Account of the Quantities and Values of the Principal Articles Imported from Tuscany into the U. Kingdom during each of the 4 Years ending with 1857.

Principal Articles.

Quantities.

Computed Values.

1854. 1855. 1856.

1857. 1854. 1855. 1856. 1857.

Argol

cwts.

tons

qrs.

8,291 6,551 6,451 23,709 26,776 25,060 414 604 794 9,275 16,253 2,165

11

3,596

4,114

6,215

13,558)

8,918

817

£ £ £ £ 3,869 37,309 22,847 22,589 14,925 24,912 106,691 121,163 110,261 87,19% 1,227 5,175 9,488 8,464 25,395 4 33,389 57,156 6,929 14,937 4,467 1,99933,018 7,147 cwts. 55,594 37,326 12,84 2 60,690 43,859 12,819 lbs. 222,966 181,789 176,561 248,612 5,972 4,545 5,940 7,078 4,519 2,983 17,820 21,233 7,494 6,927 320 559 18,296 14,502 578 2,760 3,118 3,978 4,623 6,900 8,911 1,973 1,464 68,853 142,893 130,711 103,914 4,853 20,248 3,007 4,715 4,852 1,024 51,051 35,495 19,097 26,125 216 63,240 22,900 581 656 835 1,399 1,401 2,129 4,121 10,874 13,597 913,591 397,543 623,040 958,127 45,680 17,613 38,940 41,114 8,863 5,319 10,494) 9,820 11,079 7,979 20,988 19,640 106,601 99,231 56,801 84,524 66,627 54,577 31,212 46,488 2,311 2,290 23,853 4,818 5,566 6,405 851 3,750 4,269 1,044 2,085 4,236 3,051 6,302 13,898 13,131] 9,799

cwts.

Lard

1,986

Platting of straw, chip, or other materials

4,745

Rags for making paper

Seeds, flax and linseed

fbs. cwts.

610

731

Skins, lamb, undressed

Stones: marble, sawn or otherwise manufactured

no.

cwts.

solid ft.
cwts.

loads

Total value of the above and of all other articles

Account of the Quantities and Values of the Principal Articles of the Growth and Manufacture of the U. Kingdom exported to Tuscany during each of the 4 Years ending with 1857.

Straw Hats. The most interesting, and perhaps also the most important industrial pursuit carried on in Tuscany, consists in the manufacture of straw hats and straw plaiting. The straw grown in the country is peculiarly well adapted for the purpose, and the peasantry have attained to an unrivalled degree of skill in its manipulation. The value of the exports of the article increased from 9,833,000 lire in 1851, to 23,187,000 ditto in 1855, being about 1-3rd part of the entire exports from the duchy in the course of the latter year, and we are informed that they have since continued to increase. It is said that about 1-4th part of the population of Tuscany derive their principal support from this manufacture; and though this be probably an exaggerated statement, it shows the importance of the business. Various efforts have been made in this and other countries to raise straw similar to that employed in Tuscany in the manufacture. Hitherto, however, these efforts have had but little success, and the superiority of Tuscany in this interesting branch of industry was never more conspicuous than at present.-(Annuaire de l'Economie Politique pour 1858, p. 501.),

In 1858, there belonged to Tuscany, and principally to Leghorn, 959 ships of the agg. burden of 59,024 tons.

LEMONS (Ger. Limonen; Du. Limoenen; Fr. Limons, Citrons; It. Limoni; Sp. Limones; Port. Limões; Rus. Limonü; Arab. Lémōn), the fruit of the lemon tree. (Citrus medica, var. B. C.)

It is a native of Assyria and Persia, whence it was brought into Europe; first to Greece, and afterwards to Italy. It is now cultivated in Spain, Portugal, and France, and is not uncommon in our greenhouses. Lemons are brought to England from Spain, Portugal, and the Azores, packed in chests, each lemon being separately rolled in paper. The Spanish lemons are most esteemed.-(For an account of the imports, see ORANGES.)

LEMON JUICE, OR CITRIC ACID (Ger. Zitronensaft; Fr. Jus de limon ; It. Agro o Sugo de' limone; Sp. Jugo de limon), the liquor contained in the lemon.

