Are but a remark or two on what appears to be a singular method of criticism may not be out of place. Our readers will ask what is a "Literary" poet? not all poets literary, who are not illiterate? The critic says, No. Literary poets are those who select their subjects from the past, failing to appreciate the active life of their time; they also err in choosing their own style and diction, instead of merely employing the methods of their predecessors and the language of the prosaic world in which they move. They owe their origin immediately to John Keatsa name rather out of place in the mouth of a Quarterly reviewer. Keats is said "to have died from the hostility of the critics," but his writings have "done more to determine the subsequent course of English poetry than those of any other poet." The self-complacency with which Keats' death is referred to is perfectly wonderful. As everybody now knows, however, the Quarterly had not the slightest share in the poet's early decease, for he never took its attack to heart. The testimony to the influence its supposed victim has since exerted by his works is a striking proof of the impotence of its criticism, either for good or evil. Spenser, it appears, was, to a very large extent, a literary poet; but he was saved by connecting his literary theme with the time in a dedication to Elizabeth. If Milton had written "Paradise Lost" only, he would have fallen under the ban; but then in his minor poems, there are "the most enchanting descriptions of English scenery." Dryden and Pope were of course nonliterary, because they dealt in party politics and personal satire. We suppose that Shakspeare, had he rested his fame on Hamlet, Othello, As You Like It, and The Tempest, would also have been one of the literaries. Mr. Swinburne, for writing Atalanta in Calydon, has incurred the imputation and so, we presume, would Shakspeare if he had published "Venus and Adonis," without a dedication to the Earl of Southampton. This style of criticism may mean a great deal, but it is far out of the range of contemporary understanding and ought, therefore, to be stigmatized as "literary" for similar reasons. Our attention has been called to a literary organ of Bostonian opinion, from which we find that we hardly did justice to Mr. Longfellow's "Divine Tragedy." It seems this drama is the first part of a trilogy of which the two other parts are "The Golden Legend" and the "New England Tragedies." A drama in three parts, of which the first part is the history of Christ, and the last and crowning part an cutburst of Puritan fanaticism in Massachusetts ! This, we are told, "is Mr. Longfellow's contribution to the Christology which is so prominent a study throughout the religious world of to-day." Surely it is the strangest contribution ever made to any ology" of our day. We omitted to mention last month a case of unblushing piracy on the part of an American newspaper. In Frank Leslie's Illustrated appeared an engraving entitled "Sportsmen in Camp among the Adirondacks," from a sketch by T. S. Jameson. Will our readers believe that this picture is merely a tracing of one of Messrs. Notman's photographs, transferred to a wood-block, without even the merit of limning? We have examined both the photograph and the engraving, and can testify to the fact of the appropriation without the slightest doubt. The original forms one of a series-"Moose Hunting,' produced by Wm. Notman from designs and details by S. A. Fraser and Col. Rhodes, and was taken in 1866. issue. The Religious literature of the month is as varied as usual. In the controversial department, the most prominent as well as the most numerous are works written with a view of reconciling science with revealed truth. Three of these may be mentioned as especially note-worthy: :-"Moses and Modern Science," by J. Elliott; "Physical Facts, and the Scriptural Record," by W. B. Galloway; and "The Agreement of Science and Revelation," by the Rev. Dr. Wythe. The Athanasian Creed which has been denounced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of Peterborough, still finds defenders. The Rev. Mr. Brewer in his reply to Dean Stanley, even defends the damnatory clauses :-"If error," he says, "shall not perish everlastingly, then will error be everlastingly saved; and there is no essential difference between truth and error but both are originally pleasing in God's sight"-a species of logic, which partly evades and partly begs the question at "The History of the Literature of the Israe lites, according to the Old Testament," by C. and A. Rothschild, a valuable work from the Jewish point of view, has recently been published in an abridged form. "Illustrations of the Old Testament," by the Rev. G. Rawlinson; and "Moral Difficulties of Old Testament History," by Dr Hessey, are useful little volumes, issued under the auspices of the Christian Evidence Society. The Rev. Dr. Macmillan is a popular writer, and we have no doubt his latest work just announced--" The Garden and the City, with other