The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-01 00:00:00

" They've nothing in the world to do
But as it's just their nature to." ,
" Oh, shade of Dr. Watts, what sagest thou to
so daring a plagiarism from thine immortal
hymns!' All will approve of the paper
Captain Boyd, a Hero's Obsequies." The fate
of this brave man excited the greatest sympathy
in all ranks, and the throngs who crowded round
to pay a last tribute to his memory, only echoed
the sentiments of those who far away bore testi-
mony to his worth and valeur. His friends might
console themselves for his premature loss by the
recollection of his brave spirit exemplifying its
prowess in the hour ol danger, and truly might they
exclaim— •
" Who would not envy such as him to live;
And died he not as heroes wish to die ?"
There is a short paper on " Income-tax Grievaileest,
which words are synonymous in the opinion of
many. It is thus remarked " The man who
stood foremost among those who pressed for its
early removal, has but lately done
his worst to
annihilate the hopes of his own fostering.
In the
very year of our promised freedoin Mr. Gladstone
contrived to sink us into a more hopeless slavery
than before. It was easy for a statesman so
fruitful in sounding fallacies and sudden turns of
mind, to simplify
.the fiscal process by knocking
off a host of amid-items from the Customs' re-
tarns ' • but a wide-spread taste for light French
wines has not yet begun to show itself outsidp the
airy fabric of Mr. Gladstone's dreams ; the duties
he has surrendered are gone for ever, and in a
time of outward peace, the country is paying an
income tax of tenpence in the pound, which
but for
a timely rescue of the paper duty by the upper,
House might now have mounted up to one shilling.
'• Dismal Dobbs" is a most ludicrous sketch of a
night in Crow street Theatre in a period more dis-
tinguished for fun and frolic than good order and
high appreciation of the drama. The visitors to
the theatre went to be seen and heard rather than
to see and hear, The " Silent Figure" who ac-
companied the merry party here chronicled had
busy part to play on the stage of that night's events,
and those who wish for a lively resume of past
days will be pleased with its perusal. Among
other articles of interest may be mentioned The
Wellington Papers," which contain despatches and
correspondence. of the late duke, edited by his son.
As may be supposed, in the pages of this magazine
a natural exultation is expressed at the achieve-
ments of one of whom his country may well be
proud. The last passage alludes to the bright roll
of names which appear in these volumes, and which
will hereafter appear in the pages of history. gi Note
the names which meet the eye as it glances along
the correspondence—Combermere, Seaton, Napier,
Gough, Hardinge, Raglan, Clyde. The triumphs
of fifty years in every part of the globe have been
as it were recruited from the ranks of the Penin-
sula. That land was not only the theatre but the
school of greatness. Let Ireland be proud, for she
has a right to be proud that she has given to the
empire, to fame, to futurity, the hero of modern
times—the "vainqueur du vainqueur du monde !"

Bentley's Miscellany.
t The first book of " The Constable of the Tower,"
which we have already noticed, is completed in this
L number. Some curious information, and some
which will rather surprise many, is to be found in
Chapter I. of "The Population and Trade of France"
(by Frederick Marshall). This chapter relates ex-
clusively to the population, and the author endea-
vours with much ability to show that the slow
increase of population in France is caused, not by
the unwillingness of the French to marry, but to
their prudence in refusing to have children. This is
certainly something new in nature. " Town and
Country," by Monkshood, is a comparison between
rural and city life, in which the country, of course,
and, as we consider, unjustly, is given all the advan-
tages. Onida furnishes his quota as usual, but this
nio,ith he has changed his tune. For some time
back he has made all his stories end happily, but
" Trente-et-Un, or the Two Rivals," is tragic, and
bears a Moral to all gamblers. The subject is not
new, nor is there much.plot in the story, but never-
theless it is well executed, and is far superior to
many of Onida's productions. " The 'Biography of
Marshal Niel" does justice to the military and
engineering genius of this brave soldier, and,
although his biographer does not rank him with
Marshal M'Mahon, he gives him full credit for the
victory of Solferino, which credit, as first in com-
mand, of course the modest French Emperor took to
himself. " The Life and Letters of Mary Gran-
ville" (Mrs. Delany) are reviewed at length, and
many curious and interesting anecdotes are related.
" Crooked Usage, or the Adventures of Lorn
Loriot," by Dudley Costello, carries us and poor
deluded Lorn deeper into the wiles of the clever
swindlers, among whom our hero has fallen. We
look forward with interest to the continuation of
his adventures.

