The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-12-30 00:00:00

THE WATER LILY. There is a flower whose leaves enfold (Themselves of purity unstained) A treasure as of finest gold, Within their pure embrace contained And, in this guardianship secure. Upon the ruffled lake it lies ; Closed to the touch of aught impure, But ever open to the skies. So be thy precious soul within Buoyed over up by faith and love— Shrined in a body pure from sin, And looking steadfastly above. LITERATURE. Zoows volt REVIEW. &c.—New Books, Prints, Music, &c., intended for review, may be left at Mr. C. Mitchell's, Red lion-court, Feet-street, London. addressed " to the Editor of the Lt vERPO L. STAN DAitu," when they will be forwarded, and receive attention. COINCIDENCE OF THOUGHT. IT has been said that nothing is so difficult to find as a xiew idea ; and some have affirmed that, except the new discoveries in science and their aprlications, there is liter ally "nothing new under the sun." We are surprised, from time to time, to find that some of the choicest thoughts of our own era, on 'literature, morals, laws, and customs, were anticipated ages ago in the mouldy pages of some forgotten author. This arises not from any plagiarism, literal or practical, but from the peculiar mental constitu tion and circumstances of our species, which occasion a perpetuol recurrence of the same thoughts. The person who is well read in Shakspeare, cannot read through a single number of Punch, or the facetite of an ordinary news. paper, or the pages of the commonest jest-book, without detecting the verbal witticisms of the great dramatist, arranged in a new garb, and presented as novelties. These remarks are suggested by some parallelisms of sentiment which we have just noticed. Mr. Dickens has issued an extra number of his " Household Words" for Christmas, with his usual clever mixture of pathos, humour, vivid description, and sound reflection. But, in giving us the recollections of the dead, which not unnaturally arise around even the cheerful Christmas hearth, he has re- written in prose.—unconsciously we are sure,—the prin cipal parts of Mrs. Hemans's well known " Graves of a Household." After an introduction, equivalent to the first two stanzas of the poem, he goes on to suppose how many have been cut off in different ways, and follows the "poetess" almost throughout, in the number, nature, order, and circumstances of the removals. In a servile copyist, this would have been the result of mere recollec tion ; his memory would have brought forth another's materials, and would have appropriated them as his own. In the highest order of minds, the same effect is produced by different causes ; genius selects, as it were intuitively, the best points of illustration, and when these coincide, we do not question the originality of either, but simply settle the point of priority as in the case of independent dis- The following is an illustration : coveries in science H EM A NS DICKENS One midst the forests of the west, There was one who lay By a dark st earn was laid ; down to his rest in the dark The Indian knows his place of rest, shadowofgreat torests,and, Far in the cedar shade. on earth, awoke no more. The sea, the blue lone sea bath one, There was another over He lies where pearls lie deep ; whom they read the words, lie was the loved of all, yet none "Therefore we commit his O'er his low bed may weep. body to the deep!" and so consigned him to the lonely ocean, and sailed on One sleeps where southern vines There was a gallant boy who fell, far away, upon a Above the noble slain; burning sand beneath a die wrapp'd his colours round his burning sun, and said; breast, "'Tell them at home, with my last love, how much I could have wished to kiss them once, but that I died contented, and had done my duty." On a blood-red field of Spain And one, o'er her the myrtle showers There was a dear girl— Its leaves, by soft winds fanned; almost a woman—never to She faded, 'midst Italian bowers, beone—who inadea mourn- The last of that bright band. ing, Christmas in a houseof joy, and went her trackless way to the silent city. Do we not recollect her, worn out,faintly whispering what could not be heard, and falling into that last sleep for weariness? Literary Fables from the Spanish of Yriarte. By Robert Rockliff. London : Longman and Co. This is an interesting little volume, just issued by a Mr. Rockliff, who has lone been known as a man of business in Castle-street, has at inter vals amused his leisure hours with literature beyond the Emits of our own language, and here is a proof of his fa- townsman iniliarity in one department. The Spanish poet Yriarte died in 1790, and with other works which he left behind him is one one entitled Fabulaa Literarias. It consists of a series of canons of criticism applied to literature, enunciated in verse, and applied after fabulous introduc tions. The usual plan in treating principles is to make the illustration secondary ; but the eastern parables and the writings of lEsop have shewn that the principle is often much better retained when associated with a narra tive, real or imaginary. One can sometimes judge from the style of painting in a portrait whether it is a good likeness or not, without seeing the original ; and without having the Spanish original before us, we readily infer that Mr. Rockliff's translation is sufficiently correct. He has at all events hewn that he can express the sentiments with great flnency and vigour in English verse ; and alto gether the little volume is highly creditable to its writer, and to our local talent. Some of the poems appeared previously in' Blackwood's • they are here sixty-three in all. The followin 6 or five which attracted our attention Magazine s a specimen from four THE IVY AND THE THYME I've read—l know not where or when, or if in prose or rhyme— A dialogue that pass'd between the Ivy and the Thyme. The Ivy, bowing haughtily, like one of high degree, Began: " God heir thee, little one, how much I pity thee! For though the sweetest of the herbs that scent the air around, Thou art a dwarf in stature, scarce a span above the ground." " I own my insignificance," the humble Thyme replied; " But still, my stately friend, I think thy pity misapplied. I rather ought to pity thee, for I, however small, Am not indebted for my growth, like thee, unto a wall; Whilst thou,if severed from the stones to which thy fibres grow, Would'st trail and grovel on the groand, the lowest of the low." Thus many a scholiast contrives to climb the tree of fame, By linking to some lofty work his else unnoticed name ; For, though his scholia may deface the text o'er which they scrawl. They grow ;Ii• ..)orate with it, like Ivy with the wall. Treatise on Recent and Fossil Shells Woodward. London : John Weale. In the deluge of :heap literature and science with which we have been overwhelmed; it is cheering to discover something honest and sound, and free from the dap-trap which forms the staple of the manufacturers of popular treatises. The bulk of such works are compilations, not from the best authorities, which would be tolerable ; but from those most easily attainable, without reference to their value, their soundness being a point upon which the book-makers are most usually incompetent to form a cor rect judgment. That this is not necessarily an accom paniment of cheap publications, has been proved by the appearance of several during the present year, which pro- raise to work a complete revolution in this respect. Hitherto a cheap book has usually been a rifacciamento of Penny Cyclopxdias and Useful (?) Knowledge publica tions. The thirst for genuine learning, and the increased facilities for puhlication, have, however, shewn publishers that they can afford to employ men of talent and emi nence in their respective departments to write original matter for general circulation. Mr. Woodward's treatise on shells is a work of this class, and deserves the highest commendation ; for never before bas a work been published in which the details of a science have been explained with more precision and clearness. It is not the book of a mere shell-collector, but is fully calculated to satisfy the cravings of the intelli gent student in natural history. The position of Mr. Woodward in the British Museum has given him supe rior means of information, which his love for the science has made him avail himself of most fully. In the treatise before us the illustrations are of a very superior order— thirteen steel