The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-26 00:00:00

LITER4TURE.

The Day of Small nings. By the Author of
" Mary Powell," &c., &c. Arthur, Hall, and
Virtue.
There is an attraction in the works of this authoress
that rivals many more brilliant compositions. In
the present instance the story is very simple, being
the diary of an invalid lady who lived a solitary life,
but who intereqed herself so much in the concerns
of her friends that her sad and suffering existence
was robbed of its sting, inasmuch as she forget her-
self in others ; anxiety for them diverted her
thoughts from dwelling on her o•:sn pain, and in
forming plans for their welfare she enlivened the
weariness of her lonely hours. As is written in
the motto on the title-page—
" Young and old all brought their troubles,
Small and great, for me to hear.
I have often blessed my sorrows,
That made other's griefs so near."
The various characters who are recorded in Mrs.
Cheerlove's diary aptly represent the chances and
changes of life. The prosperous Mrs. Pevensey,
who seemed so impervious to trouble and so active
in the discharge of her manifold duties, in pursuing
a plan of pleasure, meets with a fearful accident,
and is fur life a helpless cripple. Arbell, her
daughter, who at first seems in the background and
neglected by her juvenile mother and arrogant
governess, suddenly becomes the chief person in the
household. Harry Prout, the enthusiastic young
man, was a would-be poet, but the sudden
death of his father, and consequent destitution
of the family, forced him to turn his attention to
sober prose, and the change was beneficial to
him. Miss Burt is a good specimen of that
odious class who go about from house to house,
discontenting all near them ; her presence was a real
infliction to one whose nerves were sensitive, like
Mrs. Cheerlove, and her presence was a great, trial
in the establishment. The domestic storms caused
by the conduct of Phillis are amusingly told, and
the trick practised upon her by Harry Prout, in
dressing up as a servant to take her place, was
very efficient in giving her a wholesome warning.
The simple occurrences here recorded gradually
work out important changes in the life of those
who appear before us, and the quiet manner in
which they are told makes them the more impres-
sive. This is a most pleasing little book i❑ its way,
and will not be found unworthy of its more strik-
ing
predecessors.

The Life of Schleiernzacher. Translated from the
German by Frederica Rowan. 2 vols. Smith
and Elder.

The name of Schleiremacher is less known in

this country than in his own ; nevertheless it is
one that deserves to be remembered among us as
well as in the Fatherland. The opening passage of
the translator's introduction to the volumes before
us will best show the estimation in which he was
held among his own people—
"On the 15th February, 1834, a funeral procession was
seen moving through the streets of Berlin, the like of which
that capital had rarely before witnessed. The coffin, covered
with a black pall and simply decorated with a large copy
of the Bible, was borne on the shoulders of twelve students
of the University, thirty-six of the most robust of whom had
volunteered to perform, alternately, this pious service.
After these came a train of mourners on foot, extending
upwards of a mile in length, and these were followed by one
hundred mourning coaches, headed by the equipages of the
King and the Crown Prince. Along the whole line tra-
versed by the procession, dense crowds of sympathising
spectators had gathered, while in the cemetery, beyond the
gates of the city, similar crowds were assembled ; and on
every countenance might be read the fact, that the indivi-
dual borne to the grave, was one of those representative men
in whom are concentrated, as it were, in a focus, the moral
and intellectual life of the nation and the period to which
they belong, and who become, in consequence, centres of
new light and diffusers of new and vivifying warmth. Such
was, indeed, the case ; for it was Friedrich Ernst Schleier •
masher, whom, by a spontaneous movement, the capital
of Proteetant Germany was thus honouring, in death.
" During a quarter of a century Schleierinacher had exer-
cised in that city the double function of a teacher in the
university and in the church ; and approving himself a fear-
less citizen in times of imminent peril, and an inspired
preacher during a period of great religious indifference, he
had, at a most critical juncture in the history of Prussia,
contributed more than any other individual to keep alive,
in all classes, the pride of nationality and the love of inde-
pendence, and to awaken religious earnestness and quicken-
ing moral sentiments. Ever ready to sacrifice himself in the
interest not only of his country but of the whole German
nation, then bending under the yoke of France, his example
had acted contagiously, in Berlin more especially, where
his influence was supreme, and had sustained in the people
that determination to liberate themselves when an opportu-
nity offered, which was ultimately so nobly carried out."

