Star.
London, England, 1824-12-15 00:00:00

MERCIIii.VT SEAMEA'S SOCIETY.

Yesterday a sperial meeting of the Governors and
Members of this incorporated Institution, for the relief
of Merchant Seamen, was held for the purpose of taking
into consideration the numerous applications for relief
which were likely tO be made in consequence of the late
storms. A number of respectable merchants and ship.
owners attended.

Mr. Po.wma., on taking the chair, stated, that in
consequence of the late disastrogi gales, a great num-
ber of additional applications wkwelikely to be made to
them which the funds of the Institution were not in a
condition to meet, and the qaestion was, what course
was the most eligible to be adopted with respect to the
applicants? This Institution had been long established,
and diffused vet' extensive benefits amongst the great
and important class whose welfare it made its object.—
Tire welfare of our sailors was, indeed, whether we
looked to their services in war, or their inclusti y in com-
merce, an object of the very highest national import.
ance. Seamen were proverbially improvident, and it
was incumbent upon those who benefitted by Oleic ser-
vices (and who did not ?) to watch over and promote
their interests. This Institution was supported by a
contribution of 6d. per month from the wages of seamen
who wet e in set vice, and though its funds had increased
in proportion to the increase of trade, yet that increase
.was not proportionate to the increased demands which
were made upon them. He suggested, that efforts
should be made to render the Institution more exten-
sively known, and to procure a greater number of ac-
tive members. The present qualification of a Governor
for life was fifty guineas. He submitted to the meeting
the propriety of making a qualification upon a smaller
sum. It had been hinted, that an application to Parlia-
ment would be advisable, and likely to be attended
with considerable advantage. He expressed his hopes,
that the merchants and ship-owners, and those who more
immediately profitted by the exertions of this class,
would take some immediate steps for the relief of the
great number of cases of destitution and misery which
might soon be expected to pour in upon them. The
Chairman concluded by moving, that books should be
opened to receive subscriptions for the relief of those
cases of d-►stress which had arisen during the late storms.
Mr. MARSHALL said, he considered that the evil
could not be met by individual subscriptions alone, but
that they ought to go further, and apply to public
bodies.—The motion was,agreed to nem. con.
Mr. MANNING, M.P. thought, that as Gentlemen
and as Merchants, they were bound to come forward in
behalf of this invaluable class of men, who were enti-
tled also, in his opinion, to the aid of Government. He
was not aware that the Institution received only 6d. per
month from the wages of seamen.: and he thought that
an appeal to Government for aid, would be most libe-
rally answered. Several charities had applied for as-
sistance to that source, and their applications were al-
ways received, as he had reason to suppose a similar
one from this Institution would. The Institution of the
Refuge for the Destitute, for instance, had applied, and
were received with liberality. He concluded by moving,
that a Committee should be formed to consider the best
means of increasing the funds of this Institution.
Mr. BLANCHARD and Mr. URQUHART shortly ad-
dressed the meeting, after which the motion for form-
ing the Committee was agreed to unanimously.
Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, and the
resolutions ordered to be advertised, the meeting then
separated.

OBSERVATIONS on Me BRISTOL and ENGLISH
CHANNELS' INTENDED SHIP CANAL.

In the English Channel the late Mr. Rennie designed
a harbour at one spot, and a ship canal at another;
Mr. Telford unites the harbour and ship canal, yet he
conveys the ship canal to the harbour, instead of carry-
ing this to the other. The village of Seaton borders
on a valley, whereas Beer Town, as the provincialists
call it, is situated among the mountains.
The late Mr. Rennie planned the summit level of his
ship canal at Chard, in Somersetshire ; he obliged him,.
self, consequently, to excavate for water ; Mr. Telford
does the same. Thus both engineers have surveyed a
wrong line of country.
In the Bi istol Channel the late Mr. Rennie selected
the port of Bridgewater; Mr. Telford, at last rather than
at first, does the same, while, to justify having wan-
dered to the port of Watchet, he cuts a new entrance
to that of Bridgewater. He should have made a shal-
-1
low exit for the river Parret. _ _ _ _

Such is the present line of the intended ship canal. A
better line may be as follows:
In the English Channel the port of Exmouth is ad-
visable: it has Torbay on the west, and Dartmouth on
the south, as places of refuge to vessels during sea
storms.—Exmouth has a ship canal to Exeter.
A separate exit appears desirable for the river Exe,
that the port of Exmouth may be converted into one of
low water.
The summit level of this line of country would be
Tiverton; in Devonshire. Tiverton has a great deal
more water than Chard, and is about the. same height
above the sea. This summit level may be prolonged
from the Exe to the Tore ; but that of Chard cannot be
extended, whether from the Axe to the Yar, or from
the Axe to the Parret. In the former case, no reser-
voirs, with or without tunnels, would be wanted; reser-
voirs, in the latter case, would become necessary, and
cause a supet &tons expenditure.
In the Bristol Channel, the port of Bridgewater seems
an established point. It is needless to repeat what has
already been mentioned of this port.

