The Sun.
London, England, 1840-06-01 00:00:00

MAGAZINE DAY

BLACKTVOOD'S MAGAZINE.

The Opium and China question is discussed in
a more liberal spirit than we should have expected
from this high Tory Magazine. A vigorous course
of policy is recommended, as the only means of
bringing the Celestial Court to its senses, whose
trickey and hypocritical conduct ale boldly ex-
posed. The Duke of Wellington's late unex-
pected declaration in Parliament has evidently not
been without its effect on the minds of the more
thoughtful and considerate of his party. We
trace its influence in the Tory Journals, as also here
in Blackwood. Towards the close of the article,
however, the old perverse spirit of bigotry thrusts
out its cloven foot. L" There is a monomania," we
are told, " in this country as regards the Emperor
of Russia. Because the Poles were conspirators,
he must be a tyrant." The Poles conspirators
Why, so then were the Scotch when they rose
against the despotism of Edward the First, who had
quite as much right to the throne of Scotland,
formally surrendered to him by Baliol, as Nicholas
has to the possession of Poland. As to the ty-
ranny of this Imperial Calmuck ruffian, the mines
of Siberia, and the hopeless desolation of thousands
of Polish families, sufficiently answer this question.
Shame on those who can hurl reproaches against
a nation which—as Francis the First ObServed after
the disastrous battle of Pavia—has " lost all but
honour !" Yle cause of Poland is the cause of
freedom, and should meet with, not ridicule, but
sympathy from all freemen. It is the cause for
which Wallace fought and bled by the Car-
, ron side, and Bruce drew his conquering
sword at Bannockburn. But party knows
no sense of justice ; hence the present sneer
at the Poles. " Carlo Sebastiani" is concluded

this month. It is a stirring tale, and bowls on
like a chariot. From internal evidence, we think
we may ascribe it to the practised pen of the author
of " Salathiel," who also, if we mistake not, con-
tributes one or two pleasing poems to this number,
under the signature " E;;,);." " Wild Oats"—though
the style be good—is somewhat prosy ; and why
should we hesitate to pass the same righteous sen-
tence on My Old School ?" The legend of
" Sir Eliduc" is a graceful imitation of the old
English ballad, by Delta, of whose vigorous and
unaffected versification we have always been ad-
mirers. There are some broad, and assuredly very
amusing hits at the Whigs and Radicals in the
Latin poem, " Pestis Londinum Devastans."
What the pest is the writer does not very clearly
define. We suppose, however he means the ap-
proaching republic. The allusions to Holland
House ; to Lord Palmerston's rejuvenescence—
" renovate effulgens usque juventa ;" and to the re-
turn of the golden age of Saturn, when
" Humius incedit dominans, virtute fidcque
Cognitus in Graios ; Briareia cauda trcmendi
(;oncutitur Danielis, et arcto carcere quisque
Fmnatur, demens qui sese attoliere contra
Audeat, et ranch violare edicta Senatus ;"
these are exceedingly droll, ironical hits, and will
amuse even those at whom the satire is levelled. As
regards the Latinity, we cannot say much in its
praise. It would be unfair, however, minutely to
criticise a poem which has been clearly penned off-
hand, and is merely intended as a squib. The
smartest allusion is to the " incompta cohorsn.L._
that is, the unshaved band—of O'Connell. "On
Personification" is full of just and elegant criticism.
" Ten Thousand a Year" is better this month
than it was last. The author's (who, it is mani-
fest is a barrister) knowledge of the proceedings of
Law Courts has enabled him to describe a trial with
much truth and force of effect. Miss Edgeworth,
however, has been beforehand with him in her
" Patronage."

