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they held at the close of the quarter $679,000 more than at the same time last year, when the independent Treasury was not in operation. The fall imports have now passed and have been large for the quarter, as follows:

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August.

September.....

October....

.194,546......946,109.
.100,773......312,383......

195.155.. .404,290.. .12,974,196..
8,111,845.. 9,122.500......5,883,817
4,753,836...... 5,066,219......3,730,426

13,378,486. .8,412,242

Total......

......490,474 1,632,782

25,839,877

27,567,205

18,026,485

They have also for November been much larger than in the same month last year; the government revenues showing a corresponding increase. For the quarter ending December 31, the amount of imports is not unusally large, and this year the circumstance of the disordered exchanges will somewhat curtail the orders for spring goods. The government will, however, in all probability call in the instalments, some $5,000,000, due on the $18,000,000, and make it necessary for the institutions to be cautious.

GOSSIP OF THE MONTH.

Ar the recent meeting of the Associationists in Boston, it is said by the Harbinger, the members were full of enthusiasm, as usual, and were not in the least degree cast down by the failure of their experiment. It is not the nature of such people to be discouraged by defeat. The same lack of clear perception which led them to engage in such impracticable schemes in the first place, would, of course, obscure the true cause of their nonsuccess. The Harbinger, in its notice of the meeting, said:

"The owls and bats and other birds of ill omen, which utter their oracles in leading political and sectarian religious journals, and which are busily croaking and screeching of the downfall of Association, had they been present at this meeting, could their weak eyes have borne so much light, would never again have coupled failure with the thought of such men, nor entertained a feeling other than of envy of experience like theirs."

What could be more amusing than the entire unconsciousness of the fact that they had utterly failed in their experiment, and were going out into the high-ways, like Don Quixote, after making war upon an innocent flock of sheep, to attack a giant windmill? Of all the amiable enthusiasts of the day who mean well to themselves and no harm to others, there are none whose delusions are stronger or their defeats more frequent than the Fourierites. As we said before, it is easy to account for Fourierism in France, where the need of a radical change in government presses incessantly upon all classes; but here, where change is spontaneous and healthy, like the growth of the body when it is unencumbered by bandages, the infection of Fourierism can only be accounted for by referring it to that strong habit of imitating European manners so peculiar to our people. Accordingly, we find that Fourierism has broken out among a certain class who have learned more from books and magazines than from personal experience or observation, and who, from reading of distress and their remedies abroad, imagine that the same things exist here. It is the fault of all our book-men that they keep their thoughts too much upon Europe and too little at home, and hence they are almost always impracticable in their schemes. They think too much of foreigners; the foreigners on the other hand think too little of us. But we recently encountered a tribute to American ability in a quarter where such things are not very common. The London Times, in a review of Prescott's Peru, said:

"That gentleman possesses qualities as an historian of which, it were well for readers, if all historical writers could boast. He is at once terse and lucid; he jealously avoids repetition and verbosity-he is often elegant, always vigorous. An American writer, he is not unworthy to write his name on the same page as Washington Irving. The vulgar conceit and offensive vaunting of so many of his countrymen, who cannot hold a pen through half a volume without screaming of their "star-spangled banners," their "land of freedom," and "the enlightened citizens of the greatest country in the world," do not appear in the volumes of Mr. Prescott to suggest unfavorable comparisons or to awaken

pity. The author of the Conquest of Peru is simple, manly, dignified, and eloquent; like the writings of his countryman just mentioned, his volumes do not betray his origin, or reveal sympathies more local than generous, less universal than mean. A striking point of resemblance between these two accomplished gentlemen remains to be stated. In modern times they have written best and most fully concerning the glories of Spain in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, concerning her triumphs over the Moors and her conquests in the Americas."

