The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-24 00:00:00

LON DON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL , 24, 1850.

it is surely time to adopt some remedy adequate to
the urgency of the symptoms.

We are well aware that it will be said that the
sales above alluded to are but exceptional cases, and
that better prices have been, and will be obtained in
other instances. A sale that took place on the 16th
instant, in which it was asserted that lands were sold
at no less than 41 years' purchase, has been tri-
umphantly referred to, as showing that "the great
experiment was proceeding satisfactorily," and "that
there were no substantial grounds for the prediction
cf that wide-spread ruin and confiscation which were
to accompany the operations of the new tribunal."
Unfortunately, however, the case proved rather too
much. Had it been 25 or even 28 years' purchase,
the
,argument would have been very powerful ; but
41 years' purchase, or less than 2} per cent. for the
amount invested, clearly indicated that there
must have been something more than met the eye
to produce a result so extraordinary. We, accordingly,
resolved to investigate the matter, and to ascertain
the real facts and circumstances, and we have dis-
covered how unwarranted were the joyous roaans
that had been uttered ; that there was, in truth, in
that case, as well as in any of the others to which we
have alluded, a wry serious sacrifice, which might
have been averted had the SOLICITOR. GENERAL'S
Bill passed into a law ; and further, that the neces-
sity for any sale would have been prevented if the
existing proprietors were allowed, in order to preserve
their properties, to avail themselves of the advantages
about to be bestowed on purchasers. We shall only
add that we pledge ourselves to the perfect accuracy
of the following statement.
It appears that " Duncormuck and the Hill of
Ballary," the lands in question, contain 145 A. 3a. 12r.
Irish plantation measure, which it may be necessary to
ieform our friends on this side of the Channel are
equal to about 233 A. statute measure. The soil is
rich and fertile, and the property is altogether well
circumstanced, and, as we are informed, would, if
out of lease, let for about 2001. per annum to a tol-
yea and improving tenant. The present occupant
holds under an old lease, at 55?. 7s. Bd. per annum,
and there is a quit rent of 2/. 12s. 7d., so that the
present returns are 521. 15.. ld. Arid this property
undoubtedly sold foe 2,2001. sterling, or forty-one
years' purchase on the present rental !
Bat the narrator forgot to add what we now state,
that the interest of the tenant will terminate on the
death of a gentleman now in his seventy-second year;
and that, whenever that event may happee, the pur-
chaser will come into possession of a well circum-
stanced, fee simple estate, producing at least 2001. per
annum, which he will thus have obtained at the very
inadequate price of ELEVEN—not forty-one years'
purchase. We may also add, that the former pro-
prietress, Mrs. GARDF, whe, happily for herself, is in the
actual possession and enjoyment of other property to
nearly four times the amount of the charges affecting
four denominations of land, made every exertion to
obtain a boar, at 5 per cent., sufficient to pay
off all incumbrances. After considerable diffi-
culty a person was found who could be
induced to waive the of jection to Irish security,
which prevented many who had been applied to from
even taking the matter into consideration ; but it was
only on consideration of receiving 6 per cent. on first-
class security, such as in this country would com-
mand the sum required at 3}, or at farthest 4, per
cent. interest, and the expenses of the transaction
would have been so very heavy, that the lady was
compelled to sacrifice the inheritance of her aneestors
at a most inadequate price. We may likewise mention
that it would probably have gone at a' much lower
figure, but that the bidding was carried on by a party
in trust for the family to 2,1501.
We leave these unquestionable facts to the consi-
deration of every unprejudiced mind, and we fearlessly
ask—do they not speak trumpet-tongued in favour of
the cause we have conscientiously advocated ? if the
proprietress were enabled to issue debentures to half
the value of her property she could easily
have procured 6,000/. at 4 per cent. interest,
or nearly double the sum required, but
in consequence of the existing state of the law and
the impediments thrown in the way of money being
obtained on the security of " real estate," she was
compelled to see it thus sacrificed. We need only
state in addition, that another property—a ground-
rent of 461. 9s. 61d., issuing out of a mansion in Ste-
phen's-green, in the city of Dublin, for which a
large fine was paid by the present tenant,
the respected Counsel to the Irish Office in Lon.
don=-sold for seventeen years and a halt's purchase,
which in ordinary times would have brought 24 or
25 years at the very least. And also, that since the
above, the sale of other lands, "the Athen estate,"
containing 970 acres, and yielding a rental of 4601.
103. 9J., subject only to a quit-rent of 1/. 13s. 2i 1.,
and to tithe-rent charge, 201. 6s. 63. per annum, was
adjourned by the Commissioners, the highest bidding
that could be obtained being only 3,300/., or about
seven years and a half's purchase for a fee simple
estate.

