The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-17 00:00:00

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHIPIELD.—Meadow hay, 415 s to 61 N . clover ditto.
41 15s to 6/ 15s ; and straw, 11 63 Od to 11 103 Od per 10.1
Trade steady.
UUMBERLAND.—Moadow hay, 41 8s to 61 63; clove) do..
41 15e ,to 61 153 ; and straw. 11 6s to 11 lie per los,
A moderate demand.

WurrnoHAPEL.—Meadow hay, 41 55 to 61 03;
•10., 4/ 155 to 7105 ; and straw, 11 55 to 11 104 per bat.
Trade rather dull.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.)

LoNnorr, Jan. 16.—Wind this day at noon, S.W. ;
fresh, with dull weather.
PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 16.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Buce-
phalus (tpt.), from Constantinople ; Years (s. tpt.) Me•
diterranean. Sailed—Lisette, for Boston, U.S.
EALMOLUII, Jan. 16.—Wind S.W., fresh.—Arrived—
Africa, from Lagos ; Conder, from Akyab, for Hamburg ;
John Barraw, Madras.

(PElt ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday Morning.

Arrived.— Tiber, Martha, Hero, Mary Ann, Joseph and
Mary, Clipper, and Limerick Lass, from n ewport ; Anne
Maria, Cardiff; Charlotte and Caroline, Guernsey ; Earl
Grey, London; Despatch (s), Jersey; Atalanta (s), Havre;
Orinoco (steam transport). Black Sea.
Sailed.—Mary Ann, for Newport ; Wonder (s), Jersey ;
Alliance (s), Havre; La Ponle, Cherbourg.
LIVERPOOL, Thursday Morning.

Wind S.
Off.—Ben Nevis, from Melbourne; Nixo, Copenhagen;
Helene, Ostend.

Wind W.S.S.

QUEENSTOWN, Jan. 15.

Arrived.—Juliana, from Alexandria ; Recruit, and
Alma, Callao ; Barkhill, St. John's, N.B. ; Auror, Flush-
ing ; John Martin, Saldannah Bay ; Carols, Marseilles ;
Andreas, Rio Grande.

BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Thursday, 10 a.m.
Wind S.W. ; tide, two hours' ebb ; cloudy.
Sailed.— Forrester, for St. Vincont.
Sailed, Jan. 16.—Rapid, for Terceira; Frigate Bird, for
Philadelphia.

DEAL, Thursday, 9.34 a.m.

Wind S.S.W., fresh.
Anchored.—lron Gem, from London, for Newport ;
Rectitude, from Dundee, for St. John's ; Eliza Stowecord,
from Newcastle, for Caen ; Agamemnon, from Calcutta,
for London ; Bombay, 24 transport, from Plymouth, for
London ; Jessie M`Farlano, barque, from Penang, for Lon-
don ; Trado Wind, ship, from Westward.

SUM FOR MR. COIMEN.—FIow many Russian Steppes
are equal in polities to one English League ?—Punci,.

DALKEITH PALACE. The Duke and Duchess of Buc-
cleuch and family, who have been residing here for some
time, are about to leave, in order that a considerable
addition may be made to the palace. The new erection
is to be on the west side of the building.
The Court of Directors of the East India Company
purpose to invite Sir G. Pollock to sit for his picture, to
be hung up in the Examination Hall at Addiscombe.
Mr. Grant is the artist selected.
We learn from a quarter which we have every reason
to think well informed that Mr. Shaw LeFevre has no
intention as yet cf tendering his resignation of the
SpeakershiP.
The Tories in North Essex are at loggerheads about
the representation. Some appear desirous of throwing
over Major Beresford, while private meetings have been
held by others deprecating such a course.
No step has yet been taken regarding the representa-
tion of Cambridge University, vacant by the death of
Mr. Goulburn. Among the names mentioned are Mr.
Spencer Walpole and Lord John Manners.
LINCOLN ELECTION.—Major G. W. Sibthorp, eldest
son of the late representative, was yesterday elected,
without opposition, member for Lincoln.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—Lady Harris and a son of Col.
Smyth were yesterday slightly injured by an accident
occurring to a first-class carriage at the Tallington sta-
tion ou the Great Northern Railway.
LONDON CONFIRMATIONS.—It is expected that, on
acaount of the Bishop of London's continued indisposi-
tion, the Bishop of Oxford will take his lordship's an-
nual course of confirmations.
RE2RESENTATION OF TAMWORTE.—On Monday last
Viscount Raynham addressed the electors of Tamworth,
and solicited their suffraos. The noble lord was well
received, and it is supposed that he will be elected with-
out opposition.
Intimation has been received by the ooinniander-in-
chief at this port, that about 30 gun-boats are to be
fitted here, and when ready for sea are to be moored in
a line as close as possible inside the Breakwater, until
the time for their departure for the Baltic.—Plyinouth,

