The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-06 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Riverston.

By Georgiana M. Craik. 3 'cols.
Smith and Elder.
Although these volumes chronicle the chief events
in the career of a governess, they do not partake of
the usual nature of such a work. Many eloquent
writers have descanted upon this theme, they have
describe' the dark days and the sleepless nights,
they have painted the various trials to which the
unhappy race has been subjected, whose object it
is to impart instruction to youth., In this story
there is an exception to the rule, for the existence
of Honor Haig, at Riverston, was perfectly free
and entirely exempt from the thousand minor an-
noyances which seem to environ the path of
governess. Perhaps some critical readers will aver
t such a state of things is not a likely one, but
others have overshadowed the portraiture, it is
allowable for an author for once to paint it in some-
what too glowing colours. Miss Haig did not find
roses without thorns, even in her beautiful retreat,
for many troubles awaited her. There is something
about her character, which insensibly interests and
attracts, something that throws into the shade the
meretricious ornaments of Helen's style, and the
,assumed dignity but affected demeanour of Sydney.
',hes@ youlig daughters of the house were entirely
eclipsed IT the governess of their little sister; they
are not prominently brought for ward ill
the tale, each has a singular story, which,
whoa told, she disappears from our notice.
The drama of Helen's life was enactd
soon after Miss Haig took up her abode in the
family of t'ae Wyntere, as the owners of Riverston
were named. We meet with a striking instance of
the misery occasioned by flightiness of conduct in
the episode of Mr. Beresford's ill-omened attach-
ment to Miss Wynter. Iu vain did the sensible
Honor interpose between the disputants ; one was
deficient in strength of character, and the other in
principle. The result was a premature and violent
death for the injured, and fur the injurer a long
life of remorse and regret. The romance of
Sydney's life was more prolonged and complicated
in its details, and it involved some others more or
less connected in the story. The relation of Mrs.
Hammond's trials is one of a mournful and touch-
ing kind ; her tale is told in a simple manner, and
the mode of her introduction to Rivereton, and the
confusion that subsequently nsued from her pre-
sence there, aro skilfully contrived, so as to add
excitement and convey spirit to the work. Som
will, no doubt, be pleased with Mr. Kingsley, who
is original in some parts of his character, and whose
eccentricities are revealed to us in a vigorous man-
ner. His letent kindness of heart is also made
manifest through the veil of assumed sternness and
indifference. It is not an improbable conclusion
that wo arrive at when we meet with the engage-
ment of this singular individual to the heroine.
Honor Haig was herself peculiar, and there was
something attractive to her in the incomprehensible
nature she met with in another. Those who desire
a well-written narrative, with some exciting incie
dents and well-drawn characters, will be delighted
with the perusal of Riverston.

Howard Plunkett : or, Adrift in Life. A novel.
By R. Cornwallis, author of " Yarra Yarra."
2 vols. Whittaker.

The author of this work has certainly great skill
in constructing a story and arranging its compo-
nent parts. The characters are numerous, and,
for the most part, aptly sketched. ; but it is to be
regretted that he should not have been more cau-
tious in the introduction of some passacr. s met with.
They are more akin to the literature of foreign na-
tions, than appropriate in au English work of fic-
tion. The must striking of the scenes, the most
vigorous of the descriptions, and the most interest-
ing of the characters, are not those involved or in-
cluded in the sad mysteries and sombre shadows
of suspicion ; hence, it is to be hoped that in an-
other production, we may meet with the author's
talent divested of such drawbacks. Some of the
events, relating to the young outcast, who walks
the wilderness of the world alone, are exceedingly
well described. We have life in its varying phases
picturod before us in many a diverse land. The
story commences and concludes at home, but in its
course it wanders far and wide, from " the bright
and rolling waters of the gorgeous Mississippi, to
the lofty banks of the Yarra Yarra."

MARKET NE W6.—(This Day.)

CORN EXCHINGE.

Tho presont week's arrivals of English wheat up to our
market, coastwise and by land carriage, has been very
moderato, and the show of samples here to-day was limited.
In the demand, however, we have no improvement to
notice, but theme are no sellers on lower terms.

The imports of foreign wheat are only 7,130 quarters,
yet the trade ruled heavy at almostinominal quotations.
Barley was very dull, at barely Monday's decline in
value.
Thera was very little business passing in the malt trade
on former terms.

ANTo were heavily supplied with oats. Good dry samples
sold at previous rates ; but damp parcels were the turn

lower.

Beans, peas. and. Hoar were
AltiuvALEs THIS WEEK,
I Wheat. Barley. Malt.
English I 2,930 11,420 I 4SO
Irish,.

Otte. FloF.
160 1,550
4,210
bls.
35,°51) 130 sail.

Foreign

7,130 .1 5,120

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

The supply of beasts in to-day's market was not to say
extensive. Nevertheless, the beef trade ruled heavy in
the extreme, at a decline in the quotations realised on
Monday of from 2d to 4d per 81bs. We were fairly sup-
plied with sheep. Prime Downs sold slowly, at barely
stationary prices, and other breeds were very dull, at 2d
per Sibs less money. The show of calves was moderate,
yet the veal trade was hoary, at a fall in value of 2d per
81bs. In pigs and mulch cows scarcely any basinoss was
doing.

Per Sibs to sink the cattle.
s. d. e. d.
Interior 80a5t5....2 Bto 3 0 Prime Sonthdown 5 0 5 4
Second quality.... 3 2 3 6 Large crso. calves 310 4 4
Prime largo oxen 3 8 4 0 Primo small do 4 0 410
Primo Scots, d&c. 4 2 4 6Large hogs
Inferior Sheep ...3 0 3 4:Small porkers 4 8 5 S
second quality ...3 6 3 10)Snckling calves-23 0 29 0
Prime crse.-wlled.4 0 410 Quarter old pigs. 22 0 29 0
FOREIGN SUPPLY.

TOTAL SL PPLY

Beasts 950
Sheep and lambs
Calves 379
Pigs 4OO

Beasts' 2OO
Sheep and lambs .. 670
Calves 260
Pigs

NEWGATE AND
The trade generally was he
Per 81bs by

LEADENHALL.
+avy, at drooping prices :
the carcase.

s. d. s. d.
Beef, inferior 2 6 2 10
Do., midciliug 3 0 3 4
Do. prime large 3 6 3 10
Do., do. emall 4 0 4 4
Pork, large 3 6 4 4

a. d. e. (1.
Mutton, Inferior 2 13 3 2
Do., middling 3 4 4 0
Do., prime ..4 2 4 8
Veal 3 4 4 2
Pork, small 4 6 5 2

BOROUGH HOP.

Since the declaration of the duty there has been a slight
improvement in the demand for prime new hops, at ♦ery
full prices. Otherwise, the trade rules heavy.
New mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ 12s to 6/ per cwt.;
Weald of Kent ditto, 3l to 4/ 4s ; Sussex ditto, 21 16s to
3/ 12s.