The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-23 00:00:00

riEc. 23, 1836. !fi xate, was an o bj ec t o f respect ; now, it i s a su bject of contempt- Then none but men of wealth and ednca u°o—sthe p r i mates of a town—ever became mem b ers o f tt oorpo rat i on ; now the riff raff are all eligible to mem bership with the municipal body. Then the inhabitants i : t vi tew nothi ng of those feverish and fata l exc i temen t s ich now, periodically, exacerbate the bosom of every Cit►„ ; and if w e a d m it, f or th e sa ke o f argument, that i` o t r ew acres of la n d s h ou ld, un d er th e new system, be let a f ew Pounds per ann u m more than under the old, is Suet a paltry economy a compensat i on f or a ll the mass of tal arnitY with whi c h th e co untry is now inflicted? We cert a inly cannot boast of purer patronage in the disposal of municipal officers, or of men, in office, possessed of higher personal virtue, or endowed with superior ability with ch aracter more sacre d to preserve , or sens ibility mote got alive` to public censure. No: for peace we have an . 4 c°rd; for social s y m pathies, rancorous personal rt . nn aitY ; for substantial virtue, empty presumption. vv Ith the poet we feelingly exclaim, HOW ill exchanged are things 1 4 :e those, for thel, ." F rom the narr o w space within which we are obliged to co rifin " our observations, we have restricted ourselves to „ tn , er eaketch of one or two of the effects of the munici pal reform bill ; but we think even these brief and im- Perre ellY drawn ou tlines will be sufficient to show to every candid mind the fatal consequences of reform — that it has ti ied th ose flood-gates w hi c h k ep t ou t th e ra ging waves °i ti rebellion an d p o liti ca l desolation—that the torrent has 1.4 4 broken down some of the finest mounds of the cons titution and threatens, if no effectual barrier can be r la sed to obstruct its course, to wash away every trace of 1:44 ancient and venerable institutions. We earnestly implore every man who professes to love c ountry—who - reads its history with patriotic feeling Who is proud of the character which past gene rations av e Conferred upon the name of Britain—to raise his yak ; and employ his influence, to stop this work of de ilittliation- We appeal to the dispassionate observation of -al Ptotial, truth to confirm tour fears ; and we defy the ene mies of peace, the myrmidons of reform, to point to ~ " Il e Positively good result, the legitimate offspring of in aovation which wisdom and firmness might not have ara Passed without this blot upon the statute book. W e feel the more importunate upon this all - invol v i n g sub "l ;e et, because we believe the torch which has already been a pplied to one part of the constitutional temple, and ac t a laPlished its ruin, is about to be thrust into another, till tile work of destruction shall be complete. This therefore is a subject which comes home to our bosoms ; ana l we know not in what way the feeble efforts of our Pe n could be so usefully employed, as in warning our Countrymen of these approaching dangers; in which, t hough the stakes may differ, there is no one—no not e ven the in cen diary hand itself that carries the flame — a t has his all at issue. Perhaps we may be asked by the " upright heart and pore" what step is to be taken to avert these evils—in What spot of the constitutional camp his services can he 4to et'available ? Our answer is brief. Follow where aver the leaders of conservatism may advance. When parliament 13101 again meet let your sentiments be "own to your tellow-townsmen, that your opinions may Rive rise to a public expression. Should a general elec tion be precipitated, support those who have already St ood forwards the champions of your liberties and of Your institutions—civil, religious, and political—who h ave fought, manfully and successfully, against the fur ther incursions of plundering reform—who have mane eled the venal hands of spoliation. We shall ever be at ° Ur post, upon the watch-tower of duty, and we shall give timely notice of every movement of the enemy. It is not for speculative points we are contending—the as "ndancy of one party or the discomfiture of another—it tS "pro aril et focis"—for deliverance from infidel and ' h surrectionary tyranny—it is that England may never he ashamed or " afraid to know herself." It has been affirmed, but we know not with what truth, theta chemist was never found in a madhouse. Althoug h 'cantatized with all the wit of the age of Shakspeare, and ridiculed with all the pleasantry of Erasmus, and exposed t° the shafts of Quevedo, chemistry has always been 4 favourite with mankind; and now that she is clothed in the sober vestures of genuine philosophy, she is be "me an object of veneration. Her empire is co-extensive Nature herself; and a flower cannot blush before - • lry steps forwards and explains the physiological laws or vegetable and animal life upon which both depend. But "r business !kw is to wait upon Mr. flemming—a task We always undertake with pleasure. We do not quite agree with Mr. H.'s distinction be %e'en steam and vapour. " Steam," lie says, "is the 'apoor of water at 212 degrees; but vapour is the term iPplied when vaporization takes place at lower tempera %Fees" We •should prefer calling steam, that state of W ater in which it is rendered invisible by combination with caloric; vapour, that state of water which appears When so much caloric is abstracted from steam as to !ender it visible. Let us begin at what temperature we 11 °.Y, if a portion of water at such