Five and twenty years have passed since then, and
though the preacher's name and works are still in
high repute, his admirers have asked in vain for the
biography, which from their knowledge of his per-
sonal influence they had so ardently desired. At
length the work before us, founded on his own
autobiography and letters was brought before the
public. We do not wonder at the cordial reception
it has met with in Germany. Among those inti-
mately acquainted with his works, his character
and his fame, we can readily imagine that it has,
as the translator observes, made Schleiermacher
once more a living presence. For an English public
less warmly interested in the subject, the work is
almost too diffuse and lengthy, butit would perhaps
have been difficult to have compressed it
greatly without interfering with its struc-
ture and with the full length portrait of
its subject's life and character which it presents
to us. Like many another bold and liberal advocate
of great principles, Schleiermacher had much to
contend against. In matters of church government
and other polemical questions he met with
vehement opposition. lie took an active part in
the proposed reform of the Prussian Church, and
the Union of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches
was one of his favourite projects. He strongly
objected to the proposal which was spoken of in
influential quarters, to make subscription in the
Evangelical Church compulsory, and in the minor
questions of reforming the liturgy and hymn-book
he also took a prominent part. These points, as is
often the case, though of little vital importance.
caused as much excitement and dissension as the
greater questions, and the enmities resulting from
their discussion caused Schleiermacher much annoy-
ance. We are told, however, that neither these
vexations or far greater troubles could disturb the
equanimity he drew from a deeper source. After
the war of liberation, when the reaction set in,
Schleiermacher was denounced to the King, being
looked on with suspicion in high circles, " like most
of the men who had infused into the nation the
spirit which had driven the foreigner out of the
land, but which was now to be quelled, lest it
might insist with too much vigour on the fulfilment
of the promises made by the Sovereign in the hour
of need." Ho remained for some time under apprehen-
sions that he might lose his professorship at the uni-
versity. These anticipations were, however, ground-
less, as in 1831 his services to the constitution were
officially recognised by the bestowal of the order of
the Red Eagle. It was during the struggle for
national existence that Schleiermacher most dis-
tinguished himself. He took an active part in all
political associations formed for the purpose of
freeing the country from French despotism, and
his sermons, full of eloquence and fervour, stirred
the hearts of the people and encouraged them for
the struggle. The description of one of his ser-
mons, addressed to the volunteers of Berlin in 1813
when they were about to start on their expedi-
tion, shows the wonderful power with which
he preached, and the high and noble spirit
with which he sent them on their mission. " We,
also, the preachers of peace," he says is one of his
letters, " if we have not all seized the sword, have
at least had recourse to the telling battery of words,
and have from the holy altar called the people to
battle, to share in the life and death struggle."
The letters, which occupy the greater portion of
these volumes, do credit to their author's head and
heart, and show him to have been as fervent in
affection and as admirable in private life as ho was
eminent for his scientific attainments and distin-
guished for the vigour and eloquence of his preach-
ing. In early life he seems to have been slightly
imbued with the tinge of the prevailing mysticism
and dangerous sentimentality of his time; but in
maturer years his strong moral perception and com-
mon sense regained the ascendency, and emanci-
pated him from its influence. The reader will find
much to interest and gratify him in the perusal of
this life of a good and great man.

The Volunteer Rifleman and the R ifle. By John

Boucher. W. 0. Mitchell.

To the scientific, or, rather, would-be scientific
reader, this volume will prove acceptable ; and cer-
tainly the veriest tyro cannot complain of a lack
of minuteness of detail, whether in dynamics,
pneumatics, or chemistry. The author gravely in-
forms us in his opening chapter, that "A bullet, on
leaving the muzzle of any firearm, makes a passage
through the air more or less short before it reaches
the mark." With such very particular and obvious
information to commence with, the reader has little
cause to fear being left in the dark on more abstruse
subjects. But, apart from this, there is useful
in-
formotion to be gathered from the book ; and it is
a relief, after the number of productions which have
emanated from the pens of "Smith, Jones, and
Robinson" on the volunteer question, to meet with
a work which goes deeper into the subject than
drill and uniform; upon the latter of which the
author makes the following remarks

The question of uniform and general equipment is, in
fin s
of far moreimportance than may appear at first sight
which has abolished epaulettes and gorgets, which
laughs at the Lord Mayor's carriage, and has substituted
fact, of
age
plain tunics for the gorgeously embroidered doublets which
were formerly worn by the Warders in the Tower. There
is in many quarters, 1 admit, a well-founded objection to
unnecessary sumptuary display, to gingerbread finery and
party coloured masquerading when practical duties have
to be performed ; but this love for plainness and sobriety of

attire may be carried too far, and is dangerously apt to de-
generate into Quakerif-m. To tell the truth, this rifle shoot-
ing is bat an appreutice,hip to the great trade of man kill-
ing, and that is a craft. requiring soma little dressing- to dis-
guise its abstract horror. Slaughter, or its simulation,
without sonic moderate amount of drumming and trumpet-
itig, must be repugnant and abhorrent to every heart in
which glows a spark of humanity ; and if the very simplest
and most convenient costume that oxisfs were adopted by
:soldiers, our Guards would go foi th to battle in the blue
frocks of butchers, and with their sleeves tucked up to their
elbows.

Let there, then, in the name of common sense, be no pea-
cock finery, but let us have a sufficient amount of military
smartness and military gaiety in the costume. We don't
want legions dressed in the fantastic array of the American.
Volunteers, the " Boston Tigers," the " Syracuse Scor-
pions," or the " Mississippi Fire-eaters ;" but we may well
shudder at the notion of having sw arms of English itifle-
men, dressed in hodden grey and wide-awake hats, half
convict, half plough-boy looking. It is easy to combine
taste and elegance with practical utility, A general key-
note of colonr, a margin of appearance, mustbe ‘istahlished,
and minor detail and ornamontation may be safely left to
the good taste of those to whom the Lords- Lieutenant of
Counties may be pleased to confide the training and drill-
ing of our volunteers.

