The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-04 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONuAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 4, 1867.

LONDON, MONDAY, FEB. 4, 1867.

Mr. STUART Max's inaugural address at St.
Andrew's, where he has been installed as Rector of
the University, is sure to attract attention. What-
ever opinions may be entertained of the peculiar
views of the hon. member no one can deny his
intellectual powers and his vast attainments. His
speech was received with great applause, and
appeared to give satisfaction to his hearers. Re-
ferring to education, he said that it was a wise
custom which called upon the Rector of a Univer-
sity to deliver his opinion on that subject, for it is
one most intimately connected with a seat of
liberal education ; and, besides, is one of the
" most inexhaustible of all topics, being still as
fresh to those who come to it with a fresh
mind as it was to its first explorers." This is
strictly true, for what man of an elevated mind or
comprehensive character can fail to find more than
enough to say on this fruitful theme of controversy,
and vital question of interest and importance to
the community. In describing the functions of a
University in national education, the learned Rector
said that he should treat of education as "the culture
which each generation purposely gives to those who
are to be its successors, in order to qualify them for
at least keeping up and, if possible, raising the
line of improvement which has been attained."
In pursuing this course he mentioned the real
end and aim of University training. "jt is
not intended to make professional 'men, but it is
meant to send forth capable and cultivated human
beings." We commend these reflections of Mr.
MILL to the notice of those who are about to enter

on a University career. They will show them the
real meaning of their training, and elevate their
thoughts from the mere practical routine of every-
day life inte the higher regions of an upright and
useful life, besides showing them how best to fit
themselves for the race that is set before them.
"Men are men," he says, " before they are
lawyers, physicians, merchants, or manufacturers,
and if you make them capable and sen-
sible men they will make themselves capable
and sensible lawyers and physicians." Thus
the 'power which professional men should seek to
derive from University training is how to direct
their professional knowledge, and thus bring the
light of general culture to illuminate the technicali-
ties of a special pursuit. Mr. MILL devoted some
of his time to considering the vexed question of the
day relating to general education as to whether or
not it should be classical. He said that we are not
obliged to ask ourselves which is the best to know—
the languages or the sciences. "I am amazed at
the limited conception which many educational re-
formers have formed to themselves of human beings
power of acquisition." Perhaps the best solution
that has yet been arrived at of this complicated
question may be seen in this discourse, wherein it
is stated emphatically that there is no reason why
our scholars should be ignorant of the laws and
properties of the world they live in, or our scientific
men should be without poetic feeling or destitute
of artistic cultivation. Mr. MILL soon scatters to
the winds the arguments of those who are con-
stantly making attacks on the classical mode of cul-
ture. How absurd, exclaim those educational re-
formers, to waste the whole of boyhood in
learning dead languages. " Absurd indeed ;
but is the human mind's capacity to learn
measured by that of Eton and Westminster to
teach ?" It does, indeed, seem very idle for people
to clamour after this fashion, and to talk as if edu-
cation must be bounded and restricted to suit their
narrow views of the matter. Scotland, as the learned
Rector of St. Andrew's took occasion to observe, has
been more fortunate in this respect than England ;
and the reason he gives why more is done within a
given period is that classical education is given in a
far more efficient manner in that country, and the
common schools teach more successfully than ours do.
Reason is now he admits, however, beginning to main-
tain a contest against routine in the English schools,
and hence we may hope hereafter to gain some good
results from the changes it works and the improve-
ments it effects.

Some of the remarks here made as to the capa-
bility of the human mind to receive instruction are
admirable, and may well draw the attention of the
scholar and the philosopher. "It is not the utmost
limit of human acquirements to know only one
thing, but to combine a minute knowledge of one
or a few things." As for modern languages
Mr. MILL thinks that too much time should
not be given to them, and that a few
months in the places where they are spoken would
be better than putting them prominently forward
in a university education. History and geography
should be left to private reading, he considers,
which is indeed very true, for mere book learning
will never impart a correct understanding of them.
" What an utter failure a system of education must
be if it does not give the pupil a sufficient taste
for reading to seek for himself those most attrac-
tive and easily intelligible of all kinds of kaow -
ledge." It is a satisfaction to find that Mr. MILL
would preserve to the study of Greek and Latin
the position which these languages now occupy in
the curriculum. After the many attacks made
upon this course, it is well that so eminent an
authority should stand up for them, and indeed
we question if those who so fiercely attack them
would do so if they were well acquainted with
them.

