It appears that, on an average of the fifteen years previous to the
revolution, about twenty-two millions of dollars were exported, and that
there was an accumulation of about two millions. Since the revolution,
the exports have averaged 13,587,052 dollars, while the produce has
decreased to eleven millions. This change was the natural consequence of
the revolution. The favourable accounts of Humboldt excited a spirit of
speculation that was wholly regardless of passing events; and the Act of
Congress, facilitating the co-operation of foreigners with the natives,
produced a mania which has been destructive to numberless individuals,
who trusted too much to names. Seven English companies, with a capital
of at least three millions, were established, and these were followed by
two American, and one German, companies. Such was the rage for mining on
the Royal Exchange, that for a time it was only necessary for any one
to appear with contracts made with Mexican mine owners to establish a
company. Many who were so ignorant as not even to know the difference
between a shaft and a level, commenced speculators, not for the purpose
of fairly earning a reward for doing some service to those to whom they
offered their mines, but to fill their own purses without reference to
consequences. Such a system of unprincipled conduct could not last;
almost all the minor performers have been driven from the stage, and the
respectable associations alone maintain their footing, though the want
of returns for the immense sums invested has tended to produce a general
want of confidence.
Since these enterprises have been undertaken, an immense and fruitless
expenditure has been incurred by sending out machinery, which could be
of no earthly use--by despising the native processes, and substituting
others that have been found wholly inapplicable--and by introducing
British labourers, who when abroad reverse all the good qualities for
which they are valuable at home. A reform in this system we believe to
have been generally adopted, and we are sure that a reduction of
expense, a management purely European, and native labour, with only such
modifications in working, smelting, or amalgamating, as experience will
prove to be advantageous, will, in a moderate time, return the capital
already expended, with a commensurate advantage. But these things can
only take place provided the public tranquillity be maintained, and the
government keep their engagements with foreigners inviolate. The
insecurity arising from the domestic feuds now disturbing this fine
country, must, if it continues, finally annihilate its best
resources.--_Foreign Quarterly Review._
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Of the abhorrence with which the Dutch regard the French tongue, the
following lines of Bilderdyk are an amusing example:--
Begone, thou bastard-tongue! so base--so broken--
By human jackals and hyaenas spoken;
Formed for a race of infidels, and fit
To laugh at truth--and scepticize in wit;
What stammering, snivelling sounds, which scarcely dare,
Bravely through nasal channels meet the ear--
Yet helped by apes' grimaces--and the devil,
Have ruled the world, and ruled the world for evil!
_Ibid._
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