The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-03 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS pAY.)

TB

Blackwood.—Blackwood opens with a paper on
" Turkey, and its Population." It observes that,
in spite of all that has been said about the Eastern
Question, there is still something to say which has
not been uttered with sufficient emphasis. This
" something" is on the position of the great mass
of the Mahommedan population, to which, it is
asserted, we have not recently paid much attention,
owing to the interest excited by the present war.
The article proceeds to give a sketch of the position
of the people, their system of taxation, the evils of
the administration, and the various defects and
difficulties of the Government. It concludes, how-
ever, by taking a hopeful view of the future. The
second paper on " Civilisation and the Census,"
expresses even greater indignation than the former
one against the unfortunate Census Commis-
sion, angrily asserting that it has no right
to spy into people's secrets, inquire into all
their private affairs, and insist on knowing the
exact date of a lady's age ! A very entertaining
account of the plot of a German play follows. It
is entitled the " Secret Agent," and displays much
ingenuity in the construction and incidents. The
sovereign of a German state dies, and during his
son's long minority and travels abroad the Dowager
Duchess is regent. On the Duke's return he
finds it impossible to obtain his proper authority
without coming to an open defiance of his mother.
The ministers, who have been long in their places,
are devoted to her interest, and they thwart the
Duke in all he undertakes, lest having a little
power he should wish for more. At length the
Duke contrives a plan, which, with the assistance
of his cousin, he carries out successfully. He gives
out that a person he has knowh abroad is coming
to act as his secret agent. By the aid of his cousin
Eugkiie and some fortunate guesses, he contrives
to appear acquainted with all the state secrets.
After many amusing scenes and misunder-
standings the Duke succeeds in his object,
and the reins of power remain in his own
hand. Many of the scenes and incidents are
very entertaining. A paper on " Colour, in
Nature and Art," contains some interesting
observations on the relations and harmony
of the different colours. Some useful hints for
portrait painters, and even for the toilet, and ar-
rangement of a house, may be obtained from it.
" An Essay on Latin Versification," gives several
examples of versions from English poetry. " Peace
and War" is the title of a conversation between a
Member of the Society of Friends and a partisan
of War. There are also articles on " The influence
of Gold," and " The War and the Ministry ;" but
we regret to miss this month the continuation of
the interesting papers on " Speculators among the
Stars."

QUEEN'S BENCH.
HARTLE4 V. PONSOIIST.
Mr. Knowles moved for a rule to show cause why the
verdict in this case should not be entered for the de-
fendant on the ground of misdirection. It was an
action brougkt by a seaman to recover extra wages, and
at the trial in Liverpool, before Mr. Justice Erle, the
jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 401•
The facts of the case were shortly these. About two
years ago, the plaintiff entered on board the Mobile,
bound from Liverpool Port Philip, in Australia,
undertaking for Si. a month, to assist in navigating
the ship oat and home, or at any port in the Pacific,
the Indian or China Sew, or wherever freight might
offer until the return of the ship to the final port of dis-
charge in the United Kingdom. The ship was manned
by 36 hands ; but, on hen arrival out in Port-Philip, the
gold fever induced more than half the crew to desert,
and the captain finding himself left with only 17 bands
offered to increase their pay to Si. per month if they
would work the ship to Bombay, where he expected to
obtain the aid of additional seamen. The men refused
this offer, but said they were ready to work the ship as
required if the captain would give each of them a pro-
missory note for 601., payable on the return of the ship
to Liverpool ; and, ultimately, it was agreed that notes
should be given for 401, The seventeen men then
navigated the ship to Bombay, where more hands were
obtained, and in due course the vessel returned into port
at Liverpool. The plaintiff then applied to the owners
to cash his 401. note, hut the courts having held that
owners were not liable for the promises of their masters
made under such circumstances they refused to honour
the note, and this action against the captain was
the result of that refusal. It was now contended that
inasmuch as the plaintiff was bound by his articles to
work the ship under all circumstances until her return
home, the note must have been given without conside-
ration ; while, on the other hand, supposing that objec-
tion would not hold, it would be averse to public interest
to allow such contracts to be made by seamen, and
therefore the learned judge ought to have directed the
jury to find for the defendant.
Application granted.

EXCHEQUER.
HOPE AND ANOTHER ♦. LEEK.

