The Sun.
London, England, 1851-01-07 00:00:00

BENTLEY.

Bentley begins the new year admirably; his en-
graved portrait of Dr. Layard, from the original
picture by Phillips, is one of the moat beautiful
specimens of the engraver's art that we have seen for
a long time, and the article which it illustrates, enti-
tled " Dr. Layard and Nineveh" (which will be
found in another column) is one of the most interest-
ing that was ever penned. The Miscellany opens
with a pleasant gossip on "New Year's-day," its
cordialities, its gifts, and its ceremonies, in the
course of which the writer takes occasion to ex-
press his regret that " the cordialities of the
season have been gradually falling into disuse
yeai after year in the memory of the
living generation ;" adding that "it you wish
to see suea customs in full operatio❑ you must go to
Paris, where New Year's-day is still the day of bon-
bons." Mr. Fairholt commences a series, entitled
" The Curiosities of Accentric Biography," with an
account of Lithgow, the old Scottish traveller, who,
in 1614 and 1640, published an account of his travels
in Europe, Asia, and Africa, which is only exceeded
in quaintness by the writings of the renowned
Thomas Coryat, of whose career and eccentricities
we hope Mr. Fairholt will give us a sketch in an
early number. As a pendant to the biography of
Lithgow we have a sketch of the life of
John Metcalf; known as "Blind Jack of
Knaresborough," lwho, although he lost his sight
at four years of age, yet made II fortun as a civil
engineer. The Manchester road from Blackmoor to
Standish-foot is of his construction, as is the celebrated
bridge at Boroughbriige, Yorkshire. Mr. Drum-
mond Wolff continues his amusing " Sketches of
Life in Madrid," and Mr. Robert Bell his " Ladder
of Gold." " A ;Visit to a very Great Man," by
Horace Mayhew, is a most amusing visit, most
amusingly told. Who the great man was we will not
betray to our readers, although we may venture to
state that on the proudest occasion of his life the
great Emperor Napoleon himself pulled his ear, and
called 'him :coquin. Bentley has always been rich in
tours and travels, and in the foremost rank of these
we must place " A Tour through the Riesen- Gebirge,"
which appears in the present number. The Riesen-
Gebirge is the chain of mountains running between
Silesia and Bohemia, and separating the Prussian
from the Austrian territories. The author's descrip-
tion of the labyrinth of rocks at Adersbach and
Weckelsdorf is mostinteresting ; according to Prince
Pucklar Muscau, it is worth coming 500 German
miles to see these alone, but our English reader can
see scenery of a similar character, and of a nature
quite as romantic, by visiting the Cheddar Cliffs in
Somersetshire, or the Valley of Rock's at Linton in
Devonshire. Our author was at Breslau when the
news arrived of Haynatkis flogging by Barclay and
Perkins's draymen, and thus describes the effect
produced by it in that town :
" The ' lynching' inflicted on him in London seems to
havo given exquisite pleasure to all of the middle class,
officials included, to judge from the expressions of
the numbars• whom I have spoken with on the
subject ; but the aristocracy and military, on
the other band, as invariably denounce it in
the most unsparing terms, as a scandalous breach
of the laws of hospitality, and a piece of unpa-
ralleled savagery. The privileged classes having no hopes
of being maintained in what they consider their rights,
or even of permanent safety for their persons and pro-
perty, but in the army, are naturally jealous of anything
which tends to destroy its prestige, and resent, almost
as a personal injury to themselves, any insult to one who
wielded that force with ►uch tremendous energy and
effect in the recent most difficult times."

We have, in addition to these, several other articles
of interest, and divers reviews of new publications.

COLLECTED EDITION OF THE WORKS
OF DOUGLAS JERROLD. Part I.

This the first part of the collected edition of the
works of Douglas Jerrold contains 64 clearly-printed
printed pages of the " History of St. Giles and St.
James," and is published at the low price of 7d. This
will, we hope, ensure it an extensive circulation, fur
there is no writer of the present day the study of
whose works is so likely to do good to all classes of
the community as Douglas Jerrold.

BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY.—We learn that
among the changes that have recently taken place in the
management of this railway, the directors have appointed
Mr. Badham, their able secretary, to the office of general•
superintendent of traffic. Mr. Badham has been secretary
to the line since its formation; he has faithfully discharged
the various duties, incidental to that responsible trust to the
entire satisfaction of the directors. His great knowledge of
traffic, and his being conversant with the working of every
department, has induced the directors to secure his services
as general superintendent of traffic, as well as well as secre-
tary to the line. This, in our opinion, is a most judicious
step on the part of the directors, as it will lead to good ma-
nagement and economy.

Censorious as the world is, it oftener does favour
false merit than injustice to true. Eliza Cook's Journal.

HILARY TBRM.—Yesterday the list• of the arrears
in the common law courts for the ensuing Hilary Term, com-
mencing on Saturday next, were exhibited. In the Court
ofQueen's Bench there are 50 special cases and demurrers for
argument. There are none for judgment. In the new trial
paper there are three for judgment, and 39 for argument;
making, exclusive of Crown cases, 92. In the Common
Pleas the arrears only number 26, consisting of four demur-
rers, four enlarged rules in the remanet paper, and 15 rules
for new trials, with two matters standing for the judgment
of the Court; whilst in the Court of Exchequer the number
is 61, of which six rules are in the peremptory paper. There
are 18 matters, including new trials, special cases, and de-
murrers, standing for judgment. There are four demurrers
for argument, and eight special cases and 25 rules in the new
trial paper. The arrears of three courts only number 179,
showing a marked diminution in the lists, compared with
Hilary Term last year, partly arising from the operation of
the (Minty Court( Act.