This is a handsome and well-deserved compliment, but it would have appeared better if it were not for the ill-natured fling about our "enligtened citizens," &c. It is truly amusing to hear an Englishman talk of the self-sufficiency of Americans. In the next column to that from which we make the above extract from the Times, is an article in which we find the following:

And

"Our opponents say, 'Nobody like JOHN "CHINAMAN." We reply, 'Nobody like JOHN BULL,' and there we stick fast." A very candid confession. 'Nobody like John Bull; there we stick fast." there they have stuck, and while sticking to their inordinate self-appreciation, they can be guilty of talking about the "offensive vaunting" of Americans. In a recent number of the Morning Post we find the following nobody-like-John Bull remarks:

"French immorality is, at the present day, more gross in its character than French immorality was sixty years ago-while there now prevails throughout nearly all classes of French society, a ferocity of manners which the worst sections of French society would, sixty years ago, have blushed to exhibit. In brutality of deportment the genuine Yankee scarcely exceeds the genuine Parisian of the middle classes."

What an idea of a genuine Yankee is here conveyed! And how impossible it is that there should ever be any other than a bitter feeling of animosity between the two nations while the popular writers of the day indulge in such sarcasms upon our national character. We have occasionally observed in the country papers rumors of the severe illness and reputed death of President Polk. But in these days of rapid communication of intelligence from city to city, we did not suppose it possible that a mere rumor could gain sufficient substance in going its rounds to be mistaken for a fact. But such has been the case with this rumored death of the President. The Globe, a paper published in Charleston, Illinois, came to us dressed in mourning, and with the startling announcement, "DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT." The editor says:

"The death of President Polk at this period of his administration, is most unfortunate for the country. The war with Mexico was progressing surely to a conquest of that country or a peace, and it may be fairly presumed that his plans had been wisely matured for bringing it to an end. He was rising in the confidence of his countrymen as a wise, a good, and a great man, and history will do ample justice to his merits as a man and a

statesman."

We cannot say much in favor of the elegance of this touching obituary notice, but it was no doubt well intended. The President may now see exactly how the papers would look if they were put in mourning for his demise. The editor of the Globe adds, at the close of his remarks: "the President died of an apoplexy!" The President is happily still alive, and better in health than he was. There is no reason to believe or fear that he will vacate his office before his term expires, if he should then.

The fashion for mediaval art, which is the agony in England at this time, and which has shown itself here in our Gothic churches and ginger-bread castles, is thus most humorously shown up by that wicked wag Punch:

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Somebody says that the history of a country is to be read in its monuments: if by monuments are meant works of art; and if our history is to be read in those, we shall be treated by posterity as persons who lived in the Middle Ages, for everything around us partakes of the mediaval character. The speeches of our statesmen, to be in conformity with the decorations of our public buildings, should be translated into mediæval jargon, and a speech of Sir R. Peel should be something in the following fashion:

"By my thwackins, Mr. Speaker! but if corn goes up, why, Gramercy! rents go down; and then, ifecks, what becomes of our landlords? Body o' me! but the honorable member who last spoke is ryghte merrie at ye expense of ye farmers; but by ourre ladie we must look to our colonies, or, by the mass, we shall lose them. "Tis true that MASTER RUSSELL has given me grace, and speaks like an honest gentle man; but marry, come up, where will be the end on't?"

"This is the sort of thing that will be attributed to us in the present day, if our monnments are to guide posterity in forming an estimate of our peculiarities. As individuals are sometimes said to be old men before they are young ones, so we are rendered by our artists a middle-aged generation even in our earliest infancy."

A MODEST MAN.-A gentleman in a neighboring state sends us a communication for the Democratic, and, alluding to himself, remarks of a certain peculiarity: "This was the case with both Byron and Burns, whom I think I resemble." It is possible that the resemblance may not be sufficiently striking to have attracted the attention of an external observer.

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

THE ASTOR PLACE OPERA HOUSE.-This new theatre threw open its doors for the first time, on Monday, November 22ud, and, as might be expected, the curiosity of the public We have never seen a better dressed assembly in Newcrowded it from top to bottom. York, than greeted this laudable attempt to sustain the doubtful fortunes of Italian Opera amongst us.

