The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-09 00:00:00

t 84

THE CORN-TRADE.

The present position of affairs is certainly not calcu-
lated to inspire confidence. The uncertainty as to how
long the existing laws regulating the duties on corn may
remain in force, or, if altered, the nature of the change
likely to be proposed, has naturally interfered greatly
with business. So completely are all parties in the
dark relative to the future, that few are disposed to
enter into investments. Nut only, therefore, has spe-
culation wholly Leased, but buyers for actual con-
sumption have deemed it the more prudent plan to con-
fine their purchases to as narrow limits as have been
consistent with their immediate wants. Notwithstand-
ing these manifest disadvantages, there has been a
buoyancy about the trade in grain, indicative of a rise
in prices ; and, from present appearances, we cer-
tainly inclne to the opinion that., in whichever way
the corn-law question may be settled, the settlement
will be immediately followed by an active demand for
hie ad-stuffs. The late fall in the prices of wheat was
(as we have on former occasions remarked) caused
.holly by political events, and not by any alteration
to public opinion respecting the result of the harvest.
The cal:), though certainly not so bad as represented
by those connected with the League for party purposes,
must nevertheless be considered as decidedly below
that of average years. That there really is a deficiency
in the yield, is admitted on all hands; but so variously
is it estimated, as to render it almost impossible to
determine with any degree of accuracy to what ex-
tent. Coupled, however, with the falling off in the
quantity of food, in consequence of the disease by
which the produce of potatoes has so greatly &-
creased, quite sufficient grounds are afforded to
conclude that wheat cannot lung remain at present
rates. We do not mean to affirm that there is any
cause to fear scarcity and very high prices ; but we
think it highly propable that the value of the article
may again advance to about the same point from which
it has fallen since the commencement of the Ministerial
changes early in December. Nothing can more strongly
indicate the healthy state of the trade than the fact that
prices have recently rallied in all parts of the country,
in spite of the many causes in operation of a character
likely to produce the opposite effect, viz., the dread of
e-,e corn-laws being meddled with on the meeting of
Parliament, the absence of all speculation, and the un-
w of millers and others to increase their stocks.
At most of the provincial markets held since our last
sellers have displayed much firmness ; and though, as
before remarked, the demand has been the reverse of
lively, enhanced terms have been pretty generally asked
and obtained. At Liverpool, on Tuesday, the transac-
tions were on a limited scale, none but needy buyers
being willing to pay the rates demanded ; the few sales ,
effected were, however, at fully the prices of the pre-
ceeding Friday, being an advance of Id. to 2d. per 701bs.
on the currency of that day se'nnight. Later in the
week affairs remained in much the same state; indeed,
so little business was done on Friday that the operations
did not warrant any alteration in quotations.
The tone of the advices from the leading towns in
Yorkshire is, generally, firm. The Hull market was, on
Tuesday, pretty well supplied with farmers' wheat ; the
best qualities sold at prices Is. per quarter above those
previously obtainable ; and secondary descriptions were
fully as dear as the week before. At Leeds slightly
enhanced rates were also insisted on, which checked the
inquiry, and no quotable advance was established. The
reports from Wakefield, of Friday, inform us that only
a trifling amount of business was done there in wheat at
about former rates.

