The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-01 00:00:00

AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINE.

Mr. Ainsworth opens his new tale of " The
Court of Queen Anne" with much animation
and directness of purpose, bringing us at once,
and without ceremony, into the company of some
of his leading personages. In pourtraying the
Duke of Marlborough, however, we will just
whisper in his ear that the less he insists on that
great General's " magnanimity" the better, for
he had not an atom of it in his character. Am-
bition was his idol, and to this he unhesitatingly
sacrificed consistency—principle—honour—gra-
titude—every quality, in short, that constitutes
the real greatness of humanity. He was beset
too, in his autumn and his old age, by that
paltriest and most humiliating of passions, ava-
rice; how then could such a man be magnani-
mous? Passing this slight detect in the pre-
liminary sketch of the Duke's character, we
may observe that Mr. Ainsworth has been sin-
gularly fortunate in his choice of subject; and
his dextrous introduction of the wily adven-
turer, Guiscard, will give him an opportunity
in due course of exhibiting his admirable de-
scriptive powers to advantage, in that im-
pressive and dramatic scene where the baffled
spy attempted the assassination of Harley
at the Council-table an incident which
swift has told so feelingly an unusual
the og with him—in his " Journal to Stella."
The dialogue between Marlborough and his wife,
where -Mrs. Masham is the theme of their dis-
course and the object of their suspicion, is in the
authors most natural and forcible manner, being
a correct inaex to character—the greatest recom-
mendation that dialogue can possess. Charles
011ier's " Adventure of a Benighted Traveller,"
though slight and barren in point of incident, is
told so pleasantly that
isimpossible to read it
without interest. " Daphne of Antioch" de-
scribes with infinite minuteness of detail that
enchanting, voluptuous spot, of which Milton has
spoken in all the sternness of his Puritanism,
and which Giffbon—for this sort of theme was
greatly to his liking —has sketched with such
unction in his unrivalled history. 31r. Francis
Ainsworth, we perceive, is at variance with both
these great authorities, and insists with more
ingenuity than force, that the grove of aiphue
has been shamefully calumniated by the satirists

of the middle ages. In the present chapters of
I Dr. Maginn's "John Manesty," the plot begins
to clear up a little, and the sanctified merchant
bids fair to turn out, as we suspected he would
do from the first, a pretty considerable rogue—
a change by no means uncommon among those
who profess particular devoutness. For our own
part, we must honestly confess that we infi-
nitely prefer a scamp to a saint. There is
hope from the one; but when roguery once takes
a pious torn, swindles by the agency of the
Bible, and lifts tip its evangelical eyes while it is
picking its neighbour's pocket, all chance of
amendment is lost, and nothing is to be antici-
pated but Norfolk Island or the gallows.
" Jeremy Scrap, the Optimim," is a sprightly
tale, which inculcates precisely the saute moral
as Voltaire's " But Scrap is a more
respectable "Optimist" than the philosophical
lover of Miss Cuuegunds maid-servant, and is
by no means sa4c or aphoristic in his turn of
Mind. Mrs. " Long Hours" is conceived
in a kindly spirit, and wa trust will have the
effect of directing public zittention in some de-
gree to the sufferings of the poor, ovcrtasked
female dressmakers who, Heaven knows, stand
in need of all the assistance that can be extended

to them. By way or wind-up to our notice, we
may state tl►at a charming likeness of the Editor,
from the flattering pencil of Machse, who has re-
presented him sitting in a most picturesque and
exalted mood, in a high-backed Elizabethan
arm-chair, adds greatly to the value and attrac-
tions of the Number. We quote a graphic
description of the popular bustle on a Royal
birth-day, from the new romance of the " Court
of Queen Anne":--

