The Sun. — London, England, 1865-08-05 00:00:00

Lord Stanley on Workmen's Halls• The Birkenhead Workmen's Hall and Clubhouse was opened on Thursday evening. Mr. B. J. Chandler presided, and among those present were the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P., Earl Grosve nor, M.P., Lord Richard Grosvenor, Mr. J. Laird, M.P., and other gentlemen. Aftet some remarks by the Chairman, _ The Right lion. Lord STANLEY, who was received with prolonged applause, said — La dies and gentle men, friends and neighbours, I thank you most sin cerely for the kindness of this reception,but,although I feel it very deeply, yet I cannot help feeling also that I have not much right to stand upon this plat form. It is hardly the part of those who have taken no share in the battle to come forward most promi nently in celebrating the victory. But, however that may be, I have come here with great pleasure to be present at the opening of this hall, to take part in the successf ul conclusion of an undertaking of which the plans, as I believe, have been formed for several years, although the actual laying of the first stone did not take place until little more than a twelvemonth ago. Gentlemen, lam sure youwill agree with me that it is quite time that some under taking of this kind was set on foot in Birkenhead. Wherever a new city grows up rapidly, wherever al vast population gathers itself in a few years round some new industrial centre, then it will inevitably happen that many social wants will, for a time, re main unprovided for. Men feel about a place of this kind as if it were to them rather an inn, or an encampment, than a home. Employers look forward to the time when they shall be able to leave off business. Working men have not the leisure, and in many cases have not the means,to provide in as sisting what is required. Now, that is a case more or less in all such towns as this, and it is peculiarly likely to be the case here, because I don't flatter you in saying that there is nothing in England—and there is hardly anything in America, or in the colo nies—more remarkable than the progress of this community of Birkenhead. (Applause.) When I hear that the rateable property of this township has doubled in the last ten years, still more when I learn that only 44 years ago—in the year 1821— Birkenhead contained a population of no more than 200 ; that between 1821 and 1841 that population multiplied itself just forty-fold—from 200 to 8,000 ; and when I learn, further, that in less than the quarter of a century that has elapsed between the year 1841 and the present time these numbers have again multiplied five-fold, and that for 8,000 then you have nearly 40,000 now,—when I hear all these things (and I have my figures upon what I believe to be good and undoubted authority), I am re minded, not so much of anything which we are ac customed to see in Europe, as of those new cities which grow up on the edge of the Western prairie, where, with the traffic, with the crowded streets, and along with every luxury and convenience of life, you see here and there, in corners and byways, the stumps still sticking out of the ground to mark the remains of that old primeval forest that has hardly yet been cleared away. And, gentlemen, I think your progress is, upon the whole, more extraor dinary than that to which I allude ; because these things to which I have referred take place in the new country, where, as you have grown up in a country which is very old, nobody is astonished if the schoolboy whom you have not seen for a year or two has grown a couple of inches in height since you parted, but it is a very remarkable phenomenon if he has become a grown man. Yet, after all,, when one comes to think of it, that growth is not so extraordinary as it appears at first sight. We are in the habit of talking about Old England, and no doubt as far as our laws, as our customs, as our institutions, and our history are concerned, we are a very old country. But when one comes to look at those things which are the characteristic fea tures of England at the present day, when one comes to look at our Indian empire, it is almost startling, to see the rapid growth of these things, and how much of what has made England what she is among the nations of the world is really the work of only three or four generations. (Applause.) That must be a digressiCm, but it is one to which both the place in which I am speaking and the subject naturally lead us. Now, to come to what is more immediately before us. I understand the primary object of this building in which we are meeting to-night to be a club—a place of meeting, that is, either for busi ness, refreshment, or for society, for the use of all those who choose to avail themselves of it among that vast population of mechanics and artisans who inhabit this shore of the Mersey. And I will tell you why I, who am not very fond of making speeches without any practical object, and who think that in this part of the world we are perhaps rather too much given to make a great display about inaugurations and openings of build ings, and laying of the first stones, and ceremonies of that kind—why I, holding that opinion, nevertheless think that the opening of this building is an event which deserves to be celebrated in a public and for mal manner. It is because buildings of this kind are at present very rare, and because they ought to be very common. (Applause.) Now, I, am not going to say one word on the old hackneyed subject of keeping men away from the publichouse. Arti sans are not children, and if they, working hard and earning largely, choose to spend their money in that way, they have as much right to do it as anybody else has to do a thing which is simply foolish. (Ap plause.) It is a question between their families and themselves, and I think we may leave them to the conjugal eloquence which is very likely to be exerted on such occasions. (Laughter and applause.) I have always thought that it was not for those who live more luxuriously to speak of them harshly in that matter. It is their business more than ours. But what we have a right to say is this, that no man ought to be driven to the publichouse for want of any other place to go to. (Applause.) He ought not to be forced to go there because his club meets there and he does not like to miss a club meeting, or be cause there is no other convenient place where he can enjoy friendly talk and a fire on a cold wintry night, or simply because he has nowhere else to go. Of course it may be asked, why cannot people stay at home ? Well, my answer to that is, that men in the higher classes, having a great deal more time at their disposal, and having materials for making far more comfortable homes, do not make it a universal rule to pass their evenings with their wives and children. (Laughter.) I say nothing of that class— I am bound to speak of them as an unfortunate class —whose home is a lodging, and wbo shelter their families - whenever they put on their hats(laughter), but I say this, that social intercourse—free, friendly easy talk—ia as necessary to men as food, or sleep, or fresh air. (Cheers.) A man does not live a healthy life without it, and therefore whatever enables him to enjoy that kind of intercourse in a comfortable and civilised manner, is not only a pleasure to him, but it is a benefit to him intellectually and morally. (Loud cheers.) And I think, therefore, that places of meeting like this, whichare meantto be realelubs, or places where clubs may meet--not schools in dis guise not institutes, although institutes are very goods in their way ; not lecture-rooms, although this room will no doubt serve that Purpo se admirably well if it be required ; but places where talk, and newspapers, and refreshments may be had with a security against disturbance from drunken or rough and disorderly persons,—l say that places of this kind ought to exist, and I believe they shortly will exist in every great town in Eng land, and in many of the little towns also. (Ap plause.) At present there arc only a few here and there, but fashions spread fast—it is only the first step that gives trouble, and I think there are several good reasons why we, on the banks of the Mersey, should be among the first to set the example. In the first place, it