The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-08 00:00:00

[This Work has been since June iu the hands of New
Proprietors, and under a New Editor.]
It is well known that many periodical publications, and
some of the most influential literary journals, are the ab.
solute property of the great publishers. It is equally
known that paragraphs professing to be criticisms are paid
for as advertisements in many Papers. The Athenaeum
is liable to no such objection ; it is not the property of
the great publishers.--it admits no advertisement that is
not distinctly marked as such. It will, therefore, be found
especially valuable to members of Literary Societies, to
Reading Rooms, Book Clubs, and to all Gentlemen, as a
guide in the purchase of new works. There have ap-
peared in the Athenaeum, within the last six months,
elaborate criticisms, Is jib copious extracts from 248
volumes .of . new works—several before the works them-
selves were published ; shorter, but sufficient, criticisms
an 203 others ; accurate Reports of all the interesting
transactions at the Royal Institution, College of Phy-
sicians, the Geological, Zoo'ogical, Linnsean, Horticultural,
Phrenological, Geographical, and other learned and.ecien-
tific Societies ; Lectures at the London University ; Ori-
ginal Papers by distinguished writers and scientific men ;
interesting Letters from all parts of Europe ; Criticisms
on Art; with Critical Notices of the Exhibitions, Pa-
noramas, New Prints, and even of the Engravings now in
progress in England and on the Continent ; Essays on the
present state of the Drama and Music; with regular
Notices of all Novelties at the Opera and the Theatres ;
Pubiic Concerts, and New Music; besides nearly 120
columns of interesting Miscellaneous information.
The Athenaeum is hendsotnely printed on superfine
paper, in Sixteen large 4to. Pages, containing Forty-eight
Columns ; and published early every Saturday Morning at
the Office of the Paper, by J. Loction, '7, Catherine.
street, Strand, London ; and sold by all Booksellers, and
Newsmen in town and country, price Bd. For the con-
venience of Societies, and persons resident in the country,
desiring as early copy, a stamped edition is published,
which passes free by post, price Is. Subscribers, are re-
commended to give their orders to the Bookseller or News.
man in their own neighbourhood, as the best means of
ensuring an early delivery, It is also published in Monthly
Parts, and delivered with the Magazines.
The Proprietors, unwilling to speak of the result of their
exertions, refer to the

OPINIONS OF THE PUBLIC PRESS.
The Atheneum is a weekly periodical of decided merit, and
distinguished for the vigour and impartiality of its tone and cri-
ticism. Its intrinsic merits, added to the independent stand it
has taken amongst the petiodicals of the slay, entitle it to exten.
sive patronage. It is conducted with much ability, both as to
matter and arrangement."—Globe, October 1.
" To the literati, and indeed to the public generally, the ap-
pearance of a paper devoted to literature, science, and the arts,
conducted on liberal and independent principles, and untram-
melled by any direct connection with the book trade, has long
been a most important desideratum. We, therefore,' hail with
pleasure the improved appearance of the Atheneum—a Journal
which, whilst it is free from all such objections, brings with it the
high and powerful recommendation of genuine talent and uncom-
promising principle. Established solely upon grounds of public
utility: this Paper depends for public support upon the integrity
by which it is characterized, its perfect independence of all pro.
fessional patronage,' and the conscientious discharge of its cen-
sorial functions. As far as the labours of its present Conductors
have gone, we are bound to say that they have most faithfully
fulfilled every pledge by which they claimed the patronage of the
literary world. Their critical opinions are pronounced with
firmness and with fairness ; boldly, impartially, but not arm-
gantly, or with any haughty
.assumption of superior endowment.
their original articles are invariably of the most interesting
nature, and their miscellaneous information varied, instructive,
and amusing."—Cheltenhain Journal, September 6.
"That most able and conscientious London Literary Journal,
The Athenaeum ; a Paper as remarkable !Or the novelty and va-
riety of its contents, as for the honesty of its criticism--a rare
quality now-a-days."—Glasgow Free Press, August 11.
" The system of puffing has grown to an alarming extent, and
there is scarcely a periodical extant that isnot notoriously swayed
from Its duty. In such a state of things, so injurious to the cause
of literature, an exception to the rule is worthy of praise and sup.
port. We are pleased to find an exception—we have found It in
The Atheneum. The reviews in this work are talented, and, as
far as we have seen, unbiassed by fear or favour."—Bristol
curb Oct. 12.
" That honest and spirited publication, The Atheneum."—
Sheffield Courant, Oct. 15.
"'The Athenmum (a Journal to whose increasing utility and
high talent we are glad to have this opportunity of bearing testi.
mony.)"—The Atlas, Sept. le,
" There are few weekly publications which contain more ori-
ginal or better selected intelligence than The Atheneum."—Ob-
server, Sept. 12.
" The Athenaeum, a spirited and ably-conducted literary
Journal."—Scotsman, Nov. 17.
" It is but justice to an independent and talented journal to
say, that we have seen, since writing the above, (Notice of
(lalt's Byron), a manly and sensible review of Oalt's work, and
some important contributions to the history of its publication, in
The A thenaium."—Edinburgh Literary Journal, Sept. 11.

The Athemeurn wtiose anti independence have more
than once called fortit our praise.' —Scots Times, Oct. 13.

