The Sun.
London, England, 1830-01-05 00:00:00

lIIGH RETAIL PRICES OF BOOKS.

On Saturday evening last, at a Meeting of the
Managers of the City of London Literary and
Scientific Institution, at their mansion in Alders.
gate-street, the Secretary, amongst other comma-
nications made to them, read a letter from their
bookseller, which letter announced that, in conse-
quence of a general resolution entered into by " the
trade," he could now only allow a discount of 1.5
per cent, from the publishing price of the works he
supplied. In consequence of the large purchases
previously made for the Institution, and prompt pay-
ment, 25 per cent. had been the customary discount.
One of the managers stated, that as administra-
. bors of thp funds of the parent and chief Institution
of this nature in the metropolis, it became their duty
to set an example with respect to this combination
of the booksellers. It was an attempt on the part
of these tradesmen to sustain the old and indolent
system of trade, or large profits on small sales,
against the new system of trade, or small profits on
large sales, with better payment. The attempt
could only end in proving to the public the folly and
ignorance of the body by whom it was made. It
could by possibility succeed only to the extent of
causing books to be sold clandestinely, at the same
moderate and reasonable prices at which they were
now beginning to be sold openly. Members even of
the monopoly would eventually, by covert allow-
ances, sell goods at the reduced prices, and the only
effect of the change would be to foster habits of
falsehood and dissimulation. Thirty per cent. (he
believed the booksellers got more) was a retail profit
far greater than ought, as compared with other
trades, to be demanded ; but be that as it might, it
was a greater profit than the public would continue
to pay. The days of the booksellers' favourites, the
costly quartos, were gone ; it was impossible that
the trade could recall them ; and the reward of the
general support of all classes to the recent publica-
tions in cheap, convenient, and elegant forms, might
have shown the necessity of conforming to the new
direction of the public taste and will. If, as was
complained, rents of splendid shops were high,
those rents must be reduced, for the public would
not continue to give high prices to pay them ; nor
would statement of losses from bad debts be listened
to. The large profits of the old system induced
tradesmen to give credit too readily, on the calcula-
tion of making the good debts pay for the bad; or,
in other words, of making the regular and honest
who do pay become answerable for the defalcations
of the irregular and profligate, who do not pay. The
system of dealing for small profits, by diminishing
the habit of giving enormous credits, would be at-
tended with no inconsiderable moral advantages.—
Any thing, however, which tended to keep up the
prices of book•, and render knowledge less accessible,
and literary pursuits more expensive, ought to be
especially reprehended. and repressed. The ma-
nagers having to purvey intellectual food for their
SOt) members, were bound to obtain the largest
quantity of books which their funds could procure.
Even if the regular supply could not be at once
obtained at a cheaper rate than that now proposed,
he considered that this, and other similar Institu-
tions, and all Book Societies, ought to withdraw
their custom from their present tradesmen, if they
were members of the combination, and, as a lesson
to similar conspirators, deal with the more humble
of the trade, who would be grateful for whatever
patronage was given to them. But he had no
doubt that amongst the trade numbers would be
found " unprincipled" enough to sell hooks at
moderate prices—" unprincipled" enough not to
forego small profits when large profits were inac-
cessible.

A Gentleman here stated that one large house
had refused to join the combination, and he had no
doubt that there were many others who would never
accede to it.

The gentleman who had first spoken on the sub-
ject, said that in that case a list of the members of
the solemn league and covenant against.knowledge
hying sold too cheap, would show with whom the
public could deal with the least advantage.
Another member sta►ed that his bookseller (whom
he would not name, but who was one of the Cove-
nant) had that day told him not to think of remov-
ing his custom, for, as an old friend, he should still
he supplied at the old reduced price.—(A laugh.)—
The attempt was perfectly ridiculous.
It wag, however, urged, that no countenance
should be given to it; and a resolution was moved,
and carried unanimously, that all further orders to
the bookseller who had announced his intention of
acting in conformity to the resolution of the trade
should be suspended.

Madame PASTA has contracted an engage-
ment for the winter, at the Copenhagen Theatre. She is
also engaged to attend a Carnival at Verona, where she is
to receive 1,200 Napoleons d'or.

