The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-25 00:00:00

SHIPPED TO CALCUTTA.

Plain Calico. Printed. Ctn. Yarns, &c.
Yards. Yards. Lbs.
1855
1854 215,779,819 12,392,598 12,102,956

TO BOMBAY.

1855
1854 160,864,253 16,001,138 6,171,379

TO MADRAS.

1855 6,536,726 1,591,476 1,978,782
185
Accounts from Madrid state that the engineers
of the Grand Central Railway Company of France
have arrived there, and commenced their labours
in the execution of the projected railway from
Madrid to Saragossa. The particulars of
the royal decree granting the concession for
this purpose has come to hand, and con-
tains the terms agreed to by the Cortes and the
Government on the one side, and the Counts de
Morny, Leopold Lebron, and M. Gustave Dela-
bante, the president and vice-presidents of the com-
pany, and Don Jose Salamanca, the representative
at Madrid, on the other, that the railway be con-
structed between Madrid and Saragossa by
'way of Guadalaxara, Liquenza, and Cata-
layud. That the Government aid the en-
terprise by a subvention of 240,000 reals for
each kilometre, payable in metallic currency, or
its equivalent in state paper. That the provinces
through which the railway runs shall pay one-third
of this subvention. That it shall be finished in
five years ; and the privileges of the'concession be
held by the contracting parties for 99 years.
The East India and China Association have just
Published a comparative statement of the number
Of ships, British and foreign, with their aggregate
tonnage, entered inwards and cleared outwards,
With cargo from and to places within the limits of
the East India Company's charter, from the Ist of
January to the 31st December in the years 1854
and 1855. From this it appears that the total of
vessels arrived at London, Liverpool, and other
ports during the former year amounted to 1,170,
With a tonnage of 637,939, and in 1855 the
numbers were—vessels 1,194, amount of tonnage
707,282 ; which is an increase in the former of 24,
and in the latter of 69,730. The number of ships
cleared outwards in 1854 was 1,491, tonnage
832,596 ; and in the past year 1,266, tonnage
883,061, which was a decrease in the number of
teasels, but an increase of 50,465 in the amount of
tonnage during 1855.
The quotations of English Stocks have become
exceedingly heavy, and the decline since yesterday
has already amounted to per cent. This reac-
tionary movement is attributable to the heavy
sales that have been made, and the active demand
for money that is experienced in the "House," to
Provide for the final instalment on the Turkish
Scrip, now due. Yesterday, as well as to-day,
Mel supply of stock pressed upon the market
4as represented a large aggregate amount.
Consols for transfer have been 90i and 90k, but
they are now about 90i I. For the account the
quotations from 90i and 911 have receded to 90i.
The New 3 per Cents. have been 91k to 91k, and
the Reduced 90i to 91. Bank Stock is 209, and
India Stock 220. Exchequer Bills are 6s. discount
to par, and India Bonds ls. discount.

In the Foreign Market Turkish Securities have
declined fully 11 per cent., having been done as
low. as 892 to 90. The New Scrip is per cent.
discount. Austrian 5 per Cents. are 86, Brazilian
6 per Cents. 101, and 41 per Cents. 931; Grenada
Active are 191 ; Mexican Stock rules firm at 201
211 and Peruvian 4i per Cents. have risen
to 79 and 791 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents.
Ore 471. Russian 5 per Cents. have de-
cidedly improved, being quoted at 104. Sardinian
6 per Cents. are 891, Spanish 3 per Cents. are 401
to 41, and the Deferred 23i. Venezuela Active
tre 28, and Dutch 4 per Cents. 95g. French 3
Per Cent. Scrip is 31.

The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
gtocks•—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 61 71; Mexican,
20i 1.; Peruvian, 78i 9i ; ditto 3 per Cents., 55
86 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents., 47 49 ; Russian 5 per
Cents., 101 103 ; ditto 4i per Cents., 91 93 ; Spanish
3 per Cents., 40/ 11 ; ditto Deferred, 23 ; ditto
Certificates, 5 51 ; ditto Passive, 6i I.

Railway Shares have not supported the highest
Prices of yesterday, and a small business has been
transacted. In some of the heavy lines a fall of
to 4 per cent. has occurred, and in a few cases
%Von more. Foreign lines are likewise dull, and
Northern of France are 10s. cheaper.
, Mining Shares rule flat. Bank of London have
been at fuller prices, but in the other miscellaneous
keeurities no material alteration has taken place.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES.
(From the Official List.

