The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-28 00:00:00

104 THE BRITD

• • t
1
-.T.
said that there was a large mass of inert opposition to the
Catholic claims, aad that the conduct of the Association
woe calculated to rouse the indifferent to hostility. If any
doubt masted as to the correctness of the Right Honourable
Secretary's ISlCtiiol3, it must now be removed. All the
attraction resulting from the well-known eloquence of the
r speakers, and the peculiar novelty of the occasion, felled in
ollestriog together f.:l numerous an assemblage as we havvi'
no collected in the same Hall at the anniversary meetings
`'dicey charitable societies. No proof can be more posi-
tive that the Association has dons injury to the cause it
professed to support.

The apprehensions of the moneyed capitalist, arising from
Loan ELDON'S menaced introduction of his Jot NT STOCK
COItrANY BILL, appears to have subsided. It seems to be
i very generally believed, that his Lordship, finding, on
more mature consideration, that be is likely to encounter
'Stirs 'arguments than he is prepared to answer, and more
alipllation than he should be able to overcome, will either
~Bits Bill altogether, or so pare it down from its
`llll‘llllllilients as te reader it a thing of very harmless
11P001106 There may be other causes which make it
millet of prudence in the'Learned Lord not to follow up
bis proclamation ; but with these we have no concern. In
polities, there are more truths lie hidden at the bottom
of the well, thau-it would be advisable to pump up, even
supposing we could bring them to the surface.
The various Companies .bat have been recently este-
Wished, End-which appear a be on the increase, have bees
fearfully described by souse as introducing a destructive.'
system of asenopoiy--a system ruinous to all small eap4,
who mutt soon find it impossible to bear up again*
such wealthy and overwhelming combinations. It hawk
here,as it happens on many other subjects, that thaw*
just enough of truth in the general principle to mislaid ue
'as to its particular application. That monopoly, abstract-
edly considered, is bad, there is no doubt. But a mono-
poll. may arise out of an infinite variety of causes; and
whether it is wise a politic to remove those calms is
a question which must be governed by the examination of
those MISES In each particular case. For instance: sup-
pose the Crown were to grant a charter to five or six in-
dividuals, forming them into a Company, and investing
than with an exclusive privilege' to trade in Iron, and
prohibiting all other persons, under severe penalties, from
dealing in this article, and all manufacturers from sup-
plyrng then,selves from any other than the said chartered
company: the iniquity of such a charter is manifest;
and the fruitful source of fraud and extortion, which it
would necessarily become, is equally clear; but the remedy
for all the evils arising out of such a monopoly would be the
repeal of the charter. But suppose a monopoly, as perni-
cious in its effect, or very nearly so, to arise from a very dif-
ferent cause; viz. an abundance of capitnl:—or without cir-
cuitously supposing the cue, let us look to it as it actually
and at this moment exists. The trade in Iron is engrossed
by about five houses—not unjustly we admit, nor in any
way unfairly—but solely from poor adventurers being
deterred by the circumstances of its requiring so large a
capital, and the great risk incurred in the purchase of
. mining ground—in short, from the immense demand of
capital, and from the dangers that waylay that capital
before it can be successfully, or even safely, embarked.
It is clear that the monopoly thus becomes almost as
secure to its possessors as if it were exercised under a
shatter. They are equally in a condition to take advan-
tage of the wants of the manufacturers; they may be

