The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 26, 185 4.

THE QUARTERLIES.

The Edinburgh Review. No. CCII.

The contents of the current number of the Edin-
burgh will be found rather substantial food by the
devourers of periodical literature. Substantial
food enough, we repeat, from the first to the last of
the eight contributions—from the paper relating to
" Mormonism"—that fantastic nutriment supplied
(to the soul) not as in the " name of the Prophet
Figs," but as in the name of the Prophet
Smith—down to the article referring to certain
curious statistics in regard to the aliment for the
body; in other words, to the free-trade treatise en-
titled " Consumption of Food in the United King-
dom." To the last-mentioned article—the politi-
cal article in the new number of the Edin-
burgh—we have already referred in our leading
columns, and referred, too, in terms of earnest
commendation. Altogether, we feel assured that
it will be found to be an argument especially
deserving a perusal more than merely cursory or
superficial. It abounds, as we have before stated,
with incontrovertible proofs that the establishment
of the Free-trade system in 1846 by Sir Robert
Peel has been a really wonderful benefaction to
the working classes throughout the United King-
dom. A boon to every one indeed, more or less,
throughout the community, from the highest to
the lowest, but especially, and above all, to the
poorer members of our population. Demonstrated as
all this is minutely and unanswerably by the statistics
plentifully strewn through the argument of the
Edinburgh reviewer—that argument is summed
up laconically enough in the announcement that
from 1847 to 1853, the Free-trade system has—
Added nearly a third to our bread !
Nearly doubled our sugar !
Added a third to our coffee !
And nearly doubled our tea !
So much for the dreadful calamities which
we were told must prove inevitable on the
abandonment of the corn laws, and the rend-
ing away rapidly thereupon of the whole of
the web woven by the intricate principles of
protection. About the liveliest paper in the num..'
bar-of the Edinburgh just issued is the one criti-
cising the " Memoirs of Moore," or rather wel-
coming those,Memoirs with a genial, but at the
same time an almost apologetic, cordiality. Al-
luding to Moore's culpability as a political satirist,
the reviewer says very truly, but with an amusingly
Johnsonian sententiousness—" He who combines
party warfare with pecuniary profit may expose
himself to a certain measure of moral reprobation."
The deplorable Croker Episode in the course of the
work's publication is spoken of in becoming terms
by the Edinburgh. Speaking of a principal por-
tion of the entire production, the critic writes
wittily : " The Diary,' in fact, taken in its
general character, might bear to be prefaced
by an inscription which we remember to
have read upon a sun - dial near Padua,
Horas non numero nisi serena.' " It is an apt
quotation, well remembered. It precisely hits off
the peculiar character of Moore's Diary—a tissue
of drollery woven out of a weft of gossip and a woof
of anecdote. An elaborate essay on "John Locke"
comprises analyses at once of his character and of
his philosophy. A curious chapter from Religious
History is penned anew in the paper relating to
the " French Protestant Refugees." The subject of
the " National Gallery" is again taken into serious
consideration by our northern contemporary, while
in the contribution immediately following, the half
real and half fictitious records of " Benoni" and
" Castellamonte," are reviewed under the title of
" Recent Italian Autobiographies." Besides the
contributions to the Edinburgh already mentioned,
there is au able argument on the opinions ex-
pressed by the Judges of England on the subject
of codification.

The Quarterly Review. No. CLXXXVIII.
Several articles of political interest appear as
usual among the contents of the old Quarterly. A
couple of these relate to the absorbing topic of
topics just now, that of the war—one descriptive, as
its title intimates, of "The Turks and Greeks," the
other delineative of " The Russian Emperor," the
latter being a remarkable chapter, of an interest at
once social, political, historical, and geographical.
Both of these opportune essays we can earnestly com-
mend to general consideration. Another political
contribution to the new number of the Quarterly
is rather after date just now, relating, as it does, to
that " New Reform Bill," which was prematurely
withdrawn from the Legislature by Lord John Rus-
sell almost simultaneously with the appearance of
the quarterly publications. Another paper of
public interest, referring to the important subject
" Criminal Law Digest," takes into account (like
its Whig contemporary above mentioned) the im-
portant problem of systematic codification. Dr.
\Vaagen's recently published volumes, so entitled,
have suggested to another writer an agreeable
treatise on the " Treasures of Art in Great Britain."
Lord Holland's " Memoirs of the Whig Party"
will also be found criticised in the new number
of the Quarterly—rather, perhaps, we should have
said, abused and vilified, for the paper is less a
criticism than a vituperation. Only two other
papers remain now to be particularised one
on " Lawrence Sterne," and the other on " Sacred
Geography." The article on Sterne is the " bright
particular star" of the number—one of those grace-
ful literary essays, half critical, half biographical. In
this clever contribution, it is wonderfully well said
by the reviewer, when speaking of the filth scat-
tered so abundantly through Sterne's writings—
" Too much of his wit is the phosphoric light
emitted by corruption." The following sentence,
in one of Sterne's letters, is thus severely com-
mented upon by the writer in the Quarterly :
" My Lydia helps to copy for me [Sterne by the
way is speaking of Tristram Shandy], and my wife
knits and listens as I read her chapters.' " Thus
writes Sterne to his correspondent. Whereupon
observes the Quarterly reviewer :

