The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-15 00:00:00

ACCIDENT BY LIGHTNING.

On Friday, during the storm of hail and thunder
which raged about one o'clock, an alarming accident
happened at the new printing and dyeing works erecting
for Messrs. Higginbotham and Co., near Little Govan.
Mr. Fleming, cashier of the works, and Mr. Bow, con-
tractor for the brick-building, were standing in one of the
flats of the new mill, looking at the large stalk, and con-
versing as to the propriety of keeping on a fire to dry
it, when Mr. Fleming observed a ball of flame strike the
south-west side of the stalk, and darting downwards,
the concussion having occasioned a noise like the
explosion of a gun. Immediately atter, it was ob-
served that the stalk was shattered and rent for
the space of about twenty or thirty yards. A la-
bourer, who was employed in working lime at the
foot of the stalk, was struck by the thunder-
bolt, and precipitated into a hole very near to
the place where he was standing. On being lifted
up, his arms and legs were powerless, and he appeared
altogether debilitated for some time, when he regained
the use ofilvis limbs, except one leg, the power of which,
it is feared, he will not recover. Near the same place
at which this person was struck, one of the joiners was
engaged in sawing a plank of wood, and the reflection
was so strong from his saw as almost to blind him for a
few minutes. The wall of a building erecting adjacent
was also struck and broken. The stalk, which was re-
cently finished, is the largest in Glasgow, and, in respect
to building, has a very regular and beautiful appearance.
Its height is torn hundred and twenty feet, and it mea-
sures seven feat in diameter at the top. The extent of
the damage does not appear to be great, but it may be
found, when examined by tradesmen, to be somewhat
difficult in repairing. Mr. Higginbotham was at the
works a few minutes after the casualty happened.—
Glasgow Argus.

----------
WORTH KNOWING. --- The
difficulty of get-
ting h:rses from a stable where surrounding buildings
are in a state of conflagration, is well known, and that
in consequence of such difficulty, arising from the ani-
mal's dread of stirring from the scene of destruction,
many valuable horses have perished in the flames. A
gentleman, whose horses had been in great peril from
such a cause, having in vain tried to save them, hit upon
the experiment of having them harnessed as though they
were going to their usual work, when, to his astonish-
ment, they were led from the stable without difficult Y-
.- Cheltenham Journal. I

LITERATURE.
LEE'S BOOK OF ALL SEASONS.
Cleave, Shoe-lane.
As a Christmas gift, which with the wishes of'
a happy new year , may be, presented to an ad-
mired female or promising youth for their pro-
gress in past studies or the practice of amiable
qualities, this little book is choicely adapted. The
contents of this pleasing duodecimo are excel-
lently calculated to improve the taste and guide
the judgment of children. • Tl:e chapters into
which it is divided treat upon an infinitude of
pleasing and instructive subjects. Many of them
are devoted to zoology, and contain anecdotes of'
animals from which children receive especial de-
light. Illustrated in one page will be found the
flury-boat of the Nautilus, and in another that
of the Megatherium, whose relics when first
discovered were supposed to be the bones of
giants. The pages also teem like an aviary with
birds in wood-cuts. But the most attrac-••
tive part are the tales, narrated -in the
persons of Mr. and Mrs. Parley. In this
way, from " Valentine Vox," " The Pie-
Nic Papers," and the "Old Curiosity Shop,"
Mr. Lee has extracted the most delightful por-
tions; as, for instance, the series from the " Cu-
riosity Shop," consist of those which trace out
the life of the fragile child " poor little Nell,"
following her through all her simple and affect-
ing history, to the painful time of her death.
In these beautiful scenes, drawn from Mr.
Dickens—in the simplicity of his appeals to the
heart, and the pathetic tenderness of his descrip-
tions—there is that which is calculated, by the
best methods, to purify and docilise the youth-
ful heart. In conclusion, we strongly recom-
mend this cheap and excellent volume to the
heads of families for Christmas, holiday, or birth'
day presents. Not only is it a fitting winter's
wreath for the Christmas parlour, or net year's
fete, but a keepsake worthy of presentation to
all who deserve such a mark of esteem.

