The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-21 00:00:00

LITE BAT (JIBE.

Recollections of my Military Life.. By Colonel

Landmann-. 2 vols. Hurst and Bla-ckett.

These volumes form the second part of the his-
tory of Colonel Landmann's adventures ; the first
portion having been published' some time since.
They are what their name implies—not a connected
narrative, and not personal memoirs, but recollec-
tions of striking or entertaining incidents, full of
variety and interest. There are anecdotes of peace
and war, and some narrow escapes and perilous
exploits. One of these occurred at a great powder
magazine at Rozier Bay. As the writer was passing
by he thought to his horror that he discovered a
smell of burning. Having aroused the store-
keeper, at the risk of their lives they entered, and,
after a few moments of terrible anxiety they dis-
covered a burning match actually in the magazine.
They were fortunately in time to remove it before
an explosion, and had thus been the means of
preventing a terrible calamity. Another anecdote
is the dilemma in which Colonel Landmann was
placed by dining on board a ship that was appointed
to sail for the West Indies with the first change of
wind. He was not aware of the strict regulation
that existed that no one was allowed to leave the
ship after the evening gun was fired. He was com-
pelled to wait that night on board, and was aroused
at daybreak by hearing that the wind had changed
and the ship was preparing to start for her voyage.
He was in despair, thinking his prospects weze
ruined for life, when a small boat passing under
the stern of the ship, he swung himself over the
side, regardless of all rules and regulations, and
escaped the threatened exile. Those who find
amusement in these volumes will be glad to find a
promise at the conclusion that the third part, which
contains many details connected with Juuot's army,
is in course of preparation.

Oaktield ; or, Fellozvship in the East. By W. D.
Arnold, Lieutenant. Second Edition. 2 vols.
Longman.

A great deal may be gathered from this work
on Indian life and customs, and hence it is interest-
ing, although it is noi, very pleasing. The hero goes
out to India in high spirits, and expects to find in
the excitement and engrossments of foreign service
an agreeable change from the uncongenial pursuits
of an academical life. He is doomed to disappoint-
ment from the outset. The gorgeous splendour of
an oriental career is soon discovered to be vanity
and vexation. Oakfield had besides some peculiar
'rations of his own, which did not accord very, well
with the free and unconstrained ideas of a military
existence. He was consistent and honourable
' throughout, however strange and erroneous might
be his opinions. He did not meet with the respect
which was undoubtedly his due. He was once
summoned before a court-martial, the accounts of
which are given in the course of the story, and
aro very interesting, affording an insight into the
way such matters are arranged abroad. The hero
came off victorious, but he did not get on more
satisfactorily notwithstanding. The very circum-
stance of his having triumphed against their
opinions only urged on his opponents to more
violent demonstrations of and hatred.
Hardly any ono would speak to him for some
months. It was not till after a fierce battle had
taken place, in which Oakfield rescued the colours
of his regiment as the enemy was on the point of
carrying them off. After the courage so unde-
niably manifested on this occasion, the associates
of Oakfield were compelled to retract their former
opinion. But the fatigues and annoyances to which
he had been subject had made fearful inroads on his
health, and he was obliged to return home. There,
in the society of his dearly cherished relations, he
departed from the world he had found so hard and
cold. " The last words of that young warrior, a
word which his countenance, as it settled into the
sleep of death, confirmed, that word was 4 Peace,'
saying which, he passed away.

THE AluslcAr. UNiox.—The sixth t concertiv of the
illis's rooms.
rui:hicaplralTisneioisndwuaestohe4r.yEesltlaer(lay a
for
the judicious selec-
tion of the music and the performers engaged, which
renders this society ono of t
uartet in C (No. 9, Op.
first musical societies in
Europe. The
programme comprised the highest talent
The
Mozart'sa nn
Wilhclma in Clauss, Ernest, Piatti, Goffrie,
and Hill.ouncement that Mdlle. Clause was to
perform in
uarrrtheet inerfGormmainneoer
was,•vi na env eurny
respect, perfect. Beethove'sP a-
usually large audience
59) is one of the finest compositionsci of that great
genius. We do not hesitate to say that it is ono of the
best compositions we have heard, and the manner in
which this most difficult music was executed elicited the
enthusiastic applause of an appreciating audience. The
concert concluded by Mdlle. Clatiss performing Men.
delssohn's " Lieder ohne Worte." With the exception
of Mendelssohn himself, it has been acknowledged that
there never was an interpreter of his music equal to this
gifted performer. Aldlle. Clauss's grand annual concert
takes place at Willis's rooms on Saturday next, the 24th
instant.
THE PRESTON STRlKE.—Another balance sheet was
last week isseed by the Amalgamated Committee. It
shows an income for the two weeks of 571. Os. 11.1,d. ; of
which sum 19/, ss. 6d. has been paid over to weavers,
191. 19a. 11d. to spinners, 51. 4s. to distressed families,
3/. to the secretary and treasurer, 61. for printing and
for other expenses, the amount of the balance, minus
4s. 10.12 d., still in the treasurer's hands. The address is
a brief one, and is principally taken up with lamenting
that the masters are not,dispo7,ed to forego the prosecu-
tion of the " conspirators." It is stated that 280 indi-
viduals connected with the various branches of factory
labour are yet out of employment.—Preston Chronicle.
'RUSSIAN PRISONERS.—Thu Press
of Vienna says
that nine Russian officers, who have been made p 'sonerti,
have been sent from Varna to London, d
ondon on oar an
Engliwh transport.- '