The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-15 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

STANDARD NOVELS. No. CUL —My Cousin
.Nicholas. By Thomas Ingoldsby.
The Sliondard Novels maintain the high character
which has long since been awarded to them, and most
assuredly there is no falling off in the present number.
Poor Barham, who wrote under the soubriquet of
" Ingoldsby," was a genius of no common order. A
light and playful vein of hnmour ran through all his
productions—fun and comicality were his essential
attributes. Like Hood, he possessed the power of ex-
tracting merriment from any subject to which he
turned his attention, although he did not equal him in
into
his deep pathos which Hood occasionally infused
his writings.
" My Cousin Nicholas" first appeared, some twelve
years since, in Blackwood, and, like many of its as-
sociates, was subsequently brought out as a separate
publication. It is, indeed, a "laughter compelling
volume, and we defy the most moody son of care to
.
rise from its perusal without some degree shaking
off the acidity of his disposition and having more of
the milk of human kindness about him than on
ordinary occasions. Every page possesses something
to excite the risible faculties from the avis au lccteur
in which the author details his reasons for preserving
a strict incognito—" how his maiden aunt," who pos-
sessed a redundancy of virtues, and 13,0001. in the
Three per Cents. Reduced, had not then shuffled off
the mortal coil—how she loved green tea, and hated
an author—and how he could not find the heart to
commit auntycide, or take upon himself the responsi-
bility of massacreing a maiden possessed of so much
property in the funds.
All the characters are in admirable keeping, and
perfectly sustained throughout. The kind, warm-
hearted, and irascible Sir Oliver, the beau ideal of the
country gentleman of the olden time—eccentric, hot
tempered, " with a bad habit of anathematizing," and
the most inordinate pride of ancestry, and of his
descent from the famed Sir Roger de Bolevainele, the
Conqueror's standard-bearer at the battle of Hastings ;
but coupled therewith is the most genuine simplicity
and kindliness of disposition, that makes him the easy
butt of his mischievous son, but gains for him the
cordial goodwill and regard of the reader. Then we
have that most patient of all possible auditors, Cap-
tain Pyefinch, a proficient in the noble science of
backgammon ; and, moreover, very excellent com-
pany, seldom interrupting the most long-winded story
by any remarks of his own, which of Spartan brevity,
" few and far between," just served to convince his
entertainer that his narratives were not thrown away
on the listless ear of an unobservant or somnolent
auditor." And his sister, Miss Kitty, a poetess—
her soul all tenderness, sentiment, sympathy, and
feeling—is at first wholly devoted to the services of
the Muses. After she has become acquainted
with the celebrated " Dr. Olinthus Broadback,
of the Grand National Institute of Intellectual
Chimney Sweepers," although not abandoning
Polyhymnia, she coquets much with her severer sister.
The latter presides over political economy, becomes a
decided Malthusia, speaks with horror of " thought-
less procreation," and looks forward with alarm to
" no very distant period when the world shall be
destroyed by its human vermin, as a ripe Stilton is
devoured by its own mites." After discarding her flaxen
ringlets, laughing at fashion, and learning to smoke
cigars, she lays down as an axiom, that those parts of
the world, where polygamy prevails, are the most
thinly inhabited, and that the only way to prevent ex-
cess of pepalation is for young men to have
half a dozen wives. She at last attains
such eminence in the science " that she is grievously
suspected by the Bishop of Exeter to have had
a hand in framing sundry questionable clauses in the
New Poor-law Bill, which are thought to press hard
on the comforts of those who love not wisely but too
well." The Rev. Josiah Pozzlethwayte is " happy in
the possession of a comfortable income, a snug par-
sonage, and a housekeeper, who delights in cherry-
coloured ribbons." Then there is Dr. Drench, and
the gloomy, mysterious, and eccentric Fortescue,
devoted to the memory of his dead love. There
is also the amiable Mrs. Stafford, Lord
Manningham, and his beautiful daughter, Lady
Bullwinkle, "by nature of a social disposition,
and sighing in secret for the less dignified
but more enlivening entertainments of the ser-
vants' hall, which she had so rashly abandoned."
She " prefers a game of hunt the slipper,"
or "the mystic rites of the Christmas mistletoe," to
all the more refined methods of killing time practised
by ladies of the rank to which she had been elevated,
are all admirable in their way. But the character of
the book "My Cousin " himself is superlative.
Although a liar, a hypocrite, wholly unprincipled
and heartless, with scarcely a redeeming point about
him, and every way vicious, you cannot help feeling
a regard for him on account of his wit and humour,
and cannot but feel regret at his untimely end. The
playing oft practical jokes, no matter how severely they
may affect others, appears to be the sole end and object
of his existence, so that from the time he was eight years
old, when " the superiority of his talents had evinced
itself in a variety of ways, having put cow-itch into
the maids' beds, and brimstone into his father's punch-
bowl, crackers into the kitchen fire, and gun-powder
into the parlour snuffers," he never ceases the exer-
cise of his ruling passion. We find him on the cele-
bration of his own birth-day " contriving to fix a
large boneet pin so perpendicularly erect in the
cushicn about to be occupied by the Rev. Dr. Stur-
fins, as to occasion much inconvenience and detriment
to that learned gentleman, whose agility on the occa-
sion would not have disgraced Mr. Ellar or the Flying
Phenomenon." And, on the same eventful day,
"subtracting the chain from the deciduous body of
h.is papa's legal adviser, amputating the apothecary's
and by the ingenious application of a fishing-
hook and line, previously passed through the pulley of a
chandelier elevation, the flaxen, flowing, and redundant
tresses there before the duke decus of Miss Kitty Pye-
finch
,to a situation, emulating that of Mahomet's
coffin. Ilis after achievements, both at home and at
Oxford, are deserving of the early promise he exhibi-
bited. Whether hoaxing Sir Oliver and taking his me-
dicine before him—a couple of table-spoonsfull of
" Huxham's tincture of bark," a dark coloured fluid,
bearing a most suspicious resemblance to cherry
brandy—or when his expulsion was certain, appearing
before the board at Oxford between Sir Lawrence Thu-
backes and Mr. St. John Gomenity, the very counter-
feit presentment of Dr. Pozzlethwayte arranged in his
snuff embrowned suit of sables, wig, green gog-
gles, and pointed toe, perfect in his individuality. The
work is net without its moral, as it seeks to inculcate
the truths *et " impudence is not humour, nor mischief
wit; that levity, if unchecked by principle, may de-
generate into vice and terminate in crime'