Let Ministers then meet the difficulty
in a fair and straightforward manner. Let
them, as is their bounden duty, bring forward a
general measure suitable to the emergency. We
cannot see that there would be any very extraordi-
nary danger arising, if persons whose estates are en-
cumbered to less than one-half their actual value, or
those who were free from debt, were permitted to
petition the Commissioners in order to be allowed to
issue debentures similar to those which may, if the
present Bill pass into a law, be made by the pur-
chasers of "encumbered estates." The same investiga-
tion into title may take piece that is now required before
an order for sale is made absolute; and a Parliamen-
tary title might be given to the holders of such de-
bentures. It appears to us that such a provision would
answer every purpose that could be desircd ; and if,
in addition, the Government guaranteed the punc-
tual payment of interest, charging one-quarter or
even one half per cent. to cover all expenses, and pre-
vent the possibility of loss, as proposed by us on the
10th inst., the regeneration of Ireland would speedily
be accomplished, and the capital so urgently required
would flow to her shores.

On this part of the case we invite the public atten-
tion to the suggestion of Mr. WILMOT CLIETWODF, an
Irish gentleman of great intelligence and high respec-
tability, whose letter, extracted from an Irish contem-
porary, will be found in another part of this day's im-
pression.

TOE LATE HAIL STORII.—DUBLIN, Aram 23.
An official return of the estimated damage to property in
Dublin and the environs caused by the hail storm of last
week, is in course of preparation by the police, and gives,
as far as it has been completed, the following results :—ln
four of the six divisions of which the metropolitan police
district consiits, the number of squares of glass broken in
houses has been 291,302, and the total estimated loss, in-
cluding damage to roofs of houses, furniture, vegetable gar-
dens, &c. amounts to 21,3881. 9s. 41. For the division in-
cluding Kingstown and the neighbourhood no return is ne-
cessary, as no damage was done; but for the remaining di-
vision, for which the return has not yet been made, one-
fourth of the whole may be allowed, so that the loss suffered
would amount, in the aggregate, to at least 27,0001.
ST. MARY'S NATIONAL SCROOLS.—MeSSTS. Tru-
man, Hanbury, and Co., the brewers, have subscribed the
sum of 50/. towards the erection of national schools in Spital-
square. The echools when completed will accommodate 250
infants and juveniles of both sexes. The Committee
Education have also subscribed 3501 , and the City Corpo-
rocafhtiilodnresn, 0/., the National Society, ILO/., &c.

DEATH OF LORD FREDERICK BEAUCLERK.-TiliS
reverend member of the aristocracy died on the 22d inst., at
his residence, Grosvenor-street. He was uncle to the late
Duke of St. Alban':, and also by marriage to Viscount
Dillon.

