stand. This important operation should have commenced in 1840, and been terminated in 1841. How has it been done? In England, Germany, Russia, all the troops will soon be armed according to the new system." An order for 1000 carbines has just been sent by the minister of war to the royal manufactory at St. Etienne.

La France states positively, that notwithstanding Lord Aberdeen's letter to Sir George Murray, Syria will not be evacuated by the British troops either in December or January next. "We have this fact," adds La France, "from the best informed quarters, and we are further aware that the profit derived from the occupation of Syria by the British merchants is considerable. The English policy is everywhere directed to obtain commercial advantages, and France always pays the expense."

The Courrier Francais asserts, that "the object of the formidable naval force now fitting out in the British seaports is neither to invade China nor alarm the United States; it is solely for the purpose of counteracting any ambitious projects entertained by France."

On

THE IMPRISONED ABOLITIONISTS.-The three young men arrested at Palmyra, Mo., for an alleged attempt to entice away slaves, were recently brought up for trial. bringing the case before the grand jury, it was found that there was no law for the punishment of any such offence as they had been charged with. They had only attempted to entice away slaves, against which there is no law. The general understanding was, that they would not be indicted. But such was the excitement at the place, that it was feared that, if liberated, the young men would fall victims to the brutal and lawless vengeance of the slave-holders, without trial. Yet this is called a free country.

James Burr, A. Work, and George Thompson, the three abolitionists, who were arrested some time ago in attempting to run off Mr. Brown's negroes, have been tried in Marion. We learn from one of the counsel engaged that the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the three prisoners were sentenced to twelve years' service in the penitentiary.

Of the many cunning contrivances to escape from slavery, we think the following is about the most shrewd we have heard yet. Two slaves in a certain county of Virginia ran away with one of their master's horses. They started very early in the morning, in the following fashion. One of the slaves fastened a strong rope round the other's body, tied him to the saddle and drove off. When met and questioned, the rider answered, "That black rascal undertook to run away from massa. I've caught him, and am taking him home quick step. I guess he

won't be for running away again in a hurry, after massa's had the cooking of him." This failed not to elicit warm approbation, accompanied with hospitable offers of refreshment for himself and his horse. When arrived at a convenient place, the slaves exchanged places; the rider submitting to the rope in his turn, while the other performed his part to admiration; and, like him, received assistance and praise for his honest zeal in his master's service. Thus they journeyed tye," till they reached Pennsylvania, when the rope was no longer necessary. Thence they passed over into Canada.

"in

HOLLAND.-Letters from Amsterdam mention the publication of a very curious document relating to the profligate expenditure of the government of Holland under William I. This document had for some time been studiously kept secret, one copy only having been laid on the table in the second chamber of the states-general for inspection, but not to be copied. From the statement of the sums received it would appear that this government appropriated to itself everything that could be made available, to the enormous amount of 50,000,000 florins, of which there were only found 16,000,000 florins in the shape of stock and securities of various kinds, so that the real deficit on the 1st of January last was 34,000,000 florins, and this sum, it should be stated, together with the two loans contracted by the Amortization Syndicate, with the two loans which regularly appear in the budget, make up the total amount of the deficit left by the former government over and above the legal deficit, in which the legislature has concurred, and which amounts to 170 millions of florins.

THE AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR AT CONSTANTINOPLE.-A Constantinople correspondent of the Quotidienne asserts that when the Sultana Valide sent to Lady Ponsonby the magnificent set of diamonds as a present, the presents for the ladies of Baron Sturmer, Count Koenigsmark, and Count Titoff, were of less value. "As soon," it says,

66

as the

Baron Sturmer, the Austrian internuncio, ascertained this, he ordered the present sent to his lady to be returned to the Sultana, with an expression of his dissatisfaction at being put upon the same footing with the representatives of Russia and Prussia-' Powers who,' he observed, had concurred only morally in the expedition against the Viceroy of Egypt, while Austria had spent the blood of her soldiers and ventured the life of one of the imperial princes. They ought not, therefore, to be confounded in the same testimonies of acknowledgment, but the Baroness Sturmer should be made the subject of particular distinction.' The Sultana, on being made acquainted with this incident, made a new choice of jewels from the treasury, and sent them to Baroness Sturmer."

M. de Lamartine has been put forward as a candidate for the president's chair in the chamber of deputies. His election, it is said, will seriously inconvenience the present ministry. The proposal is thought to have originated in hostility to M. Guizot.

TROUBLES At Geneva.-A letter from Geneva of the 16th ult., in the Commerce, says:-"There is still great agitation here, although there is reason to hope that reform will be accomplished by the force of public opinion and in a legal way. On Saturday evening (the 13th) young men were parading the streets shouting, and, on the following evening, the Marsellaise' was sung at the theatre. Gendarmes were patrolling the streets the whole night, and the police were on the alert as if serious disturbances were expected. Up to the present time, however, no real tumult has occurred. It appears certain that in the legislative session, which is to commence the first Monday in December, the question of reform will be submitted to the representative council. It is said that the catholic priests of the canton have prepared a protest, which is to be published in the event of any modification of the constitution of 1814."

