The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-28 00:00:00

THE MARKETS.-(YESTERDAY.)

(From the London New Price current cg August 27.)
SUGAR.—The West India Sugar market has become
very quiet; the demand from the grocers during the past
week has been limited, particularly for good and fine yel-
low qualities, and the refiners bought cautiously, but the
merchants remained firm, and the rates previously esta-
blished were supported for all descriptions.
This atternooa the demand was very limited from both
grocers and refiners; the private purchases amounted
to
only 420 hhds and tierces, but the merchants general')o
refused to sell under the prices of Friday,
stances a trifling reduction was submitted
wtoerae
languid,
sale of 100 bhds Barbadoes, the biddings
former
in
tsnampeu public
were
and only 70 hbds found buyers, but
maintained—goo
and one lot 69s per cwt.
REFINED.—There
maintained—good middling to fine fetched 66s to 684 63,
Refined goods, still a fair demanu
for home consumption in
rates
purchased More
have been maintained ;
has not been so much busin.ess doing
has prevailed, and former
.at 83r
ss
haveto 83s and6d, brown
standard lumps
ones at 81 Sugar, and rather
pdstohnBv2e
aid ; severalparcels of
Crushed
a.beeTnhseoladhippe.
higher prices have beenp
freely of goods made from Foreign
have been sold at 34s 9d to 355.
-This afternoon the home market was very quiet, and
prices of Refined Goods
for standard lumps.—Treacle is, ,however, rather dearer.
r:tzie rather
is lo‘v
Tlower ; 82s 6cl accepted
MAURITIUS.—There was a steady demand for this de-
scription in the middle part of last week, particularly for
the lower sorts, and previous rates were fully maintained.
On Friday, however, at a public sale of 8,370 bags buyers
pnrchased less freely, good mid and good brown fetched 62 to
625 6d. ord yellow 63s 6d, mid to good ditto 64s to 65t.6d,
fiine ditto 66s to 67s 6d, and good grey 65s 6d to 66s per
cwt; there has beeu only one arrival since our last report.
EAST INDIA.—A good demand has prevailed for Java,
chiefly for shipping, and prices have improved ls. per
cwt; at public sale 1,370 baskets were all sold—good
strong white 30s to 31s, mid and good mid 28s 6d to 30s,

EVEN ITT(► EDITION.

good mid strong grey 27s to 28s, ord 245, fire yellowish
grey 25s to 265, fine yellow 265, mid to good 24s 6d to
2.5 s 6d, fine brown 245, damps and washed 24; 6i to 28;
6d per cwt. Manilla was in good request in the middle
part of last week, principally for exportation, and full prices l
were paid; at auction 4,451 bags Lund ready buyers, low
mid yellow fetched 22s to 235, low foxy brown 19s 6d to
20; 6d, washed 21s 6d to 225, and by private treaty some ,
sales were made on similar terms ; towards the close of
the week, however, there was less business doing, and the
whole of 4,467 bags at auction were taken in at pre-
vious rates, viz., low soft brown at 20s, rn(l yellow 22e tad to r
235, and damps and washed at 19; to 223 6d ; since the
tales the principal part has been sold at the buying-its
s sold haveiffneat
smallcl:heeeb dnu s
6imatpnaser:dc.
see l a
n,
a dsrstiffern
ura
cdabti eonvs
nee-
paites. Of Siam none has been offered at auction ; -bur ,
peroiveahtiettlycshominae
hpausrebn heae
fi'oorimvaetropyr,ioegLd Inwhßiteenghaalsa
previous rates of 6(1 per ewt, very strong white oght
s 5 bags and 27 eases sold briskly, establishing an advance 1
as 61, good 68i, mid and good mid 66s to e7s 6d,
superio_%7lda,artvashed 64s to 665, mid
o7nl
sptroCc7..
and very low dark brown 60s per cwt.
`• auction 500 bags Bengal sold at stiff
• This afternoon a.
de
I 'tam' fellowI)s 64
t:5 s6s d
sa fetched 64s (id a 65; per cw •
t. •
prices, ~,ts have con fisted of 200 cases
FOREIGN.—The public a.
h, and 300
low greyish whi. • , .
2 bris Bahia, 1,649 boxes Hava."6
so. casks
i
p,
to4' ,or, t tne
good mid y
brought
„ mid grey, and
white, 25; Gd to 27s ad for mid and ro on
' raknlte tthheei r Bahiavalue , w
veirz e.
208r311 d . .1,
cold at-
-21 s6d to -,7s ; white sorts of liavannah . ,
23s to 945 6d for fine brown and low yellow, `kud waslicd
and good 40s 6d to 425, good fair 393 6d to 40s, low tai id 7
9s advance, fine strong fetched 43; to 43s 6d, good iu!d.
36s to 383, ord greyish 37s to 40s, damaged brought 35s
64 to 375, very ord 333 to 355, yellow of sound quality was
to 26-s6 .1, good mid and good 27s to 28s 6d, there were buyers 11
mostly bought in at stiffer prices, viz low and mid. at 'lss Gd
of the whole at their former value ; damaged sold dear, and
fetched 25s to 275, brown brought their full value, viz 24s
to 243 6d for fine sound quality ; the Guadaloupo was
taken readily by the refiners, and the prices obtained
were rather above the general valuations ; good fair
greyish yellow went at 243 to 24s 6(1, and good grey 24s 6d
to :255, the bulk however was disposed of, at the former
figures. By private contract, the remaining part of the cargo,
about 300 casks have been sold at similar rates. 'White Ha-
yannah continued to be wanted privately, and 800 chests
hare been sold at 425 for good quality ; for a fla,ating
cargo of fine quality 4:4s has been refused. Al a
cargo of yellow afloat of good quality 28s has lxsen
refused, a small one of Trinidad de Cuba, aboslt,
800 boxes, have been sold for Antwerp at 27t
per cwt. Brazil is held firmly, but there has not it
been much passing by private contract in brown sorts;
white kinds have sold slowly; but grey descriptions with
strength are wanted.
Mocassr.s In West India the purchases have been to
a less extent since this day week; still a fair demand has
prevailed, and previous rates have been fully supported.
This afternocn, 340 puns and 55 casks fine new Barbadoes
were offered at auction; 180 of which were bold at 365,
being on a par with last week's rates.