GOOD SECURITY.--.A person who wished to
borrow a small sum, being asked by SwtrT whom he
proposed as security ? " I have none to offer," said the
poor man, " excepting my faith in my Redeemer." SWIFT
accepted the security, made the. entry acurdingly, witlr all
formality, and declared that none of his debtors was more
punctual than this raan.—Sir W. Scott's Memoirs of
Swift.

An accident of the most heart-rending nature
occurred on Saturday afternoon hit., in Charles-street,
13lock-house. Mrs. ANN Ca urietn, the wife of an ex-
ciseman stationed in this tits, a young woman, 25 years of
age only, was putting on the pelisse of the eldest of her two
children, preparatory to sending it upon an errand, when,
in stooping down to fasten the dress, her hack being to the
fire, the draught of the chimney drew her clothes to the
bars, and she became instantly enveloped in a blaze. In
her alarm, she hastened down stairs, hoping to find assist-
ance, but, unfortunately, the person in whe••• house she
lodged had shortly before left home, and' in i, appalling
state she remained some minutes, when a neighbour
chanced to call in, by whom the flames were extinguished.
The poor ere tture, however, was molt dreadfully burnt in
every part of her body, and she was immediately conveyed
to the Infirmary, where, we learnt, on inquiry this morn-
ing, that she stiil lies in a very'precarious state. To add
to the perils of her situation, the unfortunate woman was,
at the time of the accident, faradvanced in pregnancy, and
the fright and terror of which bringing on premature deli-
very, she on Monday gave birth to twins, which died soon
**v.— Worcester Jotwrnal.

LONDON,
TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 5, ISSO.

TIIE ICEVENUE.

The Quarter's Revenue will not be made up
until a late hour to-night, and we, therefore,
decline entering into a statement of the parti-
cular items, as their amount must vary every
succeeding hour. We can, however, state,
that the present Quarter, as compared with
the corresponding quarter of last year exhibits
(up to three o'clock) but a very trifling decrease.
The total amount of the Revenue for the past
year, as compared with the year 1828 however,
shows a deficiency of something more than one
million. The principal deficiency is in the Excise.
In the Customs there is an improvement.

We arc again indebted to our spirited con-
temporary, the Morning Herald, for the fol-
lowing express from Paris, with the French Pa-
pers of Sunday. The following are extracts :

(From the Moniteur.)

fhc official part crarains a Report to the King by
the Count de Chabrol, and a Royal Ordinance
founded upon ir, for regulating the salaries of the
persons employed in the service of the Customs.
By the Ist article of the Ordinance the annual ex-
penses of the central administration of the Customs
for the salaries of the superiors and officers of all
classes, and other disbursements, shall be reduced
to the sum of 445,000 francs.
(From the Gazette de France.)

SEMLIN, DEC. 16.

The Hatti Scheriff of the Sultan, which re•incor-
porates the six districts of Servia, was yesterday
read publicly at Belgrade. Tlii• article of the treaty
may, therefore, be considered as executed.
Prince I%lilosch has given orders to M. Danidvitz
to go to the head-quarters of General-Diebitsch, and
to express to him officially the gratitude of the Ser-
vian nation to the Emperor, for the benefit be has
conferred upon it.

PARIS, JAN. 2.

King Ferdinand, on the ,occasion of his marriage,
has granted permission to return to their country to
iv per-ons, who were all members of the Municipa-
lity of Madrid under the Constitutional Government.
(From the Messayer des Chambres.)

SECOND EDITION.

PARIS, JAN. 3.

At eleven o'clock last night it ITas announced as
certain that the Ministry would be modified, by re-
moving from the Council Messrs. Courvoi4er,
Cha-
brol, and De llansscz. M. de Berthier, it is said,
is appointed Minister of the Interior, M. Dutton of
the Marine, M. de Peyronnet of the Seals, M. de
Montbrl to take the Department of the Finance.—
Thus the Ministry would be formed of elements per-
fectly homogeneous, and we may expect that the
most violent plans would be adopted without oppo-
sition.

