DOMESTIC. BIRTHS. BANKS, the Capt. F. J. twin sons (one still-born), at Bombay, July 14. BLACKWELL, Mrs. s. at Bombay, July 9. BLENKINS, the wife of Brev. maj. W. B. G. c.B. 6th N.I. asst. com. gen. d. at Kurrachee, June 8. BURN, the wife of Capt. of the ship Atiel Rohoman, d. at Colaba, CABRAL, the wife of E. A. d. at Ahmednuggur, June 25. STOKOE, the lady of Wm. com. the General Wood, d. at Colabah, WALKER, the lady of Dr. A. surg. Nizam's cav. s. at Bolarum, June 16. WRIGHT, the wife of Asst. surg. Alex. 25th N.I. s. at Malligaum, June 16. MARRIAGES. BLANE, G. J. c.s. to Harriet S. d. of the late Rev. Gordon Forbes, at Byculla, Juse 29. DAVIDSON, Major David, 17th N.I. com. gen. to Mary Caroline, d. of the late J. H. Farquharson, at Bombay, July 12. DEATHS. ANDERSON, Philip B. s. of the Rev. P. asst. chapl. at sea, June 7. ARMSTRONG, Lieut. T. S. 60th rifles, at Kurrachee, June 7. FERNANDES, James B. at Poonah, July 13. GREEN, Charles B. midshipman 1. N. s. of the Rev. at Bombay, aged 21, July 11. MENDONCA, Mrs. wife of J. at Girgaum, aged 40, July 7. MORGAN, Grace M. d. of J. R. c.s. at Ahmedabad, aged 17, July 4. PRESCOTT, Adela M. d. of Ens. C. J. 24th N.I. at Bombay, aged 1, July 16. TOWNLEY, Capt. R. G. 10th hussars, on his way to Bombay, July 15. TURNER, Capt. T. M. B. engrs. at Bombay, aged 37, June 9. VON GEYER, Albert J. S. s. of the late T. T. aged 18 mo. July 2. SHIPPING. ARRIVALS. JULY 6. Steamer Auckland, Hamilton, Suez; Elizabeth Archer, Cothay, Liverpool; Earl of Chester, Blackstone, Liverpool.-8. Zarah, Fell, Aden.-11. John Brightman, Scott, China.-12. Richard Cobden, Ledbitter, Liverpool.-17. Gilmore, Maw, London. PASSENGERS ARRIVED. Per Lord Stanley.-E. Glynn, Esq. C.S.; Dr. J. Marcus Joseph and McKertich Petrose, Esq. Per Monarch.-Lieut. H. Deane, H.M.'s 22nd foot; and Mr. Richard Carey. Per Braganza.-Mrs. Gordon and child with a servant; Capt. M. F. Gordon, 2nd Bom. E.L.I.; and Dr. O'Brien. Per Coromandel.-Mrs. McDermott, Lieut. McDermott, H.M.'s 8th foot; and Mr. Thomas Watson. Per steamer Auckland.-Assist. surg. R. D. Peele, Dr. Malcolmson; Messrs. Hunter, Goble, Barry, and Sydenham; Lieut. Fraser, I.N.; Messrs. C. J. Nixon and R. W. Noakes, I.N.; Mr. Blume and fifteen destitute seamen from the wreck of the Westmorland, collier, lost in the sea of Suez, near Torr. Per Zarah.-Mr. D. T. Wingate. Per John Brightman.-Mrs. Scott and three children. DEPARTURES. JULY 9. Hindostan, Poole, Colombo and China.-10. John Witt, Donovan, China; Prince of Orange, Smith, Liverpool.-12. Elora, Turnbull, Liverpool.-15. Ellen, Braithwaite, Liverpool; Herculean, Patrickson, Liverpool.-16. Sovereign, Louttit, London.-17. Pallas, Lickis, Hull; Endes, Clivas, Clyde.-18. Caspar, Eldred, China.-20. Steamer Semiramis, Daniel, Suez. PASSENGERS DEPARTED. Per Ernaad.-Mrs. Proudfoot and child, with two servants, and two Misses Shelley. Per Lavinia.-Mr. J. Cuthill. Per Julia, of Bombay.-Mrs. and Miss Jones. Per John Moore.-E. Wemyss, Esq. H. M.'s 46th regt. Per Zarah.-Dr. and Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Stainbank. Per Faize Rubany.-Mrs. Sargent and Miss Sargent. The almost total suspension of business in imports, continuing as it will do for sometime longer, leaves us little to advise by the present mail. The fall of rain at the presidency though much lighter in this than last month, continues favourable. The accounts from the country are of the same nature, except from some few districts in Guzerat, where the fall up to the latest dates had been but scanty. On the whole, however, the monsoon is progressing satisfactorily, and good results to our trade are expected with confidence to flow from it. CEYLON. SUDDEN DEATH.-We are sorry to hear of the awfully sudden death of Mr. White, of the firm of White, Farquhar, and Co. The deceased was driving his buggy along the Galle face last evening, about seven o'clock, and when opposite the house of Mr. Ackland he was seized with hemorrhage from his lungs, which, although medical attendance was speedily summoned, proved fatal in a few minutes.-Times, June 4. STATUE TO THE LATE SIR E. BARNES, G.C.B.-The inauguration of the statue erected to the memory of the late Lieut.-Gen. Sir Edward Barnes took place yesterday evening at five o'clock, in the presence of his Excellency Lord Torrington, Sir Emerson Tennent, and several gentlemen, both civil and military. On the removal of the flag, which enshrouded the statue, a salute of seventeen guns was fired, and the band of the 37th regiment being in attendance, played an appropriate air. The figure is executed in bronze, and is a beautiful specimen of art; we are informed by many that it is a striking likeness. The pedestal is composed of polished granite of very superior workmanship, and bears the following inscription: :-"Lieut. - Gen. Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B., K.M.T., K.S.A., erected by the European and Native inhabitants of Ceylon, and friends in England and India, to testify their respect and affection for his person, and to perpetuate the memory of his distinguished military services, and the important benefits conferred by him upon this country during his administration of the government from 1820 to 1822, and from 1824 to 1831. He died March, 1838, aged 62 years."-Examiner, June 19. MR. RITCHIE.