The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-18 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

WARS OF JEHOVAH. Raider, London, 1844.
In his dedication of this poem to the Queen, the
author observes—" We were much encouraged by
your Majesty's most gracious acceptation of a former
volume, and inspired with the hope that this present
might serve as a mark for your Majesty's reign unto
the latest posterity. Your Majesty's predecessor
had Spenser and Shakspeare, nor are we among those
who, imagining the time for celebrations of Princes
past, waste their talents over a novel or romaunt in
Hercules' manner when he sate to spin." The modesty
of this passage is remarkable, and deserves all possible
commendation. Imagine an author coolly hoping
that his poem will have the effect of making her Ma-
jesty's reign known to the latest posterity; and in-
directly comparing himself to Spenser and Shakspeare
Diffident creature, was there ever such shrinking
bashfulness! On looking into the poem, we find—
notwithstanding the author's strong impression on
the subject —that it has but a slender chance of
reaching posterity, or even of surviving three months
from the date of its publication ; for, in the first place,
it labours under the disqualification of being in many
places almost wholly unintelligible ' • secondly, where
it is intelligible, it is awful rubbish; and, thirdly, we
are by no means positive as to its grammar, which is
often exceedingly loose—to a degree, indeed, that
would have horrified Lindley Murray. The poem is
in blank verse—and very blank the verse is—and is
embellished with several illustrations by Martin,
which are certainly not among the chef d'ceuvres of
this accomplished artist. But if we are compelled to
enter our protest against the worth of the interior of
the volume, nothing can be urged against its exterior,
for it is bound in the most splendid manner, in bright
blue cloth, enriched with a lavish variety of gold
devices.

A PLEASURE ! EXCURSION.—On Sunday morning,
at six o'clock, the Severn steamer started for Cardiff
with about 300 persons, on what was intended to be a
cheap pleasant to-and-fro trip. They arrived all safe at
Cardiff in due time, and on leaving the vessel, were di-
rected to be on board again at half-past four, to return
to Bristol. At that hour, accordingly, the passengers
re-embarked, but to their utter dismay found that the
vessel could not start, the engineers having got drunk,
and let the fires out. The rain now began to pelt down
most furiously, and the miserable and drenched pleasure
seekers were obliged some to pass the night penned up
in the cabins, and the others to find lodgings in the
town where they could. On Monday morning the boat
returned, and the friends of the passengers were relieved
from their anxiety respecting them. It is right to add
that the Severn was not under the control of the owners
for that day, she having been specially hired by the
party who undertook the contract for the trip.—Bristol
Gazette.

PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY.--The subscribers to
the above charity who are connected with the trade held
their second anniversary friendly dinner at the White
Conduct Tavern, on Tuesday last, when about one hun-
dred persons sat down to an excellent repast. Mr. C.
Wood, of Poppin's-court, presided. The usual loyal and
patriotic toasts, as also that of " Prosperity to the
Printers' Pension Society," were given and duly re-
sponded to. Although the festival was not arranged for
the collection of subscriptions, yet several liberal con-
tributions were announced; and it was also intimated
that Mr. D'lsraeli had kindly consented to take the
chair at the ensuing general anniversary of the charity.
The entertainments of theevening concluded with a select
ball, and dancing was kept up with great spirit till an
advanced hour on the following morning.
THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO THE CITY.---The follow-
ing notice was yesterday extensively posted in the City:
—" The Commissioners of Sewers of the city of London
and liberties thereof, hereby give notice to all persons
inhabiting that portion of the City through which her
Most Gracious Majesty the Queen may have occasion to
pass on her way to open the Royal Exchange, that no
board, scaffolding, platform, or balcony, or anything
that shall project over or rest upon the footway, will be
allowed to be erected or affixed before or against any of
the houses or buildings in or entering into such line of
route, and any such projection, if erected, will be in-
stantly taken down and removed as the law directs.—By
order of the Court, JOSEPH llsw, principal clerk.—
Sewers-office, Guildhall, Oct. 15."
THE DUKEDOM OF BRIDGEWATER.—It is well
known that Lord Francis Egerton, the second son of the
late Duke of Sutherland, succeeded to the princely pos-
sessions of the Duke of Bridgewater. It is in contem-
plation immediately to call his Lordship to the House of
Peers, by the style and title of the Duke of Bridgewater.
—Morning Herald.
SIMPLE MODE OF PURIFYING WATER.—It iS not
so generally known as it ought to be that pounded alum
possesses the property of purifying water. A table-
spoonful of pulverised alum sprinkled into a hogshead
of water (the water stirred at the time) will, after the
lapse of a few hours, by precipitating to the bottom the
impure particles, so purify it that it will be found to
possess nearly all the freshness and clearness of the
finest spring water. A pailful, containing four gallons,
may be purified by a single tea-spoonful.—Southern
Plcutter.