The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDOLi, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1865.

very effectual in lessening the spread of the evil, if
it do not altogether check its mischievous course, and
avert its fatal consequences. Thus, in the first place,
the slipperiness of the road-way might be obviated
by the sprinkling of fine gravel, which can be made I
to fall out "of carts as sand from a pounce-box,
or as water from water-carts." This solution
of the difficulty seems simple and satisfactory, and
really 'when we consider the frequency of serious
accidents, it seems almost more important to adopt
this scheme than to provide water to allay the irri-
tation caused by the dust in summer. To prevent
the annoyance of the rough stones it is suggested
that du_riu g the night hours a traction engine be
employed, or else an immense roller drawn by seve-
ral horses_ In Birmingham and other places these
rollers are in requisition, and it seems indeed ab-
surd that the metropolis should be behind provin-
cial towns in the use of such things. In Paris, in
many continental towns, and in Poland even, these
rollers are employed, and therefore it is well put
here, in illustration of the anomalous condition of
our streets, that the " well bred horses and elegant
carriages of London are employed to accomplish the
work which in other places is performed by road
rollers weighing many tons." . The memorial
concluded by praying that the Board of
Works would endeavour to put a stop
to the evils enumerated, and do their utmost
to facilitate the introduction of the improve-
ments suggested. Mr. MOCATTA truly observed that
there was another point of consideration, and that
was the losses which accrued to the owners of the
horses who suffered so terribly from the bad state
of the roads. The chairman agreed that great
necessity existed for something being done of a
remedial character, but stated that unfortunately
the Board had no jurisdiction over the surface of the
roads. However, his concurrence is a great step
gained, and it is to be hoped that the vestries and
district boards will pay proper attention to this
important matter. Mr. CARPMAEL made a very wise
suggestion, when he said that if no powers now
existed in any board to effect these important ends,
application be made to Parliament for the pur-
pose. It is to be hoped that this will be done, and
meanwhile that some good effects will follow on
the resolution carried to refer the memorial to a
committee of the board for thorough investiga-
tion.

The retirement of a gentleman who has for many
years filled a place in our House of Parliament is
always a matter of some interest, and it is especially
so when the constituency which he has represented
is one of unquestioned importance. The represen-
tation of Westminster is a position of sufficient
honour to be worthy of the most distinguished of
our statesmen. Its close association with the scene
of the Parliamentary strifes and victories qualifies
its electors to form a pretty accurate opinion of the
conduct of their representatives, and, therefore, the
fact of a politician having continued to hold that
responsible office through a long term of years,
affords of itself some ground for supposing that he
has performed his duties on the whole with satisfac-
tion to his constituents, and with credit to himself.
Unlike a remote rural borough, or even a busy pro-
vincial town, occupied mainly with its own interests,
the city of Westminster is in the very heart and
centre of the political combat, it breathes the atmos-
phere of the battle and the attack, defence, and
general skirmishing form its stapl2-abject of interest
during the months of the session. A great debate
is always a temporary excitement in Westminster, a
good speech on a factious movement is the topic of
the day, and if ever a member's course is closely
watched and narrowly scanned it is assuredly
within the precincts of that ancient borough.
Sir DE LACY EVANS has sat in Parlia-
ment, with brief exception, for the city of
Westminster for thirty-two of the busiest years of
our Parliamentary history, and he is enabled, on
looking back over no insignificant period, to de-
clare with pride that his course has been consis-
tently liberal, and that he has fought in the ranks
of Liberalism when its success was less assured than
at present, when many of its triumphs remained to
be won, and when, therefore, the adherence of a
steady and consistent supporter was not a matter
of indifference. "On becoming a member of the
Legislature," says Sir DE LACY E-vArrs, in his brief
address, " I identified myself, heart and soul, with
the then Liberal party." This was not, as he
points out, very advantageous in a worldly aspect,
since the party at that time was not in much favour
in high quarters, but the Westminster electors have
shown their approval of his conduct by the unmis-
takable evidence of re-election. They will, there-
fore, learn with great regret that their respected
Member feels himself no longer competent, from
failing health, to represent their interests with due
efficiency. He has issued an address informing
them that at the next election, now impending,
however little wished-for in many quarters, he will
not offer himself for re-election. Sir DE LACY
EvArrs has endured not only the fatigues of a
lengthened Parliamentary career, but the greater
and more exhausting hardships of an active military
life. Like the great General with whose campaigns
he was associated, he devoted the first half of his life
to the field and the second to the senate. The
change from the stirring life of the camp to the
quiet atmosphere of St. Stephen's must have been
striking, even though in the earlier days of his
political life times were more eventful and changeful
than now. He was able, however, to offer himself
to the Westminster electors as no insignificant can-
date for their suffrages, bearing, as he did, the
tokens of honour from more than one kingdom, and
having attained marked distinction in the ranks of
his own countrymen. Since his entrance into Par-
liament he has added to his military fame, having
taken a forward part in the Crimean war, distin-
guishing himself honourably at the battle of the
Alma, and at the more eventful battle of Inkerman
repelling a formidable attack on his division on the
heights of the Tchernaya.• For these services he was
warmly eulogised by the late Minister of War, and
received on his return the thanks of the Houses of
Parliament. He was also presented, as a token of
the approval of his countrymen, with a congratu-
latory address and a valuable sword. Prior to these
comparatively recent services, Sir DE LACY EVANS
had previously distinguished himself in the Penin-
sula, at Waterloo, in America, and in India, having
serve us y
ato life in
taken a share in all those eventful struggles. After
so b
then field,the
Parliamentary it
campaignhis highest
privilege ;
thus affording evidence how
highly our representa-
tive institutions are valued, even by those 'who
might naturally be supposed to have the least sym-
pathy with their independent action. Asa
soldier
and as a politician DE LACY EvANs has deserved
well of his countrymen, who, in their turn, have
not been slow to express their sense of his merits.

