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

FLANDERS PAPERS.

BERLIN—Maac a 8.
We continue to !min fresh accounts of the damage done by the

inundations, especially in Saxony, Thesingra, and Silisia. Our
Government affords the most prompt assistance, large sums are as-
signed for the immediate relief of the sufferers, and numerous
labourers are employed in repairing the roads and bridges. The
German Confederation has not yet had any occasion to employ its
military force. This occaalon will now arrive, for as we bear a
corps of the troops of the King of Saxony will probably won march
into a neighbouring Duchy to enforce a decision of the Diet.
It seems that the public have a peat many erroneous notions of
the elevation of the Prince of Saxe Coburg to the throne of Greece,
which so far from having originated in any English intrigue, it may'
be affirmed that the English Cabinet was the last that gave up its
doubts on the subject. The prudent and honourable system of
Prussia in abstaining from interfering in remote political questions,
does not admit of its exercising much influence in the affairs of
Greece ; but a great Power, concentred in itself, sad not weakened
by unnecessary engagements, must have the nun weight in Ades
of general interest.

VIENNA, MAncu 10.

MutalNue', 103f-4 per Cent. 971—Bank Shares, 1330.-411.
yeasting Zeirung, Mare* 16.
THE HAGUE, Maims 16.

In the Second Chamber of the States General a message foes
his Majesty was read accompanying a project of law, by way of
supplement or amendment to the Budget. One of the articles
proposes a tax an coffee of 10 fl. per 100 lbs. and an augmentadon
of the excise duties on salt, wine, sugar, and some other articles.—
Brussels Papers, March 20.

BERLIN, Milo' 12.

Countess Rossi, who arrived here on the 9th inst. will again
appear before the public as Mademoiselle Sontag. The Count bee
husband, who is attached to the Sardinian Legation at Brussels,
does not accompany her.
An attack, made in the Ecclesiastical Journal published here,
upon the Theological Faculty at Halle, and especially on Profs.
'ors Gesenius and Wigsehuder, has induced that faculty to
send a deputation hither to present a remonstrance on the sob.
jest both to the King and to the Department of Ecclesiastical
Affairs. The Reverend M. Dilbruek, of Magdeburg, Is
appointed to investigate matters. To form an idea of the
number of journals published in Germany, we may look at a
Price Current for 1930, drawn up with much care, but by no
means complete. The Price Current, published by the newspaper
office at Berlin, specifies no fewer than 863 German periodicals, ex.
clusive, of course, of Exchange, Shipping Lists, and the like.

BIEMEL, MARCH 10.

Baron Stockmar, Private Secretary to his Royal Highness Prima
of Saxe Coburg, has obtained letters of naturalhation in the kingdom
of Bavaria.

SWITZERLAND, Kasai 9.

On the 27th of February a shock of an earthquake was felt at

Lunterbrunnen at six o'clock in the morning : its duration was four
seconds, and its direction from North to South.—Frankfort Papers,
March 15.

EAST INDIA QUESTION-OPIUM TRADE.

The following are extracts from the evidence taken on
the second and third days :

SAMUEL SWINTON, Esq. examined.

What is your occupation ?—I was In Indi.t for 33 years as a
civil servant. I was a commercial resident at several stations;
latterly I was at Alalwa as opium agent, employed by the govern.
mcnt.

Can you explain to the Committee the nature of the monopoly of
opium in the provinces of Behar and Benares ?—I could not es.
plain them; they were fully reported in the reports at the India
House • it requires a great deal of detail to do so; they arc fully
explained In the records at the India House.
The committee wish to know in what manner the cultivation of
opium is regulated; how the company acquire the opium, and in
what manner they make' their profit upon it?—The advances are
made to the riots, and those ryots deliver the opium in a pore state
to different gomasters, who forward it from time to time to the prix.
cipal station at Patna, when it remains some time stored, and is af.
terwards made up into cakes, and is then sent down to Calcutta.
No other persons than the officers of government are permitted to
purchase opium.
Is there a fixed price for the opium ?—Yes ; three rupees a sier.
It was formerly only two and a half. It was rated to three weds,
I think, in the year 1819 or 1890; but I cannot state the exact
period. It was raised because the 170 ts were not satisfied with the
price they then received, and to encourage cultivation.
Arc you aware whether the quantity sent has increased mud; of
late years ?—lt has certainly increased ; but I cannot state to what
extent.

What prier do die government obtain fur the opium for which
they pay three rupees a scar?—That is according to the demand. It
is sold at public sale, and sometimes it sells higher and sometimes
lower, according to the state of the market, or the demand in Cada&
Has the demand in China increased much of late yean P—Cartl
siderably.
Do you know what circumstances have led to that extrados 44
demand in China ?—I cannot state that ; it never came before

Has bre opium of Bahar and Banana maintained Its reputadon
of late yearn I—Certainly Dot.
To what circumstance do you attribute that I—To it. not being
brought in a pure state to the market, 1 believe.
Is that the fault of the Ryots, or the Government agent I.—lt