It may be preserved in bottles for a considerable time by covering it with a thin stratum of oil; thus secured, great quantities of the juice are exported from Italy to different parts of the world; from Turkey also, where abundance of lemons are grown, it is a considerable article of export, particularly to Odessa. The discovery of the antiscorbutic influence of lemon juice is one of the most valuable that has ever been made. The scurvy, formerly so fatal in ships making long voyages, is now almost wholly unknown; a result that is entirely to be ascribed to the regular allowance of lemon juice served out to the men. The juice is also frequently administered as a medicine, and is extensively used in the manufacture of punch.

LEMON PEEL (Ger. Zitronenshalen, Limonschellen; Fr. Lames d'écorce de citron; The outward rind of lemons is warm, It. Scorze de' limone; Sp. Courtezas de citra).

aromatic, and slightly bitter,-qualities depending on the essential oil it cortains. It is turned to many uses; and when well candied, constitutes a very good preserve. In Barbadoes, a liqueur, known under the name of Eau de Barbade, is manufactured from lemon peel, which the inhabitants have the art of preserving in a manner peculiar to themselves. Both the liqueur and the conserve used to be in high repute, especially in France.

LETTER. (See POST OFFICE.)

LETTER OF CREDIT, a letter written by one merchant or correspondent to another, requesting him to credit the bearer with a certain sum of money. Advice by post should always follow the granting of a letter of credit; a duplicate of it accompanying such advice. It is prudent, also, in giving advice, to describe the bearer of the letter, with as many particulars as possible, lest it fall improperly into other hands.

LETTERS OF MARQUE AND REPRISAL, "are grantable by the law of nations, whenever the subjects of one state are oppressed and injured by those of another, and justice is denied by that state to which the oppressor belongs."-(Chitty's Com. Law, vol. iii. p. 604.) Before granting letters of marque, government is directed by the 5 Ilen. 5. c. 7., to require that satisfaction be made to the party aggrieved; and in the event of such satisfaction not being made within a reasonable period, letters of marque and reprisal may be issued, authorising the aggrieved party to attack and seize the property of the aggressor nation, without hazard of being condemned as a robber or pirate. Such letters are now only issued to the owners or captains of privateers during war, or when war has been determined upon. They may be revoked at the pleasure of the sovereign; and when hostilities terminate, they cease to have any effect.

LICENCES, in commercial navigation. The rules and regulations to be observed in the granting of licences to ships embodied in the act 8 & 9 Vict. c. 87. given in the former edition of this work, have been repealed. The only regulation with reference to this subject in the Customs Consolidation Act of 1853, the 16 & 17 Vict. c. 107. § 201., will be found in the art. SMUG.

GLING.

The statute now referred to has the following clauses in regard to the licensing of agents for the transacting of business relating to the entry and clearance of ships, goods, and baggage, and of lightermen for the carriage of goods to and from importing and exporting ships:

Treasury to appoint in what Ports Agents shall be licensed.The Cominissioners of the Treasury may by their warrant appoint and declare in what ports or places in the U. K. persons acting as agents in the entry or clearance of any ships, or of any goods or baggage, or any business relating thereto, shall be re quired to be duly licensed for that purpose, and may from time to time revoke such warrants or appointinents, and make others in lieu thereof, when and as they may see fit; and such warrants, if they relate to ports or places in Great Britain, shall be published in the London Gazette, if to ports or places in Irefand in the Dublin Gazette, and if to ports and places in Great Britain and Ireland in both those gazettes: provided always, that the appointments already made as to London, Dublin, Dover, Folkestone, Southampton, and Shoreham shall continue as if such appointments had been made under this act, until the same shall be revoked.-§ 15.