THE Royaleter
nObservatory,the
Greenwich,
temperature varied little
was i 1,504 inches. The daily
llthrEeAmTeiainEßCighAttoftteebarom
an average of seven
years; the mean of the week was
48 9 deg., and was about
.
throughout the week; the mean temperature was on every
day higher than on the same day on
3 deg. higher than the average.
THE SOUTHAMPTON PORTION OF THE INDIA
MAIL.--The Oriental Company's steam-packet Indus, Capt.
John Soy, arrived at Southampton yesterday morning, and
landed the heavy portion of the India mail, under the charge
of Lieut. Brady, R.N., Admiralty agent.
STATE OP TRADR.—MANCHESTER, APRIL 23.
We have had a very quiet market tco-day. The demand,
whether for cloth or yarn, has only been to a limited extent;
prices, however, are firm. We have some private letters to
hand by the last mail from the United States of America,
which refer to the prospect f+r the planting of the new cot-
ton crop. This, up to date, had been very limited and un-
favourable. It appears that an immense tract of land on tin
Mississippi is under water, and will not be available for cul-
tivation (luring the ensuing seascn. There is no change in
printing cloth worthy
of notice. Forty-inch and forty-five
inch shir.ings remain firm in price, and a considerable busi-
ness could be done fcr early delivery. T cloths, long-cloths,
and domestics are quite neglected.
BRICK DuTIES BILL.—We understand that, through
repre-entation to Sir John Jervis, from Chester, a clause will
be introduced into the Brick Duties Exemption Bin, so that
brickmakers who have taken contracts for making bricks
previous to the duty being taken off, will have to deduct the
amount of duty from their contracts,—Builder.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
CITY, QUARTER 7 O THREE.
The Cotton Market at Liverpool was very quiety
es-
tercay, but prices were steady, and the sales amounted
to 7,000 bal.'e.—Railway Shares generally declined, but
rallied towards the close.
In the Mincing-lane markets tc-day there a good
many public sales. Coffee is more in favour owing to the
intention of the Netherlands Trading Company not to
sell under late rates. SpeCulatively there is no activity
in any article.
Upon noticing recently the meeting of the Royal
Mail Steam Company, we gave a statement from the
directors' report, to the effect that an arrangemer t
was likely to be carri. d out for the transmis-
sion cf the Brazilian correspondence, but it
appears, from an ( ffisial answer given in the
House of Commons a few evenings since, there is, in
reality, nothing yet decided on. We can only say than
it is high time something was done, for cf all cur foreign
postal services the Brazilian is, probably, the worst.
The merchants have been complaining as long almost
as our experience extends, and there is very little im-
provement—many will rely note—compared with this
time ten years ; a lazy sailing yacht creeping in ever
and anon with a beg of litters out of date, owing
to later accounts by an indirect route, and often
through the United Stwee It is a fact,
moreover, that the West India steamers aro boil:.
beaten on the line for which they have long enjoyed
the contract, and thus we constantly receive the
latest Mexican intelligence by the Cunard ves-
sels. Doubtless the telegraph from New Orleans to
New York has to do with this, but we believe it could
easily be proved that under a revised arrangement such
would no loogcr be the case, and that an alteration
must be made is self-evident, when we reflect that pas-
sengers from Jamaica reach England repeatedly by
way of the United States sooner than if they
came from the island in the West India steamers.
The Royal Mail Company is based upon art ample
subscribed 'capita!, and is rationally impoi tent from the
applicability of its vessels, in case of need, to war pur-
poses, but competition is the in,
of improvement, and as
the existing contract expires at the close of next year,
