Statement of the principal Articles imported into and partly re-exported from Bremen in 1838, 1839, and 1840.

The Harbour Dues for the Port of Bremen (Bremerhaven) are as follow:

(3 & 4 Will

BRIBE. Any person giving or offering a bribe, recompence, or reward, to any officer of the customs, to induce him to neglect his duty, to forfeit 2001. 4. c. 53. § 38.)

BRICKS AND TILES, well known articles used in the building and covering of houses. They are made of baked clay and sand. Until 1833 an excise duty was charged both on bricks and tiles (the latter being then exempted from the duty), so that their manufacture was placed under surveillance. It was ordered by 17 Geo. 3. c. 42. that bricks made for sale should be 8 inches long, 2 inches thick, and 4 wide; on pain of forfeiting, for bricks of less dimensions when burnt, 20s. for every 1,000, and proportionally for a greater or less number. It was also provided, that the size of the sieves or screens for sifting or screening sea-coal ashes to be mixed with brick earth in making bricks, should not exceed of an inch between the meshes.

Bricks being the principal material used in London and in most parts of England in the building of houses, immense quantities are annually produced in that part of the United Kingdom. And notwithstanding the influence of the duty, their consumption in England nearly doubled during the 20 years ending with 1840; the number that paid duty in 1821 having been 899,178,510, whereas in 1840 it amounted to 1,677,811,134, and in 1847 to 2,193,829,491; but they subsequently fell off, the quantity brought to the charge in 1849, the last year of the duty, being only 1,462,767,154. In Scotland, where stone is mostly employed in building, their manufacture is comparatively unimportant. The duty, which produced, in 1849, a nett revenue (inc. Scotland) of 456,4521., had long been felt to be extremely partial, seriously affecting some parts of the country, while it did not touch others. Its defects were set in a still more striking light by the rapidly extending use of tiles, after they had been relieved from the duty, in drainage and otherwise. Influenced by these and other considerations, government proposed and carried the repeal of the duty on bricks in 1850. Perhaps, however, the better plan would have been to have commuted it for an equivalent house-tax.

BRIMSTONE. See SULPHUR.

BRISTLES (Fr. Soies; Ger. Borsten; Du. Borstels; It. Setole; Sp. Cerdas, Setas; Pol. Szezeciny; Rus. Schtschetina; Lat. Seta), the strong glossy hairs growing on the back of the hog and the wild boar. These are very extensively used by brushmakers, shoemakers, saddlers, &c., and form a considerable article of import. Russia is the great mart for bristles; those of the Ukraine being held in the highest estimation. Of the total quantity imported in 1849, amounting to 2,504,676 lbs., Russia furnished 2,141,505 Ibs., Prussia (Königsberg) 39,466 lbs., and Germany 224,959 do. At an average of the 3 years ending with 1842, the entries for home consumption amounted to 1,772,196 lbs. a year. The duty, which varied from 2s. 6d. on rough to 3s. per cwt. on sorted bristles, was repealed in 1845.

BROKERS, persons employed as middlemen to transact business or negotiate bargains between different merchants or individuals. They are sometimes licensed by public authority, and sometimes not.

Brokers are divided into different classes; as bill or exchange brokers, stockbrokers, ship and insurance brokers, pawnbrokers, and brokers simply so called, or those who sell or appraise household furniture distrained for rent. Exclusive, too, of the classes now mentioned, the brokers who negotiate sales of produce between different merchants usually confine themselves to some one department or line of business; and by attending to it exclusively, they acquire a more intimate knowledge of its various details, and of the credit of those engaged in it, than could be looked for on the part of a general merchant; and are consequently able, for the most part, to buy on cheaper and to sell on dearer terms than those less familiar with the business. It is to these circumstances — to a sense of the advantages to be derived from using their intervention in the transaction of business — that the extensive employment of brokers in London and all other large commercial cities is wholly to be ascribed.

The number of brokers in London is unlimited; but by the statute 8 & 9 Will. 3. c. 20. they are to be licensed by the lord mayor and aldermen, under such restrictions and limitations as they may think fit to enact. By the 57 Geo. 3. c. 60., brokers acting without being duly admitted are made liable in a penalty of 100Z. The fee on admission is fixed by the same act at 57.; and there is, besides, an annual payment also of 51. The following are some of the regulations established by the mayor and aldermen pursuant to the act of Will. 3. That every person shall, upon his admission, take an oath truly and faithfully to execute and perform the office of broker between party and party, in all things pertaining to the duty of the said office, without fraud or collusion, to the best and utmost of his skill and knowledge; that he shall in all cases reveal the name of his principal; and neither deal in goods on his own account, nor barter and sell again, nor make any gain in goods beyond the usual brokerage; and that he shall regularly register all the contracts, &c. into which he enters.

