The Sun.
London, England, 1841-09-06 00:00:00

EVENING SUN

RAILWAY RETURNS,
We extract from the Railway Magazine the 'sums
received on the principal Railways of Great Britain
for the week ending on the day of the month prefixed -
to each. The return applies and includes the money re-
ceil ed for passengers, parcels, carriages, horses, mails,
and merchandize : " £ s. d.
Aug.. 287 Birmingliiun and Derby Junction 1,414 0 4
27. Birmingham and Gloucester 2,016 2 2
29. Dundee and Arbroath 393 5 91
29. Eastern Counties
.. Glasgow and Ayr
28. Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock 1;133 1- 11
21. Grand Janet. & Chester & Crewe 10,311 9 6•.
30. Great North of England 1,586 7 6
29. Great Western
28. Hull and Selby ' 1,012. 3 4
28. Lancaster and Preston Junction 593' 3 7
27. Liverpool and Manchester
28. London and Birmingham 18,214 ' 4 9
Sept. 2 London and Blackwall 1,268 10 6
2. London and Brighton
1. Ditto Shoreham Branch 230 11 5i
31. London and Croydon
2. London and Greenwich 1,003 11 10
, 23. London and South-Western 7,442 8 6
.... .Manchester, Bolton, and Bury
30. Manchester and Birmingham
23. Manchester and Leeds .......
28. Midland Counties
28. Newcastle and Carlisle l,BOl 17 2
29. Northern and Eastern
28. North Mid!and - •
27. North Union 1,428 11 4
28. Preston and Wyre 635 1 3
22. Ulster 179 8 10
30. York and North Midland 2,006 6 7

LIST GF NEW PATENTS.
AUGUST, 1841.

John Thomas Carr, of the town and county of New-,
castle•upon-Tyne, for improvements in steam-engines—
being a communication. Sealed 21st Augast—six months
for inrolment.

George Hickes, of Manchester, agent for an improved
machine for cleaning or freeing wool and other fibrous
materials of burs and other extraneous substances. Sealed
21st. August—six months for inrolment.

Charles De Bergue, of Broad-street, London, mer-
chant, for improvements in axletrees and axletree boxes
—being a communication. Sealed 21st August—six
months fur inrolment.

Frederick . Moleyns, of Cheltenham, Gloucester,
gentleman, for certain improvements in the production
or development of electricity, and the application of
electricity for the obtainment of illumination and mo-
tion. Sealed August 21st—six months for inrolment.
-William Walker Jenkins, of Greet, in the parish. of
Yardley, in the county of Worcester, manufacturer, for
certain improvements in machines for the makir.g of
pins, and sticking the same into paper. Sealed 27th Au-
gust—six months fbr inrolment.

The following young gentlemen have lately been
appointed to ships from Dr. Burney's Royal. Academy,
Gosport:—W. B. Elphinstone to the Illustrious; H. W.
R. Hepburn to ditto; W. B. Urmston to the Howe; C.
M. Buckle to the Cambrian; L. G. Temple to the Se-
ringapatam ; John Ward to the Warspite; V, S. Lukin
to the Endymion; C. H. Simpson to the 'Malabar.

R. BLEWITT, ESQ.—By a recent judgment of
the Lord Chancellor, Reginald Blewitt, Esq., the Mem-
ber for the Monmouthshire Boroughs, has been decreed
entitled to the sum of 40,000/. Three per Cent. Consols,
subject to certain life annuities.

THE WEATHER AND CROPS.—Nothing could
be more cheering than the favourable state of the wea-
ther for field labour at the present time. We stated last
week that the crops in this district were turning out in
many instances comparatively much better than was an-
ticipated ; and we have not since heard anything to alter
this opinion.—Dover Chrimicle.

