The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-07 00:00:00

LITBRATUREA

. •
The Queens before_the Conquest. By Mrs. Matthew
Hall. 2 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
These volumes present us with a departtnent of
'history which possesses the interest of novelty.
Miss Strickland has set the example of finding in
the lives of queens and princesses a subject worthy
of the attention of the biographer, but her admir-
able series of memoirs commenced with Matilda of
Flanders, queen of William the Conqueror • and
all those who have followed her have confined
researches to a later period. The history of our
early English kings.has always been comparatively
obscure, and that of their consorts is of course still
less known. Mrs. Hall, however, appears to have
found no difficulty in collecting sufficient facts to
enable her to commence her histories with Cartis-
raandua, the step-mother of the renowned Boadi-
cea, and even to trace the fortunes of the three
Guenevers, the brides of King Arthur of famous
memory. Among the most interesting of the
lives here portrayed, we may mention, be-
sides those already alluded to, are those of
St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Con-
stantine ; Bertha, who first introduced Christi-
anity into the Saxon Heptarchy ; and Elfrida
whose unprincipled ambition has often formed a
subject for romance. The lices of most of these
sovereigns curiously exemplify the rudeness and
barbarity of the times. This is espe: iAlly shown in
the tragic history of Ethelgina, the queen of Edwy
the Fair, who was cruelly murdered from motives
of political jealousy. To those who are fond of
historical studies and antiquarian research, these
volumes will be most acceptable, as providing for
them a field of investigation and instruction which
has been hitherto unnoticed. Of course, from many
reasons, from the violent spirit of the times, the
fl.eitmtlaeleopcpaopratcuintiietyg afforded for the development. of
evidence respecting
the naratives cannngt
that attaches itselfot
the spirit of her ag
has swayed the
and the defective chain of
their domestic lives, most of
possess the individual interest
age,destinies But
of nations, and influenced
o the biography of a queen who
derive much really valuable
the reader will find that
from an apparently unpromising
and that
informasutibojnecrte,spheectwinillg
some of the lives, such
as Boadicea and
those early times,
the Empress
interest of more modern memoirs. Helena, possess the
history of "the British Warrior The private
little known, though h.rwrl.kQueen," which is
deeds
cited, will attract the readera ife are often
throws on her character and actiornern the
light it
The author-
ess may be congratulated on having
accomplished a very arduous undertaking, and and her
volumes will form a useful introductiong' to the
usual commencemeht of
English history.

THE EDINBURGH TOWN COUNCIL AND
THE 46th REGIMENT.

"CHOOSE YOUR COMPANY."
At a meeting of the Town Council, held on Tuesday
last, a long report from the Lord Provost's Committee
upon the opening of West Princes'-street Gardens was
submitted. It gave an account of the steps taken by
the committee with the view of coming to some arrange-
ment with the proprietors of the gardens, " whereby,
for an annual payment to be made by the Town Council,
the gardens may be thrown open to the public two or
three days a-week."

Dr. gIBBALD stated that before keys were given care
was always taken to ascertain the character of the
parties applying. He was, however, in favour of the
opening of the gardens, and intimated that he would
enforce the views of the Council at the next meeting of
the proprietor'.
After some remarks by Mr. Hill, Bailie Fyfe, and
Mr. Forrester,
Mr. FRASER observed that the wish to have these
gardens opened was universal in Edinburgh. It had
been stated that the proprietors bad been careful before
giving keys, and that a certain number were given to
the garrison in the Castle ; now, supposing the 46th
Regiment were here, be thought the company of the
officers would be by no means acceptable to the public.
(Loud laughter.)
The report was approved of.— Scotsman.