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.