Hall appointing their own Delegates), and that a Subscription should be immediately entered into for defraying the expences which would necessarily be incurred."

It was stated, by Mr. Gott, in the course of the observations he made on the subject, that if foreign manufacturers could obtain wool, the growth of this country, our own manufactures would be completely shut out from the foreign market in respect to coarse goods; an intelligent foreign merchant lately said to him, "If we could only have your wool, I should never buy another piece of cloth of you." There is a richness in the coarse wool of

this country which is wanting in that of

the Continent.

Mr. Jeremiah Naylor said he had made a calculation of the comparative profit to this country of exporting ten packs of wool in the raw and the manufactured state; in the raw state, including the expences of shipping, it would fetch about 2821.; if manufactured into a species of stuff called wildbores, it would sell for about 6311; which, allowing 301. for the materials used, would leave an increase of upwards of 4001. for the labour bestowed upon it; and which, if the wool had been exported in the raw state, would have been lost to the country. He then entered into a statement, to shew the loss which the revenue would sustain in the former case. Mr. Naylor also observed, that the wool-growers had no cause whatever for complaint, as wool at present fetches very high prices. Wool, which at the close of the American war sold at seven shillings a todd, was now selling at fifty-six shillings for the same quantity.

IRELAND.

Smuggling at Home.

March 1.-Petitions from various parts of the Kingdom were presented; and occasioned much conversation. On one side it and middle classes, while it reached ava was contended, that, this tax saved the poor rice in the hands of affluence:-it reached rich men who lived like beggars, and made hand, it was said, that many persons by them pay, like gentlemen. On the other being deprived by this tax of the money they would spend in employing the poor; they gained; and from this want of emthe poor lost much-very much, more than ployment were thrown on the parishes for support.

Nation was in a Political Peace, yet, so far It was also, observed, that although the as our Finances were concerned the expences of war-i. e. in fact, war itself, still continued:-that continuing this tax, there. fore, at a diminished rate, was continuing it as a war tax, till the war accounts were liquidated.

March 5.-After the usual routine of reading the Petitions against the Property Tax, the Chancellor of the Exchequer complained, that the time of the House was unnecessarily wasted in conversations that could lead to no conclusion. ever, he were to give credit to assertions If, howwhich had been made, that our other sources of finance were in a state of decay, he thought there was so much the more reason for pressing the property tax. On the first introduction of the measure by Mr. Pitt, it was so far unlimited in its duration to the continuance of the war, that it was actually mortgaged by that minister for the payment of no less than fifty-six millions, which would unavoidably have prolonged it beyond the period of the signature of peace.

After the peace of

Of the alarming extent of illegal distillation in Ireland, and its ruinous effects, the following statement may afford an idea: -At Omagh assizes seventy-seven men were Amiens, when that debt, by the vigorous sentenced to imprisonment for having illemeasures of the administration of Lord gal stills; at Lifford assizes sirty for a like Sidmouth, had been redeemed, the tax was offence, besides fines on the county to the continued during the war, and the words amount of 12,000l. At Derry assizes the "and no longer" were certainly added. trials for illegal distillation were numerous This expression, however, could not be unbeyond all former experience. Ninety per-derstood, nor did Lord Sidmouth so intend sons were convicted and imprisoned; and a great many were liberated on bail, the gaol being unable to contain them.

A Limerick paper says "Lady Frances Brown, sister to the Earl of Kenmare, has taken the veil at Newhall convent."

it, as fettering the future discretion of Parliament. In 1806 the amount was doubled by the administration of Lord Grenville: ted to Parliament by the Marquis of Lans a plan of finance was at that time submitdowne, in which the prolongation of the property tax seemed to be contemplated.

Doubtless it had been the opinion of Mr. | payment. When gentlemen reflected how

Pitt, and of those who afterwards composed the government, that the property tax should not be rendered permanent. This opinion was expressed in the act itself; but the House was aware that in the bill which he (Mr. Vansittart) had introduced last year, it was said that the property tax should be continued during the war; but the words" and no longer" were omitted. The tax was originally intended as a war tax, and as a war tax its continuance was now proposed. If parliament should think fit to pledge it for a specific purpose, such as the payment of 12 millions of the unfunded debt, during the two years which it was to last, his Majesty's Ministers would have no objection to take it upon those terms. It appeared, that during the preseut year, at least 9 or 10 millions of extraordinary expense were to be provided for, and in the next year, though the burthen was less, it was still considerable.-lation returns, it appeared that 1,131,000 Much yet remained to be done, against which no provision had been, or could be made. The house must be aware that in the course of a war which lasted for 25 years, taxes had been gradually accumula. ting; in that period no revision of the financial system had been undertaken; that such a revision was necessary, no man would deny, and if the property tax were prolonged for two years within that period, it might be accomplished.

