The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1840.

increase their establishments, and take up their resi-
dence at the West-end! Here is positive mischief done.
But as respects Ainsworth's romance, it is purely a
matter of speculation. " State of the Press," is penned
in too dismal a tone to suit us. The literary character
of the age, though by no means what it should be, is
yet not so bad as Mr. Barham supposes. A bow
of promise appears in the horizon. Moxon's elegant
republications of our standard authors ; Blackwood's
new issues of WiLon's pure and high-thoughted works
of fiction ; Smith's " Standard Library ;" and several
similar speculations which we could mention, all of
which are highly popular ;—these are cheering omens,
and convince us that the literary taste of the day is
undergoing a healthy reaction. " Persian Reminis-
cences" are slight and common-place. " An Hour at
the Eccalcobion" is remarkable only for the ignorance
displayed in the explanation of this term. The
writer states that it is derived from " Erceca).s-x,
I bring forth, and BEsc, life." Now in this derivation,
brief as it is, there are not less than two blunders. In
the first place, Eyx.o:i.E:v does not mean to bring forth,
but to call forth ; and secondly, Bric is life, not BEOc.
When a writer undertakes to instruct his readers, he
should at least take care that he understands some little
of what he is talkino. about. " Leigh Hunt's Play,
and the Covent-forden Management" is a justly and
eloquently penned article, with whose critical opinions
we cordially agree. The passage relating to " Con-
ventional Respectability," is pregnant with valuable
meaning. " A Chapter of Anecdotes" is harmless I
twaddle. In " Freemasonic Revelations" wa take not
the slightest interest, ignorant whether they be true or
false. From an article on the subject of London and
Paris, we quote the following paragraph :
" It is the position of her palaces and public buildings
on the borders of the Seine, on each side the whole length
within the barrier of the city, which form spacious and
handsome terraces before them, that renders Paris, as a
city, so striking at first view. Each building is seen to
full advantage at once; and the gardens of the Tuileries
and open spaces in that neighbourhood, with the numerous
statues, and fountains, and groves, and triumphal arches,
which are scattered about, produce a most enchanting effect.
In all this, London i 4 a complete contrast to Paris. Not
only are the public buildings of London not placed in open
spaces where they might be seen to advantage, or on the
banks of the river, but the noblest edifices which adorn it,
St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey, are so choked up by
houses as to prevent their being viewed, except very par-
tially, unless close to them, and their value as public orna-
ments of the metropolis, nay, even their very existence,
almost lost or annihilated. The banks of the river, so far
from forming the noblest points of view in, or even con-
tributing to the ornament of, our metropolis, are at pre •
sent the very worst and most disagreeable parts within its
precincts. Thus it would appear that the two most im-
portant considerations to be attended to in the design of
a great city such as London, have been altogether ne-
glected, or are at present quite lost sig t of. Yet, not-
withstanding all this, we cannot hesitate to give the
palm of superiority to London, taken as a whole, ovcr
Paris. In the real grandeur and dignity of her public
buildings, the size and structure of her streets and public
thoroughfares, the spaciousness and beauty of her squares
—in all the essential qualifications which constitute the
true claims to admiration of a great city London, though
at present suffering under these great disadvantages, de-
cidedly surpasses her rival. It must also be admitted that
the bridges of the Seine are not to be compared with
those over the Thames. either for beauty or magnitude,
though greater in number. Perhaps, indeed, there are
points of view in Paris which, for beauty, surpass any
thing that London can prcducei but it is as a whole that
we must give the preference to London in the contest for
pre-eminence between these two great cities."

7HE TOWER OF LONDON,
The character of Lady Jane Grey is spiritedly dct•e-
-' loped in this Part (which is the third), through the me-
! ilium of concise and pertinent dialogue. There is also
an animated sketch of an interview between the ambitious
Northumberland and the wily Spanish Ambassador,
Renard, which proves that Ainsworth has studied their
characters with close attention. As an historical ro-
mance, the "'Tower of London" bids fair to be popular,
for the incidents, which are exciting without being
probable, hurry on with great rapidity, yet are all
patiently and vigorously worked out. The illustrative
Plates, by George Cruickshank, add greatly to the at-
tractions of the story. There are some fine effects of
light and shade in the engraving of the Traitor's Gate,
which Jane Grey is seen entering 'from the boat that
lies moored to the river's side ; and much comic humour
in the sketch entitled " Magog's Courtship."

