The Sun. — London, England, 1831-01-25 00:00:00

REPORT BY GEORGE STEPHENSON, ESQ. CIVIL ENGINEER, ON LINE OF EDINBURGH, GLA:!;- GONV, AND LEICII RAILWAY• TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE PROPOSED EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, AND LEITH RAILWAY, ENTLEMEN,—Having received your instructions, " to take an impartial and complete survey of the country," between, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Leith, " and report my opinion of what line I might think most likely to be beneficial to the public and the subscriber;, and most likely to give ultimate and complete satisfaction to them, and the Committees of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Leith :" I proceeded, in obedience to these instructions, to obtain, both by my own observation, and from authentic sources, such information as should enable me to come to a just conclusion upon the matters referred to my consideration. In collecting the necessary information, my atten tion was, in the first instance, naturally directed to the two lines which have been particularly surveyed for a Railway,—the one by Mr. Jardine, which may be denominated the Old or South Line,—the other by Messrs. Grainger and Miller, which may be dis tinguished as the New or North Line. I will now proceed to inquire which of these lines is likely to be the most beneficial to the public, arid the subscribers. In this inquiry, the points of com parison most necessary to be considered, are,—the cast of executing the lines, so as to render the cost of working them, when executed, equal—facility of access, and general convenience to the public. The cost of execution is dependant mainly upon the length and upon the height of summit level.— With respect to length , it appears that there is a difference of two miles in favour of the North Line to the same point at the Breomielaw. The summit level of the South Line, as shown on the section, is 804 feet, whilst that of the North Line is 635 feet. It appears, therefore, that, even if the two lines were of equal length, it would be necessary to re duce the summit level from 804 feet to 635 feet, in order to render the one line capable of being worked as cheaply as the other; and this reduction of the summit would involve the necessity of a deep cutting and tunnelling for a distance of seven miles ; asd the nature of the ground on the west side of the summit, even beyond the end of the tunnelling, appears, by the section, to he such as not to allow of its being passed, except by means of inclined plains, the objectionableness of which, on a line intended to be used for the extensive carriage of passengers, you are too well aware of, to need my enlarging upon it. But it may be asked, admitting that the reduc tion of the higher summit to the level of the lower one, would be ruinously expensive, where is the ne cessity of obtaining a low summit level ;—although certainly desirable, it may be added, it surely is not desirable to incur any great expense in making this retli.e ion ? I would answer that it would he more ecoaornical to carry goods and passengers over an additional distance of six miles than to raise them to the height of 174 feet in one mile. You are aware that Mr. Jardine proposes two lines. The leading feature of the one, we have already discussed; the other, in its most important feature, resembles it : the height of the summit level being about 790 feet, and it must, in like manner, be subject to long tunnelling and inclined planes. As far as can be ascertained from the sec tions, there is no reason to conclude that the coun try, upon each side of the summit of the old line, is more favourable than the corresponding portions of the new line; on the contrary, in approachins , the points of termination, the cities of Edinburgh" and Glasgow, and the port of Leith, the advantage of the new line over the old one, in poiist of facility of access, and general convenience to the public, I consider as decided as its superiority in point of cheapness of execution. Without taking up the south line from its com mencement in Leith, and following it along its course through the etreets intermediate between the harbour and Leven Lodge, in many of which streets, from the circumstance of their running at right angles to each other, it would require that turn rails he fixed, or curves of a very objectionable nature lie made, for continuing the communication from one street to another, it will be sufficient for me to ob serve, that I consider the approach to Leith, as pro posed by the new line, to be decidedly the hest that can be obtained in point of directness, and likewise' in point of convenience to the public, inasmuch as it will prove of great benefit to the extensive range of mills situated in its course, and will approach the docks and harbour of Leith in a manner which will afford the greatest facility for the shipment and un shipmerit of goods. The approach to Leith by the new line thus ap pears to be the most advantageous, as far as the cheap and expeditious conveyance of goods is con cerned. I likewise conceive that there cannot be a el' restion that the convenience of passengers will he better consulted by terminating the line at the west end of, and close upon the city of Edinburgh, and in a situation from which, at some future period, it may be continued along Prince's-street, into the very heart of the city, than by carrying it round the south side of the city, by a circuitous route, and causing it to terminate in the very outskirts. I do not think that it hi necessary to continue the com parison between die two lines farther, as I have now stated the leading features of distinction between them. I will proceed to make a few general remarks upon such portions of the new line as have not been already noticed. After leaving Edinburgh, the line is carried as far as the summit, through a country e xtremely favourable, and with inclinations suds ciently gentle for the advantageous employment of locomotive engines. In descending on the west side of the summit of the country Messrs. Grainger and Miller propose two tunnels, in all, about 1,100 • yards, which I think it is advisable to do. From such examination as the limited period of my visit would enable me to make, I believe, that by deviating from the proposed line to the north, a lower summit level may be obtained ; but nothing definite or satisfactory on this subject can be pro posed at present. Any deviation which may be re quired can, I have no doubt, be wade hereafter, with the consent of the landowners. After crossing the summit, the line stretches far ward towards the Garnkirk Railway, through a country which, as far as my observation can extend, is the best that can be obtained. The line then proceeds along the Garnkirk Rail way, which presents a fine level surface for the dis tance of five miles,—diverges from the Garnkirk Railway before arriving at the west end thereof, — descends the