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

Tits

IVIAGAZINES.

Blackwood. —A second instalment of Sir E.
Bulwer- Lytten's new serial r °malice is, of c
the chief at raetion in the July number r,f Black-
wood. " What will he do with it 1" We don't
know in the least. We can't, for the life of us,
even conjecture. But we are quite-certain of thi-i,
that whatever he may do with it, the work recount-
ing the manner of his doing it, and how it al came
ab nit [" It" remaining the while a very Riddle of
the Sphinx to our itnagivation !]—.the story itself
will be wonderfully well worih reading if it be only
continued and completed precisely in the same
spirit in which it has been comrm-nced. Part Two
is plenteously sprinkl, d with good things.
We were chinned with its predtc,sor. We
are delighted with it still more—for the sparkle
and the glow are here respectively yet more
roseate and effervescent. It—at any rate we
know this much of " it"—does not by any
means signify merely the 3/. advanced for some
mysterious purpose (known only to the recipient,
to "Gentleman Waife") by Vance the Painter.
" It" is by no means so restrict, d in application.
" It" im)lies already iii the tale hefor'e us—besides
the 31. appertaining to William Waif-, the "chance"
in life of Lionel Haughton—aud gives promise of
proving yet more strangely comprehem-ive. For
—saith our author at the close of Part ii.—" as
the reader advances in this history, he will ac-
knowledge that there are few questions in this
world so frequently agitated, to which the
solution is more important to each puzzled
mortal, than that upon which starts every
sage's discovery, every novelist's plot that
which applies to MAN'S LIFE, from its sleep in the
cradle WHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT ?' " That is
the "key" to the Mystery the " clue" through the
Labyrinth of this new chapter of the " History of
Human Error"—now appearing fragment by frag-
ment, not froni the accumuiated lore of dear old
Austin Caxton, but from the animated and, so to
speak, pictorial manuscript of the ever-young, the
bright-eyed, the warm-hearted, and large-minded
Piststratus I Let us not, however, pride ourselves
about a narrative from which wemay so readily cull
so much genuine poetry of thought and feeling in
the way of illustrative quotation. Take the follow-
ing for example. How thoroughly Bulwerian in
sentiment are these quaint, and pathetic med.ita.-
tions, full of tender and graceful conceits—born
from the mystic union of Physics and Metaphysics !

"Alas, and alas ! when we think of the lips which
murmured, ' Soon meet again,' and remember how, in
heart, soul, and thought, we stood for ever divided the
one from the other, when, once more face to face, we
each inly exclaimed,--' Met again I'
" The air that we breathe makes the medium through
which sound is conveyed • be the instrument unchangei,
he the force which is applied to it the same, still, the air
that thou seest not, the air to thy ear gives the music.
"Ring a bell underneath an exhausted receiver, thou
wilt scarce hear the sound ; give the bell due vibration
by free air in warm daylight, or sink it down to the
heart of the ocean, where the air, all compressed, fills
the vessel around it, and the chime heard afar, start,
thy soul, checks thy footstep,—unto deep calls the deep.
—a voice from the ocean is borne to thy soul.
"Where, then, the change, when thou sayest, ' Lo,
the same metal—why so faint-heard the ringing ?"
Ask the air that thou seest not, or above thee in sk%, or
below thee in ocean. Art thou sure that the bell, so
faint-heard, is not struck underneath an exhausted
receiver I"

As a contrast, let us here immediately afterwards
excerpt the characteristic rebuff administered by
Merle the cobbler to his thin gaunt servant of all
work, pompously called by him hii housekeeper.
Vance has painted an exquisite portrait of Sophy,
otherwise Julietta Araminta :
"Said the gaunt servant-of-all-work to Mr. Merle—
' I'd let the gentleman paint me, if he likes it—shall I
tell him, master ?"'
" Go back to the bacon, foolish woman. Why, he
gave 3/. for her likeness 'cause of Benefice ! But you'd
nave to give him three years' wages afore he'd look you
straight in the face, 'cause you see, your Aspects are
crooked. And,' added the Cobbler, philosophising,
When the Malefics are dead against a girl's mug, man
is so constituted by natur that he can't take to that mug
unless it has a gold handle. Don't trot, 'tie not your
fault; born under Scorpio—coarse-limbed—dull com-
plexion—and the Head of the Dragon, aspected of, In-
fortunes in all your Angles."'

