The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-06 00:00:00

- seven -or., eight years younger than herself. 4 The
Jinost objectionable and unnatural point in the
story, and the one that most effectually checks the
reader's interest, is the introduction of the two
who have been almost like parent and child in the
relation of lovers ! This is most ill-judged and im-
probable, and without any object, for all the points,
of the story which depend upon the difference of age
might have remained the same, if they had not
become acquainted, till Walter Maldon was grown
up. Mr. Landor died during the absence of
Walter 'from England, And it is after his return
that they are engaged. But the scruples and
hesitations of Agnes respecting the difference of
age mars their happiness for many years. She
leaves Walter and rushes off to Finland, where she
remains hid for two years. Meanwhile Walter,
driven desperate by her departure, marries a Lady
Lucy, whom he does not care for, and consequently
soon gets involVed in all sorts of difficulties and
dangers. From these he extricates himself by
shooting, his wife's uncle,-and taking his departure
for unknown lands. Upon this Agues, finding she
has not succeeded in her plans for his good, conies
back to England. Lady Lucy soon after very conve-
niently dies, and the reader expects that all will be
right. But he is mistaken. It is already three years
since Walter and Agnes were first engaged, and it
is seven more before a trace is found of the truant;
hero. He is then discovered in the wilds of South
Africa, hiding, as Agnes had done in the wilds of
North Europe. He has been consorting with
pirates, outlaws, and such characters. He returns
to England, but they arc not yet happy. Owing to
misunderstanding each other, they do not meet for
about another year, when they are reconciled and
united. The author preserves a discreet silence
respecting the age of the bride. Among the strik-
ing improbabilities of the plot, we must mention
the transformation of Agnes from Mrs. Lando; a
lady of slender means, to Lady Valmar, a million-
naire. Those who are wearied with commonplaces,
and seek only for novelty, will certainly be grati-
fied in this tale. The wildest features of romance,
the most startling transitions, and deep-laid plots
and plans, appear in the date of the matter-of-fact
19th century, and amid the scenes and habits of
the present day. So far it may be striking from
its novelty ; but those who look for high moral
aims, for earnest and thoughful writing, for natural
characters, and for probability of events, will cer-
tainly not find their wishes realised in " Agnes
Valmar."

The Poetical Works of Golds►►iith. Collins and T.

Warton. J. Nichol, Edinburgh.
This is the sixth volume of the library edition
of the British poets, published by Mr. Nichol, of
Edinburgh. It completes the first year's series, which
comprises Milton's complete works, Thomson's,
and Young's "Night Thoughts," and the present
volume, for one guinea. The series for the present
year will consist of Cowper, Butler, and one mis-
cellaneous volume, which will be followed by Dry-
den, Pope, Burns, &c. The present volume is a
most interesting one, chiefly on account of its pre
tenting us with the ever-delightful " Deserted
Village." The editor is the well-known Rev. Mr.
Gilfillan, who gives us lives, critical dissertations,
and explanatory notes. However readers may
differ in their opinions of the criticisms, the life
of a poet is always a valuable addition to his works,
and Mr. Gilfillan is well qualified for the task.
Those who are desirous of possessing a standard
edition of the British Poets, with useful information
for reference, will do well to become subscribers for
Mr. Nichol's series.

Tice Journal of Agriculture, and the Transactions
of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scot-
land. Published Quarterly.
" Systems of Irrigation" is the first subject con-
sidered in this periodical, in which "a brief sketch
is given of the agriculture of those countries where
irrigation has been resorted to both in ancient and
modern times." It is observed that, from the ear-
, Hest ages, the science of agriculture was well un-
derstood in Egypt. Many centuries have passed
since Herodotus remarked that the " Egyptians
gathered in the fruits of the earth with less labour
than other people, became the river Nile came of
its own accord, and irrigated their fields." After
an analysis of the manner in which the cultivation
of the soil was practised in Egypt, the writer treats
of Africa and Syria. Finally, he passes on to Italy,
when he passes a commendation on some volumes
on Italian Irrigation, lately brought out by Cap-
tain li. W. Smith.. The object of his researches
in Italy is to enable him to carry out great im-
provements in India. "He therefore never fails
to link his present work with that distant land,
where lie hopes yet to labour long." It appears
that the system in Italy is far superior to that of
India, in irrigation, although, of course, in the
former country, the extant of the laud is immea-
surably less. The other papers here presented to
our notice are " Agricultural Statistics of France
and Great Britain," " The Steam Engine : its Ap-
plication to Agriculture," &c., which contain use-
ful information.

