The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-26 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Kars and our Captivity in Russia. By Colonel
Atwell Lake, C.B. Richard Bentley.
The fall of Kars has excited too much interest
thr-iighout the length and breadth of-the country
render the most ample particulars of the
defence and of the captivity .of the gallant de-
fenders of that stronghold acceptable to the reading
public. Notwithstanding, therefore, the work by
Dr. Sandwith, the present volume makes its ap-
pearance with a fair prospect of welcome. ,That
prospect a perusal is admirably calculated to con-
vert into certainty, revealing, as the volume does,
so much of the characters as well as of the heroic
performances. of General. Williams and his devoted
band of English subordinates. The contents of tho
work consist principally of letters from Captain
Thompson, General Williams, and Colonel Lake,
the narrative portion (introductory and concludinci)
forming but a small part of them. The readec'r
being briefly possessed of the outlines of the story,
has next the opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the details, and of gathering from the corre-
spondence of the above individuals the circum-
stances under which what seemed incumbent on
them to attempt was set about, and what it was
their fate to contend against. Disoraanised troops,
rascally pachas, neglect at Constantinople,
treachery, famine, and disease, all these the reader
is aware are to be found in the category. The
letters of Captain Thompson tend greatly to en-
hance our regret at his premature decease. A fine
gallant genial spirit pervades them all. The
letters of Gen. Williams are not less illustrative of
the man, and so far as Colonel Lake is concerned,
the readers of his work will see no reason to regret
the acquaintance. He is especially anxious to
impress on their minds the bravery of the Turkish
troops, and the kindness and hospitality of his
Russian captor's. This leads us to one ground of
complaint against him, as also against his coat-
panions in trial and captivity. It is greatly to be
desired that they had been equally anxious to do
justice to the brave Hungarian Generals Guyon
and Kmety, by whose zeal and ability the prepa-
rations for the siege were greatly promoted. This
is a blot, if the only one, in the deeply interesting
work,belaret,us' to .;Bich we feel bound to draw
attenCio.a. We are afraid' some subtle influence
has been brought to bear to prevent that recogni-
tion of these gallant soldiers' claims, which the
innate generosity of the " heroes of Kars.' must
have prompted them to render.

Illustrated Band-book of Military Engineering and
of the Implements of • War. By R. Forrest.
Day and Son, Lithographers to the Queen.
Had this work made, its .appearance a year or
two ago we could have predictudfor it, with safety,
a heavy demand, illustrating, and rendering intel-
ligible to non-professional readers, as it is intended
to do, and actually does, the various necessary tech-
nical expressions used in modern warfare. As it is,
however, the work is likely to meet With an extensive
sale, for the use of these expressions is not cOnfineci
to the period of actual war, but is continued dur-
ing peace by the historian, to the comprehension
of whose descriptions of bygone conflicts in modern
times a knowledge of the terms in question is essen-
tial. To this knowledge the numerous engravings
in the work before us are likely to contribute in an
eminent degree. They are well executed, and leave
a clear impression as to what this or that eiptes-
sion really means. The work, is dedicated, by per.
mission, to Lord Panmure.

The Companion Library. Henry Lea.
Under this appellation the public aro being pi c-
sented with a series of tales, &c., original and
select, in separate volumes, at the exceedingly low
cost of2d. each. The series opens with " Ivan;
or, the Immured," a Russian tale of some interest
by Thomas Gaspey, Esq. The unfortunate hero is
no other than the infant Czar of that name, who,
after a few months nominal reign, was imprisoned
in a fortress, and, after many years' incarceration,
put to death by the Empress Cathei ine.

Dictionary of Familiar Sayings and Phrases.

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Edinburgh : Sutherland and Knox.
A useful little work for those-who-wish to be-
come acquainted with the recognised meaning and
real or supposed origin of most 'of the sayings and
phrases current among us. Ithistrative anecdotes
accompany .the explanations.