and experience, who strongly object to any change of the existing laws which regulate the trade in corn.

The agricultural petitioners to parliament having, however, obtained (much we believe, to the surprise of all parties) their committee, which, although more limited in its objects than was wished, is yet a material step gained for their cause, we shall attempt a condensation of their arguments as the fairest means by which to obtain a knowledge of their ultimate views and objects.

The cultivators of the soil of the United Kingdom, then, call on the legislature to give the same protection to agriculture for the next six years, and in as ample and ef.

ficient a manner, as the commerce and manufactures have possessed for nearly the preceding four centuries; and the following are some of their reasons, among many

others :

1. Because it is the essence of injustice to protect one part of the community at the expense of the other; which is decidedly

the relative situation of the commercial and

manufacturing body with that of the agricultural; the interests of the former being strictly and effectually guarded by a series of statutary laws and regulations, framed during a period of 356 years; while the only effort worthy of notice, in favour of the latter, is contained in the provisions of the celebrated act of the 55th of the late king, which have been experimentally proved useless and nugatory.

2. That this injustice is considerably enhanced, and its manifest impolicy proved, by the consideration, that the favoured portion of the community is infinitely inferior (as well numerically considered, as in respect to its contributions to the exigencies of the state), to the agricultural body, as may be fully shewn by the fact, that when the occupiers and proprietors of the soil paid 6,473,4751. to the property tax, the

contribution of the merchants and manufacturers to the same impost, reached but 40 2,000,000l.! The same proportion will extend to their relations in respect of capital, numbers employed, or utility and consequence, as producing articles of the first necessity to man.

3. As the principle is incontrovertible, that the growers of raw produce are to all intents and purposes in fact, though not in name, manufacturers (inasmuch as their concerns cannot be carried on without CAPITAL, SKILL and LABOUR:)—as such, they are, therefore, entitled to all the protection, which every other manufacturer in the empire already enjoys; because, common justice, and common sense require, that all manufacturers, whether they pay taxes or duties upon the manufactory of their respective productions, should be equally protected or not protected at all.

4. But the petitioners are far from decrying the policy or utility of the system of protecting duties, that for ages has enabled the commercial and manufacturing interests of the United Kingdom (aided by our national industry and enterprize), to maintain their pre-eminence to the whole world. On the contrary, they ask for themselves (what has been hitherto denied to them), upon every principle of justice and policy, equal rights and consequently equal taxation; and in making this just, and, they trust, temperate demand, they renounce all attempts at monopoly for themselves, and rejecting all privileges and partialities in favour of any particular commodity or description of men, they are heartily consenting to the admission of the productions of the whole world into this island, at all times, and at all seasons, upon payment of an import-duty equivalent to the tithes and taxes now paid upon the growth of our own productions. 5. The result of such concession, even for the time above stated, six years, the petitions universally and confidently state, would be such an immediate stimulus to the extension of agriculture, adequate to the creation of such a redundancy of agricultural produce, as to reduce every article of subsistence to the lowest price at which it can be grown in the United Kingdom; invigorate the whole system of the country; and restore the entire skill, capital, and industry of the nation, in all its branches, to the brightest recollections of any former prosperity.

It will easily be perceived that in stating the above, all details have been avoided; nor, for the present, do we hazard an opinion upon so complicated a subject, and upon which there are so many conflicting opinions. The facts, however, upon which the allegations of the various petitions presented to Parliament on the subject of the agricultural distress of the country, are founded, are abundantly curious, and may form the subject-matter of future discussion. REPORT.

The continued rains which prevailed from the latter end of the last month to near the end of the present threw a deep gloom over the hopes of the farmer and grazier ;-the corn-crops were growing too largely in the straw to give the promise of earing well, while the cold nights were equally unpropitious to the growth of the short swath of the meadows and pastures. Had the rains continued, the consequences would have been most disastrous; but they have providentially ceased. Their prevalence was greater in the Northern and Eastern Districts in the South, Midland, and Western, they were not so frequent and heavy. The present fine weather has set the mowers to work very generally, and its effect on the corn crops has been already astonishing.

