The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

VITAL CHRISTIANITY. By Alexander Vinet.
This is a republication in an English version of a book
already known most favourably to the ethical scholars of
every European country. The translator is Robert
Turnbull of Boston and we must acknowledge that he
has rendered his author into our mother tongue at once
faithfully and elegantly. To those who are unacquainted
with the volume under notice, it may sound like an as.
surance that its tendency is exclusive and sectarian when
we say, that Dr. Vinet is the professsor of theology at
Lausanne in Switzerland. The religious animosities
which have embroiled the inhabitants of the Confedera-
tion, would seem at first to justify that suspicion. But
emphatically such is not the case. The book is ad-
dressed to no particular class of religionists, it does not
inculcate doctrines peculiar to this creed or to that creed,
it does not even touch upon the merits of the different
sections of christendom or eulogise any one of them at
the expense of the rest. Dr. Vinet regards Chris-
tianity in an aspect truly sublime—apart from every-
thing conventional. lie appeals to the hearts of all
christendom, he considers the Church established by the
, fishermen of Palestine in its comprehensiveness, not in its
exclusiveness. His writings speak at once to the imagi.
nations and judgments of all the believers in christianity
without distinction. The very mysteriousness of his
theme does not involve his lucubrations in mystery ;
- his ideas are clear and distinct, and he expresses them
in the most limpid diction. Of the generous character
of the volume there is no necessity to speak, seeing that
we can refer the reader at once to the chapters entitlei
" Power of the Feeble" and the" Box of Ointment." "Vital
Christianity" is altogether a singalar composition ; but
its moral objects—namely reconciliation and incitement
—are eminently good.

MUSIC.
THE MUSIC BOOK. Part IV.
This number contains two pieces of music by Mrs.
G. A. *a Beckett (one a beautiful duet, from the opera
of The Young Pretender, the words of which are from
the pen of Mark Lemon) ; one song by Balfe, words
by Barry Cornwall a song by Romer, words by
Mark Lemon ; and a set of quadrilles by Tully.
These names are alone sufficient to prove the spirit
with which this excellent musical periodical is con-
ducted. This, the fourth part, fully sustains the high
fame which the work has already acquired.

WOOLWICH, FEU, 2.—The Centaur steam-frigate,
in charge of Captain Ramsey, with the officers and crew of
the Terrible steam-frigate, passed through the Downs on
Sunday last, with provisions for the west coast of Scotland.
When in the Princess Channel, a part connected with the
eccentric motion of one of the engines, became impaired, and
she had to proceed with her sails set and the other engine,
t was make
intendedseve nknots
to
m per
ake hour,
fof Plymouth
and under these circumstances, when she passed the North
being Fore favourable.
owureel. I eable
to
the
wind
before touching, to repair the defect. The Birkenhead steam-
frigate arrived at Woolwich yesterday, to have some defects
made good, and is expected to proceed to Deptford to convey
meal and rice to Ireland. Captain Becher, recently ap-
pointed to command the Mastiff surveying-vessel, visited
Woolwich Dockyard yesterday, and assumed the command
of the Mastiff.
DESERTION or A SOLDIER WHILST ON GUARD.—
George Cooper, aged 19 years, was brought before the county
magistrates at Rochester, on Monday, charged with deserting
from the 18th Regiment, which he joined seven months ago.
The prisoner, it appeared, was placed on guard at the Gun
Wharf, Chatham, on Saturday night, when shortly before
midnight he effected his escape by scaling the garden-fence,
taking with him his firelock, bayonet, and ammunition, but
leaving
his side belt in the sentry-box. Having thus made
his escape, he proceeded towards Canterbury. and on arriving
at Rainham, about four miles distant from Canterbury Bar-
racks, he was stopped by • one of the rural police, named Fnry
'
pi whose custody be was broouaged,
and the bayonet was
brought u musket the
prisoner took with him was)a
afterwards found in the military burial-ground.
THE BLESSINGS OF
FM/R.--A variety of
the public journals, in
in-
stances have lately been .recorded in forme d
,
which severe surgical operations have been per
without the patient having the consciousness of pain.
The principle seems capable of being extended much
farther. A few days ago, Professor Simson stated to
his class, that he had practised with entire success,
the inhalation of sulphuric ether in a case of the
most difficult form of labour, and where otherwise the
sufferings of the patient would undoubtedly have been ex-
treme. The mother was lame and deformed. A remark able
circumstance pointed out in the case by Dr. Simpson was,
that, whilst breathing the ether, the labour pains or throes
co; tinned, and yet the mother (to speak paradoxically), felt
no pains. This is, we believe, the first instance in which this
new and extraordinary a ent has been employed in the prao-
' tact of midwifery,—Caledonian Mercury.