The Sun.
London, England, 1835-11-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1835.

properly so called, it is universal. The landowners,
indeed, to serve their own selfish purposes, have
dragged the agriculturists into the field, and placed

them, as it were, in the front of their battle. Every
meeting got up, association formed, or petition con-
cocted, has the imposing title " Agricultural" con-
ferred upon it. By this contrivance the landlords hope
to mask their intentions and proceedings, and to make
the public believe that it is not they but the cultiva-
tors of the soil who are so eager in their importunity
for legislative relief. Never was there a more bare.
,faced imposition attempted to be practised on public
credulity. It cannot be called a good piece of acting.
The trick is too clumsy for deception. Even the most
ignorant are too sharp-sighted not to see through it.
Go to the farmers where they are under no restraint
from the presence of their landlords—converse with
them at their own firesides—and they will tell you
with one voice that the relief which they want—and
the only relief that can do them any good—is a
reduction of rent.

If the rent of land were regulated as it ought to be
—were it a reasonable proportion of the produce paid
in kind, or converted into money at the market price for
the time being—the case would be different as regards

;he agriculturist. He would then have no cause to com-

plain of the rapacity of his landlord; and whether prices
were high or low, seasons good or bad, both parties
would suffer or be benefitted alike. Under such cir-
cumstances there would be a real community of interest
between them. But when the landlord screws out of
his tenant a money rent, fixed according to a scale of
prices twice as high as can be obtained, where is the
clodpate or thaw-bacon---as COBBETT used to style
the farmers—who does not see the injustice of such a
claim, as well ,as the source of relief ?
But the landlords are blind to their own interests,
as well as to those of their tenants, when they -exact
exorbitant rents and clamour for high prices. The
plans which they have adopted, and to which they
have obtained the sanction of the Legislature for se-
curing these objects, have signally failed. If there are
any of them—as we fear there are not a few—who
still retain their old prejudices on this subject, we
strongly recommend to their attention the Address
which Earl FITZWILLIAM lately published for their
benefit. They will there find expressed in language

suited to the most ordinary capacity, more good sense
and sound reasoning, on the weightiest matters relat-
ing to their interests, than are contained, within the
same compass, in any work with which we are ac-
quainted.
____

We have this morning seen letters from Falmouth,
in which mention is made of the arrival of the Viper'
from Lisbon. The writer says that the Master of this
vessel informed him, that Marshal SALDANHA had
tendered his resignation to the QUEEN, 011 account of
her refusal to allow the troops to enter into Spain ;
but the rumour was couched in so equivocal a manner,
that some doubt existed as to its truth—more particu-
larly as almost all the Portuguese troops had already
entered Spain. The Viper does not appear to have
brought any letters or despatches for the Portuguese
agents in this country, from any person in Portugal,
apprizing them of this intelligence.

Since the• above was written, we learn, by a
second express -from Falmouth, that the Netley cutter
has arrived from List)On, whence she sailed on
the 14th instant. After the resignation of the Minis-
ter of War on the 13th, the QUEEN commanded
the Marquis of LOULE and FRONTERA to form
a new Administration. They returned to her MA-
JESTY on the same evening, and assured her that they
could not form a popular Government ; upon which the
QUEEN sent for the Marquis SALDANHA and Senor
CARVALHO, and requested them to re-assume their
places in the Cabinet. This they consented to do,
after her MAJESTY had—satisfied them as to the
causes of their dismissal. Thus appears to have ter-
minated a very foolish - affair, brought about by in-
trigues in the Palace.

LITERATURE.

MY AUNT PONTYPOOL.
3 Vols. Saunders and Otley. London, 1835.

A " quiet and domestic story," to use the author's
own words, the most amusing character in which, my
Aunt Pontypool, a bustling, gossipping, good-hu-
moured old lady, always getting herself and others
into scrapes, though with the best possible intentions,
may, perhaps, remind the experienced novel-reader of
Mrs. Norris, in Jane Austin's clever tale of " Mans-
field Park." My Aunt is our favourite character, as
we believe she will be with most people. Considerable
pains have been taken in developing her peculiarities,
which, though eccentric to a degree, are in no respect
overstrained. Of the other personages of the tale
the best is Lord Methwyn, who has strong individu-
ality to recommend him. As for the hero and heroine,
Charles Lacy and Helen Adair, both want " mark and
likelihood." The story is laid about the period of the
battle of Waterloo, of which an animated, but sketchy
account is given. There is some good writing to be
met with here and there in the pages, such as in the
description of a day-break in London, with the
thoughts that such a scene excites in a contemplative
mind, which—though the main idea has evidently been
suggested by a noble sonnet on the same subject by
Wordsworth—is of more than average merit.

