The Press. — London, England, 1854-10-21 00:00:00

OCTOBER 21, 1854. LANDED PROPERTY IN FRANCE, THE effect of minute subdivision upon the value and product of landed property in France is made the subject of curious inquiry by the Sacle. Our Parisian contemporary sets forth the following statistical facts to prove that such division tends to promote the welfafe of landowners and agricultural classes : The constant enemies of our great revolution do not cease, amongst their passionate and unjust attacks on all that was established and rooted amongst us b 7 1789, to asiail with bitterness the system of an equal division of an inheritance amongst all the children of the same father. " It is the ruin of France," they say; "the ruin of agriculture —misery and famine for ever established in the country. Hurrah !" they add, " for large farms—for estates as large as provinces, such as were formerly possessed by nobles and monks !" We have often admired the impudence of these complaints, and it is by figures that we will now reply to them, and avenge what is perhaps the greatest conquest of all the eighteenth century. We knew that the bad tree could alone produce bad fruit, and that principles of justice and truth could not fail to open the path to the progress, happiness, and intellectual and material advancement of nations. We have accordingly sought the effect of the in definite parcelling out of lauds, on the number of the popu lation, on its welfare, on taxation, and on the yield of the earth itself. Land is not everywhere in France divided into infinitely small parcels ; in the south it is divided into por tions double in extent those of the north, and in the centre it is not divided in the same proportion as in the north and south. This providential inequality will supply us with precious points of comparison, The departments in which land are most divided are the Nord, Pas de-Calais, Somme, Aisne, Ardennes, Meuse, Moselle, Meurthe, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Vosges, Haut-SaOne, Aube, Haut-Marne, Marne, Seine-et-Marne, Seine, Seine et-Oise, Oise, Seine.inferieure, Eure, Calvados, and Manche. Total, twenty-three departments ; and they form what we will call the Northern Region. The superficies of this region is 6,028 square leagues : the total of the population is 12,073,752, or 1,818 inhabitants per square league. The second region, which we will call the North Centre, contains nineteen departments,which are—Finist erre,C Otes-du-Nord, Morbihan, Mayenne, Marne-et-Loire, Sarthe, Orne, Eure et-Loir, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Cher, Nievre, Yonne, Cote d'Or, Saone-et-Loire, Doubs, Jura, and Ain. These nine teen departments comprise 6,417 square leagues. The population is 7,877,686, or 1,227 inhabitants per square league. The third region, that of the South Centre, comprises twenty departments—Vendee, Loire-Inferieure, Charente-Inferieure, Deux-Sevres, Charente, Vienne, Indre-et-Loire, Indre, Haute-Vienne, Allier, Crease, Puy de-Dome, Haute-Loire, Loire, lthime, Isere, Drome, Ar deche, Hautes•Alpea, and Basses•Alpes. Its superficies is 6,337 square leagues, and its population 7,402,127, or per square league 1,167 persons. The fourth and last region consists of twenty-four departments—Gironde, Dordogne, Correze, Gantal, Lozere, Gard, Vaucluse, Var, 13ouches du- RhOne, Remit, Aveyron, Lot, Lot et-Garonne, Landes, Gera, Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude, Pyrenees.Orientales, Ariege, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrenees, Basses-Pyre nees, and Corsica. The superficies is 7,676 square leagues, and the population is 7,995,157, or 1,041 per square league. It results from this that the population per league is—in the North 1,818, the North Centre 1,227, the South Centre 1,187, the South 1.041. Now, the following is the propor tion for each landowner in which property is divided. In the North, three hectares, the North Centre 5.20 hectares, the South Centre 5.66, and the South 6,70. Thus the property is one half more divided in the north than the south, and consequently the population is there almost one half more dense. There were in 1832 in the northern region 4,063,018 landowners, in the North Centre 2,402,515, the South Centre 2,203,917, and the South 2,261,1W2. And note that the superficies of the Northern Region is only 6,638 square leagues, whilst the Southern Region is 7,676 square leagues. Now, do you wish to know what was the revenue from land on which the tax was imposed in 1832? In the Northern Region it was 1,175,113,000 f., the North Centre 655,306,000 f., the South Centre 562,937,000 f, and the South 708,258,(X)0. Assuredly it will not be pretended that the North is more fertile than the South ; whence then arises the difference in the amount of revenue ? It can arise, in our opinion, from nothing else than the difference in the division of land. A THOUSAND SINGING BIRDS FOR AMERICA.