Mr. Knowles applied to the Court for a rule calling
upon the plaintiff to show cause why the verdict in this
case should not be entered for the defendant. The case,
which involved a point of considerable interest to benefit
societies and money clubs, arose in this way. The plain-
tiffs were assignees of a person named Dunbar, and they
brought the action to recover 1601., the value of property
belonging to the bankrupt, which the defendant had
seized under a ft-fa, fa, in satisfaction of a judgment, after
he had received notice of the Act of Bankruptcy.
The defendant contended, however, that the plain•
tiffs could not be treated as legal assignees,
because the petitioning creditor's debt was not due in
equity. It would appear, indeed, that the petitioning
creditor was the president of a money club, of which
the bankrupt was a member, and he had struck the
docket upon the strength of two promissory notes for
501., which the defendant had given to the club as
security for the repayment of 1001. which had been ad-
vanced to him under the rules of the society. One of
his sureties had become insolvent, but as the instalments
due had all been regularly paid, while the bankrupt
stood in the position of a co-partner with the
president and other members of the club, it was
insisted on behalf of the defendant that there was
no debt due in equity, however there might be
in law, and, therefore, the bankruptcy was null
and void. This objection was over-ruled by the
judge who tried the case 'at the la” York' Assizes, and
the verdict passed for the plaintiff ; but there being some
doubt as to whether a party could be made a bankrupt
upon such a debt as that involved in this case, leave was
given by the judge to move the Court above upon the
point.
The Court granted a rule nisi.

—. .
would.
The child„ recovered, and this - '
wore satisfactorily adiusfed. "The Islesmen .of I merism would be of service, and I assured him it
is his letter :
the West " is a spirited composition, containing i
1 ' 7, Claremont, Hastings, Sussex, Oct. 30,1853.
some stanzas concerning the war. " ' Dear Sir,—l write to tender you my sincere thanks
for your kindness in recommen ding mesmerism for my little
girl, who had fever at Hampstead. I believe it was the
only thing which saved her life nnder the blessing of God.
" ' Believe me, yours very truly,
" ' Dr. Elliotsen.' " .Toniv W. WEBB.
"If the profession did not hourly and indefatigably
exert itself to prevent mankind from possessing one of the
greatest blessings ever bestowed upon our race, and man-
kind would rise above the influence of the profession, oh
how greatly would the sufferings of innocent childhood be
.essened !"

Colburn's United Service.—There is " A. Narra-
tive of Two Months in Odessa as a Prisoner of
War," by au officer of the Tiger, which is very in-
teresting, and will most likely prove attractive to
many, as it affords a detailed account of what took
place. It is to be continued. A description is
given of the funeral .of the unfortunate captain of
the Tiger, which was performed with military
honours. This spectacle, it is said, answered two
purposes—" honouring the captive, and honouring
the captors, by displaying their prisoners to the
people." Some remarks are made on the " French
Alliance, Past and Present," in which it is said that
a great mistake was made by the Czar in supposing
that no such thing as a perfect or permanent good
understanding, an entente cordiale, could exist be-
tween France and England. It is urged with truth
that at no time was there ever such harmony exist-
ing as at present between them. The union is not
only the agreement of the Governments, but the
concord of the nations. On the battle-field the
sons of England and France have learned to appre-
ciate each other. "The Expedition to the Crimea"
gives an account of the battle of the Alma, being
principally extracts from the descriptions given by
eye-witnesses. One is from a French officer, who
states that Menschikoff, believing the French
troops to be dispirited, exclaimed to the officers of
his staff—" Decidedly these French have had
enough ; I shall be obliged to go and help them to
re-embark a little quicker."

The Gentleman' s Magazine and Historical Review.
—"Memoirs of Celebrated Characters," by Lamar-
tine, is considered here at some length. A certain
amount of praise is awarded to it ; but, on the
whole, it is to be questioned whether its merits have
been sufficiently appreciated. It iq said that he
should have styled them the Romance of Biography,
inasmuch as he has altered circumstances and per-
verted facts. In couch-1.-44m, however, it is ob-
served that M. de Lamartine has set up for himself
a lofty standard, that of bringing literature within
the reach of the peasant and artisan. To inspire
the desire or wish for solid instruction is a most
difficult and dilatory process. " Once effected,
we will not fear fur the result, and if M. de Lamar-
tine can effect it, even though he effect nothing
else, he will indeed be entitled to boast that he
has deserved well of his country." " Master Guy"
is a most amusing sketch, humorous and droll,
while it conveys some information notwithstanding.
It relates the adventures and misadventures of a
Northumbrian youth, who was subsequently cre-
ated Earl of Warwick on the death of his father-
in-law, who possessed that title. The events are
strange and exaggerated, but altogether they are
pleasingly told, and form an interesting legend.
The said Master Guy performed prodigiesof valour.
infestedthe
He fought in several tournaments,
and dragons thataarnidnuksilenleduntiaress
in single combat, the“ Ingeiantht eCoElrrotnh,
through which he passed.over-
came,eandhisbrother Mong,adora.
Lady Novelists" has for itsasnudboj,,cKatthhe authoress.
subjects
snda about our
"Hers is tl
of the " Heir of Redclyffe"
Ash-
ton." It is said that genius is not the archaracteris-
tichne
two,
beutmhost
of Miss Sewell's mind.
a mixturee
thoughtful and log:cal mind of the
contemporary enlists our sympathies by
of wit and tenderness rarely equalled."

