The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-11 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

♦
Me New Quarterly _Review of Literature, Art

Scioice, and Politics.
The first subject under consideration is a " Re-
trospect of the Literature of the Qaarter." It is
mentioned that the present quarter, though the
dull one, has been tolerably prolific in works above
the average literary merit. Some .of the criticisms
are very sensibly written, and exhibit accuracy of
judgment, in dealing with works, not always easy
to decide upon. After novels, travels, and bio-
graphies have been descanted upon, there is a dis-
sertation on French Books, which. will be an agree-
able variety for the general ma der. An amusing
paper on the drama furnishes itu quota of informa-
tion on the several subjects -which come under
that denomination. In the remarks on Mr. Tenny-
son's "Idylls of the King" there is a good deal of
taste displayed, but on the whole the writer takes
too favourable a view of the poet's recent work
when he observes that "we have before us a fifth
essay of his genius, which, after long consideration,
and more than one change of opinion, we have
finally made up our minds is superior to all that
has preceded it." In the political article entitled
" The Second Administration of Lord Derby," there
is much to attract the attention and meet the ap-
proval of the thinking reader. In its general style
and purport the essay may be appreciated by many
whose views on politics generally do not exactly
accord with those of the writer of these remarks.
There is something inherent in the national mind
of Englishmen which recoils from any actions that
are not in accordance with a spirit of fair play, and
it requires the convenient vision of preju-
diced partisans to discover that the course
pursued by the followers of Lord Pal-
merston in these recent Ministerial manoeuvres
bore
the stamp of honest and honourable proceed-
ings. It is truly stated that the coalition, which is
always an objectionable arrangement, was in this
case formed under circumstances which gave no
excuse for its creation. " There was no general
dislike of Lord Derby in the public mind ; so far
from it, that he has received more marks of sym-
pathy and admiration, both from the sovereign and
the people than almost any Prime Minister whose
name we can recall." In an eloquent and forcible
passage on the general conduct of the late
factious opposition, it is argued with pla. u•
sibility, that the evident object which
actuated them was to prevent the Government
from carrying any measure whatever, hence they
voted in such a manner that no improvements could
be effected, even where they agreed with the princi-
ples they professed. It is again observed that they
kept from direct statements of the merits of mea-
sures, but confined themselves to vague calumnies
and false reports, 'thus manoeuvring and conspiring
for their own ends, regardless of the public welfare,
and forgetting that true fame depends more on pri-
vate character than pomp of place. The general
policy of the present Cabinet cannot be better
sketched than in the following passage

" With a general charge of incapacity founded on mea-
sures which they had themselves acknowledged at one time
or another to be sound • with a general accusation of
bribery, of which it turned out that they themselves had
been the chief employers ; and an equally general censure
of a foreign policy, of which not only were they then igno-
rant, but have since declared themselves imitators ,• they
contrived to muster a majority of thirteen, whisk the re •
suit of the election petitions has already reduced to one !
So far, then, their strategy was crowned with success, in
that it enabled them to gain the immediate object of their
ambition, and oust Lord Derby from power ; but we ques-
tion if, in the effect which the whole transaction, now that
it stands revealed, has exercised on the public mind, they
will not ultimately-stand in the position of very consider-
able losers. A coalition, which is only excusable as a
desperate resource, is obviously culpable beyond descrip-
tion when made itself the goal of desperate and unscrupu-
lous intrigues. When the object of a coalition is to
terminate the reign of selfishness and the omnipotence of
faction, we may bow before the stern necessity, and
acknowledge the good intentions of statesmen, even where
we doubt the efficacy of the means employed. But where
the means are themselves made into an end, where, con-
sistency, candour, and indeed the entire code of political
morality has been sacrificed, not that parliament might be
rescued from cliques and cabals; not that public interests
might recover their proper ascendancy over private ambi-
tion; not that greater effect might be given to popular"
opinion, or greater restraint placed upon revolutionary
licence; but in order that cliques and cabals might regain
the superiority which had been wrested from them ; that
private ambition might triumph over the public interests ;
and that the popular zeal in favour of national armament
might be neglected and discredited ; when, in a word, the
coalition, instead of being directed to the abolition of a poli-
tical malady, is itself the malady in question, it is difficult to
keep within bounds the indignation which naturally arises
at this insult to public feeling, and the abuse of public
tolerance which such a spectacle evinces."

