The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-03 00:00:00

TELLEr S

THE MAGAZINES.

i~

BlackWood.—Sdyful tidings to all lovers of true
poetry appear this month in " Blackwood's Adver-
tiser," prefixed to Blackwood's Magazine—tidings
to the effect that a poem, entitled " Bothwell," from
the hand of W. Edmonstoune Aytoun, D.C.L., is
now actually "in the press" of the great Edinburgh
publishers. Gladly do we here repeat this ex-
hilarating announcement—all the more welcome to
us after the raving, drivelling, maundering non-
sense in verse pilloried, amidst peals of laughter, by
the author of the vigorous " Lays of the Scottish
Cavaliers" in the excruciating pillory of his
spasmodic tragedy of " Firmilian." All hail—
" Bothwell" and Aytoun : Aytoun and "Both-
well"—all hail ! As for Maga for this pre-
sent month of April-3110 seems to us just for
once in a way but so-so, because so very serious
and didactic ! Out of the eight papers constituting
the sum total of her contents, there is absolutely not
one coming within the category of what is popu-
larly understood as light literature. About the
most readable of these eight contributions, is the
one rather daringly eulogistic of " Alison's History
of Europe"—daringly we say, because given to the
world in the pages of Blackwood's Magazine. The cri tic
who occupies for the nonce the chair of King Chris-
topher, and who thus judicially pronounces autlio-
ritati ve opinion upon the annalist of modern Europe,
sets out by asserting that there are three styles of
historical composition typically exemplified, ac-
cording to his dictum, in the writings of Macaulay,
of Alison, and of Montesquiou. The first of these
celebrated writers is thus defined as an historian
picturesquely descriptive. The last as dryly precise
—giving one " results" only—all essence—" sifting
away the husk" and presenting one only with the
kernel. Sir Archibald Alison, the historian in-
termediately placed between the two grand ex-
tremes represented by Macaulay and Montt squiou
is said, by the reviewer in Blackwood,' to hold a
" middle place between those two authors"—and to
him (of course) rather than to Macaulay or Montes-
quiou, is given the palm ! as an annalist, " prac-
tical in turn of mind, fervid in temperament, and
graphic in delineation." The criticism is beyond
doubt altogether very able—and yet, in spite of this,
scarcely appears to us to be worthy of what a cri-
ticism ought to have been (after all these years) upon
Alison in Blackwood. The initial article of the
month is a clever argument upon " The Laws
Concerning Women "—followed by an ingenious
paper upon " War and Woodcraft." W. H.
Prescott, another celebrated historical writer of
our time, has an article entirely to himself, in reference
to the first instalment of his last work the record of
the reign of "Philip the Second." This same genial
criticism upon Mr. Prei,cotes new production is
followed by the oddest kind of gossiping chapter
imaginable, a chapter of curious and disjointed
memorabilia entitled " The Scot Abroad," intro-
ducing us to all sorts of people—to Crichton the
Admirable ! to Dempster ! to Hepburn 1 to Major !
to Boece ! to Knox to Craig ! to Adam Black-
wood ! besides smaller fry among the Scottish "men
of letters," who have won fame for themselves be-
yond the boundaries of Caledonia. A contribution
relating to the " Indian Civil Service," and another
referring to the " Kars Blue Book," are succeeded
by a sour, little, waspish, cross-grained, cantanke-
rous criticism (evidently by Colonel Hamley, or
some other Crimean authority), fretting in the
most atrabilious moodimaginable over " Deßazan-
court's Narrative of the Campaign." The writer
really seems to be about the most thin-skinned of
his race, and about the worst-tempered. We are
positively grieved to see such a poor, little,
snarling evidence of bile and nervous irri-
tability in the honoured pages of our dear
old Maga. The tone of the article is altoge-
ther unworthy of Blackwood—so petty, so captieui,
so morbidly sensitive throughout 1 According to
the writer of it—not a whisper ought to be audible
as to the mere possibility of there being anything
at all in the shape of shortcomings in the English
army is the Crimea. And yet, God knows, there
have been reasons enow for not merely casual whis-
pers to that effect, but for prolonged and resounding
thunders of indignation. Bali ! In the name of
common sense don't let us be sulking over any
little incidental phrases of reprehension (as to the
conduct of the leaders of our force:, in the Crimea)
uttered here and there in the truthful and sol-
dier-like narrative of the Baron De Bazaucourt !
Let us recollect that harder things than these
have been articulated by the lips of French
military authorities in the midst of the hard
fighting ! Let us remember what was said
some months ago about—Lions led by Asses ! And
let it not be forgotten how the preux chevalier of
the heroic legions of Gaul, looking down upon the
sublime but deplorable Light Cavalry Charge at
Balaklava, exclaimed, with a shrug of the
shoulders, and eyes flashing with indignant admi-
ration, Gist magnifique, macs ce nest pas la guerre
The lesson conveyed in those words, believe us, is
very wholesome

