The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-22 00:00:00

trifling, but it would come very high in silver in
France. There are, however, many satisfactory
reasons why France should be induced to make the
alteration. The gold coinage represents 7 per
cent. of fine silver more in France than in England,
and should that anomaly be continued the probable
result will be a gradual loss of silver to France.
The gold discoveries have materially changed the
relative value of the metals, and no country can
long persist in resisting that which may be re-
garded as a natural law.
In England, in order to introduce the decimal
system, there should be 25 cents. to the shilling.
This would be the chief change in this
country. It would give the poor man a small
advantage of some 4 per cent., and would
reduce postage receipts, and other small stamps,
and all tolls, &c., expressed in terms of copper—
that is to say, in pence or halfpence—in a similar
ratio. This, however, would be far more equitable
than the increase suggested in the report, which
would make an addition of 20 per cent. to the
charges. In gold the debtor would benefit to the
extent of about 2d. in the pound sterling, but,
surely, that trifling boon may be readily conceded,
when it is considered how long and how steadily
the balance has inclined to the other side, and to a
far greater extent. Even this might be avoided by
providing that 2d. should for one or two years be
paid in addition to the £1 on all contracts entered
into previously to the act coming into operation.
The chief, indeed, the only, objection to the plan
above referred to is, that it makes the unit too
high, inasmuch as the smallest term would be the
cent, equivalent to our present halfpenny. It is,
however, far better than that advocated by the
Decimal Association, which would require four
places of figures, of different denominations—a
great addition to the trouble of calculation. Mr.
TEFFT, however, answers this point by asserting,
that anything less than the halfpenny, or five cen-
times, is seldom if ever found in mercantile ac-
counts. He would provide for the necessities of
the humbler classes, who lose in a great number of
transactions from the want of sufficiently low deno-
minations of coins, such as those in use in France
and other continental nations, by the use of
half and quarter cents, " which," as he says,
" would give coins small enough to buy a
few pins or a few buttons at a time." It has also
" decimal divisions, is founded on decimal weight,
saves all the favourite coins now in use," and, as
Mr. TEFFT declares, offers an unit far more suited
than the franc to become the successor of the
pound.

It is not the least satisfactory portion of the
contemplated arrangement that it would be made
self-supporting, and that there would be but little
if any expense to the nation in the progress of the
changes. That some alteration will be effected is
certain. The advantages of the decimal system
are so thoroughly appreciated, that the boon
caanot be much longer withheld; and surely it is
far better, when entering on such a course, to
produce a system which will be of permanent
utility, and not require any changes, where other
nations are inclined to enter on similar ameliora-
tions. It would, however, be very desirable that
a commission should be appointed by the three
great nations chiefly concerned ; that these com-
missioners should meet at an early period, and, if
possible, agree on a report. If they could do so
the matter would be speedily disposed of ; if not,
each could enter on the course best calculated to
promote their own interests, and such as would
most closely approximate to that which had the
most general support amongst the commissioners.

The Metropolitan Board of Works, even when it
does actually, upon some rare occasion, contrive to
possess itself of an opportunity, cannot by any
possibility, apparently, contrive at the same time to
take advantage of it. Old Berkeley House, we all
know, occupies a particular spot in Spring-gardens,
such as constitutes it one of the most flagrant ob-
structions in the whole metropolis. And Spring-
gardens is not by any means an out-of-the-way
locality. On the contrary, it is perhaps the most
central point of all in the capital—midway between
the East and the West, and the North and the
South—between the City and Belgravia. The
town palace of the Sovereign stands at the opposite
extremity of the most urban of our parks—more of
a garden than a park—St. James's. Along the
skirts of that park, in the direction of the Palace of

while the opening verse of a poem, called " The
Deathbed," aro suspiciously similar to some of Mrs.
Hemans. Mrs. Hemans writes—
" 'Twas early day and sunlight streamed
Soft through a quiet room."
Miss Trevanion writes—
" 'Twas early morn, the sun's first rays
Streamed through a dreary room."
This is inexcusable, and the less to be pardoned as
some of her verses show her to be capable of
writing original verses of sweetness if not of power,
and quite able to gratify, many readers. " The
Pictures in the Stream," is ingeniously designedand well carried out. "Verse," by C. Boner, is a
volume of a higher character, possessing more
vigour of thought and strength of expression. Had.
th author been more severe in his .selection and
omitted many pieces -which are too trifling for pub-
lication, the volume would have been more accept-
able. Still there is much that shows thought and
reflection, though not proving any high poetic ca-
pacity. 'When his subjects are good his lines are
often fine, as those on "Columbus" and the " Death
of the Emperor of Russia." A collection of
translations from the German is added at the end
of the volume. "An Hour Ago" presents a formi-
dable front to the adventurous reader. 538 pages
of close print occupied by . one continuous poem
chiefly in blank verse, requires very great ability
in the writer, or very great patience in the reader.
In the present instance, we fear, it is the latter
quality which will be required. It would be un-
just to say that there is no talent in the work, itnd
it is enlivened by historical illustrations and stir,
ring passages, but the attempt is too ambitious for
any ordinary writer. The chief faults apparent
through most of these writings are too great ambi-.
tion and too little originality. Each should devote
himself; if he intends to pursue the poetical career,
to that style of verse and subject to which his
powers are best adapted, and should studiously
avoid any resemblance to the works of other
writers. We do not anticipate any great work of
genius from any of these poets ; but they may, by
a diligent and careful cultivation of their powers,
please and refine the taste of those who love the
wayside flowers of verse, as well as the amaran-
thine glories of our older poets.

Phantastes. A Rerie Romance for Men and
Women. By George M'Donald, author of
" Within and Without." Smith and Elder.
This is a peculiar production, which will never-
theless most likely prove agreeable to some. There
is originality in its sketches, and a freshne; s
in many passages that distinguish it from the mere
everyday fairy anecdotes. The hero's adventures
in Dream-land are interesting, and the reader's at-
tention is excited, alike by the solemn warnings he
receives from the:strange company he meets with,
and the dangers he encounters from his neglect of
these prophecies. In this neglect of good advice it
does not appear that the dwellers in fairy regions
differ very considerably from the denizens of the
working-day world. Those who wish to beguile a
weary hour, or indulge a taste for the fanciful and.
romantic, cannot do better than peruse this volume,
in which lively imaginings and brilliant descrip-
tions have reproduced the land of the fays in glow-
ing lines and manifold attractions.