The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-31 00:00:00

TI _SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, MAY 81, 1847.

lift the veil of futurity, and no one can say what
will be the result of the events which ,Rill pass under
our eyes, but favourable or fatal they must not in-
fluence our opinion, which must be based on other
considerations. If Divine Providence should have in
store for us more trials—if again our fields should be
devastated, our cities bombarded, our villages de-
stroyed, our brave soldiers should die on the field of
battle, and even fortune should be propitious, the
calamities itieparable from war would be terrible,
particularly when conducted with the barbarity and
vandaiism displayed by the Americans, without any
mitigation of civilization, and to the disgrace of
their arms; but fatal as all these evils might be, far
more pernicious boyofid comparison would he a peace
forced upon us at this moment. Peace, yes, peace
La what the nation wants, but a peace that must be
won by our valour and constancy, bought by vic-
tories obtained by a people that detests oppression. A
peace of this kind will save us, and make us respected
by the powers that observe us, and give us the place
due to the Mexican nation. If we cannot obtain
such a peace it is better to bury ourselves under the
ruins of our cities, and better to die than live without
honour.

As to myself, lam determined to breast the dan-
gers of the campaign, confident that my conduct will
gain the approbatiun of my fellow citizens. If lam
crowned by victory, and succeed in driv7ng the enemy
from our soil, I shall retire to private life, satisfied
that I shall have rendered my country some service;
or if the lead or steel should cut the thread of my
life, I shall die contented, as I shall leave to my
country an honourable memory, and to my children
a name at which they need never blush.
Present, &c.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.
To the lion. Secretary of the Constituent
Congress, Mexico, April 2, 1847.
It will be seen that the Americans themselves admit

:hat since the Battle of Cerra Gorda, Santa Anna has

rallied 6,000 men round him at Or' zaba, and if he
continues to be animated by the spirit which dictated
this address, he may yet vive General Scott some
trouble. The American Sun says, Commissioners,
consisting of Senators Benton and Soule, have been
dispatched from Washington to meet General Scott
at Mexico, with the terms our Government are dis-
posed to make for peace. The Mexicans, who still
urge resistance, are in favour of Guerilla warfare,
and if such should be adopted, we have only to retire
from the interior, where that mode can be practised
among mountain passes, and occupy the cities and
ports we have captured.

CAPTURE OF TUSPAN BY COMMODORE PERRY.-
HEALTH OF THE ARMY AND NAVY.

General Taylor is atMonterey with his division of
the army, General Worth is at Vera Cruz, charged
with the government of that place, and Gen. Cushing
at Matamoras. General Taylor has resolved on a
requisition upon the states of New Leon,
Coahuila, and Tamaulipas, for indemnification for
public property of the United States destroyed by
Mexican robbers in those departments. Gen. Cushing
has been directed to call upon the alcaldes of Mata-
mores. Commodore Perry has, after an obstinate
engagement, captured Tuspan, and is to sail against
Tobasco and other ports on the Mexican coast.
Lieut. Hunter, who captured Alvrado and Thicotalpin
in such gallant style, though in disobedience to
orders, has been court-martialed and is to he dismissed
from the Home Squadron. The health of the army
is fine, though the heat has been excessive At Vera
Cruz and Monterey the Mexicans are recovering
business, activity, and confidence, from the conciliat-
ing spirit of their new Governors.
CALIFORNIA.

BATTLES AT SAN PASQUAI AND SACRAMENTO BE-
TWEEN GENERAL KEARNEY AND COLONEL DONT-
PHAN AND THE MEXICANS! CHIHUAHUA IN Pos.

SES'ION OF THE UNITED STATES.

While the army in Mexico Proper has been
covering itself with glory, our forces in California
have followt.d their example. General Kearney and
Colonel Doniplian, with a volunteer force of 2,000
,:en, after an exhausting march of 2,000 miles, from
Mi,souct defeated a greatly superior Mexicaa force
under General Pi,:o at San Pasquel, captured Chi-
huahua, and won a brilliant victory over 4.000 Mex-
icans at Sacramento. The Mexicans fortifi,d the
Pass of Sacramento and had 1,200 cavalry, 1,200
infantry, 300 artillery, and 1,400 Rancheros, all of
whom were routed, leaving 300 killed and as many
wounded on the field. Their entire cannon, baggage
train, and provisions fell into our hands. American

loss, four killed, and lesd than a dozen wounded.

