The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-01 00:00:00

THE SUN.

LITERATURE.
MORNINGS AT .111 AT LOCK . By Shelton
Mackenzie, D.C.L., Avatar of " Titian," an Art

Novel.
This is the book for the circulating libraries. Wel-
come will be its companionship to the sea-side so-
journer, welcome to the drawing-roorn table, and the
bachelor's easy chair. The fastidious critic might,
possibly, pry out an occasional carelessness, or want
of polish of style, but it is evident these genial pages
have laudably been penned in no servile spirit of ap-
prehension of hypercriticism, nor by a hand that takes
delight in writing in a white kid glove, and with a
diamond-tipped or crowquill stylus. Had the author
chosen to stoop to the exercise of the profitable craft
of " bookmaking," he might have spun out half a
dozen regular novels, at least, from the materials he
he has comprised in the volumes before us ; but he
has contented himself with presenting a succession of
masterly and vivid sketches, with putting forth his
easy strength in a series of most entertaining stories,
adopting as a framework, whereon to hang them, the
idea of assembling a party of choice spirits at the New
Bath Hotel, at Matlock. The conversational discus-
sion of Lome subjects, arising out of these stories, gives
him scope for developing, through the medium
of the raconteurs, some admirable ideas on artistic
matters, upon which few can be more competent
to descant than the erudite author of " Titian.' The
remarks which usher in the tale of " Velasqut z and
his Mestizo" are especially noticeable in this respect,
and were we not necessarily restricted to a brief and
hurried mention of the work, we would gladly give
some extracts from these and similar acute and mas-
terly observations. We would direct attention, too,
to an able delineation of the character and motive
principles of Richelieu, and a parallel between him
and Cardinal Mazarin. But the principal attraction
will, of courke be found in the tales themselves, many,
of which are of a highly humorous cast. Indeed, ge-
nuine humour, devoid of the slight grossness, seenas to
be as much the forte of the writer as his enviable
faculty of grouping a mass of historical and legendary
information without any apparent effort or display of
pedantry. We can do little more at present than
mention the titles of what we consider the best of
the novelettes, from the opening one, " Ensign Sim-
mons of the Tenth," to the " Petrified Piper," the
last of the twenty-six. The " Millionaire
malgr4 lui" is a capitally worked out notion.
" The Major's Story" must prove a special favourite.
Ye who love the ghostly may revel in the " German
Student,"itbe "Legend of Bleeding-heart Yard," and
" Recollections of the Second Sight," and those who
can appreciate really good Irish legends and stories
will find a source of thorough enjoyment in the en-
tire of the concluding volume, the cream of which 1
consists, to our mind, in " Captain Rock," a narra-
tive rendered the more interesting from the actual
truthfulness of the incidents, and even the non-
concealment of the names of the parties chiefly con-
cerned ; and the last and longest of the series, the
" Petrified Piper." Neither must we pass over
the " Last Throw of the Dice," or the " Great Will
Case ;" while in " Beatrice d'Este" there is material
for a romance of the legitimate tri-toured length.
Of the original of the hero of the " Phrenologist"
a most amusing account is given in the postscript,
and verily, " Bot Smith," as he was designated, must
have been one of the most curious fishes of the
Mersey. Few, we venture to predict, who have once
made acquaintance of the gentle and joyous party,
whose " Sayings and Doings" in the regions of the
Peak are chronicled by the pen of a ready writer—of
Sir Julian Tressilian and his Heiress dame—of the
author Butler—the artist, now a R.A.—the Irishman
"of high but not boisterous spirits and good nature
in every word and look," and of the gallant major,
for whom the watch of Josephine proved, in the end,
a charm to win a titled bride upon the moon-lit
Derwent, but will gladly spend an oft-repeated half-
hour in their entertaining and instructive society.
Dr. Mackenzie has produced a work which cannot
fail to become, and deservedly so, a familiar favourite
with the novel-reading public, and one which shows
that his leisure hours have been so creditably and
pleasantly employed that we trust to see, ere very
long, another offspring of his accomplished pen.

MAGAZINE DAY.
BLACK WOOD.

