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MONTHLY REGISTER, SEPTEMBER 1, 1822.

AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE average price of wheat for the week ending August 3, was 42s. 5d. The reports given by the corn letters on Monday, August 5, notified the arrival of large quantities of grain, (of wheat 10,113 quarters) and a reduction of the price of old wheat from 28. to 3s. a quarter. On Monday, August 12, the supply of the preceding week was stated to be no less than 19,624 quarters. So vast a quantity, while it inundated the market, and completely exceeded the natural demand, paralysed at the same time the buyers, by the eagerness to gain possession of the market, which it evinced on the part of the sellers, for which necessity alone can rationally account.

The effect was commensurate to the cause; wheat fell from 8s. to 10s. a quarter, and even at this reduction, the buyers were indisposed to purchase, so that scarcely any sales could be effected. Yesterday displayed phænomena scarcely less appalling to the suffering agriculturist. The supply was 10,475 quarters, in the face of the glut and reduction of last week; and new wheat again fell 6s. a quarter. It is, however, a curious fact, that while this diminution of price took place, the general average on the 10th of August has risen 6d. it being 42s. 11d. This, however, is to be accounted for by the great proportion of superior quality sold in Mark-lane, where 9,773 quarters were delivered in the previous week, producing an average of 47s. 5d. These are curious facts, for which we are not quite prepared

to account.

In the mean time, the depression in the price obliterates at once, in a single fortnight, all the advantages the occupiers of the soil are imagined to have derived during the past year from abatements in rent, tithe, and taxation. Here is a diminution of 14s., taking the aggregate of the two weeks, upon an article which averaged about 42s. as its entire price, or a reduction of something more than 33 per cent. The ground we have taken in all our arguments upon this subject, since the first agitation of the agricultural question in parliament, is thus very nearly realized. We have always anticipated, our readers will recollect, that the price of corn would ultimately descend to or near to the cost of the continental growth, with the expenses attending the importa tion to this country. If then wheat can be now purchased at Hamburgh for about 32s. 6d. and the cost of transit be esti VOL. VI.-Mon. Reg.

mated at 5s. making together 37s. 6d., the next averages will probably exhibit a price very little above the continental level.

The vast influx of corn into Mark-lane, at a period so immediately succeeding the harvest, can indeed only be accounted for by necessity, and we fear that necessity will be increased by the pressure which the landlords themselves feel, and by the natural desire which they must entertain to have their arrears paid up, while the barns are full, and while the demands of the clergyman, the tax-gatherer, and of other cre ditors, not being yet enforced, leave to the farmer the means of satisfying his more patient landlord. This is a terrible state of things, but we know positively that in many counties it is the true state. We are acquainted with some of the largest land owners in the kingdom, who have recovered large arrears by the circumstance of their tenants becoming insolvent, and being broken up at the instance of less merciful connexions. These gentlemen had not the heart to bring affairs to a crisis; but of course when it became merely a question between one creditor and another, they scrupled not to use the advantage which the law assigns to the landlord; nay, more, we have been lately assured by men of the first landed connexions, and of the first information in one of the counties reputed to be the most opulent in respect to its agriculturists, that if the concerns of the whole agricultural community in that county could be made up, and brought into one balance sheet, they would exhibit an insolvency of at least three-fourths of the whole

the farmers not being able to pay more than 5s. in the pound. We have heard this statement from so many, and such respectable quarters, that we can no longer withhold our reluctant belief to the verity of the fact. Deplorable indeed must be the issue to the individuals, and all connected with them. Yet since we can but regard cheap subsistence as the greatest blessing a nation can enjoy, the only useful inference we can draw, the only good we can extract from the evil-is to instil and to corroborate the maxim which must now be the only sure guide to prosperity; namely, that the farmer must look for his remuneration to a reduction of his expense, instead of an elevation of price. This doctrine, we are happy to see, is confirmed by so able an authority as Mr. Curwen, who in the late meeting of the Abbey Holm

