Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
9 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A…
LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A WOEMG MAN. CHAPTER II.—APPRENTICESHIP. THE month of trial flew swiftly and happily away, and the end of it saw me bound for seven years, and Davie Dixon for five years, to learn a trade which had been the free choice of us both. My occupation was a real pleasure to me, and though often weary with long hours of labour during busy times, I was never tired of work. Naturally of a cheerful though not a sanguine disposition, I often found a pleasure in what Would have been a grievance to a mind differently constituted. Still there were real grievances, even for me, and some which marred the comfort of my fellow- apprentice not a little. The temper of our employer, though good and generous in the main, was variable as the weather. He would be harsh, sulky, and over- bearing at seasons when we least expected it; and, whether from a constitutional love of contradiction, or a small piece of malice, seemed always to make a point of opposing or thwarting any anticipated pleasure, whatever it might be. We found this to be so regular a thing that Davie and I were compelled at length to keep him from the knowledge of any fishing, cricketing, or bathing excursions, which he would else have prevented us from enjoying together, by finding Work for one or both of us after the regular hours. As we began at six in the morning, and usually finished at the same hour in the evening, we had many pleasant hours to spare in the long summer days. After work in the hot weather we used to leap the churchyard Wall, and scrambling down the steep on the other side to the river's brink, strip and plunge in, and revel at ease in the cool waters of the Exe. Here I learned to swim like a duck, and became so fond of the exercise. as to pursue it long after the first frost had whitened the ground. Oaoasionally we Would join the cricketers in the meadow opposite the grammar-school, where we were always welcome, as we carried good bats and balls of our own manufac- ture. I had a reputation as a hard hitter, and Davie as a famous longetop. At other times, and these were the pleasantest, we would join a party of Sally's female friends to a junketbing; this is nothing more or less than a trip to a farmhouse to eat curds and Whey covered with thick cream and sugar. Old Whit- ing would often go with us on these occasions, and, when he did, invariably added cakes and comfits to the repast, and paid for the whole generously. If a flute or a fife could be found among the party, these affairs were generally wound up with a dance upon the greensward, till the moon had risen, after which we walked home through the green lanes, start- ling the birds from their nests by our merry gossip. But I must not dwell upon such scenes as these. Time Wore on. Every fourth Sunday I passed regularly with my parents, carrying with me, as often as I could, some specimen of my progress in the art I was learning. Ere four years had elapsed I knew all that Whiting could teach me, as he himself acknowledged, and I had made, and sold in his shop, several articles of furniture which he had never before attempted to manufacture. He treated me now with marked con- sideration, and indeed would have allowed me more in- dulgence than it would have been right for me to take. Davie had not got on so well; though industrious, and obliging, and striving to do his best, he seemed to make Do progress after the first twelve or eighteen months. lie was a good hand at the box-work, and in forward- ing but failed always, more or less, in the finishing off; his joints gaped, his mitres would not come true, and his veneering blistered, and, worse than all, he began to lose heart. Sally Whiting was fond of flowers and gardening, and spent much of her time in tending the box-bordered beds in the garden, at the end of which was our workshop. I had often stopped whistling at my work to gaze at her as she stood or stooped among the flowers, herself the fairest of them all! It struck me, one July morning, that I would invite her to spend the next Sunday with me at home, to see our garden, which my father's skill had ren- dered both famous and profitable. I turned to her uncle directly the thought occurred, and asked his permission. "By all means, if you wish it," said he, and, putting his head out of the open window, called to Sally to come up into the shop. She was overjoyed at the promise of a holiday and a ride to our farm, of which she had often heard me speak, so the affair was settled at once. I should have asked Davie to join us, but could not do so, as it was a necessary regulation that one of us should always be on the spot. When Saturday came, and the market was finished, we started off merrily in the carrier's cart, which dropped us at the end of a lane which led to my father's house. We met my mother at the door. She was truly pleased to see us, and just then father came in to his supper-, and declared that! was doubly welcome this time, since I had brought my sweetheart with me. Now it happened that I had never thought of Sally as a sweetheart, or of a sweetheart at all, yet somehow I felt the notion to be something more than agreeable, and took no care to rebut the imputation. Seeing this, my mother took it as a matter of course, and was more tenderly kind to the new comer than I had ever before seen her to any one. The next day We took some pleasant walks in the neighbourhood, called on Davie's parents, where we