The Sun. — 1863-11-02 (London, England)

FRASER.—A lengthened paper on that movement in Germany towards the attainment of a national unity, which has recently occupied so large a sharp of the attention of statesmen and politicians, is the first in the table of contents. The author regards the proceedings lately inaugurated at Frankfort as "an important, though perhaps an indirect step, towards the realisation of the long-cherished dream of Germanic regeneration." Miss Cobbe, who is already known as the writer of some very able articles on various subjects, contributes a reflective essay on " The Rights of Man and the Claims of Brutes," which we recommend to the thoughtful and unprejudiced attention of the reader. With regard to the infliction of torture on the living subject for scientific ends, Miss Cobbe refuses to admit feeling into her consideration, but calmly and temperately inquires into the question of right or wrong. The conclusion at which she arrives is one which, to common sense and ordinary humanity, appears indisputable. If they have only taken the lives of brutes when the interests of science really demanded them, and have always performed painful operations under the beneficial influence of ansesthetics, they are morally exempt from blame. If they have transgressed either or both of these conditions, they stand convicted of heinous cruelty. Respecting the terrible accounts given of the tortures inflicted in the French colleges, Mies Cobbe very justly says that the dissection of deal horses and dogs would serve as well the purposes of anatomical instruction, while many of the operations performed on that highly sensitive animal, the horse, are not only agonising, but perfectly useless. One of these is the removal of the hoof, an operation which can serve no possible end in regard to the human body, and which is entirely profitless for the veterinary surgeon, inasmuch as no owner would ever perform an operation on his horse which would render him totally useless. Such wanton infliction of torture disgraces the name of science, and its commission is as much a stain on the fame of its professors, as reckless executions or murderous Greek fire sully the glory of war and victory, Miss Cobbe's paper would have been better had it been shorter, and more condensed in style ; but her able and energetic advocacy of the claims of humanity and justice do her honour, The readers of Eraser will rejoice to see the old familiar initials of A,K.H.B. appended to an essay beginning with the word "Concerning.'' It has less general interest than some of his others, being chiefly on the form and qualifications of pulpits, but it contains some sound sense and pleasant reading nevertheless. The waste of fish life that goes on under our present system of securing our prey is dwelt upon in an article headed, " How do fish live and grow ? " which treats of the subject of Pisciculture very fully. " three days at Wilna recounts the writer's experiences during a flying visit to that city, when under the stern rule of Mouravieff. "Lawrence Bloomfield in Ireland " reaches its twelfth part, and its conclusion. There are two other poetical contributions, none of the' three being above the ge of "Late Laurels" goes on vigoroauveslrya,thouTghhenostnoer3Of the dramatis persona are very sure of their next movements. An essay on " Strong Minded Women," at the conclusion of the number, endeavours to divest the subject of some of its attendant absurdities.