fse.—the auctions, which commenced ye:tterday,
were well attended by the trade: the quantity brought
forward amounted to 37,500 packages, the principal part.
Cungou : there was a good demand for home consu trip -
tion for Congou, Campos, Souchong, Twankay, Hy. ore,
Young llyson and Imperial, and the advanced prix etc l
established at the last auctions were fully maintained; foe
Flowery Pekoe, however, there was less animation in toes
biddings, and prices gave way 2d to 3d per lb as coin-
pared with those of the late auctions: 10,000 pkgs passed
yesterday, 6,300 of which were actually sold"; Congou,
but middling rather strong blackish leaf and rather burnt
Is 8d to is 80, but middling rather coarse end rather strong
Is Od to Is but middling blackish leaf Is 61 to Is ad, t.
but middling is 5d ; Canipoi, middling mixt blackish leaf
Is 7d to is 7A-d, but mid Is sd; Souchong, middling little
Souchong flavour Is 81, mixed leaf Is lid ; Pekoe, good
middling rather flowery 2s 9!;e1 to 2s 10+d, but middling
heated 3s ; good middling flowery 35 Old to 3s ; '
Twankay, but middling brightish leaf Is 61-d, Hyson kind
Is 1144 to 2s ; Hyson, middling 3s 3d, but middling ra-
ther strong 2s 4d to 2s 41d ; Young Hyson, middling
strong burnt 23 5d to 2s 54d ; coarse 2s sd, better 2s 7d
to 23 7 d ; Imperial middling nether fresh and strong 3s
per lb.
The trade have purchased less freely at. the public sales
today, and only 5,400 packages cut of 11,100 which
passed found buyers, and former rates acre barely sup-
ported for fine Tea, although no decided reduction can be
quoted. Good and fine Congou sold at le9lto 23 Id,
ord and mid Is 41d to 1. 7d, ord and good Hyson 2s 30
to 3s 341, good and fine Gunpowder 55 3d to 5s Bd, very
fine 6s I Id to 7s.
COFFEE..—British Plantation of middling and good
clean quality have.been in fair request, and have brought
previous rates ; but ordinary and unclean descriptions have
been taken sparingly, and rather lower prices have been
accepted: at auction, 300 casks and 60 barrels Jamaica
have been offered, the principal part of which was disposed
of, low middling and middling at 117 s to 120 s 6d, fine to
tine fine ordinary 1095 to 112 s lid, and ordinary to good I
ordinary 91s 61 to 1005, some lots of low middling unclean
were taken in at 113 s to 114 s ; 55 casks Demerara and
Trinidad sold at 102 e to 109,, for the former, of good and
fine ordireny quality, and the latter at 98s to 105 s for
similar quality ; the arrivals are still on a small scale. In
the prices of East India no variation has occurred since we
last wrote, but by private contract there has been less bo-
sincss doing in Java for home consumption ; 138 bags at
public sale sold at 78s to 78e 61 fur good ordinary mixed.
For Mocha the demand has been only for smalls, at the
quotations.
This afternoon there was not much doing in Coffee ad-
missible
for horse consumption, but in priers there was no
variation ; 201 bags Ceylon at auction sold at 101 s 6el to
102 e for good, and 1031 61 for rine ord : 300 bags St. Do-
mingo were offered and sold rather dearer, good mei
fetched 48; per cwt.
SPICES.—There has been a better demand for Pimento,
and nearly the whole of 482 bags at public sale was sold,
the better sorts at an advance on previous rates of kd per
lb, mid and good mid fetched 3A-d to aid, :rood ord 2-}d to
3d. and low ord mixed with large berries 2yd to :lid per lb.
Cassia Lignea is held for advanced rates, out to this buyers
are not inclined to accede, cousequently the private operations
have been limited ; and none has been offered at auction.
For Black Pepper a better demand has prevailed, and a
fair business has been done at previous rates ; xt auction
1,800 bags Sumatra sold at *1 to 4 for good light, and
ord, very dusty at 3 td; 401 robins half heavy Malabar
fetched 4d. for good bright ; by private contract fine heavy
sold at 40 per lb.
This afternoon Black Pepper was in demand, and 601
bags Easter et public sale sold at its full value, good
light, rather stalky fetched 3i.1 to 3i-d, and greyish dusty
aid per lb.
RICE.--in E ist India there has not been much business
doing by private contract, but Bengal has maintained its
former currency. This afternoon the demand was
very limited for cast India, and prices gave way 6d per
cwt ; 6874 bags Bengal were offered at auction, not above
9800 bags of which were sold, good mid white at 126 to
13% 61, and mid 12, 6d ; the remainder was bought in at
13s 61 for good new white.
SALTPETRE.—TiIe market has been quiet for Rough,
but the merchants are not inclined to submit to lower
prices ; at public sale to• day 3.034 bags Calcutta were of-
fered, a Fart only of which were ski at previous rates, re_
fraction 91. per cent. fetched 23.3 61 a 245, 6i or h per
cent. 24s 6,1 a 255, and 41 per cent. 255 61 per cwt; since
the sale the whole of the bought in lots have been sold at
the prices stated as above. British Refined in good demand.
TAtt.ow.—On the spot the cousumers have purchased
very centiousir of P. Y. Candle, and first finality has been
told at lower prices, 504 to hOs 3,1 having been accepted
for small parcels. For the delivery in the last three
month; prices have fallen to 46s 61 to 475 per cwt. In
Town Tallow there has been less doing.

