The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-27 00:00:00

cognised him. He went one evening to look at his
home; he saw Sylvia blooming in beauty at her
door, with their child in her arms. He had not
courage to go in, he, the !mimed disfigured outcast,
could
not hope to awaken the affection denied to
right. of
the days of his prime. Philip had forfeited the
trusting to innate qualities, so was pecu-
liarly dependent on outward influences. He was
'well nigh done for, weary of the march of life, he
crept to a hovel inhabited by a widow,
and in her
Beauty room for lodgers he took up his abode. The
closing
passage in this eventful story is touchingly
told to us. Its solemnity befits the awful re-union
of husband and wife on the threshold of that state
Where marriage and giving in marriage is over.
They had entered on that solemn compact in an
unworthy spirit, and no blessing hallowed their
nuptials. She bad acted from an idea of expediency ;
he had wilfully deceived, and stood at the altar of
hishis
place
Maker knowing that one should have been in
who might any day appear. Bella, the
daughter of this unhappy pair, fell off the cliffs into
the sea,
and was saved by her unknown father.
Re sustained mortal injuries, and Sylvia was sum-
moned to her dying husband. She had long ago
Been the errors of her ways in being so harsh and
unforgiving, and since she bad heard of Kinnaird's
marriage, she had recognised that Philip's attach-
ment was the deepest of the two, since she was
assured that nothing would have made him choose
another wife than herself ; also, when many were
cold, and some unkind to her, she thought of
Philip's constant devotion and almost invariable
tenderness. Still some angry feelings lurked in her
mind, but these vanished before the " peace-maker,
whose name is Death." The sight of Sylvia recalled
to Philip the bright days of youth, when he saw
her in the summer days of her life and happiness,
the light and joy of her father's dwelling,—
" Among the rosy wild flowers playing,
As rosy and as wild as they."
For some minutes after they met neither spoke, at
last he said, " Little lassie, forgive me now, I can-
not live to see the morn." "Oh Philip," she ex-
claimed, "they were wicked words, as I said, and a
wicked vow as I vowed, and Lord God Almighty
but ta'en me at my word." Trying to soothe her
extreme agitation he said, after a while, " I never
thought to be so happy again ; God is very merci-
ful." She lifted up her head and asked wildly,
" Will He ever forgive me, think you. I drove you
out from your home and sent you away to the wars,
where you might have gotten yer death. I think
I shall go about among them as gnash their teeth
for ever, while you are where all tears are wiped
away." " No," said Philip, turning round his face,
forgetful of himself in his desire to comfort her,
" God pities us as a father pities his poor wan-
dering children ; the nearer I come to death the
clearer I see Him. I think and do believe as we
shall meet together before His face, but then I
shall ha' learnt to love thee second to Him, not first,
as I have done here upon the earth." Then they
were still and kept the long night watch together,
she communing with her own heart, he dwelling on
the past as those only can who know that the morn
coming will rise for them the last time upon earth,
ere its day is over they will be beyond the sun. He
thought cf his early days, when he wished to be
like the great characters in the Scriptures his
mother read to him. It was in the spring, and
some one brought in cowslips, and"the scent of those
flowers was in his nostrils now, as he lay dying—
his life ended, his battles fought, his time for
being good over and gone—the opportunity, once
given in all eternity, past." Then he dwelt on his
temptations, and in the perfect vision of that scene
saw the way to escape that he bad not taken, and
in the terror of that feeling he "shrank into the
shadow of God's mercy, sent out of the blaze of
His anger against all who act a lie." It was a
peaceful deathbed for so sad a life, and the beauty
of the summer night, and the stillness of the quiet
place, alike conduced to hush the weary soul and
soothe the troubled spirit. "Through the open case-
ment he could hear the lapping of the waves on the
shelving shore, could see the soft grey dawn over
the sea." Another morn than ours broke on that
Way worn traveller, and he departed in peace
from his weary march of life. A glimpse is given
to us of the old place, the scene of such sad
events, now transformed into a rising town. "Yet
standing near the site of Widow Dobson's house,
on a summer night at the ebb of a spring-
tide, you may hear the waves come lap-
ping on the shelving shore with the same cease-
less, ever-recurrent sound as that which Philip
listened to in the pauses between life and death,
and so it will be until there shall be no more
sea." This last passage is a symbol of the story,
The trivial events of this transitory life pats
away and are forgotten ; but the ruling passions
that actuate the undying spirit and influence the
immortal soul can never change while man walks
the earth as a sinful and suffering being. The
particular circumstances of Philip's career may
not now occur, but in his selfishness, his sinful
deceit, and his determined resistance to ordained
events, he serves as the prototype to many who
now are existing among us. They may be consi-
dered as well-meaning, perhaps deserving, indivi-
duals by passers-by, but their own hearts can tell
a different tale as the hours roll by, bearing their
guilty record to the all-seing Judge. Of course
this story is painful, but no one can fail to be greatly
interested in it. Life is sketched with its fearful
trials, and death is shown in its awful reality. The
scene of Philip's death-bed is a warning that speaks
with a most solemn import. The terrors of judg-
ment and the triumphs of mercy seem to meet over
that couch of anguish ; and the parting soul, as
it looks back on the days of earth, can only com-
mit them in trembling hope to the care of heaven.
The mournful interest of 61 Bath," and the thrilling
excitement of " Mary Barton," have already pre-
pared novel-readers for a considerable display of
Power in works by this authoress, but there is
more pathos in this story, more deep feeling and
more unexpressed but comprehended sentiment,
" Sylvia's Lovers" seems a gay-sounding- appel-
lation, but the reality is very different from the
semblance, as often occurs in actual experience.
Gay triflers are made to mourn, and giddy minds
are taught by suffering the secret of strength and
the stern discipline of life. Many a maiden,
deeming the world was made for her, as did Syl-
via in her buoyant spirit, and Philip in his reso-
lute
mind, were fain to say at last bow sad it
would be if this world only was their appanage.
For a picture of life, a mirror of character, an ex-
position of striking events, and an incentive to
thought by the witness of actions, not the words of
reflection, this novel is sure to become a work of
mark; that potent now to arrest attention will long
live in the memory of its readers, and be called
to recollection whenever the tempter triumphs, the
sinner repents, and the suffering mourns around
them as they pursue " their pathway towards
eternity."

