The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-01 00:00:00

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Jena, may
may be the fate of the most arrogant of European monar-
chies, should the interests of France again induce her
legions to cross the Rhine. " Military Engineering of the
Ancients," is continued, and cites many remarkable in-
stances of gigantic fortifications in earlier days. The army
estimates are discussed, and we have also a lengthened
notice of the recently published life of Sir William Napier,
the renowned author of the " History of the Peninsular."
The experiments at Shoeburyness, The Invasion of Den-
mtt kj and the Conference, are among the remaining
subjects.

COLBURN'S NEW MON THLY.—A lengthened
article on the subjugation of Cochin-China opens
thla nninber, and anticipates the opening of a
lucrative emmerce in rice by the French in those
quarters, and believes that our continental neighbours will
occupy the same position in these districts as we do at Sin-
gapore and other placer, as "the armed guardians of a
pacific trade." Sir Nathaniel meditates on the character
of Mrs. Parcliggle, with which the readers of "Bleak
House" are familiar. The manufactory of Dresden China
is the subject of an interesting paper, and Cyrus Redding
gives us his opinion on "Denmark and her Spoilers,"
which seems to be very much in accordance with the pope..
lar view. " Strathmore" is proceeded with at length, and
the other stories in the number are also continuations.

BENTLEY.—The editor's story of the fortunes of
John Law, the famous adventurer, is still cccupy-
ing the principal position of this magazine. Law
is now at the height of Court favour and popula-
rity, but the tide of his success is soon to tarn when
he will test the truth of his flattering friends in a
manner more instructive than agreeable. Crowds of cour-
tiers appear upon the scene, and the gay and brilliant ca-
pital engrossed by the mania for speculation is vividly
described. Mrs. Bushby continues her interesting domestic
story of " Mesalliance," from the Danish, and at the pre-
sent epoch it will attract many readers from its pictures of
home life in Denmark. "Up in Jutland", is as its name
implies, a sketch of the state of affairs in that unhappy
province. " Mr. Grimshaw's Little Love Affair" proceeds
in Mr. Costello's usual style, and Francis Jacox supplies
a commentary on Juliet's famous question, " What's in a

Lame."

TEMPLE BAR.—" The Doctor's Wife" becomes
more exciting in this number. The chapters are
entitled the first and second " Warnings," which
briefly but emphatically heralds their purport.
Roland Lanstlell's character is very well defined,
and Mrs. Gilbert becomes more foolish than ever.
The petition of all parties has become painful and
perilous, but like many such dilemmas the chief actors have
carved out their own misfortunes by want of heed to their
ways. loth Mr and Mrs Gilbert made a foolish marriage,
and Mr Raymond ought to have known better than to have
upheld and countenanced such a plan, It is not likely
that the simple bat touching words of the old gardener,
any more than the staid and saber homily of Mr Ittyutuud,
will produce any effect on such undisciplined minds as those
to whom thry were addressed. " The Streets of the World"
this month brings before us—" Munich; or, The Maximil-
lienstrassc," to use its more grandiloquent terns and like all
these descriptions, serves to convey a graphic sketch of the
place referred to, in a humorous style, and with many
parenthetical allusions. There is an interesting article on
"David Garrick," in which it is truly remarked that the
glory of an actor is most tranekat, and it is only with men
of genius like Garrick who impress the spirit of their gene-
ration that the histrionic fame can last. The admirers of
this celebrated man will be pleased with the definition here
given of him. As an actor he was without a rival in
his own time, and for versatility he has never
since been equalled. " Broken to Harness" con-
tinues its complicated narrative, wherein we meet with
some smart sketches of life. "Paid in Full" is also pro-
ceeded with. The readers of this periodical are liberally
supplied with exciting works of fiction. In this tale Led-
bitter pursues the "noiseless tenour of his way," and is
bolding on to the desired day of his deadly revenge. "De
Mortuis" is an entertaining sketch which resuscitates old
glories, and restores for an interval departed wonders to our
notice. Some verses entitled " Song" are very bright and
pleasing, and would, doubtless, be well adapted for music.
" The Long Bow in India" refers to some exaggerations re-
garding society and other matlerd °ler there. Some various
subjects of interest and importance complete the contents
of this number, which presents a great diversity.
MACMILLAN.—Two continued stories divide

