The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-02 00:00:00

MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.---A second instalment of Sir E.
Bulwet. Lyttou's new serial tomatice is, of enure,
the chief at raction in the July number f Black
wood. " What will he do with it ?" We don't
know in the least. We can't, for the life of us,
even conjecture. But we are quite certain of l hi.,,
that whatever he may do with tt, the work recount-
ing the manner of his doing it, and how it al came
alatut [" It" remaining the while a eery Riddle of
the Sphinx to our imagination l]—the story it,.elf
will be wonderfully well wor, h reading if it be only
continued and completed precisely in the same
spirit irt which it has tief n commenced. Part Two
is plenteously sprinkl-d with good things.
We were chinned with its predeces.ser. We
are de!ighted with it still more—for the sparkle
and the .glow are h-re respectively yet more
roseate and effervescent. It—at any rate we
know thin much of " it"—does not by any
means signify merely the 3/. advanced for some
mysterious purpose (known only to the recipient,
to " Gen-lemau \Yaffe") by Vance the Painter.
" It" is by no means so restrict=.d in application.
" It" implies a'ready in the tale before us—besides
the 3/. appertaining to William Waife, the "chance"
in life of Lionel Haughton—and giv.-s promise of
proving yet more strangely comptehen-ive. For
—saith our author at the close of Part ii.—" as
the reader advances in this history, he will ac-
kuowledge that there are few questious in this
world so frequently ag tated, to which the
solution is more important. to each puzzled
mortal, than that upon which starts every
sage's discovery, every novelist's plot that
which applies to IVIAN'S LIFE, from its sleep in the
cradle ' WHLT WILL HE DO WITH IT ?' " That is
the "key" to the .Mystery the "cue" through the
Labyrinth of this new chapter of the " Hist. ry of
Human Error"—now appearing fragment by frag-
ment, not from the accumulated lore of dear old
Austin Caxton, but from the auirnattd and, so to
speak, piaci, ial manuscript of the ever-young, the
bright-eyed, the warm-hearted, and large-minded
Piaistratus ! Let us not, however, pride ourselves
about a narrative from which wemay so readily cull
so much genuine poetry of thought and feeling in
the way of illustrative quotation. Take the follow-
ing for example. How thoroughly Bulwerian in
sentiment are these quoin', and pathetic naedita.-
t'ons, full of tender and graceful conceits—bo,n
from the mystic union of Physics and Metaphysics !

"Alas, and alas 1 when we think of the lips which
murmured, Soon meet again,' and remember how, i❑
heart, soul, and thought, we staod for ever divided the
one from the other, when, once more face to face, we
each inly exclaimed,—' Met again
"Toe air that we breathe makes the medium through
Jvhich sound is conveyed ; be the instrument uncbangei,
be the force which is applied to it the same, still, the air
that thou seest not, the air to thy ear gives the music.
"Ring a bell underneath an exhausted receiver, thou
wilt scarce hear the sound ; give the ball due vibration
by free air in warm daylight, or sink it down to the
heart of the ocean, where the air, all compressed, fills
the vessel around it, and the chime beard afar, starts
thy soul, checks thy footstep,—unto deep calls the deep-
-a voice from the ocean is borne to thy soul.
"Where, then, the change, when thou sayest,
the same metal—why so faint•heard the ringing ?"
Ask the air that thou seest not, or above thee in slit, or
below thee in ocean. Art thou sure that the bell, so
fai❑t-beard, is not struck underneath an exhausted
receiver 7"

As a contrast, let us bore immediately afterwards
excerpt the characteristic rebuff administered by
Merle the cobbler to his thin gaunt servant of all
work, pompously called by him his housekeeper.
Vance has painted an exquisite portrait of Sophy,
otherwise Julietta Araminta :
" Said the gapnt earvant-ot-all- work to Mr. Merle—
' I'd let the gentlrman paint me, if he likes it—shall I
tell bin, master ?"'

" Go back to the bacon, foolish woman. Why, he
gave 3/. fur her likeness 'cause of Benehes ! But you'd
nave to give him three years' wages afore he'd look
straight in the face, 'cause you see, your Aspects are
crooked. And,' added the Cobbler, philosophising,
' When the Malofic3 are dead apinAt a girl's mug, mau
is so constituted by natur that be can't take to that mug
unless it has a gold handle. Don't fret, 'tis not your
fault ; bor❑ under Scorpio—coarse-limbed—dull com-
plexion—and the Head of the Dragon, aspected of In-
fortunes in all your Angles."'

