The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-01 00:00:00

of an exciting and interesting tale, which promises to be

very eventful.

" Through Sussex" is another of those

pleasing sketches of fair English comities, before met with
in the pages of this magazine, and is a very agreeable sub-
ject of perusal. " Cor Cordium "is the title of some well-

written stanzas on the poet Shelley, and the thoughts
which are inspired by the contemplation of the spot where
. _

his heart is buried.

MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.--The first thing to
greet the reader of Macmillan's Magazine is the
commencement of a story by Mrs. Norton. Be-
ginning with the year, it introduces us to its hero,

" Old Sir Douglas" in the autumn of his days. A

retrospect of his career occupies the principal por-

tion of these first chapters, and shows as not only old Sir
Douglas's present perplexities, but his past sorrows, and
the strange and fitful training which has made young Ken-
neth Ross so grievous a care and burden to his indulgent

uncle. The story is painful enough in its earlier chapters,
though the style, easy, graceful, and natural, is such as we

are accustomed to from one whose Pan is always sure to

charm. Mr. Thomas Hughes gives us his views of "Peace

on Earth" as it affects America. His article shows too

much of the partisan to be altogether welcome to those
who can still feel sympathy for the fruitless struggle of a
brave people for their independence, and who cannot be
persuaded by the ultimate event that the aboltion of sla-
very had anything to do with the origin of the war. " Re-
cent Novel Writing" is the title of a somewhat severe
criticism upon the fictions of the day, though there is cer-
tainly room for improvement in subject, style, and charac-
ter, so far as most of the sensational novels of the day are

concerned. Nevertheless, summing up the general char-

acter and tendency of works of imagination, the critic
arrives at the conclusion that even the
Poorest and most
extravagant novels are likely to do some good in this too

material and work-a-day age. "Is it not a good thing,"
he asks, "that the energetic and quick-witted man

of business, and not -only he, but his wife,
sons, and daughters, should be taught that there
are things which mere practical energy cannot accom-

plish, and which no amount of money call buy—spiritual
powers—faculties of observation, imagination, memory,
description, which he is forced to coAfess are of a

higher order than his own, depths of a Passion which he
has never fathomed, heights of ambition beside which his
own schemes ;,of money getting look poet and vulgar ?

Now there are many novels which teach all this to
him and his, and there are few so absolutely worthless as
not to furnish him with some small portion cif the lesson."
" Cradock Nowell" is continued with interest, though the

extravagance of its style somewhat mars the effects of its
vivid pictures. A thoughtful essay, OR 'Nature and
Prayer," deals with a subject that has been lately much

discussed. Mr. Davies enters into it with a calmness and

reverence entirely free from any intolerance or impa-

tienco of those who differ from him. In answer to the

argument urged by some against the use
of national
prayer, that the course of natural laws is so fixed that no
human wishes can affect it, he says forcibly that it proves
too much. "If a philosopher says to me, 110 w can you
think that by your prayers you can divert universal na-
ture from its preordained course ? I think I reply ra-
tionally by asking, How can I suppose that by any acts
of mine, any more than by my prayers, I can alter the

