The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-05 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.—An interesting and well-written
article on " The Holy Laud" is the first paper in
this number. It is founded on a criticism on Lieut.
Van de Velde's new work of travels, but the intro-
ductory passage is far more attractive than the cri-
tical observations. It is followed by the only poeti-
cal contribution, a classical ballad, entitled " Bel-
lerophon," which contains some fine passages.
"Speculators among the Stars" is the first part of
a series of papers on the perplexing question of the
plurality of worlds. The writer proposes to take
into consideration in turn the three questions of—
Why should there be ? Why should there not be ?
and What if there be ? The first question
asked by the author of a recent essay on the
pubject, who is supposed to be Dr. Whewell,
the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge ; the
second by Sir David Brewster, in his work of
" More Worlds than One," and the last the writer's
own question, to which, it may be presumed, he
intends to furnish an answer. The present instal-
ment is consequently occupied with the arguments
against the plurality of worlds, and gives copious
extracts from the essay which takes that view of
this interesting subject, which has lately excited
so much attention and discussion. The second
part will show the reasons brought forward on the
other side ; and those who have not speculated on
this question may find the comparison of the op-
posing arguments interesting and instructive. A
.criticism on Mrs. Stowe's " Sunny Memories of
Foreign Lands," while justly defending the au-
thoress from some of the severest charges brought
against her, admits that the volumes have been
productive of decided disappointment. It is remarked
that a good deal of what appears to us to be mere gossip
may have a higher value to transatlantic readers, and
that while the circumstances under which she
made her visit sufficiently account for the couleur
de rose aspect in which she sees everything, she
does not exalt herself or make herself at all promi-
nent. The writer, however, does not attempt to
defend her remarks on art and literature, justly
observing that the taste must be either wholly
uncultivated or radically bad which can place
a paraphrase by Dr. Watts above Pope's
" Messiah." A paper on the Crystal Palace
severely attacks the new and extraordinary prac-
tice of colouring marble. Its partisans will find it
difficult to refute the arguments and defy the ex-
amples cited. At the conclusion, the following
curious extract is made from our oldest poet :
CHAUCER'S DREAM OF THE CRYSTAL
PALAGIC.
" As I slept, I dreamt I was
Within a temple made of glass,
In which there were more images
Of gold standing in sundry stages
In more rich tabernacles,
And with jewels,more pinnacles,
And more curious portraitures,
And quaint maniere of figures
Of gold work, than I saw ever.
There saw I, on either aide,
Straight down to the door wide, •
From the dais, many a pillar
Of metal that shone out full clear.
+

Then 'gan I look about to see,
That there came entering in the hall
A right great company withal,
And that of sundry regions,
Of all kinds of conditions,
That dwell on earth beneath the moon—
Poor and rich.
Such a great congregation
Of folks as I saw roam about,
Some within and some without,
Was never seen, nor shall be no more."

The story of the " Secret of Stoke Manor" is
continued, but the plot does not seem to unravel.
A letter, under the title of " The Spanish Revolu-
tion," gives a succinct and vigorous narrative of the
events that took place at Madrid, in the late im-
portant changes, and of the public feelings, preju-
dices, and impressions. An account of the various
plans and prospects indulged in by those who de-
sire a change of dynasty is added, the young king
of Portugal seeming to be the most popular of the
possible candidates for the crown of Spain.

Dublin University. —" A Pilgrimage to the
Land of Leix and Ossory," is the first subject,
and it treats of the country and gives some
very amusing anecdotes, especially the one re-
lating to the " hares." His Excellency the
Earl of M-- was out coursing with a large
party, escorted by Pether, a rather pompous
gentleman. After a long time no sport was to be
had. Lord M. lost all patience, and exclaimed, " I
should like to know where all the hares are." A
voice called from the crowd—" Perhaps, my lord,
its to Caarlow they're gone." Mr. Pether was
indignant at the interruption, but Lord M.
asked for an explanation, and the speaker
proceeded to state that it was all Mr.
Pether's doing, for he had given out that
every living soul, man, woman, and child must
immediately go off to Caarlow and vote for the
Radical member, and " so, my lord, I suppose the
hares went with the rest.' "Mosses upon Grave-
stones" is continued, and is an exceedingly com-
plicated story. It is more interesting this time, as
part of the mysteries are unravelled. The lost
Geraldine is found not to have been buried, as was
supposed, and Morton is left seeking her. The last
moments of Madeline are, however, recorded, and
she dies firmly persuaded that her sister still
lives. " Rathmoro and its Traditions" is a very
pleasing sketch. Some curious details are met with,
and a singular circumstance is recorded of two
heiresses of the Rathmores being exiled in Eng-
land, at the distance of two centuries, and each
being discovered by singing the same plaintive air
relating to their fallen fortunes. It was composed
by Mary Cruys, the first dispossessed lady. The
first verse ran as follows :

