which brings them here to make their purchases, and which secures your acknowledged control of the south-western business. Let Philadelphia lose her hereditary character for old-fashioned honesty, and the bales and boxes which every spring and autumn make it so difficult for a pedestrian to thread his way along Market-street, will gradually dwindle into very trivial obstructions. The commercial integrity of our metropolis, I have said, is not a thing of yesterday. A philosophic annalist will seek its origin in the character of the men who established this Commonwealth. And he must be wilfully blind, who does not detect the germ of it, in that immortal transaction which took place under the great Elm Tree in Kensington. We meet,' said William Penn to the Indian sachems, on the broad pathway of good faith and wood will; no advantage shall be taken on either side, but all shall be openness and love. I will not call you children, for parents sometimes chide their children too severely; nor brothers only, for brothers differ. The friendship between me and you I will not compare to a chain, for that the rain might rust, or a falling tree might break. We are the same as if one man's body were to be divided into two parts; we are all one flesh and blood.' Thus was that famous treaty made, of which Voltaire justly said, ' It was never sworn to, and never broken.' In his intercourse both with the natives and the colonists, Penn adhered to the apothegm he uttered, when that iniquitous trial was in progress, which ended in his being sent to Newgate: I prefer the honestly simple to the ingeniously wicked.' And well did the red men requite his confidence; for not a drop of Quaker blood was ever shed by an Indian. Our city, then, was born in righteousness. Thanks, under a benign Providence, to the primitive Quaker colonists, they laid its foundations in truth, and peace, and honesty. It must in candor be added, that their descendants have proved themselves worthy of such an ancestry. It has been their aim to make and keep Philadelphia what William Penn designed it should be. Like all other modern cities, it has experienced seasons of great financial perplexity and distress. And it would be going too far to say, that nothing has ever occurred at these crises to awaken solicitude as to its commercial integrity. But I may say, that no class of men amongst us have been more jealous for the honor of the city than our Quaker merchants; and that whenever the maxims engraved upon our ancient wall have begun to rust, these descendants of the early builders have been among the first to brush away the mold, and with pious care retouch the sacred inscriptions. One of them, a patriarch of more than fourscore, has lately gone down to an honored grave, amidst the regrets of this whole community. It is a great blessing, gentlemen, to have had before you for perhaps the entire period of your business lives, such an exemplar of the mercantile and social virtues as Thomas P. Cope. It is no disparagement to the living to say, that his name was one which came spontaneously to every lip, when requisition was made for a genuine Philadelphia merchant. Will you indulge me in a little anecdote, which may illustrate a single trait of his character. A person highly recommended approached him one day, and invited him to embark in a certain joint stock enterprise. In a careful exposition of the matter he made it appear that the scheme was likely to succeed, and that the stock would instantly run up to a liberal premium, on being put into the market. 'Well,' said Mr. Cope, I am satisfied on that point; I believe it would be as thou sayest. But what will be the real value of the stock?' Why, as to that,' answered the speculator, I cannot say, (implying by his manner what he thought;) but that is of no moment, for all we have to do is to sell out, and make our 30 or 40 per cent profit. I'll have nothing to do with it: I'll have nothing to do with it:' was the prompt and indignant reply of this incorruptible merchant. And from that day,' he used to say, in relating the occurrence, I marked that man, and shunned all transactions with him.' This was the integrity of Thomas P. Cope. And to men of kindred principles with himself, both among the dead and the living, is Philadelphia mainly indebted, under God, for her enviable commercial reputation." THE NEW ENGLAND MERCHANT. A correspondent of the Boston Transcript gives the following "short sketch" of the career of the New England merchant. The character so graphically drawn will be recognized by some of the readers of the Merchants' Magazine : There is the New England merchant, who may have been born in poverty and reared in orphanage-"the child of misery and baptized in tears." All the added force that educational discipline could impart to his stout heart and determined will, was derived from the parish school. His progenitors had left no alluring and guiding light to brighten and encourage his early steps in his onward path; but he knew that there was a Mecca to be reached by every assiduously faithful and persevering soul. To his youthful promise, a ship-owner of discriminating mind extends the hand of patronage, and in twenty-four hours he is afloat and finds himself master of the vessel's cargo and its destiny. The cabin becomes his lyceum by day, and the deck his observatory by night. Responsibility having been unexpectedly thrust upon him, the eye of his mind becomes more active and penetrating, and gains enlargement as the sphere of duty widens. He is furnished with a copy of Bowditch's