The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-20 00:00:00

THE CORN TRADE.

preassst.)
BRITISH.
The weath(Ferrohmarthefolfrasrokin-kineda7s been of the
moot unfavourable character: heavy rain has fallen in all
parts of the kingdom, and a complete atop has been put to
harvest opeestions. may be the result of this un-
toward state of things it is fearful to cont.enplate. The
quantity of corn still abroad in the fields is considerable.
and there is reason to fear that a large portion of the spline-
sown wheat will never be properly matured. Should this
unfortunately prove the ease, the deficiency would be much
more serious than we had previously estimated, aid the
prospects for the future aro certainly of the most gloomy
nature. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising
that the depression which was caused by the large arrival
of foreign wheat last week should have proved but transi-
tory, more especially so the demand fur wheat for ship-
ment to France—which was checked by the steps taken by
the government of that country about a fortnight ago,
in regard to the price of bread in Paris—has again revived.
We are not in the habit of taking extreme views, indeed
we have been frequently accused of an excess of caution
but in the present instance our readers will acknowledge
that we have for months past pointed out the probability of
a high range of prices for wheat. This we were induced to
do solely on account of the knowledge of the smallness of
the breadth under culture, and the generally inauspicious
nature of the sections. What has sine', occurred could not
be foreseen. That a large portion of the crop should he in-
jured by rain, and rennin in the fields in the middle of Sep-
tember, has greatly added to our difficulties; and it is now
aimed impossible to fix a limit to the
upward movement in
prices If Great Britain had alone been visited by a bad
h t, the effect on prices would probably not have been
important: but, unfortunately, the seasons have been
much the some over the greater part of Europe. The
countries which in ordinary years would have been
enabled to have afforded us supplies are themselves in
want of assistance and so apprehensive have many of
the foreign governments hc.tome of dearth, that the laws
regulating the importation and exportation have been
elteied resuietinns on imports have been relaxed or wholly
withdrawn, and exports have been prohibited. Great
Britain, France, Reiland, Italy, &e., all require supplies.
In the countries bordered by the Baltic, stocks of old wheat
are either exhausted or reduced into a very narrow c,im-
pus, and supplies of the new crop cannot be available in
quantity before the spring of next year. The rye harvest
has turned out badly all over the north of Europe, and the
potato disease is very prevalent; the consumption of wheat
will therefore he greater than usual, and there will be less
to spare for expert. Under these eircamatances, it is evi-
dent that what is left of the produce of last year, and the
small quantity of new which may come forward at the
different Baltic ports before winter sets in, will be quickly
absorbed by buyers from the different countries requiring
supplies, and it is to be feared that our share of the same
will not be very large, as France bas for some time past
outbid the English purchasers. The next quarter to which
we naturally turn iu this emergency is the Black Sea.
Here, again, difficulties meet us.
In a circular recently published by a gentleman largely
engaged in the Levant trade, and to whom we have fre-
quently been indebted for useful statistical information, it
is stated that, during the month coding 26th August, 127
vessels wheat-laden cleared out for different ports, of
which oily 'J were destined for England ; whilst of
shipments made in the corresponding period of last year—
about the same in extent—three-fourths of the total num-
ber of ships were for British ports. This proves that the
quantity of wheat on passage from thence cannot be large.
'file obstruction to the navigation at the mouth of the
Danube wilt prevent arrivals from (Matz; and, looking
at the imminent peril of war breaking out between Russia
and Turkey, it would certainty not be safe to calculate
on anything like the supplies we usually receive from