An incident suggested by this incongruous vanity
o❑ the part of Merle's ungainly handmaiden, is
recounted by our author a little later on, and will
be found to be full of fun and irresistibly provoca-
tive of laughter. How admirable in another way
are the reflections uttered upon the Prince of
Orange—that Orange shrewd, and sour, and harsh,
and (to ourselves not less than to PiAscratus Cax-
ton) in every way unpalatable ! It is where Pisis-
tratus speaks of—

"Dutch William of the immortal memory, whom we
try so hard to like, and, in spite of the great Whig
historian, that Titian of English prose, can only frigidly
respect. Hard task for us Brituns to like a Dutchman
who dethrones his father, and drinks schnaps. Pre-
judice e.,rtainly ; but so it is. Harder still to
like Dutch William's unfilial Frau ! Like Queen
Mary ! I could as soon like Queen Goneril ?
Romance flies from the prosperous phlegmatic 2Eaeas ;
flies from his plump L4vinia, Achates,' Ben.
thick, fifes to follow the poor deserted fugitive Stuart,
with all his sins upon his head."

These are sentiments, however, it must be remem-
bered, not unfamiliar to Sir Bulwer Lytton. The
pulses of his imagination still throb (maybe un-
wittingly to himself) with the "life of his life"—
and the earnest soul of the Poet gleams out often
through the casual glance of the Novelist. He
likens the daugLtrr of James here anew to G-on.-eil
—he who in "The New Timon" chaunted that
thrilling couplet—
" And England's Goneril smiled to hear
The shouts that eohoed o'er her crownlesg Lear!"
He muses here, too, over the probability of his
new hero, Lionel, being admitted ultimately
" within the gates of the golden Cart fuel'—he who
has sung the glories of that Historical Fairyland so
nobly in the most amb'tious, and the one only
national, epic of our generation I It is inter-
esting to trace 'hue in the most varied and
prolific wrier of his day—those rare and most ex-
ceptional sciutillas(as we may venture to call them,
for they are nothing more) of reproduction. Not
repetition, observe, but " reproduction." Besides
Part ii. of Sir Etiward Lytton s novel, Maga has
for July six other contributions—a couple of them
"continuations," one of "New Seaside Studies"
upon the shores of the " Scilly Isles," the other
of "Scenes of Clerical Life," relating in this in-
stance, to " Jatiet's Repentance." There is one
"political" in 'he number having reference to the
old moot prob Lin the " Representation of the
Colonies." The three remaiuing articles ate at
once Critical and Biographical—one relating to
" Charles the Fiftii"—another to " Currer Bell"
ance her to " Sir Charles Napier"—the Sir Charles
Napier—terrible to his enemies, whether wielding
the Sword, the Pen, or the Broomstick!

Dublin University.—The present number pos-
sesses various subjects of interest. "The Partners,"
by Shirley Brooks, is continued in two chapters.
As the plot is developed the story becomes excit-
irra the different characters are sketched off in a
vigorous and striking style, and on the whole the
readers of the Dub/in, may expect a tale of a supe-
rior class. "John Twiller" is concluded, and in
a very satisfactory
.manner, as it may be said of
this extraordinary individual that " his brightest
moments were his last" or at least the last here
recorded, for he put aside many of the absurd
fancies and prejudices that had before mil tared
against his welldiang, and gave promise with better
fortune of a wisr and happier life. It is curious
enough that we also meet with the final chapter of
"Mr. Asop Smith," a quaint production that has
for some time past appeared, and which has doubt-
less been agreeable to some. Two articles deserv-
ing of attention are those which refer to two dis-
tinguished writers of the present day. The first is
entitled "Genius of the Rev. Charles Kingsley,"
and completes the survey before commenced of his
works. The general opinion expressed is a favour-
able one. "It is a pleasure to write on these works
—the contact with so healthful a mind imparts
healthiness." The second paper is on Mr. Thorn-
bury, and discusses his two recent works, which
have met with great success, "Art and Nature,"
and " Shakspeare's E» gland." The writer's idea
may be gathered from the following passage

" We esteem him as a man of great promise, arid pos-
sessed of all the qualifications to make him a, author
who shall ,ake a permanent place in the literature of
our country. He has genius, learning, taste, a quick
perceptive faculty, and a lively fancy ; ali these are
great gifts, but there is a more excellent gift yet to be
coveted, patient enduring, persevering industry—"
the cross and the crown of every literary man that ever
has or ever shall achieve greatness. We think we see
evidence of a laborious spirit about Mr. Thornburg.
The volumes we have been perusing show research—
'Erma ledge such as he displays comes not like the fabled
gifts of the good fairy at the wave of the wand, but like
the gold that remains in the digger's era ,le after hours
of toilful delving and careful washing the chy from the
ore. If a cheering word from us were needed, we would
give Mr. Thornbury the cheeriest that our heart could
suggest. W 0 prefer to tell him to he self-reliant and
hopeful, and so we bid him God speed."
Currer Bell's "Professor" draws our attention to
that gifted writer, whose career has of late been so
promiut ntly brought before the public. It ren-
ders full justice to 'her merits in discussing her
works. "The Death of Jacob" is a poem to which
au " accessit" was awarded at Oxford. It is com-
posed by the Rev. W. Alexander, M A., and is a
superior production. It bears evidences of classical
attainments and theological researches, and some
of the verses are admirably arranged. " Curiosi-
of the English Language" is an account of the

