"Nearly all of the papers here published were originally contributed to Harper's magazine."--Publisher's advertisement I. Colonial progress, by E. Lawrence. -- II. Mechanical progress by E.H. Knight. -- III. Progress in manufacture, by D.A. Wells. -- IV. Agricultural progress, by W.H. Brewer. -- V. The development of our mineral resources, by T.S. Hunt. -- VI. Commercial development, by E. Atkinson. -- VII. Growth and distribution of population, by F.A. Walker. -- VIII. Monetary development, by W.G. Sumner. -- IX. The experiment of the union, with its preparations, by T.D. Woolsey ... -- X. Educational progress, by E. Lawrence. -- XI. Scientific progress: 1. The exact sciences, by F.A.P. Barnard. 2. Natural science, by T. Gill. -- XII. A century of American literature, by E.P. Whipple. -- XIII. Progress of the fine arts, by S.S. Conant. -- XIV. Medical and sanitary progress, by A. Flint. -- XV. American jurisprudence, by B.V. Abbott. -- XVI. Humanitarian progress, by C.L. Brace. -- XVII. Religious development, by J.F. Hurst Bibliographical footnotes