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seemed to depend upon the discovery of extensive oyster-beds, similar to those on the coast of Ceylon and the Persian Gulf.

A new gold mine has been discovered in the western part of Carolina, three miles above the place where the channel, in which the River Gatkin flows, becomes extremely nar

row.

The metallic deposit appears to be very abundant; and a company under the direction of European miners, is already established for working it on a larger scale. An experienced and able engineer has reported, that the mines of Carolina are the richest yet known in either hemisphere.

POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

CORN LAWs.

Abstract of Mr. Jacob's Report.

THE instructions given to Mr. Jacob were, that he should proceed through Poland and the maritime provinces of Prussia, examining what quantity of corn was annually exported from those countries by means of the Vistula; as also the state of agriculture and of the landed interests in general in the neighbouring districts; and to discover what influence the decline in the price of corn has had on the rates of labour in manufactures in those countries.

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Accordingly, he passed through the Netherlands and Prussia to Dantzic, and, travelling through Poland, returned home by Gallicia and Austria. Throughout all these countries he found the agricultural districts in very great distress, owing to the reduced price of corn, which has been gradually declining for some years. though not included in his journey, Mr. Jacob has taken a slight survey of the corn trade in Brunswick and Hamburgh; but his chief' instructions being directed towards the state of those countries from which corn might be exported into England, he has given a more particular view of the three maritime provinces of East and West Prussia and Pomerania.

Previous to the year 1807, the peasantry were attached to the soil, and received a portion of its produce in return for the services rendered to their lord in its cultivation; but in the succeeding four years, by a series of new laws, the peasants have mostly become small freeholders, dividing, with the original proprietors, the land they formerly cultivated for him: but this alteration does not yet appear to have been so serviceable in the encouragement of agriculture as might have been expected; probably because it requires a longer period of time to break through the indolent habits formed by those not accustomed to expect benefit from their labour. The country is entirely divided between the nobility and the peasants, there being very few indeed who can hire land and farm it to such advantage as to be enabled to pay rent to the proprietor. Owing to the expense of raising wheat, and the difficulty of finding a ready sale, the cultivation of rye, which is the grain used for home consumption, is greatly increasing. In East and West Prussia corn is more cultivated than in Pomerania, as, from the quantity of Merino sheep bred in. those districts, the proprietors are better supplied with manure. Potatoes are also much cultivated in those provinces for the sake of a spiritous liquor

that is distilled from them; after undergoing which process, they are found to be a nourishing food for cattle. The taxes are computed at about ten shillings a head, and fall with peculiar weight on the landholder, greatly contributing to the depression of agriculture, and keeping the person, whose farm is barely sufficient to supply the wants of his family, in extreme poverty. In order to ameliorate the distress experienced by the growers of corn, the assembly have petitioned the king to admit British goods, that our government might be induced to make some alteration in the Corn Laws. In reply, his Majesty expresses his hope, that, to improve the intercourse between the two nations, a change will take place in the English Corn Laws.

Upon the closest observations and inquiries that Mr. Jacob could make to discover the actual cost of wheat to the Prussian growers, he found that, in the year 1824, when the crops were good, and the corn was sold on the spot, the average price was three shillings a bushel, by which a loss of 20 per cent. was incurred; without making any allowance for rent, when that and the expenses of exportation are added, it could not have been delivered in London under 43s. per quarter.

The maritime provinces of Prussia have never been manufacturing districts. From an expectation that the low price of provisions would produce a corresponding low rate of labour, government has lately made some fruitless attempts to establish in them woollen and cotton manufactories. In ship-building, the wages have fallen to such an extent, that some English houses have contracted for building Prus

sian vessels, to be employed in distant voyages, though the effect of the low prices is felt rather in providing food for the crew, than in the cost of constructing the ships.

În Poland, the agricultural distress appears to be gradually decreasing. The wheat which is exported from this country is conveyed down the Vistula in large, rough-made barges, which are broken up and sold for the materials, on arriving at Dantzic. The corn is then deposited in large warehouses, in different divisions, according to its quality; and there are very commodious arrangements for lading ships. These warehouses are now scarcely half full, and, from the depression of the corn trade, the deposits are not expected to increase. In the warehouses along the banks of the river, the stock of corn is likewise very small, many of them remaining entirely empty.

The condition of the peasantry in Poland is superior to that of the same class in Prussia. By a law passed in 1791, they were declared free; though holding their land by duty service, in divisions of from 30 to 50 acres each, they are free to change their landlord whenever they think fit. They have not yet, however, derived any advantage from this freedom, having, in many cases, contracted such deep debts with the proprietors, as to be unable to leave his lands; and habit having rendered them unwilling to quit his service, as long as he is capable of maintaining them.

