The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-01 00:00:00

the importance of which may be estimated from ' for the loss of life and property, but that the reckless-
its having been styled "the epoch from which to ness and ignorance of captains, and owners, and the
deduce the history of the modern science of inter- cupidity of merchants, have their share in the matter.
national law." It is observed, as a remarkable fact, "Let us hope that, in our commercial marine and its
"that Germany to this hour, though two centuries management, the thing that has been shall no longer be.
have intervened, has never recovered from the Indeed, it will be observed in the above table of returns
effects of the thirty years' war." It has not been of wrecks that, during the last two years, although the
so with other nations—Spain after the Peninsular loss of veesels is upotnatntahveeinroags oeasf
lveeLt mortigerhealteess. A
rthans
war, Italy after the campaigns of Napoleon, or the years,cpormevpioauresdwith°s4
y t that
18, the sacrifice of human life in 1856
Netherlands in their various conflicts. The grin- by shipwreck is. reduced to nearly one-fourth. The
cipal cause which led to such frightful devastation Board of Trade Returns also show that 1855 the num-
was that the forces consisted of standing armies ber of lives saved upon the shores of the United King-
without regular pay, subsisting on the country dom amounted to 1,383 men, women, and children, and
itself. The writer gives an account of the four in 1856 to 2,243."
divisions by which the war is chronicled, and alto- The author subsequently gives the numbei of the
gether a good idea is obtained of that eventful life-boats in Great Britain, and the places where
period by the article before us. A new story is they are stationed. He also analyses the wreck
conemenced by Shirley Brooks, entitled, "The returns for 1855, and informs us that more than
Partners," it promises to be very interesting from half the wreckage of that year happened on the
e
the partial glimpse that can alone,- be visible in a east coast, where the life-boats are most plentiful,
first instalment. The various characters are sketched but where the harbours of refuge are neglected.
with decision and energy. "A Te.e. of Florence" The account of the American life-cars will be inte-
r
is of the romantic c eat, concerning the lives and resting to those concerned in this important ques-
ambition of two young painters ;it is told with tion. Their plan of saving lives is different from
feeling. "Tutors of the Young Idea" is continued ours. Instead of launching a boat and setting off
in this number. It presents a sketch of " The to the ship, by means of a peculiar apparatus they
Governess's Family," which is very well done, and draw the sufferers to the shore by lines. "'the
discloses a life-like picture of vulgar gentility. Notes on Military Science," addressed to candidates
There are also some very wise remarks on the evil for commissions, which last month closed their
practice of frightening children, which prevails to review of the campaigns of Caesar, take- in this
so great an extent among mothers and nurses. number the interesting topic of Napoleon's Notes
"The Romance of the Wreith," by Jonathan on Caesar's Commentaries.—An article on Sarawak
Freke Sling,by," is a pleasing sketch, of the same of course gives us some account of the career of
style as those that have before enlivened the pages the Rajah Brooke. A more complete history is
of !his magazine, half being in prose and half in promised. The narrative of the " Egyptian Revo-
poetry. The verses are written in a flowing style, lution of 1798-1841" is continued. "The legends
and attract interest, although the subject is not a of the Black Watch" chronicle the exciting adven-
novel one, being the floral emblems of the United tures of C .stain Grant. He is left under the most
Kingdom. To which the preference is assigned unfavourable circumstances a prisoner in the hands
will be seen iu the following : of the French. There are numerous other articles
•
"The Shamrock ! the shamrock ! how modest it grows; on subjects of importance, and the usual compen-
Not flaunting and bright as the gay, glowing Rose; dium of military and naval information for the
No sun lover taints every charm till it fades, month.
But unchanging it lives, like our own mountain maids.

