The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-02-26 00:00:00

CHASE and to REDEEM men"—' -`‘ to give his life a r ansom for many." The Lecturer, on the contrary, Made him die for anything, but for the objects the sacred Scriptures declare ! No. 13. In refutation of this, it is only necessary to quote from the Sacred Oracles of truth, where they t saY ! " For as (in the same way) by one man's disobe dience many were made sinners," (ti eated as such,) " so (in the same way) by the obedience of oNE shall many be made righteous." (Rom. v. 19.) What is this but the doctrine of substitution, which the Lecturer has so unequivocally denounced ? No• 14. The sophistry here used is worthy of his cause. Our works do not merit, yet they procure h eaven for us !—that is, we do not give an equivalent for heaven ! No. 15. Trinitarians (who know the Gospel) believe, th at nothin g b u t th e i n fi n it e va l ue o f th e wor k o f th e s ° II of God could atone for sin : Unitarians believe a 111°141 life and repenta n c e are q uite sufficient. Which ~ the two, judge ye, considers sin the most foreign to Deity, No. 16. Read Matt. xxvi. 39 ; Gal. ii. 21, iii. 2 .The 11,1 % 1 4 se wirabers correspond with the distinct heads into 4e. -w e divided the lecture in Our last publication ; which and the wisdom of the Lecturer will become manifest. No. 17. Read Rom. iii., also viii. 7 ; Eph. ii. 1-10. No. 18. Self-opinionated — ignorant of the character of the living God—and blind to the deceitfulness of his own heart, must that man be, who conceives that his actions do not fit him rather for hell than for heaven. No. 19. The very essence of Popery. No. 20. Love to Christ, in the real Christian, is built on the principle that "he first loved us." His children are " a peculiar people, zealous of good works ;" " ab horring that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good." And this, not in order, to be forgiven, or to make " a sordid bargain for the skies ;" but, having been mercifully and gratuitously forgiven, to show forth the praise of HIM, who is the first and the last ; who liveth, but was dead; " who was, and is, and is to come—the Almighty." (Rev. i. 8.) OPENING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE TO RE PORTERS.—We most heartily concur with the senti ments expressed in the Liverpool Mercury respecting the propriety of opening all proceedings, with which the public at large are concerned, to public reporters. We care not whether they be Radicals, Whigs, or Tories who disapprove of light ; we shall always advo cate it ; and whenever we find that which is just and right advocated by those opposed to us, we shall as readily give them due credit and praise, for the same, as if they were our friends. We are convinced those who opposed the admission of reporters on the late oc casion, did so from the very best of motives ; but we also conceive they have erred in judgment. We there fore respectfully suggest to them that they may rest assured, that which is good will always be promoted by light, while that which is evil will be invariably ex posed and checked by it. LIGHT—LIGHT—bring all things to the LIGHT,—We shall ever proclaim. The injudicious policy, built on a dread of publicity, which has been pursued by many in former times, and is still adopted by some, in our own days, has, we are con vinced, produced many of those evils and erroneous principles now circulating throughout this country. STATE OF THE NAVY.—A most interesting debate on this important subject, took place in the House of Lords on Friday last,—Lord Colchester opened the proceedings by moving " for certain returns relative to the effective state of the navy." We have neither time nor space at present to comment on the debate. We shall fully analyse it in our next; and we are in clined to think we shall convict Ministers of being " pennywise and pound foolish." [ation irgu- [ere is what at by' se the ; hard tilling et the )ence , 105 ors t° P rice, check c ent. , r 5 per Lr evi" fairlY repea l i suc li evil`' NUMBER. n 10' 5 L exhi' e peall sity °t ; idol , rly '' s voice 9 f the , se a t- I COw f agr l ' j perr ion 111 ov er th e . ' ed, '''° xis to little r 1 rn° oc ia c 1132 ot 1) 11 6 .00 Vint, An immense body of working agriculturists would be thrown out of employ ! What benefit would they . deriv e f rom t h e repea l o f t h e corn laws having re duced the shilling loaf to sixpence, when they would not have sixpence or even threepence to pay for it ? Secondly, A great number of mechanics and artists ,Would be th rown out o f emp l oy , an d a ll w h o wou ld no t be actually out of employ, would have their wages considerably diminished. What benefit would they then derive from a repeal of the corn laws ? T hirdly, The demand for the goods of the manu facturer would become also diminished. What benefit Would he derive from the repeal ? Lastly, th e natura l f ounta i n o f lif e an d s t reng th in t he kingdom wo u ld b e th us d r ied up by the repeal of these 44 ", and the persons served by it would not be the poor— IMt:the industrious—not the labourer—not the mecha- . 'mss any class of persons, save and except that T . 488 which enjoy incomes not contingent upon any cir ,e:trostances So that the very persons who constitute the .working classes of society—whom it is now said the re p s would serve, are those who would most / ,, en lY suffer by it. They may have, it is true, cheap r 41 1; but it i s certain they would also have cheap 4 "ur, or oftentimes no labour at all ! The third and last point to which we shall at present ca ll our readers' attention, is the effect which a repeal of the corn laws would have in case of. war. Although there is not at present any prospect tof Nvl!_r, yet no one can tell how soon circumstances may leua nge• We freely admit there is not now even a : P r obability of war ; but events not a tenth part so Probable have, before now, often occurred. Should then such an event take place, who can' picture to I _ ll4llB elf the fat a l cons equences that may arise from our ' la ving been left at the mercy of other nations ! What the n would be the sufferings of the great body of this community ! Our granaries empty—our agriculturists t urned into manufacturers and mechanics—our fields turned into commons for the raising of cattle—and we left dependent for the very staff of life on, perhaps, our enemies ! We are convinced it is quite unnecessary to enlarge • o n this part of the subject, as we have written already ,Lore than p e rhaps the columns of our paper should be at one time engrossed with. We shall conclude ° Y merely reminding our readers of the points which We think we have.established 1 . That no positive facts have been adduced in proof th at the corn laws are the cause of the diminished de mand for our manufactures. 2 . That, next to a certainty, the real causes of this diminished demand are, over-speculation,' and the ad l'ancen made, since 1815, by European nations, in knowledge and industry. , 3 . That although the repeal of the corn laws may reduce, for a time, the price of bread, yet that it would also reduce, proportionably, the rate of wages. 4 . That while a repeal of the corn laws could not a ccomplish what is expected, it would certainly create i ncalculable evils, and place this country in most dan gerous circumstances. UNITARIAN CONTROVERSY. — We have been fa voured with a letter from the Rev. Mr. Thom, the Unitarian minister, complaining that our report of his late lecture in defence of Unitarianism " was incorrect s id injurious," requesting us to correct the same, WARNING us against making any observations there on, and informing us that this is the second time •he has had to complain of mistatements—the other being from a clergyman of the Church of England ?" We take leave, in reply to the above, to remark that, although we are fully persuaded we have faithfully and honestly given the substance of the lecture, and in al most all instances the very words used by the lecturer on that occasion, yet, had he thought proper to send a concise disavowal of any doctrine or views we may have erroneously attributed to him, we should have cheerfully published it in this day's paper. As for our correcting what he then said, by what he now may think prope r to publish, we are not quite so easily gulled ! Would to God that our ears deceived us as to the whole of what he said on this occasion ! If this be the case, and that the reverend gentleman will send either his recantation, or denial of any one, or the whole, of What we have published, it shall receive early atten tion. We freely admit we have published none of the honey in which the poison was enveloped; our object was, and our duty is, to exhibit the latter cleared from th e fo rmer . As to his " warning" or threatening us, this day's paper shows what effect that course has had upon us. We have a duty to the public to perform, fro m the discharge of which neither the threats of men, nor of devils, shall ever deter us. Lastly, as to the clergyman to whom our corre spondent alludes, we have no doubt he is prepared to render Mr. Thom at all times ample justice. ANALYSIS OF THE REV. MR. THOM'S LECTURE IN DEFENCE OF UNITARIANISM, AS REPORTED BY OURSELVES, AND PUBLISHED IN OUR LAST *- No. 1. According to this logic the Jews of old were 'very good Christians : they admitted Christ did good Works, for which they did not attempt to stone him ; but that " he, being a man, made himself God." (John, X• 32, 33.) O. 2. Convicts Unitarians of blasphemy. If Christ be a creature, to kay he is God's equal, or image, in any sense whatever, is blasphemy ; for the Sacred Scriptures unequivocally declare God has no equal: and if Christ be God (as the Creator has revealed Him to be), then to say he is not God, is also blasphemy. Unitarians may sit on either horn of the dilemma. NO. 3. Exhibits either the Lecturer's unacquaintance with the Scriptures, or his disingenuousness for Christ never once intimated (and we defy the Lecturer to show Where he did) that his church would be a universal church till after his second coming : on the contrary, his truth was ever to be despised by the would-be-wise Men of this world, till his second appearing. No. 4. Christ declared "he that believeth the Gos pel shall be saved." What is this but a creed ? The Lecturer consistently condemns all creeds, and conse quently all who ever gave creeds. Our blessed Lord Ws, therefore, under this condemnation ! No. 5. The Lecturer must know full well that Trini tarians never pretend to know what the essence of Deity is. To what shall we attribute his assertion that we do? No. 6. Words without meaning ! Empty sounds, which none but those who have empty heads could swallow. No. 7. Wonderful wisdom! (answered in No. 4.) No. 8. God has promised to be the interpreter of his own Word, to his own children : therefore we have an infallible interpreter. ICO. 9. See answer to No. 2. No. 10. St. Paul and the Rev. Gentleman are here (as indeed they are on almost all other points) at issue: t he Apostle, by the Holy Spirit, declaring, that "if sal 'vation be of works, it is no longer by mercy." (Rom. /i. 6.) No. 11. If the Lecturer be correct in this statement, Paul was in error. Judge, who ought we to cre dit No. 12. The Scriptures inform us- that Christ died, the just one, IN THE PLACE of the unjust" bear the sins of many in his own person"—' •" to PUIt. WRECKED GOODS. For the last two or three weeks considerable quantities of soft goods and hardware, of various descriptions, have been brought from the wrecks of the Pennsylvania, the Lockwoods, and the Victoria, and have, from time to time, been dis posed of by public auction. e drapers and hardware deal ers, who have been the principal purchasers, have exhibited their respective lots in their windows, with (for the worst part) the triflingly reduced prices affixed to each article ; and by the additional aid of large bills, announcing " further ar rivals from the wrecks."