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28.-Appleton's Popular Library of the best Authors. No. 1. Essays from the London Times. 12mo., pp. 301. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

This is the commencement of a new enterprise which promises great entertainment and gratification to the public. The selections from Authors, which will comprise some of the earlier volumes of the series, consist of "Miscellanies from Hook," "John Forster's Life of Goldsmith," "The Yellow Plush Papers," by Thackeray, "A Biography of Jeremy Taylor," "Leigh Hunt's Book for a Corner," &c. Surely if the mass of readers do not find entertainment in such a collection we are at a loss to conceive where they can seek for it. The first number before us consists of essays from the London Times, a paper which is the leader of its class of publications, in ability and character. This volume is extremely interesting and valuable.

29.-A History of Classical Literature. By K. W. BROWN, M. A. Greek Literature. 8vo., pp. 536. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard.

An historical work on classical Literature, which shall meet the popular wants, must neither be too learned and critical, nor so brief a summary as to be superficial and imperfect. It is this medium which the author of these pages appears to have had in view in their preparation. With ample stores of learning at his command, and with an elevated and pure taste, he has selected, with great discrimination, only those particulars which are instructive, entertaining, and important to the general scholar. He has therefore prepared a very attractive and readable work, which is also one of the best general histories of Grecian literature which we possess.

30.-The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg. Including the Story of Reynard the Fox. With Twenty Illustrations, Drawn from the Stuffed Animals Contributed by Herrman Ploucquet, of Stuttgart, to the Great Exhibition. 8vo., pp. 96. New York: George P. Putnam.

As an illustration of some of the most amusing articles at the Crystal Palace, this little work is quite pleasing. The cuts represent the display of stuffed animals in the exhibition, which form one of the most amusing subjects in that vast collection. The letter-press consists of a tale of Reynard the Fox, which has become as common as household stories, on the continent of Europe, and is one of the most charming of the popular tales.

31.-New Varieties af Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins and Bullion, with Mint Values. Second Edition, rearranged with numerous additions. By J. R. ESKFELDT AND W. E. DUBOIS, Assayers of the Mint. To which is added a brief account of the collection of coins belonging to the Mint. 8vo., pp. 72. New York: G. P. Putnam.

This is a new edition, with various improvements and enlargement, of a small work issued some time since, which was designed as a convenient and authentic manual for individuals or institutions dealing in the precious metals, especially in the California trade. There is appended to it, “ A brief account of the collection of coins belonging to the Mint of the United States," and many other additions calculated to render it serviceable to the man of business and others.

32.-Homeopathic Domestic Physician: Containing the Treatment of Diseases; with Popular Explanations of Anatomy, Physiology, Higiene, and Hydropathy, also an Abridged Materia Medica. By J. H. PULTZE, M. D. 8vo., pp. 539. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co.

The features of this work which commend it to the attention of all families, are the safety of the practice, the clearness and simplicity of its directions, and the ease with which any one can use it. Even those who are not homeopathists admit the value of the system for all those ills which are not so violent as to require the most prompt and severe remedies; all such, as well as the friends of the system, will find this an admirable book for family use.

33.-A Commentary on the Book of Proverbs. By MOSES STUART. 12mo., pp. 429. New York: D. W. Dodd.

No American scholar has been better qualified to write a commentary on any of the books of the Old Testament than this learned professor. In the preparation of the present volume he has had two objects in view; to prepare, in the first place, a nucleus, for a practical commentary on the Book of Proverbs; secondly, to illustrate by the aid of this book those peculiar forms and idioms of the Hebrew language, which are more employed in this text than in the other portions of the Testament.

34.-Children: their Diseases and Hydropathic management in Health and Disease, Designed as a Guide for Families and Physicians. By JOEL SHEW, M. D. 12mo. New York: Fowlers & Wells.

This volume is designed to serve as a family guide on the treatment of diseases according to the hydropathic principle. It is sensible, judicious, and contains a vast fund of useful and practical suggestions in addition to the peculiar system which it recommends.

35.-The New York Quarterly Review. Edited by A. G. REMINGTON. Vol. 1, March No., 1852. pp. 134.

This, the first number of a new review, promises well. It contains some dozen articles, six of which are from the pen of the editor. They are written with ability, and furnish abundant evidence of capacity to conduct such a work. The leading paper of the number, on "German Independence," bears the impress of a sound judgment and good taste. An article, "Palestine, by a Pilgrim," has the initials of the Rev. Frederic W. Holland, one of the most vigorous of our magazine and review writers.

36.-Tales and Traditions of Hungary. By THERESA PULSZKY. 12mo., pp. 345. New York: J. S. Redfield.