parties interested are naturally inquiring whether
it is to be smuggled forward without due provision for
public convenience and economy, or whether a fair exa-
mination of other tseders will be undertaken. Twelve
months' notice will have to be given, otherwise the
present ccntrect continues, but te iders were received
fifteen months since for the Brazilian service, and no
settlement has been effected yet, a sufficient justification
for what some may consider a premature " jogging" of
official memory. •
From the 7th to the 23d inst., the East India Coca •
pany drew bills in London to the amount of 105,0391, of
which 90,997/. Isere on Bengal, 10,567/. on Madras, and
3,4744 on Bombay.
Tee f ne-gn arrivals to-day bring no news el' ercmi-
neat interest. At Amsterdam, on the 22d inst., the
Funds were rather feeble. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per
Cents. 55 7-16.
The failure of Messrs. Grunan at Elbing (Prussia)
throws cut of employment 1,000 persons, snit entails
serious loss upon a number of small capitalists and
widows who herd lodged their money with the fi:ns to
secure a higher rate of interest.
The English Stock 'Market openel better this morn-
ing, but as there is very lithe doing the quotations for
Maley have since become a little heavier. Consols have
been quoted 958 t 968 for Transfer, and 96 to 9611 for
Accouet. The present quotation is 96, sellers... The
New Tine e-and- a Quarter per Cents. have been 97 to
974, and the There per Cents. 95 to 8. Bark Stock is
firm Et 2031 le 207. Exchequer- bills are 685. to 70s.
pramttnn.
Iu Fcreign Securities the dealings have best very
restricted. Mr. William Parish Itobertsoc, the late
Cha'rman of the Crime:Li:tee t f Mexican Bondholders I,as
published a letter received by him from M. Escandon,
of Mexico, in which it is statsd that the amcunt pending
from CuAerns duties for the bondholders is 300,000
dollars, that besides what Messrs. Menning and
Mackintosh have already received, another 100,000
dollars may he expected horn the Tobacco
duties by June, and the; the Congress will give pro-
bably 3,000,000 donuts of the indemnity money, but not
PeruvianEcii
a (lur
more.
e BTelined eS taorcek iosi, fiarnmde r,
the bDe being to
e9d2
Stock is at 3j and Buenos Ayres ex. div. at 52i. Net a
bargain has tcerl effected in Spanish, and Five per
Cents. aro nominally 18i Portuguese Four Ter
Cents• have been done at 33re and 34. Dutch Two Bud-
a-half per C n's. are 5511 to 56.
Greet interest :continues to be felt in the proem:lines
of the companies which are being woun'l up, sled suffi-
cient has been shown in the opinion of many of the
shareholders to prove that the Madrid and Valencia can
pay back 40s.
The Share Market is quiet, but rather firm.
ONE CLOSING
PRICES OF BRITISH FUNDS O'CLOCK. PRICES.
Bank Stock
3 se Cent. Reduced Anna
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 44... 96 1)6 lee 95% 96
Ncw 314 eer Cent. Anna.......-........ 971 a 97 97% 97 ,se
Lone A nns. te expire J an. 1860 ...... 8 3-16 8,4 8 3-16
D tto, 30 yearn, Oct. 10. 1859 ...... 8
Litt° 30 years, Jan. 5, 1860. B%
In es. Ponds. I,ooot
South Sea Stock
Ditto Old Annuities
("meals for Account 96% 96 96
:Esse-le-suer BrilE. li4d. & 2,1
1,000/. June 7O 68 p 68 p
5)01. June
Small. June 7O 68 p 68 p
ONE CLOSING
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PEW ES.
Buenos Ayres .Bonds, 6 per Cent ... 5214 ex d 52tt ex d
Danish 80nd5,1825,3 per Cent.
Ditto 5 per Cent. ...
Date, Scrip 4%% p 431
Equador Bonds ..
Greek Bonds 7
Ditto ex Over-due Coupons ear 5%
eneatran, s.par Cent. 1846, with Coupons
Ditto, Ex Jan. Coupons
Ditto, Account 29 2914
Peruvian Bonds, 4 per Cent...., —
Ditto, Account
Ditto Deferred
Portuguese 5 for-Cents.
Ditto, 4 per Csnt.
Russian Bonds
D:tto, 41,E per Cent
Ditto Scrip 2le p
Spanish 5 per Cant. 1840
Ditto. 3 per Cent
Venezuela Bonds, 21,2 i per Cent
Dividends on the above payable in London,
Patch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild. .. 55% 56 56

