The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-01 00:00:00

REVELATIONS OF HUNGARY. By the

Baron Prochazka. William Shoberl.

Among the numerous "catch-penny" publications
which have recently appeared in reference to Kossuth
and the Hungarians, the volume here noticed
is not by any means the least entitled to con-
sideration. It comes before us apologetically. The
translator tells us in his preface that the original
manuscripts were never intended for the public eye,
but that, nevertheless, he has obtained the inestimable
privilege of laying them before the English people.
He conceives that they are calculated to do a vast
amount of good, by correcting the erroneous judg-
ment arrived at in regard to the Hungarian War of
Independence with such undue and indiscreet preci-
pitation. The Baron Prochazka, he tells us, is an
officer in the Austrian army, and one moreover who
served under the banners of his Imperial Majesty
during the late campaign in Hungary. The chapters
strung together in this pretty little pink volume are
constructed out of the records of the Baron's Diary.
We are induced therefore on opening the work to
anticipate with some eagerness the value and im-
portance of the Baron's Revelations—more espe
cially seeing that his translator has startled us
into more than ordinary attention by a
Latin exclamation not in the smallest degree
hackneyed—Audi alteram partem. We are breathless
with anxiety, we cut the loaves in baste, and read and
read, and turn page after page—and lo ! after all,
look in vain for the Revelations. Squire Hazledean's
ejaculation comes upon us with double force—
Bubble and squeak ! English beef and English cab-
bage ! Worse than bubble and squeak ! Foreign
beef and foreign cabbage ! Foreign bubble and
foreign squeak ! The same kind of disappointment is
thrust upon us after hurrying through the volume of
the Baron Prochazka as that a few years back ex-
perienced on the perusal of certain foreign travels by
a gifted author subsequently invested with the judi
cial dignity. In that instance the reader looked with
eagerness for delineations of scenery, fur incidental
adventures, or at any rate fur some few (ketches of
character. But no, chapter after chapter—it was all
!he same—eating and drinking from beginning
to end—sometimes drinking and eating by
way of variety. In like manner is it with the Re-
velations here submitted to our criticism—revelations
which enlighten us as to the important filet of a
" distribution of wine" (ch. iii.), or to the account
of a " dinner party" (ch. iv ), or to the mention cf a
" dinner party of thirteen" (ch. v.)—or to equally
astounding disclosures of a gastronomic character.
As it is, however, we must take the volume in its own
form—no matter how questionable 'the shape it comes
in—and be thankful. Grateful we are, at least, for one
circumstance connected with the publicaticn under
notice, and that is the literary hardihood displayed by
the translator, who, to employ his own phrase, has
here " thrown down the gauntlet" after the approved
fashion of Mr. Wilkins Micawber.

RAMBLES THROUGH RONE. Hope, Marl

borough• street.
The object of this work is to describe the political,
social, and religious life of the Romans. It contains
a variety of amusing anecdotes and information on
many points not often touched upon in travels. The
author, who has passed some time in Italy, is evi-
dently well acquainted with the subjects of which he
treats.

THE DOVECOT AND AWARE By the

Rev. E. S. Dixon, MA.
A very interesting work, " being sketches
of the
natural history of pigeons and other domestic birds in
a captive state, with hints for their management." It
is divided into two parts, the first relating entirely to
pigeons. The author traces them from their earliest
history, and describes every class with great ability.
He also gives an account of their dispositions, pecu-
liar habits, plumage, and weight. The second part is
more extended in its object. It treats of Curassows,
Penelopes, the Crested Turkey, the Water Hen,
Kingfishers, Storks, Emeus, Ortolans, Gulls in cap-
tivity, and others of the same class. It gives a de-
tailed account of each, and is ornamented with
numerous woodcuts illustrative of the feathered
tribes. It cannot fail to prove highly entertaining to
all ornithologists, and is well worthy the perusal of
all to whom useful information and elegance of style
are an attraction.