The Sun.
London, England, 1854-05-18 00:00:00

The Railway Library. Routledge.

Though many are found to lament the diminu-
tion in the price of literature, and to fear that it
may lead to a deterioration of style, none can bring
forward these objections to reprints. " The Rail-
way Library" is especially remarkable for the ex-
cellence of the style of publication, and from ths
fact of the works selected being generally those
which have attained some degree of estimation.
Among those which have recently appeared in this
series are "Singleton Funtenoy," and the " Lanca-
shire Witches.," The former of these is a naval
novel, by J. Hannay ; the latter, one of the nume-
rous and striking productions of Mr. Ainsworth.
Among other recent republications of Mr. Rout-
ledge, we may mention " Sir Roland Ashton," a
novel, by Lady Long, and another naval story, by
an author not so well known as Mr. Hannay. It
is entitled " The Midshipman; or, Twelve Years at
Sea."

Needs of Naval Daring. By Elward Gifford.
Murray.
This is a second series of the Anecdotes of the
British Navy, which was published some time since.
it is a volume especially suited for the juvenile lovers
of adventure and daring. It is likely to divide the
empire of "It thinson Urusoe" in its exciting and
thrilling interest. But it is to b.) trusted that
older and wiser readers will feel the exploits of
British seamen to be a subject worthy of record
and remembrance. The reader of this work will
indeed feel inclined to admit the truth of the
song—

" Ah, gentlemen of Enghnl, who live at home at ease,
How little do you think up,in the dan;ers of the seas "
Ev:Ty variety of risk an 1 peril seeins to be the
su eject of some courage ,us haz tr:l or chivalrous
adventure. To those, therefore, who are attracted
by tales of daring and endurance, awl who triumph
in recalling the heroism of their countrymen, this
work is especially suited.

A Hand Atlas.

By W. M'Leod, F.R.G.S.
Longman:

A very small, but clear and compendious ads%
comprising twenty-nine coloured maps. It does
not, of course, pretend to the elaboration and con►-
pleteness of large works of the kind, but as a pocket
atlas, or for studying the outlines of geography, it
is well calculated. It is principally intended for
class teaching.

The Works of George Herbert, in Prose and Verse.
R,outledge.
This is a collection of the works of this eminent
writer, edited by the Rev. Robert Willmott. His
poems are, perhaps, better known than his prose
writings ; this volume, however, will give his
admirers an opportunity of comparing his styles
as it contains about equal portions of prose and
verse. It is the first edition that has recently'
appeared with the advantage of notes.
i It is ele-
gantly bounce and illustrated, and the introduction
gives us a memoir of the author.

Russia as It Is. By T. ReynellMorell. Rotitledge.
It is asserted that this little work is intended to
meet the wants of a large class of
.readers. Cer-
tainly at the present epoch every one
in contem-
plating i
the scene of action (or inaction) is desirous
of knowing something of the disputants. It is
justly observed, moreover, that many persons are
better acquainted with the peculiarities of the an-
tipodes than with their uncouth neighbours."
The author, therefore, being desirous of presenting
the curious with a manual of information at a mo-
derate rate, has published this little volume pro-
fessing to describe "Russia as it is, its Court,
Government, and People." It treats of ali these
subjects and many others, such as its history, its
church, its language, and illustrative anecdotes. A
concluding section relates to Poland and Oircassia.
It also contains a map of the Baltic. All those who,
finding themselves uninformed on the great clues-
-
tion of the day, desire to correct their ignorance,
would do well to study this little volume, which
will explain to them the historical, geographical,
and other peculiarities of the domains of the
Autocrat.

The Pocket Peeraje. By R. Rumgey Forster.
David Bogue.
This is the fourth year of this useful little publi-
cation. It coinpr.ses the usual genealogical awl
historical azeounts of the peerage, a list of the
Archbishops an l Bishops, the Bitrouetage, the
Privy Gitine,il, dzc. In presenting all this infor-
mation in an unusually small compass it forms a
convenient and valtrible refer,!e.

Record of the GNat .Exhibition of 1653.
By T. Jones. Falconer, Dublin.
Numerous volumes and accounts of the Great
Exhibition of 1851 have been published, but a com-
plete volume on the Dublin Exhibition is not so
common. The present little work has therefore
less to fear from rivalry. Those who were not
present may here find a description and account of
the wonders they did not see, while those who have
witnessed it may take pleasure in having their im-
pressions revived, and their recolipotions of the
various departments renewed by this little treatise.

nteivdewrsiatrhy ftesh;
tivdalrof this --tyTcohennaenc
of Freemasons,m
was celebrated at the hall in Great
FREEMASONSo's?
elxlicLefcleSnCtHcOhOaLr.i
oQrueen-street last evening, the Right Hon. Lord Louden-
borough, P.G.S.W., in the chair, supported by nearly
350 of the brethren. His lordship pointed out the advan-
tages which the charity bestowed on the children of the
brethren, and urged in eloquent terms the claims which
it had on the craft for support. Thefts were now 66
children in the school, and though upwards of 600 had
been educated within its walls, it was most gratifying to
feel that not one could be traced to have departed from
the paths of rectitude. The children having been intro-
duced, presented a most interesting appearance,' and
sung a hymn of praise, which met with great approba•
tion. A medal having been presented to Rhoda Davis,
as the senior girl of the school, a subscription list was
announced, the total of which amounta to nearly
1,5001., and the company separated between eleven, lad
twolve o'clock.