The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE

The New Review. No. 2.

This new competitor for popular favour, whose
initial number we have already favourably noticed,
continues its endeavour to fill a vacuum in our
serial literature, It is in fact, if one may ven-
ture on the Bull, a monthly quarterly review
whose political sympathies are, too, enlisted on the
same side as those of its veteran prototype. Its
subjects range over a wide sphere—political
literary, and philosophical. Thus we have in the
number before us topics the most vatious in close
approximation. An article on American Polities,
giving that support to the Confederate side which
might be anticipated from the tone of the Conser-
vative daily organs, is followed by a paper on the
late Sir James Graham, which certainly renders
fall justice to the faults of its subject, if not to his
merits. But in the concluding passages the writer
suddenly expresses himself . more favourably.
An essay on " The Light of the Earth" treats of
the peculiar characteristics of phosphorescence,
while a paper on Sleep and Dreams will interest the
psychological student. The morality of Modern
Novels comes in for a severe and not altogether un-
deserved censure at the hands of an unsparing
critic. " A Woman's Thoughts on Men," does not
fulfil the reader's expectations, but as the fair
authoress claims her feminine right to forbearance,
we will not be harsh in our judgment. The Par-
liamentary and Literary reviews summarise the
chief events of the month in the world of politics
and letters.

Dublin University Magazine.

A new story is commenced in this number by the
author of " The House by the Church-yard." It
promises well, and will doubtless obtain many ad-
mirers. " Wilder's Hand" is the name of this new
serial tale, and some of the characters, even at this
early stage, are well sketched. The plot of the
narrative will be most complicated, as already there
appear looming in the distance several schemers,
and the events are in themselves very suggestive of
exciting incident. Dorcas Brandon is a very
peculiar kind of heroine, and has nothing attrac-
tive about her, but she is ably delineated.
" The Cross before the Name" is continued, and this
instalment is very momentous, for we find in it the
event that gives the name to the narrative recorded.
The cross is put before the name, and Jenny becomes
quite resolute in her determination to wreak ven-
geance on her foes, real or imaginary. Fre•
derick Maxwell, Q.C., is well sketched as a man of
one idea, and that his vocation. To him all was
valueless that did not concern his peculiar profes-
sion. When Jenny entered his house she was no-
body—" She was not on a parliamentary commit-
tee. He had six House of Lords cases filled up
before him on the toast rack, and was taking in
Lord Wenleysdale and Mr. Justice Willes with his
dry crust." " Catullus" is a readable paper on that
remarkable man; it is the second part here met
with, It is interesting to dwell on the long past days
to which the writer refers, and he has brought con-
siderable classic knowledge to bear upon the essay,
which is very entertaining and instructive. The
immediate interests of a local nature, are
represented in the paper entitled " The Position
and Claims of the Irish Church." " Le-
gaiia—the Judicial Oath," contains some notice-
able suggestions. The concluding remarks on false
oaths are worthy of consideration.—

" By mitigating the punishment of perjury, the popular
estimation of its criminality is lessened, and men not un-
naturally conclude that it is a venial offence, which they
can commit with impunity. But the moral sanction of the
oath we would retain. It is well to remind men that there
is a Judge above from whom we have reason to expect jus-
tice unperverted by the conventional rules, and the imper-
fections of mankind.'

" Sterne and his Day" is continued, and is ica"
portant in this portion. " Mildrington, the Mir"
raster" is reviewed at length, and the favourable
criticism that is bestowed upon it is well deserved,
for the ability is unquestionable that appear in its
pages, and it presents a very brilliant deliniation of
society. " Theatricl Representation, Mechanism,
and Decoration" is a paper that will please the
lovers of the histrionic art, and is well introduced
to notice by the lines of Campbell on the subject—
" The Youngest of the sister arts,
Where all their beauty blends."
" The Science and Traditions of the Supernatural"
treats of magic, sorcery, and witchcraft, and will be
a source of entertainment to the admirers of the
mystical who abound in these days, and who delight
to study the several disquisitions on the subject that
constantly appear in various quarters.