The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-22 00:00:00

and dignity of his character in a manner honourable
not only to his own heart, but to that of the distin-
guished Genius who is thus endeavouring to raise in
the estimation of his fellows the undeserved victims
of their caprice:and the innocent themes of their ob-
jurgation. Nobly, bravely, beautifully has he told
the tale of the sorrows awaiting those who toil
unavailingly to themselves, though with advantage to
the world at large, in the service of that Muse which
is the jealous mistress of the student in literature.
Our emotions have been touched so profoundly by the
pathetic force of those passages in the
composition before us, that we shrink at the
Moment from anything like an appreciative
analysis of its humour as well of character as of inci-
dent, a humour genial, mellow, and spontaneous, as
may be found exemplified in the hearty but suspi-
cious Sir Geoffrey, in the rollicking but loveable
Wilmot, in the Duke of Middlesex, as proud as
Lucifer, but as staunch in honour as Duguesclin,
in the wily but magnanimous Hardman,
and in that silly but well-natured Shadowly Softhead,
a hankerer after fashion and the nobility, but a little
fellow whose every vein is throbbing with probity.
Several of the scenes are as laughter-moving
in their very extravagance of fun as some of
the happiest of Moliere's, the most in-
comparable of comic dramatists. Even to the notes
scantily sprinkled through the pages the evidences of
the author's graceful scholarship extend—his re-
ference to Farquhar being one of the most charming
apologie3 for an apparent plagiarism that writer ever
ventured upon articulating. Everywhere, in short,
throughout the whole of this masterly and interest-
ing production are visible the most fascinating of the
moral and intellectual powers of the dramatist, the re-
sources of an abounding ideality, the sparkle of un-
ostentatious wit, the depth and sweetness of a mas-
culine and subduing pathos, and with all these the
fervour of his more generous sympathies, and the
alleviating earnestness of a nature as resolute in appli-
cation as it has proved noble in magnanimity.

FINE ARTS.
THE ART-JOUR NAL.

In addition to its many splendid attractions the
Art. Journal for May contains the first instalment
of the illustrated Catalogue of the Exhibitiou, a series
long promised and eagerly expected. Considering the
bewilderment natural to everyone who visits the
Crystal Palace, a confusion as to which among the
Countless curiosities contained in it shall be inspected,
it must be acknowledged that the editor of this cata-
logue of embellishments has acted very judiciously in
his selections. The title-psge designed by Luke Lim-
ner, is itself a beautiful specimen of pictorial ingenuity
—representing as it does very gracefully the union
in friendship of the artist and the artizans and the
crowning of them both by Peace. Foley's
group of " Ino and Bacchus," Vecht s
shield of the " Murder of the Innocents,"
Kiss's bronze casting of the Amazon," Kahszmann's
"Liebe offering nectar to the Eagle of Love," and
Rietschel's " Pieta," will ba recognised among the
Woodcuts by every individual who has crossed the
threshold of the great building in Hy dP-park. Added
to the interest secured to the publication by
those supplementary attractions are those habitually
belonging to the Art-Journal. Its copies this month
from the paintings in the Vernon Gallery are
Howard's " Flower Girl," and Turner's " Golden
Bough." Sarpendon, from the bas•relief of Watson
is the third principal embellishment. Together with
these are given a portrait of Albert Durer, and sketches
from some of his principal productions. Among
the latter is conspicuous his famous and elaborate
representation of "Melancholy," followed by the not
less celebrated " Coat of Arms with the Death's
Head." The letter-press is as excellent as the en-
gravings are meritorious throughout the whole of this
double periodical.

FRENCH RAIL WAY TRAFFIC.
The following are the last returns of the gross re-
Oeipts of the principal French Railways :
NORTHERN.—From May 7 to May 13: Passengers,
264,589 f.; goods, 182,8211.; total, 447,410 f.
ROUEN.—From May 4 to May 10: Passengers,
92,461 E; goods, 76,2951.; total, 168,7561.
R.AVRE.—From May 4 to May 10 : Passengers,
30,2J6f.; goods, 31,299 f. ; total 61,595 f.
ORLEANS.—From May 5 to May 11 : Passengers,
95,21 f. ; goods, 113,1251.; total, 208,346 f.
BoRDEAUX.—From May 4 to May 10: Passengers,
43,0711.; goods, 40,0171.; total, 83,0881.
VIEEZoN.—From May 5 to May 11: Passengers,
41,744 f.; goods, 41,824 t.; total, 83,5681.
BoELOGNE.—From May 5 to May 11 : Passengers.
22,4141.; goods, 16,3511.; total, 38,7651.
MANTES.—FrOM May 3 to May 9 : Passengers,
21,452 E; goods, 16,6651.;_ total, 38,117 f.
t3TRASBURG.—From May 7 to May 13: Passengers,
89,1391.; goods, 64,351 f.; total, 153,490 f.
BALE.—From April 20 to May 4 : Passengers
22,5951.; goods, 28,9681.; total, 51,563 f.
MONTEREAU.—From April 30 to May 6: Passengers,
15,412 f.; goods, 13,436 f.; total, 28,8481.
MARSEILLES.—From April 30 to May 6: Passengers,
42,1351.; goods, 21,135 f.; total, 63,270 f.
LYONS. —From April 27 to May 3 : Passengers,
126,051 f.; goods, 43,066 f.; total, 169,1171.
CHARTRES.—From April 28 to May 4: Passengers,
34,6271.; goods, 12,6991.; total, 47,3261.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURN S.
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—Return of traffic for the
week ending May 18 ••• £19,037 1 3
Corresponding week last year... 17,618 12 9

LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. (260 miles
open.)—Traffic for week ending May 18...£16,443 7 2
Corresponding week in last year, (227 i
miles open) .. „..£13,812 9 5
LONDON AND SOUT/I-WESTEnN RAILWAY.—Amount of
Traffic for the week ending Slay 18 :
Passengers 1:',732 7 9
Goods ... ... 2,261 19 1

Total ... ...£10,997 610
Corresponding week last year... 11,087 0 5

- -
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. ( Miles open,ll2.)
Return of traffic for the week ending May 11 :
Railway and canal .—.. £4,708 0 0
Corresponding week last year ... 4,746 0 0
Note.—The above is exclusive of the receipts a callable
under the agreement with tho London and North-Western
Railway Company.
CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY,-Traffic for the
week ending May 18 :