The New York herald., 1844-07-18
Literature, &c.

The CONSTITUTION AND REVISED STATUTES OF
THE UNITED STATES; by VIM. B. Wedswood,
A. M.-Cowperthwate Il Co., Philadelphia
This is most useful work, particularly TO a stran.
ger or young person. II possesses vast amount Of
information, and is written in plain but beautiful
style.
COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIEs, or the Journal of a
Santa Fe Trader, during eight expeditions across the
great Western Prarles, and a residence of nearly
nlne years IN Northern Mexco-lllustrated with
Maps and Eneravings by Josiah Gregg: in two
vols. New YoIk-Henry G.. Langley, Astor
House.-No work has recently appeared among
US which has SO directly addressed itself to the
wants and TO the curiosity OF the public The late
disturbances between Mexico and this country, and
the prospect OF an interruption of our commercial
relations with each other, make all feel more or
less Interested IN knowing the Importance and the
influence OF that commerce; and although our
overland trade with Mexico has been exceedingly
prosperous tor some twenty years, and almost every
capitalist who has embarked in it has made for
tune, yet there has been no means OF procuring in
formation respecting the condition, difficulties and
rewards OF that trade un'il now, except by direct
communication with The traders themselves No
account whatever al all adequate has ever before
been published, nor has any thing been written
abol il, 10 the best OF our knowledge, save occa.
$40 letters from the traders themselves to their
friends, which have sometimes been published IN
obscure western papers and thence copied perhaps
IN our Eastern journals. II Is to this deficiency Of
prevailing ignorance and Indifference among our
capitalists about the prospects of the Santa Fe
Trade for II IS safe TO say that there are few OPP
portunites now offering for the rapid realization Of
fortune equal TO that which this trade presents,
provided commercial intercourse be not again
threatened with suspension and our friendly rea-
tlons with Mexico give promise of continuance,
AT this time, as we before remarked, the appear
ance OF Mr.. Gregg's book seems particularly oppor-
tune, Tor It supplies the information which is so
much required. This gentlemans means of in
forming himself of the matters about which he
writes have been far more ample than those pos.
sessed by any living writer and the style and
ner OF the work, we ieel convinced, will commend
his statements at once 10 the confidence OF the
public. As one may readily infer from the kind o,
life Mr. Gregg appears TO have led during the egh,
or ten years OF his trading life, his narrative FOL
OF adventure OF every kind, and of the most enter
tanning sketches of life and manners This nara.
tive IS the more interesting as II is made to embrace
much valuable historical matter and statistics illus
ratlve OF the early history and growth OF the Santa
Fe trade.
Mr. Gregg's style is easy and direct but wthou
any pretensIon. He owns that he has no vocation
tor book making. but has merely striven 10 present
the most Important results OF his very expert.
ence in readable shape and with sufficient dis
tinctness to make them be appreciated
WORKING PASSAGE, OR LIFE IN a LINER -
Allen, New York.-A very interesting little work
admirably written, and will prove highly beneficial
to young travellers, tor whom il is more particular
y designed and older travellers may CLEAN man,
useful hints from it.
The ECONOMY or WASTE MANUREs, by John
Hannah; Carey IL Hart, Philadelphia The name
OF the writer is sufficient recommendation for ihi:
work, which no agriculturist should be without
the information contained therein must be jnvalua-
BILE TO such persons, and it be obtained al the
small charge Of 25 cents.
MEALS HIsToRY OF THE PURITANs.-Part vi. OF
this very able and interesting history has Just been
published by the Harpers The edition is p blished
under the supervision of Rev. j. ID Choules, and
is undoubtedly the best, as well as the cheapest,
ever issued. The numbers are sold at 25 cents
each. Two more will close the series.