The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-04-10 00:00:00

Voi)-1. AND WOOLLEN TRADE.

•-•• --OTHERTIMES ; OR, THE MONKS OF LEAD•
ENHAL6.

Another historical Romance, from the pen of the author
of the bollards, has just appeared under the above title.
When we mentioned the former work, we did so because
it possessed character and interest quite distinct from the
attribute.; of a mere novel. We have the same explana-
tion now to offer our readers. Ocher Times"
is a work not calcuiated alone to satisfy the mental
appetite of enthusiastic feeling or romantic ardonr. It
will instruct the reading man, by leaving upon his me-
mory the most vivid impressions of the manners, customs
and hi toriral facts belonging to the period of which it
treats (the reign of Henry the loth ); and it will teach wis-
dom awl philosophy to thence, by discovering the cnr.
rents and the quicksands of huma, passion in conjunction
with their b. st suit safest pilo.s. One leading ohjert of
the hook, is to exhibit the abominable depravity, of the
monaroit: establishment of the age. And the anthor has
so well succeeded in exciting a sensation of repugnance,
and disgust at their crimes and hypocrisy, that, how-
ever, the reader may doubt. the motives of Henry, his
work of suppression must he hailed as a blessing, and
a deliverance. The following extract will show the
skill, with which the author carries us into the midst of
the characters who then occupied the scene of life.
Our only complaint against him is, that he has dropped
the certain too soon :
." It was his wish to avoid all public spectacles. But one
day, being at Mile End, where a grand display of archery
was to take place, and not having Mariana with him, he
was induced to pause for a short time, to witness an exhi-
bition which the king himself did not think it beneath him to

attend.
" Edmund bed accompanied Ferdinand on this occasion.
He failed not to apprize him of the I regulations
which had been made to guard against any interruption of
the sports by the inconvenient pressure of the crowd. He
especial.), cautioned him against standing too forward when
the word • Fast" should be given, as after that bad been
called aloud, no penal consequences would attach to wound-
ing the spectator who neglected to withdraw, even though
death shonid ensue. This was the will of the king, who
considered the fires of a few subjects had better be sacri-
ficed than that the science of archery should be discouraged,
by suffering those who practised it to be intruded upon with
Impunity.
" A chair. elevated on a smell platform and covered with
crimson satiu, had been placed for the King, of which his
Maims.), now took possession. He wore, placed a little
aslant, a black velvet bonnet circled with a silver band, and
surmounted by a small plume of feathers. A blue cloak
bordered with flowers worked in gold, and ornamented with
a large cape of spotted fur, concealed the remainder of his
de's. Henry's eyes glistened with mirth while he gave
command that the sports should begin, and ordered the yeo-
men in his train to assist the archers who were clearing the
ground.
" While this work was in progress. a person with a very
consequential air. but attired in a soiled leathern doublet,
made his appearance. He were a bonnet of coarse cloth,
ornamented with a gilded button. The lower part of his
dress was of cloth. Including his stockings, or the substitutes
for stockings, which were appendages to what a polite writer
must name loczpressibles.
" As this individual bustled by, calling out in an authori-
tative tone for those to retire who ' had no humour to taste
the point of an arrow,' Ferdinand, surprised at the con-
trast between the humility of his dress and the loftiness of
Nis deportment, desired to know the rank of so singular a
ch never.
" ' lie Is called a Duke,' Edmund replied. ' You are sur-
prised to find that his exterior so little accords with that of
a Spanish Duke.'
" • Making all allowances for the varying customs of dif-
ferent nations, I confess myself amazed.'
" • Anil justly, but ! must explain ; this fellow is not of
our nobility, but a mere citizen, a bowyer bytrade. Ile, on
former occasion, so distinguished himself in the exercise
of archery, that the King being present, and In merry mood,
for the shooting was in honour of his third marriage, and
within a week of tbe beheading of Queen Ann. he, I say,
being then exhilarated, did dub this same fellow Doke of
Shoreditek.'
" ' A singular promotion.'
" A jocular burlesquie on one; but the man, his name is
Barlow. took It seriously, and holds himself, from this cir-
cumstance, a personage of no small importance, and as
hear, his shop in Shoreditch (which, bring in the fields, is
but a thinly peopled parish) is fast falling to decay.'
" His greatness then, as in other cases it often chances,
is like to be his ruin.'
" ' Even so, but this mockery has called forth others who
would fain be regarded as of the same class of nobles. The
Marquess of Clerkenwell, with the Earls of Hortonand (orof
Hogsden, as it is commonly named), of Pancras
Shacklewell, will be here anon.'
•• While he was yet speaking, several of these gentry
made their appearance. They passed to the stood, their
horns sounded, end every thing announced that the spurts
were forthwith to commeoce.
" • Would you see our real nobility,' said Edmund,' look
on those who
oatand on eilhor hand of the King. That el-
derly peer, whom his Majesty now speaks, and who is
pointing to Bar:ow, is the Duke of Norfolk. Near him, on
the right in the brown velvet cloak, stands his son the Earl
of Surrey.'
•• Ferdinand looked on these, and suddenly started, while
with breathless agitation he inquired, ' And who—who
stands next to that young nobleman?'
" ' Off the right?
" ' No, on the left, a little in advan.e. He who is attired
la black, with a long white beard.'
•• 'That is my excellent friend. Lord Erpingham.'
" Indeed !' exclaimed Ferdinand, shrinking as it were
within himself while he 'spoke, and looking stedfastly on
Edmund.'
" The latter was struck with the manner of Ferdinand.
" 6 What noun you thus?' he demanded. •
" i—l—l did not expect to see him here.'
6" Doubtless you have heard that he is little wont to fre-
quent public spectacles ; but in scenes like these he takes
mach interest, for he apprehends (the fear seems to me a
rain one). that if archery be not especially protected. the
use of the musket will, in time, cause the bow and arrow to
fall wholly into disuse.'
" ' Is it even so I' Ferdinand unuttered in a tone which left
it doubtful whether he intended to address soother or was
talking to himself. Edmund hesitated for a moment, but
assuming that the question had been put to him, he pro
ceeded.
•" 1, for my own part, though extravagance can rarely
be imputed to Lord Erpingham, hold his dread in this in-
stance to be wholly chimerical. The rage for musketry
will, I doubt not, prove but a fashion, and to my thinking,
its day has nlready nearly passed away.'
" Fast,' roared a voice of stentorian power.
" The well known sound was repeated by hundreds of
tongues on every s;ile. and a general movement backward
I,ok place, accompanied by some little contention. Those
who had occupied the forbidden spot were anxious that their
neighbours who had not come too forward, should give way,
so that they, without breaking the line to be kept for the
archers, might still be in front. This was net readily ac-
quiesced In by the persons who were already at the most ad-
vanced point. They were disposed to let the others pass
behind them, but would sot consent to retreat themselves.—
Edmund stepped back as it were Instinctively. and expected
Ferdinand would do the same ; but he, wholly unmindful of
what he had been told, remained where be had previously
stood. Edmund called to him, but in the confusion which
uncover him, instead of retiring, Ferdinand went several
paces forward. The clamour of the multitude warned him
of his danger, but too late; for the first arrow iook its Sight
at the moment he stepped from the side, and was already
find in his shoulder.
"Great dirorder followed. The shooting was suspended,
and the spectators again occupied that ground front which
tory had so lately been excluded. The Earl of Surrey and
Lord Erpingham hastened to the wounded man. Ferdinand
thanked the former for his attention; but when Lord Er-
pingham told him that assistance should be forthwittu enedh wo-
nted, be matched the arrow from his flesh, mid
away abruptly.",