the east. It appears, therefore, that we shall have to
depend mainiy fur our supply of breadstuff+ on the United
States and Canada. Previous experience has proved
that America cannot, as a general rule, export largely,
unless prices in Europe are sufficiently high to cover the
expenses of conveying the grain from a great distance in
the interior to the seaboard. Whether present rates will
suffice for this may be questioned; but allowing that this
be the case, we are inclined to think that all that country
can spare will prove inadequate to stop the upward move-
ment in the British and French markets. The position of
this country is therefore, in truth, such as to warrant the
remark we have made in the foregoing part of the present
article, viz , that it is difficult to fix a limit to the advance
which may take place in the value of wheat. Fine weather
fur securing the remainder of the outstanding crops, and
an amicable arrangement of the eastern question, might
give a somewhat better complexion to affiirs ; but looking
at matters as they now tiered, there is reason to apprehend
that a large portion of the population will, during the
eosuirg winter, Lave to suffer from scarcity, and consequent
high prices of food.
The arrivals of wheat coastwise into the port of London
have been small, only 3,713 qrs. having been reported
during the week ending this (Saturday) evening. Mean-
while but little has been brought forward by land-carriure
fent' the neighbouring counties. There was a better feel-
ing on Wednesday than in the beginning of the week, and
previous terms were exceeded by about ls. per qr. On
Friday there was an animated demand, and the few luta ex-
hibited on the Essex and Kent stands were easily placed at
an advance of 2s. to 31. per qr. on the currency of Monday.
The new wheat which has appeared the last week or two
has come to hand in very indifferent condition ; fine qualities
have consequently commanded relatively higher terms than
the commoner descriptions. Though fair supplies of o heat
have reached us from abroad, via., 32,068 qrs., there has
been no pressure to sell from on board. Is considerable
proportion of the late liberal arrival from the Baltio was
imported by the millers, and has not appeared on the
market at all
.; a good many cargoes have besides been with-
drawn, holders being of opinion that they may do better by
waiting than selling at present prices. There has cease-
quently been no anxiety to realise, and the demand having
increased in activity, prices have undergone a marked im-
provement. The sales made on Wednesday were at prices
Is. to 2s. per qr. above those previously current; and on
Friday a large business was done at an advance of about 31.
per qr. on the rates at which purchases insight have been
made in the commencement of the week. Floating cargoes
have been a good deal inquired for, and though the very
high pretensions of sellers have prevented extensive traits-
actions there has been more doing than lot week. For a
cargo of Marianopoli wheat the very high price of GOs. 6d.
per qr., cost and freight, was paid on Friday. Geist: (out
of condition) has been sold at 465.; Ohirka at prices
ranging from 655. up to 695., and for Egyptian Beide wl.eat
41s. to 42a. per qr., coot and freight, has been paid.
The sale fur town-made flour has been mere active this
week than on any previous occasion since the top price was
advanced to 60a. per sack. The quantity of country flour
offered for sale has been small, and for fresh households Is.
to 3s. per sack more was paid on Friday than could have
been realised on Monday. We have had no arrivals as yet
from America ; good supplies may, however, be calculated
on from thence so soon as an interval of westerly winds shall
have been experienced. The market at the moment is
very bee of the article, and prices were about Is. per brL
higher at the close than in the beginning of the week.
Hardly a sample of English bailey has appeared at mar-
ket since Monday, and the terms then current have been
fully supported. The arrivals of this grail from abroad
have been very small, and the stack in warehouse has been
reduced into a small compass. Fine heavy Baltic barley
was certainly rather dearer on Friday, and other sorts
could scarcely be bought on as my terms as earlier in the
week.

