The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-24 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Labour and Lire. A Story. By the Author of
" Blenham." William Freeman.

This story is written with the intention of de-
veloping a true and excellent doctrine—the connec-
tion of work and happiness. .The author has evi-
dently thought deeply on this and some other points
connected with social existence, and his book is in-

tended more as an exposition of his principles than
as a mere tale. Some readers may object to the
combination of narrative and railect'on, but the
writer is evidently one who is capable of both ;
and though a certain dreaminess in the style, and
the secondary position which the incidents hold to
the opinions, would seem to ind'cate that, though
not a first, it is an early work, there is evidence of
powers which, well directed, may achieve excel-
lence in their chosen path. Tee author is mani-
festly deeply interested in painting, and several of
his characters are artists. He regards it from an
elevated point of view, and holds the opinion that
all who are conscious of any degree) of power in it,
or in any sister art, should study it with a purpose,
and endeavour to reach the highest degree of
which their faculties are capable, and also that they
should in some way give the world the profit of
their effoes. Idleness and procrastination are not
with him regarded as the inseparable companions of
genius ; he dismisses them with scorn, and asserts
that no true artist, no reasonable and moral human
being can possibly develop their capacities, or
enjoy any degree of lasting contentment without
regular and sufficient labour. That this proposi-
tion is just and true, perhaps only those who
have never been able to put it to the test,
will dispute. Its moral soundness is un-
doubted, and its practical truth is as unquestion-
able. He endeavours to show this by the life and
character of a wayward youth, whose father, soure I
by early trials, had sought a refuge from the world
in his lonely country residence, bringing his only
child up in entire seclusion. Left by his father's
death the owner of an independent fortune, he
wanders about dissatisfied and restless, unable to
employ or amuse himself, and a burden t ) others.
He becomes attached to a charming young lady,
to whom he is introduced by an old friend, and
when his suit proves hopeless ho gives way to
moody listlessness. From this state ho is at lon;th
aroused by a chain of fortuitous circumstances, and
becomes convinced that indolence and discontent
are synonymous terms. He is_ not, however, the
only hero. The story is disconnected at the be-
ginning, but the different threads are gathered
and woven together at the conclusion in a way that
proves some skill in the construction of a plot.
Bertha, the heroine, is represented as au example
of the beneficial effects of intellectual industry,
while Miss Molesworth, her artist friend, is in-
tended to represent the soothing power of labour in
diverting the mind from a great grief. Some of
the characters aro perhaps stiff, and the story is
devoid of striking incident or thrilling excitement,
but as an exposition of just and elevated views by
one who has thought profitably on some important
subjects, the book deserves attention, and as a
domestic story of calm and pleasurable interest, it
will give satisfaction to many readers.

THE BALLAD OF R9ARING HANNA.

Re3pectfully dedicated to the Author of the Ballad of
" Oriana."

(Front Punch.)
Reverend Drew and Cooke and Roo,
Roaring Hanna,
Preaching in the streets forego,
Roaring Hanna,
Whore Orange hates and Papist, glow,
In church 'twere wiser, if more slow,
Roaring Hanna !
To preach "the word" without "the blow,"
Roaring Hanna I
Think you seed of Christian sewing,
Roaring Hanna,
Like to thrive by blood set flowing,
Roaring Hanna I
Staves were going, stones were throwing,
The gospel trump to battle blowing,
Roaring Hanna!
And the row to you was owing,
Roaring Hanna I
In your sables, black as night,
Roaring Hanna,
Cheek and choker both so white,
Roaring Hanna,
Your congregation armed for fight-
With staves in carnal fiats held tight,
Roaring Hanna
"Peace and good will" how well you cite,
Roaring Hanna !
Behind the Harbour-office wall,
Roaring Hanna
Girt by your Lisburn lads so tall,
Roaring Hanna,
What's faction's flame, or hatred's gall,
What's riot, bloodshed, row, or brawl,
Roaring Hanta,
To one who boasts an inward call,
Roaring Hanna

