The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-23 00:00:00

Quadroon F' Yet the Americans are singularly
gallant to ladies generally ; in evidence of which
characteristic Mrs. Houstoun remarked that if, in
travelling, any gentleman wished a window shut or
opened, or any similar alteration made for his per-
sonal convenience, he invariably used the name of " a
lady" to ensure the desired favour--" Sir, a lady
would be obliged to you if you would just close that
window," &c. At the magic word of "lady" every-
thing gives place, and thus proceeds Mrs. Hous-
toun :-" If the cars, on leaving the depot, happen to
be full, a single gentleman, who arrives too late for a
good place, may wait in vain for any attempts made
by the passengers to afford him room. On such an oc-
casion, if he is a smart Yanks e, and very few of them
are not, he will proclaim aloud (whether the truth
or otherwise no matter) that a lady is expecting him,
and immediately he is invited in !" Speaking of
railway travelling in America, Mrs. Houstoun com-
plains of its slow rate of speed and many interrup-
tions, and while lamenting these annoyances, she says,
"It was quite provoking to hear every one repeating,
Well, I expect there's no getting along like this in your
country.' " Her visit to Niagara is related con sparito,
but she wisely refrains from attempting to paint a
scene better imagined than described. Wordsworth
would heartily sympathise in her lamentations over
the artificial comforts to be found in such a romantic
neighbourhood. "We were located in a comfortable
hotel," exclaims Mrs. Houstoun, with pitiable but not
unnatural distress; "I should have greatly preferred a
wooden shanty ; and this hotel was in a good clean
street! Imagine my dismay at finding myself in an
actual street within a hundred yards of Niagara !
Opposite the window of the hotel was the pest-office;
and the post- office was also a notion shop, and was
flanked on one side by Allen, the tailor, and on the
other by Quaig, the boot and shoemaker I" After
dwelling upon these grievances, she exclaims, " 1 liad
no patience with the Utilitarian Yankees, and at
that moment could have seen a fire break out in the
town rather with satisfaction than otherwise."
Mrs. Houstoun's opinion of the Americans is, on
the whole, a favourable one, but American manners
are, by her showing, greatly deficient in refinement.
Nevertheless, she remarks with astonishment that
in Boston smoking in the streets is by law prohibited.
" Verily," she exclaims, "I could have fancied my-
self in St. Petersburgb, and certainly in no other of
the cities of Europe would such a law (even if
enacted) be submitted to without resistance." We
have said enough of the contents of "Hesperus" to
show that the attractive and colloquial manner of its
authoress enhances its interes►ing value as a glimpse
of the men and manners in the West.

THE EDUCATION OF THE FEELINGS.
1 Vol. Second Edition. By Charles Bray.
The origin of this charming dissertation appears to
have been out of some such reflections on the part of

the author us the following :—" Immediately children
are entrusted to us, a kind of second education com-
mences in ourselves; all that we say, do, and even
feel, is imitated—we see the reflex of ourselves in
others, and startled into consciousness by the fac
simile, frequently for the first time begin to inquire
what we are and what we ought to be." "The ob-
ject," says the author in his preface—" the object of
this present edition is not so much to assist in the
direct education of children as in this second education
of ourselves"—in other words, to aid the indirect edu-
cation of children. Such a notion we eannot but
regard as strictly philosophic, and the manner in
which Mr. Bray has endeavoured to carry
out his views in the effusion before us
assures us that his own feelings must be
singularly well tutored. The construction of
the work may be estimated by a merely casual
glance at the table of contents. After a general
consideration of mental constitution, the education of
each feeling is considered separately, and these feelings
are classified under the following heads :—The self-
protecting feelings, the self-regarding feelings, the
social affections, the moral feelings, the msthetic
feelings, the religious, and the feelings which give
concentration, power, and permanence to the others,
such, for example, as firmness and imitation. Other
sections are devoted to the subjects of temper,
punishment, manners, example, authority, and obe-
dience; besides which we must especially particu-
larise an excellent chapter on " The Feeling of the
Ludicrous"—to which we would particularly direct
the attention of mothers, and of all other persons
entrusted with the education of children.

