The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-02-11 00:00:00

THE MALT TAX.

' Mr. DANIS', in introducing the discussion of the
evening, said that be felt great pleasure in addressing
theta, disto they had done him the honour to solicit
Alin to open up them a topic of debate. Be. how-
elver, 'felt some diffidence, from the feet that they
had e'diettleal the few remarks he had to make
"A Lecture." lie thought that when persona
were introduced to them as lecturers, very fre-
quently too much was expected of them, lie be-
lieved that many times there ware members of the
1111 oho really knew more of the subject introduced
thanlhe party introducing is; and such undoubtedly
would be found to be the case that night. Be intro-
duced this subject
.1)C the malt Mx to Main, not in the
way of dictation, but with a view of drawing out their
opinion; if happily he might learn something.
Ile, therefore, in offering his remarks, claimed their in-
dulgence. The sobiect partook of • rannewhat political
stspict, as it bad reference to a matter partim-WIY
in-
terettiog to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but be
disclaimed all idea of placing it before them in the light
of "tarty politics. It was a question which
Might be dismissed by persons of all shades
. political opinion. Now there were two oh-
jeotihnir ingedly the supporters of the malt tax against
its abolition ; the first was, that the Chancellor of the
hartheiyeer could not do without the tax ; and the
monad was, that if it were repealed, it would tend to
the encouragement of that great evil—drunkenness.
Now the first obleation.might swiss freat• very patriotic
feeling to contribute towards the revenues of the
country; nevertheless, it might be a mistaken patriot-
ism. Let them look at the legislation of the past, and
witness the taxes that had been repealed from year to
year, ind they would soon perceive that agriculture
had not had the fair share of the repeal of taxation to
which it Was justly entitled. Just a year ago, for
emend; the small number of newspaper proprietors
hive said, the paper duty yields £2,000,000 • year,
amilitha Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot do without
thomeuey. This would, in the sense he bad spoken,
lump laseii patriotic. But did they do so ? He ventured
taw; that not one in 10,00011 ever thought of or desired ,
thorniest of the paper duty, but the proprietors of
clap newspapers. They desired the duty to be taken
off;and they set about the imitation of the repeal, and
it tee done. He did not offer this illus-
tration as condemning the movement, nor as
advocating a paper duty but he mentioned
it • simply to show hose squeezable -the Chan-
calor of the Exchequer was, if pressure was put
oleo him. The second objection was, that if the malt ,
duty were repealed, dm nkenneas would increase.
Now he believed tbn was quite opposed to what would ,
prove to be the fact 6.0n1d • the repeal take place.
His opinioa was, that it they wanted to maim
a man • drunkard, they could not do it more effectually
than by depriving Mra for some time of intoxicating
drtnks sad then . give him an importunity of par-
Midas of it. He believed that if they were to order a
as* of boor in every poor man's house—and no doubt
many et them would be very glad to have the ezpe-
rimiest tried—that they would not get drunk upon
the liquor which they amid always get at. He
believed that if the whole of the rivers in
this country warm tamed late beer, that drunk-
enness would be less prevalent than it now is. Let
them look for example to those who did at all times
Mamas a plenty of beer and other liquors in their
homes ; were they the drunkards of the country?
Certainly not; and he supposed that we were all
constituted pretty much alike in this respect. He would
now my • few words upon the consumption of malt
in the country. In the letter part of the last century,
and tl#beginuing of the present, the population of this
cottony was lOW 0,000, and the malt consumed was
5,000,000 of masters a year, the duty at that time being
but 6d. per bushel. If they referred to the con-
sumption of malt at that time, and compared it
With the consumption at the present time, they
would find that the quantity of malt con-
sumed in the two periods was equal, although the
population had doebled. The fact was, the malt tax
was a very convenient one for the Chancellor of the
Exehermer, and the tax had gone on increasing, and
thereby .preventing the Museum of consumption on
acommt of the coat. If they only looked to the con-
ciumpereaof the necessaries and even luxuries of life, they
would find that they had increased more than
three-fold glace the commencement of the pre-
sent century, and if the increase of malt had been
in like ratio, as it would unquestionably have been but
for time tax, the_ crensumptiou at the present time would
be at least 10,000,000°f quarters annually. Lately the
Governmeat had thought proper to reduce the duty
on wines, but wine warm* for the poor man, but for the
rich—the poor could not afford to pay for it. But let
them look at the unfairness of the thing. When the
wine duty wa• altered, the Cheneellor of the Exchequer
thought proper to alter the collection of the duty on
tualt. Hitherto the maltsters had been allowed 6 months'
credit, but Mr. Gladstone, he supposed, on account
of wanting money, ordered the collection to take place
every six weeks. This bad, as a necessary consequence,
a very bad effect upon the malting trade. A gentle-
man' one of the largest enlisters in England,
had informed hies that day, that in consequence of
this Mew rule of the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, he had been obliged to put £12,000
more capital into his business to carry it on ; and he
knew another maltster, who on the same account, was
obliged to add £3,000 more to his capital. But the
newarrangenient had not worked well forth. revenue
and . the end of the year it was found that there
w,n, Mori, £4,000,000 defieient. That malt should not
be taxed was simply carrying out the princivie laid down
by the Chancellor of the. Exchequer himself, and besides
this, according to the present tariff, it gave an endue
pretense, to the foreigner. In regard to the impor-
tation of malt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
had introduced or rather carried out —a
certain, principal of free trade, but he
maintained that it was not fair trade. He did not men-
tion this by way of calling in question the principle of
free trade, se it was a principle they had now all
aclorded, but as showing the justice of the repeal of the
malt tax. It am a duty on the raw material.
Tl,e foreigner brought over his malt, and he had
no duty to pay on it till it was landed, hut
the Yoglish maltater was compelled to pay his
dirty, every six weekr. It was a hardship to him
therefore in this way—that he made his malt with the
uncertainty of knowing what the foreigner would send,
to niarket, and whether he would be able to realise
an adequate profit on his outlay. The collection
WM Lost expensive, and most inquisitorial in ite ape-
rations. 14 Was,,beeicles thin, a tax of 10 ner oent, on the
rental of hind. He sOpposed that upon a farm, the rental
of which was MO if year, the omit of the malt consumed
would be £5O. But even supposing they paid but five per
cent, on the rental in the shape of malt tax, Ain it warn an
unjust tax, amordian to- the present theory of taxation,
and bore most heavily upon Gem all. It was a system
of indimettaxation itheelnisi be held that the taxation
of A country should.' ail fat ss possible, be direct, that
it might be equally %brae by all according to
to their miaow kid ability. The farmers in this country
were, besides, great losers by tido tax, it was well:
knowu that a vast quantity of the barley grown would

