The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-24 00:00:00

ROGRESS OF MANUFACTURES

IN SPAIN.

It is perhaps not generally known that the consump-
tion of linen in Spain is greater than that of England,
France, and Belgium, put together; and it is most re-
markable that, until very lately, there did not exist one
manufactory in Spain where fine linen was made, the
whole of that article of a better quality being imported
from England and Belgium. Thero are, however, and
there have been for some years, three or four small
factories where a very coarse kind of linen was manu-
factured, but of a quality no better than that made by
the peasants themselves. This attracted the attention of
Madame Laurens, a Spanish lady by birth, but educated
in one of 'the manufacturing towns in the south of
France, where she possesses a small manufactory; and
accordingly, after much trouble and expense, she esta-
blished a linen factory at Aviles, a small seaport town
on the north coast of Spain, where, after encountering
great difficulties, she has succeeded so well that, at the
exhibition of national industry held at Madrid last
summer, the specimens of Spanish manufactured linen
presented by Madame Laurens were awarded the
first prize. Tho Government of Spain, naturally
anxious to promote the welfare of an enterprise
of so beneficial a nature, immediately presented
Madame Laurens with a large plot of ground
near to Aviles, and on which there is a large building,
formerly a monastery. This was given to her and her
heirs in perpetuity, subject to the condition that it
should be converted into a linen factory. Finding her-
self thus encouraged, Madame Laurens immediately
co:nmenced a tour of inspection through Belgium and
England. In England she visited all the great manu-
facturing towns in the north, in order to carry to Spain
all the most recent inventions in the machinery of a
linen factory ; and though the object of her visit was
known, and it was to be expected that she would become
a formidable rival to our manufacturers, she was treated
with the greatest courtesy, and every information she
asked for was immediately given, and given in a cordial
manner. Madame Laurens has now left England, and
there can be no doubt that, before another year is past,
Spain will be in the possession of a linen manufactory,
where the quality of the article produced will be as fine
as the finest manufactured in this country.

TIIE LATE CASE OF MURDER AND PIRACY ON
TIIF, thou SEAS.—The twelve Judges, before whom the im-
portant question of international law, in this case, was argued
On Saturday, the 15th, have not yet been able to come to a de-
cision, and have intimated their wish that the points should be
argued again by civilians from Doctors'-commons ; the 3d of
December has been fixed for the argument by one; Learned
Doctor on either side in the Court of Exchequer. The respite
of the prisoners, which expires to-morrow, has been extended
to meet the delay consequent upon this arrangement.
Observer.

SINKING OT A BRIG IN TILE RIVER.—On Saturday
a largo brig, heavily laden with granite from Scotland, sud-
denly sprung a leak: in the Pool. Every exertion was used
by the captain and crew to stop it but without effect, and on
arriving at Limehouse-hole she began to sink, when the crew
took to their boats and effected their escape. In less than
ten minutes afterwards she sunk in deep water, her masts
being only partly seen above.
THE LORD CHANCELLOR.—We regret to hear
this morning from Turville-park that Lord Lyndhurst is in a
much more precarious state than is stated by our London
Contemporaries. If what we have heard be correct, and we
see no reason to doubt it, there is but little hope of his Lord-
ship's eventual recovery.—Berhs Chronicle.