We arc much concerned to state, that the
indisposition of Mr. VESEY FITZGERALD is
likely to deprive the public of his valuable ser-
vices, at all events, for a considerable period.
When his medical attendants recommended his
retiring from the fatigues of business, we under.
stand the friends of the Right Hon. Gentleman
inquired whether a short absence would not be
sufficient ? and that the answer of Dr. WARREN
was decidedly in the negative.

The details recorded before the late Parlia-
mentary Committees, the late attempt to restrain
Mr. ANDERDON, the late proceedings before the
Commission touching the alleged lunacy of Mr.
DAVIES, and the consequent exposure of the
class of persons who, as unfeelingly as unblush-
ingly, trade and batten on the misery of real and
alleged lunatics, have all served to satisfy the
public that, notwithstanding the amendment
made in the law by the Act of the 9th of the
KING, and notwithstanding the execution of
that Act has been entrusted to men of the
highest integrity, humanity, and talent, the
law regarding lunatics nevertheless stands in.
need of, and must shortly undergo, some great
and effectual revision.

The object of the law touching lunatics we
apprehend. to be twofold :-
Ist. To protect sane persons from being
treated as lunatic.

2d. To ensure to persons suffering under
that calamity the best medical treatment, and at
the same time protection from the cruel and
brutal treatment to which (to our national die-
grace and the disgrace of humanity) it is on
record they have been subjected.
It is with feelings somewhat allied to appre-
hension we venture to approach a subject, to
which we acknowledge ourselves unequal ; we
shall nevertheless, in the discharge of our public
duty, endeavour to point out some of the regu-
lations which it appears to us the law ought to
embrace, in order to effect the abovementioned
objects. We apprehend-
That in all cases where the relations of
afflicted persons undertake their charge, with-
out removing them from their usual resi-
dence or abode, or consigning them to the care

of strangers, the law should allow the afflicted
person to remain under Ebel: care and custody ;
save only that upon information being given on
oath, to the belief of the deponent, of the im-
proper confinement, mal-treatment, or restraint
of any person, as lunatic or insane, the Commis-
sioners appointed by the Secretary of State be
empowered. and required to visit the party, and
after personal examination to take such measures
thereupon as they may think fit and the case
may require.

That physicians and medical practitioners,
practising their profession, be prohibited by
law from keeping receptacles for lunatics.
(The Act of the 9th of the KING enacts that
no physician appointed a Commissioner shall
professionally attend patients in any house
licensed for the reception of insane persons, save
as therein mentioned, nor while in office keep
any house for patients ; also that Ito Justice
shall act in granting a licence, who shall directly
or indirectly be interested in keeping any such
house ; and yet, by a singular omission, does
not provide against receptacle-keepers signing,
certificates to fill receptacles. We cannot con-
ceive any thing likely to lead to greater abuse.)
That no person be received into a receptacle
unless on a certificate signed by one friend of
the party and two medical practitioners, who
shall all sign their names, description, and place
of abode at full length.
That the name, description, place of abode,
and age of the party, to be confined, be inserted
at full length in the certificate ; and that the
parties signing the same be responsible, under
severe penalties, that the name, description, &c.
inserted in the certificate, be ►he real name, &c.
of the party ; and that the medical practitioners
who sign the certificate be compelled to trans-
mit -to the Commissioners, on the day of the
date, a duplicate of such certificate, indorsing
thereupon the address, &c. of the receptacle in
which the patient is to be confined.
That a new certificate, setting forth the neCGE..
shy of detention of each patient, be signed by a
friend and two medical practitioners every six
months, while the patient shall remain confined,
and a duplicate in like manner be transmitted to
the Commissioners ; and in case any friend of the
patient shall decline or omit to sign such
new certificate, then that the Commissioners,
or one of them, be required, if they see fit,
to sign the same on his behalf, or other-
wise, that the patieht be discharged ; and that
any receptacle keeper, and medical attendant,
detaining a patient without such certificate,
shall be proceeded against for a misdemeanour, and
rendered incapable of keeping or attending any
receptacle, without prejudice to any right of
action by the party detained.
That the power of the Commissioners to visit
lunatic hospitals and receptacles be extended,
and that they have authority to do so at anti•
hours they judge fit, and that their visitations be
required by law to be more frequent than the
Act of the 9th of the KING directs.

