The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-03 00:00:00

LONDON, SAT UR DAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3, 1849.

LITERATURE.
FORTY DAYS IN THE DESERT.
NOZRANI •IN EGYPT AND SYRIA.
THE PIPE OF REPOSE. By R. Ferguson.
BELOOCHISTAN AND AFFGHANISTAN,
By Colonel Stacy.
CAMPAIGN IN NEW MEXICO. By F. S.

Edwards.
In these days, when every one travels and evt ry
one writes, almost every spot of earth has its histo-
rian. Nevertheless, so great is the diversity of
nature, and so various the opinions of men, that mi ch
as has been written about every known-country on
the globe, much remains, and much will always
remain to be said of' them. To have read one Ix ok
of travels in any particular country, so far from
satisfying, only stimulates our curiosity. This js
peculiarly the case with regard to the East. After
Chateaubriand and Lamartine had related their travels
in the Holy
.Land, it might have been supposed that
no inferior pilgrim, would presume to chronicle his
pilgrimage. On the contrary the charms of the
subject seem to have overcome the diffidence
of a hundred amateur authors, and the charms of the
subject are such as to render " Travels in the East"
always attractive, no matter who may indite them.
Accordingly the three volumes of Eastern wanderings
now before us will, we doubt not, be attractive to a
multitude of readers. " Forty Days in the Desert"
is chiefly descriptive of that part Of the Holy Land
which was the scene of the Israelites' wanderings.
most-interesting
nteriersatni
pigs
manner. described
This
t
hissomvoelumleen,gwthh,ieahndis
vinery
is a
legantly got up, illustrated by numerous sketches
of remarkable places which struck the traveller's
attention on his way. " Nozrani in Egypt and
Syria" has reached its second edition, and is conse-
quently independent of criticism. The chief attrac-
tion of this very attractive book is the religious spirit
everywhere manifested by its author. These are
essentially the wanderings
of a Christian,
rani" being synonymous with Nazarene. H " Noz-
owever,
the meditations suggested by the scene of his wan-
derings have, i'
nowise diminished Nozrans
powers of observation. Every object worthy of
remark, and every event of interest which he en-
countered on his way, he has described in a most
interesting and attractive manner. " The Pipe
of Repose" is so called after the long pipe
which the Eastern wanderer is accustomed to
smoke on arriving at his journey's end, during the
time of which performance he has leisure to muse over
his past adventures. The reader is to suppose that
the author of this little volume has accomplished a
pilgrimage to Cairo, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the
l)ead Sea, Damascus, Baalbec, and other equally
important places, and is now enjoying the luxury of
a commodious couch and " a pipe of repose." The
pages of this volume contain the reminiscences of his
wanderings. The subject matter is, of course, inte-
resting, and the author's manner is exceedingly enter-
taining. He does not often pause to meditate or mo-
ralise by the way, and he evidently prefers a hearty
laugh to a philosophical reflection, not but what the
latter is occasionally to be met with in his pages.
i
"The Narrative of Services n Beloochistan and
Affghanistan, in the Years 1840, 1841, and 1842,"
by Colonel Stacy, C. 8., Bengal Native Infantry,
Aide-de-Camp to her 'Majesty, employed on special
service in Khelat, and in com6and of the second bri-
gade of the Candahar force, will necessarily be pe-
rused with considerable interest. " The subject of
the work is twofold," says the editor (who has super-
intended its publication during the absence of Co-
lonel Stacy), " partly of a public and partly of a
private nature. Of the trans .
transactions Khelat in '4O,
'4l, and '42, and of the operations of General Notes
force in the bold movement from Candahar upon
Ghuznee and Caubul—both intimately connected with
a very critical period of our Indian affairs—no full,
exact, and authentic records have yet been given to
the public, and in such cases misrepresentation
and distortion of facts often usurp their place.
In this narrative the author lays before the
public, in the first place, an ample and truthfulintrinsic
interest, and which possess much historical
individual
services, ; in
the second place, an exposition of his own
services, and those of his brave companions in arms,
which this gallant officer believes (and the readers of
his narrative will probably concur with him) have
not been adequately acknowledged and requited. " A
Campaign in New Mexico with Colonel Doniphan,"
is written by one of the volunteers who shared with
Colonel Doniphan the perils and hardships of his
Mexican campaign. The narrative will, doubtless,
be interesting to Americans, but for our part, our
sympathies are too entirely with the struggling pa-
triots of Mexico, to dispose us to feel much inter-
ested in the dear-won victories of their opponents.
This little volume contains an elaborate map of
Colonel Doniphan's route—a route which we see,
from an extract in this volume, a writer in the
New York Evening Post has compared to the
fan famed " Anabasis of Xenophon."