Mail.
FIRE AT A COACHMAKER'EL—Yesterday morning, be-
tween the hours of three and four o'clock, a fire broke
out on the premises of Mr. C. J. Cotton, coach-builder,
Worship-street, Shoreditch. Considerable damage was
done ; canoed by heat from a flue.
THE LATE BOILER EXPLOSION IN STAFFORDSHIRE.—
An inquest was held yesterday at the Bush Inn upon
the bodies of the four unfortunate men who were killed
by the explosion of a boiler upon the premises of Messrs.
Hickman on Monday last. After the examination of
two or three witnesses the inquiry was adjourned.
DEATH FROM STARVATION.—An inquest was held yes-
terday in St. George's Workhouse, Southwark, on the
body of George Lamb, who, it was alleged, had died
through want and exposure to cold. A verdict was re-
turned that the deceased died from an epileptic fit, and
that his death was accelerated by exposure to cold.
A literary undertaking of considerable interest is pro-
jected. Mr. Owen Jones proposes to publish a "gram-
mar of ornament, being a series of 3,000 examples
from various styles, exhibiting the fundamental prin-
, eiples which appear to reign in the composition of orna-
ment of every period. The work will be published in 25
numbers of four plates each. The letterpress will appear
at intervals during the progress of the work.
A letter from Vienna of the 13th, in the Corriere
Italiano, says 1-7" A great movement is remarked at
present in the diplomatic world here. In the course
of this morning the French, English, Russian, arid
Prussian ambassadors bad each a conference with
Count Buol.'
MADAME JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT LIND IN THE PRO-
VINCES.—An arrangement has been effected with Mr.
Mitchell, by which Madame Jenny Goldsohrnidt Lind
will appear in two grand concerts in St. Andrew's Hall,
Norwich, on Tuesday the sth and Thursday the 7th of
February next. The performance at the first concert
will be the Messiah ; and the second entertainment will
be a miscellaneous one. The hall will be fitted up as it
usually is during the Norfolk and Norwich Musical
Festival, and will, in all probability, be filled by numer-
Ong and brilliant asaerabliera.

LITERATURE.