supped, and Walked home together in the evening, and before we separated to our rest, I believe it is a fact which my wife is not for denying at the present moment, that we both made, if not the avowal at least the discovery, that we were not indifferent to each other. I made Davie my confidant in this business, as in all others, and received his jokes and gratulations on the subject with the same perfect good will as they were uttered. The time soon drew near for the termination of his apprenticeship, he having, as I mentioned before, two years less ta serve than myself. He was not, however, to be his own master immediately, but was to be turned over to a relative in London, who carried on a good business in a leading thoroughfare. He took his departure from Tiverton on the very day that finished his term, and, first visiting home, a week after set out on his journey to London. The two years that followed were perhaps the happiest of my life. Many serious and fine things have been said and written against early attachments, and the ghost of Mr. Malthus has been conjured up to terrify incautious youth, and warn them against the danger of early marriages. If my experience is worth anything—the experience of one plighted at eighteen and married at three-and twenty, and who, if it was a mistake, has not found it out at forty—all such philo- sophy is sheer moonshine and worse than useless. The proper time for a man to marry is just that at which he finds himself able to maintain a wife in such a state of comfort and respectability as that to which Bhe has been accustomed from a child,^ and the sooner he is "entangled," as the phrase is, with a virtuous and even-tempered lass, provided he has a fair and not too remote a prospect of settling, the better. The better for his health, the better for his intellect, the better for industry and energy of cha- racter, and best of all for the cultivation of moral and religious principles. At any rate I found it so, as there is no doubt thousands have done besides. Many a doubtful or equivocal act that the thoughtless young man may be led into, and many an imprudence of which such an one might be guilty, become sheer impossibilities to one who feels his whole being bound up with the happiness of another, who is dearer to him than life. Further, the first birth of a true attachment is the birth also of so many of the social and domestic virtues, that the sooner a man is the sabject or it the purer is his after career. Careful economy, watc titaLneaa of temper, self-sacrificing kindness (the reality of which politeness is the outward symbol), and a thousand other adornments of character, spring into being or develop themselves in greater perfection with the first dawnof serious affection. It is a preservative from a. beat of follies and vices, while its eventual consumma- tion is a perennial reward of abstinence from them. But I must not longer detain the reader with scones .1 which, however pleasant in remembrance, may be deemed foreign to the purpose of these papers. So I pass over these two delightful years-the evening walks through the verdant fields and shady lanes; the Sunday morning round to church, with the fairest garden flower in my button-hole, placed there by Sally's fairy fingers and the unreserved confidence on every subject that grew by degrees between us, and which completely sbut out the possibility of a mis- Understanding,. There is one thing I must yet mention and which I did not intend to allude to, but find that it must be done to render what has yet to be said intelligible. My master had a son, whom (like many other foolish parents) he was determined to bring up for the Church, and for whom he willingly made the greatest sacrifices. To this young man, who "visited us twiee a year for a month each time, I had a sort of instinctive aversion; and though I took pain s not to show it, knowing how unreasonable such feeling's usually are, I never could meet him with cordiality. Latterly, however, his behaviour to his cousin Sally, whom he treated with a flippant assumption of su- periority, rendered his presence a perfect plague to us both. Once, when a boy, during my first years, he had struck her in my presence, for which I gave him the Devonshire throw on the kitchen floor. Subse- quent disagreements on the same score had not im- proved our liking for each other, and more than the barest forms of civility Bever passed between us. Robert Whiting was preparing for college under a "crammer" of some reputation in Exeter, and his father anxious for his matriculation, proceeded with him to Oxford about six months after Davie left us. Before the lad had been at the university half a year I could perceive a great alteration for the worst in the temper of the old man. Every letter from his son, though they were not many, threw him into a fit of abstraction, followed by one of anger and vexation. He kept, however, the cause of his chagrin to himself, and as I never questioned his orders, however domi- neering, and knew his disposition tea well to allow it to annoy me, we got on pretty well. The last year of my apprenticeship was the first of wages, and by means of overtime and occasional jobs on my own ac- count, which were allowed me, I managed to save twenty pounds. Fifteen of this I left with Sally to be deposited in the savings' bank in her name, and with the remaining five in my pocket I set out, at the ter- mination of my apprenticeship, and after spending a pleasant though anxious fortnight with my parents, to seek my fortune in London. (To be continued.)
