The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-29 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Woman's Temptation. A novel. Edited by the
Hon.:Mrs. Ralph Dutton. 3 vols. Hurst and
Blackett.
There are some painful scenes of domestic life
disclosed in these pages with an earnestness that is
very effective. It cannot be said that there is much
that is new in the plot of the tale, but, at the same
time, there is nothing tame or inanimate through-
out its tenour. Geraldine is in herself a good sub-
ject for a heroine, for she can think and act, and
although, through the combination of unfortunate
circumstances, she early fixed her fate in a most
unsatisfactory manner, she did not yield to de-
sponding, nor give way to dsspair. She strove and
struggled, and in due course succeeded in obtaining
sure calm to her distracted mind. The interest
does not, however, depend upon her alone, for
Leonie, her sister-in-law, is another delightful por-
traiture ; and, indeed, she is the best character in
the story. The author, who has created such a
finished character, can do better hereafter, and may
reach to a higher standard than this can
aspire to. A being like Leonie is sure to be the life
of her circle, which is not confined to home, but ex-
tends to all who come at all within her sphere.
Many mourned for her early death, many missed
her bright presence from among them, but though
her days on earth were indeed a span, she accom-
plished more in her bright days of youth than
many who have lingered in this weary world till
their heads were hoary and their strength com-
pletely spent with time. She was not a precise
style of person, not that such a one could ever be
popular, but she inclined to mirth ; her foreign
birth only increased her attractiveness, while she
possessed as true a heart and as warm affections for
home as any English maiden throughout the land.
Geraldine found her indeed a treasure in her deso-
late and blighted life. The description of Lawrence
is excellent. Many such a wily man has insinuated
himself into the good graces of society, and too late has
the world discovered him to be an adventurer. The
arrangement of the sad scenes which led to the
marriage of Geraldine with her brother's tutor is
very clever, and though they may have been copied
from reality in many a splendid mansion, that is
no drawback to their again and again being repro-
duced in the pages of novels. So long as parents
will sacrifice their daughters at the shrine of
vanity, so long should the practice be reprobated
in every available opportunity. Lord Silverton
is a most unfavourable specimen of a husband,
selected by the rules of convenance, it is true, but
no one forced upon her could have been otherwise
than hateful to a high-spirited girl like Geraldine,
and it is only natural she should listen to the voice
of the tempter who urged her to escape. The
death-bed of Lady Bournemouth is the best satire
on the result of such a life as hers. When her
daughter again stood before her she declared they
deceived her—the pale, careworn woman could not
be her bright and blooming favourite. The girl
was gone, indeed, and-the woman was there who,
through her instrumentality, had had to endure
the biting baste of poverty, and, above all other
wretchednesses, to realise the bitter truth that she
had made an ill-assorted marriage. Who was to
blame ? Not the victim who rushed away from
misery on to the edge of a precipice, but those
who were her guardians, by the decrees of heaven, as
well as by the statutes of man. Well might the
mother fear to face her child, well might she fear
still more to meet her end, and to remember that
though friends had applauded and relations upheld
her, she was now to face a more righteous tribunal
than the faulty decisions of the self-sufficient and
vain world she belonged to could constitute ; and
if one crime above another can be supposed to
preponderate it must be thatof the parent who drives
her child to sin rather than abate her own lust of
the eye and pride of life. One of the few deserving
persons here mentioned is Lord Ernest Fitzger-
maine, and it is especially sad to contemplate the
the disappointment of his hopes, when he alone of
alone of all her suitors would have made Geraldine
an excellent husband. Although reserved and un-
prepossessing as many considered him, there was
genuine worth in the young man's nature, and life
to him was a glorious inheritance that the shadow
of a crossed love should not wholly overcast. He
worked away in foreign climes in his vocation till
his country rung with his name, and his former
detractors were everywhere met with his praises.
Too late did the object of his affection find out the
prize she had lost, but she felt truly that to have
been selected by such a man was no common honour,
and that henceforth she would remain as she was,
and devote herself to her brother. It was one
blessed thing for Geraldine that among her family
she was always welcome. After death had termi-
nated the sufferings of her wretched husband, she
did not lead an intolerable life, though it was over-
shadowed and appeared worse than it was to those
who remembered her in her opening spring of light
and loveliness. To them she seemed ever a wreck,
but they should have reflected that things might
have been much worse. Gertrude is quite a con-
trast to the other ladies, but she pleases one in her
way, and she is an admirable warning to those
ladies who are apt to forget the day of reckoning
when they attire themselves in gorgeous array, and
who also seek to hide their first folly by subsequent
errors. Sir Henry Kincardine, her husband, is a
very worthy man, and he certainly deserves a
better wife. Many minor personages fill up the
tale in a satisfactory manner, and " Woman's
Temptation" may be considered on the whole as a
fair exposition of some of the most eventful pas-
sages of human existence, and thus, while it is only
of average merit as regards construction and com-
position, it really can lay claim to being of more
importance as regards its subject, and its purpose
is of an elevated aim and exalted character. Few
of the miseries of human existence have caused
more sorrowful lives and bitter deathbeds than the
mistakes that have been made in the outset of the
career of many a home favourite and star of
society.