28%
70%
30

371,:f
33 3/4

lUCES C•F BUSINESS DONE CEOSIN
ItAI:MAY SIIABES PAID. AT ONE O'CLOCK. PRICK-)
Birmingham and Ox-
ford hmet., calls duly
paid, or with a guaran. 20
Do, without guarantee 20
Caledonial
Ditto, Now IC/. Pref... 10
Cte Aar and Holyhead... so
.......
......
Ditto, Preference
Eastern Counties........ 20 ...... 7 7% 7 %
Edinburgh and Glasgow 50 ...... 26 26
Great Northern
Do., .!7.2 A Deferred ... 124 lys .. . 1%
Do., 142 B 6 per Cent... 914 ..
Do., 5 per Cent. Pref. 12 A... 10 x.i .. 10 x.i.
Great Western 100
Ditto, New 171... .. „ 15
...
, _
......
Hull and Selby
Lancashire& Yorkshire 100
00. (W. Riding Union) 11 !,4
Leeds and Bradford so
Lorabn 1.1; Black wa11...11/. Cs. 3d B3/4 M .... ........
L ndon, Brighton, er d
Bluth C0act....... 103

......
PA

90
3%

Do., New, guaranteed
6 per Cent . ... 103 ....,.135
Lo:adon and NW4 =tern 100 .10214 ... ......... ... 102
Ditto, New Quarters 12 lO IA
London It S.Western ..100 ...... LS 58% ... • ••• 0
11MIC h Q.iter, SheSield,
and Lincolnshire —lOO
MidLmd ................X 0 ...... 33 32% ..... :.
Do., 50?. Shares
Do. Consolid. Bristol &
Birming., 6 per ct.... 100 1194.. •-••••••••• 119%
North Briti!,b .... .... ... 25 • 7
North Staffordshire ... 171,1 7l/s ... • 7W4
Scottish Central
Shrewsbury and Biral... 13 lA, . 934 dis. .....
Shropshire Union
South Eaatl,l 3131/h l3 4 l3 ',i,
Do., Registered No. 4 10
Wilts, Somerset, & Wey-
mouth
York, Newcastle, and
Berwick. .... .
D. Newcastle Eaten. 20 • ..... 7
York and North Midland 50 ..... 14%
11%
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Boulogne and Amiens... 20
Central of France (Or-
leans and Vierzon)... 20 ......
East Indian
.
Great Indian Peninsular 5 ••••••
Do. Do. ... ~...... 1
Namur and Liege ...... 20 ... • VA ...... .. , ...
MINES.
Tin Croft ...„„ ...... .... 7 ..
United Mexican
JOINT STOCII BANIS.S,
British North American 50 —
Linden Joint 5t0ck,..... 10 l7l -
Union of Australia

13
324

381 i

12%
slii

]2t~2
~.j;

••• • 000000000 417,i
171,4
23,3

LLOYD'S SHIPPING—(THIS DAY.)
! LONDON, APRIL 24.—Wind at noon, N.N.W., light
breeze, and fice clear weather.
COWES, APRIL 23.—Wind W.—Sld. Spartan,
t Jamaica.
MILFORD, APRIL 22.—Wind N.—Sid. Yandew,
Alexandria, United States; Hope, Newfoundland.
WATERF ;RD, APRIL 22.—Wind N.N.W. to N.—Sid.
I Resolution, Baltimore; Amazon, Quebec.
CLYDE —Sid. Anna Robertson, Trinidad; Circassiar,
New Yolk.
The Plecidea, of Shieldr, was in contact 15th April,
off Whi:by, with a brig, and lost bowsprit.
DEAL, APRIL 22.—Wir_d N.N.W., Equally.—Arrd.
Narcissus, Bally, Ceylon; Lady cf the Smith,
Charleston; Janet, Moore, ditto for Stettin. Aird. from
the River Princes Holore, Port Philip; Corsair's
Brill , Algoa Bay; Scud, Ma,gadore.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 23.—Wind N.N.E. to N.W.—
SR Victoria, New Yotk.
PLYMOUTH, APRIL 23.—Wind S W. to S.E.—Arrd.
Sophia Clabop, Adelaide, South Aultralia.
LIVERPOOL, Arun-. 23.—Wind N.E.—Arrd. Rajab,
Lawson, Calcutta. Sid. Petrel, Cahill, D.,merara; John
11.1miltf_m, New York; Hibernia, Newlitthdland; ALin
Davies, ditto; Martha, ditto; William Pitt, Africa;
Queen of the Isles, Coquirbo; Courier, Valparais:‘;
William Edward, Rio JAieiro; Retio;ution, M4ranham ;
Glantocre aid Laurica, Barbarlocs; Aerne, Emp!re
Sta'e; Letitia, New York; Thomas and Edward, Boston;
Ozprey, Halifax; Dibdin, Montreal; Urgent, Qat-eb.:c;

Vioa, Thomas, Pysche, Union, cud Welling!on, New-
found and.

BRISTOL, APRIL 23.—The Trion, Newport to Que•
lice, has put in leaky, haring put ba.ck from lf ng. 8.
DARTMOUTH, APRIL 23.—Wind S.E.—Std. White
Mouse, Nassau.
CLYDE, APRIL 22.—5.11 Itchritmer, Trinidad; Mis-
sissippi, New York; City of Durham, Ceylon.
DUBLIN, APRIL 22.—. Sid. Bolivar, Miramichi.
PENZANCE, APRIL 22.—Wind N.W.—Slt. Olympus,
CerdelY, New York.
FILL, APRIL 23.—Wild N.W.—Arrd. Eliza, Allen,
Barbedoes.
BRISTOL, APRIL 23.—Wind N.W. to N.N.E.—SI4I.
Lucy, Barbaloca.
ECATTERY ROADS, APRIL 22.-81 d. Arial, Boston;
Jesscr, Boston.
LIMERICK, APRIL 22.—Wind N.—Sld. Anna Maria,
New York; Energy, Quebcc.
ECILLY, APRIL 22.—The Cathttine O'Flane.gan sailed
to-ray for Cardiff and Newport, and has put back,
making two Let wst9r per hour. The Washington has
discharged the whole of her cargo of sugar; 2,843 bogs
are much damaged, 783 partially, and 3,557 bags are
sound.