In vain the magistrates applied,
Roaring Hanna ;
Your rights were you to set aside,
Roaring Hanna ?
Your rights were you to set aside,
Fcr Papists, though with gnus supplied,
Roaring Hanna?
Deemed they you lacked all Christian pride,
Roaring Hanna ?
"Sermons in stones" cloth Shakespeare trace,
Roaring Hanna ;
But " Stones in Sermons" suit your case,
Roaring Hanna ;
Soon on your true-blue babes of grace,
The Papist ruffians rushed apace,
Roaring Hanna,
And argument to staves give place,
Roaring Hanna.
A fair sight for the Sabbath day,
Roaring Hanna,
And one you well to heart may lay,
Roaring Hanna.
How blest must be the prayers you say,
Mid curse and cry of party-fray,
Roaring Hanna •
Nothing like oil can fire ;nay,
Roaring Hanna I

Vain all remonstrance from the Beak,
Roaring Hanna ;
Off Clarke and Coates were forced to sneak,
Roaring Hanna.
How I respect thy saintly cheek,
That law's protection dares to seek,
Roaring Hanna,
Law which thou wert the first to break,
Roaring Hanna.
Thou criest aloud ; none heed thy cries,
Roaring Hanna,
The worst-used man 'neath Irish skies,
Roaring Hanna :
The bloody Papists may arise,
Break Orange heads, black Orange eyes,
Roaring Hanna,
'Cause Protestants have done likewise,
Roaring Hanna 1
Oh Papist triumph, True bias woe 1
Roaring Hanna,
Oh Orange splendours waxing low I
Roaring Hanna!
Shall Papists vile give blow for blow,
And Justice not, as long ago,
Roaring Hanna,
'Twist them and ui a diff'rence know I
Roaring Hanna 1
When the Hussars charge down the quay,
Roaring Hanna,
When fire the Green Constablary,
Roaring Hanna,
Let grateful Belfast think of thee,
That sleeping party-hates sot free
Roaring Hanna,
And bid him calm, who roused that sea,
Roaring Hanna!

SPECULATING SPIRITS.—The Build') Republic states
that bankers, brokere, and speculators, in that city, are
in the habit of visiting mediums, and table turning and
spirit rapping circles. We have beard, it says, in•
stances where sprits have been consulted prior to en-
gaging in large speculative operations, which since have
proved disastrous. Loans to large amounts have been
made by banks and brokers at the suggestion and on the
recommendation of spirits. Railroad stocks have been
purchased and produce in large quantities bought on the
advice of table tipping mediums.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BRIXTON.—Last night great
excitement prevailed in the immediate vicinity of Brix-
ton, in consequence of a fire of a very formidable charac-
ter taking place in the premises belonging to Mr. Samuel
Bamford, carpenter, builder, joiner, &c., carrying on
business at No. 5, Carlton-terrace, Loughborough-road,
opposite the Hero of Switzerland tavern. The premises
in which the disaster commenced were nearly 100 feet
long, and were used as workshops, in which was dcpo-
sited a costly stock in trade, as well as the whole of the
workmen's tools and other effects ; independent of which
a timber-yard belonging to the same gentleman, and
well stored with piles of timber and other building
materials, was in danger of being consumed. The police,
under Mr. Inspector Emmet-ton and Sergeant Ham-
mond, No. 10 P, at once commenced removing the
timber from the front and back yards, and they also
placed ladders to the back fronts of the surrounding
dwellings, in case the flames should take a contrary
direction ; but, fortunately, such was not the case, for
owing to the indefatigable exertions of the firemen of
the London Brigade, Beaufoy's vinegar works, and the
West of England Office, they were enabled eventually t
io
extinguish the flames, but not before the budding n
which the fire commenced and all it contained were.re-
dneed to ruins. As to the origin of the fire nothin
thaA could be depended upon could be learned.The
sufferer was insured in the British Empire Mutual Fire
Office, and the building was insured in the Phoenix Fire
Office. The police rendered essential service to Mr.
Henderson, the foreman of the brigade, and the men
under him, by keeping an immense crowd out of danger.

