Page images
PDF
EPUB

quality went at 28. or 3s. lower than in any previous sale. We regret to observe, that the trade of refining has been decreasing for several years. The quantity refined in 1818 was estimated at 150,000 hogsheads, in 1820, only 100,000. The cause of the great diminution in the exportation is owing to the increased number of establishments for manufacture abroad, especially at St. Petersburgh and the Hanse towns; and as the supplies go direct from the place of their growth to foreign ports, it is evident that a very valuable branch of trade is leaving the country. From official accounts, the value of refined sugars exported up to Jan. 5 each year was

1818....... ..2,403,9812.

1819........2,461,7067.

1820..... .1,446,3237.

The official details for the year 1820 are not yet made, but there is little doubt they will show a further decline of the export trade.

Average prices of Raw Sugar by Gazette. Dec. 30. ..........34s. 111⁄2d.

Jan. 9.

13. 20.

...

.No return ..35s. 24d. ..358. 44d. Cotton. The cotton market has continued in a very depressed state, and the business done altogether inconsiderable, but there is no reduction in the prices. A sale of 1000 bags at the India House drew little attention; only a few lots sold at 54d, the rest being all taken in. Towards the middle of the month there was an increased demand for export. At Liverpool also the market was heavy; the buyers expecting that the first fair wind would bring large arrivals from America, and the holders being for the same reason desirous to sell.

Indigo. On the 16th there was a sale, but, as we mentioned in our last, a very small one. The prices were consequently from 9d. to 1s. 3d. per lb. higher, for the middling and good qualities for home consumption, and from 3d. to 18. higher on middling and good shipping descriptions.

Rum, Brandy, and Hollands. The rum market has continued in the same depressed state. Brandy is held at rather higher prices, but no sales are reported. According to letters received from Hamburgh, dated 12th Jan. advices had been there received from St. Petersburgh that it was in contemplation to raise the import duty on rum from 9 silver roubles to 20, and that on coffee from 2 to 3 roubles.

Oils. The prices improved during the severe weather, but have since declined again. The total produce of last year's fishery is 18,500 tuns: the present stock in Great Britain is about 9000 tuns.

Rice.-The imports of rice from the East Indies have been one third less in 1820 than in 1819, yet the excessive supply of the preceding year, and the low prices of corn in Europe, have occasioned a com.

The

plete stagnation in the demand. prices are so very low that no further supply can be anticipated. Should the har vest of 1821 be unfavourable, a great rise may be expected; and this seems the only cause likely to affect the immense stock on hand, viz. 238,000 bags. That of Carolina is about 2500 casks.

Spices. The quantity of East India spices shipped direct to the Continent has been very considerable; the consequence has been a gradual decrease in the prices, and generally a heavy market.

Saltpetre. The imports during 1820 have been uncommonly large, the greater proportion privilege. The demand for home consumption, and for export, has also been very extensive; the stock in hand, Dec. 1820, was 10,500 tons.

Dyewoods. The stocks in the warehouses at the close of 1820 are very deficient, compared with preceding years; yet they attract but little attention; the chief demand is for exportation.

Corn.—Though the arrivals of grain were for some days hindered by the ice in the river, the prices of the finest wheat only were temporarily affected, and the fluctuations in other grain have not been considerable. New red clover has been in great demand, and English being scarce, has advanced from 5s to 6s. per cwt. White was also much in demand at an advance of 4s. the cwt. At a time when the complaints of the farmers are so general, it may not be uninteresting to take a view of the average prices of wheat for the last 9 years.

Aggregate averages of Wheat per quarter, in England and Wales. 1812-133s. 10d. 1813-119s. 1814-778. 1815 65s. 0 1816 54s. 0

1817-95s. O d. 1818-848. 93d. 1819-738. 0 1820-65s. 10

The average of the week ending 12th Jan. was 54s. 7d. ; yet still the average of the 9 years is above 858.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

St. Petersburg, 29th Dec.-The impor tation of foreign goods is uncommonly great. Many hundred sledges have been employed in bringing over wine from Cronstadt, the cargoes of the ships that arrived last.

