which was joined by many who were afraid of anarchy, and by many who thought a republican form of government ill-suited to a country where there were so many privileged classes, and so many titled and wealthy.

A commercial treaty, on the basis of mutual benefit, has been conIcluded between France and the United States.

Our domestic intelligence for this month is confined almost entirely to the state of Ireland and our parliamentary report. The famine in that ill-fated country, we lament to say, still continues, and is still met by the benevolent exertions of the people of England. The subscription has accumulated to the great amount of 200,000l. a most munificent national donation, and suitable in every way to the noble character of those from whom it emanated. While, however, we applaud as it deserves the generous conduct of the donors, we must now add, that which we were unwilling to do while charity was in the full career of its benevolent exertion, namely, that such donations, so extended to Ireland, appear to us to be nothing more than a bounty on the mis-government of the country. No one, who is at all acquainted with the state of its inhabitants, will venture to deny that, as things now go, they will be subjected inevitably to at least a triennial visitation of these calamities. It is dreadful to think, that even in the height and crisis of this misery, no one permanent measure has been adopted to check its future recurrence. The question is now almost come to this are there any statesman-like means to be devised for the useful employment of an unnaturally encreasing population, or are we to trust that Providence will come in aid of our Parliament, and diminish them periodically by famine or typhus fever?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has, since our last, unfolded the financial means of the country, in what is technically termed the budget. His speculations are extremely favourable, as to the chance of returning prosperity; and, indeed, he communicated one fact, which goes strongly to confirm his statement, namely, that the revenue for the July quarter, 1822, exceeded the re

venue for the corresponding quarter in 1821, by the sum of 622,000l. The claim of the East India Company also, which had been rated so high as five millions, was upon an arbitration reduced to 1,300,000l. and was in progress of arrangement, upon the basis of that estimate.

The Marriage Act Amendment Bill has passed into a law with all the retrospective clauses unimpaired_by qualification. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Stowell, Lord Redesdale, and several other noblemen have, however, entered protests on the journals, condemning the bill as likely to shake the security of property in particular

cases.

According to a return laid before Parliament, the total amount of Bank of England notes in circulation, on the 25th of June, was 16,481,450.; of which 13,964,350l. were in notes of 51. and upwards; 1,481,050. in Bank post bills; and 956,050l. in notes under 51.

In consequence of some observations made in the House of Commons by Mr. Abercrombie, relative to the trial of Mr. Stuart, and the affair of the notorious Beacon Newspaper, a correspondence took place between that gentleman and two Scotch Advocates, Mr. Menzies and Mr. Hope, which was construed by the House into a breach of privilege. The consequence was, that Mr. Hope and Mr. Menzies were brought by messengers of the House to the bar; having, however, expressed that they had no intention of offending against the rules of Parliament, they were suffered to depart with a reprimand. But for these prompt measures, it is more than probable that a duel must have ensued, as Mr. Abercrombie had set off for Edinburgh with a friend avowedly for the purpose.

An attempt was made by Mr. Hobhouse towards the repeal of the window tax in England, but the motion was negatived.

We are happy to state that a bill has passed the legislature, rendering cruelty to animals a crime and subject to punishment to a certain extent, discretional in the magistrates.

In our next, we expect to be able to announce the close of the session, at which it is said the King will appear in person, and immediately after proceed on his royal visit to Scotland.

THE condition of the proprietor and the cultivator of the soil has undergone no alteration for the better since our last report. If, indeed, it has suffered any change, such change is probably for the worse. Mr. Western, with a view to the amelioration of the landed interest, or rather perhaps to what he deems the justice of the case, has again brought the subject of the currency under the consideration of the legislature. "By Mr. Peel's Bill," he asserted," an immense proportion, nearly two-thirds, of that valuable class the cultivators of the soil had been rendered insolvent. The landholders," he said, "would soon be involved in the same ruin; they were now only beginning to suffer, and many estates at this moment did not pay 20 per cent. of their rent. Noblemen and gentlemen by the effect of this dreadful measure would be dragged down from their proud elevation, and would have to endure a confiscation of their property unexampled in this or in any other country." The remedy proposed by Mr. Western was an increased paper currency; it met, however, with no success, and but little support. To mitigated taxation, we must therefore look for relief, and a reduction, in fact, of sufficient extent to bring things to the condition of 1792.

We altogether doubt the policy upon which the late Corn Bill proceeds, except it be intended by Ministers, as we must presume it is, to slope and soften the gradual descent to the prices of the Continent. If we suppose that Ministers intend to consider the rate of importation they have fixed (seventy shillings) as the general price, or if we assume with Opposition that fifty-two shillings (the present cost of a quarter of wheat upon the Continent, with the importation duty) will be the level rate hereafter, the people of this country will then pay nearly double the price at which the inhabitants of the Continent are fed. We therefore doubt altogether the possibility of sustaining this high price, and keeping the capital and the arts of the country at home. At present, the tenant is unquestionably sinking his capital, a state of things which cannot long continue; while the landlord is abating his rents, and consequently contemplating a contraction of his expenditure which must in time affect the revenue. The most striking proof of these results, which are now only beVOL. VI.-Mon. Reg.

ginning to show themselves, is to be found in the defalcation of the assessed taxes to the amount of 136,0007., about one-twentieth part of the whole; and as the effect of such reductions in domestic establishments is only visible after the expiration of a year, and in the Midsummer quarter, we can not but anticipate a still greater deficiency in the years 1823 and 1824. Here then lies the difficulty-to reconcile a failing revenue with a necessity for a still further reduction of taxation.