—" More large lots of goods."— " Just arrived extensive lots oflinens, lawns, diapers, cambric handkerchiefs, table cloths, covers, &c., from the wreck of the Pennsylvania," and so forth,—the parties, if we may judge from the crowds that beset their premises, have, since the fatal catastrophe that threw these articles in their way, been driving a most successful business, thus verifying the old saying, that " it is an ill wind that blows nobody good." Certain it is the retail sales have been extensive, whether from the cheapness, or supposed cheapness of the damaged goods, or from, in some instances, (who knows !) an idea amongst intended voyagers or emigrants, that in a shirt or garment, fashioned out of materials that had once been wrecked," they would possess a charmed habil mmt that would serve them against all similar disasters, we shall not say. In one hardware shop in Dale-street, we find " 250 pair of wrecked fire-irons advertised, besides fenders, tea-trays, and finally, fish-hooks (in bundles of 500 for the small sum of one penny !--for the articles comprise literally from a best bower anchor to a cambric needle."—and to crown the whole, a quantity of " fire shovels, just made out of wrecked iron." The force of wrecking could no further go. What recommendation this will be to the shovels we are at some loss to conceive ; but if we mistake not, the mania that has spread abroad to purchase the articles received from the ill fated vessels, superinduces a shrewd suspicion that this is not the only " manufactory of wrecked goods" in the town' Who knows how many pieces of goods that have been " shop keepers" for many years for lack of purchasers, have been brought down from their dusty shelves, and being moistened and outwardly smeared with sand and mud, have been dis played, amongst the " last lots from the Pennsylvania," be fore the eyes of sympathizing customers as having been veri tably " wrecked ?" We cannot say, indeed, that time, which as the immortal dramatist says, will " dissolve all that this globe inherits," has, of the late storm, " left not a wreck be hind ;" for as that destroyer of all that is sublunary marches on his resistless pace, the " wreck" of that fearful visitation appears to be daily developed in increased abundance. We have " the wreck, more., of the wreck. and nothing but the wreck." Back yards and raiment grounds exhibit wrecked webs fluttering in the wind, and dyers and callenderers have found a new branch of their vocation in dressing and redeem ing fabrics from " the wrecks. The competition amongst some of the shopkeepers from " wrecked goods," has been proportioned to the eagerness of the public to pur chase them ; and it is probable that while the demand con tinues, " new lots " will continue to arrive, it may be, till Christmas' next. One draper in Church-street, finding all the custom going to the " wreck" shop next door, was fain, in self-defence, to become " a wrecker" as well as his neigh bour, and his business, which stood a chance of being " ship wrecked," has since mightily improved. As for the hard ware-man, with his " fire shovels made of wrecked iron," the fact reminds 'us of a notable manoeuvre to obtain business under circumstances somewhat analogous. Immediately after the trial of the maniac, old Margaret Nicholson, for the a itempted assassination of his late Majesty George 111., in Drury-lane Theatre, an innkeeper obtained the identical carving knife with which the culprit purposed to perpetrate the bloody deed, and having announced in his sign that the very instrument was there to be seen, his gaping customers became so numerous that he soon realized a fortune. While " his greatness was thus a ripening," the custom of another Dennis Brulgruddery, who kept tap at the opposite side of the street, as sensibly decayed for want of attraction, and the poor man became low in pocket, and still lower in spirits,— that is, his animal, not his foreign and British spirits, became exhausted. At last, he bethought him of a device to bring up the lee-way. When so much curiosity was evinced to see the knife, little less would be to see the fork ! So, procuring an old rusty fork of proportionate size and similar pattern, he put it in a glass case in his parlour like his neighbour's knife, got painted upon his sign-board " Here is to be seen the identical FORK belonging to the knife with which Mar . garet Nicholson attempted to take away - the of his most gra cious Majesty King George III." Whether he wished to insinuate by this that the poor woman, had she succeeded in 'her attempt, meant to follow it up, by carving up the defunct monarch and making a meal of him, we know not ; but cer tain it is, the public did not fastidiously inquire into the matter ; but some in sober gravity, and others thinking the thing a good joke, went to see the fork as well as the knife, and by the copious libations which were the consequence, the fortune of " mine host" was saved from " shipwreck." It was like the advent of a " steam life-boat" in the hour of peril, and like his neighbour he realized a handsome com petency. There is nothing like a little active ingenuity in trade ! Some of the shopkeepers who have not been the for tunate purchasers of goods from the wrecks, have taken the reverse position, and put out placards stating " No wrecked goods at this shop." This, however, we take to be a mere ebulition of envy and disappointment. PARLIAMENTARY PAPER. SESS. 1839.-2 VICTORIA: LIVERPOOL DOCK BILL. ESTIMATE DECLARATION, &c. ESTIMATE OF THE WORKS TO BE MADE. I, Jesse Hartley, Surveyor of the Liverpool Docks, do estimate the expense of the works to be made in pursuance of an Act for which application is intended to be made to Par liament in this present session, for enabling the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks, and to amend the Acts relating thereto, and to provide for the erection of warehouses adjoining cer tain of the present or intended Docks, and within the Dock walls, at or about the sum of £930,400. Dated this 18th day of February, 1839. ' JESSE HARTLEY, Dock Surveyor. DECLARATION AS TO THE MEANS BY WHICH THE FUNDS ARE TO BE RAISED. I, John George Vandenhoff, Solicitor to the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks, do hereby declare, that the works mentioned in the foregoing estate are intended to be made out of money to be raised upon the security of the rates, duties and charges to be granted, created, continued, or ex tended by the said intended Act, and also upon the security of the tonnage and other rates and duties already created and granted to the said Trustees by existing Acts, and that the means by which funds are to be obtained for executing the said works are by raising and borrowing money upon the credit and security of the said rates, duties, and charges, by bonds or assignments of the said rates, duties, and charges, under the common seal of the said Trustees. And Ido fur ther declare, that no private or personal pecuniary profit or advantage is to be derived to the said Trustees under the said intended Act. -- Dated this 18th day of February, 1839. JNO. GEO. VANDENHOFF STATEMENT OF PRESENT INCOME OF THE TRUSTEES. I, George Withers, Treasurer to the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks, do hereby declare, That the gross income of the said Trus tees amounts to £163,841 That the annual charges and expenses amount to Leaving a net annual income of ESTIMATE OF THE PROBABLE INCOME TO ARISE FROM THE WORKS TO BE MADE IN PURSUANCE OF THE SAID IN TENDED ACT. I, the said George Withers, do hereby estimate the probable annual amount of the rates, duties, and charges to arise from the works to be made in pursu ance of the said intended Act, at or about the sum of £50,800 157,913 £56,728 Dated this 18th day of February, 1839. GEo. WITHERS, Treasurer, REPEAL OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION ACT.—MEETING AT WIGAN.—On Wednesday, a meeting of the clergy, gentry, and inhabitants of Wigan, took place in the Assembly-room of the Royal Hotel, for the purpose of agreeing to petition both houses of Parliament for the repeal of the Roman Catholic Emancipation Act—and also, that no further grant may be made to the Popish College of May nooth. The room was crowded to excess, and would have been filled if it had been three times the size. The admission was by ticket ; eight hundred were disposed of in a very short space of time, and hundreds of applications were re fused. The Rev. B. Powell occupied the chair, and was supported by the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, of Liverpool, Cad man, Esq., A.B. Rev. Thomas, Nolan, of Stockport , R ev. James Wright, Rev. George Whitlock, &c., and many dis tinguished churchmen of the town and neighbourhood. The meeting was addressed in powerful speeches by the rev. gen tlemen we have named, and a petition agreed upon, in ac cordance with the purposes for which the meeting was called. The petition is now exposed for signature. Manchester Courieo. CORRESPONDENCE. THE UNITARIAN CONTROVERSY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Stn,—lt is not a little singular that the advocates for the Unitarian doctrine, in the discussion now going on in this town, should be " a Trinity of persons" in a " Unity of purpose."—Yours, &c., J. C. IMPROVEMENT OF TEMPLE-STREET. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SlR,—Every person must admire the 'exquisite taste, as well as the sound judgment, displayed by our corporation at the top of Temple-street. I, for one, must say that their plan is most beautiful, and in perfect accordance with Ho garth's Analysis of Beauty. I hold, in common with those gentlemen, that nothing is more frightful than straight lines, and I am decidedly of opinion that the designers of the temple of Paestum, and the Acropolis of Athens, were a parcel of fools, who had no perception of the sublime and beautiful whatever. Only follow nature, say the philosophers, and you will never be wrong. Now, Sir, nothing is more beauti fill, abstractedly speaking, than a dog's leg ;—the hinder one I mean. And this, with a little approximation to the right angled triangle, has been the model our corporation, in their reformed wisdom, have evidently selected for the " improve ment of Temple-street." Mr. William Earle displayed very bad taste when he ob jected to the superb plan. Why, Sir, is it not a fact that Liverpool holds its charter by the number of angles and crooked lines it possesses ? And would it not have been a departure from antiquity if the corporate body had made an ugly square street up into Dale-street? I commend Mr. William Wallace Currie very highly for the part he has taken in this important matter. He has nobly sustained our an cient customs, and is entitled to the gratitude of the whole community. He retains the waving or line of beauty in his actions, and reserves the colouring for his arguments. Let any one who is imprudent enough to disbelieve this, go into Temple-court,—face to the northward,—and look at the ex quisite pile which stupid people say " blocks up the street ;" and if they do not applaud the good taste of Mr. Currie and his brother committeemen, I must say the sooner they read Burke on the Sublime and Beautiful, the better ! Besides, have they not saved some £5OO or £6OO by their plan; and let me tell you, Mr. Editor, that to add a few inches,—a matter of 72 !