The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-04 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.—The first article is called "Popular
Literature Tracts," which is well worthy of
perusal. Many will be glad to see at the beginning
that it does not treat of " certain monstrous fly-
leaves," which are usually comprehended by that
denomination, and which, it is here asserted,
"elderly females drop into pockets, stick into novels,
push under doors, and by every possible con-
trivance lay before our averted noses." What is
here meant, is a publication not important enough
to be called a book, and not miscellaneous enough
to be styled a periodical. It is said they are to be
considered more in a practical than a literary sense
—" the armoury of party guerillas, the ship papers
of political privateers." There will be found many
remarks that are striking in this paper, and the
accounts given of the mode of conducting these
ephemeral compositions is entertaining. " A
cruise in Japanese Waters" is continued, and the
important event of the signature of the treaty is
recorded in this part. In honour of that occur-
rence, the Japanese Government consented, for
the first time in their history, to fire a salute of
21 guns. " The Luck of Ladysmede" is much
more interesting in this number ; the reader is
introduced to the ladies of Willan's Hope, and
there are some scenes that are more animated
than any that have occurred in the previous
chapters. " The Witch of Walkerne" is a curious
account of some occurrences that took place in
the last century. It displays the superstition of
that period to a remarkable degree ; but it is
satisfactory to find that, although condemned to
death, the accused woman whose trial is here
recorded did not suffer the penalty awarded to her,
but obtained a reprieve through the instrumen-
tality of a more upright and enlightened judge
than usually presided on such occasions. " The
Competitive System and the Public Service" form
the subjects of some remarks. After analysing the
question, an unfavourable opinion is expressed of
the new system, but the arguments adduced are
not very conclusive. " The Appeal to the Country"
is the last article met with. In alluding to the
dissolution, it is asserted that the defeat of the
Ministers was not in a fair encounter, but by
their opponents resorting to an undignified and
unworthy course. After alluding to the various
occurrences at home and abroad, which have ren-
dered this a crisis unlike any within the memory
of the present generation, it is observed—

" Since it has arrived, let us be thankful that the reins of
Government are in such capable hands ; and let all those
who love their country manifest that disposition by giving
strenuous support to her Majesty's Ministers. If the new
House of Commons should prove to be factious and divided
—if, in the midst of a tremendous war abroad, when it is
possible that the integrity of our own shores may be threa-
tened, we are again to behold the lamentable spectacle of
disappointed and broken-down statesmen intriguing for
office, and contriving pitfalls for their antagonists—if some
measures are to be advocated, not because they are advan-
tageous to the country, but because they may be useful for
party purposes—if other measures are to be obstructed, not
because they are unsuited to the real requirements of the
time, but because they do not satisfy the demands of the
democrats, or are calculated, from their wise and moderate
nature, to put an end to that agitation—then we may in-
deed despair of the ultimate destinies of the country. But
we do not anticipate any such result. We look forward
with hope to this general election, believing that the appeal
which the Ministry have made for support and confidence
will meet with a loyal response, and that the constitution
of the new House of Commons will be such as to enable
them to conduct the Government with a firm hand and a
steady aim through the intricate passages of the future."

Dublin.—" aerald Fitzgerald" is continued, but
it does not make much progress in this section.
Gerald himself, however, displays more spirit and
determination than he has done for some time, and
this renders the story more animated. There is an
interesting article on " Masson's Milton," ,which
will be appreciated by all the admirers of that
great man. It is said of the work in this criticism,
that "it is impossible to arise from the perusal of
this, the completest monograph in modern English
literature, without a feeling of friendliness to the
author, who has put us on terms of intimacy with
the majestic and solitary Milton." It will no
doubt appear to the reader who glances at the
summary of the book given in this sketch, that the
high praise awarded to it is not undeserved, for it
seems to display correctness of judgment and that
true sympathy with the gifted and glorious that
can alone impart a right understanding of their
creations, or infuse a suitable spirit into the con-
sideration of their lives. Another article that is
out of the ordinary range is the last one, which is
entitled " Womanhood and her Mission." This oft-
recurring subject of study is treated of in these
pages in a calm and reasonable manner. There is
no absurd extravagance, such as prevails in trans-
atlantic theories, and no prejudiced ideas of a stul-
tified mental existence for women ; but an impar-
tial and candid statement of facts, and suggestion
of possibilities. This is the first part of the essay,
which many will be glad to find continued. There
is a second number of the " Season Ticket," which
is very amusing ; it relates the conversation of
some American travellers, and the numerous quaint
remarks, and lively anecdotes, furnish a fund of
entertainment for the lovers of the ludicrous. The

