The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-20 00:00:00

FOOD RIOTS AT TAUNTON.

The Taunton Courier, after describing the food riots
which took pine in the town on Saturday, says—
On Monday morning, soon after nine o'clock, a
number of people collected at the town-mills, alleging
that they had been promised on Saturday night that
they should have their wheat at 10s. instead of 14s.
the bushel. Their demand not being complied with,
much angry feeling was expressed, hut no mischief was
perpetrated, and a large party proceeded to Mr.
Mathews's, where they soon commenced breaking
the windows. A numerous body of magistracy and spe-
cial constables actively proceeded to the spot, where the
Riot Act was again read. Two of the active perpetrators
were taken into custody, and after a desperate resistance
and attempt at rescue near the Guildhall, were committed
to prison. _ _ _

The military pensioners of the district having been
summoned on Saturday night, appeared at the barracks
on Monday morning, where having assumed their mili-
tary costumes, being furnished with firelocks and am-
munition, they assembled on the parade, and were sta-
tioned with ;fixed bayonets in and around it. Nearly
ail the shops in the town were either partially or entirely
closed.
On Monday evening, about 5 o'clock, upwards of 30
men provided with bludgeons, entered the town, at the
East Gate. They were promptly surrounded by the
civil force and marched out at the opposite part of the
town over the Tone bridge. Several of them soon after
returned, and being brought before the bench were
examined and committed to gaol.
At 3 o'clock on Monday. an ammunition waggon,
guarded by a strong military party, under Captain
Maher, entered the town.
The promptitude with which the different troops of
the yeomanry corps obeyed the order to assemble in
Taunton was exceedingly honourable to that body.
Within twelve hours the Dunster troop was in atten-
dance, and the members of all the other troops, accord-
ing to their respective distances, were equally obedient
to the order.

The vigorous measures adopted by the magistracy,
seconded by the Yeomanry foree, the armed Pensioners,
and the various recruiting parties of the neighbourhood,
who were ordered to repair immediately to their head-
quarters in this town, have had the effect of tranquil-
lizing the painfully-excited feelings of the inhabitants,
who towards evening resumed their customary occupa-
tions and pursuits.

---
LUNATICS IN SCOTLAND.--The following is a Par-
liamentary return of the number of idiots, lunatics, and other
insane in Scotland, maintained, either whelly or i❑ part, out
of parochial, or other public funds :—Kept in public asylums,
1,290—in private madhouses, 145—in workhouses or wards,
204—in private houses with relatives or friends,l,774. Total
number in Scotland, 3,413. The average cost is various in
the different counties ; but, taking all the counties together,
the average cost is as follows : Cost, when in public asy-
lums, 201. 12s. sd.—when kept in private madhouses,
191. 12s. 6d.—when kept in workhouses or wards, 10/. 19s. Bd.
—when kept in private houses with their relatives or friends,
61. 1 Is. Bd.

THE NEW MANCHESTER RACECOURSE.—The for-
mation of the new Manchester racecourse, Broughton
Meadows, is rapidly approaching completion. When finished
it will rank as the very first racecourse in Great Britain. The
ground is perfectly flat, and on the east and northern sides of
it nature has made a rising ground. forming a most splendid
amphitheatre, capable of containing half the population of
Manchester.

DEEP SEA FISHERIES:---VALENTIA.—The Lords
of the Treasury have resolved to fix one of the stations
for the curing of fish upon part of our coast ; they have
selected the harbour of Valentia for the purpose. They
have taken premises and are erecting curing sheds, hav-
ing placed an experienced Scotch surer at the head of
the business. We understand the selection to have been
made on the ground of the windward position of Va-
lentia, as well as the facility, afforded by its double
entran(T, commanding, as it does, the, fishing ground
both to the southward and tun thr.ard of the 6kellip.
—Kerry l'osi.
The King of Bavaria has forbidden the use of po-
tatoes by distillers and vinegar makers.