It is difficult to say what M. BIS3IAEK will do
when the •Schleswig-Holstein case is settled, if it
ever be so he will certainly be in the position of
OTHELLO with his occupation gone. When we con-
sider how he has gone on for months past lecturing,
retorting, and planning, it really seems surprising
that he should have found time to attend to any-
thing else besides. Every one supposed that by this
time, or long before, some finality movement* would

have taken place respecting these clisputed territories;
but no such thing, the solution is as far off as ever,
and to all intents and purposes we have to wait a
considerable time yet before we reach that desired
end. 'The fact is that Prussia has a purpose in thus
putting off the day of reckoning, and in prolonging
the debates and discussions on this question. The
plans cannot be unfolded all at once, and it is
wiser and safer to dole them out gradually
rather than jump at conclusions which would,
perhaps, spoil the game, or, at all events, mar
the affair by incautious haste. M. von BISMARK'S
reply to the Austrian despatch is quite in keeping
with this double-dealing system—it professes so
much, but in reality does so little in the way of
a definitive arrangement. In this document the
Prussian Minister affirms that he is desirous of put-
ting an end to the " provisional" state of matters
in the Duchies ; but he couples this admission with
an important intimation, to the effect that Prussia
cannot permit any Pretender to assume the Govern-
ment of Schleswig-Holstein until the "future rela-
tions between Prussia and the new State have been
determined." This addenda is indeed a significant
thing, and perhaps contains more truth in its pas-
sage than many fine-sounding statements of Herr
BISMARK have done. Of course, the object
is to delay and gain time until the
pear is ripe, as the saying is, or, in
other words, until the Berlin Cabinet have deve-
loped their schemes and arranged their plans so
securely that there will be no doubt hereafter who
is the real power in the Duchies, and which in-
fluence predominates there. It is curious that Herr
BISMARK: does not announce what conditions it will
be deemed necessary for Prussia to impose upon
the future Duke of SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, and he
evidently expects that such a statement may belooked
for from him, for he volunteers the information
that an understanding has not yet been arrived at
respecting the important matter between the Minis-
ter of Commerce and the heads of the Military and
Naval Departments. It is stated in some quarters
that Earl RUSSELL has advised Herr voN BISMARK
not to "annex the Duchies," and if so he has cer-
tainly given good counsel, but whetherfollowed or
not in the letter, it is certain that Prussia will
henceforth be the virtual ruler in those disputed
territories, and that no dictator ever held
more power in a direct form than the Cabinet of
Berlin intend to exercise indirectly, if they find that,
for very shame, they cannot appear as the nominal
chiefs and rulers. It would be difficult to state at
present what Powers Prussia was anxious to keep
on good terms with ; for, in one way or another,
she is falling out with all and pursuing a veritable
Ishmaelite course of policy. England has
been openly defied ; France has been trifled
with ; the lesser States of Germany have been
alternately bullied or treated with supreme con-
tempt, and now Austria meets neither with the re-
spect due to her as an ally or an equal. We hear
,of clap-trap assertions about a treaty affiance, but
all comes to nothing, if any practical advantage is
expected to accrue from congenial sentiments and
common interests. The commercial matters in
which the Government of Vienna expected to reap
some important benefits, do not seem likely to pro-
duce much after all, and it is pretty evident that a
cunning and selfish policy is the only motive that
actuates Prussian statesmen or propels their course.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.

