The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-25 00:00:00

ingenious, not so much in its exceeding the definition
of the Edinburgh Reviewers, or of Mr. and Miss
Edgeworth, as in its forming a species of skeleton
upon which to hang a multitude of vagrant anec&tes
and witticisms. The book, indeed, is little more than
Joe Miller redivivus ; but, as Major B tgstock would
say, it is more palateable than Joey M., Sir— it has
more individuality than J. M., Sir—it is better than
Joseph, Sir, by far. Unconsciously, no doubt, the
writer has pilfered here and there from different
sources, and, among others, we detect many tid-bits
from " Reilly's Reminiscenses." Phiz's embel-
lishments are delightfully droll, the frontispiece
being illustrative of the anecdote of the English
traveller dropping into a Chinese tavern on the
frontiers of the Celestial empire, and regaling him-
self with some delicious potage of an unknown de-
scription. John Bull, pointing to the dish and look-
ing at the attendant, says to John Chinaman (inter-
rogatively)" Quack !
quack ! quack !" Whereas John
Chinaman, shaking his head, saith to John Bull)expla-
natorily) " Bow-wow-wow-wow !" The disgust of the
Englishman on heating this horrible piece of intelli-
gence is wonderfully pourtrayed by the draftsman.
The title-page again is inimitable with its grotesque
figures of Hibernians, with potatoes for heads, and
one unfortunate wretch with another man
cooly standing on his face. The distant
landscape with an extinct volcano in the form of a
bottle, topped by an empty glass, is a sly hit at that
partiality for the " crater," which has been so mar-
vellously diminished by good Father Mather. Then
there is a laughable etching of the Irishman who has
been hauling in a rope for a full half hour, and it
last cries out in desperation, " 0 begarra, I do be-
lieve somebody's cut the end of it aff!" About the
richest anecdote in the collection is the following of a
bull about about a bull. Surely Teddy must have
have been born when the sun (and his father's son
too) was in Taurus. Here, however, is the jeux
d'esprit.

" A merry evening party, in an English country town,
were bantering poor Teddy about his countrymen being
so famous for bulls.
" By my faith,' said Teddy, 'you needn't talk about
that same in this place; you're as fond of bulls as any
people in all the world, so you are.'
" Nonsense!' some of the party replied; how do you
make that out?'
" Why, sure, it's very aisy, it is; for in this paltry
bit of a town you've got more public-houses nor I ever
seen wid the sign of the bull over the doors, so you have.'
" Nay, Teddy, very few of those; but there's some
of 'em, you know, in every town.'
" Yes,' said Teddy, obstinately sticking to his text,
for he had laid a trap for his friends, but you've more
nor your share, barring ►hat you're so fond of bulls, as I
say; I'm sure I can count halt-a-dozen of 'em.'
" Pooh, nonsense!' cried the party; that will never
do: what'll you bet on that. Teddy? You're out there,
my boy, depend upon it; we know the town as well as
you, and what will you bet?'
" ' Indeed, my brave boys. I'll not bet at all; I'm no
better, I assure ye,—l should be worse if I wur.' This
sally tickled his companions, and he proceeded. But
I'll be bound to name and count the six.'
" Well, do, do,' said several voices.
" ' Now, let me see: there's the Black Bull.'
" ' Yes, that's one.'
"' Then there's the Red Bull.'
" That's two,'
" And the White Bull.'
" Come, that's three.'
" And the Pied Bull.'
"' So there is; you'll not go much further.'
"' And then there's—there's—there's—the Golden
Bull, in —what's it street?'

" Well done, Toddy; that's five, sure enough: bu
-ou'reshort yet.'__ _ _

" Ay,' said a little letter-carrier, who sat smirking
in the corner, and he will be short, for there is'nt one
more, /know.'

" And then, remimber,' continued Teddy, carefully
pursuing his enumeration, there's the Dun Cow.'
" At this, a burst of laughter fairly shook the room,
and busy hands kept the tables and glasses rattling
amidst boisterous cries of A bull! a bull!' Looking
serious at all around, Teddy deliberately asked,—
" Do you call that a bull?'
" ' To be sure, it's a bull!' exclaimed several voices
at once.

" "rhen,' said Teddy, ' that's the sixth!'
" Ilere an unavoidable defeat in the direct was con-
verted into a victory in the antipodean, by the cleverly
obtained admission of the vanquished parts themselves."
In the postscript to the letter quoted in page 132, the
writer has purloined a facetious notion which was si-
milarly introduced in one of the opening numbers of
" Master Humphrey's clock." Delightful as the book is
when consumed sectionally, it palls upon the appetite
when devoured at a sitting, like every other jest -book.
Fora ten minutes' glance, ajest-book is as pleasant a
companion as Tom Sheridan could have been. Yet
we would as soon hobnob with a resurrectionist as
read the consecutive pages of that same jest-book to
the end. Such is the partial merit of the present
volume.