Malt wu more sought after, and was about Is. per qr.
dearer.

The arrival. of oats coastwise and from Ireland have been
perfectly insignificant, and from abroad the supply has not
been by any means abundant. The greater part of the late
large Russian arrival has already disappeared, and sellers
have this week exhibited great firmness, while the dealers
have shown more inclination to add to their stocks. On
Wednesday a good business was done at an advance of 6d.
per qr., and on Friday a further rise to* about the t►me ex-
tent was established, fair qualities of Archangel being on
the latter occasion held at 265. Gd. per qr. . .

Beans have not excited much attention, but where sales
have been made very full terms have been realised.
The few lots of new peas which have come forward have
commandelextretneterms..
_ _ _

There hu been ► lively demand for Indian corn afloat.
and prices bare risen 6d. to is. per qr.

FOREIGN:

By the most recently received advice% from the Baltic,
it appears that quotations had not varied materially since
the preceding week, the dull English accounts of the
9th and 12th inst. having had a tranquillising effect.
The weather tad been changeable, and ha opera-
tions had been much impeded. The yield of the wheat
crop is generally described as deficient, and rye via',
I awing to the shortness of the produce, bringing very high
prices.
Letters from Danzig, of the 12th inst., speak very badly
of the harvest in that neighbourhood a considerable
proportion of the wheat crop would not, it was feared, be
suitable for the manufacturer of flour; the samples
brought forward hail for the most part been very inferior,
of light weight, and much sprouted; for new of 545. to
55 lbs. weight, equal to 445. to 455. per qr. had been paid,
whilst for the finer kinds, weighing 591bs. per bush., 62a.
yr) ne ro
te qr.d ctadodbe. etn.
6rea
241i6sedd freorrqrseefrole;e
ofinnebnearldd.wheat was
From Konigsberg we learn, under date of Tuesday last,
that the potato disease bad been very destructive in that
neighbourhood, and it was the prevailing opinion that the
yield would not exceed one-fourth of a crop. The grain
crops had also given a poor acturu, and the new wheat was
coming to hand in very bad condition. Only • small por-
tion of the wheat of this year's growtk would, it was
thought, boot suitable quality to allow of its being shipped ;
some parcels had appeared weighing only 451bs. per bushels
so damp and sprouted as to be unfit for human food. Fine
qualities of old were scarce and dear; superior high mixed
was quoted 595. Bd. to 603. W.; fair mixed, 555. to 563.6 d.;
and red, 5.55. to 555. 6d. per qr. free on board. Freights
were high, and 6s. per qr. had been paid for east coast of
Great Britain. _

At Stettin, on Tuesday, the wheat trade was quiet,
owi g to the less favourable accounts from hence, a falling
off in the French demand, and an improvement in the
weather. Good qualities of red wheat were, however, Etill

held at gnat to 434. per qr. free on board. Freight to
London was ae. 91 to 6e. per qr. for wheat.
From ltustock we learn that stocks of old wheat hail beer.
nearly exhausted, and little new having come forward, ttie
transactions had necessarily been unimportant. In this
position of affair., quotation. could nat be given with any
degree of accuracy.
The advices trona the other lower Saki,: ports arc of a
similar character, and it is clear that no sup;.lies of 1:04$11-
qaeace can in the first instance be expectest from thence.
Hamburg letters of Tuesday inform us stint though the
demand tor wheat fur shipuavnt to France and England had
alaekseed, holders had manifested great firmness, and pre•
sinus prices had been firmly maintained. Foe ulnas. Up-
land 625., and ter eu,.bs. Wehren 634. 3d. per qr. free on
board had been paid. A contract Lad alsa been closed fur
61165. holstein wheat, to be shipped in spring at 561. W. per
qr. free on board. II irley bad been .0 lively request, at
enhanced terms, and for 40Ibs. Daniell oats his. VI. per qr.
free on hoard had been paid.
The advises from Holland are not of so lively a character
as last week, and at Rotterdam, on Flonday, wheat was
rather easier to buy than on that day week. the weather,
which had previously been wet, bad ireproved, which, to-
gether with the quiet tone al the Eughsla advoes, had
rendered when more tractable.
From France we learn that the excitement which had re-
alm] • check the week before, had become as great as
ever, and prices both nf wheat and fluor ruse materially
on Wedscoday is the Paris market.
From the MesSiterrenean we have nothing new to com-
From the Mack Sea ports the advises are of a more sub-
dued tone than of Ist?, and at °deem, en the sth
bo:h wheat and rye might have bets bought on easier terms
than on that day week.
Übe latest accounts from .trecrice state that the harvest
was being well secured, Lut Page purchases of wheat and
ft our having been male at New York, &e., on French and
English account, prices had risen.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, OR IGNO-
RANCE TILE PROMOTER OF PANICS.

