MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

OUR COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

In our March number we published a valuable communication on the consular system of the United States, from the pen of C. Edwards Lester, our consul at Genoa. Since that time Mr. Lester has returned to America on a short visit, and we have had the pleasure of several conversations with him, relative to our commercial interests in the Mediterranean. We understand it is his intention soon to publish a work of a good deal of research, devoted to an illustration of art and commerce in their connexion with the civilization of modern times. Few subjects could be selected more worthy of a gifted pen, and probably no one of our countrymen has devoted himself with so much earnestness to these studies as Mr. Lester. The origin of all modern civilization is to be traced to the shores of the Mediterranean. We have often been surprised that so little light has been shed upon this splendid subject by modern writers. So far as our knowledge of such matters extends, no work has thus far been written, in any language, which illustrates with any great ability the origin and progress of the commercial power of our own times-which has ever, at least, in our language, given us much satisfactory information about the origin of the Consolato del Mare. The origin of that wonderful code is still veiled in obscurity. Probably the most learned tourists of this country would unhesitatingly give the opinion that the Consolato del Mare originated in Spain. Who, of all our statesmen, is prepared to tell us why it is that our commerce with the shores of the Mediterranean has been slowly and surely dwindling away for the last twenty years, while in every other part of the world, it has reared a formidable rivalship to the supremacy of Great Britain. We were aware that when Mr. Lester was sent to the Mediterranean, it was his design to make these matters the subject of careful investigation; and few men in the nation were better fitted for so difficult a task. We only regret he should have occupied a station which affords so few facilities for the accomplishment of so noble a purpose, except at a great personal sacrifice. We know of nothing more lamentable than the policy of our government in reference to our foreign interests. The existence of such a consular system as we have is a disgrace to the nation in the estimation of the whole world, and unless a better system is soon adopted, we shall find it too late to recover the ground we have lost. We once had the monopoly of indigo, spices, codfish, and India goods in the Mediterranean, and this monopoly enriched Boston and Salem. Now this trade has passed almost entirely from our hands. The time was when sixty and seventy American vessels entered the port of Leghorn every year-forty, the port of Genoa. Now, the number is reduced to half a score! and more than half these return in ballast. And yet we doubt if the fact has yet arrested the attention of our government. This can all be satisfactorily accounted for. Our government takes no pains to collect commercial information, particularly in the Mediterranean, which Mr. Jefferson considered the vital point of the commercial world. Great Britain sends her consuls and commercial agents everywhere, and these vigilant spies of her commerce are sleepless at their posts. Our commercial treaties and tariffs are constructed upon the basis of newspaper intelligence, or statistical tables of the English board of trade! Of one thing we are deeply persuaded; the time has come when our government must look at these matters, and construct a consular system, and establish a commercial representation abroad, worthy of the country, and called for by the wants of the nation and the spirit of the age, or supinely surrender up to foreign powers what has cost the risk, the labor and the enterprise of two generations. The sums the British and the French governments expend every year in getting commercial intelligence, are absolutely enormous; yet these very sums are voted with acclamation in England by the House of Commons, and in France by the Chamber of Deputies.

The commerce of all foreign nations is in the hands of the middle classes, and knowing how vitally their best interests depend upon commercial intelligence, the representatives of the people, in distinction from the aristocracy, have guarded this point well. Nor have they ever considered the public treasure misapplied, although millions were expended for such purposes. Commerce, like liberty and truth, must walk on by the light. It loves adventure, and seeks new fields. But it abhors the dark.

Besides, what does our government do with the meagre commercial information they gather? Long before it is communicated to the people, it has ceased to be useful. This can only be remedied by selecting some efficient and respectable press as a medium through which all commercial intelligence may be immediately brought before the people. But now the merchant is obliged to rely upon his own private channels of communication for the state of foreign markets, and the fluctuations of trade; and long before the documents of the government are published, his fleet has spread its canvass on the India seas. We shall watch the appearance of Mr. Lester's work with deep interest, and we believe we shall not be disappointed. He carried to the investigation of his difficult but delightful subject, warm enthusiasm and rare intelligence. His official standing and literary fame gave him uncommon facilities for the achievement of his task, and we trust it will prove to have been well done. Nor can we refrain from expressing the wish that our government may choose as wisely in its selection of others of its representatives abroad. From such appointments the whole nation receives an advantage. Commerce is efficiently protected by the vigilance, and guided by the counsels of such men. Literature and the arts are promoted by their studies, and their writings diffuse among the people the choicest intelligence, and foster the noblest national spirit. Besides, such men reflect honor upon our nation abroad, and win for us influence and respect with governments and people. This was particularly illustrated by the impression created in Europe from the nomination of such men as Wheaton, and Irving, to high diplomatic stations. We have been told by Mr. Lester that the selection of Mr. Bancroft as secretary of the navy was received at Florence with a feeling which amounted almost to enthusiasm. Even the grand duke of Tuscany, expressed his delight when he received the intelligence, and his librarian remarked that Mr. Polk's administration could not fail to win the highest respect of Europe, if the selection of Mr. Bancroft could be considered a fair indication of the spirit of the new president; for, in Florence, where literary men since the days of the Medici, and even before the downfall of her republic, have always adorned the court, and often controlled her public councils, an enlightened policy has always prevailed, and scholars, without distinction of party, have been called to devote themselves actively to the affairs of state.

