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

impressive sketch; it is a simple subject in itself,
) but most forcibly carried out. Some of the large
figures aro very expressively rendered, as, for
instance, Formalist and Hypocrisy; this latter is
especially to be noticed. Mr. Worldly Wiseman is
also a geod delineation ; and the representation of
Christian turning back is decidedly a success. The
different expressions in the countenances of Chris-
tian and his degenerate companion are most aptly
given. The sullen bitterness in the recreant man,
who is resolved not to pursue the right road, and
the eager, wistful look of the hopeful Christian,
who is yet distrustful, as he foresees his petitions
will be unheeded—all these are effective in the
extreme. Faithful parting with his relatives is
painfully true, as it exhibits the cold, crafty, cruel
side of human nature. The bitet. che4 or the ralfica
Beautiful are very graceful, and there is a touching
expression of humility and grace in the faces of the
handmaids of mercy that dwell there. So many
subjects seem to claim attention that it is difficult
to single out or select any in particular, but the
work is throughout most worthy of minute obser-
vation in the skill displayed in the variety of its
numerous engravings. An illustrated edition to a
grand old work like this is a worthy undertaking
for any artist, and all who admire and appreciate
this masterpiece of allegory will render a tribute of
approval to those who have designed and executed
this ornamental edition. It can hardly fail to be
widely diffused for its subject matter of intrinsic
excellence, as well as its extreme elegance, supe-
riority, and style.

Clever Poys of our Wine. By the author of
"Famous Boys," &c. Darton and Co.
This is a most desirable book for the young, and
it
is
a delightful one for those of all ages to peruse.
It is most interesting to observe how many of
the most distinguished men of our age who belong
indeed to all time, and who in passing away from
this shifting scene, leave behind a fame that passes
not away—a bright remembrance of their earthly
efforts to live ou in the proud recollection of their
countrymen when not only themselves but the
generation who admired them have returned
to dust —have been self elevated. The very
titles to the chapters in themselves speak
volumes to those who despond or despair
at the idea of rising in life. Here we have Lord
Macaulay (a trader's sott), poet, orator, essayist,
and historian. The attention is taken away
from the last scene which lives in one's
memory concerning him when he was laid to
rest in that sepulchral home, where, as it was said
of some worthy of last century—" Our kings, cur
heroes, our poets, and sages were honoured by as
association with his mortal remains" to the quiet
place where he was brought up. There is a shining
witness but just taken away from among us, who
speaks to all in his own life of the power of perse-
verance. Another name that attracts attention is
that of the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, who is described
as a boy in an attorney's office, and now the eminent
statesman. Few men of our day have achieved so
signal a success as the subject of this sketch, and
a success so entirely dependent on his own unaided
exertions. It is said here " that he might fittingly
adopt as his motto Indomitable energy and un-
flagging perseverance.' These were the instruments
of his success—the talisman converting the obscure
student into the fsrmidable debater, the consummate
orator, the world-read author, and the prominent
statesman." After tracing Mr. Disraeli's eventful
career from his failure in his first speech to the
triumphant results of his Parliamentary toils in
being one of the most exciting debaters, chief of
the Opposition, and finally the Leader of the House,
the writer concludes in this passage the memoir. In
no more appropriate manner could he conclude than
by quoting this portion of a speech that Mr. Disraeli
addressed to the youth of Manchester, and which
might equally apply to the youth of any community.
Some short-sighted or supercilious critics may sneer
at these words as being too exciting and enthusi-
astic, but those who know of what stuff heroes are
made will award a different opinion. The follow-
ing extract is worthy of notice :
‘, We have thus seen how the lawyer's clerk, the
obscure student, by dint of industry and perseverance,
raised himself to the proud position of Chancellor of the
Exchequer of the greatest country on the face of the globe.
It is a spectacle of which the country has just cause to be
proud. And while Napoleon said that every private sol-
dier in his army carried a marshal's baton in his knap-
sack, it may be affirmed with greater truth that every
youth, every young man, every private citizen in Eng-
land, in the exercise of courage, determination, and dili-
gence, may achieve a position of probity, of honour, and it
may be of fame. On this subject we cannot more fittingly
conclude than by quoting the words of Disraeli, addressed
to the members of the -Manchester Athenaeum :—' I
would address myself to that youth on whom the
hopes of all societies repose and depend. I doubt not
that they feel conscious .of the position which, under all
circumstances, at all periods, in every clime and country,
is one with replete with duty. The youth of a nation are
the trustees of posterity; but the youth I address have
duties peculiar to the position which they occupy. This is
their inheritance. They will be called upon to perform
duties—groat duties. I, for one, wish, for their sakes, and
for the sake of my country, that they may be performed
greatly. I give to them that council which I have ever
given to youth, and which I believe to be the wisest and
the best ; I tell them to aspire. I believe that the man
who does not look up will look dews ; and that the spirit
that does not dare to soar is destined perhaps to grovel.
Every individual is entitled to aspire to that position which
he believes his faculties qualify him to occupy.' "
Michael Faraday, England's most eminent chemist,
was the son of a poor blacksmith, a bookbinder's
apprentice. It is said that little did his poor father
think that he would attain to a world-wide cele-
brity, that Prince Albert, even, would think him-
self honoured by presiding at a lecture delivered by
his son. Charles Dickens, "an attorney's clerk, and
now the world-famed author," is described in an
attractive chapter. There is an interesting en-
graving of his dropping his first literary contribu-
tion into an editor's box in a dark court in Fleet-
street, this is a suggestive subject of contemplation,
as it was the beginning of his afterwards success-
ful literary career. Richard Cobden is another one
here cited ; he is mentioned as a " farmer's boy,
warehouseman, author, orator, and statesman ;"
although he is unquestionably an over-rated man
in some particulars, he is certainly a distinguished
man in his way, and he has a right to be placed in
a compilation of this sort. William Shaw Lindsay,
a poor friendless orphan, cabin boy, great ship-
owner, and member of Parliament, is introduced
as a sketch; there is an engraving of his working
his way to Liverpool in an engine-room of the steamer.
It is truly said that " the day of wonders has not
passed, and that we are living among men whose
history is as marvellous as any that the past has
emblazoned in the roll of fame." While this record
of the momentous men of the day contains a bright
incentive to early ambition, it also presents a
warning that none should neglect. There is no
royal road to fame any more than to learning—no
influence or interest can make a man famous unless
he exerts himself. The young aspirant should
remember that
" The heights by great men reached and kept,
Were not attained by sudden flight;
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night."
Let the young study this book with attention, and
',member that its occurrences are real, and its
heroes not the fictitious characters of romance and
the imaginary beings of fable, but actual breath-
ing examples. History's living page will here-
after bear witness to the deeds of the men who
figure in these sketches; some have written in
language that will last as long as the English
tongue is spoken, while others have become mixed
up in various ways with striking events of their
day, and will infallibly leave a lasting impress of
their works behind them. This little work will
be a suitable present at this festive season, and from
its skill in arrangement and choice in selection,
it cannot but prove a fruitful source of entertain-
ment and a desirable object for contemplation.