(From the Circ./or ei armiers.)
There are some of our present subscribers who, in
former times, were accustomed to look to the pages of the
Circular tor information respecting the crops at the gather-
ing in of the harvest in each year. Such information was
sure to meet with more than urdinary attentian, whenever
the uncertain state of the weather was likely to produce •
deficiency in quantity, and an interim-it, Jo the queliti of
the crops. V. a have discontinued the practice of making
such statements in our publication, because we have felt
that at best, any statements founded upon the mere personal
know ledge of all individush.were vague and incomplete;and
must fall far short of the required information to guide
us in times of • deficient harvest ; this detect
does not arise so much from this incapacity of an indi-
vidual to judge of tl.e nature of crops and the quality
of the grain, as from the very limited field over which
his judgment can be exercised. It is from having taken
this view of the question that we have continually pressed
upon the government, publicly and privately, the necessity
of taking an accurate •y ut the extent of land actually
under cultivation, and the nature of the crops grown upon
it, in mit county in the Cait(d kingdom. In doing this
we hue felt that we have aimed at placing the practice of
agriculture upon a much more elevated foundation, and of
removing it from these vague end unnecesaary generalities
which have so len been associated with its pursuits. We
are now arrived at another peried when, if there be not an
absolute famine, then) is beyond all dispute • very great defi-
ciency in the yi .1.1 of grain, if not in the extent of land under
cultivation. Lut we are as far off as ever from any data by
which we can arrive at any accurate knowledge of either one
Of the other of these facts. And though we have hitherto
tailed in establishing anything beyond the mere admission
that it would be a very desirable thing to hive an acceratesur-
wry of the extent and description of grain we actually grow ;
yet we praceed from one famine to another without making
• single step in advance upon so important a branch of
social knowledge. We may, however, hope that the cit-
cumstanees by which we are surrounded at the present
time will give strength to the remsrke which we have so
frequently made upon this subject. If any argument were
required to prove the utter uselessness of the opinions of
men whose ezyerienes gives considerable weight to what
they advance, it will be found in the extraordinary
discrepancy in their estimates of the deficiency of the pre-
sent harvest, and the probable supplies we shill require to
meet that deficiency. We find that some writers talk of
eighteen million quarters of grain; and one writer con-
fidently asJerts—" this country aill certainly require an im-
portation of eighteen million quarters of wheat between the
harvests Ittli and ISA."