is not our Lancashire habit—l really beg pardon, I had forgotten I was in Cheshire, but living on the other side of the Mersey I can assure you that we Liverpool people believe that we annexed Birkenhead long ago. (Laughter and cheers.) At any rate, it isnot our habit in these districts to lay behind when anything useful is doing. (Cheers.) That is one reason. Well, then, I believe that we have in theSe parts more money— mpecially in the artisan and working classes—than is to be found anywhere else, except, perhaps, in Manchester and in London. That is another reason; and there is a third, which is least flattering to our- selves. lam afraid we must admit that there are very few parts of the country where the outdoor aspects of nature are less agreeable than they are here in the neighbourhood of Liverpool. We are not favoured in that way, and that is all the more reason why we should endeavour to make compensation as far as we can by providing indoor comforts for the absence of that which we cannot have, however pleasant it might be in the summer weather—for the absence of the green fields, and the shady lanes, and the pleasant open commons of the south. Well, then, the question is asked, "'What security have you that an erection of this kind will be supported ?" My answer is that we hope, and we confidently believe, that it will be not only managed, but also to a great extent owned by those for whose benefit it is established. (Hear.) Expressly for that purpose the shares have been made of very small amount. It is the anxious desire of the promoters that they should be so held, and they are so at present to some extent ; they will be so, I believe, to a much greater extent when the thing is fairly in operation, and if they are not so held, it will not be for want of encourage ment, because, by a stretch of liberality which ap pears to me even extreme, if I understand the ar rangements rightly, preferential advantages have been granted to those who are holders of not more than two or three shares over those who hold a larger number, so that the former class are sure of their return. I should have thought that stimulus was unnecessary, but Mr. Laird has been the most active and prominent manager of the concern, and I think his name will be to you a sufficient guarantee that the arrangements are sound and satisfactory in a business point of view. (Cheers.) One thing more I must say. If this club does not receive the support —or rather if this hall intended for the reception of a club does not receive the support which is expected that may arise from mismanagement—everything is possible—or it may arise from indifference, but of one ; thing I am sure r it is perfectly idle to contend that that may arise from the want of power in the work ing men who keep it going. (Hear, hear.) There is a curious fallacy, there is a kind of mental confusion that arises in the minds of newspaper readers from the use of that very vague, and indefinite, and un satibfactory term " the working classes." People 'think, when that name is mentioned, of labourers in rural districts, and immediately picture to themselves a family whose weekly earnings barely suffice to meet their weekly wants. I need not tell the audience I am now addressing that a skilled artisan in these parts is not only above the reach of distress, except in such extraordinary circumstances as the / breaking out of a war, a cotton famine, or the like ; but that he is better off, so far as money goes, than very many ; of those educated men who embark upon the hon ourable perils of professional life. (Hear.) I have lately seen—it was drawn up for me—a statement of the rate of wages hereabouts, and I find that they range (I am speaking, of course, of skilled labourers) from 30s. to two guineas weekly, that is allowing for those occasional holidays which we are all of us the better for having, and which I suppose none of us can do without. Allowing for those, it is an income of from £7O to £lOO a-year—that is, for working in the usual way, forl am told that if a skilful artisan is em ployed by piece -work he may generally command a higher rate. Now, I do not think I shall be told that men living upon these wages are unable to support a club, and I think they might do much more than support a club. I see no reason why a 1 large proportion of them should not, if they think fit, and supposing that the proper agency of sup , plying the demand is provided, as I am told it is here—l see no reason why a large proportion of them should not, if they choose it, live in their own freehold houses. (Cheers.) Now, I have always looked upon five things as going together—cheap schools and institutes, which are only the schools continued ; cheap books and newspapers ; the savings bank and the insurance office, which is another form of savings banks ; the club ; and the freehold house. Three of these you have already ; the two others you may have if you choose to pro vide them for yourselves. (Cheers.) And lam not in the least afraid, speaking in the interest of the employer, that a man will work one bit the worse for feeling himself in a higher and more satisfac tory social position. I don't talk here about inde pence—independence is a word which is sadly iabused —nobody is independent except the savage. (Cheers.) We are all dependent upon one another --the rich upon the poor, the poor upon the rich, and the rich just as much as the poor. (Cheers.) Civilised society cannot exist otherwise, but I be lieve every thinking and feeling employer would desire those who work under him to feel themselves independent in one sense, in the true sense of the word—that is, to feel that they are above the pressure of immediate distress, that they are not living from hand to mouth, and that they are not liable to the caprice or the dictation of any single individual. (Cheers.) My belief is that the more you cultivate the feeling of self-respect, the more you cultivate independence in that sense among working men the better, the pleasanter, and not more difficult you make the relations between them and their employers. (Cheers.) I cannot speak from any practical knowledge myself, but no man has more of that than my friend Mr. Laird—(hear, hear)—and I hope he will say a word to you. Now, gentlemen, it only remains for me to wish success and prosperity to this undertaking, and to express a hope which I am confident will be realised, that those who have given their money and—more than money--who have given their time and their trouble to its promotion, will be, as they deserve to be, long and honourably among you. (Loud cheers, during which his lordship resumed his seat.) After short speeches by several working men, Mr. JOHN LAIRD, M.P., who was loudly applauded, said—Mr. Chairman, my lords, ladies, and gentle men, after the full discussion which you have had upon the merits and demerits of this hall, and upon the merits and demerits of public-houses, I shall not occupy your time more than five minutes with what lam about to say. The resolution confided to me is that a vote of thanks be accorded to Lord Stanley, Earl Grosvenor, and Lord Richard Grosvenor, and other gentlemen who have honoured us with their presence to-night. (Applause.) I know it would be distasteful to those noblemen if I were to say anything at all flattering in their presence ; but I think I may remind the working men, a number of whom are here, that those noblemen have not been content with the high position in which they were born, but they have been determined to show by their attention to their Parliamentary duties, and by the interest they. have taken in the various measures which have been brought forward, not only for the general benefit of the country, but especially for the welfare of the working men, that they did not win their present position by birth, but they had attained it, and would maintain it, by the force of example and the force of ability. (Hear, hear, and renewed applause.) We have provided a workmen's hall, and it is now for the working men of this place to promote its success, for it rests en tirely upon the working indn themselves. (Hear, hear.) We may start an institution of this kind, but if the working men will not avail themselves of it the in stitution will be a failure. I believe