The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-31 00:00:00

the precees of fermentation had commenced, add
a quantity of either of these materials to his
wash, and thus greatly increase the quantity of
spirits which it would produce, rendering the
check arising from the calculation of the density
of the wash completely nugatory.
The facility with which this species of fraud
might be committed is pointed ott in the Re-
ports of the Sugar Distillery Committees which
sat in 1807 and 1808. They were apprehen-
sive that even under the law which then pre-
vailed in England frauds would he committed,
and though, on account of the scarcity and I ery
high price of grain at that period, the use of
sugar was for a short time permitted in the dis-
tilleries of Great Britain, and distillation from
corn totally prohibited, it was found impossible
to extend the same permission to Ireland, and
the intercouse in spirits between Great Britain
and Ireland was therefore during that period en-
tirely suspended.
As very great importance was attached to the
check arising from the calculation of the original
density and attenuation of the wash by all the
revenue officers who were examined, a consider-
able part of the examination of these gentlemen
was occupied in the inquiry whether some addi-
tional checks might not be devised to obviate
this objection. It was suggested by Dr. Ure,
that if, in addition to ascertaining the gravity of
the wash by means of the saccharometer, a very
small quantity of it, viz. about one-tenth of a
gallon, was distilled after each trial of its gravity,
and the quantity of' spirit which it yielded ac-
cerately measured, it would be impossible for a
distiller fraudulently to add saccharine matter to
his wash without detection. There is no doubt
that, if such a series of experiments were made
by an expert chemist, with great care, it might
afford a very complete check. But your Com-
mittee apprehend, that in the hands of ordinary
excise officers the results of such delicate expe-
riments could never safely be relied upon. It is
true that Mr. Steel, an excise officer of great
experience and skill, stated to the Committee
that he had tried an experiment with so small a
quantity as 1,000 grains of wash, about one-
ninth of a pint, and that the quantity of spirit
which on distillation he obtained from it corres-
ponded nearly with results attained by Dr. Ure
in some experiments made by him by distilling
ten gallons of the same wash. As it appears
that in these experiments made by Dr. Ure he
did not obtain the same quantity of spirits which
were obtained by Dr. Atlee from the same wash
from which that made use of by Dr. Ure was
taken, no very satisfactory inference can be
drawn from these experiments of Dr. Ure and
Mr. Steel.
It would appear that the observation made by
Dr. Ure respecting the produce of malt is
equally applicable to the distillation of wash ie
small quantities. He observes that it would be
preposterous to attempt to make a good experi-
ment with a small quantity, such as a bushel of
malt, which has often been done by chemists ;
for it has been ascertained by experiments on a
greater scale that the product in the small way
falls short of the product of the great brewers
by eight per cent. Accordingly we find that
Mr. Hetherington, who had made some experi-
ments at the St. Catherine's Distillery with the
same quantity of molasses wash which Mr. Steel
had employed, states the produce of proof spirit
from one cwt. of molasses at 7.14 gallons,
whereas Mr. Smith, an eminent distiller, has
stated that in 1808 he could produce from one
cwt. of molasses 7.34 gallons of proof spirits ;
but as it appears that since that period great itn•
provements have been made in the process of
distillation, there can be little doubt that eight
gallons could now be produced ; and this also is
the result of the experiments of Dr. Thomson.
Mr. Cornwall, who was 'formerly one of the
Commissioners of the Excise in Scotland, stated
that he thought twenty gallons was the smallest
quantity from which any just inference could be
drawn, as an error of a few drops in the quantity
of the spirits obtained from the quantity of wash
used by Messrs. Steel and Hetherington would
have a material effect on the calculation of the
produce of the whole quantity of wash from
which it was taken ; and, therefore, as a check
on the distiller, such an experiment would be of
no value. He also states, that he was not cer-
tain whe her much reliance could be placed on
the result of any distillation when the wash was
not considerably attenuated by fermentation. It
was also stated, that by using an instrument
called Fox's Safe, which is placed on the end of
the worm, it would be impossible for the distiller
to abstract any of the spirits ; but it appears that
there was great reason to doubt whether this in-
strument, or any other contrivance of a similar
nature, would effectually answer the purpose ;
and even if it did, it could never be adopted ie
Scotland or Ireland, where, as the spirits are not
rectified, it is necessary that the distiller should
have constant access to the end of the worm, in
order to judge of the quality of the spirit as it
comes over.
As the quantity of spirits which can be pro-
duced from equal quantities of corn or sugar
wash of the same gravity, and the point to which
they can be attenuated, vary considerably, it
would be extremely difficult for an excise officer
to ascertain the produce of spirits from wash
made partly from grain and partly from molasses,
and the chances of error in charging the distiller
with the proper amount of duty would be greatly
increased. On this point the Committee of
1807 remark, that " if sugar and grain were used
indiscriminately it would be impossible to ascer-
tain to what point the duty on wash should be
reduced ; and if the distiller were to be allowed
s drawback on the sugar duty, the quantity of
sugar used would he at his own discretion ; no
officer could exercise his judgment, and no con-
troul would be afforded over the officer if he did.
The produce of a given quantity of wash made
froth sugar differs materially from that made
from the same quantity of wash from grain ; in
case of a mixture, the quantity of each article so
mixed not being defined, it would be impossible
to fix the proportion of credit to be given to the
distillers."
Now, as it is proposed that the distiller should
receive a drawback for the customs duty on the
molasses used by him in distillation on the pro-
duction of a certain quantity ofspirits, your carns
mittee apprehend that if the use of gram in the
distilleries is not altogether prohibited, while the
use of molasses is permitted, great frauds might
be committed by a distiller claiming this draw-
back on spirits, which might have been made
either entirely or partly from corn wash.
The Finance Committee of 1828 state, in
their fourth Report, " That the drawbacks of
duty on articles used in manufactures are liable to
serious abuses, and are the constant sources of
fraud, injurious to the fair trader and to the re-
venue ;" and they advert, in making this ob-
servation, to the drawback on malt used in the
distilleries, which appears to afford a strong proof
of it.

