TABLE of the PRICES of the best COTTON WOOL, per lb. Those of inferior quality sell from 2d. to Sd. per lb. less. (A.)

TABLE of the several DUTIES on every 100lb. of COTTON WOOL, since they were first imposed.

(B.)

In British ships it pays the same as British produce. † 11. 5s. when direct, 211. 14d. indirect. 11. 59. 3d. in British bottom. § Turkish cotton pays the same.

TABLE of COTTON imported annually into GREAT BRITAIN, from 1797 to 1810.

(C.)

This head comprises East Indian cotton, of which considerable quantities have been imported likewise in the years preceding 1805, and in 1810, but we have not any documents at band, shewing the quantity in each year.

The extraordinary diminution of these two years, arose from the cession of the colonies of Demerary, Issequibo, Berbice, and Surinam, to Holland; and from the war, which confined the importation to our own produce. On the re-capture of the above-named colonies, the quantity immediately increased.

still less, as the quantity imported of foreign cotton is rapidly encreasing. The natural consequence of which, is a diminution of price.

During the first term marked out, (from 1781 to 1788, inclusive) cotton wool, as has been already remarked, sold on an average at 2s. 23d. At that time, no duties were levied. Every article required by the colonies was much cheaper. Navigation charges were equally small; and the peace which then existed, favoured the manufactories at home, which benefited the planter.

The actual expenditure was, of course, much inferior to what it now is, while the price was higher.

It may be assumed, as a broad and incontrovertible fact, that the price of every article is double what it was in 1781. The plantation charges may therefore be stated at one-half of what they are according to a preceding statement, that is at 34d. per lb. of cotton wool; and supposing the mercantile charges to have been the same as they now are, they, after deduction of 2d. for the duties, are 51d. per lb. Thus, the gross charges upon every pound of cotton wool, would then have been 9d. which leaves 1s. 5d. of actual receipt to the planter of that time.

Lest this mode of estimating be not admissable, let another be adopted, and the results will be found nearly the same. Among mercantile people, fourpence per lb. was generally supposed sufficient to cover all the difference between war and peace charges. This, it must be remarked, was previous to the present war, since which the duty has been nearly doubled on British cotton. About one-penny per lb. may therefore be added to the estimate of the merchants, which increases it to 5d. per lb. When this is deducted from 1s. 21d. the present expences, 94d. will remain as the real expence of the former period; and the additional half-penny may be considered equivalent to the enhanced price of every necessary for the estates, though it is in fact below it.

The cotton-planter of these eight years received 1s. 5. which, from the diminished value of money, was equal to at least one-half more than it now is.

The second period, though less favoured in point of actual receipt, was equally so by the inferiority of every description of

expence, and by the non-imposition of duties, as the gross proceeds of sale averaged a fraction more than is. 8d. per lb. The clear receipt was therefore about nine-pence. Had the plauter, not been favoured, as he fortunately was, the fate which now seems to impend over him, would have been then accomplished, and with less destructive effects to the state. It has been his lot to have his hopes raised to the highest pitch, and then, by a refinement in cruelty, to have them dashed away with the rudest violence.

The expences were somewhat encreased during the third series (from 1796 to 1802) about the middle of which (in 1799) a duty of 8s. 9d. per 100lbs. or of a fraction more than 1d. per lb. was imposed on British cotton wool; while, strange to tell, 6s. 6d. per 100lbs. or about 2d. per lb. was laid on American produce in American bottoms., The average price was 2s. 74d. If the whole expence amounted to 1s. 2d. which it certainly did not, the planter netted 1s. 51d. which was quite equal to his wants or his wishes.

The diminution of charges during the short-lived peace of Amiens, remedied, to a certain extent, the smallness of the price, which was only 2s. per lb. They were about 10d. per lb. which left 1s. 2d. for the proprietor.

From the renewal of hostilities to 1808, while 2s. per lb. has been the average price of cotton wool, every thing has happened to diminish the planter's funds. For, immediately on the breaking out of the war, a duty of 10s. 6d. per 100lbs. or 14d. per lb. was laid on British, and 7s. 10d. per 100lbs. or 3d. and a fraction, on American cotton in American bottoms.

In 1805, this highly improper distinction in favour of the latter ceased, and the duties were increased to 16s. 8d. per 100lbs. or 2d. and a fraction per Ib. on British, and 17s. 8d. per 100lbs. or about 21d. per lb. on American produce.

