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

EVENING, FEBRUARY 1, 1865.

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD.--" Miss Marjoribauks" is the title
of a new story begun in this number. It contains
the account of one of those " Carlingford" notabi-

ities who have already become so famous through

the skill of their Chronicler. The heroine is a very

peculiar style of young lady, who seems intent on
having her own way. The tale promises to be as interest-
ing as its predecessors, and it is but fair that a lady should

now be selected to• depict the genius and peculiarities of
the town of famous memory. " A Visit to the Cities and

Camps of tho Confederate States" is concluded, 'and the

reader will find in its accounts much useful information
and valuable details. It is curious to notice that the
introduction of cotton is comparatively recent, for th 1774
a gentleman in. England wrote out to his agents in Charles-
ton to attempt the cultivation of a sufficient amount of
cotton to supply the negroes on his plantation with home-
spun. The accounts of the arrivals of the successful
blockade runners are very entertaining. A bill of fare at
one of the hotels is put in as counter-evidence to the report
that the South are nearly starved out, and certainly it gives
no idea of very mean or scanty provisions. " Knight-
errantry in the Nineteenth Century" is an amusing article
that presents some curious sketches of the Englishman
abroad. It is not the rule, but the exception, that is here
depicted ; but still the accounts cannot fail to provoke a
smile from all who.peruse them. "Modern Demcmolegy"
very properly censures the extravagant notions
that some people entertain nowadays of spiritualism,
and forcibly winds up its arguments by declaring that " it
matters not whether the manifestations be, real or pre-
tended ; if the former, those who seek for-and solicit them
are dabbling- in„,a f4l4l4dvn t 1„g 44940401„;41.4_

miserably duped." Such a conclusion is the best way of
putting down the intolerable assumptions of those who
declare themselves capable of revealing what is beyond
the ken of man to proclaim, and utterly impossible for
finite powers to accomplish. " Etoniana, Ancient and
Modern," is the first part of a very interesting account of
that attractive home of learning, where "grateful science
still adores her Henry's holy shade." It will be found
worthy of perusal, and many an old Etonian may dwell
with delight on this historic sketch of a scene dear to me-
mory, and fraught with old recollections. " Cornelius
O'Dowd," as usual, is instructive as well as entertaining.
" Going into Parliament" is a very good description, and
ably depicts the advantages offered by such a position, and
the fair play accorded to the member at St. Stephen's.
" The Right Honourable William Gladstone" is the first
part of a comprehensive sketch of that eminent man's
career; it is ably done, and brings before us many of the
prevailing characteristics of the man as displayed at an
early age. Mr. Gladstone early revealed the promise of his
great powers, and it is very interesting to find the connec-
tion between youth and manhood thus strikingly put be-
fore us. He early displayed the extraordinary command o
language which has been so prominent a part of his quali-
fications for renown in later years. This paper goes fully
into the more notable details of his political career, and
furnishes altogether a capital chronicle of the life of one
who is one of the leading men of his time, while apart
from his present position he possesses abilities that would
in any sphere rank him as among the present men of his
generation a member of that class which influences and
impresses the community by intellect of a high order.
DUBLIN.—A readable article is met with, entitled
"About Charles Lamb, his Friends and Books."
It reveals many of the characteristics of that dis-
tinguished man, and may be read with advantage
by those who would be put au courant with the
style of his times and the sphere of his occupations.
Some of Lamb's droll sayings are here narrated, and form
a collection of most ludicrous specimens of the highest
order of fun. "Who is the Heir ?" is continued, and
brings some, striking scenes before us. There are all
sorts of chances and changes befalling the dramatis
persona; contained in these pages, and Guy Luttrell is quite
the hero of the scene; with his old and new loves. The
incident of the plate chest is an effective interlude that
adds to the excitement of the narration, and forms a good
sketch of some droll characters. Lord Derby's "Iliad ofi
Homer" is continued, and receives its due meed of appro-
bation. After an interesting analysis of the previous
translations of that immortal production, it is observed
that this last, in some respects, is the best of all that
have appeared. It is said that if translations of the old
poets may be compared to telescopes which reflect accord-
ing to their shill and workmanship, there " can be little
hesitation in asserting that the work of Lord Derby
:brings_us nearer the presence and mirrors the morning-
star of Greek poetry,:in its simple light and majesty, more
perfectly than any other in English literature." " Guy
Deverell" is continued, and the tale goes on much the
same as before, with its mystery and marvels ingeniously
woven together. " The Dead Language" is a very pleas-
ing little poem, by the Countess of Gifford. It is full of
melancholy truths and solemn reflections, and well car-
ries out the idea with which it is impressed. " Elizabeth
Farren, an Irish Actress," brings us to the termination of
her brilliant career, when she passed from the scene of
her histrionic splendours to appear as one of England's
countesses. The last article met with is a very excellent
one, on "Phases of Social Life." It brings before us many
of the evils that now exist, and some of the worst dangers
that we incur in our present over-forced style of exist-
ence. It is powerfully written, and merits a careful sur-
vey. The over haste to be rich, which is the chief blight
of the present age, is sketched with such exactitude to
reality that no one can gainsay its truthfulness:or deny
its force of application. From showing the harm thus
wrought to individuals, it goes on to depict the evils
accruing to a nation ; and there can be no doubt that im-
portant truths of a national character are contained in
this sketch.

