The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-03 00:00:00

THE

'ES.

Blackwood.---It may seem needless to say that
the chief attraction' among the contents of this ma-
gazine is its firet `•article, "What will he do with
it 1" Even at this early stage, the story displays
great power, and possesses a considerable inti.rt st,
witheut at all aiming at that rrecocious develop-
ment, or exhibieine that marvellous show of
strength, which so often proves fatal to the am-
bitious novelist. Here we can trace the master-
mind that has planned the movement, and the
master-hand that has direc'ed its course, but all
bears the stamp of genius, in its highest flight of
art, to paint nature. In this passage of the narra-
tivemeomnig_ we are introduced to Guy Darrell, a grand
mankindmeaii. par in history, i
as
918-tuisrt:drlyy,
makeasll is pt
it; oe ti
rot
character, and one evidently destined te' play no
yp es
name as
tient, if not their careers immortal. It is a fine
subject to dwell upon, that of the meeting between
the two relations—the Haughton and the Darrell.
They differed in age, temperament, and endow-
ments their worldly fortunes were very various,but there was one point on which they met—a
kindred feeling, a congenial sympathy. Guy
Darrell felt, although apparently, of adamant, or,
as his satellite Fairthorn expressed it, of gra-
nite. From this latter personage, hirn4f
a picture of quaint manners and peculiar st) le,
Lionel learnt the his'ory of the families. Dar-
rell was the head et both houses, a worthy chief
indeed, although some deep sorrow had impresse I
itself upon him, and curbed his career which seemed
fated to lush as a war-horse to victory. What that
overcoming trial wi:s is as yet a mystery, we are
only told that " he to whom the bar htd destined
its highest honours, to whom the senate h ad.aeco rde
its most rapturous cheers; abruptly subsided into a
listless recluse." It is only natural to suppose a
youth like Lionel being attracted and charmed by
his kinsman, the interest thus inspired could not bc
exactly explained by set terms, or defined phrases.
" There are human faces, which independently of
mere physical beauty, charm and enthral us more
than the ' most perfect lineaments which Greek
sculptor ever lent to a marble face :—there are key-
notes in the thrilling human voice, simply uttered
wbich can haunt the heart, rouse the passions, lull
rampant multitudes, shake into dust the thrones of
guarded kings, and effect more wonders than
over yet have been wrought by the m'st
artful chorus or +be- eleftc'b eleill; m'ea few
details 5;e-c" of the " still'd life" lel at
Fawley, are decisive in their graphic touches—
may show us the hermit man of the world, the re-
tired gentleman ; but the genius is held in abey-
ance, not extinct—it:is dormant, not buried—and
all things around him give promise of a time when
he shall again be master of his position. The divine
right of youth to have freedom of thought, before
sin or sorrow has stained the past or gloomed the
future, is dwelt upon. While truly declaring that
never in reality (Ices a man for ever mourn and "fol-
low the hearse of his hopes with the long face of an
undertaker," but that the great evil is he is stranded
on the present. While youth, like Lionel's, can look
on all, "For him no rebels in the past conspired
with poison in the wine cup, murder to the sleep.
No deserts in the future arresting the march of
ambition, said—" Here are sands for a pilgrim,
not fields for a conqueror." From these partial
glimpses enough will have been sten to convince
the reader that here he will gather a rich harvest of
intellectual toil, and feast on the spoils that were
won in no sham fight. The friendly tie be-
tween the kinsmen seems to strengthen as the
time approaches for their separation. The life of
Sir Charles J. Napier is most interesting and in-
structive. It is strange that the volumes on his
career should have appeared almost simultaneously
with the events that direct particular attention to
the land which was the theatre of his exploits, and
the centre of his thoughts. It is said that Charles
Napier was ever ready for the opportunity. "He
was the strong man armed—the go9d knight with
his sword loose in the sheath, his harness bright,
and his heart full strung, ever ready and able."
The writer then goes through briefly the detail of
the events which occurred after Charles Napier had
arrived in the " land of ancient tradition and glo-
rious history." He describes in glowing words the
warrior's victories. " The mind goes back to the
hero—deeds of all time for parallels. Napier's
forces consisted of 2,800, he was informed the
enemy mustered 20,000 or 30,000. He exclaimed
—" Let them be sixty or a hundred thousand, I
will fight." It was this spirit which animated those
under his command, while it fired himself, and its
works were manifested when the British troops
won the field of Meeanee, and the British flag
waved from the towers of Hydrabad. In dwelling
on these records the reader will exclaim—

" Oh, may his spirit still our hosts pervade."
In commenting on the further attainments of the
here, the writer laments that he should so often have
allowed himself to be carried away by his hasty
temper, and excitement of manner, but he remarks
that his biographer is sill more injudicious,
" thrusting thorns among his laurels, and planting
his grave with briers instead of immortelles." This
admirable article is concluded with these remarks—
" The English people will still be faithful to the me-
mory of the good soldier, will do honour to the happy
warrior—
' Whose high endeavours were an inward light,
That made the path before him always bright ;
Who, doom'd to go in company with pain,
• And fear and bloodshed, miserable train,
Turns his necessity to glorious gain ;
In face of these doth exercise a power
Which is our human nature's highest dower 'and, looking on their deeds, will breathe the wish that
it may be long ere the race of Napier be ex inct, and
that men may be long forthcoming from them to write
histories and fight battles."
" North, on Homer" contains a review of the pro-
fessors's essay, and declares he is the ablest and
best exponent of Homer of the present, if not of
the living generation. "Scenes of Clerical Life"
pursues the subject before commenced of
Janet Dempster. It relates the religions
intolerance and party spirit that excited
the town of Millby. " Manchester Exhibition of
Alt Treasures" will b 3 welcome to those who desire
an elaborate and inteligent survey of pictures.
The article is principally devoted to the considera-
tion of Turner and his works. "New Sea-Side
Studies" presents an accoulit of Jersey, which is
called "The Paradise of Farmers," and also affords
details of curiosities which will interest the na-
turalist. " Afoot" is an amusing sketch of ad-
ventures and misadventures met with in a tour of
travels. Portugal is the country here treated of,
and some of the descriptions are attractive. The
whole is written in a light and easy style suitable
to what professes to be a vignette or sketch, not a
narrative or history.

Dublin.—This number presents a considerable
variety to the reader. The Cardinal Treaties of
Mediaeval and Modern History aro continued ; the
subject now selected is the " Peace of Carlowitz,
1699." The account given is particularly interest-
ing. It is a curious fact, says the writer, that so
many should have laid such stress on the Ottoman
power beinE represented at the Congress at
Paris, when " this imagined diplomatic pheno-
menon is more than a century awl a half old." It
was at Carlowitz that this event first took place.
Further on, the writer traces the fortunes of the
Ottoman empire from its culminating point of
glory to its atter decline. In the time of Solyman,
who was styled the Lord of big age, the Turkish

dominions comprised nearly all the most celebrated
cities of biblical and classical history, the empire
being more than forty thousand square miles.
Turkey had to make many sacrifices at Carlowitz.
Those who are too much occupied to explore de-
tailed histories of the past will find it profitable to
peruse this resume of events, which brings the
most important points to light, and conveys on tho
whole a fair idea of what should be understood by
all. " Matter of fact and matter of fiction" is
worthy of attention as it contains some very just
strictures on the faults and follies of authors. It
is truly asked, Why are the epithets " like a man
in a play," " like an incident in a novel," the na-
tural phrases by which unlikely words and things
are described. " Shamil at Home," affords some
remarkable details concerning the hero of the Cau-
casus ; they are principally derived from the
accounts furnished by two Georgian princesses
who were his prisoners ; an exchange was
finally effected between them and the son of
Shamil, who was also a captive in Russia.'? "My
Sister's Husband" is a most melancholy story. The
tale of the " Partner's" is not continued in this im-
pression, which many will doubtless regret.
" Madame de Sable, and the Salons of her time"
will repay perusal, as conveying knowledge of an
important time and singular characters. One of
the writers of the seventeenth century remarks
" One feels astonished at the number of women re-
markable for courage, vigour of mind, and force of
character which this age produced." All the chief
ladies of the time are here introduced, and it is
especially interesting to notice the distinctive
peculiarities of individuals, the tone they infused
into the circles they gathered round them, how genius
grew inspired in the light of their favour, and wit
developed its keenest powers under their fostering
influence. Madame de Maintenon is the last in the
history of the heroines. " Four Irish Bards" are
chronicled, the most important of who m is Th
tweomas
Dermody, who died at the early age of
seven. With With the gifts of genius, however, he in-
herited its dra.w.:-)acks, and he presents no model to
admire. Among the verses, 'First and Second,"
distinguished for its touching earnestness of ex-
pression and melancholy softness, while " The
Ivory Gate" is a light and sparkling effusion.
Ample justice is rendered to Sir Charles Napier in