The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-08 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Art Journal.
This publication still maintains its high charac-
ter, and presents a series of elegant engravings. It
is also a repertoire of all artistic subjects, and thus
forms a valuable standard work for research and re-
ference. Among the most noticeable:plates in the
last few numbers may be mentioned " Killarney—
the Lower Lake," engraved by Wallis, from a
painting by Anthony. It is truly said in the de-
scription here given that, of all her fine scenery,
Ireland has nothing more beautiful than the lakes
of Killarney. " Nature seems here to have almost
exhausted her resources to combine and develope
her beauties. Mountains—ometimes sterile, but
grand—sometimes deseeiiding abruptly to the
verge of the lakes—clothed with the richest garb
of forest tree and ever verdant shrub, islands, green
and luxuriant; castellated ruins, old and grey;
cascades, white and foaming ; waters reflecting on
their surfaces every hue of foliage and every tint
of sky and cloud ;—all these unite to form a pic-
ture, or rather a series of pictures, such as few, if
any other part, of the British dominions can show."
The engraving here is very fine, and there is a
cairn beauty pervading all the scene. " A Country
Blacksmith," from Turner's picture in the National
Gallery, is a suggestive subject, well carried out.
A life and animation pervades the sketch, charac-
tQristic of the busy scene of labour it represents,
and forms a very successful delineation. " The
Rock at St. Helena" is a very fine representa-
tion of the imprisoned conqueror of the world.
It was the last sketch of Delaroche. It
is evident that the painter was endo7;ed
with a full appreciation of the gr,atness
of his subject. This engraving is from. a
in the Royal Collection. There is picture
:4n engraving
from Turner's picture of APP;iIO killing the
Python." As may be suppo-,,d,
sketch, and its importance this is a grand
may be estimated from
the fact that Mr. R. jskin has
given a whole
chapter on "Modern
ainters"to its consideration.
In the last ni!w:oer we meet with an excellent
engraving by Newton of " The Duenna," by C.
Jeans. Tb.'s is from a picture in the Royal Gal-
lery, aP:o' this year will conclude the selections
from its treasures. The admirers of Turner will
be gratified to meet with another of his far•famed
works in " Calais Pier," engraved by Cousens, from
the picture in the National Gallery. Also there is
a representation of " Industry," from the statue
by Mrs. Thorneycroft. In some remarks on the
progress of this journal it is said :—" The Art
Journal has more than attained full ac-Ye ; twenty-
two volumes have been issued since the year 1839,
and it continues to be, as it has been during nearly
the whole of that long period, the only publication
in Europe by which the arts are adequately repre-
sented. To the artist, the amateur, and the con-
noisseur, the Art Journal supplies information
upon all topics in which they are interested;
while to the general public it addresses itself by
the beauty and variety of its illustrations and by
articles at once instructive and interesting. Art,
which some twenty years ago was in Great Britain
the resource of the few has now become the enjoy-
ment of the many. Every public institution has
learned that to circulate a knowledge of art is a
leading and paramount duty ; its refining influence
has been largely acknowledged, and there is conse-
quently a very general desire to derive enjoyment
and instruction from art among all classes and
orders of the community. This high purpose is
achieved by the Art Journal. It is therefore reason-
able to expect for it a greatly increased circulation
commensurate with the advanced and advancin g Art
love manifest in all parts of the world." Those who
attentively peruse this work will agree that
these assertions are not of that class designated
as promise without performance, but that the
high order of excellence which distinguishes its
style, the admirable choice of selections that is
invariably made, and the vast amount of artistic
information it constantly affords, combine to *-en-
der this journal one of the highest intere:di and
importance to all students and 10vr.,-fs of the
noble art of which it treats. It is to be hoped
that the success it has hitherto met with will be
inaugurative of future and greater triumphs, and
in this age of high int
r,:ilectual development, and
general diffusion of 'knowledge, so complete and
concise an epitome of art progress, and so elegant
an illustration, of the beauties and sublimities of
art-ereatior3 will not be unappreciated.

