Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review

3.--Southern Institutes; or, an Inquiry into the Origin and early Prevalence of Slavery and the Slave Trade, with an Analysis of the Laws, History, and Government of the Institution in the Principal Nations, Ancient and Modern, from the Earliest Ages down to the Present Time. By GEORGE SAWYER, of the Lousiana bar. Svo., pp. 393. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co.

This treatise of the "peculiar institution" is among the most voluminous we have seen, the author treating his subject in a number of historical and augumentative essays; first, the origin and general prevalence of slavery and the slave trade; second. Hebrew slavery, or slavery in the Old Testament; Greek slavery. Roman slavery, slavery in the New Testament, slavery in the middle ages, moral attitude of slavery in the United States and its origin in this country, and relative position and treatment of negroes, ending with an essay on the political and judicial attitude of slavery in the United States, and an appendix eliciting some curious statistical facts concerning the institution and its appurtenances. Mr. Sawyer takes the most enlarged views of his subject, taking for his theme in one of his essays nothing less than that redoubtable golden rule "whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." and that too, in his exhibit of the moral attitude of slavery in the United States. However unpalatable the subject, he is evidently a philosopher who can never pander to public prejudice, or flatter what he deems popular error; in other words, where there is a truth to be told he outs with it. He seems to have begun too, with the purpose of avoiding all sectarian views, in morals, politics, and religion, and of preserving, as far as possible, a high tone of moral and religious sentiment; but the zeal for his cause seems to have carried him away at times, as evinced in his criticism on the remonstrance of Jefferson to King George, and in his hypothetical assertion in the Declaration of Independence, that "all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." In the latter case, holding that men have no natural or political rights that they may not voluntarily or involuntarily forfeit to the body politic, seemingly forgetful that it was but a hypothesis with Mr. Jefferson, which was carried out by the framers of the Declaration of Independence, that there should be no titles of nobility or no hereditary claims to prominence, or that no man should be deprived of his life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Had we time and space a great deal might be said concerning this book, but we will have to dismiss it with an earnest recommendation to the many who go about doing good in this great cause, and the many who prefer that far-reaching sympathy which manifests itself so strongly in the cause of the Southern slave, to the complaining man at their own doors, and we promise them that though Mr. Sawyer may not be able to convert them, they will at least find that within which will recruit their exhausted energies with an additional stimulus, which is probably the most they require.

4.--Electron; or, the Pranks of the Modern Puck. A Telegraphic Epic for the Times. By WM. C. RICHARDS. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

A neat little book from the press of the Messrs. Appletons which may be looked upon as an electric spark of the times, throwing off, in the attractive form of verse, the origin, progress, and marvelous developments of the sciences of electricity and magnetism, from its first discovery by Thales to the failure of that most stupendous enterprise known as the Atlantic Cable, whose waning interest lies dimly now in the gigantic attempt to clasp two worlds in closest brotherhood.

5.--Bertram Noel. A Story for Youth. By E. J. MAX, author of "Louis's Schooldays," Sunshine of Greystone," etc. 12mo., pp. 359. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

Is one of the sweetest and purest domestic tales we have read in a long time, and just the thing for a gift book for Christmas times.

6. The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table. 12mo., pp. 364. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co.

Those enterprising publishers, Messrs. Phillips, Sampson & Co., have sent us a copy of those Autocrat papers, which originally appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, but which they have since collected in a neat volume. As everybody is aware, they are etchings from the graphic pen of Oliver Wendell Holmes, than whom we have no more pleasing humorist. These breakfastable conversations have elicited a great deal of attention, and are positively refreshing in their quaint humor. The many prismatic colors of life reflected in the partial and incomplete view of everything touched upon, added to the deep underlaying vein of reason running through the whole, lends to them a degree of elasticity which is highly palatable. and remind one of the familiar conversations of an intellectual club-they seem so to draw the substance out of everything, as hot water draws the strength out of tea leaves.

7.-The Four Sisters; a Tale of Social and Domestic Life in Sweden. By FREDRIKA BREMER, author of "The Neighbors," "Nina." The Home," "Homes in the New World," etc. 12mo., pp. 393. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brother.

Miss Bremer possesses an enviable reputation as a high toned fiction writer, and, we think, deservedly so, as the womanly purity shadowed forth in all her narratives has a tendency to engender a moral growth very different from most of the literature of this sort. There is a finish and charm in her style, coupled with a womanly purity, which all good and true must appreciate, and which naturally bind us to her with a sort of brotherly love. Her characters are always boldly drawn, never shrinking behind subsidies, but with all her vigor there is no overstraining for mere sake of effect, but all bears evidence of that careful finish known only to cultivated minds. The "Four Sisters," we think, is destined to a merited prosperity.

8.-The Battles of the United States by Sea and Land: with official Documents and Biographies of the most distinguished Military and Naval Commanders. By HENRY B. DAWSON, Member of the New York Historical Society, etc., etc. Parts 4, 5, and 6. New York: Johnson, Fry, & Co.