1RISI: MARKETS.
DUBLIN MARKET NOTE ler the WEEK ending'AUGUT 23.

From : T,i A vs.ru,
3,2Ati Wheat, per liarril 20 5t0ne......, :tai 0147 0 ::9 3
572 here lO stone l4 0 14 41 13 5
0 Barley - 0 0
2,8:3 Oats l4 stone 60114 is 17 2
0 Flour, per et, t ~, 14 stone — o —II ..... n
96S Oatmeal—.---.. ! stone lO 0 lB 6 I 111 1
Sold to linker only.
6,281 47,vt. flour 22 0125 6 24 4
Average price of NVllear and Flour o.s. td. per sack.
Firsts
rteceipts of Flour, 11,74:11s,mnds ftrnromin 226,95:
ndi id..
to
21.
Ott
4111' of DO. 1"3 TzOrds ~ f ' lOs. Od. to 18t. Od.

rttieF: or tots:an•
Quarter') Loaf lONd. 1 Half Quarter') 51,44.
'2OI(K At A RKETS.—Augult 34
Wheat fp:yr Od. to:37s. 044 Oats (per 14st.) ...111. (id, to 111 s, Rd.
Barley (per .18at.)14 0 2t a Flour (per cwt )...i6 0 24 0
Oattneal..(per cwt.) Its. OA. to 11i-. 6d.
Wel, 44. to id.—Mutton, to 6,l.—Veal, 4d to Q.
York, 40. to al—Fresh Butter, 104. to 114. per lb.
PRICE OF PUTTLIt. _

...—. _......_.
To the Mitreliants. "f o the Country
Pint Quality ,:),;. 64
Second RI,
'Fiiird
Foi:rth • 7l ..........................» 15
Filth(,Si 5O
Sixth
C 1,02,1111 ELL M A RKETS.—A 020 st '25.
Per (Wt.
c. d. a. it. s d. s. d.
New, Butter S 4 oto9o 0 Hides (raw) II to ',.t 4)
Oztuleal .. . ............ II? 0 12 3 Bacon Pigs 39 0 49 g
Rendered Lard 0 52 0 Heads vii 0 0
l'er Bag.
... ..- o 44 it I Flour, Thirds .. - 0 3.2 • A
Flour, Second ..
—ifousehold...— 0 42 01— Fourths ,.22 , ._ e
Pcr Bartel.
Rapeseed. ..... „ ...... 20 0 —0 1 Baxley 11 0 1t n
Bere. ............. - ..... SKI4LKII:(N)
KILKENNY
il%Cills itxgrs. U g
Wheat ,per harrel)3oi. Od• to :17g. Pd.! Beef (per lb.
Barley ......... - ..... 20 0 22 0 Aluttoii -- os"' 03. te (18 Gd.
Oats .. ............... 12 6 /4 6 No, ofr 9 6
Flour (per hag) ....347 0 .111 fi ~ ,
Butter(percwt.)...9o 0 1,,& ~ e3l
Bacon Pigs ..,.-, It ~ . Fresh Butter 0 o 0
Coals .l 0 salt Ditto
I 0 i • 0 1 010
__ - Potatoes per et.) 0 e 0 3

lIAIBITPG MARKETS.
Wheat. ]larks 2 GRAIN.
4 0 to 451, Barley, Meeklenburgh 150 to 204
.--- 7.lagdehurg 43-) to 474 -- Mageelittrith... —to
Anitalt, white 4"55 to 44t -- Holstein
-------- red ... 420 to 4tit ---- Summer 174 to 185
------ Brunguick.. 41:0 to 4,.:: Oats, Enter ......
Mecklenburg.. :ISt to 471 Mer,:letthitrg ... lea to :71
--- 'Polish 9.4 to 47: llolsteii,
-- Holstein . 37-i to 4:',e -- Eut Fri... Loa 41
Rye, Mecklenburg.... l'.4 to 21" Pease, Meekkrburg
---- Danzig 204 to t2S Beans — to
--
Elb lag and Ko. Bud; Whoa, — to --
tiiisburg ........ ISO to '.2:l', tiapc:ced, rianorer 3BO to att
- Upland
---- Riga - "Fares
corros.
Carolina and Tennessee 'Nto 94 Maranharn ...... „
Georgia. Ist surt 9(, DA Madras
2d Bl4 11 Surat,
3d and 4th
COFFEE.
Mocha
(I to 14;4 "La)crocilngo .........:::::::••••••-..
Sumatra :
Batavia
-- 1,,-,rio Rico ...... .....
Rio .l7i : 5,4 f ialannaii .................. •
Bahia . ..... ..„ .................
ctst
osit,nii.luz....t.)
H
7'0474
avannah, White ....... 7l ,;
to . Brown A s.
8r0wn...—.. 5.° 7iPernambuco, White '" '• „,,,, 75,„
Rio, White .................
~,, 5,4 Bros „.5 514
Brown
....
........
Kia.,l4, ;Br

St( 9
6% --
5 6
7 7%

4si to .5.1 X
f? fAri
a ~i t7i

53. i to 51i

has purchased the property at ing,
London banker,
to the Earl of Chesterfield. The pm.
We understand that Lewis Lloyd, El., the
lately belonging
chase money without the valuation of the timber is nearly
170,0001.—Bucks Herald.

