The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-17 00:00:00

TIIE SllN,

THE QUARTERLIES.
TEE WESTMINSTER AND FOREIGN
QUARTERLY REVIEW. Nes. CVJII. (act
Without any extraordinary diversity in the articles
contained in the current number of this double quar-
terly, its contents are sufficiently varied to offer at-
tractions to the majority of its subscribers. As an
opening paper we have a delightful, gossipping cri-
ticism anent " Modern Ballad Writers"—suggested
principally by the verse of Aytoun and Tennyson.
We can nowhere discover from the writer's extract
the beauty he himself perceives iu the " Song of the
Pilgrim Fathers." Better for us are the racy
snatches of Ingoldsby, and the delicious " Farewell"
of the Laureate, the " Debora" of Horne, and the
" Oriana" of Tennyson. " Edward Gray," we can
say little for in praise, but Richard Monckton
Milnes's " I Wandered by the Brookside" has long
been one of our dear favourites. We cannot think
that the selections from the " Lady Geraldine"
and the " Duchess May" of Mrs. Barrett Brown-
ing are at all happy as specimens of her
style in this department of literature. Having
spoken of the publication of the famous " B.eliques,"
the reviewer says—
"A few years before their appearance was born in a
clay-built, cottage, on the banks of Dcon, one who,
whatever his obligations to that collection, or to
those ballads of his country, which he so inde
fatigably sought, that, as Professor Wilson said
in his review of Cromek's ballads of Nithsdale and Gal-
loway," he had left not a bush unbeaten,' was equal
single-handed to the exposure of the false song of the
eighteenth century. Robert Burns found an audience
prepared for him by the growth of truer taste and the
sweet natural charm of Goldsmith's verse, hut we doutit
if the greater genius and originality of the Scottish poet
have not suffered from his later appearance on the scene.
The revolution in letters, hailed him rather as a convert
or a soldier formed in its camp than as a chief self-
trained; but his true place is nevertheless at its head, the
representative of what is truest and most national in mo-
dern English song and ballad. His genius taught him,
what many illustrious names which have succeeded him
have, as we shall more fully show, failed to appreciate,
that a natural poetry cannot be established by an imi-
tation of the manners and modes of thought of earlier
times. He did no such injustice to the past as is implied
in the use of topics for song now admitted to possess no
truth for us. He proved in' Tam O'Shanter, how tho-
roughly he could identify himself with a superstition not
indeed extinct in his time; but in 'My Highland Mary,'
' the Rigs o'Barley,' My Lady's Gown, there's gain
upon't,' he showed how infinitely diversified were still
the resources of the ballad, how real in all time the
iu which it can express itself, how profound the
interest it can excite."
With these few but suggestive remarks, the critic
contents himself in reference to any allusion to Burns.
Strange, nay " wondrous strange," he makes no allu-
sion whatsoever to Thomas Chatterton, who was
sounding his oaten pipe at Bristol, while the London
rhymsters were still puling over the phantoms of
Phyllis and Corydon. A capital narrative of " Recent
Campaigns in India " , has been suggested by
the late published memorials of Edwardes and of
Thackwell. In the course of this paper Lord
Gough gets somewhat severely handled, and this
principally by means of very pithy and emphatic ex-
cerpts from the work of Thackwell. Honourable
mention is made of Colonel Havelock and Colonel
Cureton, and of two other heroic soldiers who died
thus gallantly at Chillianwallah :
"Peenycuick and his son, both officers, in the 24th, fell
just as they reached the guns. A stalwart Seikh was
leaning over the hapless father, prostrated by a shot,
and inflicting gashes on the body; when the boy of seven-
teen, the noble son of such a worthy father, stept for-
ward and dealt an avenging blow. The heroic boy
strided across his father's corpse, and bade defiance to the
savage multitude."
Immediately after this review comes an admirably-
digested chapter on " English Mathematical Litera-
ture." In the next contribution, a criticism on
" Martineau and Atkinson on Man's Nature and De-
velopement," we cordially sympathise with the
writer's scornful abhorrence of their deductions.
" Strange and wonderful," says be "is the power of
self-delusion I
" Here we have two clever, well-informed people, per-