(Arrival of the Moravian, via Greencastlo.)
NEW YORK, JAN. 27 (Evening).

Admiral Porter reports that the navy occupies
Fort Caswell, Bald Head, Fort Shaw, and the earth-
works on Smithville.

The Admiral says :—" In each fort an Armstrong
gun was found with the broad arrow upon it. The
British Government claiming the exclusive right to
use these guns, it would be interesting to know how
they came into rebel forts."
The report further states that a telegram 'was
found from Lee asserting that if Caswell and Fisher
were not held he would have to evacuate Rich-
mond.

Admiral Porter captured the blockade runners
Stag and Charlotte.

The total number of guns captured, including
those in Fort Fisher, is 168.

Wilmington papers of the 18th state that the
Federal gunboats are unable to advance, as the
Monitors cannot carry water enough to come up the
river. The Confederates hold Fort Andrews, and
have field artillery adequate to destroy the lighter
draft gunboats.

Reinforcements are arriving at Wilmington.

A message from Mr. Hall, a member of the
Legislature, has been read in the North Carolina
Senate, stating that Wilmington is not likely to
fall.

The Raleigh (North Carolina) Progress, however,
reviews the situation unfavourably, and says the
Confederates have fallen back within eight miles of
Wilmington.

General Jerry had demanded the surrender of the
city, giving Bragg until the 19th to decide. The
removal of public property is progressing, and
much confusion prevailed. The impression was that
Wilmington would surrender, the people remain-
ing in it.

President Davis is said to have arrived at Wil-
mington.
Northern accounts from Fort Fisher, dated the
20th inst., state that a reconnaisance was made on
the previous day.
The Confederates were found in force two miles
from the extreme line of the Federals. A skirmish
ensued, and 50 prisoners were captured. The
Federals afterwards withdrew.

NEW YORK, JAN. 28, Noon.

President Davis has signed the Congressional
resolutions creating the office of General-in-Chief.
He has also sent a letter to the Confederate Con-
gress stating that when General Lee took the command
of the army of Virginia, Lee was commanding all
the armies of the Confederate States. He was
relieved of the latter command at his own request.
Whenever General Lee finds it practical to assume
the chief command without withdrawing from the
direct command of the army of Virginia, Mr. Davis
will deem it conducive to the public interest to
place him in that position.
The Provost-Marshal has informed the Committee
of Supervisors that the quota of troops demanded
from New York city could not be reduced.
Gold, 2151.

It is reported from Hilton Head that the Federals
had captured 2,000
Upper Broad River.
prisoners and three guns on the

Charleston despatches state that Foster's troops,
15,000 strong, advanced on Pocataglio on the 14th,
and that the Confederates, after an obstinate re-
sistance, retreated across the Salkahatchil River.

The Charleston correspondent of the Richmond
Despatch reports considerable despondency and dis-

satisfaction with President Davis as existing among
the people of Charleston.
Numbers of South Carolina refugees have arrived
at Augusta.
A Confederate fleet of three ironclads and five
gunboats, under the reported command of Semmes,
descended the James River on Tuesday to destroy
the Federal works at City Point. An engagement
ensued with the Federal batteries. One vessel was
blown up the remainder of the fleet withdrew
under cover of the guns of the Howlett-House bat-
tery. Fortress Monroe despatches state that if the
Confederate iron-clads had not grounded, Grant's
iron transport works at City Point would have been
destroyed. Preparations have been made at City
Point in anticipation of the renewal of the attack.
Simultaneously with the naval attack, the Con-
federates appeared on the Charles City Road, ap-
parently to attack the Federals on the north bank
of the James.

Large numbers of troops have left Nashville for
New Orleans, it is believed for an expedition against
Mobile, or up the Red River. An expedition is
organising at New Orleans for Pacagoula.
It is reported that Price has captured Fort
Smith, Arkansas, with a garrison of 2,000 men.

