Account of the Quantity of Madder and Madder Roots respectively entered for Home Consumption each Year since 1820; with the Rates of Duty, and the Produce of the Duty on each.-(From Papers published by Board of Trade.) Of the imports of prepared madder in 1831, amounting to 43,935 ewt., 22,637 were brought from France, and 18,726 from Holland. Of the madder root imported the same year, amounting to 52,449 ewt., 23,627 were from France, 23,833 from Turkey, 2,570 from the East Indies (munjee!), and 2.377 from Italy. The duty on madder is now reduced to 2s. a cwt., and on roots to 6d. a cwt.: and their price, duty included, in the London market, in December, 1833, was as follows: 1 14 0-1 16 0 bond. Madder, the produce of Europe, is not to be imported for home consumption except in British ships, or in ships of the country of which it is the produce, or from which it is imported, under forfeit ure of the same, and 100%. by the master of the vessel.-(3 & 4 Will 4. c. 52. sect. 58.) MADRAS, the principal emporium on the coast of Coromandel, or western shore of the Bay of Bengal, in lat. 13° 5' N., lon. 80° 21' E. It is the seat of government of the second presidency of the British possessions in India, having under it a territory of 154,000 square miles, with a population, according to a recent census, of 15,000,000, paying a gross annual revenue of above 5,000,000l. sterling. The town is situated in the Carnatic province-a low, sandy, and rather sterile country. It is without port or harbour, lying close upon the margin of an open roadstead, the shores of which are constantly beat by a heavy surf. Besides these disadvantages, a rapid current runs along the coast; and it is within the sphere of the hurricanes or typhoons, by which it is occasionally visited. In every respect, indeed, it is a very inconvenient place for trade, and its commerce is consequently greatly inferior to that of either Calcutta or Bombay. It has been in possession of the English 192 years, being founded by them in 1639. In 1823, the number of houses was ascertained to be 26,786; which allowing 6 inhabitants to each, makes the total population about 160,000. Fort Saint George is a strong and handsome fortification, lying close to the shore. The Black Town of Madras, as it is called, stands to the north and eastward of the fort, from which it is separated by a spacious esplanade. Here reside the native, Armenian, and Portuguese merchants, with many Europeans unconnected with the government. Like most other Indian towns, it is irregular and confused, being a mixture of brick and bamboo houses. Madras, like Calcutta and Bombay, is subject to English law; having a Supreme Court of Judicature, the judges of which are named by the Crown, and are altogether inde pendent of the local government, and the East India Company. In Madras roads, large ships moor in from 7 to 9 fathoms, with the flagstaff of the fort bearing W.N.W., 2 miles from shore. From October to January is generally considered the most unsafe season of the year, in consequence of the prevalence, during that interval, of storms and typhoons. On the 15th of October the flagstaff is struck, and not erected again until the 15th of December; during which period, a ship coming into the roads, or, indeed, any where within soundings on the coast of Coromandel (reckoned from Point Palmyras to Ceylon), vitiates her insurance, according to the conditions of the policies of all the insurance offices in India. In the fort there is a light-house, 90 feet above the level of the sea, and which may be seen from the deck of a large ship, at 17 miles' distance, or from the mast-head at a distance of 26 miles. The cargo boats used for crossing the surf, called Massula boats, are large and light; made of very thin planks sewed together, with straw in the seams, instead of caulking, which it is supposed might render them too stiff. When within the influence of the surf, the coxswain stands up, and beats time in great agitation with his voice and feet, while the rowers work their oars backwards, until overtaken by a strong surf curling up, which sweeps the boat along with frightful violence. Every oar is then plied forward with the utmost vigour to prevent the wave from taking the boat back as it recedes; until at length, by a few successive surfs, the boat is thrown high and dry upon the beach. The boats belonging to ships in the roads sometimes proceed to the back of the surf, and wait for the country boats from the beach to come to them. When it is dangerous to have communication with the