The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-03 00:00:00

MAGAZ INES.

Fraser'ke" Siam'and the Siamese" furnish the
subject of
.an interesting article founded on two
books of travel, Sir John Bowring's recent work,
and. Captain Osborne's " Quedah." The latter
work, has also been recently published, but it refers
to a person of twenty yeafs ago, and relates chiefly
to the Malays. It must. be supposed that the in-
habitants 'et Siain haie made great progress in the
interval between the two narratives, as they appear
in much more favourable colours in Sir John
Bowring's work than in Captain Osborne's. The
two kings appear to be remarkable men. They are
both well educated, and can converse and write in
English. •All who wish to 'acquire a little know-
ledge about a part of the werld that is now becom-
ing a subject of discussion, will find this artic'e
give them au entertaining outline, though, of
course, not pretending to the extended and valu-
able information of the work on which it is founded.
" The Laird's Seam".is an interesting tale by the
author of Meg of Elibank. it relates how
an old Scotch' ]aird was posses3ed of the
idea that a coal-seam was to be found inone part of
his grounds'. He waigive'n to scientific researches
and inquiries, and, as is usually the case with those
who are too wise for their neighbours, he was
laughed at and attacked; His only daughter;
Thrift, wedded to his nephew and heir, was the
only one who put faith in MS prophecies. Her hus-
band; though kind and good-hearted,. urged on by
his companions, refused at last to assist the Laird
any further, The first angry words passed between
him and his wife on that occasion, and the next
morning he was away to superintend his men, as
she supposed, without a reconciliation. Mean-
while, her father, who had foretold that he was
within a short distance 'of the coal, urged his pit-
men to fresh endeavour, when part of the mine
fell in and buried two men—one a widow's only
son, the other Thrift's husband, who had gone to
assist in the +Work as- the 'best means of pleasing
her. After a day of despairing anxiety the two were
disinterred, at first apparently lifeless, but at length
Wat Cockburn recovered and displayed in his hand
A fragment of the precious coal which had been so
perilously won. The Story iisimoy, but effectively
told. " German Love" is .a criticism on a German
book recently published with this singular title.
"Six months at Kertch," though not a very novel
subject, yet presents some features of interest. The
"Interpreter," by G..Whyte Melville, the clew •r
author of "Digby :Grand, &c., is continued, and
narrates some extraordinary and important events
in the 'progress of the • story. The second portion
of the article on Literary Style is given, and pasSes
in review Mr. Carlyle,' Mr.' De Quincey, and. Mr
Ruskin. The critic renders tribute to' their vary.
ing merits, but is severe upon some minor writers,

whose style, to judge from the samples, appears chiefly
remarkable for the sebstittition of vulgarity for
wit, and the introduction of words unknown to the
dictionary.... The writer of the paper on "Rooks"
contributes a similar chapter on " Ravens." Vari-

ons poets have honoured the raven by an allus'ot

or an introduction. Chatterton, Byrtin, and Cole-
ridge furnish extracts, to sly nothing of that won-
derful:poem of Edgar. Poe's, the most remarkable
of his remarkable writings. A paper on " Cal-
deron, the Spanish Dramatist," contains some ob-
servations on Spanish literature, which• deserve at-
tention. It is curious to 'reflect that a language
which:is now known to comparatively few was, in
the 16th century, "as commonly studied by Eng-
lishmen, and well-educated.• Englishwomen too, as
French, Italian, or German at the present mo-
ment." A "paper entitled,- "Some Talk about'
Food," contains some very curious information.
The writer.remarks upon the•different kinds of food
in use among divers nations, their properties and
advantages. An article on " The Elections"_takes

a review-of the present state of po!itical parties.

Dublin University.—This number presents more

than the average ainount of entertainment. The
first article'''met - with 'is a 'continuation of "The
Cardinal Treaties of Mediceval and Modern His-
tory,"," The Treaty of. ConAance." The style is
clear and distinct, and a useful:summary of impor-
tant events is afforded-by the perusal of this paper.
It is observed that at the present time general
attention is "hot givento Italian lfterature, but that
" the chapter in the bistory.of the world must ever
be important which records the events leading to
the Treaty of Constance, wherehythe independence
of Italy was recognised." It will doubtless be a
Matter of regret to the general reader that " The
Fortunes of Glencoie" are brought to a conclusion
in thiinumber. Thelast events are startling and
melancholy, which accord well with the previous
parts of the story. The sudden death of tie strange
hero, and tile unsettled life 'led by his unfortunate
son, are likely occurrences, as is also the devotion
of thei humble friend of thel family whom nothing'
could shake •in fidelity or diminish in zeal. The
recent appointment of Dr. Fitzgerald to the see of
Cork has given rise to some reniarkS. After ap-
proving highly of the act which raised him to his
position, the writer goes on to sum up the most
important occurrences in Dr. Fitz erald's career.
In conclusion he observes :—" We have dared to
write a biography thus beforehand. Our best wishes '
go with Dr. Fitzgerald to his elevated and respon-
sible office ; and if we may believe that men are
prepare-1 for their work by-the books they have
read, and the schools they have'studied in, then
Dr. Fitzgerald has been thus training for years,
and will not disgrace the school out of which he
has risen." " Victor Cousin and Illustrious Ladies
of the Seventeenth Century 7. presents an elaborate
analysis of that work. It is mentioned as a curious
fact that the great French politicians, unsuccessful
in their primary vocation, have turned to an
equally dignified, if more retired study. Guizot
is engrossed with the great English revolution,
Thiers continues " The Consulate and the Em-
pire," while Cousin haS:cholen a- new path for I
. .

himself. He has been called the "architect of his
own fortunes.' His father Was a poor watchnaker
in the Rue St. Antoine, " cVliere the son, who was
to raise his name, was born." The general opinicn
here expressed of this work is not a favourable one.

