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The Hallow Isle Tragedy. 3 Tols. Chapman and

Ilan.

This is, in many respects, a peculiar book, but it
has the advantage of novelty in the choice of its
scenes, and of presenting a variety to the ordinary
run of romances of the day. It is also very well
written, and some of the wild scenes and mysteri-
ous adventures tnat take place are narrated in a
fitting and impressive manner. The reader is
agreeably surprised in the story being, fur the most
part, unconnected with the religious discussions
and dissensions that then raged in the country.
Such topics never form a desirable subject for
stories, therefore the present one is to be com-
mended for merely touching on the topic without
tracing effects too deeply to their causes, and
descanting and dilating on the pros and cons of the
case. The character of Logan, the young minister,
is well described ; he was not himself in favour of the
new movement, but he was influenced by those around
him ; and although nominally on one side of the
disputants, he really did not care which cause
triumphed. Perhaps he was not the worse for his
indifference, as the excess to which the ardour of
zealous converts carries them is most inimical to
any advantages that might under calmer conduct
really accrue from a new system being introduced.
The story is rambling and disjointed, but it depends
more on its style than its events, more on its cha-
racters than its construction. Melethor, the master,
as he was called, is a very fine straightforward
young man, and in the conflicting chaos of discus-
sions and disturbances, social and religions, it is a
positive relief to meet with one sensible person who
is not influenced by selfish motives, or actuated by
prejudiced views, but who renders better service
to his country in the unimpassioned exercise of
his moderate abilities than others of far higher
attainments who are vehement in their actions and
misguided in their zeal. Effie, the sister of Logan,
is a very pleasing young girl, and in her simple
style and her downright conversation she forms an
amusing contrast to her brother, who is sometimes
rather didactic in his tone and rather theoretic in
his views. Effie was essentially practical, and in-
deed carried some of her notions too far, as when
she concealed the extraordinary story of Kith, the
servant, from those whom it so immediately con-
cerned. The winding-up of the tale in the old
ruined castle before the strange Mrs. Deerness and
the contending claimants for the estate is very
exciting, and reminds one of the memorable denoue-
ments in the romances of old times. Weatherby is
an artful and yet a weak man, whose career of crime
and whose eventual misery form one of the morals
of the tale. His confederate in villainy is also well
displayed, and his awful fate at the last is indeed a
tragedy. Some of the scenes are worthy of parti-
cular notice, in especial the one in which Rollockson
is entrapped into captivity, and has to escape in a
pantomimic style. Altogether this is a very read-
able story, and the variety of persons who figure in
its pages, combined with its skilful details and
exciting events, may render it a favourite with
many ; at any rate, it possesses the merit of being
quite out of the common in its general tenor, and
of being spirited in its style.

Dublin Univereity Magazine.

" Vonved the Dane" is continued, and the story
takes a new form in this division, it is so far nar-
rated in an impressive manner. There is a very
sensible article on a book recently published, en-
titled " Realities of Paris Life," in which the unfair
insinuations, the absurd notions, and the prejudiced
views of the author of that work are most ably ex-
posed and treated with the censure they so fully.
merit. It is not that the object is to praise every-
thing French, but a parallel case is always drawn
in which the English side of the question is not
only inferior, but generally weak or wrong. In
describing the French army the author defiantly
asks, "Could any other than French soldiers have
been converted V into Zouaves ?"—and again, " In
what country in the world shall we find a regiment
like them." It is here worthily answered, "We
take liberty to doubt whether any Zouave regiment
is comparable to the 42d Highlanders, or the 88th
Connaught Rangers. Should it ever happen that
the Zouaves have again to cross bayonets; with
these, or any other British regiment, we apprehend
that the precedents of Magenta or Solferino will
hardly be found to rule the issue of the grim de-
bate." A considerable space is very properly de-
voted to refuting the unworthy charges preferred
against the army chaplains of avoiding disease and
danger while the priests, on the contrary, " seemed
to court it." It would be unfair, on the other hand,
to run down the character of the French army or
people, but the annals of history have proved that
no nation has surpassed the English in every
species of heroism, at the same time if books like
the one under discussion are written, it is only fit-
ting that they should bo repudiated. One of the
outrageous statements is properly refuted when
treating of missionaries. It is said that the Catho-
lic priest toils with no hope of preferment, no
dazzling mitre beckons him oa. To this, it is ob-
served, that the "Pope, now ruling at Rome, has
it counted as one of his deserts, very properly by
his biographers, that he served in early
life in the missions of Chili. Dazzling mitre,
indeed, what of the triple tiara !" In
the exciting discussions on the Conspiracy
Bill, Lord Derby admirably expressed himself con-
cerning the letters of the colonels, he said he would
not believe they fairly represented the noble army
of France, for true courage never indulges in bom-
bast, so the right-judging reader will feel that such
sentiments as are professed in these pages neither
exhibit the spirit, or the temper, which actuates the
majority of the members of an ancient church, or
the people of the most polished country. This
article will be found eminently worthy of perusal
from its temperate tone and its judicious remarks.
" Artist and Craftsman," is continued. There are
some momentous seems in this instalment, and
Clara and Mark part for ever. She is devoted to
her " glorious vocation," which he denounces as
unworthy of her. This forms a better foundation
for a quarrel than lovers can often lay claim to, and
the result is that they dissolve their engagement,
and each pursues a separate line, There is an ex-
cellent article on the " Voyage of the Fox in the
Arctic Seas." Few of the occurrences of these
latter days are more fraught with the solemnity of
reality, and the interest of romance than the records
of those discoveries in the Northern Seas. Nothing
could have more effectually described their suffer-
ings than the lines written long before their expe-
dition was planned :

