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    of foreign guanos ; and , if cate . be taken , at such a pric e as to leave a good profit . Instead of making ridiculou s propositions in Parliament to force Peru to sell her guano for less than it will fetch , we should like to see some agricultural members zealously adopt and direct in the right path of economy and truthfulness a project so evidently valuable to the farmer and the povertystricken Irish of the seaboard as would be a fishery manure society on a large scale . The Lessees Scheme . —A Paris letter says : —" The unhappy Isthmus of Suez Company seems to be already in a worse state than might have been expected . A short time ago we were officially told that the number of infinitel

    applications for shares in France had ? been y greater : than could be allotted . It now appears that this is not the case . All that have been asked for will be granted , we are assured . Here we have the most convincing proof that the scheme has failed to enlist anything like general sympathy . It has evidently met with a certain amount " of success in France ; but only just enough to cover its failure in every other country . Sensible people see that in the reluctance of English capitalists to bury their money in the shifting sands of Egypt is the very best proof that the operation can lead to no good , by whoever performed . If the canal had been practicable as a commercial undertaking , England would not have waited for France to dig it , say they ;

    and they speak wisely ^ . A New Warlike Engine . —We give the following on the authority of the Times : — " An American invention has just been brought to this country , with a view to its being disposed of either to this or any other European Government , and which , if it does one-half of what the patentee guarantees can be done with it , will make such a ^ han ge in the mode of carrying on a naval war as will put steamers out of the question , and render of no avail the tremendous forts of Cronstadt or Cherbourg . It is nothing less than a , submarine boat made only for working under water , in form much resembling the shape of a porpoise , but capable of being made large enough to contain 8 ,- 10 , or even 15 men , if necessary , with a proportionate quantity of explosives . The gentleman who has come over here with this invention , who is

    part proprietor of the patent , was instructed not to offer it to the British Government until it had first been offered to the Emperor of the French , from the notion which our Transatlantic cousins entertain of the redtape system of the English Government , and . their slowness to adopt any sudden or great improvements . The Secretary of the United States Navy merely wrote to the inventor to say that American ships were required on the water and never wanted to go under it . The proffer to the Emperor of the French received even less attention , as jio answer wa 3 returned to ihe letter at all .

    When the invention was brought a few days since under the notice of the English Board of Admiralty it received full and prompt attention , and Sir Baldwin Walker has already had interviews with the gentleman to whose care the disposal of the patent is entrusted . Nothing definite has yet resulted from these audiences , though , as the cost of bujlding the submarine boat is very small , ¦ we believe that one will eventually be constructed in this country , and if it only fulfil half what the patentee expects of it , the invention will be purchased by the British Government .

    Chinese Emigration . —Arrangements are m progress for the introduction of 11 , 000 Chinese coolies on the sugar estates at the French Island of Martinique , West Indies . The British possessions of Demerara and Trinidad have subscribed about 60 , 000 / . for a similar purpose , half of -which has already been forwarded to Chinn . The first instalment of coolies is expected in March , and authority has been given to their special agent to incur an extra expense as a bonus , or otherwise , in procuring women to accompany them to the extent of about 20 per cent . ; this forms a leading distinction in this order as compared with those frpm Cuba : there is also another , viz ., that the rate of wages is to be that current in the respective islands , a guarantee

    being given in China that , in any case , they are not to have less than nve dollars ( 22 s . Gd . ) per month , and their food ; a free passage back to China is also to be given at the expiration of six * years , or a bonus equal to tho cost of passage should the coolies decide on romaining . On their arrival , they will bo appointed to tho various estates , but will have the privilege _ of changing each year according to their fancies . — "China Telegraph , Port oe London . — 'The general business of tho port continues inactive . The number of ships reported inward during the past week was 171 , and those cleared

    outward amounted to 109 , including 28 in ballast . Of those on the berth loading outwards , 55 are for tho Australian colonies , 0 for China , 2 for San Francisco , and 2 fox Vancouver ' s Island . Tina Trade ow Russia . —Tho Russian Government has published a report on Russian commerce in 1857 , which shows a considerable Increase over 1856 . The exportation was—by tho European frontier , 141 , 868 , 180 roubles in 1857 , to 186 , 402 , 898 roublos in 1850 ; by tho Asiatic frontier , 11 , 045 , 508 roublos in 1857 , to 10 , 500 , 682 roubles in 1856 ; to Finland , 4 , 882 , 568 roublos , and 2 , 884 , 096 roubles respectively ; and to Poland , 12 , 056 , 784 to 10 , 879 , 490 .. The total for 1857

    was 169 , 688 , 134 roubles , Svhilst in lSa . 6 it was 160 , 247 , 872 roubles . The importation by the European frontier was 117 , 941 , 761 roubles to 90 , 171 , 961 ; by the Asiatic frontier , 19 , 347 , 199 roubles to 17 , 002 , 189 ; from Finland , 56 4 , 022 roubles to 564 , 828 . ; from Poland , 13 , 833 , 817 roubles to 14 , 823 , 401 . In all , 151 , 686 , 799 roubles to 122 , 562 , 442 . The increase in the exportation was 9 , 438 , 20 * 2 roubles , in the importation 29 , 124 , 357 roubles . Of gold and silver specie the import was

    8 , 775 , 727 roubles , and of gold and silver ingots the export was 23 , 670 , 076 roubles . The exportation of grain diminished about 5 , 000 , 000 roubles , in consequence of the good crops obtained in foreign countries . The exportation of hemp , tallow , iron , copper , bristles , and linseed also diminished , but that of wood , skins , wool , and potash increased . The customs in 1857 yielded in Russia 33 , 522 , 491 roubles , being 5 , 059 , 998 more than in 1856 ; ami in Poland , 2 , 270 , 090 roubles , or 88 , 458 more .

