Page images
PDF
EPUB

CUSTOMS ON THE GOLD COAST.

It may be interesting to some of our readers to know that the following curious custom exists on the Gold Coast. When there is war going on, and the people have gone forth to fight, all the full grown women go about the streets shouting, singing, dancing, and prancing about. On the 25th November, while the Bentil and Intin companies were fighting on the plains near the Salt Pond, vast numbers of the native females of Cape Coast paraded the respective quarters after the fashion we have described. The women of the Intin quarter mustered not less than 900, all between the ages of about eighteen and fifty five, very old and very young women not joining in the ceremonies. All these ladies were dressed in clothes of a white ground, and had likewise rubbed their bodies with some white preparation. The theory is, that while war is going on, no man stays in the town! and, acting on this theory, the ladies very often, by way of showing their contempt for the men that stay behind, take liberties and perform feats which at any other time would be considered indecent, but which in these moments are looked upon as a matter of course. The Bentil ladies also

paraded their quarter of the town during the time the fighting was going on, but they were far fewer in numbers than the Intins. It seems that on the day of the combat, Mr. SAMUEL COLLINS BREW, of Anamaboe, was near being shot. This gentleman was in the midst of the lines, endeavoring to reason with the people, when the firing commenced, and several shots came unpleasantly close to him. Luckily, however, he escaped without being hurt. Mr. ISAAC ROBERTSON, a native merchant, of Cape Coast, also had a narrow escape while assisting the mayor in his efforts on the field.

MODERN SHIPBUILDING.

At the recent launch of a packet ship of 1,150 tons, at East Boston, named Edward Everett, Mr. E., at a lunch they gave, among other remarks, thus compared our modern ships to those built forty or fifty years ago :

Young men, sir, hardly know the progress which has been made in shipbuilding, in this generation, in this part of the country, and, indeed, in every part where ships are built. The first voyage I made to Europe, was in 1815, in what was then considered a first class merchant ship, a Liverpool trader, belonging to one of the most enterprising Boston merchants. She was a ship of three hundred and fifty tons, and there were not many larger vessels at that time in our commercial marine. I will warrant she was advertised as a first rate burthensome vessel. A ship of six or seven hundred tons would have been thought a wonder, and talked of very much as the Great Eastern is at the present day. In fact, twelve hundred tons were thought a pretty good allowance for a ship of the line. Lord NELSON's famous Victory did not. I believe, exceed that size. Such was the standard of shipbuilding in my younger days. Three years ago I went up Lake Erie from Buffalo to Detroit, in a vessel of twenty-two hundred and fifty tons, and I was told she was the smallest of three of which the line consisted. I believe, however, that magnitude is the least important particular in which our shipbuilding has improved. I presume that in skillful and tasteful modeling, choice of superior material of wood, metal and canvas, in thoroughness of workmanship, and consequent speed, capacity, strength, and beauty, the the improvement has been still more signal. Two of the three vessels in which COLUMBUS made his first voyage were so small as to be without decks, not bigger, I suppose, than a good sized whale boat. What would not have been the emotions of the Great Discoverer, could be have foreseen that in less than four centuries, vessels like that which you have seen launched to-day would be built in a remote corner of that new-found world.

THE BOOK TRADE.

1.-Text-book in Intellectual Philosophy, for Schools and Colleges; containing an outline of the Science, with an abstract of its History. By J. T. CHAMPLIN, D. D., President of Waterville College. 12mo., pp. 240. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co.

This treatise is called a text-book, says the author, because it has been purposely thrown into the form adapted to the class-room, rather than that adapted to general reading; and to intimate, at the same time, that it is offered to the public, not so much as a new contribution to the matter of science, as to its form. However, it will probably be found about as original as the other treatises on the subject which have appeared since the principles of the science have been so fully developed. What is here presented is confessedly but an outline, and, as a text-book, it should be only such. Whether we consider the wants of the pupil or those of the teacher, a text-book should be brief; it should contain only the fundamental facts and principles of the science to which it is devoted. The field of science is so extended that only the most commanding and essential features can be surveyed in a general course of education. Where there is so much that is important, the mind of the pupil should not be encumbered with what is unessential. Something should be left to be supplied by the teacher, and something to be learned by after study. An outline is all that ought to be committed to memory by the pupil, and all that is required by the teacher, as a nucleus around which to gather supplementary and illustrative matter. For this purpose the present treatise, we think, will be found adequate in all respects, and well worthy a place on the student's desk.