sparing of their supplies, that by the competition of pur-
chasers the price may be enhanced; they may resort, in
fact, to all the means which ender a monopoly may be
practised to command exorbitant profits. But where is
the remedy in this case? There is no charter to be re-
pealed--here is nothing illegal that can be suppressed—
here is no combination that either can or ought to be put
down. In ordinary cases the remedy would be at hand.
Others would withdraw their capital from a business in
which it was less productively employed, and transfer it
to the iron trade. But, for the reasons above adverted to,
this cannot be done; the capital required is too large, and
the risk of transfer too great. It is in this state of things
that a JOINT STOCK COMPANY IS formed; and we ac-
cordingly fine a BRITISH brow COMPANY established, with
a capital of two milions sterling, the whole of which, we
understand, will probably be in full employment within
two years. Suppose the Lord CHANCELLOR had intro-
duced a Bill throwing embarrassments in the way of such
an establishment, by requiring, that in the first place,
according to the Order of Me House of Lords—an order
by the way at this moment in force--thatfour-filthr of the
capital shall be paid up, without which no Joint Stock
Company shall have the sanction of that House. If, we
say, such a Company as this had been defeated at the out-
set, by the pre-requisites thrown in the way of it by the
unwise and unwarrantable interference of Lord ELDON,
what could have compensated to the country for the evil
it would have occasioned? We select this instance to
show, that a JOINT STOCK COMPANY, far in some in-
stances from establishing a monopoly, may be the only
expedient for putting it down : that in the great com-
mercial concerns of this wealthy kingdom, in which a
single 'aided can now employ a capital which the revenue
of the .Forereign formerly could not command, Ilfono-
polies, as many of them exist at present, can only be
counteracted by a contributive fund, commanding still
greater resources, and which, by its vast reserved capital,
can sustain without injury any incidental losses it may
have to encounter at the outset, but which would have
sink the means of any individual competitor, and involved
him in irretrievable ruin.
Iron—an article of indispensable necessity, and which
enters largely into the consumption of every manufacture of
machinery, of mechanism, and of ail the leading branches
of productive labour—has risen from sis pounds per ton
to seventeen ! How much the substantial prosperity of the
nation is at this moment impeded by this monopoly price
can scarcely enter the conception of those who are not
familiar with the subject. The spirit of enterprise is
every where checked—wherever the consumption of iron
forms a leading expense in any new undertaking, that un-
dertaknig is abandoned—unexecuted orders are counter-
manded--projects of the greatest public utility, to which this
article is essential, are standing still ; they cannot possibly
be proceeded in with any hope of profit ; they must be
either suspended at a great loss, or wholly given up. In
many instances this article cannot be had at any price.
The opening of our markets has put the spirit of specu-
lation every where on the alert; it has occasioned a pres-
sing demand for machinery, and consequently a sudden
and extensive demand for iron ; and as this extraordinary
demand cannot be Met by a commensurate sapid!, it is met
by a rise of price. A Company can effect that which any
man, singly, however opulent he might be, could not
rationally attempt. They can draw forth the spirit of
enterpri..r; they can furnish adequate resources to meet
the conflict; and by bringing the produce of new iron
mines into the market, can break up the existing monopoly,
and bring down the price of the article to its natural
level. The few who engross this trade have long placed
all competition at a hopeless distance ; but we rejoice in the
prospect that the manufacturers will be shortly relieved
from the prevent unnatural state of the market, and the
country from all the evils which follow in the train of it.

FRENCH CHAMBER OF DEPUTIESi.
After a great number of petitions had been reported, the ad. '
jourtied debate on the Indemnity Law was resumed.
The PRESIDENT stated, these 17 aIDendINIONS had been rd.
posed on the Stet article, fourteen of which hed been printed, the
other three had only just been put into his hands. Among others,
he said there wits en amendment which, in his epinion, was
altogether a new law ; and he would not submit it to the Chamber
for discussion without its express commands. Its purport was, to
give the present proprietors of the national estates 30 millions of
renter, on a capital of 1,000 trillions, as an indemnity tor the
estates which they were, upon these conditions, to give up to the
old proprietors.
M. de COVPIONT, the mover of this amendment, said, that it
was suggested to him, by the positive conviction he had that the
august author of the Charts had oetin thought separated the 9th
and 100 a articles, and that if he considered it politic to legalise
the sale of the national estates, he would only have Bore so from a
motive of public utility. lie (11. de Couptgny) was of opinion
that the present Sovereign could in his turn dispossess the actual
proprietors, by the previsions of the 10th article of the Charta, in
consideration of a previous indemnity, with to restore the estates to
the emigrants who had only be plundered of them for following the
standards of legitimacy. Besides, what he proposed had no other
object than to induce those who had bought estates at a low price,
and had enjoyed them for thirty Tears, to otter to the emigrants
a compensation for their estates. "'hat was the sole object of his
propdsition.
Without any further discussion, this amendment was rejected
unanimously, with the exception of the mover, who alone voted
for it.

The fugstprtur then brought under consideration another
amendment on the Ist Article by M. Breton. It proposed to allow
an indemnity of ten 'million of Reales, fire per tent., to the old
fundholders who had had their property confiscated during the con.
fusion of the Revolution. The share of each ancient tundholder
was in no case to exceed ten thousand francs of Rcntes. That those
who bad had part of their funds restored should only have so much
indemnity as would make up the ten thousand francs. •
111. BRETON made a long speech in favour of his amendment.
The Chamber then adjourned to the morrow, when 31. di Ber-
bin was to be beard againat She iffleadment of M. Breton.

