Commerce is still, from the precautionary measures adopted against Cholera, in a state of great languor, and, with respect to the Mediterranean trade, is absolutely torpid. Even in the French ports, there has not been so prompt and complete a relaxation of the restrictions as was expected, when the violence with which the disease raged in Paris had rendered evident the utter futility of quarantine regulations as preservatives against the evil. At Havre, however, vessels are only subject to a mere visit of inspection, without distinction as to the ports from whence they may have arrived.

In our home trade, the protracted discussions on the Reform Bill continue to throw a damp upon speculation. There has, however, been some improvement in the state of the Manchester manufactories. The petition from the great body of planters, merchants, and ship-owners interested in the trade of our West India Colonies, for "a full and impartial inquiry into the state of the laws and usages of the Colonies, the condition of the slaves, and the measures adopted for its amelioration," having been complied with, by the appointment of a Committee of the House of Lords for that purpose, it may now be expected that the difficult but important question as to the time and mode in which slavery shall cease to exist in the British Colonies, will be dispassionately examined, and will lead to measures which, while they provide for the eventual abolition of a state of society utterly at variance with the principles of Christianity, and with the progress of civilization, will also protect the colonists in their legally recognized interests, and will guard against the gift of liberty to the Negro being to him a curse instead of a blessing. The demand for some articles of colonial produce received a stimulus

early in the month from the favourable reports of the state of the markets in Hamburgh and in Flan. ders. Foreign and East India Coffees maintained, in consequence, an increase of 2s. per cwt.: large parcels changed hands by private contract, in one instance amounting to 5000 bags for shipment to Holland, besides 2400 bags of Batavia, advertised for public sale, but subsequently withdrawn for the same destination. At Liverpool, the transactions have been almost exclusively confined to the trade, the stock in the hands of the importers being nearly exhausted: the rise of 1s. to 28. per cwt. during the month, will, therefore, probably be supported until the arrivals from Jamaica, which are shortly expected. A similar demand for exportation gave some animation to the Sugar Market, and caused an increase of 1s. to 2s. per cwt. in British Plantation and in Refined. Buy ers, however, have been shy at the increase, those for home consumption limiting their purchases to their present necessities, and looking forward to the new importations: under these circumstances, prices have gradually given way again, except Mauritius of low quality, which have been firm at the increase. The stock of West India Muscovades is so low, that there are no transactions worth quoting.

The last average price of Sugar is 17. 9s. per

cwt.

In Cotton, the London market has been firm throughout the month, with a tendency to improve. In Liverpool, the market has been generally in a state of inactivity; prices have been maintained, but if any considerable sale had been attempted, they must have given way: the purchases have chiefly been for home consumption.

Early in the month there was a brisk demand for Rum, to supply some extensive export orders,

with a slight increase in price: latterly, the trade has been dull, but with no disposition on the part of holders to submit to a reduction. Leewards, proofs, Is. 7d. to 1s. 8d.; Jamaicas, 30 over proof, favourite marks, 3s. 2d. to 3s. 6d. Brandy and Geneva maintain their former prices.

The East India Company's sale of Indigo this month consisted of 3270 chests of Bengal and Benares, and 646 chests of other growths. The low and middling qualities, suitable for exportation, went off at an advance of 2d. to 3d. per lb. beyond the January prices. The whole of the Company's Indigo, amounting to 1800 chests, was sold, and by much the larger portion of the pri vate trade: its distribution may be stated as fol lows; about 2600 chests for exportation; 700 for home consumption; 300 retained by the proprietors; and the remainder purchased on speculation. The stock of Indigo now in warehouse, is about 28,900 chests, being 2700 chests less than at this time last year: this circumstance, coupled with the fact of the cultivation of the plant not being so extensive as formerly, leads to some apprehension lest a casualty in the crop should lead to a serious deficiency in the supply of the

market.

The gloomy anticipations which were entertained as to the Revenue Account for the quarter ending on the 5th of April, have been far from realized, the deficiency in the Customs, from the peculiar and temporary obstacles to foreign trade, having been much more than compensated by a large increase, amounting to nearly half a million, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, in the departments of Excise, Assessed Taxes, and Stamps, plainly indicating, that even in spite of the untoward circumstances before alluded to, the resources of the country are in an improving condition. In estimating the improvement that has taken place, it must also be borne in mind, that since the 5th of April 1831, the duty on candles, and a portion of that on coals, have been repealed. A considerable degree of excitement has continued to prevail on the Stock Exchange, in consequence of the observations made by the Committee relative to quoting the prices of Foreign Stock not sold in the House, and to the practice of charging double commissions: this practice is avowed and defended by some of the oldest and most respectable members of the Stock Exchange, who appear to have manifested their sense of the conduct of the Committee by

recent election. During the first half of the month of April, there was scarcely any alteration in the price either of our own or of Foreign funds; but since the second reading of the Reform Bill in the House of Lords, a feeling of greater confidence in the tranquillity of the country has prevailed, which, together with the fact of the exchange of ratifications of the Belgian Treaty on the part of the Austrian and Prussian Ministers, has had the effect of raising the price of Consols nearly 2 per cent. Dutch 2-half per cent. Stock has also risen about 1-half per cent. from the increased pro

The declaration produced no alteration in prices. Owing to the sitting of the Committee, the Silk trade has been in a state of great stagnation; latterly, however, there has been an improvement both in demand and price.