" On the frozen deeps repose,
'Tis a dark and dreadful hour,
When round th• ship the icebergs close,
To chain her with their power."
Althought unsuccessful, their courage and constancy
are,above all praise, and England will not forget that
her dead slumber in those ice-bound regions. It is
truly stated in this memoir of Captain WClin-
tock that some testimonial of his great .exploit
should be awarded to him as a slight recognition on
the part of the Government of the service he, his
officers, and his men have rendered to h. umanity,
to science, and to our country. In this number
there are various other articles that afford attrac-
tion to different classes of readers.

Bentley's Miscellany.
Mr. Ainsworth is fairly in the saddle now with
his new serial story of " Ovingdean Grange," and
is off at a canter over the beautiful South Downs t
Pleasant sward it proves, moreover, to the Pegasus
bestridden by the Romancist. And the localities
traversed are manifestly as familiar to the Tale
Teller as they are undoubtedly delightful in them-
selves. By the time the narrative has been com-
pleted associations hardly less historical than
romantic will, through its agency, have come to be
indissolubly connected with almost every hill and
dale, copse and barrow, cliff and ruin in those
lovely haunts of the Sussex wayfarer. Here the
reader of Harrison Ainsworth's last romance will
e Grange"
ig
be enabled to say, as ho loiters among
turesque scenes brought so very vividly bef the
pie-
an the
e,
,
—Here,
mind's e y
ate
thisby the
anglewriter
o fthe road, Colonel Maunsel
of " Ovingd
drew rein as he came within view of the inhospitable
g--cinovaent:od walls the
dwelling of old Zachary Tritvai
the shadow of these
rissptahneieelosrnaenrdof
the
Here, under
eurl cmi ae r
ltianr tarried dfi
fist.
t. withy
Yonder fOasirtriDg
ktv,le,agiinft.
ancient churchyard in which
icsh
theol y trystvery courtwith
in
w Increasehieh
l‘t
the she had her melan-
Yonder too
by the trusty old trooper, John were watched
Haburgeon. Again
and again, before now, Mr. A'
Ainsworth has displayed
in a very remarkable 'manner his skill in investing
with a novel glamour of romantic interest the halls
and corridors, the every nook and angle, of some
stately historic edifice
—Windsor indsor Castle, for example,
St. James's Palace, the Tower of London.
What lie has done well,or
time
after time, with a single
structure, lie is now doing in regard to a whole
countryside. And
this time too his achievement
is effected, so to speak, si •
ngle handed—
without any of
_ i the ingenious illustrative wood
D-
cuts of Mr. lamotte • —without any pictorial
aid from the graceful pencil of Tony Johannot, or
from the m •
agical etching-needle of George Cruik-
s nha k
of . The absence from Mr. Ainsworth's p iges
any
such familiar accompaniments only enhances
the merit of his present success. His delineations
are
independent of embellishments. He carries his
readers with him in his present excursion to the
neighbourhood of Lewes, into the very midst of the
Old Priory ruins, and within the walls of the Old
Priory
House, where (in the latter locality) we
new
make acquaintance with two entirely
cha-
racters, to wit, burly Skraw Antralnt
the porter,
and the master of the dwelling (already mentioned),