ASCENTS olr THE GRAFFENEIRE AND

GRAD CO3IBIY.

A Traveller writes to a contemporary as follows,:
—I wish to call the attention of the numerous
gentlemen engaged every year in investigating the
physical geography of Switzerland to the group of
five snow mountains lying north-east of the Great
St. Bernard, between the Val do Bagnes and the
Val d'Entremont, and which are at present so little
known that oven the otherwise excellent map of G.
Studer gives but the fsintest approximation to their
true relations. The 'highest mountain of the group
is a most conspicuous and beautiful object in the
views from the Dent du Midi, Atont Velma, the
Col de la Seigne, and I believe alto from Mont
Blanc. It is generally but erroneously described
as the Grand Combin, a name really belonging to
to quite a subordinate summit ; the inhabitants of
the Valley of 011omont call it " Le Grande Cher-
montane," and those of the Val de Bagnes the
" Graffeneire," by which name I shall hereafter
designate it. Its probable height (Ziegler—
" Sammlung der absolutsn Hohen der Schweiz,"
p. 131) is 4,308 metres, or 14,130 English feat, and
the guides throughout Switzerland have hitherto
declared it quite inaccessible, as they always do
mountains of which they have not made the ascent.
The only way yet known of penetrating into the
heart of this region is by the glacier of Corbassiere,
a long and narrow stream of ice flowing due north,
nearly parallel to the Val de Beetles, into which
the glacier torrent discharges itself just above Lor-
tier. Its upper or southern portion is a large
snow basin connected with the glacier of Mont Du-
rend by an undescribed col, about 10,000 feet high,
which I propose to call the Col do Corbassiere. In
ascending the glacier its channel is bound on the
right or western side, first by the Pic de Sery,
pyramidal rocky mass, without snow, and then by
the curious rocks of the Avoulons and the Follets.
Behind and above these latter rises the Petit Com-
bin, and the chain is terminated on the south by
the Grand Conibln, which falls steeply down to the
snow basin of Corbassiere. Further south are two
rocky bays, the that of which runs out from the east
of the Grand Combin, while the second extends by a
line of low peaks to the Col de Corbassiere, and
probably contains a passage to St. Pierre. On the
east of the elacier we have first the Bec de Corbas-
store, and then a long ridge of rock extending to a
siugulsr semicircular opening just opposite the
Grand Combin, called the Passage de Graffeneire.
The Graffeneire itself forms the western side of the
basin from the passage to the Col.
The glacier of Corbassiere is divided into an upper
and a lower level by a cliff which runs across the
channel frointhe Avoulons. The western end only
of the cliff is covered with a fall of icy spires ; the
glacier has retreated from the eastern end and left
its surface bare and polished. The upper level
has, in fact, long bean shrinking ; outside the
present eastern " moraine" are two older ones par-
allel to it, but the outer of the two has been broken
through in many places by recent falls from the
rocks above. A torrent issues from theglacier OD the
upperlevel, and after falling down the cliff re-enters
it by a cave, which at the same time engulfs the
whole of the moraine, a peculiarity of which. I know
so other instance.
I spent several days among the Montagnes de
Bagnes in Aug., 1856, and ascended the Grand
Combin in mistake for the Graffeneire, but I shall
not describe this ascent, as one of the objects of my
letter is to deter other travellers from repeating the
blunder. This year I revisited Switzerland, and I
heard at Sion that two chasseurs of Sourtier had
succee led in climbing the Graffeneire. I therefore
reluctontly parted from my companions of tho
Finster-aar-horn, and on Monday, the 16th ult.,
crossed from Rhone Valley to Chablais over the
Col de Verbier, taking with me as guide Augusto
Simond, of Chamounix.
I received a hearty welcome and every assistance
from M. Pierre Perrodin, landlord of the rough but