The impediments to foreign trade, arising from the Quarantine regulations, have kept the Tobacco market in a languid state during the month, but without any decided fall in prices.

Early in the month, the demand for Tallow was small, and attended with a consequent reduc tion of 6d. to 1s. per cwt.; but it has since revived, and fully recovered the former prices. In Hemp and Flax there has been little done, and with scarcely an alteration.

The samples of wheat from the Counties near the metropolis have lately been more abundant; and since the middle of the month there have been large arrivals of Wheat and Flour from Scotland and Ireland. In France, the new cornlaw has passed the Chamber of Peers; the ports, will, therefore, remain open during the ensuing mon'h, at the lowest rate of duty, or that next above it.

The exports from the 14th to the 21st, from London and Liverpool, chiefly to France, amounted to 10,000 quarters of Wheat; and to the West Indies, 700 barrels of flour; about 1,050 quarters of linseed have also been exported to the Netherlands.

out a farther appeal to arms.

The closing prices on the 24th were :

ENGLISH FUNDS.

Three per Cent. Consols, 85 one-eighth.-Three per Cent. Consols, for the Account, 85 one-eighth, quarter. Three per Cent. Reduced, 84 one-eighth, quarter. Three and a Half per Cent. Reduced, 91 three-quarters, 92.-New Three and a Half per Cent. 93 quarter.-Four per Cent. (1826,) 101 quarter.-India Stock, 205 half, 206 half.Bank Stock, 198, 199.-Exchequer Bills, 118. 128.-India Bonds, 2s. 3s.

FOREIGN FUNDS.

Belgian Loan, 2 quarter, three quarters.-Brazilian Five per Cent. 46 quarter, three-quarters.-Chilian, 15, 16.-Colombian (1824) Six per Cent. 11 half, 12 half.-Danish Three per Cent. 66 threequarters, 67 quarter.-Dutch Two and a Half per Cent. 44 quarter.-French Five per Cent. 96, 97.-French Three per Cent. 69, 70.-Greek Five per Cent. 29 half, 30 half.-Mexican Six per Cent. 30 half, 31.-Portuguese Five per Cent. 49, 50.-Portuguese New Loan, half dis. par.Russian Five per Cent. 98 half.-Spanish Five per Cent. 14 quarter.

SHARES.

Anglo-Mexican Mines, 7, 8.-United Mexican, 4, 5.-Colombian, 3, 4.-Del Monte, 14, 15.Brazil, 44, 46.-Bolanos, 120, 130.

Principles of Geology, by Charles Lyell, Esq.-The Alhambra, by Geoffrey Crayon -Description of an Aboriginal Race inhabiting the Neilgherry Hills-The Mythology of the Hindus-Church History, through all Ages-Polwhele's Biographical Sketches in Cornwall-The Rural Rector-Klosterheim, or the MasqueThe Fair of May Fair-A Queer Book, by the Ettrick Shepherd-Waterloo, a Poem-Calabria, during a Military Residence of Three Years-Cabinet Cyclopædia Spain and Portugal-Edinburgh Cabinet Library: British India-Gordon on Locomotion-Anglo-Saxon Grammar, by Wm. Hunter-Family Classical Library: Plutarch-Arlington-Illustrations of Political Economy, by H. MartineauHome Colonies, by Rowland Hill-St. John in Patmos, a Poem-Six Months in

America-Essay on the Means of Preserv ing the Lives of Shipwrecked Sailors, &c. -Account of the Life of W. Cullen, M.D. -Treatise on the Injuries and Diseases of the Spine-The Jesuit, a Novel THE DRAMA MUSIC

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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF PER

SONS LATELY DECEASED

INCIDENTS, ECCLESIASTICAL

CIVIL APPOINTMENTS, MARRIA GES, and DEATHS

PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES

COMMERCIAL REPORT

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HOUSE OF LORDS.