EVEN IN G- tiLorrioN.

MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSO-
CIATION IN BIRMINGHAM.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY EVENING.
The town this morning presented a very animated
appearance, and as the hour approached at which the
Sectional Meetings were announced to commence, the
various avenues leading to the reception room of King
Edward's School were crowded by a large body of mem-
bers and other visitors. Although, from the cause
to which I alluded in my last communication the
number of strangers at present in town is limited
compared with those who attended the preced-
ing meetings, still neither the interest nor the im-
portance of the proceedings will be much affected by
this circumstance, as it is reasonable to conclude
that those individuals who had papers to communicate
are present, and that those who have been scared away
from feelings of alarm, (for which there exists most
happily not the slightest ground), comprised the large
mass of mere visitors, who take no active part in the
proceedings, and who contribute little to the scientific
discoveries and inquiries which constitute the great ob-
ject of the meetings of the Association.
At the Statistic Section Sir Charles Lemon, Bart.,
presided. The first document read was one contributed
by the local Sub-committee, and contained information
respecting the educational, medical, commercial, and
economical statistics of the town. In reference to the
state of education in the borough, the Committee re-
gretted that circumstances had not allowed them to
avail themselves of the general return on this important
and interesting subject, prepared for the Educational
Statistical Society of Birmingham, by Mr. J. R. Wood,
on the plan of his. valuable reports of Manchester,
Liverpool, and other places.
KING EDWARD'S SCHOOL.—The Committee re-
ported that the number of boys at the above great es-
tablishment in New-street is 444, of these are placed
under the care of the Head Master, 38 ; Second
Master, 44 ; Third Master, 44 ; Fourth Master, 51 ;
Fifth Master, 62 ; First English Master, 91 ; Second
English Master, 124. There are also lately erected,
and rapidly coming into active operation, several branch
schools in different parts of the borough, in which large
numbers of the children of the lower middle classes
will receive an excellent and useful English education.
The revenues of the school, at first small, have im-
mensely increased by the enlargement of the town, and
the consequent adaption of the land to the purpose of
building leases. These leases are now rapidly termi-
nating. The present income is about 4,5001. per an-
num and in two or three years it will reach 10,0001.
THE BLUE COAT SCHOOL.—This institution was
founded in 1724, and was to give education and main-
tenance to a number of children of the poor in connec-
tion with the Church of England. At first it contained
only 22 boys and 12 girls, and now the average number
of children in the school has been 211. The present
income amounts to 2,715/. annually.
THE PROTESTANT DISSENTING CHARITY SCHOOL
TN PARK-STREET.—It was founded in 1760 by the
Unitarians. A new capacious and substantial building,
in connection with this school, is being erected in
Grattan•street. The annual expenditure is 5701.
THE INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.—
This school was opened in 1814 with 7 boys and 8 girls,
and has greatly increased. It is supported principally
by subscriptions and benefactions, but partially by a
small stipend paid annually by each child. The present
numbers are 22 boys and 25 girls.
THE LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS—
Includes the Birmingham Philosophical Institution,
the Literary and Philosophical Society belonging to
that Institution, the Mechanics' Institute, and the
Athenaeum. These are all similar in their great ob-
jects of promoting among their members the diffusion
of knowledge in Literature, Science, the Arts, Natural
History, Physics, &c. The number of members of the
Philosophical Institution is about 400, of the Mecha-
nics' Institute 450, and of the Athenaeum 300.
'The Report next proceeded to give an account of
the various Charity Trusts in the town, which had
been supplied by Thomas Ryland, Esq., the Bailiff
elect, and which did not contain any particular infor-
mation.

