The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

BLACKWOOD.-" Chronicles of Carlingford" is
continued, and the fortunes of the Perpetual Curate
seem more doubtful than ever. His aunts have
iaken the inconvenient idea of settling in the neigh-
bourhood, and thus the unhappy Mr. Wentworth is exposed
to a very awkward espionage. Also there is a strange man
lodging in the house with him, who is in some way con-
nected with Miss Wodehouso's mystery ; and altogether
affairs are most unpropitious. Mr. Morgan has declared
direct war, and announces his intention to manage Wharf-
side for himself, which of course very much militates against
the curate's pet scheme. At the end of this instalment a
very mysterious missive arrives from Gerald which sends
Mr. Wentworth away on his travels very nearly distracted
with his numerous contrarieties. " Captain Spekes's Wel-
come" is a brief sketch of that gentleman's adventures.
Allusion is made to the series of papers that appeared in
this periodical a few years back, written by Captain Speke.
It is stated that many eminent geographers hesitated to
adopt the theory he then advanced, but subsequent circum-
stances have proved its correctness. Captain Speke has
been engaged in his arduous work for nine years, and after
all his difficulties and discouragements, it must be very
gratifying to him to find success crown his efforts, and to
receive the appreciation of learned men as the meed of his
enterprise. It is observed here that "to England belongs
the distinction of furnishing the most enterprising explorers
of the world." Fears are expressed lest these active ex-
plorers will be tempted to return to their old ways and seek
out fresh discoveries. " Meanwhile," it is said,
"We are happy to be able to announce to our readers
that Captain-Specie engaged in-e-pursnit.-wbicl4....thalLet
scarcely less laborious than that from which be has just re-
turned, will, we trust, be a source of instruction and amuse-
ment to those who are still speculating upon the nature of
his three years' experience in Central Africa. If, after
having published his work, he can, as we sincerely hope he
may, be induced to remain in the haunts of civilised men,
he will still have earned a page for himself in history, as
having solved the most interesting geographical problem of
all ages."
"In the Garden" is the title of some pleasing verses. The
sentiments are healthy ones and naturally expressed. It
would be well for many if they were more ready to adopt
the maxim inculcated in these verses—
If there be any cloud that glides
Unseen above this quiet spot,
Dear Lord, I thank Thee I know not
What still in Thy good hand abides.
But while the peaceful moments last,
I snatch this hour, unstained by tears,
Out of My stormy tale of years,
To charm the future and the past.
" The State and Prospects of the Church of England" brings
the subject to a conclusion in this part. Theological
readers will be interested in this elaborate analysis of the
state of affairs, and doubtless will be edified by its perusal.
"George Cruikshank" is an entertaining paper that treats
of artistic life. It is ably written by one who is well

acquainted with his subject. It is said that "there is a
middle ground between Fleet-street and Fairyland, in
which George Cruikshank has displayed extraordinary
skill. "Indian Prosperity" is a readable article, on a sub-
ject that must attract general notice. It is said that people
in this country will be slow to believe that our Indian
empire is really prosperous, but such is an incontrovertible
fact. " Translations of Horace" considers the merits of
some rival authors, and pays a tribute to both for their ex-
cellent versions of the renowned Latin poet. " Cax-
toniana" is very interesting this month. It treats of some
authors in whose writings knowledge of the world is emi-
nently displayed. It is truly stated that this peculiarity is
totally distinct from "Knowledge of Mankind." Some of
the reflections on this subject are admirably expressed, and
the reader who likes to indulge in a sort of semi-philosophy
concerning his fellow-men will be much entertained in the
perusal of these animated pages. "A Visit to an Insur-
gent Camp" is an exciting sketch that transplants one in
fancy to the stormy scenes of war, and brings forcibly be-
fore the mind the woes and wrongs of Poland. " Novels"
is a criticising article that contains some just strictures on
recent works of fiction. Due praise is awarded to the very
clever story of " Elizab..th," which was published a short
time since, and deserves all that is hero said of it.
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.—" Wylder's Hand" is con-
tinued, and is well sketched, but its incidents are of
the startling character, and before long there is
evidence of stormy scenes occurring, and dark clouds
are looming in the distance. Miss Brandon is a mystical
style of heroine, and Miss Lake a most unhappy one in her
fitful vagaries and strange freaks. The men of the party
are all preparing some sort of tragedy, with their fierce
hatreds and ungovernable passions. "The Cross before
the Name; or, Bella Donna" does not make much pro-
gress in this division. The chief incident is the fatal dis-
covery made by "lackey" of a questionable French novel
that Jenny was reading, with a view to improving herself
in foreign tongues for the benefit of her pupils. This act
of felony has sealed his doom; already steps are slily taken
to banish the culprit to a scholastic exile. "An Episode
in English History," refers to the assassination of Mr.
