The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-09 00:00:00

EDNES DAY EVENING, MAY 0,186 g.

MONTHLY PERIODICALS.

DUBLIN UNIVEBSITr.—" Not Wisely, but Too
c
Well" is continued, and Kate undergoes a great
in this number. After her illness she be-
comes quite serious, and gives up all past frivolity.
James Stanley is a very interesting character, and
attracts particular attention amid all the selfish,
volatile crow by whom he is surrounded. While they are
immersed in nothingness he is "getting on so as not to
be taken unawares by the Great Reaper whose harvest-
ing time is all seasons of the year." "Number Five
Brooke Street" also progresses, and Mrs. Lepel pursues her
schemes with unabated ardour and zeal. This story pre-
sents us with some animated accounts of country life and
4-ay scenes, and some of the characters ire described with
vivacity and vigour. The complicated narrative of "All
in the Dark" has some striking incidents iu this instal-
ment. Aunt Dinah dies, and leaves her nephew in a state
)f bowilderm3ut as to her intentions on his own prospects.
A very interesting article is that called " Cowardice and
Courage." The numerous anecdotes recorded are strange
and striking, and are evidence to the force of impressions
and the peculiar influence of events upon the mind. r.l'he
reader cannot fail to be entertained by its perusal.
•' Dreams, Omens, and Predictions" is a curious paper that
will also be found well worthy of notice. It is truly said
that " the world at present is given all to extremes, and
vibrates alternately between credulity and unbelief ; both
are deadly errors." "The Streets of Paris and their Tra-
ditions" is continued, and brings many strange and inte-
resting things before us in its reminiscences of bygone
days. " Oak Leaves and Mould" is a sketch in verse that
is written in a melodious style, and exhibits deep feeling in
its tone. "The Reform Bill of 1866" is the title of the
political article, and the writer congratulates himself upon
the verification of some predictions before made in this
magazine on the subject. It is said that this Parliament
has shown great vigour and conscientiousness. Perhaps
never before in a great political crisis was there less of the
spirit of faction or more general independence of judgment
or earnestness of purpose exhibited by the House of Com-
mons." On the whole this May number of the "Dublin
University" is a very interesting one, and above the average
in point of merit, and in the varietyof its contents.
TEMPLE Lady. Adelaide's Oath" is con-
tinued, and is very exciting in this number ; it
records the putting Lady Adelaide to the Oath,
and the terror she exhibited in passing through the
ordeal. This story is most ingenious, and will in
due time reveal the presence of some deep mystery.
"A Real Casual on Mendicancy" is the continuation of
some papers on the same style of subjects that have before ap-
peared in this serial, are very appropriate at this juncture,
and afford an insight into some phases of life of which
many are ignorant. "Fuss and Feathers "is a sketch in
the satirical line of the follies of the day, and the vanities
of some who make much ado about nothing. " Many
are the people whose lives are made up of fuss
and feathers ; whose education, mind, income, experi-
ence, are also all fuss and feathers, sticking out awk-
wardly at times and showing the naked flesh beneath."
Some lively versos are called " Meorura Finis Amorurn ;"
they are written in a flowing style, and sketch scenes in an
animated manner. "Archie Lovell" is continued, and
this time the extraordinary young damsel struts her brief
hour upon the stage of London, where she shows very
unfavourably, and it is quite a relief when she departs again
for Morteville. " antes and Commons" is an article that
well deserves notice at this time when the subject engrosses
so largo a share of, publio attention. It is truly said that
parks and enclosures have never in their way come up to
one's notion of country, and that it will be a sin and a
shame to allow the molestation at present going on to
continue. Mr. Cowper's measure is not thought
very highly of, and no wonder ; it does not meet the
exigency of the ease as well as it ought. The real
point at issue is fairly put forth in this impressive
passage—" What we want, what the people of London
want, is a secure guarantee that the open spaces for 15
miles round St. Paul's cannot be enclosed or diverted from
the public use as Irecreation grounds, and this can only be
done by making the wastes and commons national pro-
perty, which might be easily and speedily effected. What,
however, is done should be done quickly; the hand of the
builder is on his measure parcelling out first plots, his
heart is in his work, and a serious curtailment of the area
of our commons and open spaces may take place should
legislation on the subject be postponed to another session."
" Only too True" is the first part of a story whose scene is
laid abroad. " Modern Eccentrics" is a curious paper, that
relates some strange characteristics. There is a " Sonnet"
to conclude the number, which is rather lugubrious in its
style.