nustnest done.
tank Stock
„a per cent. Redaced Annuities
a per Cent. Console Annuities 903 iiiiti
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, expire sth Jan 1860... .. 3i
Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885... 16}
India Stock 220 19
India Bonds, £lOOO
Ditto, wader £lOOO 1 d
vonsols ?or Account .... ... 91 90k 11,- 90i 1 a
Exchequer Bills, 21d.
£lOOO. . ..
£5OO 4 d par 5 d
rimall 4 d par 5 d
Ditto Bonds, 1858, 34 per Cenb 971 t
Ditto, 1859
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
...Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. lOl
Ditto Small
Ditto New, 1852, 4i per Cent.
%Man Bonds, 6 per Cent lO3l
tinador Bonds
Granada New Active, 1i per Cont.
.. Ditto Deferred..
Y_reek Bonds 6l
llesican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent~
Ditto 3 per Cent. ssk
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841
Ditto 4 per Cent —
Ditto Account 476 81
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St lO4
ardinian Bon4s, 5 per Cent.
,2 Ditto Account BB
'Piinish Bonds, 3 per Cent
Ditto Account 4Ol 1
Ditto Few Deferred, 3 per Cent.
~, Ditto Account ...
.nrkien Bonds, 6 par cent 91.4 90
Ditto for the Account 911 1 891 903 90 i
Ditto New Sarip, 4 per Cent.
Venezuela Bonds, 41 per Cent —
Ditto Account .
Dividends on the above payable In London.
l'rench Rentes, 3 per Cent.
Ditto Scrip, 2d Loan of 1855 .
A 3, pm
ustrian Bonds, 5 per Cent., 10 Guil., £ 76
Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent., 12 Gull._
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
Ditto Account 953
THREE O'CLOCK.
CansolP, money
Ditto for-Account Feb. 7
'jr

mn he crew of the screw st:am-ship Brunswick, 80,
'Apt. Hastings W. Yelvert,m, at Devonpnrt, got top-
do;endand topmast crosstrees placed on Wed nes-
: -mvery exertion is being used to get her ready for

THE QUARTERLIES.

The Edinburgh Review. No. CCIX.