A resolution of both houses of the Confederate
Congress requires the President to nominate a com-
mander of all the Confederate armies—the Senate
to confirm the appointment. The Richmond papers
entertain no doubt of Lee's appointment if Mr.
Davis does not veto the law.

The papers urge Congress to remember that Lee
favours the conscription of negroes. If appointed
General-in-Chief without permission to enlist
negoes, it will be giving him stone when he asked
for bread. A Charleston letter in the Richmond
Dispatch urges the levy and emancipation of
300,000 slaves for the invasion of the Northern
States in March.

It is reported that Breckenridge has been assigned
to the command of the trans-Mississippi depart-
ment.

President Davis has not yet accepted Mr. Seddon's

resignation.
General Gordon has superseded Early.
The Northern press is confident of an early
success of the Union arms.

11r. Blair has returned to Washington. Nothing
reliable is known as to the result of his mission to
Richmond.

The Sentinel says the Congress has not devoted
30 minutes during the session to peace discussions.
Mr. Leach, of North Carolina, has introduced a
resolution in the House of Representatives to offer
an armistice to the Federal authority, preparatory
to peace negotiations. The House refused to con-
sider the resolutions in secret session, and referred
them to their Committee upon Foreign Affairs.-

It is reported that changes will shortly be made,
embracing more or less the whole of the Confede-
rate Cabinet.

It is reported that Mr. Benjamin has resigned.
The Illinois Legislature has abolished the black
laws, preventing the emigration of negroes into
Illinois.

D . H. Hill, the commander of the district of
Georgia, has ordered all cotton and machinery to
be burned at Augusta if exigency required.
A Federal force of cavalry and infantry are
moving up the Chowan River in the direction of
Wilmington. Large Federal reinforcements for
Wilmington are reported to have arrived at Balti

more.
It is rumoured that the Tallahassee, alias Olustee,
has been captured at Wilmington.
Gold 1121 per cent. premium.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 (Evening).

Gold, 113 per cent. prem. Exchange on London,
233 ; United States Five-Twenty Bonds, 1081 ;
Illinois Shares, 118 ; middling Upland cotton, 88.
Jan. 28, 6 p.m.
Money easy. Gold, 1121 per cent. premium.

NEW YORK, JAN. 28, 6 p.m.
The following are the heads of intelligence brought
by the Moravian :
Mr. Blair has returned to Washington ; his mis-
sion is understood to be an utter failure, President
Davis demanding that negociations should be con-
ducted between independent nationalities, with an
armistice pending negociations.
The New York journals publish extracts from the
San Francisco Democratic Press confirmatory of
the reported cession of Mexican provinces to
France.

President Davis has signed a Congressional reso-
lution creating the office of General-in-Chief. It
is rumoured that General Lee has been appointed to
this office, and General Johnston to the command
of the Army ill Virginia.

Richmond papers of the 24th report no move-
ment of the Federals on either side of the Savannah

river.

Press accounts of the 25th inst. report a large
force of Sherman's troops to be moving in Augusta.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Feb. 6.—The market has been very
firm to-day. Threes, for the Account, opened at
67f. 20c., and are now doing at 67f. 25c. Mobilier
have been in demand at 967 f. 50c. to 968 f. 75c.
In the Railway Share Market prices have been
well maintained The Market closed as follows :

4} per Cents 96
Do. and month —
3 per Cents. 67 5
Do. end month 67 25
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3560
Credit Fonder 1285
Roman 73 50
RAIL'

Italian Loan 65 50
Do. end month 65 65
Ditto Threes
New Mexican
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred

Cash. Acct.
Orleans
Northern . lOll 25 ... 1015
Lyons and Mediterranean:..... 948 75 ... 950 25
Southern
.82 50 ... 582 50

Western
540 ... 542 50
Eastern
Sardinian 3OB 75 ... 307 50
Austrian
Lombard 555 ... 556 25
North of Spain 342 50 ... 345
Saragossa 407 50 ~. 405
Ditto to Barcelona - . 175

THE WESTBOURNE OPERETTA SOCIETY. —Last
evening the members of this society gave a very
excellent performance in the pretty little theatre erected at
Victoria Hall, Archer-street, Bayswater. The members
acquitted themselves in an excellent manner, the ladies,
however, as usual, bearing away the palm. It is unusual
for us to make selections from amongst ladies and gentle-
men engaged in amateur performances for special praise,
yet on this occasion we must dopart from the rule iu order
to compliment Madame Elwood Andrea for the artistic
manner in which.she sang the music allotted to her. She
displayed a fine voice, musical skill, combined with the
utmost taste and expression. The attendance was very
fashionable.