-We are informed that the seat of Mr. Ritchie, in the legislative council, now temporarily vacant by that gentleman's absence on leave to Europe, will be occupied by Mr. Armitage, as locum tenens for the former gentleman.-Ibid. VISIT TO THE INTERIOR BY THE GOVERNOR. The Governor, we hear, intends paying a visit to the central provinces shortly, on a tour of inspection, combined with an intention of witnessing that most regal of all Eastern sports, an Elephant Kraal." We believe this will take place about the end of July, when the weather may be expected to be somewhat settled. A good catch is anticipated, as the elephants are reported to be in considerable numbers in the vicinity of the intended Kraal. We are given to understand that a large party of ladies and gentlemen will assemble on the occasion.-Times, June 25. THE RAILWAY.-On Wednesday last a deputation from the local board of Direction of the Railway Company waited on the Governor relative to the future prospects of the company, and for the purpose of enlisting his Excellency's sympathy on behalf of the undertaking. Figures and facts were gone into, shewing the great practicability of the scheme, as well as the promise it held out of remunerating the shareholders, and largely benefiting the colony, into all of which his Excellency entered with much interest, entirely concurring with the economical plans of the local board, regretting the unfavourable aspect of the present time for immediately entering on the project, and promising to the company the fullest and most cordial co-operation which he might feel it in his power to give. The board, we learn, are determined to prosecute their arrangements, so as to be ready to take advantage of the first favourable turn in the monetary world.-Examiner, June 26. DOMESTIC. BIRTHS. MACKWOOD, Mrs. F. d. at Ceylon. SPARKES, Mrs. S. s. at Pussilave, June 8. DEATH. MOULTON, Thomas, at Peradenia, June 12. SINGAPORE. DOMESTIC. BIRTH. BEHN, the ledy of Theodore A. at Singapore, May 22. DEATH. YOUNGBLOOD, Daniel B. s. of the Rev. W. at Singapore, aged 2, May 16. JULLUNDHUR DOAB. THE REVENUE AND NEW PROVINCES.-In a late issue we mentioned our acquisition of a strip of territory between the Beeas and the Ravee, estimated at three laks of rupees. It appears the value of these districts, Soojanpoor and Pathanknot (the latter a place of some importance in a military point of view), has been greatly over-estimated, and that the revenue will probably not exceed Rs. 50,000, as we are not to have certain canal villages, which would have made it much more considerable. We learn futher that the political extent of the hill or Kangra district is likely to be considerably increased, in consequence of the tribute of the Hill Rajah of Chumba, now paid to Goolab Singh, being about to be transferred to the British government. It is not, however, more than 12 or 13,000 rupees. There is also a probability, on Mr. Erskine's removal, of the Rajaships of Mundee and Suket being annexed to Kangra. Koolloo, a province of our own, shut out from every other part of our dominions, paying a revenue of only Rs. 66,000 and covering an area of nearly 4,000 square miles, will also, in all likelihood, become a part of the Zillah Kangra. All these arrangements however are still in embryo, and, though probable, may not take place.-Delhi Gazette. DEATH OF CAPTAIN CADDELL.-A letter from Hoosheearpore mentions that Capt. W. Caddell's death was awfully sudden. He was found dead in his bed on the morning of the 22nd June, and had apparently been dead for some hours. An inquest was held, but the result is not mentioned. He had become a father only the evening before.-July 7. THE WEATHER.-A letter, dated 30th June, says: "We are now enjoying fine cool weather, having had some very heavy rain. The rains were ushered in with a tremendous storm and heavy rain, which did much damage in the station. The unfinished public buildings suffered much, and some of them came down bodily; almost all the flat-roofed huts are destroyed. We are anxiously looking out for the relief, and hope the Jullundhur force will be permitted to stand fast. Many of us have only just done building, and those at Tanda and Hajeepoor must still be deep in brick and mortar. We hear, however, that it has been determined on moving the whole of the Jullundhur troops, in opposition to the advice and opinion of all about the G. G.; and if he has made his mind up to it, I rather suppose there is not much chance of his changing it; if we are sent to Lahore it will be worser and worser."-Ibid. RETURN OF SIR J. LITTLER.-A letter dated July 1 states that Sir John Littler had returned to that station the day before.Ibid. ABOLITION OF TRANSIT DUTIES. One of our local contemporaries made mention lately of the abolition of transit duties in the Nizam's dominions. Among the English community at Hyderabad, we believe, including General Fraser, it is supposed that the work of their extinction has been accomplished by means of a public notification; this does not, however, appear to have been the case, since the traders are as yet unaquainted with the fact, but we may fairly presume that some steps have been taken by the minister, to gave effect to the arrangement. Perhaps orders to abstain from henceforth charging the transit duties may have been forwarded in the collectors. In this case a proclamation would have been useful, for the enlightening of public ignorance, and to prevent the further levying of the abolished