Navigator, and probably McCulloch's Dictionary of Commerce, which, united, may be regarded as a bible to the dilig gent inquirer after nautical and commercial lore. The captain never ceases to wonder how it is that a mere youth should be placed as a sentinel over a matured Cape Cod Salt. "It must be," says the captain, some infernal wild business that the old man must needs send you as special agent." The characteristic traits that distinguished the Cape Cod captains more or less, thirty years ago, appear to have been the love of money and laziness; they prayed for an accumulation of just so much money as would enable them to buy salt works, and lie on their backs and see the windmill pump up the water and the sun evap orate it. The energy and discretion of our young merchant soon find an ample field for their exercise, among competitors of maturer years, on a foreign soil. By the force of what we may call “mother-wit," or something better, he manages to dispose of his assorted cargo, and returns with another, realizing to his employer a handsome profit, whilst older heads come home from the same port grayer and poorer than they went. His next abiding impressions were probably received among the spice islands of the East, and they caught here and there a hue which deepened as life advanced. The bloom and odor of that charming region becomes so inwrought with all that is captivating to his senses and profitable to his purse, that they have never ceased to sweeten his existence; and blow high or low, the aroma remains. He can never speak of Penang and its surroundings but as a physical heaven. Success thus far has been challenged and won, and though it expands his desires, it is made to wait on judgment. Wherever he goes, within or without the tropics, he is come to be regarded as a sort of North Star, and as earnestly consulted. He imparts more useful knowledge to the denizens of remote and half civilized islands in a day, than the learned pedant could in a month, backed by all the appliances of classics, codex, and philosophy. Mental food, opportunely prepared, is often more acceptable than the savory compounds of professed cooks. He makes a capture of prejudices, where the less skillful would incur and increase them. The government of himself has fitted him for the governing of others. His general ability and forecast elevate him to the rank of commercial ambassador at the age of forty, but he is invested with no commission but that which he carries in his own head. He projects himself into communities that have long lain in the ore, and sinks there a shaft that strikes and develops a new mine of material wealth; he seeks the car of public authority, and makes it ring to the tune of prospective millions; and possibly the enthroned monarch has been his pupil in political economy, suggesting to him a new development of his means, and a brighter destiny for his people. His outgoings and his ingoings, which have been as regular and salutary as the tides, now cease, and he can be seen any day in our neighborhood, seated at his breakfast table in his "robe de chambre," with the morning paper in his hand, wearing a ruddy complexion and an untroubled aspect, quite significant of the happy condition of his mind and body. This race of hero-merchants is rapidly disappearing. Modern enterprise has now posted its allies on every inlet and by way of commercial traffic; and the votary of mercantile renown, however endued with courage and skill, finds few places on the world's map where those qualities can now be signalized or tasked to advantage. We have followed our New England merchant over seas and through varied climes, and now to his home. If his satisfied and independent spirit did not find sufficient consolation in the reflection that he has enlarged the circumference of civilization and ameliorated the condition of his fellow-man, he might retrim his sails, and safely navigate to the gates of the capitol; but he prefers to "hear at a distance the noise of the Cametia," and pass the residue of his days among the groves of his own Egeria— "There in bright drops the crystal fountains play THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF CINCINNATI. We have noticed in former volumes of the Merchants' Magazine this successful association. The twentieth annual report (1855) of the Board of Directors shows the progressive character of the institution. It was first organized in April, 1835, with forty-five members. In 1836 it had one hundred and sixty-nine members, and seven hundred and sixty-seven volumes in its library. The roll of members now shows two thousand five hundred and fifty members and fourteen thousand eight hundred and forty-one volumes in its library. The organization subscribes for four daily, two triweekly, and nine weekly foreign journals; and fifty daily, nine tri-weekly, and sixtyseven weekly domestic journals-making one hundred and twenty-eight, besides about sixty monthlies and quarterlies. The aggregate revenue of the past year was $9,501 93, and the expenses about the same-including subscriptions to magazines and newspapers, $781 46; books, $1,363; winter course of lectures, $1,200; salaries, $2,332, &c., &c. The association owns and occupies a suit of rooms in the Cincinnati College building, for which it paid $10,000, and has organized an auxiliary department denominated the "Department of Classics," with competent professors, in which instructions are given in the languages. WHERE THE CORK OF COMMERCE COMES FROM. Cork is nothing more or less than the bark of evergreen