14.-Scenes in the Rocky Mountains, and in Oregon, California, New Mexico, Texas, and the Grand Prairies; or, Notes by the Way, during an Excursion of Three Years, with a Description of the Countries passed through, including their Geography, Resources, Present Condition, and the Different Nations Inhabiting them. By a NEW ENGLANDER. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. The present attitude of the American government and people to the countries described in this volume, will necessarily create a deep interest in its details. With a view of satisfying this interest, the author has "endeavored to present a full and comprehensive picture of the real condition of regions so attractive, and in so doing he is conscious of having erred in no important particular." Whatever is affirmed, he assures us may be relied upon as matter of fact; while the details of a questionable nature, we are to infer from the guarded language in which they are expressed. The simple rehearsal of the catalogue of facts relative to the manner in which the fur trade is conducted, and the enormities chargeable upon the individuals engaged in it, will place in no very enviable light the men who luxuriate in its ill-gotten gains. The author understands the art of condensation, and we have seldom met with a work, in which so many things were related in so few words, and yet it is a volume of over 300 closely printed pages. 15.-The Miscellaneous Works of the Right Honorable Sir James Mackintosh. Three volumes complete in one. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. The present collection covers a wide range of subjects, and, with the exception of the author's History of England, whatever the editor considered the most valuable in his writings. Few essayists have displayed greater versatility of talent; and in the various papers comprised in this volume, whether directed to literary criticism, philosophical analysis, historical detail, the delineation of character, or political disquisition, we find the same large, liberal, and comprehensive mind, reflected on every page. It forms the eighth volume of "The Modern British Essayists," which are published in a neat style, at probably one quarter the price of the English editions. There is, perhaps, no collection of writings, that furnish so comprehensive views of the literature, history, politics, etc., of the past and present century, as the series just named. 16.-Aunt Patty's Scrap-Bag. BY CAROLINE LEE HENTZ, author of the "Mob Cap," etc. Complete in one volume. With illustrations by Darley. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart. The publishers, in a note appended to this volume, apologize to the fair writer for classing it among their "Library of Humorous American Works," since humor is by no means its principal aim. Humor, as in this instance, when under the controlling influence of purity and benevolence, becomes subservient to high moral and social purposes-the chief recommendation of "Aunt Patty's ScrapBag." The narrative abounds in "passages of first-rate humor." The humorous publications of Carey & Hart, perfectly free from low wit and obscenity, are sought for throughout the United States. "The parts of Mrs. Hentz's elegant production which are humorous, give it a sufficient claim to its position among the works of the choicest wits of our country, embellished by a pencil which paints character to the life." 17.-Small Books on Great Subjects. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. ་་ We noticed in the September number of the Merchants' Magazine, Nos. I., II., and X., of this series of really comprehensive and instructive books. The subjects embraced in these numbers, are-No. IV., " An Introduction to Practical Organic Chemistry; with Reference to the Works of Davy, Brande, Liebeg, etc.;" No. V., " A Brief View of Greek Philosophy up to the Age of Pericles ;" and No. III., "On Man's Power Over Himself to Prevent or Control Insanity." These works are prepared by some of the most learned and scientific men of Europe, who have adapted them to the popular mind. 18.-The Convict's Child. By CHARLES BURDETT, author of "Lilla Hart," "The Adopted Child," "Chances and Changes," "Never Too Late," etc. New York: Baker & Scribner. The design of this unpretending story, is to show the consequences of the general tendency of society to visit the sins and crimes of parents upon children, no matter how pure, innocent, and virtupus. The main incidents of the narrative, says the author, have been gathered from personal observation, and no character is introduced who has not now, or has not had a living representative. Mr. Burdett has, for eleven years, been connected with the press of New York; a fact in his life, which, more than any other, brought him in contact with every variety and shade of human character. How faithfully he has treasured up the knowledge and experience thus acquired, this, and other narratives from his pen, furnish satisfactory evidence. 19.