For farther information on the present subject, the reader is referred to Mr. Tanner's work on the canals and railroads of the United States. See also article STEAM VESSELS.Am. Ed.} ROPE consists of hemp, hair, &c. spun into a thick yarn, of which several strings are twisted together by means of a wheel. When made very small, it is called a cord; and when very thick, a cable. All the different kinds of this manufacture, from a fishing-line, or whip-cord, to the cable of a first rate ship of war, go by the general name of cordage.(See CABLE.) ROSEWOOD (Ger. Rosenholz; Fr. Bois du rose, de Rhode; It. Legno rodie; Sp. Leno de rosa; Port. Páo de rosado) is produced in Brazil, the Canary Islands; in Siam, whence it is pretty largely exported by the Chinese; and in other places. It is in the highest esteem as a fancy wood. The width of the log imported into this country averages about 22 inches, so that it must be the produce of a large tree. Rosewood has a slightly bitterish, somewhat pungent, balsamic taste, and fragrant smell, whence its name. It should be chosen sound, heavy, of the deepest colour, in the largest pieces that can be procured, and of the most irregular knotty grain. The small, light-coloured and large shivered pieces should be rejected. The more distinct the darker parts are from the purple red, which forms the ground, the more is the wood esteemed. It is usually cut into veneers of 9 to an inch.(Milburn's Orient. Com., &c.) Rosewood is one of the dearest as well as most beautiful of the fancy woods. Its price in bond varies from about 1201. to 1251. per ton; so that it is principally used in veneering. Its consumption has more than trebled since 1820. At an average of the 3 years ending with 1822, the entries for home consumption were 277 tons a year, whereas they amounted, during the 3 years ending with 1832, to 912 tons a year! This increase is principally to be ascribed to the reduction of the duty, in 1826, from 201. to 101. a ton,-a wise and judicious measure, by which the revenue as well as the consumption has been considerably increased. ROSIN. "This substance is obtained from different species of fir; as the Pinus abies, sylvestris, larix, balsamea. It is well known that a resinous juice exudes from the pinus sylvestris, or common Scotch fir, which hardens into tears. The same exudation appears in the pinus abies, or spruce fir. These tears constitute the substance called thus, or frankincense. When a portion of the bark is stripped off these trees, a liquid juice flows out, which gradually hardens. The juice has obtained different names, according to the plant from which it comes. The pinus sylvestris yields common turpentine; the larix, Venice turpentine-(see TURPENTINE); the balsamea, balsam of Canada-(see BALSAM), &c. All these juices, which are commonly distinguished by the name of turpentine, are considered as composed of two ingredients; namely, oil of turpentine, and rosin. When the turpentine is distilled, the oil comes over, and the rosin remains behind. When the distillation is continued to dryness, the residuum is known by the name of common rosin, or colophonium ; but when water is mixed with it while yet fluid, and incorporated by violent agitation, the mass is called yellow rosin. During winter, the wounds made in the fir trees become incrusted with a white brittle substance, called barras or galipot, consisting of rosin united to a small portion of oil. The yellow rosin, made by melting and agitating this substance in water, is preferred for most purposes, because it is more ductile, owing, probably, to its still containing some oil. The uses of rosin are numerous and well known."-(Thomson's Chemistry.) (ROSTOCK, the principal city of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Schwerin, on the Warnow, about 9 miles above where it falls into the Baltic, in lat. 54° N., long. 12° 12′ E. Population, 20,000. A large fair for merchandise is annually held at Whitsuntide; and there are wool fairs at other seasons of the year. The outport of Rostock is at Warnemunde, at the mouth of the Warnow. The depth of water at the latter varies from 10 to 12 feet; but when the west pier, now in the course of being constructed, has been completed, it is expected that the depth of water will be from 12 to 14 feet. The depth of water in the river from Warnemunde up to Rostock is usually from 8 to 9 feet; so that vessels drawing more than this must be lightened to get up to the latter. Rostock has a good harbour, and commodious quays. Imports. The principal articles of import are sugar, coffee, and other colonial products; cottons, woollens, and hardware, with coal, earthenware, salt, iron, horses, &c., from England; hemp, flax, tallow, oil, sail-cloth, &c., from Russia; alum, deals, timber, lime, tar, &c., from Sweden; herrings and fish oil from Norway; wine, brandy, molasses, drugs, &c., from France; with rice, rum, groce ries, &c., from Copenhagen and Hamburgh. The total value of the imports by sea, in 1835, was estimated at about 200,000l. Exports.