Official returns have been prepared, by order of Go-
vernment, of the exports and imports to and from this
country and Spain, since the restoration of FERDWAND
VII. to absolute power. Corresponding returns have
also been made for a similar period during the Consti-
tutional Government, up to the day of the KING'S libera-
ti.m. It is almost unnecessary to say that the balance
is very greatly in favour of the period of freedom. Si-
milar returns have also been made of the export and im-
port trade between the ports of this country and of South
America, for the same period of time. These latter
accounts present a great and progressive increase in the
commercial intercourse of Spanish America with Great
i3ritain. The whole of the accounts will probably be
laid before Parliament. _ _ _

Serious apprehensions are entertained for the safety
of the Stornaway packet, which sailed from Pool-ewe
for Stornaway about three weeks ago, and has not since
been heard of. Several passengers were on board,
among others, a clergyman belonging to the Lewis.
Saturday, the Lord Provost of Glasgow received a
respite for the two unfortunate men, Maws and 411‘ Kin-
lay, under sentence of death in the Calton Hill jail.

MEETING AT EXETER.
A Meeting was called;rtiter on Friday, to Consi-
der of the means of relieving the sufferers by the late
storms. It was attended very riumetously by county
and city Gentlemen.
• The MAYOR was called to the Chair.
The LORD BISIIOP rose to move a resolution, which
he said was nearly, though not entirely in conformity
with the requisition. Of the duty of affording relief to
the sufferers by the recent calamity, there could be no
contrariety of opinion, though some slight difference
might exist as to the limits of their bounty. Their na•
total bounty certainly appeared to be that pointed out
in the requisition, ic within the port of Exeter," (viz. from
Seaton to Teignmouth); but his Lordship hoped that
power would be given to the committee to extend re-
lief in extraordinary cases to any placei within twenty
miles of the coast—numerous individuals having suf-
fered severely inland by the overflow of rivers. His
Lordship moved a resolution accordingly, and commu-
iiicatml to the Meeting that he had been requested by
Lord Viscount Exmouth to express his regret that the
ill state of his health prevented his attendance.
E. P. LYON, Esq. seconded the motion.
J. BULLER, Esq. wished to make the sphere of their
benevolence co-extensive with the county itself, as by
narrowing their objett, they might pro'nbly throw
some check on the liberality of other parts of the
county. He would suggest the propriety of recommend-
ing parochial collections, if it met the approval of the
Right Rev. Diocesan.
The BISIIOP expressed his ready compliance, but sail
he could not encourage them officially by circular, as
that would encroach on his Majesty's prerogative.
Lord ROLLE, Lord CLIFFORD, and Sir T. ACLAND
addressed the Meeting, a Committle was appoimed,
and a subscription immediately commenced.

SPURTING INTELLIGENCE.

-w-
HUNTIN G.

York and Ainsty fox-hounds meet to-morrow, at StreneaU;
Saturday, at Whisky.
The Holderness fox-hounds,to-morrow, at Brandsburton Moor;
Siturday, at the Kennels.
The Northumberland fox-hounds on Friday, at Hebron.
The Cleveland fox-hounds, on Friday, at Ufleathant.
The Elurworth fox-hounds, on Friday, at Newsliklyrflarik.
Sir T. Sykes's fox-hounds,on Friday, at HildengfrGitil:'
York City Harriers, on Friday, at Knavesmire.
THE ROYAL HUNT.

Yesterday morning the Royal Harriers met in the Great Park,
and in consequence of the scent not laying well, the sport was not
so good as was anticipated. We understand that it is his Majesty's
intention to destroy a great quantity of haresin the Palk this season.

THE MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE., MARK LANE, DEC. 15.

The arrivals of all sorts of Grain this week are extremely large.
The Wheat trade is in a complete state of stagnation, and prices
look downward. Barley is also nearly unsaleable today, and Mon-
day's terms cannot be supported. Beans and Grey Peas are dull,
but prices unaltered. Boiling Peas are excessively dull, and 2s. per
quarter lower. Oats find very few buyers to-d►y, and our last
quotations cannot be obtained. The Flour trade is extremely
heavy. Arrivals—litnglish Wheat, 8600 quarters; Barley, 10,400
quarters; Oats, 8800 quarters; Irish Wheat, 1100 quarters; Iri►h
Oats, 6500 quarters ; Flour, 9500 sacks.

