The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-18 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

COMMERCIAL STATISTICS; a Digsst -of the
Productive Resources, Commercial Legislation, £c. 4.c.,
of all Nations. By John Macgregor. 2 Vols.
[THIRD NOTICE.]
This is one of those works the closer examination
and more diligent perusal of which cannot fail to
confirm the favourable impression that a first and cur-
sory glance at its contents is sure to produce. The
second volume is divided into sections, entitled re-
spectively, Ottoman Empire ; Greece ; African States;
Russian Empire; Sweden and Norway; Spain; and
Portugal.
The first volume, comprehending these great ter-
ritorial divisions—namely, the Austrian Empire,
Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, the Italian
States, Gibraltar, Malta, and the lonian Islands—we
have already noticed as abounding with an almost
incredible variety of statistical information, admirably
arranged and so digested as to be available for all
purposes of reference at a moment's notice. Perhaps
we know less in England of the commerce, resources,
and capabilities of the various Italian States and the.
kingdom of the Two Sicilies than of any other
portion of Europe, with, perhaps, the solitary excep-
tion of the noble island of Sardinia. But for Capt.
Smyth's small but interesting volume, we can
scarcely boast an English authority on the topography
or modern condition of an island, which it is now
generally agreed, in conformity with the antique
authority of Scylax, is entitled to rank before Sicily
in point of territorial extent, and is consequently to
be regarded as the largest island in the Mediter-
ranean. They who do not happen to possess either
Capt. Smyth's book, or the Chevalier la Marmora's,
may be pleased with a few of the collections made
towards a statistical account of Sardinia by Mr. Craig,
an English resident there for many years, and by him
communicated to Mr. Macgregor. The population
of this island (140 nautical miles in length by an
average breadth of about 60) is probably 450,000.
"The present King► and his Government seem now to
be seriously engaged in improving the condition of this
magnificent and fertile territory." " The King has
assumed the place of the feudal barons, and bought
their manorial rents at a value equal to twenty years'
purchase. Vassalage has been also made redeemable."
"It seems that corn is the principal article of export,
and in good years the fetal exportation from the
island may amount to about 500,000 bushels of
wheat, 250,003 bushels of barley, 7,500 bushels of
maize, 125,000 bushels of beans, 250,000 bushels of
peas"—certainly an enormous surplus growth of
cereal products, and one which must supply the basis
of a most profitable and improvable foreign trade
The fisheries, too, must be most productive, if we
may judge from a detailed statement of the expenses
and receipts incurred and realised on 3,680 tunnies,
taken at Saline in 1823. The total of expenses, hire
of vessels and boats, wear and tear of' nets, oil to pre-
serve part of fish (an item amounting to 9001.), cost
of barrels, victuals and wages of fishers, &c., was
5,1741. The total receipts, 14,6901., showing an
aggregate profit of 9,5161., or 186 per cent. Tobacco
and other commodities are subjects of royal monopoly,
but salt must yield to the Majesty of Sardinia a more
enormous revenue than the " Stade" Duties have
been wont to yield to the Crown of Hanover.

" Around Cagliari there are three natural salterns,
viz.: Molentargius, Spiaggia, di Mezzo, and Rollone ;
there is also an artificial one at the Lazzaretto, and
another at St. Peter's Church, all of which belong to
Government, and, if well regulated, would annually pro-
duce 90,000 Bairns (2 salms equal to 1 ton). Besides
these, there are four artificial salterns in the Gulf of
Cagliari, respectively called La- Vittoria, Media-pirja,
Cortelonga, and La Maddalena, in favourable seasons,
yielding together about 12,000 salms ; these the king
has let out. The salterns at Teulada have been
abandoned for some years ; but, if attended to, would
probably yield upwards of 6,000 salms ; and those of
Oristano, which produce only 4,000, might be increased
to 20,000 salms. The salterns at Terranuova, though
much neglected, 4-kid about 1,000 salms.
" His Majesty s expenses for producing the salt are
not mere than nine reels, or four-fifths of a dollar, per
salm, whilst his continental subjects are obliged to pay
for many thousand salms, at fifty dollars each ; the
Sards in general pay but five dollars the salm, and the
capital is furnished gratis, in consequence of the salterns
ceded by the city to the king."

In the Papal States olive trees seem to be retiring
before the white mulberry (gelso) trees; and the
Pontine Marshes continue, as of old, to be the scourge
and the disgrace, the granary and the grave of many
Romans.

" Olive plantations were long among the most pro-
ductive of inv.-stments, but they are now less so than
the cultivation of the white mulberry (gelso), which
would spread widely were capital abundant. Vineyards
have been too largely spread, and give no returns equi-
valent to the outlay. The culture of wheat is diminished,
but from no other cause than the absence of external
demand, and the consequent decline of prices. Great
losses have been the result of the application of new
lands to corn production. Of late, an advance has taken
place in the prices of grain, but by no means sufficient to
repair the losses of years ; and it is scarcely to be ex-
pected that the corn lands, which had been so long a
source of ruin to the owners, should be again applied to
that species of culture. The more fertile lands of the
Marerema, will, no doubt, continue to be applied to the
growth of wheat, but only once in several years."
" Roman Marshes.—These extend from the confines
of Tuscany to the frontiers of the kingdom of the Two
Sicilies, and from the coast of the Mediterranean to the
Appenines. This territory is divided into about 600
farms of 500, 1,000, and 1,500 hectares each. The most
considerable of these is that of oamp3morto, situated in
the Pontine marshes, and belonging to the chapter of St.
Peter.

" There are only from 16,000 to 18,000 inhabitants of
the Maremma. The half savage peasantry of Sabino
and the Abrtkzzo, to the-amount of 25,000 or 30,000, come
down annually in the months of July and August to
gather in the harvest. The habitual unhealthiness of
the Maremma, and perhaps, still more the carelessness
and want of means of preserving their health, of this
wandering population soon destroys large numbers of
them.

" The Maremma include the pontine marshes, which,
in the time of the ancient Romans, contained several
cities. These marshes, covering a surtace of nearly
19,000 hectares, extend to the south of Rome, from
Velletri to Terracing. Leo X. and Ssxtus V. have both
unsuccessfully endeavoured to drain them. Still later,
Pius VI. undertook, for the same end, considerable
works, but with no better success, though at an expense
of 360,0001. Some parts, however, of the marshes were
drained. The present Pope has given them to his
nephew, he Duke of Braschi.

M. de Prony, a French engineer, who was sent in
812 to examine these marshes, estimated the total ex-

pense of their drainage at 400,0001."

We cannot too strongly recommend this noble
compilation of modern statistics, in every branch, to
. _

We favour and attention of the public. It is wholly
without a rival.

Mr. Macready has, it is stated, concluded an en-
gagement with the manager of the Princess's Theatre for a
term. He will appear early in November, and play six weeks;
after which he quits the metropolis again to complete some pro-
vincial arrangements, and returns to complete his number of
representations with Mr. Maddox.
A report wa. curre❑t at li rlin, on the llth inst.
that the negotiations between the Germ ,n Customs Union and
the Government of Brazil have been broken off.
CAMBERW ELL }AlR.—Notwithstanding the fre-
quent complaints made by the inhabitants of Camberwell of
the nuisance to which they are subjected by continuing this
fair, it opened this day, as usual, on Camberwell-green.