Bibliographical Notices.

[The Editor of the Messenger has opened a Review Department, through which his subscribers will be presented with a prompt notice of the literary and scientific works, which are constantly issuing from our prolific press. Such as require a more elaborate review, will be reserved for a subsequent number of the Messenger. Authors and publishers, who wish their works noticed in this Journal, are requested to forward them immediately after their publication.]

"The Principles of Political Economy. By Henry Vethake, LL. D. one of the Professors in the University of Pennsylvania; a Member of the American Philosophical Society, &c. Philadelphia: P. H. Nicklin & T. Johnson, Law-Booksellers.

1838,"

every free government, political economy should constitute an essential part of education, for as the source of power and government is the people, there should be a diffusion of knowledge upon those great general laws, which constitute the foundation of its political institutions. A people thoroughly instructed in the economy of government, may well be said to be capable of self-government; while ignorance of the principles upon which is constructed a nation's pros perity and power, must convulse and ultimately subvert it. Professor Vethake has furnished an excellent treatise upon this subject, in which he has briefly but lucidly discussed the many interesting questions connected with the science of government. It should be in the hands of every American.

"The Laws of Wages, Profit and Rent, investigated. By George Tucker, Professor of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in the University of Virginia. 1838."

The political economist will take up this little treatise with the full expectation of being amply remunerated | for the time consumed in turning over its pages; for few have enjoyed so many and varied opportunities of collecting information upon this subject as Professor Tucker. In this expectation the reader will not be disappointed, for the perspicuity, logical reasoning and simplicity of illustration, will convince him that the author is discussing a subject with which he is entirely familiar. The first division of the work is devoted to an able examination of the nature and value of labor, and the manner in which it is influenced by the demand for; or price of, the raw material; establishing this important and interesting position, that the rise of the raw produce, must in every instance, depress labor. The professor clearly illustrates and triumphantly defends this position, exposing, at the same time, the absurdity of Ricardo's theory of wages, which presumes labor to rise with the raw material. The error of Ricardo's position seems to depend upon the assumption, that the quantity or value of material necessary to support the laborer is determinate and uniform,-the necessary result of which, will be, that as the raw material increases in value, there must be a corresponding increase in the price of labor, or it would fail to

furnish a support. Mr. Tucker demonstrates clearly that the rise of the raw material necessarily induces a decline in labor, since it requires a greater expenditure of labor to produce the same return. By regarding labor as unsettled, varying with the increase of population and other causes, he at once reconciles all the diffi culties which would appear to cluster about his views. We will give Professor Tucker's own reasoning upon this subject.

"Let us suppose the soil last taken in cultivation to yield at the rate of eight bushels to the acre, that is, four bushels per acre to the laborer, and four bushels as the profits of capital. This soil, according to the Ricardo theory, yields no rent; for its produce barely repays the wages of the labor and the profits of the capital expended in its cultivation. But population increases, and there is a demand for more raw produce. Land then, they say, of yet inferior quality, must be resorted to; and this, Now it is we will suppose, to yield seven bushels per acre. clear that either the capital or the labor must put up with a smaller return than before. If profits continue unchanged, and receive four bushels as previously, then the laborer can receive only three bushels, which would be a reduction of his wages, estimated in raw produce, of 25 per cent. But they say, the laborer must continue to receive his four bushels. It will be shown that this part of their theory is as erroneous as the rest; but admitting it for the present to be correct, how can labor be said to fall, if it receives the same four bushels as before? Or if now, or at any subsequent period, it is obliged to put up with a less portion than four bushels, how can it be said not to fall? But in truth, when eight bushels per acre was barely sufficient to pay the wages of labor and the profits of capital, it is clear that land yielding only seven bushels per acre could not be cultivated; and if the product of the last mentioned soil was required for the support of additional numbers, it could be obtained only because labor and capital would fall to the smaller remunera

tion of seven bushels; a result which, so far as labor is con

cerned, would naturally arise from the competition of increasing numbers.