To an average reader the Edinburgh Review for
the current quarter will appear doubtless to offer
at the first blush but small attraction, if any, even
among the ten very miscellaneous articles enu-
merated in its table of contents by advertisement.
Yet there is scarcely one out of all these ten con-
tributions which will fail, in some way or another,
to interest the discerning upon a distinct and se-
parate examination. This may be observed with
truth even in reference to the criticism upon "The
Himalayan Journals," kept during the course of
their Asiatic travels by Dr Hooker and Dr.
Thomson ; as well as in regard to the ingenious
comparison of "The Rural Economy of France
and Britain," suggested by certain recent essays
from the pen of M. Leone Lavergne. The histori-
cal paper upon " The Civil Wars and Cromwell,"
with which the number leads nff very cleverly,
will of course arrest the attention of every intelli-
gent student of our national annals, whose interest
in their regard is not altogether absorbed by the
two last volumes from the hand of Mr. Macaulay.
While as to the concluding article of this same cur-
rant number of the Edinburgh, the article descrip-
tive of the " Russian Campaigns in Asia," who can
remain altogether incurious in its regard so soon
after the lamentable capitulation of Kars, fol-
lowed as that capitulation has been so very speedily
by the still more lamentable indications of a has-
tily packed-up Peace, aPeace partaking in the cha-
racter, in every way, of a disgraceful and disastrous
compromise ? It constitutes in another respect
one of the most surprising coincidences in the his-
tory of modern engineering that the more enter-
prising of the scientific adventurers of the present
age are simultaneously occupied in speculative
theories as to the practicability of cutting a canal
yonder to the east through the Isthmus of Suez,
and yonder to the west through the Isthmus of
Panama, opening up in the old world a direct water
communication between the Red Sea and the Me-
diterranean, and in the new world between the
Atlantic and the Pacific. To one of these two as-
tonishing enterprises, namely, to the long-cherished
scheme of " The Suez Canal," a reviewer in the
Edinburgh takes occasion to revert with consider-
able gusto, in consequence of the apposite lucubra-
tions upon the subject recently given to the world.
by M. Ferdinand Lesseps, French Minister Pleni-
potentiary. According to the reasonable view of
the Whig quarterly the engineering difficulties
presented by the Isthmus of Suez to the projectors
of the intended canal are much less formidable in
every respect than those which appear as yet to
render altogether futile the efforts of our more ad-
venturous speculators to dig a navigable canal
across the lofty and rocky ridge forming the Darien
bond of union between the Siamese continents of
America. Nor can this same decided recognition
of the superior practicability of the Suez scheme
be considered as otherwise than most rational un-
der the circumstances when it is borne in mind
that, although the European isthmus extends even
in its narrowest portion to a distance of 90 miles
from sea to sea, while the Transatlantic isthmus
is little more from ocean to ocean than some forty
miles in all—the summit level of the latter is so
high, and the soil is so stubborn throughout, that
those two difficulties united have presented hitherto
insurmountable barriers to the combined energies
at once of British and American engineers. In
glaring contrast to which the Isthmus of. Suez, even
in its ample breadth of ninety miles, actually more
than double the distance occupied by the less prac-
ticable isthmus of Panama, presents but two ridges
between the shores of the Red Sea and those of the
Mediterranean, one ridge but fifty, and the other
but fifty-five feet above the same point—the whole
land from sea to sea being at once low and sandy,
and a considerable part of it indeed actually below
high-water mark ! Nevertheless, even while con-
trasting thus strikingly to the advantage of the
Suez Scheme, the great rival projects of these mon-
ster canals in the eastern and western hemispheres,
the reviewer declares positively, in so many words,
of the day-dream of the Darien Ship-Canal, that,
after all, " there can be little doubt but that it is
only a question of expense," and that " if railroads
will not suffice for the traffic between the two
oceans, a canal must and i.ill be cut ! " A dic-
tum as majestically authoritative in its way as the
old Roman Augur's "cut boldly" addressed to the
king, razor in hand, with the strop before him, in-
tent upon its severance. Yet it must be confessed
that the Edinburgh Reviewer, somewhat tempers
the fervour of his assertion as to the certainty of
the Darien scheme being ultimately accomplished
by adding that, "as the question at pre-
sent stands, it seems more than probable
that railroads will be found sufficient.," and
that " thus the expensive and uncertain project of
a ship canal will be indefinitely postponed." Not
so does he by any means deem it to be with
regard to the project of the navigable canal
across the Suez Isthmus. That project he con-
ceives to be much more practicable in every
way—reserving his doubts, almost exclusively,
for the matter of its ulterior utility. Inso-
much that he closes his remarks upon the whole
enterprise with the virtual shrug of the shoulders
implied in his concluding words, that " the Suez
Canal Question may fairly be relegated among the
questions oiseuses whim may interest and amuse,
but can hardly ever benefit mankind." The criti-
cal and biographical paper relating to " The Minis-
ter Vom Stein" possesses an interest of its own,
illustrating as it does whatever there is of import-
ance in the career of Henry Frederick Charles,
Baron Stein of Stein (Von and Zum Stein), o
who took no unimportant part in the final coalition
against Napoleon the Great, the coalition whose
labours were crowned so very memorably by the
famous Congress of Vienna. It was Stein, the
passionate and impulsive Stein, who so amusingly
enforced his precept of placability to Niebuhr, the
Roman historian, when having observed—" You
know we must forgive our enemies," and Niebuhr
having urged thereupon—" Why, your Excellency
hates Count A.," his Excellency replied—" Hato
him ? No—but if I met him in the street, I would
spit in his face." A. worthy representative, that,
of the moderation presiding over the councils
of the plenipotentiaries assembled together
in the Congress of Vienna, the Congress
holden in 1815, to decide so magnanimously,
generously, humanely, upon the fate of a
greater than Sesostris or Charlemagne. The brief
criticism which follows immediately afterwards
upon "Lectures to Ladies on Practical Subjects,"
is the most strangely incongruous sequel imagin-
able to the memoir of the astute and worldly-wise
diplomatist Vom Stein—brimming over as it does
with the evidences of a very amiable tenderness
for one of the most cbarming of the recent phases
of practical philanthropy. We earnestly commend
the brief but sufficient argument of the Edinburgh
Reviewer upon the subject of these Lectures to all
the lady visitors of the poor, who are animated by
a moregenial, and a less pragmatical spirit than that
manifested in the brickmaker's cabin by the re-
nowned Mrs. Pardiggle. Frightful beyond all
exaggeration are the revelations made through the
article upon " The Use of Torture in India."
Wonderful in its way is the succinct and enthral-
ling record of the last Arctic Voyage, that which
witnessed " Sir Robert M'Clure's Discovery of
the North-west Passage." Amusing, and sparkling,
and delightful from first to last is, the memorial of
" Henri Boyle," given in the form of a half-respect-
ful, half-depreciatory criticism upon the Life and
Writings of Henri Boyle's alter ego, his pseudonym,
his nom de plume, M. de Stendhal. So much, in
brief, for the ten articles in the new number of
the Edinburgh.