A SUPPLEMENT TO MR_ M'CULLOCH'S
COMMERCIAL DICTIONARY.
London : Longman and Co. 1835.

It is stated on the title-page of this pamphlet, that
it supplies the deficiencies and brings down the in-
formation, contained in the author's great Commercial
Work, to the month of October in the present year.
We are unable to say anything, of ourselves, on the
subject, as we have not yet been favoured with a copy
of " INl‘Culloch's Commercial Dictionary"—from what
cause we really are at a loss to determine. It is truly
painful to us to be under the necessity of recurring, so
often to the neglect of publishers in this respect. Of
some books we receive a second edition, and having
never seen the first, are requested to notice how
strikingly the whole work has been improved. Of
others we are favoured with an odd volume, which we
are assured may be taken as a fair specimen of all the
rest. And in the present instance, we are presented
with the annual supplement to a work which we only
know by hearsay. This must be remedied.

MARGARET RAVENSCROFT,
3 Vols. London : _Longman and Co. 1835.

The principal female personage in this tale is Mar-
garet Ravenscroft, a young lady of an impetuous,
jealous temperament, though endowed with a world
of virtues, who, after being betrothed to one man, has
the misfortune to fall in love with another. This—
which is by no means a novel idea—is skilfully worked
up ; and many of the scenes which bear upon it, show
that the author has considerable knowledge of the hu-
man heart, and is at home in pourtraying the passions.
We know of few incidents in modern fiction—if we
except the Nowlans of Banim—morc impressive than
the suicide of Margaret, occasioned by an unfounded
apprehension of the faithlessness of her lover, Percy
Montague, which has been instilled into her mind by
a nocturnal visit which she pays to a Zingara, or wise
woman. The description of the mingled feelings of
love, jealousy, remorse, and despair, which agitate
her frame, and work her up to a state o€ perfect
phrenzy, as she stands at midnight on the fatal pa-
rapet, possess all the vivid force of reality. But in-
deed the author (Mr. St. John) assures us that the
ground work is founded on fact ; and that the catas-
trophe which lie has so powerfully described, actually
took place §ome years since, in a certain distinguished
family, whose name, however, from motives .of deli-
cacy, he refrains from mentioning. The character of
Helen Ravenscroft is admirably contrasted with that
of her sister Margaret_; one sets off the other, and re-
lieves the novel from that insipidity which, except
in a few special cases, is the inseparable accompani-
ment of love-tales. In justice to the author, we must
observe that, though he deals much, as in duty bound,
in sentiment, yet there is nothing puling or lackadaisical
in his delineation of the tender passion. His heroine
is not a Charlotte, nor is his hero a Werter. Both
are creatures of real flesh and blood, and make love
according to the promptings of nature, instead of
after the fashion of the Circulating Library. Senti-
ment, too, is not unduly prominent in the volumes,
which display much knowledge of actual life, and,_ in
places, not a little shrewd and curious metaphysical
speculation. On some more leisure day, we may be
tempted to quote the author's reasonings on the sub-
ject of the love of old men towards their grandchil-
dren, which are marked by truth and eloquence ; also
his cursory reflections on the mystery of life and death,
than which there is nothing more gracefully and feel-
ingly expressed in the " Student" of Mr. Bulwer.
We have little doubt that " Margaret Ravenscroft"
will find its way into the hands of a large class of
readers ; for all who love high-wrought incident, well-
developed character, and eloquent description, will
find much to attract them in its pages. We should
observe that the style throughout is as carefully po-
lished as the later works of Godwin. We subjoin a
brief extract :

" Margaret, for a moment, appeared to sympathize with
nature. Her sorrows, instead of agitating and scorching
her brain, found a vent in tears ; and, had any friend been
then at her side, to whisper one kind word, and knit up the
ravelled tissue of her affections, her fate might, perhaps,
have been averted. But the mercenary, ignorant and with-
out the authority of love, stood aloof, not daring to utter
what even she felt.

" The garden ran along the edge of beetling cliffs, and a
gravelled terrace, furnished with a low parapet, occupied its
extreme limit. Here Margaret now walked. Sometimes
one train of ideas, sometimes another, swept over her mind.
The struggles of love and despair, which she had already
maintained, were again renewed with redoubled vehemence
and impetuosity ; until reason gave way, and passion, which,
in its excess, differs little from madness, reigned without
controul.

