The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-02 00:00:00

MAGAZINE DAY.

Blackwoods Magazine.
" Caxtoniana', concludes Motive Power, which sub-
ject has occupied several series of these reflections.
These papers contain some matter for reflection
which speculative minis will be glad to dwell upon,
and here and there some light descriptions have been
introduced that impart a variety and vivacity to
their perusal. " Mrs. Clifford's Marriage" is the
commencement of a new story, which promises
well so far in the way of interest. It appears likely
to be one of those tales of domestic misery which
second marriages so often furnish to the pages of
romance, especially when, as is here the case, there
are children to arouse the jealousy and awake the
cupidity of the new parent. Mrs. Clifford herself
seems a very weak woman, and Tom Summer-
hayes a regular sharper, whose future line of policy
will doubtless ruin the peace and cloud the pros-
pects of the family at Fontanel. "Au English
Village" is an essay that bears reference to a French
work on that subject that recently appeared. It is
said truly enough the " old pictures of village
life in England will hardly suit for these modern
times." Railways have altered the whole style
of things, and the primitive customs of
a select circle have altogether disappeared.
The descriptions in this little work are admirable,
it is said, and some have asserted that it is the pro-
duction of an English pen, but still it will be of
service abroad if it be so. Its chief merit is that it
is taken under a sunny aspect ; some of the little
sketches of society are charming, and the whole
tenour of the book is bright and beaming. The
writer thus aptly concludes his criticism—." While
we are far from claiming to be judged by our bright
side only, we are glad that foreigners should see our
bright side sometimes. It has not been too often
painted in French colours, and we trust that they
will give the present artist's work a fair hanging
in their National Gallery." " Lord Mackenzie's
Roman Law" contains some interesting information,
and there is much worthy of notice in its pages. It
is said that while the Greek tongue has the advan-
tage in subtlety and refinement of expression, and
is therefore more adapted to metaphysical specula-
tion and poetical grace, the Latin language "pos-
sesses a clearness, force, and majesty to which no other
form of speech can approach." Among the passages
in the work that are referred to here, we find special
mention made of one that deserves notice, and it is
deeply to be regretted that some judges of these
latter days do not take to heart the wise maxims
here inculcated, instead of following the bent of
their hasty dispositions, and appearing to thick that
Justice should be deaf as well as blind. Pliny ob-
served that whenever he sat upon the bench he
always allowed the advocates their own time in
addressing him, as he considered it the height of
presumption to pretend to settle beforehand how
long a time a case should occupy, especially, added
he, " as the first and most sacred duty of a judge
is patience, which, indeed, is itself a very consider-
able part of justice. But the advocate will say
many things that are useless. Granted. Yet is it
not better to hear too much than not to hear enough
Besides, how can you know the things are useless
till you have heard them?' " The Peripatetic
Politician in Florence" is an amusing sketch of
the state of affairs in that city. It is written
throughout in a very entertainieg manner, and dis-
closes to view a glimpse of the social state of the
fair city on the Arno that cannot fail to attract
and interest the reader. We meet with a detailed
criticism on Kinglake's " Invasion of the Crimea,"
that appears to be written in a very impartial style
It renders ample homage to the author's extraor-
dinary talent; but, at the same time, points out
some of the errors that appear in his pages. The
critic observes, however, that it is partly owing to
his own excellences that we have been able to find
matter for dispute,which he explains by stating that
many writers confuse things so that it difficult to
arrive at an exact conclusion with regard to their
individual opinions. Mr. Kinglake's style is "so
clear, so precise, that the reasoning, everywhere,
shines through, and a fallacy, or an inconsistency
has no more chance of escaping detection than a
gold fish in a crystal aquarium." It is said, also,
that a vast field yet remains in the conclusion of the
work for the display of the qualities, in which Mr.
Kin glake sopre. eminently distinguishes himself,and
into all the stirring news and gallant exploits of the
war that remain to be chronicled, " we shall follow
him, confident of seeing them treated by a great
artist." " The Opening of the Session" is the title
of the political article, and as may be sup-
posed, the writer comments on the singularly in-
auspicious commencement that the Government has
made ; in the first week the Ministers, on the first
division, found themselves in a minority, and this
bad beginning has been followed by two similar
defeats. Still more mortifying, it goes on to
state, have the elections proved, conspicuously so
that at Devonport, where the Government has
been defeated in its own dockyard. After enter-
ing upon the chief subjects of the day, and ad-
verting to the mistakes that Mr. Gladstone has
committed, allusion is made to the reduction of
the naval and military estimates. This, it is
stated, is the very course last year proposed by
the Conservatives, and indignantly rejected by
the Government. The attitude of the times, it is
argued, does not seem so favourable for the charge
now as it was then. The present plan, there-
fore, simply proves that they knew they were
wrong last year, and are now taking the advice
of their opponents, which they had not the wit
to appreciate when it was offered to them. " The
Trump card with which the Ministry are to lead
off this Session has been stolen from the hand of
the Opposition." This brilliant article is concluded
with the following spirited passage:—
Everything portends to the speedy ascendancy of the
Conservative party in Parliament ; and the leaders of the
party are the very men to lend to such a cause the lustre of
personal renown. Derby, Malmesbury, Disraeli, Balwer
Laryettnonam, Pes of whichakington,
any partyWrall3°le'S and any Cairns, Whiteside,
any cause might be
proud. They have the advantage of years, too, on their
side; for, compared with their rivals, they are all in the
vigour of life, and in the prime of statesmanhood. The tide
of public opinion has long been rising in their favour, and
they have not long to wait. They are strong, and there-
fore are calm ; they are patriotic, and will not imitate the
factious tactics of their rivals. But their final success is at
hand ; and their triumph will be all the more glorious, in-
asmuch as it promises to partake less of the chlracter of a
party-victory, than of an ovation offered to them by the
whole enlightened classes of the community.