The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-19 00:00:00

Cif ining 2int

LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1847.

TitE_“lN,

We are compelled by pre:s of matter to omit our
usual Parliamentary summary-.

An absentee-tax is among the most equitable in its
motive, but it is among the most unjust in its opera-
tion and among the most injurious in its consequences.
Theoretically it appears to be about the surest means
for enforcing that wholesome circulati :n of money
which can a►one conduce to the national welfare.
Practically it would be destructive to all enterprise,
subversive of all mutual reliance, and an infringe-
ment upon :all the liberties of the subject. No one
can feel more disposed than ourselves to sym-
pathise with the indignation so temperately ex-
pressed against the habitual non-resi.lents of Ire-
land by the Honourable Gentleman the Member fob
LimeriCk. To the systematic selfishness of that por-
tion of the Irish proprietary is attributable, we are
satisfied, the principal amount of the wretchedness
by which that unfortunate country has been in-
c..ssantly desolated since the Legislative Union at
the commencement of the nineteenth century.
Drawing from their MA) possessions incomes
which amcuo t, according to the estimate
of Mr. S NIIT O'BRI RN, to the enormous
sum of 4,000,0001. sterling; deriving this, let
it be moreover rememb 2red, from the toil
an.' sweat of their tenantry, they nevertheless
deprive that tenantry of the advantages conse-
quent upon the local expenditure of their individual
rentals, to which advantages they are fully entitled
both by the principles of our Constitution and the
laws of Nature. The effects of this unnatural and
indefensible deprivation are obvious. From the

withdrawal of the landlords the fecundity of their
estates remains, of course, but partially developed;
the energies of the agricultural population are al-

lowed to lie dormant, or to- arouse -themselves to a
feeble and isolated excitement at the pleasure of the
neglected peasantry ; all competition isy blighted upon
its first budding into existence ; the •fiehl-labourers
receive just sufficient to maintain a precarious balance
between poverty and destitution, or are abandoned to
the doles of a fluctuating benevolence. Those are
the immediate consequences of this atrocious and
,•uineus system. The ulterior consequences are
more c n )rinous. They reduce the nation to a multi-
tude of paupers, they bring upon the livid a periodical
famine, they foster discontent, they hold out lures to
insubordination, they dwarf the vigour of the island,
they deteriorate the general property, they excite the
poorer classes to decredse the sureties of our national
prosperity by emigration. And let the alhentees re-
.member this significant and undeniable fact, that they
furnish by their cruel and insane conduct the most
rational argument to the irratioual.scheme of a Repeal
of the Union. • It is they who have sharpened the
sword of famine ; it is they who have lit the brand of
agitation ; it is they who have imparted its most
deadly and deleterious influence to the potato mur-
rain ; it is they who have stunted the capacities of the
empire, by pampering their own indolence and consult-
ing their own convenience ; it is they who have ren-
dered Ireland a lazir-house and her inhabitants
beggars. Look at Ireland in its present condition ;
look at the dearth and disease by which it is ravaged ;
look at its people dying by dozens, by scores, by
hundreds; look at its fields unsown, its markets
empty, its fisheries almost forsaken, its pea-
santry penniless, workless, and foodless; look
at it as it now is, the • pensioner of
the State, the receiver of ale alms and the broken
bits of its neighbours—and see in all.that misery, in
all that degradation andwant,'.the criminal effects of
absenteeism. When Queen MART, better known by
an exquisitely brutal soubriquet, was dying, her
clamour was, " Calais ! Calais ! Calais !" When
Lord NELSON was chasing the French fleet in the
Mediterranean, before his immortal victory at
Aboukir, hiscry was,"Frigates! Frigates! Frigates!"
Could Ireland give voice to her woe, could Erin
again sing her lamentations, her cry would be,
" Absentees ! Absentees! Absentees !"

Regarding the system of non-residence with such
unmitigated abhorrence, we are, nevertheless, opposed
to the propo3ition of the Honourable Member for
Limerick, first, because we regard the imposition of
an absentee-tax as contrary to the liberties of the
individual and as opposed to the interests of the com-
munity, and, secondly, because the resolution of Mr.
SMITH O'Betee; has been entirely forestalled by the
extension of the poor. laws throughout Ireland. From
being so perfectly self-evident and from being so fre-
quently repeated, it has almost grown into a proverb,
that the establishment of an effective poor-law is
virtually the imposithn of an absentee-tax. For it
must be remembered that the poor-rates
will be levied, nut upon the annual incomes
spent in certain localities, but upon the
annual incomes derived from certain localities. By
this arrangement a per-ventage will be drawn froti,
the absentee landlords,- and consequently the neces-
sity for a separate taxation upon the rentals squan-
dered out of the island is altogether removed. Besides
this enactment, there is another meat ure calculated to
•Tect the most sal...eery changes in Ireland—we me n,
of course, the Bill introduced by Government for the
facilitation of the sale of estates. " Amongst other
benefits likely to accrue from them"—meaning the
last-mentioned measure and the Poor Relief (Ire -
laud) Bill—" I hope,
n" says, Mr. LABOUCLIERE, that
the
o effect of
obligingo
ltahiel.dy
iwnillreland to contribute their
poor r proprietorsshare
to the
f
expenses of maintaining the Let the
thheere
con-
scientious advocates of an absentee-tale tarry

'foie until the operation of those enactments can be I
properly estimated.