—to the width of a public thoroughfare, is not to be sneezed at in these days of economy. It would abso lutely drive Joe Hume into fits to spend as much money as even that has cost, in any thing save Greek bonds. But now, sir, comes my grand plan. Upon the top of the building in question, I propose that a statue of our first re form Mayor should be placed, and to which, I understand, our good-humoured friend Bushby, the owner of the build ings in question, has no objection whatever. Let Mr. Currie be invested with the toga of office, holding in his right hand a plan of the improvement of the street ; and his dignified appearance, when executed by Chantrey, will be much ad mired, and will add still further to the beauty of the whole. It might, however, be as well if a stone were inserted in the wall of the edifice, and the word " IMMONDEZZAJO" cut upon it, to remind passers-by that nothing offensive should be deposited in the convenient corner prepared by our Coun cillors for purposes of effect only. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, Exchange Flags, Feb. 20; 1839. SERIOUS. MR. O'CONNELL & "THE OLD FAMILY PIECE." TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sitt,--fotiiae read, I doubt not, an account of the doings at the Precursor meeting in Dublin on Monday last. The robbery, or abstraction, or " appropriation" of Mr. O'Connell's watch, chains, seals " and all," must fill with grief and indignation the breast of every " true patriot" and lover of owld Ireland. Paddy's lamentation over Drimindhu, his " elegant cow," cannot bear comparison with that of Mr. O'Connell for the loss of his "beautiful watch ;" how sadly sweet, how beautifully touching! and then, the declaration " that he would not for three hundred guineas have lost it, as it was an Old Family Piece !" In the days of our fathers there lived on the bleak shores of Iveragh, a man named Connolly, or Connell ; he was, as we learn from the records, a smuggler, " and something more." It is not insinuated that he was one of " those lads who love the moon"—quite the contrary ; darkness he loved well, storms and tempests were " music to his ears ! ! Many a hapless barque, and many a care-worn mariner were, by the aid of floating lights, consigned to rest ! Years passed away, the smuggler lived on, and by the ex ercise of his honest calling, became " a most prosperous gentleman ;" he quitted trade before those unwelcome in truders, Martello Towers and Water Guards could interfere, and spoil sport ; he became a man of acres, followed the hounds, and appeared dressed " In a hunting suit of Lincoln green." The poor people, in those days, revered and loved the old gentry, and laughed at the impudent assumptions of the nmo gentleman, on whom they bestowed the nickname of 'Aunting cap Connell." This worthy died some years since, bequeathing to " the ;;; . eat Liberator of Ireland" all his vir tues, and all the fruits of his hard, honest labours. Were he to revisit this earth of ours, " Could he return to bless our wond'ring eyes," we could readily obtain the history of " The old Family Piece.'' Trusting that you will not suffer this valuable leaf from the book of Irish history to be lost to the world. I remain, Sir, yours, DELTA. P.S.—The Precursors have adjourned to the Bth of March, in compliance with the commands of Mr. O'Connell; he, tender, kind-hearted gentleman; wishes, doubtless, to spare his erring brother the watch " appropriator," but this cannot, shall not be : forbid it gratitude, forbid it justice—justice to Ireland ! ! An extraordinary meeting should be summoned, the delinquent expelled, his shilling returned—but no, this would not be justice ; on the contrary, he should be heavily fined, and the amount (despite of that Marplot Peter Pur cell) lodged in the great Tralee National Bank. ROYAL INSTITUTION. THIRD LECTURE ON ACOUSTICS, BY ROBERT ADDAMS, ESQ. On Friday evening, the 22d instant, Mr. Addams delivered the third lecture of his course on the above subject, before a very respectable audience, in the lecture room of the Royal Institution, Colquitt-street. The lecturer commenced by observing to his audience, that the nature of musical scales, vital mechanism, and sound, would be the departments of his subject to which he would then more particularly direct their attention. Musical scales, he observed, consisted of the artificial arrangement of a succession of sounds. The lecturer elucidated this part of his subject in a very elaborate disquisition upon the theory of sound, the vocal organs of man, and explained the absolute necessity of these scales, represented by letters, for the purposes of har mony and composition. Man's ear would n ot permit him to make use of any sounds which did not correspond to these established sounds. Intervals or TONE S are o f various dimen sions ; thus we have the major tone, the minor tone, and the semi-tone. He elucidated these by the aid of his apparatus, which, for ingenuity and elegance, we must say, is highly interesting. He showed the differences between these tones thus—where large " major," and where small " minor;" a semi-tone was still smaller, or little more than half a tone. Then he investigated the question, why we have thirteen? Why will not eight answer. The reason he clearly proved to be, because harmony would be limited by any other arrange ment. The lecturer then called his apparatus into requisition, for the purpose of explaining the interesting effects of tuning or " tempering" instruments. He explained the difference between "flats" and " shops," and divers other technicali ties ; but it would be vain to attempt to offer any report thereof, as the frequent recourse which was constantly had to the apparatus for illustration, precludes the possibility of our giving any idea thereof, without entering into a lengthened detail. " Tempering' 'is an operation performed for the pur pose of regulating the distribution of certain keyed instru ments ; this is done by drawing tense, or relaxing the wires, in the latter case, and the same principle is acted on in the tuning of organs. Now there is a great difference between properly and perfectly tuning an instrument ; for when perfectly tuned it would be far from being properly tuned. If perfectly tuned, the sounds of the various notes, in one key only, would be very agreeable; so to have an instrument properly tuned some wires must be relaxed as well as others tightened. In music a phenomenon is sometimes observed, which is termed a " beat." A " beat" is produced by the con fluence of two antagonising systems of sound waves. When two sounds very similar are produced simultaneously, the effect is the clash, and the phenomenon alluded to is the result. Agitated waves afford a striking illustration. A very beautiful invention, consisting of hundreds of pieces of brass beams, all moveable, was here produced to illustrate the sub ject. The lecturer then proceeded to the last division of that evening's lecture ; in this—vital mechanism, the ana tomical construction of the organs of speech in bipeds, qua drupeds, fishes and insects ; resonant sounds and recipro cating surfaces, were subjects for their consideration. With respect to insects—they have the power of moving their wings with surprising velocity ; by this process they actually beat the air into waves ; bees, flies, gnats, and many other insects possess this power. By this means air is displaced, and a loud buzzing sound produced. But this sound is not produced entirely by the motion of the wings, for some in sects possess a respiratory apparatus, the apertures com municating with which are placed near the root of the insertion of each wing—the hole for the entrance of the air being placed at one side, and that for the exit or expulsion thereof being at the other. Thus by the combined action of this peculiar kind of respiration, and the rapid motion of the wings, is the sound produced. Now, if the wings of a " blue bottle" were cut off, the sound would be diminished, and the sound produced then would be caused solely by the operation of respiration. Gnats' wings move very swiftly. Dr. Wol laston ascertained that this insect's wings moved at the rate of 1920 times per SECOND ! The ingenuity of man has been exercised in gain to accomplish alike degree of rapidity. An engine worked by steam could only be made to make 141 re volutions in a second. The talented lecturer then directed the attention of his audience to the construction of the vocal apparatus of man, and of mammalia in general. The seat of the faculty of speech is the larynx ; the larynx is the upper part of a semi-cartilagenous circular tube, which is the means of communication between the lungs and the mouth or fences. The larynx is composed of cartilages—viz., the thyroid, cricoid, two aretenoid, and the epiglottis. These cartilages enclose the glottis, or seat of the faculty of speech. These cartilages pre bound by moveable tendons, muscles, &c., and the glottis is covered by the valvular substance termed the epiglottis. The lateral parts or sides of this glottis are termed the " vocal chords." By a straining or relaxing of these chords various sounds are produced ; these chords become much thickened, oftentimes from the effects of cold and other causes : the loss of voice, sometimes for ever, sometimes periodically, has been the result. On the structure, &c., of the vocal apparatus, and the various modi fications of sound, the lecturer dwelt at large : but however interesting the subject is, we are compelled to omit the re mainder of his observations thereon. As to the attempts often made to imitate sound by mechanism, little need be said ;—every trial had proved a miserable failure. A few automaton babies had been constructed, with the intention of imitating the human voice ; but " mama" and " papa" were the only loquacious results which their constructors had succeeded in obtaining from them. To imitate vowels was very difficult ; but an attempt to imitate a vowel and a con sonant was invariably attended with a ludicrously miserable result. The effect is produced by pipes and valves, acted upon by the organ bellows. With respect to the last points on which he should dwell that evening, namely, resonant sounds and reciprocal sur faces, the lecturer gave experimental illustrations. The re sonant sounds were caused by vibration on reciprocal sub stances, such, for instance, as a string, a bar of metal, or other solid substance, or even a column of air, to which sound could be transmitted. The lecturer concluded his highly instructive and inter esting lecture by remarking, it is evident that dumb animals were endowed with the power of making different sounds, by the great Author of N a ture, in order that they might be the better able to recognize and distinguish one another. The lecturer evidently gave great satisfaction, and was frequently interrupted, in the course of his lecture, by loud applause.