General Kearney, after the battle took formal pos-
session of Chihuahua in the name of the United

States. We have now full possession of California.

LATEST FROM MEXICO.

The New Orleans papers of the 6th May give the
following as the latest intelligence from Mexico :
Upon the receipt of the news of the defeat at Cerro
Gordo, the Mexican Congress held an extraordinary
session, at which a decree was passed, dictating to all
Mexicans the importance of carrying on the war, and
defending the nationality of the Republic. It also
prohibits the Executive from making peace with the
United States, or concluding negotiations with foreign
powers disposing of any part of their territories.
The decree pronounces all to be traitors, whether
private persons or public functionaries, who make any
treaty with the United States, and declares such
treaty to be null and void.
A permanent Committee is to be installed, should
Congress find it impossible to continue its session.
On this Committee is to devolve the whole duties of
the Government Counsel, and appoint, in case of
vacancy, a temporary Executive.
The powers of the Committee to cease at the con-
clusion of the war.

There were more than eighty Members of Congress
present at this extraordinary meeting, and great
unanimity prevailed.
The Picayune has letters from Jalapa, dated 25t1-,
26th, and 28th of April, Vera Cruz of the 29th.
General Worth was still at Perote, with 2,500 men.
He had advanced one brigade with its battery, to
enlarge the circuit with supplies.
The arrival of a diligence at Vera Cruz from
Jalapa, on the 28th, brought the intelligence that
Mr. Bankhead, the British Minister, bad offered
mediation. and Congress was acting upon the propo
sition. . _

It was reported that a strong party in favour of
peace had formed at the Capital.
A few light breastworks had been thrown up in the
vicinity of the city of Mexico, but nothing like a re-
gular defence had been undertaken. The citizens
-erred to be stupifieci by the successive defeats of
their troops.
Santa Anna had written to the Government from
Orizaba, that he had 1,500 men, and wanted rein-
forcements and money. His demands were, however,
unheeded, and the Government and people appear to
have 100 all confidence in him.

The Puebla paper of the 24th declares that a party
of Mexicans, headed by Rejon and Gomez Farias,
had determined to sell the Republic to the American

vandals.

By an express arrived at Vera Cruz, on the 29th,
information had been received that Lieutenant Dixon,
in command of a detachment of 102 convalescent sol-
diers, on their way to Jalapa, had been attacked by
300 Mexicans.

A wagon train had also been captured, and fears
are entertained for another.

It was rumoured that General Taylor had arrived
at San Luis, but not that he had taken that city.
It was also reported that the Mexicans intend leav-
ing the roads entirely free from Jalapa out to Puebla,
but entrenching themselves in the latter place.
A revolution is said to have broken out in the city
of Mexico apinst Santa Anna.
The Mexican accounts of the battle of Cerro Gordo
say that Santa Anna sustained himself with 6,000
against 14,000; and finally being entirely surrounded,
cut his way through the Yankees with a column of
the 4th infantry.
The Mexicans admit that two of their Generals
were killed, but General Scott's loss is put down at
four thousand, kind two thousand, and as many
wounded.
General Salas has issued a proclamation, declaring
that he was empowered to raise a guerilla corps, and
calls on all good Mexicans to join his standard.
The New Orleans Picayune has received an account
of the killed and wounded at Cerro Gordo. There
was no Gfficer of the Regulars killed-14 were
wounded, 39 privates were killed and 196 wounded.
One Volunteer officer was killed and seven wounded,
three privates killed and 48 wounded. Total, 43
killed, 265 wounded. Letters received, express con-
fidence that General Shields will recover.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
Domestic affairs throughout the Union are in a pros-
p
rous conuition. The greatest activity pervades all
classes of business, and the demand for provisions abroad
has given employment to alt the shipping of the coun-
try. The news of an advance in the price of grain, by
the last steamer, has strengthened our markets, and al-
though the canals and lakes are fairly opened, prices
have gone down but little. Immense quantities of flour
and grain are pouring into the sea board, through the
lakes and canals, and we sh fll soon have such a supply
must materially reduce ale prices.
Co:tun is firmer since the art Iva] of the last steamer ;
prices range from 11c. to 14c. The stock market is
cAriparativety dull, foreign exchanges still advancing.
Oar farmers pitting in ph-ntiful seed for the next
harvest,
spring has net been favourable. Winte,
but
t arehe
wheat, in many sectioas of the Western Sites, has
be,.n fregt•killed ; also in the south, and fruit orchards
have suffered severely, esp,ciatly the peach. A de
,fructive worm has app,ared in the cotton fields of Ala-
bama, and els, where doing great darnafze; so much that
Y planters have countermanded their orders for rope,
dud bagging. The tobacco plant has also suffered from
ravages. of worms. Yet appearances favour a
h ;.rvi.tst of staples throughout the linfon.
generalT g
estooCkimaiket was buuyant at the first board, bu,
fell off at the second board, with considerable sales.

