The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-21 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Course of True Love Never did Bun Smooth.
By Charles Reade. Author of "It is Never too
Late to Meud," &c. Bentley.
There is no doubt that the numerous admirers
of this author will welcome this little volume. It
is presented to the public in a form easy of attain-
ment, but at the same time attractive and readable.
it is not to be supposed that brief tales, such as
these before us, can compare, for a moment, in
depth, brilliancy, or vigour, with those more elabo-
rate compositions that have gained for their author
so much merited applause ; but here and there the
reader may discover some striking sentiment, or
passage of power. The tale ettiled (‘ The
Bloomer," is intended to demonstrate the absur-
dity and unsuitability of that costume. This is
done in an ingenious manner, and the argument
s carried on by most amusing champions on either
side. " Clouds and Sunshine," relates to rustic
life, and contains some scenes of interest. Rachael
is a fine character, her touching story invests her
.vith a peculiar charm, it wouldebe well for many
if the wronged and oppressed, if they could bear
Themselves with the same lofty calm, and
unflinching resolve, that sustained her, who
bad to join the labour of the reaper to win her
bread. " Art, a Dramatic Tale," is the most at-
ractive of the series. It relates to Mrs. Oldfield,.
and the energy and enthusiasm infused into the deaf
seription of this lady, and the details of her powers,
impart a vitality to the writing that would make it
dinost appear to the reader as if she lived again her
triumphs in the page before him. After following
her from private to public life, after watching her
inspired vision of glory and her grand decisive vic-
tory, it seems strange to reflect that a hundred
years have passed away since "Nance Oldfield
walked into her dressing-room, the queen of the
English stage." Alexander Oldworthy is an instance
of youthful ambition in its day-dreams of love and
glory. It is interesting to dwell on the brief record
here given of his struggles and sufferings. Though
compelled to relinquish his projects at last, like
many another votary at such shrines, their memory
remained, we are told, and their influence did not
depart. " The true poetic feeling is ineradi-
cable ; it colours a man's life —is not co-
loured by it." It is thus that Mrs. Oldfield
speaks of her sensations when on the stage :
Well, then, child, at times upon the scene—mind,
T say at times—the present does fade from my soul,
and the great past lives and burns again ; the boards
seem buoyant air beneath me, child ; that sea of
English heads floats like a dream before me, and I
breathe old Greece and Rome. I ride on the
whirlwind of the poet's words, and waive mysceptre
like a queen—ay, and a queen I am !—for kings
govern millions of bodies, but I sway a thousand
hearts ! But, to tell the truth, Susan, when all is
over, I sink back to woman—and often my mind
goes home, dear, to our native town, where Trent
glides so calmly through the meadows. I pine to
be by his side, far froua the dust of the scene, and
the din of life—to take the riches of my heart from
flatterers, strangers, and the world, and give them
all, all, to one faithful heart, large, full, and loving
as my own !"

Aspen Court. A Story of Our Own Time. By
Shirley Brooks. New Edition. Bentley.
The new and cheap edition of this- clever and
popular book has now appeared in Mr. Bentley's
excellent series, which consists mainly of reprints
from standard works published by himself, and
❑ow offered to the public in a cheap and commo-
dious form. The present work is well known,.froal
its clever sketches of character, its touches of satire,
and the general interest of the story. It professes
to be a story of our own time, and some phases of
social and political life are held up to view as ob-
jects of satire or censure, or sometimes merely a 5
affording scope for an animated description. Some
of the incidents are improbable or highly coloured,
but the reader must remember that the old adage
about truth and fiction is especially true of the
present day, and the entertainment he will cot'
tainly derive from the sparkling and original nar-
rative will make him overlook a little extravagancy.

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART•

INSTRUCTION IN ELEMENTARY DRAW"
ING IN COUNTRY TOWNS AND DISTRICTS.
The Committee of Council on education have
recently issued the following documents for the
purpose of affording facilities to small country town°
and districts to enable them to have elemental
drawing taught in schools for the poor.
"The arrangements for teaching drawing concur"
rently with writing, universally RE. a part of concur"
rently
are now so matured, and the Govern-
ment aid afforded through the Committee of
Council on Education is so ample, that it become°
'lesirable to make the facilities thus offered more
extensively known, especially in populous localitiaS
which have not yet established any schools of frt..;
Experiene., ha., prove,' that a certificate‘"
master for teaching art may find remunerative oc-
cupation in a town or district having only a popw
lation of 15,000 persons, or even less.
"To obtain the services of a certificated art'
master to teach drawing, the following local ar
rangements must be made :
"1 The names of at least 500 children of either
sex, or both sexes, who are under instruction in
schools for the poor must be registered. If tho
number of 500 is below the rate of 1 per cent.
the population of the place, then 1 per cent. 00
be registered to be taught drawing as the first 001.1 i
dition. A fee of 6d. for every child must be o',
in advance to the art-master, to cover fora year
the instruction which will be given once a-weelc: yr
oftener, either by the certificated art-master,
under his superintendence by the master or 1331'''
tress of the school. This fee must be paid 0,,,11‘
nually. The children will be examined once
the year, and prizes given to thorn for proficiency
i
The art-master will be paid by the Science and At
Department 3s. on every child who takes a prize••
2. A class for schoolmasters and pupil-teacher,
of public schoo's in the district must be formed ,
l
It may meet in any public school-room. The toll,
masters will pay 10s. per annum, and the puPir,
teachers 2s. 6d. per annum, for ono lesson a wee
tp
The schoolmasters, when certified as competent ,s/
teach drawing, may obtain a yearly addition vi
Si. or even 8/. to their certificate allowance tills
the Cmnmittee of Council on Education. .-1:00
pupil-teachers who pass a successful examinatios
obtain prizes of drawing instruments, ac., aa
their success is registered in favour of a futhilor
certificate of competency, whilst the art-teaciset,
obtains 30s. for every prize taken by a pupil-teat the
"3. A private school must be named where ;a.
certificated art master shall give one lesson in e'f
mentary drawing a-week, and receive at the rate o_t,
1/. per student, or if two le=sons 30s. per stude%t
In case the number of students taught does ;
produce 201. a year this sum must be made 1,1,[10
but the payment is not to be limited to "
number of students produce a greater amount. Ito
" All engagements must be made for We
months. of
"5. A special school of art for the instructioniact
adults, both in the day and in the evening, elny.
also be established, if possible ; but its establloo
ment is not indispensable for securing the serrrd,
cf an art-master, provided the first, second, till
and fourth conditions are fully carried out.