THE PRINCIPAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE
SLIDING
.SCALE, REMOVED, with a Plan for
equalizing the Expenditure and income of the United
Kingdom. By the Rev. Thomas Farr.
Mr. Farr has published two pamphlets pre-
viously to this on similar subjects, and seems
animated with the best intentions. We cannot,
however, admit, as he states, that the decision
of the majority at the late election in favour of
securing an adequate remunerating price to the
landlord and tenant, by means ofa sliding scale, has
the smallest influence on the nature and charac-

ter of the Corn-law, or does anything more
then ensure its continuance till the public
obtain a conviction of its mischief. Mr.
Farr takes a different view, and labours
with praiseworthy deference to the temporary
opinion of the temporary majority, to lay aside
his own opinions. He accordingly slides about,
and to secure all possible good effects actually
proposes two laws with a sliding scale, in one of
which the duty is raised as the price falls, while
in the other the duty is raised as the price rises.
We shall not discuss his mutually destructive
plans, but quote some of his facts. The following
statement discloses the effects of parliamentary
majorities on the rent of land and the wages of
labour, and explains why those who make the
laws cart afford to throw away a few hundred
thousand pounds in securing an election :
The existence of a large agricultural majority in Par-
liament, the law for the commutation of tithes, and the
New Poor-law Bill, enabling the farmer, on account of
the surplus population, to employ the labourer at ex-
tremely low wages, has had the effect of raising the rents
of land to an unprecedented extent. Some feoffinent
charity lands, all arable, situated in East Suffolk, for
which I am a trustee, were let by auction on the 15th of
September last, as the custom has been from time imme-
morial ; both the new and old leases were granted for
eight years ; the covenants are strict, a land agent is ap-
pointed to inspect the property, who, at the annual meet-
ing when the accounts are audited, has to report whether
the covenants have been executed ; a year's rent is paid

in advance at the fall of the hammer. The fairest -way
will be to publish the auction bill, and show its results.
Lot 1. A piece of land, numbered V. on the Map of
the Feofiment Lands, containing sa. lr. Ip., and now in
the occupation of Robert Read."—Old Rent, 12/. ss. ;
new, 191. 15s.
"Lot 2. Three pieces of land, numbered VII., VIII.,
and IX., containing together 13a. lr. 17p., and late in
the occupation of mes Copeman, deceased."—Old rent,
18/. los. ; new, 401.
" Lot 3. A piece of land, numbered XI. on the Map,
containing sa. Or. 14p., and now in the occupation of Mr.
John Gibbons."—Old rent, 111 15s. ; new, 16L
" Lot 4. A piece of land (formerly in two pieces, num-
bered on the Map XIII. and XIV.), containing Ga. lr.
3r., and now in the occupation of Mr. Robert Barmby."
—Old rent; 111. ; new, 221. 10s.
"Lot 5. Two pieces of land, numbered on the Map
and.,'XVIII.; containing together 10a. lr. 23p.,
and now in the occupation of Mr. Charles Maplestone."
—Old rent4,l I/. ss. ; new, 261.
Sum total of (areas, 641.155. ; of new ditto, 1241. 55.;
an incFeAse 4, more than 99 per cent. in 8 years above

