The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-14 00:00:00

where she meets with a young preacher, whom, after pay-
ing his debts; she marries, and accompanies to Australia,
whither he has obtained an appointment as a missionary.—
Such is the story of the Widow Baraaby, whose character
throughout is sustained with infinite spirit and consistency.
In direct contrast to her, is her poor, dependent niece,
Agnes Willoughby, whom she drags about with her in her
various peregrinations, and makes the mere slave of her
caprices. But perhaps the most original sketch in the tale
is that of the little, deformed, satirical spinster, Miss
Compton, which is the most original portrait we have met
with for some time. The sentimental portions of the work
are not much to our taste. They are sadly overdone,
which always argues a want of heart and earnestness in the
writer.

FRANCIA' S REIGN OF TERROR. VoL. 3.
Mu, ray, London, 1839.

The subject of this volume will he new to many of our
readers, for it treats of the acts of the Jesuit, Dr. Francia,
perpetual Dictator of the Republic of Paraguay—a stern,
iron-hearted despot, whose character and conduct arc but
little known in England, owing to the jealous system on
which he has acted for many- years, of excluding all
foreigners as much as possible from his dominions, and only
permitting them to traffic with his subjects as an act of
special grace. The authors of this volume—which is a
spirited and uncompromising exposure of the character,
public and private, of this most inexorable and sagacious
despot—are two brothers of the name of Robertson, part-
ners in a commercial house at Buenos Ayres, who for some
time, till they fell under the displeasure of Francia, and
were banished by his order, carried on trade at Assump-
tion, the capital of Paraguay. While thus engaged, they
frequently held personal intercourse with the Dictator, and
certainly, if their account of him be not overcharged—and
from the very bitterness of their censure we incline to think it
is—lie must be one of the veriest scoundrels that ever dis-
graced the human form. We had always heard that lie was
a jealous and despotic ruler, but had no idea that he was
quite a Nero in his nature—imprisoning—torturing—and
murdering his subjects by hundreds ; establishing every-
where a system of the most terrible espionage ; and in fact,
reviving throughout his ample dominions all the horrors of
a Reign of Terror. " Dr. Francis," say our authors,—
The author, and up to this hour, the inflexible upholder of
the non-intercourse policy of Paraguay, is doubtless one of the
most singular characters of his day. Before this man's real
character became known, he received no small credit for the

tranquil order which he maintained in his republic, while all
the others about him were engaged in apparently intermin-
able broils and civil discords. But the peace and quiet of
Paraguay are as the stillness of the grave. What originated
in a deeply laid plot of oppressive tyranny, has been consum-
mated by a universal system of terror. By the most ruthless
cruelty—by the sternest despotism—Francia established, and
now maintains, his sway. Crimes of a dye so deep—of a
character so appalling, as to make human nature shudder and
recoil—bare stained his course, as he has advanced in his
relentless and bloody carer. The history of Francia's mind,
as developed in his actions, is a truly astonishing one. He is
a lawyer—a scholar—a political chief—who, in all probabi-
lity exercises at this moment, absolute sway over a country
larger than Great Britain—a country which for three cen-
turies was ruled by a civilized European power, and which,
though now laid prostrate at the feet of a gloomy despot, wo
curselves have seen full of life and activity, and teeming with
abundance.