The Season Ticket. Bentley.
The readers of the Dublin Magazine have been
for the last year delighted with these sketches, and
their reappearance in a collected form cannot but
be a rich treat for the public. The motto on the
title-page is as follows :—" I pity the man who can
travel from Dan to Beersheba. and cry 'tis all
barren ;" and truly does the context of the work
exemplify how much may be seen by the man who
looks for knowledge, how much found when he
seeks information, and how much may be imparted
to others by the cheerful and ready distribution of
intelligence.
A gifts of acquirement and natural
A ready sparkling wit, a brilliant sarcasm, a dash-
ing style, and a vivid descriptiveness, form some of
the chief characteristics of this book, and both
author and publisher are entitled to the thanks of
the reading community for thus presenting in a
lasting and elegant form a work that is sure to be-
come a decided favourite among all classes. It is
astonishing to notice, in looking over its pages in
this collected edition, the vast amount of informa-
tion they contain, as well as the inexhaustible fund
of amusement in anecdote, sketch, and soliloquy.
The " Season Ticket " secures a passport that ob-
tains for us an entrance into a sphere which we
never before appreciated. It is the Open Sesame
to fairy regions of radiant mirth, and we wander
on in never-ending, still beginning enchantment.
The author commences by stating that " every-
thing has altered its dimensions except the world
we live in. The far East and the far West have
shaken hands and pirouetted together." As
travels are exhausted, he thinks " the proper study
of mankind is man," and his researches in this
wide field are not without profitto his readers,
while they reflect great credit on himself. The
conversations between tips "narrator and the two
Americans he meets with are deserving of all
attention. It is always an interesting incident
when travellers from distant countries will meet
and discuss in a friendly spirit the marvels of
their divers lands, and while recounting the vari-
ous customs and general tone of their own people,
listen without prejudice to the ways of those who
may be equally worthy in their own way. Those
who have listened to the animated discourses that
took place between the trio will not soon forget
their many varied topics, while those who have
not yet made themselves acquainted with them
should lose no time in procuring such an unfailing
source of amusement for their leisure hours. No
" Season Ticket" has ever ensured to its purchaser
more pleasant wanderings than those which the pos-
sessor of this work will obtain in following the
pioneer who skilfully guides them " through fresh
fields and pastures new."

The American Pastor in Europe. By the Rev.
Joseph Cross, D.D. Edited by the Rev. John
Cumming, D.D. Bentley.