unalterable.' " If the assertion "Itis of no use to pray

against the cattle disease or tho cholera be baud upon

the fact that effect follows cause with unvarying uni-
formity the same reason would lead us on to the further
assertion, 'lt is of no use to do anything against the
cattle disease or the cholera.' " The Rev. Henry Jones
gives us an article on a subject with which he is evi-
dently conversant, " Working Men : Some of their Ways
and Wants." It is a very interesting paper, and it is to
be hoped that the writer's earnest advocacy of the
much-needed reform in St. James's, Westmin-
ster, will bring a little public attention to bear
upon the point. In the midst of this populous dis
trict, said to be the most populous for its size in London,
is a network of courts, a rookery of evils. Some of the
inhabitants proposed to cut through the centre of this net-
work by a new street, lined with houses suitable for decent
working people, letting in fresh air to the unwholesome
courts and alleys, and an equally invigorating current of life
and traffic through the thieves' corners and evil lounging
planes. Some of the smaller householders, however, ob-
jected to the three-halfpanny rate necessary for the tarry-
ing out of the improvement, and the rookery remains un-
disturbed. The writer's remarks on the various terepta-
dons to drink among the overworked residents of each
close unhealthy localities are very just. Among the re-
maining papers.islan essay on "Parliamentary Ref or k' by
Lord Hobart, in which he favours the somewhat visioaery
and impractical scheme of Mr. Hare.
THE ST. JAMES'S MAGAZINE.—The fortunes of
the two fair heroines of Miss Braddon's new novel
are coming to a crisis. Lady Cecil has already,
become the wife of the boisterous barrister, While
Florence Crawford is weaving trouble for herself I,y
her wilful determination to accept the homage of
the wealthy but savage and uncultivated Mr. Lobyer.
new prima donna appears in the shape of Mrs. Champst,
downs, who, it appears, is the divinity of tho painter'
dreams. Paul Feval's romance, " Working in the Dark,is
is rapidly approaching its conclusion, and already the mys-
tery begins to be unravelled. " The Village Doctor," by
the author of " Shirley Hall Asylum," is also continued,
and there are other tales which finish in the number, se
the novel-reader will have no lack of entertainment. The
second part of " Masters and Servants" give us some
amusing anecdotes of an eminent legal dignitary. " Cigars
from Elsinore" is an episode of the late Danish war, and
relates the awkward predicament into which a too credu-
lous Englishman was. enticed by the smiles of a fair Dane.
" Her Majesty's Mint" is the title of an interesting paper,
giving us a minute account of the manufacture of the cur-
rent coin. It is remarked that during the last ten years no
halfcrowns or fourpenny pieces have been struck, proba-
bly from the reason of their inconvenience in case of the
adoption of a decimal coinage. We have in a paper of a
different character a comparison between the lives and
works of the two great poets who have dared
" The secrets of the abyss to spy,
And pass the glancing bounds of Place and Time."
Further on we find the first part of an historical essay on
the State Trials during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and
the Stuart; including, of course, those of Essex and
Raleigh, besides some account of the careers of the two
legal celebrities of the State prosecutions of those days,
Coke and Bacon. The second part of an account of
"Jamaica of To-day" does not enter into the vexed ques-
tions attending the recent outbreak, but gives an interest-
ing picture of that beautiful and fertile but sadly neglected
colony. A vivid picture of the wasted gifts of nature is
drawn in a few lines, as follows :—" With every local ad-
vantage provisions aro dear in Jamaica, and particularly so
in Kingston and its neighbourhood. Any one attempting
to break through established sloth would meet with no
mercy. With magnificent pasturage, dessicated milk from
America, and salt butter from Cork, are alone used as a
general rule, for fresh butter costs about 4s. per pound,
and milk is equally expensive. With abundance of fine
poultry, eggs, are not unfrequently 2d. a piece. The coasts
of the island are the resort of excellent fish of many varie-
ties, and yet that imported' from America is the staple.
With herds of swine feeding on the purifying orange, and
the hog plums which drop atiOheir feet, unknown salt pork
is imported. The island abounds in natural condiments of
the choicest description, and yet tables are supplied with
the inferior pickled gherkins of New York. In other re-
spects the same dependence on America is conspicuous." It
is to be hoped the late terrible crisis may be the introduc-
tion to a better state of things by inaugurating a complete
change in the situation of affairs.
THE ARGOSY. No. 11.—The second part of the
Argosy gives us no reason to apprehend a diminu-
tion of its popularty. " Griffith Gaunt" proceeds
vigorously with all Mr. Reade's accustomed anima-
tion of style. The fair heroine, Catherine Peyton,
finds herself in rather an awkward predicament, but, how-
ever, she rises boldly to the occasion, and starts on a peril-
ous adventure, whose issue we shall learn in the next part.
Matthew Browne contributes a quaint and original paper
" OnWatching for the next Thing," in which he expresses
au immeasurable horror for the total cessation of anything.
There should always, he holds, be a successor, a next
thing, with no interlude between, somewhat a fatiguing
thought in this work-a-day world, wherein interludes and
pauses are brief and rare enough. "A journey Re-
journeyed" is brought to a temporary conclusion, and the
traveller's vivid pictures of the clear Alpine heights are
completed. A lively paper on " The Bourgeois of Paris"
initiates us into some of the mysteries of middle class life
in the gay and brilliant capital. Mrs. Oliphant gives us a
pleasant little story called " The Hidden Tresure," and
Christina Rosetti a bit of poetical prose from Fairyland, not
without its human moral. New Year's Day at Windsor,
1327," carries us back to the fun and freedom of a middle-
age festival, while the ambassador's description of his
gorgeous life in Venice comes in in singular contrast to the
rough good humour of the English Court.
THE VICTORIA MAGAZINE.—A brief memorial of
that gifted and lamented lady who has a double
claim to literary recollection as the daughter of an ever
fresh and delightful songster, and herself a poetess
of no mean order, finds an appropriate place in the earliest
pages of the Victoria. It concludes very suitably with a
selection from her own graceful and higb_sauied verses.
The second book of Professor Laboulaye's somewhat
weighty though learned treatise on "The Civil and Politi-
cal Status of the Female Sex, from the Time of the Romans
until the Present Day," proceeds slowly along. It still
treats of the woman's position, rights, and privileges among
the earlier Germans, and contains a good deal of curious
and erudite information. The three tales now going on
in this maazino are as yet incomplete. It is a pity that
magazine writers do not allow their pens to move a little
more rapidly, and bring their heroes and heroines' agonies
and raptures to a more speedy crisis. " Turned Out" is
the title of an article which very seasonably bids us re-
member the hardships inflicted on the poorer classes who
are turned out to make room for the inexorable progress
of the iron horse—not only the pauper, and the struggling
ranks just above pauperism, are affected, but thousands
who kayo a definite trade awl regular employment in

