29 OCTOBER 1870, Page 21

The American System of Government. By Ezra C. Seaman. (New

York, C. Scribner.)—This is a strong protest by an American against the abuses which have grown up under the Government of his country, —against whisky rings, and gold combinations, and such scandalous confederations of rascally speculators as have got hold of the Erie Rail- way. Much of what Mr. Seaman says has an interest and anapplication limited to his own country ; there is much, on the other hand, that may be read here with profit. Say what we will, a certain " Americanizing" of our institutions is unavoidable, but it would be madness to neglect any chances of learning from the experience of others.