This is i'very entertaining; and agreeable cvoi k,
narrating the experiences of an American pastor
during a year's sojourn in our quarter of the globe.
A great portion of the work treats of Italy, not in
a political sense, but in a descriptive and artistic

one. Venice, Rome, Naples, and Florence are all
successively visited and admired, and the chapters
on the Roman architecture show considerable
classical and archaeological knowledge. The writer
is evidently most sincere in the admiration he ex-
presses, and the enjoyment of the wonders of art
and architecture overcomes the narrowness of his
Protestantism. From Italy and the ruins of the
Eternal City we find ourselves suddenly transported
to metropolitan tea parties. Dr. Cross is a Metho-
dist preacher, and this fact tinges all his opinions
and feelings. He gives us many pungent sketches
of our pulpit celebrities, and if we cannot always
coincide in the views he expresses, we can at least
admire his vigour and earnestness. His work,
though full of incidental allusions to spiritual
things, is by no means of a solemn or gloomy dia •
ratter. Humorous touches and lively and graphic
descriptions are scattered through it; and if the
author's taste is sometimes at fault, his intentions
are evidently always excellent. The warm sym-
pathy with which he speaks of the efforts made by
the clergy of the Established Church for the bene-
fit of the lower classes is greatly to his credit, and.
is entirely above any sectarian feeling. The
work is edited by Dr. Cumming, who, how-
ever, has not given the" reader much infor-
mation in his notes. We are somewhat surprised
that he should not have told the English reader
something of Dr. Cross's life and labours, instead
of merely introducing a few criticisms on his style.
In place of preface, however, he has given us
some graphic sketches of the more eminent
transatlantic preachers ; thus, he says, paying the
able author " a few English shillings for his
many American dollars," alluding to the numerous
clerical portraits Dr. Cross has introduced. It is
always curious to read what a traveller thinks of
ourselves, and if the remarks of the author only
apply to one section of the community, it is one
that does us no discredit ; while his records of
Italian travel are replete with information and in-
terest.

Scotland in the Middle Ages. By Cosmo Innes,
Professor of History in the University of Edin-
burgh. Edminston and Douglas.

This work was read in the shape of Lectures to a
class in the University of which the author is a Pro-
fessor. They were intended to illustrate early
Scotch history and social progress, without attempt-
ing to form in any degree a regular historical nar-
rative. The work is rather to be looked upon as
most valuable supplement or accompaniment
to the standard histories, supplying all those
minor details and that casual information which
so greatly assist the students in forming
a right estimate of a people's character and pro-
gress. The author could scarcely be less preten-
tious than he is in his preface. He expresses a
hope that the origin of the work may be sufficient
excuse for any lack of originality, and that "if the
sketches have any merit it is in teaching that true
history is best learnt from the study of its genuine
materials, and not from the twice-told tale of the
historians of the bookshelves." At the suggestion
of his publishers, the author has prefixed some
maps, illustrative of Old Scotland and its progress
and developments. Explanatory notes and lists
of places are given which extend to some length,
and evidence great care and research. They con-
tain an amount of erudite information not easily
accessible, and, consequently, of some value to the
reader of antiquarian tastes, and are full of curious
and recondite knowledge. The introductory chapters
of the body of the work treat of the general aspect
of Europe and its population at the time of Char-
lemagne. The earliest known history of Scotland
is next entered upon, and the ancient celebrities of .
that time are spoken of. The language then in nse
is also discussed. After the sketches of Scottish
history we have interesting treatises on the Scotch.
burghs and their laws, the vestiges of ancient law,
the ancient constitution of Scotland, the early dress
and manners, language and literature, dwellings
and architecture. It will therefore be seen that
this work will be of great value to the student, by
giving vitality to the dry records of the past ; and
it offers much to interest and even instruct the cul-
tivated reader, who will find a large amount of an-
tiquarian learning thus condensed and classified.

Under Currents. A Novel of our Day. By Vann
Ireton St. John, author of " St. Eustaee," &C.
3 vols. Tinsley, Strand.
This novel is extremely romantic and melo-
dramatic in its character, a missing will, a psl
tide, and a 'double murder being prominent
dents. Great numbers of characters are introduce",

many of them dark and nefarious in their dealingfil
and the incidents, as we have said above, are cer-
tainly startling. The " undercurrents” sweep the
evildoers of the work on to destruction, and the
virtuous heroes and heroines are suitably rewarded.
Some of the writer's theories are unsound, and hit
general style somewhat extravagant and unfinished.
We cannot commend the work before us to readers
of taste and refinement, but it willsprobably attract
the large class who only look for an exciting and
romantic narrative, and if they find a due amount
of crimes, catastrophes, and love-making are fully
satisfied.

