11.-The Life of Wilbur Fisk, D. D., First President of the Wesleyan University. By JOHN HOLDICH. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 455. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Well known and highly esteemed as was the excellent individual whose Life is here given, we doubt if his warmest admirers and most intimate friends have been fully aware of his many excellencies, and the extent of his useful labors; they will learn, for the first time, from this beautiful memoir, how great and good a man he was at least so it has been with us; we had never appreciated him at half his real worth. Death has consecrated his virtues, and presented his character to us in many interesting lights that wholly escaped our notice while he was living. Professor Holdich was designated by Dr Fisk, a few days only before his decease, to write his Life; and from the conviction, no doubt, that no other person was so well qualified, from personal intimacy, and a perfect knowledge of him, to do entire justice to his character. The confidence was not misplaced-the sacred trust has been nobly discharged; and the result is a work no less just to its subject than creditable to its author, and which will be read with the deepest interest by the community. 12.-The Great Commission, or The Christian Church Constituted and Charged to Carry the Gospel to the World. By the Rev. JOHN HARRIS, D. D., author of " Mammon," the "Great Teacher," etc. 12mo. pp. 484. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. To this treatise was awarded the prize of two hundred guineas, offered for the best essay "on the duty, privilege, and encouragement of Christians to send the Gospel to the nninlightened nations of the earth." The competition was understood to be confined within the limits of the United Kingdom. The extension of it to America was subsequently suggested, but the suggestion, say the adjudicators, came too late to admit of its being properly adopted. Another prize of fifty guineas was awarded to Rev. Richard Hamilton, of Leeds. There were forty-two essays received by the committee, differing of course very widely in character and claims, "from some of an inferior order, rising through higher degrees in the scale of merit, to a considerable number of sterling excellence." Appended to the American edition of this treatise, is an introductory essay by Dr. WILLIAMS, of New York. Aside from the interest the work possesses to the friends of missions, its literary claims are of the highest order of excellence, and must place it among the classics in religious literature.

13. The Great Awakening. A History of the Revival of Religion in the time of Edwards and Whitfield. By JOSEPH TRACY. 8vo. pp. 433. Boston: Tappan & Dennet. 1842. In 1840, public meetings were held in some places, chiefly by those denominated Presbyterians or Calvinists, in commemoration of what Edwards called "The Revival of Religion in New England, in 1740." This "revival" forms the basis of the present work; and we are informed by the author, that opinions concerning it were various and discordant, even among those who entertain similar doctrinal or theological views; some thinking it worthy of unmixed eulogy in public celebrations, others speaking of it with only guarded and qualified commendations, and others doubting whether it should not be mentioned rather with censure than otherwise. The design of Mr. Tracy, in the present work, is to furnish the means of suitably appreciating what he considers the good and the evil of that period of religious history. The volume is enriched with many anecdotes of Whitfield and his times, and is on the whole a well written work on a subject that interests a large portion of the religious community of the present day.

14.-Wilson's American Ornithology, with Notes by Jardine; to which is added a synopsis of American Birds, including those described by Bonaparte, Audubon, Nuttall, and Richardson. By T. M. BREWER. 18mo. pp. 746. Boston: Otis, Broaders & Co.

The present edition of Wilson's Ornithology, adapted to general circulation, supplies a want long felt in the United States, and it will doubtless serve to extend the fame of the author, give a wide scope to the influence of his genius, and promote an interest in the study of American ornithology. In accomplishing these objects, Mr. Brewer the American editor has followed the original work of Wilson, adding thereto the copious and valuable Notes of Jardine. The compiler acknowledges his indebtedness to Audubon for the assistance he received from the labors and writings of that illustrious ornithologist. It is neatly printed, and handsomely illustrated with steel engravings.

15-Jahr's New Manual of Homœopathic Practice. Edited, with Annotations, by A. GERALD HULL, M. D. Second American Edition, from the Third, or Paris Edition. 2 vols. 8vo. New York: William Radde.

