The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-18 00:00:00

QUARTERLY REVIEW.—No. LXXI.

We have only one fault (but " that's a
thumper," as Dennis Balgruddery observes of
his wife's brandy-drinking) to find with the pre-
! sent Number of the Quarterly, viz., the absence
of all opinion on the subject of the changes that
lave so recently electrified the political world.
Were this a mere secondary Journal, which bad
neither talent nor influence to back .it, such omis-
sion would be immaterial ; but when we reflect
that the Quarterly Review is (or was) the organ
of the High Church and Aristocratic parties,
and that thousands (not only in England, but
Throughout a great part of the Continent) pin
their faith implicitly on its dogmas, we cannot
but think that it has somewhat compromised its
former bold, unhesitating character, and is now
endeavouring to tack about, until it can ascertain
when, and in what quarter, the wind is likely to
sit steady. If this be really the case, it deserves
the severest censure. A few months, however,
will decide the fact, and show the public on what
grounds the Quarterly' is henceforth to be
encouraged. In its literary capacity the pre-
sent Number is as brilliant as ever : we have
uo complaint to make, either of its criticisms, or
the general character of its ethics ; both, as far
as a hurried glance will allow us to judge,
deserve unqualified praise. The article ors
Milton might, perhaps, in some degree, be ob;-
jected to ; for, while it appreciates to their fullest
extent the imaginative qualities of the poet, it
sadly underrates his political opinions. The
Reviewer judges them with reference to the pre-
sent day, forgetting the excited period at which
they were put forward : as well might he con-
demn the laws of Lycurgus, because they do not
coincide with the recent alteration of the crimi-
nal code by Mr. Peel. The Reviewer states
that Milton was favourable to polygamy. This
is a lamentable twisting of a somewhat indefinite
expression on the part of the great poet. The
fact is, he wished to simplify the doctrine
of divorce, and (injudiciously we admit) to
make a slight difference of sentiment and
opinion the ground of separation between
man and wife. With the Reviewer's judg-
ment of Mr. Todd's edition, we altogether
agree; that ecclesiastic is, indeed, a sheer blun-
derer whenever he ventures an explanation of
Milton's idiomatic poetry; did our limits allow
we might till a column of absurdities drawn from
his bulky commentaries.
The " Cornish Mining in America" is a
fine expose, and should any yet linger to that
nearly obsolete infatuation, we recommend
to them the perusal of this article : should
they fail. to be persuaded they are incur-
able " nullis medicabilis herbis." " The
works of John Home," is a highly interesting
Review of an Edition of that poet by M,Kenzie ;
the Scotchman, however, peeps through, when
the writer asserts that the literary coterie of Edin-
burgh *as superior to that of London ; at a time
when Johnson, Gibbon, Burke, Percy, Reynolds,
Beauclerk, Goldsmith, and a hundred others
adorned the latter capital. His account of Edin-
burgh society is notwithstanding a delicious bit
of gossip, and introduces the following rich anec-
dote :

" It chanced that the two Doctors (Black and Hutton) had
held some discourse together upon the folly of abstaining fro►ts
feeding on the testaceous creatures of the land, while those of
the sea were considered as delicacies. Wherefore not eat
snails?—they are well known to be nutritious and whole-
some—even sanative in some cases. The epicures of olden
times enumerated among the richest and raciest delicacies,
the snails which were fed in the marble quarries of Lucca
the Italians still hold them in esteem. In short, it was
determined that a gastronomic experiment should be made,
at the expence of the snails. The snails were procured,
dieted for a time, then stewed for the benefit of the two
philosophers, who had either invited no guest to their
banquet, or found none who relished in prospect th• pi?ce
de resistance. A huge dish of snails was placed before them ;
but philosophers are but men after all ; and the stomachs
of both Doctors began to revolt against the proposed expe-
riment. Nevertheless, if they looked with disgust on the
snails, they retained their awe for each other ; so that
each, conceiving the symptoms of internal revolt peculiar
to himself, began with infinite exertion to swallow, in yea),
small quantities, the mess which he internally loathed.—
Dr. Black, at length, 'showed the white feather,' but i►:
a very delicate manner, as if to sound the opinion of his
messmatee —6 Doctor,' he said, in his precise and quiet
manner, ' Doctor—do you not think that they taste a little
—a very little, green ?" D—d green, d—d green, in-
deed-tak them awe', tak them awa',' vociferated Dr.
Flutton, starting up from table, and giving full vent to his
feelings of abhorrence. And so ended all hopes of intro-
,lueing snails into the modern cuisine ; and thus philo-
sophy can no more cure a nausea, than honour can set a
broken limb."

