The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-10 00:00:00

[Stamped, ld, Additional.]

THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE

CENTRAL RELIEF PIIND.

The weekly meeting of the executive committee
was held at the Town-hall, Manchester, yesterday Sir J.
H. Peurriswoava (in the absence of the Earl oiDerhy)
unaided.
The Hon. Senurraav stated that during leek week the
committee despatched to various places 1,210 barrels of
Sour, 113 packages of clothing, 106 barrels of flab, and 26
hampers of wine. The total amount of money remised
during the same time was 26,300/ 4s. 3d. The law
amounts received that morning (and not included in the
above sum) consisted of 1001., the second instalment from
the Peterhead lace! committee ; 100/.. a further donation,
from the Balaton relief committee; 1,0001. from the county
of Down ; 1,000/ from Belfast ; and 300 f. (16th instalment)
from the Deify TelegrapA fund. Be said the balance in
the bankers' hand on the amount was 404,836/
Ix sd. ; and 14,4471. Os. irsorin the New South Wake
accoun Total 416,283/ 2e. 3d.

A letter wu read from the Mayor of Halifax slating that
every village sod hamlet around that borough had cheer-
fully subscribed to the filed for the relief of the distressed
oper►tives, and bad expreseed the sympathy which they felt
for their suffering betakes. The amount subscribed by
such far sod near villages was a thousand pounds. A letter
was also read from county Down, staling that at a public
meeting it had been decided to saleM subscriptions through-
out that district in aid of the metal rebid fwd.
The Hon. Elleartaitt preassitall to the committee his
monthly report, ef which a following is a copy :
" Maiticitestm, Feb. 9, 1863.

" My Lordsead Gestlesneti,.-1 hest° premat to the com-
mittee my monthly return of the state of distress in the
cotton manufacturing districts, and in doing so vesture to
offer the following remake The return applies to 147
districts, all but Dube of which are situated within the 27
unions to which Mr. Farman weekly report of poor-law
relief extends. In each of these districts local committees
are at work, and all but 21 have received greats from this
committee. Of this number, Kirkham, Lancaster, l'oynton,
and Warrington support their own poor. Four have applied
since the lest meeting of the committee, four had rents at
the last meeting, six have been declined amistanee for the
present on satisfactory grounds, and three have not as yet
applied. The information referring to the state of employment
shows, as was anticipated, a slight, though it is feared In
many cams a temporary, improvement, there being now
147,542 persons working full time, 160,189 on short time,
and 222,992 entirely out of employment ; and thus 26,413
mom persons are now working full time, and 5,411 more
persons are on short time than in the week ending
Dec. 27. 1862. The lose of wages table appears inaccurate
after this statement, when taken in comparison with the
last month ; but this may be explained by the information
contained in this column not having been furnished last
month by Oldham and 13 other local committees. The Ices
et wages is now estimated at 172,7331. per week. The
table giving the average income per head will be valuable
to the committee, as a means of showing to what scale
the committee profess to make the average income ; and
an examination will prove that a revision of the scale
is, in some Pais, much required. The important column
stating the extent of employment provided for those in re-
esipt of relief proves that it is most desirable that some
additional premium should be brought to bear upon the
local committee on this subject. For after excluding all
able-bodied males in receipt of relief from the guardians
under the suppreidoa that they are employed—which, how-
ever, is not invariably the case—it will he found that only
a small proportion of those relying fur aid solely on the
committees are provided with any employment. The ex-
penditure of the committees is Dow reduced from 46,77 W.
to 39.5791. per week. This, though partly owing to the
reduction of persons relieved-375,965 Rustiest 417,883 is the
last week o( December—likewise arises from the reduced
expenditure for clothing. The other columns of the
table merely show the sources from whence the
local committee have derived their funds, the
drat column proving 245,2661. has been obtained from
purely local ribecriptions, an amount which would furnish
the sum required for the whole expenditure oo parochial
outdoor relief in the twenty-seven unions for sixteen weeks.
This, taken in connexion with the fact that almost double
that amount has also been rained by this fund in the counties
containing the largest portion of the cotton manufactories,
fully Peevs that the resources of the district have not been
spared. lam glad to be able to point out that whilst the
local committees have been supplied with ample funds their
balances inland are shown to be reduced to a little menthes
100,0601., as stated last month. In conclusion, I may men•
lion that I have great coolideoce in the °offertories of these
retirees, having earefally impressed time both the chairmen
and the secretaries of the local committees that the im-
portance of this monthly statement being accurate is each
particular cannot be over-estimated, and I have taken
every precaution to secure this most desirable end.
Mr. Commissioner FARNALL then read the following