We have, to our regret, no room left to indulge in such descriptions of the Theatre, and the artistes called to its support, as would be likely to satisfy or entertain our distant readers; but in the way of an instalment, we will despatch both in a few general remarks, reserving fuller detail for succeeding numbers. The Theatre is admirably located on an isolated lot, and therefore approachable from all sides. It is large enough to seat conveniently some 1500 persons, who are distributed in boxes, balconies, stalls, in a manner to gratify all tastes, and reveal all attractions of beauty and dress to the best point of view. There are three tiers of boxes, with a pit connected with the same, and at the same price. The decorations are pretty and rich, though not of the most recherché character. We regret to see the sides of the proscenium left vacant, instead of being occupied by at least three boxes on either side, gorgeously fitted up, which would have added greatly to the general effect. Take it altogether, the house in style, is decidedly original, differing from any similar structure in Europe, and has far more to praise and admire than to condemn. The first performance consisted of the Opera of Ernani, frequently given to the public this summer by the Havanna troupe. The artistes who appeared, were all new to us, and we are inclined to treat them with great indulgence on the occasion of their debut, as more or less embarrassment must have affected their powers. Signorina Truffi was the prima donna of the evening. She is a handsome woman, tall, and gracefully formed. Her acting is skilful and impassioned. Her voice of good compass and fine She is an important acquisition. The tenore, quality, cultivated with care and taste. the less we say of him the better-at least, till we hear further. The basso, good in his lower notes. The barytone, excellent, both as singer and actor. He would command the applause of the most critical audiences. The chorus was well drilled, and sang effectively. The orchestra is good in material, and performed most creditably. The scenery and dresses were both unexceptionable. The whole has far surpassed our best expectations. One word of our operatic audience, who displayed the kindest feeling in their enthusiastic encouragement to both art and artistes, and revealed in their judicious applause, nice discernment and sound judgment. We have little doubt the opera will be popular; for, besides the refined amusement derived from the music, it affords a pleasant rendezvous to meet friends and exchange greetings. In Italy, the especial land of opera, the latter object contributes vastly to its success, for many frequent it as much to pay their visits as to listen to Rossini. Both are compatible, and we were pleased to see, last evening, the We are unwilling to throw active circulation of our dilettanti kept up between the acts. the shadow of a doubt over the dawning future of our new opera; but in case it turns out a less profitable speculation than many hope, we would suggest, not its final abandonment, but the addition of what is found necessary, even in Italy, where music has been for centuries cultivated, that is, a really good Ballet. La Scala, at Milan, could never afford to get up opera in the style there produced, but for the profits which a splendid Ballet brings into its exchequer. And we can never hope for the permanent estab lishment of Italian Opera in New York, until its attraction is relieved, and aided by an effective Ballet, which alone affords scope for those gorgeous scenic effects, which are alike fascinating to the intelligent as to the less discriminating. Modern improvements, which have introduced gas and water into all our theatres, yield facilities for mechanical displays, which have all the charm of a picture, and require in their composition almost as much skill. If, then, the opera will not pay, appealing only to the tastes of a few, the Ballet will save it, as it affords real and various entertainment to all.

MR. FORREST.-The following notice of our distinguished Tragedian's new style of acting was written for the last number of the Review, but was unfortunately crowded out. It loses nothing whatever of interest by the delay, and we revert to it now with a hearty recommendation to our readers to go whenever the occasion offers to judge of its accuracy for themselves,

There is really nothing in theatrical annals that will bear comparison for a moment with the extraordinary career of Mr. Forrest in this country. It is just twenty years since his successful debut in New-York, and the very same characters in which he so strikingly displayed his budding talents, he still continues to perform, and marvellous to relate, the curiosity and delight elicited so strongly many years since, seem in no way modified or abated. This phenomenon can only be explained by the depth and versatility of his genius, and never was it more wonderfully illustrated than in his last engagement at the Park. To the utter astonishment of his old admirers, who for years have witnessed with infinite satisfaction his unrivalled delineations of the chefs-d'œuvre of Shakspeare, he struck out an

