The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-30
NOTICES or NEW PUBLICATIONS.

AppIeton's Cyclopadia of Biography.
Brewertons War in Kansas.
Schsmyl and the Crcassian War.
Macsulsy's History Of England. Boston edition;
vols and 4.
Rogers Table Talk.
Hsrpers History of Wonderful Inventions.
Worcesters Academic Dictionary.
Raphall's Post Biblical History Of the Jews.
Andrews and Bachelors French Pronouncer and
Key.
The Green Mountain Girls.
The Courtesies of Welded Life.
Hewett's Illuminated Household Stories. Vol. VII
Beauty and the Beast.
PERIOD cALs FOB APRIL.
Harper's Magazine.
Putnam's Magazine.
THE IsLAHr OF CUBA, by Alexander Humboldt.
Translated from the Spanish, with notes and
preliminary essay, Dy J. j. Tnrasher. Derby h
jackson.
Owing to political circumstances, on which 1t is
not necessary for Us now TO dwell Cuba and its in
terests constitute at present aengrossng topics OF
interest with the people OF this continent. Through
its peculiar geographical position this island may be
said to command not only the trade Of Central Ameri
CA and Mexico but also of our territories bordering on
the Pacific Ocean. The enormous Developments
which each succeeding year is giving 10 our COM
merce in those directions, naturally concentrates
upon Cuba as the key to it not only the anxious
consideration of public men, but the jealous and
Interested vigilance of two of the leading European
governments. Under such circumstances it Is right
shat the people of this country should be thoroughly
aroused to the political as we'll commercial i'm
portsnce Of this island. Mr. Thrasher, whose long
residence in Havana, and peculiar opportunities
otherwise have induced him to devote much atten-
ton to both, has properly deemed the present fit
ting occasion to bring them fully under our atten-
ton Baron Humboldts travels in the equnoctal re-
gons of America furnish large body Of information
on the physical aspect climate, population and agri-
cultural resources of Cuba; but, although complete
M to the period when his book appeared the number
oyears that have elapsed since its publication have,
in the two latter respects, entirely destroyed its
value as an authority. Mr. Thrasher instead of dis
cussng again those subjects which have been ably
and satisfactorily treated by Humboldt, has adopted
the Barons labors the basis of his present treatise
supplying, in the shape Of preliminary essay and
copious notes. all the data necessary to give full
insight into the present condition and increased
sources Of the island Both in its scientific and sta
tstical aspects, it is, therefore the most compre
hensive and valuable work that has yet been pub
lshed on Cuba.
Having said thus much in favor Of the book, we
viii now proceed to make such extracts as will
enable our readers to for themselves some idea
OF its merits. The following will place in the
dearest possible light before them the Importance
Of Cubas being kept wholly free from English and
French intervention failing that, of its being &C
quired, either by purchase or otherwise by this
Country
TERRITORIAL RELATIONS OF CUBA.
The territorial relations OF island OF Cuba OF
marked aud psrpanen. CHARACTER t3an thJse of
any other coanry Of limi.e. extent 10 America and
jusy III. Aobe RaynAls don it is 'shs ooule
yard Of the New World" The peculiar formA of the
eastern shore Of this continent he evidence the
uniformity FROM the n. E. With . constant oceanic
current running In It's genes oLectiou from east TO
vest make the narrow ocean passages which skirt the
shore Cuba the natural ouriets fbf the OF
Vsrezuea New Granada, the IL minus States Of Panama
Costa Riea q, ndurss. San Salvador ano Nicaragua
Bordering upon Pschc Ocean, crossing the several
Of isthmus transit brought By these natural
Spnaences under the immediate supervision and control
of the fleets that in ssfety in the large
aId we'll protected has bors Of Cuoa The value OF the
post.on as. inc.esss in the same ratio With the in
Of trade the VARIOUS hthmus routes and
every prise in those regions mas direct and
practical adency increase t. moral Pc yer OF what
ever government in Cuoa The construction Of the
railroad cost OF millions OF dollars to the
industrial the USIeo states, although OF
great advantage in peouniAry sense TO all the ions
upon whose comuercs II has Conferred beneht, has
roueh, increase Of national power only to the Span
ish government In Cuba as it hs. brought great in
to tides OF national wealth whl,n must pass
before i.s doors and within is easy stssp The sam:
across the sthEus States, and every movement wach
anal tend to augment the products o. labor within their
borders their intercourse with the great mArs lying
upon TIE North Atlantic 0,ean.
The physical geography of AL the sthmus States north
~ III. sea natural terri or. rssti to
AL those countries Their eastern shores are wanting IN
thss deep and capscious hsrbors necessary not only
.or but for the purpose OF deencs while the
s,uasion Of Gu o. With her nuLer,us ports opposite,
almost edAtey contiguous TO their coasts points
70 her the natural ceppsisfy lor their productions
tbs Ct their commercial exchanges with the
rest of the world.
This natural rela ion Ia augmented by the ply steal
aspect OF thu countries in quesiJn Tiaversed they
are through their hole extent BY chains OF mountains
the constI ucuon Of long lines OF Internal nunca
Hcn which shall tneir trade upon point
within their ter1 DRY, is OF very difficult and sty
sstanmen. and Cuba thu becomes the probable chan
mel Of their future nercour~e wi. the nations north
and OF them Though the Of this nsturai con-
aection may seem sma J, their mineral wealth and
tracts of fertile sell uuder genial climate, Incl
cate great increase Of Importance very distant
day untsr the natural Development o. The progress Of
AEegica-
The Gulf Of Mexico with a shore line Of nearly six
thou and miles almost exac. circle the sreas
cutie. to which is through the narrow passage
along the northern shore Of Cuba and within
tew miles Of her and strongest haroors This for
nation Of the lAnd and briggs the rich mine fa'
tribute paid by Mexico Europe an the bulky pro,
ducts q the region drained BY the Mississippi river and
IT, tributaries hin coutrc OF the government oil
Cuba. II may at Will the Only ocean outlet tnose
countries possess and thus c. great evils uoon all
their industrial interests The actual value OF the o.
neroe which that vast region sends through this
narrow channel almost beyond the power OF enuuers
on and tho oeAsesss tide OF euigrx ion which Is pour
ing its countless Thousands upon the plains wset OF the
Nisasppi, adding steadily 70 Its sum However great
may Be he fscinss for passenger traffic bs me
Atia lie and the Western Sases the bulky products OF
fh Industry which constitute the basis OF their pros
netv mvst seek the markets of he world through tho
lines OF In erual vster ooam unoation and their
exeusions Thus every waning year increasing the In
6ustriAl power Of the mig West ACIDS new value TO
tho strepg that attends the geographical position of
ths island of Cuba.
The territorial rela OF Cuba 10 the isthmus States
and to those bordering ION the Cuff OF Mexico for
poses q defence also Of important character
Through its peculiar location 1t guards all the Of
approach to their shores making AJAX upon them
movement Of great difficulty danger, vale, a. the
time 1t cuts of alt hope Of safe retreat in OF