The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-04 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

FRASER.—A lengthened article on our relations
with China is the first thing to greet the reader in
this number. It enters very fully into Mr. Lay's
transactions with the Imperial Government, and is
inclined to look with disfavour on that gentleman's
arrangements. The paper will interest those who
have watched the progress of events in China, though they
may not sympathise with all the writer's views. An ar-
ticle on " Corporal Punishments and Penal Reformation,"
discusses a question of much social importance, which,
like many other vital questions, is many-sided. After con-
sidering the active opposition that has for some time past
been going on to capital punishment, the writer arrives at
the conclusion, " that if capital punishment for the worst
class of murders In reasoned down, it must be shown,
first that the punishment is not dreaded and has no ten-
dency to deter ; secondly, that some other punishment will
deter; and, thirdly, that there is some feasible mode of
reformation by which such criminals Can be restored to
free citizenship and moral life in society. A state of hope-
less servitude is a detestable demoralisation." The writer
dwells very strongly on the duty and benefit of the pre-
vention of crime, which he looks upon as more important
than the reformation of criminals. Difficult as is that un-
dertaking, however, the general prevention of crime is
equally difficult. It is impossible to remove temptation
out of the weak man or woman's way, and certainly the
tendency of the day to extravagant expenditure and exces-
sive display does not lessen it. The long neglect of the
lowest classes, too, has leftus little influence over the men and
women of this generation. It is only by training the
children that we can hope to do lasting general good, and
we may trust that those who come after us may reap the
reward of our labours. One thing, however, must be done
if we would diminish the attractions of crime. We must
make the gaol less pleasant than the workhouse, and cease
to treat poverty as the worst possible. offence against so-
ciety. The tale of "Gilbert Itugge" is continued, and we
gather some hints of the earlier story. The madman has
recovered his reason, and his broken confession to Aunt
Laurinda reveals some of Captain Himslow's earlier doings
which are little to his credit. " The Story of Saneha, an
Egyptian Tale of Four Thousand Years Ago," is the title
of a paper that will interest the antiquary. The reader of
similar tastes will also be attracted by an article on "Bristol
Churches," which discusses some of the peculiarities of their•
ancient architecture. A. K. H. B. contributes an essay
called " The Rest Of It," by which singular title he de-
signates the concluding reflections properly belonging to
his discourse " Concerning Ten Years." It is, perhaps, in
consequence a little disjointed, but is well worth reading,
nevertheless.

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—The editor's romance
of " The House of Seven Chimneys," proceeds with
interest, and chronicles the adventures that befell
the Prince Charles and the Duke during their in-
cognito journey. The story of "Catharine Cornaro"
is continued from the German, and its fair heroine
becomes in this number the unwilling Queen of Cyprus.
Dudley Costello also proceeds with his narrative of the illus-
trious career of Signor Tomkins, which, as might be ex-
pected from its hero's title, is tragi comic in its character.
Francis Jacox takes another "cue from Shakspere" respect-
ing " Postprandial Placability," which, in plainer English,
signifies after-dinner benevolence or good humour. A
hungry man is seldom a good listener, a ready lender, or
an amiable critic; but after the magic hour his views of
things in general are greatly improved. "Noted French
Duellists" form the subject of another article, and there are
besides other tales, sketches, and poems.

• COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE opens with an
article on " Courts-Martial," and the impending
change in the constitution of that tribunal, of which
there is so much need, judging by the recent speci-
mens of Colonel Crawley and other partial samples.
The "Visit to the Court and People of Siam" mani-
festly improves as it proceeds. The Siamese are a singu-
lar, and yet a matter-of-fact, sort of people. In the
" Curiosities of Naval Literature" we find some old pecu-
liarities of national character, and some quaint anecdotes.
When Admiral Walton lay at Spithead, a nobleman in
the neighbourhood sent his gamekeeper with half a fat
buck as a present. " Sir George sent back a simple
message of thanks, but the keeper begged the steward to
inform ,the admiral that he expected a compliment for
himself. 'A compliment for himself,' said the :admiral,
who was more economical of his money than his powder,
'then he shall have one ; go and tell the captain to
salute him with five guns when he leaves the ship.'" A
" Tour in Canada and the Northern States" will be read
with interest at this juncture, and so will the " Ameri-
can NaVy." Talk of our Naval Estimates, indeed, as
providing "bloated armaments." Look at those of Ame-
rica for next year—only $112,189,663, or something above
£23,000,000 sterling ! Shade of Joe Hume; it is well he
was not born a Yankee, though ho loved a fourpenny
piece as much as the Yankee prized the "almighty
dollar." How the American conscience stretches beyond
the Gulf, and over the broad St. Lawrence. "Oswald
Hastings" is continued with unabated interest in its usual
lively strain. The "Editor's Portfolio" contains some
excellent hits, and among them " Sherard Osborne's pro-
posed Visit to the North Pole."

THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.—An Hunga-
rian's travels in Central Asia form the subject of a
readable paper. They extended over a wide range
of country, and one which, from various causes, is
little frequented by European travellers—from Te-
heran across the Turkcoman desert to Khiva,
Bokhara, and Samarcand. The traveller at one period of
his journey found it advisable to assume the disguise of a
Dervish. He passed through several trying ordeals with-
out being detected, but had a narrow escape of discovery
from the Afghans of Herat, who took him for an English-
man. They have some curious traditions respecting the
English. A gate of one of their bazaars having passed un-
hurt through a late siege, is supposed by them to have
suffered so little because it was built by the English. It
can never, they say, bo destroyed, because the English
when they build, only lay brick over brick as justice directs,
while the Afghans mix the mortar with the tears of oppres-
sion. Mrs. Bushby's story of "Woodbury" proceeds, but
the incidents are painful. The old man dies, his nephew
having had more than a share in his death. Alfred
Percival gains his end and obtains his uncle's fortune, with
what result remains to be seen. The other story in this
serial; " Strathmore," is brought to a conclusion. It is its
author's longest and most ambitious work, and its end
shows that he has risen above the level of his former
fictions. The story ends differently from what the reader
was led to think, but its moral is the more impressive if the
less ghastly. We have another paper on a geographical ex-
ploration, in an account of the Desert of Gobi, or the Siberian
overland route from Pekin to St. Petersburg. Russia, it
is said, is anxious to open communication with Pekin by
roads and ways in waiting for railroads. " Forbear to
Judge" is one of the best of Francis Jacox's miscellaneous
essays ; and there are besides a criticism on Browning's
new volume of poems, and a further instalment of Alex-
ander Andrew's Cotton Possibilities.
THE VICTORIA MAGAZINE. This- interesting
serial keeps up with spirit and shows no diminution
of its attractions or flagging of its zeal. An essay
on Walter Savage Landor does full justice to the
venerable and lamented writer's abilities. The
extracts from his " Imaginery Conversations " give
fair samples of the best known of his works. The sym-
pathisers with the sufferings of Poland will be much
interested in the account of Emilie Plater, the Polish Joan
D'Arc, whose career reads like a romance, although the
heroic patriotism of Polish women has long been justly
famous. " The Manufacture of Wearing Apparel" is the
title of a paper which treats of the great social problem of
the employment of female apprentices in needlework.
The writer, who enters very fairly into the subject, shows
the difficulties under which the employers labour, and con-
siders that the only solution is the regulation of such
establishments by Act of Parliament. A dressmaker said
on this point that if she refused to execute an order the
lady thought her disobliging, and went to her neighbour ;
but if all were under the same rule no offence could be
given. A gentleman connected with Messrs. Swan and
Edgar's establishment declared that in his opinion the
best thing for all parties would be a strict factory law to
limit the hours of work. It is strange that so simple a
remedy has never yet been tried. " Among the Black
Boys" is a tale giving an interesting account of an attempt
to civilise some young Australian aboriginees.
THE BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY REVIEW.—The
second instalment of the sketch of Dumouriez's
eventful career, by Ouida, is equal in interest to
the first chapter. The stirring days of the great

th
French Revolution are never exhatisted, and
life of so prominent an actor, he of whom Madar
Roland said to her husband "il serait ton maitre," is 33° ...c11;
significant biography. It is to be completed in the De-
part. Strange to say, in this number we have no PaPer or
part.
article on the American war, whose episodes cue Ic°ll
think aro sufficiently interesting to military readers
are
Though the romances of the present day 0
overlooked, however, we are carried back to the routanch
of the past in No. 5 of "Celebrated Trials connected wit
the Army and Navy," which records the memorable marl
of the Bounty and the perils of Captain Bligh and his le
lowers. The two principal papers in the number tire °t
it
" Our Naval Defences," and " Our Military System," h° r
subjects of extreme importance and closely concerning our
national welfare. They are treated at some length by
writers who have evidently studied their subjects, an
aer.
commend them to the notice and consideration of al° rea
THE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. No. 87. 131a„ci:,
i
wood. -Agriculture is no longer the mere routine 01,
It has enlisted in its causes the first scientific wino,
of the day, and has profited as largely by the Prof
gress of modern knowledge as any other branch
industry. It is, therefore, no superfluous or ins'
nificant undertaking to chronicle from time to tr.
the advance and the improvements made in its prat'ne4)(l
and such journals as the one before us serve nig:.
and useful purpose in collecting the views anao. the
perience of different cultivators, and in discussing
ods
different theories that are propounded as to 111'31 1n,,110,0
of cultivation. The practical farmer and the alpecu:hleo
theorist will alike find themselves consulted in the 0
pages, while the tables of prices and summary' for
quarter will prove of practical service.
THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS OF --
1011
MACAULAY, Part 11. (Longman and Co.)— 40,
completes half of this compact People's u''`'-ed
The contents of the second instalment, here issartn
with the February Magazine, are, for the most p'
political, philosophical, logical, and statistic'. f
their character. They include among them the 0
0f
the Essay on History, the whole of the criticism (s°l-,ent,
it very subtle, indeed) on Mills's Essay on Governali3
the whole, likewise, of the slaughtering review of Ssi'"
Law of Population, and the commencement of the 90
on Mirabeau. These pages includes within them n dfal
tribute to the genius of Jeremy Bentham, and a w°...,11,e1
extenuation, we might almost say certainly a veil'll"re.
sive explanation of the cause of the horrors and casoi tieb
marking the French Revolution, otherwise the r relic

