The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-02

subject of much general interest and one that has
lately engaged increased attention among physical
geographers and mariners. The currents Of the sea
have thus been tolerably well studied and mapped;
ard closer investigation of these phenomena and
observations Of the nature Of the prevalent winds
have led to great improvements in navigation, by
shortening considerably the passages Of merchant
late the ow Of the tides and currents of the ocean,
and cause its periodical rise aud fall on the coasts
and in the rivers, are yet very obscure and not tho
roughly understood.
There is, however tidal current more irregular
still In Its ebbing and flowing; for although gov
erned by certain laws of supply and demand, it is
extremely difficult to follow it in it's circumnaviga-
ton globe and it alters its course so frequent
~ and go rapidly that no two years observations
respecting it will be found to agree 1t is influenced
so materially by the fluctuations Of commerce, by
the healthy or adverse condition Of trade, by the
migration and industrial energies Of population, BY
the increased demand at certain periods
for food and Injuries, that all the facts
and observations relating to it, which can
be accumulated and systematized, will become
eminenty useful to future statists and political eco.
nomists. 1t is only within the last four years that
its currents have worn for themselves certain beaten
channels, and have become more clearly defined;
its visible course is thus to extent now marked
out by distinctive characters and appreciabe fea-
lures. Before the press had attained that eminent
superiority as recorder Of facts by which it is now
characterized, and through whose means the arriv.
ais and departures of specie, and its periodical fit
tngs hither and thither are as regularly recorded
as the migratons of those by whom 1t is 80 highly
esteemed, and to whose Industrial labors it owes its
production and dispersion for the benefit Of man.
kind 1t would have been utterly impossible in .
lifetime to make any simultaneous observations on
the collection and diffusion of the precious metals
Now, the task is comparatively easy.
The great metallic tide, starting from the north
western coast OF America, flows through the golden
gates Of San Francisco Bay, makes for the Isthmus
Of Panama, where, after temporary obstruction,
nd nj rt IF aI IN
from the southern ports Of America, it bifurcates
into two streams the larger making directly for the
Atlantic ports Of the United States-New Orleans
and New York-and the smaller tide proceeding
through the Caribbean Sea and the West Indian
group to Great Britain Having reached New York,
steady periodical refux of the metallic tide carries
it forward to the British Channel and the coasts of
Europe. Another strong set Of the stream makes
for the Mediterranean and, passing across the 18th
Of Suez, ultimately dsperses itself on the shores
of the Indian PreJidencies and the Chinese ports.
The next great current Of the golden tide we
have to notice proceeds by irregular channels
from the leading ports Of the vast continent Of
Australia, and doubling one or other Of the two
southern cepes, il eventually reaches the river
Thames. Here great embanknent has been raised
by the wisdom and labors of the British nation to
check its too rapid efiluX; but the impediments
offered, and the strong walls of the bank, are insult
hcient barriers to prevent its overflow, and from
time to time considerable streams ooze out aud
spread over the low Countries of Europe-vvifying
ut.u AupIoElug us tut1 piUceeu IN tnelr various
channels. Dropping the smile, however, let US
examine the figures relative to specie, coin and bul
lion for the last few years, and the facts we have
70 record may serve for useful reflection and future
considerations, to toe effects, temporary and per-
msnent, produced on the various countries of the
world in their political social and moral condition,
By the large alternate accumulation and dispersion
OF the metallic deposits Gold contributes to the adj
vantage and happiness Of mankind only in proper
ton as 1t is actively and widely circulated. II is
the exchange Of the precious metal for some raw
material OF manufacture, article Of necessity
that contributes TO production.
The dhcovery-of gold took place in California in
lS47 and since that year there has been shipped,
up &c the close of 1863 and deposited in the United
States mints 1920 600 900 worth OF geld dust, in
sterling value. ia 900 eco The whole produce OF
tie California mines in the period is estimated NJ
$500 900 coo; SAC, 600 600 being rather low esti-
mate for the amount Of gold dust taken to foreign
couires, used in ornaments and plate and still IN
coined, &C. Official documents give the imports
and exports Of specie in the United States. approx
matively as follows, fton lS47, which, be 1t remem-
bered, was the famine year and drew over large
quantity Of specie for brpadstuffs.