make useful malt, but it had become the fashion, especi-
ally of late years; for musters to purchase only
the very finest barley, such as is grown in
Norfolk, Suffolk, and one or two other counties. H.
did say, himself, that looking at the subject in all ihi
bearings, that nobody hut a Britiah farmer would submit
to this state of things. He saw that at the present
time there was an agitation for a reduction of the tea
duties, but he hold that there was no necessity for
such a measure, and yet he believed there was greater
change of • reduction of the tea duties than there was
of the repeal of the malt tax. If it was taken up by
the manufacturing community, and was agitated
bf them and by the commercial interests, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer would feel himself bound
to listen to them. But while the agriculturists con-
tinued to pay the malt tax without demur, so long it
! would be collected from them. It was a
tax upon their industry in every wAy. With regard
to tea being used as a substitute for strong beer, he
bad no faith in it. He did not believe that all thetea in
China would make either • good alloy or a good soldier,
so far as either strength or courage were concerned,
He knew it might be mid that people are getting
gradually into the habit of using tea instead of beer.
Their forefathers weed to brew small quantities of malt
at • time, and that, no doubt, prevented their going
to the XXX stores. He thought, as the time of shaking
hands with their representatives wascoming PAM, they
should pot the question to them, "Will you vote for
the repeal of the malt tax ?" He was not a political
agitator, but fanners did not‘do enough in the matter,
and newspaper proprietors bad set them an example
they ought to follow. Could they but get rid of this
tax, all classes of the agricultural community would be
benelltted by its repeal. It would be • real boon to the
former, labourerjand all who liked that good old English ,
beverage, a glass of good beer, if they succeeded in
emancipating their old friend, Sir John Barleycorn.