The present session will be remarkable in Parlia-
mentary annals for the extraordinary amount of
business, partly achieved and partly initiated, which
has been brought under the consideration of the
Houses of Lords and Commons previous to the
Easter holidays ; and altogether the current session
promises to be more fruitful in legislation than any
preceding one for many years past. Not only have
the measures introduced into Parliament since
its commencement been not few- in number,
but, in regard to their nature, they have been of the
most important character. The expedition with
which some of the Bills have already obtained the
assent of the Crown is undoubtedly attributable to
the severity of the national emergencies which they
were designed to mitigate ; and the celerity with
which these have been engrafted on the statute-book
augurs satisfactorily for the ultimate success
of the others, which are meant to ex-
ercise a permanent influence upon the social
condition of Ireland, and to prevent a recurrence
of the fearful crisis in which that country is now in-
volved. Independently, however, of these measures,
we have already ample evidence afferded us by others
of the extreme activity which has pervaded the dif
ferent departments of the State, demonstrative of the
earnest desire of their several chiefs to obtain for the
Government the honourable distinction of having, in
a peculiar degree, promoted the social progress of the
empire. From the tenor of his address to his consti-
tuents in assuming the reins of power, it was mani-
fest that Lord JOHN RUSSELL desired his administra-
tion should found its claims to the gratitude of pre-
sent and future generations by a provident attention
to the social and moral wants of the nation. Accord-
ingly, we perceive already that public health, public
education, and the reformation of criminals, are all
matters upon which they have bestowed great atten-
tion. Lord. MORPETH has the first subject under
his immediate cognizance, Lord LANSDOWNE
the second, and Earl Guar the last. Besides which,
we have had gratifying and convincing proof, during
the present week, by his eloquent speech on the Fac-
tories Bill, that, to subject,: of a kindred nature to the
foregoing, the Premier his f iithfully devoted the
powers of his mind. To those who consider that "the
great mass of the people are only born to work, eat,
drink, sleep, and die," the chronicles of Lord J. Res-
umes Cabinet will be . greatly devOid of interest;
whereas to those who believe that the duties of the
statesman extend to objects of a far more elevated
character, they may be consulted delectando pariterque
inonendo.

Whilst the Government are endeavouring their
utmost to improve the mental and physical condition
of the population other public associations are work-
ing laudably and effectively in the same direction.
We published yesterday a report of the fifth annual
meeting of the Early Closing Association, held in
Exeter Hall, where the Marquis of WESTMINSTER
presided. When we find that important towns
like Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester,
have given in their adhesion to the principles
of this benevolent movement, we may be certain that
before long both employers and employed throughout
the kingdom will become convinced of the advantages
of not continuing their daily toil beyond the limits
of reason. It is clear that commercial prosperity is
quickened by mental energy, which rises or droops
with the strength or lassitude of the human frame,
and that, therefore, any system which taxes the bodily
powers too muds is detrimental and vicious. We
think the moral benefit would be great, if the thousands
who are parents of families, and who are now kept up
to_ a late hour in the shops and warehouses of the
metropolis and other leading towns, were allowed to
repair to their homes at an early period in the evening.
'rhe Association recommend that no purchases should
be made after seven o'clock. This is a reasonable
I
suggestion ; we shall rejoice to see it universally
adopted.

During the past session many of the restrictions
by which commerce was fettered and impeded were
abrogated, the great principles of free trade received
the legislative sanction, and the strongest guarantee
was given to the country, that with all convenient
speed the remaining shackles should be struck off,
that the industry of the nation might flourish with-
out let or hindrance, and attain the highest degree
of vigour and efficiency. A gigantic monopoly was
prostrated, never again to embarrass the producers o
national wealth byits baneful influence; but, although it
was swept away, many miner enormities, dieply injuri-
ous to the mercantile interests still remain, to which
extensive and sweeping measures of reform must be
applied. Among the more conspicuous of the still
tolerated grievances, the quarantine laws may be
enumerated. These laws are almost singular in this
respect, that no class, not even an individual in the
kingdom, save the employes paid for carrying them
into execution, is benefited in• any the slightest
degree, and yet. by their operation the free-
doin of intercourse between nations is materially
igyaired, the feelings of humanity are outraged,
those requiring every comfort and assistance are cut
off from the aid they would otherwise receive, and
a heavy and onerous burden is imposed on the trading
part of the community, which- of course is levied
with additions from the people generally. They
were originally founded on mistaken views of the
law of contagion, which the light of science has, in a
great degree, dispelled within the last few
years. The alle and elaborate report of
the Commissioners appointed by the Royal
Academy of Medicine in France, and the valuable
body of evidence on which tint report was
based—the facts collected extending over a period of
several centuries—incontestably establish that the
best means of protection against the ravages of the
plague, that fearful scourge, fur the prevention of
which the quarantine laws were originally enacted,
and have since been continued, are to be found in the
increase of ventilation and drainage, the improvement
of the habitations, and the promotion of the cleanliness
of the million ; the removal of all impurities calcu-
lated to taint the atmosphere, of decayed animal and
vegetable substances ; a sufficient supply of plain and
wholesome food ; and generally of everything cal-
culated to improve the moral and physical condition
of the people, and not in the establishment of a
cordon sanitaire, intended to prevent the entrance of
the dreaded foe. In America and in the East
Indies there are neither quarantine establishments
or quarantine laws, .and yet the plague has
never made its appearance in either of these coun-
tries. With the - full knowledge of these facts, then,
why is it that the objectionable system is still re-
tained ?—that an actual cost of 140,0001. sterling is
annually incurred for its maintenance, which, acs
cording to Mr. Iluste—an excellent authority on
such questions--is not a tithe of the expense that the
country is put to by the delays and loss thereby im-
posed on our commerce? "Cessat ratio, cessat lex," is
a sound maxim ; and it having been ascertained that
the reasons for which the law was established no
longer exist, the law itself should be immediately
abrogated.

