The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-01 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE EMPEROR'S JOURNEY TO ALGERIA.
MARSEILLES, APRIL 30.

The Emperor arrived here at six o'clock this
evening. The Imperial carriage passed through
Lyons without escort. The streets were:draped with
flags, and his Majesty met with an enthusiastic re-
ception.

The Emperor afterwards dined on board the
Imperial yacht Aigle.

His Majesty will leave Marseilles for Algeria
to-morrow morning at nine o'clock.

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD.—A new tale is commenced in this

number, called " Sir Brook Fossbrooke." It pro-
mises well, so far as we can judge from the opening.
The character of the chief personage is well defined,
and the description of the testy old judge, who will
not hear right or reason, is admirably defined.
His marked querulousness took the•form at last of assert-
ing that every one was looking out for his death, and
speculating upon his successor. The glimpse of Lendrick's
family is a charming picture of country-life, and old
"Nicholas" is a fractious retainer taken off to the life. An
article is devoted to the " Life of Sterne," by Percy Fitz-
gerald. It is mentioned as a curious fact that hitherto there
has been no biography of Sterne, none worth the name,
that is to say, that can afford an idea of the man's life and
character. Mr. Fitzgerald has accomplished a success so far
as it goes, and, at all events, prepared the way for others to
go on in the same track. It is hero said that this work in
question should be read by all "who are desirous to obtain
an impartial view of the character of one of the most re-
markable men in the list of English authors." It is well
observed by the writer of this paper that it is absurd to lay
the'charge of "plagiarism" to Sterne to as great an extent
as some persons do, and that at any rate no one can gain-
say his originality in many respects. "Is there any book
in the language," it is asked, "that to this day stands out so
distinct and solitary as ' Tristram Shandy.' " " Corneliiis
O'Dowd upon Men, Women, and other things in general,"
presents us with the usual quota of interesting information,
interspersed with agreeable anecdote and lively disquisi-
tions upon the chief topics of interest and sources of ex-
citement that the hour produces. The "English In-
quisition" is a smart sketch of the witness-box, and
the tortures of that ordeal which the law sanctions
and approves. Of this martyrdom it is quaintly observed
that we call our house our castle, and all that tirade of in-
dependence which appertains to this declaration, but all
the time "we endure a serfdom ten thousand times more
degrading than all the perquisitions of the police, and all
the searchings of a gendarmerie." The strictures on
" Thrift" are very good, and the sketches of "A Dream"
and "Personal-Parliamentary" noticeable in their way.
"Miss Marjoribanks" is continued at some length, and does
not diminish in interest as it proceeds. On the contrary,
the character of Lucille comes out strongly, and she shows
herself quite equal to the emergency in which she was
placed. In all probability Barbara will find herself in a
dilemma before long, licit her bold demeanour and spiteful
feelings preclude one from taking any interest in her, or even
caring for her disappointments. The direct manner in which
Lucilla goes straight to her point is worthy of notice, and
bears a striking proof of her decided disposition and down-
right purpose. " The Rate of Interest" is the title of a
sensible article on this subject, which tells some home-
truths to those whom it concerns, and offers suggestions
that it would be well to adopt, could prejudice and par-
tiality allow it to be done. It cannot be denied that an un-
welcome truth is told in the passage which declares that
" the rate of interest under our present monetary laws is
not regulated by natural causes, but by the artificial fetters
imposed by a legislative monopoly." In a subsequent
article it is proposed to show how, and in what manner an
improvement can be made in this matter, and what steps
should be taken in order to abolish the "pernicious
monopoly" of the Bank of England. "Piccadilly" an
episode of contemporaneous autobiography, is con-
tinued, and relates some amusing adventures. Lady
Broadbrim is an able caricature, and the scenes
that take place are capitally described. "To a
Lark" is the title of some verses that are well
suited to their subject, and are composed in a flowing strain
and melodious style. " The State and Prospect of Parties"
is the final article met with ; it gives an effective summary
of events, and puts before the reader the position of things
at this critical juncture of political affairs. It is truly said
that the Radicals have sustained a great loss in Mr. Cobden,
who was popular among many who were quite against his
views. An assurance is given that whatever Government
is in power they will always receive from the Conserva-
tives a "ready and willing support to every measure of
which it is the object to maintain the rights and defend
the honour of the country." Some of the shortcomings
and unequal courses adopted by the present Ministry are
shown up in a forcible manner, and especially their very
insufficient action and vacillating management in foreign
policy.
FRASER.—The first article in Fraser is entitled
" May Flowerings," and though appearing appro-
priately in the Mayo number, it has in reality
nothing to do with the flowery season of the year,
but refers to that world-famous pilgrim group who
landed at Plymouth Rock. Alas for old traditions !
Plymouth Rock, as described by the writer of these pages,
exists only in poetry and romance, and the old New Eng-
lander who escorted him to the point, scraped the mud
from a flat surface to show him Plymouth Rock ! "Dr.
Channing records that he once told Mrs. Hemans of the
thousands of voices which he had heard singing on Fore-
father's-day her famous hymn about these waves dashing
high on the rock-bound shore, and that she wept from
emotion ; but I imagine that she might have smiled through
her tears if she could have seen the plain flat shore, with
no rock visible, where the pilgrims really did land." All
of us have heard, of course, of the American Thanksgiving-
day, but perhaps few in this country know the particulars
of its origin, which we find in the following terms :—" The
pilgrims had been reduced to their last grain of corn, the
ship which was to bring them •provisions not having
arrived. In their deep distress they had all gone down to
the shorn of the bay, and were watching for the ship, with
nothing but their prayers to confront threatening starva-
tion. But whilst they knelt and wept there, some eye
straining towards the horizon caught a glimpse of the sail
that was to them the white wing of mercy; and it was
then that the pilgrims repaired' to their little church and
held their first thanksgiving service, to be followed by the
first good dinner which they had had for a long time.
Since then, at about the same time of the year—to wit, about
the last Thursday of November—the religious service
and the good dinner and gifts to the poor have been the
chief features of the celebration." Dining with a New Eng-
land family on that day for the first time, the writer was
surprised to find a grain of corn on his plate, which he
learnt was in memory of the pilgrim's extremity. Many
interesting peculiarities of the sturdy, upright, but some-
what narrow and intolerant character which the New Eng-
landers inherit from their founders are given, though the
logic of the argument that the present war is waged to
secure the abolition of slavery, instead of the continuance
of the profits accruing to the North by its agency for
Southern goods, is anything but conclusive. The letters
of Maria Theresa and Marie Antoinette form the subject
of an interesting paper. They exhibit the Empress and
the Queen in the most favourable light, as a tender mother
and daughter—the former lavish of her counsels, the latter
dutiful and complaisance. It would have been well
for the unfortunate Queen if so wise and firm a
friend had lived to direct and assist her in her later
troubles. Mr. W. M. Rossetti contributes an essay on Mr.
Madox, Brown's exhibition, and an article on Spinoza
carries the reader at once into the region of metaphysics.
The story of " Gilbert Rugge" proceeds with interest. If
this author's former tales were somewhat too bare of in-
cident, this present fiction does not share the. want. The
story proceeds rapidly. Poor Gilbert is still overwhelmed
by the discovery of his lowly birth, but comports himself
well and nobly under the shock. His betrothed, Miss
Harlixtowe, fails in the hour of trial, as the reader has all
along foreseen. At the Rectory there are startling changes,
and the old rector passes away to his account, leaving his
work undone. There are other articles of interest, the
most conspicuous being on the " Histoire de Jules
Cesar."

THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.—There are
several papers of considerable interest in this num-
ber, among them an essay on " Next Morning,"
by Francis Jacox, a description of the Arsenal of
Vienna, and a sketch of the varied and not over
happy life of Elizabeth Charlotte, of Orleans, wife of the
Grand Monarque's eldest son, and mother of the detested
Regent, whose years of power helped forward very consi-
derably the great catastrophe of 1789. We have, besides,
the continuation of Alexander Andrews's speculations on
Cotton Possibilities, and a pleasant sketch of two German
painters, Wachter and Schick, little known among us, but
very influential in their own country. A lengthened article
on the " Physical Geography of the Holy Land" comes
very appropriately at this season, when the exploration of
Palestine is so much talked of.

CORNHILL.—‘‘ Armadale" becomes more and more
exciting than ever, though some might think it para-
doxical to say so, after the thrilling incidents that
have already been mentioned. It must be confessed
that the dark characters have all the advantages on
their side in the way of skill and discernment, and
what with Mr. Brooks' simplicity and Midwinter's frenzied
demeanour, the wily tricks of Miss Smith and her confe-
derate are likely to succeed for a time. The conduct of
Midwinter was so strange and singular that it is not to be
wondered at that those around him were unfavourably im-
pressed by him, and that he hindered the cause of ingratiat-