For the exports of sugar from the port of New Orleans, see article NEW ORLEANS.Am. Ed.] SULPHUR, OR BRIMSTONE (Fr. Soufre; Ger. Schwefel; It. Zolfo, Solfo; Sp. Azufre; Arab. Kibreet), a crystallised, hard, brittle substance, commonly of a greenish yel low colour, without any smell, and of a weak though perceptible taste; its specific gravity is from 1.9 to 2.1. It burns with a pale blue flame, and emits a great quantity of pungent suffocating vapours. In some parts of Italy and Sicily it is dug up in a state of comparative purity. That which is manufactured in this country is obtained by the roasting of pyrites. It is denominated rough or roll sulphur, from its being cast in cylindrical moulds, and contains 7 per cent. of orpiment. The Italian roll sulphur does not contain more than 3 per cent. of a simple earth; and is, therefore, in higher estimation than the English. When roll sulphur is purified, it receives the name of sublimed sulphur, and is in the form of a bright yellow powder.-(Thomson's Chemistry, &c.) Sulphur is of great importance in the arts. It is used extensively in the manufacture of gunpowder, and in the formation of sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol. It is also used extensively in medicine, and for other purposes. The entries for home consumption in 1834 and 1835 amounted, at an average, to 530,168 cwt. a year. The duty on refined or roll brimstone varies from 6s. to 9s. 9d. a cwt., whereas on rough it is only 6d.; so that the imports consist almost wholly of the latter. Of 507,808 cwt. imported in 1834, 485,756 cwt. came from Italy or rather Sicily. The price of rough brimstone in bond in the London market, in November, 1836, varied from 77. to 77. 10s, a tón. (SWEDEN. Duties in Sweden on some of the principal Articles of Import, according to the Tariff issued 30th June, 1835. ་ཟླ་ ཟླ་་ྕ་་ Rizd. s. rs. 0 300 080 020 080 0 24 0 L. s. d. 90 0 11-24 0 0 21-12 0 0 11-4 0 1 kanna 1 skip. 1 ell Corduroy and cordett, not exceeding 4 quarters wide Gauze, lawn, muslin' Jean 5 06 0 060 Shawls of dyed yarn or printed under 7 qrs. square, exclusive of fringe Fancy, above 7 qrs. square, exclusive of fringe 1 sq. ell 080 prohibited, 0 80 Woollen goods: Woollen cloth prohibited. Frise, frisad, duffel, and Kalmuk 0 0 21-2 0 0 3 1-3 0.1 8 Cassimere, not exceeding 6 quarters wide, White, black, yellow, or red Other colours prohibited. Blankets. 1 skip. 0 24 0 0 0 10 Bombazette and bombasin Navigation Law of Sweden.-A new navigation law was passed for Sweden on the 28th of October, 1835. The following extracts from an Ordinance, issued on the 22nd of December of the same year, should be attended to by all merchants and ship-owners engaged in the trade with Sweden:-- "The masters of foreign as well as Swedish vessels, who take in goods destined for Sweden at a foreign port where a Swedish consul is stationed, are required before their departure to produce to the consul a duplicate, signed by them, of the manifest of the cargo, along with the original bills of lading. After the consul has compared the bill of lading with the manifest, and found them to agree, and affixed his attestation thereof in the manifest, these papers, of which the bills of lading are to have a string drawn through the whole, and the consul's seal affixed thereon, are to be returned to the captain. "The bills of lading for cargoes coming from an European port, and not shipped in bulk, must state the mark and number, with the gross weight and cubic contents of each package, according to the weights and measures in use at the port of loading. A captain, Swede or foreigner, in charge of a laden vessel from a port where a Swedish consul is stationed, is required, on giving in at the customhouse a list of his cargo, to deliver at the same time a duplicate of his manifest, attested as stated in the first paragraph, or otherwise he will be subjected to a fine of one hundred rix-dollars. "A captain, foreign or Swedish, destined to a port in Sweden not enjoying the privilege of receiving goods in bond, and having on board his vessel goods for re-exportation not admitted for consumption in Sweden, must show proof by passport, certificate, or other duly authenticated document from the port of loading, that he intended to proceed with such goods to a foreign port therein specially named, or otherwise such goods will be liable to confiscation." N. B. The ports enjoying the privilege of receiving goods in bond, prohibited as well as permitted, are the following:-Stockholm, Gothenberg, Carlshaven, Landscrona, and Soderkoping. Statement of the Commerce and Navigation of Sweden with Foreign Countries in 1833. Totals 19,660,728 4,224,913 13,885,641 10,460,883 6,442,096 16,902,979 72,638 73,636 146,274 136,398 75,182 211,580 Sup.) (SWEETS.-An excise duty was imposed on sweets-that is, on home-made wines, mead, or metheglin, &c.