The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-03 00:00:00

Bentley's Miscellany.

" Abroad and at Home," is the title of the open-
ing paper, which gives a brief sketch of the present
aspect of affairs on the Continent and in England.
" Onida" contributes another of his love stories, of
average merit and interest. It must be confessed
that he always maintains the superiority of honest
affection over the T.Ainerl'eo,l
accumulation of wealth.
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rsetaydleer's. A paper on " Honore de
traces his literary career, and dis-
cusses his capabilities. " The Barred-up Rooms"
is the title of the continuation of the story of
Blanche Level. The mystery of the attempted
murder is explained, and the affair is satisfactorily
arranged, but the story is not a pleasing one. " The
story of Francesco Novello da Carrara" is continued,
but the real subject of the memoir is not reached as
the writer is occupied by a preparatory description
of the troubled state of Italy, torn by internecine
conflicts and distracted by the plots and intrigues
of her rival rulers. The life of the subject of this
memoir is an interesting episode in the history of
" The Italian Peninsula," and is well worthy of
reproduction in this form. Dudley Costello pro-
ceeds with his story of " Gurney, or Two Fortunes."
A paper on " Armes de Precision,' discusses the
merits of various descriptions of fire-arms. An
article on " Alexandre Dumas in the Caucasus,"
contains some amusing accounts of that executive
writer's adventures among the wild tribes of the
Cossacks. Walter Thornbury contributes a ballad
on Madame de Pompadour which, we regret to say,
has little to recommend it.

The Universal Review.

There are some excellent articles met with in this
magazine, that on " Alpine Books and Alpine
Travelling," is most appropriate at the present time
when so many are hastening away to enjoy the
luxury of change of scene and respite from toil, in
the far famed regions of the Alps. In the course
of these remarks many books are referred to, which
have lately appeared on the subject, conspicuous
among which is an admirable one which has
recently been published, entitled " Peaks, Passes,
and Glaciers," in which no ordinary opportunities
occur to the traveller who seeks information, or the
stay-at-home who desires amusement. Other
works of a superior class are mentioned, and the
general style of this paper is such that there is
every reason to suppose that the hope expressed at
the conclusion will be realised, that" some out of the
multitude who in the course of a few weeks will be
scattered over the mountains and valleys of that mag-
nificent land, may derive from the perusal of these
pages, hints by which the pleasure or profit of their
journey may be increased." The article on Mr.
Gladstone is an excellent one, and it is emi-
nently distinguished for a high standard of prin-
ciple, which, at the present time, it is so desirable
to see inculcated. When so remarkable a man
as Mr. Gladstone displays not only indifference to
public opinion, but indifference to that consistency
of conduct which places a man on such a vantage
ground as enables him to direct and control the
community, it is a subject of general regret, and
his late actions have certainly not redounded to his
credit as a statesman. It is truly stated that the
Conservative party has a right to be indignant
with the conduct of Mr. Gladstone. He defended
their Reform Bill, and " after having declared, by
his last vote of all, that he considered them en-
titled to the confidence of the country, he turns
round immediately and joins a set of men whose
conduct, if Lord Derby did merit the confi-
dence of the country, is simply infamous,
who are only to be vindicated from the grossest
and most reckless selfishness on the supposi-
tion that Mr. Gladstone was totally in the wrong
both in his support of the Reform Bill and his op-
position to the vote of censure." It is subsequent) ,
.
stated that ":common fairness demands that, 'Air.
Gladstone should speak out like an Ertcs
and let us know what are his real reasons ; for
that, as no sacrifice that can be wen was required
of him in taking office under 'ti Conservative Go-
vernment, and innumerable ones exist in his doing
so under a Liberal one, his conduct towards his
quondam friends and associates is not just. The
writer concludes this forcible article by declaring
that " the unpopularity of Gladstone at Oxford is
not to be wondered at, and that the instincts of
seven or eight hundred cultivated and hihis
is gh-s
true; irited
young men are not to be despised;' T
and that conduct is seldom to be admired which
cannot attract the sympathies of the young, who
regard little the conventional superiorlties of life,

but whn,,e highest implilses ale kindled by the dis-
play of generous feelings, and who can always
appreciate the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the noblest
actions that adorn and elevate humanity, with
more fervour than is to be met with in the time-
worn wayfarer of the crooked paths of the world.
Among other subjects noticed, there is Tennyson's
new work, of which a favourable impression is re"
corded ; and a criticism of the Musical Season pre-
sents a paper worthy of attention.