many farms in Wales, and in some parts of England, were let at a rent below 150%. they would see what an important relief this arrangement would afford. Another important point with respect to the relief to be afforded, was, whether it could not be given by extending the period of payment. From all the information procured. from different parts of the country, of the distresses existing, he was inclined to think that an immediate payment would be felt as a severe pressure especially in agriculture. People in general were much deceived as to the proportion of the burden that fell upon individuals in trade. It was asserted by many, that the great weight was sustained by the poor, and not by the rich; that great numbers were compelled to pay an unfair proportion; and that one-fourth of the persons charged were of a very low description. By the abstract of the popu

families were employed in trade and in handicraft occupations. Of these only 266,000 had made returns under the property tax act, and consequently, three out of four of the families so employed had not only never paid, but had never been called upon to pay. Of these 266,000, no less than 109,000 families were exempted, having returned that their incomes were less than 50l. per annum; and the number which really contributed to the tax was, therefore reduced to 157,000. Of these 121,000 had made returns of incomes to a less amount than 150l. and were consequently entitled to an abatement; and only 41,000 had paid for incomes above 150l.; 32,000 returned a less sum than 1,000l. per annum, and 3,692 above that amount. These facts, derived from the latest returns, proved, whatever inequality might exist as to the proportions of individuals, that it was not true that persons in trade had been too heavily charged.

Early in the session, he had stated, that for the relief of the country, only half the sum raised since 1807 would be required, and that it might be possible to add the further remission of one million for the peculiar advantage of the agricultural interest. It was intended, during the present and the ensuing year, instead of estimating the profits of the teuant at three-fourths of the rent he paid, it should be calculated at only one-third of the annual value of the land, in consequence of the rapid decrease in the value of agricultural produce. The Mr. Baring contended that these statetenant of a farm of 600l. would be supments where wholly unsatisfactory: that posed to derive a profit of only 2004. and these concessions were made, only to conconsequently at the rate of 5 per cent. tinue the tax at any rate: with a debt of would only be called upon to contribute 820 millions, a few more were of little con10/. A tenant renting a farm of 450l. per annum would be assumed to derive from it sequence, but to get released from this a profit amounting to 1504.; and as 1504, odious tax was of the utmost consequence. per annum was the point at which the highest rate commenced, all those who derived profits to a less amount would have a claim to an abatement in proportion to the diminution of their gains. A farmer who paid a rent of 150l. for his land, would be supposed only to make profits to the amount of 50l. a year, and would consequently be exempted altogether from any

A long conversation incidentally ensued on the petitions: several gentlemen thought the petitioners were little, or not at all, conversant with public finances, or the necessities of the State: others thought, that they knew and felt their own necessities strongly enough; that they looked to that house for relief, and that, in short, the tax could not be paid.

Mr. Brougham enlarged on the proposition that the tax could not be rendered available: why then enforce it?

House of Lords.

The Earl of Liverpool was perfectly ready to allow that it was not the object of that Government to pledge the Property Tax, as they pledged the other war taxes; but, in the public document * they had published, that consequence inevitably followed. He contended that it was not stated to be discontinued; but, was left like other things, to the wisdom of Parliament. The plan plainly implied the thing; that was authority sufficient to support what had been asserted.

bers on this subject should be deceived, when it appeared that even Hon. Members themselves, with all their opportunities of accurate knowledge, had been completely mistaken. It certainly was highly honourable to the national character, that the people were so acutely alive to any supposed violation of faith on the part of pub

March 7.-The Marquis of Landsdowne took occasion to explain what had been said, (as rumoured) in another place, concerning a supposed intention attributed to him, of meaning to continue the Incomelic men. But he must say, that, in this Tax in time of peace. The plan he had case, it was almost impossible that any submitted, contained expressly these words pledge of faith could have been given. It "Without recurring to the Income-Tax, was almost impossible, because the supin time of peace, which is a resource to position implied, that a contract could be which Parliament ought to look only in a entered into between the people and their time of war." The charges of interest, representatives, that these same representaalso, contemplated in that plan, were spe- tives should never, under any possible circifically confined to the Excise and Cuscumstances, reconsider whether a particutoms eveu Mr. Vansittart, then in confi-lar measure might not be beneficial to the dence, must have known, that there was people. A minister must be very indisno intention of continuing the tax in a creet, and entirely unworthy of his situatime of peace. tion, who could make such a kind of promise. At the peace of Amiens the funds were as high as 75. Gentlemen need not be told how different were the present prices; in the four last years no less than 165 millions had been borrowed. The effect of the measures which had been carried through that house had been felt through all the operations of the war. No service had been delayed for want of ade quate pecuniary means-no success had been checked in its career for want of the efficient supply of proportionate resources. Large, indeed, our expenditure had been, but there had been no waste, and that had been found to be the truest economy, which, by expending in proportion to the occasion, produced results proportionate to the expense. He strongly objected to borrowing. That portion of the tax raised upon money in the funds, deducted by the officers appointed to pay dividends, was the most perfect machine that could be devised: neither more nor less than the fair amount was retained, without the possibility of evasion. He admitted that in that part which related to incomes derived from in'dustry there were considerable defects. Under the present peculiar circumstances of the agricultural tenants, it could not be denied that they were entitled to great relief.

House of Commons.