Mr. Jowls Mimeo remarked that at previous meetings
he had not taken part in the discussion, but the present
subject induced him to do no. He thought that at the
introduction of Free-trade that the corn growers ought
not to have been taxed upon their home growth of
barley. When the country thought that the time was
come to open her ports to Free-trade, he thmight the
farmers ought also to have participated in its benefits.
Our maltaters made their malt, and paid their duty of
six weeks after its manufacture. Foreigners only pay
when it is imported. The interest of the extra capital
necessarily invested in the malt trade wan paid by the
farmer. Again, if the poor man was enabled, by an
alteration of duty, to brew his own beverage, it would
in a great measure, preveqt tiim from going to the
public bowie at all. The morale.? the men were very
much impaired, and their good feelings towards their
masters very much lessened by the company they met at
the beer houses. If this were prevented, it would be •
great blessing to this country. Farmers were now de-
barred from using malt for the purposes of feeding cattle
entirely through the malt duty. He thought that they
should look to the Chancellor ot the Exchequer.
He had found ways and means to keep up the revenue
of the country, and take off certain taxes, because cer-
tain parties by whom those taxes were felt had made a
stir about them. He endorsed the statement of Mr.
Damen that they should look to their Parliamentary
representatives to come forward in the House of Com-
mons, and state that the tax was one not in accordance
with the free trade spirit of the times, and that as a
body of men they should petition the Chancellor of the
Exchequer for • removal of the duty.
Mr. DAMEN, in reply to Mr. Andrews, stated that
the malt tax rroduced about £5,000000, anti that the
cost of collecting it was nearly £125,000.
Mr. ANDREWS: What, is the duty on foreign malt
imported into this country?
Mr, DAMEN : Twenty-five shillings per quarter. The
English consumer pays 228 per quarter, with 5 per
cent. Comparing the tares paid by other countries
with those paid in this, there is not an equivalent
import duty paid. No foreign barley makes as good
malt as the best English, but the selected foreign barley
is in • measure superior to second-rate English.
Mr. ANDREWS thought that if the malt tax was
taken off it might prove • cure for drunkenness, as the
human mind was so constituted that it cared not for
what was possessed in abundance. He thought that
labourers in general would prefer beer to any of the
newly-imported "rot-gut stuff." Unfortunately, in
some cases, everything, except malt and hops, was used
in brewing. He heard of Colonel Bower being once at
a wholesale druggists's in London for some event/us
radians. Mr. fame, who then represented the Borough,
asked the druggist the reason of the Colonel's visit.
He replied: "He's a brewer, and puts it into the beer—
it makes it go a good deal farther." In these enlight-
ened times he could not suppose that any brewer used
anything but malt and hops. (Laughter.) He really
thought that labourers should get something honest
for drink. He remembered hearing of *MI6 labourers
who are accustomed tojudge of good beer, try the effect
it produced on the brains, one said "Jahn, I hedd •
pinto' yell at t'Cardinala Hut, an' it med my hedd ache
next day." The other replied, "You goo to the Jolly
Soldier, I didn't drink but hate a pint there, and it
med my head ache all t'week." He thought the labourer
should not be driven to the beer home, the resort of
all the idle, lazy and dissipated, and the place at which
all the mischief of the parish originated, and when
instead of learning fidelity to his master and to his
master's property, he met with fellows to teeth him all
that he should not know. Beerhousea were the places
where he was induced to spend his weekly wages, and
his wife and children compelled to steal. They were
the greatest curse of this country. He regretted that
farmers did not stick together, and adopt as their
motto—" One and all." Farman, who were now as
well educated as any other class, would be heard, as
well as any other clam of the community, in the Home
of Commons. if they would but meet together, and hold
together. He would conclude by reminding them that
"Union was strength," and recommending them to
nu ...rt their club.
r. J. F. HODGES, in response to an invitation of the
Chairman, said that he would not say mush upon the
malt tax, but would more especially consider the various
taxes of the State. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
was an individual who annually came forward to ask for
the various autos necessary to supply the wants of the
State. A very important item in the budget of every
Chancellor was the malt duty, than which there are few
other articles subjected to taxation which yield so large
a revenue, and probably no tax so equal in its levy, as
though it affected an important item in the diet of the
working man, it fell alike on all classes throughout the
country, • great recommendation when a large amount
was asked for. Persons engaged in every pursuit in
this country contributed by this tax to the public ex-
ohequer. In respect to the manner in which it
, affected the agrioultural interest it should be com-
pared with competing beverages, such as tea and
' coffee. In that reepecit, he thought, we claimed •
r malt tax fairly. In reference to any future reduction
of any duties, be thought this tax was one which
justly claimed • very large and proper amount
of reduction, but, at the present moment, we
could not indulge in any such hopes. We were now
involved in a national expenditure of £7,000,000, and
unless that could be reduced, no minister could venture
to reeoramend tempering with so large an amount of
money as that produced by the malt duty. He thought
it would be wise for agrianitnriata to band themselves
together to endeavour to effect their purposes. There
was at present a great want of eombination amongst
'them, and they should follow the example set by metro-
politan associations, whilst agitating the reduction of
certain taxes, by means of country agents who got up
local petitions: There was also • moral consideration
bearing upon the domestic economy of the working
man. No doubt ale would become an important ingre-
dient in household affairs if • labourer could get malt
at • cheap rate, and convert it into "home-brewed."
It would be of great advantage to his strength, and
withdraw him from the allurements of the public-house
and its unhealthy excitement. He thought the dis-
cussion was one well selected and introduced, and one
which would occupy some small time discussing in Par-
liament, at which time, should a reduction in taxation
be contemplated, be trusted agriculturists would not be
lost sight of. (Applause.)
Mr. Denim, in answer to Mr. Andrews, stated that
the importation of foreign malt would commence next
September, or October. The tariff had only now come
into operation. The total consumption of malt was
5,0)0,000 quarters per annum. Foreign malt paid 255.
per quarter, or about 2s. 6d. more than that grown in
this country.