plates by Mr. J. W. Lowry, and a profusion of woodcuts by the eminent naturalist, Mr. A. N. Water house. The work is a credit to the publisher, Mr. Weale, and an ornament to his cheap and useful se r i e s of publi cations. The Mysteries of the Kingdom ; Sketches Expository of the Parables of our Saviour. By the Re Joseph Baylee, A.M The present number includes Parts 7 and 8, and is de voted to an exposition of the parables of " The Pearl of Great Price," and the " Gospel Net." In the first, the author with much earnestness and effect assigns his rea sons for believing that the " pearl of g r eat price spoken of in St. Matthew is symbolical of Christ, and urges his readers to seek the goodly jewel with avidity. The other parable, regarding the " net," is also treated with cons i. derable care and ability. The esteemed author makes the theme the basis for much wholesome advice; and while endeavouring to elucidate these parables, he inculcates, with force and eloquence, the necessity and ad vantage of the proper fulfilment of our religious duties. The Young Chemist. London : W. S. Johnson A trifle, in handsome paper covers, containing a variety of experiments on chemical subjects. It is not an ele mentary treatise, however, but is adapted for those who have already made some progress in the school or lecture room. The author is Mr. Henry Howard Paul, London. Registries of Deeds. By John Edward Dibb. London Longman and Co Almost every man is interested in the establishment of a safe and simple systems for the registration of deeds, as without it property can neither be sold nor held with se curity. Mr. Dibb, who is the deputy-registrar hr the West Riding of Yorkshire, has paid great attention to the subject, and the suggestions he offers are entitled to the attention at least of the legal world. The work now under notice comprises the draft of a bill having for its ob ject the improvement of the whole system of registering deeds. The bill will, no doubt, command the attention it deserves. Notes of an Excursion to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec . By R. Dale. London: Effingham Wilson. Liverpool Rockliff and Son These notes, though brief, comprise some very inter esting impressions made upon the author's mind during a ♦oyage from England to the Mexican Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Without pretending to give a minute description of the various coasts which he passed on the voyage, or of the comparatively unknown territory upon which he afterwards pursued the route to his destination, the author nevertheless points out with sufficient detail the most remarkable objects, and gives an interesting description of the climate, soil, and capabilities of the country. The name of Tehuantepec may be almost unknown to general readers ; but it is likely to become a place of note, being the spot fixed upon to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is very gratifying to learn that, in spite of the alleged difficulties in the way of effecting a communication between these two vast oceans, a party of American engineers are now surveying the Isthmus for the purpose of making a railway across it. The distance in a direct line, from the mouth of the River Coatzacoalcos to Ventora Bay, is about 150 miles. The author reports, on the autho rity of the engineers, that the country does not pre vent any insuperable obstacles, so that this great problem, as to a possible connexion between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, may be considered as on the point of solution. Wherever the writer touched or passed, he seems to have gleaned some interesting fact. For instance, although he only landed at San Juan, and Porto Rico, for two hours, he describes a house which was built and inhabited by Columbus. The suggestions lie makes for opening out a trade in mahogany with Tehuantepec, and the surrounding districts, deserve the attention of speculators, if not of the mercantile world generally. Ireland Sixty Years Ago. Dublin : M`Glasban This is one of a series, of which the general heading is " Readings in Popular Literature." It was issued in 1847, and the present is the third edition. Few countries in Europe have undergone so great a change as Ireland has. durir g the period indicated ; let us hope, for the better. The book relates many things in detail which most Irishmen know imperfectly and traditionally ; and the writer (whether a senior or a retailer of paternal tales, we know not) appears to have given them with great fidelity. Notes on the Distribution of Gold throughout the World London : James Wyld This is a very seasonable pamphlet, coming as it does at the moment when the discoveries in California and else where have created so much speculation and excitement. The author, after tracing the period when first a standard of value was introduced, proceeds to give a minute and interesting description of all the known localities where gold is to be found, as well as their geological peculiarities, and describes the modes adopted at the gold workings. Another part of the pamphlet is devoted to a consideration of the monetary question generally. The topographical information given cannot fail to be interesting. A very useful map of the gold regions accompanies the *ork. Among the more important kind of SERIALS, we have Nes. xxvi. and xxvii. of the re-issue of Knight's Pictorial Shakspeare. They embrace King Henry VI., Part i., and Henry Vl., Part ii. On looking through them, to see if the illustrations have lost any of their ori ginal excellence, we do not see anything to complain of.— The Half Hours have reached Part xxi. in all, or Part vii. in the series of English History. This part, what ever the others are, is merely a hash of the materials which we had previously as separate dishes—The Penny Magazine, Shakspeare, &c. &c.—From the series of Travelling Hours, we have Curiosities of Communica tion, respecting the road, the railway, the electric tele graph, the sail and the steamer, ocean steamers, and foreign mails.—ln the Country House, we have the Poultry Yard, which appears to be prepared with much care ; but we are not skilled in poultry.—Mrs. Cowden Clarke has reached the thirteenth girl among Shah peare's Heroines, which appears to be the last but two. The present is Hermione, the Russian princess. Of the publications in a MAGAZINE form, the largest is a quarto entitled the Home Companion. Its contents are apparently very varied ; a • ing from the illustrations, it is much in the y publication style. The Tempe rance (i. e. to tal) Chronicle is unquestionably of good tendenc t gives 16 pages, or 32 columns, of printed matt for a penny. The present part contains the de tails respecting the prizes offered by Sir Horace St. Paul, Bart.—The Protestant Magazine is a trumpet that gives no uncertain sound ; this number completes its thirteenth volume.—Of Lewis Arundel. the thirteenth number is equally good with its predecessors.—The Parlour Magazine is a magazine indeed, if it contain the " literature of all nations." It does contain a marvellous gathering ; but whether that is like the collection of a magpie's hiding place (hardly worth the trouble of taking), or like the con tents of a pelican's pouch (useful for future digestion), we cannot say.—Hogg's Instructor contains the usual quan tity of matter, including a sketch of the life of Jean Paul Frederic Richter. A well-executed plate gives a portrait of him.—Pierce Egan's Home Circle concludes a " Story without a Name," tales for which a silver cup and a silver cake-basket have been awarded, natural history, coverlet work, chess-problems, &c. &c., as well as a long list of the contributors. There are certainly several respectable names; but whether their contributions are occasional pistol-shots or frequent cannonades, we have no means of determining.—The Curiosities of Industry and the Ap plied Sciences, Part IV., gives an interesting account of Gold, in the mine, the mint, and the workshop ; also, Paper, its applications and its novelties.