The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-18 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Episodes of French _History, during the Constitute
and the First Empire. By Miss Pardee, author
of' the " Life of Marie de 111edicis," &c. 2 vols.
Hurst and Blackett.
These volumes form a most interesting study,
alike from the attractive style in which they are
written, as from the information they convey regard-
ing events and - persons of importance. All the
details of the wonderful events of the consulate and
empire of Napoleon, are well deserving of notice,
and those who are not admirers of that great man
cannot fail to consider such themes of consequence
and interest. There is a great variety to be met
with in these pages, and the reader is alternately
impressed, with some of the"stormy scenes that took
place during the brilliant campaigns of the French
army, and by the striking manner in which the
management at home was conducted. The brief
and emphatic sentences which the First Consul
uttered, effected, on the instant, changes of vital
importance, and this characteristic decision and
domination are exemplified as strongly in domestic
life as in public concerns. The determination in
speaking to Josephine, on the subject of the court
milliners, is an instance of this. One of the most
painful passages here recorded is that of the divorce,
an action which must ever cast-a shade over the life
of Napoleon, and the sufferings of Josephine are
well depicted in the accounts here given. At first
she refused to credit the fatal news, clinging with
the tenacity of despair to every hope, however illu-
sory. When the truth could no longer be shut out
her state was an agonising one. She was unable
to deliver the address prepared for her, and some
one had to guide her hand as she signed the docu-
ment of divorce. The description given of the Em-
peror is very different. " Napoleon gave no other
sign of emotion than the pertinacity with which he
averted his eyes from the face of his almost con-
vulsed victim; his voice was clear and steady, his
attitude firm. He was already looking beyond the
troubled present into the brilliant future, which
was to behold him—the Corsican refugee, and the
military adventurer, the husband of a daughter of
the Cresars.". " The Drania of War," is an effective
exposition of the chances and changes of the life of
the soldier ; its true. interest • and excitement are
shown to consist in the deeds of heroism with which
its annals are occasionally illuminated, and in the
ever-stirring and glorious :career of: Napoleon there
were many instances of personal bravery, and many
anecdotes of an attractive kind are recorded; like•
to those which are the grace of history, and the
glory of romance, and to which the poet has
alluded in these lines
:--
"Oh war I thou hast thy fierce delight,
Thy gleams of joy intensely bright."
One of the most amusing 'of these -episodes is that
entitled " The General and the 'Emperor." It tells
of a certain lawyer, who was a great friend of
Madame Beauharuais, and believed that he ren-
dered her a service in dissuading her from her in-
tended marriage , with General Bonaparte. 'lt
chanced that Josephine had not closed' the door
when she entered the private. apartment of her
friend, and, therefore, the .General,. who was wait-
ing for her in the antechamber, overheard some
unpalateable remarks. Among the prophecies
of Raguideau were the following :
" A few days hence I shall be the
,wife of General Bona-
pate." •
" What I The widow of one soldier,. you are about to
marry another: General Bonaparte, do you say ? Ah, yes,
I remember; the corainandant.of the Interior;. the young
fellow who gave-a lesson to General caftans at Toulon."
"The same, M. Raguideau."
" Pshaw, Madame I A soldier of fortune,, .who has his
way to make."
" He will make it, my good friend,
"When, and how But rust, what is he worth at
present P" .
" Nothing, save his house in the rue Ckantereine."
" A shed—a,--- And so you, are
,really going to marry
this adventurer I"' . . •
~ ,
am. •
"So much the worse for you, Madame."
"And why?"
"-Why ? Because you had much better remain a widow
than marry a paltry general, without either name or pros-
pects. You must assuredly be mad i Will your Bonaparte
everibe a Dumouriez or a Pichegru ? , Will he ever be the
eqi of our great republican generals ? I have a right to
doubt it. Moreover, let me te yon that, the profession of
to is worthless now ; and 'I
would much rather know
that you were about to marry an army-contractor than any
military man in France."
," Every one to his taste, Monsieur," said - Josephine,
stung by the contemptuous tone in which he had spoken ;
"you, it would -appear regard marriage merely as an affair
of fince."
" And you,- Madame," broke in the excited and angry old
man, "you see in it only a matter of sentiment, and what
you no doubt call love ; is not that what ynu were about. to
say ? Again, I repeat, all the worse for you, Madame ; all
the worse for you. I had- given you more credit for good
sense than to suspect that you would' allow yourself to be
dazzled by a pair of gold epaulettes. Reflect before you
make such a sacrifice ; for rest assured that, if you are rash
enough to persist in this foolish scheme, you will repent
your folly all the days of your life. • Whoever. heard of a
rational woman throwing herself away upon a. man whose
whole fortune consists in his sword and his great-coat 1"
Neither of the speakers was aware that their con-
versation was overheard, until the day arrived when
the Pope was to crown the "mere general" with
the Imperial diadem of France. Then Napoleon
caused Baguicleau to be sent for, and impressively
related to him the substance of his former remarks.
The confusion of the old lawyer may be imagined,
and the Emperor allowed him to depart on con-
dition that he proceeded to' Notre Dame, there to
witness the ceremony of the coronation. " A
Company of Grenadiers" is a touching record of
constancy. and courage exercised under the most
painful circumstances. This faithful band, whose
sufferings are here related, had been entrusted with
the care of a wounded Pole during, the retreat of
the French army in Russia. Their Marshal had
exhorted them to guard his body' as sacredly as
they would their colours, and not to allow him to
fall into the hands of his bitterest enemies. They
nobly performed their task, bilt if was .at the
expense of their lives ; for, as they approached the
town where they were to attain their goal, " the
revulsion of feeling was too violent for the weakened
frames of these' military martyrs." ' Four of the
five remaining survivors sunk lifeless to the ground.
The veteran who remained sent to request an in-
terview with the Marshal, who instantly ap-
peared.:l-
- Where is Colonel Kobilinski !" asked Davoust.
"He is here, Monsieur le Marechal."
" And' the Company ?" .
"Present, mon Marechal"
" I ask for the Company." •
"I have answered : Present."
" But your conirades ?"
• Ha-rany comrades—Buried, Monsieur le Marechal—
in the snow.
Davoust could not utter a word, but he opened his arms,
and Jacques Dufour flung himself into them.
Ile was pressed to the heart of a Marshal of France—he
was repaid, amply repaid, he thought, for weeks of cruel
and almost unparelleled suffering ; but, ere the eyes of
Kobitinsld closed 'for ever, they rested upon a red ribbon
proudly displayed on the breast of Jacques Dufour.
Some of the stories related in the different parts'
these volumes are exciting, as, for instance, in the
" Evening with Fouche' ' which:is a..peculiar tale;
most vividly narrated. This work is well calcu-
lated to extend the fame of its authoress, and to
prove an attraction to the reading community. It
is a difficult task that has been most efficiently,
performed, and it presents 'a series: of sketches
that is striking as regards both the men, and the
times in which they lived. The episodes of French
history here mentioned belong to a period that
will for ever be famous, and which by the future
annalists of empires may be regarded' as an epoo-
in the history of the world.