Treasury seld at 3 rer cent. premium. with Farce d.
ienat,f. It 16 te-tid that the Secretary will a ant no mote
money 11;161 July, which will give takers of Tn-a-n-y
Notes a chancy to place them without ernbarrassmr
The Exchange market closed heavy fbr the ter
at 7 per cent. for sterling. The snoply ex:vedid the
Francs are less plenty, and steady at 5.32 k to
5.30. Other Continental bills were dull. Sterling at the
close was abut 4 per cent, lower than yesterday.
In freights there is considerable activity, and rates
are firm. To Liverpool considerable engagements of
flour were made at 35., anti some grain at 10d. A vessel
was taken for Glasgow, and another for the Mediter-
ranean, on private terms.
AsnEs.—There have been tales of about 300 bbls.
Pots at 5 dolls., and 60 do. Pearls at 6 50, the first bill
out. The tendency of Pots ie. tipwalti, and !here were
tumours ef sales a: 5 123.
FLOUR AND MEAL—The demand continues to be
large for future delivery and on the spot, and the market
is very firm. The sales in loco reach 7.000 or 8,000
bbls. at 7 814 to 7 87k, good parcels bringing 7 87i. with-
out much difficulty. There was a large demand for the
East, and prices were well sustained to the close. The
receipts today were about 10,000 bbls. To arrive, the
tiemaitd is very go d, and rates continue to advance. The
transaction": would be larger, but for the limited supply
off, ring. The sales reach 20,000 bbls, including 10.000
iu all May, at 7 50 to 7 75 ; 6:000 ditto in June, at 7 25
to 7 373, and over 2.000 or 3,000, by 15th July, at 7 25.
sale of saucy Western was made at 8 dolls to arrive.
The market closed at the higher rates. In Southern
there is nothing doing, excepting small parcels George-
town, to arrive, at 8 12. to 8 25. The stock here is used
10
s(Poo.oob'brblb: is, a
The
~,,_dd mat 4 7 5 t
market 5
2
etfu:), y
i smissotasental steady, ,v7asn. with sales 2,500 to
3,
which
advance.
from
Rye
The first parcel of Flour direct Buffalo, 500
bbls., was received to-day, by Messrs. John B. Wright
anti Co.

Guam—The demand for Wheat to arrive continues
to be gs•od, end the sales reach 25,600 bush. Ohio, in
June, at 1621 to 165 ; 3,500 do. next week, at 170, and
10,000 do. t, enesee, at 171 cts. in all June. For Corn
there was a good demand, at steady rates. Of Yellow,
in loco and to arrive, some 30,000 to 35,000 bush. sold
at 94 to 96 ; 5,000 do. Mixed, at 92 to 94, and to ar-
rive in June 5,000 State Yellow, at 80c ; 25,009 do.
Western, in June, at 85 to 90c., and 30,000 in July
and August, at s2i to 85c. Of Barley, 1,000 bushels
sold at 70c. Rye was in firm inquiry, with sales 7,000
to 8,000 bushels at 101 to 103 c. The receipts of Corn
were 30,000 bushels. Oats were in large inquiry, at
50 at 51c.

