The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-27 00:00:00

1 The final decision of Isabella is an exception to the
l other misfortunes, and all must rejoice in
her firm-
ness after her infatuation. Frank Tyrrell is the
most interesting and the only superior character
introduced to our notice. The hero is a most un-
principled and mean-spirited individual, whose ad-
vantages of nature and fortune he wilfully squan-
ders ; not that he was possessed of riches, but he
enjoyed a high position in society, and he had in-
fluential friends. In vain, however, did every
one exert themselves for him, from the vola-
tile Lady Ramsay to the steady and prudent
Frank Tyrrell. He was unstable and rest-
less ; they worked to no purpose in his behalf.
Chloe is a fascinating creature, very well described,
and her grace and dexterity would be the chief
ornament of the story were it not that her tragic
end casts a shade on the picture. It partakes too
much of the theatrical to be suitable to every-day
existence, although it is certainly more natural
from her being of Greek birth and very impetuous
and wild throughout all her career. On the whole,
notwithstanding an easy, flowing style of composi-
tion, a variety of personages well described, and
great skill in the arrangement of the plot, "Charles
Stanly" is not an agreeable novel. There are too
many jarring elements and unsuitable positions, as,
for instance, Lady Ramsay's interference with
Charles, and Lord Overton's attachment to Chloe ;
but, from the ability it displays, it will doubtless be
read with attention, especially by those who are
fond of the romantic.

The Evil Star. By E. Colburn, Esq. 3 vols.

Skeet.

Whatever defects are apparent in this work, it
at least possesses the merit of originality. It is not
necessary for the author to inform us that it is a
first work, for the enthusiasm and singularity of a
first endeavour are easily discovered. The writer
displays no deficiency of talent or want of observa-
tion. The chief objection which his book must
meet with is the peculiarity of his opinions. While
fully agreeing with him in his condemnation of
worldly and selfish dispositions, and the want of
generous and kindly feelings, or lamenting the im-
proper training which young and ardent spirits so
often meet with from too severe or too indulgent
instructors, we must condemn some of his doctrines
as untenable and reprehensible. The chief charac-
ter in the story, Walter Vernon, is an example of
the effects of " the Evil Star." The author asserts
that to some every circumstance of their life seems
against them ; that their minds are ill-directed,
that their outward position is unfavourable,
and, that they seem under the influence of an
unpropitious planet. He believes these cha-
racters to be divided into two parts—those
who have sufficient moral strength to overcome the
antagonistic power, and those who, not having this
natural force of will and determination, must sink
beneath it. This is one of the objectionable opinions.
How a writer who professes to see such beauty and
consolation in the Christian faith can believe such
a gloomy and fatalist doctrine is somewhat sur-
prising. There are comparatively few who, by
natural force of character, can meet and subdue an
incessant array of opposing influences. There are
some whose names adorn the pages of history who
have risen from obscurity, and won themselves the
admiration of thousands for their talents, or the
blessings of human nature for their goodness. We
read of some of these, that they have met with
apparently hopeless neglect, with apparently insur-
mountable difficulties ; yet they have endured all,
attacked all, conquered all, and shall we say they
were born under an evil star ? Do we not rather
see that the trials and the obstacles were so
many incentives to their energy, so many ad-
ditions to their virtues. Or, if the victim of op-
posing circumstances has neither the desire nor the
ability to excel, does it follow because ho meets
with misfortunes, or is surrounded. by characters
unsuited to his own, that lie must necessarily be-
come hardened in heart, selfish and calculating in
disposition, and lowered in principles? This would
be indeed a melancholy reflection, for there are many
such as Walter Vernon, who was one of those weak
characters easily influenced. We do not find that
lie met with such alarming vicissitudes, or such
unheard-of catastrophes ; on the contrary, he met
many upright and amiable persons, who became
his companions and advisers ; yet, in obedience to
the influence of his star, which he could not over-
come, he becomes cold and hard-hearted, neglects
his indulgent mother, breaks the heart of his
cousin—his first love—changes all his old opinions,
marries an earl's daughter, who is devotedly at-
tached to him, becomes moody, and, withdrawing,
himself from society, he finally closes his glorious
career by going mad, poisoning his wife, and drown-
ing himself. Another singular opinion entertained
by the author is, that the disapprobation of parents
should not interfere with the marriage of their
children. Doubtless there are exceptional cases, but
the propriety of the general application of the rule
may be questioned. The characters are numerous
and diversified, and the two sisters, Agnes and
Laura, show forcibly the different and pernicious
effects of a bad education on two naturally good
dispositions. Ethel is the most pleasing of the
heroines, and Lady Henrietta Sydenham, whose
desires for an uncommon destiny were somewhat
unpleasantly fulfilled, is the most striking. There
is no want of interest or paucity of events, and
however the reader may differ from the peculiar
ideas of the writer, he will find the story enter-
taining and original.