" The Royal birthday was usually kept with extra-
ordinary splendour during the reign of Anne, but on
no previous occasion was it accompanied with so
much magnificence and rejoicing as on the sth of
February, 1707. Preparations were made for a
general illumination, and the bent of popular feeling
was proved by the fact, that wherever the Queen's
name appeared, it was sure to be followed by that of
the hero of Blenheim and Ratnilies, while trans-
parencies were placed in the most conspicuous situa-
tions, representing the chief events of the recent cam-
paign. Bonfires were lighted at an early hour, and
the French King, the Pope, the Pretender, and the
devil, were paraded in effigy through the streets, and
subsequently burnt. The weather was in unison
with the general festivity, being unusually fine for
the season. The sky sys, lisight and sunny, and the
air had all the delicious balminess and freshness of
spring. Martial music resounded within the courts
of the palace, and the trampling of the guard was
heard, accompanied by the clank of their accoutre-
ments as they took their station in St. James's-street,
where a vast crowd was already collected. About
an hour before noun, the patience of those who had
taken up their positions betimes promised to be re-
warded, and the company began to appear at first
somewhat scantily, but speedily in great numbers.
The science of the whip was not so well understood in
those days as in our own times, or perhaps the gor-
geous and convenient, though somewhat cumbersome
vehicles then in vogue were not so manageable; but,
from whatever cause, certain it is, that many quarrels
took place among the drivers, and frequent and loud
were the oaths and ejaculations they poured forth.
The footpath was invaded by the chairmen, who
forcibly pushed the crowd aside, and seemed utterly
regardless of the ribs or toes of those who did not
instantly make way for them. Some confusion ne-
cessarily ensued ; but though the crowd were put to
considerable inconvenience, jostled here and squeezed
there, the utmost mirth and good-humour prevailed.
Before long the tide of visitors had greatly increased,
and coaches, chariots, and sedans were descending in
four unbroken lines towards the palace. The curtains
of the chairs being for the most part drawn down, the
attention of the spectators was chiefly directed to the
coaches, in which sat resplendent beauties, bedecked
with jewels and lace, beaux in their costliest and
most splendid attire, grave judges and reverend di-
vines in their respective habiliments, military and
naval commanders in their full accoutrements, foreign
ambassadors, and every variety of character that a
Court can exhibit. The equipages were most of
them new, and exceedingly sumptuous, as were the
liveries of the servants clustering behind them. The
dresses of the occupnts of the coaches were varied in
colour, as well as rich in material, and added to the
gaiety and glitter of the scene. Silks and velvets of
as many hues as the rainbow might be discovered,
while there was every kind of peruke, from the courtly
and modish Ramifies just introduced, to the some-
what antiquated but graceful and flowing French
campaign. Neither was there any lack of feathered
hats, point-lace cravats and ruffles, diamond snuff'-
boxes and buckles, clouded canes, and all the et cetera
Hof beauish decoration."