    Agricultural , Insurance in Franck . —A philanthropic association is about to be established for assuring farmers against losses by fire , hail , frost , disease among their cattle , and inundations . This institution has been approved by the Council of State . The capital is fixed at a million francs , which lias been subscribed by individuals holding a high position as politicians , financiers , and agriculturists . The subscribers advance , their money gratuitously , and they do not intend to derive any benefit from their advance , which is to be returned to them without interest . The subscribers propose to establish a community of interest among the proprietors of landed property ^—the farmers and labourers throughout Friince , each of whom is to subscribe a sum in proportion to his means . Each branch of assurance will have a separate bank , and each bank will be provided with a reserve to meet every contingency . <

    Stock Exchange . —The following gentlemen have been elected members of the Committee for the administration of the Fund for decayed Members , for 1859 :. — Barber , J . E . E . ; Brown , Charles John ; Capel , James ; Cohen , Louis ; Corthorn , Charks ; Flower , M . ; Hoghton , A . A . ; Paravieini , J . P . de ; Peckett , George ; Pethber , J . E . ; Pulley , S . EL ; Raincock , G . D . ; Salkeld , Joseph ; Simon , L . M . ; Tudor , Henry ; Tyrie , David ; Vardon , Arthur ; Vile , Thomas ; Williams , John ; Bostock , Samuel ; Jones , John ; Mark , Henry ; Paine , Hammon ; Payne , J . N . , Samson , Louis ; Slous , F . T . ; Spurling , Stephen ; Wagg , John ; Wilkinson , Norman .

    Nkav Russian Steam Packet Link .- —At a general meeting held some weeks ago , the shareholders of the Great South Russian Society for Navigation and Commerce passed the resolution to emit a new series of 10 , 000 shares more , for the purpose of establishing a line of steamboat communication between Odessa , Leghorn , and London . ¦ ¦ Russian Improvements . —A splendid iron bridge is to supersede the present clumsy wood construction over the Vistula at Warsaw . The works will commence early in the spring . - The Napoleon Docks—MEmilde irardin has

    . . o G accepted , without salary , the post of manager of the unfortunate Napoleon Docks , which he hopes to resuscitate . Ho proposes to buy the old shares of 125 fr ., which have lately been fetching only 40 fr . in the market , at 65 fr . for money , or to give shares in the newlyorganised company at the rate of 80 fr . French Commercial Prospects . — -Tho Constitutionncl publishes a long article on tho present position of France , commercially and financially considered , as compared with that which was to be seen at the commencement of 1858 . The object of the statements made is to show that tho present year opens with infinitely better

    prospects than the last . It touches on one of the principal episodes of the year—the monetary crisis—which led to such heavy failures in many countries , but left Franco comparatively uninjured , and concludes thus : " We begin the year 1859 under the most favourable auspices —with a great abundance of disposable capital , 300 , 000 , 000 fr . more specie in tho Bank , a rate of interest as low as it has over bcon , broad cheap , a Treasury amply provided , and a surplus revenue of 75 , 000 , 000 fr . ovor tho estimates . These are certainly tho best guarantees of a great and durable improvement . There is no exaggeration in saying that wo aro now entering upon a now era of prosperity . "

    Progress op Russia in Asia , —A letter from St . Petersburg says : — " Those of your roadors acquainted with tho intimate connexion existing between tho commercial progress and political extension of Russia in Central Asia , will bo not a little interested to hoar that the oaravans despatched from Orenburg and Troizk to Bokhara , between the dates of October 1 st and November 18 th , consisted of no fowor than 5000 camola and about 200 carriages . TJio valuo transported by thoao mercantile monster-processions amounted to about 90 , 000 / , —an enormous sum , when wo oonsidor how largo a quantity of their raw produce tho inhabitants of Bokhara aro compelled to give in exchange for tho various artiolos of civilised life received from Russia . Owing to their being 1 limited to this single market , the proud aboriginal Turks of Khiwa and Bokhara already fool how entirely dependent they aro on tho will of tho Czar .

