This book, first published in 1879 and reissued by Garland in 1984, analyses through the evidence from the original trial the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878, and the reasons behind it. A history of gross mismanagement had been concealed by the directors by deceits facilitated by the absence of an independent audit.

This book, first published in 1879 and reissued by Garland in 1984, analyses through the evidence from the original trial the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878, and the reasons behind it. A history of gross mismanagement had been concealed by the directors by deceits facilitated by the absence of an independent audit.

A founder in 1830 of the National Colonization Society, Charles Tennant (1796 1873) advocated government support for emigration to Britain's colonies as a means of alleviating poverty at home and boosting the workforce overseas. Briefly representing St Albans in Parliament, he later wrote treatises on contemporary political and financial questions, notably arguing for the abolition of income tax in The People's Blue Book (1857). Also published anonymously, the present work, which appeared in 1864, offers a critique of John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism (1863). Tennant argues that happiness does not consist in utility, but rather in conformity to divine will as described by the Christian faith. Nevertheless, Tennant says, we ought to promote utility, as this is likely to be conducive to happiness. He then applies this view in detail to contemporary problems of government, domestic policy, taxation, colonies, dependencies, and foreign policy."