The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-06 00:00:00

Routledge's Illustrat6d Natural History.

The forty-seventh part of this able and compre-
hensive work is devoted to spiders, eentepedes, scor-
pions, and similar unattractive topics. However,
we have as much to learn from these humble and
unsightly creatures as from nobler animals, whose
construction is often less wonderful.

" There's a mission no doubt for the worm in the dust,
As there is for the charger with nostrils of pride ;
The sloth and the newt have their places of trust,
And the agents are needed, for God hath supplied."
In accordance with this philosophy we may look
with equanimity on the frightful creatures dis-
played in the clever illustrations to this part. The
work when finished is likely to rank among the first
Natural Histories in the language.

The British Workman.

The yearly part of this excellent and well con-
ducted periodical comes before us with an illustrated
cover representing a scene of distress in Lanca-
shire, 1862. Many other woodcuts of large size
are contained in this number, one of the most
effective showing a portion of the terrible disaster
in the Hartley Colliery. There are two beautiful
portraits of the late Prince Consort and her Ma-
jesty, the former taken from Wyon's medallion.
The letterpress is as varied and attractive as pos.
sible, evidently with the view of preventing the
attention of its less cultivated readers from flagging.
Some may think that there is too much of teetotal-
ism in this woik, but at the same time it is cap-
able of doing great good, and ought therefore to
meet with encouragement and receive respect.

Good Words. Edited by Norman Macleod, D.D.

It is with great satisfaction that we see this ex-
cellent magazine begin a new year with unabated
spirit and unflagging interest. The names of the
principal contributors are, in themselves, a suffi-
cient guarantee for the high moral tone and literary
ability of the contents, since their list includes Dr.
Guthrie, Rev. Charles Kingsley, A.K.H.8., Law-
renca Oliphant, John Caird, D.D., Anthony Trol-
lope, and tho Editor himself. For popular science
we have such writers as Sir David Brewster and Sir
John Herschel, while feminine genius is ably repre-
sented by the pens of Sarah Tytler, Adelaide Proc.
tor, Isa Craig, and the author of " John Halifax.'
One remarkable feature in this serial is the entire
absence of anything approaching to sectarianism
which distinguishes it, although many of the arti-
cles are on religious subjects. To this peculiar
merit, not often found in similar publications, is pro-
bably due the widely extended circulation of Good
Words. We heartily commend this pleasant and
profitable number to the public, assuring them that
it fully carries oat its motto, taken from the pages
of quaint George Herbert Good Words are
worth much, and cost little."

Cassell's Illustrated History of England.
A new volume of this popular history has just
been commenced, in compliance with the wish of
the subscribers, who desired its extension from the
death of George 111. to the present day. The
troubled times succeeding the accession of George
IV. are clearly and ably treated, Extracts from some
of the chief speakers and writers of the day being
interpolated. The illustrations, if not of a very
high class, are numerous and effective, and well cal-
culated to extend a knowledge of our domestic his-
tory in the homes of the people.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.
Newton's London Journal of Arts and
Sciences has an article on French and English
patent law reformers, which quotes largely from
some recent remarks of M. Michel Chevalier on
the obstacles which he considers the patent law
opposes to the progress of the industrial arts. From
his view of the case the writer before us differs in
toto, and those interested in the matter have here
an opportunity of comparing their arguments. The
usual scientific notices and diagrams of recent pa-
tents are given. Colman's -Magazine is a new
comer of no very high order, bat it has plenty of
light reading, interspersed with sundry discourses
on the topics of the day, among which the Ameri-
can war and the London garotters are of course
prominent. The Englishwoman's Domestic Maga-
zine offers its subscribers a New Year's gift, in the
shape of an illustrated supplement, devoted to the
two fascinating subjects of fashion andlieedlework.
A handsome coloured design for braiding, a large
sheet of mysterious patterns to assist adventurous
amateurs in cutting out their own ball dresses and
bonnet curtains, and other details of grande toilette,
besides some elegant specimens of fancy embroidery,
are to be found in this number by those wise
maidens and matrons who like to combine the
acquisition of some useful domestie knowledge with
a little pleasant reading. Le Follet, long a stan-
dard in matters of fashion, preserves its attractions,
but has now a rival in The Paris Elegant, which
chronicles the vagaries of fancy in the City of the
Seine with a vivacity and minuteness that will de-
light many fair English readers. Beeton's Diction-
ary of Universal Information has reached its 60th
part, and promises, when completed, to be a valuable
work of reference. Boys seem to be especially
favoured by the New Year, for we have before us
no less than five different serials wholly and solely
devoted to the benefit of that comprehensive and
unquiet class of our fellow-subjects. Two of those
are published by the enterprising Mr. Beeton,
whose Boys' Own agazine, an established favou-
rite, has been recently raised in price beyond
the reach of some of its subscribers, in whose
favour he has started The Boys' Penny Magazine,
also good of its kind. The continuation of Curio-
sities of Savage Life in the Boys' Own Library is
handsomely and profusely illustrated, and adapted
fir boys of maturer age. The Boys' Journal is a
new publication, with plenty of pleasant reading
for holiday hours. Kingston's Magazine for Boys
contains some varied and interesting matter, chiefly
devoted, as befits its readers, to the narrative of
perils by sea and land. The lovers-of the ancient
game of chess can supply themselves with Beeton's
Book of Home Games, which is now treating of the
science and practice of this game. The National
Magazine is chiefly remarkable for the really beau-
tiful photographs with which it presents its readers.
We have this month a view of Osborne House, from
which it appears to be a commodious and pleasant
dwelling.

During the year 1862 the population of Algeria
has risen to 3,062,124 inhabitants, being 476,769
more than in 1856. In this increase are comprised 33,441
Europeans, who have immigrated within that period. The
village of Trembles, near Aumale, was peopled last year
with Piedmontese families, and others are expected, in
order to create a considerable centre of population in the
neighbourhood of Cherchell.
The receipts effected at the Havre Custom-house
during the month of December amounted to
1,425,215 f., against 1,880,878 f. in the corresponding month
of 1861, being a decrease of 458,663 f. For drawbacks on
exportation 821,496 f. were paid during the same period,
against 393,302 in December, 1861, constituting an increase
of 428,19;f.

Mlle. Livry, who so narrowly escaped being burnt
to death at the Opera in November last, has, in
gratitude to the fireman Muller, whose prompt interference
saved her life, just presented to him a handsome gold watch
and chain, with the date of the accident-15th November
—engraved on the case.

A Havre journal states that the steamers running
between Southampton and Havre have within the last fort-
night brought to the latter port 71 iron cases, containing
20,000 kilos. of blank 10-centime pieces, which are to be
coined in France for the kingdom of Italy.
The waters of ;Ito .'Sine have risen to seven fee
and a half above the lowest, level at the metrical scale of the
Dalt• Royal.