The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-11 00:00:00

FIVENI NO, MARCH 11, 1858

LITERATURE.

A Will and a Way. By the Hon. Henry Coke,
author of " High and Low," &c., (to. Hurst
and Blackett.

The reader will find in these volumes a variety of
entertainment. There are several persons met
with in the narrative, one or two of whom are
rem..rkably well sketched. Mr. Hal rod, senior, for
instance, is a master-piece in his peculiar style of
low cunning and subtle adroitness. With the
stigma of a suppositious crime attaching itself to
his name, he contrived to influence every one
around him, for while impossible to respect him,
some feared him for his penetration, some admired
his skill, and others were enraged by his self-pos-
session and assurance. As is frequently the case
with such men, his failure was at home, ho could
not be a head to his family, and his son, in every
moral attribute his superior, scorned his inter-
ference, and was impervious to his artful contri-
vances. Meriel Sigismund, the heroine, is a de-
. sided character. There is nothing in her of the
meek damsel whom a word can sway or a look
direct, nor of the enthusiastic maiden whom the
feelings of her heart can propel hither and thither
without rule or guidance. Miss Sigismund was
resolute and self-possessecl, and her demeanour,
joined to her lover's unfortunate position, compro-
mised by his father's false statements, which every
one thought veracious, combined to crelte some
very .awkward situations, and give rise to sundry
dilemmas, which are here traced for our perusal
in a vivacious and captivating manner. Raven is
the originality of the story : ho is interesting, and
what is seen of him attracts our attention, from his
being so real and genuine in his actions and
motives. We first meet with hint in Spain, where
the chief incidents of his career occurred, which
are, from their nature, in unison with that land of
wild romance. The mystery that hangs over the
position of Meriel is of itself sufficient to excite
curiosity, and is at the very last unravelled in a
skilful style. Some of the minor characters
introduced display a considerable knowledge
of men and manners, and a keen insight
into the foibles and prejudices of different
classes. There are also to be noticed some adven-
tures, which were rather misadventures to those
concerned, among which may be mentioned the
night roncontre at Granstein, which resulted in the
luckless Fabian being seized as a suspicious indivi-
dux), while he was endeavouring to gain some au-
thentic information regarding events of great con
sequence to his peace of mind. The bigotry of Mr.
Pilgrim is, it is to be feared, the type of too many,
who are actuated by no real devotion, but are in-
fluenced by prejudice and cant. The family of the
Sandfords is also well described, and some of its
members play an important part in the story.
Finally, the work may be regarded as possessing
something out of the common in its construction,
and a sparkling and brilliant style enlivens and
ornaments its pages.