LIE NEW ELECTIONS.—Nest week most
probably the members of, the new Administration will
have to re-appear before their constituents to receive the
fiat of their approval before they can resume their seats.
in the House of , Commons. There are some of them it
is true, such as, as some one styled him the other day-,
the Honourable Member the Baronet for Tamwortli,
whom tliere is no possible chance of displacing. All,of
them, however, are not in the same happy security, and
where any chance does exist., no means should be left un-
tried by the friends of truth, justice, and the -Queen to
deprive them of that which already they have gained, and
diminish that majority by means of which they have,
stormed the palace andforced themselves into the eouncris
of their sovereign. A few examples 'of this kind tr:ight
have' a very salutary effect, and in some of the following
places, for instance, the attempt might not unrecifitably
be made. Lord Stanley for North Lancashire.; the case
is certainly a doubtful one, the mouopolist,s having no
small power in that district, but yet the attempt would
be 'worth making. his co-mate e:nd companion in ter-
giversation and backsliding, S'.r James Graham, for
Dorchester ; here, too, an o-zipositioa might not be inef-
fectual. Sir W. 'Follett, for Exeter ; this is a place in
which a Liberal . have every chance of success ;
such is tile sleud-cr hold which Sir William has upon
the suffrages of the electors that his own friends are be-
ginning te be quite apprehensive upon the point.
Cambridge University, that, has always leaned to the
Liberal side, ought, at all eventsi to ' return some
more efficient Member than the twaddling Old
Goulburn, who is to be the Tory Chancellor of
the Exchequer. Then there is Mr. Gladstone, for
Newark—but it is useless to enumerate further. In
every case where there is the slightest probability of
success, the attempt should be made. Nor should
the fact of the Tories having been successful at the
late election, deter a Liberal candidate from coming
forward. The Tories must now necessarily offer them-
selves under different circumstances. Before, they had
merely to attack and arraign the conduct of the Whigs,
and there,are few plans or propositions so blameless that
an industidous ingenuity cannot pick holes in them. But
now they will either have to explain the course which
they intend to take themselves (which, all things con-
sidered, is not likely), or they must go poking on like a
"pig in a bag," a thing which few people at any time
are willing to purchase. This, it must be obvious, will
be the most likely result, as their plans will hardly be
arranged and digested till the elections are 'all over.
But the electors who voted for them the last time before
they came in, should, now that they have come in, re-
quire something more than a mysterious nod and wink
and shake of the head as to what they will do. Defeat,
then, in the late instance should have no effect in deter-
ring a Liberal from coming forward now. And if even a.
few of the were unseated, the effect would tell.—Sua-
day Paper.
ri:HE LATE COLONEL BOOTH.—The officers
of the 43d Light Infantry regiment have intimated to
the widow of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Booth, K.H.,
of that regiment (in which he had served nearly-thirty-
six years), their wish to erect a tablet to the memory of
their highly distinguished and much lamented command-
ing officer; and have requested her to signify her wishes
as to where such monument should be erected.—Shef-
field Mercury.

EDITORIAL FISHING.—We beg to acknow-
ledge the receipt of a beautiful dish of soles sent us
from a friend in Tenby . this week—they were most
acceptable. He, as well as other friends, need not fear
offending us by sending us anything he may consider
worth accepting.—Carmarthen Journal.

LIVERPOOL FISH COMPANY.—This Company
was dissolved last week, at a special meeting of the Pro-
prietors, held at the Clarendon-rooms, the vho]e of the
surplus and two-thirds of the capital having been ex-
hausted. It appears, that in the course of five years, the
concern has incurred a loss of between 16,000/, and
18,0001. The boats of the Company are advertised for
sale.—Limpotl ehiurnal.

, --
CREDIT.--The most trifling actions that affect
a man's credit are to be regarded. Sound of your hammer
at five in the morning, or at nine at night, heard by a
creditor, makes him easy six nights longer ; but if he
sees you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a
tavern, when he should be at work, he sends for his
money the next day.
FAILURES IN LIVERPOOL.—The depression.,
in every branch of trade which has unhappily so 10t,,t.
prevailed, and which has been most severely felt in the
manufacturing districts, and by those immediately
ral
con-
nected with them, is beginning to produce its "
consequences. Failures and commercial embarrassments:_of
are on the increase, and we regret to state that. some
the houses which have stopped during the present
d their
both hero and in Manchester, are large firms,
Foremost
stoppage must produce serious conseqnenees. "
establishment
amongst these is the large and respectablefet%
this town, ex-
of Messrs. Molyneux,Witherby, and Co.,
of
liabilities we
tensively engaged in the cotton trade, whose3oo,ooa. and
have heard variously estimated at between
ears or Six Y
400,0001. The house is only of five a high character.
stand-
ing, and, until recently, has maintaineda
princely fortune.
The principal entered business with _oweek„
also engaged
id exceed 60,0004,
inability to meet 'their
iTnh
the
e liabilities
cotton
trade,
ro
af
dllel, ews si rl
will
. not,J.
hose united liabilitief
Four or five Manchestex
t to between 300,0emi
houses one-third
of
moreo f u-hoirc which
lessis
repute,secured dor}u.:n,
our correspondent informs
..,
001 ironicle of Saturday.
engagements.—V"Zy WI FE. —A couple having
and 400,000/., have declarceudi
MY DOG
V.
being about to leave the 'altar, the
got married, and
A stand and inqtured fit,.—fur what,
bridegroom madethnk ? His wife ! No. I.Vhat then ?
3liatuis) and Son,
reader, do
someyou think
of
the
party to invite them to dine ?
_perhaps
Hinquired for what was uppermost in his mind--
he inquired for what was far dearer to him than wife or
friends—he inquired for " his dog I" •
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS:--SOllla
progl- -s has been made with the harvest, in this e'neigh-
bourhood, but very little is yet housed, although a few
better days would enable it to be so. Rain has not
fallen till the last two or three days in any quantity,• but
there is not such weather as is well fitted for the grain at
this season. We are glad to hear many who did com-
plain more hopeful of the average yield in this neigh-
bourhood, and we trust that a bountiful Providence win
yet grant us such seasonable weather as will enable the
fauits of tae earth to be matured and got in. The crops,
now generally look well and promising.—.Kendal Mercury-
COURTING SCENE.—" Jonathan, did you react
that ere story about the man as was hugged to death by
the bear?" " Guess I did, Sewke, and it did make me •
feel so bad." " Why, how did you feel, Jonathan ?"
' Kind'er sort'er as if I'd like to hug you eenamost to
death tew, you tarsal, nice, plump, elegant little critter
you, Sewke." "0, la ! Go away, you—Jonathan."--
American paper.
BROADHEMSTON.--The belief in which'zraft
has received a severe blow in this parish. A lady's maid,
who'attributed an increase 'of size to the effects (Jf witch-
craft, and spread the report all over the villages has been
brought to bed of a daughter.