But there is another peculiarity connected with the
code, that renders it impossible to deal with it in the
summary and expeditious manner that would be de-

sirable if Great Britain alone was concerned. If the
laws were abrogated without the assent of other na-
tions where the erroneous impressions are still re-
tained, a greater degree of delay and inconvenience
might be occasioned than at present exists. It is, there-
fore, by enlightening these kingdoins,,by negotiations
and treaties that the object can alone be attained. The
Government has, we believe, been exerting itself most
creditably, and the prompt and ready manner in which
the motion of Dr. BOWRING last night, for copies of
the correspondence on the subject, since the returns
granted during the last session, v. as acceded to, affords
the most s3tisfgctory evidence • of their anxiety t 9
render the operation of these laws as little injurious
as possible to the country. Dr. BOWRING, too, has
entitled himself to the best thanks of the community
for the able and temperate manner in which Le
brought the question before the House, and for his
continued exertions to enlighten the public mind on
the subject—exertions which, we doubt not, will

eventually be crowned with well-merited success.

The Berlin Gazette of the 13th states that the frost
and snow, added to the great speculation, had caused
the prices of corn to rise, and, that in addition to this,
very small quantities had been imported.

, The Frankfurter journal states, that in the pro•

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENINa, MARCH 19, 1847.

vince of Starkenburg the population of four villages,
one containing 1,400 inhabitants, has demanded per-
mission from the Government to emigrate to the
United States. Tnis disposition has also been parti-
cularly perceptible in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-
Darmstadt. The Cologne Gazette states, that in the
town of Bocholt, in Weaphalia, the fourth part of
the inhabitants are making preparations to emigrate
in the beginning of spring.

Madrid papers of the 12th have arrived.
A motion was brought forward in the Chamber of
Deputies on the 11th for an extension of the am-
nesty. In opposing the motion, the Minister of the
Interior said that if an unlimited amnesty were
granted it might tend to foment civil war, but that
no individual applications had been refused. The
motion was rejected by a majority of 98 to 71.
Senor I'AcnECO has been re-elected for Cordova.

Large quantities of wheat have been imported into
Cadiz since the permission to that effect has been
given, and it is said that the stocks of grain in the
province of Seville are large.

MADRID BoLs A Blanca 12.—Three per Cents.,
301; Five per Cents., 191. Exchange on London, 37/.

We have received the Paris papers of We.inesday.
The Journal des Debals, in noticing the refusal of
Lord Jons RUSSELL to prohibit the export of corn,
makes the following sensible observations on the
subject:—

In the countries in which the harvest has been had, you
grain, anti of certain descriptions
populations are agitated, and the emo-
"-
s from an increase in the price of
(pt
tifroofinhoiouhrri
flour,
hbt
el lecepaoeuxps
uep
loat ri
tit
ieao tiiloanrios fe
wheat of 50 per cent. in certain provinces, and of 100 per
cent. in others. What think you, then, has passed in the
at Riga, at St. Petersburgb,
or in those other commercial
Atlantic in the United States?
opmroerittnrsoto:: of the e
seoßf
batahl
tteillaatbc)kD. atshneetaz,i
Precisely the same thing. This advance of 100 per cent.,
which afflicts you in eartain of 3rour provinces, has been re-
peated in the ports of Russia. At New York the advance
has been 50 per cent., exactly as in some other parts. of
Europe. If this increase in the price of corn be a misfor:
tune in the west of Europe, can it be taken as a matter of
indifference by the populations of eastern Europe, or in the
regions of the New World? Now, what would be thought
If the Governments of those countries, placing themselves
at the same point of view as ourselves, were to interdict the
exportation of grain, as the Pacha of Salonica, political chief
of one of the regions rich in corn, has just done, in conse-
quence of a riot ? A violent clamour would be raised in all
parts of Europe. We should accuse the Russian Govern-
ment of barbarity. We should say to the Cong:ess of the
.United States, that history would apply infamous epithets to
it. Fiom Washington and St. Petersburg, however, the
reply to E,.rope would be, that they had done nothing but
chat she had done herself; that they had followed the ex-
ample she had taken the trouble to set, and that they had
been influenced by the same reasons as those by which she
was inspired. What would Europe have to reply ? To such
an answer from Washington and St. Petersburg there could be
no reply. The system of exclusive supplies in corn, when
examined with some attention in relation to others as well
as to oneself, cannot be sustained, and consequently, the
prohibition. toexport is a bad measure, a grave fault. People
must admit this, must persuade themselves of it, and re-
member it in future. The pretension to receive and to give
nothing is contrary to equity, contrary to good sense, con-
trary to the interest well understood of each state. It may
succeed once by chance, but the secret is soon discovered,
and echen once made public, may be turned against us. As
the late Mr. Huskiason said in Parliament, on another sub-
ject, the trick is found out, the patent has expired, and we
must give it up. For merchandise as for corn, which no-
thing can replace, which nothing can dispense men from con-
mining, there is not a nation that can flatter itself that it
will not have need of others to-morrow, as was seen in 1637,
when England helped to feed the United States. With
respect to grain it is therefore not permitted to any one to
isolate himself, but it is especially when one demands the
assistance of another that it is dangerous to set the ex-
ample of shuttiug oneself up at home. Lord John Russell
was right then : the only system that is true, that is humane,
that is useful, that can supply a scarcity, or soften its
rigour, is diametrically opposed to that of the national
markets being reserved; it is that of one single market for
all civilised people, of a market without obstacles on which
every one may place bisaxcess of corn, or come to take what
he wants. Beyond that there are only false or equivocal
notions, specious for the observer who does not give himself
the trouble to investigate, but disastrous in the opinion of
every one who renders to himself an account of the situation
and of the comparative wants of nations, and as well as of the
difficulties which surround different Governments. This
thought of entering in communication, without admitting
any barrier at any time, with the general corn market of the
world, is that to which, after long deliberation, a great na-
tbn, our near neiglib.eir, has ranged itself, arid yet it would
have seemed that she has in her territorial organization more
motives than any other for acting differently. It is impos-
sible for the sang idea not to obtain, that of which it is
worthy—the assent of all nations, which, as much as Great
Britain, are proud of their enlightenment, and flatter them-
selves that they understand their interests."