grim old Zachary Trangmaii. later we hai-e iit
succession, how Ninian deliver ed his message at the
Grauge of Ovingdean—how the search over that
old mansion was conducted by the Captairi of the
Ironsides—and lastly, how Increase Micklegift
(of all men in the world) did a good turn to
Clavering. The breathless surprise and confusion
in the last brief chapter are in every way worthy
of the author of " Rookwood" and " Jack Shep-
pard." " Ovingdean Grange" is so much the attrac-
tion just now in Bentley'3 111iscellany that we have
not unnaturally left ourselves merely room to enu-
merate a few of the other contributions. Among
these the more noticeable papers are—another
chapter of " Mingle Mangle," anent " Romeo and
Juliet" by Monkshood—another story, by Ouida,
entitled "Belles and Blackcock"—three additional
chapters of " Gurney" by Dudley Costello—and the
commencement of a smart and tart series of Franco-
English running-commentaries on passing events,
written by M. Victor Gouache, and designated for
the nonce, " The Outremanche Correspondent."

Colburn's United Service Magazine.

In this excellent magazine we find as usual much
to attract the attention both of the professional
and non-professional reader. All to whom the
military and naval services of their country are
objects of interest will do well to study the two
first articles here met with, at the present
juncture especially they are of great moment, as
notwithstanding the enigmatical advantages pre-
paring in the shape of mystical treaties of commerce,
the great questian of the day with all patriots is the
efficient protection and suitable forces of their
country. Some of the arguments here met with
are most sound, and it would be well if they were
attended to. In referring to the storm of abuse
which generally assails all entrusted with com-
mand, it is wisely suggested that the energies of
the complainants would be better employed in seek-
ing the right men than in stigmatising the wrong
ones. The following passage alludes to the want of
efficient commanders, and the indifference that
exists on this important point :

" The Russian dicta—that we have an army of lions, led
by asses—is the one which seems most pleasing to the na-
tional vanity. Tf we believe it to be true, why don't we
change it ? for an army with leaders who cannot be de-
pended upon is not one in which any nation can trust. We
are loud in our anxiety about our defensive means, but
where is the general, when the hour of need comes, that ws
arc to place at the head of them ? and what steps are we
taking to insure our ever having one ? Is he to be found
at Aldershott, or in Ireland, or anywhere amongst those
now in active employment? If he is, why is he not made
known, that the army may hear of him, and learn to place
confidence in him ? That feeling is seldom inspired all at
once ; and if there is a capable man on whom the Govern-
ment has its eye, it would surely be desirable to bring him
forward at once, and to let him have all the practice in peace
which our camps of instruction, or the command of large
bodies of troops, can afford. It will not do to shut him up
in a band-box, to be brought out only at the moment ho is
wanted. It' matters are somewhat precarious as to the pos-
sibility of invasion, we ought at least to have some indica-
tion of the coming man to whom we are to trust for saving
us when it does take place. Is he at home or abroad, or in
Parliament, or where is he ? will the militia or volunteers
furnish him P He certainly does not seem to be incommand
anywhere, or we might expect to hear something about
him."

The second article, which treats of " The Mis-
management of the Royal Navy," is also deserv-
ing of regard. It asserts that there is a want of
internal management and discipline, that places it
in great peril. It truly states that in the late
mutiny of the Princess Royal every one concerned
was to blame. The crew were much to blame for
their mutinous conduct, but they had the excuse of
being drunk at the time, and therefore their insu-
bordination was not premeditated rebellion. The
officers were very faulty in permitting the men to get
drunk, and in not suppressing the insubordination.
Captain Baillie was also unfit for the post he held, he
was wanting in decision, and, as often happens to
such characters, in endeavouring to arrange mat-
ters both sides were annoyed with him. "It was
his misfortune to be appointed to command a ship,
having such a disorderly crew, and Sir Charles
Wood is responsible for having appointed him." A
comparison is instituted between the late and pre-
sent Government in this department, and it is
stated that the Whig Board of Admiralty do not
deserve, and will doubtness not obtain, the confi-
dence of the House of Commons :
" At the commencement of last year, we had a First
Lord of the Admiralty who devoted his whole mind and
time to the duties of his office, and who had obtained the
the confidence of nearly all naval officers, from his prompt
attendance to their complaints, and from his determination
to introduce new life and energy into the British Navy.
Now we have a First Lord who has disregarded most of the
improvements suggested by his predecessor—who is above
being troubled with the hardships that naval officers suffer
under, and who cares not what other shoulders bear the
blame so as he can manage to retain a fleeting popularity.