It is observed that M. Cousin has not chcsen the
best subjects for his work, ,nor are they sufficiently
numerous. At the same time due credit is given to
his talents and researches. "Tutors of .the Young
Idea" is continued ; .the chapters are entitled,
" Noboby's Education," and "Somebody' Gover-
ness." The two extremes arrive apparently at an
equally satisfactory result, that of achieving no 7
thing. "The Rides and Reveries of Mr. iEsop
Smith" are continued.- A variety of subjects are
brought under notice in the peculiar and quaint
style which has'before "characterised theie papers,
whose composition has been attributed to Martin
Tupper. A well-written article on "Aurora Leigh"
enters in detail on the various merits and defects
of that wonderful work. It is said that nothing
detracts so much 'from. the . pleasure of perusal as
"the conviction that the authoress has written a
book which is almost a closed volume for her own
sex." Setting aside this objection, "she is all
that the highest- feminine-intellect can attain to."
The last subject is entitled, " Who wrote the
earlier 4 Wayerley Novels ?" It contains an able
refutation of the assertion recently Made as to Sir
Walter Scott not being their author. Some verses
are also met with, which impart a variety to the
contents.

The United Service.—This number opens with a
brief paper-; on " Our
.Army, . and the Causes In-
fluencing the Military. Superiority of Nations." It
is.remarked at the conclusion that nearly all the
nations of Europe have successively arrived at
supremacy in the art of war. The English in the
time of Edward 111., the French at the time of
Charles VII. and Charles VIII., • the Spaniards
during the limes of Ferdinand and' Charles V., the
Dutch during the wars of independence, the Swedes
in the time of Gustavus Adolphus, the Prussians
in the time of Frederic the Great, the French dur-
ing the Republic and umpire ; and the writer
attributes this sUperiOrity riot to particular cases or
the rule of a single general.: but to some certain
progress in some, particular br.anch of war, such as
in the artillery .of Charles or the progress
made in the art of manceuvrea under Frederic.
The object of the writer is to prove that a long and
careful study of the art of war is. necessary for a
successful campaign, and that courage alone is not
sufficient to attain and preserve •a military supe-
riority. A paper on " Calais audits. Fortifications,
Past and Present," offers a description of that
ancient, but not very attractive city, to the
curious. traveller of more extended experience
continues the narratives of his adventures in a
"Journey to the Valley of Cashmere." It is writ-
ten a lively and entertaining manner. "
Gossip akait Paddles and Screws," continued from
a former num!)er,, presents some interesting facts
to the attention of the reader. The chief point
in this instalmeht is the rivalry which at
,resent exists between the English and Ame-
transatlantic steamships. The Americans,
though maintaining the competition with
their usual spirit, aro doing so under con-
siderable disadvantages. The terrible accidents of
such frequent occurrence among American travel-
'Ars are not wanting
ace in thef
time theiro Transatlanticcas packeualties
ts,
" a given sp
for those of the English, though the
exceedea numbered only 12, and the lat-
former vessel. 'go state that the majority of
heavy loss.
ter 38. They running at
most mournful are
their lines have bean - of Glasgow,
In the list of losses the their
the names of the President, the tab,
and the Pacific, which have loft no reeora
fate,
no survivor to tell the story of the Unknown
catastrophe. Such is the desire of the Americans nameb .
to have fast packets; and such their spirit of advert- likely to amt..,

The Art-Journal.—The three pictures which, as
usual, embellish the Art-Journal are The Harvest
Field, a graceful group taken from a picture by C.
Tacheggeny, in the Royal Collection ; an engraving
from "Ministering Angels," by A. M. Muller;
and Beatrice. Cenci, from the statue, by Harriet
Roamer. The Book of. the • Thames, by Mr. and
Mrs. S. C. Hall, is continued. It is pleasantly
written and prettily illustrated. There are various
papers on subjects connected with Art and Art
Manufacture, and the usual criticisms on the exhi-
bitions at present open.

, The Irish Metropolitan . —This magazine is a new
candidate in the field of serial literature of average
ability.. It presents the usual variety of tales,
sketches, travels, and. poems. The last days of
Sebastopol occupy a place of. course. It is appa-
rently intended chiefly for gentlemen, as sevei al
pages of sporting intelligence are added. This
feature will render it attractive to all interested in
such matters:. It would not be fair to criticise a
first number with any severity ; other instalmentswill no 'doubt manifest.improvement. ' At present,
if it is not above the average, it is not far below it.

Tie A Mogazilm and Institute of
At
ssru•ecroarame ends itself to the attention of all
in any way nc
connected with the extensive and cl claries
im-
portant huqiness of Life and Fire Insurance. It
contains but few articles, and almost all of them
are devoted to one of these topics. There is also a
paper on "Decimal Comage" in the present num-
ber. The ‘.l`oreign Intelligence," and statistics
of Insurance Societies, will be useful to those
engaged in the profession. • • •