signees of Hargous. It is impossible to conceive a clearer proposition than this. In a word, it would be difficult to find in modern times a parallel for the public dishonesty of Mexico, in expelling the American engineers, and refusing to fulfil its contract. We must travel back to antiquity for a precedent, and even then scruple to attach so wide a meaning to "Punic faith." The object of the Mexican people-for we have every reason to believe that the repudiation of the contract by the Congress was demanded by a large majority of the people-it is difficult to conjecture. It may be that the advantages to be derived from annexation to the United States are seen in so clear a light by the citizens of that distracted country, that they are willing to purchase admission into the Union even at the cost of a second war. If this be the secret of their extraordinary policy, it will be for our representatives to determine on the expediency of this new accession of territory. To us it seems a prospect yet far in the distance. Meanwhile, severely as we have felt it our duty to animadvert on other branches of Mr. Webster's foreign policy, we feel a sincere satisfaction in being able to bear our testimony to the energy and spirit the cabinet have evinced on this occasion. The Secretary is penetrated by a proper sense of the vital importance of the prosecution of this great work. "This government," was the manly language of Mr. Webster in addressing the Mexican minister, "will feel itself compelled to take into consideration the measures which its duty to its own citizens may require it to adopt, to protect their rights under a voluntary grant made by Mexico of a right of transit across the Isthmus. The government of the United States can in no event be expected to abandon those rights." The tone of this dispatch is equally honorable and politic. We cannot believe that the Mexican government will madly persist in their dishonest attempt, when they discover that our authorities are determined to protect the rights of their subjects at all hazards. There is a limit even to Mexican fool-hardiness: the administration of the neighboring republic will discover, we trust, that they have reached it. Should our presentiment prove false-should the dispatches of M. de la Vega fail to awaken his government to a sense of honor, or to an appreciation of the danger-there is but one course for our authorities to pursue. The Tehuantepec treaty must be enforced, coute qui coute if it involve a fresh series of calamities for Mexico, on the heads of her people be the crime. CONTENTS FOR OCTOBER. 1. The recent Progress of the Sciences of Astronomy and Physics, Professor W. A. Norton, New Haven. 2. The Study of Words, Rev. C. T. Brooks, Newport, R. I. 3. Music, J. W. Curtis, New York. 4. Writings of Mrs. Eastlake, H. T. Tuckerman, New York. 5. The Yankee in China, from an unpublished manuscript, by Amed 6. The late A. J. Downing, Clarence Cook, New York. 7. British and American Associations for the advancement of Science, CORNISH, LAMPORT & CO., 8 PARK PLACE, NEW YORK, Have issued, since the June number af the Quarterly, the following Works: THE NAPOLEON DYNASTY, a History of the Bonaparte Family. By the BERKELEY MEN. 1 vol., 624 pages, 8vo., muslin, embellished with 22 superb Portraits in tint. $3. This work contains authentic Biographies of all the members of this illustrious family, prepared with great ability, by the associate labors and investigations of several of our best writers, is entirely original in its character, and is regarded as one of the most brilliant and attractive books ever written in this country. AUSTRALIA AND HER GOLD REGIONS. 1 vol. 12mo. With Map. 75c. LIFE, CHARACTER, AND ACTS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 1 vol. 12mo. FOUR YEARS IN A GOVERNMENT EXPEDITION. 1 vol. 12mo. Illustrated. D. APPLETON & COMPANY, A SHORT AND COMPREHENSIVE GREEK GRAMMAR, with materials for Oral Exercises, for Schools and Colleges. By J. T. CHAMPLIN, Professor of Greek and Latin in Waterville College. 12mo. 75c. GRAMMAR OF THE GREEK LANGUAGE. By RAPHAEL KUHNER. Translated from the German by Edwards and Taylor. A New Revised Edition. 12mo. $1 50. EVENINGS AT DONALDSON'S MANOR. By MARIA MCINTOSH. Author of "Charms and Counter-Charms," "Aunt Kitty's Tales," &c., &c. A New and Cheaper Edition. 12mo. Paper, 50c.; cloth, 75c. |