Your Committee entirely concur in the view

here taken by the Finance Committee ; and they
have no doubt that their observations would be
found to apply as strongly to the proposed draw-
back of the duty on molasses as to that of malt.
The entire prohibition of the use of grain in
the distilleries for indefinite periods, whenever
the price of barley should exceed 345. per guar-
' ter, would he attended with so much inconveni-
ence to the distiller, by rendering it necessary for
him frequently and at uncertain periods to vary
his mode of work, that your Committee could
not recommend its adoption. As the spirit pro-
duced from molasses, and particularly the spirit
made from sugar-refiner's treacle, is supposed to
be less palateable than malt or corn spirit, such
a prohibition could not be extended to Scotland
or Ireland. In England the subsequent rectifi-
cation of molasses spirit would in some degree
obviate this objection.
Your Committee are further of opinion that
the use of molasses in the distilleries, to such an
extent as to afford any material relief to the West
India planter, would very seriously injure the in-
terests of the barley growers of this country.
They have already stated their opinion that the
use of molasses in the breweries would have the
effect of displacing a quantity of British barley
of the finest quality ; and they fear that the use
of molasses in the distilleries would necessarily
exclude a large portion of the barley of inferior
quality, which, though not fit for making, is per-
fectly well suited to the use of the distiller.
It is not the province of this Committee to
enter into the question of the policy of giving
protection to the agricultural interest of this
country, by imposing an additional duty of ls. 6d.
per gallon on Colonial spirits ; but as the dis-
criminating duty was fixed in 1826, as it is un-
derstood, with the concurrence of the West India
proprietors, and as the opinion of the House on
this point was strongly expressed last year, when
an alteration of this duty was proposed by the
late Chancellor of the Exchequer, they consider
it to be their duty to point out to the House
that the permission to use molasses, as proposed,
would virtually destroy the small advantage which
this discriminating duty affords to the agricul.
turists of this country.
It is clear that whether rum be admitted at
the same rate of duty which is now charged on
British corn spirit, or the material from which
the rum is distilled be admitted for distillation in
this country, the effect on the interests of the
barley grower is the same.
It is stated by Mr. M'Donnell, in his evi-
dence, that one of the benefits he expected would
result from this measure was, that a large pro-
portion of the molasses now used in the West
Indies for the distillation of rum would come to
this country as molasses and be distilled here.
• A sugar or molasses spirit would thus come
in competition with British corn spirit, at a duty
of 7s. 6d. in England and 3s. 4d. in Scotland
and Ireland, instead of paying a duty of 9s. as at
present.

If this proposal should be adopted your Com-
mittee consider that it would be impossible to
continue the present discriminating duty on rum
lnd other Colonial spirits ; and it is clear, from
Mr. M'Donnell's evidence, that he anticipates
an equalization of the duty on British and Co-
lonial spirits.
Under these circumstances, however anxious
the Committee feel to afford any relief to the
West Indian proprietors in their present state of
unprecedented distress, they cannot consistently
with what they consider due to the interests of
the British agaiculturist, to that of the brewers
and distillers, and above all to the protection of
the public revenue, recommend to the House any
measure for permitting the use of molasses in
the breweries and distilleries of this country.

The Gazette of Madrid compares FERDI-
NAND VII. to Tzrus. In fact, when this benevolent
Prince passes a day without causing one of his subjects to
be hanged or shot, he exclaims, like the Roman Prince,
" I have lost a day !"—Fiparo.