ky--

their own locality, which of course they are likely to lose
by aforced immigration. The paper concludes with the brief
but emphatic statement that "the courts of law have
just decided that weekly tenants, though ejected from
houses where they were carrying on a trade or business,
were not entitled to any compensation." Such a grievance
is surely practical enough to attract the attention and in-
voke the assistance of some of our Parliamentary philan-
thropists.

rtIGM DIE tiltukr.
•

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, Dec. 30.
Her Majesty the Queen drove out yesterday
afternoon, accompanied by the Princess Louise.

The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hohen-
zollern, Infanta of Portugal, arrived yesterday on
a visit to her Majesty, attended by Countess Renaud
and Baron de Branchitsch.

The Princess Helena and Prince Arthur, attended
by Lady Churchill, the Hon. Major-General Hood,
and Major Elphinstone, drove down to East Cowes
to meet the Prince and Princess, who crossed over
in the royal yacht Alberta, from Southampton, and
accompanied them to Osborne, where they were
received by the Queen.
The Prince and Princess dined with her Majesty
and the royal family in the evening.

DEC. 31.

The Queen and Princess Helena, with the Here-
ditary Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern, drove
out yesterday afternoon, attended by Major-General
the lion. A. Hood.

In the evening the Hereditary Prince and Princess,
and Prince and Princess Leiningen, dined with her
Majesty and the royal family.

The ladies and gentlemen in attendance had the
honour of joining the royal circle after dinner.
Her Majesty, Princess Helena, Princess Louise,
and Prince Arthur attended Divine service at
Whippingham Church this morning, where the Rev.
G. Prothero officiated.