March 18.-Many petitions. The most distinguished were, from Yorkshire, and from London; the latter signed by 22,000 merchants, bankers, and eminent citizens. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was convinced that the petitiouers had not understood the subject, and had never coolly and impartially considered it, almost all these petitions contained the unfounded allegation that parliament stood pledged that the tax should cease with the war: even the London petition. It was perfectly clear, that when the income tax originated, it was not in contemplation that it must cease with the war. At the peace of Amiens, however, the tax was set aside by Lord Sidmouth, by imposing a large mass of permanent taxes, amounting to no less than 5 millions a year. Nor was it to be wondered that those who did not possess the knowledge of honourable mem

According to the last assessment, that of the tenants of land entitled to exemption, only amounted to 114,000; by the proposed modification the number would be increased to 527,000: those not entiThe public will excuse a reference to our tled to any allowance amounted to 400,000 first Volume p. 1147 for these plans, where and their number would in future be rein the note to No. I. are these words;-" sup-duced to 53,000; and 42,000 tenants, who posing Peace to take place at the end of seven years, no more than 19,800,000 of the war taxes would have been wortaged, and, consequently, nearly the whole of the Property Tax might then be taken off immediately on the conclusion of a Peace."

hitherto had not been permitted to make any abatement, holding farms of the yearly rent of 4501. would hereafter be only 6,000. It would be enacted, that every person in trade not laying an appeal within a fixed

period, shonld be charged to the amount of his previous return. The trader would be charged by referees of his own nomination, distinctly sworn to secresy, and to destroy all memoranda or other documents that might lead to an exposure of affairs

If the planets guide the actions of the human species, the planet Venus certainly, at this moment has the ascendancy; and With the property tax, the money market would be relieved, and he anticipated without studying the and A, the 8 and a certain, if not a rapid, improvement ind, or the and, it is notorious that the public pecuniary concerus: without it, the Lords of the Creation are inteirt on the people would be heavily burdened in yielding due obedience to the Ladies, other ways, and he could foreste nothing And Beauty draws them with a single hair! but a long succession of difficulties aud In all parts of Europe " Affections and embarrassments. By the plan of finance Connections," are the topics of discourse; of 1818, the public had been spared the and the military, lately so ferocious, are weight of nearly nine millions of permanow peaceably employed as escorts and nent taxes; yet the sinking fund had still guards of honour, receiving, instead of been preserved effectual for all purposes giving the law; and more intent on worit could not, however, at present sustain shipping the dove, than they lately were any greater pressure, and a loan, he feared, on adoring the eagle. would be attended with most detrimenta

Aud "May is the mother of love:" the consequences, more especially to the siuk-prettiest month of the year for such ening fuud.

chautments; when Spring affords mateMr. W. Smith stated, that, under the cir- rials for pastorals; and the Muses of the Poets are more tender-hearted and comcumstances of the times, losses among mercbants had been unavoidable: the tax, passionate, than when melting under the dog-star's raging heat; or when benumbed therefore, was not a tax on income, but on loss. Of 11,000 surcharges made in Lon- into icicles by the penetrating frosts of don, 3,000 were set aside ou appeal: those December and January. The Foresights of the day look forward to the time when who did not submit to examination were surcharged justly or unjustly: if justly, these associations will produce abundant what a mass of immorality occasioned by matter for future Periscopes;— when heroes the tax-if unjustly, what loss, rather yet to be born will display talents and virthan disclose private affairs! Why tax abi-tues, at once benificent and glorious, and lities, like those of the lawyer, physician, &c-Why tax those who cannot vary the price of their goods-their talents?-Why tax those who were obliged to pay to parish and poor, though themselves in great need of assistance?

tatesmen, now in embryo, will prove by their wisdom and steadiness the saviours of their Country, the delights of the human

race.

To say truth, we are glad to indulge in the anticipation for what a dull thing were a PERISCOPE that merely repeated the "All's well," of a duty-bound centinel, who though at his post, and watching for what happens, has no more to report, than the very same words which others have reported before him, and which suffer neiItther variety nor piquancy to animate his narrative.

Mr. Wilberforce contended, that looking to the feelings of the country at the present moment, they should have relief. He was convinced, that, at the end of two years, ministers would find arguments equally strong as now in support of the tax. was only by a thorough review of the whole expenditure of the country that any good could be effected. The question was whether we should ease the money market, or ease the people of England; and considering the expression of their feelings which the House bad witnessed, be thought there could be no difficulty in answering that question.

But the Centinel must not sleep at his post; there are incidents sufficient to keep him awake; independent of the terrors of a Court-Martial, or the hazard of being caught napping by his superior officer.

The British Parliament by bringing the Property-Tax to a close, did more than was strictly included in that single act'; it read a lesson of caution to various high powers in high places, and having made its authority acknowledged, has induced the Goverument to re-consider many things, the effect of which will be found in the aggregate to be not inconsiderable.

The matter seems to us to divide into two parts: certain portions of the country From the young women of Spain we turn are quiet and contented; certain others to the Old Woman of Rome; who in aboare perturbed and riotous: What occa-lishing the torture in the examination of sions this difference?