The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-30 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

M 10401113 of the COURT of FI=NN Txs EIGIITX ; by Mn.e A

Titomrsox.

In every age, any demonstration of superior talent
or attainments in the one sex has been accompanied
by a corresponding intellectual superiority in the other.
Corinna, the Lesbian Sappho, Aspasia, Virginia, a►►d
Cornelia, were (respectively) of the days of Pindar,
of Alcams, of Socrates, of Brutus, and of Cate ; and
there is no feature marking more distinctly the high
intellectual character of our own times than. that ex-
traordinary development of female genius by which
they are distinguished.

It seems to us, that a different destiny as necessa-
rily implies a difference of intellectual as of physical
character in the sexes; and we are by no means more
disposed to allow generally to our fair enemies the
same strength of intellect with ourselves, than to allow
them the same strength of arm.
If, however, this our belief could be in any way
shaken, it would be by works such as that at present
before us. Mrs. Thompson has undertaken the his-
tory of a period of uncommon national interest and
importance, not only in the events it has produced, but
m the peculiar characters of the individuals who were
the chief actors in those events.
She has taken a bold and comprehensive view of,
her subject. The characters of Henry, Wolsey, and
Gardiner, also stand throughout prominent, as influ-
encing the great political changes of the time, and
the slow and secret progress of the R eformation

is indicated with uncommon skill in the increasing
boldness of the laity, and their (hitherto unheard-of)
freedom of speech with regard to ecclesiastical abuses.
In matters of society and costume, Mrs. Thomp-
son is perfectly au fat, and in this department her
work possesses a novel anti very peculiar interest.
We select almost at random the following illustrations

of our criticism :
" The ladies of this period possessed one considerable advantage
over those of the nineteenth century. They were generally inde-
pendent of the male part of the community in their amusements;
sometimes, indeed, they condescended to join their husbands and
brothers in the chase, but they had frequently parties of their owe,
in which, riding on their Spanish jeanettes, with a leash of fa-
vourite harehounds, or greyhounds, they wound the horn, and
roused end pursued the game without assistance, 'although . their
rank required that a number of retainers should he in attendance.
As, in those days, the mode in which ladies rode resembled that
of the men, it was a symptom of fashionable affectation to adapt
a part of the male attire, familiar to the females of Turkey and
of the East, but indecorous, because • contrary to custom, in this.
country. The ladies of Bury, in SUffOlk; were,afterwards upset;
for their bold defiance of sarcasm, and for their perseverance in the
use of male habiliments."

" The Abilities of Wohey were sufficiently apparent to show
' that he might be an effectual ally to either party. Fox, delimit')
of attach* to his interests a man Of -consummate address end of
insinuating manners, lost no opportunity of introducing lihn to
the observation of the King; and hoping to diminish the +omen-
dancy of Surrey, he procured Wohey a seat iu the Privy Council.
Possessed of this privilege, Wolsey displayed so much eloquence
and sagacity, that the. King soon manifested a greater degree of
attention to hie opinions than to those of graver and more expe-
rienced advisers. Wolsey, encouraged by the approbation of the
King, took especial care to improve it into a decided regard, by
advancing whatever he conceived would be most agreeable to
Henry, knowing well the right course to promotion. Perceiv-
ing the aversion of his young Master to business, Wolsey per-
suaded him to leave all importunate concerns to his management,
and to give up his time to those amusements in which he de-
lighted, assuring the King that no decisions should be passed in
the Council, but such as he knew to be desired by him. To this
apparent complaisant* of temper, Wolsey added advantages almost
sufficient in themselves to have ?repossessed Henry in his favour.
He was at that period of life, be►ng at this time thirty-seven years
of age, when man have usually acquired experience and caution,
without ceasing to possess the more attractive qualities of youth :
he had a natural gift of eloquence, guided by diacrimiriation, so
that he could adapt his conversation, with singular facility, to the
various humours of those with whom he conversed. Neither
was he restrained by any religious scruples from partaking of
pleasures, which decorum might deem improper in one: of his
sacred functions. With the gallants of the Court he laughed,
sang, and jested ; and his house soon became the scene of festi-
vities and splendour. Yet, amidst the ;;aides of polite society,
Wolsey forgot not to introduce discussions of such a nature as to
impress the King with an opinion of his learning and sagacity ;
and so successful was he, that he now begun to rule them that
before ruled him :' who was now in high favour but Mr. Al-
moner ? who had all the mute but Mr. Almoner ? and who ruled
all under the King but Mr. Almoner ?" The influence of Wol
icy was thus increasing, when war was declared against France ;
and Henry, stinu►lated by a violent ardour for military fame, and
flattered. by the proposal of Maximilian to enter the 'English set,.
vice as a private soldier, determined to invade the neighbouring
kingdom in person."

CURRENCY QUESTION.
.The important discussion in Parliament, this Ses-
sion, upon the Currency Question, and the well-
known publication of Mr. `rookie upon that subject,
have drawn the attention of the public more strongly
to this keenly contested subject' than at any former
period. An able pamphlet,' reVieiving Mr. TooKE's
" Considerations," has. jtn,t appeared, by Thomas
Doubleday, Esq. of Neweastle-upon-Tyne, and is
highly spoken of by political econonnsts. We sub-
join the following brief extract, and very probably
may revert to the interesting subject again :

" 'f of which the curroincies are similar,
theprilcewe'h
of the
hetywretlottarh'rtTeles Of consumption, food being by fur
tlsegreatest, must necessarily be pretty much upon a footing. So
much of the currency of a country—so great 4 portion of the cir.
is employed in the purcluir of food, that the
4m7reol ap
ont : nr,
altered. Let.
meat given in exchange for a feriain sum, may be les-
gilt nnuxnlbl;i:uttni leenteite;rtstittit:woTihytonittrojatniotietypti,t)ifer:ottlflr
or
of
butchers,
Boned by,flosine, or increased by plenty; but the quantity
of the circulating medium upon the whole, and/cub/a to such
to
onateielciasereasi must,n,uiiiitiiii,tisiielloiftzirequia4s,o,,ltvliftril'hom::cy' iinimstettisiietly
.ittil
("hi; thing,
necessarily continue lunch the sanie. Nor is this a paradox, not-
withstanding the thAmictusuoutioillisaien
it)lrliccmsta prices
rtecisel:
volimtihii
nit:*
:it::
i‘r
:al
li
inupbj:zga:lo:rst
to ' prove directly the contrary. It must be recollected, that
the prices of average years are the Aid/hest which the ptx-ple
14 niversall,v pay.
itll :4etnitttelTiP
rerhnincievniauo::
for the
tlit
ettnhtite7:l:l the 1:
iiat tivisinerlcle
thetif theii s dealersttir
)f
still
fewer_aptirunzdteitpoaait.itileeisin N
paidt'eilel-ylgiyitioratoi,fne.otwittit:iosshthu:
by still
are statonen6 and plea-current
et4ll then
leAn'
pushatiCi itnall 1,
tilYe starvation'
thatiliOnnti alufl
(isriMectiosal:tfrieauceiri::::asE'..oersirinptcaffirtsilid:lsfeorear °few" v erb
uatighcesis confn:liit:iletL'ini;ay :son :us etrieiZstlt sits: t
the reasoning of the political ettmotniali as
thatthe saranpa 1(1 forliguthr: