The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-05 00:00:00

great German thinker may embody powerful and
suggestive truths, yet the subject requires
a different Medium of digestion from that which
can be afforded in a short newspaper paragraph.
Articles and creeds, recognised formulas and esta-
blished sects, are formidable things to iuterfere with,
and generally aro more wisely and safely treated
by individual reflective minds than by enunciated
avowed principles which may startle rather than,
convince the uninvestigating mass of humanity.

The Common Objects of the Country. By the Rev.
J. G. Wood. Routledge and Co.

The Rev. Mr. Wood has given many interesting
and agreeable works of instruction connected with
natural history, to the public, and the present one
is fully equal to any of its antecedents. Most of
us are acquainted with field-mice, dragon flies,
grasshoppers, brimstone butterflies, and that long
list of the "lower order" of creation which may be
encountered on every breezy common and sun-lit
hill ; but few of us know much of their habits and
manners. This volume plainly and simply tells us a
deal about them, which cannot fail to please while it
instructs ; and the numerous coloured illustrations
are of that sup,Tior order which are eminently use-
ful in a work of this kind. This little volume is
thoroughly adapted to form a most welcome pre-
sent to youth of either sex ; while it possesses full
claim to a place on any library table.

Letters on the Philosophy of the Human Mind. By

Samuel Bayley. - Longman and Co.

The intellectual scholar will welcome this work
as the emanation of a mind duly qualified to pro-
duce it. As it is the secoA volume of a series,
many of our readers are doubtless familiar with the
abilities of Mr. Bayley in this department of litera-
ture, and will therefore duly appreciate his labours.
The doctrines of the chief metaphysicians of all
countries, the discussion of "causation," pshycology,
physiology, and phrenology, in connection with the
human mind, the entertainment of abstract ques-
tions regarding mental anatomy, the summary of
perceptive theories, and an analytical examination
of the relative systems of philosophy, yield an im-
posing volume, which will form a valuable addition
to the important, though limited, works of this
high class.

The Useful Library : The History of Francs.
By A. B. Edwards.

When circuunstiaic,s and time, ext.encling from
the Conquest of Gaul by the Romans to the Peace
of 1856, are compressed into a volume of a hundred
and eighty-eight pages, a very minute and ample
detail cannot bo expected ; however, the authori-
ties and style of this little work are above the ave-
rage of such publications, rendering it very read-
able and fairly accurate, and forming a desirable
number of this cheap and excellent issue.

The Art Journal.—lt is gratifying to observe
how well this excellent specimen of art serials main-
tains its position, while such a flood of pictorial
publications inundates us on every hand, and
illustrated works are as plentiful as roses in the
present month. The current number betrays no
lack of its usual superiority in any of its depart-
ments, and constitutes an elegant and interesting
addition to the library or boudoir table. The first
of the chief engravings is from Stanfield's beautiful
painting of " Ischia," by M. Brandard, affording
an exquisite delineation of that lovely island, with
its mingled sun and shadow, blue mountain and
silvery water, grey castles and green trees. Ihe
second gives " The Infant Christ," by Carlo
Marotti, who was about the last great painter of
the Roman school in the early part of the 17th cen-
tury, when Art was declining rapidly throughout
Italy, and the glory of her people becoming absorbed
in a gloomy destiny. The subject is reverently and
delicately treated, and the expression of the face
combines a sweet degree of childish beauty with
holy inspiration. A very fine sample of portrait
sculpture is seen in Roffe's engraving from Foley's
magnificent " Statue of John Hampden." After
the lapse of more than two centuries the form and
features of this resolute and large-minded man take
their place in the Sonato Palace of England, a noble
object for our present honourable members to con-
template ; either artistically, as an embodiment of
the highest perfection of sculpture, or mentally, as
a model of heroic patriotism. The grace, power,
and faithful development of the statue are unex-
ceptionable. Mrs. S. C. Hall continues her very
pleasant " Book of the Thames," and her vivid
sketches of the familiar poetic spots of beauty and
fame, aided by charming illustrations from clever
pencils, lend a feature to the number which adds
considerably to its attractions.