The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

0, APRIL 4, 1865:

LITERATURE.

Mr. Ronzford's Hounds. Part XII.

Many will regret to find that this is the last num-
ber of this serial, which has been going on in its
eventful course for some time past. The conclusion is
equal to the tale itself—not too bad, not too good,
when we consider all the facts of the case, and the
position of the parties. It was only right and rea-
sonable to expect that a sudden eclaircissenzent would
one day arrive, but so dexterously have the man-
o3uvres been contrived that one cannot help feeling
some regret when the pleasant pastime is over, the
lights extinguished at Beldon Hall, and the glories
of D oubleinstepsline passed away with the things that
are gone by; and Lucy's failure was a very mortify-
ing one, and she fared far worse than her burly
friend Facey, who was able to extricate himself
with his usual aplomb and effrontery. It was
characteristic of this tale, that the active agent in
bringing about the discovery should have been a
horse, and it is only another proof of how clever
people may outwit themselves when we find the
greediness displayed by all our set for money bring-
ing down upon them such a calamity. Betsy Shan-
non makes her escape, at all events, in good time,
and avoids the evil to come. Finally, the chief
characters who have figured in these pages are
landed on the shores of a new world, from whence
we shall doubtless anon hear some tidings of their
adventures and exploits. As a clever chronicle of
sporting life, and a caricature of fashionable pre-
tences, this humorous tale may be regarded as a
success in its way, and a good sample of the make-
ups and semblances of some departments of society.
It has attracted interest as it progressed, and its
spirited style and effective conclusion are sure to
win approval from its readers, and while away an
idle hour by its entertaining anecdotes, diversified
scenes, and lively sketches.

Cornhill Magazine.

" Armadale" is continued at some length. Allan
makes a wretched debut at his new place, and the
efforts that Midwinter makes to set him right he
perversely twists still more awry. A shadow has
fallen upon the friends in the fair domain smiling
in its summer beauty even as it did over them when
they stood at midnight on the deck in the stillness
of the mighty waters. Another element of discord
is about to appear in the shape of the designing
woman who is to be the governess to the pretty Miss
Milroy. This story is a most eventful one, and it
is described with all the power which generally
pervades the works of this author. " Wives
and Daughters" is also proceeded with, and a very
amusing description is given of the County Ball, at
which the magnates did not appear till it was nearly
over, and the duchess in her diamonds, who was to
have been the cynosure of all eyes, came in desha-
bille. Molly and Cynthia appear before us each
attractive in her different style, and Mrs. Gibson,
with her airs and graces, is as ridiculous as
ever. Her fuss about her acquaintance with
the folks at the Towers is a very good take-
off of the vulgar way in which some people
fawn upon the grand, little thinking how
ridiculous they make themselves by such ways.
It is a capital scene in which unintentional allusion
is made to Osborne's secret marriage, and the warn-
ing it conveyed appears likely to be only too true
as time passes on. " A Reminiscence of Cardinal
Wiseman," by a Protestant, is an interesting sketch
that will be welcome to many, rendering as it does
a just tribute to the memory of one who was re-
spected by all of diverse opinions and of different
creeds. In conclusion, it is said that " even though
he had never attained any of the highest clerical
dignity, Dr. Wiseman, in the ordinary course of
his profession, would have exercised a very wide
moral influence by the general justice of his mind,
and the sweetness of his disposition ; such at least is
the estimate of one who knew him well, and who will
ever retain a pleasant and affectionate memory of
his talents and his virtues." " Julius Caesar " is a
paper that will attract attention, and it appears to
do justice to its theme. It is said that the work is
remarkable, and " gives evidence of long and patient
study, of comprehensive grasp of mind, persevering
research, and steadiness of aim." " Misaying "is
a curious sketch, that contains many anecdotes of
woman-haters, and the effusion of their spite and
malice are really entertaining to dwell upon. One
of the least uncomplimentary remarks quoted is
that of Brugan, when he says that " Such a thing
may happen as that the woman, not the man, may
be in the right, but ordinarily it was otherwise."
" Hearts of Oak " is an interesting sketch that
records many details concerning " Colliers."
It is remarked that " the captain of the
collier is faithful to death, when at last his
body is washed ashore, the ship's accounts
and papers are always found securely buttoned in
the breast pocket of his pea-jacket." " Stray" is a
suggestive paper that may be perused with advan-
tage by many pretentious individuals, who become
the bores of society with their egotistical tenden-
cies. " Nurses Wanted" is an article that emi-
nently deserves attention, and should be perused by
all readers who regard the interests of society in this
important matter. It is truly said, in conclusion,
that it seems strange that so 'many of our country-
women are unemployed, when there is such a de-
mand existing for the most womanly of woman's
work. There is no reason to doubt the accuracy of
the final remark, that if more pains were taken to
find efficient persons for the post of nurses much
individual and general good might be done." We
shall have fewer paupers on our hands whom we
have not the heart to put into the workhouse ; and
there will be fewer inquests on patients who need
not have sunk ; and there will be a relief to us all
from the horror and grief of knowing what we know
now that men are dying by thousands yearly for
want of that nursing which women are pining
and dying because they cannot give." The truth of
such observations is only too true, and it would be
well for the interests of the community if they were
more universally acted upon in the right sense and
spirit. A paper on " Algiers" complete the contents
of this number, which is unusually attractive and
diversified in its subjects this month.

The Popular Science Review. No. 15. Published
Quarterly. Hardwieke.

This valuable publication, which has attained a
standard character, is contributed to by some of
the first scientific writers of the day. The number
before us fully maintains its character and discusses
many interesting subjects. Among the topics
brought under consideration are the practice of
Train signalling, the characteristics of sponges, the
migrations of European birds, the eldest known
fossil, and the various kinds of Alga. These are
subjects which are not without their interest to non-
scientific readers, but the knowledge of the marvels
of nature is now so widely diffused that a serial so
well written and so carefully edited as the present,
might rely upon finding an extended audience if it
even addressed itself exclusively to those who knew
something of the " ologies."

7he Englishman's Magazine No. IV. Rivingtons.
Two biographical papers find a place in this
number—the first opens the magazine, and treats
of the varied career of Charles Kingsley. The other
is devoted to one who has ceased to mingle in the
stirring scenes which he once portrayed so vividly.
The tribute to the memory of John Leech is genial
and appropriate, and that great humouri,st of the
pencil truly deserves the title bestowed upon him as
the Artist of our Homes. Professor Ansted con-
tributes a paper " On the Earth as a Habitation,"
which is full of the information which he so well
knows how to impart. For lighter reading we have
a domestic story, " The Two Sisters of St. Clare,"
with truth to tell, a most unattractive hero ; and a
pleasantly-written essay, by the author of " The
Gentle Life," on a " Wedding-ring." There are
some articles of a directly religious character, and
two interesting papers on " The Obsolete Phrase-
ology of Shakspeare," and "Some Memorials of
Westminster Abbey."

Tice United Service Magazine.

This magazine opens with a sensible article on
recruiting for the army, in which the agricultural is
considered to be vastly superior to the town recruit,
not only in conduct and in stature, but in every-