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but great quantities remain on hand. | pay to foreigners for that article. Nor Wool, for which, 5s. per lb. had been re- can there be any doubt ofthe practicability fused very shortly before, has been sold of raising such Wool here, and that the lately at 2s. 40. Such is the redundancy climate of Spain is not necessary, as the of foreign Wool at this moment in our Spanish breed of sheep introduced above ports, that the best Spanish Wool has been 50 years ago into Saxony, (the climate of sold, after remaining on hand for years, at which is less favourable for the purpose a reduction of 30 to 50 per cent. on the than that of the United Kingdom) now import price, and that too at very extend- furnish an immense quantity of Wool, ed credit; and, besides the large quantities which in our markets bear a higher price, of foreign Wool now stored in England, and is even preferred to the best Spanish there is also at this time in Germany and Wool. Spain, an immense quantity of Wool ready to be consigned to this country, as soon as there is a prospect of improved prices. But the glut of short fine Woo! is so great, that nothing like an adequate price is at present to be obtained; hardly any offer is refused, and considerable quantities of foreign Wool have been bought up at Bristol, and in Loudon, by the Netherland merchants. There are many large piles of Spanish Wool, which have been lying here seven years, and some of the largest importers will not receive any more on consignment until they have effected sales, having already made large advances which they cannot get reimbursed. A German house has consigned here, annually, an immense quantity of Wool, chiefly from Austria and Hungary, for the last two or three years, the average value of which was estimated at about 4s. 9d. per lb. This Wool varies in quality from 4s. to 6s. 9d. per lb. and the finest sorts are re-proportion went to Ireland), on an average gularly improving in quality and increasing in quantity. The Wool of Prince Esterhazy's immense flocks is supposed to be included in the collection made by that house.

The growth of fine Wool in this kingdom is so greatly increased, that it may be equal to the demand in the most flourishing state of the manufacture ; in proof of which it may be observed, that even previous to the late extraordinary importations, the great quantities of Wood which were left on the hands of the grower, frequently three, four, or five years clip, was probably equal in amount to the quantity of foreign Wool at that time imported; and it may be concluded that the United Kingdom does or at least, if not discouraged would furnish the full quantity required for these manufactures.

The quality of our Wool is also greatly ameliorated; and it is evident that a sufficiency of Wool of the Spanish race might be raised in the United Kingdom, whereby we should become independent of foreign countries for the materials of our staple manufacture, and save annually, according to the lowest calculation of late years, upwards of £3,000,000 sterling, which we

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Notwithstanding this prodigious increase in the importation of wool, the manufacture has by no meaus increased in proportion nor improved in quality on an average of 10 years, ending 1808, the broad and narrow cloths milled in the West Riding of Yorkshire (the only branch of the trade of which a precise knowledge can be obtained), amounted to 15,000,000 yards; and the quantity milled in the year ending the 25th March, 1815, on the return of peace, when an extraordinary demand might be expected, was only 16,701.963 yards, and the amount of the year ending 25th March, 1816, was but 17,044,325yards, notwithstanding precipitate efforts to send, with rash speculation, the manufacture to every part of the world. The official value of the woollen manufactures exported from Great Britain to all countries, including Ireland and all the British Colonies and Settlements, (and a great

of 11 years, from 1800 to 1810, both
inclusive, was £6,063,688.; in 1814, it was
only £5,628,601.; and in 1815, £7,480,406.
the greatest amount we have ever known,
which arose solely from the circumstances
that all the markets in the world were
suddenly opened to us.
We must not
suppose the nation ruined, if the exporta-
tions of woollens in future should not exceed
the average exportation previously to the
late war, which may possibly be the case;
nor must we be surprised if the exportation
of other manufactures should by no means
equal that which took place during the
late unusual warfare, especially while the
Orders in Council were in force.

The same may be the case respecting the manufacture of iron, which has circumstances to recommend it beyond all others; it is all labour, from the taking the ore out of the earth to the finishing the spring of a watch, in which state it is infinitely more valuable than any metal whatever. This manufacture is so increased by the spirited exertions of our intelligent Iron-Masters. (who, above all, merit protection and support), that I fear we have surpassed the demand for coarse articles. I fear also we

fairs. It is understood, however, that a difference of opinion, both as to the nature of the relief to be afforded, and the manner of granting it, unhappily existed, and frustrated the wishes and inteutions of all parties.