The timely fall of rain, which happened immediately after we last wrote, may be said to have changed the face of the country; even the most thirsty soils have drunk these bounteous showers, and the vegetation is revived to a degree almost incredible. The barleys, which in the eastern districts particularly seemed to be dried up and perished, have shot out; and many a field which scarcely appeared to promise a return of the seed, now exhibits, all circumstances considered, a tolerably fair promise. The wheats are every where excellent, and will afford, to speak in the lowest possible terms, at least a good average crop. In Berkshire, and the midland counties, and even in the eastern extremity of the kingdom, wheat will have been cut and harvested some days before this meets the public eye; and if the weather continues as propitious as it is now, and has been, the crop will be got up a full month before the usual time. This is very important, inasmuch as it will add to the glut which the markets have exhibited, and are more likely than ever to exhibit for some time to come.

Sowing turnips has gone on, and is still proceeding very advantageously, although in some few instances they who were determined to be soon enough, at all events, have lost some of those which were very early in the ground, by the fly. We scarcely know a more convincing proof of tardiness and reluctance to improvements, which are but too justly attri buted to farmers in general, than is given in the cultivation of this most indispensable article of husbandry. It has been shown most clearly, theoretically, and practically, at the Holkham meetings for some years past, that the ridge system of planting not only raises the most abundant crops, but protects the nascent leaves the most effectually from the fly, by pushing on the growth in so rapid a manner as scarcely to

b

ceived from Liverpool and Glasgow. A public sale was attempted; for 173 bags fair quality Berbice, no offers whatever were made; 20 bags Pernambuco (duty paid) were taken in at 11d.; 31 Orleans at 83 d. and 8d.

Sugar. There has been considerable bustle in the sugar market; at the close of last month, the demand was brisk and extensive, and prices improved 2s. per cwt. partly from an expectation that some change on the duty would take place, and an additional bounty be given on refined sugar exported. This expectation, however, was completely disappointed, when a communication from the Government was received to this effect: "The state of the revenue would not allow of any reduction of the duty on importation, and as to an additional bounty on refined exported, the House of Commons had evinced a decided determination against bounties of every description; and under these circumstances no alteration whatever would take place." Though this communication of course made an unfavourable impression, it seems not to have had the effect upon the market that was anticipated from it: for in the succeeding week the purchases were nearly 5,000 hogsheads, and the prices rather higher than otherwise.

The value of refined sugars exported to the 1st of July this year was 775,000.

There was a plentiful supply of new Sugars on show this morning, and a great proportion of good quality; the consequence has been a full attendance of buyers, and contrary to the general expectation there have been rather extensive purchases, and at prices a shade higher; the Refiners have appeared at market, and have to-day purchased rather freely. The estimated sales to-day, 1200 hhds. The public sale of Barbadoes this forenoon, 124hhds 14 tierces, sold with some briskness at higher prices than last week, nearly recovering the depression we have noticed. The supply of refined goods is very limited, and it is believed the quantity for some weeks to come will be quite inconsiderable; the demand is however on a very confined scale.

Import Duty on West India Produce. The West-India Committee have again applied to government respecting the im

port duties; no alteration will take place in Muscovades, but the Planters will be allowed to clay sugars in the West-Indics, and the import duty on Molasses will be reduced from 10s. to 1s. per cwt.

Average prices of raw Sugars from Ga

zette.

June 29...

July 6.. 13........ 20.....

29s. Old.

.28s. 5d.

..30s. 8d.

.31s. ld.

Coffee. The market has been improving during the whole of this month, and the prices have in general risen considerably. The following is the report of the market for the week ending the 23d instant.

The demand during the last week was brisk and very extensive; 1537 casks, and 836 bags, were brought forward, and notwithstanding the sales being continued till an unusually late hour. yet the biddings were animated, and higher prices were ge nerally obtained at the close of the sales than at the commencement; the market was rather higher. There were three public sales again brought forward this forenoon, 416 casks and 844 bags, consisting of Demerara and Berbice, Jamaica, St. Domingo, and Brazil descriptions; the whole sold with briskness, the fine at the previous prices, the ordinary, good, and fine ordinary at higher rates; 158 bags St. Domingo, fine ordinary coloury 107s. 6d. and 108s.; good ordinary 104s. 6d.; good ordinary Brazil 103s. 6d. ; fine ordinary Jamaica realised 118s. Cd.; good middling 136s. a 140s. Generally the Coffee market may be stated 28. higher than on Tuesday last; and notwithstanding the large sales brought forward, the de. mand continues brisk and extensive.