"Prize Essay on India" appears in this month's
number. It will be found deserving of attention.
The writer has evidently brought to the fulfilment
of his arduous task great powers of observation,
and he bas succeeded in working out the principles
laid down in an able manner. The second portion
of this essay will be published next month, and it
will then be more easy to arrive ata fair estimate
of its merits, when the fival arguments have been
brought forward, and the general .purposes more
fully explained.

Fraser's.—The opening article in this number
will arrest the attention of most reader;. It is
entitled " Mill on Liberty," and is from the pen of
the historian of the progress of Civilisation—
Mr. Buckle. It is more of an essay than a cri-
ticism ; more a vehicle to express the author's
opinions on social systems than an analysis
of the merits of the work. The great abilities of
Mr. Buckle, as well as the reputation he has
acquired, command the respect of the reader, while
the author, to whom he pays an admiring tribute,
is one whose name ranks high in the long list of
our philosophers. But while, according to Mr.
Buckle, all the admiration due to his own powers,
and his cordial testimony to the merits of a great
man, we imagine that not a few of his readers will
be disposed occasionally to question the soundness
of his premises and the correctness of his inferences.
With Mr. Buckle's love of broad and free discus-
sion, of that liberty of thought, speech, and feeling,
which is far beyond the liberty of action, we fully
concur. But like many another deep thinker and
searching inquirer he loses sight of the plain prin-
ciples of reasoning in his subtle disquisitions.
Scorning all trammels of custom, prejudice, and
even religion, he takes his stand proudly on the in-
alienable rights of the human intellect, and forth-
with makes that intellect contradict itself in a
most singular manner. For instance, after argu-
ing in favour of a free discussion of religious and
heretical opinions, he says as follows :
" If an age or a people assume that any notion they en-
tain is certainly right, they assume their own infallibility,
and arrogantly _claim for themselves a prerogative which
even the wisest of mankind never possess. To affirm that
a doctrine is unquestionably revealed from above is equally
to affirm their own infallibility, since they affirm that they
cannot be mistaken in believing it to be revealed. A man
who is sure that his creed is true, is sure of his own infalli-
bility, because he is sure that upon that point he has com-
mitted no error. Unless, therefore, we are prepared to
claim, on our own behalf, an immunity from error, and an
incapability of being mistaken, which transcend the limits
of the human mind, we are bound not only to permit our
opinions to be disputed, but to be grateful to those. who will
do so. For, as no one who is not absurdly
confident of his own powers, can be sureobt.hancattdinimeohdi!,esbtely-
Heves to be true is true, it will be his
honest man, to rectify the errors he may havee committeed7
What is that sort of belief_ that is not sure that
shakelat itt he believeswhnle is
fabric true
of humanT P his carriedout would
knowledge. In
matters of form or technicalities of creed any sectarian
assertions may be stigmatised by the advocate of
liberty as intolerant or inconsistent with free
thought, but when this is carried to thebroad prin-
ciples of Christianity it may be applied to every
other question. Does Mr. Buckle mean to assert
that man can be sure of nothing without asserting
individual infallibility ? Does he doubt the truth
of his own opinions ? If an adversary should tell
him that liberty of thought and discussion is per-
nicious and unnecessary, will he own himself
mistaken and grateful ? Is not every philosopher
sure of his convictions ; every man of science of its
rudimental laws? Do we doubt, when we see the
sun shining above, whether the great luminary is
really there, or whether it is an optical illusion arising
from the uncertainty of our own vision? According
r
to this theory we my still be doubtful .wahethe
e all
slavery is not advisable. We may resuscrt t
g further
the forgotten errors of the past,
we
may
-and theft,
and question the criminality of
since we are to accept no revealed.inlauwil.ls.,freron,. meaabroeyrt7%,
and the conclusions of human Intl
remain doubtful. Eloquent as is A r. Buckle's deo- ,
fence of free discussion, clear and forcible as are
left on the readers' mind,
that
many of his arguments, they arc wegaahsksepanuectidhtiaiblpgys, the
impression, insensibly_
ethonatscitohuesly7riotner
is in reality,
party. It is impossible not to
t the side of thhoeu
un-
consciously,
the truth of Christianity
dou
feelthe tdefending,hat,
inclining to a democratic form O. P
government,
resenting intolerance with intolerance, the strongest
arguments for liberty of thought and speech are
left unsaid. Mr. Buckle himself adds another to
the list of deep thinkers and subtle logicians he
alludes to who, dazzled by the charms of theory, have
forgotten the practical application, in the mazes of
I induction and deductio of
cause and effect, of