Mr. DUNItAN was extremely pleased to hear the
subject brought forward. His family had been in the
busmen; for upwards of a century. The late reduction
of time allowed for the payment of the duty (from six
months to 6 weeks) had seriously affected maltiters, and
compelled them to invest much more capital than would
otherwise have been required. The foreign tariff
would make a great difference to Mr. Bass, who, after
December, would import it from abroad and thereby
effect a considerable saving. If the malt duty was
reduced to-morrow the public would be little benefited
unless the present licensing system was abolished. He
thought that the malster, brewer. and retailer, ought
no more to be obliged to be licensed, than a grocer or
draper. Ile was sorry that now they were no placards
to be seen, as in times gone by, in London Inns "Dor-
chester Beer sold here, One consequence of the
present licensing system was that enormous sums were
given for beerhouses. He knew a parish containing
300 inhabitant e where the beerhonse of the place, worth
about £6 per annum, let for upwards of £4O. He
*thought that in order to prevent illicit traffic, each
beerhouse should be compelled to take out a spirit
, Boerne.

Mr. WILLIAM MANYILLD, jun.. (at the request of the
Chairman), said that as the subject had been so ably
introduced by his friend Mr. Damen, and no fully dis-
cussed, very little remained for him to dilate upon.
Mr. Denten had told them bow badly they had been
treated of late by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
gives the foreigner a chance of working with less capital
than the English inlander ; but this was not all. Mr.
Damen had asked why has not the oonsumption of malt
increased in the same proportion as that of other
articles Now the answer appears to be the fact that
brewers are allowed to use anger and other things, and
thus lessen the consumption of malt (in proportion to
the increase of population.) Direct taxation was now
the order of the day, and he wished to Bee this order
fully carried out. He oonsidered the malt duty indirect
taxation, for his father never tasted malt liquor, and
therefore did not pay this tat in a direct point of view:
He was sorry to hear Mr. Galpin say that it did, not
make much difference to him, a+ Mr. Galpin employed
many hands who would benefit by the repel! ; and it
was well known that Dorchester was most flourishing
when agriculture was prosperous; and anything that
benefited the farmer should be supported by those in
trade. By agitating the question, and putting it in a
proper light before the public,he thought the tax miglt
be got off, and he only wished that Mr. Gladstone were
I present that evening, for he was sure that he would see
the force of their arguments, and eventually agree with
Mr. Daman.