-Outre-Mer; a Pilgrimage Beyond the Sea. By HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co. Those who read these beautiful sketches, on their first appearance, some years since, will appreciate the taste evinced by the publishers, in reproducing a second edition of the work in the Boston typographical dress, which every one knows, is almost, if not quite equal to the best English printing. Longfellow is confessedly an artist, and, with the fear of the critics, Poe and Miss Fuller, before us, we will presume to say, he has genius-that is, if we comprehend the signification of the term. But the author of the "Psalm of Life" and "Outre-Mer," although not above criticism, has nothing to fear from it. 20-Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern; with an Historical_Introduction and Notes. By WILLIAM MOTHERWELL. 2 Vols. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co. This compilation consists principally of narrative ballads, "there occurring in it no compositions strictly called songs, in the sense to which that term is now generally confined, except a few modern pieces." The introduction, which occupies one hundred and fifty pages of the first volume, forms one of the most complete essays, on the ancient romantic and historic ballads of Scotland, that we have ever met with, and it displays an astonishing degree of research and thoroughness of investigation. Besides the elaborate introduction, to each ballad is affixed explanatory notes, that clear away the mists and clouds that hung over the traditionary song and ballad of the past. The collection embraces a numerous and highly interesting body of metrical tales, chiefly of a tragic complexion, which, though possessing all the features of real incident, and probably originating in fact, cannot now, after the lapse of many ages, be, with certainty, traced to any historical source, public or private. "Collections of these ballads, printed as they orally exist, will, to those who succeed us, prove a source of peculiar gratification-a record of the most instructive and interesting kind." 21.-Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons; illustrating the Perfections of God in the Phenomena of the Year. By Rev. HENRY DUNCAN, D. D., Rothwell. Autumn. New York: Robert Carter. Although this is the last of the series of four volumes devoted to the contemplation of the seasons, the American publisher has reproduced here, only those relating to Spring, Summer, and Autumn, commencing seasonably with the former. "Winter," will of course be published in due time. This volume differs in its character from the preceding volumes, in that it has a less direct reference to the season of the year. Although containing various details of autumnal appearances, produce, &c., and of the diversified labors of harvest, it is occupied mainly with the general results of that remarkable system which pervades animated nature, and of which the phenomena of the revolving year constitute one of the most prominent features. The plan, however, and division of the work, is the same as that adopted in the previous volumes. It is a work, on the whole, that we can recommend to all who seek for aid in looking "through Nature up to Nature's God." 22.-Religion, Natural and Revealed; or, the Natural Theology and Moral Bearings of Phrenology and Physiology: including the Doctrines Taught, and Duties Inculcated thereby, Compared with those Enjoined in the Scriptures. Together with the Phrenological Exposition of the Doctrine of a Future State, Materialism, Holiness, Sin, Rewards, Punishments, Depravity, a Change of Heart, Will, Foreordination, Fatalism, etc. By O. 8. FowLER, Practical Phrenologist, etc., etc. New York: Fowler & Wells. We have read this treatise with more than ordinary interest, and without expressing, what would here be out of place, any opinion of the theological or religious sentiments it inculcates, we may be permitted to express our conviction of the honesty and sincerity of the author, who gives utterance to his views with an eloquence and earnestness, that rivets the attention of the reader if it does not always secure the assent of his understanding. The charge made against phrenology, that it tends to materialism, is ably met with an array of arguments that must convince all, at least, that it has not had that effect on the mind of the author. We regret to say that the work is badly printed, and full of typographical errors. 23.