The Sun. — 1835-10-07 (London, England)

VICTORIA.  ANNUALS FOR 1836.  THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL.  Edward Churton  Holles-street, London.  The contents of this Annual—the first we have yet seen—do not belie its title, for it is full to everflowing of gorgeous descriptions ; strange and romantic adventures ; and is embellished with, not less than twentytwo superior engravings from original designs furnished by Daniel. Thu 3 recommended it can scarcely fail to be a favourite with the public, especially as those long social winter evenings are fast approaching, when a pleasant book over which we may wile away a few luxurious hours, is just as indispensable to our happiness as a warm fire-side and long flowing curtains. Those who are fond of stirring incident, told in a lively, and sometimes in a dramatic, manner, and the majority of which have novelty, while all have truth, to recommend them, will read the pages of the " Oriental Annual" with nearly as much relish as they would those of the " Arabian Nights," or the inimitable " Tales of the Genii." Here they will find narratives ,of the exploits of that tremendous race of mountain robbers, who have so long been the scourge of the imterior parts of India, the Phansygars—a race who are as regularly brought up to murder, as though it were the most indispensable part of a virtuous education ; who plunder travellers upon system, and strangle them with as much scientific skill as ever was exhibited by the most expert Old Bailey Jack Xetch ; anecdotes of Bengal tigers, Ceylon elephants, and fights between lions and buffaloes; of Indian hurricanes by sea and land ; of Suttees, and burning alive of wives in the same grave with their deceased husbands ; of magnificent cities, whose very names are unknown to the majority of English readers : and above all, of the extraordinary native jugglers, with theqr legerdemain feats, as astonishing as anything recordedin that delight of our childhood, the wondrous tale of Aladdin. The Editor of this captivating work is Mr. Ca.:tinter, a gentleman who has travelled for years through the most celebrated and remote parts of India ; is familiarly acquainted with the habits and peculiarities of many of its native tribes ; and states little but what be has himself witnessed. Hence an air of truth and earnestness is impressed on every page of his volume ; and, as if these qualities were not in themselves suffi:cient recommendations, the engravers have added to them by contributing a series of illustrations, all of which are above common-place, while some, in skill and.delicacy of execution, may vie with the most finished and elaborate that ever yet graced the pages of an Annual. The " Sketch of a Scene near the Coast of 11Ialabar," for its impressive depth of shadow, and tie dexterous manner in which the female groups in the foreground are introduced, is worthy of Finden in fiis happiest moods. The " Entrance to the Cave of Elephanta," which is in a somewhat similar style, 'betrays equal judgment in handling. It is the production of Mr. Pye, and will assuredly gain him reputatiom among the amateurs of the Fine Arts. The Annual is splendidly bound ; gold-leaved, and printed in a bold and singularly beautiful type.