and visible, in ordinary weather, to an observer at the height of seven feet above the horizon, at the distance of ten geographical miles.

The position of this light is, South 26°, 30' East, and distant 458 metres from the large lighthouse of the third order, situated on the angle of the two moles which form the mercantile port, and has been visible since 1844, the position of which (already indicated) is latitude 40° 55′ 13′′ North, and longitude 11° 55' 18" East of Paris.

The elbow of the military port, on the end of which the light is placed, looks towards the N. N. E., and the entrance to it stands between these two lighthouses, with a free open passage of 401 metres.

Vessels entering the military port at night will keep the new light above-mentioned on their left, at a distance of not less than thirty nine metres, in order to avoid the breakwater of rocks that extends towards the E. N. E. to a short distance from the point on which it is placed; and when the light bears W. S. W. by compass, the helm to be immediately put to starboard.

Finally, this new revolving light is situated South of the small fixed light of the fifth order, existing for some years past at the extremity of the mercantile port, and is distant from it 540.86 metres, and which small fixed light of the fifth order bears from the large lighthouse of the third order already mentioned, in the direction of N. E. E. by compass.

Consequently, in order to enter the mercantile port, after having from a considerable distance sighted the large lighthouse of the third order, there will be seen subsequently projecting further out than it, the new light in question of the fourth order already passed; and after leaving the last-mentioned light on the left cr port side, the vessel to be steered to the N. E., towards the small fixed light of the fifth order, keeping it on the port side until abreast of it, when the helm should be put to starboard, and the anchor let go at once, in consequence of the narrowness of the entrance or mouth of this port.

THE CHANNEL OF THE BAY OF SMYRNA.

T. PRATT, Commander of Her Majesty's steam vessel Spitfire, has addressed the subjoined letter to Her Majesty's Consul at Smyrna :—

ALTERATION IN THE MARKS FOR ENTERING THE CHANNEL OF THE BAY OF SMYRNA.

SIR,-Having, since my arrival at this port on August 13, been enabled to examine the Spit off the mouth of the Hermes, upon which a beacon was placed in 1842, and having a certained that it has considerably grown out by the depositions from that river since that time, I therefore felt it my duty, as early as possible, to inform you of the fact, for the benefit of merchants and captains interested in the navigation of this Gulf, and to point out to them that the marks given in a copy of a chart of the "Channel of the Bay of Smyrna," by Captain Graves and the Officers of H. M. S. Beacon, which was then published at this port, viz., "that the North end of the Old Castle on Mount Pagus on with the South end of Sanjac Castle, clears the Hermes Spit" is no longer true, the Spit having grown out beyond these marks.

It is now necessary to substitute the following for the former marks:-A large and conspicuous tree, with a house under it, which appears to the South of Sanjac Castle, on with the North end of the Old Castle on Mount Pagus. This latter object will, in consequence, be more than twice its breadth open to the South of Sanjac Castle, instead of touching it as by the old marks. N. B.-This spit is the only one of such rapid increase as to sensibly affect the navigation of the Channel in a few years. But it is one of least danger where a proper look-out is kept, since the reeds growing on the lips of the river are within a cable's length of the spit, and the shallow bar is generally seen to break, or with trunks of trees aground upon it.

As the other spits extend some distance from dry land, they are not so easily indicated; the marks for them being very distant and indistinct. It is, therefore, the more to be regretted, that the buoys formerly placed upon these spits, by the subscription of some few merchants, have been entirely removed, through the apparent want of interest or care about their preservation by the local authority. The consequence is, that many vessels now ground upon these spits, much loss of time and expense follows, which is often far more than would be the cost of replacing and maintaining such necessary guides to a great commercial port. Finding that notice of their entire removal is not generally known, strangers arriving at the port of Smyrna are thus often placed in a difficulty.

Her Majesty's Consul, Smyrna.

(Signed) T. PRATT, Commander.

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

BOSTON MERCHANTS AND MEN.

"DEMOCRITUS," a correspondent of the Transcript, furnishes the subjoined sketch of "the noble men of Boston"-principally merchants of that city, who have distinguished themselves by their deeds of benevolence and patriotism. The sketches of character, though brief, so far as our knowledge extends, are in the main just, and we therefore transfer to the pages of the Merchants' Magazine the entire article, in order to give it a more enduring record than the columns of a newspaper afford, and in the hope that it may stimulate the merchants of every city in the Union to GO AND DO

LIKEWISE."