GREAT ANTI-CORN-LIW MEET- $
ING AT KETTERING.
(From the Le.:*cesterthire 21crcury.)
),1 Tuesday evening, August 31st, a public meeting
wt,r, convened in the 11.Jy's British School-room, in this
ton, with the view of discussing the injurious effects
of the Corn-laws, and the benefit which would result
fr.nii their repeal. The room, although large, was
crowded to excess, and great numbers were unable to
gain admission. At no time throughout the proceedings,
were there less than one thousand persons present. Mr.
W. Toiler was unanimusly called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, after a neat and apposite speech,
called upon the Rev. J. JENKINSON, who rose, and
moved the following resolution :—" That this meeting
considers the existing Corn and Provision Laws, to be
unjust in principle, and cruel in their operation, and
therefore pledges itself to employ every legitimate means
of obtaining their total and immediate repeal."
The resolution was then carried unanimously.
The Rev. W. ROBINSON (who as well as Mr. Jenkin-
son attended the Anti-Corn-law Conference from this
town) next addresred the meeting in an eloquent and
uncompromising speech, which we regret we are not able
to present to our readers: He was listened to through-
out with die most lively interest, and, at intervals,
warmly cheered. He declared himself satisfied with
nothing less than a total repeal, and concluded by pro-
posing that tile following petition be presented to both
Houses of Parliament :
The Petition of the Undersigned, being Inhabitants of
Kettering, in the County of Northampton,—
" SHOWETH—That in the opinion of your Petitioners,
one main cause of the distress at present existing in this
country, is to be found in the laws restricting the supply
of provisions.
" That to your petitioners it seems evident that in a
country so limited as the United Kingdom, and with a
population increasing at the rate of a thousand a day, a
tax on bread is in the highest degree impolitic, is a sin
against God, and cruel to the poor ; the more especially
as such tax is almost entirely paid, not to the service of
the state, but to the landholders.
" That your petitioners therefore pray your Honour-
able House to remove without delay all.prohibitory duties
on corn and other provisions, and to give entire freedom
to trade in all its branches."
Mr. ROBERT WALLACE (an extensive farmer in the
neighbourhood) seconded and supported the petition,
and made some very just and liberal remarks, and de-
clared himself a total and immediate Repealer.
The petition was put from the chair, and carried una-
nimously.
A vote of thanks was then warmly passed to the Rev.
W. Robinson and the Rev. J. Jenkinsoe, for their aid
and sympathy in attending the Conference, and a vote of
thanks to the chair, and the meeting separated.
So unpopular has the Corn-law become in this neigh-
bourhood that there is no person, Whig or Tory, to be
found who has the hardihood to defend it publicly.
In the course of the proceedings the Chairman read
the following statement respecting the Preston Union :
In 1836 there were 4,725 individuals on the poor- rate,
and in 1841 there were 7,299. In 1836 the Dispensary
Report contained 1,911 recipients, and in 1840 there
were 3,072. In 1838 the number of deaths in Preston
Union amounted to 1,269, and in 1841 they amounted
to 1,739, being an increase of 462. This excited the
attention of the Registrar-General, who wrote to the
Clerk of the Union to inquire the cause, and received
the following answer :
" The cause is, in a very great measure, insufficiency
of food, which has tended to engender death among the
labouring class, who have been exposed to high prices
for provisions (and those of an inferior kind) whilst in
the receipt of decreasing wages.
" JOSEPH THACKERAY."

