The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-02 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

BLACKWOOD.—" Tony Butler" is continued, and
the very imprudent young hero is displaying his
impetuous temper greatly to his own disadvantage.
The fatal haste with which such characters preci-
pitate themselves to their own ruin is here ably
sketched, and forms at once a sad reminiscence and
a salutary warning to those who study it. "The Royal
Academy Reformed" is an article which demands and de-
serves attention alike from the importance of the subject
and the skill with which it is treated. For many years past
it has been a source of regret to all qualified to judge that
such errors should exist and deficiencies be manifest in our
artistic arrangement. The English want of tact and taste has
been proverbial throughout the continent, but at least half
the blame t ests with those who, either through ignorance or
inadvertence, do not give native talent a chance or allow
genius to make its way to the best advantage. It is truly
stated in this article that the " Royal Academy awaits the
verdict of the country during this session of Parliament,
and must submit to the reform enacted by the Legislature.
May those remedial measures be of a class and character
that shall be efficient and prove equal to the emergency, so
that a serious evil may be removed from the national insti-
tutions of our country, and the genius of the fine arts may
spring up renewed in power, and endowed with fresh spirit
and strength." This paper concludes with an earnest ex-
pression that the house will adequately discharge its duties
in the consideration of this important and interesting sub-
ject. We trust, indeed, that our legislators will not limit
their views to the narrow confines of the times and the
countries which have fallen under their immediate but cir-
cumscribed experience; rather let us imagine that they
may cast their vision across the lands which an Apelles
and a Ph;dias rendered illustrious, that they may recall to
memory cities which Raphael and Michael Angelo
have adorned, that they may realise the glory of
those epochs which bear the names of Pericles
and Lorenzo. "Cornelius O'Dowd upon Men
and Women and Other Things in General,"
is an entertaining sketch that presents some lively speci-
mans of society, and winds up with a very mock-heroic
sort of affair, in which the narrator was jealous of his wife's
themes in Italian, and fell a prey to the cupidity and de-
signs of the preceptor, a soi disant, Count who made a
pretty sum by his educational devices. " Witchainpton
Hall" is a very sad tale, that is, however, sketched with
considerable ability, and displays some striking illustra-
tions of character. The moral that may be deduced from
its startling incidents is that sin cannot be glossed over,
and that it will not do to attempt screening crime, for if the
facts are not disclosed, the fatal effects will yet linger be.
hind. "Chronicles of Carlingford" does not advance very
much in this instalment, but the evil rumour gains ground,
and there are few who do not believe in the guilt of the
unfortunate Mr. Wentworth. The mystery which enve-
lopes the plot so far is very skilfully arranged, and the va-
rious complications are far too much for the hero to un-
ravel, especially as he involves himself still further, by
adopting a lofty and scornful demeanour. "A Ride
through Sutherland" presents us with some very graphic
details and animated descriptions of the country which is
thus specified, and those who cannot• judge for themselves
of the truth of the details may form a very good idea of the
peculiarities of the place from the vivid and vigorous
sketches here produced. "Charles the Bold" is an ana-
lysis of the life of that remarkable man, that may in-
interest the readers of this periodical, and enable them to
refresh their memories with the recital ofevents which will
for ever be memorable on the ptiges of history. The ad-
mirers of " Quentin Durward" will find especial attraction
in this epitome of the career of the renowned Duke of Bur-
gundy, since it goes over times and recalls events which
form the theme and are the chief incidents in that re-
markable and brilliant novel.

FRASER.—A political article of length and
weight sufficient to alarm any reader of moderate
enterprise, is the first thing to greet us in this num-
ber. It attempts to analyse the political temper
and tendency of the nation, but starts from pre-
mises that aro not altogether admissible, awarding

to our gay and quick-witted Premier a degree of power and

influence which, notwithstanding his personal popularity,
he cannot be said to possess. Passing on we come to an
able paper on our " Public Works," a department of which
the nation, with all its liberal expenditure, has mall cause
to be proud. The expensive mismanagement which has
characterised successive administrations in this respect re-
ceives the satirical censure which it deserves, and it is to be
hoped that the perusal of the long list of blunders enume-
rated in this article will induce some Parliamentary
champion in the early days of the session to do battle with
the First Commissioner on behalf of good taste, common
sense, and public money. In conclusion, our critic ob-
serves that London possesses the finest sites, the finest
river, the finest prospects of any city in Europe, and it re-
quires but taste and judgment to take advantage of them.
After reflecting on the way in which advantage has been
taken of them, and the fruit that remains of the lavish ex-
penditure of many generations, we are inclined to think his
quotation not ill applied to our architectural authorities.

" For what has Visto painted, built, and planted,
Only to show how many tastes he wanted,"

Dr. Vaughan's now complete work on "Revolutions in
English History" is the subject of a careful criticism, dis•
tinguished by its fairness and moderation. An essay of
somewhat similar character is based on the "Life and
writings of Theodore Parker." It is written with cat e and
thought, and boldly deals with some of those difficult ques-
tions which present themselves to most men at some period
of their lives. There is a paper on " Village Life in Oudh,"
which is apparently the first of a series, and describes an
Indian village and its people in an easy and pleasant style.
Iu the general observations on Hindu ways and laws, it is
justly enough said that " People talk contemptuously of
the monument of British rule in India. They point to the
Taj at Agra, and the great Mosque at Delhi, and the
Emambara at Lucknow, and say ' these are the monuments
of Moslem rule—were we driven out we should leave none
such.' Quite true; but we should leave behind us monu-
ments infinitely nobler and more enduring as well as more
beneficial." The writer proceeds to say, with truth, that
the abolition of suttee and the suppression of female infan-
ticide are nobler memorials than heaps of marble ; while
the roads and railways, stretching from Calcutta to Pesha-
wur, are mightier and more beneficial works than mosques
and palaces, however grand. The interesting story of
"Late Laurels" is brought to a conclusion in this number.
A conflagration at Sharingham brings about the most satis-
factory results to its owner, and the fair lady he has so long
worshipped at a distance changes her mind somewhat un-
expectedly. The respective characters are therefore all hap-
pily settled, now the vacillating and contemptible Charles is
out of the way, and the curtain falls over a pleasant family
group.