registration and interpretation. They look on
mankind as an aggregate:of speculative thinkers ;
they look on the Creator as an abstract idea ; they
overlook the countless myriads who share their
common nature, to whom abstract reasoning would
be sheer impossibility, and formal logic and
syllogisms merely unintelligible words. Lost in
the cloudy realms of speculative philosophy, they
can see neither the heaven above them, or the
earth beneath; but the true philospher, the true
philanthropist, must see both worlds, do homage to
both extremes; sympathising with the weakness and
blindness of fallen humanity, aspiring to that
Divinity

" Which shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will."

Leaving this able and interesting article, which
I bears full testimony to the rare abilities of the
writer, we come to some "Notes on the National
Drama of Spain," which are agreeably written, and
introduce us to a department of literature to which
few English readers render justice. The survey
of the dramatic literature of the countrymen of
Cervantes and Calderon will be continued in a
future number. " Holmby House" continues its
narrative of the fortunes of the Cavaliers. Hum-
phrey Bosville is wounded in his encounter with
Goring, and the plot of cross purposes thickens.
Another story, which proceeds with interest, is
" Sword and Gown," by the author of" Guy Living-
stone." The style is animated and entertaining,
but a little more polish would be occasionally► ac-
ceptable. Nevertheless, the story contains some
striking characters, and displays a fair share of
originality. A memoir of Alexis de Tocqueville is
interesting and instructive. Among the most
attractive of the remaining papers is an essay on
the " Domestic Annals of Scotland," by the clever
writer who adopts the pseudonym of Shirley.

Bentley's Miscellany opens with a brief rosumfi
of the most noticeable events in art and literature,
which takes a glance at the chief pictures in the
opening exhibitions, and gives a summary of the
latest publications. Mr. Harrison Ainsworth con-
cludes his account of the " Combat of the Thirty."
It is a ballad founded on an old Breton lay of the
fourteenth century, narrating the yalicint feats done
in a passage of arms, held by the Midway Oak in
Brittany, between thirty Englishmen and thirty
Bretons. Mr. Ainsworth appends some historical
details, and quotes a chapter from Froissart prov-
ing the authenticity of this remarkable combat.
The indefatigable story teller, Mr. Dudley Costello,
continues his " History of Mr. Miranda." The
events in the story are drawn from life, as is shown
to the reader, by a note alluding to a tragedy which
has recently taken place. Edmond About's latest
work is noticed, and. commended. A summary of
the plot of one of his stories is given, which cer-
tainly appears astonishingly absurd to an English
reader, though otherwise unobjectionable. The
" Duke of Buckingham's Memoirs of the Court of
George IV." forms the subject of another article,
which gives several entertaining extracts from the
volumes. In allusion to the noble writer's efforts to
represent George IV. as a worthy man and able
monarch, the critic wisely enough observes that
that king's best friend is he who says least about
him. The lively story which bears the curious
title of " Dashwood's Drag" is brought to a satis-
factory conclusion. " Thanatos Athanatos" advan-
ces in its discursive path, and apparently ap-
proaches its termination. " Rachel, as the ex-
ponent of tragedy in France," is the title of a paper
on the abilities of the great tragedienne, founded on
a work of M. Jules Janin. The career of that
remarkable and gifted actress formed no exception
to the general rule,
"The heights by great men reached and kept,
Were not attained by sudden flight,"
for in her earlier years she had to contend against
many difficulties, and her debut was a very inaP-
propriate inauguration of her brillant and success-
ful career. The "Recollections of Charles Strange"
are concluded, and this third part explains the
mysteries of the two preceding ones. Among the
remaining papers we meet a ballad by Mr. Thorn-
bury, and the continuation of the Indian adven-
tures, entitled " Up among the Pandies."