In the introduction to our last month's report, we ventured to state our opinion that the celebrated petition of the merchants of London, though founded on principles theoretically good, was not likely soon to lead to any important practical alterations in the system of commercial policy which we have so long pursued. This opinion appears to be that of the public in general; and decidedly that of the present ministers, as was very explicitly stated by the Earl of Liverpool, in the debate on the Marquis of Lansdown's motion, for a Committee to inquire into the means of extending the foreign trade of the country; though, his lordship conceded that something might be done, and therefore concurred in the appointment of a committee, as proposed. Still more averse are the ministers from any change in the corn laws, as appears from the very remarkable debate on Mr. Holme Sumners' motion for a Select Committee, to consider of the agricultural petitions; for though the house very unexpectedly agreed to the motion, yet the opposing party contrived to get the debate adjourned, and when it was resumed, succeeded in having the functions of the committee limited to an inquiry into the mode of ascertaining, returning, and calculating the average prices of corn in the 12 maritime districts, according to the existing laws; and into any frauds committed in violation of those laws. The truth is, that our system of foreign trade is so interwoven with our revenue, that every change, however plausibly advocated, must be, if not a financial sacrifice, at least a financial experiment, which, in the present state of the country, with an increasing debt, increasing taxation, increasing expenditure, decreasing revenue, and vanishing -sinking-fund, we cannot afford to venture.

With respect to the general state of trade the variations since last month have been so inconsiderable, that we feel it unnecessary to make any observations beyond those which are contained under the several heads.

Coffee. The market has been fluctuating the whole month, and in general lower than at the time of our last report; but last week there has been a considerable amendment; the prices rising 2s. a 3s. per cwt., though the public sales were extensive, consisting of 994 casks, and 3270 bags; St. Domingo, in large parcels, realized 119s. a 120s.; Jamaica, good ordinary, 117s., fine ordinary, 119s. a 121s.; Brazils, 118s. Demerara and Berbice sold higher than any other, viz. middling, which had been selling at 128s. a 128s. 6d. realized 132s. a 133s., fine ordinary, 131s. 1530 bags Cheribon sold, ordinary, 115s. 6d. a 116s. 6d., good ordinary, 118s. 6d. a 120s.

On Tuesday the market was uncom

monly brisk; there were three public sales, consisting of 656 casks, and 20 bags; the whole sold, with great briskness, at prices from 3s. a 4s. higher than a week before: and, it is worthy of notice, that this advance has happened at a time when the supplies of new coffee arrive in the greatest abundance, and that ten or eleven other public sales were advertized to take place this week. The improvement is attributed to the favourable accounts received from Germany, and to the large deliveries from the West India warehouses last week, for exportation, viz. 1272 casks, and 2187 bags. St. Domingo, of good quality, realized 122s. by private contract: Jamaica, by public sale, fine middling, in large parcels, 137s. a 139s. 6d., good middling 132s. a 1368., middling 128s., from ordinary to ordinary middling, 123s. a 125s., fine ordinary, 120s., good ordinary, 117s. 6d., 118s. a 119s. 6d. The greater proportion of coffee sold was Jamaica: a few lots of Demerara sold, middling, 130s. a 131s., good middling, 133s. 6d.

Sugar. The sugar market was in general languid for the first three weeks succeeding our last report; the supply was small, yet the buyers, in expectation of the new arrivals, showed no eagerness to purchase; so that prices, on the whole, declined, though the average rose. Last week, however, the demand increased, and the prices improved a little; on Tuesday, the 20th, there was a good supply of new sugars at market, and that day may be stated to have been the first when the supply was general, and of good quality. The show of sugars attracted the buyers, and very considerable business was done, though without any variation in the prices. The purchases of lumps and low goods were extensive last week: the supply of the former is unequal to the demand. In foreign there has been very little variation of the prices for this month past.

Average prices of raw sugar, by Ga

37s. 7 d.

