The Sun. — 1842-03-01 (London, England)

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.  The variety of matter in this month's Miscellany, which alternates most agreeably between the grave and the gay, proves that it has lost nothing by its change of Editorship. Neither is there any filling off in the illustrations, which are more lively and numerous than they have been for some time past. Alfred Crowquill contributes two highly humorous plates illustrative of the " Philosophy of Physic," one of which, under the quaint title of "Two Pumps Consulting," represents a fat physician with a bald, hciad, and spectacles on nose, engaged in learned conference with a pump, on which are stuck a doctor's Is ;g and hat, while the handle does duty as an arm. Of the  two medical professors, the pump looks by far the most sagacious, though there is an air of dignified, goose-like gravity about his companion, by no means to be despised. We verily believe that half the secret of a physician's success consists in a grave and formal phiz. No patient ever encourages a sprightly-i isaged doctor. Such a biped is an impertinence—a solecism —in a sick-room. If we must have an M.D. by our bed-side, with a watch in one hand, while with the other he fumbles about for our pulse, we prefer one who looks its solemn as if he had just come from the funeral of one of -his patients. Another illustration  represents Death poking his grim, fleshless countenance out of a moVar, evidently More to the annoyance than the surprise of an apothecary, who accordingly aims a vicious blow at. his skull with a pestle. The sarcastic leer on the face of the gaunt phantom is very archly pourteayed. Of the article which these plates. illustrate, we cannot speak so favourably. It is, in truth, a flippant, common-place affair, stuffed full of excruciating puns, which it is clear that the writer lo,stakes for wit. and humour. The theme, thowoi not novel, was a tempting one, but it has been marred in the treatment. The " Harmonious Owls" is a spirited quiz on singing clubs, introduced by some pithy, pertinent remarks on the system of clubs in general. The satire is justly applied, awl is remarkable for its breadth and freedom. The " Enthusiast at Shakspere's Tomb"—a Shaksperian enthusiast, by the bye, is apt to lie an awful bore, and most supei acquainted with his author—is an account of a visit paid last year to Stratford-on-A,von. The description is. and graphic, and the sentiment not exaggerated. 'the illustration, representing the interior of an old-fashioned .chamber is as picturesque as the best of Cattermole's plates in " Master llumphrey's Clock." " Valentine's Day"- is a pleasant, seasonable subject, pleasantly hit off. Ladies r.lways write well about St. Valentine—their pet 'Saint—we need not wonder therefore, that Miss Carey has a3quitted herself sue • cessfully. But the Penny. Postman is the man to write most feelingly, if not complimentarily, on this topic, bending, as he does,' from morning till night, beneath a load of delicate embarrassments. " Rambling Reflections on St. Valentine" from his pen would be a great ' treat. In the present chapters of " Richard Savage," we are introduced to the acquaintance of Sir Richard Steele, whose conversation is characteristic enough. The scene of his quarrel with Savage ,s among,the best, because the most natural, incident ; in the story. "Tommy Doddy" is a passable 'account of a Lord .illavor's Pageant in the year 1G33. "Aunt Sarah's Ghost" is one of those supernaturpl traditions which we all affect to laugh at, but all read with avidity. The description of the phantom is very ghastly and bewildering. "OH Green, Offley's Regular Customer"—a sketch introduced by- an admirable hal flength portrait of the hero, by Leech—represents to the life one of those ,gross,. animal voluptuaries who may occasionally be met with in London taverns, and who have about as much intelligence and sensibility as the turtle and venison on which they make such desperate assaults. Old Green, says his biographer, lived but to eat and drink, and when his appetite failed him, he committed suicide. Of the "Philosophy of Physic" we have already spoken. . " The Old Familiar Strain," though it,cannot bOast. of much vigour or originality, is. yet • agreeably, versified, after the liaynes Bayly fashion. We subjoin it acaordinglv  Sing me that cld familiar strain Which touched my her -•t in boyhood's years, Bo'bre its chords were jarred by pain, _ Before its hopes wer? dimmed by tears. • • Time has fled fast since first I heard Its music from those lips of thine ; But well remcmher2d is each word:  Ss sing once more, oh, Mary mine, The old familiar :train. Thine eyes have their soft radiance kept, That won my heat in life's you:1 sprin, And o'er thy teauty Time Lath swept Gently, wjth light and charmed wing. Unaltered is thy graceful form, Thy trusting heart is still the same, Keeling those true affections warm As when, bef re I dreamt of fame, You sang me that old strain. Yes, sing l—a 3 in those golden hturs When life, and love, and hope were young,_ When fancy s rowel our path with flowers,_ Oh ! sing the strain that then you sung ! Your voice may have a sadder tone Than made sweet music in that time, Ere grief or trials we had knoviln, When first yol sang in youthful prime That old familiar strain. Methinks that on thy p'acid brow. So lightly tcuehei by furrowing years, Since first we plighted love's fond vow_. Thought's graver ehaduw now appears ; But yet if in thy very mirth Remembrance of cur Dead will come, Strong ti s yet bind thee to the ear;h— So breathe ones mo-c within our home The old familiar strain.