The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-24 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

NOEL MORVAN, 3 Vols. Newby, London, 1844.
The author of this work is Mr. Browning, to whom
we are already indebted for a " History of the Hu-
guenots," a production which displayed much pains-
taking research, and was particularly skilful in its di-
gest of facts. In the work before us he gives a spi-
rited representation of the court and camp of Henry
the Fifth, subsequent to the famous battle of Agin-
court. A considerable portion of his narrative is laid
in France, in the earlier part of the fifteenth century,
and has reference to the intrigues and adventures of
an outlaw chieftain, libel Morvan—a sort of Robin
Hood in his way—whose head-quarters are
in a spacious cavern in a sequestered quar-
ter of Brittany, near the shores of the
Morbihan. The character of this rude, bold, but
generous-natured chief is kept up throughout in a
very consistent spirit, and forms indeed the redeeming
feature of the story, which otherwise is by no means
remarkable for interest, nor breadth and variety of
portraiture. Like Mr. James, the novelist, our
author pays great attention to his costumes, and,
in this particular instance, introduces apparently
nothing for which he has not sufficient warranty.
He excels, also, in his descriptions of tournaments ;
but, with the single exception of the character of
libel Morvan, he has not the happy art of infusing
the breath of life into his dialogues.

THE LOGIC OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.
Blackwood. London and Edinburgh, 1844.
Notwithstanding the dry, hard, practical nature of
the subject, this treatise on political economy is by
no means uninteresting, for it is penned in a clear
and vigorous style, without the slightest ambiguity
or circumlocution, by one who shows in every page
that he is perfectly conversant with the theme on
which he expatiates. Some of the positions which
the author lays down, are illustrated with consider-
able neatness and vivacity ; but indeed—no matter
what be, the subject—Mr. De Quincey cannot write
two pages together without putting forth something
that shall both please and instruct his readers.

IRELAND AND ITS RULERS.
Newby, London, 1844.
There is much spirit and ready, off-hand vivacity
in this little work, which professes to give an account
—not quite so cool and impartial as could be desired
—of the state of Ireland, and the character of its
rulers since the year 1829—the memorable year of
the passing of Catholic Emancipation. The chapter
entitled the " Parliamentary Repealers in 1834" con-
tains more good sense and just thinking than any
other in the volume; but the biographical' portion of
the work is that which will be found most generally
entertaining, especially the sketches of Sheil, Bushe,
and Woulfe, which though somewhat overcharged in
point of colouring, yet display occasionally much
sound critical opinion, and are to all appearance
perfectly accurate in point of fact. The biographical
sketch of Sheil is by far the most copious and cir-
cumstantial, and while the author denies that he is a
first-rate orator, yet he does every possible justice to
his splendidd eclamatory powers, and his talent for apt,
epigrammatic sarcasm. Of his apparent vehemence
he says that it is all carefully studied, and that he is
never more fully on his guard than when he most
seems to be carried away by the impulse of the mo-
ment,; and the ardent applause of his party. " Sheil,"
adds our author, "ought to have been a Frenchman.
He essentially belongs to the country where fervour'
of manner is confounded with ardour of passion—
where there is much vivacity." We quote a brief
sketch of the late Mr. Praed from a note which is
attached to the memoir of Sheil

" Mr. Praed was generally considered a failure in po-
litical
life by his friends, but if he had survived a few
years longer, he would have gratified their expectations.
At the Union' he displayed uncommon liveliness of
mind, and sprightly gracefulness of wit. He was by no ,
means suited for political life, as he wanted earnestness
and the requisite physical organisation. His failure in
the House of Commons was caused by the wretched
state of his health. It did not require much discern-
ment to perceive that on the night of his maiden speech
he bad strong symptoms of incipient consumption. In
fact he ought to have been in his bed on the night when
he first spoke, which he did merely because everybody
expected him to do so. He changed his political
opinions rather suddenly, but he never held himself re-
sponsible for all the light and laughing sentiments he
uttered at the Union. One fact shows his mental
energy and elasticity. He had the good sense to per-
ceive his failure as an orator, and immediately struck
out a new line in political life. He amassed a greater
quantity of minute and accurate information on English
general politics, than any man of his political standing
could boast of, and if his party had been once in power,
he would have rapidly ascended through the gradations,
of Ministerial office. But in the fall of Tory Govern-
ment, in 1835, he saw then the game was up' for some
time, and turned with great resolution to the dry pursuit
of the law. He had mastered the difficulties of his pro-
fession, and when he died, in 1839, was making a consi-
derable income. But Praed missed his real vocation. He
should have remained a man of letters all his life, for he
had an exquisite fancy,
and considerable poetical powers.
He had contributed (still uncollected) sotne choice
poems of a graceful, amatory kind, distinguished for