The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE,

Hunting Tours. By Cecil. One Vol. Saunders,

Otley, and Co.

This book must be deeply interesting to all lovers
of the noble sport of foxhunting, on account of the
anecdotes related of the founders of packs, now
become celebrated, and of the "runs" the author
has had with them. To masters and owners of fox-
hounds it will prove invaluable, not only from the
sound advice it gives on breeding,kennel discipline,
and stable arrangements, but from its being besides
literally a stud-book, enabling them to form a
judgment as the merits of the different packs most
esteemed in the hunting world, and thus instructing
them, without difficulty or trouble, where to find
the purest and best blood to suit their purposes.
The great promoters of our national pastime are
duly honoured—Meynell, Osbaldistone, Ashton
Smith, and Tatton Sykes receiving their due meed
of applause, for their indefatigable exertions and
great pecuniary outlay in bringing it to its present
state of perfection ; while their humble but im-
portant subordinates, the huntsmen and whips,
have each a niche allotted to them i❑ the Temple of
Fame. Cecil has performed the task he undertook
with ability and zeal, and his " Hunting Tours"
should be found on the library table of every
sporting man.

Becton's _Dictionary of Universal Information
One Vol. Pp, 1664. S. 0. Bbeton.

This very concise and comprehensive treasury of
information aspires to unite the advantages of a
dictionary and an encyclopmlia. The dictionary
gives only a barren list of words, while the encsclo-
Faeiia contains long and elaborate descriptions most
valuable for reference, but unsuited for the rapid
information of the hasty er.quirer. He " who runs
may read" in the dictionary now before us, and
acquire in a brief but comprehensive form informa-
tion upon almost every topic that can engage his
attention or excite his curiosity, whether the sub-
ject be moral or mechanical, physical or natural,
literary or scientific, historical or artistic. The
work is illustrated by numerous small engravings,
and the frontispiece gives a capital view of the
various peculiarities of the different orders of archi-
tecture.

the Old house in Crosby Square. By the Author
of " The King's Mail." Two Vole. Sampson
Low, Son, and Marston.

A very sad but interesting story, very powerfullg
told. The hard, unforgiving nature of the princi-
pal character, inflexible in his mistaken views of
justice, contrasts forcibly with the weaker but more
loveable temperament of his unhappy schoolfellow.
Some of the domestic scenes are very pathetically
described. While free from the errors of the sensa-
tional school, the "Old House i❑ Crosby Square"
possesses very powerful attractions for the novel-
reader, and will find favour with the majority of
those who may happen to turn over its pages.

Miriam's Sorrows. By Mrs. Mackenzie Daniels.
Two Vols. T. C. Newby.

This is one of Mrs. Daniel's homely tales, full of
domestic sketches. A strange Raystery for a time
hangs over the heroine, but her chequered career
ends in a happier fashioa than might have been an-
ticipated. Miriam's cousin, the narrator of the tale,
has great cause for complaint. She is very ill-used
by the deception so long practised in her regard,
and we are glad to leave her with truer friends than
her first love and her cousin.

TURKEY AND THE PRINCIPALITIES,

The following is the text of a letter addressed to
Prince Conn by Aali Pasha on the subject of the
Armaments :

" all. AALI PASHA TO H. 5.11. PRINCE COLIZA.
10 Jaa. 11, 18G4.

"Mon Prince,---•Your highness must remember
that the organic regulationsfis the effective strength
of the militia of the two Principalities at 6,20 S men,
distributed as follows :

"For Wallachia, two regiments of 1,552 men
each, divided into t‘No battalions infantry, two
squadrons of cavalry, and liable to be increased by a
third regiment should the maintenance of tranquil-
lity at home require it; one regiment for Moidavia
with the same organisation.

" You are also aware that the last paragraph of
the 42d Article of the Treaty of Path stipulates
that the strength of the regular militia fixed by
the organic regulations may not bo increased more
than one-third without a previous understanding
with the Suzerain Court.'

"Now the rumours current some time respecting
the armaments which your highness is making
have acquired so much consistency that they render
it necessary for the Sublime Porto to ask you for-
mally what it has to conclude.

" We do not think it requisite to point out to your
serene highness that the Convention of 1858 is the
basis upon which rests the edifice of the actual state
of things in the united Principalities ; that it im-
plies duties and rights which are binding upon all
the parties interested, and which regulate their re-
spective positions ; that it is under the beneficial
auspices of that international act, and by religiously
respecting them that the prosperity and welfare of
the Moldo-Wallachians can tranquilly be deve-
loped; that to ignore or violate any part of them
would be the signal for complications, from the con-
sequences of which the Principalities would be the
first to suffer.

" Comprised in the general guarantee of the Otto-
man empire, governed by institutions placed under
the safeguard of solemn treaties, the Principalities
cannot entertain any founded fear of danger from
without which would compel them to exhaust their
financial resources in outlays for warlike prepara-
tions to the detriment of those which the improve-
ment of their internal state imperiously demands.

"The immense interest which the Sublime Forte
takes in watching over file safety of your country,
and the collective guarantee of the great Powers of
Europe, form together an element of safety strong
enough to relieve your serene highness from any
fears of foreign aggression, and to give you leisure
to occupy yourself in developing the happiness and
welfare of the population intrusted to your Go-
vernment.

" The noted sagacity of your highness will, I
doubt not, make you appreciate the justice of these
observations, and spare the country difficulties
which would have no fruitful consequences.
" Your serene highness will easily conceive that
it is impossible f©r the Imperial Government to re-
main silent any longer respecting acts which infringe
upon existing treaties and established rights. We
entertain the sincere hope, prince, that you will not
hesitate to admit the honesty of the sentiments
which have urged us to give these explanations,
and that your reply will be such as will dispel all
misgivings as to the intentions of your serene high-
ness to observe faithfully all the international
stipulations concerning the united Principalities.
..—
I remain, &c., (Signed) " AALI PASHA."