The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Blackwood.—,..in eighth instalment of " The
Athelings" effects much in the way both of the
entanglement and of the unravelling of the tortu-
ously intertwisted thread of the plot. Lord Winter-
bourue threatens to wrest the little property of the
Old Wood Lodge from plain, honest, simple-
minded William Atheling of Bellevue ! And is him-
self threatened with a loss much more serious than
that of a quaint little sylvan cottage, the loss, in-
deed, of estates and title, of position and reputa-
tion—by means of what our authoress appears to
have quite a passion for of late—the discovery of a
yellow, old, faded bit of manuscript ! The Hon.
Anastasia Rivers is the one who—just at the close
of the present Part—'lights unexpectedly upon
this amazing document. Just as little brown
Zaidee lit upon the will at the Grange, and
afterwards upon the codicil at Ulm. Just,
too, as pretty Marian in the present portion of the
present story 'lights upon the old crabbed parchment
deed proving the Old Wood Lodge to have been
in the Atheling family for nearly three centuries.
The Hon. Anastasia's discovery is nothing more,
however, than that of a simple entry in an old
Diary of her father's, the late Lord Winterbourne
—intimating that Louis and Rachel were, in truth,
his own legitimate offspring, instead of being the
twin bastards of his younger brother, the present
Lord Winterbourne. Children born of a young
wife married late in life by the old lord during
his travels in Italy—and hitherto defrauded of all
their rights by the evil genius of the story—the
father of the flighty, frivolous, fashionable Mrs.
Edgerley. The " big boy" Charlie—who is, in
point of fact, the hero of the present instalment of
"The Athelings"—is forthwith despatched, " big
boy" merely though he is, to the land of the
dead mother of Louis and Rachel, to discover docu-
mentary evidence of the truth of this significant
and startling entry in the Diary of the late Lord
Winterbourne. So that further discoveries of
further documents are in every way probable as
among the tricks of fiction in this new tale by Mrs.
Oliphant. As another "light article" in the
January number of Blackwood, and in title at least
a seasonable one, we have " A Christmas Tale"—
why so called we can't for the life of us conjecture
--about as absurd as any magazine story we can
call to our recollection. One of those preposterous
things ending with—" for as the door creaked, and
the guilty step advanced, and my heart beat with
wild expectation, I awoke—" A device we
should have hoped to have had thrown
aside long ago as altogether worn out and
threadbare. A hackneyed absurdity we should
never have expected at least, to meet with
recounted all over again, at " this time of day,"
in Blackwood's Magazine. There are some pretty
verses, by the way, in Maga, this month, called
" Maid Barbara"—a Quaint Rechauffe, in the
shape of a retrospective review of a queer workpub-
lished in London in 1815, called " John Decastro"
—and part I. of " Scenes of Clerical Life," de-
lineating the sad fortunes of the Reverend " Amos
Barton." Mrs. Barrett Browning's horrid, and
yet beautiful, poem of " Aurora Leigh," is praised
and blamed by Blackwood's poetical critic—each,
all but immeasurably ! There are, besides all
this, two political articles for the initial number of
1857—one headed " Routine," and the other
" European Politics :" and—to complete the list of
the contents—anotherof those interminable bundles
of " Ne w Facts and Old Fancies about SeaAnemonies"
which, from meeting us at every turn, are at last
beginning quite to disgust us with the mere notion
of a Vivarium.