" My Lydia," his only child, was then a girl of fourteen,
and that he set her to copy Tristram Shandy, is a proof at
once that he believed it innocent, and that every feeling of
decorum was dead within him. Whoever is fresh from
the perusal of the book and recalls the scene that was
passing in this country parsonage—the clergyman of the
parish composing the work, his daughter transcribing, his
wife hearing and applauding it—will at least agree that
the proceeding was neither clerical nor feminine."

The subjoined anecdote will be found abundantly
amusing, and is sufficiently characteristic :

" That in his eagerness to sustain his character for hu-
mour he was not very scrupulous as to the means, is appa-
rent from an anecdote related by M. Dutens, who once sat
next him at the table of our ambassador, Lord Tavistock,
in Paris. The conversation turned upon Turin, where M.
Dutens, though a Frenchman, had recently been the
English charge d'affaires. Sterne, ignorant whom he was
addressing, asked him if he knew M. Dutens. The com-
pany laughed ; and Sterne, imagining that some ludicrous
associations connected with M. Dutens were the cause of
the hilarity, inquired if he was not rather odd. ' Quite an
original,' replied M. Dutens. ' I thought so,' said Sterne,
who immediately commenced telling several ridiculous
traits of the charge d'affaires, all of which were the
coinage of his brain. The laughter which arose he mistook
for a tribute to the comicality of his description, and en-
tertained the circle for the rest of the evening with the
absurdities of M. Dutens. When his butt retired, and
Sterne was admitted into the secret, the guests pretended
that the charge d'affaires, though restrained at the moment
by respect for his host, was an irascible man, who would
demand reparation in the morning. Sterne sought him
out to avert his anger, begged his pardon, pleaded in ex-
cuse the desire he felt to amuse the company, embraced
him warmly, and requested the honour of his friendship.
If a scene was not otherwise very creditable to Sterne, the
praise of a fertile and ready invention, in extemporising
the imaginary eccentricities of M. Dutens, must at least be
conceded to him."

Speaking of Sterne's habitual gaiety—at first con-
stitutional, but afterwards assumed—the Quarterly
happily describes it as " Yorick's, life-long peal
of laughter." Altogether, the paper will be found
eminently readable, and as sadly instructive as it
is merrily entertaining.

THE WAR.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
The officers and men of the Royal Dockyard at Ports-
mouth and of the Victualling-yard at Gosport received
orders on Monday by Admiralty circular, enjoining
them to observe this day in all respects as Sunday.
Considering that the staff of the latter establishment have
spent Sundays lately in victualling and despatching trans-
ports to the seat of war, and that the staff of the former
are to embark troops to-day, the boon of a holyday in-
tended to be conveyed by their lordships will be rather
shorn of its usual value. They are now loading the
Tyne storeship (a 26-gun frigate), to convey a very
large stock of victualling supplies to Sir Charles Napier's
fleet.

