The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-07 00:00:00

obvious reasons—more especially in Protestant
countries, a vast number of persons who cannot en-
dure any sight or sound, any thought or word,
which in any way reminds them of the close of
life." We were not aware that Protestant coun-
tries possessed such an unenviable monopoly of
that dread of death which is common enough in
all parts of the world, but which is not often
carried to an extent which reminds us of the
Austrian minister (who by the way was not a
Protestant), who had such a dislike to the word
death, that his secretary wishing to inform him of
the king's decease had to return a state paper which
wanted filling up with the words, " His Majesty
signs no more documents." We are inclined to
dispute the right of a Catholic to inform us that
" We fear it must be allowed that while the
Protestants know what is right it is the Catholics
who practise it," but we willingly turn to the
less controversial parts of the volumes, only re-
marking that we marvel that one so well ac-
quainted with the sufferings of the poor should find
anything to regret in the position of the labouring
classes in France before the revolution. There are
some amusing anecdotes of the yanzins.
The " gardiens" of the Luxembourg are of course sworn
foes of the gamin, and are subject to all the pranks which
" gaminerie" can invent.

One day last summer a party of gamins were disporting
themselves by rolling about among the dead leaves in the
broad walks. They were in the midst of their frolics when
they were espied, by the gardien, who approached the spot
with rapid steps, and raising, in a menacing manner, the
stick with the help of which he was walking, exclaimed,
" Aliens donc, petits demons I" but before he could proceed
with his threat the swarm had dispersed like so many flies
disturbed on a lump of sugar, except one who stood with
folded arms to brave the enemy.
" Ah I c'est bien," exclaimed the "gardien," glad to'
have some one on whom to concentrate his ire ; " c'est toi
qui vas payer pour les autres. Viens la que je to rosse,
comme to le merites," said he, seizing him by the arm, and
raising the aforesaid weapon ; but there it remained, for
the little imp, who know his points of law, never budged an
inch, taking his adversary completely aback by his imper-
turbable sang froid.
"Non, monsieur, vous ne me rosserez pas du tout; vous
alley meme me lacher sur le champ," answered he, as he
made a Budder jerk on one side and released himself ;
" d'abord it n'y a pas d'artiele qui defend de jouer avec
lee feuilles mortes ; et quant a votro baton," added he,
'with a sneer, " ou prenez vous que vous avez le droit d'en
rosser qui que cc soit ?" Then turning to the man, who
stood knocked a-heaps, he said, with authority, " Montrez
moi votre consign."
However, we may forgive the gamin the follies of his
youth when we reflect on what he sometimes subsequently
becomes. If he sows wild oats, he not unfrequently
reaps a harvest of glory and world-wide fame. In
what country in the world shall we find a regiment like
the Zouaves ? And most of these brave and dauntless
fellows began life as gamins. We must all remember the
gallant Eugene Libaut, a sub-officer of this fearless corps,
who was the first who planted the French flag upon the
heights of Sqbastopol. His general knew well the stuff of
which he was made ; he simply put into his hands'the
standard of France with the words :

" C'est le drapeau signal—partez 1"
Libaut was the first to dart from the trenches, leading
after him the whole column. Though struck on the head
by a heavy stone as he reached the ditch, this intrepid
young fellow did not even stay his progress , he continued
to scale the heights amidst a hail of projectiles of all de-
scriptions, and soon the standard of the first division was
seen floating from the Malakoff Tower, forming a rallying
point round which the French soldiers grouped themselves
and maintained their position stoutly.
The author has not resided for six months in Paris
without learning to be discreet on political matters.
He gives, however, one amusing anecdote,

" Another extract from the Gazette des Tribunaux, records
the punishment of Le Simi. Dassaud, a. political convict,
pardoned and residing at Chateldon, who is condemned to
six months' imprisonment and 500 francs damages, for
publicly speaking against the Emperor.
" Louis Philippe's policy in such cases was, to make a
snatch at popularity, by pardoning—with a show of mag-
nanimity—those condemned to punishment for offences
against his person.
"Of Louis XVIII. it is said, that on an occasion on
which he received an affront, he sagaciously reprimanded a
police officer for arresting a man who, in the crowd per-
mitted to approach the monarch in his Royal Gardens at
Versailles, was heard to 'mutter, as the King passed, 'va
gros cochon.'
" Imbecile,' said his Majesty, with true Bourbon finesse,
qui t'a donne le droit de penser, que de telles paroles
pouvaient s'adresser a moi
" It might be better if such observations were oftener

listened to only with a deaf ear. Not long after the acces-
sion of the Emperor, a man was brought before the Court
for singing out Vive la Republique.'
" ' Why,' said the magistrate, ' what an incorrigible
rascal you are ; it was only the other day you were here
before.'

