is, as it were, brought to a level; the fashions and opinions of the metropolis are immediately diffused over every part of the country, while those that originate in the latter powerfully influence the former. ROPE consists of hemp, hair, &c. spun into 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 fishingline, 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 nine to an inch. -- (Milburn's Orient. Com., &c.) Rosewood, which is one of the dearest as well as most beautiful of the fancy woods, is principally used in veneering. Its consumption has more than quintupled 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 2 years ending with 1841, to 1,607 tons a year! This increase is principally to be ascribed to the reduction of the duty, in 1826, from 201. to 10 a ton, and in 1836 to 6. But we are glad to have to state that the duty was further reduced, in 1842, to 11. per ton when imported from a foreign country, and to 5s. per ton when imported from a British possession. 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 lariz, 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, lat. 54° N., long. 1212 E. Population, in 1837, 18,067. 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. the above. They are principally used in the trade with Russia. Money-Rostock and al! Mecklenburg reckon by rix-dollars new, two thirds of 48 schillings. The rix-dollar contains 199-1 grains pure silver, and is worth nearly 2. id. (28. 3·8d.) sterling. Weights. The commercial weights are the same as those of Hainburg, which see. There are, however, other weights, introduced in 1757, which are 5 per cent. heavier than Measures. The Rostock foot = 11:38 Eng. inches. The ell 2 feet. The last contains 96 scheffels: the last used in the measuring of oats 144 imp. quarters = 42 hectolitres: the last used in the measuring of other grain 14 imp. quarters or 37 3 hectolitres. (Kelly's Cambist.) 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, groceries, &c., from Copenhagen and Hamburg. The total value of the imports by sea may be estimated at about 250,000%. 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, &c. The exports of wheat amounted in 1840 to 97,565 quarters, and in 1841 to 124,267. In 1840, the exports of peas from Rostock only were 9,503 quarters; but from the duchy they amounted to 43,013 quarters; but at an average their export does not exceed from 20,000 to 25,000 quarters. The export of bones amounted during the same year to 1,550,000 lbs. At an average the value of the exports may be estimated at 300,000. Shipping.The port of Rostock had, in 1840, 230 ships of the burden of 35,332 tons, which trade with most European nations, the U. States, and Brazil. In 1835, there entered the port 540 ships (burden 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 to Hamburg, 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 48. 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 4 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 Walfisch. Close to the town there is from 8 to 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 35 ships, of the burden of 4,800 tons, belong to this port. There cleared from it, in 1835, 227 ships, of which 11 were English. The duties at Wismar are somewhat higher than at Rostock, being 4 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 Hamburg, almost all the manufactured goods, as well as a very large proportion of the colonial products used by the population (550,000), are imported by way of Hamburg. 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 her internal consumption. ROTTERDAM, on the north bank of the Maese, in lat. 51° 55′ 19′′ N., lon. 4° 29′ 14′′ E. Population, in 1840, 78,098. Rotterdam is the second commercial city of Holland. It is more advantageously situated than Amsterdam; being nearer the sea, and the canals which intersect 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. imports of madder from Holland in 1841 amounted to 35,334 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 Holland in 1841 amounted to 464,537 gallons. Our N.B. The channel from the sea to Rotterdam is exhibited in the chart of the Dutch coast in the ap of Europe in this work. Monies, Weights, and Measures, See the article ASTERDAM, for an account of the current monies, weights, and measures of Holland. Two different commercial ibs. were formerly used at Rotterdam: one was the Amsterdam weight, 100 lbs. of which = 108.95 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. The aam = 40 English wine gallons very nearly. A hogshead of tax-seed contains from 7 to 8 Winchester bushels. Rock salt is sold per great hundred of 401 maaten, containing from 21 to 22 tons. Coals per hoeda chaldron of Newcastle. The liquid measures were divided in the same manner as at Amsterdam, but were larger; thus, 100 stoops of Rotterdam were 671 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 = 1094 feet of Amsterdain, or 102 English feet. Allowances. Drafts. 1 - 1 St. Domingo Cotton Hides, Buenos Ayres 1 3 1 Tobacco, Virginia Logwood Pimento Indigo 3 per cent. 5 lbs. per bale 1 per cent. real tare 3 per cent. 2 3 1 real tare Account of the Values of the different Articles imported into and exported from Rotterdam in 1841, distinguishing between those imported from and exported to the United Kingdom and all other Countries. Statement of Imports, Sales, and Stocks of the principal Articles of Colonial and Foreign raw Produce at Rotterdam and Amsterdam, in the Five Years ending with 1843. 