The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-13 00:00:00

lis Majesty the Emperor was pleased to answer :

lam very sensible of this fresh proof of friendship
from my very dear . sista'. the Queen of Great Britain ;
and I hope, Mr. Minister, that the manner in which you
wi►l fulfill your mission may contribute to strengthen I
still more the ties which happily unite our two coun-
tries.

LITERATURE.

Deverell. A Novel. 3 vols. Chapman and lifall.
This novel possesses the merit of novelty, as its
plot is complicated and unusual. It is written in
the form of an autobiography, which has lately
Decome so popular among novel writers. The story _
is extremely improbable, but it will not be the less
attractive to many on that account. The chief
point in the story is the imprudent marriage of the
heroine at an early age. This takes place in the
first volume, and when this is the case the expe-
rienced novel reader is. prepared for serious mis-
adventures before the conclusion. Aline Dela-
mere, the heroine, lives under the care of a great
aunt, her father being in India. At school she
makes the acquaintance of Isabella St. Gecarge
Deverell, who becomes the evil genius of her future
life. This young lady, for reasons not stated, is
always called by her second name of St. George,
which is not very appropriate for a lady. When
about sixteen, she goes on a visit to Sr. George
and her mother, where she arouses the bitter
hatred of her schoolfellow by unintentionally alienat-
ing the affections of her lover. Hero she forms a
romantic acquaintance with a young sailor, Who
subsequently persuades her to consent to a clan- ,
destine marriage previous to his departure for a
long voyage. After some time her father returns
from India, and she awaits in great anxiety the re-
turn of her husband. But after many years of
suspense and concealment she hears of his death.
Site resolves to bury her secret in oblivion. It is
only known to St. George, who has in the interval
become her stepmother.' She has discovered her
error and mistake, and is subsequently persuades,—
to marry Lord Mansfield, the brother of an 01
friend, who has superseded her first love II
her affections. Knowing, however, how high
is
his standard of right and feminine propriety,
she adds one error to another by concealing fr°ll
him her early adventure. They are married an
live happily but for this secret memory on Aline'S
conscience. Three years later she suddenly se, 5
what she takes for the ghost of her former husband'
Howard. She is overwhelmed with consternatiou/
and confesses all. It appeared that Howard hs.'l
also been informed of her death by the same evil
agency. While all parties aria perplexed and dig"
mayed, and contemplating the possibility Of Lill;
nulling the marriage, as both parties were nude,
age, the question is settled by the death of Sowr°.9
who has long been suffering from ill health. T 1315
is the chief thread of the story, but the most iov
portant and least pleasing part is that which
lates to St. George Deverell, who gives til°
name to the book. Her story is painful, Ire'
character improbable in its violent extremes. Sher
is quite a melodramatic character, or one of the °
evil genii of the fairy world. Such are not cowl:auto
in every-day life. The heroine herself is a geller°..
and amiable character but her faults of iroPrilla
deuce and disobedience are increased by her gorto
cowardice. It has a painful effect on the reader
be acquainted with the secret, and to find the 011;
fession of it constantly postponed through t°7
-to
volumes. In all her disquisitions on the pleirlot
and demerits of her own character and condo
scarcely enough weight is attached to these
serious errors. Their punishment was, inde.oen:
severe ; yet it leaves an unsatisfactory imPressi na
There are many other individuals in the story,
Lahor
many romances entwined with it. The
certainly is not deficient in invention or orighlaui,ls
He is also skilful in introducing variety in, '_se
characters. But, while he may lay claim to tit.
merits, he must also be charged with the seri:tub',
faults of exaggeration and improbability. Tr. at
is, indeed, sometimes stranger than fiction,
real
the whole of the present story is most unlike
life. A minor fault is the too frequent intro:°l2w.
tion of reflections and explanations of the -00
biographer's. The reader should be left to 3 The
for himself of her character and acti°ends'at the
story of St. George's early life introdu°
tlil Tore
end is no improvement, and renders it s
unlikely. Sufficient explanation of her extra? rdrei:
nary conduct was afforded in her jealous ail ,
to,
vengeful disposition. Notwithstanding its law
the book will, no doubt, have many admirers fral
the striking nature of the incidents and its meld'
dramatic power, and we hope its author will
th
future avoid the errors he has committed in l.;
work, as he is by no means deficient in force
invention, or vigour of expression.

MUSIC.

_ _
osed by Frank
The Little Dorrit Quadrilles. Comp
B. Tussaud. F. Moutrie. A tales
A charming title to a charming set of Qua— st
—full of animation and espiegrerie for the rai)th
part, and yet dosing, appropriately enough,...t.tio
tones of sweet and tender sadness. " The -01,,,
;O
.:
Dorrit Quadrilles" cannot fail to render still ,
popular the already acceptable name of the 3,0001
and indefatigable composer of the " MaclainecY leo, ,
" Luciana" Polkas, of the "Eglantine" and 6 01
letta" Waltzes, of several melodious and grit cl
ballads (two of which have been recently ;
Oel°
favourably by ourselves), and of a companion Pl„'g
of dance-music to this,the latest of his effoi°;
the " Valerie Quadrilles." The " set" before ("4
seems to have been written under the influence as
the gentle and loving little spirit whose name ita-
assumed— melodies flitting through it here niee
there such as might float over the waters of 9e the
in the wake of the gondola, bearing within it
d
fragile form, but with that, too, the grand te
noble heart of dear " Little Dorrit"--An3r.-
Child of the Marshalaea.