LITERARY NOTICES.

LTON LOCKE, Tailor and Poet. An Autobiography. New York:
Harper & Brothers.

Alton Locke, a Chartist, a Tailor, and a Poet, has given us in this book an insight into the life of a working man in England. The exhibition is at once powerful and painful - the offspring of genius, developed in the midst of bitter privations, and fired also by the sense of grievous wrongs. The object of the book is to promote the Emancipation of Labor, and wherever read must awaken profound sympathy with the laboring classes.

For sale by Franck Taylor, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington.

EVENINGS AT DONALDSON MANOR: or, The Christmas Guest.
By Maris J. Mackintosh. New York: D. Appleton
& Co. For sale by R. Farnham, Pennsylvania
avenue, Washington, D.C.

The author of "Charms and Counter Charms" will always be sure of admirers. She has good taste, good sense and good morals, and tells a story in a very charming way. "Evenings at Donaldson Manor" is a collection of nine delightful stories, with handsome engravings, bound in beautiful style, as a Christmas present.

MAYHEW ON POPULAR EDUCATION. New York: Harper and
Brothers. For sale by Franck Taylor, Pennsylvania
avenue, Washington, D.C.

The Legislature of Michigan in 1849, with a laudable anxiety for the educational interests of the State, passed a resolution requesting Ira Mayhew, then its excellent Superintendent of Public Instruction, to prepare a Manual on the subject of Popular Education, such as should awaken the People to a full sense of its importance, and afford a useful chart to Parents and Teachers. The volume before us is the result of this movement. Mr. Mayhew has executed the task assigned, with carefulness, fidelity, and sound judgment, making a very useful, if not brilliant, book.

<< JAMAICA>> IN << 1850>> . By John Bigelow. New York and London:
George P. Putnam. For sale by Taylor & Maury,
Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D.C.

Not long since, Mr. Bigelow, one of the editors of that sterling journal, the New York Evening Post, spent a short time in Jamaica, and wrote a series of Letters about it, which attracted general attention. They have been collected, and embodied in a finely printed volume, issued at the same time in New York and London.

Mr. Bigelow made an admirable use of his time and opportunities while in Jamaica. A keen observer, a sound and an impartial thinker, he has furnished the Public with a volume whose statements may be relied upon, and whose reasonings cannot fail to command respect, and generally secure assent. In our judgment, it is the best work concerning the present condition of Jamaica, and its causes, that has yet appeared. It is written in an unexceptionable style, and enlivened by many agreeable sketches.

MEMOIRS of the Life and Writings of Dr. Chalmers. By
Rev. Mr. Hanna. New York: Harper & Brothers. For
sale by Franck Taylor, Washington.

We took occasion, on the appearance of the first volume of this work, to call particular attention to it, and we need add nothing now, except that it is a work to be read by every class of readers, religious or secular, who would study the gradual development of the character of one of the great men of his age. One volume more will complete it.

THE COUNTRY YEAR BOOK. By William Hewitt. Published
and for sale as above.

Hewitt is a lover of Nature, and knows how to make others love it. He gives us in this volume the results of many years' delightful enjoyment of the country, and observation of life and scenery. He informs us that it is intended as a companion to "The Book of the Seasons," but in this volume "is comprised abundance of matter illustrative of the pleasures and pursuits of human life in the country - in the Field, the Forest, and by the Fireside - which will not be found in that volume." It is a pleasant book for these long winter evenings.

LONDON QUARTERLY REVIEW. October, 1850. New York:
Leonard Scott & Co. For sale by Taylor & Maury,
Washington.

The leading article is a review of Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature. The reviewer speaks in high terms of the industry, research, fidelity, and good judgment, displayed in this work, and compliments the zeal of American authors to discharge the debt due to Spain, her first discoverer.

An article on "The Church and Education in Wales" is chiefly local in its interest.

Better, more delightful reading cannot be found than the acute, half-playful, brilliant article on "Forms of Salutation," as indicative of national characteristics.
Numerous works on "Siberia and California" afford some political economist an opportunity of discussing the question of the influence of the wealth of the newly discovered mines on trade and currency.
"The Lost Days of Louis Philippe," a review of a recent French work, containing an account of a visit to the dethroned monarch, is calculated to soften the severity of even a republican's judgment.