Personal Narrative of the Siege of Lucknow. By
L. Rutitz Rees, one of the surviving Defenders.
Longman.
The Defence of Lucknow. A Diary by a Staff-
Officer. Smith, Elder, and Co.
The defence of Lucknow is now a part of his-
tory. The privations endured by the garrison, the
terrible dangers to which they were exposed, the
apparent hopelessness of their position, and the
brilliant military achievements of their rescuers, all
combine to render the narrative of the siege and the
relief one of the most thrilling in the whole history
of the Indian war. The many noble lives that were
freely given in their aid, the numbers of the de-
voted band who perished by the guns of the enemy
and the horrors of want and disease combined,
or, sadder still, succumbed just when their pros-
pects were brightening, cast a mournful shadow
over the record ; and what the survivors endured
in that long sickness of hope deferred, perhaps only
themselves can know. But through it all the un-
daunted English spirit kept its place, and as their
numbers decreased, as the little band grew smaller
daily, each only felt that more depended on
himself—
" Groom fought like noble, squire like knight,
As fearlessly and well."
The official report of Brigadier Inglis excited uni-
versal interest, and fuller accounts are now offered to
the public, by some of those who have witnessed
and shared the struggle. The first of the volumes
before us is by Mr. Rees, a civilian, who, in his
preface, very needlessly apologises for having "with
a pen so little skilled in author_hip, and a hand
still less accustomed to a sword, ventured to appear
as an author and a soldier ;" and be expresses
himself as more surprised at his own boldness in
"facing the public in type than at having faced
the enemy in the trenches." He tells us that " a
Calcutta merchant, attached to the Martiniere Col-
lege at Lucknow, unexpectedly found himself en-
tangled in the meshes of the siege of that city, and
having been by force of circumstances obliged to
take his part in the defence, he recorded from time
to tune the events iu which he was concerned, and
those which passed before him." His narrative
extends during the whole length of ti e siege, from
its commencement to its relief by Sir Colin Camp-
bell. He gives a full account of all the introduo
tory procee tinge, the battle of Chinhutt, the begin-
ning of the siege, etc., and has been assisted by the
no.es of some of the others, especially of Lady
Inglis. The following extract gives some idea of
their prolonged suspense :--
"August 3d.—Heavy rain. The enemy's fire slackens.
Nine Europeans buried to-day, among them, Oswin
Brown, who died of cholera—the gentleman who, on my
last trip to Lucknow, had treated me so hospitably at
Bunnee, where ho was toll-gatherer. He was the Eon
of Colonel Brown. Cholera, indeed, is making many
awful ravages, but particularly among the children.
" August sth.—We hear firing of cannon in the city.
Can it be cur long expected friends ? Is it possible that
cur reinforcements have at length arrived, and Lave
actually penetrated into the city I God grant it be so.
We all think so, and are frantic with joy ; we shake
hands with each other as if our deliverance were already
at hand, and congratulate each other, and run to the
tops of houses, regardless of danger, to see them coming.
B we perceive nought but smoke ; and now it ceases,
and we hear the sound of cannon in cantonments. gave
they veered round, and will they c ems across the iron
bridge, after fording the river at Conetautia ? This
must be so ! How otherwise can we account for their
guns being beard in two different quarters ? This night
we sleep little, for we are full of suspense and anxiety,
and yet fearful, lest our hope be turned into disappoint-
ment. They w i 1 come to-night or early to-morrow
morning without tail.
" August fith.—What bitter, bitter, disappointment !
We have a solution of yesterday's fire in the city, but it
is one which makes our hearts sink with despair. The
enemy are the first to give it us. At some parts of our
entrenebments the insurgents are so near that we caz
hear them talking distinctly. At the school-houses and
the brigade mess, almost every night might be heard
the sounds of revelry, music and darting, in Johannes'
house, not twelve yards away from us, and separating
us only by a street from the insurgents. At one of
these places or at the Bailey-guard, I do not know
which, some of the rebellious sepoye, having no doubt
witnessed our delight, and guessed the cause of our
shout and 'hurrahs,' were not slow in undeceiving us,
by taunting us with you think your reinforcements
have come, do you ? reinforcements forsooth ? why we
have beaten them long ago' (this we knew to be a lie),
and we have crowned our king. The rule of the
Feringhees is over, and we'll soon be in your Bailey-
guard."'
What their feelings must have been when they
really witnessed the coming succour, it is more
easy to imagine than describe.—
" The immense enthusiasm with which they were
greeted, defies description. As their hurrah and ours
rang my ears, I was nigh bursting with joy. The tears
started involuntarily into my eyes, and I felt—no I
it is impossible to describe in words that sudden
sentiment of relief, that mingled feeling of hope and
pleasure, that came over me. The criminal condemned
to death, and, just when he'is about to be launched into
eternity, is reprieved and pardoned, or the shipwrecked
eehoss hold on the wreck is relaxing, and is just
re,cued, can alone form an adequate idea of our feelings.
We felt not only happy, happy beyond imagination, and
grateful to that God of Mercy who, by our noble deli•
verers, Generals Havelock and Outram, and their gal-
lant troops, had thus snatched us from imminent death ;
but we also felt proud of the defence we had made, and
the success with which, with such fearful odds to contend
against, we had preserved, not only our own lives, but
the honour and lives of the women and children eu
trusted to our keeping.
" As our deliverers poured in, they continued to greet
us with loud hurrahs ; and, as each garrison heard it,
' we sent up one fearful shout to heaven, "Hurrah ;" it
was not "God help us"—it was the first rallying cry of
a despairing host. Thank God, we then gazed upon
new faces of our countrymen. We ran up to them,
officers and men without distinction, and shook them
by the hands, how cordially who can describe 1 The
shrill tones of the Highlanders' bagpipes, now pierced
our ears. Not the most beautiful music ever was
more welcome, more joy-bringing. And these brave
men themselves, many of them bloody and exhausted,
forgot the loss of their comrades, the pain of their wounds,
the fatigue of overcoming the fearful obstacles they had
combated for our sakes, in the pleasure of having accom-
plished our relief."
The following passage describes the difficulties
with which the gallant band had to contend :—•
of
► "On the 25th, early in the morning, the
_ssaay.e.ock.
dry
the city was determined on by General l
I Lucknow is encircled by a deep canal, in the
eont
season, but at that time—during therainad steep.
s
n
considerably. Its banks are precipitous.
Had the enemy broken
oupe
rtora bridges rd
woulde ge
leadinghav o i
noovreera
sietd,
the difficulties to be v
a hundred-fold. But they probably trusted in the
resistance they had determined to make. At the bridge
' of the Charhagh (four gardens), at the outskirts of
the town, they found the enemy s guns planted in great
number behind a strong palisade, ready to receive
hew, They did dreadful execution ; but nothing

