The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-07 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.

The Eclectic presents its usual features, but is,
perhaps, less dogmatic and controversial than
usual. It opens with an article on Professor Owen's
Paleontology, in which it is remarked with truth
that although among the youngest of the sciences,
Paleontology is making more rapid strides in the
present day than almost any other. An article on
the Great Armada will be read with interest at
oar epoch, when the possibility of invasion is a
fact in all men's mind. W. G. Thornbury cootri-
butes a paper on " Home Tourists," in which he
does great injustice to Mr. Walter White's pleasant
volumes, and attacks Mr. Murray unsparingly for
publishing handbooks which are no more than they
profess to be, guides to the route, and not col-
lections of tradition and artistic description.
The month of May furnishes a subject for a plea-
sant paper, and there are also articles on Demonax
the Cynic and the History of Savoy.—The National
Magazine has a sketch of the parliamentary career
of Mr. Disraeli, and tales, poems, and sketches of
varying degrees of merit. The engravings manifest
some improvement. The Church of England
Monthly Review is written in its usual unpreju-
diced and sensible style. Among its most impor-
tant papers is one on " The Future of Oxford and
Cambridge," which arrives at the conclusion that
the " revival " which the middle class examination
initiates, will effect a vital improvement in the uni-
versities, by abolishing the popular idea of the ex-
clusive and aristocratic character of the two learned
bodies ; and also by destroying the fatal notion that
they are convivial and not educational institutions.
—Once a Week is as usual full of interest, attraction,
and variety. George Meredith's story of "He
would be a Gentleman" proceeds with spirit, and
the amusing papers descriptive of the terrors of Sir
Cresswell Cresswell are brought to a conclusion.
Miss Harriett Martineau contributes some very
sensible papers on physiological subjects,while lively
verses, and amusing anecdotes fill up the corners
very pleasantly. We see that this periodical is to
be enlarged to ,thirty-two pages.—The Wekome
Guest is improved in its general character. It
numbers among its contributors the names of
Albany Fonblanque, jun., M. Betham Edwards,
Samuel Lover, and G. A. Sala. The present part
has several entertaining papers.—The Family Eco-
nomist is a very excellent little periodical of its
kind, especially suited for the domestic circle. It
' is published weekly in illustrated penny numbers,
and the month's part is issued at the moderate
price of sixpence. For the ladies of a quiet house-
hold it is particularly adapted.— 7he English.
women's Domestic Magazine is a new comer, with
several distinctive features. Prominent among
its attractions are a coloured sheet of the fashions,
a coloured pattern for Berlin wool work, a large
sheet of designs for broiderie Anglaise
and the pattern of a Zouave jacket, full size
for cutting out. What household fairy who
wishes to combine economy with elegance
could resist such attractions when combined
with tales, verses, and general intelligence,
and offered for sixpence ? A novelette, a criticism,
a memoir of Mrs. Jameson, an outline of English
Domestic History, are among the contents.—Baily's
Monthly Magazine of sports and Pastimes has a
memoir and portrait of the Duke of Beaufort,
without, however, any mention of " Aunt Sally ;"
papers on the past Foxhunting Season, the Uni-
vetsity Boat Race, and other subjects of interest
to sportsmen. The Racing Register is continued
in its usual comprehensive style.—Newton's Lon-
don Journal has an introductory article on the
Financial Condition and Commercial Prospects of
India, which considers that our Eastern empire
offers us an inexhaustible market for trading
purposes. "We have been somewhat elated,"
says the writer, " with the prospect of an exten-
sion of our commerce with France ; but what is that
to our manufacturers and merchants compared
with the field for commercial operations which
India presents ?" He goes on to state that even
in its present unsettled and uncultivated condi-
tion, the Indian demand for British products has
far exceeded what the most sanguine can expect
from France for several years to come. The cus-
tomary list of patents and scientific reports are
given.—Plain or Ringlets? proceeds in its accus-
tomed lively strain, and leaves the company follow-
ing Mr. Jonathan Jobling's harriers. Leech's
lively pencil as usual greatly enhances its
attractions. Cassell's cheap publications main-
tain their character even among the crowd of
competitors.—The Illustrated History of England
is written in an able and fluent style, and is embel-
lished with numerous woodcuts. In the part before
us an animated account of the last days of Chatham
is given.-1 he Ladies' Treasury, and Natural His-
tory, are also meritorious serials. One of the:most
remarkable of the recent productions of this enter-
prising publisher is The Illustrated Family Bible,
which is being published in monthly parts, enriched
with profuse illustrations, and supplied with copious
marginal notes and references, which will render it
especially valuable to the humbler class of readers.
It is an admirable edition of the Holy Scriptures,
and can be cordially recommended to the heads of
families.—Charles Knight's excellent publications
continue with their accustomed ability. The fiftieth
number or the Popular History of England gives
us some very interesting chapters on the state of
Art and Literature in the reign of George 11. The
portraits of Pitt, Fox, and Grattan are prefixed.—
The sixteenth part of The English Z.'ycloptedia has
many valuable articles. Thus we have among
other subjects an account of Hydrodynamics, The
Inquisition, Tables of Interest, an article on nven-
tion and Discovery, another on Manufacture and
Trade, and an outline of the History of the
Jews. There are numerous other topics of all
kinds, but these being among the principal
articles we cite them as showing the great range
and variety of the information afforded.—The Rsvus
Independante discusses the politics and literature of
the day with its accustomed ability, and draws
such a picture of the difficulties surrounding the
French Emperor that it considers no means of escape
remain to him but universal war. A new series
of articles is commenced on the "Provinces of
France," and gives us some account of one of the
most peculiar and characteristic—Brittany.—The
Rev. Mr. Tyas's delightful series of The Wild
Flowers of i!nyland has reached its concluding
number with unabated attractions. Those who wish
to acquire a knowledge of these humble favourites,
without plunging into abstruse and scientific works,
cannot do better than peruse this pleasant little
work Janet shows us groups of graceful ladies
whose elegance of figure and taste in colours make
even the ugly fashions they exhibit attractive.