The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-06 00:00:00

TH:

ES.

BLACKWOOD.—No meet with the second part
of " The Army," which subject was well treated
last month in the pages of this magazine. Some
of the accounts here given are very good in their
way, and we wish that there was a chance of
their meeting with the attention of some in high
places. One point, on which the writer lays great stress,
is that India should provide her own army and that she
"enlist her own men for life, pay them while they serve
out of her revenues, and pension such as live to draw a
pension." Of course, this plan will be open to criticism,
but there is a good deal to recommend it, so far as it goes ;
and ono obvious advantage is here apparent, namely, that
it will afford a relief to the present drain upon the youth
of Great Britain and Ireland. "Ferrier" is an article that
is well adapted to suit the taste of the student, and it con-
tains some interesting reflections. It treats of the Philo-
sophical Remains of Professor Ferrier, which have lately
been puislished. A very fair criticism is given of the work,
and the reader is earnestly advised to peruse these volumes
carefully for himself, although he is warned that the argu-
ments before him are not always tenable ones. The style
is racy, vigorous, and straightforward, and he will "find
that his time has been well occupied, though to the last
he may be unable to receive the doctrine as there explained
of the identity and unity of the object and subject."
"Hymns of the Populace" is a very readable sketch, that is
very likely to attract notice, though the reader will here and
there be startled at the strange character of some
of the hymns met with. "Brownlows" goes on in a third
part, and the story is now becoming fully developed, and
soon, we presume, we shall meet with some startling con-
junctures. " The Ministerial Resolutions" is the subject of
the last article, and contains some impressive remarks on
that suggestive theme. Although by this time these _Reso-
lutions are virtually extinct the observations met with
may bo generally applied to the bill which Ministers will
soon have the honour to introduce to the House. " Cor-
nelius O'Dowd" again appears with his inexhaustible store
of information, and his smart criticism on men and events.
" The Innermost Room" is a sketch in verse, which con-
joins some solemn truths and some reflections that aro
powerfully expressed. " Co-operative Societies" is, in-
deed, a very appropriate paper to be met with, far, as it is
said, to begin with " for the time being the working
classes, with their rights and wrongs, real and supposed,
are lords of the ascendancy in political and social discus-
sion." Speaking of the benefits of co-operation, it is truly
affirmed that it is one of the most distinguishing charac-
teristics of the present day. "It is co-operation that
covers Europe and America with railways, lays down the
Atlantic cable, forms gigantic banks, lends money to
powerful sovereigns, and it is by co-operation that the poor
are learniug to diminish the hardships of their poverty,
and to procure for themselves many of the enjoyments of
the rich." Great praise is bestowed upon Mr. Hill Bur-
ton's volumes of the History of Scotland, which have just
appeared.