PnovisioNs.—There is some inquiry for Old Pork,
and the market is steady, especially for Prime. Sales
800 brls., at 13 dolls. 12ic. for Prime ; 15 dolls. for
Mess. New is nominally 16 dolls. and 13 dolls. 50c. In
Beef the sales are moderate. Prime is 8 dolls. 75c. to
9 dolls. 25c. Mess, 11 dolls. 75c. to 12 dolls. 50c. nomi-
nally and rather heavy. A sale of Bacon was made, but
we could not learn the particulars. A sale of 165 tcs.
Cana's Shoulders was made at 7c., and 150 brls. good
Pickled Hams at 9c. The market is firm for Pickled
Meats. Lard is quiet. 100 brls. sold at 9ic. ; and a lot
of good kegs was offered at 10c. No change in Butter
and Cheese.

TEAs.—The catalogue offered to-day was a good one,
and contained a larger proportion of high priced Teas
than any offered this season. Grocers held back, and
the high grtides sold at about 2 cents. decline on previous
sales. The common grades fully sustained the market.
The catalogue was nearly all sold.
GROCERIES.—The market -is rather quiet, but with-
out ma: k.-qt change. Porto Rico and Cuba Sugars are
un--eight cent. lower within two or three days. Coffee
is dull. Of Molasses, a cargo of Cardenas sold for Ca-
nada at 21 cents. Small sales New Orleans at 35 cents.,
Porto Rico 32c. to 324 c.
FISH.—We note sates of Dry Cod to some extent, at
3 dulls. 90c., and of burring 2,500 to 3,000 boxes, at
100 cts for Scale, 60c. for No. 1, and 35c. sor N 0.2.
WnisßEY.—The market is a little stiffer, with sales
of 300 or 400 bbl,. at 28 c. to 28ic. Drudge is held ar
29 cents.

Ls.—There is considerable excitement in English
Linseed, and we note :ales 15,000 galions nt 61c. to ar-
rive, and 61c. to 63c on the spot. City Ain.rican held
at, 68e. Country is nominally 60c. Of whale oil, 600
hills. selected sold to the trade at 34c. to 35e. cash.