" Akh, blessed Mary, hear me sighing,
On this cold stone mean labours plying;
Yet Rathmore's heiress, might I name me,
And broad lands, rich and many, claim me."
The fair composer Mary Cruys was overheard
singing by Sir Thomas Plunket, who took up her
cause, and with so much ability that she was re-
stored to her rights. He was afterwards married to
her, and the family was known as the " Plunkets of
Rathmore." In the latter case, the heiress was
not so fortunate, she never was restored to her
rights, and her usband, who had been attracted
by the romance of her situation, soon grew tired
of her. Ho had indulged the hope that she might
eventually be repossessed of Rathmore, but, that
being futile, lie complained of her country man-
ners, and the ill-matched pair were separated. The
family was never reinstated in their rights. The
poetry is good, as is often the case in this magazine.
" The Dedication of the Temple," is an elaborate
composition, evidencing knowledge of the subject,
and bearing frequent allusions to verses of Scrip-
ture, which are relative to the theme described.
" My Home" is a pleasing piece, showing skill
in delineation and some traces of feeling which are
not often found in such simple verses. The last
few lines are here given :
' " Yet this martyrdom is better than amid this mystery
life,
Ne'er to feel the bliss, the torture of its one•redeeming
strife,
And that torture will be triumph if we manfully endure,
'Mid the trying wondrous conflict keep our hearts high,
firm, and pure,
In the starry sky of glory earn a place for true works
done,
Then arise on sunlit pinions to the home we've grandly
won."

Fraser.—" Fraser" opens with an article entitled
" The Session and the Ministry," in which the
writer positively attempts sie forlorn hope of de-
fending Lord Aberdeen ! There is, at least, some-
thing original in this. Few have hitherto been en-
terprising enough to attempt it. After informing
us that the Government possesses the confidence of
the country, and that Lord Aberdeen is " using
every means to attain the present object" of carry-
ing on the war, the writer proceeds to vindicate
Mr. Gladstone from the charges brought against
him. In defence of his management of the finances,
we are told that he " was not a heaven-born stock-
broker," and that he had not in eighteen months
acquired that happy dexterity which many men,
after a lifetime spent on the Stock Exchange, fail to
acquire." We are told, in conclusion, that we are
not to believe the Government faultless (a very
unnecessary caution), but "that they are, on the
whole, zealous, capable, and trustworthy ;" that
people are to "wait for some better cause than the
tedium of the recess, the wit of Mr. Disraeli, or
the more trying dearth of news from those quarters
whence it must be most eagerly expected, before,
by revoking this confidence, they stultify their
own deliberate judgment." We think it more
probable that they will wait for some bet-
ter cause than an article in " Fraser" before
before they place confidence in a Prime Minister
whose great object is peace while entering on an
honourable war, peace with the enemy he calla " an
old ally," and a Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
chooses, to say the least, a very inconvenient time
for earning experience in financial experiments.
" How to get on at the Bar," by an experienced
Junior, gives a long series of petty subterfuges as
means of obtaining practice and reputation, written,
of course, in irony. A paper, with the curious title
of " The Church among the Tall Chimneys," con-
cludes with some sensible remarks on a few of the
chief national evils awaiting improvement, justly
observing that Government cannot cure all ills,
but that they are bound to correct positive and
palpable incentives to evil. An account of the
writings of the Persian poet Hafiz gives specimens
of his odes, and some explanations of his mystical
and metaphorical allusions. ic General Bounce ;

or, the Lady and the Locusts," is continued, and
many surprising events are related. Another of
the ornitholo2-,ic it papers which have recently ap-
peared is given this month on the subject of the
great bustard. It appears that this bird was men-
' tioned by Aristotle. It has gradually disappeared
from this country, and at present is only to be seen
in the Zoological Gardens. An article on the
" Mercantile Marine" takes into consideration the
importance of a preparatory sea education for
officers in the merchant service. Two papers on
what is still the question of the day are entitled,
" Phases of War in St. Petersburg" and " The
Garrisons of the Crimea."