The Devonport mail was upset on Friday at
Ludwell, between Salisbury and Shaftesbury, occasioned
by a restive colt, which a man was leading on the road
The coachman received considerable injury, as did a lady
who xas an inside passenger; but both are recovering.
The letters were conveyed on by the guard in a chaise,
drawn by four horses ; but the accident occasioned consi•
derable delay.— Slierborne Journal.

Tuesday se'nnight the following curious an-
nouncement was proclaimed by the town-crier in different
parts of Tonbridge Wells :—" Lost, from the E entish
Hotel tap, a person, supposed to he Barked, about 33
years of age, of small stature, and dark complexion, dressed
in a blue coat, dark waistcoat, and drab trousers. Who-
ever will return the unfortunate victim dead or alive,
shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble."—Brigh-
ton Gazette.

DAVY'S SONGS FOR SABBATH EVEN-
INos.—So great has been the demand for this ceh-orated
posthumous publication of the late Mr. DAVY, that we
have authority to state, that the publisher (Mr. T.
WurAams, of the Strand) wore out a complete set of
music plates in the space of one week ! !—" POPE'S su-
blime paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer, has been most
happily treated by Mr. DAVY. The price 6e. 6d. makes
this desirable Annual within the reach of every respectable
family."—E.ztract from a Musical Review.

A very general opinion prevails among 'me-
dical men that the cholera will not be merely a transitory
visiter to our shores, but that, like the typhus fever, it
will add itself to the permanent ills which flesh is heir to
in this country.

The arguments used by the " high constitu-
tional" party against the " innovations" of Reform, and
against every extension of the present exclusive system of
representa•ion, (because, forsooth, the " institutions of the
country" are so " venerable,") can only be compared to
the answer of poor black Sams°, who took his pig to
market, and, on being told that it was not large enough,
an,wered, by way of remmtnendation, " Vera true, maim;
him very little, to be sure,—but him damn o'd !"—The
Literary Test—a clever periodical just s'arted.

The affairs of Italy are approaching a crisis.
I drew your attention to them yesterday, and to-day we
have alarming, or rather, satisfactory intelligence from all
parts of the Boman States. 111. PHRIER told us that the
affairs of Romania were terminated ! that the Pope had
made the concessions required by France—that the Aus-
trian troops had retired—and then he required the subjects
of the Porz in the country to engage to return to their
native land, and never to rise in opposition to his Holi-
ness or his Governrnent• This.was the scheme of M.
PERIER, which looked well on paper, and sounded well
from the tribune; but he forgot that the patriots of Italy
were to be consulted—that they had to decide whether.
they were satisfied with this arrangement—this " Am-
nesty !" these new institutions, and with the promises of
the PoeE. It appears that, instead of being satisfied,
they are revolting—that at Forli, Faenz I, Bologna, and
everywkere, new insurrections are organizing—and that
it is by no means improbable that even ere this a re-
volution has broken out, the consequences, of which may
decide the question of peace or war in Europe.-0. P. Q.
--Morning Chronicle.

HUMOROUS REPROOF.—A late Nobleman
in whose character vanity and parsimony were prominent
features, was in the habit of retailing the produce of his
dairy and orchard to the children and poor people of his
neighbourhood. One day observing a very pretty little
trippingpfeinawahleer,cliiiieldsto, p
; after which he said in a
pompous tone, " Now, my dear, you may tell your grand
dt 0 through
ki
her
children, and tell them in their turn to tell their grand
children, that you had once the honour of receiving a kiss
Irom the Right Honourable Earl of The girl
looked up in his face, and with a strange mixture of sim-
plicity and archness, remarked, " but ye took the penny
for the milk though."

FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT,

WAR-OFFICE, DEC. 30, 1931.
hith Regiment of Light Dragoons—Lieut. F. Ives, to be Cap-
gain, bypurchase, vice Raitt, who retiree ; Cornet T. H. C. Terry,
two be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Ire*; T. Nayler, Gent.
to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Terry, Dec. 30.
lit or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards--W. H. Harvey
Bathurst, Req. Page of Honour to the King, to be Ensign and
Lieutenant, without purchase, Dec. 30.
3d Regiment of Foot—Lieut. G. A. Malcolm, to be Captain, by
purchase, vice Frankland, who retires ; Ensign W. A. Ward, to
be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Malcolm; S. Daniel, Gent. to
be Ensign, by purchase, vice Ward, Dee. 30.
oth Foot—Assistant-Surgeon J. M. Drysdale, from the halt=
pay, to be Assistant-Surgeon, Dec. 15.
14th Foot—Lieut. A. Gnerson, from half-pay of the Regi-
ment, to be Lieutenant, vice Ormsby, appointed Adjutant,
Dec. 30.

