The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-05 00:00:00

BANQUET TO SIR ROBERT SAL ,

little difficulty. This healthy state of things promised to
continue. However, shortly after the departure of the
steamer, the rains were interrupted and the crops lan-
guished, and even the Government Revenue Commis-
sioner publicly notified his conviction that the very
favourable reports which had been furnished by the
subordinate officers of Government were open to a sus-
picion—a surmise which was confirmed by subsequent
investigation. Whether the object of such reports was
to run down the price of all descriptions of grain in
the market, in order to purchase at low rates the stock
on hand, and then to dispose of it at an advanced rate
on the discovery of the illusion, we will not presume to
determine ; but certain it is that the flattering state-
ment contained in official reports furnished to the officers
of Government were not borne out on full and subse-
quent inquiry. The consequence of such erroneous re-
presentations were immediate in their effects on the
market, and the import trade, which up to that period
had worn so cheerful an aspect, became depressed. Sales
were subsequently and have since been effected with
difficulty. This unhealthy state of the market will in all
probability continue until the harvest is completed ; for
so long as the crops continue in a condition liable to
damage for lack of water, the native merchants will not
be induced to purchase largely. The rains are now
over, and recourse must be had to artificial irrigation.
The harvest, we believe, will be equal to the average of
former years ; but, so long as the crops are on the
ground, our market will continue to be dull. The
Dewallee holidays occur about the middle of the present
month, and will not tend to improve the condition of
the market. In some parts of the Deccan the crops are
drawing close to the period of maturition ; should they
be gathered towards the end of the month or the begin-
ning of December a reaction of a satisfactory nature
will doubtless take place, and the Bombay market will
again wear a favourable aspect. In the meantime
holders must continue to maintain stocks with firmness,
as it is probable that if goods are offered even at a much
lower rate than is now obtained by strained sales, pur-
chasers will not in the present state of the crops be
tempted to extend their dealings or indulge in specula-
tive investments.
COTTON AND PIECE GOODS.—At the commencement
of the month a brisk business was doing in grey madam
pollams, jacconets and longcloths, also in white mulls
and lappets, at moderately favourable rates ; but to-
wards the middle of the month business fell off. Sales
were effected, but in some instances at low and un-
remunerative prices. Ginghams, cambrics, and domestics
have been in less inquiry than during the former month.
Turkey red plains are neglected; thelast sales were effected
at rather lower rates. Of Turkey prints there are none
in the markets, and are wanted. Other descriptions of
prints are somewhat dull. Shirtings go off less freely.
The last sales of gray goods were unremunerative, and
effected probably to close accounts before the departure
of the mail. The Dewallee holidays will commence on
the Bth of the current month, when business will be
wholly suspended for several days. The importations
since our last monthly issue have been wry heavy, espe-
cially of grey jacconets and madapollams, white jacco-
nets and mulls, Turkey red plains, and lappets. If heavy
shipments of the above are continued it cannot be ex-
pected even under favourable circumstances that good
prices will be obtainable.
TWIST AND YARN.—At the beginning and towards
the end of the past month, a trifling amount of business
was transacted at the then current rates ; prices,
however, were steady, and promised some improve-
ment. At the middle of the month there was some
activity. This, however, was arrested by the Dassera
holidays and the causes above noticed; business has
fallen off, but rates continue firm in the face of large im-
portations. The sales for the month were below the
average; the chief transactions being in middling num-
bers of raw mule and water. In orange and Turkey
red yarns not a single transaction is recorded. Al-
though rates are firm, they cannot be maintained, un-
less the exportations at home decrease, as our recent
imports have been heavy, and stocks are accumulating.
The amount of twist imported during the past month
was much above the average, being 046,6781 b.; and
4,1221 b. of sewing thread, or 337,1651 b. raw mule ;
90,0731'0. orange mule ; 1,6001 b. green mule ; 7,5001 b.
grey mule ; 449,9401 b. water ; 5,4001 b. orange water.;
4,6001 b. green water ; 36,6001 b. grey water ; and
14,8001 b. of Turkey red yarn.
METALS.—In metals there has been a steady business
doing at our quotations. Towards the close of the past
auosr copperacti bottomsousbec a
andles tiles,s,witha theses slight b
t altera-
tion a
month
of thepri transactions
f
little higher, and Swedish and British bar iron a trifle
lower. Some few sales of spelter have been made, but
although at a little improvement on the former month's
sales, the market has not been affected; the current offers
are far too low, and holders appear resolved not to part
with stocks unless-at improved prices. Tin plates have
ine4 ready neglected, and p*.eli ;to lower. Iron nail