PRINCIPLES OF THE HUMAN MIND,
deduced from Physical Laws; being a Sequel to
"Elements of Electro-Biology," together with the
Lecture on the " Voltaic Mechanism of Man,"
delivered at the London Institution, April 11,
1849. By Alfred Smee,
This brochure may be considered the sequel to, or
rather the legitimate deduction from the author's
larger work on Electro-Biology. It appears that
Mr. Smee's work on Electro-Biology has been trans-
lated into French by M. Roret, who sent to Mr. Smee
to know whether he desired to make any addition to
the original text, and, in consequence, Mr. Smee
wrote the short epitome of the " Principles of the
Human Mind," deduced from Electro-Biology, which
is at present under our notice. To this Mr. Sinee
has added the " Lecture on Electro-Biology, or the
Voltaic Mechanism of Man," which he delivered at
the London Institution on the 11th April, 1849, and
which contains a popular resume of his discoveries
in this most important science. The whole
work consists but of 32 pages, but it is, nevertheless,
one of the most important works ever issued from
the press.

STUDY of the MIN D. 1 Vol. By Daniel Bishop
As an elementary book on metaphysics, the volume
before us will prove invaluable to all beginners, being
designed especially, as the title-page itself, informs
us, for the " senior classes in schools.' How
admirably has the writer emphasised the uti-
lity of his undertaking by quotations from some
of the greatest thinkers who have existed 1 Now he
transcribes the exclamation of the Pere Girard—
" Here is a complete psychology for us to study, a
book ever open, but alas ! how little read ; for few
even among the adults are taught its alphabet !"
Now again he repeats the surprise thus expressed by
Dugald Stewart—"lt is astonishing that amidst all
the success with which the subordinate sciences have
been cultivated, this, which comprehends the princi-
ples of all of them, should be still suffered to re-
main in its infancy:' He copies reverentially from
the Book of Genesis that memorable verse—" And
God said let us make man in our image, after
our likeness.,, With St. Augustine he seems to
feel that "there is but one object greater than the
soul, and that one is its Creator." He reminds us
how Charming has said—" The most lamentable
scepticism on earth, and incomparably the most com-
mon, is a scepticism as to the greatness, powers, and
high destinies of human nature." He calls also to
our recollection that glorious panegyric on man
pronounced by the lips of our immortal Shakspere—
" What a piece of work is man! How noble in
reason! How infinite in faculties! In form and
moving how express and admirable! In action how
like an angel ! In apprehension how
like a god
The beauty of the world ! The paragon of animals I"
To the elucidation of this godlike apprehension of
the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals, Mr.
Bishop has sedulously directed his intellect with all
its energies—and the result of his effort has, in this
admirable volume, proved signally felicitous.

SPINAL CURVATURE ; its Theory ; its Cure
giving a Description of the Anatomy of the Spine
and the Parts in relation thereto. Illustrated by
Cases and Coloured Plates. By George N. Epps,
Surgeon to Harrison's Spinal institution, 6'.C.
To Dr. Harrison is due the credit of having been
the first to banish from the practice of surgery, in all
cases of distortion of the spine, these instruments of
torture, by the wearing of which persons afflicted
with these unhappy distortions had their torments. in-
creased, and their disease and deformity aggravated.
By insisting
bency of posture, with skilful and judicious pressure
on the patient maintaining entire recum-
applied in accordance with scientific principles,
followed by careful rubbing by persons engaged- for
the purpose, Dr. Harrison: has succeeded in curing
distortions of the most frightful character, and in
restoring the unfortunate sufferers to perfect health.
Mr. Epps has succeeded Dr. Harrison in his practice,
and he has given us the results of his experience in
the present work. His practice has been to the full
as successful as that of Dr. Harrison, and we recom-
mend the attentive study of this work not only to
every member of the medical profession, but to every
person who is afflicted, or who has friends who are
afflicted, with distortion of the spine. The method
of Dr. Harrison appears to us to be the most simple,
the most reasonable, the most scientific, the most
painless, and, at the same time, the most successful
mode of treatment ever adopted for the cure of
spinal diseases.

The British Consul at Manilla, Mr. W. Farren, has
addressed a letter to Mr. F. Aguirre, of the firm of
Messrs. Menchacatorre and Co., of that ploce, owners c f
the Spanish ship Bella, Vascongads, expressing his sense
of the humanity and kindness manifested by Captain
Gorie and the crew of tt at vessel t ) the crew if the
British ship Falcon, which was lost at sea. The cap-
tain of the Falcon, with his wife and child and the crew,
had taken to the boat, and after tossing about at sea for
ten
ydajest
were
eerhe
thepicked vergeu of starvation. The owners ofp by the Bella Vascongach), when
the Bella Vascougada had generously forwarded ti
Mr. Yarren two doubloons for the crew of the Falcon,
expressing a desire to render them further aid if ne-
cessary.
ADULT DEAF ABD DUMB INSTITUTION.—Lord
Ashley has signified his intention t. f presiding over the
public festival, to be held on e 6th of March next, at
the London Tavern, in aid fo the objects of this insti-
the present influential list of stewards.
tution. The Earl f Fffingham, Lord Tynemouth, Lord
Robert Grosvenor, and the Bishop of St. David's, are
numbered among

THE ARMY.
With the view of elevating the tastes and cultivat-
ing the moral sentiments of the soldiers under his
command, Lord Frederick Fitzclareuce, G.C.B ,
Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth, &c., has en-
gaged a spacious building for the purpose of having
lectures delivered to the troops on subjects connected
with military tactics and science, as the following
official notification, promulgated yesterday, will ex-
plain

"Brigade-office, Portsmouth, Jan. 21.
" GARRISON ORDER. _

His Lordship the Major-General having made ar-
rangements for the delivery of a course of instructive
lectures, fo the benefit of the troops in garrison, on
subjects most connected with military science, is desi-
rous of inviting all officers (naval and military) and their
families, and all .non-commissioned officers and men in
garrison, who may feel inclined to attend. The first
lecture will be delivered at the Queen's Roomv, near the
Lion-gate, Portsea, on Saturday next, the 26th inst ant,
commencing at a quarter befire five in the evening,
when Mr. flay, chemical assistant of her Majesty's
dockyard, has kindly volunteered his services.
" Arrangements will be made for the admission of all
connected with the garrison and navy, on application at
the doore, which will be open at a quarter-past tour, and
civilians being eeirous of Lttending are requested to
apply for tickets of admission to the Town Major, on or
before twelve o'clock on the 25th inst."

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
TDB BEIIRING'S STRAITS EXPEDITION.— In
another column will be read a most interesting letter
from the Plover, Cimmander Moore, now engaged
in searching for Sir John Franklin, via Behring's
Strait.

