The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-06 00:00:00

• seven or eight years younger than herself. The
most objectionable and unnatural point in the
story, and the one that most effectually checks the
reader's interest, is the introduction of the two
who have been almost like parent and child in the
relation of lovers ! This is most ill-judged and im-
probable, and without any object, for all the points
of the story which depend upon the difference of age
might have remained the same, if they had not
become acquainted, till Walter Maldon was grown
up. Mr. Landor died during the absence of
Walter from England, and it is after his return
that they are engaged. But the scruples and
hesitations of Agnes respecting the difference of
age mars their happiness for many years. She
leaves Walter and rushes off to Finland, where she
remains hid for two years. Meanwhile Walter,
driven desperate by her departure, marries a Lady
Lucy, whom he does not care for, and consequently
soon gets involved in all sorts of difficulties and
dangers. From these he extricates himself by
shooting his wife's uncle, and taking his departure
fur unknown lands. Upon this Agnes, finding she
has not succeeded in her plans for his good, comes
back to England. Lady Lucy soon after very conve-
niently dies, and the reader expects that all will be
right. But he is mistaken. It is already three years
since Walter and Agnes were first engaged, and it
is seven more before a trace is found of the truant
he.ro. He is then discovered in the wilds of South
Africa, hiding, as Agnes had done in the wilds of
North Europe. He has been consorting wi▪ th
pirates, outlaws, and such chayacters. He returns
to England, but they aro not yet happy. Owing to
misunderstanding each other, they do not meet for
about another year, when they are reconciled and
united. The author preserves a discreet silence
respecting the age of the bride. Among the stri▪ k-
ing improbabilities of the plot, we must mention
the transformation of Agnes from Mrs. Landor, a
lady of slender means, to Lady Valmar, a million-
naire. Those who are wearied with commonplaces,
and seek only for novelty, will certainly be grati-
fied in this tale.
. The wildest features of romance,
the most startling transitions, and deep-laid plots
and plans, appear in the date of the matter-of-fact
19th century, and amid the scenes and habits of
the present day. So far it may be striking from
its novelty ; but those who look for high moral
aims, for earnest and thoughful writing, for natural
characters, and for probability of events, will cer-
tainly not find their wishes realised in (4 Agnes
Valmar."

The Poetical Works of Goldsmith. Collins and T.

Warton. J. Nichol, Edinburgh.
This is the sixth volume of the library edition
of the British poets, published by Mr. Nichol, of
Edinburgh. It completes the first year's series, which
comprises Milton's complete works, Thomson's,
and Young's "Night Thoughts," and the present
volume, for one guinea. The series for the present
year will consist of Cowper, Butler, and one mis-
cellaneous volume, which will be followed by Dry-
den, Pope, Burns, kc. The present volume is a
most interesting one, chiefly on account of its pre-
senting, us with the ever-delightful " Deserted
Village." The editor is the well-known Rev. Mr.
Gilfillan, who gives us lives, critical dissertations,
and explanatory notes. lowever readers may
differ in their opinions of the criticisms, the life
of a poet is always a valuable addition to his works,
and Mr. Gilfillan is well qualified for the task.
Those who are desirous of possessing a standard
edition of the British Poets, with useful information
for reference, will do well to become subscribers for
Mr. Nichol's series.

The Journal of Agriculture, and the Transactions
of the _Highland and Agricultural Society of Scot-
land. Published Quarterly.
" Systems of Irrigation" is the first subject con-
sidered in this periodical, in which " a brief sketch
is given of the agriculture of those countries where
irrigation has been resorted to both in ancient and
modern times." It is observed that, from the ear-
liest ages, the science of agriculture was well un-
derstood in Egypt. Many centuries have passed
since Herodotus remarked that the " Egyptians
gathered in the fruits of the earth with less labour
than other people, because the river Nile came of
its own accord, and irrigated their fields." After
an analysis of the manner in which the cultivation
of the soil was practised in Egypt, the writer treats
of Africa and Syria. Finally, he passes on to Italy,
when he passes a commendation on some volumes
on Italian Irrigation, lately brought out by Cap-
tain R. W. Smith. The object of his researches
in Italy is to enable him to carry out great im-
provements in India. "He therefore never fails
to link his present work with that distant land,
where he hopes yet to labour long." It appears
that the system in Italy is far superior to that of
India, in irrigation, although, of course, in the
former country, the extent of the land is immea-
surably less. The other papers here presented to
our notice are " Agricultural Statistics of France
and Great Britain," " The Steam Engine : its Ap-
plication to Agriculture," tisc., which contain use-
ful information.

The Art Journal.—The Art Journal gives us
this month the promised engraving of " Peace,"
by Landseer ; a very beautiful plate of " The
Ruined Temple," by Wilson ; and "A Bacchante,"
by G. Romney. Among the attractions for the
ensuing year are mentioned "War," the companion
to " Peace" of the present number ; " Hamlet," by
Maclise ; and " The Village School," by Webster.
There is a variety of artistic information and criti-
cism, illustrated by the usual woodcuts.