The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-03 00:00:00

THE MAGAZINES.

Colburn's New Monthly.—There is a story by
the author of "Ashley," called "The Pines." It
is a continuation of the tale commenced last month,
but it is so arranged that it will interest one who
has not read its predecessor. This is an ingenious
contrivance of this clever author, as strangers
taking up the magazine are not puzzled to make
out the antecedents of a narrative. A. sensible
article is met with on the subject of "Demoralising
French Literature." It refers to a work by Eugene
Poitoux on the topic. It is a question that ought to
be considered, as it is one of great importance,
and the reflections here made are very salutary.
ones. " Our Sermon" is an admirable contribu-
tion, by E. Itowsell, on some affecting incidents
that occurred at the massacre of Cawnpore. " Our
Contemporaries" is an interesting sketch of the
history of the "Press" of the present day, founded
on a recent French work. It contains a useful sum-
mary of general information, and its tone is alike
removed from flattery or prejudice. " The Baths
of Lucca," and " The Swedish Voyage round the
World," are continued ; and the Eastern crisis is
considered in a poem possessing the solemn title of
"India's Dark Hour."

The Mechanics' Magazine.—This excellent serial
progresses with vigour. It is of a more scientific
character than any other of its class, and one of its
distinguishing features is the scientific nature of the
articles and correspondence, many of which would
be as interesting to the amateur as to the practical
man of business. It is a clear proof of the advance-
ment of scientific knowledge when a publication of
this kind is regularly issued at so low a price. We
trust it will continue to meat with the public en-
couragement it merits,

Knight's English Cyclopcedia.
and Evans.

Part 57. Bradbury

The excellent biography of this Cyclopotdia is
drawing to a close, and will, when completed, ba
one of the most compendious and extensive in the
language. The introduction of living persons, and
of all the celebrities of antiquity prevents any
omission of importance, and as a work of reference
it will be invaluable. The biographies are usually
written with moderation and fairness.

A Popular Hislory of England, By Charles

Knight..

i3radbury and Evans....

The twenty-third part of this useful history
brings ue down to the troubled times of Charles I.
The woodcuts are numerous and of a superior kind.
Among them is a portrait of Henrietta Maria, from
Vandyke.

The Law Magazine and Review. Butterworth.
This valuable and interesting Quarterly has
several topics of interest in this number. It occu-
pies a high place in serial literature, and it proposes
a worthy object—the improvement of the law. It
discusses all subjects connected with legal reform
in a clear and sensible manner, and takes into con-
sideration everything relating to law and jurispru-
dence that has occurred during the quarter. It is
not, however, a work that only one versed in legal
knowledge and technicalities would care to peruse ;
all who take an interest in this important branch of
government will find something to engage their at-
, ention, and it is wri:ten with simplicity and con-
ciseness that adapt it to the general reader. The
opening paper is a very interesting memoir of the
late Lord Truro, which traces the progress of the
attorney's son from his entrance at St. Paul's
school to the woolsack. In conclusion, the follow-
, ing moral is drawn from his proSperous career :
"It is, however, to the moral energies and the intel-
lectual triumphs f the late Lord Truro that we venture
to call the attention of all who are commencing their
professional career. To the young lawyer the life and
character which we have attempted to delineate ought to
be welcome and profitable. We would have this simple
narrative to serve a much higher purpose than the grati-
ficatien of curiosity. It is a trite piece of commonplace
b, say, that while none can command success in life, all
may deserve it, 'and into its truth we need not enter ;
but the consideration of Lord Truro's career should act as
an incentive to a wise, snarly course in the pursuit of
the Business of Life. Far be it from us either to sug-
gest to ambitious attorneys or their clerks, to quit their
calling under a vain impression that, by so doing, they
could emulate the career of Lord Truro. Unfortunately
his success did excite for a short time a migration of
persons to the Bar, unqualified for that position, and
who, sowing in assurance, only reaped disappointment,
and who seemed to suppose, moreover, because elegance
and refinement were not the particular attributes of a
man rich in many great qualities, that ignorance and
vulgarity were very available and proper capital for
them to depend upon, with a view of becoming eminent
in their profession.
"Few can hope, even in this free country, to reach
the honours and dignities which the subject of these re-
marks so meritoriously won ; but every student of the
law, if endowed with health and power of endurance,
can read the lesson and follow the examples of patient
industry and perseverance which have been left for our
instruction and imitation.
"'The longer I live,' said T. Fowell Buxton, 'the
more I am certain that the greatdifference between men,
between the feeble and the powerful, the great and the
insignificant, is energy—invincible determination, a pur;
pose once fixed, and then death, or victory. That quality,
added he, ' will do any thing that can be done in this
world, and no talents, no circumstances, no opportuni-
ties, will make a two-legged creature a man without
it.' Lord Truro, indeed, did botb wisely fix his purpose
and worthily work it out. He who exhibits, as Lor6
Trnro did, intellectual and moral energy, !should awaken
kindred energies in those whom he leaves behind still
struggling in the battle of life. Such a story as his may well
bethe touch-spring of great power, and give an impulse to
noble faculties, to kindling thoughts and aspirations,
which, like the undying fire of Persian superstition,
will quicken and illuminate many future generations."
A lengthy article on the trial of Madeline Smith
takes into consideration the peculiarities of evi-
dence in Scotch courts. Another article, conspi-
cuous for its length, is founded on Mr. filliams'
"Letters to John Bull, Esq., on Lawyers and Law
Reform." An interesting paper on the Birming-
ham Association gives a summary of the proceed-
ings, and highly eulogises the objects of the meet-
ing.

