29.-Annual of Scientific Discovery; or, Year-Book of Facts in Science and Art for 1853. Exhibiting the most Important Discoveries and Improvements in Mechanics, Useful Arts, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, Meteorology, Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology, Geography, Antiquities, &c. Edited by DAVID A. WELLS, A. M. 12mo., pp. 411. Boston: Gould & Lincoln.

This, the fourth annual volume of "Scientific Discovery," similar in design and character to the English Year-Book of Facts, embraces a great variety of information on the various topics indicated in the title-page quoted. The whole is classified and arranged in a satisfactory manner. Appended to the volume, we are furnished with a list of recent scientific publications, classified list of patents, brief obituaries of eminent scientific men, notes on the progress of science during the year 1852, &c. Among other matters of interest in mechanics and the useful arts, the editor has introduced our description of "Ericsson's Caloric Engine," the most accurate that has yet been published. It is an interesting and valuable work.

50.-Philip Doddridge, his Life and Labors: a Centenary Memorial. By Jons STOUGHTON. With an introductory chapter by JAMES G. MIALL. 12mo. pp. 222. Boston: Gould & Lincoln.

This is an elegant and rather extensive sketch of the leading circumstances in the ife of a man of considerable talent and much eminence among the Congregational order of Christians in England a century ago. All who find pleasure in perusing the Lives of men of piety will welcome its appearance.

31.-The Finland Family; or Fancies taken for Facts. A Tale of the Past for the Present. By SUSAN P. CORNWELL. 16mo. pp. 292. New York: M. W. Dodd. In these pages it has been the aim of the writer to illustrate the value and beauty of practical piety, by an attractive exhibition of its salutary influence amid the daily duties, and cares, and common incidents of life. For this purpose she has selected that peculiar phase of mental habits by which fancies are often taken for facts, or incidents common to daily life are regarded as omens of good or ill to those before whom they occur.

32.-The Summer and Winter of the Soul. By REV. ERSKINE NEALE, M. A. 16mo. pp. 281. New York: M. W. Dodd.

The title of this volume is chosen to designate instances in the lives of the devoted and the self-denying, of spiritual declension and of spiritual triumph, which may serve to act as beacons, warning the self confident, and cheering the desponding. Some of the instances presented are those of Claudius Buchanan, Irving, Mrs. Sherman, Mrs. Sherwood, Francis Jeffrey, Caroline Fry, John Sterling, &c.

33.—A Fortnight in Ireland. By SIR FRANCIS HEAD, 12mo. pp. 216. New York: G. P. Putnam.

This tour in Ireland is marked with all the peculiar traits of its author. Rapid, observant, pointed, and practical, the author seizes upon the strong points of Irish life, and sets them before us with much vividness and force. This volume forms one of the numbers of Putnam's Semi-monthly Library.

34.-Punch's Prize Novelists: the Fat Contributor-Travels in London, &c. By WM. M. THACKEBAY. 12mo. pp. 308. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

Thackeray's pen loses none of its rich and genuine humor in these his latest efforts. They are as lively and agreeable as any thing he has written.

35.-Anna Hammer. A Tale of Contemporary German Life. Translated from the German. By A. H. GUERNSEY. 8vo., pp. 127. New York: Harper & Brothers. One of Harpers' library of select novels and a great story.

36.-The British Colonies. By R. M. MARTIN. Parts 40 and 41. New York: John Tallis & Co.

The embellishments of these numbers consist of a map of "South Africa" and one of "Natal and Kaffraria." The subject of the text is a continuation of the history of the colony at the Cape of Good Hope. This is unquestionably the most valuable work on the British Colonies before the public.

37.-Mr. Brown's Letters to a Young Man about Town. 12mo. pp. 255.

38.-The Canada Directory: containing the Names of the Professional and Business Men of every Description in the Cities. Towns, and principal Villages of Canada; together with a complete Post-Office Directory of the Province; a Directory to Public Offices, Officers, and Institutions; a variety of Statistical and Commercial Tables, exhibiting the Population, Trade, Revenue, Expenditures, Imports, Exports, Public Works of Canada, and a variety of other Useful Information brought down to November, 1851. By ROBERT W. S. MACKAY. Montreal: John Lovell.

The title page quoted above gives a concise and at the same time comprehensive idea of the contents and character of this work. Its value, in view of the commercial and other relations to the citizens of the United States, is scarcely less in import ance than to the people of the British Provinces. It is evidently prepared with much care, and its details may be relied upon for their accuracy. The compiler, Robert W. Stewart Mackay, Esq., was the first to introduce anything in the form of a directory into Canada. The Montreal Directory was established by that gentleman in 1843, and is continued annually. The Quebec City Directory is published once in two years. His other works on Canada and Canadian subjects are, we believe, well known to those who take any interest in such matters.