At several of the western and north-western markets
:he upward movement has been more decided than at
the places above referred to. At Bristol and Birming-
ham the rise, on Thursday, was Is. to 2s. per quarter ;
and at several other towns of minor importance in that
quarter a similar rally has occurred.
From the shipping ports on the east coast we have
also advices of rising prices ; so that the country mar-
kets may be said to have taken the lead, which must, we
conceive, produce some effect on quotations in Mark lane.
By our Scotch letters, it appears that the more ani-
mated accounts from the south had failed to have much
influence on the trade, business in wheat being far from
lively at Edinburgh and Glasgow on Wednesday. Oats
were, however, more saleable at both these places ; and
at the former a rise of 6d. per quarter took place in the
price of this grain.
From Ireland, the reports relative to potatoes are less
favourable this than the preceding week. It is stated
that, in many cases, on opening the pits, the disease had
been found to have made great havoc ; and so general
was the impression that this article of food would ulti-
mately become very scarce and dear, that a firm tone
had been given to the wheat and oat trade in anticipation
of an increased consumption of flour and meal.
The very boisterous weather experienced during the
greater part of the week has caused the arrivals of all
kinds of grain into London to be very small. Of wheat
only 1,083 quarters have been received coastwise up to
this (Saturday) evening, the constant gales from the
west having prevented arrivals from the eastward.
'The quantity exhibited at Mark-lane by land car-
riage samples from the neighbouring counties has
also been trifling since Monday. On Wednesday the
show consisted of a few parcels, of inferior quality, left
over from previous supplies. Anything fine would pro-
bably have sold without difficulty at the recent advance ;
but the want of suitable qualities caused the millers to
retrain from buying, and so little business was done as to
render quotations nearly nominal. On Friday, the Essex,
Kent, and Suffolk stands were nearly bare ; and needy
purchasers had to pay full terms, factors dispaying more
disposition to raise than to lower their pretensions. The
lull effect of the great fall which took place in the value
of wheat in the early part of December is only now be-
ginning to tell on the aggregate average for the king-
dom—the last weekly return is 565. 4d., and the duty,
after remaining stationary for several weeks, 14s. per
quarter, rose a step on Thursday. Nor is the advance
likely to cease here—the present position of the
averages rendering a further rise of is. to 2s.
per quarter almost certain. So confident are im-
porters, however, that a material modification
of the duties will be proposed by the Government
on the meeting of Parliament, that little or no wheat
has recrutly been entered for home consumption, the
oulk of what has been received from abroad having been
landed under lock. The transactions in foreign wheat
have, since our last, been on a very restricted scale
owing partly to holders having asked enhanced terms,
and partly to the fact that several of the large millers
have still old wheat, on hand, which they seem deter-
mined to work, up before making purchases at the en-
hanced rates demanded. The inquiry for wheat under
lock has certainly fallen off since last week. there are,
we believe, orders in town from Belgium, but at limits
much tail low to admit of their execution, importers
having shown no inclination to facilitate business by sub-
mitting to lower terms.
The recent rise in the price of wheat has not been
followed by a corresponding advance in quotations of
flour ; indeed the sale of the latter article has, through-
out the week, been slow, former rates having been paid
with some reluctance by the bakers and dealers.
In bonded flour 'e have heard of no operations of
importance ; good brands of United States have been
held at 30s. per barrel.
The trifling nature of the supply of English barley
has caused this grain to be held with increased firmness ;
really choice malting qualities have been extremely
scarce, and have commanded quite as much money as at
any period of last week. Secondary descriptions, though
in comparatively slow request, have also supported theft
previous value with considerable firmness. The duty on
this grain is at present ss. per quarter; but may be ex-
pected to rise a step in the course of a week or two.
Quotations of Malt have undergone very little varia-
tion; it has, however, been difficult to buy the finer sorts
at last Monday's currency.
The arrivals of oats have been scanty from all
quarters ; of English, only 971 quarters, of Scotch 272
quarters, of Irish 1,242 quarters, and of foreign 5,838
quarters, having come to hand during the week. There
is no doubt that the large London dealers still hold quite
average stocks ; but as. from the prevalence of westerly
winds, it is generally believed that comparatively
few oats are now on passage from Ireland, factors
hate exhibited very little anxiety to press sales
of those still on shipboard ; the trade has, conse-
quently, assumed a decidedly firm tone, and neither on
Wednesday nor Friday could good fresh corn be bought
on as easy terms as on Monday. The total quantity of
oats oats entered during the past year at this port has no
exceeded 50.000 qrs.; what remains in bondis trifling.
English beans have
old
rowaerdscararcteh.er
No
oariacngtulyai
and fine samples ofhave become forward
advance has hitherto taken place in prices; but the turn
has been against the buyer.
The continued mild weather has interfered with the
sale of boiling peas ; and though the consumption is
usually great at this season, the demand has not been by
any means brisk since our last, and quotations have re-
mained as before.
B, sides the alteration in the duty of wheat above no-
tic,-d, a rise of is. per quarter took place in the rates
chargeable on rye and beans on Thursday.
FOREIGN.
The stormy weather lately experienced has caused a
ietghultahreitYChristmas holidays—generally
in the arrival of the foreign
gmoaoi di
mails,
deal
w h col!.
ob'.erved with strictness on the Continent—renders our
foreign intelligence rather scanty this week.
The tenor of the reports from the Baltic bears so close
a resemblance to the news received by the previous mail
from thence as to afford little scope for remark. The
fluctations which have recently taken place in the price
of wheat in the British markets seem to have had less
influence on quotations abroad than usual; still the value
of the article has fallen materially from the highest
point, at several of the principal shipping ports.
The latest advices from Rostock state that merchants
were then willing to enter into contracts to ship wheat,
of capital quality, in spring, at 445. to 465. per qr., free
on board, being at least 6s. per qr. below the highest
price of the season. This giving way on the part of
sellers had failed, however, to impart activity to busi-
ness, and very few bargains had been closed.
At Stettin a sale or two appears to have been made
just previous to the holidays, at rather below former
terms ; on the 27th of December, the best 621bs. red
wheat was held at 515., and secondary descriptions at
from 495. to 50s. per quarter. Comparatively small
supplies had been broueht forward by the farmers, who
had manifested a decided unwillingness to submit to
lower terms.