projected Tunnel under the City of Glasgow, and terminates at the 13romielaw, in an extremely eligible situation, for the purpose of shipping and unshipping goods into and out of vessels lying in the Clyde; and as the Railway may be continued along the quay in each direction, without causing any interruption to the thorough fares along it, goods may be shipped and unshipped at any point on the quay,—a convenience which ► cannot fail to enhance the advantage afforded by the Railway, in the estimation of every one engaged ex tensively IA mercantile pursuits. With respect to the formation of the Tunnel, no applaionsions need be entertained ; as it is a plain practicable work, unattended by danger or annoy ance to the houses or other property under which it may pass. in support of which opinion, I would appeal to the instance of the Tunnel made under the town of Liverpool, for the Liverpool. and Man chester Railway, in which a far nearer approach to the foundations of the buildings has been made, a hun it is propose'} to make in the Glasgow Tunnel; In the comparison entered into above, betweeu the Dora' and south line, I have said nothing as to the comparative, revenue derivable from the traffic upon each line ; asnt a lthough it is not within my into province to enter s n detail upon this subject, it may perhap s be exp ecte d that I should, in a matter materially a ff ecting t he question of compaerara tive eligibility to the subsc r ibers, ode! a t few genl r emarks. On head, it is urged in orsour of the ‘ l i v s outh line, that k /Asia throughs iron field, and that the north line does not. But any advantage which this circumstance may seem to give to the south line, will, I imagine, be can celled by the disadvantage arising from the neces sity of raising almost all the minerals, from the points at which they are obtained, up to the main line; whereas the branches which would be made from the Benhar and other coal-fields, and from the Bathgate and other lime-works, to join the new line, would descend towards it. The desirability of passing through the western coal-field, admitting that, under other circumstances, it would be advis able to sacrifice something to accomplish this, is very mueh diminished by the circumstance of the Wishaw and Coltness, and the Monkland and Kir kintulloch Railways passing through a central por tion of the rich mineral district of Lanarkshire, and connecting it with Glasgow, by means of the Garnkirk Railway. But even did these means of communication not exist, it is my decided opinion that the general superiority of the north over the south line, should not have been sacrificed to the attainment of this object ;—the expeditious, safe, arid cheap conveyance of passengers being, as I con ceive, the object which, in all undertakings of this description, should be especially aimed at. Though not pretending to say, from my own per sonal knowledge on the subject, what will be the probable revenue ariaing from the carriage of pas sengers between Edinburgh and Glasgow, or from the carriage of goods between Leith and the Broomielaw, and along the intermediate distance, yet, I think, when we consider that, within ten weeks from the opening of the Liverpool and Man chester Railway, at a time, too, when prejudice against the safety of Railway conveyance was great, the enormous sum of 18,0001. has been received for the carriage of passengers alone ; and that, pre viously to that period, twenty-seven Coaches passed to and from Manchester in each direction; and whereas thirteen coaches, I understand, pass at pre sent between Edinburgh and Glasgow, in addition to the canal boats, the number of passengers in "which, per diem, may, I suppose, be estimated at from 25 to 30, or equal to 2f coaches, judging, I say from analogy upon these facts a revenue will arise from this source of income, proportionate to that received on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and which will, therefore, amount to upwards of 45,0001.; and the subscribers, in obtaining for themselves this ample remuneration for the expenditure, will afford to the public the advantages of a much diminished cost, and a vast facility of travelling: nor is it from this source alone that the subscribers may expect to enrich themselves, whilst benefiting the public. A copious source of income is the certain conse quence of the operation of a Railway, affording a cheap and expeditious communication for merchan dize, and other heavy commodities, in place of the dilatory, and indeed expensive one at present in ex istence, uniting the populous cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow—the London with the Liverpool and Manchester of the north,—affording to the first of these, at a cheap rate, an increased supply of one of the most necessary articles of manufactory and domestic economy—Coal ; together with an abun dant supply of Lime and Stone, and terminating, at either end, in a situation so well calculated to afford every facility for the forwarding of merchandize from vessels entering the port of Leith, to vessels lying in the Clyde, and the reverse ;—a facility which cannot fail to prove of the utmost value, in promot ing an increased activity of the trade between the Eastern and Western Seas. Indeed, so important do the advantages accruing to the merchants and the public, generally appear to me to be, that I cannot but regret that any division should exist between the parties, whose interest it is to promote this great measure; and being satis fied that two Railways are not required fur the pur pose of the public, and that a fair remuneration can not be obtaimed for the outlay upon two Railways, I cannot refrain from urging, in the strongest terms, the advisability of reconciliation, and a junction of all parties interested in obtaining the best Railway be tween the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, (Signed) GEO. STEPHENSON. Liverpool, 30th Dec. 1830. RIGHTS OF THE PATENT THEATRES. The argument on Mr. Arnold's petition was re newed last night in the Vice-Chancellor's Court, before the L6RD CHANCELLOR, assisted by the VICE-CHANCELLOR, the Chief Justice TINDAL, and Mr. Justice JAMES PARKE. Mr. HARRiSON continued his argument. He had intended next to allude to the report of Lord Sid mouth; but on looking over the case he thought it better to go on with a description of the sums that had beer. laid out on the two theatres. In 1793 it was found necessary to rebuild Drury lane theatre, and a sum of nearly 300,0001. was ex pended on it. In 1809 the theatre was burnt down, and at that time the sum involved was 190,000/. Considerable difficulties arose in conse quence, till at length the sum, of 305,000/. was raised, and Mr. Whitbread compounded the debts for 183,000/., by which there was left about 120,000/. for rebuilding the theatre; but this was found not to be sufficient, and in consequence an ad ditional sum of 62,000/. was wanted ; and the sum which was subsequently raised had