The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-03 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

London People. Sketched from Life. By Charles
Bennett. One Vol., pp. 143. Smith, Eider,
and Co.
About the only thing really worthy of Charles Ben-
nett in the whole of this entertaining volume is the
tail,piece. The whimsical humour of it, is delight-
ful. Poor " Goosey," with his body buttoned up in
a waistcoat, and a comic mask tied on to his beak,
is being chaired, in a hopeless state of stupidity as
to his destination (evidently the spit !)—a couple of
horrible old foxes, sniggering, each of them, on the
sly, in his sleeve, acting as the chairmen fore and aft !
As supporters for the chair, as poles for the chair-
men, we have crayons and—goosequills. The fan-
tastic mingling of fun and sarcasm in every line
and dot of this little tail-piece—again we say
it—we can alone in the whole book regard as
really and truly worthy of Charles Bennett. We
speak thus, because we recognise in this quaint
artist an extraordinary power of humour. Some
among his earlier works are, in their way, to our
thinking, quite inimitable. There was a child's
alphabet for example, after this fashion for instance
in regard to one of the chance-selected letters of it—
"P was a Parrot, a prosy old man,
You'll be glad to get rid of as soon as you can,"
and so on, through the whole alphabet delec-
tably humorous throughout. There was another
work of his, afterwards, of larger pretensions
that was equally good after its fashion. The artist,
Charles Bennett, in effect has long since be-
come, for us, as the very lEsop of the Pencil. But,
here, in his new volume of sketches, we
fail altogether to recognise him as at his best. As
a collection of comic drawings, though the book is
clever enough in its way, in some portions of it, in-
deed, being highly meritorious, it is in no degree,
as a whole, in any manner worthy of him—saving
and excepting alone, as we have said, in the matter
of that little grotesque drollery of the tail-piece.
All the rest of the book is of the streets streety—
quite as unmistakeably as Young Dorrit was.
These London People have been sketched, as the
title-psge tells us, from the life. And, looking at
them, we perceive at once that the asser-
tion may be taken literally. But, pant-
ing that, we are constrained to add that
they are one and all of them not worth the sketch-
ing. Any forms and features more plain, ugly,
vulgar, nasty some of them, some even positively
revolting in expression, we certainly would not
wish to see, as the phrase is, upon a summer's day.
No, nor on a winter's one either. In the law courts
at Westminster; among the market stalls of Covent-
garden ; at the play, in boxes, pit, and gallery ; in
the square, in the train, up a court—we had almost
said, up a tree—here they all are, these horrid
London People, of both sexes, of all ages, of every
condition of life almost, that is, among the
middle and the lower classes. But, turning over
the pages wearily, and with a sense of anything
but gratification, we wish, firstly, that they had not
been pencilled off at ail, and secondly, that if they
must needs have been sketched, they might not at
least have been sketched with such distressing truth-
fulness. The Cheap Swell in the train ; old Sally
in the market, or, let us say, for the sake of the old
rhyme, in the alley ; Pegler the Publican ; that
gluttonous old Consumer, who is so visibly masti-
cating the strawberry, with a relish that is quite
horrible to look at; the little gent, goggle-eyed and
open-mouthed in his horror at the melodrama
(it should have been entitled " melodramer"
underneath)—not one pleasurable sensation can
be got out of any single sketch amongst them.
The letterpress accompanying (and for that matter
explaining) the engravings, is light and readable
enough to be sure—so that we get. through the book
so far agreeably, thanks to the pleasantry of tone
with which the papers, most of them, are penned by
the artist, and some of them by his friend, Mr
John Hollingshead. Yet, as a whole, we must
confess that the work has disappointed us—our
expectations being naturally awakened in its
favour by the mere circumstance of these sketches
(from the life) of London People being from
the hand of Mr. Charles Bennett. We had our
fears, in their regard, when we glanced at them at
intervals, during the time of their piecemeal publi-
cation in the popular pages of the Cornhal Maga-
zine. But now that they are collected together in a
volume, our first impression iu their regard is only
confirmed. We close the book, however reluctantly,
with an unwelcome sense of the disappointment it
has afforded us, yet consoling ourselves, while we
so do, for that general disappointment, by taking
another peep at, and having another laugh over,
the extraordinary comicality of that wretched goose
and at those rascally foxes, touched off, if not from
the life, certainly to the life; by Charles Bennett.

