American philanthropist Elihu Burritt (1810–79) was involved in and lectured widely on many causes, including the abolition of slavery, temperance, and world peace. Known as the 'learned blacksmith' because of his early training in the trade, he was eventually appointed US consul in Birmingham, England, from 1865 to 1870. In addition to his campaigning, Burritt was a prolific writer, producing books and articles on a range of subjects. In this work, published in 1868, he assembles a collection of his writings published between 1850 and 1855 in a variety of periodicals. This compilation covers a wide range of topics - from the Great Exhibition of 1851 to the 'Anarchy of Governments' - drawing from his experiences in Europe and in the USA. Much of Burritt's writing is devoted to the issue of international relations, and to his desire for a 'Congress of Nations' devoted to ending conflict in Europe.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. The century clock; 2. Again in the fatherland; 3. The Rauhe Haus at Hamburgh; 4. Christmas at the Rauhe Haus; 5. Christmas in Germany; 6. The social principle; 7. The brotherhood of nations; 8. International sympathies; 9. We; 10. The heroes of Hamburgh; 11. Trades and their transformations; 12. International school of courtesy, 1851; 13. The closing hour of the Great Exhibition of 1851; 14. The moonlight of Christianity; 15. The normal schools of peace and war; 16. A happy family; 17. John Bull and ocean penny postage; 18. The growing idea of a congress of nations; 19. Bagging widows' mites; 20. The end of that way; 21. The silken ties that bind two willing nations; 22. The great peace congress at Paris; 23. The fishers of men and the expectations of the world; 24. The anarchy of governments; 25. The guide light of the gospel; 26. War's religion; 27. The husbandry of the plough and the sword; 28. Teaching the young idea how to shoot; 29. A child's question; 30. Military protection; 31. Old England's Plymouth; 32. Letters to an apprentice; 33. Mind and instinct; 34. The mother and motives of invention; 35. The entailment and dissemination of knowledge; 36. Self helps and providential helps; 37. Easy acquisition of knowledge; 38. The simple circulation of the bible; 39. Eighteen hundred and fifty-two; 40. Manufacturing public opinion; 41. A word about the war-ship in Boston harbour; 42. A word to the boys about war; 43. Incidents and observations in the south; 44. After-battle amenities; 45. One vote, and its responsibility; 46. The relative capacities of nations; 47. The waste of war and winnings of industry; 48. The penny post of England; 49. Eighteen hundred and fifty-three; 50. The sentiment of nationality; 51. The right and dignity of nationality; 52. The physiology and union of nationalities; 53. Nationality and civil freedom; 54. Thoughts at the plough; 55. The dignity of the farmer's occupation; 56. The farmer's luxuries.