The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-21 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, January 17.—The Russian Govern-
ment has on further consideration, decided to
accept the Austrian proposals as they are, doubt-
less reserving to itself the patriotic task of
taking off their edge and blunting their point
in the negotiations which will necessarily ensue.
In the temporary abeyance of the detailed news
of the motives that have led to this further
pliancy on the part of Russia, official men here
attribute this last pacific resolution to the urgent
remonstrances and representations of Prussia,
which have of late been redoubled both in number
and empressentent. In the midst of the satisfaction
that various large circles will doubtless experience
at the receipt of the news of Russia's pacific
step, it would be well to bear in mind that
the immediate object of Russia at the present
moment is to prevent the Austrian Minister
in St. Petersburg from asking for his pass-
ports, and to pave the way for peace conferences to
be opened.
It remains to be seen whether Russia means her
acceptance this time to be more sincere than on the
former occasions ; then the point de depart showed
itself to be a point to be departed from, not merely
a point to set out from.

THE MAIM—LIVERPOOL, Jan. 19.—The British and
North American mail steamer Arabia sailed for Boston
to-day, with about 100 passengers, a large mail, and a
full cargo of dry goods. The United States steamer
Pacific, Nye, sails for New York on Wednesday, when
letters for her will be received at the Post-office up to 9
a.m., with late fee at 10 a.m., and at the landing stage
at 11 a.m. The Australian mail packet Sardinian sails
for Melbourne on Tuesday, the hours for receiving
letters and papers being the same as above.
THE MAIM—SOUTHAMPTON. Jan. 20.—The Penin-
sular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Euxine, Capt.
Joy, sailed this morning, with the India and Mediter-
ranean mails, 60 passengers, specie for India value
240,301/. 17s. ; Alexandria, 18,297/. ; total, 258,6981.
17s. Among the passengers are Captains Ternan, Read,
Middleton, Sewell, Pollock, Brown, and Elsden ; his
Excellency the Rajah of Coorg, General Cox, Colonel
Lucas, Major Bayley, &c. The Tagus, Capt. Weeks,
with the homeward Peninsular mail, is expected about
the 24th inst. The Madrid, Capt. Cook, will sail with the
outward Peninsular mails on the 27th inst. The United
States' mail steam-ship Arago, with dates from New
York to the 12th inst., is expected to arrive off Cowes,
cg route to Havre, on or about Thursday next.

LITERATURE.

FAIRY TALES.
The History of sir Thomas Thumb. By the Author
of " The Heir of Redeliffe." Constable and Co.
The Kinq of Root Valley and his Qurious Daugh-
_ _

tee. By R. Reinick. Chapman and Hall.
Fairy tales are ever the most attractive stories to
children, and none of our modern inventions can
compete with the old fairy tales that form our nur-
sery literature. " Puss in Boots," "Jack the
Giant Killer," and their numerous companions,
though appearing and re-appearing in various
forms, still preserve their pre-eminence. We are
glad, therefore, to see the talented authoress of
" Heartsease" turning her attention to the revival
of one of the most neglected of the old favourites,
inasmuch as no attempt has been made to weave
the ancient traditions into a tale of modern form
and modern taste. It is no disadvantage to be in-
formed in the preface that originality is the last
object aimed at, as any additions, however enter-
taining, could only be looked on in the light of in-
novations. The marvellous adventures of the di-
minutive hero, from his parent's acquaintance with
Merlin, his journey in the horse's ear, his being
eaten by the cow, and nearly boiled in the pudding,
to his introduction to King Arthur of the Round
Table, and his participation in that monarch's ex-
ploits, are all faithfully recounted. The illustrations
are not the least attractive part of the volume, for
they are very numerous, and gracefully designed.
The frontispiece represents Tom Thumb in full state,
driving in his chariot, drawn by six white mice,
through a woodland path, and the last in the
story (though there are some illustrations to the
notes) shows us the death of the valiant little hero
beneath the bite of the venomous spider,
against whom he was defending King Arthur's seat.
We must not omit to mention that the notes are
numerous and consist chiefly of selections from old
English Fairy Poetry, which the author has thus
brought within the reach of children, as well as
some sketches from the romances of King Arthur's
Court, of famous memory, which, as she justly
observes, is often to them a subject of curiosity
not easily gratified, as the romances, poems, and
legends of that day are not suited for their pe-
rusal.

" The History of the King of Root Valley " is
a much less ambitious performance, but it is a very
ingenious little tale. It narrates the imprudent
curiosity of the Princess of Root Valley to form
acquaintance with the ways and doings of men,
her expedition with her father to the roof of a tower
in the neighbouring town, what they saw there,
and the consequences. It also tells us of the won-
derful stream that had the property of giving life
to whatever fell in it, of the waggon of toys that
was upset on its banks, and the astonishing result ;
of the marriage of the King's daughter and its un-
fortunate termination, and, finally, the disappear-
ance of the little Rootmen from public view. There
is evidence of the German origin in the style as
well as the locality, but it certainly presents the
attraction of novelty to its little readers. The
idea of conversion of the tin soldiers, harlequins,
Noah's arks', &c., into living things is a novel inci-
dent. There are eight large coloured plates, and
these, together, with its ornamental cover, com-
bine to render it a very acceptable gift-book for
little people.