2'emple Bar.
The story of " The Seven Sons of Mammon" is
continued at some length. We meet with the
smart descriptions of persons and things that have
before signalised the writings of this author, and
in this instalment there is plenty to attract notice.
The lively widow appears prominently on the
scene, and she is evidently the machinator of sothe
deep-laid scheme concerning the disappearance of
Hugh. The account of the pompous ceremony
which celebrated the burial of the heir of the rich
house is a clever satire on those " who bear about
the mockery of woe" in their absurd trappings and
elaborate display over the dust and ashes that re-
quire but a few feet of earth.. " For Better, for
"Worse," is another good tale, evincing much know-
ledge of human character. There are evidently many
bitter hours in store for the fair young bride in
her husband's cold and cruel family. This new
periodical eclipses some of the long-established ones
in the brilliancy of its fictitious department. The
paper on " Relatives and Connections" is very well
written, and presents some striking specimens of
different classes. Augustus is a regular illustration
of the " ne'er-do-weel" race, and his escapades are
most amusing. The writer quotes the lines of
Longfellow—

" There is no flock, howe'er so well defended,
But one dead lamb is there ;"
to which he adds as a corollary, there is no family,
however much respected, but which has one black
sheep. " I have known city magnates with
mothers in city almshouses, members of Par-
liament with brothers doing duty as railway
guards, a fashionable physician with a nephew
a night cabman, I was once acquainted
with a very humorous circus clown, who was first
cousin to a Cabinet Minister." There are several
other subjects of interest met with in this number.
An article on " The Causes of Railway Accidents"
seems very appropriate at present, and " London
Poems" has for subject this time—" Outcasts."
It is written in a feeling manner, and some of
the verses are very prettily expressed, as when
dwelling on the miserable race it is thus said—
" The ghosts of a sweetness long since lost,
Unpitied, and dead to pity,
They wander lonely and tempest-tost
Where blackness clotheth the city.
They live their lives forgotten and dead,
Forgiveless and unforgiven,
For the angel of childhood seems to smile
Them back from the portals of heaven."

Who's Who in 1861 ? Edited by C. Oakes, M.A.
Baily Brothers. Cornhill.
This is a most useful publication, and no one
who is at all immersed in business, or desirous
of being au courant of
,the affairs of the day,
should be without it. The amount of informa-
tion afforded by this little volume is really sur-
prising. The list comprises the members of both
houses, the ministers, the Royal family, the chair-.
men and secretaries of the railways, the police
magistrates and commissioners, the universities of
Oxford and Cambridge, etc., and several other very
important breaches are included. This is the
thirteenth year of the appearance of this little
work, which testifies to the approbation it has
met with from the public ; and it is in no way
surprising that a cordial reception should have
been accorded to so complete an epitome of desi-
rable knowledge. A more useful companion to
apply to for instruction on topics of immediate
interest regarding public characters and places of
business and amusement is hardly to be found,
and it can therefore be recommended to the gene-
ral public as a work of constant reference.

Ald Round the TIP orld. Parts 1 and 2. Marsh,

Fleet-street.

lire have here a novel kind of publication, and one
which in these days of curiosity and travel ought to
attract a great many readers. It is entirely devoted to
descriptions of foreign lands, and is embellished
with a great number of woodcuts. A good deal of
information respecting the history of the countries
described is incidentally given. The object pro-
posed by the conductors is thus described in the
prospectus : "
To set before the Stay-at-
Home Traveller, pining to receive new impres-
sions,
an exact image and representation of
the world wherein he lives—supplying him with
that ready means of acquaintance with each coun-
try, its scenery, its vegetation, its animals, its
inhabitants, and its monuments, that can only be
attained by the eye, and accompanying each pic-
torial delight with graphic illustrations by men of
celebrity in the career of travel and adventure."
As is justly observed, such a work is very necessary,
as even the interior of our own great colonies is but
little known amongst us. This serial, if well car-
ried out, will go far to supply the deficiency among
a large cl.ass of readers, and the moderation of the
price can offer no obstacle.