THE LATE COMMISSIONER OF THE CITY POLICE. 1
—A meeting of the members of the City police I
force, convened for the purpose of considering in what
manner it would be most appropriate to testify their attach-
ment and respect for their late lamented chief, Mr. D. W.
Harvey, was held yesterday, in the mess room at Bow-
ane-station, on which occasion a very large number of
constables attended. It was resolved that the memorial
should oonsist of a monument, illustrative of their late
chief's public career, to be placed over his grave. It was
also resolved that a letter of condolence suitably embla-
zoned on vellum should be presented to Mrs. Harvey and
her family. A committee was appointed for carrying out
the objects of the meeting.
VIOLATION OF AUSTRIAN TERRITORY BY Rus-
SIAN TROOPS.—The Vienna journals speak of two cases o f
violation of the Austrian territory by the Russians. one in
the district of Rzesgow, and the other in that of Zolkiew.
The Press of Vienna insists that satisfaction should be de-
manded from Russia for those violations, and states that
petty incursions or Italian patrols on the territory of the
empire frequently led to proceedings which were not so ne-
cessary as energetic remonstrances at the present mowent,
particularly when having for its object to disengage the
responsibility of the Austrian government.
SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE
FINE ARTS.—Last evening, at the rooms in Con-
duit-street, Dr. Dresser delivered his second lecture on
~
The Applied Arts as exemplified at the International
Exhibition," concluding the subject. As in the former
discourse the lecturer illustrated his principles by reference
to Japanese, Chinese, and other Oriental manulactures' on
the present occasion he treated of the decorative art of
Europe, and illustrated his discourse by reference to many
tZl9lern. works in the exhibition of manufactured articles.

