please, we believe that it has been a great moving principle in all ages, and has pervaded all classes of men, from youth to old age. Some seem to suppose that it is peculiar to Wall-street, or at most, that it is indulged in to a limited extent by the dealers in pork, cotton, and dry-goods; but we would ask, is not he who purchases any article, with the hope or expectation of selling it at an enhanced value, impelled by the same motive that impels the purchaser of the most fancy stock in Wall-street! the desire of gain-he is a speculator. The man who buys goods, giving out his note payable at nine months, and sells those goods to merchants all over the country, hoping (but often disappointed) that in due time he will receive remittances therefor, is a speculator; and past experience has, we think, demonstrated that the chances of se cess are more in favor of the dealer in fancy stocks in Wall-street than of him-it having been shown by statistics that ninety-seven out of every one hundred merchants commencing business fail. The boy who, with his little all tied up in a pocket handkerchief, leaves his home in the country to seek his fortune in the great city, is a speculator. The great game of life is before him-he may get a blank, or he may (and we can put our finger upon such) draw a prize, become rich, have his word take for thousands, and be considered great among his fellow men. Had we time and space we might show how this principle enters into all the ramifications of life-that those seeking the gain of money are not the only speculators: but that men, women, and children, are all endeavoring to acquire something of which they are not now po sessed-in fact, that we are all speculators.

We have often been struck with the similarity of the ocean and the stock market There are times when both are calm and unruffled. The warm sun and gentle breeze of summer seem to have a like effect on each; then no boisterous waves disturb the quiet surface of either, and the vessels on their bosoms go peacefully along, without shipwreck or disaster. But the stormy winds of autumn begin to blow, and the ware of speculation, as well as those of the ocean, begin to rise. Now the time arrive when those exposed to the gale must beware, good sailors, on either sea, take in a reef, the waves of the ocean run mountain high, and stocks also rise and fall raply 5 or 10 per cent. Now and then a man gets OVERBOARD. But both the sea and the stock-market finally subside into the same quiet state as before, leaving no traces é the storms which have swept over their surface, except in some old hulks cast away by some former tempest, which may be seen floating around on their surface.

ADULTERATIONS IN TRADE.

We have noticed in former numbers of the Merchants' Magazine various methods of adulterating different articles of Commerce, and consumption, brought to light by the investigations of the London Lancet, a medical journal of high repute. The last vestigations of that journal, on the subject of adulterations, have been directed mustard, flour, and bread—with regard to mustard it has been ascertained that the article is scarcely ever to be obtained genuine, whatever may be the price paid for i Out of forty-two samples purchased indiscriminately, the whole were adulterated with immense quantities of wheaten flour, highly colored with turmeric, the specimen in tinfoil packages, and labeled "Fine Durham Mustard," or "double superfine," taining, with the exception of much husk, scarcely anything else. In connection with bread and flour the conclusions arrived at were unexpected. Out of forty-four sample of wheat flour, (including several of French and American,) purchased in all quartes of the metropolis, not a single instance was detected of admixture with any othe farina, or of the presence of spurious matters of any kind. It is admitted, therefore that millers and corn-dealers are somewhat maligned. As respects bread the rest were not so favorable. Although its adulteration with alum is an offense liable to s penalty of £20, this material was found in every one of the samples examined, objects for which it is used being to give bad flour the white appearance of the be and to enable the bread made from it to retain a large proportion of water, so as gain in weight. The number of samples was twenty-four, and in ten of these t quantity was very considerable, while in all cases it was such as to be injurious » health, the operation of the drug being to interfere with the activity of the digesti functions. This article of adulteration, however, appears to be the only one generi employed in bread, neither potato, nor any other inferior farinaceous matter, nor a bonate or sulphur of lime being found-an improved state of affairs, which is mes probably owing to the cheapness of flour caused by free trade. At the same time examination of the weight of bread, as delivered at houses, shows that, upon an ave age, there is a deficiency of from two and a half to three ounces in every quarter l

COMMERCIAL VALUE OF LIVES AND CARGOES.

