The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-06-12 00:00:00

ECONO,
MY IN DRESS.—CHARLES and CO
TAILORS and BREECHES MAKERS. No. ISI
FLEET-STREET. two doors west of Fetter-lase, respect-
folly Inform Noblemen and Gentles's. they cut have a
Fashionable tut and well-made Coat, of the best saperflae
Cloth, made to measure. from 21. his. ad. to 31.31. Blue or
Black Ditto. 2/. lbs. to 31. lb. Bd. Surtout Coat 2/. 10s.—
Ditto. Silk Facings and Velvet Collar, 31. Is. to N. Mt.-.
ilersayinere or Cloth Trowsers, 211. to Ws. Suit of Livery,
complete, 41. 4s. to 41. lee. Box, Chaise, and Fashionable
Driving Coats; Visiting end Travelling Cloaks, Shooting
Jackets. Youg Gentlemen's Snits sad Children's Drumm,
elegantly made.
C. and Co. conducting their bosieess on ready matey
principles, are enabled to offer these articles at tin above low
prices. Quality and workmanship not to be excelled by any
home at the west end ; each article being made ander their
immediate lospectioo.
Gentlemen waited upon at their own hoes's, by direct-
ing letters, post-paid. Observe the number is ISt. Fleet-
street.

BARILLA.

-ow-
MINISTIIRIAL TAX-SHIFTING.

A measure is at this moment in contemplation with
his Majesty's Ministers to double the duty on this arti
cie. The injustiee and mischievous policy of such a step
will be manifest when it is known that this duty was on-
ly last year lowered from eler.en pseuds sterling, per ton,
toffee Guineas. This redaction came into operation on
the sth Jan. last. Large speculations have been entered
into by oar Commercial capitalists, so that, should this
five months' abortion be really effectuated, it will have
been a Parliamentary Decoy to allure so many of our
most enterprising and respectable Merchants to their
utter ruin. The original repeal of so much of the duty
last Session, received the sanction of law. and went forth
to the world with the solemn pledge of King, Lords, and
Commons, to its consummation and permanency. In,
what a disastrous state of law end legishition most we
not be if this' Tria juncia in Imo' should betake itself to
the amusing occupation of undoing in this Session what
it took infinite pains to do in the last ? Truly, my Mae.'
tens, this may be very good sport to you, but it is death
to us.' No wonder the Honourable titian should be im-
patient at the tardy pare of the late Irish Inquiry, when
ii bad such pleasant pastime in reserve. The dire effects
of a return to high dailies will not be confined to the
holders and importers of this useful commodity—they
will be extensively and acutely. felt in every hamlet in the
Kingdom Barilla is a main ingredient in the manufac-
ture of soap, and the universal consumer of that article
has experienced the benefit of the reduction of duty al-
luded to, in the fall in the price of soap. Ttris short-lived
benefit, therefore, is to be snatched from the whole na-
tion by the projected measure.
It is necessary. now to state the ground upon which the
proposed alteration is founded. This is no less than an
application from the kelp-growers of the West Coast of
Scotland, complaining of their inability to compete
with the Barilla Merchant, and the consequent injury
done to their trade by the remission of host year. The
kelp-erower is undoubtedly entitled to much considera-
tion, not on his own account,for he is generally the fortu-
nate proprietor of a rich estate on -the Western shores of
Scotland ; but, because in the natural promotion of his
trade he gives employment to a considerable number of
hands who have not elsewhere to seek a livelihood.
Tbis, however, does not alter the question ; for if
this argument be good now, it was pool last year,
and should have served the parties in time of need,
when the alleged injury was committed. We cannot
altogether give in to the notion, however, that the evil
cousplained of by the kelp-growers, proceeds from the
state of the Barilla duties. We are rather disposed to
attribute their falling off 'to the reduction of the Salt
Duty, and sorely neither they, nor our vacillating.kgis-
!slots will seriously think of • terming back upon :kern-
:ekes' in that matter. Our reasoa for thinking the
kelp trade is net injured by Barilla, is; first, that its
use in manufactures is chiefly confined to the northern
part of the Country, and seldom reaches London, where
Barilla is almost exclusively consumed ; and, second,
becanse :lie price of kelp has net fallen since the reduc-
tion of the Marina linty. But. whichever way this is,
the bare contemplation of the psuposed re-iltera'ion is
equally mischievous and culpable. By such measure.,
and principles of Bovernmenr, the whole body of the
commercial interest of the Empire must be disjointed anti
destroyed. No legislatow, bat such a one as Jove sent
in imperial anger mid mockery to the frogs, can
think of duping its subjects to their rein by such
" idle and disorderly courses?' If a number of
half-starving kelp-pickers have been thrown oat of
employment by the blonder of the legislature, it is bound
to repair the evil, but it is equally bound nut to do so by
immolating fresh aictitus to its brolun faith and bad