Mr. HODGEB : When I said it was an equal tax,!
wished to convey this idih—that in reference to its pay-
ment, it falls upon all classes of the community all over
the country ; that is, it does not affect one elan of the
community more than another, but the way in which it
affects the agriculturiate is that it. affects an article of
which he is the grower.
Mr. GALPIN (Mayor), mid that he had hoped to have
beard still aunts reasons advanced, to show the benefit
the repeal of this tax would be to the agriculturfata,
11 especially as Mr. Mandeld had alluded to him. If he
could bring himself to think that they thought it would
be beneficial, it would be a great inducement to him to
believe the arguments inure fully than now, whereas he
sew little attention wail given the subject by farmers
generally, that no meetings respecting it were bold, that

there was no forcing it on members, and that there was
doubt in the minds of many farmers if the malt tax
should not remain on. Mr. Damen was too severe upon
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in whose posi-
tion any preaent would find themselves in
very great difficulty; and therefore we ought
to treat those in such a position with some
degree of leniency, when we find them acting eoutranly
to our wishes. Mr. Gladatone's justice to the pro-
prietors of penny papers was not so positive as stated,
but the repeal of tlm paper duty was a considerable boon
toall Glasses. In this trade alone, the abolition of the
duty reduced the cost of a necessary article from 435.
to 31s, per cwt. ; to large manufacturers it was a still
greater benefit. He wanted the agriculturists to show
Mu' where the benefit of a repeal of the malt tax would
be. Weald it reduce the price of beer ? Would
it enhance the value of barley? [Mr. ])amen :
Certainly.] He advocated the release of our native
industry to the greatest possible extent. There he
would go with any gentleman, but no farther. Apathy
was shown by agriculturists, when those in
power were the agriculturist's friends and they thus
threw away the opportunity afforded ;hem of bringing
forward the argument, and of thus showing that it was
with a sincere feeling that they came forward.
Rethought there was a division of feeling among them
AS to the effect it would have on the poorer classes in
regard to their morals, and that if drink was made as
common as water, we should see a greater degree of
drunkenness, unless a greater degree of self-respect
was obtained among the poorer classes. He again urged
that unless farmers showed more determination they
could not complain if other classed held back from
an,morting them.
Mr. GINGI, in reply to Mr. Galpin's remarks on
the want of union among agriculturists, would ask
him if he ever knew them to agree on any one sub-
lest? He did not think it was for farmers to consider
if it was convenient for the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer to give up £5,000,000, as that gentleman did not
consult them if paper should be cheaper. (Laughter.)
He thought that this had principally affected the
farmer in the article of cattle fond. The money
annually spent in tape cake, oil cake, exc., was
satonishins. )rw‘ bill of one tenant farn:er whom he
knev4 for cake 'slime amounted to £1,200 for last
yeah Malt would produce as much fat in &eh as the
very best cake. Farmui should not be taxed for
feeding stock with what their own land produced. In
feeding with malt there was a very large development
of saccharine matter. They could use a very large
quantity of inferior barley, and could thus succeed in
obtaining • far better equivalent than by its sale.
Mr. HODGAS said that some six or seven years ago,
Government allowed under a special regulation, parties
to malt barley, for the purpose of feeding cattle, free of
duty. He was not aware if the Act was still in force.
They might soak, so as to develops the saccharine
principle, but not dry for the purposes of brewing.
Mr. MANFIILLD, in reply to Mr. Genge, Mr. Galpin,
the Chairman, and others showed that they were all
wrwitain 4.tscusaing the brininess of the tax upon their
Min produce, which they wished to malt for feeding
stock, as he said "You may soak slid dry too, if you
pay the duty first. Afterwards, by Making a declara-
tion that it has been fed by cattle you get the duty re-
turned in full"

