The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-20 00:00:00

THE7StiN, LONDON, TUF.SDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1859,

and at a distance it doubtless looked well. We
ourselves, though of course with apprehension,
hoped that Austrian fears had produced something
like reason. But Hungarians best know their
own business. They soon proclaimed to Europe
that Austria is Austria still. The patent
was lint ' Jesuitical scheme to abolish
the old and valued Protestant constitution, to
destroy even the dioceses or districts by which
its synods had acted, and to create new ones under
the power of the Minister of Religion at Vienna.
Their independent Church government was wholly
gone. _ _ .

Now what is remarkable as the issue is, that this
treacherous attack on their religious constitution
has aroused all classes of Hungarians to demand
not only their old religious but their old political
constitution. Catholics drink toasts in honour of
the Protestant remonstrants, and tho Protestants
insist on national liberties for both. The Govern-
ment has abolished the old districts, but they meet
in these districts and petition against the patent.
They are threatened with prosecution, arrests are
made, and they reply by adding to the signatures.
Imprisoned pastors become popular idols. Students
who had gone to Vienna to petition for the restoration
of the old privileges of their university, and are
snubbed and warned there, come back to receive am
ovation. Old quarrels are all forgotten, aristo-
cratic counts, the Cardinal Archbishop, the very
Commissioner from Vienna himself, all join to tell
the Empire of Austria that Hungary must be again
a free and constitutional kingdom.

May the issue be a triumphant revolution ! The
Hungarians, warned by the past, seem to have
determined to try what passive resistance can do.
They intend to give the Austrians the task of pro-
secuting a whole nation ; of hindering them from
assembling according to their old habits, and of
getting taxes out of them how they can. KOSSUTII
has turned out right. There is still vigorous
national life in Hungary. May it prove too
vigorous for its unworthy foe !

THE WEST INDIA MAIL.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
PLYMOUTH, TUESDAY.

The Royal Mail steam-packet Parana, from the
West Indies, arrived here at 10 a.m. this day, and
will leave for Southampton at eight p.m.

COAST DEFENCES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—The article on coast defences in the Times
of this day resembles in so many points one of mine
which you inserted early this spring, that I imagine
I am the " authlrity" you allude to.
I repeat, without fear of contradiction from any
practical soldier or sailor, that no considerable land-
ing could be effected on our southern coasts if op-
posed by field batteries of 80 or 100 Armstrong's
heavy guns, supported by 5,000 or 6,000 good rifle-
men.

Rail and tramroads run along the coasts. Tele-
graphic wires, a few watch towers on commanding
heights, some half a dozen rapid steamers to watch
and communicate the direction of the enemy's move-
ments, frequent stations of Armstrong guns, ar-
ranged so as to effect easy and rapid concentration on
threatened points, accompanying the movements of
the enemy's convoy or fleet, would as effectually
secure the southern coasts of England (even were
the attempt made in a fog, or at night), as if we
had 50 sail of the line in the Channel.

It is a vital point to prevent an enemy landing,
except to give themselves up as prisoners, to escape
being drowned or uselessly shot.
The extensive fortifications now proposed as
necessary to efficiently defend our great naval
arsenals of Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Woolwich,
would alone require such strong garrisons as would
in the aggregate form an army more than sufficient
to encounter and destroy any force that could be
suddenly landed. I here leave out of the question
our volunteer yeomanry and riflemen.
It has been said that an enemy could land in three
or four places at once. Any one 'acquainted with
naval matters would know that this is impossible
if our navy were only of equal force, besides which
the rail and tram road meet this contingency also.

A few rapid "nimble," well-constructed steam
rams, where there are no railroads, would soon
settle vessels laden with troops by their beaks or
shells, loaded with molten iron or liquid fire.
Double, the number of similar craft could not save
the enemy.
Our magnificent engineering establishments and
iron manufactures would enable us to build five
times the number of these vessels that any other
nation could in the same period.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant.

G. R. SARTORIUS, Vice-Admiral.
Charlton, Dec. 19.

A GREEK SPEECH TO A MODERN PARLIAMENT.
—The Ephemeris (official paper) of Corfu gives a
Greek versian of the recent speech of the Lord
High Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly of
the lonian Islands, the English original of which
appeared in The Sun ofyesterday. Sir Peter Braila
read the Greek speech after his Excellency himself
had read it in English. The elegant and high-
sounding euphemism of the Romaic is rather di-
luted in the process of translation; thus, Eaaki-
irpOrare IlpoiSpe degenerates into " Mr. President,"
and EiriEvio-raroc Kiytot into " gentlemen." Her
Majesty's Lord High Commissioner is styled (Re-
maice) AOpB McyciAov Appocrroi3 (genitive case) ri)s.
AirrCis MeyaXeconros, and the elegant compound
word, Nopee-xiBLov (which, like the French projet
de loi, explains itself), aptly replaces our own vul-
gar and unmeaning word "Bill," applicable alike
to the draught of a new statute, to the origin of a
suit in Chancery, a stamped piece of paper cur-
rency, and a butcher's or baker's " little account"
sent in at Christmas: The " Civil List" is styled
(rather unhappily) MvreeXoyi.os ; the judges, as in
Mr. Grote's " History," become once more "di-
casts.' The postal tariff is raxthlpoiloci) Starilio-ts ;
and joint-stock banks are called (in the genitive
plural) TparreCc-ov.
The Duke of Rutland arrived at his residence at
Princes-gate, on Saturday evening, from Belvoir Castle,
Grantham. _