_
We regret to hear that Rear-Admiral Deans
Dundas, C. 8., M.P., is suffering from a alight indis-
position. We sincerely hope that the Gallant Admiral
will soon be enabled to resume his official duties.
The Superb, 80, Captain Purcell, from Queens-
town, and the Stromboli, steam-sloop, Commander
Lord A. W. Beauclerk, for Devonport, are ordered to
cruise in the chops of the Channel, for the relief of the
indbound merchantmen.
The Fox, 42, at Portsmouth, is not ordered to be
hastened in her repairs and equipment ; but the
Dauntless screw-frigate is to be completed as soon as
possible, as she is required to be commissioned.
Captain Halstead's friends make sure of her for him,
but it is not certain that he will have a frigate.
The Megrera, iron screw steam-frigate, is ordered
to be navigated to Sheerness when ready in the
Thames.
PORTSMOUTH, TITESDAY.—Rear-Admiral PIT seotf,
C. 8., superintendent of this dockyard, has gone on
leave of absence for twelve days. His flag was struck
at sunset last night on board the Illustrious, r 2,
Captain Yates.
The Ajax, 60, steam guard-ship, and the Argus
new steam-sloop, are rapidly progressing with their
rigging. The Ajax has her topmasts up and fidded,
and the Argus has topgallantmasts pointed.
TUB WEST INDIA SQUADRON.
BERMUDA, Jan. 6.—The Wellesley, 72, Captain
Goldsmith, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral the
Bari of Dundonald, G.C.B. ; the Hecate steam-sloop,
C.aannander Shadwell ; and the Plumper screw-sloop,
Commander Nolloth, are here. The Hecato has
touched here from Washington, on her way to Eng-
land, to complete coals.
The Persian, 14, Commander Bulman, is at Vera
Cruz.
The Helena, 14, Commander de Courcey, is at Aux
Caves, St. Domingo, again sickly.
The Trincomalee, 25, Captain Warren, is cruising
after slavers on the south side of Cuba.
The Alarm, 24, Captain Ramsey. is at Barbadoes.
The Imaum, 72, Commodore Bennett, and the
Vixen steam-sloop, Commander Jenner, are at Port
Royal.
The Sappho, 14, Commander Michell, is on shore
about 60 miles S.S.W. of Belize, on Seal-reef. It is
supposed she will be totally lost if a norther should
find her in her present position. She has thrown her
guns overboard, and has a hole in her bottom.
This station is a most dangerous one to navigate.
There is still a good deal of lever at Port Royal. The
soldiers and sailors have suffered considerably. For-
tunately few of our ships have been there lately.
A sergeant and two men of the 42d Highlanders
were drowned here a few days since when fishing in
a small boat off the Light-house.
We have received letters from her Majesty's ship
Herald, 22, Captain Kellet, C. 8., dated Mazatlan,
Nov. 27. She sailed from Honolulu (Sandwich
Islands) on the 19th of May, and arrived at Pietro-
paulski on the 23d of June. In getting into Behring's
Straits, in a thick fog, she touched the ground on
Point Pinnock, and lost great part of her false
keel. As the ship had apparently suffered no other
injury, they proceeded up the straits, and on
the 15th of July communicated with her
Majesty's ship Plover, Commander Moore, at anchor
in Kotzebue Sand. The Plover had arrived only
the day before, having passed the winter in a harbour
(Noovell) on the Kampschatka coast. She cut out of
the ice there on the 30th of June, and had been a
fortnight reaching her present anchorage. Lieute-
nant Pullen, who htd come up.in the Herald there,
superseded Lieutenant Lee, who rejoined his ship the
Asia, and having provisioned and coaled the Plover, she,
in company with the Herald and the-yacht Nancy
Dawson, proceeded to the northward. Communica-
tion was frequently had with the natives, who are a
remarkably good-tempered race, but no information
could be obtained, either from them or the natives of
Cape Lisburn or Wainwright'e Inlet respecting Sir
Juhn Franklin's expedition. The Herald's pinnace,
decked over, and three whale boats sailed in company
on the 25th of July, at midnight, with the sun two
degrees above the horizon, with Lieut. Pullen in com-
mand, to go as far into the ice as they could, and there
provision the two whale boats from the others, and
start for the Mackenzie River, to Fort Hope, the Hud-
son's Bay settlement, to get what information he could
from them, and proceed overland to York Factory, in
Hudson's Bay, to be ready to take advantage of the
next year's ships going home on the breaking up of the
ice. The Herald party here left them with three
hearty cheers for their success, and went on board.
The ships were kept under moderate sail to enable
the boats to go ahead, and at four o'clock that day
(the 26th of July) Cape Franklin bore N.E. four
leagues ; by noon of that day they came in sight of
the packed ice, from N.W. by W. to N.E., and ran
along it, occasionally heaving to among masses of it,
and at half•past one the fog cleared away, and the ice
was six or seven miles to the N.E. The Nancy
Dawson accompanied the boats to the Mackenzie on
the morning of the 28th, threading their way through
the ice, The ships reached the latitude of 72 51 and
longitude 163 48, the highest latitude yet reached by
any English ship, and considerably above where
Beechey lays down, in two succeeding years, the line
of packed ice. Satisfied with their position, and
knowing that the ice was in large quantities between
them and the open water, they bore up to get to the
southward, and on the 31st returned to Wain-
wright's Inlet, which they surveyed. Immense
numbers of sperm whales were constantly about
the ships, and the American whalers, of which there
were several, got many Ash. There they cruised
several days, between the Arctic and American
coasts, to look out for some shoals not laid down.
Icy Cape, N.E., 231 miles at noon, in lat. 70 16, long.
174 40, the ice extending in pack, with extremely
high peaky mountains showing over it. A party
was landed, and formal possession taken. The island
appeared to be connected with the apparent continent
by shallows, as there was a continual line of ice from
one to the other. On the Ist of September they re-
turned to Kotzebue Sound, where the Plover was to
winter, and having left Lieutenant Cooper in her,
vice Lee, during the winter, the Herald quitted there
on the 29th of October, and arrived at Mazatlan on
the 13th of November, where the Amphitrite, 26,
Captain T. R. Eden, was collecting freight. The
Herald's people were sickly, having suffered from
scurvy, from being nearly six months on salt pro-
visions and no vegetables. It is supposed that orders
will be received for the Herald to proceed home-
ward, as her false keel is gone, and she has already
been two voyages to the Straits, and five years in
commission. By the month of June the'two ships
'rom England (Enterprise and Investigator) will have

arrived.

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE STATION.
On the 13th of October the Apollo troop-ship,
Commander Rawstorne, from England, arrived with
cholera on board. She landed all her bad cases on a
small island at Rio Grande. Several deaths occurred
before sailing, but she is now quite healthy.
On the 14th of October the Pantaloon arrived here
from England, having touched at Pernambuco only
for water. Mr. Kelly, naval cadet, joined the Castor
from her. She sailed for the cruising-ground on the
Mozambique on the 18th of October.
On the 23d the Athol troop-ship arrived here from
England, all well on board. Her troops were disem-
barked by the boats of the Castor, and she will sail
soon for Mauritius.
Her Majesty's ship Castor, 46, Commodore Wyvill,
is in Simon's-bay, and will not lift anchor until the
convict agitation is over.
Mr. William White (c), 1816, Master, R.N., has
retired with the rank of commander under the order
in Council of 1846.