arms upon their own element. The Amethyst frigate, of 36 guns, Capt. Seymour, on the 10th of November, off L'Orient, fell in with the Thetis French frigate, of 44 guns, bound for Martinique, with a large quantity of flour, and carrying a number of soldiers besides her full complement of seamen. A desperate engagement ensued, at the end of which the French ship, reduced almost to a wreck, struck, with the loss of 280 killed and wounded. The English had above 70 killed and wounded. Two other English ships came in sight at the close of the action, but it was fought by the Amethyst solely. The armistice between Russia and Sweden in Finland was terminated by the former on October 19th, and before the end of the month a battle ensued, in which the Russians are said to have been routed, with the loss of Prince Dolgorucki. King Ferdinand VII. has been proclaimed in the different parts of Spanish America; and the commander Linieres, at Buenos Ayres, though with apparent reluctance, has been obliged to concur in the measure. In the United States the contention continues to be very acrimonious between the supporters and opposers of the embargo. The President steadily employs all his influence in maintaining it; and no change of any kind will be effected till the approaching meeting of Congress, when it will doubtless be a subject of early and warm discussion. At home the public interest has been chiefly occupied with the proceedings of the Board of Enquiry into the Convention of Cintra, and the steps leading to it. The sittings are open, and appear to be conducted with perfect fairness. It would be premature to form a judgment on the probable result; yet, from what has transpired, the expedience of a convention for the evacuation of Portugal by the French, under the existing circumstances, seems likely to be established, whatever be thought of particular articles, or of the general conduct of the expedition. Some discontent has been produced in the city of London by the refusal of the Lord Mayor to call a Common-hall in order to take into consideration the Convention in Portugal. As the public enquiry into that proceeding was actually commenced, his Lordship thought such a measure unnecessary and improper. Indeed, the real object of the requisition could only be to express that dissatisfaction which the answer to the city address to his Majesty on the subject so unadvisedly excited, and which has been strongly manifested in other addresses on the same occasion. MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT. The The outward-bound West India fleet, which we mentioned in our last as having been detained at Cork by order of Vice Admiral Whitshed, had sailed from thence on the 3d inst. under convoy of the Sparrow sloop of war. whole fleet consisted of 47 sail. We have also to announce the sailing of the African and Brazil convoys from Portsmouth. The Court of Directors have announced for sale, on Monday, the 5th Dec1808, prompt 3d March, 1809, the following quantities of tea; viz. Bohea, 500,000lbs.; Congou and Campoi, 4,350,000 lbs.; Pekoe and Souchong, 300,000 lbs.; Singlo and Twankay, 850,000 lbs.; Hyson Skin, 100,000 lbs.; Hyson, 300,000lbs.; making a total, including private trade, of 6,400,000 lbs. They have also declared for sale, on Friday, 2d Dec. 1808, 935 bags of prize coffee. This This coffee is the same which was announced for sale on the 24th of August last, but afterwards withdrawn. Sugars of all kinds have experienced a very considerable advance since our last, which we attribute chiefly to the appearance of the distillers in the market, by whom considerable purchases have been made: prices are, in consequence, above 80s. per cwt. This, however, is still insufficient to indemnify the planter; for it has been satisfactorily shewn, by evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons, that 90s. per cwt. is the price below which it cannot be sold without injury to the planter. It was with satisfaction, therefore, we observed in the Gazette of the 19th inst. a proclamation for continuing to the 31st of December next the order contained in the act passed in the last session of parliament for prohibiting the dis tillation of spirits from corn or grain, and for further continuing it from that period until forty days after the meeting of parliament. The propriety and justice of this measure is moreover sufficiently established by the present high prices of grain; and we trust it will be continued as long as these prices remain high. Coffee has experienced a considerable advance. The best kind is now selling at 140s.; middling qualities fetch from 110s. to 120s.; and ordinary 95s. to 110s. per cwt. This article, in consequence of the late remission of duties, is now getting into very general use; indeed it cannot be too strongly recommended, both on the score of domestic comfort and national advantage. As a beverage it has long formed an important article with the inhabitants of the continent of Europe, where its prevalent