COLBURN'S NEW MON TRLY.—" Cayenne and
French Guiana" is the subject of the first paper,
founded on a Frenchman's reminiscences of a visit
there. The picture is not an attrative one. Francis
Yacox contributes a disquisition on "Esprit de Corps
and Corporation Conscience," which records how
men who would scorn to toll a lie or commit any other
dishonourable action individually, do not scruple collec-
tively to do so. Addison suggests that this is a mistake,
observing very happily that the division of guilt is like
that of matter, " though it may be separated into infinite
portions, every portion shall have the whole essence of
matter in it, and consists of as many parts as the whole did
before it was divided." Cyrus Redding discusses
" Fenianism," an appropriate topic just now; and Lieut.-
Col. Miles continues his narrative of a voyage from sea to
sea through the Isthmus of Suez. The story of " Idalia"
is proceeded with, and chronicles the rescue of its heroine
from her dungeon by the devotion of Erceldonne. The
chapter is somewhat spun out. "Lilian's Inheritance" also
continues, and the mystery of the story is unravelled. The
fair child's fatal "inheritance " turns out to be a fearful
species of hereditary disease peculiar to Mexico only.
We have one or two pieces of verse, Nicholas Michell con-
tributing some lines on "The Little Houseless Wanderers
of London."

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.—" The Constable de
Bourbon" has reached the siege of Pavia, so that
we may look for still more exciting chapters. The
other stories, " Thrown Away," and " Briars and
Thorns," both belong to modern English life.
" The Precienses of the Palais Royale" supply an enter-
taining chapter of historical and biographical recollections.
" Bumptiousness" treats that very common quality with
the contempt it deserves. "About an almost Wish of
Thomas Hood's " is an essay referring to the not infre-
quent desire of attached persons for simultaneous departure
from this world. Among the remaining papers are " A
Ride to the Dead Sea," " The One-Legged Lieutenant"
and " The Deer Hunt at Waltham." ,

AUNT JUDY'S MAGAZINE. Edited by Mrs. Alfred
Gatty. No. 1. Bell and Dalby.--The young folks
of our time are already, some may think, plentifully
provided for ; but they have certainly no periodical
in their Lilliputian libraries which can at all compete
in attractions with Aunt Judy's stories. It is in-
tended for those who are out of the nursery, but in truth
there is provision eves for that; and all that story-teller,
artist, poet, and others can do to gratify, to charm, to re-
fine, and to improve the eager busy world of young folks
has been done. Mrs. Gatty's name is already popular as a
graceful and thoughtful writer, who knows how to com-
bine jest and earnestness, while it is sufficient to say that the
opening story of " The Cousins and their Friends" is by
the author of the ever fresh and delightful " Mia and
Charlie ;" that "The Dial of Life" is sketched by no less a
hand than that of James Nasmyth, of whom all boys at
least ought to know something. "A North Pole Story,"
told in verso, with a spirit that arrests the attention of
other than childish readers, is a tale of an encounter with
wolves in the dreary wastes of the Arctic Seas. Altogether
the miscellany, which includes two other stories, a chapter
on corals, a collection of stray memoranda, and sundry varie-
ties does full justice to the reputation already acquired by
Mrs. Alfred Gatty, as a wisp and fascinating caterer for the

improved style, with animation and variety ; full of
story, legend, song, sketch, comedy, discussion.
The principal story, " The Race for Wealth," is by the
author of " George Geith," so its readers may guess that
it will not be deficient in vigour or interest.
THE ECLECTIC.—The list of contents in this
month's number of the Eclectic has more than usual
interest for the general reader. " Raphael Santi "
is the first topic, and John Keble" the last, Victor
Hugo occupying a middle position, so that no one Can
complain of a lack of variety.

THE FLORAL WORLD.—No. 5 of The Floral
World contains all suitable instruction for the
amateur btanist during the merry month of May, which
is
just now so very ungenial to all living things whether in
the garden or in the household.

THE INTELLECTUAL OBSERVER. VOL ll.—. This
is a scientific miscellany containing very useful and
instructive reading for all of studious and cultivated