That persons applying for a license to keep a
receptacle produce a certificate, signed by one
medical practitioner, and two or more house-
keepers of the parish in which they reside, cer-
tifying that the parties signing the same believe
them to be persons deserving of being intrusted
with such a charge ; and that when the Commis-
sioners shall be satisfied with such recommenda-
tions, previous to their receiving such license, the
parties shall make oath that no medical practi-
tioner, or other person, is, directly or indirectly,
interested in the proposed establishment other
than those:named in the license, and enter into a
bond, in a reasonable penalty, with two sureties,
to comply with the regulations required by law,
in the management of the receptacle. All
licenses to be renewed annually, and the oath
taken on each renewal.

That tl►e licensed keeper of each receptacle do
reside at the receptacle ; and that he, on the day
he receives each patient, transmit to the Com-
missioners a copy of the certificate received with
each patient on the day he shall be received,
and another copy of such certificate whenever
any patient shall die, be removed, or discharged,
indorsing the fact thereon as the case may be.
That previous to any persons being employed as
keepers, such persons give in a stateme►►t of their
age, residence, and former occupation, and produce
certificates or recommendations, signed by two
housekeepers in the parish in which they reside, of
their integrity, humanity, sobriety, and general fit-
ness to fulfil the duties of nurse or keeper, to be
filed in the receptacle, for the inspection of the
Commissioners ; and that copieS ofsuch certificates
be transmitted on the day such persons enter on
their employ to the Commissioners, that they
may know who are the parties employed ; and
that the Commissioners have power to discharge
from any receptacle any keeper improperly con-
ducting himself towards the patients, and that
the receptacle keeper be responsible for their
misconduct.

That the Commissioners cause a register to
be kept at their office of all persons confined as
insane, the places of confinement, date of recep-
tion, name, description, former residence and
age ; and also of the name, description, and re-
sidence of the friend and medical practitioners
who signed the certificate, authorizing their con-
finement, with the degree of the relationship of
the former to the party confined.
That all persons be intitled of right to inquire
at the office of the Commisioners, whether any
particular individual be confined as lunatic, and
if confined, to have a copy of the certificate au-
thorizing such confinement ; and that' on any
letter with such inquiry being addressed to the
Commissioners, they be required within 24
hours from its receipt, to transmit a copy of
such certificate, or an answer, stating that no
such person is confined, or that he has been dis-
charged, with the date of such discharge, ox
otherwise, as the case may be.
That the friends of all persons confined have
access and liberty to see them, on the days and
hours fixed by the Commissioners, and at all
other times, on prOducing an order from the
Commi*Perg, whit they,should be required
to give on application, or within six hours there'-

after ; and that persons confined be at all times
at liberty to write and receive letters ; and that if
any letter be withheld or suppressed, the recep-
tacle keeper be subject to severe penalties, and,
to be deprived of his licence to keep a receptacle.
That every receptacle be attended by at least
one regular medical practitioner, or more, if, in
the judgment of the Commissioners, such attend-
ance be requisite ; and to insure their being per-
sons of proper character and professional skill,
they be in the first instance approved by the
Commissioners or Magistrates granting the
license, and that the class►fication and medical
treatment of the patients be under the direction
of such medical officers, under the eontroul of
the Commissioners.

That each medical attendant shall visit the
patients in the receptacle to which he is attached
once every day at the least, or as often as the
Commissioners, judging from the number of
patients, and other circumstances, shall direct ;
and that a journal be kept at every receptacle,
in which a daily entry shall be made and signed
by the medical attendant and the licensed keeper,
of the daily proceedings, particularly setting forth
the name of every patient submitted to violent
restraint, the nature of, and necessity for the
same, and also of any patient who has been
forced, the arrival, discharge, and death of pa-
tients, and all such other matters as the Com-
missioners may direct ; and that if the medical
man and receptacle keeper shall in any manver
falsify the same, or state what is untrue, they
shall be subject to a heavy penalty, and rendered
incapable of keeping or attending any receptacle.
That the costs of supporting all pauper luna-
tics be paid by the Treasurer of the county ; and
that the same be afterwards apportioned to the
several parishes, according to the number of
persons confined from each : that the rate of
payment for each pauper lunatic be fixed by the
Commissioners; that they be confined in such
place or places as the Commissioners shall
direct; and that the costs of any appeal by them
to a Jury, under certain regulations, be paid by
the Crown.

