The Sun. — 1846-04-06 (London, England)

AZINE. Strong in his own powers as a poetical translator, John Osetiferd dares a comparison with John Gibson Lockhart, by a new version of the renowned " Spanish Bellads relatitg to the Infants of Lara." And although it is deficient in that bsrbaresque beauty and lambent enthusiasm which gained Mr. Lockhart's book of Spanish ballads such a deserved popularity, the present translation is eminently good, because it is so eminently characteristic. It is no paraphrase, but, on the contrary, adheres as closely to the original as symmetry of metre would permit. The more we dip into ancient ballad literature the more are we impressed with the sagacity of the philosopher in selecting it in preference to all other means of governing the populace. How the" Ranz ales Va,chee " fires the patriotism of the Switzer ; how the " Marselloise" kindled the democracy of Frenchmen; and how that superb outburst of our brave Robin's love for fatherland, and reverence for the heroes of Scotland, Scots wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled," thrills to the bosom's core of every Caledonian ; are only individual instances of a principle which pervades all nations and animates all generations. Ballad literature is thus potent in its influence, because it circulates through the whole mind of the people, and appeals to the tenderest and noblest feelings of the million: Precisely what the ditties relative to Robin Hood and his merry men in Lincoln green where, in relation to our English forefathers, responding to their affection for freedom, and their partiality for valour, are these olden songs of Spain in reference to the inhabitants of the Peninsula. Their every sentiment breathes of that sunny clime—they are most apposite as addressed to_ the land of the Cid—they are tinctured with that exalted spirit of chivalry, the annihilation of which Cervantes seemed to regard as his peculiar mission. And excellently well does this version of Mr. Oxenford typify these emotions in English verse. The five ballads are suffused with a delicious combination of intrepidity and pathos ; and, if we might permit ourselves to seleCt one among them as the more preferable, we should almost be tempted to choose the most melancholy-toned of the collection—that d-scriptive of the destruction of the infants " Salienda de Canicosa." It is exquisitely conceived and caermoigly transcribe& A better paper could hardly have commenced this number of the New Monthly. Those readers who have literary appetites, somewhat in accordance with the taste of many would-be connoiseurs in painting, who will not eulogise a landscape until they have traced it to a Cuyp or Claude, nor a pieta until it is proved to be a Caracci, nor a battlepiece until it is shown to have proceeded from the easel of Wouvermans, will find a rich banquet of additional chapters in this magazine, graced with the names of G. P. R.James, Captain Marryat, and W. H. Maxwell. " Echoes prom the Backwoods' 'are repeated by Captain Levinge vs pleasantiy as the hill sides do those on the margin or Killarney. A nameless old man (we de not allude, mind, to the venerable gentleman in black 1.) becomes very garruleus in his " arraignment and defence of Tune." It is a quaint conceit, however, and not unworthy of perusal. We pray Mr. Jolly Green to desist from boreieg the public any further, either with his tra eels or his opinions. he is rather a superficial pilgrim with a very enticing pseulonym. " The last Ball at the Tuileries" is smart and agreeable enough ; the tracing of the temperaments and futurity of the Duc de Neeneurs, the Duo d'Aumale, the Duo de Montpensier, the Prin. eesee Clementine, and the Princesse de Joinville, from their stile of dancing! is a very happy eccentricity. l'h..re i< much wi'oJ in, we conj.cture, in its very flip-piney. 'treble tide, however,-which the authoressehae ems, lesdiedist this article. she h forgotten to express her ehigations to that right-clever navel " Cyril Thornton." The story is absolutely identical—it is a most egregious and intolerable, specimen of plagiarismel " A sketch of the Lives of Lords Stowell and Eldon" introduces us :to the latter venerable personage in a-more pleasant character than usual, namely,' as the Partaker of the frolics of children.' It reminds as of a picture everdear te•us —Charles James For -lying upon the carpet among a pile of toys. Charles Hotiton gives us'a very rbmmo.aplane narrative in ryhme about a Captain Blackeume ; there is only one redeeming point in the contribution= the suicide of Melieate. The April number is 'concluded with noteheleast interesting paper, " The Lens of the Great Liverpool," described by one of the passengers in that luckless vessel, over whose destruction such a.mournful interest has been cast by the recent felo de se of her unfortunate Captain. The New Monthly for this month is altogether an improvement ueon many of its predecessors.  The Bishop of London will hold a confirmation of the juvenile nobility, on Thur.-day next, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Dean of Westminster will preach on Good Friday ; and the Sub Almoner, the Rev Dr. Jelf, will preach in the Chapel Royal on Sunday next Mr. Drouet, Belgian Charge d' Afftires, transacted business on Friday at the Foreign—,ffice. The Lord Advocate of Sc‘aland had :trt interview with the Earl of Dalhousie on Saturday at the Office of the Board of Trade.  J. 11. Minn, E-q.. one of the Vice-Presidents of the institution, briefly returned thanks. He was delight,d 14, see Sir W. C. Moss. R.A., arn“ngst them, because he was one of the founders of the institution, and one or its Vice- Presidents, deservedly at the head of the Royal Academy, and because he hse. had the honour of painting the first portrait of our lAoved Queen before she ascended the throne.—(Cheers.) He also passed a high culogium on the talents of Thomas Phillips. R.A., and Andrew Robertson, who had died since their last anni rs ary.  J. R. TOLD, Esq., then gave the health of the Chairman, wh-ch was warmly responded to. The CHAIRMAN in returning thanks, regretted that business and politics had prevented him from giving that attention to the fine arts which he desired, as in their pursuit, he had passed some of his happiest moments, as he haul studit d nature in her fain st and loveliest forms. --(Laughter.) He could assure them that he was sincere is the sentimemt. He then go. re—•* Sir Arthur Martin Shee, and the Riyal Acalemy." The toast was received with all the honours. Thos. EWINS, Esq.. R.A., briefly I..turned thanks. C. R.