that in no country of Europe is the shedding of man's blood by the public executioner so common as in England; in no country is the ignominious, disgusting, and profligate spectacle of these legal slaughters of such frequent recurrence. Nor is person or property the safer for it quite the contrary. The very offences which the law is known to punish most unsparingly, increase day by day. People ask if death is the only expedient to remedy evils which wise and thoughtful rulers might avoid, or correct by measures of wisdom? The outrages of pickpockets, in the streets, have become lately quite a source of alarm to passengers; and Judge Garrow, the other day, took occasion to say, that mercy was not to be expected by boys found guilty of violence in this way, -for the frequency of the crime required severe example. Good God! is the gibbet then our only resource! because the lower orders of our population are steeped in ignorance and brutality, because the civil order of society is deranged by unpopular and injudicious public measures,— are we to look to the gallows as our only resource? We remember the Recorder of London stating something of the same nature in regard to infants of ten and twelve, convicted of capital crimes. "They must be hanged," said he; "for these young rascals multiply.". This is a terrible doctrine. On the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 5, six persons were put to death before the Debtor's Door, Newgate. One of these was a woman, Sarah Price, aged 43, for uttering forged bank notes: another Fuller Harnett, an officer in the army, belonging to a most respectable Irish family, for a private forgery. John Madden, another of these unhappy persons, had also been found guilty of uttering forged bank notes. The woman, from her exemplary conduct in prison, had been led to suppose, by the religious visitants, that her life would be spared. She, and they, however, were dreadfully mistaken. For Lieutenant Harnett's life not only was interest made, but a humane individual came up from the country, to offer some most forcible reasons for extending mercy to him, which he supposed his Majesty's government might be unacquainted with. Nothing, however, was of any avail. Madden had been offered permission to plead guilty to the minor offence, which subjects to transportation; but he refused, was found guilty of the fatal crime, and was banged, having rejected the indulgence of the Bank. His companion, who had accepted that indulgence, but who, on Madden's refusal, was obliged to be included with him in the joint trial, was told, by the Recorder, that he should not suffer for the other's obstinacy, but that mercy

would he extended to him: yet, strange to say, he was included in the fatal death warrant, and it was only late on the night before his execution, that the Ordinary of Newgate procured a reprieve on the representation of this fact! Eight more were hanged on Monday the 12th. One of them uttered a piercing shriek as the drop fell. Poor wretches!

The Blucher Packet lately fell in with the wreck of a schooner, and rescued three seamen, the wretched remainder of seven. They had been nineteen days exposed to the weather, the waves, and starvation: the day of their deliverance would most probably have put an end to their sufferings by death. The only sustenance these poor creatures had left was the skin of half a pig's head, which they agreed to suck by turns, and three quarts of water.

It would appear that the human frame is capable of bearing inanition longer than many suppose. On the 22d November, Elizabeth Steers was discovered in an old chalk well, in the parish of Doddington, Kent. She had fallen in on the 8th of that month about six in the evening. She had nothing to subsist upon during the fourteen days and nights that she was in this situation, but a little water in a hole at the bottom of the well. During her agonising confinement she repeatedly heard the voices of persons passing that way; but could not make her own voice reach them, being at a depth of nearly forty feet below the surface of the earth. She had endeavoured to form steps by raising pieces of chalk; but they had constantly given way, thus increasing her despair at every disappointment. She received very little injury from her fall, and was rapidly recovering the effects of her accident.

An awful accident has taken place in the East-Indies, at Hurdwar, where there seems to be a place peculiarly appropriated to the religious ablutions of the natives. Sepoys had been stationed to prevent too great a pressure of people on the steps leading to the water. But two parties, who had before quarrelled about precedency of bathing, made a rush against each other, and the whole crowd, guards and all, got awfully jammed, in a situation that admitted of no re

lief.

The unfortunate beings were crammed together with such violence, that bodies, legs, and arms, were entwined, and their shrieks were piercing in the extreme. About thirty were taken up from under the others, alive; and among them a young woman who had been in the centre. Four hundred, at least, perished.