Riga, 29th December, 1820.-Flax on the spot meets with a ready sale, at the following prices: viz. Druiania and Thiesenhausen Rackitzer at 42 r.; cut Badstub, 36r.; Risten Threeband, 30 r.; Tow 15 r.

Corn without demand.-Hemp; for clean Ukraine, 103 r. all the money down, are asked.The following prices, with 10 per cent. earnest, have been acceded to; viz. 111 r. for end of May, 112 for end of June, and 113r. for end of July; 80 r. all paid, are asked for. Ukraine Outshot, and

70 r. for ditto Puss.-Hemp Oil is held at 105 r. all paid, and might probably be purchased for 110 r. with 10 per cent. down. Seeds are rather more in demand. Druiania weighing 112 to 114 lbs. has been bought at 4 to 54 r. all down, to be delivered according to sample by the end of May, 15 to 18 r. banco, according to quality, and all the money down has been given for crushing linseed.-Tallow; yellow crown lying here, and for delivery at the end of May, is held at 160 r.; 155 r. have been offered on the last condition, and refused.

The value of Russian produce, exported from Riga to England, to the end of Noyember, this year, is 22,055,946 r., which is equal to the exportation to all other parts of Europe together.

Odessa, 8th Dec.-The English Consulate has just given notice, that in future all vessels touching at Malta, whether on account of contrary winds, or to take in water, or to communicate with their agents, (provided they only enter the quarantine harbour) shall enjoy this permission for 48 hours, without any other charge than the usual anchorage duty, and without being obliged to deliver their papers. On the other hand, a regular Tariff has been established, instead of the former general duty of 1 per cent. on imports, and 24 per cent. on exports. The accounts of the late harvest in the governments of Podolia and Wolhynia are unfavourable, but the prices are notwithstanding low.

Hamburgh, 6th Jan.-Sugar. The steadiness of the prices of our refined goods at the end of last year has increased the demand at the beginning of this year, and a good deal of business has accordingly been done, with a small rise in the prices. This has also had a favorable effect upon lumps, and crushed sugars. Raw, on the contrary, are purchased only for the immediate supply of our manufactories, and almost exclusively-white and brown Brazils, at 10 to 11, and 8 to 84d.; white and yellow Havannah are held at prices too high for this place, in expectation of a favourable opportunity to export them. The very reduced prices of treacle lessen the demand for common brown sugar.

As our stock is sufficient for the regular supply of our manufactories during the winter, no general rise in the price is probable; though, if the navigation should be long interrupted, a temporary and partial advance may take place; the holders are therefore not disinclined to sell at the present prices. But it seems to be beyond doubt that our refined goods will experience a considerable advance, as soon as shipments can be made to the Baltic.

Amsterdam, 6th Jan.-The number of ships arrived here last year was about 2500, which is considerably more than in the year before; probably in consequence

of the productive harvest, and the increased importation of corn.-Cotton. The changes which will be required in consequence of the introduction of the new weights and measures, are not yet determined, but most of those who are interested in this article, seem to wish that it shall be weighed in future without turn of the scale, but the other usual conditions retained, and the prices fixed in half Netherland pounds.-Coffee.

Some of the conditions for the sale of coffee are; casks and bales, must be weighed in Netherland pounds, without turn of the scale, and the weight stated in even or odd lbs. The casks shall be emptied, and tared, the weight noted with the addition of a Netherland lb., but in the account, 1 per cent. be deducted for good weight. The price is to be fixed in stivers, per half Netherland lbs., without allowing any deduction, besides 1 per cent. on the sale for prompt payment. The brokerage is fixed at per cent. of the amount.

