The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-25 00:00:00

S N, MARCH 25, 1847.

REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE
DURING THE PAST WEEK.
(From the Mark Lane Express.)
A week of very fine weather, and rather large arrivals
of flour and Indian corn at several of the western ports,
from America, have sufficed to check the upward move-
ment in prices of grain, and at some of the leading pro-
vincial markets the trade has become very dull. The
article of Indian corn, which has for a long period been
relatively higher than wheat, has been aff cted to
a greater extent than any other by the recent receipts
from the other side of the Atlantic ; nor is this sur-
prising, when we consider the enermously high prices
at which it has till lately been selling, more particularly
es its consumption has been almost wholly confined to
Ireland. The value of wheat has been comparatively
but little influenced by the auspicious change in the
weather, and so long as the demand for shipment to
France continues we can scarcely calculate on any
material reduction. The position of the grain trade is
at present so peculiar as to render it exceedingly difficult
to speak with any degree of certainty respecting the
future. The principal cause which has operated to pro-
duce the advance has unquestionably been the purchases
made in the English markets for shipment to Ireland
and the continent ; should this unusual demand sud-
denly cease, and the prospects for the next harvest
become auspicious as the spring advances, even the ac-
knowledged smallness of our stocks might perhaps fail to
keep up present prices. That the wants of Ireland have
been temporarily provided for by the arrival at Cork of a
fleet of vessels laden with Indian corn is pretty certain, but
there is no appearance of a decrease in the French de-
mand. Another matter of great importance in con-
nexion with the probable future range of prices is, the
generally cautious manner in which the millers have for
months past conducted their operations. So averse have
they shown themselvei to purchase more than abso-
lutely necessary for theirpressing wants, that they have
permitted the French buyers to take off a large propor-
tion of the supply week after week; and we are there-
fore inclined to think that the millers have less wheat
on hand than usual. That the quantity in granary has
been reduced to a very low ebb is quite certain; and
though some parties may yet be found who assert that the
farmers, as a body, hold largely, this can
scarcely be reconciled with the fact that the de-
liveries from the growers have, ever since har-
vest, been on a liberal scale. The case appears,
consequently, to stand thus—that there is at pre-
sent a smaller amount of food in the kingdom than
usual ; that some of the continental kingdoms are in a
worse position in this respect than Great Britain ; and
that places which in ordinary years send us supplies may
find it necessary to continue the purchases which they
have for some time past been making in this country.
The trade has, nevertheless (as already intimated), be-
come dull, more particularly at Liverpool, where the
American arrivals have naturally had more influence
than in the interior, or at the ports on the east coast.
Wheat was on Tuesday quoted 2d. to 3d. per 701 b. lower
there than on that day se'rmight, and flour receded 2s.
to 2s. 6d. per barrel ; whilst in regard to Indian corn
the depression amounted almost to a panic, similar
qualities to those sold only eight drys before at 70s. to
725., having suddenly fallen to 58s. to 60s. per quarter.
On Friday holders of flour and wheat were not so
anxious to sell, and purchasers could scarcely buy so well
as before.
The advices from Scotland are not of much interest ;
die change from very cold to unusually warm weather
had had its usual effect on the corn markets, and the
tendency of prices has been mostly downwards.
In Ireland a good deal of impression had been made
by the simultaneous arrival of large supplies of Indian
corn from the United States and from the Black and
Mediterranean Seas ; still the value of the article does
not seem to have fallen there to the same extent as on
this side of the Channel.
No great increase has taken place in the supply of
wheat, only 6,451 quarters having arrived from our own
coast, and 3,639 quarters from abroad, into the port of
London during the week ending this (Saturday) even-
ing. The quantity brought forward at Mark-lane by
land carriage samples from Essex, Kent, and Suffolk,
has been on the same moderate scale; and, notwith-
standing the dull reports from Liverpool and other pro-
vincial markets, the trade has maintained a firm tone.
On Wednesday several purchases were again made on
French account, and, with a comparatively languid de-
mand for local consumption, factors experienced no
difficulty in clearing off the supply at the full terms of
Monday last. Subsequently the foreign inquiry rather
increased; and, though the millers acted with even
greater caution on Friday than earlier in the week, this
did not prevent former terms being obtained. fielders
of foreign wheat have manifested no anxiety to press
business, which may be easily accounted for when we
consider the extremely reduce d state of the stocks at
this port. The shipments lately made to the Cantinent
have so greatly reduced the quantity in granary that we
much question whether, after that bought within the
last fortnight shall have been despatched, more than
50,000 quarters will remain on hand. Under these cir-
cumstances no surprise can be felt that merchants should
hare become indifferent about making further sales, and,
at the close of the week, prices were quite us high as in
the ccmweneement.
