The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Paul Forster's Daughter. By Dutton Cook. 3
vols. Hurst and Blackett.
This is a work that possesses considerable attrac-
tions, and towards the close of the story the in-
terest becomes most exciting. There is great ori-
ginality about the style, and the descriptions are
often very striking. There is much scope given for
the exercise of ingenuity in the characters met with.
Mr. Whinthorp Erle and his eldest son furnish us
with instances of accomplished villany that for a long
time elude discovery, and flourish in the eyes of
men as marvels of respectability and patterns of all
propriety in social and moral qualities. The old
man dies before the mystery is out, which is as
well, as thus the full weight of the mystery falls
upon Jeffrey, who is as hateful a disposition
as can be supposed. Edwin, the second son, is of
quite a different character and interests us by his
unhappy position neglected by his cruel relatives,
and disappointed in all his hopes and expectations.
Sylvia the heroine is a delightful maiden, she is
truthful in all her ways, and the very difficult
position of affairs which surrounded her demon-
strated her various powers to the utmost extent.
Her father was a very peculiar style of man, and
his unfortunate connection with Jeffrey adds greatly
to the complication of matters. Jeffrey behaved in
a most cruel and heartless way in his so-called
engagement with Sylvia, and it is most satisfac-
tory to find him outwitted at last. Newton Dax is
quite a character and sketched in a very skilful
manner. His first meeting with Edwin is very
quaintly described and gives an interest to their
subsequent acquaintance. There was a temporary
cessation of friendship in consequence of some mis-
takes and misapprehensions that had occured many
years before in relation to Sylvia's mother, but all
that was soon afterwards made clear, and Paul
Forster had the happiness of finding that his
suspicions regarding his wife were without foun-
dation, and thus the evil intentions of old Erle
were turned to the profit and advantage of
Paul Forster, instead of militating against him, as
his enemy had hoped and planned even on his
death bed. The two sisters, Desiree and Gabrielle,
had led wretched lives after the marriages into
which their father had forced them, and the sad
fate attendant upon their career seemed to descend
on their children, Edwin and Sylvia. At last came
a brighter time—and after a most stormy struggle
with Jeffrey, whose frauds had been discovered,
and who was almost frantic—the much-tried cousins
were left in peace. It was Jeffrey's desire to take
Sylvia abroad with him, and he made most
strenuous efforts for that purpose, having, pre-
viously to his illness, obtained the consent of Paul,
who did not know of the delinquency of the pro-
poser, and believed that his daughter's wel-
fare would be thus secured. Happily the base
schemes and designs of the former of these noted
individuals were discovered in time to stay the
sacrifice, and Edwin, aided by his friend Newton,
soon proved too much for the crafty hypocrite.
Aurelia Vane is a very smart sketch of a young
lady who had been in public from her earliest days,
and who was ready at any time to show herself of
to the best advantage, and to make the most of
any opportunity that offered. At one time
Edwin Erle had admired her greatly, having
always had a decided taste for the theatre. When
he became attached to Sylna, however, Miss Vane
soon reconciled herself to the disappointment and
married another of her numerous admirers. The
scene between her and her friend Miss Cobb is very
naturally described, and reveals much knowledge of
character. It was only in accordance with one of
Miss Vane's disposition that she should continue on
the stage after she was married to Mr. Jukely, the
eminent performer on the cornet-a-piston in the
orchestra of the Theatre Royal Nonpareil. Septimus
Rook is a fair delineation of a good-natured
youth who, without much ability, possesses some
discernment and discrimination, and is not deceived
by the specious pleading of his employer Jeffrey
Erle. He was devoted to Edwin, and determined to
discover where he was when, in consequence
of a quarrel at home, he suddenly disappeared
from the office. In this purpose he
braved the unapproachable Jeffrey himself,
and forced that worthy to lite more explicit than
many would have deemed at all practicable or pos-
sible at first. Some of the scenes here chronicled
are very exciting, such as the deathbed of Mr.
Winthorp Erle, when so many conflicting passions
were at work, and so many various interests at
stake. The concluding passage that relates to
Jeffrey's final discomfiture is also very impressive.
The wily dupe could not have been more completely
unmasked than he ,was when threatening his bro-
ther, and Sylvia, and the poor bed-ridden Paul, his
accuser stept forward in the person of the hospital
nurse, who had attended his father's last hours, and
heard the disclosures that took place in those solemn
moments. There are many sad spectacles and many
sad words at those times, but nothing more dread-
ful than when the expiring man unconsciously de-
clares some dreadful secret that he never intended
should reach mortal ear. The crafty and astute old
lawyer was not successful in his ultimate efforts.'
What he told intentionally was turned from his
cruel design to a happy result. What he had
resolved should not be told escaped his lips in
moments of delirium, and rose up as warnings
against his son when he was threatening and vili-
fying others. With its stirring recital of events,
and its strange personages who are so aptly de-
scribed, this work contains much that will assu-
redly attract the attention and gain the admiration
of many readers. It is throughout written in a very
striking style, and displays in some of its scenes a
considerable knowledge of life and manners. There-
fore it may be recommended to notice as a very
clever production in its way, and one that is sure
to amuse and interest by its varied and vigorous
descriptions, as well as impart information concern-
ing some of the subjects treated of in its pages.
Some of those who figure prominently in the story
of " Paul Foster's Daughter" are of that class and
character that cannot be passed idly by when met
in real life, but must stamp their images on one's
mind, and affect, for good or for evil, the
generation to which they belong. Portrayed in
the annals of fiction, they inevitably awaken the
attention, and remain fixed in the memory after
the reader's immediate acquaintance with them
has ceased. This novel will be ranked with the
superior works of the season from its general
ability ; and its pages present much that is suited
to all tastes, as the chapters range over many scenes,
and bring in many different characters to contribute
to the general effect and work out the several plans.