CORN-LAWS AND COMMERCIAL

REFORM.

On Wednesday last a meeting, which was fully and
most respectably attended, was held at the King's Head,
Cumberland market, for the purpose of forming an Anti-
Corn-law Association for the western division of the
parish of St. Pancras.
The necessary resolutions were proposed and carried.
A liberal subscription was entered into, and the
meeting adjourned till Thursday, the 9th of September,
at Lawson's Rooms, Gower-street, when a large meeting
is expected, and the presence of the Members for the
borough, Sir Charles Napier and Sir Benjamin Hall, is
anticipated.
CHELSEA.—Last evening a very respectable meeting
took place at the Manor-house, Chelsea, for the purpose
of hearing Mr. Peter Taylor, jun., continue his exposi-
tion of the evils of the Corn-laws. Mr. Taylor addressed
the meeting at great length and with much force.
KENT.—On Thursday evening a meeting was held of
the inhabitants of Dartford, for the purpose of enrolling
members in the Anti-Corn-law Association, and adopt-
ing measures for agitating the town and county against
the Bread-tax. In consequence of the great concourse
of persons, being far beyond what could be contained
in the Town Hall, the meeting was adjourned to an
open space, where about 1,200 persons assembled.
Mr. Sidney Smith, who was received with loud cheers,
proceeded to address the meeting. He coneTetulated
them on the progress of the question, and stated that in
six months it had gained the position of a Cabinet ques-
tion, was recommended from the Throne, and had gained
an accession of one hundred Members in the House of
Commons. He observed that the resignation of the
Whigs had fairly sunk the existence of the vory names
Whig and Tory, and had annihilated the old classifica-
tions of party. The Duke of Buckingham had been
invited into the Cabinet, which was just a declaration of
war against the free traders, and the struggle was sim-
plified into a contest betwixt the Government and the
country. It was the great cause of Bob Peel versus
John Bull, and they all knew that when John fairly saw
whom he was to fight, he never was long in knocking.
;lint down. He called the meeting to witness that mo-
derate fixed duties were rejected with scorn by Rich-
mond, the Cabinet-maker, and that total and immediate
reVeal was the only safe, as it was the only just and
true gfnund for the people to occupy. He also felicitated •
them on the accession of the religious community to
their ranks, and was glad to learn that 700 ministers,
after their return from the Manchester Conference, had
each called crowded meetings in their several localities,
to give an account of what had occurred. Mr. Smith
then lectured for about two hours and a half, and con-
cluded amidst three times three cheers. After a few ob-
servations from Mr. Robins, and a vote of thanks to Mr.
Smith and to the Chairman, the great meeting broke up,
Afnidzt three cheers for the Queen, and threelgroans for
the Duke of Buckingham.
EstiEL—An Anti-Corte law Association has been re-
centiy formed at Walthamstow. Mr. Sidney Smith lec-
tured hi the British School there on Wednesday evening.
The meeting was also addressed by .T. F. Gibson, Esq.,
Mr. Sutton, and Mr. Clarke. The Rev. Baptist Noel's
pamphlet has created a prodigious effect in this quarter.
ANTI-MONOPOLY ASSOCIATION.—Last Wednesday
eveoing a meeting took place at the Temperance Hotel,
.Aldeusgate-street, to consider the formation of a Metro-
politan Young Man's Anti-Monopoly Association similar
to tile Association at Manchester. It was unanimously
resolved, " That a public meeting should be held at
Finsbury Cliape;, South-place, on Thursday next Sop.
tembtr 9, at half-pact seven for eight o'clock precisely,
to carry out the resolution above referred to ; ' and a
working Committee was appointed, with power to add to
their numbers, to take measures for calling the meetiere
Subscriptions were collected in aid of the objects of the
Society.

ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING AT

LYNN.

A meeting of upwards of 300 inhabitants, convened
by public notice, was held on Monday evening last, at
the Freemasons' Tavern, to consider the propriety of
a petition to the House of Qo=lloll3 for the repeal of
the Corn-laws.

