The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-04 00:00:00

BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE.

In consequence of a heavy press of matter, we must
be brief in our magazine notices this month. Bgack-
wood is, on the whole, a good average number, with
but one drawback—namely, its politics, which in " Ire-
land under the triple alliance" are full of rabid Toryism.
" Peru as it is" gives some interesting particulars re-
specting this country, which contains, says the writer,
mineral treasures almost inexhaustible. In this article
we are gravely assured that it is the will of God, that
the the negro shall ever continue to be a slave—" a
servant of servants unto his brethren"—which is an
assertion litttle short of blasphemy. The following re-
mark is curious :—"There is no doubt that treasures to
an incalculable amount are concealed under ground,
the secret of which passes down from father to son,
among these enduring, self-denying, Peruvian Indians.
Many of them are living in great apparent poverty and
discomfort, who are masters of ►wealth. It is said that
a father's and a nation's curse pursues the wretch who
reveals the secret inheritance to the white man." In
the essay on the " Earlier English Moral Songs and
Poems," we meet with some light and judicious
criticism. Many of the extracts given from our
old poets are truly beautiful. The " Picture
Gallery," which is continued this month, de-
scribes the daily disappointments to which a young man
was subjected, who had quitted London in order to en-
joy a week's pleasure at a watering-place. Contrary to
all his sanguine anticipations, the week proved to be the
most miserable and the most disastrous one he had ever
known. " Some Account of Himself, by the Irish
Oyster-eater" is a desultory, fictitious, biographical
sketch, containing passages of mingled humour and sen-
timent. " Bannister the Comedian" is an amusing Re-
view of the recently published memoirs of this admirable
actor. " Engraving and Burnett's Cartoons," evince no
slight acquaintance with the Fine Arts. " Kate" is a
clever poem by Alfred Domett, from which we extract
one or two choice stanzas :

" Faintly sing the thrushes, hark !
Far in yonder air-hung grove ;
Pouring bolder notes, the lark
Dots the azure up above
Lavishly his lays he flings
All around, and as he sings
Spreads, and folds his trembling wings
With uneasy motion, quite
Thrilled, convulsed with his delight I
You would sing with joy as great.
Were you here, my sweet-voiced Kate 1
" By the ashy rocks below,
Mark, a hermit-fisher grey,
How the heron to and fro
Slowly flaps his stealthy way 1
Tho' alit, his long wings, see,
Still are flapping, as tho' lie
Poised himself unsteadily ;
Then unmoving as the rocks
Which in hue so well he mocks,
Where he is, you scarce could state,
Were you here, my bright-eyed Kate I"

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.

" Boz" has, it seems, relinquished the Editorship of
this Magazine, but in favour of one every way qualified
to become his successor. " Amurath an Amurath suc-
ceeds." Ainsworth follows Dickens. Hence WQ may
reasonably anticipate that the Miscellany will be just as
entertaining as ever. Indeed the present Number is,
without a question, the best that has yet appeared ; for
in addition to " Jack Sheppard"—whose present chap-
ters are full of stirring dialogue and incident—" Oliver
Twist ;" and a famous legend from the unrivalled pen
of Tom Ingoldsby—the first and broadest humorist in
verse we have had since Peter Pindar's times—in addi-

tion, we say, to these attractions, we have a capital
poem, penned in his wittiest style, by Thomas
Moore, who, in his own arch, lively manner, is
unrivalled. This clever squib is entitled " Thoughts
on Patrons, Puffs, and other Matters," and is
in the form of a letter to that literary veteran,
Samuel Rogers. " Vincent Eden" promises well, but
to judge of a tale by a chapter, is like judging of a
building by a brick. 'We shall be able to express a more
decided opinion next month. " Handy Andy" is lively.
but the dialogues in some places are too much spun out.
" The Lay of St. Gengulphus" is admirably worked up ;
not a point but tells, and the effect of the whole is irri.
sistible. " The Lover's Leap" is very passable senti-
mental poesy. But we have outgrown Rosa Matilda-
ism. " A Turn-out, but no Strike" is a collection pf
jokes too elaborately hammered .out. It wants freslinds
and vivacity. The illustrations„ by Cruickshank are as
clever as usual.