A STEAMSHIP ON FIRE ON THE…
A STEAMSHIP ON FIRE ON THE THAMES. An alarming fire broke out in the steamship London, belonging to the London and Perth Steam Shipping Company, lying off the Company's wharf, Wapping, on Tuesday morning. The London, an iron screw built vessel, 600 tons burden, arrived at Dundee on Monday evening. Nothing occurred during the voyage to excite suspicion of the cargo being en fire, and all the men having turned in, the watchman on the wharf was directed to call them at four o'clock. This was done, and when the men came on deck, they were startled by the fore-hatch covering blowing off as if from an explosion in the hold, and instantly smoke and flames burst forth with great fosce. The alarm was quickly given to the shipping in the pool, with a view to obtain assistance. The floating steam fire-engines, belonging to the brigade, off Rother- hithe, were got under weigh to the fire with all possible dispatch. Meanwhile the crew of the London got their pumps to work, and played dawn into the hold among the cargo. The smoke, however, was dense in the extreme, almost suffocating the men as they stood at the hatchways; one or two attempts were made to get below in order to obtain a better command of the fire, but this was found to be so dangerous that the men were stopped. Upon the arrival of the floating engines, both having steam up, they were got to work, several jets of water being directed into all parts of the hold. Captain Shaw, the chief of the fire brigade, accompanied the upper floating fire steamer to the burning vessel, and superintended the operations. For hours the engines continued pouring torrents of water into the hold, without producing any apparent impression on the fire, for the smoke rolled up in heavy clouds, and the heat was intense. It now became evident that the only course left to get the fire under was to keep the engines play- ing until the forehold was filled with water, which was carried out, and, as may be expected, as the water rose the extent of the fire diminished, and by eight o'clock it was entirely extinguished, the water having reached to the combings of the hatchways. The fire is believed to have been caused by spontaneous com- bustion taking place among a quantity of waste cotton and canvas stowed away among the oargo. Until the water is pumped out of the forehold, the amount of damage cannot be ascertained. The steamer is said to have been fully insured. 0 Will of Sir William Hooker.-The will, with a
[No title]
codicil, of Sir William Jackson Hooker, Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, late director of Kew-gardens, was proved in the London Court on the 18th instant. The executors are his widow, Maria Hooker; his son, Joseph Dalton Hooker, M.D.; and Mr. Thomas Brightwen, of Great Yarmouth. The personal estate was sworn under £ 35,000. The will is dated 17th of December, 1859, and the codicil 12th of September, 1862. Sir William died at Kew-gardens on the 12th of August last. The bequests are entirely of a family nature. To his wife Sir William leaves his furniture, plate, wines, &c., a legacy of .£300, and the interest of X5,000, which is to be set apart to meet the annuity. Sir William leaves to his son, Dr. Joseph Dalton Hooker, his books, prints, pictures, collection of plants, and botanical specimens. The residue of the estate is bequeathed in specified proportions be- tween Sir William's son, his daughters (Mrs. Evans, the wife ef Dr. Thomas Robert Evans; and Mrs. M'Gilvray the wife of the Rev. Dr. M'Gilvray), with provision also for the children of his son and daughters. It ap- pears by the codicil that Sir William has also made provision, by way of settlement, for his granddaughter, Mrs. Gardner, the daughter of his deceased son, Wil- liam Dawson Hooker, subject, however, to a life pro- vision made for the widow, Mrs. Isabella Whitehead Hooker.-Pall Mall Gazette.
Money Market
Money Market CITY, OCT. 3.—The stock markets are generally somewhat firmer to-day, owing chiefly to a belief that there is no immediate prospect of any further advance in the value of money. The discount market is quieter to-day, and the supply of money has increased, yet the rate for the best paper is maintained at 5 per cent. The official prices for English Stocks are quoted as followsThree per Cent. Consols, for money,, 881, sq, ditto, for account, S9'¡', 89 Three per Cents. Beductd 86%, 87; New Three per Cents., 86J, 87; Bank Stock, for account, shut; India Five per Cent, Stock, 105 -g, 104J, 1051; ditto Bonds, 22s, 25s prem.; Five per Cent "eniaced" rupee paper, 101J; and Exchequer Bills, 6s., Is. dis. The railway market is firm to day, and prices_ have ad- vanced in several instances. London and North-Western stock is now quoted 123A to 124, Great Western, 64} to f Midland, 125f to 126J; Lancashire and Yorkshire* 120| to-i South Eastern, 80 to J Great Eastern, 47| to J; Caledonian, 129 to 130; Metropolitan, 137f tol38i; London and South- western, 96 to 97; Great Northern, 132 to 133; ditto A, 148i to 149J-. BANK OF ENGLAND.-An Account pursuant to the Act 7th and 8th Vie., c. 32, for the week ending on Wednesday, September 27, 1865. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notes issued £ 27,778,725;Gevernmentdebt £ 11,015,100 !Other securities 3,034,900 iGoldcoin & bullion 13,128,725 ISilver bullion — iC27,778,725 £ 27,778,725 BASKING BEPAP.IMENT.. ™ Proprietors'capit'l £ 14,553,OOOj Government secft- Best 3,811,178 rities (inc. dead Public Deposits 7,330,010! weight annuity) £ 10,384,20!> Other Deposits 13,789,628 Other Securities 22,522,316 Seven day and Notes 6,276,080 other bills 530,883 Gold & silver coin 832,094 £ 40,014,699[ £ 40,014,699 Sept. 28, 1865. GEO. FOBBES, Deputy Cashier.
The Corn Trade.
