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Such is the abundance of unemployed capital, that schemes of magnitude, variety, and usefulness, now engross public attention; and it is easy to imagine that many of them may fail of their object, yet, generally speaking, they assume a very feasible and flattering appearance. We shall scarcely find a town, throughout the kingdom, in which some great work is not going ou, as a lasting memorial of national improvement, with extended views of public benefit all this is the effect of peace; and long may it continue!

The political occurrences of the year are of comparatively little importance, as they respect commercial transactions. The war between the Greeks and the Turks has little retarded commercial pursuits. The like observation applies to the hostilities between this country and the Burmese, in India. From Africa, however, intelligence of an alarming nature was some time since received, and the attacks of the Ashantees caused serious apprehensions, at the moment, for the fate of our commercial possessions in that quarter. The disturbed state of Ireland will, of course, occupy a prominent feature in the investigations of the next session of Parliament, and we trust that some measures will be taken to induce landlords to put an end to the abominable abuses of the middle-men, by taking their concerns under their own special management, and thus applying the only effectual remedy for the extinction of the feuds which distract the country. We anticipate great advantages will result from the mining associations and united banking companies which have lately been set on foot. We have to notice the death of Louis the XVIII. king of France, who is succeeded by Charles the X. thus adding one link more in the chain of the present dynasty, which now seems to be finally established. The joyful occasion of his coronation is fixed for the month of May. The manufacturers of Lyons entertain fears of this country rivalling them in the silk-loom trade, many capitalists and artisans having removed themselves to Manchester. The internal government of ill-fated Spain is in the greatest distraction and disorder; her colonies have thrown off their allegiance, and declared their independence; her finances are exhausted, and the kingdom is ruled by the soldiery of France. With respect to the commerce of Spain, it has been but little interrupted since the occupation of that country by a French army; but, in the month of November, at the time of the question relative to the withdrawing of the French troops, the funds were in a slight degree depressed; from which they recovered, on its being understood that the troops were to remain for a longer period. Russia continues at war with Turkey, but it seems to be confined to an inactive plan of operations on both sides. We have also to notice the arrival of the timber ship, Columbus, from North America, a circumstance that has created much wonder and speculative anxiety, as she is the largest ship that ever crossed the Atlantic; she was loaded with a cargo of timber-7875 tons. The Canadians are now building another, on a broader and more improved plan. The accounts from the manufacturing districts continue favourable, and present a cheering prospect of the industry, enterprise, and wealth of the nation. We have the pleasure of communicating to our fair countrywomen, that the reduction of duty on silk will greatly extend this beautiful and luxurious branch of manufacture, and enable thousands of industrious artisans to obtain constant and regular employment. The Pacha of Egypt is directing his utmost attention to commerce, and to the cultivation of Cotton in particular, which, from the immense quantity already produced, may be considered the staple of that soil; and the abundance with which it can be supplied, is such as will, in all probability, regulate the value of every description in the market of Europe.

Markets, of late, in the Agricultural produce, have experienced a considerable rise, as will be found on consulting the enumerated list of articles of this description. This turn of the market has cheered the hopes of those who hold stocks of Grain, which, owing to the corn law, as it is termed, is out of the market, not being allowed for home consumption; and speculations have already been entered into abroad on British account, in the probable event of prices rising to that point which will remove the King's lock from Grain, at present under the control of the customs. The policy of our corn law is a matter about which political economists are at variance in opinion; the best apology, perhaps, that can be advanced, for controlling the market, is, the magnitude of our national debt, which makes the produce of our soil comparatively higher than that of others; but whether a fixed duty would not tend more to advance the general interest of the country, is, we think, an experiment worth the trial. It may be as well here to state, generally, as a truth which cannot be too often impressed upon our readers, that one of the great checks upon our commerce, viz. the high price of labour, arises from the corn laws, which, by means of a protecting duty, raise the price of necessaries, or, which is the same thing, decrease the value of money, so that the artisan and labourer require more wages to supply themselves with the requisite quantity of food. This operates upon the manufacturer, who must raise the prices of his goods, to be enabled to pay his workmen the additional wages demanded, and this again prevents the merchant from obtaining a fair profit upon those goods, when brought into the market.

Nothing can be more fallacious than the fears which the agriculturists entertain, lest their rain should be dated from the abandonment of the restrictive system, for the value of money is so connected with the cheapness or dearness of provisions, that, although their prices should be diminished in the amount, yet the intrinsic value of that price, in money, might be exactly the same as before. The income of the landlord would, certainly, not be so great, in

this case, as formerly, but if (owing to the increased value of money) that diminished income purchased as many of the comforts and luxuries of life, as it previously did, where, we ask, would be the difference, if the protecting duties were withdrawn? while, on the other hand, to the manufacturing and mercantile interest, the boon would be of incalculable value. Before quitting this part of the subject, we have great satisfaction to observe an innovation of much importance to society at large, viz. that the Smithfield-Club Cattle Society have this year established premiums for a lean cattle show, in opposition to the fat cattle premium: the points of excellence, in breed and perfection of shape, are more desirable, as prominent marks of superiority, in this stage of the animal's growth, than when fed and fattened upon cake, a system which, it will be admitted by thrifty housekeepers, and even by the epicure, may be

carried too far.

