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

THE .tt4 P AZINES.

Blackwood.—The present number of this maga-
zine is unusually attractive. There is a long in-
stalment of " What wily he do with it ?" which
contains some important events, and. in which the
story seems to advance considerably. Thc 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 Cherished' 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 are often unrecognised. It
lays great stress on the necessity of qome 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 Fitzgerild 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 eactive subject for description.
" 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 Palmzoic 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.

• t. glintrie 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 Ursms, as French historians call her, the des-
potic ruler of King, Queen, and Court at Madrid
during the War of Succession, and who
was so summarily dismissed from her post of
camarera 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
Mayazine 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.
Monkshood 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 " Mazrin 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 .Meehanies'.—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.

The Shipwrecked Mariner. Morrish, Paternoster-

row.

This is a quarterly magazine of a very useful
character, giving full information respecting all
shipwreck societies, lighthouses, &c., and adding
an account of a new method of restoring the appa-
rently drowned. There are some miscellaneous
contents, but the chief interest centres on the main
object of the work.

We are pleased to find that the present Govern-
ment patronises literature. As an instance, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer has recently appointed a son of Mr. E.
rarr, the author of many popular historical and other
works, and the editor of various black-lettered volumes of
poetry, to a clerkship in the War-office. Literary men have
too long been neglected, and a Government who thus be-
friends them is truly worthy of place and power. It is
generally supposed that no appointments are made, except
through political influence. The time has been when such
was the fact, but it must be mentioned, to the honour of
Mr. Disraeli, that literary merit has equal right with him
as political influence.—City Press.

THE PRAYER-BOOK AND THE PAPER DUTY.—A
parliamentary return moved for last session shows that in
the year ending March, 1857, the sum of £1,344 ss. 3d. was
allowed as drawback on the paper used in the printing of
Prayer Books, and in the year ending last March,
£2,007 12s. 4d. We should be glad to know why Episco-
palians should be thus favoured with a fiscal exempllion in
the printing of their devotional formularies, while dissenters
have to pay the full duty on their hymn-books and other
devotional works. There is miserable meanness in a sys-
tem which levies taxes on hostile denominations, and at the
same time claims immunity from exactions to which they
are liable. But it is " all of a piece."--Liberator.

VINTAGE IN FRANCE.—The greatest satisfaction,
letters state prevails along the banks of the Rhine at the
prospects of the vintage, which are everywhere remark-
able, both as regards quantity and quality.
Letters from Tunis announce that the first of
the three wives of the Bey, whose name was Lella Khebira,
died on the 20th ult. She had several children, and exer-
cised great influence over her husband. Her mother was a
Frenchwoman of Nimes, of the name of Edouard, and hav-
ing rim away from home when young arrived in Tunis,
where she married one Suria, who was a son of Prince
Ismael of Tunis, uncle of the present Bey, by a Christian
woman. She bore her husband five daughters, two of whom
remained Christians, and the other three became of the
Mussulman faith. Of the two Christians, one married Count
Raffio, the present Minister of, Foreign Affairs, and the
other a Neapolitan,, named Gaeta. Of the three who be-
came Mussulman, the two elder married Mamelukes, and
the younger espoused the present Bey. All the daughters
are now dead, except Mme. Gaeta.
ROUTES TO VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.—We may
mention for the information of any who may intend to go
out to the gold-fields, that of the various routes to Van-
couver, that by Panama is the quickest. The West India
mail packets start for the Isthmus on the 2d and 17th of
each month. The length of the voyage is 22 days. Trains
run across the Panama every day, thence to San Francisco
steamers take about 14 days. Small steamers take the
miner up to the Frazer, calling at Victoria for permits,
&c., and land him at Fort Yule, 150 miles up the river, in
the midst of the diggings. The second route is that over-
land, through Canada and the United States. Railways
and steamers run as far as St. Paul's in Minnesota, and
thence a distance of 1,200 miles across the Rocky Moun-
tains takes you to the diggings. Expeditions are being
fitted out in Canada and the States for this route. Wag-
gons pass the Rocky Mountains at the Kootanie Pass. The
writer remembers a miner in the California fever days,
going across alone on foot, and trundling his worldly goods
in 'a wheelbarrow. The third route is, without change of
conveyance, round Cape Horn.—Fraser's Magazine for
October.

TIIE MARRIAGE LAW IN FRANCE.—Considerable
interest was lately excited in a case of intermarriage which
has occurred at Pau, .A young Frenchman of respectable
family in that plaee some time ago made the acquaintance
of
,a young English girl, and fell in love with her. She repre-
fAted that she was of highly respectable family, and had a
fortune of £4,000 deposited at Coutts's Bank. He went to
England, and was duly married to her in the English form
at a place called Ledbury. But it turned out that his wife
was of low origin, and had not a farthing in the world ; and
the poor man was not only arrested for debts which she had
incurred, but placed himself in a serious predicament by
drawing on Messrs. Coutts for funds which she did not
possess. He was undoubtedly duped, but nevertheless he
remained her lawful husband. His family, however, took
legal proceedings to have the marriage set aside, and the
Court of Pau has decided that it is null and void, inasmuch
as it was not effected in accordance with the French law--
it not having been published in France, and the consent of
the young man's parents not having been obtained. The
moral of this case is, that the parents of English girls who
marry Frenchmen must take care that the formalities of
the French, as well as the English, law are observed.
Galignanis Messenger.
THE SOVEREIGN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE
Ta
kl rge is no
and queen in this
difference
between
G A
theT I V
power
T exercised
bNy.
country. Their office is hereditary, passing upon their
deaths to the next heir—males, in the next degree of rela-
tionsh/p, being preferred to females ; thus the youngest
son of the present Sovereign would inherit the throne to
the exclusion of her eldest daughter, but any, daughter
would stand in the order of succession before an uncle, a
nephew, or a male cousin. The crown of these kingdoms
can only be worn by a Protestant; should the king or
queen, as such, or when they are heir-apparent, marry a
Roman Catholio, it is forfeited from that moment. Tile
person of the sovereign is sacred ; she is above the law ; no
act of Parliament, can bind her, unless it contains express
words to that effect, It is also a maxim of law that she can
do no wrong, She is the supreme head of the Church,.
the Army, and the Navy, She has the power of
declaring war and making peace, of arranging treaties, and
coining money for the use of her subjects, and of
sending and receiving ambassadors. She may refuse
her consent to laws passed by the two Houses d
Parliament ; but thii right has not been exercised by any
sovereign since the reign of Queen Anne.' These and other
rights are called the Prerogative of the Crown. Under our
Constitution, the sovereign must govern through her
ministers, who are responsible to Parliament and the coun-
try for her political acts, The royal consort has, as such,
no share in the government of the country, but may be ap-
pointed to fill any post in the State that a subject can hold.
How we are Governed," by Albany Fonblanque.