The Lady of Fashion. By the Author of " The
History of a Flirt," "The Roses," &c. 3 vols.
Hurst and Blackett.
In these pages the reader is presented with a
striking picture of social existence. The chronicles
of the Lady of Fashion are not mere details of gay
scenes and retrearsals of sparkling conversations,
where the young and thoughtless disport themselves
for the brief season of worldly enchantment. They
appear rather the records of a career that may con-
vey a meaning and declare a warning. Under the
guise of a fanciful fiction we may discern the sober
truth that has carried conviction to many a dis-
tressed household, and formed the alloying bitter
in many a supposed cup of sweets. In the delinea-
tion of Lady Caroline the author has achieved a
great success ; she presents a masterpiece of skill.
Endued with every grace to charm the fancy and
captivate the attention, bright in loveliness, spark-
ling with wit and gaiety, possessed of great talents,
and the power of readyadaptation to circumstances,
with the crowning gift of youth in its flower, no
wonder she was the star of every circle. It is ne-
cessary, to appreciate the workings of so subtle a
spirit, to study first the attributes of those among
whom she glides to enthral and ensnare, and we aro
accordingly introduced to the family of Barnardis-
ton Court in their pomp and solemnity. Nothing
could be more apart from the superficiality of Lady
Caroline than the solid basis on which was founded
the intrinsic worth of her new relations. Mrs.
Barnardiston, the mother of Hugh, the hero, is an
excellent portraiture. None can fail to be inte-
rested in her, with all her prophecies and preju-
dices. " Even her failings leaned to virtue's side."
One feels that all with her is real and earnest ;
while everything declares that in her daughter-in-
law, Lady Caroline, there is nothing genuine.
Mrs. Barnardiston made a great mistake in suppos-
ing that the same quiet and calm that suited her
notions would accord with the desires and wishes
of her son. Hugh was of an impetuous and uncon-
trollable disposition ; hence arose many of his trou-
bles. He would not be advised ; although once
pleased none could be more easily led. It was
when worn out and wearied with the dull mono-
tony and heavy splendours of his family mansion
that he rushed to the gaiety and life of Brighton,
just then become a place of fashion. He met Lady
Caroline, the belle of tha season, and a universal
favourite from her mirth and easy manners. She
was a widow, but that fact did not appear to sub-
tract from her energy and spirit. Had she pos-
sessed any right feeling she might have proved au
advantage in some respects to the family she en-
tered. She might have rendered modern fashions
agreeable by her liveliness and grace to a household
that had too long observed old customs. She
might have made radiant with the smiles of youth
those halls on which had settled the gloom of cen-
turies, and, above all, she might have gladdened the
hearts of the parents by bringing back to them in
their age their only and beloved son to dwell
among them. It was far otherwise. Shining gifts
like hers must be pre-eminent for good or evil ; hers
was not a talent that could be hid in the earth ; it
must influence mankind, as a blessing or blight.
Some of the scenes that follow her first introduc-
tion to Barnardiston Court are almost dramatic in
their force and vividness. The elder Mr. Barnar-
diston was (in his way) as much captivated by the
young beauty as his son. To this end had the
cunning artificer fashioned her tools and directed
her labours. To this she aspired—he was " purse
holder ;" hence the object of her affections, and
the theme of her praises and respect. She
saw intuitively that on the old lady
her weapons were powerless ; she was invul-
nerable to blandishments and protestations.
Yet this defeat was nothing to the tactics of the
assaulter ; after all, it was a citadel that if stormed
was not a stronghold. She carried all before her,
when she was successful in the siege she laid to
Mr. Barnardiston, the elder. From the vantage-
ground thus won she looked down with triumph
on the dissentient mother-in-law, the wondering
county, nay, even on Hugh himself. He became
secondary to his father, as only the heir, and not
the possessor, of the estates. It is an amusing epi-
sode in the narrative to watch the gradual change
that was apparent in the surrounding families,
after the arrival of the Brighton belle, the star of
magnitude, the lady of fashion. All things were
seen in a different light, good useful furniture
seemed a disgrace, respectable conveyances looked
like lumber, and highly-prized wardrobes appeared
so much rubbish after the eyes had rested on the
gorgeous saloons, the dashing equipage, the splen-
did attire of Lady Caroline. One wanted one
thing, one another, but all agreed to differ as to
existing arrangements. If to sow the seeds of dis-
content and murmuring in families calls down a
judgment, an awful account was in store for the
bride, but of this she reeked not. Indeed nothing
more developed her nature than her demeanour to
those country families. At first she called them
all round her, and bewildered them with her atten-
tion. But gradually, as novelty wore off, and
London friends arrived, and Brighton acquaint-
ances congregated around her, her neighbours were
slighted, and many who had wasted on finery what
was wanted in necessaries, were never asked to dis-
play their show before her, for whose sake it was
devised. A reaction took place in the minds of
many, but the majority was still in her favour.
Whild the world without was debating on the
nature of its idol, the world within was having its
character displayed in no ordinary light. The in-
timacy of domestic life must sooner or later dis-
close the real sentiments that actuate and the mo-
tives that urge the mind. Selfishness, above all
things, will be transparent at last. Lady Caroline
was more than selfish : she was heartless and de-
signing, and in the pursuance of each cruel pur-
pose she sometimes outwitted herself. She had
commissioned her maid to have secretly poisoned
the favourite old dog of Mrs. Barnardisten. This
was effected in the dark • but some time after, in a
quarrel between the mistress and servant, all was
disclosed, and a loud murmur pervaded the house-
hold. With all their admiration for the new corner,
every one preserved the greatest respect for their
mistress, and it was with indignation they heard of
the wanton cruelty. The greatest mistake, how-
ever, was her insisting on the removal of the por-
trait of an old general from the grand hall. She
passed through the ball every evening, and she
declared it distracted ber. In vain it was repre-
sented to her, by her almost frantic husband, that
this was the portrait of one who bad been an
honour to the family, that it was as an heirloom
handed down from generation to generation, a
landmark to their name in history, the pride and
glory of Barnardiston annals. In vain, the fatal
" Je le veux" had gone forth, and the General
must bo moved. Had the grave given up its charge,
end the grim old warrior again strode in the pre-
cincts of the hall, a greater panic could not have
been created. Poor Mr. Barnardiston, the elder,
was stupified at first. He saw no option left him
but consent ; but the mind does not easily forget
such a shock, and from that day he regarded his
daughter-ia-law with a very different look. For
sometime it mad() no difference, but Lady Ca-
roline felt eventually that she had " lost caste,"
as she expressed it. Never, from that day, could
she gain anything from the proprietor of Barnar-
diston Court by her wiles, her devices, or her pro-
fessions. He saw too late that it was as the ne-
glected Mrs. Barnardiston had declared, all " play
acting." He could not preserve the same dignity
and self-command in the discovery that his lady
had manifested, but then she had not been taken
in. In the hour of real trial, the good mistress,
the kind mother, and the considerate wife
triumphed. She was great in adversity ; no
one heard her murmur, all had come about as
she had said, but she never reminded them of the
fact, a proceeding so irritating at all times, but
in the then existing state of things one that would
have been most maddening. Gradually her son
returned to her ; Caroline slighted him ; Caioline
cared for her own friends. His mother was the
same as she had been in childhood and youth ; she
was ever ready to bear with the troubles that
beset his maturity. In the quiet retreat that she
had put aside for herself, when the place was over-
flowing with unwelcome visitors, her eon and hus-
band were glad to join her, and thus abandoned
the house to the intruder and her associates.
An agreeable passage in the story is that of the in-
troduction of Kate Hayes to Barnardiston. Lady
Caroline wanted some one to amuse her constantly,
and selected the youngest daughter of Admiral
Hayes, who resided near to her. She was not
pretty, but very pleasing, and her sweet temper
and lively spirits were a real blessing amid the
hollow and artificial state of the society at the
Court. However it was a very questionable ad-
vantage to Kate Hayes herself. What she gained
in dress sold demeanour she lost in serenity and
gaiety. She was too well principled to
to be
and
away into any of the [follies around her, any
great extent, but she was inexperienced, and Lady
Caroline was not a good adviser. After many lec-
tures as to the propriety of doing the best she
could with herself, while in so much society, it
ended where it began, and Kate went home. Not
the same happy girl who left it; her peace had been
undermined, her spirits were tamed, and her first
fresh ideas of life clouded over. Lady Caroline
had told her which of the train of admirers who
surrounded her were of use, and which were not ;
that Mr. Calcraft was only an amusement, and
Mr. Wilmot, though old, was rich. Kate, at seven-
teen, did not receive much benefit from these sug-
gestions, and witino sympathising and experienced
guide she went altpgether astray, mistaking Mr.
Caleraft'e attentio*, whida meant nothismfor real

