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

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 47,000,000113.,
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 1355, 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 1355 as against
1854, the former to 1,500,000 tn. q. from 1,200,000
m. q., and the latter to 217,200 in. q. from 199,568
m. q. from 199,568 m, q., showing, in conjunction with
the increased consumption througout 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 ire 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 know to be most imperfectly cultivated on the whole,
to be dependent for food on other countries, and for this
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, arid 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
do, for our manufacturers, and if they do not continue
in advance they can only blame themselves. With re-
spect to our woollens, it has been made plain by our
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 ns 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-
tors.
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,m. 500,000
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 por4rnof the
cast iron, 820,000 m. q. in 1855, againstoco m • q.
imported
indicates 1854. The increase in the various articles
nipor4,ed
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 manufacog•
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 :

E 6.4..
xeonTs OF FOREIGN AND FRENCH MERCHANDISE.
. . 1855. 1654. 1853.

engravings, and 11- --
--..-.
15°kt°Iioraphs •• ••••• • M. Q. 17,469 16,516 17,026
Machinery, &C. ...... Frs. 9,515,754 7,951,584 11,295192
Millinery •••• • • • • • • Frs. 11,514,423 7,242,269 6,407,001
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. 26,591 25,085 29,101
Linen, Cloth M. Q. 24,656 17,809 19,260
~ Cambrics M. Q. 579 535 713
Woollens, Cashmeres and
Merinoes • .M.Q. 35,565 29,060 28,857
„ Others M. Q. 36,036 34,182 34,361
Silks, Raw M. Q. 10,869 6,555 7,585
~ Woven M. Q. 37,464 34,050 37,066
Glass and Crystals •M. Q. 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 raerinoes 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•
cats on her, as they inculcate on us, that free trade is
the only safe commercial policy. Her trade and manu-
factures are rapidly extending, her people are coming
MOM aid more to Illy on them to provide the =eau of