The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-11 00:00:00

LITE.RA TURE.

Fretkrick the Great and his Merchant. From the
German. By Lady Wallace. 2 vols. Bentley.
Thie is a very interesting little work, and will
most likely be appreciated by those who peruse it.
The dialogue is as natural, and the narration as
spirited, as if it were written in its original lan-
guage, instead of being a translation. The char-
acter of Gotzkowsky is a noble one, and one can-
not fail to be attracted by the superiority of his
mind, and touched by the devotion with which he
dedicated ,himself to his country's service. His
fate was not an uncommon one : he was at last re-
jected by those whose constant benefactor he had
been, whom he had preserved in peril and succoured
in distress. But the dauntless spirit which sus-
tained and animated him when the enemy thun-
dered at the gates, and foes invaded the sanctity of
home, did not fail him in the sharper trial of false
friends and ruthless adversaries. The descriptions
given of 'the troops entering the city of Berlin are
most graphically pourtrayed, and the various
miseries to which the inhabitants were subjected
are very *powerfully detailed. War, splendid in the
blaze of accoutrements, and grand when waged
amid the thunder of the battle-field, is seen in its
true horrors, when it enters the crowded city, and
when peacefUl inhabitants become the prey of law_
less soldiers. General Totleben is an interesting
study,rand' forms a strange contrast with his zeal
for the service of the Empress and his ineradicable
attachnient to his fatherland. The interviews in
which Gotzkowsky pleads for his afflicted city aro
some of the most exciting passages of the work.
Besides these public transactions, there is a private
tale of joys and sorrows intermingled, which is
interesting, and the eventful episodes of which are
related with great ability. The daughter of Gotz-
kowsky is a pleasing character, and one feels
attracted by her affectionate' nature, and grieved
by her unfortunate position. The Russian noble to
whom, unhappily for herself and all connected with
her, she had become attached was every way un-
worthy to be connected with a superior maiden like
Elise; and it is satisfactory when the artifices of
Feodore are discovered and Elise is united to one
who was devoted to her father and herself, and
who proved himself true in the hour of adversity.
Altogether, these volumes deserve to •be perused,
and it is not probable that any of their readers
will be disappointed, as they present, in a varied
form, historical incidents and domestic sketches.
The style is simple, but elegant, and the heroic
character, of Berlin's merchant prince, who, when
his millions vanished and his troops of friends de-
parted, preserved untarnished his most precious
possession, his honour, as a sacred relic no changes
Of forttine and no fluctuations Of royal favour could
give nor take away, is of itself sufficient to render
these records attractive. The book may therefore
be considered a valuable addition to the literary
contributions of the day, and Lady Wallace has
most successfully executed her task of translation.

The Westminster Review.
The first article in the new number of the West-
minster is on the all-engrossing topic of Reform in
Parliament. We have had occasion to refer to this
article in another place, and to differ from some of
its arguments. A criticism on the Religious
Policy of Austria is not disposed to regard the Con-
cordat axial much favour. It is written in a fair
and modbr'hte spirit, and gives an•interesting sum-
mary. of 'the _religious history of the Austrian
Empire. A paper on the -" Sanitary Condition of
the Army," enters thoroughly into that important
subject. A very curious and interesting paper on
the use of anaesthetics follows, in which the writer
strongly maintains the vast benefits conferred on
the human race by the discovery of their wonderful
powers. He does not deny the, danger that has
existed, but only, he maintains, from a rash appli-
cation, and he asserts that, as in many instances
death results from the exhaustion produced by
excessive suffering, the soothing properties of ether
and other anaesthetics may be regarded as having
saved more lives than they have cost. Such a boon
to suffering humanity, under some' of its terrible
ordeals, is certainly not to be lightly surrendered,
but-incrased .care and circumspection seem to be
necessary in its application. One great mistake
would appear to be, in this, as in so many other
cases, in not making sufficient allowance for the
difference of constitution and temperament. The
paper will well repay the reader for its perusal,
should he be interested in physiological questions.
A treatise on " Spiritual Destitution in England,'"
deserves the attention of all earnest philanthropists.
Among the remaining contents of the number we
may mention a 'critique on Carlyle's recent work,
and a paper on the modern mania, respecting
witchcraft.

