The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-10 00:00:00

LOWE'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.

Re,olved, we presume, to tel;;;o;eb:ldsdijeaunder
examination, the editor of this new miscellany has in
troduced into its pages a " History of Science." The
title, of itself, is a blast of trumpets ; it commands our
attention, and not without some profit (though there is
room for more) to ourselves. We recommend the
writer to persevere; he has hit upon a noble theme for
disquisition. " George Herbert" is a mere paraphrase
from Izask Walton's life of that excellent worthy; but
the sunny flavour of the "gentle craft"-sman is in this
version entirely strained off. The examination of Crom-
well, as depicted by Carlyle and Guizot, isingenious
enough, but too tame, too prim, too everything but
forcible. The remainder of the Edinburgh is variously
good, but, as a whole. it is deserving of success.

POLITICAL DICTIOAARY. Part H. Second
Half.
This valuable book of reference is fast approaching to
a conclusion. The first article in this part is " Parent
and Child," the last "Physicians." The articles
" Parliament," " Partnership," and "Patent," are most
elaborately written, and contain a complete resume of
the present state of the law on those important subjects.

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL.
We welcome this transatlantic periodical (of which the
number before us, dated January, 1846, is the first of
the second series), recognising, as we do, in its recom-
mencement very considerable research, and no little
novelty, in the way of condensing much erudition into
a comparatively small compass. The " Journal," pub-
lished at Newhaven, and conducted by a triumvirate
(Professor Silliman, B. Silliman, jun., and James 1).
Dana), is devoted exclusively to matters of science and
art ; and even in this portion alone, we percieve much
care in the general arrangements. Under the head of
scientific intelligence, the chemical, mineralogical, geo-
logical, zoological, and botanical departments are all
complete. Remembering the extraordinary experiments
now being made by Professor Farraday, in relation to
electricity and light, the article on " Observations of the
Solar Rays" is but a mote to a beam. But the "Review
of the New York Geological Reports," illustrated by a
variety of woodcuts, is of itself worth double the price
of the entire magazine. Altogether, the American
Journal reflects honour on its conductors.

THE UNION MAGAZINE.
The Union has fairly conquered its place, and may
now he considered as one of the established monthlies.
The present number is fully equal to its predecessors,
and the Union is still favourably characterised from
many of its rivals by that great charm of a magazine,
variety. The article on Carlyle's " Hero Worship" is
concluded, and our friend " The Hindoo Gentleman"
gives us an admirable description of a railroad journey
into the country, and of a hunting expedition. The
tale of " William Fleming, the Deal Boatman," increases
in interest as it proceeds, and promises to be an ex-
cellent novel. The continuation of " The Quarantine
Tales" is also excellent. We have a very valuable
paper on Venice, exhibiting profound and philosophical
views of history, and tracing the causes of the fall of
that proud State to the vim inherent in her constitution.
The able article on the corn-laws (which is replete with
valuable statistical details) is finished in this number, and
the author thus sums up his conclusions on this most im-
portant subject—conclusions, be it said, whicli are fully
borne out by the facts which he adduces in support of
them:—

"On the whole, therefore, we see no reason whatever to
believe that the average quantity of wheat imported for
some years to come, if prices should continue only from 40s
to 50s. the quarter, will much exceed the average of the last
ten years, and certainly not the quantity estimated in the
Consular returns which we have quoted. We do not believ,..,
it will be possible under usual circumstances, unless indeed
prices should rise to a very extravagant rate, to obtain for
the next ten years a greater average importation of wheat
than 2,000,000 quarters annually, a quantity capable only of
feeding the increased numbers which have been added to our
population since 1841 !!
"Finally, we cannot believe, if all these views of this im-
portant question are calmly and deliberately weighed—if
men will consider the great importance to the general inte-
rests, and most of all, as we have shown to the agricultural
clan-es, that our rapidly increasing p ,pulation should be pro-
vided with new branches of employment; if all will consider
how much they have to gain, how little to fear, from the
establishment of a system of free and unfettered commercial
intercouse, and preservation from constantly recurring
periodical derangement of our monitorial matters, and the
whole system of commercial credit—in which all interest are
deeply and injuriously involved ;—we cannot believe, but
that the measures now before Parliament will be hailed as
the only safe policy by which this country cnn for the future
be governed. All experience of the past, and all reasoning
upon the future, equally recommend its immediate and un
hesitating adoption."