Commissioners of Customs to grant Licences to" Agents. The Commissioners of Customs may and they are hereby authorised to grant licences, in such form and manner and to such persons as they shall think fit, to act as agents for transacting business which shall relate to the entry or clearance of any ship, or of any goods or of any baggage, in any of the ports or places in respect of which such appointments as aforesaid now are or hereafter shall be made, so long as such appointments shall re main in force, and, by order under their hands, may cancel or revoke any licence so granted to any such person for fraud or misconduct; a copy of such order stating the cause of dismissal shall be delivered to such person, or to his clerk, or left at his usual place of abode or business, but such person shall be at liberty to appeal to the Commissioners of Customs in manner provided by sections 33 and 34 of this act for an investigation and reconsideration of the case; and if no such appeal be made with. in 3 days after the delivery of a copy of such order, or if such order shall be confirmed, such licence shall be void; and the Commissioners of Customs on granting any such licence are hereby empowered to require bond to be given by every person to whom such licence shall be granted (not being one of the sworn brokers of the city of London, and acting as such agent in the port of London), with one sufficient surety, in the sum of 1000l., for the faithful and incorrupt conduct of such person

and of his clerks, acting for him, both as regards the customs and his employers; and all licences heretofore granted by the Commissioners of Customs to any persons to act as agents shall he valid until revoked, and all bonds taken for the faithful and incorrupt conduct of such persons shall remain in full force: provided always, that any person, or any persons in copartner. ship, may, with the approval of the Commissioners of Customs, appoint a clerk or servant to transact such business on his or their behalf, and the name, residence, and date of appointment of such clerk or servant shall thereupon be endorsed on the licence of such person or persons, and shall be signed by him or them in the presence of and attested by the collector or comptroller of customs at the port for which such licence is granted, and all such appointments shall be recorded in a register to be kept at the custom-house for that purpose; and no person shall act as such clerk or servant unless so appointed, endorsed, and recorded, nor act for or on behalf of any other than the person or persons so appointing him; and every such appointment may be revoked by the Commissioners of Customs at any time, by order under their hands.-§ 16.

Commissioners to specify Ports in which Goods may be waterborne by authorised Persons.-The Commissioners of Customs may order and direct in what ports or places in the U. K. goods eleared for drawback or from the warehouse shall be carried or water-borne to be put on board any ship for exportation, or goods carried or water-borne from any importing ship to, or to be landed at any wharf, quay, or other place, shall be so carried or water borne only by persons authorised for that purpose by licence under the hands of the Commissioners of Customs, and may revoke any such orders or directions, or make others in lieu thereof, when and as they may deem expedient; and the Commissioners of Customs may grant such licences in such form and manner and to such persons as they may deem proper, and may revoke the same when and as they shall think fit; and before granting any such licence the commissioners may require such security by bond for the faithful and incorrupt conduct of such person as they shall deam necessary; and all such licences in force at the time of the commencement of this act shall continue in force as if the same had been granted under the authority of this act.-§ 17.

LIGHTHOUSE, a tower situated on a promontory, or headland, on the sea coast, or on rocks or banks in the sea, for the reception of a light for the guidance of ships at night. There are also floating-lights, or lights placed on board vessels moored in certain stations, and intended for the same purposes as those on shore.

Historical Notices.-The lighting of fires for the direction of ships at night is of such obvious utility, that we need not wonder at the practice having originated at a very remote æra. The early history of lighthouses is, however, involved in much obscurity; but it is reasonable to suppose that no long period would elapse after fires were lighted for the premonition and guidance of mariners, till towers would begin to be constructed for their reception. The most celebrated of all the ancient lighthouses was that erected by Ptolemy Soter, on the small island of Pharos, opposite to Alexandria,-nocturnis ignibus cursum navium regens.—(Plin. lib. v. cap. 31.) It was of great height, and is caid to have cost 800 talents. Its celebrity was such, that Pharos rapidly became, and

Usus ejus, nocturno navium cursu ignes ostendere, ad prænuntianda vuda, portusque introitum.-(Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. xxxvi. cap. 13.)

† Dr. Gillies tells us (Hist. of Alexander's Successors, vol. ii. p. 138. 8vo. ed.) that the tower was 450 feet in height; that each side of its square base measured 600 feet, and that its "beaming summit" was seen at the distance of 100 miles ! It is almost needless to add, that there is no authority for such statements, which, indeed, carry absurdity on their face.

An Account showing the Trades that cannot be carried on in the U. Kingdom without Excise Licences; the Sums charged for such Licences; and the Number of Licences granted for carrying on each Trade in the Year ending 31st March, 1858; with the Total Amount of Revenue derived therefrom.

