This table, which proves Mr. Woodbury's estimate of receipts for 1841 to have been very nearly right, presents also a most extraordinary method of "retrenchment" and "reform." The estimated expenses of Mr. Woodbury were based upon a perfect knowledge of the state of all the public workshow far each had approached completion, and what was proper to continue that salutary reduction which had been progressing since 1838. The heads of appropriations asked for by the different departments-civil, military, and naval-amounted to $17,485,520; and an addition of $1,764,480 was made to cover oversights, and sufficient superadded to cover the outstanding Treasury notes; making the whole amount to $23,899,189. The resources to meet these were chiefly the customs and lands, if Congress did not choose to recall the $28,000,000 deposited with the States. In this state of affairs the retrenchment party, par excellence, came into power. What was to have been expected from their stern republican expressions of economy and frugality?their determination to reduce the debt" and to relieve "the dear people?" Was it not natural to suppose that these uncompromising censors would have investigated the accounts?-discovered and pruned any useless expenses said to exist? reduced salaries, pay and mileage of members-saved money by talking less and shortening the session; and have pushed economy to the point of

Increase of expense in 1841 over 1840.
Permanent debt created,

Land revenues given away per annum,
Tariff increased per annum,
Capital subscribed for bank, vetoed

The "retrenchment" party therefore voted away $33,717,881 beyond that which was necessary, and to pay

32,025,070 19,200,000 18,967,513 917,945 deficit 627,559

33,012,415

18,572,441

parsimony? All such suppositions, however, were the emanations of oldfashioned ideas, long since exploded. Such is by no means the practice of "enlightened statesmen. The first thing that was done-to use an Hibernianism-towards improving the reve nue, was utterly to neglect advertising the public lands, or to take any means towards turning that valuable source of revenue to account. No notice of sales was given; no graduation bill hinted at; no means taken to open land offices in districts where surveys were open for large sales, and which would immediately have increased the receipts-Oh, no! a better plan was hit upon; it was to give away the land, and thus save the expense of collecting the revenues from it. Having astonished the public with this brillant proposition to improve the revenues of the Treasury, they immediately set about saving money by calling an extra session of Congress. The session was called, avowedly, on account of "sundry important and weighty matters growing out of the condition of the revenue and finances." The hollowness of this pretence we have seen. The table of the expenditures for 1841, given above, also shows the result of this extra session, called to lessen expenses, which were swelled $10,000,000 beyond the estimates of the department. The leading measures of that session-called to remedy the extravagance of the former administration-were as follows:

$8,217,881 12,000,000

3,500,000

5,000,000 22,000,000

it, were to borrow the $22,000,000 for a bank, also the $12,000,000 to meet increased expenses; and they levied a

tax of $5,000,000 upon the people to relieve them from the oppression of the former administration. This was the first year of "retrenchment" and the restoration of confidence. During the session, the credit of the States as indicated in the price of their securities upon the market had been maintained by the vain expectation, that the promises of the party in power could, in some measure, have been redeemed. At the close of the session, however, the floating debt of the government, consisting of the much abused and vilified Treasury Notes, had been increased several millions of dollars, and speedily fell to 5 or 6 per cent. discount, although prior to March, 1841, they were always at a premium. This fact is alone sufficient to show that the course of the new government had ruined its credit among practical men; but more than that, the Secretary came into the market with the new loan, authorised to the extent of $12,000,000, having no funds pledged for its redemption. The receipts of the Trea

sury less than its expenditures, and that bankrupt Treasury, deprived of its land revenues, the result was of course, that only $5,000,000 of the loan was taken. The failure to negotiate the loan increased the discredit of the government, and when Congress again met and extended the time and amount of the loan, and authorised it to be sold at any price, the Secretary, on coming into the market, could only sell $1,500,000 of a 6 per cent. stock at 2 per cent. discount, leaving $10,500,000 which nobody would touch. The customs revenue had indeed been pledged for this amended loan, but Congress has sagaciously evaded that provision by neglecting to provide any laws by which a revenue from customs may be collected. These stocks will be hawked about Europe, will be derided, scoffed at, and ridiculed, thereby injuring the government credit more than all that has gone before. Under such circumstances, how is it possible to expect any revival of stock credits of any description?