There are several other articles, which we have not had time to read.

September 13, 1855
THE NATIONAL ERA
Washington, D.C., Vol. IX No. 454 P. 146

EMANCIPATION.

The Richmond Enquirer of Thursday, 6th September, says:
“We are happy to find that others of our Southern contemporaries are willing to discuss the true and great question of the day-the existence of Slavery as a permanent institution in the South. Every moment's additional reflection but convinces us of the absolute impregnability of the Southern position on this subject. Facts, which cannot be questioned, come thronging in support of the true doctrine-that Slavery is the best condition of the black race in this country, and that the true philanthropists should rather desire that race to remain in a state of servitude than to become free, with the privileges of becoming worthless. Wherever the experiment has been made of liberating the black race on any large or extensive scale, it has lamentably failed. Not an example can be cited of the contrary character. And we are justified in the belief, that were this course they removed from contract with the whites-they would relapse into barbarism. individual cases of emancipation, even with the surrounding influences of civilization and in the daily intercourse with a superior and enlightened race, have failed thus far to effect any good purpose. The Virginians need to be told that, as a class, there is not a more worthless or dissolute set of men than these free negroes. Our slaves even look upon most of them with contempt, and speak of them with a sneer. They deserve it. There are some few honorable exceptions-but, as a class, they are the most despicable characters our State contains. This is not peculiar to Virginia. In the Northern States as well as in the Southern-indeed. everywhere-this is the true state of facts; and we were not surprised, therefore, to see a free State refuse admission to the Randolph negroes. Without, then, going the length of declaring that Slavery in the abstract, Slavery everywhere, is a blessing to the laboring classes, may we not candidly and calmly, and upon the maturest and soberest reflection, say that to the black race if the Union, it is a blessing, and perhaps the greatest blessing we can now confer upon them? It is in fact the only condition for which they are now fitted-and they who are endeavoring to thrust them into another, are but feeding them, 'with apples of Sodom.'”
We are highly gratified to learn that the Enquirer, with “others of its Southern contemporaries, are willing to discuss the true and great question of the day-the existence of Slavery as a permanent institution in the South.” We shall be attentive observers of the controversy-for discussion implies controversy; and although an outsider, we may be permitted to read and to chronicle the result of a free discussion; but the readers of the Era are well aware that, under the auspices of the renowned “Father Ritchie, THE NAPOLEON OF THE PRESS” in his day, the Enquirer did battle nobly in the cause of Emancipation. The present editors in the above paragraph indicate very clearly that the paper under their management has “taken a step backwards”-that, from advocating Emancipation, it has wheeled about, and become the deadly foe of Freedom and the champion of Slavery. But it is something that they will cling to the right of free discussion. But do they, though? On reflection, it occurs to us, that, only a few weeks ago, the oracle and organ of Virginia Democracy expressed great indignation at the Wheeling Gazette, for daring to avow hostility to Slavery, and thought the soil of Virginia was desecrated by the presence of such a foul and pestiferous sheet. Does the Enquirer repent and retract that ebullition of intolerance, and is it now really and heartily in favor of free discussion? We hope so, but we have our fears.
If the editor and his Southern contemporaries really mean to discuss the subject of Slavery, they will admit into their columns whatever may be said in its favor. The circulation of the Southern newspapers is local, and what they say in behalf of Slavery will never be seen by those who are not implicit believers in the utility and morality of the system; and since they complain that Slavery is must be desirous of spreading correct information before the Northern people, they must be desirous of spreading correct information before the Northern public. We will venture to suggest a plan which this can be done. It is simply this. Let the Enquirer enter into an arrangement with the National Era, on principles of fair reciprocity, for the republication of each other's articles, on this subject. Other Southern papers might enter into similar arrangements