The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-04 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood's Magazlne.
This magazine commences with Caxtoniana," a
series of essays on "Life Literature and Manners."
It is somewhat peculiar in its style, but contains
some striking comments on various ideas connected
with its subject. The "Differences between the
Urban and Rural Temperament." The distinction
is well drawn in these words--" There are persons
who, from first to last, are such special lovers of the
country that they never feel thoroughly at home
in the stony labyrinth of capitals, and there are
others who, from first to last, would rather look
out in a back-yard in St. James's than on the vales
under Fiesolo in the hues of a Tuscan autumn, or
the waters of Windermere in the hush of an Eng-
lish June." These sketches are to be continued, and
will doubtless furnish agreeable studies to those
who like dissertations on life and manners, drawn
by an artistic hand, and replete with classical
knowledge. "Wassail," a Christmas story, is
concluded in a very satisfactory manner. The
wanderers return, and after mourning there is
gladness in the desolate dwelling of the vicar.
After disappointment came delight to the good
household of " Tregarron." " What joy is there
higher or brighter than that which comes as the
reaction of suffering—the joy which cometh in the
morning— the light after darkness." Some of the
events at the farm on Christmas eve are quite ex-
citing, and the grim Australian dog is the hero of
the hour in finding out and keeping the lurking
robber, "Physicians and Quacks" is the title of
a new article that is deserving of attention, and
beyond present edification may really prove of ser-
vice to that large class of mistaken individuals who
give heed to the crafty and the cunning, who
assert themselves to be the marvellous ministers of
disease and the curers of ailments in an incredible
space of time, with some remarkable nostrum or
other. Some of the chief points of the arguments
are thus summed up in conclusion :

And now, reader, for the moral; all these rambling re-
marks have had an aim ; and that aim a practical one. You
are mortal, and liable to all the ills that flesh is heir to.
You are mortal, and when ill, are timorous. You aro
mortal, and in your ignorance an easy dupe. Your igne-
ranee respecting the mysteries of life and disease cannot be
enlightened by a magazine article; but your ignorance of
the danger you run in distrusting physicians and relying
on quacks may he enlightened. First, then, we hope to
have made it clear that the Art of Mea;.;,.., over and above
its own special difficulties, is rendered excessively une..-
tain because it necessarily rests upon the Science of Bio-
logy ; and that science is still in a chaotic conditijn.
Next, we hope to have made it clear, that however imper-
fect the knowledge of the physician may be, it is necessarily
of incalculably greater value than the knowledge of the
quack, who, having never studied the organism in health
and disease, is simply as ignorant as you are yourself. . .
If you aro ill, and distrust the medical aid of your town or
country, act courageously in that distrust, and leave the
cure to nature. But in no case withdraw your confidence
from the imperfect skill of the physician, to place it on the
perfect ignorance of the quack. The Medical Art of the
day may be incompetent to restore the "digestive vigour"
to your stomach which has lost its tone ; but, oh 1 be not
so misguided as to search for that lost tone in the adver-
tisements. Are you so inexperienced as put your faith in
testimonials P You will not even send to the library to
borrow (much less buy) the book, which a page of adver-
tised "opinions of the press" assures you is the most splen-
did work of the day, thrilling in incident, profound in
thought, brilliant in style, replete with humour and pathos,
and with every other quality which a book could have.
You are deaf to these trumpets. You order a book of which
none of these things are said—about which there is no
flourish whatever. And you aro wise. But why does this
wisdom desert you when a pill or a lotion is placarded on
the walla, or arrests your attention in the advertising
columns f Is it of more consequence that you should yawn
over a trashy beck, which 3ou have seen praised as a chef
d'ouvre, than that you should ruin your health because a
charlatan praises his medicaments