COTTON.—The heavy stock in this bazaar, and rather
low prices, have induced more extensive shipments to
China than are customary at this season of the year ;
prices, however, are now somewhat higher, and wehave
not heard of any tratkactions lately.
Shipments from the first instant up to this date amount
to 5,836 rnaunds.
RlCE.—Qvving to the favourable accounts of this
articla received by the last mail, and the low price at
which it is obtainable in our bazaar compared with
other staples, buyers have been induced to come forward
freely, and business to a very large extent has been done,
shipments since our last having amounted to about
75,000 mounds. We, however, have no improvement to
natice in prices, they being checked by the high rate of
freight..

IMPORTS FROM EUROPE.
BRITISH COTTON PIECE GOODS.

The general inactivity in all fabrics under this head
as noticed in our last, continued until within the last
week or ten days, when the near appraach of the Doorgah
Poojela holidays (in consequence of which all business
will be at a etendetill for twelve dere) oblig•d some of

.

G.C.B.
SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 3.—lmmediately upon its be
coming known that Sir Robert and Lady Sale were on
a visit to this county, a deputation from the Borough
Council of this town, consisting of the Mayor, Thomas
Griffiths, Esq., Henry Wooldridge, Esq., and Charles
Deacon, Esq., town clerk, waited upon Sir Robert Sale
on Saturday last, at the seat of Major Portman, near
Christchurch, and invited him to a public banquet at the
Audit-house on Monday.
The deputation were most kindly received by the gal-
lant General, who readily and cheerfully accepted the
invitation. Sir Robert and Lady Sale returned to the
Royal Hotel on Sunday last, and the banquet came off
yesterday. The Audit-house was most tastefully deco-
rated with flags, laurels, &c., and in great abundance.
At six o'clock General Sale entered the room, accom-
panied by the Mayor, Sir W. Richardson, Col. Hunt,
Major Doherty, Captain Pitt, the Rev. C. Fanshaw,
Captain Keele: Martin Maddison, Esq., N. Atherly, Esq.,
J. Edwards, Esq., collector of the customs, &c. The
Mayor presided.
The cloth having been removed, and the usual loyal
toasts drank,
The MAYOR proposed the health of the Gallant Gene-
ral, " Sir Robert Sale," to which the General responded
with his usual feeling and ability.
Sir Robert retired, with the whole party, at half-past
nine o'clock, to the theatre, where Lady Sale and party
. had been during the evening.
Sir Robert and Lady Sale embarked this afternoon in
the Oriental steam-packet for the seat of their former
exploits, amidst the cheers of hundreds of the inhabi-
tants ; the whole of the spacious quays of the docks
being literally crowded with elegantly-dressed parties.
As the splendid vessel went out of dock a salute was
fired from the platform, in honour of her gallant pas-
sengers.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.
MEETING OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
(Abridged from the Wiltshire Independent.)
Another of those meetings—several of which we have
noticed during the summer—important from the start-
ling facts connected with them, as well as from the cir-
cumstance that they are the spontaneous emanations of
the humblest of the working classes—got up by them-
selves, managed by themselves, and themselves being
the principal and, generally, the only speakers, and in-
teresting, from the good and orderly cunduct of those
who attended them, was held on the evening of Monday
last, at the Independent Chapel, Godacre, in the parish
of Hillmarton. The time of meeting was seven o'clock,
and by that hour every inch of available space in the
chapel was closely packed with the labourers of the
neighbourhood, many of whom were attended by their
wives and grown-up children. Had the building been
twice as large it would still have been full to overflowing;
for in addition to the crowds who hung round the door
and windows, unable to wedge themselves in, swarms of
these honest industrious workers were obliged to go
home, from sheer inability either to get in or sufficiently
near the door or windows to hear the speakers.