-These consist chiefly of very good red wheat, barley, peas, rapeseed, and a few oats; with wool, rags of a very superior quality, oil cake, rape oil, bones, flax, horses, cattle, provisions, &c. The average export of all kinds of grain may be taken of late at from about 115,000 to about 130,000 quarters a year. The total value of all sorts of exports, in 1835, was estimated at about 185,000Z. Shipping. The port of Rostock has 180 ships, of the burthen of 25,996 register tons, which trade with most European nations, the United States, and Brazil. In 1835, there entered the port 540 ships (burthen not stated), of which 215 belonged to Mecklenburg, 152 (mostly small craft) to Denmark, 83 to Sweden, 27 to Hanover, 18 to Prussia, 12 to Russia, 19 to Holland, 10 to Lubeck, 2 Hamburgh, and 1 each to France and England. It is only, in fact, when our ports are open to the importation of foreign corn that British ships are met with, in considerable numbers, in the ports of Mecklenburg. Duties.-These are extremely moderate. On most imported articles they amount to only 3 per cent. ad valorem. An export duty of about 5d. per quarter is charged on corn, and of about 4s. 8d. per hhd. on wine. Wool is not subject to any duty on export. Goods imported in vessels not privileged pay 50 per cent. additional on the above duties; that is, they pay 44 instead of 3 per cent. ad valorem. Wismar, the second sea-port town of Mecklenburg, at the confluence of the river Stor with the sea, in lat. 53° 49′ 25′′ N., long. 11° 36′ 15′′ E. Population 11,000. The harbour of Wismar is commodious and safe, being nearly land-locked by the islands of Poel and Wallfisch. Close to the town there is from 8 to 8 feet water; in the inner roads there is from 12 to 13 feet; and in the outer, from 16 to 20 feet water. The port charges on a native or privileged vessel of 100 tons amount to about 30 rix-dollars. The articles of import and export are the same at Wismar as at Rostock; but, owing to the proximity of Lubeck, from which Wismar is not more than 27 miles distant, her foreign trade is comparatively limited. About 30 ships, of the burthen of 4,360 tons, belong to this port. There cleared from it, in 1835, 277 ships, of which 11 were English. The duties at Wismar are somewhat higher than at Rostock, being 44 per cent. ad valorem on colonial products, and from 4d. to 8d. per quarter on corn exported. It is believed, however, that they will shortly be reduced to the Rostock level. General Remarks on the Trade of the Duchies.-Mecklenburg is essentially an agricultural, wool-growing, grazing, and breeding country. In some places it is sandy and barren; but it is for the most part very fertile, and the crops and pastures are both luxuriant. Having few manufactures, her imports necessarily consist principally, as already stated, of manufactured goods, and her exports of raw produce. Owing, however, to the circumstance of the south-western part of the province being bounded by the Elbe, and approaching to within about 30 miles of Hamburgh, almost all the manufactured goods, as well as a very large proportion of the colonial products used by the population (540,000), are imported by way of Hamburgh. Hence, in Mecklenburg, as in Prussia, the direct foreign trade carried on by the sea frontier forms but a very small part of the entire trade of the country. It is impossible, however, to form any precise estimate of what the latter may amount to. Probably there is no European country so little fettered by customs' regulations as Mecklenburg. The duties on articles imported by sea amount only, as already stated, to about 3 per cent. ad valorem; and those entering by the land frontier are subject merely to a trifling charge, on account of toll, of which we have not seen any account. It is impossible, indeed, that any commercial system can be bottomed on more liberal principles; and this enlightened policy, and her situation near the mouth of the Elbe, and on the western frontier of the Prussian league, give to Mecklenburg far greater importance, as a commercial state, than is indicated by the amount of her population, or of her internal consumption. (We have drawn up this article from authentic details obligingly furnished by Christopher Kreeft, Esq., Consul for Mecklenburg.)