The Westminster Review

Opens with an interesting article on " German
Wit and Heinrich Heine," who, to Teutonic ima-
gination, sensibility, and humour—is said to add
an amount of esprit that would make him brilliant
among the most brilliant of Frenchmen, a combi-
nation quite unique in a German. Heine, however,
is half a Hebrew, and that accounts for it. A
paper on " The 'Limited Liability Act of 1855"
contains some weighty arguments for the removal
of all existing restrictions on the liberty of com-
mercial association. Among other things the
writer urges that such removal would not merely
extend and foster among the lower classes habits
of prudent saving, and wean them from the de-
praving taste for betting and gambling, lsut would
also tend to bring them in contact with those who
rank above them in the social scale—to their im-
provement and elevation and the prevention of
those ruinous strikes, the occurrence of which is
so much to be deplored. The " History of the
House of Savoy" supplies the materials for an in-
teresting paper on which the leading events in the
history of that illustrious house are nervously
narrated, and justice is done in some mea-
sure to its present distinguished head, Vic-
tor Emmanuel 11. " The Sardinian Govern-
ment," it is justly remarked, " amid all
the difficulties thrown in its way by other powers,
has maintained its position with a calm dignity
which has confounded its enemies and exceeded the
expectation of its well-wishers." The difficulties
it has to encounter are pointed out, and well-
grounded hope is expressed that it will triumph-
antly surmount them, and vindicate in the future
the character of a nation distinguished for
a singular degree of good sense as well as good
faith. A remarkable increase of prosperity has
taken place during the reign of the present king,uu-
der whose constitutional sway the condition of the
people presents a striking contrast to that of the
subjects of the remaining Italian States—a contrast
' which cannot be without impoytant results to,the,

cause of liberty. " Russia and the Allies" deals
with the subject of the war in an effective manner,
showing that in no element of strength are the
Allies inferior to Russia, while in several they are
superior. The necessity of care being taken to
isecure a safe peace for our Allies as well as ourselves
Is strongly urged—the article concluding as fol-
ows

" That which lies before England as the duty of to-day
must he done well and «-ff-ctually, even if for the present
it be done exclusively. Other things may wait. The
Tzarate is like the Papacy, it never allows that it is in
the wrong, never admits it is defeated, al' its titles are
indefeasible, and its designs are never abandoned, only
p )stponed. But the reckonings of all kinds which with
us await the close of this war, will, if the close of it be
inglorious for England and unfruitful in European liberty,
issue in agitations which will render us incapable of tak-
ing part in foreign affairs for many years to come. If
we now leave our work unfinished, it may or may not
be completed by other hands, but it is not likely that we
shall ever, as a nation, have the opportunity of resuming
it. And he is the truest patriot, who labours among us
that the termination of this war may be, it it may so be,
speedy, but above all satisfactory and effectual. To
reach that much-desired haven he will have to drive on
the galley of the State, steadily but not in haste, in the
face of trying storms of warfare, skilfully avoiding the
shoals of foreign diplomacy, and the rocks of domestic
faction, partisanship, and self-seeking ; and he will have
to take heed that no unseen Remora hinders the onward
progress of the gallant ship."
Besides the above will be found articles on the
"Military Education of Officers," " Aihonian
Comedy," and " Lions, and Lion Hunting," all
of which are well worthy of perusal. Contem-
porary literature has its usual share of attention,
and is reviewed with customary ability.

DA RING ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED
MURDER IZV LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.
A very desperate and extraordinary attempt at mur-
der was made this morning at the establishment of Mr.
Durandu, bullion broker, South Castle-street. About
10 a.m. a couple of young men, named Robert and
Henry Eyre, brothers, were seen hovering about the pre-
mises of Mr. Durandu, about which hour the confiden-
tial clerk, named Win. Hughes, went to fetch the cash-
box from Mr. Hornby's, jeweller, in the same street,
leaving a lad named Stoddard in charge of the shop.
The fellows entered the shop, asked if the master was in,
and before the lad could give them an answer, the
villains struck the youth on the head with a weapon,
and dragged him senseless into an inner room. They
then waited for the return of the clerk with
the cash-box, which contained from 1,4001. to
1,5001. Upon his entering, the ruffians attacked
him with a poker which they found in the fireplace, and
struck him on the head and over the body—the poker
and a life-preserver having been found broken in the shop.
The cries of murder having attracted some of the neigh-
bours, they rushed in and secured the assassins, and sent
them to Bridewell. William Hughes is dangerously
wounded and not likely to recover, and the lad is also
severely injured.
The prisoners were brought before the magistrates at
the police court at 1 p.m., on the charge of attempting
to commit murder and robbery. The elder (Robert) is
about 22 years of age, 5 feet 11 inches in stature, slender
make, but well-looking ; and the younger (Henry) is 18
years old. 5 feet 7 inches high, and of respectable ad-
dress ; but both were poorly clad.
The first witness called was F. Stoddard, the youth
assaulted in the shop. He said—l am office boy to Mr.
Durandu, bullion merchant and money changer. About
a q tarter pa--t ten 'o'clock this morning the prisoner
R ,pert E ere entered the shop, where I was at the
time alone, and inquired if the master was within. Be-
fore I had power to give him an answer the prisoner
struck me a blow on the head with a life-preserver,
which knocked me dawn and rendered me insensible.
On recovering a little, I found that the shorter prisoner
had hold ( f my throat. He said that if I spoke it would
be the worse for me ; while the other prisoner said if I
uttered a word he would shoot me. Just at the moment
Wm. Hughes, the clerk, came in with the cash-box, when
the prisoners instantly struck at him with a life-preserver
and a poker, which was by the side of the grate. They
knocked him down, and continued to strike him. I
heard the blows, and saw the blood fly from Hughes.
Assistance then , ame.