—Two more lectures remain to be delivered, and thosewho may desire to obtain some knowledge on a subject of great interest, should av a il th emse l ves o f th e pre sent opportunity. A contemporary, in an epitome of American news by the Columbus, which sailed from New York on the 2d instant, remarks,.that " the Great 'Western had not arrived ." a cir cumstance not at all strange, seeing that she left Bristol on the.23th OPERATIVE CONSERVATIVE MEETING. Last night, a meeting of the Operative Conservative Asso ciation was held at the school-room, Hackin's-hey, for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting a petition to the Common Council, praying that that body, in erecting the additional schools they have in contemplation, would make the same available for the scriptural class of the opera tive population. The attendance was numerous, and most attentive to a series of eloquent addresses by the movers and seconders of the several resolutions. The Rev. Mr. James presided, and aft, :er an impressive prayer, introduced the object of the meeting in an appropriate manner—shewing, in particular, the evils of Popery to be two-fold, namely, civil encroach ment and spiritual tyranny ; inculcating at once disaffection to the institutions of the country and a disregard of that sole guide to salvation, the Scriptures. He was followed by Mr. M'lver, in a long and eloquent address, in which he showed, by an appeal to the best authenticated histories, and to the Scriptures themselves, that Popery, so far from being the most ancient religion, was an innovation—idolatrous and absurd •, and its rejection, in the fourth century, when at tempted to be introduced into Rome. He condemned in strong terms the withholding of the Bible from the corpo ration schools, and moved,— " That this meeting calmly convinced that Popery is a novelty ; that its direct tendency is to dishonour God and degrade his creatures here, and plunge them in hopeless sin hereafter ; and sincerely anxious to deliver and preserve all men from such cruel bondage, desires to express its determi nation not only to oppose the further introduction of it in any shape into England, but to exert with all their might all fair Protestant means to drive it in every shape from her Majesty's dominions, and from all the world." Mr. WILLIAMS seconded the resolution in an animated address, in which he also dwelt on the evils of popery. He was followed by Mr. LEATE, who concluded an appeal in behalf of the Church, by moving— " That this meeting, whilst it endeavours to stem the en croachments which Popery is now making, cannot but regret the present spiritual destitution of many parts of this town, especially among the working classes, and earnestly invites the members of this association to use their utmost endea vours to extend to their fellow creatures the glad tidings of the Gospel of Christ." This was ably seconded by Mr. RATCLIFFE, who was suc ceeded by Mr. CRISP, who, after an animated speech in favour of Protestantism, moved the third resolution ; viz.— " That this meeting being of opinion that the system of education which is now carried on under the patronage of the leading men in the Town Council of Liverpool, is not only unscriptural, but also calculated to bias the minds of the children under its influence to scepticism and infidelity, do think it their duty to discountenance and to protest to the utmost of their might, against such ungodly proceedings, not only in this town, but through the whole of this land: The resolutions were unanimously carried, as was the fol lowing " EDUCATION PETITION " The respectful 11d - earnest petition of the undersigned operatives of Liverpool, to the worshipful the Town Council; — "Humbly sheweth, " That your petitioners are anxious, beyond their power of expression, upon the subject of the education of their chil dren. " Unable, from their limited means, to send their children to expensive schools, they have gratefully availed themselves of the schools supported by the Corporation and others, where they were not required to make large payments. " Three years ago, they were conscientiously compelled to withdraw their children from the Corporation Schools, in consequence of the new system introduced there. " Your petitioners do not presume to argue the great question of the change of system. They merely state the fact as to their own conviction, of what their duty is as Christian parents. They would not have their children in schools from the regular business of which the readings and explainings of the holy Bible were excluded. All that time they found refuge in the new Church of England schools. But these schools are now filled to excess, and your petitioners have heard with dismay that your wor shipful body intend to build additional schools, from the benefit of which their children must be excluded. " Your petitioners respectfully suggest, independent of the higher considerations of Revealed Truth, that if there be two classes in the operative population of the town,—one class who feel themselves excluded fromiScriptural schools, and another who feel themselves excluded from non-Scriptural schools,—it would be but common fairness in your worship ful body to provide impartially for both classes : that your schools already in operation are sufficient for the non-Scrip - tural class ; and, therefore, your petitioners pray that the additional schools now contemplated may be made available for the Scriptural class." The CHAIRMAN closed the meeting, which was enthu siastic throughout, by a very suitable address, which was fol lowed by a hymn. Numerous signatures were obtained to the petition in the room, and arrangements are made for further signatures in various parts of the town during the present and next week. THE BLUE COAT BROTHERLY SOCIETY. On Friday evening the first annual meeting of this society was held at the Rainbow Hotel. As the objects of this yet infant society are but imperfectly known, it will be gratifying to the trustees and subscribers connected with the Blue Coat Hospital to be made acquainted that the members consist of persons who have been educated at the Blue Coat Hospital, and that they purpose, I.—To promote friendship and brotherly feeling among those who have been educated in that excellent institution ; gratitude and respect for the trustees and its supporters ; and veneration for that asylum, in which the orphan, the father less, and the indigent, find protection and a home. 2.—To visit boys apprenticed from the school, or those who leave it with the approbation of the trustees ; to encou rage or admonish them as may be found necessary ; and in extreme cases of distress to grant such moderate assistance as the emergency of the case may require, and the state of the funds will permit. 3.—To augment the funds of the school by individual con tributions, and to solicit pecuniary assistance from friends and others favourably disposed towards the institution. Having thus defined the objects of this society, we proceed to state that about 50 members were present on Friday evening, and sat down to an excellent repast, prepared by Mr. Lawton. In the absence of Mr. Foster, the President of the Society, the chair was taken by E. GRAY, ESQ., and the vice-chair by Mr. R. HUGHES. The President was supported on the right by Anthony Swainson, Esq., E. G. Deane, Esq., and G. B. Irlam, Esq., and on the left by John Stewart, dward Gibbon, and Ed mund Molyneux, Esqrs., and several other gentlemen. After the removal of the cloth, the President gave " The Queen," which toast was succeeded by " The Queen Dowa ger and the rest of the Royal Family"—" The Church"— " The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese"—" Anthony Swainson, Esq., Tieasurer, and the Trustees of the Blue Coat Hospital, and thanks to those who have favoured the society with their company this day." (Great cheering.) Mr. R. HUGHES then read the following address from the members : TO THE TRUSTEES OE THE BLUE-COAT HOSPITAL. Gentlemen.—With hearts full of gratitude for the boun teous protection afforded to us in the days of our infant helplessness, by that truly Christian institution of which you are the representatives, we venture to address you on this day on which we commemorate the formation of the Blue Coat Brotherly Society. The honour you confer upon us on this joyous occasion, by your presence, is an additional claim upon our respectful grati tude— " Faint, indeed, do words express The gratitude we feel ;" but we trust that our actions will prove how deeply and sin cerely we appreciate your benevolent exertions for our welfare. It will ever be a source of unmingled satisfaction to reflect that we have been carefully " trained up in the way we should go" whilst we were young, that we were convincingly per suaded that " Religion's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace ;" and that it is only ourselves we have to blame if we are not found to be " good men, good sub jects, and good Christians." Twelve months have now elapsed since the foundation of our Blue Coat Brotherly Society ; and although, from various incidental causes, we have not been able to bring it to that state of efficiency which it is our object to attain, we yet can safely say, that the beginning of extensive usefulness is at hand, now that the several district committees are being ap pointed, and upon this head we hope to congratulate our selves at the expiration of another year. In concluding this brief address, we, the former objects of your generous care, can only reiterate the feeling so beauti fully expressed in the words of one of those simple melodies we have often, with heart and voice, given utterance to in praise to the Great Source of all good : " For those whose goodness founded this A better place prepare ; Receive them to thy heavenly bliss, And may we meet them there." Several toasts were atterwards given &Om the chair, and the members then separated, highly delighted with the con viviality of the evening, and reminiscences of early days. PAINTINGS OF THE LIVERPOOL GREAT STEEPLE CHASE —An advertisement appears in another column, announcing that a series of highly-coloured engravings will be speedily published, from pictures expressly painted by Mr. G. H. Laporte, animal and military painter to the King of Hanover, illustrative of the most remarkable incidents of the important chase which is to take place to-day, and containing accurate portraits of the horses and riders. We have no doubt that these prints will be executed in the most finished style. A contemporary, after the heading, " Wakefield Corn Market. By Express," informs his readers, that lie has not received the report of the market !—Albion. ACCIDENT AT THE QUEEN'S THEATRE.—On Wednesday evening last, during the performance of Mr. Taylor, in the celebrated gun-trick, some person (either in loading or du ring the crossing of the circle) placed a piece of tobacco-pipe in the gun, whereby Mr. T. was severely injured. Every sensible person must deprecate such pranks, as Mr. T. can didly informs his audience, that it is merely a deception. WAREHOUSES ON THE Dom QUAYS.—We understand, that the evidence taken by the Finance Committee on this subject is now printing, and that it will be presented to the Town Council at its special meeting on Wednesday. The re port of the Committee will not, we hear, be read before Sa turday, and it cannot, therefore, be presented before the monthly Council on Wednesday.