The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-10 00:00:00

1111SC'ELLANEOUS.

Among the best articles in Ainsworth for January,
after the continuation of the " Lancashire Witches,"
are E. P. RowselN " Looking Back," and a charm•
ink; little tale, " Christmai,," by Mrs. Edward

Thornqs. One of the most attractive articles in the
Eclectic Review (to those who prefer literary criticism
to theological controversy) is a well written and in-
teresting review of Mrs. Monteath's "Lays of the
link and Covenant." lo this criticism we find the
tollosing distinction drawn between the orator and
the poet :—" Thought which does not fall to singing
of its own accord, and whether the thinker
will or no, is not poetic thought. All im-
passioned oratory is rythmical. Listen to the
man of true eloquence, and whenever his spirit is
deeply moved his utterance heaves and swells away
to the music of an unwritten score. But the orator
is not and cannot be a poet. He has an audience
before him, and he knows it. He is there to agitate
his people. But the poet knows no people. He
stands before no audience. He is alone and imper-
sonal. His world is self-contained, and he is singing
to himself. Such is the idea of the poet. It is
doubtless rarely realised. There is no perfect poet
in this sense, but such is the mood in which
the masters of the sounding lyre uttered
all those portions of their imperfect works
which keep them immortal." Tait's Magazine has
a well-written article "What is it all About ?" which,
though differing from our often-expressed opinions,
deserves attention from its impartial tone and fearless
spirit. Sharpe's London Magazine is as excellent as
usual. The same may be said of the majority of the
monthly periodicals—the Farmer's, the Sportsman,
Chambers', the People's Journal, the Repertory of In-
ventions, Le Follet, and the rest, a host too numerous
to ba criticised individually each month. The Ladies'
Companion will henceforth appear as a monthly
instead of a weekly journal. In the Belle Assemblie
is a beautiful " Christmas and New Year's Ditty,"
by Mrs. Newton Crosland. Enumerating the fit em-
blems of Christmas under the guise of the " flowers of
the heart," Love, Charity, Peace, she goes on—
" And every such flower casteth fruitful seed
On the soil as it trails along;
For there never yet was a kindly deed
That did not uproot a wrong,
And leave where it stood
Some germ of good
Our tangled thoughts among."
Mrs. Ellis's Morning Call continues to realise the
expectations suggested by its first appearance. The
beauty of its illustrations and the elegant manner of
its " getting up" render it conspicuous among its
competitors, while the majority of its prose and po-
etical contents are of more than average excellence.
The story by the editress, " Self-deception ; or the
History of a Human Heart," is likely to prove pro-
fitable as well as interesting. In a capital little article,
"Study Trifles," we lied it justly remarked that
a Lillie, though little in itself, is worthy of care, be-
cause of the momentous consequences it may produce,
according to the different temperament of indivi-
duals. " A spark is in itself a trifle, and a very
pretty trifle too, apply it to stone and it remains a
trifle—that is to say, for the little time it does re-
main ; but, plunge it in oil, or turpentine, and we
are astonished by its power ; so it is with a jest,
which falls lifeless upon one, calls a repartee
from a second, and rebuke from a third;
the spark of wit is no duller with the
first than the last, but it falls on different
materials; the first, ashes; the second, touch,
paper; the third, gunpowder." The King's College
Magazine progresses well. Lewis Arundel continues
to appear in monthly parts, and will doubtless find
welcome with the many friends of " Frank Fairlegh."
The Looker On evinces considerable ability. Tails's
Illustrated London contains many beautiful engrav-
ings of the conspicuous places of the metropolis.
The Family Tutor, for the sum of twopence, gives in-
formation on a variety of important matters; while for
a similar sum a cyclopedia of Familiar Things affords
an admirable exposition of the marvels connected with
the progress and preparation of those " familiar"
things—a book, a needle, and a cup of tea. The ex-
planation is rendered more interesting by illustrations.

FINE ARTS.
THE ART-JOURNAL.