In the same journal we find tho following state-
ment with regard to the recent riots at Pisa :
" We have received letters from Italy, which enable us to
complete, and in some respects correct, what we said yester-
day with regard to the event which threw the city of Pisa
into commotion. The Prince who was the object of a foolish
and wicked attempt is not, as was stated, brother of the
Emperor of Austria; he is the Archduke Ferdinand of Este,
diAtantly related to the Emperor, and uncle of the reigning
Duke of Modena, and consequently of the Duchess de Bor-
deaux also. He inherited from ids mother, the Duchess
Beatrice of Este, some considerable estates, called Agnano,
situated at a short distance from Pisa. To visit this property
he goes from time to time to Tuscany, and, as the house of
Este does not enjoy great popularity in Italy, it had already
happened for a brother of the last Duke of Modena to be re-
ceived during a visit to Pisa in anything but a favourable
manner by the inhabitants. The events in Gallicia, in which
it was supp.)sed, rightly or wrongly, that the Archduke Fer-
dinand of Este had taken an active part. increased on this
occasion the animosity of the people. Crowds assembled in
the streets, and, in the midst of the effervescence which pre-
vailed, one of these individuals, who,,e presence is inevitable
in every tumultous gathering, conceived without doubt the
project of the criminal attempt which we announced yes-
terday."

On this statement the Ministerial, journal comments
;titer a fashion which clearly demonstrates that M.
GUIZOT is adopting the foreign policy of the restora-
tion, and that us long as he shall possess power
France Kill be the advanced guard of d: spotism
instead of the leader of civilisation.

The ConstiAtionucc has a very ably wtitten, but
uncommonly severe, article on the financial state of
the country. It attributes all the difficulties under
which France is labouring to the incompetence of the
Ministry. With regard to the scarcity of corn it