The Duke of Dovcnshire and Lady Louisa Caven-
dish left Chatsworth a few days since for Holker Hall,
Westmoreland, where they will pass the Christmas holidays.
The Duchess (Dowager) of Norfolk has returned
to town from visiting, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland
at Trentham.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn and
family have left Chesterfield House, Mayfair, for Brockett
Hall, Horts.

The Marquis of Hartington arrived in town yes-
terday morning, from Ilolker Mall, Westmoreland, and
has since left town on a visit to the Earl Cowper, at Pans-
hanger, Herts.
The Earl of Craven has arrived in town from
liamstead Marshall, Barks. The Countess and the Ladies
Craven will return to town to-morrow, from Ashdown
Park, for the winter.
The Earl and Countess of Ashburnham, who have
lately arrived in town from Scotland, where they have been
on a visit to the Earl of Iladdington (her ladyship's brother),
and to the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane, aro
now passing the season at Ashburnham Place, their mag-
niffcent seat in Sussex.

The Earl and Countess of Dalkea!' were to leave
Boughton House, ,near Kettering, yesterday, to join the
Marquis and Marchioness of Aborcorn at Brockett Hall.
The Earl Grosvenor left Safford House, St.
James's, yesterday, for Calverley Park, Cheshire.
Count and .Countess do Flahault and the Hon.
Miss Elphinstone'de Flahault will leave Coventry House,
in a few days, for Bowood, Wilts, on a visit to the Marquis
of Lansdowne. .

Viscount and Viscountess Campden have arrived
at Claridge's Hotel, Brook-street, from visiting the Earl
and Countess of Derby,,at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire.
Viscount Utlington will return to town to-morrow
from Ashdown-park.

Lord and Lady Foley and the Hon. Adelaide
Foley, who came to town at the close of the past week from
Worksopp Manor, Notts, left yesterday on a visit to Mr.
St. John Foley.

The marriage of the Hon. General Ashburnham
with the Hon. Miss Foley, daughter of the late Lord Foley,
and niece of the Duke of Leinster, will be solemnised early
in February.

Sir George Grey and Lady Grey have returned
to Howchin'e Hotel from a tour of vibits. - •

LATEST NE WB.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Reuter's office :

PARIS, TUESDAY, DEC. 20.

The Moniteur of to-day says:—Yesterday evening
Prince Jerome had less fever, and the state of his
health continued to be rather satisfactory.

MADRID, DEC. 19.
The Cadiz journals announce that Marshal
O'Donnell has declared Ceuta a free port.
Mr, Moon has arrived at Madrid.

PARIS, MONDAY, DEC. 19.

Prince Metternich received to-day at his hotel
the principal members of the diplomatic corps, the
grand dignitaries of State and of the Crown, the
officers of the Household of the Emperor, of the
Empress, and the Imperial Princes.
These receptions will be continued to-morrow
and the following day.
Princess Metternich will hold her receptions
next week, immediately after having been pre-
sented to the Empress.
The Pays of this evening states that the opening
of the Congress will definitively take place on the
20th of January.
The same journal announces that Prince Gort-
schakoff will arrive in Paris between the 7th and
10th of January.

ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 18.

Mohamed Amii, the principal chief of the moun-
taineers of the right wing of the Caucasus, has sub-
mitted, the consequence of which is the submission
of the whole people of this country.

The Czar has raised General Bariatinski to the
rank of Marshal.

DEC. 19.

The journals of St. Petersburg publish news
from the Caucasus, announcing that the people of
Abadzekhe, numbering 100,000 men, with their
chief, Mohamed Amine, have declared their sub•

mission.
Other tribes are also preparing to submit them•
selves to Russia.

LITERATUR,E.

