The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-03 00:00:00

TURKEY.

A letter from Erzeroum, dated July 17, says :
" The town of Erzeroum is entirely destroyed. The
shocks have continued day after day till only a few
houses are left standing. The Porte has sent a
pacha to distribute relief among the survivors, and
he brings with him 10,000 purses (X 40,000). He
is also to control the conduct of the governor, but
everybody knows what will come of that—nothing
whatever. Erzeroum will never recover from this
dreadful catastrophe. In two months the weather
will get chilly, and the inhabitants will all leave.
The result will be a loss of 30,000 persons to Tur-
key for the benefit of Russia, who receives them
with open arms. Russian propagandism makes
great progress here, and all along the shores of the
Black Sea, by means of a continual traffic in pass-
ports. Any one may be turned into a Russian by
the following process :—A raya (Greek or Arme-
nian) goes to the Russian consul at Trebizond
(where this Rnssianising process is carried out on
a large scale), gets his passport vised, then takes
the Russian steamer to Redout Kalee, and goes on
to Kutais, where he has his name inscribed in a
register kept for the purpose, takes the oath of
fidelity to the Emperor Alexander, and receives a
certificate valid for the whole interior of the empire.
Provided with this document, the raya returns to
Trcbizond, calls himself a Russian subject, and is
acknowledged as such by the consul, notwithstand-
ing the ukase which requires a residence of three
years on the Muscovite territory to become a Rus-
sian. The journey,takes about a fortnight, and may
cost 10 roubles (40f.) Turkey is well aware of the
evil, but takes no steps to provide a remedy."

AMERICA.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The Etna, from New York on the evening of
he 22d ult., arrived this morning, with 214,000

dols. in specie.

C_HINA.

The following is an extract of a letter from an
English gentleman in China :
SHANGHAE, MAY 26.
We expect Mr. Bruce up by next mail, and he
will probably proceed very soon to Pekin, where he
will very likely remain some time. As soon as the
ratifications are exchanged trade will commence ; in
fact, sub rosa, it has commenced at several new
places, particularly northward, in Shantung, where
there arc already said to be two or three ships, sent
by some of our leviathan commercial firms, and
which mysteriously disappeared from this with
miscellaneous cargoes on board. There have been
one or two admirable proclamations issued by the
native authorities; one especially, on the occasion
of some merchants who, with Captain Shadwell, our
senior naval officer, were on a trip up the river,
being insulted and attacked in a village. On their
return it was reported to the district magistrate ;
the ringleader was taken, bambooed, and then ex-
posed in a cage in front of our custom-house every
day for some hours, till begged off by Captain
Shadwell. A proclamation was then issued which
would have done credit to an English magistrate,
explaining to the people that because foreigners
differ from themselves in language, dress, Bze-, they
must not be mobbed and insulted ; and that neces-
arily different climates and different nation re-
quire a difference of costume, and particularly
for-
bidding the,ue of the old words for a foreigner,
viz., " foreign devil" and " barbarian."
Mr. Alcock, the Consul-General for Japan, ar-
rived in her Majesty's ship Sampson the other day,
and leaves for Japan to-day. The trade with that
country began with a great spurt ; but it is evident
now it will not be on a very large scale. We go. t alall
they had to give us in every shape comparatively
cheap to us, though doubtless at higher prices than
they had been in the habit of receiving, and some
a
few people made enormous profits, though to
small extent. Everything has now risen 200 per
cent.

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood's .31agazzne.