The next return made was one respecting the number
of inquests for the town, which had been supplied by the
Coroner, J. W. Whateley, Esq., for the time he held that
office—namely, from 1824 to 1888. The total number
of inquests is 2,064. The average for the first five
years is 117, and for the last five years 170. As the
population has nearly doubled in that period, the gene-
ral ratio of inquests has been much reduced, although
the more extended use of machinery has produced a
proportionate increase in the number of accidental
deaths, such cases averaging only 26 in the first, and 37
in the last five years. Of the whole number of deaths,
610, or nearly 30 per cent., originated in natural
causes ; 475, or more than 20 per cent., were caused
by burning ; 639, or about 30 per cent., from other
accidents ; 16 per cent. were suicide's ; 17, or 8-4 per
cent., were cases of murder ; and only three fel° de se.
W. R. PORTER,. Esq., then rose, and read a paper
relative to agriculture, in which the writer very clearly
and satisfactorily shows the great and paramount ne•
cessity of hiving established in a country like England
some accurate means of ascertaining the amount of
food annually grown in the country. He set forth the
great evils which had ariien from the want of this
knozvledge during the last few years, particularly in 1837,
1838, and 1839, when the most distressing conse-
quences had been felt by the industrious classes in par-
ticular. To remedy this, he proposed that agents be
appointed in each parish. whose bi:siness it would be to
supply meurate information respecting the annual quan-
tity of food grown in each parish. He calculated that
the cost of procuring this information would not be
more than 20,0001. or 30,0001. a year, and the advan-
tages would be so great that they would be more than
an equivalent for the outlay. As yet there had not
appeared any accurate calculations relative to the
quantity of cultivated land, but frOm all he had read,
he believed that if all the Lang which could be culti-
vated was made available, it would be sufficient to pro-
vide for double the number of persons at present in
the country. Mr. Porter, in reference to the ad-
vantages of having systematic returns said :
It seems necessary, therefore, to mention some, at
least, of the benefits which must flow from the posses-
sion of accurate information upon this most vital subject,
and which would impart a character of prudence to
such an outlay. It is now well known that the harvest
of 1837 was deficient to so great an extent that before
the produce of 1838 was harvested, the great super-
abundance of the two preceding years was all consumed,
and the stock of grain throughout the kingdom, whether
in the hands of farmers or dealers, was more nearly ex-
hausted than we have known it to be at any other period
lin modern times, so that if we could not have had re-
course to foreign wheat, then warehoused in our ports,
vs e must have suffered most severely bcfore the
produce of 1838 could have been brought to
market ; so entirely, however, was the public misin-
formed upon the subject, that instead of a reasonable
advance in price, sufficient to give warning of the
fact, and so to check the consumption, which, as re-
gards the most costly grain, wheat, had, it is well
known, long been going on with unwonted profusion,
the market fell progressively, during the months of
August, September, and October 1837, from 60s. Id.
to .51s. per quarter ; and it was not until the middle of
the following May that the weekly average was again
as high as it had been immediately before the harvest
of 1837. By the third week in August 1838 the weekly
average price had advanced beyond the rate at which
foreign wheat is admitted to consumption on payment of
the nominal duty of one shilling per quarter. It could
not be possible to calculate, with any tolerable accu-
racy, the loss which this country sustained through the
want of information thus shown to have prevailed with
regard to only one year's operations ; but we can have
no hesitation in believing that its amount must have
been at least sufficient, if employed at interest, to pro.
vide in perpetuity for every expense that could accom-
pany the most complete organized machinery for col-
lecting agricultural statistics throughout the United
Kingdom. If the very considerable purchases of foreign
wheat which were suddenly made during the autumn
of 1838, in almost every market of Europe,
occasioning the prices to be drawn up to an exorbitant
t height had been made progressively and quietly without
I exerting that spirit of speculation which has since been
productive of serious losses to many of the importers,
no one can doubt that the saving would have been suf-
ficiently great to have borne out the assertion jut
hazarded. Whether the quality of suddenness given
to the purchases
in the autumn made
of by us in Foreign corn-markets
aggravation of the evil 8 may not have occasioned. an
of the country have since been
which the money dealings
to which different opinions
suffering, is a question as
does not appear unreasonablemayboaoboeceievnetethrtaatiniend. lt
pro-
portion as those purchases could been made to ap-
proximate to -the conditions of ordinaryve
dealings, so would the derangements commercial
'eb they were
calculated to occasion have been diminished, or, to speak
more correctly, this would not have been experienced.
for corn
The gold which left our shores in
will doubtless find its way back in exchange 1 for goods,
when time shall have admitted of the requisite adjust-
ment. ,
If time, that important ingredient in most human
transactions, had been allowed to enter more largely
at first into the conditions of our recent corn trade, that
adjustment would, to some extent at least, have accom-
paniedlits progress. Our Corn-laws were intended, not as a
mode for acquiring revenue, but wholly for regulation and
-
protection. It may not, therefore, be right to insist very
strongly upon the sums which, under the circumstances
just supposed, might have found their way to the Ex-
chequer from this revenue in 1838 beyond what were
actually collected. It may, however, be interesting to
state, that if the average rate of duty received upon
the foreign wheat and wheat flour brought into con-
sumption in 1838, had been the same as was received
upon that admitted in 1837, the Exchequer would
have benefited by no less a sum than 2,156,5961. beyond
the money actually received ; and one-fourth part of this
sum, if employed at interest, would yield a revenue
sufficient for making the requisite statistical inquiries
concerning agriculture throughout the kingdom.

Mr. THORNELY, M.P., considered the subject one I
of great importance, and they could not but feel in-
debted to Mr. Porter for the very able manner in
which he had brought it forward. The corn-mer-
chants took all the means they could to ascertain the
real state of the foreign and home corn market ; but
still they might be said to be working in the ark.
They could not tell the quantity of ground sow and
the produce, and hence they often speculated upon
wrong calculations. He considered the subject one of
the greatest importance, and should be most happy to
promote any plan which would have the effect of
enabling them to guard against those alarming conse-
quences resulting from a defective knowledge of the real
state of their agricultural produce. He most sincerely
hoped the suggestion thrown out by I\lr. Porter would
be acted upon, and •that they should be able to ascer-
tain the quantity of food produced in the kingdom.
It had occurred to him that the important information
required by Mr. Porter could be procured through the
medium of the officers of Excise.
Mr. PORTER. did not think it possible to obtain the
information through that channel. The Excise officers
were by some considered rather objectionable, and he
feared the people would not give them the necessary
information.

The CHAIRMAN was of opinion that the money
that would be annually necessary to procure the
information would exceed the sum stated by Mr.