Florence, the Beautiful.

By Alexander Baillie

Cochrane. 2 vols. Hurst and Blackett.

There is something refreshing in this work, after
the [ordinary range of romances. It is not from
any striking events or original characters, so much
as from its vivid descriptions and graceful style,
that it merits the attention and admiration of its
readers. The principal part of the story takes
place in Touraine, of which charming province we
meet with a most delightful picture in the first vo-
lume. The heroine is introduced to us, in a scene
worthy cf her name, at sunset, kneeling by an
ancient cross, that had stood for ages the landmark
for many a weary pilgrim and the consolation of
many a distressed spirit. In a more advanced part
of the narrative, her mother, in referring to her
choice of her daughter's appellation, remarks,
" She shall be called Florence, for I read that Flo-
rence, which sits by the bright Arno, is called the
Beautiful." Towards the conclusion, the stormy
scenes of the French Revolution are beginning to
be enacted, but they are more referred to than in-
troduced. We must except, however, the two
deaths of Florence's father and the Abbe, which
are fearful to dwell upon from their truthlike deli-
neation. Marie, the gentle and neglected cripple,
is a pleasing and natural character ; and Henri de
Soligny, the hero, is also admirably drawn. The
struggle between pride and love is ably shown
forth, and his conduct in the trying scenes of the
carnage at Blois elevates him to the ranks of a
" preux Chevalier." Yet, the prevailing impression
at the conclusion of the work will be that it owes
to its composition more than to its creations. The
beauty of the language, the eloquence of some
passages and the vivacity of others, the freshness
and glowing enthusiasm which pervade its pages,
all proclaim it to be no ordinary novel, and dis-
tinguish it as an exception to the romances of the
day. The Chapter on Roses is a very fanciful and
elegant digression, and the subject is appropriately
introduced by its being presented as a study to the
lovely heroine as she is enjoying the summer's day
in the luxuriant beauty of that favoured spot before
alluded to. The following lines aro the commence-
ment of the chapter :

" Beautiful Provence, to thee we owe the lay of the
Troubadour, the wild tale of romance ; there by the
blue waters of the joyous Mediterranean the orange-
flower disputes with the pomegranate and myrtle
each spot of soil, and the blue tints of the sky and
the light outlines of the hills blend together ; while
on distant ridges the palm recals the glories of the
East, and the lofty pine stands forth on high as the
guardian of the forest—who that has ever dwelt in
Provence, but must look back to that period of life
with fond regret ; for in such a climate even sensa-
tions of sorrow are subdued by the softness of the air.
C'est le lieu du monde ou on pout mieux se passer de
benheur ;' but it is not for her minstrelsy, though lips
worthy of the theme have sung the loves of Provence ' •
it is not for her wild tales of romance, though these
cling to every ruin like the ivy of centuries ; it is not
the orange-blossom, though at the name the fair bosom
gently heaves and the damask glows in the cheek. Not
so much for all these do we love fair Provence,l
the rose which her soil gives birth to ; it is of La .as
sfor
Pro-
vence, above all, that England is redolent, and her roses
are not the least of all the graces which England owes
to France."

There are some remarks made on" Great Cities,"
which are also deserving of mention. It is observed
that this is called the age of great cities, but the
author asserts that the epithet " vast " is the one
which should be applied to them :
" Commerce is the magician which in all times has,
with her magic wand, called great cities into existence ;
but commerce is in these days more selfish, more exclusive,
less generous than of old. She does not keep her state
in marble palaces ; and the great merchants are no
longer the merchant princes of the nation. Thebes
with her hundred gates, purple Tyre, imperial Carthage,
were the offspring of commerce. The tideless Adriatic
and the azure Mediterranean wafted commerce to the
stones of Venice and the marbles of Genoa ; then it was
that men possessed noble thoughts, and could greatly
realisethem. It was the proud boast of the great Cmsar
that he found Rome brick, and left it marble. We are
content to leave nothing but bricks to our descendants."

The Song of Boland. Translated by the Author of
" Emilia Wyndham." Hurst and Blackett.
A literary curiosity is here given to the public in
this " Song of Roland"—as chtunted before the
Battle of Hastings by the Minstrel Taillefer—lite-