The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-08 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Essays : Biographical, Historical, and Miscella
neous. By the Rev. G. R. Gleig, M. A. 2 vole
Longman.
These volumes possess a double recommendation
in the fact of their authorship being claimed by
one who has attained some degree of eminence as
a writer and a preacher ; and by their re-publica-
tion from the rival quarterlies. They are clearly
and sensibly written, on subjects of general inter-
est and comprehension, and if they occasionally
show traces of peculiar opinions or class theories,
they bear evidence, also, of a mind enlarged by ex-
perience, a considerable power of argument, a dis-
position to regard subjects in their broad and
lucid view, seeking rather for the great prin-
ciples of action than attaching overweening im-
portance to trivial imperfections or differences of
opinion. His long connection with the military
service, as chaplain-general to the forces, has
naturally directed his attention prominently to
questions concerning the efficiency and discipline
of the army. In his brief volume of essays, ten
in number, he gives us six on subjects connected
with military matters. Two of these, it is trues
are historical and biographical in their character,
one of them giving a succinct and interesting
account of the war in the Puujaub, the other being
a review of the brilliant and romantic career s'
General Miller in South America. His essays on
military education, our defensive armament, Indi.a
and its army, &c., merit consideration, from their
expressing the views of one who has bad extended
opportunities of judging of the military character
_
and the results of the systems usually pursued.
In his dedication of the book to Dr. Ferguson, his
friend during 40 years, he expresses his conviction
of the importance of preserving a high tone among
the officers and soldiers of a. nation, not only for
their own advantage, but as an example to others,
as affording " proof how men's lives may be
spared amid many temptations to the contrary,
by a high sense of duty to Gud and man." The
following passage referring to this subject shows
the liberal and enlightened principles which actu-
ate him :—" Now I hold, and so do you, that the
link which cements moral with intellectual culture
is riveted by the Great Author of both, and that
he who aims wisely at giving a stimulus to the one,
cannot, even if he desire it, fail to give a stimulus
to the other also. Wherefore our maxim has long
been—establish for the British army such a system
of training as shall exercise both the minds and
bodies of all ranks in a becoming meaner ; and if
the army do not attain, as a body, to moral as
well as to intellectual eminence, the fault will not
be yours. At least you will have done your part,
by endeavouriug to awaken in the members of that
body, tastes which seek their gratification in higher
things than those of sense." One of the most at-
tractive essays is one on the " The Life of Dr.
Chalmers." It gives an excellent sketch of his
life and labours, not intruding into his domestic
life, but restricting itself to the portion of his career
which belongs of right to the public. Of course
the author naturally dissents from Dr. Chalmers'
extreme and 'peculiar opinions ; bat he does no.t
obtrude his own objections, and renders a cordial
tribute to Dr. Chalmers's exertions for his poor and
neglected parishioners. He gives the following
description of his oratory :
" Such was the sudden but calm termination of a
career as brilliant, as varied, certainly as eccentric--;
perhaps as useful—as has ever barn run by one place"
in the comparatively humble station of a Scottish Pres'
byterian minister. That popular enthusiasm made sit
the timersomething too much of Chalmers his warmest
admirers will now, we . suppose, acknowledge.
style is generally turgid, often confused, unnecessarily
disfigured by uncouth phrases and words coined for the
nonce, and remarkable for nothing more than the per"
petual repetition of some favourite idea in terms which
seem intended to create in the unobservant reader a
persuasion that new truths are brought before him. But
there is a potency in it, notwithstanding, which carries
us along—often, indeed, against the better pleadings of
our judgment. In truth, we consider him one of the
poorest reasoneri, both as a moralist and as divine, that
ever strove to convey his own views of things to the
minds of others ; and of his political economy, experience
has long since shown that it is both based and built upon
a delusion. Of his gigantic powers as a pulpit orator
there can, however, be no doubt ; there was a fervour
in his manner, a persuasiveness in his tones, a char°
even in the coarse Fife accent, of which he never got
rid, that arrested the attention and kept it fixed on stet
preacher all the time that he was speaking ; and
ea
the close of the discourse the auditors so
raetinses
a strong general impulse to good. Nor was his influence
t til
of determining the exact point which it was designeda to.
establish, they never separated without having received
less effective in private conferences than
•n putu ap-
p eels. Whatever he took up, he took up in earnest,
1 and there is a magic in his earnestness which rarely fails
of going much further with such as observe it, than an)
extent of argument, be it ever so logical."
"An Essay on the Puritans" justly condemns
their unreasonable and unreasoning hostility to trifles
I displayed with such virulence in the early days of
the Reformation, when their perversity about
mere ceremonials, besides greatly adding
,t 9 the
difficulties of those in power, who had a sufficiently
arduous taste, went far to hinder the good cause
itself. Among
the essays, a legend of Germany is
introduced, which was intended to form part of a
collection of Celtic and Teutonic legends. The
life-ehorveottshwe
project was unfortunately stopped by the
written
of the projector, and the author having w
this little tale has inserted it among more arum
tious productions. These essays eminently
the perusal of the thoughtful and impartial reader._e
They al e written in a clear and simple
contrasts most favourably with the bombastic an
exaggerated strain adopted by some writersio ufenteu:
present day. There is no attempt at e
qd
not
They
one
manner, vgittlh;
a bygone age
consequently there can be no failuref.
pretend to resuscitate the spiritoke
delineations ;
with the vividness of their desery
they do not strive to unravel
plex the social philosopher or to
.s
do they seek
Neit ier their
that occupy the state-man•
s nap. t by th
a I
to stir the heart or arouse then!
eloqueuce, They
impas,ioned appeals or meiiv_wi
ritten essays on et!so,
are clear, sensible, and wf phricohblpemer;
from the pen of a writer of
of
exteudineci jests within the grasp
who has had many opportunitiesi and sinlP t
knowledge, and whose
racy
f 1 is readers.
will ensure the satisfiction. o
in
abilityo culatinvdateexdp7riinei_e
bathe
• —Mr. has.
New York Tr;bune state- • SU .("2.
ISt",
aup‘,.-,
,ant, t, .
rt of Wallack's The
jest
of Mr. A. H. Davenpo ,
the wifedivorcing fir' 1:67
the decree of court;
he "1""."" Wire. fnl.,..rzziieeri Wiresttcti'lm 1"
e
Mrs. Davenport was pronounced
week.", that
We believe
on Saturday 0.

