The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-04 00:00:00

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.

A more appropriate theme could scarcely have ben
selected for the opening article in a political periodical
than that afforded by the " Character and Career of M.
Guizot." And it is appropriate in a lamentable manner,
seeing that it is elicited by the odium excited against the
Prime Minister of France by his dishonourable and un-
principled conduct. Never had a statesman risen from the
people with fairer opportunities to render himself the idol
of his fellow-countrymen by his patriotism and the ad-
miration of foreign nations by the decision and rectitude
of his policy. Those opportunities have been squandered
away. Guizot is now utterly beggared in reputation. As
an historian, as a journalist, as an orator, he possesses a
deserved fame ; as a statesman, as a diplomatist, as a
minister, he has acquired a note very little removed
from the infamous. So let it be ! Let the ruins of that
once enviable celebrity be the everlasting beacon of his
successors ; let the opprobrium with which he is now
universally regarded be a warning to the selfishly ambi-
tious. From the masterly contrast given by M. Corme-
nin, under the soubriquet of Timon, of Guizot and Thiers,
we would, did an opportunity present itself, give copious
extracts, but we shall content ourselves with reviewing
the recollectionof that final and mournful exclamation
in the "Livre des Orateurs"—" Both" (meaning
Guizot and Thiers) " humiliating spectacle ! fought
furiously for the dry bones of office, concealed
within the red morocco portfolio, and then after
this noble struggle, the victor goes and licks the
feet of his master !" It is this deplorable subserviency
to the wishes of Louis Philippe, however much those-
wishes may be opposed to the interests of the nation,
that have rendered both of these eminent and gifted
men so little honoured abroad, anti so feebly seconded
in, France. William Carleton commences another story,
now that his powerful fiction of the " Black Prophet,"
is completed. The present is entitled "
Love ; a Legend ols Edenmore," Remembering the mag-
nificent Home is Hymns, as rendered by the poet Shel-
ley, we are somewhat amazed at the temerity of Mr.
Kenealy in attempting another translation of " Homer's
Hymn to Hermes." The learning of this admirable
classical student, and his graceful facility as a metrical
translator, have redeemed him, however, from the simple
charge of rashness. Mr. Kenealy has drunk deep
draughts cif poetry from the numbers of the old Grecian,
and he chaunts the story of Mercury and his wily doings
in melodious rhythm, with a cadence of full and beau-
tiful melody. " Irish Records," being a national subject
of peculiar importance, will be perused with interest. We
cordially rejoice in the tone of the critical article upon "Sir
Edward Bulwer Lytton's Lucretia," and we do so from
the peculiar honesty and vigour with which the review
is penned. The writer stigmatises with indignation the
attempt which is bei, g made just now to "run down"
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, and expresses his conviction
that the press in so doing is in error. One passage we
must quote. "We have," says the reviewer, " all our
countrymen's love of f.ir play; and if his (Sir E. B. L's)
literary reputation is to be run down, let it be in fait
and manly combat, by men of education, thoughtful,serious men, who are competent to form an opinion, and
not by the random stroke of insignificant scribblers, alai
the senseless vituperation of mercenary critics, whose
daily bread, perhaps, depends upon the countenance of
the journal, in the columns of which they are paid so
much a line for their vecal abuse." Strong as this lan-
guage is, it is in a very great measure justified by the
monstrous and indecorous course taken by certain
divisions of the press in regard not merely to Sir
Edward Bulwer Lytton but to another illu.trious and
extraordinary writer, we allude to Mr. Charles
Dickens. In the very zenith of their fame, while
their intellects are most vigorous, and their
genius is acknowledged not merely by multittules
in England, but throughout Continental Europe, and
beyond the Atlantic, a sudden onslaught is made upon
the literary reputation of each. We have. all
.heard
of
Aristides. The inference is obvious. It is satis.factory
to think that these abusive attacks, even if tripled in
volume and frequency, would. prove altogether... ineffectual.
in diminishing the admiration of the Judicious m
llion
for Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton,
.and especially. for
Charles Dickens, than whom no writer ever enlisted or
deserved more of the affections of the people. With a
hideous likeness of Mrs. James Gray, and one or two
biographLal sketches, the magazine is completed.