weekly return :
" Manchester, Feb. 9, 1863.
" My Lords and Gentlemini,-1 beg to Joke= you that,
on the 31st ultimo, there was a decrease is the number of
persons receiving parochial relief in the twenty-seven anima
of the cotton zaanufscturing districts, as compared with
the number so relieved ,in the previous week, of 7,101. It
will be remembered that as the sth of December last
the total number of pawns receiving parochial relief wee
271,983 ; but on the 31st ultimo there were 728,024 persons
so relieved; there is, therefore, a decrease of 43,959.
The decrease of 7,101, to which I have adverted, is
explained as follows :—There is • decrease et Aslatoo-
under-Lyne of 1,078, at Bertooupon-Irwell of 53, at
Blackburn of 574, at Bolton of 157, at Burnley of 125, at
Bury of 334, at Morley of 223, at Chorltoo of 1,8C3, at
Clitheroe of 14, at Garaging of 25, at Baslingden of 143, at
Leigh of 129, at Macclaraeld of 62. at Manchester of 545, at
Oldham of 407, at Preston of 745, at Prestwick of 24. at
Rochdale of 127, at Seddlewortla of 55, at Salford of 158, at
Stockport of 215, at Todmorden of 221, and at Warrington
of 34, making a total decrease of 7,247 ; but there is an in.
cream at the Fylde of 13, it Glossop of 44, at Lancaster
of 14, and at Wigan of 75, making a total M-
enem of 146; so that there is a net decrease of
7,101. There were on the 31st ult., 228,024 persons receiving
parochial relief in the 27 unions adverted to, but in the
corresponding week of last year, only 19,164 persons were
so relieved, so that, notwithstanding the gradual decrease of
pauperism since the 6th of December last, there is at pea-
sent an increase of 148,860 paupers, or 1880 per cent. The
total weekly coat of out-door relief on the 31st ultimo was
15,256/. 13s. 2d. ; in the corresponding week of lent year it
was 3,9541. 6s. ; there is therefore an increase of 11,302/.
7s. 2d., or 285'8 per cent, The amount of money in the
bands of the treasure's of the above unions on the Slut
timo was 55,9981. IA. 9d. I find that the total number of
persons either receiving outdoor parochial relief, or
being aided solely by the local committees,
was 454,158, and that when the numbers so relieved were
last reported to you they amounted to 468,542 persons;
a decrease therefore has taken place of 14,384; but, not-
withstanding this devease, of the population of the
27 unions, to which this report applies, are still either
pauperised or maintained by charity, while, at the mere.
spoodiag period of last year, only four per cent of the
people were in the receipt of relief. I also find that the
guardians and the local committees are now spending is
out-door relief and in general relief at the rate of 38,8554
per week, and that, when the expenditure for similar pur-
poses was last reported to you, it was at the rate of
41,3771. per week, so that there is • decrease of 2,522/. per
week. The present expenditure of 38,8551. ter week gives
an averse of la. 80. per week to each recipient. I
further Sod that the local committees are now spending
at the rate of 15,0001 per week in clothing, and that for
the week ended the 26th of December last, they expended
20,5001. in clothing. The present expenditure of 15,000 f;
per week gives en average of 918. to each of the 375,965
persons amongst whom the clothing was distributed, but 1
em
given to uuderstend that this expenditure is at present
rapidly decreasing. You have received reliable information
from Mr. Edmund Ashworth, and other reliable gentlemen,
that the canoe operatives will probably be but half employed
during the pretest year, and you have also been iufornied
that, in the week elided the 3lst ult., out of 536,7t3 wor k-
people, only 147,542 were working full time, while 160,189
were working short time, and 228,992 were wholly anent-
ployed ; it is therefore a matter of the deepest importance that
we should forthwith give the present position and prospects of
them workpeople our moat action. consideration, with
view to preparing sod publishing that which may appear to
as to be the best plan for sustaining their working euergas
now 15'2 local
dcom:it:nrutteiredfeosr flobeer.ta:blerlistiefeduturoci;
feeding end clothing. is conjunction with the par.
distlitheeiburemtitiatgorencharity, who Sr.
chum of the poet, 466,150 persons, of whom 11,824 are
indoor paupers. These efficient local committees,
who have just received the distinguished reward of
the sovereign's thanks, ale connected by common
intonate with the workpeople. and ire, therefore, an appro-
priate and ready means for directing sad assisting some ol
them to free themselves, through the medium of new
species of labour, from that forced idleome of which they
are themselvesaltogether weary, and which we know it is
neither true charity nor true economy nenecesserily to pro.
long. With this object, Mr. Villiers, the President of the
Pour-law Based, who has at all times practically aided the
guardians of the poor and the local committees in the die
charge of their diScult duties, has authorised me to state
that be will furnish them with a tabular statemeat showing
the average weekly wages of agnoultural labours's, meths-
DIP, and artisans in each of the counties of Eaglaarl, so that
the guardians and the local committees may the more readily
ascertain where such workmen may be most required. --7
em, my lords asd gentlernee, your obedient serveet,
B. B. PAIIVALL, SpeelalOatassisiteser."
Huai YAWN aid that although Mr. Parma re-
ported a sessidatablideeriess el pauperism is the Usk« et
etistftamAdlitim., ritishusiiirs°( aimiasresssirl°724"hadas 4:assissiedille::b°fteghthy °most liweesii.SUsw2
Tors fdly seapieyed.

