The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-02 00:00:00

nstalment gives us specimens of bo:h these styles
n the lines on Douglas Jerrold and the pardy on
Longfellow's -" Flowers." " A memoir of George
Frederick Handel" is very interesting. It is to
be concluded in the next number. Those who
have shared in the celebration of the triumphs of
his genius will read with interest the record of
his strifes and struggles, and want of ,+ppreciation
so long ago. It is a lesson to real genius never to
despair though Fortune frown on th.-m, and a
crowd of opponents and rivals shut- out his
future fame from view. Another very interesting
biographical paper is on the lat George Stephen
son. It is f unded on a life of him recently pub
lished by Mr. Murray, and narrates many interest-
ing particulars of his eatly days. Zile following
amusing anecdote is said to have occurred when in
company with several other celebrities, he was
paying a visit to the late Sir Robert Peel at Drayton
Manor :
"With Dr. Buckland the practical miner was not
always successful. They differed in opinion on the
formation of coal one evening, and the more practised
speaker was evidently successful in the discussion. Next
morning Sir William Follett met Mr. Stephenson in the
grounds suffering from 'a brown study." What are
you thinking of,' said the knight. ' Why, Sir William,
I am thinking over that argument I had with Buckland
last night. • I know I am right, and that if I had only
the command of words which he has, I'd have beaten
him.' Sir William offered to have the case tried over
if Mr. Stephenson would instruct him. So the engineer
and the lawyer sat down in an arbour, until the latter
was fully instructed on the formation of coal. Sir
Robert Peel was taken into the plot, and after dinner
be introduced the coal question again. This evening to
Dr. Buckland's annoyance he had to grapple with the
distinguished lawyer, and was vanquished at every
point. When all was ever, Sir Robert Peel said to the
beaten man of the previous night, What do you say,
Mr. Stephenson.' Why,' answered the attorney in the
case who had drawn the brief, 'I will only say tt.is, that
of all the powers above and under the earth, there seems
to me to be no power so great a. the gift of the gab.'"
There are several other papers of merit—among
them some sketches on literature and poets.

The Mechanics' Magazine contains a great
variety of information of a useful and prat
tical character, on all the branches of me-
chanical science. A science so widely employed,
so necessary to manufacture, to art, and even to
common domestic comfort, should be studied not
alone by erne,- cur men of science, bur, by all whose
calling requires in any way its application. Even
to those not employed in this manner, the study of
Mechanics cannever be unprofitable, for though they
may never improve the steam engine or invent an
Archinaedean balloon, there are many occasions in
which a knowledge of the principles of mechanical
science would be of value, and the study, like all
scientific study, is improving and sharpening to the
faculties. We shall he glad, theiefore, to see a
taste for mechanical knowledge m°re general, and
the readers of this old-established and valuable
magazine still more numerous.— Newton's Lon-
don Journal has its usual list of recent pa-
tents, with scientific notices and reports, and
scientific adjudications in disputed cases.—The
Assurance Magazine recommends itself to those
connect.d with as,uranc- societies, and all con-
cerned and interested in such ma tern will derive
useful informaii n fromits statistics and discus-
sions. A subject of more general interest and im-
portance is a paper on the " Causes of Fires in
London from 1833 to 1856."

The Eclectic Review.—This review opens with a
Paper on "The Knights T,mplars," and givEs an
account of that remarkable body, and of its myste-
rious suppression by Philip the Fair. Mr. Maurice's
new work receives a cand.,d criticism, and some of
the novels of the season are also noticed. A curious
article on "Pha.ntasrnata" relate the traditions of
the visions of Joan of Arc. " The Prevention of
the Smoke Nuisance," and the "Frauds in Food
and Medicine" furnish subjects for sensible discus
'lon.