FRASER.—The second article on Military Reform
is a valuable paper, and well deserves consideration
from the heads of our army. The shameful manner
in which the soldier's health and comfort are too
often neglected under the existing routine leaves no
room for surprise that men who know anything of
the service are unwilling to enter it. " What becomes of
the discharged invalided soldiers when their pension ex-
pires ?" is a question asked in the course of the article, and
it is one whose unsatisfactory answer at the present time
is quite enough to hinder successful recruiting. A man
discharged for ill health, after ten years' service, with a
good character, and driven to eke out his Bd. a day by
begging, is well styled a living warning against enlistment;
and the case of an old pensioner, aged 74, who has served
throughout the Peninsular War, and subsequently in the
West Indies, but who, when superannuated, can only lay
claim to 10d. a day, may serve a similar purpose. In allud-
ing to the difficulty of procuring recruits, the writer
expresses his surprise that so little effort is made towards
enlisting the class of agricultural labourers who are accus-
tomed to hard labour and bad pay. " Village Sketches in
'Oudh" are continued with animation, and another Indian
subject—the prevention of Indian famine—is fully and
ably discussed. A. K. H. B. makes a welcome reappearance,
and discourses "Concerning the Treatment of such as Differ
from us in Opinion," with all his accustomed shrewdness
and good sense. Of course the mode of treatment which
he recommends is kindly toleration. " A Country Tory,''
who is better known to the readers of Fraser under the
pseudonym of Shirley, gives his opinion on politics in
general, and the Reform question in particular, which we
hope all Radicals will read after perusing A. K. H. B.'s
social lecture. "The Marstons" is continued pleasantly
enough. M. Louis Veuillot's merciless criticism on his own
countrymen and country forms the subject of an animated
paper, and other important topics aro treated of among the
remaining articles.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—The Editor's novel of
" Old Court" progresses steadily, and chronicles
some important events. Mrs. Munster's somewhat
unsatisfactory story of " Thrown Away" is also
continued. Francis :Jacox takes, as usual, his
cue from Shakspere " About haying the law on
one's side," and spins a pleasant enough paper out of the
slender material. "A Glance at Ireland" discusses the
grievances and requirements of the people ; and the first
part of a tour through Devonshire and Cornwall, en route
to Scilly, is lively and attractive.
THE NEW MONTHLY.—Not much is known by
many English readers concerning the history of
Nicaragua, and consequently the opening paper is
at least original. " Nicaragua and its Railway" is
the title of the article ; but the general aspect and
features of the country are sketched, as well us the pro-
posed line. "Matter-of-Fact People" and "Common-
place People," oddly enough, are both among the contents.
One class, however, is the subject of an essay, and the
other of a story. " The Deepdale Mystery" may suit the
lovers of the horrible, but none else ; indeed the stories in
this magazine all partake more or less of a d;smal or start-
ling character. A chapter on "Dieppe" affords a refreshing
contrast ; and Nicholas Michell gives us some well-writ-
ten and melodious verses on " Evening in the Tower."
COLBURN'S UNITED SEE:VICE opens with
" Indian Marches" in hot weather, a subject
which has been painfully discussed by the public
in consequence of the inhuman conduct of our
red-tape authorities, and the sacrifice of gallant
men by the death march from Mhow, while
cholera hovered in the air, like an avenging angel, along
the whole road, in the very hottest time of the year. "The
Grievances of Merchant Seamen," partly owing to care-
lessness, indifferent treatment, and bad salt provisions,
productive of scurvy (no matter who suffers so that the
owners may make a handsome profit by the voyage), are
well discussed. Copious extractsare made from the report
of Dr. Stone's labours in the cause of improving the health
and condition of our merchant seamen. " The Army Re-
organisation Question" is practically and well considered
by Surgeon Rennie ; so is " Military Gymnasiums," and
the injuries resulting from overdoing the rough operations
in that useul addition to our military exercises. " The
First Lord's Defence," like all other excuses of a culprit
when ho is found out, is a lame affair, which no after-
thought and patching can reconcile to the good opinion of
either critics or the public whose interests have been
sacrificed to no good purpose. The wilfulness of pride in
power is sure to come to grief in the long run, and the only
regret is that the loss does not fall on the pocket of the
misdoers. There are some other articles of the ordinary
sort, with "A few Notes on. Military History," and the
Editor's Portfolio, -which deserve especial notice for their
independent character and sterling good sentiment.
THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.—FietiOn
occupies the prominent position in this number,
there being three stores running through it. " The
Tenants of Malay," by the author of " Silas,"
shows all its writer's peculiarities as well as his
abilities. " Number Five Brooke-street "proceeds
in singular fashion, and brings together some strangely
assorted characters. "Never—for Ever" goes on more
quietly, but not less eventually, and the number before us
chronicles some important incidents. " Woman in Ame-
rica" is the title of an article, founded on Mr. Dixon's re-
cent work, and it gives anything but a satisfactory pic-
ture of American dames and demoiselles. "Eccentrics of the
Sixteenth Century" is the title of a paper recording some
quaint lives. An account of Paris censorship since the
Revolution takes a rapid survey of the changes and medi-
cations of those laws of the press which still leave room
for much improvement. "Lingering Scottish Supersti-
tions" and "Rifle Competitions in Ireland," aro two agree-
able and readable papers.
CoIINHILL.—" The Claverings" is continued,
and is evidently approaching its completion. The
conduct of Harry is most extraordinary, and he
does not win the sympathy of the reader by his
doubts and hesitations. As for Florence, she has
the most spirit of the party, and it is a relief to think
that she actually refused her recusant lover, whatever
may be the result of the manoeuvres at work. This story is
written throughout in a very interesting manner, and is
sure to attract interest from its peculiar style. " Edward
the First as a Military Leader," is an able sketch of an
exciting period of English history. Whatever were his
personal defects, there is no doubt that Edward was
first-rate in the art of war, aud, as it is truly observed
here, he was the first among us of whom we have any
record deserving the character of a great captain. A
Week in a French Country House" is proceeded with,
and contains much to amuse and interest in its novel
sketches and descriptions. " Reminiscences of an English
Cadet in the Austrian Service" does not offer a very
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and is a welcome change to more learned and solid ar-
ticles, and the subject is treated in a suitable manner.
" Female' Education in Germany" is a suggestive paper,
that may be appropriately perused just now, when there
44 0 much fuss 1313du aDeut education everywhere; and