The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-27 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

. .
Novels (find Novelists from Elizabeth to Tictoria.
By J_ Cordy Jeafireson, author of " Crewe
Rise," &e. 2 vols. Hurst and Blackttt.
The subject of this work is an attractive one ;
it introduces to our consideration one of the
most sparkling fields of our national litera-
ture ; it shows us a list of names that are
not only held as trophies of distinction by
ourselves, but are familiar to most cultivated
and educated minds in Europe. The names
of Defoe, Fielding, Goldsmith, and Scott, besides
a crowd of followers, are sufficient to refute the
old assertion that novels are frivolous, contemp-
tible things, unworthy the notice of persons of
sense and principle. Yet, though the subject is
well selected, and though the author has favourably
distinguished himself by his former works, the re-
suit is very disappointing. In the first place, the
author has attempted too much. Taking in such
an extent of time, he bad better have confined his
attention to a few eminent names, instead of crowd-
ing his canvas with minor figures, which, in true
pre-Raphaelite fashion, appear out of all relative
proportion. The volumes would have been much
more agreeable had they been consecutively writ-
ten—had they formed a sort of running commen-
tary, comparing the merits of one age or
epoch with another; ntricing how the change
of manners and the spread of education affected
literature ; when plays and novels led, and when
they followed, the taste of the day ; how time
and taste refined, purified, strengthened till the
jest and scorn of the wise and wary grew into a
mirror of social existence, and an instructor whose
teachings of the truths of life, the best and greatest
need not always despise. nstead of this general
history, Mr. Jeaffresnn bas given us nothing but a
series of memoirs, tome of them mere outlines, and
few offering much that is novel except in the way
of criticism. In this department-, certainly, noire
need complain of Mr. Jeaffreson's originality, and
it is on this point that he is most seriously at fault.
It is difficult to believe that a writer of any degree
of taste or ability, who has even formed a slight
acquaintance with the writers whom he treats of,
should be serious in his authoritative denunciations
or rhapsodical eulogies. Leaving the earlier Tolume,
which seems to be more fairly written, we need but
instance a few of his criticisms on our most
eminent writers. It is not too much to say
that the terms in which he speaks of Charles
Dickens would be applicable to Shakspeare.
Great as is our admiration for Mr. Dickens's
unquestionable ability, we menet allow him
a rank above the author of " Ivanhoe," or
admit that " wherever there are men of English
origin, speaking the English tongue, there the
genius of Charles Dickens is one of the important
facts of life." He proceeds to describe the marvel-
lous avidity with which his works are "read in all
regions of the earth where there is a literature
to translate them into," a very necessary proviso !
This style of adulation, we can hardly call it criti-
cism, might have been expected from an enthusias-
tic youth just introduced to the marvels of Mr.
Pickwick and Nicholas Nickleby,.but comiag from
a writer of Mr: Jeaffresou's experience we are at
least surprised. Mr. Thackeray is next in rank
to Mr. Dickens, "two such writers of fiction no
previous age produced ;" and as Mr. •Jeaffresen's
temple of fame has fewer pedestals then that of
Pope's vision, no room is left for the author of
" The Caxtons." " He is entitled to foremost rank
amongst writers of talent, as distinguished from
writers of genius ; he is a careful and well-trained
artist, deficient in creative faculty. All tbat goof
commonEngli..hintelligence, applied to belles lettres,
can achieve, he has accomplished, but more he has
net." It will probably strike the reader that the
intelligence of Mr. Jeaffresou's common acqcaint-
mace is about as ordinary in its character as the
existence of that very rare quality—common sense.
He may possib'y be somewhat surprised, toe, after
reading the above delicate distinction, to come to
the following passage—though, it is true, surprise is
early 1. ft behind in Mr. Jeaffreson's pages :—" It is
needless to say that Mr. Wilkie Collins is generally
regarded as a man of commanding genius, and one
destinel to occupy a principal place in the
Republic of Letters." Mr. Lesreelee novels are
spoken of with a kind of pious horror, with the ex-
ception of " Henrietta Temple," which is ranked
far above its more brilliant and distinguished suc-
cessors. But we have said enough to display the
taste, moderation, and judgment of one from whom
we should certainly have expected better things.
If it be true that

"Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss,"
Mr. Jcaffreson had better resume his old profession,
where at lust he has the chance on his side. He
has proved, very c?rtainly, that he is not one cf
those who are "born ti judge," and that an
au!hor who has written very entertaining novels is
decidedly unfitted for the arduous task of weighing
the meri's of his predecessors and contemporaries.