Mr. Read, the minister of the chapel, was unanimously
called to the chair.
—one within six or eight feet, but who moat providen-
Several working men and women addressed the meet- tially escaped, and one man, who was just going from
ins. The following are two out of several speeches : the horse-road to his stall, heard the voice of one of the
CHARLES GINGELL, of Preston, in the parish of unfortunate men call out " Clear," which is a signal of
Lyneham—He said he felt great distress and grievances, warning, and almost instantly one of the dead bodies was
but could scarcely find words to express himself. For hurled past him into the horse-road. The man in-
the last twelve months his wages had amounted to stantly threw himself upon his face, and was thus for-
-191. 2s. He was 34 weeks working for 7s. a week; and tunately preserved from accident. After a minute or
18 weeks for Bs. per week. This gave an average of so he got up, and, with another man, ran to the other
about 7s. 4d. a week. Out of these great wages he had parts of the level, to where the other the
Cher
to maintain himself, his wife, and six children.—(Hear, 1 working (who had become aware of the explosion by the
hear.) If he could spend all that sum for food he would sudden and violent concussion of the air) for assistance,
not grumble, but there were many other things to be which was of course immediately given. The alarm was
paid for; 3/. a year rent; the shoe bill of the family he spread, medical aid was sent for, and thed
a scene of
whole neigh-
could not put at less than Is. per week, and Is. a week bourhood, as may be supposed, presente
for firing, reducing the sum to about 4s. a week, or 6d. ; fearful consternation and excitement. The surviving
per head for food per week; to say nothing of ' workmen then made instant exertions to recover the
tea, sugar, butter, soap, candles, &c. He wished to pay bodies of their unfortunate companions. The air within
everybody their own, but he could net do it.—(Hear, the level was, however, so foul and sulphurous, that
hear.) It was high time some remedy was provided to upon entering it their lights were instantly extinguished,
alter the condition of the labourer; and he thought if and it was several hours ere they could recover the dead
they could once got free trade, the condition of the people bodies, during which period another victim, William
would altogether alter and improve. Eighteen years Jones, was unfortunately added to the fatal list. Hurry-
ago he married a wife from the manufacturing districts, in gto the aid of his brother-workmen, he unfortunately
and women at that time were earning 12s. a week. At fell senseless from the effect of the foul air, and was suf-
that rate his family would earn 265. a week, while his focated. The bodies were, however, at last recovered,
wages from the land would increase. Was not free and it is needless to say, that although two surgeons had
tried*, then, des S, yes, and cheers.) remained in attendance from the first moment, their
MARY FERRIS, Of Chalellt, then stood up to speak ; services were entirely unavailing. The four men who
and, in language such as only a woman and a mother were killed were—
could use, addressed the meeting. She said the fathers Thomas Williams, who has left a widow and one child
did not know all the distress which was endured. When to deplore his loss.
her husband was at work her children were frequently John Thomas, William Gregory, and William Jones,
crying for food. Last year her husband earned eight who
fret all single.
shillings a week. The rich knew nothing of the misery An qest has been held upon the bodies, and a ver-
their funerals
which they endured. They thought if they saw the la- diet of " Accidental death" returned. The remains of
bourers with a decent smock frock on, that there was no the poor fellows were buried yesterday,
distress among them. She had often gone to bed, and being followed by almost the entire body of the inhabi-
laid awake for hours with the stomach-ache for want of tants, over whom this unfortunate and lamentable occur-
food. She had three children, one thirteen years old, recce has cast a universal gloom.
who ought to earn fivepence a-day ; another ten years Deoersn FLAYS IN PARIS.—A considerable addi-
--
old, ought to earn fourpence a-day ; and the third, tion has been Inad_e. to
__My. Mit clia_ll's cur.ps dramatique,
eight years old, ought to earn threepence. This would
in
.th e person of ,aploiests. ChTairiiliott)eouMnittliraidn;
has
atsalfeonrte:oz.;
add six shillings a-week to her income, and then they
evebeen a favourite at the prineip provincial theatres,
time
of the late
would not complain of being badly off. If the factories
were now open, as they were thirty years ago, the elder and will be a very effectual support to Miss H. Faucit.
THE LATE NCENDIART
;
children would have employment in them, leaving the 1
I
FIRES AT GREAT SAXHABL
younger to fill their places on the farm. Now ,her hus- I
Government has offered a reward of 751., and W.
"1r ye often Mills,
—( M Esq., a further reward of the same amount, mak-
so f wit food, 1
band frequently had "the trembles"
that he could hardly do his work.:-
had the trembles too.") Her children were dirty and ing a total of 150/., for the apprehension of the
ragged ;for • for she could neither buy soap nor firing to ants who recently set fire to two stacks of wheat and one
wash them or their clothes properly. This woman gave \of straw, belonging to Mr. Samuel Silverston ; and 'to a
many other affecting details respecting their sufftrings, , barn and cottage belonging to Mr. Mills, and to a quan-
and called earnestly on other mothers to follow het. ex- i tity of core belonging to Mr. Coekerill.
•
. .