The frontispiece is also admirable. It exhibits Sir
Oliver falling in love with Eleanor Skillet—the
round, plump, and rosy cook—the attentions of the
middle-aged and wearied fox-hunter, divided between
the attractions of the delicious rump steak and the
buxom maid. We heartily commend the work to the
perusal of any one who can enjoy a real hearty laugh,
and we can assure him that if he takes up the work
with the intention of indulging himself therein that he
will not be disappointed. " The Tiame," a wild mystic
tale of diablerie is added, to make up the volume.
We trust that few of our readers will be satisfied
with the slight sketch we have given, but that they
will take the earliest opportunity of judging for
themselves how far we are justified in our commen-
dations.

NOVEL EXPORT TO ALGERIA.—A decided novelty,
as au export from this country to a foreign possession, is
that of the article of hay, which is now taking place to a
considerable extent from London to Oran, a port in the
French territory of Algeria. Several vessels have
already been loaded and sailed for Oran, and four other
British vessels are at present loading entire cargoes of
this article for that port, say three in the St. Katherine's
Docks, named the Albion, the Mahan' and the Panta-
loon, and one at Cox's Quay, named the Jane Maria. In
order to make as good stowage as possible, the ha.), is
compressed by machinery previous to shipment, besides
which the trusses are tightly stowed on board the vessel
by means of screws. The rate of freight paid is liberal,
and answers the purpose of vessels which are proceed-
ing to the Mediterranean to hung home return cargoes.
It is understood that these shipments are making for ac-
count of the French Government, and the mere fact
shows not only the great want of fodder for the French
cavalry in Algeria, but also that it is not procurable
from France. As it is, the total cost of the article, de-
livered at Oran, must be very high.
THE WOOD PAVEMENT IN THE ClTY—Yester-
day, by order of the Commissioners of Sewers, the wood
pavement in Queen-street, Cheapside, was taken up, for
the purpose of having the thoroughfare paved with
stones. It has been latterly the practice of the City au-
thorities to issue an order that the poor of the neigh.
bourhood should be allowed to take the blocks of wood
away for their own use. This order, however, has been
taken advantage of by dealers in wood in Spitalfields and
Bethnal-green, who, after cutting the blocks into fire-
wood, mix the pieces with others in the bundles they
sell.

