The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-17 00:00:00

L ITER A TUR F.

G'randmother's Money. By the author of " Wild-
flower," " One-and-Twenty," &c. 3 vols. Hurst
and Blackett.
This author has before evidenced considerable
skill in the volumes of fiction which have been pre-
sented to the public. The present work does not
deteriorate from its predecessors, and many a strik-
ing scene of human life is put before us in the
details of Mrs. Tresdaile's adventures with her rela-
tives. She is admirably described as an old lady
possessed of many good qualities, but too much
absorbed in herself and her' own fancies. Her com-
panion, Barbara Bloyee, is a fine character, she was
placed in most trying circumstances, but she sus-
tained her courage and nerved her spirits to be
equal to the emergency. Money, so ardently de-
sired by many a youthful worker in this toiling
world, who shrinks from the long life of labour be-
fore him, and so dearly prized by those in middle
life who rank the golden treasure above all other
earthly goods, and who seem to consider heavenly
blessings as almost, secondary, is undoubtedly
great boon to those striving and struggling in their
vocations ; but it is to be questioned if an accumu-
lation of wealth is any advantage to the aged. For
it renders them captious and complaining; if they
aro neglected, they think it is infamous in their
position ; if they are courted, it must be for the sake
of their riches. Again, they are too happy in dwell-
ing on the glittering stores of shininc, trea-
sures that are theirs to do as they like with,
to dwell enough on the thought that
for them the day is drawing to a close
when such wealth can make them rich, and that
theirs should be the thoughtlof an enduring heritage
which can never fade with the transient fashions
of this life, and that their treasures should be
by this time beyond the reach of moth and rust.
It is instructive to notice the various dispositions of
the grandsons of Mrs. Tresdaile, each in his own
peculiar line and distinctive traits stands before us,
there are no less than four, Alice is a pleasing
girl not in any way remarkable for force of cha-
racter, or for the manifestation of any great merit,
bat she is a loveable and graceful creature. As so
often occurs her grandmother so severe and censori-
ous with the others, indulged her to a foolish ex-
tent, which resulted in no good to the young lady
herself. Colonel and Miss Hollingston are well
described, the latter is a peculiar individual, but
she improves greatly in the course of our acquaint-
ance with her. George Keldon is a very strange
character, well defined, it is impossible to withhold
our respect from such a man who is always deter-
mined to do his duty, but at the same time he is
not attractive. Perhaps this is not to be expected
however, under the circumstances, and Barbara
herself was in some things so out of the common
that there was every prospect of their union being
a happy one. Andrew is another happy likeness
of humanity that is too true to be agreeable in his
desultory and distracting course, and many a
household might furnish a prototype to
leis sketch in some unruly member, who
sets rules at defiance, and continually en-
grosses the attention of others, while never doing
anything satisfactory himself. It is satisfactory
to note, however, that this wanderer returns to the
right track after much painful endurance on all
sides. The;e is plenty of incident in this work
that is excellently described, and the author has
exhibited no inconsiderable knowledge of character
in many of his dramatis persona. " Grandmother's
Money" is a decidedly clever novel in the depth
of its thought and the vigour of its style; not at
all of the brilliant and showy class, it bears solid
and sterling qualities for its recommendation.