customs on unsuspicious traffickers, for the private advantage of corrupt officials. It is essential that the traders should obtain early information of the boon conceded. Possibly, however, Suraj-ool-Moolk is sick of proclamations, not having been very fortunate in the issue of his former ventures of that kind; but from whatever cause his omission to circulate one may have arisen, the neglect is, we think, to be regretted. Such a measure of financial liberality and commercial wisdom as that involved, ought to have been heralded by an announcement proportioned to its importance. General Fraser must of course be reckoned the author of the abolition, for no native statesman can appreciate its benefits, and the Nizam's country owes to him a debt of obligation on that account. As regards the share taken in it by the Hyderabad government, it may be pretty clearly described as concession without conviction. The Resident has proposed to his Highness, that the duties levied (under treaty) upon goods the produce of the British territories shall be receivable at the frontiers of the Nizam; because his revenue officers there stationed, being nearer to the markets where purchases are made, will be better acquainted with the value of the commodities introduced. It is provided by the treaty, that five per cent. shall be charged on invoices authenticated by the seals and signatures of government officers, affixed on either side, and as this guarantee cannot be obtained by the trader, disputes touching the correctness of invoices will arise. To obviate the annoyance thence proceeding, General Fraser has made the recommendation above stated, but we must confess that it appears to us open to objection, as involving serious drawbacks, and without any compensating advantage. If his idea is, that it might be advisable to throw the collection of customs, as well as of the land revenue, into the hands of Mr. Dighton; presuming that he would display greater fairness in his management than could be reckoned of native collectors; we can understand the drift of the plan, seeing that such must be the necessary consequence of a frontier collection, when the oversight of about two-thirds of the Nizam's territories, comprehending a large extent of their verge, is vested in that gentleman's co-partnery for the loan. Unless on this hypothesis, however (and we are rather loath to entertain it, believing that such an addition to Mr. Dighton's power is neither desirable or fit), we know not what practical results can flow from the suggestion of General Fraser. The officer on the frontier, 100 miles from the mart whence merchandise proceeds, has no better means of acquiring information than are possessed by him at the capital, 400 miles off. He can only obtain his information from the trader, or by correspondence, both of which avenues are equally open to the other party. So far, therefore, as this reason goes, we can discern no ground for the frontier col. lection, although some convenience might attend it on behalf of Government, in respect of those importations which find their way elsewhere than to Hyderabad. The disadvan. would more than counterbalance this uncertain gain. A wellinformed observer assures us, that if the plan is presently enforced -which he considers not improbable, owing to the tenor of current events-it will prove so oppressive and unsatisfactory, as to compel its future abrogation; and we ourselves incline to the same view. The trader, under its operation, must employ two distinct agents for each importation into the Nizam's dominions. One on the frontier, to superintend the opening and repacking of his stores; to pay the duties levied, and to report delays to his principal, in order that carriage may be proportionally paid: the other at Hy. derabad, to receive the goods on their arrival and bring them into the market, This double necessity will involve the first extra charge. A second will accrue from the inevitable retention of packers, to be always forthcoming on the frontier, for re-adjustment of the bales, cases, &c., after they have been opened. Whether this necessity is met by the regular engagement of suitable parties, or by recourse to the occasional service of those packers who may there establish themselves, in order to that end, it will entail a considerable burthen upon the trader, additional to what he now bears. A third occasion of extra payment may be presumed, in the way of charges for the new "dammering" and resoldering of such packages as have been thus closed up. Fourthly, workmen to perform these offices must be kept on the spot, whose pay will be another extra charge. Fifthly, the increased expense of carriage, arising from detention, must be taken into account. And sixthly, a new demand for supplies of money at certain places, by raising its value to an artificial height, will turn the exchange against the merchant, so exposing him to a further unusual disbursement. All these sources of outlay-not trifling when taken togethermust be considered in commerce. We have no data before us, but question whether, in many cases at any rate, the present costs would not be doubled to an importer, so as to levy ten per cent. instead of five upon his goods. An invoice of coarse wares, sent into the Nizam's country, and of which the packing charges formed an item of more than 1 per cent., has been mentioned to us by a correspondent. Assuming