The Corn Trade. MABK-LANE, OCTOBER 2.—The return to-day shows a. fair supply of foreign oats to hand during the past week, but the arrivals of other foreign grain were small. There was a moderate show of English wheat at our market to-day, which was in better condition, and met a firm trade at last week's prices. There was not much doing in foreign.—The trade for oats was very slow, and we note fL reduction of 6d per qr. on all sorts from late quotations.-There was very little demand for malting barley, but prices were firm.- Beans and peas fully sustain their value.—Flour nrm-vexy little oSeriag.—The malt trade continues very quiet. CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR. Shillings per Quarter. WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white new 35 to 48 44 to 52 „ red. 34 43 44 46 Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire, red 43 46 BABLEY 27 to 30 Chevalier, new 30 37 Grinding 26 29 Distilling 28 32 MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk 58 66 Kingston, Ware, and towii-made 58 66 Ikown .I. 50 54 BYE 26 28 OATS, English, feed 19 to 23 Potato 2t 27 Scotch, feed 18 23 Potato 22 27 Irish, feed, white 17 20 Fine 21 2* Ditto, black 17 20 Potato 21 24 BEANS, Mazagan .37 40 Ticks 37 40 Harrow 40 42 Pigeon 41 47 PEAS, white, boilers 37 41 Maple37 to40 Grey,new35 37 FLOUB, per sack of 2801bs., Town, Households 38 43 Country, on shore 31 to 34 „ 35 36 Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 31 33 FOREIGN GRAIN. WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed .47 to 51 old, extra 51 57 Konigsberg 45 49 extra 49 51 Bostock 45 4§ fine 50 51 Silesian, red 43 45 white 46 48 Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk.red old. 43 49 Russian, hard, 38 to 39.St. Petersburg and Riga. 42 44 Danish and Holstein, red 41 43 French, none Bhine and Belgium 44 49 American,redwititer44to47.spring43to.4S,white 47 50 BARLEY, grinding 22 to 25. distilling and malting 27 32 OATS, Dutch, brewing and Bclands 18 to 23 feed 17 21 Danish and S wedish, feed 19 to 22. Strali. und. 19 23 Russian, Riga 19 to 21.Arch., 18 to 20.P'sburg 20 23 BEANS; Friesland and Holstein 35 38 Konigsberg 35 to 39.Egyptian 37 38 PEAS, feeding and maple 36 39. fine boilers 39 41 INDIAN CORN, white .30 35.yellow 30 34 TARES, p. bush., winter 58 5s 6a.Lentils — — FLOUR, per sack, French32 35.Spanish, p. sack 32 35 American, per brl 22 24.extra and d'ble. 25 27 LIVERPOOL, OCT. 3. The market fairly attended. Wheat in;slow sale, at Id to 2d advance since Friday. Flour maintains late rates, and a fair business has been done. Indian Corn steady; mixed, 29s to 29s 3d. Beans, oats, and oatmeal firm at former prices.
Meat and Poultry Markets.
Meat and Poultry Markets. METROPOLITAN. -A statement of the supplies and prices of fat live stock on Monday, September 26, 1864, as compared with Monday, September 25, 1865;- Per Slbs. to sink the offal. Oct. 3,1864. Oct. 2,1865 s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Coarse and inferior Beasts 3 4 to 3 8 3 2 to 3 8 Second quality ditto. 3 10 46 3 10 4 4 Prime large Oxen 4 8 50 4 6 4 10 Prime Scots, &c 5 2 54 5 2 5 2 Coarse and inferior Sheep 40 46 42 4 8 Second quality ditto 4 8 50 4 10 5 4 Prime coarse-woolled ditto 52 54 5 6 5 10 Prime Southdown ditto 5 6 58 6 0 6 4 Large coarse Calves 4 0 48 44 5 0 Prime small ditto 4 10 50 52 5 6 Large Hos;s 3 6 4 4 4 0 4 8 Neat small Porker3 4 6 4 10 4 10 5 4 Supplies on Sale Oct. 3,1864. Oct. 2, 1865. Beasts 6,740 6, £ >50 Sheep 26,350 35,650 Calves. 406 454 Pigs 690 510 NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.-Limited supplies of meat are on sale, and the trade is dull. Pdr Slbs, by the carcase s. d. s. d. s. d. to s. d. Inferior beef 3 0 to 3 4 Chickens, each 19 2 6 Middling ditto 3 6 3 10 Ducks, each 2 3 3 0 Prime large 4 0 4 4 Babbits, each. 10 16 Ditto small 4 6 4 8 Hares, each 3 6 5 0 Large pork 4 6 5 2 t Grouse, each. 29 3 0 Inferior mutton 44 4 10 Partridges, each 16 2 0' Middling ditto 50 56 Pigeons, each. 08 0 10 Prime ditto 5 8 6 0 1 Ostend fr. butter, Veal 4 4 5 4 j per doz. lbs. 11 6 14 0 Small pork 5 4 5 8, English ditto. 12 0 16 0 Lamb 0 0 0 0 French eggs, 120 6 6 8 6 Geese, each 6 0 86 English ditto. 9 0 10 0 Fowls, each 2 6 4 0
Fruit and Vegetable Market.