Ancient Christmas CaroL

Harmoniscd for Four Voices, by E. Fagan. Lam

bert and Co.

We are tempted to call this charming re-arrange-
ment of a noble old Christmas Carol, of the Christ-
mas Carol par excellence, the most seasonable publi-
cation of the day. When we say the Christmas
Carol, we mean, of course, in verse : Charles
Dickens's prose Carol being to cur mind just simply
matchless, one of those darling little masterpieces
of literature dear to the hearts of us all—one to be
put on the same shelf (easily within reach) sids
by side with "Paul and Virginia" and the " View
of Wakefield," and to be put there, on that beloveo
shelf, either in the very centre of it, or as book A
No. 1. Yet even there in the immortal " Christmas
Carol in Prose by Charles Dickens,'' who does
not remember the mention made, almost at
:he very commencement of the narrative, the
mention there made of this Christmas Carol
in Verse, this very ancient and well known song
for Christmas time beginning—

" God rest you merry gentlemen,
•
Let nothing you dismay"—
when the little frost-nipped urchin peering
through the keyhole of Scrooge's office, down the
City court, in the yellow December fog, is scared
away at the very commencement of his shrill chaunt
by the sudden flourishing up of the ruler in the
grasp of that old curmudgeon (as he was then)
Ebenezer? Here is this old, old Christmas Carolin its
entirety, every word of it—harmonised very beauti-
fully for four voices by the accomplished organist of
the Spanish Embassy, Mr. E. Fagan. Here is the old,
old Carol precisely as it was sung (as the title-page
informs us) " with great applause,by the Orpheus
Glee Union before her Most Gracious Majesty the
Queen." Having mentioned which, having indicated
what this " Ancient Christmas Carol " is in words,
and who it is whose hand has harmonised the
melody traditionally coupled with those words, e
melody also of very great antiquity, may we not
reasonably insist upon it that we arc justified in
speaking of the publication before us as in every
respect most seasonable?

PROFESSOR FERRIER, in the forthcoming 'volume
of Wilson's " Noctes Ambrosiaum," is going to
publish the famous Chaldee Manuscript, which did so much
to set up Blackwood's Magazine, and concerning which Mr.
Ferrier supplies this interesting information :—" This
trenchant satire on men and things in the metropolis of
Scotland was published in the seventh number of Black-
wood's Magazine. It excited the most indescribable com-
motion at the time —so much noise, indeed, that never since
has it been permitted to make any noise whatever, this pro-
mising babe having been pitilessly suppressed almost in its
cradle, in consequence of threatened legal proceedings. A.
set of the magazine containing it is now rarely to be met
with. The authorship of this composition has been always
a subject of doubt. Hogg used to claim the credit of havirg
written it. 1 have recently ikcertained that to him the ori-
ginal conception of the Chaldee MS. is due, and also that
he was the author of the first thirty-seven verses of Chap.
cehph mote.
I , and of one or two sentences besides. So that, out of the
one hundred and eighty verses of which the whole piece
consists, about forty are to be attributed to themS
Hogg, indeed, wrote and sent to o Mr. Blackwood
of the Chaldee MS. than the forty verses aforesaid, but not
more than these were inserted in the magazine, the rest of
the production being the workmanship of Wilson and Lock-
hart. Such is the true and aeutheensticraceountofthe origin
and authorship of the Chaldee MS. There can be littlewitt
e will be
adnouubottatthijantaw(hanend clevertihtismay a very suitable appendix to
j form u
p and b il i
y s republished
th
the Nodes AmbrosianaY) the present
generation
singular as much amused by itspleasantry,d,
of feeling, literary and political, neratian
reveals, as out
fathers were astounded by its audacity, and frightened
f statt
which it
their propriety by its personalities."
LADY CRAMPTON, or rather
Balk, is,
accordlpg . .
t 0 yr should say, Miss
rumour, about to return to the stage.

‘ffarrt c' „ n
4 I
Isq

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 2.
Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and
Princess of Prussia, Princess Helen©, nod Princess
Louise, the Countess Hotienthal, the Lady Caroline
Barrington, Count Furstenstein, and Major von
Schweinitz dined at Frogmore with the Prince and
Princess of Wales yesterday.
His Royal Highness Prince Leopold went in the
evening.

The ladies and gentlemen of the Queen's House-
hold had the honour of being► invited to the even-
ing party.

._. . .
The Queen, accompanied by her Royal High"
ness Princess Helena, walked and drove in the
grounds this morning.