"It forms indeed one of the most remarkable instances of illogical reasoning which the annals of science can exhibit, that, when the rise of raw produce is inferred from the greater expense of labor required in its production, the same rise of raw produce should be said to cause the rise in the price of labor, which is the same thing as saying that the fall of labor causes the rise of

labor."

Professor Tucker has undoubtedly adopted the most philosophical and rational mode of explaining the effect of an increase or diminution in the price of produce upon the value of labor, and if we proceed on any other principle, we lose the only means by which an examination can be conducted. There must be a standard of valuation; without it, it would be impossible to determine whether the raw produce is stationary or variable. As labor is the trading capital of the world, and in the productions of the soil and of the ingenuity of man, is the great expenditure, it is of all others, the most uniform standard,-the surest index of prices.

The same ability and ingenuity is brought to bear upon the other divisions of the work,-" profits of capital," and "rents." These subjects must, at all times, prove interesting themes for reflection with the intelligent, but at none could they claim more attention than the present, when the very foundations of our nation's greatness are threatened by the maddening spirit of political rancor and strife, which, regardless of. the welfare of our country, riots upon the trembling and tottering walls of our noblest institutions.

This treatise bears upon it the impress of a master mind, and will amply repay the reader for a calm and deliberate perusal.

"Charcoal Sketches; or Scenes in a Metropolis. By Joseph | decent portrait of our distinguished statesmen is the C. Neal. With Illustrations by D. C. Johnson. Philadelphia: result of a single retrospect; but we sincerely trust E. L. Carey & A. Hart. 1839."

Few American pens have contributed more to the amusement of the public than that of Joseph C. Neal; for his exquisite wit has travelled far and wide, and engaged for itself a nook in almost every newspaper throughout our land. While it may be a fair subject for discussion, whether the style of writing selected by Mr. Neal will secure him literary fame, or improve the public taste, yet it must be conceded that his portraitures of the foibles and vices of man, while they excite the risibles, will carry with them a moral of precious value.

The sketch of "the best natured man in the world," will be recognized by many as an old acquaintance, and by not a few, as their domiciliary companion. The number of those who have not yet learned how to say No! is by no means small in every large community, and if the fate of Leniter Salix will but present before them a view of the gloomy future, towards which they are hastening, Mr. Neal will not have labored in vain. We commend this little book to such of our readers as may be in quest of amusement, and we doubt not, that they will be delighted with the skill of the marksman, "shooting folly as it flies."

"Retrospect of Western Travel. By Harriet Martineau, author of 'Society in America,' 'Illustrations of Political Economy,'

&c. 2 Vols.

1838."

that the lapse of years, which wears away prejudice, will enable her, in future retrospections, to imbody an honest sketch of the influence of our political and domestic institutions upon the prosperity and happiness of our citizens. She lacks not materials, for at every step of her "Western Travels," a free admission was given her into the arcana of a self-governing and free people. The present work, with the exception of a few interesting sketches of character, is devoted to a tirade against the institution of slavery; we say a tirade, for in no instance is the question argued upon the broad principle of right or justice, or in reference to its peculiar adaptation to the agriculture or polity of that district of our country in which it exists. The whole consists of an assemblage of what she saw and heard in reference to slavery in the south, much distorted, with occasionally a sub-sentimental reflection upon the melancholy condition of the slave. Miss M. is an abolitionist by her own admission, and the following extract will prove her an amalgamationist of the foulest kind, and therefore she can neither view the institution of slavery with an unprejudiced eye, nor descant rationally upon its ultimate influence upon the moral or political condition of the United States.