AN EXAMPLE OF MERCANTILE HONESTY.

It affords us pleasure to record in the pages of this Magazine, instances of mercantile integrity similar to the following, which we find in the Charleston Patriot. It appears that a gentleman of Charleston, (S. C.,) who was unfortunate in business thirty years ago, and consequently unable, at that time, to meet his engagements with his creditors, after more than twenty years of toil, succeeded in paying every creditor, (except one whose residence could not be ascertained,) the whole amount due them. He has, in that twenty years, brought up and educated a large family, but he still owed one of his former creditors. He was not satisfied to keep another's property-he made inquiry, and received information that the party had died some years since. He again pursued his inquiry respecting the administrator, and ascertained his name and residence, wrote him, acknowledged the debt, and requested him to inform him of the manner he would receive the money. A few weeks since, he remitted the whole amount, principal and interest.

MAXIMS FOR MERCHANTS.

We find the following "Things to be Thought of by Men in Trade," in a late number of the New York Evening Gazette, a new daily Journal, conducted by William G. King, Esq., with signal ability and discrimination. The maxims are understood to be from the pen of a merchant, and convey truths, the result, in many instances, of dearbought experience. Decidedly the best and most Christian treatise of moral philosophy or ethics, was written by a merchant-Jonathan Dymond, an Englishman. Credit should be sparingly given, and integrity be the basis of it.

Guarantees should only be taken in writing, and a consideration always expressed therein. The honor of an honest man, as far as dollars and cents goes, dies when he dies therefore, honorable conditions in writing.

Lying won't stand, while truth is truth.

Rascals may flourish, but honest men will out-sleep them.

Wealth is desirable, if honestly acquired, and is blessed by contentment.

Prudence in promises is a fair guarantee in the redemption of them.

A genuine scoundrel is a man who, by his sanctity, has obtained credit; and, through

religious professions, keeps back property from his legitimate creditors.

A burglar is a gentleman, compared with a smooth-faced, merchant robber.

Credit or confidence given to men of doubtful integrity, is an injustice done to all who hold on to their honesty.

Liberality should never be extended to the niggardly and deceptive.

Risk anything before you risk your reputation.

Truth is a restorative-it saves the conscience, and keeps up a glow of happiness under all the workings of life.

DEATH OF A BOSTON MERCHANT.

The Boston papers recently announced the death of George J. Homer, Esq., one of the oldest and most respectable merchants of that city, after a few days illness, in the 64th year of his age. "For about forty years, Mr. Homer had been in active mercantile business in Boston, as a partner in the well known firm of Homes, Homer & Co., in Unionstreet; and during the whole of that time, until the very day on which he was suddenly struck down by apoplexy, while engaged in writing in his own store, he never failed to distribute, with a liberal hand, his honest and laborious earnings among the sick, the poor, the unfortunate and friendless, the ignorant and the oppressed.”

GILLOTT'S STEEL PENS.

This paragraph is written with a new pen, fresh from the manufacture of Joseph Gillott, Birmingham, (England.) It is called the "Croton pen," in honor of that magnificent enterprise that supplies the commercial emporium of the western world with pure water. It is quite equal to anything of the kind from Mr. G.'s establishment, which is saying all that is necessary in its favor. The morality of the system which has been adopted not only in this country, but in England, of imposing upon the public a spurious article, under the title of "Gillott," is, to say the least, questionable, if not a downright forgery. Mr. Jessup, of John-street, New York, is the sole importer of Gillott's pens, and supplies the trade with the genuine article. The increasing demand for Gillott's pens is pretty conclusive evidence of their excellence. By the last returns, it appears that, from December, 1842, to December, 1843, there were manufactured at the Birmingham works 105,125,493 pens, or 730,038 gross.

LARGE WHALING VOYAGES.