Dublin University.--There are some interesting
subjects in this number. The story of " Love in
Curl Papers" is brought to a conclusion melancholy
enough, but the interest is kept up till the end.
The various misfortunes they encountered in Ger-
many did not disenchant the young couple from its
sphere ; for, after summing up the records of their
adventures, the hero exclaimed—" When we can
afford it, we shall go back and pass the rest of our
days on the banks of the gentle Rhine." "The
Fortunes of Glencore" is again resumed this month,
and proceeds with as much mysticism as ever.
Billy Traynor is by far the most amusing person to
be met with in it, and he figures to some extent in
the portion before us. " Fair Gurtha, or the Hun-
gry Grass," is a long account of the Irish supersti-
tion on this subject. A most interesting and ex-
citing narrative is added to the details, which
serves more fully to illustrate their meaning and
to impart an attraction to the relation. The ad-
ventures of the Fair Rose are well worthy of peru-
sal, and the manner in which Solomon Saveall is
caught at last by the fierce Katsey is very ludi-
crous. The poem of the. "Burial of Moses" is
written in a simple and solemn style, that accords
well with the subject. The lines on "Spring" are
also suitably arranged, in their easy, flowing metre.
There are some memoirs presented to the notice of
the reader—one of " General Kilmaine," who was
a general in the French army. His good fortune
was not equal to his merits; for after having served
in most arduous campaigns he was snatched away
in the hour of success. He died at the early age of
forty-nine, " at the very moment when the trium-
phant elevation of Bonap..rte was opening up to
his comrades a long and brilliant career of military
glory. He was interred with all the honours due
to his rank and bravery, and a noble monument
was erected to his memory." There are likewise
some remarks on the "Memoirs of Mrs. Fitzher-
bert," which may be a source of interest to some.
" Ancient Physic and Physicians" contains some
curious accounts of medicine in old days, which is,
as is remarked here, " a subject full of anecdote
and interest." An article appears on " Kars,"
which enters into the details of that important
question. It will doubtless be in accordance with
the wishes of many to meet with an epitome of the
events concerning a subject so iikely to engross
public attention before long. It is observed at the
conclusion that the question. Parliament has to
consider is whether the Government of Great Bri-
tain appreciated the importance of the events in
Asia, or, if so, whether they acted with befitting
energy and dignity.
"In any event (it is said) the great Conservative party
occupies high ground. It must ever be remembered to its
i
honour, that at a time when .the s,ue of the war was
uncer!ain, and Government might have been hopelessly
overthrown by the slightest obstructive movement, it
kept political and party considerations out of sight, and
lent itself as a body with the same lofty demeanour
that
distinguishes the prominent individuals composing it,
to help the common cause, and forward all such efforts
as were made in a patriotic spirit for the maintenance of
the honour of the country against a
cuminon enemy.
We doubt whether an equally conspicuous instance of
i
disinterestedness has occurred n the annals
of party.
Certainly considerations of the kind are not familiarly'
known to actuate a Whig Opposition."

Bentley's Miscellany.—Bentley's opens with a
paper on " Peace and the Imperial Dynasty," pre-
senting nothing very new or striking, for the con-
sideration of the reader. Mr. Harrison Ains-
worth's story of "The Spendthrift" is continued
with interest. The fortunes of its reckless hero
are now beginning to change and the present in-
stalment narrates the first difficulty he meets with
in pecuniary matters, and the alteration immedi-
ately visible in the manners of his companions. Mr.
Dudley Costello commences a tale, whoss object is
to set the commercial world in order, which is
entitled " The Joint-Stock Banker." Of course
it will be founded on recent frauds and forgeries.
"El Medinah and Mecca" is a notice of a new
book of travels bearing that name, which has re-
cently been issued. A glimpse into some of the
lowest grades of Parisian life is afforded by the
record of " A Night or Two in Paris," which de-
scribes the visits paid by the writer to the
haunts of the chiffoniers and ravagetirs. "The
Miseries of a Wet Day" are not very forcibly por-
trayed by Materfamilias, inasmuch as her misfor-
tunes appear to be occasioned by herself and her
ill-regulated household, and not by the weather or
locality. A paper on "Mr. Raikes' Journal p
gives some amusing extracts from his diary. " The
mournful marriage of Sir S. Morland" will not ex-
cite muollpity among its Leaden. it pages the