"She turned round upon me with the question 'whether I would not prevent, if I could, the marriage of a white person with a person of color.' I replied that I would never, under any circumstances, try to sepa rate persons who really loved, believing such to be truly This political savante has dismounted from the ram- those whom God had joined; but I observed that the pant pony she rode with Gilpin speed over this western case she put was not likely to happen, as I believed the world, and by a more staid and temperate gait begins blacks were no more disposed to marry the whites, to discover some glimmerings of rationality, civiliza-than the whites to marry the blacks. You are an tion and christianity, among a people whose only sin amalgamationist!' cried she. I told her that the against her, was an unbounded hospitality, amounting party term was new to me: but that she must give almost to servile attendance. "Society in America" what name she pleased to the principle I had declared is just such a return as our gullibility merits; for throw in answer to her question." about a well clad foreigner the title of Count, Earl, or We unhesitatingly say, that the intention of the what is more magical, a literary mantle, however thread-writer was to shape a new work for the British public, bare or worn out, and the whole press, from Maine to Florida, prefaces his migratory movements, by Count B. has arrived in our country, or the intelligent and interesting Miss M. is expected to visit our city during the next week. This amiable trait in our countrymen, is the fruitful source of the abuse and denunciation heaped upon us by a band of unprincipled scribblers, who, unaccustomed to a courteous notice by their aristocratic superiors at home, cannot appreciate that spirit of courtesy and hospitality characteristic of every well regulated American community. These rich returns will, ere long, teach us the necessity of circumspection, and he, who then panders for the corrupt taste of an English rabble, or measures his veracity and conscience by pecuniary reward, will, Trolloplike, be compelled to gather his "first impressions" of "Society in America," from the filthy and half-starved creatures who have but recently been ejected from the poor-houses and prisons of his own "blest land."

We are far from regarding Miss Martineau as having made the amende honorable, in her late "Retrospect of Western Travel." It is true, that much of the vindictive temper with which the first impressions were penned, has been softened down, and a more fair and

suited to its taste, and at the expense of our statesmen and institutions. It bears upon its front prejudice and fanaticism; and in catering for her countrymen, Miss M. has labored to conciliate one of the political parties of our country, by detracting from the political and private character of its opponents. We shall be greatly deceived if this attempt to secure the patronage of an intelligent and high-minded political party be successful.

No one who reads the Retrospect will recognize the political economist in the credulous and prepossessed tourist; at one moment the slave of her own prejudices; at the next, the dupe of a fanatical sectional jealousy.

"A Voyage Round the World, including an Embassy to Muscat and Siam, in 1835, 1936, and 1837. By W. S. W. Ruschenberger, M. D., Surgeon U. S. Navy, &c. &c. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blanchard. 1838."

Dr. Ruschenberger deserves the sincere thanks of his fellow countrymen for the highly entertaining history of his voyage round the world; and we regret that we have not time and room to extract largely, that we might afford the readers of the Messenger a part of the enjoyment we have experienced. Faithful narratives

of travels and voyages are emphatically the most useful and valuable productions of the press; for although they do not captivate our fancy by the brilliant creations of genius, nor move the heart with "melting tales of woe," yet they bring us in juxta-position with the inhabitants of distant lands,—unfolding to us their capabilities and resources, and exposing the physical and moral peculiarities of their inhabitants; we join hands with the interesting traveller and accompany him in rapid flight over the same scenes; and even those of us, who are tied down by the harassing pursuits of life, become cosmopolites. We are rejoiced to see our intelligent officers turning their attention to letters, and are proud that while our gallant navy is defending the bonor of our flag, it is contributing to the general stock of knowledge, and securing to itself and country lite-rious application,) he is told that the vast influx of rary distinction.