ESCAPE OF CONVICTS FROM THE
COUNTY GAOL, NOTTINGHAM.
On Sunday afternoon last several convicts made their
escape from ,the county gaol. Between four and five
o'clock, on the second turnkey going down into the felons'
yard, an attack was made upon him, the key taken away,
and he was locked in the yard. Six convicts rushed up
the steps, proceeded to the outer door, where, meeting
with the head turnkey, they fell upon him, knocked him
down with great violence, and, forcing the key;from his
hand, which he resolutely held for some time, they un-
locked the door and out they ran. An alarm was given,
but the men have all escaped. We have received the
following description of them :—Joseph Smith, aged 21,
stands five feet nine inches in height, fresh complexion,
brown hair, hazel eyes, and oval visage ; Joseph Bowers,
aged 30, five feet six inches high, fresh complexion, dark
brown hair, oval visage, and several sears on the left
hand ; John Binns, aged 24, five feet seven inches high,
fresh complexion, brown hair, and oval visage, lately
lived in Derbyshire. These three men were convicted
of the burglary at Sutton Binnington, at the house of
the Rev. Robert Meek, and were sentenced to transpor-
tation for life, at the late special assize. Thomas Burton,
aged 36 years, five feet nine inches high, dark com-
plexion, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, oval visage, and
under sentence of transportation for fifteen years, for
stealing ten lamb hogs at Farnsfield, in the county of
Nottingham. Wm. Thompson, aged 22, five feet six
inches high, fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes,
and oval visage ; convicted at the late special assize of
burglary at Fiskerton, Nottinghamshire, and sentenced
to be transported for ten years. Thomas Green, aged 24,
five feet nine inches high, brown hair, light complexion •
convicted of burglary at Fiskerton, and was sentenced
at the late special assize to transportation for life. The
convicts all had the prison dress, and were without hats.
A large reward is offered for their apprehension. Burton
was taken in an hour and a half afterwards, within two
miles of the town, near Colwick wood.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)—We understand that
within a few days the whole of the members of the
Cabinet will repair to the metropolis from their respec-
tive country seats. The object of this early meeting of
the leading members of the Government is confidently
said to be in reference to affairs in 'lreland. There is
not the slightest doubt that there exists some foundation
for such statement, as at the close of the last week cir-
culars from the First Lord of the Treasury were for.
warded from Downing-street to the Duke of Buccleuch,
at Dalkeith Palace, Duke of Wellington, &c. Sir Robert
Peel, who has born passing the Christmas at Drayton
Manor, surrounded by a select party of friends, is fully
expected in town by }chitty next.
COAL PIT Amin:Yr.—On Tuesday last, as soon
as the colliers at Tongc-lane Coal-pits, Middleton, near
Manchester, went to their work, an explosion of fire-
damp took place in one of the pits, and one of the miners,
named Roger Gregory, was burned in a shocking and
dangerous manner. Several others were slightly hurt,
but net clangurously.—Liveipool MercUry.
ACCIDENT TO FEARGUS O'CoNNoR.—A fish bone
has been so firmly fixed in Mr. O'Connor's throat since
last Thursday, that all efforts have failed to remove it.
His medical attendant deems his situation so precarious
that he has ordered him to abstain from all conversation.
THE SALE OF LIEUTENANT MUNRO'S EFFECTS.—
Notwithstanding the order of the Coroner prohibiting a
sale of the property of Mr. Munro, in Brompton-square,
the sale still continues to be advertised for Wednesday
and Thursday next. It is stated that, subsequent to the
stoppage of the sale, a communication was bad between
Mr. Kirke's solicitor and the legal adviser of' Lieutenant
Munro's family, and Mr. Maule, the solicitor of the
Treasury, who, on the part of her Majesty's Govern.
merit, most distinctly declared that the sale was stopped
without their knowledge or consent. It is also stated
that the furniture, &c., in question is not the property
of Lieut. Munro, but of his la.ty, under trustees, and,
therefore, not. liable to confiscation ; and that, 'Oven sup-
posing it to be otherwise, the only power the Coroner
possessed by the Act of Edward L is to take an inven-
tory of the sale, and to attach the amount received, until
the result of the trial has been ascertained. It is reported
that, should the sale be attempted, Mr. Wakley will
again interfere and prohibit it, but that he will be imme•
diately served with notice of action by Mr. Kirke, Ste.,
who will still proceed with disposing of the property.
THE QUEEN'S HouNns.—There was a "meet" of
the Queen's hounds last Thursday; it took place at Hil-
lingdon-house, and was arranged with such secrecy. that
very few out of the immediate Court circle could lecon
anything about it; and it was a source of_ considerable
amusement in the neighbourhood of Windsor to See the
" gentlemen in scarlet" ridjug about the country for the
chance of meeting with hounds. This, doubtless, was
amusing enough to the lookers-on, and might furnish
subjects for a joke, or a good-natured quiz—but " gen..
ticmen in scarlet" are not exactly the men with whom
it is at any time safe to make sport, more especially
when the said individuals happen to be owners of hind.
It would, doubtless, take a great deal of provocation.
for the Queen's hunt to be warned off any person
ground, but recent circumstances have shown such,
consummation to be by r 0 means impossible. FiA the
sake of all parties, tio.reFore, it is to be hod dust the
examples of George the Third, George the Folfrea, and
William the Fourth, ~. ill continue to be 'departed
from.—Cheltenlurm Looker-on.
at Hastings, Sussex, where the family
lilt? gm Thomas, married Lord Kensington,
not
DEATH OF LADY KENsthOToN.---We have to an.
flounce the demise of this respected lady, why, expired on
some length of time. Her Ladyship,
daughter
on the 2d of Dec.,797, by whom the decease,d
eight of whom are liym• had
a
Ij .of 14 children,
.7 4*