The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-13 00:00:00

PRUSSIA IN-E-NEUCHATEL.

The resolutions adopted by the Germanic Diet
in reference to the Neuchatel affair were couched
in the following terms :
"1. ro adhere to the principles expressed in the
Protocol of London of the 24th May, 1852, regu-

lating the position of the Princiiality of Neu
ohatel.

" 2. To request the German Governments hav-
ing diplomatic agents accredited to the Helvetic
Confederation, to support, in the name cf the en-
tire Germanic Confederation, the setting at liberty,
as demanded by the Prussian Government, of the
Neuchatelese arrested in September, urging the
considerations enounced in the report of the Com-
mittee, and upho ding to the Swiss Government,
with all possible emphasis, the steps that may be
taken for that purpose by the government of
Prussia."
These resolutions are to be immediately commu-
nicated officially to the Swiss Federal Government
by the German representatives accredited to Berne.

they are based on monarchical forms, from which they
derive their power, and promise the happiest future.
I am proud, Sire, to be chosen to exercise so important
a function at the Imperial Court of Brazil. I will strive
to do so with zeal and loyalty, and I hope that while I
shall be•fullilling my duties, I may at the same time gain
the confidence and merit the approbation of your
Imperial Majesty.

His Majesty the Emperor was pleased to answer :
I am very sensible of this fresh proof of friendship
from my very dear sietar the Queen of Great Britain ;
and I hope, Mr. Itlitt2r, that the manner in which you
will fulfill your mission may contribu to to strengthen
still more the ties which happily unite our two coun-
tries.

LITERATURE.

Deverell. A Novel. 3 vols. Chapman and Hall.
This novel possesses the merit of novelty, as its .
plot is complicated and unusual. It is written in
the form of an autobiography, which has lately
become so popular among novel writers. The story
is extremely improbable, but it will not be the less
attractive to many on that account. The chief
point in the story is the imprudent marriage of the
heroine at an early age. This takes place in the
first volume, and when this is the case the expe-
rienced novel reader is prepared for serious mis-
adventures before the conclusion. Aline Dela-
mere, the heroine, lives under the care of a great
aunt, her father being in India. At school she
makes the acquaintance of Isabella St. George
Deverell, who becomes the evil genius of her future
life. This young lady, for reasons not stated, is
always called by her second name of St. George,
which is not very appropriate for a lady. When
about sixteen, she goes on a visit to St. George
and her mother, where she arouses the bitter
hatred of her school fellow by unintentionally alienat-
ing the affections of her lover. Hero she forms a
romantic acquaintance with a young sailor, who
subsequently persuades her to consent to a clan-
destine marriage previous to his departure for a
long voyage. After some time her father returns
from India, and she awaits in great anxiety the re-
turn of her husband. But after many years of
suspense and concealment she hears of his death.
She resolves to bury her secret in oblivion. It is
only known to St. George, who has in theinterval
become her stepmother. She has discovered her
error and mistalie, and is subsequently persuaded
to marry Lord Mansfield, the brother of an old
friend, who has superseded her first love in
her affections. Knowing, however, how high is
his standard of right and feminine propriety,
she adds one error to another by concealing from
him her early adventure. They are married and
live happily but for this secret memory on Aline's
conscience. Three years later she suddenly sees
what she takes for the ghost of her former husband,
Howard. She is overwhelmed with consternation,
and confesses all. It appeared that Howard had
also been informed of her death by the same evil
agency. While all parties are perplexed and dis-
mayed, and contemplating the possibility of ails
nulling the marriage, as both parties were under
age, the question is settled by the death of Howard,
who has long been suffering from ill health. This
is the chief thread of the story, but the most in'
portant and least pleasing part is that which re-
lates to St. George Deverell, who gives the
name to the book. Her story is painful, her
character improbable in its violent extremes. She,
is quite a melodramatic character, or one of the old
evil genii of the fairy world. Such are not common
in every-day life. The heroine herself is a generous
and amiable character ; but her faults of impril;
deuce and disobedience are increased by her moral.
cowardice. It has a painful effect on the reader to
be acquainted with the secret, and to find the con'
fession of it constantly postponed through tWe
volumes. In all her disquisitions on the malts
and demerits of her own character and conduct
scarcely enough weight is attached to these tiff
serious errors. Their punishment was, incleea'
severe ; yet it leaves au unsatisfactory impressioi•
There are many other individuals in the story, stillour"
many romances entwined with it. The alit!!
certainly is not deficient in invention or originallg;
He is also skilful in introducing variety in
characters. But, while he may lay claim to ther:
merits, he must also be charged with the sari
faults of exaggeration and improbability. Tru
is, indeed, sometimes stranger than fiction, h_11:1
the whole of the present story is most unlike r.uees
life. A minor fault is the too frequent intro:tits._
tion of reflections and explanations of the
biographer's. The reader should be left to JuisTe
for himself of her character and actions. td a the
story of St. George's early life introduce • more
end is no improvement, and renders it ch-
unlikely. Sufficient explanation of her extraor
nary conduct was afforded in her jealous and re"
vengeful disposition. Notwithstanding its faults,
the book will, no doubt, have many admirers from
the striking nature of the incidents and its melo-
dramatic power, and we hope its author will
future avoid the errors he has committed in this,
work, as he is by no means deficient in foroe
invention, or vigour of expression.
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