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Agricultural Society of Cumberland, declared himself to that effect. "We are," said the honourable gentleman, "part of one great family of Europe: no nation could exist of itself, therefore we cannot expect nor should we desire that agriculturists alone should flourish. At this time the manufacturer is in full employment, and this is occasioned by the low price of victuals: food is not half of its former price, therefore the operative manufacturer can do with a great deal less wages than he formerly had; the consequence of which is, that their employers keep them in full work; but, on the contrary, should prices again rise, should the scale again preponderate in favour of the agriculturist, down goes the manufacturer. No nation can exist long in this state of things; and the only remedy which I think will put a stop to it is steady prices." Mr. Curwen then proceeded to argue from the principle of the general depreciation effected by the change of the currency, and adopted by Ministers in their proposition to lower the rate at which importation is permitted from 80 to 70 shillings:-from this principle, we say, Mr. Curwen inferred that funded property should be subjected to the same depreciation which land had suffered, and he took his stand upon the fact, that as the depreciation was the act of the government, so it was their duty impartially to subject every species of property to its operation. "Without being accused of spoliation," he observed, "or of wishing to touch upon the property of individuals, he thought they would be justified in calling upon the legislature to remedy this crying evil. The 38 millions of dividends were equal to or even more than all the real property of the country, and the latter had seven millions of poor rates, not to mention innumerable other reductions, to pay, whilst the former escaped without the least reduction. The 38 millions ought in his opinion to be subject to poor rates, but not to tithes, repairing of roads or bridges, as these spring out of the nature of property, but the poor rates do not. The proceeds from the funded property would be

34 millions; and this, it might be said, would be difficult to distribute: but let the government say they would compel the funded proprietor to contribute his share, and he for one would say take it off in taxes; this would save to the country 15 per cent. The real property was at a charge for taxes, &c. of 30 per cent. ; in some cases perhaps more; now if the fundholders should restore 15 per cent. they would all be then bearing a fair proportion." These remarks were followed by a recommendation to petition, and especially, that the fundholder may be subjected to the poor'srate, to which effect resolutions were adopted. Mr. Curwen has this year, like Mr. Coke, suspended the meeting at his own house.

We may now speak of circumstances appertaining to agriculture rather than to political economy, of which our former observations have principally partaken. The harvest is every where complete, except in the extreme northern and eastern parts of the kingdom. Wheat is fine in quality, and certainly a full average crop, well got in generally. Barley will be under the average, and deficient in quality, owing to the curious second growth that succeeded the rains. This has not only kept back the cutting, but occasioned two entirely separate crops as it rises, the first being dead ripe while the second was yet as perfectly green. Hence the first was cut too late, and the second too soon. Oats are a moderate sample, few partaking of the same evil. Beans are a short crop, and the turnips early sown, particularly the Swedes, have been taken off by the fly, so that the quantity will not be near so abundant as last year. The wool trade is very flat, owing to a large supply at York fair; however, there was but a small quantity brought back, yet the demand was slack and dull. The Meat markets continue to fall. Beef in Smithfield, the very best, fetched no more on Monday than 3s. 4d. the supply large, and the market very heavy; Mutton remains much the same, but Lamb is cheaper. August, 1822.

COMMERCIAL REPORT. (London, August 24.)

THERE is nothing in the occurrences of the last month, as far as commerce is concerned, that calls for any particular observations. We are not aware that any considerable change has taken place with respect to the state of commerce, either for the better or the worse. We have more than once hinted our apprehensions with respect to the risks of entering too largely into speculations for the South American market, and we now see from the public

prints that the accounts from that country strongly confirm the opinions we had formed.

The piracies committed in the West Indies afford subject for very serious consideration. That they might be greatly checked, if not wholly stopped, we take for granted; but as the government must be presumed sincerely to wish to protect our commerce against such lawless aggression, there must be some paramount

reason for not employing those means which seem to be in its power. Whether, as some suspect, it is withheld by an overstrained respect for the territorial rights of Spain, we do not pretend to guess; but as part of the island of Cuba is said to be the grand resort of those freebooters, and as this fact itself is a proof that the Spanish Government, if not unwilling, is unable to chastise them, we confess we should not be sorry if the British Government were to take the task upon itself, (as America did with Amelia Island,) and we should be still more pleased if the matter ended with the acquisition by the British crown of the noble island of Cuba, towards which America is already stretching out her polypus arm.

Cotton.-The market has not experienced any remarkable variation, either in the demand or price during this month. The sales in four weeks, from July 23, to August 20, were 1400, 1500, 1600, and 1900 bags. The particulars of the sales of this last week are, in bond-455 Pernams sold, ordinary 104d., good 11d.; 30 Bahias, good 10d.; 10 Paras, middling 83d.; 10 Boweds, good, 8d.; 50 Surats, very ordinary 5d., good fair 6 d., good 63d.; 1050 Bengals, ordinary and fair 5 d. and 5d.. good 54d. a 6d.; nearly the whole for export ;-and, duty paid, 60 fine Demeraras 10d. a 11d. Of the 380 TF Demeraras offered by public auction, 200 only sold: the ordinary dingy 84d. and 8d., middling with stain 87d. and 9d. and fair, clean and bright, 94d. and 93d.; the remainder were withdrawn at 104d. and 10d. for which they are now held.

