In the Press.

The Imputed Madness and Folly of Religion an Address, delivered to Medical Students, at Maze Pond, Borough, by the Rev. T. Binney.

Elijah. By the Author of Balaam and Modern Fanaticism Unveiled.

The Cabinet Annual Register, 1833, and Historical, Political, Biographical, and Miscellaneous Chronicle. In one volume, 12mo. Questions, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical, formed on the Annotations to Dr. Bloomfield's Edition of the Greek Testament. Also, in one vol. 8vo. a History of Croydon. By S. Steinman, Esq. Architect.

COMMERCIAL RETROSPECT, LONDON, 26TH DECEMBER, 1832.

THE space usually allotted us for this article will only admit of a rapid sketch of the most prominent Events of the Year.

Foremost stands the providential removal of the Epidemic, which in its progress has spread distress and consternation. The dispensation, to our country in particular, has had mercy mingled with judgment; and, however mysterious has been the appearance of the disease, its cessation has been equally surprising. The scourge has travelled with a steady pace from Asia to Europe, spreading devastation in its track; and, then, bounding over the Atlantic, commenced its desolating career in the North American provinces, and rapidly diffused its ravages through the United States.-The injuries inflicted thereby upon Commerce have had a paralyzing effect, and tended, in conjunction with other causes, to create much suffering.

The proceedings of the late parliament have been protracted beyond precedent; yet the consideration requisite to bring about such measures as are contemplated by the Reform Bill, could not have been completed without much deliberation; and although other branches of the public business may have given place to that great measure, yet it is to be hoped that the intelligence, wealth, and influence now to be introduced into the senate, will give energy and vigour to its deliberations, and the public good be promoted by the exertions of all who wish to see our country flourish.

A kind Providence has rewarded the expectations of the husbandman with an abundant Harvest; and although prices are not ruling high, yet they may be considered as remunerating. The Manufacturing Districts are settled, and in pretty general employment, but, from the low state of wages, the operatives are not exempt from many privations; the prime articles of life, however, such as bread, flour, and potatoes, are attainable at low rates; and the taking off the Excise duty on Candles has tended to add to the comforts of the lower orders.

A great reduction has taken place in the duties on most kind of Drugs, and on many articles used in manufactures, bleaching, &c. On Hemp, the duty has been diminished from £4. 13s. 4d. to 1s. 8d. per ton; and it is hoped that this relief to the manufacturing interest will be followed by other measures of a favourable nature.

During the year, Colonial produce, such as Sugar, Coffee, and Rum, have found a good and steady market. Cocoa is now coming into general use, since the diminution of the duty to 2d. per pound; thus affording a most nutritious and wholesome beverage at a cheap rate.

Speculation, however, has hardly existed in commerce, during the year.

Our West India Colonies are looking with suspicion to the measures of Parliament, and seem little disposed to co-operate in doing away with the evils of slavery: it is, however, to be hoped, that they will see the inutility of resistance to the voice of the country calling for its extinction; and while the dictates of humanity ought to be satisfied, still the claims of the planters will have due consideration; and the lapse of a few years may evince, that free labour will offer greater advantage to the colonist himself, by supplying him therewith at a cheaper rate than was attainable under the old system.

The state of Ireland still excites alarm and sympathy, yet, as members of the rising generation have been imbued with the principles of their duty to God and man, it is to be hoped that a more peaceable and quiet order of things will prevail; and although the political atmosphere has dark clouds impending over it, yet there are tokens of brighter days breaking forth.

The disputes of Belgium and Holland having engrossed the attention of Europe for the space of two years, are, it is to be hoped, drawing to a close, without involving a more extended sphere of hostility. Portugal presents a scene of fraternal discord, without affording any immediate prospect of its termination.

We indulge the hope that the peace of Europe will not be disturbed, and that the British flag may continue, as it does at present, to wave in every quarter of the globe. Even now an extensive commerce is carried on with our very antipodes, and several valuable cargoes of fine sheep's wool are arriving from New South Wales, and its adjacent dependencies. This trade bids fair to increase yearly.

The ports are closed for the importation of Grain from Europe, but the supplies from Canada have been abundant. Several large imports of flour have been received from Calcutta; which article is much liked by the manufacturers for sizing of calicoes, &c.