The ship Ohio, recently arrived at the port of Nantucket from the Pacific ocean, has turned out on the wharf 2,810 barrels sperm oil, and has sold on the voyage about 80 barrels sperm and whale; making 2,890 barrels in all, valued at about $81,000. The Potomac has also turned out on the wharf 2,354 barrels sperm oil, and has sold on the voyage 90 barrels sperm; making 2,444 barrels in all, valued at about $69,000. The Nantucket is also at the bar, with about 1,330 barrels sperm, (including oil sent home,) and 1,300 barrels whale oil, and 13,000 pounds bone, valued at about $56,000. This makes an aggregate of $206,000 for the three ships. The Nantucket Inquirer asks, "Can our off-island' brethren beat this?"

THE BOOK TRADE.

1.-Wiley and Putnam's Library of Choice Reading. No. 1.-Eothen; or, Traces of Travel brought Home from the East. 16mo.

This library of choice reading is the best selection of miscellaneous works ever offered to the American public, combining variety, tastefulness, and intrinsic value. It is on the plan, only greatly improved, of the old collections, English and American; with, so far, a most judicious selection of works, of which we have space to give little else than the titles, with a few words of comment. The press, and the public to back it, have expressed so emphatic and unanimous a good opinion of the series, that we can do no more than repeat their praises. Eothen is the picked book of the season-(Eliot Warburton's "Crescent and the Cross" is as good, out of the same school of reading)—the most readable book on the East ever published. It has been well called the best book of travels since Childe Harold -full to overflowing of fine sentiment, fine description, fine sense--and, in the best use of the words, fine writing.No. 2.-Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch. A beautiful and pure fiction, of the school of the Vicar of Wakefield, which everybody has read.-No. 3.—Undine and Sintram, from the German of Fouque. The rarest essence of German romantic genius-poems in prose, by a master. -No. 4.—Imagination and Fancy. By LEIGH HUNT. With marked passages from the Poets. A delicate volume of illustrative criticism-worthy of being bound up as a gift-book for the holidays, for youth and maiden. It has another value, in teaching the poets and critics of the country what true poetry is.No. 5.-The Diary of Lady Willoughby. A lady's book of fictitious history, so naturally told as to mislead the reader who is in want of a proper literary cue. It professes to be a domestic history, written during the civil wars, in the manner of Mrs. Hutchinson and Lady Fanshaw's memoirs. It has a profound religious interest-a fine study of female character.No. 6 and 9.— Hazlitt's Table Talk. A selection of the most brilliant papers of this sparkling writer. Hazlitt is never dull. It excites a noble enthusiasm in youth, training the perception to acute and active observation. No. 7.-Headlong Hall, and Nightmare Abbey. Lively and piquant satirical sketches of society, men, manners, and opinions, in the guise of a novel. The characters are said to be portraits. No. 8.—The French in Algiers. By LADY DUFF GORDON. A perfect picture of the seat of war in Africa, full of incident and anecdote, with the life of the camp. No. 10.-Ancient Moral Tales, from the Gesta Romanorum. The apologues used by the clergy in their sermons in the middle ages. The stories are very beautiful-at once old and new-with something of the interest of the Arabian Nights.

2-The United States Form Book; containing every variety of Conveyancing, Commercial and other Precedents, with Directions for executing the same. Also, a Complete Guide to Custom House Transactions, together with much other information, useful in every branch of business. By a Member of the New York Bar. New York: Charles Wells.

A careful examination of this volume has impressed us very favorably as to its practical utility. It is indeed a perfect vade mecum, accommodating itself to the wants of the community throughout its various departments of business, and furnishing merchants, mariners, mechanics, farmers, and business men of all classes, with a very complete collection of the forms of such contracts and legal instruments as are of common occurrence; while the professional man will find it a coenient assistant and full guide to the various kinds of business in which he is daily consulted and employed. In addition to a great variety of the ordinary forms of contracts, bonds, covenants, powers of attorney, wills, mortgages, and other deeds necessary for conveyancing, it contains proceedings and directions, issued from the department at Washington, to obtain patents for inventions, and to draw pensions. Mechanics are here instructed how to secure and enforce liens for their work, labor, and materials furnished upon houses. Co-partnerships and agencies, as well as the domestic relations of master and apprentice, and husband and wife, have received that attention which their importance demands. Landlords and tenants, ship-masters and mariners, will also find their respective rights and obligations treated of at length. The commercial forms, which embrace the shipping interest, and custom-house entries, are full; and the directions here given will enable an importer, shipper, or other person, to thread the mazes of the custom-house, in all its branches, with perfect ease and despatch. The work forms an octavo volume of nearly four hundred pages, and is handsomely printed, with a clear and distinct type, on a remarkably heavy and substantial paper.

3.-Poems. By WILLIAM W. LORD. New York: D. Appleton.