THE SPORTING REVIEW.
Lord William L'nnox has an article in this number
called " Boyish Days," which is not without merit. It

gives impressions of his earlier days, with a brief me-
moir of an old domestic of his family, who had been
whipper-in and huntsman to three Dukes of Richmond,
and who died last year in the eighty-seventh year of
his age. The noble writer is sadly addicted to the
practice of interlarding his prose with poetical quotations.
The present begins and ends with poetry, and though it
consists of only eight pages, there are no fewer than four-
teen poetical extracts, some of them even three stanzas
long. With all this superabundance of poetry, how-
ever, the prose does not suffer ; the description of the
life of a " Fag," is all but doggrel poetry, and certainly
affords a vivid picture of the sufferings and degradation
of young men under the old abominable system. Here
is the education of a Duke's son at Westminster School
only thirty years ago, " at four o'clock light fire, boil
kettle, clean candlestick, knives and forks, run to Tot-
hill-street for butter and a bloater, and, in the end, get
more kicks than half-pence." Though the article is
written in a rambling style, and the writer sets off at a
gallop every now and then after some new game, it
possesses interest, and shows much good feeling and a
kindly recollection of old friends. The accounts of the
" Hunts" of the month are, as usual, good, and there are
three plates. " The Meet of her Majesty's Stag
Hounds," with Prince Albert, Lord Kinnaird, and
others. " The Hermit," and " Newmarket in the
la,t Century," all of which possess considerable merit.

LONDON MAGAZINE.
Bating a few personalities which had been better have
been omitted, as they are too much in flash Sunday news-
paper style, we have been amused with this new periodi-
cal in which there are several lively articles in prose and
verse, one or two of which are illustrated with clever cari-
cature engravings. The " Tendencies of Socialism"
hikes up the subject in a proper spirit, and is calculated
to do good. " Political Portraits" contain a biographi-
cal sketch of the late Chancellor of the Exchequer,
whose character is drawn in terms anything but flat-
tering.

ECLECTIC REVIEW
This new series of the Eclectic, of which the one be-
rore us is the third Number, will remind the periodical
reader of the Old Monthly Review, which it resembles
in the grave, sedate, character of its literary criti-
cisms, and the pompous m inner in which some of its
opinions are enunciated. The most entertaining review
is that of " Marryat's Diary in America."

ASIATIC JOURNAL.
In this number the details of the negotiations of
Capt. Elliott with the Chinese authorities at Canton
are very copious, but do not appear to afford any mate-
rial information different from that which has been
given in the public papers. In the review of Eastern
news, however, the editor gives something new, and
quotes Vattel to prove that the English were in the
wrong at the beginning, and that they have no right to
complain if the laws of the country are executed upon
them as upon the natives. What the laws of China
are, few people know, but we all know very well what
the practice is, so that if the English are to be treated
as the Chinese, the subjects of Great Britain may, with-
out fair trial, but at the order of the Emperor, or Commis-
sioner Lin, or the Viceroy Tang, or any three-tailed
vagabond, have their ears cut off, or be tortured, or
horribly mutilated, or put to death. That this is not
the way in which the Government interpret inter-
national law, the fleet sent out to the Chinese shores
places beyond doubt. There is an article in the same
number intimately connected with this dispute with the
Chinese, by Mr. John Anderson,late Secretary to the
Governor of the British settlements of Malacca, Penang,
and Sincapore. It is the first of a series, but we have not
room to refer to it at length, and can only recommend
it to the attention of our readers. The object of it is
to show the importance of these settlements at the pre-
sent crisis, as well as for the •future, and to impress on
the British Government the expediency and the possi-
bility of placing them in a condition by which British
traders may escape the annoyances, impositions, and
insults to which they have been subject at Canton,
and at the same time carry on trade with more profit
and security.

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF AGRICUL-

TUBE.