MISCELLANEOUS.
The Train scarcely mainta;ns its improved cha-
racter. However, it has some humorous papers
and a tale of truly German horrors, with the fasci-
nating title of " The Deaddouble." It is also em-
bellished with a portrait and memoir of J. E. Mil-
lers.—The National Magazine conta)ns its usual
collection of sketches and essays. The principal
Story is by the talented author of " Gilbert Mes-
senger," th., it is called "A Story of a Haunted
Rouse." The first volume of this magazine is now
completed and published in octavo, containing, we
are told, more than 100 engravings, and having been
produced at a cost of nearly I,3ool.—The
with its array of names and illustrations, is most
attractive, but unfortunately there is a degree of
heaviness in the miscellany which prevents it from
being so entertaining as it might be. The in-
troduction of a few lighter or more lively pa-
pers would be an improvement. Knight's ad-
mirable publivations continue with spirit.
'The Cyclopcedia of Biography is drawing to its
close. The fifth-third pert continues the letter S.
—The Popular History of England has brought us
down to the days of Elizabeth.—'l he Churchman's
Magazine is devoted to the consideration of theo-
logical and ecclesiastif•al matters.—Le Follet sets
forth the changes of fa,hion in elegant groups and
impressive information. A romantic story, called
"The Early Contract," is c mum-need, for the
benefit of its fair readers,—The Monthly Review,
though it app-ars on the 15-h of the month, may
be ranked among the magazines. It is almost
entirely devo.ed to criticism, in which it displays
ability and mod ention.—Ti e serial stories of "Ask
Mamma," and " Paved with Gold," are con' inued
in their respective styles. Tley are accompanied
irkY a rival, in the " History of Lorimer Littlenood,
sq:," which is now issuing as a separate story,
leaving been originally published, we believe, in
Sharpe's Magazine.

LITERATURE.

The Beautiful Islets of Britaine.

By W. C.

Dent y. Longman and Co.
The author tells us in the preface that "this little
book is written, n.it as a me: e inventory of the ob-
jects of nature and ar lying around our course, but
with a hope of poiutiiig out where the beautiful
may be found, that tine hour may not be lost in
sea►ching among the more common pebbles for he
gems of the earth"—and he has cert-tioly executed
bis intention with a very s iti,fctory degree of ful-
filment. Much instructive and pleasing mutter is
afforded to the tourist, who is "all agog" for the
beauties of " Wight," "Scilly," "Arran," t r any of
the dozen dotsof land which firm the romantic satel-
lites of Old England. The mats arid wilt:ideas are
advantageous t i the general informat;on given, and
'were we about to start on a pilgrimage to either of
the " islets," we should put this little book in our
knapsack.
a
Zit

- English Bread Book for Domestic Use. *,
Eliza Acton, Author of " Mudern Cookery.'
Longman.
The name of Mrs. Acton is well known as.that
of an authority in all matters connected with a do-
mestic culinary establishment. The subject which
has at present attracted her attention is one of
much importance from its univer:al use, and from
the high price which it too often attains, as well as
from the adulterations so commonly practised.
Mrs. Acton earnestly recommends that home-made
bread should be extensively used, and greatly re-
grets that a knowledge of how to make and bake
bread should be such a rare acquirement. The
statistics she gives show what a great saving would
be effected by the labouring claQses by making their
own bread. She quotes from Coboett's work on
Cottage Economy a pas,agP in which he proves that
a saving of four or five shillings was effected on
every bushel of corn in his day ; and at the present
time the saving would probably be greater. A still
stronger inducement to many will be the advan-
nof the
advan-
tage of having pure and wholesombeakbreera. do insteade
the mysterious command of the
most useful portii,,ns of the work will be the direc-
tions to a quite inexperienced learner. Those who
are already acqmint, d with the method of making
ordinary bread will find many useful hints about
all the more elaborate or fancy kinils, as well as di-
rections for brown bread, French bean bread, oat-
nleal bannncks, &c. The remarks on baking, and
the different kinds of ovens, will be of much ser-
vice. A notice of the improved baking processes
and institutions established abroad is appended,
hand contains some useful information. All who
ave been withheld from making household bread
lithe difficulties attending it, or by their own ig-
bombes
will find this little volume remove many
°f the obstacles from their path, and render it com-
paratively simple and Pa.y.
2h,

,e Militiaman at: flume and Abroad. By
Emeritus. Smith and Elder.
This work relates the history of a militia regi-
ment, from its first training to its di,embodiment.
The author, in the preface, compares the state
itj of the militia at the beginning of 1852, with
present position. Tien, he remarks, its very
71erae served on.y to recall the past, and the corps
seeraed. abiiut to tall into ob ivion ; while now tl.ey
have suddenly come forward, have replaced the
regiments of the line in f garrisons, have
fought at Balaklava and theßedan, and acquired the
distinction they so honourably deserved. Vile im-
Paiodrtel s to im-
portance of a large and well-trained militia he eon-
be great, and he recommends his volume
date,
military man as accurate in detail and
ittr' While he has endeavoured to make it
motive to the eneral reader by dtacriptiona of