Total revenue derived from excise licences in 1858, England, 1,172,850l. 7s. Id.; Scotland, 127,805ł. Ds. 4d.; Ireland, 124,44€Z. 108. 11d.; total U. K., 1,425,1027. 78. 4d.

There are, also, in the U. K., sundry businesses which cannot be carried on without a stamp licence, such as bankers, attorneys, pawnbrokers, &c. The licence duty paid by these parties amounted in the year ended 31st March, 1859, to 218,500.

In

still continues to be in many countries, a generic term equivalent to lighthouse. the ancient world, there were lighthouses at Ostia, Ravenna, Puteoli, Caprea, Rhodes, on the Thracian Bosphorus, &c.-(See Suetonii Opera, ed. Pitisci, tom. i. p. 755.; and the Ancient Universal History, ix. 366. 8vo. ed.)

The Tour de Cordouan, at the entrance of the Gironde, the Eddystone lighthouse, opposite to Ply. mouth Sound, and that more recently constructed on the Bell Rock, opposite to the Frith of Tay, are the most celebrated modern lighthouses. The Tour de Cordouan was begun in 1584, by order of Henry IV., and was completed in 1611. It was at first 169 feet (Fr.) high; but in 1727 it was enlarged, by the addition of an iron lantern, to the height of 175 French, or 186 English feet. It used to be lighted by a coal fire, but it is now a revolving dioptric light of the first order. It is altogether a splendid structure;

and is, besides, remarkable for being the first lighthouse on which a revolving light was exnibited.(See BORDEAUX.)

The first lighthouse erected on the Eddystone rocks only stood about 7 years, having been blown down in the dreadful storm of the 27th of November, 1703; a second, erected in 1708, was burnt down in 1755. The present lighthouse, constructed by the celebrated engineer Smeaton, was completed in 1759. It is regarded as a masterpiece of its kind; and bids fair to be little less lasting than the rocks on which it stands. The Bell Rock lighthouse was built by Mr. Stevenson on the model of the Eddystone.

Numerous lighthouses, marking the most dangerous points and the entrance to the principal harbours, are now erected in most civilised maritime countries. They are particularly abundant in the Baltic and in the Sound, and have contributed, in no ordinary degree, to render their navigation comparatively safe. Within these few years several new ones have been erected on the British coasts, and on those of France, the United States, &c.

Precautions as to Lighthouses.-Many fatal accidents have arisen from ships mistaking one light for another; and hence the importance of those on the same coast being made to differ distinctly from each other, and of their position and appearance being accurately laid down and described. The modern inventions of revolving, intermitting, and coloured lights, afford facilities for varying the appearance of each light unknown to our ancestors, and have been, in that respect, of the greatest importance.

Chart of Lighthouses, &c.-A good descriptive work on lighthouses, beacons, &c., is a desideratum. That of Coulier, Guide des Marins pendant la Navigation nocturne, Paris, 1829, is perhaps the best. It must not be judged by its preface, which is as bad as possible; consisting of scraps from the most fantastical parts of Bryant's Mythology, and of attacks on us for our conduct in relation to Parga, and the alleged ill-treatment of the crew of a vessel wrecked on the island of Alderney! The book is really

pretty good, which could not be anticipated from such a commencement. The reader will find the existing English and Irish lighthouses, and the greater number of those belonging to Scotland, laid down in the chart attached to the article CANALS in this work. Its accuracy may be depended upon; for it has been copied from the official chart of the lighthouses on the British and "contiguous coasts published by the Trinity House.

Law as to British Lighthouses.-The 8 Eliz. c. 13. empowered the corporation of the Trinity House to erect beacons, &c. to prevent accidents to ships; and though the act does not expressly mention lighthouses, it has been held to extend to them; and on its authority, and the privileges attached to the office of buoyage and beaconage conferred on the Trinity House in 1594, the corporation erects lighthouses. The tolls for their maintenance have been generally collected under the authority of letters patent from the Crown; those for the support of the Eddystone light, and some others in different parts of the kingdom, being, however, established by act of parliament. The first lighthouse erected by the Trinity Corporation was in 1675; but several had been previously erected by private parties in virtue of letters patent.