The estimated importation of last year is 20 millions of lbs. by far the greatest part from our own Colonies, especially in the East Indies. Our present stock is about 3

million lbs. On the whole, there was a great deal of business done last year, and though it was less in the last three or four months, the prices have remained extremely firm. The stock here, as well as at London, is less than the year preceding.

Corn. Not changed by the new system of weights and measures.

Hair and Wool.-To be sold in future by the 100 Netherland lbs. except Danish, which is sold by the Netherland lb.

Tea. The only change is, that this article is now sold by lbs. The prices have fallen considerably since the beginning of last year, and as the stock in hand is large, and great supplies are expected, an advance is hardly probable.

Sugar. The changes to be made respecting this article, since the introduction of the new system, are not yet agreed upon; a good deal of business was done last year, and our present stock of raw goods is small, only 1800 hogsheads West India.

Naples, 2d Jan.-Business is again at a stand, except some exportations of cotton for France. This article seems to tempt speculation at this moment. Colonial produce without being much in demand, maintains its price; this is owing entirely to the consumers. Wool, and our other national productions, are without demand.

Genoa, 6th Jan.-We hoped that business would resume its usual activity after the holidays, but the very bad weather has prevented it; so that nothing has been done in goods, or in grain, except a few trifling sales for immediate consumption. No corn has been sold this fortnight, and, as supplies still arrive, a fall in price is to be apprehended.

AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE annual meeting of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society took place on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of December. The proceedings were very interesting. The Most Noble the Marquis Lansdown was re-elected president, with the most glowing expression of universal esteem. The premiums were awarded for live stock,-for implements,-to successful ploughmen in the matches,-and to claimants on the score of long and faithful servitude, and for bringing up large families without parish aid. The latter are classes of well-doers, whom it is both humane and politic in every sense to reward;-and, if we may apply such a word, to honor-for such comforts and distinctions as may be thus conferred, cannot fail to act as powerful antidotes to that growing indifference to industry and character, which, it is now universally agreed, attend the daily demoralizing operation of the poor laws. -We regret to perceive that decreased funds have compelled the society to economize their future distribution of premiums, as well as to decline prosecuting its former recommendations of offering new encouragements. The following communications were deemed the most important.

A paper from Mr. Bailward, reciting the success of spade husbandry, in raising crops of mangel wurzel, Guernsey parsnips, and long and short carrots. The experiments were made on a field of three acres, -after a cabbage crop, which had been dunged with eighty cart loads per acre; part of the plat being a second time manured, and a second time dug. The crops were set at wide intervals, except the carrots, which were sown broad cast. The produce was great. Some of the mangel wurzel roots were immensely large, which is attributed to their enjoying greater room, in consequence of the neighbouring roots being destroyed by the grub. This shows the efficacy of wide planting.

Admiral Coffin communicated to the society the result of an experiment made by his directions on a bed of this valuable root. From one third of the crop he caused the leaves to be plucked gradually, leaving a little green in the centre of the plant. The leaves thus obtained served as food for pigs and rabbits; but the most remarkable fact is, that this third exceeded in weight the other two thirds of the bed, of which the leaves were suffered to take their natural course.

The Society had received from the London Society of Arts some specimens of rice, and other grains, of East Indian growth, with a request that the possibility of their cultivation in England might be ascertained.

A paper on the use of pyroligneous acid, (an acid procured by the distillation of wood in close vessels,) in manufactures, and particularly in the curing of fish and meat, by Dr. Wilkinson, was read, and excited much attention. The antiseptic properties of this acid effectually preserve animal substances from putrefaction.

A motion for a petition to parliament praying an inquiry into the causes of the depression of agriculture was negatived, as not being within the province of the Society.

The premiums for stock were adjudged to Sir B. Hobhouse; Mr. R. Hughes, of Salthorpe; Mr. Nicholl, of Harnhill; Mr. John White, of Upleadon; Mr. W. Beaver, of Whaddon; Mr. J. Price, of Malvern; Mr. T. Evans, of Deerhurst; Mr. W. Smith, of Ruthford; Mr. J. M. Buckland, of Abbot's Leigh; Mr. R. Harding, and Mr. J. Redman, of Seend. The report concluded with expressing the decided good effects derived from the encouragements offered by the Society, visible in the increasing competition between the breeders, and in the manifest improvement of the stock exhibited, compared with former annual meetings.

