The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-17 00:00:00

Wiberpoot gi)tanbarb. TUESDAY HORNING, J.N. 17, ISSI. THE BOURBON FAMILY. A REPORT that it is the intention of the Duc DB BORDEAUX, the legitimate claimant of the throne of France, to pay a visit to Claremont to the members of the ORLEANS family, has thrown our Conservative contem porary The Morning Herald into a fever of excitement. 'The Government is called upon to prevent this meeting of the BOURBONS, this fusion of the long dissevered members of the Royal family of France—stigmatised by over zeal am a meeting of conspirators against the stainless throne of Louis NAPoLzox; and if the Government should be unable—in this land of freedom, where refugee rebels may plot undisturbed—to forbid the meeting of Princes, then the QUEEN'S most excellent Majesty is called upon to re fuse all show of courtesy to the illustrious fugitives. This anger of our contemporary touches the absurd, and dis plays a feeling in the writer the reverse of that chivalry which ought to animate all true Conservatives. The 1)I7C DE BORDEAUX, or CoMTE DE CHAMBORD, is the Lead of the family which has occupied the throne of France for centuries, except the intervals created by treason and rebellion. His place is now filled by one who lies no other claim to it than the fear of his troops, and the influence gained by the violation of the most sacred obligations ; and yet, because the rightful heir seeks personal communion with those of his own blood for the legitimate object of recovering that to which he has as as much right as our own VICTORIA has to the throne of Great Britain, our contemporary stigmatises him as a conspirator, and all through fear that the usurper should be offended. Our own QUEEN claims the loyalty of every true Conservative subject from that Divine right of legiti mate succession, that grace of God, the refusal to acknow ledge which, upon the first issued florins, caused such well founded complaints against the then Romanist Master of the Mint. In aland, therefore, where the rebels MA ZZINI, KOSSUTH, and others, have been allowed to concoct their traitorous designs against the Monarchs with whom we "are in alliance, to interpose any obstacles to the peaceful meeting of Princes despoiled of their inheritance, even though the result should be a defeat of the French usurper, is a violation of principle, of which a Conservative should be ashamed, though it may suit the notions of expediency which actuate Radicals. Let the CONTE DE CHAMBORD be welcome, if he come ; and should the result be his restoration to the throne of his ancestors, however remote it may now appear, we shall have more real claim to the gratitude of France than by any mock professions of friendship with the present Emperor. THE NEW REFORM - BILL. Men dangers which threaten the very existence of the Coalition Administration have served to divert public attention from the pet scheme of Lord Jousr RcisELL to unsettle the Constitution by a new Reform Bill, though so little is it dreaded that even Conservatives have more to gain than lose by any change which should really give the franchise into the hands of the people. This could only be effected by enlarging the county constituencies at the cost of the pocket boroughs of the Whigs, and the result -would be an accession of Conservative members to the House of Commons, and the restoration of the great (Aces of state into the hands of statesmen and men of honour, in the place of political tricksters. The truth is every day becoming more apparent,that the public opinion of intelligent Englishmen is essentially Conservative. The election for East Glouees 4- yershire has shown it by a triumphant majority of more than a thousand. Liverpool, the most important constituency in the empire, has amply demonstrated, on two occasions. Even the city of London, with all its drawbacks of the purchased votes of long shore men, has improved in tone, which accounts for the refusal of Lord Jolts . RUSSELL to accept the office that was vacated by Lord PALMERSTON, as his re-election would have been more than doubtful. No change in the representative system could have been acceptable to the country, or reconcileable with Radical professions, unless - the franchise had been extended over a wider surface. It would have realised to the letter the claims of Liberals, and virtually have extinguished them as a party. It would have been an act of Roman virtue, deserving the plaudits of Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S friends, because it would have been ostensibly a concession to democracy, while it would, in reality, have been a political suicide, for which Conservatives only should have been grateful. Lord Jowl( RvssELL, however, has no such virtue ; mean in mind, as in person, his cause has ever been a crooked one ; par liamentary tact has been his chief weapon, and his exercise 4of it on this occasion would be a vain attempt to persuade the legislature that the House of Commons would ;be improved by an addition to the representatives of the dwellers in the back streets and blind alleys of the manufacturing towns. It is better, therefore, that the Ministers should retire before another session be wasted in idle discussion on impossible projects ; and if Reform ix really desirable—which is open to question—it will be accomplished far more satisfactorily by a Conservative Government. There is, however, ample business to occupy the attention of the legislature in measures of real im portance to the welfare of the country. Its foreign relations, as well as its colonial and domestic policy, afford abundance of means for discussion, with far more prospect of beneficial results, than any schemes which can be desired to suit the political expediency of the expiring faction. LIFE ASSURANCE. often arise from imprudence. In the meantime we would call attention to the importance of securing the means which are now open. Let no one who is gaining an in come from his own exertions think that he has done his duty to those who are dependent on him, until he has so far secured them against the losswhich his death would cession, and he may then perform his avocations with more success, because he would enjoy that peace of mind which results from having done the best his circumstances affords. RETIREMENT OF SIR R. H. INGLIS FROM THE REPRESENTATION OF THY! OXFORD UNIVERSITY. Ow Saturday, a letter was received by the Vice-Chan cellor from Sir Robert Harry Inglis, M.P., announcing his intention of resigning his seat for the University before the meeting of Parliament. The reason assigned is the delicate state of the hon. baronet's health. The intelli gence was announced at ten o'clock to the Heads of Houses and Proctors assembled in the Delegates'-room, previously to opening the first convocation of the term, and from them spread shortly among the few residents now in Oxford. Various rumours are afloat as to Sir- R. H. Inglis's probable successor. Mr. Roundell Palmer and Sir William Heathcote are mentioned as persons one or other of whom is likely to be brought forward by those who have lately supported Mr. Gladstone, while Lord Chandos and Lord Blandford are spoken of on the other side. The names of Mr. Cardwell and Dr. Twiss have also been mentioned. Nothing definite is known at pre sent, but it is generally presumed that there will be a con , tested election. Sir Robert Inglis has now represented the University for twenty-four years, and in nine Parlia ments, having been elected upon Sir R. Peel's resignation of his seat in 1829. ELECTRIC SHOCKS TO MINISTE RIAL FEELINGS. (PROM TILE PRESS.) TICE statement which appeared in some of our contem poraries to the effect that great confusion and inconvenience hadbeen causedupon the English and foreigntelegraphlines by the recent frosts and snows has received confirmation. The messages despatched during the intenser weather appear to have run into one another, changed contents or addresses and to have arrived in fragments, or huddled in heaps, as the case might be. Our excellent contemporary the Journal of Science accounts for this in a way which, though we do not profess to understand it the least in the world, seems to us perfectly satisfactory. The accomplished writer says :—" The wires got connected either by icicles or by sheets of frozen snow. Now, though water is a conductor, ice, which partakes of the nature of glass, is not, and therefore, at first sight, it would be difficult to say why any disturbance of the electric current has taken place. But consideration shows that, though ice in an abnormal state is a non-conductor, ice, subjected to electric action, and exposed to the air, becomes charged with hyposulphurous acid, which, reacting upon the wire, gene rates a precipitated hydriodic, or even bichloride of insoluble pyrophosphoric acid, by which limited decom position is at once set up, and connexion established." The confusion being thus accounted for, we may proceed to mention a few of its results. __ _ Lord Palmerston received the following message from Belgium :—" The Czar is delighted with your long-tried fidelity, and begs you to persevere. One more tangle of diplomacy and his fleets and armies are safe for the winter. Your earldom ought to be made a dukedom." The noble Viscount.could not conceive for whom this gracious mes sage was intended, bat felt it his duty to lay it before the head of the Government, who crumpled it up rather has tily, said it was nothing, and changed the conversation. The Home Secretary went out, humming the Vaudeville air, " /Was to 4onc,_mon Leopold ?" The Earl of Aberdeen received a despatch, to the sender of which he could obtain no clue ; but it congratulated him on having irremediably damaged the Cabinet by resigning, and then returning, in order to place both the Radical and Peelite Coalitionists in a false position ; and the despatch also intimated the pleasure with which its author would look for certain mereiless " explanations" which would smash the Ministry. It ended, " Surge, carnifex." Mr. Gladstone received a message from an indignant country schoolmaster, who addressed the receiver as some body who had a valuable and highly influential journal, in which there ought to be an exposure of the blundering balance-sheet just issued in regard to the quarter's revenue: The worthy pedagogue explained the various muddles