that art and finesse is the darling sin of Frenchmen-and French Statesmen. forgery in one direction beyond their powers, will not fail to forge in another direction-the trade in such fabrications having been reduced to a system, on the principle of division of labour. Spain has been thrown into mourning by an event too nearly resembling that by which the British Nation was deeply afflicted, in the loss of the princess Charlotte. The young Queen, from whom an heir was auxiously expected, died with her offspring, not advanced to maturity, at what may be called a moment's notice. It is true, that apoplexy may strike any one, at any time; but so many premature accouchemens as we have heard of, must have some cause, not founded in nature; Here we ought to congratulate on Country that the National Revenues have not only suffered no falling off, but have increased, in a regular aud progressive ratio. We had much rather that they should rise steadily and keep rising, than rise suddenly, to sink again. The whole bonus for the years 1818 is considerable. Official Statement.-Abstract of the New-but, we fear-in fashion. Produce of the Revenue of Great Britain for the Quarters ending 5th of Jan. 1818 and 1819, respectively, exclusive of arrear of War Duties: £18.271,764 13,398,761 Government will by no means sanction the Petition that prays for an alteration in the Coru Laws: we believe this will not prove totally unexpected by the favoures of that application. Those most intimately concerned, may recollect the information they haved received to that effect, from our humble opinion. Since our last, the French Ministry has been entirely changed; but no change that we perceive has taken place in the Councils of that kingdom, by which its neighbours may be affected. The Public Funds had declined, to the great detriment of many individuals; nor less, if we rightly conjecture, of the Public Credit, notwith standing the endeavours of the then Mimister to support them. That personage thought that a portion of the National income might properly be employed for this purpose. It may be generally safe; but some of it will be recovered with great difficulty. Another part of our work has hinted at the effects of the depreciation of the Freuch funds on indiscreet individuals among ourselves: sorry we are to say, that the same venturesome spirit is again at work: too much English money has gone over to France; and too much is still going over. However, the French funds rise gradually, and from their steady rise, the sanguine augur the best results. We might, possibly, agree with them; did we not know A decease more analogous to the usual course of nature, is that of the former Queen of Spain * of whom we have had occasion to speak somewhat harshly in a time past. Much of the late (we might say, of the present) embarassments of Spain have been attributed to her impendence; if justice allows us to employ in speaking of the dead, a term for which we mght have substituted one more severe, in speaking of the living. As to the Political affairs of Spain, we leave the task of explaining them to those who understand them. They are too perplexed and too perplexing, to come within the limits of our humble apprehension. Her contention with her Colonies engage all observers; but those who are not willing to be deceived, can discern but one probable issue to these miseries. It is well known, so far as concerns ourselves, that we mingle much pity with our censures. From the Continent we hear little, and * Maria Theresa, of Parma, Queen of Charles IV. of Spain and mother of Ferdinand VII, who died at Rome on the 4th of this month, was born at Parma, ou the 9th of December, 1751, and was married on the4th of September, 1765. She was the daughter of Don Philip, Duke of Parma and Placenati. She bore to her husband, Charles IV. six children, three of whom were Princes, namely, the present King of Spain, born in 1784; the Infant Don Carlos, born in 1788; and the Infant Don Francisco de Paulo, born in 1794; and three Princesses, namely, the present Queen of Portugal, born in 1774; the Queen of Etruria, now Duchess of Lucca, born in 1782; and the Hereditary Princess of Naples, boru in 1789. Louisa Maria Theresa participated with her angust husband in all the vicisitudes which followed the event known under the name of the revolution of Aranjuez. She came to Bayonne during the scene of the forced abdication of the Bourbons of Spain, accompanied her husband afterwards from Spain to Compeigne, from Compiegne to Marseilles, and from Marseilles to Rome, where she died. therefore conclude all is well. The Royal family of Wirtemburgh has suffered the sudden loss of the Queen, who formerly visited this country as Duchess of Oldenburgh, in company with her brother, the Emperor of Russia. We leave the improvement of these speaking events to the moralist. The natural course of observation does not lead us immediately to America, but we believe that our Political intercourse with that country comes next in order at the present moment. The congress of the United States of North America is engaged in discussing the conduct of a