That the Commissioners every three months
make a return to the Secretary of State, setting
forth a list of all licensed receptacles,—the
names, descriptions, former residences, and age
of the parties confined in each, with the date of
each reception, and the name, description, and
residence of the friend and medical practitioners
who signed the certificate authorizing their con-
finement, with the degree of relationship of the
former to each party confined.
That the Secretary of State, within fourteen
days from the receipt of such return, transmit
the same to the Judges of one of the Courts at
Westminster, any one of whom shall be autho-
rized, by commission or otherwise, to sit and try
by the verdict of a Jury, to be duly summoned,
all questions as to the sanity of such of the par-
ties confined as the Commissioners may think
requisite ; and on whose cases they may not chose
to take upon themselves to decide without the
assistance of the Court—of ail persons confined,
who shall on their own behalves claim such trial,
—of any other person confined, upon oath being
made before the Commis.,ioners by one or more
persons, testifying their belief that such person
is of sane mind. And that similar regulation
be made, and power given to the Judges of As-
size to try all similar questions, as to persons
confined as lunatic in the several counties within
their respective circuits.
That the friend signing the certificate, and at
whose suggestion any person shall be confined,
shall, within days from the date of the
certificate, make a return on oath of all the per-
sonal property of the party in his possession or
power, accompanied by a statement of all the
property he knows or believes to be in the pos-
session of any other person belonging to the
same individual ; and that within the space of
three calendar months he _deliver on oath a like
account and statement of all monies that shall
have since come into his possession or power,
or that he shall then know and believe to be in
the possession or power of any other person, and
shall from time to time, when called upon, deliver
further similar accounts and statements upon oath.

That the Commissioners shall forthwith make
a return of the same to the LORD CHANCEL-
LOR, Secretary of Lunatics, or other officer ap-
pointed ; and that the LORD CHANCELLOR shall
appoint some person other than the party at
whose instance the lunatic shall be confined,
Committee of his Estate, and the Committee be
from time to time required to account and pay all
monies that come to his hands in right of the
lunatic into Court, for the benefit of such lunatic
or his representatives.
That persons concealing any property of a
lunatic be subject, on discovery thereof, to a
penalty of three times the amount ; and that any
person giving information of such concealment,
so that the property be recovered, be entitled to
one-half the penalty.
That the Commissioners publish in the Lon-
don Gazette, every six months, a list of licensed
receptacles, with the name of the place where
each is situated, the name of the party to whom
the licence is granted, and the medical attendant ;
the number of patients confined within that
period, the number dead, the numbet removed,
and the number discharged cured ; and that the
receptacle-keeper and medical attendant of the
house in which the greater number of patients,
on a general average of the whole, shall have
been discharged cured, be entitled to an
honorary premium ; and that the Commis-
sioners be further empowered to award to the
keeper and medical attendant of any other re-
ceptacle, where the treatment of the patients and
general conduct of the establishment shall in
their judgment merit the same, a like honorary
distinction.

That the law, and power given to the Com-
missioners be general, and include all public hos-
pitals, as well as private receptacles for lunatics,
so far as the medical treatment of the patients
and their liberation be concerned. If it be
otherwise, it must of necessity follow, the
mode of treatment being different, that in
some it must be better than in others,

while for the interest of the patient,
which ought alone to be considered, it re-
quires that the most improved mode of treat-
ment should be adopted towards ALL—there
can be no reason, if the treatment of insane per-
sons in Bethlem, or any other hospital, be supe-
rior to that in other establishments, that the same
mode should not be enforced in all other places,
and if any more improved mode should be found,
there ca►► be no good reason why the patients in
public hospitals should not receive the benefit of
such treat►ncnt.