We, perhaps, shall not receive very active support from the growers of long Wool; they have not so much reason for complaint. No long Wool, to any extent, that deserves consideration, is, or will be imported into this country; very little so good as our own could be obtained from the Continent, therefore the value is not decreased, as is the case with the short and fine Wools, by an overwhe'ming importation. Long Wool in 6 years, ending 1786, varied from Sd. to 441 per b; it has since gradually risen, according to the demand for the manufacture, to 74L in 1798; to 254d. in 1814; and 23d in 1815; considerably more than the price of the finest short Wool, the best of which about 7 years ago, sold at 37. per H. and on an average of the general market of ten years, from 1800 to 1810, at g per lb. and was reduced last year to 2:4. and 18d. in many parts, according to the prices delivered to the Committee of the House of Commons. During the present year, the sale of Wool has been so much at a stand, that no price can be quoted.

have surpasssed the demand for cotton made with a view to relieve the agriculmanufactures, which are much increased tural interest; and their willingness to in many parts of Europe. These circum-leave such questions to the decision of stances should induce us to look steadily members most respectable, and most comand zealously to what is called the home petent, from their knowledge of country market, which, with proper management, we may always command and preserve. The sudden peace with all the world encouraged the wildest speculations in trade: large quantities of Wool, which lay in the hands of the Wool Growers, or the Wool Staplers, were bought up; Woollens were suddenly exported to an unusual amount. the payments for which have fallen very short, and hence have arisen many bank ruptcies, failures, and much distress. The American market was so glutted, that not nearly the first prices could be obtained, and large quantities remain in the warehouses there unsold. This circumstance is likely now to be felt severely; many of our manufacturers are unemployed; the demand for the raw material is greatly lessened, and the Wool Growers will soon find themselves in their former situation, of having two, three, or more years growth upon their hands, consequently the growth of the article will be greatly discouraged, but the mischief of great importations had already taken deep root before those exportations took place. It is ridiculous to suppose that Spain and other foreign countries, will not improve and promote their Woollen Manufactures, whenever they find themselves in a situation so to do. There are already excellent manufactures of Wool in several parts of Europe, and especially in Germany, the manufacture is improving very much, and becoming much more extensive. The clamours of the manufacturers, in favour of every thing that lowers the value of Wool, are most unreasonable, for when there was such rise of price as could alone compensate the grower of fine Wool, the manufacture itself was raised at least two-fold; but now, that Wool is reduced much below what it was, (at the time the price of the manufacture was raised), in some instances to one-third, in others nearly half the value of a few years ago, we do not find the price of the manufacture has been reduced in proportion, or has experienced any material abatement We do not find, that from an unrestricted importation of Foreign Wool, any advantage is derived to the country. We do not find any improvement in the manufactures, or proportionate increase of them.

We cannot too amply acknowledge the readiness of his Majesty's Ministers, in acceding to those propositions, which were

The principles, on which to account for the low price of long Wool from 1780, to the commencement of the late war, a 1793, may not be immediately obvious; it is to the great redundancy of that article beyond the demand, that we are to impute the extreme low prices, and these led to Wool of that description being employed to different uses thau before, and to its being cut to answer the purposes of short Wool, which helped to enhance its value. About the period above-mentioned the growth of the fine short Wools increased rapidly, and the fine woolled sheep of the South-Down, and of other districts, superseded the long Wool in a great part of the kingdom, and are now to be seen in almost every county; at the same time vast numbers of the finest woolled sheep of Spain were introduced into this country, and notwithstanding what may be said respecting the carcase of that breed, it has tity of our finest Wool, the advanced price greatly improved, and increased the quanof which has occasioned an unprecedented degree of selection, care, and attention to

our

the breed, promoted by the spirited exertions of some of the first men in the kingdom. All these circumstances have greatly increased and ameliorated short-woolled sheep, and thus the redun-` dancy now is on their part, and so great is it, that added to the immense importatious of fine Wools, a revulsion will take place. No fine Wool will be grown but from the necessity of local situation, and the long Wool will be the general and exclusive object of the grower, until the redundancy reverts to that side. I regret extremely these changes, and above all the debasement of the long-established character of our short Wools, which ought to be a very serious consideration with us. There would be no demand from abroad, for our short fine Wools-such may be had cheaper in other countries. It is even now much more profitable to the farmer to grow long wool rather than short; there would be a demand from foreign countries for our long Wool, (for there is, as already stated, comparatively little, such as ours grown in other countries) which, of course, would prejudice our manufactures of that article, by enabling foreigners

VAUXHALL BRIDGE.

