The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-14 00:00:00

the three bishoprics, Dunkirk, Bayonne, and Marseilles,
preserved a perfect freedom in their foreign relations.
The consequence of this division of the provinces into
three classes was the establishment of a multitude of
custom-houses in the interior. Merchandise coming to
Madrid from certain provinces had to payls different duties.
Some of those duties were divided between the Crown
and certain noble houses. The system of taxation,
combined with the bad state of the roads, rendered it al-
most impossible to transport merchandise from one
quarter of France to another. It may easily be con-
ceived that the Constituent Assembly was anxious
to revise the tariff. It abolished all internal custom•
houses and prepared an uniform tariff, which became
the law of the State on the 15th of March, 1791. The
spirit of that tariff was consistent with the glorious ge-
neration of which the select sat in that illustrious as-
sembly. They agreed to favour national industry, but
they understood that phrase differently from our aboli-
tionists ; they consequently suffered articles of the first
necessity to enter free of duty. They were convinced
that commerce is the bond of nations, and they felt as-
sured that an enlightened Illation feels no necessity for
exorbitant protecting duties in order to become prosper-
ous. They, consequently, imposed but moderate duties.
The heaviest duties were imposed on articles of luxury,
and for the purpose of producing a revenue. Of prohibi-
tions there were but two—one on linen thread and spun
hemp, which had scarcely any importance; the second,
more serious, regarded glass, but bottles and mirrors were
excepted. To take a few exaniples, cattle of every descrip-
tion, as well as provisions of all kinds, entered free of
duty under the tariff of 1791. Cast-iron was likewise
free. Bar-iron paid 20 sous the quintal ; cast-steel, 6f.
16c. Cotton wool was, likewise, exempt from duty, as
well as dye-woods in gross. By a singular anomaly,
, coal imported b 3 sea was subject to a duty of If. for
2001 b. weight, but at that period coal possessed scarcely
any value for manufacturers. We had neither steam-
engines, nor steam boats, nor gas. Coal was only used
in iron works ; imported by land it paid less than 20
centimes the 200 pounds, and by the frontiers of the
Meurthe. the Moselle, and the Ardennes, it entered
free. Subsequently came the turn of the Convention.
At first the tariff fixed by the Constituent Assembly
remained entire. Subsequently France, being in a diffi-
cult position, had an extraordinary want of certain ma-
terials, and a law of the 12 Pluviose, year 3, struck the
duty temporarily off several articles of first necessity.
Some were reduced one-half, and others four-fifths, and
others even nine-tenths. The duty on fixing a markl on
iron and steel was definitively abolished. But a new
element was shortly afterwards introduced into our ta-
riffs, and completely changed their character. We shall
complete this historical sketch in our next article."
The same journal gives the following account of
the food tiots which are every day taking place in the
French provinces:—
" Bands of mendicants continue to spread terror in the
whole of the Bocage. These individuals, dressed in gray
blouses, their faces smeared with soot, six or seven or
more together, obtain grain and money, uttering the most
horrible threats against those who venture to make any
observation to them. They generally apply at lonely
farm-houses. They have robbed persons in the night on
the highway—amongst others, a miller, whom they
threatened with death, after having stripped him of his
money, if he denouneed them to the authorities. Similar
scenes have taken place in the district of Parthenay. In
the neighbourhood of Melle a waggoner, driving his
waggon from Poictiers to Saintes, was attacked, knocked
down, and stripped of everything, and his life is in danger
from the ill-usage he received. The authorities have
taken strong measures against such outrages, and it is
hoped that quiet will be soon restored. About 20 arrests
have taken place."
While the people are starving the national funds
are wasted in intrigues at foreign Courts. In allusion
to the 2,247,000 f. recently allowed to M. GUIZOT by
royal ordonnance as secret service money, the
Journal de Rouen says—
" It must be admitted that these funds, placed at the
disposal of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, have not
tended much to get the republic of Cracow respected, to
maintain the cordial understanding with England, to
obtain for our Government the good graces of the Em-
peror of Russia, the friendship of Austria, and give
France a weight in the affairs of Portugal. One must,
however, find out what was done with the money. Now.
under whatever appellation these credits may have been
issued, travelling expenses, couriers, unforeseen ex
penses, secret services, extraordinary missions, the major
part of the amount, if we are rightly informed, and
we have good reason for believing it was intrusted to the
discretion of M. Bresson, our Ambassador at Madrid.
No idea can be formed of M. BressOn's display and
lavish expenditure. In his hands, a courtier of yes-
terday, ignorant of true dignity, of the rules of good
taste, money flowod out in streams in futile and ridi-
culous expense. It was said at Madrid that the money
laid out by him amounted to 300,000 francs in the
fortnight alone that the Princes were at Madrid. We
shall add that we have these particulars from a persoi,
who was at Madrid at the time, who was present at all
the rejoicings, who saw M. Bresson nearly every day,
who was himself astounded at the extent of the mean),
at his disposal, and still more of the use he made of
it. We might say something abut an Ambassador
and an important member of a Foreign Cabinet, re-
specting the large su,,,s of money which paid for theu
mysterious negotiations. But we are not, according
to the accounts circulated at Madrid, suflico ntly in
formed on the point, and the September laws are but
little in favour of die discovery of truth, and too seven
tgainst writers."
The Constitutionncl has the following on the sub
ject of the proposed line of steamers between Havre
and New York :
" A new obstacle appears likely to retard the deci-
sion which the Council of State has to come to on the
propositions cf the company offering to undertake the
correspondence between Havre and New York. This
obstacle comes from rival ports, sun h as Bordeaux, where
the accession of importance that must fall to the share of
llavre from this regular communication is viewed with
uneasiness. It appears that the Ministry must expect a
strong resistance from the representatives of Bordeaux.
But before Havre can enjoy all the advantages which
certainly the correspondence with New York would
confer on it, it ought to be able to receive in its docks
the four 450-horse powers steamers destined for the ser-
vice. Everyone is aware that : works of this nature do
riot get on very rapidly, and Bordeaux will have time
enough to establish its correspondence before the dock
for the trans-Atlantic packets ie finished at Havre.
Besides, Bordeaux is warranted in complaining, as well
as Marseilles, of the delay in executing the law of 1840
relative to the trans-Atlantic service."
The French papers of all parties sneer at the move-
ment now going on among the religious bodies in
England on behalf of the unfortunate inhabitants of
Otaheite. The Journal des Dibats says—
" The religious societies, which have not yet lost the
desire to mix themselves up with the affairs of Otaheite,
have lately held a great number of meetings, at which
they have adopted addresses to Lord Palmerston, pray-
ing him to intervene as regards the French Government,
in order to protect, as much as possible, the innocent
Otaheiteans and the virtuous Queen Pomaro. One would
say that there is in this a conspiracy of all the saints of
Great Britain."
The National has the following::—
" The Methodists of England have not lost all hope of
reconquering Otaheite from Popery and France. Te
effect this they have just discovered a curious means, and
which does honour to their diplomatic innocence. After
having appealed to all the saints in the calendar, they at
present apply to Louis Philippe, and, in a memorial pub-
lished in a Leeds journal, appeal to his religious senti-
ments in favour of the Otaheiteans, persecuted as martyrs.
How is it possible not to yield to the powerful reasoning
of folks who gravely declare that the ' establishment of
French colonies by force, both in past times and at
present, is in formal opposition to the precepts and
principles of Christianity- as taught by the New festa-
ment?' No persons in the world, except the English
Protestants, could imagine such pretty things. We do
not know precisely the part of the Bible where colonies
are spoken of, but evidently our memory fails us. The
idea is amusing; only we regret that the English mis
sionaries have not preached it up with batter euccess
men. What famous subjects
amongst their own country-
for sermons they would have in the incessant conquests
in India, the war against China, and the violent. occu-
pation of so many different countries! If France has
some peccadillos to reproach herself with, how numerous
and extensive are the national sins which England has
committed! Let them first obtain from her a confession
of her faults, repentance, and restitution of what they
.call their neighbours' goods, and then France, through
respect for the principles of right revealed in the divine
word, relative to colonies, will enter on her examination
of conscience."