-Sup.) ROTTERDAM, on the north bank of the Maese, in lat. 51° 55′ 19′′ N., lon. 4° 29′ 14′′ E. Population about 60,000. Rotterdam is the second commercial city of Holland. It is more advantageously situated than Amsterdam; being nearer the sea, and the canals which 'ntersect it are so deep as to admit of the largest vessels coming up to the quays and warehouses of the merchants. Its commerce, during the last 15 years, has increased more rapidly than that of any town in Holland. The exports and imports are similar to those of Amsterdam. The white Zealand wheat shipped here is of a peculiarly fine quality; and it is the best market for madder and geneva. Our imports of madder from the Netherlands, in 1831, amounted to about 18,726 cwt., most of which came from Rotterdam.-(See MADDER.) Geneva is sold by the aam; but, for the convenience of smuggling to England, it is divided into ankers and ankers. The legitimate imports of geneva from the Netherlands, in 1831, amounted to 210,038 gallons. N. B.-The channel from the sea to Rotterdam is exhibited in the chart of the Dutch coast in the map of Europe in this work. Monies, Weights, and Measures.-See the article Amsterdam, for account of the current monies, weights, and measures of Holland. Two different commercial lbs. were formerly used at Rotterdam: one was the Amsterdam weight, 100 lbs. of which 108-93 lbs. avoirdupois; the other, used by retailers, was 5 per cent. lighter, 100 lbs. of it being = 103 48 lbs. avoirdupois. The Rotterdam last of corn 10-642 Winchester bushels. A hogshead of flax seed contains from 7 1-2 to 8 Winchester bushels. Rock salt is sold per great hundred of 404 maaten, containing from 21 to 22 tons. Coals per hoed 1-2 a chaldron of Newcastle. The liquid measures were divided in the same manner as at Amsterdam, but were larger; thus, 100 stoops of Rotterdam, were= 67 3 4 English wine gallons. Brandies were sold per 30 viertels; whale oil, per 90 stoops; vegetable oils per 300 stoops. The ell is the same as at Amsterdam. 100 feet of Rotterdam = 109 1-2 feet of Amsterdam, or 102 English feet. Account of the principal Articles imported into Rotterdam in 1834 and 1835, with the Stocks on hand, at the End of each Year.-(Circular of Labouchere and Co.) RUBY, a precious stone, very highly esteemed; but under this name a variety of minerals have not unfrequently been sold, which differ essentially in their characters. The Oriental Ruby is, in fact, a red variety of the sapphire. When perfect, its colour is a cochineal red, presenting a richness of hue the most exquisite and unrivalled: it is, however, in general, more or less pale, and often mixed with blue; hence it occurs rose red, peach blossom red, and lilac blue, passing into the amethyst. It is harder than any other mineral, except the diamond. Easily frangible. Specific gravity from 3.916 to 4.283. Infusible before the blowpipe. Oriental rubies of 10 carats are extremely rare and valuable. One of 22 grains was sold for 1601. Rubies in lots, Indian cut, or small sizes, and of different qualities, are at all times to be had, and sell at from 15s. to 65s. a carat; but a perfect stone of a carat, or 6 grains, may be deemed rare, and falls little short of the value of the diamond: nay, in some cases, rubies of 2, 3, or 4 carats, if very fine, are much scarcer, and VOL. II.-2 N even more valuable, than diamonds of equal weight. The finest ruby in England, or, per haps, in Europe, is in the collection of the late Mr. Hope, author of "Anastasius." There are two other species of ruby, the Spinelle and Balais. When perfect, the Spinelle is a gem of great value and scarcity. Its colour is a fine full carmine or rose red, but it never presents that rich mellow tinge that attends the Oriental ruby. It is also inferior to the latter in hardness and specific gravity. Stones of 3 carats and upwards are very rare and valuable. The Balais Ruby is a pale variety of the spinelle. It varies in colour from light red to yellowish red. Though not so rare as the spinelle, it is by no means common. It is much admired for its agreeable tinge of colour; and, when pure and perfect, fetches a very high price; though considerably less than the other varieties. Rubies are not found in any considerable quantity except in Ava.- (See Sapphire.)