The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-01 00:00:00

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD. —We meet with an admirable article,
most appropriate at the present moment, and which
is certain to attract a very considerable amount of
attention among all the more thoughtful readers
of Maga. The title of it is " Manhood Suf-
frage and the Ballot in America." We recom-
mend the impressive argument of its author to
the earnest consideration of all who are engaged
in the study of elective politics just now, and if
they are not quite convinced they must at least be almost
persuaded to think with the writer. It is quite time that
we had a few of these carefully-considered and impressive
papers to put against the pretentious sketches and one-
sided statements which certain persons aro so fond of
thrusting upon cur notice respecting American institutions-
It is truly said that the beet and most thoughtful Ameri-
cans are dissatisfied with the working of their present system
of manhood suffrage; and it is quite preposterous to dream
of its introduction into our country. Some striking
sketches are given of the effect of the plan as tried across
the Atlantic ; and he must be either a moat perverse or a
most ignorant politician who would wish to expose Eng-
land to a similar fate. It is remarked that the great dif-
ference which exists between "bribery" as practised
in England and as it prevails in America consists in the
fact that here the poor voters are sometimes bribed, while
over there not only the voters but the members of the
Legislature are bribed. A very important passage in this
article is that which exposes the fallacy of Mr. Bright, in
declaring that nowhere but in England was there ever
heard any fear expressed of " numbers at elections." This
is a very extraordinary statement, when we all know that
in America great distrust prevails, and nothing will in-
duce the Northern Republicans to consent to their South-
ern brethren having the same privileges as themselves.
We cannot do better than quote some of the concluding
sentences of this excellent account of politics in Ame-

rica :

"We hold it to be proved, and to be admitted in America
by the most advanced and cultivated minds in that coun-
try, that manhood suffrage does not select the best men for
public life ; that the elected of the people are as open to
receive money-bribes as the people who elect them; that
there is an inordinate and cowardly demand for employ-
ment in the public service ; that public servants are not
appointed for merit, and that if they possess merits they
are dismissed as ruthlessly as if they had none when the
party opposed to them in politics comes into possession of
power ; that in the municipality, in the State, and in the
Union, the elections are corruptly managed by small and
corrupt agents; that the Government, elected directly and
indirectly, bythis agency as its main source, is not a cheap
Government ; that the administration of the law in such
States as confide the election of the judges periodically to
the people is not so pure as in States where the judges are
appointed for life by the Senate ; that people without pro-
perty, being in a majority, systematically place burdens
upon property which property cannot bear without an in-
jurious reaction upon the people themselves; that con-
stant elections are a constant nuisance ; that the passions
of men in the aggregate who vote by manhood suffrage
are as fruitful occasions of strife and war as were ever
engendered among the aristocracies, oligarchies, and
monarchies of the Old World ; that the election of a Pre-
sident, even in peaceful times, is an event that leads the
country to the very brink of revolution. And though
Mr. Bright may be of a contrary opinion, we bold that the
minority, who by the fate of war are in actual possession
of power and authority, do in reality and very thoroughly
dread the day when the declare itself." voice of the majority shall again
"Elizabeth and Mary" is one of those historic sketches
that are so charming to peruse, and which elevate us from
the dull region of matter of fact into the highest world
of thought and fancy. Although both these remarkable
women engage a good deal of the attention of the histo-
rian, it cannot be said that either represents the best or
most pleasing characteristics of her sex, for ono was too
frivolous and the other too stern. Some readers may be
struck at the remarks made on Elisabeth, but they
are very true. Hers was, indeed, one of the
saddest of lives, and many a lesson may be
drawn from her career, as well as from that
of Mary. The story of "Brownlows" is continued, and
begins to got very excitiug by this time. Mr. Brownlow
himself is the best character in the tale. "The Army" is
continued in the third part, which brings the reflections
and comment to a close, in retiring from the controversy,
the writer expresses a hope that some good to the country
may come. sooner or later from the suggestions he has
offered, which, we think, is very likely, because they are
especially distinguished for common sense and right feel-
ing. "The Ministers and their Measure" is the subject of
the political resume of events, and is very forcibly written,
with a due regard to the exigencies of the present time.
Some very good advice is given to the supporters of the
Ministry; and it is said that a breach in the Conservative
party at this moment would be a calamity for which nothing
could make amends. Some severe but well-merited stric-
tut es are passed upon Air. Gladstone for the manner in which
he recently conducted himself iu opposing the Government
scheme; and it is shown how unreasonable he was in com-
plaining of Lord Derby explaining his views to his friends
when he himself is in the habit of calling his own party
together.

COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE. —" Merchant
Sailors' Wants," by a Commander in the Royal
Navy, begins this number in a very practical spirit,
and evinces a proper sympathy with the sister ser-
vice. Tho wonder is that the ill-merited wants of
our long-enauring and patient seamen have been so
quietly put up with. Men must have justice on water as
well as on land, but the misfortune is that the soldier is
nearer Leadquartorp than hia widely scattered and len pig-

quont brother on the lonely waste of waters. But the day
of retribution comes at last, and the selfish dealer in
human suffering will be made to make atonement for
past misdeeds; but not to the victim of his cruelty. " Our
Armaments at Woolwich" is an article of wonderful inte-
rest, admirably penned by one who has evidently been
more familiar with that busy factory for warlike prepara-
tions than any " man alive" as the phrase runs. His de-
scription rivals, if it do not eclipse, the magic of an Arabian
tale. But what has become of our long-promised central
citadel—the armoury at Cannock Chase ? Surely we are
not to wait till the enemy knocks at our door before wo
have a retiring-room to fall back upon in case of
necessity ? Common prudence seems to detitand
that there should be no longer any put offs in a
case of national safety. Forearmed is better than
forewarned, because you have taken time by the forelock.
National defence must have a heart to inspire the strong
and encourage the wavering, Outposts may be all very
well, but even they will fight better on the reliance that
they have a friend to fall back upon in case of need, and
"no surrender." Tho "difficulties of naval politics" is
a sensible attempt to make the best of it, and looks the
subject full in the face. "Army Estimates" have been
already discussed ; and " The Adventures of Edmund
Leigh of the Line" have at last reached a happy conclu-
sion. " The Past and Present of the Military System of
France" contains the substance of the report relative to
the army, as presented to the Chamber by order of the
Emperor. There can be no doubt that the French army
requires a thorough ro-organisation, and we hope that the
views of the Emperor will be carried out for the benefit of
the country and to the satisfaction of the people. Tho
editor's opinion of the Fenian insurrection, and what
ought to be done to the American desperadoes, who have
done their worst to make tho poor Irish more unhappy
than they found them, merits our full approbation. Half
measures invariably defeat their purpose. "To be or not
to be, that is the question."

FRASER.—Fraser opens with the third of the
papers on Military Reform. They are evidently
the work of one deeply interested in the welfare of
the soldier, and familiar with his wants and require-
ments. It is well for those who really know some-
thing of the service to bring its details before the
public, because in the army, as in most other departments
of public life, we are not likely to obtain substantial re-
forms until the non-professional classes form a strong op!-
nion on the subject. " Nisard's History of French Litera-
ture" supplies an interesting paper. In discussing the
national poets, the writer says very justly that it is neces-
sary to consider the difficulties with which they have to
contend. "The generally even accentuation, the pervad-
ing regularity of the syllabic stress belonging to their lan-
guage, deprives them of most of that music which depends
upon quantity. Despotic rules have added to necessary
restrictions, and the enforced recurrence at regular inter-
vals of the feminine termination in e mute is a serious
impediment to a poet. Under such conditions it is not
easy to avoid monotony in verse, and not many have been
able to do it." One of the most conspicuous exceptions—
Victor Hugo—is of course specially referred to by the
critic ; but even he, it is remarked, can only win his
triumphs in short flights. Mr. Nisard would like to see
still heavier regulations imposed, but we fully agree with
the writer before us, who asserts that France would have
produced a larger number of beautiful poems if its poetry
had been loss shackled, and that freedom is not necessarily
licence. " The Gracchi" form the subject of the next
paper. One of the most remarkable contributions is un-
doubtedly an attack upon Bacon by no less apersonage than
Baron Liebig. The Baron's animosity towards the father
of inductive reasoning is of old standing, and in the paper
before us he shows it more strongly than ever ; admitting
indeed that he holds the Baconian philosophy to be his
worst enemy, "a kind of demon," always blocking his
way in science and literature. Such influence as the great
Englishman possesses he holds to be directly mischievous ;
but to do justice to the Vigour and determination of the
onslaught the article must be road. The picture of
" American Dairies" and the manufacture of " S will Milk,"
is, if not overdrawn, absolutely appalling. We cannot
wonder at the terrible tables of infant mortality in New
York ; the only wonder is how any children fed on such
milk can survive it, and how any grown persons touching
it can escape disease. The system is to utilise the " swill,"
or refuse from the whisky distilleries, which is known to
ha apowerfulstimulant in the production of milk. Accord-
ingly immense underground stables are built in connec-
tion with the large city distilleries, in which rows of cows
are tightly wedged together with their heads over a trough
down which the swill runs They have no other food
whatever, and what with this unnatural treatment and
the crowding together, for they have no room to
lie down, the inevitable swill disease and the
filth and wretchedness of the place, it is no wonder that
the miserable creatures are deplorable spectacles of disease
and suffering. Five years is the longest time during
which the cow, born for the enjoyment of puro air, sweet
grass, and fresh water, can endure this life, but most of
them die very much sooner, and examination after death
has shown them to bo masses of disease. Such, -thou, is
the source from which the New York supply of milk is
drawn, and after reading these details no one can wonder
that the mortality among the children, and especially
among the infants, of New York, is something without
parallel. A very able and interesting essay on poetry
will well repay the reader, and we have besides two papers
on "France under Richelieu and Colbert" and on "Arch-
bishop Whately.' The story of "The Marstons" makes
rapid progress, and the number altogether is one of the
best we have lately seen.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—" Old Court," from
the facile pen of the accomplished editor, goes on
its way with interest. " Thrown Away," by Mrs.
Alfred Munster, is a story too much of the French
school to be altogether pleasant to English readers. " The
Insurrection in Candia" is discussed at some length; and
Francis Jacox takes, as usual, from Shakspearo a cue for
a pleasantly discursive paper. "Through Devonshire and
Cornwall to the Scilly Isles" is continued, and there are
some lively sketches among the rest of the contents.
THE NEW MONTHLY.—This magazine presents
us with a more varied table of contents than usual.
An account of the " Translation of Napoleon's
Remains to France" is full of interest. Lieutenant-
Colonel Miles continues his journey to Egypt and
Palestine, which must have been a formidable one from
the length of time it has taken discussing. " Christine,
or Common-place People," is continued, as is "The Deep-
dale Mystery," which is well adapted for the lovers of the
horrible. " The Prusso-Austrian War" has been so often
written about that a fresh account can hardly offer any-
thing new, but it gives a full account. Several lighter
papers fill up the papers amusingly.