shore, a flag is displayed at the beach-house, which stands near the landing-place, as a caution. The fishermen and lower classes employed on the water, use a species of floating machine of a very simple construction, named a catamaran. It is formed of 2 or 3 logs of light wood, 8 or 10 feet in length, lashed together, with a small piece of wood inserted between them to serve as a stempiece. When ready for the water, they hold generally 2 men, who with their paddles impel themselves through the surf, to carry waters, or refreshments in small quantities, to ships, when no boat can venture out. They wear a pointed cap made of matting, where they secure the letters, which take no damage. The men are often washed off the catamaran, which they regain by swimming, unless interrupted by a shark. Medals are given to such catamaran men as distinguish themselves by saving persons in danger. The following are the established rates of port charges at Madras : Country ships, from 900 to 500 tons 35 0 0 0 0 0 500-300 snow, brig, and ketch, do. dhonies and large boats, do. carrying provisions or parcels Large catamarans, for landing or shipping a European cable of 13 to 16 inches for do. do. 17 to 22 for do. an anchor of 16 to 29 cwt. Port Regulations.-A notification shall be sent by the collector of the customs, through the mas er attendant, to the commanders of all ships coming into the roads, requiring them to transmit a true and fuli manifest of all goods and merchandises laden on board, according to a printed form; which manifest being dehvered to the collector, he shall, if he so thinks fit, require it to be verified by an affidavit on oath; which forms being observed, permits are granted for the landing of the goods, under an official signature. No articles are to be shipped or landed without a permit, or after 6 o'clock P. M. Any merchandise attempted to Le landed without the prescribed forms, or that were not inserted in the manifest, are liable to double duty; and, where a fraudulent intention shall appear, to confiscation. All goods (except on account of the East India Company) shall be shipped or landed at the ghaut opposite to the Custom-house, or pay double duty. All goods, (except belonging to the Company), on being landed, shall be brought to the Customhouse; and when required to be passed, a written application, in tb following form, must be made to the collector. No other form wi be attended to." To the Collector of the Customs. Please to per mit the under-mentioned goods to pass the Custom-house, on accoun of, Sir, your obedient servant, 2 3 0 090 300 280 050 040 040 040 No. and Name of Ship. Under what Whence The collector of customs is allowed a commission of 5 per cent. on the amount of the duty collected on goods imported or exported, and upon the amount of the duty computed on goods imported or exported free of duty; and where goods become liable to be charged with the additional duty, 5 per cent. is also due to the collector on such duty. Port clearances cannot be granted to ships clearing outwards, until true and complete manifests of the cargoes have been lodged with the collector of customs, and a certificate produced from the boat paymaster (the chief officer over the boats regularly kept for hire) that he has no demand. The port charges for clearance on every vessel, except paddy boats, is 1 pagoda 24 fanams. For every paddy boat, 20 fanams. For every These are to be filled up from the tariff. bale imported or exported in foreign vessels (except American), i pagoda." You cannot employ your own boat to unload your vessel without the permission of the master attendant; and you can, in no case, let your boat for hire to another vessel, under any pretence whatever. The rates of boat hire are according to your distance from the shore; double charge being made, if employed on a Sunday. A load of ballast consists of 120 bakets of sand, according to a fixed size, at the average price of 3 1-2 fanams. A boat load of water is 4 butts; the price is 55 fanams 40 cash. Customs.-The export and import duties at Madras are the same as at Calcutta ; which see. Monies.-There is a considerable variety of coins in circulation in Madras and its vicinity. Of the gold coins, the principal are star or current pagodas 7s. 54d.; commonly, however, valued at 8s. The gold rupee, new coinage, is worth, according to the mint price of gold in England, 11. 