the rent,giyen in 1833.
I am grieved to say the wages of the labourer have
not inereaseq in the same proportion. Those who farm
their own land, as much for amusement as profit, gene-
rally give 12s. per week, wet and dry ; those who
occupy as tenants, or farmers by trade, pay 10s., wet and
dry, and lls. if the labourer is taken off his work during
the wet weather. The lowest price of flour, called
seconds, was during the year 1835, when it was for a
short time as low as Is. 4d. per stone ; it then remained
for a long period at Is. 6d. per stone, and has of late
been sold at 2s. Bd. per stone. The wages of the Ime-
chanic, employed by the agricultural labourer, havb in
no way varied. A patten- maker, whom I have examined
on the
.subject, has worked many years for, the same
master, when flour was 16d., 18d., and 2s. sd. a stone, his
wages were the .same—half-a-crown a day. All the
shopkeepers Inform me, when corn is dear in this the
most agricultural part of England, their trade is not so
good, because the larger the sum of money their usual
customers Must lay out in bread, the less they have left
for other things ; but there are many who rarely taste
bread, particularly those who are too old to work, ,and
receive the parish allowance of 2s. a week ; they pay ls.
a week for house rent, and have only ls. left for food,
fire, and clothes ; they generally purchase a sack of po-
tatoes, which, with red herrings, constitute their , food,
the high price of flour rendering it impossible for them
to have bread for the greater part of the year. The
landlord appears to be the only gainer.
It is singular to find Mr. Farr speaking of the
Legislature deciding and settling the price of
wheat, as if that were its business. What right
has any Legislature to settle the price of any
commodity ? The best part of the joke, however,
is, that the landlords, as improvers and as law-
makers, are in conflict with themselves. All
agricultural improvement, deserving of the name,
produce corn cheaper, that is, lower its price. On
the one hand, then, the landlords labour to lower
price, and on the other they make laws to keep
it up. Poor men ! they are so afraid of their
own stupendous improvements in the way of cul-
tivation, that they guard themselves against thd
consequences, and enact a law to prevent them-
selves frotn being impoverished by their own
skill. It is somewhat dishonest, too, to produce
a commodity by less cost, and then.demand the
same price for it as if it had cost them a greater
sum.

THE CORN-LAWS. Their Effects on the Trade of
the Country Considered, with Suggestions for a Com
promise, (ye. ?fe. By David Salomons, Esq.
Compromise seems the order of the day
amongst Corn•law pamphleteers. Mr. Farr is
fur a compromise ; Mr. Salomons recommends
compromise, but his compromise is the extraor-
dinary one of a 10s.fixed duty, with a little slid-
ing scale of his own between 50s. and 605., when
the duty is to vary 6d. for every shilling the
price varies. Though we approve of none of
these schemes, seeing them put forth gives us
satisfaction, because it indicates a conviction that
the present law cannot be maintained, and each
one is anxious to suggest the compromise by
which they may be got rid of.
Mr. Salomons's pamphlet points out the influ-
ence of the Corn-laws on the currency, on trade,
and, in particular, their influence and disturbing
effects on prices abroad; and Mr. Salomons also
explains the great injury these laws inflict on the
country, by inducing the merchant to give much
more for corn in the nearer markets rather than
risk loss by buying at a cheaper rate at a more
distant market. We quote a brief passage :
In a small degree every market has felt the influence
of British demand, but the weight of it has fallen on the
nearer ports of Europe, where supplies could with facility
be snatched up, to be entered for home consumption dur-
ing the fleeting interval when the duty was at the lowest.
Go to the corn-market, and advise with your factor on
the state and prospect of the harvest. State to him your
opinion of the probability of the wheat. crop proving de-
ficient, and that the markets throughout the country are
rising in consequence. Suggest to him that wheat may
be bought in Sicily, or some Mediterranean port, at
30s. per quarter--What• would he say ? His reply
would be—lf you are looking to a rise in the market
to produce you a quick and sure return, you had
better direct your
attention to Dantzig, or Hamburg,
for there you will be in a situation to realise, at a
low duty, an advantage you may forego by going to the
distant port. You are, therefore, recommended to pay
50s. per quarter at the nearer, rather than 30s. at the
distant port—lnverting the ordinary principles of trade,
you are advised to buy
.the dear instead of the cheap,
commodity!
Surely this is
a reckless waste of the pro-
perty of the country.
. Yet it is perfectly true—a matter
of daily occurrence inherent in the false principle on
which the existing Corn-laws are framed. What have'
been, and indeed what are, the effects produced on the
trade with the United States at this moment—a country
with which we have the most intimate commercial inter-
course, and to which we export the greatest amount of
manufactured goods. Observe the value of our exports
to that country, and look at our imports, and see what
quantity of wheat or flour we have received from thence.
The value of the goods sent in the three years 1838, 1839
and 1840 exceeded 28,512,0001., and the whole quantity
of wheat and flour received from the United States, during