Twelve o' Clock ; a Christmas Story. By the
author of " Grandmother's Money," &c. Hurst
and Blackett.
This is a real old-fashioned ghost story that will
be most welcome at this time, when it is the custom
to gather round the fire in the twilight hour, or
linger there in midnight converse, and talk of
marvellous and mystical adventures. There are
three tales collected together in this book, and they
are very ingeniously told. The first is the most
striking in its details, and the peculiar circum-
stances that attended the illness of Mr. Woodhurst
are very ably described. It is a dreadful idea that
there are too many such scenes in real lite as are
enacted here after the marriage of the ill-fated
Viola Clifford with the despicable Bernard
Schreiber. The second story relates the adventures
of a miser., .It is not very likely ; but it is in
its allegorical way very adroitly sketched,
and the fact that he met his death in the act of
searching for the object of his idolatry is a solemn
warning to all like him. The desire of money
could hardly attain to a greater pitch when it sent
its devotee to rob the poor-box of a church. The
last story is not so apparent in its meaning, but it
is in its way very well arranged. The wild man.
ner in which Esselton went on could have but one
termination ; and the last passages are most excit-
ing in their intensity of interest. Many will be
very much struck by the thrilling horror of the
apparition of the ghosts, but the tales they relate of
their doings and sufferings in the flesh are far
more really dreadful than the visitants of spirits
who have done with human trouble and put off
mortal care. The accounts of the trouble that the
poor compiler of these tales met with in his endea-
vours to make them generally known, is ludicrous
in its very melancholy; all who wish to quit the
actual scene of daily life, and wander for an hour
on the enchanted ground of the spirit land, would
do well to peruse this volume, in which the evil that
men do lives after them, as their ghosts were ob.