The Slane Power. By J. E. Cairnes, Professor of Jurisprudence,
in Queen's College, Galway. Second Edition, enlarged. (Mac- millan and Co.)—We have so recently expressed at length our entirely favourable opinion of Professor Cairnes' work, that it is, on the present occasion, scarcely necessary to do more than to chronicle the fact that it has reached a second edition. The new matter in the present volume is mainly introduced in expansion of topics already partially discussed in the former edition, and there is given, in the form of notes and appendices, a considerable body of new evidence, drawn principally from Southern sources. Professor Cairnes is of opinion that there is nothing to discourage the opponents of slavery in the course of the American war since the first appearance of his book. He does not think that the time has come for putting an end to the conflict, approves of the Presi- dent's emancipation proclamation, and, altogether, regards the aspect of the straggle as not less favourable to the cause of freedom than it was when he first wrote on the subject. Such opinions, corning from so thoughtful and candid a writer as Professor Cairnes, must have weight. We are very glad to have another opportunity of heartily recommending this book to the notice of the reading public.
Previous page
