The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-27 00:00:00

favourably received, and therefore their re-appear-
ance in a cheap form is sure to be generally
attractive and popular. Some of these sketches are
very interesting, especially the" Water Cure." We
meet with some of those elevated views of life in
its solemn duties, and in its lofty aspirations that
particularly distinguish the compositions of this
author. " Mr. Anastasius" is a most peculiar tale,
being a ghost story of a very original description.
The strange feature in it being that the apparition
is visible to the bystanders, but not to those whom
it pursues. " A Low Marriage" is a useful sort
of narrative, as it demonstrates how in
many cases of this sort a moderation and
mutual forbearance can do much to smooth
difficulties and make things generally more agree-
able. " The Double House" is a very painful
sketch ; it refers to the most dreadful infliction that
can befall humanity, and the point of the story
turns on the prevalent ideas connected with in-
sanity that existed last century. " Alwyn's First
Wife" is a domestic tale, pleasing, though melan-
choly. There are some others to be met with that
are entertaining and interesting, and this is a most
readable volume for anyone to take up.

In-door Plants and How to Grow them. By E.
A. Maling. Smith, Elder, and Co.
This is a very useful little book, and it will prove
very welcome to that large class of Londoners who
are fond of having flowers about them, but are
hopeless of attempting their cultivation without gar-
dens and greenhouses, country breezes and sunshine.
The short and simple manual before us removes all
difficulties and gives very plain instructions " how
to attain at small expense a constant supply of
flowers." The work is evidently intended for the
use of ladies in deference to their general love of
" the stars of earth," and regarding probably their
more abundant leisure ; but it is of course suitable
for any amateur gardener. The addresses where
the various requisites may be obtained and the list
of prices greatly enhance its utility. As, of course,
the suggestions need not be followed to their full
extent, the cost of cultivation, both in time and
money, might be still further reduced if desired,
and we do not doubt that many who have not hitherto
indulged their taste for the floral world will be
encouraged by this little volume to endeavour to
realise its charming frontispiece.

LOSS OF THE STEAMER BALTIC OF

HULL.

Information has been received in Hull of the
total loss of this splendid screwLsteamer, belonging
to Messrs. T. Wilson, Sons, and Company, ship-
owners, of Hull. She has been wrecked on Veck-
mansground, near Dagoe, a short distance from the
Gulf of Finland. The Baltic was between 7001nd
800 tons burthen, and she was one of the finest
steamers sailing out of the port of Hull. Her
trade was principally to St. Petersburg and other
Russian ports in the Baltic. On her last voyage
to Cronstadt (the one in which she was wreck-
ed) she was under the command of Captain
Buchanan and a crew of twenty-one men, and
had three or four passengers. Her cargo consisted;
of bales of cotton and machinery. She had proceed-
ed beyond Elsinore Sound, on her voyage out, and
had she kept her proper course she must have passed
Dagoe and gone into the Gulf of Finland. The
island of Dagoe, however, is noted for its powerfut
magnetic attractiveness, and several Hull vessels
have been lately wrecked in its vicinity from no
other cause but the derangement of the vessels' com-
passes. A few months ago, a Hull sailing vessel was
wrecked there, and the influence upon the compass
of an iron steamer is of course greater. In the pre-
sent case it is presumed that the compass of the
Baltic having become disarranged without Captain
Buchanan being aware of the fact, he has un-
knowingly run his vessel on the Veckmansground,
where she has been wrecked. According to a tele-
gram received in Hull yesterday the crew had been
saved. The vessel, with its cargo, it is expected, will
be totally lost. We understand the owners are in-
sured. This is the fourth large vessel which this firna
has had the misfortune to lose since October last. Of
the Bothnia and the Kingston, two of the vessels
wrecked, nothing has ever been heard of the
crews.