contrasts and parallels of Scripture," will command a wide circle of readers. The publication of a revised edition of Canon Westcott's "Introduction to the Study of the Four Gospels," and the appearance of an American edition of Naville's "Problem of Evil," an able work on an inexplicable subject may be mentioned. "Christ in Modern Life," a series of sermons by the Rev. Stopford A. Brooke, one of Her Majesty's Chaplains in ordinary, has also achieved sufficient attention to warant republication. Dr Cuyler, of New York, has just published a work entitled, "Thought Hives,' which, from the reputation of the author, should be worth reading. Two books from the High Church may be noted:-The Two Estates, that of the Wedded in the Lord, and that of the Single for the Kingdom of Heaven's Sake," by Dr. Morgan Dix, Rector of Trinity, New York. The other a laboured vindication of "Praying for the Dead," by the Rev. Dr. Lee. Dr. Dollinger's "Fables concerning the Popes of the Middle Ages," a very valuable and interesting contribution to Church History, has just been reprinted at a reasonable price in New York. In Mental Philosophy, we may mention two works Dr. Calderwood's revised edition of "The Philosophy of the Infinite," by Sir W. Hamilton and Dr. Mansel, and the issue in separate form of the Preface, Supplementary Dissertations and concluclusion of SirW. Hamilton's work, collected by the late Dean Mansel. In Politics and Sociology we have the promised volume of "Essays and Lectures on Politics and Social Subjects," by Professor and Mrs. Fawcett. We take advantage of the appearance of an American edition of Arthur Helps' "Thoughts on Government,' to commend it again to the notice of our readers; like all the author's works, it is interesting as well as instructive. Mr. Macdonell's "Survey of Political Economy," the latest treatise on the subject, we observe is now ready. The works of John Hookham Frere may be noticed in this place, although his most substantial claim to remembrance rests upon his admirable translation of Aristophanes. But he was an M. P. and a diplomatist, the intimate friend of Canning, and one of the chief contributors to the parody and satire of the Anti Jacobin. In Physical Science, the chief work to be noted is Prof. Huxley's "Manual of the Anatomy of the Vertebrated Animals," which will at once take its place as the best text book on the subject. "The Forms of Water in Clouds, Rain, Rivers, Ice and Glaciers," by Prof. Tyndall, is the first of the International Scientific Series to be published simultaneously in London, Paris, Leipzic, and New York. A list of contributors has been announced; amongst the rest Profs. Huxley, Bain, Quetelet, Ramsay, Dr. Carpenter, Sir John Lubbock, and Mr. Herbert Spencer. "Corals and Coral Islands," an illustrated work by Prof. Dana will shortly appear. "A Manual of Anthropology," by Charles Bray, author of the "Philosophy of Necessity," is an eclectic work, instructive in character and abounding in humour and feeling. Sir Jno. Lubbock's valuable work, "Pre-historic Times, as illustrated by Ancient Remains, and the Manners and Customs of Modern Savages,' and Tylor's "Primitive Culture," a learned and candidly written view of human development, based upon the theory of Evolution, have both been reprinted in the United States. In Archaeology, "Rude Stone Monuments of all Ages," by Ferguson, the author of the History of Architecture, and "Ancient America, in notes on American Archaeology,' by Mr. Baldwin, M. A., are note worthy. We may add that Mr. Timb's useful Year Book of Facts in Science and Art, with a portrait of Sir W. Thomson, President of the British Association, has just made its appearance. In Art, may be mentioned the issue of the third part of Gustave Doré's "London, a Pilgrimage." "The History of the Gothic Revival," by Chas. L. Eastlake, is an attempt to show how far the taste for medieval architecture was retained in England during the last two centuries and has been re-developed in the present. "The British School of Sculpture" is a handsome and valuable illustrated work published by Messrs. Virtue. Hamerton's "Etcher's Hand Book" may also be commended as useful, both as a practical and a critical guide. The Rev. Mr. Haweis' work, "Music and Morals," which is most delightful in style and matter, has been reprinted by the Harpers; we shall probably notice it at greater length hereafter. "At Home with the Patagonians" is a very curious record of Travel, by Mr. Musters, a retired Commander of the Royal Navy. The author gives a curious account of his "year's wandering over untrodden ground." It seems that he actually proposed to marry and settle there, but the match was broken off, on a demand on the part of his betrothed's friends that his revolver should be made over to them. "South Sea Bubbles," by the Earl and the Doctor, is an exceedingly racy narrative of a yacht-cruise amongst the Islands of the Southern Pacific. The Earl is understood to be the young Earl of Pembroke. Dr. Edward Prime's "Round