16th Foot—Ensign F. Cassidy, to be Lieutenant, without pur-
chase, vice Strode, deceased, Dec. 13; W. A. Kirk, Gent. to be
Ensign, vice Cassidy, Dec. 30.
17th Foot—Ensign C. Steele, to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice
Murray, who retires ; W. Hackett, Gent. to be Ensign, by pur-
chase, vice Steele, Dec. 30.
'Mb Foot—Ensign J. B. Maxwell, from the 14th Foot, to be
Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Wood, Dec. 30.
21st Foot—Captain T. D. Burrowes, from half-pay Unattached,
to be Captain, vice W. E. Sawbridge, who exchanges, receiving
the difference, Dec. 30.
24th Foot—Lieut. H. W. Harris, to be Captain, by purchase,
vice Stewart, who retires ; Ensign J. M. Stack to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Harris ; A. E. Harris, Gent., to be Ensign,
by purchase, vice Stack, Dec. 30.
29th Foot—Lieut. C. J. Eaton, to be Captain, by purchase,
vice Gosselin, who retires; Ensign J. G. Weir, to be lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Eaton ; IL Curtis, Gent., to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Weir, Dec. 30.
30th Foot—Ensign F. C. Waldron to be Lieutenant, without
purchase, vice Burrowes, deceased; A. J. Barrow, Gent., to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice Waldron, Dec. 30.
33d Foot—Ensign W. Hadley to be Lieutenant, without pur-
chase, vice Clarke; Ensign G. Harford to be Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Auldjo, promoted ; Ensign P. Hamond, from
the 99th Foot, to be Ensign, vice Harford, Dec. 30.
37th Foot—Ensign E. Macleod to be Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Cuppage, who retires ; Gentleman Cadet R. J. Long, from
the Royal Military College, to be Ensign, by purchase, vice
Macleod, Dec. 30.
_ _ _

57th Foot—Lieut. P. Sullivan, from the half-pay 37th Foot, to
be Lieutenant, vice Hutchinson, appointed to the 74th Foot,
Dec. 30.

62c1 Foot—Captain J. Walter to be Major without purchase,
vice Parker, deceased ; Lieut. J. O'Grady to be Captain, vice J.
Walter, deceased, May 26; Lieut. J. F. Macdonell to be Cap.
tain, vice Power, deceased, June 30 ,• Ensign R. Sherlock to be
Lieutenant, without purchase, vice O'Grady; G. Evatt, Gent, to
be Ensign, vice Sherlock, Dec. 30.
74th Foot--Lieut. F. J. I'. Hutchinson, from the 57th Foot,
to be Lieutenant, vice Hon. J. H. R. Curzon, who retires,
upon half-pay 37th Foot, Dec. 30.
82d Foot—Lieut. W. S. Rawson, from the 87th Foot, to be
Lieutenant, vice Hyde, who exchanges, Dec. 30.
Kth Foot—Ensign and Adjutant H. M'Fadden to have the
rank of Lieutenant, Dec. 30.
87th Foot—Lieut. H. Hyde, from the 82d Foot, to be Lieute-
nant, vice Rawson, who exchanges, Dec. 30.
96th Foot—Captain J. Auldjo, from the half-pay, to be Captain,
vice H. F. Kennedy, who exchanges, receiving the difference,
Dec. 30.

99th Foot—J. I. Wcrge, Gent. to be Ensign, by purchase, vice
Hamond, appointed to the 34th Foot.
UNATTACHED —Lieut. H. P. Hill, from the Bth Foot, to
be Captain of Infantry, without purchase, Dec. 30.

The half-pay of the under-mentioned Commissariat Officers
has been cancelled from the dates stated against their names,
exclusives, they having accepted commuted allowances for their
commissions :

Deputy-Assistant General L Donatti, Dec. 14; Deputy-As-
sistant-Commissary General B. Robinson, Dec. 17; Deputy-
Assistant Commissary-General E. Cave, Dec. 17.

His Majesty having been pleased to permit the 41st Regiment,
in February last, to be styled, " The 41st or the Welsh Regiment
of Infantry," has also permitted it to bear on its colours and
appointments, " The Prince of Wales's Plume," with the motto,
" Gwcll augau neu Chwilydd."

The name of the Ensign appointed to the 40th Foot, on ‘.l.'ith
Nov. 1831, was Lord George Thynne, and not Lord John
Thynne.
The date of the promotion of Lieut. Napier to a Company in
the 46th Foot, was 21st June, 18~31, and not 23d December, 1831,
as stated in the Gazette of the Md inst.