Fruit and Vegetable Market. COVENT GARDEN, SEpT.SO.—Outdoorproducecontinues to be supplied so abundantly that importations ef foreign goods consist only of pears and grapes. Of Kent filberts there is a short crop, they therefore sell freely at from 80s to 100s per lOOlbs. Flowers chiefly consist of orchids, heaths, carnations, picotees, asters, mignonette, and roses. FRUIT. s. d. s. d. s. d. a. d, Pineapples, p. lb. 3 0 to 6 0 Oranges,p.100 14 0 to 20 0 Grapes, per lb. 1 6 30 Lemons,p. 100 8 0 14 0 Peaches, p. doz. 6 0 10 0 I Nuts,cob,1001bs80 0 100 0 Plums,p.punnet 0 9 16 Brazil,p. bush. 18 0 0 0 Apples, p. sieve 2 0 30 Alnmds.p.bush.18 0 20 0 Pears, per sieve 2 6 4 6 Figs, per doz. 0 0 0 0 VEGETABLES. sdsd sdsd Cabbages, per doz. 1 0 to 2 0 Cucumbers, each .0 3 to! 0 French beans, sieve 1 6 2 0 Beet, per dozen 1 6 2 0 Peas, per sieve. 2 0 4 0 Shallots, per lb 0 8 0 0 Potatoes, York Be- Garlic, per lb 0 8 0 0 gents, per ton. 90 0 100 0 Lettuces, per doz.10 0 0 Bocks, per ton 60 0 70 0 Endive, per score .1 0 2 6 Flukes, per ton .110 0 140 0 Artichokes, per doz. 4 0 5 0 Kidneys, per cwt. 8 0 12 0 Horseradish,p. bun. 1 0 4 0 Carrots, per bunch 0 6 0 8 Mushrooms, per pot.1 0 16 Turnips, per bunch 0 4 0 6 Parsley, p. doz. bun. 2 0 4 0 Celery, per bundle 10 19 Herbs, per bunch .0 6 0 0 MINCING-LANE, OCTOBER 3.—The Sugar market is firm at last week's currency the sales include Havana, No. 11, at 38s; unclayed Manilla, 30s 6d to 31s; grey Penang, 35s low grainy Mauritius, at 36s to 37s. Befined, previous prices are unaltered, but there is less demand brown lumps, 44s to 44s 3d; wet lumps, 42s 6d to 43s 6d; pieces, 36s to 41s.— Only limited sales of Coffee are reported.—The public sales of Tea have commenced, and are progressing at about the rates ruling by private contract. HAY MARKETS, SEPT. 30.— Smithfield. Cumberland. WhitechapeL s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Meadow Hay.. 80 0 to 105 0 85 0 to 120 0 85 0 to 115 0 Clover 100 0 126 095 0 138 095 0 135 0 Straw. 26 0 33 032 0 35 030 0 36 0 HOPS, BO-ROUGH, MONDAY, OCT. 2.—Our market continues extremely active for every class of hops possessing colour and quality, and a slight improvement in value has been ob- tained. Lower grades with stronger brewing qualities are in fair request. The picking is now nearly complete, and the late arrivals are coming in very brown, Mid and East Kents 115s, 140s, 160s Farnhams and Country. 115s, 126s, 160s Weald of Kents 100s, 110s, 124s Sussex. 95s, 105s, 112s Yearlings 95s, 120s, 140s FOREIGN HOPS.—The imports or foreign Hops into Lon- don last week amounted to 12 bales from Boulogne, 157 A M_ werp, 22 Dunkeld, 56 Hamburg, 33 Rotterdam, 11 ErPttl. and 115 bales Ostend. ENGLISH WOOL.—CITY, MONDAY, OCT. 2.—Since FIHA close of the public sales of colonial Wool this market has shown more firmness. The amount of business doing has not been to say extensive, yet prices generally have been fully supported. Several parcels of Wool have changed hands for shipment to France and Belgium COTTON, LIVERPOOL, OCT. 3.—The market less excited, and the sales will probably foot up 15,000 bales. TALLOW, OCT. 3.—The market is firm at the following prices Petersburg Y.C. on the spot, is quoted, 43s 6d; October to December, 46s to 46s 3d; December, 47s 3d to 47s 6d; March, 4Ss 3tl to 48s 6d.
