A. 8. BARNES 61 COMPANY'S PUBLICATIONS. 

 De Tocq ueville' 8 American Institution*. 



AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE. 



BY ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE. 

 WITH NOTES, BY HON. JOHN C. SPENCER. 1 vol. 8vo. 



This book is the first part of De Tocqueville's larger work, on the Repiblio of 

 America, and is one of the most valuable treatises on American politics that has ever 

 been issued, and should be in every library in the land. The views of a liberal* 

 minded and enlightened European statesman upon the working of our country's social 

 and political establishments, are worthy of attentive perusal at all times; those of a mu 

 like De Tocqueville have a higher intrinsic value, from the fact of his residence among 

 the people he describes, and his after position as a part of the republican government 

 of France. The work is enriched likewise with a preface, and carefully prepared notes, 

 by a well-known American statesman and late Secretary of the Navy. The book is on* 

 of great weight and interest, and is admirably adapted for the district and school library 

 as well as that of the private student. It traces the origin of the Anglo- Americana 

 treats of their social condition, its essential democracy and political consequences, th*» 

 sovereignty of the people, etc. It also embraces the author's views on the America* 

 system of townships, counties, &c. ; federal and state powers ; the judiciary ; the con 

 stitution ; parties ; the press ; American society ; power of the majority, its tyrannj, 

 and the causes which mitigate it; trial by jury; religion; the three races; the arists* 

 cratic party; causes of American commercial prosperity, etc., etc. The work is at 

 epitome of the entire political and social condition of the United States. 



"M. De Tocqueville was the first foreign author who comprehended the genius & 

 our institutions, and who made intelligible to Europeans the complicated machinery, 

 wheel within wheel, of the state and federal governments. His 'Democracy it 

 America' is acknowledged to be the most profound and philosophical work upor. 

 modern republicanism that has yet appeared. It is characterized by a rare union oj 

 discernment, reflection, and candor; and though occasionally tinged with the authorV 

 peculiarities of education and faith, it may be accepted as in the main a just and in> 



[>artial criticism upon the social and political features of the United States. The pub 

 ishers have now sought to adapt it as a text-book for higher seminaries of learning 

 For this purpose they have published the first volume as an independent work, that 

 avoiding the author's speculations upon our social habits and religious condition. This 

 volume, however, is unmutilated — the author is left throughout to speak for himself ; bui 

 where at any point he had misapprehended our system, the defect is supplied by notes 

 or paragraphs in brackets from the pen of one most thoroughly versed in the history 

 the legislation, the administration, and the jurisprudence of our country. This work 

 will supply a felt deficiency in the educational apparatus of our higher schools. Ever? 

 man who pretends to a good, and much more to a liberal education, should master the 

 principles and philosophy of the institutions of his country. In the hands of a judicious 

 teacher, this volume will be an admirable text-book." — The Independent. 



M « Having had the honor of a personal acquaintance with M. De Tocqueville while be 

 was in this country ; having discussed with him many of the topics treated of in th» 

 book; having entered deeply into the feelings and sentiments which guided and im 

 pelled him in his task, and having formed a high admiration of his character and a? 

 this production, the editor felt under some obligation to aid in procuring for one who» 

 he ventures to call his friend, a hearing from those who were the objects of his ob- 

 servations.' The notes of Mr. Spencer will be found to elucidate occasional miscon- 

 ceptions of the translator. It is a most judicious text-book, and ought to be reaC 

 carefully by all who wish to know this country, and to trace its power, position, tuxC 

 nltimate destiny from the true source of philosophic government, Republicanism— lbs 

 people. De Tocqueville, belleTing the destinies of civilization to depend on the power 

 of the people and on the principle which so grandly founded an exponent on this con- 

 tinent, analyzes with jealous care and peculiar critical acumen the tendencies of ths 

 new Democracy, and candidly gives his approval of the new-born giant, or point* 

 out and warns him of dangers which his faithful and independent philosophy foresees. 

 We believe the perusal ol his observations will have the effect of enhancing still mors 

 to his American readers the structure of their government, by the clear and profound 

 style in which he presents it."— American Jicvieie. 



