The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-02 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

BLACKWOOD.—This popular serial opens for the
new year with a very promising list of contents.
The first article is entitled " Our Naval Defences,"
and is well worthy of its theme, and we shall take
an early opportunity of referring to it more parti-
cularly. We meet with the conclusion of the com-
plicated tale of "Nina Balatka : The Story of a Maiden of
Prague." It is written in an impressive style, and some
of its last passages are very effectively described. An in-
teresting sketch is that of " Sir William Parker, the Admi-
ral of the Fleet," laid, however, in a quiet churchyard,
where his modest funeral took place, and "a great sailor,
of a great school, was borne to his long rest, the famed
officer of Englaad's navy, and a famed leader of her squad-
rons." A brief account is given of his eventful career, and
it is truly said that this, the last of Nelson's captains, has
left to our Royal Navy a pattern to be long cherished and
emulated. " Women and Children in America" does not
present us with a very flourishing picture of the health of
the women across the Atlantic. "Brownlows" is the com-
mencement of a new story, which bids fair to be a very
entertaining ono by and bye. It is written in a lively
manner, and some of the descriptions are very good. The
political article is called, " Who are the Reformers ? and
What do they Want ?" It is mainly directed to the criti-
cism of the more violent advocates of a change in our Par-
liamentary representation ; and, in conclusion, an opinion
is expressed that the Government will disappoint its rivals
by dealing with the Reform and other questions, as to win
"for themselves the gratitude and respect of all who
honour the laws and rightly value the Constitution."
FRASER.—Regina begins the year with a long but
somewhat tedious table of contents. We have an-
other paper on the Cromwellian Settlement of Ire-
land, 'written with fairness to both sides. The
writer denounces the Cromwellian Settlement, as
bearing in a special manner the odious character of
violence and injustice ; but ho adds that it should be con-
sidered with a reference to the circumstances and character
of the time, rather than from any present standing point.
Another article of a solid, though somewhat weighty,
character, is an essay on "Parliamentary Reform, Labour,
and Capital," subjects which are amply discussed in their
mutual relations. "A Day's Fishing in the Bush" is an
animated sketch, not, as its name would imply, of sport in
the Antipodes, but in the northern parts of Ireland. A
criticism on Conington's " tEneid " will interest the
scholar, who may also find pleasure in two .well-written
papers on " Athens and Pentelicus" and, in their modern
aspects, " The Influence of Arabic Philosophy in Mediaeval
Europe," the latter being the substance of a lecture deli-
vered by Earl Stanhope at the Royal Institution. The
subject is an extensive one, for in these days we can but
dimly realise the influence of the Arabs in the schools of
philosophy and medicine. It is pleasant to welcome our
friend A. K. H. B. among the contributors to Fraser,
though his essay, " Among South-Western Cathedrals," is
rather a discursive account of a pleasant ramble than a
characteristic "essay." The story of " The Marstons" is
continued ; and there are other papers of more or less
merit.

TEMPLE BAR.--" Lady Adelaide's Oath" is con-
tinued, and becomes very exciting indeed in this
instalment. It is evidently now fast approaching a
conclusion, and we shall, doubtless, have some
eventful passages before we finish it. The long
career of guilt which has distinguished Lord Vane,
and the deceit of Lady Adelaide, will then find their re-
tribution. "Servant Girls' Sybils" is a well-written
paper on the subject of gipsies and fortune-tellers. The
author of "Archie Lovell" contributes a sad sketch, called
" Bertie Griffiths," to this number, and, as it refers to the
recent events in Germany, it may probably engage extra
attention from many readers. We find a conclusiokt to the
interesting adventures called "Adrift in the Antarctic
Ocean ;" it will be sure to attract the notice of those who
like spirited descriptions. " Straight Across Dartmoor" is
an account of that dreary region, which is given in a lively
style. "Among the Old Masters" is an interesting paper,
which contains some comments worthy of notice. " The
Highlands of Venetia" refers to a place that just now is
uppermost in one's thoughts, and all will agree in the
wish expressed in the concluding passage of the sketch,
that " Venice, the beautiful City of the Sea," so long
disconsolate and in mourning, may now be destined to a
bright and joyous future.

MACMILLAN'S.—Lord Hobart opens Macmillan
with a tribute to the genius of Richard Cobden as
"an international man." The advantages of peace
are no doubt far more widely appreciated than
formerly ; but if his lordship could succeed in his
wishes and destroy all national individual spirit and
feeling, he would find that he had got rid of a good deal
that was valuable to the world as well as some things that
were dangerous. Major Nostt continues his very setsible
paper on the organisation of our army, and suggests many
practical improvements, especially with regard to the
militia. Francis Palgrave, late Fellow of Exeter College,
Oxford, contributes a criticism on Mr. Conington's trans-
lation of Virgil's " tEneid," and takes the opportunity for
analysing the rival merits of the different metres as expo-
nents of Virgil's verse. Another article, bearing the name
of "Palgrave" (though not by the same writer), tells us of
the impressions gained by a visit to Egypt in the hot sea-
son. " A Day on the Water" takes us pleasantly up and
down old Father Thames, and " The Flower Girl of
Sicyon" is a gracefully told and touching little sketch of
love, faith, and fickleness. Henry Kingsley's vigorous and
original, though singular and extravagant, story of " Sil-
coto of Silcotes" is continued with unabated interest, and
in this number makes rapid progress.
VICTORIA.—AII questions relating to " -Woman's
Rights," as viewed from a political and professional
point of view, are amply discussed, in this number,
which has also some tales, poems, and miscellaneous arti-
cles, after the accepted fashion of magazines.