Affairs in America still wear the same threaten-
ing aspect, and the Radical party, so far from
learning moderation by experience, appear deter-
mined to proceed to the wildest extremities. They
are wantonly endeavouring to throw away the
whole hardly-won result of the civil war. During
the struggle the preservation of the Union was the
great object aimed at, and no one seriously
believed that the South, however harshly treated at
the time, could be held permanently under subjec-
tion, and ruled by force as a conquered country.
But the Radical party, so far from carrying out
the theories of the war, have gone on step
by step until they have framed quite a new
code of their own, and it is difficult to under-
stand what the more rational and thoughtful
members of the party are really aiming at. They
can, one would imagine, scarcely believe that the
Northern States can endure the continual strain
upon their resources of keeping the South under
armed rule. Supposing it were even possible what
a source of weakness and loss to the whole States
would be such a possession ! So far from strengthen-
ing and consolidating the power of the North, such
a dominion would inevitably tend to the break up
of the American States. The Radicals could hardly
propose a more violent and arbitrary system of Go-
vernment if the Southern States had been the scene of
continuousplots, insurrections, and intrigues since the
conclusion of the war. The leaders of the secession
movement, both military and civil, accepted the in-
evitable change with dignity and forbearance.
General LEE, whose personal character is as high
as his military reputation, set an example which
undoubtedly had greakweight with his countrymen ;
and since the conclusion of the war the Southerners
have waited with marvellous patience for the dawn
of better days. Those days Messrs. SUMNER,
STEVENS, and their followers have determined shall
not come, and accordingly their last movements
show undiminished hatred to the Southerns. Reso-
lutions, we learn, have been introduced in the
House of Representatives, declaring that civil
State Governments do not exist in the South,
and that the South is not entitled to a voice in
ratifying constitutional amendments. What be-
comes then of the Union ? The war was carried on
under false pretences, for no one can pretend to call
that a union of States in which one party holds the
other in forcible subjection. If eleven states are to
be governed at the point of the bayonet, we had
better not hear any more about American liberty.
Civil State Governments are part of the fun-
damental principles of the Old American Con-
stitution, and no part of that Constitution is
more highly valued than in the South. Every man
feels his State his country, and regards it with
the same affection and devotion as Europeans do
their particular country. The Union includes such
a wide range of national peculiarities and customs
that its teems to be rather a federation of different
countries than one homogeneous nation. This old
cherished association with the Mother State is to be
suddenly broken, the State rights no longer exist,
and American blood and treasure and statesmanship
have only, according to the Radicals, resulted in the
abandonment of civil government, and the resort to
the old despotic doctrine of forcing an unpopular
form of government upon a reluctant people.
A significant message reaches us from one of the
Southern States. The Supreme Court of Alabama
has decided that Alabama was de facto a Govern-
ment under the Confederacy. The Radicals had
better take heed lest they stir up the memories of

the Confederate struggle too strongly. Under all
these circumstances, it is not surprising that trade is
cnueh depressed.

"..*The recent transactions in the London shipbuild-
ing trade have not unnaturally excited a good deal
of :attention, especially as owing to the recent severe
we: tther and the depressed state of trade thousands
of men have been suffering the severest distress from
want of employment. A deputation from the Lon-
don shipwrights waited last Friday upon the Lord
1% Loa or for the purpose of offering some explanation
of" their refusal to work at reduced wages for the
Tian tes Ironwork Company, and the Lord Mayor
gave them a patient and courteous hearing. The
fac'a of the case are familiar to the public.
The, company having completed certain contracts,
and. ibeing unwilling in a time of general distress to
disctn Irge some hundreds of workmen, endeavoured
to obtain a contract from a foreign company, which
would at least serve to keep their hands together.
To do this they were obliged to abandon all idea of
profit, .and so low was the rate of remuneration given
that to carry out the work without actual loss it
was necessary to reduce the men's wages sixpence
a day. Even with this reduction the shipwright 3
would have earned 7s. per diem, a sum, one would
suppose, more than sufficient to avoid actual want.
The men, as we all know, in obedience to the dic-
tates of their unions refused the work, and, though
they subsequently offered to take it under various
conditions which would raise their wages, at least
nominally, to the required sum.
The arguments used before the Lord Mayor the
other day do not materially affect the case. The
men do not maintain that the wages are insufficient
to live upon, or that the position of the trade would
justify giving more. It is the old story of prece-
dent, which does a good deal of mischief among
others than working men, but while they are ap-
plauding their orators in denouncing the prejudice
and red-tapeism of the aristocracy and the ruling
classes they appear to be by no means sensible that
they are repeating the very same blunders in their
own affairs. Common sense would tell them that
as trade is liable to considerable fluctuations, so the
rate of wages must fluctuate too. No man pretends
that his employer can always make the same rate of
wages ? Indeed every intelligent mechanic knows
very well that a master must sometimes carry
on his business at an actual loss, for the sake
of keeping it together, and keeping his position
in the great race. Is it then fair and reasonable
to demand that he must pay his men exactly the
same whether his returns are at par or at premium?
The result of all these arbitrary regulations is that
capital gets into other trades, or gets its work
done abroad, because no man can force another to
employ him or to carry on his business at a constant
loss. The fixed laws which the working classes
perceive readily enough to be so damaging in
large national questions, such as Protection
and the Currency, are accepted by them
heartily when applied to their own affairs.
This is a striking inconsistency, and we do not
wonder that the inferior workmen who are compelled
to live on charity themselves to gratify the pride of
the shipwrights find it difficult to understand their
doctrines or to approve their practice.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Sunday Evening.

The bureau of the Chamber of Deputies of
Florence have -eommenced the examination of the
project of law for the complete separation of the
Church from the State in the kingdom, for the
liquidation of the Church property, and relative to
the treaty projected between the Italian Govern-
ment and a Bolgian banking house. It is expected
that a very animated and searching discussion will
take place upon those important measures.

The official Gazette of the kingdom of Italy pub-
lishes a decree which annuls all penal action for
political offences committed in the kingdom, pro-
vided that they are not complicated with crimes
against the person, property, or the military laws.
Prince Napoleon Jerome and the Princess Marie
Clotilde yesterday received at the Palais Royal
Excel!ency Djemil Pacha, Ambassador from the
Sublime Porte ; Baron Pergler de Pergias, Minister
Plenipotentiary from his Majesty the King of
Bavaria ; M. Mauvel Monquera, Minister Pleni-
potentiary from the United States of Columbia; and
M. Taixera de Maceda, Minister Plenipotentiary from
his Majesty the Emperor of the Brazils.