A Manual of the Philosophy of Voice and Speech'.
By J. Hunt, P.H.D.,T.S:A. 'Author of "The
. Cure of Stammering," &c.,*&c. ' Longman.
This is a very able and useful. work, which has
evidently cost the author much labour and study.
He explains succinctly the organs 'that are era-,
ployed in the exercise of the' voice, and their
peculiar qualities and powers. He • then takes a
survey of language in general, and of the origin
and developement of the English language in par-
ticular. In this department he gives an interesting
analysis of the component pats of our noble
tongue, and of the relative proportion§ of :the Teu-
tonic and Latin elements. Ito then discusses the
disorders of the voice, and . the treatment of deaf
mutes. Having studied the best • mode of cure for
stammering, he is able to speak with 'authority on
this point. His last two chapters are devoted to
good practical advice on the; cultivation and ma-
nagement of the voice, and on the requisite quali-
fications for public speaking. • All who are
ambitious of distinguishing themselves by their
oratory should peruse this portion: of the Work. It
gives encouragement to those; whO find their phy-
sical powers unequal to their.mental ones, and adds
interesting aneedotei of some of our great
orators. The fcillowing passage, 'entitled " Break-
ing down," recalls some well-known : instances of
temporary failure :
Every
speaker feels now and then, from some unexpected
idea crossing his mind, that he is about losing the thread of
his discourse. ' The practised orator is prepared for such
contingencies. 110 either calls the rarely failing expedient
of tautology (see style) to his aid ; or, he follows out the
fresh idea, and incorporates it in his discourse, until he sees
his path clear before him. An inexperienced speaker, on
the contrary, becomes distracted by the slightest incidents,
such as persons coughing, or leaving the room, and fre-
quently breaks down. , . •
Aspirants to oratory should, however, not be discouraged
at failing at first; as most orators, from Demosthenes down
to the present time, have done so. The first appearance of
Sheridan in Parliament was sucha complete/rage°, that his
friends dissuaded him from making another attempt; ,but ,
Sheridan replied—" I tvia---for by Heaven it is in me, and
it shall come out ;" and out it came with a vengeance.
The shouts of laughter with which Mr. Disraeli's
maiden-speech was received by an assembly generally in" 1
dulgeut to first attempts, did not crush the aspirant for
power, Ile, like Sheridan, felt that there.was something