General, who without the sanction of his Government executed two British subjects, not responsible to him, and apparently not guilty of the treason with which he accused them: we have not enlarged on this subject, because it appears to be probable that the Government will disavow the proceeding: perhaps still more. The affairs of South America continue embroiled. though we have lately heard less of fighting and murder in cold blood than heretofore. South Africa is, we apprehend, getting forward in population, and civilization, in commerce and comfort; we expect from thence very interesting news,-almost daily Commecial Chronicle. STATE OF TRADE, Lloyd's Coffee House, Jan. 20, 1819. The commercial world in the course into more than a single state of alarm, of the present month has been thrown by the interruption of the usual course of payments of some of our greatest mercantile houses. We have repeatedly hinted at the hazards incurred by adventurous speculations in financial operations going on abroad. At Paris, the principal seat of those operations, many houses of supposed property, and some of established credit, have found themselves incapable of fulfilling their enlanders have had their share of the gagenrents. Even the cautious Holburden; but the German houses it is thought, have generally escaped pretty well. If report may be credited, but wc do not always credit report, in full-a single house in the city of London, for many days together, lost, by speculation in the French funds, the moderate sum of thirty thousand pounds per diem! That this loss was incurred, we doubt not; but, that if fell on a single house, ultimately, we much doubt. It is more probable, that it fell on a list of supporters, who stood pledged to each other. India we believe is pretty well settled, except Ceylon; which still gives occasion to very troublesome operations. But if our suspicions be not wholly groundless, China is likely to witness the disturbance of her tranquillity Already are several provinces either in open insurgence, or in that discontented state which usually precedes politi- which mercantile accompts are carried To give some idea of the extent to cal turbulence. In short, we have suspect-in the metropolis, it is sufficient to say, ed for some time past, that the Chinese that the outstanding acceptances of a would be glad to see the Tartar Dynasty; firm-not that already alluded to-were now on the throne, displaced:-but what measures may have been taken for this purpose by the "black-heads," we know not. Here we close our article:-a few years, perhaps, it may be the duty of the Panorama to advert to events in the powerful state of New Holland, or Van Diemen's Land; or to report the sailing of numerous fleets from the Society islands, (as we have from the Sandwich islands) or perhaps the arrival of Japanese, or Javanese, or Sumatran vessels, in considerable numbers, in the river Thames: But this were to extend our speculations too far at present; Observers we may be but we are not prophets; we watch the conrse of events as they rise, but what is below the horizon, as it must be matter of conjecture, we remit to its proper place, when it becomes matter of record. no less than six hundred thousand pounds! of which about half were about to become clamourous: admitting that a proportionate sum was not accepted for, at what amount may we estimate the whole? at nine hundred thousand pounds or at a million? - The first symptom of this suspension was a hint from the Bank, by not doing an assortment of bills sent in for discount. As nobody doubts, either the intelligence on the prudence of the Bank, those in the secret soon understood the signal. On examination, however, it is ascertained that the assets of the firm are ample, and more than sufficient to meet demands: and the Bank has been induced to afford assistance, on the security of additional names. The real amount of this assistance, pro tempore, is, with great propriety, known to few; but the public journals have stated it at one hundred and fifty, or two hundred thousand pounds. The foregoing report on the state of the speculators on the Corn Market, will have partly prepared the reader to expect rather a heavy account of the state of the market itself. Prime English cornis by no means superabundant. Foreign corn is offered at the lower rate of the We some time ago had occasion to market, yet the inclination of the buyrecord some sweeping deficiencies among ers does not lie that way. Taking the the dealers in hops; if we took any de- whole together, it is probable, that the light in such events, the Corn Market averages will be found to have been for would this month have afforded us gra- a sufficient length of time below the tification; several houses have been se-import price, to allow the closing of the vere sufferers: and this, too, if we ports, in the course of the month of mistake not, was first discovered by the February. This, has been foreseen, same not doings as we have already and is foreseen; in consequence, the hinted at. stocks on hand are allowed to accumuPerhaps, the sufferings of the princi- late; and are, certainly, very