The Whale Fishery in Greenland turned out a failure; the ships, therefore, pursued their course to Davis' Straits, and met with great success, the product being about 12,500 tons, these vessels, being taught by the example of Ross and Parry, prolong their stay in the fishery until the month of September. Connected with this subject, may be mentioned, the expedition now preparing to search after the intrepid Captain Ross, who, three years since, set out, single-handed, (so to speak,) to attempt a discovery of a North West Passage to America.

Another meritorious enterprise may also be mentioned here, lately fitted out at Liverpool by private merchants, under the guidance of the Brothers Landers, to explore the great rivers of Africa. The expedition consists of three steamers, (one built of iron :) accounts have been received of its having reached the Isles de Loss. This expedition promises great advantage to the country at large; Africa, even at this moment, from 10° north to 30° south, presenting a blank to the civilized world. Hitherto a great trade has been carried on from some parts of the coast in palm oil, an important material in the manufacture of brown soap. During the present year, 9,000 tons have been imported into Liverpool alone.

We look forward to the opening year as disclosing prospects of returning prosperity, for, notwithstanding the many obstacles which have clogged the wheels of commerce during the passing year, yet the consumption of the leading articles has continued to increase; and, as the important questions concerning our national policy have been settled, commerce, both internal and external, may be expected to revive; and, indeed, symptoms of improvement are evident.

We venture to anticipate, that when a MODERATE, but FIXED Duty is laid on the importation of Grain, the agricultural interest will be freed from their pauper able-bodied peasantry-that Manufactures and Trade will increase and flourish-that the operatives will have higher wages, and the farmers better prices for their produce, arising from a greatly extended consumption-and that the Revenue will thereby be enriched. The Corn Laws, as they now stand, bind, as with fetters, both Agriculture, Trade, and Commerce.

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

THE IMPERIAL MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1833.

COVE HARBOUR, COUNTY OF CORK, IRELAND.

(With an Engraving.)

COVE HARBOUR, in the county of Cork, is one of those places, which through the ages of antiquity spread its advantages to the eyes of commercial speculation, without being able to arrest its attention. And even to the navies of war it presented its shores, and opened its harbour, in vain.

In former years, Liverpool, now one of the largest and most flourishing towns in England, was inhabited only by a few fishermen. Its situation, harbour, fine navigable river, and various facilities for commerce, were either unnoticed or disregarded, until an enterprising spirit arose, which laid the foundation of that prosperity and mercantile fame which it has since acquired.

There can be little doubt, that many other places, particularly in Ireland, from which industry might reap a valuable harvest, still remain in a state of nature; nor can we reasonably expect to behold their resources explored, until a new system of government, and new habits of thinking, shall exhibit a moral revolution in the inhabitants of that unhappy country.

It has been justly observed, that "the hope of reward sweetens labour." Industry naturally expects, as a compensation for its toils and arts, a moderate degree of remuneration. But where the haughty landlord, the unfeeling middle-man, the rapacious priest, and the all-devouring proctor, conspire to tear the scanty morsel from the lips of ill-requited labour, need we be surprised, that the indignant feelings of suffering humanity should be roused to seek revenge, or that the victim of oppression should sink into the apathy of despair?

The Irish mind possesses energies of the highest order, which, under proper cultivation, would display, in the human intellect, many of its brightest characters. A degrading superstition, however, that puts on mental shackles while the infant is in its cradle-which robs industry of its reward, consigns its victims to poverty, and threatens them with the pains of eternal perdition, if they dare to complain of the miseries they endure in the present state-must first be exposed and banished, before the powers of enterprise will be free to operate. Until some such changes as these shall take place, the facilities of nature may enjoy repose, unless disturbed by some of those favourable incidents to which towns, and individuals, are frequently indebted for their fortunes and their reputation. It is much in this light that Cove Harbour must be surveyed; and, perhaps, it would not easy to find a place better calculated to illustrate the positions we have advanced.

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"Previous to the last French war, Cove was merely a fishing village, and the residence of custom-house officers, but, from its very great natural advantages, it has grown, out of this comparative insignificance, into the 2D. SERIES, NO. 26.-VOL. III.

H

170.-VOL. XV.