As coming from the pen of one with whom the English is not the native language, these tales are remarkably well written. They display a delicate fancy and highly cultivated mind, and contain many very striking pictures of Hungarian life. 37.-Clovernook, or Recollections of our Neighborhood in the West. CAREY. 12mo., pp. 342. New York: J. S. Redfield.

By ALIOR

The scenes and incidents of Western life, which these pages describe, will be read with interest. They are written with great smoothness of language, and a truthfulness and delicacy of sentiment which is rare.

38.-New York Aristocracy; or Gems of Japonica-dom. By JOSEPH, with illustrations. 12mo. pp. 152. New York: C. B. Norton.

This is a clever thing in union with the illustrations, but a subject so full of good points might have been much better handled.

39.-The Practical Arithmetic designed for the use of Schools and Academies, embracing every variety of practical question. By JOHN T. STODDARD, 12mo., pp. 292. New. York: Cornish & Lamport.

The fundamental principles of Arithmetic will be found in these pages to be treated in an exceedingly practical manner. It is the best manual of the kind we have ever

seen.

40.-The Head of the Family. A novel by the author of Olive. 8vo., pp. 169. New York: Harper & Bros.

The reader will recognize in the author of thisvolume awriter of no ordinary talent. 41.-Epitaphs from Copp's Hill Burial Ground, Boston. With Notes, by THOMAS BRIDGEMAN, 12mo., pp. 248. Boston: James Munroe & Co.

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY-Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Legislature, placing a copy of an English dictionary, at the expense of the State, in each district school of the Commonwealth, 3,035 of the districts selected Webster's Unabridged Dictionary as their standard work, and 105 only of another work-30 to 1. A very large proportion of the school books used through the country are based upon Dr. Webster's system, as contained in the recent revised editions of his works. Between 7,000 and 8,000 of the districts in the State of New York have also taken Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, under the provision of the last Legislature for that purpose. The Town Superintendent of Attica writes:-"There is a general sentiment of approbation, as far as I have heard, in relation to the Dictionary. The size, quality of the paper, typography, and binding, all give satisfaction. There were but few in our place before these arrived, and I have been amused since to see, in all cases of dispute about the orthography, pronunciation, or definition of words, how often the 'standard' is referred to."

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ART.

CONTENTS OF NO. V., VOL. XXVI.

ARTICLES.

PAGE.

I. ASTRONOMY: AND ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES OF THE UNITED STATES 531 II. MONEY OF ACCOUNT-ITS NATURE AND FUNCTIONS.-PART II.-Glances at the causes which introduced the present coinage system of Great Britain-System of coinage in the United States-Proposed adoption of a single standard of gold, as a remedy for scarcity of silver-Reduction in value of silver coins-Foreign exchanges-Of' relinquishing the double standard and relying upon silver standard alone, etc. By S. COLWELL, Esq., of Pennsylvania......

HI. THE COMMERCE OF ST. THOMAS. By JOHN P. KNOX, of St. Thomas..

550

563

IV. COMMERCIAL CITIES AND TOWNS OF THE UNITED STATES.-No. xxxII.DAYTON, OHIO. BY WILLIAM C. BARTLETT, Esq., of Ohio...

572

V. THE LAW OF PROGRESS IN THE RELATIONS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR.PART II. By RICHARD SULLEY, Esq., of New York..

578

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EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC.,Illustra.

TED WITH TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS:

General aspect of commercial affairs throughout the country-Spirit of speculation-Advance in real estate-Decline in the value of merchandise-Sacrifice of European_goods-Steady market for cotton-Effect of supply and demand upon the price of breadstuffs-Objects to which speculation is directed-Notice of building associations-Promises of a rapid accumulation of fortune generally illusory-Expansion of bank accommodations-Comparative statement of the condition of the New York banks-Rates of foreign exchange-Deposits and coinage at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints-Decline in the general import trade-Imports entered at New York for March-Do. thrown upon the market-Increased receipts of free goods -Imports at New York for the quarter-Imports of dry goods for March-Do. for three months-Increase in miscellaneous goods-General increase in the export trade-Exports from New York for March, and for the quarter-Decline in the national revenue-Comparative receipts at New York and Philadelphia-Exports of leading articles of produce from January 1st-General remarks, &c..

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........ 592-599

JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY, AND FINANCE.

Quotations of bank stock at Boston in each month of 1851..

The proposed alteration in our Currency. By Professor C. F. McCAY, of Georgia...

PAGE.

Excise Revenue of the United Kingdom....

Condition of the banks of Detroit, (Michigan,) December 26, 1851.

Prices of silver coin in New York and London in 1851.-The three-cent coins of the U. States... 603 Condition of the banks of Pennsylvania, November, 1851..

600

603

608

Condition of all the banks of New Hampshire in 1852.