Mr. Cobbett has been cast in an action

for damages, brought against him by. Mr. Wright, who had formerly been connected with him as his publisher. The action was for slander uttered against Mr.

Wright's character, in the Political Register. Mr. Cobbett defended himself; spoke highly of his own unsuspecting nature, and the Jury showed their sense of his defence by giving a verdict of 10007. damages against him. This has renewed his bitterness against Sir Francis Burdett.

A most extraordinary fact has transpired, seeming to involve the character of Mr. Frederick Accum, the well known chemist, whose work on the adulteration of articles of food has made so much noise. The account is thus given in the public prints; but as, from the nature of the examination, it may be considered an ex parte statement, we rely on it that Mr. Accum will be enabled to place the affair in a different light. Mr. Accum has long been a subscriber to the Royal Institution in Albemarle-street; many of the books there had for some years past been found in a mutilated state; and this evil seeming to spread in the library, Mr. Searle, under librarian, made a representation on the subject to the managers, intimating his suspicion that Mr. Accum was the offender. They were loth to believe such a thing of a gentleman of his

reputation. The other day Mr. Accum entered the library at his usual hour, between five and seven o'clock. Though Mr. Searle, who was on the alert, could not see exactly his proceedings, a pile of books being interposed between them, he states that he had reason to suppose that Mr. A. had torn out some leaves from Nicholson's Journal An application was made to Bow-street, and a warrant granted to search the house. A great number of torn leaves were found, which corresponded with the deficiencies of the books in the Institution. The prisoner maintained that the leaves belonged to books his own property: but failed to make this out to the satisfaction of the Magistrate. Mr. Birnie observed, that, however valuable the books might be from which the leaves had been taken, yet the leaves separated from them were only waste paper. If they had weighed a pound, he would have committed the prisoner for the value of a pound of waste paper; but as that was not the case, he discharged him.. The managers of the Institution might bring their action.

One year having now elapsed since the commencement of our labours, it might perhaps be expected that we should enter on a general review of the comparative state of British commerce at the close of the years 1819 and 1820. But besides that such a review, to be of any general interest, would necessarily extend to a length far exceeding the just limits of this department of our Journal, it would be, in a great degree, superfluous to our readers, who have, we trust, found in our monthly reports, an accurate and impartial statement of the most important features of our commerce, and a constant endeavour to execute, in every particular, the plan which we originally proposed. Of the new commercial regulations of foreign countries, affecting the commerce of the United Kingdom, and which we have successively noticed, the most important appears to be the A new Tariff decreed by the Spanish Cortes. From the sentiments avowedly entertained by the ministers, we had hoped the introduction of a liberal system. Whether the plan of rigorous prohibition, or of duties so high as nearly to amount to a prohibition, will have the effect intended of excluding foreign goods, and encouraging the national manufactures; or whether these are in a condition to supply the whole consumption of the nation, are questions which

experience must decide; but according to the ideas generally entertained of the state of manufactures in Spain, the second question would be decided in the negative. The deficiency will, therefore, be supplied by contraband; and how little the most rigorous prohibition, combined with the most vigilant and expensive system of surveillance, can prevent contraband, may be seen by referring to our article "Sweden " in this month's foreign commercial report, where we shall quote some very striking facts respecting that kingdom. The revolution in Portugal is too recent to have produced any great commercial changes; and the newly-modelled government of Naples, having its attention occupied by the troubles in Sicily, and the apprehensions of foreign invasion, has not yet been able to pay much regard to commercial concerns. In Germany, the Southern States which propose to form a joint commercial arrangement, have sent their deputies to Darmstadt, for the purpose of negociating on the subject; and it is said that the result promises to be favourable to the interest of the

German manufacturers and merchants, but nothing has yet been done; nor has the German Diet taken any decisive steps respecting the trade and manufactures of the Confederation.

