The Press.
London, England, 1854-03-04 00:00:00

Obituarg.

JOHN MARTIN, the celebrated painter, died a few
days since. This artist was a Northumbrian by
birth, having first seen the light at Haydon-bridge.
His brother, the " Natural Philosopher," was born at
Tow-house, near Haltwhistle ; while his equally
notorious relative, the incendiary of York Minster,
was born at High-house, near Hexham. His parent-
age was humble, his lather having taught the small
sword and single-stick at the Chancellor's Head in
Newcastle ; but the deceased artist overcame the
difficulties of his early position in life in a manner
peculiar to great geniuses, and stood for a great num-
ber of years at the head f the historical painters of
the age. Martin was a Knight of the Order of Leo-
pold of Austria.
DR. Ric:mums, Rector of Exeter College, in Ox-
ford University, who has long been in a declining
state of health, expired on Monday last at Bonchurch,
in the Isle of Wight. The deceased was a man of
very amiable character, and universally beloved and
respected. In the university he was marked by the
soundness of his judgment, his general affability,
and the discretion he displayed on several trying
occasions. As head of his college he was indefatiga-
ble in his care of its discipline as well as its interests ;
and both at Bisphy and at Kidlington, where his paro-
chial duties were exercised, he leaves behind him
the character of a most exemplary clergyman. Dr.
Richards was the son of the Rev. Joseph Richards,
of Tamerton, Devonshire. He entered as a com-
moner of Exeter College in October, 1815, being
then seventeen years of age. He was elected fellow
of his college, and became tutor and sub-rector. In
1835 he left college, having taken the rectory of
Bisphy, Herts, whence he was recalled to be rector
in 1838, select preacher in 1853, and a delegate of
accounts in the university. In 1828 he filled the
office of Public Examiner, and was one of the chap-
lains of his Royal Highness Prince Albert.

THE total number of acres of hops under cultivation in
England and Wales in the year 1853 was 49,387}, the duty
on the produce of which amounted to 277,824 i., and of this
37,951 lbs. were exported to foreign countries. During
the same year there were 42,315 cwt. of foreign hops im•
ported into, and 1,695 cwt. exported from, the United
Kingdom.

MARCH 4, 1854.

along Varlitt nb Qtit

FamiT EVENING.
TUE prevailing topic of conversation in the City is
the forthcoming financial statement of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, and a fervent prayer is offered up
by many an anxious capitalist that the present
budget may not be so signal a failure as the last.
The general impression is that the increased ex
penditure of the year will be met by increasing the
property and income tax from 7d. to Is. in the
pound ; and, in the event of that not proving sum
cient, the deficiency to be met by an issue of Exche-
quer Bills.
We think Mr. Gladstone will adopt this course
rather than resort to a loan, because a loan, which
certainly would not be taken above 90, would prove
how lamentably deficient in foresight were the finan-
cial operations of last year ; and even the most enthu-
siastic admirer of Mr. Gladstone's financial genius
would be somewhat staggered if in the same budget
he was to announce that he had paid off South Sea
Three per Cents. at 100 in January and March, but
that in April he required a loan, chiefly rendered
necessary by this operation, in Three per Cents.
at 90.

Nothing can be sounder than the present state of
the Money Market. Money stock, notwithstanding
some large sales, this week continues very scarce,
and 1-16th premium is still given to obtain stock
for immediate delivery, which shows that the demand
greatly exceeds the supply ; and we may meltion
another fact in corroboration of this, that a large
sum has been raised on Reduced Three per Cents.
from the present time till the middle of April at
1 per cent.
Exchequer Bills, notwithstanding some sales on
the part of the Bank, supposed to be for Government
account, remain at 17 to 20 premium.
Money in the Discount Market continues abun-
dant at 4 to 41 per cent., notwithstanding the de-
mand which usually exists to meet bills falling due
the 4th of the month, and the payments this
month are more than usually heavy.

Very little business has been transacted in the
English funds during the week, and fluctuations
have been but trifling, the highest price of Consols
having been 911, and the lowest 91. They close
this afternoon 911 to for account, and 911 buyers
for money. There has been rather a larger supply
of money stock to day. Exchequer Bills, 16 to 19.
The exchanges are rather flatter.