daunted at the lanes of death constantly opened in their
ranks, S'r J4naes Outram himself, with Brigadier Neill
and his gallant Madras regiment, and the men of the
sth, 64th, and 84th Regiments. advanced, and, sur-
mounting every obstacle, took the guns at the point of
the bayonet, cuttingdown the gunners or putting them
to flight.
" General Havelock, with the brave 78th and 90th,
following up the advantage gained, dashed in after
them. They Lad to fight for each inch of ground ; but
they successfully drove the enemy from one enclosure
into another, and from garden to garden. The cap-
tured guns they threw into the canal after spiking
them.

"On this occasion the Highlanders' piper, who had
lost his way, suddenly found one of the enemy's cavalry,
sabre in hand, about to cut him down. His rifle bad
been fired off, and he had no time to use his bayonet.
"A bright idea,' said he afterwards, when relating the
story, struck me. All at once I seized my pipe, put it
to my mouth, and gave forth a shrill tone, which so
startled the fellow, that he bolted like a shot, evidently
imagining it was some infernal machine. My pipe saved
my life.

"Altogether we had lost, as far as could then be
ascertained, about 550 officers and men, killed, wownded,
and missing, a heavy, heavy sacrifice for our relief, but
which made us the more grateful to our gallant de-
liverers. Our own number of fighting men was scarcely
more, but our women and children were at least treble
that number.

" That the honour of having, under Providence, saved
our lives is really due to Generals Havelock and Out-
ram is unquestionable. But for their timely arrival, our
native troops, who had up to that time behaved nobly,
and adhered to us with exemplary fidelity, would cer-
tainly have abandoned us. Nor could we have reason-
ably found fault with them had they done so, for life
is sweet, and hope had almost entirely left UP. Their
desertion would have caused the most fatal depression
in our own breasts, and with our diminished numbers
and our continual losses we should soon have been
obliged to give up our outposts.
" Reduced within the narrow compass of the Resi-
dency itself, and exposed to the enemy's harassing fire
from what would lately have been our outposts, it
would have been utterly impossible to have held out.
Nothing short cf a miracle could have saved us then.
Cawnpore would have been re-enacted in Lucknow, cr
we would, as we once talked of doing, have been c
nn-
pelled to blow up our women, children, and wounded,
to prevent their falling into the hands of the insurgents,
anti to have died fighting on the ruins ourselves.
"Our houses bad been already perforated with cannon
balls. The Cawnpore battery was one mass of ruins,
our outpost at Innes's house was partly roofless, and
the other garrisons were as badly cif. From one alone,
the brigade mess, 435 cannon balls that had fallen within
it were actually counted. It would be, therefore, by
no means an exaggerated statement to affirm, that not
less than 10,000 cannon balls had struck our various
buildings. As fir musket bullets, they are only to be '
counted by myriads.
_ _ _ _

" Moretbsa 400 of the &feeders of the garrison lie
buried in our churchyard."

