The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-18 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Anne Sherwood, or the Social-Institutions of Eng.

land. 3 vols. Bentley.

This novel cannot fail to interest all who are
high-minded enough to resent injustice, and true
hearted enough to feel for the oppressed. The ob -
jeot of ire work is to depict faithfully the various
trials and troubles of the "governess life ;" to do
this the author has carefully studied the subject iu
all i s bearings, always " keeping probability in
view.' We do not meet with unreal perfection,
or unlikely faults in the individuals introduced to
us; th-y areretixeseritedras human in their frailties,
but also human in their virtues. The heroines are
two sisters Aune and Ellen Sherwood, the daugh-
ters of a clergyman, who left them at his death
totally unprovided for. As may be surmised there
was but one course open to them, one vocation to
which they seem called, and thus they left their
happy !Hone, the pleasant places of their childhood,
to wander among strangers. Ellen, the younger
sister, was a sweet.gentle creature, one of tho-,e who
appear only fitted for earth's happiest hours, one
b _a•n to live amid sunshine and flowers ; yet she was
possessed of an advantage that her brilliant sista-
staod in . need of, a trusting spirit. She could
rely on the mercies of Heaven, and see
something good ill the hardest lot. Anne, cn the
contrary, was of a harder cast, her nature was n.it
a gen'at or grateful one ; under the most favour-
able auspices it would have wanted softening, but
in the arid atmosphere she breathed, on the sterile
ground she trod, it is painful to contemplate her
siatd of mind. It is truly observed at the com-
mencement, that in works of this class, governesses
are often represented as almost perfect, after the
numberless hardships they have endured ; and that
this is not a likely state of things, all who reflect
must agree in the truth of this assertion. It is a
:hardening,. and .not a purifying ordeal, through
which such paiS, and except in cases, few and far
between, human nature is not calculated to endure
such insults _with the spirit that " beareth all
things," arid " hopeth all things." The character
of Anne Sherwood is described in a masterlYman-
ner, and is imbued with a vigour that only appears
in sketches which have life for a model, :and truth
for agu de. The sorrows that the two unfriended
sisters suffered in London are touchingly described.
The weary journey, the fruitless search, the coarse
jest of the vulgar, the cold frowns of the great, -
ti!e ill-requited toil they were forced to un-
dertake, and even the privations they
often underwent, all these are vividly and
forcibly related to us. At last their effurts were
crowned with success, each obtained an appoint-
ment, and were separated. Then the real trial
came to both, and each came out of it in her pecu-
liar
way. Ellen passed some very miserable months,
but never lost her guardian angel, Trust ; she was
never repining, although various sufferings wore '
away her health. It was the sight of this result of
all their endeavours, that made Anne Sherwood still
more morose. It is a satisfaction to the reader
when Ellen, who had patiently borne with much •
misrepresentation and annoyance, is sheltered in a
quiet haven, far from the strife she had shrunk
from, and for which she was unfitted. During the
sad time in London, they had met in their wander-
ings with a curate who was as poor as themselves,
and by a fortunate chance he was afterwards ap-
pointed to the village where Ellen's first family
resided. Although from various circumstances this
occasioned at fist new difficulties to the young
governess, through the jealousy of one of the
daughters of the house, a happier time came, and
Arnie Sherwood had the happiness of seeing her
beloved sister—at least, free from the harrassing
cares that still beset her path. After her sister's
marriage -she entered the family of Mr. Curzon.
Thu passages which relate ker adventures there are
most artistically gives, and it is easy to understand •
how a proud ' sensitive being like the heroine '
would be wrought up, by the mingled patronage
and insolence she met with. The climax
was when she was deceived by one who promised
better things—one who seemed to her excited
vision as the day-spring from on high dawning on
her benighted path, she " whose morning bad
known no sunshine, whose spring had seen nothing
green," revelled in the thought of a new life,
nuder another influence, than that which had
hitherto impelled her; she thought of putting off the
chains of the bondage of feat, to put ou the flowery
fetters of love. But this was not to be ; her idol
was clay, her dream was delusive. The succeeding
portion of the story is painful, nor can the reader
fail to desire that it had been otherwise arranged ;
the passionate nature of Annie Sherwood might
have been shown, with the omission of one or two
incidents that jar on the taste. However the con-
clusion is satisfactorily arranged, and the two, who
were w,rthy of better things, lived to repent of
'their errors. This novel does not depend on the
skilful construction of the plot, or the happy deli-
neation of the characters to carry out its purpose,
or fulfil its intentions. It has a deeper meaning
and a more lofty aim ; it seeks to tell to the world
the wrongs of those who cannot tell them them-
selves, and who are generally deprived of their
natural protectors. It may, therefore, aspire to
admiration, without the figures of speech, or the
flowers of rhe'oric, for its fame is drawn from the
purest source, that of talents employed for the
benefit of others.