" Signorina exclaimed Paolina, oh, walk not, I be-
seech you, on that narrow parapet. A single false step
would plunge you headlong down the fearful cliff. My head
turns giddy, even here. Dearest signorina, take my hand,
though 1 tremble to approach so near the brink.'
" lam fearless, Paolina, and could walk steadily on the
verge of hell
" Holy Virgin ! you terrify me.'
Have you heard any other person speak of it ?'
" Of what, signorina ?'
Why, you know, dull thing ! What you spake of but

now.
• dd I spoke of nothing but the dreadful cliff on which you
stand.'
What ! do you barb your words with death, strike me
to the heart, and next moment forget it ?'
Merciful God ! I struck you not.'
" You did.'
" Oh, not I, signorina.'
Said you not that he no longer loved me ?'
I know not what I said. Heed it not, I conjure you.
I am a poor fool, and meant no harm. But, signorina !
bend not so over the gulf ; your foot may slip—your head
grow dizzy—oh, let me hold your dress—l shudder to be-
hold you. See, how the sea-mews wheel below ; the depth
freezes my blood.'
Touch me not for your life, Paolina ; but listen. I
have approached the bourne of my short career—eternity
rolls its unfathomable waves beneath my feet—think of me
as one already belonging to.the dead ; my grave is dug—
my winding-sheet spun—the worms put forth their heads
out of the earth, as if they snuffed their prey—death spreads
its arms for me below among the rocks ; to-morrow, if you
look for me,
my place will be empty. If they should bathe
me in tears, I shall not wake ! Yet say to my father that—
but I dared not—l would have kissed him before I died.
And my sister—and my mother ! And—oh, last and dearest
in my thoughts !—oh, let Montague know that, in spite of
his faithlessness, his image, like a seraph, lighted me to the
chambers of death. Tell him that I loved him to the last !'
Oh God ! stay, signorina, for a moment. Hear me,

first. I have much to say. They will think I murdered
you. Oh, advance not over that sharp angle. Stop ! holy
Virgin ! I will mount the wall, and snatch at her dress.
Ah ! she has escaped me. How fleet she mores over the
dizzy brink of the precipice ! See she waves her hand, to
bid me farewell—she leans forward—she loses her balance,—

her footing gives way—she plunges headlong—down--
down—down. Hush ! she rebounds from the sharp rocks !
Oh, that fearful shriek ! It has pierced my brain ;it will
ring in my ears for ever. The best, the kindest, the most
noble and generous of mistresses is gone. May the Virgin,
and all the saints of heaven, have mercy on her soul !'
" And Paolina fell senseless on the terrace. When she
again came to herself, the grey morning had already appeared
in the east ; and, trembling, bewildered, fearful, she made
her escape from the grounds, and took refuge in the nearest
convent."

STATISTICAL IN Q UIR Y into the PRE SENT STATE

OF THE
MEDICAL CHARITIES OF IRELAND
With Suggestions for a Medical Poor Law.
BY DENIS PHELAN, M.D.
London : Longman and Co.- 1835.

The author of this work has rendered an important
service to the cause of humanity ; and we trust his
suggestions will be appreciated as they deserve by the
British Legislature. The subject of his book, though
most important in itself, is of such a nature as to pre-
vent us from entering minutely into its various details ;
neither do we think that an analysis of it, such as we
could give, would materially serve his purpose. In
the event of any legislative measure being adopted,
with regard to the medical relief of the poor in Ire-
land, the volume before us will serve as a text-book.

ON THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF

GERMANY.
BY G. P. B. JAMES, ESQ.
London : Saunders and Otley, 1835.

This is a reprint of a series of letters addressed by
the author to Lord Brougham, in 1834, on the sub-
ject of popular instruction in the several States of
Germany. The republication of these letters has not
been undertaken by Mr. James with a view to derive
any emolument from the sale of the book ; but solely
to supply the public with information, of which he
believes the legislature to stand in considerable need—.
if we may be permitted to draw an inference from what
he tells us respecting the noble and learned Lord to
whom his letters are severally addressed. The perusal
OTTITCSe letters has not realized our expectations from
them; but they may be studied to some advantage by
those who have not given much time to the subject of
popular education. The author's opinions are liberal,
and generally bear the impress of a sound judgment.

FINE ARTS.

THE BOOK OF BEAUTY.
Tilt, London, 1835.