BENTLET'S MISCELLANY.—The editor's story
of "John Law " proceeds with all the great
popular romancist's accustomed brilliancy and
animation. Many other characters figure pro-
minently in the part before us, and we hive
several graphic illustrations of Parisian life
and manners in the days of the Regency. The
following is a good description of the Bal de
l'Opera

Prior to the Regency no balls had been given at the
Opera, which then formed part of the Palais Royal, but the
happy idea having occurred to the Chevalier de Bouillon to
board over the pit of the theatre and raise it to a level with
the stage, so as to afford a large area for dancing, the idea
was acted upon, much to the Regent's satisfaction, and
Opera balls became thenceforward the rage. Hundreds of
wax tapers in crystal chandeliers replaced the dim-burning
candles, producing a magical effect, and brilliantly illumi-
nated the whole theatre, which was so abundantly festooned
with roses and other flowers that it resembled a vast floral
temple. The exterior of the boxes had been superbly deco-
rated with crimson silk, and the stage represented a charm-
ing scene, designed for the occasion by Watteau. Groups
of graceful young shepherds and enchanting shepherdesst s,
arrayed in vestments of azure silk, belecked with ribands,
and provided with silver crooks, might be seen reclining on
mossy banks beneath the trees, the swains making love to
the nymphs, who did not look either coy or cruel.

The seventh part of "Six Weeks at Hunsdon Manor" records
the recovery of Ethel from her illness, and the death of tha
poor idiot who had attempted her life. Alexander Andrews
gives us a very full and very interesting account of a visit
to Colney Hatch, which, in reference to the respective
numbers of sane and insane-250 to 2,ooo—he styles " A
Town full of Mad People." "Count Ugolino of Pisa,'
who occupies an unenviable prominence in Dante's " In-
ferno," is the subject of a paper; and Francis Jacox con-
tributes a well-written and attractive paper on the melan-
choly refrain of "No More." Dudley Costello continues
his story, and of graver articles there is a good supply.
" Algiers and its Army," "The Camp at Chalons," " The
Cossacks," "The Duke of Augustenburg," and our own
quiet Charterhouse, are the topics sufficiently varied to
furnish something for the satisfaction of most readers.

THE UNITED SERVICE opens with the first in-
stalment of a very interesting paper on " Improve-
ment in Small-arms and Artillery," founded ou the
"Story of the Guns," by Sir Emerson Tennent.
There is much useful information contained in this
chapter on the gradual rise and progress of rifled
musketry and artillery, that perplexing subject on which
so many disagree. The Naval Retired and Reserve List
receives due attention. Under the head of " The West
Indies Self defensive," it is maintained that self-defending
colonies on an economical system, and without any violent
changes, might be tried experimentally in the West Indies,
where many facilities exist for bringing a new organisation
into operation. A precis of the account published in the
Revue des Deux blondes, by M. Xavier Raymond, of the
experimental cruise of the French iron-clads, contains some
curious statistical novelties, and after our making every
allowance for M. Xavier's natural partiality for the na-
tional navy, there can be little doubt that the French iron-
sides have acquitted themselves vary creditably. On the
all-absorbing subject of Denmark and Germany, :there is,
of courre, an article, in which a statistical list of the popu_
lations of the various states, and the number of their re-
speotive armies, may be useful to the superficial reader in
showing him into what minute portions the German En,_
pile is divided, Anecdotes of the civil NM in Spain are

continued. Mr. Knollys makes a curious "Plea for Poor
Puss," (puss with the many tails). He endeavours to
shew that its infliction is necessary in some instances to
maintain discipline. Yet, he adds, at the same time, that
its horrors are much exaggerated, and that many an Eton
boy suffers nearly as much pain from the birch. " Turkey
and her Dependencies," "Military Courts-Martial," and
the " Military Engineering of the Ancients," form the
subjects of other papers.
THE ROSE, SHAMROCK, AND THISTLE MAGA-
ZINE.—The following very beautiful poem adorns
the opening pages of this popular miscellany for
February. We are tempted to give it here entire
in our columns as one unbroken quotation; but we
do so, of course, with due acknowlegment to the
able magazine of which it is, this month; not only
the most conspicuous contribution, but of its kind,
in simplest truth, the glory and th© cynosure. As
a courtly poem it is worthy of the pen of a Laureate.
Without any question whatever, it is the one only
pcetical effusion apropos to the birth of the little
Baby Prince, the one only poem yet brought
under our notice, that is worthy of preservation or
remembrance. And it will be found upon perusal
to be indubitably worthy of both—that is, both of
preservation and of remembrance. The secret of its
indisputable success as a court poem being, as it
appears to us, mainly attributable to its perfect
genuineness. It is the outspeaking of a true woman's
heart, and, while it is that, it is also the spontaneous
utterance of an accomplished poetess. Without
another syllable, however, by way of further com-
ment, we will give the poem itself in its entirety:—
THE BIRTH OF A SON TO THE HEIR APPARENT.