The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-17 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Essays on Political and Social Science, contributed
chiefly to the " Edinburgh Review." By Wil-
liam R. Greg. 2 vols. Longman.
Most of these essays have already appeared be-
fore the public, but it is most probable that none will
object to a second perusal. -They evince a, thorough
knowledge of the practical and general survey of
the important affairs that interest mankcznd at the
present day, and enough of the metaphorical and
illustrative is infused to render the style attractive,
without losing its force. The subjects chosen are
very various, and embrace every question calculated
to demand attention. Perhaps the most interest-
ing to the general reader is the essay or i the pro-
spects of British Statesmanship. How ever, we
presume, few will subscribe to the author 'a opinion
without a demur—namely, that our poor present
will be succeeded by a poorer future. , It is im-
possible for the wisest and the imost learned to tell
what' men may do under peculiar circumstances,
and no one knows what new lights may soon shine
forth. The author has evidently not au/weeded in
establishing his claim as a political seer, for he
speaks of our present Premier as a man of the pre-
sent
tense, never again to be known in public • thus
showing how rash it is in this marvellous age to pre-
sume to say what is not to be, merely because it may
not now seem feasible. Again, the talented author
does not appear a just critic when he declares Mr.
Disraeli to be unfit for anything useful. Political
dissensions should never occasion, and cannot sanc-
tion, unfairness and injustice ' • and none ever lose
who bestow the right award to their rivals and op-
ponents. Apart from these considerations, much
really sound information may be gathered from
what is met with here ; and as it is truly observed •
in the commencement of the essay, it is highly ne-
cessary, and exceedingly desirable for us all, to pause
a moment in the hurry-skurry of existence; and
calmly consider whither- we are tending, and how
we are acting,—not merely satisfied to live our little
day of strife, and pass away unknowingly from the
scene of trial, careless how we have acted in rela-
tion to the past generation we have succeeded, or
to the future generations that are to follow us. It
is worthy of notice, as the author remarks, that
Parliament is not now as it has been—the only
road to distinction, or the sole career of usefulness.
Hence many never wish to enter it, many retiro
from its precincts, and many never exert themselves
while still its members. A very graphic descrip-
tion is here annexed of its pains and penalties, its
troubles and toils, and all must agree that it is no
easy task to be nowadays a votary of St. Stephen's.
They are no " rois Jaineans," who rule that realm ;
and if they often exhibit zeal without profit, it is
by no royal road they reach their goal. In rever-
sion of the fabled King of Ivelot, they must go to
bed late and rise early, be deprived of rest ; and all
this sometimes for the same result as their proto-
type, to be " without glory." The following pas-
sage is an epitome of the vast amount of unpaid
labour carried into Westminster :

"A more really operative cause of the phenomenon we
are deploring, may be found in the gradually-increasing
tendency among our ablest and most fitting men to retire
from Parliament and shrink from public life. Many
causes contribute to strengthen and to spread this ten-
dency. In the first place, Parliament is no longer as
comfortable or desirable a place as formerly. The work
is far harder, the dignity far less, the collateral and
sinister advantages far fewer, and more uncertain than
they used to be. The labour imposed upon those mem-
bers who really endeavour to do their duty to their con-
stituencies and their country—and no others can long
retain their seats—is so severe that only the strongest
frames can bear it, and only the most obstinate ambition
will encounter it. Our senators have to work as hard
as the followers of some of the most highly-paid profes-
sions ' • and they reap no emolument, little fame, and few
thanks. They have to stay in town all summer, and to
sit up nearly all night. They have often to put a strong
control on their own feelings, and severe restrictions on
their own tastes. They have to be considerate and cour-
teous to all their constituents, to endure the caprices, of
the fretful, the complaints of the captious, the exactionEi
of the unreasonable, and often the insults of the vulgar.
The title of M.P. used to be a diploma of distinction ;
it is now frequently only the badge and livery of
servitude. Formerly, it meant access into the best
society, a share in the deepest national interests,
admission behind the scenes of the most exciting
drama. Now it signifies, for the vast majority
of those who hold it, nothing but emolument in
a miscellaneous kind of overworked and unre•
munerated drudges. What wonder then that the quiet,
the unambitious, the self-respecting—those who, unda.z•
zled by the hollow splendour, and undeceived by youth.
ful dreams, can calmly measure the object against the
price, the gain against the sacrifice—should incline to
keep out of an arena where so much is to be endured,
and, unless for the exceptional few, so little to be .thieved.
What wonder that one eminent alike in literature and
in Parliament should write thus of the latter life : 'There
is little reason in an opinion, to envy those who are still
engaged in a pursuit, from which, at most, they can
only hope that by relinquishing literal studies, and social
pleasures, by passing nights without sleep, and summon,
without one glimpse of the beauties of nature, they may
attain that laborious, that invidious, that closely-watched
slavery which is mocked with the name of power."'

A Spring in the Canterbury Settlement. By C.
Warren Adams. With Engravings. Longman.
The writer of this little work was advised to tra-
vel, and he concluded that he could not do better
than lay befofe the public the result of his experi-
ence. The account he gives of first impressions is
very natural, and it would be well if emigrants
now starting to their distant destinations, would
consider if they have the courage to surmount the
obstacles that will oppose themselves to their pro-
gress on arrival. Many are the disagreements to
be met with, though patience and labour will
doubtless surmount them all eventually ; it must
be borne in mind that they must possess
those
qualities if they would succeed. There is a goodgeneral impression of the country conveyed in this
sketch, and those desirous of informing themselves
of the state and nature of those " foreign lands and •
climes remote," now fast becoming household words
in our ears, and rapidly being brought nearer us
by the constant traffic passing to and fro, will
doubtless be gratified at meeting with it. There
are engravings
presented to us of the princiPaa
towns, &c., worthy of attention.

Who'a, Who, for 1853. Baily, Brothers,
Cornhill.
That general and pertinent question " Who ill
he ?"—here metamorphosed with phonetic brevity
into " Who's Who," is sure to meet with a ready
response in the work now before us, if the inquirted
have reference to any individual who is remov
above the ordinary sphere of existence. It contains
a list of the members of the Houses of Peers and
Commons, with an index to their politics ; lists of
the Government, of the ambassadors at home and
abroad, and of the different public co.mpanies, and
a large amount of other valuable matter too varied
to be mentioned. The neat form in which it
iii
printed and bound, renders it peculiarly adapted
asabookof reference for the pocket, the desk, or
the boudoir.

The Farmers' Almanac and Calendar for 1853.
Ridgway.
To specify the contents of an almanac such as
this, is far beyond the limits of a passing notice like
ours. Suffice it to say, it contains every species of
information which can be required by the class to
Shaw--aren oamplehesitation voucher
for itsn.
an
whom it is directed ; and the names of the editor*
—Mr.
t.Trusohtnswoontrustworthiness.ainndetr. .
recommending it as a complete and
useful annual
for the agricultural interest.

LOCAL BOARDS OF llRALTH.—Yesterday a bill WU
printed to establish local boards of health at the follow*
ing places :—Wakefield, Eland, Wallasey, Dudley,
Barnsley, Dorchester, Brighton, and Welshpool. Phe
elections at those places are to take place on the 28thlig
April next.