The Resistance storeship is taking in a large quan-
tity of stores for the fleet. To enable her to stow more
than usual (she is a 42-gun frigate), she is discharging
her tanks at the Clarence-yard.
The Penelope, 18, paddle-wheel frigate, Capt. Caffin,
went to Spithead yesterday. She takes out a great
quantity of slops and stores for the fleet in the Baltic,
but will not sail until the arrival of the Portland. 50-
gun frigate, from the Pacific, now hourly expected, as
she sailed from Rio on the 10th ult.
The Brisk, 14, screw-sloop, Commander F. B. P.
Seymour, arrived. at Spithead yesterday morning from
the West India station, from which she has been de-
tached to serve in the Baltic. She left Halifax on the
30th ult., where the -Vestal, 26, Captain Thompson,
temporary flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Fanshawe, was
daily expected from Bermuda. Mr. Callaway, clerk of
the Brisk, has been promoted to be paymaster of the
Daring, vice Evans. Lieutenant Jenkins, late of the
Cumberland, took his passage home in the Brisk, which
has lost three men and boys from fever on the station.
She will refit for the Baltic, and went into Portsmouth
harbour yesterday afternoon for that purpose.
The Medea, 6, paddlewheel sloop, Commander Philli-
more, returned to Spithead yesterday, after a cruise to
the northern parts in search of volunteer seamen, of
whom she is reported to have picked up 200. She went
into Portsmouth harbour to refit with all despatch for
foreign service.
The Scourge, 6, paddle steam sloop, Capt. Adams,
has got her lower and topmast rigging up, by the aid of
the Portsmouth dockyard riggers, and is making some
progress towards completion.
The Sphynx and Geyser, ,6.gun paddle steam-sloops,
at Portsmouth, are nearly Complete in the master ship-
wright's department, and will shortly be removed to the
steam-factory department, to be completed for commis-
sion.