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. -----
A RAMBLER'S JOTTINGS. IMPORTANT TO EMIGRANTS. SPENDING my vacation hours as best I could to glean any information which may be useful to your correspondents, I strolled down to the London-docks, and there saw vessels preparing for emigrants. My thoughts immediately turned in that direction. I mused upon the world's pro- gress I contemplated the time, not far distant, when Australia and New Zealand were new worlds to us, inhabited only by savages, and adding nothing to the prosperity of the age, I then called to mind friends who had emigrated to our antipodes some twenty or thirty years ago, and recalled to my imagination their exertions in a far country, the hopes and fears expressed in their letters to friends at home, and, finally, the reward of industry wealth, peace, and happiness. I know at the present moment two banker's sons, who bad been brought up in all the luxury that a wealthy parent could give them. Paterfamilias died; his children were unprovided for. What matter ?" they said; we are healthy and strong; let us seek a fortune for ourselves." They imme- diately decided to go to Australia, but six months previous to their embarking, one placed himself under a carpenter and the other under a blacksmith, and each rose at six in the morning and worked throughout the day as regular as apprentices. I do not mean to say that in the limited time I have named they became skilled artisans, but they acquired a sufficient knowledge of the chisel, saw, and anvil to be useful in a country where no aid could be rendered them. They got a block of land in Victoria; here they built their own log hut; they cleared with their own hands land sufficient to grow a little maize and potatoes, and by degrees they got sheep, which they tended, unaided, until they became a large flock; year by year their profits increased until they became wool merchants, and two years ago they returned to their native country with a hand- some fortune. On the other hand, I have known others who had no energy about them emigrate and suffer much misery, because they were not persons qualified for a rough life. The strong and youthful who are naturally industrious will always succeed as emi- grants, whilst the idle and the dissipated will fall away quite as much in a foreign land as they would at home. Amongst other ships that I saw at the London- docks was the magnificent clipper "Mary Shep- herd." She sails for Auckland, I was told, on the 20th of this month, and she has been specially se- lected to convey the tirst. party of the new Bay of Islands settlement emigrants. She is 905 tons register, and has splendid accommodation for pas- sengers. She forms one of the Line of Houlder Brothers and Co., of the Australian and New Zea- land Packet Office, 146, Leadenhall-street, London, E.C. This superb ship has just returned from Madras in ninety-four days, being one of the shortest passages for & sailing ship on record. "The Bay of Islands!" i thought, where is that?" I looked the subject up, and I found it was situated about mid-way between North Cape (the extreme north of the colony) and Auckland, the capital city, and was the first place in the colony in which Europeans landed. For many years it was the favourite landing-place of British and American whalemen, on account of the superiority of its harbour, and the abundance and cheapness of the provisions which they required, the principal of which were potatoes, pigs, and salt pork. Go- vernor Hobson negotiated a treaty here with the natives in 1840, afterwards the seat of Government was removed to Auckland, and many of the settlers followed the governor there, but those who re- mained satisfied with their settlement are now possessed of good landed property and large herds of cattle. In 1844 the natives rebelled, and this prevented the settlers making much progress; but the case is now completely altered. The natives have become more civilised, and have expressed their desire that Europeans should settle in the district, and, as a proof of their sincerity, they have lately sold to the Government some extensive blocks of land adjoining the proposed site of the new settle- ment. The land proposed to be first settled is situated about six miles, by water, from Port Russell, which lies in the Bay. The River Kawa Kawa, which is navigable to the proposed town- ship for vessels of twenty tons burden at high water, is an easy highway for the exports and im- ports necessary to its well-being. The climate is most delightful. The mean average temperature is: Cold month, 51 deg.; warm month, 68 deg.; extrema difference, 17 deg. The extreme cold does not exceed a white frost, and the greatest heat is not equal to that of England. Wheat, maize, potatoes, oats, onions, and all kinds of European fruits and grasses are grown, also oranges, lemons, and almonds. But the most profitable employ- ment appears to be rearing stock and sheep for the Auckland market. The Government agent has issued a prospectus of the plan of settlement, and the regulations annexed are extremely simple and liberal, showing, in the first place, that there will be granted forty acres of land to each approved adult who pays his own passage to the colony, and twenty acres to each child over five years of age. The Govern- ment only requires one year's occupation before the issue of the Crown grant, and gives the pro- ceeds of town lands for purposes of local improve- ment. The choice of farms is to be made equitably by lot, as each party of settlers arrive. The average cost of bringing land into cultivation (says the Government agent) may be calculated at X4 10s. to Y,5 per acre, and to complete it with substantial fences, ditched, &c., X8 to £ 10. In estimating the capital required by each family, the amount of labour possessed by them must be taken into consideration. Of course, if a family can do all the labour themselves, they re- quire no money farther than to pay their