Tea. The differences with China being adjusted, the market has receded to the prices at the late India sale.

Oils. There are no certain accounts of the fishery, but prices have rather declined. A Greenland whaler, that arrived at Hamburgh on the 20th June, brought very favourable accounts.

Indigo bears a small premium on the prices of the late sale. Considerable parcels of Spanish, lately arrived, sell at high prices.

Duty.....

3s. 6d.

Germany. The conferences of the deputies of the southern States of Germany, assembled at Darmstadt, for the purpose of agreeing on an uniform commercial system, having been protracted far beyond expectation; some of these States have judged it necessary to adopt measures to protect their subjects in the meantime. The recommendation of the States of Baden has been immediately attended to by the Government, which has prohibited French wines, &c. Similar measures have been adopted by the Kings of Bavaria and Wurtemberg, and likewise by some of the Swiss Cantons. These measures, which it is to be observed, are directly aimed at France by way of retaliation for the severe enactments of its prohibitory code, are understood to be temporary, till the negociations at Darmstadt shall have led to the adoption of an uniform system. Meantime, the French Government does not at all scem disposed to concede any thing in favour of its neighbours, yet in the debates in the Chamber of Deputies, many members have not only affected to be surprised at the reprisals now used against the French commerce, but have even taxed the German States with ingratitude to France, which has done so much to secure their independence; an assertion which has excited no small surprise in Germany, which well remembers what kind of independence it was that it lost by the overthrow of the French tyranny.

The Rhenish West India Company having had every reason to be satisfied with the success of its first consignments to Hayti, has now equipped a vessel for Mexico, with every prospect of a similar result. While we are far from thinking that the competition of the German manufacturers can be any injury to those of England, we would earnestly recommend to our merchants to act, at least to a certain extent, with the prudence that has been shown by the Germans. They, who have no thousands, and tens of thousands to risk on hazardous speculations, have taken care to assort their cargoes with the most scrupulous regard to the wants of the country to which they are consigned, and to act upon the information of persons fully qualified by their experience and local knowledge to give proper advice. We shall certainly not find them sending chests of scates to the torrid zone, or ship loads of luxuries, or costly finery to countries which have been desolated by a long and sanguinary intestine warfare, or where threefourths of the inhabitants are slaves, or half naked savages.

Riga, 3d July.--Flar has been more in demand this week, and the prices are more steady. Thiesenhausen and Druiania Rackitzer are held at 40 r. and Risten Three

band at 27.; cut Badstub at 36 r. has more buyers than sellers.- Hemp, the demand is much slacker, and the prices may be quoted as follows: Ukraine clean, 100 to 99 r.; Polish ditto, 102 to 101 r.; Ukraine Outshot, 90 r.; Polish ditto, 92 r. Ukraine Pass, 80 r.; Polish ditto, 82. Torse, 49 to 48 r.-Hemp Oil, first quality may be had at 90 r. per ship lb.Potashes, Polish Crown have been bought at 114 r.-Tallow. Yellow candle, crown, has been sold at 110 r. the nominal price of white, of which our stock is small, is 115 r.

Gothenburg, 3d July. Since the middle of May, about 70,000 ship pounds of iron have been exported, while our importation from Wermeland and some ports in the Baltic has been only 54,000 ship pounds; so that, with a few exceptions, the price has remained at 17 rix dollars; as the demand is at this moment slack, a small decline in the price is probable, but only for a short time, because many orders are still unexecuted, and others expected, and the arrear of the regular supply is only 30 to 40,000 ship pounds.

Hamburg, 13th July.-Cotton remains without request, and some sorts might perhaps be had on lower terms.-Coffee is still much in demand, and the high prices of last week are fully supported.-Dye Woods, &c. The greater part of the logwood lately arrived has already been sold at reduced prices. There has been a brisk demand for indigo this week, and a parcel which has arrived direct, speedily found purchasers, being of remarkably fine quality; in general, this article is held at higher prices. We have received some cochineal direct, but the price is not yet fixed.→→→ Corn. The change of weather which has lately taken place just in time for the harvest has rather abated the demand, and prices have given way, except of rape seed, which is readily purchased at 80 to 81 rix dollars.-Spices. The sale of pepper is rather limited, yet the prices are firmer.Rice. Old rice in particular is much sought, but the prices of all kinds are very firm.— Tobacco. Except yellow Maryland, which becomes more and more scarce, our market is well supplied with all descriptions of this article.-Tea. The Ann and Hope has brought a cargo from Canton direct. -Sugars. The sale of Hamburg refined is very limited, but the prices, as well as of treacle are unchanged. Strong middling lumps have been sold at 8d., but inferior qualities will not fetch above 8d. In raw sugars so little is doing, that the prices cannot be stated, and are, in fact, nominal. Hitherto the importation is estimated at only twenty-six millions of pounds; whereas last year, at this time, it amounted to sixtythree million pounds.