The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-01 00:00:00

' reotrttire7777l7ZutTy written, though not quite
coming up to the writer's own definition of what an essay
should be, ' and the editor's recollections of eminent men
whom he has known increase rather than diminish in in-
terest as they near the end. He promises in his next and
last paper to give us some memorials of three distinguished.
individuals—Hugh Miller, Dr. Samuel Brown, and Thomas
de Quincey—a worthy conclusion to an interesting series.
CORNHILL.—" Armadale" is continued at some
length, and the scenes depicted are of a very myste-
rious character. The Shadows of the Past and of
the Future haunt the record of these incidents, and
the particular style of the author is here exemplified
to great advantage. There is something vividly
dramatic in the occurrences that took place on the timber-
ship, and the great contrast that existed in the characters
of the two men so strangely situated is depiCted with an
artistic skill that irresistibly arrests the reader's attention.
" Orvieto" is an interesting sketch that will please there-
fined and intellectual from its appreciation of art, and its
skill of observation. It gives a good definition of some
striking specimens of a high order of merit, and transports
one in imagination to the subdued gloom of a mediEeval
chapel adorned with works of immortal grace and genius.
Yet even there the present jars upon the past, as it is
forcibly described—" How strange it is to hear that faint
strain of a feeble opera sounding where a short while since
the trumpet blast of Signorelli's angels seemed to thrill
our ears." " Tid's old Red Rag of a Shawl" is a pleasing
little narrative,ithat brings some simple events before us,
and shows how the kindly action may, be returned a hun-
dred-fold in the days of trouble. " The Rise of Roman
Imperialism" is an article of a superior style, that suggests
some ideas worthy of consideration concerning the inci-
dents of that eventful epoch. Wives and Daughters" in
this number is prolific of incidents, while the story rapidly

hastens on. Poor, good Mrs. Ilamley passes out of the tale
for ever, and a new character, gay and sparkling, is intro-
duced. Cynthia returns from France, and instantly asserts
her influence, 'very different one from that of quiet little
Molly, or pretending Mrs. Gibson. Other things of a start-
ling character-are also introduced, and the narrative begins
to assume the position of a highly complicated domestic
history. " University Life" is a capital sketch, that will
recall to the minds of many their residence at Alma
Mater, while to novices it furnishes an entertaining
record of the doings in such places —an epitome
of an under-graduate's • career, while at. college
Some of the anecdotes that are interpolated in this lively
sketch are most amusing, and agreeably break the mono-
tony of description. The writer enters fully into the
charm of these early days, and the regret with which from
the duller scenes of after years they are looked back upon :
" We doubt whether life affords many happier hours than
those college wines,'',when five or six congenial com-
panions gather round the fire in a snug room, in all the
exuberance of youth and hope." " Winter Shooting" is a.
paper suited to tii..=4;4l4.4cf:a„ certain
.4 rss of
'readers. . , - , ,"igratch. •

mysteries to which it refers. " Bohemia and Bohemianism"
is a very readable article, which pictures to us a particular
" set" who are themselves, their lives and actions, alike a
warning and an illustration. Some of the sketches intro-

duced are most admirably described, and one feels some-
thing akin to regret as one peruses the record of such lost
chances and thrown away talents, opportunities heedlessly
neglected, and positions of eminence despised for a place
. .

that is neither allowed or accepted. Some of the anecdotes
that are given of their peculiarities are most entertaining,
and reveal a spirit and style worthy of a better cause. It
is said, in summing up the character of this class, that they
are of some service in their generation, and do more than
the common place of a demurer style, and more circum-
spect behaviour. " What is called Bohemianism in a word
gives a certain freshness and colour to life which is not
appreciated without inquiry ; its gas is in your fiction and
art, making them brisk and enlivening as your champagne ;
it breaks the inaction:of industry, and checks the excesses
of cant ; and while the evil side of it brings its own punish-
ment, its good element works too in the world, and entitles
it at all events to a special notice in any account of the
varieties of modern life."

