The Sun.
London, England, 1829-11-06 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

CONSTABLE'S MISCELLANY.-AN AUTUMN IN

ITALY.—EntNanac it, 1829.
Mr. Sinclair, in his present amusing volume,
which forms the forty-sixth number of Constable's
Miscellany, has presented us with a series of
lively sketches, illustrative of the scenery, habits,
and moral and political opinions of the ,
Aus-
trian, Tuscan, Roman, and Sardinian States.'
Little, if any thing, seems to have escaped him ;
he has rambled from place to place, carrying
about with him every where the acuteness of an
inquiring mind, and making comments, and
dr •
awing inferences, with a freedom from prejudice
highly creditable to his intellect. We cannot, of
course be expected to follow him through his
very varied and rapid career, but may remark,
"Passant, that his observations on the Sardinian
States teem with useful practical remarks. Next
to them we rank his description of Milan and its
neighbourhood, places so often and so well de-
scribed, that until we read Mr. Sinclair's comment
on the subject, we scarcely thought it susceptible
of interest—certainly not of novelty. Here, how-
ever, strange to say, we have both. As a speci-
men of our author's style, we extract the follow-
ing details respecting the beauty of the female
inhabitants of the little principality of Monaco,
a sovereignty little larger, it seems, titan Houns-
low Reath ; an interesting point, which, until
11°w) We never remember to have seen discussed,
and with which we shall close our remarks ;
fully Fr
tuaom the ttle town of St. Remo, witich is delight-
aited on the declivity of a bill, we proceeded next
t„..til .()Ting to Ventemiglia, the frontier town of the Genoese
--"t"Y• A very romantic drive of several hours brought
to Itlentone, a small town belonging to the Prince of
644c0s who haa regained his !tumble dominions, of which
de "as deprived, like many more powerful Sovereigns,
hat Ting the reign of Napoleon. This Prince, it seems,
and •Beareell been grateful for favours actuslly received,
"PPosed quip ave merited the abrupt dismlssal—
f 44,115; vows co,' and kick to posteriori, which he
veee'ved from Buonaparte, when they unfortunately hap-
pened to meet while the latter was on his route from Elba
milevstis• This principality has a territory of a few square
and only contains two towns, of which Monaco id
n capital. It is situated on an isolated rock, projecting
!nee
tree ea, and forms a very picturesque object; and is
7.11 nded by nature, as well as a strong battery and
:citadel, Its population scarcely exceeds 1,000. The
Woe palace is beautiful, and contains a very fine collection of
of art. The forte of this petty Prince are garri-
Zii:.d6 Piethnontese troops, as he ia suboidinate to the
bag °f Sardinia. We spent a couple of hours here, and
k for th fasted, or rather dined, with my fellow-traveller
and first time. I said something civil on the occasion,
15r1fo
F..r°Pr'ilfd a walk to see the town. We were particu-
ob tunate in having so favourable an opportunity of
latiorlrs,..ng the people. It being Sunday, the whole popl-
in. were ',using_ through the principal square i return-
, bneiroet
church, being clothed in their best attire; and
,t_"err on any occasion, saw so many beautiful women
efivintt led.
It is true their complexions exhibited the
!dead of it Warnl sun, but their fine features, high fore-
tnch:, aquiline noses, and bright dark eyes, were quite
caiiidnting. There was scarcely one amongst them who
certainot justly boast of more than an average of charms.
judeb nIY the female subjects of this petty Prince are more
the reBted, to nature, than even any of their fair sisters of
but th of Italy. The Genoese ladies are not handsome,
Bard ..}:jare fond of being admired. What our immortal
svaren7,k' of the sex in general, ' Oh frailty, thy name is
the 'n
gay be aptly applied to them, especially amongst
cieeablerer classes, who are noted for their predilection to
dote nt nt.
Their patito or cavalier° servente is their sha-
ot th • euurch, at the opera, in their own houses or those
Rene
jeir.frie.nds ; and in reward for his gallantry he has a
rern ,1:4 invitation to their table. These attachments are
ewines platonic ; and the husband being absorbed in
tninercial affairs, politics, or other avocations, has neither
bp; nor patience to attend to his wife's whims and ca-
-14;172 _Ai the north of Italy the women are tall, ruddy,
diel.,."elY; but in every province there is a distinct and
eehle'lt style of beauty. The Venetians are graceful and
vivid blackineir carriage ; the Romans have fine features,
eye..!, with captivating expressive foreheads,
proporti ort perfect forms, without a single defect in their

