The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

( BLACK WOOD.—" Miss Marjoribanks" is continued
at some length, and as the narrative proceeds the
reader is the better able to appreciate the skill and
discernment which the heroine displays. All
obstacles seem to vanish before her, and she triumphs
over these small social difficulties which often ap-
pear insuperable barriers for the cleverest to surmount.
Some notable mystery will evidently be disclosed before
long concerning Mr. Cavendish, who flits backwards and
forwards like a will-o'-the-wisp, instead of going on in a
fearless and independent manner. " Cornelius O'Dowd"
continues his quaint criticisms upon men, women, and other
things in general, in his usual style and comprehensive
manner. For subjects this month he has the appropriate
theme of " Electioneering" put first. We meet with some very
pertinent observations respecting the absurdities and in-
consistencies that are so rife at elections, and it would be
well for the interests of many if more heed were paid to the
suggestions here met with. There is only too much truth
in the contending remark of this subtle observer—" There
are candidates and constituencies only impatient to show
what as great thing is the election, and what a very small and
ignoble one the elected." "Glimpses of Bliss" is another
attractive sketch met with in this abundant repertoire, and
one feels a melancholy interest in contemplating the picture
of these outcasts from Eden who gaze on the promised
land, but may not enter there. " Carlyle's Frederick
the Great" is, it need hardly be said, an article that is well
worth reading,:and that sots some statements before us whose
truth is incontestable. A just tribute is paid to the great
writer whose works are under criticism. It is said that his

~... ---
perseverance is remarkable—many summers and winters history ; it is
nthe one
The n
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contractorsunder_
the not
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on his purpose, earnest at his task. A wise hint is given stars and stripes
Erasmus"
huesrt,),
fdoextntleirosutsulydions described. Thor
an articleion ' readers,s and the
i
at the conclusion of this paper to those who may seek to
of Advocacy".m containst som©
copy or imitate this singular writer. It is truly intimated
u"sPefrioilfe.i.nn..ue does. "The Pa Famous Quire of wise hints
is an
that "nothing but derision can await the disciple who may
reigns
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attempt to charm the public by reproducing those singula
rities which only the most affluent imagination and rare
descriptive power could exalt into distinction." " Sir TEMPLE-BAR.—" Sir Jasper's Tenant" promises
Brook Fossbrooke" is continued, and is very eventful in to be fully as exciting in its events and as striking
this instalment. The character of the old baronet is well in its characters as any of its predecessors in the
pourtrayed, and presents us with a fine specimen of a
vigorous and a noble mind—bold to face evil and eager to line of fiction that have gained for its author so
protect the deserving. The masterly articles on "The much renown. In this portion of the tale we meet
Rate of Interest" are brought to a conclusion in a third with the eclaircissement between Marcia and the
part. The compilation of these papers reflects the highest mysterious tenant who has so deeply impressed her. This
credit on their author, and it will be a great benefit and is a painful scene, and described with that power and
blessing for the community when the day arrives which pathos which the writer so well knows how to employ.
sees the theories here advocated put into practice. Common Marcia's character comes out well in scenes of trial. Mr.
sense will recognise the necessity for the change at last, Pauncefort, as he calls himself, sends a packet to Mrs.
and popular approval will be the seal of its sue- Venison, in which he sets forth a narration of his wretched
cess ; but meanwhile perversity and prejudice must life. It is a tale, like one would fancy it lo be, full of
have their course. " Piccadilly " is continued : it mistakes and miseries, but the worst portion of it has yet
furnishes the reader with a smart sketch of to be told. " Country Lives "is a pleasing Little sketch,
fashionable life, with some of its most notable follies which presents the reader with seine of the delights of
and absurd freaks exposed. Much to amuse the uninitiated country life, and also brings them before us in a feeling
and amuse the experienced will ln found iu these brillinat lxianiaer. It_ is perfectly true what is here stated, that