the World," is interest ing enough to reward perusal, and so is Mr. Hep worth Dixon's "Switzers," although the amount of fresh information contained in them is not large. Taine's "Notes on England," translated by Mr. W. F. Rae, a well known contributor to the high-class periodical literature of England, ought to command general attention in their revised and collected form. "New Homes for the Old Country," is a book on Australia and New Zealand by Geo. S. BadenPowell, a son of the celebrated Savillian Professor. We only mention it, to give expression to our regret that no Canadian Colonist has yet been found to do a similar service on behalf of this Dominion. In Biography and History we have the usual abundance. The Duc D' Aumale has made his appearance in the literary field with "Lives of the Princes of the House of Condé. Carl Elze's Life of Byron" has been reprinted, on this side, and although it contains no new information and errs in several important particulars, it will repay perusal as a foreign estimate of the poet. Wm. Chambers' Memoir of his brother Robert is a healthy book, in every sense--the record of struggling aspirations and untiring perseverance with their ultimate reward. Thomas Cooper, formerly known as the Chartist, and author of "The Purgatory of Suicides," has issued an autobiography. The second series of Miss Mitford's delightful letters will appear shortly. The fourth volume of Ernest Curtius' History of Greece, extending to the death of Epaminondas, has appeared in England. Mr. Freeman's "History of the Norman Conquest," to which we have already referred, is now complete. Mr. Nassau Molesworth's "History of England since 1830," is a useful record of the events of the last forty years. Mr. Longman's "Edward III." is not to be the only Historical work by a publisher. Mr. Adam Black has taken the field with a "Political History of the Times." "Our Empire in Asia; how we came by it, a Book of Confessions," by W. M. Torrens, M. P., is a very severe attack upon the annexation policy in India, and urges that some independent court of arbitration should be established to decide equitably between the Crown and the native princes. Another war history has appeared "In France with the Germans," by Col. Otto Corvin. We may note the re-issue of Taine's "English Literature" (Vols. I. and II.) by Holt & Williams, New York, and the announce ment, in England, of a second series of Earl Stan hope's "Historical Miscellanies." In Belles Lettres, so far as poetry is concerned, there is nothing worthy of special mention. Mr. Tennyson was said to be engaged on a poem on the illness of the Prince of Wales; and Mr. Browning is also reported to be writing a popular poem on a popular subject. The most popular and commendable novels of the month, we shall merely name:— Jeaffreson's "A Woman in spite of Herself"; Bruna's Revenge, by the author of "Caste"; Lord Kilgobbin, a Tale of Ireland in our own Time, by Charles Lever; Cast Away, by Edmund Yates; Cecil's Tryst, by the author of Lost Sir Massingberd; Poppies in the Corn, by the author of The Harvest of a Quiet Eye; and Miss Braddon's Lovels of Arden, just reprinted in New York. THE CANADIAN MONTHLY, AND NATIONAL REVIEW. VOL. I.] MAY, 1872. [No. 5. NOT THE GROWTH OF CANADIAN COMMERCE. BY JAMES YOUNG, M. P. expansion. OTHING more truly indicates the | by a steady, and, since the Union, a rapid condition of a nation than the rise or fall of its commerce with other countries. As its commercial tides ebb and flow, so may the nation be said to prosper or decline-advance or retrograde. A contracting annual commerce indicates "something rotten in the state of Denmark"; an expanding commerce tells not only of important resources, of (national industry and enterprise, but of growing wealth, power and influence. Looked at from this point of view, the condition of Canada, especially since the Confederation of the Provinces, may justly be described as satisfactory and hopeful. Our progress may not have been so rapid as that of particular States of the neighbouring Republic, or of one or two of the Australian Colonies, whilst under the first stimulus of the gold excitement. But it has been less fitful than the latter, and the volume of our annual commerce has been marked The "blue books" issued by Parliament each year have very few students. They are, it must be confessed, not very attractive to the general reader; but the facts which they contain are highly important, and deserve more consideration than they generally receive. Let us see if they cannot tell us something interesting about the extent and character of our commerce, the different nations with which we deal, and the exchanges which annually pass between us. The Union of the Provinces, on the 1st of July, 1867, naturally divides our commercial, as it does our political, history. Prior to that time, our public records contain only the Trade Returns of Ontario and Quebec ; since then, we have those of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick included. Taking these divisions in their order, we find that the annual commerce of the late Province of Canada rose from a mere trifle in 1841, Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada in the year 1872, by Adam, Stevenson & Co., in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. 