-Dolores. A Novel. By HARRO HARRING. New York: Marrenner, Lockwood & Co. This is called a South American novel. In how far it may deserve the title, we will not at present undertake to judge. We should rather be inclined to call it a leaf from the social, religious, and political history of mankind. It is true that most of the scenes are laid in South America-many of the characters are South Americans, civilized slaves of Rosas-enthusiasts of liberty and humanity opposing the first, and Patagonian children of nature in natural and child-like purity; but the social and political institutions of Europe, and the whole civilized world, are also bitterly attacked in this work. The principles of ultra-republicanism, advocated by the chiefs of all the young republican associations in Europe-those principles which caused the author's exile from many countries, and the interdiction of his works, are most ably defended. The politics, religion, social customs and habits of all Europe and America, are more or less introduced, and ably discussed in these pages. Here and there we find transcendentalism, here and there sophistry, sarcastic bitterness against individual governments and nations; but, upon the whole, we must confess that the work abounds in high and pure moral sentiments; that it bears the impress of a firm and noble devotedness to the principles it advocates, and displays the brilliant talents, and scholastic acquirements of the author, in a favorable light. It is, beyond doubt, one of the most remarkable and bold works of the age; and all should read it attentively to the end, before pronouncing judgment upon it. 24.-The Eclogues and Georgics of Virgil. With English Notes, Critical and Explanatory, and a Metrical Index. By CHARLES ANTHON, LL. D., Professor of the Greek and Latin Languages, in Columbia College, New York, etc. New York: Harper & Brothers. Dr. Anthon informs us, that he has pursued the same plan in preparing the present work, recently followed in the case of the Eneid, which met with the approbation of so many instructors. The eminent success of the learned editor, in former labors in this department of elementary literature, has been such, as to render any remark from so unclassical a source as the Merchants' Magazine entirely unnecessary. 25.-Historical Collections of Louisiana, embracing many Rare and Valuable Documents relating to the Natural, Civil, and Political History of that State. Compiled, with Historical and Biographical Notes and an Introduction, by B. F. FRENCH, Honorary Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, etc. New York: Wiley & Putnam. We have, in this handsomely printed octavo volume of two hundred and twenty pages, a number of important historical documents, extending from 1678 to near the close of the seventeenth century. They relate to that extensive tract of country formerly known by the name of Louisiana, bounded on the east by the Rio Perdido, west by the Rio del Norte, and stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, and embracing the late disputed country of Oregon. Among the papers, are those of De Salle, Sieur de Touty, Joutel, and Father Louis Hennepin. The volume is prefaced with an introduction by Mr. French, and an interesting discourse delivered before the Historical Society of Louisiana, in 1836, by Henry A. Bullard, Esq., the President of the Society. It is from these early and original records of the first colonization of our country, that the most important and authentic information must be gathered. To the historical inquirer, this volume will be a most acceptable of fering; and by all it must be viewed as an exceedingly valuable contribution to the historical literature of America. 26-Italy, Spain, and Portugal, with an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaca and Batalha. By WILLIAM BECKFORD, author of "Vathek." New York: Wiley & Putnam's Library of Choice Reading. The author of these letters, descriptive of scenes in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, says they were written many years ago, the earliest being dated 1780, and the latest, 1795. The author, an English gentleman of great wealth, it will be recollected died a year or two since. They were "written in the bloom and hey day of youthful spirits and youthful confidence, at a period when the old order of things existed, with all its picturesque pomps and absurdities; when Venice enjoyed her piombi and submarine dungeons; France, her Bastile; the Peninsula, her holy inquisition." Such is the author's account, and we may add, that they are among the few books of travel, which, if for no other merit than their literary, are worthy of a place in the admirable series of "books which are books." The highly cultivated, almost fastidious, taste of the author, marks almost every page and paragraph. 27.—An Elementary Reader, German and English; Based upon the Affinity of the Languages. To Accompany Ollendorff's Method." By IGNACE STEINER. New York: Wiley & Putnam. The English students of the German language, are becoming every day more numerous; and we are not surprised at this when we take into account the depth and richness of the literature of that remarkable people. The fact that the German and English languages, are in a greater or less degree derived from the Anglo-Saxon, and that there are in the English language some fifteen thousand words which have their radical representatives in the German, establishes a close and intimate connection between the two. The design of this volume is to take advantage of this affinity, and it is accordingly comprised mainly of those German words, which have their representatives in English, with an interlinear translation, in which the English is made to conform to the idiom of the German. To this is added a corrected translation into free and idiomatic English. The student has thus before him the usages of the two languages, and is able to see wherein they are alike, and wherein they differ. 