An incident suggested by this incongruous vanity
ou the part of Merle's ungainly handmaiden, is
recounted by our author a little later on, and will
he found to be full of fun and irresistibly provoca-
tive of laughter. How admirable in another way
are the reflections uttered upon the Prince of
Orange—that Orange shrewd, and sour, and harsh,
and (to ourselves nut less than to Piistratus
ton) in every way unpalatable 1 It is where Pisis-
tratus speaks of—

“Dutch William of the immortal memory, whom we
try so hard to like, and, In spite of the great Whig
historian, that Titian of English prose, can only frigidly
respect. Hard task for us Britons to like a Dutchman
who dethrones his father, and drinks schnaps. Pre-
judice certainly; but so it is. Harder still to
like Dutch William's unfilial Frau! Like Queen
Mary! I could as soon like Queen G uteri! ?
Romance flies from the prosperous phlegmatic Aueas ;
flies from hts plump Lavinia, his 'fidus Achates,' Bvn-
tinck, flies to follow the poor deserted fugitive Stuart,
with all his sins upon his head,”

These are sentiments, however, it must be remem-
bered, not unfamiliar to Sir Bulwer Lytton. The
pulses of his imagination still throb (rna,) be un-
wittingly to himself) with the " life of his life"—
and the earnest soul of the Poet gleami out of-eu
through the casual. glance of the Novelist. He
likens the daugLter of James here anew to Gon-ril
—he who in "The New Timon" chaunted that
thrilling couplet—

" And England's Goneril smiled to bear
The shunts that echoed o'er her crownlesq Lear !"
He muses here, too, over the probability of his
new hero, Lionel, being admitted ultimately
" within the gates of the golden Carmel"—he who
has sung the glories of that Historical Fairyland so
nobly in the most amb tious, and the one only
national, epic of our generation ! It is inter-
esting to trace thus in the most varied and
prolific writer of his day—those rare and most ex-
ceptional sciutillas (as we may venture to call them,
fir they are nothing more) of reproduction. Not
repetition, observe, but "reproduction." Besides
Part ii. of Sir Edward Lytton s novel, Maga has
for July six other contributions—a couple of them
"continuations," one of "New Seaside Studies"
upon the shores of the " Scilly Isles," the other
of "Scenes of Clerical Life," relating in this in-
stance, to "Janet's Repentance." There is one
"political" in the number having reference to the
obi moot problem the " Repiesentation of the
Colonies." The three remaining articles are at
once Critical and Biograohical—one n-lating to
" Charles Vie Fifth"—anotiter to " Currer
Bell"
another to " Sir Charles Napier"—the Sir Charles
Napier—terrible to his enemies, whether wielding
the Sword, the Pen, or the Broomstick!