But on what basis an estimate of 18 million quarters of
wheat can be made, we are wholly at a loss to conceive.
We believe our requirements in 1847 were nearer than any
tear by which we can approach a fairestimate, as we stated
last week with regard to the cost of grain. Our imports of
wheat in that year amounted to' ,630,090 quarters, and of
flour to 6,326,024 cwts. ; snaking a total of 4,438,096
quarters.
The quantity entered for consumption was 2,831,893
quarters of wheat, and 6.810,843 ewts. of altar, being equi-
valent to 4;97,891 quarters. Now, if in the year 1817
less than five million quarters of wheat and flout were im-
ported, and were semcieat to reduce the prices from
102 s. 3d. per quarter in May to 495. 6d. • quarter in Sep-
tember, must not the estimated demand fur 18 million
quarters of wheat, or even 10 millione, be • most exag-
gerated one, and founded neither en reason nor analogy ?
We cannot be therefore surprised that bankers and
merchants should be panic-stricken when they ilnd state-
ments such as these put forward by respectable autho-
rities. But we ask why the country should be
'surfer the necessity of depending upon such con-
tradictory and alarming statements, and especially in
concurrence with other difficulties, when we have the
means of arriving at the facts of the cue ? We find upon
no
-other s&sject so many persons desirous ;of establishing
an opinion of their own as upon the abundance or defi-
ciency of the harvest. But the supply of food for a great
nation should be kno en with as much accuracy as the esti-1
mates of the revenue and exnditure. We are accus-
tomed to regard with no small pe degree of censure thou we
denominate " speculators in grain." But why are their
speculations frequently curried to such an extent that ruin-
ous consequences ensue? The reply is simply, because
they donut know what we grow ; and they therefore know
not what we ought to import. We have been told by some
of the largest importers of foreign grain, that nothing
would be so valuable to them as the collection
of agricultural statistics at a proper period, on which
they could rely for the extent of land under cultivation, of
cacti kind of grain ; the yield being easily determined with
sufficient accuracy. It is well known that no article of
daily consumption is so soon reduced in price u wheat,
when the supply is in excess of the demand. But when
one authority tells us nest we require ten millions of quar-
ters, end another eighteen millions, to meet our demands,in
the coming year, who can regulate his transactions with
safety ? Ihe consequence is that bankers, merchants,
agriculturists, end the public, all run the risk of suffering
from this system of groping in the dark. This is an
age of facts with regard to science, why not with
regard to agriculture ? It is mere childishness to
tell us we cannot reckon tho acre. a men tills,
if we can discover Low many windows there arc in the
country. We believe that we have failed in acquiring this
information, because a set of theorists have demanded too
much for the goverment to accomplish, and by burthening
the fanner with too many details. We would recommend
that every occupier of land should simply give Lis risme,
•41..ress, the quantity of land he occupies, and the nature
of in produce. This would be requiring only what could
be done without either trouble or annoyaore. But so long
as a desire is kept up to know how many horses, bullocks,
sheep, dogs, cats, &c., are kept by the farmer, the subject is
encumbered by a variety of useless expense and trouble,
and is exposed to innumerable objections. The only reply
that hat been obtained from government respecting the
statistic/ of agriculture, has been that they are waiting to re-
ceive some plans which are being carried out in Scotland, and
that they intend to try a single county in England. We
need not say that such patching to accomplish a great so-
cial work is wholly unworthy of the government of a great
industrial community. Then as to the expense; why there
is no department of the public revenue so uselessly squan-
dered aw.,y as that which comprehends the statistics of our
trade and commerce. We bring no charge against any in-
dividual for its mismanagement. It is the system of which
we complain ; for many of these returns are renderea
wholly useless by the delay in issuing them. We may
take the agricultural statistics of Ireland as an illustration.
These ponderous volumes afford no information on the
question of grain to be used at the proper time. And if
it be intended that similar returns should be made for
England, they will be mire likely to find their way into
the butter shops than into the counting-house of the mer-
chant or corn-dealer. We think it cannot be too forcibly
impressed upon thou who are desirous to put an end to
the intolerable ignorance we are under regarding the extent
of our grain crops, that we should adopt, in the first in-
stance at least, a very simple plan—the collection of them
should be simultaneous, at a period when it would be im-
possible to give a false return, without the means of de-
tection—that they should be forwarded to one central esta-
blishment by a certain date—and made public with all pus-i
sible speed in a summary form for each county. Why
should such a mystery he made about this affair ? We will
venture to affirm that a few business men to arrange the
rehires, and a good staff of industrious clerks would have
them complete before the commencement of harvest. And
until we obtain such facts for our guidance we shall always
be compelled to trust to all sorts of vague and speculative
opinions regarding our h ts.

MELANCHOLY DEATIL—On Saturday evening Mr.
W. Cuter, cocoon for East Surrey, held an inqu, at at the
Cleveland Arms, Camber ive:l, on the body of Mrs. Catherine
Grieve, aged 67, a lady of f awn', lately residing at Douro
Cartage, Southampton-street. From the eviderr:s of the
several witnesses, it appeared that on Thursday evening
last the deceased bail been out to a party, and returned in
a partial state of intoxication. lief,re retiring to bed, she
partook of nearly a pint of Rio, besides other liquor. About
tea o'clock the manse night, a lady residing with deceased
knocked several times at the bed•rooa door, hut receiving
AO answer, entered the room, and found that she had fallen
son her face on the door. A medical gentleman was called
!a, but he pronounced her to have been dead some time,
a►sd also gave it as his opinion that her death had been
coned by suffocation, from falling on her face off the bed.
It is autawhat aiagniar that the house in which deceased
resided was sant• years past the rune of a taut awful tra-
gedy. The hawse was then wiled Catherine. cottage, and
was ishatilwil by a foreigner, who, awl' murdering three
of his ahildran, timailated his own a:detente by tatting
ble West. Viral, •" Ago:idea:a death."