The .31aison Neude of M. Sardon, about which
there was so much excitement at the time, it having
been hastily withdrawn by the author in consequence
of anticipatory criticisms which displeased him, has
at length been produced at the Vaudeville. The
Emperor and Empress were present at the first re-
presentation. There seems much diversity of opi-
nion respecting it among the critics. On the
same evening the young Imperial Prince went to
Robert Houdin's theatre. The Emperor has granted
an annual pension of 600 f. to the granddaughter of
Madame Dorval, the eminent actress.

There was another Cabinet Council on Friday at
the Tuileries, being the second held last week. The
Emperor presided.

The Governments of Saxe-Altenburg, Schwartz-
bourg, Rudolstadt, Reuss (younger branch), Lubeck,
llesse Darmstadt, Lippe-Detriold, Hamburg,
Mecklenbourg-Strelitz, and Oldenbourg, have an-
nounced that they consent to the Parliament of tho
North being convoked for the 24th of February.
The Prussian Government has drawn up com-
munal regulations for the territory of the ancient
free town of Frankfort. These regulations embody
the laws which govern the most favoured cities of
the kingdom.

A letter from Berlin states that the commercial
flag of the Confederation of Northern Germany has
been definitively fixed upon, and that it will be
composed of the colours black, white, and red. The
black and white represent the colours of Prussia,
and the white and red those of the Hanseatic towns.
In the middle of the flag the Prussian: eagle will be
emblazoned.

Colonel Marechal, Baron of the Empire, has just
died at Chalons-sur-Saone at the age of 103 years.
He gained all his r?nks upon the field of battle, and
was engaged on several daring and gallant enter-
prises.
A despatch from the Isthmus of Panama states
that on the 27th of December, while the transport
The Rhine, of the French Imperial Navy, arrived at
Panama, on the Pacific Ocean, for Acapulco, with
the soldiers belonging to the expeditionary corps of
Mexico, the Imperial corvette Roland was preparing
at Aspinwall, in the Atlantic Ocean, to receive those
troops which had crossed the isthmus by railway, so
that they might be brought back to France by the
shortest and most economical route.

A few brief particulars are given respecting the
new comet discovered at Marseilles in the constella-
tion of the rain. It is nearly round and has a brilliant
nucleus, which almost neutralises the light of the tail.
It could not be seen on the night of the 25th in
consequence of the bad weather. On the nights
of the 26th and 28th of January regular observa-
tions were made at Marseilles, when the comet
appeared to be increasing in brilliancy. At Paris
the state of the atmosphere has hitherto prevented
any observation, but there was a slight view of it
on :he night of the 31st. _

A rangethrough the Exhibition building even now
repays the trouble, for it presents much to attract,
amuse, and instruct. The portion destined for the
exhibition of the fine arts of Belgium and the
Egyptian Palace is nearly finished. The Russian
building prominently attracts the eye. It is under
the direction of M. Paul Benard, architect, assisted
by M. de Gregorovitch, ono of the most eminent
literary and archaaological men of Russia. This Ex-
hibition will be composed of two distinct parts,
which may now be appreciated by the yi9itor—

the interior Exhibition and the Exhibition in the
Park. Seven moujicks or peasants, whose pic-
turesque costume will excite curiosity, have arrived
from the environs of Moscow, accompanied by an
interpreter, who will give full explanations in re-
gard to all the varied products from Russia. On
entering from the Avenue Suffren a good idea
may now be formed of the beautiful aspect which
the park will present. Here there will be the isbah
or peasant's house, and further on the tent of the
desert. The isbah will be a very remarkable build-
ing, very complete and convenient, and built with
great regard to salubrity. In one angle will be the
red corner (red and beautiful are synonymous terms
in Russia), where there will be a figure of the Ichou
of the Virgin Mary, embellished with dazzling
ornaments. This is the sacred corner. The isbah
is executed principally in wood, by M. Gromoff,
one of the richest timber merchants of Russia.
Stables will contain forty horses chosen from
the present races produced in Russia. So com-
pletely characterisic will be the ensemble of Rus-
sia that if only a little snow could be added the
visitor might fancy himself to be in that country.
Some of the furniture and painted windows to form
part of the Rusian exhibitions have arrived in Paris,
and many workmen are now engaged in arranging
the various articles. Last, but not least, among
the alterations will be the Russian Restaurant, which
will enable people to form an idea of the state of
the culinary art in Russia.

Spain seems to be going ahead in regard to seve-
rity against the press, at least it is stated that the
principal editor of the Discusione, a Madrid paper,
has been condemned to death for a "political crime."
La France, which objects to have authentic in-
formation in regard to the new law upon the press,
persists in stating, in spite of contradictions from
other journals, that the new law will abolish the
prohibition now existing against the publication of
a new journal without previous sanction from the
Government. This important concession, it states,
is approved off by the Emperor, and by the four
Ministers charged with the task of drawing up the
new bill. Another important difficulty will also
be solved by this law. Printers and publishers
now have a patent which gives them a
monopoly. The new legislation will destroy that
monopoly, and the liberty of printing and publish-
ing will then become the corollary of the law upon
the Press.