MARKET

.irs
oMMERCJAL INTELLIGENCE

CITY, Two o'CLocK.

The accounts received this morning from the
various mAnufacturing districts, state that the im-
provement in trade, during the past week, has been
slow and very partial. Those branches which have
extensive relations with America are still greatly
depressed, and the operatives who are not in full
employment are suffering, in some instances, great
destitution.

In the Iron and Colliery districts there is little
amendment to report, and a complaint is made of a
want of orders. The cotton trade, however, is gra-
dually recovering, and the number of hands out of
employment is diminishing. At Manchester there
has been a fair demand for the Indian markets,
although not extensive. Manufacturers adhero to
full prices for cloths, but the dealings for home con-
sumption are limited, particularly in printing
cloths. The woollen cloth trade at Leeds has
shown a little more activity. There was a fair at-
tendance of buyers, who had purchased rather freely
of low-priced goods. The mills in the dis-
trict, however, had been working "short time,"
but as many of the manufacturers were desirous of
putting into use the wool purchased at the present
sales, it was hoped that engagements would soon
be found for the operative classes. At Halifax the
carpet trade continues rather brisk, but the cold
weather has checked business in Spring goods.
Business at Bradford continues rather dull ; some
of the export houses had evinced a disposition to
do business, but the difference between the prices
demanded and those offered were so wide as to
preclude the possibility of any large transactions
being entered into.

The lace trade at Nottingham has slightly im-
proved, but the average business for the season is
'very limited, and the hosiery trade has been very
quiet. The general hardware and ironmongery
departments at Birmingham have been extremely
dull, and there is little appearance at present of any
spring trade being transacted ; while the jewellery
and general fancy trades of the districts exhibit ex-
treme langour. The ironmongery business at
Wallsall continues inactive, and a great number of
hands are out of employment. _ _

The Liverpool Cotton Market on Saturday closed
firmly, and the values of all descriptions were fully
maintained. The sales were estimated at 4,000
bales, 600 of which were taken by the speculat ors.
In the Railway Share Market there was more
animation, and prices were without any material
alteration.