The account of Artigas, a personage well-known in
South America, who during the progress of its quarel
with the mother-country, Spain, raised himself from the
lowest position in society, by his skill and daring, to the
government of nearly the whole territory between the river
Parana and the eastern base of the Andes, is exceedingly
curious. On his banishment from Paraguay, one of the
authors paid a visit to the head-quarters of Artigas, which
he thus details :
Artigas during the time of the old Spanish Government
was, what might be called, the Robin Hood of South Ame-
rica. At the head of a daring band of freebooters. he scoured
the Banda Oriental on horseback, now making inroads into
the Portuguese territory of Brazil, and driving away whole
herds of cattle ; and anon coasting the river Plate, protecting
smugglers, and participating in their ill-gotten gains. He
was too formidable, and much too erratic a person to be coped
with, vi et arrnis, by the Spanish Government. To lure him
from his predatory habits therefore, the Governor of Monte-
video conferred on him the rank of captain of blandengues, or
horse-militia; and it was wise policy to do so ; for though in
the country Artigas continued to be more a governor than the
governor himself, he yet abstained thenceforward from open
violation of the law. Such was Artigas at the period at which
I was called on to visit him ; and after what fashion I found
this mighty Protector living, you shall presently hear. Fur-
nished wi.h letters from Captain Percy, requesting in civil
terms the restoration of that part of my property detained by
the chieftain's satellites at the Bajada, or else compensation
for it, I sailed across the river Plate, and up the beautiful
Uruguay, till I came to the Protector's head-quarters of the
so-called town of the Purification. And there, what do you
think I saw? Why, the Protector of half the New World,
seated on a bullock's skull, at a fire kindled on the mud floor
of his hut, eating beef off a spit, and drinking gin out of a
cow-horn ! He was surrounded by a dozen officers in weather-
beaten attire, in similar positions, and similarly occupied with
their chief. All were smoking—all gabbling. The Pro-
tector was dictating to two secretaries, who occupied at one
deal table, the.only two dilapidated rush-bottom chairs in the
hovel. To complete the singulr incongruity of the scene,
the floor of the one apartment of the imud hut, in which the
general, his staff, and secretaries were assembled, was strewn
with pompous envelopes from all the provinces (some of them
distant fifteen hundred miles from that centre of operations)
addressed to his Excellency, the Protector. At the door
stood the reeking horses of couriers arriving every half hour,
and the fresh ones of those departing as often. Soldiers,
aides-de-camp, scouts, came galloping in from all quarters.
On perusing my introductory letter, his Excellency rose from
his seat and received me, not only with cordiality, but with,
w bat surprized me more, comparatively gentlemanlike man-
ners, and really good brceuing.
After describing several interviews which they had, on
the subject of their commercial speculations, with Dr.
Francia, and detailing several flagrant instances of his un-
relenting cruelty towards individuals whom he suspected
of a dislike to his political system, the authors proceed to
sketch the habits and customs of the better classes of so-
ciety in Paraguay—more especially in Assumption, the
capital city of the republic—in the course of which they
relate the following singular anecdote, with which we must
close our notice of this entertaining volume :
One of the most fashionable families of Assumption was that
of Senor Jovellanos, the Postmaster-General. His wife was
looked up to as an oracle by all the other dames of the place ;
and his daughters, who were really handsome women, were
regarded with envy as the undisputed leaders of the lisaut ton
in the capital. Shortly after my arrival in Assumption, I was
invited by Senor Jovellanos to dinner, at the late and fashion-
able hour of two o'clock. Several friends were assembled for
the occasion ; but at table I was placed between two of the
Misses Jovellanos—young, blooming, fair, and very pretty
wonsen. Guess then my confusion, to find at the dinner-table
that we were waited on by half a dozen boys and girls, little
slaves, all perfectly—how shall I say it ? Their liveries had
cost nothing—they were, one all, in stain naturce ! At first
I fidgetted in my chair, and threw furtive glances round, but
seeing every one on either side of me, including my fair corn-
pinions, as composed as if the most rigid decorum had been
studied, I gradually recovered my serenity. As the body was
left loose and unconstrained by dress in Paraguay, so the con-
versation of all classes was the most unsophisticated in its con-
struction that can be imagined.

COURT CIRCULAR.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited her Majesty
yesterday at the New Palace.
The Duke of Argyll joined the Royal circle at dinner on
Saturday evening.
Viscount Melbourne had audience of the Queen on Saturday.
The Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the Princesses
Augusta and Mary of Cambridge, visited the Duchess of
Kent yesterday at the New Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess
Augusta of Cambridge, attended Divine Service yesterday
morning in Grosvenor Chapel. Their Royal Highnesses were
attended by Miss Kerr and Baron Knesebeck.
The Duchess and the Princess Augusta of Cambridge arrived
in town on Friday night from Burghley House, near Stamford,
the residence of the Marquis of Exeter.
The Duke of Cambridge left Burghley House on Friday,
on a visit to the Earl of Cardigan at Deene Park, Northamp-
tonshire. His Royal Highness left Deene Park on Saturday,
and returned to Cambridge House.
A Cabinet Council was held at three o'clock on Saturday
afternoon at the Foreign Office. It was attended by Viscount
Melbourne, the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Duncannon, Lord
John Russell. Lord Holland, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Mr. Poulett Thomson, and Viscount Howick. The Council
sat till half-past five o'clock.
A deputation on sugar, headed by the Right Hon. Stephen
Lushington, D. C. L., had an interview with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer on Saturday in Downing-street.
Mr. Macqueen had an interview with Lord Glenelg on Sa-
turday at th• Colonial. office.
The American, Turkish, French, and Russian Ambassadors
transacted business on Saturday at the Foreign Department.
Despatches were forwarded on Saturday from the Foreign
Department for the British Ambassadors resident at the
Courts of Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Despatches were forwarded on Saturday from the India
Board for the Officers administering her Majesty's Govern-
ment at the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay.
Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial-
office from Sir William Nicolay, Governor of the Mauritius;
and from Sir Howard Douglas, at Corfu.