Another crinoline accident is recorded, not a very
serious one, but one that may be attended with great
pain and inconvenience. As an elderly gentleman
was proceeding along the Rue Dauphine he became
entangled with a lady's crinoline, and he was thrown
with great violence on the pavement. His leg was
so bruised, if not fractured, that he could not walk,
and it was necessary to take him home on a litter.
M. Franck, of the Institute, contradicts the re-
port that Victor Cousin has left him a legacy.
Rossini;has just entered his 79th year. His health
is much impaired of late, and he is rather infirm.
He generally takes a carriage drive for an hour or
two in the course of the day.
After several days of warm weather it has sud-
denly became extremely cold, and this morning the
fields around Paris were covered with white frost.
Soon after the sun had risen, however, the frost was
melted, and at mid-day with a bright unclouded
sunshine the warm temperature returned. It has
been a splendid day, and all Paris is abroad. Every
vehicle was filled. Thousands went to Versailles,
and hundreds to see the preparations for the exhi-
bition at Billancourt, near Sevres.

L &TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE AUSTRIAN MINISTRY.

VIENNA, Feb. 3, Evening,

The resignation of Count Belcredi is attributed
to his being unable to concur with the views of
Baron von Beust, who proposes that the arrange-
ment with Hungary should be submitted to the
Lesser Reichsrath as an accomplished fact.

LITERATURE.

Montalembert's New Volume.

The Monks of the West. By the Count de Monta•
lembert. Vol. HI. Authorised Translation
William Blackwood and Sons.

Another portion has here at length been given to
the world, of what has already come to be very
generally recognised—though the work is still far
from its completion—as the most remarkable of all
modern contributions to the annals of Christianity.
A work that, if it shall please God, will, even yet,
be happily brought to its conclusion, in spite of the
alarming illness which, to the anguish of his more
intimate friends, and to the grief and dismay of his
admirers, has long been threatening to terminate the
labours upon it of its illustrious author, so abruptly
and prematurely. We cling tenaciously to the
belief that in Les Moines d'Occident, we arc not
destined to see repeated once more the sudden inter-
ruption midway, of a luminous as well as of a volu-
minous history, as here in England we have twice of
late years been fated to witness, in the instance now
of Lord Macaulay, now of Sir James Mackintosh.
If the cherished hopes and prayers of his appreciators
can avail, the author of these noble volumes about
" The Monks of the West" has fair prospect of
being spared for the completion of what is already,
long before its completion, obviously recognisable as
as his masterpiece. The additional instalment of the
work here issued from the press in this third volume
of the authorized translation of it into English is—
though in itself a mere segment of the circle as origi-
nally designed and foreshadowed in the author's "In-
troduction "—one, to ourselves in this country, of
exceptional interest, of extraordinary, we might even
say, of paramount importance. How it is so, may be
readily enough understood, without the necessity for
another word being read, when the component por-
tions of the volume come tobesimply enumerated. It
comprises within it, then, this third volume of " The
Monks of the West," three additional Books—the

Eighth, the Ninth, and the Tenth—relating (in
Book viii.) " The Christian Origin of the British
Isles," recounting (in Book ix.) the Life and Death,
the Career and Achievements of " St. Columba, the
Apostle of Caledonia," and (in Book x.) the win-
ning of England to the Faith between 597 and
633 by St. Augustin of Canterbury and the Roman
missionaries. Two brief appendices close the
♦olume, which is inscribed in. elegant Latin and in
very enviable terms to the author's friend and co-
religionist, the Earl of Dunraven. Not one syllable
of Preface, by the way, being introduced in expla-
nation of the reason there has been for the length-

ened postponement of this and of the still unpub-
lished companion volume (Vol. iv.)—an additional
instalment of the work which, although held still for
awhile in reserve, is understood to be all but ready
for immediate publication. The reticence thus ob-
served by the Count de Montalembert in regard to
the lamentable cause there has been for this long
delay in the periodical and piecemeal develop-

went of his undertaking, has in itself for us

an eloquence more affecting than any words could
possibly have articulated. Accepting this new
volume for precisely what it is, for what it
assumes to be, namely, as another portion of a com-
prehensive work now in process of formation or com-
position, we have read it from the first page to the
last with enthralled attention. Reading it thus we
have seemed to breathe the while the atmosphere of
the sanctuary. The smell of the incense has been