in him, ands he merely uttered prophecy,' since fulfilled—
" The time will come when you shall listen to me."
In a memoir of the life of the celebrated preacher, Robert
Hall by Dr.. Gregory, it is stated that when a student at
Bristol, he had to preach in his turn at Broadmead Chapel.
After proceeding a short time, he suddenly stopped,
covered his face, and exclaimed—" I have lost all my ideas,"
and sat down. The second attempt was a failure more
painful to witness. Hall tried again, and we know with
what success.

Among the instances of remarkable oratorical
ability, Sheridan, of course, finds a place. It may
be satisfactory to those who lament the backward-
ness of their children, to know that he whom Byron
called—

" The worthy rival of the wondrous three,
Whose words were sparks of immortality ;"
was considered at eight years old, by parent and
preceptor, an impenetrable dunce. An 'amusing,
if doubtful anecdote, is told of Sheridan's readiness
in debate :---

Froin hi's Want of solid acqvCrements, Sheridan never
spoke without due preparation. Even his witty replies
which set the house in a roar, were not conceived on, nor
forgotten by, but kept in readiness for.the occasion. Pitt,
therefore, guessed at the truth, when in replying, he spoke
of "his hoarded repartees and matured jests," for they were
found registered in Sheridan's common-place book, like the
eggs ,of insects, in different stages of development. The
following parliamentary incident is interesting in more
than one point of view.
'6 Lord Belgrave having clenched a speech in the House
of Commons with a long Greek quotation, Sheridan, in re-
ply, admitted the fOrce of the quotation, so far as it went
' but,' said he, 'had the noble lord proceeded a little fur-
ther, and completed the passage, he would have seen that
it applied.the other way.' Sheridan then spouted some-
thing, ore rotundo, which had all the ais, ous, kos, and kais,
that give the world assurance of a Greek quotation ; upon
which Lord Belgrave very promptly and handsomely com-
plimented the honourable member on his readiness of
recollection, and frankly admitted that he had overlooked
it at the moment when he gave his quotation. On the
breaking up of the house, Fox, who piqued himself on
having some Greek, went up to Sheridan, and asked him--
Sheridan? how Came you to be so ready with that passage ?
It is certainly as you say, but I was not aware of it before
you quoted it.' It- is unnecessary to say that there was
no Greek at all in Sheridan's quotations."
All that tan be said with regard to this spicy anecdote,
is, se non e vero, e ben trovato; if not true, it is well con-
ceived ; and if true, it gives but alaorry idea of the classical
lore of the house, in the classical age of British oratory.
The vocal powers of singers, preachers, lecturers,
&c. are canvassed, and sound advice given as to
the management and cultivation of the vocal
organs. It is a very useful manual, blending
science with simplicity.