Revolution.
DR. W. EBSTER'S COMPLETE DICTIONARY nt
lti
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.—Part I. (Bell and palto,
promises when completed to be a very eneYelt
of information. The highly-elaborated and Yet " °or
derfully cheap edition of this Dictionary here C° of
menced by the issue of this first number in a serf
twelve monthly half-crown instalments, is anneuuce' 31111
evidently with justice, to have been not only tlioroafg
revised but materially improved into the bargaity-ti,j't
of courso, by means of certain important additions. 0.4
labour of this careful revision and enlargewellt„,,cel
been entrusted to Dr. Noah Porter and Dr. Gba:;fiitig
Goodrich—men,
evidently, well qualified by their le'Aii-tiee
and sagacity for the able discharge of the responsible ",-4- at
of Editorship. The Dictionary, in its present fora', -
only enlarged but is also illustrated, here and there' ate
explanatory woodcuts. Part I. extends from A 1
we don't know whether in jest or seriousness) to ``"--vola
one who bores"—mechanically, that is, not in the °log-
tional meaning, attached to the phrase. It may be tinilte4 4 ill
ing to add that the number of words which will he '°;l4,cl i°
this dictionary exceeds by 10,000 the number corePr' o'er
any other dictionary of the English language that
yet been published—as many as 114,000 actualll
recorded and explained in Dr. Webster's Mautliletil
tionaryMß. .
ROMFORD'S HOUNDS. Part X. This
ber is very exciting, and presents some most 01 0';
scenes to our notice. The descriptions of the eel
scenes are first-rate, and the fact of gr. ~,atoo'
Romford's being in a suspicious situation adds to Os taP
geoo,
sity of the interest. Mrs. Somerville's attempts to
an "at home," aided by her fair friend Betsey Sill 9
ftre
transformed for the nonce into Miss Hamilton 1:103'1:41tiolt
most entertaining, and reveal a power of smart desc''„'Dic/I
and sharp observation on the part of the auth°r lively
secure success to any story, be it grave or g* log
or severe. The dupes and knaves, who g° ar°
way in making up the various classes of societno
here ably depicted, from Fizzer, the confectioner, ti'Yjocefl
by a grand appellation, to Hazy and Watkins, c(inv ittler
of the orthodoxy of the Master of Hounds ; an outingrew
is likewise presented with a fair amount of sp
ings and doings, which are sure to prove attractiVe
form an agreeable variety to other literature.
~,
the
THE HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY MAGAZINE. NT
-*
One would think there were enough serials in tit
field, but this style of literature is a popular titd
seems the demand equals the supply, howevers large it
ply
be. The new comer is of much the same style as ii;sf; of
decessors, being better written than the gerters,l.,.;te_,(t
cheap magazines, and certainly more profusely
The readers have no lack of material, although t' is 'cor
is only sixpence ; and as a great part of the contentSocell
sists of tolerably interesting fiction, the journal is -1
to be popular.
MERRY AND WISE. Edited by Old Merry
eryout
2. Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.—Vs
little serial is designed for younger folks than 311), Lo%6'
our serial literature at present provides for. it is 00
ably written, prettily illustrated, and altogether 4
attractive and entertaining little miscellany
• are'
THE YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN'S MAGAZI'''' itls O5l
markably cheap publication, containing, 35;700
such articles on the fine arts, fashions, and
and ornamental needlework. 115
THE ENGLISHWOMAN'S DOMESTIC MAGA,„• Oki
usual, overflowing with information on a 01'10
useful matters. 0011'
LE FOLLET is a perfect picture gallery 1
114 ,119
0
The coloured plates of fashions are more 01*
attractive. - edit°

CASSELL'S PUBLICATIONS.—'The 3tair°
of " Don Quixote," with illustrations by
tiyhich
Dore, is quite equal to 'the preceding numbers, °, eels
we have spoken in terms of praise. "Gulliver's 1-111100'
is also worthy of commendation, whilst the other viol'
trated publications, viz., the Shakspere, Goldsmith, 06
yan, and Natural History, all do credit to the enterri
firm. I be
S.',,,clay Magazine Alll til
•

sctEoLcLotEaionuss several e.
well-written an
.
found
• 261
in prose and verse. The Chess Players' Maga' it
eTeThS '
articles Do'
as edited by Herr Lowenthal, and circulating ' pet
does amongst most of the leading players in F,art4o
is a highly interesting magazine to those Avil°
interest in chess. The Autographic Mirror abounds
curious information and autographs, amongst wiliGhed
b 3 found those of Torquato Tasso, Franklin, Stol3 #B,
Jackson, Coleridge, and various other eminent well' eve
Boy's Own and Boy's Monthly Magazines a
adapted for those whom they are intended.
Friend is a very useful domestic economist, l'-',„teird,;
Gardener's Magazine treats upon many subjects of irriv
to the horticulturist. Letts's Monthly Sheet 'Direct& :10011
be found very useful, and the Horticultural Sheet ,1
is very tastefully got up. •