and miscalculations with the greatest precision, and added that, if any boy in his bookkeeping class had turned out such a thing, it would scarcely be an act of humanity to offer that boy a chair for some days after he, the master had seen the production. The hon. gentleman tossed the letter out of the window, and the wind being north at the time, it was blown in at a window of the Morning Post, where capital use was made of it. Lord Cranworth received a message from Windsor telling him to come down to see the palace theatricals, and his lordship was getting ready, when somebody informed him that Lord Derby would be there, upon which the Chancellor immediately decided that the message was a hoax, and unpacked bis carpet-bag. But ultimately it ap peared that the order was really from Court, and his lord ship went down, with great apprehensions, however, lest, by way of entra'acte to Money, Lord Derby should ask him for Ministerial explanations. However, as the earl, so far from introducing such topics, very good-naturedly explained the piece to Lord Cranworth, and disabused his mind of the impression that Mr. Charles Kean was Mr. Charles Matthews, that the play was a pantomime, and that it ended with Mr. Webster smothering Miss Leclercq, and being killed with a poisoned foil, after fighting with Mr. Mac Somebody in a Scotch kilt, the Lord Chancellor went away a good deal comforted. Lord John Russell received a sort of invoice message that his order had been attended to by the foreign tobac conist, that 1,000 prime cigars had been forwarded on ac count, and it was hoped that these would last his lordship for a week or so, until the other 9,000 could be packed. Lord John was very much disgusted, but sent the message to the Foreign-office. Sir James Graham received an extract from an address somebody or other made to his constituents at an election, in which that person stated that " he regarded every per sonal sacrifice light in comparison with the sacred duty of defending the Protestant Church, of combining education with religion, and of defending the monarchy against the inroad of democratical principles ; he was the enemy of the ballot, and opposed to a further extension of the elective franchise." Being naturally suspicious, Sir James regarded this as a " sell ;" but, happening to turn to a file of papers, he found that the above was actually a portion of his own address to the electors of 1841. Of course he burst out laughing, and threw the letter into the fire. The Marquis of Lansdowne received a letter from Man chester, of which he could only make out the words, "As you have told us in confidence that you will bid very high for our support, you shall have it, and lead the next Minis try ; but we must all have places, as we have bided our time long enough. I must be Home Secretary, B. must be Foreign ditto, M. G. must have the Board of Control, and we shall want five or six other places for some clever managing clerks of our own, who will be useful in the house. Except yourself, we'll have no lords in the Cabinet." The marquis. uttered some little classical quo tation—it might be something about servorurn pecus— and, marking the letter with a great " ! " sent it to Ches ham-place. Sir Charles Wood received a mercantile-looking letter, desiring him on receipt to go into the City and buy three hundred printed handkerchiefs, twelve barrels of cured herrings, a ton of preserved cranberries, twenty six pounds of mould candles (long sixes), two warming pans, a dog-kennel, and a kitchen-range, and send them off per canal. Sir Charles, who always does exactly as he is bid, dashed off in a Hansom, made all the purchases, and then bethought him that he did not know where to send them. His train of logic gradually convinced him that the message had not been for him, but for the agent of some country general dealer. The vendors, however, refused to take the things back, so poor Sir Charles has them all on his hands, and his household is living on herring-pies and cranberry tarts till further notice. The handkerchiefs are to be distributed to the Liberal members when the House meets, though it is rather thought they may come up prepared to give whipes to the hon. gentle man and his colleagues. Tin facilities afforded by means of advertising in the public press, and the freedom with which they are made available by Life Assurance Companies for disseminating the knowledge of the several advantages which they offer, would naturally lead to the impression that such a mode -of providing against the contingencies of human life is - very extensively adopted by the classes to whom it would ortrmarily prove of advantage. There are many thousands in this country, professional men and others, who are earning beyond their necessary expenditure—who have no other means of making a provision for a family in the event of premature death—who have no realised capital to bequeath by will to a widow and children, and yet how few of them, comparatively, resort to the system of Life Assurance, by which the payment of a small periodical premium would ensure the possession of a certain sum to those the payer holds most dear, at the very time when, deprived of his aid, they have most need to be placed above the cold charity of the world. Assurance becomes, there fore, a positive duty to the man so situate ; and he who commencing the world, has as yet no ties of wife and family, should insure his life as a measure of prudence for the future—the earlier the commencement the lower being the rate of premium—while the amount so paid is per anitted by the law to be a reduction on the income liable to tax. Much discussion has taken place on the claims of particular offices to public confidence in their ultimate -.l3ffity to meet their engagements, and no doubt some of them have been established without due regard to this important particular, but the majority will be found free from such hazard, and a slight consideration must serve to convince most men that, if an office be conducted by men of experience, with common honesty, and upon rates of premium sufficient for ordinary contingencies, there can be no reasonable doubt of their want of success. The business of Life Assurance has, however, been mostly con fined to those who are in a position of life to pay an annual - premium ; but there is a far more numerous class below them to whom the system might be extended with consi derable advantage. The working man earning weekly wages has, in most cases, no other means of providing for the future than by small weekly payments, and he com monly resorts to Friendly Societies, and other similar in atitutions, in order to secure himself or his family against -unforeseen contingencies. In too many cases these so cieties, from their confined operations, have proved to be unequal to their engagements, and the hard-earned savings • have thus been lost to those who depended on them for a time of need. The advantages of the Life As surance Offices should be thrown open to these men, by premiums being received in smaller sums, at shorter in tervals, and there can be no doubt that many thousands would avail themselves of the opportunity. If every man in settled employment, every man earning hi s means of subsistence by his own exertions, were to effect an Insur ance on his own life, there would be full employment for more offices than at present exist, and the advantages to be afforded might be indefinitely varied as ingenuity might devise. In some the premiums might be payable for a fixed term of years, in others the amount insured might be payable on arriving at a certain age, in some future children might be provided for, in others the pre miums might be returned on demand, with the addition of a low rate of interest, so as to combine the advantages of a savings'-bank In many ways such offices might be made beneficial in encouraging habits of prudence and economy, by only a slight restraint from present gratifica tion, and the effect would be of advantage to the com munity, by diminishing the claims on the poor-rate, which BELGIAN Tlanip.—By a Royal decree, dated the 31st December, 1863, the following articles are allowed to be imported free of duty into Belgium : —Until the 31st of July, 1854, all sorts of bread, breadstuffs, and cattle; until the 31st of December, 1851, all sorts of lard and meat (not especially named in the thrift). Prohibited to be exported until the 31st of July, 1854, are—potatoes, lentils, pease, and beans. By another decree of the same date also coals are to be admitted until further notice duty free. THE JENNY LIND MAFIA.—At Boston a man solemnly announced a tea-kettle, which he christened the Jenny Lind, from the fact that the moment it was filled with water and put on the fire it began to sing! The coachman who drove the warbler from the railway to the River House, mounted the steps of the hotel, and extending his hand, said, " Here's the hand that lifted Jenny Lind out of the coach, gentlemen; you can kiss it any of you who choose for five dollars, children half-price !"—Bunn's New England and Old England. DIE ART OP MAKING COFFEE.—As soon as the operation of roasting is completed—an operation which requires care and attention not to have it overdone—the coffee should be ground at once and diluted. The subtle aroma which resides in the essential oil of the berry is gradually dissipated after roasting, and of course still more after being ground. In order to enjoy the full flavour in perfection, the berry should pass at once from the roasting-pan to the mill, and thence to the coffee-pot ; and again, after having been made should be mixed, when almost at a boiling heat, with the hot milk. It must be very bad coffee indeed, which, if these precau tions be taken, will not afford an agreeable and ex hilarating drink.—Knighton's Forest Life in Ceylon. EARLY RISING IN THE COUNTRY.—At early dawn — even at this season—we rise to the voice of the chanticleer; and spring from our place of rest to examine the prospect from without. If it be wet and drizzling, we, like the city folk, at once return to our bed; but if it be frosty, or snow is seen to fall, then do we rise betimes to view the glory of the scene. A splendid sight is a frosty morning ! Hoiv beautiful are the sparkling brilliants, pendant from the twigs and the sprays ! What fantastical shapes do we see in the objects formed by the rime, richly reposing on the shrubs, trees, and evergreens, until resolved into its elements by the rising sun ! And when the day has broken, and a gleam of bright light illumines the scene, what a picture of loveliness does there not lie before us ! As for snow, and its effects on the whole face of the coun try—its brilliant scintillations, its romantic embodiment of fairy conceptions, its endless diversity of colours, seen in the various rays of light emitted by the sun in his feeble light—of snow we could be eloquent for a twelvemonth. These, and similar treats, await those who reside in the country and who love nature.—Kidd's Journal of Nature. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD., AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER. to 12 l ier cent. Sterling Exchange is unchanged, at 9i to 91 per cent. premium. ~ Co' ITON.—The cotton market .continues dull, and prices have declined lc. to on the quotation of this day week for n liddlings and grades below middlings. The Africa's advices have had no effect upon the market. Sales for the wee' k ended Dec. 31, 6,596 bales, of which 1,355 were for exp. )rt, 566 on speculation, and 2,567 in transit. RECEIPTS, EXPORTS, AND•STOCKS OF COTTON. Exports to Total Exports Stock, and Receipts. Gt. Britain. to For. ports. on ship n' 18 53 '96,374 227,417 326,700 424,498 lE .52 1,309,906 463,981 590,077 582,880 1 , acrease — Diecreate BREA.DSTIIFFS.—FIour firm; sales, 13,000 barrels; com 'mon to straight State, $7,75 to $7,81; common to good Ohio, $7,75 to $7,81; Southern firm, sales, 1,100 barrels ; mixed to good brands, $7,75 to $7,87. Wheat firm, sales, 2,000 bushels; Genessee, $2,5. Corn better, sales, 25,000 bushels; mixed, old, 81c. to 82e.; white and yellow, 76c. to 78c. ; round yellow, new, 82c. PROVISIONS. —Pork active ; sales, 600 barrels ; mess, $l3 37 to $l3 50 old ; $l4 62 to $l4 75, new; prime, $ll 12 to $1125, new ; Beef steady; sales, 270 barrels ; country, $8 50 to 11; prime $5 to $5 75 ; repacked Chicago, $l3 50. Lard active ; sales, 450 barrels, at 91 c. to /10c. Coffee firm ; sales, 150 bags ; Rio 12tc. FREIGHTS to Great Britain are very firm, and to Liver pool there is a further advance upon grain and flour, namely, corn and wheat 11d. to 12d., in bulk, and for flour 3s. 3d. to 3s. 9d., with a tendency to a further increase. CIIARLESTON, DEC. 30th.—The sales of cotton to-day were MOO bales, at Btc. to 102-c. The market is unsettled. Nsw ORLEANS, Dsc. 31. Rio Coffee has declined 4c. sales of the week, 8,000 bags, at 11c. to 11 c. for new. Flour advanced 26c. to day.; sales, 5,000 barrels Ohio, at $7. Jan. 5 :—Cotton to-day is firm ; sales, 7,000 bales. Four is dull at $6 75 to $7. White corn, 68c. Mess pork, $l3 50e. Coffee dull. Freights, lc. on 3,000 bales of cotton shipped to Boston. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. FRANCE.—The reception of the Prince de Chimay by the Emperor has attracted some notice. The mission of the Prince was to deliver a private note to the King of the Belgians. It seems natural to connect this act of confi dence with the question now agitating Europe, and specu lations are indulged as to the probability of an Envoy of equal rank being sent by Louis Napoleon, with a friendly response to the son-in-law of Louis Philippe. SPAIN.—A telegraphic despatch from Madrid, of the sth instant states that on that day the Queen of Spain gave birth to a daughter, and that both her Majesty and the young princess were doing well. A telegraphic de spatch from Madrid, of the Bth inst., announces the death of the new-born princess after a day's illness. This is re markable, AS•previons official despatches spoke of the child as being of particularly healthy constitution. PORTUGAL. — The Cortes were opened, in person, by the King Regent, on the 2nd instant. Both houses have since appointed pure ministerial committees to draw up replies to the speech from the throne. M. Julio Gomes has been reinstated as President of the House of Deputies by the votes of the whole House, and the King Regent's con firmation ; and all the vice-presidents, secretaries, &c., are favourable to the Administration. Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg Gotha arrived by the last packet on a visit to his brother, the King Regent, and is expected to pro ceed to Cadiz and Saville in the course of a few weeks. There is no kind of foundation for the reports indus triously spread as to the probability of a change of government or reaction in this country, which has, apparently, every chance of a season of tranquillity. It is stated that the young king is about to marry his Coburg cousin, the Princess Charlotte of Belgium. AUSTRIA.—The rumours of an intention on the part o; the Emperor to visit Warsaw are still current at Vienna. The acceptance by the Porte of the proposals of the Four Powers reached Vienna on the 11th, and a courier was despatched the next day (Thursday) for St. Petersburg, where he is expected to arrive on the 18th. SWEDEN.—A communication from Stockholm of the 20th ult. states that a commission of officers and engineers had just left the capital to visit the different parts of the coast, and to put all the military points in a state of de fence. The country every day declares itself more and more against Russian policy, and has decided on making its neutrality respected by force of arms in the event of such a measure being provoked. GIBRALTAR.—By the City of London steamer, arrived at Southampton, we have accounts to the 2d inst. The Gibraltar Chronicle of the 28th ult. contains the par ticulars of a disastrous accident which occurred at Malaga on the 23rd ult. The roof of the barracks in the Plaza de la Merced gave way and sunk down to the ground floor through second and first stories. Two companies and all the musicians of the corps were quartered in the building, all of whom were buried in the ruins. When the correspondent wrote, twenty-four persons, dead or severely wounded, had been taken out, and it was appre hended that most of the others had perished. At the early hour at which the accident happened it was very dark, and it rained as fast as it could. The greatest con fusion prevailed, and the loud lamentations of the victims' families, who hastened to the spot, greatly increased the horror of the calamitous scene.—The screw steam-ship Danube, five days and two hours from Liverpool, arrived at Gibraltar on the 28th ult., and proceeded to Trieste. The steamers Gregois, Frankfort, and Taurus left on the night of the 27th ult. The last steamer arrived on the 27th, in seven days from Liverpool, bound to Malta, &c. The screw-steamer Arno, five days and a half from Liver pool, arrived on the 29th ult., bound for Genoa. The screw-steamer Genova left on the 28th ult., for Liverpool, but put back in a damaged state, having run into and sank the Spanish polacca brigantine Patriots, from Ferrol, bound to Malaga, with a cargo of fish. The French war steamer Monteumza, four days from Toulon, arrived on the 28th ult. Her Majesty's steamer Vesuvius was in Gibraltar Bay when the City of London left. RrSSIA.—It appears that, among the frigates riding at anchor, in the Turkish fleet destroyed by the Russians at Sinope, was a vessel belonging to the Pacha of Egypt, officered by three English engineers and two English stokers; this frigate was captured, and the engineers and stokers, together with a great number of the crew, were made prisoners by the Russians. They were taken to Sebastopol, and thence transported to Odessa. Although the engineers wore the uniform of officers, they were treated as common Russian sailors, being kept in strict confinement, with the allowance of 8i copecks silver, or 3d. per diem. On their arrival at Odessa the Consul- General represented the facts to the authorities there, and required that the chief engineer, at least, should be treated as an officer and a gentleman, but to all his remon strances the authorities turned a deaf ear, and it was said that all the prisoners were to be marched eighty miles into the interior on foot. The Consul-General has reported this case to our Ambassador at St. Petersburg, whose remonstrances have been most energetic, but have met with as little respect as those of the Consul-General. WEST INDIES.—The West India mail arrived at South ampton on Sunday. Her dates are :—Jamaica, Dec. 26th ; Trinidad, 24th; Barbados, 27th; St. Thomas's, 31st. She has 47 emigrants, and on freight, $99,027 gold dust, $452,353 silver, and $197,724 specie and usual freight. The Atlas, from Liverpool, with emigrants, had been towed into St. Thomas's, entirely dismasted, and forty seven of the emigrants had died of cholera. Cholera still raged at St. Thomas's. Nothing of political interest had occurred at Jamaica. In the markets no sales of import ance had taken place. Corn cheaper. Freights wanted. Exchange, 90 days, per cent. prem. ;60 days, 1 per cent. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICA. By the British and North American Royal Mail steam ship America, Captain Lang, which arrived yesterday, we have intelligence from New York to the 3d, and Boston to the 4th instant. The America has brought $145,433 specie on freight, and 52 passengers. PABSENGEBS.