The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.
THE LIFE OF EDWARD BAINES. One
Volume. By his Son. Longman, Brown, Green,

and Longnzals.
A narrw.ive of a career, distinguished by so much
merit and industry as that of the late representative
of Leeds, must necessarily be productive of good in
the perusal. Actuated by this conviction, his son has
dedicated to the composition of the present volume
very considerable energy and no small degree of
earnestness. The accumulation of so many interest-
ing details relating to the departed politician, both in
his private and big public capacity, evidences the de-
votion with which his biographer has entered upon
the discharge of the duties devolving upon him-
self as tha originator and conductor of
this literary enterprise. Materials, which must
otherwise have remained for ever unknown,

have through his instrumentality been collected to-
gether—materials important not merely as illustra-
trations of the life and character of the deceased, but

as tending to cast a lateral light upon the contempo-
rary history of the nation, and upon such histories
also as those relating to electioneering and to provin-
cial journalism. As the author of the work under
consideration has himself intimated, there isia certain
analogy between the destiny and the temperament of
Edward Baines and those observable in Benjamin
Franklin. He who was familiarly known among his
associates as " the Franklin of Leeds" might not un-
wisely be brought into comparison with his
great American prototype ; and it would be a
task neither ungraceful nor unprofitable to
contrast them with each other in an essay
written after the manner of the incomparable Plutarch.
Almost from a dozen years after the birth of Edward
Baines, on the sth of February, 1774, at the village
of Walton-le-Dale, in the valley of the Ribble, about
a mile from the ancient borough of Preston, in Lin-
colnshire, his life was one of incessant application, of
undeviating rectitude, of unremitting kindliness, of
a benevolence that ripened into philanthropy, and of
a talent for organization that gradually mellowed into
statemanship. Descended from many generations of
yeomen, the family residing for the most part in the
North Riding of Yorkshire, he inherited from them,
in mind, principles of distinguished liberality, and in
body a certain robustness of constitution. During up-
wards of half a century his name has been intimately
connected with the history of Yorkshire, and corre-
sponding so remarkably as it has done with the spirit
of the age in which he lived, the narrative of his
career has assumed to itself at once a provincial in-
terest and a national importance. In his rise, as in
that of the great Transatlantic philosopher, there
may be perceived an honesty of purpose and a reso-
lute assiduity such as could scarcely fail in the end
to be altogether successful. We see in the narrative
before us the ardour with which he devoted himself
successively to the Debating Society and the Reason-
ing Society, to the occupations adventured upon at
Preston and at Leeds, at one moment directing his
energies to the Preston Review, and at another to the
Leeds Mercury, with which latter publication—
placed later under his joint proprietorship and
editorship—his name became so widely identified.
With reference to the promotion of all the schemes of
social advancement, for which the first half of the
nineteenth century has been rendered so re-
markable, his labours were ever conspicuous for
their consistent uniformity and their surpris-
ing magnitude. Whether he felt himself called
upon to forward an election or support an in-
stitution, Edward Baines always threw himself into
the very van of the agitation, resolved, it would seem
if it were possible to do so, to realize himself the
desired achievement. Among all his multifarious ef-
forts, however, in the way of promoting the general
improvement, those made by him in the cause of na-
tional education, not simply as a journalist, but as a
legislator, were incomparably the most manifestly
entitled to admiration. They illustrate more strikingly
than anything else the generous tendency of his hue-
bition, the ardour of his aspirations as a citizen, and
the fervour of his self-sacrifice both as a patriot and a
philanthropist. To this feature in his biography,
therefore, a conspicuous space has been allotted ; and
those who are in any way curious to obtain informa-
tion respecting it will find themselves assisted in the
desired direction by the comments of his filial com-
memorator. Another project assisted towards its de-
velopment by the late distinguished reformer was that
of infant schools, and in addition to this also the
scheme for the general establishment of mechanics'
institutions. Besides the chapters relating to the
public life of Edward Baines, those here given by his
son in reference to his domestic habits and his per-
sonal character will be found not a jot less worthy of
perusal and none the less entitled to admiration.
The closing portion of the memoir, especi-
ally, is deserving of this praise, relating as it
does with a simple and dignified pathos the
declining health, the last illness, and the dissolution
of the eminent and excellent man whose merits are
here celebrated by the biographer. Sectarian Blr.
Baines incontestably was upon some matters in which
we should rather have witnessed a more liberal and
eclectic spirit, but upon all subjects tending to social
advancement and political reform, we regard him as
a man both earnest and conscientious. As such he
was invariably looked upon by his contemporaries,
as such, we doubt not, he will continue to be
remembered, now that he has passed from amongst
us, admired as a person of remarkable intelligence, and
respected as one of indisputable philanthropy.
Hence we feel assured that the present memoir of
his career will be received by the public at large with
no trifling degree of satisfaction, while those who
venture upon its perusal in these days of working,
rather than of reading, will find reason to extend a
considerable share of praise to the care and modesty
of the biographer.