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
. _ __

Mr. Theodore Hook here resumes his story 6
" Fathers and Sons." There is some stern satire
however, concealed by the author's laughing man,
ner, in the present chapter ; and a scene between a
young, fashionable libertine, and a girl whom he has
seduced, and is anxious to quit, proves that
Mr. Hook has more pathos than we ever gave him
credit for. " Maxims and Maxim-Mongers," is a
sprightly essay, in which not a few truths arc lightly
and pointedly enunciated. The writer is specially
severe on what he calls " that detestable maxim,
love and a cottage." And no wonder, for it has
made more fools, both young and old, than any
other absurd experiment that ever was tried with a
view to increase one's happiness. Translated into
the language of common sense, " love and a cot-
tace" means nothing more than treacle and barley-
sugar, which is a diet very apt to turn one's sto-
mach when too long persisted in. Speaking of the
ill effects of humility, the writer pleasantly remarks,
" did ever mortal hit the joint of a turkey's wing,
who set out with doubting his ability as a carver ?"
This truth has been whimsically illustrated by
Mackenzie in one of his essays in the " Mirror."
We extract some further apt illustrations of the ex.
ceeding folly of humility :
There is certainly great authority against placing your-
self unbidden at the head of the table; but the contrary
of wrong is not necessarily right ; and he who gives way
to every body stands a good chance of being the last, and
sitting with his back to an open door. So, also, in the
matter of speech, it certainly is not wise to take the lead
in all companies ; but the man who is too modest ever to
open his mouth, will lie under the disagreeable suspicion
of really having nothing to say. Lowliness, indeed, may
on occasion be " young ambition's ladder ;" but like other
ladders, it should be kicked down when the height is
reached ; and we have further to urge, that there is such a
thing as " modest assurance," as well as modest sheepish-
ness, and that the two are by no means to be confounded.
Compare the effect of " waitorrh" echoing through the
vastness of a coffeehouse, with the bashful, hesitating,
sheepish " waiter " of one to whom a coffeehouse audience
is awful ; and then say which will procure the first re-
freshment. In like manner " box-peeper" so loudly arti.
culated that it puts Macready out of his part, will get you
a seat, which would cost an humbler petitioner for places
a shilling at the least. No, there is no virtue in humility,
except indeed it lie in the enforced temperance that usually
waits upon it. The maxim, therefore, is not worth a far-
thing; and they who are professionally bound to its ob-
servance by public opinion, are precisely the best aware of
the truth. The fact is, that as there is a " pride which
apes humility," so there is a humility which is devilishly
like pride ; and that is the only humility at all in vogue.
" The Left-handed Marriage" is a lengthy story,
ably told, however, by Mrs. Erskine Norton. A
" Chapter on Gastronomy" is piquant, and provo-
cative of an appetite. An alderman would find it
capital reading just ten minutes before a turtle-feast.
Among other things, the author indulges in
some pensive reminiscences of the late Dr. Kitch-
ener's cook, which evidently " spring warm from the
heart, and faithful to its fires." According to his
impassioned account, this cook must have been a
woman of surprising genius—quite a she-Ude.
" There was a vigor," we are assured, " and a bold-
ness in her culinary conceptions perfectly unap-
proachable by other females." Excellent creature !
How much real happiness must this gifted woman
have been the means of conferring on society I
" The Widow Married" is concluded this month.
It is by no means Mrs. Trollope's best novel, though
it is above the generality of such productions.
" Sketches from the Note-book of a Physician" are
taken up with details respecting consumption—the
curse of this country, and the legitimate offspring of
an east wind. " A West Country Crusade" is spirit-
edly and good .1111 mi edly w,itten. We have read it
with much interest. " The Progress of Secret
Poisoning" is a curious article, but something of
the same sort has, if our memory serves us rioritiv,
already appeared in Bentley's Miscellany. The
subject, however, is very far from being exhausted,
and is in a great degree new to the public. Few
readers are aware how prevalent the habit of poi-
soning was in the " golden days"
of good Queen
Bess, and the first James.

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.
‘‘
Guy Faux" is full of dialogue this month,
which is no great recommendation to the chapter,
for Mr. Ainsworth does not show to advantage in
dialogue. With some rare exceptions the conversa-
tional parts of his stories are as stiff as cast-iron.
They want ease, pliability, and character. But he
is usually successful in the management of his in-
cident, which is " as plenty as blackberries," and
sufficiently startling for all purposes of romance.
The illustration by George Cruikshank is a bit of
a curiosity in its way. The figures of Sir W. Rat-
cliffe, and Guy Faux, in particular, violate all the
received rules of symmetry ; and as for their legs