(FROM THE LONDON PRICE CURRENT, DEC. 11.)
COTTON-WOOL--The market has been very quirt, the sales
for last week consist cf— _ _ _

200 Madras
400 Pernanas
600 Surats
500 Bengals
150 Boweds
50 Bourbon

- std. to 61d. per lb. in bond.
- Ili& to 12d.
- 54d..t0 64d.
- sid. to qd.
- Bed. to Bad.
- Hid.
.. . _

SUGAIL—The market for Sugar has been very animated since
Friday; both raw and refined have advanced, the former Is. and
the latter 2s. per cwt. Large lumps that were last week at 765. are
now 78s. and small lumps are Ws. per cwt. Barbadues good and
fine white 625. to 70s. inferior and yellow 575. to 595. 6d. per Cwt.
FORRICH Swamis also advanced 2s. to 3s. per cwt.
COFFEE.—Good ordinary Jamaica Coffee spld at the sales
rather higher, but other sorts without alteration.
HE3IP and TALLOW.—Hemp has advanced 2/. per ton, and
there are buyers of Yellow Candle Tallow at 364. per cu t.
COCOA. By public sale 224 packages Trinidad 725. to 841.
pper cwt._

SPICES.—Fine Spices very steady. Black Pepper id. to id.
higher; White Pepper very scarce, and rising every day. Carolina
and East India Rice very brisk, and 2s. to U. higher than laA week.
•
Saltpetre little or nothing doing.
TEA.—The East India Company's Sale commenced on Tuesday
hit.-13ohea sold a tsifie dearer ; common Congous ed. per lb.
lower. Good sorts experienced little alteration, although the finer
qualities sold id. to lid. per lb. higher. Twankays advanced lid.
per lb. Hysons went much the same as last sale.
SI LK.—The market has been very dull for the last fortnight,
and the prices from fid. to is. W. lower.
FRUlT.—Private sales to a considerable extent have been made
this week, and there is a very general demand for the common

descriptions.
&PI RlTS.—Brandy has advanced Id. per gallon.—Rum without
alteration.—Geneva rather higher.

IRISH PROVISIONS.-:lribh Butters quoted 2s. to 4s. per
cwt. higher; Dutch without alteration.—Bacon rather jower.—
Cheese steady.—Beef and Pork 2s. 6d. to ss. per tierce cheaper.—
India Beef, free on board, 61. 7s.6d.—lndia Pork 61.105. to tg. 15s.
per tierce.—lmports from Ireland pretty extensive.
OlL—The market for Fish Oils remains unaltered.
HOPS.—Trade for new Hops is dull this week, as the country
dealers are supplied with sufficient to last them until the Spring.
We do not expect much business before that period.—A consider-
able demand for 1823, and in fact for old Hops of all ages that are
well preserved; this is partly for town consumers and partly on
speculation.

Monday, Sir ANTHONY CARLISLE, in concluding his
annual course of Lectures on Anatomy, at the Royal
Academy, intimated his determination to resign, as his
Professorship in that establishment interfered too much
with his other duties, and in particular with the calls
of suffering humanity, to which he si ished to devote
the whole of his time and experience. He recommended
the election of a younger Professor.
The waters are out so much, in particular from Maiden-
head to Chertsey, that all the intervening country is
under water over the hedges ; the floods run across the
streets through Eton into the houses ; in some of the
shops the water is as high as the counters ; at Slough it
was necessary for foot passengers to be conveyed in boats;
the whole of Windsor Little Park is inundated, and the
adjacent meadows are in some parts impassable. •
By a decree of the 7th inst. the Royal Tribunal of
*Lyons has ordered a person of the name of Chanibell.in
to be prosecuted, as having murdered M. 13ouchardon
in a duel.

The majority of the inhabitants of Cirencester hhve
resolved to abstain from the use of beer, since the late
unwarrantable advance of Id. per pot in the price by
the brewers.

Sandwich Fair finished on Saturday. Wednesday being a very
fine day, the town was crowded with visitors, and Sandwich has
seldom been so gay. Upwards of four hundred people assembled
in the evening at the New Inn, to " trip It on the light fantastiC
toe." The Theatre and other places of amusement, had their share
of company; also Fast Grinstead, Fair. Saturday was the largest
ever remembered at that place, there being, it is suppased. nearly
3,000 head of the various kinds of stock exhibited, which sold
at from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 2d. per stone Many graziers from Romney
Mards were in attendance, who bought pretty freely, observing that
they had lost most of their sheep by the rot.