The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-01 00:00:00

Sybille, Alligator, Simpson, Pearl, Niger, Hor-
net, Curomandel, Haughty, Staunch, and Opossum.
" The Esk,.the other day, attacked in the river
three pirate junks with her boats, and captured
two of them. She lost three men killed and eight
wounded.
" July 10.—The Pearl is now leaving for Amoy
and the Niger for the river."
The following appointments were made at the Admi.
ralty on Saturday :
Lieutenants—Richard Moore, to the Valorous ; J. H
Bushnell, to the Styx.
Assistant-Surgeon—W. W. Thompson (additiors
acting), to the Victory.

LITERATURE.

True to Nature. A Novel. 2 vols. Hurst and

B'ackett.

This romance dces not follow the fortunes of the
individual hero, or heroine, exclusively, and make
everyone else secondary to them, and everything
else subservient to their interests. It is more a
chronicle of the various members of the Montage
family ; and, added to this, it relates what befel
some of their immediate connections and intimate
friends. The chief character is Clarice, a younger
daughter of Sir Hugh Montagu, who is indeed true
to nature, and a charming creation to attract and
enliven. She is always the same, alike the sun-
shine of her home, whether it is her beautiful birth-
place in the stately halls of Beaulieu, or the small •
house in London, where she had to exchange the
refinements of luxury for the wearing anxieties and
carking cares of a limited income. To add to the
petites miseres which often are real trouble, the
" trifles that make the sum of human things," her
sisters had married better than herself, and the
conceited woman of fashion, the beautiful Lady
Selwyn, was profuse in her covert sneers, and irri-
tating condolences, concerning the modest establish-
ment of her sister. The introduction of Ellinor
Vivian into the story forms a striking contrast to
Clarice. She is of a singular disposition, pos-
sessed of deep feelings, but holding them down
with an iron grasp, till only minute observers and
far-seeing judges could suppose their existence,
hence she was called by the world cold and atilt;
She was deficient in moral courage, though reso-
lute and determined in her demeanour, and these
opposite extremes combined to produce great
wretchedness for her in life. Jasper Temple is a
most despicable man, one who, has no scruples, as
to obtaining his object, and employs the fascina-
tion of his address, to lure and ensnare the unfor-
tunate beings who come in contact with him. Of
these was Henry Montague. The author has suc-
cessfully traced the course of a career too often run,
in the details of the intimacy that sprung up in an
evil hour for the peace and welfare of Beaulieu
Court and its inmates, as the old gipsey fearfully
pi ophecied its sun was setting, when we were first
introduced to its beauties and splendours. However,
it is satisfactory to the mind to find out at last that
its glories were revived, and its lustre restored,
through the kindness of an old friend in the neigh-
bourhood. It adds to the delight that the worldly
goods, by which Clarice and her husband were at last
relieved from the painful pressure that had so long
ambit ered their existence, were the coveted trea-
sures on which Jasp r Temple had fixed his hopes
for long years. His uncle preferred leaving his
property to merit rather than unworthiness, and.
the artful schemer met the retribution of his work
in Henry's disgrace and his family's ruin. Colonel
Disbrowe, the brother of Clai ice's husband, was a fine
noble nature, but he was too jealous and hasty in
his disposition. It was a fatal thing for one so
weak as Elliuor Vivian to have inspired an at-
tachment in a man like Temple, he haunted
her like a shadow, and at last planned a deadly
revenge. Had she been straightforward in her
conduct she would have disarmed her assailant,
but her hesitation and vacillating manner made
Colonel Disbrowe uneasy, and the acts of Temple
soon roused his jealousy. This passage is exciting,
and increases the interest of the story. Ellinor's
dismay when she found it impossible to clear her-
e. lf by her too long delayed explana,ions, the
Colonel's indignation when he found himself 'so
basely deceived, are vividly sketched, and demon-
strate most fully the errors of a hasty judgment,
and the misery caused by the folly of proct
tion, and want of moral energy. Clarice was very
different, and it was through her courage that her
family were saved, when she found Jasper Temple
destroying the will of his uncle by night. Mr.
Charlton, who married the eldest of Sir Hugh's
daughters, is a specimen of a most disagreeable
class, who arrogate to themselves the right of supe-
rior judgment, and have no sense of fitness, or
nicety of feeling to respect the tastes of ethers. He
was an unworthy addition to so excellent a family.
The reader will be at no lose for amusement in
perusing " True to Nature," for it presents variety
in every form, and shows every shade of difference
in character. It has also te recommend it an agree-
able style, and the introduction of some striking
events, and exciting scenes, that are replete with
vigour and vivacity.

Unprotected I. emales in Norway. Routledge.
A light and lively record of the exploits of tyro
adventurous ladies, who set off on a Scandinavian tour
without a cavalier. They had no reason to repent
of their hardihood, and the fair authoress boldly
atsetts "that ladies alone get on much better in
travelling than with gentlemen ; they set about
things in a quieter manner, and always have their
own way." She further asserts that, should they
have no escort, every one vies in offering them civi-
lity and attention ; indeed, at some places, their
chivalry went so far as to charge them less than gPn
tlem,n travellers. We fear ladies must restrict their
ex.mrsi,ms to very primitive countries should they
hope to find this anticipation realised. The authe-
re-s made many friends in her route, and shows the
northern character iu its most pleasing aspect, in the
warm hospitality and simplicity of the domestic
household. The scenery, too, receives its tribute
of admiration, though its stern and gloomy charac-
ter impresses some minds with more awe than plea-
sure. The travellers passed through Dentuatk and,
Sweden in their route, and their opinions of those
places are also chronicled. There are numerous
sketches from nature, and several pretty coloured
plater, which add to the attractions of the volume.
The gay and animated style of the work keeps up
the reader's interest, and many will be glad to extend
their knowledge of the far north with such an agree-
able and adventurous companion.

THE LATE EXTENSIVE MERCANTILE
FAILURE AT _BRISTOL.

BRISTOL, AUGUST 31.

A. meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Bruford, Dyer,
and Co., African merchants, of this city, of wh'..se sus-
pension of payments some notice has already appeared,
was held here to-day, and the investigation which took
place disclosed a touch more serious state of affairs than
bad-at first been supposed. The liabilities, instead of
amounting to somewhat over 100,0001., as was at first
thought, exceed a quarter of a ninon ; while the prob-
able assets (apart from the private property of the part•
wi,l only amount to some 80,0001. or 90,0001.
The meeting was held at the banking house of Messrs.
Baillie, Ames, Case, Baitlie, and Company, Old Bank,
Corn-street, and was attended by a very large body of
creditors. Mr. G. Thomas, of the firm of Barnard,
Thomas, and Company, public accountants, who had
been retained to examine the books of the firm, pre-
sented the results of that investigation. The statement
of both liabilities and assets was drawn iu double co-
lumn. Under tho first column on the side of liabilities
and which was headed "Secured and Unsecured," were
the following items :—ln acceptance and promissory
notes, 111,3901. 93 4d ; on open account, 19,6371. 17s ;
on acceptances receivable, considered doubtful and bad
14,1191. 153 ; creditors holding security, 18,4251. ; bills
under discount, 17,299 lie 7d ; total liabilities, 257,872/,
2s 11d. The second column,
which. was headed. " nn.
rst items d in
secured," comprised the three save
fi
gave a totalcontaine of 122,148/.
the first column, and of course
wthheichfirT ihteeatneolf
a s," and comprised the following items
12s 4d. The first column on the other side was headed
A"stsoettal s
8981451. ; property held on mortgage, 18,425/.
statementtotal,
B ad
d e
b t alsos asneat down
lo se
s the
ascertained,
s ce r followingtained
eemotbhrearcecdoluomnlny,
LobBi,e27oa/s; e
tTs,h,
57,717/. 63 Si. After the statement had been read and
a good deal of information asked for and obtained, Mr.
G. Shaw, oil merchant, proposed, and Mr. Thomas
Bm9e,a,B4.s4.ndToinne:
Priest Jose, general merchant, seconded a proposition
for winding.up the estate under inspectorship, and it was
resolved that a deed of assignment for the benefit of cre-
ditors should be executed. The feeling of the creditors
seemed all but una,imous, and the following trustees
were appoint"d : Mr. G. 0. Edwards, Bristol Old
Bank ; Mr. W. Gales Coles, Somersetshire Banking
Campany ; Mr. John Bates, West of England and
South Wales District Bank ; Mr. S. S. Harlord, Miles
Elarford and Company's Bank ; Mr. Thomas Chops,
Mr, John Wood, and Mr. John George Shaw,
merchants.

TEM LATE QUEEN ADELAIDIt'S HOUSEKEEPER.—yer.
terday information was forwarded to Mr. Langharn, the
coroner, of the sudden death of Mrs. Elizibeth Fenton,
at No. 8, Union-street, Berkeley-square. The deceased,
who was between GO and 70 years of age, was for neafly
40 years attached to the household of the late Queen
Dowager Adelaide, and was present with that illustrious
personage when she breathed her last.
ItOYAL iiollBl3 GUARDS.—Au accident of a
rious natere occurred about had past 9 o'clock yester-
lay morning to Lieutenant Firmer, of the &lad Horse
Guards. A detachment of that regiment were going off
4uard fr ,m the Horse Guards, and proceeding through
he park, when Lieut. Firmer 's horse took fright, ran a
.bort distance down Constitution-hill, cams in contact
with the Green Park rails, throwing the rider who was
impa'ed on the spike He w.as at lHast three minutes
in that painful position befoul he could be extricated.
vial then taken away in a cab to the barra,