LITERATURE,
MAR .•#AD (-WT. !'E1;1,1: I ; (.r. TH FATAL
El? I? 0 I?. A .2V,.vel. By tlx Countess of Blessing-
ton. 3 vols.
To say that "ItLarmaduke IL-rbert" is what is techni-
eal:y termed a well-written novel, that the style is easy
and elegant, the descriptions animated, and the story
interesting, appears to be hardly necessary, when eke
say that itis written by Lady Blessington. Her read/
must be already acquainted with that vivacity of
manner and truthfulness of narration which impart a
great charm to her wriiings and invest them with
such an air of vitality. In these attractive qualities
" Marmaduke Herbert" is in no wise deficient ; Its
chief ft aturn, however, is a very powerful delineation
of some pecatiarities of temperament and unfortunate
circumstances consequent thereupon. The chief in-
cidents of the story are of a strikinr, and, indeed,
startling character; the plot is well conceived and
well contrived, admirably calculated to effect what
we presume to have been the object of the writer,
namely, the analyzation and exemplification of the
peculiarities of a nature at once affectionate, proud,
reserved, and morbidly sensitive—a nature which, by
causing its unfortunate possessor to dread the impu-
tation almost as much as the commission of a fault,
rendered him morally and mentally a coward and in-
volved him in a series of " fatal errors," exposing him,
moreover, to a remorse and agony seldom attending the
most heinous faults; for havingcommitted what Talley-
rand has described as being worse than faults—mis-
takes. The example and instruction of his parents had
tended to develope his more affectionate and better
qualities, but their good effects were destroyed by
the pernicious counsels of a guardian to whom he
was at early age consigned, who taught him to avoid
all intimacy with his companions, and to look on all
with suspicion
; and consoled him, when by such
conduct he found himself an object of dislike, with
the assurance that all popular persons were either
dupes or dupers. This counsel so far increased the
natural defects of his character, that with real good
feelings he kept up an appearance of evil, Without
friends in his childhood, shrinking from sympathy,
although of a moat ardent nature, the consequences
of his own unfortunate conduct, raised up a wall of
separation even between him and his wife; and, in
speaking of his affection for his child, he observes,
" over this burning lava of love was a deep and har-
dened incrustation of reserve that concealed the fire."
Such is the character of the hero of these volumes;
his feelings and his failings are most effectively por-
trayed, and his story must interest all who read it,
though some only may experience pleasure in the
perusal. Among these we certainly cannot count
ourselves, for while we admit the whole story to be
well written, interesting, and full of feeling, and
while we admire the talent and acknowledge the
merit which it displays, we must also admit that
its perusal has afforded us little pleasure.
In the close contemplation of such a history as Mar-
maduke Herbert's, a series of secret sorrows, heart.
burnings and apprehensions, in the picture of his
miserable domestic life, though both he and his wife
were tenderly attached to each other, above all in the
story of her sufferings, as detailed in a private
journal of her own—all of which, because described
with much truthfulness and feeling, are only in con-
sequence more heart-rending—we should feel a sort
of pleasure somewhat akin to that afforded by a close
inspection of the dying agonies of a battle-field.
There are some, nevertheless, with whose sensibility
we have no wish to find fault, who experience much
delight in the contemplation of fictitious sorrows, and
'to these the story of Marmaduke Herbert" will ne-
cessarily be most interesting. The journal of the un-
happy wife is perhaps the most beautiful and natural,
and also the most paiefol part of the whole hook.
Written in a style of exceeding simplicity and ten-
derness, it presents a very accurate picture of the
emotions of a young and ardent heart. Without
attempting to give any description of the plot, it may
be as well to mention the main incident, which gives
a colour to the whole story, the " fatal error" which
gives its name to the book. Marmaduke Herbert,
summoned to his mother's leath-bed, arrives only in
time to attend her funeral, and obey her last wishes.
In these she commends to his care her constant com-
panions and dearest friends, a widow lady and her
two daughters, one of whom it is her anxious hope
that he may choose for his wife. Marmaduke, not
having as yet seen any of these ladies, is wandering
on a steep and precipitous path, overhanging the
sea, when be perceives a young girl sleeping on a
rustic seat—struck by her great beauty, rightly
divining her to be the maiden intended for his wife,
he, yielding to the impulse of the moment, proceeds
to commence the acquaintance by pressing his lips to
her brow. The young lady aroused and alarmed,
hurries away, anxious to explain and apologise, he
pursues her—terrified and bewildered, she loses her
footing, falls over the precipice, and is killed. Nothing
can exceed the agony and horror of Marma -
duke, unless, perhaps, it is the madness of his
subsequent conduct. Instead of leaving the
body where its appearance would at once sug-
gest a very probable accident, he is terrified,
lest his foolish conduct may be'discovered, and con-
ceals, and afterwards inters it. The consciousness of
having occasioned so terrible a calamity, and more
especially the concealment of it, for, not to a single
individual does he confide his secret, preys upon his
mind and embitters his life. His subsequent mar-
riage with the sister of the unhappy girl, al-
though the result of mutual love, is not produc-
tive of mutual happiness. His natural reserve
is naturally much increased by the gloomy thoughts
t
tervievri
apl riens ec
indte innt his
a nmd itnhdi
s, or
er
seevrevre r eas calleda
naturalby t h ec
omn
soes
quence, imposes a restraint upon his wife, destroys
all interchange of confidence or expression of sym-
pathy, which is rendered doubly painful to both by
their still enduring affection. All this is most power-
fully described. Innumerable incidents or accidents,
so unimportant in themselves, so momentous in their
consequences--those trifles which ‘tomake the sum of
human things"—are detailed with a fidelity and
naturalness which give an air of probability to the
whole. In speaking of the troubles of Marmaduke
we have omitted to mention one which caused him
no little embarrassment. During the ravings of a
brain fever, he snakes mention of much relating to
the most terrible event of his life ; the man hired to
nurse him, imagining him in consequence, to have
been guilty of a murder, makes use of the information
he had obtained from his delirious wanderings to ex
tort money from him on his recovery. The weak
and sensitive man, dreading the threatened exposure,
complies, and having once done so, the fact of his
having purchased silence is taken as a proof that he
has something terrible to conceal. From what

we have said, those who take pleasure in such
things will see that here is a delightful combination
of perplexities, and anxieties, and troubles : evasions,
and plots, and counterplots ; a story boasting of a
hero surrounded by as many difficulties, and oppressed
by as many griefs as ever fell to the lot of any hero of
romance—a heroine possessed of the three qualities
most necessary for all heroines, being in the superla-
tive degree beautiful, affectionate, and unhappy. The
admirers of " Martnaduke Herbert" will, conse-
quently, vs e doubt not, be very numerous. The style
is at once graceful and vivacious, and many parts are
written in a very feoi,,fr an•+ n.tor.fil manner.