The city of Boston contains many men, of whom any city or country might justly be proud. Men who have created a character for themselves which properly entitles them to the name of noblemen. They have laid the foundations and erected the superstructures of their own eminence; and are not indebted to others for the merit of their position and reputation. Not like the noblemen of Europe, obtaining a factitious title and wealth by inheritance from ancestors more worthy than themselves; and whose titles and wealth serve as a thin veil to cover the moral and intellectual barrenness that exists beneath; but nature's noblemen, who have obtained the title which deservedly belongs to them. They have hewn out their own fortunes by industry and labor. They have accumulated wealth sufficient to satisfy the utmost dreams of avarice; and being blessed with the means, are likewise blessed with the disposition to use them for the benefit of the present and future generations. They are honorable men, not from the circumstance of being, or having been, members of Congress, or of legislative bodies, among whom many dishonorable men could be mentioned; but honorable men from the acts of their lives, from the good they have done, and continue to do; they are not weary in well-doing. The present generation enjoys the fruits of their beneficence, and ages yet unborn will rise up and call them blessed.

Among the first of these noble men of Boston, who has claim to a distinguished rank for his donations, both public and private, stands conspicuously the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins. The objects of his munificence need not be mentioned; they are known to the whole country. To the literary world his name will ever be held in remembrance as the founder of that noble institution, the Boston Athenæum; and posterity for ages to come will revere his memory for the bounteous means he has afforded to furnish intellectual and moral light to the blind. Without the aid he has freely given, how many of that unfortunate class would now be groping in mental darkness; in ignorance of the light of science, or of literature, or of the arts, or of religion, which now illuminates their minds, and renders their existence pleasant to themselves and useful to others. He enjoys his reward in beholding the fruits of his good works; and from Him, who has given to him the means and the disposition to benefit his fellow-creatures, he will receive a still greater reward.

The Hon. Amos Lawrence is entitled to a high place among the noble men of Buston. His bounties are scattered broad-cast throughout the State. He has given, and is constantly giving, of the abundance of his wealth. No worthy object of charity ever applies to him in vain. All benevolent and literary institutions find in him a never-failing source to establish them, and sustain them in the time of their necessities. He is a liberal and a cheerful donor.

And who stands more pre-eminently liberal, who in this country has done more in the way of donations for the promotion of science and literature, than the Hon. Abbott Lawrence! The objects of his bounty, numerous though they be, are too well known to be mentioned. The present generation are reaping the benefits of his munificence, and countless ages will hereafter have abundant reason to bless his name. His country, too, has reason to thank him for his distinguished services in his official capacity, and he will be welcomed to his native land, upon his return from his foreign mission, in a manner that will reflect honor upon the citizens of Boston.

The lamented William Lawrence, whose death was so sincerely mourned, was like

VOL. XXVIII.-NO, I.

wise distinguished for his private charities. This Lawrence family may well be called Nature's Noblemen.

The Hon. William Appleton has long been known as a liberal public benefactor His charities, like himself, are quiet and unostentatious, but not the less productive of good to the recipients. He has built churches and founded academies, and in the distribution of his charities has been as judicious as he has been liberal. He has done a great amount of good, and is willing, in an official capacity, to sacrifice his ease and comfort for the good of his country.

Another of the same name, who is thrice honored, is the Hon. Samuel Appleton. No one of the noble men of Boston deserves a higher niche in the temple of fame than this venerable man. It is impossible to measure the hight or the depth, the length or the breadth, of his munificent gifts. Academies and schools, churches and societies, attest to the liberality of his disposition. He never, while life lasts, will rest satisfied with the good he has done, but will continue to bestow as long as he can find objects deserving of his bounty. He has been a faithful steward in the service of his Master, and from Him he will receive the reward of the "good and faithful servant."

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The Hon. R. G. Shaw stands high in the ranks of the noble men of Boston, especially in his private charities. This gentleman's manner of bestowing his alms carries the appearance of considering it as a favor to himself in having an opportunity to relieve an individual. Accessible to all, no one who calls upon him ever departs without a strong impression of his kindness of heart, as well as of his liberal disposition. One there was, who is not now among the noble men of earth; he is gone to his high reward for all his good deeds here; he is in the company of the spirits of the 'just men made perfect." As the principal founder of the "State Reform School," his name will be remembered by the living and by those yet to come. Charities, such as were bestowed by the Hon. Theodore Lyman, do not cease to produce their beneficial influence during the existence of one or two generations, but are extended through a long vista of time. Not only the youth, who are now receiving the benefit of that institution, will have cause to repeat his name in grateful remembrance, but countless numbers will yet appear to bless him as the means whom God has raised for their salvation. His courteous manners and polite bearing to every one who had intercourse with him, endeared him to all, and associations the most pleasant, will ever be connected with his name. It may be truly said of him that he was a perfect gentleman.

