The Sun. — 1836-09-01 (London, England)

NEW MONTHLY.  There are many amusing, and some witty, articles, in this Number, which is of more than average merit, and which, had it but a little more of the rough, masculine, healthy vigour of Blackwood, would take a higher stand in the literary world than it does at present. The " Portraits of Notorious Characters," is full of smartness, and not unfrequently of wit. The character of the " Penny-a-liner "—that is to say, the' per: on who draws up " shocking accidents " fur the newspapers, who dines on a "suicide," and whom a "diabolical murder will keep in funds for a week— is admirably drawn :  " The penny-a-lincr, like Pope, is known by his style.' His fine Roman hand once seen, may be sworn to by the most cursory observer. But though in this one respect of identity resembling Pope, he bears not in any other the least likeness to author dead or living He has no brother, and is like no brother, in literature. Such as he was, he is. He disdains to accommodate his manner to the ever-altering taste of the times. fie refuse to bow down to the popular idol, innovation. He has a style, and he sticks to it. He scorns to depart from it, to gratify the thirst for novelty. He even thinks that it improves with use, and that his pet-phrases acquire a finer point and additional emphasis upon every fresh application. Thus, in relating the last fashionable occurrence, how a noble family has been plunged into consternation and sorrow, by the elopement of Lady Prudcntia a month after marriage, he informs you, as though the phrase itself carried conviction to the heart, that the feelings of the injured husband may be more easily conceived than described.' If' he requires that phrase twice in the same narrative, lie consents to vary it by sayincs that they may be imagined but cannot be depicted.' In reporting an incident illustrative of the fatal effects of taking prussic acid, he states that the 'vital spark is extinct,' and that not the smallest hope is entertained of the unfortunate gentleman's recovery. A lady's bag is barbarously stolen from her arm by a monster in the human form.' A thunder-storm is described as having visited' the metropolis, and the memory of the oldest inhabitant furnishes no parallel to the ravages of the electric fluid.' A new actress surpasses the most sanguine expectation' of the public, and exhibits talent ' that have seldom been equalled, never excelled.' A new book is not simply published, it ' emanates from the press.' On the demise of a person of eminence, it is confidently averred that he hod a hand 'open as day to melting charity,' and that, 'take him for all in all we ne'cr shall look upon his like again.' Two objects not immediately connected are sure to far as the poles asunder ;' although they arc very easily brought together and reconciled in the reader's mind by the convenience of the phrase, ' as it were,' which' is an especial favourite, and constantly in request. He is a great admirer of amplitude of title, for palpable reasons ; as when he reports that Yesterday the Right Honourable Lord John Russell, M. I'., his Majesty's Secretary of State for the Home Dcpartment, dined with, &c.' He is wonderfully expert in the measurement of hailstones, and in the circulation of the number of panes of glass which they demolish in their descent." The " Man of no Principles "displays considerable knowledge of life, and the workings of the political heart —if politics have a heart. The idea has, we suspect, been suggested by Galt's arch, satirical tale of the " Member." " Subjects for Pictures," is by L. E L. Why is this young lady always so fond of looking to the gloomy side of humanity ? Life has many sorrows, but it has far more pleasures in store for us, if we will but hunt diligently for them. We have little sympathy with those poets whose genius has always a frown on its forehead. There is but one rational cause for grief, and that is, want of cash. Surely L. E.' L., with her superior and marketable talents, cannot labour under this afflicting dispensation ? Why, then, is she always in the " doldrums "—she will excuse the vulgarity of this phrase in consideration of its expressiveness—let her remember that life has two sides, a sunny as well as a shady one, and that to look perversely only to the latter, is to cultivate ingenuity and task invention, at the expense of health and happiness. It is but fair, however, to state that L. E. L's " Subjects for Pictures" are in a rather more cheerful vein than is her wont. " Harry °Teardon" is a clever Irish tale by Mrs. Hall. " Acre, nouties, both real and fabulous," is in Leigh Hunt's liveliest and most attractive style. We have read it with infinite pleasure. " Records of a Stage Veteran" lives many characteristic, theatrical anecdotes.  TAIT' S MAGA ZINE,.— Simphin and Marshall. Tait is by no means satisfied with the conduct of the Whigs diiring the last Session of Parliament. His summary of the proceedings of 'the Session of 1836 is the severest attack that has been made upon them since its commencement, even by the Tory Press. We question the wisdom of employing such hard words as he sometimes uses, in condemning the policy of men whose faults ale wholly the consequence of extreme caution. We admit that the Whigs have not treated the Lords as they ought to have done—that they have disappointed the expectations of nine-tenths of their countrymen, in not reining in the insolence of the Peerage ; but we maintain that there is yet time, as there will be opportunities enough to remedy this omission of public duty. " Humphrey Hawkins, who could see things in that light,' is a capital article. We shall be glad to meet with many such in the pages of " Tait." The characters of Oki Ginger, the retired drysalter, Poppy the physician, Pounce the lawyer, and Verjuice the old gentleman's amiable housekeeper, are quite in keeping with that of the hero of the tale. " Tours and Detours in Scotland, in the Summer of 1836, by the Wards of Clapham," is continued in this Number, in the same light-hearted sketchy style which characterized the articles which have already appeared from the same source, arid or} 'the same sub VsSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, I‘,P, .4_  ect. The chapter on " Scotch and English Poets and Poetesses," is a choice September °Erin:. We accept it, in the name of as many of our readers as read " Tait," with every expression. of thankfulness. The " Reviews of New Works" are numerous, and as usual, each is made to comprise an admirable summary of the work itself.