Colburn's New Monthly —The sites
of the
doomed cities is the first subject in this number.
The different arguments respecting the spots which
Sodom and Gomorrah occupied
Biedonalre
,examined at
some length. 'The Camp a
Dud-
ley Costello, is continued from laste
e, by
month,and
recounts the ludicrous adventures of the English
excursionists. A description of " Fashionable
Life as it was in the Eighteenth Century"
affordsd
a curious contrast to the manners of our
own day.
The twenty-third instalment of "Literary Leaf.
lets" takes for its subject the Rev. C. Kiiige
sl y's
Edinburgh lectures on Alexandria and her
schools.
The Fair Prospect" is a touching little sketch,
by Mrs. Bushby, of a widow's only child who was
lost in a storm at sea. " What became of him ?"
is a sequel to " The Tour of David Dundyke," by
the author of " The Unholy Wish." This 'writer
must indeed have had some extraordinary ex-
periences, for while most of his stories pre-
sent us with something marvellous, we are
told that they are all founded on fact. In the pre-
sent instance, however, the disappearance of the
unfortunate Mr. Dundyke does not seem so extra-
ordinary. The question asked by the title appears
to be easily answered, so easily that most readers
will feel surprised that measures were not taken
for the arrest of the apparently guilty parties.
The continuation of the " Diary of a First Winter
at Rome" gives an entertaining description of the
Opera and the Museum. " A Flying Visit to the
Seat of War in the East" presents us with some
interesting details. A paper on " Gosse's Aqua-
rium" gives a great deal of curious information
which this naturalist has obtained after much re-
search along our coasts. The poetical contribu-
tions consist of some pleasing verses by J. E.
Carpenter, "An Old Buccaneer's Yarn" by G.
Thornbury, and some satirical verses, entitled
" Her Majesty's Opposition," which announce the
wonderful deeds that the writer would do if he
were one of them. A very generous and en-
couraging criticism is given of the ballad of
" Bake Christabel." The " Stray Letters from
the East" exhibiting the different styles of a young
officer's epistles to different correspondents are
continued.

Colburn's United Service.—The first matter un-
der consideration is " Spain and Espartero," in
which a short analysis is given of the disheartening
condition of Spanish affairs. A few remarks are
made on the career and character of that celebrated
man Espartero, and it is said that " the tottering
throne is upheld by the strong hand that chiefly
contributed to place Isabella upon it, but should
that hand fail, woo to Spain." A long account is
given of the "United States Military Academy,"
which is taken from a visit paid there this
year. The plans and arrangements seem
very excellent, and there is no doubt truth
in what is here asserted, that " a large body
of officers of high attainments, and capable of serv-
ing with distinction in any part of the world, have
proceeded from the military school on the banks of
the far-famed Hudson." A plan and particulars
are given of " The Passage of the Danube at Giur-
gevo," which took place on the 7th of July. It
will be of interest to many to examine the details
and descriptions given of the affair, which are cer-
tified to be exact. Some remarks are made on
" Marshal Vaillant, and the French Military
Schools," to which is subjoined an account of a
military execution in France. It is argued that
the French manage better than the English in such
affairs ; here the soldier is hung in the usual way,
which never would be tolerated over there, but
considered an iniquity. " What is to be done with
the Crimea" is concluded in this number ; and it is
averred as " highly desirable that some decisive
blow should be struck in the Crimea," in the course
of this campaign, to prevent Russia having time in
the winter to plan new resistance. There are
other articles of foreign interest to be met with,
as the " Reciprocity Treaty and British America,"
and " Rambles in the 2Egean."

Bentley's.—The first article in this magazine is
a short history of Admiral Sir Charles Napier,
with a portrait. It is appropriately followed by a
paper entitled " War and Peace." " Spain and
its Prospects" form the subject of the article which
succeeds it. We ought really to be grateful to the
Spanish people for providing us with a little variety
from the "prospects" of Russia and Turkey. The
subject as yet is navel, and much may be said on
it. The clever and interesting story of "Clouds
and Sunshine," by the author of " Christie John-
stone," arrives this month at a happy termination.
The life-like vigour of the characters, and the
vivacity of the dialogue, joined to the touches of
pathos which are here and there introduced, com-
bine to render it a very attractive tale. " The Ad-
ventures of Benjamin Bobbin" are continued ; and
the " History of the Theatres of London" is also
proceeded with. The authoress of " Haps and
Mishaps of a Tour in Europe," this month relates
her adventures in Italy. " Aspen Court" pro-
gresses with interest. Two chapters are given
which seem to remove a few of the misunderstand-
ings that have lately gathered round the chief per-
sons of the story.

Ainsworth's.—The stories in this number are
more amusing than usual. " The Robber's Wife"
is the commencement of a romance which is very
intricate ; it leaves off whore a mysterious chief of
banditti has married a lady engaged to another.
He entered the castle under a feigned name, and
in the midst of the wedding festivities the real
bridegroom appeared, and the confusion was ex-
treme. " Not a Juvenile Match" is likewise very
entertaining ; it relates the doings and contrivances
of Mrs. Kroll, a little old lady, Who spent her time
in making matches. She concluded a most extra-
ordinary one in the story before us, and the result
was more satisfactory than might have been sup-
posed. " The last of the House" is continued in
three chapters : Mr. Meaton is unsuccessful in his
attempt to bring matters to a conclusion, and ho is
dragged off instead to a French master's. " A Few
Words about Falling in Love," is amusing and
laughable in its way, and sometimes satirical.