in our nostrils. We have been back in the Ages of
the Faith. We have traversed the Irish seas in the
osier boats covered with leather, rowed from Derry
to lona by St. Colomba and his companions. We
have followed the print of the sandals of St. Augus-
tin and his brother missionaries from Rome across
the same Kentish beach trodden six centuries before
by Cw3ar and his legionaries. The Gregorian
chaunts of those earliest of the Papal missionaries
have echoed around us from the distance of the twelve
centuries dividing that remote epoch, the epoch of the
primeval forests, from these present times, from this
oar own era, the age of steam-engines and electric
telegraphs. The hero of the book, of this third
volume of "The Monks of the West," it maY
be said at once, is—not St. Gregory the Great,
not St. Augustin his Emissary—but, to our think-
' ing at least, St. Colomba, the Apostle of Caledonia.
It is his form, it is his memory, it is his
august presence, that is brought before us like
a beautiful apparition. Or rather, it should be
said, like something farnobler, more real, more sub-
stantial, more perfectly appreciable, than any mere
apparition. It is the man himself—not alone the
Saint, but the very man himself, as though in actual
flesh and blood—who appears to view, summoned back
to life by the revivifying pen of Montalembert. The
lofty stature, the noble bearing, the handsome features,
the sonorous and harmonious voice, the grey glit-
tering
eyes, the impulsive movements, the impas-
sioned gesticulations, the alternate impetuosity and
gentleness, the burning patriotism, the profound
and utter self-abnegation, the flaming wrath against
all wrong, the tender pity for the weak and injured,
the love of solitude and the zeal for souls—all are
brought out with a wonderful distinctness, not
merely for our recognition, but for our admiration
and our reverence. The desolate wastes of the holy
islands of the Hebrides are repeopled. The ruined
fanes are reconstructed, as we turn those pages, in
which the monks of Icolinkill throng back upon the
scene with their canonized leader in the midst of
them. Turn by turn, reading the text of this third
volume of Montalembert's history of the Monks of
the West, we are in the sylvan solitudes, among the
savage hordes, in the hostile camps, at the royal
courts, in the midst of the feuds and battles of
Angle, Saxon, Pict, Scot, Briton, Celt, with Augus-
tin, with Columba, or with one or other of their
companions, beholding at their best and noblest, in
the midst of their historic labours, those dauntless
Monks of old, of whom, and of whose virtues, and
of whose heroism the Count de Montalembert, has
thus happily aspired to become the annalist and
celebrant. Those champions and propagators of the
Gospel, who were called by St. Augustin Milites
Christi, who were designated Chevaliers de l'Eylise by
Charlemagne. Those knightly promoters of the
spread of Christianity whom St. Francis of Assissi
termed hie " Paladins of the Round Table"—of
whom Pascal spoke as of souls " perfectly heroic,"
the passion of whose whole life was the advancement
and vindication of the Chevalerie de Dieu! Re-
membering what--as the very title-page of each suc-
cessive volume of this last and greatest work from
the hand of the Count de Montalembert continually
serves to remind us—has been from the very outset
the scope of the author's original design—namely,
that this is intended to be a history of " The Monks
of the West, from St. Benedict to St. Bernard"—
but remembering, above all, that the first object of
the writer in undertaking its composition was
the delineation of the great monk and great
man last mentioned, meaning St. Bernard, and that
consequently all that has hitherto been written,
and much that has even yet to be written, of the
work, is in a manner only, as it were, the introduc-
tion or preamble to what must still remain in effect
the one great root-idea of the whole, namely,
the commemoration of the genius, the labours, the
sanctity, the glory, less for earth than for heaven,
of the Monk St. Bernard—there is no one surely
among the readers of the three volumes already
published, no matter whether he be Protestant or
Catholic, within or without the pale of the belief
of the author of the book, but will long for the
full and deliberate completion of the design as ori-
ginally sketched out for himself by the hand of
Montalernbert. During five-and-twenty years,
during one whole quarter of a century, the author
has sedulously held that design in his contemplation.
During all that lengthened interval he has been
labouring indefatigably, as at a labour of love,
towards its conscientious realisation. Gradually,
stone by stone, pillar by pillar, arch by arch, it is ris-
ing like a fane consecrated to the glory of God, as an
attestation of the author's homage for the memory
of those whom he himself believes to have been
conspicuous among the human instruments for the
propagation and dissemination all over the world
of the divine truths of Christianity. Springing
originally out of a wish formed by him
on the completion of his beautiful limning
of the angelic features revealed to view in
Histoire de Sainte Elizabeth—namely) to de-