Wheat.

Barley.

Oats.

Malt. I Flour,

Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Sacks
1,580 1 1,470 LlO 2,090 2,790

English ......
Scotch..
Irish ••• • • ••
Foreign • • ....

4,910 I 6,0t30

2 1,610

11013.0VCreki ITO? 1174..i.a11-.:4".C.

Fine coloury weels ere in moderato request, s.t fu:
prices. In all other liir:ds next to nothing doing.

WXTc'L.
a M

Primo Beef and Mutton moved etFsteadily, et full
price?. Oiher wise tbc. demand ruled bearj.—Bt el, hem
26 44 to 34 2d; Mutton, 2s Sd to 33 6d; Lamb, 4s 6d
to 53 61; • Veal, 3s to 3s 8d; and Pork, 3a to 4s ner Sibs
by the eareake.

VICE-CHANCERY.—(THIS DAY.)
(U€ fore the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.)
THE RING OF THE TWO SICILIES V. WILCOX.
Mr. STUART replicd to-day' iu this case, and,
The VICE CHANCELLOR postponed giving judgment.

QUEEN'S BENCH.-(THIS DAY.)
(Before the Lord Chief Justice CAMPBELL, and Justiets
I'ATTESON, WIGHTMAN, and ErtLE.)
The Court gave judgment in the fuilow•iug

No rule.

Rule granted.

BISHOP V. COCPEI:.

DAVIS V. WILLIAMS.

RODEBTS V. lII7NT.
Rule granted en th 9 ground that the verdict was
agaiLst evidence.

No rule.

PEER V. BILLCOX.

FIELDER V. FIELDING.

.The Court granted a rule to show cause, on tl e
ground that the verdict was ag•tinst, the evidelice.
AUSTIN V. NANCIIEiTER, STIEFFIELD, AND LINCOL.Z-

BRIRN RAILWAY.
Rule granted to enter a verdict on the 6th plea, &II
for judgment non obstante veredicto.

lIITCUMAN V.

Rule to set aside the nousuit cn the ground tLat there
was evidence to go to the jury.

DOE DEM. KING V. WIGHTMAN.

The only question in the cane was whetter -a
morfgage Lad bt en assigned to the lessor of the plaintiff.
It was contended there ought to have been au ad valorem
stamp. The Court thought an ad valorem stamp was
not necessary, and that the title of the lessor of the
plaintiff was completely established.

FISHMONGERS' HALL.

--- -
To strangers walking across London-bridge, from
fne south towards its north side, if daytime, and it
happens to be clear, the beautiful view London pre-
sents from this situation cannot but be inter-
esting. Arriving at the north end, and leek-
s ing over the bridge at the first grand entrance
i on the left band, a board, with large and legible letters
stuck on it, announces the edifice to be Fishmongers'
Hall. The spectator on seeing this naturally enough
concludes, " Surely the fishmongers of London
must be a wealthy class that they can affbrd to
possess such. a noble looking mansion to transact
their business." And as it is viewed with a sort of
mingled pi.easure and surprise, the impression is fairly
stamped ',;hat Fishmongers' Hall must be the place
where f.ll important matters connected with the trade
is milted or. Such were my thoughts on first seeing the
botn.d that is stuck on that side of the house facing
t/'.e river. It was acme time afterwards I discovered
there was a decided retrograde movement going on in
,1
the white fishing department, in consequence of the
fishmongers supporting the open boat, along-shore,
' fine -weather system of fishing, much to the prejudice
of the regular deep sea, bad-weather vessels; that I
wondered how it was the smack owners did not state
their grievances, and lay them before the association
of fishmongers, claiming redress. I could not avoid
remarking also, that there was a laxity of discipline
at the wholesale fish-market, there being touch
snore confusion, and less regularity than
I the law for - a wholesale market dictates.
How these anomalies could exist, when there was such
a splendid ball, alid as I then sappesed a large asso-
ciation of fishmongers fur regulating the trade, I
could not well conceive. Various notions occurred
to me whilst ruminating on the subject. - Could it
be that the wealth and splendour of their hall had
dsze!ed their senses and rendered' them callous to
important matters concerning the trade, or could it
be that excess of festivitiei had made them apathetic ?
or was it that selfish motives had caused them to act
upon the principle of " buying in the cheapest mar-
ket and selling itr the dearest," regardless alike of
quality, the. interest of smack owners, their customers,
or national credit? Such conjectures as these would.
now and then present themselves. - As I had for
.many years advocated. the - advanteges decked-
welled smacks possess over open boats for
supplying mask: is with living fish, where
I saw coy falling of? front that system, of
course it affected me with feelings of regret, and as I
had discovered the London fish-market was certainly
depreciating in quality of fish ; I made up my mind
to try and learn how the association of fist: mongers
was warned. I bad been told it wes a very close
corporation ; and how to go about the task I wes
bent on did not yet appear very clear. Is appeared
not a sht.llow, but rather a deep subject to inquire
into. All ready to commence, my first operation was
to take up the London Directory, and open its pages
at fishmongers, fish factors, and fish salesmen. The
list that presented itself, being upwards cf 450 in
number, gave me fresh courage. I thought
that, amongst so many, I should certainly he
able to draw out of 507.12, of them hints that would
_ _