2.-Home and College. A Public Address delivered in the Hall of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. By F. D. HUNTINGTON. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co.

This little volume is made up entirely of an exceedingly scholarly and manly essay dedicated to students, but its morals and maxims are equally applicable to the heads of families. We believe it to be an established fact that by far the larger portion of those who have risen to eminence and excellence were not those born to proud patrimonies. On the contrary, their earlier years were generally strewn with difficulties, single-handed struggles and discouragements, which but tend to strengthen the really moral and intellectual character. In speaking of those, or rather prophecying of those, to whom a collegiate course of life is apt to end honorably, happy, and successsful, Mr. HUNTINGTON reads many sage and useful lessons, by reading which all may profit.

3.-Mary Stuart Queen of Scots. An Historical Romance of the Sixteenth Century. By GEORGE W. M. REYNOLDS. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.

There is probably no subject which attaches so much of romance as does the fate of MARY STUART. We have not read the book in question, but in the hands of an author of Mr. REYNOLDS' repute, a subject so prolific of interest as MARY STUART Queen of Scots cannot be otherwise than interesting.

4.-Abridgment of the Debates of Congress from 1789 to 1856. From Gales and Seaton's Annals of Congress; from their Register of Debates; and from the original reported Debates by John C. Rives. By the author of the Thirty Years' View." Vol. xiv. Royal 8vo., pp. 747. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

66

The present volume brings this valuable epitome of our National Legislature down to the close of the 27th Congress, March, 1843, and a few volumes more will see completed the most perfect text-book of the doings of our national assembly, ever put forth by the American press.

5.-Dickens' Short Stories. Containing thirty-one stories never before published in this country. By CHARLES DICKENS. 12mo., pp. 298. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.

Peterson's, we believe, are the only complete and uniform editions of Charles Dickens' works, ever published in this country. No expense has been spared by this enterprising firm in the getting up of the various American editions of this great story teller, consequently, we have both illustrated, and what is known as the people's cheap edition, neatly bound in cloth, and each volume complete within itself. The present comprises thirty-one short stories never before published in this country, and will be found an excellent companion for a steamboat or rail-car just at this season, to be placed in one's carpet-bag.

6.-Friarswood Post-office. By the author of the "Heir of Redclyffe." 16mo., pp. 251. New York: D Appleton & Co.

This is another pleasant story of English life, describing Christian fortitude and virtue, in the endurance of life's trials by a poor family, who, though suffering from afflictions, persevered with industry and determination, till a happy termination of their troubles and difficulties was attained. It is also well written, and will be found interesting.

7.-The Little Beauty. By Mrs. GREY, author of the "Gambler's Wife," "Old Dower House," "Duke and Cousin," "Lena Cameron," etc., etc. 12mo., pp. 626. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brother.

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS have just published, simultaneously with its appearance in London, another new and fascinating novel by Mrs. GREY. "The Little Beauty" will no doubt have numerous admirers, as the characters are all well drawn and woven into a charming thread of story.

8.-The Rebel and the Rover. By HARRY HAZEL. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers.

A sea story and an immense yarn.

9.- Church Choral Book; containing Tunes and Hymns for Congregational Singing, and adapted to Choirs and Social Worship. By B. F. BAKER and J. W. TUFTS. 8vo., pp. 203. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co.

[blocks in formation]

AET.

CONTENTS OF NO. II., VOL. XLIII.

ARTICLES.

PAGE

L VALUATION OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES. By Prof. C. F. McCAY, of Georgia 147 IL GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERY IN EASTERN AFRICA; with reference to its Commerce and the Influence which the Proposed Suez Canal is likely to exercise upon its development; and a Sketch of Recent Political Events in Abessinia and Madagascar.. 154 III BRAZIL: ITS TRADE AND FINANCES. No. II. Origin of the Errors of the Financiers of Brazil..................