We cannot bestow too much praise on this superb work of Mr. Dawson's, inasmuch that there has hitherto existed no really good military and naval history of the United States prior to this, and for the style in which it is got up, which the author assures us shall be maintained to the end. We will again speak of the merits of this work in some future number.

9.—The New Priest in Conception Bay. A Novel in Two Volumes. 12mo., pp. 309, 339. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co.

A beautiful and instructive story, the events upon which it is founded being laid in Newfoundland. This, although a barren spot, is inhabited by a hardy race, whose bold outlines of character correspond to the beetling cliffs that are washed by the ever surging sea on all its coast, and form a good subject for the novelist's pen. It is well written and deeply imbued with that natural piety and religious feeling which commends itself to the best feelings of the heart.

10.--Isabella Gray. A Novel. By a lady. 12mo., pp. 252. Philadelphia: Charles Desilver.

Is seemingly a finely written tale, both generous and spiritual, taking in review the varied vicissitudes of life, in which are shadowed forth the true principles which form the only support for the weary and despondent. It possesses qualities which the authoress need not fear to have indorsed with her name, and that it will serve in some measure to anchor a seasonable thought in the mind of the reader, leading ultimately to an active principle, we do not entertain a doubt.

11.-A Yacht Voyage of Six Thousand Miles; or, Letters from High Latitudes. Being some Account of a Voyage in the Yacht Foam to Iceland, Jan Mayen, and Spitzbergen. By LORD DUFFERIN. 12mo., pp. 406. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.

Sometime in June, 1856, Lord Dufferin started in his yacht Foam for a voyage of pleasure and adventure to Iceland and Spitzbergen. In this volume we have some accounts thereof. The narrative in many respects will be found exceedingly interesting, from the fact that so little is known of the habits and customs of the people inhabiting the high latitudes reached by these daring amateur sailors; besides, Lord Dufferin is evidently a practical, well-educated, business-loving Englishman, possessing all the roystering qualities of a true British sailor, and the lively picture given by him of the countries visited, and of the hospitality they received at the hands of the Norsemen, cannot but well repay a perusal.

12.-Nightcaps. By the author of "Aunt Fanny's Christmas Stories." New York: D. Appleton & Co.

Is another of the Messrs. Appleton's charming tales designed for the festivities of Christmas. Aunt Fanny is evidently a brick, as the dedication of her book will fully prove. Here it is verbatim ad libitum :-

13.-The Modern Cook; or, Practical Guide to the Culinary Art in all its Branches. By CHARLES ELME FRANCATELLI. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brother.

Is all that it pretends to be, the best book of the kind in the English languagea guide to compounding good dishes and how to cook them. M. Francatelli's position as Mastre-d'Hotel and chief cook to Her Majesty the Queen is sufficient guaranty of his qualification for doing what be here teaches others how to do, in a style easily understood, while "from the ninth London edition" proves the appreciation of his work. This book "comprises, in addition to English cookery, the most approved and recherche systems of French, Italian, and German cookery," and is adapted to the easy comprehension of every would-be cook or housekeeper for the smallest family or the largest hotel, and is alike complete in all its departments, while a peculiar merit pervades the whole, namely, economy. To live elegantly, nicely, and economically we have only to follow Francatelli, The manner of dressing the dishes too, by over sixty handsome engravings, is a highly useful part, showing, as well as telling, the features of good cookery. And the work itself, a large octavo of 585 pages, is "served up" by the Messrs. Peterson, as a cook book ought to be, in first-rate style, and well worthy of initation by all book makers.

MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE.

Established July, 1839, by Freeman Hunt.

VOLUME XL.

FEBRUARY, 1859.

NUMBER II.

CONTENTS OF NO. II., VOL. XL.

ARTICLES.

AST.

L LORD OVERSTONE ON METALLIC AND PAPER CURRENCY. By AMASA WALKER, late Secretary of State of Massachusetts...

PAGE

147

II. COMMERCE, COMMERCIAL POLICY, AND INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, AND FRANCE COMPARED. The General Causes of the Revulsion of 1-57 Stated-They have not Passed away-Bank Note Circulation of Great Britain, France, and the United States, in January, 1858, and the Condition of their Industry-The President's Views of the Causes of the Revulsion and Condition of our Country Quoted-Tables Showing the Value of the Exports and Imports of Great Britain, France, and the United States at Different Periods, and the Character of their Exports and Imports, with Comments on their Commercial Policy-Exports and Imports of the United States Classified-Irresistible Laws of Trade- Balance of TradeHow it must be Paid-Balance of Trade in favor of Great Britain and France, and against the United States-Exports and Imports of Coin and Bullion of the United States, France, and Great Britain Compared-Deductions and Conclusions as to the Future Industry, Commerce, and Revenues of the United States. By EZRA C. SEAMAN, Esq., of Michigan.... 163

III COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

No. LXI.

