Can we be blamed, if, in a strain truly lachrymal, we allude to the deductions which have annually been made from the miserable return which 1833 gave to the unfortunate proprietors of estates?
What boots it to tell us that we have fingered thousands of pounds sterling, in the shape of compensation: and what consolation is it to know, that a hogshead of sugar will now bring thirty pounds, which, a short time ago, was only worth twelve.

Let any _unprejudiced_ individual look at the return now before us, and say whether our prospects are not deplorably dull and obscure.

If we take the four years immediately preceding the passing of Mr.Canning's resolutions, say 1819, 20, 21, and 22; we will find the average to be 105,858 hogsheads, and if from this we even deduct one fourth for the time now lost, there will be an average crop of 79,394 hhds., being 7,185 hogsheads mere than the average of 1833, 34, 35, and 36; and no one will deny that this falling off of one tenth, (supposing that the hogsheads made during the last four years are _not larger_ than those of 1819 to 1822) is _nearly_, if not _quite equal_ to the increase of price, from twelve to thirty pounds, or one hundred and fifty per cent.
It is true some persons may be disposed to take the four years subsequent to the passing of Mr.Canning's resolutions, say 1823, 4, 5, and 6, and compare them with the four years ending 31st December last.
Should this be done, it will be found that the average crop of the previous four years is 91,980 hhds., and if from it is deducted one fourth, there will remain 68,985 hhds., whilst the average of the other four years is 72,200 hhds.

Such a mode of comparison must, however, be obviously incorrect; because, in the first place, Mr.Canning's resolutions had reduced the crops of those years considerably below the average of the years immediately preceding them, and next, because it would show the advantage to be on the side of freedom in the ratio of seventy-two to sixty-nine, which cannot be correct.

Besides, in 1824, there was a severe drought, whereas in 1834 and 35 the seasons are reported as being favorable.