The report of yesterday's markets states but little variation. The purchases from the 16th to the 22d instant, inclusive, exceed 1200 packages, viz. 730 Bengal, 5d. a 6d. in bond; 70 Surat, 64d. a 64d. ditto; 22 Upland, 84d. ditto; 350 Pernambucco, 10d. a 11d. ditto; 63 Para, 84d. a 84d. ditto; 60 Demerara, 104d. a 11d. duty paid.

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At Liverpool, in the four weeks ending August 17th, the sales were 32,550 bags, and the arrivals 52,600 bags. The market was heavy, not having recovered the pressure of the recent great importations. The prices were generally d. lower, and the inferior descriptions of Bowed and Orleans d. lower.

Sugar. At the end of the last, and commencement of the present month, the market was languid, and rather heavy; towards the middle of the month the request for Muscovades rather revived, the holders evinced much more firmness, and though no general advance on the prices could be stated, yet purchases could not be made on such low terms as before. The demand afterwards became less brisk, but the previous prices were fully maintained.

The demand for Muscovades has been very steady this week, and though no general advance in the prices can be stated, yet the market is more firm, and the sugars from 528. a 57s. have realized higher rates.

In refined goods there is no alteration, the quantity at market is quite inconsiderable, and the few buyers have difficulty in finding the small parcels which have been wanted during the week; there is however no improvement in prices.-Molasses have been steady 268. 6d, a 27s.

There have been considerable enquiries after Foreign sugar by private contract, particularly yellow Havannah, but no sales to any extent are yet reported. By public sale on Wednesday, 760 bags Bengal sugars sold at full prices, ordinary white, 30s. 6d. a 31s. 6d., middling 32s. 6d. a 33s.

The statement reported in our last is contradicted, and it is affirmed that no reduction is intended upon the duty in West India Molasses.

Average prices of raw sugars from Ga

zette.

July 27.. Aug. 3..

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Coffee. The market has on the whole been very animated and satisfactory during the last month, with the exception of a tenporary depression, which we shall notice below. In the week ending July 27, the public sales consisted of 1663 casks, and 2246 bags, the whole of which went off with briskness, at prices generally 2s. per cwt. higher; good ordinary St. Domingo 105s. to 106s.; coloury, 106s. 6d. to 107s. 6d. ; good ordinary Brazil, 104s. 6d. to 105s. On the 30th, there were three public sales, and the market seemed heavy ; but the coffee was chiefly ordinary and damaged; but fine qualities supported the previous prices. In the following week, the public sales were again considerable, and a reduction of 1s. to 2s. took place, but the market recovered at the close of the week. On the 6th instant, two public sales again consisting chiefly of very ordinary broken and damaged coffee, could hardly be taken as a criterion, yet considering them as such, the prices were higher, with a general and extensive demand. It must be observed, however, that very few parcels of good coffee had lately been brought forward, the great demand for exportation having nearly cleared the market of good and fine descriptions. The report of the following week was still more favourable, the public sales, though very extensive, having gone off with great briskness, and all descriptions, except the very ordinary, from 2s. to 4s. per cwt. higher.

On the 13th, there were four public sales, 215 casks, 452 bags; the whole sold

with great briskness, fully supporting the advance we have stated, and in some instances, coloury coffee obtained a further improvement; 400 bags good ordinary Brazil sold 105s. a 106s., coloury 108s.; fine ordinary foxy Jamaica 1148. a 117s.; 49 bales Mocha for home consumption, of a much better quality than has lately ap peared at market, sold at 10%.

The same state of things continued for the week following, the sales large, with a small improvement in the price; but on the 20th, though there was only one sale of 159 casks of Jamaica, and 28 casks of St. Domingo, the sale, contrary to general expectation, was heavy, and the greater part was taken in. Prices were 1s. to 2s. lower than on the preceding Tuesday. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the market was very heavy, and a slight depression in the prices took place. On Thursday, the demand again revived, and a considerable sale went off with spirit, nearly realizing the prices of last week for Jamaica coffee; the Demerara and Berbice sold freely, at prices 28. a 3s. per cwt. higher.

The public sale yesterday, 142 casks 7 bags; Jamaica and Berbice coffee went off with considerable briskness at very full prices; middling Berbice, in extensive parcels, 128s. and 130s.