of the cfirtplaN at VINCENNES.
TRIAL OF LOUIS AUGUSTUS PAPAVOINE.
This man, it will be in the recollection of our readers, stands
charged with having murdered two children who were walking
with their mother near Vincennes. On Thursday his trial came
on before the Court of Assize at Paris.
The curiosity of the public, which has long been excited by *mi.
des in the journals, had attracted spectaup of all ranks to the
Court, so that all the places open to the pdblic without tickets were
filled by seven o'clock in the mottling. Some deputies arrived long
before the Magistrates had taken their Ruts. The ladies filled the
benches appointed for great judicial solemnities.
The entrance of Papavoine caused a great sensation, which did
not disconcert him. He looked at the assembly without timidity,
I a ithnot arrogance, and without betraying the smallest emotion.
His /oohs turned for e moment towards the bureau of the Court in
which were the cnaanguined clothes of his victims. His counte-
ranee did net change; twelve gendarmes were placed round
him. He was Messed in a black coat ; his appearance indi-
cate% nothing extraordinary: He is of a middle beignt, his face pale,
his look firm. When he is interrogated, he speaas with extreme
volubility; his voice is stammering and hurried ; his physiognomy,
though not wicked, has in it something melancholy and gloomy.
When the clerk read the indictment, at those passages which
described the circumstances of the crime, the spectators turned
towards the prisoner to see if they could discover any change in his
features. but he appeared perfectly indifferent.
The names of the witnesses were called over to the amount of
firty.four.
A table was covered with the ensinguined garments of the two
innocent children, with the great coat which Papavoine had on on
the 10th of October, and on which there is a patch of blood ; there
was alto his hat on which was a visible mark of an umbrella, and
the two table knives found at his house. The knife he bought at
Vincennes, which cut off the unhappy victims heads, has not been
found.
The answers of the prisoner to the interrogatories of the President
were all affirmative of his being deranged at the time ; that it
was quite by chance he went to the wood, and that he would ail-
lingly redeem the lives of the children with his own blood. Ile
did not pretend to account for his being sometimes deranged Ana
sometimes havinglucid intervals. Ile left that to the physicians. He
also denied what he, had before asserted relative to his in-
tention to murder the Dauphinesa. Seventeen witnesses were
heard, his neighbours and old friend., who bore testimony to his
tenderness and humanity in general, but especially towards
children ; but that he was occasionally gloomy, restless, and
irritable—shunning the society of mankind, especially women.
Two uncles of the murdered children were called, but proved no
material fact.
Mademoiselle Malremet, 82 years of age, was called. She der
posed to having met Mt children and their mother on the day in
question, and of having embraced the former. She had pre-
viously seen a man following her, who then catne up, and
asked who the children were. To which she said site did not
know; and that was Lll she knew of the affair.
Papavoine did not contradict any of the facts deposed to by the
last witness, but persisted that he could not account for it himself,
and that he couLl cot have been in his right mind.

------- -
THE LATE INUNDATIONS IN THE NORTH OF
EUROPE.

(Front the lianiburgh Payees.)
ST. PETEIIIIIOIOII, FM 5.

The temporary military Governors and Committee; appointed
by his Majesty after the inundation of the 19th November, have
just made a general Report, and given an official account of their
operations up to the 9th January ; from which it appears that 480
persons perished in the inundation, half of whom were in the
environs of the capital. Of 19/17 sick only 37 died, and 1456 were
perfectly restored to health. 15,495 persons received relief in pro.
visions, frt.% to the value of 16,373 rubles; 1838 clothing, to the
amount of ;3.897 ruble, • 1172 mechanics and manufacturers, relief
in money, 105,811 rubles. On the whole 898,640 rubles had
been distributed, of which 24.026 individuals received in money
702,060 rubles: 462 houses were entirely swept away or destroyed-
-3681 damaged, of which 2824 have been repaired.
On the representation of the Minister of Finance, the Emperor
has been pleased to dispense with the proprietors of the hemp
damaged by the inundation from the payment of the duties of
Customs.

Thu quantity of this hemp belonging to Russian Mu-
. chants is - - - . 264.570 poods
To Foreigners - - - - - 61.386

In all - - 353,950 poods
Resides the remission of these duties the owners will be allowed
to export, duty free. a quantity the double of that which is da-
maged. On the exportation of damaged hemp, particular certi-
ficates shall be delivered by the Custom-house, that our productions
may not suffer in the opinion of foreigners.
HANOVEIt. FEB. 10.
Captain Davison, Aid-de-Camp to his Royal Highness the
Oovernor.General, set out yesterday for London, to take an ac-
count of the boundless misery caused by the inundation.
IVe learn that next summer, a part of the soldiers will be em-
ployed to repair the dikes. &c. in those places where the greatest
damage has been done. The first subscription for the sufferers
already amounts to 16,100 rix dollars in gold. and 4,720 rix dollars
in silver. At the head oldie list are his Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge 10,000 rix dollars in gold, and the Duchess, his Con-
sort. 1,000 ditto. Various contributions had been made previous
to the invitation issued by the Government.
A letter from Embden of the 15th says.—" The ships sent to the
islands hate just returned. The Captains say that the islands of
Baltrum and Joist are almost entirely ruined; the poor inhabitants
have erected tents on the downs to shelter themselves."
A letter from II ulbigen, on the west coast of Slesenig, gives a
frightful picture of the ravages in the night of the third in the
neighbouring islands and lus grounds. Of 270 houses, only 32
were habitable; eighty petioleperished, and all the cattle. The
survivors have saved neither household furniture nor effects of any
kind; they have neither shelter, clothing, not provisions.
The damage done to the country is beyond calculation; the great
dike of ‘Vursten, which was everywhere front eighteen to twenty
feet high, and at the base 105 feet thick, is in some places washed
away, as if no dike had ever stood there before.