9s. 2-42d. The Arcot rupee (silver) and the new silver rupee are very nearly of the same value, being respectively worth is. 114d. and 1s. 11d. The East India Company and the European merchants keep their accounts at 12 fanams the rupee; 80 cash=1 fanam, and 42 fanams = 1 pagoda. Copper pieces of 20 cash, called pice, and of 70 and 5 cash called dodees and half dodees, are also current; these are coined in England, and the value is marked on each. Commercial Weights.-Goods are weighed by the candy of 20 maunds; the maund is divided into 8 vis, 320 pollams, or 3,200 pagodas; the vis is divided into 5 seers. The candy of Madras is 500 lbs. avoirdupois. Hence the pagoda weighs 2 oz. 3 grs.; and the other weights are in proportion. These weights have been adopted by the English; but those used in the Jaghire (the territory round Madras belonging to the Company), as also in most other parts of the Coromandel coast, are called the Malabar weights, and are as follows:-The gursay (called by the English garce) contains 20 baruays or candies; the baruay, 20 manunghs or maunds; the maund, 8 visay or vis, 320 pollams, or 3,200 varahuns. The varahun weighs 524 English grains: therefore, the visay is 3 lbs. 3 dr.; the maund, 24 lbs. 2 oz.; the baruay, 4824 lbs.; and the gursay, 9,645 lbs. avoirdupois, or 4 tons 6 cwt. nearly. Measures of Capacity.-The garce, corn measure, contains 80 parahs, or 400 marcals; and the marcal, 8 puddies, or 64 ollucks. The marcal should measure 750 cubic inches, and weigh 27 lbs. 2 oz. 2 dr. avoirdupois of fresh spring water: hence, 43 marcals 15 Winch. bushels; and therefore the garce 17 English quarters nearly. When grain is sold by weight, 9,256 lbs. are reckoned for 1 garce, being 18 candies 12-8 maunds." Banking. There is but a single banking establishment at Madras, which is entirely a government concern, as the directors consist of the superior officers of government; and the ministerial officers are on fixed salaries. The bank issues notes, receivable as cash at the public treasuries, within the town of Madras; it receives deposits and grants discounts. The accumulated profits of the bank, from its first institution in 1806, amounted to 620,2261., being at the rate of about 31 0001. a year; but as the Indian money is here reckoned at the rate of 8s. the pagoda, which is much above both the mint price and the value in exchange, the real profits are considerably smaller. Mercantile Establishments.-At Madras there are but 3 principal European mercantile establishments, or houses of agency, with 7 of an inferior class. There are 2 American houses, and I considerable native house of business. The daubashes, or native brokers of Madras, are expert, intelligent, and sometimes knavish. Among the native merchants there are few men of wealth; and the contrast, in this respect, with Calcutta and Bombay, is striking. The degree of liberality exercised by the respective governments, and the prosperity of the different portions of the British territory in India, may safely be implied by the proportion of British settlers to be found in them. Tried by this test, the Ma dras provinces will be found eminently wanting, as will be seen by the following brief Table :1813 1830 Bengal 1,225 Madras 187 134 Bombay 469 308 Insurance.-There is but one insurance company, called the India Insurance Society; but there are agents of the Calcutta companies, who effect insurance on shipping. Agency and Commission.The general rates of agency, commission, and warehouse rent, are as follow : 1. On the total sum of a debit or credit side of an account, at the option of the agent, excepting items on which a commission of 5 per cent. is chargeable, I per cent. 2. On effecting remittances, or purchasing, selling, or negotiating bills of exchange, I per cent. 3. On subscriptions to government loans, purchasing, selling, transferring, or exchanging public securities, 1-2 per cent. 4. On delivering up public securities, or lodging them in any of the public offices, 1-2 per cent. 5. On receiving and delivering private commissions of wines, cattle, and merchandise, 2 1-2 per cent. 6. On collecting rents, 2 1-2 per cent. 7. On purchase of lottery tickets and amount of prizes, 1 per cent. 8. On the sale of lottery tickets from the other settlements, 2 1-2 per cent. 9. On letters of credit granted, 2 1-2 per cent. 10. On the management of estates, as executors, administrators, or attorneys, 5 per cent. 11. On debts, when a process at law or arbitration is necessary, 2 1-2 per cent. And if recovered by such means, 5 per cent. 12. On bills of exchange, notes, &c. dishonoured, 1 per cent. With the following exceptions: On houses, lands, and ships, 2 1-2 per cent. Exports and Imports.