—The Monthly Digest of equity, common law, &c., is of a far higher class than most of the others in this paragraph. It is edited by E. B. Lovell, Esq., a barrister, and bears the marks of the hand of a professional gentleman and scholar. We are not lawyers, but have read this work with much plea sure, and shall look for its successors with interest. The REV. H. S. JOSEPH, Chaplain of Chester Castle, has published his REPORT for 1851. The prisoners have increased, during the year—September 1850 to September 1851—from 87 to 109: but the communicants have de creased from 18 to 12, that is, from lin 5 to lin 9. Of 156, only 104 can read, some imperfectly ; 28 do not know the Lord's Prayer, and a man 84 years of age, after his twentieth committal, hardly knows whether he has a soul. —Mr. John Bailey Brown writes on the evils of our present joint-stock banking system, suggesting remedies. N B TV MUSIC, We have received a batch of compositions, amongst the most meritorious of which may be classed the following, published by D'Almaine and Co., London : A Merry Christmas Chorus. Song. By Geo. Tolhurst. —Who'll have Me I Song. By G. A. Hodson. — To Music to becalm his Fever. Song. By J. L. Hatton. —The Wellington Marches. By Stephen Glover.—The Bloomer Schottische.—Merry Old Christmas Quadrilles. By Ricardo Linter.—Sparkling Diamonds Quadrilles. By A. Areni.—The Medora Scottische. By Walter M. Packer.—Kossuth Galop. By R. Linter. DREADFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION—THIRTEEN LIVES LOST.—On Monday last one of the most calamitous col liery accidents that have occurred in this neighbourhood for years occurred at the Ince Colliery, near Wigan, the property of A. F. Halliburton, Esq. By an explosion of what is ordinarily called " fire-damp," no fewer than ten men and three boys lost their lives. The pit where this catastrophe occurred is situated near the Hindle} , station of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. It appears that on Monday morning, about half-past five o'clock, upwards of 100 men and boys descended the shaft ; that being the usual hour for commencing work. About six o'clock, when they had scarcely been half an hour at work, a tremendous explosion of fire-damp took place, throwing the neighbourhood into the greatest consterna tion and anxiety. When the alarm had a little subsided, and the foul air in the pit had been dissipated, a number of the surviving colliers and pit-men went vigorously to work, and by their united and energetic exertions all the thirteen bodies (all that were known to be missing) were found and conveyed to their respective hones, which are chiefly in Hindley. THE NEW YEAR.—It is at this happy period of the year, that the exuberance of the feelings amid scenes of gaiety naturally induces the fair and youtlifult6 shine to advantage under the gaze of many friends; and hence probably arises the enormous demand that usually attends Rowlands' Kalydor, Macassar Oil, and Odonto or Pearl Dentifrice, at this festive season. The well-known and highly-prized virtue of the above happy discoveries have, in many instan , rendered their use indispensable to courtly ele' ce ; and, as long as a beautiful complexion, a luxur' head of hair, and teeth of pearls are in request, their way must remain undiminished.—See advt. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS, AN ADMIRABLE REMEDY FOR THE CURE OF LIVER COMPLAINTS AND BAD DIGESTION. —Mr. Wilson, a gentleman lately returned four-Bengal, where he had been employed for several yeafs in the Hon. East India Company's Service, calledli Professor Hollo way's establishment a few days ago to state the benefit he had derived from taking these unparalleled Pills, having suffered from a liver co mpl a i n t f or ye ars , w ith a di ge sti o n so impaired, that for 'Months he could not take any solid ilept. food ; other re? (dies seemed to have no effect on his disorder, b olloway's Pills acted so wonderfully in cleansin e e liver and stren g th en i ng th e di ges ti ve organs that is now quite restored to health. IRELAND. The report is revived that her Majesty will visit Ireland next summer, and that Bristol will be honoured as the port of embarkation. A society has just been formed in Dublin for the pre servation and publication of the ancient melodies of Ire land. Dr. Petrie, the eminent artist and antiquary, has been nominated president. THE - VACANT PROVOSTSHIP.—The Dublin Daily Ex press gives currency to a rumour, which has been some days in circulation, assigning the provostship to Dr. Longfield, one of the Commissioners of Encumbered Estates, and a junior fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. BARBAROUS MLYRDER.—On Thursday, the 18th inst., a man named Michael Cunningham, who has been acting as a bailiff under Mr. John Kelly, of Ballinrobe, county Mayo, was attacked by a number of men in the streets of that town, and beaten to death. . The Limerick Reporter notices an extraordinary feature in the history of emigration. It appears that while thou sands are leaving their native shores for the land of the west, there are vast numbers returning to Ireland ; and it is added that scarcely a ship leaves New York that does not bring 80 or 100 persons homewards. In the Clonmel Chronicle we have a fresh murder re corded. A poor man of the name of Kennedy, who resided at Mullinahone, received a beating on his return home on Tuesday night last, from the effects of which he died on the following morning. This awful deed was perpetrated at Kiltinan, in the county Tipperary. The miscreants remain as yet undiscovered. _ _ A Government reward of £lOO has been offered for the conviction of the murderers of Mr. Bateson. As one spe cimen of the fruits of agrarian crime, we may mention that Mr. Bates, an English gentleman, who was about purchasing the Blayney estates in the locality where the murder was committed, has, solely on this ground, declined completing his purchase. THREATENING NOTICE.—The Newry Telegraph states that " the customary notice has been served upon Mr. Rutherford, J.P., agent for the Marquis of Anglesea's estates:in the county Loutb, threatening him with the fate of the murdered Bateson." That journal adds—" Few agents have proved themselves more humane, more con siderate, or encouraging towards the tenantry over whom they exercise delegated authority." HOMICIDE IN THE COUNTY DONEGAL.—OR Friday last, a man named M'Kain was killed in a scuffle with a person named Galbraith, at Raphoe, in the county Done gal. The deceased had a distress warrant against Gal braith, which he went to execute at his house. Galbraith met him with a t ua in his hand, which the deceased laid hold of and took from him after a struggle. Galbraith thereupon stabbed M'Kain in the left breast, who died of the wound in a few minutes after it had been inflicted. A few days ago the dead body of a fine whale, of the sperm species, was found floating near Castletown, Bere haven, on the Trish coast. Its dimensions were 94 feet 9 inches long, 42 feet girth, breadth of tail 24 feet, length of lower jaw 12 feet, breadth between the eves (one of which is broken by a wound) 15 feet. In the belly and shoulders portions of a tusk were found, evidently be longing to some fish of the sword species, and which had caused death. THREE MORE INCENDIARY FIRES IN DOWN.—We (Down Recorder) are obliged to announce the occurrence of no less than three incendiary fires which took place in this county during the lact few days. The first, a house, the property of Captain Browne, of Janeville, burned on Friday night last ; the second, a mill and some office houses at Grey Abbey, the property of Mr. Hugh Mont gomery ; and the third, a house in the neighbourhood of Killicchy. All, we regret to say, turn out to be agrarian outrages. IRISH RAILWAYS.—GOVERNMENT GRANT OF £50.000. Tt is our gratifying duty (says the .Derry Standard) to lay before our readers one of the most important announce ments, as far as the city of Derry is concerned, which it has been in our power to make for a number of years. The government have, at length, consented to encourage northern industry and energy, and have granted a loan of £50,000 to the Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway Company, for the further extension of their line. It is expected that a similar applicaticn on the part of the Coleraine Railway will be granted by the commissioners. CULTIVATION OF FLAX IN THE WEST.—The Con naught Watchman has the following gratifying statement : —" There are a good many hands now employed in the manufacture of this plant throughout Connaught, the principal factories are, we believe, those of Sir R. O'Don nell at Newport, and of Messrs. Hay and Messrs. Rollo and Holliday, at Ballina, all of them doing well, and thus affording the best practical proof that its cultivation and manufacture can be made remunerative here as well as in the north. Indeed, the lowness of the rent in the west forms an additional advantage which must soon determine English speculators to this part of the country." THE TRANSATLANTIC PACKET.—Mr. Wagstaff has written the following letter to his agent at Belfast : " New York, Dec. 9, 1851.—Sir,—I arrived here the night before last in the Pacific. I find that the finishing of the ship has taken longer time, and will take longer, than I expected. She will be ready for the trial trip next week. She is a magnificent vessel, and will be finished in beautiful style. I have no doubt of her making her trip inside of nine days, even if we should meet with as heavy weather as we may expect at this season of the year. I shall write you next week, stating when we shall leave, and giving you all the necessary instructions. I have appointed Captain C. Thompson, one of the owners of the Sarah Sands, as my agent in Liverpool. I shall employ another ship at once, so that we shall have two ships on the line ; and I am in hopes that the business of the line will warrant having three ships on in April.— Yours truly, JOHN C. WA GSTAFF.—Mr. Robert Scott, 74, Waring-street, Belfast."... DREADFUL ATTEMPT AT MURDER.—DUNDALK, DEC. 25.—1 hasten to inform you of a dreadful attempt to mur der a landlord (Mr. James Eastwood, of Castletown, in the county of Louth), who resides within one mile of this town. It appears that Mr. Eastwood was yesterday even ing found lying in a quarry, within a few perches of his own house. He was perfectly insensible, and up to the present moment is unable to give any account whatever of the transaction. He was found in the quarry by a girl going to her home, who seeing him lying on his face, sup posed him to be a drunken man. On telling him to get up he began to groan. She then went over to him, and, finding that he was Mr. Eastwood, she alarmed the neigh bourhood, when he was removed to his house. His head having been shaved they found three deep cuts on the right side, his ear was split, his cheek dreadfully lacerated, and one of his eyes nearly forced out. A stone was found within a few feet of where he lay. It was long, and of an oval shape, and one end of it was covered with blood and hair. The miscreant or miscreants who maltreated Mr. Eastwood deprived him of his gold watch, leaving a strong steel chain round his neck to which it had been attached. I can safely affirm that the gentleman who now lies on, in all probability, his death-bed, was a most exemplary and kind-hearted landlord. He laboured with great zeal to improve the condition of his tenantry, and had recently introduced among them the art of manufacturing linen from flax grown on his estate. Taking him altogether he was one of the best specimens of his class to be found in lreland.—Times' Correspondent. EXTENSION OF RIBBONISM.—It is painful to have to record further evidences of the rapid extension of Rib bonism. A number of outrages have been perpetrated by the Ribbon conspirators in the county of Meath during the east few days. No life has been sacrificed, but pro perty to a large amount has been destroyed. It appears that since the graziers and farmers of that fertile county have been subjected to the competition of foreigners they have been obliged to curtail their expenditure, with a view to meet their diminished incomes. They have gene rally reduced the number of their labourers and tilled less land. In addition to this they have lately introduced threshing mills, which have been found to do the work formerly done by the hand and the flail, at about one sixth the cost. Something of the spirit which was excited in Lancashire by the first " spinning jenny," has been manifested in Meath by these threshing mills. A widow woman, who farms a large tract of land, employs a consi derable number of labourers, and gives freely to the Church, was cautioned some time ago to give up the " mill." She was advised to pass by the threat with " the contempt it deserved." The consequence has been that an attempt was made a few nights since to destroy her house, farming offices, and stock. Too well the mis creants succeeded, for they burned her barn and some other offices. Another person, a farmer, was likewise served with a Ribbon notice, to give up his mill. He disregarded it, and an outhouse containing 17 head of fine black cattle was consumed. His loss is estimated at nearly £3OO. Several other farmers in Meath are ordered to re-employ certain discharged labourers, on pain, of being roasted alive or shot. No care is entertained how many " innocent" may suffer with the guilty A NEW DODGE.—The begging fraternity have adopted a new dodge in Cheltenham. A burly fellow, wrapped up to the chin, calls at a house where he knows there are only ladies, and sends up his name as the " Rev. Francis Close !" The reply of course is, "Oh ! pray ask Mr. Close to walk in," and having once obtained a footing in the drawing-room, the fellow commences by asking a subscription to some mock charity, and failing in this, he unfolds a bundle of scissors, and begs the astonished ladies to make a purchase ! This impudent trick has been performed at several houses during the past week, and it is only to be regretted that the perpetrators of it have not been handed over to the custody of the police. The fellows take good care to visit no houses in which there are either gentlemen or men servants, otherwise they would pretty quickly meet their deserts by being kicked into the street. MILITARY COSTUME.—Rumours are current in the purlieus of the Horse Guards of important changes (not until much wanted) in the costume of the army. The heavy cavalry dress will, it is understood, undergo a com plete revision at the next issue of clothing. The absurd, tailless jacket is to be exchanged for a frock-coat, loosely made about the sleeves, and with no other ornament than the row of buttons destined to connect one side of the coat with the other. The brass shoulder-scales, es use. less as inconvenient, are to be abolished, the authorities having at length discovered that they press disadvantage ously on the sword arm. The new helmet is to fit the head closely, and to be no larger than it need be. The " swinging horse-tail at each valorous back" is to be discontinued ; as is also the huge black muff, weighing several pounds, which is at present stuck upon the heads of Grenadier Guardsmen, and which, during the dog-days more especially, makes them the object of everybody's sympathy. It is impossible to conceive any costume less picturesque or more uselessly absurd than much of our military dress and accoutrements. If any reform be in troduced, it ought to be a sweeping 0ne,—.41 Journal. THE LIVERPOOL - STANDARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1851. ECCLESIASTICAL NEWS. PREFERMENTS ANT) APPOINTMENTS. The Rev. John Aldous, Curate of Vllingborotigh, to he a Surrogate for the diocese of Peterborough ; the Rev. James Banks, A.M., Perpetual Curate of Christ Church, in the Forest of Dean, to be Head Master of King Edward the Sixth's Free Grammar School, Ludlow, Salop; the Rev. Joseph Betton, M.A.. Rector of St. Michael's, Stamford, to be evening Lec turer at St. Lawrence's Church. Ludlow; the Rev. Alexander Peters Birrell, A.M., late Principal of the Diocesan Traininz College at Chichester, to the Vicarage of Oving, Sussex ; the Rev. W. Buckle, M.A., to the Perpetual Curacy of Oakridge, Gloucestershire; the Rev. James Chambers, M.A., Head Master I)! the High School. Jamestown, to be Inspector and Superintendent of Government Schools in the Island of Si. Helena; the Rev. Henry Fearon, B.A, Rector of All Saints, Loughborough, to be Surrogate for the diocese of Peter borough ; the Rev. John Edge, to the Curacy of Fleckney, Leicestershire ; the Rev. W. Winstone C. Hayward, A.M.. to the newly consecrated Church at Hillesly, Gloucestershire; the Rev. Pascoe Grenfel Hill, late British Chaplain at Antwerp, to the Chaplaincy of Westminster Hospital ; the Rev. John Hill, 8.D., Vice-Principal of St. Edmund Hall. Oxford, to the Rectory of Wyke Regis, Dorset; the Rev. Thomas Garnham Luard, 8.A., to the Vicarage of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex; the Rev. S. Morgan, M.A., Christ's College, to the Perpetual Curacy of St. Mary, Llanrwst, Denbighshire and Carmarthen shire; the Rev. Alfred P. Sanderson, to the Curacy of Aspeden, Herts; the:Rev. Francis J. Stainforth, M.A., Curate of St. Pancras, to the Vicarage of All Hallows Staining, in the City of London ; the Rev. Marshall H. Vine, M.A., late Curate of Beckenham, Kent. to the Rectory of St. Mary-le-Bow, in the City of London ; the Rev. W. Wilson, to the Curacy of Ishain, Northamptonshire. LICENSES TO CURACIES.