Brokers grant a bond under a penalty of 5001. for the faithful performance of the duties sworn to in the oath of admission.

A medal is delivered to the broker, with his name engraved thereon, which he may produce, if required, as evidence of his qualification.

Twelve persons professing the Jewish religion are permitted to act as brokers within the city, under the same regulations, and receive the silver medal accordingly. This medal is transferable; and is sold generally at from 8007. to 1,5007., exclusive of the expense of transfer, which is uncertain. Upon the decease of any of the holders of the medal without its having been transferred, the appointment falls to the lord mayor for the time being; and for it the sum of 1,5001. has not unfrequently been given. — (Montefiore's Com. Dict. art. Brokers.)

If goods in the city of London be sold by a broker, to be paid for by a bill of exchange, the vendor has a right, within a reasonable time, if he be not satisfied with the sufficiency of the purchaser, to annul the contract, provided he intimate his dissent as soon as he has an opportunity of inquiring into the solvency of the purchaser. In a case of this sort (Hodgson v. Davies, 2 Camp. N. P. C. 536.), Lord Ellenborough was, at first, rather inclined to think that the contract concluded by a broker must be absolute, unless his authority were limited by writing, of which the purchaser had notice. But the special jury said, that "unless the name of the purchaser has been previously communicated to the seller, if the payment is to be by bill, the seller is always understood to reserve to himself the power of disapproving of the sufficiency of the purchaser, and annulling the contract." Lord Ellenborough allowed that this usage was reasonable and valid. But he clearly thought that the rejection must be intimated as soon as the seller has had time to inquire into the solvency of the purchaser. The jury found, in the case in question, that five days was not too long a period for making the necessary inquiries.

Brokers, Bill, propose and conclude bargains between merchants and others in matters of bills and exchange. They make it their business to know the state of the exchange, and the circumstances likely to elevate or depress it. They sell bills for those drawing on foreign countries, and buy bills for those remitting to them: and, from their knowledge of the mutual wants of the one class as compared with those of the other, a few of the principal brokers are able to fix the rate of exchange at a fair average, which i would not be possible to do if the merchants directly transacted with each other. Their charge as brokerage is 2s. per cent.

"Those," says Mr. Windham Beawes," who exercise the function of bill brokers, ought to be men of honour and capable of their business; and the more so, as both the credit and fortune of those who employ them may, in some measure, be said to be in their hands; and, therefore, they should avoid babbling, and be prudent in their office, which consists in one sole point, that is, to hear all and say nothing; so that they ought never to speak of the negotiations transacted by means of their intervention, or relate any ill report which they may have heard against a drawer, nor offer his bills to those who have spread it.'

Brokers, Stock,-are employed to buy and sell stock in the public funds, or in the funds of joint stock companies. Their business is regulated by certain acts of parliament, by which, among other things, it is enacted, that contracts in the nature of wagers, or contracts apparently framed for the sale or purchase of stock, but really intended only to enable the parties to speculate on contingent fluctuations of the market, without any stock being actually sold, shall be void, and those engaging in them subjected to a penalty of 5004. — (7 Geo. 2. c. 8., made perpetual by 10 Geo. 2. c. 8.) And by the same act, any one contracting to sell stock of which he is not actually possessed, or to which he is not entitled, forfeits 500. Brokers not keeping a book in which all contracts are regularly inserted, are liable in a penalty of 501. for each omission; half to the king, and half to those who sue for it. The charge for brokerage on all public funds, except Exchequer bills and India bonds, is 2s. 6d. per cent.; on these it is Is. per cent. No transaction with respect to the purchase and sale of stock in the public funds can be concluded except by the intervention of a licensed broker, unless by the parties themselves.