This little volume of poems, the first efforts of its author, has, on the one hand, been received with too high laud" by some of the critics; while, on the other, it has been too severely, and even unjustly, criticised. That it has merit, and of a high order, must, we think, be admitted by the impartial reviewer; and that there are defects in versification, &c., are quite too apparent to be denied; but we are persuaded that the author can produce higher efforts. Let him hereafter speak from the inspiration within, and we are quite sure that he will add something to the stock of our "readable and preservable poetry."

4.-First Books of Natural History. By W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER, M. D., Surgeon in the U. S. Navy, Fellow of the College of Physicians, Honorary Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, etc., etc. Philadelphia: Grigg & Elliott.

We have placed the general title, "First Books of Natural History," at the head of the present notice; but it comprises seven volumes, each devoted to a distinct subject, viz:-1. Elements of Botany; 2. Of Entomology; 3. Of Conchology; 4. Of Ichthyology; 5. Of Ornithology; 6. Of Physiology; and, 7. Of Mammalogy. These works, prepared for the use of schools and colleges, are based on the text of Milne Edwards and Achille Comte, Professors of Natural History in the Colleges of Henri IV. and Charlemagne. They were prepared under the direction of the "Royal Council of Public Instruction of France," and adopted by that body, as appears from the recommendation of Guizot. Each science is amply illustrated with plates, and is as accurate in scientific arrangement as the most voluminous works on similar subjects. The volumes are small (about one hundred and fifty duodecimo pages each,) chiefly designed as introductory to the study of the natural sciences. They are well adapted, not only for beginners, but even others, who have not the opportunity or inclination to study the subjects in more elaborate treatises.

5.-History of Germany, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By FREDERICK KOHLRAUSCH Translated from the German, by JAMES D. HAAS. With a complete Index, prepared expressly for the American edition. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton. This volume is one of the richest contributions to the historical department of literature, which the modern prolific press has supplied. It is amply copious, and yet not redundant; combining in a comprehensive, and yet distinct narrative, all the prominent features and acts in the national annals of Germany. Unlike many other works of its class, it is a history of the Germanic confederacies, and contains nothing irrelevant to the single subject of discussion. The theme itself is in a great measure novel, as an authentic and succinct narrative of German affairs could not be found in our language. That deficiency now is most suitably and profitably supplied. The American publishers have also added a full and minute index to the work, which is not found in the English edition, and which renders the work doubly valuable to all who are anxious to read a book containing such an extensive diversity of biographical facts, and historical circumstances, with advantage. The power of combination and compression of such multifarious materials, is very advantageously exemplified in this volume; without which, every library, so far as Germany is concerned, is incomplete. It well merits all the eulogy which the critics have bestowed upon it.

6-History of France, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By M. MICHELET. Translated from the French. By G. H. SMITH. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: George S. Appleton.

There is a peculiar tact for historical composition displayed in all the works of M. Michelet; and his History of France is far superior to any preceding work upon that exciting topic. During the earlier period of the history succeeding the overthrow of the western portion of the Roman empire, at the latter part of the fifth century, France occupied a very distinguished, if not the most prominent rank, among the modern ten kingdoms into which the southern part of Europe was divided by the Goths, the Hunns, the Saxons, and the Vandals, with their northern fellow barbarians. Two numbers, only, or about one-seventh part of the whole history, as yet are published; but they are an elegant specimen of the work. A complete, impartial, and comprehensive history of France, was a desideratum; and M. Michelet's volumes will gratify the demand of all those who are desirous to attain a succinct knowledge of Gallic annals. The work is written with great clearness, and impressive eloquence; being equally exciting and luminous. All persons who would accurately understand the true condition and features of French history, in its combinations with the other European nations, will avail themselves of M. Michelet's erudition and researches. The publishers have acted wisely in issuing this admirable work in such a form that it may universally be circulated. 7.-The Life and Power of True Godliness, described in a series of Discourses. By ALEXANDER M'LEOD, D. D., late Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. With an Introductory Essay. By JOHN NIEL M'LEOD, D. D. New York: Robert Carter.

The author of the present volume informs the reader that, during a general, and even intimate intercourse with Christians, of almost all ranks and names, he found himself at a loss for a work at once both doctrinal and experimental, to be recommended to the perusal of those who are seeking the consolations of the Gospel, and adapted to the actual condition of society in our cities and our country. He has, therefore, selected these discourses, delivered in the course of his ministry in New York, for the press, in order to supply, to the best of his ability, the deficiency. They cannot fail of meeting the approval of all who profess and call themselves "evangelical" or "orthodox" Christians.

8.-A Pilgrimage to Treves, through the Valley of the Meuse and the Forest of Ardennes, in the 1844. By CHARLES EDWARD ANTHON. New York: Harper & Brothers.

year

This work is not written, says the author, with a sectarian object. It appears to be a faithful, and at the same time an agreeable narrative of what passed under the author's eye, in the course of a tour through a portion of Europe not often travelled.