Natiotta/ Airs and other Songs : harmonized Airs.
By Thomas Moore. Longman and Co.
Moore's Melodies are so frequently on our lips,
both oraUy and vocally, that no formal introduc-
tion is rept red for these charming volumes,
wherein Apollo brilliantly displays his fascinating
duality, and blends the truest of poetry with the
choicest of music. M..cre rendered a great
benefit to his fellow-creatures when he exercised
his genius in giving words to the delicious airs
which have been hummed and trolled, time out of
mind, by every man, woman, and chill possessing
"an ear." "A. thing of beauty is a joy for ever,"
and the reproduction of these mellifluous themes
in such attractive form, proves that they
legitimately belong to the imperishable, its
far as mortal duration can reasonably
extend. The first book, containing the Irish
Melodies, issued some time since, receivei our
commendations in warm terms of eulogy, and we
can only assert that these present publications,
completing the series, are in uniform style and
excellence, claiming the admiration of all
who appreciate the combinat on of elegance
and convenience. The portable size of these
volumes is a great advantage, and a lady
can convey them to a neighbour's for the purpose.
of enjoying a friendly morning practice, or delight-
ing an evening circle, without the expense of a cab
or the attendance of a "button boy." The harmonic
arrangements are perfect ; as the names of Sir John
Stevenson and Sir Henry Bishop fully testify ;
and the adaptation of " The last rose of sum-
mer," and "Rich and rare were the gems
she wore," for four voices, are among the
most entrancing specimens of concerted
strains we ever met. " Sing, sing Music
was Given ;" " Has Sorrow Thy Young Days
Shaded ;" "The Young May Morn," and
numerous others of our olden favourites, claim
especial notice ; but where all are enchanting,
it is difficult to select. We most cordially
recommend this beautiful edition of some of
the most beautiful lyric poetry and melody
extant ; to the patronage of our readers ; for the
volumes constitute a perfumed musical bouquet
calculated to set the spirit dreaming, and "lap It
in the Elysium of sweet sounds."

Spinal Deformity : Cases and. Observatioats.
By Samuel Hare, F.R.C.S. Second edition.
Churchill.
The miserable deformities cured by his humane
and sagacious treatment authorise us in every way
to designate the writer of this very curious pam-
phlet as professionally, and, in the truest sense of
the words, a 'practical pbilintbropist. Mr. Hare's
record of " Cases and Observations" corning within
the range of his own practice, are directly illus-
trative of the benefical results obtainable by close
attention and perseverance in some of the most un
promising instances of Spinal Deformity—resul
obtained, moreover, it should be observed, without
the use of steel stays or any other similar con-
trivances. The cases are carefully given, and ren-
dered yet more comprehensible by a series of terrible
engravings. They constitute the record of a series
of successes in many respects very tem,irkable.
They refer variously to casesof lateral cut vat ure,
of excurvation, of intetva.ion and of angular pro-
jection. Besides the pamphlet under notice, Mr.
Hare is the writer of an authoritative work on the
Curvature of the Spine—a volume which has
elicited the commendations of the Lancet and the
Medical Gazette, as well as of other professional
journals, besides running to a third edition witbin
a comparatively short time from the date of its
original publication.

GALE AT LIVERPOOL.—LIVERPOOL, July 26.--During
the whole of Saturday night and early on Sunday morn.
mg a severe sale visited this town and port, the wind
blowing
in heavy squalls from the north-west. In the
town trees were blown down, and some darna:;e was
caused in exposed positions to the roofs of houses, but
no case of personal injury has been reported. A number
of casualties to the coasting shipping have been reported
at the UNderwiiters' rooms, including the following :
The schooner Miceral, from Barrow for Ellesmere-port,
laden with iron, was driven on shore near Southport,
and became a wreck, the hands being saved by the
Southport lifeboat. A vessel called the Thornton ran
ashore opposite the Clarence-dock, but came cff at the
flood tide. A sloop has been reported as having dis-
appeared near the West Boyle Bank. The schooner
Sally and Ann, from Whitebaven, arrived this morning,
reports that two of her hands were washed overboard
and lost. The steamer Mona's Queen, from Douglas
Liverpool, reports having seen a piece of wreck, &p-
-part of a pati,lle-box, fl sling near the Bell
B iaiy. A schooner was seen t.) stiike the bsal:s inside
of the Bell Buoy yesterday, and she became
a total
wreck. The Mona's Queen also reports having seen
three mast-heads upright about Eve miles north-west of
the Bell Buoy.