The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-09 00:00:00

FRENCH IMPORTS.

The last official Customs returns published show
a progressive improvement in French imports, and
a still greater one in exports. If the value of the
corn and cotton imported into France be deducted
from the gross amount it will be found that the
imports fir the first seven months of the present
year exceed those of the corresponding period of
the year 1862 by 72,000,000 f. and those of 1861
by 123,000,0001. Of the 84 articles mentioned in
the official returns, the importations of 38 have in-
creased, and those of 46 have diminished, but the
sum total has increased. The most considerable
increase is 6,500,000 f. on fresh and salted meats,
35,000,000 f. on silks, 4,000,000 f. on tallow,
8,000,000 f. on guano, 3,000,000 f. on oil seeds,
1,500,0001. on coffee, 1,000,000 f. on tobacco in leaf,
6,000,000 f. on flax, 36,000,000 f. on cotton, and
1,000,0001. on sugar. The principal diminution is
on corn and flour, 69,000,000 f. ; rice, 1,000,000 f. ;
dried vegetables, 1,725,000 f.; table fruit, 1,000,000 f ;
olive oil, 6,000,000 f.; coal, 4,000,000 f.; iron,
10,000,000 f. ; cast metal, 1,000,0001. ; chymicals,
1,000,000 f ; woollen stuffs, 10,000,0001; cotton
cloths, 7,000,000 f. On analysing these returns
it appears that the importation of articles
used by French manufacturers has increased,
while that of foreign manufactured articles has
diminished. The progressive improvement in ex-
ports is more remarkable. The Customs returns
show, by excluding cotton and corn, an increase
during the first seven months of the present year
over the corresponding period of the year 1862 of
185,000,600 f., and over that of the year 1861 of
310,000,000 f. Of the 82 articles mentioned in the
official returns there was an increase in the exporta-
tion of 59 and a diminution of 23. The most re-
markable increase is on wrought silk, 30,000,000 f: ;
woollen stuffs, 30,000,0001.; linen and hempen
cloth, 2,000,0001. ; linen and hempex'
toted lea-
-5,000,0001. ; tanned hides, 6,000,000 f.;
ther, 7,000,000 f.; clocks and watc
flowers,
haberdashery, 4,000,0001.; ibfiecsi,fldrooo,oool. ;
pasteboard, 2,000,0001. ;
1,000,000 f. ; paper and i,, wines, 5,500,0001.;
china and pottery, 1,000,00ovli:e
oil, 1,000,0001;
brandies, 11,000,000 f. ;ic
acids, 2,000,0001.; re-
drugs, 1,000,0001.; s_trorf.; native beetroot sugar,
fined sugar, 25,0020,0
000,0001.; timber, 5,000,0001.;
2,500,0001: ;
In,r3BfgoBo'o,ooof. ; eggs (fowl and game),
native resin,
4 500,000 f.; wool, 100,000,000 f. ; hair of every
,
3,000,0001. ; raw silk, 24,000,0001.;
description,
horses, 1,000,000 f. ; corn flour and dried vegetables,
sundry articles, 10,000,000 f. The
20,000,000 f.;
only articles on which the diminution of the
export is remarkable are jewellery, 3,000,000 f.;
made-up linen, 9,000,000 f.; madder, 5,000,000 f. ;
chemical produce, 3,000,000 f. ; preserved vegetables,
2,000,000 f. ; cotton wool, 8,000,000 f.; sowing sad,
2,000,000 f. ; mules, 2,000,000.

A FREE KIRK MINISTER AMONG THIEVES.—The
Rev. Mr. Elder, of Free West Church, Rothesay,
went away on a trip to the Continent a few weeks ago.
Having visited Venice, he, in company with several friends,
as also two or three foreigners, while proceeding in a dili-
gence from Venice to Chiavenna, Italy, were attacked by
a party of brigands, who were all armed. The passengers
were robbed of everything the brigands could lay their
hands on, and about £3OO was taken from those in charge
of the diligence. It is conjectured that the brigands knew
of such a large sum of money being conveyed in the dili-
gence, and were on the outlook. We are glad to state that
no personal injury was sustained by any one, and that the
party arrived the same night in Chiavenna. Great
.exer-
tions were being made by the Government authorities toi
searchet.
capture the brigands, and the country was being
in all directions by soldiers, but as yet without success.
We
understand that the Rev. Mr. Elder has reached Brussels,
and expects to be in England next week,—Rothesay
Chronicle.