The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-07 00:00:00

The Universal Review.

As usual in this publication, we meet with a
great variety, and some papers of importance and
interest. The article on Mr. Disraeli is most ad-
mirably done, and reflects great credit on the
writer, who has given so many details, and gone
back, with minute accuracy, into various events of
the past in order to make manifest his assertions
and demonstrate his theories. It is said at the
commencement—" Were we to be asked to describe
his career up to the present time, in as few words
as possible, we should say that Mr. Disraeli was
one of the greatest leaders of a party that England
has evert seen—it is in the conduct of the Conserva-
tive party in the House of Commons that his great-
est laurels have been gathered." All who attentively
study public men, and who critically analyse poli-
tical events, will subscribe to the truth of this as-
sertion; and, while they eontrast the unanimity of
the Conservatives with the disorganised ranks of
their opponents, will admit that it is no easy task to
have attained such an object or achieved such a re-
sult. If the leader of the Opposition may now
rest awhile, it is that he has been engaged in no
slight struggle, and been victorious in no mean
encounter. The compiler of these pages has faith-
fully depicted the discouraging circumstances that
existed when the death of Lord George Bentinck
summoned Mr. Disraeli to the post of leader. An
effective sketch is given of the first Derby Admini-
stration, in which so many obstacles arose, but in
which the subject of these remarks greatly enhanced
his reputation and increased his influence. It is
almost without a parallel in Parliamentary annals
for the first appointment that a man receives to bs
the leader of the House, but when the brief but
stormy contest was over both sides combined in
offering favourable testimony to their new leader,
who, as Lord John Russell observed, had to fight
almost single-handed the battles of his party.
Of course, in recording the events of 1858, there are
still greater triumphs to be registered,"and had it
not been for the unfair and unjust conduct of their
opponents they would have done much more , but
it was not alone the enthusiasm of party zeal which
was uttered at the Liverpool manifesto to Lord
Derby, when, in reference to his brilliant successes
as a Premier, it was said, " Hittory will regard
your administration as a bright page in our coun-
try's annals." In referring to the time, of course
especial allusion is made to the celebrated mo-
tion on the Canning despatch, which they ex-
pected to carry by a majority first of one hundred,
then of eighty, and afterwards of forty or fifty,
but which finally had to be withdrawn amid the
derision of the whole house ; who that remembers
the supercilious air of the Whig party and the
vaunting language of their journals—who that saw
the editor of their chief Sunday paper swaggering
about the Reform Club and predicting a majority
of ninety, but can sympathise with the witty exul-
tation of the Slough Banquet." It is a source of
satisfaction to retire with honours from a high posi-
tion ; and no just critic can deny that the late Go-
vernment did go out with a far higher charac-
ter and in a more chivalrous tirit than their
adversaries came - in. It is the fashion to
forget all awkward reminiscences, and to
State, if pressed on an important point, that
the great men to whom are entrusted
all destinies have sacrificed themselves for the good
of their country, but these kind friends forget that
no great country can accept from her sons the sacri •
five of principle, and the language of a patriot
would be, " I could not love thee half so much
loved I not honour more." In concluding our re-
marks on this excellent article we subjoin some
passages of interest
" It is evident not only that great and protracted party
conflicts must periodically occur, to the total neglect of
public business, but also that the power of leading a party
in battle is a qualification inferior to none which an Eng-
lish statesman can possess. Yet since the younger Pitt
struggled through a whole winter against the furious and
repeated charges of a 'Whig majority, no other display of
gallantry and skill has been witnessed in the House of
Coinmons equal to that exhibited by Mr. Disraeli and his
party. He fought their battle with consummate coolness
and judgnient. They obeyed his directions with unflinch-
ing confidence and fortitude. During the time that he led
the House of Commons, many new supporters had been
converted into fast friends ; and some old enemies into firm
allieS. Among the latter was Mr. Gladstone."
