The Silk Trade.
Every day affords new proofs of the advantages that will result from removing aU restrictions on trade. The silk trade has been increasing ever since the last new measures respecting it were adopted, and has now arrive(d at a degree of prosperity unknown for many years preceding. It was predicted by many sensible members of the trade, on the adoption of the new legislative provisions, t*hat the time was not far distant when English manufacturers would be able to surpass those of Franee in that commodity where it was before supposed that rivalry was'out of the question. There existed, it was felt, notlhing but the injudicious systern of duties to prevent our superiority over our neighbours taking place long before. In abundance of capital, union of capitalists, ingeiiuitv of artists, and that very iimqportant point the security of property, there can be no co.pari- son TI'hose wlho know nothing of the interior of France will perhaps hardly credit, that at the last election for the Chamber of Deputies, a manufacturer residing at a village in the south, who had interfered actively to procure thie return of a liberal deputy, was in consequience markedl out for Ministerial retribution. His ruin was easily effected by the simple expedient of turning a stream of water that ran through his premises, by which his machinery was put in motion, and this being done under the plea that the rivers in France are royal property, no redress could be obtained, nor was it attempted, by an appeal to the courts of law. That most important article labour is higher, we under- stand, at Lyons than at Manchester. But England, we hear, is slhortly to reap the advantage of emigrations of French manufacturers, some of whom are of the first class. lWeknow already of an instance of the latter description, whose arrival may formn an aera in the commercial history of this country. This gentleman, who has for many years conducted a silk-manufactory to a large extent in France, has determined on forming a manufactory on a large scalc in this country, for the fabric ot silks after theFrench man- ner, and on giving to it the aid of his own practical expe- rience. He found no difficulty in uniti.tg himself with individuals capable of advanicing the rtquisite capital; a partnership is already formed, assistance is proffered from one of the first eapitalists of the city to an almost unlimit- ed extent, and large manufactories are erecting in Norwic l and MIanchester. The result of this exteriment will be regarded with much interest by the trade in general. THE SILIC TRADE.