuse. Among these We hotice—The Church Alis-
sionary Society, 3000/. ; the Church Pastoral Aid Society,
3,0001.; the Society, 1,0006; the hieraviau
1,0004