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The Cotton market at Liverpool yesterday was without
alteration. The demand was very limited, and prices had a
downward tendency. Sales 3,500 bales.-In Railway Shares
there was not much doing.
As the season for emigration is at hand, we cannot diffi-
dently caution the nearly destitute individuals who may
leave Ireland more especially against the frightful risk of
disease and death which they incur. A party at New York
gives the following account of the privation endured upon the
Voyage out:-
" We have been shown a specimen of the food which the
Irish immigrants usually bring with them to support life
while crossing the Atlantic. In colour it resembles guano,
but in form it presents more the appearance of coarse meal.
We were unable to learn the name by which it is known,
but we understand that it is a kind of berry, which is
first dried in the sun and then ground up for
use. The flavour is quite offensive, and the
food, as we understand, is unpalatable in the
extreme. About the only article of food besides this, which
the immigrants use, is the common sea biecuit. The first
article which they call for on reaching our almshouse is
the potato, NI hich they prefer to the best of meats."
Again, as to the disease engendered on the voyage, we aro
told that-
" The character of this disease ie proving itself to be much
• mire fatal than it has heretofore been considered. One of
the vi=itors of the almshouse, Mr. Thomas Middleton, who
had been among some of the recently-arrived paupers, caught
this fever a few days ago, and died from its effects on Satur-
day last. Three of the best physicians in this city at-
tended him, but they could not master 'the disease.
We are also informed that two Custom-house inspectors, who
lately visited the Pontac, have since died from a fever which
they contracted while performing their duty as inspectors.
There is, indeed, much came for alarm on this subject. If
this disease is to get a foothold in our almshouse and
hospitals, we have reason to apprehend the most melancholy
consequences."
The favourable statement made yesterday at the Bank of
England, and the dissipation of further alarm that the Bank
of France would be compelled to throw a large amount of
stock on the market, have conduced, with the brilliant
weather, to create a far better feeling in the City, and there
is a probability now of matters going on progressively
towards improvement, unless the crops are endangered, or
there is any political result to follow the financial alliance
between the Emperor Nicholas and Louis Philippe. After
recent events in the French Court nothing would surprise us,
especially when the debt due - to the Bank of England
shall have been liquidated. Consols have been 89'
to 89 for Transfer, and 89i to 89 for the Account. The
scrip has ranged from tAI discount to 14 premium. Exche-
quer-bills aro ls. to ss. premium, and India Bonds have
touched 51. to 7s. premium.
The Foreign Securities have been also rather higher.
Spanish Three per Cents. have risen to 311e2 94, and alexican
Bonds to 21% JA. Dutch Two-and-a-Halt per Cents. have
been quoted 58 to 58!lie
For Railway Shares the demand is but slack, although
holders are not inclined to sell at lower rates. The French
lines are all better, but Sambre and Meuse continue flat.
BiCITISII FUNDS THIS DAy AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities • . .. 89% 89
India Bonds, 1,000/. .• • • • • 5 7 •
Consols for Account .• •s •• .• •• 811% 89
Consols, Scrip p dis
Exci.equer Bills. l% d. 20.
1,0001. - .... 3 1 5 - pm.
5001. - .... 3 5- - pm.
Ditto. Small .. - .... 3 5- - Pm.
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Mexican, 1846, 5 per Cent • • • • -
Ditto, for the Account .. 21%%
Peruvian Bonds, 6 per Cent .. 39
Russian Bonds,•s per Cent 110%
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cunt. .. .. -
Ditto, Three per Cent .. • • •• -
Ditto, for the Account .. • • 34%34
Dividends on the above payable In London.
• Belgian, Two-and-a-Half per Cent. 53
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 58%
Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 92
BUSINESS DONE IN RAILWAY SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK
RAILWATS. PAID. PER SHARE.
Amber., Notting.,Boston, & Eastrn Jll. 2%.... to -
Birmingham and Oxford Junction .. 5 .... 13%%% to -
Bristol and Exeter .. •• 75 .... 77 ...• to -
Buckinghamshire • . ..6/.45..... p.. to -
Caledonian .. 30 27% to
Ditto, Half Shares .. • • .. .... .... to -
Eastern Counties .. • • • • • • 20 .... 20 .. •• to 19%
Do., Perpetual,s per Ct. No. 1, 61. I 3s. 4d...., .. • . to -
Ditto, ditto .. N 0.2, 61. 13s. 40..• p•• to -
Ditto, York Extension .. .. • . 4 .... 5%.... to 5
East Lancashire .. .. • • .. .. 17 .... - •• • • to -
Ditto. New .. .. • • • • • . - •• • • to -
Ditto, ditto, New Scrip .. • • .. 1% 2%.... to -
East Lincolnshire .. • • • • 4 .. • • 7 .. • • to -
Ely and Huntingdon . .. • • • • 12% •. 13 .. ••to -
E weter, Yeovil and Dorchester • • .. 2% .. • • 1% •• • • to -
Great Northern (London & York Itegd) 2% •• • • 2%%.. to -
Ditto (Direct Northern Regd.) .. 3% •• •• 3% •••• to -
Great North of England • . •• • • 100 ....231 .. ••to -
DIP°. New.. .• .. • . 5 59%.... to 60
Great Western .. .. • • • • .. 85 - .. •.to • •
Ditto. Half Shares 50 •• • . 66%.. • • to
Ditto Quarter Shares • • • • • • 12% •• • • 17% ••to -
Ditto.. New •• 7%34.. to -
Leeds and 11ra.lford .. • . .. •. 35 .. • . 77%34 .. to -
Liverpool, Manch, and Newe. Junct. 2%.... 1%.... to -
London and Blackwall .. 161. las. 4d. - •• .. to -
Ditto, New, No. 2 .. I/. 13.4. 4d. .... p.. to --
London, Brighton, and South Coast • • 50 .. •• 54 .... to -
London and Greenwich .. PE. 15s. 4d. •••• . xdto -
Do., Preference or Privilege, M. 17s. 2d. .... 21 .• • . to -
London and North• Western .. • • 100 .. 177 .. to 179
Ditto, Quarters .. • • .. •• •• 2 .... - ..•• to -
Ditto ditto New .. •• .. • 2 .... 13 .... to
London and South-Western 41/. 6s. 10d. •••• 63%.... to 63
Ditto, New • . • • .. 22%.. • . 25%.... to 25
Ditto; Scrip .. • • .. • • .. 5 .. 5 •••• to -
Lynn and Ely .. .. 20 .. • • 22% .... to -
Lynn and Dareltam .• • • • • 15 . • • 16% .. • • to --
Manchester and Leeds • •• 82 - ••.. to -
Ditto, Thirds (Reg.) • • • • •71. 45....• 2% pto -
Ditto % (late Hudders. & Sheffield) 23 .. • • 26% to -
Manchester, Buxton, and 3latlock • 425. •• • • % p.. to -
Manchester and Southampton .. • • 2 .. • • 114.. • • to 1
Midland •• •• •• •• •• -100 -.116% .... to -
Ditto, New • • • • 30 .... 3414 .... to 34
Ditto, New .. • • • • • • 2 .. ••S 14 .... to 5
Midland Great Western (Irish) 20 .... 8 to -
Newcastle and Berwick. .. • • •• 20 .... 29% 34.• to -
Ditto, New .. • • • • .. 5 .. • • 8%%.. to -
North British .• .. • • 25 .. •• 33 x d.. to -
Ditto, Half Shares .. .. • • 12% .. • . 16% . • to -
Northern and Eastern .. 50 - .• .. to -
Ditto, Quarter Shares • • • • • • 12% ••• • 14 .... to -
North StaflOrilshire • • • • 5 .. • • 8% •• • • to
Preston and Wyre • • • • .• • • • • 25 .... 3114 to -
Ditto, Half Shares (A) se .. - •• .. to -
D tto,tlitto (B) ••11A .... • • to -
Madill:l, Guildford, and Reigate .. 5 .• 4sp xinto 5
Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A) .. 3 .... 4% •• .. to
Shropshire Union • .. •• .• 425..... %%dis. to -
South l'lastern and Dover .. • • 331. 2s. 40. 34% .. to 38
Ditto, New (do. 15/.) No. 4 .. •• 3% •• • • 434 %• • to -
South Wales .. • • • • •• •• 10 •• • • 7% • to -
South Yorkshire. Doncaster, & Goole 2 .... 2 .... to -
Vale of Ncath .• • • 2 .. • • %% . • to -
rork and Newcastle • • •• -- • • 25 .• • • 33% •• • • to -
Ditto, New •• •• • •• •• 10 •• •• 1554% to -
Ditto, Preference • • •• .• • . 4 .. • . .... to R
Vtirtt and North Midland .. .. •• 50 .... 84 ••to 8 •-•
Ditto. Extension .. .. • . .. 20 • • 36% •••• to -
Ditto, Preference .• • • .• 2 .... 11 !‘ .•to -
Ditto East awl West Riding Extension 10 .... 21% to -
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Boulogne and Amiens .. • • .. 18 •• 11% •• . to -
Namur and Liege .• • • • 10 .. • • 434 .. to -
Northern of France „ 8 13%114 to -
Orleao.4 .. .. .. 6 . •• 6% •... to -
Paris an.l Lyons • • .• 8 .... 634 %.. to -
Sambre and Meuse •• • • •• 12 • • 6% ••• o -
JOINT-STOCK BANKS.
Colonial .. • • .. • • • • •• •• 25 .. • . 15%% .. to -
London and Westmins' er .• •• 20 .. 27x all.. to -
MINES

