The Columbian fountain., 1846-11-12
THE FOREIGN NEWS.

After carefully looking over our files by the
Steamer, we have come TO the conclusion that
the subject OF the greatest interest to this coun-
try, is the threatened scarcity Of food, not only
| in Great Britain but on the continent. The
| foreign journals il is true, devote much atten-
tion 10 the late alliance between French prince
and Spanish prince. On the union Of these
young people in marriage, the prospects Of
| two great nations are contingent, and the poll.
cy Of other countries turns. How fortunate
for us that we have institutions, laws, and a
position not to be affected by the personal con-
nections OF any man or woman. A republic
like ours, is like apyramid whose base rests
firmly on the people; the ruler, though at the
summit, is but a single stone Of the structure,
easily moved and easily placed there. A mon
archy is pyramid reversed. 1t rests on
single point--the Sovereign; and he is compel
led 10 seek almost constantly for support IN
every direction, lest he may be crushed by the
weight or the pile topple over and fall upon
him! Z. ..ut saagaI -.s.a9i sFss.ss s.S. ..aa
This is one of the reasons why royal allan
ces have been sought by men even as pow
erful as Napoleon and Louis Philippe; and we
therefore perceive that question whichto US
is one Of entire difference, is very differently
treated in the foreign journals. n. slt
But the marriages Of Princes cannot render
a starving people contented, and there is no
longer any doubt that partial famine exists
in Scotland, Ireland, and in some parts OF
France. The loss of the Potato crop has had
direct influence in creating the present desti-
| tuition in Ireland. To. want Of food are sue
ceeding the various malignant diseases which
follow in the train Of famine; and the alarm is
so great that the Government is obliged to pro-
vide large quantities of food at the cost of the
/ Treasury TO be distributed among the starving
peasantry N It is probable that The next stea-
mer wilibring us the news thatthe ports have
| been opened to every species ofprovisions; and
we find the English press exulting, as wellitmay
| at the4act that the United States has large
surplus of product on hand, sufficient for the
| emergency. .r.rs.r.l sf5r1 .ry a
And it is exceedingly fortunate for this coun-
try, just now, that we have,-for,-as con-
| sequence Of the increasing demand for our
agricultural staples, we shall haye,-a large
supply Of coin from abroad, Cor at least such
| is the opinion Of those capable Of Judging at
| the precise moment when the operation Of our
army in Mexico have created a necessity for
| its use, and compelled our Government to send
| it there. a1At' "" j~i @r. .E as ata 9f
A sing ular speculation is put forth by the
Times in relation to the effect Of the potato on
the Irish character The ease with which the
Irish peasant has been enabled to raise his
cheap and unsubsantial food has nurtured
that want energy, neutrallsed habits OF con-
tinous industry, and these constitute the de-
lects and the bane Of the national character"
II may no doubt be said with truth, that
where food is very easily raised, there will be
consequent deficiency in industry. We find
this wonderfully exemplifed in some parts OF
the West Indies; we see it in Mexico, and in the
Oceanic Islands. If the Irish people in To-
sing the pototo, should be able to arrive at the
! successful cultivation of greater variety Of
| food their condition, moral and political
would be greatly improved.
With regard to the quantity OF wheat which
will be wanted in Great Britain, under present
| circumstances, it is impossible tojudge with
accuracy. Various Economical writers have
published estimates as to the consumption
but there is wide difference between them.
Some consider the amount consumed by each
individual in Great Britain is, on the average,
| six bushels per annum; others think It eight
| bushels. On recurring TO tables showing the
amount Of foreign grain imported into England
for many years past, 1t would appear that the
average quantity OF -four consumed by each
person in Great Britain duringa year, is from
three pints to pint and a fifth this last
being equivalent to fifteen ounces Of fine -four.
There have been many cases of deficient
harvess, great rise in the price of wheat
but the potato disease is new and singular
feature in the scarcity now come upon Great
Britain and our tables will not therefore, help
us to form true judgment as TO the amount
of wheat which will be required 10 sustain
her population until another harvest. AS the
price of wheat has risen all over the continent
we may safely calculcae on the English sup
plies being chiefly drawn from the United
States.
1t is asserted in the London Corn Market,
that all the foreign grain in bond in England,
would not furnish the national supply for
single day, for man or beast; and that not only
there, but on the continent, American wheat
4 will be in demand
We hope our produce and flour dealers
will not delay shipments for moment. There
4 is margin for large profit and it should be
| embraced. We learn that several hundred
sail ofIvessels are loading in the Black Sea for
the British parts; and as prices rule here, at
present, there is no doubt that an attempt
will be made 10 import from that quarter into
England. We hope our spectators win take
care TO realize something Of the present adj
L HE T,lan IL,