The second and more effectual succour arrived
as is well known in November. The meeting of
the generals is thus described :
"The relief of Lucknow had been effected, and we
were soon to be free. Sir Colin, while the fire was
still very heavy on the afternoon of the 17th, was met
by Sir James Outram and General Havelock. A loud
long shout greeted the generals and their staff as they
shook hands, arnidtt heartfelt cordiality, with Sir Colin
Campbell. Proud indeed, must Sir Colin have been at
the success which bad crowned all his measures, and
which stamped him as one of the fiat generals of the
age. The enemy had been foiled in every instance, aud,
notwithstanding his desperation, vigilance, and unques-
tionably excellent manoeuvres, had succumbed to the
Commander-in-Chief's superior generalship, and the
indomitable valour and undaunted courage of our
troops.

" Sir Colin Campbell received the hearty thanks and
congratulations of Sir James with evident satis'action ;
and General Havelock, not less delighted and proud,
harangued the troops who had so gallantly carried out
all the Cciumander-in-Chief's brilliant manceuvres, in
that concise and yet soul•stirring language for which he
was so well known by his soldiers. While yet sp,aking,
his attention was drawn to the place where his only
son had just fallen, wounded by a musket ball from the
enemy. Though his father's heart must have been
then bleeding with anguish, and beating with curiosity
to know the nature of the wound, the General, with
wonderful self-command, continued his discourse without
interruption, and then only amidst the cheers of the
men, who were unacquainted with the sad event which
had just happened, left to visit his wounded son.
Fortunately it was only a slight wound, and he soon
recovered from the effects of it."

A full account of the members of the garrison and
their families is appended.
The other volume alluded to is the diary of a
staff officer, recording the various events from the
31st of May to the 25th of September. It gives a
succinct account of a briefer period and is more
technical in its character, but full of interest, and
shows the same picture from another point of view.
Here is the entry for the close of July :

"July 31st.—A. fine night, and the usual firing. At
daylight, the enemy commenced firing heavily on the
Church and Residency, from a 24-pounder planted in the
neighbourhood of the iron bridge. They also threw in
many shells, and fired their guns from the Clock Tower
Gate. Our 18-pounders and mortars were employed until
ten a.m. in silencing the enemy's fire. Our
sap from the brigade mess made good progress
across the road, towards the outhouses occupied
by the enemy. Several children have lately died ;
privation the chief cause. We had received no
information whatever since the 26th inst., the date on
which we received the only letter we had yet received
since the 27th of June. Our reinforcements were due
to-day, and their non-arrival led us to suppose that the
enemy bad succeeded in breaking down the bridge at
Marines, and arresting the progress of our frielads. The
flies dreadful—preventing all rest during the day, and
disputing our food with us. Tie enemy continued to
throw in shells all the forenoon till 2 p.m , when we had
a heavy shower ; after that the firing continued as be-
fore. In the evening we repaired our defences as far as
we could, as, awing to the heavy rain, the earth Lad
settled very considerally. A fine moonlight night, and
all quiet, rave the usual amount of round shot and mus-
ketry.
August lst.—Still no intelligence of any kind, which
caused much anxiety, more particularly as some of our
supplies for natives were likely to be at an end in twenty
days' time. Weather very hot and sultry ; small pain-
ful boils, covering nearly the whole bolt?, very prevalent.
Many deaths among the children ,and sickness on the
increase. Great inconvenience felt in the hospital for
want of space ; the sick and wounded sadly crowded,
and the building very badly ventilated, as the lower
story was hardly safe from shots. Enemy threw in
many shells this morning, and fired unusually sharp
wiih their heavy guns, till about ten a.m., keeping
our guns and mortars fully employed in keeping
dow i their fire. Heat very great ; fire gradually
slackened off towards noon, but recommenced sharply
again about 5 p.m. Many rcund shot, shell, and car-
cases came in. One of the latter fell into the court-yard
of the Begutn Kotee, within a few feet of the table at
which the staff and commissariat officers were at dinner ' •
but no one was hurt. Several cases of cholera occurred
to-day. Efforts made to improve and strengthen onr
defences during the moonlight nights ; but the engineer
officers were all sick, and little was done.. Our cap in
thirst`-eight
h teiy brigadeghtfeet mess
from
was
sh steadilyaft
thevening.
on, and
dgh?d attained
h

