The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-04 00:00:00

TBE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood's Magazine.
There are some pages devoted to the considera-
tion of " The China War of 1860," which merit
perusal. There is a brief narrative, as it is called,
of the momentous proceedings in that Celestial
Empire, which, through suffering, and danger,
and difficulty, at last resulted in so glorions a
success. Familiar as most readers will be with
all the details here mentioned, it is often desirable
to meet with them thus in a connected form. It is
most interesting to have the progress of events
from the arrival of the troops in June till that
proud day in October, when the display of the
ensign from the gate of Pekin announced that
the Tartars had surrendered the command of the
Imperial city. " Yes, we- were then masters of
capital of China, at the very end of the map of
the world, at the point which appears to school-
boy minds the limit of the creation." In conclusion,
the following remarks are made :
" The Chinese expedition of 1860 has come to an end. It
will be kindly remembered by all who took part in it for the
good feeling and fellowship which animated all members of
a very well-al pointed force ; and it will be remembered by
the public as a distant, difficult, and complicated operation
brought, under God's blessing, to a successful issue, by a
combination of naval, military, and diplomatic efficiency
and skill, which England has most cordially acknowledged,
and of which she may be justly proud."

" Norman Sinclair" presents some exciting pas-
sages, • The tale appears to be approaching a
climax, and the interview with Mr. Beaton is a
very well described scene. Norman shows great
prudence as well as zeal in his very hazardous
undertakings. He is left at the moment of
starting in pursuit of the villains who have caused
such havoc in the homes of many,
i and his ac-
count of his travelling companions s very enter-
taining. " The Physical Geography of the Sea"
furnishes us with some topics for consideration.
It criticises an American work on the subject, upon
which high praise is bestowed. " Here is a sub-
ject in the abstract hopeless, treated in a manner
that from the opening of the book till its close
never tires. Not only does he treat of the ani-
mate and inanimate products of the sea, and of the
currents which circulate through its waters and
impart life and action to the uttermost depths, but
to Lieutenant Maury we are indebted for much
information—indeed, for all that mankind possesses
of the crust of the earth beneath the blue waters
of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." It is at all

mes an agreeable and profitable task to dwell on
a work like this, and it is here treated in a very
suitable manner. A paper is also devoted to
" Lee's History of the Church of Scotland." In
dwelling on the question whether or not it is a
benefit that there should be different ecclesiastical
establishments in England and Scotland, it is
truly said that the " advantages of the diversity
are greater than its drawbacks, inasmuch as Scot-
land has thus retained her independent position
and separate institutions, instead of sinking into a
mere province of England." The period here
under discussion was an eventful one in the his•
tory of nations, and, painful as it is to peruse
many records of religious dissensions, where faults
are so glaringly exhibited on both sides, it is im-
portant to dwell upon them, if we would arrive
at a fair estimate of our enemies. The remarks
here made are very impartial, and may well accord
in the opinions expressed concerning the National
Covenant. " In the meantime, we repeat that our
objections to the covenants, and particularly to
the Solemn League and Covenant, ought not wholly
to determine our opinion of the individuals who
originated or adopted them. The name of the
Scottish Covenanters ought never to be mentioned
without honour, though its name may be tar-
nished by dark and disastrous spots. We may
reject some of their opinions, we may condemn or
denounce the arts of some of their number ; but
as a body they deserve our admiration for many
things ; for the high value which they set on
religious truth, on personal piety, and on simpli-
city of worship —for the courage and constancy
with which they asserted their principles, and
their readiness to sacrifice and suffer everything
for conscience sake." In this number the greater
number of articles relates to the consideration of
works—there is one on " Wilson's German Cam-
paign of 1813," and another on "Natural History
Books." There is a paper on " The Indian Civil
Service, its Rise and Fall," which takes rather a
glowing view of affairs at the present juncture.
Also some remarks on " Iron Clad Ships of War
and our Defences." This takes a very sensible
view of that great question, and observes that
" the launch of the first of our future filet of
fighting ships has been hailed with genuine satis-
faction from one end of Britain to the other." It
is truly said, in considering the question of security
against the foe, that there is but " one real defence
for this empire—though God forbid we should be
reduced to defensive measures—when an enemy
really assails us, and that defence is to-day what it
was in the days of Elizabeth, of glorious memory
Thi
rd
and is to-day what it was when George the
and William Pitt tamed the pride of the Gaul,
and laughed at banded Europe." Further, a
great stress is laid on the importance of having a
defensive flotilla of iron gunboats in support of
which many valid arguments are urged ; and in