that repackage on the frontier would cost about as much, it is not an exaggerated estimate of the additional expenses that we frame, when assuming 2 or 3 per cent. extra, for the five remaining items of outlay, which General Fraser's proposal would entail upon the trader. Moreover, our estimate has reference only to the main lines of traffic, whereon it is probable that the inconveniences above enumerated would be less severely felt. There are, however, other avenues of traffic with the Nizam's country, less frequented, and therefore less provided in the necessary counteractives to the hindrance of a frontier collection, than those which we have kept in view. According to the general's scheme, the duties will be levied wherever the frontier is crossed, and traders are known to pass it at innumerable points, according to the destination of their goods. Now what, under such circumstances, is to become of the small trader entering by a route not largely used? Where is he to find an agent on the border or a packer-or a solderer-or a Soucar, to receive his remittances? He cannot dispense with any of those parties, if he is subject to the frontier customs collection, and yet how shall he obtain their services? His traffic will be annihilated! The Parsee merchants of the cantonment, it is said, are going to petition against the proposed measure, and we must wish them success in their remonstrance. Let them, however, employ the Persian language, for it is openly declared among those acquainted with the temper of the Hyderabad diplomatists, that appeals addressed to them in English do not prosper. We hear also that the merchants are pointing out the disadvantages of the project to Suraj-ool-Moolk, whose mind is likely to be impressed by their representations. Whether he will go the length of opposing Gen. Fraser's wishes, is, of course, another matter, but we trust that the general himself, when made aware of the drawback of his plan, is not the man to enforce, or even press, its adoption. At all events, he must first obtain the sanction of the Supreme Government, and they are likely to examine into the affair before granting it. After what has lately happened at Hyderabad, Lord Hardinge and his council may well feel solicitous about the prevention of further mistakes.-Madras Spectator, July 2. SIAM. NOTES ON THE COMMERCE OF SIAM. It appears to us that too little attention has hitherto been given by British merchants to the capabilities of Siam for a large and profitable commercial intercourse. The trade with Siam, as far as regards British possessions, has been generally in the hands of one or two Europeans, and some native merchants from Bombay, and no attempt has hitherto, so far as we are aware, been made to give it a wider and more general character, or to test its capacity for an increase both of consumption and production. Yet there is no doubt that in both respects there is much room for expansion in Siam, and that there is only wanting a greater attention from European merchants, and a better tariff, to allow of Siam assuming a much more important place in the commercial scale of nations than that which she at present occupies. Impressed with this conviction, we have hitherto taken every opportunity we could find, as well to exhibit the present aspect of commerce in Siam, as to show by what means and to what extent it might be improved; and it is with this object that we now avail ourselves of the kindness of a friend well acquainted with the subject, who has placed a few rough notes at our disposal, and which will enable us once more to state a few facts and make a few observations upon the commerce of Siam. Unlike Japan and Cochin China, intercourse with Siam does not require to be yet established; it was placed upon a legitimate legal footing even before we had achieved the same object in China, and all that now remains to be done is to prevail upon the Siamese Government to make those modificacations and amendments in those parts of the treaty, as regards the residence of foreigners and the tariff of duties, which experience has shown to be opposed to a full and free development of the commerce of the country. The Siamese king, like most semibarbarous persons, is slow to perceive the advantages which would result to himself and his country from a greater encouragement of commerce, and seeks in monopolies for that revenue which he would better find in an expansion of trade, and increase of the productive resources of his kingdom; and it may be that he dreads the effects of freer contact with foreigners upon his subjects. But there is little doubt, that were the advantages of a change of system impressed upon him by a friendly power like England, which from the proximity of its territory he has come to know and respect, and he were given to understand that a closer and at the same time wider commercial intercourse was desired, he would be found ready to yield to circumstances, and concede whatever was necessary or desirable. A better time than the present could not be found for attaining this important purpose; because, while the Siamese king has no doubt got rid of those foolish fears of aggression and conquest on our part, with which he and other Indo-Chinese powers were troubled at the time of the operations in China, there can be little doubt that he has acquired much juster ideas of our power and position