- - -
" His blessing is sure
Who fights the good fight of the feeble and poor."
His laborious task ended, the author may rest
from the warfara, assured that his efforts deserve to
be crowned with success, while the spirit that has
animated them can impart even to failure a dig-
nity and renown.

The Norse Folk ; or, .z 1 Visit to the Homes of Nor
way and 'Sweden. By C. L. Brace, author of
"Hungary in 1851," &c. Bentley.
This is a description of Scandinavian home-life,
from the pen of an American traveller. Norway and
Sweden are not now the unknown and unexplored
regions to Europeans that they were at one time.
Most of us have become acquainted with their ways
of thought and habits of living through the pica-
sant.pages of their authors. The strong and sturdy
people of the North, the descendants of the old
Vikings, before whose names civilisation trembled,
have always found a kindred spirit in the people of
this country. To take a peep into their domestic
life, fi out an American point of view, is not without
attractions ; and the more so as our author does
not content himself with the usual traveller's route,
but explores the far north, traverses the lonely
fiords, the majestic mountain passes, makes ac-
quaintance with the Lapps and Finns, visits the
most northern town in Europe, mixes freely with
all classes, and becomes thoroughly acquainted
with their social peculiarities. His first excursion
was over the mountains of Norway ; but as he be-
lieves this country to have been oftener visited and
described than its neighbour, he has devoted to it
a much, shorter space. He gives us an
interesting description of his view of the
midnight sun, and of the extraordinary
effect .produced by perpetual daylight. -He gives
us a much longer narrative of his journey in
Sweden, while to Denmark he has only allotted
two chapters. During his tour in Dalecarlia he
descended the famous copper mine] at Fahluu,
which dates back to the eleventh century, and the
produce of which, we are told, wars, in 1853, 4,277
skeppund, or about 1,710,000 pounds. The pro-
duce has decreased of late'years. The impression
left On him by the peasants of this spot was very
favourable. He Calls it the New England of
Sweden—doubts if so independent, honest, and
virtuous a peasantry can be found elsewhere in
Europe. His opinions of the inhabitants of Norway
and Sweden are not always so favourable, though
he writes of them in a fair and cordial spirit. He
paid much attention to the subject of popular edu-
cation during his visit, and has collected some use-
ful statistics. The curious system of circulating
schools very is prevalent. In some districts the po•
pulation is not large enough to support a school
entirely, so the schoolmaster travels through seve-
ral in the year, assembling the children of the
neighbourhood in some large building in each.
Many districts only have a schoolmaster eight
weeks in the year. Education is in a- mannercom-
pulsory, as no one is admitted to the rights of b
citi-
zenship or allowed to hold any office withdout being
confirmed, and none may be confirme wo do
1 not know' bow to read and write. The
traveller made acquaintance with several of
of the country pastors who have the task of
examin-
ing and instructing them, and gained much nfor-
Mation from them. He i
was highly impressed with
the majesty of the mountain scenery, but its effect
upon the minds of its lonely inhabitants is not be-
neficial. The author, on visiting the insane asylum
at Christiania was, surprised to learn that the pre-
' ponderaut cause of lunacy was solitude. When he
bad passed some time among the wild mountanous
deserts, where some of the dwellings are almost in-
accessible, be was able to comprehend in some de-
gree the effect of the vast lonely solitudes on those
who pass years in them. The book cannot cer-
tainly be called a lively or entertaining volume of
travels, neither is it attractive from its narratives
of hairbreadth perils and startling adventures. It
is more suited to the thoughtful and studious
reader who desires to form a thorough acquaint-
ance with the constitution and character of the
Scandinavians, to estimate their moral worth, their
commerce, their intelligence, . to trace their pro-
gress from the Runic rhymes of their old Viking
days, and weighing their advance in civilisation
and refinement against those of other nations, to
measure their position iu the future. To such
readers Mr. Brace's book offers great attractions;

from the ewe and correctness with which h€l has
collected his facts, and the moderation and fairne-35,
with which he has narrated them.

