Introduction

Bastiat's "Sophismes Economiques" was translated during the free-trade agitation in England, by Mr. Porter, the author of "The Progress of the Nation", and was widely circulated, under the title of "Popular Fallacies regarding General Interests".

Content and Significance

It contains probably the most telling statement of the leading principles of the free-trade theory ever published, and is perhaps unsurpassed in the happiness of its illustrations.

Adaptation for American Readers

Mr. Walter has apparently adopted Mr. Porter’s translation, and has adapted it to the use of the American reader by introducing American allusions and examples instead of French or English ones, and notably by setting up Horace Greeley as a target for the satire and sarcasm.