[TWOPENCE

Mr. Pamela mid he had dated the ereekip igentral al
pauperism at 7,101, but shim hie NIKO wacT=L_.h. had
-st
removed a note from the dirk to the
_._...._.••••••
vedians, intimating that by ea 4•1011' Giolima, "I"
Mae number receiving Mid in the Mach= Unica was
wrongly stated.
Colonel Wittoos PAITI., H.P., reported that he had
received from Salisbury for the Colton District Flied. 3001,
and from Warrington, 5001., which he was renewed to pay
over to the Central Relief Fund, and 206( from Chatham,
Miramichi, New Brunswick.
It was decided that the next monthly meeting of the
general committee should be held on the ?...ird inst.
Mr. WOHILLLL, referring to a letter from the secretaries
of the Salford Relief Committee, reported in the Times,
of the 31st ult., to have been read at a meeting of the
Mansion House Committee (to whom it was addremed),
sated that the letter had been written without the knowledge
of the ahairmen or other members of the Salford committee ;
that Mr. Davis, the writer of the letter, by hie devotion to
the Maim devolving ea hiss, had earned the entire muff-
denim of the Salford committee, and bad, as he (Mr.
Worrell) believed, male the esemminication en his eon ro.
speadbility, on the impulse of a moment ; and that the
Salford committee were of opinion that the letter vas not
intended to out a reflection upon the Manchester Distribu-
tion Committee.