temperature were ' t itrodtaced into a vacuum, a part of it would rise into the v acuum, and be invisible, like steam ; and mathematical f °rlnulre have been contrived to expt ess this quantity at all temperatures; so that steam is only a saltus, when Water is exposed to pressure. But if we take a volume Of steam, or steam and air, and abstract a sufficient por tion of the calorie from them, there will instantly appear a Portion of vapour. Neither do we see the application °I . the "electrified sponge" to the explanation of the phe nomenon of rain. In the first place, the hypothesis is not 'iiPported by the fundamental desideratum, viz., that e lectricity will cause water to assume a gaseous form 'Jut suppose a volume of air saturated with moisture, and charged with positive electricity, to meet a like vo lume of air charged with negative electricity, the contact of these two would restore electric equilibrium ; but if t he tnean temperature of the volumes of air after inter fusion were sufficient to hold the water in solution, there 'would, of course, be no precipitation. The action of e lectricity upon damp sponge, or water in a capillary tube, is altogether different. In this case there is but .erre kind of electricity, and the flux of the water from the t ube, as well as its diminished cohesion to the sponge, stay be explained upon the principle of repulsion, which we know, under such circumstances, would take place. We are disposed to trust in the accuracy of Dr. Hutton's theory, though we confess that we had not given Dr. Rutton the credit of the discovery. In explaining the formation of dew, Mr. H. has very c orrectly stated the theory of Dr. Wells, with which we are acquainted, as alio the experiments of Dufay ; but we are by no means satisfied that the laws of radiation ar e yet established upon sufficient evidence to warrant !heir application to natural phenomena. A newspaper, however, is not the channel, neither is this the occasion, for entering into a discussion of this interesting question. We apprehend that Mr. H. has ascribed powers to the L ated water in brewers' coppers which are never called i nto action; for the operation of mashing is not carried 134 in the coppers, but in distinct vessels ; and the water, ' s eated, as Mr. H. correctly observes, to 250, will sink d ca'n to 212 in the act of transit from the copper to those v essels; so that this explanation of the superiority of the Porte r of great brewers over the porter of little brewers entirely fails. The fact notwithstanding is, we believe, in eontestible. The variation of the boiling point of water, as depen dent upon the pressure of the air, is very satisfactorily explained, and also the height which corresponds with "e degree of temperature. Th at an i nstrument mi g ht be contrived to measure altitudes upon this principle we 40 not doubt, but the use of it would be attended with great incrinvenience. 'We have ourselves contrived a L _ "ll'onseter without mercury, which exhibits a variation full one quarter of an inch for e v e r y ten feet of alti tude; and the scale is capable of g reat extension. For t he benefit of our readers we think it not useless to state, that oil of vitriol and water, which Mr. H. here philoso nica4 used to boil water, may frequent l y be em p lo y ed, cases of emergency. to produce a quantity of hot water. t "ce proved so to ourselves. A lady was taken very t t '"ell in th e m iddle of the night, with great disposition ventiting, and we mixed together a quantity of oil of vitriol anti water in a cenithon wash hand-basil], and lei- `~' merged a decanter of water into it, and thus extempora- neously obtained as much hot water as we required. It may be observed, that the acid thus used might he saved by evaporating the water in a leaden or glass vessel t but such a piece of economy it would not be worth the labour to practise on occasions of this kind. There are few experiments more astonishing to the uninitiated in science than those which exhibit the immense quantity of caloric which is is required to give fluidity to water. To see a pound of water at 172 degrees, or, which is the the same thing, about three fourths of a pound at boiling heat, on mixture with a pound of snow or powdered ice, lose all its heat, and a fluid appear as cold as the ice itself, is a phenomenon of which be can frame no ex planation. And let it be remembered that the converse of this is equally true, viz., when one pound and three quarters of ice-cold water freezes, or is converted into ice, as much heat is evolved as would make three-quar ters of a pound of water boiling hot. Some persons have affirmed, that if all the water of the ocean could be simultaneously frozen, as much heat would be given out as would vitrify the globe ; but we have made a calcula tion to verify or confute this position, taking the data of La Place for the average depth of the ocean, and we find the heat evolved is much too inconsiderable to endanger the fixidity of the globe. " When water is converted into ice," Mr. H. observes, "it expands 1-10th of its bulk." It is a remarkable, because an anomalous, fact, that pure water acquires its maximum density at about 39 degrees, so as to suffer an equal expansion for several degrees either above or below that temperature. Water, containing about 1-27th of its weight of salt, and, therefore, having the specific gravity of sea water, has its point of maximum gravity below freezing point. Upon the expansion of water during congelation de, pends, probably, the very existence of the globe—cer tainly so, as the habitation of man ; for if the ice formed were specifically heavier than the water in which it is formed, it:would sink to the bottom, and so be removed from tho influence of the sun's rays on returning spring. Another winter would add to the icy deposition, till the waters of the ocean would all be bound in " thick-ribbed ice," instead of which, being specifically lighter than water, it floats upon the surface, and the first warm breeze or genial ray resolves it into its liquid form again. " Marvellous are thy works, oh Lord !"