The Sun.
London, England, 1847-08-10 00:00:00

REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN

TRADE.

The weather has within the last few days as-
sumed a somewhat unsettled appearance, and a good
deal of heavy rain appears to have fallen in different
parts of the kingdom. If the wet does not last too
long, no harm would result therefrom ; indeed the
crops would probably receive benefit from a moderate
supply of moisture. But as a considerable quantity of
corn is out in the southern counties, and a
great deal is nearly ready for the sickle, much
rain would prove exceedingly prejudicial. The
reports from the agricultural districts con-
tinue very conflicting, and it is extremely difficult
to form an opinion as to the probable result of the har-
vest; it appears, however, to be pretty generally allowed
that if the weather should be auspicious for the in-
gathering, wheat would yield an average return.
Barley and Oats are still very favourably spoken of,
and it is the prevailing belief that both these crops
will be abundant in quantity and of fine quality.
As far as regards the articles named our prospects
may, therefore, be regarded as promising; but in
respect to Beans and Peas the reverse is the case.
And so universal are the complaints of fly, &c., that
we have come to the conclusion that the produce
must inevitably be short. The accounts of the late
planted potatoes have also, we are sorry to say, be-
come much less encouraging within the last few days •
and parties who maintained up to a very recent period
that there was no appearance of disease, now state
that the disorder of the last two seasons has un-
questionably attacked this root. Should this really
prove to be the case, and the main crop of potatoes
be again lost, the effect on prices of grain would be
soon felt. The rapid rise in the value of all kinds of
provisions last autumn was mainly caused by the
potato failure ; and though the consequences might
perhaps not be quite so serious this year, owing to
Spring corn having turned out better, still even a
partial failure of this important article of food would
be very seriously felt. Under these circumstances,
and taking into consideration the very reduced state
of the stocks of all corn, not only in this country, but
over the whole of Europe, the existing panic in the
grain trade appears to us scarcely warranted by the
actual position of affairs. At this period last year there
was certainly a much larger quantity of wheat of home
growth on hand than there is at_ present ; there was
be -

.sides, some two or three millions of quarters of
foreign here, with a certainty of large supplies from
abroad. The crop of Wheat was then as highly
spoken of as now, and the consumption was certainly
not greater; we are therefore unable to discover any
valid reason why the value of Wheat, which has
already receded 40s. to 50s. per quarter from
the highest point, should continue to retrograde.
The fall was natural enough in the first instance,
but the price has now been reduced sufficiently
to check importations ; and when the- alarm
shall have somewhat subsided, and the matter
be more calmly investigated, a rally may be expected.
We have again to report a short arrival of Wheat
of home growth into the port of London, the total
quantity received coastwise up to this (Saturday) even-
ing 12. aving amounted to only 2,396 qrs. The show at
Mark-lane by land- carriage samples has also been
trifling; indeed, beyond what was left over from
previous receipts, hardly anything has been offered.
The few runs exhibited on the Essex and Kent
stands on Wednesday consisted of parcels which had
remained unsold on Monday; and factors being
anxious to effect a clearance, a further reduction of
2s. to 3s. per quarter was submitted to, at which
abatement the greater part was placed. The un-
settled appearance of the weather on Friday, and
the extreme insignificance of the supply imparted
a somewhat firmer tone to business on that
occasion, and the millers experienced some difficulty
in purchasing at former rates. At length a falling
off has taken place in the arrivals of wheat from
abroad, and against 60,000 quarters received last
week only 26,494 quarters have come to hand during
the past eight days. Having, however, a large quan-
tity at this port on board-ship, which the importers
are very desirous to dispose of without incurring
landing expenses, a decrease in the foreign supply is
not likely to have any immediate effect in lessening
the pressure on the market, if unaccompanied by cir-
cumstances calculated to lead to an improved de-
mand. Wet, or even broken weather, would most
probably give rise to the latter ; and the little rain
which has fallen within the last few days has not been
wholly without influence. On Wednesday hardly a
transaction took place, though white wheat of very
good quality was offered at 605., and other sorts at
proportionate rates ; since then there has been rather
more disposition to buy, but the bids have been very
low, and the bargains actually closed on Friday were
not of much importance. American flour having
been offered at prices relatively below those de-
manded for flour of home manufacture, the sale of the
latter has been exceedingly difficult. The arrivals
from the United States and Canada have amounted
to 43,390 barrels ; and many importers have shown
themselves very anxious sellers. Fine brands of

Western Canal have been sold in retail at 28s. pei
barrel ; and to induce purchasers to take larger quan-
tities ls. to 2s. per barrel less has in some cases been
taken. These sales will of course entail great losses
on the importers, and the advices which left here for
America by the steamer which sailed from Liverpool
on Thursday may tend to check shipments from the
other side.—ilfark-lane Express.