lineate a companion picture by means of another
history, the history of a great monk—in other
words, through the Histoire de Saint Bernard, the
thought has expanded, as we have seen, from the
notion of one picture to that of a whole series of
pictures—from a single work of art to a whole
gallery—from one isolated statue to what has
already grown, or is now growing, as before re-
marked, into a spacious and comprehensive fane
peopled in the niches, crowned on the altars with
the effigies or presentments of the great leading
Monks of the West, representing all the various
religious orders ranged by him under their four
categories. First, those whom he speaks of as
The plonks, properly so called, the religious brethren
of St. Basil, and of St. Benedict, of Cluny, of
Grandinont, and of Fontevrault, the Camaldules,
the Chartreux, the Celestines, and the Cistercians.
Secondly, the Regular Canons, following the Rule of
St. Augustine with the two orders attached (for the
redemption of captives), that of La Merci, and
that of Prernontr6. Thirdly, the Religious Mendi-
cants, or Brothers (Frail), comprehending among
them the Dominicans, the Carmelites, the Angus-
tines, the Servites, the Minimes, and the Franciscans,
including, among these, all their various sub-
divisions, as Conventuals, Observantines, Recol-
lets, Capucins, and so forth. Together with,
Fourthly and Finally, the Regular Clerks, such as
the Jesuits, the Theatins, the Barnabites, et cetera
—the Lazarists, the Oratorians, and the Eudistes,
being, as he tells us, simply, like the Sulpi-
ciens, secular priests united in congregation. It
would not only be idle to dream here, for an
instant, of following the author of these elo-
quent
and scholarly pages through the course of
his narrative, so far as that narrative has already
advanced—but, remembering that what is set
forth thus in a public newspaper is, as it were, spoken
in the market-place—the detailed examination in
these columns of a record of this particular charac-
ter would amount almost to an indecorum. It is only,
in fact, as illustrative of our national history that these
records of " The Monks of the West" can is this
place, with any reasonable regard to the fitness of
things, be taken into consideration. Commenting
at all upon it, therefore, we would do so in
our capacity as critics, simply from the point
of view in which we might be reasonably
expected to regard it more as a purely lite-
rary performance than as a contribution to hagio-
graphy. So regarded, namely, as a literary
performance, we are constrained to speak of the
work only in terms of the highest admiration.
It is the result manifestly of profound research in
the archives of our old monastic institutions, and
among the records of our earliest and almost for- I
gotten chroniclers. But the researches, here, are
those in which a ripe scholarship has been aided by
a radiant and sympathetic imagination. Under the
dry bones of erudition, a soul has been kindled by
the genius of a Poet and a Believer. The ancient
annals that our author has called in to his aid in his
scrutiny of the past, have been so brought into
combination by him that they have cleared his
vision rather than obscured or obstructed it. They
have been to him as the combination of lenses in a
telescope. They have brought distinctly to his own
view the far-off epoch he was bent upon delinea-
ting. Looking through them, down that immense
perspective, the hitherto blurred outlines of forms
until then scarcely perceptible have resolved them-
selves into distinctness under his gaze—to the
microscopic distinctness almost, one might say,
as of photography. Clarified thus, as his sight
has been, in his own capacity for scrutinising
the Past, what he has seen himself so very
clearly he has described with corresponding pre-
cision and accuracy. The Saints and Monks of
Wales, of England, of Ireland, of Scotland, of the
Hebridean Archipwlago, and of Arraorica, have
lived, and breathed, and moved, and preached, and
prayed, anew, as if restored to life, upon its pages.
Columba, if that be possible, more distinctly than
all the rest of them combined. Insomuch that—
closing the book—we seem to have been listening
to the sound of his footsteps— ,

" . . lo grand bruit de ses pas dans to monde."
The clarion note of his melodious voice rings back
to us across the silence of the intervening centuries.
The halo, or aureole, or nimbus of celestial light
surrounding him towards the close of his
long life dazzles our vision. We breathe
with the reapers coming back from the harvest-
fields in the evening, the delicious perfume wafted
from the Abbot's cell, as if all the flowers of earth
were there collected together, odoris fragrantiam ac
3i universorum florunt in ununt sensio collecturam.
We are beside him there wren upon the eve of his
death the old white horse, albus caballus, putting
his head lovingly upon his aged master's shoulder,
caput in sinu gilts ponens, seems to bid him farewell
as if with human te ,rs of grief—ccepit plangere über-
umque quasi homo fundere et valde spumeas flere
lacrymas. At the sound of the midnight bell (on
the 9th of June, 597) ringing for matins on the
Sunday Festival—we follow him in the darkness as
he hastens for the last time to the foot of the altar
steps in the church at lona, hearing the Monk
Diarmid call to him in a sorrowful voice, "Where
art thou, my father?"—jlebili ingeminat voce, Übi
es pater? Beholding him there for the last time
when the lights are brought—dead—but with
visible beatitude upon his features--Facies rubens
et nzirum in modum angelica visione exhilarata, in
tantum remansit, ut non quasi mortui, sed dormientis
videretur viventis. And so the beautiful vision
passes from our own view, the vision of this beatific
and beneficent life, as it has here been delineated
for the admiration of all, but for the edification
especially of England, by the lumin)us and rever-
ential pencil of Montalembert.

THE MAGAZINES.

-

BLACKWOOD.—" The Army" is the name of the
first article met with, and it contains some very
' sensible observations on that very important and
interesting topic. A comprehensive and practical
scheme of Army Reform is indeed most requisite at
the present time ; and we agree with the opinion
here expressed as to its being of more consequence
to us just now than anything else in the way of im-
provement and attention that the Legislature may
deem it necessary to suggest. The consideration of
this matter will again be taken up in a future num-
ber. " Ayrshire Curling Song" is an appropriate
poem for the present time : it is spirited and lively.
The Gay Science" takes us back to the Trouba-
dors, and presents us with a pleasing commentary
on Mr. Dallas's work on the subject. " Eaves-
dropping at Biarritz" is an imaginary report of some
political speculations that is very ingeniously put
forth. "The Turretships of England and America"
is another subject that may well engage attention
just now, and a hope is expressed that the present
Administration may deal with the whole question
in a fair and liberal spirit. It is truly said that
" mountains of prejudice are in the way of the in-
ventor nowadays in England, and thus foreign
States often get the better of us." " The Working
Classes" forms the title of an article which treats of
the matter in a comprehensive spirit. It is correctly
said that of late years a new cant has arisen, to the
effect that the " special class of men who labour
with their hands for their daily bread are the best
class in the community ; that they are unjustly de-
prived of representation in Parliament; and if such
deprivation be longer continued the consequences
may be perilous to the peace, if not to the stability,
of the State." This is not the true way of arguing
the matter, and it is only done for a purpose, as all
experienced politicians are aware. It is curious to
notice that in America, where manhood suffrage is
the rule, there is not a single mechanic
in either House of Congress. " Brow n -
lows," the new tale in this periodical, is
continued in a second part, and promises to be an
eventful narrative; already the descriptions aro in-
teresting and the characters well drawn. Some of
the scenes are almost dramatic in their vigour and
variety, and the prospect before the family seems a
charming one, to judge from the particular sketches
here drawn. " Democracy in America" refers to
the famous passage-at-arms between Blackie and
Jones, in a manner that engages notice from the
ability with which the subject is treated. " The
Union Realised ; or, the True Regimen for Irish
EYils," is the title of some verses which are very

amusingly written, and may serve to create enter-
tainment. " Colonel Gordon's Chinese Force"
enters upon a detailed account of the chief events of
that memorable time, and may refresh the mind of
the reader as to certain occurrences which are apt
to be forgotten in the constant changes that take
place around him.