The Hey. Mr. HAMILTON ended an able speech by
joining in a resolution before the meeting, " approving
of the acts and resolutions of the Conference of Christian.
31inisters recently hell in Manchester, on the subject of
the laws which restrict the supply of food to the people."
A commercial gentleman in the body of the meeting,
stated that he came from Leeds, that seeing an advertist
merit for a public meeting on the subject of the Corn.
laws, he felt himself constrained to attend it. He was
enabled fully to confirm the statements which had been
made as to the distress so universally existing, not only
amongst the labouring classes, but the wholesale and re-
tail dealers
as well. He had lately been at Hull, Lin-
coin, Boston, and other large towns, and the universal
cry is,
"We have no trade." On the part of the suffer-
ing weavers of Yorkshire, he thanked the meeting finr
the sympathy they exhibited in their distresses.
A petition embodying these sentiments, and pray-
int* a repeal of the bread-tax, was moved by B.
'rrenowath, and seconded and carried unanimously by
the meetine., who agreed with the chairman, that in the
absence of'D.Mr. Hume from Parliament, no one would be
so proper' to present it to the House of Commons as Arr.
Cobden, the newly-elected Member fur Stockport.—
Norwich Mercury.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—The general
half-yearly meeting of this Company took place on
Thursday, in the large room of the newly erected
station, Temple Needs, Bristol. The principal matters
were as follow :—The total amount of receipts for the
half-year ending the 30th of June last was
187,780/, 16s. 2d., and the expenses were for the same
Period 84,3801. os. 7d., being nearly 45 per cent. on the
receipts. The number of passengers convoyed was
659,537 for an aggregate number of 15,587,798
miles. Total profit is 110,330/. 14s. 6d., 63,590/ 16s. Bd.
of which had to be applied to the payment of
interest, and the remainder to be applied as a
divi-
dend. The Directors had therefore declared a divi-
dend of 3/. per cent. per annum. The receipts since the
opening of the line throughout (° the Ist July) showed
an average on four successive weeks of 14,844/. I ls. per
week. The total amount of capital required is 6,150,0001.,
independent of a Plant to work the two lines (Great
'Wiestern Union and Bristol and Exeter), which was esti-
mated at 150,0001. more. After expressing their regret that
the t- expenditure should have exceeded their estimates, the
DirecteTs recommend an issue of loan -notes to the amount
of 550,000/. The several resolutions adopting the report,
authorising the- issue of loan notes, and sanctioning the
reduction or the Board of Directors, were subsequently
passed;
and the meeting, which was very fully attended,
seearated.
jvEW JEWS' SYNAGOGUE.—The foundation
stone of a Jews' synagogue was laid on Thursday se'n-
night, at Bath, by J. Abraham and B. Samuel, the elder
of the Jews' congregation. The usual ceremonies were
performed by the Very Rev. Wolf ; the erection being
an memory of their late much respected benefactor and
friend-, Moses Samuel, Esq., late of this city. The day
happening to be the birthday of Prince Albert, all the
additional prayers were, according to the invariable prac-
tiA of the Jews on such commemorations, read by the
otficlting minister with that loyal fervour which has eve
.characterised the Jewish people.