than what he entertained in former times, and must therefore be convinced of the inexpediency of meeting reasonable and proper requests for extended commercial intercourse, by the shuffling, evasive, and insincere conduct which has been exhibited on previous occasions. With these observations we shall now proceed to state a few particulars relative to the trade, &c. The imports into the port of Bangkock, during the year 1846, amounted to about 1,130,000 ticals, and the exports to about 1,500,000 ticals. The difference in the amount of the imports and exports, it is probable, arises from the sale of the accumulated stock of the preceding year, and from the Bombay traders borrowing money to complete their shipments. The statements of the value of the imports and exports, cannot, however, be given with any certainty, as there are no records kept by government from which the same could be compiled, the duties being levied, not on the goods but on the breadth of beam of the vessels arriving at Bangkock. Their amount and value can therefore only be guessed at. The foregoing comprehends the trade with Singapore, Bombay, Batavia, Palembang and England, carried on partly by means of square. rigged vessels, mostly under English colours, but some belonging to the king of Siam, and partly by means of junks. The trade with Singapore, Bombay and England, is chiefly in square-rigged vessels. With Batavia, Palembang, and largely as regards Singapore, in junks. In the preceding estimate, the direct junk trade with China is not included, as it would be almost impossible to obtain any tolerably correct estimate on the subject. The junk trade between Siam and China it may, however, be stated, is much larger than that between China and Singapore, and is comprised of much the same articles of merchandize. The trade with China, until recently, was almost entirely in junks, but during the last two years the king's square-rigged vessels have been carrying cargos to Canton, and more recently English vessels have also done so. The trade between Siam and the neighbouring coast is carried on in large prahus, and is of considerable importance. The king of Siam himself engages directly in trade to a large extent, and to this circumstance we can easily trace much of the present unfavourable influences operating against foreign trade, as well as the reluctance to enter into improved arrangements. The king's commercial fleet is large, consisting of ten square-rigged vessels, measuring altogether about 4,000 tons, and two or three vessels of medium size, at present on the stocks. The mode of carrying on trade does not appear to differ very materially from that pursued at Singapore, being by credit, barter or for cash, according to the terms of each particular transaction. Of foreign imports, cotton manufactures hold the most important place, and this branch of trade would be most materially benefitted by any improvement in the tariff, or rather by a moderate and equitable tariff being substituted for the present oppressive and almost prohibitory tonnage duties. The articles most suited for the import trade may be stated to be;-white and grey long cloths; ditto maddapollams; do. cambrics; do. jaconetts; book lappets; velvets-plain and figured ; chequed fancy muslins; American drills; cotton umbrellas; figured long cloths, white and dyed: dyed cambrics; dyed long cloths; prints, chintz, furnitures and neutrals; Siam shawls or dresses; Turkey-red cloth: grey cotton twist; Turkey-red do. ; imperial-red and blue do.; long ells; ladies cloths; Spanish stripes; merinos of assorted colours; canvass: iron, steel, lead and spelter: earthenware, assorted; glassware and lamps assorted; hardware, assorted; muskets, gun locks; brimstone; beeswax; cowries; flint stones; musket flints, &c. Siam is naturally very fertile, and were proper encouragement afforded to the cultivators we might expect to see the produce of those articles of export which are the subjects of cultivation increased to a very large extent; while the articles of commerce, which, though the produce of the country, are not raised by cultivation but collected from the forests, would also no doubt be brought to market in greater abundance. Amongst articles produced by cultivation, sugar holds the first place in importance. In some remarks on the monopoly of this article by the king of Siam which we published a few months ago, we shewed at what a rapid rate the production of this article had proceeded previous to 1840, the year in which the king first established his monopoly. The amount produced in that year was estimated at about 257,000 piculs, while in 1846 it could not be stated at more than 150,000, so rapidly has the withering effects of the royal monopoly told upon its production, while at the same time it has deteriorated in quality. The extension of sugar cultivation would no doubt be very great were the produce left to find its way into the merchants' hands, without having to pass through those of the king or his officers. At present the whole crop is farmed to three or four government officers (naturalized Chinese) who pay to government from one to one and a half ticals per picul on the whole quantity pro-duced, and compel the cultivators to deliver it to them at sma 1 and unremunerative prices, hence leaving no inducement to improved or extended cultivation. The cultivators of sugar are all free