The Graduated Series of .Reading Lesson Books.
Book the Fifth. Longman.

The graduated series of reading lesson books
published by Messrs. Longman is now becoming
well known and widely circulated. As the title
implies, the !essons are graduated in difficulty and
quality, extending from the simple rhymes and
fables of the first book, to the varied extacts from
our best authors which are included in the fifth
and concluding volume of the series. The editor has
endeavoured to form the pupils' taste and to encou-
rage a love of literature no less than to facilitate
the acquirement of the mere art of reading. There
is certainly in this last book enough to suit all tastes ;
and he who cannot find something to please him
in selections from Johnson, Carlyle, Sydney
Smith, Foster, Mill, and Ruskin, in general
literature ; Warburton, Humboldt, and Huc in
descriptive travel; Mackintosh, Hallam, Gibbon,
Froude, Macaulay, Napier, and Creasy in history;
and Owen, Gosse, and Hugh Miller in natural
science, had better abandon the study of English
literature altogether. The editor has displayed
great judgment in the task of selecting and arrang-
ing the materials for these works, avoiding elabo-
rate pieces of rhetoric or uninteresting catalogues of
facts, but consulting the natural tastes of the intel-
ligent pupil, at the same time that he has conveyed
a good deal of information incidentally. The whole
series of reading books is admirably adapted for
schools, and this latter volume is especially well
suited for those tutors and private teachers who
wish to cultivate in their pupils a correct and refined
taste, and to familiarise them with the styles of our
great English authors.

Regeneration. By W. Anderson, LLD. ; second

edition.

Adam and Charles Black.

The works of the Rev. W. Anderson are held in
deserved esteem among the members of the Scotch
Church, and have also been disseminated in this
country. The volume before us having reached the
second edition, and having secured an extensive
circulation, scarcely requires criticism. Its sub-
stance was delivered in the form of pulpit discourses,
which have since been collected and condensed into
a treatise. The long delay which has elapsed be-
fore the publication of the second edition is ac-
counted for in a mournful manner. The eldest son
of the writer, who was preparing the work for a
second edition, and adding corroborative extracts,
from the writings of eminent divines, died suddenly,
and the painful reminiscences attached to his un-
finished task, have rendered the revision of the work
a most unwelcome labour to the bereaved parent.
Without entering upon the theological tenets of the
work we can recommend it as the production of an
earnest and vigorous author,
an u
uthor,nhink
whoses, ye is ch
tensed by great clearness and decision, and
b a r
whose;
teachings displaY both
theoretical truth, and a wise spirit nf. "re - for
isitng style
-- Practical
toleration.

Grua...mm..l.
Introducton to the Art of
.Reading. By J. G.
Graham. Longman.
This is a useful little treatise, designed princi-
pally for the instruction of the young, but also
likely to be of service to those whose professions

require them to speak or read in public. Its chief
object is to secure a correct systeth of pronunciation,
and its instructions and exercises are all directed
to this end. For this reason the work will be useful
to foreigners, as the English pronunciation presents
formidable difficulties to the student of the lan-
guage. A judicious selection of passages from
standard authors enables the young reader to
put the rules into practice.

Popular lectures on the " Essays and _Reviews."
By the Rev. John Cumming, D.D. Bentley.
This volume consists of the lectures which the
Rev. Dr. Cumming delivered in various places to
miscellaneous assemblies, on the much vexed ques-
tions arising from the publication of the celebrated
" Essays and Reviews. Dr. Cumming's views on
the subject are well known, and the lectures before
us are already familiar to many. They are now
reproduced in a compact and commodious form,
and will probably be very widely circulated among
Dr. Cumming's admirers.

Hunt on Stammering and Stuttering; their Nature
and Treatment. By J. Hunt, F.S.A., &c. Long^

man.

The opinion is gaining ground that most of the
distressing affections of speech can be eradicated,
or at least considerably ameliorated by judicious
treatment. Mr. Hunt, who has devoted much time
and study to the treatment of such cases, has
already published works on the organs of voice and
speech. He has been successful in instructing
many pupils who suffered from these lamentable
defects, and the work contains some of the results
of his experience. These results are every way
encouraging to the stammerer, and they also convey
very important lessons to his relatives or guardians.
The cases in which stammering or stuttering has
been mimicked until it has become a confirmed
defect of speech in the mocker are numerous, and
the instances in which sensitive children have be-
come thus affected owing to sudden frights or
severity of treatment, should serve as warnings.
Mr. Hunt tells us that one of the worst cases of
stuttering he ever saw was caused by the parent of
the sufferer stamping and shouting " Silence." We
commend the perusal of Mr. Hunt's volume to all
who are subject to these distressing affections, or
who have the charge of young persons Eimilarlp
situated.