An amusing anecdote is told of a man who urged
another to try some " Powder" of wondrous
efficacy, and afterwards alleged that his faith
rested on the knowledge that " the advertiser made
a very good living out of it." " Captain iClutter-
buck's Champagne" is finished, and presents us
with some capital scenes. For instance the final and
complete discomfiture of Melhado is most smartly
told, and his " take in" in the duel was quite a
success for the perpetrators of the joke. This tale
has throughout been written in a lively style, and
has the additional advantage of bringing before us
some scenes of West India life. It is satisfactory
to mark the triumph of the conspirators in their
hazardous venture. " Chronicles of Carlingford"
has now for subject " Salem Chapel," and
the account of the adventures or rather
misadventures, of the energetic young
minister is very entertaining. Whereas he
thought he was to be the inspired trainer of an
elevated and enlightened community, he found
himself surrounded by a thoroughly common
class, who had neither the elegance of one rank
nor the simplicity of another. He was deeply
mortified at the insight he gained into the abodes
of his congregation. Vulgar pretension and ab-
surd jealousy seemed to reign paramount, and in
vain did the educated and refined scholar seek
complete isolation—nothing would do but that
he must be dragged forward as the " show" of
the party, and the guest of which every house-
keeper seemed proud. At last he sees the grand
vision of some lady who is of another sphere to
that in which the wretched hero of " Salem" had
alighted. With this gleam of romance to lighten
the sad world of reality, we leave the aspirant
in solitude. " The Origin of Language" is the
name of some verses that are composed in a
spirited strain, and are also of a flowing style.
These verses designate the style ;
'Tie not very easy to tell
How language had first a beginning,
When Adam had just left the shell,
And Eve hadn't taken to spinning;
Or if, in some other queer way,
Men rose to be lords of creation,
What power brought their tongues into play,
Or prompted their speechification ?
Toroddle, toroddle, toroll.
Some think they were ready inspired
With lexicon, syntax, and grammar,
And never like children required
At lessons to lisp and to stammer.
As Pallas by Jove was begot
In armour all brilliantly burnished,
So Man with his Liddell and Scott
And Buttman or Blomfield was furnished.
Toroddle, toroddle, toroll.
Some say that the primitive tongue
Expressed but the simplest affections;
And swear that the words said or sung
Were nothing but mere Interjections.
0! 0! was the signal of pain :
Jfa ! Ba! was the symptom of laughter :
Pooh ! Pooh ! was the sign of disdain,
And others came following after.
Toroddle, toroddle, toroll.
" The Defence of Canada" is a long article that
enters fully into the question, and is written con
amore. Various plans are proposed at the con-
clusion in the event of a war, which are modestly
described as speculations for what they are worth.
An unfavourable opinion is expressed concerning
the Grand Trunk Railway, which is described as
useless when hostilities begin with an enterprising
enemy in our front. Apart from these opinions,
which are sure to provoke criticism, all patriots
will agree in the truth of the last paragraph,
which states that " the results of a war so waged
must, of course, depend on the military genius of
the leaders on either side, and the bravery of the
troops. But assuming these to be equal, we think
the odds are in favour of our countrymen. In-
deed, if the proposed canal be completed in time,
from the seaboard to Lake Ontario, and the flying
corps which is to harrass the American coasts do
its duty, the war with England of 1863 will pro-
bably teach the Federals a lesson which they are
not likely to forget for many years after." There
is a note relating to an able article in the Decem-
ber number of this magazine on Augustus Welby
Pugin, Some error there mentioned is referred to in
a letter from his son,-who at the same time bears
flattering testimony to the interesting and favour-
able review of his father's life.

Fraser's Magazine.

The contents of Fraser is more than usually
varied this month both in style and subject. It
opens with a review of Mr. Arthur Helps's last
volume on the Spanish Conquest in America, from
which able and exciting record many extracts are
given. The singular and somewhat unconnected
story bearing the eccentric title of " That latta!
That latta !" proceeds with animation. We pre-
sume that its disjointed parts will be welded
together before long. " An old apprentice of the
law" gives us a pleasant rambling paper on some
of the editors and newspaper writers of the last
generation, which includes some names that will
not . pass away with the ephemeral productions
over which they presided. A genial tribute to the
memory of the late Lord Herbert does full justice
to his life and labours. Lord Campbell gives a
clear and succinct resume of the stirring events of
1831-32, which, without entering on argument or
theory, ruins up very simply and concisely the
heads of the great struggle. From its judicial
calmness of tone and importance of subject, it
comes appropriately from one who is the inheritor
of so eminent a name and fame. The rival claims
of single and married life are discussed in a brief
but sensible paper, in which it is remarked that the
greater freedom and increased mental resources now
enjoyed by unmarried women, together with the
recent revelations of the dark side of married life
must tend to lessen their willingness to accept the
gilded fetters. The story of " Barren Honour,"
by the talented author of " Guy Livingstone,"
proceeds rapidly. The engagement between Alan
Wyverne and his cousin is broken off as the reader
has foreseen, thanks, he cannot help suspecting, to
Lady Mildred's ingenious assistance. A short
essay on " The Muse and the Drawing-room," ex-
presses the natural astonishment felt by any
-ational person in listening to the words of our
amateur songs. Why it is absolutely necessary

