The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-03 00:00:00

for Lucille, that he should be the hand to lift
the veil from her husband's 'early life.
TEMPLE BAR.—" Broken to Harness" is con-
cluded, and this story may be considered a success
in its peculiar style. The description of Kate Mellor
is good, and the difficult task is accomplished of re-
presenting her as rendered rough by her vocation
more than bold by nature. The scenes that pass
between Churchill and Barbara are very naturally
described, and exemplify the fatal errors that are
made by those who rush headlong into difficult
situations without exercising any control over their
feelings and disciplining their passions. Some of
the accounts of Scadyers, Sinnet, &c., are good
portraits of life and pictures of peculiar phases of
existence. " Paid in Full" approaches completion,
and Ledbitter nears the fulfilment of his nefarious
schemes. The description of the death of Priscilla
presents- a warning to those who act as Horace did,
and too late regret their evil ways. " Whiteside,
as an Orator," is an interesting sketch of that
eminent individual which renders full justice to his
merits, and brings him before the reader in different
forms of oratory. It is said in summing u his
peculiarities that " he is familiar with the power and
potency of language, and can make himself heard
and felt too, as few speakers can ever achieve ;
honourable gentlemen cannot g. to sleep while he
is addressing the house, and few would wish to leave
until he has concluded even a lengthened speech."
It is curious to notice that the writer of this sketch
was struck with the abilities of Mr. Whiteside when
he first saw him years ago at the outer bar of
the Four Courts in Dublin. Successive experi-
ence has confirmed the opinion then formed of his
powers as here pourtrayed ; his self-possession,
appearance, knowledge of his business, strong voice,
and self-reliant bearing, his quick sarcastic replies,
and energy of character. " David Chantry" is con-
tinued, and is as interesting as it promised to be in
the last number. The several characters are ably
described, and the style is easy and flowing. " The
Streets of the World" this time takes us to Ven ice,
and the fair city of the Adriatic is presented to
view in the animated sketch of " Prisa degli
Scavoni." It is declared to be paradoxical, being
full of noise by day and night, while the rest of the
city is wonderfully still, hence it is the most un-
Venetian thoroughfare in Venice. "Pegs of
`Memory" is a melancholy sketch, full of interest,
and many may recall some of their early days as
they dwell on its retrospective glimpses. "•Peace
Establishments and War Salaries" is a business
article that tells more plain truths than may be
palateable to ears polite at headquarters, but which
are nevertheless worth listening to.
CORNHILL.—" Armadale" is continued, and is as
mysterious as ever, although Ozias Midwinter
reveals some of his early life to the perplexed Mr.
Brook. The story is powerfully told, but cannot
be called pleasing, dealing as it does with startling
occurrences such as those which electrify indivi-
duals and alter the destinies of a life. " Wives and
Daughters" discloses ' the uncomfortable state to
which the New Mamma reduces the establishment
which is so unfortunate to receive her as its mis-
tress. The wily and deceitful nature of the
second Mrs. Gibson is well depicted, and herheart-
lessness in keeping away her daughter because her
vanity cannot brook a rival near her throne is very
skilfully drawn. " The Story of my Escape from
Fetteghur" is an interesting account of one of those
frightful incidents with which the fearful Indian
mutiny abounded. So quick do events succeed
each other that to many this real passage in our
Indian history may seem as a thing of the past, but
many will realise to the full extent the horrors of
the scene when they peruse this exciting and event-
ful sketch. " A Memorial of Thackeray's School
Days" is an article that must perforce be welcome
to all, and the readers of this periodical will gladly
avail themselves of this opportunity of becoming
familiar with the young days of one who earned for
himself so great a reputation. The writer was a
schoolfellow of his, and can thus speak advisedly of
his subject. It is very interesting to trace the
course pursued by one thus distinguished, and to
mark in what manner his tastes expressed them-
selves, and his talents developed. He was a great
reader of the most notable magazines of his day
when at the Charterhouse, and it is truly said that

