The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-06 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAGINES.

The Eclectic Review. has an interesting paper on
Dante, giving a sketch of his career, and numerous
extracts from translations of his poems, which will
be very attractive to those who are unacquainted
with the works of this great master of song. "Fiji
and the Fijians" gives a melancholy picture of the
dapths human nature can sink to when unre-
restrained by religion and civilisation. Mr.
Helps's volume, " Oulita, the Serf," receives a dis-
criminating criticism, and M. Quatrefage's
" Rambles of a Naturalist" are also noticed. This
magazine has passed into new hands, and will
commence a new and improved series next month,
under the title of The Eclectic. It will be increased
in size without alteration of price, and while still
maintaining its nonconforming opininons, will be
calculated to interest a large circle of readers from
its greater variety and animation.-2 2 ton 15
scarcely so attractive as usual this month. It has
a little too much of the vexed questions of the day
—the Confessional and the French police. Still
there is always something to repay the reader for
its perusal, and the plan of giving extracts from
the new books at the conclusion is an excellent
-- one,Newton's London Journal contains its
usual account of the recent patents and
reports
of institutions. The introductory article is
devoted to the consideration of the present state
and prospects of decorative art. Le I'ollet has
several pretty plates of fashions in the warm wraps
and bright colours suitable to this winter season.
The National Magazine has a variety of pleasant
papers, and is more generally attractive than usual.
The curious story of " Miles Cassidy's Contract" is
continued in characteristic style. " Black and
Grey" gives a pleasing account. of the old traditions
of Fixes and Undines. We are sorry we cannot
accord the same approval to the engravings as to
the writings.

The Madrid journals of the 29th ult. have
arrived. The day preceding having been the anni-
versary of the birth of the Prince of the Asturias,
many of them, in accordance with Spanish cus-
tom, contain complimentary verses to H. R. H.
The
Queen, on the 28th, held a drawing-
room, which was very numerously attended, and at
night gave a ball at which upwards of 1,800 per-
sons were present. Her Majesty danced with the
Russian Ambassador and with Marshal O'Donnell.
The English Minister did not attend the ball,
though he was present at the drawing-room, and
his absence was attributed to the day before Sun-
day. The supper took place before 12 o'clock,
much earlier than usual, on account of the follow-
ing day being a fast most rigorously observed by,
Spanish Catholics, who could
itdanstiegioitf, twh,eithdeoluit-
cams provided for then
incurring the displeasure of the church.
them rat
m
ANOTHER FATAL PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTER.—
On Saturday morning
Mr. Payne, the coroner, weived in-
formation of the death of William Newton' aged 38 years, a
man who resided; in Butler's-buildings, East Smithfield,
under the following circumstances :—lt appeared
.that the
deceased and a ship carpenter, named Wells, had a quarrel
on board a brig from Greenock, lying off the customhouse,
whenblows were exchanged, and a terrific encounter ensued.
Tho deceased, who was the worse for liquor, was evidently
the weakest man, and Wells either knocked him or threw
him into the river. He was taken out in a state of insen-
sibility, and conveyFd to the receiving-house at Billingsgate'
where medical asastonce was sent for. A surgeon, who
prmptly attended. advised his immediate removal to Guy's
Hospital, but death shortly terminated his sufferings. The
deceased, on being stripped, presented a most frightful ap-
pearauce, bolus completely black 11141 blue,