There is a new story in this month's
number called " Felicita,' which gives pro-
mise of being one of great interest, as yet the
plot is only roughly sketched, but there is great
skill displayed in the portraiture of Felicita, even
in this early stage.. The young girl suddenly
transplanted from the quiet English home to an
Italian dwelling, feels naturally strange and un-
settled, and this is aptly described. In an article
on " Lord Macaulay and the Highlands of Scot-
land," there are some forcible remarks made on the
unfair manner in which he speaks of the land to
which his grandfather belonged. After citing some
of the sentences that occur in the history, which
are most extraordinary, the writer goes cn to say
—" Alre cannot allow this gross caricature, this
shameless libel, this malignant slander, this par-
ricidal onslaught, by a son of the Highlands on
the people and the land of his fathers, a race and a
country which has furnished heroes whose deeds in
every quarter of the globe have been such that their
names awake a thrill of admiration in every heart
that is capable of generous feeling, to pass un-
noticed." After dwelling further on the topic it is
truly said, that such writing is not history. It
must be a matter of general regret that so distin-
guished a man should so mar the effect of his bril-
liant powers by exaggeration of the most intolerable
kind. It is mentioned as a curious coincidence that
the son of a Highlander and a Quakeress, is the
libeller of William Penn, and the lampooner of the
Highlands. There is an article on the Peace, there
are some wise reflections on the defences of the
country, and it is curious to observe how correct
were the predictions of the war which appeared in
this magazine for March. There is one argument
on the subject of the war with France, with
which we cannot agree, however. It is said that the
policy of Napoleon is never to make a long war,
and that the chances are against our succeeding at
the beginning of the strife, although in prolonged
hostilities we must triumph, that it will be the policy
of Napoleon "having humiliated us in the first
rush of the contest to make up matters again."
This may be true, but while one remnant of national
spirit survives in England such will NOT be our
policy. Faulty arrangements, and negligent com-
manders, may occasion a temporary defeat, but
when it is said there is " a strong party in this
country who, for the sake of their yarns and cali-
coes, will be quite ready to make peace under such
circumstances," it may be answered,—There is
a stronger party who will never submit to such
indignity ; but who will, having engaged in a war,
however reluctantly, fight on till victory crowns
their arms—till the soldiers of France shall find in
them the sons whose fathers met their fathers at
Crecy and Agincourt. The demagogue who advo-
cated such a policy, or the Minister who pursued
it, would not find his position a very enviable one.
No Crimean management will be tolerated in a
national crisis, but we have as yet no proof that we
have ameng us such degenerate descendants of
heroic ancestors, and until convinced of it, we would
rather believe that politics and prejudices would
be forgotten in the hour that bade us prepare for
the advent of the foe, and that the only rivalry that
then existed would be who should prove the best
defenders of their country. There is a contribution
entitled, "The Haunted and the Haunters; or, the
House and the Brain," which is a very remarkable
production, and bears evidence of deep thought and
.high imaginative powers. It will be a treasure
trove for the lovers of the marvellous and the 'mys-
tic, and all who desire to peruse a chronicle im-
bued with a mysterious fascination cannot do
better than study its legendary lore. " The Master
of Sinclair : Narrative of the '15," furnishes some
strange intelligence, and is worth attention. " The
Luck of Ladysmede" is continued, and becomes
more stirring in its incidents in these chapters, and
therefore the reader is more interested. In the
paper on " London Exhibitions—Conflict of the
Schools," there are some just criticisms on various
works of art ; and, in conclusion, a hope is ex-
pressed that the Royal Academy has in the present
year seen its worst ; "that a truce has been signedto
extravagance ; that so the simple beauty which is
in nature, and the sober strength which is in man,
may be won for our country's art."

Dublin University Magazine.