Dublin.—Among the various subjects contained
in this number the " Fortunes of Glencore " ap.
pear. Lady Glencore is met with ; she returns to
the scone of her former splendours ; and the wily
Princess also figures in the scene. The interview
between her and the Count is very interesting, as
it displays the double part enacted by two crafty
people, each trying to conceal their wishes from
the other. The last chapter contains an account of
an exciting scene in England, where Sir Horace
Upton achieves a great Parliamentary triumph,
but not till he has nearly exhausted the patience
of his colleagues by his non-appearance when re-
quired. A memoir well worthy of perusal is that
of " Isaac Weld," the vice-president of the Royal
Dublin Society, who departed this life during the
past year, at the venerable age of eighty-three. Ib
is remarked that such men "as Isaac Weld do not
always find a place in the records of the nation's
history." He toiled to advance and forward human
improvement, if not conspicuously, at least in a
consistent and praiseworthy manner ; and a
fitting eulogium is passed upon the memory of
him " whose long life, from the earliest morn of
its manhood to the calm and honoured close of its
evening, was devoted to those pursuits and
studies." "A Story for the New Year" is a
pleasing one, and at the end becomes exciting in
the extreme. The description of the violence of
the storm, and the picture drawn of the agony of
the anxious husband, are vividly and naturally de-
picted. "University Essays" form the subject of
an article on the various contributions presented by
members of the two universities. It is observed
that they aro a novelty in English literature. Two
papers are contributed in continuation of what
has formerly appeared on the subjects of " John
T wilier," and " The Rides and Reveries of Mr.
.ZEsop Smith," they resemble each other in being
peculiar and quaint, but although containing pas-
sages of merit, it is doubtful if they will prove so
acceptable to the general reader as the other con-
tents. " The Doctor of " Philosophy" is a
cleverly written story of a very melancholy.
cast. In one chapter there is a striking ac-
count of. the fire of Hamburg, in which ill-fated
city the unfortunate hero lost his wife and chil-
dren; their remains were discovered among the
burning ruins. The political articles are " The
Second Congress and the Principalities," which
enters in detail on all the leading points under
discussion, and " Oude, as a Kingdom," where we
meet with a long account of its past and present
history, that is likely to be appreciated owing to
recent events.

Fraser.--One of the most sparkling and readible
articles of the mouth is the paper in Fraser about
" Tieket.of-Leave." Beginning with some curious
particulars about our old friend of the crowbar and.
centre-bit, Jack Sheppard, the hero of Thornhill's
picture and Ainsworth's romance, and ending (in
capital letters) with this emphatic verdict upom
the latest hobby of our felon-loving-philanthro-
pists "The Ticket-of-Leave system cannot go on ! "
Eraser is rich altogether this month in attractions •
It contains the opening chapters of anew story ca
tale of the war) by the author of " Digby Grand -''
a writer who is to Regina what H.analey is t
Blackwood, and Lever still continues to the Dublita
University. G. J. Whyte Melville's new fiction
in Fraser being entitled " The Interpreter," of
the meaning of which the work itself will he
the fittest ! Morley's life of " Agrippa,"
and Whately's edition of " Bacon " are in turn
reviewed. A staff officer tells us all over agn.in.
about " The war in the Crimea," through the
medium of the extracts given in the course
of another and a very different kind of
criticism in Fraser for January. The poe H-
eal attractions of the number being rather
remarkable. A charming translation from the
Danish, by the Hon. Mrs. Norton, chaunting to
us tenderly and sorrowfully " The King of
Denmark's Ride," and a hitherto unpublislaiced
poem upon " The Tea Table," by Harttey
Coleridge, reading to us, let us say, like a cle-
coction of Cowper ! or like the cream ofwha6t-
.ever was really excellent in the prim, didaeLie
style of poor, forgotten William Hayley A them e,
the ghost of Hartley Coleridge reminds us—.
" Which the sweet Bard of Olney did not spurn,
Who loved the music of the `hissing urn ;'
Which Pope himsalf would sometimes condescend
To placecommodious at a couplet's end ;
Tho' all unknown to Greek and Roman song
The paler hysen, and the dark souchong."
Visit to a Model Farm in A sia
Minor," One contributor to Fraser for January carries us
uPcm
i" A
another is our companion upon " A
Twiriitnipho himtr' to Scotland."
' and
Scotland." At one moment wo are treated
to a few " Tuscan Proverbs," and at another to
sundry " Belgian Sketches." The contents of the
number being completed by a New Yorker's record of
"The Triumph of Barbarism," by an account of
" The last Salmon before Close Time," and by an
odd allusion or two to Mr. Spurgeon in a chapter
upon " Sermons and Sermonisers."