that vocalists should resort to such a collection of
meaningless interrogatories and senseless regrets
ss we are commonly favoured with is a puzzle hard
to solve. It would appear more easy to adapt
stirring or flowing strains to congenial and expres-
sive lyrics than to platitudes whose re-appear-
ance :n a thousand forms deprives them
of even the attraction of novelty. As the
writer observes, the stupidity of most of these
productions is the more singular as when there is
any happy exception it is so eagerly welcomed.
Witness the striking success of Miss Lindsay's
adaptations of the beautiful words of Tennyson and
Longfellow. Witness also the celebrity of those
wonderfully expressive ballads which add another
melody to the music of Kingsley's words. As this
is not the first remonstrance of the kind we have
seen, we may hope that public taste will effect an im-
provement in this particular. We are sorry to have
to differ from Mr. Mills, but there are few passages
in his article on the contest in America with which
we can coincide, excepting the hearty denunciation
of slavery. The view which he takes of identifying
the North with the abolition of slavery was pre-
cisely that which ranged the greater part of this
country on the Federal side at the commencement
of the struggle. English sympathies were soon,
however, repelled by the increasing conviction that
the Northerners might be fighting for a good many
objects, but that the total destruction of slavery was
not among the moving incentives to war. If this
motive bore even a considerable share in it, as Mr.
Mill states, how was it that total abolition was not
proclaimed at the outset. IVe deny Mr. Mill's
accusations against the feeling of this country ; it
is rather the Americans who should consider
whether their speeches, actions, and writings have
been in keeping with "a war of justice and prin-
ciple." We regret to see a writer of Mr. Mill's
reputation and ability support so unflinchingly a
doubtful cause.

Colburn's New _Monthly Magazine.
A paper on the "&aboard of British North
America" opens this number, and gives an interest-
ing account of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, and other neighbouring localities. The
writer justly comments on the absurd conduct of
the Yankees, in destroying harbours which, accord-
ing to their own arguments, belong of right to
them, and will shortly be again under their domi-
nion. The interesting but melancholy tale of
" The Shadow of Ashley Dyat," by the talented.
author of "East Lynne," is continued with its
accustomed ability. The details of Ethel Grame's
brief illness and death are given, and fresh trouble
is hanging over the Godolphins, in Sir George's
increasing illness and wandering mind. The ease
and animation of the style possess all their usual
attractions, and give an air of naturalness to the
domestic scenes. Cyrus Redding contributes some
verses on the "Royal Bereavement," and Sir
Nathaniel gives us an article on the " Constable
Bourbon," the famous renegade. This historical
celebrity affords the writer a good opportunity for
introducing the quotations and references of which
he is always so lavish. He gives a full account of
that ghastly sack of Rome, which proved fatal to
its projector. Mrs. Bushby gives us a mourn-
ful story, entitled " Federalists and Confe-
derates," exhibiting some of the domestic
miseries inflicted on inoffensive families by the
civil war. " Granville de Vigne ; a Tale
of the
Day," proceeds with spirit, and clouds a:re threat-
ening over the heads of the chief acto7s. There is
an interesting paper on " Acclimatisation," which
gives curious particulars regarding the importation
and naturalisation of animals, The experiments
which have been made in importing the llama ap-
pear to have been very successful, The late Lord
Derby, in his collection at Knowsley, had no less
than sixty of these animals, who were so acclima-
tised that they remained in the open air through
the winter. William 11., of Holland, imported.
several llamas and alpacas to the Hague about six-
teen years since, which have now grown to be
eighty in number. The difficulty of feeding the
animal is now entirely overcome, as it is found that
those hitherto bred in Europe live during summer
on meadow grass, and in winter on hay and oats.
So far back as 1765 Buffon formed the idea of
introducing the llama into the Alps and Pyrenees,
being confident, he said, that these animals would
prove an incalculable gain to Europe, and pro-
duce a greater profit than all the gold of the New
World. The great demand which has existed of
late years for alpaca and llama cloths supports the
great naturalist's idea of the importance of these
animals. The attempt which is now being made
to introduce the dromedary into the south of
France, where it is being substituted for mules
in the salt works, is also spoken of. We doubt,
however, whether the suggestion made by the
writer, as to the introduction of the camel into
North America, would be equally successful, owing
to the greater severity of the Winters. The newly-
discovered " Gold Diggings of Otago" furnish the
subject of a lengthened paper, describing the rise
and progress of the colony. "The History of the
French Army" is brought to a conclusion ; it
gives an account in this part of foreign troops
in the service of France, prominent among which
are the adventurous " Garees Ecossaises," who
claim the distinction of being the first foreigners
who shed their blood in defence of the Kings of
France'; and also the swiss, who sealed their
fidelity to the unfortunate Louis XVl,.with their