The Gent/entan's Magazine and Historical Re
view.—ln the article entitled " The Fathers of the
Desert," there is an account given of the life of
Hilarion, which is very interesting. His career
extended from 292 to 372, a period o eighty years,
during which ho had many troubles to endure, and
many obstacles to overcome. He first evinced a
desire for solitude at the early age of fifteen, when
he fixed his abode on a waste ground near Gaza at
Syria, a spot which was wild and desolate enough
to scare away any intruders. When he had been
twenty-two years in solitude, many attracted by
his devotion and celebrity came to solicit his aid
and advice in their various troubles and perplexi-
ties. He proved of great service to all, and what
with the wonders of reality and the marvels of
imagination, a glory and a power was attributed to
Hilarion which soon put an end to his dearly-
prized solitudeand obscurity. " The enthusiast's
cell of rushes and sedge gave place to a crowded
monastery." But this change was not to be en-
dured by one whose whole aim and object was
seclusion. He resolutely departed with two fa..ithful
friends, and went out into the highways of the
world once more to look for loneliness. At last
in Cyprus they discovered a retreat which
satisfied even Hilarion. Here lie remained
until his death. It is curious to observe the conflict-
ing elements in his character. He was impelled
by the exercise of his powers to attract attention,
and gain from the reserve of his nature an uncon-
trollable impulse, which urged him to fly from
the notice he excited. " The Tailors measured by
Poets" is an amusing sketch, reverting to
some
well-known characters in various plays,
and many
who like the humorous may derive entertainment
from its perusal. " The Stanley Papers,"
tain some researches and accounts thathave beeoen
n
printed for the Chetham Society. The first paper is
entitled "The Earls of Derby and the Verse Writers
and Poets of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Cen-
turies." The second paper is calledTheDerbyHou hold Books." These records afford an insight l. se-
the past, and the mode in which things were cnatro-
ried on in those days. In the formerpaper many
distinguished names are mentioned as connected
with the history of the house. It is observed that
" The Stanleys, though not one of our oldest, may
now fairly claim the honour of being one of our
most historical, families. They have maintained
their pre-eminence by a long series of illustrious
alliances, and by au unwearied course of devoted
loyalty to the Crown, and important services
to the commonwealth, by brilliant eloquence
in the Senate, and by princely benefits con-
ferred upon science and literature."

MISCELLANEOUS.
The National Miscellany commences with a
Paper on the Crimea, which notices the curious
alteration which has taken place in geographical
boundaries, as exhibited in the contrast afforded
by an atlas of 1794 to one of the present day, In

'the old map, a wide space, 'certainly not 1 ess
than a couple of hundred miles across," extends
between the frontiers of Russia and Austria ; while
in the modern map, " full five hundred miles of
conterminous frontier can now be traced along the
two countries"—a warning, one would think, to
our politicians of the present day. " Pinto Ribiero"
is a narrative of the revolution in Portugal, two
centuries ago. Among other interesting subjects
in this magazine we may mention, " English Hexa-
meters," and " Parliamentary Reform."—The New
Monthly Review sustains its improved character.
The individual who this month appears in its
" Gallery of Literary Portraits," is Lord John
Russell, but he is regarded rather as an author
than as a statesman. The writer remarks that his
works have not been properly appreciated ; and in
the brief view that is taken of his political career,
it is observed that, whatever the semblance may
have been, he has never had much real power.
Many entertaining articles may be found in this
miscellany.—Newton's London Repertory gives an
account of 27 recent patents, with the usual illus-
trative plates and scientific notices.—Lc Follet
presents its usual attractions to the devotees of
fashion.—The 110111 e Companion has an agree-
able variety and some information. It is,
however, surpassed by the Family Friend, by the
same publisher, which is a most excellent little
workr for
of domestic reference and amusement.—
or,s Circle
the Sciences is a really valuable pub-
lication, which place the branches of high scientific
knowledge within the reach of the poorest.—
Handley Cross is continued with spirit, and has
reached the sixteenth number.—Knight's n g ts
numbers of Ns afurrao°l eussiisntogrysteaanddilyaeo.
E
Cyclopcedia i
Saturday, and a
the last day of the m
" Mr. Macaulay's Eosnth.7, The popular edition of
seven parts, at a shillingys is now. completed in
of a convenient size. each, in a clear type, and
part
appears
snly Alternate
published everye