Wealth alone does not make men noble. There have been men in Boston, now numbered with the dead, of whom all that can be said is, that they died rich. "Even half a million gets them no other praise." "And when the earth was shoveled on them, if that which served them for a soul were still within its husk, it would still be dirt to dirt."

There are many now living, who are as rich as any of the noble men of Boston, but they have lived to accumulate-to add house to house-field to field-dollar to dollar-to leave to heirs who will quarrel about its division, and then squander their father's (I will not say ill-got) ill-kept earnings; or, inheriting their father's penurious disposition, will keep all they have received, and continue to increase their bloated fortunes.

Yet such cumberers of the ground are ever ready to exclaim that the generous and the liberal give from motives of ostentation-to get a name among their fellow-men. What right have such men to judge of motives? Do they ever give from any motive? Their alms are done in a corner-they make no show of them-they suffer not their left hand to know what their right hand does, not they-their charities are of no concern to any one-what they give is nothing to nobody. Of such poor rich men, it is proper to say, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

MACKEREL FISHING IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE.

Reports from the Gulf of St. Lawrence state that the mackerel fishing has been unusually unsuccessful this season. This is attributed not to a want of fish, but to the prevalence of high winds, which by agitating the water, rendered it muddy and prevented the fish from biting. On the Bay Quinte considerable quantities of white fish are caught. This year about 1,500 bbls. have been taken. The exertions of the fishermen are receiving a new stimulus in the increased price of their wares. Before this season the price has seldom exceeded $3 a bbl, but owing to an American demand it has now risen to $4 50 and $5. White fish are also caught on some parts of Georgia Bay, but the enterprise has not been carried on to any great extent.

AN ACCOMPLISHED IRISH MERCHANT.

We find the subjoined biographical sketch of DANIEL CALLAGHAN, & Successful and accomplished merchant of Cork, in a late number of the Dublin University Magazine:

Daniel Callaghan, the elder, was one of the ablest and most accomplished merchants that Ireland has produced. He was a man far beyond the average even of clever men, in his enterprise and quickness of perception. He was a man emphatically of strenuous ability, and even in his boyhood showed the germs of his character. When Dr. Gibbings (father of Lady Cobermere) was visiting young Callaghan's father, the gouty patient cried out "Ah! doctor, there's something troubling me worse than the gout; I can get no good of my son there; the fellow will never be of any good at any business -he's always poring over those dd books of his." Dr. Gibbings noticed the young lad (who had left school, but was studying still of his own accord,) and found him even then of remarkable intelligence. In a few short years the Doctor saw this stripling shoot ahead of all the merchants in Ireland, by his native abilities. He set up in the butter trade, but was refused credit for £400 at Tonson & Warren's bank. We have heard more than once a partner in that eminent bank recount the circumstances of young Callaghan's rise. Though in narrow circumstances, his appearance and manners were very gentlemanly, courteous to all persons, unbending only to his enemies. Sir Riggs Falkiner was interested by Callaghan, and induced, with some difficulty, the bank to advance him a sum of £500 on a bond of Callaghan's, and on the security of his father-in-law, Mr. Barry, of Lyra. Callaghan had in the meantime been carefully studying the trade of Cork, as it never before or since was studied. He mastered it even to its minutest details. A great London merchant took the whole provision contract, and the Cork merchants combined to engross the market. Now was the moment for Callaghan to reap the reward of his patient study. Alarmed at their position, one of the Londoners came over, and was still more dismayed when he reached Cork. Young Callaghan introduced himself, and what was then thought a most presuming thing on his part, he gave a dinner to the Londoner, to which he had some difficulty in getting guests, as one of them confessed to ourselves. He soon showed the London firm the game it should play, and expounded all the resources in their power with masterly perspicuity and close accuracy of detail. A share of the contract was immediately given him, and before the year expired-we use the relator's words:-"I gave Callaghan £10,000 on his own word, after having hesitated, nine months before, to take his bond with security for $500." He then bounded over the heads of all his competitors. He cared naught for politics or public life, his ambition being to cope as a merchant with the men he met on 'Change at Liverpool and London. He had a system of his own which required a rapid perception and retentive memory, with both of which he was endowed. His system was carried upon-first, pumping for information, Second, rapid action on information obtained. Third, secrecy of intention and means. Fourth, munificence in rewarding his employes. In the first of these he greatly excelled. He read men intuitively and used his information with great skill, concentrating his intellect in mercantile knowledge and trade in all its branches. He was very bold in his decisions, and with a frank manner could keep a secret project in his head in a most statesmanlike style. He was lavish in the use of his money to obtain early information. The merchants of Liverpool and London used often to be astonished how "D. Callaghan, Cork," used to contrive to cram in his ventures of provisions before they were well advertised of the ports being open. It was supposed he had got hold of some high official persons, and the late Col. got into some scrapes upon this point, and thought proper to leave England. Mr. Callaghan never knew exactly what he was worth, as he always had so many speculations going on. The late Mr. Beamish, of Beaumont, used to relate, as characteristic of Callaghan's love of speculation, how they both chanced to be in Liverpool and walked into a great bankruptcy sale. An enormous quantity of cotton was offered for auction, and Mr. Beamish was surprised by Mr. Callaghan bidding for it. It was knocked down to him in the middle of the day, and before dinner time the Corkonian had got £1,000 profit for his storeful of cotton. Mr. Callaghan made the fortunes of several persons connected with him. He died in the prime of life, but was prematurely broken down in health.

