The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-07 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

The Fortnightly Review is very strong this month. With
the impartiality for which this publication is famous, Mr.
Frederick Harrison's able denunciation of Bismarckism is
followed by a paper on the other side of the question by
Professor von Sybel. In " The lierman Empire " the
historian virtually argues that Bismarckism is the best
thing in the world. He holds out, however, no great hope
of much liberty under the new empire which he admires
so much. Karl Blind, in an article entitled "The Results
of French Designs upon Germany," sketches the historical
relations between France and her neighbour, and draws
a conclusion quite opposite from that of Von Sybel,
viz., that the authority of King William must sooner or
later give way to a popular form of government. 'The
number, too, is remarkable for an unpublished poem of
Shelley,and some interesting details respecting the poet, and
an original poem by Mr. G. Meredith, on " France,
1870." Mr. Fawcett, M.P., asks the question " To what
extent is England Prosperous," and gives it, no satisfac-
tory answer. Lady Amberley discourses once more on
the claims of women.

The war and kindred topics occupy a prominent
place in the Contemporary, whose list of contributors,
though less brilliant than that of the Fortnightly, is a very
good one. In " French Unity " Mr. Stigand upholds the
good qualities of our unfortunate neighbour. Some,more
conversations on " The War and General Culture ' are
furnished ; and Major Noel draws the customary lessons
from the startling conflict in France. This last is a good
paper. The indefatigable Mr. W. It. Greg combats the
"Mistake of Honest Democrats"—i.e., the liability of the
said democrats to forget the tendency of their favormite
form of Government is to degenerate into an oligarchy.
The author of " Ginx's Baby " argues strongly in favour of
Imperial Federalism—a union of England and her colo-
nies on a system similar to that of the United States. The
number contains several theological papers.
One of the most valuable articles in this month's
St. Paul's is a contribution from the " Staff
Sergeant" who, in the last number, gave his opinions
respecting the causes which led to the unpopularity of Vie
army. On this occasion the writer seeks to shew how the
service may be made popular. He argues that a soldier's
life should be more assimilated to civil existence, there
being no reason why the laws governing our
troops should be made instruments of annoy-
ance to them by their having always to ob-
serve rigidly utterly useless regulations. The :•taff
Sergeant urges, moreover, that all minor regulations of
the service should be more liberally carried out than they
are. He looks upon the purchase system as doomed. An
article, entitled " Everybody's Baby," is a delicious little
fragment bearing upon the importance babies are held in
by all classes of people in every country. Out of a tiny
subject, a most pleasing two pages are woven out by Miss
Bessie Parkes Belloe. There are two poems in the
magazine, one by Sydney Dobell and one by Dora
Greenwell.

London Society begins the New Year with some
animated sketches in prose and verse. " Stop Thief," is
a very amusing tale, in which the various actors make an
absurd mistake in the most natural manner, and from diffe-
rent points of observation simultaneously arrive at the same
wrong conclusion. "The World in Apple-Pie Order"
tells the serio-comic adventures of a gentleman whose
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Balloon " is a second chapter of the glimpses taken from
upper air of the city which occupies prominent attention
at present. Prefixed to this magazine there is a pleasing
portrait of the Princess Louise, which is sure to prove
attractive at this time, and a brief sketch of her Royal
Highness's early days.
English Society closely resembles another and older
periodical of similar name ; in fact, so close is the likeness
between these two that a lawsuit has been required to
ensure a little divergence. Like London Society, English.
Society contains a large proportion of illustrations, accom-
panied by divers light articles. Heavy matter is rigidly
excluded. The tales and articles are generally amusing,.
but do not call for special notice. The list of contributors
includes Mr. Walter Thornbury, James Greenwood,
Godfrey Turner, and others. Their papers will mostly be
found acceptable. The new magazine starts well.
Dr. Guthrie contributes a paper to the Sunday
Magazine on the revision of the English Bible ;
and Dr. Smiles, the author of " Self Help," gives
an account of a visit to La Rochelle, famous in
French mediaeval history, which at the present time of
sieges and capitulations, is not without special interest.
The article has numerous illustrations. Miss Tytler
writes the story of a girl's life in her usual pleasant
practical style. The Dean of Canterbury continues his
" Fireside Homilies," the " City Man," his photographs
from the every day melo-dramas and tragedies of our lanes
and byeways. There are several stories, verses, and
sketches of varying merits interspersed.

Good Words begins the year with some noticeable
articles. There is a sermon preached by the editor,
Dr. Norman Macleod, before the Queen, on " War
and Judgment," and published by desire of her Majesty,
who doubtless knows how deep an interest the majority
of her subjects take in this engrossing subject. We have,
too, the first instalment of the late Nathaniel Elawthorne'a
" Impressions of France and Italy," written in 1858,
when the countries visited by the illustrious American
were very different from the France and Italy of 1871-
Sir Charles Trevelyan, K.C.8., contributes an essay on
the " Reorganisation of our Military Force ; " and the
clever author of " Ginx's Baby" gives us his impressions
of the rights and wrongs of the Coolie in British Guiana-
One of Tennyson's songs from " The Loves of the Wrens,"
with music, is included in the number.
Good Words for the Young presents its readers with
some appropriate sketches for this holiday season-
" About Toys and Games " is an interesting account of
the manner in which the representatives of an earlier
generation spent their days of sport. " The Village
School on Christmas Day " furnishes abundant oppor-
tunity for the relation of stories, grave and gay, instrue'
tive and entertaining. " The Bells and the Snow "is the
title of some lines charactertic of the period of the year;,
Some verses, by Mary Howitt, called "Child Wisdom,'
are very pleasing.
The Westminster Papers, devoted to games of ail?,
contains an account of the chess match between the leading'
French player, M. Rosenthal, and Mr. Wisker, the
English champion, with some of the games, it is excel-
lent for its intelligence of all events passing in the chess
world, and affords the usual good salection of problems-
It is varied in its articles on card games, &c.