Dublin University.—The present number pos-
sesses various subjects of interest. "The Partners,"
by Shirley Brooks, is continued in two chapters.
As the plot is developed the story becomes excit-
ing, the different characters are sketched off in a
vigorous and striking style, and on the whole the
readers of the Dub/in, may expect a sale of a supe-
rior class. "John Twiller" is concluded, and in
a very satisfactory manner, as it may be said of
this extraordinary individual that, " his brightest
moments were his last" or at least the last here
recorded, for he put aside many of the absurd
fancies and prejudices that bad before nuLtated
against his weliduing, and g:.i.ve promise with better
forum) of aws r and happier life. It is curious
enough that we also meet with the final chapter of
ic Mr. .IE-op Smith," a quaint producton that has
for some time past appeared, and which has doubt-
less been agreeable to some. Two articles deserv-
ing of attention are those whi3h refer to two dis-
tinguished writers of the present day. The first is
entitled "Genius of the Rev. Charles Kingsley,"
aild completes the survey before commenced of his
works. The general opinion expressed is a favour-
able one. "It is a pleasure to write on these works
—the contact with so healthful a mind imparts
healthiness." The second paper is on Mr. Thorn-
bury, and discusses his two recent works, which
have met with great success, "Art and Nature,"
and " Shakspeare's Efiglarri." The Writer's idea
may be gathered from the following pasi,acre
" We esteem him as a man of great promise, and pos-
sessed of all the qualifications to make him ;to *author
owuhrocsohuany.
llt;ak e
He
a asgenius,
sp,laleeaerningint, taste,heliteature of
gpreeractepgt tee , faculty,but there an
ids aaa quick
moreliveY xfacneclre:3t
coveted, patient enduring, persevering inoustry—both
giftall these are
yet to be
hthae corrosesvaenrdshtahlel
achievecrow❑n greatness. of
reeaveryesls.iterary man that ever
We think we see
evidence of a laborious spirit about Mr. Thornbury.
The volumes we have been: perusing show research—
knowledge such as he displays comes not like the failed
gifts of the good fairy at the wave of the wand, but like
the gold that remains in the digger's era ale aftel. hours
of toilful delving and careful washing the clay from the
ore. If a cheering word from us were needed, we would
glee Mr. Thornbury the cheeriest that our heart could
suggest. Vc e prefer to tell him to he self-reliant and
11,,oeful, and so we bid him God speed."

Currer Bell's "Professor" draws our attention to
th,t gif(.eii writer, who- e carter has of late been sa
promiu. ntly brought betore the public. It ren-
ders full justice to her merits in discu4sing her
works. "Tue Death of Jacob" is a poem to which
an " accessit" was awarded at Oxford. It is coin_
posed by the Rev. W. Alexaiider, M A., and ,s
superior productoo. It bears evidences of classic,'
att Lin:vents and theological researches, and some
of the verses are admirably arr.triged. " Curiosi_
ties of the English Language" is an account of the

derivation of our language, which may te accept-
sable to some students. The Lot cry Ticket" is a
very amusing Hide tale of Italy, in which an old
miser is ou witt- d by hims-if. His cook hitying
possessed herself of a lottery ticket, which he
ascertains to be a prize one, be marries her before
she learns her !Success. She then informs him
that, on .account of his expressing disapproval, she
had sold ,her ticket. His horror may be imagined.
"Toe Castle of Dahlia" is continued, and presents
a series of the imp )rtaut events that occurred
during a century.

Frazer's Magazine.—An amusingletter on Sent°ll
affairs opens this number from the pen of a resident
in Edinburgh, who has befor7. contributed hi' opi-
nions on the state of social affairs in the Scot ish
capital. The second paper is mire in eresting ;it
is a highly fivourable criticism, on Sir Francis
Pah:rave's Hts-ory of Normandy and England. The
critic remarks upon the interest of this and similar
works of siandaid value, ar,d objets with sense
and justice, to the plan, once so popular, of abridg".
lug histiries. 'those readers who haVe not already'
made acivaintance wi h this instructive and intd'
resting work will probably be induced-by this criti'
cism to make amends for the delay. " A day ai
Beaconsfield" gives us aske' ch of Edmund Burke
his cOuutry retreat. The Iriterpre er, by the au';
tbor of " yGrand" is contibuedl, and brings
its chief charac ere into some very awkward predi'
caments. A chapter on the Sea, contains soras'
vivid and original thoughts on the wonderful as'
pects of the ocean, and the few writers or poets,
or gazers, who can render justice to it. The series
of chapters on natural history are continued by ths,
second instalment on Deer, which gives an interest's
ing account of some of their habits andpeculiaritieS
their extraordinary longevity, their modes of de'
fence, and some anecdotes of remarkable stag hunt 4;
Notr.s on Canadian m itters have reached the tbir6
part. The author, who had previously written
anonytnousiy, puts his name to this part, a sufft'
cieut testimony of the authenticity and moderation
of his statements. He proves to be Viscount Built
M. P., late civil secretary and superintendent-gene'.
ral of Indian affairs in Canada. • The artier
contains much that merits the attention °I
those interested in the principles of Canadian leg
lation. A brief and interesting memoir of Adieu
de Musset, the late French poet, renders justice t°
his genius, but deplores the sorrows and weakness
which embittered his life awl misdirectedhis power
The origin of the name of England is the subject 0
a curious scrutiny. The writer arrives at the con'
elusion that the name has been in existence 10
before the time usually supposed, and that it ot.r
ginated with the Saxons. A paper on the militti
will be interesting to those concerned in militad
arrangements.

