CORN.

Average Prices of Corn per Imperial Quarter in England and Wales, during cach Weck of the First Quarter of 1854; together with the Monthly and Quarterly Average (Continued from p. 89.)

[Supplied by the Controller of Corn Returns, H. F. JADIS, Esq.]

Foreign and Colonial Wheat and Wheat-Flour imported in each of the Months ended 5th January, 5th February, and 5th March, 1854; the Quantities Entered for Home Consumption during the same Months; and the Quantities remaining in Warehouses at the close thereof.-(Continued from p. 89.)

CURRENCY.

BANK OF ENGLAND.

An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and 8th Victoria, c. 32, for each Week ended on a Saturday, for the First Quarter of 1854.

CURRENCY.-Continued.

COUNTRY BANKS.

Average amount of Promissory Notes in Circulation in England and Wales in each week, ended on a Saturday, for the First Quarter of 1854.— (Continued from page 96.)

Fixed Issues-Private Banks, £4,616,609; Joint Stock Banks, £3,055,082.

Average amount of Promissory Notes in Circulation in Scotland and Ireland during the Months ended the 21st of January, the 18th of February, and the 18th of March, 1854.—(Continued from page 96.)

Fixed Issues-Scotland, £3,087,209; Ireland, £6,354,494.

QUARTERLY JOURNAL

OF THE

STATISTICAL SOCIETY.

SEPTEMBER, 1854.

Our Commerce with Russia, in Peace and War. By J. T. DANSON, ESQ., Barrister-at-Law.

[Read before the Statistical Society, 19th June, 1854.]

PART I.-PRELIMINARY.

THE purpose of this paper is to afford materials for answering the question

What is likely to be the effect of the war we are now engaged in upon our commerce with Russia?

It will be observed, in the first place, that we have taken the initiative in the war; and that its immediate operation, under the aspect suggested by this question, is unusually simple in form. It consists only in a blockade of the Russian ports, we having no access to her land frontiers. And these ports all open upon inland seas, egress from which must be extremely difficult in the face of a hostile fleet. In other words, we have little more to consider than the effect of our own acts upon our own share of the maritime commerce of Russia.

Obviously, then, the first thing wanted is a clear account of the commerce of Russia, in general; then a similar account of our share in it; and, finally, whatever authentic data may be available on which to estimate the probable influence of the steps we have taken to put a stop to commercial intercourse between the two countries.

At the very outset of the inquiry, however, it becomes apparent that the commerce of Russia, as well as the country itself, and the people, are marked by features broadly distinguishing each from any other we are acquainted with. And, if not at first sight equally apparent, it may be reasonably suspected that these peculiarities have an important bearing upon the present subject. Hence it is necessary to a right understanding of what we are about, that they should first receive some attention.

A great deal has been said of the enormous extent of Russia;

VOL. XVII. PART III.