Against Wind and Tide. By Holnie Lee, author
of " Sylvan Ilolt's Daughter," &c. 3 vols.
Smith and Elder.
The many works by this author that have from
time to time delighted the lovers of fiction have
borne ample testimony to his distinguished powers
and varied abilit:es. The present is a decided suc-
cess, and is quite equal to " Maude Talbot," or
" Gilbert Messinger," while it far surpasses the
latter productions of " Kathie Brand," and " Syl-
van Holt's Daughter." There is much that is pain-
ful in the story before us, but that is necessary for
the complete working out of momentous scenes and
strong characters. The position of the two brothers
was a very peculiar one, and in every way calcu-
lated for the development of a deeply interesting
story. Robert and Cyrus Hawthorne were as dif-
ferent as possible in tastes and feelings ; one, all
impulse and ever intent on self-gratification, while
the other, was constant and true to his own good
purposes, and always seeking the welfare of others.
Perhaps under happier auspices Cyrus with his
fitful talents might have become a bright star in the
literary horizon, but his general habits were so un-
certain that he would have been ono of those dis-
appointing heroes who dismay, instead of dazzling,
and whom their best friends at last are weary of
watching. Robert, on the contrary, possessed that
solid frame of mind which in itself, is far more pre-
cious than the illusory promises of such gifts as
Cyrus's. Had he been well educated and placed in a
fitting sphere he would have been one of those men
who are widely known and universally respected,
who aro the founders of families whose members
look back with pride to him who raised their name
from obscurity to eminence. The sad story of
their birth hnug like a cloud over the path of the
brothers. Their father had married their mother,
the beauty of a rural domain, while his first wife
was living abroad. Immediately on the discovery
Mary returned home, where her twin sons were
born in their granfather's quaint old home to bear
his name, and not to be the proud inheritors
of their wealthy father's worldly rank and goods.
It is impossible for the reader to feel indifferent on
the perusal of this story—all the events seem so
naturally described, all the characters so truth-
fully depicted. Human nature, with its virtues
and its crimes—the cunning of crafty age, the folly
of giddy women, the love of enthusiastic youth,
and the sterner records of trials that quench the
hopes of this world, and the steadfast faith that
can trust to another and a better, are here displayed
before us with an earnestness and a pathos that
irresistibly enchain and enchant the attention.
Sir Philip Nugent is a sketch of many who are now
shining in th world's high places, admired and
courted, but whose conscience will whisper in the
dull hours uncheered by the festive throng that a
broken heart and a crushed spirit have been regis-
tered to their charge on that dread page of account
where the magic of wealth and rank will hush no
crimes and conceal no sinner. Cyrus is a striking '
instance of what a misguided youth will lead to.
His talents were remarkable, but his fatal course
of action rendered them really obstacles to his
path in life. Few more impressive chapters have
been written, in their peculiar style, than those
which trace his wretched struggles in the great
wilderness of London, when he was without a crust
to eat or a roof to shelter him. His pride, which
had held him up in so arrogant a career, went
before a fall indeed, and painful above all the sad
scenes of their anomalous position was the meeting
in the poor lodging-house, between Sir Philip and
his sons. Robert had hurried at the summons to
his brother's side ; the false motives which actuated
Cyrus forbade him to let any one know of his
whereabouts till it was almost too late. He ex-
pressed a wish to see his father, but it was too late,
for Sir Philip found him unconscious, and on his re-
turn home was himself seized with paralysis.
Father and son never met again in this world;
but it is satisfactory to find that Sir Philip parted
in a better frame of mind from his other son than
that which had hitherto been apparent through-
out his course. It was his last night on earth,
for when the morrow came that was to hail the
re-union of the long-estranged pair, who were
really so attached to each other, the great bell at
the Minster informed the brothers that he who had
so deeply wronged them had departed from
amongst them. There is quite a different story
connected with the old town where Robert passes
the happiest portion of his life, and in the quaint
simplicity of its style it forms a refreshing contrast
to the vexed turmoil and angry strife that raged
like the troubled sea around Cyrus and his father.
In the old house of his uncle Robert dwelt, and
when the good old man died he succeeded to the
most important part of his property. There is
some skill in the portraitures of the various per-
sons connected with the concern, and the cunning
and duplicity of Deborah Eliotson is a life-like
sketch of her class of disposition; Reuben Otley,
the partner of Robert's uncle, was a very disagree-
able and contentious man, and Robert had many
arduous encounters before he could claim his rights
as chief proprietor. There is a touch of nature in
the description of old Tom Aldin, with his strange
ways and his curt speech, yet so devoted to the old
s place, and rooted in the old habits, that nothing
could induce him to relinquish his situation. Mr.
Otley was determined he should go, and Robert
strenuously supported him, but the old servant
saved them from the dilemma, and himself from
dismissal, by " retiring from the firm, in a dignified
yet pathetic manner, while in the discharge of his
duty." One day the clerk was sent to rouse him,
he having been surprised asleep at his post, which
was a grave fault, never before committed by the
watchful veteran ; but. on reaching the spot, he
found that his sleep was that which knows no
waking. "Tom had gone home, and taken the
wages of his long and faithful service from the
Great Master's hand." The scones in which Lilian
appear are the most pleasing in the book, there is
something especially charming about all we see and
hear of that fair young being from her early child-
hood to her early. death. There is a gentle graci-
ous manner that irresistibly attracts, and it is the
most touching passage of the story, when she is
summoned from her innocent life, passed in good
offices of service to her poor neighbours, and in
forning the delight of her friends, to her last rest-
ing-place "in the green graveyard that slopes sea-
ward on Arbon Cliff's." It was there that Robert's
mother was laid when her sad life was over, and
her young daughter-in-law, whom she never saw,
was placed beside her after a very different exist-
ence; More force is often revealed in the imper-
ceptible touches that depict some scenes, than in
the stirring narrations of wild passions and terri-
ble deeds. There is a pathos and beauty in the
sketch of Lilian's simple annals that do credit and
honour to the author, even more than the many
powerful scenes and striking characters who here
figure before us. When Lilian stood with her friend
in the deserted nursery, and wept " over the use-
less garments that once enfolded the tender limbs
of her little one in Heaven," and exclaimed in
heartfelt anguish, " Oh, surely, . Deborah,
when I die, God will give me my darl-
ing into my arms again," the reader
seems to behold a page of real life unfolded, with
its purest affections and saddest bereavements. In
the descriptions met with in this book then, is often
an impressive and animated style. The author
seems to enter into them, and not to be Merely re-
citing a trite and commonplace account. In especial
must be noticed the momentous visit of Cyrus
and Phillis to the abbey ruins. It was prophetic
of the fate of their tragic love, that its confession
should have been made amid the echoes of crumb-
ling walls and the shades of departed splendours.
In describing the character of the scenes around, it
is observed that the glory had long departed from
the stately chapels and the solemn cloisters, but
the beauty of the stream, and the trees, and the
sunshine in the valley, was the same. " Man's
pride and man's labour pass away, but God and
nature endure, and these connect us with the great
hearts that went to dust at Eurevaulx centuries
ago more than all the arches and columns they ever
reared." It is always gratifying to meet with a
work like the present, in which something far
superior to the everyday productions of romancists
is placed before us. Trifling as some may deem the
pages of a novel, they are not necessarily so, if they
display on their passing scene the true reflex of the
passions and prejudices that will remain among
men till the fashion of the world itself shall pass
away. In all the works of this author there is
some high endeavour manifested, some ruling pas-
sion strongly marked out, and some deep feeling
evinced that invest them with real interest.
" Against Wind and Tide," is an admirable title for
the record of such a life as that of Cyrus, who
might truly have exclaimed—
" Me, howling winds drive devious, tempest-tossed,
Sails ripped, seams opening wide. and compass lost;
Amid day by day some current's thWarting force
Sets me mure distant from a prosperous course."
To all who appreciate a powerfully concentrated
work this one may be fairly recommended, in the
confident expectation that they will not be dis-
appointed in the perusal of its brilliant pages.

