1 AUGUST 1931, Page 18

A Hundred Years Ago It is unnecessary to dwell on

the general stagnation of business occasioned by suspense as to the fate of the Reform Bills. Every one who lives by his industry acknowledges that he feels in his own person a portion of the evil resulting from intense political suspense. We venture to say, that there is hardly a tradesman in London who could persevere without ruin in his present expenses with his present amount of business. Of course, as the business of the dealer falls off, the orders to the manufacturer decrease ; and finally, the labourer suffers in his turn. If the present stagnation of business should-last for another month, we shall hear of " distress in the manufacturing districts."