The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-27 00:00:00

LI rE RAU:IRE.

An Argument for the Legislative Prohibieion of the
Liquor Traffic. By Dr. J. R. Lees. William
Tweedie, Strand.
To this essay was awarded the first prize of
one hundred guineas offered by the Alliance. The
author, if we are not mistaken, has distinguished
himself as one of the most learnei and able de-
fenders of the principle of Total Abstinence. In
the present essay his objects are to show that it ie
wrong and impolitic in a State to sanction or license
injurious trades or professions. That the traffic in
intoxicating liquors is anti-social, and ought there-
fore to be prohibited. That all past legislation
based on the principle of regulating, instead of sup-
pressing, the traffic is unsatisfactory. That the
traffic is indefensible either on the ground of gain
or national revenue. That the prohibition of the
traffic is compatible with just liberty and legitimate
commerce. That the suppression of the traffic
would powerfully promote civilisation,. That the
history of restrictive legislation in Nori.h America
and the experiment of a prohibitory law, illustrate
and confirm the position of the Alliance. ,That all
good citizens should combine to procure an. enact-
ment prohibiting the sale of intoxicating beverages,
as affording most efficient aid in removing the evils
of intemperance. Towards the establishment of
these several propositions Dr. Lees addresses him-
self in good earnest, and brings to bear his varied
knowledge, habits of research, anal dialectic
powers with considerable skill, and with more or
less effect, in proportion to the difficulties with
which he has to contend, not the least of whjell is
the despotic and intolerable nature of the proijbi.
tory law

The New Law and Practice of Joint-Stock Com-
panies, with and without Limited Liability. By
Edward Cox, Esq., Barrister-at-Law.
A second edition, with considerable improve-
ments, constituting a work which at the present
time is peculiarly needed, and is commended to the
notice of the public by the high character as a legal
interpreter acquired by the author. Mr. Cox does
not appear to have been favourable to the new re-
gulations, and perhaps, on that account, is the less
likely to overlook any defect of the recent act
calculated to be detrimental to parties interested
in any of the new schemes called into operation. by
its provisions.

North Wales, or Veneclotia. By the Rev. R. W

Morgan. Robert Hardwicke.
The first instalment of a work, to be completed
in seven parts—descriptive of the scenes, legends,
classical, historical, and local traditionstin of fop or-
the
tion of our island peculiarly intereas g
archaeologist and general student. So Or as we
can judge, the author possesses the necessat7 qua-
lifications for his task ; and, in the completed work,
will be presented a treasury of informatiort of a
desirable nature, including much that is romantic,
entertaining, and instructive.

The Map of Italy. By Alexander Baillie Cochrane,
Rsq. James Ridgway.
The object of this eloquently-written pamphlet
apparently is to show that the state of Italy gene-
rally is not so bad is some and the aspirations of
the people not so high as others represent, and
that it is not by the overthrow of existing institu-
tions, but by commercial reform railways, and 'a
gradual improvevient of the condition of the people
the regeneration aod only desirable unity of Italy
may best be effected. It may be asked—By whtit
sort of intervention does he look for the instituti*
of these reforms I Those who know anything 46f
the history of despotism, and particularly of
despots, will smile on being inforrnedtn .that
which consists in an indicatioil or entreaty to tile
rulers of Italy to adopt the polio' he reenroxendix
because of its intrinsic wisdom and proprietyl-

A Complete Guide to Government Appointments.
By James 0. Hurst. Relfe, Brothers, Alders-

•
gate-street.
In addition to the general information required
by individuals in search of Government appoint-
ments, the purchaser will find in the present work
instructions respecting the civil service examines
tions, including extracts from the papers used at
various competitive and other examinations under
the authority of the Civil Service Commissioners'.
As a further recommendation, it may be well to
state the writer is himself a member of the eivil
ser vice.

DIREOT TRADE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN
AND THE FAR WEST OF AMERICA. '