The demand for money in most quarters haQ,
Within the last fortnight, gradually increased, and
although it is still comparatively limited, the
bill-brokers are asking rather higher terms, even
for first-class paper. Happily these extended
requirements are for commercial purposes ; for
While speculation is still repr.ssed, evidence is
afforded by the advices from the manufacturing
districta, and the operations in the pro-
duce markets that the recovery of trade
has commenced, although the movement at first, as
might have been expect-d, is exceedingly slow.
The accounts from the United States are improving,
and it is imagined that our commercial relations
With that country will soon be actively resumed.
In India, also, confidence has revived, and the
Bombay markets are described as being less de-
pressed. Indeed, there was a good inquiry
for British manufactures, and as money was
easy a further amelioration was expected.
With those encouraging symptoms, it is only rea-
sonable to anticipate a steady increase in the de-
mand for discount accommodation, which will gra-
dually tend to augment the terms required by the
Lombard-street firms.
Notwithstanding the long continuance of easterly
winds, the Damascus, (Alexander) has arrived front
New South Wales in 84 days. The Oliver Lang
from Melbourne, is in the Downs with 47,442
ounass of gold valued at 189,7681. She sailed
Nov.. 15. It it expected that a portion of this
supp ly will be sent into the Bank of England.
The' Funds have exhibited further symptoms of
deprei 'Biota, in consequence of the uneasiness felt
respec ting France. Speculators prefer operating
for a fall, and their transactions necessarily exert an
Unfavourable influence upon values. Monetary
affairs no longer affect them, those of a political
bearing now engrossingchief attention. '1 he market
receives little or no support, and thus the movement
though not by any means rapid, is steadily in the
direction of a lower range of prices. Consols have
been 964 for money, and 96i for account.
Bank Stock is marked 227. Exchequer Bills are
395. to 425. premium ; the Bonds, 1004 ; and
India ditto, 104 India Stock is 222.
Foreign securities ara generally flatter, and
business is dull. Turkish 6 per Cents. are
marked! 1014, and the present value is about 1001
101. Spanish Deferred are 264 ; Russian 5 per
Cents., 1094 ; and Portuguese 454 f. Peruvian
3 per Cents. have been dealt in at 56k I, and
Braziliain 4b per Cents. at 101.
The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :--Grenada Deferred Bonds, 51 6 ; Peru-
vian 4 per Cents, 80 81 ; Ditto 3 per Cents., 56
45 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents.. 45 46 ; Russian 5
Per Centti., 108 110 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 44 44i ;
Ditto New Deferred, 26i I.
There has been a very limited business reported
this morning in the Railway Share Market, but a
downwaxd tendency may be reported in the prices
realised. Caledonians have recedel 1/. ; Great
WE/stern, Lancashire and Yorkshire, South Wes-
tern, and Midland, ss. ; North Stafford, ss. The
Poreigx and Colonial lines ara also at lower values.
Ramona of France have declined 10s., and Bahia
and San Francisco, ss. Grand Trunk of Canada
have receded 10s. ; Great Western of Canada, ss. •
kaat, Indian, 10s. ; and Great Indian Penin:
Bula„ ss.

Joint-Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares are
extremely inactive, and lower quotations are cur-
Pent. Bank of Australasia have declined 10s. ;
Olty Bank, 10s. to 15s. ; and Royal Mail
Eltearn, 58.

FUNDS 1111 S DAY AT ONE <
( I.rove the ()firma, Lut:i

Ensinees done..
a.,k Stock ...
3 per Cent. Console Annaitieb
India Stock
''itto, under £IIH
Cot 501,4 rot ~ccou,,
IS6OO
£lOOO • .....
42 p
8a ell 42 p
•
Ditto Advertised 42 p
Exchequer bonus, 1,!58, 36 per Cent— lOOl
PRIVINS OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Itrazianu .5 per Cent.
Ditto 1852, 4i per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent —
Ditto 3 per Cent
ifitto Account
Portuguese Bonds, , per Cent., Con. 1841 -
Ditto 18h3, Aper Cent... —
Ditto Account 4511
Russian Bonds, 1822, St., 5 per Cent lO9l
sr, ~i.'h i-10.. of, per ‘'ent.
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent,
Tarkibh Bonds, b per cent .. .. . , .. 101
.Ditto Account
Dividends on the Above jaaysble in London.
TWO O'CLOC K .
. 961 4
. 96.1 i

C.nsols, money
Ditto, Account

PIER IN THE BLACKTRIARS-ROAD.—Between ten and
eleven o'clock last night the Surrey Coffee-house, situated
7,41 f-way between the Surrey Theatre and the Magdalen
p7sPltal, was discovered to be on fire. An alarm was
re!), and thortly after the inmates had made their
-"aPts tbe engines arrived, hut the flames were not sub-
uea till u.nitligt!t, wl en the llctn't wa; neatly det•troy,d
itea the (-Ij=' ti urq. neM joy' Th cause of the
not
4 PREACHERSHIP OF LINCOLN'S-INN.—We bear
o the Rev. Robert Wheler Bush, M.A., head matter
the Islington Proprietary School, morning preacher
Eiw9t. Peter's Marylebone, and evening lecturer at St.
keltti!n's is one of the candidates for the abova position.
Ox(nnlali gained both the Theological Prize essays at
that r.t.,cl,n andv Wll4 lately one of the select Preachers before
iP
.y.
"V7l, O. Une, th TV/674T Zr itupg ~4 sth hat
liev.'"'"f" t A ,i-tr... ehcci..te A- ,
fifth r officiall
y communicited to the public until the
her,".l:nth ot the pregnancy has began, it is clear that
Atigulti sty is likely to be confined at the beginning of

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