The Art Journal.—This serial maintains its
character as an artistic magazine. Two of the
chief plates ara from the Royal collection—" The
Beauty of Albano," by A. Riedel, and " The Gale
of the Seraglio," Constantinople, by F. Danby,
A.R.A. The third engraving of Vox Hayer's
statute of Pysoho, in the possession of the Queen.
Among the literary contents the most remarkable
are "The Book of the Thames," by Mr. and Mrs.
S. C. Hall, " The Water Colour Department of the
Art Treasures Exhibition," the thirtieth number
of the series on "British Artists," and a paper 011
" Botany," as adapted to the Arts and Art
facture. This elegant and tasteful publicMation
should be in the possession of all lovers of Art.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Ssaveral sensible
Tail's Edinburgh
panic and thec Bank
system, attacks
" Ruth Neville," and " A.nge-
articles. One,
Act with vigour.
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li'"
d 0 Rene," are two tales of varying interest,
an " Tangled
Talk," and " A Cosmopolite's
Adventures are continued in their usual manner.
A paper on "Soldiers' Homes," and another on
~ Ramsgate," will repay perusal. —The Eclectic
Review opens with an interesting subject, "The
Early Flemish Painters," especially those of " the
ancient town of Bruges." The remainder of the
contents offer a pleasing variety. " Hindoo Caste"
and "American Democracy," "Ancient Husbandry"
and the modern systems of irrigation, " Life in
Australia," and "Foreign Literature" are among
them, containing some attraction for most readers.
' We are glad to see this clever review has abandoned
its more controversial and didactic style for one
suited to the general reader ; that is to say, without
changing its principles, it no longer restricts itselt
to discussing them.—The National Miscellany
_hrass
two tales by popular writers, " Eben," by__...Ati.
Oliphant, and " The Little Black Box," bysti '
Thornbnry. Among
tents we paws on the AhatwiglJas Piabw.",'
the miscellaneoli,
.c_on;

Proverbs," the " Hungarian Crown," the " Kafir a
and Zulus," &c. A " Sonnet," by Westland
Marston, contains some fine thoughts well ex-
pressed. Among the remaining contents we must
mention a pretty fairy tale, called " The First
Floor and the Sixth Floor."—The Train would be
more agreeable if it did not aim at being so enter-
! taming. Nothing is more difficult than to provide
a good collection of humorous articles. Those in
the Train are not below the average, and, there-
! fore, those who like this style may not find the re-
petition tedious.—The Irish Metropolitan Maga-
zine has its usual variety of contents, without
any special attraction. A ghastly " Tale of the
Morgue" will please the lovers of the horrible.
--Newton's London Journal has its usual list of
' patents and improvements, scientific notices, (1;c.
The introductory paper is on the " Art Treasures'
Exhibition."—Le Follet, in addition to its usual
fashions, has a plate of winter walking costumes.
—The serials of "Ask Mamma," and " Paved
with Gold," are continued in their usual style.
They form a good contrast ; the one a humourous
record of a sportsman's adventures ; the other, a
glimpse of the darker realities of life, " the
romance of the London streets." The illustra-
trations to both are excellent, as the names of
John Leech and Hablot Browne testify.