-manufactured for sale, so early as 1696. In 1803 it amounted to 49s. a barrel; the produce of the duty varying from that year to 1816 from about 21,000. to about 33,000l. a year. But in 1816 it fell off to little more than half its previous amount. This sudden decline was doubtless occasioned by the great increase in the consumption of Cape wine, consequent to the reduction of the duty on it, in 1814, from about 6s. to about 2s. 6d. a gallon. In 1817 it was attempted to revive the manufacture of home-made wine, by taking a third from the duty on sweets; which amounted, after the reduction, to about 1s. 04d. a gallon; and in 1826 it was further reduced to 6d. But the ease with which the article may be made by private individuals, and the decisive check given, by the introduction of Cape and other foreign wines, to the use of home-made substitutes, prevented these reductions from having any material influence; and in 1832 the duty had dwindled to 3,721. Under these circumstances, the Commissioners of Excise Inquiry wisely recommended the abolition of the duty, which has been effected by the act 4 & 5 Will. 4. c. 77.—(Fifth Report by the Commissioners of Excise Inquiry, p. 18., &c.)—Sup.) SYDNEY, the capital of New South Wales, and of the British settlements in New Holland, or Australia, in lat. 33° 55′ S., lon. 150° 10′ E. Population (December, 1835) about 20,000. Sydney is situated on a cove on the south side of Port Jackson, about 7 miles from its mouth. The water is of sufficient depth to allow the largest ships to come close to the shore. The inlet or harbour, denominated Port Jackson, is one of the finest natural basins in the world. It stretches about 15 miles into the country, and has numerous creeks and bays; the anchorage is every where excellent, and ships are protected from every wind. The entrance to this noble bay is between 2 gigantic cliffs not quite 2 miles apart. On the most southerly, in lat. 33° 51′ 30′′ S., lon. 151° 16' 30" E., there is a light house, the lantern of which is elevated 67 feet above the ground, and about 345 above the sea. Owing to a want of attention at first, the streets of Sydney were laid out and the houses built, according to the views of individuals, without any fixed or regular plan. But latterly this defect has been to a considerable degree remedied in the old streets; and the new ones are systematically laid out. The town covers a great extent of land; almost every house having a considerable piece of ground attached to it. There are different joint stock banks at Sydney; and there is also a savings' bank. Schools for the instruction of poor children have been established; and there are, besides, two establishments dignified with the pompous title of colleges, numerous seminaries, some of them said to be very well conducted, for the education of the middle and upper classes. There are several periodical publications. Population, &c.-The British settlements in New South Wales were originally intended to serve as penal establishments, to which convicts might be transported, and employed in public and private works; and are still used for this purpose. The first vessel with convicts arrived at Botany Bay in January, 1788; but it having been found to be quite unsuitable as a site for a colony, the establishment was removed to Port Jackson. The progress of the colony has been much more rapid than might have been anticipated, considering the character and habits of the convicts annually landed upon its shores, the difficulties which the great distance from England interpose in the way of an emigration of voluntary settlers, and the inferiority of the soil. Owing to the circumstance of the great majority of the convicts and other emigrants being males, a great disproportion has always existed between the sexes in the colony, which has materially retarded its progress, and been, in other respects, productive of very pernicious results. Government, however, availing itself of the assistance of benevolent individuals at home, and in the colony, has within these few years endeavoured to lessen the disproportion referred to, by sending out considerable numbers of young unmarried females, free of expense. Much, it was obvious, of the influence of this measure, would depend on the discrimination with which the female emigrants were selected; and various precautions were taken by the organisation of committees, and otherwise, to exclude from amongst them all whose character was found to be in any degree suspicious. It was not, however, to be expected that these precautions should be completely successful; and the most conflicting accounts have been received as to the conduct of the females on their landing, and the influence of their immigration on the colony. There can be no question, indeed, that the latter has, in many respects, fallen short of the anticipations of its promoters; and that, whether from want of due care in the selection, or from the force of circumstances, many of the emigrants have fallen into vicious courses. On the whole, however, we have no doubt that the measure has been decidedly advantageous; and that it will tend both to increase the population, and to improve the morals of the colony. Climate. The climate of such parts of New South Wales as have been explored by the English is particularly mild and salubrious. The high summer heat indicated by the thermometer has not the relaxing and enfeebling effect that a similar high temperature has in India and many other countries. Fearless of damps, and unmolested by noxious insects, the traveller may throw himself under the shade of the first tree that invites him, and sleep in safety. On the other hand, however, the climate has the serious defect of being too dry. It seems to be subject to the periodical recurrence of severe droughts. These prevail sometimes for 2, 3, or even 4 years together. The last "great drought" began in 1826, and did not terminate till 1829. Very little rain fell during the whole of this lengthened period, and for more than 6 months there was not a single shower! In consequence, the whole surface of the ground was so parched and withered, that all minor vegetation ceased; and even culinary vegetables were raised with much difficulty. It well nigh ruined many of the settlers; nor is the colony as yet quite recovered from its effects.