Porter. It would only amount to two pound; each

parish, and that would not be sufficient to pay any
officer who might obtain the returns.
Mr. SLANEY, M. P., did not think the money could
be obtained from Government. If they considered how
little Government had done in the way of procuring
statistical information be feared they had little to hope
for from that quarter. He feared they could not get
the subject made one of inquiry. But it appeared to
him it would not be a matter of extreme difficulty to

arrive at the required information, if gentlemen who
were interested in the subject would proceed about it
in earnest. He thought a certain number of gentlemen
in their respective parishes could obtain sufficient infor-
mation respecting the quantity of corn sown, and the
product, so as to enable them to make such a return as
would enable that or any other Society interested in the
subject to arrive at a very fair calculation. He agreed
with his Hon. Friend that it was a subject of grave im-
portance.
- -

_
Several other gentlemen expressed themselves in
warm terms of approbation of some system, by which
the agricultural produce of the country could be ascer-
tained, in order to enable the country to guard against

the consequences of deficient harvests.
A Gentleman, whose name we could not learn, said
the meeting might rest assured that the subject would
be brought before Parliament, and a Bill introduced that
would have the desired effect.

A Report on the condition of the population in three
parishes in Rutlandshire was then laid before the Asso-
ciation, from which it appeared that the average weekly
wages of the heads of families amount to from 9s. 7d. to
10s. Bd. in these parishes. The report concluded by
saying,"Wemay observe that the visitation of the houses
of the labouring poor in Rutlandshire, and the observa-
tions of their language, manners, and habits, leave a fa-
vourable impression of their moral condition. Swearing
and drunkenness are far from common, and the general
conduct of the people is marked by sobriety, frugality,
and industry. Their education has been limited, nor
has their intelligence been highly developed, and though
few dwellings were found without books, yet these were
far from being numerous or well selected."
At three o'clock the Section broke up.

SECTION G.—MECHANICAL SCIENCE.-Dr. Lardner

i❑ the chair. Mr. Hawkins read a paper on paving
roads and streets with blocks of wood placed upwards.
This plan has been highly spoken of for goodness and
durability by many travellers who have seen such road-
ways abroad ; but although seven patents have been

taken out in England in little more than a year past,
much remains to be understood on the subject, the two
present specimens in London, in Oxford-street and the
Old Bailey, being very imperfect. The writer had
observed for some years the wooden pavements in
Vienna, where the road is very perfect and durable,
and gave it as his opinion that, were such introduced
into England, they would be found far more durable
than those made from any other material ; and he was
strengthened in his high estimate of it, value by the
testimony of one gentleman, who saw a stone of near
twenty tons weight drawn over a piece of pavement in
Vienna. The criteria to be attended to were—l. That
the wood be chosen from the heart of sound trees
without a particle of sap ; 2. That the blocks which are'
to be laid contiguously, be cut to an exact gauge, see as
to fit closely and evenly together ; 3. That the depth of
the blocks be at least once and a half of the breadth, a
firm lateral support being found necessary to stability,
the hexagonal form being also the most preferable ; 4.
That the blocks be laid upon a bed firmly made with
gravel, shingle, hard rubbish, or other material ; 5.
That a thin layer of only half an inch of fine gravel be
spread evenly over the rammed and levelled surface of
the bed at the time of laying the blocks ; and that the
blocks should be cut from dry wood and used soon
after, lest their figure varied by warping. If these con-
siderations were attended to, there was little doubt but
that roads of this material would be found prefer.
able to any other for the purposes of draught.
Dr. LARDNER described an ingenious contrivance

which he had employed for detecting inaccuracies on
lines of rails. He employed a truck of two wheels,
over which was a vertical rod of steel, with two limbs
of glass standing at right angles at the end. Into this
was introduced quicksilver, so that the instrument was
in fact a mercurial level, which was properly adjusted ;
when done so, there was introduced a piston to which
was attached a pencil, and in drawing it along the line
considerable oscillation was produced ; this, which was
steady, marked the curve, and the piston floating on the
level, the pencil-mark denoted the curve, the perpen-
dicular ordination of which gave the variation, which
had often been found from three to five inches. The
accuracy of the instrument had been carefully tested,
and it was very simple and easily applied.
SECTION B.—CIIEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY,-.-
Professor Graham in the chair. The President opened
the business of the section by remarking on the late
improvements in Chemical Science during the pest
year, the most important of which was the law of sub-
stitution by Dumas, as shown in the action of chlorine
on alcohol and other substances, as in chloro-acetic acid,
where chlorine substitutes oxygen. The following
were the communications :—l. Mr. Gossage, of Bir-
mingham, on some discoveries in the manufacture of
soda, and particularly in the reduction of sulphur from
the soda waste. 2. Professor Hare, on the prepara-
tion of the metallic bases of earths, in the reduction
of calcium, bariur.-., and strontium, from the chlorides.
This he effected by the aid of refrigeration and gal-
vanism, separating the mercury from the amalgam
which is formed by exposing it to a considerable heat.
3. Mr. Mallett, of Dublin, made a report upon some
experiments which he has made by the direction of a
Committee of the Association, on the effects of water
upon iron. 4. A communication from Dr. Boswell
Reid, of Edinburgh, accompanyinc, an instrument which
by mechanical arrangement showed the composition of
different substances, but which to scientific chemists is
a mere toy Mr. Couthorpe explained an improved
method of graduating glass tubes, for medical and other
purposes, which was very ingenious, and likely to prove
of great service to the chemist. Dr. Mackie read a
paper on two oils contained in South American barks,
which are easily decomposed by the mineral acids, which
renders them of a blood-red colour ; each of them has
an aromatic smell, and an acrid pungent taste.
SECTION A.—MATIIEMATICS AND PHYSICS.—The
following reports of the progress of the grants made
at Newcastle were read by Professor Steveley :-1.
The reduction of the stars of La Caille in the southern
hemisphere, by Sir John Herschell, to which 2001. was
awarded, and in which some progress had been made.
2. The Report of a Committee, consisting of Sir John
Herschell, Mr. Bailey, and Professor Whewell, on the
revision of the nomenclature of the stars. 3. The
enlargement of the catalogue of stars for the Royal
Astronomical Society, in which some progress had
been made, but without incurring any expense. 4.
The reduction of the Histoire Celeste, which grand
work contains 50,000 stars, and of which 13,000 had
been reduced at an expense of 1501. This was also
under the superintendence of Mr. Bailey, and it was
expected that the whole would be completed in the
next year.
A short report was read from Sir David Brewster,
containing the result of hourly meteorological observa-
tions made at Edinburgh in 1838. The greatest de-
pression of the barometer was in 1838, and when the
aurora borealis was very prevalent. On the 27th of
November the barometer was as low as 27.2.
Dr. Daubeney exhibited the rough model of a pholo-
meter by the agency of phologenic paper, which forms a
very delicate register of solar intensity. The medium
through which the light is transmitted is the ammonia
sulphate of copper, and the paper being placed on a
roller, is shifted every hour, when the intensity is
marked by the shade of the paper.
[We have received an account of the proceedings of
the Association which took place yesterday, but must
defer publishing them till to-morrow.]

