The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-09 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL JOURNALS.

The intended PetitHns to Parliament, the ob-
ject of which is the virtual repeal of the Corn
Bill, have led to the following remarks in The
Doncaster, 4c. &c. Gazette, of the 4th inst.:—
" We do not mean to enter into questions which
apply only to the Corn Bill as it at present exists :
those have been set at rest by a legislative enact-
ment ; but admitting that that measure was fit
and necessary for the protection of the landed in-
terest, we hold that any thing which goes beyond
it is unfit and unnecessary, and consequently un-
just towards other classes of the community, and',

impolitic considered as a measure applicable to
the ‘vhole Nation. Now the new project is this,
to impose protecting duties amounting to 20s. per
quarter when the price of wheat in Great Britain
Atilt be 7th. per quarter, and. to 10s. per (patter
when the average shall reach 80s. per quarter ; it
is obvious, therefore, that the altered measure
would make the importation price 90s. per quarter,
Or 10s. beyond the average at which foreign grain
may now be introduced, according to the provi-
sions of the Corn Bill. We cannot, therefore,
consent to suph an amendment of the established
law until it can be shewn, not only that farmers
cannot obtain a livelihood at the present prices
of corn, but that landlords cannot reduce their
rents lower (lima the sum they at present
obtain. There is a notion very prevalent
in the manufacturing districts, that the great
evil originates in the high rents required by the
proprietors of the soil, and that if they were re-
duced, one-third for instance, the cultivator could
afford to sell his produce in competition with the
growth of other countries. This is at least partly
a mistaken view of the subject, for the farmer
has not only to pay a high rent but high wages,
and high prices for the articles of manufacture
he is obliged to consume; in other countries,
where corn is considerably cheaper, we must not
forget that the cheapness is in a great measure
owing to the low rate at which labour is paid, and
the low price at which articles of unavoidable
consumption are obtained. Upon the whole,
therefore, we are in favour of a calm dispassion-
ate consideration of the subject, in the only tri-
bunal before which it can properly he brought—
the assembly of Representatives of the interests
of all ranks and professions ; and we are conse-
quently adverse to stopping the progress of the
petition by idle denunciations, because by means
of signatures the question will he most properly
introduced to the notice of the Legislature. On
this account we feel some satisfaction in assuring
our readers, that the petitions are still circulated
in various agricultural districts, and that many
names of the highest consideration have already
been attached to them."

From the LONDON GAZETTE of Dec. 8.

Lord CliamberZairs'.. Office, Dec. 8.

Orders for the Court's change of mourning, on Sunday,
the 3d of January next, for her late Majesty, of blessed me-

mory, viz.:—
The Ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen or
muslin, white gloves, black and white shoes, fans and tippets,
white necklaces and ear-rings, no diamonds.
Undress—White or gray lustrings, tabbies, or damasks.
The Gentlemen to wear black, full trimmed, plain or
fringed liners, black swords and buckles.
Undress--Gray frocks.
The Court to change the mourning further on Sunday, the
24th of January next, viz.:—
The Ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribands,
fans and tippets.
The Gentlemen to continue in black, to wear coloured
swords and buckles.
And on Sunday, the 14th of February next, the Court to
go out of mourning.