Colburn's New Monthly.—" The Countryworlo
and. the Child," by the author of " Ashley," is 06
continuation of the story of Sophia May and Frecle'
rick Lyvett. The present portion is an impor
ant one, and though in some parts startling
it is very ingeniously arranged. The wily and a'
ceitful nature of Sophia has been shoWn before'
but in this chapter of her career she commits rat!!
der. It is evident, however, that she will soon
discovered, as notwithstanding her acuteness, el;
cannot conceal a hurry and agitation .of manner'
that excite suspicion and give rise to iuquil
" Saint Simon's Memoirs" criticises the vier,
lately published. It is said that the author's e"
ject has been to supply us with the conceutrate
,ssenca of a too bulky original. In "Notes ei, ;
Notewolthies" we are introduced to
.Chadott,
Biotite. After, describing her life, it is remarked'
What m'ght she not have produced beside
had time le-n granted from on high t" And agar'
—" That which she wrought, and by which $ll6
being dead, yet speaketh, abides with us 'still ; all,
long ytars hence, de-ply-moved readers, stroll
impas•tioned men and tender women, sWI;
say the same thing, abides with us eye,
to this day." "Hartord's Michael Angelo" referi
to a life recently brought out of that celebrate,
man. It is said that after Mr. Roscoe's there
no English-Italian biography so likely to be read
or read more pleasantly. It is curious to notice tl
advanced age at which the great artist labour!'
In his seventy-first year he undertook the paint
of the Pauline Chapel, and subsequently the Pll,
of the re-building of St. Peter's was confided
him ; he died at the task at the age of eighty-100
It is disappointing to think that, admirable as W.
his work, after his death the plan was agar,,
changed. "The History of the Newspaper Pre,
is continued, and furnishes, as usual, some curio
records. One of the strangest is the perple2o,
into which the editor of one journal was thrown,''
want of matter, so that he " commenced reprint
the Bible verbatim, and got as far as the 10l11.°0
Exodus before things temporal furnished him wl
sufficient matter to fill up his journal."