" Sir John Pakington did not desert Admiral Hope be-
cause his gallant attack on the Peihe forts was unsucces
ohueb twl cost:
would
had
havehe sell remain
lavish ed at the
promotionsßo ard
to
I
fAudi n; • iarna dl
yd,
those brave officers and men who showed that they pos-
sessed the true spirit of British sailors, by fighting to the
very last against such overwhelming odds. But, because
the Times censured Admiral Hope for his rashness, the
Board of Admiralty, under the presidency of the Duke of
Somerset, has shown the most cold neglect to the services of
those officers serving under that Admiral. Indeed, we
have even heard it rumoured, that had it not Leen for our
beloved Queen, Admiral llepe would have been superseded
in his command."

Various other papers on the different subjects are to
be found, and, on the whole, the readers of this
number will not find that it falls short of its prede-
cessors.

Th. Cornhill Magazine. Smith and Elder.
The brilliant success achieved by the first number
of this periodical prepares the reader to welcome
the second with favour. His anticipations will not
be disappointed, for in style and subjeet, in
quantity and quality, this second number fully
maintains the reputation acquired by the first.
Prominent amongst its contents are the two stone*
whose dramatis personee were last month admitted
to the circle of our acquaintances, and are doubt-
less soon to be numbered in the list of our especial
friends. Mr. Tennyson's poem has disappointed
us. It is taken from the old legend of the goddess
who bestowed eternal life on her lover, forgetting
that hewould grow old. Though many touching
lines and graceful images may meet us, we cannot
consider that Mr. Tennyson s recent contributions
to periodical literature have at all enhanced his
fame. The article entitled " Nil Nisi Bonum" is
in accordance with its subject and reflects credit
on its composer. Few more grateful tasks are
devolved on those whose vocation it is
to note the progress of events than when they
have to render their homage to the memory of a
great name which belongs, from henceforth, no
more to the trivial events of the day, but has be-
come a part of the great future of history. Melan-
choly though the feeling may be which pervades
the mind, it is satisfactory to know that one is en-
gaged in an undertaking where it is a sacred duty
to ignore all errors, and to remember all merits, as
the poet has expressed it in these inimitable lines—
" But far from us, and from our mimic scene,
Such things should be, if such have ever been.
Ours be the gentler wish, the kinder task,
To give the tribute, glory need not ask—
To mourn the vanished beam, and add our mite
Of praise in payment of a long delight."
In speaking of Macaulay and Washington Irving,
the spirit of the above passage has actuated the
language of the writer. He commences by stating
that " two men, famous, admired, beloved, have
just left us, the Goldsmith and the Gibbon of our
time." After a brief summary of their different
attainments, this admirable essay thus concludes :
" It has been the fortunate lot of both to give un-
accountable happiness and delight to the world,
which thanks them in return with an immense
kindliness, respect, and affection. It may not be
oar chance, brother scribe, to be endowed with such
merit, or rewarded with such fame. But the re•
wards of these men are rewards paid to our service.
We may not win the baton or epaulettes, but God
give us strength to guard the honour of the flag."
The last knight who has entered into
the tilt could commence his warfare fired with
no nobler zeal, and ambitious of no better success.
The first of a series of essays on "William Hogarth
and his Time" promises well. Its picture of the
time when the "Little boy Hogarth," the hero of the
first essay, makes his entry on the stage of life, is
vividly and forcibly drawn. Full of incident and
research though it is, the writer pleasantly disclaims
any attempt to write a complete biography of
Hogarth ; asserting that he does not know enough
to complete a reliable and authentic life. Whether
this be the case or no, the reader will have little
cause to quarrel with him on the score of ignorance,
for information of the most varied character is
scattered through the essay, with a readiness of
memory and smartness of style which forcibly re-
minds us of a writer who has done good service in
this school of literature already. A paper on " In-
vasion Panics" offers a good deal of suggestive
matter to the attention of the reader. It commences
ty observing that when about the year 1899, Field-
Marshal Dowbiggin, full of years and honours, shall
edit the correspondence of his kinsman, the cele-
brated War Minister during the Russian struggle,
the grandchildren of the present generation may
probably learn a good deal more respecting the real
causes of the failures and shortcomings of that period
than we are likely to know on this side our graves.
And so " when some future Earl of Pembroke shall
devote his splendid leisure, under the cedar groves
of Wilton, to preparing for the information of the
twentieth cent ury,the memoirs of his great ancestor,
Mr. Secretary Herbert, posterity will then have some
chance of discovering what is kept a close secret
from the public just now—whether any domestics
causes exist to justify the invasion-panic under,
which the nation has recently been shivering.
The correspondence of Lord Cornwallis, recently,
published, admits us behind the scenes of official