Spices. East India Company's sale, August 12.-1,291 bags Pepper, black, Company's, at 7d. scratched; 5,130 ditto, private trade, sold 6fd. a 64d.; 1,000 tons Saltpetre, Company's, at 26s. scratched; 1,445 ditto, private trade, sold 20s. 6d. a 24s.; 538 bales Cinnamon, Ist quality, sold 7s. 1d. a 7s. 7d.; 12 ditto, scratched; 126 ditto, 2d quality, sold Gs. 1d.; 425 ditto, scratched; 174 ditto, 3d quality, sold 5s. 1d. a 5s. 2d.; 210 scratched; 1 bag Cloves, sold 3s 11d.; 12 ditto scratched; 12 casks Mace, 1st quality, sold 5s. 1d.; 188 ditto, scratched; 4 ditto Nutmegs, ungarbled, sold 3s. 7d.; 496 ditto, scratched; Cassia Lignea, 67. 15s. a 81. 2s.; Ginger, 11s. 6d. a 13s.; Sago, 148. a 49s. 6d.; private trade, Cloves, Bourbon, 2s. 3d. a 3s.; Amboyna, 2s. 6d. a. 3s. 1d.; Nutmegs, 2s. 9d. a 3s. 6d. ; Mace, 4s. 6d. a 6s. 2d.

Rum, Brandy, and Hollands.-The demand for Rum continues languid; the purchases lately reported are quite inconsiderable, yet the holders have evinced no disposition to sell at any reduction. The prices of Brandy are entirely nominal; Geneva has improved.

Hemp, Flax, and Tallow. The prices of Foreign Tallow have been very steady, the nearest quotation for yellow candle, 37s. for parcels here, and for late arrivals 37s. 6d. and 388.-Hemp is in limited supply, and a considerable improvement in the price has in consequence been realized.-In Flax there is little variation.

Oils. The market remains at nominal quotations for Fish Oils; the holders are demanding an advanced price for Greenland Oil, but the business done is quite inconsiderable: in the absence of accounts from the fisheries, holders look with confidence to the uncommonly late reports respecting this year's success; the buyers on the contrary infer good weather, and a favourable fishing. It is reported some speculators have contracted for large parcels, but the rumour at present rests upon slight authority.-Seed Oils are lower, and heavy at the reduced quotations.

Silk.-There is a considerable advance in Italian Silks; Bengals and Chinas bear a premium is. a 1s. 6d. on the last East India sale prices.

Corn.-Aggregate averages for the last six weeks :

Wheat 42s. 11d.
Barley 198.
Oats 18s. 9d.

Rye 18s. 10d. Beans 26s.

Peas 26s. 9d.

FOREIGN COMMERCE. Hamburg, 10th August.-Cotton. Still very dull, and declining in price.-Coffee. As many holders of the most considerable parcels, lately arrived, still keep back from the market, and many orders were completed from the sale of a large quantity from Brazil, at the close of last week, very little has been doing this week. There is very little Domingo on sale, and good ordinary with a little colour and not broken, cannot be had under 1134.; fine ordinary ditto not under 12d.; and pale ordinary with some broken, not under 11d. to 11gd. Havannah and Portorico, the middling and good middling sorts of which continue in demand, are nearly cleared off. Of fine middling Dominica and Berbice, a good deal has been brought to market, but the middling qualities are rare. Fine middling Jamaica, for which there are many orders, is scarcely to be had. Dyewoods of every description have been in general demand, other articles dull.-Spices. Pepper finds buyers at last week's prices, but the holders keep back. Pimento is more sought, and the prices have risen a little, as our stock is short. Rice remains firm in price as the demand continues; the inferior sorts are most inquired for.-Tobacco; in most descriptions more business has been doing. There have been sold by private contract, about 40,000 lb. Portorico in leaves, 40,000 lb. ditto in rolls, and about 50 hhds. of Virginia and Kentucky.—Tea; the 1,283 chests Haysanchin 189 quarter do. and 419 do. Haysan, and 564 do. Imperial, imported from Providence,have already met with purchasers.-Sugar. Hamburg refined met with a brisk sale this week at a trifling reduction in the price. Our stock of lumps. is greatly reduced; good middling will fetch 84d. Treacle sells readily in large

parcels at 10d. There is rather more demand for raw goods, but this has no influence on the price, as new supplies continue to arrive.