There have been several Irishmen who have realized greater fortunes than Mr. Callaghan, who, at his culminating point, was not rated at more than £250,000; but it was the splendid style in which he transacted his affairs, his off hand dealing, his liberality and contempt for peddling, and his complete mercantile accomplishment that placed him at the head of the Irish mercantile world. He must not be confounded

with haphazard speculators; all his movements were carefully reasoned out on facts acquired by his own apprehensive and retentive mind. Unlike the Tonsons and Hares, he did not gain a peerage, but the sway of the name of "Dan Callaghan" on 'Change at London, was far brighter in the eyes of true manly ambition, than the luster of coronets, like those of Listowel or Riversdale.

THE CONSULAR SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES.

The defects of our present consular system have been pointed out in former volumes of the Merchants' Magazine, and we have frequently urged upon Congress the necessity of remodeling it. The subject has also repeatedly been brought to the notice of Congress by various Presidents, and reform earnestly urged. But thus far, Congress has done nothing in reference to it. It is to be hoped, that if the present body does any business at all, which is doubtful, a thorough revisal of the consular system, and a correction of its errors may be among the useful work transacted. A writer, an old Consul, who signs himself "Observer," comments upon it in a late number of the Providence Journal, as follows:

If there is anything connected with the machinery of our government more imperfect than another, and actually disgraceful to the country, it is certainly our consular system, and its operation.

Many of our Consulates are now, from necessity, filled by foreigners-subjects of the governments which acknowledge them in the capacity of American Consuls - who often discredit our flag by their ignorance, improper official and private conduct, and actual dishonesty-who have no interest in our trade or Commerce any further than subserves their own direct individual advantage-and cannot properly represent the interests of our government, or its citizens; they, the said foreign subjects, who are American Consuls, owing no allegiance to the laws of the United States, in any manner, cannot be punished for violating them, inasmuch as the laws for the punishment of Consuls could not be inflicted on a foreign subject holding an American Consulate, no matter how great his official misdemeanor. Removal from office, therefore, would be his only punishment, while an American citizen would not escape so easily.

Again: our Consuls, at three-fourths of our one hundred and eighty stations, have not sufficient support from fees of office to buy them bread and meat, to tell the plain humiliating truth-and have not as much protection from arrest and imprisonment for trifling breaches of the law or peace, in a foreign land, (at their stations,) as the mean est servants of our foreign Ministers! What inducement, therefore, is there for a gentleman of genuine public spirit, and of good standing at home, to accept of any Consulate under our government, unless it be one of the twenty-two or twenty-three only of our very lucrative Consulates? Unless one hundred and fifty of the rest go into business, or have abundant private resources, they cannot remain in office without becoming bankrupt.

Each of these lesser one hundred and fifty Consuls pay dearly for the honor of representing his country in such capacity. In the first place, the Consul is compelled to purchase his outfit, and bear all the expenses of the passage to his port of destination; pay his own office rent, and for the stationery he uses in performing duty even for the government, besides being compelled by the government to become a merchant, that he may be on a par with that class of individuals with whom he has much to do. And then, at the end of four years, (unless very fortunate in business,) in consequence of his efforts to respectably represent his country as its public agent, charged with national affairs, he finds himself out of pocket, after all, to the amount of $1,500 or $2,000; and returns home disgusted and poor, with the consciousness of so much valuable time being thrown away, at best, and with no hope of a reasonable reward in future. How much does our present consular establishment cause us to be respected abroad? and of how much advantage is it to our trade and Commerce ?

Further, the unequal, mean, and vexatious fee of $4, paid by all our vessels, either large or small, to their Consuls, upon entering a foreign port, is odious, and ought to be abolished The present Congress would do much for the credit and advantage of the country, by passing a law abolishing such fee; to pay our Consuls at the small stations, in lieu thereof, $1,000 salary; and to prohibit the Consuls from making any charge to shipmasters but for notarial services. But to argue that the dignity of one