aid me in my search; end having noted down in my
memorandum-benk the names and addresses of a few,
I set out on my intended mission. The first party I
called upon at his shop, after having introduced my-
self with the compliments of the day, and asking a
few questions on the state of the- fish market, &c., I,
as delicately as pesible, asked the question, Are you
a member of FiAimongers-hall ? " No," was the
reply ; and he loilted at me as if b. began to suspect
I was angling for information, rather than having any
incfination ta buy fish. Ic is a noble-locking build-
ing, I said. !‘ Yes, it is," he answered ; and looking
as if he had no time to waste unprofitably, he walked
from me to another -part of his shop, to transact
business. Seeing it was of no use trying. for in-
formation at that quarter, 1 bid him good morn-
ing, and retired. 'Tile next party I called on
told me the same, that he was no member of Fish-
mongers' Hall; so did several others the question was
put to.. I now began to wonder whether or not it
was a secret society, the members of which would not
acknowledge their membership to.any but recognised
brethren. lt then occurred to me that I should go to
Fishmongers' Hall itself, arid solicit an interview with
some of the officials, thinking, that as my name has
been so long before the public in connexion with
fishery improvements, they might know it. I in
due form called—an official that happened to be
in o.fce politely honoured me with an inter;
view. Having stated • how I had been en-
gaged for some years past, with which he
had been made a little acquainted from common
report, I asked the question, Are there many fish-
mongers that compose this association ? " Fish-
mongers I" he answered, looking astonished at my
ignorance on the subject; " fishmongers do not com-
pose this association. Branches of th Royal Family,
noblemen, and gentlemen, form this society. There
are scarcely any connected with the fish trade who are
members here." Two or three of the principal fish-
factors, I understand, are members of it. " They
don't meddle with fish matters now, as they did for-
merly. The Fishmongers' Company, as it is called,
is now little else than a charitable institution for
decayed fishermen, widows, orphans, &e. There is
no fishmongers association in London for regulating
the trade."—H. DEMPSTER.

THE NATIONAL REFORM CON-

FERENCE.
(Continued from our Third Edition of last night.)
Mr. G. DAwsoN, of Birmingham, more 1 Use s!ceni
resolution, which recommended the appointment of le:-
turers, and the direction of the energies of the associa-
tion to the agricultural classes, in a speech which was
greatly relished by the audience; and Mr. TILLETT hay-
ing seconded it,
Mr. HOUGHTON, of Upton, near Aylesbury, who was
introduced as one of the largest agriculturists in the king-
dom, and who stated he was probably the largest land-
owner and occupier in Eng'and, observed that it vras im-
possible to grow wheat at a low price and to pay a high
taxation. Ile never would stop until ho had free trade
in every thing as well as in corn.
Mr. PARRY, of Norwich, moved, and Mr. WATERS, of
Newcastle, seconded the next resolution, empowering
the council to issue tracts and publications in support of
their views.