We have here as fine a show of lovely female counte-
nances, as is to be met with in Hyde Park or Kensington
Gardens on a fine spring afternoon, when all the world
is abroad, and trooping towards the West. Some are
blondes, some brunettes, some neither fair or dark, but
who hit the happy medium between " intense" expres-
sion on the one hand, and insipidity on the other; but
each face, in its respective style, is beautiful. Our
favourite—though Where all are matchless, it is diffi-
cult to make a selection—is the Countess Ross:,
who, as Mademoiselle Sontag, set all the fashionable
world love-sick a few short years ago. The ex-
pression of this lady's face is full of that winning
sweetness which, when heightened by modesty, and
an appearance of shrinking timidity, constitutes
what we most love and admire in women. Whe-
ther the portrait be a resemblance or not, we are
not prepared to say ; we are willing, however, to be-
lieve that it is. The " Dilemma" represents an
arch, pretty young girl (now for the first time
in her life serious), who is sadly bewildered, in
consequence of the receipt of two love letters,
which she holds in her hand. She evidently cannot
make up her mind as to which of her two lovers she
could select for a husband. We wish we could assist
her. " Alice "—" Amina "—the " Reverie " and
" Agnes," are, next to those which we have already
noticed, the best among the Illustrations.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE KEEPSAKE.
Tilt, London. 1835.

We have been favoured with an early impression of
these Illustrations, and, on casting a hasty glance over
them, find that we may honestly speak i►► terms of
warm praise of the majority of them, though a few
are certainly little, if at all, above mediocrity. The
Engravings are nineteen in number, and have attached
to them the names of some of the most accomplished
artists of the day. Among those which we like the
least—though with its defects the engraver has
nothing to do—is the design by Chalon, entitled the
" Brighton Beauty." It is the half-length figure of
a female attired .in the most gaudy style of fa-
shion, with her stiff front-locks dropping down
on her neck, just as if they were so much
wire-gauze, and her tawdry satin or silk gown
hanging around her in such confused, voluminous folds,
as wholly to conceal the proportions of her figure. The
face is pleasing, but it is not in keeping with the dress,
which is the very extreme of bad taste. " The Last
Look" is exquisitely beautiful. A young girl, with " ir-
resistible eyes," as Coleridge somewhere says, has just
stolen down, no doubt while Papa and Mama are both
comfortably snoring a domestic duct in bed, to bid a last
farewell to her " sweet-heart" (who we take for granted
is a handsome young Irish officer standing upwards of
six feet in his shoes, and proportionably broad in the
shoulders), though from the expression of her counte-
nance, notwithstanding its settled resolve of purpose,
we are fully persuaded that the " look" she is now
about to bestow on her favoured Milesian will not be
the " last," for of course he has a post-chaise in wait-
ing to escort her to Gretna Green. The engraving
is a very delightful one, and the young girl just
such a one as a poet would like to write sonnets to.
Her " Last Look" might inspire even a stock-broker.
The " Escape of Finella" is a subject dangerous to
look on in the dog-days ; but in this chilly, blighting
weather, it may be gazed on with impunity. A beau-
tiful girl, of a voluptuous, oriental cast of features, is
busy making her escape by a ladder of ropes up a high wall,
and gazing back with a look of affright into the gar-
den from which she has just eloped. While in the act
of raising herself, the folds of her " tempestuous pet-
ticoat"—as our English Anacreoni old Herrick, calls
it—undulate in such a way as to show the symmetrical
proportions of a leg, whose rival is only to be seen at
the Olympic, when Madame Vestris plays the part of
" Don Giovanni." " Calais" is a spirited sea-
piece, from the pencil of Vickers. It is
engraved by Brandard, and is in his best manner. " The
Smuggler's Boat" is in the same style, and of equal
merit; though what a grave, clerical looking figure, not
unlike Dr. Phillpotts, can want in a vessel of
this description, we cannot for the life of us
imagine. Possibly, when the literary portion of
the Keepsake reaches us, it will clear up the mys-
tery. " A Fire at Sea" is from one of Turner's most
striking designs. It is worthily engraved by Will-
more. Of the remaining Illustrations---we have se-
lected the best—we have no time to say more, than
they are of the average order of " Annual " excellence.

MONTREAL, OCT. 30.—Comparative statement of
the years 1834 and 1835, to the 27th October:—
Vessels. Tonnage. Passengers.
1834
1835
The best prime fat mutton is selling at Crowiand,
Peterborough, every Saturday, at the low price of 4d. rer
pound.