ASTLUNt FOR FEMALE ORFElANs.—Yesterday,
a general meeting of the court and governors of this cor-
poration was held at the institution for the purpose of
electing ten children out of a list of thirty-four candi-
dates. William Shadbolt, Esq., chairman. The report
stated that, irrespective of yesterday's election, there
were 115 children on the establishment, who arc in-
structed in religion, reading, needlework, and household
business, until they are apprenticed as servants in re-
spectable families. Since its establishment, 2,412 chil-
eren have been recipients of the great benefits conferred
by the charity.
Bell's Life in London, Sunday, 20th December.
Boxing-day before Christmas ! Grand " Battle Show "
between Johnny Walker and Sam Simmons for the
Championship of the Light Weights fully and graphi-
cally described. Price of Belts Life, Sixpence. Average
sale, 25,000.
THE WELLINGTON STATEE,—Yesterday workmen
commenced preparing footing for the scaffold-poles
in
the open space Weat of the Horse Guards, for the pur.
pose
electing a pedestal for the Wellington statue,
al
which is to be taken down forthwith, and subsequently
placed upon as appropriate resting-place in the above
locality.

MRS. TROLLOPE'S 'SEW WORK.
Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
ATHER EUSTACE.
A TALE OF THE JESUITS.
By Mrs. TROLLOPE.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Just ready, in 3 vols. post Bvo.,
MEMOIRS OF
THE LIFE OF GENERAL PEPE.
Comprising
THE PRINCIPAL MILITARY AND POLITICAL EVENTS OF

MODERN ITALY.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington, street.
(Publisher in Ordinary to her Majeety.)

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE.
MESSRS. LAMOND and Co., RAILWAY
SHARE AUCTIONEERS, beg to thank their Friends
and the Public for their continued support and patronage, and
to announce that their Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c.
take place every Tuasuat and FRIDAY, at One o'clock, at the
Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place,
favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are respectfully
requested to be addressed.
All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day
orevious to their being offered ; and advices of results will be
.irwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds imme-
eiately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices, Hall of Commerce. Threadneedle-street. London.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THUi EVENING
Will be performed a new Opera, entitled THE BONDMAN.
Marquis de Yernon, Mr. Weiss ; Floreville, Mr. Rafter ; Morliere,
Mr. Honicastle ; La Valliere, Mr. Galli ; Ardenford, Mr. Harrison ;
Mal-a-Propos, Mr. Harley; Madame Corinne, Miss Romer; Grisette,
Miss Rebecca Isaacs ; Frivole, Mrs. Hughes.
After the Opera, will be presented a new grand Ballet, called
THE WAGS OF WAPPING (performed at the Academie Royale'
Paris, under the title of " Betty.") In which will appear Mdllea.
Sophie Fuoce, Louise, Benart, Madame Giubilei ; MM. Huguet,
Adrien, Paul, Tell ; Messrs. Howell, Priorson, &c.

THEATRE ROYAL, MAYMARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee.
TIIIS EVENING
Will be performed an original Comedy, entitled LOOK BEFORE
YOU LEAP; or, Wooings and Weddings. Mr. Oddington, Mr. W.
Farren ; Mr. Rashleigh, Mr. Hudson ; Mr. De Vere, Mr. Holl ;
Mr. Brandon, Mr. Howe; Mr. Hardman, Mr. Rogers; Jack Spriggs,
Mr. Webster ; Tom Tilley, Mr. Buckstone ; Miss Brown, Mrs.
Glover ; Claribel Oddington, Miss Fortescue ; Mary Oddington, Miss
P. Horton ; Elinor Mortimer, Mrs. Yarnold ; Fanny Hardman,
Miss Julia Bennett.
After which the petite Comedy of PERFECTION. In which
Messrs. Tilbury, Holl, Clark ; Miss Reynolds (her first appearance),
and Mrs. Humby will perform.
During the evening the Band will perform the Overture, " Cheval
de Bronze ;" " The Annen" (Polka) ; " Czarina" (Mazourka);
" Douro " (Walzer); and a New Overture.
To conclude with the Farce of HIS LAST LEGS. Characters
by Messrs. Hudson, Holl, Tilbury, Mrs. Clifford, fee.
Box-office open from Twelve till Four ; under the direction of
Mr. T. Archer, Boa Book-keeper.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE.
THIS EVENING _ _