Benjamin Levi am assistant to Mr. Joseph,
jeweller, South Castle-street. Shortly after 10 a.m. I
observed young Hughes pass our door with the cash-box
in his hand. Almost immediately afterwards I heard a
noise in Mr. Dura.ndu'a shop, and I thought the young
men were skylarking.. t last I heard a struggle and a cry
of murder. I ran into the shop, and found Hughes wel-
tering in his blood. I assisted to secure the prisoners.
Police officer, 403, who accompanied Hughes to the
Northern Hospital, said that the medical men of that
establishment who examined Hughes, said it was their
opinion that the injuries received would in all probabi-
lity prove fatal.
In answer to a question from the magistrate, Mr.
Maxwell, the elder prisoner said—l have been a clerk,
but latterly I have worked about the docks when I
could get anything to do. But lately I could not get
work to do, and we were all but starving. My brother
did the same as myself for a living, but like myself could
not obtain work, and was well nigh starving.
The prisoners were remanded for seven days.
The accused are natives of Liverpool, and about 18
months since their father, who was engaged in this town
in the mercantline line, by some means got possession of
a 5001. hank post bill that had been forwarded by a firm
in Liverpool to a house in Glasgow. A few days after
receiving it the father presented it at the counter of
Messrs. Barned's bank in Lord-street, and requested it
to be cashed ; but was declined until a reference should
be given. He afterwards obtained the money, but was
arrested in a short time with about 4001. upon him,
tried at Liverpool assizes, and sentenced to six years'
penal servitude.

Sporting Intelligence.

TATTERSALL'S.-THURSDAY.

The operations on the Chester Cup to-day had the
effect of depressing Coroner to 33 to 1. and of raising
Yorkshire Grey and Epaminondas to 25 to 1 each, and
Quince to 33 to 1. 1000 to 45 and 1000 to 40 were
booked about C.,urtenay ; the latter odds were offered
at the close. 500 to 20 taken about Imogene, 1000 to
30 Fatalist, and 500 to 10 Stork.

Most of the investments on the Liverpool Steeple-
chase and the Two Thonsand were only to small sums.
No Derby betting. Attendance only moderate.
Closing prices :

THE LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
12 to 1 agst Sir Prter Laurie (taken)
15 to 1 agst Black Swan (taken)
15 to 1 agst Harry Lnrrequer (taken)
500 to 30 agst Odiham (taken)
20 to 1 agst Escape (taken)
20 to 1 agst Emigrant (taken)
20 to 1 agst Forest Queen (taken)

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
7to 2 agst Fly-by-Night (taken)
4to 1 agst Yellow Jack (taken)
7to 1 agst Milton (taken)
7to 1 agat Polmoodie (taken)
to 1 agit Biril-in-Hand (taken)

CHESTER CUP.
25 to 1 agst Courtenay (taken)
25 to 1 ag4 Imogene (taken)
25 to 1 agst Yorkshire Grey (taken)
25 to 1 agst Eparninondas (taken)
33 to 1 agst Fatalist (taken)
33 to 1 agst Coroner (taken)l
33 to 1 agst Quince (taken)
50 to 1 agst Stork (taken)

DERBY STEEPLECHASE.-F5..19.

Weights for the Midland Steeplechase. About three
miles and a half. Forfeits to be declared on or
before Jan. 31.

st lb

st lb
Seaman ll 0 Tom Tinker . 9 7
Emigrant
Odibana lO 4 Lancer .. 9 4
Hopeless Star ....... 10 0 The D0ct0r..... 9 4
Teddesley lO 0 Dangerous 9 2
Helen the Fair...... 9 12 Penelope
Freetrader ............ 9 12 Jemmy the Black 9 0
The Widow ' ......... 9 9 Louisa 9 0
Peter Simple ....... 9 7 Wilmot 8 12
Weights for the Hurdle Race. Two miles. Forfeits to
be declared by the 31st of January.