The first story is called "Artist and Craftsman."
It is well written, and the author evidently has
some purpose to work out in the details of the nar-
rative. Some effective scenes are introduced, and
the description of Mark Brandling is a good one;
and there is also discrimination displayed in the
account of Digby, who is a fine specimen of his
class, and reflects as much credit on his patrician
order as a man like Mark is an honour to the
middle station. Clara's character is as yet hardly
developed, but she gives promise of being some-
thing more than a mere singer, inasmuch as she has
feeling to understand the influence, and spirit to
enter into the higher beauties of her profession.
" Our Foreign Policy" contains reflections on Mr.
Stapleton's new work on " George Canning and his
Times." It is an article that well repays perusal.
It presents a spirited review of the policy which
distinguished Canning, and the general state of
affairs during the momentous epoch when he shone
so bright a star in the political constellation. It
is truly said " that no minister will ever play false
to England who represents her to foreigners as she
is. This was the distinction of Canning's policy ;
it stands out for this reason alone in the hi▪
story of
the last half century. His likes and disli▪ kes were
intelligiblere
intelligible ; he liked what was English and dis-
liked what was unlike." Further on, it is stated
that the present day can see no successor to
Canning in his high and brilliant attainments, but
that if "we cannot have the great man, we can
have the same policy that he so distinctly marked
out for others to pursue." If the reader does not
altogether agree with the eulogiums passed on the
subject of this criticism. He must be impressed
with the skill and ability which distinguish i:s
pages and the lofty spirit of independence which
characterises its language. This is not a time when
the statesmen or the writers of the day should
depart from the old established rules that have
guided the course of enlightened rulers in carrying
out the principles of our constitution, in which, as
is here stated, " the great political problem of
maxima and minima has been solved, if it ever can
be solved on :earth, given the greatest amount of
personal liberty to allow the least amount of public
license." There is a new story called " A Woman's
Sacrifice," w Inch is effectively writen, and which
in its next instalment will probably contain a tragic
denouement. We are presented with a fifth num-
ber of that smart series of sketches called the "Season
Ticket,".which is admirably adapted to the taste of
the admirers of wit and humour ; this division is
named " John Bull and his Diggin's." The anec-
dote about Dr. M'Neill is very entertaining, and
gives,, a fair speciiipen of the style of thi▪ s paper.
" The Royal Academy" takes a retrospect of the
works of art whose merits and demerits have en-
gaged the contemplation of so many during the
last few months. It is, on tke whole, written
fairly, and conveys a good general impression of
the exhioition to those who have not seen it. In
the observations on the, final paper, " Growling at
Peace," general dissatisfaction is expressed at
the
recent occurrences ; but the writer seems to imply._
that no advantage could finally have been gained
to the cause of freedom by any interference on
~e
part of a despot. Dr. M'Coshs. article. on " Sir
William Hamilton's Metaphysics" is carefully
written, and will interest. the. studious,in who
will agree with what is here said, that these
volumes " a master spirit has spoken, and wi▪ ll com-
mand attention."

Fraser's Magazine. ,
" Shirley " contributes an interesting paper on
" The Batons of Buchan,which'a title borne by the
was famous of old in
Comyns. It is a name
the north; and the ancient family who claimed it,
whose greatness in Scotland, says Buchanan, was
never equalled before or since, numbered among its
members many historical names. All their glory
and authority are now things of the past. " For
two centuries the chiefs of this great house were
among the Magnates Scotice. Not many families
been ore uerl
of the same im
Sopmeortance chancehave referencem in an old
swept away.
chronicle, a brief and confused page of the Scottish
peerage, a few crumbling ruins along the shores of
the northern sea, is all that remain to us of a house
that vas once more powerful than the Crown."
Leaving these records of olden days, we come to an
essay especially adapted to the toil and harass of
modern life. It is by the author whose discursive
meditations have often ' pp eared in Fraser. He
takes for his subject "Hurry and Leisure," and
there is much truth and sound sense in his obser-
vations. The little time really ga;ned by over
exertion, the refreshment and invigoration of occa-
sional leisure, the food for thought and feeling
gained by relaxing a little the forced march so
many of us keep up, are all set forth ; and though
he strongly advocates the necessity of work in order
that we may enjoy leisure, he feels that at the pre-
sent day the opposite caution is the more needed.
The hig h-p;essu re system so generally kept up among
professional men and men of business, has produced
many sad results in the breaking down of gifted
minds, or the premature decay of physical powers.
There is much truth in the advice given by the
writer to a young friend beginning his parochial
life :—" Consider for how many hours of the day
you can labour Without injury to body or mind;
labour faithfully for those hours, and no more.
Don't pretend that you are
always Working ;
would be a sin against God and nature if you were.