iUnn its continuation,
Review
sustains its
periodicTalle, This • • •
previous reputation
by itsvaried
contents. There is
an and attractive
article on "Idealistic
Novelists" which is particularly deserving of atten-
tion; it
gives- some admirable criticisms on Miss
Muloch's last novel, called ,' A Life for a Life."
There are some striking
truths in the treatment of
that clever but mi •
staken book, inwhich
authoress did not render herself justice. At the
conclusion of this vigorous paper meet we
with the
following passage referring to the urgent necessity
for all who would be sterling in their composition,
to relinquish falseness in style and manner.—
Very worthy knights have fought for and loved false
norimels ; that is no disgrace : and very good artists have
gone to work on wrong principles, and been tenacious of
them. But true knights and true artists discard the seem-
ingly beautiful, when they can compare it with that which
is really so. If they be wise, they blame no one for their
error ; they recognise that it was well for them to make
mistakes. In no other way, could they, constituted as they
are, have attained to so much of truth and beauty. There
are some people who can never profit by the experience of
others. They must get it, at first hand for themselves, or
never be wise at all. The writers of some of the best idea-
listic novels we take to be among these. When they out-
grow their present stage, and ' call nothing common or un-
clean' that God has made ; and think it not well to paint
the lily or add a perfume to the violet,' and wrong quite to
look without sympathy upon all beings who are not
in
love ;' when they have attained so much of human wisdom
they will know, better than we can tell them, how
far they are from being truly wise. They will
then use their powers to describe what is and
ought to be ; not what they once thought so much
lovelier. Instead of writing melancholy tales, sad as
night for very wantonness,' they will understand that God's
will for man is that he should inherit joy rather than sor-
row, even in this life ; and that those who make a little
sunshine in a shady place, serve him better than those who
ray out darkness, or even than thosA who write stories for
amusement, which are clothed in sentimental gloom, and
throughout which no reader can indulge in a wholesome
laugh. One at the writer's expense is not wholesome. Two
novels have been published during the last seven years
which idealistic and sentimental novelists should study
well. The subjects are after their own hearts ; but the treat-
ment is as superior to the ' idealistic,' mode, as Raphael is
to a modern Pre-Raphaelite. These are a little work
called ' A Lost Love,' and a greater work called Adam
Bede.'
There is a long paper on " Literature of the Indian
Rebellion," which enters into an analysis of some,
of the best works on that subject recently so all!
engrossing, and which has furnished texts to many
writers. The writer of this criticism pays a j -
tribute to the spirit that sustained the sufferers of all
ranks of both sexes, whose
perils andprivations
have been the them 3 of chronicles that have
the deepest sympathy, and aroused the excitedfi
fiercest
indignation throughout the length and breadth of
the land. It is observed of the authors, that in
hardly any of these volumes do we find traces of
*
undue despondency, or unmanly alarm Their
general tone is wonderfully high, cheerful, unsub-
dued, even in the darkest hour, hopeful
and fear-
less to the last." Among the heavier
articles some
may be glad to come across a smartly written tale,
called "A Great Mistake." The chapters here
met with record some strikingly
in a drama of domestic life, and demonstrate significantd scenes
emonstrate in an
effective manner how many evils are wrought by
the busybodies of society, who rush about intent
on mischief, and are never happy
can magnify the smallest and but when they
mystify the simplest
occurrence.

THE HARVEST IN FRANCE.—The Echo de l'Est
has the following remarks on the late harvest At this
period of the year we always meet with conflicting state-
ments respecting the yield of the harvest, the farmers gene-
rally representing it as deficient, while dealers maintain the
contrary. From all the information we have been able to
collect, we come to the conclusion that the harvest this year
is somewhat below an average one. For both corn and wine
the quantity is certainly inferior to last year's yield. The
stock of old corn now on hand is equal to about one-fourth
of the annual consumption of France. As our exports era
at present trifling, owing to the slight difference in prices
between foreign markets and our own, the late rise has been
chiefly caused by the unfavourable state of the weather for
sowing. Good seed-corn, unfortunately, is by no means
plentiful, and consequently commands high prices. The
harvest has been got in well almost everywhere. We hear
complaints in some places that the grain is light; but it is
dry, and will keep well. The autumn crops, which for it
time inspired some uneasiness, now look better. Potatoes,
for instance, will yield more than was expected. As they
lie near the surface, the recent showers have done thcra
much good, and they will present a much finer crop than
could have been hoped for some weeks ago. Beetroot has
also benefited from the same cause, and now looks very
promising."
• The small•pox is said to be very prevalent in
London, so much so, that the parishes are called upon to
take energetic measures in preventing the spread of the dis-
ease. In Marylebone the officials have determined to adopt
the precaution of having additional separate hospitals. The
Small-pox Hospital is so full that another patient cannot be
received, and such an occurrence has not taken place for
years,

PROPOSED .1--
.111ENT Ur

41V FOR THE SETTLE
ITALY.

