The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE

The Tale of the Great Persian War. By the Rev.
George W. Cox, M.A.' Longman and Co.
It is impossible for any one to comprehend by an
inspection of a modern map the extent of the
ancient Grecian empire, if such a combination of
States, always more or less antagonistic, can be so
termed. We do not refer to the time of Alexander,
when the world was too small for the conquest of
the first and greatest of practical generals, but when,
some century before, the , great Persian chief,
Xerxes, led his myriads to subdue the revolted
States of Thrasia. and Macedonia, and to bring the
whole of the Helenic population under contribu-
tion. The direct, or perhaps indirect, influence of
Greece in the fifth century B.C. extended over what
are now the provinces known as Servia, Macedonia
and Romillia, and along the banks of the Bos.
phorous, and into the territory of the Scythians.
These districts, if not actually belonging to the
Grecian Confederation, were at least so much under
their influence that they had to bear the brunt of
any war waged between the States and the Per-
sians. Under such circumstances it is not unnatural
that with a relentless foe on the one side, and
vacilating and contending allies on the other, that
these intermediate States should make terms with
the first bidder, and join their arms with those
who seemed to have the best chance of success. It
is to this interesting period in Grecian history, the
beginning of the fifth century, that Mr. Cox has
devoted his attention. The volume is simply a
transcript from the histories written by Hero
dotus, in which the author gives sketches of
the old traditions of the Greeks, which account for
the continual strife waged between them and the
Persians, and which are not content to go back to the
abduction of Helen as a easus belli, but trace the
origin of the feud to the little affair of Made-
moiselle Io and the Celestial Bull. After furnish-
ing, in a brief and concise form, a sketch of the
lives and doings- of Cronus, Cam byses, Cyrus, and
others whose biographies lapse into the twilight of
fable, Mr. Cox leads the reader through the most
interesting portions of the history of the Persian
war as related by Herodotus. Those passages which
refer particularly to the position of troops, oracular
decisions, and important speeches are given almost
as a literal translation ; while, on the ether hand,
tedious details which, although they might interest
the Athenian some two thousand years ago, are now
held at as much worth as the modern Greek holds
liberty, are passed over with a brief summary. The
history of the few years which brought to light
the devotion of the Greeks to their country's liberty
—the brief space of time in which Miltiades,
Leonidas, and Themistocles achieved victories which
will bear their names down to posterity, and who
left behind them the names of Marathon, Thermo-
poli, and Salamis to lure an after generation to
carry Grecian arms to the bounds of the Asiatic
continent, cannot fail to interest all who admire
the deeds of brave men and the writings of ancient
scholars.

Barrington. By Charles Lever. Part I. Chapman

and Hall.

It is impossible to form any estimate of a serial
from the perusal of the first number; but the name
of so popular an author as Charles Lever is a suffi-
cient guarantee that the work will repay perusal.
The
.story opens in Ireland, as matter of course.
Barrington, who has formerly been possessed of a
large estate and great wealth, is ruined, partly by
his own extravagance, but chiefly by the prodi-
gality of his son, who, having gone out to India,
kept up regal state; and while the pride of his
father was gratified by the accounts which from
time to time reached him of the sensation that his
son's magnificence created in India, he encumbered
his property to such an extent to maintain this
false position that he ultimately became a ruined
man. The greater part of this number is taken
up with the description of the few characters as
yet introduced. His sister, who is decidedly the
" grey mare," takes the direction of all his affairs,
and her picture is well drawn ; showing that of a
woman who once having got the upper hand is de-
termined to keep it. Just prior to the break up of old
Barrington's estate his son sent home a child,
which he stated to be his daughter, he having
married a native princess, requesting his fathherr
ar-
rival see that she was properly educated; but. odn.
andriva lt crisishßeacrhriinldgtwonaswseanstintothaecoiNs aeesttheerrs
Nether-
lands to be taken care of. and educated.This_ nven to inf h itsh e
indi-
vidual will figure prominently hereafter. no doubt,
together with a young officer, who introduced
id.nietthwe
hlaostbechisapat.
tertheltwould present beaerplyresmtaagtuer;e
btuo ptwre-
e
nevertheless have a notion that he is the hero and a
nearer connexion to Barrington than is yet
avowed.

Orley Farm. Part XII. Chapman and Hall.
This is one of the best numbers of this interest-
ing serial. The scene between Sir Peregrine Orme
and Lady Mason, after she has confessed her guilt,
is written with great feeling. The old baronet's
sense of justice makes him condemn the criminal,
while his kind heart inclines him to assist the un-
fortunate woman. Mrs. Orme, on the other hand,
is actuated by no such scruples; all she sees is her
friend in distress, and the arguments she makes use
of to convince Sir Peregrine that it is her duty to
befriend Lady Mason, if not logical, are at least dic-
tated by kindness and generosity. She points out to
him that he has, by persisting in his suit, obliged her
friend to make a confession to save him from a false
step, which otherwise she Would have kept secret.
The kind-hearted malt
' at length gives way, and
Lady Mason I".lmains at the Cleve for the present
At Nningsby Felix Graham is in an awkward
position, he is engaged to the young woman whom
he has placed at school to train up after his own
idea of what should be perfection in a wife.
meeting Madeline Stavely he finds 0...4. 'ne has been
}',"::( on
in too much of a:hurry,
....4t although his theory
of training a nife '
-Alga be all correct enough, yet