- -
lime is another account of the Relief
"At fourjp.m. report was made that some officers
dres•ed in shooting coats and solah caps, a regiment
of Europeans in blue pantaloons and shirts, and a
bullock battery were seen near Mr. Martin's house and
the Motee Mulls'. At 5 p.m. volleys of musketry,
rapidly growing louder were heard in the city. But
soon the firing of a mine ball over our heads gave
notice of the still nearer approach of our friends ; of
whom as yet little or nothing had been seen, though the
enemy were to be seen firing heavily on them from
many of the roofs of the houses. Five minutes later,
and our troops were seen fighting their way through one
of the principal streets ; and though men fell at almost
every step, yet nothing could withstand the headlong
gallantry of our reinforcements. Once fairly seen, all
our doubts and fears regarding them were ended ; and
then the garrison's long pent-up feelings of anxiety and
suspense burst Lath in a succession of deafening cheers ;
from every pit, trench and battery—from behind the
sandbags piled on shattered houses—from every post still
held by a few gallant spirit, rose cheer on cheer—even
from the hospital ! Many of the wounded crawled forth
to join in that glad shout of welcome to those who had
so t ravely come to our assistance. It was a moment
never to be forgotten.
"Soon all the rear-guard and heavy guns were inside
our position ; and then ensued a scene which baffles de-
scription. For eighty-seven days the Lucknow garrison
outsideha d liv e. d in uWiv
et ts erw ihgon oh raadn cl
oe
nogf allm to
u hr
na
et
db at
hd e
ra taken
husbands
as dead, were again restored to them ; others, fondly
looking forward to glad meetings with_ those near and
dearwcre toal
otnh
ee.rn ,
Ono° walifo sides the
eagerfirst timeici inquiries
irl
ie
m easrannf
(t)yn
rrelations
thatirnttiocheneyss
tahneda
Thesefriendsanswer were
brieflpainful volumesade. ciA
lea:
Alas 1 i n too
comprise the record of an
endurance and a heroism unsurpassed in the annals
of our country. That they will be eagerly sought
after by all classes of readers, there can be but little
doubt, and many a tribute of admiration and regret
will be paid to the survivors of such fearful peril,
and many a thought turn to those sleeping under
an Indian heaven, but not the less present in the
memories of their countrymen.

The Journal of Agriculture. Blackwood.
This quarterly has its usual articles on subjects
connected with agriculture. The town sewage
question is one whose interest is not restricted to
those engaged in agricultural pursuits, but addresses
itself to the residents of the metropolis. The first
of a series of papers, by Mr. Robert Scott Burn,
treats of this subject with consideration and abili y.
The Farmer's Note-Book offers some valuable
hints on practical questions. The agricultural sum-
mary for the quarter, and the tables of avt raga
prices will also bs found useful. The journal of
the transactions of the society contains, among other
papers, a Report on the Management of a Home
Ifgrai by Mr, Jas, Porter, and au EmlY oa WV

General Management of Plantatioi is, together with
a List of the Premiums awarded
,y the Society in
1807, and an Account of the Procv•edings in the La-
boratory, by Dr. Anderson, chair list to the society.

Published at the hidia• !Yews office.nd
Almanaek. Second
The Anglo
The scond year of this
almanack witnesses an
great clringe in the position of A
;zio I
Nevertheless, the proprietors are notdisc-ilrayear.
though they admit that circumstances have) beenler9
adverse to their undertaking. They have appended
a sketch uf the tevolt and a regi4ter of ca-sualt'es.
The usual information is given fully and correctly,
with the various points associated with celonjai
life especially enlarged upon. All Indian appoint-
ments' modes of conveyance, list of directorii, tt:c. ,
toether with a compendious list of retired officers
of the company's service, whether civil, military,
ecclesiastical, or medical, are given, and the ibiefs
of the various departments in the different presi-
dencies. 'We trust this almanack will be able to
maintain for itself the position which its careful
and laborious composition merits.
Algiers in 1857. Ey the Rev. E. Davies., M. A.