POEMS. By 11. W. Freeland.
MADONNA PIA, and Other Poems. By J. Gregor
Grant. 2 Vols.
POEMS. By Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.
TRAFFORD, and Other Poems. By .1. Innes
Minchin.
NATIONAL LYRICS for the ARMY and NAVY.
By a British Soldier.
In the very modest preface of Mr. Freeland's "Poems"
that gentleman declares that his utmost dishes will be
gratified if some few besides his intimate acquaintances
find pleasure in their perusal. This desire will cer
tainly be fulfilled. If the volume contain no poetry
of first-rate quality, the versification is melodious and
the subjects are of a very pleasing character. Many
of Lamartine's poems are contained in this volume,
with Mr. Freeland's translations, and also the trans-
lation of Andre Chenier's " Jeune Captive." This is
incomparably the best of Mr. Freeland's compositions
—the translation is quite worthy of the original of
that original which Lamartine has apostrophised as
"le plus melodreix soupir gui soit jamais sorti des
fenetres d'uncachot." "Madonna Pia" is a poetic version
of the awful tragedy of the Maremma, briefly alluded to
by Dante. The poem opens with a description of the
happy love of Madonna Pia and her husband Pietra.
Pietra and his bride are, however, another Othello and
Desdemona, but the Italian's revenge is infinitely
more cruel than the Moor's. Pietra becomes jealous
of his beautiful wife ; without one word of reproach,
without inquiry or explanation, conducts her to an
old castle on the poisonous marsh of the Maremma,
the atmosphere of which is death. Here the rem&se-
less husband, still persevering in unbroken silence,
remains with his victim until after a lingering decay
she expires. This melancholy story is very beauti-
fully told by Mr. Grant. One passage is fraught
with an exquisite tenderness. The hapless Madonna,
perceiving in her husband's face the ravages of the
fatal atmosphere, prays him in be-art-breaking accents
to leave her to die alone. ' "Let not both perish !"
The little volume of " Poems" by the three Bells con•
tains some excellent and well-written pieces. Many
of these poems, especially those by Currer Bell, are cha-
racterised by that earnest thoughtfulness of spirit, and
that healthiness of tone for which the novels of the
Bells are remarkable. In this respect this volume is
superior to many of its companions. " Trafford; or
the Reward of Genius," we should ,like better were
the story not partly fictitious and partly taken from
the life of Keats; for example, Trafford exclaims
Write only on my tomb
That underneath there rotteth ono whose name
Was writ on water ! "
"National Lyrics for the Army and Navy,"
is a col-
lection of songs of a naval and military character.
We are disposed to call in question either the loyalty
or the gallantry of the "British Soldier," who has in-
dited them, when we find him in his version of " God
save the Queen," expressing a wish that her Majesty
may be preserved "in mind and in temper serene!"

HISTORICAL CATECIIISNIS.
Catechism of Germanil.
Catechism of England.
Catechism of France.
Catechism of Spain and Portugal.
These clever and comprehensive little catechisms—
portions of a series now publishing by Mr. Dolman—
are arranged on a plan somewhat similar to that ori-
ginated by the late ingenious Mr. Pinnock. They
are eminently adapted to facilitate tuition in the noble
study of history. As elementary volumes they are
excellent. They convey in an agreeable manner a
large amount of information, compacted together in
each instance within a hundred duodecimo pages. In
many respects they combine the advantages scattered
through the more pretentious compositions of Miss
Corner and of Mr. Maunder. The historical retro-
spect extends back to the remotest time, and is
brought down to a contemporary period. In the
catechism, which is, for example, dedicated to the
narrative of the rise and development of Germany, we
are informed at the outset that Allemania was first
peopled by certain migratory tribes from Asia, and
the closing answers refer to occurrences within
our memory. The " Catechism of the History of
England" begins with the colonizing of Albion by a
body of Celts, and comes down to that portion of the
reign of her present Majesty:Victoria, in which " re-
volutionary outbreaks materially disturbed the peace In the
and tranquillity of Europe." "Catechism of
France" the writer commences with the account of
the Gauls priort
oCwsai
of the x
Caesar's invasieon, and terminates
with the establishment isting
Republic.
While, in the catechism devoted to the Peninsula we
find the description of Spain brought down to the
marriage of Montpensier, and that of Portugal down
to the days of Maria da Gloria. These little publica-
tions will doubtless be welcome in the Roman Ca-
tholic seminaries.