1 conclusion wo meet with the following eloquent
and spirited passage :—•
" Then, with our volunteer riflemen and our vast fleet of
mercantile steamers, we should indeed be ready for all
eventualities. A combined action of our defensive and
offensive fleets would, still more effectually than in great
Drake's day, ' singe the King of Spain's beard,' by an
assault on Cherbourg or Flushing ; and if, whilst our sea-
fleet was away, another and more formidable armada reached
our narrow seas, directed by one who combines the subtlety
of a Philip with the military genius of a Parma, we should
still be prepared to follow and fight him—let England, Ire-
land, or Scotland be his object—' plucking their feathers,
little by little"--repeating the tactics of those glorious sea-
men who, under Howard, Seymour, Drake, Hawkins, and
Frobisher, leapt I o struggle with the fee on our native ele-
ment, taught Europe a lesson which lasted 200 years, and
boasted with truth that a hostile host, intended for the hu-
miliation of the proud islanders, ' did not even burn one
sheep-cote in this land.' "

Dublin University Magazine.
This number contains many interesting subjects
for perusal. The article on Fronde's History of
England is well worthy of attentive perusal, and
criticises in a just style that important and excel
lent work. The writer defends Mr. Froude from
many charges that have been brought against him
by divers critics, and especially from the sweeping
censure in the Times. It is thus remarked in
summing up :—" Our conclusion is, that while his
narrative might be smoother, and while his style
is occasionally redundant, these blemishes are more
than atoned for by the laborious accuracy, whose
wrough materials are fused into the white glow of
his eloquence ; and the fact of his belonging to the
spiritual school of historians is surely no grave accu-
saiion against him who chronicles the era of the
English Reformation—the spring-tide of England's
intellectual and religious new birth, the battle field
of contending principles, the age of bold doers,
bolder thinkers, and sufferers bolder again than
either." The remarks on Cromwell are most in-
teresting, and due credit is awarded to Mr. Froude
for his historical treatment of that great man. It
is said that he enters into his character with fine
psychological insight. A passage is quoted from
the volume which exemplifies in full force the way
in which the description is done, in which it is
truly said that his enemies in their evil spirit of
revenge " gave him an opportunity of redeming
his fame and writing his name in the roll of
martyrs." At the end of this superior sketch is
the following tribute to the effective style in which
this portion of the history has been written :
" A yet higher lesson, with which we conclude our notice,
is eloquently taught. The Church could only be purified
by her Lord's way of suffering. The iron bar, however
massive, has a tendency to crystallise in severe frost, when
it snaps and crumbles at a touch. Prosperity is the time
of the Church's crystallisation ; but if the bar be removed,
heated, and made incandescent in the furnace, it is restored
to its original strength. So was the Church strengthened
by her plunge into the fiery furnace of martyrdom. It is
the highest meirt of Mr. Froude's work that it shows us,
walking among our faithful witnesses, a form like the Son
of God. '
"An Only Son" is continued, and the tale is already
become very elaborate, and the reader foresees
many intricate plots and surprising events for the
future. " A Mediaeval Patriot, Scanderberg," is a
very attractive sketch, and none will fail to be in-
terested in the record of this brave man who
fought for freedom and his inalienable birthright
Few romances can surpass this glimpse of reality,
which must be set among the gems with which
history redeems her dark and dreadful pages. The
subjoined remarks may be acceptable as evidencing
the career of one who was a true patriot :
" This model for sovereigns was neither rendered vain
by good fortune nor dispirited by adversity. He had ne
personal ambition, no avarice, no luxurious appetities. His
passions and propensities were held in systematic eontrol.
He fought not for power, but for liberty. He spoiled his
enemies to humble them, and to procure subsistence for his
own people, not to enrich himself. When circumstances
permitted he kept a sumptuous table for his officers and
friends, but en all occasions he himself ate but once.Ertlay,
and that sparingly. Ho never slept more than 'five, hours
in the 24, and when in the field would satisfrhimself with
two. His soldiers were richly habited, but their king
generally very plain in attire. His horses and arms, how-
ever, were of the first quality, and on occasions of ceremony
he would appear dressed and attended with the utmost
magnificence. In fine, as a king, a soldier, and a Christian
men, living in an age and country when the hand alone
could keep the head, his character commands equal admira-
tion and esteem, and approaches as nearly to perfection as
the weakness of humanity allows us to suppose possible."
" Anon, anon, Sir," is a brief essay on the import-
ance of conserving the anonymous principle in
periodical literature. The arguments here adduced
are valid ones, and it: is to be hoped that the prac-
tice lately so prevalent of departing from the
ancien regime may be speedily discontinued. By
means of this desirable obscruity it is asserted what
is written must depend on its own merits, not its
past fame. The description of a mighty and
powerful writer like old Thunderer Stirling, or
Carlyle in the good old days when he could write
English, is the following :
_ _