It seldom falls to our lot to notice a work on Homœopathy, and though we do it with diffidence, it is accompanied also with pleasure. We think it incumbent upon every Physician to give to this subject his mature deliberation, and not to reject it,untried and unknown. The author boldly challenges the test of experience, and is willing to stand or fall by it. And the rapid strides which the new system of medicine has made in the old world gives it a strong claim to the attention and respect of the practitioners of the new. And whilst the infinitessimal doses and sugar globules, have afforded scope to the ingenuity and satire of many, let us not forget that Galileo was confined as a lunatic, and the experiments of our own Franklin were considered too puerile for refutation, but the world has since been convinced that the former was not mad, and the philosophy of the latter will bid defiance to detractors, whilst the lightnings of heaven play harmless around us. In the present edition of this work much has been added by Dr. Hull, and the result of his extensive practice, aided by a refined and discriminating mind, has been carefully noted, and will afford great advantage to those seeking either information or improvement in this branch of science. 16.-Cincinnati in 1841: its Early Annals and Future Prospects. By CHARLES CIST. 12mo. pp. 300. New York: R. Carter.

The author of this volume was employed as one of the marshals for taking the census of 1840, and the volume before us owes its origin to this circumstance. The reports which Mr. C. made in the Cincinnati public prints of his progress in taking the census of that city for 1840, enhanced and illustrated as they are with various observations and incidents springing from his official inquiries, form the basis of this work, and render it at once attractive and useful. We cannot perhaps give a better illustration of the progress of Cincinnati than is exhibited in the following table of the increase of population since 1795, derived from the work:

17.-Exchange Tables, designed to furnish the Public with an accurate set of Calculations for Computing Profit and Loss, Interest and Exchange, and to facilitate the Merchant in advancing on Invoice Prices of Foreign Merchandise, and a Convenient Reckoner, and Test of Computations of Small or Great Magnitude. Also, presenting to the Broker, Banking Institutions, and Public Offices, Discount and Advance Tables, for arbitrating Foreign and Domestic Exchanges, with several Tables of Foreign Moneys, Weights, and Measures. Each compared with the Standard of the United States. By WILLIAM G. ALLYN. 8vo. pp. 180. Buffalo: Saxon & Read, and Robert D. Foy. 1841.

These tables are all expressed in whole and decimal numbers, so as to conform to the Federal currency of the United States; and those for exchange, rebate, premiums, and interest, are written to represent small or large amounts, at pleasure. The arrangement of the work is convenient and in some respects original, and if it is accurately printed, we believe that it will prove a valuable acquisition to those for whom it is designed.

18.-The American Gardner; A Treatise on the Situation, Soil, Fencing, and Laying out of Gardens; on the Making and Managing of Hot-beds and Green-houses; and on the Propagation and Cultivation of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers. By WILLIAM COBBETT. 18mo. pp. 271. Boston: Saxton & Peirce. 1842.

This is the first American stereotype edition of a very popular treatise. It has justly, we think, been said that "no man in England could make things go like Cobbett." Every part of this treatise is plain, direct, and to the point. Its general use would, we have no doubt, improve the aspect and greatly enhance the comfort and agricultural resources of our country.

19.-Letters to Young Men Preparing for the Christian Ministry. By WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D., Secretary of the American Education Society. 18mo. pp. 236.

20-A Help to Professing Christians in Judging their Spiritual State and Growth in Grace. By the Rev. JOHN BARR. 18mo. pp. 307.

21.-The Commandment with Promise. By the author of The Last Day of the Week. 18mo. pp. 285.

22.-Missionary Sermons and Addresses. By ELI SMITH, missionary to Syria. 18mo. 229.

pp.

23-The Telescope, or Sacred Views of Things Past, Present, and to Come. By SAMUEL Morr, Jr. 18mo. pp. 180. New York: Saxton & Miles.