The Tredegar exhibition at Court-y-Billa Farm, was very numerously attended on the 19th of December; and the stock shown of high excellence. Nor was the show confined to the customary animals: there was an extraordinary display of poultry, in beauty and size not to be equalled. A Muscovy duck was exhibited, weighing no less than nine pounds. Sir Charles Morgan presided, and distributed the prizes, twentytwo in number. Cups were liberally promised at the next year's show-for the best Glamorgan ox, from any county; for the best Scotch yearling bull; for the best twoyear old Scotch heifer, from any county; for the best Hereford ox; for the best five acres of turnips.

Mr. Webbe Hall, the persevering advocate of the claims of the agriculturist to legislative protection, has addressed a very long letter to Mr. Robinson, the President of the Board of Trade, enforcing the right of the petitioners to such protection, by means of the imposition of heavy duties on foreign grain imported; and showing the inefficacy of the present corn bill to its declared object. We can but guard our readers against the plausible doctrines of this zealous and certainly able advocate, because, however apparently luminous his illustrations may seem, we cannot entertain a moment's doubt that the agriculturist will find little of the hoped relief from the expedients he proposes. With similar

views Mr. H. has answered the letter addressed by Lord Nugent to Mr. Baker, in

which his Lordship discourages the formation of associations to petition the legislature. The agricultural reports, published in the various country papers, contain scarcely any thing beyond a reiteration of complaints, which have but too much foundation in the incipient calamities of farmers and their labourers. We say incipient, for the full effects of the fall are only beginning to be felt. Distresses for rents and tithes, or lenient remissions, are but too general, however, already. This is not a state of things to continue; for the one class will never be long content to bestow, or the other to receive, as alms, sums which they ought to give and claim in the nature of rights, either on the score of property or as the earnings of industry. The substitution of any other expedient, however benevolent on the one side, and however

gratefully acknowledged on the other, tends to lower the noble and necessary feeling of independence, and to produce intellectual and moral degradation. The business of agriculture at this season is not very urgent, or very actively pursued, and has of course suffered interruption from the late severe frosts, which have injured the turnips, but not materially, and cut down the flourishing appearance of the wheats. The season has now relented, and the plough is again at work where it is needed. The prices of agricultural produce, of every sort, are stagnant or receding, except beef, in which there is some expectation of a rise. The growers of short wool complain, like the growers of corn, that they are losers by their labour. The subject of the distress will probably be warmly discussed in Parliament.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

Dr. Good is preparing for publication, The Study of Medicine, comprising its Physiology, Pathology, and Practice. These Volumes, in addition to that lately published on Nosology, and dedicated by permission to the College of Physicians, will complete the Author's Design: and constitute an entire Body of Medical Science, equally adapted to the Use of Lecturers, Practitioners, and Students.

Mr. Edwin Atherstone has in the Press, Poems entitled, The Last Days of Herculaneum, and Abradates and Panthea.

In a few days will appear, from the pen of Mr. Southey, The Vision of Judgment. Miss Baillie's Metrical Legends of Exalted Characters, a Poem, in 4to. is nearly ready.

The Poems of Caius Valerius Catullus, translated, with Preface and Notes, by the Hon. George Lamb, will shortly appear.

Memoirs of James Earl Waldegrave, KG. one of his Majesty's Privy Council in the Reign of George II, are in the Press. An Itinerary of the Rhone, including part of the Southern Coast of France, by John Hughes, AM. will be shortly published.

Madame Adèle du Thon is about to publish, in the French language, a History of the Sect of Friends, with a Notice of Mrs. Fry and Newgate Prison, in one Volume, 12mo.