—Mrs. Hodge, Mr. George Beattie, Mr. James Acshe, Mr. Heron, Mrs. Jas. Patton, Mr. rlntere, Mr. Stephen, Mr. Pillsbury, Mr. Phiblerick, Mr. E. Mon seau, Mr. A. Tellier, Mr. L. Marchand and friend, Mr. A. Duncan, Mr. James Douglas, Mr. A. Levesque, Mr. J. Brunea, Mr. L. Bowan, Mr. Aglsvey and friend, Mr. F. Lelands, Mr. Davies and friend, Mr. A. Kotte,Mr. Hobson and lady, Mr. L. Lewis, Mr. H. Sevin, Mr. Thomas Shaw, Mr. F. Claxton, Mr. J. Cord, Mr. John Durhan, Mr. J. C. Collins, Mr. G. M. Fairchild, Mr. I.C. Smith, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Stewart, Mr. De Vries, R.N., Mr. Allro and lady, Mr. Combs, Mr. Murray, Mr. John Kendy, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Hepburn, Mr. Longmeade, Mr. Muir, Mr. Steirs, Mr. Munroe, Mr. Baird, Mr. Slater, Mr. Rodgerson, Capt. Hindmarsh. The steam-ship Africa, from Liverpool, with advices to the 17th December, arrived out at New York on the 30th of the same month. The screw-steamer Alps, from this port, arrived out at Boston on the morning of the 30th December, after a passage of fifteen days and a half. DREADFUL SHIPWRECK. The American packet-ship Staffordshire, Captain Richard son, which left Liverpool for Boston on the 9th of Decem ber, was wrecked on Blonde Rock, south of Sea Island, on the 30th ult. The first and second mates and "seventeen seamen reached Cape Sable. The third mate, boatswain, and twelve others were picked up and landed at Shelburne, N.S. Captain Richardson and the remainder, about one hundred and eighty persons, went down in the wreck im mediately after striking. The Staffordshire was built by M`Kay, in June, 1851, for Enoch Train and Co.'s line of Liverpool and Boston packets. She was a noble ship of 1,817 tons, and one of the finest vessels of the line. The loss to the underwriters will be heavy. The number of passengers on board was 146, children included, all of whom were lost. The Staffordshire is said to be insured for between $90,000 and $lOO,OOO, in Boston and New York. Her cargo was very large, and is estimated to be worth over $300,000. A large portion of it was on Canadian ac count, and was probably insured in England. The new clipper-ship Lightning, for Messrs. J. Baines and Co.'s Black Ball Line of Australian packets, was suc cessfully launched at Boston on the 31st ult. She regis ters 2,200 tons, and will be commanded by Captain Forbes, late of the Marco Polo. By the latest advices ffom Boston we have accounts of the deplorable sufferings of mariners during a recent storm in the east. A large number of vessels had been either wrecked completely or else dismasted and driven ashore. The most melancholy portion of this sad intelli gence is that a great number of lives were known to have been lost, and it was believed that some vessels had gone down with all on board. The United States Senate had appointed a Special Com mittee for the purpose of enquiring into and reporting upon the cause of the great mortality on board emigrant vessels. The general proceedings in Congress had not been of an important character. In the House the greater part of the time had been consumed in presenting bills grant ing land by the whOlesale for railroad and other purposes. The Committee on Ways and Means had reported bills for the support of the army and navy, and for the trans portation of the mails in ocean steamers for the ensuing fiscal year. A bill had been introduced by Mr. Bennett, renewing his proposition made to the last Congress, to grant lands to all the States for the construction of rail roads and the support of common schools. The Captain-general of Cuba has issued a decree de claring his determination to suppress' the slave trade, but authorising, as a substitute, the introduction into the island of free Indian labourers, Asiatics or Spaniards. The winter had thoroughly set in throughout the States. A letter, dated Halifax, 3rd instant, says, " A violent gale prevailed here on the 22nd ult., and morning of the 23rd, sinking and destroying a number of vessels at the wharves in the harbour. The loss is computed at £20,000. On the 26th, arrived the steamer Merlin, from New York, with loss of boats. Sawa large ship southwest of Sambro, dismasted, her deck being even with the water." At Venezuela yellow-fever prevailed with great fatality among the shipping. The new crop of coffee was more than usually abundant. Sales were made at 11fc. Hides, 14c. per lb. The Lake Woollen Mills at Ellington had been des troyed by fire. The California had arrived at New Orleans with advices from San Francisco to the 6th and 1,167,000 dlrs, in specie and freight. Mining accounts were favourable. The Utah Indians were committing depredations on the southern parts of the state. The market, since the sailing of the last steamer, had been quite active, and purchases for the interior quite heavy; Rates generally remained unchanged. Rio Coffee was jobbing at 25c. All descriptions of eastern lumber were dull, and prices were drooping. The steamer Illinois, with the mails and treasure, had sailed for New York on the evening of the 26th. She had 1,250,000 dlrs. in gold. We have two weeks' later intelligence from New Mexico There was some excitement at Santa Fe in relation to various lawless acts committed by citizens of Mexico, and the people were calling loudly for the settlement of the Messila Valley boundary. An affray had occured at Santa Fe, during which a much respected citizen of the place had been shot by a desperate fellow. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, JAN. 3. STOCKS AND MONEY.—Stocks are firm, with a strong tendency upwards ; New York Central 931 ; Michigan Southern Bonds 97f ; Nicaragua Transit Co. 28 ; Reading 79k; Erie 79;. 'Money is easy and in geed demand, at THE WAR IN THE EAST. A private telegraphic despatch, dated Constantinople, January 3, says :—" The combined squadrons of France and England entered the Black Sea this day, together with the first division of the Turco-Egyptian fleet. Six vessels are left at Beycos, to guard the entrance of the Bosphorus, and the second division of the Ottoman fleet anchored at Therapia." The Afoniteur of Wednesday announces, by government despatches from Constantinople, of the 21st ult., that the Divan has given its adhesion to all the propositions of the Four Powers. The following is the text of the note officially presented to the Divan by the ambassadors of the four European powers, on the 15th ult. : " The undersigned, —, in accord with the represen tatives of —, has the honour to make known to the Sublime Porte that their governments, having still reason to believe that the Emperor of Russia does not regard the thread of the negotiations as broken by the declaration of war, and the facts which have been the consequence of it, and knowing, moreover, from the declarations of his Im perial Majesty, that he only desires to see secured a per fect equality of rights and immunities granted by the Sultan and his ancestors to the Christian communities, subjects of the Sublime Porte ; . and on its side the'Sub lime Porte replying to that declaration by the declaration that it regards it as being for its honour to continue to maintain the said rights and immunities, and that it is constantly disposed to put an end to the differences which have arisen between the two empires, the negotiation to be followed shall be based-Ist, on the evacuation of the principalities as promptly as possible ; 2nd, on the renewal of the old treaties ; 3rd, on the communication of the firmans relative to the spiritual advantages granted by the Sublime Porte to all its non-3lussulman subjects—a communication which, when made to the powers, shall be accompanied by suitable assurances given to each of them. The arrangement already made to complete the accord relative to the holy places and to the religious establish ments at Jerusalem shall be definitely adopted. The Porte shall declare to the representatives of the four powers that it is ready to name a plenipotentiary, to establish ar mistices, and to negotiate on the bases above-mentioned, with the concurrence of the powers, and in a neutral city, which shall be suitable to them. The declarations made in the preamble of the 13th of July, 1841, shall be solemnly confirmed by the same powers in the interest of the inde pendence and the integrity of the Ottoman empire and that of the European concert ; and the Sublime Porte on its side shall declare, in the same interest, its firm resolu tion to more efficaciously develope its administrative system, and the internal ameliorations which may satisfy the wants and the just expectations of its subjects of all classes. "S. DE REDCLIFFE. BAEAGILLY D'HILLIERS. " L. DE WILDE:O3IMM " DR BRUCK. " Per a, December 12th, 1853." -- Accounts from Krajova state that the engineers of the country have received from the Russian General Aurep the most pressing instructions to render passable for artillery the roads leveling through Slatina to Karakal. General Aurep has just received the order to depart from Krajova with a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry to invest Kalafat. _ _ The Ost-Deutsche Post publishes a letter from Her mannstadt, dated the Ist inst., which contains the follow ing :—" The year 1853 has closed with the capture of the town of Karakal, which has cost much blood. This town is situate on the left bank of the Aluta, not far from Krajova and Slatina. The Russian troops retreated in good order towards Krajova. It is said that the Russians have entered little Little Wallachia, near Kalafat, in vast masses. If the Turks were to get Slatina, they would be masters of the route to Bucharest, and a great part of the Russian army would find itself cut off." THE BATTLE OF CITALE. The following telegraphic despatches from Vienna leave no doubt that Omar Pasha has succeeded in striking another severe blow on the Russian army opposed to him. It appears that the Russians contemplated an attack on Kalafat on the 13th of January, for which purpose they were engaged in concentrating their force in entrench ments at Citale. On the 6th instant, however, and before they had succeeded in bringing up all their troops, the Turkish General marched out of Kalafat with 15,000 or 18,000 men, to storm the enemy's entrenchments. On that day, and on the 7th and Bth, a series of murderous conflicts took place, ending in the total defeat of the Rus sians, who confess to a loss of 1,000 killed, and 4,000 wounded. General Aurep, who commanded the Russians, was severely wounded, as well as General Tuinont. (BY SUBMARINB TELEGRAPH.) VIENNA, .14. x. 13.—The intelligence forwarded last night, relative to conflicts on the 6th, 7th, and Bth, at Ci tale, on the Danube, nine English miles north of Kalafat, has been confirmed by despatches received at the French, British, and Turkish Embassies. On the 9th the battle still continued, and the Turks had the advantage, having advanced beyond Citale. JAN. 14.—A despatch from Widdin states that, on the morning of the 6th, some 16,000 or 18,000 Turks attacked about 10,000 Russians near Citale. The battle lasted till the afternoon, and was very bloody. The Turks took two redoubts, one of which had been abandoned, but finally retired into their entrenchments, having lost six cannon of small calibre. The loss on both sides was very considerable, but the precise number was not known. The Russians suffered a greatloss in officers killed and wounded, among the latter General Tuinont. There was a report that the Pasha commanding the Turks was killed. On the 7th the battle was resumed, when the Turks under Mehmed Pasha stormed another redoubt. The loss of life was very great, and at the date of the last advices the battle was not yet over. The sanguinary struggle between the Turks and the Russians at Citale was continued on the Bth and 9th. The Russians are driven back upon Kra jova, leaving four pieces of cannon and an immense num ber of dead upon the field of battle. J.s.x. 15.