[Zeal del Monte. Unregistered 31,4 .... to

:a.ys—
" What must cause astonishment is that the Government,
f.rinerly so lavish of i.s circulars, now observes the must
complete silence. After having held the country in deceitful
lopes, when, on the contrary, it was necessary to appeal to
evil, that it would be useful and advis-
its foresight, it now is silent when it is a matter of so great
population. It is evident that, how-
importance to know the real state of things. It is, in facf,
in circumstances like the present, when the apprehension of
stahbeleeltviol
ever terrible may be the present crisis, the public is inclined
to exaggerate its consequeces. I.'he Government has, there-
fore, everything to gain by telling the truth to calm the
racti.d3sts taorethe the
general terror. Yet, at the present period, we have still to
learn the precise deficiency- of the harvest."
There is a reason for all this. At the time the
Government was so " lavish of its circulars" the

Errata in Yesterday's List—Read York and North Midland 83N
84% instead or 83% 8454 83.

.....
Ministry, finding itself in the presence of an adver-
sary, did not feel it incumbent to tell the whole
truth" as to the scarcity, and therefore it deceived the

people. Now the marriage is completed, and the
next step is to create some excuse for assembling
troops on the Spanish frontier, to be used as occasion
may require, and the fear of bread riots afford§ as
good an excuse to M. G 111ZOT -as the fear of yellow
fever did to M. DE VILLELE, when he formed his
celebrated cordon sanitaire ; therefore it is now for
their interest to exaggerate the scarcity, and to make
the most of every entente; hence the disappearance of
the circulars.

On Tuesday the Marquis of NonuaNnir gave a
grand dinner at the Embassy to all the members of
the French Cabinet, and the principal members of
the corps di plontatique. Marshal Soult, M. Guizot,
Count Ducbatel, M. Lacave Laplagne, M. Dumon,
M. Ounin Gridaine, and Admiral Mackau were
present, is well as the Count d'Appony, and other
ambassadors. A good deal of interest was attached
to this entertainment, from the fact of its being con-
sidered the gage de reconciliation between the English
Ambassador and the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs. It being one of M. Cu IZOT'S reception days,
he was obliged to leave Lord NORMANBY'S party
shortly before ten o'clock.

FAST-DAY.--BILLS of EXCHANGE.
We beg to remind the public that, in virtue of 7 and
8 Geo. IV., c. 15, "all bills of exchange and promissory
notes falling due on the fast. day, Wednesday, the 24th
inst., will become due and payable on the preceding
day, and, in case of non-payment, will be noted and pro-
tested on such preceding day, and every such day of fast
shall for all other purposes as regards bills of exchange
and promissory notes be considered as a Sunday;" and
it is not necessary to give notice of dishonour until the
day after the fast•day. The bankers will not open on
Wednesday, the 24th. All the Government offices, the
Excise, the Customs, Stamp-office, and Treasury, &c..
Stock Exchange, East India and South-Sea llousTs, the
St. Katherine, London, West and East India Docks will
be closed to business. The. Post-office will open as usual,
except the Money-order offices. The theatres, British
Museum, National Gallery, &c., will remain closed.

