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 580 Reviews of Books does not overwork the theory, keeps it prominently to the front so that at every stage of the evolution a clear picture is set forth. The first essay is of special interest. In writing of Continental money, the author clearly shows that Congress was not mainly respon- sible for the monetary demoralization of the period, for the several states had set the pace and Congress was practically forced to accept the pre- vailing sentiment of its constituents. It was no time for that assemblage to educate its constituents to more accurate economic thinking. The author accepts the conclusion that Congress was not given the right to issue legal-tender money under the Constitution, and supports his con- clusions by the researches of Mr. Libby, which show that the adoption of the Constitution was most keenly opposed in the several states where the very elements which were in favor of paper money issues were strongest. Mr. Bullock has apparently a poor opinion of the work of the state banks of issue before the Civil War, and it may fairly be ques- tioned whether he gives suiificient credit to these institutions, particularly to those established in the East during the period 1840-1860. The au- thor does not include in his general survey any essay on the issues of government paper money for the period 1812-1857. In the treatment of the agitation for silver legislation, Mr. Bullock believes that the Sher- man Act was pushed through Congress as a price for tariff support from the West, and in this follows the account given by Senator Teller in his speech of April 29, 1896. The two essays on the colonial issues of New Hampshire and North Carolina are of less general interest, though of great value to the special investigator. Throughout the work there is a wealth of notes and refer- ences, and the mark of the scholar is on every page. The studies are "original" in the truest sense of the term. While in general agreement with the thesis advocated by the author, I am inclined to believe that a sufficient allowance has not been granted to other influences which led the American people to the adoption of in- flation theories. In particular, reference might be made to the abstract political philosophy which has taken possession of large sections of our population at one time and another, which has led to the conclusion that a democratic people is sovereign not only in political activities, but even in attaining economic results. There has been a conviction, and an hon- est conviction, that value could be created by legislation, a theory which I believe has had close relationship to the theory of the sovereign rights of man. The author, it appears to me, insists too much upon the desire of people to escape their just obligations, and does not take into account sufficiently the superficial philosophy which has been current. Davis Rich Dewey. Stage- Coach and Tavern Days. By Alice ]Iorse E.a.rle. (New- York : The Macmillan Co. 1900. Pp. xvi, 449.) In her adopted field, which has become her own, Mrs. Earle renews the life of our early centuries. Through her sparkling narrative and by