The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-28 00:00:00

LITERA2URE.

Lady
_Herbert's Gentlewomen. By Eliza Mete-
yard (St lverpen ;, author of " Mainstone's House-
keeper." &c. 3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
In these volumes we meet with hewrat stories
which are joined in a connecting link by an origi-
nal sketch of interest. It treats of Shirlot, an
establishment created by the bounty of Lady iier-
bert, and in whose peaceful shades dwelt many who
else might have been cast on the rough world. The
account of some of the quarrels and contrarieties
that ever and anon disturb the
equanimity of the
inhabitants and mar the peace of the happy home
is very aptly drawn, and shows in a forcible man-
ner how ill temper and evil passions may mar the
best attempts and frustrate the kindest intentions.
The various tales aro ingeniously introduced, and
some of them are very entertaining. The New
Lord Burleigh" is a sketch that satirizes the world's
flattery of wealth and its cruel scorn of poverty.
In all ranks of life there are too many " Dusts" and
" Sharks." It is doubtful whether " Meg " would
have been happy in such a totally different sphere
of existence, but the discernment which recognised
her gentleness and goodness did infinite honour to
Sir John Berdun, and the qualities which the little
maid displayed in the sad time of sickness were
those which bid fair to stand the trying test of
time more than the shining and attractive
characteristics he might have encountered.
in the society of his equals. " The Butter- cup
Spoon" is, perhaps the most pleasing story that is
met with ; Lucy, the heroine, is a charming cha-
racter, and the old couple of Hatton-garden are
most delightful in their quaint style and genuine
kindliness. There is something very fresh and
genuine about this little sketch, and the description
of Lucy in her struggles and solitude is touchingly
and truthfully told. From seeing some but-
tercups she had gathered cast' by chance on
some shining spoons she took the idea of
forming a design of a silver ladle in
that shape. "Oh go and show the hand of
genius little cups and buds. Rocked by the vernal
winds, cherished by the evening dew, fed by the
balmy air, your simple, graceful, sweet loveliness I
must be transferred by art ; for touching conse-
quences lie with thee, oh simple little tender
flowers?' The romance of this little tale is a very
attractive one, and it seemed truly a just thing
that such kindred spirits in taste should be united.
Grimling is a peculiar style, but he is animated by
noble zeal, and his immediate perception of merit
proved him to possess an innate discernment.
The climax of the various events and disco-
veries takes place in a novel spot, for it
is the Crystal Palace of famous memory. The ex-
citing scene is thus eloquently alluded to—" At
length that glorious May-day dawned, which must
ever be memorable in the annals of this country—in
the annals of civilisation, the annals of the world,
that marriage-day of beauty to utility, of civilisa-
tion to art, of the refinement that inspires to the
coarseness that degrades, that grand marriage-day
of human interests to the universal, the pure, and the
exalted, that marriage-day of which a mighty human
advance has yet to sing the fitting epithalmy."
Ruthven's play is a noticeable narrative, and
brings before us in graphic sketches, some of the
quaint customs and strange observances of an
earlier age. The plot is rather an exciting one, and
the reader will feel grieved at the sad tale of Jill,
which comes upon one quite suddenly at last. It
is satisfactory to find the base designs frustrated,
and the malicious plans subverted of that
unprincipled clique, of which Sir John
Ogilvy reigned paramount. This slight
sketch is the most striking in the volumes,
although not the most pleasing. "Art in Bronze"
is a peculiar narrative. All must rejoice at the
triumph cf the energetic youth, who, through toil
and amid trouble, pursued his way, and at last
realised the glorious ideal of his visions and gained
the lofty goal to which he had so long aspired.
At the same time this tale has an error iu it ;
Miss Westall's marriage to a man she had
never seen before the interview in which
she arranges to become his wife is most
improbable. Despite these occasional exaggerations
there is much to admire in the works of an
authoress whose writings the public have long
appreciated. They bear evidence of deep thought,
and declare their writer to be one who goes to the
root of things, and seeks to divine the motives of
actions and the causes of effects. Those who desire
to peruse a solid book will be pleased with this
series of sketches ; many various phases of life are
brought to light, and some wise domestic hints
appear side by side with plans of social
improvement, and the amelioration of the
thinking workers of the community. " The
Southwark lea" is an old-fashioned tale that
brings before us some of those prim ways
which the laxity of modern rule has suffered to
fall into desuetude, to the great discredit of mis-
tresses and maids, and the detriment of the com-
fort of many households. It would be well for
numerous families if they could renew the good
old times in the reproduction of those neat, trim,
mob-capped damsels who figure here as the minis-
tering handmaids to order, cleanliness, and general
well-doing. If the example of the mistress of the
"Dolphin" were followed more frequently by per-
sons of property it would be the greatest charity
they could bestow on their fellow-beings of
humanity. There was truth in the remark of Mrs.
Dumple's attached adherent, old Tummis, when he
said that if she taught a dozen girls how to perform
properly all the minutia: of daily work she would
preach a sermon as might have a voice through
many generations. " The Chrismas Letter" is an
agreeable episode of life in some very trying cir-
cumstances, but it is to be feared that the troublous
beginning is more akin to actual experience than
the sudden clearing of the clouds and the bright
and happy evening to the stormy day of fears and
sorrows that the aged gentlewomen here chronicled
had to endure. "A Winter and its Spring"
is a cheering narrative, which encourages
one to look for better times, and the earnest, kind-
hearted lady who is its heroine certainly deserved
a happy fate as she was always seeking and striving
to benefit others. We are told in taking leave of her,
these glad tidings of her future, " Her winter was
over, her spring was come." We all of us have winter
in our lives, but let us hope, and wait, and patiently
bear onward ; the spring will surely come. The
Tale of Dora is very romantic and especially suited
to sentimental readers. These volumes may
be offered to the general reading community
in the full confidence that they contain various
matters to instruct and,. interest ; some sad, some
merry, sortie warning, and some entertaining
sketches, make up the contents. Divers tastes and
various dispositions may gather in this granary and
come away satisfied, inasmuch as there is variety
enough for all fancies and peculiar wishes. The
" Gentlewomen" are very aptly sketched in their
several styles. Miss Thorpe and niece are delight-
ful characters ; also Mrs. Eden is a sad resemblance
to many
.unhappy folks who are so bitter and sel-
fish that they render their lives a burden to
themselves and an infliction to others. At her
death-bed this feeling predominated; her thoughts
were with her hoarded money. "The ruling pas-
sion strong in death, the world and all things
worldly even on the threshhold of the eternal door."
These volumes will most likely be sought after on
account of their skill and ingenuity, as well as their
good purpose and vigorous writing in many places.
They are original in many parts of their remark-
able sketches, and record some of the most signal
and striking occurrences of life and dispositions of
humanity.