its interest now charged on every night's performance. In addition to this, there were other claims arising out of the sale of boxes by Mr. Whitbread; and with the ex ception of 71 and 5 per cent. which had been paid on the rent-charges, nothing had been paid on that one series of sums that had been raised. lie would now exile to the case of Capt. Polhill and Mr. Lee, who were the present lessees of Drury-lane, at the rent of 9,0001. a year, betides being subject to several oner ous covenants. The affidavit of those gentlemen wilco stated, that they had entered into other en gagements, to the amount of 50,000/. a year, so that their weekly expellees were 1,100/. ; and they also pozitively stated, that had they had any intimation that Mr. Arnold's license was to be enlarged, they never would have undertaken the coneati. With respect to Covent garden, the rebuilding of that theatre had cost 300,6001.; and there was now a debt of 14,000/. remaining Gil the rent charges, besides 50,0001. due to general creditors. Measrs. Forbes and Willer had also advanced to the araor,t of 19,000/. Mr. C. 'kernble the sum of 9,000/. One ot;rzr interest to be considered was that of the Noble ground tend lord, whose charge on the two theatres amounted to very nearly 4,000/. All these persons, therefore, were, ia their respective degrees, deeply - itite,rested in the concerns standing as they did at present; besides which, he might add, that not less than five hundred persons were also interected in the well being of the theatres. After such a statement as this, he need not remind their Lordships that no change ought to be sanctioned but nn very efficient ground, This also was certain—that unlets it had been univefsally supposed that the two theatres were to be left in the enjoyment of their rights, no o:;e would have been mad enough to advance his money for the rebuilding; and after what passed in 1793 and 18i0, it might almost be said . that the King's word was pledged and embarked in the maintenance of the present position of the theatres. The Learned Counsel then went over a ree„.pitula tion of the prirfeipal features that had attended Mr. Arnold's license, marl which have already been given to the public in our reports of the arguments on this petition. /n consequence of what took place with respect to that license, the report of LordSalrnouth was made in April, 1816, from which it appeared that his Lordship called on Mr. Arno!d to reply to' certain nueries which his Lordship sent to him in consequence of the petitions of the large theatres that were presented on than subject. In consequence of rtz... objection made by the S. LICIToR-GENERAL to Mr. liarrison's allusion to the documents before Lord Sidrnonth ' The LOR D C HANCE LL OR took occasion to serve, that h e h a d cas t hi s eye over the papers in- the Secretary of State's Office, and he thought that they fairly had a right to assume th a t the whole \ N. "ease, es § O ANod at that time, was Lid before Lord Sidmouth. Mr. HARRISON then continued to comment on Lord Sidmouth's report to the Lord Chamberlain. The report observed, that though it was true that Mr. Arnold had had his theatre opened for four winter seasons, yet that did not give any claim to Mr. Arnold, because those performances had not been on his account, but for the benefit of the Drury-lane company : at the same time his Lord ship observed, that Mr. Arnold had not lost all claim on his Majesty, and it, therefore, might be still a question for consideration. The Learned Counsel contended, that on the face of this report it might be safely said, that the whole question had, on that oc sasion, been examined, and Lord Sidmouth's report might be looked upon in the light of a decision. Now, in what situation did this place his clients In what situation was theatrical property placed, if, after fourteen years, when all the circumstances re mained the same, the whole question was to be opened again, merely because there was a new Sove reign on the Throne? Surely he had a right to assume that the whole of the documents laid before the Secretary of State were in the Lord Chamberlain's Office. In fact, it was clear that they were ; and it was therefore a matter of no little astonishment to him to find a gentleman holding a high situation in that office volunteering an affidavit, ►n which he stated, that " for reasons unexplained to him," the license of Mr. Arnold was altered from an unlimited licence to one only allowing his performances during four months in the year. With the certainty of these documents being in the Lord Chamberlain's office, he could not help expressing his surprise that a decision was not immediately come to, without troubling his Lordship (the Lord Chancellor) for his opinion on the subject. He believed, that had those matters been so represented to the Lord Chamberlain, the question would not have been re ferred to their Lordships. If the property em barked upon the faith of such solemn decisions were to be endangered by the reversal of those decisions without any new grounds, there could be no security for any theatrical property. The question put on that occasion to the law officers respected the legal right which Mr. Arnold claimed to an unlimited licence. To establish that he put forward every available argument. The parties on that occasion had been the same who were concerned in the present application; and no fresh circumstances had been produced to justify the change which was required. Had that decision come under the cognizance of the Crown, his (Mr. Harrison's) clients would not have been brought to that Court. He expressed his astonishment that an officer under the Lord Chamberlain should have held back all those facts, the knowledge of which would have prevented their being sent there. Although Lord Sidmouth had not stated all the reasons upon which his decision had been founded, yet he had stated them more fully than is usual on similar occasions, and certainly more fully than could warrant Mr. Mash to deny all knowledge of those reasons. He would next beg their Lordships' attention to the license under which Drury-lane theatre continued open for twenty-one years, notwithstanding that the proprietors possessed Killigrew's patent. That fact Sir Edward Sugden had referred to triumphantly, as proving that the proprietors themselves were con scious of the invalidity of the patent. But, in reality, they, during that time, had need of the authority of a license, as they did not legally and completely possess the patent, until it was trans ferred to them in 1793 with the express sanction of the Lord Chamberlain, the Duke of Bedford, and the Parliament. Sir E. Sugden, although not an actor, had shown that in the course of his argument he was at least very fond of stage effect.