These five volumes are, as will be inferred from the titles quoted above, of a theological cast. Most of them are new editions of religious works. The views advanced in the various subjects treated, are of course of the popular" orthodox" theology. They are neatly printed, and are furnished by the enterprising publishers, Messrs. Saxton & Miles, at a very moderate price; thus placing them within the reach of all who have a taste for this kind of reading.

24.-The Official and other Papers of the late Major-General Alexander Hamilton. Compiled chiefly from the originals in the possession of Mrs. Hamilton. Vol. 1. 8vo. pp. 496. New York and London: Wiley & Putnam. 1842.

The present volume is the first of a series, designed to embody the political writings of Alexander Hamilton, and it embraces his earlier efforts when only in his fourteenth year, commencing in 1769, and ending in 1780. It consists mainly of papers of a controversial character, and of letters to prominent individuals who were his cotemporaries. Although many of them may be considered merely juvenile productions, they yet bear the strongly marked impress of the mind of their author in maturer years; namely, boldness, vigor, clearness, comprehensiveness, classical elegance, and condensed expression. Many of these papers and letters are now, for the first time, made known to the public. The publication of this series, that may be considered documentary, inasmuch as they comprise the efforts of a powerful and distinguished patriot who was identified with the formation of our government, is a laudable enterprise, and it has found a fitting editor in one of our most eloquent and able clergymen, Dr. Hawks.

COMMERCE AND THE FINE ARTS.

The connexion between the fine arts and commerce has been frequently noticed. A reference to the Italian mercantile communities of Genoa, Venice, and Florence, where the arts were carried to the highest perfection, at the same time that trade was pursued with unexampled vigor, establishes the fact, and proves that the artist has in the merchant a surer dependence for that patronage which is the life-blood of art, than upon the members of any other profession or order of the state. Such being the case, we have good reason to felicitate ourselves upon the prospect of high national excellence. We are a nation of great merchants, and we ought in consequence to be a nation of great artists.

This well-founded expectation we are happy to say is, in our opinion, in a fair way of being realized. If we look over our large list of artists in sculpture and in painting, we shall find an array of men of the highest genius, who will bear comparison with any in the world; men who have already achieved great things and who promise yet more.

We have not space even to enumerate the names of our distinguished artists, but we will take this opportunity to mention one who holds, in a very important department of his art, a most distinguished place. The portraits of Mr. Jerome Thompson are universally acknowledged by all who have examined them, to be unsurpassed in beauty of coloring, anatomical delineation, and correctness of drawing. They are also most faithful likenesses; not mere dull transcripts of the features, but spirited representations of character and sentiment. Mr. Thompson's portraits are well known, and it is therefore needless here to dwell upon their peculiar characteristics. Graceful, pleasing, and correct, they have justly elevated the reputation of the artist to a very high rank in his profession, and insured for him that degree of professional success which is justly due to his merits.

HUNT'S

MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE.

AUGUST, 1842.

ART. I.-COMMERCE OF GREECE.

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF GREECE FAVORABLE TO MARITIME COMMERCE-COMMERCIAL SPIRIT AND ENTERPRISE OF THE GREEKS, ETC.-MONEY AND COINS-TARIFF OF FOREIGN COINS PERMITTED TO CIRCULATE IN GREECE, WITH THEIR VALUE IN GREEK CURRENCY-WEIGHTS AND MEASURES-RATE OF INTEREST AND DISCOUNT-MORTGAGE LAWS-NATIONAL BANK-BANK LAWS CUSTOMHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT-EONDING SYSTEM-THE TARIFF-IMPORT DUTIESMARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES, ETC. ETC. ETC.

