The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-27 00:00:00

Hurst

Studies in English Poetry. By Joseph Payne.
Fourth edition. Arthur Hall, Virtue, and Co.
This is a very excellent collection of studies in
English verse, extremely varied in its character,
and including specimens from most of our poets,
ancient and modern. It is intended as a text-book
for the higher classes in schools and as an intro-
duction to the study of English literature. It is,
therefore, accompanied by short biographical
sketches and notes explanatory and critical. The
greater part of the volume is occupied by lyrics,
odes, and brief selections, but there are several
passages of greater length extracted from Shak-
speare, Milton, and Pope. The selection has been
made with taste and discretion, and we commend
it highly as an introduction to the various styles of
our great poets. It tends to prove the truth of
Bacon's words on its title page—" Poesy serveth
and conferreth to magnanimity, morality; and to
delectation."

The Wild Flowers of England. By the 'Rev. R.
Tyas, M.A., F.R.B.S. ; with coloured illus-
trations, by J. Andrews. Houlston and Wright.
Choice Garden Flowers; with coloured illlustra-
tions. By J. Andrews. Houlston and Wright.
These two charming little volumes will be as
acceptable to all unscientific lovers of the floral
kingdom as to the proficient in botany. The
" Wild Flowers" make a delightful volume ; and it
is pleasant to find our old friends the daisy, the
cowslip, and even the common furze elevated to the
dignity of a botanical work. It is an excellent
idea to treat of the simple wild flowers, as it is
both more interesting and more instructive to learn
the properties and peculiarities of those plants
which every one may see than to read of those which
most people are totally unacquainted with. The
poetical quotations are happily introduced, and
prove that our poets, while " soaring to the skies'
have not forgotten "the stars of earth—the golden
flowers." The volume on "Choice Garden Flowers"
is treated in a similar style, except that there are
plentiful directions as to their cultivation and
general treatment, which will be of practical service
to amateur gardeners. The coloured illustrations
in both volumes are the work of Mr. Andrews,
F.R.S., and reflect the highest credit upon him.
They are really beautiful, and add not a little to
the attractions of the works.

Our Farm of Four Acres, and the Money we Made
•--

by it. Chapman and Hall.
An agreeable and instructive record of two ladies'
experience of living in the country. Circumstances
having obliged them to quit their house in London,
and find a comfortable and inexpensive home for
themselves, six children, and the accompanying
household, they searched in vain for a convenient
villa at a moderate rent. At,last they took an old-
fashioned house, with commodious grounds, and set
up their " Farm of Four Acres.' They made their
own bread and butter, kept cows and poultry, pigs'
and pigeons, managed their laundry and kitchen
garden, and reaped the fruits their energy and in-
dustry deserved. The record of their experience
and plans will be of the greatest practical service
to those similarly situated, as directions in books,
professedly instructive, frequently omit the very
things beginners most need to be told. It is a
pleasant little volume, with plenty of useful infor-
mation.

The Gourmet's Guide to Rabbit Cooking. By an
-

Old Epicure. Kent and Co.
Those who complain of the sameness of English
cookery need mourn no longer. Since "An Old
Epicure" can provide us with 124 varieties in
rabbit cookery, surely a new epoch of invention or
discovery has arrived. Boiling, roasting, baking,
pies, puddings, soups, curries, broiling, frying,
fricassees, stewing, rabbit served cold, warmed
rabbit—such are some of the varieties of dressing
this somewhat insipid animal. These, however, are
but the grand divisions of the subject. They are
subdivided into endless methods of carrying out.
To all puzzled housekeepers and disconsolate chefs
de cuisne we commend this useful auxiliary.

Why should we Learn. By Emily Shirreff, author

of " Intellectual Education," lc. Parker.
This volume consists of a series of short and
simple lectures, addressed to schools, on the advan-
tages of education, the reasons for acquiring know-
ledge, and similar subjects of importance. It is
written in a plain and sensible manner, and is well
worthy the attention of young, people, as setting
before them in a clear and forcible light the respon-
sibilities they incur by neglecting the means of
education.

The Horse and his It/aster. By Vere D. Hunt,

Esq. Longman.
A volume on the breeding, breaking, and train
ing of horses, with remarks on stable management,
elementary horsemanship, riding to hounds, and
other arts necessary for the aspirant to equestrian
excellence. It is a useful volume, convenient in
size and concise in style, furnishing entertainment
for those experienced and interested in the manage-
ment of these noble animals, and'some useful hints
fur the uninitiated.