Cotton. The market, which became heavy in the week immediately following our last report, improved again greatly in the first week of this month. The sales were extensive, amounting to 4630 bags, viz. 450 Pernambuco 16 d. to 17d. duty paid; 80 Minas 124d. duly paid; and in bond, 300 Boweds 113d. a 113d.; 800 Surats 7d. a9d.; 3000 Bengals, 6d. a 81d. In the following week the demand subsided, both at London and Liverpool, and there has been little doing since; (up to the 20th.) for though there were extensive buyers, at

prices about 0fd. below the market price; there were no sellers at the reduction. In consequence, no sales were reported but of a few Smyrnas at 11d. duty paid, and a few Bengals at 63d. a 7 d. in bond. At Liverpool, the arrival of 42,000 bags, from the 3d to the 17th June, could not fail to depress the market.

Spices. The prices have experienced no remarkable variation since the great sale at the India House on the 8th of May. Another great sale of spices is declared for the 14th of August; the quantity of black pepper is only 2000 bags, which, added to a report that the taxed price would be raised, caused a momentary rise in the price, which has since subsided.

Tea. Since the conclusion of the India House sale, Boheas, which sold 1d. per lb. higher than at the last sale, now command an advance of 2d. a 3d.: common Congou and Twankay sold rather higher; the good at the increased prices; the finest Hysons 2d. a 6d. lower; no Company's Souchong in the sale.

Oils.—The demand for fish oils has increased, especially for exportation. Greenland, for arrival £33 a £34, chiefly at the latter rate. Southern and Cape are also higher. Seed oils, rather lower.

Baltic produce. At the beginning of the month there was a great improvement in the prices, and most extensive business was done. Advices from St. Petersburgh, stating a great depression in the prices of tallow, and large arrivals from the Baltic, caused a decline in the prices. Yellow candle here is 58s. 6d. a 59s. 6d., and for arrival, about 6d. lower. Large sales of hemp, to arrive, have been made at £41, which is an improvement. In flax there is little alteration. Town tallow has been invariably at 648.

Corn. The trade remains in nearly the same state; yet the arrival of foreign grain continues to be very large.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

36 ships which have arrived at Cronstadt St. Petersburgh, 16th of May. Of the up to this day, only three were in ballast; all the rest were laden with piece goods, fruit, herrings, and coals. As the supplies from the interior have not yet arrived, the transactions in our articles of exportation are mostly limited to what remains of last year's supply, and to the little that is brought by land. As we are in hourly expectation of fresh supplies, nothing is doing in foreign articles. Of our export articles, Bristles of the very best quality, are scarce, and readily obtain 75 r.; something inferior but yet very good 72. Those of the second quality may be had at 22 r., but are good for nothing. Flax 12 heads are scarce, and held at 160 r. Nine-heads not to be had under 125 r.-Grain. Rye of best quality is held at 15 r.: wheat is offered at 25 r. but meets with no buyers at that price... Hemp. More has been doing of late, and 100 r. have been paid for very good clean, 102 r. for the best, 75 a 76 r. for outshot, and 65 r. for half clean.-Hemp oil has risen and is held at 10 r.-Tallow has fallen and meets with purchasers; yellow, on the spot, is to-day at 172 r. Soap ditto, 150 r.

116 r. all down, are offered for yellow, and No contracts for delivery, as only 148 for soap, and the holders demand 168 r. and 150 r.: white may be had at 150 r., as there is no demand whatever for it.

less in demand than last week, maintains Riga, 20th and 27th May.Flax, though its prices. Marienburg crown 49 r.; Thies and Druiana Rackitzer 46 a 47 r.; cut Badstub 42 r.; Ristenthreeband 35 r.; Tow 18 r.-Corn, except oats, duller; Courland wheat 93 r. a 110 r.; Courland rye 61 a 63 r.; Russian ditto 60, and Courland barley 48 a 49 r. Hemp oil 110 r. Polish potashes 92 r.-Seeds have risen; for remaining sowing linseed 6 a 6 r. are asked. Druiana linseed 5 a 6 r.; crushing

linseed 18 r. a 23 r.

