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UNIVERSITY COURIER.
geline, where the richest was poor and the poorest lived in abundance." Speaking of the dangers that may arise from this organization, the same writer says: "On the eve of grave events, our people are even more sanguine than those of other countries. It was so before the great war of Secession. It was so before the strikes of '76. We are far from disposed to predict that the Commune will rage or reign here tomorrow or next day. The industries of the country wear for the present an improved aspect. But the dark hour of commercial depression must come again so surely as the night succeeds the day. The plant which has found root in our soil must be killed before it bursts into full bloom. The powerful and growing organization which now honeycombs the country, must be laid low before we forget the smouldering fires of Pittsburg and the insurrection which extended over fourteen States of the Union." C. G. U.
LITERARY NOTES,
Scribner's Monthly for October contains a long list of well-written, entertaining articles on the following subjects: "Ups and Downs in Leadville;” “Field Sports in Minnesota;” “Edison's System of Fast Telegraphing;” “Rio de Janiero;” “Journalism;” "English Spelling and Spelling Reform;" and many other short articles.
The Atlantic Monthly, which has the reputation of being the most exclusive magazine in this country, is out for October. It is generally asserted that no one, unless he is a Boston man, or has some other distinguished characteristic, can be admitted to its pages. The contents of the present number disposes of this criticism. The articles are from writers whose reputations are but beginning to be made. However they compare favorably with older and better known contributions.
The articles of the most interest to the West are "The Attack Upon Constitutional Government in America;"" Socialism in Germany;"" Some Labor Reform Theories," and "Albert Gallatin." We say of most interest to the West, for while there are many other well-written essays on art and general literature, they are not the ones to which Western men, full of energy and business, are attracted. We print elsewhere an outline of the article on "Some Labor Reform Theories." It contains truths which in these days of mistaken notions of the relations of labor and capital should be more emphatically affirmed.
The Literary News-All About the New Books Published by F. E. Grant, 678 Broadway, New York.
The charge is often brought against college students that, however learned and skilled in their specialties, and every-day work, they are remarkably ignorant of what is now going on in the world of letters and art. It is not altogether their fault, however, even granting that the charge be a truth; for we, who are closeted with Plato and Aristotle, with Berkeley and Mill, with Gibbon and Guizot—can an amount of knowledge concerning the present be expected from us, equal to that of those freed from this thralldom? The world, before it complains, should provide a way out of the difficulty. The little pamphlet before us does this satisfactorily. It contains a list of all the new publications, as well as of old friends, in a new dress, and has copies from the critical notices of the press in regard to some of the most important of these. Clippings from some of the best writers are presented, together with two or three columns of news fresh from the publishers. Altogether this is the best thing of the sort we have yet seen. It is small and condensed; it is exceedingly cheap (25 cents per annum); it is a monthly production, and is therefore a frequent visitor, and we would advise all our literary students to subscribe to this worthy little sheet.
SOME LABOR REFORM THEORIES.
Our friends regard the production and perpetuation of wealth as being due almost entirely to labor. They often say that laboring men—as distinct from the class of capitalists and cultivated people—have created the wealth of the country, and it is sometimes added that it justly belongs to them. The working people do not generally understand how much the production and existence of wealth depend upon other elements than mere muscular exertion. They do not appreciate the part which is performed by cultivated men and capitalists in organizing and equipping business enterprises, in adapting production to the markets of the world, and in so directing the labor of multitudes of men and the use of costly machinery as not to impair the capital invested. They do not even understand clearly that the destruction of capital ruins the laborers of the country by destroying the business which gives them employment. Many laborers think they are in some way benefited by all the losses sustained by capitalists. Wealth is not so stable or permanent as our friends believe. It is of a sensitive nature, and does not bear rough