passage, provide a temporary house, implements, provi- sions, &c., until the land becomes productive. The present trade of the Bay Islands keeps two fine schooners, each of 60 tons register, almost con- stantly employed between this settlement and I Auckland, and the provincial Government has made arrangements for a steamer to call weekly. j By the last mails from New Zealand intelligence has been received of the discovery of very rich coal fields on the Kawa Kawa block, and as such the value of the land throughout the neighbour- hood has very greatly increased, insomuch that no free grants of land will be given to those emigrat- ing after the "Mary Shepherd" has sailed. It is, therefore, very important that all that can be ready should sail in her. The Government agent, Captain W. C. Daldy, whose present address is 1, Broad-street-buildings, City, is willing to answer any questions that are put to him concerning this new settlement, and to grant land orders in accordance with the regula- tions, when he is satisfied of the suitability of persons who desire to emigrate. I am myself too old to emigrate, I must plod the old path in the old country; but without setting forth as facts that which appears on the surface, if I was younger, I would first apply to Captain Daldy, and if he satis- fied me, I would take a berth from Houlder Brothers and Co., of 146, Leadenhall-street, in their unrivalled clipper ship "Mary Shepherd," and I would seek my fortune in the virgin soil of the "Bay of Islands." I shall refer to emigration in my next letter and in several succeeding ones, as I think the subject is important, and hope that I may be enabled to en- lighten persons who are desirous of bettering their position by emigrating to countries less populated than the land of their birth, as regards the mode of procedure. I shall only say in this article that it is far more expensive for an emigrant to go about from shop to shop to purchase an out- fit than it is to go at once to a regular outfitter, who knows exactly what is necessary for a voyage. For instance, if emigrants went to S. W. Silver and Co., the manufacturing outfitters, in Cornhill and Bishopsgate-street, they would be provided with a list of such things as are needful for the voyage, and they would be charged a much more reasonable sum than if they bartered here and there with those who would cheat, rob, and ensnare them. An outfit here is provided, from40s. upwards, according to the means of the emigrant, and he is treated as a legitimate customer, whom they could meet upon any future occasion. I would advise strangers more especially to avoid those touters in the streets, who would tempt them to purchase here or there, where a commission is paid to the n troducer on the articles sold.
OUR "CITY" ARTICLE. .
OUR "CITY" ARTICLE. The sudden rise in the rate of discount by the Bank of England, first, from 4 to H, and secondly, 2' from 42 1 to 5 per cent., within a few days of each other, have naturally had a marked effect upon the money-market, and a good deal of speculation has been raised as to the nature of the pressure which has been brought to bear so unexpectedly upon the Bank's reserve. Fortunately, the rise in the rate of discount will be partially neutralised by the statement of the quarter's revenue, and the Board of Trade's monthly account of trade and navigation; for it would be a contradiction in terms ti) suppose that a high rate of discount can be long maintained, at a time when the revenue returns exhibit a healthy state of things, and our exports and imports are in what may be termed a satisfactory condition. The movement on the part of the Bank was, how- ever, partially anticipated, as the tendency in the value of money has been some time upon the rise, owing to certain heavy payments on financial ar- rangements, and to the loans which have been re- cently contracted, and which have absorbed a con- siderable amount of the spare and floating capital, to say nothing of the new schemes which are weekly cropping up, in one form or other, in the market. It is, therefore, within therange of probability that a still further rise may take place in the rate of dis- count, for the demand for money, both on the Continent and on the other side of the Atlantic, is beginning to show itself in a rather marked man- ner, and to a very considerable degree. Austria, for example, is on the eve of appealing to the European market for a considerable loan, in order to fill up a gap which periodically presents itself in the financial state of that decrepid and decay- ing (?) empire; and the Government of Washing- ton, wishing to set its" house in order," after the terrible struggle it has endured during the past four years, and to prepare itself for again entering upon a peaceful intercourse with the world, will naturally require the aid of the European lender, and will doubtless find its requirements promptly and efficiently complied with. The last advices from New York clearly show that the mercantile community of that city are fully alive to the im- portance of regulating their disordered currency, and of bringing their banking and exchange affairs mere in conformity with those of Europe than they could possibly expect to be while an unre- stricted issue of paper money prevailed. Under these circumstances, it might fully be expected that a rise in the rates of discount would take place here; and when the Bank returns were pub- lished, the first alteration was net considered much out of the ordinary course, the increase in the private securities, with the diminution in the reserve and bullion clearly indicating where the pressure prevailed. The alteration of the Bank rate was immediately suceeeded by the notices from the joint-stock banks, which advanced their terms for deposits to 3t per cent., and the discount establishments, following suit, raised their rates to—for money at call, from 3 to 3J per cent.; at seven days' notice, 3t to 3! per cent.; and at fourteen days' notice, from 3t to 4 per cent., and after the second rise they also followed suit with the Bank of England. The joint-stock banks allow 4 per cent. for de- posits, with the exception of the London and Westminster, the rate at that figure being limited to amounts over .