Mr i Honour: That, no doubt, wins an important
amendment on the original proposal.
Mr. SAUNDIRS, in answer to a request of the Chair-
man, declined expressing his views on the subject,
assigning as his reason • tkat if he did so, he should
have an anonymous letter hi the paper."
Mr. Witten thought that his questions had not been
answered during the discussion, and was convinced that
if the opinion of tog riculturists were taken, they
would not be ion ins upon the matter, and he
thought, °onside repeal lately effected, that it
was their duty • 'tate the topic at all convenient
times, and especially when solicited for their suffragea.
He also begged to thank them for the kind attention
given him. . .

The CHAIRMAN, in reviewing the proceedings, con-
gratulated the Club that the time was now arrived when
they could discuss any question without fear of party
feeling, and when it behoved every one to form his
opinion as carefully as possible or subjects affecting the
community at large. This was one. It was an agri-
cultural question. He could not altogether unite with
those members of the Club who believed the repeal of
the tax would be a benefit. If it was repealed, the con-
sumption of limit would be greater, but as a larger
breadth of land than hitherto would be sown with
barley, its price, in place of rising, would more likely
fall. The greatest obstacle eo the repeal of this tax
were amongst the brewers and roadsters of this
country. He had known the time when the duty
equalled the value of the barley, and now the duty WAS
one half its value. The tax was unequal in one respect,
as it affected the chief consumers—the poorer classes
,of this country. As • social question, it has been
argued that the repeal of the tax will lessen or
increase the amount of intemperance. From the best
view he could take of the subject, he thought it would
diminish that evil, as the great drinkers of beer now
were the intemperate part of the working classes. If
cottagers brewed at home both temperateand intemperate
could obtain • tufflcent supply at home, and thus
escape the temptations of the publichouse. Under the
bead of a social question, the argument of giving it to
cattle ranges itself. If omit could be obtained for this
purpose, at, say £2 2s. per quarter, it would probably
stand as • very good substitute for the best oil
cake, at nearly the same price. On the third
part of the question—the political part —he
would observe that Alley often looked at questions
of this kind as if they were too high for
them; that they were involved in a great deal of
mystery, and that therefore they ought not to touch
them. but when they came to look into them and
dismiss them, they found that there was no more mystery
Involved in them than there was in any other question.
Now, he believed that so strong was the interest of the
brownie of this country, that
:unless superior pressure
was brought to bear upon the question, the malt tax
would never be repealed; but if they agitated the
question as it ought to be agitated, and as the paper
duty question was agitated, he saw no reason why the
Government should not move in the matter, for the
benefit of the great agricultural community. Nor did
be thick it would be unfair towards their fellow.
odium. He did not consider there was any reason, in
point of revenue, why the impost should not be taken off
the growers of :barley, and placed upon the com-
munity at large. This was truly • ease of in-
direct taxation falling peculiarly heavy upon the
agriculturists, and he fully agreed with the
observations that had fallen from the proceeding
speakers, that they should endeavour to remove the
ten, and place it upon the shoelders of those who ought
to hear it. With these remarks he begged to bring
he meeting to a close, unless there was any gentleman
present who desired to put a question to Mr. Damen.
The VICE-CliAlliblAN then proposed a vote of thanks
to the Chairman, which was carried men. CM., and
the proceedings were brought to a close.

NARROW EROAPI OF A CHORCIL—The fine old
mrish church of Severmets, Kent, which was repaired
and beautitied about forty years ago at an expense to
the parishioners of £22,000, narrowly escaped being
totally destroyed by fire on Sunday night. Divine
service had been performed as usual in the evening, and
the church was closed, apparently in safety, at about
eight o'clock. Soon after ten it was discovered that the
roof at the chancel end was on fire, and an alarm being
given, hundreds of the inhabitants hastened to the spot.
The fire engines belonging to the town and ib Knowle
House (the seat of Earl Amherst), were also quickly
in attendance; and by the united efforts of all parties,
even tb• ladies of the place cheerfully assisting in
passing buckets of water from hand to hand, the flames
were at length subdued. The greater portion of the
roof was destroyed, but not much damage done to the
interior beyond that occasioned by the water; and as
the edifice was insured for £5OOO, that will cover the
loss. The fire originated froin the over-heating of a
flue which passed through the roof, and as a crackling
noise was beard while the congregation was assembled
in the morning, it is supposed that the rafters were
even then smouldering.