A telegraphic despatch from Bayonne, published in the Moniteur, announces that at two o'clock on the 8th ult., M. Salvandy, the new ambassador of France in Madrid, entered the Spanish territory.

With reference to the arrangements for Spain, a morning journal states, that the British cabinet has officially made known to the government of the regent

"1. That Great Britain not only would not suffer an armed intervention in Spain, but that she would not even permit any considerable military force to be concentrated along the Pyrenean frontier.

"2. That she would not oppose any arrangement for the marriage of Queen Isabella II., provided her intended husband should not be a French prince.

"3. That Great Britain was determined to take no part in any European congress convoked for the adjustment of the Spanish question, and that if such an assembly should be held without her co-operation she would oppose the enforcement of all coercive measures, and of all other resolutions of such congress which should tend directly or indirectly to interfere with the rights and dignity of Spain as a free and independent nation."

THE COLONIES THE BEST VENT FOR OUR MANUFACTURES.-The returns which have been recently published of the import and export trade of Bengal are well worth the attention of our manufacturers, who are now suffering so severely from their insane attempts to force their productions into the already overstocked and protected markets of foreign states. In a recent number of the Morning Post, it pointed out the fact that an extension of our trade with foreign states tends not to the employment of native shipping but to the increase of the shipping of the foreigner; whilst, on the other hand, an increase of colonial trade extends our own carrying trade, and increases our own commercial marine. Our colonies are rapidly rising in importance, and their steady and increasing demands promise soon to console our manufacturers for the fluctuating and diminishing supplies which foreigners consent to take from us. Take the trade of Bengal as an example of the advantage of protecting the productions of our colonies.

The following is a statement of the imports and exports of Bengal during the last six years, and affords satisfactory evidence :— Imports. Exports. 1835-36.. 3,35,82,436 Rs. 6,11,17,957 Rs. 1836-37 . . 3,72,65,602 1837-38 4,06,99,504 1838-39 4,14,05,790 1839-40.. 5,06,59,181 1840-41 . 5,86,77,671

..

6,70,77,409

6,50,45,959

6,48,00,805

7,04,06,119 8,36,93,298

Of this, the entire trade of Bengal, considerably more than one-half, is with Great Britain; a very insignificant portion indeed with America and France, the bulk of the remainder being with China, and other parts of Asia. The trade with Great Britain has also increased in a rapid annual ratio. In 1837-8 it was only as 46 to 100, whereas, last year, it was as 63 to 100.

An examination of the details of this trade exhibit still more important facts. One of the most important articles of export from Bengal is sugar. Those persons who demand that there should be no protection for colonial sugar have said, that the colonies cannot supply our demand. What is the fact? the year 1837-8 the export of sugar from Bengal was Rs. 53,00,000, and in 1840-1 it had increased more than threefold, being

In

Rs. 1,60,00,000, and the export of the current year is expected to exhibit an increase of one-third upon the latter amount.

These facts alone prove the advantages which our manufacturers derive from protected colonial trade; but we are not left to this general inference, for it is a striking statistical fact, that in the same proportion as Bengal has increased her exports of sugar, in the same proportion has she increased her imports of manufactured goods from this country.

The following is the value of cotton piece goods imported from England for the years 59,00,000 Rs. 72,00,000

1837-38.

1838-39.

In haberdashery, iron, malt liquor, hardware, and other articles, the increase is in a similar ratio.

These are striking results, and results which those who so foolishly raise an outcry against protecting duties, will do well to study. Without a protecting duty in favour of colonial sugar none of these results could have been attained; and we advise those orators who are so fond of expending their high-sounding declamation on the mighty rivers and fertile valleys of South America to turn their eyes to the mighty Ganges, rolling through valleys equally fertile, teeming with an industrious population, offering a market for our manufactures, which would alone enrich a nation, and asking in return but that preference for the produce of their industry which every state has hitherto deemed its primary duty to confer on its own subjects.

BOROUGH OF MARYLEBONE.-In the year 1838, the victory of the tory Lord Teignmouth over Mr. Ewart by more than four hundred votes, led to the formation of a society for watching the registration. The society did its duty so effectually, as to secure the return of Sir B. Hall and Sir C. Napier, at the last election, by a majority of more than twelve hundred. This too, be it observed, was at the very time when, in the city

and Westminster, the tories were boasting of displacing three reformers. The duties of this society were discharged on so businesslike and systematic a principle, that the precise result was predicted. The extraordinary and fairly-earned success of this association, excited the attention of reformers generally at the time; and deputations from Bolton, Brighton, Plymouth, Lambeth, and Westminster, sought information as to the constitution and proceedings of the association, that they might benefit by the example. Will it be believed, then, that this association, the parent of so many others, is itself on the point of expiring, from the want of funds? A general meeting of the association was summoned for Thursday the 16th ult.: and we feel certain that it will again be put upon an efficient footing, and thus be enabled firmly to maintain the post it has so nobly won.

