The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-28 00:00:00

L ITERATURR

Reading Lessons. Edited by E. Hughes. Long.

mass.

This series of reading lessons is published in two
volumes, and has been undertaken with the object
of supplying an assistant to teachers in the instruc-
tion of the young, and at the same time affording
a course of reading books on the chief branches of
English education. The different departments of
physical geography, scientific biography, geology,
vegetable and animal physiology, ethnology, na-
tural history, political and domestic economy,
chemistry, mechanics, natural philosophy, astro-
nomy, music, and literature, are all treated of in
separate divisions by authors of established reputa-
tion. It is justly remarked in the preface that it
speaks well for the intellectual progress of the
future that men of such ability do not think it be-
neath them to popularise, for the use of the young,
those sciences of which they are themselves success-
ful cultivators, and in many instances the acknow-
ledged readers. At the same time the difference of
the authorship affords a variety of style very in-
structive for the perusal of the young. It must be
understood, however, that the work is not intended
for the very young or uneducated. The subjects
selected, as well as the language and method em-
ployed, presuppose a certain degree of intellectual
culture and development. At the same time it is
to be commended for bringing the study of the pure
sciences within the attainment of those to whom
the scientific terms employed, or abstruse interpo-
lations, have detained from acquiring a knowledge
of them in works of a more distinct scientific cha-
racter. It is well known that no department of
knowledge tends so much to strengthen the reason-
ing powers, and therefore even a moderate ac-
quaintance with them is greatly to be desired, even
if the student's pursuits should prevent them from
being more directly useful to him. The rapid sale
of a large impression of the First Book encouraged
the editor to prepare a second, in which the general
method is similar, though each article takes the
student a step forward in the science of which it
treats. It only remains for us to add, in commend-
ing this work to all self-instructors and teachers,
that. the editor has used it for some months in the
Royal Naval Lower School, Greenwich, of which
he is head master, and has found it satisfactory and
efficient.

Vagabond Life in Mexico, By Gabriel Ferry.

James Blackwood.

This work was originally published in Black.
wood's Magazine, whose readers will doubtless re-
member its striking- scenes and remarkable delinea-
tions. The writer was for seven years resident in
the country which he describes, and truly, if his
picture is a faithful one, we cannot admire his
selection of a residence. An utter disregard of
human life, and wanton indifference to robbery
and murder, are among the most prominent features
of the Mexican character. Justice is most ineffi-
ciently administered, and nothing is more common
than duels and assassinations in the open streets'
Nevertheless the adventures and escapes which
the author encountered, are sufficiently entertaiu:
ing to the reader, if not very agreeable to the
ac or. The various wandering characters he ma
with, the leperos, the banditti, the miners, . the
thieves' lawyer, the Jarochos, and their companions,
are all sketched with vigour and effect. The his-
tory of the elopement of the young Spaniard, who
interesting
was afterwards murdered, forms an
evneirdoduen.,eoa,nd
wthbo oma utthh'seorataphuorrs ufiotl
loofw De
donfoTrTomas
leagues from mere curiosity, aad who then
proved to be a bravo, from whom, for some time,
his life was in danger. Those who delight in nar-
ratives of adventures, and are attracted bylpic-
tures of social existence in wild and lawless dis-
tricts, amid the mixed
interest and desperate characters
hero delineated, will find in this volume abun-
dance of and excitement.

_an. By J. Sheridan Hogan Montreal. B.
Dawson (Sampson Low, Son, and Co.)
Canada, and her Resources. liy Alexander Morris,
A.M., Montreal. B. Dawson (Sampson Low,
Son, and Co).
A. brace of essays on Canada and her Resources
to the former of which the first prize was awardeci
by the Paris Exhibition Committee of Canada, and
to the latter, on a reference from that committee,
the second by the Governor-General of British
North America, Sir E. W. Head, Bart. Both
roductions are illustrated by large maps, contain
a vast amount of well-digested information, and
may be consulted with advantage, by all parties
interested in the present condition and prospects
of Canada. Accepting the decision of the commit-
tee as to their relative merits, we will only remark
further, that both essays reflect honour on the in-
telligence of the colony.

Can,

LINcoLN's-INN, Jan. 26.—The under-mentioned gentle.
men were this day called to the Degree of Barrister-at-
Law
T. Swanston, jun., Esq., M. E. Vale, Esq., F.N., Icily.
W.
LI cA. T. Wet-
-IG. V.
La w b y the
E.
psgo..
,fTLHiu
Turnbull,
a..rEi nkuse;:,
E; 8 :
IkrionosiesEq.n,clH.,.WD.enyn.eD,
Gee. G. Elger, Esq., B. A.
Ferard, Esq., A. R. Scoble, Esq,,
... C. H. Russell, Esq.,
js o. nm, E. sHq .
a,
yloabut ~ T.
Esq.,G urdo n , Esq,, L. ae , aq . ,
J. C. Wilson. Esq., and W. N. Lawson, Esq.
INNER TEIIPLE.—The under-mentioned gentlemen
were on Saturday called to the bar by the Hon. Society
of the Inner Temple :---T. H. Baylis, Esq., MA., F. C.
J. Millar, Esq., B.A. (certificate of honour and student-
ship), J. B. Bowen, Esq., M.A.,E. C. Law, Esq.,B.A.•
F. H. Lewis, Esq., B. L. Smith, Esq.. E. Skipper,Era
LL.B., C. W. Walker, Esq., 8.A., W. Braadt, En.,
8.A., and R. H. Andrew, Esq.
GRAY'S INE, Jan. 26.—At a pension of the NOBOTIre
able Society of Gray's Inn, holden this day, 1121nPloft
William Whitmareh, Esq., and William Andrews Held,.
worth, Esq., were called to the degree of BArrißterast•
Law.