Thc An Journal.---The Art Jonrital sus
this month the promised engraving of "Peas Peae,"
by Landseer ; a very beautiful plate of " The
Ruined Temple," by Wilson ; and " A Bacchante,"
by G. Romney. Among the attractions for the
ensuing year are mentioned "War," the companion
to " Peace" of the present number ; " Hamlet," by
Maclise ; and " The Village School," by Webster.
There is a variety of artistic information and criti-
cism, illustrated by the usual woodcuts.

MISCELLANEOLTS.
The National Miscellany has several subjects of
interest, in addition to the usual " Bosnia," and
" Russia and its Resources," which, of course, are
to be met with in every periodical. There is a
criticism on the writings of De Quincey, which
affords him the scarcely merited praise of being su-
perior to Macaulay ! We are told that " Macaulay
makes men read ; De Quincey makes them think."
How this is accomplished without their reading
him is not stated ; but it appears to be the
fashion to decry our great celebrities, and to hold
up less distinguished writers in their place.
There is a pleasing addition to the magazine,
in the introduction of some poetry.—Erogg's In-
structor has papers on " Lord Brougham," by Gil-.
fillan, on "Masters and Servants," and " La Bru-
gere," and several other subjects of information.--
Macphail's Edinburgh Journal has articles on
"Modern Novel Writers," " Smith's Poems,"
" China," and various other topics.—Sharpe's Ma-
gazine contains the continuation of " Harry Cover-
dale," a biography of " Henry Fielding," "Studies
of Great Authors," an extensive list of literary
notes, and two pleasing engravings.—The
British Journal, though inferior in interest,
also presents us with an amusing collection of tales
and sketches.—Le Follet, in addition to its charm-
ing coloured plates, gives for the benefit of its
readers an extra sheet of bonnets and laces.—Our
Friend and The North British Magazine are two
serials recently commenced, of an average merit.
The Family Economist, a smaller periodical of older
date, finding its readers move among the middle
class than the masses, for whom it was intended, is
enlarged and improved.--The Penny Post.
an instructive little miscellany.
The Family
Friend is one of the best of its kind. Orr's Circle
of the Sciences is not a mere outline for beginners,
but is really what it professes to be, and is far
more suited to the advanced. scholar than to the. unlearned reader. It supplies a deficiency for the. self-taught, who can easily procure cheap rudi-
ments of the sciences, but find all Works of more
advanced instruction are only obtainable at an ad-
vanced price. It is only twopence a number.
The present instalment is on Physiology. The
Charm, is a charming little miscellany for juvenile
readers, and has at present the attraction of a tale
by the author of " Olive."

SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S FLEET.

Sir Charles is to have undi
wand twenty sail of the lip
consist of the following :

T his own immediate com.
Le, which we imagine will

Guns.
Guns:
Duke of Wellington .... 131 Prince Regent
.90. Royal George .............. 121 James Watt • "
St. George .................. 120 Majestic Bl
Neptune ............. 120 Cressy Bl
'
Waterloo. ................ 120 Monarch B4
St. Jean d'Acre..... ...... 1.01 Boscawen 7O
Princess Royal ............ 91 Blenheim 6O
Caesar ....................... 91. Hogue 6O
Nile ............... ..., ...... 91 Edinburgh 5B
Algiers ...................... 9l Ajax 5B
The other ships preparing for sea, and to be associated
with the North Sea expedition, are the following, which
will, we believe, be commanded in divisions by Rear.
Admirals Corry, Chads, and Commodore Martin.
Guns. I
Imperiense
rlArcher
J 1..
Euryalus 5l i Lightning ~
Arrogant ' 47 ' Frolic
Pique
Dauntless . 33 I Gorgon
Amphion 34 i Driver .......
Tribane
Horatio
...
Leopard
18 Alban ......... 4
Odin
16 And others being brought
Magicienne l6 forward.
Valorous l6 Theßelleisle,hospital ship;
Vulture l6 will also be in attendance, NI
Desperate
16 also steam tenders, trans.
Dragon
6 ports, despatch. vessels, &No
Bulldog
Miranda l4 say more about in our next.
Ten brigs of war will also form a cruising equadroa
for the coast of Scotland, as stated elsewhere.—HaWlPl
Mire Advertiser and Portemouth Herald.

Guns.
14

.... le