11erialoWing grants were reported from the New &Pith
Wales food :—To Bartle, err Bury, 61. ; &reek err
Bolton 81. 10s. ; Limey, 371. ; lliamoden,
221. ;la 61. ; Ontwaisw_ Bear, 171. g
161.
lytreade, 101. ; MnareMe, 131. ; Bareodes,
20t. ; En . ( Ilaadvaaa, e.
The foll grants were aide, tlie lig:eosin parenthesis
de the somber of works over which seat paste us.
teed : (3), 7001. ; (It. Margaret's, Hollinwsod (3),
751. ; Dean (4), 601. ; Anderbaw (3), 2001.; Newton goat
(3), 2001. ; Lees and diarist (3), 1001. ; Bangles. sad
ItaiDow (3), 2001. ; Haslingdan sad Musbory (4), 3001. :
Churchen (6), 501. ; Marro 14), 751. ; Haaelgreire (4),
1501. ; Starateads (4), ; lrerasgb ef Bohm (4), 5001. ;
Heywood (1), 500/. ; Newolinrch (4), 2001. ; Ramehottom
(4), 1001. ; Tottingtos (4), 1001. ; Creeshaw Booth (4)
100/. ; Fence (6), 251. ; Bradford (4), 1001. ; Brindle (4),, 1634 ; Breightmet (4), 601. ; Bisamingtos (4), 201. ; Crue-
t:Sear Preston) (6), 401. ; Brehm', (4), 2,6001. ; Haden
tOl. for clothing ; Little laver (4), 1001. ; Wigan (4),
; Baldsastone and °erasers(' (6), 751.

TER PRINCZ 01 WALES'S MERILIAOL..4TOPPAOZ
OF TER Wow AT Wurnaoa CASME.—Thew works were
soddenly put a stop to at 11 o'clock yesterday (Moodsy)
morning, in consequence of all the carpenter; between 70
and 80, having struck for higher wages. These men are em-
ployed by Messrs. Myers and Son, the contractors for build-
ing the extensive temporary salons, at the west-end of St
George's Chapel for the reception and accommodation of his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alex-
andra, and other royal and distinguished personages who
will attend the marriage ceremony. The men complain of
the smallcem of their wages, having been paid last week at
the rate of 4a td. per diem, whereas the Windsor master
carpenters are paying their regular men more mousy, and
the London rate of wages being ss. per diem.
PRINTERS' PENSION Socurry.—The annual eke-
tica of this excellent institution will take place, at the
London Tavern. on Monday, March t, when eight out of •
list of thirty-six candidates will be elected.
Ihczyzaarrr Cou.noa, Lonous.—At a session of
mama, on Saturday last, the result of the laziLeer's ems-
petitios of three candidates for the clinical and advs.
models, instituted at the suggestion of Dr. by the
late Robert Yellow's, LLD., for the best observations on
the medical mass in the hospital, was reported by the ex-
=linen, Dr. Welsh., Dr. Guyed, Professor Jeener sod
Dr. Hare. The council, sa the rsompmpadatio• at the

examiners, in consideratron of ties very high order of merit
of all the papers seat in, awarded as follows first
piece, mid the gold medal, to Mr. Tallourd Jaw ; the
',wood place, with an extra gold medal, to Mr. Frederick
T. Roberta ; the third place, with the salver medal, to Mr.
Richard 1111.11011.

THu DURHAM DISEILICI BAHL—Once more, the
°Mend liquidators of the District Batik have gives au
acconot of their stewardship. The report which they have
imbued bean date so far lack ma the sth of December, last
year, sad the habit)°, of cash then in hand was 42,4571. ;
while, at the same time, the outstanding liabilities amount
to 672,6691. Tbe aunotiocement that the nosipt of some
len* sewn doe from Mr. Emmy, sad other debtor*, has
been delayed, does not improve the sorrowful mien of mat-
ters, and such indulgences to favoured individuals must
=highly distasteful to the body of shareholders at
. Preparatory to the declaration of a further dividend
of two shillings to the pound, a statement of the slain of
the bank will be submitted to the Vida-Chancellor on the
13th inst. —ll neenatk CArcntiek.