Brokers, Ship and Insurance. The chief employment of this class of brokers is in the buying and selling of ships, in procuring cargoes on freight, and adjusting the terms of charterparties, settling with the master for his salary and disbursements, &c. Their charge as ship brokers is about 2 per cent. on the gross receipts. When they act as insurance brokers, they charge 5 per cent. on the premium, exclusive of a discount allowed them on settling with the underwriter. The merchant looks to the broker for the regularity of the contract, and a proper selection of underwriters. To him also the underwriters look for a fair and candid disclosure of all material circumstances affecting the risk, and for payment of their premiums. From the importance of their employment, ship and insurance brokers ought to be, and indeed generally are, persons of respectability and honour, in whom full confidence may be reposed. A ship broker is not within the various acts for the regulation and admission of brokers.—(Gibbons v. Rule, C. P. 27th of June, 1827.)

Brokers, Custom-house. It is enacted by the 3 & 4 Wil!. 4. c. 52, that no person shall be authorised to act as an agent for transacting business at the Custom-house in the port of London, relative to the entrance or clearance of any ship, &c., unless authorised by licence of the commissioners of customs, who are to require bond with one surety for 1,0007., for the faithful conduct of such person and his clerks. This regulation does not, however, apply to the clerk or servant of any person or persons transacting business at the Custom-house on his or their account. The commissioners may extend this regulation to other ports. -§§ 144. & 148.

Brokers, Pawn. See PAWNBROKERS.

Brokers, simply so called, in their character of appraisers and sellers of goods distrained for rent, are regulated by 57 Geo. 3. c. 93., which enacts, that no such person making any distress for rent, where the sui due does not exceed 201., shall take more than the following sums; viz.

For levying

For men keeping possession, per day
Advertisements, if any

Catalogues, sale, commission, &c. in the pound on the nett produce
Stamp duty, lawful amount.

£ s. d.

- 0 3 0

- 0 2 0

- 0 10 0

- 0 1 0

Appraisements, whether by one broker or more, 6d. per pound on the value of the goods, under a penalty of treble the amount of the money unlawfully taken, with costs, to be recovered summarily before a justice of the peace.

In France, the brokers who deal in money, exchange, merchandise, insurance, and stock, are called agents de change, and their number, at Paris, is limited to sixty. The company of agents de change is directed by a chamber of syndics (chambre syndicale) chosen annually by the company. They are severally obliged to give bonds to the amount of 125,000 fr. for the prevention of abuses. They are also obliged to keep books; are restricted to a charge of from toper cent.; and are interdicted from carrying on, or having any interest in, any commercial or banking operations. (See Code de Commerce, $74, &c.; and art. BORDEAUX in this Dictionary.)

In the United States, brokers are not licensed, nor do they give bonds.

-

BROKERAGE, the commission, or percentage, paid to brokers on the sale or purchase of bills, funds, goods, &c. (See FACTORAGE.)

BRONZE (Ger. Stückgut, Stükmetall; Du. Stückgoed; It. Bronzo; Sp. Metal de Canones; Lat. Metallum tormentorum), "a mixed metal, consisting chiefly of copper, with a small proportion of tin, and sometimes other metals. It is used for casting statues, cannon, bells, and other articles, in all of which the proportions of the ingredients vary." (Ure.)

BROOMS (Ger. Besen; Fr. Balais; It. Scope, Granite; Sp. Escobas; Rus. Metlu) are principally made of birch or heath. Vast quantities are manufactured in Southwark, for the supply of the London market.

BRUSHES (Ger. Bürsten; Fr. Brosses; It. Setole, Spazzole; Sp. Brozas, Cepillos, Escobillas; Rus. Schtschetki), well-known implements, made of bristles, and manufactured of various forms.

BUBBLES, a familiar name applied generally to fraudulent or unsubstantial com mercial projects, which hold out hopes of rapid gain, for the purpose of enriching the projectors at the expense of sanguine and ignorant adventurers; and particularly used to designate those projects, the funds for which are raised by the sale of shares or subscription to a transferable stock. In consequence of the mischief produced by the gambling in transferable shares of bubble companies at the time of the South Sea project, 1719 and 1720, the stat. 6 Geo. 1. c. 18., reciting that several undertakings or projects had been contrived and practised, which "manifestly tended to the common grievance, prejudice, and inconvenience of great numbers of his Majesty's subjects in their trade and commerce," and describing, among other practices of the time, the ordinary mode of raising money by shares and subscriptions to a pretended transferable stock, enacted, that the undertakings and attempts so described, and public subscriptions, assignments, and transfers for furthering them, and particularly the raising or pretending to raise transferable stocks without authority of charter or act of parliament, should be deemed illegal and void, and prohibited them under severe penalties. Some decisions limited the operation of, and finally the stat. 6 Geo. 4. c. 91. altogether repealed, these enactments and prohibitions. The projectors of bubbles, therefore, are now punishable only when they can be deemed guilty of frauds or conspiracies at common law; and there is no other check on the adventurers than the loss and troublesome liabilities under the law of partnership, in which participation in these projects often involves them.