—Albion. DUTY ON BEES' WAX, PRODUCE OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.—By treasury letter, dated the 29th December, 1838, upon an application from the American Minister, bees' wax, the produce of the United States of America, is to be admitted upon the payment of the duty of 10s. the cwt, the same as the produce of the West Coast of Africa. THE WEATHER.—The weather, particularly on and since Thursday, has been tempestuous. On Thursday night the wind blew a violent gale from the southeast : it, moderated, however, towards morning, and veered round to the west ward. On Saturday night there was another smart gale, the wind still blowing from the westward. The sloop Ebenezer, from Douglas for this port, went on the banks, in the course of the night, and became a complete wreck. The crew were, we believe, saved. This, we are happy to say, was the only disaster, on this coast, caused by these gales. DANISH CLAIMS.—On Thursday the House of Commons ordered to be prepared for them " the report of the commis sioners for investigating the claims of the sufferers by seizure of ships and goods by the Danes in 1807." It is or dered to be got ready forthwith.—[Mr. Cresswell performed an important duty in urging this matter. It is not very cre ditable to a noble nation like England at all for such " claims" to be session after session, and year after year, brought forward.] THE CORN LAWS.—Petitions to the House of Commons against any alteration in the existing corn laws, were yester day forwarded to London, from the parish of Ormskirk, in this county, with 1789 signatures ; from Aughton with 216 ; Altcar 76 ; and Halsall with 569. These petitions are signed by pretty near every landowner and farmer in those extensive agricultural districts. SALE OF A HUSBAND.—Last week a man residing at Chapel-en-le-Frith was " put up to be sold by auction' by by his adorable wife, who, it is presumed, had grown heartily sick of his society. The " conditions of sale" were that the fellow should be put up at 195., and the person advancing ls. upon that to claim him. No one appearing inclined to bid, the sale was postponed to an indefinite period.—North Der byshire Chronicle. Though, perhaps, it were well if it were, we never yet heard of the fact of a man's serving the office of churchwarden being a test of his moral character ; yet, according to Lord Dur ham, to have been churchwarden of Calcutta, is sufficient to purge a mau of all previous immortality, even though the churlawarden himself might have been compellable to do pen mance in a white-sheet.--Morning Herald The following are appointed additional polling places for members of parliament :—Garstang, Kirkham, Blackburn, Chorley, and Whalley, for the northern division of the county of Lancaster. BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY. — On Friday week, the first line of a viaduct intended to cross the Mostyn valley was laid by the chief engineer, John Dixon, Esq., assisted by Mr. J. Reid, and Mr. T. A. Yarrow, sub-engineer. The ceremony observed was similar to those on most occasions of the kind, with this exception, that in lieu of the coins being deposited under the stone, Mr. Dixon placed them on the top, a course of proceeding evidently gratifying to the multitude of work men assembled on the ground, who shortly converted them into liquids wherewith to drink success to the undertaking. With the assistance of a stationary engine and working by night, there is not the least shadow of doubt but that the line will be ready for opening by Chester Races 1840. - - - TRESPASSING ON THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.— On Monday the leading partner in one of the most extensive iron foundries in Warrington, was summoned before the ma gistrates to answer the charge of using the Grand Junction Railway for the purposes of a footpath. The defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. Stubbs then inquired into the particulars of the case, and, in answer to the questions put by the worthy magistrate, it turned out that the information had been laid by the party brought forward as a witness to prove the case against the defendant. The Grand Junction acts contain no special provision for such a contingency, and the evidence of the witness, it was held by the bench, could notbe received, as he was entitled to one moiety of the penalty as informer in the case. The defendant, under these circumstances, was allowed to retract his plea, and plead " not guilty," upon payment of two shillings and sixpence costs. Every one has heard of the tale of the Irish jury, who on having a prisoner to try who fully confessed his guilt, returned a verdict of not guilty, upon the ground that they, from a knowledge of his previous life, could not believe a word he said, but it was never expected anything so nearly approaching to it as the present case could have occurred in Warrington. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IN WARRINGTON.—itinder an act of parliament passed last session, Thomas Legh, Esq., is now in a condition to grant long building leases upon his lands in Warrington and other places in the county of Lan caster, and in consequence, a number of improvements in Mr. Legh's Warrington property have been contemplated. A square is to be formed in Spring-gardens, situate on the south side of Sankey-street, which is to be approached by several streets 36 feet wide, branching from Bridge-street and Sankey-street. Another street, on which villas are to be erected, will be formed across the field now in the occupation of Mr. Edward Garvin, opposite Bank Hall, the seat of J. W. Patten, Esq., M.P. for North Lancashire. At the north end of the town several other streets are laid out on the land lying between Lygoe-lane and Winwick-street. THE DIVISION ON THE CORN LAW QUESTION. —We find from the votes and proceedings of the House of Commons, on Tuesday, that the undermentioned Lancashire and Cheshire members were in the minority on Mr. Villier's motion, for hearing evidence at the bar on the operation of the corn laws :—Peter Ainsworth, Bolton •, John Brocklehurst, Mac clesfield ; Joseph Brotherton, Salford ; William Fielden, Blackburn ; John Fielden, Oldham ; John Fenton, Roch dale; Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, Bart., Preston; John Frost, Clithero •, Charles Hindley, Ashton ; John Jervis, Chester; General Johnson, Oldham; Henry Marsland, Stockport ; Mark Phillips, Manchester •, Charles Standish, Wigan; Edward John Stanley, North Cheshire; George Wilbraham, South Cheshire ; also, Thomes Thorneley, Wolverhampton; George William Wood, Kendal; and John Ashton Yates, Carlow. In the majority, were :—John Ire land Blackburn, Warrington ; William Bolling, Bolton ; Cresswell Cresswell, Liverpool ; Sir Philip Grey Egerton, Bart., South Cheshire ; William Tatton Egerton, North Cheshire ; Thomas Greene, Lancaster ; Thomas Grimsditch, Macclesfield ; George R. Marton, Lancaster ; Lord Sandon, Liverpool; Edward Stanley, Preston ; Lord Stanley, North Lancashire ; Hon. R. X. Wilbraham, South Lancashire ; Robert Towneley Parker, Preston ; also, William E. Glad stone, Newark. INFORMATION AGAINST A PUBLICAN.—On Friday, at the police court, an information was laid against Mr. Upton, the keeper of a 'tap room, for entertaining disorderly com pany, both men and women. One of the informants was Superintendent Taaffe, who, to questions put by Mr. Hall, said that he should get a reward from the police committee whether the party were convicted or not. No difference was, he said, made in this respect, unless :it afterwards ap peared to the committee that he (the informant) had made a false or exaggerated statement. Mr. Hall enquired how the committee were to find out whether the statement of an in formant in that court made before the party accused, were proved to be exaggerated or false ? Mr. Taaffe replied that he did not know, unless they were informed by some person present during the examinations in court. He added that he had laid upwards of one hundred informations. "Against publicans ? " inquired Mr. Hall. "No, not altogether," replied the inspector ; "chiefly dock informations. I received no reward for these." Mr. Hall.—" You did your duty then without a reward." Informant said that he would do his duty whether he received a reward or not ; and in reply to Mr. Hall he had first heard that the officers who laid infor mations against publicans (on the advice of the police com mittee) would receive a reward, whether the parties were convicted or not, since the late discussion on the subject, and he believed it was generally understood by the force, Mr. Hall said that if so, it mattered not to the officer whether he swore true or not—so far as the reward went. (It was stated in a similar case on the previous day that all complaints against publicans were first heard before the police commit tee, and the parties complained against were advised that such investigation would take place, and might attend if they thought fit. It appears, however, that they are not bound to acknowledge such a tribunal, nor can they summons witnesses in their behalf to appear before it, so that such proceedings are ex-parte.) In the above case Mr. Hall fined Upton 40s. with reduced costs, 4s. 6d. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.-It will afford pleasure to many of our readers to learn that the congregation of St, George's Church have presented the Rev. Thomas Mac Gill with a silver inkstand, of the value of £25, bearing the following inscription : TO THE REVEREND THOMAS MAC GILL, CURATE FOR THE TERM OF THREE YEARS OF SAINT GEORGE'S CHURCH, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN, FROM THE CONGREGATION, IN TOKEN OF THEIR RESPECT FOR HIM AS A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, AND OF THEIR REGARD FOR HIM IN PRIVATE LIFE. MDCCCXXXIX. -Manx Sun. NEW MATERIAL FOR COVERING OR SHEATHING SHIPS' BOTTOMS.