OVERLAND MAIL FROM INDIA.

We have received, by Marseilles, advices bringing dates from Bombay to the 1st ult. ; from Alexandria of the 23rd; and from Malta of the 28th. The Indian mail was brought from Bombay to Suez, by the Berenice, from Alexandria to Malta by the Oriental, and from Malta to Marseilles by the Polyphemus.

By this conveyance we receive no intelligence from China.

The news from India is more interesting than usual.

The proceedings of the king of Burmah, Tharawaddie, in bringing a large force with him down to Rangoon, were deemed so menacing, that the government had despatched a very formidable force to counteract any hostile movements of the " golden-footed sovereign."

From other parts of India there is no news of importance.

The rumour has been repeated of expected disturbances in Nepaul, but nothing positive is known on the subject. It is also asserted that diplomacy is at work, and that a treaty, offensive and defensive, has been entered into by the Sikh chief, Shere Singh, with the government of India.

Shah Soojah is said to have been dangerously ill.

Sickness has prevailed among some of the regiments quartered at Bombay; of the 17th regiment a portion was sent to sea for a trip, in consequence of the fever prevalent in the unhealthy barracks at Golabah.

Among the remarkable matters in which the natives are concerned, may be mentioned the fact, that a young Hindoo widow is about to be married at Calcutta to one of her own caste. The marriage of widows is a new step in Indian civilization. A young Parser, who some months ago was baptized under

the care of one of the missionaries, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of his wife, his parents, and his relatives, has returned to his former friends, because the friends of his young and beautiful wife, who had become a widow on his embracing Christianity, threatened to have her married to another.

PROBABLE WAR WITH BURMAH.-The topic of greatest interest at the present moment is the prospect of a war with Burmah. The dates of our latest intelligence from that country are Moulmein, the 22nd, and Rangoon, the 25th of September. The king (Tharawaddie) was, on the latter day, within seven miles of Rangoon, where it was expected he would arrive in less than a fortnight. Great preparations were being made for his reception. His Majesty had with him almost the whole of his army, amounting, it is said, to nearly 50,000 fighting men, besides a large number of followers, as also women and children. The number of boats in which they descended the river from Ava, is estimated at from 15,000 to 18,000. princes of Prome and Pakhan commanded the advance and rear guards, the former being one day's journey in front, and the latter the same distance behind the royal camp.

The

AFFGHANISTAN.-Affairs appear to be tolerably quiet in Affghanistan, and, with the exception of a talked of expedition against the Kohistanees, are likely to continue so. What effect the change of Sir W. M'Naghten for Sir Alexander Barnes will have on our proceedings in that country, we are not yet prepared to say.

CABUL.-The following items are from a Cabul letter, dated Sept. 24, and are the latest we have:

"The 18th Light Infantry marched for Jullalabad on the 14th of October. General Elphinstone, who is still very unwell, (having been sick ever since he arrived,) leaves about the 1st of October. He drops down the Indus to Bombay, whence he takes steam for England."

An expedition, consisting of 200 men of her Majesty's 44th, the 5th regiment of native infantry, one regiment of Schah's infantry, one detachment of sappers and miners, under Lieutenant Sturt, two iron and four brass nine-pounders, and two eight-inch mortars, under Captain Abbott, and the mountain train, under Captain Backhouse, moved forward under command of Colonel Oliver, Native Infantry, towards the Zoormut valley, to the south-east of Cabul, on the 27th ult., to level a village and strongholds in which a notable villain, who for months past has been haunting the roads and passes, robbing and murdering all that came in his way, had taken refuge.

The only other scrap of news is, the certain expectation of Colonel Stoddart's arrival

at Cabul in a short time. This circumstance, the authenticity of which we have every reason to believe, must be gratifying to all who, with reason, have so long deplored the sufferings of the gallant officer, and animadverted upon the apparent neglect of government in allowing him to languish so long in prison. Colonel Stoddart's liberation will also add much to our knowledge of the country in which he has so reluctantly resided, and any further information as to its resources must at this time be very valuable.

HERAT.-Herat affairs are working towards a crisis. Sir John M'Neil is on his way to Teheran, and, as far as we can learn, the Persian court are determined to hold no terms with Schah Kamram or his minister, and deny all wish or intention to acknowledge an alliance or understanding with the government of Herat. The elements of a civil war are in full progress at Herat, under the fomenting care of Schah Kamram; the power of the Wuzeer is, therefore, seriously threatened with such an overthrow as will set Persian politics in a clear light, the principal chiefs of the Herat territories having taken part with the Schah; and it is thought likely that Furrah, a most important position on the Persian and Seistan frontiers, may fall to the insurgents. Seistan has been the great point with Yar Mahomed Khan, and he is now likely to find himself in a very difficult position.

