The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-04 00:00:00

7'HE LAND WE LIVE IN. Part I.

Although we have watched this interesting peri-
odical from its first appearance in weekly numbers,
just four weeks ago, we have refrained from comment-
ing upon its singular merits until the first monthly
part was completed. The notion from which the pub-
lication has originated is new and admirable. The
eminent publisher for the million—and we might truly
designate him as the distinguished instructor of the
million Mr. Charles Knight, here proposes
to compile a work illustrative of all the most
striking characteristics observable in England,
so as to indicate in a vivid manner the pro-
gress of civilisation, the growth of science,
the improvements of the manners and customs of
the people, the natural peculiarities of the island, and
the artificial constructions by which it is externally,
decorated, or by which its commerce and social inter-
course are materially advanced. The purpose of the
publication, however, may be better understood by
quoting the titles of the four chapters which have
already appeared, namely " The Road and the
Railway," " The Sail and the Steamer," " The
British Museum," and " Richmond." Even now,
therefore, it has acquired a remarkable degree of
diversity. Each disquisition is illustrated by en-
gravings from the pencils of distinguished artists ;
the first number depicting a pack horse train of the
seventeenth century, the travelling machine of 1750,
the turnpike of 1663, and the road waggon
of the last century ; the second number, containing
views of the Clyde near Dumbarton, of Queensberry,
of the Hoy Becalmed, and of a Steam-vessel on the
Thames ; the third, sketches of the old entrance to
the British Museum (a fragment of old London,
which, however unsightly, we shall regret to
see demolished), of the principal (new) front,
of the (new) quadrangle, of the (new) stair-
case, and of the Egyptian Gallery ; the fourth
is embellished, moreover, with pencillings of
Richmond from the Isleworth Meadows, the Park,
the Gateway of the old Palace, the view from Rich-
mond Hill, and Ham House. Eighteen beautiful
engravings in all, and appropriate letterpress, ele-
gantly and intelligently written !

THE BELLE ASSEMBLER.
Now that Camilla Toulmin has undertaken the
editorship of the Belle Assemblee, we augur well for
the prosperity and improvement of the magazine.
We wish her God-speed, cordially!

CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL.
As crowded with instruction and entertainment, as
vigorous in style, and as diversified in contents as
ever. We are not surprised to find the preference
given to Burns in a comparison drawn between that
glorious bard and Beranger, and however much we
may differ in opinion, we cannot but admire the
genial glow of the nationality by which the pre-
ference is inspired.

SHARPE'S LUADON MAGAZINE.
There are such a multitude of cheap and popular
publications, similar to Sharpe's London Magazine,
that we cannot do more than express our approval of
the general discrimination and unstarched morality
by which its pages are beautified. There is a dis-
agreeable mannerism about all the engravings, that
might be easily remedied. They seem to have been
produced by the scrutinising system of glypho-
graphy.

THE PICTURESQUE AND POPULAR HIS-
TORY OF ENGLAA D. Part I. By Thomas Miller.
Our old favourite Thomas Miller—the poet of the
green lanes and of schoolboy recollections—is
assuming a higher position in literature than he has
hitherto reached—he is climbing the pinnacle of his-
tory. Safe be his footing upon that perilous
ascent, and golden his reward on reaching the summit !
We have already had a multiplicity of histories of our
native land. Lingard and Hutne have given us the
eloquent utterances of the past ; Stowe and Holin-
shed have afforded us the quaint chronicles ; Sharon
Turner and Henry have given us very equable
but fragmentary narratives ; we have had a
pictorial history from the printing press of
Charles Knight, a ventriloquial or Catholic history
from the portfolio of Mr. MacCabe, and a facetious
history from the incorrigible and inexhaustible
comicality of Gilbert A'Beckett. Thomas Miller
offers us now a picturesque and popular history. To
our thinking, he is admirably calculated for that very
graceful and novel undertaking. We shall re-
serve a definite expression of our opinion upon his
work until it is further advanced, if not completed.

SHAI?PE'S MODERN MAPS. Part HI.

Scotland and Ireland are delineated in the present
part, which is as carefully and distinctly tracei as its
predecessors. The colouring is neat, and the lettering
elaborate.

LE FOLLET.
We continue to be as much charmed as ever with
this unequalled brochure of the fashions. The coloured
plates are quite miniature paintings in their way, and
the anatomy of the figure is preserved under all the
alternations of costume. One engraving in the June
part is a garden scene, in which some little girls are
netting butterflies ; it is daintily done. -Without
any question Le Follet is without a rival.