Both, however, are on equal terms when the latter is imported in British bottoms. The duty on British produce was in the following year raised to 16s. 10d. and has continued steadily the same; that an American cotton was first (in 1808) raised to 17s. 10d. per 100lbs. or 24d. per lb. and lately to 20s. 5d. per 100lbs. or about 21d. per lb. when imported directly, and 21s. 14d. per 100lbs. or a fraction more than 21d. per lb, when indirectly. The former

inequality

inequality, when imported in British shipping, is still retained.

The Brazilian cotton growers enjoy similar privileges, when they employ British vessels; but pay 11. 5s. 2d. per 100lbs. or 3d. per lb. in their own shipping.

The British cotton proprietors have therefore been receiving only 10d. per lb. turing that period, which, however inadequate, is superior to his present receipt, and would not have been so high, had the average been made only for the three last years, excluding 1808 and 1809 for the reasons already assigned. It has been shewn, in a preceding page, to have been no more than 1s. 11d.

Before this part of the subject is closed, it may be worthy of attention to refer to the Table C. in which a statement is given of the quantities of cotton imported into this country. From 1804 to the present time, the British have steadily averaged about 20 millions of pounds, while America vacillated from 10 to 47 millions, as caprice dictated. The increase is going on; and early in May, it was 4th more than it had been last year.

The Brazil cotton has suddenly increased from 7 millions of pounds to about 231 millions.

That from India, &c. from about 4 to 144 millions of pounds.

These facts need no comment; they speak for themselves on terms too unequi vocal to be misunderstood.

For the Monthly Magazine. LETTERS DESCRIPTIVE of CHELTENHAM, und its VICINITY.—No. V.

UNSAT

Cheltenham, August 10, 1808. NSATISFIED with the cursory view which we had already taken of Sudeley Castle, I eargerly hastened thither on the following morning to take a solitary survey of this beautiful pile. The dilapidated remains of that exquisite piece of Gothic architecture, once, alas! appropriated to sacred uses, soon rivetted my attention, and while I mused on the instability of all earthly things, I bestowed a tributary sigh upon the ashes of the illustrious dead, that even now repose within its shattered walls. tered it with an indescribable feeling of reverence and of indignation; and as I lingered with pensive pleasure over the violated grave of the hapless Katherine, the melancholy aspect of the surrounding objects insensibly diffused over my mind its gloomy influence. On the right, the MONTHLY Mao. No. 203.

I en

dismantled niches that were once decorated with the sepulchral memorials of the noble family of Chandos, are still visible, in one of which, the mutilated trunk of a female figure yet remains. On the left, a large block of alabaster points out the probable situation of the monument of Katherine Parr.

The page of history presents few par. ticulars respecting this exemplary woman, A dreadful detail of intrigues and fac tions, of rapine and slaughter, allows but small space for the delineation of characters that have added to the lustre of eminent stations--the practice of virtues that ought to have endeared their memories to the latest posterity. I shall therefore refer to my portfolio, and col lect, for your perusal, such brief notices of her life, as my desultory reading may have casually furnished.

It is hardly necessary to premise, that Katherine was the eldest daughter of sir Thomas Parr, of Kendal, in Westmore land, who carefully heightened her per sonal attractions with the irresistible charm of a well-cultivated understanding. At this period, the learned languages were the only avenues to literary knowledge, and an intimate acquaintance with the writers of antiquity was the most fashionable female accomplishment. The fine talents of Katherine, thus happily improved, shone conspicuously forth at an early age, and she soon acquired considerable celebrity, both for the su periority of her sense, and the extent of her learning. Indeed, the sixteenth century produced more women eminent for erudition, than any subsequent period; and 1 most cordially agree with the ele gant author of the Persian Letters," that in a country where women are admitted to a familiar and constant share in every active scene of life, particular care should be taken with their education, to cultivate their reason, and form their hearts, that they may be equal to the part they have to act:" and I think it may fairly be questioned, whether the solid attainments of the old school are not better calculated to produce this desirable end, thau all the superficial frippery of modern accomplishments.

Katherine is said to have been twice married before she was advanced to the throne. Her first husband was the son of Edward lord Borough, who died young, and of whom little is known. Her second was John lord Latimer, who had been previously married, and of whom I only know that he was se

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