CoLeußN's UNcrED SERVICE.--The present is a
right royal naval number, for we have no less than
four articles on the Navy--its expenses, can they
be reduced? its reconstruction, by the chief con-
structor himself; and the quarterly list of the Navy.
The whole of these subjects aro very fairly handled.
The bugbear of 110,000,000 yearly being devoted
to rebuilding ships is at once disposed of, by
the
fact that about £4,172,000 are required for seamen's
wages, victuals, and clothing, including marines,
while another million goes for half-pay pensions
sundries ; Si that taking other matters int)
account little more than two millions and a half aro
used for shipbuilding, doAyards, an 1 in Lthinery.
Still it is admitted that some £lOO,OOO, or there-
abouts, might be saved by closer and more efficient
management. As to the Navy of the future, Mr.
Reed makes out a glowing prospectus, not forget-
ting due praise for what he has effected up to the
present. He is, doubtless, a man of genius is his
department, but appears to overlook the same qua-
lity in rivals. Progress is the order of the day; it
is, in fact, the necessity of our position. But It
may be questionable if size alone be the one thing
needful in ships. We want fitness in all things—
mind and matter—and a due adaptation. We may
have too much of a good thing, and repent the cost
just too late to repair our error. We are not satis-
fied with the cavalier disposal of our wooden fleet
if they cannot go to sea at a useless cost they may
be useful at home at a far less figure. We admit
that wood decays with age ; so does iron, and so
does poor human nature. There are some other
good papers, particularly " The Adjutant's Story.,
COLB URN'S NEW MONTHLY.—The Mexican Pro-
vinces of the Union form the topic of the opening
paper, which contains a good deal of information.
Crawford Ramadge continues his narrative of
researches in Italy, and Lieut.-Colonel Miles re-
counts a further stage of his Egyptian travels.
" Idalia," is brought to a conclusion, and the
troubled fortunes of its hero and heroine find an
unexpectedly peaceful close. Among the other
papers are " About Consuming One's Own Smoke,',
an essay on " Concealed Sufferings," by Francis
Jacox ; and " Christine or Common-place People,
by Janet Robertson.

FRASER.—The editor of Fraser is apparently de-
termined that its readers shall not begin the new
year too lightly or thoughtlessly. Last month they
were called upon, among other light and entertain-
ing subjects, to consider the relations between Labour
and Capital, to recall the records of the Cromwellian
Settlement of Ireland, and to study the influence of
Arabic Philosophy ; but at least the literary bill of
fare presented some less solid dishes. In the Feb-
ruary number, however, butlittle indulgence is vouch-
safed, and, with tke exceptions of a paper on Cornwall,
and some chapters of a serial story, the articles are
all weighty in their subjects if not in their style.
Opening with the " Land System," they proceed
with a fragment of Elizabethan history, an analysis
of the principles of banking, a discussion on the
doctrines of penance and absolution, a chapter on
American politics, and a paper on the " Grievances
of British Merchant Seamen." We are far from
saying that several of these are not readable as well
as instructive ; but the list of contents might show
a less ponderous selection with advantage. The
historical fragment will in the eyes of many readers
present the most attractions, for it is from the pen
of the late Mr. Buckle, and possesses in consequence
a melancholy interest as a token of the unfinished
labour of a too brief life. It is needless to say that
the Virgin Queen is painted in the brightest colours.
Very excellent is the paper on " British Merchant
Seamen." It is a subject which we have often dis-
cussed in these columns, and which can hardly
fail to attract the notice of Parliament.
Mr. Couway's article on " The Purpose and the
President of the United States" is no doubt
written conscientiously, though it is difficult to
understand how any one looking on the present
position of American parties can scarcely believe
that the Radicals are animated by pure, disinterested
regard for the welfare of the negro.
BENTLEY'S.—The Editor's Novel, " Old Court,"
still wends its animated way through thes.?, pages,
and the present instalment is by no means unim-
portant. There are two stories which have been
continuA from month to month, one of which
" Briars and Thorns," comes to an end in this
number. " The Shenandoah Valley after the
War" is a melancholy picture of the ruin and de-
vastation left by civil war in that once fertile and
prosperous district. Shakspere's memorable blunder
about the sea coast of Bohemia furnishes
Francis Jacox with the text of an amusing dis-
course upon the mistakes in geography made by
all sorts of notabilities.