In extracting, from Dickens' Household Words, the following description of a shipwreck, it has occured to us to suggest to our Life Insurance companies, who issue policies on the lives of travelers, emigrants, &c., the propriety of adopting a system of salvage:

The crew of the first life-boat managed to reach the vessel; and by the numbers that crowded the deck, all crying out and praying to be saved, the boatmen immediately saw that there was a good deal more rough work chalked out for them. Two or three "trips" and the co-operation of their mates ashore, would be necessary to save so many lives. They made up their minds to the task, and at once took as many as they could-landed them safely at Broadstairs, and then buffeted their way back to the same vessel again-the sea often running clean over men and boat. This they repeated -a second life-boat from Broadstairs joining them in the exploit-and in the course of the day they succeeded in taking off every soul on board and bringing them safely ashore. The vessel also had a number of casks of butter and lard in the hold, which the captain had ordered upon deck, all ready; but if the boatmen had taken these they must have saved two or three lives less for each cask, according to weight, so the butter and lard were left to perish. The crew of the boat that made its way to the other vessel, at the furthermost end of the sands, found that, although there were but few lives to save (only the captain, mate, and two "hands,") there was a much better thing-a valuable cargo. No wild and unmanageable passengers, desperate men, half frantic women, screaming children, all very difficult to get into the boat, and yet more difficult to prevent from leaping down into her in a crowd that would capsize or sink her, but four seamen, who assisted them in getting out of the hold cases of placid sheet tin, patient tiles of copper, imperturbable solid cakes and docile pigs of lead. They also found a mine of penny-pieces in the shape of casks of copper nails and a thousand copper bolts. They made their way back with as much as they could safely carry, and shortly afterwards returned with two other boats. They persevered in this "labor of love" till, they had got out nearly all the cargo and carried it safely on shore. Now comes the question of remuneration for these two parties of bold sailors, and the wise condition of maritime laws in these very important cases. The sailors who had assisted in moving the sheet tin, the tiles and cakes, and casks and bolts of copper, and the pigs of lead, received each man £20 in the current coin of the realm; and the sailors who had risked their lives in saving the crowd of passengers in the other vessel (having no lawful claim to anything for only saving human lives,) received, by special subscription and consideration, half-a-crown each! Had they saved the casks of butter and lard, that would have given them a legitimate claim to salvage; but as it was they had no claim at all. It should be added that the sailors knew this at the time.

THE OYSTER TRADE IN ENGLAND.

The English papers speak of the oyster trade, which has recently sprung up in Southampton, as "singular and important." It seems that two companies of merchants rent large tracts of the mud land at the bottom of Southampton, for the purpose of feeding and preserving oysters for the London market. A telegraphic message is now despatched from London to Southampton, and any quantity of oysters, can, in four or five hours afterwards, be received in the former from the latter place by rail. A large quantity of oysters are opened in Southampton and sent to London without the shells, and thus a large amount of carriage freight is saved. The oysters that are thus sent are for pickling and sauces. They are sent in cans securely covered, and in their own juice, and keep well during the few hours they are on the rail. The quantity of oysters now lying in the Southampton beds is worth about £2,000, and this quantity will be enormously increased very shortly. A slip is about to be built on purpose to land and open them. The trade will be in operation all the year round, and very shortly between 30 and 40 vessels will be employed in it. A large number of persons are employed in_parking, landing, and opening the oysters. The railway wagons which take them to London are brought down by a tramway close to to where they are landed. These oysters are caught near the Channel Islands, and as soon as a ship-load is caught, they are sent to Southampton. They are there thrown on the oyster grounds, and at low water they are placed in rows several layers thick, with space between. This is called parking them. They are continually shifted to

and from the empty spaces to prevent them from being choked by the mud. Tenpence a thousand is paid for parking, and fifteen-pence a thousand for opening them. As soon as the tide begins to flow, the oysters, if narrowly watched, may be seen opening their shells to take in nutriment, and at dead low water they may be seen ejecting water with some force. If they have not power to eject the muddy particles mixed with it they soon die, as they cannot close their shells. The dead oysters are carefully picked from the living and thrown away from the grounds. No inconvenience arises to the inhabitants from the decay of the latter, for the mud land swarms with minute crabs who enter between the shells and ravenously devour the dead fish.

QUICKEST TRIP BETWEEN NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO.

"We copy from the Alta California, of April 10th, 1851, not so much as a matter of news, as of permanent record in the pages of the Merchants' Magazine, the following statment of the passage of the clipper ship Surprise.

One of the new clipper ships, the Surprise, Capt. Demerique, entered the Golden Gate yesterday morning, having made a passage from New York in ninety-six days This is the quickest passage on record, and if ships can be built to make such trips as this, steamers for a long passage will be at a discount. California has done much towards the commencement of a new era in ship building, when the heavy, clumsy me dels of the past days have given way to the new and beautiful one of the Surprise, and others of the same build.