—A few years !ago a patent was obtained for a metal, wherewith to cover the bottoms of vessels, and which promised all the advantages of copper, with at least equal du rability in any climate, and a considerable saving in cost. It consists of an amalgamation of metals, copper itself being the principal, and zinc probably (for we are not in the secret) forming one of the ingredients. It is manufactured in sheets in the same manner as copper, and from its resemblance to a yellowish tinted brass, has obtained the name of " Yellow Metal" Several vessels belonging to this port, and'others to London, were plated with it some years ago ; but it was found to be less ductile than copper, and therefore less suit able for being laid round angles, or into the grooves or hol lows of the stern-post and rudder, where the rudder irons (or rather coppers) are attached. In some instances, too, when it required renewing, it was found, on taking it off, that it had, to a considerable degree, perished, having become so brittle, and full of minute pores, that, to use the words of a seaman, who examined it, " it broke in the fingers like a piece of ginger-bread." This was, however, in the compara tive infancy of the invention, and before the proper propor tions of materials, of which the metal was composed, had been proved by the test of experience ; and the friends of science and of commerce will, doubtless, be gratified to learn that such improvements have since been made, as will, in all probability, ere long; render the use of the " yellow metal" almost universal in our mercantile marine, as at once com bining economy with durability. The metal is now made sufficiently ductile for sheathing ; several fine large ships have been bottomed with it within these last few months, and it is so rapidly gaining ground in the estimation of naviga tors, that we are informed, Messrs. Pascoe, Grenfell, and Sons, copper dealers, have, during the last half-year, done much more business in the article than in copper itself. The captains who have latterly given it a trial, speak highly of its good qualities ; and one vessel plated with it has made three successive voyages from London to India without requiring any renewal in that particular,—showing a durability consi derably beyond the copper generally used. The price is 1 per lb. cheaper than copper, and it is 6 per cent. lighter than that metal. It is also found to retain its weight to a greater extent, and the old metal is taken back in exchange by the manufacturers. Another, and perhaps an equally important use of this metal is, for the bolts or fastenings of ships. From its hardness, when manufactured for this purpose, it is vastly superior to copper, inasmuch as being nearly as hard as iron, it can be driven into a much smaller augur-hole than copper, and to a greater depth in dead. wood, forming, conse quently, a tighter and stronger fastening, and not so liable to drop, on this account, as well as from the absence of verde gris. From all, indeed, that we can learn, the " yellow metal" may be considered one of the most useful discoveries of modern times in a commercial country like this.—Joernal. LETTER FROM NEW YORK.-" The manufacturers of this State are progressing prodigiously, the cotton and wool len manufactures in particular. Here are 111 cotton facto ries, and 234 woollen oneo. Almost all goods composed of cotton imported into the United States pay a tariff duty of 25 per cent., and almost all woollen goods a duty of 50 per cent. ; and this system - your philosophers in England call free trade. Fancy a piece of Manchester calico, made of American cotton,, being sold at New York in competition with a piece of American calico made from cotton grown in America, and protected from a duty of 25 per cent. ! Why, the mere statement of the naked fact must convince every one that the manufacture of cotton goods at least will shortly be monopolized by the Americans. Common sense must also assure us, that the cotton packed in bales, and then car ried across the Atlantic, undergoes, like all other vegetable matter, a fermentation, which ends in rottenness ; and for this cause, no American woman thinks of buying an English cotton gown, or an English pair of stockings. No ; all—yea, all—do not mistake me—l say, all the cotton goods except lace, and such like frippery, exported to the United States — and nine -tenths of them are imported into New York—are not bought by consumers in America, but merely gambled with and re-exported by a set of swindlers, compared with whom your dealers in marine stores, and those who keep the " slaughter-houses" in London, are honest men. The modus operandi is this :—A cargo of goods made at Manchester is consigned to an auctioneer at New York., and this auction eer, as soon as he claps his fingers on the bill of lading, goes to a joint-stock bank, of which he is a director, and discounts his " bit of stuff," with which he buys an accommodation bill, drawn upon some swindler in London, or Liverpool, or Havre, as the case may be ; and this bill the auctioneer remits the consigner, who instantly discounts this bill at some joint stock bank in England, of which he is a director ; and thus, like a game at battledore, the shuttlecock moves backwards The same thing in effect takes place with regard to the raw material, the cotton itself. [There is some exaggerationhere : but we believe the principle to be correct.] CAUTION TO LETTER WRITERS.—A gentleman in Barnard Castle, who keep in his writing desk a few small seals, most of them of glass, bearing some device or motto, having occa sion to write to Mr. Faircloth, an officer in the collection of assessed taxes, who for some time past has resided at Stock ton, sealed his letter with one of the seals in question, having a bird engraven upon it ; when he was immediately ordered by that gentleman to insert in his assessed tax return, and pay duty for "armorial bearing ! !" The gentleman ap pealed to the commissioners at their last meeting in Barnard Castle, when Mr. Faircloth produced the impression upon the letter, as the ground of the charge. The gentleman produced all the seals, every one of which Mr. Faircloth contended was an "Armorial bearing." The commissioners deemed the charge frivolous, and one of them very properly asked whether, if the gentleman sealed his letter with the button of his coat, it would render him liable for the duty. Mr. Fair cloth seriously contended, that it would. The commission ers refused to charge the seal as an " armorial bearing ;" and Mr. Faircloth has since, we hear, reported the case to the " powers that be" in the office of stamps and taxes, who, of course, " are of opinion," that the seal used is an armorial bearing, but with official cautiousness decline giving any opi nion on the other seals. We understand that the same vio lence has been done to the spirit of the act of parliament in several other places, and that the assessed tax officers are 14eePing a strict look-out for fresh cases Sunder/and Herald. SOIREES AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTION.—The fourth and last soiree of this season was attended by an assemblage of upwards of 500 of our townsmen; their families, and friends ; and such was the demand for tickets for the admis sion of strangers, that upwards of one hundred were, as we hear, refused, the committee having wisely determined that no more should be admitted than the rooms could conveni ently accommodate. Mr. Samuel Turner, who took the chair for the evening, in a short speech, alluded to the recent progress of science generally, and among other instances spoke of the arrival of the iron ship at her destina tion as a subject of congratulation, as doubts had been enter tained of her success from the effects of iron upon the com pass ; but this difficulty science has overcome. Mr. Turner alluded to the effect of the soirees, and congratulated the committee and the company upon the successful efforts of the one, and the cordial and extended support afforded to their efforts by the other. Mr. Turner then introduced the author of the paper for the evening, the subject of which was Painting in England, and more especially on the progress of Water Colour Painting, by Mr. Charles Barber, who gave a slight sketch of the early state of art in England previous to the reign of Charles I. He noticed Wilson and Gainsbo rough as having given birth to landscape painting ; but the truly British art of painting in water colours was first prac tised by Paul Sandly, Cousins, Rooker, and Hearne, yet made very slow progress, until the great talents of a Teimer and Girtin, taking their principles from John Smith, and their practice from Dayes, produced the bright and brilliant transcripts of Nature now to be found in the works of Copley, Fielding, Prout, Cox, Haven., and many other professional artists of the highest eminence. Mr. Barber also mentioned the historical pictures of Cattermole and the Misses Sharp, and stated the benefits that have arisen to the naturalist, as well as the architect, from the use of water colour painting. Mr. Barber controverted the opinion that water-coloured pictures would lose their freshness, and assert . ed that such was the perfection with which the colours were now prepared, that with a small proportion of mechanical ' dexterity in the use of them, pictures so painted would be as durable as those in oil. Mr. Barber was heard with great attention, and his essay much admired and applauded. —Mr, Turner then introduced Mr. Addams, a gentleman of high professional talent, who is now giving a course of lec tures on Acoustics, at the Royal Institution, and who kindly undertook to show some curious and interesting experiments on Sound. These experiments gave much pleasure, and we hope will induce many of the visitors of Wednesday even ing's soiree to attend Mr. Addam's lectures, which the com mittee of the Royal Institution have opened to the public on the payment of one shilling each person. We do not see the wisdom of this measure, but we hope that the public will take advantage of such an opportunity.—ln the upper rooms, several fine drawings were shown in illustration of Mr. Bar ber's observations ; a very fine collection of autographs, from the ample collection of Dr. Raffles ; and other curiosi ties, of nature and art, were displayed for the amusement of the company. Among the contributions we observed five beautiful drawings from the collection of Edward Rodger, Esq., they were by Bonnington, Stanfield, Turner, and some others of less note. Mr. Winstanley's collection, as usual, contributed to the evening's entertainment. Mr. Lacey, of Bold-street, sent his picture of the vessels which have so lately been wrecked at the mouth of our harbour ; it possessed a melancholy interest from the fidelity of the scene and the judgment which the artist exhibited in selecting the time of his action, viz. the moment when the vessels had struck, when the waves were first breaking over their victims, and before their awful power had been exhibited in the work of destruction and death, which so soon after commenced. The Victoria, steam ship is seen in the distance, gallantly hasten ing to the rescue, and the Mountaineer, is already alongside the St. Andrew. We are glad to find that this sketch of one of the most affecting incidents which is connected with our port is about to be engraved, and we understand that books are already opened to receive the names of persons who are desir ous of obtaining copies of the picture. The original is from the pencil of Mr. Walters. The refreshments of tea, coffee, &c. were abundant, and about ten o'clock the company began to retire. It is long since we noticed so much beauty and fa shion assembled in Liverpool. The lecture-room afforded a coup d'ceil at once pleasing and gratifying to those inte rested in the prosperity of the town, and we cordially hope again to meet with so many of our fair townswomen and their attendant protectors.--Chronick. NEW LETTERING OF THE NAMES OF STREETS.