IMPOItTANT CONVENTION BE-
TWEEN RUSSIA AND THE BANK OF
FRANCE.
The Moniteur Parisien of Wednesday evening con-
tains the following article :

" An arrangement has been concluded by the Bank
of France for the disposal of a portion of the Go-
vernment stock of which it is proprietor. On the
27th of February last the Emperor of Russia gave,
through Count Netselrode, orders to M. Kisseleff,
his Chare,‘ d'Affaires in France, to present himself
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (M. Guizot) to
inform him that the Russian Government was ready
to purchase the French Government stock of which
it wished to dispose at the medium price of the day
(March 1I th instant) to the extent of 50,000,000 f.
(2,000,0001. sterling). This sum will be placed in cash
at St. Petersburgb, at the disposal of the Bank of
France.

COCIRs AUTIIENTIQUE.—PAMM, MARCII 17.—French Five
per Cents., 1151. 60c., 65c., 70c.; Three per Cents., 77f. 63c.,
70e., 75e.;
Bank of France Shares, 3,2.10 E, 3,245 E, 3,250 E,
3,240 E, 3,250 E; Treasury Bonds, 414 2 m.; Obl. of the City,
,1;3151:; Neapolitan (leotlischild's) Defuntives, 1011. 30c.;
'"nnans, loll.; Belgian Five per Cents. (1840), 101%f.;
Ditto, (1842), 102 f. ; Spanish Three per Cents., 3110 ;
Exchange on London—one month, money, 25f. 23c. ; three
months, money, 25f 71/ic•
(Constitntd),'"lt
BUSINEss DON', IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT TAE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Moto! 18.
Boulogne
—ANmainienu6; aln3d3l4l,Te„B,°,r4illerx-N' ortlrerkinuosef.Fraaltilace,Cle2tlite
—vticans and Bordeaux, Gh—Paid and Lyons, 6% —Sambre and
Meuse,

CABINET COUNClL.—Summunses were issued yester-
day, from the ForeignotTice, to the Ministers, to latent) a
Cabinet Council to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon, at
the Foreign-uffice, Downing street.

" The Minister for Foreign Affairs immediately put
the Chargé d'Affaires of Russia in communication with
the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank.
" The propositions submitted by the orders of the
Emperor have been discussed and accepted, and a con-
vention to that effect was signed yesterday, the 16th of
March, between the Governor of the Bank and the
Chargé d'Affaires of Russia. Thiebouvention has been
approved by the Council-General of the Bank of France
at its meeting of this day."

A deputation from the Great Metropolitan Cattle Market
arid Abattoir Company, accompanied by Mr. Lane, deputy.
chairman, and attended by Mr. Henry F. Richardson, the
solicitor, waited on viscount Morpeth, at the office of the
Woods and Forests, yesterday.
Mr. O'Connell's health is daily improving at
Hastings. He walks daily on the Esplanade, and takes
carriage exercise,. The Earl of Shrewsbury visited Mr.
O'Connell on Monday ; Sir Jas. Murray visited Mr. O'Connell
on Tuesday. _ Mr. O'Connell, on Tuesday, drove to Battle
Abbey;—Briykton Gazette.

In the Passage de l'Opera the funds upon this an-
nouncement rose rapidly from 771. 80c. (the closing
price of the day) to 79t. sc.

In the Court of Excise, yesterday, Samuel Edwards,
a brewer, of Limehouse, was convicted in the mitigated pe-
nalty of 501, for having in his possession artides for the Lint-
teratioa end colouring of beer.
At Enfield Petty Sessions yesterday, Mr. G. Dun-
combo, formerlv a chemist, at Poplar, but who has la, terly
been cecupyini a cottage anti barn in Enfield Cliae, was con-
victed for having an illicit distillery on his premises, in which
were six large stills. The penaltka imposed were 2001 as
the landlord of the premises, and 2001. for each of the stills;
making a total penalty of 1,4001.
AWFUL DEATII OF AN OLD LADY.-Yesterday an
inquest was held by Mr. Higgs, the Coroner for the Duchy
of Lancaster, at the William the Fourth, Clapham, on the
body of Mrs. Sarah Platt, aged 72. On last Sunday three
weeks, as the dinner was about to be placed on the table, she
suddenly fell on the fire, and was burnt in a very dreadful
manner. She lingered in great torture until Sunday last,
when she expired. Verdict, ' Accidental death."
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS--A Bill has been pre-
pared and brought in by Mr. M. Gibson and Mr. Parker, to
make provision for the collection of agricultural statigio iii
England and Wales, •

Beasts.
907

LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MAncit 19.—Wind, at noon, S.E. by S., light
breeze, and fine clear weather.
DEAL, 18.—Wind S.E.—Arrd. Java, Frik, New
York for Amsterdam; Amalie, Vesser, Pernambuco; Stud
AntwQrper, Gevarts, New York from Antwerp. Sld. Protec-
tor, New Zealand; Lady Clark, Calcutta; Lady Bute, Cal-
cutta; Coromandel, Gray, Bombay ; Acasta, Algoa Bay ;
Providence, Cape of Good Hope; Rises, Cape of Good Hope;
Clarence, Baltimore; Pioneer, Philadelphia; Catherine Bo-
land, Bermuda; Pearl and John 8011, Montreal.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCR 18.—Wind S.S.E.— Sld. Toronto,
New York.