considerpals in these extensive speculations, are able. The demand for BARLEY has not the proper subjects of extreme re- abated: that article, therefore, declines.gret; but, they cannot suffer alone: OATS are in good supply. The most those who are connected with them, and remarkable incident, lately, at least, dependent on them-they are the real the newest incident-is an abundant sufferers. supply of BEANS from an unusual It is impossible, that when an emi-quarter, the Mediterranean, This was nent house stops, the evil should be wholly remedied, by its resumption of payments, though only a few days have intervened the shock has been felt by its connexions; and by their connexions; and a dozen houses totter; of which half are sure to fall. Credit is a delicate thing; and we remember reading, in a French author, an account of a public body that was certainly ruined, after a considerable lapse of me (if we rightly remember, some years), because it had once suspended its payments for a single day. so unlooked for, that at first, the vessels were thought to be contraband, by the Port officers. That, however, was cleared up; and they were admitted. The arrivals are now extensive; and the price of the article has fallen at least five shillings per quarter. iutelligence of a violent and disastrous Accounts from Jamaica have brought hurricane in that island. Now Jamaica is so seldom annoyed by these disagrecable visitants, that it is usually supposed to be out of the lines of hurricanes.It has been justly observed, that at We are aware of the danger of trusting In this instance, it has uot proved so. this moment, so intimately are the af- to first reports of damages done; and fairs of all Europe blended, that a mis- when they state a loss of half, or of one fortune cannot happen in one metropo-third of the crop, we are willing to hope lis, or seat of trade, but it immediately is felt in others. We presume, that the history of the month as we have referred to it, justifies this opinion; and there is rosan to think, that it has been especially experience among those uni-othors, the article of RICE has felt the versal. Dealers, agents, factors, and brokers, the Jewish people. They have connex ions every where: and several among their most eminent men, bankers, and others, in foreign parts, have fallen victims, either to their own indiscretion, or to the uncontrollable course of events. that the deficiency will prove to be greatly overrated. Be that as it may opened the ports to free importation of prove the Governor, has, no doubt, every kind of provisions; and, among advantage. Not less than 5,000 bags. of East India Rice were bought up immediately; at an advance of 1s. or 2s. per cwt. ever, was deemed a sufficient supply; That quantity, howand what has been since offered for sale, at the same price, has been wholly withdrawn for want of buyers; but, the old price would, probably, have been given. IRISH PROVISIONS.-There is a little doing in Beef and Pork, and no variation in the currency. A general opinion was entertained that the extensive public sales of Butter, lately advertised, would depress the prices; the result has, however, been rather favourable, and, as the greater proportion of the supplies have been shipped eagerly some time ago, on account of the high prices of London, it is expected the Imports will now be rather limited; the holders are anticipating an advance; there is, however, little or no business doing by private contract. The following are the particulars of the latest public sales. 70 Frks. Carlow butter, 1st. 111s. a 113s. Middles ditto, 578. a 58s. From this statement our readers will infer, that no very universal, or very extensive, exportations to the afflicted island have as yet taken place. which used to look to the out ports for supply. The GOOD sugars, certainly will meet an advance in price. On the other hand-the demand from the Continent is not only suspended, but the prices at their markets are much below those in London. Orders sent, are consequently, not many; and these are conditioned on such low terms as cannot be complied with. Foreign Sugars are therefore, at the moment, little other than a blank at the market. Refined Goods are in improved de mand. Lumps have experienced an advance of Is. to 2s. and several consider able parcels of loaves have been taken out of the market. On the whole appearances are deemed favourable for the trade. COFFEE has lately excited little in.. terest. The former currency has given way; and attempts have been resorted to both by private contract, and by public sale, to dispose of quantities. They have, however, met with but in different success, unless attended with a deduction of 3s. or even 4s. from what had been formerly obtained. As this disposition is general, the prices of the article may be considered as declining. RUM has experienced, or rather is experiencing an improved market. The quantity taken by government, which is understood to be 50,000 gallons more than was advertised for, has greatly contributed to this; because the contractors being bound to deliver, are under the necessity of resorting to