The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-15 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The 'Roses. By the Author of " The History of a

Flirt." 3 viols. Hurst and Blackett.

Although the title of this work is out of the
ordinary way, those who expect any romantic
legend or high-flown narrative will be disappointed.
The object and endeavour of the authoress would
appear, on the contrary, to establish the superiority
of sober, reflective minds, over the vagaries of
fancy and the visions of enthusiasts. The most
attractive arguments are raised on the prudent
side of the question; and after having enjoyed
little, and endured much suffering, in her dreams
and delusions of youth, the heroine is blessed at
last with a calm and holy peace, in the conscious-
ness that she has acted according to the dictates of
prudence and propriety. It will doubtless appear
to many that the case here put forth is an extreme
one, and it is certain that only a few would have
ventured to follow the example of Frances Delaney.
In becoming the wife of Colonel Chisholm she ran •
a great hazard. As it was, all went well ; but it
is not a sure course for a disappointed heart to run.
Apart from such considerations of a prudential
nature, much force and eloquence is displayed in
treating the subject. The hitter feeling of despair
which overwhelmed her ardent and untutored
spirit—the chaos into which her mind seemed
plunged—the fearful void which she felt in her
heart on the receipt of Alice's letter, containing,
in a few short words, the death-blow to her
brighest hopes of life—the gradual revival of her
strength, as the conviction forced itself upon her
that her work in this world was yet to begin, in -
stead of being already ended—the firm resolve to put
away vain regrets, and live for others, forgetting
self—all these contending passions and changing
feelings are shadowed forth in a natural and faith-
ful manner. Again, in the demeanour of Alice,
the spoiled child of nature and fortune, much is
seen to admire. She is like what we should sup-
pose a girl in her position. Not extravagantly or
excessively sketched, full of faults, not possessed
of merits, the favourite of every one, but, as it is
too often the case with such characters, not de-
serving to be so. The very attributes that
procured her the favour of all around proved
her to be unworthy of the universal homage.
Her light heart did not feel for the cares of others ;
when they interfered with her wishes, her over-
flowing spirits would not be checked by the coun-
sels of friends, and her unconstrained, easy manner
rendered her careless to impending danger, and
indifferent to what would have stayed a less
impetuous nature. The character of Free-
mantle Hope is in accordance with that of too
many needy fortune-hunters. Full of display and
grandeur, while it suits their views, they soon turn
to the other side, when no more affectation is re-
quired. Henry Dunevan is rather too solemn and
precise to be altogether natural or prepossessing,
and it is difficult to comprehepd how such a supe-
rior man, as he really appears to be, could be so
attached to the thoughtless, volatile Alice. He is
shown to act evidently on principle, while she only
followed the dictates of her own passions. Betsy
Davis, poetically styled " The Wild Rose of Aber-
glassly n," is a very interesting character. In her
retired home in the mountains of Wales, she dis-
played far more knowledge of the world than Alice
Montgomery in the centre of intelligence, sur-
rounded by a refined and intellectual society.
"My mind to me a kingdom is," might truly be
said of her, while all that this world can offer of a
lovely and enchanting nature was showered down
on the path of Alice in vain. In the striking con-
trasts such characters exhibit, the great force and
address of the authoress are displayed. Each is
seen better by the side of her opposite. The pil-
grim of nature, and the devotee of art, as a link
between the extremes, the heroine is found partak-
ing now of one life, now of another. As a sketch
of life, it is a sad one that this narrative presents ;
but as a guide to many hidden sources of existing
sorrow, it may be found too true. As a monitor
to giddy youth and unthinking maturity, it is
essentially desirable ; while for being an exponent
of many ruling passions that influence and excite
the world in general, in public and in private, it lays
claim to high praise, and is deserving of attentive
consideration. If more thought in accordance with
reflections here met with, there would be fewer
dreams;of happiness imagined, but more satisfaction
realised, and far greater contentment experienced.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS D AY.)

