The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-27 00:00:00

LITERA TURE

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CORRESPONDENCE OF THE EMPEROR
CHARLES V. AND HIS AMBASSADORS
AT THE COURTS OF ENGLAND AND
FRANCE. I.dited by IV. Bradford, 111. A,
formerly Chaplain to the British Embassy at
Vienna.
The student of history end the general reader are
deeply indebted to Mr. Bradford for this valuable
contribution to historical literature. The letters here
contained are translated from original documents in
the Imperial family archives at Vienna. Among
these are many important letters concerning some of
the principal events of that momentous period when
Henry VIII. reigned in England, and Wolsey was
striving for the triple crown of St. Peter, and when
Francis I. was ruling in France or pining in impri-
sonment after the eventful battle of Pavia. In order
to augment both the interest of the letters and the
value of the work, the editor has introduced a running
narrative which explains and connects the several do-
cuments, and he has also introduced some
very interesting biographical notices of the Em-
peror and of the most distinguished officers
of his army and household and other conspi-
cuous individuals of that epoch. Among these
is a very attractive memoir of Victoria Collonna, and
among the historical records that which relates to the
battle of Pavia, the imprisonment of Francis, and the
various machinations of bis friends and enemies, the
visit of his sister, the beautiful Marguerite de Valois,
and various other incidents connected with that dis-
astrous war, is full of interest. The chapters which
refer to the relations between Charles and the English
Court are Also not without importance. Charles hav-
ing Leen nearly related to Queen Katherine
of Arragon, the divorce of that Princess
and Henry's subsequent marriage naturally excited no
small interest at the Imperial court, and were the
subjects of many of the letters of the Imperial am-
bassador. The elevation of Pope Adrian VI. and the
disappointment of Wolsey are also subjects of some
of the early documents in this collection, which is thus
rendered a very attractive connecting link between ,
the histories of the principal European courts, at a '
very important period. One very interesting feature
in this publication is the Emperor's Itinerary from
1519 to 1531. An engraving of Titian's portrait of
Charles V. is prefixed to the volume, which also con-
tains some interesting facsimiles of the handwriting
of Charles, of the Constable Bourbon, and many
others, and portraits of the Duke of Alva and the
Marquis Pescara. The manner in which Mr. Brad-
ford has performed his task entitles him to
commendation, and will ensure for his work
general approbation as being fully as attractive as it
is interesting and important. From the memoir
of Charles we take the following very emphatic de
scription

"There was that in Charles which created respect at
first sight and admiration on further acquaintance; but
he required to bo known intimately before any one
could love him. He was almost inaccessible to the play
of fancy. His power of self control was never-failing.
To win a secret from him was' impossible. Two sure
indications of a strong mind were observable in the Em-
peror, one, indeed, not frequently put to the test among
princes, He could bear to be spoken to on the sabject
of his faults with the utmost freedom, and he had no
jealousy of the renown acquired by his statesmen and
warriors."

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen held a Privy Council on Tuesday, the
24th inst., at Bslmoral. It was attended by his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, Lord John Russell,
First Lord of the Treasury ; the Right Hon. Sir
Francis J3sring, First Lord of the Admiralty; and
the Right Hon. Fox Maule, Secretary-at-War.
At the privy Council, Parliament was ordered to
be further prorogued from Tuesday, the 15th Octo-
ber, until Thursday, the 14th November.
The Hon. Wm. Bathurst was the Clerk of the
Council in waiting.

Ilis Excellency Mehemed Pacha, the Turkish Am-
bassador, left London yesterday for Berlin and
Vienna, en route to Constantinople, on leave of
absence, accompanied by Mons. Edouard Zohrab a a
family ; and by Sir James Duke, M.P., who has
availed himself of his Excellency's invitation to the
Turkish capital.
Cabouli Effendi, First Secretary of Embassy, will
act as Charge d'Affaires during the temporary ab-
sence of the Ambassador.