Animal Chemistry, or Organic Chemistry, in its Application to Physiology and Pathology. By JUSTUS LIEBIG, M.D., Ph. D., F.R.S., M.R.I.A., Professor of Chemistry in the University of Giessen. Edited from the Author's Manuscript, by WILLIAM GREGORY, M.D., F.R.S.E., M.R.I.A., Professor of Medicine and Chemistry in the University and King's College, Aberdeen. New York: Wiley & Putnam, 161 Broadway. 12mo. pp. 356.

DR. LIEBIG's writings are among the most valuable as well as original contributions which the age is producing, toward the solution of the Great Problem, the most beautiful and elevated in physical science that can engage the human intellect, the discovery of the laws of vitality. He may be said to stand at the head of that large and powerful school of philosophy, which is now engaged in attacking the abstruse mysteries of this problem, through the avenue of access afforded by the observation of the chemical phenomena of organic being. But he at the same time steers widely clear of the error into which the chemical school, misled by the habits of their accustomed investigations in the world of mineral chemistry, have been too prone to fall-namely, that of regarding the living organism as a mere laboratory, to the phenomena of which were to be applied the some comparatively simple principles of chemical action exhibited by the same elements in their binary combinations in inorganic substances. The present volume is a sequel to Liebig's former work on Organic Chemistry in its Applications to Agriculture and Physiology, placed within the reach of the American reader by the same publishers to whom we owe the present one; and we learn by the author's dedication to the "British Association for the Advancement of Science," that he intends to follow it with a third part, to contain an investigation of the food of man and animals, the analysis of all articles of diet, and the study of the changes which the raw food undergoes in its preparation. The track of investigation pursued by the author, the quantitative as distinguished from the qualitative method, is one which places a stamp of certainty and truth upon such facts as it enables him to accumulate; and

whatever new lights may hereafter be thrown upon the nature and laws of the hidden principle whi h lies at the bottom of all, these results, as far as they go, must not only remain fixed facts, capable, too, of practical applications of the highest utility, but they must always be regarded as having afforded most valuable aid toward the discovery of those laws. These results of extensive and profound observation through patient years, many of which are equally novel and important, are exhibited with a clearness of development and simplicity of statement, which, in connection with the nature of the subject and its ultimate bearing, give a very fascinating interest to its pages, so far as we have yet found time for their study.

Thoughts on the present Collegiate System in the United States. By FRANCIS WAYLAND. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln, 59 Washington-street: 1842. 18mo. pp. 160.

SUCH a theme as is indicated by the above title, is far better adapted to the pen of the learned President of Brown University, than that on which he last appeared, with no very becoming grace, before the public; and returning to more congenial labors, "Richard's himself again." This volume is well-timed, and will doubtless be useful. We have long looked upon the whole system of College Education in this country as little better than a solemn humbug; and President Wayland shows very plainly that it ought to be "reformed altogether." He exhibits the inefficiency of the present system of visitation or Trustee supervision, prevailing in all our colleges; the tendency of the system to make indolent professors and superficial students. Among other suggestions of improvement, he proposes, what we have always regarded as of primary importance, that the professors should have to depend, for the chief part of their emoluments, on the fees of their classes; that the Procrustean system of an unvarying four years' regular course, be abandoned; that the time be extended, and the number of subjects studied reduced, to be made more thorough and more beneficial. Altogether it is an excellent little volume, telling a great deal of truth more useful to the public than agreeable, probably, to

the established functionaries of the existing colleges in this country-one hundred and one in number-besides thirty-nine Theological Seminaries, ten Law Schools, and thirty-nine Medical Schools. We trust that some of them will promptly set the example to the rest, of reorganizing themselves in accordance with its suggestions; and Dr. Wayland the President will have almost earned a just forgiveness for the recent sins of Dr. Wayland the Politician.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines, containing a clear Exposition of their Principles and Practice. By ANDREW URE, M. D., F. R. S., &c., &c. Illustrated with 1241 Engravings on wood. From the second London Edition. New York: Published by D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway.