LoNDON, Nov. 15.--Wind at noon, N.W. ; light airs
and foggy weather.
RYE, Nov. 14.—The Nora, Hartlepool to this port, is
sunk, having grounded in entering ; cargo discharging.
LIVERPOOL, Nov. 14.—The Pomie, from this port, which
got ashore below Moosung in a typhoon, floated off 21st
Sept., without apparent damage, after partly discharging.
The Austria, hence to Charleston, was ashore in the sand
at the latter place, Ist inst., and is likely to prove a total
loss, with her cargo. The Lapland, St. John's, N. 8., to
this port, reported to be wrecked at Trescot, and the Pre-
sident, bound to this port, ashore at St. John's, N. 8., 25th
Oct., have both been got off.
YARMOUTH, Nov. 14.—The Hartlepool, brig, of and
from. Sunderland for London, is on the Scroby Sand; ex
pected off on the flood.
RAMSGATE, Nov. 14.—Wind, N.W. Arrived—Azarian,
Newport for Hamburg, to stop a trifling leak. The vessel
which was in contact with the Alfred; Bremen to New
York, was the Johanuas of Copenhagen. Two of her crew
got on board the Alfred.
SHIELDS, Nov. 14.- -Wind, N. Arrived—Justinian,
Miramichi. Sailed—Sultan, Aden and Calcutta ; Pearl,
Quebec.
TORBAY, Nov. 14.—The Harriet, Newcastle to Brigham,
has been got off the Paignton Sands, with loss of rudder
and other damage.
CARDIFF, Nov. 14.—The Eleanor (barque) of this port,
for Ascension, is in Penarth Roads, leaky, and will pro-
ceed to Bristol to discharge and repair.
GLOUCESTER.—SaiIed—Rony Brown, Melbourne.
CARDIFF, Nov. 14.—Wind W., and variable. Sailed—
Marian, Trincomalee ; Dolphin, Fernando Po ; Jenny,
Trinidad ; -Urania, Havannah ; May Queen, Virginia.
`MILFORD. Arrived—Maria, Qualm).
GRIMSBY, Nov. lA.—Arrived—Diamond, Aden.
DEAL, Nov. 14.—Wind N.W., and foggy. Arrived
from the river—Gaeta (qy.), Africa. Ditto and sailed—
Elspeth, St. Vincent and St. Lucia ; Abaqum, New York.
SOUTHAMPTON, Nov. 14.—Wind N.W. Arrived—Port-
Glasgow, Quebec. Sailed—Norma (s), Calcutta ; Norma
(s), Singapore; Indiana (s), Cape of Good Hope.
ABERYSTWITH, Nov. 14.—Wind E. Arrived—Battas,
Quebec.
QUEENSTOWN, Nov. 14.—Wind N. Sailed—Stamboul,
New Orleans ; Lallah Rookh, ew York.
HARWICH, Nov. 14.—The Elizabeth Lewis, Dundee to
Melbourne, which was assisted in, after being on shore,
has been surveyed, and ordered to discharge.
ARCHANGEL, Oct. 29.—The Chase, hence to Dundee,
has'put back leaky ; cargo discharging. The I. C. I. Van
Speyk, hence to Rotterdam, has been totally lost in the
White Sea ; crew saved.
QUEBEC, Oct. 29.—A portion of the cargo of the Anne,
from London, on shore on Beaumont Shoals, has been
saved.

ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.
LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY, 10.30 A.M.
Wind S.S.E., moderate, and fine.
Arrived—Amazon, from Hamburg ; Henry Nesmith,
from Philadelphia ; Mercutio, from Savanilla.
QUEENSTOWN, Nov. 13.

Wind N.
Sailed.—Lalla Rookh, for New York; Stamboul, for
New Orleans ; Carlotta, for Amsterdam.
(BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.)
CUSTOMS RETURN. .

GRAVESEND, TUESDAY, 10.4 A.M.

Wind calm. foggy. Tide, two hours' flood.
Arrived.—Enigsheden, from Swatwig ; Burg Castle,
from Antwerp; Carl Francisco, from New York; Traveller,
from Rotterdam ; Jane, from Antwerp ; Margaretta, from
Rotterdam.
DEAL, TUESDAY, 9.22 A.M.
_ _

Wind N.W. light, and foggy.
Anchored.—benta, from London for Africa ; George
Ansen, from London for Malta ; Teti, from London for
Gems ; Abagun, from London for New York.
Passed.—Elspeth, from London for St. Vincent.