the interest of the lovers of fiction, the first being
unquestionably the most exciting and origii:al, the
second the most reflective and natural, No tt;.te
from the pen of the author of " Ravenshoe" could
fail to be graphic and enthralling, but the interes t in
this " Story of Two Families" is extremely complicated in
its nature, and it would puzzle an experienced novel reader
to unravel the mysteries of the plot. Troubles are thick-
ening around tho Burtons, and thickening, too, around the
Hillyors, for old Sir George dies suddenly in an
apoplectic fit, leaving a family feud behind him,
none the less deadly that it is all on one
side. The seventh part of " A Son of tho Soil," the
other story, shows us a new phase in its hero's life. His
generous endeavour to save the life of his rival has pro-
duced an illness which threatens to rob life of all its charms

to the sturdy young Scotchman. The novelty of the trial
gives the author the opportunity of making Colin indulge
in some of those speculations on the strange problems of the
inequalities of life and fortune, which sometimes perplex
the firmest faith, only to be solved by the experience which
teaches us to know our own short-sightedness. Mr Hawes-
ton gives us the second part of his article on "A Little
French City," and describes the consecration of a bishop in
the Cathedral of Seuz in full detail, besides telling us the
manner of scholastic education in the LUCC3 in that town.
Readers of Macmillan will be gratified at the sight of a
poem bearing the honoured name of Longfellow, but we
must confess that "The Kalif of Baldacca " bears no special
evidence of the genius of its author. "Biography at a
Discount " is the title of a paper which contains some
amusing strictures on the biographical mania of a former
generation, which reminds us of the child's query, "Where
were all the bad people buried." The writer of this article
is, however, inclined to attribute the present deficency of
memorial works to many various causes. He thinks that
it is principally owing to our growing wants of veneration
for each other, to the wide diffusion of education which
raises men more to a level, and to the eager pursuit of
money-making which swallows up the greater part of our
enthusiasm.
LONDON SOClETY.—Shareholders of ioint•stock

companies will read the opening paper with very
uncomfortable feelings—that is to say, if they ac•

cept its merciless sketch of " How they get up a
Company" as a true and faithful representation.
Pleasure seekers by the sea side may learn whit
unknown delights await they in the domains of Neptune
by reading an entertaining essay, "In the Water." which
animadverts very strongly on the national neglect of swim-
ming. We do not, however, go so far as our author, who
reckons among the advantages of popular proficiency in this
useful and healthful art the hope of establkhing social retz-
dovous in the sea, and we very much question Low far such
a notion would adapt itself to English ideas. " Our Croquet
Party" gives au amusing account of the startling success of
a novice who found himself a croquet player malgrk lui
and "searching for summer quarters," depicts in graphic
terms the miseries of lodging hunting. The recital ends
by giving the very sensible advice to intending emigrants
from town to proceed at once to the place they fix upon and
there to secure the best thing vacant, instead of distracting
themselves with impossible projects for getting a settlement
beforehand. The two principal papers in the number are
continued with their accustomed spirit. The sixth chapter
on " The Merchant Princes of England " tells c f the for-
tunes of the Rawkinses of Plymouth, one of whom, the Sir
Sohn, Hawkins of Elizabeth's reign, is famous in natioaat

ST. JAMES.S.—" The Man in Chains"iscantinuEd
at. some length, and shows us the seemingly pros-
perous barrister becoming more and more involved
with his enemy. The opera, which seems to have
come into favour with magazine writere, is the
subject of a paper, which tells what English operr,
was like in the days before the Italian fashio-t terse into
favour. It was certainly something very different from
the sensational school of our Lucrezia Borgias and Trova-
tories. "This real English opera always kept on the level
watt( of comedy, eschewed the dagger and bowel completely,
and remained within a charming province of love and hap-
piness and namby-pamby." "ARemarkableTtial" narrates
oneof those extraordinary cases which make us thankful that
capital punishment is no longer so lightly inflicted. "The
Roman Convert" is a tale of the early Christians, and
" The Shadow Land of Ireland" gives an account of some
of the more remarkable superstitions of that imaginative
people. The art of stenography is discussed in a paper on
Parliamentary debates and reporting, which is somewhat
unjustly severe on our representative eloquence. However
dui] or tedious the debates may often be, still a full and
accurate report of them is a most important part of our
present freedom of thought and action, and despotism
would win a great advantage if the open discussion of all
sides of our political questions ceased to be publicly re-
ported. Dr. Scoffern contributes a paper on " Gunpowder
and Gun Cotttn," which will interest the scientific; and

reader will not be able to complain of lack of inch

this last instalment is crowded with events. It is satisfac-
tory to find that the attractive and sensitive heroine is not
left lamenting for the treachery of the faithless hero.