Other accounts from Teheran, on the 18th of October, announce that Sir John M'Neil reached that capital on the 11th, but had not yet been received by the Schah, who was laid up with the gout. All the ministers, however, had waited on the British envoy to congratulate him on his return.

SCINDE AND BEELOOCHISTAN. - Major Outram, the political agent, arrived at Quettah on the 2nd of September, and four days afterwards Nusseer Khan made his appearance, accompanied by Major Outram, who welcomed him in the most friendly manner, and directed a durbar to be held on the following day, when his proclamation as Nawaub of Khelat took place.

THE LEVANT.-The accounts from Constantinople come down to the 17th ult. The preceding week had been entirely occupied with the religious ceremonies performed at the close of the Ramazan and the solemnities of the Bairam. The ceremony of the Kadirghedjessi, which precedes the latter by four days, was celebrated with the usual pomp in the mosque of Topkhane, during the night of the 11th. Pious Mussulmans believe that it is on that holy night the prophet reveals to the angels, charged with their execution, the decrees of Providence for the ensuing year. The sultan repaired thither by water, in great state, escorted by

the whole court and a number of the principal functionaries of the various administrations. On his landing he was saluted by rounds of artillery, and fireworks illumined the march of the cortege to the mosque. During the prayers the square of Topkhane, on which an immense crowd had assembled, was also lighted in the same brilliant manner. On his departure from the mosque, the sultan was conveyed back with the same ceremonial. The weather was extremely favourable, and no accident occurred, although an immense concourse of people encumbered the square of Topkhane and the adjoining streets.

On the 12th the sultan attended prayer in the mosque of Yeni-Djami, and on the 15th ult., at two o'clock in the afternoon, and towards sunset, the land batteries and the ships in the arsenal announced the opening on the following day of the feasts of the Bairam, which were celebrated with the usual solemnity. The three days devoted to them were spent in the customary visits of ceremony, and all business was consequently suspended.

The affairs of Greece continue to perplex the divan, and two three-deckers and eight frigates, then ready for sea, were believed to be intended to make a demonstration on the coast of that country.

THE SEIKHS IN THIBET.-The encroachments of the Seikhs upon the celestial empire still continue, and have indeed reached an extent likely to attract the attention of the centre of the universe, if it be not altogether absorbed by the proceedings of the outer barbarians at Canton. For the present it may be, but Zorawar Singh and his victorious Seikhs, will hardly fail ere long to bring themselves distinctly enough to the notice of the court of Pekin. They are not to be turned from their course by the glozings of Commissioner Lin, the treachery of Keshen, or the powers of Kwang, lieutenant-general of the Chinese forces and cousin to the god of war. Defeat alone will tell upon them, a consideration from which Captain Elliott and our Canton chiefs might draw a very valuable inference.

By the latest accounts, Zorawar Singh continued to advance into Thibet, driving the armed and unarmed inhabitants before him like sheep. He is now on the eastern side of the Munzorawar lake, and having driven out the Deb and his forces, has got possession of Tukakote without resistance. This is a large commercial town in a fine valley, said to be nearly as extensive as that of Nepaul. The whole of the country, marked in our maps as Thibet, is governed by a Chinese viceroy at Lassa. This functionary seems to take no steps for the protection of the people entrusted to his care,

or to prevent the dismemberment of the celestial empire. The mountainous regions which he controls are said to be 1,300 miles in length, and of proportionate breadth, and of all of which the Seikhs are now virtually masters.

With such an example before us of the unwarlike and defenceless habits of the Chinese people, who would doubt the issue of a march upon Pekin? or the expediency of such a measure, to bring to a speedy close our dilatory and expensive Chinese expedition?

YEARLY COST OF SHAH SOOJAH'S FORCE: Paid by the Indian government :6 regiments of infantry of the line yearly

1 Kohistanee corps 1 Khyber corps

1 Juzzailchee

7,92,000

78,000

78,000

90,000

48,000

6,00,000

36,000

1,44,000

54,000 1,20,000

1,14,000

60,000

6,00,000

COTTON CULTIVATION AT COIMBATOOR. A short time since we had the satisfaction of stating, that the cotton planting experiment was fairly commenced in Coimbatoor, we have now further information on the subject, from which it appears that good progress is being made, and after no small number of preliminary difficulties connected with the establishment of a novel process in a country so deeply wedded to prejudice as India, the undertaking promises at length to go ahead." The American cotton plantof whose zeal and diligence in their new undertaking, we are pleased to hear a very

ers,