The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-06 00:00:00

The Eclectic Review. Ward and Co.

The Eclectic Review has more subjects of general
interest in this number than usual. It is
true we meat with au article eutitled " Plotinmt,
and the Neo-Platonists' " which is sufficient to
afford employment to the most mystical of Ger-
raaus ; but its very name will warn the uninitiated,
and prevent them from trusting themselves in its
mazes. " The Future Government of India,"
which rival politicians appear to find as perplexing
as MM. Vacherot and Simon's history of os-
ticism Neo-Platonism, and Alexandrian Scepti-
cism," will at least affor,i more pleasant leading;
and the notices of new books, forming the topic of
articles, give an:agrceablevariety. The criticism on
Mr. Reade's poetical works has some very just oh-
snlrations on the importance of rhythmical harmony
in verse, a truth which is very much neglected
among our spasmodics and other new schools. It is
true tbat the reader is often too thankful if he ar-
rives at the meaning at all, to be very particular as
to the way he travels by, though that has oftener
more resemblance to .the macadamised roads of
modern times than to the velvet slept s of Parnassus.
It is curious that the p:ssession of a fine rhyth-
mical ear does not seem to be dependant on an car
for music. " Coleridge could not stutter through a
stave of a tune, yet his verses are the most melo-
dious in our language. Even Robert Burns, whose
songs were rocked into their flowing shape under
the spinning, whirring impulse of the time to
which they are set, could with difficulty distinguish
one tune from another in his boyhood, while (al
the other hand, Robert Browning, who is famed for
his musical talent, glories in the most rugged and
uncouth metres in his poems." " Tom Brown's
School Days," and Mr. Meredith's" Farimb" are
among the other works noticed.

The Mechanic's Magazine.

Robertson, Brooman,

and Co.

We are glad to find this valuable serial Will
maintain its character. A knowledge of mechani-
cal science is so extensively necessary among our
artisans that those who are' not directly employed
in the science will find it one of the most useful
things to acquire. On the other baud the numer-
ous amateurs and men of science who cultivate this
branch of knowledge in its widest extent, and most
elevated aims, must find a work of this kind, in
which they can compare the reuilts of their owu
experience with those of others, or feed in some
novel application of an old principle a solution of
their difficulties, of very great service to them. The
' advantages it offers as a channel of communication
for scientific men is another recommendation, and
information is given respecting the topics of the
day which are in any way 'connected with the
sciences it treats of. The eclipse of the sun, the
late launch of the Leviathan, the submarine tele-
graph, are discussed and commented upon in its
pages. The principles on which these operations
are conducted, the difficulties attending the me-
chanical processes, and all similar information, is
recorded. The woodcutri afford a good idea of the
machinery illustrated ; and all this useful scientific.
instruction is presented to the public at a price
which places it above the reach of few.

Tttan. James Hogg and Sons.
Titan has several articles to commend it to the
notice of the reader. A paper on the p-etry of
youth in France deserves attention. It traces the
fatal effects of their specious sophistries upon the
lives of the writers themselves as well as on their
readers. The extracts given afford a good idea of
the style and power of tile writers without offend-
ing the reader. " Which ?—Eddies round the
Rectory," is the singular title of a pleasant domes-
tic story of country life, giving some amusing
sketches of rustic notabilities. The articles on mis-
cellaneous subjects and the extracts and a
scr_aps
from new books, dic., combine to make up p
le
sant magazine.

Le Follet.—The fair followers of s.
many
find their capricious ruler offering them
novelties for their edification along with the spring
sunshine. In addition to the usual plates, `Le
Follet" gives us an extensive variety of new de-
signs for mantles, in which, truth to tell, fashion
is more consulted than elegance. But as they be
long to a branch of the fine arts which defies criti
cism, it is enough to say that this serial furnishes
ail necessary instructions for the selection of a
toilette comme it fact.

ib ion will

IVewton's London Journal.

This serial contains its accustomed lists of
patents, which include most of the recent improve-
ments in all kinds of manufacture. The introduc-
tory paper is on London Sewage and the sea-reach
project. The reports of institutions are included
in the usual scientific notices, and a list .of grants
of provisional protections under the new law is

By the arrival at Southampton of the West India
mail tlnmer Orinoco we have received files of the
Panama Star and Herald to Apiil 8.
The steamship Bogota, from Valparaiso and in-
terinediata v:orts, arrived. in Panama Bay on the
morning of the 6b. Her LOWS is interesting, as it
briugi intelligence of the overthrow of the revolu-
tionary army in Peru, particulars of which are
given in the subjoined letters :
" Arica, March 21.

" Castilla has at last taken Arequipa by storm,
on the 7th inst., not, however, without a severe
loss. The narrative of the battle is terrific; an
eyewitne,s states that the blood ran down the bar-
ricades in steams six hours after the fight ; that
the r Batallon de Ayacucho' defending the barri-
cades, and said to be 600 strong, were all killed,
with the ex•2ept ion of 40.
" The Apurimac, Arauco, and Lambayeque
sailed yesterday to Callao, to be delivered up to the
Government. Her Britannic Majesty's steam sloop
Retribution also left yesterday for China • the
Ganges, with Admiral Baynes on board, and the
United States sloop of war Merrimac, are expected
to pay us a visit shortly.

- "Callao, March 27.
"The last act of the Castilla and Vivanoo revo-
lution was concluded on the days of the 7th and Bth
of this month by one of the most sanguinary battles
ever fought in South America ; and Castilla is now
master of Arequipa. Vivanco, with a few friends,
has retired to Bolivia. Toe loss on both sides is
over 2,000 killed, and the city is filled with
wounded. The general impression is (owing to so
few medical men being in Arequipa) that tLe loss
of life among the wounded mill be large for want
t.f proper attendance ; it is proposed to stud down
by this steamer a large staff of surgeons to render
assistance to the few that are there. Whoa the
news first arrived none believed it, for
Arequipa has always been considered impreg-
nable; but whatever doubts- there might have
been in the matter they were soon dispelled by
the arrival of the:frigate Apurimac Captain Mon-
t To, for the purpose of submitting her to the
Government, Captain Montero and General Rive.,
however, dictating their own terms which have been
accepted by the Government, and by which they
agree to respect the property and guarantee the
liberty of all officers, soldiers, and seamen engaged
on the Apurimac ; that those who wish to leave
tie country may do so at their own leisure ; that
the pay due to the soldiers and seamen shall be

paid by the Government ; the frigates Apurimac,
Peytania, and Huaras to be delivered under inven-
tory by the present possessors to the Government."
It was rumoured at Callao that General Castilla

intended to push the war into Bolivia, probably'to
place his friends Cordova or Belzu at the head of
affairs in that country.
Business was very dull at Callao. Ther• were •
great many American ships in the bay seeking
charters, but the rates were so low that they would
not accept them. Next to the excitement caused

by the news of the fall of Arequipa was the arrival
of the Unit-d States' frigate Merrimac, which was
daily crowded with visitors. The ship Lizzie
Thompson and the bat k Georgina were still held
as pr"z•?st, and would probably be sold.
From Valparaiso dates are to the 16th of March.
Considerable excitement existed in the Republic of
Chili r garding the coming elections, the Conser-
vative and Liberal parties having joined their in-
fluence to oppose the Government candidates. The
hArvest throughout the country had turned out
well, an I the crops had been stored without serious
loss from untimely rains. Business was very dull,
and the payment of bills as slow as ever.
A letter from Psyta announces the death at that
place, where he bad gone for the benefit of his
health, of Dr. Oakford, United States' Consul at
Tumbez, on the 19th of March. His remains were
interred with great ceremony.