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 falling off in the illustrations, which tare 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 head, and spectacles on nose, engaged in learned conference with a pump, on which are stuck a doctor's wig 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, for 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-visaged' 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 as 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 mortar, 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 pourtrayed. 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 mistakes for wit and humour. The theme, though 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, and.is remarkable for its breadth and freedom. The "Enthusiast at Shakspere's Tomb"—a ShakAperian enthusiast, by the bye, is apt to be an awful bore, and most superficially acquainted. with his author—is, an account of a visit paid last year to Stratford-on-Avon. The description is3lively and graphic, and the colouring not overcharged. The illustration, representing the interior of an old-fashioned chamber is as picturesque as the best of Cattermole's plates in "Master Hurnphrey'S Clock." rite well about St. " Valentine's Day" is a pleasant, seasonable subject, need not wonder therefore, that Miss Carey has acquitted' herself sue PlVeaalesnantitnlye _h itth oe iffr. pet s Ladiesainatl—w ay,yes 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 he 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 is among the best, because the most natural, incidents in the story.. " Tommy Doddy is a passable account of a Lord Mayor's Pageant in the year 1633. "Aunt Sarah's Ghost" is one of those supernatural traditions which we all affect to laugh-at, but all read with avidity. The description of the phantom is very ghastly and bewildering.. " Old Green, Offiey's Regular Customer"—a sketch introduced by an admirable halflength 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 Haynes Bayly fashion. We subjoin it acoordingly Sing me that old familiar strain Which touched my heart in boyhood's yo ars, Before its chords were jarred by pain, Before its hopes wet.e dimmed by tears. Time has fled last since first I heard Its mu:ic from those lips of thine ; But well remembered is each word: Se sing once more, oh, Mary mine, The old familiar strain. Thine eyes have their soft radiance kept, That won my hearths life's your g ppria, And o'er thy beauty Time bath swept Gently, with light and charined wing.