FINE ARTS.
VIEW OF THE DEVIL'S DYKE.
Mr. Grant, of Brighton, has just published a very
beautiful panoramic view of the far-famed " Devil's
Dyke," a tinted lithograph, designed by F. Ford,
and lithographed by H. Vizetelly, about half a foot
deep and tour feet long. It displays before us, with
a peculiarly felicitous effect, that extensive and pic-
turesque tract of country which has astonished and
delighted ao many beholders from the summit of
the Dyke. The variegated scene, woodland, and
meadow, with here and there a little village,
with its tiny church spire just perceptible, is de-
picted with a singular minuteness, while the fidelity
of the whole coup diceil will be at once recognized by
all who have visited " the Dyke." Those (few) who
have not, will be tempted on seeing this picture to
take a ticket for the next excursion, in order to be-
hold in reality a scene which even on paper appears
so charming. The artists and the publisher deserve
credit for producing at such a time so excellent a
representation of one of the marvels of English
scenery.

NEW MUSIC.
A COLLECTION OF SECULAR MUSIC

Novello, Dean-street, Soho.
This cheap volume of rounds and songs will be
duly estimated by all who have the slightest love of
melody. In it we have met with many of the " old
familiar" breathings which charmed us in our early
youth, when the fireside of home echoed to the simple
harmonies of " Gather your Rosebuds," " Bonnie
Christchurch Bells," "Ye Mariners of England,"
and other charming ditties of the like nature. The
numerous airs in this volume are beautifully arranged
for three voices, presenting no difficulties and much
artistic excellence. Mr. Novello deserves great
praise for affording such facilities to refine the taste
and mind of the million by his cheap, yet highly clas-
sical, musical publications, and we heartily recommend
this " Collection" to all whe would fain be " merry
and wise."

MARRIAGE IN lIIGG LIFE.—The Earl Grosvenor
who has been making a tour in the east, is expected to re-
turn to this country next week. This young nobleman is
about to form a matrimonial alliance with the Lady Con-
stance Leveson Gower, the youngest and beautiful daughter
of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland.
The visit of the King of the Belgians is deferred to
the third week in June.
Viscount Melbourne, we regret to state, is in such
such a precarious state of health, that but slight hopes are
entertained of his ultimate recovery. In consequence of
illness Viscountess Palmerston has put off her reuNion his
--
s.
Weekly Chronicle.
It is true of many persons, that their memory is
nothing but a row of hooks to hang up grudges on.—. Eliza
bok's Journal.
TUE Fox CLUB.—The fourth meeting of the Fox i
Club, at Brookes's, was held on Saturday—Right Hon. Earl
of Albemarle, Right Hon. Earl of Strafford, Right Hon.
Lord Saye and Sele, Right lion. Ear
lioof l Ch
Loarrldemont, Right
Hon. Earl of Camperdown, Right n. Marcus Hill,
M.P., the Hon. Colonel Anson, M.P., Right Hon. Viscount
Eutield, M.P., Sir Robert Throckmorton, Mr. Edward A.
Sanford, the Hon. Colonel Boyle, the lion. R. Carew, Mr.
11. F. Stephenson, Sir Robert Heron, Right Hon. Sir Ro-
bert Adair, Mr. R. Alston, Mr. Augustus R. Stephenson,
Right Hon. Dr. Lushington, Earl Fitzwilliatn, Lord Sude-
ley, , the Hon. Edward L. bdostyn, M.P., Mr. A. William
Robarts, Right Hon. Earl of Gosford, Lord Jatnes C.
Stuart, Lord Dinorben, the Hon. T. C. H. Tracy,
Right HM.P.,
on. J. W. Fitzpatrick, M.P., the lion. Hamilton
Dee Malley, Lord Poltimore, &c.
Duncan, Lord D
TEWKESBURY GRAMMAR SCllOOL.—The inquiry
into the Free Gurarwmcemoetkaotirl
pSitcsh,ool of Tewkesbury, endowed by
Williatn Ferrari, Esq., in 1576, after bein-g six years before
the Court of Chancery, has been brought to a close ; and the
education of twelve boy from the borough of Tewkesbur:y,
and four from the adjoining parish of Ashchurcb, mil ',:,'
immediately proceeded with, in
gaciNc,oein•daanfcteeivitthhethdeinE
suggested before the commencement of the suit,
neheerma:
was Dam your canals,your blast ;our fig-
and now
down with
approved by the Court:ailti,
and
over
with railroads, away
suspensionaway
Qn fur-
naces, The
sink
ionuk following
ylasto
interest Gazette.
with
LyEocurneoleNctrmic telegraphs,ovl,mzisT.—The electors of -Kendal
have resolved to return Mr. George
Carr Glyn, their present Member, free of all expense, if he
oni(tihgees?Li—beQr 'alebe
of the present Parliament. It
will allow himself to be again upon the dissolu-
tion
the hlt
oins believed that Mr.
Glyn will not hesitate to accept our.
•