The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-05 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

BLACKWOOD." Novels" is a very good article,
which brings prominently before one some of the
chief characteristics of English novels of fiction as
distinguished from those of other countries. Some
of the remarks here made concerning the various
styles of writing are very true, and many young
writers may peruse them to advantage. The writer
comes to the conclusion that with much to lament
there is something to congratulate ourselves upon in the
present condition of English fiction. The objectionable
writers are all second-rate ; genius there is none among
them, and all that is best and brightest in fiction honour-
ably maintains that character for purity which has been won
by the English school of novels. "Brownlows" present
much to attract in this instalment, and the characters of Jack
and Powys aro coming out in a decided manner. " The
Question Settled" is the last allusion to this subject so fre-
quently brought before us all, and Maga may claim credit
for having been a correct prophet after all in the main. It is
very truly stated here that the change had become inevit-
able, and that the Tory party wore but very partially
answerable for bringing it about. A very good summary
of the matter is given hero, but the point most satisfactory
to the reader to dwell upon is that set forth at the com-
mencement, that "the deed is done—the fiat has gone
forth ; and even while these pages are passing through
the press the people of England hare begun to
live under the dawn of a new order of things ; the ques-
tion which so long impeded public business, and made
shipwreck of successive administrations, is settled at last."
The most interesting article here met with is the last, en-
titled "A Royal Idyll." It is written in the most fitting
style, and that passage at the close of the remarks is most
impressive which refers to the late Prince Consort having
been suddenly cut off in the midst of success. "We say
it is sad, and it is sad for the world, terrible for the sur-
vivor, but not sad for the man thus spared all the trials,
all the infirmities of ago. Such a life is perfect, and fills
the spectator with a sense of its perfection. Love must
weep, but we, the spectators of the great arena, before
whom the combatants do their battle, and win their laurels,
What can we say but that it is well we see him now as he
was, a noble prince—a perfect life, an existence with no
clearer fault or weakness in it. They to whom it is given
to have a career, so full and sound and perfect, must ever
die in the middle of their days." " Qu'il Mourut " is a
smart sketch in verse, which compares the language used
by some indignant Tories of the old school respecting the
present Ministry to the exclamation put by Corneille into
the mouth of the elder Horace. "Egoism" is a good paper,
that has sensible reflections in it. Cornelius O'Dowd ap-
pears with his always deserving comments. " La Physique
Moderne," and the "Literature of the Scottish Indepen-
dence Question" are the remaining subjects of this in-
teresting number.
FRASER.—" The Late Prince Consort" is the
title of the first article in this number, and it is
founded, as might be supposed, on the recently
published volume. The writer justly observes that,
in these democratic days, we do not rightly appre-
ciate the benefits conferred by a worthy exercise of

the functions of the Crown. Besides the moral influence
so powerful in a Court, the political influence can never be
altogether insignificant. "For half the year the Ministry
are left to themselves, and are never so independent but
that the wishes of the Sovereign must be consulted." Had
the Prince Consort boon a different person, the present
state of society and tone of public morals might be very
different from what it is. Another fragment from the
posthumous papers of Mr. Buckle will interest the histo-
rical reader. "Sport in the Nepaul," and "A Mandarin's
Journey across China," take us to new regions. " Univer-
sity Reform" and "Lord Grey's Correspondence on the
Reform Act of 1832" bring us back to the vexed questions
of the day. "The Famine in Orissa" justly denounces
the "masterly inactivity" of the whole Anglo-Indian Ad-
ministration in the face of such a terrible calamity.
TEMPLE BAR.—" Stephen Lawrence, Yeoman,"
is continued i❑ some stirring chapters, and the scene
is powerfully described in which Rathmine and
Stephen meet in the old farm garden. The story is
not a pleasing one, but it is admirably described. " Gup "
is proceeded with, and some of the adventures recorded are
exciting. "A Real Good Thing" is a paper that may hold
out a useful warning to imprudent bettors, and teach them
to be more wary in future. "A Lost Name" presents a
long instalment to the lover of the romantic. " News
about Comets" contains a good deal to interest the scien-
tific reader, and some of the details and descriptions met
with aro most worthy of notice. "La Haute Mog!e" refers
to some work lately published in Franco, which professes
to impart information upon this mysterious subject, and
does not do so in a very desirable way. The criticism
here met with in its pages is very good. Several other
articles appear in this month's number, and are worthy
of notice. " Ordered Abroad," " Tapas, the Notary of
Argostoli," "Reminiscences -of Bush- Life in Queens.
land," &c.

COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE.—" The Settlements
of the Gambia," on the West Coast of Africa, and
their administration by Governor D'Arcy, form the
first article of this number, and the subject, how-
ever heavy and forbidding, as all African establish-
ments for the most part aro, is graphically depicted. " A
Cutting-out Affair," by Lieut. C. R. Low, is a spirited ac-
count, which enlists our sympathies very much. We
shall never have much peace or security to our mercan-
tile sea-going ships until we place swift cruisers on
that most unhealthy station. The " Observations on the
Military Mortality Question at Hong Kong," by Dr.
Ronnie, very aptly illustrate on land how baleful are the
best localities for European constitutions. Indeed it
would almost seem as if Nature in her various moods pro-
hibited one race from living happily in the region of
another. Keep to your own pluce, and be thankful, seems
to be her rule, but even Nature is at fault sonletimm
Otherwise how could civilisation extend her fertilising
and benignant course ? " Indian Forests and Gardens" is
replete with interest, botanically and financially. The
cultivation of Cinchona promises to reward all the useful
labours bestowed upon it; while the Indian forests produce
the finest trees for navigation and railway purposes.
" Sailors in Embryo" form an excellent school for man-
ning our navy with the right sort of stuff for future ser-
vice for maintaining the glory of Old England. We can-
not bestow too much attention on this very interesting
and most promising subject. As to our iron ships and
wonder perforating guns, all we can say is that more ex-
perience in actual warfare is the ono thing needful before
we can settle down and say which place is the bast. Our
own opinion is that " boarding" will carry the day after all
the wasteful hammering of prolonged cannonading have
produced little or no satisfactory results.
THE MONTH.—Lady Georgiana Fullerton's in-
teresting historical romance, " A Stormy Life,"
proceeds with unflagging animation. The opposing
forces of Queen Margaret and Earl Warwick are
united, and the young Prince has wedded his fair
Anne. The latest Arctic discoveries form the subject of
a paper well worth reading, while the career of Canning
must necessarily be ranked among the most interesting of
the series on " English Premiers."
COLBURN'S NEW MONTHLY.—" France and
Prussia" afford the subject of a lengthened paper,
which discusses the political situation in all its
aspects. We cannot, however, agree with the writer
in thinking that the general feeling of England is
more in favour of Prussia than of France. The arro-
gant aggression and heartless greed of Prussian arms
and policy has thoroughly alienated the public sym-
pathies from her side. Francis Jacox finds a subject
for one of his pleasantest rambling discourses in
the abrupt contract of the sentimental and prosaic.
Craufurd Ramago continues his " Wanderings through
Italy," and the startling history of the " Deepdale Mystery"
proceeds in true sensational style.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—Mr. Ainsworth's story
of " Myddleton Pomfret" proceeds with interest. A
fresh character appears upon the scene in the person
of Eva Bracebridge, the young and beautiful ward
of Mr. Pomfret, otherwise Julia Curzon. " Lulle
Lapmark" contains the sketches of Lapland Travel.
"About Fortune Coming Singlehanded " is a well-written
article, which is only too surely based on truth. The
writer takes for his cue the words of the dying king in
Shakspere's Henry IV., " Will fortune never come with
both hands full ?" and finds us many illustrious instances of
a great joy counterbalanced by a great sorrow. Among the
best of the remaining papers is a memoir of the life of
John Sebastian Bach.
THE QUIVER.—This serial is much improved of
late, and the part before us contains some attractive
reading. There is a capital paper on " Being
Fussy," and plenty of tales and sketches, all bear-
ing unobtrusively some pleasant and profitable
moral.

CASSELL'S MAGAZINE.—Our old friend, Cassell's
Magazine, has put on a new face, but it retains all
its best features. The list of contents shows sonic
attractive titles. " The Hundred Pound Note," " Saint
Monday," " Alexander Smith," " What becomes of our
Old Clothes," &e. The illustrations are numerous, and
altogether the magazine is admirably adapted for tho
family circle.

CATTLE PLAGUE INQUIRS.—For the week ending
the 31st August one fresh outbreak has boon reported, viz.,
at Bermondsey, in the district of Southwark. Two cases
of cattle plague aro reported to havo occurred during the
week, being an increase of one on the previous return.
Both the diseased animals were killed. There were 10
healthy cattle slaughtered to prevent the spread of the
disease. The total number of cattle reported to have been
attacked in Great Britain since the commencement of the
plague is 278,926, and 56,911 healthy cattle have been
slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease.