The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-01 00:00:00

NE TV MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

The chief feature in the various literary con-
tributions to the present number is elegance,
but it is elegance without its usual accompani-
ment, insipidity. The articles too have an-
other sterling recommendation, they are inte-
resting and well timed. Mr. Bulwer sets out
on his editorial career in a truly promising spirit,
as was indeed to be expected from the author of
that tale, whose wit is only to be equalled by
its sound sense, " Pelham." " Of the Address to
the Public" we say nothing, it is like all ad-
dresses we ever yet read, full of promises, which
in this instance we hope are not made only to
he broken. " The Room in which Canning
Died" is pleasingly and feelingly written.
" Conversations with an Ambitious Student in
11l Health" are chiefly remarkable for the ex-
quisite grace and polish of their style, and the
air of plaintive melancholy that pervades them.
Of their metaphysical capabilities we cannot say
much ; though they are put forth in a style
bordering on the ostentatious, yet they scarcely
penetrate beyond the surface of things. The
" Invalid Student" is very minute in his detail
of proofs, and deductions therefrom, that the
world was the creation of superior intelligence ;
as if the question had not been already settled
in one of Dr. Valpy's masterly theological
treatises, to which the author seems to have
helped himself most plenteously. " The World
as It Is" is lively, but possesses little novelty
either in design or execution. It is modelled
on the style of Voltaire's tales, the wit and sar-
casm however being diligently omitted. "'Temper
of the House of Commons" is an amusing,
we will even add, a valuable paper. It is the
' result of observation, unalloyed by prejudice
or faction. The writer reasons like a cosmo-
polite " qui mores hominum multorum vidit
et urbes," not as a partisan. " Aristocracy
in Religion" is pithy and piquant. We
quote it. It is worth remembering, especially
at the present crisis :

" ARISTOCRACY IN RELIGION.

" What bath all this pomp and pride—these Bishop-
rics and Archbishoprics to do with the religion of
Christ—with any religion whatsoever ? What man of
ordinary sense or ordinary meekness will not confess that
in him who affects to approach God the nearest, (and in
established churches the higher the grade on earth, the
nearer the supposed approach to Heaven—. The Saint in
crape is twice a Saint in lawn') the first requisite virtue
is humility. So sensible is even the hlussulman of thin
truth that he never ventures to approach his Gud in sum-
tuous apparel. The pomps and vanities of the world are
scarcely to be assumed to its Creator. Nor in there ally
haughtiness so revolting as that haughtiness and priesteraft
which dares to play the aristocrat to the omnipotent !

66 BILACHYS."

THE illE TR OP OLITAN.

This magazine, we hear, increases rapidly in
circulation ; we are glad of it, it deserves to suc-
ceed. The number before us is alternately grave
and gay, entertaining and edifying. With the
" Simpkin Papers" we have been specially di-
verted ; it a rich morceau, daintily conceived and
executed. " A Preface to Let" reads like one
of Mr. Horace Smith's sprightly essays. If so,
it is not unworthy of the talents of one of the
most successful periodical writers of the day.
" Prussia and her Military Resources" is, just
now, a very seasonable disquisition. It bears
evident traces of authenticity, and cannot but be
read with advantage. " A Captivity among
the Rockites in the Mountains of Munster, by an
Officer" is quite dramatic in interest, and we
take for granted is based on truth. The re-
maining articles are neither above nor below
par, but just attain the Salisbury-plain level of
mediocrity. We regret that we have no space
for extracts.