Lnigrnan.
A pleasant little volume, telling us some of the
peculiarities of Algiers and its inhabitants. The
writer travelled thither in the hope of restoring the
heath of a beloved invalid. Unhappily the journey
proved fruitless, yet it served to alleviate the suf-
ferings of the wife and mother, to whose memory
the work is inscribed. The author has,
therefore, fully described the climate and the
resources of the country, with especial re-
ference to Euglish invalids, and- those who
He health,iias also are about to make a pilgrimage thither ill search of
woultglivdeon theDrell details
to
of
prolthe
rtby his experience.
places of re-
creation in the neighbourhood suitable fir ordinary
travellers. The volume offers some pleasant pages
to those who prefer to extend their knowledge by
their own fireside, instead of braving an African
sun ; and the numerous coloured illustrations add
greatly to the attractions of the work.

ITALIAN OPERA.

(Peon; the EdinburA Caledonian Mercury of March 9.)

The Italian Opera Company gave their second and
last performance at the Theatre Royal last night. The
house was completely Sllcd ; and as both the upper and
lower tier of boxes were crowded with ladies dressed in
every variety of variegated costume, the effect was un-
usually brilliant. The performances commenced with
Donizetta'e opera " La Figlia del Reggimento," the part
of Maria being assumed by Mdlle. Piccrlomini. The
character is one eminently adapted fur the display of
this lady's peculiar powers, and her first appearance at
the back of the stage in the picturesque dress of a riven-
diere was the signal for an outburst of enthusiastic ap.
plause, the audience rightly divining that the dainty
apparition was the prelude to a most finished
p ece of operatic imio.sonation. The lively reci
tat ire between Maria and Sergento Sulpizio
(Signor Violetti) toned the house for the due apprecia-
tion of the first air, sung by M(111e. Piccolomini, the
" Apparvi allaLucee'in which the irrepres nble buoyancy
of a young, lighted-hearted spirit revealed itself in every
tone and gesture of the fascinating artiste. The sympa-
thies of the spectators were henceforth invited to the
fair prima donna ; her every note was eagerly listened
to, and her slightest gesture was most carefully noted.
Her second triumph was in her animated rendering
of the air "Ciascun lo dice," which was given with
exquisite taste. The subsequent duet, "A. voti cosi
ardente," which is sung by Matia and Tonio (Signor
Luchesi) overfiswed with genuine feeling, at the same
time that every detail was rendered in a style of the
most finished execution. Madlle. Piccolomini has
the rare capability of being equally excellent
in themes of a lively and of a curious cast.
The transition was great indeed from the airs in the
early part of the piece to the " Convien Partir,"
which precedes the close of the first act. The latter,
however, found as perfect an interpreter as its more
sprightly predecessors, since nothing could be more
touching than the plaintive expression which the fair
singer gave to this beautiful melody. In the second set,
the scene in the drawing-room of the Marchese (lUDs.
Sanncio), when the petulant Maria rehearses the new
song, was a masterpiece of refined humour ; Mdlle.
Sanncio and Signor Vico:oW, by their judicious acting,
contributing greatly to the completeness of the success.
The second act was no less meritoriously performed
than the first ; and the delight of the audience was on
several occasions most warmly manifested, Mdlle. Pic-
colomini throughout the evening exhibited unusual power
in her singing. Her notes were firm and decided, as
well as singularly clear and sweet. Sae was also
very ably supported. Signor Luchesi was a very
creditable Tonio, while Signor Violetti made as Loud].
of Sulpizio as the character would permit. The part of
Orteusio was well filled by Signor Castelli. The orches-
tral portion of the performance was skilfully conducted
by Signor Arditi. The chorus was weak, and the famed
"Rataplaa " was not given with all that ringing effect of
which it is capable.
The opera was succeeded by the last act of " La FA.
vorits," in which Signor Violetti, for the first time, had
an oppottunity of exhibiting the remarkable depth and
fuLese of his voice. Signor Geiglini, as Fernand', won
the great triumph of the evening. His wondrous " Spirito
Gentii " is above criticism. It is the perfection of vocal
melody. The audience were enraptured by it, and Signor
Guiglini readily responded to the enthusiastic encore
which it elicited. Sanncio threw extraordinary
energy into the part of Leonora, and both artistes re-
ceived a unanimous call before the curtain at the close
of the performances.