THE ST. JAMES'S MAGAZINE.--" Only a Clod"
still occupies a prominent position in these pages.
The story advances rapidly in this part. Francis
Tredethlyn marries Maude Hillary ; with but a
shadowy prospect of happiness, however, for Har-
court Lowther has appeared like an evil genius upon
the scene, and is busy making mischief between them.
Another trace is discovered of the missing Susan, who, it
seems, Vvas really married before a registrar, though
whether under a false name or a true one remains to be
seen. Meanwhile Tredethlyn's fortune is melting, not-
withstanding his simple tastes, thanks to Lowther's
assistance and Mr. Hillary's difficulties. Whether the loss
of it will bring all parties to their senses remains to be
seen. An article on the " Transatlantic Press" enters
very fully into the peculiarities of American journalism,
drawing no very favourable or pleasant picture.
The clever papers are unscrupulous, the re-
spectable ones stupid. Such is the substance of the opi-
nion delivered by one who seems to know them well. "As
the press becomes more unexceptionable in a moral point
of view, it also becomes more stupid. When it turns the
cold shoulder to exaggeration and turpitude, it is to worship
at the shrines of dulness and vacuity. As it becomes
noted for having a good character, it becomes equally cele-
brated for being a bore. There seems to be no conception
of a just medium, no idea that anewspaper can be sprightly
without being licentious, or satirical without being per-
sonal." This is not a very hopeful picture of the journalism
of a free people, but we must hope the great tragedy of the
time will produce some elevating effect upon it. "Touch-
ing Dead Plays" is a paper worth reading ; it treats of
dramas and dramatists, which, if not altogether forgotten,
are remembered by little more than the name. The varied
career of the Countess of Albany, wife of the last of the
House of Stuart, who bore a Royal title, is sketched with
interest, and Sir Lascelles Wraxall describes a visit to the
camp at Chalons in his usual lively style. We have the
first part of an entertaining story, called My Uncle's
Honeymoon," whose plot is not too obscure, and a short
tale called "Tired of the Backwood." There are, besides,
some amusing gleanings from a parish register, and a fur-
ther instalment of Paul Feval's romance "Working in the
Dark."

THE ENGLISHMAN'S MAGAZINE. No. 2. Riving-
tons.—This new corner in the world of serials is of
a more solid character than most of its older but
gayer contemporaries. It commences with the first
part of an essay on " The. Volcanos of Auvergne,"
in which we find an account of the period of the
freshwater lakes. The wonderful changes of which this
district of Central France bears record are sufficiently in-
teresting to attract not only the attention of the man of
science and the geologist, but of the general reader, and
this article is especially adapted for such perusal, since Ai.:
written simply and naturally with an avoidance of J2lol
technicalities. In these days when "the testimony
worth
of
~_,
rocks" is so eagerly sought by the unbeliever,
it
notice that the revelation of these volcanifcrtoheek
d'oluge. An
to a great extent, the Scriptural account
the cities
culars of some of the most remarkableliof
the Dominicans has
article on "Town Churches" gives
churchessome interesting parti-
culars
Europe. "At Ghent the
rCSII
feetur wide by 175 feet long,
an enormous parallelogram 65
of accommodating at least
with side chapels, and ea
halleat
in sight of the high altar. At
e
1,500 worshippers,
Gerona, in Spain, ihedral has a nave 73 feet by 160
some 2,300 worshippers, with a
feet, capable of herding
to of it. In Barcelona, a
the east
choir, aisle, and chapels
of trade in the middle ages,
great centre
tho sole of tho churches is magnificent. Sta.
Maria del Mar has a nave and aisle 90 feet
by 180 feet ; but the columns being not less than 45 feet
apart there is hardly any obstruction to the view, and the
effect is almost that of an aisleless church, nearly every
one of the 3,000 worshippers who could kneel to the west
of the choir being in full sight both of it and of the altar."
Here are models full of instruction and inspiration for the
modern architect, and it is a pity they are so little studied.
A paper " On the Study of Mathematics" treats of the vast