The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-31 00:00:00

Tnn TIEN-TSIN MASSACRES.

The details of the massacre at Tieu-Tsin present
sad accounts of the outrages which were perpetrated
on the sufferers. The French mission property and
consulate were situated at some distance from the
foreign settlement. The Chinese reports state that
a very stormy interview took place between the
Consul and Chung-how, the Governor of Tien-tsin,
and • that the Consul was killed by the mob on
leaving the Governor. The attack on the mission
premises was not, howev (1., so horrible as that on
the priests and Sisters of Mercy. The establish-
ments of the Lazarites, the Jesuits, and
the Sisters of Charity were burnt and the
inmates put to death in the most bar-
barous
manner. The natives who dwell in tke

mission were also put to death, and many children
were suffocated in a cave where they had taken shelter.
The bodies were mutilated and then thrown Into th•
burning houses. Tho riot appears to have been or-
ganised and planned in the most deliberate manner.
The movement was directed entirely against the
French, three Russians having been killed through
mistake. The mob met and dispersed by
preconcerted signals. it appears uncertain what
course the French will adopt in order to revenge the
injuries inflicted on their countrymen. The Chinese
authorities are fully justified in their belief that a
mere monetary compensation will not be deemed
sufficient amends to make on the present occasion.-

L ITERA TUBE.

Janie, a Highland Love Story. By the Hot. Mrs.
Chetwyend. Two Vols. Chapman and Hall.

The reader of these volumes will be chiefly impressed
with the natural manner in which the events are narrated,
and with the life-like character of some of the personages.
It cannot be said that the plot is very remarkable,
though it is rather complicated towards the end. The
heroine, Janie, does not appear so prominently on the
scene as Sybil Wilder, who is a far stronger character.
One of the best lessons which is taught by this narrative
is the folly of relatives and friends forming engagement s
for young people, or inducing them to do so without
consulting their real inclinations. Had Miss Elizabeth
Macnab not been so meddlesome, to begin with, about the
engagement of her nephew with Janie, she would have
saved all the persons concerned a good deal of trouble,
but she persisted in her mistaken course against the better
judgment of Janie's father, Dr. Macneil, and her own
misgivings as well. The episode of Lady Wilder's visit
to the North is an amusing illustration of the pertinacious
. _ _

tnanner in which some people force themselves into other's
[louses, and outstay their welcome in spite of evident
yroof that they are not wanted. The Macneil's

old servant, Bell, is a refreshing contrast in her
downright style and honest attachment to the worldly de-
meanour of some more polished individuals met with.
Sybil cannot be called an attractive person, but she gains
upon the attention at last by her eager devotion to what
she considered a kind work, and her premature end seems
to have cut short a career that promised in a great degree
to atone for early shortcomings. Ronald, the horo of the
story, is not very deserving of regard, for he is too fickle
and wayward; • he improves towards the close of our ac-
quaintance with him, but the unfavourable impression he
has produced cannot wholly be removed from the mind.
The descriptions of some of the inhabitants of Braefuit
' are drawn with skill, and it may be said that the author
is more successful in her delineations of second-rate cha-
racters than of those who figure more prominently in the
narrative. The story opens tamely enough, but one way
or another there are many exciting episodes met with in
its course, and the sad event of Ronald's accident imparts
a tinge of melancholy to its closing chapters. Dr. Macneil
is an unworldly character, full of genuine enthusiasm for
his vocatian, and resigned to the grievous misfortunes
which befel him. On' the whole "Janie " may be re-
garded as a pleasing novel, well calculated to amuse an
idle hour, if it cannot lay claim to higher pretensions.
The style is light and pleasing, and the descriptions of
scenery are given with exactness, and occasionally with 1
eloquence.

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