The Kangaroo Hunters,.or Adventures in the Bush.
-13 x Anne Bowman Author of 4 The Young
Exiles,"
&c. Routiedge and Co.
Miss Bowman's works are so well known to
young readers, that a recommendation of them is
almost superfluous. To boys especially this volume
will-be most fascinating. Its narratives of adven-
tures and exploits by sea and land, of perils by
shipwreck and convicts, of encounters with wild
beasts and, with aboriginal inhabitants, combine to
produce a most varied and striking picture. The
very names of the numerous engravings are suffi-
cient to attract the young and adventurous reader.
We find among: others, " Fight with the Kan-
garoos," "Attack. of the Wild Bull," and " The
Wreck of the Crusoes,"--sufficiently suggestive
titles. The party originally set out on a mission to
India, but subsequent events induced them to change
their course for the wilds of Western Australia.
Many varied incidents are thus introduced, and the
work will be a welcome addition to the Christmas
library.

The New, El Dorado. By Kiinahan Cornwallis,
author of " Howard Pluakett," &c. Newby.
The attention which has been recently. turned
towards the desolate regions formerly occupied by
the Hudson's Bay Company, will render this volume
very acceptable. The author having been on the
spot is able to give some interesting particulars of
the aborigines, and of the general aspect of affairs
Since the discovery.of gold. He also introduces an
account of California and Yancouver's Island. The
appendix gives Mull those Acts of Parliament and
official letters referring to British Columbia. The
style is :rather high-flown, but the work contains
much information and entertainment, and the
reader will probably readily forgive a little
extravagance of style.

John Halifax, Gentleman.:By the author of "The
Head of the Family," &C. Fourth Edition.
Hurst and Blackett.

The second volume of Messrs. Hurst and
Blackett's new series of reprints contains this
popular novel, whose success has been commensu-
rate with its merits. It is unnecessary to criticise
it : we need only commend the compact and
excellent form in which it is now presented to the
pal)] ic.

Charles Chesterfield. By Mrs. Trollope. Knight
and Son.

Another of the reprints of popular novels which
Messrs. Knight and Son have been recently issuing
in a cheap and convenient form. Mrs. Trollope's
amusing works have long been popular with novel
readers, and her admirers will probably be glad to
see them reproduced in such a complete and com-
modious manner.

Who's Who in 1859. Edited by C. Oakes, M.A.
Baily Brothers.
Another of those useful little compendiums
which give the public an almanac, and all informa-
tion connected with official appointments, the
members of the Houses of Parliament, of the Privy
Council, the Royal Household, &c., as well as a
list of legal and ecclesiastical dignities. The little
work before us pays especial regard to the Mem-
bers of the Peerage, giving a table of Peers who
are, minors, Peeresses in their own right, widows
of Peers whose peerages are extinct, besides the
usual particulars respecting the Upper House.

The Scottish Annual for 1859. A. and C. Black,
Edinburgh.
- -

This is one of a race which is nearly extinct,
but the present volume seems likely to flourish,
judging from the sense and variety which meet us
in its pages. A numerous list of contributors, some
of whom are known to the literary world, is pre-
fixed to it, and they maintain the literary reputa-
tion of their nation. There is one article on the
Comet of Donati,:and another on Robert Burns, which
are especially commendable. Two very interesting
papers are on national topics. They are entitled
"Traditions of Scottish Patriotism," and" Scottish
Contributions in Social Improvement." Stories and.
Songs are pleasantly intermingled with graver sub-
jects; and the miscellaneous papers are many of
them of a high order. We commend this annual
highly to those who wish for pleasant and varied
reading.