May 7. Their Lordships met pursuant to adjournment. On the motion of Earl Grey, the House resolved itself into a committee on the Reform Bill. The consideration of the title and preamble was postponed. His Lordship stated, that when the first clause was discussed he should propose to alter it, so as not to name the number of boroughs to be disfranchised, until schedule A had been considered.-Lord Lyndhurst said the Noble Earl had proposed an alteration in the first clause; he should propose the postponement of the clause altogether, and if he succeeded in that, he should propose to postpone the consideration of the second clause. His object was to determine what number of places should be enfranchised, before they entered into the consideration of what places should be disfranchised. After all that had taken place, and looking to the feeling of the country on the subject, he was disposed to June.-VOL. XXXVI. NO. CXXXVIII.

endeavour to render the Bill satisfactory: in fact, he and the Noble Lords with whom he acted, wished to approach the question in a temper of conciliation; but they considered that if the Bill were passed in its present state, it would destroy the right and authority of the Crown and the House of Lords. His proposition was founded upon this principle-their Lordships should first inquire to what number of places it was necessary to give members; having done so, they would then know how many it was necessary to disfranchise, for the purpose of supplying the enfranchised places with members.-The Lord Chancellor said it was impossible for any person who did not shut his eyes to what was going on around him, not to see that this motion was-he would not say devised by his Noble and Learned Friend-for the purpose of catching the votes of all who were against the Bill, for any essential reason, or who had objections 2 H

to particular parts; but if not devised for that purpose, such at least was its tendency. From whom, too, did this motion come? from his Noble and Learned Friend, who had avowed his open hostility to the measure who had declared it to be in violation of the Constitution-who had maintained that it would destroy the balance of power between the three estates, and who had opposed its second reading :—when he found that this proposition came from him, if they were to admit of the postponement of the question of disfranchisement to that of enfranchisement, he must confess that his hopes of carrying schedule A would be but very feeble.-The Earl of Harrowby supported the amendment. Under present circumstances it had become expedient, for the purpose of securing satisfaction in the country, without which it was impossible for any Government to exercise its functions, to follow up the principle of enfranchisement by a disfranchisement to a liberal extent; but if they began at once to disfranchise the decayed boroughs, before considering the enfranchising clause, how could they know where to stop?-Lord Bexley supported the amendment, and the Earl of Radnor opposed it. The Duke of Wellington said they might amend the Bill as they pleased; but in his opinion, with all the alterations they might make in its details, it never would prove otherwise than a measure fraught with evil. He had opposed it conscientiously and fearlessly whilst there was any chance of success, but he would not oppose it factiously when the principle of the measure had been decided on. He, as an honest man, felt it to be his duty to make it, as far as in him lay, a measure fitting for the country, and fitting also for the support and preservation of the Government. He thought it right, therefore, to support the Noble and Learned Lord's motion; and he could tell their Lordships, notwithstanding what might be insinuated to the contrary, that it was not with any dirty view of getting rid of the Bill by a side-wind, or for the purpose of destroying its effect, that he supported that motion. Lord Holland said he did not mean to insinuate that the Noble and Learned Lord who proposed, or the Noble Duke who supported the motion, intended to act directly contrary to their own recorded decision, or to defeat the principle of the Bill by a side-wind; but he would say this fearlessly, that the postponement of the disfranchisement clause was tantamount to a rejection of the principle of the Bill.-The Duke of Newcastle had no objection to the enfranchisement of large towns, but in all other respects he was opposed to the Bill.-Lord Ellenborough and the Earl of Winchelsea supported the amend. ment.-Lord Wharncliffe said the amendment would not defeat the principle of the

Bill. It was not intended so to do; and he did not, and would not, concur in any pro position to mutilate or defeat it. If the amendment succeeded, he would vote for the whole of schedule A, and would not give his consent to any amendment that would reduce the amount of disfranchisement.-The Earl of Harewood said, though he supported the motion, he had no idea that the object was to get rid of schedule A, and if it were, he certainly would not join in any such object.-Earl Grey said, to the proposition made he gave his most decided opposition, and he hoped that Noble Lords would not deceive themselves by supposing that, if they acceded to the motion, it would be possible to carry the Bill successfully through. The Noble Earl proceeded to make some remarks upon the principles of the Bill, in the course of which he said, that to the principle of the £10 qualification he felt himself irrevocably pledged, and he could admit of no alteration in that, other than such as might secure it from abuse. He would resist, with the most fixed determination, any proposition which, under the pretence of regulation, would have the effect of raising the qualification. The Noble Earl thus concluded-"Should the amendment proposed by the Noble Baron be carried, it will be necessary for me to consider what course I shall take. More I will not say, than what on a former occasion was stated by the Noble Earl on the other side, and it was not denied by any other person, that This Bill had found support in public opinion." -The Earl of Carnarvon said it had been insinuated that the amendment was a trick to get rid of the disfranchising clause; if he thought so, he would not vote for it. In his opinion, if there was any trick going on it was with the other party, in endeavouring to find some mode of slipping out, and of throwing on the opponents of the Bill the result of the conduct of the introducers of the measure, which whether it was characterised by obstinacy or timidity he would not take upon himself to say. The great question now before their Lordships was the degree of Reform that ought to be granted. If the plan of the Ministers were to be adopted, it would be a plan characterised by revolution.- Earl Manvers and Lord Clifford opposed the amendment. The Committee divided. The numbers were— For the amendment. For the original motion.... Majority against Ministers

151 116

......

35

Earl Grey said, that after the vote to which the House had just come, he felt it to be his duty to propose that the further consideration of the Bill in Committee be postponed until Thursday (the 10th).-Lord Ellenborough stated it to be the intention