SAW futellksence.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.—YEstEaDAT.

BOXIII ML CUMIII.II.IINItt Ycarvrc.
IN RE ALFRED WHALE CULE.

This insolvent, describe' as a barrister out of business,
applied to he discharged under the wet. Mr. Sargood op-
posed for Messrs. Spillman and Spence, auctioneers. lie
was supported by Mr. Cooke.
In Bad the insolvent w,.s heard under the act, and te-
e, ived judgment of eight months. lie now owed 2401.,
of which 1291. was due to the opposing creditors fur goods
to Bkif. and the residue for law expenses. Ile Imre them
an order for furniture in the early part of 1852, when he
resided at Pimlico, and the manner in which that debt was
incurred, together with the disposition of the property,
formed the pound of opposition.
appeared that Mr. Culp hadlwritten for the magazines,
and bad published a work called " The Cape and the
C,ltres," which had appeared:in " Bentley's Miscellany,"
and was afterwards printed in a volume. Ile expected to
have realised somettiug out of the work when published in
the complete form, but was informed that the copyright
was in Mr. Bentley, as it w.is printed in the magazine.
He had also a wirk cane,' " Hope," which Mr. Newby, a
bookseller, was to publiett for him, and if the whole of the
first edition was sold, be was to receive 50/. He said his
deafness l resented him from fallowing his profeson of a
barrister.

Mr. Spillman, of the firm of Spillman and Spence, auc-
tioneers, Bell-yard, was examined as to tke sale of the fur-
niture, and the insoleent's statement, that "Cape and the
Caffrey' would enshle him to pay for it. Nothing was
paid, and when the first bill was due ho found money had
been raised on it from an auctioneer.

Counsel addressed the court, and it was proposed that the
case should be adjourned to amend the special halance.sheet
Est° an advance made by the insolvent's mother on the
work " Hope," and Mr. Newby was required to attend.
The On was adjourned to Monday, and the learned com-
missioner renewed the discharge oa bail.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.-YESTERDAL
HMIS TILII RYCOTADZIL.

Joseph Legge surrendered to take his trial for misde-
meuncr.

Mr. Dearsley and Mr. Thompson prosecuted ; Mr. Itibton
appeared for the defendant.
The circumstances under which the present charge was
preferred were fully detailed upon the trial of the de-
tend.uit two Sr three sessions ago, upon which occasion he
was convicted, but judgment was afterwards respited upon
a technical objection taken by Mr. Ballantine, who then ap-
peared for the defendant, to the form of the indictment.
The defendant, it will he remembered, carried on, in part.
nership with his brother, the business of an upholsterer at
Pimlico, anti open their becoming bankrupts their debts to
different creditors amounted to 1,3001. and upwards. They
appeared to bays bad little or no capital when they com-
menced business, and upon the creditors causing an inquiry
to he ina.ie it was ascertained that a very large quan-
tity .of property had been removed to a house in York-
place, Southampton, which was occupied by a person who
went by the name of Marshall, and upon the defendant
being examined at the Bankruptcy Court, after having
made the usual declaration required by the statute, he
stated in his examination that this Marshall was a person
whom he had only known fur a abort period, and that ho
was a speculator and hod advanced him money at different
times upon the security of the furniture that had been
placed in his possessi It turned out, however, that
Marshall was the father of the defendant, end there ap-
peared to be no doubt that the property had been placed in
the house at Southampton wit► the object of ultimately de-
frauding the creditors of it. In a second examination of
the defendant he admitted that what he had before stated
was false, and that Marsh .11, the person referred to, was in
reality Samuel Marshall Legge, his own father, an:. upon
this the present indictment was preferred against the defen-
dant, fur having wilfully and corruptly made a false
statement before the Cuent of Bankruptcy, by which lie
incurred the penalties of the crime of perjury.
The jury wiC.out any hesitation returned a verdict of
Gallty, and the dsfendout was sentenced to be imprisoned
and kept to bard labour for 12 months.