The United Service Magazine. The opevitl!
article in this number is on a subject which thre'd'
tens to engage the attentions of politicians vlis
st ttesmen. indeed of all classes of civilians as 110!
as of military men. The Sepoys are the topis,
the paper, and some sensible remarks on their wr
cipliue, &c., may give information to the readej
Much of the disaffection among the troops is 0';
Muted to the Brahmims ; a high Brahmin /li
regiment, though a mere recruit, is said to d
more power than the colonel. An order was iFsve,
cautioning officers against their admittance intot'P,6
rank, but to avoid this they frequently assotil,
another caste, generally the one next to their ovi
and thus disarms the suspicions of the officer:
though among companions they take care to Prj
s-irve Cie'. original rank. The writer considers tb'
the enlistment oath of the Sepoys is too lenient;
and recommends its alteration. The Reorgano":
tion of the Army Medical Department furnisl!eiej
an interesting paper, in which the difficultiji
with which military medical men have to contev
the system to he adopte 1, the dangers they ine_ll
and the qualifications they require, are ably 3't
carefully considered. It is au important subjoe!
and deserves moore attention than it has yet r 0
ceived. A paper on " Collisions at Sea" gives sow'
ci,
useful hints h rw some collisions might be avoide 6
and strongly recommends the atloiyinn of a inert
intelligible distress or night signal t) bs used
sea. An interesting paper on the military chart
t-r, as illustrated by works of fiction, passes unn
review the leading modern writers of fiction, 31/
their respective portraits of military n3e,:ii
"Notes on Military Science" contains much use
information for candidates for commissions, to
whom it is addressed. " The Kingdom of Sias
forms forms the topic of an interesting article. "The
gends of the Back Wrttch" give the conclusion fe
the exciting adventures of C-ptain Tro
Half.yeirly Examinations at Sandhurst" find
place in this number, among many other papers °
varying interest and merit.

Bentley's Miscellany.—The subject of a paßeit
entitled "The Srcoucl Empire," may be eado
divined. It takes a retrospect of events in Franke
during 1848 and the succeeding years, and 1$
,
fouuued on a recent French woik by M. de C3's,s,
sagnac. "The Millionaire, of Mincing-lane"
Dudley Costello, is continued. The commeroo,
dishonesty which has, unhappily, become so cod
mon of late years, is represented in it. Wholler
5
fiction will serve to warn where reality hag
failed may be doubted, but fraudulent banker
and speculators of unbounded daring have be,
j
come stet eotyped in the romances of tie
„
present day. " Thanatos Athanatos" is coo'
aimed, and presents us with some anecdotel
.
and retie-tions on the common avoidance of the
mere mendon of death, and the dislike some per'
sons have Of hearing the names of their dead
friends m ntioned, and of seeing their corpse";
" China an the Chinese," is the title of a paP°:
on Mr. For;une's recent wi,rk, and gives nuinerow
extracts and anecdotes. Mr. Griusted's " Galled
of Theatrical Portraits," awards the seventh pls°.
to John Bannister, who appears in most attractive
colours,
the rarer qualification of steadiness and principle',
adding to Lis versatile merits ou the stag
" The Lite of au Architect" continues, and give'
some curious particulars and ingenious criticiso4
on some of toe chief buildings in the London of
1827. g‘ The six Grey Powders," is the ominous EE
title of the stely which tells the fortunes of 31.1,.;
Castortel, of Einny. The readers of Bentley IV;
remember that this tale has been proceeding f(/`
several mouths under variotis titles, and is writteli
with talent and interest, but is so absurdly imptrl;
bable that the reader feels inclined to quarrel wit'
an author who can write a story so well, and
descends to the extravagant and horrible. It 14
much to be regretted that this style is becoming so
prevalent in serials. It is almost impossio",
to meet with a story of simple domestic life, or 0'
ordinary events and struggles. Even 0°
old fashioned escapes from shipwreck, houses 013
fire, &e., were preleia'ule to the horrors that are
now the fashion. Truth is stranger than fiction'
but it is to be hoped that she dues not deal quite
so largely in grey powdtTs as Mr. Castonel;,
Michelet's " France in the Seventeenth Century,
furnishes Monkshood with a subject fur his ne'll
book notes.

• ^b
as Edinburgh.—This magazine as sever
topics of unusual interest. It ovens with a pal)°on ,
" What we Drink and Ear," the painful sulje"
of adult-ration of food, which is truly the realisv,
tion of the old. Egypt:au idea of the skeleton 3b
the feast. "Sketches of Jersey," which generally
contain some pleasaut teidino., have a little dog
raeitic story called "The Daisy of Glenville.
" The Bdliads of -Bon -Gaultier's: Grandsons" art
sometimes clever, - and soniairaii, ix aiming at
being smart, they become flippant, The preOell