---(Much laughing.) Ile had complained of the great size of the Winter Theatres, and of the consequent incon venience to persons in the side boxes, who could not whisper during the performance to their friends off the opposite side. But these, and the other incon veniences complained of by the Solicitor-General, had nothing to do with the present subject, which related only to the performance of musical dramas, and of ballets of action ; and for such performances the great size of the theatre is a positive advantage. It had also been complained that the Winter Theatres neglected the regular drama, and intro duced horses, elephants, and dogs upon the stage, to compensate for the want of rational attractions. In that complaint Mr. Arnold's theatre ought to have been included with the patent theatres. l ❑ the battle of the " Flints and Dungs," one party appeared upon the stage mounted upon donkeys and the other upon poneys. The LORD CHANCELLOR—What is the date of the latest stock play in this country ? What I mean is, when was the last play written, which, in consequence of its merit, is usually played on those nights called stock nights, or which is considered a sensible, rational drama ? Mr. HARnasoN mentioned Lord Byron's Werner and Miss Mitford's Fazio, as belonging to the class respecting which his Lordship inquired, and as being now acted very frequently and with great success. LORD CHANCELLoR—But the success of Werner has yet continued but for a few weeks. What I wish to know is, when was the last play produced at either of the patent theatres which has stood the test of years ? Mr. ataittsoN mentioned Speed the Plough and A Cure for the Heart-ache, by Morton, and a num ber of the most popular dramas by Coleman, Knowles, Maturin, and Howard Payne. Now his friend (Sir W. Horne) had mentioned Cibber as an instance of the inadequate encouragement afforded to native talent by tue patentees ; and he had spoken of that actor and dramatist having only 30s. a week salary, with which he could not have main tained his family with so prolific a wife, had not his Muse been equally prolific—(Laughter)—but this complaint would not apply to the present rate of theatrical remuneration. Mr. Arnold professed his object to be, to encourage English musical talent in competition with foreign. But Mr. Arnold had not yet produced a single eminent English musician, or an approved English musical work; whereas the patentees had brought forward upwards of fifty works of English musicians, with various success, since the year 1790; besides that, they had brought out an immense number of performers, who received the highest salaries. There was at present perform ing with great success, at one of these theatres, a young English lady, of whose musical promise the highest expectations were entertained. It had been said that increased competition would not be injurious, but beneficial to the theatres, and tlutt their decline was attributable to the want of energy in tbei: management, caused by the absence of competition. But the decline in the receipts of the theatres during the last thirty years was owing to very different causes. An opinion had of late been mach spread, that dramatic amusements are frivolous ; and some want so far as to call them im moral. Besides, the excessive taxation by which the middle classes were pressed down and restricted in their comforts and amusements, would go far to explain their inability to maintain the theatres as they were maintained thirty years ago. Even the alteration in the dinner-hour of the nobility had con- tributed mucli tt - ) the falling off in the patronage of the drama—the present hen of dining being in compatible with visiting the theatre. 1 - ileilce Co vent-garden was closed a short time ago from want of the funds to maintain it but having been opened by the aid of public contributions, it; had since been prosperous in consequence of a brilliant star that had appeared there. Drury-lane had also been put in a state to r..ttraet the public, and the two theatres were • now in a sate of prosperity which could not con tinue if the proposed competition were let in. Such competition must end in the %ve e rs:: of monopoly which is established, when, of several corapetit,2rp, all are ruined and beaten out of the field, except one, who is then enabled to make his own terms with the public. The Learned Gentleman concluded by de claring his confide;-;,,e that the protection hitherto afforded to the Winter Theatres under the sanction of the Crown and Parliament, would not be with drawn, to the ruin of the property which bad been embarked in them in confidence of that protection. Mr. ADAst said that he would not occupy the time of their Lordships in discussing the question of the legality of the patents, but confine himself to those particulars of the case which came strictly within the jurisdiction of that Court. He proceeded to read the petition of Mr. Arnold, and expressed his astonishment that Mr. Arnold should have stated that he had originally enjoyed a licence unlimited as to season, whereas it had been shown that although the licence contained no express limitation, yet he was positively restricted in its use. In the year that the complaint was made by Mr. Greville, with re ference to the Italian Opera, it was distinctly said that Mr. Arnold was only to open his theatre for the summer months, during which musical pieces were to be performed. When he found this, there fore, he could not understand how an affidavit had been put in, purporting to be made by Mr. Mush, the Chamberlain's eflicer, in which it was said that a licence was given to Mr. Arnold for twelve months. He could not understand it, and he never should, had he not been informed that Mr. Mash was now ready to come forward and state, that he understood the license was only granted fur twelve months, with the understanding that it would be used for the summer months alone. The license was like wise given with the express understanding that it should not interfere with the rights of the Patent Theatres. Yet Sir Edward Sugden had argued, that in the license itself a power was given to Mr. Arnold to open his theatre for the year round. The Learned Counsel then referred to the time when Mr. Greville made his complaint of a patent being given to Mr. Arnold, although a promise had been made to him, and contended that the license to Mr. Arnold was originally for twelve months only, with the understanding that it would be renewed according to the way in which the theatre was conducted. He should, therefore, say that Mr. Arnold never had a license which entitled hint to make the present application. In 1812, a communication was made to Mr. Arnold from the Chamberlain, that his license would, in future, be uncertain. Mr. Arnold wrote back that he was aware of that. Mr. Adam then proceeded to argue on this point in the same way as Mr. Harrison had. He then expressed his confidence that their Lord ships would not advise an extension of the license, when it had been refused on more than one occa sion, the case of both parties being fully detailed at the time. The Learned Counsel was occupied during the latter