The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-10 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood is full of interest. " Why is Prussia Vie"
torious ?" is an exhaustive article devoted to a review of
the Prussian military system as developed during late
years. The writer asserts that one great cause of the
astounding success of the Germans in the present war is
to be found in this : that superadded to the excellency of
their system of recruitment, they have the best-
instructed staff in the world. Another cause
Is to be found in the perfection of their equipinen
ti
in every arm, and the admirable order which pre-
vails in their intendance, or department of supply. An
article entitled " Thoughts Suggested by the War" is
chiefly remarkable for its attack upon Mr. Gladstone's
administration. "The Rights of Majorities',' is a
thoughtful article, and vigorously denounces the attitude
of modern political philosophy towards education and
religion. In the second article, on " The Poetry and
Humour of the Scottish Language," the author maintains
that the " wut " of the Scotch is quite equal to the
" wit" of the English and the " esprit" of the French,
and that Scottish " humour" is infinitely superior to any'
humour that was ever evolved out of character to the south
of Yorkshire. " Castle St. Angelo "is written with great
ability, and the historical sketches by which it, is to be
succeeded will be eagerly looked for. Blackwood also
contains an account of the Red River Expedition,
by an officer of the expeditionary force, and a continua-
tion of the subject will appear in the next number.

Corigtill this month is of average excellence. The
serial tales are continued with sustained intersest. " Lieu-
tenant de Chasselay : a story of 1848," is an interesting
tale, well written. " Trial by Battle " possesses consider-
able attraction for the student of medieval history, and
those who have a taste for poetic lore will find the trans-
lations of some old Norman songs well worth attention.
The tone of St. Paul's is refined and intellectual.
The contents comprise a review of Browning's Poems ;
an article attempting to elucidate the problem,
" Why the army is unpopular ;" a contribution
descriptive of some travels in France, from the
pen of the authoress of "John Halifax ;" se
essay on " Moral Indignation as a National Char-
acteristic ;" two poems, one of them by Dora Greenwell,
of which, however, we cannot say much in the way of
praise ; a very excellent paper, entitled the " Victorious
Prussians," written by Mr. Archibald Fprbes, in explana-
tion of the German successes ; and lastly, the usual
number of chapters of the two serial tales, " Ralph the
Heir," and " Wilfrid Cumbermede."

The contents of the Contemporary are more than
usually interesting this month, and include most
of the chief topics of the day. Professor Huxley's
article on School Boards will be read with great
interest, and will well repay the reader. The conversa-
tions of " Friends in Council " are always delightful,
and the discussion on " The War and General Culture "
forms no exception to the rule. An essay on the " Work-
ing Men in Parliament," by Mr. George Odger, argues
the case very forcibly in all its aspects.
Good Words.—The two stories "Fernyhurst Court,'
and " Dorothy Fox,"4 which have been running on from
month to month in Good Words, have ended with the year.
'Unlike this dismal 1870, however, their conclusions are
both highly satisfactory and peacefuL The feuds are
made up, the lovers are reconciled, the obstinate parents
conciliated, and,everything is couleur de rose, both among
the Quakers, and in the world of fashion. Letters from
the "Tropics," by the Rev. Charles Kingsley, "The
Country of the Camisards," by Samuel Smiles, and " Half
Hours in the Temple Church," by Dr. Vaughan, are all
well-known to the readers. There is besides a graphic
sketch of. Pawnbroking in England:
Good Words for the Young contains a varied collection.
" A Girl's Lot in the Siege of Haarlem," is a sketch that
is most appropriate at the present time ; it is told in an
effective manner. " Nettle the Cobbler's Terrier " is an
ingenious tale that points a moral to the young reader-
" Peter's Pet," relates the adventures of a jackdaw wbc.
was famous for stealing. His master fought his battles
with more zeal than discretion, until his patience was too
severely tried by the loss of his own money. " The
Village School" is a collection of tales in verse, which are
interesting and instructive. On the whole this little book
may fairly be considered as an acceptable present for
children ; for it combines amusement with information,
and presents something to suit all tastes.
The Sunday Magazine :—Dr. Guthrie continues to
prove himself an able editor by his skilful avoidance of
the rocks on which professedly religious magazines are
very apt to split. There is nothing of sectarianism or
bigotry in his periodical, which fulfils its object of suiting
the taste of a wide range of readers. The sketches of
London life among the whimneysweeps and costermongers,
and such occupants of the quaint byeways of humanity,
are full of interest, and papers on a Sunday in Venice,
New York, and Letter Writing, are pleasantly inter-
mingled with stories, verses, and sermons direct and in-
direct.