Frankfort on the Oder, August 1st.The late St. Margaret's Fair has turned out, in general, uncommonly good. Far more goods have been brought both from the interior and from abroad than in former Fairs: the sellers have been satisfied with the great demand and the buyers with the reasonable prices. Foreign and Prussian cottons and woollens, ordinary and middling Prussian cloths, and leather, have met with the best sale. Linen and silk goods, especially those of Elberfeld, sold to advantage, as did also foreign and Prussian jewelry and hard-ware, iron, glass, and wood articles; Lyons silks were so much in request, that four times as much might have been sold as were at the fair. Of unmanufactured goods, as horse-hair, bristles, feathers, hides, firs, wax, &c. there was a large supply at the fair, which was for the most part sold at good prices. Wool, of which there was more than on former occasions, sold at the following prices, per stone, viz. improved 14 to 17 rix dollars; fine country wool, 8 to 10 ditto; middling, 6 to 7 ditto; ordinary, 34 to 5 ditto.

Nuremburg, Aug. 1.—The summer fair has been far better than any preceding one. There was a large quantity of English cotton manufactures, which sold well.

Riga, July 29.-Flax sold at the following prices: Marienburgh crown, 44r; ditto cut, 38r.; white Thiesenhausen and Druiania Rackitzer, 45r.; cut Badstub, 38r.; Rister Threeband 29 r.-Hemp. The prices last paid were, Ukraine clean, 98 r.; Polish ditto 100 r.; Ukraine outshot, 89 to 88 r.; Polish ditto, 91 to 90 r.; Uk

raine Pass, 80 to 81 r.; Polish ditto, 83 r.; Torse, 49 to 48 r.—Hemp-oil, is offered at 90r.-Sugar. White Havannahs have been purchased, according to the quality, at 15 to 16 copecks; yellow ditto, at 11 cop. and six months credit; good ordinary refined of our own manufacture may be bought at 24 cop. The prices last paid for Salt were: Terravecchia, 83 r.; Cagliari, 80 r.; reddish coarse Cette, 76 r.; Hieres, 72 r.

Copenhagen, Aug. 13.-The trade in corn and in all kinds of merchandize is very dull. Several cargoes from the West Indies have already arrived, but the demand is very slack and the prices low.

Amsterdam, 10th. Aug.-Cotton. The demand is trifling, and our stock has been lately increased by fresh supplies.-Coffee. The prices have not only kept up, but West India is about stiver higher than last week.-Dyewoods, &c. with the exception of Indigo, which meets with a ready sale, at advanced prices, these articles are dull, and woods about florin lower.-Spices. On the whole there is little doing, but the price steady, so that 174d. to 18d. are paid, for fine brown pepper, and 594 to 60 florins for Jamaica Pimento.-Rice. Carolina is worth 42 to 45 shillings Flemish.-Tobacco. Only about 200 hhds. of Maryland and several small parcels of Kentuckey have been lately sold, and it is difficult to obtain the market prices.-Tea. No purchases have been made except for home consumption at the current prices.-Sugar. Refined goods continue to meet with a rapid sale, but raw sugars are dull and cannot be disposed of but at depressed prices; fine Surinam and Havannak are again d. lower than last week.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

The Works of the Rev. W. Beveridge, DD. Bishop of St. Asaph, Edited by Thos. Hartwell Horne, MA. in 9 Vols. 8vo.

Anatomical and Physiological Commentaries. By Herbert Mayo, Surgeon and Lecturer in Anatomy. No. I.

A Treatise on Conchology, in which the Linnæan System is adhered to, and the Species that differ in form, &c. are put into Divisions.

A Concise System of Mensuration; containing Algebra, Practical Geometry, Trigonometry, the Mensuration of Surfaces and Solids, Land-Surveying, Gauging, &c. with proper Tables, adapted to the Use of Schools. By Alex. Ingram, Mathematician, Leith.

Mr. Elmes's Memoirs of the Life and Works of Sir Christopher Wren.

A New Volume of the Bombay Transactions, Illustrated by numerous Plates.

Views of Ireland, Moral, Political, and Religious. By John O'Driscot, Esq. in 2 Vols. 8vo.

An Explanation of the Five Books of Moses; in which it is attempted to render Sacred History as interesting and familiar as possible to the youthful Mind.

A System of General Anatomy. By W. Wallace, MRIA. Lecturer on Anatomy and Surgery, &c. &c.

The History of Rome, from the earliest Period to the Termination of the Empire. By Charles Mills, Author of the History of the Crusades, in 10 Vols. 8vo.

Travels through the Holy Land and Egypt. By William Rae Wilson, Esq. 1 Vol. 8vo. with Engravings.

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