PRESENT FROM THE QUEEN TO HER GRANDSON.
Her Majesty has just presented to her royal
grandson, Prince Victor, a splendid baptismal gift.
This work of art has been nearly two years in hand ;
it was intended to have been presented on the first
anniversary of the young princes birth—the 10th of
March last—but the great amount of artistic labour
required for the completion caused the presentation
to be delayed until now. The work consists of a
statuette of the late Prince Consort in silver, and
stands 3 feet 22 inches in height. His royal high-
ness is in a standing position with gilt armour,
copied from the figure upon the tomb of the Earl of
Warwick in Warwick Cathedral. He is represented
as Christian in the " Pilgrim's Progress," and
around the plinth on which the figure stands is the
verse from Timothy, " I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Behind the figure, and resting upon the stump of an
oak, is the helmet of Christian. The shield of the
prince rests against the stem, and near the tree are
the white lilies of purity, which are usually intro-
duced into the Pilgrim. Immediately beneath the
plinth, and in front of the entablature of the pedes-
tal, is the inscription :—" Given to Albert Victor
Christian Edward, on the occasion of his baptism,
by Victoria R., his grandmother and godmother, in
memory of Albert, his beloved grandfather." In the
panel below, and over the royal arms is the verse—
My Rose of Love with tears I laid in earth,
My Lily ! Purity, hath soared to Heaven ;
But faith still lives, and sees in this new birth
How both once more to cheer my soul are given.
On the panel on the side, over the Queen and
Prince Consort's arms, is the verse—
Fight the good fight Ho fought, and still, like him,
Cherish the flowers of Purity and Love ;
So shall He, when my earthly joys grow dim,'
First greet them in cur Saviour's home above.
On a third panel, and over the arms of the Prince
and Princess of Wales, is the verse—
Walk as He walked, in faith and righteousness;
Strive as He strove, the weak and poor to aid.
Seek not thyself but other men to bless ;
So win, like him, a wreath that will not fade.
Beneath the front panel, over the figures "1864,"
are inscribed in large size letters the prince's names,
Albert Victor Christian Edward : and in an oblong
panel, " Born January the Bth, baptised March
10th." Looking to the front of the work a figure
of Hope stands at the right side, one of Faith on the
left; and behind, or in the third niche, is a group
of Charity, each of oxydised silver. At the side
f each figure and group there are lilies in enamel.
Upon the frieze over the figure of Faith are the
works, " Walked as he walked—in Faith," the last
word being inscribed beneath the figure. In the
tame manner, in connecdonwith the figure of Hope,
re the words, " Strive as he strove in—Hope ;" and
over the group of Charity, also in enamel, are the
;:orris, "Think as he thought in—Charity." Over
Faith there is a lily of purity ; over Hope the water
y, having appropriate reference to the baptism of
tie young prince ; and over the group of Charity,
aod resting upon the top of the niche, there is the
lily of the valley. The front panel contains in the
eqltre the royal arms of England, surmounted by the
elown. Theleft side, as you look at the panel, has
the arms of the late Prince Consort, and at the other
silo the arms of the Prince of Wales. The mottoes
°feach shield are thrown into flowing ribbons. The
entire treatment of this group is in a fanciful and
allegorical style. Just beneath the royal shield is a
wkite lily bending down over a broken rose, with,
ulon the background (of the rose) the word " Frog-
mgre.,, To the right of the Prince of Wales's
shield there is a figure of an infant boy looking up
at a full-blown rose, which stands erect upon a ,
Perfect stem, with beside it a white lily, and imme-
diAely over the baby figures a bunch of snowdrops,
euilematic of youth or spring. The entire group
is ehriched by the rose, thistle, and shamrock, taste-
fultf introduced to form a background.' The ebony
(or, black) moulding points to the death of the
.4
prioe, and the white stars symbolise the heaven 111
whbh the Prince Consort now dwells. The arms
of tile Queen in one shield, dexter ; and in a second
shi4d, sinister, are the arms of the late prince. The
panel is filled as the front one with a tasteful
arrangement of the rose, thistle, and shamrock.
The remaining panel is filled in the same manner,
but with, dexter, the Prince of Wales's arms, and
thou; of Denniark sinister. The design throughout
is mediaeval in character, and as a work of art re-
fleett the highest credit upon Mr. E. H. Corbould,
by whom it was designed. The figures have beenl
beautifully modelled by Mr. W. Theed, and the
work has been executed in the highest style of art;
by Messrs. Elkington and Co. Additional and
melancholy interest is imparted to the work from`
l
the circumstance of the inscriptions having beell
written by the Queen herself, who has watched with.;
mingled feelings of joy and sadness the progress to"
wards completion of this interesting gift to heti
grandson, The verses were -written by Mrs. Pro.;
there, the:wife of the rector at Whippingham, neatl
Osborne, in the Isle of Wight.—Observer.

The Special Commission to inquire into the re'
cent occurrences in Jamaica has been completed 1://
the appointment of Mr. John Blossett Mauls, the Recorder
of Leeds. Mr. Roundell will be the secretary to the cool"
mission, and Colonel Walpole secretary to Sir Ileurfi
Storks. Mr. Russell Gurney will go out by the
steamer which leaves Southampton to-morrow, and v4l'
we believe, be accompanied, if possible, by Mr. Maule.
GOVERNMENT INSURANCE AND ANKumEs.--Thei
following additional post-offices will be open on an!
after the Ist of January, 1866, for the receipt of proposal;
for the insurance of lives or the purchase of Governmeu
annuities, under the Act 27 and 28 Vict., cap. 43 ; and f
the receipt of the premiums becoming duo to the Postwar
ter-General, from time to time, under contracts for the in
-
surance of lives or the purchase of Government annuitieg,
and for the payment of any sums which shall become P3l:
able by the Postmaster-General, under the said contract%
—Fenny Stratford (Bletchley Station), Matlock Brit
(Matlock Bath), Narberth, Neston (Chester), Newcast ,
Emlyn (Carmarthen), Olney (NewportPagnell), Fenrnae
mawr (Conway), Pudsey (Leeds), Pwlheli, Sedgne,a,
(Ferry-hill), Shipley (Leeds), Shipston-on-Stour,
mouth, Sittingbourne, Staveley (Chesterfield), Stilto
(Peterborough), Towyn (Shrewsbury), and Wayertr
(Liverpool).