A BALLIT GIRL BURNT TO DEATH.—An inquest
was bald at Liverpool on Saturday, on the body of
Fanny Julia Power, aged 20 years. From the evidence
given before the coroner, it appeared that the deceased
was a ballet-dancer and actress at the Theatre Royal,
Liverpool. On the night of the 16th ult., she was per-
forming in the pantomime, and between nine and ten
o'clock was retiring from the stage, at the conclusion of
one part of the ballet, when she stooped to look at her
shoes. The bind part of her skirt lifted as she was
in the act of stooping, and her dress caught fire from *
gas jet placed in the side wing. The fire was put out,
and the deceased was taken home. She was badly
burned over her body and arms, and died on the
30th ult. Verdict " Accidental death."
THE CHARGE OF BIGAMT.—Blenly Bailey, railway
poinbiman, has been again brought before the magis-
trates, on remand, charged with bigamy. The prisoner's
brother stated that he was present at the prisoner's
marriage to Emma Crossley, at St.. Martin's Church,
Birmingbam,in October, 1858, and that the prisoner's
wife wee alive and in court. Mary Ann Gibbs stated
that she had been living as a domestic servant in
Clarence-street, Gloucester; that she had. known the
prisoner six weeks or two months; and that she was
married to him by license at St. Mary de Lode Church,
Gloucester, on the 15th January. She lent prisoner
money to pay the wedding expenses, but she did not
know the precise sum ; he told her the license cost
£2 12s 6d; but she lent him more than that. Prisoner
was committed for trial at the assizes.
An amusing trial took place in the Exchequer Court
on Monday, before Mr. Baron Martin and a jury, which
turned upon the musical excellence of some bells that
had been supplied to the town of llythe. The inhabi-
tants of that very ancient town was so dissatisfied with
the bells sent down by the plaintiff that they refused to
pay for them ; but it appeared in evidence that the
original disgust arose aa much out of some London
ringers goingdown to show off their merits by some new
scientific "touches," thus superseding for it time the
respectable old ringen of the place, ao from any defects
in the bells themselves. At the suggestion of his lord-
ship the cola was withdrawn, with a view to effect a
compromise.

TERRIBLE SHIPPING DISASTER AT HOLYIBEAD.—A
terrible shipping casualty occurred on Wednesday
everting between six and seven o'clock, off Holyhead.
The Liverpool, New York, Philadelphia Company's
screw steamship Etna, C ,ptain Kennedy, going south to
Queenstown, same in collision with a kite, full-rigged
ship, the Cheviot of Glasgow, 1,050 tons, five miles
west of Holyhead, the ship sinking instantly in thirty
fathoms of water.—One man, only, is stated to have
been rescued -out of a crew of thirty-four—who gave
the intelligence that his vessel was bound from Bombay
having been 100 days out. The Etna put back, damaged
into Holyhead harbour.

“When I was at Rangmhow,” writes Mr. Fortune,
'I visited the green ma-districts, on purpose to see the
method the Chinese adopt to colour tea for exportation.
I notioed,the colouring matter was applied about 6,6
minutes before the tea was removed from the iron dry-
ing-pans. A quantity of bluish powder was mattered
over the hot leaves, the workmen turned them rapidly
rotted with the hand, which quickly ehanged them from
a dark olive to a bright bluish green, I could not help
thinking that if any drinker. of coloured tea bad been
present their taste would have been corrected, and I
think I may safely say improved, as it seems perfectly
a.stounding that a civilised people should use dyed]teas.
No one that the
.Cliineee consider,the natives of the west
'barbarians' !"—Portune's Vigil to the Teo-distnets of
China.