THE ANNUAL COMMERCIAL REGISTER.*

This is one of the most valuable works, of a purely commercial character, that we have ever had the pleasure of examining. It has been prepared with the view of affording the banker, merchant, stock-broker, and trader, a facile and compendius index to the whole of the financial and mercantile events of 1849; furnishing, in addition, a variety of statistical and descriptive information, which renders it valuable for counting-house reference. It is, of course, designed for the meridian of Great Britain, but the important and intimate commercial relations existing between the United Kingdom and the United States, renders much of the information it embodies almost as valuable to the commercial classes of the last, as of the first-named power. Mr. Evans, the author, informs us in his preface to the work, that his "own experience in mercantile pursuits led him almost daily to regret the absence of a manual of this description; and having, in the course of his other occupations, collected and arranged for private use the large amount of information contained in the present pages, it was at the suggestion of friends similarly circumstanced, who approved the utilitarian nature of the undertaking, that he was encouraged to proceed with it, and present the first volume to notice." Upon the success which may follow this issue of the “Annual Commercial Register," he adds, will, of course, mainly depend its subsequent (annual) appearance. We are gratified to learn that the first volume has received at home the encouragement it so richly merits, and we shall look with interest for its annual publication, as every volume will enhance its value as a work of permanent utility for present and future reference. The author, availing himself of the "facts and figures" brought to hand by official returns, furnishes us with a clear and comprehensive view of the commercial history and condition of England for the past year. Every importer and broker in the United States, who has any commercial transactions with Europe, and especially with England, must regard the work as an almost indispensable vade mecum.

LONDON PROVISION MARKETS.

The number of oxen consumed in London yearly is estimated at about 250,000; of sheep, about 1,000,000; of lambs, about 400,000; of calves, 300,000; of hogs, about 250,000, besides various animals used as food. Considerable quantities of butcher's meat have lately been imported from Scotland and the provinces to London, in addition to what is bought at Smithfield and the other markets. It is reckoned that about £1,000,000 sterling is a fair computation of the value of live animals sold in Smithfield market alone. About 800,000 gallons of milk are consumed in London annually, supplied by about 10,000 cows. It is said that nearly £500,000 per annum are paid by milk retailers to cow keepers for the produce of their cows; and that from the additional cent per cent added to the original cost of the produce, independent of the loss caused by adulteration, the citizens of London pay nearly £1,000,000 sterling for milk alone. Upwards of 10,000 acres of land are under cultivation round the city, in order to supply the regular vegetable market; and about 4,000 acres are devoted to the cultivation of fruits and flowers. Nearly £700,000 sterling are paid at market for garden stuffs, and upwards of £400,000 for fruit alone; and when we take into consideration that the retailers advance the price of these more than 200 per cent, we shall find that the Londoners disburse above £3,000,000 yearly for esculent vegetables. The annual consumption of wheat in London is above 1,000,000 quarters, each quarter containing eight Winchester bushels. About 1,000,000 chaldrons of coals are consumed, each chaldron containing thirty-six bushels, or one ton and a half. Nearly 250,000 barrels of ale and porter annually are brewed and sold in the city, each barrel containing thirty-six gallons. About 12,000,000 gallons of spirituous liquors and compounds, about 70,000 pipes of wine, about 3,000,000 pounds of butter, and about 30,000,000 pounds of cheese, constitute the articles of general use. · In Billingsgate market alone that famous theater of eloquent persons, who, from their dress and demeanor, might be supposed to constitute a third sex-upward of 300,000 tons of fish are annually disposed of, and nearly £100,000 are paid for poultry during a season by the rich.

The Annual Commercial Register and General Record of Prices in the year 1849. By D. MORIER EVANS, author of the Commercial Crisis, 1847, 1848, &c. 12mo., pp. 255. London: Letts, Son & Steer.

THE FRENCH MERCHANT AND THE SPANIARD.

DAVID URQUHART, a member of the British Parliament, while traveling in Spain, in 1848, fell in with a French merchant, who related to him the following anecdote:

A French merchant from Bordeaux, who had a house at Barcelona, where he resided, received, in the course of business, a large sun money from a Spaniard at a time when he was much embarrassed in his affairs; he was, therefore, unwilling to receive the money, and yet fearful to refuse it, lest his credit should be shaken. Shortly afterward, he failed and absconded. His creditor traced him to Gibralter, and thence to Cadiz. There he found him lying sick, without attendants, in a garret. On entering the room, the Spaniard sternly demanded his debtor's books. Receiving them, he sat himself down and spent several hours examining them, referring to the Frenchman merely upon points where he wanted information. When he had completed his investigation he returned the books without comment, and departed. Shortly afterward he returned, accompanied by a physician, and had his debtor removed to a comfortable apartment, and then addressed him thus: "I am satisfied that you have not been guilty of fraud; but you have done me a great wrong: had you been frank I should have enabled you to hold your ground. Now that we are in the same boat, let me know how much will enable you to recommence business." The sum being specified, he said, "Well, you shall have it upon the condition that you pledge me your word of honor that you will not leave Spain without my permission." The debtor was about to pour forth expressions of gratitude, when his creditor stopped him: "It is you," said he, "who have rendered me a service;" and, unbuttoning his coat, showed him a brace of pistols, adding," One of these was for myself." My informant concluded: "I am the man, and it happened under this roof."

