The Sun.
London, England, 1825-12-29 00:00:00

[MORNING CIIRONICLY.]

As a financial measure, and no doubt for the
purpose of relieving the exigencies of the State,
the King of Spain has recently levied a forced
contribution of ten millions, of rials on his subjects
carrying on trade and commerce, and before us is
a copy of the Instructions, containing in all nine-
teen articles, which his Ministers, under (late of
22d ult., have transmitted to the several Intendants
of the Provinces for its assessment and collection.
This contribution is to continue for successive
years, and commence on Jan. 1, 1826. By the
11th article all those persons are declared liable
to this contribution " who exercise the mercan-
tile profession, in any one of its branches or
classes, the term commerce being understood
to apply to the purchase and sale of goods,
produce, and effects obtained through the indus-
try of another. The twelfth article exempts
therefrom " farmers selling the produce of their
own -crops ; • manufacturers purchasing articles
for their own works," &c., The Boards of Trade
are authorised to make the cpllection of the new
revenue, and no doubt they will be induced to
lend the King the advances upon it which he may
require. The proportions are assessed according
to the size arid importance of each mercantile
town and district, and the distributions are after-
wards to be made by the authorities entrusted
with the collection.

Yesterday was another holiday at the Bank,
and the business .done in the Stock Market was,
in consequence, very limited ; in the transactions
that did take place, however, the favourable ac-
counts which we have recently had the satisfac-
tion- to give, received further confirmation. Con-
sols for Account opened at 821, and gradually
rose to 82-4- but left off at 824. Bank
Stock was at 213, and Three-and-a-half Per
Cent. Stock at 894. Exchequer Bills and
India Bonds were at a par, or at so trifling
a discount as not to be. worth mentioning.—
Money, in fact, seemed abundant; and if the op-
portunity offered for profitable investment,it might
have been had
.to any amount. In the Foreign
Stocks there was no material alteration,- and
the accounts from the country continue to be
satisfactory. With respect to Shares, they
excite very little attention, but in some few
there has been on iMproVement ; and the Real
del Monte hate got up to 830 premium.—A im-
mense number of these speculations are never men-
tioned, and are only thought of with regret. I o
fact, we repeat that it is imperative on the Di-
rectors of those which afford no prospect of pro-
fitable pursuits, to fall Meetings forthwith, and,
by an immediate dissolution, to prevent further
loss. It is astonishing what immense sums are
locked up in this way, which, if distributed
at the present crisis of commercial distress,
would be 'Productive of the greatest ad-
vantage. The remittances from the country
to the town bankers yesterday were consider-
able, and many of those who 'hoarded their
funds during the late alarm, are heard to express
their regret that they (lid not take advantage of
the golden opportunities which were - afforded
them, but which we sincerely trust will not again
recur.—(lbid.)