— (Mawe on Diamonds, 2d ed. pp. 90. 101.; Thomson's Chemistry.) RUM, a well known and highly esteemed spirituous liquor, imported from the West Indies, of which it forms one of the staple products. It is obtained, by means of fermentation and distillation, from molasses, the refuse of the cane juice, and portions of the cane, after the sugar has been extracted. The flavour and taste peculiar to rum are derived from the essential oils carried over in distillation. When the distillation has been carelessly performed, the spirit contains so large a quantity of the grosser and less volatile part of the oil as to be unfit for use till it has attained a considerable age. When it is well rectified, it mellows much sooner. Rum of a brownish transparent colour, smooth oily taste, strong body and consistence, good age, and well kept, is the best. That of a clear, limpid colour, and hot pungent taste, is either too new, or mixed with other spirits. Jamaica rum is the first in point of quality; the Leeward Island rum, as it is called, being always inferior to it, both in flavour, strength, and value. The price of the latter is usually 20 per cent. below that of the former. We import all our rum in puncheons, containing from 84 to 90 gallons each. It is customary, in some of the West India islands, to put sliced pine-apples in puncheons of rum: this gives the spirit the flavour of the fruit; and hence the designation, pine-apple rum. Rum is said to be much adulterated by the retail dealers in England, sometimes with corn spirit; but if done with molasses spirit, the tastes of both are so nearly allied, that the cheat is not easily discovered. Consumption of, and Duties upon, Rum, &c.-The following Tables show the quantity of rum consumed in Great Britain and Ireland since 1800, the rates of duty charged upon it, and the produce of the duties; the quantities derived from our different colonies last year, and the countries to which the excess of imports has been again exported, &c. I. Account, stated in Imperial Proof Gallons, of the Rum annually entered for Home Consumption in the United Kingdom, from 1800 to 1832, both inclusive, distinguishing England, Ireland, and Scotland; the Rates of Duty payable respectively thereon; the Produce of the Duties; and the Price of Rum in Bond since 1814. (This account has been prepared partly from published, and partly from unpublished official documents. The column of prices has been supplied principally by Mr. Cook.) II. An Account of the Total Number of Gallons of Rum entered for Home Consumption, with the Amount of Duty paid thereon, in Great Britain and Ireland respectively, from the 5th of January, 1832, to the 5th of January, 1833, distinguishing England from Scotland; also, a similar Account of all other Spirits from Foreign Countries, entered for Home Consumption, distinguishing such Countries, for the same Year.-(Purl. Paper, No. 320. Sess. 1833.) III. Account of the quantity of Rum imported into the United Kingdom, distinguishing the several Colonies and Countries from which the same was imported; and the Quantity imported from each, in the Year ended 5th of January, 1833. L. 8. d. 1,570,513 16 1 1,799,649 0 6 L. 8. d. 3,370,162 16 7 48,544 12 9 IV. Account of the Quantity of Rum exported from the United Kingdom, distinguishing the Countries to which the same was exported, and the quantity exported to each, in the year ended the 5th of January, 1833. Though rum has not been so much over-taxed as brandy, geneva, and wine, still it seems pretty clear that even, in its case, taxation has been carried far beyond its proper limits. During the 3 years ending with 1802, when the duty in Great Britain was about 9s. a gallon, and in Ireland 6s. 83d., the consumption of the United Kingdom amounted to 3,150,000 gallons a year; while, notwithstanding the great increase of population, during the 3 years ending with 1823, when the duty in Great Britain was 13s. 11d. a gallon, and in Ireland 12s. 8d., the annual consumption amounted to only 2,307,000 gallons! The reduction of the duty in 1826 to Ss. 6d. increased the consumption from about 2,500,000 to above 3,600,000 gallons in 1830. But 6d. having been added to the duty in 1830, the consumption, influenced no doubt partly by this, but probably also by other circumstances, has since declined. The great demand for rum from 1811 to 1815 was occasioned chiefly by the high price and inferior quality of the British spirits that were then manufactured. The decrease in the consumption of rum in Ireland is most striking. Unfortunately |