—it would be blasphemy to call such things legs I . , '
—they resemble nothing so much as a couple -. 1,7- At
pair of compasses slightly extended: The ti„l.l-7-1.77
figure is a little better, and the countenance "I*ACO/zq.:;',":-. ' 't•.;.:7!-''
means deficient in expression. Cruickshan 244.-_-: '.:-.:-.
first-rate in his line, but it is clear that he h 100 , ,
',fii \.:j.',1,,:-:
idea of the anatomy of the human form. ItiiV-r-',
N '
" Portfolio of Peter Popkin" abounds in piqu ni4r......:-:;....z
anecdotes, two of which we subjoin : :/ltiV I'
r . Aor
ANONYMOUS LETTER. ~ •
Mr. Aaron Graham, who for soma years filled the situa-
tion of Chief Magistrate at the Public Office, Bow-street,
was once placed in a situation (totally unconnected with
his magisterial functions), wherein he had to interfere in
the domestic disagreements of a gentleman and his wife,
his friends. After weighing in his own mind all the cir-
cumstances of the case, Mr. Graham decided that the hus-
band was greatly to blame; but as this husband was of an
impetuous temper, the worthy Magistrate judged it pru-
dent to point out to him the irregularities he bad commit-
ted, by an arionymous letter, thinking that would entirely
put an end to the afLir. He accordingly penned an epistle
of strong remonstrance to the husband, pointing out his
folly and weakness in energetic terms, and advising an
alteration of his conduct. This anonymous letter was
copied by a confidential clerk in the office,. but it happened
most unfortunately to be on Aaron Graham's escrutoire,
with a number of warrants, summonses, &c., to which a
Police Magistrate has habitually to affix his signature, and
lie, in a moment of abstraction, wrote " AARON GRAMAM"
at the bottom of his intended anonymous admonition. The
letter was duly despatched ; and the worthy Magistrate
was called out by the infuriated husband.

MICHAEL KELLY'S PONY.
Kelly for several years rode a brown pony, which had
been presented to him by the Prince of Wales. This ani-
mal was the only being in Kelly's confidence, as regarded
certain visits to somewhat questionable female acquaint-
ances, and with the friendship of many such Mr. Kelly
was honoured. Poor Kelly was attacked seriously by
gout, and could not be carried by his sagacious pony to
Mrs. -'s nor Miss -'s ; and as there did not appear
any chance of immediate recovery, the pony was sent to
friend Tattersall's. Here it was recommended as being
remarkably quiet; any timid gentleman might ride it. It
was accordingly purchased for the Rev. W. T. 0-, at
that time in a bad state of health, and who bad been or-
dered by his physicians to take equestrian exercise. The
invalid clergyman was not a first-rate rider, and Michael
Kelly's pony was of fixed and persevering habits, and of
his own accord regularly trotted up, with his reverend
owner on his back, to several doors, where it was anything
but reputable to be seen. There he waited habitually for
his master to dismount. The Archbisbo2 of eanterbury
having notice of the 'fact, it was found necessary to sell
the pony.
The " Fatal Window" is a story from the pro-
lific pen of Mrs. Gore, whose literary offspring—to
quote the words of the Psalmist—are as numerous
"as the arrows in the quiver of the giant." This
lady tells a short story with much point and em-
phasis. " A Legend of the Isle of Wight" is ex-
ceedingly entertaining. Mr. Simmons, who is the
author of many beautiful pieces of poetry, which he
has contributed from time to time to the various
periodicals of the day, furnishes us with some
touching lines penned in L. E. L.'s Album. This
sort of poetry is generally, as honest Dogberry would
say, most tolerable, and not to he endured; but the pre-
sent is an exception, and so far, a phenomenon. " A
Day at Eton" is gentleman-like common-place. Mr.
Jcssee is the perpetrator of this inoffensive twaddle.
" Moral Economy of Large Towns" puts forth some
sensible reflections, suggested by a visit to Man-
chester. But we must protest against Dr. Taylor's
puns, which—and possibly he may thank US for
saying so—arc quite as vill,ansus as Rabelais's
and Shalispeare's. Had we our will iti the matter,
we would—out of a strong-conscientious feeling of
duty to the public, give every punster a month at
the tread-mill ; and if that did not cure him, we
would shave his head, and give him a dozen at the
cart's-tail ; for the man who can deliberately, and
with malice aforethought, inflict a pun either upon
his readers or his company, is equal to the commis-
sion of any atrocity. The " Huntsman's Wed-
ding" is a very alarming story. A young gentle-
man, who has just given his first kiss of love to a
young lady, tumbles down a precipice and breaks
his neck, and she, as a matter of course, tumbles
after him, with a shriek " that was heard by an old
fisherman a league out at sea." This must have
been a most unparalleled screech, and proves that
the gentlewoman's wind must have been in capital
condition. " A Row in an Omnibus" is a clever
rhymed squib by Tom Ingoldsby. " Stanley
Thorn" is neither better nor worse than usual.

