The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-08 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.—The present number of this maga-
zine is unusually attractive. There is a long in-
stalment of " What will he do with it ?" which
contains some important events, and in which the
story seems, to advance considerably. Thr: retro-
spect of Lady Montfort's life is very sad, and ex-
plains some previous passages concerning her career
which seemed mysterious. The scene between
Darrell and his midnight visitor, Jasper Losely, is
a very striking one, and from its vivid colouring
and dramatic effect' it is decidedly the most able
sketch presented to us in the course of the story.
The contrast is ably defined between the man of
thought and the man of action—the one rushing
wildly forward to wreak his desperate purpose, the
other composed and resolute, and, unprepared as
he was, quite equal to his opponent. The last
article met with is a most interesting one ; it is
entitled " Lord Clyde's Campaign in India," and is
written in a masterly style. It is evidently the
production of one who has himself been present at
the stirring scenes which he records, and there is
something very attractive in the brilliant sketch
before us, which contains an able epitome of the
events of a campaign that will from hence-
forth hold a most prominent place in the
annals of our mighty Indian empire. The most
exciting passage is that which chronicles the relief
of Lucknow ; and although some time has elapsed
since that period, many will delight to dwell on the
details of those momentous days. The death of
Havelock is thus made mention of—
"In the hour of his triumph and his glory he departed.
Envy had not had time time to dim his laurels, or malice to
tarnish his renown. The ' electric shock of a nation's
gratitude' he knew to have been his ; the consciousness of
duty unshrinkingly performed, of a life sacrificed to his
country's cause, he bore with him to the tomb. On the
low plain by the Alum Bagh they made his humble grave ;
and Campbell, and Outram, and Inglis, and many a stout
soldier who had followed him in his headlong march, and
through the long fatal street were gathered there to perform
the last rites to one of England's noblest dead. As long as
the memory of great deeds, and high courage, and spotless
self devotion, is cheiished among his countrymen, so long
will Havelock's lonely tomb in the grove beneath the
scorching Eastern sky, hard by the vast city, the scene
alike of his toil, his triumph, and his death, be regarded as
one of the most holy spots where her patriot soldiers lie."
" The Light on the Hearth" is continued, it is a
very strange story, of a decidedly melancholy cast,
and which will most probably contain some painful
scenes towards the conclusion. " A Plea for
Shams " is an excellent paper, which contains some
truths which are important to the interest of society,
and which nevertheless arc often unrecognised. It
lays great stress on the necessity of some forms and
ceremonies in social life, the neglect of which ob-
servances often entails strife, anger, and hatred.
The remarks are made in a forcible manner, and yet
in an amusing style, so that the reader may derive
instruction and entertainment from its perusal.
" The Atlantic Wedding-Ring " is the subject of
some powerful verses on the recent important
achievement. " The Ballad Poetry of Scotland
and Ireland " is worthy of attention, and presents
subjects of interest to those who like such studies.

Dublin.—" Gerald Fitzgerald the Chevalier," is
proceeded with ; the story is becoming more intri-
cate, and there is a great deal of skill displayed in
the details. An old acquaintance returns to us in
this portion who has made her way on in the
world in a surprising way. " Count Cagliostro,"
is a peculiar production, which is not, however,
devoid of interest, and it relates to the strange
adventures that befel the remarkable man alluded
to. " Life in Old Ireland" is an ingeniously
written paper, which contains some remarks
regarding the customs of old times and manners
that are strikingly put forth. " Rides upon
Mules and Donkeys," in its progress, brings before
the reader " Karnak by Moonlight," and as may be
supposed it is an effective subject for descriptioi.
" Artist Life in Rome" is concluded, and is a
most melancholy story ; it is -written with
much feeling, and describes in a natural
manner the effect likely to be produced on a sensi-
tive mind by calumny and misrepresentation. It
will be appreciated by those who like the solemn
style of narrative. " Fructidor," a reverie in an
orchard, is a pleasing poem, and one most appli-
cable to the present season. " Theological Styles"
is an able article, which is written with fairness
and discretion ; it remarks that " the diffusion of a
good style of writing among our divines will be of
great service to our clergy and people." " Ramblings
in the North-West" is a long account of some tra-
vels taken in that direction, It is said that tourists
too often prefer to wander in a contrary course.
The description here met with of the North-West
might certainly encourage others to follow in the
footsteps of the narrator of this sketch. " Our
Foreign Courier" furnishes us with information of
a most desirable kind regarding the works of any
merit or celebrity which are published abroad, and
as such it is an undertaking that deserves to be en-
couraged.