the working men of Birkenhead have the means of making this hall p th ro em s leriovuess, of its the advantages n o t r a e g t e h s they attend mere theyh erew and il avail pro. gross in social position and intellectual attainments. If they are not now educated, and are determined to become educated, and to educate their children, and to lay by their money u n til, a s one of the sp eakers ' has suggested, they are able t o o b ta i n a houselot them selves, they will become the most indepenUnt class in the country. (Hear.) As an em,p`loyer of labour I can fully confirm what was stated by Mr. that a good workman, if h e i s not Hodge—namely, satisfied with his Rages or his master, can leave his employment in a day ; but the employer of 2,000 or 3,000 men cannot do so ; he cannot move his establishment ; therefore, in that respect, the work ing man has the advantage. (Hear.) But lam sorry to say that working men in general, many of them, at any rate, do not take advantage of the opportunities for improvement which are offered to them. If they attended more closely to their work, and, instead of spending their money foolishly, invested it in building societies and other institu tions established in this neighbourhood they would become thoroughly independent of landlords, they would themselves be the owners of houses ; and THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 5, 1865, should be made into branches of this portion of the subject, which they have hitherto touched only inci dentally, or not at a 11. Under these circumstances, while your committee greatly regret their inability to complete the duty intrusted to them, they think it undesirable to present any partial report, and are of opinion that the inquiry ought to be resumed. They therefore recommend that, at the commence ment of the next session of Parliament, a committee should be appointed to carry on, under the same order of reference, the inquiry which they now find themselves unable to conclude." RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. NORTH-EASTERN. The directors of this company have decided on recommending the following dividends :—On the Berwick stock, at the rate of 51 per cent. per an num ; on the York stock at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum ; on the Leeds stock, at the rate of 3i per cent. per annum ; on the Carlisle stock at the rate of 71 per cent. per annum ; andon the Darling ton stock at the rate of 81 per cent. per annum. when they had experienced the benefit of having a house of their own, they would persevere in habits of industry and economy. (Hear.) I believe if they did so the working classes of this country would raise themselves much higher than they are likely to do by their present careless way of spending their money. (Applause.) I think we have had rather toomuch teetotalism to-night. (Laughter.) I quite agree with my noble friend, Lord Stanley, that we have no right to dictate to a man how he shall spend his money, and whether he shall go to a publichouse or not. But what we have a right to do is to estab lish institutions of this kind, and say to the working men, "We hope you will share and avail yourself of them." The noble lord gave me and some friends of mine rather too much credit with regard to the origin of this institution. I would thoroughly dis claimthat, and state that the origin of the institution is due to Mr. Hodge, Mr. Chandler, and other gen tlemen now present ; that having got into such a position that it could not go further, myself and a number of other gentlemen thought, as employers of labour in this place, we should do what we could to establish a workmen's hall which would be second to none in this kingdom. (Loud applause.) We have now got into a very good position. The hall is established ; and, as I said before, it remains for the working men to make it successful or not. I will not occupy your timelonger, but:will now move a vote of thanks to Lord Stanley, Lord Grosvenor, and Lord Richard Grosvenor for their attendance here to-night; and I may state in doing so that I know that Earl Grosvenor has taken a great interest in societies of this kind in Chester. They have not their hall there yet, but I hope before long that his friends will enable him to afford the same accom modation to the working men of Chester that we do to the working men of Birkenhead. (Applause.) Lord STANLEY, in reply, said—l have made you one speeeh to-night, and you will excuse me if I do not make another. I thank you very sincerely for the kindness with which you have received me, and I am very glad to have been able to take part in an undertaking which is so successful, so practi cal, and likely to be so useful. (Hear, hear.) I only hope you will never allow this institution to get into the hands of any sect, or any party, or—in an invidious and exclusive sense—of any class. (Great applause.) And now, ladies and gentlemen, I shall retire from the scene and leave the matter in the hands of my noble friend Lord Grosvenor, who is—l was going to say on his own dunghill— (laughter)—l mean in his own county—and who, I have no doubt, will address you at great length and with great eloquence. Earl GROSVENOR, M.P., for whom three hearty cheers were called and given on his rising, said— Mr. Chairman, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, —After the very forcible appeal which has been made by my noble friend Lord Stanley, who used a rather poetical expression in making it, I can only say I am unable to crow here as he is able to crow not only here, but everywhere. I have neither the power nor the eloquence which he says I have ; and I envy him the power which he possesses. But, ladies and gentlemen,' if you will allow me to say one word about the subject upon which we have met to night, I will express the pleasure which I have felt in accepting the invitation of my friend Mr. Laird to be present on this occasion. (Loud applause.) I am only sorry that I have not been able to take part in the good works which he and other gentlemen have promoted in this town. Ladies and gentlemen, you are all accustomed here to launches of great vessels, and I am sure, if this may be called a vessel which you are launching to-night, it is certainly not one of the least worthy of those vessels which have been built on the shores of the Mersey. (Applause.) We celebrate a launch here to-night. I am fully con vinced the ship is well found in every particular. Every one who knows the handiwork of Birkenhead workmen knows the work they turn out is first-rate of the kind. (Renewed applause.) There is no fear of the success of the voyage, but it must be remem bered that, after all, though the start may be fair, the working of the ship must depend mainly and almost entirely upon the crew themselves. When it it is committed to your hands, you, the Working classes, will have to take charge of the ship and navigate her wherever she is bound. I was glad to hear 11Ir. Hodge say, and I have heard it before, and I believe it is the general feeling of the working classes, to have the co-operation of the gentlemen who are about them in that position of life which enables them to give assistance in managing insti tutions like this. He knows practically how the matter stands in this respect, and I am glad to hear him say this, which shows there is a feeling that these things are best conducted when all classes— the higher classes, the working classes, and others— are working together harmoniously. Mr. Laird re ferred to' the working men's institution at Chester. I am sorry to say we are behind this town in that matter, because our ship is not yet built ; but we hope to build it in the course of the autumn, and, though we cannot expect to have such a large and spacious building as that in which we are met to night, still I hope it will be one which, for the pre sent at all events, will be useful to the town, and accomplish the object for which it is intended. I shall be glad on the occasion of its opening to see any of the friends now present—(applause)—and I hope we may both run together in the race of pro gress which these institutions are established to pro mote, and so far as the rivalry between us is the rivalry of doing good, we shall do all the good in this practical manner