Porceval. It is interesting to turn from the jar and turmoil
of the politics of the day, and refresh one's memory with
events that seem already dim as we look back through the
vista of time to the days of our earlier generation. A just
censure is passed on the practice that invariably obtains,
nowadays, of allowing such criminals as Felton and Bel-
lingham to escape the penalty of the law on the pretext of
lunacy. An interesting account of Mr. Perceval's career
is given in these pages, and the paper well repays perusal.
" Hawise" is an extraordinary lyrical sketch that will suit
those of romantic taste. " Reynard the Fox" is a very enter-
taining article that fully enters into the consideration of
that world-renowned book. It is here mentioned as "the
gospel of our credulous childhood, and the deliberate pas
time of our later years." It is suggested that
this marvellous production is the result of no
sudden creation, but "an accretion of sulpine fables, the
growth of thousands of years." It is stated that this work
has engaged the first minds, pens, and brains of Europe in
seeking to trace its origin, discover its author, find out its
meaning, and versify and translate it into various forms,
There is a great deal worthy of notice in this paper on
" Reynard," and it is sure to be considered attractive by
those who read it. " Summer Novels" is a discussion of
recent works, written in a lively strain, with an occa-
sional dash of satire, that infuses pungency into the peru-
sal. "A Spring Day at Beyrout" brings distant scenes
before us in a picturesque form. " Oldlrish Life Pictures of
Pagan and Early Christian Times" will please the natives
of the country to which this periodical belongs, and indeed
others also, with their vivid descriptions.
FRASER,—The third edition of Mr. 111'ulloch.'s
work on " Taxation and the Funding
System" te
discussed in the opening article in this nunaber,th
with a fulness and caution which will render e
essay very attractive to the political econom
of less solid tastes will find more c,cmgenialiscmt.iitt_ons
ther on in the ingenious comparison between lens attßereadfur-ers
Aldershot, and the sketch of the career f
ipal novels of
Scotch divine on the criticism on the
the day. The paper on the French
wan
"tnh the details of both,
he details
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evidently written by one familiar wielong. The reader
and consequently it is well worth,
reitetrination to post-
indeed is inclined to regret the writ:rusirad
which camp life
pone his remarks on the greatieturf_
d,Pto acme more convenient
enjoys in France than in Bolling
d probably have been sensible
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regards situation, he considers that
and suggestive. As vantage, but in many of the minor
Aldershot has a
the d
learn with advantage from our
arrangements we mighthose articles are always among the
best things in Fraser, draws an
animated picture of one of
neighbours. Shirley, w
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the notabilities of
the !..rleolint. Scottish theological controversy
Et
—Dr. Robertson, of
One of the most interesting
essays in the numberisthe account.
of the last days of Mr.
Buckle, written by his companion travel, What a warn-
ing picture he shows us of the steel wearing out the scab-
bard; what a reournfel.— homily on the vanity of earthly
ambition, the instability of the loftiest schemes is preached
y
in the pathetic exclamation of the dying author, " Oh,
book my book ! I shall never finish my book I" Even my
t-o
the last the sufferer looked forward to recovery, and buoyed
himself up with hopes that were to prove delusive,ver Re had
gone abroad expressly for the
forpurtrese of recruiting his
strength and resting his mindlneatmione
ramous.
Ho great literary undertaking which has adcohmisp
Ho went resolved to write nothing, thoughm from the account
given of his arguments and reflections during this time of
proposed idleness his mental labour must have been consi-
derable. It is melancholy to follow the travellers in their
grave discourses and eager anticipations, knowing the while
the dark shadow to soon to fall across the path. Mr. Buckle was
in the prime of his faculties and powers when he died, leav-
ing his ambition unaccomplished, his cherished object un-
fulfilled, Truly does the writer say, "Of all the melan-
choly things on earth, there seems none more melancholy
than the death of genius, its work undone. Ward's picture
of the Death of Chatterton' is typical of but too many such
tragedies. It is not the poison-vial that kills, but the ardent
training of the mind to do too much, to get too far, to climb
too high." In his sketch of Mr. Buckle's character, the
writer goes far to explain some of his peculiarities as an
author. There was a lack of poetry, a want of aspiration,
an absence of that warm, genial, perceptive sympathy which
sketches—
" Even to the borders of heaven's light and earth's
humanity ;"
which gives the true toleration, which makes us see, with