The Westminster Papers—devoted to chess and other
games of skill—has this month an interesting analysis of
Max Lange's brilliant attack in the Giuoco Piano opening.
The investigation, which is by Mr. Wormald, appears
quite complete and satisfactory. There are other good
articles in the current issue ; and the usual collection of
games.

2he Chess Player's Quarterly Chronicle has an excellent
selection of games and problems. It is to be regretted,
however, that this magazine should be disfigured by so
many misprints.

)0v 4.4)
flit griitzs eirsitar

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 9.
The Queen walked in the grounds this morning, ac-
companied by Princess Beatrice.
The Duchess of Roxburghe, the Marquis and Marchio-
ness of Westminster, the Marquis of Lorne, Lady Eliza-
beth Campbell, and the Dean of Windsor, dined with the
Queen and the Royal Family last evening.
The Prince and Princess of Teck and the Right Hon.
Sir Stafford Northcote have arrived at the Castle.

M. Malou, the Belgian Minister of State, has resigned,
and his resignation has been accepted.
The number of signatures attached to the Address
from the Catholics of Great Britain to the Pope has now
reached the number of 500,985.

Mr. Lamb, coachbuilder, of Manchester, who was
seriously injured in the Harrow railway accident, has
since died.

After an examination extending over two days,
the Liverpool magistrates yesterday committed for trial
Richard B. Howchin, on the charge of murdering Mr.
Christian Flueck, in whose school Howchin was engaged
as usher.
COMMENTING ON CHANCERY PROCEEDINGS. Vice•
Chancellor Bacon on Thursday refused to commit Mr.
Birbeck, of Berrou, s Worcester Journal, and Mr. Knight,
of the Worcester Chronicle, for contempt, for certain articles
on the claim of Mr. Vernon, the plaintiff in a Chancery
suit, both defendants having at once ceased to publish
the articles on being convinced that that they had done
wrong.

SAMPLE AND PATTERN POSTS.—The injurious
effects of the new arrangements with respect to these posts
have been brought under the consideration of the Post-
master General, and reco a letter was forwarded by
the solicitor to the department to the nursery and seed
trade, stating that the authorities had no power under the
new Post Office Act to permit the transmission of any
other articles than bona tide trade patterns or samples of
merchandise at the sample rate of postage. The Com-
mittee of the Manchester Home Trade Association has
issued circulars calling attention to the recent change is
the regulations respecting the transmission of patterns
through the Post Office, and meetings to consider both
matters will shortly be held.

Snow commenced to fall in London on Thursday
afternoon. For some hours the descent was very Kolb
but at night it became much heavier, and the housetops
and streets presented a uniformly white appearance.
Yesterday there was a further fall, and while in the city
the streets were in a state of slush, in the suburbs the
snow lay on the ground from two to three in
in depth. The street traffic was somewhat imPeded.
Temperature has fallen in the south-west of our islandB,
else-
and also in the extreme north of Scotland but risen
where, especially in the north-east of England. It is
still very irregular, being lowest (22 degrees) at Ply-
mouth. The easterly gale has subsided at Christia,nsund,
but extended to our north-east coasts, where it blows very
hard,

SEGO

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