able gentleman, who now sheds so much luster upon Louisiana, as well as on the South, has favored us with these pamphlets, for which our thanks are offered. We are also indebted to him for Patent Reports, Executive Reports of the Treasury and War Departments, etc. LATE PUBLICATIONS. Messrs. HARPER & BROTHERS, through J. B STEEL, New Orleans, have sent us the following: 1. WARBURTON'S CONQUEST OF CANADA, 2 vols. 2. MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 2 vols. 3. STANDISH, the PURITAN. 4. LIFE, &C., OF SOUTHEY. 5. PRIDE AND IRRESOLUTION. 6. ANTONINA, THE FALL OF ROME. 7. THE DALTONS, No. 1. 8. FIELD BOOK OF REVOLUTION. 9. CARLYLE'S PAMPHLETS, No. 5. 10. NEW MONTHLY MISCELLANY. 6. RECOLLECTIONS OF ANTONY, by Dumas. "These various works, many of which will be recognized as old favorites by the industrious novel reader, and some of which are standards in English light literature, are from the publishing house of Stratton & Barnard, Cincinnati. "They are all, or nearly all, stereotyped editions, gotten up and printed here in the West; per and general appearance, are much above the and, for cleanness of typography, texture of pastyle of the cheap publications of New York houses. We refer to this fact with special gratification, knowing the difficulties under which a western publisher labors, and fully appreciating the indefatigable zeal which has marked the business of the firm from which these editions emanate, against the almost overwhelming opposition of eastern monopolists." From APPLETON, through J. B. STEEL: These reach as far into "E" as Engines. There will be forty numbers, at twenty-five cents each, and six thousand illustrations. The Appletons publish all the standard works of science. Mr. Warburton was the author of "Hoche-gineering, by Oliver Byrne-numbers 5 to 10. laga," a book which created some stir, and is, we believe, the Indian name for Canada. His present work, in two handsome volumes, embraces the history of that province from the earliest times down to the period of the American revolution. We have put them aside for an elaborate review and analysis. This edition of Macaulay is uniform with the late edition of Hume, by the same publishers. No history has ever before had such an extraordinary run. The work, Standish, is by Eldred Grayson, and is made up with the events of the American revolution. The collection of its materials was first begun in Georgia. From H. C. BAIRD, Philadelphia, through J. B. STEEL: two hundred receipts for making colors, the The Dyer and Color-Maker's Companion, with scouring process, and directions for finishing off goods. with all rules relating to painting, gilding, varPainter, Gilder and Varnisher's Companion, nishing and glass staining; the diseases of paint ers and their remedies. From GOULD, KENDALL & LINCOLN, Boston: The Earth and man, by Arnold Guyot, translated by Prof. Felton, of Harvard. An elaborate review hereafter. From LEA & BLANCHARD, Philadelphia: Physical Geography, by Mary Somerville. An elaborate review hereafter. PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & Co., Boston, have published Milman's Gibbon's Rome, vol. vi; Shak The present number of Southey contains much of his brilliant correspondence with Coleridge, Landon, Walter Scott and others. Pride and Irresolution is by the author of the Discipline of Life. Antonina is a romance of the fifth century, by Wilkie Collins. A critic says "It is destined to make no little sensation, as one of the most truly eloquent, classical and powerful fictions, that has appeared for a long time." The Daltons, by Charles Lever, possesses the usual stirring interest of the author's nu-speare's Richard III; Carlyle's Pamphlets, No. vi; merous works. Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, by B. J. Lossing. It will contain 600 engravings on wood, superbly executed, and be published in twenty numbers. The New Monthly of Harpers we have only seen-the publishers having not yet sent a copy. It embraces repub-olution, &c. We shall notice more at length, as lications from all foreign sources, and will be the works come to hand. one of the cheapest and best magazines of the day. From STRATTON & BARNARD, Cincinnati: 1. THE TRAITOR, OR THE FATE OF AMBITION. 2. PHILIP AUGUSTUS, a novel. 3. OLIVER GOLDFINCH. 4. THE COLLEGIANS, a novel. Emerson's Representative Men, Life and Religion From LEONARD SCOTT & Co., New York: Blackwood, for May, contains Free Trade Finances, Greece again, Modern Argonauts, Peninsular Medal, German Popular Prophecies, History of a Regiment in Russian Campaign, Allison's Political Essays, Christopher under Canvas, Penitent Free Trader, &c. Farmer's Guide to Scientific and Practical Ag-1 riculture, by Henry Stephens. We beg the publishers to send us numbers 1 and 2 and the following after 3. It will reach twenty-two numbers of sixty-four pages each, twenty steel engravings and six hundred wood cuts-twenty-five p cents per number. From E. SHEPARD, Cincinnati: The Universaliad, a poem, in twelve cantos, by Arthur Crihfield. The age of doggerel has, perhaps, never before reached its acme. Two hundred mortal pages of such as this: Jenny Lind, by C. G. Foster, anthor of "New York by Gas Light." New York by Gas Light, by C. G. Foster, author of "New York in Slices." From DERBY & Co., Cincinnati: Wah-To-Yah and the Taos Trail, or Prairie Travel and Scalp Dances, with a Look at Los Rancheros from