    I may state it , indeed , as a decided fact 4 that these two principal tribes of the ancient Khantes of Turkestan are nil but directly subjected to the rule of the insatiable Lord of the Serfs . But yesterday we had the news of a magnificent white elephant being sent as a tribute and demonstration of respect by the Khan of Bokhara to the Emperor . " Trade in France . —Business in Paris , to which the purchase of Urennes for the Jour die VAn invariably gives a great impetus , was during the past week much impeded by the unfavourable state of the weather , but on a change for the better it became very , animated . One branch of industry still continues in a depressed state , that is the jewellery trade , and the sales made

    during the week will be but a slight relief to it . The accounts from the manufacturing districts continue satisfactory . At Rouen and Mulhausen there is still a good business doing in calicoes and yarns , and at fair prices . Printed goods have also found ready purchasers . At Lyons the loorasace actively employed . The manufacturers at Roub . , Amiens , and Rhcitns are busily engaged , particularly in mixed woven goods , which go off freely . The raw sugar market in Paris has been firm , and prices well maintained ; refined sugar was in ifood demand , with improved quotations . There has

    been an increased demand for copper , and prices continue on the rise . Considerable speculation has taken place in colza oil , and the advance which had previously taken place-has been maintained . A good business has been done in raw wool , which is firm in price . In tlie Paris corn market , during the last week of 1858 , business was exceedingly restricted , both in flour ami wheat . In . the former the four marks were quoted at 4 of . 5051 the sack of ., 157 kilogrammes . Wheat was held firmly at 25 f . first quality the 120 kilogrammes , and inferior kinds at prices down to 22 f . Perhaps , during the whole year , no week could boast of less business done .

    Trade of Spain . —A second Blue-book , published on . Thursday , contains further reports relative to the trade of various foreign countries . It includes some interesting papers on Spain and its colonies . The importation of merchandise under the ( Spanish ) national fla ^ shows a sum ( according to Mr . Otway , our Charge d'Afi'aires in Madrid ) of 989 , 895 , 986 reals ( 9 ; 898 , 960 / . ) , paying a duty of 1 , 570 , 316 / . or 157 , 631 , 638 reals ; imder foreign flags to the value of 2 , 669 , 094 / ., paying a duty of 224 , 000 / . ; and by land to the value of 473 , 027 / ., yielding duty to the amount of 66 , 399 / . All this gives a tbtal of merchandise to the value of 13 , 041 , 680 / ., the duties amount to 186 , 711 , 651 reals ( 1 , 867 , 116 / . ) . This importation exceeds that of 1855 by 2 , 804 , 067 / ., and

    has produced 204 , 877 / . increase of duties compared with the average product of the last five years ; the importation shows an increase to . 'thc extent of 5 , 014 , 960 / ., and the duty an increase of 252 , 149 / . The exportation is less than that of 1855 by 1 , 957 , 463 / ., and presents iin increase of duties to the amount of 457 / . With respect to the average of the last five years , the increase of exportation is 2 , 330 , 221 / ., and the duties have decreased by 515 / . Turning to the island of Puerto Rico , it is found that British trade with that colony has increased considerably since 1842 ( tho first year for which returns were mude ) . Yet , notwithstanding the great relative increase , Mr . Consul Hunt reports that our trade with Puerto Rico is in a very unsatisfactory position , and

    that the yearly amount of our imports is wholly insignificant in relation to the produce exported annually , the value of which varies between 1 , 000 , 000 / . and 1 , 200 , 000 / . Tho reason of this is the absurd restrictions imposed by tho Colonial Government of Spain in tho West Indies , tho result being that there is no mercantile firm or branch house established in tho island , nor any house receiving goods on commission direct from England . Were tho restrictions modified , Mr . Hunt is convinced that the consumption of British goods would increaso very rapidly in Puerto Rico . As an illustration of its inutility , as well as the absurdity of fiscal prohibitions , it is stated that boyond the imports of which wo possess an exact knowledge , there is introduced

    annually , by way of contraband , fostered by the high tariff in forco , an amount of goods fnirJy estimated as equal to 20 per cent , of the gross annual returns ! Cofl ' eo and tho cane aro cultivated generally in tho island , while cotton and tobacco aro grown only in certain districts . There is no export duty except on timber . A moro onlightonod policy appears to bo pursued in the Philippine Islands , tho Governor of Manilla informing Sir J . Bowring ( In April , 1857 ) that ho considered , one of his principal duties on tho assumption of offlco to bo tho development of tho ricli rosourcoa " of tho islands , tho chief of which ia tho production and sale of tho exquisite tobacco so cheroot

    thoroughly appreciated by smokers of tf « o " . Tho Governor has ordered that no efforts shall bo sparod to improve tho cultivation of tho tobacco plant . There is a long report from Ilolo on tho trado of tho island of Panay . Roturnfng td tho mother country , it appears that in 18 C 7 tho imports into Seville woro 1 , 785 , 720 * , and tho oicports 1 , 872 , 105 / . ? 140 English vossola of 10 , 800 tons ontorod tho port , and 118 of 10 , 785 tons cleared out . Tho trade in Britlah vessels at AJlcnnto has lnoroascd considerably einoo 1850 , principally owing to tho formation of a railway from Madria to Almanac , Tho gonoral trade of tho distriot I" 1857

    Untitled Article

    60 THE LEADER . [ No . 459 , January 6 , JS 59 .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 8, 1859, page 60, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2276/page/28/