The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-03 00:00:00

BLACKWOOD. - This number commences the
year with spirit, and contains several articles of in-
terest. " Tony Butler" is concluded. This tale,
like its hero, has increased in style and interest
from its outset, and now deservedly ranks among
the average fictions of the day in serials. It is a
satisfaction when we find that Tony is not married
to Mrs. Trafford, for Alice is a heartless, worldly
character, not at all fitted to appreciate the sterling
excellence and intrinsic worth of his nature,"although
he wanted polish and refinement at his first presen-
tation to us. Part the second of " A Visit to the
Cities and Camps of the Confederate States" pre-
sents us with much interesting matter, and will
doubtless be very presentable to the reader, afford-
ing as it does an insight into events that have en-
gaged so much attention and been productive of
such momentous consequences. The writer has a
keen eye for observation, and occasionally brings
some home truth strikingly before us, displaying
the peculiarities of those among whom he mixed.
Thus, for instance, he observes that "It is as-
tonishing what people can bring themselves
to believe if they try." At Richmond it
was rumoured that the whole Federal army had
been captured, while the Yankees believed, on their
side, that Lee's forces had been annihilated.. Enter-
taining incidents are ever and anon recorded, as,
for instance, when one side of the belligerents dis-
covered the other's alphabet. On one occasion
when the Yankees did so the Confederates disco-
vered it, and changed the signals ; thus, when in-
quiries were made, wrong answers were given.
" Cornelius O'Dowd upon Men, Women, and
Thkugs in General," goes on with his droll sayings,
his wise saws and modern instances, which dilate
upon matters good, bad, and indifferent with per-
fect ease and consummate dexterity. " The Fight
over the Way" not inaptly pictures some of the
transatlantic situations. " About Doctors" is a
very good sketch ; and the chapter on Droll People
contains some good hints as to that difficult art of
amusing so often attempted and so seldom success-
ful. An examination for diners out is proposed as
an adjunct to the Civil Service Commission ; and
there is truth in this remark, that " abandon-
ing conversation to pretenders is like leaving
medicine 'to quacks, or theology to the street
preachers. " The People who Come Late"
is a satire on a class who are very pretentious, and
have not the discernment to see that they are silly,
with all their fine show and seeming. " Life in an
Island" is an attractive sketch which may
well tempt the reader to wish that he oould
emigrate to such a desirable locality, and leave the
dull cares and plodding details of his everyday
existence behind him. It is no difficult matter to
comprehend the truth of this passage, descriptive of
some of the advantages of the situation, which we
contemplate from " Capri." It is no common tale
to begin with, to live thus suspended midway be-
tween heaven and the sea on this divine island,
from which, if one's ears were but sharp enough,
we might still hear out to sea the terrible sweetness
_ _

of the Siren's song. " The Man and the Monkey'
is a most ludicrous episode of an adventure tha
took place concerning a diminutive French prisoner
Nile Basins and Nile Explorers" is a very in-

"re-itsting article on this important subject, which
is appropriate at this juncture, and fully enters
into the question. The reader will be in-
terested to compare the difference of the
aecounts furnished by the respective works of
Captain Grant and that of Captain Burton. The
majority of those who turn their attention to this
theme will, no doubt, concur in the conclusion
arrived at here that Captain Grant has the advan-
tage in the accuracy of his statements, and that the
case of the writer who seeks to discredit them is
bad ; also they will acquiesce in the statement that
we may feel in closing the work of Captain Grant,
the same impression of the thorough honesty and
veracity of the author which was so striking a
feature in the works of his lamented companion;
" The European Situation" goes over, of course,
the old ground in criticising vexed questions, but it
adroitly summarises some important events, and
presents to view the dilemma in which many are
placed by the want of tact, foresight, and determi-
nation displayed by our Ministers. " Day and
Night" present some pleasing lines to consideration,
and those on night are particularly impressive.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—The romantic expedi-
tion of Prince Charles of England, and his friend
and confidant Buckingham, to Paris and Madrid,
has always been a favourite subject with historical
romancists, and it is one peculiarly suited to Mr
Ainsworth's brilliant pen. The description of the
gay Parisian court, where the charms of Henrietta,
Maria, and Anne of Austria exercised such fatal

influence over the two anonymous courtiers, is given
with animation in the current instalment of " The
House of Seven Chimneys." " The Summer Tour of
Signor Tomlins" is leading him to serious lengths,
. _

.... .
for in this number we find him married under ra-
ther singular circumstances. A Carthusian contem-
porary of Leech and Thackeray gives us a brief and

somewhat abruptly written paper on their school
days. Francis Jacox has an amusing paper on the
philosopher with the toothache, showing by quota-

tion and illustration how very. much practice is in
the habit of falling short of theory. " Catherine
Carnow" is a Venetian story, taken, strange to say,
from the German. It is quite of the mediaeval style
in its feuds and secret assassinations. " Our own

Correspondent" furnishes an entertaining account

of the fair ladies of America, which he-styles " Pet-
ticoat Yankeedom." His description is not too at-
tractive, for the singularly forward and indepen-

_ ..
dent customs of feminine social life do not do much

credit to the solid and careful education which
young American women commonly receive, and
they are expected to keep up their studies after

Leaving their colleges or seminaries.

TILE NEW MONTHLY.—We have two African
papers in this number. The first is an examina-
tion into the authenticity of Captain Speke's theory
of the reservoir of the Nile, and into Major Burton's

views on the same subject. The second is more
descriptive than scientific, and is founded on Mr.
Baines's account of his visit to Lake Ngami and the

Victoria Falls.

" A mere Question of Handwrit-

ing," by Francis Jacox, examines into the
existing records of notable caligraphy, and also
to the notices of handwriting in the pages of fic-
tion. Agnes Redding considers the existing proba-
bilities of the year 1865, and regards them, on the

whole, as satisfactory ; and Nicholas Michell,

another well known contributor, continues to ex-
press, with some freshness, the hacknied reflections
attending the birth of a new year. The depart-
ment of fiction is kept up with animation. Mrs.
Bushby's tale of " Woodbury" proceeds at some

Length, and reveals more of Alfred Percival's mis-

doings. It is evident that serious dangers threaten
his old uncle. " Strathmore" apparently approaches
a crisis. The evil shadow moves after the uncon-

scions Lucille, and the curse which Strathmore has
" wrought by his own hand," is about to
fall. The unfortunate Valdor escapes from
his terrible life at Toulon by the aid of Lionel
Cargill, and is free to play his own part, if neces-

sary, in the denouement, though it is hardly consis,
tent with his chivalrous character, and his loVe