oak, growing principally in Spain and other countries bordering the Mediterranean; in English gardens it is only a curiosity. When the cork-tree is about fifteen years old, the bark has attained a thickness and quality suitable for manufacturing purposes; and, after stripping, a fur ther growth of eight years produces a second crop; and so on at intervals for even ten or twelve crops. The bark is stripped from the tree in pieces two inches in thickness, of considerable length, and of such width as to retain the curved form of the trunk when it has been stripped. The bark peeler or cutter makes a slit in the bark with a knife, perpendicularly from the top of the trunk to the bottom; he makes another incision parallel to it, and at some distance from the former; and two short horizontal cuts at the top and bottom. For stripping off the piece thus isolated, he uses a kind of knife with two handles and a curved blade. Sometimes after the cuts have been made, he leaves the tree to throw off the bark by the spontaneous action of the vegetation within the trunk. The detached pieces are soaked in water, and are placed over a fire when nearly dry; they are, in fact, scorched a little on both sides, and acquire a somewhat more compact texture by this scorching. In order to get rid of the curvature, and bring them flat, they are pressed down with weights while yet hot. DIRECT LAKE TRADE WITH HOLLAND. The Chicago Press states "that an agent of the 'Netherlands Trading Company, more familiarly known as the Dutch East India Company, has visited Chicago on a tour of observation, with a view to opening a direct trade, through the St. Lawrence and also through New York, with the north-west, for its productions of beef, pork, flour, &c., and with the south-west also, for its cotton, sugar, and tobacco. The headquarters of this rich association are at Amsterdam, and the company charters annually some 800 large ships in the trade with the Indies, whose supplies and part of whose out-cargoes may as well be composed of beef, pork, flour, etc., received at Amsterdam from Chicago, where they are primarily collected, direct, as through intermediate hands, and at an increased expense." THE BOOK TRADE. 1.-Literary and Historical Miscellanies. By GEORGE BANCROFT. 8vo. pp., 577. New York: Harper & Brothers. In this collection of miscellaneous writings, Mr. Bancroft is presented as an essayist, a literary critic and translator, an historical inquirer, and a popular orator. To those who are acquainted only with his great work on the History of the United States, this volume will furnish an interesting proof of the versatility of his talents, and the wide range of his studies. For clearness and depth of thought, freedom of speculation, catholicity of taste, variety of knowledge, and splendor of diction, it would be difficult to find its match in the whole compass of modern literature. Mr. Bancroft combines many intellectual qualities, which are usually considered incompatible with each other. He is at once a philosopher and a poet, a man of letters and a man of affairs, with an equal aptitude for the subtleties of dialectics, the details of historical research, and the select visions of fancy. Hence, this volume contains matter for every class of minds. The essays will particularly attract the lovers of refined discipline and acute discriminations-the scholar will recognize the graceful vigor and delicate taste of the studies in German literature-the historical papers will be highly appreciated by the student of politics and history-and the general reader will find an ample store of instruction and delight in the occasional orations and addresses. We gratefully welcome the collection as an honor to our native literature, persuaded that writings of such noble purpose and admirable execution, are no less friendly to the reputation of our country than to the fame of their author. 2.-The Chemistry of Common Life. By JAMES F. JOHNSON, M. A., F. R. S., F. G. S., etc., author of "Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and Geology," &c., &c. Illustrated with numerous wood engravings. 2 vols., 12mo., pp. 381 and 292. New York: D. Appleton & Co. The learned author in this work treats in their natural order of the air we breathe and the water we drink, in their relations to health-the soil we cultivate and the plant we rear, as the source from which the chief substances of all life is obtainedthe bread we eat and the beef we cook-the beverage we infuse-the sweets we extract—the liquor we ferment-the narcotics we indulge in-the odors we enjoy and the smells we dislike-what we breathe for and why we digest-the body we cherish -and finally, the circulation of matter, as exhibiting in one view the end, purpose, and method of all changes in the natural body. The author exhibits the present condition of chemical knowledge, and of matured scientific opinion, upon subjects to which his work is devoted, and mingles with his familiar scientific investigations important statistical data. It is a most valuable, interesting, and instructive work, and should be introduced into all our schools and academies as a text-book. 3.-The Practical American Cook Book; or Practical and Scientific Cookery. By a HOUSEKEEPER. 12mo, pp. 267. New York: D. Appleton & Co. This work furnishes a collection of receipts for cooking and preparing all varieties of food. The authoress in her preface prepossesses us in favor of her book by her sensible and well-timed remarks on speaking of the importance of good cookery to our comfort, happiness, and health, and the duties of the housekeeper to her family in relation to cooking. Besides the receipts, which are graduated to the requirements both of "simple fare" and the "elaborate luxuries of the table," the reader is furnished with some general sanitary rules on diet and the time of eating, from high authorities, which must be valuable. 