Thoroughly national as Maga is in its character,
we are in no degree surprised to find Christopher
taking up the cudgels, or, in other words, brandishing
his crutch in behalf of any cause affecting the fair
fame of Scotland. Especially are we always ready
to put the very best construction on his predilections
when the reputation of Edinburgh appears to be in
jeopardy. Hence it is that we can at once compre-
hend the fervour with which Blackwood enters upon
the discussion of that long " vexed question" the
London and Edinburgh Chess Match. It may seem
to the superficial observer somewhat late in the day
for the Edinburgh Magazine to adventure upon any
inquiries into a contest so lung since settled ; yet
the revival of the subject becomes less startling when
as bear in mind the fact that it has been not long
since brought under the examination of the
Quarterly. This contribution to Maga, is deserving of
a careful perusal, and we are satisfied that it will
afford the fullest entertainment to the admirers of the
royal game, no matter whether those chess. players be
of the old and careful school of Phillidor or of the
modern and storming school of De la Bourdonnaye
The opening. article for July, being a bio-
graphical account of the " House of Guise," is
readable, although restricted too much to the
narrowing limits of criticism. "My Penin-
sular Medal" is happily concluded. Would that we
could say the same of " The Green Hand," the
longest " short yarn" that was ever perpetrated. A
bitter onslaught is made by Blackwood upon the
"Jew Bill," yet we can forgive the acerbity from our
conviction of the attack being conscientious. What
is meant by violets welling through the ground
like water, and anemones trembling like a
bridal veil, in the poetical contribution en-
titled " The Year of Sorrow, Ireland, 1849,"
we cannot for the life of us conjecture. " The Pic-
tures of the Season," a rather scrambling notice of
the art exhibitions this year in the metropolis, does
honour to the principal contributors to the Royal
Academy. Another paper in the July number alone
remains unmentioned, we mean the intelligent article
on " The Industry of the People," another excellent
preparation for the year of the Exposition.

i Barnett's pamphlet on this subject, to do justice to
"the gorgeous mice en scene of the opera at her
'Majesty's Theatre," to " the poetry to be found in the
dancing of the ballet sprite who floats before the eyes,
to music in the air, as the Ariel of our dreams," to "that
wonderful realisation in look, gesture, and bearing,
as the monster Caliban, of that marvellous old man "
Lablache, and "the exquisite vocalization and gentle
grace of the Countess•artist" a 3 Miranda. The gross
ignorance of M. Ledru Rollin in all matters relating
to England and the English is well exposed in a re-
view of his recently published book. The review is
preceded by a sketch of his political career. We have
the first chapter of a new novel, " The Heirs of
Gauntry," which promises well ; and a paper on the
Island of Cuba concludes the Fraser for July.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO SIR ROBERT
PEEL.

We regret to announce that an accident of a very
serious nature occurred to Sir Robert Peel on Sa-

mrday evening, as he WAS proceeding up-Constitu-
ion-hill on horseback. Sir Robert. left his residence

in Whitehall-gardens shortly•before five o'clock, at-
tended by his groom, and passing through the park,
had arrived nearly opposite to the new entrance into
Grosvenor-place, on Constitution-hill, when his horse

,itdenly shied at something that was passing, and,
kicking up its heels, threw Sir Robert ever it. bead
on his face, in the road. Although rendered insen-
sible by the fall, Sir Robert for the moment retained
hold of the reins, and the horse being thereby sud-
denly checked, fell heavily upon Sir Robert, the
animal's knees striking him between the shoulders.
There were several persons passing near the spot
at the time, and among the rest Sir James Clarke, her
Majesty's physician; theßev. Canon Wood, chaplain
to her late Majesty the Queen Dowager; Commo-
dore Eder, nephew to the Earl of Auckland ; and the
Rev. Henry Mackenzie, vicar of St. Martin's-in-the-
Fields, who, with Mrs. Mackenzie, was walking
through the park. The first persons to raise Sir
Robert from the ground were two gentlemen named
Towli and King, one residing in Chesham-place, and
the other in St. Paul's Churchyard. The Right Hon.
Baronet was then completely insensible—his features
were slightly abrased, and his face perfectly pallid,
indeed, so much changed, that it was some moments
before his identity was discovered. Sir James
Clarke, on observing the accident; hastened forward
to render all the assistance in his power ; and Com-
modore Eden, who was the first to recognise Sir
Robert, gallopped off to give the first information at
the Right Hon. Baronet's residence, and endeavour
to lessen the shock to the family on receiving the in-
telligence. Another gentleman gallopped off to St.
George's Hospital, and returned immediately with'
one of the medical assistants and a cabriolet to re-
move Sir Robert. Mr. Mackenzie just previously ob-
serving an open carriage approaching, in which were
two ladies, Mrs. Lucas, of Bryanston-square, and her
daughter, explained to them the serious nature
of the accident, upon which Mrs. Lucas at once in-
sisted upon alighting and placing her carriage at Mr.
Mackenzie's disposal. Sir Robert had at this time
shown symptoms of returning animation, and sir
James Clarke having expressed his opinion that his
removal might be effected, was lifted into the car-
riage, and supported by the two gentlemen who had
picked him up, and attended by the medical officer
from St. George's Hospital, was driven slowly home.
On Sir Robert's arrival in Whitehall-gardens he
was immediately placed in bed and subjected to a
medical examination. Sir Benjamin Brodie, Dr.
Seymour, Mr. Cmsar Hawkins, Mr. Hudson, and
Mr. J.wkson, the family surgeon, were very soon in
attendance, and after a careful examination had been
made the following bulletin was issued :
" Whitehall-gardens, June 29, 7,P.M.
" Sir Robert Peel has m• t with a severe accident by
tailing from his horse. There is severe injury of one
svtoulder, with a fracture of the left collar-bone. There
is grra: reason to hope that there is no internal injury.
It is gratifying to be enabled to add, that Sir Ro-
bert's head is uninjured.
After Sir RDbet t had been placed in Mrs. Lucas's
carriage he partially recovered sensibility, and at-
tempted to replace his hat upon his head. He subse-
quently sank into a kind of stupor, from which there
it too much reason to fear he has not yet perfectly
recovered. _

The agony of mind exhibited by Lady Peel and
all the younger members of the family on being in-
formed of the accident, may be more easily imagined
than described. Sir Robert and Lady Peel were en-
gaged to dine with the Earl and Countess of Jersey
on Saturday evening. The party was, of course, put
off on the instant of tbe catastrophe becoming known.
The Viscountess Villiers and all the members of the
family (with the exception of the eldest son, Mr.
Robert Peel, who is in Switzerland) arrived at
IVhitehall-gardens within a very short period, and re-
main in attendance.

Almost immediately after the accident his Royal
ilighne*s Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince
of Prussia, arrived at Sir Robert's residence in
Whitebdll-gardens to make inquiries after the Right
lion. Baronet. His Royal Highness Prince George
called at seven o'clock, and the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge sent to make inquiries.
Viscount Palmerston was one of the first members
f the nobility who sent to ascertain the state of Sir
Robert, and to inquire after Lady Peel and the fa-
mily. The Noble Viscount received a written reply
from Captain Peel.
The answer to inquiries up to a late hour on Sa-
turday evening was, that Sir Robert was progress-
ing as well as could be expected, and that he had had
some slumber. A great number of the nubility.
and gentry called in Whitehall-gardens during the
evening.

The intelligence of the accident caused a deep feel-
ing of regret among all classes, and formed the ab-
sorbing topic of conversation in every circle.
At nine o'clock yesterday morning the following
bulletin was issued, after a consultation, at which all
the medical gentlemen in attendance were present :
" Sir Robert Peel has had au indifferent night, but
there are no more unfavourable symptoms.
" Sunday—nine, ♦.M."
The Queen and Prince Albert sent to inquire after
the Right Hon. Baronet at au early hour yesterday
morning. The Duke and Duchess of Cambr►dge and
the Duchess of Gloucester also sent to ascertain the
state of the Right Hon. Baronet.
At one o'clock yesterday, after a second consulta-
tion, the following bulletin was issued :
" Sir Robert Peel is quite as well as he was—per-
haps a little better.
" Sunday, one, A.M."
The Duke of Wellington, who had called on Sa-
turday evening, paid a second visit this afternoon to
make inquiries after Sir Robert. During the whole
day Whitehall-gardens were crowded with the car-
riages of the nobility and gentry, calling to make in-
quiries.
At six o'clock last evening the following bulletin
was issued, after a short consultation
The symptoms under which Sir Robert Peel la-
boured yesterday have not subsided, but no new symp-
toms have arisen to cause more alarm.

" Sunday, 6 P.M ."
A fourth consultation was to be held last night. It
is earnestly hoped that, in the event of the unfavour-
able symptoms not increasing, a change for the better
will take place on Tuesday—the third day.
We believe we may state that the accident occurred
thus :—Sir Robert Peel has fur many years past
ridden a favourite bay mare. This animal being
somewhat old, Sir Robert was strongly advised to
obtain a more sure-footed horse, and the animal from
which he was thrown was purchased, at the recom-
mendation of Mr. Beckett Denison, M.P., at Tatter-
sall's, only a few weeks since. It is not a young
horse, as has been stated, but 8 or 10 years old.