8t lb
Minerva lO 12
Garland
Teddesley
Nonsuch lO 6
Romeo
Freedom lO 0
Red Rose
Star of the West
Mistake
Stamford 9
Beech Nut
Claverhouse,

st lb
Doctor..
Sally
Kilkenny Boy 9 3
Bullfinch
Lincoln 9 0
Louisa
Tomyris .......... 8 12
Parchment
Kate
Sandboy ............ 8 9
Pillaton 8 7

THE LATE COUNCIL OF WAIL—We read in the Jour.
nal du Havre :—" Everyone has heard of the Grand
Council of War held at the Palace of the Tuileries, and
the names of all its members have been published. It
is in the Council room, forming part of the apartments
of the Emperor, that the sittings have taken place. The
flags and standards of the different regiments of the Im-
perial Guard have been arranged in faisceaux, so as to
form a very handsome decoration. Here and there in
consoles are splendid vases of Sevres porcelain. A
round table, covered with a green cloth, occupies the
centre of the room. The members of the council attend
in plain clothes."
LECTURE ON RDSSIA.—A lecture was delivered in the
I Town Hall, Evesham, on Wednesday evening last, by
Edward Holland, Esq., M.P., on "Russia." The lec-
ture, which was not a written one, was listened to with
evident satisfaction by the audience, numbering about
250 penons, among whom we observed H. Workman,
Esq. (Mayor), B. Workman, 0. Cheek, A. Martin, H.
New, 0. New, and T. N. Foster, Esqrs. ; the Rev. R.
Lawson, curate of Offenham, the Rev. G. Morris, vicar
of Bretforton, and many other gentlemen of the town
and neighbourhood. At the conclusion of the lecture a
vote of thanks to Mr. Holland was moved by the
Mayor and seconded by H. New, Esq., and carried una-
•
raoilsiy.-7 Ppyrreeter Okonicle.

THE TRADE OF FitAtrCE, 1855.

The Moniteur of Monday contains the trade tables of
France for the month of December. and for the year
1855, compared to 1854 and 1853. For the same period
our trade tables are not yet published ; and as those for
November were not published till the end of December,
and those for the year 1854 were not published till after
the middle of February, 1855, we are afraid we must
wait at least another fortnight for the official records of
our trade for 1855. We have so often referred to the
dilatoriness of the Board of Trade on this subject, which
deprives its publications of much of their ♦alue, that
objurgation is obviously useless, and we content our-
selves with merely referring, as a contrast to its delay,
to the greater activity of the Imperial Government of
France. The French tables include the stocks on hand,
which form no part of our official statistics.

The import trade of France in 1855 was so good that
the Minister of Commerce has said that it equals the
trade of 1846, the most renowned under the tormer go-
vernment, and has thus entirely overcome the depres-
sion which began with the convulsion of 1848. The
revenue obtained by the customs' duties, which we quote
as the only criterion we have of the total imports, was
in 1855, 189,704,690 fr. ; in 1854, 150,587,303 f., and in
1853, 141,607,552 f. In the interval several alterations
have been made in the duties, but they have generally
tended to lower the rates, and we have the Minister's
word for the fact that in 1854 and 1855 the whole of the
indirect taxes were alike, and yielded 70,000,000 f. more
in the latter than in the former. But this includes all
duties as well as the customs, and we shall better under.
stand the increase and the course of the trade by attend-
ing to the quantities of the articles.
In the cereals, a term which includes flour as well as
wheat, and all kinds of grain and meal, the imports
were less in 1855 than in 1854 and 1853.

The following is the account in metrical quintals, each
metrical quintal being nearly 200 cwt. :

IMPORT OF CEREALS,
1855 1854 1853
4,109,589 5,414,950 5,159,854
Our surprise that France should have imported less
in 1855 than in 1853 disappears when we notice what
were in these years the

EXPORTS OF CEREALS.
1855 1854 1853
957,581 1,596,206 3,963,487
The exports, therefore, in 1853 exceeded the exports
of 1855 by upwards of 3,000,000 quintals. France im-
ported grain and exported flour. Even in 1853; how-
ever, the imports exceeded the exports by nearly
1,200,000 quintals. We have before learned that, taking
long periods, the average imports of grain into France
have rather exceeded the exports. On the whole, there-
fore, France is an importing country, and we may con-
clude, from the recent extension of her manufactures and
of her town population, that this is likely to be her condi-
tion for a considerable period. Combining this with the
fact that a large proportion of her agricultural produce,of
her wines, and her brandies, is intended for exportation, it
supplies an irrefragable condemnation of her system of
stimulating the manufactures of cotton, silk, leather,
sugar, glass, &c., by bounties. On the principle of free
trade neither should be favoured, but certainly the pro-
duction of silks and cotton should not be promoted at
the expense of the production of food.