Narragansett ; or, The Plantations. 'A Story of
Three vols. Chapman and Hall.
The author of this work lins proposed to write an
historical romance of the early days of the Ameri-
can War of Independence, and had he carried out
his intention with clearness and vigour there is no
doubt that the subject would have had many re-
commendation% There, is, however, a want of
coherence and consistency in his narrative ; his
canvas is crowded with so many figures that they
jostle each other and prevent thp reader tom
having a cl,:ar perception of their individuality._ _

The dramatis personae are often introduced without
ceremony and disposed of in an equally summary
manner. There is no expression of political feeling,
but the author seems to uphold the principles of
the republicans, while individually and collectively
pourtraying them as rapacious, dishonest, and fero-
cious. He has little mercy on his heroes or heroines,
for all the love affairs terminate disastrously, while
Death plays a most prominent part in the winding
up of his story. It is the very opposite of the ter-
mination of " Rasselas," and might truly be styled
"a conclusion in which everything is concluded,"
seeing that the lives and fortunes of the actors in
its pages are put a decided stop to. The old friends
and scholars, Dr. Hartley and Fitzgibbon, are
pleasantly drawn, while some of the minor sketches
are amusing. Miss Hartley is a bright and sensible
heroine, though we see but little of her; and Leah,
the gentle daughter of the heartless Jew, Seixas, is
a pleasant contrast to her surroundings. The un-
fortunate Prescott awakens the commiseration of
the reader ;1 his fate is very unromantic and un-
usual for a hero, but it is probably the more life-
like. Many of the writer's extravagancies may
doubtless be attributed to inexperience and a too
great effort for an untrained writer. We should
recommend him in future to be less ambitious in
the size and compass of his work ; to aim at a clearer
plot, a style more succinct, and a smaller number of
characters, when he will probably produce a much
more attractive and successful narrative.