suading themselves that they experience extraordinary
raptures mingled with the most exquisite philosophic
calm, from believing that unconscious matter is the cause
of conscious thought, that the truest human affection is
nothing worthier than the love of a spoonful of nitric
acid for a copper halfpenny, and that annihilation is the
most satisfactory end of human life. From such views
both the intellect and the heart of man will recoil with
well-founded disgust—his logical powers will perceive
the absurdity of the argument and his taste and affec-
tions will lead him to exclaim with Wordsworth—
' Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I standing on this pleasant lea
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus, rising from the sea,
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.' "
On the whole, the reviewer comes to the conclusion
that " the new lights promised by our authors turn
out to be chiefly composed of very old-fashioned rays
of darkness." A succinct account of the progress
recently made respectively throughout continental
Europe, by democracy and absolutism, is given di-
rectly afterwards, in the paper headed " Revolution
and Counter Revolution." We commend it to the
notice of those who may erroneously have begun to
doubt the strength and vitality of.liberal principles.
Referring to Hungary, the writer says—
" To this day Kussuth stands as high in the estimation
of his people as he did in the noontide of his glory.
Very different was the character of Gorgey, who was
cold and calculating, and without a spark of enthusiasm;
and not even the wonders accomplished by the devoted
and chivalrous Honveds could excite any warm feelings
in his icy breast. He hated the Poles, of whom there
were nearly 5,000, with the two generals Bem and
Dembinski, and made it a crime in Kossuth that he had
a leaning towards the brave sons of a sister people.
With such a disposition, increasing danger and rancorous
feelings against the Government; who could not but re-
pudiate his inconsistency, that evil spirit got possession
of him that subsequently led to the treasonable surren-
der at. Vilagos. When after the battle of Szony (June
2) the suspicions against him gained confirmation, it
was too late, for his skilful manoeuvring had, no doubt,
purposely placed the Russian army between himself and
the seat of government. Two months later he was at
Arad with his corps, that he might, so to speak, show
the Russians the way. The fatal sequel is well known
—he saw his most intimate friends and bravest comrades,
his near relatives and companions delivered by his
treason to imprisonment or ignominious death. Gorgey,
now half a prisoner in a wretched provincial Austrian
town, suffering from the reproaches of his own heart
and the curse of the whole civilized world, offers a sad
contrast to Kossuth, attended by the unalterable love of
his own people, universally admired, respected even by
his foes, while the usurper of his country's crown is
obliged to surround himself with bayonets, and is hated
by the people over whom he exercises an uneasy and
precarious rule."
According to the WeBtminster,"Kossuth's chief point
of weakness was his indulgence towards Giirgey"—
a reflection that will call to mind the fatal indulgence
shown, in like manner, towards Ledru Rollin by La-
martine. We shall take an early opportunity to re-
fer more particularly to the argument considered
within the compass of the next paper, an argument
relating to the important subject of " Marriage with a
Deceased Wife's Sister," a subject upon which we have
of late so repeatedly written ourselves. Two political
articles of some ability follow, one referring to the
necessity for " Diplomatic Reform," the other re-
counting the rise and the results of the "Ministerial
Crisis." Upon the unsettled state of things the re-
viewer observes,—
" The times are curious enough:—with the Continent
unsettled, and presenting the possibility of fresh disturb-
ances; with a war at the Cape, and discontent in all our
colonies; with the Indian revenue steadily exceeded by
the Indian expenditure; with, in fact, necessity for strong
and rational Administration, wo have a mere caput mar-
tuum, from which every particle of vigour bat long
since fled."
After the article: on the " Ministerial Crisis" comes
a " Postscript on Education," and this winds up the
present number of the Westminster. Added to all
which we have as usual a variety of miscellaneous
notices, and a comprehensive review of the progress
recently made in " Foreign Literature."

