A collection of argumentative essays and critical sketches that begins with a sustained series of letters rebutting a prominent population theory, defending the poor, and challenging the moral and political reasoning behind proposed welfare reforms. A central long essay offers a vivid survey of contemporary intellectual manners, portraying leading ideas and personalities with sharp satire and psychological insight. Shorter prefaces, extracts, and notes supplement the main pieces with reflections on language, education, and public policy. Across the volume the author combines moral philosophy, political economy, and literary criticism in energetic, rhetorical prose that favors persuasion and vivid description over systematic exposition.