A WHIM AND II'S ticiivS ',VILE ACES.
A Novel. 7 hree Vols.
With some ineleganeies ofea)-.1, and other minor
imperfections, this novel contains a story of con-
siderable interest. The beginning led us to expect
very little, but it is not fair to judge from a begin-
ning, unless the author be one of great experience,
and, even then, either from his not quite feeling hi,
way, or from our not being as yet quite familiar to
him, there is a sort of formality generally apparent
which in inexperienced writers degenerates into
awkwardness, while in others it is only manifested by
alittle
Theelaborcaotmiomn
commencement
fcdeemscertptiof almost every work,on' or some similar de
feet.
of almost every description, is only another verifica-
tion of Sir Walter Scott's very appropriate compari-
son, doubtless written from experience, of the hesita-
tion of an author at the beginning of his task being
changed into confidence as he proceeds :
" As shallop launched on river's tide,
aatndallenevteerteads
That slow and fearful leaves the side,
But, when it feels the middle stream,
Andnsor,ivaepspda'r)ewniltly.a,rttlhuest"coa'hiutfthdoesrrelereiagetd'ahtsetheled.iste?):vrsolbtQllres"found
in sthtreeainni,terest of the
Mtp his mannerisms, and perhaps,
it, when
htheenihneterreeascth oe fd hist h story,perhaps
r hma
pimiddle
dii his hesitations and diffi-
culties
forgot to pay much attention
e have said, is interesting, and is
The style, too,
tstf hseortooee trmnyhyteeattdi rhnhee.te
to
s,earasuihrnsi apparentlytnehmepporcarl
ooai manifest
forgotefs ee; N
s,,
moreover very effectively arranged. The " Whim,"
which\‘rh
if form n
dthe,,
Con-
sequences stthoerye(fmolsleoqwuefnrcoe:msttshieit,
naturally enough.
whereby hangs the whole tale, is certainly somewhat
improbable and unaccountable, but that its very name
hero of the tale,
Without entering into the details of the plot we will
finds himself on his father's death left almost de-
pendent on his elder brother, with whom he is on
briefly , state
atpoply what. ct these
dtoesr
unhrotherly terms; he resolved in consequence to
carve out his own fortune, and being desirous of
learning somewhat concerning the mode of living
of the poorer orders, or as he himself expresses it,
having hitherto looked down on the valley Iron
the mountain, he was desirous of' feeling what i t was
to work up to the mountain from the valley ; conse-
quently he begins his independent career as one of
the lower classes, and accept: a situation as a garde-
ner—that is the " ‘Vhini. We pays over many of
the cOn.AequenCes, as, for instance, his finding hr the
daughter of his master, a young lady whom he has
met with in better circumstances, and who, of course,
recognises him, we will only allude to the chief con-
sequence, the main feature of the story, which is his
ff