" We have no hesitation in saying, then, that the ser-
vices of Mr. Disraeli to the Conservative party have beaa
such as hardly any other living statesman could have
performed. His peculiar style of eloquence, admirably
adapted for the formularisation of great principles, and his
Unrivalled powers of wit and sarcasm, were exactly the
weapons which his party. most required. Having teen
thoroughly beaten on a point of detail, it was more than
ever necessary that they should be able to extricate them-
solves from the smoke and dust of the conflict, and show
that what the Conservative party was before 1815, that for
all essential purposes it continued to be afterwards. Being
exposed to the incessant jibes of the daily and weekly press,
it was peculiarly important that they should have at least
one champion who could crush any efforts of this sort within
the walls of Parliament. His personal qualifications for. his
position were, therefore, unrivalled. His policy, we main-
tain, was only such as every Conservative statesman who
aspired to any real iirfinenee over public affairs has been
more or less obliged to adopt."
" There are trials which embitter the career of an Eng-
lish statesman, and are unfortunately of more frequent oc-
currence than the pleasUres we have described in our open-
ing remarks. Mr. Disraeli, however, has as yet been
fortunate in having more of the former than the latter. He
as lop g commanded the enthusiasm of fobs-fi ilbs. of Ilia own
party, and he has during the last few years attained a high
place in public estimation. Nothing could have been :are
gratifying to the right hon. gentleman's feelings than the
tribute of respect recently paid to him by a political oppo-
nent, in vindication of his Pal liaineutary career. And cer-

tain. we are that the judgment of future generations will be
conceived in a similar spirit ; that they wilt recognise in the
right hon. member far Buckinghamshire a statesman who
had profoundly studied the history of the British constitu-
tion, and had arrived at broad views in political philoso-
phy ; and a party leader who, if Sir G. C. Lewis be right
in his assertion that ' all great measures are brought about
by party moves,' then, as much as any man living, deserves
the appellation of greatness."

The singular story of Sir Everard.'s Daughter is
concluded as might have been pre-supposed in a
most melancholy style. Perhaps it might have
been better if the reader was allowed to know one
way or the other whether Lucy was guilty in thought
only or in deed, but it is most powerfully nar-
rated how the stings of her guilty conscience ever
tortured her, and made the life of happiness with
him she loved one long scene of anguish—a fez e-
taTto and emblem of the worm that dieth not, and
the fire that is not quenched. Among other articles
of various sorts we may make especial mention of
the criticism on Nathaniel Hawthorne, which is
done with great skill, and which is well worthy of
attention. There is an epitome of all his produc.
tions ; and in mentioning his last novel," Transfor-
mation," it is wisely suggested to thettuthor not to
take such morbid subjects again, but to let his nest
work be of a more cheerful and varied tendency.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.
The Eclectic presents its usual features, but is,
perhaps, less dogmatic and controversial than
usual. It opens with an article on Professor Owen's
Palaeontology, in which it is remarked with truth
that although among the youngest of the sciences,
Palaeontology is making more rapid strides in the
present day than almost any other. An article on
the Great Armada will be read with interest at
our epoch, when the possibility of invasion is a
fact in all men's mind. W. G. Thornbury contri-
butes a paper on " Home Tourists," in which he
does great injustice to Mr. Walter White's pleasant
volumes, and attacks Mr. Murray unsparingly for
publishing handbooks which are no more than they
profess to be, guides to the route, and not col-
lections of tradition and artistic description.
The month of May furnishes a subject for a plea-
sant paper, and there are also articles on Demonax
the Cynic and the History of Savoy.—The National
Magazine has a sketch of the parliamentary career
of Mr. Disraeli, and tales, poems, and sketches of
varying degrees of merit. The engravings manifest
' some improvement. The Church of England
Monthly Review is written in its usual unpreju-
diced and sensible style. Among its most impor-
tant papers is one on " The Future of Oxford and
Cambridge," which arrives at the conclusion that
the " revival " which the middle class examination
initiates, will effect a vital improvement in the uni-
versities, by abolishing the popular idea of the ex-
clusive and aristocratic character of the two learned
bodies ; and also by destroying the fatal notion that
they are convivial and not educational institutions.
—Once a Weekis as usual full of interest, attraction,
and variety. George Meredith's story .of "He
would be a Gentleman" proceeds with spirit, and
the amusing papers descriptive of the terrors of Sir
Cresswell Cresswell are brought.to a conclusion.
