The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-14 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

111€88 Gwynne of Woodford. Two vole.
_ _ and Elder.

with

1 This is a peculiar sTor3&tis told with ability.
Maud Gwynne is a fine character, but is rather
mistaken in some points, particularly ia adopting
occasioned
ebdu
a t ggrraetaitfydienagl
the child of Stephen Forester. Stephen himself
was a most despicable individual, who thought of *
hofis
miseryow nsetlfiso
rah
afnanycies,
aroundand
him. Kate Bryan is a
very apt specimen of a hand-
some girl who was wrapt up in self and very vain,
and unwilling to be taught. She ran into
danger recklessly, and was not to pitied for the
evil that befell her. Florence de Lisle is
well sketched as one of those useless doll—like in-
dividuals whose pretty faces are their only diitinc-
tive characteristics, and who are insufferable, on
account of their absurd affectation. She led Stephen
a wretched life, and her death was a relief to all
parties. Philip Bryan is a relief after the irreso-
lution of some of the others; he was to be pitied
for attaching himself to his cousin Kate, but he had
a very lucky chance in escaping her, as she would
have been enough to drive an upright man like he
was distracted with her vagaries. Hugh Gwynne
is the character of the story, and although he was
mistaken in some of his extreme notions, he is a
welcome study to contemplate in his uprightness,
integrity, and devttion. Maud was not his
equal by any means in depth of feeling or tone of
mind. She endeavoured to calm down his excite-
ment and enthusiasm but to no avail. He left her
animated with the same fervour .that had all along
distinguished him. The last evening at home he
exclaimed to her, " Oh ! that I may be faithful and
zealous in the church militant that when life's
troubled sea is passed, I may be of the church
triumphant in heaven." His career was a short
one, and it was not more than a .year or two before
Maud was-standing at his grave in the village where
ihe had laboured with so much energy and
striven so hard to bring his fellow-mortals into the
right path. He led ope of those lives which, un-
noticed by the busy throng, is not without its aim
and object, and if it achieves but one-half of its
desires, many must be the better and the happier.
This was his sister's consolation as she stood in the
churchyard and thought of his career so early done
and his promise only half fulfilled. "Simple is the
inscription on the headstone of thy grave, but the
record of thy earthly warfare is written in the
Book of Life. ' This narrative displays some know-
ledge of life in its descriptiOns and scenes, so that
the reader will find many objects of interest in its
pages. It is a painful story on the whole, but it is
powerfully told, and is worthy of perusal on account
of its skilful delineation.

That's It ; or, Plain Teaching. By the Author of
the "Enquire Within" and " Reason Why"
series. Fifteenth thousand. Houlston and

Wright.
If the present generation are not familiar with
the great principles of natural science, it must
certainly be their own fault, They can neither
plead lack of ability, want of time, or poverty of
means. Knowledge is brought to their very doors,
simplified for the ignorant, condensed for the busy,
and marvellously .heap for those of moderate in-
comes. What would our forefathers have said to a
work comprising, in four ninepenny parts, the
elements of general science, illustrated with twelve
hundred woodcuts? Yet this is now offered to
the public, and we are not surprised that the im-
pression before us belongs to the fifteenth thou-
sand. Its merits speak for themselves, without
needing the testimonials of eminent men prefiied
to it. It is bound and prited in the tasteful
style common to the industrious publishers, and
we can hardly fancy a more captivating giftbook
for intelligent young persons, although there is
much in it that many of their elders have yet to
learn.

The Pilgrim's Staff' and Christian Daily Walk.
By Henry Smith, First and Second series.
Houlston and Wright.
This work has been carefully compiled from the
best authors of ancient and modern times. It con-
sists of brief meditations, reflections, illustrations of
Holy Writ, &c., arranged for daily use in the
simplest manner. It is intended for members of
the English Church, but is equally suitable for Chris-
tians of all denominations, since it deals with the
great truths, consolations, and principles, common
to all rather than with theological subtleties or contro-
versial discussions. We are not suprised to learn
that the work has been much prized by the sick
and afflicted, who have found the Pilgrim's Staff
an effectual support ; although from its brevity and
simplicity the busiest and most active mortal
might find leisure enough to profit by it. This is
the fourth edition of the first series, and its great
success has encouraged the editor in the preparation
of the second, which is very similar in its plan, and
will probably find equal favour with the reflecting
redder.