MOBILE, ALABAMA. Settlement of the City-Various Governments -Third Export City-River Mobile-Bay-Site of the City-Gas-Water-Mobile and Ohio RailroadSurrender of the City, 1813-Chartered-State Area-Farms-Products--Manufactories - Rivers-Navigable Extent-American Age of Mobile--Comparative Growth-Internal Trade-Population-Speculation of 1837-State Bank-Taxation-Influence upon Cotton-Progress of Exports-Imports-Exchange Supply-Exports of Cotton in 1857-58 -Comparative Destination-Lumber-Staves and Spars-Receipts and Stock-Western Produce-Tonnage-Cotton Charges-Growth of Mobile Banks-Need of Capital-Condition of the Banks-State Agent-Exchange Operations-Annual Valuation-Health of the City... IV. THE PRODUCTION OF GOLD AND THE COINAGE OF GOLD. Total Coinage since 1850-Fish-California Product Passengers--Exports and Products-Export of Bars-Coinage-Former United States Coinage-Estimate for Russia, Australia, for the World-Coinage of France, etc.-Import of Gold into-Export from United StatesCorrection of our Correspondent-All the Coins not Fresh Gold-Diversity of Coinage -Two Metals for Coins - Multiplicity of Mints-Continual Recoinage--Number of National Mints-Active Mints-French Coinage Corrected-British Coinage CorrectedUnited States Coinage Corrected-Russian Coinage Corrected-Table of Coinage since 1850-Supply of Metals-Deposits in United States Mints-Metals Received-Coins used in the Arts-Production of the United States Mines-Coins and Bars-Exports of United States Coins-Bars-Foreign Coins - Official Returns-Error of our CorrespondentAustralia - Mints in the Colonies-Dust before Mints--Passengers' Average--Great Change since 1852-Establishment of California Mint-New York Assay-office-Old Prices of Gold-Frauds-Coinage in San Francisco-Mint at Sidney-Whole Production of Gold-Its Distribution as Currency.

V. GARBLINGS: OR, COMMERCIAL COMMODITIES CHARACTERIZED.

179

... 186 No. XII.

SOAPS. Their History-How Distinguished-Principles of Manufacture-Different
Qualities and Varieties:-Hard, Soft, White, Marbled, Rosin-Pumice Soap-Castile,
Palm, Transparent, Almond, Windsor, and other Toilet--General Uses--Cultivated
Soap Soap Tree--Soap Nuts- Metallic Soap--Arsenical Soap-Tests and Adulterations
-Starch, Alum, Silex, Talc, Clay, Lime, Chalk, Sulphite of Baryta-Refuse Fats-Medi-
cinal Soaps......

Revenue Case

JOURNAL OF MERCANTILE LAW.

191

195

196

Lien for Work, Labor, and Materials, on a Domestic Ship...
Appeal in Admiralty-Damage to Cargo-Poop-deck Stowage of Hogsheads on the Head...... 198

COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW.

Abundance of Money-Spring Business-Cash Sales-The Year 1858-Liquidation of Debts--
Small Stocks of Goods-Improved Business at Close- December Movement--Money no
Dearer--Specie in Banks-Increase-Banks of England and France-Decline of Interest--
Specie Movement-Silver-East India Trade--Exchange-Cotton Crop--Small Spring Pay-
ments January Payment of Interest--Boston-New York-Rates of Exchange-specie
Exports-Destination of Specie-Assay-office-Rates of Money-Quantity of Business Paper
-Bullion Bank--Country Payments-Number of Failures, 1858-Prospects for the new
Year.......
10

VOL. XL.NO. II.

199-218

City Weekly Bank Returns-Banks of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Pittsburg, St Louis, Providence......

215

Banks of Illinois.-Finances of Alabama..

220

United states Revenue and Expenditure.-Banking Law of Minnesota...

221

San Francisco United States Mint.-Debts of European States....

Finances of Ohio..

Taxation in Southern States-Finances of Virginia

222

223

224

STATISTICS OF TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Commerce of the United States......

Flour and Grain received at Detroit per Railroad..

225

227

British Trade with China.-Grain and Flour in Store in Chicago.-Commerce of Porto Rico.. 228
Chicago Lumber Trade.-Albany Lumber Trade.-Bangor Lumber Trade...
Receipts of Lumber at Baltimore for six years.-Corn Trade of Marseilles..
Beef Packed at Chicago.-Lard and Pork.--hipments from Milwaukee....
United States Commerce with Sardinia.-Herring Harvest........

229

230

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

Mill Stones. Tea via Singapore.-Wheat alleged to be Imported as Seed...
Pearls strung on Thread, etc.-Dyed Coburg Robes a Quille.-Reimportations
Beet Root.-Grain Bags..

Cotton Duck.--Convention between the United States and Peru