" The Shamrock ! the shamrock ! it aeeka not to brave

The Commercial Traveller's Magazine.—The
most remarkable feature in this month's number is
the fact of the completion of the first volume of
The Commercial Traveller's Magazine. We con-
gratulate the enterprising conductors, and we trust
that their success may be permanent. If it is com-
mensurate with the merits of the little serial it
assuredly will be, for, without any pretentious in-
struction or elaborate science, there is a variety of
pleasing and useful information to be obtained
from its pages. Those who wish for light reading
will find stories and sketches for their entertain-
ment, and those engrossed in business will find.
plenty of useful notes on commercial matters.
Other bodies and institutions would do well to
follow the example so worthily set by the Commer-
cial Travellers, and in the mean time we commend
it to public encouragement and support.

The storm like the Thistle when wintry winds rave,
But lieth in peace, like those meek hearts that rest
In the trust of their love on some sheltering breast.

" The Shamrock ! the shamrock ! an emblem divine !
In holiest meaning its triple leaves twine.
Take, Scotia, thy Thistle—take, Albion, thy Rose,
But the shamrock forme, and the land where itgrows I"

John Twiller's extraordinary career is proceeded
with. The details.are more entertaining than they
were. An article is written on the " Genius of
the Rev. Charles Kingsley," who is here de-
scribed as " a man who has the boldness to de-
clare his opinions freely and openly, without
sham, and who has perhaps gained the widest
popularity which an English writer of his class has
ever enjoyed." The motives which have led Mr.
Kingsley t,) write his books are discussed in a
candid mariner, and for the most part in a com-
mendatory spirit.

The Train—The Train is a lively and entertain-
ing miscellany, not displaying any unusual origi-
nality r talent, but well calculated to amuse a
leisure hour. It has among its contributors several
well known writers, and contains a pleasant variety
of amusing tales and sketches. It has several illus-
trations, among them a portrait of Mr. W. Wilkie
Collins.

Fraser's Magazine—The opening article in Fraser
is entitled, "What are the functionsof the artist,"
anti takes for its subject Ruskin's Modern Pain-
ters. It is by the talented writer who writes
un ler the name of Shirley, and it takes a lofty view
of the true purpose and character of real art, and
what should be the aim of every true artist. There
a tendency to be slightly metaphysical, but this
is redeemed by the sensible and practical remarks
very frequently met with. The following piece of
advice might be followed with advantage by many
writes and painters

"A skilful draughtsman resembles an expert work-
man ;he knows how to express himself. Execution is
the language of art. Unless a man understand the
English tongue, there is not the slightest reason why he
should write it. Most people in these days, however,
appear to consider that it is their duty to appear in
print. They are quite mistaken. They may depend
upon it that they had much better hold their peace.
The world can aff.)rd to wait until they have mastered
their grammar. The painter likewise must be able to use
his language with skill, clearness, decision. Till he is
able to do so, whatever else he may be. he is not a
painter. This is his first task, and until he has suc-
ceeded in doing it thoroughly, he need not attempt any-
thing besides."

