The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-05 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES, 6-c.

Fraser.—A curious paper, entitled " The Com-
monplace Book of Richard Willes,"' is the first that
rums the reader in this number of Fraser. • He was
an English gentleman who lived in the beginning
of the sixteenth century, whose manuscript now re-
poses in state in the literary at Balliol College,
Oxford. It displays, the writer tells us, more than
any other single volume he has met with, the mental
furniture of an average-educated man of the time.
Stories in prose and verse, proverbs, dissertations on
education, confession, horticulture, and farriery,
recipes, prescriptions, science, statistics, hymns, and
ballads, mingle in admired disorder. There does
not appear to be any extraordinary ability displayed
in this motley collection, to judge from the extracts
given, but they give a fair sample of the mind and
manners of the time among the quiet middle classes.
The scraps of information will attract the curious,
such as the rules for craftsmen, bakers, brewers,
An account of the telegraph cable laying in
the Mediterranean gives some interesting statistics.
In speaking of the depths of the Mediterranean, it
is observed that this sea may be considered as
divided into two great basins.

Admiral Smyth remarks that "the barrier at the entrance
of the Straits (of Gibraltar) marks the commencement of the
western basin, which descends t au abysmal profundity ,
and extends as far as the central part of the sea, where it
flows over another barrier, and again falls into the yet un-
fathomed depths of the Levant'again basin."
The
sigreatesternand
the eastern a gtst of the basins. It is reported that
soundings bare been taken ataout 90 miles east of Malta to
the amazieg depth of 15,000 feet; and between Cyprus and
Egypt 6,000 feet aline have been run out without reaching
the bottom. These are the results of single experiments;
but it appears from a regular series of soundings lately
made from Egypt to the Archipelago, that between Alexan-
dria and Rhodes the bottom was only found at the depth of
9,900 feet, and between Alexandria and Candle the sound-
ings were upwards of 10,000. The western basin of the
Mediterranean, having the beautiful islands of Corsica and
Sardinia nearly in its centre, hasb9en the focus of an exten-
sive volcanic action, both submarine and subterranean, of
which /Etna and Vesuvius are existing witnesses. The
course of the Phlvegrean fires may be traced from the Lipari
Islands to the Campagna of Rome. In the Island of Sar-
dinia they have been especially active, a large tract of the
vast Campidano being studded with round-topped hills, he
cra'ers of extinct volcanoes, and the Plutonic formations
appearing in many parts of the southern and westerncoastr.
Whatever may have ben the disruptions caused in ages
long remote by this extensive and violent igneous action, to
which probably these coasts and islands ewe much of their
present configuration, itiloes not appear that the depths of
the Mediterranean, as far as they have been plumbed, are
anything like so great in this western' as in the eastern
basin. But we find that even in the Straits, between Gib-
ralta and Ceuta, nearly 6,000 feet of line have been run out
without meeting the bottern ; and further to the westward
n s: be.o obtained. Fortunately to tis lints
of telegraph cable already laid in this basin, the depths,
though opposing serious obstacles to the enterprise, have
not been found so area; as to preclude its success. They
appear, however, to be only just within the compass of tine
machinery and the structure of the cables at present used
in these undertakings, as Mr. W. Siemens, C.E., remarked
in a paper lately read before the Society of Arts, that
" upon calculations of the strain ef the cable in leaving the
vessel, an iron-sheathed cable cannot, under the most
favourable circumstances, be laid in water more than three
miles in depth."
"A Grumbler," with the usual contrariety of that
disposition, positively finds something to like in
what all the rest of the world is complaining of—
Trafalgar7square ! The novelty of this defence, and
the suggestions which accompany it, deserve the at-
tention of the reader. "The Thames and its Diffi-
culties" come under the consideration of a penetrat-
ing reformer, who commences his inquiry by
exclaiming, " A thousand blessings on the head of
that man who contrived that the new Houses
of Parliament should stand upon the site of the
former houses !" He proceeds to say that to this
unknown personage, "grateful Shoreditch, grateful
Lambeth, grateful ,Chelsea, grateful Bethnal-green,
recognisant Pimlico Amid erect statues." This
honour he is to claim at the hands of the afflicted
dwellers by the metropolitan river, for having for-
cibly impressed on the legislators in general the im-
mediate necessity for the amelioration of the sanitary
condition of London. The story of " Hanwortb,"
which commenced last month, continues pleasantly,
and promises interest. An alarming prospect of rival
affections is indicated in this part. The scientificreader
will be attracted by a paper on the geology and extinct
volcanoes of France, founded on Mr. Poulett Ecrope's
recent work. The singular romance of " Catarina
in Venice," proceeds in true Italian style, and chro-
nicles a fearful catastrophe. It shows considerable
ability in the style. Mr. Caird, a Scotch preacher,
whose name has suddenly become familiar in this
country, receives a warm testimony to the power
and effect of his sermons. The ability and earnest
practical feeling evidenced by the famous sermon,
" Religion in Common Life," published by the
Royal command a few years since, will induce a
large class of readers gladly to avail them-
selves of the opportunity of extending their acquaint-
ance with Mr. Caird, through the volume of his ser-
mons just announced by Messrs. Blackwood.
There are other topics of interest discussed.