The Constitutional Press Magazine. A Review of
Politics, Literature, the Church, the Drama, and
Fine Arts. New series. No. XIV. Saunders
and Otley:
The story of " Hopes and Fears" is continued at
some length, and some striking scenes are met
with. The whole of the events occur in Ireland,
to which place the wonderful pair of independent,
damsels had resorted to be free and unfettered as
air, and to return in triumph to their friends among
whom they expected to shine as the angel anglers
of the Emerald Isle. As might have been sur-
mised, so rash a proceeding and so daring a viola-
tion of proscribed rules bore in itself the germ of
discontent and wretchedness. The failure was
complete from the beginning, when forlorn and
bewildered they were landed in a strange place,
till the ignominious finale, when they were only
too eager to welcome Owen to their hiding-place,
and suffer him to arrange all things for their im-
mediate return home. The sketches in this instal-
ment are among the best that have appeared in
this narrative. Both the young ladies are most
natural specimens, and it is amusing to watch how,
while professing to set the world at defiance,
they are perpetually jangling among themselves.
Many such characters disport themselves gaily and
brightly in the sunshine, but in the clouded storm
of the domestic horizon they prove the falsity of
their principles, and are a burden to themselves,
painfully experiencing that all their vanity has
resulted in vexation of spirit. " A Minute Ago"
is a strange bat well-written sketch in the dra-
matic form ; it will be more intelligible as it pro-
ceeds ; but some of the actors are ably delineated.
The tale is a very sad one as yet> " Opera Opera-
tions" is the name of a short paper, in which some
just criticisms are made on general grounds, and
which afford some useful advice to those who under-
take the perilous taste of being pioneers to the
musical world of London. Here and there some of
the remarks may be too severe, but there is, never-
theless, truth to be found in the main. " Lord
John Russell" is the subject of an article, and, as
may be presumed, he does not figure to great ad-
vantage in the sketch before us. It is said that
" as uncertainty and a mental nervousness were
the chief characteristics of Lord John Russell at the
outset of political life, so they were present with
him ever after, and are now the most prominent
features by which we recognise his connection with
the past." It is also stated that he lowered his
dignity by consenting to serve under Lord Palmer-
ston, which is true enough, as he never gave any
satisfactory explanation of his reasons for so doing.
But the alternate feuds and friendships of the two
noble lords have long ceased to cause any surprise,
though they may create annoyance or ridicule, ac-
cording as the beholder's wishes may incline. It
might be suggested that the article in question
would gain instead of losing in force, if the writer
were a little more moderate in his expressions oc-
casionally; but it is smartly done on the whole.

Squires and Parsons. A Sketch for the Times.
Saunders and Otley.
This is a very brilliant little volume which con-
tains in its small space as much point and repartee
as are often found in the lengthened pages long
drawn out of many a novel of the orthodox tribe of
three volumes. Some of the most glaring incon-
sistencies and harsh regulations of rural districts
are ably exposed and strongly animadverted upon.
Besides, there is quite a romantic plot interwoven
with the more serious and sage portion devoted to
sketches of the rural grievances. Sir Edward Tor-
rington is a delightful specimen of a young Eng-
lish squire, and there is great merit due to the
author for producing on the scene a worthy charac•
ter like this in contradistinction to the oppressors
who are cited. Nothing is a greater mistake than
to make all the chief personages out as bad and
unfeeling. Virtues and vices belong to no class or
rank; they are the heritage of mankind ; they were
extant before the creation of barons, which fact
those who rail at the aristocracy as the source of all
sin and crime would do well to remember. Sir
Edward met with many trials, and it was a sad
change to quit the smiling prospects that awaited
him in England to be an outcast, penniless and
deserted, on the other side of the Atlantic. He
returned, however, to begin his work again and to
resume with redoubled zeal the many plans he
had in project for the benefit ;of his tenants. We
leave him in the confident expectation that his would
be an honourable and happy life, and that after
his death many generations of the families bene-
fited by his kindness would continue to bless his
name, and revere his memory,--Jane Wentworth,
the curate's sister, whom he had the fine taste to ap-
preciate, and the good sense to select as his partner
for life, is one of those bright examples who are not
often given us to admire. She was firm in the
right course, while gentle and gracious in her de.
meanour. The account of the dark scheme which
was concocted for the ruin of Sir Edward is in-
geniously described, and it would be well if the
machinations of all such manoeuverers., were fol-
lowed by such speedy retribution as fell on the
heads of the guilty pair. On the whole, this book
of " Squires and Parsons" may be considered as a
very readable story, so far as romance goes, and a
very worthy attempt in a light form to exhibit
some errors in the social system, and to demon-
strate the force of individual influence, and the
importance of personal character. If each squire
and parson without troubling himself with subtle
dogmas and infatuating himself with antique pre-
judicics acted like Mr. Wentworth and Squire
Torrington, there would be better and brighter
days in store for many a hamlet and village now
distracted by theological controversies, and parish
disputes.

A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant, and Vulgar
Words. By a London Antiquary. 2d edition.
John Camden Hoffen.
Although the title of this little book may offend
ears polite, it really contains much amusing infor-
mation, and gives an insight into the hieroglyphics
used by vagabonds,which will enable those curious in
ouch matters to understand the various chalkmarks