part of the night in reading extracts from the decisions of Lord Sidmouth, on the cases pre sented to his notice, the substance of which has been already before the public. HAYMARKET THEATRE. At ten o'clock the LORD CHANCELLOR intimated that it would be better to adjourn, and took the op portunity of stating, that a counter petition, similar to Mr. Arnold's, proceeding from Mr. Morris and other persons, who were represented as the pro prietors of the Haymarket Theatre, had been re ferred to their consideration. He thought that the matters which it contained were in substance the same, and as such might be argued with brevity on the present occasion. Mr. POWELL, the solicitor for Mr. Morris, ob served, that the difference between the petitions of Mr. Arnold and Mr. Morris was, that Mr. Morris and others acted under a license derived by Mr. Foote directly from the King, and as such they con sidered that they had a better claim to the indul gence of the Crown for an annual license than Mr. Arnold. Mr. HARRISON said, that under these circum stances he could not appear for the petition, as the subject would interfere with the case presented on the part of his client. Sir Wm. HORNE observed, that the petition would, most likely, be extremely important to his client. The LORD CHANCELLOR said, that from what he and his Learned Associates could understand from the prayer of Mr. Morris's petition, the case set up was, that Mr. Morris objected to Mr. Arnold's having the license at all. If, however, it was deemed necessary and proper that an indulgence should be granted to him, then Mr. Morris came in and pre sented his license, which entitled him in a much greater degree than Mr. Arnold to the favour of the Crown. His Lordship added, that it was their opi nion that the substantive objection could be very shortly argued, and if it were found necessary to in troduce the special claim or case then, it could be stated by one Counsel. The Counsel on both sides assented'to this view of the case, and after some conversation respecting the obtaining of papers in the office of the Secretary of State, The LORD CHANCELLOR adjourned the sitting till to-morrow evening (this day), and remarked, that if the arguments were not then finished, the next evening would be Monday, the last day of term. ANECDOTE OF TALLEYRAND.—This wily politician was waited upon a few days ago, by a gentleman who wanted to obtain his ortograph, for the purpose of placing it under a whele•length engraved portrait of him, which Mr. Munnav, the publisher, intends as a frontis piece to his edition of the " Court and Camp of But)Na- PARTE." The Prince received the application with the utmost politeness, took a large sheet of paper and wrote, " Ch. Maurice de Talleyrand," at the very top of it close to the margin in the centre. PAUL CLIFFORD.—This last work, by the author " of Pelham," has been universally styled his chef tra:uvre. The introduction into the novel of the late KING and his Ministers has, indeed, Kiven offence to a few Court sycophants, but the fidelity and humour of the portraitures are much enjoyed by the world at large, while the extraordinary story in which the illustrious personages are made to figure, places the author in the highest rank of novelists. We understand that his Majesty's Ministers have come to the resolution of recommending the repeal of the tax on coals carried coastwise. There is no impost in existence that has less to justify it. It is levied on a ne cessary of life—on the poor—in a limited district. It is vicious in principle, oppressive and partial in operation. To crown its delinquencies, it is comparatively unproduc tive. The tax which inflicts so much mischief on the owners of mines and of shipping, as well u on consumers, brings into the Exchequer only 800,0001. per annum. With the tax, we understand, all the cumbrous machinery which has gone so heavily to aggravate its weight will be abo lished. Whippers, meters, the whole race of chartered extortioners, are to be swept away. The public will then be free to purchase their coals on that same principle, and in the same way, as they purchase other marketable articles, without the intervention of a dozen of legalized middlemen, every one adding his per-centage of price to goods whose value his labours do not enhance.— Spectator. The whole sea coast, from Sligo to Galway, and further to the south, is threatened with an appalling famine. The immediate cause is the failure of the potato c. - op, which was not confined to that extensive district.-- Cork Constitution. Yesterday the most remarkable glut of Dutch plaice ever witnessed in any market was seen at Billings gate. Crowded as the market was with dealers, the sales men could not get purchasers for hundreds of bushels of the plaice, and great quantities were sold fors penny a dozen, although each weighed upon an average three pounds. One salesman, after a fruitless endeavour to sell nearly a hundred bushels of Dutch plaice, went to Mr. GOLDHAM, the Clerk of the Market, and requested that be would dispose of them as he pleased. The salesmen had offered them at the rate of fifty for 4d., and as he could not procure that wretched trifle for them, he would not trouble himself about them any more. Mr. GOLDHAM went to the 1.01tI) I , IAYOIi. to learn what he should do with the fish, and his Lordship immediately ordere4 him to Oividr them amongst the poor. It is remarkable, that notvrithi standing this glut of fish, which has existed fora full week, the price of fish all over the town is as h h ou l id k be usual. It is peculiarly desirable that the poor s the market ; for it has been some time t meals for laro,e lingsg4e-rnarl'et has been able . to s . upp.y nenn a famil y. aware of the enormous quantities of excellenth plaice in families at the rate of halipenni cr a y T th hhe e s t e xtraordinary gluthasariseninagr aeatsu well iea as from measure from upon the Billingsgate thieves, Torbay Captains now bring to market the check etrk tti uatpo the shares of fish which they formerly used to divide amongst their men, SWITZERLAND. (From the Morning Chronicle Private Correspondent.) LausANNE, JAN. 17.—1 n compliance with your request, I send you a statistical account of the present state of this country, which I hope you will find usefoul and satisfactory. I have also added some observations on the forces we can call into the field, and on our system of rifle firing. A STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE PRESENT STATE OF SWITZERLAND. Surface of the Cantons. Chief Towns Coun- • try, tion. Popula- Religion. square leagues ----- .----- ----- 1 -.-. 