—0 n the Bth the Russians were completely defeated at Citale. According to their own private ac count, they had 1,000 killed, and 4,000 wounded. General Aurep was carried back to Krajova, severely wounded. On the 13th, the Russian New Year's-day, the attack was to have been made on Kalafat, but Omar Pasha was re solved to be beforehand with the enemy. The Turks were commanded by Selim Pasha (Zedlinsky.) On the 10th the Turks retired to Kalafat. Isrom—We have intelligence by overland mail from Bombay to the 14th ult. Accounts from Burmah continue contradictory ; according to some, the dacoits were disap pearing and confidence being gradually re-established, while others state that we are on the eve of another and a defensive campaign. The only certain facts appear to be, that the king himself, having more to lose than any one else, dreads the resumption of hostilities, and endeavours to maintain peace, but that there is a strong war party at Ave, headed by the king's younger brother, Meng-dat- Meng, which is in communication with the various dacoit chiefs in our territories, and that the latter, either from a diminution of their numbers, or from the exhaustion of the country, or from motives of defence, have discontinued their depredations in many districts, and are concentrating at particular points ; Moung-young-gye and another dacoit chief, with a force amounting, it is reported, to 10,000 men, having stockaded himself near Meaday, while Moung Beau, with another large force, is in the jungles near Pegue. The number of these dacoits is probably grossly exaggerated, but there is no doubt that they are strongly stockaded at the parts mentioned, and that they must be dislodged and dispersed before the settlement of the coun try can be considered complete. The operations against the Affredees, between Peshawur and Kohat, have been successful. They had persisted in closing the pass, though we paid their chief blackmail for keeping it oven. It was therefore resolved to occupy the defile with a line of posts, and to build a fort in the middle of it. The Affredees attempted to break through at one end, but were driven back, and a few days after the valley was invaded, and their villages and stores of grain destroyed. The latest news is that they have been starved into submission, and entered into engagements for good behaviour in future. The force at Peshawur, though still called only a garrison in the Army List, is rapidly assuming the calibre of an army of observation. It appears that the strength of the force is as follows :—lnfantry—European, 2,700; Native, 7,100; total, 9,800. Cavalry—regular, 450; irregular, 2,000; total, 2,450. Artillery—horse, 400 men and 24 guns; foot ditto rand mountain trains, 700 men and 24 guns ; total, 1,100 men and 48 guns ; and 100 sappers and miners ; altogether, 13,250 men and 48 guns, a force, it is remarked, sufficient to sweep Affghanistan from the Kyber to Khorassan and back again. In the event of a Russian war, it is reported that the Peshawur force will be aug mented to an army •ef observation, which will be placed under the command. of Lard Frederick Fitzclarenee. Lord Dalhousie's reinstatement of Col. Outran at Baroda, though confauned by the ,eourt of directors, has 4aot yet been carried into •effect. Can/A.—The intelligence of the rebellion and distur bances by this mail is of a more interesting and exciting nature than we have been able to communicate for some time past, giving the progress of the rebels north, an attack on Shanghai, and the re-capture of Amoy. Our advices from Shanghai are to the 20th of November. The reinforcements of the Imperial naval force, noticed in our last, induced the imperialists to make a general attack on the city with the combined forces on the 10th of November. They succeeded in capturing two of the rebel fleet, pur chased from foreigners, and several junks, but were vigorously repelled by the rebels on the land side and with great loss. Being unsuccessful in their land attack, and unable to capture the batteries on shore, the crews of the Imperial junks landed up the river, and commenced pillaging the neighbourhood and setting fire to the houses, which led to the destruction of a considerable portion of the south-eastern suburbs. Much valuable property and treasure was seized and carried off, after which the force retired, and since then no important attack has been made. The insurgents in the city - are said to be short of pro visions, and, as no sympathy is shown towards them, some crisis similar to that of Amoy may be anticipated ; and, if Shanghai be re-taken, fearful vengeance will be dealt out to the people of the city. Canton remains quiet, but a large force has been sent to Tong-Koon, not far distant, where vigorous resistance has been shown to the govern ment, which will have some difficulty in quelling the disturbance. The accounts of the insurgents in the south-west mention that the capital of Hopili had been re-taken by them, with great slaughter, and the district disturbed, and that the rebels were investing the capital of Oonam, which resisted their efforts before. The accounts of the atrocities on the capture of Amoy, on the 11th of November, by the Imperial force, are of the most appalling and horrid character. No doubt the principal part of the rebel force was allowed to escape, the chief being probably bribed, but those who were left behind had no means of escape and were massacred. SOUTEE AMERICA.-By the steam-ship Lady Eglinton, which arrived here on Friday, we have advices from Rio Janeiro to the 10th ult. The Lady Eglinton passed the Lusitania, belonging to the same line on the 16th Decem ber, going into Bahia, in twenty-two days from Liverpool, and on the 20th, in lat. 5 S., long. 32 W., passed a large brig-rigged screw steamer, supposed to be the Valdivia, hence for Rio Janeiro and Valparaiso. From Monte Video we learn that little of importance took place in political affairs until the middle of November, when the Minister of War, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, re signed, not being able to coincide with the other members of the Government. In the interior the disaffected party of Blancos had for some time been meditating disturb ances, and towards the middle of November they openly took up arms against the Government in several parts of the province. On the 25th November they seized upon Colombo, and forced the authorities to fly to Buenos Ayres in a whale boat. From Buenos Ayres we have no change of importance to notice. Business was in a satis factory state, and the Government had sanctioned the new tariff, which was to be brought into force January 1, by which the import duties would undergo considerable mo dification, while those upon exports would be generally increased. Exchange on London; 665. 6d. per doubloon. FOREIGN MISCELLANY. HIPPOPHAGY IN AIISTRIA.—III consequence of a re port, by the Committee of Public Health, the Austrian Government has allowed butchers to sell horse meat to the public in the markets. A NEWEIMAN'SDOG.—TheAIbany Knickerbocker gives an account of a wonderful dog belonging to one of its car riers. The carrier, falling sick, sent out a boy to deliver the papers, who, being unacquainted with the round, was followed by the dog, which stopped at the door of every subscriber, never missing one in a list of 600 ! At the door of the subscribers who had not paid for a long time, the dog was heard to howl ! THE Tows . OF SINOPE is constructed, in great measure, with the old materials furnished from the Greek city which a colony of Milesians built upon the peninsula. Sinope was the birthplace of Diogenes, and the capital of Mithri= dates. Lucullus took possession of it B.C. 71. Its houses and fortifications contain a multitude of antique fragments, confusedly massed together. Greek and Pophlagonian inscriptions, busts, and mutilated statues, are embedded in the walls on every side. Travellers state that an entire figure is built, head downwards, into the castle wall. LIE AMEEICANE are extending the principle of en couragement to native productions. At the Georgia State fair, a premium was offered for " the best lookinr , baby." As a purse of £5O is offered for the best baby at the fair of next year, an active competition may be expected. A CHEAP TITLE.—The Prince of Canino, Charles Lucien Slionaparte, has sold all his possessions in Rome and Roncigliono to the banker, Alessandro Torlonia, for 450,000 and one scudi. The prince, who is well known as a man of exalted political opinions, has stipulated in the contract that the one dollar should indicate the value of his title as Prince de Canino, which he now sells, to gether with his estates.— Cologne Gazette. FRENCH FAsnloics.—The Emperor of the French is more successful in coercing the husbands than in dictating to the wives of Paris. It is well known that he has been meddling with ladies' dresses, prescribing among other things a grand " court mantle," which is very unpopular. Husbands don't like it on account of the expense, and wives shrink from the dancing-master's drill, without which the wearers of the costume cannot hope to avoid appearin ' o. ridiculous. The Empress alone has train bearers ; but other ladies must concentrate all the powers of their mind upon their trains to escape a catastrophe. At the reception on New Year's night there were not more than two hundred ladies present out of eight hun dred invited. THE FolicEs ON THE DANUBE.—By the last news from Turkey, (says the Augsburg Gazette,) the collective forces of Turkey on the right bank of the Danube amount to 123,000 men, exclusive of the reserve at Shumla and the environs, while those of Russia are far less in number. General Liiders commands 32,000 men; his quarters are at Brailow. Prince Gortschakoff commands the centre of 45,000 men ; his head-quarters are at Bucharest. General Anrep, under whom are the Generals Fishbach and Dan nenberg, is at the head of the right wing, his quarters being at Crajova. All these three armies, inclusive of the reserves, do not exceed 110,000 men. A FEMALE NAVVY.