LOItDON,

end very excellent history and explanation of the re-,
cently investigated relics of ancient times. Those un-
acquainted with Layard's celebrated work will find
in Mr. Vaux's volume an interesting summary of the
researches and discoveries of that persevering anti-
quarian, while others, already familiar with some of the
wonders of old Nineveh will, we doubt not, gladly
listen to further information and explanation thereon
from one so qualified for the task. The numerous
excellent illustrations of this volume, and the beau-
tiful appearance, confers credit upon its publishers.

MADAME DORRINGTON OF THE DRIVE.
By William Howitt. 3 Vols. Colburn.
The appearance of William Howitt in the charac-
ter of a novelist naturally attracts to his work con-
siderable curiosity, and no inconsiderable amount of
criticism. The first work in any peculiar line of a
writer already celebrated in some other character is
liable to he affected with all the imperfections of a
first production, without meeting with the lenity and
good-nature which are generally considered due to
such compositions. Such, at least, was our own
feeling on first perusing these volumes. Considering
them as the productions of a writer of established
reputation, we subjected them to a severe criti-
cism, and were well nigh disposed to award
to them a greater amount of censure than
we should have done ,had " Madame Dorrington
of the Deno" been a first work from some unknown
hand. Remembering, however, that although the
work of William Howitt, it is his first novel, we feel
compelled to make due allowance for that fact; for
the faults of " Madame Dorrington" seem almost
wholly attributable to a want of experience in the
mechanism of an elaborate tale. In parts it is ad-
mirable, but as a whole it is certainly very defective.
Mr. Howitt brings together excellent materials, but
instead of forming them into one harmonious struc-
ture, he sets ;them before us without the slightest re-
gard to the beauty of order or the effect of combination.
We shall mot attempt to give an analysis of the com-
plicated and heterogeneous incidents of the story—
as a story it is, as we have said, sadly defective—but
as commendation is, by far, the critic's most agree-
able task, let us award Mr. llowitt the praise due to
the many beautiful portions of his work. In his de-
scriptions of country scenes, and his illustrations of
rural life, we recognise at once the same excellences
ali-eady displayed in his "Year Book of the Country,"
and his many deligbful sketches. In some of his char-
acters, also, Mr. Howitt is peculiarly felicitous. The
heroine herself, whether as the gentle and unhappy
Grace Delmey, or as the excellent and beloved
Madame Dorringtob, is a quiet but beautiful
delineation of a virtuous and unobtrusive woman.
As a vivid contrast to her gentle daughter, Mrs..
Deliney is depicted as almost a perfect fiend, but her
vindictive and miserable character, if perhaps a little
exaggerated, is naturally accounted for by the pecu-
liar circumstances which had wrought upon her
peculiar temperament. Some of the scenes in her
history give evidence of the power of Mr. Howitt's
pen ; the chapter, for instance, where the unhappy
husband and wife become reconciled by the bed of
their dying child is full of feeling, and true to nature.
Without dwelling further upon the peculiarities of
this work, we may say again, it is full of beauty in
parts, but very inharmonious as a whole. The next
time Mr. Howitt brings forward a story in three
volumes we shall look for the same incidental at-
tractions, combined with some uniformity of syatem
in the construction of the tale.

FINE ARTS.
Mr. Minasi, the celebrated professor of the art of
pen-and-ink drawing, has just completed an elaborate
and exquisitely beautiful portrait of the late Sir Ro-•
bert Peel, which for the elaborate delicacy of its exe-
cution in the most minute details, and the fidelity of
its likeness, we are inclined to consider as the chef
d'ccuvre of this unique style of art. It is more perfect
than the most perfect line engraving can by possi-
bility be, and it has the appearance of animation and
expression which the art of the engraver can never
give. It is, we repeat, the chef d'ceuvre of Mr.
Minasi.

IMPORTANT TO STRANGERS.—Messrs. Welch and
Margetson, of Cheapside, have just published, upon a sheet
of silk, in the form of a pocket-handkerchief, a simplified
map of London, containing only the leading thoroughfares.
By this the foreign or English visitor to the metropolis may
find his way from place to place without being bothered by
the vast jumble of smaller streets which turn out of the main
thoroughfares. It will likewise prove very useful to resi-
dents, as it has all the principal buildings, places of amuse-
ment, &c., marked thereon. It is likewise a beautiful speci-
men of printing on fabric. We understand it is to be placed
in one or more prominent places in the Exposition.
GOOD FRIDAY.—To-morrow, being Good Friday,
it will be observed as a close holiday at the Bank of Eng-
land, South-sea House, East India-house, the Stock and
Royal Exchanges. Lloyd's, the Excise and Custom-house
(an officer, will, however, be in attendance at the latter for
the convenience of passengers arriving by the foreign steam-
packets), the St. Katherine's, London, West and East India
Docks, and all the different barking and insurance offices
both in the City and west-end, the Stamp and Taxes, Somer-
set-house, and all the Government departments, with the
exception of the Post-office, where letters and newspapers
will be received and obtained as usual throughout the me-
tropolis, and also at the receiving-houses, with the exception
of the chief money-order-office in Alderizate-street and the
various branch offices, which will be closed either for the
paying or granting of money-orders. The courts of law and
the different police-courts will also be closed, as well as every
place of pablic amusement.
OMNIBUS IMPROYEMENTS.—A large meeting of
omnibus proprietors and builders attended on Tuesday at
Guildhall, by appointment, to meet the magistrates 'and to
produce an omnibus constructed upon the new principle, and
upon which they proposed to alter all the old ones. Alder-
man Wilson, Alderman Sidney, Alderman Lawrence, Sir
Chapman Marshall, and Alderman Hunter were present to
examine the alterations, which were contrived so as to make
three seats at the upper end of the omnibuses separated from
the side seats, to allow room for the knees. After a very
lengthened inquiry, and practical experience on the part of
the magistrates and some of the proprietors themselves, it
was decided that the new plan was inure inconvenient than
the old one, and that it was impossible for a passenger to
ride any distance with his knees pressing against the end of
the seat in frost of him. It was resolved by the deputation
to bring other omnibuses on Saturday next, at eleven o'clock,
attended by Mr. Lewis, the solicitor to the Metropolitan
Omnibus Association, in hopes that he may be able to con-
vince the magistrates that the end seat is in conformity with
the Act of Parliament. The deputation, it appeared, had
previously attended the commissioner of metropolitan police,
whose inspector had viewed the alterations, but declined
giving any opinion, leaving the matter quite in the hands of
the magistrates.
REPRESENTATION OF BOSTON.—The death of
Capt. Dudley Pelham, M.P., has again created a vacancy in
the representation of this borough. At the general election
in 1847 three candidates were in the field, namely, Sir James
Duke, Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, and Mr. David Williams
\Vire, when the numbers stood as follow ;--Sir Jame Duke
(Liberal), 590 ; Mr. Cabbell (Protectionist), 66 ; and Mr.
D. W. Wire (Liberal), 339. Some time afterwards, on the
death of Mr. Pattison, Sir James Duke was invited by the
electors of the city of London to become their representa-
tive, an honour which he accepted, and another election for
Boston was the result. The contest was between Captain
Dudley Pelham (now deceased) and Mr. Wire. The Gallant
Captain, who was a younger brother of the Earl of Yar-
borough, had on his side the tremendous influence of the
noble house to which he belonged, while Mr. Wire's support
was derived mainly from the tradesmen of Boston, and from
those amongst the agricultural party who do not hold Pro-