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE,

CITY, TWELVE o'CLocK.
A steady business is reported in the discount
market to-day at previous quotations.
The Bank of England return for the week end-
ing Wednesday last shows a further increase of
bullion, and a continuous decline in the other secu-
rities. Subjoined are the principal features :
Active Circulation £19,117,055
Decrease .. 193,665
Bullion .. .. 14,614,096
Increase 24,874
Rest .. 3,386,536
Decrease 42,142
Public Deposits • • 7,901,658
Increase .. .. 488,383
Other Deposits.. .. .. 13,367,153
Decrease .. 498,123
Seven Day and other Bills .. 599,773
003
Decrease .. • • • • 9 ,
7,
Government Securities • • Nll 043 079
• • o alteration.
Other Securities .. 18,569,000
181,424
Decrease .. .. • • • •
Notes Unemployed .. • • • • 9,253'155
263,620
Increase .. .. • • • •
The Delta, which left to-day with the Bombay
mails, conveyed £425,000 in specie.
The New Danish Loan is nominally quoted par
to 2 prem., and although it seems to attract but
little attention, the success of the operation is con-
sidered certain, the amount required in the first
instance being only £500,000, and the balance,
£1,500,000, remaining to be negotiated at some
future period.
The dealings in the Foreign and Colonial Pro-
duce Markets, during the last few days, have not
been very extensive. Tea, however, has continued
in fair request, at full rates, while sugars have
slightly declined, particularly for inferior qualities.
Coffee brought full rates, but rice, fruit, and spices
exhibited little variation. For saltpetre there has
been a more active inquiry, at enhanced prices,
while tallow continued dull for both present and
forward delivery.

Two o'CLOCK.

At Paris this morning, according to Reuter's
Tlegram, French Rentes were 691'. 55c., 69f. 50c.,

—heavy.
Very little change has taken plane in the market
for the English Funds, Consols for money and the
sth proximo being 921 1, and 921 for the April
settlement. Speculation is exceedingly inactive,
but the dealings for transfer continue on a very
limited scale. The New Three per Cents. and the
Reduced are firm at 921 ; Exchequer Bills are
flat at 2s. dis. to par; Bank Stock is 2371 and
239.
Very little business has been': recorded in the
Foreign Market, but prices have shown increased
firmness. Spanish have shown considerable
buoyancy ; the Passive have risen to 261 1; the
Certificates to 91 10 ; Egyptian Bonds are firmer at
1001; Mexican at 321 33 ; Russian New Loan at
941 ; Venezuelan New Loan, 591; Tarkish 6 'per
Cents. have been firm at 90 ; do., 1858, 721; and
do., 1862, 691.
In the Railway Share Market a firmer tone has
been apparent. London, Chatham, and Dover have
improved £2, and South-Westerns ss. North-
Westerns, Great WeEterns, Great Easterns, North-
Easterns, Berwick and South-Easterns are firm,
the quotations being now ex dividend.
The Foreign and Colonial lines have remained
without any change of importance, Bahia and San
Francisco being dealt in at 21; Eastern of France,
; Great Western of Canada, 131 1 ; East In-
dian, 1051 I.; and Bombay and Baroda, 1041.
Joint-Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares re-
main at about previous prices.

BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Bank Stock 239 71
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
India Stock
Ditto 5 per Cent
Ditto Debentures, 4 per Ct., Oct„ 1863 100+ $
Ditto ditto Aug. 1864 or 66 100+ 4
Console for Account, March. 5
Exchequer Bills, £lOOO, 24 per Cent 2 dis par
Ditto £SOO
Ditto Small 1 dis par
Ditto Advertised

FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. .
Equador New Consolidated
Egyptian 7 per Cent lOO/ 1
Greek 5 per Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coupons 2ok 191
Ditto Coupons
Mexican 3 per Cent -
33 k
Ditto Account
Moorish Imperial 5 per Cent
New Granada
Vitt° 2 pet Cent
Ditto Deferred
Peruvian 41 per Cent.
Ditto 1862
Ditto Account
971
Russian 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St
Ditto 3 per Cent., 1859 .. —
Ditto 5 per Cent. 1862 94 1.
Spanish 3 per Cent
Ditto Passive
Spanish Cert. of Coup not funded
Turkish 6 per Cent. 1854 —
Ditto Account 9O
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1858
Ditto Account..
Ditto 6 per Cent. 1862
Ditto Account
Venezuela, 3 per Cent
Ditto 6 per Cent., 1862
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Duteh 21 per Cent., Ex. 12 Guil —
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols, Money
Ditto Account 92s 1

THE GREAT SHIP COMPANY.