" Terrible he rode alone,
With his Jemen sword for aid.
Ornaments he carried none,
Save the dents upon his blade."
" The- Mammoth Cave of Kentucky" is a very
amusing little sketch of a wonderful spot whose
existence is certainly little thought of in this coun-
try. Yet it is said " this extraordinary cave
which might serve as a counterpart to the shades
of antiquity, is perfectly accessible, and is visited
annually by thousands of Americans." There is a
paper entitled " Bacon and• his New Apologist,"
which disapprove's of Mr. Dixon's work of "The
Personal History of Lord Bacon," on the ground
that he has allowed his partiality to run away with
his judgment, and thus has failed to realise his idea
of clearing the reputation of his idol. " Mabel "
contains some pretty verses, and there are some
beautiful thoughts intertwined with the poetry.
The following verses are among the best

" For lingering fondly after her
We hear angelic wings astir;
A gleam comes through the golden bars
Where Christ is gone beyond the stars,
Out of that home invisible
Wherein His own reneemed dwell,
" For when we breathe our Mabel's name
It is as if our Saviour came
(As erst to her of Galilee),
Into her chamber, with the three,
And touched her hand before our eyes,
And called her, saying Maid, arise.'
" Yea, risen indeed, and gone away
With Him until the judgment day.
In what high placed, or blessed state,
The souls of His beloved wait,
Till they shall come again to stand
When sounds the trump at His right hand."
" Command of the Channel" furnishes us with the
old topic of discussion concerning the necessity of
defence and the best means of obtaining it. It is
very forcibly urged on the Government not to
undertake sudden changes. Do not let the
Channel fleet be put down for the present. It is the
sheet anchor of the nation. Nothing inore behoves
to be more borne in the national mind than that a
single great battle lost at sea by England would be
sufficient to destroy her preponderance and to throw
her open to invasion."

Colburn's New Monthly Magazine.

A lengthened paper on the social economy of the
Mormons opens this number. It is founded on a
recent French work, in which the author, M.
Remy, recounts the results of an exploring expedi-
tion into the territory of Utah. He resolved on
visiting the country of this singular sect, and
accompanied by a friend end a suitable escort he
set forth in July, 1855. On the preparations for
this expedition he expended £1,600, although the
time occupied was only five months. He confirms
in all respects the accounts of previous travellers,
and pourtrays in the strongest manner the wretch-
edness of the domestic life conducted on the prin-
ciples of Joseph Smith and his followers. The story
of " East Lynne" is continued, but the story pro-
gresses very unsatisfactorily. The position of Lady
Isabel returning as governess to her own children
in the house that had once been hers, under an
assumed name, in the presence of Mr. Carlyle's
second wife, is most painful and unnatural. We
regret that the author choose to linger so long on
so extravagant a situation, and one which can only
gratify a morbid taste. Sir Nathaniel gives us a
sketch of the founder of the imperial dynasty of
the Hapsburgs, one more worthy in many re-
spects of the dignity he enjoyed than most of his
successors. At the present moment their tenure of
authority is not very satisfactory, but it is inte-
resting to turn to the bold career of the warlike
Rudolph, whose narrow means and low estate,
contrary to the usual rule, greatly facilitated his
election to the Crown of the Empire. In these days
of universal disbelief and sceptical assaults, on our
old historical traditions, all lovers of nursery lore
will be delighted to find careful and authent's
testimony to the truth of the story of Whittington
and his cat. Of the identity of the " thrice Lord
Mayor", there has indeed been no dispute, but the
existence of his fourfooted assistant has been often
cavilled at. The Rev. Mr. Lysons, however, who
has issued a modern version of the story, retains
the cat as a prominent feature in the early part of
Sir Richard's life, although summarily dismissing
the poor parents, the early rags, and even the
waggon that helped him to London. Fortunately
the good deeds of the City magnate in later days
is less open to question, and " as an intelligent and
practical philanthropist," says the writer before us,
" he has rarely been equalled." The establishment
of drinking fountains, the improvement of prisons,
and prison discipline ; the protection of the poor
from fraudulent tradesmen, were among the least
costly of his efforts." An old authority rectords
his greater doings. " He builded the gate of Lon-
don, which is called Newgate, which before was a
ruisearble dungeon. He builded Whittington Col-
leged, and made it an Almese House for poore
people. Also he builded a greater parte of ;ye
Hospital! of S. Bartholomew's, in West Smith- .

