Star.
London, England, 1830-03-22 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

March 13, 1830.

It—Observing in your report of the debates in the Commons'
House of Parliament of Thursday evening last, that Mr. Bernal
put some questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, concerning
the mode of fixing the duties on imported books having plates,
which, in his opinion, was contrary to the Act; in reply to which,
that learned functionary asserted that there might be two opinions
betwixt the owner of such works and the Government, but the
course pursued by the Custom-house officers was perfestly correct.
In ;order that your readers may judge for themselves upon so im-
portant a subject, which tends, according as the meaning is con-
strued, either to cheek or to encourage Literature and the tine Arts,
I wiU, with your permission, first clearly state what is the present
practice of the revenue officers, and next the impression on the
minds of the importers of such works arising from a careful perusal
of the Act itself. It is contended by the Custom-house officers,
that all works on Natural History, having plates Illustrative thereof,
are subject to the double duty ; the letter-press at 61. per hundred
weight, the plates at so much each, because they say the subject
can he sufficiently described without the assistance of the graver.
Botany is excepted, if the print represents the plant as dissected,
but not otherwise.
I think it must appear to even a superficial observer that Con-
ehology, letheology, Ornithology, Zoology, or Zuphiles, cannot
be treated on usefully, unaccompanied by plates, which therefore
tint only form a part of the book, but also a very important portion
or it, and ought on that account to be admitted by weight as such.
f have lately been compelled to pay both duties on military works
baring plates, because these careers (wizen) think a campaign as
well understood without plans as with • . and also on the Chevalier
Bronstead's splendid work on Cireece• also on the Picturesque
Voyages, because antiquities may be conceived of by words only.
The impression upon my own mind, and upon the minds of
others likewise concerned in the importation of foreign printed books
is, that where the letterpress is evidently wholly to make the plate
understood, and does not exceed a leaf to each print, then, and in
that case, such works are fairly chargeable with the duty as prints
and maps ; for instance, Annals. des Alum, Journal de Dawes,
the' Louvre Gallery, and others, but that it is not in the wording
of the last duty act to construct the ward book, to mean only printed
paper unembellished, any more than it would be to suppose that
many of the works issuing from the Burlington-street Press are not
book,, because two thirds of the same are not printed upon at all,
but left as beginnings and ends of chapters blank, all blank make
*eights. Z.

GRAND NATIONAL CEMILTERT.—A plan has been
fur some time in progress for forming, in the vicinity of
the Metropolis, a Grand National Cemetery, which will
be an improvement on the Pere la Chaise. It is in-
tended to contain 130 acres, planted and laid out with a
view to the most picturesque effect. Temples, cloisters.
mausoleums, and tombs of various descriptions, are to be
erected on a scale of expence to suit the different ranks
of society, with appropriate situations for sculptural me-
morials. It is intended to raise 400,0001. for the ac-
complishment of the undertaking in subscriptions of 251.
each; and, besides the security from violation of the
dead, it is expected that the expence of sepulture shall
not be more than one-half what it is at present. Draw-
ings of the cemetery have been prepared by Mr. Good-
win, the architect, and the plan is shortly to be submitted
to the public.
[We cannot give insertion to the foregoing paragraph, unaccom-
panied by one passing comment. Whilst we perfectly concur, not
only in the propriety of such an undertaking, but in the absolute
necessity that calls for the formation of a Public, Or NATIONAL
CEMETERY, on so extensive and well-devised a plan as that
which is now in contemplation ; we must confess that the project
—which is in itself unexceptionable, and highly laudable—does
not come to us the more favourably recommended by the more than
implied homage which, in the allusion to " the temples, cloisters,
mausoleums and tombs, on a scale of expense suited to the WAD..
eat ranks of society," is paid to worldly considerations, and to the
" idle pomps and vanities• which do but ill accord with the solemn
notions and chastening reflections which, we cannot help thinking,
should ever be associated with that last quiet home—where, having
thrown aside " this mortal coil,"—we, poor perishable creatures of
ell that we are, may rest from the cares, the turmoil, the dis-
t' u iet udes,t hat are the heritage of our earthly condition.—E D.STAR.I

The Duchess of KENT honoured the performance of
the open of Elisa e Claudio, at the King's theatre, on Saturday
evening, with her presence.
The Princess AUGUSTA attended Divine Service yes-
terday morning, in St. Phillip's Chapel, Regent-street, the Chapel
Royal being under repair.
Friday, the Princess AUGUSTA, attended by Lady
MARY TAYLOR, viewed the exhibition of the British Artists, in
Suffolk-street, previous to its being opened to the public. Her
Royal Highness was received by the President, Vice-President, and
Secretary, who conducted the 'Princess through the rooms, which
engaged her Royal Highness's attention for an hour and a half.
The Marquess CAMDEN had an interview, on Satur-
day, with the Duke of WELLINGTON, at the Treasury.
Mr. S. Rice, M.P. and a deputation of the Directors
of the Provincial Bank of Scotland, had a conference with the
Cumrcru.oit of the Excunutria, at the Treasury, on Saturday.
The Neapolitan Minister transacted business on Satur-
day at the Ofa of the Secretary of State for Foreign affair,.
Lord LONDONDERRY still labours under painful in-
disposition.
It is said that Mr. A. BARING is to be raised to the
Peerage.—Court Journal.
tits. Secretary and Mrs. PEEL gave a grand dinner on
Saturday evening to the Russian A mbassadovand Princess; Ltivzit,
Duke of WELLINGTON, Marquis of GRAHAM, Marquis of
HERTFORD, Earl and Countess of Venotase, Viscount Ai-La-
uer, Lord and Lady F.L. Gowen, Mr. ASHLEY, lke. The
Right lion. Gentleman and his Lady had afterwards a numerous
evening puny. Among the company were, the Austrian Ambes-
'ea
tuel , or, Princess ESTERHAZY, and Princess PdAIY ESTERHAZY,
.tenth Ambassador At. dec.
The deputations from the provincial banks of Ireland,
which have lately had several interviews with the Chancellor of the
Szehttinet, are said to have relation to some differences with the
Dublin hank, which have been referred to the arbitration of that
right hon. gentleman. It is added, that through his mediation thing ou ham ratisfaetorily adjusted.
Monday Capt. BRY3IER, of the 6th Dragoon Guards
or Carahiceers, entertained a select Party of Fashionable@ at Wey-
nmith
and su Einuchor in the spacious Mess Room, with a most elegant
mptuous dejeane a lalourehelle.
AGRICULTURAL DISTILLSII. WO regret extremely
to tind that the state tithe times is now severely felt in what was
formerly one emir mess thriving agekultural districts. Within
they few weeks two very extensive farmers in East Lothian have
abandoned their farms, and left the country--C idedestion Mercury.