The demand for flour has not been by any means
active, and the top quotation for town-made has re-
mained stationary. Ship flour has come to hand rather
sparingly ; notwithstanding which, its disposal has beet
attended with considerable difficulty, and former terms
here barely been supported. American barrels have
likewise moved oil slowly ; and when it became known
that prices had receded 2s. 6d. per barrel at Liverpool,
a reduction of Is. to 2s. per barrel took place at Mark.
lane. This happened on Wednesday, but sines then
confidence has partially returned, in consequence of
high quotations from France, and the expectation that
that country will draw supplies of the article hence.
The arrivals of barley, of home growth, have been
scanty ; having, however, received 38,040 quarters from
abroad, the supply has been more than equal to the
demand. The latter has no doubt been diminished by
the rise in the temperature, some of the maltsters having
discontinued working ; and, as others may be expected
shortly to follow, fine qualities have become almost as
unsaleable as the secondary sorts. In the absence of
extensive operations, quotations have not undergone
much change ; but to have succeeded in making sales,
either on Wednesday or Friday, it would have been
necessary to have accepted less money.
Malt has been affected by the dull state of the barley
trade ; and with only moderate exchanges coastwise, the
tendency of prices has been downwards.
Of the 23,193 quarters of oats received durince; the
week 7,626 quarters are from Ireland. An arrival to
even that extent from that quarter was not looked for;
and as it is calculated that further supplies may follow,
business in this grain has again relapsed into a state of
inactivity. The advance of Monday has, however, been
firmly insisted on by factors, and needy purchasers have
had no alternative but to comply; under these circdtn-
stances buyers have been unwilling to take more than
has been absolutely necessary for pressing wants, and
the operations have been on a strictly retail scale. As
quotations of oats in I eland are relatively much higher
than in this country, we cannot understand what profit
can attach to shipment from thence; and wo must, there-
fore, come to the conclusion that the late arrival must
have been in fulfilment of contracts entered into when
quotations were at least ss. per quarter higher here than
they are at present.
The decline submitted to on beans has failed to bring
forward buyers, and sales have proceeded slowly since
Monday at the reduced rates of that day.
Peas have excited rather less attention, but have not
been parted with at lower rates.
Increased offers of Indian corn to arrive, and the im-
portant fall which has within the week taken place at
Liverpool and in Ireland, have not been without influ-
ence on the quotations here, and the best qualities of
Galatz might, on Friday, have been contracted for at 60s.
per quarter.
By the steam-ship Cambria we have advices from
New York of the 27th of February, and accounts of
corresponding dates from other parts of America. The
very large shipments of flour which had been made
during the winter had greatly reduced the stocks of the
principal Atlantic ports. At New York only about
50,000 barrels were left in stores, and though it was ex-
pected that the Hudson would be navigable about the
middle of March, as only 30,000 barrels were held at
Albany, no very large receipts thence were calculated
on. The exports of flour from New York from the Ist
of September to the 26th of February had amounted to
595,065 barrels. The price of Western Canal, after
having been as high as 7 dolls. 50c. to 7 dolls. 75c., had
settled down to 7 dolls., which, at the then rate of ex-
change, would render the price in English money 31s.
10d. per barrel free on board.
Freight to Europe was still excessively high, Bs. 6d.
to 9s. per barrel having been paid for London and
Liverpool, and corresponding rates for continental ports.
As the future arrivals of bread-stuffs from America will
have a material influence on the range of prices in our
markets, we beg to'direct attention to what has been
shipped from the United States during a period of six
months, viz., from the Ist of September, 1846, to the
06th of February, 1847 ; flour, 1,650,000 barrels, of
which 1,025,000 barrels had been for Great Britain ;
wheat, 200,000 quarters, and Indian corn, 575,000 quar-
ters ; of the former 150,000 quarters, and of the latter
531,250 quarters had been dispatched to British ports,
These exports are certainly very large ; but do these
come up to general expectation ? We think not.
By the accounts from the south-eastern parts of
Europe it appears that stocks of wheat were everywhere
moderate, but that the somewhat flatter reports from
this country and France had tended to check any further
advance in quotations. At Marseilles, on the 13th
inst , wheat was comparatively neglected, in consequence
of the demand from Lyons, which bad previously been
very extensive, having in a great measure ceased.
At Trieste, on the 10th of March, business was like-
ise rather quiet. A day or two previous a parcel of
Odessa had been bought for France at 615., whilst for
Danube from 56e. to 58s. 6d. per quarter had been paid.
Vessels were exceedingly scarce, and freight to England
14s. per quarter, with priniage.
In the Baltic, quotations of wheat have recently risen
considerably, owing to an increased demand from France
and the Netherlands. At Dantzic, on the 13th of March,
there were no sellers of fine mixed wheat below 725. per
quarter; of really fine high mixed none remained. The
commoner kinds had been disposed of at from 665. to
68e. per quarter. The weather ‘515 then, and had for