BUCKWHEAT (Fr. Blé Sarrasin, Blé noir; Ger. Buchweizen, Heidekorn; It. Grano Saraceno, Faggina, Fraina; Sp. Trigo Saraceno, Trigo negro; Pol. Tatarca, Gryka, Pohanca; Rus. Gretscha; Lat. Fagopyrum) is principally cultivated, in order that it may be cut when young and green, and employed as fodder for cattle; when allowed to ripen, the grain is usually employed to feed pigeons and poultry. When ripe it is of a deep yellow colour, the seeds bearing a great resemblance to beech-mast: it will grow on the poorest soils. Buckwheat has been cultivated in this country from the latter part of the sixteenth century. Its native country is unknown, but supposed to be Asia Beckmann has a very learned dissertation on its introduction and early culture in Europe. (See Hist. of Invent, vol. i. art. Buckwheat.) The imports of buckwheat are comparatively inconsiderable. The duty is the same as on barley. (See CORN LAWS.)

BUENOS AYRES, a city of South America, on the south side of the La Plata, about 200 miles from its junction with the sea, lat. 34° 36′ 29′′ S.,long. 58° 23′ 34′′ W. Population very differently estimated; but said by Sir W. Parish to amount to about 100,000, of whom from 15,000 to 20,000 are foreigners, principally English and French. The Plata is one of the largest rivers of the world, traversing a vast extent of country, of which it is the great outlet. Unluckily, however, its æstuary, though broad, is in most parts shallow, being, also, encumbered with sand banks, and infested with sudden gusts of wind called pamperos. Its navigation is consequently attended with a good deal of difficulty, and ships bound for Buenos Ayres generally take pilots on board. There is no harbour, and vessels drawing 16 or 17 ft. water anchor in the outer roads, called the Amarradero, 7 or 8 miles from shore, loading and unloading by means of lighters. This, too, is an operation by no means free from danger, boats being sometimes swamped in crossing the bar between the outer and inner roads. From the want of a pier, and the shallowness of the water on the beach, even the boats are not able to come close to the shore, but are met at a little distance from it by a rude sort of ox-carts, into which they deposit their goods, at no little risk, and sometimes much loss. These unfavourable circumstances, which might, however, be materially improved by a little exertion and outlay on the part of the government, operate as a heavy drawback on the trade of the city, and tend proportionally to augment that of Montevideo, which is more easily accessible. But notwithstanding the competition of the latter, Buenos Ayres is still the principal outlet for the produce of the vast countries traversed by the La Plata, and especially for the provinces situated on its right bank. The principal articles of export are specified in the subjoined tables. (See next page.)

Within the last few years the trade in wool, in consequence of the great improvement effected in the breed of sheep, has become of great and rapidly increasing importance. In 1827 the export of this article to Great Britain amounted to only 19,444 lbs.; whereas in 1845 it amounted to 3,240,200 lbs.; but during the last 2 years the trade of the La Plata has been all but wholly suspended. Corn, which for a considerable period was not produced in sufficient quantity for home consumption, has latterly become an article of export: it is sent chiefly to Brazil. Most of the jerked beef, and numbers of mules, are exported to the Havannah. Hides, tallow, and skins, especially the first, are leading articles of export. The total value of the imports, in 1837, amounted to about 7,000,000 dollars, or 1,487,000Z.; of which those furnished by Great