this was .the real commencement of his connection
with them. "No doubt he often felt and thought
what a pleasant thihg it would to be one of the
guild, and first felt that indrawi g intO the sea of
letters which he afterwards obey d." " Politics in
the Sandwich Islands" is a curious sketch, which
nevertheless. is worthy of notice. It is observed
that the little passage of history occurring in that
locality is distinct, though distant, and interesting
when we recollect that the English nation also had
its childhood. "Shakspere in France" is an enter-
taining paper, which considers the striking fact that
the French have never yet appreciated or adapted
Shakspere, while in Germany he is much the same
as in England. " Oyster Farming" contains some
curious information, and, for one thing, we learn
that upwards of a million of oysters a day are con-
sumed in Paris. Useful information is also afforded
concerning the culture of the oyster, which cannot
fail to prove of service to those whom it concerns.

ST. JAMES'S.—Miss Braddon's story of " Only a
Clod" increases in interest as the plot thickness.
The scene has changed rapidly within the last two
numbers, and the . character of the heroine has
gained greatly in attraction. The detest-

able Julia Desmond has disappeared, though it is
more than probable she will come forward
again at some crisis when her absence is
especially desirable. Maude Hillary is no
longer the thoughtless heiress of the millionaire,
but the anxious daughter of a father who is tread-
ing on the verge of ruin, and whose efforts to save
himself and hdr.are not always in accordance with
strict honour. Francis Tredethlyn is as yet not
much more than " a clod," but he will probably
soon show himself in his true colours. Sir Lascelles
Wraxall supplies an amusing sketch of " New Year
in Paris," in which he gives a pathetic account of
the heavy social tax then levied in the shape of
e'trezipes. He receives a perfect levee in his own
house, where the postmaster, the water carrier, the
wood and coal dealer, the scavenger, lamplighter,
baker, butcher, and every species of tradesman, in-
cluding the porters of tailors, hatters, and glove-
makers, and even at last a drummer deputa-
tion from the National Guard. Then come
the Sisters of Mercy with a better claim on behalf
of their suffering poor. But after they and
their little box have left, come others less de-
serving, till driven desperate the victim rushes out
to his cafe. But alas ! on the tray, with his choco-
late, lie a box of bonbons and a cigar case—a deli-
cate hint from the waiter that he is ready for the

traditional five-franc piece. He gets into an omni-
bus, and the conductor hands hini a guide to the

various omnibus lines as his form of reminder. Re-

entering his abode, it is necessary to pause at the

porter's lodge and pay the annual toll of a half louis-
d'or ; he then ascends to his room to dress himself
for the New Year's complimentary visits, with the
inevitable boxes of bonbons or other delicacies as
their attendant e'treunes. These etreunes must all be
purchased at certain fashionable shops, unless the
visitor wishes to pass for a savage ; and accordingly
such shops naturally treble their price. Our pater-
familias sometimes grumbles at the Christmas-boxes
which he is called on to give ; but neither in num-
ber or amount do they approach to the infliction of
these terrible itreunes, from which there is no
escape, while the costly bonbonniers are a tax of
themselves. " The Broken Wall" is a narrative of
Indian life, recording a catastrophe similar to that
which occurred at the Bradfield reservoir. " Art
Amusements for Ladies" is a paper describing some
of those graceful knick knackeries which do not,
like amateur photography or illuminating, belong
to the regular world of arts or science, but lie on
its outskirts. " The Last Hours of Louis the
Eleventh" treats of a mournful, but impressive pic-
ture ; while " How I got my Cork Legs," although
with a tragic name, is serio-comic in its character.
We have also a few words about beggary, shewing
us by what means our army of mendicants live and
flourish. •

MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.—The story of " The
Hillyars and the Burtons" progresses rapidly, and
less extravagantly in this number. Gerty has taken

her flight to Australia, which she reaches in safety,