The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Dublin.—One of the most interesting subjects
here met with is an able article on "Lord Macau-
lay," in which, while ample justice is rendered to
that eminent man, his writings are criticised in a
fair spirit, and with a deliberate judgment. While
not particularly admiring historical essays in
themselves, the writer remarks that Macaulay
has brought them alm.rst to perfection, and had ►,e
never written anything else they would have se-
cured him a name in English literature. This final
passage will illustrate the tone of the article :
" I❑ conclusion, we nave but to express a hope that
Lord Macaulay may yet achieve many intellectual tri-
umphs. We can scarcely expect that he will ever
resume the lyre of the poet, or the pen of the critic and
essayist ; but we trust that in that senate to which he
has been raised so worthily, he may be heard upon the
recent crisis of India in accents which, it they be not so
'leep as these of Burke, nor so interpenetrated with
imaginative power, will reveal a mind more keenly
logical, an equal fancy and splendour of diction, a
sounder judgment, and a riper experience. We trust
that on many questions which may require profound
historical and constitutional learning, civil prudence,
and parliamentary reputation, England may long possess
the advantage of his powers. And we hope that if the
enormous research required for his great work precludes
him from the possibility of accomplishing his original
design, of writing the history of England from the,
accession of King James the Second down to a time
which is within the memory of men still living,' he may
be spared at least to complete that crest drama of the
Revolution, which was cl.tsed by the accession of George
the First, and secured for England that Parliamentary
government in which, in his own generation, he has taken
a conspicuous part."

"Gerald Fitzgerald" is continued. This por-
tion of the story is a very sad one, for
the youth whose fitful career is here traced,
wanders away from the new horn- which
is formed for him, and, in an unhealthy
situation, surrounded by lawless outs ists, we 1-ave
him in a position little calculated to c Induce to
his mental and physical welfare. A pleasing tale
is entitled, "The Ericssons," which does nit
however, contain any striking incidents, but is a
simple domestic chronicle. " Pope and his Bio-
graphers" contains some just reflections ; it is said
that fame depends sometimes on circumstan' e as
well as talent, and from this combination Pope
stands forth between the Englisli revolution and
the French the representative of the Muse,
and the embodiment of English genius. " Brial-
mont's Duke of Wellington" is proceeded with,
and gives a summary of that illustrious general's
campaigns, which is well worthy of perusal. Au ela
borate criticism appears on Matthew Arnold and
Macarthy, which will be agreeable to those who (niter
into such things. It is not writte❑ in that stele in
which so many indulge, when descanting on the
literary merits of the authors before them, but
judiciously dispenses approval and blame. Th-
following pleasing verses are among the poetical
contributions to this number :

SPEAK ! SMILE ! SING !
Speak !—and as melodious winds, agreeing,
Flutter some hlilian harp above,
All the sentient fibres of my being
Tremble to those thrilling tones of love.
Smile !—and as the hams of morning render
Iridescent violets brimmed with dew ;
So thy joyous glance responsive splendour
Wakes in tearful eyes that turn to you.
Sing ! -and ah, my fancy, spreading pinions,
Floats above the sweet seraphic air :
Even as the soul to heaven's dominions
Soars upon the incense of a prayer.

W. C. K.

The New Monthly Magazine.—A paper on Lord
John Russell's character and career is one of the
most prominent in the New Monthly. It scarcely,
however, does the veteran reformer justice.
".A.lnwick Cottage," by the author of Ashley, is
the continuation of the story that appeared last
month, under another name. It is a painful story,
and this part winds up with a tragedy which will
gratify the lovers of the horrible. It is written in
its author's usual agreeable and natural manner,
pourtraying domestic life very skilfully, but it is to
be regretted that an accomplished writer should so
often resort to the extravagant or frightful to
arouse the interest of his readers. " The Old
Chateaux of France," furnish the subject for an
interesting article, which brings up some of the dark
old legends that haunt their stately rooms. A.no-
ther paper concerning our continental neighbours
is contributed by Sir Nathaniel, who continues his
series of Notes on Literature in Franc., and devotes
this part to the consideration of Emile de Bonne-
, chose's History of England. Mr. William Bushby,
who appears as interested in the Scandinavian re-
gions as the lady of that name, gives us a pleasant
account of a trip to Iceland. The first part only is
given in this number, and as its conclusion leaves
him just coming in sight of Heels and he Geysers,
we presume the next instalment of the narrative
will be more int erent rs.-.ernt. A
paper on the Civil Service competitors has an
amusing satire on the presumptuous ignorance of
some of the candidates. This we can scarcely con-
sider overdrawn when we remember Bat fhe ex-
aminers at a public competition sotnetlunl back
expressed their surprise at the ignorance of the
most ordinary knowledge displayed in sorae of the
answers ; one sage replying to a question about
Napoleon Bonaparte, that he had re-established
the dynasty of the Bourb ns on the throne of
France. "Field Sports in Africa, India, and at
Home" gives a pleasant resume of three sporting
works, very attractive to sportsmen and lovers of
adventure. "A Romance of the Landes" gives us
the plot of a new novel by M. Edward About, and
numerous extracts. A political article from the
pen of the indefatigable Cyrus Redding concludes
the number.