PRICB SD.

' some time been, very severe, with hely), falls of snow,
and with 18 to 16 degrees of frost.
From Konigsberg we have letters of the 12th instant.
Wheat was then in brisk request, at 665. to 675. pir
quarter for mixed.
From Stettin our letters are of the 15th of March ;
large purchases of wheat had been made there for ship-
ment to Franco and Belgium, at an adiance of fully 25.,
675. to 68s. per quarter having been paid ftir 591 b.
Pomeranian and Silesian. In barley nothing of inlerest
had transpired.
At Hamburgh, on Tuesday, wheat was quoted full•
2s. higher than on that day week, and the supply had
been equal to the demand ; for good heavy parcels of
red, to arrive, equal to 745. per quarter, free on board.
had been paid. In barley there had not been much
doing, but the article, being scarce, had commanded full
terms. Oats had been freely take❑ at from 255. 6d. to
275. 6d. per quarter.

PENSIONS TO SCA-lOOLMASTERS

The Manchester British Teachers' Association have
written to Dr. Kay Shuttleworth, the secretary of the
Committee of Education, soliciting an answer to the fol-
lowing query :—" Will the gratuities in aid of school.
masters' salaries be exclusively confined to those per-
sons who shall hereafter be trained according to the
regulations of the committee of council in normal schools
subject to government inspection, or will those teachers
who may be reported efficient and deserving by the au-
thorised inspector, and who are now engaged, be also
eligible to receive those gratuities?" To this the doc-
tor has given the annexed answer :
Committee of Council on Education,
Privy Council Office. Downing-street,
March 11, 1847.
SIR-I had yesterday to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the Bth inst., in which you inquired whether mas-
ters of the elementary schools, who have not been trained in
a normal school under the inspection of the committee cf
council, are admissible to the advantages offered by their
Lordships' minutes of August and December last, provided
that, upon the report of her Majesty's inspectors of schools,
my Lords find such masters to be efficient and deserving.
It was very satisfactory to me to have been then enabled
to state, that all such masters may enjoy the gratuities '
offered in their Lordships' minutes, for the training of pupil-
teachers and stipendiary monitors apprenticed under the re-
gulations of their Lordships, as well as the gratuities offered
for the successful management of schools of industry, and
for general merit.
I inform von also, that my Lords being desirous to offer
the strongest inducements to schoolmasters and schoolmis-
tresses to render long and efficient services to the public,
had opened the prospect of a retiring pension to this class of
teachers, and that the sole point of distinction which, in
their Lordships' recent minutes, had been left between this
class of teachers and those who may obtain certificates of
merit by a course of training in a normal school under their
Lordship's inspection, was the augmentation of salary to
which the latter class will become entitled when provided
with a house rent free, and with a salary equal to twice
the amount of the stipend granted from the Parliamentary
fund.
I was able at once to assure you, that my Lords did not
intend that any injustice should be done to teachers whose
merits and attainments equal those of masters and mistresses
regularly trained in a normal school under inspection, and
provided with the required certificates of merit; as well as
to intimate that their Lordships had under their considera-
tion the important question, whether teachers who had not
obtained such certificates at the close of a course of training
in a normal school under inspection, should be admitted to
an examination for certificates of merit.
The attention of their Lordships had been directed to this
subject by numerous letters received from the trustees and
managers, sad from the masters of schools. My Lords had
also before them the resolution of a meeting in Leeds, of the
friends of the measures recently adopted by Government for
the promotion of public education.
That resolution declares, " That, as the benefits of Go-
vernment aid are proposed to be confined to those masters
and mistresses who have been trained in normal schools
already under inspection, this meetin* would beg leave re-
spectfully to suggest that these benefits might for the pre-
sent be extended to teachers who have not had that advan-
tage, and who shall be reported to be duly qualified by
competent examination."
These communications having been carefully considered,
I have now the satisfaction to say, that I an authorised to
inform you, that the Committee of Council on Education
will cause regulations to be framed, for the purpose of de-
fining the conditions upon which masters or mistresses of
schools under their Lordships' inspection, who have not
passed through a course of training in a normal school, may
be admitted to an examination for three classes of certifi-
cates, to correspond with those which are to be granted in
normal schools.