IMPORTS OF CORN AND OTHER GRAIN INTO ENGLAND IN 1849.

According to a British Parliamentary return published, the total quantity of wheat and wheat flour imported into the United Kingdom in the year ending January 5, 1850, amounted to 4,835,280 quarters, of which 4,765,233 were from foreign countries, and 160,047 from British colonies; the average price of wheat during the year being 448. 3d. The quantity of foreign barley and barley-meal imported in the same year was 1,389,858 quarters, the average price being 27s. 9d. The total quantity of oats and oat-meal imported was 1,307,904 quarters, of which 1,283,834 were foreign, and 24,070 British colonial; the average price was 17s. 6d. Of rye-meal 246,843 quarters were imported; 246,822 from foreign countries, and 21 from British colonies; the average price being 25s. 8d. The quantity of peas and pea meal imported was 236,525 quarters, of which 221,705 was foreign, and 14,820 British colonial; the average price being 31s. 2d. The total imports of beans and bean-meal amounted to 458,651, all of which, with the exception of one quarter, was foreign; the average price being 30s. 2d. The quantity of Indian corn and meal imported was 2,277,224 quarters, 2,274,624 being foreign, and 2,600 British colonial. The imports of buckwheat and buckwheatmeal amounted to 627 quarters, all but one quarter being foreign. In bere or bigg 843 quarters were imported. The aggregate quantity of grain and meal of all sorts imported in 1849 amounted to 10,753,775 quarters-the largest proportions being supplied by Denmark (1,320,571;) Prussia (1,364,694;) Russia (northern ports 343,124; ports within the Black Sea 577,633;) France (1,025,009;) and the United States of America (1,834,000.)

THE BRITISH MERCANTILE NAVY.

The present number of British seamen is about 270,000, of whom 200,000 belong to the mercantile marine, and 25,000 to the navy, the remainder being in foreign service. The total number of vessels belonging to the merchant service of the British Empire in 1848, was no less than 33,672, having an aggregate tonnage of 4,052,160, and carry. ing collectively 230,069 men. The average rate of increase in the merchant vessels for the last ten years has been 600 per annum, while the annual increase of burden amounts, within a fraction, to 100,000 tons. By this means employment is found for 5,000 fresh hands every year. The British Empire possesses one-third more vessels than France; while the aggregate tonnage of the British ships is upwards of four times as great as the French, and one-third more than the collective burden of the American vessels. An idea of the extent of the foreign trade carried on by this country may be

formed from the number of British and foreign vessels that annually enter the several ports of the United Kingdom. Those in the year 1848 amounted to 35,000 vessels, (13,000 of which were foreign,) having a gross burden of 6,500,000 tons, and giving employment to nearly 350,000 men. The total value of the exports and imports effected by such means amounts to upwards of £75,000,000 sterling per annum. According to the estimate of Mr. G. F. Young, the ships engaged in the mercantile marine are worth £38,000,000. The sum annually expended in building, repairing, and outfitting new and old ships amounts to £10,500,000; and the cost of the wages and provisions for the seamen engaged in navigating the merchant vessels to £9,500,000; while the amount annually received for freight by the shipowners is said to come to £29,500,000. The foreign trade, in connection with the port of London, is very nearly one-fourth of the maritime commerce of the United Kingdom. The number of vessels that entered the port of London in 1847 was upwards of 9,000, and the gross tonnage nearly 2,000,000; the rate of increase being about half a million tons and 2,500 vessels in five years, or 100,000 tons and 500 vessels per annum.

ADULTERATION OF COFFEE IN LONDON.

A memorial, numerously signed by the leading merchants of London, has just been forwarded to the Lords of the Treasury, setting forth the gross adulteration practiced in the article of coffee, by the fraudulent and deleterious mixture of roasted acorns, chestnuts, peas or beans, red pottery earth, sand mahogany sawdust, coloring matter, and finings, as also chicory. It is shown that a severe loss to the revenue accrues by the very serious and progressive diminution in the deliveries of coffee, during the last few years, arising from the extensive adulteration spoken of, whilst considerable injustice is done to the planter, the fair trader, and the consumer. The object of the memorialists is not to prevent the fair, legitimate fale of chicory, but to prevent the sale of a mixture of coffee and chicory, (or other substances,) under the name of coffee; the former paying a heavy duty, and the latter paying none. They therefore pray that their lordships will rescind their order of August, 1840, sanctioning, contrary to the Act of Parliament of 43d Geo. III., c. 129, the mixture of chicory with coffee. From the great respectability of the memorialists, including the names of Baring Brothers, Forbes & Co., Frederick Hutt & Co., Arbuthnot & Co., Crawford Colvin & Co., Sase & Sibeth, and other leading houses, it is to be expected that the justness of their complaints will receive due attention from their lordships.