Chinese emigrants who pay a poll-tax to Government. They have no titles to the land but hold it on sufferance, locating themselves where they find ground suitable for their purpose, and shifting to another spot when the soil they are on has become exhausted. They pay no land-tax, but a duty on what is produced. The cultivation of rice is carried on in much the same way, not by Chinese, however, but by Siamese or Peguan Ryots principally. The export of rice being prohibited, none finds its way out of the country, except what is smuggled, or is exported by the king on his own account. A law exists requiring that there should always be in the kingdom rice sufficient for three years' consumption, which is observed, although perhaps not to its full extent. The cultivation of coffee is carried on in the hilly districts on the east coast of the Gulf of Siam, but on a very limited scale. The annual produce is not much more than 200 piculs, although it is understood to be increasing. The quality is reckoned to be nearly equal to Mocha, and it commands a high price in the English market. Cotton is grown in considerable quantities partly for home consumption, and the rest for export to China by the junks, who take it uncleaned. The cultivation of gambouge is increasing on the confines of Camboja and at Chantiboon. Pepper is cultivated on the hills on the east coast of the Gulf, and is all taken by the China junks. The nutmeg tree grows luxuriantly, but does not yield fruit. Indigo grows in a wild state in Siam, and all the dye used in the country is manufactured from these plants. The extensive low grounds are admirably suited for the cultivation of this plant, as well as many other valuable products. The revenues of Siam can only be guessed at, but it is thought that they exceed 11 millions of ticals yearly. They are derived from a tax on all kinds of produce which is farmed out, of the tonnage duties fixed by the treaties with England and Araerica, &c. In addition to the duties allowed by these treaties, others have been imposed in direct violation of them, although they are not directly levied on the foreign merchant, but on the goods after they have come into the hands of the native dealers, or on the produce before it is allowed to be sold for export; thus a duty of a tical per picul is imposed on iron for every picul used, and a half-tical per picul on black pepper, and one tical per picul on white pepper previous to export. The export of timber is prohibited, contrary to treaty. Sugar can only be purchased from the government agents, and in many other instances are the provisions of these treaties entirely disregarded. Opium still continues strictly contraband, but is smuggled into the country to a large extent. Daily seizures of smugglers take place, who if rich pay a heavy fine, and if poor are ironed and put on the public works. The officers of government enrich themselves by means of these fines, hence they are exceedingly vigilant in looking after offenders; but the smuggling is still persevered in, as if successful, the smuggler realizes a profit of nearly 100 per cent. on his venture. The population of Bangkock, of which alone any estimate can be made, as it is the only part of Siam of which Europeans have any great knowledge from personal observation, may be roughly guessed at somewhere between 6,000 and 7,000 souls. The following is a conjecture at the probable amount :English Americans (missionaries and their wives) Portuguese ... ... ... descendants French missionaries Chinese, paying poll-tax descendants Cochin Chinese ... ... ... 3 10 ... 3 800 ... ... ... ... ... ... 638,821 Most of the Chinese emigrants settle in the country permanently, and take to themselves Siamese wives, and not above one-sixth of their number return to China. They readily conform to the Siamese customs and even religion, and many of them rise to high offices under government. They are the most industrious part of the population, and some of them are the wealthiest individuals in Siam. The Malay population consists partly of voluntary emigrants and partly of prisoners of war. These last, although still forbidden to leave the country, have in other respects experienced a very favourable change in their mode of treatment. They receive regular rations of rice from government, and are allowed to work on their own account, excepting during a certain number of days in each year, which they must give to government work. The females are in general very industrious, and work in gold, and weave dresses, and many earn as much as ten dollars per mensem. A number of Malays have emigrated to Bangkock from a Malay colony in Camboja. The descendants of Malays, although Moslems, are said to assimilate very much to the Siamese in habits and language. there We formerly offered some suggestions of what we thought ought to be the basis of any new treaty with Siam, but we may here briefly repeat them. The abolition of the present prohibitive tonnage duties, substituting an equitable tariff of import and export duties, and prohibiting the interference of the king or government in trade. As long as the latter continues, can be no guarantee for the uninterrupted conti nuance of a regular trade. At present, although by treaty the foreign merchants and the inhabitants of the country are to be allowed to buy and sell without the intervention of any other persons and with