SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.
Reading edition
TEA.
The principal article of our commerce with China, namely, tea, is, perhaps, more singular in its history than any other article of commerce in the known world. A simple and unsophisticated shrub, in little more than half a century, has become an article of such general consumption, that it seems to form one of the prime articles of existence among the great bulk of mankind. It is the peculiar growth of a country, of which it forms almost the only link of connexion with the rest of the world. It forms the source of the largest commercial revenue to the British Government of any other commodity whatever, and of the largest commercial profits to the individuals concerned in its importation. Withal, it is the simplest, the most harmless thing that ever was offered to the gratification of man,—having, it is believed and argued by many, a moral influence wherever it is diffused. It is the rallying point of our earliest associations; it has ever given an additional charm to our firesides; and tends, perhaps, more than any one thing, to confirm the pre-existing domestic habits of the British public. Its exhilarating qualities are eagerly sought after as a restorative and solace from the effects of fatigue or dissipation; the healthy and the sick, the young and the old, all equally resort to the use of it, as yielding all the salutary influence of strong liquors, without their baneful and pernicious effects. Yet this shrub, so simple and so useful, is delivered to the community of this country, so surcharged with duties and profits beyond its original cost, that, did it contain all the mischievous qualities that are opposed to its real virtues, it could not be more strictly guarded from general use.
For the whole of our imports, including factory expenses and commission, the original cost in China amounts to the sum of two millions sterling. This is wonderfully increased before the British public can have any access to the article of consumption; thus:—
1. The value of the Company's importations from China into Great Britain, as established by their own statements, is £2,000,000 2. On this they charge 100 per cent, for their own especial benefit 2,000,000 3. And the Government duty, as by law established, is equal to the original cost, and the profits charged by the company; both forming the sale price 4,000,000 ---------- £8,000,000
Oriental Herald.
DEATH OF YOUNG PARK.
It is quite inconceivable with what increased zeal new candidates for African discovery come forward the moment that the death of any fresh victim to this pestilential country is announced. To the list of those who have already fallen, may be added young Park, the son of the late enterprising Mungo Park, and a midshipman of his majesty's ship Sybille. He went out in this ship with a full determination to proceed on foot, and alone, from the coast to the spot where his father perished, in the hope of hearing some authentic and more detailed account of the catastrophe than had yet been received. With leave of the commodore, he set out from Accra, and proceeded as far as Yansong, the chief town of Acquimbo, distant from the coast about one hundred and forty miles. Here the natives were celebrating the Yam feast, a sort of religious ceremony, to witness which Park got up into a Fetish tree, which is regarded by the natives with fear and dread. Here he remained a great part of the day, exposed to the sun, and was observed to drink a great quantity of palm wine. In dropping down from one of the lower branches, he fell on the ground, and said, that he felt a severe shock in his head. He was that evening seized with a fever, and died in three days, on the 31st October, 1827. As soon as the king, Akitto, heard of his death, he ordered all his baggage to be brought to his house, and instantly despatched a messenger to Accra, first making him swear "by the head of his father," that he would not sleep till he had delivered the message; it was to inform the resident of the event, and that all the property of the deceased would be forthwith sent down to Accra. This was accordingly done, and it did not appear on examination, that a single article was missing; even an old hat, without a crown, was not omitted. There was an idle report of Park being poisoned, for which there appears not the slightest foundation.—Q. Rev.
DIRGE
TO THE MEMORY OF MISS ELLEN GEE, OF KEW,
Who died in consequence of being stung in the eye.
Peerless, yet hapless maid of Q! Accomplish'd LN G! Never again shall I and U Together sip our T. For, ah! the Fates, I know not Y, Sent midst the flowers a B, Which ven'mous stung her in the I, So that she could not C. LN exclaim'd, "Vile, spiteful B! If ever I catch U On jess'mine, rosebud, or sweet P, I'll change your stinging Q. "I'll send you, like a lamb or U, Across the Atlantic C, From our delightful village Q, To distant OYE. "A stream runs from my wounded I, Salt as the briny C, As rapid as the X or Y, The OIO, or D. "Then fare thee ill, insensate B! Who stung, nor yet knew Y; Since not for wealthy Durham's C Would I have lost my I." They bear with tears fair LN G In funeral RA, A clay-cold corse now doom'd to B, Whilst I mourn her DK. Ye nymphs of Q, then shun each B, List to the reason Y! For should a B C U at T, He'll surely sting your I. Now in a grave, L deep in Q, She's cold as cold can B; Whilst robins sing upon A U, Her dirge and LEG.
New Monthly Magazine.
LINES SENT WITH A GOOSE.
"When this you see, Remember me," Was long a phrase in use, And so I send To you, dear friend, My proxy. "What?" A goose!