are,

The articles that have this year proved most advantageous to the speculator, Nutmegs, Butter, Corn, Rice, and Fish Oils, and some of the principal Drugs; whilst Sugar, Indigo, Rum, Brandy, Ashes, Logwood and other Dyewoods, Linseed Oil, Tallow, Horse Hides, Saltpetre, Wool, Silk, Tobacco, Timber, and various other articles, have remained nearly stationary in price, affording little scope for extensive operations. The Tallow market is at a low point of value, a circumstance to be accounted for in the general appropriation of gas. The transition from war to peace, according to the language of the senate, has so far suspended the consumption of warlike stores, that they are equally low; and Saltpetre, the great engine of war, now used principally in blasting of rocks and mining purposes, has fallen from 100s. to about 20s. Owing to one of the East India Company's homeward-bound ships, laden with spices, being lost, there has been a considerable rise in Nutmegs and Pepper. The most material fluctuation in commodities, during the last year, are as follows:

Aloes, Barbadoes, have fallen from £50. to £30. per cwt.

Alum, British, had declined to the low price of £13. per ton; it is now improving.

Barilla opened at about £24.; it is now worth about £22.

Barley opened at 38s. but it is now worth 52s. for malting quality.

Camphor, unrefined, was worth £11. in April, and now only £7. 15s. in bond.

Cocoa, Trinidad, opened at 115s. and now worth 100s.

Coffee, West India, good, opened at 104s. and is now worth 80s.

Cotton has continued comparatively low during the year, but has advanced 20 per cent.

during the last month.

Flour has advanced 10s. per sack during the year.

Ginger, East India, has advanced from 48s. to 65s.

Gum Senegal, has declined from £8. to £4. 12s.

Hops, Kent, bags, in March they obtained £13. they are now £7. 15s.

Iron, British Bar, opened at £9. Os. Od. is now worth £13. Os. Od.

Linseed, English,

Logwood, Jamaica,

Mace, superior quality,

Malt,

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In thus closing our report, we have to congratulate our readers upon the extension of our trade and commerce, and on the brightening prospects for the future. The liberal policy of our Government has been imitated by most of the continental powers, which, whilst it has in no particular branch pressed upon trade, has nevertbeless opened a wider field for our manufactures, and tended to revive kindlier feelings towards this country.

LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER.

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THE

Emperial Magazine;

OR, COMPENDIUM OF

RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE.

FEB.]

"READING IS THE CIRCULATING MEDIUM OF INTELLECTUAL COMMERCE."

MEMOIR OF WILSON LOWRY, F.R.S., &c.

(With a Portrait.)

ALTHOUGH a considerable portion of time has elapsed since the death of Mr. Lowry, our omission to notice the events of his life has not arisen from our ignorance of his merits, or disregard of his superior talents, but from an unwillingness to interfere with the interests of his amiable widow, who, during the interim, has published his portrait on a large scale. Mr. Lowry was long known in the world as a man of science, and of vigorous intellect, as well as an engraver of the first order. But neither genius nor talent can shield its possessor from the stroke of death.

In our number for September last, we published a memoir, accompanied with a portrait, of the late celebrated Mr. William Sharp, whose abilities as an engraver were known and acknowledged in most parts of the civilized world. It is now our duty to record the name of WILSON LOWRY, a gentleman equally eminent in his own department of the same profession, known also wherever the calcographic art is held in just estimation, and who, by his transcendent skill, has conferred an honour on the country which gave him birth.

Mr. Wilson Lowry was born at Whitehaven, in the year 1761. His father was a painter of portraits; and though not much known either in the metropolis or among the admirers of the art, he appears, from a specimen of his abilities still extant, to have been a man of no inconsiderable talents. During the childhood of Wilson, the family removed to Ireland, of which country their ancestors were said to have been natives; but not finding their expectations realized, they returned again to England, and, finally, took up their abode in Worcester, where it is probable the father continued until his death.

While Wilson Lowry remained in Worcester, he was distinguished by 74.-VOL. VII.

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1825.

a sedateness in his deportment, a strong attachment to reading, and an indifference to associate in play with his youthful companions. Angling and nutting constituted his principal amusements. The regularity of his behaviour, after some time, attracted the notice of a Mr. Ross, who was then known as an engraver in this city, but more distinguished by the benevolence of his heart, and his general understanding, than by any bigh attainments in his art. Interviews soon followed, which were suc ceeded by an acquaintance, and this, in all probability, leading young Lowry to the workshop, first gave to his mind a bias in favour of the profession in which he was destined, in after life, to exhibit such proofs of superior ability and proficiency. Having resolved to become an engraver, an engagement was entered into with Mr. Ross, from whom he acquired the rudiments of the art; and the period of their agreement expiring, his first plate was engraven in Worcester, for a fishmonger of that city, who wanted impressions from it to attract customers to his shop. The price of this engraving was seven shillings, but the whole sum was to be taken up in red herrings, in which commodity it was actually received.

Through some cause, 'not now exactly known, at the age of sixteen Mr. Lowry quitted both his home and his original master, and, with a trifling sum in his pocket, travelled on foot to Warwick, where, having obtained some knowledge of painting, he found employment, in assisting Mr. Beaven in painting a castle. How long he continued here is rather uncertain. It was, however, sufficiently long for him to recruit his finances in such a degree, as enabled him to reach the metropolis, where, without any exalted expectations, being destitute of friends, he had to work his way in any department which might present itself, with a promise of affording him a livelihood. He had not been long

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