Will be performed a grand Fairy Spectacle, founded on the Ballet
of LA GISELLE, entitled THE PHANTOM DANCERS ; or, the
Wills Bride. Principal characters by Mr. Wright, Mr. P. Bedford.
Mr. 0. Smith, Mr. Cullenford, Madame Celeste, Alias Marian Taylor,
Miss Emma }larding, Miss Ellen Chaplin, and Mrs. Laws.
After which, the Drama of THE CABIN BOY. Monsieur Henri,
Mr. Worrell ; Monsieur Vincent, Mr. 0. Smith ; Coquin Ballandier,
Mr. Munyard ; Largarcette, Mm. Bedford ; Julien, Madame Celeste;
Clara, Mrs. Emsley.
To conclude with a Terpsichorean Burletta, called POWDER AND
BALL ; or, St. Tibbs's Eve. Principal characters by Messrs. Lam-
bert, Worrell, Wright, Munyard, Mrs. Matthew, Miss Woolgar, and
Miss Brooks.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
J. M. Maddox, sole Lessee and Manager.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed an original romantic Opera, in three parts,
entitled THE NIGHT DANCERS ; founded on the Story of
" Giselle." The principal characters personified by Miss eieerglana
Smithson, Mae Rourke, Miss Sara Flower, Miss Somers, Misses
Marshall ; Messrs. Leftier, Allen, Bodda, Walton, T. Hill, Bonner,
Peren, &c.
After which an entirely new Comic Drama, entitled THE TWO
RAINBOWS.
In the course of the Evening the Band will perform " The Perlen
Waltzes."
To conclude with the Comedy of THE HEIR-AT-LAW.

FRENCII PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell.
TO .310 It ROW EVENING
Will be performed LA MARR A.INE. M. de Jordy, M, Mae-
quillier ; Edouard, M. Berou; Madame de Norio, Mdlle. Vallee ;
Cecile, Millie. Leyder.
After which will be produced the celebrated Comedy, entitled
BERTRAND ET RATON ; on, L'Art de Conspirer. Li Comte
Bertrand de Rantzau, 31. Perlet. The other characters I,y Mdlles.
Brolian, Vallee, Madame Grassau ; MM. Langeval, Pascal, Felix,
Cartigny, Rhozevil, Px.,enier, Dorgebret, and Masquillier.
Boxes, 65.; Pit, 3e. 6d. ; Stalls, 35.; Gallery, 2s. Doors opened at
nalf-past Seven, and the performances commence at Eight.

ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
The celebrated Ethiopian Serenaders, Pell, Harrington, White,
Stanwood, and Germon, whose entertainments last season at the
St. James's Theatre were so eminently successful, and whose recent
performances in the Provinces have been attended with unexampled
success, will have the honour of resuming their entertainments at the
above theatre THIS EVENING, Dee. 15. and of continuing the
same every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, during the
Christmas holidays.
The public is respectfully cautioned that the Songs and Melodies,
as snug by the above party at the St. James's Theatre, are published
only at Mr. Mitchell'. Library, 33, Old Bend-street. None others
an authentic.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lessee, Mrs. Frances Davidge.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. J. R. SCOTT, AND HIS LAST
APPEAR INCE.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the Tragedy of BRUTUS. Lucius Junius
Brutus, Mr. J. R. Scott ; the other characters will be supported
by the acknowledgedtal ant of the Company.
After which the Infant Sable Wonders and Negro Melodists
will sing their favourite Songs.
A grand Pas de Deux by Herr Deulln and Mdlle. Theodore.
To conclude with the Play of PIZARRO. Rolla, Mr. J. R.
Fcott ; Pizarro, Mr. Fredericks ; Alonzo, Mr. Johnson ; Elvira,
Miss Richardson ; Cora, Mrs. Saville.

AST t',EY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Patronised by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince
Al,rrt. and itoyal Family. Splendid Equestrian and Dramatic
Novelties. Continued success of " The Demon Horse and the
Twelve Wishes." The celebrated Dutch Bottle Equilibrist, &c.
THIS EVENING
Will he performed a grand new Magical Equestrian Romance, en-
titled TIIE DEMON HOUSE ; or, The Twelve Wishes and the
Charmed Bit. In which Mrs. Batty and the Equestrian Ladies will
appear on their traimed steeds.
New and entire change In the SCENES of the CIRCLE.
To conclude with the popular romantic Drama of ROB ROY
MACGREGOR ; or, The Mountain Outlaw.
In active preparation, a variety of novelties for the Christmas
holidays ; among the rest, will be brought ldrward a Grand Comic •
Equestrian Pantomime, produced on a lavish scale of splendour,
entitled THE FORTY THIEVES ; or, Harlequin and the Rob-
ber's Cave. 1
duos-ottlee open trom eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six
rn an i c ,mence at half-past six o'clock.—Stage Manager, Mr. W.
Broadfoot.

11E WEATHER.—SIIN OFFICE, DECEMBER 15.
T ,F.RmomETEB, Lowest, 21; Highest. 29 ; Noon. 28,
BAROMETER, 29.45.—W1ND N.E., fine frosty weather.

111 W A Cr-. AT L0N10),..10a,,G,. vino DAI
Morning .. 24 minute after 11. I Eyer.ing .. 53 minutes after 11.

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