The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-14 00:00:00

state of society amongst us, viewed at its best.
have,' said he, travelled mach in my time,
and have
seen many countries; but, under all circumstances, I
have seen no part of the world where the poor man
enjoys so many privileges, and is more happy and inde-
pendent than in IRA River, and I regret I cannot pro:
long my stay to inform myself a little better on the sub-
ject of your laws and institutions ; but judging from
what I have seen,' you seem, said he to me, 'to live
almost without laws, and yet enjoy in that primeval
condition more real happiness, comfort, and content-
ment than any other people I ever saw ; but I must
hasten my departure, and take my leave of you, assuring
you, and all my friends behind, that wherever Provi-
dence may destino my lot, I shall always cherish with
fond recollection the kind and hospitable people of this
colony.' My friend and I then parted."

Elegant Arts for Ladies. Ward and Lock.
This little volume is likely to be of great service
to all who desire to become proficients in the
" elegant arts" of the day. It gives full and
clear instructions in twenty-two different arts of a
useful and ornamental kind. Calisthenic exercises
and the art of hair-dressing must be numbered
among the former, while leather-work, bead-work,
and similar pursuits may be reckoned among
the latter. Ornamental needlework is not included
in the volume, which is indeed entirely devoted to
more elaborate arts and those which require
some taste and skill in the artist. Among
these we may reckon wax flowers, flower paint-
ing, and the imitations of ivory and leather.
The favourite amusements of Potichorname
and Diaphanie of course find a place. Some
remarks are added on the rules of etiquette,
which may be useful to the uninitiated. We are
informed in the preface that the work is not the
production of one, but of many, for that each par-
ticular art has been described by those best
in-
formed in it, and we must not omit to mention
the numerous engravings which materially aid the
explanations. All who wish to find the means of
disposing of a leisure hour in an elegant and lady-
like fashion will find this little volume afford
them every assistance in the acquirement of the
various branches of ornamental art.

The Illustralel Webster Spelling-Rook.
The Royal Picture Alphabet. Ward and Lack,

Fleet-street.

These are two very pretty and attractive books
for little people. The first is a spelling-book, with
numerous woodcuts, which conducts the pupil
from words of two letters up to the formidable
seven syllables of incombustibility and latitudina-
rian, and even giving an analysis of the sounds in
the English language, and a page of translations
of words and phrases from foreign languages in
common use. Numerous reading lessons are intro-
duced, and the whole is profusely illustrated with
landscapes, figures animals, and all kinds of little
amusing objects. It is therefore entitled to rank
above ordinary spelling-books, and is suitable for
the instruction of several classes of scholars.
" The Royal Picture Alphabet" is chiefly in-
tended for the amusement of its juvenile readers,
an object in which it can hardly fail to be success'
ful. The brilliant colouring of the letters and
their accompanying illustrations are sure to be at-
tractive, while the poetical definitions and morals
at the conclusion may serve to convey some useful
lesson under the guise of entertainment. It is a
very acceptable gift book for little folks.