"other countries, rich as they may be in majestic scenery
and sylvan glades, cannot vie with our own dear land in
the rural beauty of its country lanes." The description of
the country churchyard is very effective. "The Watch-
ful Hill" is a peculiar sketch, which is much in the style
of the'," Pilgrim's Progress." It is a useful illustration to the
weak to persevere in well doing, and a glorious example
to the faithful at the end of their journey. "Land at Last"
continues in its usual style and the story increases in
interest as it becsmes more developed. Geoffrey
sets the example of a very quiet marriage, which
quite scandalises his family and friends. "A Recent
Military Trial" is a very sensible paper, which exposes
many of the fallacies of that system. It is well said that
the "recent discussions in Parliament and in the press in
connection with the removal of Colonel Dawkins from the
Coldstream Guards have brought to light: circumstances
little calculated to dispel the doubts already entertained by
the English public regarding the efficacy of a military
legislation." "Faces in the Crowd" is very well done, and
depicts some most striking pictures of existence in its varied
details. Much may be gleaned that is interesting and in-
structive from these glimpses of life, and as the writer re-
marks with earnestness, "are they not bettor to watch
than flies and weeds ? and is it not of more interest to read
their lives and characters than to make a stupid hortus
siccus, or stick pins into asphyxiated moths and beetles."
"Heart and State" is a novel title, but the idea is well
carried out. " David Chantrey" is very exciting in this
instalment ; it chronicles the very unwise proceedings of
the hero, who forfeits one's interest in him by his vehement
demeanour and violent actions. His notions of propriety
were certainly most extraordinary, and if he reap unplea-
sant consequences so much the better. A sketch is given
of "Richard Cumberland" which will repay perusal, and
an interest attaches to the record, as the subject of it forms
" one of the great connecting links between the last and
the present centuries." " The Haunting Past" is the title
of some verses which are very melancholy.
ST. JAMES'S.—A somewhat singular story opens
this number the author of " Shirley Hall Asy-
lum." This writer's works are not usually too
tame, but the reader may justly find that fault with
the first instalment of " The Village Doctor."
" Only a Clod," by Miss Braddon, is rapidly ap-
proaching its conclusion, and as the three volumes are
long since in the hands of the novel readers, it is need-
less to dilate upon the story, which is fully equal to its
predecessors in interest, and in its delineations of charac-
ter. The reader who is seeking for a "sensation," how-
ever, had better turn from fiction to fact, or rather to
criticism, and peruse the description of " A Brussels
Studio," wherein the painter, M. Wiertz, appears to have
" supped full of horrors," and to have given the public the
benefit of the consequent nightmares. A " Memoir of
Charles Dibdin," whose name is inseparably associated
with his " sea songs," is full of interest. Like the lives of
most men of genius, his career was chequered and eventful,
and in spite of constant hard work he never amassed a
fortune or even a competency, though others profited
largely by his labours. His music to the " Padlock," we
are told, produced £1,700 clear, yet of this he received but
£45 ; his renowned song of " The Waterman," or "Poll
and my Partner Joe," he sold for two guineas ; and
" Nothing like Grog" for half a guinea. Yet he was not
without his pecuniary successes, and his popular lectures,
in which ho introduced most of his famous sea songs, were
enthusiastically received, both in the metropolis and in the
provinces. His critic remarks that the chief characteristic
of both verse and music was Freedom. " Freely flowed
his sentiments, and as freely his rhymes. Freely he
gethered in all words, good, bad, and indifferent ; King's
English, sea slang, and even profanity, to swell the tido of
his verso, which rolled and surged like its theme—the sea
—in lines of every conceivable metro and strength. His
songs had, and still have, a strong hold on the national
mind. Of these songs he is said to have written the im-
mense number of 13,000 ; and it is remarkable that per-
sonally he knew little of a sea life, having never been
on board ship in any other capacity than that of a passen-
ger for a short voyage. Paul Feval's romance of the black
coats proceeds rapidly, and there are other articles of inte-
rest, including a " Gossip about Lyme Regis" and a sketch
of the manner of our Prince's life during his sojourn a
Oxford.

MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.—The studious reader
will open the first article with interest, while the
mere idle, seeking for entertainment or instruction
in that modified form usually met with in serial
literature, will be somewhat startled by the title of
" Grote's Plato, the Negative or Search Dialogues."
It is, in fact, a review of Mr. Grote's work by ono who is
fully able to deal with his subject, and he cites numerous
passages to illustrate the manner in which the old Grecian
philosopher is treated by the English scholar. Mr. Pal-
grave continues his essay on Women and the Fine Arts,
and attributes the general failure of feminine artists to their
want of concentration. "The Dove in the Eagle's Nest"
proceeds with unabated interest, and poor little Christina's
troubles thicken round her. Her marriage is indeed ac-
knowledged by the grim old Baroness herself, but only
after she is apparently left a widow by the destruction of
Eberhard and his father on their journey to the Emperor.
Whether or no the young baron is dead the reader has some
doubts, but he is at least absent during several years, and
Christian is kept to train her boys to be Christian, knights
as best sho can, in opposition to the influence of their
grandmother. The other story "Cradock Nowell," also
records a crisis in the fortunes of its dramatis persons. As
the reader foresaw, old Biddy's ingenious scheme for de-
tecting the heir to the estate in the newly-born twins has
proved an egregious failure, and poor Cradock loses his
heirship on the very eve of the celebration of his majority.
The Editor's discourses on London, as it presents itself to
the eye of a spectator on the top of St. Paul's, and those
who are duly curious may learn Joseph Mazzini's views
"On Cmsarism." The direful history of Cawnporo is re-
lated in a melancholy paper. There are two or three
poems of average merit scattered through the number.
LONDON SOCIETY.—AIways gay and varied, this
lively serial is especially in its element in these
bright summer days when the weary business of
fashion and politics is well-nigh done, and English
watering places, German Spas, and Alpine clubs
become the most engrossing topics of conversation.
"The Annual Question—Whore shall we go ?" records the
family dilemma of selecting a place of holiday resort, in a
most amusing fashion. "Pall-mall in Paris" and "Vienna
Society" are two peeps at continental capitals very well
worth reading. "Scenes in Court" and " The London
Opera Directors" are both continued with unabated talent.
The illustrations to both are cleverly done. We have
besides an animated sketch entitled •' Marriage Notes in
Town and Country," and " A History of Croquet," for the
benefit of its fair admirers. A new story, with the touch-
ing title of " Faithful and True" is commenced, but though
decidedly a love story, it is not too sontialental. The nume-
rous illustrations, as usual, keep up their character.
THE SHILLING MAGAZINE.—" Phemie Keller"
occupies in the previous numbers an important
position in this part. Phemie ends, as the reader
had foreseen, by accepting Captain Stoudon's offer,
but the success of the experiment is very doubtful.
The style is clear and vigorous, and the writer
possesses good abilities as a novelist. " Jacob
Tonson and his Friends" tells us the career of the original
founder of the famous Kit-Cat club. "Christie and Man-
son's" is a paper that will fascinate the artistic dilettante,
and which contains some curious details of former sales.
" The Flashing Style" is a sensible article, denouncing that
extravagant virulence of style *hich was at one time so
much in vogue, but which is happily now fast dying out
among the better class of writers. "Josiah Wedgwood and
his Ware" is the subject of an agreeable paper, in which
Miss Metoyard's work is reviewed at some length. At this
season of trips across the channel a specific for sea
sickness is not to be disregarded, and accordingly the
writer, who brings forward a new suggestion for the re-
moval of this terrible spectre, deserves public gratitude.
He opens his pleading by saying, with a mixture of truth
and satire, that lie wonders no one has over attributed the
natural antipathy of England and France to the exceed-
ingly uncomfortable state in which their inhabitants first
set foot upon each other's shores. All old grudges or na-
tional rivalries are, ho considers, as mere dust in the
balance, "compared with the feeling of utter disgust at all
sublunary things with which the adventurous Celt or
Islander first encounters his friends across the channel.
Viewed in this light the inventor of the ice-bag, if it be
really effectual, is a national peacemaker.

THE SIXPENNY.—" The Fate of Thorsghyll,"
which has for some time occupied a prominent place
in this magazine, concludes in the number before
us, and all ends happily. Other stories aro plentiful, and
there aro also numerous sketthes on various social topics.
The lovers of the marvellous will find themselves well
supplied in the third number of " Temple Tales ;" and the
soberer reader may consult hip tastes in the study of
" Popular Physiology." " The Marked Money" is a tale
of circumstantial evidence ; and " A Terrible Tornado"
describes the havoc committed by a tempest in the island
of Barbadoos.

GOOD WORDS.—Charles Kingsley's story of
" Hereward, the Last of the English," continues
with unabated vigour ; while " Alfred Hogart's
Household" relates the tranquil course of ordinary domestic
life. The second part of Sir John Herschell's essay on
" Light" is given in this number, and we have also a well-
written paper on " Longevity," by Dr. Andrew Wynter
Mr. Kaye continuos his series of Indian biographies and
ripcords the active and eventful life of Lord Cornwallis.
Tho editor describes his visit to Jerusalem; and Henry
Rogers contributes a "Report of a Dialogue on Strikes and
Lock-outs." We have two poems by Jean Ingelow and
David Wingate, and it is altogether a very attractive
number.

THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE.---ThiS magazine, which
is edited by Dr. Guthrie, whose name is known and
honoured in connection with the ragged school
movement, is more directly religious in its style and
contents than Good Words. It treats rather of the general
Finciples of our faith than of any particular tenet, and e