THE geographical position of Greece must convince the most superficial observer that it is pre-eminently adapted for a maritime state; for placed as she is at an equal distance from the three continents of the Old World, with an almost unlimited number of ports, bays, creeks, and roadsteads, she is enabled to carry on a large and lucrative commerce, and engross the carrying trade of the Mediterranean and Levant, without going far from home. This must appear a natural conclusion to the general observer, but even distinguished statesmen have acknowledged the superior capacity of Greece for extending her commerce and navigation. When Lord Palmerston announced to the House of Commons in 1832 the definitive settlement of the Greek affairs, and demanded its sanction to the guarantee for the new loan, he expressed his conviction, "that the commerce of Greece would in a short time rival that of Italy when in the zenith of her prosperity."

The spirit and enterprise of the Greeks have taken a commercial turn, and in spite of the difficulties they have had to contend with, have been singularly developed. These it was which kept alive the reminiscence of a country annihilated in name, and for ages nearly forgotten by the rest of Europe; and, although their commerce was carried on upon barren rocks, selected as offering the least inducement to their more refined and luxurious conquerors to settle among them, the frugal habits of the people taught them to persevere with patience till the dawn of brighter days, when the sun of liberty should shine forth triumphantly, putting an end to their humiliating condition, and uniting them as a free and independent nation in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

On the sterile rocks and barren islands to which the Greeks flocked for VOL. VII.-NO. II.

10

an asylum, a population was naturally produced which could find no food at home. Hardy, temperate, and bold, they found themselves obliged to resort to the element that surrounded them for the maintenance of their wives and children; and the education which they received in their early years in buffeting with the winds and waves, conduced to render them intrepid and experienced mariners. The sea became their element, and commerce their daily calling.

Hydra, Spetzia, and Psara were the most important of these commercial insular colonies, which were thus called into being during the wars occasioned by the French revolution, when the flags of France, Spain, and Italy, were banished from the Mediterranean, and those countries themselves deprived of their regular supplies of corn from Egypt and the Black Sea.

A few of the first vessels, after escaping the vigilance of the British blockading squadrons, and repulsing with success the attacks of the Algerine corsairs, returned to their barren islands from Genoa, Marseilles, and Cadiz, having doubled their capital in five months. This was the first impetus given to the enterprise of the islanders, who, in a short time, proceeded to Odessa and Alexandria, where they bought corn at a cheap rate, and frequently realized three times the cost price for their cargoes. These commercial speculations not only led them to affluence, but tended greatly to increase the daring courage and intrepidity of the Greek sailors; for exposed as they incessantly were to fierce attacks from the corsairs of the Barbary coast, they were obliged, in self-defence, to arm their vessels; and it is a remarkable fact, that in all their numerous rencontres, there is not a single instance on record of their having been taken; on the contrary, the pirates themselves were always either made prisoners, and obliged to walk the plank, or forced to sheer off with damage.

Such a union of commercial enterprise and personal courage, backed by success, had greatly altered their condition in thirty years. These three islands alone possessed upwards of 300 large merchantmen, a part of which were armed with heavy guns. But what particularly distinguished these hardy islanders, was the intelligence or natural sagacity (for scarcely any of them could read or write) with which they formed their speculations, and the uniform honesty and simplicity of their transactions. The crews of the vessels were mostly members of the same family; they received no regular pay, but had a certain share in the speculation, the profits of which, when realized, were divided with the most scrupulous good faith-first the capital, than the interest, (reckoned at three per cent per month,) and, lastly, the profit.

The undertaking was carried into execution by the captain, who had the whole sum at his disposal; nor is there any instance of fraud or embezzlement. This patriarchal honesty was most conspicuous among the Hydriots, among whom such occurrences as the following were frequent. A captain gave notice at Hydra, that he was fitting out his vessel for Odessa, to purchase grain there, and carry it for a market to Leghorn. Such of his countrymen as chose to take part in the undertaking, brought him their bags of money, which were received unopened and uncounted ; nor were even receipts made out and signed by the captain, so great was the mutual confidence. It frequently happened that even the names of the parties were not given or asked for, (both parties being perfectly illiterate,) but in no case was there ever cause of complaint. On the return