Virginia Argus

France and England. Among the articles worthy of observation in Cobbett's paper, of the 17th of October, is that which relates to the vast emigration from England to France, since the restoration of the Bourbons. In corroboration, by the last advices we learn that it was calculated not less than 50,000 persons, many of them of the class of gentry whose income amounted from 100 to 1,000 l. per annum had left the country. It is known that a man with 200 l. a year, can live as handsomely & luxuriously in France, as in England for 600 l. In France a loaf can be got for 4d. which will cost 1s. in England—beef may be had for 2d. per lb. a fowl for 4d. and a turkey for 2s. In France, a bottle of the best wine may be got for 1s. which costs 5s. in England: every thing else in proportion. The climate of France also is infinitely preferable to that of England, and the habitual cheerfulness and suavity of the French people in general, is another inducement to men who are disgusted and exhausted by the long list of government taxes, tythes, and poor rates. In short, in the month of September last, it was calculated that a drain of five millions of ready money had already been made on the English nation, to supply the wants and expenses of the emigrants, a sum greater than the expense of lord Wellington's army during the war! To this vast drain is to be added, that nearly all the foreigners who had taken refuge in England during the continental troubles, have left that country, and drawn all their monies from the banks and funds—And this accounts for the great depression of public stocks and omnium.