£500. On less sums the rate is 3 per cent. Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co., Messrs. Alexanders, Cunliffes, and Co., the National Discount Company, and the other establishments, have increased the rate of money at call from 3t to 4 per cent.; at seven days' notice the terms have been raised from 3t to 4t per cent.; and at 4 fourteen days' notice from 4 to 4t,per cent. y The returns of revenue ior tine quarter just expired exhibit a healthy condition of things as regards the social well-being and the general industry of the country. These returns are of a character to which we have been accustomed for some time past, and furnish a continued example of the spring and elasticity our resources are capable of displaying. There is a decrease, it is true, as compared with the returns of the corre- sponding period of last year, which is owing to the recent reduction in taxation; but the decrease is much less than might have been anticipated, and was calculated upon by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, so that we have every reason to con- gratulate ourselves upon the present state of affairs. There is a falling off in the quarter of £ 330 097, as compared to the same period of last year- and a comparison of the half-year's returns with those of its predecessor show a diminution of .£1,054,777, yet, strange to say, the falling-off on the whole year merely amounts to XI 115,2s5. This shows clearly that the revenue is gradually improving, and that the reductions made in Parliament during the last Session are being gradually replaced by the growing prosperity of the country. This can be shown by briefly comparing the heads of the Estimates made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Ses- sion, with the present returns. He estimated that his measures would cause a loss to the re- venue during the current financial year of £3,778,000, which would give a decrease for the half-year of £ 1,889,000. The absolute decrease, as stated above, has been .£1,054,777, or not much more than half the estimated sum. The com- parison for the quarter is still more satisfactory. The decrease was calculated at .£944,500, whereas it simply amounts to £ 330,097, or somewhat more than a third. These results are the consequence of reducing the duty on tea one-half, and of re- moving one-third of the income-tax. The esti- mated loss upon the latter tax, for the year, was £ 1,650,000, or upwards of .£400,000 per quarter; yet there is a positive increase in the yield of the tax amounting to £ 33,000. The Customs exhibit some highly prosperous features. The loss of duty on tea was estimated at £1,868,000 for the year; yet the returns from the Board of Trade show that the consumption of tea has largely increased. It appears that upwards of eight millions of pounds were entered for home consumption in the month of August last, against seven and a half millions in 1864, and seven millions and a quarter in 1863 but, taking the first eight months of this year, we have an increase of six million pounds as compared with the same period last year, and of- nearly ten millions as compared with 1863. The returns as regards sugar, show equally satisfactory results, and that the recent alterations in the duties had been a complete success. Notwith- standing, therefore, the decrease of £ 335,000 upon the quarter of the Customs, the general state of things indicates a highly prosperous condition; and the more we reduce our scale of taxation, the more abundant does it become in its producing power. The Excise shows a decrease of £ 20,000; the miscellaneous items also show a falling off of £ 188,000; while stamps exhibit an increase of £ 5,000; taxes, of £ 70,000,000 and the post-office of £ 100,000. This aspect of affairs, taken retro- spectively and prospectively, must be considered of a highly satisfactory character. The Returns of Trade and Navigation is an equally interesting document, and deserves as careful a notice as that of the Returns of the Revenue. These returns bring us down to the end of August, and it will be seen that our exports for that single month are much under the correspond- ing month of last year, but above the year pre- vious, the figures being:— August, 1863 £ 14,088,814 „ 1864 16,274,269 „ 1865 14,158,648 The figures, however, for the eight months ending 31st August of each year, run as follow:— 1863 £ 89,751,851 1864 1. 108,716,219 1865 102,400,696 There is a decrease, therefore, for the eight months of 1865 of £ 6,315,523,as comparedwith.1864; butthis may be fairly attributed, not to a falling off in trade, but to a reduction in the price of several leading articles, both raw and manufactured. Looking at particular articles of export, it appears that there is a decrease in cotton manu- factures in amount, but an increase in quality; and in linens there is a decrease in the quantities of yarn but an increase in the value of piece goods. In imports of raw cotton we have largely increased during the month. The figures are 866,978 cwt. for last August, 545,376 cwt. in August, 1864, and 470,807 in 1863. Our own imports have fallen off. On the eight months they run thus :— 1863 15,583,616 cwt. 1864 15,057,536 „ 1865 11,565,473 „ While on tea the increase has been singularly large:- Month. Eight months. 1863 7,216,1401bs. 56,716,3971bs. 1864 7,584,124 „ 59,432,407 „ 1865 8,347,413 „ 65,481,468 „ The computed real value of the principal articles imported up to the end of the seven months ending 31st July, is .£19,019,162, against £ 20,458,253 in the same month in 1864, and .£16,998,064 in 1863. Taking the seven months, we have for 1863, 1864, and 1865 respectively, .£98,207,002, .£119,068,429, and £ 94,528,004.