A respectable meeting of Merchants and others con-
cerned in the Wool and Woollen 1 rade, was yesterday
held at the king's Head Tavern, in the Poultry, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of
presenting a petition to Parliament, praying a repeal of
the Tax on Foreign Wool; and to adopt such measures
as should appear most advisable to enable the British
manufacturer to meet the competition of foreigners.
The Chair was taken by Mr. MAITLAND. at I o'cloek.
He said that it was necessary fur him to state the object
of the Meeting, as lie had no doubt it was already per-
fectly well understood by all the Gentlemen present. Cer-
tain Resolutions, stating their opinions, hod beendrawo
up, and would be proposed to the Meeting for its adoption
which, if they should meet with its approbation, be
would contribute every exertion to have carried into effect.
(See Advertisement for Resolutions.)
On the first Resolution being proposed by Mr. Suer
lIERD.
Mr. HCOBRS slid, that before the Resolution passed,
he would take the liberty of suggesting that it would be
better to substitute in the petition the average per
centage of duty on Wool, instead of " a duty of tid per
lb." because this would enable Parliament to see how
heavy a ditty was really imposed on the Woollen
Trade. He Nought it was quite practicable to make
out a scale which would at once show them the average
per ceutage.
Mr. Bisctiore said, be did not think it prudent to in-i
sert any thing in the petition which would deviate
from the letter of the law, which stated the duty in
no other way than " Gd. per lb."—besides, iu his opi
nion, it mould be impossible to make out rin average
per centage.
Many Gentlemen concurred in opinion with Mr.Bischoff
upon the impracticability of making out any satisfactory
average per tentage.
Mr. JACOB said that he feared the Government were
too much in want of money to give up this duty. There
would be snore chance of compliance if they asked for a
drawback on wool exported, because it would be more to
the interest of Government to accede to this demand. The
great bulk of cloth exported was below 10s. a yard, all of
which was manufactured from English wool. If a draw-
back were allowed on this description of cloth, it would
tend to conciliate the agricultural interest, who were
likely to oppose any reduction of the duty on foreign
wool. He thought it useless to ask for that which
would certainly be refused, while they neglected to look
for that which it would be the interest of all parties to
grant.
Mr. LOVEGROVE rib` that it was clear that the duty on
foreign wool now made a component part of its price,
and it was, no doubt, most desirable to have it reduced;
but as it was nut likely. Government would reduce the
whole duty, he thought it would be wise to give them an
opportunity of Disking some reduction, by framing the
petition so as to give them the option. be effects of
this duty were severely felt by the trade. Before it was
imposed, WOOD bags of wool were imported. and now
they had fallen to 60,000 ; but he was perzuaded if the
duty were taken off, they would again have as large an
importation as ever. Though he agreed that the more
complete their ease was the better, still lie must confess he
was an enemy to any drawback, because he conceived it
would be a bounty on foreign consumption.
Mr. SAVEKING said, that while the woollen-manufac-
tures of Prussia and the Netherlands were in a thriving
condition, ours was falling off considerably in conse-
quence of the duty on Foreign Wool. The Netherlands
bad now almost the exclusive trade of Turkey, which,
at the present moment, was particularly brisk, it being
impossible that we who paid a duty could compete with
them who paid none.
Mr. LovEGNOVI said that the English were decidedly su-
perior to any other nation in machinery, Industry, sad the
command of @spite, and he had no doubt they would beat
any country out of the market, if they were placed on equal
terms.- We ones had all the American trade, but now the
Netherlands export to America to the amount of two mil-
lions. It was not now his intention to make any obj-ction
to the Warehousing Bill, but as it was determined by the
Legislature to pass that measure, and allow foreign cloths
to be warehoused in this country, he only asked t
hath the
British maaufacturers might be allowed to start oequal
terms with the foreign manufacturer, and he had no appro. I
hensions of the result, because he was satisfied the foreign
manufacturer could not make so good an article from the
highest to the lowest as the British manufacturer.
Mr. HCCUILI said, that he had examined some foreign I,
patterns that morning, which would be sold 20 per cent.
lower than it could be possible to manufacture them in
this country.
Mr. Lovaottove then asked, how was it that we bad
three quarters of the Am:rican trade, which was open to
all countries.
To a question put to Mr. Hughes, what might be the
average per tentage of duty on Foreign Wool, be replied
that it was between 15 and 20 per cent.
Mr. MiLARKS said, that from what be knew of the mode
of conducting business in the House of Commons, it
would he dangerous to open the door to calculation, and
unless they were prepared to prove every statement in
the petition, cold water might, by leaving anything to ca-1
vil at, be thrown upon a part, and perhaps upon the
whole of the petition.
Mr. LO'IEOROVE said, that it was upon that principle he
would propose an amendment, calling upon the House of
Commons to allow Counsel and witnesses to appear at their I
bar in support of the statements in the petition. This he
thought would he the most prudent course, and would fully
attain all the objects of the Meeting.
Mr. MEARES seconded the amendment.
Mr. LEAH,/ expressed his spprosal of this course.
Mr. BiSCUOIP thought they had only one straight-for-
ward course to take, and that was to demand a repeal of
the duty on the raw material. When first the duty on
Foreign Wool was imposed, it knocked down the import
trade three millions—it being, the year before the tax,
9,1147,96(1/., and the year after, 6,890,0941.; and now, when
it was beginning to revive, Parliament wore going to give
,it another knock, by the Warehousing Bill. If the Legisla-
ture will not give the British manufacturer some other ad-
vantage, it ought at least to allow the raw material to come
Waxed. Ile did now oppose the Warehousing Bill, but he
called for that which every British merchant had a right to
-"--namely, to be placed on equal terms with the fo-

