The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-03 00:00:00

Colburn's United Service.—Now that subscrip-

tions for the purchase of 100 guns for the ramparts
of Alessandria are being received, " Some Account
of the Fortress" is acceptable, and the more so for
the description appended to it of " The Position of
Genoa." The stronghold does not appear to be in
an advanced state of defence. The contributor of
a paper on " The Commissariat" attributes the
failure of the British Treasury in this department
to an ignorant economy, in which no calculation is
made for circumstances which may render a pur-
chase at a low rate extravagant in the end. "The
Maritime condition of France" is shown to have
been vastly improved during the last thirty years,
and to be sufficiently formidable to merit respect-
ful consideration. "The General's Hut in the
Trenches," " Crimean Sketches," and " R,:ani-
niscences of the War in the East," are continued,
and furnish both entertaining and instructive
matter. "Our Refuge Harbours" points out the
condition and importance of Alderney, which ren-
der its being strengthened and improved a measure
of wise precaution. " The Occupation of the Prin-
cipalities, and the Diplomatic Crisis relative to the
Lower Danube" are the subjects of an article deser-
ving of perusal, though not of unqualified assent.
"The Seven Grenadiers" is one of a series of
" Legends of the Black Watch," and is charged
with as much Celtic diablerie as could be desired.
" The present Organisation and Force of the Riyal
Artillery, with Observations on the Corps and the
Arm generally," Is the title of a paper likely to be
interesting to more than professional readers. In
connection with the advocacy in previous numbers
of the opening of both the route to India by the
Suez Canal and the Euphrates Valley Railway, we
have a short account of " The Indus," and the
natural facilities it affords for navigation. Like
the Euphrates, we are told, the Indus can be easily
navigated by steamers, but, like the boats of thei
country, they must be flat bottomed—no vesselt safwth
ety.
a keel being able to navigate the river w
The editor, notwithstanding all ih
contradictions,
maintains the correctness of his announcement of
"the approaching retirement of Sir Charles Yorke,
the Military Secretary." If we remember
naturerig
htly,
the announcement was of a more positive
than is implied by these words. The_ speech of the,
Duke of Cambridge at the Lord
the career of the
new Commander-in Chief being characterised by
well-considered substantial reforms. Further evi-
dence is adduced to show that the failure of the
final assault on the Redan arose from the precipi-
tate advance of part, and the discreditable stand-
still afterwards of all, of the troops engaged in it.
However discreditable to our arms, the editor is of
opinion the true history of the assault should be
made known to the public—there being an adequate
set-off of glorious achievements. " The monument
to Sir Charles J. npier," now mounted on its
pedestal in Trafalgar-square, is, both as a work of
art and an expression of feeling, the subject of
unqualiiied commendation.

The New Monthly Magazine.—The opening paper
in the present number takes for its subject the
discovery of the North-West Passage. It gives a
succinct and interesting account of the struggles
and sufferings of the enterprising band, founded on
the recent works of Commander Osborn and Dr.
Kane. It is followed by a simple domestic story,
by the author of " Ashley," who has now become
a regular contributor to this magazine. The story,
though without much striking merit, is told in the
writer's usual effective style. "Notes on Note-
Worthies," by Sir Nathaniel, gives us a sketch of
some of the characteristics of Anne, Duchess of
Brittany, and twice Queen of France. Miss Cos-
tello has already written a life of this lady, which
was published some years since, but those who have
not met with that interesting work will gather
from the present brief memoir an outline of her
career. "Mr. Joshua Tubbs" still occupies a
prominent position in this serial. It must, we
should think, be a satisfaction to its readers to see
signs of a catastrophe. Mr. Andrews' elaborate
and ingenious, though somewhat tedious, " His•
tory of the Newspaper Press " has more matter of
interest than usual. It brings us down to the time
of Dr. Johnson and Cave, the founder of the Gen-
tleman's Magazine, and we find an account of the
difficulties he encountered in publishing a repor. t
of the proceedings in Parliament. At length i
s
energy and determination conquered, and it is
satisfactory to know that his efforts for the public
benefit were not unrewarded,fuosrhhbye made his
for-
tune by his magazine. Mrs• B
. as usual,
fur-
nishes a translation from Scandinavian literature ;
the continuation of " A Swedish Voyage round the
World" being the present instalment. • Eutrapelia"
is the curious title of a curious paper, chiefly in
praise and defence of laughter. A retrospect of
"Social Life in past Centuries is foundedon a work
recently published by Mr. George Roberts, who
appears to have
displayed patience and ingenuity
in his researches. The petty tyranny of the time
of the Protectorate is forcibly illustrated. "
Italian Sketch," by Florontia, detailing some
continental experiences, concludes the number.