which it is in our power to do. (Applause.) Lord RICHARD GROSVENOR, who was received with applause, said—Ladies and Gentlemen, when I accepted Mr. Laird's very kind invitation to be present on this occasion I had not the least idea that I should be called upon to make a speech ; and as I am requested to make one 1 can assure you it will be of the shortest possible description, as it is quite time those of us have to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning should be in bed. (Laughter and ap plause.) I can say truly that I came here, as you did, to learn, and I trust that the lessons which we have all learnt this evening will not be forgotten by us. The best possible advice has been given to us, and I hope to carry it away with me, and to use it on any other occasion that may arise. I shall not trouble you any more, ladies and gentlemen, but simply return my thanks for the compliment that has been paid to me. (Applause.) The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The Committee of .Council on Education. Yesterday a report was issued from the Select Committee of the House of Commons " appointed to inquire into the constitution of the Committee of Council on Education, and the system under which the business of the office is conducted, and also into the best mode of extending the benefits of Govern ment inspection and the Parliamentary grants to schools at present unassisted by the State." The minutes of evidence arc appended. The report is as follows :—" Your committee have received much evidence upon the questions referred to them. With respect to the constitution of the Education Department, and the system under which the annual grants for the promotion of popular education are administered, they have examined present and former presidents and vice-presidents and the secre tary of the Committee of Council, and several of her Majesty's inspectors. They have also taken evidence from various parts of England with respect to the policy of making a certificated teacher an in dispensable condition of State assistance to a school, and with respect to the existing practice of the exist ing practice of the Education Department on the important subject of religious teaching and the adoption of the Conscience Clause. Your committee are obliged to state, with much regret, that, consi• dering the period of the year and th 3 peculiar eir ttilaieprietsoent session, they are unable to c d c 1 l e in i n n c sP e re already tn ec esof their nkcieunry ; th b e u h t tuhse e with a presenteotnhveic conviction that, although on some points imperfect, and as yet one-sided, it will be found to be of great interest and value. The question raised in the second part of the order of reference—viz., ' how best to extend the benefits of Government inspection and the Par liamentary grant to schools at present unassisted by the State, is one so wide, and of such extreme im portance to thepromotion of popular education, that your committee think it desirable thatfurther inquiry METROPOLITAN AND ST. JOHN'S-WOOD. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the office, Duke-street, West minster ; Mr. W. Austin in the chair. The report stated that the whole of the original capital had been subscribed, and the deposit duly paid thereon. Very considerable progress had been made in effecting settlements for the land required for the works. The works had been let to Messrs. Lucas Brothers and Messrs. Aird and Sons, and considerable progress had been made in the con struction of the works. The act for extending the line to Hampstead was obtained last session with but little opposition, and this important source of traffic had been secured to the company. The direc tors had made an arrangement with the Metropo litan company to allow the St. John's-wood com pany a rebate of 12i per cent. on the gross amount received for through looking over the whole Metro politan system, until the St. John's-wood dividend reached 6 per cent., reserving to themselves the power to lease the line in perpetuity of 51 per cent., at any time within five years from the opening of the railway for traffic. The particulars of this agree ment would be submitted to the proprietors for their formal consideration and sanction on a future oc casion. The report of Messrs. J. Fowler and T. M. John son, the engineers, stated that Messrs. Lucas and Aird were proceeding vigorously with the works, which were in progress at several places in the Finchley and Wellington roads, and that the sewer works for passing underneath the Regent's Canal were nearly completed. Possession of the property required for the works was being rapidly obtained. The important extension of the line to the centre of Hampstead would be constructed at a moderate cost, and be productive of a very large traffic. The capital account showed that £69,816 had been received, and £46,106 expended, leaving a balance of £20,800. _ _ _ The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said the works were proceeding to the entire satisfaction of the engineers. The passing of the sewer under the Paddington Canal at the Regent's park had been successfully accomplished. They were making satisfactory progress with the pur chase of land, and there was a very good pro spect of obtaining it in time for the contractor, and within the price originally estimated. (Hear, hear.) The time specified for the completion of the line was 18 mouths from the commencement of the works, and the directors saw no reason why that should not be done, or, at least, very shortly after -wards. Mr. JONES seconded the motion, and it was unanimously adopted. The allowance to Mr. Bellamy, the auditor, was fixed at 20 guineas per annum. A SHAREIIOLDER thought that 5} per cent. was not sufficient inducement to lease the line, as it was believed the Metropolitan Railway would pay the shareholders 10 or 12 per cent. The CHAIRMAN said the directors could not bind the shareholders to that agreement without their formal consent, which would be asked at a future meeting convened for the purpose. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. DUBLIN AND MEATH. A special general meeting of this company was held on Thursday at the office, Angel-court, Throg morton-street--Mr. Sheppard in the chair. On the motion of the CHAIR3IAN, resolutions were adopted authorising the creation of 4,000 new shares of £lO each, to enable the company to subscribe to wards the capital of the Navan and Kingscourt Railway, which was authorised in the last session of Parliament. It was believed that the latter rail way would, when constructed, form a most impor tant extension of the Dublin and Meath line. Railway Traffic Returns for the Week. ys. 1865. 1864. 1864. 1865 1864 £ 4 Belfast and N, Counties ..... 94 901 2,281 2.005 Belfast and County Down • • 2B 42 45 905 892 Blyth and Tyne . . ........... 2B 2,396 2,266 Bristol and Exeter 1214 1214 8,259 8.080 Caledonian 2 8 „ 14 2•13 22,032 20,630 Cambrian Cock ermouth K & Penrlth .. 314 - 431 - Cockermouth and Workin . • 9 9 444 330 391 351 Cork and Bandon 2O 20 Cork, 13Iackrock, & Passage 6} 84 358 23 i Cork and Youglial Cornwall 654 654 2,180 2.1;4 Deeside . 17 17 507 429 Dublin & Belfast Junction.... 63 63 1,572 1.353 Dublin and Drogheda ........ 75 75 2,245 1.8 2 Dublin and Meath Dub. & Wicklow and Wexid lO5 91} 4,243 3,380 Forth and Clyde Junction Furness, &c 5O b ) 3,4.6 3.233 Glasgow & South-Western .• 198 198 10,486 10,057 Gt. Eastern,Nrik.,& &Union - 1884 663 37,021 31,635 Great Northern 404 865 36,922 3,6 3 Great North of Scotland Gt. Nortim. & Westn. (Irel.) 7ll 712 450 382 9t.Southn. & Westn.(lrind.) 3 B 7} 1187} 10.2 00 9 481 Great Western l2BO 1236 76.7 8 77,322 Hull & Hornsea Inverness & Aberdeen June ll 7/ 1171 1,904 1,864 Inverness Rc Perth Junction 1.8 119} 2,342 2,3 , 1 Irish North-Western 145 145 ;2008 • 1,818 Lancashire & Yorkshire 403 403 44.560 43,473 Limerick and Ennis... 2 ll 24 203 165 Limerick and Foynes 4 , 6i 26-} 118 116 Llanel ly 24 441 712 785 Llynvi Valley London & North-Western London and Blackwall 5l 51 2,266 2,222 London & South-Western Loud. Brighton, &S. Coast 272 2571 20,924 29.009 all Metropolitan Extension 1 124 127 London, & Dover • i 11,138 12.848 2,900 2,700 Do. Kent c oast Lon., Tilbury, & Southend Man.,Shellield, & Lincoinsh blanch. S.J un.