—We are always glad to observe any local improvement, that may in crease the convenience, or add to the architectural beauty of the town ; and it is therefore with regret that we see a new system of lettering the names of the streets in the course of introduction, which we think is any thing but an amendment upon that hitherto pursued. Some years ago the names of the streets were cast in plates of cast iron (the letters being indented in the casting), each forming a handsome panel, with the corners curved out, and surrounded by a groove, forming a simple but decorative border. The names, more over, were put in full words, and in bold, legible Egyptian capitals. These plates, when clean, were really an ornament, and the renewal of the painting in black and white, or in any two colours, was easily accomplished ; for the surface in ground-work of the panel being painted, the indented letters were readily done with a small brush or tool. These sub stantial panels are, however, recently superseded, in various parts of the town, by a new lettering of white upon black, on thin separate plates of metal (one.for each letter, in typogra phical style !) huddled together in slender, narrow iron frames, and varnished or (as it is called) japanned. The letters are Roman capitals, wretchedly shaped, in dirty white paint. The words are frequently separated, in distinct frames, be tween which the brick work is visible ; and, in the indul gence of a paltry economy, the Queen's English is mutilated, the word "street" being crushed up into ST For instance, we have CHURCH ST The old plate had CHURCH STREET, in bold letters, with a good border round it. We are told that the new plan is adopted, first, because the letters will last for years with out requiring to be repainted ; secondly, because they are more legible at night. Of both of these alleged advantages we entertain great doubts. Some of the new letters are al ready damaged, and the plates out of shape ; and so far from being more easily read by gas light, they appear to us to be less so than the old ones. Indeed, when the light glances upon the smooth surface or varnish, they are not legible at all ! We rather suspect that some " Brummagem" tea-tray manufacturer has got a job out of our raformed corporation, in the making of these new letter plates. If japanning were necessary, why not japan the old strong plates ? His Highness the Prince Trutsmansdorf and Prince• Lic htenstein arrived from Melton Mowbray, yesterday, at the Wellington Hotel, Dale-street. Mr. Pearson, Mr. Cheesbrough, and Mr. liges, were elected on Friday Honorary Surgeons to the Eastern Dis. pensary. COMMITMENTS FOR TRIAL AT THE SESSIONS.—On Fri day, three men, Wallace, Jones, and Mason, were committed by Mr. Hall, on a charge of stealing from the premises of Mr. Hughes, joiner, in Bedford-street, (Park), a quantity of joiners' tools.—A. man named Williams was committed on a charge of stealing a quantity of wearing apparel from a house in Fontenoy-street. FATAL ACCIDENT.—We regret to state that an accident, which terminated fatally, occurred to Mr. Scott, of the Stan ley Arms, Seacombe, on Wednesday last. We understand that a heavy piece of timber, which was reared up against the wall of the house, was either blown down by the wind, or moved by some other cause, and fell upon Mr. Scott, injur ing him so severely about the head that he lived only four Lours after the accident. STEAM NAVIGATION. — On Thursday last the steam-boat Pernambucana, lately launched from the yard of Mr. Thos. Boyden, and intended to ply on the coast of Brazil, made an experimental trip, and we understand gave great satisfaction to several scientific gentlemen on hoard. They were espe cially loud in their praises of the performance of the engines, which do great credit to the makers, Messrs. Rigby & Son, of Hawarden. GAS LIGHTS.—We are requested to state that the defi ciency in the supply of gas, in some parts of the town on Thursday 'night, was caused by the breaking of the gas and water pipes, in Vauxhall-road. An extensive excavation has been made in that street, for the purpose of forming one of the new sewers, and the earth having settled, the pipes were broken, and the water flowing into the gas main, all the lights supplied by that pipe were immediately extinguished. From a similar cause in Russell-street, on Wednesday last, the in habitants in that neighbourhood experienced great incon venience for the want of light, and the company (the Liver pool Gas-light Company, Dale-street) lost 50,000 cubic feet of gas.—Mercury. THE CHASE.—The Cheshire hounds will meet on Wed nesday, Feb. 27, at Withington Hall; Thursday, 28, at Booth'wObelisk ; Saturday, March 2, at Somerford Park ; Monday, 4, at Sandiway Head; Wednesday, 6, at Duddon Heath • Thursday, 7, at Minshull Village • Saturday, 9, at High I.: 'egh, at half-past ten o'clock.—Mr. Leche's fox hounds will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Overton Bridge ; Fri.: day, March 1, at Wynnstay at half-past ten o'clock. THE DOCK LAWS RELATIVE TO GOODS REMAINING ON THE QUAYS. - A number of the merchants, shipowners, and brokers belonging to the port have prepared for presentation to the dock committee a memorial complaining of the vexa tious operations of the dock laws, and of the inadequacy of the existing accomodation for the loading and discharging, of ships. The memorial set forth that the trade of the port is greatly impeded by the rigour of these laws, and the manner in which they are enforced, the breach of them being partly attributed to the want of accommodation complained of. By the present law a heavy penalty is enforced if goods are al lowed to remain on the dock quays more than forty-eight hours ; and the memorialists complain that this penalty is enforced without regard either to the necessity of the case, or the fact that no inconvenience has been caused to other parties. The memorialists express their belief that, in nine cases out of ten, the infringement of the law is unavoidable, from the vast increase of trade, the new custom-house regu lations, the state of the weather, the want of quay berths, stages, proper cranes, &c. The memorialists conceive the evils complained of to be remediable by a mitigated adminis tration of the law, and by providing better sheds and greater facilities for the loading and discharging of vessels, having regard more particularly to the present defective accommo dation for sailing vessels as compared with steamers. CLOSING SHOPS ON THE SABBATH BY THE HAIR-DRESS ERS.—We regret to find that a few of the hair-dressers of the town continue to set the law at defiance, by refusing to comply with the regulation recently adopted by the •great , majority of their brethren. We are very well aware that no respectable member of the trade would feel himself ,at liberty thus to infringe upon the liberty of those who follow the same avocation, by seeking to deprive them of the privi lege of making the Sabbath " a day of rest" from their worldly toil. It is only the dissolute who patronize the Sab bath-breaking hair-dressers. The latter, by accepting such patronage, to the detriment of their fellow-tradesmen, entitle themselves to the contempt of the community. The law should be enforced against them. WARRINGTON LECTURE SOCIETY.—This society has commenced its labours under most auspicious circum stances. Professor Partington has already delivered four lec tures in the New Lecture Hall, and the audiences have more than doubled those in attendance at any previous scientic course. The application of the steam-engine in the useful arts is the primary object with the lecturer, and those already delivered relate to the improvements in that gigantic prime mover and its usefulness in building, printing, and paper making. Seven models of as many different forms of the steam-engine have already been in operation; and at the fourth lecture, which was delivered on Tuesday last, an en gine was made to actuate a printing-press, so that specimens of the work were executed in the Lecture Hall. Our space will not permit of any lengthened report of these lectures, which have been exceedingly well received, and it may be enough to furnish a single specimen of the professor's style. It formed the close of his last lecture ; and after exhibiting practically the various improvements in printing, he said— " When we consider that a book which formerly cost the in defatigable monkish scribe the labour of years may now be printed and elaborately embellished in as many moments by the powers of this wonderful press, it must be obvious that we possess advantages for the attainment of good literature, of which the middle ages scarcely entertained an idea, and compared with which the brightest eras of Greece and Rome are but periods of utter darkness. Hence the duty we owe to ourselves and fellow-men to diffuse these advantages, of which the greatest is obviously that arising from the increased facility of spreading abroad religious and moral knowledge. The Bible, that well-spring of life, is now as accessible to the the humblest cottager as to the denizen of the palace, and thanks to the facility with which our typographical arrange ments are effected, it may be sent to every clime and read in every tongue—carrying with it the harbingers of peace and good-will to our fellow-men—so that now knowledge cannot be in a state of quiescence —the march of improvement can not stop,—and if I were asked what machine had done most good to the whole family of the human race, ,I should as suredly say the one whose improvements we have this even-, ing been praetically illustrating. PRESENTATION OF PLATE TO JOHN LEAD BETTER, ESQ., Chairman of the Edinburgkand Glasgow Railway Company. On Monday last, after the half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of this company, the directors entertained their chairman, and a numerous assemblage of guests, at dinner, in the Tontine Hotel, on the occasion of presentinc , to Mr. Leadbetter the service of plate voted to him at the general meeting of shareholders in August last. Amongst the guests were the Lord Provost, the Dean of Guild, and other civic functionaries, the Sheriff of the County, Mr. Smith, of Jordanhill, Mr. Menteath, of Closeburn, the Di rectors of the Ayrshire and other Railway Companies, &c. &c. Mr. Learmonth, of the Dean ; the Deputy-Chairman of the Railway Company in the Chair. After the usual routine toasts had been given, the service of plate, all of massive silver, was placed on the table. It consisted, [as we stated some time ago,] of an epergne, composed of three female figures, standing on a circular pedestal, and supporting a light and elegant silver wreath of flowers, in which rested a richly-cut crystal dish. The rest of the plate consisted of two soup tureens and four corner dishes, all richly chased. The tout ensemble was extremely beautiful, and was greatly admired. The Chairman then. proposed Mr. Leadbetter's health, and passed a eulogium at once just and eloquent on the eminent services which he had rendered to the company, and expressing the deep sense of the obligations which they lay under to him for the great sacrifice he had made of his valuable time, as well as for his unwearied energy and per severance, and the labour, both mental and bodily, which he had undergone from first to last, during the life and death struggle of their bill through the sessions of parliament. Mr. L. concluded by presenting the plate, which, he said, was to be viewed not as a measure of Mr. Leadbetter's ser vices, but as a mark of their gratitude and respect for him ; and, as such, he hoped it might be considered not unworthy of his acceptance. The toast was received with the greatest cordiality, and responded to by the company with all the honours. Mr. Leadbetter said it was impossible for him to express, in adequate terms, what he felt op this occasion, Whilst he had, he said, undoubtedly given up many months of histime, and devoted his thoughts to the means of carrying through their bill, he, at the same time, spoke in warm terms of the valuable services of his brother directors ; and added, in the best possible feeling, that the only alloy to the pleasure he now felt was, that they could not share in the honour thus conferred upon him.