The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-04-06
Aneriea's Opportunities


In a volume Of six hundred pages, bearing
the title OF The Worlds Opportunities Harp ers)
Mr.. ALFRED H. GUERNSEY has supplied the for
eign emigrant and the migratory native Amer
lean with vast amount Of pertinent and useful
information that Is nowhere else accessible In
the Same compass. From the chaotic mass
OF crude data buried in census reports and
other official publications he has aimed to win
now the relevant and telling facts that exhibit
the temptations offered by the United States
In general to newcomers from the Old
World. or by the more thinly settled
parts OF our country to the restless
disconnected. or aspiring denizers OF moro
densely peopled communities on our At
lantic seaboard. The work here undertaken
should have been done long ago. and should
be resumed ut intervals corresponding with
the periodical observations Of tho census TAX
er To ascertain and graduate the promising
fields Of labor. and thus disclose the opportu-
nifty which is fundamental factor Of success
In lifs is services Of such practical helpfulness
satisfies want so widely and keenly felt. that
1t Is amazing that the rich though amorphous
materials decennially collected ut great public
cost should not have been more often and
more effectively employed for such q useful
purpose.
The range Of topics discussed by Mr.. Guern-
sey 10 very comprehensive. and the arrange
ment OF his matter is judicious. For his facts
no has had recourse to the sources which he
believed the most authentic. and II lie has not
always subjected to rigorous scrutiny tho
statements Of his authorities. 1t was doubtless
because such process Of minute criticism
would have proved Incompatible with his capt.
tai object. which was to convey. In o concise
and lucid form. the largest possible quantity Of
substantive information. His method OF ex-
position Ia simple. direct and usually cogent.
the conclusions and suggestions being as a
rule patent on the faco Of tho data. marshalled
In orderly and skilful wise. and In all respects.
the literary execution Ia superior to that of most
works dealing with economical subjects and
compiled for purely utilitarian end No book
was over more palpably intended for the posi-
tive and immediate profit OF mon engaged in
toilful occupations. and yet 1t can DO read with
pleasure by those who are not impelled by the
hard conditions OF their daily existence to turn
It's lessons to account. Among tho chapters
which may DO specially commended for the
soundness OF the positions taken. and for the
engaging manner OF treatment. ore those ON
"Women's Work" and Forests and their
Preservation"
This well-conceived and impressive PIANO.
Ihud Oh AuoTlcdu opportunities 1ppeEI5 10 u
large audience. and We shall not be surprised
il several editions OF the book nre called for
but. just because this work Is sufficiently merl-
torious to challenge serious review. and bs-
cause the author will have probably more than
one chance Of redressing minor shortcomings.
We shall take the liberty of proving that We
have turned these pages with an attentive eye
by pointing out two or three omissions and
Oversights which can be easily corrected. 1t
may be thought. for example. that Mr. Guern-
soy speaks with m excess OF confidence when
he declares that "there is no likelihood
that petroleum will 10 largely found else
where" and that he would have done we'll to at
least allude to the oil folds OF Russia which In
1881 exported about one-afth as much petro-
leum as was shipped from American ports to
foreign countries. To all appearances the oil
boaring tract on the shores OF the Caspian
tlong known. but only OF late years attacked
with adequate skill and vgor, 10 no less mex
haustibls than our own. and Is likely to prove
a rude competitor In many Continental
markets on the completion OF the pipe line from
Batou to Bakoum. We would also submit that
review Of the prospects Of our wheat industry
should not altogether overlook tho rapid ex-
pansion lately displayed In the export OF that
staple from India. We are ourselves OF the
opinion that, not only by tho higher charges for
transport on It's railways but By It's geography
] cal position. British India u DISQUALIFIED foz