One of our most distinguished merchants made a bet with a friend some six weeks since, that the Surprise would make the passage in ninety-six days-just the time she has consumed to a day. Yesterday morning, full of confidence, he mounted his old g and rode over to the north beach, to get the first glimpse of the looked for clipper. The fog, however, was rather thick outside, and after looking awhile he returned back to town, but had not arrived at his counting-room before he heard that the Surprise had passed the Golden Gate, and by eleven o'clock Capt. Demerique was in his old friend's counting-room, on Sansome-street. She has brought 1,800 tons of cargoe, which may be estimated at a value of $200,000. Her manifest is twenty-five feet long."

THE FRENCH COTTON TRADE.

The Journal Des Debats of Paris, contains a communication from M. JEAN DOLLFUS, a large cotton manufacturer, in which he asserts that protective duties cause the cotte manufacturers in France to remain stationary. He says:

"In England that branch of business absorbed in 1880, 269,000,000 lbs. of raw est ton; at present it requires 600,000,000 lbs. We, on the contrary, during the last years, have remained stationary. Whose fault is this? M. Jean Dollfus affirms that our custom regulations are the cause, by the embarrassments which they create. With more liberty, France might double the mass of cotton tissues which she exports, 85. even go beyond that. It is very strange that a system which produces such results should be called a protection of labor: for it does not favor the public prosperity, and does not increase our manufactures. A duty on cotton-twist of 15 per cent wook leave, says M. Dollfus, a margin of 10 per cent to our steam-spinning manufactories and a still larger amount to those moved by water.

SALE OF THE COPYRIGHT OF SIR WALTER SCOTT'S WORKS.

The entire copyright of the above, comprising the novels, poetry, prose writings, well as the life of Sir Walter, by Lockhart, with the steel plates, wood-cuts and stere type plates belonging thereto, were offered for sale recently at the London Cofee house, Ludgate-hill, by Mr. Hodgson, on account of the trustees of the late Rober Cadell. The conditions of sale stipulated that the purchaser of the above should take the remaining stock, in the hands of the publishers, at the sum of £10,109, or at a pric to be determined on by referees. It was stated by the auctioneer, that the sale of the Waverly Novels," during the last two years, had amounted to 17,000 volumes. Th biddings commenced at £5,000, and advanced to £14,500; and the property w eventually bought in by the trustees. The sale was attended by the leading men i

the trade.

THE BOOK TRADE.

1.-London Labor and the London Poor. By HENRY MAYHEW. With Daguerreotype Engravings. Part 5. New York: Harper and Brothers.

This work should be read by every one; if not from curiosity, if not from sympathy with that class of mankind whose life is a daily struggle against the cravings of want, then at least to learn what is the condition to which a large mass of the population of large cities is reduced by their crowded manner of life during centuries. The author was a clear and cool-headed observer of what passed before him, and without affectation or sentimentality, he delineates the mode of life and labors, and occupations of the humbler classes in London. None can read his work without yielding implicit confidence to its statements, and no one can believe the half of what he says, without feeling contented with his lot in life, whatever that may be.

2.-A Greek Grammar for the Use of High Schools and Universities. By PHILIP BUTTMAN. Revised and Enlarged by his Son. Translated from the Eighteenth German Edition. By EDWARD ROBINSON. 8vo., pp. 517. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The late German editions of this work were greatly improved by the labors of the son of the author. This was especially the case in the department of syntax. The present American edition is a revised translation from the latest German. To the Greek scholar it is unnecessary to speak of the great merits of this work. It has so long been before the public; it has been so thoroughly examined and tested by teachers and students, that it stands without a rival. He who aspires to the rank of a Greek scholar, who thirsts to obtain a masterly and complete knowledge of this elegant and finished language, will find this volume one of the greatest aids to his success within reach; nay, it will prove not only an aid, but an indispensible requisite to the accomplished student.

3.—Louisiana; Its Colonial History and Romance. By CHARLES GAYARRE. 8vo., pp. 546. New York: Harper and Brothers.

The history of Louisiana, in its early period, possesses more of wild and daring adventure and exciting incidents, which were occasioned by warm and fiery passions, than almost any other State of the Union. The present volume contains this history from the earliest period to the year 1743. The romantic interest of many of its details, the exciting character of a large portion of the events give to it a fascination that is peculiar to a work of fiction. At the same time it is marked by a degree of intelligence and practical good sense in the author that secures the respect and confidence of the reader. The style is vigorous and animated, flowing with much ease and gracefulness 4.-Curran and his Cotemporaries. By CHARLES PHILIPS. 12mo., pp. 451. York: Harper & Brothers.

