The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-05 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Entomologist's Annual for 185 G. Van Voorst,

Paternoster-row.

This is a very useful little volume, being tae
production of vat ions entomologists of established
reputation. It is chiefly available for those who
are competent to pursue entomology, as many do
" knowledge," under " difficulties," the full Latin
names and purely technical descriptions of insects
being carried through the book. Lists of the pro-
fessors of the science, and of the works treating of
entomology, aro given ; and the volume may be
fairly considered as a cheap and serviceable com-
pendium for the student's reference.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZIN ES.
Tait's Edinburgh Magazine presents us with an
attractive table of contents. Politics, science, lite-
rature, and fiction all find a place. An article
entitled " Betting and Poison" will no doubt at-
tract attention. The subject of it may be easily
divined. A paper on " Sunday and the Demo-
cracy," takes, of course, the Scotch side of the
question, which is somewhat inconsistent with the
general politics of Tait. The Oxford and Cam-
bridge has only four prose articles, but the topics
are of some importance. A comparison between
the writings of Thackeray and Caner Bell is the
first, and is written with skill and ability. A
criticism on Carlyle follows, which fully appreciates
his powers. "Ruskin and the Quarterly" is the
next subject in the number, which concludes with
a notice of " Froude's History of England." In
some lines entitled " The Singing of the Poet," the
thought is better than the expression of it, a some-
what unusual occurrence. eharpe's London Ma-
gazine contributes its usual stock of tales, verses,
and sketches for the lovers of light literature. Sil-
verpen continues her domestic story of the "Holy
Homes," and Alfred Cole the " History of Lorimer
Littlegood." The latter is illustrated by George
Cruikshank. There is an account of the treacher-
ous and barbarous conduct of the late Count Alexis
Orloff to the Princess Tarrakanof, a tragedy which
has often been presented in different forms to the
notice of English readers. The Train scarcely
maintains its claim to the title of a " first-class
magazine," though some may admire the style of
its compositions. The lovers of the humorous are
likely to find some entertAinment in its pages.
Newton's London Journal 'has its usual list of
patents and illustrative' diagrams, together with
scientific notices and reports. The Mechanic's Ma-
gazine appears in weekly numbers, as well as
monthly parts. Ii contains much information,
and many subjects for consideration in connection
with the scientific and mechanical questions of the
day. Le Follet is as successful as usual in its plates,
which combine fashion and elegance.

THE CON eT WILLIAM PALMER.

STAFFORD, WEDNESDAY.
A great deal of excitement has been occasioned here
by au announcement which was received, to the effect
that her Majesty's Government had ordered a respite of
Palmer's sentence, with a view to a further examination
of the circumstances connect3d with this remarkable
case. Upon inquiry at the gaol it was ascertained that
no official counnunicaLion of the sort had been received
11 the governor, and it is believed that there was no
foundation for the rumour beyond a paragraph which ap-
peared in one of the London morning papers. It is stated
confidently hero that Sir G. Grey, her Majesty's Prin-
cipal Secretary of State for the Home Department, has
laid the question of Palmer's respite before Lord Camp-
hell, and that the answer returned by the Lord Chief
Justice is to the effect that be perfectly concurs with the
verdict of the jury, and that he sees no reason why the
law should not take its course. If this statement be
true, no further communication will take place between
the High Sheriff of Staffordshire and the Government,
and that high functionary will be compelled to carry
out the execution according to the instructions be has
already received. A circumstance which will perhaps
throw some additional light on this painful case may
be mentioned here. An elder brother of William
Palmer, the convict, the Rev. Thomas Palmer,
M.A., a clergyman of the Church of Eng-
land, residing at Coton Hall, Staffordshire, has visited
the prisoner several times during the last few days, and
has collected some extraordinary fac' a in rotation to the
case, which he intends publishing forthwith in the form
of a pamphlet, which he hopes may have some effect in
arresting the execution, for the purpose of further in-
quiry. William Palmer himself is very anxious that he
h )uld be put upon his trial for the murder of his wife,
whose death it has been freely alleged was caused by
the administration of poison by his hands. That re-
quest it is not likely the Government will grant, unless
some strong, and, at present, unforeseen confirmation
of the evidence given for the defence by the medical wit-
nesses should transpire. It seems to be the general
opinion in this part of the country that the death of
Palmer next Saturday week (if the execution as at pre-
sent purposed be cirried out) will not tend to unravel
the remarkable medical mysteries which the late trial
developed. If he should confess that he administered
strychnia to Cook, Dr. Taylor's theory that it may be
absorbed and ail traces of it lost will be established ; but
Palmer has assured his brother, the governor ot the
gaol, and the chaplain, that he has nothing to confess
in reference to the crime, awl that he is as innocent of
the murder of Cook as the child unborn. In the event
of his perseverance in this statement the discovery will
have yet to be made whether
.the evidence of the medi-
cal witnesses for the defence is correct, that strychnia
may be found in the body after death, no matter how
long it may have been administered. Palmer continues
to complain bitterly of the partiality of Lord Campbell's
summing up, which he declares t.> be more one-sided
than even the speech of the Attorney-General, who
avowedly drove to obtain a conviction against him.

Within the last day or two an anonymous letter has
been received by one of the scientific witnesses called in
William Palmer's defence. It purports to be from a
female, resident, we believe, in the neighbourhood of
Liverpool. It sets forth the intimacy which had existed
between the writer and Cook, and alleges that the
former, in a fit of jealousy, touched Cook with a ring
which contained deadly poison, a few days only prior to
his illness.

TUE CROPS.—As regards the crops report speaks very
favourably as to the continued and rapid growth of vege.
tation of all kinds. The moisture of the last few weeks
appears to have effected wonders, and all that seems now
requisite is warm and genial sunshine. The wheats exhibit
a vigorous and abundant plant, and grow with astonishing
rapidity, but the period has now arrived when dry,
warm, still weather will be extremely beneficial,
and when continued wet would be injurious. Up to
the present moment we do not believe any damage ex-
cept in special localities and under peculiar circumstances
has been sustained by the grain crops of any descrip-
tion ; barley, oats, bears, peas, &e., all have been
and with fine weather,
growing fast and vigorously,
such as may be reasoeably anticipated in the month
of June, following upon a wet May, there is every
reason to hope for the most abundant results. Of
the seeds and pastures it is almost impossible to
speak in exaggerated terms ; there is evidently a very
heavy swathe on the ground; and with anything like
favourable weather there must needs lie a splendid hay
harvest.--Sussex Advertiser.