Muleback, and the Rocky Mountain Camp Fire: by Lewis H. Garrard. From DUTTON & WENTFORTH, Boston: Oration, by Robert Rantoril, jun., and Account of the Union Celebration at Concord. We are obliged to Mr. Rantoril for a copy of this valua ble historical document, which we should like to analyze. ORLEANS. "Oh that I had some one to brace up this matter; To prove from the Bible that faith's of no use!" Yet the author anticipates the sale of forty to fifty thousand copies. There may be sense it it, but the rhyme-good heavens! However, there AN INDUSTRIAL CONVENTION IN NEW is a steel engraving of the writer, whose head is most intellectually cast, and several lectures on Universalism, ably enough written, at the end of the book. One thing we will praise, and that is the typography and artist merit of the work. Mr. Shepard, whom we know well and highly respect, has produced a very handsome volume. As we have often employed him in our service, our judgment must be received in saying he is one of the most faithful, efficient and reliable printers, and deserves to be encouraged with any amount of work, which he will do with fidelity and economy. From PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & Co., Boston: Carlyle's Latter-Day Pamphlets. 1, The Present Time; 2, Model Prisons; 3, Downing Street; 4, New Downing Street; 5, Stump Orator; 6, Parliaments. This is a very beautiful edition. Origin of the Material Universe, S3 pages. This is another theory, and the author says, if it be deemed not visionary, some part, at least, will lead to investigations, etc. Atheism among the People, by Lamartine. 71 pages. Translated by Messrs. Hale and Le Baron. It is one of the most eloquent of the author's productions. We suggest, for the consideration of all citizens, well-wishers to the Southern and Western States, a convention, to be held some time next spring, in New Orleans, for the purpose of general cooperation in extending the manufacturing sys tem of this wide region. There should be a unity of action to secure the highest results, and our city presents many advantages for a general meeting of the kind. The proposition has been favorably received by many gentlemen with whom we have conversed. The South has already had commercial conventions, railroad conventions, slavery conventions-but a convention for the promotion of manufactures, seems, as yet, unthought of, though, we believe, it would be attended with more practical results than any other. In our next we shall treat the subject fully, and meanwhile request the southern and western press to take up and advocate it, should it meet their favor. TO SUBSCRIBERS. We beg, from all sources, immediate remittances; and, in return, guarantee continued improvements in the work. Who pays quickly, pays doubly. The expenses of the work are increased two fold, and our reliance is upon the liberality and public spirit of subscribers. Remit aby mail, and all remittances will be acknowl From DEWITT & DAVENPORT, New York: The Miner's Daughters, a Tale of the Peak, from "Household Words:" by Charles Dickens. Lizzie Leigh, a domestic tale, also from "Household Words." The services of those who send us new subscribers, will also be remembered long and gratefully. We are willing to allow fair commissions to respectable young men, who will undertake to canvass any particular State, for subscribers; and letters upon this subject, post paid, with references, will meet with prompt attention. We hope, before long, to secure European and Three Strong Men, by Alexander Dumas, trans-northern correspondents, in addition to many lated by Fayette Robinson. able collaborators. DE BOW'S SOUTHERN AND WESTERN REVIEW. Established January 1, 1846. J. D. B. DE BOW, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. SEPTEMBER, 1850. VOL. IX, O. S. 2d SERIES, VOL. III, No. 3—3d SERIES, VOL. I, No. 3. ART. I.-SOME THOUGHTS ON POLITICAL ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT. SOURCES OF PUBLIC WEALTH. [WHAT is here offered, is but a few abstract reasonings, which have lead us where they would. If the reader "like them not," they will do him no harm ; and he is assured the subject is now disposed of by us once for all.] Of the two sciences, political economy and government (if, in their still crude and imperfect state, the term science be strictly applicable to either), it may be said, generally, the aim of the one is to direct the action and control the excesses of the other, in all those points in which the public wealth is involved. This, though it be far from the whole mission of political economy, is yet the most important part of that mission. The public wealth is an essential element of that public welfare, with which all governments are charged. It comprises everything which relates to the physical well-being of a people; and, as this physical well-being is at the bottom of all social and moral progress—all advances in letters, arts, sciences and civilization-the promotion of public wealth may, indeed, in a liberal and enlarged sense, be considered the whole duty of government. Political economy comes, then, to be considered coextensive with legislation, and sound law is necessarily based upon its principles. If political economy, like some of the exact sciences, had attained perfection, which is far from being the case in its present stage of infaney, and all its rules and principles were susceptible of