& Altrincham 9} 9} 1,625 1,603 Maryport and Carlisle Metropolitan 3l 31 2,635 2,230 Midland (incl. N.-Western) 663} 611 50,868 19.183 Midland Gt. Westn. of hind 2OOl 2601 6.116 4.166 blonkland 714 714 1,959 1.728 Monmouthsh. Rail. & Canal 44 44 2,893 2,711 North British, Edin., Perth and Dundee N-Eastern and Stoelc.& Dark 1188} 1159 71,792 68,558 North London 9 9 3,357 2,5:5 North Staffordshire 258 258 8,516 6.127 Rhymney l9l 191 1,017 1,033 Scottish Central Scottish North-Eastern l2B 138 6,698 6,203 Somerset and Dorset 66 68 1. 0 17 919 South Devon 9B 754 5.454 4,513 South-Eastern 3OB 306 30,438 30.216 Taff Vale 6l 57 5,813 5,722 Ulster Vale of Clwyd Waterford and Kilkenny 3l 31 362 395 Waterford and Limerick 77 77 1,182 1,153 West Cornwall 274 274 - - W'haven,Cleator,& Egrmnt lO 10 741 621 Whitehaven Junction - 13 13 1,037 1, 47 Whitehaven & Furness Jun 35 3 8 970 857 FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. Austrian B2B 828 34,799 31,238 Bahia and San Francisco - - Belgian Eastern Junctiop 264 26} 308 302 Bombay, Baroda, & Cen. India 305 185} 5,148 3, 3 19 Detroit and Milwaukie is° 189 6, 93 4,404 Dutch Rhenish lost 1( 84 8,428 7,368 Eastern of France 1176 1426 73,202 65,083 Eastern Bengal - - East Indian Grand Trunk of Canada 1377 133.5 23.630 23010 Great Central of Belgium 295 295 7,186 - - Great Indian Peninsula 590 5534 - - Great Luxembourg 134 134 5,607 4.514 Great Southern of India Li rea t Western of Canada 345 315 10,913 1.' 1 ,07 Madras - - bladrid, Saragossa &A licant 6BO 650 19,021 11,551 Northern of Canaria ... ..... Northern of France 728 721 62,576 57,501 Norwegian Trunk Ottoman _ ... _ _ .... _ Mlles Opened. Receipts. Itailwa: Paris, Lyons, & Alediterrn 1907 178 c 131,26: 132,069 Paris and OrleanB l6lO 1611 66,276 63.►10 Recife and San Francisco. &c. 774 773 9 8 582 Sc:nde... Do. Punjab, &c zs3 32 - South Austrian, &c 22a6 1527 78,0 6 51,627 Southern of France r23 770 28,293 20,930 Victoria Welland 25 25 727 1,055 West & N-Wn. of France ...011 Bel 55,307 :1,618 CRYSTAL PALACE HIGH LEVEL LINE.—From and after this day passengers will be booked through to the Palace from Ludgate and intermediate stations, changing carriages at Brixton. Tho trains have run half-hourly throughout this week between Victoria and the high level station at the Palace, The Metropolitan Board of Works, The usual weekly meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works was held yesterday at the offices, ..Spring-gardens, Sir John Thwaites in the chair. FINANCE. The cash statement of the Finance Committee presented the following balances in the hands of the treasurer : Current accounts, £297,884 14s. 4d. ; deposit accounts, £200,000. Total, £497,884 14s. 4d. ; Government secu rities, £18,198115. TENDERS FOR SEWER WORKS. The Chairman proceeded to open tenders for covering, &c., the Heathwell, the Lord Spencer, and a portion of the Putney Boundary Main Sewers, and for diverting the sewage through Garratt-lane from a part of the River Wandle. The following tenders were received :—William Moxon, £41,500 ; Messrs. Hill and Kettle, £50,150 ; Thomas Pearson, £45,600; William Dethick, £46,500; William Webster, £48,300 ; E. Thirst, £47,081. The Board accepted the tender of Mr. Moxon for £41,500, subject to the usual inquiries. THE PARK-LANE IMPROVEMENT. Major LYON moved pursuant to notice, " That it is in cumbent on the Board to make provision for the relief of the traffic in Park-lane ; that Parliament be applied to in the next session for an act for that purpose ; and that it be referred to the Streets Committee to consider the details of a scheme for improving and widening Park-lane." He said that what the Board wanted was to provide some remedy for the evil that now existed at the least possible expense. There was no improvement in London that required so much consideration as the question before them. The architect ought to have as much time as possible to enable hlm to consider the plans at present proposed. With the exception of an old plan made by Mr. Marrable, C.E., for the widening of Park-lane, he did not think there was any scheme at all practicable. There was a scheme for making a thoroughfare through Audley-street, but that had not received much consideration. He hoped his motion would pass without any opposition. - MT. WESTERTON seconded the motion. Mr. LE BRETON said that as the Streets Committee would not meet until the first week in September he would move as an amendment that Mr. Vulliamy, the superintending architect, be directed to make plans for the consideration of the Board. Mr. BIDGOOD said, as a private individual living at the west-end, he would hail with delight any plan that would relieve the traffic in any way. He thought the question rested between the Hamilton-place scheme and an improve ment at a cost of between £200,000 and £300,000. He saw no halting-place between the two, and he was not inclined to incur that great expense. The Board had been most anxious to open up Hamilton-place, but Government and Parliament stood in the way. If Hamilton-place were opened, all difficulty would be at an end. Mr. Muz.Eit, M.P., said the estimate for widening Park lane laid before Parliament was £104,000, out of which £6,000 was estimated for Glocester-house, at the corner. He considered that the Park-lane plan was the best to adopt. Mr. NEWTON said he was glad this subject had been taken up by the members for St. George's, Hanover-square. He considered that this was a local improvement, and he hoped that Major Lyon would, as they would be separated for six weeks, consult his vestry (St. George's, Hanover-square) as to how much thoy would pay towards the expense. (Laugh ter and cheers.) In answer to Mr. Bidgood, Major Lyon said the Govern ment would clear the way as far as the Marble Arch. Mr. HEALEY said tho representatives of the richest parish in London (St. George's) said their vestry was not inclined to contribute anything towards the improvement. There were many places in London which required improvement _more than Park-lane, and he saw no reason why the Board should incur the expense of going to Parliament for such a scheme. Some amendment was made to tho motion. The CHAIRMAN said by the words of the motion, as it appeared in its amended form, the committee and the archi tect would be confined to the widening of Park-lane. He thought it would be better if it was written " for the re lieving of Park-lane ;" it would then be open. After some further discussion, Major Lyon's motion was put and carried. THE PROGRESS OF THE THAMES EMBANKMENT AND MAIN DRAINAGE WORKS. The Engineer (Mr. J. W. Bazalgotte) presented a report upon the progress of the Thames Embankment works, the low level sever north, and the alterations of main sewers, schedule D. " North Side of the River.—Thames Embankment (Con tract No. 1) between Westminster and Waterloo Bridges. —The works comprise about 1,510 ft. in length of caisson dam, 660 ft. in length of timber coffer dam, 140 ft. run of river wall, with low level sewer and subway by Whitehall, and 1,604 ft. of 4m ;4 2m 8s brick sewer along the foreshore for the purpose of intercepting the drains discharged therein; the formation of the foundations, brickwork, granite facings, flushing sewers and reservoir, with pipes, valves, &c., for flushing the low level sewer; the paving for recesses, &c., in connexion with the Westminster S team boat Pier, and the river wall in continuation eastward thereof; the filling of 300,500 cube yards of materials partly from the river and partly from the land, and piling for strutting to cofferdams, &c., in various stages. The approxi mate value of the whole of the foregoing, together with the materials and plant upon the ground, is £170,584, of which the sum of £13,423 is due to the progress made in the past month. Of the total amount, tho proportionate sum of £53,747 is for works, £31,079 for materials, and £75,738 for plant. " Thames Embankment (Contract No. 2) between Waterloo-bridge and Temple-gardens.