duty payable on importation is no less than 3s. per lb., but
shape at present
extensive frauds, in some: involved in
FRAUDS IN THE TOBACCO TRADE.—The
mystery, are carried on in the trade ; and we have no
•
doubt that discoveries will shortly be made of an astonish
ing character. We understand that tobacco may be pur-
chased at a price amounting to little, if any, above the
import duty in the leaf—allowing nothing for either the
expense of manufacturing or the dealer's profit ; and the
consequence is, that to secure the general support of his
customers, the honest trader is compelled to sell at an ac-
tual loss. We can state, from our own personal know-
ledge, that some of the mast respectable traders in this
town are buying the ar.icle at 3s. 11d., and selling it at
3s. 10d. per lb., in order to protect themselves, by this
sacrifice, against the consequences of the fraud., to v.hicis
we have alluded.— Warwick Advertiser.

REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE
ON THE MANCHESTER AND BIRMING•
HAM EXTENSION RAILWAY (STONE AND
RUGBY) BILL.

Mr. Mildmay reported from the Committee on the
Manchester and Birmingham Extension Railway
Bill, that they had inquired into the several matters
required by the Standing Orders relative to Railway
Bills, and had agreed to the following Report
First. That the Company are not authorized to raise
by loan or mortgage a larger sum than one-third of their
capital, and that until fifty per cent. on the whole of the
capital be paid up, it is not in the power of the Com-
pany to raise any money by loan or mortgage.
Second. That the Railway will not cross any turn-
pike-road, or other public carriage way, on the level.
Third. That the proposed capital of the Company is
1,204,0001.
The amount of loans the Company are empowered
to raise is 401,3331.
The amount of shares subscribed for is 1,001,0001.
The deposits paid thereon are 100,0001.
The names and places of residence of the Directors
or Provisional Committee, with the amount of shares
taken by each, appear in the Appendix hereunto an-
nexed, marked (A).
The number of shareholders who may be considered
as having a local interest in the line is 125, and the
amount of capital subscribed by them is 575,750/. The
number of other parties is 136, and the capital taken
by them is 425,2501. The number of persons sub-
scribing for 2,000/. and upwards is 123, and their names,
residences, and the amount for which they have seve-
rally
subscribed, are stated in the Appendix hereunto
annexed, marked (B).
Fourth. That the present means of conveyance and
communication between the proposed termini are insuf-
ficient for agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, or
other purposes.
With reference to the passenger traffic it appeared to
the Committee, that prior to the opening of the existing
Railways, the extent of that traffic was usually ascer.
tained, for Parliamentary purposes, by assuming an
average number of passengers as travelling by every
coach specified in the Stamp-office returns. Since the
opening of those Railways the principal coaches have
been taken from the road, and, from the mode of book
ing passengers by the Railways, it also appeared that
the number of persons at present travelling by Railway
between Manchester and London, and places interme-
diate, cannot be ascertained.
The promoters have therefore furnished evidence of
the traffic by coaches for the year ending April, 1837,
the Grand Junction Railway having been opened to the
public in July of that year. From this evidence, and
without taking credit for any increase, a calculation of
the amount of present passenger traffic is stated in Ap-
pendix (C).
Fifth. That the number of passengers, and the weight
and description of goods expected upon the proposed
Railway, are stated in appendix (D).
The usual mode of computation has been to double
the passengers travelling by coaches, post .and private
conveyance ; but the promoters have trebled the pas-
sengers travelling by the road coaches in 1837, and have
taken the number of those then travelling by that route
by post and private conveyance without assuming any
increase in respect of the Railway.
With regard to goods, the proportions assumed
are :

