The Sun.
London, England, 1831-07-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

STANDARD NOVELS. No. 5. —St. LEON.

LONDON, 1831.

We have here the veterdn Godwin's well-known
tale of " St. Leon," orip,:illy published in four
vols., and now republi-hed in one —originally sold a
thirty shillings, and now sold at six. These art
wonderful advantages, but when we add that tin-
book is not only cheap in price and commodious in
form, but that it is really one of the handsomest—
both externally and internally—most compact, best
printed, and best embellished productions that m e
hare ever met with, we have, we conceive, said quite
enough to induce readers of taste and judgment to pur-
chase it. There are few people who have once read
" St. Leon," who would not desire in the first place
to read 3t again, and secondly to buy it, as one of the
most acceptable additions to their library. It is one
of those tales which leave an indelible impression on
the mind, which interest the feelings of youth, one
are still more highly appreciated by the sterner and
more matured judgment of manhood. The story,
which is in part founded on the old legend
of the philosopher's stone, which enabled its
possessor to obtain boundless wealth and
, im

mortal life, works out a Frost impressive—
a most beneficial moral. Its object is no'
merely to amuse, but to instruct; it is conse-
quently a thousand times superior to the general run
of tales of fiction, which are merely intended to
entertain, then to be thrown aside and forgotten.
In its style—particularly since it has received the

last mellow touches of the author—it is as eloquen
as any work in the language. In the early editions
there was occasionally a theatrical march of words,
and an ambitious effort at display ; but these ble—
mishes are now all removed, and the work is all
but faultless. As a moralist, whose creed is based
in truth, and whose ear is ever alive to "the still
sad music of humanity," Godwin will descend to
posterity as one of the giants of his day. In this
respect Sir W. Scott—great, unrivalled as he is in
many respects—is no more to be compared to him
than a satyr to Hyperion. The hig'ne.t object of
the one is to amuse,—of the other to instruct his
readers. One leaves his readers as he found them,
neither worse nor better for his fiction; the other
strengthens—elevates—and purifies their fancy and
their feelings. The one is a shrewd practised man
of the world ; the other is a shy, serious philosopher,
who, however, has meditated on man and nature
till he has made himself familiar with both. St.
Leon is, we conceive, his master-piece.

THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.)
CORN EXCHANGE.
There were only moderate arrivals of Lnglish Grain last week,
but abundance of foreign. Of Flour the quadtity was good.
There is not much Corn of any kind fresh up this morning.
We have had dull markets of late, the extreme favourableness
of the weather having nearly stagnated the sale of all kinds of
Grain. The Wheat trade may be reported at a further decline
of 2s. to 3s. per quarter, and scarcely any business has been
transacted at that reduction. Oats are ls. per quarter lower.
No alteration in the other articles of the trade.
PRICES ON BOARD OF SHIP.
Wheat, Red (old) —s. —s. Beans, Small (new)... —s. —a
--White (old) —s. —s.
--Red (1830) ... 545. —Tick (new).... 37s 395.
—.-- Fine 64s. 665.
Superfine.. 68s. 70s. Harrow (new) 40s. 425.
—White (1830). 565. 665.
-- Fine 68s. 725. Brank —S.
Superfine.. 725. 745. Oats, Feed
Foreign free 48s. 725. __ 22s. 255.
~ &Ss. 42,.

Rye

New
--- Poland
New....
- Potatoe
New

Barley
Fine 12s. 365.
--- Superfine New —s. —s.
Malt 6os. 665.
Fine New 7os. 725.
Pease, Grey New 36s. 38s.
Maple New , 3Ss. 425.
White
Boilers

.. 265. 28s.
... 275. 295.
Ms. 325.
Is. 2ts ?Oa.
.11‘) 55i 60s.
50s. 54
try 465. 525.
gs. 10s.

_ .
- Scotch
- Irish :11l
Flour Town (per sacl
- Secomis
North Count
Bran