—The coffer dam in front of Somerset-house is completed, with the ex ception of about 75ft. at the end nearest the bridge. Within the finished portion about 3,500 cube yards of ground have been excavated, and 700 yards of concrete tipped in for the foundations of the river wall. Within the dam fronting Temple-pier and the western end of Temple-gardens, the work done in the construction of the river wall, sewer, and subway is as follows :-418 cube yards of excavations have been got out, and 1,270 yards of concrete deposited ; 115 rods of brickwork built, 3,650 cube feet of granite bedded, and 780 ft. super of bin. York landings, 10;1., The dam at the eastern end of Temple-gardens is in course of construction. The approximate value of the work completed and of the materials and plant upon the ground is £126,726 on £6,858 for the work executed in the past month. Of the total amount the sum of £73,233 is for the works, £19,049 for materials, and £33,444 for plant. Low Level Sewer.—During the past, month I,lBoft. Of the main line and 535 ft. of the Old Ford branch sewer have been constructed, making in all a total length of about 2 1-3 miles of sewers completed under this contract. Within the dam which has been completed in the river Lea 550 yards of excavation have been got out. The sewer from that river through the Marshes is being constructed in open cutting, and is fast progressing, about 550 ft. run of trench having been opened, and the brick invert got in for a length of 150 ft. The total approximate value of the com pleted works is £117,453, of which the sum of £12,169 is due to the progress made by Mr. Webster in the past month. " Abbey-mills Station.—The excavation for this building is in progress, about 3,000 cube yards of ground having been got out, and 50 piles driven, with the necessary struts, &c., fixed. The cost of these works, including the pump ing, is estimated at £2,500. " Western Sewers Extension.—The works are now vir tually completed, and their approximate cost is £17,800. " Greenwich and Deptford Sewers.-1S early 11 miles of these sewers, with about 3,770 ft. of branch pipe sewers and drains, have been completed by Mr. Dethick, who has also about 214 ft. of tunnelling in progress. The total value of these and of the incidental works in connection therewith is £21,190, or £1,233, in excess of the amount last reported. "J. W. BAZALGETTE, Chief Engineer." The report was received and adopted. UTILIZATION SEWAGE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OP THE RIVER. Mr. NEWTON then moved that advertisements be issued stating that the Board will be prepared to receive sugges tions and communications in reference to the utilization of the sewage of the metropolis on the south side, on Sept. 22. Mr. ComaNsox seconded the motion. Mr. DOULTON, M.P., did not see the necessity for postpon ing this thing until after the long vacation. It did seem to him the position of the Board was totally different from what it was when Mr, Newton was returned. Then the question was the comparative terms to them (the public) and those who tendered. The whole question had undergone examina tion at that Board. It was stated that some of the tenders complied with the terms of the advertisement, but that was the time to decide, because he said the tenders were not in accordance with the advertisement, and therefore an oppor tunity should be offered to persons to put in fresh tenders. It was true the time was extended and those suggestions were sent to the Board, and even then tenders did not com- ply with the advertisement, and if they were to admit fresh plans complying with minuteness with advertisement they would never have any plan at all. They would be taking a step likely to injure them in the eyes of the pub lic if they showed anything like unfair play. He submitted the simple course was to adhere to the advertisement. If they did not they were liable to be charged with opening their hands to some at the expense of others. After a long discussion, during which three amendments were moved, Mr. Newton's motion was carried by a majo rity of 15 to 12. IMPROVEMENTS IN CHANCERY-LANE.I The Works and Improvements Committee brought up a report recommending that the Board do contribute the sum of £4,000 towards the cost of an improvement, estimated at £15,000, to be effected by the. Strand District Board of Works, by setting back the houses on the south side of Carey-street, Chancery-lane, at the eastern end, and that such contribution be paid to the Strand District Board of Works, on a certificate from the architect of this Board of t he completion of the works. The recommendation was unanimously agreed to. The ordinary routine business was disposed of, and the Board adjourned for a period of six weeks. THE CATTLE DISEASE.-PLYMOUTH, Aug. 4.-A farmer in this neighbourhood has within the last few days lost 12 cows out of 17 through disease. The infection is said to have been imparted by a lot of Dutch cattle brought by railway. Largo numbers of cattle are landed al this port from France, Spain, and Portugal; all those are gene rally healthy. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—This year will be remarkable in the an nals of Alpine adventure. Another disastrous acci dent is added to that which has been the chief inci dent of the present summer. The frightful fall of the three Englishmen and their guide down the Matterhorn is now followed by another accident, which, though it has not proceeded from any undue rashness or culpable negligence, shows to the full the dangers of mountaineering. We have the par ticulars from Mr. M'Cormick, the chaplain of Zer matt. Two Englishmen who were ascending Monte Rosa with two guides and three porters were swept away by an avalanche. The guides, as is usual, did their work with skill and courage, and succeeded in rescuing their employers, but one of the porters perished, and his body was found the next day buried six feet deep under the snow. Of course, it is of no use to read a homily on this fresh disaster. There is no likelihood that an end will be put to accomplish such an object. We confessjhat in its most ambitious forms we do not see the use of it. To scale the highest and most difficult peaks of the Alps does not add to human happiness or know ledge ; it does not contribute to health in any greater degree than an ascent to more modest and safer heights ; the most bracing air and the more strength ening exercise can be had at a less elevation than from thirteen to fifteen thousand feet above the sea. We do not esteem very highly the courage which prompts these adventures, nor the skill which enables men to prosecute them successfully. But there will always be a certain number of people who will take a pleasure in such enterprises. What common sense seems to condemn will for that very reason have an attraction, as raising the successful climber out of the list of the staid and sober, and surrounding him with the halo of adventure. Per haps it is necessary that there should be an order of men to attempt what no one else will attempt, to show what can be done, and the feats which human courage and endurance can perform. We have no desire, therefore, to interfere with professed climbers, not one of whom, as we have been assured by their spokesmen in these columns, is likely to be turned from his pursuit by anything that can be urged against it. But to the ordinary traveller who may be tempted to attack the more arduous peaks, passes, and glaciers of Switzerland, the narrative of the chaplain at Zermatt may give a word of warn ing. One of the most successful and celebrated of Alpine climbers wrote to us the other day depre cating the ascent of difficult peaks by mere novices —that is, as he explained, by persons who have spent only three or four seasons in mountaineering. Such persons, he said, should accustom themselves by degrees to the difficulties of the work, and should graduate on Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa before trying really difficult peaks. To most people Monte Rosa, with the long ridge which leads to its summit, will appear a rather difficult examination for the degree of Bachelor of the Alps, and that it requires practised mountaineers is evident from this last accident. An avalanche is an enemy from which on many occasions no skill or courage can defend the climber. But there are ways of receiving the charge even of an avalanche. The guides were the first to extricate themselves, and it was well for the two Englishmen that their con= ductors were so successful, for one of our