derivation of our language, which may be accept-
abli to some tudeuts. The Lt t. cry Ticket" is a
very amusing iiltie tale of Ita'y, in which an old
miser is ou witt d by hims If. His cook hiving
possessed herself of a lottery ticket, which he
ascertains to be a prize one, lie marries her before
she learns her success. She then informs him
that, on account of his xpressing disapproval, she
had sold her ticket. His horror may be imagined.
"Tile Castle of Dullin" is cont;nued, and pi eients
a Series of the imp 'rtaut events that occurred
during a century.

Frazer's Magazine.—Au amminglet ter on Sc. ,tch
affairs opens this nom the pen of a resident
in Edinburgh, t,ho has btifor - contributed hit opi-
nions on the state of social affairs iu the Scot ish
capital. The second pitps.r is more in eresting ;it
is a highly favourable criticism, on Sir Francis
Pal rave's History of Not mandy and England. The
critic remarks upon the int-rest of this and similar
works of s andaid value, a,,d übje is with sense
and justice, to the plan, once so popular, of abridg-
ing hist trio:. Those reade, s who have not already
made an-plaint-ince wi h t tie instructive and inte-
resting work will probably be induced by this criti-
cism to make amends for the delay. " A day at
Beaconsfield" gives usaske ch oh E Imund Burke in
his country retreat. The Interpre er, by the au-
thor of " Digiy Grand" is continued, and brings
its chief charac era into some very awkward predi-
caments. A chapter on the Sea, contains some
vivid and original thoughts on the wonderful as-
pects of the ocean, and the f-w writtys or poets,
or gazers, who can render justice to it. The series
of chapters on natural history are continued by the
second instalment on Deer, which gives an interest-
ing account of some of their habits and peculiarities,
their extraordinary longevity, their moles of de-
fence, and some anecdotes of remarkable stag hunts.
Na•tts on Canadian matters have retched the third
part. The author, who hkd previously written
anonywousiy, puts his name to this part, a suffi-
cient testimony of the authenticity and moderation
of his statements. He proves to be Viscount Bury,
M.P., late civil secretary and superintenient=geti6-
ral of Indian affrors in Canada. The article
contains much that merits the attention of
those interested in the. principles of Canadian leg;s-
la ion. A brief and interesting memoir of Alfred
de Musset, the late French poet, renders justice to
his genius, but deplores the sorrows and weakness
which embittered his life and misdirected his po wens.
The origin of the name of England is the subject of
a curious scrutiny. The writer arrives at the con-
clusio❑ that the name has been in existence long
before the time usually supposed, and that it ori-
gina.e I with the Saxons. A paper on the militia
will be interesting to those concerned in military
arrangements.

Colburn's New Monthly.—" The Countrywoman
and the Child," by the author of "Ashley," is the
continuation of the story of Sophia May and Frede-
rick Lyvett. The present portion is an impor-
ant one, and though in some parts startling,
it is very ingeniously arranged. The wily and de-
ceitful nature of Sophia has been shown before,
but it: this chapter of her career she commits mur-
der. It is evident, however, that she will soon be
discovered, as notwithstanding her acuteness, she
cannot conceal a hurry and agitation of manner,
that excite suspicion and give rise to inquiry.
" Saint Siniou's Memoirs" criticises the work
lately published. It. is said that the author's ob-
ject has been to supply us with the concentrated
essence of a too bulky original. In "Notes on
Notewortiqes" we are introduced to Charlotte
Biotite. After describing her life, it is remarked,
—" What night she not have produced besides,
had time be-n granted from on high t" And again,
—" That which she wrought, and by which she,
being dead, yet speaktth, atedes with us still ; and
long y, ars hence, de py-moved readers, strong
impassioned met' and tender women, shall
say the same thing, abides with us even
to this day." "Harford's Michael Angelo" refers
to a life recently brought out of that celebrated
man. It is said that of er Mr. Roscoe's there is
no English-ItaLan biography so likely to be read,
or read more pleasantly. It is curious to notice the -
advanced age at which the great artist laboured.
In his seventy-first year he undertook the painting
of the Pauline Chapel, and subsequently the plan
of the re-building of St. Peter's was confided to
him ; he died at the task at the age of eighty-nine.
It is disappointing to think that, admiraole as was
his work, after his death the plan was again- i
changed. " The History of the Newspaper Press" \
is continued, and furnishes, as usual, some curious
records. One of the strangest is the perplexity
into which the editor of one journal was thrown by
want of matter, so that he " commenced reprinting
the Bib'e verbatim, and got as far as the 10th of.
Exodus before things temporal furnished him with
sufficient matter to fill up his journal." •