Tallow is more in demand, and is held at the following prices, viz., white crown 165 r.; yellow 185 r.; soap, 160 r. Among imported articles, sugars alone maintain a good price. Hamburgh, 10th June. Cotton. Little doing, except in Bengal, sold by auction. Coffee. The demand continuing to be brisk the prices have again risen.-Corn. Though some purchases have been made this week for Portugal, yet the arrivals have been so large that only the best qualities maintain their prices.-Pepper and Pimento, rather higher; fine spices, unchanged.--Indigo not much in demand, and prices lower. Rice improving, the supply having been small, and a great part already exported again.-Tea. The 1300 and chests of souchong and hyson chin, from Providence, are already sold; but at present the demand is limited to small parcels.-Sugar, There has been a brisk demand for our refined sugars this week, so that some descriptions are almost entirely cleared off large purchases have in consequence been made of strong middling lumps in loaves, for our refineries, at 11d. a 112d.: the sale of ordinary and of crushed was small. Raw sugars, of all descriptions, and dry quality, are in great demand, not only for our refineries but for exportation; so that notwithstanding the supplies we have received, our stock begins to run very low, not only in fine goods, but ordinary white Brazils: for the latter there has been already paid 104d; for middling and fine middling 103d. to 12d.; and for fine common 13d. For the last arrived white and yellow Havannah 144d. and 104d. were in vain offered, and afterwards 144d. paid for about 50 chests of the former kind.

Germany. It is stated that several German states, viz. Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt, and the Saxon Duchies, have concluded a treaty, by which they agree to establish freedom of commercial intercourse between their respective states, abolishing the inland tolls; and that Hanover and Oldenburg have declared their readiness to accede to this treaty, unless prevented by the refusal of the Electorate of Hesse, which lies between. This state

WORKS PREPARING

The Brothers, a Monody, and other Poems. By Charles Abraham Elton, Esq.

Dr. Prout is preparing for the press an Inquiry into the Nature and Medical Treat'ment of those Diseases connected with a deranged Action of the Urinary Organs, especially Gravel, and Calculus: it is the author's object to take a more comprehensive view of this important class of diseases than has hitherto been attempted.

Dr. Leach has nearly completed his Synopsis of British Mollusca, being an arrangement of Bivalve and Univalve Shells according to the animals inhabiting them.

ment is not official; but as it is of great importance, and has been very publicly made, the states of Wurtemburg have resolved to request the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to inform them whether such a treaty has been concluded, or not. This step would go a great way towards realizing one of the wishes of the German merchants and manufacturers, as such a treaty would probably be soon acceded to by other members of the German Confederation. The accomplishment of the other object of the merchants and manufacturers, namely, to lay heavy duties on all foreign goods imported, does not appear to be so near at hand as its advocates would make us be lieve.

France. In the commercial reports from the great cities and sea-ports, we have not observed any thing particularly interesting to the English merchant. The accounts from Bourdeaux are more favourable, and those from Marseilles speak with a degree of confidence of the revival of trade. The sugar refineries at Marseilles have been greatly increased, and with those of Bour deaux, supply all the south of France as far as Lyons, but they do not furnish any thing for exportation.

The law containing some changes in the Tariff of Customs with a view to encouraging the French trade and manufactures has passed; but we have not yet seen an official copy of it. It is, however, justly observed by intelligent merchants in France, that these annual changes in the tariff of customs are great impediments to commercial speculations on an extensive scale.

Genoa, 3d June. The arrivals of grain from the Black Sea continue. The prices are however steady, and more inclined to rise than to fall, because we have great apprehensions for our harvest. Large sales have been made this week for exportation to Tunis, which city appears to be entirely destitute of corn. The crop of silk promises to be extremely abundant. The accounts from Piedmont, Lombardy, the two Sicilies respecting this rich crop are equally satisfactory. Our stock of corn is 140,000 emines of wheat, and 20,000 emines of pulse.

FOR PUBLICATION.

Dr. Thomson is printing a New Edition of his System of Chemistry: he also announces his intention to prepare a work on the Practice of Chemistry.

Mr. William Allen, of York, is about to publish a volume of Lectures on the Temper and Spirit of the Christian Religion; recently delivered to a large private audience, and now addressed to the numerous parties which agitate and divide this empire.

In the course of the Summer will appear, by the Rev. H. K. Bonney, Prebendary of Lincoln, Historic Notices, in reference to