Beeton's Illuminated Family Bible. Part 11.
This very beautiful edition is embellished with
illustrative cartoons, from designs by Julius Schnorr
and otter artists, which are many of them works of
great merit. Each page has an ornamented border,
and each chapter an illuminated initial at the com-
mencement, by Noel Humphreys. The part before us
comes down to the end of Genesis, and copious
notes are given from the pages of standard writers.
Some passages are quoted from the works of
Hugh Millar, in reference to the Mosaic account
of the Creation, which will prove a valuable as-
sistance to the youthful student, who may be well
satisfied to follow the opinions of so eminent a
geologist. Altogether this is one of the most
beautiful and comprehensive editions that has re-
cently appeared of the Sacred Writings.

• TEE BANK OF FRANCE AND THE
PRICE OF CONSOLS.
The apprehension that the Bank of France may
find further measures necessary to check their loss
of bullion is cited among the reasons for the addi-
tional heaviness in Consols. It is impossible, how-
ever, to attach much importance to it. To arrest the
flow of gold to this side is the task of the Bank of
France, and the fact that it proves extremely diffi-
cult is scarcely calculated to give us anxiety. At
present there are no signs either that the credit
which the Bank of France have opened here, or any
steps they may adopt, will produce a necessity for
an advance in our rate of discount; and, even if
such advance should take place, it would be to a
point far short of the rates current at the begin-
ning of the year, and would consequently furnish
no logical explanation for the prices of our funds
being 1 or 2 per cent. lower than at that period.
While confidence and trade are so much affected
by the uncertainties of the cotton question, it is to
be hoped the public will not allow themselves to be
influenced by needless alarms. it may be repeated,
therefore, that there is nothing in the financial ope-
rations now likely to take place between Paris and
London that will be otherwise than advantageous
for this country. There seems to be no question that
the importation of English manufactured goods
into France on the maturity of the treaty
has been large, and that it will, at all events
.n.,r some little time, continue so, unless stopped
by au augmentation of the money pressure
at Paris. Every temporary flow of capital to
business from interruption.
France will, consequently, tend to
APiliftor weheat, and
to tthe loan, will
ptrehserTieowt this
French gold to Russia and America
pttons
increase the ability of those collntries o come to us
as customers. Just in prop
Italy in the shape of subscriptions
ort,on as France makes
payments to them will be their power to deal with
ahem. Such merchants as have lately had oppor-
tunities of observing the interior commercial wants
of Russia have been struck with the statements
made to them of the amount of orders that would
be sent to England, France, and elsewhere for sup-
plies of absolute necessaries, if it were not for the
rate of exchange, which has long
been so adverse
for that empire, Of the enormous but necessary
expenditure of Italy, also, a large portion finds its
way here ; and as regards the United States, it is
evident that nothing but the French demand for
wheat would have enabled them to meet even thus
far the unparalleled expenditure which they pro-
pose month after month, so long as the war lasts, to
distribute throughout the world. Hence, whatever
we now part with to France is likely to come back.
to us through a multitude of channels, and in forms
the most opportune. It is mortifying, therefore,.
when everything that can stimulate employment.
for labour and capital is of the highest importance,
to find the movement regarded as a national annoy-
ance, such as should throw gloom over the _ s
°°
market, and add to the discouragements
merce.—Times' City Article.

CIVITA VECCHIA.—The Gamer steam triguLv
arrived at Toulon two days back from Civits
giment o 1
'Vecchia,
having on board two battalions of the 4etb. Re
ofC
the h a p
Popes,t a 1 , Gr e
invitedg eoi s , andthe
the Line from Rome. That vessel brought the intelligence
that at 11 o'clock in the morning of the 7th the Pope arrived
at Civita Vecchia on a pastoral visit. All the troops were
under arms, and the French vessels of war in the port, the
who
so,
Aube, dressed out in flags and fired salutes. His Holiness,
Agshnite°ddeset' Cthaceig:fled GPaamlaecre
captains to dinner, after which there was a
kissing of hands, distribution of medals,presentation,
benediction of the troops and seamen. and a general
the French vessels landed, and were All the officers of
His Holiness left at four in the afternoon,presented to the Pope.
request, escorted to the railway and
was,
at
hisea-
men, to whom he Wive station by a body of s
red WI address.