Earl Russell had an audience of the Queen.

The Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne, Ambassador
of France, was presented to the Queen at an audi-
ence by Earl Russell.

Count Roepstorff, Envoy Extraordinary from the
King of Denmark, had an audience of her Majesty,
and was presented by Earl Russell.
M. de Bide, Danish Minister in London, was
presented by Earl Russell to the Queen, at an audi-
ence.

His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, attended
by Madame Norde, took their usual carriage airing.

The Duke of Brabant arrived in London last
evening. His Royal Highness landed at Dover from the
Belgian steamer in the afternoon, and, after partaking of
luncheon at the Lord Warden Hotel, continued his journeY
by train.

The Duke of Sutherland left Stafford House, St.
James's, yesterday, to join the duchess and family at Trent-
ham, Staffordshire, where they were to arrive yesterday
from Lilleshall, Salop.
The Duke of Grafton has arrived in town froth
Euston Hall, Suffolk.

The Earl and Countess of Yarborough are enter-
taining a succession of visitors at Brocklesby, the faraili
seat in Lincolnshire.

The Earl and Countess of Dalkeith have joined
the circle visiting the Earl and Countess of Derby, at
Knowsley Hall, Lancashire.

Lord Brougham left Paris on Sunday evening for
Cannes. In the course of the day his lordship attended the
sitting of the Academy of Sciences.

Lord and Lady Cecilia Bingham have arrived at
Knowsley Hall, Lancashire, on a visit to the Earl eucl
Countess of De: by.

The Lady Edward Thynne gave birth to a
daughter on Saturday, the 28th Nov. Her ladyship and the
infant are progressing favourably.

Lord and Lady Ashburton have been residing at
the Grange, Hants, since July, but have returned to the
continent. Lord Ashburton's health had been mending
since his return home, but during the last few days he has
not been so well.

Sir Henry and Lady Sophia Dos Wear have
joined the party visiting the Marquis and Marchioness of
Bath, at Longleat, Wilts.

Lady and Miss Hoare have left Thomas's Hotel,
Berkeley-square, for Paris, on their way to Italy, where
they purpose passing the winter months.

Sir Henry Hoare has left Thomas's Hotel, Berke'
ley-square, for Charlton, Wiltshire, on a visit to the Earl
of Suffolk.

Sir Henry and Lady Fletcher have arrived at
Farrance's Hotel from Brighton.
A marriage was solemnised on Wednesday, the
25th ult., in the Catholic church at Coughton, be-
tween Mr. Gerald Richard Dease, youngest son of the late
Mr. Gerald Dease, of Turbotsten, county of Westmeath,
and Emily, second daughter of the late Sir Robert Throck"
morton, Bart., of Buckland, Berks, and of Coughton Court,
Warwickshire. A large party of the friends of both feral-
lies were hospitably entertained at the Court by Sir Wm•
Throckmortcm, the brother of the bride; and immediately
after the breakfast, amid the merry peals of the church bells,
the bride and bridegroom started for Aldenham Park, the
seat of Sir John D. Acton, Bart., M.P., where they will
remain for a few days before going to Ireland.
THE ANNAMITE AMBASSADORS.—The Annamite
Ambassadors left Valencia on the 23d lac, on board
the Spanish steam-frigate Lepanto. They are to remain
some days at Alexandria, in a palace which the Viceroy of
Egypt has placed at their disposal, and will finally embark
at Suez about the 12th of December on board the steam
transport Japan, which is to convey them to Hue".--.Gali
If ani.

The Convccation of the Prelates and Clergy of
the Province of Canterbury was yesterday prorogued in the
Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster, by the Vicar• General,
Dr. Travers Twiss, under a commission from his Grace the
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all Eugland
and Metropolitan, pursuant to the Royal writ, until Thurs-
day, January 14, 1864.
THE NEW ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN.—The very
Rev. Dr. Trench,who has been appointed to the arch"
bishopric of Dublin, will be consecrated shortly after
Christmas in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. The ore;
mony will be performed by his Grace the Lord Primate 0,-
all Ireland, assisted by the Righc Rev. Dr. Fitzgerald?
Lord Bishop of Killaloe, Kilfenora, Clonfert, and Kiluieu"
duagh, and the Right Rev. Dr. Gregg, Lord Bishop of Corks
Cloyne, and Ross. The archbishop nominate has appointed
the Rev. William Lee, D.D., Fellow of Trinity Colleges
Dublin, his examining chaplain. This appointment has
given great satisfaction, as Dr. Lee is one of the few Irish-
divines who have acquired a reputation in England. 11°13
a sound and zealous Churchman, and author of a well-
written standard work on the inspiration of Holy Scripture•
Dr. Lee has been chosen to preach Archbishop Trench's
consecration sermon.