The Family Friend.

Ward and Locke, Flee

street.

We have before had occasion to commend this
very excellent little work in its serial edition, pub-
lished weekly in twopenny numbers. It now ap-
pears in a more ambitious form, that of the yearly
volume, and a more acceptable and useful Christ-
mas present for a quiet domestic circle could
scarcely be found in this class of literature. Tales
and sketches for the lovers of romance, reviews for
the critical, work patterns and directions for the
fair embroiderers, housekeeping receipts innu-
merable for the good manager, family
er, pastime for
juvenile conjurers, and "Miscellanies" in great
variety for the general entertainment. In this list
we must not forget to enumerate some useful prac-
tical articles on the adulteration of food, and some
really excellent poetry, some of it taken from
works by well-known authors. A companion to
this attractive little work has also been issued by
the same publishers, entitled " The Practical
Housewife." This is one of the most useful books
of its kind that we have yet seen. It does riot
pretend to the dignity of a cookery book, but it
gives a great deal of the information usually to be
found in one. Its receipts for cleaning and re-
medying household accidents are apparently end-
less. The general remarks will be found of great
service by inexperienced housekeepers, and it gives
plain and practical directions respecting necessary
trifles often not included in books of direction.
Every housekeeper should possess this useful little
manual.

Orr's Circle of the Sciences. Orr and Co., Amen

corner.

This valuable scientific work, which was origi-
nally published in weekly numberq, has now np-
peared in three handsome volumes, which are to be
followed by others. The subjects of the present
volumes are " Organic Nature," " Inorganic
Nature," and " Elementary Chemistry." The next
subject is to be "Practical Chemistry." Many of
the first scientific names of the day are to be found
in the list of contributors. When we mention the
names of Professor Owen as the author of the
treatise on the " Forms of the Skeleton," and Pro-
fessor Ansted as the writer on geology, it will be
seen that it possesses great advantages. The great
amount of information contained in one of these
volumes is indeed surprising, and a thorough
scientific education might be based on them. We
must not omit to mention that they are illustrated
by explanatory woodcuts. We trust this merito-
rious attempt to bring the means of self-education
within reach of all will meet with the support and
encouragement it deserves.

The Influence of Occupation on Health and life.
By Joel Pinney, Esq. Longman, Brown, Green,
and Longmans.
A very sensible treatise on a subject of the last
importance in a laborious community like ours.
Much valuable knowledge may be gained from it,
including many startling facts and useful sugges-
tions. The vast importance of pure air—the deadly
effects of incessant mental toil—the need for varied
exercise and careful attention to diet are power-
fully insisted on. " Those who are employed in
any mental activity beyond their natural strength,"
it is emphatically and truly said, "have been wear-
ing away the substance of tbeir brains, unbraciug
their nerves, and overcharging their blood vessels.
The hardiest frame," it is added, "must suffer un-
der the agitation of the mind, and the firmest
mind cannot long remain unharmed amid the suf-
ferings of the body." The author divides the com-
munity into five classes, and points out the influ-
ence of their peculiar occupations on the members
of each, and the more or less obvious remedies,
adding thereto information respecting the animal
economy necessary to a due comprehension of the
subject. Altogether the work is one which every-
body should read and take warning from. Every-
body prizes life—yet how few act as if they did so.

Mechanics' Magazine.—Contains like its prede-
cessors a variety of matter descriptive of useful in-
ventions, and of a nature generally calculated to
be of service to the classes for whom it is specially
designed—employers and employees, and also to
amateurs. The illustrations aro numerous and
very fairly executed. The. value of a magazine of
this sort in a manufacturing country where a new
invention may be worth millions to the State can-
not but be exceedingiy great—stimulating as it
must do the mechanic to rivalry and increased ex-
ertion in so promising a field.

Zaphnah Paaneah; or, the History of Joseph. By
the Rev. Thornley Smith. William Freeman.
An interesting work, happily conceived and
judiciously executed—having this peculiarity that
the author enters minutely into Egyptian history
and antiquities, bringing them to bear in a
felicitous manner on the elucidation of the sacred
text, the beauty of which we hardly need say is
irresistible. The author's aim is deserving of
praise, and we can congratulate him on having pro-
duced a valuable book, which young and old may
peruse with profit and pleasure. It is gratifying
to find our divines, whether of the Nonconforming
body or the Establishment, endeavouring so suc-
cessfully to keep pace with the progress of dis-
covery, not only by elucidating Scripture narrative,
but also by showing its harmony with recognised
facts.