CORNHILL.—" The Claverings" is now approach-
ing its conclusion, and is becoming more excited as
it proceeds. The skill of the author is well shown
in the manner in which the character of Sir Hugh
is described. His intense selfishness pervades all
his acts, and makes his whole life a mockery and a
delusion, so far as honesty and good feeling are con-
cerned. Mrs. Burton takes a bold step, which
proves her spirit and energy, while Lady Ongar
betrays her innate unworthiness in her conversation,
though it was eloquent. " The Village on the
Cliff" is finished in this number, and it is completed
in a suitable manner. There is something touching
in the way in which this story is told throughout.
It is natural, and told in an impressive manner. The
ladies of the story have the advantage over the
hero, certainly, but there is plenty to gain attention
in all the dramatis persona; encountered in these
stirring pages. Part I. of " A Week in a French
Country House" is a very amusing account of ad-
ventures in that place, that brings us face to face
with strange customs and adventures. " Reminis-
cences of an English Cadet in the Austrian Service'
is continued, and the " Old English Chroniclers" 13
an interesting sketch. " Our Old Pictures" is
paper that contains some useful suggestions, 80"
" Spain and the Spaniards" is worthy of notice. It
is truly said that our interest in that nation has yeti
much gone down of late. The account of wander-
ings in that beautiful land here met with is, how-
ever, tempting enough to make any one forego hl3
prejudices and depart thence.
TEMPLE BAR.—" Lady Adelaide's Oath" is pro-
ceeded with at some length, and it is very exciting
in this instalment. It is a powerful scene, in which.
the deceitful heroine finds herself face to face with
the man she so shamefully deceived in past daYs'
The next portion of the tale will probably be the
end of it, and thus we shall have a grand denoue-
ment. " From Vienna to Pesth" is an interesting
account of travels in that direction. It is observed,
en passant, that " perhaps of all the popular customs
and habits peculiar to each of the capitals of Eurer'
Viennese life and manners are most adapted to the
tastes of an educated and refined Englishman." "The
Old Tale with a New End" has the merit of original"
to recommend it, and it might be all the better for
many love-sick heroes if they underwent the Beale
metamorphosis at an earlier stage of their career'
" Maurice Craven's Madness" is an exciting narra-
tive, that is well described. " Gup" is continued'
and presents us with news of Indian existence. 441 s
He a Spy ?" is an amusing incident of the late war'
when Count Bismarck's strategical reasons oilsde
Prussian soldiers to pervade all places. 46 The
November Meteors" is a poem that is expressive b;
written. " The Story of a Coquette" ends hetticie
than such tales often do in real life. " °ll
Yorkshire Hills about Haworth" contains some In-
teresting reminiscences of the Bronto family.
LONDON SOCIETY.--This magazine as usual,
con-
tains an interesting repertoire. " St. Valentillie;
Day" is an appropriate paper. What inemer,
,_
does not the name of the dear old saint call 1113
what memories not all undashed with regret. Seo
ll;
curious anecdotes are related of old customs in cc/
ne3tion with this period. " The Forgotten Nr3lell-
tine" is rather a peculiar tale, but none of the
",
parties concerned figure very creditably in
the a,
" Before the Footlights" is a well-drawn ske tcr
playhouse society. "Au Evening with my Viluctie ~Q
furnishes the tminitiated reader with an account

some phases of life that are sad in them-
selves, but are told in an animated manner. " Play-
ing for High Stakes" is an elaborate sketch of society
which repays perusal. " A Winter at St. Peters-
burg" brings the realms of snow before us in an im-
pressive style. " The Winding of the Skein" is one
of these illustrated sketches in verse for which this
periodical is famous. It is well told in its brief
sadness. " Fashionable Tea-parties" introduces us
to that new phase of polite society, which has, how-
ever, something cheerful and homely about it.
" Sketches of the English Bench and Bar" this time
contain Lord Westbury and the late Lord Justice
Knight Bruce.

iNfeculLLAN's MAGAZINE.—The two vigorous and
interesting stories which are running their course
through the pages of Macmillan are continued with
unabated spirit, though in very opposite styles. A
chapter on our "Home Defences" is worth reading,
for it is written by one who evidently takes a deep
interest in the subject in all its branches. "The
State of Ireland," Female Artists," and " The
Cretan Insurrection" are among the principal
Papers ; and we have verses from the pens of Isa
Craig, Knox, and George Smith, both of them
somewhat more ambitious than successful.
THE VICTORIA MAGAZINE.—This number of the
Victoria is more animated, and more attractive in
its character than usual. It is still chiefly devoted
to the discussion of " Woman's Rights."
NATURE AND ART. Nos. 8 and 9.—This beauti-
fully illustrated serial cannot fail to secure the
favour of all all readers of artistic taste. We can
scarcely fancy a pleasanter or mere attractive com-
panion for a real lover of " Nature and art," than
one of its well edited and admirably executed num-
bers. Mrs. S. C. Hall, always a welcome writer,
contributes in these parts a characteristic story,
called " Bizz and her Foes."
CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL.—This old favourite has
greatly improved since the commencement of the
new series, and the February part has a great deal
of very pleasant and readable matter. A new
novel, " Lord Ulswater," by the author of " Lady
Plavia," gives promise of powerful interest, and
there are a variety of miscellaneous papers well
Worth reading.
GOOD WORDS.—A new story by George Mac-
donald is a welcome sight to the readers of Good
Words, who have, besides, contributions from Pro-
fessor Plumptre, Mr. Glaisher, Robert Hunt, and
several other standard writers.
THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE. Edited by Dr. Guthrie.
—This is a well printed, well written, and well
illustrated popular religious journal, very well
adapted for extended circulation among the intelli-
gent working classes.