TEMPLE BAR.—The readers of this magazine
will be pleased to meet with a new tale by the
author of "Lady Audley's Secret." She is certainly
a most indefatigable contributor to public amuse-
ment, and scarcely has one tale been concluded
before another appears, with all its intensity of
excitement and depth of interest. "Sir Jasper's Tenant"
commences well, but as yet the story cannot be judged of.
George Pauncefort is already a prominent personage, and
the "bruised and tattered wanderer in African wilder-
nesses will doubtless ere long be associated in many minds
as the hero of startling adventures and the subject of
speculative inquiry. "Through Wilts" brings before us a
pleasant picture of that part of the country, and by its
historical anecdotes and ingenious descriptions may well
beguile a weary hour, and attract the notice of the reader.
In the " Streets of the World," we find the Grand Canal of
Venice pictured to us in the writer's usual brisk and de-
cided style. In his quaint manner he informs us that the
Grand Canal is Venice, and Venice is the Grand Canal ;
everything else, whether islet or minor canal, is subsidiary
to it. "Recent Criticism on Tennyson" furnishes us with
some appropriate suggestions, and well declares that una-
nimity of opinion is undesirable, and that if the time
should come " when everyone agrees with everyone else,
why then all intellectual progress will be at an end ; life will
have lost its interest, and a state of stagnation will ensue, to
which one may hope Providence would somehow put an end.'
" David Chantrey" is continued, and increases in interest.
The description of Mrs. Chantrey's compositions is very
peculiar, and she certainly pursued her literary labours
under difficulty. " English Dragoons and their Horses'4
is the subject of a paper that contains some very useful
hints as to the better management of this division of our
troops. Live and learn is a truism very slow of recog-
nition by our authorities at the Horse Guards ; but the
writer of this article very freely declares that experience has
shownhow deficient in management are these dragoons,who
are kept for show, and not for use. They might charge
into the valley of death, like the six hundred, but their
horses would die in a winter campaign, like those of our
cavalry before Sebastopol. There is great force in this
argument, and it deserves attention ; and it cannot be
gainsaid that an unwelcome hint exists in this last pas-
sage. An army, with one arm wanting in many quali-
fications, cannot be deemed perfect, and we pay far too
much for our land forces to be content with anything
short of perfection. "Paid in Pull" becomes more excit-
ing as it approaches completion ; and Horace is again on
the look-out for adventures, while Ledbitter plies his
task of vengeance with deadly spirit and ceaseless vigi-
lance.
MACMILLAN'S.—Henry Kingsley's story of " The
Hillyars and the Burtons" is continued with anima-
tion, and is now approaching its conclusion. Abrupt,
disconnected, and extravagant enough, it yet pos-
sesses a degree of vigour and originality not often
met with in the sensation literature of the day. In
the current number events progress rapidly. Poor worth-
less Sir George ends his miserable career, and a singular
chain of events brings his old associate and quondam ser-
vant, the convict Samuel Burton, to his death-bed. Strange
things are discovered respecting Reuben's parentage, and
he steps into the baronetcy undisputed. The Australian
part of the story narrates the adventures of Erne and Tom
Williams on their perilous expedition to Omeo. Erne is
not dead, though he has but a narrow escape from a dread-
ful ending. Professor Goldwin Smith, differing from the
body of his countrymen on most points, is certainly pecu-
liar in his opinion of Abraham Lincoln. " Whether he is
a great man or not, he is at least an honest one ; he can
feel responsibility ; and his re-election was to be desirtch(,
not only for the good. of his country, but je6l.thePeqe °lifthe
world." Such are the closing words of a brief essay
American President, and it is well for the writer that° they
:ma his =ducting sentence, for bow he would Support