1. Zurich Zurich 90 2•24,lsolProtestant 2. Bern Bern 3 27 357,7 1 0 Mixed 3. Luccru Lucern 73 105,600 Catholic 4. Uri Altorf 57 13,930 Ditto 5. Sehwitz Schnitz 31 36,040 Ditto Sarnen O. Unterwald t stanz 37 23,150 Ditto 7. Glaris Glaris 31 3,960 Mixed 8. Zug Zug 10 14,710 Catholic 9. Fribourg Fribourg 7S 77,660 , Ditto 1 1 10. Soleure Soleure 33 54,390 Ditto 11. Basle Basle 24 1.5,3.50 Protestant 12. Schatrouse Schatibuse 17 28,050 Ditto Appenzell 13. Appenzell iTrogen 19 57,510 Mixed Herisau 14. St. Gall St. Gall 104 157,700 Ditto 15. Grisons Coire 318 96,090 Ditto 16. Argovie Arau 69 192,900 Ditto 17. Thurgovie Frauenfeld 4 , 2 e 0,54.0 Ditto Bellinzone 18. Tessin Lugano 146 103,950 Catholic Locarno 19. Vaud Lausanne 1551 178,860 Protestant 20. Valais Sion 216 77,570 Catholic 2!. Neuchatel Neuchatel 36 58,640 Protestant 11. Geneva Geneva 12 53,560 Mixed --- - T0ta1.... 1,925 2,037,030 First Con tingent or Di. vision of the IForces. 2,630 1,600 2,410 1,520 1,604 2,464 1,280 960 880 33,758 Besides the first contingent or division of the elite, which are the first troops to be called t• the field, there is a second contingent of the seine number of men, form ing the second division, to be next called to the defence of the country ; these two divisions amount to 67,516 men, without reckoning the staff of the army, and are called, in the country, the elite of the Confederation ; they are all young men, from 18 to 27 years of age. The Reserve is composed of such men as have served eight years in the elite; they remain in the battalions of the reserve until they are fifty years of age; the military education of these men being considered as completed after they have left the elite ; they amount to about 150,000 men, which are next to be called into actual service. The 67,516 men belonging to the M ite is the amount of the men which the Cantons place at the disposal of the Diet, each of the Cantons having to furnish a number of men according to the before-mentioned proportions ; but most of the Cantons have more than that number ; thus the Canton De Vaud is only obliged to furnish 5,928 men in the two first contingents, though the elite of that Canton is above 8,000. In case of invasion, Switzerland can set on foot above 220,000 able soldiers; for every Swiss is a soldier from 18 to 50 years of age. In the present circumstances, the patriotic enthusiasm of the Swiss is at its highest pitch, and we have no doubt that those men would be a match for the hest troops of the line of any country. Protected by this military force, and sheltered by its mountains, Switzerland would not be easily invaded, even by an enemy far superior in number. The bravery of the Swiss is proverbial, and the whole of their history affords a continual proof of their prowess in war, whether they fight at home or abroad. Switzerland, like an immense fortress, is protected on the North by the deep and rapid Rhine, on the West by the Jura Mountains, on the South and on the East by the Alps, and an invading army would meet with unceasing obstacles in that mountainous country. That the Swiss are numerous enough to defend their country is not to be doubted—that they are brave enough to do so is no less certain; but are they unanimous in their determi nation ? I think they are; all cantonal jealousies seem to have vanished since time people have obtained their consti tutional reforms ; the Members of the last Diet bad but one will and one mind ; the instructions given them by their respective cantons all agreed, and I do not hesitate in affirming, that at no period of their history were the Swiss more ready to repulse foreign aggression. Of all the means which - thewiss have to repulse their enemies, none is more formidable than the skill they pos sess in the art of shooting with rifles. They are, no doubt, the best marksmen in the world ; besides the riflemen belonging to the army of the Confederation, who have all been at the Military School, an who have been regularly trained and drilled for the purpose, there is not a parish in the land which has not one or more societies of riflemen, where prizes are yearly contended for.— During the whole of the summer, their Journals are filled with advertisements for public firing matches all about the country. This is truly a national exercise, and enjoyed by the greatest part of the population. One of these meetings was held last year at Bern. The prizes to be fired for amounted to 1,1791. sterling ; the Government and town of Bern, and various societies, added gifts to a large amount, consisting of silver cups, and other articles of silver plate. Eight thousand of the beet marksmen of Switzerland met to try their skill; the targets were placed at two hundred yards' distance, the riflemen could only fire one shot at each of the seven first targets, and no shot was inscribed to pretend to a prize which struck farther than six inches from the centre ; there were thirty other targets where the marksmen could fire many shots, but where no shot was inscribed to pretend to a prize which struck farther than one inch and a half from the centre. This description will give an idea of the skill of the marksmen. How often have I been a spectator of these firing matches; and I have found, on examination, that on an average, 100 balls out of 106 struck a square of 18 inches; and it appeara to me, by what I have seen, that out of 110 balls fired by these marksmen against the single figure of a man placed as a target, above 100 would strike it; from which I conclude, that if they fired against ranks or the enemy's columns of troops, few would be the balls that misled them. It may be paid that it is quite another thing to fire in battle than against a target. It may be so s but the skill of the Swiss rifleman is a fact which cannot be denied, and the war of 1798 afford many proofs of the dreadful havoc the Swiss mountaineers of the small cantons, though so few in number, made in the ranks of the best French army which, perhap,, France ever set on foot. Switzerland was divided, at that time, into many factions. Few of the canton; ;rated in con concert; partial engagements only took place, in all of which the Swiss *bowed their bravery and skill ; and we th do not hesitate in affirming, that if th e S w i ss are f a i r l y united,fearapot: form r o li r k n e Austria l a n idea of the firing of th e mus k e t r y, w h en com pared with that of the rifl emen , l e t us b ear in mind and ey itsnumerous would by no armies. means In order t that in the last long war of France against all the Powers of Europe, between two hundred and three hundred mus ket-shots were fired to kill or wound a man ! The Tyro lean riflemen, called lea Chaeaeurs do Loup (Tyrolean wolf.huntere) were, on the contrary, the terror of the French soldiers ; and when afterwards the Tyrolean pea sants rose against the Prench, though the army which was sent against them was ten times more numerous, the pea sants protracted the struggle, and would not have submitted had not their Chiefs fallen into the hands of the enemy. The present view of the state of Switzerland I believe to be correct, and I hope that the Cantons will feel the necessity of drawing closer the national bond, and if once firmly united, they may defy th e en e mies of their country, Geneva, P.S. A letter from