general subjects of mining and metallurgy,
for the purpose of establishing an association, to be called "The
American Institute of Mining Engineers." The Institute will hold
meetings periodically "in the great mining and metallurgical centers,
when works of interest, such as mines, machine shops, furnaces, and
other metallurgical works, can be inspected, and the members exchange
their views, and consult, for mutual advantage, upon the difficulties
encountered by each." There will be the usual publication of
"Transactions" and "Proceedings."

The idea of forming an association of persons thus mutually interested
in each other's occupations, is an excellent one; but it has been
suggested by a number of scientific gentlemen that the American
Association for the Advancement of Science offers every facility for
the accomplishment of the objects set forth in the circular, while it
affords the very great advantage of an assemblage of men learned in
all departments of knowledge, whose acquaintance mining engineers
would do well to make, and from whom they could learn much, while at
the same time imparting of their own knowledge.

As a section of the American Association, the mining engineers would
have more influence before the country, and it would perhaps be
well for them to stop and consider before establishing a separate
institute.

CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR, COFFEE, AND TEA.

E. Behm gives in his geographical year book, for 1870, the following
estimate of the consumption of sugar, coffee, and tea, _per capita_,
in various countries:

COUNTRIES. Sugar, lbs. Coffee, lbs. Tea, lbs.

Great Britain 35.96 0.90 3.190
United States 24.63 5.68 .....
Holland 14.86 7.03 0.800
France 14.30 2.32 0.018
Norway 11.04 6.92 0.060
Sweden 9.80 0.80 0.060
Switzerland 9.60 5.28 .....
Germany 9.42 4.03 0.035
Denmark 9.00 3.40 0.400
Belgium 7.18 8.59 0.018
Portugal 6.33 0.69 0.040
Italy 5.20 0.90 0.020
Austria 4.93 1.30 0.012
Spain 4.23 0.01 0.040
Russia 2.40 0.007 0.160

The entire consumption of sugar in Europe has