Britain amounted to near a half, or to 696,1047. The imports hence chiefly consist of cotton (by far the most important article), linen, woollen and silk manufactures, hardware, cutlery, earthenware of all sorts, glass, leather, hats, &c., with about 40,000% or 50,000l. worth of foreign and colonial produce. France supplies Buenos Ayres with jewellery, perfumery, and other articles of luxury, to the value, in 1836, of 231.3734. the imports from the United States in the same year amounted to 76,9864, consisting chiefly of unbleached cloths, spirits, soap, sperm candles, dried and salted provisions, tobacco, furniture, and deals. Germany sends woollen and linen cloths, and Rhenish cottons; the Netherlands, fire-arms, swords, &c.; Holland, butter, cheese, Westphalia hams, &c., chiefly by way of Antwerp, the principal mart for Buenos Ayres' hides on the Continent. The Baltic furnishes iron, cordage, canvas, pitch, deals, &c. The Mediterranean trade is principally in Sicilian and Spanish produce, particularly cheap wines, brandies, olive oil, maccaroni, dried fruits, and pepper. Spanish goods are in little demand, though some serges, velvets, sewing silk, and snuff are imported. The annual importation of Spanish and Sicilian wines is from 10,000 to 12,000 pipes, besides about 1000 pipes of brandy. The yerba maté, or Paraguay tea, formerly an import article of some consequence, has been nearly superseded, even in Buenos Ayres, by tea: the other Chinese imports are silks, crapes, nankeens. porcelain, and numerous minor articles. The trade with Chili and Peru is insignificant. The markets of this city are well supplied with butcher's meat and fish. Poultry is dear, a couple of fowls selling for as much as an ox. Vegetables and fruit generally are also dear; milk in quality and price is much the same as in London, and all the butter used is imported. (We have derived these details principally from the valuable work of Sir Woodbine Parish on Buenos Ayres.) In our customs accounts the trade with Montevideo and other ports on the La Plata is mixed up with that of Buenos Ayres. In 1841, the declared value of the exports of British produce and manufactures to the states on the La Plata amounted to 989,3627., of which cottons made no less than 538,1377.! Probably about two thirds of the whole might be destined for Buenos Ayres. Monies, Weights, Measures, &c. same as those of Spain; for which, see CADIZ.

Exports of Wool from Buenos Ayres for the Three Years ending with 1845

Total.

1845

1844

England.
3,240,300 lbs. 2,331,225 lbs.
2,806,900, 2,016,875

France.

U. States. 10,820,900 lbs. 8,524,691

Genoa.

"

1843

1,418,125, 3,966,625, 3,763,572,

Imports of Heavy Ox and Cow Hides into the United Kingdom in

846,175 lbs. 1,393,375 937,612.

Belgium. 235,500 lbs. 51,175 265,400

Sundries.

73,500 lbs. 39,500 120,375,

"

17,547,600 lbs. 16,841,769 10,402,969,

BUFF (Ger. Büffel, Büffelhäute; Fr. Buffle, Peau de buffles, et Peaux passées en buffles; It. Bufalo, Cuojo di bufalo), a sort of leather prepared from the skin of the buffalo, dressed with oil, after the manner of chamois. The skin of elks, oxen, and other like animals, when prepared after the same manner as that of the buffalo, is likewise called buff. It is used in making sword-belts and other articles, where great thickness and firmness are required.

They are in considerable demand

See GOLD and SILVER.

BUGLES, small glass beads of different colours. in Africa, to which they are mostly exported. BULLION, uncoined gold and silver in the mass. BUOYS, pieces of wood, cork, or some light substance, moored and floating on the water. Those of wood are sometimes solid, and sometimes hollow, like a cask, and strongly hooped; they are made of various shapes and sizes; and are either private or public.

Private Buoys are so called from their belonging to private individuals. They are principally employed to mark the place of the ship's anchor, being fastened to it by a rope or chain, so that the men who go in the boat to weigh it may readily find out where it is.

By the 1 & 2 Geo. 4. c. 75. § 11. it is enacted, that if any person or persons shall wilfully cut away, cast adrift, remove, alter, deface, sink, or destroy, or in any way injure or conceal, any buoy, buoy-rope, or mark, belonging to any ship or vessel, or which may be attached to any anchor or cable belonging to any ship or vessel, whether in distress or otherwise, such person or persons so offending shall upon conviction be adjudged guilty of felony, and shall be liable to be transported for any term not exceeding 7 years, or to be imprisoned for any number of years, at the discretion of the court."

Public Buoys, being intended for the public service, cannot be placed, altered, or removed, except by competent authority. They are generally of a pretty large size; and are firmly moored by chains or cables to rocks, large stones, anchors, &c. By floating on the surface of the water, they serve at once to mark the channels through which it is safe to steer, and to point out dangers to be avoided, such as sunken rocks, shoals, wrecks of vessels, &c. The places in, and the purposes for, which buoys are exhibited, are always specified in good charts; and as the leading buoys are generally of a peculiar figure or colour, which is also indicated in the chart, the navigator, as soon as he recognises them, shapes his course accordingly. Hence the great importance of having buoys properly placed, and of their being carefully marked in charts.

To this amount may be added, as allowance for short manifests, &c., about 20 per cent. additional.