All the lighthouses, floating-lights, &c, exclusive of harbour lights, from the Fern Islands, on the coast of Northumberland, round by Beachy Head and the Land's End, to the coast of Lancashire, have always belonged to the Trinity House, with the exception of about a dozen lights, viz., Tynemouth, Spurn (shore), Winterton and Orford, Harwich, Dungeness, Skerries, &c. These lights have been partly public and partly private property; but they have latterly been all acquired by the Trinity House. (See below.) The duties on their account have been, for the most part, always payable to the Trinity collectors.

The act of 1853, 16 & 17 Vict. c. 131., and the Mercantile Shipping Act of 1854, have made the Trinity House directly subordinate in many respects to the Board of Trade. The dues for lights, ballastage, beaconage, &c., hitherto payable to the Trinity House, are in future to be carried to the account of the Mercantile Marine Fund, which is to be charged with the cost of maintaining lights, buoys, &c., and it, also, is to be charged with the pensions hitherto paid by the Trinity House. The latter is in future to prepare estimates; and no expense is to be allowed which has not previously been sanctioned by the Board of Trade. The charges for lights, &c., are to be revised and fixed by H. Majesty in Council, who who is, also, to fix the tolls to be taken for new lights. The attention that will thus be drawn to the different charges on shipping cannot fail to be advantageous; and will, no doubt, bring about their reduction to the lowest point consistent with the realisation of the important objects for which they have been imposed. The most important clauses in the Mercantile Shipping Act, the 17 & 18 Vict. c. 104., having reference to lighthouses, are as follows, viz.:

Management of Lighthouses, Buoys, and Beacons to be in Trinity House, &c.-Subject to the provisions herein contained, and subject also to any powers or rights now lawfully enjoyed or exercised by any person or body of persons having by law or usage authority over local lighthouses, buoys, or beacons, herein termed "local authorities," the superintendence and management of all lighthouses, buoys, and beacons shall be vested in the following bodies, viz.,

In England and Wales, and the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney, and the adjacent seas and islands, and in Heligoland and Gibraltar, in the Trinity House:

In Scotland and the adjacent seas and islands, and in the Isle of Man, in the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses.

In Ireland and the adjacent seas and islands, in the Port of Dublin Corporation :

And, subject to the provisions herein contained, the said Trinity House, Commissioners, and Corporation (herein termed General Lighthouse Authorities) shall respectively continue to hold and maintain all property now vested in them in that behalf in the same manner and for the same purposes as they have hitherto held and maintained the same.-§ 389.

Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses.-The persons holding the following offices shall be a body corporate, under the name of the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses; that is to say,

(I.) The Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General for Scotland;

(2.) The Lords Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the Provosts of the Cities of Aberdeen, Inverness, and Campbeltown;

(3.) The eldest Bailies of Edinburgh and Glasgow;

(4.) The Sheriffs of the counties of Edinburgh, Lanark, Renfrew, Bute, Argyle, Inverness, Ross, Orkney, Caithness, Aberdeen, Ayr, Fife, Forfar, Wigton, Sutherland, Kincardine, Kircudbright, and Elgin;

And shall have a common seal; and any 5 of such commissioners shall constitute a quorum, and shall have power to do all such matters and things as might be done by the whole body of commissioners.-$390.

Power to Elect certain new Members.—In addition to the persons above mentioned, it shall be lawful for the said commissioners at any time after this act comes into operation to elect the provost or chief magistrate of any royal or parliamentary burgh, on or near any part of the coasts of Scotland, and the sheriff of any county abutting on such coasts.-§ 391.

Trinity House may inspect Lighthouses in Scotland and Ireland.-The Trinity House, their engineers, workmen, and servants, may at all times enter any lighthouses within the jurisdiction of the Said commissioners or corporation, to view the condition thereof, or otherwise, for the purposes of this act.-5392.

B. of Trade may appoint Persons to inspect Lighthouses, &c.-The B. of Trade may, upon complaint to the effect that any lighthouse, buoy, or beacon under the management of any of the said general light.