[994

Among the modern improvements of London and its vicinity, this Bridge certainly claims a distinguished place, whether regarded with a view to utility or to ornament. This Bridge consists of nine arches of equal span, formed of cast iron, and raised upon stone piers. The span of each arch is about 80 feet, and the width of each pier about 14, which is somewhat more than the width of the piers of the famous Peronnet's Bridge at Neuilly, near Paris, of which the span of each arch is no less than 130 feet. These piers are constructed of the best stone, in the most solid and durable manner. The elevation of the centre arch above high water mark is about 30 feet, and that of the other arches is not materially less. The length of the Bridge is above 800 feet; its width, exclusive of ample foot-ways, affords sufficient room for four carriages to pass abreast. The sides are guarded by light and elegant palisadoes, through which even the foot passenger has an uninterrupted to vie with us in that branch in which we view of the beautiful scenery which afind little competition at present. The bounds on the banks, and of the interestlong-woolled fleece, on an average, willing objects which hourly present themweigh nearly ten pounds, whilst the finest South-Down will not weigh more than two pounds and a quarter. The light fleece might continue to be raised on the South Downs, and such soils, but not on rich or inclosed lands. It cannot be doubted that the heavy or long woolled fleeces, would produce to the farmers more than double the profit of the short or fine woolled fleeces. The neglect of cultivating the latter, would render us absolutely dependant on foreign countries, to the great prejudice of our own manufactures, and ultimately, in a great degree, change our fine or short woolled, for long-woolled coarse sheep. The British short fine Wool would at length become scarce, the price greatly raised on the manufacturer, and it would be a work of great difficulty and time to restore that Wool which has been the basis of our famed manufactures for ages.

It is understood, that Petitions requesting the laying a duty on all foreign fine wool imported, are in progress in some counties: the reader will see a disposition in Spain, unfavourable to that request, at this time.

VOL. IV. No. 24. Lit. Pan. N. S. Sept. 1.

selves on the bosom of the Thames. The ascent to the Bridge is scarcely perceptible, although originally elevated much above the level of the ground on each side of the river, while the slope of the Bridge itself is gentle. The approach to this Bridge on the Surrey side is from the east of the Vauxhall turnpike, from which it is not above 100 yards distant. The avenue on the Middlesex side is formed by a new road of 60 feet wide, including foot-ways. This road is about a mile in length, in a direct line to Eaton-street, Pimlico, through which and Grosvenor-place a fine opening continues to Hyde Park corner. Thus such a communication is formed with the west

end of the town, that the access from that quarter, and especially from Mary-le-bone parish, to Surrey and Sussex, is shortened, it is understood, no less than two miles, compared with the old road over Westmin ster Bridge; while, by passing Vauxhall Bridge, the public streets, and what is generally found so disagreeable, “travelling The distance will be shortened in the same over the stones," may be entirely avoided. proportion from Carlton House, St. James's, and the Houses of Parliament, on the com

pletion of the road from the latter to the foot of Vauxhall Bridge, along the spacious embankment recently built in front of the new Penitentiary.

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The deide shall ake, and the day shall be Quhan scho shall smyle in the gladsum

noone,

And sleipe and sleipe in the lychte of the moone!

Then shall our luias weke anewe,
With herpe and vele and ayril too,
To AYDEN AYDEN LILLELU!

Hyde! hyde! Quhateuir betyde,

Elfe and dowle that ergh to byde!

The littil wee burdie mai cheipe in the wa,
The plevir mai sing, and the coke mai craw;
For neuir ane spyrit derke and doure
Dar raike the creukis of Lammer-mure;

And even ilke gaiste of gysand hue
Shall melt in the breize our baby drew;
But we ar left in the greme-wud glen,
Bekaus we luf the chylder of men,
Sweitlye to sing our flawmand new;
Bonuye bairne, we sing to you,
AYDEN AYDEN LILLELU!

Pace! pace!

Spyritis of grace!