The stock of cattle in Poland is extremely small; on one of the best managed estates in the country there being only one cow or ox to 26 acres of land. It is a country extremely well adapted

for breeding sheep, but the landholders in general appear ignorant of the advantages to be derived from that species of husbandry.

Observations on the above.-The soil in many parts of these countries is richer than in our own; but the want of stock and capital to give full effect to their native fertility, removes all expectation of their speedily raising such supplies as might produce any considerable influence on our market. Before that period arrives, very great improvement in their domestic circumstances must take place, but this will be accompanied with an increased consumption of their own produce. If more will then be raised, more will be required, and the surplus alone will remain for exportation: this may be so considerable as to furnish large stores for other countries; but when the expences of inland carriage, warehousing, freight and other charges are added to it, the British market will probably be not much affected by it.

In the Prussian and Hanoverian states the soil is not equally productive as in Poland. Large tracts consist of deep, barren sands, unfit for cultivation. The ignorance which reigns amongst the tenants of the soil in all these countries must retard improvement, even if the capital requisite for it was already accumulated, which it is not. Our agriculturists have nothing to fear from this quarter. It is obvious these considerations do not apply to the Trans-Atlantic provinces. Not only the fertility of the soil, but the security both of person and property, the large capital,- the skill and energy with which it is employed, and the perseverance and enterprize which distinguish the inhabitants of those countries, render it highly probable that such

supplies may be poured in from them as may affect our own cultivators. It will exercise the wisdom of our government to anticipate and prevent any such consequences, by a tax, or such other method as shall appear best suited to the purpose.

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PARLIAMENT. -The proclamation for the dissolution of parliament appeared in the Gazette of June the 3d. In the following week the writs were issued for the election of a new one, which commenced immediately with all the bustle and activity commonly displayed on such occasion. An unusual number of contests may be considered as a peculiar feature of the present general election, which is just now at the most interesting period of its short existence. The opinion of the people which is usually shewn with more truth and freedom then than at any other time, is now pretty strongly expressed on the grand question of Catholic Emancipa

tion. The feeling which at present pervades the nation is decidedly against it, and many members of the late parliament will owe their exclusion from the new one, to their having voted in favour of the bill for that purpose. In times of such recent distress, any thing that may be supposed to effect the price of provisions, will be sure to undergo a severe scrutiny: many individuals will therefore be chosen or rejected, accordingly as they may be expected to give their voices in support of, or in opposition to, the existing corn laws. These two subjects are unquestionably the causes why so many new members are chosen for the ensuing Parliament; there being, though the election is not above half completed, a larger proportion of the new candidates already re

turned than we remember to have observed at any former period.

We have remarked with great satisfaction the spirit of cheerfulness and good humour that has been visible in by far the greater number of contests: some instances to the contrary we are, indeed, obliged to admit; but the rarity of these exceptions brings them more forcibly to our observation. In Preston and Carlisle, the magistrates have been obliged to call in the aid of the military. In the latter town the soldiers were directed to fire over the heads of the people, but some lives have been lost, owing, we understand, to the irregularity of the ground over which the mob retreated.

The University of Cambridge has been severely contested; and we are sorry to observe, that the friends of Protestant ascendency by too great a division of interests, have so weakened their cause, that the only candidate who is an advocate for the Catholics, has been returned. We have a right to expect from our Universities, a double degree of watchfulness against any encroachments which may tend to the subversion of our Church Establishment. By the University of Oxford, two of her most staunch and able supporters are returned, and we should have rejoiced to have seen both our Cambridge members in the same

anks. Mr. Goulburn would certainly have acted more for the advantage of his country had he accepted the invitation given him to represent the city of Dublin; and it must have been more honourable to himself to have been chosen as the representative of the capital of the sister kingdom than to have been refused even by the University of Cambridge.

MANFAUCTURING DISTRICTS.We are happy to notice symptoms of a revival in our manufactures. At Greenock and Paisley the masters are beginning to employ their workmen again; and some who had it in contemplation to dismiss their labourers, are retaining them. The great sums of money which the election brings into circulation will be another means of ameliorating the distressed condition of trade; and the open houses which are invariable attendants on exertions of this kind will prove a great temporary relief to some portion of the distressed and starving population.