CONSECRATION OF TILE CITY OF
LONDON and TOWER HAMLETS CEMETERY.
On Saturday the City of London cad Tower Hamlets
Cemetery, situated on the right hand side of the Mile-
end-road, about a mile on the eastern side of the Mile-
end-gate, was formally consecrated, by the Bishop of
London, previous to its being opened fir the reception of
bodies. Though the weather was exceedittely unfavour-
able,. owing to the heavy and unremitting rains, the at-
tendance was numerous and respectable. The temporary
chapel, in which the ceremony took place, was densely
crowded. Among those present we observed the Lord
Mayor, Mr. Sheriff' Farncombe, Mr. Sheriff Gibbs, Mr.
Deputy Alderman Green, and various others.
About twenty minutes to three the Bishop of London
arrived (having previously robed at the house of Mr
Francis, one of the Directors), and proceeded imme•
diately to the consecration of the ground. One of the
Directors of the Company having presented a petition
for the consecration to the Right Rev. Prelate, the latter
caused the petition to be read, which having been done
by the Re,:istrar, the Rev. Mr. Williams, the Bishop's
Chaplain, proceeded to read the 39th and 90th Psalms,
and that portion of the 19th chapter of the Gospel of St.
John which relates to the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
After the Right Rev. Prelate said prayers—
One of the Directors of the Company (Mr. Deputy
Alderman Green) presented his Lordship with the Act
of Parliament, and the deeds of conveyance of the
ground, after which the Right Reverend Prelate directed
the sentence of consecration to be read. This having
been done, the Bishop signed the document, and directed
the Registrar to register it, together with the petition.
The company present, with very few exceptions, then
knelt down, when the Right Reverend Prelate read a
prayer composed for the occasion.
The Bishop concluded the ceremony of consecration
by pronouncing the apostolic benediction ; on which the
company separated, the largest portion of them adjourn-
ing to a neighbouring marquee, in which a cold colla-
tion was provided. The number of persons who sat
down to the collation was about 200, among whom were
a great number of fashionably-dressed ladies. Mr.
Alderman Deputy Green presided on the occasion. The
Chairman, after most of the company had partaken of
refreshment, rose to propose the health of the Right Rev.
Prelate. The toast having been drunk with great ap-
plause,
The Bishop of LONDON rose to return thanks. He
greatly approved of public cemeteries in the suburbs of
large towns, both on the ground of the health of the in-
habitants, and on that of public decency. The only
difficulty which ever occurred to his mind on the subject
was, that the necessary effect of these cemeteries must
be to cause interments to be removed from those parishes
in towns in which the deaths take place, and consequent-
ly deprive the clergymen of those parishes of the burial
fees which they would otherwise receive. As the repre-
sentative and guardian of the interests of the clergymen
of the metropolis, he felt it right to allude to this cir •
cumstance, as the greater part of the living of many of
the clergy was derived from burial fees. He was happy,
however, to say, that by a recent Act of Parliament pre-
vision had been made for insuring some allowance to the
clergy in cases where bodies were removed from their pa-
rishes to be interred in public cemeteries. The Directors of
the Company whose cemetery bad been just consecrated,
had, he was happy to say, acted with liberality towards
those clergymen who would be deprived of their usual
burial fees by its means ; and though the remuneration
was not all that could be wished, still he was pleased to
witness the liberality the Directors had displayed. It
was quite as much as could be expected—(Hear, hear)—
and the clergy mustbe satisfied with a small remuneration.
The Right Rev. Prelate then quitted the grounds. It
was stated on his departure, by a gentleman present, that
he (the Bishop of London) intends to bring in a Bill in
the ensuing Session of Parliament to prevent any further
interments in
-the City of London.

The City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery
embraces an extent of thirty acres of ground, and pro-
mises, when finished, to be very tastefully laid out. The
first interment took place yesterday afternoon, very
shortly after the ceremony of consecration had taken place.

ALLEGED NECESSITY OF THE
CORN-LAW, TO COUNTERACT THE UN-
EQUAL PRESSURE OF TAXATION ON AGRI-
CULTURISTS.

(From the Spectator.)
Having in our paper the week before last reviewed the
general arguments in favour of a restrictive Corn-law,
we now proceed to those which have a special refererce
to the actual condition of Great Britain. The argu-
ments of this secondary class are generally put some-
thing after this fashion—" Admitting, for argument's
sake, that the Free Trade. doctrines are true in the ab-
stract, the trade in grain in this country is an exception-
able case."

It is asserted by the advocates of a restrictive Corn-
law, that there is a peculiarity in the condition of our
agricultural interest, when compared with the condition
of other classes of society, that would render it advis-
able to extend to them the protection of a law restricting
or prohibiting the importation of foreign grain, if such
a law did not already exist. And this peculiarity is said
to consist in that interest's bearing more than its due
proportion of national taxation. Even thouo;h it were
proved that it did, the question would still remain—ls a
restriction upon the importation of foreign grain the best
way of redressing the ineqr-lity of the pressure of taxa-
tion ? Would it not be better to revise our system
of taxation with a view to render its pressure more
equable, than to subject the whole population to scarcity
by Act of Parliament ? The agricultural interest consti-
tutes the majority in both Houses of Pa.liament : it has
the power of adjusting the burden of taxation according
to its views of justice and expediency, or even its likings.
If the agricultural interest do indeed bear more than its
fair share of taxation, the remedy is in its own hands—
it can equalize the pressure of taxation. If the power of
taxing were in the hands of some other class, there
might be reason in putting up with a substitute for jus-
tice ; though, even in that case, the compensating power
of a law, which, by impoverishing all classes of the com-
munity (the agricultural class among the rest) rendered
them all more sensible of the burden of taxation, might
be questioned. But, waiving these considerations, we
proceed to the question—ls it true that in this country
the agricultural class bears a heavier burden of taxation
than the other classes of the community ? This part of
the subject cannot be passed over, though it has been
too often discussed to admit of 'any novelty, beyond a
passionless resume of exhausted statements.
Five classes of burdens are enumerated by those who
answer this question in the affirmative as bearing exclu-
sively, or with greater weight, upon the agricultural, in-
terest—Land-tax, Tithes, Highway-rates, Poor-rates, and
Church-rates. Let us see the bearing and amount of each
of these burdens separately.
1. The Land-tax. The Land-tax in England was fixed
during Queen Anne's reign, in round numbers at 4s. in
the pound ; the total rental of England being assumed
to be 10,000,000 L; and consequently, the total amount
of the tax being then 2,000,0001. per annum. Pitt gave
the landlords the option of redeeming this tax at the
same rate, notwithstanding the immense increase of
rental in a century ; and they have availed them-
selves of the advantage to an extent that has reduced
the amount brought annually into the national coffers to
something short of 1,200,000/. The rental of all Eng-
land is at present estimated at 40,000,0001. In Scotland
the amount of Land-tax was fixed in the reign of
Queen Anne likewise at 4s. in the pound ; the estimated
annual rental of that burden being then 200,0001. The
amount of Land-tax paid in Scotland is consequently.
40,0001. ; the annual rental is now 4,000,000/. In Ire-
land there is no Land-tax. The pressure of the Land-
tax upon the agricultural interest may therefore be easily
estimated:—

Annual Rental. Land-tax.
Eng1and.........£40,000,000
Scotland 4,000,000
Ireland 13,000,000

Total... 61,000,000 1,240,000
The Land-tax of Great Britain is a tax upon rent, paid
by a part only of the landowners of Great Britain ; and
the ratio borne by the amount of the tax to the rental
of the country is somewhere about sd. in the pound.
In return for this the landowners are exempted from the
Probate and Legacy duty. The annual value of all the
real property of Great Britain, under the assessment for
the Property-tax in 1814-15, was valued at about
60,000,000/. ; the annual value of all other property at
rather more than 116,000,0001. Assuming that the
proportions continue unaltered, it follows, the annual
amount of the Legacy-duty on personal property being
about 2,200,000/.. that the annual amount on real estate,
if exigible, would be about 1,138,0001. The exemption,
therefore, from the payment of Probate and Legacy-
duty enjoyed by the landowners, more than compensate
them for the burdens of the Land-tax.
2. Tithes. Tithes are not a tax paid by the land-
owner. Tithes are as much the property of the person
to whom they are paid, as the rent is the property of
the landowner. All lands paying tithe have been held
from time immemorial, on the understanding that the
tithe of the annual produce does not belong to the
landowner. In buying and selling land, the tithe is
constantly excluded from the estimate of its value.
Doubts are entertained as to whether the right
to tithes is absolutely in the Church, or held
by it of the. State upon certain conditions, the
right of property being in the State—but the land-
lords' they certainly are not. The landlords, however,
have contrived to acquire possession of the tithes in a good
many instances. In England and Wales one third part
of the land is tithe-free ; and of the remainder of the
tithes one-fourth belong to laymen ; in other words, one
half of the land pays no tithes. In Scotland a portion
of the tithes is held by laymen, frequently by the owners
of the land. When the tithe is paid to a lay impro-
priator, it is clearly of the same character as the fines or
quit-rents paid by copyholders to the lord of the manor ;
it is not a tax to the State. When tithe is paid to the
Church, the only difference consists in its being paid to
a corporation instead of an individual. The landowner
has no more title to reckon his tithes among his public
burdens, than the farmer his rents, cr the merchant the
interest he pays upon the burrowed money he trades
with.

3. Highway-rates. All the great lines of road in the
kingdom are maintained chiefly by the money levied at
the turnpikes from those who use them. There are many
exemptions from the payment of tolls in favour of the
agricultural interest ; none in favour of other classes.
The farmer oz farming landlord pays no toll for manure,
or for horses going to the farrier, or for cattle going
to pasture. For a circle of considerable radius round
all our towns—along all the great lines of mercantile
traffic—the chief burden of supporting the highways
is borne by the non-agricultural classes. On all turn-
pike
road* the agricultural class pays for the use of
them at a lower rate than other classes. If parish-roads
are made and maintained at the expense- of parishes,
streets are paved, watered, lighted, and kept clean, at
the expense of the townsmen. In both cases, the road
is made and kept up by the parties who make the most
use of it. And this consideration leads us to the true
view of the question : if Highway-rates are paid for
making and repairing roads, full value is given for the
money paid. The gain which those who pay the rates
derive from the diminished expense of conveying their
goods to market in consequence of the roads being kept
in good travelling condition, is at least worth what they
pay. If these highway-rates were not paid, the wear
and tear of the, agriculturist's horses, and the loss of
time—incurred in struggling to market along unmade
tracks, would take more out.of his pocket than the High-
way-rates do. Highway-rates, paving, and lighting-
rates, and turnpike-dues, are the means that have been
fairest' upon for the purpose of apportioning as nearly as
possible the share of the expense of maintaining roads
paid by each individual to the use he makes of them.
If a great number of our road-trusts have run in debt,
and if our landowners and their tenants be responsible
for these debts, they incurred that responsibility by
taking upon themselves the sole management and
bungling it.

