re of Saturn
is stretched over this Astraea-forsaken nineteenth century.

Having glanced at the ledger of Glory under the title _Sawin, B._, let
us extend our investigations, and discover if that instructive volume
does not contain some charges more personally interesting to ourselves.
I think we should be more economical of our resources, did we thoroughly
appreciate the fact, that, whenever Brother Jonathan seems to be
thrusting his hand into his own pocket, he is, in fact, picking ours. I
confess that the late _muck_ which the country has been running, has
materially changed my views as to the best method of raising revenue.
If, by means of direct taxation, the bills for every extraordinary
outlay were brought under our immediate eye, so that, like thrifty
housekeepers, we could see where and how fast the money was going, we
should be less likely to commit extravagances. At present, these things
are managed in such a hugger-mugger way, that we know not what we pay
for; the poor man is charged as much as the rich; and, while we are
saving and scrimping at the spigot, the government is drawing off at the
bung. If we could know that a part of the money we expend for tea and
coffee goes to buy powder and ball, and that it is Mexican blood which
makes the clothes on our backs more costly, it would set some of us
athinking. During the present fall, I have often pictured to myself a
government official entering my study, and handing me the following
bill:--

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 1848.

REV. HOMER WILBUR _to_ UNCLE SAMUEL, _Dr._

To his share of work done in Mexico on partnership
account, sundry jobs, as below.

" killing, maiming, and wounding about 5,000 Mexicans $2.00

" slaughtering one woman carrying water to wounded .10

" extra work on two different Sabbaths (one bombardment
and one assault) whereby the Mexicans were prevented
from defiling themselves with the idolatries of high
mass 3.50

" throwing an especially fortunate and Protestant
bomb-shell into the Cathedral at Vera Cruz, whereby
several female Papists were slain at the altar .50

" his proportion of cash paid for conquered territory 1.75

" do. do. for conquering do. 1.50

" manuring do. with new superior compost called
"