The Currier du Dimanche publisheg a project
for an Italian Confederation, attributed to -.ustria'
It is as follows :

Art. 1. All the states of Italy, the Papal States,'
those of the King of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the
Two Sicilies, Venetia, Tuscany, Modena, and Parma,
shall form a Confederation.

" Art. 2. The confederated states propose to them-
selves for object to secure the maintenance of the
external independence and the internal safety of
the whole of the Confederation and of each of the
confederated states in particular.
" Art. 3. The members of the Confederation are,
and shall remain as such, equal in right. As to the
advantages and the charges of each of the states,
they shall be fixed according to the respective re-
sources of each.

" Art. 4. The honorary presidency of the Con-
federation devolves on the Pope ; the effective pre-
sidency shall be exercised alternately by the King
of Naples and the King of Piedmont. The Diet
shall sit at Rome.

" Art. 5. The Pope. shall have two votes, Naples
and Piedmont three each ; Tuscany and Austria
two each; the Duchies of Modena and Parma one

each.

" Art. 6. All organic provisions, and all decisions
relative to the constitutive principles of the Con-
federation, must be voted unanimously ; in other
cases the votes will take place by a majority of two-
thirds, and will be obligatory for all the members
of the union.

" Art. 7. The states of the Confederation reserve
to themselves the right to treat individually with
foreign powers, but they cannot conclude any en-
gagement iucompatible with the fundamental con-
ditions of the federal compact.
" Art. 8. The said States shall submit their mu-
tual differences to the arbitration of the Council of
the Confederation.

" Art. 9. If the territory of the Confederation be
threatened from without the members of the union
engage collectively and individually to co-operate
in the common defence, with all the forces which
form their contingents in the federal army.
" Art. 10. The federal contingents shall be
formed exclusively of national troops.
•" Art. 11. The fortresses of Mantua, Piacenza,
and Gaeta are declared federal fortresses. Venetia
shall furnish half of the garrison of Mantua; Pied-
mont-half of that of Piacenza; and the Kingdom of
the Two Sicilies half of that of Gaeta. The re-
mainder of the garrisons shall be furnished by the
Confederated States in the proportions to be deter-
mined according to the strength of their federal
contingent.
" Art. 12. Each of the confederated States shall
have the right, in the event of internal disturbances,
to call for the assistance of the Confederation.
"- Art. 13. In order to secure harmony of views
and efforts, the allied Governments engage to take
for their rule of conduct in their internal adminis-
tration the principles most in. conformity with the
object of their alliance, and to devote all their care
to the improvement of the legal institutions.
•"" Art. 14. There shall be municipal and provin-
cial institutions founded on the principle of election,
in each state of the Confederation, and Councils
shall be established, invested with the mission of
voting taxes and regulating the management of the
finances.
" Art. 15. In case of any difference with the
Sovereign, relative to the rights above, stipulated,
the parties interested in each state may refer the
question to the Council of the Confederation, which
shall advise on the means to be adopted.
" Art. 16. The Council of the Confederation shall
occupy itself, at its first meeting, with the military
and customs organisation."

PROGRAMME OF ILER MAJESTY'S
VISIT TO Lour -.KATRINE,

The following is the programme of the proceed-
ings to be observed on the occasion of the inaugura-
tion of the Glasgow Corporation Waterworks at
Loch Katrine, on the 14th instant :
" Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and his
Royal Highness the Prince Consort, with several
members of the Royal Family, and their suite, are
expected to leave the Palace of Holyrood ou Fri-
pay, the 14th of Oct., about ten o'clock a.m. and
to reach Callender by railway about half-past
eleven, where the royal carriages will be waiting
the arrival of the train.
" The royal cortege will proceed through Callan-
der and onward by the road leading to the Tros-
sachs and Loch Katrine, which is expected to be
closed for carriages from 10 a.m., in order to pre-
vent obstruction to the
_royal progress._ Triumphal
phal arches and other demonstrations of loyalty
are in course of erection in Callender and neigh-
bourhood.