THE SPANISH MERCANTILE CHARACTER.

A French merchant in conversation with Mr. Urquhart, M. P., during his travels in Spain, remarked to him that there was no public credit in the English sense of that term, but there was real credit, for in Spain man trusts man. A great traffick had been carried on through the Basque provinces, during the Continental blockade: no books were kept; the recovery of debts by legal process was impossible; yet was it distinguished by the most perfect confidence, and entire absence of failures or embezzlement. The statement was subsequently confirmed by Mr. George Jones, of Manchester, who managed the largest English concern in the Basque provinces during the war. He had no clerks. The goods were disembarked and put in warehouses. He could keep no regular accounts. The muleteers came themselves to get the bales, and all he could do was to tell them what the bales contained, and to received their own note of what they had taken in an amount of £300,000, and there was but one parcel missing. Several years afterward a priest brought him fifty dollars, which was the value of the missing bale of goods, saying, “Take that and ask no questions."

MEN EMPLOYED ON RAILWAYS IN ENGLAND.

A Parliamentary has just been issued, showing that, on the 30th June, 1849, there were 159,784 persons employed on railways, of which 55,968 were employed on railways open, and 103,816 on railways not then open. On the 30th June the total length of railways open was 5,447 miles and 10 chains; the length in the course of construction on that day was 1,504 miles and 204 chains; and 5,132 miles and 38 chains neither open nor in the course of construction; making 12,083 miles and 70 chains authorized to be used for the conveyance of passengers.

THE BOOK TRADE.

1.-The Pillars of Hercules: A Narrative of Travels in 1848. By DAVID URQUHART, Esq., M. P. Author of "Turkey and its Resources," "The State of the East," etc. and 283. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Spain and Morocco in "Turkey and Morocco," 2 vols. 12mo., pp. 287

Spain and Morocco, which the author of these volumes visited, without, as he informs. the reader, any settled plan, presents treasures which are unknown, in those regions which have been subjected to repeoplings and fundamental changes. Mr. Urquhart carries us, as it were, with him through homely paths, and into the presence of the most trivial practices, and describes to the reader, as a stranger would, a different manner of life, endeavoring, however, as a native, to explain matters from which his readers may derive benefits in health, comfort, happiness or taste, from their old experience. When he (the author) has drawn comparisons, it has been for our advantage, not theirs-it has been their merits, not ours, that he has placed in evidence. We have culled a few inviting extracts from the first volume, which will be found under the "Mercantile Miscellanies" of the present number of the Merchants' Magazine. Two more readable or instructive volumes of travel have not, that we are aware, been published in a long time.

2.-Hints toward Reform, in

Lectures, Addresses, and other Writings. By HORACE GREELEY. 12mo., pp. 400. New York: Harper & Brothers.

This work consists of a number of lectures which have been delivered by Mr. Greeley before various literary associations, and also several essays from his pen which have at different times been given to the public. They are written in a style which possesses many claims to literary merit, and with a vigor of thought which is peculiar to the author. The leading idea which runs through the book, and which apparently occupies much thought with the author, is the amelioration and improvement of the social condition of man. Amid all his labors-amid all his duties-this subject is still prominent, and nowhere is it discussed with such variety of thought or cleverness of argument as in this book. We think, however, that the author, with all his noble and generous views, is too much disposed to secure reforms by the force of legislation, and to tie men up to virtue by the power of legal enactments. More confidence in man, and in the nobleness of his nature, would remove this tendency to fasten restraints upon him. Yet, in the cause of humanity and social improvement, Mr. Greely is certainly entitled to hold a high place, even if our judgment should be formed merely by the contents of the book before us. We cannot, however, reconcile his ultra views on the subject of trade with the liberal and noble sentiments here put forth.

3.-Eldorado, or, Adventures in the Path of Empire: comprising a Voyage to California via Panama; Life in San Francisco and Monterey; Pictures of the Gold Region, and Experiences of Mexican Travel. By BAYARD TAYLOR, author of "Views on Foot," " Rhymes of Travel," etc. With illustrations by the author. 2 vols., 12mo. New York: George P. Putnam.

