The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-19 00:00:00

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OP THE

A. A. Paton.
ADRIATIC. By
" This work," says the author in his preface " was
undertaken at the suggestion of the late truly esti-
mable Sir Robert Gordon, her Majesty's Ambassador
at the Court of Vienna, in his private and un-official
capacity, as a promoter of all those departments of
literature which familiarise thd reader with a know-
ledge of the trade and resources of foreign parts. It
was his wish that I should give a general view of the
material resources of the Austrian empire ; I there-
fore began with a visit to the Austrian ports of the
Adriatic in the years 1846-7; but the present ab-
normal state of trade, and the revolutions that have
since occurred, rendering it doubtful how far I should
make my work a commercial one, and the progress
of events in Croatia having created a demand for in-
formation on that country, the desire to fill up this
vacuum has caused the second volume of the work to
ily j, ,Aiarauter than 'was
ut nrst contemplated, and has afforded me an oppor-
tunity for laying before the public the results of
studies on the interests of Great Britain in

Lr

JANUARY i

the. Austrian and Ottoman empires, commenced
long anterior to my tour on the Adriatic."
These remarks give some idea of the nature
of this interesting and important work—interesting
because of its attractive style, and the agreeable
variety of historical and literary anecdotes and tra-
velling adventures which it contains, and important
because it tends to throw a light upon the habits and
feelings of nations now first becoming conscious of
the rights of nationality. Mr. Paton's remarks must,
however, be read with caution and accredited with
reserve. Be frankly tells us that he is in favour of
Austrian domination in Hungary, an admission
which disposes us to regard with distrust all his poli
tical theories. Nevertheless, he is anxious like our-
selves for the re-establishment of the kingdom of
Poland, and is a hearty supporter of free trade. He
considers free trade to be the great desideratum for
Austria. The glimpses here given of Dalmatia,
Ragusa, Croatia, and other highlands and islands of
the Adriatic, are most interesting, both as regards
material and manner. 'The pictorial illustrations—
lithographs by Maclure—:are exceedingly beautiful.
Among these are portraits of the Archduke John and
the poet Gondola. The most beautiful of the land-
scape views is that of Cattaro, which forms the
frontispiece to Volume I. The softness of lithography
is peculiarly effective i❑ mountain scenery, as this
plate can exemplify. Always excepting Mr. Paton's
political theories, the " Highlands and Islands of the
Adriatic" may be commended as a very excellent and
seasonable work. Some of the strictures here to be
found upon the " Ultra-Magyars " who, in their
anxiety to revive their national existence, arrest the
development of a similar nationality among their
Illyrian fellow-countrymen, appear, at first sight
just. But we must take into account the almost in-
superable difficulties which prevent the happy union
of justice and liberty in the stages of any great en
deavour, especially a revolution.

THE COUSINS; or, Pride and Vanity.
By Agnes Stewart.
The story of the vain Camilla Hartley—vain of
her own beautiful face and her father's well-filled
purse—and the poor proud cousin, Eleanor St. Clair,
will be a general favourite with youthful readers. It
contains no long homilies on the sinfulness of vanity,
its teachings are solely those of example.. The story
is a very interesting one, and possesses the double ad-
vantage of tragedy and comedy, for it ends with a
death and a marriage.

AFFECTION. Dedicated to Lord Ashley. 3 Vols.
We are somewhat late in noticing this IN ork, but
Affection is of all times and seasons, and the work
which bears its name may, therefore, be considered
as a perennial. This novel has been written with a
most laudable motive. Unlike its companions, which
are mainly occupied with love, this work is devoted to
affection. It endeavours to illustrate by example the
efficacy of kindness, whether in reclaiming the
wicked, or in benefiting the good. The lesson is
well worthy of general application.

HARLEY BECKFORD. 3 Tois.
What will the romantic novel-reader say to a
story in three volumes with no love-passage whatso-
ever ? Such is " Harley Beckford." The hero is a
young gentleman, it is true, but he happens to be
married before the commencement of this narrative of
his adventures. The three volumes are occupied with
details of the various accidents and injuries which he
suffered in a search after his father's murderers. To
those who delight in plenty of adventure, no matter
whether in good or bad company, "Harley Beek-
ford " will prove entertaining. Many of the thoughts
and observations scattered through the volumes are
truthful and suggestive. The eloquent and enthu-
siastic " Ranter " girl is very beautifully portrayed,
and her death-bed scene is described with a touching
pathos. The portrait of the Rev. Mr. Magog is a
most irreverent caricature, and accords ill with the
religious spirit manifested in "Harley Beckford."