8 PREFACE. 



The great and overwhelming interest manifested by the pub- 

 lic in the question has made this a fitting time for the appear- 

 ance of such a book. Evil days are upon us, and it becomes the 

 duty of everyone to inquire the cause of this unhappy state 

 of affairs, which is as remarkable as it is distressing. A more 

 singular phenomenon was never offered for our consideration. 

 There is every reason why trade this season should be abun- 

 dantly prosperous. Our harvest has been abundant. The 

 markets for our productions are in our favor. We have not 

 only a ready sale for our breadstuff's and provisions, but we 

 have begun to send abroad manufactured goods, for which we 

 have had no foreign purchasers heretofore. Our mills have not 

 been overstocked. Industry has generally shown a healthy and 

 steady activity. Our depressed shipping interest has wonder- 

 fully revived. And yet in spite of all this, the country has 

 been driven into one of the most serious and alarming con- 

 ditions of financial depression it has ever experienced. Every- 

 one is interested in knowing the cause of this evil, and in 

 taking measures to bring about a better state of affairs. The 

 Author has endeavored in these pages to shed some new light 

 upon the matter in consideration, and assist the reader in the 

 intelligent discharge of his duty as a responsible member of the 

 community. E. W. M. 