4.-Bell Smith Abroad. Illustrated by HEALY, WALCUTT, Overarche. pp. 326. New York: J. C. Derby. 12mo., This book of travel gives an account of the author's journey to Europe, and her experience of a sojourn in Paris; also some of the manners and customs of that people, It contains a series of sketches, written in a very spirited style, and abounds in amusing adventures, interesting stories, gossip, portraits, &c. The pleasing variety of the contents, with the lively, off-hand, humorous way in which the subjects are treated, renders the work highly entertaining. 5.-The American Statesmen: a Political History, exhibiting the Origin, Nature, and Practical Operation of Constitutional Government in the United States; the Rise and Progress of Parties; and the Views of Distinguished Statesmen on Questions of Foreign and Domestic Policy. With an Appendix, containing Explanatory Notes, Political Essays, Statistical Information, and other useful matter. By ANDREW W. YOUNG, author of "Science of Government," "First Lessons in Civil Government," "Citizen's Manual of Government and Law." 8vo., pp. 1,016. New York: J. C. Derby. This work, the copious title of which, above quoted, explains the general character of its contents, is one whose design and the very respectable manner in which that design is executed should recommend it to the notice of the political student, and all who wish to become familiar with the political history of their country. It is useful, too, as a book of reference to the advanced politician. The diffusion of political knowledge through the length and breadth of our land contributes to the public prosperity, and the safety of our democratic republican institutions; and such a volume as this, containing, as it does, in a compendious form, information which is to be obtained elsewhere only from a multitude of sources, or in more voluminous works, should circulate generally. In controverted questions of natural policy, or those involving constitutional principles, the substance of arguments on both sides is given, with apparent faithfulness and impartiality. The history of political parties is not an uninteresting feature. The appendix contains the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, United States Constitution, statement of the electoral votes from 1789 to 1853, the inembers of the Cabinet, chief and associate justices of the Supreme Court, speakers of the House, and presidents pro tem. of the Senate, during the same period. 6.-The Empress Josephine, first Wife of Napoleon. By P. C. HEADLEY, author of "Women of the Bible." 12mo., pp. 383. New York: Miller, Orton, & Mulligan. The design of the author and publishers, it appears, was to furnish in a more popular form than any previous publication, an impartial delineation of Josephine's character, and at the same time give a general view of the events upon the field of his. tory, across which that extraordinary woman made a sad and brilliant transit. The author lays no claim to originality, as he had no access to manuscripts or archives; his facts were derived from Bourrienne, Hazlitt, Von Rotteck, Scott, Alison, and others. The author truly says, that the empress was a greater person than the emperor in the elements of moral grandeur, and retained her sovereignty in the hearts of the French nation, while he ruled by the unrivaled splendor of his genius. It is written in an agreeable style, and will doubtless extend the admiration of the pure and beautiful, in contrast with all the forms of corruption humanity could present in a period of bloody revolution. The work has already reached a sale of more than thirty thousand copies. 7.-A Long Look Ahead; or the First Stroke and the Last. Ry A. S. RoE, author of "James Montjoy; or I've been Thinking," "To Love and to be Loved." 12mo., pp. 441. New York: J. C. Derby. This volume is written in an uncommonly easy and natural style, presenting pictures of daily life, and inculcating lessons which can be made practically useful. The writer, a true lover of nature. is happy in his descriptions of natural scenery, and the story very successfully contrasts an independent country life with the uncertainties which often attend a metropolitan career. Rural life is made very attractive. The events of the book are related with simplicity and earnestness-the characters finely drawn. Its perusal will have a tendency to correct an erroneous idea so prevalent, that a city life has so much greater advantages and opportunities for real happiness, than can be obtained in quiet villages and rural retreats. 8.-Fern Leaves from Fanny's Port-folio. Second Series. 12mo., pp. 400. New York: Miller, Orton & Mulligan. More than sixty thousand copies of the first series of Fanny's leaves " found a market" before the expiration of the first twelve months, and of this second series some thirty or more thousand have been published. That one who can write so well on topics connected with domestic every-day life should disregard the ties of consanguinity and the natural affections of the human heart, is an anomaly in the history of the human race that we are unable to solve. The enterprising publishers have already paid "Fanny" some eleven thousand dollars copy-right on her "leaves." |