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entirely new and original style of acting, giving a novelty and freshness to his impersonations that renewed all their former interest, while it deepened tenfold their admiration of his rare talents. The effect was singular upon those who had settled down long since in their approving judgment of his earlier style of acting. The beauty and excellence of his new method charmed and seduced them at once, and they felt painfully conscious that their present delight was a seeming condemnation of their previous opinions. Were they indeed entirely at fault, they wondered, in their estimation of his merits, or was this new revelation of genius a mere corruscation that dazzled from its brilliant novelty, and that should not be allowed to mislead the sober judgment. The most deliberate examination and comparison only confounded them the more, and they felt themselves somewhat in the predicament of the puzzled urchin, when asked which of the dainties he preferred— both's best," was the answer of a troubled choice-and so may all the lovers of the histrionic art continue to enjoy, without preference, the old and newer style of our great Tragedian. A want of space only prevents us dwelling more fully on this interesting subject, and we must content ourselves, therefore, with a hasty enumeration rather than a commentary on the leading features of the change we have indicated. Mr. Forrest's peculiar excellence heretofore has been in his unequalled power to give the fullest expression to the loudest phases of tempestuous passion, and at the same time descending by a natural transition to the nicest developement of the subtler shades of feeling. No actor has ever surpassed him in this rare conjunction of rival and opposite methods. In his "new heraldry," whose rare devices are destined to afford such relish to the votaries of art, he has combined new traits and blended with infinite skill original strokes of art into an union of such perfect harmony as to leave nothing to the most exacting criticism to desire, hardly to imagine. The main characteristic of the innovations we have signalized, consists, perhaps, in giving a more subdued but more intense expression to passion, which the gifted actor now utters in tones so natural and true as to touch at once the secret springs of sympathy, and unlock the flood-gates of the soul. We shall not attempt at present to enter into an analytical detail or to point out minutely here a new light, and there an artful shade in this matchless piece of stage painting, but prefer rather to let the colors dry and deepen whilst our fancy grows sober over repeated contemplations, when we may hope to discharge, with more gravity, the impartial functions of the conscientious

critic.

MADAME PICO. During the month this accomplished singer has appeared to the extreme delight of the public at the concerts of Herz and Sivori and that of Mr. Burke. We congratulate her upon the "undying freshness" of her rare personal charms which were never more radiant, and add not a little to the captivating effects of her fine voice and enchanting method. We have certainly never been more struck than by the universal tokens of popularity evinced on all sides towards Madame Pico, and expressed most emphatically both by the press, as well as in the enthusiasm of her audiences. There could be no better proof of the discriminating judgment of our public; for, besides her general merits, the lower notes of her magnificent voice are unapproached by any living artistehardly excepting the new contralto, Mile. Alboni, who has lately thrown London and Paris into a furor of excitement. Why an artiste of the consummate excellence of Madame Pico, and so justly esteemed by the public generally for her generosity of heart and amiable manners should not constitute one of the brightest attractions of our newly-fledged Opera House, is an enigma that we can only solve by crediting the disgraceful rumors of an unworthy cabal to keep her out of the troupe. It is not probable that the public will quietly submit to so discreditable a proceeding, and we may add, that a spirit like this augurs most unfavorably for the future fortunes of the management which suffers it. It is the more disreputable, from the fact, that they have never liquidated her claims against them for professional services of last year, exceeding a sum of $500. With the best intentions towards these individuals, we would advise them to pay their debts to our favorite cantatrice, or seek to conciliate public favor by the prompt addition of this attractive artiste to their new troupe, which stands sadly in need of so powerful an auxiliary.

DISCOURSE OF DR. FRANCIS.-We have certainly never seen that well-known receptacle, the Tabernacle, so completely crowded to overflowing, as on the late occasion of the discourse of Dr. Francis, before the Academy of Medicine, of this city. As many of our readers may not be aware of the existence of this young society, it may be as well to mention that it was instituted about a year since, with the laudable object of furnishing a recognized standard of professional respectability and skill, in order to protect the community in their most valuable possessious of health and lite, against the empirical practice of individuals who have never served apprenticeship to the healing art, and are totally destitute of either education or character. This is a class of malefactors, whom the law necessarily fails to reach, from the difficulty of bringing the evidence of their criminal incapacity home to the conviction of a jury; and we cannot too highly applaud the energetic philanthropy of those individuals, who conscientiously step forward, not merely to vindicate the

honor of their profession, but, far more important, to save from jeopardy and ruin the constitutions of numberless persons, who, without some such protection as this, are likely, at any moment, to fall victims to malpractice and guilty ignorance.

