The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-04 00:00:00

the plot ;—not that there is much plot to disclose
There is, of course, a love story, but that is only a
secondary attraction, the real interest being
concentrated in the little George, whose mournful
fortunes are very beautifully narrated. Thc.
history of the unfriended child, his humble exer-
tions, his lack of sympathy in his sorrows, the pride
clinging to him through all his sufferings, his gentle,
patient, persevering character, are all portrayed in a
most impressive and affecting manner—not less
creditable to the authoress than her most brilliant
compositions. We must, however,.find fault with tin
close of the tale ; it is somewhat too mournful for
the time and theme. We object to it, not
because of the death introduced into the denoue•
ment—for the death of a favourite character often
conduces to the impression produced, and the
good effects occasioned by the perusal of an in-
teresting tale, the tears shed over a book often
embalm it in our memory, and imprint its lessons on
our heart—and so it may be with this tale of " New
Year's Day." Yet we are inclined to think that the
same closing scene might have been differently ar
ranged—a few smiles might have mingled with the
tears—a ray of Christmas sunshine might have
gleamed amid the shadows. Many of the characters
are very effectively pourtrayed. John Talbot, the
old servant, is peculiarly interesting, forming a strik-
and wayward" master.
o
ianngd
acnonetxracsetlletnot his 1°
companion
nyprtrait to the character
of the gentle child. It is hardly necessary to say that
this little volume is elegantly bound and suitably
illustrated. The concluding verse of the dedicatory
stanzas may be appropriately addressed to all the
readers of the tale :

" If from thine eyes
The scales have fallen away,—
If with a warmer pulse thy heart
Throb for the ills of clay,_
Requite with mingled smiles and tears
My gift of—New Year's Day."

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE.
This is a very useful and interesting periodical,
furnishing a series of reading for each Sunday in the
month. It is peculiarly valuable, as tending to en-
force the practical duties of religion instead of enter-
ing into any doctrinal discussions. The present
number contains several sermons, some sketches of
natural history and scriptural geography, various
sacred poems, sundry pieces of useful information
under the head " Miscellaneous," and numerous in•
teresting papers upon the " Last year of William the
Conqueror," "Biography of Lady Elizabeth Russell,"
" Missionary Records," the " Siege of Londonderry,"
&c. " Passages of Scripture arranged under heads,"
is a series of great practical utility. There is only
one paper of " Juvenile reading"—the adventures
of Madame Godin in the country of the Amazons
This is a department which is susceptible of great
improvement : moral tales and interesting biogra-
phies, calculated to afford entertainment as well as
instruction, and to furnish young readers with a pro-
fitable occupation for the leisure hours of a Sunday,
would be a valuable addition to a work such as the
present.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—MURSDAY.
We subjoin a statement of busineis done, from which
it will be seen that the betting took a very limited range,
and that the market prices remain as they were last
quoted

CHESTER CUP.
1000 to 20 agst 11Ir. W. Scott's Erin-go-bragh—taken
DERRY.
15 to 2 agst Lord Eglinton's Van Tromp—taken to
251., and afterwards offered.
800 to 50 agst Mr. Bowes's Epirote—taken
2500 to 100 agst Mr. Mostyn's Planet—taken
2000 to GO agst Mr. Worley's Old Port—taken
1000 to 25 agst Duke of Richmond's Red Hart—taken,

and afterwards offered
1000 to 15 agst Col. Peel's King of Naples—taken
2,000 to 100 agst Gabbier, Projectile, West India Plantar,
and King of Morven—taken.
The backers of Old Port was anxious to go on.
Offers to take 1,000 to 30 about Lunedale, and 1,000 to 20
about Wanota.

In the betting on Monday we omitted 2,000 to 10 agst
Lord E. Russell's Clarendon.

Mr. Phillimore, Wienireman of high standing on the
turf, died at Brighton on Monday last, after an illness of
two years. The nominations of Saddle and several other
horses become void.

The Leamington Steeple Chases, as we stated yester-
day, are postponed till Tuesday, the 15th. Bets, we
presume, are off, and it is a question if the races them-
selves are not void, unless the engagements be renewed.
The power of postponement from day to day is admitted,
but it is doubtful if it extends beyond the week, for
which the races were originally made.
The Bentinck Benevolent and Provident Fund, in-
cluding the sum of 2,1001. Consols, being stock purchased
with money subscribed for a testimonial to Lord George
Bentinck, now amounts to 2,400/. Consols. The fund is
established for the " benefit of trainers and jockeys,
their widows and children," under the provisional ma-
nagement of the Bentinck Testimonial Committee, viz :
the Dukes of Beaufort, Bedford, and Rutland,
Lords Chesterfield and Eglinton, and the Honourable
G. S. Byng ; each of whom has subscribed 251. to
the fund, in addition to an annual subscription of 101.
The subscription of a trainer or rider is limited to two
guineas annually, and those who have contributed to the
fund, and their widows and children, will have a prefer-
able claim to relief, the committee, however, having the
power of rejecting the donations and subscriptions of
those who, in their opinion, are not worthy to become
members of the society, and also of striking off the list
any trainer or rider who may misconduct himself after
becoming a subscriber. No grant will be made until
after the Newmarket First Spring Meeting, 1847. Forty-.
seven trainers and jockies have already subscribed, the
majority for two guineas each. The fines imposed at
York and Newmarket Races, amounting to Ml., have
been added to the capital.