With the first, January in the second half of the
iirieteenth century, we have a more than ordinary
display of enterprise, of ability, and of intelligence in
this splendid periodical. Breaking new ground for
the revelation of the skill of its contributors, both
literary and pictorial, the Art-Journal gives us the
first instalment of a most interesting series on " The
Great Masters of Art," beginning with Paul Rem-
brandt van Ryn. A portrait of the illustrious pain-
ter is followed by sketches from some of his most re-
markable achievements. A little view of the mill
where Rembrandt was born, on the 15th of June,
1606, will be observed with delight by all enthusiasts
about his genius. Thomas Wright, aided by the pencil
of F. W. Fairholt, commences a delightful series of
papers on " The Domestic Manners of the English
during the Middle Ages"---a series calculated to be
both amusing and instructive. The embellishments
from the Vernon Gallery are continued this month
with Landseei's " Death of the Stag," engraved lay
J. Cousen, and Witherington's " Crown of Hops,"
engraved by H. Bourne. Gibson's exquisite bas-
relief to the memory of the Countess of Leicester has
been gracefully copied by the graver of J. H. Baker,
and in addition to these principal illustrations, the
January number of theArt-Journalcontains acharming
sketch from Sir Edwin Landseer's "Hawking Party,"
printed, in colours (from wood blocks) by Leighton
Brothers. Among the most conspicuous wood en-
gravings in the number we must not forget to men-
tion an admirable drawing of " Temperantia," by
Professor MUcke, of Dusseldorf. From its excel-
lence, we trust that the Cardinal Virtues may be
continued in the same style of representation. Tem-
perance, according to the classic myth, is represented
as holding a bridle in her hand. " Examples of
German Artists" are also highly meritorious. The
best of all the contributions to the Art-Journal for
January we have not yet mentioned, having reserved
it for especial notice at the last. We mean the con-
tribution penned by Mrs. S. C. Hall, and adorned
with a life-like portrait of the illustrious subject of
her remarks. Briefly, the topic chosen by Mrs.
S. C. Hall is nothing less attractive than an ac-
count cf " A Morning with MORITZ RETZSCH.
Under this portrait we have the autograph of
the great limner and a ,sketch of the "Cot-
tage House " in which he still resides, covered
with years and glory. To those tho are familiar
with his matchless outlines (the noblest illustrations
ever given to the world of the imaginings of Shak-
spere and Schiller) we need not commend this most
charming narrative of a morning spent with the illus-
trious artist. The close of the article, in which pr?-
mice is held out of engravings to be published in
future numbers of the Art-Journal from selections
from his portfolio, is deserving of one word of refer-
ence in exultation. Inspired by that promise, the sub-
scribers to the Art-Journal may look forward with
confidence to the enjoyment of many rare delights
from the examination of its subsequent numbers. The
arrangement made with Moritz Retzsch cannot but
tend to enlarge his own fame in this country, and to
extend very greatly the popularity of the publication
he has consented to honour with his artistic pro-
ductions.

TIIE NEW Novar., "TIME THE AVENGER," by the
author of "Emilia Wyndham," "The Wilmingtons,"&c., in
3 vols., is published this day by Mr. Colburn, and may be
had at all the Libraries. Also, 2. Merkland, a story of
Scottish Life, by the author of "Margaret Maitland." 3.
Love and Ambition, by the author of "Rockingham," 3
vols. 4. Light and Darkness ; or, Mysteries of Life, by
Mrs Crowe. 5. Nathalie, by Julia Kavanagh, author
of " Woman in France," &c. Also, just ready : 1. Popular
Titles and traditions of Hungary, by Theresa Pulszky. 2.
The Daughter of Night, a Story of the Present Time, by
S. W. Fullom, Esq.
SlLss must rise considerably during the present year
and continue to advance with an increasing population. The
failure of one-third of the crop of last year, and the spread-
ing of its manufacture over Prussia, Russia, Germany, and
Switzerland, where from Basle alone there are now more
ribbons exported than are made in Coventry, contributes
materially to influence the standard. Foresight and capital,
it is true, as shown by many large houses, may provide
against any very considerable effect for a time at home, and
we know that amongst the number the Messrs. Jay, of Re-
gent-street, have for some time past been immense pur-
chasers, thereby securing a stock which is likely to carry
them through the forthcoming season. But in their par-
ticular branch of trade there are certainly great advantages,
their commerce being principally in black silks, which abso-
lutely improve by keeping, whereas, even a few months,
nay weeks, or even a few hours of light, robs coloured silks
not only of their novelty, but their colour and freslinaso, and
their consequent value.-1/lorning Paper.
GENERAL Bast.--Advices via Trieste report the
death of General Bent at Aleppo. If this prove true, the
General has died in the Moslem faith.
DEATH AT FOLKESTONE BY CHOKING..—A poor
blind' woman, residing on the Bail, named Light, in at,
tempting to swallow an oyster on Thursday last, was suf-
focated, the oyster being too large to pass down her throat.
NEW RECORDER.—We (Worcester Chronicle) un-
derstand that Henry John Hodgson, Esq., of this circuit, has
been appointed Recorder of Ludlow, in the room of John
Backle, Bsq., Reorder of Worcester, resigned.