THE BOOK TRADE. 1.-Cyclopedia of Commerce and Commercial Navigation. Edited by J. SMITH HOMANS, editor of " Bankers' Magazine." With maps and engravings. Royal 8vo., pp. 2,000. New York: Harper & Brothers. While we congratulate the public on the possession of a work which goes so far towards supplying a great want in a condensed form for ready reference, we are nevertheless disappointed to find that very much of the important matter by no means comes down to the most recent dates. Thus, under the head of Banks, the most recent dates of the official reports of the banks of the United States are for December, 1856, although the reports up to January, 1858, have long been laid officially before the public, and that period covers a most interesting era. Of the several States, few of the reports are brought down later than 1855. The Bank of France is brought down only to September, 1856, although the same returns are published monthly, and are before the public to July, 1858. The banks of Germany are brought down only to 1855, and the general returns of the Bank of England only to 1853. Under the general heads the same omissions are visible. The trade of France is brought down only to 1853, except whatever figures are derived from the United States reports, and they are only to 1855. The trade of Great Britain, so accessible down to the last month, is given no later than 1853, though, as we approach the close of the work, the dates, especially in regard to the United States trade, are brought down to the latest official publication. In some respects, too, there is a lack of uniformity in the figures--that is, they fail to prove. Thus, on page 1771, under the head of Sugar, the consumption of which in the United States in 1857 is given at 435,000 tons, on page 1774, the consumption of the same commodity in the United States for 1857 is set down at 280,765 tons--a difference of 156,000 tons. These are doubtless errors which unavoidably creep into so extensive a work, necessarily one of compilation from authors who do not always agree. Still it can be looked upon as a valuable work, containing much that it is important the merchant should know in relation to prices, quantities exported and imported, production here and elsewhere, and should have a place in every American merchant's library, as a representative of American trade. 2.-Elements of Inorganic Chemistry, including the Applications of the Science in the Arts. By THOMAS GRAHAM, F. R. S. L. & E., late Professor of Chemistry in University College, London. Edited by HENRY WATTS, B. A., F. C. S., and ROBERT BRIDGES, M. D. Second American edition. 8vo., pp. 852. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. This new American edition of Graham's Inorganic Chemistry, is from a second English edition recently published. Since the appearance of the first edition of this work in 1843, the subjects of which it treats have greatly increased in development and importance, so that nearly four hundred pages of new and important matter have been added, rendering it the most complete, while it is at the same time the most recent, work on inorganic chemistry. It contains the fullest investigations of heat, light, and electricity; of diffusion of liquors, chemical affinity of metallic and non-metallic elements. The indefatigable industry of Professor Graham, in investigating the new discoveries and appliances of inorganic chemistry for the last fifteen years, has enabled him to give clear and complete explanation of the relations of inorganic chemistry to science and art, with a utility to the student not to be found in any other work. Not only the knowledge, but the uses of chemistry, are here displayed with remarkable clearness. The additions by the American editors are chiefly such as to give a corresponding progress to the latest advancements in the science of chemistrythe first part of the English edition, of which this is the republication, having been published in parts several years ago. The pure white paper and clear type in which the book is got up, show a worthy appreciation of the subject by the publishers. 3.-Two Millions; an Epic Poem. By WM. ALLEN BUTLER, author of "Nothing to Wear." New York: D. Appleton & Co. The popularity which attended the advent of Mr. Butler's poem "Nothing to Wear," as well as the dispute which arose as to who was its author, has doubtless given rise to this last production. It is written much in the same strain, and "drawn at a venture" with the same carelessness to praise or censure which seems so readily to attach itself to the pen of the author, and may be considered a slap at the follies of the times. Like the other, it is both satirical and quizzical, containing many pointed hits, which go to prove Mr. Butler both a poet and a wit. As a sample, we give below Satan's rebuke to sin, in a rhetorical effusion, in a poetical strain, of poor old Firkin's lawyer, in his friendly admonitions to the contending heirs to that old gentleman's princely estate :- "But if you find, between conflicting views, Give the whole fortune (which they won't refuse) Or if this fails, then, as a last resort, Stay all proceedings, cut the matter short, 4.-The Laws of Health, in relation to Mind and Body. A Series of Letters from an old Practitioner to a Patient. By LIONEL JOHN BEALE, M. R. C. S. Royal 12mo., pp. 295. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. Among the many works on health addressed to the public, this is, as far as it goes, the best. "There are many diseases which may be altogether prevented by attention to the laws which govern animal life; and of those disorders dependent on some affectious property in the air, or other mysterious causes, we are the better able to resist the influence, the more we are guided by the laws of health." The principles of this extract from the preface are lucidly evolved in the Laws of Health," by Dr. Beale, and the book cannot fail to be of vital interest to all who will attentively read it. 5.--New American Cyclopedia; a Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by GEORGE RIPLEY and CHARLES A. DANA. Volume III. Royal 8vo., pp. 768. The third volume of this stupendous work has made its appearance with commendable promptness. It is now nearly thirty years since a complete cyclopedia was published in this country. Since that time we have doubled both our population and our area; peopled the gold regions; discovered a new continent; gone through a war; buried our third generation of great statesmen, in Clay, Calhoun, Webster, and Benton; built new cities, like Chicago; all our railways and ocean steamers; invented the photograph, the electric telegraph, and the lightning press; introduced cheap postage, steel pens, gummed envelops, lucifer matches, omnibuses, chloroform, &c., &c. These matters are all dealt with in these volumes in the fullest possible manner, for a work of such magnitude, and with that comprehensiveness and ability which the editor's names were a sure guaranty in the outset. In volume III. will be found numerous articles interesting to every professson in life-lawyers, farmers, mechanics, merchants, military men, clergymen, and physicians; and among the contributors the names of Edward Everett, Professor J. H. Holcombe, George Ticknor, Charles H. Hazewell, and many others of equal authority. 6.-Moveable Circle for finding Coins, Weights, and Measures, of all Commermercial Places in the World, compared with the standard of the United States. By L. SIMONSON. Baltimore, 1858. This ingenious method of arriving at the relative value of coins. weights, and measures of each commercial place in the world, has only to be tested to satisfy one of its usefulness and adaptability. It is a lithograph on pasteboard, and consists of a plain and well devised circle, traversed by an inner one, and in order to ascertain the comparative relations of weights, measures, and currency between any two commercial places, you have but to turn the name of the given place on the moveable inner circle until it rests directly opposite that of the country or place to be compared on the outer circle, and you have the result in 100 pounds, 100 bushels, 100 dollars, &c., which can be readily reduced to any fractional part sought for. It is an ingenious and complete thing in its way, and to the merchant, banker, or statistician, who so frequently have balances to adjust, will be found a ready reckoner. 7.-Tilden & Company's Book of Formule, for making Tinctures. Infusions, Syrups, Wines, Mixtures, Pills, &c., from the Fluid and Solid Extracts, prepared at the Laboratory of Tilden & Co. 8vo., pp. 162. New Lebanon, N. Y., and 98 John-street, New York city. This book is chiefly intended for apothecaries, but it is of equal benefit to all who would become acquainted with the indigenous and naturalized medicinal plants of our country, of which it contains a better digest than any other ever before printed. And besides this, it comprehends a condensed account of such plants of foreign growth as are known to be of greatest utility in medicine. To the history of botanic medicines, here briefly given, is added Messrs. Tilden & Co.'s list of condensed preparations, and the formule for their adaptation to standard dispensatories. The publishers promise a continuation of formule in their Journal of Materia Medica and Pharmaceutic Formulary, in such a form that they can be cut out and preserved with the others in the Book of Formula. We cannot forbear to state, in connection with this notice, that there is much need of a special work on our native medicinal plants, and from the acknowledged reputation of Messrs. Tilden & Co., and from what they have already done towards developing the medical resources of the country, a more extended work from them on this subject would fill a long unwanted vacuum. MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE. Established July, 1839, by Freeman Hunt. VOLUME XXXIX. OCTOBER, 1858. NUMBER IV. Авт. CONTENTS OF NO. IV., VOL. XXXIX. from Great Britain ARTICLES. PAGE I. MIGRATION FROM EUROPE TO UNITED STATES. Changed Condition to Labor--Progress of Emancipation--Decline of Slavery-Exodus of White LaborPeace of 1815-Its Effects-Valley of the Rhine-Caravans-Number of EmigrantsDistinction between German and British Migration--Early Trade of the United States with France-Two Freights on Produce--Change of Models-Trade of Havre-Transit across France-Government Measures-Rivalry of Ports-Bremen Regulations-Law of Passenger Ships-Passengers from four Ports-Total German Migration-Cost of Passage - Destination of Emigrants-Causes of Migration-Government RestraintsDuchy of Baden-Cost of Migration-ash carried out--Total Money Means--North of Europe-Other Countries of Europe-Ireland--Causes of Irish Distress--Means of Migration-Reduction of Population--Remittances of Emigrants-Measures of the English Government--Act of 1547--Powers of the Commission--Annual Migration II. COMMERCIAL COLLEGES-THEIR NATURE AND OBJECT.. III. GARBLINGS: OR, COMMERCIAL COMMODITIES CHARACTERIZED. No. x. SUGARS. Origin and History-Different Types, Cane and Grape--Sugar Cane of the United States--Different Species of Cane-Character and Properties of Raw SugarWhite Sugar, how Produced--Grape Sugar-Distinction and Tests -Diastase--Dextrine-Sorghum Saccharatum --Difficulties Attending the Production of Crystalizable Sugar from it-Qualities of Saccharine Juice--Isomeric Properties of Cane JuiceComponents-Impurities. Mixtures. and Adulterations--Lime, Lead, Iron, Grit-The Use of Albumen in Refining--Bad Qualities of Blood-Fungi and Sugar Lice--Detection of Impurities-Constitutional Effects IV. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES. No. LVII. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. General Position of Chicago--Lake and Railways-Transportation - Population and Valuation-Valuation for eighteen years-Number of People since 1851-Railroad Expenditure in Illinois-Miles of Railroad in Operation— Aggregate centering in Chicago Country Tributary-Grain Shipments and PricesInfluence of Russian War on Prices and Receipts in Chicago-Effect of Transportation-Earnings of Railroads for 1857-Earnings of Corporations-Illinois Canal-Imports and Exports of Chicago by all Routes-Grain Received from all Points-Shipping and Lake Trade-Tonnage-Lumber Market-Western Pineries-Capital in Trade-Receipts-Lumber-Shipments Inland-Manufactures of Chicago - Capital-Hands Employed-Value-Effects of the Panic-City Improvements 405 410 415 420 430 V. SÁLŮ, SALT MINES, SALINES, ETC., IN THE UNITED STATES. Cession of Springs-Superintendent Appointed-Present Produce-Solar Evaporation-Yield per Acre-Made by Fire-Duty on alt-General White, Agent-Demand for Salt during the War-New Lease-Salines of Kanawha-Wells Sunk-Gas Petroleum - Salt Rock in Virginia-Large Supply of Salt-Importation of salt-Total Sak Home-made and Imported-Onondaga Salines-Salt Lake-Island of St. Martin's-Volcano CratersCanada West. By E. MERIAM, of Brooklyn, New York.. VI. CHINA TRADE. Recent Events-Development of Intercourse - Area of China-Population Destiny-Land Tax-Rice-Horses-Characteristics-Government -Total Taxes-Financial Difficulties-Opium Trade-Accumulation of Wealth-Early Trade with United States-Import of Tea-Exchange of Treaties, their Effect-Foreign Trade of China-Internal Trade-Tonnage-Salt-Government Policy - Future ProsperityImports and Exports of United States with China-Balance of Trade-Influence of Gold upon Prices-China Cotton-ilks-Consumption of Cotton in China-Progress of Exports Thither-British Cotton Exports to Asia-Indian Cotton-Chinese Market for Cottons-American Goods-Cotton Countries-Insurrection-Mode of Collecting Taxes-ycee Silver-Balance of Trade-Drain of Silver-Effect of its Return. VII. THE BANKING AND CREDIT SYSTEMS. BY CHARLES II. CARROLL, Merchant, of Boston, Massachusetts.. 443 VIII QUARANTINE REFORM. By Dr. A. N. BELL, of Brooklyn, late P. A. Surgeon, U. S. Navy..... JOURNAL OF MERCANTILE LAW. Application for Injunction.. False Pretense ase..... Jurisdiction-Executory Contract.-Liabilities of Postmasters 433 450 455 457 458 COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW. General State of Finance-Crops Improving-Harvests Abroad-Low Prices for Food-Exports of Breadstuffs-Southern Exports Cotton Value-Specie at New Orleans-Mint-Bank Reserve-Exchange-Bank Returns Flow of specie Paris and London - Consumption of Goods Abroad-Rate of Money--Balance of Trade--Exchange--Exports of Specie-Comparative Receipts--The Central America-haracter of specie Exports--Abundance of CoinDiscount on silver-Redemption of Money--Bank of Mutual Kedemption--Redemption in Philadelphia... .459 466 PAGE JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY, AND FINANCE. City Weekly Bank Returns-Banks of New York, Boston, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, New Orleans, Providence... 466 Banks of the State of New York Private Banks of Cincinnati. -The amount of Specie in the United States. Valuation of Property in St. Louis.-Finances of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.... New Usury Law of Canada.-Irish Encumbered Estates. Banks of Missouri.. Finances of Portland, Maine. - Wealth and Resources of Mississippi. British Income Tax.-Wealth of Illinois... 474 475 475 476 477 477 477 Imports of Wool into Boston for the first half year.-Tobacco Trade of Richmond, Virginia... 4:5 Port of Liverpool, England.-Fixed Light at the Grau d'Aigues Mortes-Mediterranean, France 494 Fixed Light on Billingsgate Island-Cape Cod, Massachusetts.. Lights at St. Helier-English Channel, Jersey.-Kokscheheren Lighthouse, Russia... Lights at the Delta of the Mississippi River, Louisiana.... Fixed Light, varied by Flashes, at Sandy Point, Chesapeake Bay.. 495 495 496 496 496 497 497 497 488 492 493 JOURNAL OF INSURANCE. Life Assurance.-Life Insurance Companies in the State of New York... POSTAL DEPARTMENT. United States Post-Office Appropriation.-Sandwich Islands Post-Office.. RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS. French Railroads.-Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad. JOURNAL OF MINING, MANUFACTURES, AND ART. Estimates of Coal Area... 498 499 501 502 503 508 504 505 506 507 508 Lake Superior Copper Mines.-The new Method of obtaining Silk.-Manufacture of Velvets.. 519 STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE, &c. Wheat Crop.-American Champagne... Wine-Making in Texas....... Agriculture in France.. 513 514 515 New Inspection of Chigaco Spring Wheat.-Value of Horses.-Hop Crop in New York....... 516 STATISTICS OF POPULATION, &c. Emigration from State to State.... Population of Canary Islands.-City Population and Valuation MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES. |