—By the Archbishop of York: The Revs. W. Bell, to Ravenfield ; F. W. Foster, to Bridlington Quay; T. Howarth, to Chapeltown ; G. R. Husband, to My ton ; R. Kitching, to Ellerburne ; H. P. Leakey, to St. John's, Hull; R. P. Manclarke, to Whitby; H. R. S. Pearson, 8.A., to Brantingham ; J. J. Postlethwaite, to Dunnington ; W. Richardson, to Hackness ; C. B. Twiss, to Osinotherley ; W. Vossall, to Fenton ; R. Voysey, to North Ferriby ; A. B. What ton, to St. Philip's, Sheffield.—By the Bishop of London: The Revs. J. L. Balfour, to Christ Church, Marylebone; T. Darker, to Hounslow ; W. Beck, to St. Mary's, l'othill-fields, West minster; W. F. Bickmore, to Upper Chelsea; R. L. Burleigh, to All Saints. St. Pancras ; F. Buttenshaw, to West Drayton and Harmondswerth ; R. S. Cummins, to All Souls, St. Mary lebone; J. W. Hallward, to St. Stephen's. Hammersmith; W. Howse, to St. Jude's temporary Churcb, St. Pancras; E. T. Hudson, to St. James's, Norland, Kensington ; J. H. Snowden, to St. Barnabas, Kensington ; H. B. Thompson, to Bromley, St. Leonard; F. H. Vivian, to the new parish of St. Thomas, Bethnal green ; C. C. Sharpe, to St. Stephen's, Cole man-street.—By the Bishop of Meath: The Revs. J. M. Lil lington, to Clara; S. Radcliffe, to Forgney ; J. Marsh, to Killneau. BENEFICES AND APPOINTMENTS VACANT. Rectories: Clay-Cocon, Northamtonshire ; diocese of Peter borough; value x'339; patrons, the Representatives of the late Rector. Wells, Norfolk ; diocese of Norwich ; value 379, with residence; patron, J. it. Hopper, Esq. Worling ton, East, Devon ' • diocese of Exeter ; value .20£3, with resi dence; patron, Hon. Newton Fellowes. Yoxall,Staffordshire ; diocese of Lichfield value 508, with residence; patron, Lord Chancellor. Vicarage: Buckingham ; diocese of Oxford; value £23; patron, the Duke of Buckingham.. Lilhourne, Northamptonshire; diocese of Peterborough ; value - 127; patron, Lord Chancellor. Perpetual Curacies: Battlefield, Salop; diocese of Lichfield; val ue .E23‘ ; patron, Mrs. Corbet. Benowen, Ballymahon ; diocese of Meath ; value £2OO ; patron, the Crown. Ford, (or Foord,) Salop; diocese Here ford; value ; patron, G. Tomline, Esq. London, St. Philip, Bethnal Green; value £224; patron, Bishop of Lon don. Uffington, Salop; diocese of Lichfield; value i£'s9; patron, Mrs. Corbet. Provoalship:_Dublin, Trinity College. OBITUARY, Dec. 21, at Hazleden, near Cranbrook, Kent, the Rev. Ben jamin Stable, in his 37th year. Dec. 10, at Wells, Norfolk, the Rev. Valentine Hill, Rector of that place. Dec. 7, aged 88, the Rev. Benjamin Clay, Rector of East Worllington, Devon. ORDINATION.—The Lord Bishop of Manchester held an ordination in the parish-church of Bolton-le-Moors, on Sunday week, when the following gentlemen were ordained and afterwards licensed to the curacies annexed to their names : DEACONS.—John Richard Baldwin, St. Bee's College, to St. James's, Manchester; Wm. Booker, 8.A., St. Peter's Corege, Cambridge. to Radcliffe ; Walter Bradbury, 8.A., Queen's College, Cambridge, to Lever Bridge; Francis Haden Cope, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge, to St. James's Birch ; Philip Graham, St. "ee's College, to Holy Trinity Church, Over Darwen ; Joseph Holden Johnson, 8.A., St. Catherine Hall, Cambridge, to Ellenbrook ; Thomas Openshaw, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge, to St. John's. Blackburn ; Richardson, St. Bee's College, to Farnworth ; Henry Sayers, 8.A., Trinity College, Dublin, to St. John's. Manchester; George Soden, 8.A., Trinity College, Dublin, to Deane ; Edwd. PecW Stock, 8.A., St. John's College, Cambridge ; George Wright Thornton, St. Bee's College, to Rawtenstall ; Wm. Owen Williams, 8.A., Queen's College, Cambridge, to Blackburn. PRIESTS.—James Hadfield, 8.A., St. John's College, Cam bridge ; James Martin Kennedy, King's College, London ; Ernest Augustus Lang, 8.A., St. John's College, Oxford; John Nicklin, St. Bee's College, to Tarleton ; David Ross, licentiate of theology, University College, Durham; Wm. Henry Wool rich, 8.A., Pembroke College, Oxford ; Brooke Foss Westcott, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge; Henry Burgess (a literate). His lordship, on Tuesday, at the Diocesan Registry, St. James's-square, Manchester, licensed the Rev. William Kendall, 8.A., (late curate of St. James's, Manchester,) to the stipendiary curacy of St. Jude's, Manchester; and the Rev. Henry Williams, 8.A., (late curate of the parish church of Kirkham,) to the stipendiary curacy of the parish-church of Middleton, near Manchester. The following questions are, it is stated, to be submitted to the clergy of the diocese of Oxford, invited to meet their Bishop at Cuddesden - - - - - - - " 1. Can we ag•ee upon any rules touching the administra tion of baptism which may tend to promote uniformity of practice, and to awaken our people's attention to the impor tance of the holy ordinance? " 2. Can we agree upon any fixed times for baptism :—e. g., after the second lesson in all cases on one fixed Sunday in each month; and with what adaptations, if any, to the needs of populous places? 3. Can we agree on any rules—First, for requiring notice of baptism according to the rubric? And secondly, for refu sing sponsors of openly immoral life ? " 4. How can we best bring home to the sponsors a sense of their duties connected with—First, the ordinance of baptism ; secondly, the education of the children; and thirdly, their confirmation ? " 5. How can we best carry out the intention of the canoni cal prohibition of parents being sponsors? " 6. What modes can be adopted for awakening and direct ing a sense of parental responsibility touching holy baptism ?" The Earl of Ellesmere has become an annual subscriber of £lOO to Manchester Diocesan Church Building Society. The foundation stone of a new parish church has been laid at Coalbrookdale, the seat of the celebrated iron works, and the resident principal of the firm, Abraham Darby, Esq., has presented altogether the munificent sum of 413,000 for the object, namely, £6,000 for the erection, and 47,000 as an endowment, Miss Adelaide Darby hav ing given the site. Tux ADORNMENT OF CHURCHES.—The Bishop of Exeter has issued an address to his clergy relative to the adorning of churches. He asserts the right of ministers to adorn the walls of the chancel at their own discretion, and praises the clergyman of Shevioke in the diocese of Exeter for " devoting whatever means he can command to the somewhat sumptuous, it may be, yet sober and reverential, adorning of the house of God." Referring to their adornment, he says, " I find very little which demands my interference in the partially executed designs for ornamenting the chancel of the church of Shevioke, or in what is further intended. The north wall only is, as yet, at all dealt with. It is covered with a dispersed ground of red and white, the white being intended to be gilt. On this ground are five circular spaces, or medal lions,' each of about 2 feet three inches in diameter. Within these circles are delineated, in water-colours :- 1. The Annunciation ;2. Our Lord in Majesty,' seated on a rainbow ; 3. Our Lard being led to execution ; 4. Our Lord with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus ; 5. The first miracle in Cana of Galilee. These representations are stated to be all taken from Overbeck. They are all scrip tural subjects, and in design seem to be unobjectionable, with a single exception. In the Annunciation the angel is kneeling to the Virgin Marv. This is open to censure, as implying that the blessed Virgin is an object of adora tion is not removed by the fact (in itself satisfactory) of the Virgin being also kneeling, with uplifted hands, as in prayer to God. I direct that the scandal of representing the angel as kneeling to the Virgin be removed ; and if this be done there appears to be no part of the work hitherto executed which I have any just authority to forbid." FOREIGN MISCELLANEA. At Lirieux a considerable number of Roman Catholics have abjured Romanism, and embraced the Protestant faith. A chapel has been built, and a Wesleyan minister placed over the new congregation. Violent mad repeated shocks of earthquake, but happily without serious consequences, occurred again on the sth, at Melfi, Rapolla, Rionero, and Basile, in the kingdom of Naples. The duration of one of these shocks, at Melfi, was upwards of twelve seconds. At Monmouth, Illinois, a new style for gentlemen's dress has made its appearance. It is a sack coat reaching to the hips, with pantaloons closely fitting to the body and limbs, and fastened at the knees with long stockings. Tassels are attached to each knee, and complete the suit. A young Jew, nephew of one of the deputies, lately married a Roman Catholic female. As neither the Ca tholic priest nor the Jewish Rabbi would consent, though repeatedly asked to marry the parties, the ceremony was Performed by M. A. Coquest, pastor of the Reformed Church in Paris. The police in Cologne have issued a notice to all street musicians, street bands, and exhibitors of animals with musical accompaniments, that " vilely sounding" instru ments, or instruments out of tune, are henceforth prohi bited. Foreigners who thus outrage the ears of the public will be turned out of the city ; and natives will have their licenses taken away. THE AUSTRALIAN DIGGINGS.