The Lives of Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel,
and of Anne Dacres, his wife. Edited from the
original MSS. by the Duke of Norfolk, C.M.-
Hurst and Blackett. _

Th's is a curious and attractive volume, espec:—.
ally deserving the attention of all interested in
antiquarian researches. It is compiled fropa some
old manuscripts iu the possession of his Grace thttt
Duke of Norfolk, and he informs us in the preface,
that he has copied them with the grea'est etre and,
pr,cision, withobt making any alteration with the"
exception of a few trifling omissions. It narrates'
the lives, adventures, sufferings, and deaths of
Philip, Earl of Arundel, and of Anne DacreS,
wife. The Earl died iu the Tower, after more than.
ten years' imprisonment, in consequence of
Vitt
tachtneut to the Catholic religion during the'reig2.-
of Queen Eizabeth. His wife, though undeitto.ng
many hardships, was not imprisoned, but died in a,
small house in London in 160. She is represebteet
in these oil manuscripts as a most estimable and
charitable person, who, with a liberality rare ind ed
in those days, did not refuse, in her many charitable
actions, to assist those of another faith. Her hus-
band is also pourtrayed as a high-minded and chi-
valrous nobleman, who did not hesitate to sacrific3
a).l his worldly pr. spects to his couvictiohe. Of
course the memoirs will he most. interesting to those
of similar opinions, but such disinterested and noble
characters se:, iu th, grand principles of their live
a worthy example to all who follow. The book- t
printed and bound in the antique form, and forms
a valuable addition to the library as well as an in-
teresting memorial to the occasional reader.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON RAILWAY

BILLS.

BRISTOL, SOUTH WALES, AND SOUTHAMPTON ITNI02".1.
The Karl of MARCH repotted from the Committee
on Group 4 Railway Bi la that the proposed eapf-
tal of the company is 390,0001., and the amount ef
loan 98,0001. The amount of ;hares subscribed .fer
i 5,183,450/., and the deposits paid thereon amount
to 18,345/. There are 338 shareholders who may
be considered as having a local interest in the
line, and the amount of capital subscribed for by
them is 155,5751. The number of other parties
being shareholders is 15, and the capital
.taktn
by rhem amounts to 27,875/. The length of the
railway on the Gloucestershire side of the Severn
is 11 miles 33i chains, and on the Monmouth-
shire side there are two lines to connect the ferry
with the South Wales Railway, of the respective
lengths seven furlongs two chains and a half; and
three furlongs two chains ; and it is proposed t)
construct them on the broad gauge of 7 feet. There
is one tunnel intended, the length of which is
1,078 yards. The steepest gradient on the line is
lin 75. The railway is intended to cross on the
level two roads. The estimated cost of the railway
is 240,0001.; and the quantity of land required is
130 acres. Mr. I. K. Brunel was the engineer ex-
amined in support of the Bill, and the committee
were satisfied of the fitness in an engineering point
of view of the proposed railway. It is provided by
the Bill that the company may purchaser an exist-
ing ferry across the River Severn, called the New
Passage Ferry ; and acquire and use steamboats for
the conveyance of passengers and goods.
CALEDONIAN (LINES TO GRANTON).
Sir E. PERRY reported from the Committee on
Group 13 of Railway Bills that the proposed addi-
tional capital to be raised by the company under
the Bill is 60,0001., and the amount of loan
20,0001. The amount of shares subscribed for is
60,0001., and the deposits paid thereon 6,0001. The
length of the new line of railway is 3 miles 47
oh des, and of the branch to the Grant= Western
Breakwater 2 furlongs 4 chains. The steepest gra-
dient is 1 in 32, and it is intended that the railway
should cross one road or pathway on the level.
The estimated cost of the railway is 60,0001., and
the quantity of land required 341 acres. Mr. J. F.
Dundas was the engineer examined in support of
the bill, and Mr. J. Miller, Mr. A. J. Adie, and
Mr. T. Bouch were the engineers examined in
opposition to it. Several petitions were presented
against the bill and clauses were inserted for the
protection of some of the petititioners. The com-
mittee were satisfied of the fitness in an engineer.
ing point of view of the proposed line of railway
and works.

