The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-01 00:00:00

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD.—" Grace Owen's Engagement"
introduces us to an interesting series of sketches
descriptive of the doings of a young artist at Dres-
den. We are not yet made acquainted with Grace,
but she has a dangerous rival in the musical genius
who figures prominently in these pages. Some of
the letters that pass between the hero and his friend
at Rome are amusing ; but the proposal of Lawson's
to see the Queen iu England seems to augur no
good to the memorable engagement. " The Latest
Lawgiver" is a paper that treats of Mr. Ruskin,
and laments his too evident self-regard. " Unlucky
Tim Griffin, his Love and his Luck," comes to a
conclusion," and at least in an appropriate manner,
for he is outwitted by his rival, and loses his lady
love in a very extraordinary way. " The Ameri-
can Constitution and the Impeachment of the Pre-
sident" is a masterly article in its way, and one
that will certainly attract notice at this junc-
ture. It is truly said that "if the President
is to have no more power thn the Senate
and the House of Representatives wish Mr. John-
son to possess, the sooner the cumbrous and costly
office is abolished the better for the public peace."
This is assuredly a very forcible argument,
because where, indeed, can be the advantage
of spending two years out of every four in
electing a President who is not to be re-
spected, and thus risk a revolution. " Letters
from a Staff Officer with the Abyssinian Expe-
dition" contain a good deal of interesting informa-
tion, and the reader will be sure to dwell with
attention on the details thus furnished of the brief
and glorious campaign whose result has rejoiced the
land. Cornelius O'Dowd is as lively as ever,
and presents us with some striking remarks
on many things in general and some in particular.
" An Idea Napoleonic" is one of the chapters be-
fore us. •‘ Six Pounds a Week " is an amusing
sketch, that relates the shocks we encounter in
perusing various items of intelligence nowadays in
the newspapers. " Dreams of the Invalides" is a
spirit-stirring poem, ably narrating the supposed feel-
ings of the Great Napoleon at the doings that take
place over his tomb. George Elliot's " Spanish
Gypsy " is an enthusiastic notice of that pro-
duction, to which ample justice is evidently ren-
dered. Some quotations are given which sustain
the encomiums betowed, and the criticism closes
with the emphatic observation that the author
who 46 holds so justly a high place among no-
velists must also infallibly and immediately take
high rank among poets."
DUBLIN.—" Ancient English Culture" is the
first article met with in this number. It will in-
terest the antiquary for its researches, and the rarity
of the information it imparts. " Sweet Anne
page is continued at some length, and the latter
instalment becomes very exciting, and some of
the characters come out strongly. "My Tree"
is a slight sketch, that is attractive in its
way." John Home, the author of Douglas,"
is a paper that is interesting to peruse, " flaunted
Lives"
will be welcome to the lover of the marvel-
lous,
and this portion here given is particularly ex-
citing. " Explorings in the Twilight" is a peculiar
sketch not likely to be a general favourite, but
adapted to certain tastes. " Irish Land Associa-
tion" concludes the contents of the number; it lays
great stress on Lord Dufferin's pamphlet on the
subject, of which a high opinion is entertained.
THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.---The thought
of the North Pole comes in refreshingly in the midst
of the summer sun, and general resume of the ex-
ploits and achievements of our heroic countrymen
in those frozen seas, which is the first thing to meet
us in the New Monthly, will be read with interest.
Francis Jacox takes for his subject a word
which he declares to be omitted from some
persons' vocabularies, and he gives forthwith sundry
instances of such sceptical mortals in fact and
fiction. There are further instalments of the stories
of "The Arlingtons" "Christine," and " Last Days
of our Old Country House," besides articles on
" Blacklock Forest" and "The Spiritualist Cause,"
to which a recent trial has lent new, but, we hope,
temporary importance.
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.--In this magazine fic-
tion, as usual predominates, and the reader of solid
and serious tastes mast look elsewhere. We have,
however, an animated sketch of " Dixie's Land," by
a Confederate officer, a memoir of " Lazare Hoche,"
the invader of Ireland, and the eighth number of
" Prestwood Papers." The tales and sketches are
of varying merits, and as they include several styles
—domestic, legendary, romantic, tragic, and
poetical—they ought to satisfy all readers.

COLBURN'S UNITED SERVICE.—The number for
June is more characteristic than some others that
have lately preceded it, both on Naval and military
matters. "Notes on the History of the British
Soldiers," by Dr. Gordon, C. 8., begin almost before
the beginning of our warlike catechism, and are, so
far, of little value, save as showing from what small
beginnings great nations sometimes attain to emi-
nence. Tue military and civil classes were blended
into one in the earlier state of society. Every na-
tion was much like the tribes of Israel, looking to
the Patriarch as the natural head of the flock, just
as nations now do to their respective SJvereigns.
But the reflection seams of little value otherwise
than as an impetus to be up and doing, for the
battle is most likely to fall to the side of those who
are well prepared and " keep their powder
dry," as the Covenanters did, while they placed
their trust in God, notwithstanding, illustrating the
proverb, that forearmed is to be forewarned. The
paper may brush up the recollectiou of the studious
soldier, and cheer him. on to deeds of renown here-

after, like Sir Robert Napier, who was but the other
day a nameless pupil at Addiscombe—