" C'est vrai, Monsieur le President,' replied he, cette
fois la c'etait pour avoir crie "d bas, la Republique."'
" It was not the prisoner in this case who looked the
more foolish of the two."

The account of the various charities and associa-
tions of Paris, is of value and interest. The writer
however, tells us nothing about the upper or middle
classes, where by-the-bye he might have made com-
panions more favourable to English domestic mo-
rality, but the phases of life which he has chosen to
show us are undoubtedly " realities," and as such
well meriting attention. The work shows care
and labour; an earnest feeling for his subject, and
a thorough acquaintance with it. •

The Story of Italy. By the author of " Mary
Powell," &c. Bentley.
Those who are admirers of this brilliant authoress
will be pleased to meet with this work, in which
she has expressed herself with her accustomed
felicity, and where she has relinquished the ficti-
tious tale for the chronicles of some of those shining
lights of their country whose names adorn her
annals, and whom an admiring posterity is proud
to reckon as her glorious and gifted sons. Few
lands can equal Italy in the possession, of a bright
band who swell the ranks of renown, and point out
to the contemplation of the philosopher, the regret
of the lover of progress, and the wonder of the
criticising historian, that, however fallen is now
the position of the land, it has shone pre-eminent
and distinguished in the days'of old for many a
name that has since been resounded by the trumpet
of fame, and the echoes of whose praises shall yet
reverberate "down the ringing grooves of change' to
many a distant generation. There is much to at-
tract and interest in this book. It is very satis-
factory to meet thus with an epitome of the re-
markable men of their age. It recals events to the
mind that may have partially forgotten them, and
suggests reflections to those who study the relative
connection of divers circumstances. Perhaps the
most noticeable of the sketches here met with, are
those of Rienzi and of Francesco da Carrara. He
has been described as a prince with whose merits
and misfortunes all Italy rung from her mountains
to the sea; and the aczount here given is a most
favourable one. It is very sad to find that his re-
storation to power and prosperity was but transient,
and too soon succeeded by darker clouds of ominous
forebodings, until at last a violent death termi-
nated a life that had shone so brilliantly, and been
adorned with dating deeds of emprise. At the
present juncture it is very appropriate and truly
acceptable to meet with this little volume; and
when Italy is the war-cry of progress, and the
beacon for military ardour, it is well to note in how
many ways her sons have distinguished themselves
in the pages of history. Altogether, this work
may be called a success in its peculiar line, and
does ample justice to the reputation of its writer.

The Two Homes. By William Mathews, author of
" The Heir of Vallis." Three vols. Smith and
Elder.

This is an interesting and well-written tale. It
has a variety of characters, some of them original,
and forcibly drawn. The incidents are numerous,
but none of them over step the bounds of proba-
bility. The chief part of the story is laid in the
years 1846-7, and relate to the great monetary
crisis that then paralysed the energies of the com-
mercial world. The moral of the book appears to
be a very valuable one—that honour and integrity
are as possible in mercantile dealings as in any
more ambitious profession, and that it is a short•
sighted error to suppose that merchants and men of
business must be necessarily sordid and grasping.
Edward Graham, the hero of the book, is of an en-
thusiastic and excitable nature, possessing, never-
theless, a stern sense of right, and strength of pur-
pose to carry out his good intentions. He is the
only son of a merchant, and his father, who has
little sympathy with him, is anxious for him to
assist him in his business, though a provision made
by his grandfather leaves Edward independent.
He reluctantly agrees, for ill-health has made him
headstrong and captious, and he regards trade with
disdain. The great point of the story is that
Mr. Graham, encouraged by the brother of his
wife, a fashionable lady, Edward's stepmother,
invests some money with which he has
been entrusted by a gentleman in India, in
the railway speculations which were the ruin
of so many in that year. Edward becom-
ing acquainted with this, strongly objects, as he
knows their correspondent intended that his money
should be invested in the funds, and not in a wild
speculation. A serious quarrel with his father is
the result, and after a severe illness he goes to
Madeira to recruit his health. There he meets
Mr. Ryland, the Anglo-Indian, who is otherwise
mixed up with the story. He has become aware
of the deceit practised upon him, and is further en-
lightened by Edward's candid disclosures. They
are all aware of the perilous state of things in Eng-
land, and at length Edward persuades Mr. Ryland
to allow his father time for repayment, and he will
invest his fortune in the firm, hoping by persona
superintendence and careful retrenchment, to sur-
mount its difficulties. Mr. Ryland agrees, and
thus matters are arranged, after much perplexity
trouble. There are two love •
and
heroines—both the daughters of Mr. One
rs.tories,
Ryland.an d two
a fair gentle English girl, and the other the
daughter of an Indian mother, wild and impas-
sioned with all the striking characteristics of her
race. They are skilfully contrasted, but Minnie,
the English girl, is far more attractive than her
weird•like sister. The interest is well kept up,