THE COUSINS; or, Pride and Vanity. Pp. 131.
By Agnes M. Stewart.
A (simple and thoroughly, domestic story is this
little effusion of the " Cousins, —coming from the

establishment of the publisher of the preceding
catechisms. Miss Stewart contrives to incul-
cate gentle principles in a tale which has
neither the formality of a treatise nor the
frivolity of romance. The plot forms a com-
panion picture to that facetious sketch of John
Leech's, which recently appeared in Punch, giving
rather a bad prospect to a young lady; the young
lady in question being rebuked by her mamma for
aspiring to the happiness of " coming out" before
the elder sister—a rather untempting morsel!—is en-
gaged. The narrative ends happily, and that is a
great thing to propitiate the reader's goodnature.

THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS.

HOUSE OF LORDS, FEB. 1.
The following is a list of the majority of 52 who voted
against Lord Stanley's amendment on the Address:—

DUKES. Fitzwilliam BARONS.
Axgyll Granville Eddisbury
Norfolk Grey Elphinstone
St. Albans Mint& Erskine
Wellington Strafford Foley
MARQUISES. St. Germans Godolphin
Anglesey 'Yarborough Hastings
Breadalbane Waldegrave Lyttelton
Clanricarde BARONS, Lllford
Conyngham Ashburton Lovat
Headfort Bateman' Milford
Lansdowne Beaumont Monteagle
EARLS. Byron Poltimere
Besborough Camoys Saye and Sele
Bruce Colborne Suffield
Carlisle Crewe Sudele
Y
Colchester Cottenham Teynhate
Ducie Campbell Vaux
Fortescue Denman Vivian

PAIRS.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT. AGAINST.
Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Middleton
Duke of Roxburgh Lord Exmouth
Bishop of Hereford Lord Lyndhurst
Marquis of Donegal Lord Munster
Lord Langdale Earl Tankerville
Lord Holland Lord Digby
Earl Fitzhardinge Lord Ward
Earl of Lovelace Lord Boston.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.

(From the Votes and Proceedings of the Rouse of Commons.)

FRIDAY, FEB. 2.
The following petitions for Railways were presented, and
the Bills ordered to be brought in :
Newcastle and Carlisle (Alterations of and Branch from
Alston Branch).
Lancaster and Preston Junction Acts Amendment (Powers
to alter Tolls and for appointment of Officers).
Lancaster and Preston Junction (Junction with the East
Lancashire Railway in Preston, and Amendments of Acts).
Windsor (Extension of the Windsor, Staines, and South-
Western—Richmond to Windsor—with Power to the London
and South-Western Railway Company to subscribe).
Lancashire and Yorkshire (Extension of Ashton Branch,
of Clifton Branch, &c.)
Lancaster and Carlisle (from the Lancaster and Carlisle at
Lancaster to the Preston and Wyre, &c.)
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction (Aban-
donment of part of Line, Extension to London and North-
Western, &c.)
North-Western (Extension of Lancashire Branch, Aban-
donment of William Lands Branch, New Road to Settle
Station, Extension of Time for Purchase of Lands and Con-
struction of Works).
East Lothian Central (Abandonment of the Railway and
Dissolution of the Company).
Shrewsbury and Chester (for Branches to the river Dee;
Agreement for Joint Station at Shrewsbury; Power to sub-
scribe towards the Shrewsbury and Hereford).

RAIL WAYS.
The following returns were ordered on the motion of Mr.
Labouch ere :

A return, " showing for each Railway Company the
amount of capital and loans which the company has been
authorised to raise by Acts passed in 1818 ; the amount of
share capital actually paid up at the end of 1818 ; the
amount due on debentures, loan notes, or any other interest-
bearing securities, at the end of 1848, the rates of interest
payable thereon, and the sums to which such rates of interest
are applicable; the total amount the company retained
powers, at the end of 1848, to raise either on existing shares,
or by creating new shares, or by loans; the length of line
open for traffic at the end of 1848, distinguishing single and
double portions; the length of line in course of construction
at the end of 1848; the length of line each company is
authorised to construct, but has not yet commenced; and,
consequently, the total length for which each company has
obtained powers :"
" And a :return of the Amalgamation of Railway Com-
panies which have been effected either by purchase, loans, or
otherwise, during 1848, stating the nature of such amalga-
mation, and the date on which it commenced."