arrest and trial

or murder nil&

.r the most susoi

clone circumstances. We do not much approve of
the introduction of murders in that lighter species of
literature which is chiefly intended to amuse ; by
frequently meeting with such terrible themes, ue
become almost habituated to them, and they fail in
creatinp, that impression which they should.
• Vice is a ninester of such hideous mien."
But, in the present instance, there is tittle or nothing
of a disagreeable character; the murder is only, as it
were, incidentally introduced ; the interest does itot
dwell upon it so much as upon the close chain of cir-
cumstantial evidence that seems to hem the prisoner
in. The friend and counsel of the Nero is evidently
intended to represent some real character—Sir
William Follett apparently. He appears her. as pre-
senting a happy union of professional skill and private
good-nature. The description of his unremitting
labours is perhaps not inaccurately portrayed; work-
ing on incessantly, and then taking some refreshment
instead of repose ; trying, as he expresses it, every
day the cause of "II ine versus Drowsiness." The
whole details of the trial are given fully, perhaps too
fully, but they are sufficiently interesting. We must
object, however, to the somewhat censorious remarks
respecting trials by judge and jury. One object, in-
deed, of this history of a trial would seem to be to
show how in spite of the much approved system a
man may be condemned on evidence utterly false,
and also acquitted on evidence equally without
foundation. The inelegancies of style to which we
have alluded arise apparently from the author's anx-
iety to express himself in a forcible and natural man-
ner, hence he occasionally degenerates into vulgarity,
and occasionally from making too much effort to
appear natural falls into the opposite extreme. More
especially are these defects apparent in his compa-
risons or metaphors, which are peculiarly unfortunate
because, in such cases especially, elegance is desirable,
and truthfulness is absolutely essential. But our author
has in some cases forgotton these essentials in his
manifest desire to appear natural and unrestrained.
For instance, can anything be more inelegant, and
what for for a simile is far worse, more inappropriate
than his describing to us his hero pursuing his jour-
ney in stormy weather, with a sleety wind blowing
in his face, " poking its icy fingers into his eyes"
Again, at the conclusion, wishing to describe to us
the happiness of his hero and heroine, though, of
course, exceedingly great, was nevertheless line 411
human felicity, subject to temporary variations " as
a healthy man may have a cold now and then." We
must confess that these comparisons are not to our
liking, and we mention them here because they are,
in our opinion, calculated to reflect little credit on
the writer, and they may be in future so readily
avoided. Notwithstanding these blemishes, as we have
already said, the story contained in these volumes is
full of interest, and though there are many novels
better written, and evince more of talent, there are
many which may be found less amusing, and less
agreeable on perusal, than this history of " Whim and
its Consequences."

TRACEY ; or, The Apparition. A tale of the last
century. By Mrs. Thomson. 3 vols.
We must confess that the second title of this work
did not lead us to enter on its perusal with any very
favourable anticipations ; not that we are so unro-
mantic as to object to all mention of the "millions of
spiritual creatures" that " walk the earth," but we
prefer meeting with them in some legend or ballad, or
tradi.ionary tale; a novel should, to our thinking,

treat rather of the world we live in than the world t,t
shadows. Const-quently, as we have said, a e did not
commence the story of " Tracey" with any very fa-
vourable expectations. l t proved, however, to he fir
better than we had anticipated. The whole work, in-
deed, gives abundant evidence of the talent of its
writer ; it is in many respects greatly superior to
many recently published novels. The story, though
perhaps not of a very pleasing character, is on the
whole sufficiently interesting. We did not find it so
much of a ghost-story as we had expected ; the "ap-
parition" hardly plays a sufficiently prominent part to
warrant the introduction of its name on the title-
page, and yet, partly perhaps, from that very introduc-
tion, and partly from other causes, a sombre hue is,
as it were, thrown over the whole scene ; the entire
tale is invested with a degree of solemnity and gloom
This is perhaps partly attributable to the epoch of the
narrative, " the last century," when the various
minutiae of social life were so different from what
they are at present ; and it is also partly,
and indeed particularly attributable to the
peculiar style employed by the authoress,
in order to make it appear that the events
which she narrates, veritably transpired. Many
little artifices have been employed, and very skilfully,
to favour this illusion; some events are spoken of
with a degree of reserve, as if it was quite certain
that they had occurred, but it was unnecessary for
us to ;dwell upon them, while of others no explana-
tory,niention is made; they are briefly referred to,
as if we took it for granted they bad transpired, in
the same way in which we might speak of events of
history. All :this is exceedingly well contrived and
tends to increase the interest of the story, and to
impart to it an air of reality. The dramatis
,per-
some presents an infinite variety of characters, some
very interesting, some not very natural. The most
conspicuous is, of course, Tracey, or, as he is gene-
rally called, Lord Ravenspur, the bad Lord Ra-
venspur." His character is one not very uncommon
in novels, or, perhaps, in real life, an unequal com-
pound ofl good and bad ; one object of the volumes
of which he is the hero, is to show how much of evil
may be effected by a rich and powerful man, espe-
cially one who, like Tracey, was gifted with the
most attractive and captivating qualities of mind and
manners, to such an extent that years after his
death most virtuous persons spoke of him chiefly
as being "so pleasant." It is to this Lord
Ravenspur that the " apparition" makes its
appearance—an apparition of a young girl, . who
in consequence of his ill-conduct towards her, bad
committed suicide, she comes to tell him that his days
are numbered, and to inform him of the hour of his
death. This is no very uncommon incident in stories of
ghostly visitations, and had it been omitted altogether
the interest of the book would have been but little
diminished. The love-story—and what is a novel
without a love-story ?—is not a very satisfactory or
very attractive one. The heroine is, of course, very
beautiful and very amiable; the hero appears not very
well qualified to enact the part of a lover, being
greatly deficient in that trustfulness or oonfidence
which is about as essential to the existence of love as
is the keystone to the arch, consequently during the
whole of these three volumes we fled them, more
especially the lady, perpetually in incertitade, suffer-
ing all the tortures of suspense which those who have
experienced it acknowledge to be worse than the
certainty of sorrow. From these and similar cir-
cumstances the story is not, as we have said, of a very
pleasing character; it possesses, however, many
attractions; more especially, and for a work of this
character it is no small recommendation, there is a
certain degree of novelty or freshness in many of the
incidents, and indeed, to a certain extent in the whole
story, added to which it is related in a very vigorous
and effective manner, and is calculated on the whole
to interest its readers, anti to add to the reputation of
its authoress.

