TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 205 



as freight, 2s. as cartage from the quarries to the harbour, and the remainder (12s.) as 

 wages of quarrymen and rent of quarries. 



Salmon. — The only other subject I have time to mention is our Salmon Trade; 

 and I trust that some one connected with the fishing may be induced to give a 

 paper upon it. It is one of deep interest and importance. I regret that I cannot 

 give even a complete statement of the exports, as the Railway does not keep a 

 separate return of the number of boxes sent by them. The harbour affords the 

 following in barrel bulk of 112 lbs. each : — 



1840. 1850. 1858. 



30G7 6295 581 



This last year is far from being complete, owing to a large quantity having been 

 sent by railway of which no return can be obtained. But still it is obvious that 

 this valuable fish is deserting our coasts and rivers, as centimes ago we exported in 

 some years a much larger quantity than we now export ; and in 1816, which 

 was a favourable year, no less than 15,000 boxes, containing each about 100 lbs., left 

 the harbour. It was the opinion of the late Sir Walter Scott that our agricultural 

 and commercial improvements would gradually tend to drive them from our shores. 



On the Progress of Public Opinion loith respect to the Evils produced by the 

 Traffic in Intoxicating Drink, as at present regulated by Laiv. By the 

 Rev. W. Caine, A.M. 



He advocated the Permissive Bill, which proposed to give the power to suppress 

 the traffic if two-thirds of the community were in its favour. Canvasses had heen 

 made in the various towns of England, Ireland, and Scotland, with the most fa- 

 vourable results to the object advocated. The lower classes manifested the greatest 

 interest in this matter, and evidently showed their anxiety to be freed from the 

 temptations by which they were surrounded. At the districts which have been 

 canvassed, it has been found that the poor are in favour, while the rich oppose it. 

 Various towns have been canvassed, such as — 



Huddersfield in favour, 387 Parliamentary Voters ; 609 Municipal Voters. 

 Grimsby do. 252 do. ' 500 do. 



Carlisle do. 222 do. 858 do. 



The municipal electors, were they to do their duty, might have considerable 

 power at the elections in using their influence in favour of the Permissive Bill. 

 The liquor traffic has been brought before the public during the last few years in 

 many ways — the Permissive Bill of the United Kingdom Alliance receiving great 

 prominence ; and tlie audiences have ever given their decided approval of the Bill : 

 2000 ministers in Britain have signed a document, deploring the traffic in intoxi- 

 cating drinks, and recommending all clergymen to use all legitimate means to obtain 

 the suppression of the traffic. 



On the Effects of the recent Gold Discoveries. By J. Crawfurd, F.B.S. 



On the Effects of the Influx of the Precious Metals which followed the 

 Discovery of America. By J. Crawfurd, F.R.S. 



The scope of Mr. Crawfurd 's paper went to show that the depreciation in the 

 value of the precious metals consequent on their influx after the discovery of the 

 American mines, and the enhancement in the price of all the commodities they 

 represented, so often insisted on by public writers, really never took place, any more 

 than has the gold of California and Australia in our own times. He quoted, for 

 this purpose, the prices of several articles which are even now the same as before 

 the discovery of America. 



On the Social and Economical Influence of the neio Gold. 

 By Henry Fawcett, M.A., Trinity Hall, Cambridge. 

 It is very important to arrive at some definite opinions on a subject which has 

 been so much confused. The new gold has produced three series of effects. 