Of some other articles the imports declined in 1855.
The principal were cocoa, to a small amount below
1854, but the imports were more than in 1853 ; cotton
below the two previous years, the consequet.ce of the
deficient crop in the United States ; saltless in 1855 by
one-third ; and nitrate of soda. The decline in the im-
port of salt is the more remarkable as the export has
increased, and the total increase of the salt duties in
1856 above the duty in 1854 is only 1,600,000 f., and is
little more than 100,000 f. above the amount in 1853,
indicating, we think, that this duty, always hateful to
the French, and always onerous, now falls very heavily
on the multitude. For us it must be a subject of con-
gratulation that we have long ago, owing in
,the main
to the exertions of the late Mr. Calcraft, entirely got rid
of this odious impost.
Of the articles of which the import increased we tran-
scribe the following :

IMPORTS INCREASED IN 1855.
1855. 1854. 1853.
Oxen and cows No. 113,469 90,946 36,162
Sheep
Wino liectolitre3 412,205 192,023 31,650
Brandy, &c ', 24,998 89,899 45,116
Coffee.
M. quintals 398,992 319,77') 277,873
Copper
p, 116,677 73,812 82,611
Bar iron 717,963 125,959 59,735
~
Cast iron ,, 1,360,411 918,958 864,989
Linseed
,l 268,519 189,884 221,117
Coals

Olive oil
Wool ...

PP 298,001 174,842 181,213 •
• 11l 375,537 210,479 285,102

Lead, pigs 359,477 308,701 289,320
Sugar, Colonial „ 889,935 826,991 20,852

`,.., Foreign ;,- 800,848 483,911 412,205
➢teat (fresh and
salt)
Zinc JP 258,419 165,949 252,380

The article tea, of which we import upwards of
70,000,0001b5., does not appear in the French imports.
The coffee imported in each of the three years was con-
siderably more than what was consumed, and the stock
at the end of 1855 is one-half more than at the end of
1854. The average consumption of the three years was
228,007 quintals, roughly estimated at 47,000,0001b5.,
only a fourth more than the consumption of coffee in
England, in which tea is still the principal beverage. Of
sugar, too, the consumption was considerably less than
the import ; but as a good deal of sugar is made from
beet in the country, and some exported, we shall not
now venture to institute any comparison between the
consumption of sugar in England and France. It is
essential, however, to remark that the consumption of
colonial sugar was in excess in 1855, and that the stock
was in 1855 only 54,645 m. q, against 134,787 m. q. in
1854, and 145,839 m. q. in 1853. Both of sugar and of
coffee the consumption increased in 1855 as against
1854, the former to 1,500,000 m. q. from 1,200,000
m. q., and the latter to 217,200 m. q. from 199,568
rn. q. from 199,568 m. q., showing, in conjunction with
the increased consumption throughout the greater part
of Europe, in America, and Australia, a very enlarged
market for these colonial products.
The dependence of France on foreign agricultural
produce, already noticed, is evident in the increased
importation of cattle and sheep and provisions, which
is not compensated by a corresponding increase to
the exports of these articles. It is curious also to
notice the increased import of wines and brandies
which is accompanied by a very considerable decrease
in the exports. From all these facts we infer that the
rural industry of France, which has no deficiency of
soil, relatively to the urban industry, is very much in
arrear, and that if Government interfere with industry
at all its exertions should be directed to improve agri-
culture. We do not speak of national dependence in a
trade point of view as an evil ; we regard it, when strictly
due to differences of climate and spontaneous produce,
as a blessing ; but for a great country like France, which
we cultivated on the whole,
to
imperfectlyes countries, and for this
bken
dependentow t o be mfoosrt
food
o n
ot
to be the consequence of an erroneous policy, is far
from creditable.

There is one fact in which the English manufactures
have greatly the advantage over those of France, and
which probably more than compensates for the bounties
given by the French Government. The import of cotton,
wool, and silk is here entirely exempt from any duty ;
in France they are all subject to duties, and the impo-
litic imposts are countervailed by bounties. Our Go-
vernment has done all it could do, and all it ought to
and if they do not continue
themselves. With re-
spect
been made plain by our
sidnpo
e,acfdtovrtaono
advance
our woollens,
r theymanufacturers,can
onl
it
yt
blame
own Exhibition, and by the Exhibition in Paris, that
they are far from perfect. In manipulation, in finish, and
in machinery, our manufacturers have much to learn ;
and the knowledge that this is the case has given a great
stimulus to the woollen manufacture of the Continent.
In France the wool imported in 1855, it will be seen,
was considerably in excess of the quantity imported in
1854. The same Moniteur which brings us the trade
returns for 1855 brings us a decree for reducing the im-
port duties on wool. A similar reduction is in contem-
plation in the United States, and it is highly probable
that our woollen manufacture, already somewhat de-
preciated in the foreign markets, will be exposed to an
increasingly severe competition. The lesson is, we be-
lieve, not likely to be lost on the manufacturers ; but it
cannot be too firmly and too often repeated. They must
notice, therefore, the reduction of the duty on wool and
the increasing consumption of the raw material in France,
and be prepared to encounter keen and clever competi-
toes. .