demonstration, we should have no more of that multiplicity of legislation, which results from the continued enaction and repeal of laws, unless, as is too apt to be the case, governments should be administered by the ignorant, and statesmen, miscalled, prefer to pander to popular prejudices or court its acclamations, than carry out the great principles which are founded in truth and reason. That this last supposition is not improbable, may be inferred from what is every day seen, even in the most enlightened governments: for it will not surely be denied, that there are some, and we believe a great many, settled principles, in political economy, as demonstrable as any moral truths can be, of which ignorance is frequently betrayed in high quarters, and which are openly violated under one pretext or another, or with seeming unconsciousness. That the law-givers, or law-makers of the world, whether by the divine right which made kings and despots, or the diviner right of representatives of the people, have in reality, and in most instances, acted from the best knowledge within their reach, with sincerity and with honest intentions toward those whom they were called upon to govern, need not for our purposes be denied. No sufficient reason for an opposite course can be alleged. Even the most base and heartless tyrant could not but perceive, unless blinded by the worst madness, that his own state and splendor is in some degree dependent upon the extent and prosperity of his realm and his subjects. A systematic warfare against all industry, enterprise and progress, was never, perhaps, the object of the most crushing tyranny the world ever knew. History is not, indeed, without instances, in all ages, where such systematic warfare appears to have been waged against industry and enterprise, by even the best class of governments. A careful examination of the existing powers of the world would, perhaps, present us many such instances of warfare, more or less considerable, notwithstanding all the progress which has been made in civil liberty, science and civilization. Radical differences in the principles and forms of government will not explain these phenomena: they are wholly independent of them. To conceive a republic more unfavorable to enterprise even than a despotism is not difficult, since, if forms of government be much, they are not everything. Though we may not admit the best administered government is best, merely theoretic perfection should have no favor. To a misapprehension of the true purposes of government, and of the mode of promoting the real welfare of the State, may be traced the greater portion of the evils which society has suffered. Men have not known the truth, or the whole truth. They have legislated without light, blundering on from age to age-the precedent of the sires being sufficient for the sons. Nothing so absurd as not to have had an advocate. The more conscientious, the more dangerous and inveterate the error! The most difficult and perplexing of all sciences is, without doubt, that of government. It requires almost prescience, in many cases, to see the bearing and results of political measures; in all cases it requires more than ordinary apprehension. We are told that the Romans had laws teaching how to make laws; but this could not have applied to other than the mere forms. The acquaintance and study of facts and results, as they are worked out in the movements and machinery of society, from the masses up, under all circumstances, most propitious or adverse, in all times, in all countries, are more indispensable conditions of the statesman, than all the logic and metaphysics of the schools, all the philosophy of the closet. Experience, which is so excellent a teacher in regard to almost everything in which we are interested, gives not so clear and unmistakable a light in this particular. There are so many counteracting influences and causes at work, so many undefined operations in society, that it is not singular the real sources of evil are so often overlooked and the wrong ones imputed. The results sometimes are very distant. The hand which strikes the blow, the blow itself, may be secret, and yet the mischief be as sure and as irreparable. This is akin to what Bishop Butler remarks of the moral government of the world: the punishment of an invasion of a law of nature, follows not always so immediate as to be traced to that invasion.* The study of the true sources of national prosperity, is almost altogether of modern date. It is later even, by far, than the philosophical and metaphysical regeneration effected by Bacon and Locke. A century has not passed since the first impulse was given to these investigations, by the publication of a work, which has deservedly immortalized the name of Adam Smith. Without defining what is called political economy, or entering into any disquisitions upon it, this may be said without controversy: that, in addressing its teachings to the rulers and legislators of the world, what they ought not to do, is a far more important lesson, than what they ought. The "masterly inactivity," proclaimed by one of our statesman, is a safer general rule than constant intervention. There is never any danger that legislators will not do enough in the enactment of every character of laws, and coucerning every character of · subject. Their vanity of place, the importance which they fancy be * See the "Analogy." |