This number contains an article on " Corn-law Agi-
tation," and though only a page and a half long, it
abounds with matter of some importance. It states
without reserve that the clamour for the repeal of the
Corn•laws is a purely selfish device of the master manu-
facturers to reduce the operatives here to as low a
condition as those on the Continent, and that the ope-
ratives in the large towns are beginning to see its unrea-
sonableness. The writer, therefore, consoles himself
with the idea that the duties on our agricultural produce
will never be repealed. Having some secret misgivings,
however, on the subject, he recommends the establish-
ment of a Corn-law Circular, for the purpose of writing
down the Anti-Corn-law Circular, by "sound argu-
ment and ineontestible truth." He recommends, also,
that men of talent and fame should he appointed itine-.
rant lecturers, for the purpose of pointing out the pro-
priety, safety, and necessity of protection duties on
agricultural produce. He recommends several other
preventives, which show very distinctly that he has
apprehensions that the duties may be repealed. We
confess we arc a little disappointed by seeing arguments
of this kind in a work published in Scotland, where the
agriculturists in general depend for remuneration
chiefly on their own exertions, and place little confi-
dence on the exaggerated statements of the vast advan-
tages conferred on the landed interest by the Corn-laws.
The article on " Trigonometrical Surveying"is of a very
different stamp, anti forms rather a new feature in this
periodical. The Report upon " Muirkirk Coal-field,"
In the county of Ayr, by Mr. Fergusson, is also
interesting, and the accompanying plates are excellent.

THE NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF

SCOTLAND. No. XX V.
This number contains accounts of sixteen parishes
in the county of Aberdeen, of which that of the city of
• Aberdeen forms more than a third, and by far the most
interesting part. It has been drawn up by six gentle-
men belonging to the place, who have entered at length
into the history and statistical details of this industrious
and thriving town. Within the last hundred years the
population has increased more than sixfold, and doubled
since 1801, the number of inhabitants being '27,608 ;
and in 1831, 58,019. Shipbuilding within the last six
years has increased more than tenfold, and while in
1787 there was only one bank in the place there are,
independent of brunch banks, now four, all conducted
with great propriety and liberality. The history of the
first bank is a little s:ngular. It was established about
seventy years ago, with a capital of 72,0001., and the
shares which came out at 1.50/. each, now sell at
8,0001. This statistical account is by far the best of
any that have appeared in this useful publication. The
map of Aberdeenshire, which accompanies the volume,
is well executed, but sadly disfigured by the heavy out-
lines marking the divisions of parishes.

EXTENSIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT
THE PEWTERERS' HALT, LIME-STREET. -On Saturday
morning, about an hour before daybreak, a fire, which was
attended with greater devastation and I.;s of property than any
that has taken place within the walls of the City for the last
two years, occurred in Lime. stree , Fenchurch-street, and, we
regret to add, proved partial destruction to that ancient and
splendid piece of architecture, the Pewterers Hall, the property
of the Worshipful Company of Pewterer& Some time back the
Company let the Hall to Messrs. Townends and Co., whole-
sale hat-manufacturers, who converted it into a kind of ware-
house, with a workshop at the top of the building, much to the
annoyance of several members of 'the Company. The fire con-
tinued burning fiercely until nearly eight o'clock, but by half-
past eight it was completely got under. The only portion of the
Hall left is the walls, and the lower part, namely, the ground.
floor. The upper floors and the roof are wholly consumed.
The offices that are attached to the building have not escaped
injury ; both the eastern, north, and south wings of the esta-
blishment have sustained considerable damage. The east wing
is still in the occupation of the Worshipful Company of Pets-
terers, though they have disposed of the Hall ; their books,
&c., are saved. At one time, these being every appearance
that that wing would be destroye.l, the magnificent painting of
the founder of the Pewterers' Company, the value of which is
unknown, aad which was presented to the Company by Sir
William Smallwood in the year 1407, was removed to a place
of safety, as well as other valuable paintings. The Hall was
built in the year 1678, and is insured in the Hand-in-Hand
Fire-office, to the amount of 1,500/. The greatest loss will
fall on the shoulders of Messrs. Townend and Co., and our re-
porter is given to understand, to the amount 4f 3,000/. at least.
It was stated they were insured in the Phcenix, Protector, and
Dissenters' offices, to the extent of 5,0001. The cause of the
disaster cannot exactly be ascertained the firm imagines it to
have occurred through a stove in the workshops at the top of the
Hall. There was a body of the City Police on the spot, and
their exertions did credit to the force.

The will of the late Mr. John tiolroyd, of
Northumberland-street, Strand, plumber to her Majesty, the
public offices, &c., was proved in the Prerogative Court, Can-
terbury, on the 6th instant, and the personal estate sworn
under 90,000/. The deceased many years since saved the life
of his late Majesty George 111., when fired at by Hatfield, the
lunatic, at the Theatre.
Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint
William Peter, Esq., to be British Consul at Philadelphia.
Our readers will recognise in this gentleman a staunch sup-
porter o ithe Reform Government whilst he was Member for
Roclmin ;and one who has been through life the honest asserter
Lair Observer.

