The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-03 00:00:00

some midnight reflections of an unpleasant nature;
and lastly, there comes a messenger from Chapelizod
Vault. This tale is distinguished for its variety
and vigour. " Alison's Life of Lord Castlereagh "
is the subject of a paper; at the' conclusion some
eulogistic passages appear regarding that noble-
man, in which it is said " that the name of
one so worthy to rank with the first states-
men of his country should so long have
pointed the jeers and railings of so many
writers and speakers in these realms speaks
ill for that love of fair play which Englishmen
pride themselves on being, of all men, readiest to
show." " The Casket of Jewels" is a sketch of some
adventures met with in taking some rare gems
across to Italy, and the conveyor proved himself
un worthy of his trust by spending his time in
paying attention to an unknown damsel, who per-
suaded him to travel with her party, who proved
to be brigands of the first class, and speedily divested
him of his treasure, " Mildrington, the Barrister," is
proceeded with, and is important in this instalment.
The hapless hero is in a dreadful fix, as he is
privately married to one his mother will not approve
of, while she tries to bait him with the promise of
immediate inheritance if he will be united to the
damsel of her choice. This tale is appropriately
styled "A Romance of two Syrens." "Forgotten
Novels" is an essay that may be perused with at-
tention, affording as it does "a glimpse of the days
that are o'er." It is always desirable in the hurry-
skurry of existence to have now and then brought i
before us a retrospective mirror that shows us how
our forefathers fared in the way of light literature,
the last paragraph is as follows :
To every one who aspires to hold pleasant communica-
tion with the souls of myriads of his fellow-beings through
the medium of novel or romance, conceived with mental
pain, and perfected with watchings and long labours, it
may be of service to reflect on the now forgotten prndue
tions of thousands, who exercised their imaginative powers
for the same purpose, did only negative good at best, and if
their uncalled-for tasks were not fulfilled in accordance
with the spirit of Christian morality, did absolute harm to
the imaginative of unsteady youth whom they addressed,
always so fond of escaping from the dusty, harsh ways of
real life to the meadows, river sides, and landscape gardens
of the land of romance. It is one thing to lose one's cares,
and relax our strained thoughts, out of those hours that
should be devoted to genuine labour of mind or body ; but
it is a different and a dismal thing, to bo fallowing with an
excited imagination the wild and erroneous ilighte of the
imagination of another, when mind or body should be octal
pied in some work of duty.

" A Week in Lisbon," furnishes an amusing account
of that city. " Nurse Brown's Story" is most me-
lancholy, but it is touchingly told, and narrates
some of those hidden sorrows that go far to swell
the aggregate of misery in this vale of tears. The
last paper is cn the interesting subject of Austra-
lian Research, which has lately been made known
in this country. It is worthy of attention, and
affectingly concludes in these words :

BURKE THE EXPLORER.
Burke was laid in the grave, wrapped in the Union
Jack—a shroud most meet and proper for this brave and
intrepid Irishman. The country towards Carpentaria will
be Burke's Land henceforward, It will never be forgotten
that he led the way across the continent, and perished, as
discoverers have too often done before him. Ireland, to
which he has done honour, will not fail to do honour to his
memory. Totness, of which Wills was a native, will erect
a memorial to one who died in the path of enterprise and
duty. And hereafter, when settlers occupy that land, and
the rose cockatoos and crested pigeons, by the creeks the
explorers travelled, getlamiliar to the sight of white men,
and women, and little children, it will be told how, far
away beyond, in miles and years, Robert O'Hara Burke
and William John Wills were the first to cross the grassy
plains and gold bearing ranges, and died at Cooper's Creek,
coming home from Carpentaria."