RECEPTION OF MR. BLAIR AT RICHMOND.-
The Washington correspondent of the Boston Journal writes
that Mr. Blair was warmly greeted at Richmond, and the
wife of President Davis actually " threw her arms around
the old gentleman and kissed him."

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE.—Mr. F. Strange
will give the whole proceeds of the entertainment to-night
at this large and popular place of amusement, to the
sufferers by the late unfortunate fire at the Surrey Theatre.
The whole company have also given their services.
A CONFEDERATE GENERAL.—PLYMOUTH, Feb. 6.
—General Wick, of the Confederate States service,
landed at Plymouth on Monday morning, by a Brigham
fishing-sloop, from the barque Hope, off Plymouth, from
New York for Bremen, out 21 days. The general was on
furlough at New York, but having some reason to believe
that the Federal euthorities designed some harsh measures
towards him he made his escape. He left by train for Lon-
don, and goes on to Paris.

LITERATURE,

Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's Poems.

Poems. By the Right Hon. Sir Edward Buiwer
Lytton, Bait, M.P. A New Edition Revised.
One Vol. Pp. 382. John Murray.

Sir Bulwer Lytton's ambition appears to be in-
satiable. Judging from the graceful, and in one
sense, that is, in the prevailing tone of it, we
might almost say pathetic, Dedicatory Epistle pre-
fixed to the present volume by way of an informal
Preface, our author's ambition remains, even to this
day, unsatisfied ! Meaning, ambition, here, of course,
precisely as the lexicographers define it ; namely, as
an eager desire for preferment, honour, superiority
or power. That desire, in the instance of Sir
Edward Bulwer Lytton, would really, we repeat,
appear, after all, to be inordinate. It is still, at the
least, unsatisfied. Yet, surely, if any man has
had reason for being satisfied, it is this very Man-
of-letters—it is this accumulator of so many
seemingly incompatible reputations. Regarding
him distinctly in the general sense as a Man-of-
Letters, he stands just alone—the first, the very
foremost among his contemporaries. And the ad-
, mission that he does so, might certainly, as it
appears to us, be conceded not only at once, but
quite fully and unreservedly, without one moment's
aiTAre pense'e in the way of jealousy or grudging,
by the most eminent even, and the most popular
among all those his rivals and contemporaries.
As the Representative—in the most comprehensive
meaning of that phrase—of our Living Literature,
he might be allowed- the pas in the order
of precedence, by right of the variety of his
powers and of the diversity of his achievements.
Not by any means undertaking to enumerate now
even one moiety of his voluminous writings, we
would say that—the Novelist of Eugene Aram,
The Caxtons, and Ernest Maltravers—the Historical
Romancist of Rienzi, the Last Days of Pompeii and
the Last of the Barons—the Dramatist of
The Lady of Lyons, Richelieu, and Money
--,-the Epic Poet of King Arthur—the
Satirist of The New Timon—the Essayist of
Caxtoniana—might be recognized as holding
within his grasp, by cumulative right, pre-eminence
among his contemporaries. And this as—par
excellence, for these and for a number of other
reasons of a similar character—the Representative
Man of Letters among English Authors of
Nowadays. Alfred Tennyson as a Poet, Charles
Dickens as a Novelist, Lord Macaulay as an
Essayist and Historian, Sheridan Knowles as a
Dramatist, might,'.individually, andcollectively, and
without any derogation whatever from the impor-
tance or pre-eminence of each in his own distinctive
capacity, have conceded to this indefatigable claim-
ant of honours and distinctions in all the various
departments of literature—himself at once, as we
have said, Dramatist, and Poet, and Novelist, and
Essayist, and so forth—the foremost place as a Man
of Letters, as the one who has won for himself the
most many-sided literary reputation of the age. And it
is not only, as the world knows full well, in the various
" fields and pastures (ever) new " of literature that
Sir Bulwer Lytton has been winning for himself
this great diversity of reputations. He has acquired
other and some of them very conspicuous reputa-
tions quite apart from literature. He has obtained
distinction as one of the great Chiefs of Party ;
as one of the principal Orators in the House of Com-
mons ; as a Minister of State occupying a seat in
the Cabinet, or as an ex-Minister occupying one on
the front bench of the Opposition. Yet, with all
these signal attentions of success, together with
their concomitant honours, thick upon him, Sir
Edward's ambition is still, it seems, unappeased, is
still at least unsatiated. Another among the many
cherished aspirations of his life, he tells us now
quite frankly, is yet, according to his view of it,