Harbourg, Argovia, has just Jan. 18, 1831. reached me, and cont a i ns th e following intelligence : " On Thursday (15th inst.), the citizens of Basle fought with the peasantry ; one hundred men were killed and wounded, We have not heard what passed yesterday at Basle, the communications being all stopped. Many fami lies from Basle have reached our town, and others have sought shelter at Arau and Zefingue—they left the town before the engagement took place." There and will tow ns no whichdo ub have a v b e e o ith e g r r o e stirabteen denied en a i m ed o t n b g e the ci t ies blessing of repr esentation in P a rliament. The bustling t o wn of Walsall. has already asse r t e d i ts claim, by preparing a petition to Parliament to grant the elective franchise to their " boroug h and fo reign," the population o f which i s ‘ about 15,000. We have Papers from the Cape of Good Hope to the 25th of Nov em b er. The Sir Edward Paget, b o und to India, had arrived there, having spoken his Ma jetty's ship Beagle on the Equator. The Commander of this vessel stat e d th at b e had on board a man who formerly belonged to a pi rat i cal vecsel which had attacked, and, after a sh arp Redpole, an d put every ' soul on board to death. The engagement taken his Majesty's ship th e Redpole, it will be remembered, was the packet bound to Buenos Ayres, which has now been missing about twenty one months. The Burrell, Captain MErcaLr, had anchored in Table Bay, bound to New South Wales, with 180 male convicts on board, who, during the voyage, had concocted a conspiracy to murder the Captain and crew, and run the vessel on the coast of Brazil. Oue of the con victs confessed the plot, and the ringleaders had been secured, 5..):7 REFORM IN PARLIAStErI ' Bi . 114.1 " 1 •ALmi tbrkojtc'elL Goy ......... Ste ck Gr0h.......... , 3 ‘; per cet" I ',!"'al Stock Bel Cit y r ,'-anal Stock"' unite Deb. 4 NORWICH MEETING. (Abridged from the Norwich Mercury.) • NORWICH, JAN. 19.—1 n consequence or very numerously signed requisition presented " Mayor by the friends of this measure, a 10 was appointed to t a k e pl ace a t St. Andrew's -ha the above day. Persons began to assemble e and about half-past twelve or one there was less than from 2,500 to 3,000 persons preser About half-past twelve o'clock the busines s menced, when Mr. Sheriff Wiseman was cslle Ag ed. 1 V !rjea 0 n u in eirt Ayres 1 "`"'agetia 0 .. /land ° Fr 0 ance ......... k 'gen o rtinr ,. _AT ER w lu TC INDEx favor teal ,sott011) ,Itti! k ithf4nhlroriitetteg4ipuii,itoh,,,ircs,r.,,it,iiiLtnaetly:ie.lv,ie:irienf.igraee,s,t,fl2i)h,w,o,,hctaorthr4eaefdia3leophelett.tthft,eumhic\aeßia.vt.irv,en.a..a,:iorle...e_tiarf,e:sif,---ezeotteirpicrnmilti(, the chair. do Sir THOMAS BEEVOR then came forvrar je d irfil ' i.,,. proposed a set of resolutions. Mr. Miees, who seconded the resolution°, " forty years ago, at the election for Southoll well recollect hearing the Noble Lord at the h e :, the Administration advocate the cause of it e " Never shall I forget the ardour, the elootter ice ' , zeal, i\T the talent, displayed by Earl Grey' l oble Earl was at that time the leader of an /I c:ation called the Friends of the People, an' ' the great terror of Mr. Pitt, the great ar 9t3 t te Parliamentary Reform. You will observe t'lsi agree generally with the sentiments contained it/1i resolutions ; but if there is one topic of ro re L i b y importanceballut. We e n h a a cto e t h s e e r e , n i it it s su t c h c e ee ti d tte i i s l t i A o t ro t o e f ri l ° o in France, and without it she never wu u '"l, , achieved the glorious revolution of last LI hi b never have heard an argument worth astray's' t`e - i! the vote by ballot —every thing was in favour and for my own part, I hesitate .not to tiZeu4coellos, Limp, declare ti e foll o • I would rather accept ballot w ) it_h r o ab u ne t teig i , :e o l: i lie t ori l , r .‘v r t. : t prju to toliaeis n d e l t N y ' h ede l T s n Atc g et ior zda e ia : nyt s lt u e re fo d rm th w at itl i t f ou b t a b li a o l t lot w — er ( e Ci o ie n e c r e s b th ri eA ng rfet ß seur e lu fo ti r u m , with it." He should g therefore speeches m in support of the resolutionn.iii: It ' t 4 a the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the OPe rifr ket -necenVire having attni4tete:titip:teit°lll:unt_Blh:4'Oen'a p n a r Y i e e n ; e : Committee, oAldermani, t t ii l e l e y rem w s o e Al r ßu e ts u iloi n ALn ar s : L i 1 which u n o e u x s t ly mb a o d evi o enr o dg t adopted' pointyiii o e. ti t , n - n i i t t l i t e e e Le as e i 8 with, founded 3 Ir. by R tl . te H. Rev. ll-Ir. GURNEY,Beaumont, eu wa s s p a u tr e ee t d u t t o t ; f l ea ; V to ruinin g and . ing effect : Gentlemen, being one of the "lio 1, The oflrtshe Com liar, he, werelt and bers for the city, and having to present this Pe ri /LI I feel it my duty to state that I am in favou r ° r,i4 of : f t t h llllll' general tenour of the resolutions which h aire d" passed. If we were to go into a detaile d e e l ° l, f ati t o t ll gh_ o t , : e u f e le to i t ' inn i edr ' them, nation perhaps, the hap propositions s,ulay b be foundw•hich faultar are a w ta i t t e h d , , b s u ffi od i , tetat e ,tl:e li ,ll4..tt a t.4pi t eild e ,4lta b li,ls P epinri u ir..ni,e b icrneh l fe i 2, l levii , iter u in a le r n gtif i xu n d e.l : si I Oil o r latv ert Z , t 3 irreined the general tenour of them I coincide. among those who have but little faith in the f re t! Administration ; I believe them to be 810° 0 o that they are exceedingly desirous to carry th e tic sure of Parliamentary Reform. Gentleme o I ' aware of the extreme difficulty, as the Ho ü b l e ro l i; ; ::::_ a ti l e v: t i ii :e u r r e e t t a l e a i : ti ' le lv,i of farms eriec present constituted, of carrying any measure ° le 4 ' form, because, as some one has already re lit Ptu D 4 ,!"" i ng6 o B f f p re' a number of the Members are returned for from let the sale of which some of the pruliriet°o 14 41 41 44k /I of them derive their daily bread. There are th °6e o I)trialk4l . ~ : to 01, ) ti s tne,: e a s t t 1 i n t • ,rip!e d eer tt a eh, b A:ib o do v u at e trilyi niteenrr(), contend that the proprietors of such borough 6° 0 to be compensated.