The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-08 00:00:00

neyer!—not because I should admire America the
less, but because I should respect and love England
the more.—l am, Sir, &c.,
ROBERT CAR,MICHAEL SMYTH.
15, Charles-street, Haymarket.

LITERATURE.
THE LONDON JOURNAL. Vol. X.
Cheap publications at the present moment excite no
small degree of attention in literary circles, where stre-
nuous efforts are making to improve their tone and ele-
vate their character. It seems, however, to be admitted
3n all hands, that before this desired object can be
fully accomplished legislative interference must be
sought and obtained. In the mean time writers of
fiction, and
professors of moral and political economy,
whose fame is only surpassed by their genius and
ability, are endeavouring to stem the torrent of trash
poured upon the lower grades of society, poisoning
their minds and encouraging the basest passions that
degrade humanity. hitherto, unfortunately, the
attempts of many publishing speculators to correct
this morbid appetite for the vicious and horrible have
too of,en ended in loss, if not ruin, to themselves,
without slackening the flame they wished to quench ;
but in some measure that result may be traced to
their own bigotted mode of proceeding. They were
too eager to force their prescriptionsr upon the patient
in an unpalatable form. Their publications were too
full of dry details and statistical information, unre-
deemed by lively sketches or modified descriptions of
thrilling incident. Poison, when judiciously admi-
nistered, dissipates physical disease! and de-
pend upon it the legitimate practitioner who
seeks to supplant the literary quack must act
upon the Homcepathic system in the commencement
of his career. Now, the London Journal is a cheap
publication, which appears to have profited by the fate
of some of its predecessors, and avoids the error
which we have pointed out. It does not assume to be
a pattern of taste and perfection ; it does not pre-
tend to dictate to the poor man what he ought to read,
nor yet does it force upon him its own peculiar no-
tions of right and wrong, or lament in a strain of
cant over his depraved imagination. It simply pro-
fesses to give him " A Weekly Record of Literature,
Science, and Art," which quietly and unostentatiously
enforces instruction and morality through the medium
of well-told histories or interesting fictions. It is,
indeed, one of the wonders of this age of cheapness ;
for while the merits of its letter-press are undeniable,
its pictorial illustrations are of an excellent order.
The tenth volume lies before us, and in it
we find, besides a continuous novel, founded
upon historical events, and a " History of the Con-
sulate and Empire of France under Napoleon," a
series of cleverly written papers on " The Scenery,
Antiquities, and Traditions of Scotland and Ireland,"
several " Biographical Sketches of Eminent Living
Personages," an account of the " Arctic Expedi-
tions," a "Description of London in 1850," an
agreeable work upon " Marriage, Courtship, Eti-
quette," and a whole host of scientific and useful
matters. All these are profusely and elegantly illus-
trated, there being no less than one hundred well-
finished wood engravings scattered throughout the
volume, in addition to maps and diagrams, while the
contributors would seem to be almost as numerous as
the subjects treated of. Not the least attractive and
wholesome parts of the work are the domestic tales
which emanate from the pen of Mr. Parsons Hall,
whose style and touching pathos forcibly reminds one
of some of the stories told in Bentley by the late Laman
Blanchard. The history of the rise and progress of
cheap literature has yet to be written; it now forms
pretty numerous family, but it is certainly not more
numerous than influential, and whoever undertakes
the task of tracing its growth will find it well worth
while to glance through the ten volumes of the
London Journal.

MAGNIFICENT PRESENT TO THE 79TH
REGIMENT OF CAMERONIAN HIGH-.

LANDERS.

By the courtesy of Mr. C. F. Hancock, the emi-
nent silversmith, of 39, Bruton-street, we have this
morning been afforded an opportunity of inspecting a
magnificent silver box, manufactured by him, which
is destined to be presented shortly to the Lieutenant-
Colonel of the 79th Regiment of Cameronian High-
landers, now and for some time past stationed at
Gibraltar. The inscription on the box, as follows,
indicates its donor and its object :—"To the Honour-
able Lauderdale Maule, Lieutenant-Colonel of the
79th Regiment of Cameronian Highlanders, in testi-
mony of cordial and sincere friendship, from Prince
Anatole Demidoff." This beautiful and costly testi-
monial of friendship is two feet in length, eighteen
inches broad, and about six inches deep. It is
manufactured of the finest ebony, and richly
and lavishly inlaid over nearly its entire
surface with silver, beautifully and elaborately
chased. Around the outer edges of the
lid a bunch of laurel leaves runs the whole way,
beneath which are clusters of grape leaves encircling
the box, whilst the corners are surmounted with re-
presentations of the Scottish thistle, all beautifully
chased in silver. At each end of the box an eagle cut
in silver, in the act of flying, is also seen. A water-
colour painting, by Eugene Aim 6, a pupil of Horace
Vernet, finely representing thR colours of the 79th
Regiment of Cameronian Ilighlander•, is inlaid in
the lid of the box, surrounded by a border of gold;
whilst on the inner side of the lid a beautiful painting
of the Rock of Gibraltar, by Harding, in water
colours, is given. The box is divided into six com-
partments, and lined throughout with the finest cedar.
It stands upon four feet, finely designed and chased
in silver, whilst a lock, scutcheon and key, all of
silver, complete this beautiful work of art. This
magnificent symbol of friendship is intended for a
mess-box for the regiment, and its value is estimated
at about 3501. The design, which is by M. Eugene
Aims, and the workmanship, by Mr. Hancock, do
credit to the talents of both parties.