Bremen letters, of the 27th ult., state that little or no
export demand had been experienced during the week,
and that quotations had rather tended downwards.
At Dantzic, on the 27th of December, there was
scarcely anything doing ; and the holidays having inter-
rupted the regular course of business, but few transac-
tions had occurred since that day se'nnight. Holders
of wheat had, nevertheless, remained tolerably firm, slid
no material variation had occurred in prices.
At llamburgh, on Tuesday, wheat was in rather im7.
proved request, in consequence of the more encouraging
accounts from this side. Besides the sale of about 1,500
from 495. 6d. to
quarters on the spot, at prices Tarying

525. 2d. per quarter, several contracts to ship from out-
ports in spring had been closed at 50s. to 51s. per quar
ter free on board.
From the Mediterranean we have little or nothing
fresh to communicate. A letter from Marseilles, of the
27th ult., states that a good deal of anxiety was felt there
to learn what was likely to be done in the corn-laws here;
and it was expected that but little business would be
transacted in wheat whilst the matter remained in un-
certainty. The operations in the article had, we are in-
formed, been on a very trifling se:l4i since that day week,
the Christmas holidays having put a temporary stop to
business; in this state of things prices had remained
nominally unaltered.

The accounts from Odessa are also rather dull, the
foreig❑ demand for wheat having slackened materially.
The price of moderately good qualities was there still
345. to 365. per quarter ; but it was deemed probable
that if no further orders from Great Britain and Holland
came to hand, quotations might recede to a moderate
extent.— Mark-lane Express.

THE STYLE AND TITLE OF
ESQUIRE.
TO THE EDI 7 OR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The numerous railway companies, to whieh
speculation has given birth, has mad great public
characters of hundreds, who were before but little
known; they have been styled, or have styled themselves,
" Esquires." Nuw, Sir, as many of these companies
have ceased to exist, and, of course, the directorships
with them, can you inform me what becomes of the
tiazs ? The occupation is gone. Does the honours re-
main ? or do they, like those of my Lord Mayor and my
Lady Mayoress, die with the office ? I would not trouble
you, but want to write to a friend, and I do nut know how
to address him.—Yours truly, STAG.

LOllll MORPETII.
(From the Chronick.)

