The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-13 00:00:00

LITERATURE,

Beppo the Conscript. By T. Adolphus Trollope.

Two vole; Chapman and Hall, Piccadilly.

Beppo Vani, the son of a rich Romagnole farmer,
falls in love, as is usually the case in novels, with
Gallia, a poor cousin sheltered in his father's house.
The old man designs him to marry the daughter of
a neighbouring notary, but that young lady has a
lover to whom she is attached, a Captain Bersag-
lieri, and she and Beppo quite understand each
.other, Ligsa being aware of his attachment for his
cousin. To prevent a marriage between his son and
niece, old Vani maniges to get an engagement for
the latter with a certain Signora Dossi, a retired
actress, as half companion, half servant, and she be-
takes herself to her new situation without giving
her lover the slightest encouragement,
.hficauee,
although deeply attached to him, she is too proud
to have it supposed that she entrapped him into an
improvident marriage. Beppo, however, is drawn
for the conscription, and by the advice of a burly
priest, inimic to the new Government, fl'es to the
mountains to avoid joining the army. Guilia learns
the danger to which he is exposed; induces him to
surrender himself, thereby avoiding the fate of a de-
serter, and ultimately they are married, Beppo
securing as his share of the paternal property the
ready money of his father, while the farm descends
to his younger brother, a most unamiable person,
and we leave him advanced to the rank of corporal.
The style of the book is loose and disjointed, and
it abounds in most unlikely incidents.

The Quarterly Journal of Science. No. 11. April,

1864. Churchill.

The appearance of a new scientific journal will
be hailed with satisfaction by all readers of solid
tastes and learned leisure. It is, too, a very able
and well written production, dealing in subjects
by no means beyond the range of well edu-
cated persons, and conveying a good deal of
varied information assisted by explanatory plates
and unencumbered by unnecessary technicali-
ties. The number before us has six able essays,
in addition to a full report and discussion of
the proceedings, &c., of scientific societies. It opens
with an article on " The Mammals of Madagascar,"
which introduces us to quite a new range of
zoological peculiarities. Many of the animals de■
scribed are of a very singular character, and very
different from the species found in Africa, which is
only distant two hundred miles. The writer points
out many remarkable facts concerning the distri-
bution of the Fauna of this island, and observes that
the anomalies presented to us by the forms of life
there prevalent are so striking, that claims have
been put forward in its favour to be considered as
a distinct primary geographical region of the earth.
The accompanying plate, drawn by J. Wolf, cer-
tainly display many singular-looking creatures.
This interesting paper is followed by a very learned
article by Sir John Herschel on the Solar Spots. It
is full of valuable information, as might have been
expected coming from the pen of so eminent an
authority. Sir John Herschel gives us some par-
ticulars of these curious phenomena, such as the
following singular fact :—" The sun is not equally
spotted at all times. Many months, and sometimes
whole years have elapsed without the notice
of a spot. Ia others, for months, nay years
together they have been remarkable for num-
ber and magnitude. It seems to have been
a very general belief up to the epoch of
Professor Schwabe's observations that this variety
was purely casual, and altogether irregular. But
the evidence obtained by M. Schwabe, observing
from 1826 to 1860, on an avenge 300 days per an-
num, during each of which the number of groups
and single spots was registered, clearly established
a periodicity. Thus in 1833, 1843, 1856, very few '
groups were seen, and on nearly half the days of
observation the sun was epetless, while in 1828,
1837, 1818, 1859, and 1860, the number of spots was
extraordinary, and not one spotless day occurred ;
while the intermediate years exhibited a regular
alternate increase and decrease. A period of from
ten to twelve years' duration was thus indicated."
This single instance serves to show us in some de-
gree how great is the labour, how unwearied the
application of a man of science who devotes himself
to his calling. The record of another kind of sci-
entific industry is found in a paper " On the Rise,
Progress, and Prospects of Steam Navigation," by
Mr. Samuelson, C.E. It is a highly interesting
article, and demonstrates forcibly the difficulty at-
tending the first introduction of any important
change or improvement. Those in power are too
often unwilling to countenance any innovation;
they prefer to keep to the old ways and good old
times which have let them prosper without regard
to the common good. This feeling is a great bar
to the progress of improvement in any enterprise.
The application of steam to navigation has proved
to be of the greatest benefit to mankind by bring-
ing distant lands and people near together, and so
quickening the progress of civilisation. Steam,
indeed, has been the forerunner and promoter of
the telegraph—one great invention suggesting a
still greater or more wonderful. A new discovery
is mentioned among the " Chronicles of Science" in
this number which bids fair to rival or excel gutta-
percha and indiarubber, possessing, it is said, the
elasticity of the one and the ductility of the other.
It is styled balata, and is the dried juice of the bul-
let-tree (sapot(z millers), and it is hoped will be a
good insulating medium for telegraphic purposes.
Among other articles of special interest we may
mention that on Milk, which is highly suggestive,
and " An Essay on the Relation of Light and Heat
to the Vital Forces of Plants."