reigner.
On the amendment being put,
Mr. BISCHOPP again rose, and said that he had no objec-
tion to a Committee, t ecause he was satisfied the production
of evidence *cub' only advance their cause; but it should
be considered that such a proceeding would be attended with
considerable expense; besides that, it would be necessary
to have some trading intelligent gentlemen, who would be
disposed to take an active part in if.
hir.lmaix said, that there were active and intelligent men
enough. and money enough among the Woollen Manufactitr-
ers of England, to carry into effect any measure which would
tend to promote their interests.
The amendment was then put and carried, the word Coun-
sel being omitted, on the suggestion that Counsel may or
may not he employed. as circumstances might require.
The other resolutions were then put, and unanimously
carried. The petition formed on the resolutions was then
agreed td.--(Fo? which see ildvertisemeut.)—Tlianks be-
ing returned to the Chairman, the Meeting dissolved.

-------
LAM:MOURN WARD.—The poll for an Alderman of this
Ward was continued yesterday, and upon its close the
numbers were found to be—For Mr. Key, 131 ; for Sir F.
Deranges, 89. The election will be concluded this day.
"Un Saturday evening the new Moon will be between
Penns and Saturn in the west ; on Sunday in conjunction
with the Pleiades. On the"morning of the 23d instant,
Mercury will be in conjunction with Mars ; on the avec-
ing of '1 uesday nth, ;Tom will appear about one degree
mud a half aurth of Jupiter.