28.-The Statesmen of the Commonwealth of England; with a Treatise on the Popular Progress in English History. By JOHN FORSTER, of the Inner Temple. Edited by JOHN Ó. CHOULES. 8vo. New York: Harper & Brothers. The men and measures of that period which constituted the transitive state of England, from the oppressive reigns of the Tudors and the Stuarts to the constitutional liberty which it afterward enjoyed, are embraced in these interesting volumes. The great merit of Forster's Lives of the Statesmen of the Commonwealth is, says Dr. Chouses, that he has afforded a life-like sketch of characters that will continue to appear more extraordinary to those who, by march of time, are removed farther from the era in which they appeared on the stage of action. Mr. Choules has carefully revised the work, adding a few notes, but making no alteration in the text of the author. We shall refer to the publication on its completion. 29.-A First Book in Latin: containing Grammar Exercises and Vocabularies, on the Method of Constant Imitation and Repetition. By JOHN MCCLINTOCK, A. M., Professor of Languages, and GEORGE R. CROOKS, A. M., Adjunct Professor of Languages in Dickinson College. New York: Harper & Brothers. This book contains within itself, grammar, exercises, reading-book, and dictionary; in short, all that the pupil will need before commencing the regular reading of Cæsar, or any other Latin author. "Ollendorff's" popular method in the study of the German language, seems to have been followed in the preparation of this work. ART. CONTENTS OF NO. V., VOL. XV. ARTICLES. PAGE I. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NAVIGATION AND NAVAL ARCHITECTURE-No. I. By General H. A. S. DEARBORN, of Massachusetts, author of "A Memoir of the Commerce and Navigation of the Black Sea, and the Trade and Maritime Geography of Turkey and Egypt," etc....... II. NAVAL AND MERCANTILE BIOGRAPHY: COMMODORE JOHN DRAKE SLOAT. By a MERCHANT OF NEW YORK,. III. NEW YORK: AND THE RAILROAD ENTERPRISE: With Reference to the Position and Prospects of her Commercial Ascendancy-more especially in Relation to the Railroad Movement. By JOHN B. JERVIS, Esq., Civil Engineer, of New York,... IV. MORALS OF TRADE.-WHAT IS MERCANTILE CHARITY? By the Rev. J. N. BELLOWS, A. M.,................ V. ROBERT FULTON'S FIRST VOYAGE,.. 435 446 456 463 468 .......... 471 475 477 480 VI. THE LAW OF DEBTOR AND CREDITOR IN LOUISIANA-No. II.-BY FRANCIS H. Digest of American Cases.-Bank Action.-Bill of Exchange,.... ....... COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW, EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ILLUSTRATED WITH TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS: State of the Money Market-Tariff-Commerce of New York-Imports and Exports-Mr. WebsterLoans-Mexican War-Treasury Notes-Tolls on New York and Pennsylvania Canals-Price of Leading Products-Boston Bank Dividends-New York Bank Dividends-Commercial ProsperityExchanges on New York-Precious Metals-Leading Imports at New Orleans, etc., etc.,...... 488–404 VOL. XV.-NO. V、 28 PAGE COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. The New Russian Tariff-Duties of Export and Import,..... JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY AND FINANCE. STATISTICS OF POPULATION. Progress of Population in the United States, from the Original Census of 1790 to 1901. By WILLIAM ........ 495 496 497 497 50% 505 NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE. New Lighthouse, south point of Gotland,.. RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS. Western Railroads and Canals. By J. W. ScOTT, Esq., of Ohio,................................ Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... .... Route traversed by Passengers between England and the west Coast of South America,. A Railway Smoking Saloon,. Georgia Railroad and Banking Company,... Distances on the Georgia Railroad between Augusta and Atlanta,.. Business of each Station on the Georgia Railroad in 1846,.. Receipts, from all sources, of the Georgia Railroad in 1846,. Statistics of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad in 1845-46,.. Steamboats built in the West in 1846-Brooklyn Steamboat Ferries, JOURNAL OF MINING AND MANUFACTURES. Nineteenth Exhibition of the American Institute at Castle Garden,.... COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. 514 ..... 515 516 Shipping owned in and sailing from Charleston, South Carolina, from 1836 to 1846,. Anecdote of an Edinburgh Merchant.—Simmonds & Ward's London Commercial Agency,. 522 |