with the New York Tribune and other Anti-Slavery papers; and in this way the question may be thoroughly and fairly discussed, and in good temper, with entire freedom from the use of offensive epithets. The people on both sides of Mason and Dixon's line will thus be placed in possession of all the facts and principles bearing on the subject, and can not fail to arrive at correct conclusions. The South will then see what the North has to do with Slavery, why it is constrained by a sense of duty to “resist Slavery aggression,” and whatever else can be urged against the morality and utility of the institution. The North, on the other hand, will be put in possession of the arguments for Slavery, its utility, it necessity to the South, and the dangers of “agitation.” What says the Enquirer to this proposition? Is it friendly to through free discussion?
In this connection, we present the following article from the Journal of Commerce, relative to the effect of Emancipation in the West India colonies. It will be seen that a more hopeful view of the case is presented particularly as to Barbados, than the South has been accustomed to contemplate. The Enquirer please copy. We must say, however, in advance, that the effect of emancipation upon the West Indies, however disastrous in a pecuniary point of view, should not prejudice the cause in the Southern States of this Union. The cases are wholly different in several important particulars. In the first place, the proportion of slaves in the British West Indies, at the era of emancipation, was something like twenty to one; while in the South there are near two whites to one slave. The West Indies negroes, in consequence of this disparity of whites, were little removed above the condition of savages; or if their savage ferocity has been tamed by Slavery, it was only to be succeeded by a listless ignorance and stupidity. The slaves of the Southern States, on the contrary, are intermixed with civilized white people, and there are few plantations on which they are so completely cut off from every channel of intelligence as were the British West Indies slaves. Generations spent in daily intercourse with white men has given to the Southern negro a knowledge of the English language, which they almost universally speak as well as the lower class of whites, and often better. They have learned not merely a knowledge of agriculture but of all the more necessary mechanic arts, and have acquired tastes and habits which must ultimately lead them to still higher attainments.
It is further to be considered, that a large portion of the South is adapted, by soil and climate, to the habitation of white men; and, if Slavery were abolished, the colored race, in the natural order of events, would emigrate southwardly, while its places would be supplied by white men from the North and from Europe. In this way, there can be little doubt that the States of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and in fact the whole upland region of the South, would be stripped of its colored population, which would go into the lowlands-into Mexico, into the West Indies, and Central American, where it could amalgamate with the existing mixed races, infuse new life and vigor into them, with a knowledge of our language religion, and laws. In place of the present slaves, Northern slaves region above indicated would be come filled in a few years by a homogeneous white population, from our own free North and from Europe. Cities and towns would begin to rise, in Virginia and the other States thus stripped of the incubus of Slavery, with the rapidity which has been witnessed in the free States. Norfolk and Richmond would soon count their hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, while other places, whose names are not coined, would in a generation rival the Buffalos, and Detroits, and Chicagos, of the North. Can the Enquirer doubt the reality of this picture? And if it be possible , is it not more desirable than the present state of things?
Mr. Sumner and Mr. Emerson have thrown out that the resources of the Federal Government may, with the consent of the South, be employed to solve the problem of Slavery; and we believe that Mr. Seward is not unfavorable to the notion. We believe, that while a deliberate proposition of the kind would encounter opposition in the ranks of the Anti-Slavery men, it would meet with general favor in the free States. A few days ago, we saw a suggestion of the kind in the Philadelphia Inquirer, a conservative Whig paper. The idea is worthy of serious consideration; and it may be found practicable, in the eloquent language of Mr. Sumner, to span with a bridge of gold the chasm which divides the North from the South. G.