COWES-FRIDAY.

(FROII 012 OWN CORRF!fONDENT.)
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.
On the 26th inst. Sir Simon Clarke, Bart. sailed from
Cowes in his schooner yacht Rate, of 94 tons, for Jamaica.
Last week Colonel Hon. It. F. Greville sailed in his
superb brig yacht Anonyma, of 431 tons, for Malta; on
the 21st she was off Plymouth.
Mr. J. L Gower was cruising about Cowes in his yawl
Albatross, of 75 tons.

Mr. James Brooke was at the Island of Borneo, in the
East Indies, on the 19th of October last, in his schooner
yacht Royalist, of 142 tons ; from thence he intended to
sail for Malacca and the Celebes.

Mr. Neil's new schooner yacht Louisa, of 123 tons, is
now ready fur sea.
Mr. E. N. Harvey's new schooner yacht Gitana, was
hauled on White's patent slip on the 21st inst , finished
coppering on the 27th, and will he launched in a few days,
with the Earl of Desart's Owen Glendwr cutter yacht, of
113 tons, which has also been coppered and thoroughly
overhauled.

Captain George Keane's new yawl yacht, of 45 tons,
will be ready for launching the middle or latter part of
March ; and the Hon. H. F. Walker's new cutter yacht, of
120 tons, about the middle of April—both from Mr.
Joseph White's yard, at East Cowes.
The Secretary has lately sold Mr. Neil's schooner yacht
Wanderer, of 141 tons, Mr. John Meiklam's Amulet
cutter yacht, of 43 tons, and Mr. F. Horner's Heron
cutter yacht, of 46 tons.
The Gitana will shortly sail for the Western Islands.
Lord F. Egerton, in his Menai schooner yacht, of 175
tons, Viscount Exmouth, in his Flower of Yarrow schooner
yacht, of 141 tons, Mr. Joseph Jekyll, in his yawl yacht,
of 162 tons, are at Malta; Mr. E. Byrne, in his Medora
cutter yacht, of 47 tons, at Leghorn; Sir Hyde Parker,
Bart., in his Turquoise cutter yacht, of 77 tons, at Gib-
raltar; Mr. George Bentinck's eittter yacht Antelope, of
90 tons, on her passage home from Gibraltar; Mr. W. S.
Boyd, in his schooner yacht Young Queen, of 90 tons, at
Bombay ; and Mr. William Lyon, in his schooner yacht
Merlin, of 104 tons, in the West Indies.

The value of this excellent Institution (the Royal Yacht
Squadron Club), even in a mercantile point of view, is not
sufficiently known ; these yachts arc cruising in every
sea, and advancing English interests. Mr. Brooke has
succeeded in opening a communication with several of the
tribes in the Island of Borneo, and has ascended several
of the largest rivers, from 30 to 70 miles, particularly the
Sedang, Serawab, Samarolun, and Landoo, and surveyed
130 miles of the coast, and has obtained from the Rajah
permission for the English to open a free trade with the
Borneos. Antimony ore is produced in large quantities,
gold, silver, tin, rattans, birdseeds, and beeswax, and a
very lucrative trade may be opened to the enterprising mer-
chants of this country and benefit of our manufactures, not
before known to Europeans. Our last report of Mr.
i3rooke, our readers may remember, was a very interesting
one from the Cape of Good Hope.

LEINSTER AND MUNSTER

RAILWAY.

The fourth half-yearly meeting of the Shareholders
of this Company was to have taken place on Saturday,
at the Company's offices, Moorgate-street, to receive
the Report of the Directors, but there not being a
sufficient number of Proprietors in attendance to form
a meeting the Secretary was directed to issue circulars
to the Proprietors, requesting their attendance on Sa-
turday next to consider the state and prospects of the
Company. There was, however, a stormy discussion
among the Shareholders and the Directors then present ;
some wishing to proceed at law against 5,000 of the
Shareholders who had not paid up their calls—some
proposing a general call of the Shareholders who had
paid up their calls, and others suggesting a break-up of
the whole affair, owing to their inability to proceed, in
consequence of being ignorant whether Government
still contemplated carrying on a parallel line of railway
in Ireland.