It is formally announced, by a leading organ of the
Monopolist party, that the return of Lord Morpeth for
the West Riding will meet with no opposition. The
Standard of last night commences a remonstrance against
the pusillanimity of surrendering, without a struggle,
the representation of the leading constituency to the free-
traders, with the following statement :
" It seems to be generally understood that no opposi-
tion is to be offered by the Conservatives to the return of
Lord Morpeth to the position from which he was driven
by the gallant and successful effort made to break the
Whig-Radical chain, at the general election in 1841.
withoutTo uas,
stthrea
gpgollai eyi ofs
l,e
rgiving e
sut
ipo tahbilse, i
bmupto rotra ne to
us ersaet
we can only be imperfectly acquainted with the reasons
which have ruled the decision of the Conservative
leaders, It has been said, in their behalf, in a tone
of authority, that a conjunction of circumstances
renders a contest at the present moment inexpedient,
though not doubtful at to the result. The un-
settled state of the Government—the uncertainty which
prevails cis to Sir Robert Peel's plans for a settlement of
the corn-law question—the precarious state of the health
of the Earl of Carlisle—and the probability of a general
election in the course of the present year, are all urged
as arguments why Lord Morpeth should be permitted
to take possession of a seat which he cannot, in the
common course of things, occupy for more than a few
months. By that time, it is said, the Conservatives will
be enabled to arrange their plans, and repair the inroads
made upon the register last autumn by the unscrupulous
agents of the League. Then, we are told, the Conser-
vatives will re-appear upon the scene in all their strength,
and repeat the victory so nobly achieved by the election
of Mr. Worthy and Mr. Denison.
" This may be satisfactory to some of the parties con-
cerned, but it is obviously only an excuse."
It is unnecessary to remind the free-traders of the
West Riding, that to rely on such representations as
the foregoing, so far as to neglect any precautions by
which, in the event of a contest, victory might be ren-
dered secure, would be to give the enemy the only
chance they are likely to have of retrieving their despe-
rate affairs. The men of Yorkshire know full well that
' they may safely rest from their labours when the contest
is over, but not sooner, and that the responsibility of
having irreparably injured a great cause would lie
heavily upon them, if, through over-confidence, they left
themselves open to a surprise. Upon this point, there-
fore, we have no apprehensions, and we are not fearful of
doing mischief, by expressing our belief that the mono-
polist party in the West Riding will not venture to show
themselves at the hustings. Should this expectation
prove well-founded, the fact will be one of memorable
significance. The arguments assigned in the para-
graph we have quoted for allowing Lord Morpeth to
walk over the course are manifestly what the Standard
calls them, " only an excuse." The representation of
the West Riding is not to be merely lent to Lord Mor-
peth for a few months, that it may be resumed at a
general election. Such transfers are neither easy nor
common. The declaration of the West Riding against
the Whig Ministry in 1841 was felt to be a heavy blow.
There was no attempt to impair its force by represent-
ing it to be less important than in truth it was. Least
of all, did Lord Morpeth 'endeavour to depreciate the
worth, or to tarnish the splendour of the prize which
was then torn from his grasp. With manly and charac-
teristic frankness, he admitted the greatness of the
defeat which he had sustained, and had no consolation
for his supporters but to bid them bide their time, and
to keep alive their faith in the indestructible truth and
power of their own principles. Weighty and full of re-
sults as was the decision of the West Riding in 1841, it
will not be less co in 1846. The return of Lord Morpeth
now will be a solemn reversal of the judgment by which
he was unseated, a reversal pronounced upon better
, knowledge of the bearings cf the question at issue, and
one therefore carrying with it all the sanction that the
act of a popular body can give to a course of policy sub-
mitted to its decisicn. It is useless, then, for the mo-
nopolists of the %Vest Riding to try to persuade either
themselves or any one else that the return of Lord
Morpeth to this Parliament may, be suffered as a
matter of indifference. This Parliament, near as it is
to the end of its existence, may yet •be found sufficient
to demolish that monstrous system of restrictions by
which the industry of the country is fettered, and no
single fact is so likely to bring about the result speedily
as the return of Lord Morpeth for Yorkshire upon free-
trade principles. Changes in the representation of petty
boroughs, and other constituencies chiefly under private
influence, may easily arise from causes unconnected with
the general movement of opinion, and may have but slight
effects upon legislation ; but a great section of the king-
dom like the West Riding of Yorkshire, with its manu-
facturing, its commercial, and agricultural interests all
on a grand scale, changes only as the nation change;
and all its political acts have proportionate meaning and
authority. To let the voice of that powerful constituency
be given at the present moment in favour of free trade,
without even an effort to obtain a different decision, will be
an irrefragable proof that the cause of monopoly is felt
to be desperate. If the battle could be fought with the
slightest chance of success, this great post would not be
surrendered without a struggle. But the cause of mono-
poly is really hopeless, and all clear-headed men feel
that it is so. Those whose false position seems to im-
pose upon them the office of defending it, speak with
stammering lips and faint ambiguous tones in its behalf.
In 1841 there was some faith in the corn-law, and ti)
possibility of keeping up what is called protection ; now
there is none. The enthusiasm which won power for the
Conservative party, but which was so soon and so rudely
disenchanted by Conservative legislation, has disap-
peared. The means of fighting a great battle for the
corn-laws with success in a popular constituency no
longer exist, and for this reason, and this only, Lord
Morpeth is likely to resume the representation of the
West Riding without a contest.