Luttrell of Arran. Part 5. By Charles Lever.
The interest of this story increases as its develop-
ment progresses. The bold, almost fierce, character
of Luttrell is well portrayed. The author has in
all probability drawn the character from nature,
and in describing his hero he is only presenting his
readers with a true picture of one of the many high-
spirited Irishmen, whose misguided ideas of national
regeneration brought desolation and ruin both to
the country and their own fortunes. Charles Lever
thoroughly understands the character he is describ-
ing, and in some of the expressions which fall from
Luttrell, we find how misfortune and reverses force
men to read the dark side of life's history with re-
signation and humility. Luttrell having decided
to let his son leave him under the auspices of an
American merchant captain, explains his reasons
for so doing to his friend, Sir Gervais Vyner. When
requesting that gentleman to be the guardian of
his boy in case of the death of his father, he remarks
in conclusion, " How pride of birth with prosperity
may lead to intolerance and oppression, but leash
it with poverty, and it will conduce to violence,
perhaps to crime. Say nothing of this
guardianship to your wife, lest it should lead her
to talk of me, or, at all events, wait till I am gone.
Talk of me then they may, for there is no voice so
elcquent to defend as the wind that sighs through
the long grass over our graves." Poor Mr.
M'Kinlay finds himself in troubled waters, he
executes his client's commission satisfactorily, more
however by good luck than management, being
haunted during his trip to Arran by his evil
genius in the form of the Yankee excursionist,
who, however rough and reckless he may be, pos-
sesses a good heart and fearless sririt. The Ame•
ricans are indebted to Charles Lever for
,doing
justice to some of the better characteristics of the
American people, at a time when civil war has so
forcibly pourtrayed less enviable ones. Miss
Georgina contrives to worm every information out
of the unfortunate 111'1i:inlay, the lawyer gives
place to the lover, and the young lady having gra-
tified her curiosity, of course throws her informer
overboard ; these disclosures will, however, lead to
further complications hereafter.

?he Social Science Review. New Series. No. 4.

10, Whitefriars-street.

This very sensible and well written periodical
commenced a new series with the new year, and has
certainly not lost in interest or character. Its
principal article is a continuation of the valuable
essay by its editor, Dr. Richardson, "On the
Diseases of Overworked Men." As in this busy
whirling life of ours too many of us come under that
denomination, the information regarding the pre•
disposition to disease, the exciting causes, the
symptoms, the means of prevention and cnre,

is of extensive application. The present chapter
refers to the mental workers whose tasks are some-
times the heaviest and most exhausting. Among
the other subjects discussed in this part are
"Middle Class Education," "The Registration of
the Insane," and " Rough Diamonds," a most
interesting paper, telling the fortunes of the ragged
school movement. Altogether this serial devotes
itself to the social wants of the age, and, as such,
commends itself to the attention of all earnest and
thoughtful readers.

The Journal of Agriculture. No. 84. Blackwood.
This quarterly goes on with its accustomed
ability, and clearly indicates the rapid advance of
our age in agricultural science. One very important
subject is treated of in the Cultivation of Flax,
which has now in a measure to take the place of
cotton. The report .of the transactions of the
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland is
as usual given very fully, and intelligent farmers
will derive much practical advantage from a con,
sideration of the subjects discussed.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day).

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.)
1N RE T. S. CAVE.

This bankrupt was described as of Argyll-square, St.
Pancras, late of St. George's-terrace, Hyde- park, Gent.,
having a residence at Rosburn Manor, Cork, and this was
a meeting for last examination and discharge.
The accounts have not been filed, but from a preliminary
statement by Mr. Hutton it appears that the debts due to
creditors unsecured amount to £12,763 15s 2d ; creditors
holding security, £s9,374—flies property held as security
being the Audley estates, in Schule, in the county of Cork,
valued in 1834 by eminent engineers and surveyors at
X. 159.000. There are also liabilites in respect of shares in
the Curragh Mining Company, of which bankrupt was a
director; the whole of the shares had been paid up by the
shareholders,

Mr. Harrison appeared for the assignees ; Mr. H. Link-
later and Mr, Brough for the creditors; and Mr. Lawrence
for the bankrupt.