It is with great diffidence we submit the fore-
going suggestions to the consideration of the
public, and of the authorities on %%hour) the duty
more particularly devolves of attending to this
important subject. They have been written in
haste, we are sensible are imperfect in themselves,
and that the details would require far more consi-
deration than in the midst of many other avo-
cations we can pretend to give them. The pub-
lic are, however, most sensibly and properly alive
to the subject, rti bile they in common with our-
selves derive no small satisfaction from the con-
viction that the parties with Whom it rests will
give it all due attention ;—that the law will shortly
be made to throw an eactive shield around that
most unfortunate class of beings, lunatics, and at
the same time protect the sane classes of his Ma-
jesty's subjects from being at the instance of in-
terested or revengeful persons confined as lunatic.
Persons who are lunatic stand more in need of
the protection of the law than any other clas,
from their inability to do any act for their own
protection, while persons falsely alleged to be so
afflicted, there is much reason to fear, are too
often shunned for the imputation, soon forgottcu,
and left to linger in some receptacle, sensible to
the misery and wretchedness by which they are
surrounded, and keenly sensible to the insult,
tyranny, and oppression to which they are sub-
jected. We cannot contemplate any case snore
dreadful. Time and space do not permit, or we
could easily from recent legal proceedings, and
from the evidence before the Parliamentary Com-
mittees, shew abundant and most painful evidence
of the necessity for some such measures as those
we have ventured to suggest.

TIIE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.)

CITY, TWELVE O' CL 0 CK.

We are this morning withqpt the arrival of any
foreign mails or ship letters only from Halifax, con-
sequently we are deprived of all information; but,
the wind having shifted to the westward, we may
soon expect numerous arrivals.
Consols, which left off yesterday at 951- for the
Account, opened at 9511, and up to the present
time little or no business is going forward. It is
expected in the course of next week, there will be
some stir in the British Funds, owing to about
nine millions sterling of dividends being paid to the
public and barkers on Friday and Saturday next.
In the Foreign Mtuket there is also very little
doing, and the report of the Brazilian Loan does
not gain ground. It is not supposed that the offer
sent out some time past to the Brazils, to take the
Loan at the price of 50, or a little higher, will be
accepted by the Emperor, when the funds at Rio
are at present 70. This indeed would be an im-
mense sacrifice.

ENGLISH

Bank Stock, 216 17
India Stock,
per Cent. Cons. Phut
Ds., for Account, 9.54
Ditto Reduced, 9,11-i-

FUNDS.
Si per Cent. 1001
New 4 per Cent., Risut
per Cent. 1526 105/3-
India Bonds, 72 73
Exchequer Bills, 78 79
TWO O'CLOCK.

The Consol Market has continued steady the
whole of the morning, at 914- for the Account,
without any speculations of importance g&ng
forward. The Commissioners purchased in Re-
duced at 941.
We are informed that the deficiency of the Re-
venue will not be so unfavourable as was at first
anticipated, the East India Company have within
these few days paid to Government five hundred
thousand pounds for duties.
Money to-day in the house can be obtained at
from 3 to 4 per cent.
In the Foreign Market there has been a consi-
derable decline in Portuguese Stock, of about three
to four per cent., owing to a report that the Em-
peror of Brazil intends to fit out a squadron against
Don Miguel;—that is to say, if he can procure a
Loan.

Baron and Baroness de Rothschild, accompanied
by Baron Anthony, their son, take their departure
this afternoon for Paris.

THREE O' CL 0 CX.
Consuls for Account, 94.4.

FOUR O'CLOCK.-CLOSING PRICES.

Consols
Do. for Ac. 951
Brazilian Bonds 704
Buenos Ayres

Danish 75i
Greek, 1825 311
Mexican, 182;1
Peruvian

Chihli DO.
Columbian, 1824,

Russian 109
Spanish 10

LITERATURE.

MEMOIRS AND COMInSPONDF,NCE OF JEF-
FERSON, Vol.. 3 and 4. —LowooN, 1829.

We have little to add to what we some weeks
since observed of this posthumous publication.
It is valuable as a record of many of those com-
paratively unimportant events that took place in
America during the progress of its separation
from the mother country, with which we could
not otherwise have been acquainted. Through-
out his very voluminous correspondence Mr.
Jefferson appears to considerable advantage, both
as a writer and as a man.