Fraser's Magazine.—Mr. Whyte Melville, the
accomplished writer who has so often gratified the
readers of Fraser by his clever narratives, gives us
this month a ghost story. It is rather unsatisfac-
tory as a story, for it is not clearly explained
whether the spectral visitant was a ghostly reality
or an illusion of her comfortable middle-aged vic-
tim ; neither is there much novelty in the idea of a
picture stepping out of its frame, but the style is
pleasant and animated, and will entertain the
reader. " The Cruise of the Betsy" is the title of
an interesting paper on Hugh Miller's work of that
name. It gives numerous extracts from the great
geologist's pages : one of these, on a Paliezoic fish
scale, is most impressive from its description of the
wonderful adaptation of each portion of the meanest
creature to its wants and its dangers. A curious
paper, called " Murders at Deutz," gives us the de-
tails of a crime committed on the banks of the
Rhine in the year 1803. Why these murders should
be once more discussed and written about we are
at a loss to discover. Surely we have enough
crimes and criminals in the present day without
going back more than half a century to study the
horrid particulars of a tragedy that does not seem
to have had anything to render it remarkable but
the ignorant cruelty of the murderer and the weak-
minded simplicity of his victims. A paper on
" Recent Travellers in Central America" notices
the works of Herr Von Tempsky and the Abbe
Domenech. That wild and lawless region, so rich
in the gifts of nature, so poor in the civilisation of
man, affords a subject of fresh and vivid interest to
those who are wearied with the details of
sightseers and tourists. The attractive story of
" Hanworth" continues, and the perplexities of
Edith Somers seem to be increasing. Her friend-
ship with Margaret seems in as great peril as that
of Helena and Hermia, and from the same cause.
" Hints for Vagabonds, by One of Themselves,"
gives an inviting picture of the banks of the
Moselle. An article on the " Political Pulpit of the
Civil War," treats of the influence exerted by
the preacher of those days, and the wide and
various range of subjects then admissible in a
sermon. The writer observes with truth that those
who wish to enter into the spirit of that time
should study the pulpit as well as the Parliament,
the. fierce denunciations of the preacher, and his
allusions to the state of social affairs, as well as
more elaborate and authentic historical records.
Some graceful verses by William Allingham are
the best of the poetical contributions in this
number, which also contains among the remaining
papers an article on British Columbia and Van-
couver's Island.

Colburn's New Monthly.—A paper on the " Me-
moirs of Marie Antoinette," gives ,an interesting
summary of the life and misfortunes of the beauti-
ful and ill-fated " Autrichienne." ' The sternest
censurers of the follies and incapacities of the Court
of Louis XVI. must look with some degree of com-
passion on the lighthearted and inexperienced
stranger placed in a responsible position, without
friend or adviser—whose every act gave rise to
some new censure, and who had to expiate in such
bitter humiliation and suffering, the social faults
and political errors of her predecessors, as well as
her own. " Raby Verner," is the title of a melan-
choly story by the author of " Ashley," which nar-
rates the troubles of a young artist. Sir Nathaniel,
in his " Notes on Note-Worthies,"
.gives us the
history of the famous Princess Orsini, or Madame
des Ursins, as French historians call her, the des-
potic
u rn
g ruler
the of in Queen,Ding, and Court at Madrid
dWar ,
fSuccession, and who
was so summarily dismissed from her post of
caniarera mayor by the second wife of Philip V.
A paper by Edward Rowsell, entitled, "Who is
Sane," treats of the much vexed question of in-
sanity in a new spirit. Regarding the gambler,
the intemperate, the passionate, and the weakly
nervous as in some degree insane, he considers it would
be better for themselves and their friends to own
the fact at once and adopt measures for its remedy.
This plan would, however, afford a ready excuse
for the vicious, who would surrender the small
amount of moral responsibility which they now
acknowledge, while the weak-minded invalid would
be terrified at the very name of insanity. The
varying circumstances and differences of tempera-
ment and education should undoubtedly be taken
into consideration in judging or deciding
for others ; but it would be a question-
able advantage to add so largely to the
already great number who claim immunity
under the awful plea of insanity. "Northern
Lights" is continued, and tells a tale of love and
and jealousy. "Prison Hours" is the.title of an
interesting paper on the various devices by which
prisoners of state, suddenly transported from the
excitement and turmoil of political existence to the

