The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-26 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

POLITICAL LIFE OF SIR. CANNING.
3 VMS. LONDON, ISSI.

To those few--and the number is daily dimi-
nishing—who mat• still entertain prejudices
against the principles of the late Mr. Canning
a a British statesman, we would earnestly re-
commend the perusal of this work by the la-
mented Premier's friend and private secretary,
Mr. Stapleton, who has entered into---not a de-
fence, for such was it needed, but into—a
lengthened explanation of the syt,in of his pa-
tron's domestic, and especially his foreign policy.
On the subject of our relations with Portugal
and the Brazils Mr. Stapleton enters into very
minute details, which clearly show the consum-
mate sagacity and foresight which Mr. Canning
possessed. As regards that Minister's coalition
with the Whigs, Mr. Stapleton states that he is
for the present enjoined to silence, a reserve
which is much to be regretted, for if ever coali

tion was necessary indeed inevitable, this was
the one. Both parties behaved with the most
scrupulous honour and forbearance, each re•
spected the opinions of the other, and preserved

its own uncompromised and untarnished ; we
cannot therefore but regret that Mr. Stapleton

(even though advised by those in authority) has
resolved on maintaining strict silence where all
was open, candid, and disinterested, and had
nothing to fear from exposure.

LIVES OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS. LONDOX, 1831.

This volume forms the nineteenth of Murray's
" Family Library," and contains biographical
sketches of some of our most eminent British
architects. It is the production of Mr. Allan
Cunningham, who has already produced se-
riatim " The Lives of the English Painters
and Sculptors." The present volume is penned
in the same flowing vigorous style as Mr. Cun-
ningham's former productions. Its criticism is
characterized by an ardent relish for the beauties
of the fine arts, and is as racy and good-tempered
as it is in many instances original. The best me-
moir in the whole is that of Sir John Vanbrugh,
whose merits, both as a dramatist and an archi-
tect, the author enters into at some length. We
think, however, that he overrates Vanbrugh's
comedy of the Provoked Wife, which has little
genuine wit, though it abounds in a certain
rough boisterous humour. As an architect,
Mr. Cunningham acknowledges that Vanbrugh
ranks among our ablest and foremost men.

CONSTABLE'S MISCELLANY.—No. LXIII.
Loxnox, 1831.

This little volume, descriptive of the achieve-
ments of the Knights of Malta, is, as might be
expected from its title, full of romantic details
of" hair-breadth escapes in the imminent deadly
breach"—battles, murders, and sudden deaths—
courage and cowardice, ferocity and refined hu-
manity. Such a work is not likely to want
readers, and this will accordingly be much read
and admired. Mr. Sutherland is the author,
and, on looking through his pages, we find he
has been infinitely indebted to the indefatigable
historical researches of the late Mr. Charles

LESSONS IN FRENCH LITERATURE,
Loxnox, 1831.

As an elementary work on the French lan-
guage this deserves, and we doubt not will meet,
an extended circulation. Its two great recom-
mendations are its simplicity and its concise-
ness. There are no elaborate expositions of
stale musty rules respecting some of the unim-
portant technicalities of the French language ;
no pedantic commentaries upon verbal trifles ;
the leading and really useful idioms are alone
pointed out, and that with a clearness and per-
tinent brevity that proves the author to be a skil-
ful and experienced grammarian, who knows
how to separate the tares from the wheat,
the important from the frivolous points of edu-
cation. We may add that the selections made
for the young student are from the most ger-
' ling and approved French writers, that they are
judiciously varied, and arc accompanied both
by a literal and free translation.

FAMILIAR LAW ADVISER, PART I, IL
LONDON, 1831.

The author of this serviceable little treatise
has taken for his motto " brevis et utilis esse
labore." In the treatment of his subject he has
been both, and comprised much valuable infor-
mation on the matters relative to the law as re-
gards landlords and tenants, tax-collectors, paro-
chial authorities, masters and servants, appren-
tices, journeymen, artificers and labourers, within
very restricted limits. His book is a capital
family book.

SCHOOL CLASSICS.-THUCYDIDES. THREE

VOLE. LONDON, 1831.

We are indebted for this excellent edition to
the classical press of Mr. Valpy. It is intended
chiefly for the use of schools and colleges, but

will be found available to students of all ages.
The notes are useful and explanatory, and not
encumbered with that pedantic ostentation of
learning in which it has so long been the fashion
of our ablest commentators to indulge.

DIGNITIES, FEUDAL AND PARLIAMENTARY,

BT Sin W. BETNAM.

Valuable as a work of reference on technical
points of the nature mentioned in the title, but
wholly uninteresting to the general reader. The
subject is essentially a dull one, but Sir W.
Betharn has made it as acceptable as it can
possibly be made, and in explaining obscure
Parliamentary Acts, bearing oc. the Peerage, has
consulted brevity and simplicity.

THE MIRROR, Va.. XVI.—LoNDox, 1531.

This popular little miscellany is now so well
known, that it needs no additional recommenda-
tion from us. The present volume, however,
we may state is more than usually attractive, be-
ing illustrated with a great variety of excellent
wood-cuts, and containing also an abundance of
original and selected matter.