The following is the article referred to:

From the Journal of Commerce.

EFFECTS OF EMANCIPATION IN THE W. INDIES.

Some weeks since, there appeared in the Journal of Commerce two communications on the above subject, from “Northerner,” to which my attention has been directed.
The Slavery question is one of surpassing moment-and more pregnant than ever with danger to the best interests of this country, from the reckless manner in which it is discussed by violent men on both sides-in the North, and in the South.
“Northerner” and other writers illustrate their arguments against emancipation, be reference to the present condition of Hayti and Jamaica, and, in my belief, without correcting appreciating the causes which have conduced to the prostration of the latter island.
Your correspondent says: “He (the negro) became intoxicated at finding himself free, and, under no obligations to himself and master, soon lost all desire of self-cultivation, if he ever had any, or to cultivate the soil; and he has year by year degenerated, until now he is lower in the scale of humanity than those of his own people who roam the deserts of Africa.”
Jamaica is a perfect terra incognita to “Northerner,” or he would not write such twaddle.
Unfortunately for the planters, the great passion of the majority of the Jamaica negores is for the cultivation of the soil-of their own freehold, for their own benefit. As slaves, they had liberty to cultivate patches of ground, and to sell the produce on their own account. With the means thus obtained, they purchased all the clothing and luxuries which they enjoyed, beyond the allowance from the estates to which they were attached. During and on the termination of the apprenticeship, there was endless strife as to the lands so held by the quondam slaves, who struggled to maintain possession of them. The proprietors were driven to sell their outlying lands and found the negroes ready purchasers. Even when wages were high, the negroes would only work on the estates when their labor was not required on their own lands-and now wages are low, many of them have abandoned work on the estates entirely, devoting so much of their time as they choose to occupy in labor on their own grounds. What if one day's work in a week's maintenance, a negro refuses to work for wages during the remainder of the week? Is that nay reason for condemning him to slavery?
With Mr. Bigelow, in his “<< Jamaica>> in << 1850>> ,” I say, that I never could see anything in the aversion of the negroes there to labor, not sanctioned “by instincts and propensities common to humanity.”
Your correspondent gave some account of the falling off in the exports from Hayti, and I now supply some details of the quantity of sugar exported from the islands of Jamaica and Barbados, to as late dates as information now before me will permit.

Year Hnds. Jamaica. Hnds. Barbados. 1810 112,208 14,903 1820 122,922 13,544 1830 100,205 25,760 1835 77,970 23,479 1840 33,660 24,236 1845 47,926 27,689 1848 42,212 ----? 1850 36,030 ----? 1852 33,414 ----? 1853 28,318 1855 (estimated) 40,000

The gradual decrease in the exports of sugar from Jamaica, and the increase from Barbados, is worthy of deep consideration, in connection with the subject of the effects of Emancipation, and the causes of the ruin of Jamaica, attributed by “Northerner” solely to emancipation.
I propose to enter upon this part of the question in a further communication.

CREOLE.

JAMAICA - ITS ADVANTAGES AS A HOME FOR
COLORED EMIGRANTS.

BY SAMUEL ALLINSON, JUN.

