The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

Chambers' Journal. London : Chamber.,.

After an unexampled success of more than
twenty years, a career which has never been at-
tained by any periodical professing to be cheap,
the long-known and well-appreciated Chambers'
Edinburgh, eTatto-nal has changed its title, by
dropping the name of the city where it was ori-
ginally published, and, in some respects, changed
its features. Retaining those which were the most
valued, it has the addition of a story, continued
in successive numbers, the first being entitled
" Weary-foot Common," by Leitch Ritchie, an
author who, some years since, was far more before
the public eye than he has been of late ; another
new feature is a monthly article on science and the
arts, and another on the library and studio. Some
difference of opinion may exist as to whether the
changes are improvements, but we should think
the majority of readers would give their verdict in
their favour. The part just published contains
some interesting articles, of which we may men-
tion, "Music in Large Buildings," "There is Gold
in England," " The Little People of our Great
Towns," and " Relations not Acquaintances."

The Ulster Jozirnal of Archceology.
Archer and. Sons.

Belfast :

This, which is the fifth number of the journal,
includes a series of papers, creditable alike to the
erudition and the industry of the contributors. It
opens by lithographed fac-similies of the signa-
tures of seventeen of the most remarkable Irish
chieftains and English commanders who flourished
in Ulster in and about the time of Elizabeth. The
lithographed sheets containing their names are
accompanied by interesting notes, descriptive of
the lives, habits, and achievements of the men.
This is followed by a text, copiously annotated, of
two ballads on the battle of the Boyne. The bal-
lads, together with an introductory essay and
critical remarks on their style and interest, have
been contributed by our townsman, the Rev. Dr.
Hume, and bear evidence of his philological acu-
men. Besides those named, there are other papers
of great merit in the numbers, which, taken as a
whole, is a highly creditable collection.

Novels and Tales by GOethe. Translated chiefly
by R. D. Boylan. London : Henry G. Bohn.
The present, which forms a volume of Bohn's
Standard Library, consists of the minor works of
the great uremia...o-I:Q+ a,nd philosopher. Its
contents are " Elective Affinities • • " The sorrows
of Young Werther ;" " The Recreations of the
German Emigrants ;" " A Fairy Tale ;" " The
Good Women ;" and another tale. Among these
the " Sorrows of Werther" is unquestionably the
work best known in England, that mawkish and
unwholesome romance having at. one time attained
an extensive popularity. The present is a new
volume direct from the German, the one previously
circulated in this country being only the transla-
tion of a French translation, and is superior, in
being a more direct transcript of the original. The
other tales possess much interest, and are finely
illustrative of GOethe's peculiar metaphysics. The
translations are well and vigorously executed ; and
the volume forms a valuable addition to the excel-
lent collection published under the name of the
Standard Library, a series at once combining
sterling worth, copiousness, and cheapness.

Tice Universal Library. Part 28. London :
Nathaniel Cooke.

The twenty-eighth part of this handsome and
comprehensive series is devoted to the poems and
plays of Oliver Goldsmith, and beautifully got up
it is. Notwithstanding its extreme cheapness, it
is embellished with two highly-finished engravings,
and is enriched by a condensed biographical me-
moir of Goldsmith. The Universal Library stands
pre-eminent in even these days of cheap and ele-
gant reprints, for its general beauty and the low-
ness of its price.
Orr's Circle of the Sciences. Part I. London
and Liverpool : W. S. Orr.

The first part of this really simple and instruc-
tive series of treatises is such as to convey an idea
of the sterling excellence of the work. Commenc-
ing with a treatise introductory to natural science,
it passes quickly to the subject of physiology,
animal and vegetable, the leading facts and prin-
ciples of which are elucidated with judgment and.
perspicuity. The mathematical and chemical sci-
ences are also popularised to such an extent as we
had scarcely deemed possible ; and all the subjects
treated of are illustrated by well adapted and beau-
tifully executed diagrams. As a source of never-
failing interest to youthful readers, we have not
met with its superior, and have seldom seen its
equal.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERALCOMMERCIAL ADVERTISER

TELLING SPEECHES.---" That was a very good speech,"
said a friend to Charles James Fox, " but it won't read
well." " The best speeches seldom do," was the states-
man's reply. " People see their shallowness when the
veil of oratory is withdrawn."
THE PROSPECTS OF TILE BAR.—A briefless barrister
is by no means uncommon ; an entire bar without a brief
is not so often to be found. Such a circumstance, how-
ever, occurred at the recent Bath sessions, at which not a
single prosecutor or prisoner engaged counsel! Thirteen
gentlemen, in wig and gown arrayed, accordingly had
nothing to do but to lament their uncheering prospects, or
tie up calendars with pink tape to look like briefs.—Bath
Journal.