A CHILD Poise's= BY Hissaaisa. Yesterday
evening Mr. H. Raffia Walthew, deputy-eoroner, reeumed,
at the Wellington Tavern, Cornwall-street, St. George'.-in-
the-East, the inquiry relative to the death of Thomas
Eveleigh Binfierld, aged three mouths, who lost his life
under the following menopause's :—llrs. Biofield, 18,
Church-road, raid that deceased being takes Mahe went to
Mr. Rolueson and asked him for• powder. Mr. Robinson,
however, gave a medicine in a bottle with directions to ad-
minister three
drape three times a day. She gave the child
two doses, and found him dead at 8 o'clock next morning.
Mr. W. Robinson, Commercial-road, chemist, mid that he
was partially in error when he mid that the medicine in
question oontitioed hemlock as well se henbane. He gave the
hemlock to soother child. Many doctor gave hemlock to
children, and witness bed given it to several since
the prevent affair. Witness had not undergone an
examination, but he knew se enrich of physic as moat doc-
tors. Dr. H. Letheby, midi& officer of health to the City
of London, said that he had analysed the bottle of medicine
produced. It contained 80 grains of spirituous liquid and
vegetable extract. The extract contented henbane and
apparently hemlock. Three drops of the medicine would
contain half a grain of the henbane, which would be suffi-
cient to kill a child three months aid. Two doses would
cause death. He analysed the blood of the deceased, and
found in it the contents of the bottle. The henbane was
no doubt absorbed into the system. There was greet
danger in prescribing such a medicine, because an unskilled
person would not be likely to give the exact three droPs,
even if that quantity were not, as they were in the present
ease, sufficient to mese death, The jury returned the fol-
lowing verdict :—`• That tho doomed died from the mortal
effects of an overdose of • mixture containing henbane,
three drops having been ordered to be administered by Wm.
Robinson, a chemist; and that the conduct of Mr. Robinson
in prescribing a niedieine of inch a dangerous character is
highly to be censured."

11ILANCHOLY CAM OF SHOOTINO.—Two boys
named Frisby, brothers, aged respectively twelve sat nine
years, were amusing thernselvee with an iron tube sod pow-
der, in • geld near the residence of their father, at Bautwood
Lodge, Bristol, on Friday night. The tube, which was
charged with powder NW • few stones, was held the
younger brother. The elder wax standing by biro, and for
the purpose of igniting the powder he drew a lueifer match
along them/lace of the tube. The dame accidentally came
in contact with the powder lying on the touch-hole of the
tube, sod • discharge took place, the contents of the tube
lodging in the breast of the elder brother. Death was
almost instantaneous. At the Inquest, which was held on
Saturday, a verdict of " Accidentally shot^ was returned.