and extended consumption, until checked by the recent impediments to commerce, were the best proofs of its grateful and salutary qualities. At the Company's late sale of spices, cinnamon sold from 3s. 7d. to 7s. 4d. per lb. mace from 13s. to 36s. 6d. nutmegs from 7s. 7d. to 21s. 6d. and cloves from 4s. 4d. to 6s. 6d. per lb. subject to the customary duties, if for home consumption. Their sugar, put up at the same sale, is quoted from 30s. to 42s. 6d. per cwt. exclusive of duties. Silks upon the whole sold for lower prices than at the Company's March sale. By an ordinance lately issued by the Prince of the Brazils, all goods imported into that country in Portugueze shipping are to be subject to a duty of 16 per cent. ad valorem, while those imported in the ships of other nations are to be made liable to a duty of 24 per cent. In consequence of the very large supplies of goods with which that market has been lately overstocked, commodities in general were selling to considerable disadvantage. The attention of our merchants and manufacturers is now chiefly directed to the supplying of the Spanish colonies of Cuba, the Caraccas, and the Main: these, we trust, will long prove a valuable source of employment for the trade and manufactures of this country. The Commissioners appointed under the Act for granting certain duties on Property and Profits arising from Trade, have issued a notice to the West India merchants and others, requiring them under certain penalties to give in a return of the proceeds of all such colonial produce as may have gone through their hands since the passing of the Act; after which, it is apprehended, that they will be called upon for 10 per cent. upon the nett amount of what they may have received. This notice has excited a considerable degree of embarrassment amongst our merchants, as they alledge that it will be difficult to ascertain from the planter the actual amount of the expences incurred by him in rearing the produce in question. It certainly appears but reasonable that these expences should be deducted from the proceeds. Trade has been remarkably brisk at Glasgow during the last two months. Cotton yarns spun at the mill have advanced fully 70 per cent. and muslins and prints are in great demand amongst the buyers; indeed, the calendars are kept constantly at work in dressing goods to be shipped for the West Indies. At the last Chester fair, which was held on the 31st ult. fine Irish linens sold at the usual prices; goods of inferior quality were, however, in greater demand, and yielded about 2d. per yard higher. Muslins and Manchester goods were also in considerable demand, and produced good prices. Woollens sold tolerably well. From From Holland we learn that measures of additional rigour have been lately put in force, for the purpose of cutting off all commercial intercourse with Great Britain; and such is Bonaparte's jealousy of the introduction of British commodities, that a proclamation has been lately issued, allowing 40 per cent. to all persons who shall inform upon such goods as they can prove to be the produce or manufacture of this country. A considerable seizure, we understand, has been made at Scheveling. The decree published a few weeks ago, permitting the exportation of butter, cheese, and other articles, the produce of that country, has been lately revoked; even those vessels which were provided with a licence to sail with cargoes of the above description, were not allowed to take the benefit thereof after the 15th of this month, under any pretext whatsoever. There have been great fluctuation in Holland in the prices of various articles of merchandize. Raw coffee is selling at 4s. 6d. per lb. Sugars of all kinds are quoted at high prices. Bark had fallen very considerably in price; namely, from 60 to 25 guilders per lb. Of this latter article a large sup ply was exported from this country by licence about two months ago.. The Directors of the Bank some time ago gave notice to the gentlemen of the Stock Exchange, that the Commissioners for purchasing stock for the redemption of the national debt would in future purchase on every transfer day 32,000l. in the 4 per cent. Consols, instead of buying in the 3 per cent. Consols, as had been usually the custom. Stocks have experienced but little variation since our last. The Average Prices of Navigable Canal Shares, Dock Stock, Fire Office Shares, &c. in Nov. 1808; at the Office of Mr. Scott, 28, New Bridge-street, London. Trent and Mersey, or Grand Trunk Canal, 9801. per share, dividing 401. per share per ann. nett.-Ditto Mortgages, at 51. per cent. discount.-Grand Junction Canal, 1271. to 1281. per share; the last half-yearly dividend was 21. nett.— Ditto Loan Notes, 61. per cent. discount.-Ashton and Oldham, 1001. per share. -Kennet and Avon, 231. 10s. for 201. paid.-London Dock Stock, 1201. to 1211. per cent.-West India Dock, 1621. to 1651.—Commercial Dock, 1271.East India Dock, 1241. 10s.-Globe Insurance, 114l. to 116l.-Provident Institution, par.