(From the Liverpool Daily Post.)
It is only within the last week that a most important
question has been solved, one which has deservedly re-
ceived great attention on the other side of the Atlantic,
namely,—Whether it is practicable and profitable to
carry on a direct trade between Chicago, the alarms
Thule of the American Lakes, and this country,
without transshipment] or _forwarding: via Buffalo
and New York, the course hitherto generally adopted.
Experience proves not only the feasibility but the
benefins of this through traffic. There is now
the Queen's-dock a vessel of 387 tons burden, the Dean
Richmond, which has not only made the passage from
Quebec, but has traversed 2,400 miles of isikland water,
bearing a cargo of 400 tons of grain, the first vessel and
the first cargo which ever arrived here direet• from
Chicago opening a new field for commercial enterprise,
marking an important epoch in the annals of the Far
West.
Nor is it a matter of local importaace, or likely to
result in the benefit of American interests only, else we
should not refer to it. World-wide advantages may fol.
low. Great benefit's to us must arise from ;lie success
of this plan. Whatever conduces to cheal.,en food,
facilitate its delivery, and increase its supply, must be to
the general good ; and the arrival of the Dean RicFvnond
gives promise of being the forerunner and opener Of
trade which will produce the above results.
That we may not be supposed to have overrated tiny
importance of Chicago, it may be as well to state a few
facts with reference to the trade with that port. The
population in 1850 was 29,000, in 1856 it has increased
to 104,000. The shipments of grain in 1855 was 2,200,000
quarters, being the largest quantity shipped from any
one port in the world ; pork, 77,000 barrels ; beef, 56,000
barrels ; imports, 40,000 tons of iron, 110,000 tons
of coals ; lumber, 325,000,000 superficial feet ; arrivals.,
6,610 vessels of 1,608,845 tons. The port possesses
storage in warehouses for 500,000 quarters of grain, at
which 400 ton vessels have been loaded in four hours.
We are indebted to Mr. Richmond and Captain Fiereeir
the owners of the Dean Richmond, for these statistics.
It should not be forgotten that all this trade was cai•
ried on under the disadvantageous circumsumotances al-
ready referred to, all these vessels laden merely to be
discharged into others, not one having come direct
to Great Britain but the Dean Richmond to what vast
proportions :may not such a trade be extended, when
provided with greater facilities ? Have we not all cause
to hope that the experiment, so successfully brought to
a close, may eventuate in a constant communication,
to the mutual benefits of all ?

The north-western states, with their great railway
and canal facilities, can lay down at the lake ports
iarger quantities of grain, at a less cost, and deliver the
same in England in a shorter time than the coun-
tries on the Black Sea. Hitherto, as we have stated,
the trade has been carried on via New York, the
goods passing through three or four different hands
ere they reached England, each change entailing
a commission besides loss of time, and three several
freights,--in the ,aggregate amounting this season to
13s. Bd. per quarter, with an unusually low rate of
carriage to Buffalo. The Black Sea frieghts at present
are 13s. per quarter, and the usual voyage from Galata
70 to 100 days. The Dean Richmond has made the
entire passage in 60 days, including 12 days detention
in the St. ,Lawrence, which would not be likely to
occur again ; vessels, therefore, may be expected to make
the run in 50 days, while a vast saving in expense
will be gained, the freight and charges being less by
several shillings than vict New York or from the Black
Sea. The canal dues on cargo of 400 tons and the ship
amount to 301., and steam. tugs 301. more; there are no
port charges, light dues, or pilotage on the Lake, and
therefore the saving of commissions and freight is not
counterbalanced by other imposts.
Another important matter is the improved condition of
the grain which a direct trade would secure. At present
the Liverpool merchants complain with justice of the state
of Western grain when received, via New York and
Montreal, in large ships. That now discharging from
the Dean Richmond is in as good condition as when
shipped, thus showing the advantage of the direct trade
in vessels of 300 or 400 tons.

Nor should it be forgotten that the West requires the
manufactures of Great Britain. Our iron, hardware,
earthenware, &c., are imported via New York—imports,
like exports, passing through several hands increasing
cost and occasioning delay. These goods could be im-
ported direct, to the benefit of all concerned.
And now for a few words respecting the vessel,
which, with the cargo, came consigned to Messrs. Big-
land, Athya, and Co., of this port. The Dean Rich-
mond is a fore and aft schooner of 380 tons register; her
length is 145 feet over all ; beam 26 feet ; depth of hold
12 feet. She drew 9i feet, with 400 tons of wheat in
her, and has beaten many vessels from Quebec by two
and three weeks. The Dean Richmond is built entirely
of oak, except the decks, and is fitted with a new centre
hoard, which in.deep water gives her a draught of 18 feet.
She has immense spars for her size, and altogether has a
very rakish appearance. At present she is the largest
vessel which can come through the canals ; but by a
moderate outlay upon them we are given to understand
ships of 800 to 1,000 tons could easily be admitted.

CHELTENHAM STAG HOUNDS.—The Earl Fitzbardingo
has, with his wonted magnificence, presented Captain
West —the master of this pack—with 14 red deer (12
bucks and two binds) selected from his park at Berke-
ley for sport during the ensuing season.
• In theßankruptcy Court yesterday John Lindsay, wbo
traded as a merchant at Sydney, New South Wales, and
elsewhere, under the style of " Lindsay, Matheson, and
Company," passed his final examination without oppo-
sition.