tectionist views.
ROYAL COLLEGE: OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemen, having undergone the necessary examinations
for the diploma, were admitted members of the College at
the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 11th inst.:—
Messrs. William Johnson Rowland, Wargrave, Berkshire;
Edmund Umphelby, Belstead, Suffolk •, Frederick Hezekiah
Hartsborne, Broseley, Salop; Thomas Spencer, East Shilton,
Leicestershire; John Ball Bywater, Knottingley, Yorkshire;
Edward Abraham Hancock Head, Stoke, Plymouth; Benja-
min Baker, Broadway, Worcestershire; James Rouse, Wal-
ham-green ; John Hender Tickell, East Love, Cornwall;
and John James Bird, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. At the
same meeting of the Court, Mr. Win. Ross passed his exa-
mination as naval surgeon. This gentleman had previously
been admitted a member of the College, his diploma bearing
date December 23, 1844. The President and Council have
awarded to Mr. Charles Toogood Downing, M.D., Great
Russell-street, Bloomsbury, their Jacksonian Prize, for his
Essay on Neuralgia.
PARISH OF ST. LUKE, CHELSEA.—ELECTION OF
GUARDIANS.—For a considerable time past there has been
great dissatisfaction expressed in this very important and
populous; parish respecting the management of its affairs, in
consequence of which several gentlemen, of high standing in
society, consented to allow themselves to be put in nomina-
tion for guardians of the poor, and were elected by a great
majority. Under their able management great and most
desirable parochial reforms have taken place, and a reduction
of no less than one-third been effected since the same period
last year, in the poor-rates. A very strong: opposition
sprung up in the parish on the occasion of the present
election for guardians amongst that class of persons known
by the appellation of " compounders," id est, those com-
pounding for property at one-third or one-fourth of its
proper amount, thus escaping their fair contribution to the
relief of the parish burdens. The propriety of returning
such persons to office has been now fairly tested in the
election which terminated on Tuesday evening, which has
resulted in the exclusion of almost all the compounders, and
the appointment of gentlemen of the first position. The
following were returned as duly elected by a large majo-
rity :—Lord Chelsea, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Augustus
Liddell, Colonel Gascoigne, Colonel 'Wells, M. James
Higins, U. W. Cripps, E. C. Egerton, W. H. Whitbread,
J. Fielding, and J. B. Ryder, Esqs., and Messrs. Simmons,
Birch, T. A. Young, F. Gaskell, G. Todd, J. H. Tuck,
C. H. Collier, D. Murray, W. B. Crabb, and H. Aldin. The
beard met yesterday, when Mr. Ryder was re-elected
chairman, Lord Chelsea as first Vice, and Mr. Fielder.
second.

TEE STEAMER SINGAPORE,--The Peninsular and
Oriental Company's steamer Singapore, bound to the Cape of
Good Hope with troops, left the Needles on the 18th of
March at noon, wind strong, from W.S.W. at midnight,
blowing a strong gale, and increasing in violence and heavy
head sea by eight A. 51. 19th. From this time until midnight
of the ',2d the gale continued without intermission, with a
terrific sea running and violent passing squalls, during which
time the engines were eased and the ship brought up to the
wind to prevent the high topping seas from breaking on
board ; wind from S.W. to W. Notwithstanding, the
Singapore, although deeply laden with coals and bOO troops
on board, which prevented keeping the vessel in proper trim,
could at any time be driven, head to wind and sea, six knots
per hour. On the 26th, at four P M., she arrived safe at Te-
nernfe, having steamed the 2,1 hours previous to arrival, in
light airs and heavy southerly swell, 276 miles. She has
proved herself a fine sea boat, and it is expected, with assist-
ance of canvas the Singapore will run to sierra Leone in five
days from leaving this port. All are well on board.