WE have received the first twelve parts of this excellent work, which is appearing from time to time from the industrious press of the Messrs. Appleton, in numbers, at a price placing it within the reach of the tens of thousands in this country to whom it must soon become a book of absolute necessity. Of Dr. Ure's eminent reputation, as a man both of high science and extensive practical experience in its applications, it is unnecessary to speak. We cannot do better, to give our readers an idea of the value of the work we desire to make known to them, than place before them the following quotation from his Preface:

"I have embodied in this work the results of my long experience as a Professor of Practical Science. Since the year 1805, when I entered at an early age upon the arduous task of conducting the schools of chemistry and manufactures in the Andersonian Institution, up to the present day, I have been assiduously engaged in the study and improvement of most of the chemical, and many of the mechanical arts. Consulted professionally by proprietors of fac to ies, workshops, and mines of various descriptions, both in this country and abroad, concerning derangements in their operations, or defects in their

many others.

"And lastly, to give the general reader, intent, chiefly, on Intellectual Cultivation. views of many of the noblest achievements of Science, in effecting those grand transformations of matter to which

Great Britain and the United States owe their paraof the earth. mount wealth, rank, and power, among the nations

"The latest statistics of every important object of Manufacture are given from the best, and, usually, from official authority, at the end of each article."

The whole work is to be completed in twenty-one numbers, at 25 cents each, making a large octavo volume of about 1400 pages. It will be sent, post paid, by mail to any part of the Union, on the receipt by the publishers of five dollars in advance. The price of the second London edition from which it is reprinted is eleven dollars. After its completion, toward which it is now approaching, the publishers announce that it will not be in their power to afford it for less than seven.

Bees, Pigeons, Rabbits, and the Canary Bird, familiarly described: their Habits, Propensities, and Dispositions explained; Mode of Treatment in Health and Disease plainly laid down; and the whole adapted, as a Text-Book, for the Young Student. By PETER BOSWELL, of Greenlaw. With an Appendix, containing Directions for the Care of several American Singing-Birds. New York: Wiley and Putnam. 1842. 18mo. pp. 164.

WE have found this an interesting little

becoming acquainted with their minutest details, and have frequently had the good fortune to rectify what was amiss, or to supply what was wanting. Of the stores of information thus acquired, I have availed myself on the present occasion; careful, meanwhile, to neglect no means of knowledge which my extensive intercourse with foreign na tions affords.

"I therefore humbly hope that this work will prove a valuable contribution to the literature of

science, serving

"In the first place, to instruct the Manufacturer, Metallurgist, and Tradesman, in the principles of their respective processes, so as to render them, in reality, the masters of their business; and, to emancipate them from a state of bondage to such as are too commonly governed by blind prejudice and a vicious routine.

"Secondly. To afford Merchants, Brokers, Dry. salters, Druggists, and Officers of the Revenue, cha

racteristic descriptions of the commoditics which

pass through their hands.

Thirdly. By exhibiting some of the finest deve.