—The Courier de la Drdme tells a story of a woman at Valence, who, her husband being ill and unable to work, disguised herself as a man, and worked five years as a navvy on the railways. Her hus band she described as her father, her children as her brothers and sisters. Her industry as a navvy was such as to induce the foreman to raise her wages 25 centimes above the sum paid to the others. At length her disguise was discovered, and the sympathy of the neighbours speedily provided her with work more suitable to her sex. GurrrownEE.—A monument to the memory of the monk, Berthold Schwartz, to whom is commonly at tributed the invention of gunpowder, has just been erected at Freiburg, in the Grand Duchy of Baden. The monu ment, which is executed by M. Knittler, is placed on a fountain, built in the centre of the grand market-place. It consists of a statue of Schwartz, who lived in the com mencement of the fourteenth century, in his monkish dress. He holds in his right hand an•open book, and is contem plating a mortar placed on a stand on his left. ANTIQUE MARBLEB.—A letter from Athens, of the 24th ult., says :—" Every friend of the arts will learn with in terest that the red and green antique, those two cele brated kinds of marble of great antiquity, and the quarries of which have been lost from time immemorial, have again been discovered by the German sculptor Siegel, established in this city. He has discovered the red antique on the southern part of the chain of Taygete, and the green on the northern side of the island of Tinos." PETRIFIED MAN.—The body of the man found buried six feet deep in Guano, on the island of Ichaboe, is exhibi ting in Baltimore. It is petrified and turned to a solid mass of stone, retaining all the minute outlines of a per fect specimen of humanity. It has been examined by physicians and scientific men, and pronounced one of the most marvellous objects ever witnessed. OLD AGH.—There died at Moscow, on the 11th of Oct., a certain Peter Sosnowsky, aged 122 years, 1 month, and 25 days.—Journal de St. Petersbourq. AMERICAN SLAVERY.—The following is from a speech delivered in the American Congress by Mr. Gerritt Smith, from the State of New York, a new member and a leading Abolitionist. He began the debate by commenting on the Kosta case, passing from the consideration of Austrian tyranny to what he called our own :—" But, sir, I said I could not bestow unqualified praise upon our government for its part in the Kosta affair. In one or two of those passages of very rare rhetorical beauty which occur in Secretary Marcy's letter to Mr. Hulsemann, he ventures 'to insinuate the despotism of Austria. Now, sir, I will not say that there was impudent hypocrisy in that in sinuation, but I will say that the insinuation was in bad taste. I will add, that it was bad policy. In our diplo matic correspondence we should studiously avoid all allusions to despotism, lest such allusions might suggest to the reader comparisons between our country and other countries that would be quite unfavourable to us. I admit that Austria is an oppressor ; but is it not equally and more glaringly true that America is a far greater and guiltier oppressor ? Indeed, Austrian despotism, com pared with our despotism, - which classes millions of men, women, and children, with cattle, is but as the little finger to the loins.—No, sir, it will be high time for America to complain of Austria for despotism when we have set such an example before Austria as will tend to shame her out of her despotism, rather than to justify and confirm her in it. In this same letter Secretary Marcy proceeds to number, among the justifications of Captain Ingraham, the divine law to do unto others as we would have others do unto us.' Now, I ask you, was it not the very acme of presumption for merica to quote, in justification of herself, that divine command which she surpasses all other nations in wickedly trampling under foot ? Why, did Secretary Marcy suppose Mr. Hulse mann to be stone-blind? Did he suppose Mr. Hulsemann had lived in Washington so long, and had never yet seen the buying and selling of men, women, and children, which is going on here continually under the eye and the authority of the American Government ? Did he, I ask, suppose Mr. Hulsemann to be ignorant of the fact that the American Government is the great slave-catcher for American slaveholders ? Did he suppose him ignorant of the fact that the great American slave-trade finds in the American Government its great patron; and that this slave-trade is carried on, not only under the general pro tection, but under the specific regulations, of Congress ? Did he suppose him to be ignorant of the fact that many, both at the north and south, claim that American slavery is a national institution—made such, indeed, by the American Constitution ? It is, at any rate, made such by the enactments of Congress, the decisions of the judi ciary, and the acquiescence of the American people. How deep, and broad, and glaring is the brand of hypocrisy upon the brow of the American people ! Here stands America, holding in one hand that blessed book which declares that God ' has made of one blood all the nations of men that dwell on the face of the earth,' and holding in the other that emphatically American paper which declares that `all men are created equal;' and at this time her feet are planted on the necks of millions whom she has doomed to all the horrors, and agonies, and pollutions of slavery. Recollect, too, that America is the nation that owes more than any other to liberty, and Christianity, and knowledge, and that therefore she is bound to surpass every other nation in the enlightening and blessed influ ences of her example. Other nations began their ex istence in unfavourable periods; they laid their founda tions in ignorance, and despotism, and superstition: But knowledge, and liberty, and Christianity waited upon the birth of America r tuad.breathediuto her the breath oflife.” THE LIVERPOOL SCRIPTURE READERS' SOCIETY. TIER annual meeting of this society was held on Thurs day evening, at the Collegiate Institution. The chair was occupied by the Lord Bishop of the diocese. Amongst other gentlemen on the platform were=the Revs. A. Campbell, W. Pollock, J. Bardsley, H. Carpenter, H. Jones, T. C. Cowan, H. Marlen, J. B. Lowe, G. Read, J. Hassall, J. Evans, J. Lea, Hughes, J. Robinson, W. Maynard, Hodgson, J. R. Conor, Vernon, J. Paine ; Messrs. T. B. Horsfall, M.P., A. Hodson, C. Glazebrook, T. D. Anderson, E. Jones, C. Gregson, E. Higgin, T. Welland, G. Wagstaff. The proceedings having been commenced with prayer, The Loan BISHOP said it was a great gratification, not onlylo himself, bat to his friends around him, to see so many there to show their goodwill to the Scripture Read ers' Society. With respect to the society itself, the estab lishment of it had been a source of great gratification to him on many accounts. An effective staff of scripture readers was the way, and the only way, by which they could reach the toiling masses of the poor population, who never came within the walls of a church. They did not come to church, and even if they did, there was not the room to hold them, though, he hoped, in time it would be otherwise ; and, from the spirit that showed itself in Liverpool, that there would be more new churches, and that he would have the satisfaction of seeing those churches filled with congregations of the poor as well as the rich : but, in the meantime, it was a great satisfaction to them to be able to carry the light and comfort of the Gospel to the doors and dwellings of the poor, to their own homes, and their own firesides. That related to the general object and principles of the society ; but there was also another subject of congratulation connected with it— he meant the very liberal and prompt support which it had met from the people of Liverpool generally. He knew very well they had many other claims upon them, but he knew also that they responded to every claim freely and generously, if it could only be proved to them that they had a good and a strong cause ; and he (the chairman) thought there could not be a better or a stronger cause than that. No doubt it was a good thing to show their Christian sympathy to those at a distance, and to those to whom they were strangers—to the poor emigrant, who was leaving oar shores to work his way in a distant land, or to provide for the heathen spread over all the dark corners of the earth. All those were good things ; but it was surely also a good thing to show their Christian sympathy to those nearer home, those living alongside of them, and who were employed in their ser vice ; those by whose labour not only the general prosperity of the town had been enlarged, but the private fortunes of individuals amassed. Surely they must be considered to have a very close claim on their Christian sympathy. His lordship then referred to a statement which had been put into his hand by the excellent superintendent of the society, the Rev. Mr. Bardsley, from which it appeared that the number of readers, which last year, was seventeen, had been augmented to twenty-four. (Hear, hear.) There were at that time 870 subscribers, and these had been increased to I,oso—(applause)—an increase of 180; of these 250 were new subscribers. He hoped to see year by year its numbers increasing as public confidence increased in the management and superintendence of the society. The income of the society from all sources for the Last year would be about £1,900, which would have been more agree able had it been made into round numbers, and come up to £2,000. (Applause.) He had mentioned two subjects, and there was a third which had given him great satisfac tion—that was the cordiality and harmony which existed amongst the committee of the society, and he hoped they would continue to work well together. He congratulated them also on the success which had attended the efforts of the readers in the work in which they had been engaged. The Lord Bishop then spoke of many of the tried friends of the cause in Liverpool, and alluded to the absence of the venerable , Archdeacon Brooks, who was prevented from attending owing to the severity of the weather. He also referred to the Rev. Dr. M`Neile, who was absent in con sequence