In our home markets, we regret to be

obliged to notice this month a very considerable depression in the prices of some of the most important articles of colonial produce, occasioned not so much by the season of the year, as by the unexpected failure of some great houses in that line, which has spread consternation, or made the holders anxious to sell for money, at a considerable reduction of the prices.

Coffee. The market, after remaining in an uncertain and declining state for above a fortnight after the date of our preceding report, fell in the course of the succeeding week from 58. to 7s. per cwt. This week there have been only two inconsiderable public sales, and the prices may be stated much the same as in the beginning of the week; there seems, however, a greater inclination to purchase, especially St. Domingo: the last price realized was 118s. but there are now few sellers under 120s.

Sugar. Though the depression in the prices has not been quite so considerable as in coffee, yet the alarm among the West India merchants, since the late failures, and the consequences of many persons being indirectly involved in money transactions, had the effect of occasioning a dull market: some large holders appeared determined to force sales either from choice or by way of precaution, to be prepared with money in case of emergency. Hence large parcels have been disposed of on lower terms; and though there are still purchasers of refined for the spring delivery, they will not come forward unless parcels are offered below the market currency.

Average prices of Raw Sugar by Gazette. ......34s. 7d.

Nov. 25.

Dec. 2.

9.

16. 23.

.35s. 2d. ..348. 5d. .34s. 10d. .34s. 84d.

Cotton. The market has been in a depressed state the whole month. The sales that have been effected have been chiefly for exportation. At Liverpool, considerable business has been doing in cotton, but at prices exceedingly low. The sales in five weeks, from the 18th November to the 26th December, were 42,490 bags. The arrivals during the same period, 27,029 bags.

Tea.-At the India sale, Boheas sold 1d. to 1d. higher than at the preceding sale. Congo, common d. lower; middling and fine Congo at nearly the same rate. Twankay, Id. higher. Hyson, 24 and Gunpowder, 3d. below the prices

at last sale.

Mace......... Oil of Mace Saltpetre

34,000 lbs.

1,000 lbs.

1,000 tons

The demand for pepper has increased, there being no Company's pepper declared. Cloves are also more in request, as the quantity is not only very small, but, as report says, the whole of the Company's stock in England. The quantity usually declared in former years has been 100,000 lbs., latterly 50,000 lbs., and now only 31,000 lbs.

Indigo.-There is every appearance of improvement in the prices of, and the demand for, Indigo; the quantity at present in the warehouses of the East India Company is stated to be inconsiderable; and if a sale should be declared, it is expected to be a very small one. The purchases made at last sale bear a premium of 8d. per lb., and some holders even ask 1s.

Fruit. The arrivals of fruit during the last two weeks are extensive beyond all precedent; the quality in general uncommonly fine: and though the demand is very great, the supply seems too much for the market: prices are low, and holders anxious to effect sales. Figs seem to be of inferior quality this year.

The

Rum, Brandy, and Hollands. demand for rum has been very languid lately, and prices declining. Brandy has fluctuated, but the prices have been constantly low, and the best Cognac may now be had at 3s. 6d. Geneva has remained without variation.

Corn.-Though the ports, as we stated last month, are shut against all importation, the prices have in general continued to decline, and we are more and more confirmed in our opinion, that the ports will not be open for these twelvemonths to come. We understand that considerable quantities of oats have been exported to Hamburgh, France, and other parts.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

The Leipzig Michaelmas Fair.

Leipzig, December 3.-Our Michaelmas Fair has been one of the most distinguished that we have had for many years. We had reason to anticipate this, because we had news that the great Russian fair at Novogrod had been uncommonly brilliant, and the magazines there nearly cleared by large purchases for China and Japan: a great many Russians, Poles, and Greeks, had therefore come to Leipzig, to make new purchases. The Polish Jews were the most numerous. The goods most in request were manufactures of silk, leather, and iron; also woollen cloths and linens. Many great houses dealing in these articles sold their whole stock, and received large orders. One house from Glasgow sold to

the amount of 200,000 dollars, and could have sold for 120,000 dollars more, if it would have given credit. A single manufacturer from Iserlohe sold 60 cwt. of needles, and might have sold as many more. The quantity of cotton yarn was immense, and large sums were lost upon it, as it was not dearer than the raw cotton itself; viz. No. 4, which, during the continental system, was 5 rix dollars per lb., was now 15 Groschen. (24 to a rix dollar.) Cotton itself was a mere drug, on account of the great sale advertised at the India House in London.