We are glad to learn that Major-General Sir
Harry Smith, the hero of Aliwal, has been appointed
to succeed Sir Henry Pottinger as Governor of the
Cape of Good Hope. We also understand that Major-
Ge Staveley succeeds Major General D'Aguilar on
the staff at Hong• Kong, and that Sir Henry Pottinger is
to be the new Governor of Madras.
HAvvicK.—SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON THE RAILWAY.
—Donald Fraser, a young lad, who was dangerously
hurt by a waggon passing over his chest, is dead.
Another fatal accident occurred about two o'clock of the
same day, on the inclined plane at a cut near Midshields,
to a labourer whose duty it was to keep the rails clear
of any obstruction. It appears the poor fellow had been
so engaged, and being rather dull of hearing, and a
strong wind being adverse to the sound reaching him,
he did not hear when the warning was given that the

waggons were approaching. In consequence, four
loaded waggons passed over both his arms, which were
literally smashed to pieces, up to near the top of the
shoulders. Dr. Ewart, the railway surgeon, and Dr.
Grant were speedily on the spot, but nothing could be
done to save the poor man's life, the system had received
such a shock that he never rallied, and he died the same
evening about seven o'clock. Two more accidents of a
much less serious nature occurred on Friday. One
nav vie was hurt on the head by the fall of a plank of
wood, and another was severely wounded in one of his
feet, a fellow-workman having accidentally struck a pick
right through it.—Ross-shire Advertiser.
ALARMING RIOT NEAR OTLET.—PooI feast, which
commenced on Monday, was this year signalised by a
disturbance of a rather alarming character. The neigh-
bourhood, it appears, is inundated with the " navvies"
employed on the Leeds and Thirsk railway, now in the
course of construction, and on Monday evening a young
man named William Mounsey, of Otley, went with his
dulcimer to the Half Moon Inn, where a number of these
semi-barbarians were assembled for the purpose of hav-
ing a dance. Mounsey played a while to their measured
steps; but not receiving adequate remuneration for his
services, he left the house and went to the White Hart
Inn. There meeting with a fiddler, he played in con-
junction with him to a select party of villagers, among
whom were Messrs. Thomas Bray, Milthorp, &c. At a
late hour, the house was attacked by a number of these
" navvies," who had come to demand back their musi-
cian! Their demand was refused; and a scuffle ensuing,
several of the dancing parties were severely treated.
Mr. Bray escaped under a bed, but being discovered was
dragged forth in a brutal manner. The constable with
the assistance of several of the dancers, attempted to clear
the house, and this was effected, but not before several of
them had suffered rough treatment from the " navvies,"
Mr. Milthorp narrowly escaping strangulation. While
this was going on Mr. Ackerby, the landlord, rather inju-
diciously fired some small shot out of the window, hitting
but not injuring some of the riotous gang. The door being
fastened the rioters insisted on the constable taking the
landlord into custody. First throwing a atone through the
panel of the door, the rioters broke it open with a Ta.:
bar; and then, after breaking doors and windows
h of t hiel
directions, they ransacked the house inrdseear,
rcbut Mr.
landlord, whom they threatened te
baffled
Ackerby had retreated into the_speigotmtevuarsulte
was locked in by his servants. Th iwnghere he
dairy and cellar, where
in their search, went into h
g-the bowls of milk,
and trampling them
they amused themselves
tbi/et
bread, meat, p n
u last Mr. Ackerby's servant, fear-
under their feet.dreo ohri,n
At
released him from his con-
ing for his master's. safety,fm
the house, he buried him-
finement, and, rushing
b not far t. H was pur-
self in a new stack of
d but,
failekto discover
wonderful ton
relate,
thedista enrn e
aged " navvies "
sue • his hiding-place, although they passed
within a yard of the spot. The landlady had a narrow
escape. One of the villains attempted to plunge a knife
into her breast, but the deadly weapon slipping on one
side, passed through the sleeve of her dress, slig
htly
grazing s y
grazing her arm. Two of the parties who were so
roughly treated, have since been confined to their beds
from the injuries received. We are glad to find that
four of the ruffians were secured.their , names are Smith,
Walker, Valentine, and Thorp. They were brought up
at Otley the following day,
cli on heavily ironed, and being
.
taken before F. Bilham, Es the
charge of riot and
assault, were by him committed to d take their trial at
the next Wakefield sessions. Seven of the gang made
their escape, and have not yet been apprehended.—
Halifax Guardian.
ELOPEMENT OF THE WIFE OF A CLERGYMAN.—In-
formation reached the metropolitan police on Sunday
morning of an elopement of a distressing character that
took place on the preceding day. The parties are re-
presented to have eloped from the house of the injured
husband, a highly respectable clergyman of the Church
of England, and who is rector of a lucrative living in
Norfolk, not a great many miles from Norwich, and
were traced as far as Brandon, but from tahseeencretaany
trace
d. It
of their further progress has not bee
Jives have come to
f
is supposed, however, that the ugi
London. The gay lothario, it appears, is also a clergy-
man in deacon's orders, and had a curacy in an ad. joul..
ing parish to that of the lady's husband. He is described
with bushy and whiskers ; the
as being six feet high,
lady of rather a light andpale complexion.