-Monmouth, 1001.-Huddersfield, 191.-East London Water Works, 451. premium. AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER. Farmers generally employed in ploughing, surface draining, hedging and ditching, and the retentive soils generally inclined to be wet. The young wheats look universally well, nor have we had a complaint from any quarter. All wheat sowing at an end, and we believe very little left for early spring. Rye, cole, cabbages, winter barley, and the cattle crops in general have a very promising appearance; not so the turnips, which, with some exceptions, are generally a thin crop, and will deceive those greatly in the spring whose dependance is upon them. In fact, should the weather be severe, we must expect a trying spring indeed for sheep feed. Although wheat is now falling in Mark-lane, probably on account of the Christmas term, there is little doubt of its being very dear in the spring, from its its light and indifferent quality, and the very considerable demand which may be expected. It is, perhaps, not clear that our foreign demand for wheat can be supplied in the Mediterranean, and, at any rate, our troops, and probably those of our Spanish allies, must be supplied from hence with potatoes, oats, and hay, whence a great rise must be expected on those articles. We have not heard as to the certainty of our reimbursement, at all events; but we well know that articles of the first necessity are likely to become dear enough to our poor at home. The high price of wheat has drawn so much of that article to market, that little barley has hitherto been sent. in course the price of barley has been above the mark it is likely to preserve. The crop of oats in the fens has been large, but, like the wheat, the sample proves light. The fairs have been generally full of stock, yet the prices high. Government contracts keep up all prices. Smithfield. Beef, 4s. to 5s. 6d. Mutton, 4s. to 6s. Veal, 5s. to 7s. House Lamb, 15s. to 20s. Pork, 5s. to 6s. 8d. Bacon, 6s. 8d. Irish do. 5s. 8d. Fat, 6s. 8d. Skins 25s. to 35s. FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT. The mild and open weather we have had during the greater part of the preceding month has been favourable to vegetation, and the winter green crops of wheat, tares, turnips, and rye look kind and flourishing. On dry soils a large breadth of land has been prepared for peas and barley; and the operations usual at this season of the year of laying manure on the meadows, hedging and ditching, have been carried on to a great extent, and the spare hands are employed in the barns and threshing-mills, which last are now come into use on most large farms, and are almost universally found to answer, doing their work effectually. At the late fairs cows and calves sold well. In lean cattle and store sheep but little variation, sales being dull. Fresh horses and porking pigs are the only stock which now obtain good prices, being much in request. PRICE OF GRAIN. We beg leave to suggest to a respected Correspondent, that his argument relative to the commencement of the reign of Tiberius would appear with much greater force, could he produce any historical or chronological authority for its having been actually reckoned according to the computation he proposes. The following pieces are left at Messrs. Longman's and Co.'s for return : Prose.-Antigrapheus. P. Touchstone. Letter on a Passage in Comus (anticipated by a Note of Warburton's). Metaphysical Elements. B. J. C. Verse.-J. H. W. J. C. Gwareni. Imitation from the Spanish. 4 ERRATUM. In the Dew-drop, p. 458, for "below the baleful breath" read before. INDEX TO THE FOURTH VOLUME. Aberdeen University, account of, 487 Clarendon press, account of the pre- Adventure, singular, 127 Amadis, Spanish editor of, 125 -, foreign remarks on introducing Arts, rewards distributed by the so- Arts and Manufactures, intelligence Augsburgh, account of, in the sixteenth Austrians, military character of, 114 Sent state of, 250 Classical Disquisitions, 32, 128, 225, Cobb, Mr. account of his air jacket, &c. Cocoa cordage, account of, 125 Collectanea Oxoniensia, or extracts of Cordara, L'Abbe, memoirs of, 238 Covent Garden Theatre, destroyed by Biography, mercantile, suggestions for, Cowan, Cap. particulars relative to his 495 Birds singing by night, 218 Books, account of rare and curious, particulars relative to the Cambridge University press, state of, 340 Canal shares, prices of, 95, 191, 286, re- Cant, remarks on a species of, 16, 217 answer to Inquiries, 401 Carter, Sir John, Obit. of, 74 patent sails, 457 Crabb, Mr. his proposal relative to a Davy, professor, account of his disco- Domestic Occurrences, 76, 159, 264, Donkin, Mr. B. his mode of producing Dramatic Poetry, Greek, account of, 128 Dyer, Mr. on curious MSS. 41, 134, Female manners, observations on, 204 Foreign Occurrences, 90, 183, 279, Citis, account of the draining of the French, military character of, 112 pond of, 260 Fruit trees, on clearing from moss, 71 |