The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-05-19 00:00:00

TIIE VISIT OF THE CZAR.

liar Emperor of Russia arrived at England on Wednes-
day ea ening in his yacht, the Derjava Englishmen at
presetat have found little to admire hi her but the wood
canin.: anal stuffs of old Russian style that form the math
(valiant of her fitting up. Her first adventure was to
stick in the mud at Flushing, and to stiek so fast that
even the Galatea with the aid of a couple of Dutch tugs
could not set her afloat. The contretemps kept the Czar
loitering alamat in the Channel fur several hours behind
the titan originally fined fur his arrival, anal compelled
him to put in at Dover instead of Gravesend, necessitating
a rush of all sorts of Royal and distinguished personages
(ruin London anal Gravesend to Dover, and put off the
arrival at Winaleir till late in the evening. The Emperor
is looking particularly well—tall, stately, and handsome—
and he was apparently delighted to see his daughter again.
Hit figure, wrapped in the Russion grey coat, wa.s distin-
guished on the paddle-hot of the Derjavis a long time
before the arrival of the vessel, anal as soon as he could
)iek out his daughter with his glass on the pier- head he
kissed hi* hand to her repeatedly. The instant the vessel
touched the shore the Emperor leant over the rail and
spoke to the Grand Duchess. "Hie eyes were full of
tears, and his tender affection, not in the least concealed,
and shown in • 11111111104 truly noble and dignified with all
its eager earnestitese was (the Tames correspondent says)
tooleloing to see. Ile bowed to the people, who were
cheering hint lustily a few feet off along the edge of the
pier, again anal again: and an enthusiastic bystander,
who has seen the Emperor in his own Palace and in the
Kremlin, says Alexander 11. was never seen to better
'advantage, anal difficult as the situation was, he tilled
with perfect ease the double part of Emperor about to set
feat on the soil of a great and friendly kingdom and of
the father about to embrace • most beloved daughter.
The weather was beautiful. At five minutes past seven,
the Czar, with the Duchess ..of Edinburgh on his arm.
followed by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh,
and Prince Arthur, landed, and walked along the pier to
the Royal carriage. The bands struck up the Russian
National Anthem, anal the guns from the castle fired •
royal salute. At the door of the carriage, his Majesty
was met lay the Mayor and Corporation, and the Town
Clerk presented an adslressa His Malesty, turning to the
Mayor, rail, in very good English, "Mr. Mayor, I thank
your Amidst the vociferous cheers of thousands of
spectators, anal the strains of the Russian National
Anthem lay the military bands, the train steamed slowly
off the pier on iLi way to Windsor. arriving there at 10.1,5
where the Mayor anal Corporation presented another
address. The party then left for the Castle under an
escort of the Life Guard.. There were thousands of
spectators. The queen gave a private dinner party to the
members of the Impenal and Royal families.
On Thursday the i'zar was driven out to see the sights
about Windsor Caste, including the mausoleum at k rug-
more. In the evening there was • grand state banquets
On Friday the Emiertar visited London. The party
included, besides the 'r,r, the Prince and Princess of
Wales, the Duke anal Docliess of Edinburgh, anal several
other members of the Royal family. At Paddington lois
Majesty was lustily cheered. The Royal party drove in
open carriages, escorted by Horse Guards, and cheered by
the crowd, to Buckingham Palace, where the Czar after-
wards received the Diplomatic Body and the Ministers
and en-Ministers of the Crown. Mr. Disraeli and Mr.
Gladstone were both present. His Majesty subsequently
paid visits to the Prince anal Princess of Wales, the Duke
of Cambridge. the Duke and Duchess ef Tack, anal the
Marquis anal Marchioness of Lorne. At night the Czar
dined at Marlborough-house.

19atitet0.
THE BRITISH CORN TRADE.

The foreign trade has of late helped the British
farmer in keeping up the price of wheat. The home
receipts into London have only been about the same
quantity as were exported, and front various ports
small wheat cargoes—scratch cargoes they may be
called—have been got together and forwarded to Caen,
Dunkirk, and othcr Northern French ports, whilst at
Marseilles the receipts of Mediterranean wheat have
been currently reduced by a demand for Switzerland,
as well as for the Southern districts of France—these
wants have generally supported value over Europe. It
is estimated that in the past three months out of
cargoes arrived off coast, 297, or 1,093,000 qr., have
been sent to the Continent 109, or 423,030 qr., the
effect of which must have been considerable. To this
cause, rather than to weather influences, or to strength
in the home demand, must be attributed the remune-
rative rates now existing. London millers, and those
of the l'rovinces, continue to buy as sparingly as
possible, and this fact is both an element of strength
and weakness as regards the future of the wheat trade.
First, from being out of stock millers will he able to
respond to any decline in the price of wheat, making
and selling their flour upon the fresh basis; and next,
Irons the Same cause, they will be always driven to
make weekly purchases for current wants. If they
were large holders of stock they would in either case
be able to act with greater reserve, and thus maintain '
value, advance or reduce it, with steadiness. As
matters now stand, sudden fluctuations appear not
unlikely. The fluctuations of the year ending last
April arc much less than might be supposed, taking
the mean of each month, English varying only
Gs. ail.; foreign varying only 7s. Id., the first being
very
gradual in its rise and fall, whilst Ghirka 635. sd.
in January, fell nearly 6s. in February and March. 1
What has been done in the past seems likely in the
future, and probably this summer English wheat will
change very slowly, if at all, whereas foreign will be
sudden influenced by weekly arrivals and harvest pros-
pects. We have now had two nights without ground i
frost, the weather is softer with a little rainfall, and
the wind long obstinately north is rounding to S.E.
Country letters and the opinions of country buyers
visiting Mark-Lanc from all districts report the corn
crop prospects still very good, the cold temperature
having strangthencd the wheat plant, which in all
good soils is strongly rooted ; however, a return to
warmth and a little moisture would be universally
welcomed.

The week's imports of Wheat and Flour into the
United Kingdom are only t 16,000 qrs. The tele-
graphic reports from France show Paris and Marseilles
markets firm, and the price of wheat in San Francisco,
575., cost freight and insurance In New York and
Valparaiso, value is rather weak, and the American
canals, opening May 5, will facilitate quick transit of
the stocks available. The Scotch markets of Wed-
ncsday were quiet ; barley and maize a little cheaper;
wheat, steady.
The present prices asking for arrived cargoes are
58s. to 595,; American spring, 395. 6d.; maize,
aas 611.; Larache beans and oats are 275. to 30s.
There arc but few cargoes on sale. Arrived-5
wheat, 4 maize, 3 of beans.