New

This extremely interesting volume now makes its appearance under a new and revised form. The two previous editions have been long since exhausted. Curran was one of the most eminent men of the Irish nation, which has furnished such a brilliant constellation of worthies. His cotemporaries were likewise distinguished for their wit, their talents, and their eloquence. The portraits of these men are drawn in this volume as they can be found nowhere else. The author was their acquaintance, and the personal friend of some of them, especially of Curran. In his work, therefore, with a charming simplicity and liveliness of narration, he has presented them to us as they appeared in daily life. Their wit and eloquence, incidents of their lives and anecdotes respecting them, sparkle on every pige, and render this one of the most agreeable and fascinating biographies of the day.

5.-Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous. By CHARLES J. CANNON. 12mo., pp. 203. New York: E. Dunigan & Brother.

These are quite pleasant poems, and the dramatic pieces display considerable energy and vigor of thought, and a force of expression quite refreshing. The author declares that this is his last offering of the kind to the public. We hope it is not to be so, for time and care, with the imagination, thought, and spirit indicated in this volume can yet produce some fine things.

VOL. XXIV.-NO. VI.

50

6.-The Two Admirals. A Tale. By J. FENIMORE COOPER. Complete in one Volume. Revised and Corrected, with a new Introduction, Notes, &c., by the Author. 12mo. pp., 576. New York: G. P. Putnam.

7.-The Water Witch; or, the Skimmer of the Seas. A Tale. By J. FENIMORE 'COOPER. Complete in one Volume. Revised and Corrected, with a new Introdus tion, Notes, &c., by the Author. 12mo., pp. 462. New York: G. P. Putnani. These two volumes complete the series of the author's revised edition of his choice works. The appearance of the entire twelve volumes is very fine. They have been published with much taste and neatness. The paper is clear and white, and the letter press very distinct and legible. The writings of Cooper have never been offered to the public in a form better suited for the library. The revision of the author has been very careful, and it has added greatly to the value of the series, by the full introdue tion which precedes each volume, the rich and copious notes, and the occasional inprovement of passages by the more mature thoughts and expressions of the writer. 8.-Travels in America. The Poetry of Pope. Two Lectures delivered to the Leeds Mechanics' Institute and Literary Society, December, 1850. By THE EARL OF CARLISLE, (Lord Morpeth.) 16mo., pp. 135. New York: G. P. Putnam. These two lectures owe their re-publication here,- apart from the high literary merit which they possess, to the many agreeable things which the first one contains respecting our country. The late Lord Morpeth made a tour through the United States, Cuba, and Canada in 1841, and the first of these lectures is full sparkling incidents which occurred to him. The second lecture is an attempt to de justice to the merits of the poetry of Pope, and to rescue it from the neglect with which many were disposed to treat it. It is seldom that we have met with so pleasa and agreeable a volume.

9.-The Alhambra. By WASHINGTON IRVING. Author's Revised Edition. 12mo. pp. 425. New York: G. P. Putnam.

This volume, which is the fifteenth, completes the revised edition of Irvings works It is not necessary to commend the contents of these volumes to the public. They form the brightest gems of American literature, and so long as nations continue to boast of their accomplishments, the works of Irving will be named by us among the foremost of our literary treasures. Such a series as these form, should be in the po session of every citizen who aspires to general intelligence, or who can enjoy its riches The style in which this edition has been put forth by Mr. Putnam is most comment able. It is neat, elegant, and tasteful. It is, likewise, the edition of the author, a has passed immediately from under his eye to the printer, and comes forth with all the corrections and improvements that his experience may suggest.

10.-Romance Dust from the Historic Placer. By WILLIAM STARBUCK MAYO, MD 12mo., pp. 281. New York: G. P. Putnam.

This volume consists of a number of articles, both in prose and verse, by the a complished author of Kaloolah" and "The Berber." They possess far more meta than is usually found in such brief sketches, and are marked with that elegance and peculiar sprightliness which characterized the former volumes. No one of them is devoid of interest and attraction. Together they form an exceedingly agreeable book. 11.-The Female Jesuit, or the Spy in the Family. 12mo., pp. 353. New York: H

W. Dodd.

This work claims to record a series of deceptions practiced by a young female whe introduced herself to a Protestant family as an orphan, whose relatives were Jesuits and who had been educated in various convents, and had now escaped in order to avo taking vows. She was received as a governess, and continued to reside with them as such for some time, during which she acted the part of a spy. Everything in the work is asserted, with positiveness, to be authentic, excepting the statements of the female her early history. We must confess ourselves somewhat at a loss to see the design it, or the object to be answered in its narrative.

12.-The Ballads and Songs of Wm. Pembroke Mulchinock. 12mo., pp. 262. New York: T. W. Strong.

The author of this volume possesses much of the genuine spirit of poetry. In it pages will be found every variety of versification, and almost every phase of the poetic spirit. It is one of the most meritorious collections of brief poems which s recently issued from the press.