It is with regret that we find an author who '
can write so well and reason so clearly, inclining
so strongly to the pre-Raphaelite school. An in-
teresting story by the author of Meg of Elibank
follows, called " A Wooing and Wedding of 17—"
a romance of a century ago, written with freshness
and feeling. The writer of " The Press and the Pub-
lic Service" receives a severe criticism. The "Inter-.
preter," by G. Whyte Melville is continued in its
usual style. A. paper with the amusing title of
"Blackey at School," takes us into an Indian educa-
tional establishment on a visit of inspection, the
result of which is highly satisfactory. An article
entitled "Edgar Allan Poe," contains a sketch of
the miserable life and remarkable writings
of that worse than unfortunata author.
We think the critic is mistaken, however,
in asserting, that little is known of him in this
country. His works may have been unfortunate
in their introduction to the public, but sketches of
his life, and criticisms of his genius like the present
are frequently met with. There are many, how-
ever, unacquainted with his history ; to such it
possesses a mournful interest, and to those gifted
like himself, without a due regard for principle, or
a habit of moral control, it offers a terrible warning.
' The critic admits, as all must do, the wonderful
power exhibited in his " Raven," while censuring
the extremes into which his love of eccentricity,
and fondness for refrains, sometimes leads him. Of
his prose writings several extracts are given. They
are all much of the same class—wonderful in the
inventive power they display, in the ingenuity of
their construction, in the elaborate process which
makes the greatest improbabilities appear simply
natural, and in the horror and weird-like character
of their interest. While they must be regarded as
literary curiosities, many of them will only
excite in readers of good taste and right feeling a
sense of aversion and disgust. The celebrated tale
entitled " The Facts in the case of M. Valclemar" is
one of this class. If such writings were indeed, as
has been often stated, the reflection of his mind,
what wonder that ho was whirled down a moral
Maelstrom, more fatal than that be so vividly de-
scribed '1
A paper on "Deer" continues the seriesonNatural
History, which has already treated of Fish, Ravens,
Crows, and other species. "Gleanings from the Re-
cord Offic," is the title of apaper'which investigates
a charge brought against Henry the Eighth, and
defends him from the accusation. " Abdallah and
Saida" is the title of an Eastern tale, heard among
the Arabs, which tells of the adventures of au
Arab chief and the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
The poetical contributions do not rise above me-
diocrity.

Colburtt's United Service.—The United Service
contains its usual amount of naval and military
information. It commences with another article
on " Military Education," which is to be com-
pleted next month, and merits the attention of
those concerned in the education of youth. The
closing years of the late Sir Charles Napier fur-
nish an interesting paper, which gives a summary
of many of his most remarkable actions, and gives
him his due share of admiration and respect. A
paper on " Ergligh Life-boats and American Life-
cars" comment:6i by satirising the eccentricity of
our humanity, which is terrified and appalled by
a railway accident, if but one or two are killed,
but does not carry its benevolent anxiety to the
disasters at sea. The writer wishes that some of
the zeal for investigation, and the punishment of
the culprits on shore would be extended to the
casualties that occur on the ocean. The wreck
chart, shows a black fringe of dots, every one of
which represents a lost vessel, and perhaps many
lives. He gives the reader the following statistics
compiled from the Admiralty returns :
RETURN OF WRECKS UPON THE SHORES OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM FOR SEVEN YEARS.
In 1850 there were lust 692 vessels and 780 lives.
„ 1851 II 701 „ 750 „

„ 1852
„ 1853
„ 1854
„ 1956
„ 1856

1,115
832
987
1,141
1,153

920 ~
937 ~

u 1,549 ~
649 ~

421

6,621 5,876
" The inipressivenees of this astonishing document
eyes of every Englishman,
should be enhanced in thel
in the utter absence of co ourin or varnish.
LashesLosss
which, if estimated by. a money value, d
are chronicled by a fewbrief figures ; and
fabulous sum,
of human life, equal to that by which many
aa
Sacrifice of
victory has been won, is compressed into an
unpretending line. If we descend from generals to
particulars we shall gather some startling facts. Now,
if we take the wreck experience of last year, we find that
1,153 vessels were lost, and the burden of this enormous
fleet is estimated at 229,936 tons, and that it was
manned by 10,014 men. And yet, except to a few
professional individuals, this mass of ruin and misery
has comparatively failed to arrest public attention. The
great bulk of the community know nothing about it,
although one would think that the magnitude of the
loss was national and overwhelming,
" At the risk of tiring the reader's patience we will
pursue our analysis a little further. Out of the 1,153
vessels, 309 were totally lost by the following means :-
148 by stress of weather ; 10 by mistaken lights ; 27
from being unseaworthy ; 38 by fogs and currents ; 5 by
defective compasses ; 3 from defective charts ; 12, errors
of judgment ; 3 ignorance of coast ; 7, errors of pilot ;
3, want of pilot ; 21, neglect of lead ; 11, want of cau-
tion ; 2, by intemperance ; and 9, of general negligence.
This statement, dry and bald as it is, proves that it is
not the winds and the waves that are always to blame