-(Breton's Excursions in New South Wales, p. 296.; Sturt's Southern Australia, vol. i. p. 2.) There was, also, a pretty severe drought in 1835. This is, in fact, the great drawback upon the colony; and were it more populous, the droughts would expose it to still more serious difficulties. Soil, Products, &c.-The fertility of the soil in most parts of New Holland that have been explored with any care is very far, indeed, from corresponding with the glowing descriptions of some of its casual visitors, whose imaginations seem to have been dazzled by the magnificence of its botanical productions, and the clearness and beauty of the climate. The truth is, that the bad land seems to bear a much greater proportion to the good in New Holland, than in almost any other country with which we are acquainted. Different theories have been framed to account for the fact; but of the fact itself there seems no manner of doubt. Of course, it is not to be supposed but that in a country of such vast extent there must be some fertile districts; but along the east coast, with which we are best acquainted, these seem to be much more confined than might have been expected; and the little experience we have had on the west side, at Swan River and other places, does not seem to lead to any more favourable conclusions. It is true that only a comparatively small part of the interior has as yet been explored; and it is not improbable that in the hitherto undiscovered regions of this vast continent, land suitable for tillage may be found. At present, however, it would appear that the soil and climate, not of New South Wales only, but of New Holland generally, are much better fitted for pastoral than for agricultural pursuits. The colony is mainly indebted for the introduction of the sheep farming system to the example and exertions of John Macarthur, Esq. Its success has exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. The growth and exports of wool have increased with a rapidity hitherto unexampled in the history of industry. In 1822, only 152,880 lbs. of wool were exported; in 1825, the exports amounted to 411,600 lbs.; in 1830, to 899,750 lbs.; and in 1835, to no fewer than 3,273,353 lbs., being an increase of about 800 per cent. in the interval between 1825 and 1835! And considering the attention that is now universally paid to the improvement of the breed of sheep, the efforts made by the colonists to increase their numbers, and the all but boundless extent of pasture land over which they may be diffused, it is impossible to conjecture to what extent the production of wool may be carried. Under these circumstances, we need not wonder that some of the best informed individuals belonging to the colony are of opinion that the inhabitants would equally consult their security and their profit, were they to devote their entire attention to their flocks, fisheries, and commerce, depending for supplies of corn, flour, &c., on the imports from America, Mada.. gascar, India, the Philippine Islands, Van Diemen's land, &c. In the above sum of 991,9901., being the imports for 1834, is included the sum of 156,1331., the value of whale and other oil brought into the colony; but this being almost wholly the produce of the in dustry of the colonists, ought certainly to be excluded from the im ports, the real amount of which, in 1834, will, consequently, be $38,8577. The value of the imports in 1835, when corrected in the same way, may be taken at about 900,0001. The excess of the im ports over the exports is a consequence of the expense incurred by this country on account of the convict establishments. In 1833-34 this item amounted, for New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, to 371,0101. We subjoin a return of the quantities of the principal articles imported into Sydney from the 1st of January to the 31st of December, 1834. The principal articles and their value exported in 1833, 1834, and 1835 were Arrivals.-In 1834, 245 ships, of the burden of 57,442 tons, entered Port Jackson of these 58 ships, tonnage 20,906, were from Great Britain, 112 ships, tonnage 23,730, from British colonies, and 75 ships, tonnage 13,896, from foreign states. In 1835 there arrived 269 ships, of the burden of 3,260 tons. Fishery. The fishery is said not to have been profitable for some time past. This is ascribed partly to the heavy expenses attending the outfit of a vessel at Sydney, where labour is dear,and capital may be profitably invested at a high interest; and partly to the increasing scarcity of the fish, and the consequent greater difficulty of the catch. 