Charles Knight's Publications.
The subscribers to the " Popular History of Eng-
land, are expecting with interest the prom's"
volume. It will be remembered that a deviation
from the ordinary system of publication was
announced last autumn. The author naturally
found the pressure of a monthly issue was incom-
patible with the care and labour which ho wished
to bestow on )the eventful and important epoch at
which he had arrived, He deternained,coneequently,

that the portion requisite for the completion of the
seventh volume should be published as a separate part
in the month of January. He has thought, how-
ever, as he proceeded% in his task that it would be
more desirable that the conclusion of the volume
should bring down the history to the Peace of 1815,
that redoubtable Treaty of Vienna which is an-
swerable for most of our European perplexities
since. This plan will, however, necessitate the
extension of the volume beyond the ordinary limits,
and consequently its completion will be deferred
until April. To meet the wishes of the subscribers
a number of the usual size has now been issued,
and the remaining portion will be published along
with the whole volume in April.
The recent numbers of the English Cyclopoodia
fully maintain its high reputation, and include a
vast range of topics, treated with care and ability.
The latter number brings us down to the letter S,
and consequently the fourth and last division of
work is approaching its conclusion.

Good Words, Edited by Norman Macleod, D.D.
Groombridge and Sons.
This is an excellent serial; supported by the pens
of Dr. Guthrie, Principal Tulloch, Dr. Stanley,
Hugh Stowell Brown, Margaret Maria Gordon,
and other writers of eminence. Although infiu-
enced throughout by a religious spirit, it may fairlyclaim the title of " a magazine for all the week."
The editor contributes a pathetic story called " Wee
Davie," telling the wide-spreading good that has
been wrought through the unconscious influence
of a little child. Hugh Stowell Brown has
an essay on the time-worn proverb, 0 Honesty
is the best policy," sound ! and forcible
in its teaching. Dr. Guthrie commences a series
of papers on " The Religion of Life," and Prin-
cipal Tulloch gives us a treatise on the Christian
school and worship in the second century, which
are all that might be expected from the high repu-
tations of their authors. Mrs. Gordon, so well.
known as Margaret Maria Brewster, contributes
the first chapter of some feminine instructions,
entitled, " All about the House." This introductory
portion only takes a general view of the house-
wife's duties and privileges, but the succeeding
ones will descend to particulars. Peeps at Russia
and Glimpses at the over crowded Dwellings of
London, vary the interest, and several miscellaneous
papers enhance the attractions of this very pleasant
and profitable serial.

The Newspaper Press Directory and Advertiser's

Guide. C. Mitchell and Co.

This useful and long-established Directory has
two new features in the present year, both of which
are substantial improvements. A Directory of
reviews, magazines, and periodicals of every kind
has been added, and the list thus includes the
whole of the periodical press of the country. The
other addition is the publication of a newspaper
map for the United Kingdom, showing the agri-
cultural, mining, and manufacturing districts.
Every town where a journal is published is
marked, and the number and frequency of the
papers issued are also indicated. The general
character of the work is too well known to require
criticism. It is sufficient to say that it maintains
its old reputation for fairness and comprehensive
information, and that the additions recently made
are decided improvements,

The &Wish Review.

This is an able and sensible periodical, containing
many interesting topics. Prominent among those
in the present number are papers on " The Litera-
ture of Progression," " Popular Amusements in
Large Cities," and a criticism on Mr. Ruskin's
" Modern Painters." It is styled a journal of social
progress, and as such addresses itself especially to
the discussion of all questions affecting the moral
advancement and well-being of the community.
The article in the number before us on popular
amusements is particularly worthy of attention.

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