ironmasters
BIRMINGHAM, THURSDAY NIGHT.—IRONMASTERS'
MEETING.—The usual quarterly meeting of the
generalth at al
lw
the
wish
a r attributable to the
was held here to day : the attendance was more
usual, a circumstance which is Ttlaers misunderstanding as to the
fact of there having been someu ini scanty than
be postponed until next Thurs.
seemed to be that it should
Id
beheld.
UietTinhge
factors were disposed to agree to this arrange-
day on which the meeting would
day, d
an- the however, stood their ground, and carried
ment; the masters,
was reported at the
the point. It -
master,. were full of orders, and that the prices of last
quarter would be adhered to. The price of bar iron is 101.
per
ton,and Shropshire pigs have been advanced 10s. There
seemed a decided tendency to advance on all other d •
descrip-
tions of iron, but no declaration was made, and the general
opinion seemed to be that present prices will stand for a
time. It is many years since business in the mining districts
was in so healthy a condition.
REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF BREAD.—Yesterday
several of the bakers of the metropolis reduced the price of
the best bread from 9d. to 9d.; seconds ditto, from 80. to
Bd. ; and some from Bd. to 70. The average price of bread
is at present Bd. per 41b. loaf. No reduction whatever took
place in the West-end.
TESTIMONIAL TO A MEDICAL GENTLEMAN.-011
Wednesday evening, a numerous party of gentlemen dined
at the house of Mr. J. P. Nagle, the Tower, Tower-street,
St. Martin's-lane, the occasion being the presentation of a
silver tea-service to Mr. Fitzgerald, M.R.C.S., of High-
street, Bloomsbury. The object of this valuable presenta-
tion is stated in the inscription on the plate, which is as
follows :—" This service of plate vas presented by a few
friends to Mr. Dillon Fitzgerald, M.R.C.S., in token of the
high estimation in which they- hold him for his very excel-
lent qualities, his great skill, and general usefulness as a
medical man; his charity and kindness to the poor, and his
sincerity as a friend." Mr. Nagle was the originator of the
testimonial.

WINDSOR, THURSDAY EVENING.—In consequence
of the new arrangement for the issuing of tickets (signed by
the Lord Chamberlain), which are now only to be procured
in London, for the viewing of the state apartments at the
Castle, being found to be exceedingly inconvenient to the
public residing away from the metropolis, it is expected that
an alteration will speedily take place, so that tickets may be
procured in Windsor as well as in London.: Several parties
have arrived in the town since the new arrangement came
into operation on the Ist instant, for the express purpose of
visiting the state apartments, but they were necessarily dis-
appointed, in consequence of being unprovided with tickets,
and there being no place in Windsor where they could be ob-
tained. The abolition of the fees for viewing the state
rooms ,by command of her Majesty, appears to have given
universal satisfaction.
A man who wears mustachios may be considered
as deformed, since he has decidedly a hair-lip.—lhrephys.
topheles.
early yesterday morning. She
Jackson, arrived here very
.---The The Antwerp steamer Princess Victoria, Captain
had both wind and tide to contenclagain!t ; but the passage
from the Quay of Antwerp to St.
. Katharine's-wharf, Tower,
rinonßiTnAetßeefishGOTUros;
HE
nsKisettlinsashogfreen. The mournful ceremony
was notwithstanding
fune-
ralege
of the above noble and gallant Earl took place cn 'Wed-
nesday, when his mortal remains were consigned to the tomb
private manner possible, the
glinnioadre
a hearse and one mourning
cfNavu
not: tsceihra.et.oret conducted in the most

BUCKINGHAM PALACE.—We understand that her
Majesty and the Prince Consort, on coming to town on the
20th instant from Windsor Castle, to open the Houses of
Parliament on the 22d instant, will, on the following day,
leave town for Osborne House, Isle of Wight, where the
Queen and Royal Family contemplate a sojourn of a week or
ten days