Colburn's New Monthly.—" The Prediction" is
the continuation of the story by the author of
" Ashley." It is replete with that talent, and strik-
ing with the pecularity which distinguishes all the
writings of the author. A more dreary wedding
could not have taken place, than that of the ill-
fated Alice. There is an interesting article on Mr.
Trollope's late admirable work entitled " A Decade
of Italian Women." It is said that whether as a
work of amusement or instruction the " Decade
has added two interesting volumes to our current
literature ; they should especially have a place in
every female library, and when the season for such
kindly remembrances come round, there will be no
better gift book." " Aunt Francisca" is continued
in this part, we meet with the early history of
the departed lady, it is of a melancholy cast,
and attracts notice from its simplicity. It
is not yet concluded. There is an article on
"Chiefs of Parties," a clever work, which has re-
cently appeared, in which a hope is expressed that
the author will on a future occasion extend his plan.
" Stereoscopic Glimpses," by W. Charles Kent,
have for their subject this month, " Ifyron, at
Newatead." It is an effective picture of the great
poet, who is represented in one of his saddest moods.
The somewhat strange story of "Evalla" is pro-
ceeded with, and there are several startling plots
and counter plots related.' " Vittoria Colonna" is
the theme for the chapter of " Note -Worthies" in
this number, it is entertaining for its style, and
contains many anecdotes.

Colburn's United Service.—At the present
epoch, when the state of the national de-
fences and the efficiency of the rival services
are matters of paramount importance, this
sensible and unprejudiced serial is well worthy of
public attention. It discusses the questions of the
day and boldly calls attention to the errors or
grievances that demand improvement without any
regard to party feeling or official importance. We
are glad to see it maintaining its character as a
staunch reformer, and commend it to the attention
of all who interest themselves in the welfare and
efficiency of our soldiers and sailors. The variety
and authenticity of the military intelligence render
it especially useful to members of both services.

ne Universal Review. No. 3. Allen and Co.
This magazine maintains the character of its
earlier numbers. It has several papers of interest
Aa nnd
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sbsial iytyoonn
tlhi toe
sr
oar n
ary ,0
npao laint idc alle,
e at
inzae socials of
the
htopics.
Rev. Mr. Robertson, of Brighton, is full of sincere
admiration and cordial sympathy for that lamented
preacher. It will well repay perusal. A paper on the
resources of India and its colonisation, enters fully
into the prospects and capabilities of our. Indian
empire. Another paper on a similar topic is
entitled " The last of the Moguls," and traces the
career of that contemptible and unfortunate poten-
tate, arriving at the conclusion -that the British
Government will commit a great error if they per-
mit the existence of any titular kingships. An
essay on French dramatists and English adapters
will attract those who interest themselves in the
state of our dramatic literature. The political
article for this month is entitled " How shall we
vote ?" and gives an able summary of the achieve-
ments of the Derby Ministry since their accession
to office. There are several other papers of varying
merits, and a brief review of the t vents of the
session and some of the new books concludes the
number.