Rights and Wrongs ; a Manual of Household Law.
By Albany Fonblanque, jun., Barrister-at-Law,
author of " How we are Governed." Routledge.
This little work is intended to assist the reader
to avoid litigation, rather than to aid him when
engaged in it. It is by the author of a volume that
appeared last year, entitled, " How we are
Governed," and continues the series of plain and
and practical instructions on legal matters. It
would require, as the author justly observes in his
preface, not one book but a complete library to dis-
pose of every right that can be claimed and every
wrong that can be committed, and to include the
intricate obligations of the commercial world. He
has, therefore, restricted himself to treating of those
legal transactions that concern every day life, such
as the relations between master and servant, guar-
dian and ward, landlord and tenant, debtor
and creditor, husband and wife, &c., &c. ; also the
laws :of partnership, joint-stock companies, in-
surance, and the dispositions of property by will,
with the duties of executors and administrators. It '
will, therefore, be seen that this little volume is
likely to be of practical service to those who are
much engaged in business relations, and those who
desire to keep clear of legal expenses by avoiding
any breach of the technicalities of the law.

The Culture of Flowers and Plants. The Culture
of Fruits and Vegetables. By George Glenny,
F.H.S., author of " The Gardener's Every Day
Book," " Gardening for the Million," &c., &e.
lloulston and Wright, Paternoster-row.
The name of Mr. Glenny is so well known in
the horticultural and botanical world, that a com-
mendation of works from his pen is almost super-
fluous. In the present instance it is especially so,
as the works in question are reprints from the
Horticultural Journal, the Gardeners' Gazette, and
similar periodicals. They have, therefore, been
endorsed by time and experience, and the continual
demand which still exists for them, and the great
estimation in which they are deservedly held, have
induced the publishers to collect the scattered trea-
tises and offer them to thegardening world in their
present compact and convenient form. Mr Glenny
speaks highly of the value of the instructions here
given. He claims the right of priority in all his
methods, asserting that, in many instances, his
plans have been coolly appropriated by others,
who, after testing them and becoming convinced of
their merits, published them in a new form under
their own names. The lessons which he published
so long ago have not, he says, been contradicted by
any modern professor of the science, which is neces-
sarily a gratifying fact. They are thoroughly
practical in their nature, containing plain instruc-
tions, not confusing the amateur with complicated.
directions and technical terms, but expressing tllB
author's meaning in a clear and comprehensible
fashion. We have little doubt they will prove, as
their author hopes, among the most useful works
that a young gardener, whether amateur or profes"
sional, can select for a limited library. W°
have only to add that the volumes are of a col;
venient size, printed in clear type, and each adorned
with a beautiful coloured frontispiece representing
groups of fruits and flowers.

The Pope's Rights and Wrongs. _ A Historical

Sketch. Triibner and. Co.
According to our author, who traces the biota),
of the Popes to their origin, their is rights 'a
consist of encroachments, made silently al
gradually at first, boldly and by wholesale
at last, on the rights of all other Christian Ineni
Their " wrongs ' consist of such a list to
wrongs they have done to morality and
Christendom, such as can happily be paralleled by
the history of but few Royal houses. Those of ?cur
readers who wish to see combined into one sk.e4oo
tho depraving tendency of ecclesiastical arabi
and power, will find stories enough for their p
pose. We: wonder that in a few instances decency
did not forbid a literal translation of certain IT.
sages of old authors. But the author has
dently far more knowledge than last'.

The Handbook of Chess. By an Oxford Amateur.
Cassell, fetter, and Galpin.
This is the first of a series of elementary hand
books, and besides the laws of the game, contair
some good advice to young plovers, and an"P AA:
nation of the openings with different pieces.
series of this nature will, we doubt not, be accepts
to the juvenile public.