Titan.—Titan progresses with a healthy tone of
strength and freshness. The ori;inal of this maga-
zine, known as Hogg's Instructor, always elicited
our approval as being a good specimen of floating
literature : and we are glad to see that, in its
more ambitious form as a monthly publication,
under the above title, it is thoroughly established.
The present number contains varied and excell,qit
papers, among which two or three are worthy of
express eulogy. The first of a series of articles,
entitled "Alwte Matres," gives a highly amusing
sketch of university society in England, France,
and Germany. The writer's anecdote of his first
introduction at the University of Bonn, on the
Rhine, may possess a little gossippiiig interest at
this particular moment, since the subject of it has
so recently played a prominent part before our
own immediate vision :

I bad an introduction to Professor B--, whose po-
sition gave him the lead among the members of the
univtreity. One day a note (in English) was put into
my hands and ran thus: 'Mrs B-- has the pleasure
to invite Mr. -- (the student) for this evening, half-
past five, to a small coffee dancing party.' The short-
ness of the invitation and the early hour did not lead me
to expect much, but being new to the Continent, I did
not make my appearance till half-past six. I found a
large party assembled in a pretty but very small draw-
ing-room, and afterwards learned that, aceording to
German etiquette, they hail been waiting to begin both
coffee and dancing till I arrived. Mrs. B--- came up,
and at once led me by the hand round the room, intro
during me separately to every lrdy and gentleman
present. I was quite weary of bowing, when at last
she presented him tp a young man who differed in
nothing from the rest, except that be stood somewhat
apart, and as I knew too little of German to catch the
names, I had no idea that he was in any way dis-
tinguished.
The gentlemen, with the exception of two or three
professors, were all students, and certainly their appear.
ance was by no means recherche. The coffee was handed,
the cups set down, a piano struck up iu the opposite
room, and immediately each young man made
his way to a young lady, bowed, gave her his band,
and conducted her in silent pantomime to the dance.
As I knew very little of German and nothing of
Teutonic manners, I slipped out at once *ben the I
ice
was o7er, and led my partner back to bersttalogt., Tideladi,
repeated atter each dance, ancllaas
o
covering that I wasa,lotuhctn
eao object of
di of somewas f
ourairi
ant (!veienros ioogn
At length the co
nerin the room besides myself. During the cotil-
h
to be introduced to a Scotch young lady, the only
lon Igobserved that the ordinary-looking young man of
whom I have spoken received from the rest a pecul:ar
deference. Whenever a young lady was 1.-d into the
middle of the room to throw up her handkerchief, it was
sure to be so managed that this youth should catch it,
and thus secure the wake with the owner- At la 4 a
young lady, with whom I had dance t °bee already, and
whose pretty face and excellent altz4ig had caused a
palpitation in my juvenile he,rt, aas led to the centre of
the room. Being the prettiest girl there, there was
some eagerness about the young men. I was determined
to catch the handkerchief ; caught it, and performed my
waltz. When I returned to my place my partner said
to me :

"Do you know what you have done ?"
"Nothing very f+ booking, I hope."
"A terrible breach of manners, here. You should
have allowed the prince to catch that young lady's
handkerchief. Ad you not see how eager he was to
dance with her ?"

"The prince What prinee ?" I asked, in surprise
"The young Prince of Prussia."
"You don't say so. Is he here? Which is the
young hopeful ?"
She then pointed out the young man I have men-
tioned, and added : "I am afraid you have offended him
more than once this evening."
" How so ?"

"In leaving the room before him."
I was much annoyed at offending royalty, but soothed
myself by taking an inventory of tner.uth and develop-
ing the conviction that no acuteness on my part would
have enabled me to dp-c.,ver n.yal blood within him He
was then very young and very different, from what he
was when I saw him at Oxford, two years ago.
He was tall, slight, and pale and plain in face,
with smooth checks and chin, and remarkably short