The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-20 00:00:00

TEE GENTLEMAN'S.

We comtnendto, the especial perusal of Mr. Bernal
Osborne, a letter from Mr. Payne Collier, in the
present number of the Gentleman's Magazine, on
the subject of the not forthcoming catalogue of
the . books in the British Museum library,
which has for thelast ten years been in a state 'of,
preparation by Mr. Panizzi, and which may, perhaps,
appear towards the commencement of the next cen-
tury. Mr. Panizzi out-Barry's • Barry, and should
his catalogue ever appear it will be absolutely neces-
sary to have a catalogue of the catalogue for ready
reference. We trust that some MeMber of the
House of Commons will tike the matter up, and in-
sist on Mr. Panizzi r cornpletein, the catalogue within
a reasonable time, or resigning office to those who
will do so.

BELLE ASSEMBLEE.

The Belle Assemblee, as usual, happily combines
" the grave and gay, the' lively and sovere." As
specimens of which different characteristics, we may
cite a very excellent article upon Southey, a sketch
of the history of music, a beautiful story entitled
"Trials," which effectively inculcates a most valuable
lesson ; various tales and sketches, and an amusing
account of the perplexities of an editor. Among the
poems is' one from the accomplished editressi Mrs.
Crosland, "The Heart's Friend," which very besu-
Wlily enumerates the various qualities desirable in
such a relationship, and then mentions, as the price
requisite for obtaining such a treasure, " the struggle
to deserve if."

THE HISTORY OF PENDENNIS. By W.
M. Thackeray. No. XVII.
The present number relates the recovery of Pen-
denniF, not only from his fiver, but from his penchant
for poor Fanny Bolton, who has caught the fever
from her assiduous attendance on Pen. Warrington,
who has returned to his chambers during Pell'a con-
valescence, is introduced to Laura, and they fall vio-
lently in love with each other. The whole party, in-
cluding Warrington and the Major, and Helen. and
Laura, but excluding poor Fanny Bolton, who is
regarded by Helen and Laura as a monster of vice,
ark. about to set out for a tour on the continent for
the completion of the recovery of Mr. Pen'3 health.

THE TOWN AND COUNTRY MISCEL-

LiINY. Edited by Albert Smith.
An excellent iixpennyworth of fun. " Mr. E;oo-
lan's Visit to the Waxworks " is a regular screamer,
and the Ripky family are the most promising person's
to whom we have b:-en introduced for many a teng
day. We take ry great interest in the lodging-house
speculation, and long to know the conclusion Of the
adventure of " the young man who likes the beer."
Mr. Ripky is the very Sir Charles Wood of domestic
financiers. .

LEILA. ,By Sir•E(.lward BiZwer Lytton. Parts

V. and Vi.

An engraving from Stephanoff, another from Mac•
clise, a third from Herbert, and a fourth from CO-
bould, embellish the two latest numbers of the pre-
sent charming republication. If one of the crudest
of all the stories petaled by the master-hand of our
poet-novelist, "Leila" is also one of the most brilliant
in colouring. In its animation and glow we may
trace the germs of that fruitful, fancy which
has' since added so many inestiMable treasures
to our romantic literature. In Almamen, for
example, we have the outline, of Arbaces ; in
Amine the faint sketch of Irene ; in Ferdinand
the more perfect historical paintingrof such monarchs
as Harold, the Saxon, and William the Conqueror.
Book the Fourth is completed, and Book the, Fifth
commenced in these instalments of the narrative.now
in courseof re-appearance. The cupidity of Ximen is
prompting him to betray his master to assassination.
Almamen, on thnotker hand, prompted by his anxiety,
respecting his daughter Leila, has sought her even in
the private chambers of Isabella, and to effect hia
escape thence causes the con,4,pgration of the camp of
the Spaniards. The last page here represented closes
as the army of. Ferdinand and the army of I3oabdil
meet under the walla of Granada, to fglit for the rise
or the fall of the religion of Christendova.