Masters and mistresses who have not received such train-
ing, but who may, upon this examination, obtain certificates,
will thus enjoy the augmentation of salary proposed to be
granted, according to their Lordships' minutes of August
and December last, to teachers who shall have procured cer-
tificates of merit. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) I. P. K. SIIIITTLEWORTIL
Mr. E. Salter, 68, Park-street, Ilulme, Manchester.

IRELAND.
STATE OF THE PROVINCES.

DUBLIN, MARCH 22.—From the counties of Galway,
Roscommon, Sligo, and Waterford there are again
afflicting accounts of the continuing effects of famine;
and in Cork and Sligo particularly typhus fever is raging
to a really alarming extent. I should remark, that taking
the country generally, there appears to be a decided de-
crease in the number of deaths from starvation; and the
vast importations of Indian corn appears to have pro-
duced a seasonable relief.

COUNTY OF GALWAY.—The Rev. T. Newell, C.C., in
a letter to the Galway Mercury, dated " Oranmore, 17th
March," says—" About a fortnight ago, I furnished you
with the total deaths, amounting to 54, that occurred in
this parish since December last, from the effects of
starvation. That dismal catalogue has been since aug-
mented by 33 additional deaths! On this day, the Feast
of the Apostle of Ireland, no less than eight individuals
are stretched in the cold'arxis of death from famine, in
this parish."
RoscommoN, MARCH 20.—The Roscommon Journal
says :—"'We are in an awful state here—few resident
landlords—and the few, however well inclined, unable to
meet the afflicting cry of hunger. Our soup establish-
ment here must be closed in a few days unless aided by
Government."

COUNTY OF WATERFORD.—DUNGARVON, MARCH 18.
—On this day over two thousand of the poor labourers
who have been dismissed from the public works, with
their starving families, from the surrounding rural
districts, came into the poorhouse, with a view
of being admitted, or to get out-door relief:
The guardians met, deliberated, and then went
home, after announcing to the famishing multitude,
who were waiting the " live long day " to get some
relief, the cheerless intelligence, that they must re-
turn home again, as they were unable to give them
either "in or out-door relief." The Scots Greys
were ordered out to the poorhouse to keep the
people from the gates, and to make way for the guar-
dians in their ingress and egress. As soon as the
military arrived the unfortunate people spoke to them,
and said it would be an act of humanity for them to
" commence and shoot them all." Some of the brave
Scots actually shed tears at the awful and soul• harrow
ing scenes of human misery and suffering they beheld.
After the guardians left the board-room, the people saw
there was no hope of getting relief at the poor-house,
and they then came into town, and stopped opposite Mr.
Fisher's bakery. The poor creatures said they had no
intention of attacking Mr. Fisher's or any other person's
house or property ; they should do nothing but merely
go round to the bakers' shops and appeal to their charity
for any relief they would be kind enough to give them.
The Waterford Freeman, from which this account is
taken, then proceeds to describe the scenes which fol-
lowed at the several b ikers' shops, from the windows
of which large quantities of bread were thrown to the
starving multitude.