The United. Service Magazine.
The United Service of this month containsseveral
very interesting articles, commencing with one on
the recruiting system, in which it is demonstrated
that with the most splendid material at her com-
mand for forming first-class soldiers, England
contrives, although expending vast sums 07
money, never to possess an effective army. The
cause of this is ascribed to the continual reduction
and augmentation of the number of the troops com-
bined with the i nsigniflcant pay of the soldier,
which is far inferior to what can be earned by
ordinary labour. While the American soldier
receives thirteen dollars per month, with free
rations, the British soldier clears fourpence half-
penny a day, after paying for food and washing,
but out of which sum he has various expenses to de-
fray of clothing, &c., &c. It is maintained that
were their pay increased sixpence per day, a far
higher class of men would be forthcoming; the
recruiting-sergeant would no longer require artifice
and deception to lure the unthinking to accept the
Queen's shilling ; and, instead of lads of six-
teen and seventeen, who soon repent of their bar-
gain and too often desert, able-bodied men would be
forthcoming. The United Service seems to have
accepted as its mission the censorship of Govern-
ment shortcomings, and unfortunately there is an
abundance of material at their service, not but that
great reforms have lately been effected. " Training
for the Royal Navy" exposes how thoroughly the
great measures of " whole-hog" reformers have
destroyed the nursery of England's navy by the
repeal of the navigation laws, which led to the
discontinuance of the system of merchant service
apprentices. It shows how the abolition of
this system tended in a short time to deteriorate
the seamen, and that this, added to the necessity of
a reduction of rates and freightage owing to foreign
competition, caused merchant captains to employ
many foreigners, thus the supply of the
navy became so reduced that schools for naval
instruction, or training-ships, have had to be
introduced. Again the transfer of the appointment
of midshipmen from naval captains to the First
Lord of the Admiralty, who makes it a valuable
source of patronage, has reduced the effective force
of junior officers, and rendered necessary the for-:-
elation of Royal Naval Colleges, &c. Although it
is evident that the writer hankers after the good old.
times, there is much truth in his remarks. The first
article on "The British Cavalry and its? Organisa-
tion" enters into considerable detail on cavalry
tactics, and furnishes much information ; but we
cannot agree with its author on all points. For
instance, why should it be necessary to have
twelve and fourteen stone men for light
cavalry, who are expected to do fast work,
and whose horses are already hampered
by their necessarily heavy paraphernalia. His
argument, that a comparatively short man cannot,
stand up in his stirrups to deal a Wow is absurd
at a time when rifled cannon and Minie rifles wilt
render it necessary for cavalry to manoeuvre with
the utmost celerity. But if we differ on this point
we cordially agree with the following remarks about
pipe-clay and its adjuncts, which ought to have been
abolished together with its brethren, hairpowdcr
and pigtails :
Everything has been done that is possible, with a due re-
gard to the cleanliness and efficiency of the soldier, to re-
duce the weight which a horse has to carry in marching
order to the lowest amount. The saddlery is as near per.
fection row as can well be, the material and workmanship
surpassing those of other armies. It has been suggested
that the shabraque should bo done away with as a useless
appendage; but surely something mai be conceded to ap•-
pearance. All classes delight in their holiday costume;
why, therefore, deprive the soldier of kis ornaments, on
which, moreover, are emblazoned the names awl emblems
of former victories? Besides the horse himself is proud of
his trappings. There is ono change, however, which is
highly desirable—the abolition of pipeclay altogether from
the service, and the substitution of either the black patent
or brown leather belts and gloves. Pipeclay is at all times
a nuisance; the ,fine dust from it finds its way to tho
lungs, and obstructs the pores of the skin (a fact known to
every one who is in the habit of wearing pipeclay gloves,
by the unpleasant dry feeling of the hands when the gloves
are taken off). It cannot consequently be otherwise than
injurious. A shower of rain spoils the appearance of the
belts; the tunics or jackets, notwithstanding every care and
attention, are spotted with it i the cleaning with it occupies
the time of soldiers, which might be better employed ; the
balls of pipeclay and brushes are nasty things to carry ; the.
dust pervades everything, being as searching as the dust of
Gibraltar; and to wind up, it has an offensive, sickly odour,
when wet, peculiar to itself, It is worth inquiry whether