THE following appeared as an advertisement in the
Staffordshire Advertiser :—"3rIATEimoN Y.—To a Lady's
to a young Lady of a respectability wishes to change a
single Life to a Married Life, young Lady age not over 36
and be welthea of about 500 or from that to 600 hundred
pounds and a bout half ove it at the time of the young
Lady she is Married, the advertiser is a respectability
young Man aged 26 of a Light complexion with Genteel
appearance amiable and agreeable disposition, wishes to
unite himself to a Lady and he feels confident that he
would not be an unacceptionable partner to a Lady
desirous of entering upon a Married Life address with full
particulars, to the post office Leek till called for, the
strictest secrecy may be depended on."

MILITARY REVOLUTIONS.—MiIitary treason, Praetorian
revolt, even when supported at the time by the voice of a
vast majority of the people, can never in the end termi-
nate in anything but destruction to the cause for which it
is undertaken ; and for this plain reason, that being
carried into effect by the strongest, it leaves society with-
out any safeguard against its excesses. This, accordingly,
was what took place in Spain; it was the triumph of the
revolutionists which, by destroying liberty, rendered in-
evitable their fall. The Royalist reaction, and desolating
civil war to which it gave rise, preceded, not followed, the
invasion of the French. It arose from the oppressive
measures of the government appointed by the military
chiefs who had been the leaders of the revolt. It was
Riego, not the Duke d'Angouleme, who was the real
murderer of liberty in Spain. It was the same in Eng-
land. No one supposes that either the Long Parliament
Cromwell were the founders of British Liberty ; what
sigh torACelwis, the military tyranny which made all
'imaliteoLL No cause was ever yet advanced
by treachery
de-
fenders of law and order.--.Pit-2C in the armed
1-ralzstory of Europe.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOREIGN AND BRITib.... Dim°.
LUTIONISTS.—AIthough these revolutionary movements
(the Hunt and Thistlewood movements) were obviously
made in pursuance of a common design, and for a common
purpose, the agents in them and the parties in each state
to which their execution' was intrusted, were widely dif:
ferent. In Great Britain they were entirely conducted by
the very lowest classes of society ; and although they met
with apologists and defenders more frequently than might
have been expected in the- House of Commons, and from a
portion of the press, yet no person of respectability or
good education was actually implicated in the treasonable
proceedings. The whole respectable and influential classes
were ranged on the other side, But the case was widely
different on the continent. The French revolutionists
embraced a large portion of the talent, and by far the
greater part of the education of the country ; and it was
their concurrence, as the event afterwards proved, which
rendered any insurrectionary movement in that country
as. extremely formidable. In Spain and Portugal the
principal merchants in the seaport towns, the most re-
nowned generals, and almost the whole officers in the
army, were engaged on the revolutionary side, and their
adhesion to its enemies in the last struggleleft the throne
without a defence. In Italy the ardent and generous
youth, and nearly the whole educated classes, were deeply
imbued with liberal ideas, and willing to<run any hazard
to secure' their establishment ; and nearly the-whole youth
at the German Universities had embracedthe same senti-
ments, and longed for the period when the- Fatherland
was to take its place as the first and greatest of represen-
tative governments. Such is the difference between the
action of the revolutionary principle upon a constitutional
and a despotie monarchy, and such the security which the
long enjoyment of freedom affords for the continuance of
that blessing to future times. Alison's ITHstory. of
Europe.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.—Scott had, like Moore; a frank-
ness and a freedom in his conversation which seared far
above the small' jealousies, snarling criticisms, and faint
praise, which are but too often exhibited amon.--. authors
when speaking of each other. Scott, with a gat„,sonnd
understanding, had an open, hearty manner, and; where
his politics did not interfere, a cordial warmth towards
his fellow-men. His chief merits in society were ai cheer-
ful tone, an inexhaustible memory, and a fund of anec-
dotes and stories, which he told with strong Scottish
humour, aided by a strong Scottish accent. But, order
to see Walter Scott at his ease, it was necessary to see
him at the head of his own table, or, at . least, in his own
country. When he came to London, he was stiff and
constrainedrand seemed always apprehensive of remarks
which he should feel bound to resent. The consequence
was, that his London acquaintance were equally- con-
strained with him. But put him in his own house,sur-
round him with friends, and there could not be a•more
jovial, a more agreeable, or a more unaffected member of
society. Like Samuel Johnson, he pretended to no fine
sentiment, or divine inspiration, which made him an
author. He did his work as a workman, knew the merits
and: defects of writings, and was contented to. reap
the reward of a .cry popular talent without overrating
the intrinsic value of the article he produced. This
wholesome, genial, kind, and manly disposition is- as
visible in his letters as it was in his intercourse with his
neighbours.—/Ifoore's Memoirs, by Lord John Russell.
Sir L.5E,.....R.A.7.1:11LE.-At a public dinner, recently
given to Tictton in Edinburgh, in reference
to the literature of Saotia'n.,
the
T deshed to convey
to you some idea of its value to the society it,
would ask you; to compare it for one moment with the
contemporaneous literature of France. When in the - last
century the chilling and comfortless influence of material
philosophy spread from the French Encyclopedists to dis-
organise one world and to get rid altogether of the other,
sheltering itself under the high authority of Locke, .then
arose that great school of Scotch metaphysicians which,
whatever may be its faults and shortcomings, at, least
restored to• matter the necessity of soul, and proved that
ideas were not merely flitting impressions upon perishable
brains. When in. France, poetry consisted only of frigid
bombast or of insipid imitation, then suddenly was heard
"the bold free" song of Burns calling poetry: back to
nature, and, later; the vivid romances of Sir Walter. Scott
restored to this great nineteenth century the generous
sentiments and healthy vigour of chivalric youth. When,
in France, history decked herself out in at the gewgaws