7,350 cwts. We are unable to decide as to the exact degree of weight that should be given to this statement. Probably it is a little exaggerated; though, on the whole, we are inclined to think that it has some considerable foundation in fact.—(Carmichael's Hints on Emigration, p. 27. Sydney edition.) The trade carried on between New South Wales and New Zealand is daily becoming of more and more importance. The imports of flax from the latter into this country are now, as we have already seen, of considerable value and importance. Colonial Income.-We subjoin an account of the revenue of New South Wales for the 7 years ending with 1835. Revenue of New South Wales, from the 1st of January, 1829, to the 31st of December, 1835. Miscellaneous and government pre Fees of public offices Fines levied by courts of justice Proceeds of the sales of government property agent of the clergy and school estates Totals 3,549 12 8 968 10 3 776 14 3 2,172 2 6 102,784 16 2 104,729 4 14 121,065 14 11 135,909 15 6 164,063 5 10 205,535 10 24 273,744 13 10 It is seen from this statement that the revenue of the colony is rapidly increasing; and were it not for the heavy expenses necessarily incurred on account of the conveyance and superintendence of convicts, it would be more than adequate to meet the outgoings. *The returns for 1835 have not been derived from the Custom House, and may not, therefore, be quite accurate; but the error must be inconsiderable. 4,806 18 6 3,387 8 1 3,271 12 8 3,577 15 8 4,131 13 10 7,400 5 3 1,462 7 4 1,497 2 4 875 13 0 531 17 9 1,162 13 7 4,712 1 4 388 11 3 Consumption of Spirits.-We need not be surprised, considering | nual supply of 5 5-8th gallons to each individual. It has been prohow the population is made up, that drunkenness should be rather posed to lessen this consumption by increasing the customs duties on prevalent in New South Wales, and the consumption of spirits pro-imported spirits, and prohibiting distillation in the colony. But the portionally great. In 1835 there were entered for consumption in former are already high; and it is all but certain that their further the colony as follows: viz., rum 234,783 proof gallons, brandy 30,433 increase, and the prohibition of home distillation, would give rise to do., gin 16,267 do., other foreign and British spirits 1,205 do., and an extensive smuggling trade, and be injurious to the revenue withpiri's produced in the colony, 8,450 do., making in all 291,138 gal- out being in other respects of any material service. lons; which, taking the population at 80,000, gives an average an Monies, Weights, and Measures.-Accounts are kept in sterling money; but Spanish dollars are most abundant. They pass current at 5s. each. The weights and measures are the same as those of Eng land. Rates of Agency, Commission, and Warehouse Rent, agreed to at u Meeting of the New South Wales Chamber of Commerce, 1828. Commission. 1. On all sales or purchases of ships and other vessels, houses, or lands, where no advance on them has been made, 2 1-2 per cent. On all other sales, purchases, or shipments, 5 per cent. cent 2. On giving orders for the provision of goods, 2 1-2 per cent. 4. On the management of estates for others, 5 per cent. 5. On procuring freight or charter, and on freight collected, 5 per cent. 6. On insurances effected, 1-2 per cent. 7. On settling losses, partial or general, 1 per cent. 8. On effecting remittances, or purchasing, selling, or negotiating bills of exchange, 1 per cent. Articles upon which levied. 9. On the recovery of money, 2 1.2 per cent. If by law or arbitra. tion, 5 per cent. 10. On collecting house rent, 5 per cent. 11. On attending the delivery of contract goods, 2 per cent. 14. On obtaining money on respondentia, 2 per cent. 16. On purchasing, selling, receiving from any of the public offices, 17. On all items on the debit or credit side of an account, on which a 18. 19. On the dishonour of foreign bills, exclusive of protest and other law expenses, a re-exchange of 25 per cent. Warehouse Rent. On all measurement goods, Is. per ton of 40 cubic feet, per week. On iron, lead, &c., 4d. per ton per week. Duties levied at Sydney under Acts of Parliament. Present Duties levied. For every vessel drawing 7 feet or under 15 15 -700 19 feet and under 20 feet . - 9 10 0 - 10 0 0 8 10 0 And so on, 11. for every additional foot. .900 to another, not being for the purpose of leaving the port; vessels registered in Sydney, under 50 tons, or while employed in the coasting trade from one port of New South Wales to another, excepted." 200 tons and under 300 tons 400 L. s. d. 150 - 1 10 0 Clearance. L. s. d. 0 15 0 Dozen of spades and shovels Bottle of paint, oil, or turpentine Two-wheeled carriage L. s. d. 026 - 01 6 01:0 026 016 002 020 -050 . 020 0001-4 002 Double and treble letters to be charged pro- L. s. d. Ton of salt Ton of potatoes Millstone Four-wheeled carriage . 030 0 0 9 Small package, not otherwise enu- 003 Ton of heavy goods, not otherwise 026 Cask or keg of smaller size Crate, cask, or case of hard ware, earthenware, or ironmongery Bale, case, or box, not exceed. ing 1-2 ton measurement Ditto, exceeding 1-2 ton 1-2 chest or box of tea Bag of coffee Basket of tobacco staves - 010 Bag of sugar Postage of Single Letters from Sydney. Auction Duty. For each and every 1001. arising from the sale by auction of any estate, goods, or ef fects whatsoever, 17. 10s. |