THE HAGUE, JAN. B.—The King of the Nether-
ands, as Grand Duke of Luxemburg, has contributed
1,000 francs towards the monument to be erected to Her-
mann. The Prince of Oude yesterday visited the Gallery
of Paintings.
Duke Maximilian of Leuchtenberg returned on the
31st ult. to Munich, where the Russian Envoy, M. de Se-
verine, was about to convey him a present from his Impe-
rial father-in-law, in the shape of a meerschaum, represent-
ing. the Emperor on horseback, followed by his Staff. The
bridegroom's pipe is moreover ornamented with gems.
Prince Michel Soutzo, the Greek Minister, will
leave town in the course of the week for Paris. During
the Prince's absence the duties of the embassy will be dis-
charged by Prince Jean Soutzo, The Princess Soutzo and
her daughter are not likely to return to this country.
The Primate has arrived in Dublin from the
Marquis of Waterford's, and will proceed immediately to
Armagh.
Lord John Russell, as ministerial leader of the
House of Commons, has issued the usual circular, requiring
the attendance of the friends of Government on the sth
of February, the first day of the approaching session.
The new Inspector-General of Cavalry, appointed
in the room of Lieut.-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, is
Major-General Sleigh, lately employed on the staff in
India, whence he returned on being succeeded by Major-
General Sir W illoughby Cotton. General Sleigh has entered
on the duties of his new appointment since January 1.
THE NEW POOR LA w.---The Commissioners
have been compelled in Wiltshire and elsewhere to sanc-
tion a departure from the law by conceding out-door relief.
The Braintree Union, too, have resisted the orders of the
Commissioners, who served them with a mandamus from
the Court of Queen's Bench, calling upon them to show
cause why they did not obey the order for the appointment
of a chaplain.

HORSE STEALING.—This crime appears to be
very prevalent in several of the provinces, especially in
Essex and Wiltshire. In the latter county, on Tuesday,
at the Quarter Sessions, William Higgins, a gentlemanly
young man, well connected in the county, was found guilty
of stealing a valuable bay mare. The father of the pri-
soner, and another gentleman, members of his family, en-
deavoured to prove the prisoner insane, but the jury found
a verdict to the contrary, and the Court sentenced him to
10 years' transportation.
DRUNKENNESS.—The record of the offences,
deaths, and suicides, that daily result from this besetting
and beastly vice, would fill columns. On Saturday last
there were made public in London upwards of 60 cases.
The Charivari Journal has been condemned for a
squib to 6,000 francs fine, and its editor to eight months'
imprisonment.

Dr. Carswell has been appointed to succeed Dr.
Elliotson at the University Hospital. The appointment
is, however, only temporary.
CORN-LA ws.—We are glad to hear that the
manufacturers of Kendal are alive to the repeal of the
iniquitous Corn-laws. " A demonstration" is to be made
next week.—Carlisle Journal.

The Bishop of Lincoln has been seriously indis-
posed during the last wcek, but is now pronounced to he
better.—Lincoln Chronicle.

W. R. Collett, Esq., a Conservative, and Colonel
Churchill, a Liberal, have severally addressed the Lincoln
Constituency, as candidates for their suffrages at any en-
suing election.—Lincoln Chronicle.

A London gentleman of wealth and literary pur-
suits is at present in treaty for New Park, the residence of
Mr. Estcourt, M.P., for Devizes.
Mr. Ralph and Lady Mary Abercrombie will leave
the Admiralty on Wednesday next for Frankfort, where Mr.
Abercrombie will occupy a diplomatic post.
-Marshal Soult has authorised Mr. Curmer to have
the principal pictures of his gallery copied and engraved
for his edition of Bossuet's " Discours sur l'Histoire Uni-
verselle."