Sweite is the smyle of our babyis face!
The kelpye dernis, in dreide and dule,
Deipe in the howe of his eirye pule;
Gil-Moules frehynde the hallen mene fle,
Throu the dor-threshil, and throu the dor-ke,
And the mer-mayde mootes in the saifrone se.
But we ar left in the greine-wud glen,
Bekaus we luf the chylder of men,
Sweitlye to sing and neuir to rue,

Sweitlye to sing our last adue;
Bounye bairne, we sing to you,
AYDEN AYDEN LILLELU;

Sing! sing!

How shall we sing

Rounde the bairne of the spiritis Kyng!
Lillelu! lillelu ! mount in a ryng!

Fayries away! away on the wyng!

We too maune flytt to ane land of blisse!
To ane land of holy silentnesse !

To ane land quhair the nycht-wind neuir blewe!

But thy fayre spryng shall euir be newe! Quban the moone shall waik ne mayre to

wane,

And the clud and the raynbowe baithe are

gane,

In bowirs aboone the brik of the day We'll sing to our baby for ever and ay

National Register:

FOREIGN.

AFRICA.

Voyage of Discovery.

Some time ago Government sent out to the several British settlements in Africa a number of certificates, handsomely printed on vellum, in the English and Arabic languages, for the purpose of being distributed to any persons who might be travelling into the interior, acquainting the natives with the object of the journey of Major Peddie, Captain Campbell, and Surgeon Cowdry, who, it will be recollected, have been employed to trace the course of the Niger, &c. By the accounts just received, it appears that a number of these certifi cates have been circulated among the Ashantees, to whom the purport of them has been fully explained. Should it fortunately happen that our travellers are met by the bearers of any of these certificates, the advantages to be derived from them may be most important. The following is a copy:

"This is to make known, that Major John Peddie, Capt. Thomas Campbell, and Surgeon William Cowdry, have been employed by the British Government to proceed from Senegal into the interior of Africa, to trace the course of the river Niger, and to obtain such information respecting the countries through which they pass as may be useful in the extension and improvement of commerce, which is the object of the British Government in sending those persons to Africa; and that any persou who may happen to meet with those gentlemen, and shall be the bearer of a letter to the governor of this or any other British settlement on the Gold Coast, from either of them, shall receive five ounces of gold, and be liberally rewarded for any service or act of kindness which it may appear by such letter may have been rendered to either of them.

"Witness my hand, at

A. B. "Governor of the British Settlement, Cape Coast, Africa,

The accounts add, that a school, on the plan of the national system of education, had been opened at Cape Coast; of the progress of which the Governor hoped in a short time to make a favourable report. Peace Established.

Advices received from the Gold Coast o Africa to May 9th, bring the satisfactory inteiligence that the peace between the inland nation of Ashantees, and the Fantees

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By advices received from the Gold Coast of Africa, it appears that General Daendels, governor in chief of the Dutch forts in that country, has been surveying the river Ancobar, and has reported to his government the expediency and practicability of acquiring land, by purchase of the natives,

at

a very low price; and has therefore recommended that extensive purchases should be made with a view to convert the same into plantations of cotton and coffee, and that he has already made considerable progress in clearing the land of wood; &c. The General further states, that the river Ancobar is navigable as far as the centre of the Dinkiva country, the first province of the king of Ashantee; and he adds, that it is certain this river was navigable in the time of Bosman. The General then refers to ancient Dutch maps, copied from the Portuguese, to show that formerly the Portuguese had several establishments on the Ancobar, at which were convents of monks and christian churches, about 40 leagues in the interior of the country. The General suggests, that were the British and Dutch to agree to establish forts on each side of the river, with the consent of the king of Ashantee, not only might the whole com merce of that country be attracted, but also that of the country on this side of Long Mountains. The expense of such a project to the two governments, the General thinks, would not exceed 10,000l. sterling, as he conceives the king of Ashantee would supply a number of workmen to carry wood, stones, and lime, of which there is an abundance in the neighbourhood.

AMERICA: BRITISH.

Indians: Progressive Civilization. Mr. Bromley writes from Halifax: "An intelligent chief has been with me for some time, and I have the satisfaction to say that I have fulfilled the benevolent wish of our worthy Governor (Sir George Sherbrook) by purchasing implements of husbandry, and seed sufficient for 45 families of the Indians, who, with their children, cousist of about 317 souls. I have also purchased

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