country men was wedged so tightly that he could not move, and the other was buried in the snow with his head downwards, and nothing visible but his heels. Of the three porters one seems to have beengot at once, the second was taken out nearly suffocated, while the third was not found till next day, when of course he was quite dead. We know not whether these Englishmen were expert climbers, but, if they were, the warning is all the more worthy of consideration by the ordinary tourist. If it had not been for their guides both theso young Englishmen would have perished, and with nine out of ten who attempt the -higher Alps it is the same. They cannot ascend, or still more, descend, without the constant assistance of the guide, who cuts their steps in the ice, and fits in their feet, and by whom at times they are helped in a manner more convenient than dignified. When, therefore, the accounts of these perils inflame youth ful ambition and urge the stream of travellers to follow in the steps of those who have so terribly perished or so narrowly escaped, the adventurers should have a due sense of their dependence on others for their safety. It is only by long experi ence of the Alps, and by acute and practised obser vation, that the mountaineer can tell which path to take, how he may most easily attain a point which he has in full view, where he can put his foot with the probability of finding a support, and how far he can move his body without danger of a slip or an overbalance. Not only must the unpractised tourist —that is, the man who has not been spending sum mer after summer in the Alps—be dependent on his guide for actually piloting him about the mountain, but he must in almost every difficult ascent trust his life wholly to him, for the ainateer himself is at times wholly ignorant where he shall place hand or foot. By all means let climbing flourish, and its celebrities gain their due weed of honour ; but, as the travellers in Switzerland increase in numbers yearly, and Alpine ambition increases in a still larger ratio, the crowd should understand what it is they attempt, and the conditions under which alone the feats they aspire to must be performed. HERALD.—One might almost suppose that some of our contemporaries desired nothing so much as the failure of the Atlantic Cable. They watched its manufacture with an anxious, not to say an evil eye, and they were always ready with a sinister augury while it was being coiled on board the Great Eastern. Since the work of paying it out began they have been far .more ready with the expression of their fears than of their hopes. They have shown a most laudable, but somewhat needless, anxiety to prevent us from supposing our success will be com plete before 'communication with New York once more becomes a fait accompli, and they have re minded us that even then we shall probably be only at the beginning of our sorrows. In the same spirit they have received the announcement that the trans mission of messages between the ship and shore has now for some time been interrupted. With the best possible wishes for thb success of the . enterprise, they come forward with premature and most dismal anticipations of its total failure. They would be delighted to hear that everything is right, but they have pretty nearly made up their minds that all is wrong. The fact of a hitch is enough for them. So long as they could receive half-a-dozen messages a day from the operators on board they were not un willing to believe in the possibility of success, but as soon as there is a cessation of continuity in the transmission they are ready to assume tile certainty of failure. Convince them by actual exchange of intelligence between operators at either end of the cable that the submersion is going on satisfactorily, and they will not attempt to deny the evidence of their senses. But let anything occur which May, or may not, portend irreparable mischief, and imme diately they are down in dullest of doleful dumps. They neither hope nor believe in the cable nor any thing connected with it. They refer to the disasters of the past, the difficulties of the present, and the potentialities of the future ; they calculate adverse chances and make mostample allowance for possible accidents ; and finally, shaking their heads and looking wondrous wise, they give us to understand that for this year at least the case of the Atlantic Cable is hopeless. We can but think that all these vaticinations are rather premature. We are far from asserting that the absence of intelligence from the Great Eastern furnishes no cause of anxiety. With every good wish for the enterprise, we must admit that its pre sent position is somewhat critical ; and with the most cordial desire for the success of speculators who have risked their money on so cosmopolitan an object, we are not at all surprised to hear that in vestors look coldly upon the company's shares, and that underwriters ask terms which practically amount to a prohibition of insurance. Still, making every allowance for all this, we are at a loss to see why the hopeless breakage of the rope should be regarded as a foregone conclusion. We thought that the electricians and other scientific men connected with the undertaking, regarded some contretemps of this kind as exceedingly probable. We know that at an early part of the voyage an accident, slight in it-_ self, interrupted the communication, and that the work of remedying the defect occupied an amount of time very much greater than had been anticipated. The difficulty of this task would, of course, increase with eviy additional mile the vessel steamed from the harbour of Valentia ; and probably, at the pre sent point in the Great Eastern's course, to haul up the cable would severely tax the patience of every one on board. But the knowledge that this is so should surely lead us to suspend our judgment until we have materials for forming it. We know not from what cause the present interruption has arisen; and when half-a-dozen explanations are open to us, it is scarcely reasonable to insist upon that particu lar one which gives us the least hope of the very re sult we most ardently desire. Let us suppose, as has already happened, that some flaw in the submerged cable has escaped notice till it has lain some little time under water. The flaw may have been occa sioned by a fragment of wire which has penetrated the gutta percha covering. A few air bubbles may have left the coating weak, and this weakness may have increased till the insulation ceased to be effec tive. A sudden strain, an unexpected abrasion, a jerk, a kink, or fifty other circumstances may have oc curred, sufficient to account for the non-transmis sion of messages. To remedy these may be difficult and tedious, but not impossible. The cable may require " underrunning" for some miles ; or it may have to be buoyed up and kept afloat in places while endeavours are being made to repair its deficiencies ; these endeavours may be successful at any moment, and while all' are anxious and some are desponding, we maybe surprised by a sudden telegram announc ing that all has been put right, and that the levia than vessel is again making towards the Western hemisphere. We have hitherto spoken only of breakage, or injury by mechanical violence, and the chances of repair in th e even t o f d amage so sustained. But in a work so delicate and novel we may have to encounter agencies of which we have almost forgotten to take account. Our readers will see, in a letter which we publish from the Astronomer Royal, that the instruments at Greenwich Observatory showed the commencement of a magnetic storm at the very time when the signals from the Great Eastern first became unintelligible, and that there was for some time sufficient strength in this pertur bation to confuse the signals passing to and from the ship. This magnetic storm, however, ceased about midday yesterday, and _the instruments at Valentia, which are capable, we believe, of calculat ing with the utmost nicety, appear to indicate a loss of insulation at a point about 1,250 miles from the Irish coast. This may be due either to a rupture or to an injury of the cable. In a stormy sea like the Atlantic we know not but that sudden and severe stress of weather may have compelled the temporary