—Amongst the " passengers " by the Washington steamer, which lately left Southampton with the United States' mails, were up• wards of 1,000 singing canary birds. A cabin was fitted up for them, close by one of the paddle-boxes. Almost every one of the birds was in a separate cage. This cage is dome shaped, and is of basket work. DURING the performance of Hamlet at the Burnley Theatre, on Monday evening, the actor who played the part of the Ghost was so annoyed at sundry exclama tions by the " gods " that he doffed the winding-sheet in which he was wrapped, and left the stage for the gallery, to inflict bodily chastisement on some of the offenders. The interference of the police was necessary to secure quietness. _ _ _ THE stocking of the upper lake in the Bois de Boulogne, near Paris. with fish has commenced. Some fine speci mens of the silurus, and a number of trout two years old, brought from the establishment at Huninguen, were cast into the lake in presence of the Minister of Commerce and numerous visitors. All the fish were brought up without accident by the Strasburg Railway. They were placed in large cisterns in waggons constructed on purpose ; and, whenever the locomotive stopped to take in water, the water in the cisterns was renewed. Amongst the speci mens of the silurus were some of forty pounds weight, bat the average was from ten to fifteen. All the trout were very fine. TIIE PRESS. Conn ,Taritct gitg FRIDAY EVENING. NOTWITHSTANDING the heavy failures at Liverpool which we announced last week, and the consequent suspensions which have since occurred in Ireland, the Money Market has on the whole been tranquil this week, neither exhibiting buoyancy nor depres sion. It had been apprehended for some time pre viously that certain firms had been trading beyond the limits justified by their resources ; therefore the failures of Messrs. Oliver and M'Henry of Liverpool, of Messrs. Allen and Anderson of London, and of other smaller firms, have excited no surprise, and the general condition of trade is considered to be sound and healthy, and no further disasters are anti cipated in the commercial world. The predictions of cheapness which were so con fidently put forth by some of our contemporaries are not likely to be realised. From the drought and failure of the crops in America and elsewhere, corn is likely to be dear; but no drain of bullion is to be dreaded, as, thanks to the abundance of our home harvest, the enhanced price of provisions will chiefly benefit our own agriculturists. In France the vintage has proved most unsatisfac tory, and the French Government has entered into a contract with a Spanish house for the supply of wine to the army of the East. On Monday the first instalment of 151. per cent. came payable on the last issue of 1,000,0001. Turkish loan. On Tuesday 20/. per cent. was due on the letter A issue of Exchequer Bonds, whilst to-day an in stalment of 20/. per cent. on the first issue of 2,000,0001. of the Turkish loan became due. Although the amount of these calls is nominally large, it is understood that the greater portion of it has been paid in advance. Bullion continues to arrive in considerable quan tities from Australia, and some disappointment is felt that in the presence of these arrivals it still de creases at the Bank of England. The gold from Australia this week amounted to more than 700,000/., whilst last week it was about 1,000,0001., yet in the Bank cellars the weekly increase, though not large, is continuous. A question has arisen as to the interpretation of the Bth clause of the Stamp Act. The object of the clause was to enforce the drawing and the delivering of the whole number of a set of bills in all cases where the instrument purported to be drawn in a set ; but it was doubted whether it applied to bills drawn abroad and payable here, as well as to bills drawn here and payable abroad. In August last Mr. Keogh answered that it applied to " foreign bills drawn and payable abroad, if negotiated in this kingdom, as well as to foreign bills drawn in this kingdom payable abroad." An amended interpreta tion of the clause has, however, since been given in the following letter in answer to an inquiry on the part of the Bank of England : Inland Revenue, Somerset-house, London, October 10. Sir, —I have to refer to the board's communication to you, dated the 28th of August last, in answer to your letter of the 20th, containing several questions relative to the Stamp Act, 17 and IS Victoria, c. 83, in which communi cation it was stated that section 6 of the act applies to foreign bills drawn and payable abroad, if negotiated in the United Kingdom. 1 beg leave to acquaint you that the matter has since undergone further consideration ; and, having been sub mitted to the law officers of the Crown, they have advised that the operation of the clause in question is confined to bills drawn and issued within the United Kingdom, and payable abroad.