gloom of solitary confinement, have endeavoured
to beguile their tedious days. Some of their
resources are touching, from the utter desolation
they prove. It seems strange that the prison
rulers should have been so unnecessarily cruel in
their determination to prevent the unhappy pri-
soners from writing, when they might easily have
destroyed all their compositions. " Hans Ernst
Mitterkamp" is continued, and Mrs. Bushby gives
us the first part of a Danish story, entitled " Too
Old." "A Peep at the Far West" concludes the
number.

The United Service.—This magazine maintains
its high character. Unlike the rest of the contem-
porary serials it is entirely devoted to business. It
would seem, at first sight, that a magazine occu-
pied exclusively by questions relating to the
two services must be very limited in its interest
and only suited for the perusal of naval and
military men. Such, however, is not the case,
and the habitual reader of The United Service
Magazine will be surprised to find how wide a
range of subjects are brought within his view, and
what varying sources of interest are to be found
in its pages. During the last few years
the vicissitudes of active service have been
one of the engrossing topics of public interest, but
the distant parts of the globe that come under the
observation of the sailor and soldier in times of
peace give variety and animation to relieve the
discussion of serious topics. The present number
has some papers on the important questions affect-
ing our Indian Army, and a letter to the
Editor on the Militia, deserves perusal. The
narrative of the advance on Lucknow is con-
tinued, but not concluded. A paper on Cherbourg
decides that it is assailable by sea. The history of
our embassies to Pekin is proceeded with, and re-
lates the result of Lord Amhert's mission. All
naval and military intelligence respecting the sta-
tions of the army and navy, the promotions and
appointments, &c., are given in full.

Bentley.—St. Canice's Cathedral at Kilkenny is
the subject of the opening paper, which is full of
interest for all who are attracted by old tradition
and legend, or who are fascinated by the study of
antiquarian and architectural peculiarities. A
last Will and Testament" is the title of the second.
instalment of the story of Mr. Canterbury's family.
It is told in the writer's usual agreeable style, but
the story does not- advance very far in this part.
11Ionkshood has! lately turned his attention to con-
tinental writers, and in the present number of his
Retrospective Reviewals, he discusses the writings
and abilities of Voiture. The interesting and well
written story of " Twice Avenged" is brought to a
conclusion, but it is a little vague and perplexing
in facts. A paper on " Mazrm and his Nieces,"
founded on the recent work of M. Amedee Renee,
leads us into the vortex of brilliant dissipation
which characterised the Parisian circles of the
eighteenth century. Out of all the clever and fas-
cinating ladies raised to such high positions
through the influence of their powerful relative,
there is scarcely one that has come down to us
without a darkened name. The Rev. Mr. Davies's
work on Algiers considered as a Climate for In-
valids, is treated of at length with favour. Mr.
Dudley Costello's indefatigable pen is still occupied
with his story of " Faint heart never won fair
lady." The thirty-sixth chapter brings to a close
a number of average merit.

The Mechanics'.—The Mechanics' Magazine con-
tains its usual amount of information on all topics of
the day connected with mechanical science. The
chief subject of interest to most readers will,
doubtless, be the paper on the Atlantic Telegraph,
which has engrossed so much public attention.
There are many other topics which will attract
the curious and scientific, and some discussions of
practical value to the mechanician. We shall
endeavour to find space for an extract at" an early
opportunity.

The Money Bag.
This excellent little serial is maintained with
spirit. It contains stories and sketches, like
similar publications, but it chiefly devotes itself to
attacking the present currency system, and to ad-
vocating free and liberal principles in finance. Its
arguments are forcibly stated, and all honest
financial reformers will heartily welcome such an
able advocate and exponent of their views.