There were French silk goods to the amount of 15,000,000 francs, and on the whole goods to the value of 22,000,000 dollars (nearly 4,000,000 sterling) at the fair, exclusive of jewellery and bijouterie. There were in fact few manufactures that did not find an extensive sale; especially woollen articles, as Merinos, bombazines, cachemires, &c. The printed callicoes were not quite so successful.

In this ar

ticle the English brought nothing new, and were therefore quite eclipsed by the French, Saxon, Berlin, and Swiss manufacturers. The English goods were, however, in immense quantities, which tended to depress the prices. The fine cloths of Aix-la-Chapelle, Sedan, Verviers, &c. &c. were much in demand, chiefly for Russia. Ordinary German cloths also sold well. A Frenchman residing in England brought 70 or 80 bales of English cloths, kerseymeres and calmucks, and bartered the whole with Jews, for Bohemian and Saxon wool, about 2000 cwt. The flannel and woollen manufacturers of Halle, Potsdam, &c. had a good fair, but silk goods a most brilliant one; especially those who brought articles calculated for the East. Many waggon loads of silk goods were sent for, by extra post, during the fair, all the warehouses being cleared. English laces had a prodigious sale, to the great injury of the Saxon lace manufacturers, who cannot sell so low as the English, who employ machinery. The Bohemian glass manufacturers, who have of late years carried their manufactures to a high degree of perfection, were very successful. Leather was one of the articles most sought, especially sole leather from Aix-la-Chapelle, Malmedy, and Maestricht. The price of this article is very high, because Buenos Ayres hides are scarce in England, Holland, and the Hanseatic cities. The linen and damask manufacturers of Silesia, Lusatia, and Biclefeld, did a great deal of business, especially those of Biclefeld, whose goods were much in demand by the

Russians. The Silesians have received large orders from Bremen and Hamburgh. The Greeks purchased large quantities of furs; the French hareskins and bristles. The Nuremberg toy and hardware manufacturers were satisfied. It is many years since so much wool has been sold and exchanged: the fine wool was soon sold; middling was likewise much in demand, especially for the Netherlands. All the wool in Austria, Moravia, and the county of Barby, has since been bought up: the price has every where risen considerably. There was but little demand for indigo, and cochineal woods. We have not had for many years so bad a fair for coffee and sugar.

Sweden. In the most valuable work, "Essay on the Statistics of Sweden," by Mr. P. A. Granberg, we found the following data respecting the proportion between the quantity of fine manufactured goods, made in the country and that annually consumed. "In 1814 the fine and middling cloth manufactured in the kingdom was 183,000 ells, of coarse, 124,000. If we divide the first quantity among the 140,000 respectable families, there will be hardly a pair of breeches for each member of a family; for the wife and children nothing. In 1813, there were 664,588 women who took out licences to wear silks. Our own manufactories produced 82,000 ells, making about three inches for each of those women; but for the men nothing. Who ever pleases may divide the seventy-eight ells of lace-net, that were made, among the' wives and daughters of the 11,000 persons of rank in the capital, few of whom, we presume, will claim their share. The inference from these data is obvious. Our manufactories pretend to furnish us with all we want; we see here how far they succeed. It is evident that the quantity of goods which a nation requires is procured in spite of the most rigorous prohibitions, and that such prohibitions do not prevent importation, but only deprive the state of the revenue it might derive from a duty on' the goods, deteriorate the moral character of the nation by leading to the commission of artificial crimes, and in the end do not even give the national manufacturers the intended advantage of maintaining a competition with foreigners, since a smuggled article is generally cheaper than one that' has paid a duty.”