608

609

610

611

612

613

614

615

616

617

618

Value of property and taxation in California for 1851...

Debt and finances of St. Louis...

Capital and dividends of Boston banks in April, 1852.
Financial statistics of Louisiana, from 1830 to 1851
United States Treasurer's statement for March, 1852..

A national currency-"Confidence its Basis.".

The Director of the Mint on the gold coinage of the United States...
Stock securities of New Jersey free banks.-Debt of the State of Louisiana..

COMMERCIAL STATISTICS.

Commerce and navigation of United States in 1850-51-Part I. Commerce.....
Value of domestic exports of United States for 1850-51...............

Value of domestic exports of United States to each foreign country, 1850-51..

Foreign merchandise exported from United States to each foreign country in 1850-51.
Value of imports into United States from each foreign country in 1850-5Ï

Commerce of United States with all nations in 1850-51...

619

619

620

621

622

622

Exports from Martinique and Guadaloupe.-Shipments of oil and bone at the Sandwich Islands 625 Statement of the Commerce of each State and Territory for the year ending June 30th, 1851.... 62ti

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

Brazilian consular regulations, relating to the property of deceased subjects of different countries 627
Spanish navigation and port dues.-Passport regulations of Austria...
Breadstuffs imported into the Zoll-Verein free of duty.........

Postage to Buenos Ayres.-Spanish duty on foreign vessels..

NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Light-house at Port Mahon and Dragonera.-Port regulations of Shanghae
Light-house at the mouth of the River Llobregat........

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Population of cities and towns in the United States, and rates of increase in 1830 to 1850
Population of Nicaragua..

Progress of Liverpool in population and Commerce.-Population of San Francisco..

RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS.

Canals and railroads of Pennsylvania..

Progress of railroads in United States from 1828 to 1852..

Opening and closing of the Hudson River, and the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, in each year from 1814 to 1852...

Railroad speed forty miles an hour.-Consumption of oil on railroads in Massachusetts..
British regulations for steamboats..

Erie railroad and Erie Canal, Central Railroad.

633

634

635

636

638-639

640

..... 641 641 .. 642

JOURNAL OF MINING AND MANUFACTURES.

Consumption of cotton in manufacturing countries,....

The Cliff Copper Mine of Lake Superior.-Steel pen making at Birmingham

The Dean Cotton of Texas

Machine for printing calico.-Lake Superior copper mines..

The advantages of modern inventions..

Production of cotton from straw.-Profits of mining in England

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

The fisheries of the United States.

False-packed cotton....

Cheap ocean postage.-The merchants' clerk and the plowboy....
Merchant peddler, or buying cheap.-A curious commercial custom...
The London Times on the commercial agencies in the United States
A proverb for merchants.-A lady ship-master........

THE BOOK TRADE.

Notices of 37 new Books, or new Editions

642

643

644

645

645

646

646

647

648

649

... 650

630

651-656

HUNT'S

MERCHANTS' MAGAZINE

AND

COMMERCIAL REVIEW.

MAY, 1852.

Art. I.-ASTRONOMY: AND ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES OF THE U. STATES.

In the general advancement of science, and its adaptation to the useful purposes of life, which may be considered as the distinguishing feature of the present age, there have been no developments or discoveries of greater interest or importance than those made within the last half century in the science of astronomy. In our own country the progress of this science, and the estimation in which its cultivation is beginning to be held, have been marked recently by the endowment of several private observatories, by the commencement of an Astronomical Journal and Nautical Almanac and as a more worthy expression of the general sentiment, by the institution of a National Observatory at the seat of government. This measure would, at no distant day, have become necessary for geographical purposes. One effect of modern improvement has been almost to annihilate distance, and exactly in proportion as we effect this by the approximation of remote points, is enhanced the importance of an accurate determination of their relative positions. This is at first necessarily done by astronomical observation; the results of which, to be of general authenticity, should be co-ordinated in reference to some well-established meridian on our own continent. Our recent acquisitions render us, in relative proportion of coast and territory, somewhat similar to Russia, and at the institution of her Central Observatory, which is now better endowed and appointed than any other in the world, the improvement of geographical knowledge was regarded as one of its most important functions.* In this respect the progress of astro

* Statute 2 of the Poulkova Observatory. "The Central Observatory has for its object to furnish continuous and perfect observations tending to the advancement of astronomy as a science: to make corresponding observations, such as are indispensable to geographic operations in the country, as well as for scientific and ordinary voyages:' and in fine to co-operate by all methods for the advancement of practical astronomy, in its application to geography and navigation, and to furnish individuals, who shall be disposed to employ themselves in geographic determination, with the means for effecting such purpose.-Struve, Description de l'Observatoire de Poulkova.

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