The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-23 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Bushranger. By Chas. Rowcroft. Thomas
Hodson.
This is a tale of the island of Van Dieman at the
time when the convict system flourished in all its
glory ; and as Lord Byron, in his celebrated narra-
tive of Don Juan's shipwreck, compiled a masterly
fiction from the sufferings of many, so has Mr.
Rowcroft combined the various noted feats of the
most renowned Australian Bushranger in life—
Mark Brandon. There is nothing remarkable in
the story, and the reader becomes to a certain ex-
tent wearied by the continual suspense in which he
remains, notwithstanding that the interest is always
kept up. A certain retired English major embarks
his worldly wealth and his two daughters on board
a small brig, and sails for the Southern Ocean. An
experienced seaman commands the ship in the capa-
city of first mate, the major representing the
captain. There is also a gentleman on board of
enterprising disposition but slender abilities: He
is introduced by the author, as a clown is in the
circus, as a bit of by-play to relieve the rest of the
performance. By some means the Bushranger,
Mark Brandon, gets possession of the brig, falls in
love with one of the daughters of the major, and
carries her off. A certain Ensign is despatched in
pursuit who happens to be an old flame of the
abducted damsel, The volume is filled with the
adventures of the pursuers and pursued. Virtue
and valour ultimately triumph, and crime and
cruelty perish, Although, with our present inti-
mate knowledge of Australian manners and customs,
some of the narrative seems to be overdrawn, the
reader must bear in mind that Mr. Rowcroft's tale
refers to past times, before the genius of gold
removed the taint of slavery from our principal
Australian possessions. And if the author does
sometimes draw the long bow a little, is it not the
prerogative of an author of fiction ?

Discourses by TPilliam Anderson, LL.D. Second
Series. Second edition. Adam and Charles
Black, 'Edinburgh.
We have previously expressed a favourable
opinion of the merits of this work, and of the
originality of thought and earnest practical spirit
which distinguish it. This second edition is some-
what enlarged and improved, and we heartily com-
mend it to all who desire plain and searching dis-
courses rather than superficial eloquence or
technical learning. The style is occasionally
abrupt in its directness, and the doctrines incul-
cated will not, of course, be equally acceptable to
all readers, but none who admire honesty of pur-
pose and fearlessness of spirit can fail to profit by
its teaching. The last sermon in the volume,
"Uncharitable Judgments judged," is especially
deserving of attention. We have no doubt that
this new edition will be exhausted as speedily as
its predecessors, and we hope it may not be long
before another selection is made from Dr. Ander-
son's manuscripts.

Johnson's Rasselas. Edited by the Rev. John
Hunter, M.A. Longman.
_ _ ..... . .

This is another of the Rev. Mr. Hunter's useful
educational works, designed more especially for the
benefit of candidates for the University Middle
Class examinations. The work before us is fur-
nished with explanatory and grammatical annota-
tions, with specimens of interrogative lessons and.
answers to questions set at the Oxford examina-
tions, besides various other instructive and sug-
gestive aids to the young student. A brief outline
of Dr. Johnson's career is prefixed, and the whole
work is admirably suited for the promotion of
a thorough knowledge of the principles of English
composition.

The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer. Three vols.
.specimens, with Memoirs, of the less known
British Poets. Vol. I. J. Nichol, Edinburgh.
London : J. Nisbet and Co.
Mr. Nichol's admirable edition of the British
Poets is now extensively circulated. We know of
no other edition so comprehensive and so well
adapted for a library. In giving us the works of
the Father of English poetry, the editors have
followed the same plan so successfully tried with
Spencer's " Faery Queene." The glossary has
been placed on the margin, and though it is impos-
sible to remodel the text without seriously affecting
its integrity, so many helps are furnished to the in-
telligent reader that he can scarcely be greatly per-
plexed. Mr. Tyrwhitt, F.R.S., has prefixed an
essay en Chaucer's language and versification, whieh
is full of interest. We are glad to see these fine old
works, which have so long been sealed books to the
greater portion of the reading public, rendered com-
prehensible and attractive to those who only know
them by reputation. The " Specimens of the less
knownßritish Poets" include many whose names are
scarcely remembered, and the volume is even more in-
teresting as a literary curiosity than for its intrinsic
poetic merits, although they are not inconsiderable.
The introductory hues furnish some useful informa-
tion respecting the writers and their times. Thera
are many lines in these quaint old rhymesters which
are familiar to the modern reader, who may be glad
of this opportunity to extend his acquaintance with
those, whose works, although little known, deserve
not to be altogether forgotten.

The Cook's Every IJay Book. Bentley.
This is a cheap and useful little manual of
domestic economy, adapted to the general require-
ments of the middle classes, and suggesting to the
perplexed housekeeper a pleasant and inexpensive
variety of dishes. The fact of its having been
originally drawn from the French will be a recom-
mendation to those acquainted with the resources
of a Parisian cuisine,

Notes on _Health : Row to Keep or Regain it.

By W. Coleman, M.D. lioutledge.
This is a useful little work, explaining the prin-
ciple laws which regulate the animal economy in
plain and practical terms, and avoiding the use of
technicalities which only serve to perplex and em-
barrass the uninitiated. The vast importance of
some knowledge of the laws of physiology is now
so widely recognised that we need only say that
the volume before us appears to be the result of
study and experience, and is well adapted to con-
vey sound general instruction.

Smith and Elder's Cheap Editions.
Messrs. Smith and Elder have been the pub-
lishers of so many striking and agreeable works
that it is a matter of congratulation to the readers of
light literature that they should provide this series
of reprints at a low price and in a most conve-
nient form. The works of the lamented Charlotte
Bronte and her sisters have formed part of the
series. " Jane Eyre" (which it will be remembered
was accepted by this firm after being refused by
so many other publishers) " Shirley,' "
and " Wuthering Heights" have already appeared.
The volume just issued contains " The
Professor," the first written, though last published,
of Currer Bell's novels. To it are added the col-
lected poems of the three sisters. Holme Lee's
domestic story of " Kathie Brande," Sir A. IL
Elton's novel of " Below the Surface," and Miss
Martinaeu's " Deerbrook," have also been among
the new popular editions. We have had too Miss
Mulock's pleasant and graceful stories, the vivid
romance of " Paul Ferrall," the weird and startling
sketches of Wilkie Collins, and the mournful romance
of a ILost Love," by Ashford Owen. Rowcroft's
Tales of the Colonies have reappeared to delight
the lovers of adventure. Leigh Hunt's " Town"
has gathered a fresh interest from its venerable
author's lamented decease ; and Mr. Thackeray's
delightful lectures on the " English Humourists''
have been put within the reach of their most econo-
mical admirers. The system of reprinting standard
works at a low price is open to none of the
objec-
tions attending original cheap literature, and is
adopted by most of our leading firms; r:11"
we
are glad the public have the opportunity of secur-
ing so many excellent and attractive works at so
small an outlay.