Paganini arrived on the 4th inst. at Marseilles.
Mademoiselle Jenny Vertpre is expected in London,
where she is to superintend the French Theatre.
Various persons have written to the French Papers
to disavow all connection with Mademoiselle Pradel, alias
Madame de Nieul, who has so unenviably figured in the
late action of Gisquet vosus the Messager. Among those
who have thus publicly disclaimed all relationship with the
ex-Prefect's favoured speculator in omnibus shares, we ob-
serve the names of the Marquis Perry de Nieuil and of
the Count de Pradel, a Minister of State under the elder
Bourbons.

The St. Alban's Hunt ball take place -this eve-
ning at the Town-hall. It is expected to be unusually gay.
A supper sent from town, will by provided by the gentlemen.
Sir Philip C. H. Durham this week gave his an-
nual donation of 101. towards the relief of the oldest and
most necessitous watermen.—Hampshire Telegraph.
Sir John Beresford and the Ladies Beresford are
on a visit at Castletown. _ _

Sir John and Lady Shelley, after remaining a week
at Strathfieldsay, have returned to town.
Lady Rendlesham and the Hon. Misses Thellu-
sion arrived on Monday last in Paris, from Italy. In the
course of the week, they intend leaving that gay metro-
polis for London. . _

. __ _....„.......
Lord Lowther has arrived in Paris, from Italy.
Lord and Lady Sarah Ingestrie have left Cur-
raghmore for Castletown, the seat of Colonel Conelly.
The Marquis of Exeter gave a splendid ball and
supperwhii,
h w
aast
attended
Burghley
by House, on Thursday evening last,
nearly 300 of the most distinguished
fashionables. The spacious and beautiful hall was appro-
priated for dancing, and the whole of the suite of rooms
were thrown open on the occasion. Dancing commenced at
ten o'clock, and termina'ed at four o'clock in the morning.
were--Their Royal Highnesses the
yf Cambridge'and Princess Augusta of
e the Duke of Rutland, the Earl of
DukeCA
am il bn
rgai
dn
gd thee,D hisuc cohmGe
sprsaa nco
Denbigh, Lord Burghersh, &c.
Adams's band attended.
His Excellency the Russian Ambassador had a
distinguished party at dinner on Saturday evening at AA-
burnham House. Prince Soutzo, Baron Munchausen, Lord
Alfred Paget, Lord Maryborough, M. Dedel, Lord Cow-
ley, Count Pollon, Lady Burghersh, Count Devini, Baron
and Baroness Biome, M. de Hummelaucr, M. do Kisseleff,
M. de Berg, and Count and Countess Charles Pozzo di
Borgo, were among the guests.
HORACE VERNON;
ast reb a,
aos ra dt
iionn.
, OR, LIFE IN THE WEST.—
The new novel announced under this title is, ore believe,
"3' circumstance which took
world a few years ago, and excited
an
n
It related to a 4i suosi-
ftpoiltuaiocnneudnsein'ud'rcethcohenielddef,a'neiddnenx n
involved one of the most daring and in-
genious deceptions that wag ever practised on public credo.
lity, The scenes and incidents are, as we understand,
about equally divided between the highest walks of fashion-
able life, and the very lowest link from the opposite extre-
mity of the chain ; thus uniting the refinements of the fa-
shionable novel with those stirring delineations of the bare
realities of life in its lowest grade, which have recently
att
ained such remarkable popularity. The writer of ed
Horace Vernon" is said to be a person equally familiar
withtt
i both these extremes.

CAsKwV FoVNP AT SE
-4.—A fisherman lately
found on the rock of St. Melo a closed casket, enveloped
sionary amoni:, the iofideb4, 4??01'
37, a scapulary, and a wiitip.o,
iinn Itihneenfn.nnltnfeonntwaiinile,dsiagnroesdar„
perw,
4,,tipi4
ittecolet;
411,5,
Alexis recommends the Pqt;rt2. wiliel, "
ta-ve not yet been
visited by the Lord to 1',;,-,;s
~, v. This
prayer was made
just before 'the ship Sainte Marie, or Sainte Marine
perished. This casket has thus been tossed about the
mini for sixtrtwo ?Toys, it? 044 wriiiii, 7ere

TILE /MX, LONDON, MONDAY, lANITARY 14, 163 t.