The commercial notices from various foreign places are of so little importance at this time that we have omitted them for the sake of the account of the Leipzig fair, and the above article from Sweden.

The weather remaining mild and open has afforded particular facility for the operations of this season. The wheats have been well got in, are up, and look uncommonly healthy and strong, some indeed, perhaps are too luxuriant, but the excess will not be long unchecked by frost. The drill system is extending its circle very rapidly, and Mr. Coke's computation of its diffusion, at the rate of a mile in diameter yearly, is now very largely augmented, so much so indeed as soon to promise the extinction of the former practice. The autumnal ploughing has also been advantageously done, the soil being sufficiently moistened, yet sufficiently sound. The supply of wheat and of barley is large in the market; but the evil to the farmer is felt in the buyers refusing to purchase the inferior qualities, which constitute a very large proportion of. the wheat crop, even at the most reduced prices. Barley is in additional consumption owing to the partial failure of turnips,

which, however, in some countries (Kent in particular) are better than was represented. Lean stock of all kinds is low. Pigs, of which the breed in England has been lately, it appears, much neglected and reduced, have been attacked by a fatal disease in many places. The lean nearly sustain their value, while fat pigs are depreciated. The straw for the foddering yard is in great plenty. Not the least feature of the agricultural case is the cessation of employment, from which cause the labourer is constrained to wander about in unsuccessful and hopeless research, pauperism is increasing, and the poor's rate must experience a heavy addition. Some of the reports, we observe, attribute to this cause the various robberies, with which the provinces appear to be far more harrassed than at any former period. It is impossible, indeed, to exaggerate the complaints, which farmers now make, by any language.

The Rev. C. Benson is preparing for publication, Twenty Discourses, preached before the University of Cambridge in 1820, being the first Course of Sermons delivered at the Lecture founded by the Rev. John Hulse.

Shortly will be published, a Series of Questions and Answers in the practice of Physic, Materia Medica, &c. written for the Use of Gentlemen preparing for their Examination at Apothecaries' Hall. By C. M. Syder, Surgeon.

The Travels of Sir Robert Ker Porter, in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, &c. during the Years 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, will soon appear.

A new Romance, from the pen of Miss Anna Maria Porter, entitled the Village of Mariendorpt, in three vols. is nearly ready.

The Rev. James Townley, has nearly ready for publication, Bibliographia Sacra; or, an Introduction to the Literary and Ecclesiastic History of the Sacred Scriptures, in three vols. 8vo. with plates.

Mr. Cooper has issued proposals for publishing by subscription, a New Choral Book for the Use of the Established Church, containing a selection of the most valuable compositions for that service. The arrangements of the times will be after the German style, with a figured bass for the organ.

The Rev. John Hughes, Author of the Hora Britannicæ, in 2 vols. is arranging materials for a Supplemental Volume, which will contain a translation of the Welsh Historical Triads, with two Essays, presented to the Cambrian Society.

A Work, to be entitled the Second Advent, or Glorious Epiphany of our Lord and Saviour, by the Rev. Mr. Fry, Author of Lectures on the Romans, is preparing for the press.

Speedily will be published, a History of the British Empire, from the Accession of Charles 1. to the Restoration. By George Brodie, Esq. Advocate.

Mr. Arrowsmith has nearly ready for publication, a Map of the Constellations, in two large sheets, accompanied by a Memoir.

A General History of the House of Guelph, or Royal Family of England, from. the first Record of the name, to the Accession of George I. will appear shortly.

Shortly will be published, the Principles of Foreign Medicine, explained, illustrated, and applied to British Practice. By J. G. Smith, MD.

Happiness, a Tale, for the Grave and the Gay, will shortly be published.

Doctor Ramsbottom has nearly ready, Practical Observations on Midwifery, with a Selection of Cases.