The Review of " De Vere" is insipid and in-
definite ; the author is praised, God knows why,
and objected to with equal reason.
The " Letters of his late Majesty to 114-r. Pitt"
labour under a similar ban ; it is, in filet, a notice
merely written to sell Mr. Murray's late expensive
volume on the subject ; and a more impotent at-
te►npt it was never yet our ill-luck to witness.--
I❑ other respects the present Quarterly is a very
superior number.

PACKET ESTABLISHMENT.--.--MILFOIID,
JUNE 13, 1827.-111 obedience to directions f-, .ot, the
Lord High Admiral, Captain Chapple, agent 'ior packets,
was up sounding Hobb's Point yesterday, to ascertain tile
propriety of unloving the packet estid',Vishinent up flier,.
All the pilots of the Haven, as weA as every other indi-
vidual uninterested, affirm the Y..., is not a more eligible
place in the Haven. A Inding-place can be built there
for less than 9,0001., and as the present line of road must
unclergo repair if they remain at Milford, there will be but
little extra expence in forming the new one for the short
distance required.

COA Clt PA RC EL s.—On Tuesday last,
Areeers. W. Hollings and Co., proprietors of the Leeds and
London Union coach, were convicted by the magistrates of
this borough, of overcharging the carriage of a parcel from
London, and were fined in the penalty of Al. and costs.
'The informant stated, that on Thursday he received a par-
cel from London, weighing 321b5., for which he was chor-
e.] ss. 10d., and also another on the same day, carriatr•*
paid, and for which he was charged 4d. porterage. Against
these charges he remonstrated at the coach .office, but !let
having obtained redress, he lodged an information on each,
The charges he considered in violation of the order made
by the magistrates at the last Pontefract Easter sessions,
directing " that the price or rate of carriage for each stone
weight of Whs., for any distance exceeding 190 miles, and
under 200, the distance from Leeds to London being 196)
shall be 2s. 2d. and if exceeding 141 be. then 2(1. per lb.
including every expence and charge whatever for car-
riage and porterage ()touch parcel where the same shall be
delivered." Some doubt arose as to the construction to be
put on the wording of the order, and it was contended on,
one side, that whenever a parcel weighed upwards of 141 be,
then the whole weight was to be charged at the rate of 2d.
per lb.; and on the other, that for every stone of 141 be, the
charge of 2e. 2d. was to be made ; and that the 2d. per lb.
applied only to each lb. above the stone weight; Without
deciding this point, the magistrates convicted on the first
information ; as it was clear that no extra charge ought to
have been made for porterage. The justice of the case
being in some measure answered by this decision, the in
formant consented that the second information should for
the present stand over. Since the fine was inflicted,
Messrs. Hollings and Co., with some other coach pro-
prietors, have come to the determination not to convey
any. parcels for persons who refuse to pay the charges
claimed at their offices for carriage and porterage; but
they will find that they have not the power to evade the
law by refusing to carry goods at the prices limited ; " for
if a carrier, who is offered his hire, and who has conve-
nience, refuse to carry goods, he is liable to an action, in
the same manner as an innkeeper who refuses to entertain.
a guest, or a smith who refuses to shoe a horse. -1 Rae.
4kr, 554.)-sseLefdf Afercurf.