The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-05 00:00:00

Conzhill Magazine.

" The Small House at Alliagton" is continued,
and it is pleasing to find that Crosbie's troubles are
beginning in earnest, and that so far Lily is avenged.
Johnny Eames seems likely to become a hero in
spite of himself, and is the object of envy alike at
Burton-crescent and at the office. Some scenes in
this instalment aro sketched in a natural style, and the plot
is progressing rapidly. "Marriage Settlements" goes at
some length into the subject, and minutely explains the
diff,rence that exists in England and France in affairs of
this sort. Oa the whole, the advantages appear to belong
to the French side, so far as they are made manifest in this
paper. Taey have a few definite rules, which, strictly
adhered to, obviate confusion, and provide for all kinds of
emergencies, " Cousin Phillia" improves in continuation,
and a regular romance is bEgun. The simple country
sketches are very pleasing, and quite refreshing after the
town life for ever met with in tales and anecdotes,
"Attempts at Classic Metre in Quantity" is a peculiar
style of composition, that may serve to interest and arouse
some readers, if only by their ingenious and original ideas.
" Life in a Country House" is a readable sketch, that
brings a very agreeable phase of life before us. Certainly
those whose lot it is to wander from one mansion to another
and disport themselves in this charmed existence, cannot be
said to have a hard or harsh life before them. Several amus-
ing anecdotes are narrated, and the whole paper is pleasingly
and profitably put together. "'My Maiden Brief" is a strange
sketch that will attract some readers. Fanny Kemble con-
tributes her deas on a congenial subject, "On the Stage."
They are well written, and contain several passages worthy
of attention., The strange tale, "Margaret Dervil's His-
tory, ' is continued and at some lez gth. It is as mysterious
as ever.

Luttrell of Arran. By Charles Lever.
A. new serial by the pen of this popular author
must always be greeted with satisfaction by the
public. As a matter of course, Ireland and the
Irish are the test, and it is curious that, no
matter how numerous are the productions of his
industrious pen, he still fixes upon the Green Isle
as the stage of his performance, and the sons of Erin are
his dramatispersonm. Although few can compare with
Charles Lever in delineating Irish character, he by no
means restricts himself to one nationality. In many of
his earlier works, in his descriptions of English, Russian,
and American character, he is as true to nature as when he
is depicting his own countrymen. In this first instalment
of the work now before us, he introduces the probable hero
of the tale, as well as one or two other personages, who '
will no doubt figure prominently in it. A young man of
high promise, having been disappointed in love, and foiled
in his wild aspiration of regenerating Ireland, after the
failure of Emmet, retires in disgust to some old family pro-
perty in the Isle of Arran. He is discovered there by an
old college chum, who has visited the coast of Ireland for
relaxation. The character of this individual is capitally
drawn. Mr. Viner, an Englishman of fortune and influ-
ence, discovers'in his companion, an egotistical individual,
the very reverse of himself, on the principle, we suppose,
that extremes meet. These characters form a striking
contrast, the one, as it were, throwing out into bold relief
the features of the other. Although we cannot as yet form
much idea of the plot of the story, it has advanced far
enough to induce us to look forward with expectancy to the
ensuing numbers.