RUSSIA. The Porte has acceded to the demands of the Russian government; and in proof of its sincerity, has given orders for the evacuation of Moldavia and Wallachia, and the release of the Servian deputies. The intelligence was received with great joy by the Emperor, who seems to adhere closely to the crooked policy of his grandmother. In consequence of the death of the Empress, mother to the Emperor Nicholas, the imperial coronation is postponed until August.

INDIA.-Despatches bearing the date of the 29th January, announce the fall of Bhurtpore, before the British army under Lord Combermere. No considerable loss was sustained by our troops, who behaved with their accustomed bravery. We are sorry to announce that the last advices report the recommencement of hostilities with the Burmese. Their government having refused to comply with the stipulations made in the treaty, Sir Archibald Campbell attacked the strong post of Melloun and carried it with trifling loss. A quantity of military stores and some treasure, have fallen into the hands of the victors.

UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD.
May 27.

The Prizes for the year 1826, have been awarded to the following gentlemen :— CHANCELLOR'S PRIZES.

Latin Verse." Montes Pyrenæi.”
F. H. Leighton, Demy of Mag. College.
English Essay.-"Is a rude or a refined
age most favourable to the production of
Works of Fiction?" G. Maberly, B. A. of
Balliol College.

SIR ROGER NEWDIGATE'S PRIZE.
English Verse.-"Trajan's Pillar.".
W. Walter Tireman, Commoner of Wad-
ham College.

DR. ELLERTON'S THEOLOGICAL PRIZE. "The operation of English Essay. human causes only will not sufficiently account for the propagation of Christianity." Rev. T. W. Carr, B. A. of Brasenose Coll.

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Besley, Rev. John, Fellow of Balliol Coll..
Caldecot, W. Marriot, Oriel College.
Clayton, Rev. Richard, University College.
Flood, Christopher Samuel, Wadham Coll.
Hewlett, Rev. Joseph, Worcester College.
Michell, Rev. Henry W. Robinson, Scholar
of Trinity College.

Stowell, Rev. Hugh, St. Edmund Hall.

BACHELORS OF ARTS.

Edmeades, W. Henry, Merton College.
Holdich, Thomas Peach, Balliol College.
Kay, Rich. Smith, Corpus Christi College,
Grand Compounder.

Kilvert, Robert, Oriel College.
Lushington, Charles, Student of Christ Ch.
Ness, Edward, St. Mary Hall.

Pitman, Thomas, Wadham College, Grand
Compounder.

Powys, Thomas Arthur, Fellow of St.
John's College.

Rawlins, Richard, Magdalen Hall.
Rees, Rice, Scholar of Jesus College.
Salmond, James, Oriel College.

Scobell, John Usticke, Balliol College,
Grand Compounder.

Shaw, Robert, Christ Church.

VOL. VIII. NO. VII.

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Stewart, Charles Desborough, Univer. Coll.
Thomson, James, University College.
Wickham, W. Provis Trelawney, Bal. Coll.
Williams, Isaac, Scholar of Trinity College.
Whitelock, Richard, Lord Crewe's Exhibi-
tioner of Lincoln College.

The Vice Chancellor has issued the following notices respecting the academical prizes:

Theological Prize, instituted June 2, 1825. -"What was the object of the Reformers in maintaining the following proposition, and by what arguments did they establish it?"

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Holy Scripture is the only sure foundation of any Article of Faith."

The above subject, for an English Essay, is proposed to the Members of the University on the following conditions, viz.

1. The candidate must have passed his examination for the degree of B. A. or B. C. L.

2. He must not, on the 5th of June, have exceeded his Twenty-eighth Term.

3. He must have commenced his sixteenth Term eight weeks previous to the day appointed for sending in his Essay to the Registrar of the University.

In every case the Terms are to be computed from the matriculation inclusively.

The Essays are to be sent under a sealed cover to the Registrar of the University, on or before the Wednesday in Easter week next ensuing.

Much advantage to the candidates being supposed likely to result from an earlier announcement of the subjects for the Chancellor's and Sir Roger Newdigate's Prizes; the following subjects are for the Chancellor's Prizes, for the ensuing year, viz. For Latin Verses.--" Mexicum." For an English Essay." The influence of the Crusades upon the Arts and Literature of Europe."

For a Latin Essay.-"Lex apud Romanos agraria."

The first of the above subjects is intended for those Gentlemen who have not exceeded four years from the time of their matriculation; and the other two for such as have exceeded four, and not completed seven years.

Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize-for the best composition in English Verse, not limited to fifty lines, by any Under-graduate who has not exceeded four years from the time of his matriculation.-" Pompeii."

In every case the time is computed by calendar and not academical years.

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