~;

FRA SER' S MAGAZINE.
Fraser turns out a capital Number this month—
scholar-like, yet without dullnete or prolixity. We
must protest, however, against the spirit that per-
vades the criticism on " Millman's History of
Christianity," which is one of unleavened intoler-
ance, suited only to the tastes. of a high Church-
man.
Dr. Philpotts would read it with delight,
but Dr. Whateley—a far greater name—would be
apt to turn from it with something like disgust.
The Reviewer seems studiously to overlook
the important fact that Mr. Millman's work
is not theological but historical. He ob-
jects to him that he writes rationally, instead
of like a bigot ; and is particularly indignant that he
should have presumed to bestow a civil word on the
Emperor Julian ; observing of that extraordinary
man that he was merely otie of a " very numerous
class, the names of some thirty or forty of whom
might be given on a moment's reflection—the
Alexanders, and Fredericks, and Napoleons of his-
tory 1" It would requite a pretty long period of
reflection to remember the equal—superior he had
none—of Julian. Not only was he a warrior, a
statesman, a prudent, vigorous, and successful Re-
former, but he was also a philosopher and a man of
letters, endowed with a lofty conception of moral
greatness. It was his hobby, however, to attempt
the restoration of Paganism, and this is the blot
on his escutcheon, that Churchmen, whether
Catholic or Protestant, can never forget. The
Reviewer having exhausted his stock of cle-
rical vituperation, next objects to Mr. Mill-
man that he is an imitator of Gibbon.
He might imitate a worse writer. But the histo-
rian of Rome does not happen *be in favour with
the critics now-a-days. The slip-shod, would-he
familiar and conversatinal styl© is now all the
fashion among historians. We regret that so
much reading as is shown in the notice of Millman
should be deformed by pedantry and intolerance.
" Naumachia" is a whimsical series of doggrel
Latin hexameters on a late boat-race at Vauxhall.
" Modern Greece" is a lively, rambling sketch of
Athen as it exists at the present day. An omnibus,
it seems—manufactured, no doubt, in the classical
regions of Long Acre—and graced by a regular
' cad, now runs daily from the Pirxus to the city of
Pericles and Aspasia I "It puts up," say the ad-
r vertisements, " at the corner of CEolus -street, and
i will wait cnly five minutes at each pla:e." Here
is an insult to the genius loci ! What would Por-
son or Parr have said to such an innovation ? We
' extract an account of the present King and Queen

of Greece :
• The present population of Athens is upwards of 20,000,
and as miserably poor as might be expected from the con-
dition of the town. On Sunday evening, the whole popu-
lation, high and low, turn out to enjoy the pkasure of
being seen on the promenade. A military band is
stationed there on these occasions. The portion of the
plain, which is the favoured promenade of the Athenians,
is that towards the hill Colones, and is supposed to be the
site of the Academy. All the beauty of the capital of
Otho made its appearance on the Sunday evening which
we spent there ; but, without any nations.l prejudices, the
dawauagyhttheers of
palm,
British
,haatenadm leastei
nupraoenn t maintainedta hlMinister,ea gc
crti t
ground,
ulenn fame)h ed,i
sy did
ahnmdoefrnot
Edgn.eontgbr
aboutin nhade
pn
King
r saonnda lQguief tean
withoutdressed cs
itrnue
pa tiadi
light
-bbolktuhi
en
hisd
uo
pfsopernen: ar.
jat
ainoccnke.
ea
It
,idand Thepo pfuol
olraomrk ere r w
ed
report
sour t
do him great injustice if he be otherwise.. His interesting
Queen is in every way the reverse of heir husband, if the
same authority be consulted ; she looks intelligent, affable,
and of a disposition naturally sweet, but /disappointed with
the destiny which has befallen her. Her highly cultivated
taste, it is said, interests her deeply itt the fate of her
adopted country. As Princess of Oldensburg, she is said
to have always entertained a strong desire to share the
throne of Greece, which was then going s-begging through
the different courts of Europe ; she is a Protestant by
birth, and is spoken of with kindly feelings by all part*
in Athens. While there are few Queens to Eurcfpo who
possess more personal charms, there are certainly none who
are more accomplished. The Queen, on this occasion,
was dressed in the simplest fashion; s white riding-habit
and a plain straw bonnet would scarcely have distinguished
her among the elite of Athenian society. She was accom-
panied by a beautiful young creature, who appeared to fix
the attention of every beholder, and to have more than a
common interest in the eyes even of the gossips of Athens.
She was the daughter of Marco Bozzaris 1 and a more
lovely child no hero ever owned. The Queen had chosen
her as her friend and companion.
Eloquence" is a delightful article, displaying a
familiar acquintance with the works of our earlier
theological writers. Speaking cursorily of satire and
satirists, the author gives a brief but discriminating
character olYoung, Churchill, and Cowper ; and 4-
serves of Juvenal that he " always leaves upon our
mind an impression of malignity and hatred." Of
hatred perhaps, but surely not of malignity. There
is nothing testy or malignant in Juvenal. He is a
i rem, majestic, moral satirist, but with nothing of
I the wasp in his nature. He never seems to be led
away by mere spleen, but uniformly maintains a