—" In wisdom has thou made them all"—" A brutish man (loth not understand this, and a fool cloth not consider it." The language of David is the genuine language of a philosopher, when he exclaimed, " Great are the works of the Lord, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Another proof of beneficence is manifested in this expansion of water. Not only the rock is disin tegrated, but the " stubborn glebe" is pulverised for the for the business of husbandry beyond the power of man to imitate, whilst labour beyond calculation is spared. The buoyancy of the Dead Sea, and other waters im pregnated with salts, was very ingeniously illustrated by Mr. H. So great is that of the Dead Sea, that an ordi nary man would require between thirty and forty pounds weight of lead to be added to him to make him sink. We now come to Mr. H.'s lecture on Metallurgy, in which if we find less matter for comment, it is because there is more of historical detail in it; not less of inte rest. We think, however, that lithe performs other of. flees besides that of defending the melted metal from the oxygen of the air. Indeed, there cannot possibly be any oxygen present where the melted iron is, because it is surrounded by carbon . ; besides, we always see the lime run from the cupola combined with silex and oxide of iron. Lime itself would be infusible. It is net impro bable that ,he first action which takes place in the cupola is a combination between the oxide of iron and the lime, which afterwards, as it descends into a hotter part of the cupola, is decomposed by the ignited carbon. We think that Stahl has given Moses credit for being a better chemist than his narration requires. There is something so circumstantially particular, and every par ticular, except the fusion of the gold, so mechanical, that we think the explanation afforded by tne German philo sopher altogether conjectural—very far from demonstra tion. We confess ourselves a little sceptical concerning the solution of gold in hydrUretted sulphuret of pot ash or soda. We know that every salt of gold is preci pitable by the hydro-sulphurets. If we might be in dulged in a little speculation, where we have no better might be rendered so fine, by pouring it into water, as to admit of its being " strawed." 'We have many times reduced lead almost to powder by such a process. Lead does not require "twenty-four hours," indeed scarcely a minute, to become covered with a " film of oxide ;" and the period for converting a furnace of lead into "red lead" takes more than the revolution of a day. We say once more to our operative friends, continue to "lend your ears" to Mr. H., and exercise your judg ments upon all you hear. MUSICAL FESTIVAL. Receipts, 183 G, . £8,908 Expellees, 1836, £6,412 Receipts, 1833,. £7,972 Expences, 1833, £.4,812 Divided amongst the charities, 1836, £2,300 1833 £2,900 1830, £2,000 The increased expences of last festival ore chiefly owing to the oratorios being held in St. Peter's instead of St. Luke's Church, and to making the communication between the Ball room, in the Town-hall, and the Underwriter's-room. The choir in the church was also much more numerous than upon former occasions. LIVERPOOL MUSICAL FESTII committee have divided the sui charities, and that it has been di ner:— VAL.—We understand that the in of £2,300 amongst the public listributed in the following man- Infirmary £BOO Dispensaries 4OO Northern Hospital 2OO Blue Coat Hospital Provident Dis. Society 2OO School for Deaf and Dumb 100 Moorfields School £5O Caledonian School. 5O Irish School.. Welsh School • 50 Ophthalmic Institution 50 Refuge for the Destitute 20 Female Penitentiary 2O School for the Bliud. 5O Lathes' Charity........... 50 LADIES' CHARITY. — The annual ball in aid of the funds of the Ladies' Charity takes place at the Town-hall, on Tuesday, the 27th inst. Mrs. Augustus Campbell acting as lady patroness and Mr. F. Haywood as president.—Mr. P. Stubbs furnishes the quadrille bands, and a military band will play in the vestibule. We are glad to hear that Mr. Phillip Jennings, son of Mrs. Jennings, of Willow-street, Owestry, distinguished himself on his entrance at St. John's College, Cambridge, by gaining a scholarship on his first sitting. Mr. Jennings is the first pupil that has gone to college from Owestry School since the appoint ment of the present head master, the Rev. Stephen Donne.— Salapian Journal. THE WELSH Co uucti.—We understand the Welsh residents in Liverpool intend holding• a public meeting to petition parlia ment for a thorough reform in the Welsh Church, particularly providing efficient Welsh pastors, a snore equitable distribistion of revenues, and to better appropriate them to the spiritual and moral wants of the people. The Welsh resident iu Chester in tend also to follow their example. Mr. E Bitows.—This gentleman (who is decidedly the first flute player in this part of the country,) intends giving a con cert at the Templars' Hall on Wednesday next:—We under stand that it will be very extensively patronised, not only on account of his merits as an insrumental performer, but from the estimation in which he is generally held. WAVERTIIER NATIONAL tiCEIOOI.S.