most comfortable inn at Chablais, and at 12 o'clock
on Tuesday, accompanied by Simond, the two chas-
sours, and a mule carrying provisions, started for
Corbassiere. Our plan was to sleep as high as pos-
sible, get on thesummit early in the morning, cross
the Cot, and descend on the other side, if possible,
to 011ouiond, or failing that to Chermontane. We
ascended the Val de Bagnes, crossed the Dranee just
above Granges Nouvee, and struck up the mountain
pastures on the left of the glacier of Corbassiere.
We soon reached the chalets, which, in conse-
quence of recent falls of snow had been brought
much lower down the mountain ; here we secured
two pails of milk, and carried them two hours
higher up to our sleeping quarters, an old chalet
just at the base of the cliff in the glacier, where we
arrived at 5 o'clock.
We started by lantern light at 3 a.m. on Wed-
nesday, mounted the cliff, aed walked along the top
of the old " moraine ;" arrived at its extremity we
continued for some distance along the rocks, instead
of crossing the glacier as last year to the foot of the
Combin. The morning was very fine, and the view
of the Combin with its exquisite peak, and of the
Graffeneire, covered from top to bottom with snow,
which hung in many places on the mountain side in
threatening hummocky masses, seemed to me
scarcely surpassed by the scenery of Monte Rosa.
We soon took to the "sieve," and perceived at
once the task that lay before us. It was covered,
and, as it turned out, the whole mountain also,
with fresh snow, nowhere less than 18 inches deep.
We toiled through this for some hours, and
it was not till 9.2 U that we reached a point at
the foot of the mountain, about an hour
distant frem the Col. Here Bruchey, who
had told me he was " chasseur de Chamois par
passion," expressed his inability to proceed further,
and leaving him injunctions to examine the Col
the rest of our party commenced the ascent of the
mountain. The snow got worse at every step,
Felley constantly lagged in the rear, and had it not
been for the courage and energy of Simond I never
should have made the ascent. The mountain is ter-
minated by two peaks lying north and south ; we
climbed the northern and arrived at its summit about
half-past 2. On the side of the Val de Bagnes cliffs
of frightful steepness stretched down from our stand
ing place to the foot of the Tour de Bouissine. The
weather had unfortunately changed, and excepting
the mountain close to us, we saw nothing but a
vast sea of clouds with the snowy head of Mont
Blanc rising from the midst. From the position of
the Graffeneire, standing as it does midway between
Mont Blanc end Monte Rosa, from its dominat-
ing all the peaks immediately surrounding it ; and
from the description the chasseurs gave of their
first ascent, the view in fine weather must be one
of the most remarkable in Switzerland. The south-
ern peak appcared to me slightly the higher. It
• could have been mounted without difficulty, hut
we had no time to attempt it; we descended rapidly
and reached the bottom at 5. .Bruchey gave au
unfavourable report of the Col, but had it been
otherwise it would have been madness to enter upon
an unknown glacier at so late an hour. We reluct-
antly retraced our steps, arrived at the chalet at
9.30, and walked to Chablais the next morning. I
regret to add that Simond so much over-exerted
himself that he was ill for several days, and was by
no means recovered when I left Switzerland.
With the snow in good order and the weather
fine the ascent might be made with no difficulty
and little danger, and the inn easily regained the
second night. For the thorough clearing up of the
geography it would be necessary to ascend the gla-
cier of Mont Durand, and to cross the Col on to
that of Corbassiere. Expeditions with a similar
object should be undertaken from the valley of
011omons and from St. Pierre. I trust I may be
the means of inducing Alpine travellers to make
these excursions and to explore still further the
noble scenery of the Montagnes de Bagnes.