SALE OF THE BOOKS, SERVICE OF PLATE, WINES,
&e., OF THE LATE SIR C. WETHERELL, KNT.—Tuesday
the property of the late Sir Charles Wetherell, Knt.,
consisting of the books, the service of plate, the wines,
&c., was entirely disposed of at the Rolls Auction
Rooms, Chancery-lane, the sale having occupied four
days. Some of the plate had belonged to the services of
George IV., the Duke of York, Sir John Leach, &c.
The wines, &c., were brought from the cellars at the
mansion in Berkeley-square, and the chambers, Stone-
buildings, Lincoln's Inn. The plate went at prices
varying from ss. 6d. to 12s. 2d. per oz., and of these
there were 185 lots. The following were the prices
thatguineas
bot-
tled forty years, 41. 4s. per dozen; 23 dozen of brown
sherry, fifteen years in bottle, 645. per dozen, &c. The
wines realised between 1,1001. and 1,5001. The law
the
deceasedper of
for thedozensome
nogf wines
t h statede fetched
books comprised 253 lots, including an immense number
of reports. The following are the prices which some of
the lots went for:—The Statutes at Large, from Magna
Charta to the 41st George 111. (by Runnington), from
the 41st George 111. to the Bth and 9th of Victoria (by
Tomlins, Baithly, and Simons), 31 vols., 231. 155.;
Calendars of the Proceedings in Chancery in the reign
of Queen Elizabeth, 3 vols., 1830-34; Corpus Juris
Civilis, anno 1663 ; and Velor Ecclesiasticus, temp.
Henry VIII., 6 vols., 1810-34, 291. 18s. 6d.; Journals
of the House of Lords, volumes 34 to 52, with calendar
and index; and Journals of the House of Commons, with
index, 85 vols., 291. 18s. 6d. Yesterday's sale comprised
the miscellaneous library of Greek, Latin, German,
Italian, and French works of all the most learned authors
of antiquity and of modern times.
PUBLIC WORKS.—Upwards of two hundred and
fifty pay-clerks have been appointed by the Board of
Works, and are now officially engaged throughout the
country. If the accounts which have of late, frequently
reached us from the provinces may be credited (and in
no one instance can we advance reasonable grounds for
doubting their authenticity), it has become too much the
fashion amongst independent men, gentlemen of stand-
ing and influence in their respective localities, to seek
the appointment of pay-clerk from motives only too ob•
vious, and the duties of which would be just as efficiently
discharged by individuals to whom the emoluments
might be an object as a means of support for respectable,
though reduced families.—Dublin Evening Herald.
THE SUNDAY TRAINS.—We understand that a
subscription has been originated by several gentlemen
connected with the Royal Exchange for setting this
vexed question at rest. From the well-known public
spirit of those who have taken the matter in hand, we
have no doubt, though it will he connected with con-
siderable expense, that the whole question will shortly
be submitted to a full meeting of the shareholders,
when the result will be conclusive. It seems, from the
Edinburgh papers of this morning, that the number of
directors in favour of stopping the trains is but four !
The facts, we understand, are these :—The seven English
directors were unanimous in favour of the continuance
of the trains, but consented to leave the matter to the
eight Scotch, as better knowing the public wishes, and
accordingly stood entirely aloof. When the matter came
before the eight Scotch directors, it was found that they
were equally divided as to the propriety of stopping the
trains ; but as four of them were very eager to try the
experiment, the others (not very wisely or justifiably, as
we think) gave way. So the fact is that the number of '
gentlemen who have undertaken forcibly to regulate the
Sunday movements of the inhabitants of Edinburgh and
Glasgow, and all places adjacent and interjacent, is but
four !—Glasgow Saturday Post,
MERCHANT SEAMEN,.The Commissioners of the
Customs , department have received a communication
from Mr. Parker, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners
of her Majesty's Treasury, stating that, with reference
to their reports relative to the Merchant Seamen's Act,
he has been commanded by their Lordships to acquaint
them that their Lordships approve of the suggestions
therein contained, " for not proceeding against parties
who have omitted to require the names of the seamen to
be signed at full length, and for giving full publicity to
the same;" and that pending the re-adjustment of the
law, their Lordships desire that Mr. Field, the Collector
of the Customs at the Cape of Good Hope (as well as
the ether collectors in the cllonies), may be apprised
that the law does not impose upon the Collectors of
Custom! the duty of proceeding by information before
her Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and that it forms
no part of his duty to sue in the character of an informer
for the penalties imposed by the Merchant Seaman's
Act (7 and 5 Victoria, cap. 112.)
PRIZE CATTLE.—The City of London Aberdeen
steam ship came up the river yesterday with 250 head of
cattle on board, amongst them are nine fat oxen of
enormous dimensions, intended for the Smithfield Club
cattle show.