The writer seems to forget that where England
colonizes she does not attempt to extirpate the inha-
bitants, neither does she by force impose upon them
her own State religion.
The price of wheat rose in the Paris Corn Market
on 'Wednesday last from If. 50c. to 2f. the hectolitre,
and oats If. Rye and barley were likewise in good
demand.
The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on
Friday at 81f. 20c. ; the Five per Cents., 118 f. 55c.; the
Orleans Railroad Shares, 1,265 f. ; Rouen, 895 f.; Havre,
652 f. 50c.; Great Northern, 648 f. 75c. ; Avignon, 890 f.;
Vierzon, 5921. 50c.; Bordeaux, 563 f. 75c.; Boulogne, 450 t: ;
Troyes and Montereau, 385 f. • Basle, 220 f.; Paris and Stras-
burg, 481 f. 25c.; Tours and Nantes, 492 f. 50c. ; Paris and
Lyons, 510 f.; Lyons and Avignon, 485 f. ; Bordeaux and
Cette. 475 f. ; Spanish Three per Cents., 381/2 ; Ditto Do-
mestic Debt, 323%; Ditto Passives, 6.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
_ LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DECEMBER 12.

Boulogne and Amiens, l3%—Central of Spain, 4—Deme-
rara, 4 4—Jamaica South Midland Junction, 1 - Northern
of France Constituted, 10%—Paris and Lyons Constituted,
5 'A—Sambre and Meuse, 4!4.

FIRE AT TILE YORK HOTEL, BRIDG E •STREET,
BLACKFRIARS.—This morning, about half-past six, a
fire was discovered in the coffee room of the York Hotel,
Black friars. It commenced under a newly-erected stove,
and is supposed to have been occasioned by some burning
coal having penetrated through the flooring. The fire-
men from Farringdon-street were sent for, and they
were busily employed for some time before the establish-
ment was considered safe. It was found necessary to
pull up a great portion of the flooring before the cause
of alarm could be ascertained, and no doubt the fire had
been smouldering from the previous night.
Hundreds of acres in the neighbourhood of Bridg-
water and Langport are under water. The moor lands
these foggy mornings present a picturesque view, though
the sight is a very chilly one.—Somerset Gazette. i