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

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
his gifts of acquirement and natural intelligence.
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 load
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, lie thinks " the proper study
of mankind is man," and his researches in this
wide field are not without profit to his readers,
while they reflect great credit on himself. The
conversations between the 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 whichthe 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 a very entertaining and agreeable ;yolk,
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 archmological 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 a!
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 cha'
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 art'
pathy with which he speaks of the efforts made by
the clergy of the Established Church for the belle;
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, WO'
ever, has not given the reader much infur;
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 hi
many American dollars," alluding to the numerous
clerical portraits Dr. Cross has introduced. It is
always curious to read what a traveller thinks 0
ourselves, and if the remarks of the author oalY
apply to one section of the community, it is ons,
that does us no discredit ; while his records 01.
Italian travel are replete with information and in'
terest.

Feotland in the Middle Ages. By Cosmo Intleol
Professor of History in the University of Edirr
burgh. Edminston and Douglas.
This work was read in the shape of Lectures to 6
class in the University of which the author is a Pro'
lessor. They were intended to illustrate earl/
Scotch history and social progres,,s, without attempt' '
ing to form in any degree a regular historical nal'
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 formid
a right estimate of a people's character and pr°'
gress. The author could scarcely be less pretefr
tious than he is in his preface. He expresses
hope that the origin of the work may be sufficiero
excuse for any lack of originality, and that "if the
sketches have any merit it is in teaching that trll6
history is best learnt from the study of its genuion
materials, and not from the twice-told tale of th.
historians of the bookshelves." At the suggestion
of his publishers, the author has prefixed sons
l
maps, illustrative of Old Scotland and its progreo
and developments. Explanatory notes and list°
of places are given which extend to some length;
and evidence great care and research. They 0.11,,
tain an amount of erudite information not easy)l
accessible, and, consequently, of some value tot
reader of antiquarian tastes, and are full of curioto
and recondite knowledge. The introductory chapter!
of the body of the work treat of the general aspec!
of Europe and its population at the time of Chat'
lemagne. The earliest known history of Scotland
is next entered upon, and the ancient celebrities 0
that time are spoken of. The language then inns°
is also discussed. After the sketches of Scottish
history we have interesting treatises on the Scot&
burghs and their laws, the vestiges of ancient lag"
the ancient constitution of Scotland, the early (Ire°
and manners, language and literature, dwelling°
and architecture. It will therefore be seen that
this work will be of great value to the student, ba
giving vitality to the dry records of the past ; an
it offers much to interest and even instruct the co'
tivated reader, who will find a large amount of an'
tiquarian learning thus condensed and classified.

Under Currents. A Novel of our Day. By Vllll°
Ireton St. John, author of " St. Eustace," °"'c'

3 vols. Tinsley, Strand.
This novel is extremely romantic and weld'
dramatic in its character, a missing will, a parr
tide, and a 'double murder being prominent inc,i
dents. Great numbers of characters are intros,
many many of them dark and nefarious in their dealiegser'
and the incidents, as we have said above, are
tainly startling. The " undercurrents" Ogeep the
evildoers of the work on to destruction, and ,he
vs iormt ueo uo
fs
thheer owe sr
writer's
rd h,stehr oe
oi nr
es s are
esuitablynrewardedandhi'
general style somewhat extravagant and unfinished,
We cannot commend the work before us to reader
of taste and refinement, bul it will probably attraci,
the large class who only look for an exciting au°,
romantic narrative, and if they find a due amoun;
of crimes, catastrophes, and love-making are full/
satisfied.

Rights and Wrongs ; a Manual of Household PI:
By Albany Fonblanque, jun., Barrister-at-IkA.
author of " How we are Governed." RoutleaVr
This little work is intended to assist the reds
to avoid litigation, rather than to aid him whet
t en
engaged in it. It is by the author of a volume tl'lo'
appeared last year, entitled, " How we
Governed," and continues the series of plain 91111
and practical instructions on legal matters.
would require, as the author justly observes in 0„
preface, not one book but a complete library to ciP
pose of every right that can be claimed and eve'
wrong that can be committed, and to include tPe
intricate obligations of the commercial world.
has, therefore, restricted himself to treating of that
legal transactions that concern every day life, sac
as the relations between master and servant, gailto;
than and ward, landlord and tenant, debt.
and creditor, husband and wife, &c., &c. ; also
laws ;of partnership, joint-stock companies, I,lls
surance, and the dispositions of property by Nrl'it
with the duties of executors and administrators.
will, therefore, be seen that this little volume '
likely to be of practical service to those who ft;
much engaged in business relations, and those wh
desire to keep clear of legal expenses by ovoidal'
any breach of the technicalities of the law.

The Culture of Flowers and Plants. The Culture
of Fruits and Vegetables. By George Gleroll
F.H.S., author of " The Gardener's Every DA
Book," " Gardeninc, for the Million," &c.,
Houlston and Wright, Paternoster-row.
The name of Mr. Glenny is so well known 14
the horticultural and botanical world, that a coif
mendation of works from his pen is almost sile
fluous. In the present instance it is especially f;
as the works in question are reprints from t
Horticultural Journal, the Gardeners' Gazette, 01)
similar periodicals. They have, therefore, n_,6
endorsed by time and experience, and the continuo'
demand which still exists for them, and the gres,o
estimation in which they are deservedly held, 11%;
induced the publishers to collect the scattered tit
tises and offer them to thegardening world in die'
present compact and convenient form. Mr Gleolirde
speaks highly of the value of the instructions he
given. He claims the right of priority in all Puy
methods, asserting that, in many instances, ;I,
plans have been coolly appropriated by. othe'd
who, after testing them and becoming convinceaar
their merits, published them in a new form 110,d
their own names. The lessons which he publisi'bi
so long ago have not, he says, been contradicted e,
any modern professor of the science, which is 330;;11
sarily a gratifying fact. They are thorouVor
practical in their nature, containing plain instrted
tions, not confusing the amateur with compliclithe
directions and technical terms, but expressing .0
author's meaning in a clear and compreheol
fashion. We have little doubt they will prove,ro
their author hopes, among the most useful voter
that a young gardener, whether amateur or Piviire
sional, can select for a limited library. „or
have only to add that the volumes are of a '13,41
venient size, printed in clear type, and each ad°ipg
with a beautiful coloured frontispiece represeat
groups of fruits and flowers.

- -
The Pope's Rights and Treongs. A thstoriefil
Sketch. Traner and Co. • tort
According to our author, who traces the hi°h
of the Popes to their origin, their "rig-at:A
consist of encroachments, made silently 10
at first, boldly and by
gradually wholes°
00
at last, on the rights of all other Christian 4._ 0;
Their " wrongs " consist of such a lisa
to
wrongs they have done to morality an bf
Christendom, such. as can happily be parallele%ta
the history of but few Royal houses. Those oktetch
readers who wish to see combined into one sbitioa
tho depraving tendency of ecclesiastical att ttr
and power, will find stories enough for their yvey
"W pose. e wonder that in a fey/ instances de 89
did not forbid a literal translation of certain ,
sages of old authors. But the author has
dently far more knowledge than taste.
tear,
The Handbook of Chess. By an Oxford Area
Cassell, fetter, and Galpin. op
This is the first of a series of elementarynnfio
books, and besides the laws of the game, co 1.A
',16,
an "
some good advice to young players, and
pies
nation of the openings with different
series of this nature will, we doubt not, be accept°
to the juvenile public.