The increase in the quantities of coals, bar iron, and
cast iron imported, is another noticeable feature in the
French tables. Of coals the largest part of the supply,
25,500,000 m. q. is derived from Belgium, and 9,500,000
m. q. from England. Of bar iron the source of the
supply is not mentioned : we presume it is principally
derived from England, as is the greater portion of the
cast iron, 820,000 in. q. in 1855, against 540,000 m. q.
in 1854. The increase in the various articles imported
indicates a great increase in the consumption of luxuries
and of raw materials, and leads to the conclusion that
the enjoyment has been fairly purchased by the increased
production of manufactures.
The exports accordingly—except of every species of
agricultural produce, which have decreased—have ge-
nerally increased in 1855. We will place specimens be.
fore our readers :

EXPORTS OF FOREIGN AND FRENCH MERCHANDISE.
1855. 1854. 1853.
_

.‘,....
Books, engravings, and li-
~
thographs M. Q. 17,469 16,516 17,026
Machinery, &c. .. .. Frs. 9,515,754 7,951,584 11,295,191
Millinery ••..•• •• ....Frs. 11,514,423 7,212,269 6.407,004
Soap M. Q. 71,570 66,849 60,760
Salt M. Q• 1,215,563 995,330 946,921
Sugar, refined M. Q. 338,994 251,356 181,843
Cottons, White.... • •M. Q. 54,401 38,234 37,270
~ Printed M. Q. 41,900 37,989 36,940
Others• • M. Q. 28,591 25,085 29,101
Linen, Cloth .M. Q. 24,656 17,309 19,260
Cambries ....M. Q. 579 535 '713
Woollens, Cashmeres and
... _

Merinoes••M•Q-
,. Others ••M. Q•
Silks, Raw Q.
„ WoYen ...... M. Q.
Glass and Crystals ..M. Q.

35,565 29,060 28,857
38,036 34,182 34,861
10,869 6,555 7,585
37,464 34,050 37,066
277,485 256,197 262,818

A small increase in the number of metrical quintals
exported implies a considerable increase in the value of
books, silks, and merinoes exported.
France, then, is becoming, like ourselves, more and
more manufacturing, and she requires more and more
to import all kinds of raw materials. These facts incul-
cate on her, as they inculcate on us, that free trade is
the only safe commercial policy. Her trade and manu-
factures are rapidly giinding, people are_coming
more and more to rely on them to provide the means of

r subsistence, and there is no alternative but to remove all
legislative obstacles out of their path. u,
I The navigation of France was as follows :

ENTERED INWARDS.

French. Foreign. Total.
Years. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage.
1853 ...... 9,210 1,065,634 11,569 1,685,011 20 799 2,750,699
1851 .... 9,307 1,131,702 10,932 1,606,837 20,289 2,731,5:19
1855 ..... . 9,574 1,247,451 13,442 2,057,313 23,816 3,304,765

:EN TESED OUTWARD*.

1853 .. ••. • 6 625 796,350'8;56 1,058,315 15,441 1,854,665
1854 •• • ... 5,726 796,713 7,919 1,059,592 13,645 1,856,305
1855 .. •• .. 5,756 934,598 8,054 1,100,057 13,810 2,034,655
The navigation, therefore, has increased since 1853.
Taking the aggregate tonnage, both inwards and
outwards, it increased between 1853 and 1855 about
16 per cent. ; and the French tonnage in the interval in-
creased rather more than the foreign, 17 per cent.
against 15 per cent., though the foreign tonnage em-
ployed in the French trade exceeds the French tonnage
by about 48 per cent. It is satisfactory, we think, both
to see the French tonnageincreasing and foreign tonnage
so largely engaged in French trade. It is too plain to
need any illustration, that ships are that part of every
maritime nation's capital and industry which it can most
easily lend ; and though prejudice has at most times
raised an outcry against foreigners carrying on other na-
tions' trade, it has latterly been made abundantly evident
that it is by the carrying trade, or by lending ships and
seamen to nations little advanced, that nations further
advanced perform for them the most essential services.
Our conclusion on the whole is, that nations advance
together—that each as it advances must help the others
up to its own level in order to advance further itself ;
and we can only see in the extension of the trade, navi-
gation, and manufactures 'of France a means of further
extending our own manufactures, trade, and navigation.
Whether the trade of France have been largely or only
poorly profitable we have no means of knowing. Judg-
ing, however, from the high rate of money which has
prevailed in France, as in England, and the general high
price of food and increased national expenses, we are in-
clined to conclude that the trade of France, like that of
England, has not been largely profitable. It is probable
there has been little or no saving of capital to meet fu-
ture contingencies ; and consumption, the result in part
of much speculation, has, on the whole, fully kept pace
with production, if it have not exceeded it. Should that
turn out to be the case, we may learn from the facts we
have stated that it is the consequence purely of 'the
domestic policy and domestic conduct of the people.
The trade of France, like the trade of England, has suf-
fered very little interruption by the war, and was, in
fact, much larger in 1855 than in 1853.