Mr, Lawrence said that the bankrupt had been largely
engaged in mining operations, and was desirous of furnish-
ing accounts detailing his tran,actions, but they were of
such a voluminous and intricate nature that he had not
been able to complete them. He (Mr. Lawrence), there-
fore, asked for an adjournment for two months to enable
him to do so.

Mr. Linklater did not abject to the adjournment, but
thought it should be at the bankrupt's expense.

Mr. Brough assented to the adjournment, and said that,
considering the nature of the accounts, and that the bank-
rupt had been very diligently engaged with Mr. Hutton,
the accountant, his (Mr. Brough's) clients did not desire
that any costs should be imposed.
An adjournment was then taken for two months without
costs.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day,

MARLBOROUGH••STREET.

ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE THE MAGISTRATE --WILFUL
DAMAGE,—John Hussey, described as si baker, was charged
before Mr Tyrwhitt with wilfully breaking two panes of
glass, the property of Mr John Bowman Fletcher, surgeon
dentist, 17, New Burlington-street.
On the prisoner being brought into court by Barnes, the
gaoler, he appeared to ascend the steps of the dock with the
greatest difficulty, owing, as ho stated, to his extreme suf-
fering from a bad leg. He was therefore accommodated
with a seat in the dock.

Mr Fletcher said that on the previous evening, on his
servant entering the house, the prisoner attempted to force
his way in, and it was only by the• assistance of another per-
son she was enabled to close the door. The prisoner then
threw two stones at the windows with such force that be-
sides breaking two panes of glass a piece of the shutter was
broken off.

Prisoner said he asked for water to bathe his leg, and as
he could not get it he was vexed and broke the window. He
had tried to get into hospitals, but could not. (The prisoner
appeared to be suffering intensely.)
Mr. Fletcher said that if he had known the prisoner
wanted water he should have been only too happy to have
given it to him.

Sergeant Bradley said the prisoner said he broke the
windows because he was refused water.

Mr, Fletcher said he did not wish to go on with the case
if his worship would discharge the prisoner.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said the prisoner seemed to be suffering,
but he could not discharge persons when they were
brought before him for such offences. He could not hold
out premiums to persons who went about dealing with
other persons' property in such a way. The prisoner must
pay the damage, but he would not inflict a fine.
Subsequently Barnes reported to Mr. Tyrwhitt that he
belioved the prisoner was a gross hypocrite ; for although,
when in the court, he pretended to be scarcely able to walk,
and to be in a state of great suffering, on leaving it he be-
came quite well and walked as well as he (13Arnes) could.
It was intended that the prisoner should be discharged at
5 o'clock, but after Mr. Tyrwhitt had heard the gaoler, he
committed the prisoner for a week in default.
Benjamin Wyld, a fruiterer, in Shepherd's-market, was
charged with disorderly conduct in Shepherd's-market.
The defendant was found by Luke Jeffrey, 49 C, creating
a great disturbance in Shepherd's-market at a late hour last
night. The constable finding the defendant very drunk,
and as he refused to leave, was obliged to get assistance and
take him to Vine• street. Fined 5s or 7 days.
IMPUDENT ROBBERY.—James Cullen and John Williams
alias Connolly were charged before Mr Tyrwhitt with
stealing a truck load of slates the property of Mr John
Kirk, builder. Woolwich.

It appears that some building operations are going on at
the house of Mr States, 12, Princes-street, Hanover-square,
and about eight the previous night the prisoners were seen
by John Henney, servant to Mr States, to draw up
a truck to the front of the building. Cullen then
workmanlike mannerwile Williams, in
ttrhueckinost e)°l
with slate.
Theheld ptrhiseonterursek; h
hen made off with the property, but were
followed by Henney and given into custody of Sergeant
Edwards, 2C. The prisoner Williams then told the ser-
geant that he had been sent to fetch the slates away by a
man named Dismore, living in High•street, Marylebone,
who told bim that the wrong slates had been left in the
house. On inquiry
Sergeant Edwards ascertained that
there was no person of the name of Dismore living whero
Williams stated, that Cullen had borrowed the truck of a
person, stating that he Was going to remove some goods,
and that othef statements the prisoners had made were
false.
The slates were identified by Mr. Baker, foreman to Mr.
Kirk, as the property of his employer.
Cullen said that all he knew of the affair was that he was
employed by Williams.
Williams was very ataious that the magistrate should
settle the matter, and said he was guilty, but Cullen said
he was not guilty.