Mr. Taylor visited California, as a correspondent of the Tribune, and his letters were published in that journal, as received by each arrival. A portion only of the pages of the volumes, however, were included in the original letters, which appeared in the columns of the Tribune. "Many personal incidents and pictures of society, as it then existed in California, noted down at the time, have been added, and a new form given to the materials obtained." Mr. Taylor's "impressions of California are those of one who went to see and write, and who sought to do both faithfully." The work is written in an agreeable and popular style, and we have no doubt of the fidelity of the author's statements. The report of Mr. King, on California affairs, is added as an appendix to

the work.

4-The Past, Present, and Future of the Republic. Translated from the French of Alphonze de LAMARTINE, author of the "History of the Girondists," "Memoirs of my Youth," "Raphael," etc. New York: Harper and Brothers.

The present volume treats of a variety of subjects connected with the political condition of France-past, present, and prospective. The heroism, patriotism and purity of the author, combined with his reputation as a man of letters, and the part he assumed in the French Revolution, are circumstances well calculated to interest a large class.

5.-The Trippings of Tom Pepper; or, the Results of Romancing. An autobiography. By HARRY FRANCO. 2 vols., pp. 283 and 296. New York: Mirror Office. Dewitt & Davenport.

Tom Pepper (Tom is not the hero's nickname, but his grandfather's surname,) is a novel of American manners and society, of American localities and characters, and of American notions at the present day. Without, apparently, any professed aim at writing a national work, the author has given us what may be fairly classed as an American book. At the same time some pretty severe satire is leveled, in the course of the story, at the notions on the subject of a national American literature. A good deal of nonsense, no doubt, has been said and written about this matter, and certainly the absurdity is very obvious, of insisting upon a writer's shaping his efforts simply to the production of national and American books. But the nationalty, which is desirable, which is essential, we may say, to success, is that which flows from a true originality. If a writer be an American, and, as a writer, be true to himself, not writing from books, not working up again the ideas of others, but writing from life, his writings cannot fail of that local hue which we call nationality. This is particularly true of the writer of fiction-above all, of fictions of every day life. If his pictures are not painted from what he has himself seen, and heard, and felt, they are sure to be mere second-hand copies of what others have seen, and heard, and felt. Without any of that life and truth which always announce themselves and make their way straight to the heart, and which we recognize as instinctively as we do the likeness of the portrait of one we have never seen. Tom Pepper is, in the good sense of the word, original, and must needs be national. The author, Mr. Briggs, whom the thin disguise of his nomme de plume can no longer conceal, being one of the patriotic editors of that truly American journal, the Evening Mirror, in whose columns the novel first appeared in chapters. The story abounds in characters and incidents which succeed each other in almost endless variety and with almost breathless rapidity. We are hurried with the hero through a motley crowd of personages-some slightly sketched, others more elaborately painted -all brought out with some of those touches and points which give individuality and variety; just as in a crowd you see a thousand faces with the usual complement of eyes and voices; yet always something in each to distinguish it from every other. The men and women are not mere generalized masculines and feminines, such as fill the pages of so many novels, like the ghosts with "exiguous voices" in Virgil's Elysian flelds cold and shadowy. Nor are we forced to learn who and what the characters are from what the author asserts them to be. He lets them speak for themselves. The volumes abound in dialogues which are lively and natural. The narrative is in that plain, direct and unvarnished style, yet flowing and free from stiffness, which belongs to works of that class, which imparts an air of truthfulness, and is, therefore, selected from true artistic reasons.

6.-The Illustrated Atlas and Modern History of the World: Geographical, Political, Commercial and Statistical. Edited by R. MONTGOMERY MARTIN, Esq., author of the "History of the British Colonies." London and New York: John & F. Tallis.

We have taken occasion to refer to this Atlas in former numbers of our journal, and always in terms of high but deserved commendation, for we regard it as incomparably the best and cheapest general atlas ever published. It is executed in the highest style of the art, and the copious maps, drawn and engraved on steel from Government (British) and other authentic records, including all new boundaries, discoveries, and lines of railways, of which accounts have been received in London to the time of going to press, are illustrated with a great variety of objects, as public buildings, views, and the most remarkable scenes in the countries laid down on the several maps, executed in a style of engraving that would not detract from the high reputation of the London Art Journal, which is regarded as a model of artistic excellence. This Atlas is published in parts, each part containing two maps, illustrated with letter-press descriptions of the geography, history, commerce and resources of the several countries and parts of the globe laid down on the maps. Twenty-one have already been issued, and eleven more, thirty-two in all, or sixty-four maps, will complete the series. It will form, when completed, one of the most accurate and convenient works of reference that has ever been produced.

7.-Shakspeare's Dramatic Works. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co.

The 15th and 16th numbers of this unrivaled edition embraces the "Comedy of Errors" and "Macbeth" the former illustrated with a portrait of "Luciana," and the latter with a masterly engraving of "Lady Macbeth."