"The military arrangements will be subject to
the commanding officer who may be charged with
them ; but it may be stated that the Queen's Own
(numbering Royal
a gn idn aboutweniltlif
fof )aGlasgow
d loyally
oYeomanry
n ianntenderediTutteCnadvtaa Cavalry
station to act as a guard and escort
.
setrtvniceesite,
railway
theoar t
to perform
cortegeotherfrom
may Loch b e K
assigneda tr ine
to them.
" A strong body of police will also be stationed
at Callander, on the road, and at Loch Katrine.
" The Chamberlain of the Earl of Moray (Who is
lord of the manor for a large portion of the land
between Callander and the Trossachs), will, if per-
mitted, escort or accompany the royal cortege
through his lordship's estate.
"The Lord Willoughby de Eresby, as lord of the
manor, will be in attendance at Callender, and
Lady Willoughby at the commencement of her
estate at the Trossachs, to escort the royal party to
the place of embarkation at Loch li.atrine.
" A salute from artillery (if obtained), placed on
the adjoining heights, will announce the embarka-
tion of her Majesty.
" The Lord Provost and magistrates, and three
chairmen of committees of the Glasgow Corpora-
tion Water Commissioners (not exceeding in all 15
or 16 persons), will be on board the steamer to re-
ceive her Majesty, end to accompany the royal
party to the mouth of the. aqueduct (situated on
the south bank of the lake), where the intended
ceremony of opening the Works is to take place.
" The steamer will sail close up to the platform
constructed at the mouth of the aqueduct, so as to
admit of the royal party stepping on to it from the
steamer.
" The Duke of Montrose, as lord of the manor,
the Lord Lieutenant and Sheriff of Perthshire, the
members of Parliament for the city of Glasgow, a
deputation from the Celtic Society of Glasgow
(numbering about 80) in their national. Highland
costume, and other distinguished guests, will be
in attendance at the place of ceremony, and several
tceoemrpßaniflieescoofrpthsewrecentlyif formed GlasgowVolun-
permitted, line and guard
the place of ceremony and read to the cottage.
" When the Royal party is arriving at the plat-
form the band will perform the 'National Anthem.'
" The Lord Provost will present an address by
the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Common Coun-
cil of the City of Glasgow, as water commissioners.
" Thanksgiving for the accomplishment of the
work, and prayer for a blessing upon it, will be
offered up by one of the city clergymen.
" The Queen, if it please her Majesty, may en
give instructions for opening the sluices—or oh
so
herself—by opening a small tap which will set in
motion machinery for raising the shutters—tnereby
admitting the water of the loch to
the aqueduct.
" The Queen, if it please her Majesty, will then
declare the waterworks open.
" The band will perform Rule Britannia.'
he" The discharge of artillery on the adjoining
ights will announce the completion of the cere-
mony, and this, it is expected, will be immediately
followed by similar discharges of artillery from
Stirling and Edinburgh Castles, and by the ringing
o bell in the city of Glasgow.
After the ceremony, the Royal party will be con-
ducted to the commissioners' cottage, situated about
150 yards distant from the aqueduct, where lun-
cheon will be provided.
"After luncheon the Royal cortege will return
by the same steamer, carriages, and route, to the
palace at Holyrood."

DEATH OP REAR-ADMIRAL BOWYER.—We regret
to announce the death of this gallant officer, which took
place at Southampton on Saturday, in the 70th year of his
age.
THE DERBY BANQUET.—The arrangements for
the great Conservative banquet to Lord Derby, to take place
on Saturday, the 29th inst., are now nearly completed. The
banquet will be given in the Liverpool Philharmonic-hall, a
place admirably adapted for the purpose, as combining
brilliancy of display with facility of hearing. Six o'clock is
the hour appointed for the dinner, and the chair will be oc-
cupied by Mr. Francis Shand, chairmarrof the Liverpool
Conservative Association. It is intended to be a party de-
monstration,
and an imposing array of illustrious names
in the Conservative ranks is presented in the list of dis-
tinguished persons who are expected to attend, among
whom may be mentioned Lord Malmesbury, Mr. Pisraeli,
Sir John Pakington Lord Chelmsford, Sir H. Cairns, the
High Sheriff of the 'county, Sir
It. Gerard, the members
for the Southeon Division of Lancashire, Lord A. Egerton
and Mr. J. W. Legh ; Mr. T. B. Horsfall, member for the
borough ; Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald, Sir William Jolliffo,
Lord Stanley, Lord Ravensworth, General Peel, Lord
Hardwicke, Lord Eglintoun, the Marquis of Salisbury, the
Marquis of Bath, the Hon. Joseph Napier, the late Lord
Chancellor of Ireland, Lord Wilton, Lord John Manners,
Col. Taylor, &c. The price of the tickets has been fixed at
two guineas. Already the demand for these has been great,
and there is no doubt the demonstration will be one of the
most splendid and successful ever witnessed in Liverpool,
or indeed in any part of the kingdom.--Liverpool Courier.