' "But who can tell how hard it is to climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar ?"
The hero of Magdala has climbed some steps that
would make the mountains of the moon look up to
him, with the hosts of Abyssinia gazing in mute
astonishment at deeds unknown even in the days of
their terrible idol, who chose its altitude as a fitting
place to die. "Tactical Letters, No. 1," is au
excellent instalment of what is to follow, if we
may judge by the sample. There is no doubt that
the recent changes in the armoury of war will pro-
duce a wonderful improvement in the mode of
carrying on military evolutions in future. "On Naval
Officers" is another practical illustration of sound
sense applied to a national subject, for our navy is
the question, not of the day, but of all time, while
England is surrounded by the ocean, with a host
of envious rivals burning for a chance to hasten
her downfall. Peacemakers may preach till
doomsday about the horrors of war, but
all their preaching will be in vain to ward off the
national assassin if we are not able to repulse his
attack, and cripple his po ,ver. Oar n is our
strength, and to maintain that power we ought to
be prepared to meet the world iu arms, and to beat
it also. No sophistry will avail—hard knocks and
watchful preparation are our proper arguments—
and no mistake! As for Allies they are worse than
useless, for they will only help to betray us. A
rich prize serves only to tempt the robber, not to
court his protection. The Emperor Theodore,
now that he is dead and gone, with all his imperfec-
tions on his head, willturn out to be a better man than
he ever was when living. Such is the fate of all
men who have made any mark in their day of
action. The present memoir would make the mon-
ster of Abyssinia no worse than his worthy neigh-
bours and rivals. That he was a man of infinite courage
and daring is beyond question. His chief fault or
weakuessseemsto have consisted in blending fanatical
hypocrisy with unscrupulous ambition. Perhaps he
was no worse than other despots who exercise more
prudence with their cunning. Power is virtue in
the eyes of men, and the more powerful of course
the more to be worshipped. "The Captain of the
Mizentop's Yarn," by Lieut. Low, is brought to a
good conclusion, with a curious anecdote of sharks
not daring to attack sailors while bathing from a
ship when there are many making a commotion in
the water. Pearl divers have a charm for sharks
which keeps them at a distance. Besides, their
black skins are not so attractive as those of white
men, serving as a seductive bait in the water.
LONDON SOCIETY.—"The Piccadilly Papers" con-
tain some noticeable things, among which must be
mentioned Baron Bunsen's reminiscences of Qaeen
Victoria. Some of these sketches are very pleasing,
and it is curious to notice the impressions conveyed
to the mind of this distinguished foreigner, who
passed so many years among us, deservedly popular
and highly esteemed. " Picked up from the
Gutter" is a paper that is curious in its way ; it
alludes to the state of the homeless children of
London, and dwells upon the merits of the Refuge
for Homeless and Destitute Children. " The Box
with the Iron Lamp" is concluded, awl is, incised,
of a ghastly character ; it is told in an ingenious
manner. " A Convenient Blockade" is a pleasing
sketch, with verses to illustrate its meaning. " Luck
in Families" refers to the different fortunes that attend
several people in the lottery of life. " The. Waite
Camellia" is a pleasing tale that is told in an agreeable
manner. " The Royal Visit" is a versified chronicle
of the Royal doings in Ireland, which is well d)ue.
"My First Day's Fox-hunting" is an account of
racing adventures that a would-be adventurer met
with in his dashing effort to appear something more
than he was. " Thrice Won" is a romantic sketch
in verse that is powerfully told, and well carried
out to the end.

MACMILLAN.—The readers and admirers of Lady
Duff Gordon's delightful letters from the East will
hail with pleasure her reappearance as a corre-
spondent. Her pictures of " Life at Thebes" in
the current number of Macmillan gives us a whole
gallery of life-like and interesting portraits. She
represents the unhappy Arabs as ground down by
relentless taxation and miserably oppressed. A
careful treatise on " 'Tennyson's Lucretius" shows
how faithfully the English poet has repre.sentel the
Roman poet in De Iterum Nature. " Realinah," by
the author of " Friends in Council," is never so
delightful as when it shows us our friendS in council
once more. It is full of, as all Mr. Helps's works
are, suggestive thought, keen perception, and en-
lightened sympathy. Miss Yonge continues her
historical romance of "The Chaplet of Pearls" with
unabated interest, though the work belongs rather
to the character of an ordinary historical novel than
to those charming domestic histories which have
gained her celebrity. We have besides an account
of " How the First Sunday was Spent in Paris" by
the author of "John Halifax," and two memorial
papers on great men who in very different walks
of life have left an impress on their time—Michael
Faraday and Baron Bunsen. Altogether the
June number of Macmillaa is above the average.
FRASER.— "Emanuel Swedenborg" occupies the first
and most prominent place in this pars. The writer,
after a careful examination of his career and his
leading theories, observes that " the singularly un-
inviting nature of his language, his ignorance or
disdain of the ordinary laws of composition, the
haste with which he wrote, the fluctuations of his
opinions, have injured his philosophical credit in the
eyes of th 3 world. * * * For his fame he was
one born out of due time ;" and in spite of the ac-
tivity of his followers, in disseminating his writings,
his present biographer thinks they will be his final
monument. The tales of " Indian Devilry," as they
are called, are curious enough, as exemplifying the
style of the native literature, but there is some-
thing too much of them. The " Life of Sir Philip
Sydney," by the late Robert Southey, is continued,
and will be concluded in the next part. " The
Progress of Civilisation in Northern and Western
Europe in Prehistoric Times" is an ambitious sub-
ject, treated simply and briefly enough by Mr.
Boyd Dawkins. A paper on " Spiritualism in the
United States" is worth reading in these sceptical yet
too credulous days.