The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-08 00:00:00

romances and common-place fictions as a bright
example of talent, and a shining witness of truth ;
thus it furnishes an illustration of what may be
effected by an earnest desire to carry out an elevated
purpose. •Au ably written novel may do more
than many suppose to exhibit any marked or
striking tendency of the age, and this evil here
denounced is one that especially demands our
notice and calls for our fixed attention. "No
Church" may, therefore, be recommended to the
study of all who appreciate an excellent work,
and no fair judging critic, and no admirer of
earnest and impressive language will be disap-
pointed with the result. It will, in all probability,
attain a great success, which it certainly merits
in an eminent degree, and the numerous readers
of works of fiction may rejoice that they have
here met with one that may induce them to
think, while it fascinates by its attracting inte-
rests, and elevates by its superior tone of senti-
ment.

The Dictionary of Useful
_Knowledge. A —F.

Holliston and Wright.
This is a companion to the Dictionary of Daily'
Wants, and promises to be a most admirable and
compendious work of reference. History, geo-
graphy, mythology, chemistry, architecture,
natural history, and science, besides general infor-
mation of every kind, are found among its contents.
It deserves to be considered what it professes to be,
"a, work of reference in which every name or
subject of interest is included, the essence of each
subject given, and facts recorded with accuracy."
And truly, at the present day, it is difficult
to overrate the value of such a work
of reference to the imperfectly educated.
The outbreak of war, or some sudden change
of dynasties or rise of nationalities, turn
the public attention to some particular question and
all connected with it is an object of interest, but
how few of those who read the news and occupy
themselves with public affairs have any acquaint-
ance with the names of men and places which are
suddenly all important. As the editor remarks in
his preface, few English readers knew of what they
were reading in the days when Sinope and Sebas-
topol, the Pruth and the Sea of Azoff were first
brought under discussion. As the preface observes
it is only by means of works like the present that
the thousands who are engaged in constant occupa-
tion can at all keep pace with the general growth
of knowledge.

The Dictionary of Daily Wants. By the editor of
" Inquire Within." Houlston and Wright.
We have often had occasion to notice this excellent
little serial during its progress, and are glad to see
it now satisfactorily completed and forming a.
handsome volume. It is a complete factotum on
all matters of domestic reference, and the list of
authorities consulted in its compilation may inspire
the most doubting and inexperienced with confi-
dence. Its information is most comprehensive in
its character, including all matters of practical
utility, and we are not surprised that it has already
obtained so wide a circulatimi. Household receipts
form a large portion of its contents, while medical
and legal articles are also inserted. The whole
contents are arranged alphabetically, and are thus
available for immediate reference. The style is
clear and simple, and all complicated directions and
unnecessary technicalities are scrupulously avoided..
No household should be without this useful work,
which, having been issued in twopenny parts, is
placed within the reach of all.

The English Cyclopedia of Arts and Sciences.
Conducted by Charles Knight. Part XXVI.
Bradbury and Evans.

The number before us extends from " Sand" to
" Ship," and discusses several topics of interest and
importance. We have often noticed the high dm-.
racter of this Cyclopcedia, which bears traces of the
skill and experience of the originator of the famous
Penny lyclopeedia, who is not yet weary of his
efforts to disseminate sound and useful knowledge.
The work in question fully maintains his reputa-
tion as an editor, and the eminent and learned
band of auxiliaries which he has collected in his
service testify to his determination to keep faith
with the public.

Plain Truths rlainly Put. By Newman Hall,
LL.B. Nisbot and Co., Berner's-street.
This little volume contains ten sermons, which
were, with one exception, preached in St. James's
Hall and the theatres of London on the occasion of
the special services. They are impressive and
vigorous discourses, which dwell on the main truths
and fundamental doctrines of religion, and speak
of them with force and simplicity. They are excel-
lently adapted to the audiences for which they were
intended, and are suited besides to a much larger
circle, since there are few readers of sermons who
would not find it more profitable to study the
practical truths here inculcated, than to bewilder
themselves with controversial subtleties.

MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES.
Good Words maintains its character for high
moral purpose, interesting reading, and pleasant
variety. There are several short and excellent
sermons, besides a story of domestic life, many
sketches and articles on miscellaneous subjects. We
are not surprised at the rapid popularity it has
attained.--The Eclectic gives us this month a very
interesting number. There is an article on one of
the most touching and pathetic of biographies, that
of William Cowper. The writer has evidently a
ready sympathy with his subject, and writes with
feeling and perception. This essay will well repay
the reader for its perusal. Macaulay's last volume
is criticised at some length, and there is a very
attractive paper on the memoirs of the late John
Brown, D.D., of Edinburgh.—The National Maga-
zine has several entertaining papers. The rival water-
ing places, Brighton and Boulogne, are discussed in
prose and verse. There are several stories begun, con-
tinued, and completed, descriptions of travel, and
miscellaneous article 3. The Parliamentary sketch
draws a portrait of Sir Charles Wcod.-7 he ssur-
ance Magazine discusses some impot tent questions
relating to life assurance, and records the proceed-
ings of the Institute of Actuaries. The questions
proposed at the annual., examination are given.
—The Quarterly Magazine of the Odd Fellows is
adapted for general circulation, and has many
well-known names among its contributors. " Our
Dressmaker" is a mournful little sketch, which. tells
the tale
ise of
unusually many
quiett ac t and laborious
m t
month, and pre-
sents s. Le
on-
sents the votaries of fashion with a collection of
a r and
e this
very desirable engravings, which cannot fail to
fascinate all who would shine forth in resplendent
costume at this brilliant season of spring. This
magazine is quite unique in its way, and the best
that has appeared for some time, ever furnishing
in a pleasing form something gay and glittering
to amuse and instruct the elite of society, and
those who follow in their wake in a simpler mode.
Cassels still continues his office of educator for the
people. His History of England and Popular
.Natural history are both able and instructive,
while the Illustrated Family Paper and Ladies'
Treasury are quite equal to the average of light
serials. and are offered at a very moderate price.—
Cassells's Illustrated Family Bible is printed in
excellent type, has copious explanatory notes and
numerous illustrations, It is admirably adapted to
family reading,—.l eteton's London Journal of arts
and (*.deuces has an article on the New Patent
Law of the United States.

DREADFUL 0111vIB ifs ACCIDENT IN

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, SUNDAY.

A life-destroying accident occurred about nine
o'clock last night at the canal bridge which separ-
ates the township of Rathmines from the city of
Dublin. As an omnibus was passing over the
bridge the horses became restive, and before the
driver could gain any control over them they
backed the omnibus down the slope they had just
mounted, round the parapet, and into the canal
loch, where there was at the time about 12 feet of
water.

The omnibds, unfortunately, contained about 0,
dozen people, not one of whom, so sudden was the
accident, had any opportunity of escaping; and as
a considerable time elapsed before the water could
be drawn off and proper assistance obtained, eight
persons pevished. The others were resuscitated
with difficulty. It is said that the driver's reins
broke when the horses began to struggle on the
bridge, which, if true, accounts in some degree
for an othei wise inexplicable occurrence. It is
also stated that the driver's back was broken.
Amongst those drowned was a little child; and all
the deceased belonged to respectable families. The
melancholy event has caused great excitement in
the city, and BO omnibuses ran on the route to-
day..

The Belgian Moniteur publishes a notification from
the Chamber of Commerce of Brussels to the effect that as the
exports of Belgium to the Scandinavian countries, Denmark,
Sweden, and Norway, are only about 2,500,1300 h.. a year,
though the total of the imports made by them is
300,000,000 fr., it is proposed, in order to extend Belgian
trade, to have exhibitions of specimens of Belgian produc-
tions at Stockholm and Copenhagen towards the end of the
present year; and accordingly a meeting of manufacturers
and tradesmen is summoned to make the necessary arrange