89.-The American Slave Code in Theory and Practice; its Distinctive Features shown by its Statutes, Judicial Decisions, and Illustrative Facts. By WILLIAM GOODELL, author of the "Democracy of Christianity," and "History of Slavery and AntiSlavery."

The author of this work has brought together, under distinct heads, the laws of the several slave States, and the decisions of courts relating to slavery in the United States; but this is not all, he has seen fit to comment upon and illustrate these laws and decisions in a manner that cannot fail of eliciting from the friends of the “peculiar institution" the severest denunciation. Stripped of this extraneous matter, which would of course impair the interest of the work in the judgment of the Abolitionist, it might be useful to those who wish to understand the precise bearings of the“ Slave Code." As it is, we imagine the circulation of the work will be in a great measure confined to the anti-slavery portion of the public. But we have said enough upon the delicate topic here treated--should we say more, it would perhaps displease both sides of "our parish," and that might cost us the loss of a few readers.

40.-The Stones of Venice-The Foundations. By JOHN RUSKIN. With illustrations drawn by the author. 8vo. pp. 435. New York: John Wiley.

In these pages will be found a very accurate and reliable account of the details of early Venetian architecture. The author is of opinion that no building in Venice, raised prior to the sixteenth century, has been free from essential changes in one or more of its most important features. Many of them present examples of three or four different styles, and in many instances the restorations or additions have gradually replaced the entire structure of the ancient fabric. The early Venetian architecture ilustrates the history of the southern Gothic. The text is accompanied with numerous illustrations in line mezzotint, on steel, with mixed lithographs and wood cuts, as seemed best suited to the subject.

41.-The Art-Journal for February. New York: George Virtue & Co.

The embellishments of this number consist of two plates, entitled “Fair Time” and "The Angler Home," from pictures in the Vernon Gallery; also" Westminster Bridge," "An Artist Ramble from Antwerp to Rome," and a large number of finely executed cuts, all of which display that elegance of taste which characterizes this Journal. 42.-The Holy Bible, according to the Douay and Rhemish Versions, with Haydock's Notes Complete. No. 10. New York: Dunigan & Brothers.

This is one of the finest editions of the Scriptures which has been issued in this country. The text is brought down, in this number, to "Kings, 4." Each number is embellished with a very handsome plate.

43.- Boydell's Illustrations of Shakspeare. Part 30. New York: S. Spooner.

In this number we have the title-page, the preface, and the contents of this splendid work, and a large plate of "Queen Charlotte" of England. The entire series form one of the most expensive and successful attempts to illustrate Shakspeare which has ever been made. The restoration of the original plates has been very perfect, and the style in which they have been published is truly superb.

H

SLOAN & LECCETT'S HYDROSTAT.

Invented & Patented by TISloan 1852

CONTENTS OF NO. V., VOL. XXVIII.

ARTICLES.

ART.

I. HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH RAILWAYS...

PAGE. 531

U. THE BEARING OF PHYSICAL CIRCUMSTANCES UPON the develOPMENT OF COMMERCE. By GEO. N. COMER, Esq., of Massachusetts

548

III. TRADE AND GROWTH OF CHICAGO IN 1852

551

IV. TRAITS OF TRADE-LAUDABLE AND INIQUITOUS.-CHAPTERS I. AND II. By a Boston Merchant..

574

V. STUART'S NAVAL AND MAIL STEAMERS OF THE UNITED STATES. A Criticism on a Work by CHARLES B. STUART, Engineer in Chief of the United States Navy; author of "Naval Dry Docks of the United States.".

580

JOURNAL OF MERCANTILE LAW.

An Action of Covenant upon a Charter Party..

583

Liability of Partners in Public Companies...

Effect of Releasing Past Security held for Judgment Debt.

Principal and Agent-Factors' Acts-Validity of Pledges by Factors intrusted with Goods for sale..

586

587

588

COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW:

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

TED WITH TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS:

State of the Money Market-Increased Caution in regard to doubtful Enterprises-Investigations in regard to the Causes of the recent Stringency-Comparative shipments of Specie from the United States-Methods of building upon borrowed Capital for Speculative Purposes -Increased Expenses of Living in relation to the demands from Laborers for advanced wages -New Silver Coin and Assay Office-New Law in relation to Bank statements-Proposed enlargement of the basis for banking-Product of Gold, with a statement of the Deposits and Coinage at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints-Imports of Foreign merchandise at New York for March-Imports at New York for the Quarter-Cash Duties received for March and the Quarter-Imports of Dry Goods for March and the Quarter-Exports from New York for March and for the Quarter-Comparative exports of Cotton from the United States-Comparative exports of Domestic Produce from New York-New Theory of Political Economy, etc., etc....

VOL. XXVIII.-NO. V.

34

593-500