POOLE, Msncu 18.—S1d. Emma, Newfoundland.
LtvzurooL, Mancit 17.—Wind S. to S.E., moderate.—
Sid. Promise, Sydney, New South Wales; Isabella, Harnet,
Calcutta; Berhampore, ditto; Elizabeth Archer, Bombay;
Teazer, Para; Potentate, Havannah ; Sarah and Louisa,
New Orleans; Ashland, Nes York; Oxford, ditto; Peter
Hatterick, ditto ; Triumph, ditto ; Albatross, Pauline,
Boston ; Chester, St. John's, New Brnnswick. The Adelaide,
Grant, for Halifax, has put back, l.aky, and with thinage,
having been in contact 16:11 inst., off Holyhead, with the
Seaman, hence to Baltimore, which is supposed to have re-
ceived damage. The Minerva, of Dublin, hence to Galatz,
was seen yesterday off Holyhead, with loss of topmasts and
fhreyards. Off port, Queen Mab, supposed to be putting back ;
Crescent, Ann, Dingwall, Aqua Marine. and Berwick Castle.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH 18.— Wind E.S.S.—.Arrd. Toronto,
Simpson, Moulmein. Sailed Sovereign, St. John's, New
Brunswick ' • Trafalgar, Adelaide.
JERSEY, Mama 17.—S1d. Iris, Newfoundland.
ta.t.,, MAltcit 18. —Wind E.S. E.—Sld. George, St. John's.
ST. IVES, MARCH 17.—The Affiance, of Goole, from Lon-
don to Galway, struck on Rinmel Stone and sank near the
Land's End; crew saved and landed here.

CLYDE, MAacir 13.—S1d. Leven Lass, New York; 16tb,
Eclipse, Windsor, Nova Scotia; Southampton, Boston.
Conic, MARCH It.—The Active, Prealle, from Santos to
Hamburgh, arrived here to-day, with loss of two men, fore-
topmast, head of mainmast, decks swept, and part of cargo
thrown overboard, and remainder damaged, in a heavy gale
on 25th to 27th ult., in lon. 10; must discharge.
SwA..NrsE A, MA ucti 18.— Wind S.E.—Sld. Mary, Men.
LEITH, MARCH 16.—Young Queen, Havannah.
SmEnNEss, MAucu 17.—The Two Brothers was brought
in to-day a derelict.

MARKET NEWS.'=-(THIS DAY

CORN EXCHANGE-FRIDAY

During the present week, the arrivals of English wheat
have been moderately good ; yet the stands to-day were by
no means largely supplied with samples. All descriptions
moved off steadily at about Monday's quotations. In foreign
Wheat, for export as well as for home consumption, very
little business was doing; yet the -holders were firm, and
would not sell except at full prices. The import of Barley
having been large, the Barley trade was slow, at late rates.
The show of English parcels was trifling. With Malt we
were scantily supplied; yet the brewers were very cautious
in their operations, at barely late rates. Oats were tolerably
steady; but all other articles, including Indian cOrn,- com-
manded very little alteration.

English
Irish. ..
F'reign ......

Wheat.
5,410 qrs.

14,590
Malt, 1,510 qrs.
sriczTsrizLn.

ARRIVALS.
Barley, I Oats 1 Flour
1,050 qrs. 1,430 qr.;. 1 1,950 Ali,.
1,620 I and
9,960 10,700br16

3,2.0

The number of Beasts on offer being on the increase, and
the attendance of buyers small, the Beef trade was exces.
sively dull, at a decline in the quotations of 2d per 81bs, the
highest figure for the best Scots being only 4s per 81bs, and
at which a clearance was not effected. There were in the
market 262 Beasts, 30 Sheep, and 21 Calves from Holland
and Germany. The supply of Sheep was by no means large,
yet the sale for that description of stock was very heavy,
and the prices receded quite 2d per Blbs. The first arrival of
Lambs fur the season from the Isle of Wight took place to-
day, 30 head having reached us from that quarter in good
condition. The Lamb trade was dull, at prices varying from
5s 2d to 6s per 81ba. Calves moved off heavily, at a reduc-
tion in value of 2d per 81bs. In Pigs, next to nothing was
doing. ➢filch Cows were a slow sale, at from 161 to 18/ 5s
each, including their small calf.

Per tithe. to s
s. d. to s. d ' s. d. to s.
inferior Beasts.. ... 2 6 2 8 Second quality ditto 310 4 0
second quality ••• 210 3 2 Coarse-woolledditto 4 2 4 6
Prime large Oxen.. 3 4 3 6 Southdown Wether 4 8 410
Prime Scots 3 8 4 0 Ditto outof the wool
Large coarse Calves 4 2 4 8 Large Hogs ...... 3
Prime small ditto .. 4 10 5 2 Small Porkers ... • 4
Suckling Calves —lB 0 28 0 Quarter old Pigs .• 16
Inferior Sheep ••.- 3 4 3 8 Lambs .......... 5
SUPPLY Al MARKET.
Sheep. Calves. 1 pips
3,240 112 280

ink tho offal.

6 4
8 410
• 19 0
2 6 6

rz.zIvGATE MEADENEALL.
All kinds of meat were in good supply, and heavy demand,
at drooping prices.

At per stone by the Carcase.
s. d. to s. d. d. to s.
Beef, inferior...... 2 4 2 6 Mutton, inferior •• 3 2 3 4
- middling .... 2 8 210 middling.. 3 6 310
- prime large .. 3 0 3 2 prime ••• • 4 0 4 4
- prime small 3 2 3 4 Pork, large.... • • 3 4 4 4
Veal•• •• • - 5ma11........ 4 6 410
Lamb. 5s Od to 5s 10d