Portrait of H.R.H. the Princess Frederick William

of Prussia and Infant Prince. Mitchell, Old
Bond-street.
A graceful portrait of the Princess Royal and the
little heir to the Prussian throne. It is taken from
a photograph, and shows the young mother bend-
ing over her babe in a charming homelike attitude.
This is another of those pleasant groups which
draw the curtain of state aside, and show us Queens
and Princesses in their more attractive guise as
matrons and mothers.

RATE OF DISCOUNT.—The rate for the choicest
paper having now fallen to 3 per cent., or even a fraction
lower, the applications for discount at the Bank have, of
course, almost entirely ceased. The reaction, however, has
been too sudden to justify an assumption that it will be
permanent, especially as a period of the
o• quarter is ap-
proachin when there is usually some revival of demand.
It is also to be remarked that the feeling of caution with
regard to transactions of long date is not likely to diminish
in any material degree, and that the present pressure of
unemployed money, so far from being a symptom of con-
fidence, shows that all persons are desirous of keeping their
resources within call. Under these circumstances it is
doubted if the Bank Court will entertain the question of a
reduction of their rate, although upon their recognised
principle of following the market they will probably adopt
that step before long, if the tendency to abundance should
make further progress. The Union Bank have reduced
their allowance on deposits to 2 per cent. for ac-
counts, leaving the rate at 31 for old. The Bank ofnew
Lou
don have also lowered their terms to a uniform rate of 21.
The other joint-stock banks and the discount houses have
not made any formal alteration, but it is understood that
no fresh sums would be taken at a higher rate than 21 per
cent.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT BLACKHEATH.—On Tues-
day evening, Mr. Carttar, coroner for West Kent, held an
inquest at the Hare and Billet, Blackheath, on the body of a
man unknown who was found drowned ia the neighbour-
hood. It appeared from the evidence given that Sergeant
tirey, of the R division of police, was passing a deep pond
on Blackheath when his attention was called to something in
the water, which proved to be the body of the deceased.
There was nothing about him which could lead to his iden-
tity. The inquiry was adjourned for a week for the purpose
of a post mortem examination being made. The deceased is
described as about 50 years of age, sft. 6in. in height, grey
hair, and dressed in grey tweed shooting coat, black
trousers and vest, blucher boots, and black stock.
ANCHORAGE OF VESSELS IN THE MERSEY.--A
special committee of the Mersey Dock Board having been
appointed some time since to report upon the question of
reserving a track for the ferry-boats which ply across the
river, brought the result of their investigation before the
board at their meeting yesterday. After entering very fully
into the matter, and taking considerable evidence thereon,
they state that they have come to the conclusion to recom-
mend the board not to exercise the powers of their act by
providing a special and cleared track for the ferry-steamers,
as they are of opinion that the danger of collision in the
river would not be lessened by such a measure, while it is
undesirable on other grounds. If such a track were pro-
vided it would be necessary to prevent vessels from anchor-
ing within the limits assigned for them, which no byelaw
would suffice to effect.
FIRE IN THE HAMPSTEAD-ROAD.—Yesterday
morning, about two o'clock, a destructive fire happened in
the premises belonging to Mr. J. Kay, situate No. 5, Bust-
street, Hampstead-road. A police constable, who was on
duty in the street, had his attention directed to the pretais(
by noticing smoke coming from the lower part. The en-
gines of the parish and London brigade were_ prompt in
their attendance, but the flames could not be subdued until
the building and all it contained wen? destroyed. The loss
will fall upon the County Fire Office. •

filment of such comprehensive and complicated
duties ?

',Where's Weld : A Tale. By the author of " A
Trap to Catch a Sunbeam," &c. Simpkin and
Marshall.
This is the second edition cf this little volume,
which maintains the reputation of its author as a
writer of pleasant domestic tales. There is no
great originality or remarkable talent displayed,
but it is simple and agreeable in style and tells the
old story of lovers' cross purposes in a pleasant and
animated manner. The moral is good, as it shows
the superiority of a good heart and cultivated
mind, even when joined to a weak and crippled
body, over the greatest advantages of health :Ind
strength without any ennobling and enduring
qualities.

Nathalie. A Tale. By Julia Kavanagh
and Blackett.
Miss Kavanagh's sparkling novel of " Nathalio"
forms the fourth volume of Messrs. Hurst and
Blackett's New Standard Library. It is written in the
authoress's most animated style, and displays her
thorough knowledge of French life. It has long
been a favourite with most readers, and is well
worthy of a place in this excellent series. Those
who wish to secure an agreeable novel in a commo-
dious form cannot do better than seize this oppor-
tunity.