Mr. HYDE, delegate from Berkhampstead, who had
before uttered .some exclamations from the body of the
meeting, got on the platform and excited much laughter
by declaring be knew more cf the questions c f taxation
and of agrieultut al feeling than any man in the kingdom,
as well as by some eccentricitie3 of spech and manner.
Ile then made an attack on " the great cotton lords of
the West Riding fir holding back from the association."
It was a question of breeches pocket against conscience
—(Cheers.) Those • gentlemen had coma down with
their hundreds and thousands for the repeal of the corn-
laws, which woul I benefit themselves, but they did very
little for the association.—(Cheers )
Mr. G. THOMPSON, M.1.'., made a general onslaught
on the officers of the army and navy, who were (a!led
"animated walking elethespegs, to show off the skill of
tailors," " Belgravian mendicants, living on the earnings
of the seamstress," &c., "pouring out their cruel con-
tempt on the poor labourer in his fustian jacket." Ile
hoped tie day would soon come when a man seeing one
of them in his red or b'ue coat would turn to him and
say. " Ge, and be honest—go work."—(Loud cheer?.)
The conference adjourned shortly after fiur o'clock
till ten o'clock to-morrow (this) morning.

THE COUNTRY MARKETS.
IPSWICH, Aran, 23.
The market was very thinly supplied with wheat, which sold
at about Is per quarter advance upon last week ; what few
samples of barley appeared at market were reluctantly taken
by malsters at same rates.
PER QUARTER. PER QUARTER.
Wheat, red
Ditto, white l6s to 40s Oats Ws to o','s
Barley, malting ... 21s to 22s Rye OOs to 01's
Ditto, grinding ... 19.1 to 20s Malt. oos to 00s
Beans ........ ...... 00s to 00s Flour, per sack ... 00s to OOs
AVERAGES FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 20, 1850.
Wheat .. ...... ... 1,152 quarters at 375. 2d.
Barley
Oats ....... 19 „ 265. 01
Beans lO „ 265. Od.
Peas

HULL, Aran .23.
Messrs. Taylor and Bright's Circular states :—The bulk of
the arrival of wheat is Mediterranean quality, and goes to
warehouse for owner's account; the quantity of barley is less
than last week—the finest qualities of Chevali.r Saal maintain
their value, but anything short of that is not taken for malting,
and is held above the market value of grinding : this descrip.
tion is in better demand, and but little left on the market. We
had for this day's market a- smaller supply of English wheat
than for some time past, and a poor show of foreign from ship.
board, warehoused parcels being wholly withdrawn for the mo-
ment—the market must be written very firm at the current
rates of last Tuesday, and in some instances needy buyers bad
to pay 1 s more money for selected runs—the sales of English
to. day were at 35s to 36s per qr, weighing.63lbs naturally.
For foreign, 35s is submitted to for fair Hamburgh red, and
other qualities in proportion, except Danzic, which in retail
fetches our quotations. The remarks made above as to barley
apply fully to the transactions of this day; the demand for
grinding increases, and nothing now left afloat. Not many
beans offering, with more di'position to buy; Egyptian well
nigh cleared off The transactions in cats, as also in peas, are
but limited. With moderate arrivals of linseed the markat is
dull, and in some instances Is lower. Cakes are dull, and con-
cession is made by crushers for quantities of moment. More
demand for foreign at the late low prices. No rapeseed offer.
ing, the above arrival being for inferior account. Geod choice
in rape cakes, and at a slight reduction. Bones are fair sale
at our currency.
The following are the present prices of grain :
s. 8. O. 8.
Wheat, English, red 34 to 37 Peas, white and yel. 22 24
Do. white ...... 38 Do. grey
Dantzic anti Ko- Linseed, Black Sea 44 46
nigsberg 4O 44 Do. Petersburgh ... 38 43
I Pomeranian and Do. Riga & Arch ngl. 38 —42
Hamburgh . 34 361D0. Konigsberg .... 36 —39
Danish, Holstein, & Per ton.
Friesland 3O 34,Lins.cakes,Ifull 617 s 6d to 01
Russian and Odessa 30 32iDo. fine foreign . .. 6/ Os
Oats, English .. lO —l2 Do. inferior foreign...-. 4/ 58
Do. Vanish—. ll 13; Rapeseed
Do. Friesland l° 14!Rape cakes . 75s Od to 00i 01
Do. Russ. & Odessa 12 14 Tares, English
Barlentnalting ...... 18 --- 20 Do. foreign .alts
to IN
Do. grinding.. ...... 16 —•
Beans — 241130ne5, do ...... 876 611 to 903103
Do. foreign llO 23; Rye meal 61103
Coax, Aram 22.—Flour—First 1136 d to 12s 6d; extra 14s;