—(Cries of ' No, no.') 16°1 0° ep ae thu throughupon ti iitnt,t °f the on i ts :lt : t i t otlap: '' as e i d ne::le o ti fi theyc mess; o l e a nls i t; ' It t )h o e o eoy , p : b e, a. e vl c e a t i u sni s io e l k r a ii s tgbhu t t h t j e tousCt sell o t n h a s Constitution eo u m t r i o eep n fro a ers t be p ena r t e raa s t i o n c t eo : 0 1 iiii t: be exercised towards the pr omo of a in t ll o s n t e l e lo: eic f p a e n c y t m to ea ca su rr r y e e ca v u ery be lll c e m e r s r U ie ee d, Of f :; 0,, C 01 once begin, there is no fear but that you w ill eci p Ittb, i : t :ents w i th t effect the object of a full representation of oci (Someßut it is not easy to carry the question pi ° ,sn t oki_r t e '‘ i ' h r ,l one from the crowd exclaimed it vi i t ° , l l‘ i ' i tite °l. r n'y be ` i " ti th e ; e tt l o a n t ' e uad reg b( easy for Lord Grey to make his brother v"„ - / 01 1 pHereford.) has l admitbeebeen made,l am butvery sorry that u t s h t at ha, t l P e : be e s, given l Grey had d s some eon affection e , and we for must hi fit fo bti r ed e rn g t ; m : sa i ttwtiaolantyli of itnfi time i egh guilty still ubi I I : yl w o ioilsgfhsa to j it o b h t,h a oe a r r ti : se g i ; t l : l ,l, ::: : : ° :,: f la nn e the : made. I assure you, gentlemen, that alth, (3 / 1 11 0 '"e o ° `• The Si now support the present Administration, il '. i I s. e dt v ye e :l r si ,hl)Aaaeivniendmi said sobtseetresatui ibecause easv mel strenuousubtcehhlieibvt inclination them my hns aee o mt i p lo P nb u t ec e it i i t eo i b e f o difficult task to perform." "Pitit e """ Sir T. B. BEEVOR then moved the thanks e o e thl i t ions i, (1 ' meeting to the Mayor for the use of the b all ' 41°441 ' quest i , vacs b ee _ Thi, for having called the meeting Mr. Alderman MARSHALL * had great seconding the worthy Baronet, and he t'" I‘' liberty of saying that no man, in his magigteri:rope 1 11° , 1e y s . ide of t pacity, could have exercised more good t',.Fir r s i, •S. expect s t good feeling, and strict impartiality, than (j'i. hiii'44der3t The agit I, ar u ii l II' to r , it ''t nZ I: sent worthy chief Magistrate. r ; to ,:.place Ppea .. s , ed I The thanks of the meeting were then vote" 0 0 ' s 'l I oft) tti,,,ntillesoyeeetneretitt Chairman for his upright conduct, which 31P man acknowledged, and stated his perfect efiljiej 'll% ' l l'Hse, °u ance in the resolutions ; for nothing short u` fs t4'4 441 tut "' he by t} 444 to " lee ' Reform could save the country. ltic le peo uti, The meeting then broke up. tt , e ri, ot Pie With 1 11 Q k it „ public a t ~ er 1 a ex_e.Al.ixtß( 4 4 :Ibt r P "'Cur e ' k l - 1 .41 Y, „% i has at' b,' t io4. 4 ." nothi, 1 . Ptu: Thi s 1 ( 1 is, , Pr( ii th, nl att er an C t4i tY tbu ch h 41 41 w hat ' 4 14 d , , th ey ti, e " 4 it :' Se na , ie etio elui nthe Thu s 4 1 4 ,c • ilsie r L s un 1P oi r t els s b ie . w v IP'old is "ett a '. the 11 1 r e • '4 til l 14 4. M gr , if t't e e n klletlr-to l kt t 4 er4 t r . law' of 4;• ° . Cita e°4l ( l n Art . _eih trs "' N I tit ef In wati 4 rti c i e t he Wi t reas on ,Iv[ts 1 beh,°tt peas ,t° fez illg7 t 'ft B, l g thj (1„ 4 4 it pr PPort, d °f tl e i N A% se t ' eri bel po, re, l'set inbiy • 4 tl i • a4in eir k. °f ' 1 , 1 8 th e I. -% opt dud 5 14 41 7. N i e 'oti n ,L'l of t '4" w a , "m till b y nd, ie e unei u, t o t b e 4t ' beini , t,nl duty s o n des. 6 iti t i i ,.% Of h ut w e of t lou s , :nroe pa, t he ' i4V " "Pe( iti4 l4 ti k `tives nt t 'lli 4 l l4 ; ° b °b 'Y it v q , Pe t , u P wh o ,l, Nas " , Ilt i n "( 1 4 the extt tb* h TUESDAY Ei jr oc ler , INCREASE OF TILE NAVY.—It l s re is' , stood that Mi n i s t ers h are reso l ve d upon an inviter; Oi,' crease of the nava l f orce o f th e empire, and that 6'''" of war are to be put into commission. Yes trr l l oo; was a report current that orders had been sen t a of the coast, for the purpose of having ready 3 0 5 0 pe0 Coast Blockade, to make up th e com pl e ment 0` quired for such vessels of war. 1.0 I, 10i The Emperor of RUSSIA, we understai A rdol, prohibited the exportation of grain from Ru'' s ' gip and Lithuania, but not, as has been stated, fr° ol b t o o. o' siast dominions in general. The prohibition, Oro, limited as it is, will much affect the corn trade , g s it y prises these countries in which grain is prin ei Poe ey rl duced, so far as Russia is concerned. This beiog rtr the the exports from Dantzic, Liebau, and Pillau, Pd yit are usually supplied with grain from Poland Ow e 0 ania, will be necessarily exceedingly limited. 11 0 :pi scarcely add that this measure of the Emperor °` will probably cause a rise in our Corn Marke t ' r , prices have again advanced to-day. it Ot te v The commercial letters received frow d t ps o dam state that, though the KING has onmel: . te .. dO e b i breaking up of the blockade of the Scheldt, he with a very bad gra ce , an d t h at h e i s a bout 0 r ti l te rF t o s protest against the right of th e Fi ve Powers t ° ,4i l u peci c ol, It is added dirt his M.UFSTY has voluntari l y 90, ° ,tr amount of his salary from 200,000!. a-Year O vv s' Accounts+, however, hav e b een rece ived at J.,, § te ) ', l , tine that the Scheldt w as no t open on the 2 1 ' 4 . 1 4 ( We arc inf orme d th at a great 1iu55 09 6 ,0 1 1,0 the house of STEIOLLTZ, are concerned in the O ti t .i,l . P ip tallow which we alluded to on Saturday. I t is I:3 4e 'pd there is no l ess a stun than 600,0001. sterling 0%00e( this speculation, of which the Russian firm lravr h t og io r 200,000/. Oth ers , however, a ffi rm that the :004 STEIGLETZ has advanced the whole of the monei,frforel the English firm are merely acting as age nt tr gt Herald. The determined spirit of rcsiso nce bag breathes through the Proclamation of the Pole d ' t he s t : o t cited a good deal of apprehension in the CitY V olis ad. c ipi a ,uf 1. 1 ject of a war. So far, indeed, as Russia an d No th e than, concerned, it now seems very improbable that c ol' tati e fron i will be avoided. If, however, the war could interestsfeo tea, 'il l the ,n( to those two Powers, as regards the general nee. tip )„ Le Europe, it would, perhaps, be of little conseq , t all o f "lar' this does not seem at all probable. F r anre, c ' suc ce o .e4 l, th e r i well supposed, is exceedingly interested in e o lel t : rt y. Pghli e the Poles, as she may expect, should they hiss ' 4 O „ erl lt that the Autocrat of the Russians will next t 1 1',, in s t ' s ,l ‘ l )s the p u b ii tion to, and bring his overwhelming power binge Jo 01 the Sots' way or other against, the new order of e rolid,opt state. tnat country. Besides, it is the interest and ( . 1 e. uty to France to support the cause of free Govern r . e' col ,pl , B o e 411 despotic ones ; just as our forefathers wise, l Y ou t ° t •pot _ P that it was to their interest, on the establisints_ su ocou Reformed Religion, to support Protester nifferp as th e , Popery. It is true the names of the causes °I T P ( AM at least so far as policy is concerned. It is w _ f e t he E° o l '"eaw. that, there is a strong party in France in favournu, so efs. o l , 4 7e titiil le self. and that party is supported by all the feeling at ri d ' h v P Sub of the nation, and, as some think, all the ' ettY esi O fig ' kth ih information. In one word, it appears P' _ ow roll t , th roe of ob jet from the warlike preparations which sa lve " d i pe cO de r li t , the in with so much spirit and intelligence underq,d, o f „ i d tn ali SOULT, that France intends to assume an att". ,, to '' or l Ow th e 'ilari ance, and that she will soon be in a situateitinecee, ph) z L . into effect whatever projects may be consider:: 05600. ""seli to support the dignity and freedom of t" Morning Jhrald City Article.