Civilisation Considered as a Science, in. Relation
to its Essence, its Elements, and its End. By
George Harris, F. S.A., Barrister. at-Law; author
of " The Life of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke,"
" The True Theory of Representation in a State;'
&c. Bvo. London: Bell and Daldy,:Fleet-street..

Apart from the intrinsic merits of Mr. Harris's
thoughtful and most suggestive volume, the work
possesses a special but melancholy interest at the
present time, inasmuch as we know, from private
sources of information, that it was one of the very
last the
last additions made to his library by the lamented
Prince Consort. It will be seen, on glan.cino_
table of contents, that Mr. Harris
his work into three several
ip I: viz.:—
The real Nature and Essence of
to Che.vlPromotion of
resulting from
concise view
itsas capacityfor
Elements which contribute
Civilisation. Thus
Civilisation; and lastly, Thet.Butd
is to exhibit a com-
prehensiveof the nature the Complete Establishment 0
the chief object of the author is
eon
practical
though
civilisation, to demonstrate for
f
scientific treatment, as
application, and to prove the necessity for
branch of it•
cultivating every._ . alike, in order
the establishment or it as an entire
to ensure
condition; and from this a complete,
system or
definite, and systematic exposition of the true
i principles upon which the general educational and
-moral policy of this country ought to be conducted
is set forth for the consideration of the reader.
:gr. Harris thinks that the elements which chiefly
tend to the promotion of civilisation are the fol-
lowing:—National education of the people, na-
tional religious influence, national instructory
institutions, 3ultivation of art and science, liberty
of the press and toleration, national commemora-
tions and festivals, dignities and honorary rewards,
moral jurisprudence, internal communication, and
international intercourse. All these several sub-
jects are treated in a spirit of moderation and im-
partiality, and are examined fully and comprehen-
sively ; and though, of course, it cannot be expected
in so large and important a field of inquiry that all
readers will agree with Mr. Harris in every view
he takes, and in,eirery inference he draws, yet every

one must admire the truly liberal and enlightened
tone in which his investigations are conducted.
The division which treats of the end
.resilting
from the complete establishment of civilisation, is
one that will amply repay pen usal, and will be
found of the deepest interest alike to the divine,
the statesman, and the philanthropist. As a whore,
we can safely say we have very heldom met with
a work which has exhibited more patient industry,
research, and thought than this new volume by Mr.
Harris. That which from the title might have
been thought dry, abetrur,e, and rceendite, is
really a work abounding in interest. It is written
in language alike elegant and lucid, and while
commenditig itself on this account to the scholar
and politician, will be perused with equal gratifica-
tion by the general reader. The work we observe
is dedicated by express permission to Lord
Brougham, than whom no fitter patron could have
been found. Mr. George Harris is already very
favourably known to the literary and legal world by
his excellent "Biography of Lord Chancellor
Hard wicke," and his " Treatise on the true Theory
of Representation in a State." We confidently
predict that that reputation will be very materially
increased by the publication of this, the last and
most important work which the author has yet
produced. Indeed this elaborate and most instruc-
tive treatise on " Civilisation considered as a
Science" deserves a place among the standard
volumes which grace the library shelves of every
educated gentleman.

ENGLAND AND THE SOUTHERN C 0,71-

miss] ONERS:

(From the New York Journal of Commerce.)
It is not to be denied that the method of communicating
to us the views of the British Government on the Mason
and Slidell matter was extremely courteous. So much so,
that it might almost appear as if the Government only
yielded to a popular uprising in making it at all. Tho
same courtesy is manifest in the course pursued in taking
the prisoners from Boston. It will not be forgotten that
some of the more violent English papers demanded that the
prisoners should be placed on the deck of a tnan of war, in
the Chesapeake, attended by a fleet, and with various cere..
monies of humiliation. Lord Lyons has arranged it in a
unostentatious way, and it now seems possible that the onl
assistance the English Government propose to give tho
captured gentlemen, is to put them on the tract from whic
they were taken. If the Rinaldo has gone to St. Thomas,
it is upon the principle that their voyage on the Trent was
from Havannah to St. Thomas, and the British Government
proposes to land them there, whance as their passages are
paid to England they can continue their voyage which was
forcibly interrupted. To carry them in a war vessel to Eng-
land would be paying them a little extra attention.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS EXA-

MINERS OF GAS.

The Medical Times and Gazette says—At a late meeting
of the Royal Medico -Ch irurgical Society, Dr. Aldis brou
forward some remarks on the poisonous effects of coal gas.
The universal use of this gas makes it seem strange that
some formal notice of its effects on health and life had not
been previously put on record ; but we believe we are cor-
rect in stating that Dr. Aldis's attention was drawn to the
subject from the fact of his holding the appointment of gas
examiner to the parish of St. George, Hanover-square.
This ai pointment is held in many districts by members of
our profession; as for instence, by Mr. Beale, Dr. Conway
Evans, Dr. Vinen, and Dr. Hillier. This is as it should he.
The examination of gas is a delicate process, requiring a
knowledge of the laws of light in order to use
the photometer correctly, scd some delicacy of chemical
manipulation. In whatever town gas is used it ought to
be examined, and it may be convenient for many prac-
titioners to employ their leisure time and increase
their income in this manner; whilst the fact that they
qualify themselves for this work shows thMt they have a
knowledge which may be advantageously applied in many
medico-chemical investigations. The chief impurity in
coal gas is some volatile sulphur compound (bisulphide of
carbon ?), which is not separated by the ordinary modes of
separating sulphuretted hydrogen. During the combustion
of the gas this forms a hot, irritating vapour, distressing to
eyes, lungs, and brain. When it is occasionally in excess
its effects are very disagreeable. The common faults in burn-
ing gas are extravagance in the use of it and neglect of ven-
tilation. Because gas as cheap, an inordinate quantity is
consumed without the mfiection that five feet of Cannel gas
burned per hour (the usual rate of supply to two large or
three small burners), give a light equal to that of nearly 30
sperm candles ; and that free ventilation would be required
to prevent the fumes of; even the best candles from being
oppressive. Wo have ere now collected the products of '
combustion of various kinds of all and candles, and can
only say that the fumes of common tallow candles
are very disgusting, and that if anyone were to attempt to
get a great quantity of light from them instead of from gas,
t he, necessity for free ventilation would be mush greater.