-Madras trades with Great Britain and other European countries, the United States, the South American States, China, the Eastern islands, the Burman empire, Calcutta, and Ceylon. In speaking of the trade of Madras, it is to be observed that it comprehends, for the most part, the trade of the whole coast of Coromandel. The principal articles of import are rice and other grain, chiefly from Bengal; cotton piece goods, iron, copper, spelter, and other British manufactures; raw silk from Bengal and China, with betel or areca nut, gold dust, tin, and pepper, from the Malay countries; and rice and pepper from the coast of Malabar, with teak timber from Pegu. The exports consist of plain and printed cottons, cotton wool, indigo, salt, pearls of Ceylon, chank shells, tobacco, soap, natron, some dyeing drugs, and a little coffee produced on the table land of Mysore, and of which the quantity is increasing. The great staples of sugar, rice, opium, saltpetre, and lac dye, of such importance in Bengal, are unknown as exports at Madras. The following is a statement of the value of the trade of Madras, and its subordinate ports, with Europe and America, in the years 1813-14 and 1828-29. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma.rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Ma. rs. Great Britain 2,717,492 2,717,492 4,208,946 156,187 4,365,133 3,354,825 25,156 3,379,981 3,507,741 732,663 4,240,404 United States of America Portugal 71,128 2,625 73,753 98,462 France South Ame- 2,789,848 2,625 2,792,475 4,307,408 156,187 4,463,595 3,747,137 32,211 3,780,348 3,719,606 732,663 4,452,269 Taking the Madras rupee at its British mint value of 1s. 11d. nearly, the joint exports and imports of 1813-14 were 695,3731.; and those of 1828-29, 788,9591.; showing an increase, in 15 years, of no more than 93,5861., or about 13 per cent.-a striking contrast with the great augmentation which has taken place in the same period in the trade of Calcutta and Bombay. The exports, it will be seen by the Table, have even fallen off. The causes which have led to this state of things deserve some explanation. The raw silks, nankeens, camphor, and cassia of China, which, on account of the monopoly, could not be directly sent from Canton to Europe, were formerly brought by the country ships to Madras, and there reshipped. They are now more conveniently, and in much larger quantity, brought for the same purpose to Singapore. But the chief causes which contribute to retard the external commerce of Madras, are the vexatious restraints on industry, and the taxation so much heavier in that presidency than in Bengal or Bombay. The land tax, instead of being fixed in perpetuity, as in the former, is temporary and fluctuating; and hence, neither British nor native industry is applied with any vigour in the improvement of the productions of the soil. Inland duties prevail every where, and fresh ones are not only exacted when goods pass from one province to another, but often when passing from town to town, or even from village to village. These imposts are, at the same time, farmed to a very corrupt class of persons. Of the value of the trade between Madras and China we have no statement; but the tonnage employed in the export trade, at an average of the 5 years ending with 1817-18, was 3,677 tons; and at an average of the 5 years ending with 1826-27, 3,078 tons. The mport tonnage in the same periods amounted respectively to 683 tons and 2,989 tons; the disparity in this case being accounted for, from its having lately become usual for country ships returning in bal last from China, to touch at Madras for cargoes of salt to be conveyed to Bengal on behalf of the monopoly. For many ages, a commercial intercourse of considerable extent appears to have prevailed between Madras and other ports of the Coromandel coast, and the Malay countries, chiefly those situated within the straits of Malacca, with the west coast of Sumatra, and the island of Java. This is still carried on in native vessels, to the extent of 50 or 60 annually, mostly brigs or ketches, clumsily constructed, but equipped and navigated on the European model. A few British-owned vessels also Occasionally engage in it. In this trade, the exports from Madras and its subordinate ports consist chiefly of piece goods and salt. British fabrics have of late years interfered with the former, and the salt of Siam with the latter, so that the trade is on the decline. The principal foreign trade of Pegu, at one time, was carried on with Madras; but within the last 30 