New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-11-24
PUBLIC MEETINGS
PROF. LlEBERS THIRD LECTURE.

Prof. LIHBER commenced his review OF Asatlc
commerce yesterday. II we took terrestrial globe
and examined the Eastern Continent without reference
TO Names we should find j. divided into two well de-
fined sections and we should feel the necessity OF
separate for the quarter Of the globe which We
called Africa. But from China to Lisbon we could
find no physical line OF demaycaton which would JUS
tify the immense difference between the idess sug-
gested by the words Asia and Europe. This difference
was found in al the life literature and history OF the
two divisions, yet we were obliged TO look TO Asia for
the origin OF nearly everything in Europe. Com
merce, so far know, originated in Asia. Minus
and Sardanapaus had engraved their names on the
tablet Of history while thick, impenetrable darkness
hung over all Europe. On looking at the globe, too,
we found that there belt OF country which had
monopohzed the history of the world; we would call
it the historical belt. Along this, civilization had
steadily moved since the earliest times OF which We
knew. from India, and perhaps China north. westerly
toward England. This course seemed now to DO
changed with our colonization in Australia and the
Southern Hemisphere. Commerce must have been
coeval with history; but, as comprehensive
movement, it began in Asia. Asaic trade
we knew partly through the Phencians
psty through the Old Testament, through the Greeks
and through observation Of the countries 10
their present state. Asia, far less progressive thaa
Europe seemed for long time to have remained sta
tionary. The people of Asia to-day the same as-
senally as 900 years ago. From these sources We
learned that Asatic trade consisted chiefly in products
of Hndostan and China, carried On by caravans in
the North and by the vessels of the Arsoians in the
South, until they reached Pbenca and Egypt, whence
they were distributed Europe. This trade con-
sisted almost exclusively in articles OF luxury pearls,
precious stones, cinnamon, incense, which were con-
suned by the ancients TO immense extent and silks
and cotton goods of the finest fabric. Ancient reghts
were enormously high. Imagine the cost OF the cam
els of to every 800 pounds Of freight.
the hire Of the camedrvers the risks of the journey
or if by sea- the insecurity Of property upon the wa
ter the right Of property ahost was not acknowl-
edged until long after the right Of property on land
was well established Then imagine the long stretches
traver.ed. Suppose q caravan TO start Though the
Desert of Cobb, where, probably, it received some
god, the only metal everywhere to be fonnd; then to
pass through the enormous mountains OF higher Asia;
then, after traverng many long distances to separate
sending off branches as far as the Jaxartes
others TO Babylon, where, perhaps, raw silk
would be manufactured; others beyond the Caspian
until they should finally reach Asa Minor and Phe.
ncia Asia Minor, India and Babylon, had roads when
they existed nowhere else. The commerce Of Asia
was therefore, necessarily limited. Ye. there was a
kind of aroma about the productions Of India, its
spices and it's jewels, although far less important in
real value than Goshen butter carried to Smyrna.
This aroma one Of the great incentives TO mara
time discovery it pervaded the age and the poems Of
Camoens. IL was something ike that which wine
growing countries had for US, and which made Us
learn with surprise the actual condition OF the Wig
nerous of the Bourdelas far inferior TO that OF the
Genesee farmer. Still this striking instance OF
the universally and uniformity Of mems desires, aud
the earths local inability TO satisfy them. AL men
liked the pearls of the East. and the incense Of Arabia;
bu. only Arabia and the East produced them The
river-carage of India was not to be forgotten; &C.
ccrding TO Aian that was found in good degree OF
advancement But river navigation in Asia was
pretty much confined to India; although there were
many large rivers there. Babylon had only miserable
boats in the Euphrates and Tigrs from lack Of wood
with which TO built them What there on those |
rivers were bu in America. Butone Of the greatest
clogs on the commerce OF Asa the necesstyc direct
barter in all commercial transactions. That wonder
fnl piece of paper by which the value Of cargo Of
cotton delivered in Liverpool could be used TO pur-
chase cargo Of tea in Csnton the bill Of exchange,
had no. been invented. The As:atic merchants were
Arabians the New Eng FLANDERS of that quarter Of the
globe The articles OF commerce were necessarily re-
stricted Sugar and rice, two precious commodities,
desired Of all men, too heavy for the caravans,
nor did they enter much into the maratime trade.
Another and a powerful cause Of the smsllness OF
Asstc trade was tina, the highest Asiatic statesman
ship consisted in conquest and the ruin OF the con-
Guered countries. Tais was laid down by their law
gyels by those who had been raised to the hea'
eIs. So they drove away fiom conquered country
everything that could be driven, and carried every
thing that conld be- carried. Tamerlane sold IN one
day II. 900 slaves TO the Pacha of Egypt. 10 this
policy Persia was an exception. The Pe'naa rule
over Asia Minor vas limited TO the exaetion OF mod
crate trbo.e ard did not hinder the trade OF the |
Eeean pc-.s with Greece,