TRADITIONS OF LANCASHIRE. 2 'Sim s.
LONDON, 1829.
'Ns is a very amusing and well digested pub-
icati°n, the work of a gentleman, who without
airr°gating to himself any very superior know-
,:dge of antiquities and traditionary lore, pos-
hlsrea more information on the subject than one-
-1 a °ls our professed antiquarians, who publish
t°l„l.' dull, pompous, and expensive books, on
1°.:11' church, and cathedral antiquities, the
4.argest half of which are usually filled with what
ialc"toood very justly and significantly calls—
bea.• The present work is, we repeat, of a far
tter, as well as a more novel nature. It consists
°tif a colic of the most interesting legends of
ee° linty of Lancashire, each of which is em-
bellished with a remarkably handsome engraving,
411 d
illustrated by a tale, apt and characteristic,
dial related with no mean powers of style and
°cription. With the natives of the North of
:ng4", more especially of Lancashire, it can-
(3l t fad to become a favourite, as almost every
;:" of note and interest is alluded to, not
-14°613, or slovenly, but in a style and spirit
culated to make a strong impression on the mind.
ArnOn
g the tales, all of which are amusing, our
ItiT,llriies are, ,4 The Prior of Burscough," a
h (1
and romantic anecdote worked up with ap-
utobh-
tracVate power—" The Goblin Builders," a
I°ll mixing up the grotesque and the su-
b%-aturat in a very amusing manner—" Dr.
buesn) the Astrologer," a hocus pocus piece of
-eriss' Which reminds us not a little of' the
th rties4 German Illuminati, Dr. Dousterswivel,
soldie Antiquary, and his midnight search for
----land above all, the " Lancashire Witches,"
4111:11:11, 'ar subject in that part of the country,
azcellhich Mr. Roby has turned to very
is el "L account. We may add that the book
voiurnega"Y printed, forms two handsome octavo
atructi-s' and from the entertainment and in-
petie--.°ll it affords, will repay two-fold the ex-
coet-ie of Purchasina it. Mr. Roby promises a
-111/ali"---we hope he will keep his word.
011

, ..._
ES .
!If. r, arontlay last D. W. HARVEY, q
4,ire"t::o) we understand, was on his way into York-
-I,et.
tiztorde into the important Crown estates in the
i
eigi,bo
of Malton and the Sunk Island, stoppe,
the'hand took an accurate survey of the property held by
the ;',uke of NEWCASTLE, under an expiring lease fr.,m
104r"vii• The Hon. Member disclainied all interferenceto
the - "r local contentions, confining his investigation
t,itlactal value of the prominent portion of the revenue,
It '4
'view to itS übli d's osition or relctung.—
ci II he in the rt‘Pcolleeetio'n'pof ourheaders that, at the
i:4. of the lass session the Hon. Member gave nctice of
st,itlitltention to bring the' Pubject forward early the
nextthat tli e
tfree:rl ; end it i, pretty generally understood
..
I'les has °ready been felt in the prevention of imprc N 'dent
IlierCnd gtlnts and, should this inquiry be effectual y pur.-
t4rn as undoubtedly it will be, the Crown estate in this 14,1, nnlY will produce an increase of many thotism ds p
tilyt;n:.' We were also pleased to find that our public
,ie,
engaged Mr. HARVEY'S attention, and that he
),, '
o's
ol+ r s to take those measures which shall not
01 IY re-
ttli.,. ebthve e Present abuses (if any), but prevent th it 7•-
. ..._
.--Newark -Timet.