years it has been, in a great measure, transferred to Calcutta. There is still, however, a trade of some amount carried on in vessels owned both by Europeans and natives. The exports from Madras to Pegu consist chiefly of piece goods, tobacco, and cocoa nuts; the returns being made in teak timber, horses, orpiment, stick lac, bullion, sapphires, and rubies. The largest branch of the trade of Madras is with Calcutta. In 1813-14, the imports from Madras, and other parts of the Coromandel coast, into Calcutta, amounted to sicca rupees 18,74,941, and the exports to sicca rupees 22,77,934 or jointly to about 425,2877. sterling. In 1821-22, the imports amounted to sicca rupees 8,87,221, and the exports to sicca rupees 12,35,015, or jointly to about 212,2231.; showing a falling off to the extent of half the whole amount.-The disproportion, in this case, between the imports and exports, is to be accounted for by the omission, in the public accounts, of all salt imported on account of the monopoly, and which has amounted yearly to about 10,000 tons. The great impediment to the intercourse between the Bengal and Madras provinces is the salt monopoly, the quantity of salt taken annually being restricted by the government of Bengal. This limits the consumption of salt in Bengal, where it is naturally dear, and, by compelling the inhabitants of Madras to grow corn on poor lands, precludes the export of the cheap rice of Bengal. The Indian governments, instead of having improved of late years in liberality, have really drawn tighter the cords of monopoly. The effect of this upon the export of corn from Bengal to Madras has been remarkable. In 1806-7, when the salt of Madras was admitted into Calcutta with some liberality, the export of grain to the Coromandel coast amounted to 2,635,658 maunds, or about 470,000 quarters; whereas, in 1823-24, a year of scarcity in the Madras provinces, it amounted to only 1,591,326 maunds, or about 284,000 quarters. The trade between Calcutta and the Coromandel coast is carried on both in European and native vessels. The latter are of the same description, but not so well equipped as those that trade between the Coromandel coast and the Malay islands. In 1810, the number which cleared out from Calcutta for Madras and its subordinate ports was no less than 367, their burden being estimated at 46,073 tons. Since then, their numbers have declined; being, in 1821, only 103 vessels, of the burden of 11,991 tons. The European tonnage employed in this trade is extremely fluctuating. In 1807, a year of extraordinary scarcity in the Madras provinces, the registered tonnage which cleared out from Calcutta for the Coromandel coast amounted to 94,236 tons, which conveyed 6,000,000 quarters of rice. Next year the tonnage amounted to only 6,261 tons. In 1812, another year of scarcity, it was 15,068 tons; and in 1821, a year of plenty, it was but 2,642 tons. These striking.facts show the vast importance of a free trade in corn to the countries in question.-(In compiling this article, we have made use of Hamilton's Description of Hindostan; Hamilton's East India Gazetteer, 2d ed. 1828; Phipp's Guide to the Commerce of Bengal; Papers relative to the Trade with India and China, printed by order of the House of Commons, and Evidence taken before the Parliamentary Committee, in 1829, 1830, and 1831; Madras Almanack, for 1831; Kelly's Cambist, 2d ed.; and Horsburgh's Directory,—an accurate and useful,work.) MAGNESIA (Fr. Magnésie, Ger. Gebraunte Magnesia; It. Magnesia), one of the primitive earths, having a metallic basis. It is not found native in a state of purity, but is easily prepared. It is inodorous and insipid, in the form of a very light, white, soft powder having a specific gravity of 2.3. It turns to green the more delicate vegetable blues, is in fusible, and requires for its solution 2,000 parts of water at 60°. MAHOGANY, the wood of a tree (Swietenia Mahogani) growing in the West Indies and Central America. There are two other species of Swietenia found in the East Indies, but they are not much known in this country. Mahogany is one of the most majestic and beautiful of trees: its trunk is often 40 feet in length, and 6 feet in diameter; and it divides into so many massy arms, and throws the shade of its shining green leaves over so vast an extent of surface, that few more magnificent objects are to be met with in the vegetable world. It is abundant in Cuba and Hayti, and it used to be plentiful in Jamacia; but in the latter island, most of the larger_trees, at least in accessible