Say frankly, there is a certain amount of work
that I can do ; and that I will do ; but I must have
my hours of leisure." Many pleasant reflections
on various branches of his subject are interwoven
with these remarks, and the essay will well repay
the reader's perusal. " Holmby House" continues,
and brings us to the flight of the Queen and the
battle of Naseby. Another story, " Sword and
Gown," is proceeded with, and strews some
thorns on the lovers path of roses. Grave compli-
cations appear to be likely to arise in the plot, and
as each of the chief characters is pursued by en
avenging Nemesis, the reader has not much right
to expect a pleasant conclusion. " Alpine Litera •
ture" is the title of a very agreeai)le paper on some
of the volumes of travels which have lately re-
corded the wonders of the Alps. " A Candid
Man" furnishes us with some " Thoughts on Re-
served People," in which he sets forth the advan-
tages and superiority of a controlled and reticent
nature, frankly admitting that he does not belong
to that class. There may, however, be a difference
of opinion on this point ; for, however, great the
advantages of self-possession and reserve on some
occasions, there are attractive qualities inseparable
from a frank and open nature. There are articles
of varying merits on other subjects, and the number
is on the whole an interesting one.

Colburn's United Service Magazine.
At the present moment, when the subject of the
national defences is so much under discussion, the
contents of this magazine possess unusual interest.
" The Defence of London," " Our Military Orga-
nisation," and " The Admiralty—Old and New,"
are among th 3 articles which treat most directly of
the topics of the day. A comparison of the cha-
racters and careers of the two Napoleons will pro-
bably attract many readers. From Camp to
Quarters," relates some of an officer's experiences
of life in India. " Notes on Military Science" are
continued, and give some details of the battles of
Agincourt and Bosworth. The fourth chapter of
" The History of the Campaign of 1848 in Lom-
bardy" records the repulse of the Austrians at
Goito, the storming of the Monti Berici, the
loss of Rivoli and the subsequent pause in the cam-
paign. A paper entitled " A Professional Visit to
Portsmouth "is well worthy of perusal. It sets
forth strongly the necessity of our naval efficiency,
and traces the evils and defects at present existing
to two primary causes—prejudice and ignorance,
" prejudice on the part of the officers and those
officially connected with the service, and ig-
norance—but too often the offspring of indif-
ference—on the part of the public." Other
questions of national importance are discussed
in this magazine, which presents the reader with
a considerable amount of practical and authorised
information on topics which at this time are press-
ing much upon public attention. The editor's port-
folio and the military and naval intelligence, to-
gether with a list of the stations of the army and
navy, are as usual, given at the conclusion.

Co/burn' s New _Monthly Magazine.
" Coming Again," by the author of " Ashley," is
a continuation of those tales that have represented
so forcibly the sad destiny that waited on the for-
tunes of the Lord of Pommeroy. The present
instalment is not quite so effective as the others ; it
chiefly relates to the terrors experienced by certain
of the inmates of the Abbey on beholding the ghost
of the murdered master. Alice cannot attract
much interest in consequence of Living been so
weak as to consent to a union with one so repul-
sive as Guy, and also her faith in Rupert could not
have been very secure, or she would not have be-
lieved what was told her against him. " Notes on
Noteworthies" has for subject this time Christina
of Sweden, which is, as may be supposed, a very
interesting one, and which, it will be found, is well
done. This is one of the best features of this
magazine—the custom of chronicling every month
the details of the life of some distinguished per-
sonage. The accounts are for the most part given
in a manner which displays considerable
research and ingenuity. The interesting series
entitled " Stereoscopic Glimpses," has for its
sixth number " Johnson at Streatham.'
The verses are remarkable for their descriptive
power of the place, and for the thoughts which the
twilight suggests of other scenes and forms of long
ago, whose shadowy presence haunt the hours of
evening. The article on the Treaty of Villafranca
is the political one of the number, but it does not
throw much light on the subject, and appears to
disagree with the neutrality policy, which, it re-
marks, has deprived us of a glorious opportunity of
keeping France in check ; but we are not informed
as to the particulars of the lost chance;which will
puzzle many readers to discover for themselves.
Some stories are continued as the tale of the
Princess Sophia and " My friend Pickles," and the
paper on " Frederick the Great and Voltaire" is
full of information and enlivened with anecdote.