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

MISCELLANEOUS.

The National Miscellany has several subjects of
interest, in addition to the usual " Bosnia," and
" Russia and its Resources," which, of course, are
to be met with in every periodical. There is a.
criticism on the writings of De Quincey, which
affords him the scarcely merited praise of being su-
perior to Macaulay ! We are told that " Macaulay
makes men read ; De Quincey makes them think."
How this is accomplished without their reading
him is not stated ; but it appears to be. the
fashion to decry our great celebrities, and to hold
up less distinguished writers in their place.
There is a pleasing addition to the magazine,
in the introduction of some poetry.—Hogg's In-
structor has papers on " Lord Brougham," by Gil-
fillan, on "Masters and Servants," and "La Bra-
gore," and several other subjects of information.—
Macphail's Edinburgh Journal has articles on
"Modern Novel Writers," "Smith's Poems,"
" China," and various other topics.—Sharpc's Ma-
gazine contains the continuation of " Harry Cover-
dale," a biography of " Henry Fielding," " Studies
of Great Authors," an extensive list of literary
notes, and two pleasing engravings.—The
British Journal, though inferior in interest,
also presents us with an amusing collection of tales
and sketches.—Le Pellet, in addition to its charm-
ing coloured plates, gives for the benefit of its
readers an extra sheet of bonnets and laces.—Our
Friend and The North British Magazine are two
serials recently commenced, of an average merit.—
The Family Economist, a smaller periodical of older
date, finding its readers move among the middle
class than the masses, for whom it was intended, is
enlarged and improved.—The Fenny Post is
an instructive little miscellany. The Family
Friend is one of the best of its kind. Orr's Circle
of the Sciences is not a mere outline for beginners,
but is really what it professes to be, and is far
more suited to the advanced scholar than to the
unlearned reader. It sapplies a deficiency for the
self-taught, who can easily procure cheap rudi-
ments of the sciences, but find all works of more
advanced instruction are only obtainable at an ad-
vanced price. It is only twopence a number.
The present instalment is on Physiology. The
Charm is a charming little miscellany for juvenile
readers, and has at present the attraction of a tale
by the author of 6‘ Olive."

SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S FLEET.

Sir Charles is to have uncl4
nand twenty sail of the lii
consist of the following :

nr his own immediate com-
a), which we imagine will

Guns.
Duke of Wellington 131 Prince Regent • 9O
Royal George... l2l James Watt W.
St. George l2O Majestic Bl
Neptune
Waterloo ... 120 Monarch ......... St
St. Jean d'Aere ........ 101 805cawen............................... 70
Princess Royal 9l Blenheim... ................ 60
Caesar 9l Hogue .... .................. 60
Nile ) .... 91 Edinburgh ................. 58
Algiers 9l Ajax ...................... . 58
The other ships preparing for sea, and to be associated
with the North Sea expedition, are the following, which
will, we believe, be commanded in divisions by Rear.
Admirals Corry, Chads, and Commodore Martin.

Guns;

Guns. Guns.
Imperieuse 5l Archer l4
Euryalus 5l Lightning
Arrogant 47 Frolic l6
Pique
Dauntless
Amphion 34 Driver 6
Tribune
Horatio
Leopard ..................... 18 Alban
Odin ........................... 16 And others being brought
Magicienne ...... . ........... 16 forward.
Valorous. ..................... 16 The Belleisle, hospital ship,
Vulture .. .......... . ......... 16 will also be in attendance as
Desperate l6 also steam tenders, trans-
Dragon
6 easels, &0.,
Bulldog 6 which we may be enabled to
Miranda iii say more about in our next.
Ten brigs of war will also form a cruising squadron
for the coast of Scotland, as stated elsewhere.—Hainp
Aire Advettier cota Portsmouth, Herald..