—l have the honour to be, sir, your abedient servant, THOMAS Kaooa. J. R. Elsey, Esq. In the course of the week an apparently authori tative statement was put forth by semi-official journals that it was the intention of Government to issue an order in Council for the effectual blockade of the Prussian ports in the Baltic, so that the trade of Russia, indirect as well as direct, maybe stopped. Up to this moment, however, no such notice has appeared. Much discontent is expressed at the indecision of the Government, the mercantile com munity are at a loss how to act, and serious incon venience is the consequence. The produce which we have hitherto imported from Russia can be procured without difficulty from South America, Australia, and other countries. In the general deficiency of authentic intelligence from the seat of war, and in the absence of decisive I AA NO events announced by the accounts that can be relied on, a general disinclination to enter into transactions is the pervading tone of the market. Consols, which on Monday marked 95, closed today a shade lower. Exchequer Bills are at 7s. to 4s. premium. India Bonds, 10s. premium. Exchequer Bonds of 1859 continue at 001. FOREIGN STOCKS. In the Foreign Market transactions continue to be very limited. Early in the week there was heaviness, and, as in our own market, a disinclination to enter into transactions. Russian Five per Cent. Bonds are still quoted as high as 05 96 ; but this is attributed to speculative bargain, in which the delivery of the stock was insisted on when the sellers did not possess it. Turkish scrip, which has touched 3, is now at about 21 pm. The French funds are steady. SHARES. In the Share Market we have no particular feature to notice. In the early part of the week some of the leading lines manifested a tendency to rise, but this feeling has not continued, and to day the tendency is downward. East Lancashires were 11. lower ; Caledo nians, 59$ to 50/ ; Great Northerns firmer, at 891; Great Westerns, 71 to 701 ; North-Westerns, 100$ 1001; North British, 331 3I; Midlands, 681 to 681; Berwicks, 751 78; South-Easterns steady at 02$ ; and South Wales better, at 321. Belgian shares were firmly held. Bank shares keep good. Crystal Palace shares are unchanged at 3, but French Crystal Palace Lava improved to 21 prem. BRITISH FUNDS. Closing Prices. OFFICIAL QUOTATION. Mond.iTuesd. Wed. There Pridag 3 per Cent. Consols 94f T4l r 1 97 Ditto for Account 8 per Cents Reduced i 9 l 4 31 per Cents Long Annuities Bonk Stock, 7 per Cent 9lO 91 210 210 2041 210 India Stock, 101 per Cut. Exch. Bills, 21d. per diem 4 7 7 4 4 7 7p 7 India Bonds, (1,0001.) — 7 10 - - BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Stb Victoria, cap. 89. for the week ending on Saturday, the 14th day of Oct., 1864. MU/ DIPARTIMIT. Notes issued .... 120,339,410 Government Debt 111,016,100 Other Securities .. 9,904,000 Gold Coin at Stallion 19,933,410 Silver Bullion .... ••••=m•• A 26,533,411 826,333,410 BANKING DZPARTNIINT. Proprietore'Capital2l4,ss2,o o o Government Sem- Rest Public Deposits* 2,664,622 DeadWeightAn.) 211,079,018 Other,Deposits Seven Days other Notes 6,766,146 Bills -- 232,622,140 1132,522,140 • including Exchequer, Savings Banks, Commissioners of National Debt, and Dividend Accounts. The foregoing return, when compared with that of the preceding week, ending Oct. 7, exhibits the following changes. In the Public Deposits DzeREASS of 23,211,441 Other Deposits Notes Issued Do. Reserved DiCRILAAL of Seven-day Bill. INCRZASI of Coin and Bullion Government Securities .. INCRLA111 of Other Securities DICRICASZ of 1,660.865 The Rest Ti,o amount of active circulation in Notes 420,677,966 Do. in Seven-day and other Bills 1,079,980 smarts's& Coin and Bullion in both Departments 12,904,806 FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Mond. Tuesday. Wednes. Thurs. F 6 1 BEd 6 4 3 6 I d t i t 6 1 4 a i d 1 d 4 1 1 1 I 14 . 1 — 21d 3 - 2 i i d 3 .1 — 2lge 3 2i — di p s 3 1 r d P d r '‘ 3 4 P 2 l 34 ipi P id II P I e 84 184 id dis di. fr P' iP Par iP 8 8 344 3 :t e ‘0 ip 414 p '1 60 49 60 40 38 40 • P d d 234 ;d 4 d 4 8 i P P 4 Se P di Antw. & Rttrdm lierrs.to Graiss. Belgian East. J. Cherie. & Erque. Dijon & Besanc. Dutch Rhenish East Indian Do. Extension Gt. Indian Pen Grand J. of Fra G.W.of Can„Sh „ B. (2d is.) 1879 1.e.& Pis. 5 pa pf. Luxembourg Lyons & Geneva Madras Maria Antonia Na. & Lge. (w. in)l Nrthrn. of Frnce. Norw. Trnk. Parts & Lyons Paris & Orleans Paris & Rouen Paris & Strasbg. P.,Caen & Cher. Qbec. & Rohmnd. Rouen & Havre Royal Swedish Sambre & Meuse S. E. of France Sthrt of France Upper Ind. Scrip Wst. Flanders.. stn. of France Westrn. of 6witz. Zeigatid t .. •Li, • 17e P I - 118 9„ dii i - - 7 71 8 34 4 I 9 10 211 1 p 48 00sa 38 40 LB 9:d 17t 84 die di. P 1 iP td tp fd tP — die Pl 22} di 8 - - -- 71 8 71 8 341 1 341 9 10 9 10 211 1 p 211 1p 48 50xa 48 SO 38 40 38 40 8 e 7 116 7 P Pm 221 233 I —t d 111 6 }fib pm pm P 4 I 4 de 7 Pee 7 1 ° LT 17 liiI ii 7 lIMMIN. .:Lu