1854. 63,548,515 1863.. 1855.. 1856.. 1857....... 1858.. 76,119,843 79,398,067 81,458,335 64,274,630 1864 (1⁄2 year) 34,586,054 75,631,404 1864-5.. 80,644,951 66,437,222 1865-6.. 96,479,738 52,550,461 1866-7........ 94,791,860 From these statistics, it will be observed that, with the exception of a few years succeeding the great commercial crisis of 1857, which swept over this continent like a flood, the growth of the trade of the late Province of Canada was generally steady, and at times, even rapid. Between 1850 and 1856, our annual transactions rose from the value of $29,703,497 to the handsome sum of $75,631,404-an increase of over 250 per cent! This result was largely due to the unusual stimulus of that wise and liberal measure negotiated by the late Lord Elgin, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, and it could not, therefore, be expected that such a large percentage of increase would long be kept up. Taking the whole period quoted above, however, the result will be found satisfactory. The highest amount reached during any twelve months was $96,479,738 in 1865-6-the year the Reciprocity Treaty terminated-and by comparing these figures with those for 1850, it will be seen that our commerce increased within a fraction of 325 per cent. in fifteen years, or, in other words, doubled the original amount every five years. We are now in the fifth year of Confederation, and the "blue books" give us the result of four years' experience. Of the $300,862,960 TOTAL. $129,553,194 60,474,781..... 127,876,951 73,573,490..... 148,387,829 74,173,613..... 160,834,758 $265,789,772 $566,652,732 The returns of the first two years after Confederation, it will be noticed, were nearly equal, but since then the Dominion has bounded quickly forward in the race of commercial progress. During 1869-70 the value of our trade increased $20,510,878 over the previous year, during 1870-1 there was a further expansion of $12,446,929, and the current year promises to equal, if it does not surpass, them both. Our total transac tions last year reached the handsome sum of $160,834,758, and it will be seen that the Dominion's first four years' business amounts to no less than $566,652,732. These facts we need not enlarge upon. They go far, as we remarked before, to establish the commercial success of Confederation, and point hopefully to the future. Next in interest to its extent, we may set down the character of a nation's commerce, and the countries with which it deals. The nature of our exports are familiar to all. The great bulk of them are comprised under three heads produce of the forest, animals and their products, and agricultural productions. Through the courtesy of John Langton, Esq., Auditor General, we are enabled to give in advance a complete return of the exports of the various Provinces comprising the Dominion, for the year ending 30th June, 1871 The value of articles exported last year, which were the actual growth or produce of the Dominion, was $55,151,047, as will be seen by the above table. Of this amount, the productions of our farms and forests make up no less than $44,788,282, or considerably more than three-fourths of the whole. Less than one-fourth is contributed by our fisheries, mines, manufactures and shipyards, but it is gratifying to know that these branches of trade are fairly prosperous, and that the returns manifest a moderate annual increase. The imports into Canada from Great Britain and foreign countries, during 1870-1, amounted to $86,661,145, and embraced so many different articles that the publication of a complete list of them would take up too much space. They are chiefly composed of manufactures and tropical productions, of which the principal articles are Cottons, Woollens, Teas, Sugars, Hardware, Iron, Coal and Fancy Goods. The Trade and Navigation returns for the last year are not yet published, but we have gone over those for 1869-70, and we find our principal imports and their values in that year, to have been as follows:- Silks, Satins and Velvets......... Glass and Glassware 30,520 5,517,930 74,173,618 Iron 1,786,647 Railroad bars, axles, &c.. 917,283 Iron-pig, scrap, &c........ 1,134,001 Prepared oils.. 346,455 1,475,921 540,557 799,944 612,264 674,434 Carpets and rugs.. Small wares......... Tobacco (un-manufactured).. This list of the principal classes of goods we annually import is highly suggestive, and in view of the fact that our imports increased $19,259,275 during the last two years, and exceeded our exports during the same asked: are we not importing articles which period by $13,728,103, it may be properly could and ought to be produced profitably among ourselves? The answer to this query must be in the affirmative, but we |