Colburn's New Monthly.—A paper on " The War
in the Crimea" commences this number. The
fourteenth number of Sir Nathaniel's " Criticisms on
American Authorship" is devoted to Richard Grant
White, the author of some commentaries on
Shakspere. The account given of his change of
opinion is curious. He was so much disgusted with
Dr. Johnson's remarks on " Cymbeline" that he
" flung the book aside, and mentally registered a
solemn vow never to read again a criticism or com-
ment of any kind upon Shakspere's works." He
has since then changed his mind, and has become
a critic and commentator himself. The writer,
though differing from some of his opinions, consi-
ders his work on the whole to show taste and judg-
ment. He justly denies the accusation that Mr.
White brings against "all Englishmen of the pre-
sent day." Mr. White asserts that every one says
one thing is different to another, instead of from
another—a most unjust accusation. " A Night of
Horror" is the somewhat startling title of a very
amusing sketch. A gentleman travelling by rail
to meet the fair Emilie at a ball, discovers, on
arriving at his friend's house, that he has taken a
wrong carpet-bag. On opening it, previous to find-
ing his mistake, he takes out paint, powder, false
hair, and similar articles. On arriving late at the
ball he learns that the fair Emilie has not arrived.
She enters, and accounts for her late appearance
by sayingthat, returning from a visi tin the country
that afternoon, she had taken a wrong carpet-bag !
The hero's feelings may be imagined when, on
looking at her, he finds she is much paler than
usual, with hair of a decidedly different colour.
" The
.Descriptions of the Manners and Customs of
the Eighteenth Century" is continued, and is
very entertaining. It is curiousto see that, in 1720,
the owner of a place of amusement on the Ham--
stead-road gave notice, that " for the security of
the guests there are twelve stout fellows, completely
armed, to patrol between London and Belsize to
prevent the insults of highwaymen and foot-
pads which may infest the road." Also, in 1746,
the proprietor of Marylebone Gardens had a
guard of soldiers to protect the visitors to and
from London. So late as 1764 the proprietor of
these gardens, which stood ou the site of the Re-
gent's-park, offered ten guineas reward for the ap-
prehension of any highwayman on the way, as the
perils of the road deterred many- from going. ;at
singular account is given of "The Fleet Marriage
System." " A City's Desolation "is a continuation
of " Mildred Arkell," by the author of the " Unholy
Wish." It conveys a frightful picture of the misery
inflicted on many rural manufacturing districts by
the passing of Mr. Huskisson's Bill. " The Diary
of a First Winter at Rime" is continued, and
sketches the wonderful sights to be seen in a day's
ramble through the city of the seven hills. A notice
of Mr. Flannay's recent work on " Satire and Sa-
tirists," and a lively description of " Paris in 1854,"
are among the contents.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.
Tait's Magazine contains articles on the Pension
List and Strikes. " Ilted Smith" is continued,
and a pleasing story commenced, entitled " Retro-
spections of a Reverist." The papers in this maga-
zine are written in a sensible and reasoning style.
They generally take just and: impartial views of
public questions.—The National Miscellany con-
tinues to maintain its character. A paper on "The
Poets and our Wooden Walls" gives some extracts
from our best naval poems. Campbell's fine lyric,
" The Mariners of England," is spoken of in de-
servedly high terms of praise ; but we do not agree
with the writer in saying that Cowper should have
sung " The British Navy" instead of " The Sofa."
It is said that "if ever a landsman could have done
justice to the theme in a poem of size, we think
William Cowper was the man." It is observed at
the conclusion that though most of the poets of the
present day are rhyming about fleets, and ships,
and sea fights, very few seem to have caught the
fire of Campbell or Dibdin. All will agree with
this after turning from our modern poems to these
spirit-stirring extracts. " Pinto Ribeiro" is con-
tinued, and a chapter on " Etiquette" will be found
to contain some useful hints.—Sharpe s London
Magazine has a variety of tales and sketches
suitable for general light reading. " A
Talk about Newspapers" gives some curi-
ous details. "Mrs. Clarinda Singlehart" is con-
tinued. 'Silverpen is among the contributors
this,, month.,7- papli coverdale's Courtship
has commenced coming Out monthly parts.
The first number has now appeared.—Newton's
London Journal contains an account of 25 patents;
among them some for improvements in gas-burners
and locks. The usual illustrative diagrams are ap-
pended.—Le Follet has this month an additional
plate of winter fashions, and an elegant sheet of
embroidery patterns.—The Family Friend is cer-
tainly much superior to 7 he Home Companion in
the variety of its household information, though
the latter treats of a higher class of subjects.—
Orr's Circle of the Sciences continues with undimi-
nished merit. It is Published weekly at twopence,
and contains the works of the highest scientific
professors. It is highly deserving of public encou-
ragement.—The Twopenny Post is a simple and
moral little serial, chiefly calculated for distribu-
tion among the lower classes in rural districts.
—Head and Heart is a useful little magazine for
juvenile readers. It gives excellent directions for
the acquisition of the French language.