We believe that no small credit is due to the zeal and perseverance of Dr. F. Campbell Stewart, of this city, for the establishment of this valuable society, which stands, as it were, a bulwark-the only one between the best interests of the community and the pernicious pretensions of quacks, with which New-York has the misfortune to be too bountifully supplied. We congratulate the Academy in the judicious choice of their orator for the commemoration of their first anniversary. No professional man is better known in our city, To a thorough than Dr. Francis; and, we may safely say, that none is more esteemed. knowledge of his art he unites a devotion in its practice, which springs from a higher and purer source than the paltry one of fortune. He estimates aright the heavy responsibilities attached to his high office, where the humbler task of the physician rises so frequently to the solemn trust of deciding, under God, upon the life or death of the sinking patient. There can be no spectacle so worthy the admiration and sympathy of men as that presented by the conscientious follower of that art, whose especial province is to war with the "ills that flesh is heir to;" and who struggles, through labor and anxiety, to wrest a triumph from the king of terrors, less from an ambitious thirst for reputation than from a deep and affectionate desire to prop up the weakness and mitigate the sufferings of his fellowmen. Among the horde of practitioners who regard their noble calling only in the vulgar light, "as the means whereby they live," the class we speak of is circumscribed indeed; but we may fearlessly include among those select few the honorable subject of

our notice, Dr. John W. Francis.

Out of his profession, Dr. Francis is a highly accomplished man-well and extensively read, and endowed with a ready skill and force in composition that falls to the lot of few who make literary pursuits their especial study. His mind is strikingly original, quick and just in its perceptions, and comprehensive in its grasp; and should Dr. Francis ever withdraw himself, which we can hardly desire, from his wide and active practice, and devote his time to the careful compilation of a medical work, the results of his mingled experience and reflections, he would render a service to his art and the public at large, that could not be too highly estimated. We have left ourselves no space to speak as its merits deserve of his able and elegant oration on the occasion alluded to, but it is of a character and elevation to be more fully treated of, when its publication will enable us to pronounce more accurately and copiously of its commanding views and valuable conclusions,

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

The Writings of George Washington: being his addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By JARED SPARKS. Harper Brothers, 82 Cliff street. THE early history of this great republic, which is destined to renew in the new world the splendid empire of Rome in the old, as far as universal domain is taken into account, and which also is to solve the great question of self government, must become one of the most important passages in the world's annals. The materials of the history abound among us, and to some extent have been given to the public. The only two methods of understanding the progress of affairs, is by becoming acquainted with the views and individual opinions of the actors in the scenes. It is by such means that the opinions, views, and motives of all the leading men can be arrived at. and the progress of the nation observed through the impulse they imparted to it. In this view the writings of Washington as the principal actor in the great drama which called a nation into existence, are of immense value. In his letters, addressed to all his co-adjutors in the achievement of independence, are to be traced the firm determination of the great and good patriot, surrounded and assailed on all sides by the doubts and fears, and supported by the hopes to which passing events give rise. The varying fortunes of the frail bark of liberty are clearly and forcibly indicated, in the contemporaneous remarks of the skilful and indomitable pilot who guided its fortunes. Particularly interesting are the views and councils of the father of his country at this moment, when, impelled by a destiny which beckons us forward, a great and perilous stride towards empire is about to be taken. 8.000,000 of people are apparently about to be adopted as the children of Washington, and well it befits all, at such a moment, to make themselves familiar with his writings.

The volumes edited by Mr. Sparks, and published in a neat and exceedingly cheap style by the Messrs. Harpers, should be in the hands of all.

Coe's New Drawing Cards. Wiley & Putnam.

These are admirably calculated to assist both learner and teacher in the process of drawing. They consist of five packs of 18 cards each, designed to teach the most difficult and important part of the art, viz, a knowledge of form. They are principally in outline, and well adapted to help the learner in the use of the pen. The cards are accompanied by instruction of a highly useful nature. Cards of this character are widely used in the most select schools with the best effects.

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