Mr. Tyrwhitt said he did not think it was the first case
of the kind that Williams had been engaged in, and com-
mitted the prisoners for trial.

TIIA.MES.
A TEETOTAL IttrEEIAN.--Joseph Tucker, a notorious
crimp, was brought before 11Ir. Paget, charged with vio-
lently assaulting John Rickman, a police-constable No. 82
K, and Thomas Holmes 482 A, in High-street, Shadwell,
at 2 o'clock this morning.

It appeared that Rickman, hearing a disturbance be•
tween the prisoner and some women, went up to them for
the
the words "What's the matter here ?" than the prisoner
struck purposeh im
on
nfthe obtaining
b rbreast
slate peace, and and had no sooner uttered
knocked him down. The
constable got up and was felled again, and when down the
ruffian kicked him. Holmes came to the assistance of
Rickman, and was struck and knocked down, but he
brought the prisoner down with him, and for some time
all three were rolling and scuffling with each other on the
ground. There were several roughs and prostitutes about
them, who instigated the prisoner to ill-use the constables.
Tucker repeatedly kicked them, and some time elapsed be-
fore he could be secured.

--
The prisoner said he had been a teetotaller for a long
time, and that he suddenly relapsed yesterday, and took
some strong drinks which effected his head.
Mr. Paget said if teetotallers were to be credited, they
were a great set of ruffians, for when they violated their
pledges, they were guilty of the most atrocious assaults on
the police and others.

The prisoner said he was very sore all over him, and he
had been ill.used.

Mr. Paget said if the prisoner had any charge to maks
against the police he would investigate it. The polico were
not allowed to maltreat any ono,

The Prisoner—l cannot recollect anything, or who ill-
used me. I was very drunk, I have been a teetotaller a
long time. I remember nothing.
Police Sergeant Stiinpson, 21 K, said the prisoner had
been in custody on several occasions, and was the greatest
rutE In in the district.

Mr. Peget said the prisons: had acted with great bruta-
lity to the police, and sentenced him to six weeks' impri-
sonment and hard labour.

DISCOVERY OF VALUABLE PROPERTY. —Early
yesterday morning one of her Majesty's keepers was
making his customary inspection of the Royal deer in
Windsor Great Park, and on passing the deer pen by Bears
Rails observed his dog to remain for some distance behind
him, and to leave the place reluctantly. The keeper re-
turned to the spot and found the dog had scratched a large
hole in the earth. The dog continued tearing up the earth
until at last he came to a handkerchief, which contained a
large number of valuable gold and silver watches, also a
quantity of gold and silver chains. The property had evi•
dently been stolen, and placed there during the night, as
many of the watches were still going with the right time
of the morning indicated. It is expected that these articles
may prove to ha is portion of the plunder from a house at
Henley-on-Thames, which had beAn broken into and robbed
the night previous,

IMPERIAL P.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—This Day,
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
BARNSTAPLE ELECTION COMMITTEE.