Bentley's Miscellany.—Bentley's Miscellany opens
with a subject which naturally appears in every
magazine this month " The Campaign in the
Crimea." It is followed by a brief criticism on
" Johnson's Lives of the Poets," of which a new
edition has recently appeared. " Aspen Court "
is continued, and narrates the contrivance by which
Mr. Moleworth relieves Mrs. Wilmslow from the
presence of her husband. By an ingenious allusion
to the forgery he has committed, he banishes him
to Boulogne. " Haps and Mishaps of a Tour in
Europe " is continued, and gives some more of
the writer's impressions of Rome. " Master Guy
is a slight sketch of the early days of the hero of the
coming fifth of November. The account of " Te-
resa Bandettini, the Improvisatrice," is very in-
teresting. From being a dancer at a minor the-
atre she raised herself, by her talents and study,
to be the first poetess and improvisatrice of her
day. The strategem by which she saved the City
of Lucca raised her reputation still higher. The
lovers of the comic may be entertained by the
" Adventures of Benjamin Bobbin, the Bagman,"
which has reached the ninth chapter. " The
Effects of an Empty Purse " is scarcely an appro-
priate title for an amusing tale, relating the chap-
ter of accidents that befell its unfortunate hero.
The concluding paper is ou the " Memoirs of Lord
Metcalfe," recently published.

Ainstvortlb's.—The interesting tale of the " Rob-
ber's Wife" is finished this month in a very dis-
mal manner. All the chief characters meet with
sudden deaths. Leopold Klieber was rescued by
his comrades, and hastened to the castle of Falken-
berg. Agnes was at the point of death, when the
robbers rushed into the castle. The confusion con-
sequent upon their attack agitated her so greatly
that death was the immediate result. In the
struggles that ensued both the Baron and his self-
constituted relative were killed. Although full of
horrors, the story is well told, and may entertain
many. " The Ruling Passion strong iu Death" is
a singular sketch of an old woman, who was pos-
sessed of an inordinate desire for gold. Her hus-
band had purchased her an annuity previous to his
death ; but she was not content with this comfort-
able competency, and persisted on looking out for
mere gain on her own account. She tried legacy-
hunting, and with great success. At last her
efforts were directed towards the attainment of the
wealth of an old rich farmer in her vicinity. He
was taken away suddenly from the sphere of her
medicine chest. Mrs. Antony Leech gained her
point, however, for the farmer left her his fortune.
Her triumph was short, for in running across the
country in order to make arrangements about the
goods, she fell down dead. The last moments of
her ill-spent life are well described—" Gold, still
gold, it haunted her yet." She saw her dearly-
prized treasure in .everything around her. " Be-
fore the Play" is a pleasing paper, descriptive of
the thousand little incidents that appertain to an
evening's quest of amusement. " How Samuel
Appleyard went to see the Boulogne Review" is a
very entertaining sketch, representing the follies
and absurdities committed by the vulgar who set
out appearing to be grand, and the ignorant who
assume to be learned, directly they leave our
country.