The extraordinary resources of Jamaica are singularly neglected, and a knowledge of this fact may be useful to the enterprising emigrant. In the cultivation of the provision, grounds, the hoe is used instead of the plough, even for breaking up the land. Similar wasteful and inefficient expenditure of labor prevails in other respects. Such modes of culture would bring the farmers of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to utter ruin. It is asserted that there is not a saw-mill on the island, though water power is abundant. Lumber, staves, and shingles, are largely imported, though timber is abundant.
J. Bigelow, of New York, in an interesting and valuable work, entitled "<< Jamaica>> in << 1850>> ," says:
"The forests of Jamaica abound with the rarest cabinet woods, in wonderful variety. I was shown a beautiful box, the top of which was inlaid with thirty different choice and rich indigenous specimens.
"Among the trees of most value in various ways, may be mentioned the bread-fruit tree, which takes a fine polish; the satin wood; the cedar, which grows to an immense size; the cotton tree, the body of which is cut out by the negroes for canoes; the bamboo, one of the most useful trees on the island; the trumpet tree, the bark of which is used for cordage and the body for other purposes; the black and green ebony; lignumvitae; the palmetto, which sometimes grows one hundred and forty feet in height, and others. The mahogany is native to Jamaica, but is now getting quite scare."
The population of the island consists of about 300,000 blacks, 70,000 "browns," or colored persons, and 16,000 whites. Color presents no barrier to the enjoyment of equal rights. As members of the Legislature and of the bar, as physicians, editors of newspapers, judges, and other civil or military officers, jurymen, merchants, ministers of religion, &c., &c., men take their rank, without respect to color, according to their moral, intellectual, and pecuniary endowments. Speaking of colored men, J. Bigelow says:
"They have certainly a fair share of the public patronage; indeed, they are esteemed the favorites of the Government. There are one or two black regiments here, constantly one or two black regiments here, constantly under pay; they furnish nine-tenths of the officers of the penitentiary, and, as I have before said, almost the entire police force of the island. Ultimately, I have reason to believe, it is the expectation of the Home Government that these islands, without changing their colonial relations, will be substantially abandoned by the white population, and their local interests left to the exclusive management of the people of color."
A very important consideration with those contemplating emigration, is the healthfulness of the climate. With regard to this, the change for our colored people would probably be favorable. They are here often subject to diseases of the lungs, and to rheumatism, which are but little known in Jamaica. Fevers sometimes occur, but generally of a manageable kind. With prudent care to avoid improper use of fruit, great fatigue in the sun, and exposure to night air from marshes, they do not often become dangerous.
The cholera has recently, for the first time, visited the island, and with fearful malignity. By the last accounts it was on the decline, and, if it be not now extinct, we may trust that it will ere long cease its ravages. One of its effects has been to encourage emigration, by enhancing the demand and price of labor.
Another important question should be, "What is the moral condition of the people?" To this it may be replied, that on the first of August, sixteen years ago, the laboring population of Jamaica, amounting to about 312,000 persons were emancipated from slavery. Their previous condition was one of great hardship and debasement. Pious missionaries had faithfully labored at many points, and under circumstances of great peril and self-denial; but the declaration of moral and religious truth it is shorn of its power where slavery exists. It is cause, therefore, of regret, rather than of wonder, that the state of morals, though improved, is still low. The first day of the week is observed as a day or rest and worship. Under slavery, it was the day for market. JOHN CANDLER, a valued minister of the gospel of the Society of Friends, from Chelmsford, England, who spent a twelve-month in Jamaica about ten years ago, (laboring in various ways for the benefit of the emancipated,) and who revisited the island in 1950, testifies of the freed people that they are, emphatically, a church-going people, and that they present a beautiful spectacle, flocking with their families, in neat attire, from their villages on the mountain sides, ("some of the loveliest spots of creation,) to their respective places of worship. This attendance on public worship may, as in other countries, be partly attributable to a gregarious disposition; but J. Candler feelingly remarked that "some of the emancipated people have attended to gospel truth, and are enjoying that liberty wherewith Christ has sent them free."
There are 20,000 children attending the schools, which are taught by teachers generally well qualified for the station. This number, however, is no more than one third of those who should attend. The parents, ignorant themselves, cannot yet appreciate the value of instruction, and, like many in this country, prefer that their children should be earning money. The females seem particularly to require instruction in their rights and duties, that woman may take her place as the companion rather than the servant of man.
The use of spirituous and fermented liquors is painfully prevalent, and a very large proportion of the wages of the laborers is wasted in these drinks, although drunkenness is rare.
As in all countries where labor has been compulsory, it is not respected. An incubus is ever weighing down the prosperity of that community where the true nobleness of an independent laborer is not recognised.
There is a degree of indolence and a want of enterprise manifested among the people, caused no doubt, in part by the climate, but much more owing to the remaining evil effects of slavery, which in various ways must be expected to show themselves for several generations. A giant iniquity, spreading and strengthening itself for centuries, cannot at once be so completely overthrown as to leave no saddening relics in the moral and physical condition of those over whom it has exerted its blighting influence.
In all these respects - the neglect of education, the depressed condition of woman, the use of intoxicating drinks, and the general want of enterprise - the emigration from this country of persons of good moral and industrious habits, and, above all, of persons of intelligence and piety, would be productive of immense benefit. The examples of men of correct lives laboring with energetic industry cannot be wholly lost, but, with the stimulus occasioned by the constantly multiplied wants of freedom, we may trust will work a change.
The writer of this article has endeavored truthfully to present facts drawn from reliable sources. If there be errors in them, he trust they are immaterial. The adaptation of climate and the tendency of events seem to him to indicate that the colored race will one day sway most of the tropical portion of the globe. He has, however, no desire to persuade the people of color to leave the United States. Those who would succeed best in Jamaica would be valuable citizens of this land, if the Anglo Saxon race would treat them as Christians should treat all those "for whom Christ died." His aim has been to lay before them certain information, which, to his mind, appears important. "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Going or remaining, he desires that they may attain the greatest good by the surest means - the approbation of Heaven and good men, by lives of piety and virtue. The walk of our Redeemer on earth was marked by suffering and persecution, borne in a spirit of meek forgiveness and self-denial. They who in our time suffer wrong and persecution, can pursue no better course than to follow His bright example.

-----
APPENDIX.
A.

The author of "<< Jamaica>> in << 1850>> " remarks, pp. 109, 110: "So entirely are the capital and industry of the island absorbed in the culture of favorite staples on the large estates, that common articles of table consumption in Kingston are higher than in any part of England or the United States. I give below a list of prices paid at the hotel where I stayed, for articles, every one of which could be cultivated in Jamaica with the utmost ease and abundance, and ought to be sold for prices far below the current rates for the same articles in any city in the United States:
Butter, per lb. - - - - 37 12 cents.
American cheese, per lb. - - 25 "
English cheese, per lb. - - - 37 12 "
Potatoes, per lb. - - - - 6 14 "
Garlic, per lb. - - - 25 to 37 12 "
Hams, at retail, per lb. - 25 "
Lard, per lb. - - - - 21 "
Onions, per lb. - - - - 12 12 "
Flour, per lb. - - - 12 to 18 "
Cow's milk, per quart. - - 18 34 "
Goat's milk, per quart, - - - 25 "
Flour, per barrel - - - - $16 to $18
Corn meal, per barrel - - - $12 to $14

Eggs, 2 for 6 14 cents - during the Christmas holydays, 5 cents a piece.
The high price of butter, cheese, milk, beef, and mutton, is the more astonishing, when we learn that the finest pasturage continues during the year. The Guinea grass, an excellent variety, grows abundantly, six feet in height.

B.
The ordinary prices of such articles as the peasantry, generally use, are stated by J. McLean, as follows:
Yams - - - - - - $1
Cocoes, or eddoes - - - - 50 cts to $1
Sweet potatoes - - - - 75 cts to $1
Plantains, per 100 - - - - $1
Arrow root, per lb. - - - 12 to 18 cents.
Salted codfish, lb. - - - 3 to 4 cents.
Fresh beef and pork, lb. - - 9 to 12 cents.
Salt beef and pork, lb. - - - 12 to 25 cents.
Sheep mutton, per lb. - - - 12 to 25 cents.
Goat mutton, per lb. - - - 6 to 12 cents.
Poultry are reared and sold by the peasantry as follows:
Common fowls, each - - - 75 cents.
Ducks, each - - - - 50 to 70 ".
Geese, (not many raised) - - $1 to $2
Turkeys - - - - - $2 to $4
Guinea hens - - - - 50 to 75 cents.
A roasting pig - - - 50 cents to $2.
A milch goat, (favorite stock) $3 to $4
A roasting kid - - - - $1
Eggs; per dozen - - - - $1
Such a market for his products would be more valuable to a Jersey farmer than a gold mine.

C.

A Jamaica correspondent furnishes the following statement:
Yams of all kinds ripen in five to eight months.
Beans and peas of all kinds ripen in six weeks to three months.
Maize (Indian corn) ripens in three to four months.
Sweet potatoes ripen in three to four months.
Potatoes ripen in four to six months.
Cocoes, or eddoes, ripen in nine to twelve months after planting; they then bear a succession of crops afterwards, ripening in every three months.
Plantains ripen in ten to twelve months after planting; they throw up a succession of young shoots, which continue bearing for several years, and always have a fruit on them. This plant and the coco are great favorites with the settlers, as yielding almost a daily supply of food.
The bread-fruit, mango, and cocoa-nut, grow on large trees. J.J. Gurney says of the first: "It is round, of the size of cocoa-nut, and covered with a green rind, divided into hexagons, like the honey-comb. We were directed to keep it for a day or two, then to bake it, and lastly to cut it in slices to be toasted for breakfast. We found it a sweet, agreeable, farinaceous food, probably the best substitute for bread that has yet been discovered." The same writer remarks: "As to the mango trees, they may be said to cover the country, and during the four summer months afford abundance of delicious food to men, mules, horses, cows, and pigs. All animals seem equally fond of this fruit. The better sorts have somewhat the flavor of a peach, and are very luscious." - Letters to H. Clay.

D.

A list of articles that might be profitably raised by settlers:
Coffee, sugar-canes, cacao, cocoa-nuts, castor-oil nuts, capsicum and all other peppers, annatto, tobacco, cotton, arrow root, ginger, indigo, turmeric, pine apples, honey, wax, pindars, grapes, figs, nutmegs, sarsaparilla, oranges, lemons, shaddocks, bread-fruit, jack-fruit, tamarinds, olives, dates, liquorice-root, cochineal, &c., &c.