The following members were called to the table and
sworn as a committee to try the validity of the late return
for Barnstaple, viz, :—Sir F. Goldsmid, Mr. Dunlop, Mr.
Humphrey, Mr. Howes, and Mr. S. Booth.
COUNTY FRANCHISE BILL.
Mr. LOCKE KING moved the second reading of this
bill, with respect to which he said there was such an unani-
mity of opinion amongst the leaders of the house. The
justice of the measure had also been admitted by
gentlemen who had for five and twenty years 'Kbeen
recognised as party leaders in that house. There was
an urgent demand for an extension of the franchise, and
however it might be realised, a bill of a similar nature to
that now under their attention must pass. There had been
many attempts certainly to extend the franchise, but up to
the present time all endeavours to accomplish such a desir-
able object had failed. The bill of 1852 was the result of a
Government defeat—it attempted a compromise and
failed. Then again there were the bills of 1854 and 1859,
which, also, were b )th unsatisfactory. The bill of 1860,
which might be regarded as the bill of the noble lord
at the head of her Majesty's Government, had disap-
peared like a child—a child badly nursed—it had
never been allowed to take the air, it had never
been ventilated, and its disappearance had been un-
accountable. There was no new principle laid down in the
bill now under attention. There was nu novelty in it to
be urged for the first time, the principle had been admitted
in 1862, and the only question was whether the limit, which
in 1852 was fixed at £5O, should be now restricted to £lO.
The present bill was not merely to add more members
to the electoral roll, but it proposed to allow enlarged
trade, increased intelligence, and a vast number of inte-
rests to be represented in that house, which were now
entirely shut out. He did not believe that the
bill would enlarge the county constituencies to
the extent it was said, viz., 250,000 ; but, even if it did, it
would only be doing that which was but common justice to
the increased intelligence of the county constituencies. It
was said by all parties that a £5O qualification was too high,
and that a £lO one was too low; but both parties, he
maintained, were committed to that sum, and he thought
it was too late now to effect any compromise. The
house, he contended, was committed to reform by the
pledges of its leaders—(hear, hear)—and if it post-
poned or further delayed it, the house, he con-
sidered, would be lowering itself in the eyes of
the country. (Hear, hear.) Many of the members have
been elected solely on the cry of reform, and the present
Government had been placed in office solely to obtain re-
form or to do the best the 3 could for it. He should like
to know whether chucking a bill on the table, and
getting it erinted—(hear)—was doing all that could be
done towards obtaining reforms. (Hear, hear.) He felt
the time was come when it was absolutely necessary some-
thing should be done, and he accordingly begged leave to
move the second reading of the bill.
Mr. AUGUSTUS SMITH thought the measure a dan-
gerous and impolitic one, and therefore he should move the
previous question, as an amendment to the motion of the
hon. gentleman who had just sit down. The result of the
bill would be to swamp the town constitutions, whilst the
whole of the present nomination boroughs which amount
in number to about 66, would remain precisely as they
existed. That objection he should have thought would have
been quite sufficient to ensure the rejection of the bill, but
apart from that there were other and serious objctions
why the measure should not receive the sanction of the
house.

Mr. KNIGHTLEY said the house was for about the
20th time engaged in a flat, stale, and unprofit-
able discussion which would lead to no practical
result, and he believed had only been brought
forward by the hon. member opposite in order to give him-
self and his friends something to talk about at the next
general election. In his opinion the bill was neither a
liberal one nor a step in the right direction, but, on the
contrary, it was one opposed to all the fundamental prin-
ciples of reform ever laid down, and one that could not but
be productive of the most endless confusion. It was said
that the working classes, by their education and intelligence
were entitled to admission to the franchise. (Hear.) That
might be true in boroughs, for which the hon. member did
not propose to legislate, but it was not true in counties, to
which the provisions of the bill now under discussion solely
applied. It was said that the country gentlemen were not
the friends of the working classes, but if the division lists
were examined, it would be found that the Ten Hours Bill,
the Factories Bill, the Bleaching Works Bill, and many
other measures which mainly benefited and improved the
condition of the working class, have been carried by the
votes of the country gentlemen. He opposed the present
bill because ho thought it would injure the rural districts.
Viscount ENFIELD thought that much embarrassment
was occasioned by discussion on this bill. He did nct think
the measure would at all effect the object proposed. He
must say he was not prepared to vote for a f 10 county fran-
chise, but one fixing it at £2O should have his cordial support.
The late Lord Herbert was of opinion that that sum wa... the
proper sum to fix it at, and he entirely subscribed to that
opinion, Ho wished to extend the county franchise, but
not degrade it; and although ho could not approve of the
motion of the bon. gentleman who had moved the previous
question, he should in committee move that the qualifica-
tion under the bill should be instead of
Lord H. MONTAGU opposed the bill.
Lord HENLEY regretted the bill had not been allowed
to pass the house without encountering such opposition,
because he looked upon it as a step in the right direction,
and on the whole beneficial. If the bill was rejected, he
hoped the present discussion would be found of great ser••
vice in assisting the framing of a better and more general
measure.

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

HOUSE Or LORDS--Last Evening,

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
at five o'clock.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH presented several peti-
tions from officers in the East India Company, complaining
of the non-fulfilment of certain provisions in the amalga-
mation of the two forces. Ho hoped the Government
would soon be able to state what steps they intended to
take in the matter.