JusricsieJoirricl.—At the Hythe Petty Sessions,
January 31, before Messrs. EL P. K. Holloway and Z. N.
Hervey, • young man named Joseph Watson Boles was
charged with being Un the premises of Mrs. Hodeldneen, at
Penned-ley, for en unlawful purpo a. The gardener. James
Heath, mated that on Wednesdayevening, about ball-past
eleven o'clock, the dogs made a noses, and he got out of bed
and looked out of the window. Re law the primmer, who
was in the yard betweee the stable and Me dwelling-beams,
go to a little dog and endeavour to quiet it. He celled and
said to him, " Who's that?' to which he made no answer,
and attempted to rue away. Witness told him to stop. at
the same time threatening to shoot him, and primmer did so.
He awoke his fellow-servant,whosecured prisoner, sod they
kept him in the home all night. He bed his boots and
mocking, an
hi* arm, aid was given into
UN custody of the pollee that morning. Prisoner
was seetenced to three mouths' imprisonment with
bard labour. The Seissibury Journal says—" The
young ism to wham such ' moth justice' has bees admi-
nistered, is a member of • highly-respectable family living
in Salisbury, and has beet ter several yeon • clerk at the
Wilts sod Dorset Beak, in that city. He has lately shown
symptoms of shematios of intellest, and has tees twice
placed in • lunatic asylum. He is, however, a person of
irreproachable character, and we do net for a moment
believe that he was on the premises in queetion with • felo-
Dim.", intent. We certainly de think that the beech ought
to have made some inquiries respectiog Mr. Beer's character
and connexioes before they committed him to prism for
three months with hard labour. We understand that the
cam is shout to be laid before Sir George Grey, her Ma-
jesty'. Secretary for the Home Departmeet, with the view
of obtaining a remission of the seetenos."
ACTION TO BACOT= TIM VALLI OT A LOST 60/.
Bane Nora—Oe the 4th of October last Mr. Edward
Knight, tall yen contractor, Manchester, lost from his
pocket a beaker's draft and • eft Mask of Englaid sae. lie
gave information to the police, and on the 4th of October
advertised the loss. Notice was also given to the bank.
the 16th of October it was paid Into the Branch of the Bank of
England et Manchester, end was afterwards traced to the
aWakfrirere Hotel, whets it had hem paid by Mr. W. Platte.
Mr. Platte was usable to say where he obtained it, and
enhememtly is action was Imenght against him in the
&Weed Osenty Court by Mr. Knight. The cam he. been
from time to time to gave Mr. Matta au og = ro,'" VI tracteethe sane' "Memo he obtained the eme• hot
blifitillelati• to do so the meet yesterday gave la lament
4sn plialiff—amoyes 001. and cask.

Ilie •rprel4.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Averlisamento intended for " The Express" London Evening
must be et the °dice, 10, BOUVOTIO-Illeti, by Two
Ayes
on the day of publication.

COVENT GAII.DEI!.

TIM EN-rasa— Listlimel-MAHITTNA. Misses A. Riles sfl
8. Pyne Mem', Weiss, Patel, Coot, loose, and W. Harrison.—
Mid HARLEQUIN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.—Condactor,
Yr. A. Mellon.—Counnenos 'Alan iitsatos to 7.

HAYYAZKIT.

Tan WINING. OUR AIIiRICAN 66URLN. Mama Mother')
mad Beekstome ; /dm R. Fltzwlllass.—RAßßlLAS MINOS OF
ABYSSINIA. Mr. Compton mad Mho L. Issamy.—And OUR
MARY ANN& Re. Clark mad Ws Ilarfleur.

YRINCEMY&
TRH ilrintllo. LAW v. LOVE.—ONE GOOD TURN rloll2,Vgg
ANOTHICIL Mr. R. Darby and MIN Amy Bedgrlck. - And
JIQURT WITH THE TUFT ; or, Harlequin snd Harbor Myron.
Mama Milano, R. Power, and Ha/ford; Mini A. Col/Loam.

.I.YCZUI

TN! it 1311116), A SIIDDin ThaCE. Venn Wl•ldleorab,
Garden, and Shore Mir Henna° and MI% Lee. - And THE
DI7K KS MOTTO. Hearn Pechter, G. Plaine, Brougham, and
Raymond Mara C. Leclerc% K. Terry, and Illororthy.

BRITANNIA.
Ti EVENING, the Pantomime, ABON HASSAN. Mrs. Lime :
Maws. Evans, Louis, Newham, and Mdllalltephan ; Tom Sayers
and his two ]tales—THE CIRCLET OF GOLD. Miss Sophy
Mlles—And MARY EDMONeTONE.—Ccemseace at hall-put &

ZION WArn AT LONDON =IDOL
TM DAT —Yoram
104.0660w-416ia16R. AL las....Allirassis. 677.

LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10.