the
A't. James's Magazine. No. I. Saunders and
Ot ley.
Another new competitor for public favour has
entered the ranks of the serials. During the last
year or two there have been considerable additions
made to the number of existing magazines, and
fortunately for the public, although the moderation
of their price is remarkable, they are all worthy of
encouragement. They will each in their several
styles bear rigorous comparison with the lesser
members of the old fraternity, and as the demand
for good and interesting light literature is continu-
ally on the increase, we trust they will all find
room to flourish and prosper. The St James's
Magazine appears under the auspices of Mrs. S. C.
Hall, and coming thus accredited, the reader
is prepared to find if worth attention.
Ire will not be disappointed in this,
expectation, for the contents are varied and attrac-
tive. The editress has gathered a force of efficient
allies, for we find the names of Dr. Doran, the
author of "John Halifax," Robert Hunt, Robert
Bell, Owen Meredith, the author of "Paul Ferrol,"
J. Ilalliwell, F.R S., and others among the contri-
butors. The editress herself gives us the opening
chapters of an interesting tale, entitled " Can
Wrong be Right ?" and also a domestic story " for
the young of the household." The fair wearers of
fashionable colours may learn from Mr. Hunt's
char and concise account of the origin of the new
dues how, by the wonderful action of chemical
science, the refuse matter of gasworks is trans;
rrned into mauve and magenta. "St. James,'
hick 2ives its title to the magazine, is the subject
that famous locality from the days when a hosp
of Mr. Bell's paper, and he tizees the clan
palace. Another discursive paper on the associa.
for lepers stood on
ithegriound now occupied by the
gesitclar

in reference to the passage quoted, " We will not
believe but what the writer of this sentence would
refuse to let it have its ordinary meaning and its
own intrinsic force. There is some technical, some
controversial, some modified, some secondary mean-
ing for him in its terms. Oh, let him confirm
our word on his behalf, and say so. He 13 a
trainer of young men for the Gospel ministry. We
will not believe he cries to them, Be instant, bre-
thren, in season and out of season, preach the Word,
it s the congregation's written voice, young bre-
thren before all things. They would answer him,
To bandy back the congregation's own voice to
itself is an unworthy ministry. We will not stoop
to bear its ignominious burthen," and his bold spirit,
for it is a bold one would approve their answer.
Young brethren ye say well. He is a parish priest
in a green valley, overhung by breezy downs, and
we will not believe that when some shepherd who
shall not drive his flock up to them again, sends in
his closing hours for the pastor who should
point him to the unseen fold; no, we will not
believe, that by the dying peasant's bed he opens
that blessed book and says, " listen thou sheep
that goest alone into the valley of the shadow
of death, listen, for thou shalt hear the con-
gregation's voice." For then the sick roan
would make answer from his dying bed, "the
bleating of the flock is not the sound I care to hear ;
speak me words spoken by the Great Shepherd o
the sheep himself." "An only Son" is continued
at some length, and the scene of the story chaeges.
At first we are told how sad Constance felt at the
dismay and suffering that were entailed on the
peaceful dwelling of the Locksleys. The scene be-
tween her and Mrs. Locksley is well described. In
a difficult position each maintained her dignity,
and at the same time the casualties of love did
not destroy friendship, which was a proof of their
good principles as well as their good feelings.
Further on we see Ned introduced to his new life
under not very favourable auspices, for there are
some very undesirable acquaintances introduced to
his notice. There is an amusing sketch of military
life, and the conversation between the stiff and
solemn Major and his Irish young friend is most
entertaining. The Major was making satirical
prophecies regarding the effect the suns of India
would have in reducing the proportions of his
companion, when the latter exclaimed, t. True
for you. Major dear, and L told me friends
at parting to take a good look at me, share the
better they'd know me now the worse they'd re-
cognise me when home again. A paper on
" Recent Poetry," is worth perusing, and contains
some just strictures on the method of criticising
poems that prevails nowadays. The books here
noticed are " Lucille," which production is spoken
of in terms of praise, while many faults are
found. Of M. Stigant's " Vision of Barbarossa,"
also a good opinion is entertained ; but " Faithful
for Ever," by Coventry Patmore, is not so favour-
ably mentioned. The reader who peruses the ex-
tracts here quoted will not think the conclusion
arrived at is harsh or unfair. In one passage a
well-known line is quoted as appearing strangely
without recognition—