Miss Harriett Martineau contributes some very
sensible papers on physiological subjects,while lively
verses, and amusing anecdotes fill up the corners
very pleasantly. We see that this periodical is to
be enlarged to thirty-two pages.—.7he Welcome
Guest is improved in its general character. It
numbers among its contributors the names of
Albany Fonblanque, jun., M. Betham Edwards,
Samuel Lover, and G. A. Sala. The present part
has several entertaining papers.—The Family Eco-
nomist is a very excellent little periodical of its
kind, especially suited for the domestic circle. It
is published weekly in illustrated penny numbers,
and the month's' part is issued at the moderate
price of sixpence. For the ladies of a quiet house-
hold it is particularly adapted.—The English-
women's Domestic Magazine is a new corner, with
several distinctive features. Prominent among
its attractions are a coloured sheet of the fashions,
a coloured pattern for Berlin wool work, a large
sheet of designs for broiderie Anglaise
and the pattern of a Zouave jacket, full size
for cutting out. What household fairy who
wishes to combine economy with elegance
could resist such attractions when combined
with tales, verses, and general intelligence,
and offered for sixpence ? A novelette, a criticism,
a memoir of Mrs. Jameson, an outline of English
Domestic History, are among the contents.—Baily's
Monthly Magazine of ASports and Pastimes has a
memoir and portrait of the Duke of Beaufort,
without, however, any mention of " Aunt Sally ;"
papers on the past Foxhunting Season, the Uni-
vel sity Boat Race, and other subjects of interest
to sportsmen. The Racing Register is continued
in its usual comprehensive style.—Newton's Lon-
don Journal has an introductory article on the
Financial Condition and Commercial Prospects of
India, which considers that our Eastern empire
offers, us an inexhaustible market for trading
purposes. "We have been somewhat elated,"
says the writer, " with the prospect of an exten-
sion of our commerce with France; but what is that
to our manufacturers and merchants compared
with the field for commercial operations, which
India presents ?" He goes on to state that even
in its present unsettled and uncultivated condi-
tion, the Indian demand for British products has
far exceeded what the most ,sanguine can expect
from France for several years to come. The cus-
tomary list of patents and scientific reports are
given.—Plain or Ringlets? proceeds in its accus-
tomed lively strain, and leaves the company follow-
ing Mr. Jonathan Jobling's harriers. Leech's..
lively pencil as usual greatly enhances its
attractions. Cassell's cheap publications main-
tain their character even among the crowd of
competitors.—The Illustrated History of England
is written in an able and fluent style, and is embel-
lished with numerous woodcuts. In the part before
us an animated account of the last days of Chatham
is given. 7he Ladies' 'Treasury, and Natural _His-
tory, are also meritorious serials. One of the:most
remarkable of the recent productions of this enter-
' prising publisher is The, Illustrated Family Bible,
which is being published in monthly parts, enriched
with profuse illustrations, and supplied with copious
marginal notes and references, which will render it
especially valuable to the humbler class of readers.
It is an admirable edition of the Holy Scriptures,
and can be cordially recommended to the heads of
families.—Charles Knight's excellent publications
continue with their accustomed ability. The fiftieth
number of the Popular _History of England gives
us some very interesting chapters on the state of
Art and Literature in the reign of George 11. The
portraits of Pitt, Fox, and Grattan are prefixed.—
The sixteenth part of The English Z,'yclopeedia has
many valuable articles. Thus we have among
other subjects an account of Hydrodynamics, The
Inquisition, Tables of Interest, an article on Inven-
tion and Discovery, another on Manufacture and.
Trade, and an outline of the History- of the
Jews. There are numerous other topics of all
kinds, but these being among the principal
articles we cite them as showing the great range
and variety of the information afforded.—The Revue
Independante discusses the politics and literature of
the day with its accustomed ability, and draws
such a picture of the difficulties surrounding the
French Emperor that it considers no means of escape
remain to him. but universal war. A new series
of articles is commenced on the " Provinces of
France," and gives us some account of one of the
most peculiar and characteristic—Brittany.—The
Rev. Mr. Tyas's delightful series of The Wild
Flowers of _Angland has reached its concluding
number with unabated attractions. Those who wish
to acquire a knowledge of these humble favourites,
without plunging into abstruse and scientific works,
cannot do better than peruse this pleasant little
work.—Le Follet shows us groups of graceful ladies-
whose elegance of figure and taste in colours make
even the ugly fashions they exhibit attractive.