The traffic returns of the Suez Canal for the year 1883 do not show anything like the increase of business which the reports of the previous year might have led one to expect. The figures from the time of the first year's complete working have already been stated in the report for the year 1882, and from which it will be seen that the receipts in 1880 were 10,000,000 francs in excess of those in 1879, and that the receipts in 1881 advanced 11,500,000. In 1882 they increased nearly 9,250,000, but during the last year the increase was only 5,098,500 francs.

The dividend for 1882 was, including the 5 per cent. interest which each share bears, 16 per cent., and for 1883 it has slightly increased, viz, 17.3 per cent.

Owing to a variety of circumstances, the year 1883 did not open well for the canal company's business. In January and February the traffic was less than during the same months of the previous year. In January, 1883, the number of ships was 251, the tonnage 610,769, and the receipts were 4,999,307 francs, as against 305 ships of a tonnage of 639,605, aud 5,443,051 francs, in January, 1882. In February, 1883, the number of ships was 215, the tonnage 521,440, and the receipts were 4,278,840 francs, as against 290 ships, 613,830 tons, and 5,247,960 francs in February, 1882.

In March, 1883, things took a turn for the better, and the number of ships was 367, the tonnage 851,367, and the receipts were 6,993,596 francs, as compared with 313 ships, 662,494 tons, and 5,645,136 franes in March, 1882.

It may be pointed out that March was the best month of the whole year; nevertheless, the returns for the first quarter showed a falling off of 75 ships and 70,105 francs as compared with the same period in 1882.

The second quarter of the year began better and the figures to June 30 were as follows: April, 330 ships, 6,180,000 francs; May, 352 ships, 6,800,000 francs; June, 298 ships, 6,032,576 francs; whereas, in the corresponding months of the year 1882 they were for April, 322 ships, 5,926,487 francs; May, 271 ships, 5,131,634 franes; June, 230 ships, 4,540,282 francs.

The total for the first six months showed an increase of 82 ships of a tonnage of 568,458 tons and 3,407,270 francs.

Though in July the increase was maintained, the months of August and September again showed a diminution, the figures being in August 252 ships and 5,180,000 francs, as against 343 ships and 5,610,645 francs in August, 1882; and in September 237 ships and 4,794,502 francs, as against 246 ships and 4,960,000 francs in September, 1882.

In October the traffic again increased and the number of ships was 223, and the receipts 4,656,962 francs, as compared with 208 ships and 4,258,293 francs in October, 1882. In November and December the receipts once more slightly increased, the totals for the two months being 470 ships and 9,853,000 francs, as against 432 ships and 9,144,557 francs for November and December, 1882.

It therefore results from the foregoing that in no less than four monthsnamely, January, February, August, and September—there was a posi. tive falling off in the business of the company, and though in the other months there was an increase, the net results for the year tend to show that the canal traffic is reaching the furthest stage of development which is likely for some time to attain, and this is a fact which those interested in inaking a rival canal will do well to reflect upon.

It is, of course, impossible to say what the future may have in store, but it is obvious that the business of the canal cannot be reckoned upon

to increase in the rapid manner in which it has done in the past few years.

The twelvemonth just elapsed cannot be looked upon as an exclusively bad one for maritime business on the whole, and the returns of the canal traffic for that period may be taken as a fair sample of what the canal will realize for some time to come.

G. P. POMEROY,

Consul-General. UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL,

Cairo, February 18, 1884.

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

Table showing the values of and the duties paid on merchandise imported into and exported

from the Cape Verde Islands during the year 1882.

$132, 330 24

$18, 291 70

$27, 198 90

$4, 329 90

Morement of domestic, national, and foreign vessels in the province of Cape Verde Islands

for the year ending June 30, 1883.

List of shipping at St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands during the year 1883.

List of shipping at St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, fe.-Continued.

* This number includes 12 arrivals of the American trading schooner Annie Fairfax, stationed in these islands.

Return showing the quantities, value, and character of United States merchandise dispatched

at the custom-house of St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, for consumption, during the year 1882.

Pounds.

2, 270 40, 333

11, 209 305, 187

Material for shipping".
Sugar (refined)
Biscuits
Boots and shoes
Corn and meal.
Flour....
Worked wood material
Butter
Material for construction
Petroleum
Cheese..
Manufactured tobacco
Cotton goods:

Calicoes
Unbleached.

Prints
Dyed cottons, drills, denims, &c.
Articles pot mentioned in customs tariff, for which duties charged at ad va-

lorem rates ....
Tools, instruments for arts and industry

3986 19

195 55 1, 437 37

272 56

204 32 15, 054 62 1, 645 06

104 75 8, 289 02 2, 514 00

19 57 3, 228 25

220

95, 033

125 19, 924

656

763 1, 111

910

103 68 451 08 362 00 425 50

2, 847 78 316 30

Total

38, 457 60

* Oars, sails, ropes, pitch, canvas, &c. + Wood, Inmber, sbingles, pails, &c.

Preserved provisions, hats, hammocks, salts, lamps, paints, oils, biscuits, brooms, quilts, logwood for dyes, medicines glassware, sundries, &c.

IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES.

List of merchandise imported from the United States into St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands,

during the year 1882, as per custom-house returns.

Flour.
Biscuit
Petroleum
Preserves
Manufactured tobacco
Trunks
Refined sugar
Oars .....
Tea, 3 pounds each.
Umbrellas (cotton)
Hammocks
Fans
Cheese.

Do
Epsom salts, 250 pounds.
Herrings
Desks
Lamps.
Canvas
Paints

Do

Do
Cart (complete).
Biscuits.

Do.
Brooms
Buckets
Dyes
Tubs
Mattresses.
Florida water
Steering wheel (for a vessel)
Drugs
Stationery (no value).
Manila rope
Provisions.
Blacksmith's vise..
Vinegar
Oysters (in tins)
Fire-engine.
Containing clocks, books, &c.
Sundries
Grindstone
Resin.
Bedsteads
Extension tables.
Scales..
Looking-glasses
Starch..
Domestice

Do.
Denims..
Salt meat.
Hats
Picture frames
Boots
Paper
Rubber

Do
Shingles
Lumber
Blacking
Tools
Nails
Ironware

126 00 460 00

6 00 36 00

5 00 500 00 70 00 30 00 1 50 3 00 45 00 80 00 26 00 72 00 21 00 187 20 420 00 756 00 80 00 20 00 25 CO 75 00 15 00 37 50

7 50 2, 029 50 3, 915 25

9 00 40 00 189 00

1, 353 279, 662

3

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