The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-30 00:00:00

LITE RA TUBE.

Journals and Correspondence of' 7homas Sedgewick,
D.D. By the Rev. H. Wickham, M.A.
Rector of Horeington. 2 Vols, Bentley.
These volumes are well worthy of perusal and the
stadious and thoughtful reader will find much to
entertain and interest him in these records of an
earlier generation. The preface most aptly ex-
plains the purport of the work. It says, that "the
events in the history of the subject of this memoir
were not so marked from the usual scenes on the
stage of life as to call for a biography, and the
silence which has continued for so many years
would have remained unbroken, but for the contem-
porary letters of some persons of note which he left
behind him." This is truly the ease, and great
credit is .due to the editor of this book for having
presented us with such valuable documents, reveal_
ing, as they do, the inner springs of action, and the
thoughts and feelings of those now long passed
away from this transitory scene, but who left be-
hind them enduring names to live in the
memory of men for many generations. The
editor also observes in his preface that
foreigners often remark that the English do not or
cannot form lasting friendships, but that Dr.
Whalley at all events was an exception to this rule.
"In the correspondence which this work presents
to the public we find acquaintance commencing at
a period of life, when the judgment was matured,
ripening into true regard with increasing years, and
terminating only (end in some cases after a very
lengthened period) in that bourne of earthly exist-
ence where all human affections must cease." Per-
haps the most striking letters are those of Mrs.
Siddons. They display wit of no common degree,
and a lively fancy that irradiates every page, and
renders their perusal most charming and fascinat-
ing. This lady was on most intimate terms both
with Dr. Whalley and his wife. For many years
this gentleman travelled abroad, and his diaries are
most entertaining, presenting us as they do with
pictures of foreign life so different to what they are
at present. In the conclusion of the brief memoir of
his life, the editor observes that; " In reviewing the
character of Dr. Whalley, we see a type of English
gentlemen which has now passed away. Great talkers
are not tolerated in the present day ; if any one
thinks he knows more than his fellows he must let
them Lave it on paper, not viva voce. Not so in the
last century. Dr. Johnson's society was not culti-
vated because he had written the dictionary, nor
George Selwyn's because he was a man of fashion,
nor Burke's because he was a great statesman, but
because they all talked well. Such were the
powers for which, in a less degree, Dr. Whalley
was best known. But for Miss Seward's eulogiums
few even of his contemporaries would have heard
of his Edwy and Edilda,' now long since passed
into oblivion ; but his large acquaintance with the
world, his extensive and varied information, his
easy and yet powerful flow of language, and his
elegant manners, obtained him the distinction of
the literary friends whose correspondence is now
published, end a general reputation in society,
which made him a welcome guest in so
many houses." Mr. Wilberforce's description
of him is so quaint that it is worthy of quotation.
He calls him " the true picture of a sensible, well-
informed and educated, polished, old well-beneficed,
nobleman's or gentleman's house frequenting
titer ary and chess-playing divine—of the best sort
(not adulatory) I hope beginning to be serious."
Hannah More and Mrs. Piczzi also figure among
the correspondents of this worthy man, who seems
to have realised the idea of the poet that
" Next to genius is the power
Of feeling where true genius lies."
These volumes may be recommended to the earnest
attention of those who would wish to become better
acquainted with the worthies and celebrities of an
earlier day, and they may take them up in the full
assurance that they will not be disappointed in
their perusal, since they present to them
" Thoughts that breathe and words that burn,"
in the letters which bear the impress of their un-
studied expressions, and the language of their na-
tural thoughts as they wrote to their respected friend
and held that communing which more than any other
form of composition serves to display the true
character, and denotes the actual opinions of the
writer. This work is a valuable addition to our
collection of the letters of the notabilities in the
last generation; and all readers who desire to study
this interesting style of literature will be greatly
indebted to the editor of these volumes, who has
presented them with this carefully got up and
attractive work.

A dvertt'se. How, TVhen, IVhere. Routledge.

The author of this useful little work is Mr. Wit-

Liam Smith, acting manager of the Royal Adelphi
Theatre, and who of necessity must be well ac-
quainted with the best means of obtaining publicity.
the book is not merely a collection of dry directions,
but one that will amuse as well as instruct those
who adopt advertising as one of the ordinary rule s
of business. The author cites many instances where
large fortunes have been made by advertising,
through the instrumentality of thepublic press, and
other methods, added to which he gives such capital
hints to those engaged in trade, that the nature of
the book has only to become known to ensure the
widest circulation. The volume is profusely illus-
trated with woodcuts, executed in the best style.
Taken altogether it is the best book ever published
on the " art" of advertising, and one that ought to
be in the possession of every person carrying on a
business of any description. The following brief
extract will show the extent of Professor Holloway
advertising. "He commenced as an advertiser in
1837, and in 1845, after a judicious and careful ex-
penditure of about £5,000 per annum expenditure,
he achieved a reputation which was recognised
throughout the British Isles. In 1845 the outlay
for advertisements amounted to £lO,OOO. At the
time of the Great Exhibition in London in 1831 he
was expending £20,000 per annum, and in the year
1855 it had risen to the enormous sum of £30,000 ;
whilst in the year 1862 it reached the almost incre-
dible amount of £40,000."