NORTH-EASTERN (LANCHESTER VALLEY BRANCH).
Mr. ADAIR reported from the Committee on
Group 9 of Railway Bills that the proposed addi-
tional capital to be raised by the company is 120,
0001., and no power is sought to raise any further
amount by way of loan. The amount of shares sub-
scribed for is 90,0001., and the deposits
,paid
thereon amount to 9,0001. The length of the pro-
posed line of railway is 12 miles 2 furlongs, and the
steepest gradient on it is lin 60. The estimated
cost of the railway is 120,0001., and the quantity of
land required is 123/ acres. ir. T. E. Harrison
was the engineer examined in support of the bill,
and no engineer was examined in opposition to it.
The committee were satisfied of the fitness in
an engineering point of tke proposed railway. The
committee had amended the allegations contained in
the preamble of the bill by striking out so much as
related to the power originally proposed to be given
to the North-Eastern Railway Company to take and
hold shares in the undertaking of the Dearness
Valley Railway Company, and by inserting in lieu
thereof recitals in reference to the proposed sale
and purchase of that undertaking, in order to make
the preamble consistent with the provisions of the
Bill, as passed by them, and found the same at
amended to he true.
SOUTHAMPTON, BRISTOL, AND SOUTH WALEs.
The Earl of Menonreported from the Committee
on Group 4 of Railway Bills that they had ex-
amined the allegations contained in the preamble
of the Bill, but the same had not been proved to
their satisfaction.

MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH COIN
For the week ended Jnne 18, 1857, made up from the Re.
turns of the Inspectors in the different Cities'and Towns in
England and Wales, per Imperial Quarter.
WHEAT I BARLEY I OATS I RYE BEANS PEAS
60s Od 38s 9d 26s 5d 36s Od 44s 3d 42s lld

- •
THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES,
WHEAT I BARLEY OATS I RYE I BEANS YEAS
57s 42s Od 25s 2d 40s Od 43s 5d 41s 4d

- .
ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.
Wheat, 115,102; barley, 1,888; oats, 9,285; rye, 25;
beans 3,608 ; peas, 570 quarters.

MEAT MARKETS.
NEWGATN AND LEADENHALL.—The trade generally
ruled steady, at our quotations :—Beef, from 382 d to 4e id;
Mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 8d; Lamb, 4110 d to 68 Od; Veal, 3s 64
tole 6d'; Pork, 3s 8d to 4s 10,1 per 81bs, by the carcase.
SOUTHALL, June 17.—The supply of stock was mode-
rate, and the trade generally ruled dull, at barely sta-
tionary prices—Beef, from 38 2(1 to 48 8d ; Mutton, 31 Od
to 48 10►; Lamb, 58 ld to 6s 4d ; Veal, 38 8d to 45 8d ;
Pork, 4s 8d to 45 10d per 81bs, to sink the offal.
ROHFORD, June 17.—We were well supplied to-day.
and we had a fair demand, as follows :—Beef, from 38 Od
to 4s 10d ; Mutton, 35 Ocl to 58 Od ; Lamb, 55 6d to 6s
6d ; Veal, 4s Od to ls Sd ; Pcrk, 3s 10d to 45 10d per Wm.

HAY MA.RKETS.
Sli/THFIELD.—Meadow hay, 2110 s to 41 Os ; clover do.,
31 103 to N ss; and straw, 11 6s to 11 101 per low.,
A. moderate supply and a slow trade.
CUMBERLAND. —Meadow hay, 2/ 12s io 4/ 4s ; clover
do., 3110 s to 5/ Os; and straw, 11 6s to
ollf las per load.
Both hay and straw met a dull inquiry,
to 41 Os; cloves
nformer r
WffrrEcHAFEL.—Meadow hay, 2/ lOs
do., 311)s to 51 5s ; and straw, 11 6s to 11 10s per load.
Trade rather dull.