The United Service Magazine. The opening
article in this number is on a subject vihich.threa,
tens to engage the attentions of politicians and
statesmen, indeed of all classes of civilians as well
as of military men. The Sepoys are the topic of
the paper, and tome sensible remarks on their dis;
cipline, &a., may give information to the reader.
Much of the disaffection among the troops is attri-
buted to the Brahmims ; a high Brahmin in a
regiment, though a mere recruit, is said to have
mitre power than the colonel. An order was issued
cautioning officers against their admittance into the
ranks, but to avoid this they frequently assume
another case, generally the one next to their own
and thus disarms the suspicions of the officers,
though among companions they take care to pre-
a,r-ve the r original rank. The writer considers that
the enlistment oath of the Sepoys is too lenient,
and recommends its alteration. The Reorganiza-
tion of the Army Medical Department furnishes
an interesting paper, in which the difficulties
with which military medical men have to contend,
the system to be adopted, the dangers they incur,
and the qualifications they require, are ably and
carefully considered. It is au important subject,
and deserves moore attention than it has yet re-
ceived. A paper on " Collisions at Sea" gives some
useful hints h oar some collisions might be avoided,
and strongly recommends the adopiion of a more
intelligible distress or night signal to be used at
sea. An interesting paper on the military charac-
t-r, as illustrated by works of fiction, passes under
review the leading modern writers of fiction, and
their respectrve portraits of mili,ary men.
"Notes on Military Science" contains much useful
information for candidates for commissions, to
whom it is addressed. "The Kingdom of Siam"
forms the topic of an interesting article. "The Le-
gends of the Brack Watch" give the conclusion of
the exciting adventures of Ciptain Gra,it. The
" Half-yetrly Examinations at Sandhurst" find a
place in this number, among many other papers of
varying interest and merit.

Bentley's Miscellany.--The subject of a paper
entitled "The S coud Empire," may be easily
divined. It takes a retrospect of events in Franco
during 1848 and the succeeding years, and is
founded on a recent French work by
M. de Cas-
sagnac. "The Millionaire, of Mincing-lane" by
Dudley Costello, is continued. The commercial
dishonesty which has,
unbappily, become so com-
mon of late years, is represented in it. Wheiher
fiction will serve to warn where reality .has
failed may be doubted, but fraudulent bankers
and speculators of unbounded daring have be-
come stereotyped in the romances of the
present day. " Thanatos Athanatus" is con-
tinued, and presents us with some anecdotes
and retie .tions on the cormaa,m avoidance of the
mere mention of dea,h, wid the dislike some per-
sons have of hearing the names of their dead
friends m rationed, and of se,ing their corpses.
" China and the Chinese," is the title of a paper
on Mr. Fortune's recent vi.rk, and gives numerous
extracts and anecdotes. Mr. Griusted's " Gallery
of Theatrical Portraits," awards the seventh place
to John Bannister, who appears in most attractive
colours, adding to his versatile merits on the stage
the rarer qualilication of steadiness and principle.
" The Life of an Architect" continues, and gives
s the London of
some curious particulars and ingenious criticisms
on s c
1827. Grey Powderbuildings
is the ominous
title of the story which tells the fortunes of Mr.
Castonel, of Ebury. The readers of Bentley will
remember that this tale has been proceeding for
under various titles, and is written
with talent and interest, but is so absurdly impro-
sbeavbeleratl months
that the reader feels inclined to quarrel with
an author who can write a story so well, and con-
descends to the extravagant and horrible. It is
much to be regretted that this style is becoming so
prevalent in serials. It is almost impossible
to meet with a story of simple domestic life, or of
ordinary events and struggles. Even the
old fashioned escapes from shipwreck, houses on.
fire, &c., were preferable, to the horrors that are
now the fashion. Truth is sti anger than fiction,
but it is to be hoped that she dues not deal quite
so largely in grey powdrs as Mr. Castonel.
Mi,helet's " Franca in the Seventeenth Century,"
furnishes Monkshood '`with a subject fur his new
book notes.

Tail's Edinburgh. —This magazine has several
topics of unthual interest. It opens with a pape
on " What we Drink and Eat," the painful subject
of adult-ration of food, which is truly the realisa-
tion of the old Egyptan idea of the skeleton at
the feast. "Sketches of Jersey," which generally
contain some pleasant leidin„o-, have a little do-
nseitic story called " The Daisy of G1°1111.116."
"The Ballads of Bon Gaultiet's Grandsons" are
sometimes clever, and sometimes, in aiming at
being smart, they become flippant. The present