—The following is an extract from a letter dated Meloourne, August 8 :—" All thoughts are now turned towards the still greater and in creasing promises of endless wealth now opening before us. Gold, gold, as you will see and hear, is now found and proved to exist in abundance in many of our ranges, and the Government has already taken steps to secure this additional prospect of our growing wealth and im portance, by sending qualified persons and commissioners to the different localities where the mines are known to be, thus establishing its own rights, and affording pro tection and assistance to all who are disposed to try their fortunes in our 'EI Dorado.' Commissioner W— is one of the number so employed at the Pyrenees, near his own station, and samples of their diggins' have al ready been received here. As yet they have not found many ' waggon-loads,' but they have satisfied themselves and the public beyond all doubt that the precious metal does exist there. . . . But, alas ! no gold is without alloy, and we poor squatters must suffer from all these wonderful discoveries. Our men are already deserting us in numbers, and off, off, to the diggings. Happily the weather has been greatly against them, and will continue so for a month or two longer; but when summer returns, if the gold continue plentiful, the fever and thirst after it must become greater and greater, and we poor squatters shall not have a man left to look after our flocks and herds. Already this year our losses have been fearful from the long drought. Our approaching clip will be far short of former years—first from the want of teed ; se condly, from our great decrease ; and now the almost certainty of our men deserting may upset us altogether, until the great news of our gold reaches England, when, no doubt, we shall have an increase of emigration and labour beyond our wants. Until then God help us ! I forgot to mention many precious stones have been found." A VERY EXTRAORDINARY CASE.—One of the most ex traordinary cases ever brought before a criminal court, has just been tried by the Court of Assizes of the Ile-et-Vi laine. The prisoner was a female, named Helene Jegado, who for several years past has been a servant in different families of the department. She stood at the bar charged with several e.efts committed since the year 1846, and with seven murders by arsenic in 1850; but the evidence sheaved that, although only seven cases had been selected as more recent, and therefore more easy of proof, not less than 43 persons had been poisoned by her with arsenic. The victims were either her masters or mistresses, or fel low-servants, who had incurred her hatred. In some cases no motive of interest or hatred could be assigned. The prisoner appeared to have been actuated by a thirst for destruction, and to have taken pleasure in witnessing the agonies of her victims. The suddenness of the deaths in the families where she was a servant excited great sen sation, but for a long time no suspicion as to the cause, for the murderess appeared to be very religious ; she at tended in many instances with apparent solicitude on the persons whom she poisoned, and so successful was her hy pocrisy that even the deaths of the mother and another relative of a physician in whose family she lived raised no suspicion of poison in his mind. The frequency of deaths, however, in the families by whom she was success sively engaged, excited a suspicion among the peasantry that there was something in her nature fatal to those who were near her, and it was customary with them to say that her liver was white, it being believed in that part of France that persons who are dangerous have white livers. The prisoner herself frequently exclaimed after the death of a victim, " How unhappy I am ; wherever Igo death follows me." The cases on which she was brought to trial were established by the evidence beyond the possibility of doubt. The prisoner through out the trial, which lasted ten days, constantly declared that she was innocent, and seemed to anticipate an acquit tal on account of there being no proof of her having had arsenic in her possession. It was proved, however, that in one of the families in which she was a servant some years ago, there was a large quantity of arsenic, which was not locked up, and that it had suddenly disappeared. This arsenic had, without doubt, been t aken by the pri soner, and had served for the commission of the succes sive murders. The only defence set up for her was founded on phrenological principles. It was contended that the organs of hypocrisy and destructiveness were developed to a degree which overpowered the moral facul ties, and that although it would be unsafe to leave her at large, she ought not to be condemned to capital punish ment ; the peculiarity of her organisation rendering her rather an object of pity. This defence failed entirely, and the jury having delivered a verdict, without extenuating circumstances, the court condemned her to death.—Ga lignani's Messenger. I. W. TURNER, R.A. The grave lies open for one of the oldest, perhaps the greatest, certainly the most remarkable, of the English Academicans. His death, although he had ceased for some little time, owing to increasing infirmities, from the practice of his art, deserves more than ordinary notice; for he fills, and will hereafter fill, we believe, to a greater degree than he does at present, a different place in the history of art from that obtained by any of his contem poraries. The son of a small barber in Maiden-lane, without education or advantages of any kind, he made himself a name which will last as long as English art, ac quired, when very young, a position amongst the English academicans, and created for himself a set of disciples and admirers, not large, perhaps, in number, yet remarkable for their ability and refinement, and for their enthusiastic and almost unparalleled admiration for the object of their homage. His life, like that of most successful artists, was uneventful. It presents the ordinary picture of a clever boy whose drawings attract observation ; who is sent to school who makes a livelihood by executing cheap and slight works for persons who could discern something good about him (be executed hundreds, we believe, at three and sixpence a piece), who gets employed by publishers as an architectural draughtsman distin guished for the unusual care and elaborate finish of his work, and who goes on slowly and gradually discarding one convention after another as he feels his strength, and by ceaseless labour matures his powers, till, from the ac curate architectural draughtsman of 1790, he grows to the grand and imaginative landscape painter of the last twenty years. For a long while he carried the public with him, but at a certain point, about twenty years ago, he out lawed the critics ; the public took part with the latter, and for many years it has been usual to regret his eccen tricities, and accuse him of unnatural and extravagant colouring. All the while, however, his transcendant genius has been admitted, and his engravings, his draw ings, and his Liber Studiorum, have been always followed by great popular admiration. All this shows greatness ; the height to which he at tained; the steady laborious work by which he attained it ; the great, perhaps too entire contempt he evinced for popular opinion. He was not a man who said great things. Shy, awkward, and eccentric, his ordinary con versation with ordinary persons was exceedingly disap pointing; full of unmeaning banter and a kind of small shrewdness. Yet it was not always so. To intimate friends, and on particular occasions, he showed his genius. Now and then he said a great thing or a good one. " Know what you have to do and do it," was, as Mr. PREVENTIVE AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS.—A de putation on the subject of Preventive and Reformatory Schools, appointed at the late conference at Birmingham, had an interview with Sr George Grey, at the Home office, on Saturday. The deputation consisted of David Power, Esq., Recorder of Ipswich ; the Rev. J. Field, chaplain of Reading Gaol ; the Rv. Sydney Turner, Red-hill ; the Rev. Thomas Carter, chaplain of the Liverpool Borough Gaol ; Mr. William Locke, of Lon don ; Mr, Joseph Adshead, of Manchester; and Mr. Joseph Hubback, of Liverpool. We understand that the interview with the Home Secretary was very encouraging as to the success of this philanthropic movement. A WELL-KNOWN GENTLEMAN.—On Saturday, at the Police-court, James Quinn, a man as familiar to the police force as " household words," was brought up be fore Mr. Mansfield on the charge of having obtained a Christmas supply under the following circumstances : On Monday night the prisoner went to the shop of Mary Ann Spencer, provision-deale*, St. John's Market, and there obtained £5 4s. worth of " nete's" tongues, under the pretence that he had a shipping order. The contract was to be " money down." The goods were delivered at the prisoner's office, in Duke-street, the bill presented, and patronizing party consulted ; the prisoner disputed the bill, and the man hastened back to his mistress, and told her his tale. She directly went to the office of the prisoner and induced from him the trifling sum of £1 65., leaving a commercial balance of £3 18s. The residue not bring forthcoming when expected, Mr. Clough advised Mrs. Spencer to have the case brought before the magis trates. Several other most flagrant, though ingenious, tricks were urged against Quinn. It appeared that, on the 23d instant, he went to the shop of Mr. Jas. Brad den, provision -merchant, North John-street, and, in the absence of the master, bought 4 cwt. of hams and 3 cwt. 17 lbs. of butter, representing that he had a shipping order, and directed them to be sent to his office, in Duke street, when the cash should be paid. The porter took them down, when Mr. Quinn, by a trick, induced him to leave them, saying his cashier was not in. The said hams and butter, the same day, found their way to Mr. llill's auction-rooms, in Paradise-street, who gave an advance of £9 upon them. The prisoner had also obtained from Mr. Billington, of 25, Mill-street, a suit of clothes, giving him to understand that he was a coal-merchant, in an extensive way of business. There are several other charges against the prisoner. In the course of the inquiry it transpired that an intended victim arrived in town about a quarter to eleven o'clock, on Saturday, to apprentice his DREADFUL DEATH.—Mr. Duncan M•Lachlan, of the son to a clerkship in this celebrated merchant's office, firm of Wilson and M`Laohlan, ship-chandlers, of Orford having, by correspondence, agreed to take and make him street, met with his death, early on Friday morning, in a a proficient clerk, on the condition that his father paid singularly shocking manner, by a fall down stairs, in down £4O, as a guarantee for the faithful performance of which be broke his neck. The deceased gentleman resided the apprenticeship duties. Luckiiy, the father of the boy in Parliament-street; he was very generally known and called at the Central Police station to inquire relative to universally respected. An inquest was held on the body the character of Mr. Quinn. He was then in custody. on Saturday. and a verdict of " Accidental Death" The prisoner was remanded for seven days. returned, Ruskin tells us, his precept to an artist. you wish you could ?" was his answer to Constable, who told him he had never seen nature like one of Turner's pic tures ; and other things of the same kind might be re nded. So too as to his affections and generosity. Or dinarily he was called cold and mean, insensible to affec tion, and avaricious to a fault. his ordinary manners and his immense wealth appear to bear out the accusa tion. Yet to some men, and at certain times, he showed a depth and warmth of feeling very surprising, and occa sionally (too rarely certainly) he performed acts of great and graceful generosity. As an artist his powers were in his day confessedly unrivalled. People have disputed as to his application of them—none denied him their possession. his tenacity of memory was wonderful. He never forgot a thing that had once struck him. Years afterwards a feature would " Pon't be reproduced as accurately as if he was drawing it on the spot. The universality of his mind is proved by theLiber Studiorum. In that single volume there is nothing, from an alp and a thunderstorm to a cart-wheel or a dunghill, that does not come within the scope of his genius. His power of intense and concentrated applica tion was quite astonishing. From early morning to late at night, a long summer's day, while there was light, Turner would work at a picture. One of the best pieces he ever exhibited at the Academy was painted in three days. These things are undisputed ; and we believe it will soon be as universally admitted that among the painters who have best represented nature in all her aspects, her glory, her majesty, her terrors, her loveliness, the grandeur of her forms, the beauty of her colours, the abundant and exhaustless varieties of her expression— who have raised and purified the heart and intellect by such representations, and given us new thoughts about creation and the Creator—the strange but gifted man who has just gone from among us is entitled to a high and dis tinguished place.—Landon Guardian. CHESHIRE AND WALES. The Independent Chapel, at Wilmslow, Cheshire, bas been duly registered for the solemnisation of marriages therein. ODDVELLOWSHIP.—The anniversary dinner of the Laurel Wreath Lodge was held on Tuesday last, at , the Liverpool Arms, Birkenhead, when the members of the lodge and their friends, to the number of about fifty, par took of a sumptuous repast. THE JEWS.—The Rev. H. S. Joseph, chaplain of Chester Castle, has just published a synopsis of prophe cies relative to the second Advent of Christ, but with more immediate reference to the restoration and conver sion of the Jews. Biblical students will do well to con sult this tabular view of unfulfilled Scriptures.—Chester Courant. CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Traffic for the week ended 21st December, 1851 :—Chester and Holy head Main Line : Passengers, £917 7s. 7d. ; parcels, H. C. and D.. £76 Is. 7d. ; goods, cattle, &c., £5BO 17s. ld.; mails, £575.—M01d Passengers, £3l 12s. ; parcels, £2 3s. ; goods, cattle, &c., £lO2 19s. Bd.—Steamboats : Passengers, £343 14s. 10d. ; parcels, £l3 17s. 8d. — Total, £2.443 13s. sd. TARPORLEY.—On Thursday last, the annual meeting of the Tarporley Ladies' Bible Association, in connection with the B-itish and Foreign Bible Society, was held in the Public Hall, and very kindly presided over by John Tollemache, Esq.. M.P.. who opened the meeting by' reading the 19th Psalm, and the Rev. Gerard Smith en gaged in prayer ; and addresses were delivered by the Rev. C. Needham, Mr. J. Bateman, Revs. G. Smith, J. R. Tucker, Dr. Harding, and R. Knill. Tne noble cause was ;yell advocated, and the meeting highly interesting. There was collected £l6 3s. 6d. THE GREAT RAILWAY BRIDGE AT CHEPSTOW.-It was stated, at the late meeting of the Swansea Towa Council, by Mr. Vivian, M.P. for the borough, that there is every probability of the large railway bridge and viaduct over the Chepstow river being completed at an earlier period than was anticipated. The probable time of the completion of this necessary link in the chain of commu nication between London and South Wales will be from six weeks to two months, should nothing unforeseen hap pen to delay the progress of the work. Some difficulties had occurred with respect to the erection of the supporting cylinder to which the roadways are braced for support, but these impediments have been overcome. POULTON-CUM-SEACOMBE.