—Mr. Sheriff Alison spoke in eloquent terms in proposing the toast, " May British science, enter prise, and capital, ever contribute to maintain the moral pre eminence of this country over surrounding nations."—ln the course of the evening Mr. Smith, Jordanhill, after some ap propriate observations, gave " The Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock Railway Company." Amongst the other toasts were, " Success to the Great North British Railway." " Steam navigation and steam locomotion, two of the most powerful instruments of social and moral improvement." Success to the proposed railway from Carlisle to Ayrshire," &c. &c. Many excellent speeches were delivered during the evening, and Mr. Leadbetter and other gentlemen commu nicated several statistical facts connected with railways, of a highly interesting nature, all tending to show the great social, economical, and moral benefits to be derived by the commu nity at large, from the increased facility of intercourse which railway communication afforded. Thomson's excellent band added greatly to the pleasure of the evening, and the 'whole entertainment went off with the greatest hilarity.—Glasgow Courier, Feb. 21. STATE OF TRADE. (From the Leeds Intelligencer.) LEEDS.—The demand for manufactured goods on Saturday was rather better than it had been during the previous week, but on Tuesday last, the market again ruled very dull, and the transactions in the Piece Halls were again limited. Pur chases of goods not required for immediate use, are made very sparingly, an opinion being pretty generally prevalent, we know not how well founded, that present prices will not be maintained throughout the spring. There is no material augmentation of the stocks of balk goods, the clothiers being unable to buy wool on terms likely to afford a moderate profit if there should.be any decline in the present prices. HUDDERSFIELD MARKET. — There was an average quantity of business done here on Tuesday, in both plain cloths and fancy woollens. Tweeds of super qualities and novel patterns, and light fancy waistcoatings, were principally in demand, the supply of the former being unequal to the wants of the merchants. Prices were generally firm, and the wool market was steady, with a tendency upwards. BRADFORD MARKET.—There was a larger number of buyers at this market on Thursday than we have seen for some weeks past, and more piece goods were sold, chiefly on former terms. In the yarn market there was a fair busifiess done considering the lightness of the stocks held by the spinners; though the manufacturers appeared reluctant to buy beyond their pre sent wants. In the wool market there was nothing particular to report ;, a moderate business was transacted. WAKEFIELD WOOL MARKET, FEB. 20.—We do not re port any material alteration in the trade ; the demand is dull, and though in the few sales made prices are rather in favour of the buyer, there is not a quotable difference from last week. ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, FEB 18.—There is not much change to report in the market to-day ; the demandl has been very limited, and the prices a shade lower. Wool still continues heavy of sale, and the manufacturers buy only for immediate use, ihough the dealers are willing to sell at a reduced price. BARNSLEY LINEN TRADE.—Edward Tee. Jun., Esq., 0 Pinder Oaks, Barnsley, has invented an ingenious loom for the weaving of five linens for which he is now taking out a patent, and it will shortly be brought into general use: Great praise is due to the inventor, for his endavours to raise the staple trade of this town to a scale of importance. The home trade at present remains moderately good, and all hands have a pretty fair share of employment. SILK TRADE,—Within the last few day the silk manufac- turers at Leigh have advanced the weavers' wages one half penny per yard upon all sorts of plain sarsenets. During the last ten days the silk dyers in Manchester and the neigh bourhood have had considerably more work, and there ap pears to be cheering prospects of a brisk trade in the manu facture of silks. _ _ _ _ EXETER.—YoIk wool, lid lb, but dull ; Redwashed Knott Wool, 15/d. to 16d. ; Dorset, 171 d. to 18d. ; Fell Lamb, 131 d. to 14d. ; Fell Combing, 15d. to 151 d. ; Cornish Stripe, 15d. ; N.. Devon Stripe, 14d. to 20d. ; Red and Pinions, Md. to 11d. Other sorts same as last week. - The Bristol wool fair will commence on the first Wednes day in March. HONESTY IN A PORTER.—A porter attached to the office of the Grand Junction Railway Company, on the morning of Tuesday last, while passing through the station at Lime street, saw a,small parcel lying on the ground, which, on taking up, he discovered contained bank notes to the amount of £305. The worthy fellow, although filling one of the most humble situations as regards emolument attached to the Company, brought the parcel and its valuable contents to the treasurer, in whose hands be placed it. We trust that honesty so striking in such a functionary will not go unrewarded. THE SECOND LIVERPOOL EISTEDDFOD.—WC are glad to find that the arrangements for holding the Second Liverpool Bardic Congress, in the Music-hall, Bold-street, on Friday next, have been satisfactorily completed. The lovers of Welsh literature will enjoy, we doubt not, a rich treat on the inter• esting occasion of this meeting, wl&en various poetical com positions will be recited, and competitors of skill will con tend for the superiority on the harp. Long may our Welsh friends in this town continue to enjoy these periodical festi vals, which are well calculated to keep alive their attachment to ieir land, as well as to foster and encourage a taste for literature. No true Cymro should neglect to avail himself of the approaching opportunity for showing his " Cariad. at Wlad ei Dadau." DOUBLE MAIL TO DUBLIN. — We announced on Tuesday last, that the Government had come to the determination to despatch two mails to and from Liverpool and Dublin every day. The new arrangement will, we understand, come into operation on the first of May. The present plan is, that the Queen's steamers shall start from Liverpool for Dublin at 8 o'clock in the morning, carrying the London correspondence and newspapers of the preceding day ; and that the City of Dublin Company's steamers shall start at 8 o'clock at night, carrying the London letters and newspapers of the :same morn ing, as well as all the correspondence of Liverpool and the interior. In order to ensure the departure of the, steamers at the hours named, the rate of travelling from London to Liver pool on the Railroad willbe so accelerated, as tobring the mails down in about ten hours from station to station, so that pas sengers may have an interval of half-an-hour or three quar ters between their arrival at the Lime-street station and their embarkation on board the steamers. When this arrangement shall he completed and in full operation, the distance between London and Dublin will be travelled, in ordinary weather, within the twenty-four hours, and many parts of Ireland, particularly the northern districts of the island, will receive their English letters and English newspapers twenty-four hours earlier than they receive them at present. THE " WIGAN RAGGED RADICALS" afforded the idlers of Lamberhead-green a tine treat on Monday last, by one of their mountebank eXhibitionS. The paraphernalia consisted Of one Cracked lire, played of course by a cracked fifer, for no sound man would waste his breath in such company ; one slack-laced drum, which 'sent forth a sound dismal as the faces who followed ; and two shabby colours, every way worthy the occasion. Previous to the commencement of business, a few kind-hearted Tories (working men), assem bled at the " Black Bull," taking com p a ssion of the forlorn appearance of the squad, clubbe their pence; and sent the spaykers a gallon of Tory ate, which they bolted in quick style. This, no doubt, raised their courage, for one of the performers soon began to exhibit, with Bible in hand, and held forth for some time. An attempt was made at a collec tion, for the benefit of the actors, but it was no go—the " Greeners" were not green enough to be gul .—Corres pondent of the Wiga2z Gazette. BELL'S LIFE IN LONDON AND SPORTI G CHRONICLE, of Sunday, March 3, will contain ample de ails of the Grand National Steeple Chase, at Liverpool, a full and correct particulars of the Great Waterloo Coursi g Meeting, also the , Bath Steeple Chase, of Friday; Marc 1 all of which will be written, exclusively ' by the Gentlem ngage d on th e Esta.- hli s h m ent of this 3ournal. The price of Bell's Life in Lon dvn is Published regularly in time to send of by ~theitsvn. o'clock Saturday afternoon Birmingham Railway. The sale of Bell's Life in London exceeds twenty thousand copies, and is the most desirable channel for Advertisements relating to Sporting Matters. WORCUSTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.-It has been deter mined that our ensuing Musical Festival shall extend Over a period of four days, namely, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of September next. We believe that the gaieties of the week will close with a grand fancy dress ball on Friday night, at the County Hall. Since our last publication the Hon. Gen. Lygon, M.P., has put his name down to the Guarantee Fund for £20., Lord Fortescue, £lO., W. Lea, Esq., of Arelcy, for £lO., and W. Dent, Esq., for £2O. We understand many persons who are desirous of to the. Guarantee Fund are at present deterred from seeing no sum less . than £5 yet an nounced ; now there is no regulation as to the amount of any guarantee, the only object being to interest as many as pos sible in the success of the Festival. — Worcester Journal HIGHWAY ACT.—Under the provisions of the: Highway Act persons may be compelled to prune any hedge which shall prejudice a highway, at any time before the last day of March naxt, and to cut down ash, elm, or other trees, (ex cept oak trees) growing in hedges near highways ordered to be widened or enlarged, also to that day. GLOUCESTER AND HEREFORD CANAL.—About £30,000 has been subscribed towards the estimated sum for the com pletion of the Canal froni Ledhury to Hereford. We regret that by the conditions of the Prospectus, the whole amount of the estimate must be .Subscribed before any call can' be made, Which will most pr6babl v prevent application to Parlia ment this Session. This will odly occasion a year's delay, as there can be no doubt that the importance of the under taking will ensure its final corapletion.—Hereford Journal. SETTLEMENT OF AN ILLEGrTIMATE CHILD.—In answer to a question respecting the settlement of an illegitimate child, born since the passing of. the Poor Law Amendment Act, whose mother has married subsequently to that period, her husband being now deceased, the Poor Law Commissioners have stated, that " The 71st section of the Poor Law Amend ment Act declares, that bastards born since the passing of that act shall have and follow the settlement of their mother until they attain the age of 16, or acquire a settlement in their own right. The Commissioners have had occasion to take the opinion of counsel as to the construction of that section, and they are advised that the case where the mother marries is not an exception, and that the settlement acquired by such marriage would be communicated to her illegitimate children.