Colburn's United Service.—" The Great Opera-
tion of Breaking the Line" is shown by the editor
to have been the discovery of Admiral Sir Charles
Douglas, father of the distinguished author of the
work entitled "Naval Evolutions." To the gallant
admiral is due also the merit of the first application
of the manoeuvre under Rodney, on the 12th of April,
1782. An account of the " Wars between England
and France" is noticeable for assuring us that,
owing to our wealth and the increase of population,
we have no reason to dread a single-handed contest
with our old rival and present ally. The editor
undertakes the defence of General Williams, and
is at least successful in showing the military
fame of the defender of Kars is merited, and that
previous to his landing on our shores General
Kmety had no substantial ground of complaint
against him. It would have been as well, however,
we must still think, if the claims of the gallant
Hungarian had been as generously recognised by
General Williams and his English coadjutors after-
wards. To what malign influence are we to attri-
bute the change, for to some we must ? The ano-
malies and absurdities of " The Army List—By

Authority," are mercilessly dissected and laid bare
to observation. And they are not a few. Captain
A. C. Robertson, Bth Regiment, contributes a
second article on improved military training, and
increased efficiency of the army. "British and
American Frigates" heads a comparison of these
vessels in former times, and of the Shannon
and the Merrimac of the present day. The
writer advises the construction of a few frigates
like the Merrimac—which, to all intents and pur-
poses, is " a line-of-battle ship in disguise." " Trio
Austrian Empire and the Austrian Alliance" is a de-
fence of Austria stripped of verbiage. It amounts to
this—Austria cannot afford to be otherwise than she
is save in the matter of municipal government. A
convenient plea for lack of good faith, tyranny,
and spoliation. Is there in all rascaldom a knave
that can ? A glance at the past history and recent
oondition of " Herat" will repay perusal, and is
likely to •be acceptable at the present time.
" Crimean Sketches" are continued, and " Re-
miniscences of the War in the East, by a Military
Chaplain," brought to a termination. In the
latter we are introduced to Mrs. Seacole and her
humane services to our suffering soldiers in the
East aro cordially recognised. A variety of ar-
ticles of a purely professional character as usual
contribute to the value of the number. The editor
in his " Portfolio" informs us that the premature
disclosure of certain contemplated arrangements
affecting the staff has caused a painful sensation at
Head-quarters, and led to some alterations in de-
tails. Why ? The most rational course would be
to visit on the offender his breach of trust, if
there has been any, and he, as is intimated, is
known. The order of the Admiralty, checking the
expenditure of the midshipmen's mess, is described
as a " measure for which Sir Charles Wood may
take high credit." " The Duke's Justice" in
Lieutenant Deanes' case meets with the warmest
approval. The distribution of three colonelcies to
deserving veterans, adds point to the irony with
which the gift of a colonelcy and the promise of
future favours to Major-General the Hon. George
Anson, is announced. But what has either " the
Duke or Lord Seaton done to merit being created
a field-marshal The Editor is inconsistent.
There are far more deserving men than either of
them, or both put together.

Bentley's Miscellany.—A. glance at ".How The
World Wags" is followed by the commencement of
a new story, by Dudley Costello, entitled, " The
Millionnaire of Mincing-lane ; a Tale of the Times,"
from which the reader of Bentley will gather what
he is to expect. " Anecdotes of the Parisian
Theatres" will be found interesting to the general
reader as well as the lovers of theatrical literature.
"Doing the Dun" describes a dodge all the more
amusing for the creditors being ultimately paid.
"The Second Congress" gives us biographical
sketches of Baron de Bourqueney, Lord Cowley,
Baron Von Hubner, and the remaining members.
To the indefatigable pen of the prince of roman-
cists, Dimas, and the labour of a translator, we
are indebted for " The Enchanted Hare of
Ardennes," a tale of diablerie as wild and stirring
as can be desired. " Surface Life, by Mater
ramilias," " What we Saw and Did in a Trip to
Baktchi Sarai, Tchoutfout-Kaleh, Simpberopol, and
the Alma," and "The Taking of the Wasps' Nest,"
a metrical effusion, will repay perusal. A. Mr. T.
P. Grinsted promises a " Gallery of Theatrical
Portraits," and, by way of instalment, introduces
us to " William Farren." "He was not," it is
said, "an actor of impulse ; . . . but he had
wonderful art, and though deficient in the mel-
lowness claimed by others, his rivals could never
' lurch his brow of the garland.' " Mr. Collier's
new volume is reviewed, and described as " on
the whole a contribution as welcome as it is late-
come to our stores of Shakspearean and Cole-
ridgean literature." " The Spendthrift" is con-
cluded, which is just what we should like to say
of the exhibition of the questionable moral, or
rather fact as a moral, " a reformed rake makes
the best husband."

