The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-02 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

BLACK WOOD.—" Caxtoniana" is continued again
this month at considerable length. The subject upon
which it treats is " Posthumous Reputation." There
are many striking thoughts expressed in these pages,
and everyday events are put before the reader in a
most impressive manner. It is very truthfully
said, that however devoid a man may be of the
ability to procure fame, or the desire to possess
it, still " the thought of sudden and entire forget
fulness would be a sharp pang to his human heart."
This feeling has been already described by Gray,
in his matchless Elegy in a Country Church-
yard

„
” On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires,
E'en from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires."
" From Cracow to Warsaw" contains a second
letter from Poland ; as may be supposed, it com-
prises within it some interesting informatio.
In it the writer says :—" The happy privni-
lege which Englishmen possess of being able
to travel without restraint, and to express their
opinions openly and without reserve, is calculated
to puzzle and mislead foreigners who have lived in
the retirement of oppressed nationalities." " Ire-
land Revisited" is a summary of the impressions
received by one who has recently returned to that
country after 12 years' absence. The result of his
survey has evidently been a satisfactory one, since it
is said that the change which has of late years come
over the land is in every way remarkable. One
curious piece of advice is given to the settler, namely,
to "procure without delay a staff of approved con-
victs for servants." They are described as models
of docility and obedience, thus testifying to the
famous Irish convict discipline. " Why has not
Italy done more," is an article on that vexed ques-
tion—in which it is said that great unfairness and dis-
honesty have been displayed towards the Conserva-
tive party in deelaring that they are unfriendly to
the real liberties of Italy. " The London Art Sea-
son" takes a retrospective glance at the Exhibitions
of 1863—pronouncing them to be, upon the whole,
without any happy result, for it is said that the year
of the,Great International Exhibition has passed and
left us to all appearance precisely as we stood pre-
viously. A feeling of disappointment is ex-
pressed at the want of progress that has been
made by the Royal Academy. "The injustice of
the hanging is so patent to the eye that it cannot
much longer be endured." The close of the article
here referred to, is perhaps not unworthy of yield-
ing us the following quotation :
" The arts, it will be inferred, are on the eve of vast de-
velopments. We can only express the hope that the new
growth may be of a quality commensurate with its pro.
mised extent. The Government have obtained space, they
will doubtless take to themselves time, and we trust they
may in the end fill the void over which they reign what
ith
something better ordered than chaos. We have seen t
the national frescoes have f
rov ailed—wneffici e all
enc know
isthat the
Royal Academy, for its perbial iy, under.
going the ordeal of public scrutiny. Other of our institu-
tions are in a state barely saved from anarchy. A master
mind would soon set this disorder right. Parliament, we
fear, wanting the head to lead, will commit itself to a patch-
ing hand."
Part 11. of the " Chronicles of Carlingford " con-
tinues the history of the Perpetual Curate. There
is not much incident in this number, but Mr. Went-
worth has some painful scenes and angry altercations
with his aunts, who suddenly come down upon him
as the three Parece who are to mould his destiny. He
also becomes aware of some mysterious event which
concerns the Wodehouse family, and towards the
close of this instalment is actually introduced to the
skeleton in the closet.

.....111.•••••••••

DUBLIN. " Wylder's Hand" is continued at
some length; it is a very clever story, and is
sketched in an entertaining manner.
taAre el
tchshToeauvihirtsegaehrheeratvtelethehrrsesieytslmi
lovers
prospect of many stormy scenes and sad events
before the close of the fitful passages of life here
recorded. Mark Wylder and Stanley Lake are
plotting against each other, mining and counter-mining,
andheevents
ns,
notto
sm e
alreadyad sa ryke result
recorded,
ou lrtdiesds,
proceeded uarne
dft
aosr,o,m follows leo wof .
dueectedofatrheims
toaslteebxetreoaomrdiningaaryg;pretahterfeafvoorurie thteerwe
of the romantic and the admirers of the marvellous. " Irish
Actors of the Last Century" is the title of an article. De-
lane, Ryan, and Moody are the names here chronicled. The
accounts given of the lives of these histrionic geniuses is
worthy of perusal, and several striking anecdotes are mon-
tioned in the course of the recital. The strange circum-
stances attending the death of Peterson are mentioned.
lie was acting the Duke in " Measure for Measure," and
was addressing Claudio on the subject of death, when he
dropped down dead in a fit of apoplexy. " Montaigne, the
Great Essayist of France," is the subject of a memoir. It
is written in a superior manner, and contains some notice-
able
passages. It is said that he has contributed one
book out of some which the world does not forget;
" its fame has never suffered abatement." Mrs. Norton's
clever novel of " Lost and Saved" receives a due tribute
in some eloquent pages which discusses its merits.
Catullus" is the subject of a third series of descriptions,
Several translations of his work are given, which are written
in a spirited style. " Sterne's Adventures" are brought to
a close in a fourth book. " Bella Donna; or the Cross
Before the Name," is continued. There are some smart
sketches of life met with in th ar
is nrative, and " Jenny" is
a very skilful mover in the gr" some practical re
eat game of life. cc Eng-
lish and Irish Convict System contains •
marks on a topic that has of late so much engrossed the
time and attention of the public.