Mr. Nicklin would have us believe, that the present system operates to the advantage of American authors and the reading public. But the history of the past would teach us a different lesson. American authors now, are at the mercy of the publishers, and grosser instances of injustice cannot be found than are displayed in the purchase of manuscripts. The immense number of interesting works of science, and general literature, which are yearly issued from the foreign press, bearing no copy-right protection in this country, furnish ample materials to employ the American publishers, and, as they are available without the cost of a dollar, they are naturally selected to the exclusion of American productions. The result is, when an author presents his manuscript, (the effect of a long and labo

"Remarks on Literary Property. By Philip H. Nicklin, A. M. Member of the American Philosophical Society; of the Ashmolean Society, Oxford; and of the Natural History Society, Hartford. Philadelphia: 1838."

foreign books, without cost, gives ample employment to their capital, and they feel unwilling to take much risk in publishing a work, the reputation of the author of which, is not entirely established. A paltry sum hardly enough to pay him for the paper and ink consumed, is forced upon the author, and thus closes a bargain between an American author and publisher.

But how differently would this transaction be conducted, if the foreign author possessed the privilege of our copy-right? A bonus being required, the publisher would be compelled to use a suitable circumspection, in selecting works for re-publication, and without we admit that American talent and genius is inferior to European, our authors would occasionally obtain the just meed of approbation,-a preference over an imported and inferior production. We hold it, then, as the first step in redressing the wrongs of native writers, and expunging the oppressions of an unrestrained spirit of speculation,-which respects not the talent and labor upon which it riots.

Mr. Nicklin feels, thinks, and writes like a publisher and boookseller, and has, we think, made the best use of the arguments in support of the great cause in which he has enlisted: which, when stripped of its wordy dress, and exposed in its naked deformity, is, the emolument of the bookseller, against the rights and fame of the author; and involves the question, whether the author, whose nightly labors are frittering away his mental and corporeal powers, and inviting disease and death, shall be possessed of a pittance, resulting from the sale of his own productions; or whether the cormorant publisher, shall swallow all, to appease an insatiable appetite for gain. This effort of a publisher to snatch from intellectual labor its just reward, is in keeping with the gross position of an ignorant rabble, Nor will its benefits be confined to native authors; that physical exertion is alone worthy of pecuniary it will extend to the community, and ere the lapse of compensation. We had hoped, for the honor of manone year from the commencement of its operation, the kind, that our intelligent and enterprising publishers polluted streams which now flood the country, will be would not murmur nor raise the hand of opposition purged of their poison. The literature of the day will against an effort, (so liberal and worthy of an enlight-be exalted, and for the insipid and oftentimes senseless ened and free people,) to secure protection to those who are contributing a toilsome life to the intellectual advancement of the world, and are drawing from their rich and almost exhaustless imaginations, materials for its amusement. The claim is one of unquestioned right, and admits of no debate; it involves but two simple christian axioms,-"The laborer is worthy of his hire," "Do unto others as you would they should do unto you."

effusions of a brainless author, will be substituted solid works of science, or the effusions of a really creative and chastened fancy. Who would not pay a fraction more for such works?

It is a reflection upon the taste and intelligence of our country, that while foreign inventions and improvements in the arts are protected by the patent laws, intellectual labor-which knows no repose, and prematurely wears away the springs of life-is neglected and overlooked. Mr. Nicklin's arguments appear specious, and are lost upon us, strongly impressed as we are of the justice and expediency of our national legislature responding favorably to the petitioners.

Regarding the position of the distinguished chairman of the committee, Hon. H. Clay, (to whom was referred the petition of foreign, authors for the extension of the copy-right protection to their productions,) as entirely just, that the republic of letters should be considered one great community, co-extensive with civilization, we would hail them denizens, admitted to equal rights with our own literati. No legislative action could be more worthy of a free and intelligent nation than the exten. sion of the security asked; and none would be received with greater enthusiasm by the authors of America, "History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic.

most of whom, to their credit, have united in this petition to guaranty to their trans-atlantic brethren their rightful possessions.

The style of the pamphlet is free, and would grace a better cause, saving the air of pedantry in the introduction of an unnecessary number of Latin phrases— seldom illustrating the subject discussed.

By Wm. H. Prescott. 3 Vols.-2d Edit. Boston: 1839." We will not anticipate the labors of the reviewer, in whose hands this work is placed, by a detailed account