freedom and facility, yet it is well known that the king or government never scruples to monopolize any article of export when by so doing a good profit is to be made. When the king wishes to effect this, orders are issued that the particular article to be monopolized is only to be sold to the agents of the king, and it is only when the king's ships are fully loaded, that merchants are allowed to purchase from the king's stores, by which a large profit accrues to the royal treasury. It will, therefore, be necessary that this interference with the free course of trade should be well guarded against. The residence of a consul to see to the due fulfilment of the treaty, and to afford protection and assistance to British subjects, will also be necessary. Were these points carried, we might soon expect to see the trade with Siam increasing in value and importance most rapidly, and affording an excellent outlet to a large amount of British manufactures.-Singapore Free Press. SCIND E. ON THE MANUFACTURE OF ISINGLASS IN SCINDE. AMONGST the articles which hold out some prospect-slight perhaps though it be-of being turned to account in Scinde, we must not forget that of Isinglass,-which has not yet been prepared, save in small quantities and for experimental purposes, but the rough material for the manufacture of which is to be met with in abundance on the sea coast of the province. Turn. ing to the table of exports from Scinde published in our paper of the 21st ultimo, we find that the most valuable item, next to wool, consists of shark fins and fish-maws, of which a quantity value rupees 45,768,609 was shipped during the year 1816. Fish-maws, or sounds, compose the substance which, after subjection to certain purifying processes, forms the isinglass of commerce. The sounds have for a long time been exported from Bombay to China in their unprepared state-the gourmands of the celestial empire finding the gelatine extractable from them a most valuable adjunct to a luxurious cuisne. In 1843-44, no less than 3,499 cwt. of fish-maws alone, value 238,738 rupees, were shipped from this port to China.* Of the description of fish which yield isinglass in this country, the two principal, and those apparently alone found on the coast of Scinde, are the Seer or Dara (Polynemus Sele) and the Gol or Gheria (Corvinus Niger.) The first of these, according to Dr. McClelland, has the two fins on the back distinct from each other, while the tail fin is forked, and there are fine long tendrils under each pectoral fin. The other has the two fins of the back united-the tail fins not forked-and no tendrils beneath the pectoral fins. The rough insinglass brought from Scinde bears the name of Bhot or Phot. The best explanation we can find of the mode of manufacture is given by the gentleman we have just named, in a letter to the supreme government, dated the 30th July, 1815. We make the following extracts: "The air vessel is from eight to twelve inches long, pointed at each end like a double night-cap, hollow, but without an opening. "It is merely taken out of the fish when caught, and thrown aside without further trouble by the fishermen. It is at first soft and doughy to the feel, and partially distended with air. But in time, it becomes collapsed and hard outside, in which state it is sold to the Chinese. "When fresh taken from the fish, it is covered by a thin cobweb of small blood vessels, which are easily peeled off, as none of them enter the substance of the organ. When this is neglected, it becomes stained and spotted with blood, and the whole becomes hard and consolidated together, or the vascular membrane itself becomes putrid in places. "Hence the vascular membrane should always be carefully peeled off the first thing by the fishermen, when the outside will then present an appearance like white satin, of a fine oblique fibrous texture. The edge should now be slit open, and the same kind of bloody cobweb peeled from within. The inner side will then present the same white satin appearance as the outside, but if attentively examined will be seen to consist of transverse, instead of oblique, fibres. If it be allowed to dry, the whole becomes hard, horny, and partially transparent. "The thickness of the organ is about one third of an inch, and the best way to see its fibrous structure, is to tear it across when it is dry. In this way it splits in the direction of the transverse fibre, of which 9-10ths of its substance consists, the oblique fibre forming merely a thin coat outside. If the mechanical division of the transverse fibre be thus continued, the outer oblique coat becomes readily detached and falls off in plates and scales from the outside. Thus by mechanical means the organ may be separated into two very distinct parts. The first or transverse fibre, consisting of perfectly pure gelatine, comprising about 9-10ths of the whole; the second or oblique fibre falls off in broad plates consisting of albumen, thus leaving the gelatine or isinglass perfectly pure. "When cut open, cleaned and dried as above, the Suleah sound weighs from 12 to 16 ounces, from which 90 per cent of pure isinglass may be separated by mechanical means. With the aid of a common vice, I can in half an hour detach in shreds the whole of the isinglass from the impure, insoluble outer rind, which fall off in scales in the process of shredding. "The fish being caught at a distance