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN STONE.—A communictr

tion was received in Liverpool yesterday from the
Board of Trade, in answer to the memorial presented in
favour of a withdrawal of the sentence which had been pre'
nounced in the case of Captain Stene, whose certificate WO
suspended for six months in consequence of the accident W
the royal mail steamer Africa. The Board refuses to with.'"
draw the sentence, and gives reasons for doing so,
MR. EDWARD FOSTER, THE (3ENTENARIAN'"--
The Mayor of Derby (Mr. T. Roe) has received
the following communication in reference to 3 Foster (a
1r• •
resident of Derby, who has recently attained his yea;l°"
—"10, Downing-street, Nov. 25, 1863.—5ir,--In rep o,
to your letter to Lord Palmerston of yesterdeY'B date,
have to inform you that a fortnight ago Lord Palmerston
Air
directed that a donation of £6O should be presented to
Edward Foster out of the Royal Bounty Fund.--
I replan',
your obedient servant, EVELYN ASHLEY. Thos. Roes
Esq., Mayor, Derby,"
ANILINE BLUE.—Among the several stages (sar;
the Reader) which mark the development of the
industry of coal-tar colours, the discovery of the transfor-
mation of aniline red into aniline-blue will always hold
prominent position. This transition, for the first time ob-
served by MM. Girard and De Lake, two young French
chemists of M. Pelouze's Laboratory, and subsequently
matured by MM, Persoz, .e Laynes, and Salvetat,
ht
become the foundation of an enormous industrial produc-
tion, which, having received a powerful impulse by 111111.
Renard Brothers and Franc in France, and more recently
by Messrs. Simpson, Maule, and Nicholson in this country,
aniline-blue is ac-
The transformation of aniline-red into
a'tv and consists,
has rapidly attained to proportions of colossal magnitude.
complished by a process of great simplicai
aniline. Tha
high tempera-
convenientl he
torebriefly of expressed,rosaaliin oinwtihche treatment at
of
an excess, means indifferent.
mode of this treatment
the transforma-
tion
converted into the blue colouringßosaniline itself cannot inisth
accomplished by heating rosaniline
is, however, easily acc
• versa, rosaniline with salts of
with salts of aniline, or,
vice
th acidswith
y
aniline. Again, the nature of which the
bs
mannerjaitter
• disby no means without influence upon
bases are combine
operation; manufacturers decided
the result of the give a
preference to organic acids, such as acetic or benzoic acids.
Girard and De Lairs, whose names are so intimately
associated with the development of the new colour indus-
try, have pointed out that the passage from red to blue is
attended by an evolution of torrents o f ammonia ; and 3lr•
Nicholson, who combines the genius of the manufacturer
with the habits of the scientific inquirer, has ascertained
that the blue colouring matter is inval iably a at/tine com-
pound of a base itself colourless, like rc,saniline. But 'be
relations between the two colourless bas es, and consequently
too nature of the reaction by which ros at iiline is converted
into the blue colourless matter, had hitluirto remained un
known.

Athenceuni,
FAIR PLAY..—We remember, says
HARDLY' the
the case of a " tragedian,." now absent
from England, who called on his critic, and remonstrated
with him for sternly cetisuring his Shylock on a night when
the player know that the critic was not present at the per-
formance. The man acknowledged as 'nue b, but "it was,.
lucky for you," said he, " that I was not there, for he
seen you play, I am sure I should have been ten times
severe as I have been I" The fellow was humorous, but ha
.
evidently knew nothing of Savart's canon of criticism •
" Le flambeau de la critique doit dclairer et non bruler..l.
HEAVY GALES.—A gale from the S.S.W.,
iog occasionally to the) 1V.5..,, broke over th?
W
metropolis soon after one o'clock yeste.!day, and increased
in violence until seven o'clock, when it moderated tt,!.
noon, at which time it burst forth with renewed fury.
•li3lts
wind was highest between 3 and 4 o'clock, when it
-4'
accompanied by a heavy fall of rain,