This inorning the candidates for the vacant seat
for Cambridge are to be nominated, and a hardly
fought battle is expected to-morrow at the poll-
booth. From what has been said and written on
the spot, we fear that the Liberal party in the
borough is not animated by the spirit of union
which is necessary to success. Divisions of old
date have been prolonged to the present time. In
consequence of these, Colonel ADAIR, who was
the Liberal candidate three weeks ago, has
withdrawn from the field, and his more im-
mediate friends in the constituency are so
offended that some of them have publicly de-
clared their intention to take no part in the
election. We hope we may without presumption
appeal to these gentlemen to reconsider that
resolution. Without question, their views extend
beyond the range of their constituency, and take
in the interests of the whole country. Let them,
then, considerwhat would be the consequence if their
conduct should be generally approved and imitated,
and if it were held that a section of the Liberal
party in a closely balanced constituency is
justified in withdrawing from the field on the eve
of a contest. There are a great many towns
where the Liberal party can only hope to carry
the election of a candidate by compromises in
which not only personal considerations but che-
rished political objects must be surrendered ;
and • false resolution in so conspicuous a
constituency as that of Cambridge may
produce the worst effects. Only one
Liberal candidate is before the electors. Mr.
Fawcwrr is a gentleman who would do credit
to the constituency, and we believe that no per-
sonal objection is made to him. If any Cam-
bridge Liberal is reluctant to vote for him,
it is because of the manner in which he was
brought forward. Even in this respect we do not
gather that Mr. Fawcwrr has been to blame.
Every Englishman understands and sympathizes
with resistance to what has the appearance of
dictation ; but if Mr. Faworrr was originally
brought forward by a section of the electors, he is
not the man to become the instrument of a clique,
and is in every respect anxious to serve the united
Party-

We do not presume to judge of the sufficiency of
the reasons which led Colonel ADaIR to retire, but
we cannot be wrong in supposing that ho did so
with the wish of uniting the liberal party in the
borough. But if any colloid' arable portion of his
friends abstain from the election, the very evil
which he sought to remove by withdrawing will
happen. We must trust to the public spirit of
those gentlemen to avert this consequence. Their
situation is one for the display of • magnanimous
temper.

A PARAGRAPH in the Notices of Motion printed
in our summary of Parliamentary Business yester-
day discloses a little corner of Mr. GLADSTONE'S
forthcoming Budget. The duties on Tobacco and
Snuff are to be reduced. At present these duties
yield nearly one-fourth (5,604,03210 of the total
revenue (24,000,0004) derived from Customs
Duties. Our financiers have always treated these
luxuries as articles which they were warranted in
taxing as heavily as possible, without that tender
regard for the intermits of the consumer which is
just when duties on articles of neceasi4, such as
sugar and tea hare become, are in question. Accord-
ingly a customs duty of 3s. 10. per lb., equal to
900 per cent. on the value, is levied on unmana-
lectured tobacco, and a &Ay of 9s. 50. per lb.
on imported cigars and snuff.
An agitation for a reduction of these duties in
the interest of the consumer is perhaps what no-
body would think of attempting. Not but that
there is a great deal to be said of injustice and in-
equality in the levying of the tax on various
classes of the community, since the real Ilavannah
and the cheap and nasty cigar, the one worth a
shilling, the other ten or eleven shillings per lb.,
pay the same duty. However, we do not
expect to hear the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
proposing a reduction of the duties in committeeon
these grounds. We rather anticipate that, like his
predecessors, he will consider it right to levy as
large an amount of duty as he can from tobacco,
and will recommend a reduction of the rate as a
protection to the revenue, and indeed as a means
of increasing it. Mr. GLADSTONE proposes to
reduce the duty on foreign cigars from 95. 50. to
ss. per lb., and on snuff from 9s; 50. to 3e. pre
lb., while other manufactured tobacco is to pay 48.
He further proposes that "unmanufactured tobacco
" warehoused in any warehouse approved for
" security of duties of Customs may, in such ware-
" house, be manufactured or converted into the
" articles denominated Cavendish or Negrobead
" tobacco ; and upon every pound thereof pro-
" duoed by such manufacture or conversion there
" shall be charged and paid on the delivery thereof
" for home consumption the Customs duty of
" 3s. Bd." Some change in this direction