—Mr. Robert Rawlinson, the superinten ing inspector under the G3neral Board of Health, who lately held an inquiry into the sanitary con dition of Seacombe, has just published his report. He considers that the parish of Wallasey and the town of Poulton-cum-Seacombe are not so healthy as by proper sanitary works and recommendations they might be made; and as there is a deficiency of local power to grapple with all the evils which exist, he recommends the application of the Public Health Act to the district now formed and under the powers of the Commissioners of Wallasey; and that the local Board of Health to be elected shall consist of twenty-onemembers, one-third togo out of office each year. SUTTON.—A tea party was held in the Presbyterian Chapel, Sutton, on Monday evening, the 22nd inst. Dr. Crichton, of Liverpool, occupied the chair. Dr. Eadie and Dr. Aspinall, a clergyman of the Church of England resident in Liverpool, were the principal speakers. The Rev. S. Towers, of Birkenhead, and the Rev. J. Galloway, of Sutton, also addressed the meeting. Mr. Jas. Smith, of Chester, gave a concise history of the difficulties which the trustees had met with, in endeavouring to sustain a preacher in the village. Several gentlemen from Chester, Dr. Davies, Mr. Sumner, Mr. Smith, &c., were present, and not a few Liverpool gentlemen, some of whom reside in the locality. A collection was made during the evening which realised £l9. THE. HON. MR. STANLEY AND THE REPRESENTATION OF CHESTER.—" An Elector" recommends that Mr. Ro bertson Gladstone should be invited to replace Mr. Stan ley. That gentleman was invited to appear in July, 1850, when the city was embarrassed for a suitable candidate-- but he declined coming to the rescue, but for other reasons than those now assigned. Of course it is the great object to " bring trade and commerce to Chester;" but would turning out Mr. Stanley and substituting Mr. Robertson Gladstone for him effect that desirable end ? Would the latter come and reside in Chester, and transfer his busi ness, his ships, and so forth from the Mersey to the Dee ? We have the highest respect for him ; yet, we may ask, what practical good could he achieve that cannot be as effectually promoted and realized by Mr. Stanley ? Chester Chronicle. THE BIRKENHEAD PARK LAND. —The commissioners held a special meeting on Tuesday evening, for the pur pose of taking into consideration certain resolutions of the Finance Committee, and also a letter from Messrs. Watson and Webster respecting land purchased by the commissioners for the purpose of forming part of Birken head-park. Richard Bryans, jun., Esq., occupied the chair, in the absence of John Laird, Esq., the chairman of the board ; and there were also present, Messrs. Thom son, Pike, Barbour, Graham, Watson, Tyler, Webster, Lightbound, Rae, Bailiff. Greene, Gough, and Stevenson. The proceedings of the Finance Committee contained a letter from Messrs. Watson and Webster with respect to the land sold by Mr. John Laird to the commissioners, suggesting, among other matters, that the question of the value of the land, if now sold, according to the plan of the commissioners and the present value, with the re strictions imposed by the deed of conveyance, be left to arbitration, the increased value, if any, without the re strictions, to be divided between the comm i ss i oners an d Mr. Laird. Mr. Watson moved, and Mr. Thomson seconded the confirmation of the proceedings. Mr. Rae proposed an amendment to the effect that, as Mr. Laird had rejected the proposition confirmed by the general board, negotiations be opened with the existing purchasers with the view of ascertaining whether an arrangement cannot be entered into, either by exchange of land or otherwise, in order to settle this vexatious matter. Mr. Gough seconded this proposition, and an angry discussion succeeded, at the close of which Mr. Rae's amendment was carried by seven to six votes. J. E. M ORMSKIRK. PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.—The estimated cost for the completion of the sewerage, and the erection of water works for the township of Ormskirk is £8,000; being £3,500 for the former, and £1,500 for the latter. The sum required is to be borrowed on the credit and securitT of the rates under the Public Health Act. ORGAN IN NEWBURGH CHURCH, LATHOM.—The organ whi?li has been recently erected in the new church► at Newburgh, is intended to be opened on Thursday next, when sermons will be preached on the occasion by the Rev. W. E. Rawstorne, vicar, and the Rev. J. Inman, the incumbent. The cost of the organ has been nearly covered b 3 private subscriptions. ATTEMPTED ROBBERY. Early On Christmas -day morning, at about half-past twelve o'clock, the booking office at the Ormskirk Railway Station was entered by a man., supposed to be one of the East Lancashire Railway Company's servants, of the name of Christopher Murray'. Entrance was effected by taking out a pane of glass from the window at which the tickets are delivered. The bur glar appears to have been in the act of cutting the drawer in which the money is deposited, but was prevented from fulfilling his intentions by the timely appearenee of Mr• Dewhurst, the station master, accompanied by Henry Griffiths, one of the company's porters. The thief, 10 order to prevent :the station master entering the office , held the door. The police were sent for ; but before their arrival, he opened the door and made his escape. He was apprehended by the police at his own house. GARDEN ALLOTMENTS FOR WORKING MEN.—The glebe-lands belonging to the vicarage of Ormskirk, situate below the church, and extending from the Green-lane to the Southport-road, are now marked out into garden allotments, of half a rood each, statute measure, which the Rev. W. E. Rawstorne, vicar of the parish, purposeS letting to deserving working men, at 13s. per annum each, free of all rates and taxes. The fallowing prizes are intended to be given to the tenants . vearly :—For the best cultivated allotment, 13s. ; second best, 7s. For the best garden produce, prizes to the amount of £l. WARRINGTON CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE WORKHOUSE. Thurs day last, being Christmas Day, the inmates of the work house, and the officers of the union, were regaled , bY order of the guardians, with a plentiful supply of r oast beef, plum-pudding, and ale. About 170 sat down , a nd appeared well satisfied with the good things provided, b° which they did ample justice. WESLEYAN REFORM.—TIIO Rev. W. Griffiths , t he Rev. W. Kidd, Mr. Raper (of Bolton), &c., addressed a crowded auditory, on Monday evening last, at the Ile chabites'-hall, upon the subject of Wesleyan reform. An ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCII adjourned meeting of the town council took pla c ef a , Wednesday evening last, when the petition to the ani,i praying for a borough commission, was unani mous agreed to. There was no other business. FIRE AT A CORN-MILL. — On Tuesday night last, rapid and destructive fire broke out in the corn-ra" _ a Messrs. Worrell, in School-lane. It was discov ered g 0 es after eleven o'clock, and shortly afterwards the fIT.,, burst out from one of the windows on the middle st,l.' o l ; ts The fire-engines were speedily on the spot ; but oa. e ti l ' an d could save the main body of the building, so raP l ad destyuctive was the fire. The engine-house, and an iieg joining warehouse, were saved, as well as the surrooulaeied. dwellings. The cause of the fire has not been disc I -Manchester Guardian. too l ‘ BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly rilee` i- fd r place on Wednesday ; sixteen were present, aarkhease Hodgson presided. Number of inmates in the T ve d 179. • d ber Compared with the corresponding pert° the n urn 159, and the number of varants lodged and these returns show an increase of 73 j ll _ 9t o f r elief's ( ' relieved, an increase of £4 Is. Bd. in the a"' orkhoue, the ' s ' The increase of 8 in the number of inmates in rants' and a decrease of 45 in the number of slag business was of a routine character. EVI,„t year, `"''''—.-..------------ LIST OF PASSENGERS PER STEAM -SHIP ANIE .g 7; O 3 - es Mrs. Myers and Son, Mr. James WMaster, Jr..., . A. Monthiers, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. A. 11. Landreaelt..ls._f_ F. Roger, Dr. Fisher, R.A., Mr. H. P. Wilson, Mr.tri., ley, Mr. Fisken, Mr. C. Lambert, Mr. R. Lamb?! Bt- Robertson, Mr. E. Bo9nen, Mr. G. B. Symes , 31 r; sou , lir. terfield, jam A e I s r. Phillips,J o h n Air. Gilmour, o n e A n l d r o . r Philip il ip Mr.Hßlsl:anrdd ail twbs r ell, Mr. R. Alexander jun., Mr. Kaufmann, ALr• le, gr. Peke, Mr. Charles Wickport, Mr. James „.Thowas Alexander M`Dougall, Mr. C. W. Langley' Air' Morland, and Mr. ,James Cauwood.. . . _ ..