devotion, and at the same time remembering too
much of Lady Caroline's commendations of Mr.
Wilmot for her future peace. Calcraft went
to India, without offering to see her,
and, at a chance meeting, at Brighten,
carelessly took leave. Poor Kate Hayes, she was
much to be pitied, not only for present disappoint-
ments, but for future weariness. After she had
put aside all thoughts of the deceiver she found
that she could not live the past over again. She
had quitted home a giddy maiden, but she could
not live the life of a woman like her sisters. Bart
nardiston had done an evil work in her nature ;
she dwelt on the ease of her late life, and longed
for a diversion. In an evil hour Mr. Wilmot ap-
peared; in vain did her mother urged her to pause,
her father and sister's delight hurried her on. They
did not know of her previous disappointment, and
were not fair judges. She was wilful, notwith-
standing hours of real suffering' made her often
tremble as to the results. The sequel of her career,
as Mrs. Wilmot, is very interesting, and points out
a warning to those who marry simply for conveni-
ence, or for the sake of benatting theirfantily. Lady
Caroline rejoiced at the match, and tried to draw
Mrs.Wilmet into her circle again, but Kate refused;
she had too much sense for that as well as right
feeling. Deeply offended, Lady Caroline closed the
acquaintance. This defection was the forerunner
of many more misfortunes to the proud beauty.
Mrs. Wilmot had seen, for some time, that con-
stant variety was requisite, after all, in that grand
company she had once so valued, and after all it
did not keep off low spirits. " She felt how soon
sorrow touched every heart, dancing amid sparks of
its own creating, and singing its own song of hope,
in a world where hope blossomed not." Such wise
reflections never reached Lady Caroline, and she
went on in her foolish career till an unexpected
enemy appeared in the form of sudden illness. She
had over-tasked her strength, and was dangerously
ill ; she had met with several mortifications
from many quarters, which had annoyed
her greatly ; she felt her power was fading.
The short scene of her death is painful; the solemn
hour, never suffered to intrude on her mind in
health and strength, was doubly awful when
hastily brought near. She cared for no one, and
to the last persisted in her attempts at show. The
Lady of Fashion had no mourners, her huiband
was miserable for a time, but her memorygradually
departed, leaving no brightness behind. Amid all
the circles she had irradiated no distress was seen,
and with all her tact and. ingenuity she left no one
willing to sound her praises. After so many
troubles from style and fashion, it is not a surpris-
ing fact to the readers to learn of the probability
of Hugh Barnardiston forming a second alliance
with the sister of Mrs. Wilmot, the eldest daughter
of Admiral Hayes, a young lady of great sense and
possessed of kind feelings. In the course of the
narrative, a great variety of characters appear
which impart a. life and vivacity to the scene. It is
refreshing to turn to simple domestic people like
the Hayes, after the whirl and false glitter of the
Barnardiston set. Mrs. Hayley, Mrs. Price Mills,
in their different ways furnish entertainment. The
rough old admiral and his serene but straightfor-
ward and sensible lady are well sketched. Alto-
gether, the story may lay claim to a considerable
share of attention, for it has the merit of some
originality, and talent has stamped it with an un-
deniable impress. The field chosen for display is not
a new one, but the vigorous descriptions, the bril-
liant touches and the life-like portraits, infuse
spirit into its style, and impart lustre to its pages.
" The Lady of Fashion may rank among those
novels which are the result of reflection, and which
give rise to thought.