_
field, London. He also builded the beautifull
Library of ye Grey Friers, in London, called
Christe s Hospitall ; and he builded the Guilde
Halle Chappell, aad increased a greater parte of
the East ende of the saied Hall, besides many other
good workes," Mrs. Bushby contributes the first
part of a Danish story, and there is an interesting
paper on Thiebault's Memoirs, of which a new
edition has just been issued in Paris. "No life of
Frederick the Great," says the critic, " can be
possible without constant reference to them. A
brief article on Victor Emmanuel and Italy is not
satisfactory, since the writer regards the mainte-
nance of Austrian despotism in Venetia with com-
placency, and recommends the enforcement of the
terms of the peace of Villafranca. W. C. Kent
contributes some very charming verses on the noble
poet and favourite of poets, Surrey in the Tower.

The United Service Magazine.
This magazine commences with an article on
the pay and expenses of officers, in which, amongst
other difficulties with which the officer of limited
private income, or he who is entirely dependent on
his pay for support, the absurd and ruinous cus-
tom of keeping up an expensive mess is justly
censured. Chapter 2 follows suit ' • in fact, this
month, the editor has determined to show no
quarter to the shortcoming of our naval and mili-
tary services. Therefore, in the second chapter,
the Board of Admiralty come in for their share of
castigation. Here, at all events, the censor has
free scope and a wide field for action, and after
commenting at length on the system employed in
manning our navy, he remarks—

"It is this state of things which more particularly shows
the extremely faulty nature of Admiralty administration.
Had a proposition been made to the Commander-in-Chief
in the army to discontinue the system of recruiting, what
would have been his course? In all probability 'resig-
nation; and had a recommendation been made which in
his judgment would have driven nine-tenths of the recruits
away, just as they were becoming good soldiers, he would
have remonstrated as became one in his position. But the
Admiralty can do nothing. The first Sea Lord, who has
the manning business to look after, fumes and frots, and
threatens to resign, but does not. The First Lord knows
that he is only acting up to the wishes of the Free-Trade
Cabinet, and helping to secure the votes of Cobden, Bright,
and Company; and Admiral -- Is told he may do as he
pleases about resigning, but if he does there is Admiral
who quite enters into the Government views, and
is rather anxious to have a seat at the board. The Navy
has, in truth, no representative and no sincere friend but
the press. Every one is seeking his own interest, or the
interest of the party which keeps him in power—which
amounts to the same thing—and as all know that a few
years at farthest will make a change, and that some one
else who may then have watch on deck will have to repair
the evils they have suffered to creep into the good ship."
" Discontent in the Royal Navy" follows, and its
cause and remedy are dilated upon. Under -the
head of "Remarks upon the Effects of the New
Armament of Cannon and Rifles lately adopted in
the British Army," the atter,tion of military men
is called to the adoption of an improved order of
fortification and a speedier plan of bringing troops
into position, together with other details. We
have chapters on the army estimates and the late
official report on the French navy, in which it is
shown that in spite of the pretended diminution of
labour in the French dockyards, which the report
would have us to believe, they have been more
than usually active. " Denmark and Schleswig-
Holstein," that never ending subject of controversy,
forms the subject of an article commencing with the
lines of Albert Smith, which a good many could
echo—

"About the Schleswig-Holstein row
My notions are not clear."
Under the head of " The Southern States of
America" we are furnished with a history of the
rise of some of the seceding States, and informa-
tion on transatlantic matters. " A Boat Expedi-
tion in Burmah, from the Diary of an Officer," is
continued from last month, and is as replete with
interesting details of the manners and customs of
country. Part 2of The Bahams, or Lucagos
Islands" is the last subject for this month, and
contains a romantic tradition of the fountain of
youth preserved in the West Indies. The
"Editor's Portfolio," and general naval and mili-
tary information, are, of course, as usual, fur-
nished.

Bentley's Miscellany.
" The Constable of the Tower," which has been
already noticed in our columns, of course takes the
first place. In " Mingle Mangle," by Monkshood,
Storm-brewing and Skyey Influences is continued,
in which the author shows that, whether true or
false, from the earliest ages both novelists and
poets invariably bring atmospheric influences to
bear upon, or to associate themselves with, the fate
of their heroes, In a biography of Marshal Mac-
mahon, Duke of Magenta, we find a full account of
this successful adventurer. " The Parting Fee" is
a medical memorandum of the last half-century.
It is short, and good enough in its way. We must
compliment our friend Onida on the decided im-
provement " Our Corps' Friends and Foes" is upon
his previous contributions. Part the third this
month brings the tale to a conclusion, and the last
few pages, in which spirit-rapping and table-danc-
ing are brought into play, are very cleverly writ-
ten and ludicrous in the extreme. Under the head
of " The Life of the Sea, and Life in the Sea," the
wonders of the deep are expounded as deep as the
writer can fathom. The following is an Ex-
ample