1839. 1810. 1841. 1842. 1843. Coffee (tons) Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. 988 36 E. I. Rotterdam-18.460 17,036 6,250 19,920 19,137 7,050 20,015 21,377 5,688 19,344 18,210 6,822 23,696 20,165 10,353 W. India, do. 1,487 1,886) 1,596 1,596 920 68 1,695 1,259 504 1,066 1,344 225 E. 1. Amsterdam 21,157 18,812 7,325 25,530 24,435 8,420 32,000 31,405 9,015 28,040 29,599, 7,956 29,140 22,036 15,059, W. India, do. - 936 1,436 125 2,059 2,184 3,000 2,390 610 228 796 42 1,427 1,133 E. I. Middleberg 1,265 1,267 509 1,220 1,489 249 924 1,028 145 3,057 2,201) 998 1,985 1,803 1,180) 43,285 40,427 14,209 50,325 48,841 15,709 56,927 57,120 15,526 52,864 52,068 16,322 57,314 46,782 26,854| Cotton (bales) - Hides E. 1. Rotterdam Pepper (bags) — Rice (tons) 38,095 50,312 4,172 30,146 25,164 9,154 23,566 25,899 6,821 36,600 37,101 6,320 31,970 32,290 6,000 9,802 13,602 4,955 28,490 17,153 16,512 13,698 18,952 11,078 10,630 8,018 13,690, 15,824 17,592,11,622, 47,230 45,119 20,010 47,794 50,182 17,622 47,957 43,314 9,127 58,636 42,297 25,466 37,264 44,831 17,899 26,056 24,856 1,200 12,520 12,400 1,520 46,367 43,806 3,881 42,402 36,962 9,321 40,909 39,614 10.615 72,275 93,275 2,200 172,516 129,546 45,170 396,926 166,235 43,580 251,572 255,173 39,979 196,126 194,285 41,820 15,500:14,050 2,250 5,700 7,150 800 16,350 16,350 SOO 7,600 7,600 800 9,011 9,021 800 8,100 7,600 500 6,349 5,355 1,110 6,744 7,488 426 8,160 8,514 792 E. I. Rotterdam 10,080 10,367 116 504 16,272, 15,736 1,040 Sugar (tone) — Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. Impts. Sales. Stcks. - 1,600 W. India, do. E. L. Rotterdam -20,208 24,313' 5,225 18,000' 23,011] 214 22,746 19,594 3,366 1,600 1,146 18,736 19,073 2,029 20,550 18,516 4,063 2,697 2,325 50% 2,295! 2,718 85 23,860 28,036) 4,524) 26,599 28,708 2,415 22,940 20,930| 2,010 23,504 23,514 2,000| 3,894 3,660 234 3,139 3,373 Tea (qr. chests) — Betterdam - 77,687 75,626,16,139 74,019 84,899 5,252 92,082 85,132 12,202 72,127|| 74,024 9,305 76,087 76,829 8,563 5,617 3,874) 2,703 4,183 2,394 7,900 10,024 270 7,724 7,482 512 12,663 6,090 3,470 9,220 340 10,940 6,500 4,430 21,380 19,430 6,380 18.280 9,964] 6,173 13,403, 2,734 18,840 16,874 4,700 29,104 26,912 6,892 Tin (slabs) Tobacco (hhds.) -50.799 44,241 11,908 21,618 27,857 5,669 32,980 25,972'12,677 48,106 31,919 25,834 41,014 53,946 12,902 41,669 32,069,11,000 25,252, 29,326 6,926 43,311 38,973,11,264 46,676 17.320.41,620 45,262 79,722 7,100 92,468 76,310 22.908 46,870 57,183 12,595 76,291 64,945 23,941 98,782 52,269,67,454 86,276 133,668 20,062 7,388 6,023 4,033 17,442 16,424 5,060 20.162 18,701 6,491 22,940 21,6437,788 17,738 16,846 8,680 5,385 5,330 2,628 12,422 10,676 4,373 8,698 8,685 4,356 14,993, 12,653 6,726, 12,278, 11,137 7,867 12,773 11,353 6,661 29,864 27,100 9,433 28,860 27,416 10,877 37,933 34,296 14,514 30,016 27,983 16,547| 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 160l. 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 658. 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 even more valuable, than diamonds of equal weight. The finest ruby in England, or perhaps, 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 Balnis 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 Table shows 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 price of Jamaica rum in bond since 1814 is also given. Account, stated in Imperial Proof Gallons, of the Rum annually entered for Home Consumption in the U. Kingdom, from 1800 to 1842, 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 by Mr. Cook.) 1841 2,217,073 48,523 1842 2,050,331 35,951 9 9 4 9 4 0-7 8-59 3 1,057,315 00 5,772 0 0 6 For an account of the number of gallons of rum imported into the U. Kingdora from the West India colonies, during each of the 11 years ending with 1841. see antè, Exclusive of the supplies from the West Indies, there were imported, in 1841, p. 331. 95,510 gallons from the Mauritius, and 1,006,549 gallons from the E. India ComThe latter, however, is more nearly allied to arrack than to rum. pany's territories. Though rum has not been so much over-taxed as brandy, geneva, and wine, still it is obvious 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 68. 83d., the consumption of the U. 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 138. 11. a gallon, and in Ireland 12s. 83d., the annual consumption amounted to only 2,307,000 gallons! The reduction of the duty in 1826 to 8s. 6d. increased the But 6d. consumption from about 2,500,000 to above 3,600,000 gallons in 1830. having been added to the duty in 1830, the consumption, influenced, no doubt, partly by this, but probably also by other circumstances, has since greatly declined. The extraordinary 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. Unfortunately, The decrease in the consumption of rum in Ireland is most striking. however, this is not the only instance the sister kingdom affords of the destructive The excessive additions made to the duties on brandy, effects of oppressive taxes. wine, sugar, &c. since 1805, have had similar effects; the quantity of these articles consumed in Ireland being decidedly less now than it was 30 years ago!— (See BRANDY, SUGAR, &c.) Exorbitant taxes have gone far to deprive the Irish of a great variety of comforts; and, consequently, have taken from them some of the most powerful inThe poverty of the people has set at nought centives to industry and good conduct. |