The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-04 00:00:00

tude which it is desirable they should assume
in the contest now raging near them. It is
worthy of perusal, even though the reader may not
coincide with the writer's German sympathies, and
evident expectation that we shall eventually be
called upon to quit our' neutrality ,for the sake of
Prusssia. The story of " Pommeroy Abbey," which
last month ended abruptly with the fratricide,
brings some new actors upon the scene. We are
introduced to the fourth brother Leolin, who is
now lord of Pommeroy, as the second brother
Rupert quitted the country after his crime, and the
third one, George, died soon after inheriting the
estates. He marries a fair lady, the daughter of a
proud countess, and brings her home to the abbey,
when they are dismayed by the appearance of a '
lady and chile claiming to be the wife and son of
George Pommeroy. Those who have perused the
former parts will readily unravel the complications
of the plot. Sir Nathaniel places in the list of his
note-worthies, Christina of Sweden, who is well-
deserving of a place there since, according to
Voltaire, she alone, in her epoch, " sustained the
honour of the throne, which was either abandoned,
tarnished, or unknown in the other States of
Europe." The sketch here given of the career of
thii remarkable woman, who, in Milton's opinion,
was " fit to govern not only Sweden, but the
world," is well worthy of perusal. A gloomy and
dismal story with the title of " The Curse of Tre-
cobben" will suit the admirers of Mrs. Radcliffe.
Mr. Pickles is as usual most amusing in his cata-
logue of grievances, but there is a good deal of
truth in his complaints. His first attack is upon
the system of hiding wills and testaments, which
many persons resort to, giving rise occasionally to
much family distress and litigation by their magpie
propensities. "Gleanings from an old English
Chronicle" are entertaining. They are taken from
an ancient work published last year by the Master
of the Rolls, in his new series of " Historical Docu-
ments." W. C. Kent contributes a charming
lyric on " London Pride," and "Evalla" and "Hans
Ernest Mitterkamp" are continued with spirit. A
paper on the Po and its Tributaries concludes the
number.

The United Service Magazine.

Two papers on " Military Reform and Mili-
tary Efficiency," and on " Naval Discipline," are
well worthy the attention of those in autho-
rity, and, indeed, of all who have the welfare
and efficiency of the rival services at heart.
Reform has long been called for in both these de-
partments, and itseems hard that with such constant
demands on the public purse, and so much talk
about the necessity of a powerful fleet and efficient
army, improvement should advance so very slowly
and so little satisfactory return be made for the lavish
expenditure of the national money. " The United
Service Magazine" has long boldly set forth the
drawbacks and deficiencies of both services, the
evils of patronage, the dangers of placing inefficient
men at the head of important departments, and all
the long catalogue of grievances which, it is to be
feared, have been repeated and discussed so often as
to wear off their effect. But all valuable reforms
and national improvements have to be long waited
and watched for ; and those deserve the greater
credit who perseveringly reiterate the truth with
consistency and moderation. The continuation of
the narrative of the Campaign of 1848 is Lombardy
is not without interest at the present time. By a
curious coincidence the instalment of this month is
headed, "Forcing of the line of the Mincio—lnva-
sion of the Italian Tyrol." The different position
of the Austrians at that time is striking. The re-
marks on the Re-organisation of the Indian Army
are proceeded with, and recommend an immediate
action on the information already possessed by the
Government, without waiting for the further report
from India. Several other subjects of importance
are discussed, and the editor's Portfolio sums up
the events of the month which affect the services.
Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the change of
Government, and especially at the re-instalment of
" the very trio who sacrificed our army in the
Crimea--Gla.dstone, Newcastle, and Herbert." The
editor draws some consolation from the considera-
tion that seven wavering votes would convert the
pitiful majority of 13 into a defeat, and that, there-
fore, the discordant assemblage of negatives, which
do not make an affirmative, may speedily be dis-
persed. The usual amount of Naval and Military
Intelligence, the • stations of tho army and navy,
and the recent promotions and appointments, are
fully given. •

The Universal Review.

This review continues to prove itself worthy
of a place among the established serials.
The very difficult and complicated question
of the law of divorce forms the subject of
the opening article. The serious evils which may
be encouraged by a too great facility of;breaking
the marriage bonds are strongly dwelt upon. The
novels of Sir E. Bulwer Lytton are the topic of the
succeeding paper, which professes only to criticise his
latest production, but which takes into consideration
his general style and powers. Though occasionally
a little severe on the mannerisms of his style, the
critic renders a fair share of praise to the skill and
careful finish of the work. Lord John Russell's
Life of Fox suggests a brief but able sketch of the
career of the, great Whig statesman. The scientific
reader will be attracted by a paper bearing the
title of " Illogical Geology," which refutes many of
the assertions of scientific professors, and enters
into a succession of arguments which will be very
interesting to students of this science. " Out of
the Depths" is the title of a somewhat unsatisfac-
tory review of a very objectionable book. There
are many other papers on varying subjects, but the
best in the number is. that on" " Parties, Natural
and Artificial," which gives a very sensibly written
analysis of the existing state of political parties,
and turns over a few leaves of Parliamentary
history that some members of our present Admi-
nistration would rather have forgotton.

Tales from Bentley. Part I.
Thiers' History of the French Revolution. Parts
I. and IL Bentley.

Appearing in company with Bentley's Miscellany
are two little serials that deserve notice. The
most important of these is the new edition of Thiers'
great work on the Revolution, which Mr. Bentley
is issuing in sixpenny parts, to be published fort-
nightly. There are few readers of history who will
not be able .to avail themselves of this opportu-
nity of becoming acquainted with this great work,
doubly interesting as a French classic, and as the
recital of one of the most vivid pages in a vivid
history, by a native of the land. The engravings
are good. The frontispiece of the first part gives•
us a picture of the attack on the Bastille,
and that of the second the likeness of Louis,
Duke of Orleans, the Egalite of unenviable memory.
-Following the example set by the conductors of
Maga, the editor of Bentley's Miscellany has re-
solved to reprint the best of the stories,which ap-
peared in that magazine. The first part contains
four tales whose names invite the lovers of the
humorous to renew their acquaintance with them.
Those who are partial to this style of literature
will welcome the reproduction of the series.