Yesterday considerable excitement was created among
the apprentices to free lighterrnen and watermen, it hav-
ing been announced that it is the intention of the Water-
man's Company immediately to provide a portion of the
quota (500 men) that the company is compelled by its
charter to supply for service in the Royal navy. This
relic of the feudal system wags strictly observed during
the last war, and the required number is completed as
follows :—Lists of the apprentices of three, four, five,
and six years' standing are filed, and the number is
balloted for, first from the junior classes, and should the
list of apprentices be expended before a suficiency has
been obtained, the free watermen then take their turn
on the ballot, or provide substitutes.
Her Majesty's steam-vessel'. Megrera arrived at Ply-
mouth on Saturday from Ireland, with about 20 seamen
volunteers for the fleet.
The Indus, 80, is to have her copper taken off and her
bottom caulked and re-coppered.
The following appointments have been made :
Admiral Sir William Parker is appointed Commander-
in-Chief at Devonport, vice Admiral Sir John Ommanney,
K.C.8., whose three years' pmiod of service expired on
the 17th inst.
Paymaster Charles Richards <a) (1846), to be secretary
to Admiral Sir William Parker.
Naval Instructor E. M. Johnstone (1854), to the
Edinburgh, 60, screw steam flag-ship of Rear-Admiral
Henry Chads.
Clerks.—Luke Masterson (1846), serving in the Dee,
paddle-wheel steam troop-ship, on the Cape of Good
Hope station ; Joseph Whittall (1846), serving as
clerk to the secretary on board the Waterloo, 120, flag-
ship of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Joceline Percy, C. 8., at
Sheerness ; Frederick Lucas (1-846), serving as clerk in
charge of the Myrmidon, iron paddle-wheel steam-ves-
sel, on the West Coast of Africa station ; Frederick G.
Bulgin (1846), serving as clerk in charge of the Dol-
phin, brigantine, on the West Coast of Africa station
William L. Wright (1846) serving as clerk of the
Siuioom, 18, iron screw steam, troop-ship ; George A.
Eversfield (1846), serving as clerk in charge of the Rifle-
man, screw steam gun-vessel, on the south-east coast
of America station ; Henry J. :Kelly (1846), serving as
clerk in the Grecian, 12, sloop,, on the East India sta-
tion ; Alexander C. Yule (1846), serving as acting pay-
master to the Salamander, steaan-sloop on the East India
station ; William F. Huyghue (1846), serving as clerk
of the Impregnable flag-ship a t Devonport ; Charles
Saunders (1846), serving as clerk in charge of the Por-
cupine paddlewheel steam-vessel, in the North Sea ; and
James E. Terry (1846), serving: as clerk in charge of the
Resistance troop-ship, have beeia promoted to be pay-
masters,
The Admiralty have had in consideration a plan by
which their lordships will render available for service at
sea the officers, non-commissiomed officers, and men of
the Woolwich division required. to do duty at Deptford
and Woolwich dockyards. The plan, it is understood,
will be carried into effect by increasing the strength of
the police force, which has for a considerable time past
been employed in these establishments.
Her Majesty's screw troop- ship Simoom, refitting at
Portsmouth, is ordered to embark the 79th Highlanders
for Turkey as soon as she is ready to receive them.
The Eveline, hired transpore, embarked the head-
quarters of the 17th Lancers, sin der Colonel Lawrenson,
at Portsmouth dockyard yesterday morning, and sailed
in the evening for Gallipoli. Kies takes also a quantity
of stores for the troops.
We learn by electric telegraph from Plymouth that
the Shooting Star, with a troop of the Bth Hussars on
board, was (9 p.m.) last night :at anchor in the Sound.
The fittings of the horse trans port-ship Medora have
been completed at the Devonp(aTt dockyard preparatory
to the embarkation of the fourth troop of the Bth Hussars,
which arrived yesterday morning; from Exeter.
Captain Bevis, R.N., of Live rpool, has received orders
to survey the Conrad, Haidee, _Deva, Theodore, William
Jackson, and Palmyra, as regu lltr transport vessels.
Arrangements have been madie for the embarkation on
Tuesday (yesterday) of the 14 th Regiment, at Queens-
town, on board the Bombay transport for conveyance
to the East. At 7 o'clock a.n t. on Monday 100 men of
the 14th Regiment sailed in th e Royal Alice for Queens-
town to embark on board the transport Bombay, now
lying there. At one o'clock 1.00 men, with 44 women,
embarked in the Prince Arthur for the same destination.
The service companies of the 17th Regiment arrived
in Cork from Templernore on Saturday, to await the
arrival of a transport for conveyance to the East. This
regiment will be replaced at Templemore by the 47th
depot from Birr.
During the past month recruiting has been carried on
in Belfast and neighbourhood with almost unexampled
briskness. A local journal remarks—" Some time ago
we had no less than 13 diffearit .recruiting parties sta-
tioned here ; atrpresentrwelabe :only Ave. TheOtheepare
ties, having completed, we understand, the number of re-
cruits whom they were sent to Belfast to obtain, have
been withdrawn, and the remaining parties are making
a good harvest of it, as the field is extensive, and the
number of young fellows offering to enlist increasing,
instead of diminishing. On an average there are from
60 to 70 recruits picked up in this town per week. One
soldier, belonging to the 27th Regiment, on the recruit-
ing service, enlisted no fewer than 10 men on Wednes-
day last. On Friday, at the police-office, Mr. Kennedy,
attesting-clerk, swore in 15 lads, and on Saturday he
swore in 12, two of whom were for the Sappers and
Miners. Of those 12, two were surveyors—very smart
young fellows—from the county of Donegal, two were
flax-dressers, one a cabinetmaker, one a bleacher, and
the others of no trades or calling, and all belonging to
the county of Antrim."
The head-quarters (about 360) of the 38th Foot, under
Colonel Sir John Campbell, marched into Portsmouth
garrison yesterday afternooon, having arrived from
Chatham by special train, on the London, Brighton,
and South Coast Railway, and crossed over by the float-
ing bridge to quarters at Hasler Barracks, Gosport.
They recross this day embarkation from Portsmouth
dockyard, in her Majesty's steam troop-ship Megnra,
for Turkey.
The companies of the 38th Regiment stationed at
Woolwich for some time past marched from the garrison
at ten o'clock yesterday, accompanied by the band of
the Royal Artillery and the band of the Woolwich divi-
sion of Royal Marines all the way through Charlton and
over Blackheath to the railway station. The companies
left the New Cross station for Portsmouth in the highest
spirits, and are to embark for the East at that port.
Major the Hon. St. George Foley has been appointed
aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Rose, her Majesty's
Commissioner with the head-quarters of the French army
serving in Turkey.
A fourth troop of the Bth Hussars, under Capt. :Long-
more, left the Topsham-road Barracks, Exeter, on Mon-
day last, for the port of embarkation. The men assem-
bled in heavy marching order shortly before 11 o'clock,
and, having been inspected, proceeded along Holloway-
hill and South-street, headed by the band of the 3d Dra-
goons playing " St. Patrick's Day in the Morning," and
other airs. Crowds of people cheered them on their way.
The soldiers were in excellent spirits, and many of them
waved branches of evergreen and colours. They halted
for the night at Ashburton, and reached Plymouth yes-
terday. The head-quarters of the Bth will leave Exeter
to-morrow for Plymouth, where transports are now
waiting to convey them to Turkey.

the Earl of Sandwich (Colonel), are to assemble on
Wednesday, the 3d of May, for 28 days' training.
The Sherwood Rangers (cavalry), under the command
of the Duke of Newcastle, are to assemble on the 4th
of May for their annual training at Kelham, the seat of
Captain M. Sutton, and to march to Newark, where
they are to be drilled. The band have been presented
with new saxhorns by Lord Robert Clinton. They will
be reviewed on the 11th proximo.