4. PO'Cir-rates. This is an unlucky topic for those who
maintain that the heavier burdens borne by the landed
interest entitle them to a monopoly of the grain-market
at home. The new Poor-law was stoutly supported by
the landlords, and the new Poor-law has materially di-
minished the amount of their assessment to the poor.
They ought to abate proportionally the amount of pro-
tection they claim in the shape of a restricted duty on
imported grain : are they prepared to do this ? But
let us examine their allegations More narrowly. It is
not agricultural property alone, but every kind of im-
moveable property, that is liable to the Poor-rates. That
the expense of supporting the poor under the old law was
greater in agricultural parishes than in towns, was owing
in no small degree to the worse management which pre-
vailed in the former, and the ,vicious principles upon
which relief was administered. No one is entitled to
claim relief for expenses incurred by his own misma-
nagement. Again. were it not for the constant drain
of population from the agricultural districts to
supply the demands of th great manufacturing
towns for labour, the Poor-rates of the rural
parishes would be much heavier. A considerable pro-
' portion of the employed labourers of our manufactur-
ing towns would, but for these marts of industry, have
been rural paupers ; and few if any of these immigrants
from the agricultural districts are sent back as burdens
to their native places when they become unfit for labour
or unable to obtain if Allowance must be made by the
agriculturists for the large number of paupers taken off
their handy by the manufacturers. Lastly, the Scotch
agriculturists pay literally no Poor-Cates, and the Irish
agriculturists have only paid for a year or two a trifle
not worth naming. The estimated annual rental of
Scotland and Ireland is about 17,000,000.—within a
trifle of halt of the estimated annual rental of England.
The annual amount of Poor-rate paid by the holders of
one-third of tl-e mu mil rental of the empire is less than
a farthing in the poand. The discreparicy between the
amount of Poor-rate paid by the owners of the remaining
two-thirds and the other classes of society has been ma-
terially diminished by the operation of the new Poor-
law ; and from the apparent excess which still remains,
must be deducted the labourers born in agricultural dis-
tricts who find employment and even support from the
Poor-rate in our towns.
5. The Church-rates are not paid exclusively by the
landlords and their tenantry. The shopkeepers pay the
Church-rates in towns, as the landlords and their
tenants pay them in the rural parishes. The whole
country contributes to the upholding of the Irish
churches. And if the heritors of Scotland are held bound
to build and repair churches and manses, this is a very
inadequate return for the amount of tithe which they
contrived to appropriate to thenielves.
It appears from'this examination, that four out of the
five cases of alleged excessive pressure of public burdens
upon the landed interest—Land-tax, Tithes, Highway-
rates, Church-rates—are utterly untenable ; and that the
fifth, tho VOQr-rite, has been much exaggerated. In re-
lation to this tax It must lopt in mind, that the excess
of pauperism of, which they complain is in no
small degree occasioned by the Corn-law itself.
By creating an artificial scarcity, it makes paupers.
And it must also be remembered, that in addition to the
exemption from Probate and Legacy duty, which we

brought forward as a set-off against t Land •tag, and the
exemptions from turnpike dues, ther;• :.re yet remaining
several exemptions from taxes to which other classes are
which go to compensate any possible excess of
Poor-rate to which the agricultural classes may be
liable. All horses engaged in husbandry are exempted
from the duty paid upon all other horses engaged in
labour. The agriculturist may keep as many shepherd's
or herdsman's dogs as he pleases without tax; the.artisau
or shopkeeper cannot keep a watch-dog without paying a
duty. The farmer's dairy is exempted from the window-
tax ; and by this means many agriculturists escape that
impost altogether, although they inhabit houses that
would render any non-agricultural occupant liable to it.
Upon the whole, therefore, the nearest possible ap-
proximation we. can make to the comparative.pressure of
taxation on the agricultural class, and on the other
classes of society, would lead us rather to believe that
they -are under-taxed than that they aro o:er-taxed.
At the same time it is clear that an artificial scarcity—
rendering all classes of the community poorer—never
could enable an over-taxed class to bear its burdens
more easily.