The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-30 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Fortunes of Francis Croft ; an Autobio-
graphy. 3 vols. Chapman and Hall.
This tale is in no sense of the word an ordinary
or common-place production ; both its merits and
its defects are remarkable. The author has evi.
dently great powers of observation, a fine command
of language, and a lively imagination ; but, on the
other hand, the characters are not all life-like, the
events are sometimes too startling for every day
occurrence, and the descriptions of literary miseries
are certainly exaggerated. If so much wretched-
ness exists, some blame must attach to the indi-
viduals—all cannot be laid to the public charge.
However, where great abilities are shown, much
may be expected, and it is to be hoped that the
writer of these vohunes will again be met with.
The reader will be sufficiently interested in their
perusal to desire more, and if greater caution and
judgment are exercised in the composition, it is
doubtless that something far superior to the work
in question may be produced. A flippancy of ex-
pression, and a hastiness of manner, are among the
chief faults in the book ; they are to be regretted,
as they mar the effect of an otherwise able and
vigorous style.

The Game of Brag. By Owen Maddyn, author
of Wynville. 2 vols. Skeet.
_ .

This author has already gained some reputation
from the publication of a very able work last year,
and the present attempt does not fall short of its
predecessor in point of ability. All may not find
the subject so entertaining. It is a description, or
rather a caricature, of the proceedings of some of
the celebrities of the present day in the political
and fashionable circles. Several of the characters
are very well drawn, and evidently taken from life.
It may be objected that ridicule is attached to Ire-
land and the Irish, but the author manifestly is
satirising not the nature of the people, but the
follies that degrade it, and it would be well if many
took jest for earnest, and endeavourad to do away
with the reproach that such extravag,ancies of con-
duct cast upon the nation so worthy to be ho-
noured in its inhabitants.

Adventures of the Connaught Rangers.
Series. By William Grattan, Esq.

Second
2 volg.

Colburn. -
These volumes contain a variety of details re-
specting the adventures of the Connaught Rangers
in peace and war. Descriptions of the battles of
Talavera, Orthes, and Toulouse find a place, and
there are very interesting accounts of the attack on
Buenos Ayres in 1807, and the siege and assault of
Ciudad Rodrigo. The second volume is chiefly
devoted to sketches of the state of France, and the
history of Simon Fairfield, a captain of the Con-
naught Rangers. Some amusing details of the
battles are given. The following occurred at
Talavera :

" Ten thousand Spaniards who were posted on the
right were menaced by a small body of French troops ;
the entire ten thousand discharged a volley from every
musket they carried, and having done so without the
least effect, took to their heels as if frightened by their
own fire. One of Lord Wellington's staff rode up to
him and said, My lord, do you see that ?" I do,' re-
plied his lordship, and I have seen many curious things
during my sojourn in this world, but it is the first time
I ever saw ten thousand men running a race together.' "
Besitles much military information, the conclusion
contains a great number of lively sayings and
sketches of society. The first series was published
in 1847, and, being very favourably received, the
author has continued them ; and the admirers of
the first part will doubtless be equally gratified by
the second.

History in Ruins. By G. Godwin, F.R.S.

The object of this book is to convey to the un-
learned a general idea of architecture. It goes
back to the earliest times and traces the progress
and changes of the art from the city built by Cain
to the latest structures of the present day. Most
interesting records are given of the Tower of Babel,
the Temple of Solomon, the Pyramids, Thebes, and
the columns of Egypt. From these we are led to
contemplate the triumphs of Greece, which furnished,
it is observed, the most perfect and finished speci-
mens of style. It is generally supposed that the
Greeks copied and took their ideas from other na-
tions, Egypt especially ; but then they so improved
upon and refined their subjects, that they
almost deserve the merit of originality. The Eter-
nal City next engages attention—what Rome lost
in simplicity she gained in magnificence, remarks
the author. The Romans introduced " the arch,"
a new feature, into architecture. At the conclu-
sion of the work, Saxon and Norman styles are
described, and the construction of churches and
castles are brought under consideration. _ _ _

We meet with these remarks at the end of the
book :—" The architecture of our day is, for the
most part, imitative, representative merely. An
architect adopts a particular style, and his build-
ing is pronounced successful to the extent only
that it accurately represents a work of the period
aimed at. A wider view is opening upon us, and
there are quick minds in the field striving to
destroy the influence of precedent, so far as prece-
dent makes trammels, and to obtain fair play for
common sense, honest building, and creative power.
What I proposed to you, was simply to set forth,
with a rapid pen, the history of architecture from
the earliest times,—to show you that its course had
been continuous, and that, in tracing it, we trace the
onward and downward progress of different parts of
the world; that, in short, the history of architecture
illustrates the history of civilisation. Bolingbroke,
when he called for his volumes of history, said,
" Bring me my liars." Brick and stone records
tell no lies, and to those who know how to ques-
tion these stern, enduring witnesses of past time
they speak placidly, and give much information.
A mere account in words, of a people, or of a par-
ticular state of society, you may read unimpassioned,
unimpressed; but view the buildings which they
raised ; see the evidences of that state of society
in the structures and arrangements which it led to,
and the whole becomes a fixed reality, not easily
forgotten.

A Four Month's Tour in the East. By J. Andrews.
IPGJashan.

This is a pleasing volume, presenting us with a
series of travels in the following countries:—Egypt,
Jerusalem, Damascus, Palestine, &c. Some of the
descriptions are remarkably well written, as the
subjoined sketch of Damascus will prove:—...
"My tent was pitched upon the banks of a small
stream, where some thousands of frogs kept up a con-
cert all the night; at three o'clock in the morning, we
were on the road to Damascus. It was a delightful
ride, through one of the finest plains in the world. For
three or four miles before entering the gates, the road
on each side was shaded by magnificent trees, and a.
constant succession of orchards, full of apple, walnut,
fig, and olive trees. It is not surprising that Damascus
should always have been a large city, when its situa-
tion is taken into consideration. The river Buraxlce, the
Abana, or Pharpaz, of Scripture, runs through the entire
plain, from north-west to south-east. The soil is deep
and rich, growing almost everything that man requires,
an unclouded sky overhead artificial irrigation obtained
without much labour or expense, a climate in which the
fruits of different.countries are brought to perfection ;
all contribute to make Damascus a desirable place of
abode to the indolent Mussulman. Mahomet is said to
have exclaimed, when he first came in sight of Damas-
cus, that he knew of but one Paradise, and he, there•
fore, would not enter this one.