" Brimful of life at its surface, the sea would be encum-
bered if that prodigious power of production was not kept
somewhat in check by the antagonist power of destruction.
Only imagine that every herring has from 50,000 to 70,000
eggs 1 If every egg was to produce a herring, and every
herring 50,000 more, were there not an enormous destruc-
tion going on, the ocean would very soon be solidified and
putrified. The great cetacea drive them towards the shores,
ever and anon diving into their ranks and swallowing up
whole shoals. The whiting eat their fry; cod again de-
vour the whiting. Yet, even here, the peril of the sea, an
excess of fecundity, shows itself in a still more terrible
shape. The cod has up to nine millions of eggs, and this
creature, of such formidable powers of maternity, has nine
months of love out of twelve. No wonder that the fishery
of this productive fish has created towns and colonies. But
even then, what would the power of man be opposed to such
fecundity ? He is assisted by others, among which the
sturgeon takes chief rank. Then, again, the sturgeon
itself is a very fecund fish. This devourer of cod has itself
fifteen hundred thousand eggs. Another great devourer is
not proportionately reproductive, and that is the shark; so
Michelet calls it " Le beau mangeur de la nature, mangeur
patents, le requin." Vivaporous, he nourishes the young
shark in his bosom, his feudal inheritor, who is born ter-
rible and ready armed. Hence are sharks called in many
countries sea-dogs, and so we lately saw the French chiefs
de finer literally translated."

0 "The House, Blaswick," four pages are alone
furnished this month, but short though the instal-
ment be, it consists of two chapters, and contains
strange revelations, which only " make that darker
which was dark enough before." " Lorn Loriot,"
by Dudley Costello, is continued, and bids fair to
be a capital story.

Fraser's Magazine.
Fraser opens with another instalment of Mr.
Whyte Melville's story "Good for Nothing, or All
Down Hill." It is written in the author's usual
style, lively and clever, showing some knowledge
of life and character. The love affairs of the party,
between affection and interest, rivalry and opposi-
tion threaten to become sufficiently entangled to
suit the most eager romancist. The first paper,.oll
the progress and prospects of astronomy, gives us
the commencement of a series of studies through
the telescope, written in a popular and simple
style. It is remarked that it is in "rainy, cloudy,
misty', damp, boisterous, sombre England," whose
uncertain atmosphere is so unfavourable to astro-
nomical observations, that the study of astronomy
is of late years most widely diffused. An article
on "Dante, his Works and Wanderings," traces
the chequered and eventful life of the poet of the
" Divine Commedia" and " The Florentine " Exile.
The story of "Ida Conway" progresses with some
degree of interest. Trouble and humiliation are
evidently hanging over the family of Von Wert-
heim. "A Few -Words on Tours and Tourists"
sets forth strongly the advantages of travel. In.
the concluding passages the author 01. serves—
" When so much stress is laid upon the cultivation
of some artistic taste, and painting and music are
prized as the civilisers of society, it is as well to
remember what is due in this manner to the cheap
travelling, which educates the senses of thousands
amidst the beauties of nature." We have after-
wards a spirited description of a hunting field and
the death of poor Reynard, under the title of
" A Mouut on Shank's Mare." Mrs. Piozzi, whose
familiarity with our literary hero of the last half
of the eighteenth century has brought her much
undeserved distinction, is the subject of an inte-
resting paper, which gives a succinct outlineof. her
life and fortunes. Notwithstanding her toil and
accomplishments, and the tact and energy she
often displayed in trying situations, Mrs. Thrale
appears to have been entirely devoid of warmth
of heart or elevation of mind. The total absence
of affection between herself and her daughters,
even before her marriage with Piozzi, is very little
to the credit of either side. There are some spirited
lines addressed to South Carolina, recommending
and the allot-
m the
elt i d viosfi onthoef
stthaersNattioontahl flag,
eNorth, and the
stripes, fit emblem of the slave driver's domi-
nion to the Southern States. The "Chronicle of
Carrent History" is continued, giving, as usual, a
comprehensive and fairly written resume of the
events of the month in both hemispheres. It is a
useful addition to the magazine, especially for
country readers.

Macmillan's Magazine.
Victor Amadeus, the First King of Sardinia,"
is the subject of a very interesting article. His
military successes are a matter of history, but his
worse than tragic end is not generally known.
After abdicating in favour of his son, a weak,