BOGUL"S EIROPEAA LIBRARY.
_VISTORY OF SPANISH LITERATURE. :By
Frederick .13outersack.

flISTOI?Y of the ROMAN REPUBLIC. By J.
Michelet.

HISTORY of the NORMAN CONQUEST of
ENGLAND. By Augustin 7hierry Ginq Maas.
AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE. By Allred de
Vigny.
We admire the taste and discrimination with which
the component works of this serial are selected.
Excellence of binding, of typography, and of embel-
lishment, compactness of form, and cheapness, im-
portant considerations as they are in the book trade
are, of course, wholly subordinate to the character of
the publication, the merits of which they are only
intended to enhance. Mr. 13ogue is manifestly aware
of this, and so likewise is his general editor Mr. Wil-
liam Haxlitt ; and the consequence is a periodical of
extraordinary and almost unique value. No compo-
sition is allowed admittance into the collection but
those of acknowledged excellence and universal popu.
larity. Nor is there any apparent favouritism for the
literature of any one country beyond that of another,
unless, indeed, it be visible in a more frequent trans•
lation from the masterpieces of the prolific literature
of modern France. In the four translations at present
under notice, the utmost exactitude and faithfulness
are apparent, but this advantage is accompanied by a
peculiar elegance and felicity of language. The
books read more like original works than transcripts
from a foreign tongue. They are accompanied, more-
over, by judicious and sometimes elaborate explana-
tory notes ; with biographies prefixed, and these
biographies are enlivened by beautifully engraved
portraits. Thus, for example, in the first of the four
volumes there is a characteristic antique medallion
of Cervantes, with his slashed doublet, his fluted
frill, his soldierly beard, and hooked nose. In the
second there is the cadaverous and saturnine visage
of Michelet, with his oblique head, his prolonged
chin, and his bloodless and callous lips. In the third
is a melancholy representation of that eloquent blind
man and paralytic cripple, Augustin: Thierry, with
a physiognomy of which his biographer pa‘sionately
exclaims—" the noblest blind face that can be con-
ceived!" In the fourth is a picture which we take to
be a very uncomplimentary likeness of Count Alfred
de Vigny, with a capacious forehead, but by no
means a " noble and melancholy" countenance, such
as he is described as possessing. From the celebrated
Geschichte des neueren Poesie and BereMsamkrit "
of Boater wek, the translator (Thornasina 'Ross) has
selected the portion descriptive of the " History of
Spanish Literature, with an incidental preliminary
mention of the author, Frederick Bouterwek, who was
born on thn 15th of April, 1766, and died on the 9th of
August, 1828. The work is an invaluable summary
of the progress and development of a very fruitful
71orious literati-

A very ft

.ure Mi,