The Rifle Volunteer will find information on the
range of projectiles, and other observations, which,
if properly attended to, may be of service to him.

The Old Coal pit ; or, The Adrentures of Richard
Boothby in Search of his Ottn Way. A Story
for Boys. By E. J. May, author of " Louis
School Days," &c. John W. Parker.
This is a very superior work, and can hardly fail
to achieve its object, that of setting before young
boys, in strong characters, the danger of such head-
strong actions as are here spoken of. Man_y a boy
may take warning from the sad life of Richard
Boothby, who ended, as is generally the case,
in imposing upon himself far more severe re-
strictions, and exposing himself to more pain-
ful ordeals than could have awaited him un-
der any circumstances had he followed the
orders of his parents, and those set in authority
over him. He was naturally of a good disposition,
which rendered his many derelictions from duty
and subsequent calamities all the more distressing.
Ile was, however, of that irritating carelessness of
character that nothing seems ever to affect in a
serious and lasting manner. The extraordinary
adventures he met with in Italy may appear to
some exaggerated; but such occurrences are by no
means improbable in the imperfect state of the law
abroad, and if such is not the danger to be apprehended
at }lame, those who make enemies by inconsiderate
trifling with the feelings of others, as Richard did to
Silvio, will most assuredly reap a bitter harvest.
When he had thrown away all his opportunities,
and consigned himself to a very different position
to the one originally intended for him, and which
would have been more consonant with his tastes, in
reality; too late did he recarthe:many, many means
of grace he had cast aside. The gentle exhortations
of his sister which he had so disregarded when
uttered, bat which when she had been laid in
the dust rose up in his memory as the beacon-
lights which had warned him of destruction, and
which he had, in the blindness of his infatuation and
the wilfulness of his pride, neglected at the time
when they would have been of such signal service
to him. We commend this little volume to the
earnest attention of the young as an excellent lesson
to their inexperienced minds, and an able illustra-
tion of the world's ways, in which they will find
a fair picture of the trials that await the self-suffi-
cient and overbearing when they leave their school-
days to enter on the battle-fields of life. It was
truly said of Richard, " Unstable as water
thou shalt not excel ;" and his boyhood of folly,
which refused the teaching of wisdom, was fol-
lowed by a youth of strife and sufferings, to result
in a lifetime of bitter regrets.

THE EMPEROR OF TEE FRENCII AND
TILE POPE.

(From the Liverpool Daily Post.)
We arc in a condition to affirm that the follow-
ing statement is true :

The Emperor of the French has written a second
letter to the Pope. It was brief, but emphatic.
His Majesty is willing and anxious to remain, as
hitherto, " the eldest son of the Church," and con-
tinue deferential to the Holy Father in all things ;
but if his Holiness oppose the late propositions, let
him remember Henry the Eighth'
The Pope having called for the withdrawal of
the French troops from Rome, the Emperor in the
same letter says that they shall be withdrawn if his
Holiness persists ; but that he (the Emperor) will
cause a month's notice to be given to all strangers
resident in the Eternal City.

11115 DAY'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES. - Wheat, 43s lld ;
barley, 34s 4d ; oats, 21s Id ; rye, 32s Id ; beans, 39.
5d ; and peas, 36s 2d.

THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES. Wheat, 43s lid ;
barley, 34s 8d ; oats, 21s 4d ; rye, 32s Od ; beans, 39s 5d ;
peas, 37s 6d.

ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 110,221;
barley, 81,349 ; oats, 18,250 ; rye, 138 ; beans, 4,928 ; peas,
2,073 quarters.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

A fair average time-of-year supply of beasts was on offer
into-day's market. Nearly all kinds met a dull inquiry, at,
in some instances, a decline in the quotations of 2d. per
8 lbs. The extreme value of the best Scots was 4s. 10d.
per Sibs. We were but moderately supplied with sheep
which moved off steadily, at full prices ; the best old Downs
having produced quite ss. Gd. per 81bs. The few calves on
offer were taken off freely, at extreme rates. Pigs wore firm
in price ; but much cows ruled somewhat heavily.

Per 81bs to sink the offal.
s. d. s. d.
Crse. & inf. beasts 3 4 3 6
Second quality do. 3 8 4 0
Primo large oxen 4 2 4 6
Prime Scots, &c. 4 8 4 10
Crse. & inf. sheep 3 8 4 2
Second quality do. 4 4 4 8

a. d. a. d.
Primecrs-wool do. 4 10 6 2
Pme. S'thdowndo.s 4 5 6
Large crse. calves 4 10 5 4
Prime mall do 5 6 5 10
Large hogs 3 6 3 10
Small porkers