" Among the periodical literature of the day. this weekly pub-
lication bears a high character, Its reviews are written with
impartiality—its original articles are the productions of men of
genius."—Dtvonport Telegraph, Sept. IS.
" That very excellent literary periodical, The Athenaeum."—
Plymouth Herald, Aug 24.
.4 Ono of the best literary periodicals of the day."—]bid,
Nov. '27.

_
" The Athenaeum—one of our literary journals, distinguished
by the ease, the spirit, and the justness of its criticism. It is a
pleasure to do this justico to such a work in these times of tract.
mg criticism. • • • The Athenaeum is at least one of those
works which are independent of the great publishing houses,
and so far free of the suspicion of trading infitience."—Lincoln
Herald. _ .

We have noticed with a feeling of great satisfaction the
independence by which The Athenaeum is marked, and the
enbrts which are made by its spirited conductors to render lite-
rary criticism something approaching what it ought to be. • It
is well known that most of the critical journals are In the hands
of the principal publishers, who are thus enabled to put forth as
independent criticism exactly what may suit their purposes, and
promote the sale of their works. It is with reference to this
fact that we regard with pleasure the publication of a journal
which is in reality what the others profess to 'be. The Athe-
neum is undeniably independent, and unconnected with any
parties which might improperly influence its critiques on new
works. Its criticism is in a liberal, but truly impartial spirit,
without any, tenderness towards the author, and certainly none
towards the publisher of any work whatever. The review of
Oalt's LIM of Lord Byron,' in the last and previous number, will
fully prove the justice of our praise. We have seen as yet no
review of that work informing the public, as in reality is the
case, that the work is but a poor one, malgre the pulling it has
had—contains false views of Lord Byron's moral and poetical
character, and is besides written in a ,style oftentimes exceed.
Ingly faulty and absurd. The critique of The Athenreirm on the
work is acute and just to the public In the department of orL
ginal and amusing articles it-will be found at least. equal to any
of its rivals, and we have great pleasure IA recommending it to
the patronage of the literary public."—Bury and Saffialk Herald,
Sept. 24. •
0, The Atheneum, from which the above is extracted, is a
pnblleation of great merit"—sCoventry Mercury, Sept. 5.
" A series of interesting_ and curious letters on' Demonology
anti Witchcraft,".by-Slr W. Scott, has been ann permed for publit
cation. An anticipatory review of this work appears in the
last number of the Atheneum, an ably.conducted weekly journal
of literature, published in London. From this review we select,"
&c.—Belfast News Letter, September tl,.
• " The Athenreum.—This talented yeriodical, which is justly
entitled a Journal of English and Foreign Literature, Science,
.and the Fine Arts,' has for some weeks past ins tired an interest
amongst literary men that reminds us of the days of Johnson,
Addison, and Steele. ,It contains an ample and impartial review
of the most important new works with which the press is daily
teeming, written with sound criticism and correct taste, while
the remarks of the reviewer are illustrated and justified by eopi.
ous and well-selected extracts. The poetical effusions which
have been lately introduced In its columns are of the
highest order; and the dissertations on the Fine Arts, Original
Essays, and general information, combine to render the Athe-
tueura a complete compendium of modern literature. Impressed
with these ideas of its superiority, we are of opinion that it pre.
sents the strongest claims to the notice of the scholar, tho gentle.
man, and the man of refined taste."—Cheltenham Chronicle,
September 30,
" We copy the tbliowingfrom that very able, industrious And
honest paper, the London Atheneum, which as yet is too little
known in S'eotiand, but abounds in information no where else to
tiv had."--Olasgow Chronicle, August 20.
" The Athenreum—a paper, we may observe, not more die.
tinguished for the talent antidiscrimination, than for the honesty
and independence which characterize all its notices of Literature
and the Arts—qualities not the less valuable that, in this age of
literary puffing and' quackery, they are not of very frequent oc.
currence."—Mancheater Advertiser, Nov. r 7,.
" The Athenanun.—This work is quite s regenerated' since it
fell Into the hands of its present Editor. hitherto the London
Reviewers have written with one eye fixed on the publisher, and
the other on the book. The Athemetim fix us both iis prbs on the
work before it, and looks through it, It writes for the informs.
tots of the people, not for the benefit of publishers. It
Laughs where it must, is candid where it can,'
but alwayaminds truth. The Atheneum belongs not to any
bookseller • therefore none of the' trade' can or do Influence it.
If to speak boldly and impartially be a merit, then is the Attie-
mum amply entitled to prabte. Beeidea this, it is clever, shrewd,
sarcastic, and in earnest. It speaks daringly, in spite of oppa.
anion. It performs what other works promise."—Blnningham
Argus.
" The .kthenceum" is totally unconnected with 'the trade;'
its conductors are persons Of genuine talent, and it is in every
xeispecr deserving of encouragement."—Staftbrdshire Mercury,
_Dec. 4,
"There are few of the literary periodicals of the day which
evince greater talent and judginent than the Athenaeum, in all
its departments, but its chief merit probably is, that being totally
unconnected with any of the great publishers, the principles on
which it is conducted are at once independent and liberal, while
Ractlticiams may always be relied on as impartial and honest."—
Manchester Courier, Dec. 4.
The above testimonies will. convey to the reader an idea
of the opinion of the Public Press generally, as nearly all
the-Papers in England have either- spoken favourahlt of,
tut extracted largely from, the Athenteuin.
The daily increasing popularity of the Publication ren-
dere it a desirable channel for all Advertisements connected',
with Literature, Art, or Science.