General Merchandize Two-thirds.
Corn One-half.
Minerals One-third.
It should be stated that the promoters have no
taken credit for any of the traffic from Chester, and
parts beyond Chester ; but it appears to the Com-
mittee that a large proportion of that traffic will be
likely to pass upon this Railway.
Sixth. That the amount of income expected to arise
from the conveyance of passengers and goods, and in
what proportion, and generally the description of goods
from which the largest revenue is anticipated, appear
in the Appendix (E).
Seventh. That the proposed Railway is a com-
plete and integral line between the termini specified,
and is not a part of a more extended plan now in con-
templation, and likely to be hereafter submitted to
Parliament.
Eighth. That so far as the proposed Railway affords
a communication between the towns of Stone, Rugeley,
Lichfield, Tamworth, Atherstone, and Nuneaton, and
between all those places and Manchester to the North,
and between the same places (except Tamworth) and
London to the South, there is no competing line of
Railroad existing, in progress, or contemplation ; but
so far as the same affords a communication between
Tamworth and London, the Birmingham and Derby
and London and Birmingham Railways may be said to
constitute together a competing line now existing ; and
so far as the proposed Railway, in conjunction with the
Manchester and Birmingham and London and Bir-
mingham Railways, affords a communication between
Manchester and the various towns and places north of
Stone and London, the Grand Junction Railway be-
tween Stone and Birmingham, and the London and
Birmingham Railway between Birmingham and Rugby,
may be said to constitute together a competing line in
existence ; but that proposed Railway is superior to
such competing lines, being shorter in point of distance
and better in point of gradients.
That so fit as the proposed Railway, in conjunction
with the Birmingham and Derby Railway, affords a
communication between Derby and other parts to the
eastward, and the Potteries, Manchester, Liverpool,
and Chester, there is no competing line of Railway ex-
isting, in progress, or in contemplation.
Ninth. That there are no planes on the Railway
proposed to be worked by assistant engines.
Tenth. That there are no peculiar engineering diffi-
culties in the proposed line.
Eleventh. That there are no tunnels.
Twelfth. That the gradients and curves are generally
favourable, the steepest gradient being sixteen feet a
mile, and that only for a distance of one mile and a half
at a station, and that the smallest radius of a curve
(also at a station) is three quarters of a mile.
Thirteenth. That the length of the main line of
Railway is fifty-four miles and sixty-seven chains, and
of the branch is seven miles and fifty-six chains.
Fourteenth. That the fitness of the proposed Rail-
way, in an engineering point of view, appears to be un-
usually great.
Fifteenth. That it is not intended that the proposed
Railway should pass on a level any turnpike road or
highway.
Sixteenth. That the amount of the estimate of the
costs and expenses to be incurred up to the time of the
completion of the Railway, is 1,158,6831., and this esti-
mate appears to be supported by evidence, and to be
fully adequate for the purpose.
Seventeen. That the estimated charge of the annual
expenses of the Railway and works, when completed, is
one-third of the gross receipts, and the calculations on
which this charge is estimated have been sufficiently
proved. •
Eighteenth. That the calculations adduced in evi-
dence have satisfactorily established that the revenue,
after making all reasonable deductions, is likely to be
sufficient to support the annual charges of the main-
tenance of the Railway, and still allow profit to the pro-
prietors.

Nineteenth. The number of assents, dissents, and
neuters, and the length and amount of property belong-
ing to each class traversed by the Railway, distinguish-
iv,'' owners from occupiers, are shown in appendix (F).
Twentieth. That the engineers examined in support
of the Bill were—George Parker Bidder, John Cass
Birkinshaw, and John Dixon ; and those examined in
opposition to it—Joseph Lock, John Urpeth Rastrick,
and John Vignoles.
Twenty-first. The following petitions were referred
to the Committee :—The several petitions of Sophia
Place, of Waddington, in the county of Warwick, widow;
Sir Charles Wolseley, Bart. ; and Sir George Chet-
wynd, Bart. ; John George Norbury, of Mancetter
House .in the county of Warwick, Esq. ; the Rev.
James Roberts, of Wetherley, in the county of Leices-
ter, Clerk ; the Hon. F. G. Howard, of Elford-hall, and
others ; the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby ; John
Baggaley, of Alrewas-cottage, in the county of Stafford,
Gentleman ; Elizabeth Sparrow, of Bishton-hall, in the
county of Stafford, widow; and James Oldham Oldham,
of Bellanaore-hall, in the same county, Esq., respec-
tic ely, owners of mansions, land, and property on
and near the line of the proposed Railway, com-
plaining of the injurious crossing of their several
lands and properties by the line ; and contending that
no public necessity existed for the measure commensu-
rate with the damage it would do to private pro-
perty ; that its object was- solely to save a distance of
twelve miles and a half between Manchester and Lon-
don—the route already established via Birmingham,
the Grand Junction Railway and the Manchester and
Birmingham Railway giving, as they maintained, ample
means of communication ; and that as for the Alrewas
branch also sought to be established by this Bill, as a
means of communication between Manchester and
Derby and the Eastern Counties, that such communi-
cation would be far more profitably obtained by a line
of Railway between Derby and Manchester along the
Chernet Valley, and which they said was in contempla-
tion, but for which no notices were given or plans
deposited, and the merits of which the Committee con-
sequently declined to enter upon. All these petitions
were severally considered by the Committee, and
Counsel heard and witnesses examined in support of
them. The opposition of Mr. Norbury was withdrawn.
The.petitions of the London and Birmingham and
Grand Junction Railway Companies stated the sufficiency
of those Railways for all the purposes contemplated by
the Bill—the non-necessity of the proposed measure—
the very trifling saving of time that would be effected
by it—the insufficiency of the traffic on the line to sup-
port two Railways—the impolicy of making the public
pay for the support of two lines where one would suffice,
and the injustice of sanctioning a parallel line for ef-
fecting the same objects for which their Railways were
established, before their insufficiency has been shown, or
the proprietors have derived a fair return for the outlay
I and risk they have incurred : the Committee decided