The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-02 00:00:00

THE MAGAZI.NES

Fraser's Magazine.
A paper on the American quarrel is the first to
meet the reader in this number. It discusses the
question in its various aspects and probable termi-
nation. The writer greatly regrets the suicidal
policy pursued by the Northern States in passing
the new tariff, which, as he observes, has given an im-
mense moral advantage to the seceders. He expresses
a hope, however, considering the embarrassed state
of the Federal Treasury, N., Lich this ill-advised
move is likely so greatly to increase, that it will
speedily be found impracticable and repealed as
quickly as it was passed. The statistics given of
the relative populations of the Southern States are
worth consideration. Mr. Whyte Melville's story
of " Good for Nothing" progresses considerably.
Hints are given at the conclusion of this instalment
that life is not going to flow so smoothly with the
inhabitants of Verbena Villa, and the reader has
grounds for suspecting that the shrewd and
practical John Gordon is hovering on the
borders of the world of romance. The
incidental sketches of character which are
introduced are as felicitous as usual. The merits
and demerits of our public schools are discussed by
a writer who finally arrives at the conclusion that
in most cases the advantages outweigh the draw-
backs of such institutions. The pleasant essayist,
A. K. H. 8., gives us another of his delightful
papers, this time perhaps more melancholy in tone
than usual, for he discourses " concerning" a sub-
ject which few after early youth can look at
lightly. " Concerning Future Years," is the title
of his essay, and though he does not take into con-
sideration the sudden vicissitudes or startling
catastrophes that overwhelm some, he finds perhaps
deeper pathos in the thought of all the smaller
changes, in thought, habit, and feeling, in views
and expectations, in those around us andbelonging
to us, which, let our onward path be as smooth as it
may, must inevitably come with advancing years.
One anticipation on his own' part is at least prema-
ture. He looks forward to the day when his essays
shall no longer find favour with the readers of
Fraser ; but the wearied subscriber will fling it
aside, exclaiming, " Here is that tiresome person
again, with the four initials !" To dis-
cover signs of this alteration in himself and
his readers in his present hour of well-
deserved success and popularity would be as
rational as John Foster's horror at the sight of a
buttercup, as the herald of a future winter. To
slight the pleasures of the present, in eager con-
templation of the possible changes of the future,
whether for good or evil, is unreasonable and
wrong, and our author speaks justly on this sub-
ject in the passage headed " Taking short views."
The second paper on the " Progress and Prospects
of Astronomy " contains much matter for reflection
and study. The story of " Ida Conway " is con-
tinued with interest. The heroine is recalled to
herself by the dangerous illness of her neglected
aunt Kitty, whose kindness and indulgence she had
slighted while grieving over her unsatisfactory love
affairs. She is now punished for her self-absorption
by her anxiety for her aunt, who happily recovers.
A paper on " British Sculpture" does not take a
very encouraging view of the prospects of the Art.
The almost exclusive devotion of our sculptors to
classical subjects the writer considers to be injuri-
ous in effect, and symptomatic of want of origi-
nality and vigour. Among the remaining contents
is an article on Java, giving an account of the
progress and development of the island since its
restoration to the Dutch in 1816.

Colburn's New Monthly Magazine.

A work recently published in France, entitled
"Les Moeurs de Notre Temps," is the subject of
the opening paper, which takes a full survey of
contemporaneous France in its political, social,
literary, theatrical, and dramatic aspects. The
interesting story of East Lynne is continued, and
fresh complications arise in the plot. Mr. Carlyle
is proposed as a candidate for the borough, and, to
the amazement and indignation of the neighbour-
hood, Sir Francis Levison is put forward to oppose
him. Lady Isabel is left in peril of detection, and
it does not seem likely that she will much longer
elude the keen eyes of Miss Cornelia. Sir Nathaniel,
in his "Notes on Note-worthies," traces the labori-
ous and persevering career of Etienne Pasquier,
a French forensic celebrity of the 16th century.
The "Autobiography of Mrs. Piozzi" is the sub-
ject of a pleasant paper, which restricts itself
'to the consideration of the lady, as Mrs,
Piozzi, and says little of her under her more famous
appellation. The writer takes her part warmly,
and succeeds in showing that her friends and asso-
ciates, and even the great Doctor, treated her with
some severity. Mrs. Bushby's story of " The
Shipwrecked Mariner's Treasure," translated from
the Danish, is brought to a conclusion. The much
talked of treasure, as is often the case, brought
luck to none, but trouble and disaster on all con-
nected with it. " Granville de Vigne "is another
tale, whose scene is laid in our English metropolis
at the present day, and, being full of fashion and
sentiment, will probably fascinate many readers.
The poetical contributions are two iL number. The
first being some musical verses, by Nicholas Michell,
on the old but unexhausted subject, the coming of
Spring ; and the other a " Stereoscopic Glimpse,"
by W. Charles Kent, showing us Dryden at Soho,
which displays the accustomed skill of the writer
in depicting the accessories of the old haunts of the
poets.