unattained. And this one, moreover—about the
nearest to his heart, about the most cherished, and
the most beloved. It is the famous aphorism
exemplified. It is the statesman, the legislator,
the administrator saying to the Song-writer—" Let
me make the ballads, and you may make the laws."
It is more than that—it is the epic poet's yearning
to become the lyrist. It is the author of many
big books—world famous most of them—longing
to be known, especially and peculiarly, as the writer
of little love songs and snatches of rhythmic melody
—mere trifles seemingly in their way, like that one,
once upon a time, sung by Scrooge's neice by
marriage—" a mere nothing, you might learn to
whistle it in two minutes," yet, when once heard,
haunting you for ever afterwards ! Yearning with
all the intensity of his ardent nature to accomplish
what he apparently regards as in truth the crowning
achievement of his literary life, Sir Edward Bulwer
Lytton has here submitted to public consideration,
has here commended to the candid judgment of
his fellow-countrymen, this (so far at least as his
artistic hand has been in any way enabled to ac-
complish it by infinite care in the labour of emenda-
tion) perfected gathering together within the com-
pass of a single volume, of the more brief and the
more distinctly lyrical among his poetical effusions.
As an Edition of his' Poems"—revised throughout
with exquisite carefulness, and published (in the
mere getting of it up we mean) in a manner so
worthy of the eminent establishment from which it
is issued, that it is virtually an edition de luxe, al-
though purchasable for no more than half-a-guinea
—the beautiful volume under review comes to us
here, so to speak, freighted with the loving hopes
and aspirations of a whole lifetime. And it is in itself
for the author, simply as an Edition of his " Poems,"
or rather, we will say as the Edition of his " Poems,"
a sort of a literary Euthanasia. It comes
to us, this lyrical argosy, freighted as we have
said with the hopes and aspirations of a whole life-
time. The productions herein collected together—
as the author himself intimates to us in so many
words, through the medium of his dedication, "have
been composed at various intervals." The volume, in
fact, so far has its resemblance to the orange-tree—
bearing confusedly among its leaves, at one and the
same time, the green buddings of spring-time, and
the silver blossoms of summer, with the golden fruit
of autumnal maturity. So confusedly mingled to-
gether are these earlier and later effusions—of course
intentionally—that the very earliest among them
turns out, when we come to look at it more care-
fully, to be about the very latest, as it is also,
without doubt, about the very best in the whole
collection. Meaning, here, that lovely allegorical
poem of " The Boatman," commented upon by us
at some length in these columns of The Sun imme-
diately upon its original publication, a year or two
since, in the pages of " Blackwood's Magazine."
Among all Sir Edward's " Poems," it is still to our
fancy the most consummate as a work of art.
It is, besides that, among them all the
most eminently typical of his poetic genius
—the most distinctly illustrative of his lead-
ing peculiarities, of his whole character, of his
very idiosyncracy, so to speak, as a lyrist. Through-
out nearly the entire of these Poems of his, what is
chiefly noticeable to our mind is the combination
within them of thought and sentiment—of tender,
pathetic sentiments—of thoughts subtile and
profound. What they lack chiefly, according to
our view—and strange and marvellous it is that we
should have to say this of poems written alike in
his youth, in his early manhood, and in his maturity
by the impassioned author of Alice and Ernest
Maltravers—is their almost total lack of sensuous-
ness. Hence the secret of their so slowly winning
their way to anything like a wide popularity. They
are too etherealised, these imaginings of Sir Bulwer
Lytton's muse, to be otherwise, very many of them,
than caviare to the general multitude. The
Egeria wooed by the poet of " The Boatman".
and of the other lyrical effusions that follow it,'
partakes far more of the nature of a spiritual being
than of warm, roseate, throbbing flesh and blood.
The atmosphere here inhaled, is far more ratified
than the grosser air we have been accu9tomed to
breathe along the slopes of Olympus : and this
because the earth is here so seldom, as it were,
under our feet—because we are wafted away so
frequently into the regions of Cloudland. It
is the essence rather than the substance of
poetry that we have here to deal with. Sir Edward
Lytton, in his poetic temperament, has qualities far
more akin to those of Shelley—floating into the em-
pyreal; with the Cloud, or with the Skylark—he