nor aviary, dove-cote nor rabbit-hutch. It is full of details of practical instruction, conveyed in a simple, business sort of way; though at times with an unconscious poetry, derived doubtless from the innocent and pleasing pursuits to which the author has evidently devoted no small portion of his time and attention. We should be glad if its effect should be to lead some of our country residents to cultivate more than is now done among us a taste of this character, from which they would find no small degree of amusement to result, not unaccompanied with moral benefit, and even perhaps sometimes, if they choose, those advantages generally

supposed to be still more acceptable to our Yankee calculations. Many excellent lessons of morals and wisdom may be learned from these humble little monitors and exemplars, worth treasuring up. The bees have a sort of French Revolution every year-when the working-bees seem to get out of patience with the drones, and make a furious onslaught upon them, massacreing them indiscriminately in an annual Septembrisation. Certainly, had our author designed to describe the noblesse whose character and habits are to be found stamped on the whole series of memoirs of the eighteenth century, he could not have done so more correctly than in speaking of these same gentlemen-drones who compose the court of her Majesty the Queen-Bee-" their sole destined employment being the propagation of their kind, for which they are furnished with food from the common stock, toward the collection of which they never give, nor are expected to give, any assistance."

Our amiable naturalist justly remarks that the common appellation of that very useful personage the queen-bee, is a misnomer, and that she ought to be called the mother-bee-to which he does not omit to add, with a naïveté of patriotism which is very edifying-" as it is the earnest prayer of every loyal Briton that the terms in a higher quarter may be speedily conjoined." We protest against stigmatizing the form of government of these industrious little "Associations of Attractive Industry" as a monarchy even in subjection to a queen. We claim them rather as not only republican, but decidedly democratic.

Mr. Boswell gives us many entertaining particulars of the private lives and morals of his little friends; and the analogies thus presented to human life are often not a little striking. Of the canaries, he says that young married couples sometimes" will fight very much, and the hen strive for the mastership; but in most cases, to the courage of the male be it spoken, without success." But he would apply a much looser law of divorce than prevails in most civilized communities

"If they should fight too much, and will not come to any reconciliation in the course of one month's trial, it will be best to part them," &c.

Young canaries sometimes, it seems, die of blighted affections-a very rare circumstance among those larger bipeds, according to the definition of Diogenes, who are without wings or feathers:

"These birds have their sympathies and antipathies, which nothing can subdue. The sympa. thy of a male has been shown by putting him alone in an aviary, where there are many females; in a few hours he will make choice of one, and will

not cease for an instant to show his attachment, by feeding her. Nay, he will even choose a female without seeing her; it is sufficient that he should hear her cry, and he will not cease to call her. The same observation is also applicable to the female, and her being already bespoke has been known to prove fatal; when the new lover has died of grief."

us.

There are natural, incurable "old bachelors " among them, as well as among In some cases, we read that "all these sources of sympathy seem to be dried up within them, and an immediate antipathy, which no endeavor nor fond caress can overcome, to have usurped its place." However, these gentry form a much more useful and respectable class than their corresponding anti-types we fined to the males) these "are generally have alluded to-for (being chiefly confound to be the best singers." These are queer analogies, certainly; and we might amuse ourselves with tracing out many more, had we more space to bestow upon them.

Cottage Residences: or, a Series of Designs for Rural Cottages and CottageVillas, and their Gardens and Grounds. Adapted to North America. By A. J. DOWNING, author of a "Treatise on Landscape Gardening." Illustrated by numerous engravings. New York and London; Wiley & Putnam; 1842. 8vo. pp. 187.

THE Country is already under no small degree of obligation to Mr. Downing for his former charming book on Landscape Gardening; and he adds to the debt by the lessons which in the present one he teaches to our farmers, and to the residents of our thousands of country villages, for a judicious combination of beauty, convenience, and economy in the construction of their houses. One of the greatest charms that delight the eye of the American traveller in many parts of England, is the profusion and variety of cottage residences of this kind, of which he is a thousand times tempted to desire to transplant one, like the house of Our Lady of Loretto, to his own country, to serve as models for imitation. Mr. Downing's work marks probably the turning point of an era among us in this respect. His numerous pretty designs and plans cannot fail to induce many of those about to build to adopt the suggestions of an improved taste which he offers; while the fullness of his practical instructions, with his explanations of expense, &c., will show to everybody that he can just as easily and as cheaply make himself the possessor of a beautiful abode, which will be a perpetual pleasure to the occupant and delight