The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-05 00:00:00

TBE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY _ EVENING, OCTOBER 5, 1865.

MONTHLY PERIODICALS.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.—" Not Wisely,
but too Well," is continued, and the unfortunate

Kate is plunging herself deeper into the mire with
her folly and her duplicity. She is, notwithstand-
ing, a very fair type of headstrong and conceited
individuals, who will go on in their own way despite
all precautions. Dare is the counterpart of a selfish and
overbearing disposition, reckless of consequences, and
totally regardless of the feelings of others. The descrip-
tions met with in this tale are very well done, and we find
some natural accounts of seaside scenery, which impart a
freshness and vivacity to the narratives. " Who is the

Heir" is continued, and some eventful scenes take place.
This dashing novel is reviewed in anothez part of the ma-

gagine, and, on the whole, fairly enough. Due credit is
given to the author for his brilliancy and power, and those
readers who have dwelt with delight on the pages of the

story that have appeared in instalments will willingly con.

cur in this criticism. In conclusion, it is said that "we
feel bound to class the story with the best of recent fictions,

and to predict for its author a highly successful career as
a novelist, should his tastes decidedly incline him to that

walk of literature." " Tinted Sketches in Maderia" is a

very pleasing sketch, that furnishes us with some interes

Mg accounts of that attractive spot. Those who may ex-

perience any anxiety to become better informed respecting
- - -

the peculiarities of
"Pure Madeira's vine robed hills of health,"
have here a good opportunity presented to them,

" The Old Book" is the title of some well-
written verses upon a suggestive subject. The
writer has forcibly explained the sad and yet pleasing

memories that cling to the vision of a thing that belongs
to the past. " Foreshadowings of Christianity in the
Writings of Pluto" is an article worthy of notice, and we
meet with a comprehensive paper on the "English Bible,"
its early history and literary characteristics, in which we
find the following graphic description :—" If we lose the

Bible we shall soon sink into that most lamentable of all

conditions—a community without a Church, a people
without a God, a nation without a soul."
COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE.—The
United Service begins with rifled guns and missiles,

of which we have had a tolerable dose of late for all

the practical conclusions to which the Select Com-
mittee seem to have come. ,4 Curiosities of Naval
Literature" is a very- readable and quaintly instruc-
tive paper. Who would have thought that the wisest of
men was also about the first of navigators, although by no
means the ablest of seamen ! Yet it is said that King
Solomon was the first to double the stormy Cape of Good
Hope, and even to have sent his ships round by the coast
of Africa as far as Cornwall, where he embarked tin for
adorning the Temple and for other great improvements.
He was also the first to institute a clock in the Navy. But
that he borrowed from the Chinese, who seem to have in-
vented everything new under the sun of those times. Hence
the application of the clock in our navy and mercantile marine.
The day was divided into six watches, of four hours each
watch, into half hours, by which the sailors reckoned
from one to eight bells. "Eight bells," reported the first
lieutenant to the captain. " Well," replied the captain
"make it so." And straightway the boatswain piped to
dinner at twelve o'clock. There are many curious points
suggested in this article as to the measurement of time
by sand-glass or by cups placed on water, which are
gradually filled by small apertures until they sink.
" Sketches of the Isle of Mauritius " during a sojourn of
three years is a very interesting description of that fine
sugar island. " The breakwater and fortifications of
Portland " still go on, and premise to last as long as the
work of construction itself. They are, however, inter-
esting, and, when completed, will present another won-
der to the world of invention and labour. There are some
articles of various merit, and " An adventure with Aliga-
tors," which we leave for the reader's instruction and
profit.

THE OTIL M N—Several highly interesting topics
are discussed in this number. The second part of
" The Calendars of State Papers," gives us some
very curious and entertaining accounts of our deal-
ings with Venice in the middle ages, .and shows us
how our insular ways and habits looked from a
continental point of view. An Essay on Art and Beauty
is well worth reading, and the writer's distinction between
beauty and utility will commend itself to all thoughtful
and cultivated minds. He comments upon the wonderful
world of beauty, which human eyes have rarely, if ever,
looked upon. The flowers springing on inaccessible
heights, the shells and weeds floating far down in the deep
waters, Ate graceful and brilliant birds and beasts that fly
from the foot of man. Useful products, corn, and fruits
need care and tillage, but nature gives us beautiful things
with a lavish and untiring hand. The very ruins of man's
own works she covers with mosses and ivy, as if to show
him that his failures are her successes. Useful things are
common to all men, observes our writer, and no one, be he
rich or poor, can enjoy them beyond a certain degree, but
in the pleasures of the eye or ear the poor or infirm man
may find a delight unattainable to the favourite of health
and fortune. Yet he believes that to enjoy art in some de-
gree is within the reach of every one, only that a severe
apprenticeship must be served to it. The writer concludes
by bidding us consider what a value beauty of itself must
have from the place which it occupies in the world of crea-
tion, and ask ourselves the question, " Can it be so
constantly before and round about us for nothing ? If
it is not so, is it not worth our study ? " " Tho
Early Married Life of Marie Antoinette," collected
from her correspondence with her mother, Maria Theresa,
is full of pathetic interest. The gay but highminded
young girl, transported at so early an age into a sphere so
different to what she had been accustomed, among so many
snares and pitfalls, would be of herself a fascinating pic-
ture; but when the reader supplies the blank in the story,
and foresees the conclusion of that brilliant and pleasure-
seeking life the story assumes a melancholy interest. The
friendship between Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr. Johnson
is the subject of an animated paper; and among the re-
maining articles are an attractive account of an expedition
to the coast of Kerry by Capt. de Vere, an essay on Ireland
under Cromwell, and a sketch of the career of Pedro di
Lima.

THE BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY REVIEW.—
" Under Two Flags," by Ouida, is continued for
some twenty-five pages in a glorious style, and with
the same vigour that distinguished the previous
chapters. The spirited account of the grand steeple-
chase in the former number is followed up in the
present with a description of a fox chase over field and
brook, brush and wood, and variegated country, with as
much zest as a sportsman's heart could desire. Evidently
the author takes a just pride in the delineation of a bold
diversion which stirs the very life of " the field" to a pitch
of enthusiasm so dear to every lover of the chase. "Naval
Politics," and international courtesies, are very apropos to
the present timo, when all the world is up in admiration
of ships and " hearts of iron," in these days of scientific
rivalry in a friendly way. "On the Expatriation of the
Acadians," some hundred and fifty years ago, from the
then wilds of Nova Scotia, is a paper by Mr. Robert
Wright, in which he gives a natural and touching account
of the miseries encountered by the French settlers. It
reminds one of Goldsmith's " Doserted Village." " How
Jones was made a Colonel," gives a graphic account of the
mode in which promotion was " jumped at" in the late
American struggle. " Portsmouth's Gilt-edges" is an
amusing description of the misplaced fervour of some of
our tract societies in the distribution of their good gifts
among the seamen of the French fleet while at Ports-
mouth. The enthusiasts were so full of their mission that
they actually boarded the French ships, and distributed to
every seaman a tract and little Bible with gilt edges. Tho
outside ornament so captivated the sailors that they care-
fully treasured them up for presents to their friends on
their return to France.
THE ECLECTIC.—SeveraI of the articles in this
number are of general interest instead of being
restricted to merely sectarian topics. Mr. Carlyle's
last two volumes and a new fiction are amply discussed in
the first two papers. "Utopia" and "Jamaica" are further
subjects, and Mr. Mill's criticism of Sir W. Hamilton gives
rise to• a treatise for the benefit of metaphysical readers.