Crockford,

Crochford's Scholastic Directory.
Wellington-street.
This is the first appearance of a work which is
likely to form a useful addition to our numerous
directories and works of topographical reference.
It comprises the whole of the educational establish-
ments in the United Kingdom, including therefore
the list of principals of colleges and public
schools, of endowed grammar and other public
schools, of the parochial schools of England and
Wales, and of private and foreign schools. The
information given is not restricted to the mere names
and addresses, but full particulars are furnished.
For instance, in the list of public schools
we are told the subjects required to be taught by
the original deed of foundation; the number of
scholars, whether day scholars and boarders are
allowed, and the various exhibition's and scholar-
ships attached to public schools. The private
schools have required much time and trouble, there
being no fewer, it is said, than fifty thousand in the
United Kingdom. The editors profess their readi-
ness to receive any correction or additional infor-
mation, and the work will probably become one or
our standard directories.

DEATH OF SIR JAMES C. IIIELVILL,
K.C.B.

We regret to have to announce the death of Sir
James C. Melvill, K.C.8., which took place on the
23d inst. His name has been familiar to all who
have been connected with Indian affairs during the
last 30 years. He occupied a high and influential
position in the home service of the East India Com-
pany, shortly before whose political death in 1858 he
retired, having served the Company with zeal and
ability for half a century. He was the eldest of four
sons of Captain Melvill, Governor of Pendennis
Castle, in Cornwall. This officer, who was in the
Royal army, commenced his career in India, and
was among those who were taken prisoners upon
the defeat of Colonel Baillie's force in 1780 131
Hyder Ali, the grandfather of the present Gholana
Mahomed. The wounds which he received on that
occasion, and his ill-usage during his imprisonment,
it is supposed, shortened his life, and he left a large
and young family. Sir James Melvill entered the
home service of the East India Company at an
early age. He soon displayed those qualities which
distinguished his future career, and he rose by rapid
steps to the highest permanent position at the East
India Honse, being appointed, in 1834, Chief Secre-
tary, which office he held till his retirement in 1858.,
He was also Government Director of the Indian
railway companies. He was at one period, we
believe, offered high office under the Crown, but he
resisted the invitation, and remained a faithful and
zealous servant of the East India Company. He was
always regarded as an eminent authority on all
questions of Indian policy, and he was invariably
among the first whose opinions were taken in any
Parliamentary inquiry. In the discharge of his
public duties he brought the highest integrity and
zeal to bear upon a clear and vigorous intellect.
His death will be mourned by a large circle of ad-
mirers. His brothers are Mr. Philip Melvill, late
Military Secretary at the India House ; the Rev.
Henry Melvill, late Principal of Haileybury and
Canon of St. Paul's ; and Colonel Sir P. M. Mel-
vill, K.C.8., late Military Secretary at Bombay.

THE PRIVATE FETES AT CREMORNE
GARDEIVS.

A repetition of the private fetes given at these
gardens last Thursday, in aid of the funds of the
Spitalfields Weavers and Emigration Committee,
took place last evening, and—the admission tickets
not requiring on this occasion the vise of the lady
patronesses, under whose management the previous
fete more immediately came or—with a consider-
ably enhanced success.
The weather during the day was anything but
propitious for the al freseo entertainments at Cre-
morne, and the addition to the funds of this deserv-
ing charity to be derived from last evening's fete
suffered proportionately ; but, in other respects, the
entire arrangements, which were under the manage-
ment of the able executive, were all that could be
desired, and afforded to the visitors the utmost
satisfaction.

The programme was the same as that provided for
Thursday's fete, so that a detailed description of the
general amusements of the evening would be but
repetition of what has already been said concerning
the attractions of these private fetes; suffice it to
say that the several exhibitions of Professor Wohl-
gemuth—the dogs and monkeys—the balloon races
—the Swiss singers--the Cirque Oriental—the
ballet—the Fire King—the wonderful Leotard (by
far the most graceful and at the same time the most
daring of all the trapeze gymnasts we have yet
seenj—and the fireworks—all of which are to be
found in the everyday bill of fare of the gardens,
met with their usual success last night.
The decorations of the grounds, with variegated
lamps in endless profusion, were arranged with
great taste, and as these are to remain for the re-
mainder of the season, Mr. E. T. Smith will com-
mence his lesseeship of Cremorne on Tuesday next,
under the most favourable auspices ; for apart from
these additional attractions, the gardens themselves
were never seen to greater advantage than they are
at the present time.
p
It is only necessary to state that Mr. Simpson
takes his farewell benefit to-night, to secure him a
t
ten years
doesTo
Cremornehi his excellent
owe managementits
and the amusement-seeking public will not forget
the benefit-night of one who has so successfully'
catered period. y
catered for them for so long present forp o theu a
rpias t
y