of a domestic affliction. The Rev. WILLIAM POLLOCK then read the report. It referred, in the first instance, to the success which had attended the society in the object for which it was established, and the benefits which it had been the means of disseminating amongst the working classes of the population. There had been a large increase in the funds, by which the operations of the society were extended more widely than they had hitherto been. The annual income was augmented about £3OO, and the total receipts including subscriptions, church collections, &e., amounted to about £1,525, besides which there was a balance of five hundred pounds in the bank. An objection had been taken to the name of ward meetings, and in con sequence the committee decided upon adopting some other mode of making known the objects of the society. They were more deeply impressed than ever with the importance of the Scripture Readers' Society, and cordially recom mended it to the support and sympathy of their fellow townsmen. The teachers did not trench on the work of the clergy, but did all in their power to assist them. The number of visits paid during the year was 77,633, besides which meetings were held, and sermons had also been preached in connexion with the other proceedings. Some of the readers had been engaged in learning the Irish language, in order that they may the more effectu ally assist in giving instruction to the Irish population, of which there is such a large class ii this town. The Rev. Rector CAMPBELL, in moving the adoption of the report, had the pleasure to announce a donation of £2O from the late Sir John Gladstone, through his executors. (Applause). The purpose of the Scripture Readers' Society is to help the clergy with the conscien tious and devoted assiduity of men willing to undertake a moral guardianship over the poor, and ply them with such attentions of Christian kindness as may be effectual for humanising a semi-barbarous, because neglected, po pulation ; and it is a purpose deserving the co-operation of every one who professes Christianity or professes philanthropy. If we really believe in Christ, let us do what Christ commands. Let us not be content to clothe ourselves in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day, and call ourselves his disciples, while we re fuse to contribute to one great object of his mission—the preaching of the Gospel to the poor. In pressing, however, the claims of the society, I am met with two objections, which I feel bound to answer, in vindication of the society and of my own consistency. It is said we are meddling with politics, and are carrying on an unchristian warfare against the religion of our Roman Catholic brethren. Now, if either of these accusations is true, I should not wish to see your lordship in that chair; and, with respect to the first, that we are meddling with politics, I say distinctly, that if they who made the charge will prove it, I for one will renounce all connexion with the society. (Cheers). When I talk of proof, I mean, of coarse, not vague assertion or doubtful disputation, but bond fide proof, such as ought to satisfy a reasonable mind. But in the absence of proof I utterly discredit the charge, and believe that it has originated in the fact of our having used the boundaries of the municipal wards as an area, and the machinery of the municipal wards as an instrument, for the collection of subscriptions. 'With regard to the other accusation, that we, as a society (of course I cannot answer for the independent seperate action of its individual members,) are carrying on an Un christian warfare against the religion of our Roman Ca tholic brethren, I say the same. If in our controversy with the Church of Rome we are exceeding the limits of Christian duty or Christian charity, I will have nothing to do with it. It is a course of action I never have sanc tioned, and never will sanction. AsProtestants we claim entire liberty of conscience ; andthe same liberty we claim for ourselves we must concede to others. We must not persecute by sword or pen, by fire or faggot, or words which are as drawn swords, making the tongue an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. But here lam obliged to stop I abjure unchristian warfare of every desceiption, but we must defend the truth. (Cheers.) Our controversey is with error of every kind, and we cannot omit Romish error. (Applause.) I cannot say of the Romish contra versy as I said of politics, that we are not to meddle with it at all. (Applause.) We can no more ignore the Romish controversy than we can ignore the north-east wind when it blows in our faces, or a man who meets us in the street and tries to knock us down, (Laughter and cheers.) As a minister of that great peace society—that evangelical al liance—called the Catholic Church, I am as unwilling as I am unfit to engage in offensive warfare of any kind. Self-defence is called a law of nature, and the defence of our faith ought to be as dear to us as that of our honour or our lives. As loyal subjects, as Christian men, and Christian ministers, we must protest ; we cannot, in honour and conscience, fail openly to protest against what the greatest liberal statesman of the day has called an act of " insolent and insidious aggression." Still, however, we are bound to do this in a Christian spirit, and in Christian language, civilly and courteously, though without com promise, but still without betraying the sacred cause which we are sworn to defend. The Bishop of Rome, usurping the prerogative of our sovereign, has conferred territorial titles upon his subjects. The chief of those subjects, decorated also with a foreign title, has declared to the world, in his famous pastoral, issued from the Flaminian gate at Rome, that this great Christian nation had had no national Christianity for nearly 300 years, till he, forsooth, was made Archbishop of Westminster, and the nation thereby restored, like a wandering planet, to its orbit round the sun of righteousness, the Pope of Rome. Now, however peaceably inclined, I really cannot stand this : I connot quite hold my tongue under this un christian imputation. I cannot refuse to go so far with my highly talented and warlike friend, Dr. M`Neile— (Cheers)—as to tell this Roman dignitary, quite civilly, but still resolutely, that although we cannot presume to compete with him in his eminence as a foreign prince— and, indeed, would not compete with him upon condition of swearing allegiance to a foreign sovereign ;—yet that we are quite as good priests of the Catholic Church as he is. We need not tell him, as he tells us, that he is out of the pale of salvation, and must be damned, but will tell him that our priests' orders are as valid as his ; that whatever virtue there may be hi the apostolical succession (I am not going to define what that virtue is, but I suspect that my opinion on that sub ject, when properly understood, might probably be found to be not very different from Dr. M`Neile's) ; that what ever its virtue may be, we have it to the full in as plenary a manner as he or any priest of the church of Rome ; and that, in addition to the apostolical succession of episcopal orders, we have what he has not—the succession of apos tolical doctrine, which is a much better thing. The society is put upon its trial, and I am bound, for your satisfaction, to demand the counts of the indictment, and to ascertain what is the head and front of its offending. Have those of our scripture readers whose attention is specially directed to the subject trespassed beyond the bounds of Christian prudence or Christian duty in their dealings with our Roman Catholic brethren ? If they have, they have done so in direct contradiction to express orders ; and I disbelieve their having done it. With regard to the inquiring classes, referred to in the report, which are held twice a week in the north and south ends of the town, the conduct of them is entrusted—l may almost say re stricted—to the caution of our clerical auperintendent, a man high, and justly high, in our confidence for discre tion. He assures me that their proceedings are conducted with the most perfect decorum and propriety, and that they are, as their name imports, strictly inquiring classes for the instruction of those who voluntarily seek for in struction upon all points, including the points of difference between the Church of England and the Church of Rome. (Hear.) If this is an offence, why we must plead guilty; but then I do not see how we can avoid committing it without being faithless to our ordination vows. Dr. Wiseman has invited us to a solemn controversy. He said, " Let it be a fair contention between us, with theo- TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1854. logical weapons and fair arguments." He challenged ng to meet him in the slums of the great towns,—we know' what he means—" nests of ignorance, vice, depravity, and crime, whose atmosphere is typhus and ventilation it cholera." And here it is the purpose of our society to meet his adherents " with the Word of God," and try which is the strongest—the sword of the Spirit or the wand of tradition. In this Christian warfare, thus carried on, not against Romanism only, but against every form Of error, with Christian motives and for Christian ends, we are entitled, I think, to the sympathy of the whole Pro testant community. (Cheers.) The reverend rector sat down amidst loud' pplause. Mr. T. B. HOUSFALL, M.P., said it gave him the greatest pleasure to second the resolution which proposed the adoption of the report .that had just been read. He thought he need not explain ; as fully as-he might do, the objects of that society, because their rev. rector had already stated them in full; but amongst the various societies in , •-• question there was none which, in his humble opinion, claimed a more cordial support than the Liverpool Scrip ture Readers' Society. They had societies for almost every object—they had at that moment almost a national opportunity for Legislative efforts with regard to juvenile delinquency ; but the Scripture Readers' Society had marked out a course for itself—(hear, hear) ;—and his • lordship had well said, in a few words, that the object of that society was to send to the poorer body of men, amongst the working population of our town, and to read to them the Word of God. (Hear, hear.) Amore simple, a more