Mr. Hazlitt has in the Press, a Volume entitled, Essays on Character.

The Union of the Roses, a Tale of the Fifteenth Century, in Six Cantos, is in the Press.

Henry Schultze, a Tale; The Savoyard, a French Republican's Story, with other Poems, are preparing for Publication.

Memoirs of the last Nine Years of the Reign of George II, by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, from the Original MSS. as left by his Lordship's Will, will soon appear in 2 Vols. 4to.

Memoirs of the Life of the Right Hon. William Pitt, by Bishop Tomline, are in the Press.

Travels in Syria and Mount Sinai, by the late J. L. Burckhardt, are in the Press.

A Work entitled Practical Economy, or Hints for the Application of Modern Discoveries to the Purposes of Domestic Life, is preparing for publication.

Captain Batty has in the Press, a Narrative of the Campaign of the left wing of the Allied Army under the Duke of Wellington, from the passage of the Bedasso in 1813, to the end of 1814, with Plates.

Letters from the Havanna, by an official British Resident; containing a Statistical Account of the Island of Cuba, &c. present state of the Slave Trade, and the Progress made in its abolition, are in the Press.

[ocr errors]

The Rev. J. Hodgson is preparing for publication, the second Volume of his History of Northumberland, which will contain the History of the Parishes in Castle Ward.

Mr. Haden, of Sloane-street, is about to publish a Monthly Journal of Medicine, addressed principally to unprofessional persons.-The Work will teach the prevention, rather than the cure, of disorders; at the same time that it will point out how the friends of the sick may, in the best way, assist their medical men in his treatment, and otherwise show how health may be preserved and disease warded off.

WORKS LATELY PUBLISHED.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Medicine, Surgery, and Physiology.

An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of Gravel, Calculus, and other Diseases connected with a deranged Operation of the Urinary Organs. By William Prout, MD. FRS. 8vo. 78. 6d. boards.

An Essay on Sea Bathing; in preserving Health; and as a Remedy in Disease; especially Nervous, Scrophulous, &c. By J. W. Williams, Member of the College of Surgeons, London. 12mo. 5s. 6d.

Cases illustrating the improved Treatment of Stricture in the Urethra and Rectum. By James Arnott. 8vo. 4s. 6d.

A Dictionary of Chemistry, on the Basis of Mr. Nicholson's; in which the Principles of the Science are investigated anew. By Andrew Ure, MD. 8vo. 17. 18. bds.

Practical Observations in Midwifery ; with a Selection of Cases. By John Ramsbotham, MD. 8vo. Part I. 10s. 6d.

Practical Observations on Chronic Affections of the Digestive Organs, and on Bilious and Nervous Disorders. By John Thomas, MD. 8vo. 6s.

Illustrations of the great Operations of Surgery. By Charles Bell. Part I. Plates coloured. 1. 18.

Miscellaneous.

History of the several Italian Schools of Painting; with Observations. By J. T. James, MA. 8vo. 98. 6d.

A few plain Directions for Persons intending to proceed as Settlers to his Majesty's Province of Upper Canada, in North America; containing also a short Atlantic, in June, 1819. By an English Sketch of the Author's Voyage across the Farmer, settled in Upper Canada. 12mo. With a Map. 3s. 6d. boards.

Italy, and the Italians in the 19th Century. With an Appendix. By a foreign Officer in the British Service. 1 vol. 8vo.

A Treatise on Chess; founded on a Plan of progressive Improvement. By the late J. H. Sarratt, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 17. 10s.

Miraculous Prophecies and Predictions of eminent Men, particularly in England and France. 18mo. 5s. boards.

Universal Science; or the Cabinet of Nature and Art: comprising various Selections from useful Discoveries in the Arts and Sciences. By Alex. Jamieson. 2 vols. 12mo. 168.

Constantine and Eugene; or, an Evening at Mount Vernon. 8vo. 38.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »