The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-02 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.—The opening paper in Blackwood is
the continuation of " What rill He do with It 1"
The instalment is brief, and does not chronicle any
event of particular importance. Some years are
supposed to elapse between this part and the one
which will follow it. The second part of the travels
in Zanzibar and East Africa is somewhat interest-
ing, as showing us a picture of races and scenes
quite removed from ordinary experience. The
article which immediately follows it, is on a topic
of considerable importance—one that has engaged
the attention of legislators and reformers, and is
likely, from the complication of the subject, and
the difficulties which surround it, to demand some
years of examination and experience before it can
be satisfactorily dealt with. "Our Convicts--Past
and Present"—is the title of the article, and it deals
with the subject in a comprehensive and rational
manner, though the author, like many wiser men,
is unable to give a decided solution of some of the
attendant problems. The separation of first offenders
from hardened criminals, but without that solitude
and silence which defy the powers 'of human en-
durance—the difficulty of holding out encourage-
ment for good behaviour and obedience to disci-
pline without offering a premium to hypocrisy—
the obligation to provide them with the neces-
saries of life, good of their kind, and some degree
of comfort, without provoking comparisons with
the friendless poor who are struggling with starva-
tion and temptation ; and when all these questions
are suitably treated, there yet remains another of
no inconsiderable magnitude—that of providing
the convict on his release, with employment—to
give him the means of decent livelihood without
giving him an advantage over the honest labourer.
There is much sensible reasoning in the article
before us, especially in the part relating to the
testimony of the police officers in a law court as
affecting the sentence passed on the culprit.
Of course this is not alluding to the testi-
mony as to the commission of a crime, but
as to previous character and habits. It is
justly observed that it is not in human nature
to help abusing such a power, and that a policeman
is no more fitted for the possession of irresponsible
power than the captain of a merchant vessel or the
Emperor of Russia. Indeed, social philosophers
might question if he were as much so, as from his
perpetual contact with vice and crime, his sphere of
observation is necessarily narrowed, and ho loses
the power of sympathy and comparison, which others
of more extended opportunities might be capable of
exercising. The essay will well repay perusal by all
who take an interest in a question so nearly affecting
the social well-being of the community. "Stories from
Ancient Sind" give us some curious glimpses of
ancient Mohommedan conquests. The second paper
on " Food and Drink" continues this interesting
subject, and will afford much gratification to the
lovers of chemical and physiological science. Among
the remaining contents are a pleasant paper on
Mr. Snllivan's work on " Cumberland and its
People, and a favourable notice of Mr. Bucklancl's
"Curiosities of Natural History."

Fraser's.—Fraser presents us with a variety of
refreshing and vigorous articles this month—those
relating to politics being sound in argument and
liberal in principle ; and those gracing the fields of
light literature and intellectual mattbr, exhibiting
an attractive degree of amusing originality and
lucid discussion. The opening paper, "An Anglo-
Indian View of the Indian Crisis," displays im-
portant and accurate judgment in the treatment of
the question—maintaining opinions not much to
the credit of "head-quarters" of Indian Govern-
ment. Dr. Whewell's book , " The History of
Science and some of its Lessons," is dilated on in a
very able and enlightening tone, but as this mas-
terly work will receive our special notice before
long, we shall merely advert to it, as constituting
a first-elms production of its kind—calculated to
equally advance the philosophical student's pro-
gress and general human intelligence. The paper
"Concerning Country Houses and Country Life"
is a charming dissertation on the pursuit', build-
ings, and literature connected with rural existence,
It is a compound bouquet combining the poetic
odours of new-mown hay, wild thyme, and fresh-
turned furrows, with a strong infusion of common
sense and sufficient essence of classical taste. It
Eays—

I believe that in the mind of most men of cultivation,
there is some vague, undefined sense that the country is the
scene where human life attains its happiest develop-
ment. I believe that the great proportion of such men
cherish the hope, perhaps a distant and faint one,
that at some time they shall possess a country
home, where they may pass the last years tranquilly, far
from the tumult of cities. Many of those who cherish
such a hope will never realise it ; and many more are quite
unsuited for enjoying a country life were it within their
reach. Bat all this is founded upon the instinctive desire
there is in human nature to possess some portion of the
earth's surface.

Speaking of Gothic architecture, the writer gives
the following opinion, with which we cordially
concur :—.

I do not think we could say better of any work of man,
than that it bears with advantage to be sot side by side
with the noblest work of God. Yet, though a worthy
Gothic building looks beautiful anywhere, it has a special
charm in a sweet country landscape. It seems just what
was wanted to render the scene perfect. It is in harmony
with the trees and flowers and hills around, and with the
blue sky,overheal. It is a perpetual pleasure to look at it.
I do not believe that any mortal can find real enjoyment
in standing and gazing at a huge square house, with a
great wagon roof, and with square holes cut in a great
level blank wall for windows. It may draw a certain
grandeur from vast size, and it may possess fine accesso-
ries,—be shadowed by noble trees, backedby wild or wooded
hills, and shaded off into the fields and lawns by courtly ter-
races; but the big square box is in itself ugly, and never can
be anything but ugly. But how long and,delightedly one
can contemplate the worthy Gothic house of similar pre-
tension—with its lights and shadows, its irregular sky-line,
its great mullioned bay-windows and its graceful oriels
perched aloft, its many gables, its wreathed chimneys, its
towers and pinnacles, its hall and chapel boldly shown on
the external outline—for the characteristic of Gothic is,
that it frankly exhibits construction, and makes a beauty
of the exhibition; while the square-box architecture aims
at concealing construction, -- producing the four walla,
pieni:d with the regular rows of windows, quite irrespec-
tive of internal requirements, and then considering how to
fit in the requisite apartments, like the pieces of a child's
dissected puzzle, into the square case made for them.
There is an unusually interesting story, in six
chapters, entitled " Lone-House Dale," which will
amply repay perusal. The concluding artic'e, on
"The Decline and Fall of Lord Palmerston's
Ministry," deals with the said Ministry in forcible
and plain terms ; advocating the measures which
are equally consistent with, and necessary for, the
presarraTion of foreign relations and English hon-
our. The unvarnished meaning of these t einarks
recommend the passage so warmly that we cannot
resist quoting it, as being the condensed opinion of
all right-minded Britons :
Every man in England is deeirens to preserve a firm
alliance between two nations, wkich allied can do so much
good to the world, and at enmity could go near towards
ruining each other. But as between individuals so it is
with nations ; real friendship can be maintained only by
self-respect on both sides. Whilst France is governed as it
is now, by repression, it is but a mockery for England to
seem to sympathize with the spirit of its rulers ; and the
adulation which since the success of the coup•cretat has
been poured on the head of the Emperor, has done a good
deal, unfortunately, to unhinge our alliance with the nation
and make it personal to the ruling dynasty. The
consequence of the extreme deference to the Emperor
is that we are expected to do that for him which we
would have done for none of his predecessors. Lord
Palmerston in a very violent manner rebuked the
House of Commons for making allusions to points which
he could hardly have expected to be passed over. We
think, however, that Lerd Palmerston, or whoever may
succeed him, would do better, instead of bullying indepen.
dent members of the Legislature, to maintain a firm and
respectful tone towards the French Goverunasent, avoiding
all cause of reasonable offence, and making every conces-
sion consistent with the honour and dignity of England,
and at the same time not to shut his eyes to the possible
course into which a Government relying solely on its enor-
mous army may sooner or later be driven, and to keep a
good look-out on our coasts, and an efficient fleet in the
Channel.

Bentley.—" Lord Palmerston ; a Piece of Poli-
tical Patchwork," by Pei° Mole, is the striking
piece of alliteration that greets us on opening
Bentley. It treats of the various characters which
have been ascribed to the veteran statesman, and
the different sketches of him which eminent writers
have given. It is followed by the opening
chapter of a story called " Heiresses," which will
probably improve as it proceeds. A spirited ballad,
entitled " The Lord Protectlr's Ghost," tells us
how a gay cavalier, returning from a revel, is
startled, in passing Tyburn, by the ghastly appari-
tion of
" Him who, though uncrowned his forehead,
Reigned the Ruler of the land,"
" French Financial Operations* is rather an alarm
ing title for an article in a serial supposed to be
devoted to mirth and entertainment. It is
founded on M. Cassefigue's recent work, and
will probably convey some useful information to
those who may not have met the original ].works
k.
Monkshood's writings always repay pel. Hi
present subject is " Ferrari's Guelfs, and Ghi-
bellines," and treats of the factions which distracted
Italy for so many centuries. Mr. Dudley Costello
continues his story of "Faint heart never won
Fair Lady," in his ac ea•itomed manner. A paper
on " Saiond of P.ris," curioub
agreeable reading. The singular papers entitled
" Thanatos Athauatos," proceed in their moralis-
ing and sometimes mel mcholy strain, giving ex_
tracts from ancient and modern, grave and gay,
early fathers or pagan philosophers, as the case may
be. The curious story of " Queen Stork" comes
to a curious and not very intelligible conclusion.
Mary Nl,nek con`libut-i s ono9 grac-fill verses,
supposed to be addressed by a LK On GI d
toilee
lover slain in battle. "A Night of Tumults," by
authorthe of " Too much to Wear,"
brings- to a