safe, a more scriptural course, it was impossible for them to pursue. (Hear, hear.) Their reverend rector had alluded to the desirability of not introducing politics within the province of this society, and with him he en tirely concurred. (Hear, hear.) He was glad, howe er, that the reverend gentleman had introduced to their notice the head—at least, so far as this country was con cerned—the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He would endeavonr to introduce the worthy cardinal in a different character to the notice of this meeting, and they might be enabled to view the objects of the society in another light, and see that the Scripture Readers' Society was eminently a Protestant Society. (Applause.) Car dinal Wiseman boldly asserted that the views of the Roman Catholic Church were antagonistic to Protestantism. Watch with a jealous eye the progress of Romanism— watch with a jealous eye her grasping power. He believed an attempt would be made in the ensuing session of par liament to endow Romanism in another form ; an attempt would be made to sanction the payment of the Roman Catholic chaplains to our gaols and our army ; and unless the people of England—unless the people of Liverpool— spoke out, such a measure would be carried ; but he asked the meeting, in the presence of his lordship, whether they were desirous that such a measure should he carried for-- ward ? (Loud cries of "No.") He then went on to speak of the temporal and spiritual destitution of the masses,. and concluded, amidst loud applause, by urging the meet ing to give their hearty support to the society. Mr. GLA ZEBROOK moved the second resolution, which: was to the effect that the meeting, recognising the useful ness of the society, pledged itself to give it its support. The Rev. Mr. BARDSLEY, the secretary of the society, seconded the motion. He detailed at some length the interesting proceedings of the society during the past year, and concluded by calling upon the meeting to give it their continued support. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. _ Mr. PORTER proposed a vote of thanks to the Bishop for his kindness in taking the chair. fr. ANDERSON seconded the motion, which was enthu siastically carried, and after his lordship had replied, the meeting broke up. BREAD RIOTS IA - DEVONSHIRE. On Tuesday simila ' rdisturbances took place at Tiverton —represented by Lord Palmerston—where a farmer rou se d the fury of the mob by asking a higher price for a sample of wheat. He was pelted with mud, and otherwise ill treated. From this violence the mob proceeded to commit other outrages, and Mr. Hole, a magistrate who endea voured to calm the populace, was severely injured. At Bideford, also, in the north of Devon, there was a riot on Tuesday. It appears that the farmers are in the habit of offering their corn for sale, by samples, on the quay; and several of the poor people, believing this had a tendency to enhance prices, determined, if possible to prevent it for the future, and make the farmers lodge their corn in the market for general competition. Accord ingly some women, in the middle of the day, assembled, and proceeded to carry their design into effect by assailing the farmers. The authorities, however, acted with the utmost vigour, swore in a number of special constables, and succeeded in apprehending several of the rioters. The mob then increased, and assembled on the bridge, and threatened to liberate their companions, and began to make hostile demonstrations. The authorities, however, soon succeeded in dispersing them, and the town is now quiet. Os Monday last week, in consequence of the high price of bread, a general attack was made on the bakers' shops in the lower part of the city of Exeter. The police being found insufficient to quell the disturbance, the Mayor pro ceeded to the barracks, now occupied by the 3rd Light Dragoons, for assistance. About a quarter of an hour afterwards, a detachment of the soldiers rode into the streets, and were hooted by several of the bystanders. In the meantime, the rioters had proceeded to St. Thomas,. a town separated from the city only by a bridge. Here they had prepared a vast deal of mischief. One baker's shop was smashed to atoms, the bread being taken away, and the fixtures destroyed. In one or two instances the bakers threw out their bread to the mob, who were thus appeased, and proceeded to other shops. At night they proceeded to Alphington, a village about a mile from Exeter, and ransacked the shops of two bakers, carrying off •the whole of the bread and flour. They then went in the direction of Exminster, where they did great damage to the residence of Mr. Trood, a large farmer and corn- '- grower. The arrival of a troop of the 3d Dragoons, however, prevented them from further carrying on their mischievous designs. The most prompt efforts were used, • and upwards of twenty-five of the foremost of the mob Were secured and removed by escort to gaol. The county magistrates assembled at the Castle of Exeter on Wednesday, when 27 rioters were brought up, and committed for trial at the assizes. On Wednesday a man named William Davis was apprehended for having been mixed up with the rioters ; it was proved, in one instance, that when a carpenter used his hammer to keep off the crowd, he threatened, if he did not desist, to use his knife. This took place in St. Thomas's, and whilst it was going on a lad ran th roug h th e streets exclaiming,. Let's on to Trood's, and fire the house !" COURT AND FASHION. WlLLism MALTBY, a cousin of the Bishop of Durham, librarian of the London Institution, in which office he succeeded the eminent Professor Porson, expired on the sth instant, having reached his 90th year. - - THE ADMIRALTY have determined to despatch the screw-steamer Phceuix in the ensuing spring, to B eec h ey Island, to communicate with, and to convey supplies to, Sir Edward Beicher's expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Mas. W. E. GLADSTONE, the wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, gave birth to a son on Saturday, at the official residence of the right hon. gentleman in Downing street. The same evening the right hon. gentleman gave a dinner party. THE -DEATH OF THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH took place at his seat in Hurstbourne-park, near Andover, on Monday, last week. The deceased peer, Newton Fellowes, was born in 1772, and had succeeded his brother but a few months. His only surviving son is now in his 29th year. DEATH OF FIELD-MARSHAL VISCOUNT BERESFOFD. —On Sunday week, at Bedgebnry-park, near Goud burst, died General Viscount Beresford, G.C.8., It is generally supposed that this distinguished soldier was born in the year 1770; and, though there is some reason to believe that he was at least two years older, it is certain that he entered the army in the month of August, 1785. RECALL 01? ADMIRAL SIR FLEETWOOD PELLEW.—.. The Admiralty hare superseded Sir Fleetwood Pellew in his command in China. It is rumoured that Sir James • Stirling has been appointed to succeed Admiral Pellew in command of the British ships of war on the East India station. EPISCOPAL PEERS. —There will, in the approaching session, be two Bishops sitting in the House of Lords by right of temporal baronies : the Bishop of Sodor and Man, by right of the Barony of Auckland ; and the Bishop of Tuam, by that of Plunket. The Bishop of Killaloe is Lord Riversdale in the Irish peerage ; but, of course, simply as such, has no seat in the House of Lords. The Bishop of Tuam, then the Right Rev. and Hon. T. Plunket; sat in the last parliament by rotation ; be was, generally opposed to Government. The Irish prelates in the next session by rotation will be, the Primate, and the Bishops of Ossory, Cork, and Down. THE COVET.—On Thursday a dramatic performance took place ix the presence of the court at Windsor Castle. The play selected was- Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's comedy " Money." Among Her Mtjesty's visitors were the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord Chancellor and Lady Cranwortb, the. Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, the Earl and Countess of Derby and Lady Emma Stanley, the Earl of Mulgrave, &c. TIIE DUCHE9,9 D'AUMALE was confined on the sth inst. of a second son, which received the title of Duke de Guise. —French paper. . JENNY inrD.—Mr. Mitchell has, it is said, concluded an engagement with Madame Goldschmidt (Jenny Lind) to appear in concerts for six months, during the approaching season. The preliminary terms are stated at £26,000. A COLD RECEPTION. — At the recent reception at the Tuileries an English lady, finding it very cold in the antechamber, put her satin mantle, which was lined with ermine, under her feet, saying, at the same time, most audibly, that she would complain to the Emperor. This British boutade has highly amused the Parisians. MEETING OP PARLIAMENT.—The following circular has been issued to the Radical Members of the House of Commons :—" Sir,—The meeting of Parliament having been fixed for Tuesday, the 31st inst., and the present situation of public affairs rendering a full attendance peculiarly desirable, I take the liberty of earnestly re questing your presence on that day.—l have the honour to be, sir, your faithful and obedient servant, "J. RUSSELL." THE CARLTON CLUB.—The old Carlton Club, for many years the rendezvous of political partisans, and gossips of all shades of Tory and Conservative principles, is being pulled down. Some two or three years ago, a new house was begun by the club, for increased accommodation for the members, and Buckingham-house has been taken by the members of the club while the old premises are pulled down and rebuilt. The new building, we understand, will be uniform in its external appearance with the new house built next to it, and which is adorned in front with polished granite pillars. When finished, the Carlton will in its extended and improved condition, be a great orna ment to the architectural beauty of Pall-mall. COLD TONGUE.—At Halstead, a child was standing on the town bridge, watching his companions sliding on the river, when, happening to put his tongue on the iron rail ing for a minute, he found, to his astonishment, that it was completely frozen to it. Some hot water was imme diately procured, and the little prisoner was released with cut much injury.