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

MAGAZINE-DAY.

BLACKWOOD.—" Cornelius O'Dowd upon Men
and Women, and Other Things in General," is now '
in its third part, and presents some very entertain-
ing sketches. There is plenty of diversity in these
details, and the leader turns from the freaks of a
Garibaldian envoy to discuss the subject of the
" Organ Nuisance." For this a most original remedy is
suggested. The paper on the "Chevalier d'lndustrie
of Our Day " is a very smart sketch, and no
one who reads of his impudent career but will con-
cur in the remark here made, that the fact of such a man
flourishing for twenty years is a disgrace to the police of
Europe. These social swindlers are a deplorable set, and
the mischief they effeet is incalculable. The manner in
which this adroit shuffler was onoe entrapped is a very
telling anecdote, and really reads like the denouement of
some skilful plot, There is much truth in the explanation
given ce the suocesses of such men that no one is willing.
to confess to having been their dupes, and thus the im-
punity with which they often got out of scrapes and avoid
the consequences of their exploits. "Mr. Knight's Ite-
miniscences" is the subject of en article that may prove of
interest to some. It refers to the manners and customs of
bygone days, and there is sufficient originality introduced
into the criticism to save it from becoming a dull or tame
reflection of the book discuseA. The description of the
modern omnibus is most ludicrous, and the minor miseries
attending its transit are familiar to all who have been among
the luckless passengers in such vehicles. There is much
to attract notice in this epitome of a remarkable work, and
whether it recalls old times or presents new pictures of their
predecessors to the reader, it will alike prove agreeable and
entertaining. "Tony Butler" is continued, and some
rather striking incidents are narrated. Mrs. Trafford does
not act wisely in her haste to mend matters, and altogether
the sparring that takes place about Maitland is not very
creditable. Yet it may not be less true in its delineation, for
many may have noticed how often the chance arrival of an
important individual disturbs the peace of a little commu-
nity and frightens them out of all propriety. Tony does net
improve as a hero, he is captious and uncertain, and shows
how much he needs the refining influence of the world to
tone down his abruptness and temper his hot
haste and vehement demeanour. " Our Neutrality"

is the political article of the number, and
sketches in a masterly manner the chief events and most
notable incidents attending the momentous, but discreditable
epoch in our annals that records the doings of our Govern-
ment with the belligerent States of America. Things im-
press one more forcibly when they are put down in order
some little time after their occurrence, and certainly the
resume of events here chronicled must disenchant all but
the inveterate partisans of the Government. The case is
very forcibly put, when it is asked if "our dignity is main-
tained by the spectacle of the Government dragging the
Alexandra case from tribunal to tribunal, with Mr. Adams
clamouring at their heels, and Mr. Seward threatening
war." It is quite refreshing, amid the infatuated remarks
made by prejudiced people, to meet with so outspoken an
advocate of the rights of nations as the writer of this article,
and one so impressed with the importance of maintaining
inviolate the honour and interests of England. " Annie
and her Master" is a peculiar sketch that will be sure to
find its admirers. The quaint simplicity of the heroine is a
pleasing contrast to the hackneyed class of portraitures one
is constantly meeting with, and the whole of the tale is
given to us with an animation of manner and a pathos of
description that impart a reality and interest to the narra-
tive. " A Letter from Schleswig-Holstein" concludes the
number, furnishing a graphic account of the proceedings
that have taken place there, and, almost as a matter of
course, winding up with a diatribe against the policy of
England. This is the neverfailing conclusion at which
all arrive, in fact, who speculate upon the future, or review
the position of the present, or takeea retrospective glance
at the incidents of the past.
DUBLIN.—There is the second part of " Unforta.
nate Doctor Dodd" in this number. It sketches the
closing incidents of his sad career with much ear-
nestness and expression, and the reader will be able
to form a more correct estimate of the motives which
led to the commission of the fatal deed of forgery
than doubtless he has ever done before. Certainly, tho
account of this man's fall is a warning to those who indulge
in reckless extravagance, and still more to those who con-
vert means to an end, and attempt to justify to themselves
the perpetration of acts which ought to be known on the in-
stant to offend the laws of justice. The account of the great
excitement which this affair awakened in London is describ-
ed in a very impressive manner, and it is not likely that
the "tragic story of Doctor Dodd" will find many parallels
in the annals of crime. " Yaxley and its Neighbourhood"
is continued at some length. In this instalment the story
reaches a crisis of considerable importancegood old
lady dies suddenly, the will is lost, and the hapless little
Lizette is an outcast and a wanderer on the face of the
world. Various other complications arise, which promise
to make the tale very momentous as it proceeds on its
course. This is a carefully-defined and well-illustrated
story, so far as it goes. "Felon Biography" is the title of
an article that is interesting-, It refers to the memoirs of
Jana Cameron (reviewed several months since in The
Sun),
and this suggestive subject is suitably treated
in the exposition hero met with. Nothing is stronger
and sadder in the whole course of life studies than to
dwell on the careers of these Children of Night. The
account of the girl committing her first robbery to get a
penny to go to a dance meeting is most peculiar, but the
stamp of truth is impressed upon all that is here recorded,
and we feel that we have before 119 no theatrical represen-
tation of bravoes or drawig-room similitude of manners,
but real characters, who are naturally drawn, as the sad
outline of their blighted lives is related. "Wicked Cap-
tain IValshawe, of Wailing" is a strange sketch that will
suit the lovers of the horrible, and is certainly told with
spirit and ingenuity. "Earlier Typo of the Sensational
Novel" is a carefully written paper that presents us with
some strange views of past literature. " Phases of Life in
Federal America" is an article that will attract at the
present time, when everything of a transatlantic character
has become so important. It brings before us many notice-
able traits of society in the States referred to.
FRASER.—A lengthened article on "Rand
her Dependencies" opens this number, but the
reader, who is not inclined to linger over a some-
what dry subject, will quickly turn the pages to a
careful and readable essay on the writings of the
popular novelist whom English literature has lately lost.