CORNHILL.—We are this month presented with
the last of "Denis Duval," and appended to it are
some remarks by the editor, who writes in eloquent
terms of the great departed, and speaks favourably
of the work, which, he says, "breaks off as his life
ended—full of vigour, and blooming with new
promise, like the apple-trees in this month of May: the
only difference between the work and the life is this, that
the last chapters of the one have their little pathetical gaps
and breaks of unfinished effort, and the last chapters of the
other were fulfilled and complete." It is, of course, impos-
sible to form a correct estimate of what the story might be
as a whole, but many readers will be gratified with this
opportunity of perusing another, if an imperfect and un-
finished, specimen of the powers of their favourite author.
"In the midst of life we are in death," is wonderfully
illustrated in this sudden removal of an author in the midst
of his work; the labourer in the literary vineyard had not,
to our finite judgment, nearly completed his task when his
mission, in his Master's sight, was accomplished; and he
was called away. "The Red Shirt in Calabria" is another
of those Garibaldian records like that which appeared last
month in this magazine. It is spiritedly written, and is
sure to attract attention at this juncture. " The Story of a
Spoilt Life" refers to William Behnes, the sculptor. The
unfortunate career of this gifted man is ably narrated to us,
and the last passage met with in this interesting but melan-
choly epitome of his existence observes that "from what he
has left behind him arises the thought of what he might
have left, and then the inevitable conviction of a
life wasted in struggles with gratuitous difficulties."
" Margaret Denzil's History " is not yet con-
cluded. The same animated descriptions are met
with, and the heroine is as excitable amid the cares of a
family as she was in her romantic girlhood. "Devonshire
Lanes, and their Associations" is a pleasing sketch of
rambles in that charming locality, and the reader will doubt-
less be tempted to follow the writer's example. or at least
wish to see for himself places so favourably presented to
notice. "How we Mounted the Oldenhorn" is one of those
exciting descriptions which are so characteristic of the life
our countrymen lead abroad, and ably represents the daring
spirit and love of adventure which have made their names
famous throughout the world and stimulated other nations
to follow in their track.

GOOD WORDS.—Tilero are several papers of inte-
rest in this month's number both of instruction and
entertainment. Sir John Herschel has a paper
on "Celestial Measurings and Weighings," Mr.
Gmse continues hia " Year at the Shore," Dr.
Guthrie discourses about the streets of Parie, and Isaac
Taylor gives a further instalment of his "Personal Recol-
lections." In the department of fiction we have the sixth
part of Mrs. Wood's interesting though melancholy story
of " Oswald Cray ;" and the author of " John llalifax"
supplies the sec.,nd and concluding chapter of "The Un-
kind Word," a story that has truly a moral for many
homes.
CERISTIAN WORK.—This little serial contains a
record of all that is being done for the Christian-
ising and civilising of .the poor. It has, besides,
several very interesting articles on similar subjects.
In the first of these, which is entitled, "On some
Social Fruits of Work among the Poor," we find
some gratifying accounts of the good and great results
flowing front the humblest earnest efforts for good. One
case is especially striking. A young English labourer in
Clifton, who hag but eight shillings a week, hired a room
for half a crown weekly, and gathered together periodically
many of the worst characters in his neighbourhood, endea-
vouring to reclaim them. He died a year or two after, but
not before he had done his work; and a temperance meet-
ing,
a ragged school, a mothers' meeting, a lending library,
a Bible-woman's mission, and a Saturday evening coffee
and reading meeting are now in existence, all owing their
origin to the half a crown room. Those interested in
philanthropic efforts will find much to excite their attention
in this little serial.

THE SIXPENNY. this serial C. Collins
romance of The Singed Moths is continued, and
there are also some entertaining papers on various
subjects. We have a sketch of the manners end
customs of the Circrssians, a description of Indian
Jugglers, &c. ; but the groat part features of the work are
the sensation stories, some of which are A 1 in that line.
" Barry O'Byrne" draws towards a conclusion, and in spite
of the contradictory and unnatural influences brought to
bear upon it, many parts are well written, and the tale is
uot devoid of interest.