situations, have been cut down. The principal importations into Great Britain are made from Honduras and Campeachy. That which is imported from the islands is called Spanish mahogany; it is not so large as that from Honduras, being generally in logs from 20 to 26 inches square and 10 feet long, while the latter is usually from 2 to 4 feet square and 12 or 14 feet long, but some logs are much larger. Mahogany is a very beautiful and valuable species of wood: its colour is a red brown, of different shades, and various degrees of brightness; sometimes yellowish brown; often very much veined and mottled, with darker shades of the same colour. The texture is uniform, and the annual rings not very distinct. It has no larger septa; but the smaller septa are often very visible, with pores between them, which in the Honduras wood are generally empty, but in the Spanish wood are mostly filled with a whitish substance. It has neither taste nor smell, shrinks very little, and warps or twists less than any other species of timber. It is very durable when kept dry, but does not last long when exposed to the weather. It is not attacked by worms. Like the pine tribe, the timber is best on dry rocky soils, or in exposed situations. That which is most accessible at Honduras grows upon moist low land, and is, generally speaking, decidedly inferior to that brought from Cuba and Hayti; being soft, coarse, and spongy; while the other is close grained and hard, of a darker colour, and sometimes strongly figured. Honduras mahogany has, however, the advantage of holding glue admirably well; and is, for this reason, frequently used as a ground on which to lay veneers of the finer sorts. The best qualities of mahogany bring a very high price. Not long since, Messrs. Broadwood, the distinguished pianoforte manufacturers, gave the enormous sum of 3,000l. for three logs of mahogany! These logs, the produce of a single tree, were each about 15 feet long and 38 inches square: they were cut into veneers of 8 to an nch. The wood was particularly beautiful, capable of receiving the highest polish; and when polished, reflecting the light in the most varied manner, like the surface of a crystal; and, from the wavy form of the pores, offering a different figure in whatever direction it was viewed. Dealers in mahogany generally introduce an auger before buying a log; but, notwithstanding, they are seldom able to decide with much precision as to the quality of the wood, so that there is a good deal of lottery in the trade. The logs for which Messrs. Broadwood gave so high a price were brought to this country with a full knowledge of their superior worth. Mahogany was used in repairing some of Sir Walter Raleigh's ships at Trinidad, in 1597; but it was not introduced into use in England till 1724. The cutting of mahogany at Honduras takes place at two different seasons; after Christmas, and towards midsummer. The negroes employed in felling the trees are divided into groups of from 10 to 60. The trees are cut about 12 feet from the ground, and are floated down the rivers. Of 11,542 tons of mahogany imported in 1831, 8214 came from the British West Indies (including Honduras, and 2,623 from Hayti. The duty on foreign mahogany is 77. 108. a ton, whereas Honduras mahogany pays only 17. 10s., and Jamaica mahogany 41. The effect of such a duty must obviously be to force the consumption of the inferior in preference to the superior article. In 1832, the duty pro.. duced 45,4051-(See Tredgold's Principles of Carpentry, p. 204.; Library of Entertaining Knowledge, volume on Timber Trees and Fruits; and Edward's West Indies, vol. iv. p. 258. ed. 1819, &c.) Mahogany from Honduras, imported into any free warehousing port in the British possessions in the West Indies or America, in a ship cleared out from Balize, and then warehoused as having been so imported and cleared, may be exported from the warehouse and imported into the United Kingdom, as if it had been imported direct in a British ship, provided it be stated in the ship's clearance that the mahogany had been so warehoused and exported.-(9 Geo. 4. c. 76. 13.) Mahogany not to be entered as being the produce of any British possession, unless the master of the ship importing the same deliver to the collector or comptroller a certificate, and declare that the goods are the produce of such place.-(See ante, p. 8.) (The duty on foreign mahogany has been reduced to 5l. per ton.-(6 & 7 Will. 4. cap. 60.)