The Sun. — 1844-03-01 (London, England)

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. This periodical reached us at so late an hour yesterday that we have scarcely had time to do more than just glance at its contents. It is, on the whole, an amusing Number, and opens with Albert Smith's story of the " Fortunes of the Scattergood Family," which, so far as it has yet proceeded, is an improvement on his former tale. The description of Mr. Glenalvon Fogg's Coburg melodrama, and its rehearsal at the theatre, in the presence of the enraptured author, abounds in sly touches of humour, which are the more effective inasmuch as they seem to be based on truth. There is also a spirited sketch of a young boy's first day at a public school—an important epoch in their lives which few school-boys ever forget. "Eve of St. Andrew" refers to the period of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, when all Germany was in a state of high political ferment, and secret political societies were spreading in every direction. The heroine of the narrative is Herman Muller, an enthusiastic young German, who falls in love with Louise Palm, the daughter of the President of one of the societies in question: Now it chanced that the father of this girl, though a staunch patriot, was also a confirmed monomaniac, and this malady showed itself in the strange means which he adopted for procuring rare editions of old books. lie would call at the house of some gentleman or lady who he understood had a rarity of this sort, and, while engaged in conversation, would suddenly knock their brains out with a nice little hammer, which he always kept concealed about his person, and then walk coolly off with his treasure, as if nothing of moment had happened. He had thus dispatched several respectable gentlefolks without creating the least suspicion, for no one supposed that so staunch a patriot as Palm, and one too so gentle in his nature, could be a wholesale murderer ; when unfortunately one fine day he took aim at the skull of a Countess, whose back was turned towards him ; and being discovered in the act by Herman Muller, who happened to be entering the room at the moment, he was of course arrested, found guilty, and decapitated. By a note attached to the tale, we learn that it is strictly founded on fact—another striking illustration of Lord Byron's famous adage, that truth is stranger than fiction. The present part of Mr. Fisher Murrav's " Physiology of London Life" opens with a description, as minute as an auctioneer's catalogue, of the first day of term in the- London law, courts, and closes with a story illustrative of the troubles and difficulties and vexations that beset the path of the young and briefless barrister. The-- "Death of Joachim Murat" details the last days of the late ex-King of Naples--Napoleon's brother-in-law, a brave, generous, but rash man, and the finest cavalry officer in Europe. Melancholy as was his fate, we can hardly say that it was altogether unmerited, for Murat had in succession betrayed all parties who trusted him; and was warned beforehand what would be the consequence should he again set foot on the shore of Naples. But he disregarded the well-meant warning, and rushed headlong on his destiny. The " Gaol Chaplain" relates an interesting anecdote of the late Edmund Kean, which we subjoin : " As to Kean, his transit from the depths of obscurity and penury to fame and wealth was almost instantaneous. Poor fellow ! I have seen him at various phases of his chequered career. At Exeter more than once I have been a spectator when he has played in his finest style to a house that had not five pounds in it. Sadly and  Amongst the company present were the Earl and Countess of Sefton, Lord De Tably, Earl and'Countess of Eglintoun, Lord and Lady Craven, Lady C. Towneley, Lord Curzon, Lords Macdonald, Maidstone, Cosmo Russell; Sir G. Houston ; Honourables Stanley Fitzroy, F. Craven, Captain Stanley; Sir W. M. Stanley, Sir R. Brooke, Sir H. Brownrigg, Sir F. Bathurst; Messrs. Payne, Errington, J. Stanley, Millbanke, F. A. Millbanke, Bagge, A. Graham, J. Bell, J. White, Mare, Heywood, Blackburn, &c. &c. The Waterloo and most of the principal hotels are full ; but time will not admit of our giving a list of their visitors.