LONDON SOCIETY.—There are the usual interest-
ing sketches and amusing stories to be met with in
this number of London Society. " A Romance
in a Boarding House" is very entertaining, and
forms a miniature sketch of the world, though it is
to be feared that all interesting young ladies are
not so fortunate as Maitland. "Curiosities of Fashion in
the Matter of One's Food" is a paper that will be certain
to entertain the reader with its quaintremarks and curious
anecdotes. It is said Fashion is society's Chancellor of the
Exchequer, and fails not to tax tho highest with ingenuity
and unrelenting sternness of purpose. " Society inJapan''
is an amusing sketch in verse, and an illustration is added
which is a very effective one. After enumerating the
various changes that are taking place, the writer concludes
thus:

"The cycles of Cathay are run,
Begins the new, the nobler movement,
I'm half ashamed of making fun,
Of Japanese improvement."
"Sketches of the English Bench and Bar" still con-
tinuo to furnish us with their interesting information.
This time wo meet with a very important person, Sir
James Wilde, Judge of the Divorce Court. " Playing for
High Stakes" is continued in some exciting passages.
" Changes" is a sad picture of life, which is told in very
pleasing verses, and is altogether an interesting sketch.
" Lily's Sons" is a sad tale, in which at last a voice comes
from the great deep to tell the fate of the hero. "Boating
Lifo at Oxford" is a stirring sketch, that will recall to some
the pursuits and pleasures of early days. " Modern Beau-,
Brummellism" is a paper which contains some very sensible
remarks upon the subject of dress.

Weston's Music Hall.

MR. HOLLAND'S BENEFIT.

The bill of attraction put forward by Mr. W.
Holland for his benefit night, next Wednesday
evening, is one of an extraordinary nature. it
must be extremely gratifying to Mr. Holland to
receive such support from the profession, but it is
nothing more than that to which he is most justly
entitled, for ever since he became one of the
paoprietors of " Weston's" he has not only
completely succeeded in his lanoriGus task,
of improving the entertainment at the Hall, but he
has also done that which will cause his name to be
long remembered—viz., projecting and successfully
launching the Music-hall sick Fund. To such a
gentleman the profession are deeply indebted, and
that obligation seems to be generally acknowledged,
for there is not an artiste of any note who has not
placed his services at the disposal of Mr. Holland
for Wednesday next. The entertainment, there-
fore, under such circumstances, will be one of un-
equalled attraction, and such as will be certain to
test the capability of space within the four walls of
Weston's Music-hall.

M. DE LABIARTINE'S—GRANT OR PENSION ?--The
committee on the bill for making a grant of 400,000 f. to
M. do La.martine has sent it back to the Council of State
with an amendment, proposing au annuity of 25,000 f. in-
stead of the donation.