-Sup.) MAIZE, OR INDIAN CORN (Fr. Bled de Turquie, Ger. Türkisch korn, Mays; It. Grano Turco o Siciliano; Sp. Trigo de Indias, Trigo de Turquia), one of the cereal grasses (Zea Mays), supposed to be indigenous to South America, being the only species of corn cultivated in the New World previously to its discovery. It was introduced into the Continent about the beginning, and into England a little while after the middle, of the 16th century. Its culture has spread with astonishing rapidity; being now extensively grown in most Asiatic countries, and in all the southern parts of Europe. It has the widest geographical range of all the ceralia, growing luxuriantly at the equator, and as far as the 50th degree of north, and the 40th of south latitude. It has been raised in England, in nursery gardens near the metropolis, for more than a century; and recently it has been attempted to raise it in the fields, but with indifferent success. Like other plants that have been long in cultivation, it has an immense number of varieties. The ear consists of about 600 grains, set close together in rows, to the number of 8, 10, or 12. The grains are usually yellow; but they are sometimes red, bluish, greenish, or olive-coloured, and sometimes striped and variegated. The maize of Virginia is tall and robust, growing 7 or 8 feet high; that of New England is shorter and lower; and the Indians further up the country have a still smaller sort in common use. The stalk is jointed like the sugar cane. The straw makes excellent fodder; and the grain, as a bread corn, is liked by some; but though it abounds in mucilage, it contains little or no gluten, and is not likely to be much used by those who can procure wheaten or even rye bread.-(Loudon's Encyclopædia of Agriculture, &c.) For the imports of maize, duties, &c., see CORN LAWS AND TRADE. MALAGA, a city and sea-port of Spain, in the kingdom of Granada, in lat. 36° 43′ N., lon. 4° 25′ 7′′ W. Population, perhaps, 55,000.* Harbour.-Malaga has an excellent harbour. It is protected on its eastern side by a fine mole, full 700 yards in length. At its extremity a light-house has been constructed, furnished with a powerful light, revolving once every minute. At a distance it appears obscured for 45 seconds, when a brilliant flash succeeds for the other 15 seconds. A shoal has grown up round the mole head, and the depth of water throughout the harbour is said to be diminishing. Latterly, however, a dredging machine has been employed to deepen it, by clearing out the mud and accumulating sand. The depth of water, at the entrance to the harbour and within the mole, is from 26 to 30 feet; and close to the city, from 8 to 10 feet. The harbour could easily accommodate more than 450 merchant ships: it may be entered with all winds, and affords perfect shelter. Trade, &c.-Owing to the want of official returns, and to the prevalence of smuggling, which may be said to have annihilated all fair trade, it is not possible to obtain any accurate accounts of the trade of Malaga, or, indeed, of any Spanish port. The great articles of export are wine and fruits, particularly raisins and almonds, grapes, figs, and lemons; there is also a considerable exportation of olive oil, with quantities of brandy, anchovies, cummin seed, aniseed, barilla, soap, &c. The lead exported from Malaga is brought from Adra.(See LEAD.) The imports are salt fish, iron hoops, bar iron, and nails; cotton stuffs, hides, earthenware, &c., with dye stuffs, all sorts of colonial produce, butter and cheese from Holland and Ireland, linens from Germany, &c. The trade with England seems to be diminishing, and that with the United States to be increasing. This is a consequence, no doubt, of Malaga wine being very little in demand in the former, while it is pretty largely con sumed in the latter. The Americans are also the largest consumers of Malaga fruit. The following details, abstracted from Mr. Ingliss's valuable work, entitled "Spain in 1830," contain the fullest and by far the best account that we have met with of the trade of Malaga. Their authenticity may, we believe, be depended upon. "Wine.-The wines of Malaga are of two sorts, sweet and dry; and of the former of these there are four kinds: first, the common 'Malaga,' known and exported under that name. In this there is a certain proportion of boiled wine, which is allowed to burn, and which communicates a slightly burnt taste to the Malaga.' The grape from which this wine is made is a white grape, and every pipe of The consul says 75,000; but we have little doubt that this is very much beyond the mark. In the Weimar Almanack the population is set down at 52,370. |