I have also tried to make the discussions bear directly upon questions of current interest, such as the disputed points in relation to Money, Trade and Taxa tion; and the illustrations of principles have been drawn almost entirely from recent facts and events in this country and in Europe; so that there is reason to hope that the book may prove acceptable to general readers Of all ages in life, while its more special aim is to become a text-book in high schools, academies and colleges. It is believed both by author and publishers that young persons Of ordinary intelligence and train ing, who have reached the age of fourteen years, will find no difficulty in mastering every point in these pages; and it is also believed that many colleges, which feel compelled to allot too short a time to this science for the mastery of a more copious treatise, will find this compact presentation of economical facts and principles just adapted to their wants.