abandonment of the submerged portion of the cable. Should this be so there would be buoying power on board sufficient to keep the end afloat, so that it could be taken up and rejoined as soon as the storm abated. And lastly, if the worst should have happened ; if the cable should have snapped in mid ocean, so as to necessitate the abandonment of the attempt for this year, the shareholders would do well to remember that a large portion probably will be recoverable, and that if the whole were lost, there would still remain funds in hand sufficient, we believe, for the construction of. a new cable. These last, however, are considera tions personal to those who have invested their money in the undertaking. The public are chiefly interested in the international aspect of the ques tion. Every one. who entertains a hope of our future harmony and increasingly cordial communication with the New World will desire the speedy and com plete realisation of that which has hitherto been to us no more than a dream. We believe in the ten dency of regular telegraphic communication to soften the asperity of controversy, to render cordial and hearty the interchange of national courtesy, to facilitate the operations of commerce between the Old World and the New. Earnestly desiring the complete success of the undertaking, we refuse even to be wise in advance, at the bidding of those who tell us that an absence of communication for a couple of days is equivalent to an indefinite postponement of the realisation of this grand idea. That there is cause for anxiety we admit ; that the most dismal anticipations may be realised we do not deny, but our wishes for the successful laying of the cable are too warm to allow us to abandon our hopes of its success, until, by positive and irrefragable intelli gence, we are assured that all endeavours towards the accomplishment of that object must for the pre sent season be regarded as having failed. COUNTRY MARKETS ------.4--- LIVERPOOL.-FRIDAY. We had a fair attendance at our market to-day, the de mand for which was only moderate at ld. per cental ad vance on Tuesday's rates. Flour fully 6d. per sack dearer, with a goodbusiness doing. Indian corn in limited request at 31s. 6d. for mixed American. Beans quiet, but steady. Oats and - . oatmeal dull, but generally commanded full prices. DERBY-FRIDAY. There was a middling quantity of wheat at our market. Trade firm, at fully ls. per quarter in advance. Rain has fallen copiously, and greatly benefited turnips, man golds, and pastures. The crops look promising. Now white wheat, 45s to 49s Od ; red, 40s to 44s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, —s to —s per qr. ; grinding, 27s to 29s per 80 stone. Oats, new, 22s to 255; old, 25s to 28s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 43s to 455; new, 40s to 42s per 38 stone. STAMFORD.-FRIDAY. Only a middling quantity of wheat, which sold steadily at is. per qr. over last week's prices. New white wheat, 42s to 465; new red, 40s to 42s per 36 stone. Barley, malting, 32 s to 335; grinding., 28s to 30s per qr. Oats, new, 22s to 28s; old, —s to —s per 24 stone. Beans, 40s to 42s per 38 stone. Peas as of late. WAKEFIELD.-FRIDAY. Wheat is held for ls. to 2s. advance, which checks the sale, and the business passing is of a retail character. Spring corn is fully as dear. Averages, July 31 :—Wheat, 624 qrs, at 4Gs 3id ; bar ley, 61, at 28s 10d ; oats, 20, at 25s sd. LINCOLN.-FRIDAY. Not much wheat on offer, and sales were made at ls. per qr. more money. Barley a quiet trade at last week's prices. Oats a fair trade, and fully maintained their value. Beans were a small supply, and sold at top prices. Peas unal tered. Harvest work has commenced, but the weather being so unsettled very little grain has been secured. Wheat promises a fair yield. Barley will bo a good crop. New white wheat, 45s to 48s ; new red, 38s to 44s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, 30s to 32s per qr ; grinding, 27s to 31s per 30 stone. Oats, 22s to 255. Beans, 408 to 42s per qr. GLASGOW-WEDNESDAY. The trade has exhibited no new feature, business con tinuing quiet. This day's market was well attended. Wheat was slow at last week's rates ; barrel flour 3d to 6d lower per 1631 b. Barley unchanged. Fine beans the turn dearer. Oats, oatmeal, peas, and Indian corn steady. BRISTOL SUGAR.-FRIDAY. Very little business has been done this week, and the market close, showing a decline of about 6d. per cwt. Re fined sells slowly at 6cl. to 9d. per cwt. lower. Rum in good demand. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. . - s. d. 's. d. Wylam l6 6 Tunstall Hetton 2O 0 Hetton Lyons lB 0 Braddyell's Iletton.... 19 3 Tanfield Moor Butes 14 0 W.Wylarn l6 0 Eden Main Walls End Haswell... 20 0 Kelloe Cassop Carway and Duffryn Heugh Hall l9 0 Malting 24 0 Russell's Hetton ' lB 9 South Kelloo East Hartlepool Ships at market, 37 ; sold, 33. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton..... Aug. 18. Ditto, via Marseilles Aug.l2. Brazil and Cape Verds. by British pact et ...... Aug. 4. Ditto, by French packet Aug. 22. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena Aug. 21. China. Penang, and Singapore. via Sou! hampton Aug. 2. Ditto, via Marseilles Aug. —. Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Aug. —. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Aug. 2. Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Aug. —. Ditto, via Marseilles Aug. —. Mauritius, via Southampton Aug. 10. _ . Ditto, via Marseil:e s Aug. 4. Newfoundland Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon .. United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet .. Aug. 10. Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp- tcn Ditto, via Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry. .Aug. 11. West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Tenerife Aug. 10. West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico Aug. 14. Bahamas, ♦ia New York. Aug. 16 . Bermuda, ditto Aug. 30. Cuba and Mexico [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Pills.—Unusually hot weather in the summer months is often productive of un pleasant consequences to many. The liver, the stomach, and bowels in such cases are more or less seriously affected, so that the natives of England are at certain seasons liable to some of the disorders which rage in warm climates. People cannot have a more powerful curati ve th an Hollo way's justly celebrated pills. They cool and purify the blood, and render the system less liable to any irregularity ; or when disease is present, they abate the force, and at last totally destroy it. Dysentery, biliousness, acidity of the stomach, sick headache, and debility soon disappear before a course of these admirable pills. Births. HARzwooD.—On the 2d inst., at Harewood House, Leeds, the Countess of Harewood, of a son. HERVEY.—On the let inst., at Kenmaro Lodge, Bath, the wife of Lieut.-Col. Hervey, of a son. MONK.—On the 4th inst., at 24, Cambridge-square,W., the wife of Charles J. Monk, Esq., M.P., of a son. WALPOLE.—On the 2d inst., at Government House, Chat• ham, Lady Walpole, of a daughter. Marriages. BICKNELL—BAZALGETTE.-0 11 the 3d inst., at St. Gabrierg, Warwick-square, Cecil Dormer, younger son of the late • E. Bicknell, of South-place, Horne-hill, Esq., to Matilda Anne, daughter of the late Captain Bazalgette, R.N. MARTIN—WAY.—On the 2d inst., at Boreham Church, Essex, Adam Rae Martin, Esq., of Rochester, to Harriett Elizabeth, second daughter of the Rey. C. J. Way, vicar of Boreham. Deaths. COMPORT- 7 On tho 31st ult., at Highyalstow, near Roches- ter, Michael Comfort, Esq., aged 68. Coucy.—On the 23d ult., at Aimle-Bains, France, 14fadme. Sophia do Coucy, widow of the Chevaliar de Coucy. CusT.—On the 30th ult. at Patrick Brompton Hall, near Bedale, Catharine Cust, widow of the late Rev. Daniel M. Cust, aged 88. WORMALD.—On the 2Gth ult., John Wormald, Esq., o f 40, Upper Harley-street, and Brock worth Manor, Gloucester- POSTANS.—On the 2(1 inst., after a long illness, DoM youngest daughter of W. G. Postans, Birmingham. London : Printed and Published by WIL LIAM AN Ifittnf of No. 112, Strand, hinter, at Ti[:: Sum (Ace, No. 112 ; Strand, in the Precinct of the S.voy, in the COOT " Afiddleeex..—Saturday, August 5, 1865,