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

LITERATURE.

The Queens before the Conquest. By Mrs. Matthew
Hall. 2 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
These volumes present us with a department 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 admix--
able series of memoirs commenced with Matilda of
Flanders, queen of William the Conqueror • and
all those who have followed her have confined
resea-ches 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-
mandua, 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 lives of most of these
sovereigns curiously exemplify the rudeness and
barbarity of the times. This is especially 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
little opportunity afforded for the development of
female capacities,evidence respecti
that attaches itself toPths
the naratives cannogt
theirpossess
domestic lives, most of
n the defective chain of
the biography
the individual interest
has swayed the destinies
of of a queen who
the spirit of her age. But the
nations,reader a and
will
find influenced
that
unpromising from an apparently
derive much really valuable gsubject, he will
informationlofthelresivering
thoee early times, and that soHe
memoirs. s Helena, possess the
as Boadicea and the Empress
interest of more modernsuch
history of " the British Warrio The private
little known, though her deedswarlirk,?ueen," which is
cited, will attract the reader from th are often
the light it
throws on her character and
actions. The author-
ess may be congratulated on having successfully
accomplished a very arduous undertaking,
and her
volumes will form a useful introduction g.' to the
usual commencement 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. SIBBALD 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 proprietors. _

After: some remark& by Mr. Hill, Bailie Fyfe, and
Mr. Forrester,

Mr. FABER observed that the wish to have these
gardens opened was universal in Edinburgh. It had
been stated that the proprietors had 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, he thought the company of the
officers would be by no means acceptable to the public.
(Loud laughter.)
The report was approved of.—Scot4man.