from Bombay and Calcutta, the sounds are usually sold unopened and uncleaned, as taken from the fish, with the cobweb of blood vessels * Dr. Gibson states, with respect to the importance of the trade to the fishermen of the Indian Coast, that at the small bunder at Hurnee, and its dependencies, he calculated that the sum realised by the sale of sounds and fins only, was sufficient to pay the capitation tax of 130 fishermen ! hardened and dried upon the surface, which is frequently stained with blood. "In this state it repuires to be soaked for twelve hours in water, to overcome the horny consistence, so far as to be able to cut it open. The outer rind being insoluble, is that on which soaking makes the least impression, so that when opened we frequently find much of the pure isinglass within dissolved; and if continued soaking and washing be practised after it is opened, with a view to soften and cleanse the outer insoluble rind, the article may become greatly impoverished, and deteriorated from the solution of the inner parts, which thus become dissolved and washed away incautiously during the operation. A large proportion of the Bengal isinglass hitherto sent home was much deteriorated by this cause. "To obviate this, it is only necessary to induce the fishermen to open the sounds at once, when taken from the fish, and strip them of their red cobweb, when they should merely be rinsed with a little fresh water and dried in the sun; after which, the longer they are kept exposed to dry in free air, the better." Specimens of isinglass have been prepared at Kurrachee, but they have not been of a favourable quality. A couple of speci mens were subjected to experimeut in October, 1845, and they turned out "decidedly inferior." But a small part of both was found to be soluble in water, even at a boiling temperature, the remainder swelling up, but not dissolving, and presenting all the attributes of fibrine. Both, moreover, possessed a disagreeable fishy odour, which could not be removed even by protracted boiling; and the chemist who examined them was of opinion that they would only rank as glue, and not as isinglass-the very commonest descriptions of which latter were in every respect superior to them. It is not difficult to perceive, however, that this unfavorable result may have arisen from some defect in the preparation of the article-not from the inherently bad quality of the Bhot itself. The eminent chemist, Mr. Solly, gives it as his opinion that the insolubility of isinglass arises from the presence of a large proportion of membranous matter, having most of the properties of albumen, which "is not only in itself insoluble, but renders much of the gelatine with which it is associated insoluble likewise." The "fishy smell" so much complained of is a more serious objection, and we believe that in few specimens of Indian isinglass has it been entirely got rid of. The best samples obtained on this side of India came in 1842-3, from Rutnagherry, where they were produced by the prisoners in the gaol,under the superintendence of the deputy gaoler. These were remarkably fine in appearance, and soluble without difficulty, but they were not quite free from fishy odour-a peculiarity which, though stated to be "rather a recommendation than otherwise with the Chinese," of course unfitted them for culinary use in England. Mr. Luard, in in a letter under date 31st May, 1813, states that each fish yields about 6 ounces of isinglass-that the bladders (or sounds) then sold for about 24 annas each-and that two men could make about 11lb. of isinglass per day. He gives the following as the average cost of manufacture per lb. Bladders, about...... 11 annas. Materials (alum and sulphur)...... 1 Labour 2 The Rutnagherry Isinglass was valued by the brokers in England, at 2s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per lb. in bond. Dr. McClelland is of opinion that the odour of properly-prepared isinglass is lost altogether in course of time. Kept on hand," he observes, "for twelve months, it loses all its original odour, and if packed dry at that age, the odour would be very unlikely to return. I have still older pieces by me, which present no sensible property whatever, by which their nature or origin could be detected by smell or taste; and these sounds have been subject to no further cleaning than the mere removal of the red cobweb, together with any little fleshy parts adhering to it." He then proceeds to offer the following remarks, which, as they particularly relate to the isinglass of the Scinde coast, we shall make no apology for extracting: "14th. Encouragement should therefore be held out to the Suleah fishermen to open the sound as soon as it is extracted from the fish, and remove the red cobwebs, rinse it with fresh water, and hang it up to dry. In this state it would be worth 10 rupees a maund more than bhot, and the European merchant would have little more to do than keep it till properly seasoned, and I should say it would improve in value 20 per cent. for every year it is kept on hand, for all the finer purposes, in which perfect freedom from odour and taste may be requisite. “15th. All attempts to improve the appearance or purity of the article by washing, scraping, or moulding it into shapes, while they are attended with labour and expense, only tend to injure and deteriorate the article. I would therefore depend |