THE FIRESIDE. By Percy B. St. John.
The fireside is welcome always, more particularly
is it welcome at Christmas, and not the less welcome
is the " Fireside" to which Mr. Percy St. John wel-
comes us, because it is an American fireside. Not
among the vast prairies of the south-west, not in the
scarcely yet settled land of Texas, not among Ba•3lc-
woodsmen and Indians and Mexicans is the scene of
the present story laid, but in the city of New York,
and Mr. St. John depicts American domestic scenes,
and American civilization, with the same graphic
power with which he has hitherto depicted the wild
life of the pioneer of civilisation amid the un-
cultivated tracts of the New World. The story is
a simple one. The hero, Alfred Somers, is a physi-
cian in New York, living
with his mother, who,
albeit our author does not state the fact, is, there can
be no doubt, a lineal descendant of " one of the old
Pilgrim Fathers"—there is the same high principle,
.he same worship of the ste'ner virtues, the same in-
tolerance of " amiable weakness"—because in her
estimation " amiable weakness " is but vice disguised
—the same undreading spirit in Mary Somers which
were the distinguishing characteristics of the Pilgrim
Fathers, and which enabled them to become the
founders of a mighty nation. Alfred Somers
marries Eugenia Lawrence, a girl of admirable dis-
position, but spoiled by the precepts and the
example of the worldly-minded tricky, extravagant
mother. The husband is ruined by the roguery of
the mother-in-law. Believing the wife has deceived
him, he separates from her. Convinced of his wife's
truth—convinced that she has been the victim of the
fraud of her mother (who dies mad), he re-unites his
fate with her's, retrieves his fallen fortunes, and in the
society of his wife and his mother, is once again happy
by his own fire-side. This story gives Mr. St. John
opportunities of giving us some
admirable sketches of
American society. The following description of a
ball in New York is admirable:—
" The ball was such a ball as is to be found perhaps
nowhere else but in New York, where, whatever may be
the faults existent in society—and society his faults
Enough everywhere imputed to it, as if civilisation were
a horrid monster, spreading misery and sorrow—thefe
is more of that cordiality, and determination for enjoy-
ment, than is found in the drawing-rooms of the old
world. There is much of the same love of display, of
Shining beyond the rest—of idle, foolish gossip, about
nothing—which is wicked waste of one of God's
:irteisatteesatngdiffitsa,tttiemrete time—but still there
bellesereism, not ore
expected
wof heartiness.
Refinement is, of course, however local writers may pro-
have reached, in a new country, that
pinnacle
'l,ls in the old ; and when we know what refinement
hich to
have
often hides—the courts of the Louis were in one sense
refined—we may be pardoned if we wish that America
may retain its
,juvenility.
" And is not this juvenility, this rough, hearty, some-
times coarse state of being, a thing rather to be envied
and admired, than to be made the subject of satire and
burlesque by flippant travellers, who see as much of the
country as did he, who, passing through Alsace, and only
,atching a glimpse of a being of each sex, reported
thereupon that all the men were red-haired, and all the
women squint-eyed —or something equally veracious."
Neither is this tale deficient in poetry :
" A smile is as the dew ; whence it riseth, and how it
cometh, must be known, ere its value be appreciated. As
the dew of the bituminous swamps of the Amazons,
pregnant with rank vegetation, is in'ectious and destruc•
tive to life, so is the smile of the seared heart and guilty
soul poison to all around ; but as the dew rising from
healthy soils is surcharged with qualities favourable to
Ve. so is the smile of the pure and good delightful to the
observer.

The philosophy of Mr. St. John is sound and
healthy, and, as worshippers of the truth, we thank
him for the energetic manner in which, in the follow-
ing passage he has entered his protest against the
mawkish sentimentality, detestable in point of taste,
worse than detestable in point of morality, which has
of late polluted what we were heretofore wont to con-
ider the pure fount of English undefiled literature :
'•' Alfred,' said e:ug..nia, suddenly, ' why not come
with me? It would give me so much pleasure.'
" Thanks," replied the husband, with an affectionate
and gra.tifi,d smile—for little Attentions are great to the
sincere—. but duty calls me hence. I have many calls
°tuhuetw'Oman. But is it a
t,, make this evening, and must snatch a few hours for
readinz.
duties but those of home ? Is
in the eyes of certain fashionable and
popular roman-
,. This compelled denial and absencef from
amount
around which a narrow
ernrehteornanedwabualnd :
man to be nothing
sphere of occupations are to turn ? We think that the
truthe n t, doubtless,fthd aotmemexsactniueshbed,utustat nniaeyosp
world, society, and the good of our fellows, demand much
and that woman—when her character is
of our tune ;
noble and elevated, as it should ever be—looks with de-
eds
ujosrltiesn;
de-
light and pride on him, who, a tender and affectionate
husband and and father, is also a good citizen. The
stern calls of a profession, be that profession that of a
statesmen—even a popular member—or a mere money-
compelling one, such as law or physic, are of course
without appeal, and yet we have seen them unsparingly
satirised by the hands either of ignorance or malevo-
e Gee.

A PRACTICAL COMP N oIIUM OF THE
11W AND USAGE OF MERCANTILE
CeoUNTS. By Alexander Pulling, Esq., of the
Inner Temple. Burrister-at-Law.
In this little work the author has given us a com-

I p'a'e exposition of the law and usage relating to ac-
counts in any way connected with trade. Thework is
divided into three chapters. In his first chapter he
treats of various points in the law of debtor and
Ireditor ; Partnership, principal and agent; bank-
ruptcy and insolvency. In the second chapter he
pescribes the system and routine of book-keeping
and accounts, adopted among the trading community;
and in the third chapter, which is devoted to the sub-
ject of the investigation of mercantile accounts are
collected the rules of pleading, evidence, and practice.
for the investigation of disputed ace )unt:i under the
various forms of proceedings at common law, in equity,
bankruptcy, and insolvency, and by arbitration. This
is a work which will be found equally useful by the
' lawyer and the trader. The former will acquire from
the perusal of the second chapter much practical
knowledge, a subject on which he is but too often
lamentably ignorant, viz., the system and routine of
book-keeping as actually practised in the counting-
houses of merchants and traders ; while to the latter,
the knowledge which he will acquire of the law
and merchants' accounts, from the perusal of this va-
luable little treatise, cannot but prove eminently
useful.

MR. H YLD'S RAILWAY MAP OF GREAT

BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
Mr. James Wyld, of Charing Cross, has published
two beautifully executed railway maps, for 1847, the
one of Great Britain, the -other of Ireland. These
maps are drawn on a large scale, and with that accu-
racy and neatness which characterises every publica-
tion of Mr. Wyld's. They show the lines of railway
at present completed in the respective countries—the
lines in progress, and the projected lines to be proposed
to Parliament in 1847, pans of which have been de-
posited in the Private Bill-office. The number of
plans fear new railways deposited at the Private Bill-
office, and on which Parliament will have to adjudi-
cate in the course of the ensuing session, amounts, as
appears from Mr. Wyld's map to three hundred.

CHRONOLOGY OF STAMFORD. By George
Burton.
It is not often that we notice works of merely
local interest. We are, however, induced to notice
the present publication, because Mr. Burton has,
deviating from the usual forms of such works, adopted
an alphabetical arrangement.
" That form being deemed the most advantageous in a
work the primary object of which is to present in a con-
venient compass an epitome of all the remarkable events
pertaining to the locality."
The plan is an admirable one, and we would advise
the adoption of an alphabetical arrangement for the
future in all works of a similar character. The book
itself is an amusing and instructive little work, and
will be found very serviceable as a book of reference
concerning all matters of local interest. The illustra-
tions are numerous and well designed, and the typo-
graphy end getting up reflects great credit on Mr.
Bagley, of Stamford, by whom it is printed and pub-
lished.

RAILWAYS FOR THE MANY AND NOT

FOR THE FEW. By James Ward, Esq.

This brochure fully answers its title. Not only
would Mr. "Ward secure to the many the use, at a
low rate, of railways as means of locomotion, but he
would adopt, as the most efficient means to that end,
the throwing open of the railway trade, so as to
make the many the great proprietors of the railroad*.
At present, the large capitalists command the rail-
ways because railway property is divided into shares
of large value. He would encourage small capitalists
to invest their savings in railways by making the
shares of small amount. Instead of having the capi-
tal fur a railway raised in shares of 1001., 501., or
251. each, he would have it raised in shares of 51. If
this plan were adopted, it would, according to Mr.
Ward,
" Keep the market in a healthy state, advance the pro-
gress of the system by bringing to it the aid of capital,
which is available now to no other process in the pro-
duction of wealth ; promote economy and industry
among the humbler classes, by affording a profitable
field for the investment of their savings ; and diffuse
amongst the nation at large the beneficial interest of the
of the grand economical invention of the day, which, as
already pointed out, the commonwealth should never
have abandoned to the few.

" There is a large class of persons in this country
possessed of property varying from the amount of 101.
up to 2001., with which they have no opportunity of em-
barking in any speculation in which they feel an interest,
or of which they have the capacity to form a judgment
of. Consequently, the less wealthy of this class deposit
their savings in the savings bank, which allows them
rarely more interest than 2 per cent., while the wealthier
invest theirs in the funds, which afford about 3 per cent.
Of course, a man possessed of less than the price of 100/.
stock is deprived even of this trivial advantage ; and
hence it has long been a desideratum that there should
be some sort of sate and transferable security in which
sums under 1001. could be put to s more profitable use
than they can be in a savings bank. Railways would
afford such a medium, if our suggestion of reducing the
amount of shares to 51. were adopted for the invest-
ment of small amounts; they would no doubt become ex-
ceedingly popular, if, moreover, interest of 4 per cent.
upon deposits as low as ss. were guaranteed until the
completion of the works.
" The class who possess these small shares---carpen-
ters, masons, mechanics, and labourers of almost every
description—are perfectly aware of the remunerative
character, as well as public advantage, of these great
undertakings. They come home to 'their business and
bosoms ;' for the demand for labour which they create
is sensitively felt by them in the advancement of wages
which it produces. They know, moreover, sufficient of
the result of those projects which have already been
completed, to feel assured that they are not likely to be
losers by embarking in any similar, reasonably enter
twined, and honestly conducted project ; while, on the
other hand, they are fully alive to the almost certainty
of considerable gain which they present ; and this im-
pression cannot fail to become stronger as the financial
statistics of railways come to be more popularly under-
stood. The asrumed difference, therefore, on the score
of safety, between a railway security and a Government
security is very little upon their minds; and a railway in-
vestment would, we repeat, soon be in great favour with
them. Indeed they could not but be embued with a prejudice
in their favour from self-interest ; for they would not
fail to see that railways increase traffic, that traffic in-
creases trade, and that trade is the ultimum mobile by
which the demand for labour is augmented, and that
thus their means of subsistence are improved."
He contends that these small shareholders would keep
down fares, and keep down expenses; that they
would, from their position and their numbers, be
enabled to keep a check upon profuse expenditure ;
and that, under such a system, engineers and solici-
tors would, instead of being the tyrants, be reduced
to their proper position as the servants of the compa-
nies. He thus concludes his argument :
" The doctrine of experience teaches us that the doc-
trine of cheapness of construction must be consulted by
us ; for if-we do not consult it, it will certainly force it-
self upon us. But economy we shall never have in the
construction of railways until the really economical part
part of the community—the productive and saving
classes, can invest their savings in them. But the option
of doing so bas not only not been afforded, but has been
positively denied, to them, by the impolicy of bolstering
up railway shares to a. nominal amount beyond their
reach. Railway investment has been made a sort of
tabood ground, upon the sanctity of which no one must
intrude who cannot approach it at least with the air of a
capitalist. The money of the humbler producers and
distributors of wealth is proscribed as if it were too ple-
beian to associate with that of the aristocracy who
monopolise the entree to Capel Court. But, non olet. If
it comes from the till of the village tradesman, or the
hard hand of the mechanic, it has the same purity, tha
same virtues and uses, as if it had come from Coutts's,
Drummond's, or Glynn's.
" Why are the middle and lower classes to be debarred
from the profitable employment of their savings in any
way not injurious to the community, and more especi-
ally in a way by which the interests of the community
would be so largely promoted, as facilitating and econo
raising the internal communications of the kingdom?
The aggregate of their myriads of small savings should
not be repelled from, but invited to, railway investment!
as it would be, if the nominal amount of railway shares
dw,eiciiengbrtohuegmlittowistlhi,nwtheerespceoattle of,
and payingmtheeaunssu.
usual in
n
terest upon deposits so small as 55., would accomplish
this ; and the property and contr..l of railways would
then be in the hands of the general community, instead
of the hands of a few, who both injure and defy the
public, and laugh at the Legislature into the bargain!"
The theory of Mr. Ward is novel and startling, yet
we can see no reasonable objection that can be urged
against it; and if the railways afford a safa means of
investment to the middle and lower classes for their
savings—if railways will afford them as great security
as saving batiks, with a higher rate of interest, and
with greater power over the disposal of thoir capital,
then is Mr. Ward's proposition worthy of serious
consideration.

THE. FRENCH PLATS.—Their Royal Highnesses
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by
Prince Frederiek of Hesse, and attended by Mr. Edmund
St. John Mildmay, honoured the French plays with
$ eir presence on W( dnesday evening.
BRITISH PHILANTHROPIC PENSION SOCIETY.—On
Wednesday a dinner was given to the pensioners on this
admirable institution, at the house of Mr. Titchener,
the Britannia Tavern, Bishopsgate-street Without,
where an excellent meal, consisting of meat, poultry,
mince-pies, &c., was provided for the aged receipients of
the society's bounty. In addition, gratuities of half-a-
crown to each pensioner were kindly given by Mrs.
Perrin and Mr. J. Flemming. The British Philan-
thropic Pension Society, which, we are informed, was
established in the year 1838, for the purpose of affording
permanent relief to the aged and infirm of both sexes
by means of a small weekly allowance for life, is dis-
tinguished from other associations of a similar character
by requiring no claim to its bounty beyond that of age
and distress—its charity not being restricted to the
members of any particular trade or class—it is there-
fore eminently worthy the support of the benevolent, is
order that its sphere of usefulness, at present bounded
within a somewhat scanty space by its means, may be
extended still further, and thus gladden the hearts of
many now sinking beneath the accuttulated afflictions
of age, poverty, and :sickness.

STATE OF TRADE.
(Frcm the Wine. Trade Circular.)
A heavy end inert feeling' still untinues to hang over
the wine market ; and, although we do not generally
expect any very large transactions, so close to the turn of
the year, still, we are inclined to think, that there is even
more than the usual degree of dulness exhibited, just
now. This ought not to be the case, as there is nothing
like the same amount of capital locked up, that there was
last year, at this period, and legitimate business has now
taken the place of the reckless spirit of speculation,
which seemed to have seized upon every one, at about
this time twelve-months. Under these circumstances,
we are much surprised to find, that scarcity of money in
the wine market, and even those whose means are known
to be very large, showing such great reluctance to part
with one shilling. This cannot last, and we are certain,
that as soon as the new year commences, we shall find a
much brisker trade, and that at very fair prices. The
goods more in demand, just at ,his moment, are common
crusted Ports, about 6 to 12 months in bottle, and vary-
ing in price from 235. to 265. per doz.
The Brandy-market is now rapidly assuming a more
favourable aspect, the rage for speculation having abated,
and that for a very simple reason, via. " those who have
b ,ught Brandies at the extremely high rates, in expec-
tation of a further advance, have been seriously disap-
pointed, and compelled to part with them, in many in-
stances, at the prices given, but more frequently at a
considerable reduction." This, we have reason to be-
lieve, is now nearly all over, and the daily increase in
the consumption will warrant us in calculating that
brandies will now remain at about ls. per gallon advance
on the price before the reduction of duty.
There are now, comparatively, few old-landed brandies
in the market, and those will not command a price com-
mensurate with their real value in point of flavour, in
consequence of their lowness in strength ; for instance,
brandies landed in 1840 or 1841, will come out at 12 to
15 per cent. under proof, which serious loss almost
places them out of the market, unless for certain pur-
poses ; we would, therefore, advise all parties holding
these brandies, to vat them with newly landed 1844'5,
and the result will be as fine a spirit as can be desired.
The brandies most sought after at the present time,
are 1844'5, landed in 1845; these brandies possess nearly
all the softnees and flavour of 1842'5, with the additional
advantage of coming out at proof. We have been shown
some Martell's 1844'5, (old-landings), that it would be
almost impossible to distinguish from 1842'5, and we
have no doubt will command nearly the same price,
after the tern of the year. By advices from Jamaica.
received yesterday, we find Otard's brandies quoted at
6s. to 6s. 6d. We shall take an early opportunity of
reverting to this subject.
In rums we find a very fair business doing at firm rates,
and with an almost absolute certainty of an advance.
In speaking thus, we are influenced by the fact, that in
Jamaica there is much agitation upon the question of a
reduction of the duties upon British possession rums, in
conjunction with the feeling of almost the entire trade
of the United Kingdom, that this spirit ought not to be
exempt from the free-trade principles, but that a very
great reduction ought forthwith to be made in the duty,
which is now almost prohibitory in England, and entirely
so in the Sister Isle.
In the House of Assembly, at Jamaica, there has been
some very strong resolutions passed, to be forwarded in
the shape of a memorial, or rather remonstrance, to the
mother country, and in speaking upon this subject, Mr.
Thompson said, " there is another point which must be
urged on the Government, and it will be urged with
success, for it will carry the support of the advocates of
the free trade system, as well as the advocacy of every
man of sense and justice :—it is, that we should have
the application of the free trade system to our spirits—
the equalisation of duties on British plantation spirits,
and the admission of our sugar and Molasses in the Bri-
tish breweries and distilleries. At present the duties
upon our spirits in Great Britain amounted almost, and
in Ireland to an entire prohibition. The effect of this
reduction may be calculated on the increased consump-
tion that had taken place, when the duty had been re-
duced 6d. per gallon. If they would do these, it would
make up in some measure for the depreciation in sugar.
Let them concede to us that boon, or rather let them
perform to us that act of justice towards us, and our lot
may yet not be hopeless. The Brilish distiller would
still have the advantage over us, for he manufactured in
his own country, whilst we had to pay freight and other
contingent expense of shipment ; that was sufficient
protection to him. If our sugar were admitted not
alone into the British distilleries and breweries, but
also for many other uses, it would give so great an im-
pulse as to keep up the demand, and the price may
remain as it is, at the present day. It might probably
happen, that a regard for the revenue of the country
may preclude,the immediate favourable consideration of
this point ; but it would not be long ere they would be
obliged to yield to the voice of the country, who must i
see the justice, and relieve the urgent necessity of our
case. They could not refuse to carry out the system
they had themselves begun ; they must adapt that sys-
tem to the necessity of our case, or we must indeed go
to the ground." Besides which, we find Mr. Moncrief
informing the House, that, "in 1833, 34,000 puns.
of rum were exported, whilst, in 1845, there were only
16,000 exported ' • showing a difference of 18,000 puns.
If these facts do not speak plainly to the trade, we
do not know what will, more particularly when we add
the following latest quotations in the market at King
ston, Jamaica :—" Rum is looking up ; 50 puns. have
been parted with at 4a. 2d. per gallon ; small parcels
command 4s. 3d. for ordinary descriptions, and 4s. 6d.
for best sorts." Here we have plain, straight-forward,
honest truth speaking trumpet-tongued to our Legisla-
ture, and that, in such homely phrase, but, at the
same time, with such firmness, that it must command
attention.

Is it worth while considering what it is our colonists
demand, and whether those demands are founded on
justice? To this we fearlessly reply, that there demands
are both just and reasonable, being founded upon the
true spirit of international, or rather—if we may use the
word—inter-colonial trading. Why should we preserve
the old and highly-exorbitant rates upon rums, whilst
we have granted a very considerable reduction in the
duties upon brandies?—and why should we grant the
latter boon to a nation whose feeling towards us is cer-
tain—at the least, very unquestionable;—whose laws
nearly prohibit the importation of our manufactures,
and whose Government has, even up to this moment—so
far from showing any signs of reciprocity—still continued
all the old restrictions, and by every means in its power
encouraged the mauufacture of our staple commodities;
we repeat, why should we grant them this great boon—
and a great boon they must acknowledged it to be, as we
have not only consumed 200,000 gallons extra of their
spirit (here we only refer to that upon which duty has been
paid, to say nothing of the immense extra importations),
but that an advance of fully one shilling a gallon upon
the previous rates, and, up to the present time, at a loss
to us of revenue of 50,0001., and still refuse the same
proportion of reduction of duty to our colonists, whose
laws almost compel them to consume British manufac-
tures, and British manufactures alone, and whose sole
trade is confined between themselves and the mother
country? Is this justice? is this even-handed
legislation?—is this what our suffering colonists have
a right to demand from the fostering—Re almost
think the better word would be ruinous—care of the
Home Government ? We fearlessly answer, No.
If they are to be shackled with our legislation—
if they aro to be almost swamped by officials sent from
England, to be maintained at their expense—if they are
still to be considered as integral portions of this king-
dom,—we say, give them not only the ful onus of stub
an union, but at the same time give them the full benefit
of it, and allow them to stand upon the same footing as
our British manufacturers. This is what they are ju-tly
entitled to, and this they must eventually obtain—not,
we expect, so much from a sense of justice felt by the
Ministers of her Majesty, but by that power which
always has, and always will, compel them to do justice,
however tardy; we mean, the voice of the nation—vox
populi est vox Dei ; and, in this instance, we think that
the old and hacknied quotation may be properly applied.
The West India Interest, once almost overwhelming,
is still formidable, and only wants to be thoroughly
aroused to obtain this fair and proper alteration in the
law ; and we trust that the day is not far distant when
their slumbering enargies will be aroused, and they will
arise like one man and claim their just, their undeniable
rights. Let it, however, be distinctly understood, that
so far from condemning the reduction of duty on brandy
we highly applaud it, and only contend for, at least a
proportionate reduction on spirits, the produce of our
ill-fated West India Islands.
It is very probable, however, that we may find the
Ministers that be, assuming a fearful tone respecting
this reduction in the duty upon rums, which the West
India colonists are now so emphatically calling for,
tinder the plea of loss of revenue ; but they should take
into consideration that, however homely, still there is
much truth in the phrase, " what is sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander," and that that reform which the
high rate of duties tin brandy called for so imperatisely,wa,
a bold measure, and one which would certainly for the
first few months eau, e a defalcation in the revenue. Ex-
perience has Rot always proved that a reduction in duties
causes a corresponding reduction in revenue ; but so far
from that, in many cases, we find that each reduction
has not only added to the consumption, thereby turning
the tide of trade in our favour, but also increased our
revenue. Another consideration with them may perhaps
be, that a serious injury would be caused to our English
distillers, by the proposed reduction ; but this is also a
fallacy, as it is an acknowledged fact, that the consump-
tion of British brandy has increased, even in a greater
ratio than that of foreign brandy, and that, at the pre
sent moment, many who never before thought of using
British spirits, are now consuming large quantities : still,
presuming that our distillers should suffer from this re-
daction—we ask, is it fair, that so small a class shoal I be
benefited, to the great detriment, or indeed, almost cer-
tain ruin of those colonies, for whose support we have
already expended millions? Either our colonies are worth
supporting, or they are not. Either we ought to place them
upon such a footing, as will enable them to maintain
themselves, or we ought to abandon them ; and not by
such paltry legislation entail, in the first place, ruin upon
the colonies themselves, with a certainty of having to
put our hands in John Bull's packets, eventually, to help
them out of the position in which an obstinate, and short
sigh'• 1 policy has plunged thqn.
We, however, contend that the said colonies never
have been, nor will they ever be worth, in paint of
revenue, one maravedi to the English nation ; but as cur
statesmen, one and all, consider them amongst the
brightest (!) jewels of the crown, it might be well worth
their while to consider how far they may play with these
jewels, without the fear of' tarnishing their splendour,
to say nothing of the further chance of some very kind
neighbour, or annexing ally, quietly appropriating such
inestimable treasures to their own purposes. Such
things have occurred within the memory of' man, or else
our historical records lie ; and we really think that, in
the present days, when treaties are quietly slurred over on
the o le part, and claims of right are so very quietly put
forward on the other, some little care and some little
nursing would not be amiss, to prevent the possibiity oh
such a fo rful disasttr; or, to :peak more plainly, we

may say, that although the West Indian colonies are
not, of themselves, sufficiently strong to take upon them-
selves :he onus of throwing off their loyalty to the Bri-
tish Crown, still, backed on the one tide- by France—
who has long coveted th, na—and encouraged en the
other bi the United States—who always consider them
as a part of their territory,—they may, unless we take
more prudent measures for their government, prove very
troublesome and refractory jewels, and lead to another
scene of war and bloodshed, which ought to be avoided
at any price, short of sacrificing our national honour.
We ag&in repeat, that with the above-mentioned facts
before us, we have no hesitation in stating that the
Rum-market must go up considerably, and that speedily,
the more so when we find that our prices re not at the
present moment one penny above those of Jamaica.

INSTITUTION OF THE FINE
ARTS IN ROME.-CONGREGATION OF
VIRTUOSI.

Second to the academy of St. Luke, the other great
institution of the fine arte is the congregation of the
virtuosi at the Pantheon, instituted 1523. It meets in
the chapel dedicated to St. Joseph, opposite to that of
the Madonna, under which is interred the immortal
Raphael. Its founder was a canon of the Pantheon,
named Desiderio Adjutorio, and it is called " dei Vir-
tuosi," because orginally only admitting those who cul-
tivate the fine arts professionally. A reformation was
effected in its system a few years ago, fur the benefit of
the youthful students of the arts of design, and in 1839
its new statutes were approved of by Gregory XVI. According to these, its members are now composed of
virtuosi of merit, and of honour ; the first divided into
resident and correspondent members, all of whom
are artists of distinction; the second, either patrons of
the arts, or literary men. The resident virtuosi do not
exceed the number of forty-five; the correspondent, of
thirty; the number of virtuosi of honour unlimited; and
at present reaches to 200; that of virtuosi of merit is
at present twenty-three; and in this congregation women
also, who have distinguished themselves in any walk of
the fine arte, are admitted.
The institution has at its head a regent (at present
the Cay. Fabris, a sculptor); and is governed by another
triennial regent (the Cay. Podesti, a painter), and by a
council composed of thirty virtuosi of merit ; of these
are ten painters, ten sculptors, and ten architects, who
fill different offices, all held for three years, except those
of the secretary and archivista, held for life.
The institution not having directly for its object in-
struction, does not hold public schools, like the Academy
of St. Luke ; but, aiming rather at the encouragement
of the arts, has established concourses, bimestral and
biennial. The first meets to pass judgment on some
-übject of sacred or philanthropic argument, treated in
painting, sculpture, and architecture ; artists of all na-
tions may take part in it, provided they be Catholic,
and the works are each judged by that class of
artificers to whom they appertain. The reward
consists in a silver medal, of five ounces weight,
with the effigy of Raphael on one side, and
the inscription, "Concorso bimestral al Pantheon ;" and
on the other the arms of the congregation, with
the motto, " Florent in Domino." The next bimestral
concourse will take place in December of the pre-
sent :Fear. The works of the concurs., nts to be exposed,
will be on the following subjects. In painting : The
Generals of Holofernes, who, after long expecting, enter
his tent, end find him dead. In sculpture : Raquel,
who, having received Moses into his house, a wanderer
and fugitive, offers him his daughter Zippora as wife : a
basso-relieve. In architecture : design for a building
for the exposition of works in painting and sculpture.
When the works presented have been examined by the
assembled congregation, and tho'se worthy of receiving
the reward base been determined on by st eret vote, the
accompanying letter; are opened containing the names
of the artists, who are then informed of the decision in
their favour. In the biennial, also calved the Gregorian
concourse, artists of every description, on condition of
being Catholic, may compete. The works are exhibited
in the Church of the Pantheon ; and ten days
before the feast of the patronage of St. Joseph (3d
May), the virtuosi assemble and pass judgment on
each, according to its class, selecting three, one
of painting, one of sculpture, and one of archi-
tecture, to be awarded ; sometimes a second reward
is given to some worthy of especial notice, or a
testimonial of honour conferred upon the artist. The
premiums are solemnly conferred in the Pantheon on
the festival above-mentioned, consisting of a gold
medal for each class, similar to that of the bimestral
concourse, and of the value of twenty-five sequins. Tho
benefit secured to the interests of the fine arts by this
institution, is unquestionable. It opens to young artists
a field for distinguishing themselves, and stimulates them
by the hope of reward conferred with every circumstance
of honour.

In the Apostolic Hospital of S. Michele at Ripa
Grande, to which we shall conduct our readers some
future time, exists a magnificent institution of the fine
arts; and of this we may here give a general idea, in
the sole school of design. Here, from the multitude
of youths, bt-tween the ages of nine and twenty-one,
who are gratuitou,ly maintained and instructed in
every branch of arts and trades; those ate chosen
who give protni-e of succeeding best in the cultivation
of liberal arts, and are devoted to the elementary study
of these. At present, those employed in the school of
design are one hundred in number; seventy of these are
' engaged in figure drawing; ten in ornamented, and four
in architectural; each to dedicate himself subsequently
to whatever art he pleases; thus, at present. two dedi-
cate themselves to painting, twelve to modelling, and out
of these, five to working in marble also. Others work
in intaglio and cameo. These young artists also receive
instruction in algebra, geometry, perspective, m) thology,
geography, anatomy, and history (sactod and profane),
from various able prota-sors, almost all beloiagmg to the
academy of St. Luke. They also atten•l at the evening
school, and at the school of the Nudo, given by the
academy, on the capitol, where their sketc.,es afire exa-
mined and corrected by a member deputed for that pur-
pose.—Roman Advertiser, Nov. 7.

We understand that some immediate chances are
in contemplation in the royal establishment. Major-
General Sir Henry Wheatley has been permitted, at his
advanced age, to retire from the office of Keeper of her
Majesty's Privy Purse, on a most liberal pension, and
the dignity of a baronet. The office of the Keeper of
the Privy Purse, and that of the Treasurer of the
Prince's Household, are to be united in the person of
Mr. Anson. The gentleman to fill the office of Private
Secretary to his Royal Highness, hitherto held by Mr.
Anson, has not yet been selected.
ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM
RAILWAY.—The Liverpool and Manchester parcels, con-
veyed by the express train, which was due at the Euston-
square station at 11 o'clock last night, were not delivered
until a few minutes to 3 this morning. We learned on
inquiry that the delay arose from some accident which
occurred t) the train, and rendered it necessary to send
on a portion of the carriages with the passengers, who
arrived safely in town at half-past 2, whilst the re-
mainder of the train was delayed still longer. We were
informed that the accident, a break down, was not at-
tended with the loss of life.

A dreadful crime has just been committed at
Landes (Nord). An old man, named Picquet, who had
been a soldier under the Empire, and his wife, were dis-
covered murdered in their house. The Anil of the old
man was split in two, and the body of the woman was
discovered dreadfully disfigured in the cellar, where the
murderers had thrown it. It is su:Tos-d that some per-
sons suspected the old man of having received the price
of some land which he had lately sold, and had entered
the house in order to carry off the money. The old
people having probably recognised the thi, yes, w are mur-
dered to prevent detection —Faris paper.
IMPORTATION OF POLIA.,TRY.—It is known that large

quanti'ies of poultry are imported weekly from Franc,
Holland, and Belgium—the latter more particularly;
but the arrivals now taking place are much be-
yond the usual average, which the festive season of
Christmas will readily account for. The steam-ship
llar!equin, from Boulogne, brought on Monday 94 cases,
2 hampers, and 4 baskets, the production of France ;
the Belfast, from Calais, 5 baskets and 14 clses ; the
Rapid, from Harlingen, 10 baskets, of Dutch produce
the Sir Edward Banks, from Ostend. 4 baskets and 43
cases, of Belgian production. These, with other arri-
vals, took place in one day, and comprised every descrip-
tion of poultry, both in a live and dead state, suitable to
this particular time. The arrival by the Harlequin is
one of the largest we remember to have taken place, and
as further large snpplies are expected during the week,
in addition to those from all parts of the country, of
home growth, it is anticipated that poultry generally
will be obtainable in the metropolis at a moderate price.
The slight change which has again taken place in the
weather will have a beneficial effect on the immense
quantities of all sorts of meat and provisions with which
the town will be stocked durin,f the present week.
MORTALITY OF TOE Ma, rtoPoLis.—The total number

of deaths registeacil in the tueiropolis for the eek . tiding
December 19, 1846, was 1.262, of which 1,223 were
from other causes than violence, showing an it:crease in
the number of deaths from di-ease as compared with the
week preceding, of 100. There were I.ix deaths, during
the weak, as regist, d from privatitn. The births
daring tan we k were 1,311.
CHEAP RE-PURLICATION OF IMPORTANT WORKS.

—We obs-rve that Mr. Col burn announces a re-issue, in
cheap monthly parts, of thow to o important and national
works. " The Nel,on Letters and Despatches," and
" Burke's History of the Landed Gentry." The first
part of each work is to appear with the magazines on
thf' Ist of January, and there cart be littlo doubt that
they will attain in this popular form that wide circula-
tion to which they are so justly entitled.

MADAME A. -BISHOP.—Our accomplished native
vocalist leaves town at the end of the month for an ex•
tensive provincial tour, to fulfil a great number of en-
gagements long since entered into. She goes in the first
instance to Cheltenham and Gloucester, where she will
devote four days ; then to Brighton for a week ; thence
fur three weeks to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester,
and other places in that neighbourhood. The first week
in February will be divided between the two University
towns, Oxford and Cambridge. On• February the Bth
she proposes going to Dublin, where she performs until
the 22d, and thence to Belfast and Cork. On the Ist of
March she takes Edinburgh for a fortnight, and Glasgow
for three:days, retu, ning sc'nth again to Bath and Bristol
for four days, and during Passion Week she will be at
Exeter, for the sacred concert there. In short, the
British syren has not a day disengaged between this and
the beginning of April.—Observer.
REDUCTION IN CAB FARES.—Yesterday severs:
cabs, with placards announcing that they were running
at 6d. a mile, were conveyincr. passengers.at that rate in
o is, much to
different parts of the metr p
chagrin of
the rest of the fraternity, who greeted the drivers of
those vehicles, as they passed the different cab ranks,
with jeers and shouts of derision.
Lipid and Lady John Itu•7•sell, and the Hon. Miss
Lister, took their departure from the Castle, yesterday,
for town.