New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-01


pear in point of law, logic, and consistency to less ad
vantage than perhaps in any other case which they
ever decided, Will be found in the 18th volume
FRENCH BOOK on wORkINGMEN.
During the recent industrial display in Paris Mr..
lie Psy the Comnissary General of the Exhibition,
gentleman still more distinguished the Engineer-In-
Chief of Mines in France, published, with the au
thorizaton Of the Emperor, immense folio volume,
containing the results of his Ongcontnued researches
upon the condition of workngmen in Europe.
The work has already attracted great attention
among those who are interested in such Investigations
IL was discussed by the members of the Congress Of
Statistcians which assembled in Paris soon after ts
publications il was praised in the highest terms by
| Committee of the French Academy; il became the
theme of numerous reviews and newspaper articles;
and before this time it has probably found its way to
the cabinets of all those sovereigns in Europe who
seek by comparing the condition of their own subjects
with that of other nations to learn how future revo-
utions may be avoided and famine and want averted.
The plan of Mr.. lie Plays work is remarkable as
it's scope is wide At the outset he complains that the
people have been looked too much III the mass and
rot enough as individuals Statistical tables, he says,
in spite of their apparent generality and their seductive
regularity have done but little for the progress of the
social SCIENCE and notwithstanding the proverb that
Figures will not lie,' he holds that their adroit
combination will prove with certain degree of appa
rent truth (vrasemblance) any conclusion that has
been established rior He holds that it is not 50
with personal observation.
Thus ignoring such immense works those of De
VAUDEVILLE upon pauperism in France, OF Dieterici
upon the condition of Prussia and the like, filed with
md
H. lie Play looks upon not cattle that are to be
merely counted priced and used, but as persons
who have affections and hopes sorrows and joys,
and are capable Of elevation and degradation accord
inc TO the moral and social influences with which they
are brought in contact.
For an example of his method of investigation,
take the chifoners of Paris These rag pickers and
ofal searchers are perhaps the lowest people in the
metropolis having avowed occupation which Is not
in itself ignomnious. They so low indeed that
Mr. Say in his admirable examination into the Indus
Try of Paris could give no reliable data concerning
them. MIR. lie Play instead OF stating their number,
residences average earnings, average number of per-
sons in family average this, and total that, takes
single family, chosen after long observation among that
class of people and gives complete history OF the
life, Manners habits, good points and bad points, Of
every member of the household. His story of the rag
picker thus becomes not ess intensely interesting than
chapter from Dickens or Sue, while it has
the additional advantage of being true in
every r.spect-a reliable picture drawn from
life of a home and its inmates in that DESC
late region of Paris, unknown to the stranger who
looks only at the Boulevards the Faubourg St. Mar
ceau Not question can be asked in respect TO the
domestic circumstances of this chosen ragpcker which
\ ia reIiplOn health
social rank occupation food dwelling clothing, recre-
ation-are all infinitely examined. Finalya balsce-
sheet is struck. The property invested by the family
their business (which happens to be three francs and
thirty centiInes > the subvenons which they receive
from public or private charity, and the work which
they undertake, Il considered as 30 much capital, and
the revenue which it yields is carefully summed up
Upon the opposite page are stated the expenses of
the Iamily for food, dwelling, clothing recreation re-
lgiol, and the maintenance of business. The whole
gives such view Of the condition of chfonier az
make the reader feel that he has been inmate or
constant visitor of the household and familiar with all
s trials and hardships its comforts and its joys The
Emperor If he wishes to study the habits of one BARI
cade regiment of 5louses find opportunity N the
perusl of this chapter.
The rag-pickers, and indeed the working men of
Paris occupy but very small part OF the invertga-
tons Of lie Play. With the aid of welnformed and
influential men in every country Of Europe, he mas
purred the same line Of inquiry among the hall
nomaic Tribes of the Ural and the peasantserts OF
southern, Central and Northern Russia. he has made
like Inquiries among the miners of Norway and Sweden,
Of Turkey, Hungary, Austria and Germany. de has
been among the manufacturers ofthe Rhine, the watch
makers Of Geneva the farmers Of Castle, the cutters
of Loodon and the iron-ounders Of Derbyshre Every
part Of Frsnce and various kinds Of occupation have
furnished him with the opportunities Of continuing bis
research, and the result OF all his inquiries he gives IN
thry-six monographs, none less complete, and some
even more full than that Of the rag picker, to when
reference has been made.
Such Q view of life among the lOwly OF Inherent
chimes and nations has never been presented 10 the
SUDDEN of society. While obvious objections 10 the
plan Of the work suggest themselves 1t Is evident mat
Mr. L Play has not only performed his task with the
stricet conscentiousness and real desire TO benent
workmmen, but that he has enjoyed rare opportuhi'
ties of travel and observation, and has availed HIM
self to unusual extent of the aid which influential
men in every country give
The reforms which he hopes to see accomplished
are sxed at the close of the volume, and are worthy
of profound consideration Many references are made
to the condition of things among US in the United
States.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
Collection Of Familiar Quotations. New EDITION; Emo
-. S5s. Cambridge: John Bartlett Sew-iofA' - .