Our C'hildren's Magazine. Vol. VIII. Published
Ethe Committee of the Ragged School Union,
eter Hall.

The eighth volume of-this excellent little maga-
zine has now made its appearance with the new
year. It is published in halfpenny parts as well
as in annual volumes. Ragged schools are now a
recognised means of aiding and educating the
children of the poor, and, acting upon the old-
fashioned maxim, " Prevention is better than cure,"
they have probably saved the State some thousands
for the conviction and maintenance of criminals.
Taking a higher view of the subject, it must be a
subject for thankfulness and gratification to the
promoters of these institutions, to reflect upon the
brighter future and elevated faculties given to these
young creatures, often neglected and destitute,
worse than homeless and friendless. A pleasant
gift to them little people must this magazine be.
It gives them short accounts of several interesting
and instructive matters : a description of ancient
monuments, a story about Alexander the Great, an
account of travelling in Africa, a chapter about the
primrose, are interspersed with anecdotes and
advice, all written in a style suited to the abilities
of children. We could have wished there had been
a little less direct preaching in it. Some religious
teaching would of course be indispensable to the
character of the work, but if its introduction had
been more incidental, it might have been more
effective. However, the intention is so good, and
the general style of the little. volume so excellent,
that it would, be' hard to censure it on this ground.
The numerous woodcuts scattered through the
volume must considerably enhance its attractions
in the eyes of its young readers.

k The Eclectic. Ward and Co.

The Eclectic :Review has been enlarged and
altered, and now appears under this titlf. It has
been considerably improved, it is more enlarged in
its sphere, and less sectarian in its subjects and
style. While preserving its former liberal views,
it no longer forces its theological tenets upon the
reader, and those of -totally different opinions may'
find much to please and interest them in it. The
names of P. H. Gosse, Alexander Smith, and the
author of "Mary Powell," are among the contribu-
tors, and a better style of literature, qs well as a
wider sphere of interest is now perceptible. Mas-
ion's " Life of John Milton" receives a thoughtful
criticism, in which the writer analyses the charac-
ter of the poet with skill and felicity. One of the
most attractive articles to the reader of literary
tastes, is on the recent volume of " Lyra Ger-
thanica," written with -a full appreciation of the
spirit of the old German collection. There is truth,
as well as eloquence, in many of the passages. The
author of " Mary
.Powell ' contributes the first
chapter of a pleasing story, showing hoW much
good may be done with little means, by a kind
heart and ready thought. There is a paper on
Comets for the scientific reader, and several politi-
cal articles. We congratulate the " Eclectic "on
its increased interest and improved style.

Illoore's,Sacred Songs, with Symphonies and Ac-
companiments. By Sir J. Stevenson. Longman.
This is another of that beautiful series of volumes
which Messrs. Longman have been recently pub-
lishing. The " Sacred Songs" of Moore are well
known and appreciated for their beauty and pathos,
and the lovers of sacred melody could scarcely meet
with a more attractive volume. When we see the
names of Handel, Beethoven, Hadyn, and Lord
Mornington among the original composers of the
airs, and when they have been arranged and super-
intended by Sir John Stevenson, many of whose
beautiful compositions are included, we cannot
wonder at the extended reputation and popularity
of these " Sacred Melodies.' Six songs from Scrip-
ture, the words by Thomas Moore, arranged by
John Goss, a name well known in the musical
world, are added, and are well worthy of their
predecessors. The arrangements in many cases are
suited for one or more voices. The size and printing
of the volume are in all respects suitable, and there
could scarcely be a more acceptable addition to a
family circle, who have taste and ability sufficient
to appreciate the rare combination of poetic and
musical excellence it possesses.