Bentley's 111 i scellany.—" Thomas Stu kely," trn trme
little known by most readers of English history; is
the subject of an entertaining though somewhat
lengthy paper. One of the remarkable men
of the remarkable age of Elizibeth, his comparative
oblivion is little to be regretted when we consider
how his brave and enterprising spirit was marred by
his mean and dissipated character. A love story,
entitled " Twice Avenged," is interesting, mad pro-
mises some poetical justice in the ensuing chapters.
Another story is brought to a conclusion, under the
title of " Coming out of Exile," and relatei the dis-
covery of the thief of the missing diamond bracelet
that occasioned so much sorrow to all connected with
it. The story is concluded satisfactorily, and the
explanation of the mysterious robbery is ingenious.
Most readers of periodical literature have become
familiar with descripiNns of Constantinople, its
bazaars, and its Sweet Waters. Lately, however,
Indian travellers' tales have taken the place of the
narratives of Crimean adventurers, and therefore the
impressions of a " Guardsman in Constantinople"
may be an agreeable variety. A paper on M. Cape-
figue's memoirs of Madame de Pompadour gives a
summary of the principal events of her career.
Dudley Costello's tale is progressing with his accus-
tomed prolixity, and narrates some wonderful
changes. Another paper on French biography is
given us by Monkshood in his "New Book Notes."
lie takes under consideration a recent work by M.
Arsene Koussage on " King Voltaire," in which the
biographer apparently goes a little mad respecting
the universal influence of this absolute sovereign.

" Death—its Glory and its Beauty," is a poem con-
taining some thoughtful verses on the real nature
and attributes of the misnamed King of Terrors,

showing how "it consoles while it appal." This
subject reappears in our old friend "Thanatos Atha-
'
natos," where a graceful and pensive essay on the
different views and aspects of death. is slowly pro-
ceeded with. It is a matter of surprise, as well as
regret to us, that Mr. 'l:horn bury Ehould find so
little inspiration in an inspiriting subject. His
" Napoleon Ballafsn have been throughout very
inferior to what might have been anticipated from
the author of the " Songs of the Cavaliers and
Roundheads," though giving full opportunity for
spirit and variety. The present one, " The Retreat
from Moscow," is no better than its predecessors;
the concluding verses can cnly raise a smile. An
essay on the " Indian Mutinies, the Native Feeling
and English Government," concludes the number.

THE NA TT.
- -

Admiral Lord Lyoaa gave a grand banquet on board the
Royal Albert, at Spitheed, on Tuesday evening, to Marshal
the Duke of Malakoff, his Lordship's guest to Cherbourg.
At 7 o'clock the Fire Queen steam yacht arrived alongside,
bringing the illustrious soldier and his staff, who were re-
ceived on the quarter-deck of the Royal Albert by Lord
Lyons, a guard of honour presenting arms, and a salute of
10 guns, the crew manning yards. After the presentation
of the officers of the ship by Lord Lyons to the Duke, his
Lordship and his distinguished guest were engaged in the
most animated conversation until the second salute an-
nounced the arrival of the Lords of the Admiralty, the Port
Admiral, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Admiral Super-
intendent, &c., when a renewal of presentations
tOok place, the quarter-deck presenting at this time
most interestinx scene. On the band playing "The
Roast Beef of Old England" Lord Lyons led the way arm-
in .arm with the Marshal to the state cabin, where a superb
a aquet was laid on,. Covers were laid for 28. Lard Lyons
placed the Duke of Malakoff on his right and Sir John
Pakington on his It ft. After the dinner Lord Lyons pro-
pwd "The health of. the Emperor and EMpI'EA3 of the
French," which was followed by enthusiastic cheering. The
Duke of Malakoff then proposed "The health of Queen
Victoria," the band in each case playing the national airs,
and enlivening the evening with some admirable music.
The gallant party did not break up until 11 o'clock, wile°
the ship was most magnificently illuminated with Meier
Fitzmauricee life light.
The Cumberland, 70, Captain Dickson, flat
of Vice-
Admiral Prole) William Parry Wallis, late Commander-
in-Chief on the South-cast Coast of America station, arrived
at Spitheed yesterday morning. She came thus pre-
rnaterely caving to having been on shore and Itheeurr_ed each
Scarlet t (,ori of Mejor-General Sear,dett, Lieutenant-Gover-
nordamage PS to necessitate a thorongchhraerp:eir:ifiATffaireHsoant.Rmiar
of Portsmotpttalsi
has came borne
The Topeze, 51, ss)c'eruielj'wre,ri‘vilin'adsrhttesjk.C'''eunno'bu°trojafncic;ek at. Kcyhant
tisheverseldle(o.nt
The Eagle, r,o, coast-guard vessel, Captain Tatham, at
and gentry of the neighbourhood, including the two
on Tuesday, and placed in the basin.
asil'"e'deref°
7P,heunarbsdi-eakye.eveAnigrand a :31b1
ywas a
Captain
nn board Job
themselvesravardtd,of nutt the
nobilitys:i.vie s. Three
rohrutniodiriedrei nadviiltya tiaovi
17olisiTellt.yaoflaerngeevening's atnusement, &c.

•
fr.•, f Li ;,0 !woods wcre made ytsterday at fl •e
Admiralty: —Timothetrs J. Ilaran, surgeon to ihe Firefly;
Henry R. Cole, pw.;thaster to the Ganges; Thomas 1? .
Dennis, payitasler to the Alert; Henry George Barlow
assistant-pay master, in charge, to the Locust; oud Willi ;In
msist(tllt:-paytaptor to thg WAtcrloo.