the holders. This has given a briskness to demand and delivery, which is equally lively and extensive. There are also, considerable orders for shipping; to which must be added the effect of the reports from Jamaica: so that, on the whole this article may be stated, in considerable request. The holders of SUGAR feel that kind of suspense which might be expected: they, too, doubt the full extent of the first accounts: yet that some, and even a considerable deficiency may l be expected they cannot presume to deny. Under these circumstances, they are not anxious to effect sales; nor will. they listen to any turn in favour of the buyer. The demand has for some time past been limited; but now seems to be rather improving: such, at least, is the general feeling of those concerned. Oils continue to decline in prices; The stock of Sugars at Liverpool is Greenland oil is gone down 17. to 21. understood to be short, and some say, per ton. Oil from the Southern Whale very short; insomuch that it is ex-fishery has declined considerably. The pected the demand on London would late arrivals of Cape Oil have not yet be greatly increased, from quarters found their market; but are expected BRANDY and HOLLANDS. continue much as they were: the best qualities › are the most sure of obtaining attention. soon to be put to public sale, the heavy state of the market otherwise determine. except | discount, which from 9 to 10 per Cent. should within a few days past has fallen to 5 to 54 per Cent. Corn has experienced a great fall lately, and a further decline is anticipated, as soon as our river becomes free from ice. Naval stores have declined: very considerable arrivals of Rough Turpentine are announced: the last considerable parcel sold, realised 15s. 6d. Spirits are, also lower: but in Pitch and Rosin, no variation worth mentioning. to be more In HEMP and FLAX there is a slight decline; but there seems business doing; and the purchases looking forward to the spring supply, are reported to be extensive. Though the immediate price, therefore, may be perhaps, 20s. lower, yet the anticipated price is likely to suffer no depression. TALLOW is a very heavy Article and not likely to improve the prices are much depressed. We shall now proceed to set before our readers abstracts and information received from foreign parts. We hope to be able greatly to enlarge this branch of Our COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE; and from genuine sources of Mercantile Connection. Measures are taken to this effect; and we shall take a pleasure in communicating the results, which we doubt not be found equally interesting and Instructive. ST. PETERSBURG, 10-22 Dec. 1818. -Business was perhaps never so void of all activity, owing to most extraordinary weather, which for the last week has been so mild as to exclude all winter communication with the interior, so necessary for the distribution of goods. Tallow has advanced to 180 rs. inoney down for yellow candle, soap tallow 170 rs. money, some few contracts for hemp have been made at 85 money down. change on London, 12. Ex is NAPLES, 29 Dec. 1818.- Coffee now not so brisk as it was; wheat is dull, as well as all kinds of grain. This Government have given notice that they will discount merchants' bills at five per cent. per annum. AGRICULTURAL REPORT. ESSEX.-The Wheat plants were never mora promising at this season of the year, and in this part of the country, the slug Peas, so early planted as noticed in our last and wire-worm so little complained of. The roport, now more resemble the month of April than that of January. Many pieces of that kind of Pulse should the land be sufficiently dry, will be fit for the hoe in a little time. Beans of all kinds are by some already planted. In a few instances Oats are actually in a state of vegetation. Indeed all agricultural performances in the fields are very forward, and the lands were never known to be in better condition for Spring seed. Plants of Tares are full and every way good. Just here, little can be said about Lambs at present. Bankrupts and Certificates in the order of Chambers R. Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, cur- Longman F. G. Norwich, maltster. Sol. Abbott' Oulet J. Charlotte st. Fitzroy sq.jeweller. Sol. Sumner T Preston, Lancaster, corn merchant and Co. Lothbury. Sols. Amory Tully F. Bristol, baker. Sols. Poole and Co. CERTIFICATES, Jan. 25. J. Bragg, Birmingham, tye maker. J. Spreat, Exeter, coal merchant. W. Stephenson, PresHAMBRO', 5 Jan.-Generally speaking maker. C. Sivrac, Wilmot st. Brunswick sq. ton, linen draper. J. Bentley, cornbill, watch we continue exceedingly dull in business, merchant. J. A. Butler, Blackheath, master maand, with the exception of coffee and suriner. J. Bowman, Crooked lane, wine merchant. gar, there is very little doing in Colonial J. articles; it is however, hoped that on account of the approach of spring, as well as on account of a sudden decline of Langford, Ludgate st. chemist. W. Holttum, Long lane, Bermondsey, carpenter. BANKRUPTCY ENLARGED, Jan. 6. T. Stead, Blackfriars' road, woollen draper. J. Marshall, North Hall, Leeds, clothier. |