IV. THE EFFECTS OF USURY ON PRICES AND WAGES. By WM. BROWN, of Cote des Neiges, Canada...................

V. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES. No. LXXVI. NEW ENGLAND TOWNS. Dover-Early Settlement-Fishing-Indian TradeSeparation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts-Population-West Indian TradeWar-Population in 1800-Farming and Ship-building-First Factory, 1821-Cotton Triumphs-New Print Works-Great Success -Shoe Manufacturing-Southern Markets-Railroad -Cost of Living-Carpet Factory-Present Population - Packets to New York. Exeter-Settlement of-Annexation-Voters Killed by Indians-Originates Statesmen-Birth-place of Lewis Cass-Cotton Manufacturing-Success-Water Power -Gas Pipes-Population. Vermont Towns-Brattleboro'-Settlement-Col. Brattle-Boundaries-Population-Factories-Operatives-Banks-Tannery. RockinghamFishing-Early Population-Situation-Connecticut River-Industries-Banks. WindBor-Settlement of-Early Occupations-Disputes-State Constitution-Population— Prison-Employment of Convicts-Arms Company-United States Court...

JOURNAL OF MERCANTILE LAW.

Important Opinion on the Tariff-The question of Duty on Caustic Soda.
Important Action on a Commercial Contract..
Shipping to Havre....

COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW.

Fiscal Year-Aggregate Business-Duties-Accumulation of Capital-Tendency of Exchange to the Atlantic-Contraction-Decreased Quantity-Imports too Large-Cotton Crop - Harvests-Exports of Food -Grain-Value-Rate of Interest-Higher Abroad-War RatesAverage Rates-No Enterprise-War Clouds in Europe-Loans-Freedom of IndustryAbundance of Currency-Product of Mines-Rates of Interest-New Loans-Treasury Notes -Specie Shipments-Receipts-Rates of Sterling-Reduction of Specie in the CityMint-Assay-Office-July Interests-Large Payments-New York-Boston - Manufacturing Dividends-Improved Trade-Demand for Cotton-Situation of Crops-Quantity Consumed -Value Exported.....

[blocks in formation]

167

178

199

205

206

207

208-217

[ocr errors]

PAGE

JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY, AND FINANCE. Real and Personal Property in the city of New York.-Taxable Value of Alabama............ 218 New York City Banks, March, 1859 and 1860..

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

Bank of England Circulation.-Valuation of Georgia......
Valuation of the State of Texas

219

219

222

...................

223

Banks of the State of Virginia.-The Revenue of Japan..
The State Bank of Iowa, May 7, 1860.-Debt of North Carolina..
Banks of the State of New York.-The Banks of Missouri...
Banks of New Jersey.-Finances of Austria.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Bank of the State of Indiana.-United States Coins..

The Japanese Currency..

STATISTICS OF TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Virginia Flour Trade...

........

228

229

[blocks in formation]

230

232

234

235

236

JOURNAL OF INSURANCE.

New Jersey Insurance Law.......

237

NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

American Timber for Ship-Building..

Alteration of Lights in Gulfs of Riga and Finland...

Revolving Light on the Cape of Good Hope, South Atlantic...
Goodwin Sands.-Margate Sand and North Foreland Lighthouse.

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

Canadian and American Tariffs........

Cuban Inland Mails.

POSTAL DEPARTMENT.

The Telegraph and the Press.-Prepayments of Postage by Stamps...

JOURNAL OF MINING, MANUFACTURES, AND ART.

[blocks in formation]

Lake Superior Mines.-Coal in England.—Mining Fortune..

RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS.

[blocks in formation]

Agriculture in Georgia-Increase in the use of Fertilizers...

STATISTICS OF POPULATION, &c.

[blocks in formation]

238

239

240

241

249

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

2:0

251

958

254

255

256

257

253

259

260

262

268

264

265

266

267

268

269

A Silk Establishment

A Bit of Paris Gossip.-" Vuelta Abajo" and "Vuelta Arriba."-The first Large Ship.-Blankets 270

THE BOOK TRADE.

Notices of new Books or new Editions....

271-272

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »