The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-02 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY HIGH TIDES

IN THE WEST.

On Thursday morning last, a high tide, unprecedented in
the memory of the most aged inhabitant of the town, raised
the waters of the Usk far above its banks, inundating a con-
siderable portion of the town and neighbourhood, presenting
scenes from the churchyard of St. Woolloos, the barracks,
and other elevated situations, of a romantic and alarming
character. In casting the eye towards the moors, which
seemed like a stupendous lake, the various farm-houses ap-
peared as solitary specks in the wide waste of waters. The
tide was up within three inches of the top of our dock
gates, exceeding by a foot the memorable spring tide which
took place in March, 1842. We regret to state that the
damage and loss, in various ways, have been extensive find
serious. The road from Newport-bridge to Fair Oak Hill,
and a part of the Chepstow-road, were impassable until the
ebbing,,of the tide. The Abergavenny mail was obliged to go
through the Fair Oak Common, and it was with the greatest
risk and difficulty that Mr. Thome', the careful driver, was
able to make his way to the main road. It is said that
several families residing in the moors can only leave
their dwelling in boats, and that, others are confined by
the surrounding waters to the upper rooms of their
houses. The swelling of the waters is attributed to the
strong south-west gales, combined with the heavy land
floods. As art instance of the force of the current of
fresh water, we have heard that a wreck, with a buoy there-
on, lying at the river's mouth, in ten feet at low water, has
been driven a mile further into the channel from her former
position, upon which a fresh v,rack buoy has been placed by
our active harbour-master, where there is only five feet at
low water. During the last fortnight, and in the heavy
gal's and thick weather, a ship, at present unknown, came
in contact with the beacon ou the Monkstone Rock, and
carried the same away—she is supposed now to be in our
port. If this should meet the eve of the master of the said
vessel, it would be much wiser for him to report the same at
the harbour-office than to run the risk of incurring the heavy
penalty attending the concealment of the same. Such has
been the fresh in the river Usk during the last week, that
the flood was higher by three feet, under the Castle Mount, at
Abergavenny, than has ever been known. We are also cre-
dibly informed that two breaches have been made in the sea-
ws.!l to the westward of our river, and that many serious
losses have occurred in the cattle, sheep, &c., and that even
the lives of individuals have been endangered in endeavour-
ing to save the same. ---.lllonmouthshire

'SWANSEA.—During the past week, especially on Wednes-
day and Thursday, this town was visited with extraordinary
high tides, which, combined with the floods consequent upon
the heavy and incessant rains recently experienced, have
been productive of considerable injury and serious losses in
some parts of the town, particularly in the vicinity of the
Strand, along the banks of the river, and other low situated
portions of the town. About six o'clock on Wednesday
morning, near high tide time, a rather disastrous accident
befel the works now in progress in our river near the Pot-
tery. It appears that at that time the lower of the two dams,
built across the river for the purpose of preserving dry that
portion of the bed lying between them to facilitate the erec-
tion of the bridge, gave way, owing, it is supposed, to the
great pressure of water, an extensive breach was made in the
part of the dam nearest the town. The rush of the torrent of
water in the vacuum on the inner side of the dam (tke bed
of the river between the two dams having been dried up), was
tremendous. Owing to the violence and rapidity of the cur-
rent the brig Elizabeth, Jones, master and owner, which lay
at the Swansea Coal Company's wharf, was broken from her
moorings, and carried with irresistible violence through
the reach. Fortunately she did not come in contact with
any portion of the walling, or she would in all probability
have been shattered to pieces. As it is, the stern-post has
been destroyed, and the keel and other parts of the vessel
partially so. It was a fortunate circumstance that the
occurrence did not take place at a time the men were at work
in the bed of the river. Had that been the case, loss of life
would most assuredly have ensued. In a pecuniary point of
view, the damage sustained is very great, while the accident
will have the effect of delaying the progress of then orks for
a considerable period. The ferryman at the Slip states, that
be was on the west stairs waiting his turn across, when sud-
denly the water, which was about ten inches above the quay
wall, fell two feet, to his great alarm ; this will give some
notion of the greatness and suddenness of the irruption into
the empty space of the bridge works. During the time of
high water on Thursday morning, the Strand and lower por-
tion of Wind-street were completely flooded, the water in
several instances being some feet deep; the cellars and
ground-floors were consequently filled with water, to the
complete destruction of the stock of beer and spirits in the
cellars of several public-houses, as well as of stores kept in
underground rooms. It would be too tedious a task to
enumerate the parties who have sustained losses in these re-
spects. Owing to the bad state of the drainage in these parts
of the town, we fear the effect of the humidity and damp re-
sulting from the overflowing of the water will be felt for
some time to come. So high a tide has not been remembered

for a long series of years.—Cambrian.
CARDIFF.—On Wednesday morning last, as the London
and Gloucester mail approached the Rumney-bridge, near
Cardiff, the coachman, Mr. Thoroughgeod, discovered that
the road was covered with water. With his usual cautious-
ness he attempted to drive through it, but the farther he got
the deeper it became; the strong run of the tide, and the
heavy flood, soon compelled the horses to swim, whilst the
coach was being carried away by the current. The coachman
endeavoured to keep up against it, but in vain ; for when he
reached the Pengam-bridge (about half a mile distant from
Rumney-bridge), the coach was gently laid on a bank on the
left-hand side coming from Newport The passengers out-
side, a lady and gentleman, jumped off, and got safely on
terra firma; those inside, five in number, got out while the
coach lay on its side. Of course they got into the water.
The poor horses were immersed in the flood. The coach-
man, guard, and a farm servant, unharnessed them as soon as
possible, and got three of them up alive, but one was drowned.
The coach was then righted, and they proceeded to Cardiff,
after about an hour's delay. None of the passengers suffered
anything more than a ducking; and no blame whatever is
attributable to the driver, who is considered one of the best
and most cautious whips on the road. The blame is attribu-
table to the turnpike commissioners, for leaving the road in
such an exposed condition as to be thus inundated —Mon-
mouthshire Merlin.

FLOODS AT LLANELLY.—Our correspondent at:Llanelly
says :—" During the past week this town and neighbourhood
have been visited with unusually high tides and heavy floods.
Nearly the whole road from Pembrey to Loughor is com-
pletely inundated. A large amount of property of every de-
scription has been much injured, and some entirely destroyed.
Half the houses in town have been flooded, while a great
deal of property in warehouse,, &c., in the neighbourhood of
the docks has suffered. A portion of the Llanelly Railway
has been destroyed in consequence of the foundation having
been washed away by the water; the consequence was that
the engine and tender were overturned on the arrival of the
train from Cwm Amman this (Thursday) morning. For-
tunately no person was hurt."—Another correspondent in-
forms us of the destruction of the Great Marsh embankment
at Llanelly. and overflow of the marsh. He says—" This
morning, between the hours of six and seven, the embank-
ment gave way, and in the course of an hour the whole of
the marsh was covered with water. Horses, cattle, sheep, and
pigs, hay and corn, were carried away before the water,
but fortunately the principal part of the live stock were
saved. The Llanelly Railway and Dock Company are suf-
ferers to a great extent, the water having destroyed the
line to a considerable distance. The poor cottagers re-
siding near the Sandy Gate were in the greatest danger
of their lives, and with great difficulty were extri-
cated from their perilous situation, the water being up to
to the eves of the houses; all their pigs were drowned. The
farmers generally are great sufferers. Mr. Francis M,Kier-
nin, inn-keeper, and Mr. Richard Jones, butcher, may be
considered about the greatest. The tram-road from the
Pool Colliery to Pembrey is entirely destroyed. The land
now from the New Docks to Loughor presents one sheet of
water, with only the tops of tile hedges in sight. lam glad
to say that up to the present moment (four o'clock r.sr.), no
persons are missing. The houses near the copper-works have
their cellars full. Such an occurrence has not taken plate
since the burgesses of Llannelly erected the embankment."

Cambrian.
HIGHBRIDGE.—We have been visited with an extraordi-
nary high tide this morning (28th inst. ) The tide washed
down part of the sea-wall at Burnham, and flowed over the
sea• wall at High Peel, inundating nearly the whole of that
neighbourhood, and doing considerable damage to the High-
bridge Inn, where the water was from three to four feet deep
in the house' stables, andwhole of the premises; it also washed
down a wall forty yards long and ten feet high. Nearly all
the houses in the Tillage were under water, the inhabi-
tants being obliged to retire up stairs. The water was so
deep on the Burnham-road, that Batson's coach was carried
into the river, the coachman and four passengers narrowly
escaping being drowned. We understand that one farmer,
of Brean, had upwards of a hundred sheep drowned, and we
fear many more losses have been sustained.—Somerset County

Gazette.
BARNSTAPLE.—On Wednesday morning the inhabitants
residing near the square and quays were aroused from their
sleep by an inundation. Several houses having underground
cellars and kitchens were filled to the ceiling. Mr. Symons,
grocer, has had groceries to the amount of 1001. completely
spoiled ; the turnpike roads leading from this town to Bide-
ford, Southmolton, and Ilfracombe, were three or four feet
deep with water ; the two beautiful banks which grace the
bridge were invisible—large boats were paddling from
the
square to the quays—the rails around the square were covered._
There has not been an inundation like this in Barnstaple for
thirty years. We should think the damage done, together
with the great loss of cattle in the fields adjacent, will ex-
ceed 300/. or 400/. The houses at Newport shared a similar
fate. The destruction of property was very great. The
turnpike road leading to Bideford is totally immersed, and
all communication with this town is stopped until the water
disappears.— Western Times.
CIRNARVON.—On Thursday last one of the highest tides
occurred at this port within the memory of the oldest inha-
bitant. The quays were inundated, and the railway near
the machine house, was entirely covered, so that the ship-
wrights, and others in the neighbourhood were obliged to
suspend their labours. The orchard at Pont Seiont and the
Morfa were also covered with water. We believe no damage
of any importance has been sustained.--Caen Herald.
(PROM A CORRESPONDENT.
COWBRIDGE, JAN. 81.—The most extraordinary high tide
that has occurred for many years came up the Bristol
Channel this week, causing great devastation on the Welsh
coast; in some places the inhabitants had to leave their
houses with the greatest precipitancy. We have.'
experienced
throughout South Wales incessant heavy rains, and great
fears are now entertained as to the inset crops. The Wheat
looks, in some places, too proud; and, generally speaking, I
expect a failure. To be sure, there is not mud; wheat sown,
the late harvest and constant rains having kept the farmer
in doors. Should there come, which I think we may fully
expect, some severe frost about March and April, I cannot
imagine even the consequence; the ground being so fully
saturated will be completely iron-bound, putting all wheat
(spring sowing) out of the question.
I am a friend to farming, but I hesitate not in saying
that an alteration of the corn-laws is positively requisite, and
I feel convinced that a free trade will not so injure us as
supposed. At first it may appear so, but the event will dis-
prove it.
A melancholy accident occurred near Cardiff last Sunday.
Two women were returning from a chapel where they had been
attending, and having to pass over a bridge, they missed
their way, and went into the water. Both were drowned ;
one of them was Wiwi.
A large quantity of wreck has come ashore at different
points, the remnants of the unfortunate vessels lost in the
late gales. The weather is still very boisterous and stormy
in the Channel.

SIR R. PEEL'S NEW TARIFF.—On Saturday evening
a meeting of the broad silk hand-loom weavers in Spital-
fields, was held at the Crown and Anchor, Waterloo-town,
Bethnal-green. The speakers were unanimous in declaring
that the new propositions of Sir Robert Peel, with regard
tto
silk, would ruin their trade. The result was a
the effect that the trade generally should be
that titions to
a strong opposition should be organised,
tlonnd pre a
h protection
apperapeeied to, that
Parliament against the proposed relaxstiigned, presented, kc.
to the silk trade, should be prepared, • in a.farm-
A horrible crime has just b
near Tourney, where three
house on the Belgian frontier,
Two gensdarmes, who were
persons have been assa
heard the cries of the victims, attacked
passing at the time,
the robbers, eight in number, killed several, and made the
rest prisoners.—French Paper.

COMPENSATION to LANDOWNERS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—The general principles of public justice being the
same in all countries, it ought to follow that the proportion
of national taxation borne by each class of society should be
pretty equal among the various nations of Europe. When,
therefore, we have landowners complaining at country meet-
ings that their land is unduly taxed, it becomes necessary to
ascertain how the fact really stands, by making a comparison
with other countries. For instance, the land-tax of France
is stated by M. Hamann, M. Dupin, &c., at 14,000,000/.
sterling, which (the total revenue of that country being
usually about 50,000,0000 is 28 per cent. of the whole, and
it has since been increased. Mr. M'Gregor states the land-
tax of Austria to be 87 millions of florins, and the total re-
venue 164 millions of florins, so that the land-tax exceeds
53 per cent. of the whole. Mr. M'Gregor also states the land
tax of rrussia to be 26,630,000 thalers, and the total revenue
51,740,000 thalers, so that the land-tax exceeds 51 per cent.
of the national income. Again, the total revenue of Sweden
amounted in 1827 to 19,465,970 rix dollars, of which
12,622,621, or 65 per cent., was derived from the tax on land.
It seems, therefore, unnecessary to give further examples,
and Mr. M'Gregor, in speaking generally on the subject,
says:--" The landed interests of France, Flanders, Holland,
all Germany, and all Italy, pay at least one-half of the na-
tional taxation:by a direct tax upon land." In turning from
these countries to Great Britain, we find the land-tax
amounting to 1,192,6351., or, including the proportion that
has been redeemed, to about 2,000,600/. sterling, out of a
total revenue of 50,000,0001., which is only 4 per cent. of the
hale. .

The land-tax of Great Britain having been originally a
commutation of the feudal rights of the Crown, at the rate of
4s. in the pound of real rent, should at the present moment
have amounted to above 14,000,0001., as in France, had the
country been justly governed.
Not only have English landlords thus evaded the amount
of land-tax equitably due to the State, but they have fur-
ther exempted themselves from any tax on the descent of
real property, such as all other descriptions pay, which tax
on the descent of land amounts in France to about a year's
rental of the estate, and in this country ought to produce
several millions a year to the Exchequer. Further, these
our legislators have exempted farmers from many taxes
which are paid by all other classes, which is, in other words,
to put so much additional rent into he pocket of the land-
owner, and thus further enrich the already richest class of
society.
No such' exemptions in favour of a class exist in any coun-
try of Europe except our own. It is only to enrich the land-
owner that farmers' dogs, farmers' fire insurance, and drain-
ing-tiles are exempted from duty, and other exemptions too
tedious to enumerate, while the poorest tradesman in every
town has to pay a tax on all these things. Even the heart
of a toll-bar-keeper melts into liberality at the sight of a
farmer's lime-cart, while the poor tradesman's must pay toll
to the uttermost farthing.
Now, however, that the corn-laws approach their termina-
tion, a more unreasonable outcry than even that of protection
has been raised in shape of a demand for compensation, inso-
much that it has been proposed that the expense of making
roads through noblemen's estates, supposing them poor, and
prosecuting poachers on their game-preserves, should be paid
out of the Consolidated Fund, or, in other words, by the public
at large.
It is more than questionable whether the persons who ad-
vocate compensation in their favour are prepared, on the
even• handed principle of justice, likewise to throw the paving-
rates, the poor-rates, and police-rates, of every. town in the
empire on the Consolidated Fund, without which condition
their favourite proposal would be a public robbery; for the
foregoing facts sufficiently prove that, instead of being even
taxed, the land and landowners pay too little to the Ex-
chequer by about twenty millions a year.
If the word compensation is to be dragged at all into the
approaching settlement of the corn-law question, it ought
certainly to be a compensation of the public for the wrongs
already inflicted on them for the sole and doubtful benefit of
a class; and it would be worthy of the proposed philan-
thropy of " Young England " to propose that every labour-
ing man in the kingdom, who has attained middle age, and
brought up a family, should be compensated by, a grant of
garden-ground, rent free, to be taken from the large estates.
Every farmer knows that his business has been a very
hazardous one under the present corn-law, and the agricul-
tural labourers of Wiltshire, who lately met, sufficiently pro-
claimed to the world that under the law of protection they
have been reduced to the lowest point of human destitution.
Yet these are the parties for whose benefit the corn-law is
professed to have been made.
In a densely peopled country such as England, agricul -
tural produce will always (unfortunately for the people) be
at least twenty per cent. dearer than on the Continent, that
being the average expense attending importation; and as no
corn-law ever has, or ever can, raise the price of labour, our
working classes will always be under that amount of dis-
advantage as compared with those abroad.
Free trade might, however, by raising the general condi-
tion of the British people, create for the landowners some
additional consumers of wheat and animal food—millions at
present existing, mere especially in Ireland, chiefly on
potatoes.
The childish and oft-repeated assertions of the monopolists
as respects dependence upon foreigners, and land going out
of cultivation, scarcely require, at the present stage of the
argument, serious contradiction ; for the sooner that all
nations are dependent on each other for the comforts and
eonvenietices of life, the sooner will the reign of peace and
good-will commence among men. In 1815, 80s. was de-
clared to be the lowest price at which wheat could be culti-
vated in this country, yet the best wheat has two or three
times since that period been as low as 401. per quarter, or
even less, without there having been a single acre less land
under cultivation, but greatly the contrarv.—l am, Sir, &c.
A LOVER. OF JUSTICE.