The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-05 00:00:00

The New Monthly Magazine.

A lengthened paper on the question that is just
now occupying so much of the public attention,
opens this number. It takes into consideration the
varying aspects of " Commercial and Industrial Re-
form in France," though we cannot altogether
coincide in the conclusions at which the writer
arrives. It is followed by the third part of the tale
of " East Lynne," in which the story advances con-
siderably. The characters are interesting and the
general style is as easy and natural as is generally
the case with this author's writings. Sir Nathaniel
devotes this number of his Notes on Noteworthies
to Epictetus and the stoic philosophy. It is, as
usual, full of quotation and historical allusion, and
it is curious to notice what persons were most en-
thusiastic in praise of the stoic and his writings.
The diary of Richard Symonds affords some inte-
resting material for a brief paper. Another of the
series of " Stereoscopic Glimpses," by W. C. Kent,
shows us Wordsworth at Rydal, and pictures the
bard of the lakes in his peaceful and philosophic
retirement, planning—

" A calm excursion through green English lanes."
" A Poet's Wife " gives us a portrait of Charlotte
von Schiller, who was a charming and womanly
character, more fitted to appreciate and sympathise
with her gifted husband, than is often the case,
with women in a similar position. Among the
remaining papers are sketches of a holiday tour in
Spain, and a story, taken from the Swedish of
Uncle Adam.

Tice United Service Magazine.
The United Service contains a short but very able
artisle on the all-important subject of the annexa-
non of the provinces of Savoy and Nice to France.
It is really quite refreshing, after witnessing the
arguments with which nearly all the London press
endeavour to justify and uphold the questionable
policy of their particular factions, and the un-
English and servile conduct of the make-believe
Liberals, to find that the periodical press has not
altogether forgotten what is due to our national
character. The writer of this article conceives
that the annexation of these provinces is but the
foreshadowing of future absorption of other terri•
tory ; that, in despite of the treaty of 1815,
Switzerland, will become the next victim ; and he
goes on to state, that " France is striving hard to
procure the cession of the so-called Dappen-Thal,
or valley of the Dappes, which would give her not
only a military station, but the command of the
road to Geneva and Italy." The comments on the
Russian official account of the siege of Sebastopol
are little more than a recapitulation of facts with
which the public are well conversant ; nevertheless,
the publication of a history of that memorable
siege by any enemy, in which it is proved beyond
all possible doubt that the privations suffered by
the allies were of their own seeking—that the town
could have been easily taken had there been a
general worthy of so responsible a post as the com-
mander of the Anglo-Galic army, leads us to ex-
claim,—
" Oh for an hour of Wallace wight,
Or well-skilled Bruce to rule the fight !"

The material was there, but the Horseguards' au-
thority would not apply it. In the comparison be-
tween the Armstrong and Whitworth guns, justice
is not done to Mr. Whitworth. Without wishing
in the least to depreciate the great invention of Sir
W. Armstrong, we see no reason why others should
be kept out of the field. The greater the competi-
tion and rivalry the surer is the nation to be fur-
nished with an efficient gun.

Macmillan's Magazine.
The continuation of " Tom Brown at Oxford" is
the first subject that greets the reader in opening
this magazine. A discourse on the general prin-
ciples of a " gown and town row," and the relative
capabilities of gentlemen t.nd commoners, and an
animated description of a boat race form the chief'
features of this iltstalment. Our friend Tom seems,
however, somewhat likely to get into difficulties,
notwithstanding his successful boating. The next
paper addresses itself to the more serious reader,
being entitled " The Grenvilles ; Government by
families," and discusses the prominent part which
that family took in the direction of public affairs,
and the influence they exercised, after a fashion not
yet out of date, amo4. our Whir, potentates. In
commenting on the hereditary talent 6 of which the
last generation furnished so many eminent examples,
the Nriter remarks, " In a competition open to all
the nobility and gentry of England, the highest
prize was won in succession by three or four sons
of fathers who had held the same position. The
principal Ministers and Parliamentary leaders be-
tween the death of Pelham and the American war
were Pitt, Fox, and Grenville; the principal
Ministers and Parliamentary leaders between the
American war and the regency, were again Pitt,
Fox, and Grenville." Among other in-
stances he cites Mr. Jenkinson, father of
that Earl of Liverpool who held such a
lengthened tenure of office as Prime Minister;
the son of Lord Hardwicke, who died Lord Chan-
cellor, and Charles Townshend, who was son of the
famous minister of George I. In many of these
instances, it is observed that the accident of birth
had little to do with political advancement, since
Lord Holland was at the time of his son's entry
into public life, the most unpopular man in En.,
land, and disliked by the King ; while neither
Lord Chatham'nor Mr. Grenville lived to see their
success.ors take part in political affairs. A paper
on English etymology has some curious informa
yorcb, An essay
tion respecting the deriyation
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