The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-10 00:00:00

LITERATURE'.

The Letters of Norace Walpole, Earl of Oifoi•d.
Now first chronologically arranged. Edited by
Peter Cunningham. Part I. Bentley.
The letters of Horace Walpole being among the
most famous epistolary productions in our language,
have no need of criticism. We have only to say
that the new edition which Mr. Bentley is bringing
out is of excellent type, handsome size, and good
paper, and admirably adapted to those who wish to
possess themselves of this celebrated correspond-
enco without making a great and immediate outlay.
The edition is to be brought out after the fashion
now so generally follcwed, in eighteen monthly
parts, and will, when bound, be well suited for any
library.

Israel in the Past, the Present, and the Future.
By T. Hutton, F.G.S., author of "The Chrono-
logy of Creation," &c. Allen and Co.
This little volume consists of a series of lectures
on the Restoration of the Jews, and, having reached
a second edition, has found some favour with the
public. It is written in a clear and able style, and
passes in review the tenets of the Jews. The author
considers that it is clearly proved by the testimony
of Scripture that the promise of restoration was not
held out to " the literal and natural Israel, but to
the believing Jews and Gentiles over whom the
spiritual reign of the Saviour was established."
Without entering on these complex and difficult
questions, we commend the work to those who in-
terest themselves in theological and controversial
discussions as written with care and moderation,
and bearing evidence of much thought and labour.

The Consummation. By Thomas Hutton, F.G.S.,
Captain Bengal Army. Allen and Co.
This work adds another to the many volumes
that have been written in attempted explanation
of the Book of Revelations. The writer disclaims
having examined the Apocalypse with any inten-
tion of corroborating any particular theory of his
own, which, he asserts, has often interfered with a
correct explanation. We must confess that we do
not consider works of this kind very profitable to
either reader or writer. Many passages in the
work in question express the author's conviction
that all forms of faith now extant are false and
idolatrous, and in one paragraph he expressly says
that many existing doctrines " proclaim with
trumpet tongue that we are still part and parcel of
the idolatrous beast, and that our clergy are of that
false prophet whose doom is the torment of
the burning fiery lake." This condemnation
is all comprehensive as it is unsparin
for he considers that all the religions of the earthg, are to be corrupt until the time of final retribution.
He has selected for his motto Oar Lord's words,
" Ask and it shall be given you ; seek and ye shall
find," Ecc.; but these words were not spoken of
any interpretation of Scripture. There is another
verse of the New Testament which might with ad-
vantage be borne in mind by all eager expositors
of prophecy and foretellers of the "coming tribula-
tion." Christ himself warned his disciples against
presumptuous inquiries. "It is not for you to
know the times and the seasons which the Father
hath put in his own power." Such subjects are
best left in the darkness which envelopes them. If
more attention were devoted to the diffusion of
practical Christianity, and less to the discussion of
these theological subtleties, there would be much
gain to mankind at large and little loss to the lite-
rary world, by the direction of the time and talents
bestowed on this unprofitable labour into more
satisfactory and healthy channels.

Italy in the Nineteenth Century. By the Right
Hon. J. Whiteside, M.P., LL.D. New edition.
Longman.
This is an appropriate epoch for the appearance
of a new edition of Mr. Whitcside's work on Italy,
and to the general read 2r it will have lost nothing
by being abridged from three volumes into one.
The main object which the author originally pro-
posed to himself in its production was to supply a
want, which he had himself experienced in travel-
ling, by furnishing a book that would touch on the
" statistics, agriculture, law, history, justice,insti-.
tutions, and politics" of the land, while lighter
subjects were intermingled, and the wonders of art
and nature were not forgotten. Those who have
before possessed themselves of this work will re-
member that these anticipations were fully and
fairly carried out, while those who have not perused
it may avail themselves of so favourable an oppor-
tunity of procuring it, abridged and revised by the
author. The preface gives a summary of the events
of Italy since 1848, and the author's opinions of
them. Whether or no the reader coincide in
all the views expressed on the vexed questions
of Italian politics, he can scarcely fail to be at-
tracted and interested by the general contents of
this comprehensive volume.

_RAILWAY IN7ELLIGENO.E.

FIFE AND KINROSS.

The half-yearly meeting was held at Kinross on
th• 30th ult.—Sir G. Montgomery in the chair.
The report stated that the revenue was almost
the same as for the corresponding half-year, there
being an increase on the passenger traffic and a de-
crease on the goods. Since the commencement of
the current half-year there had been a considerable
increase in the traffic generally, and the early open-
ing of the Kinross-shire Railway and the completion
of the joint station, it was hoped, would lead to a
traffic arrangement with the Edinburgh, Perth, and
Dundee Railway, whereby the resources of the line
would be more fully developed and the receipts
considerably augmented. It was hoped that when
an uninterrupted outlet to the west was obtained,
by means of the Devon Valley Railway, the traffic
of the line would be very materially increased.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report,
which was seconded by Mr, WILLIAMSON, and
agreed to.