The New Monthly.—The opening article in this
number is the longest and most remarkable. It is
a criticism on " The Memoirs of Marmont, Due de
Raguse," recently published in Paris. The ex-
tracts given are interesting, though the author
appears inclined to display himself to the best ad-
vantage. The critic justly censures his manner of
depreciating his comrades, the Marshals of Napo-
leon. "Our impression has hitherto been," he,
says, " that the reason why Napoleon was so suc-
cessful in his campaigns was, that he impressed his
generals with that degree of confidence he felt him-
self, and bad a species of prescience when he came
across any man likely to be of use to him. To be-
lieve the Due de Raguse, the great difficulty Na-
poleon had to contend with was repairing the faults
committed by his subordinates ; we only trust Mar-
wont was never guilty of any mistake himself."
Though disparaging the marshals, Marmont renders
:txtany tributes of admiration to the General, and
his critic coincides in his opinions, as the following
paragraph proves :

"The character of Napoleon is becoming gradually
brighter as it is handed over more and more to the his-
toriographer, and passion no longer influences us, when
we speculate on the conduct of that wonderful man.
Till very recently we have been too apt to concentrate
our attention on the spots disfiguring the disc, without
remembering the brightness diffused by the luminary
which render those macula the more distinct; but aAtro•
nomers will tell us that this is not the restricted method
in which they judge of the effects of our greatest lumi-
nary."

In allusion to an extract from the memoirs, in
which the marshal renders himself full justice, the
writer remarks-4" So Marmont won the battle of
Marengo. It has generally been supposed that
Desaix was the hero of the day ; but we were mis-
taken. We must even resign those beautiful words
which Desaix is popularly supposed to have uttered
on receiving his death-blow, for he was shot
through the heart, and fell without saying
a word." Another instance is thus added to
the many that have lately appeared contra-
dicting all our generally received ideas. It
this continues it will soon be a more arduous
task to unlearn our historical knowledge than to
extend it. We cannot now say to the departed
great--

" Rest with your still and solemn fame,"
as it is extremely probable that some adventurous
and inquiring individual will question their right
to it. Following this interesting paper is a story
entitled " Lost and Found," by the clever author
of " Ashley." Though there is nothing very ori-
ginal in the plot, it possesses that spirit and anima-
tion which usually characterise his tales. The
recent discoveries in the Holy Land afford the sub-
ject for a paper, which will be attractive to those
who desire to extend their information on that
subject. Two articles are translated from the
Swedish—one is a tale entitled " The Magic Bell,"
and the other the continuance of " A Voyage
Round the World," by Mrs. Bushby. " The
Talker and the Worker" proceeds with more inte-
rest than formerly, and the " History of the News-
paper Press" is also carried on. A criticism
on Thackeray's novels is written in a spirit of cor-
dial appreciation. "An Italian Sketch" by Flo-
rentia," and the description of a modern French
novel, are among the remaining articles.

The Art Journal.—The larger illustrations for
the present month consist of two engravings from
pictures in the Royal Collection, and a third from
a bust of the Queen, by Joseph Durham. The
pictures selected are " Charity," by J. Van
Eycken, and "St. Mark's—the Bucentaur," by
Canaletti. The British artist subjected to criticism
and illustration is William Edward Frost, A.R.A.
The illustrations comprise wood engravings of four
of his pictures, including " Sabrina." Noticeable
among the literary features of the number is Part
I. of an illustrated essay, by Christopher Dresser,
on " Botany ; as adapted to the Arts and Art
Manufacture." "The Crystal Palace ; a Teacher
from Ancient and early Art," by the Rev. Charles
Boutell, M.A., Part 1., is also deserving of atten-
tion.