of rhetorical artifice, in Scotland she observed that mitt' cti-
tnde•without which she had better renounce the name of
history, and call herself fiction at once ; so that a French-
man—as,Frenchmen have owned to me—can better learn

the later history of his country in the pages of Alison than
in, those of Tillers. If you will look to that popular litera-
ture which, for the time being, most affects the moral
character of the people, and only compare the healthy and
manly interest of the Waverley Novels with that glittering
but corrupt series of fictions which France has produced,
you will not fail to see the immense, superiority of the
former over the latter, which only serve to show to what
base uses genius can stoop. Ido not deny the extraordi-
nary brilliancy and fancy of French imaginative literature
at this period, but I do deny that it has been attended by
any salutary effect, and assert that it has been attended by
deleterious effects to the happiness, to the political free-
dom, and to the national virtues of the French people ;
while,. on the other hand, this praise at least must be given
to the literature of Scotland, that it is not more valuable
on account of the delight which it administers than be-
cause of the lessons which it inculcates.
SPANISH LADIES.—I shall be accused of insensibility
and want of taste, when I confess that my first disappoint-
ment on landing in Spain. was the almost total absence of
beauty amongst the Spanish. women. Poets have sung of
Spain's " dark-glancing daughters," and travellers have
wandered through the country with minds so deeply im-
pressed with the preconceived idea of the beauty of the
women, that they have. found them all their imaginations
so fondly pictured, and their works have fostered what I
cannot help maintaining is a mere delusion ; one of the
many in which people still indulge when they think and
dream of Spain. The women of Spain have magnificent
eyes, beautiful hair, and generally fine teeth ; but more
than that cannot be said by those who are content to give
an honest and candid opinion. I have rarely seen one
whose features could be called strictly beautiful ; and that
bewitching grace and fasination about their figures and
their walk which they formerly possessed have disappeared
with the high comb which supported the mantilla, and the
narrow basquina, which give a peculiar character to their
walk. With the change in their costume those distinctive
charms have vanished. The gaudy colours which now
prevail have destroyed the elegance that always accom-,
panics black, in which alone, some years since, a lady
could appear in public. No further proof of this is required
than to see the same people at church, where black is still
considered indispensable, and on the Alameda, with red
dresses and yellow shawls, or some colours equally gaudy,
and combined with as little regard to taste. The men
have also abandoned the cloak, and now appear in paletots
and every variety of foreign invention ; nor have they
either gained by their sacrifices at the altar of French
fashion. By no means distinguished in figure, none needed
more the rich folds of the capa to lend them that air of
grace and dignity which it peculiarly possesses.—Castile
and Andalusia, by Lady Louisa Tenison.
INDOLENCE OF THE LOWER ORDERS IN SYRIA.:—In
a country like Syria, where every creature-comfort or ne-
cessary is extremely cheap, the lower orders, who are
generally of an indolent disposition; would much prefer
remaining idle for one-half of the year to engaging in any
occupation which might make it incumbent on them to
go through a certain portion of daily labour ; and this
they can afford to do, as their habits are frugal, and the
amount gained in one day by a labourer will suffice to
support himself and family for three days. This applies
equally to the fellah or peasant employed in cultivation.
Ttis portion of the silk harvest is sufficient to maintain'
him till the wheat crop is gathered in, when he earns with
his scythe a sufficiency to maintain him in idleness till the
olive and grape harvests arrive, and then he is either paid
in cash or allowed a certain quantity of wheat, oil, wine,
aqua vita, dibs, raisins, &c., as recompense for his labour.
Of this store he lays by a sufficiency for the winter; the
silk and the surplus of the wheat, &c., he either sells or
barters for other household requisites, such as clothing,
butter, and charcoal. He brings his own fuel from the
mountains, and, if he be at all a careful manager, can
keep a mule of his own to carry goods and passengers to
and from the nearest towns and villages. Thus, with a
very small amount of labour, the peasant of Syria can
afford to have an idle time of it, were he not in terror of
Government taxes; for, although the system of taxation
is fairly and justly arranged, and in reality the sums
levied are small in proportion to the income, still there
are understrappers, besides their own Christian Nazir and
Sheikhs, who peculate to a large extent under the plea of
moneys required for Government levies. This induces
the peasant gladly to embrace any opportunity that may
offer of entering into the service of a Frank ; for, from
the hour of his employment, he is the subject of another
power. He is exempt from taxation, and the Nazirs and
Sheikhs durst not intrude themselves upon the privacy of
his household, under penalty of being at loggerheads with
the consuls and pashas, and possibly of being exposed to
the ignominy of the bastinado,--The Togo and yhe
Cedar of Lebanon.