1839 represented the aggregate sum of  83,000,000 francs,
1840           "             "        104,000,000 francs,
1841           "             "        101,000,000 francs,

proceeds to say, that the general returns for 1842 were not yet (April 11) made up, but that “M. le directeur-general des douanes nous a declare que la diminution avait ete enorme.”  But although the general returns could not be given, those specially referring to the single customhouse of Bayonne had been obtained, and they amply confirmed the assertion of the enormous diminution.  The export of cottons, woollens, silks, and linens, from that port to Spain, which in

1840 amounted in value to 15,800,000 francs,
1841                 also 15,800,000 francs,
1842    had fallen to     5,700,000 francs.

A fall, really tremendous, of nearly two-thirds.

M. Chegaray, unfortunately, can find no other grievance to complain of but the too strict enforcement of the Spanish custom laws, by which French and Spanish contrabandists are harassed and damaged—­can suggest no other remedy than the renewal of the “family compact” of the Bourbons—­no hopes for the revival of smuggling prosperity from the perpetuation of the French reciprocity system of trade all on one side, but in the restoration of the commercial privileges so long enjoyed exclusively by French subjects and shipping, but now broken or breaking down under the hammering blows of Espartero—­nor discover any prospect of relief until the Spanish customhouse lines are transferred to their old quarters on the other side of the Ebro, and the fueros of the Biscaiano provinces, which, by ancient treaty, he claims to be under the guarantee of France, re-established in all their pristine plenitude.

It is surely time for the intelligence, if not the good sense, of France to do justice by these day-dreams.  The tutelage of Spain has escaped from the Bourbons of Paris, and the ward of full majority will not be allowed, cannot be, if willing, to return or remain under the trammels of an interested guardian, with family pretensions to the property in default of heirs direct.  France, above all countries, has the least right to remonstrate against the reign of prohibitions and restrictions, being herself the classic land of both.  Let her commence rather the work of reform at home, and render tardy justice to Spain, which she has drained so long, and redress to Great Britain, against whose more friendly commercial code she is constantly warring by differential preferences of duties in favour of the same commodities produced in other countries, which consume less of what she abounds in, and have less the means of consumption.  Beyond all, let her cordially join this country in urging upon the Spanish Government, known to be nowise averse to the urgency of a wise revision and an enlightened modification of the obsolete principles of an absurd and impracticable policy both fiscal and commercial—­a