—On Tuesday next the children connected with these schools will dine together. This is the first instance in which the boys and girls will have jointly artaken of the treat provided fot them under t helpatronage of the ladies of Wavertree. The annual examination took place yes terday, when the pupils acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of the audience, and evinced considerable improvement in those branches of knowledge in which they are instructed. RUNCORN.—Few places in this part of the country have made more rapid strides in the march of improvement than has the small but thriving town of Runcorn, nor can we sufficiently ad mire the public spirit of its inhabitants, for within the last few years it has risen from a petty insignificant village to a place of considerable traffic ; indeed it may be said that few places pos sess the natural advantages that Runcorn does—situated on the estuary of the river Mersey, its new and spacious docks afford protection and accommodation to a considerable portion of the coasting trade. from Ireland, Wales, and the northern. ports of Lancashire, whilst at the same time they afford convenience to the barges and other craft trading along the canals of the Duke of Bridgewater and the Old Quay Company, both of which ter minate at Runcorn, and thus add materially to the bustle and interest usually attendant upon a sea -port ; nor can Runcorn he said to be very far behind in her internal improvements, for though her public buildings may not he numerous, they are nevertheless respectable in point of architecture ; we particu larly notice an elegant new chapel , lately erectedby John Tom kinson, Esq:;.,of Liverpool, the National School, the Town Ball, the venerable Parish Church, Brunswick Chapel, and last, though not least, her two cloud-capped columns, yclept chininics, (and which it niay be proper to add completely answer the end they were intended for, viz., to carry off the noxious gases and effluvia front the two soaperies ;) the population, too, is rapidly increasing,, and several new streets are laid out, and new houses are in canna of erection ; the projected improvements are quite in cliaraCtei with the port. A new church is about to be built, and we see: notice is given to apply for an act to incorporate a Gas Company. We confess it has often struck us as sordething surprising that such a company - had not been formed il?mg ago. That Runcorn is a healthy place may be inferred from toe vas ful visiwes of its medical men, who complain bitterly that there is no epileMicolojever—timPs.pr them ars lad. 111 IIVERPOOL STANDARD. TOWN-COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. A special meeting of the Town Council was held on Tuesday last, at eleven o'clock. FIRE-POLICE RATE. The MAYOR signified to the Council, that the first subject which would demand their attention, was the institution of a Fire-police rate. The TOWN CLERK said that the 55th section of the act 7 Geo. 4, passed in 1826, gave power to establish a Fire-police in this town, which was vested in the Commissioners of Watch, Scaven gers, and Lamps, who were empowered to levy an annual rate for its support. This referred to the commissioners who had subsequently - referred all their powers to that Council. There fore the Council were now the commissioners under the act re ferred to. The expenses had amounted last year to 1-1050, which was raised by a rate of £lOOO. The latter had produced £lO6l, leaving a balance in favour of the rate of Ell. The Fire police has received in contributions from the insurance offices the sum of £290 which left a balance of £760 as to the expenses, The £290 would not now be required in the shape of a contribu tion, but they would have power to call upon the insurance offices to contribute to the support of the Fire-police establish ment, what would be equivalent to the money heretofore raised by voluntary contribution. The sum to he thus procured would be about equal. The probable sum required for expenses incur red for the act of parliament passed last session would be about £5OO. If therefore, to the sum of £76.' they added this £5OO, it would give £1260, which was the sum wanted. They were empowered by the act to levy a rate, not to be greater than a halfpenny in the pound, which - would give them £lh iO, the rate being confined to the old borough, which would leave them a deficiency of about £lOO. It was therefore proposed, that the rate should be laid at one halfpenny in the pound. Mr. J N HoLMES moved that the rate be laid at a half-penny in the pound. Mr. WA LMSLEY seconded the motion. Mr. It amsnuN considered the Act of Parliament to be very undqual in its provisions. Much larger contributions, in his opinion, ought to be paid by the Fire Insurance offices, as it was principally for their benefit that the • establishment was maintained. The act operated much in favour of warehouse property. Household property could be insured for 3s. per cent. premium, whilst the charge on warehouse property was at least 12s. per cent.; and as the Fire offices were principally connected with the warehouse property, they ought to take on themselves the expense in that ratio. The Fire offices bad all the benefit of the establishment, and yet they only contributed one-quarter of the expense of its maintenance. He therefore, hoped some other agreement would be made, so as they might be called upon to pay at least three-fourths of the cost. Mr. Cruitniu said they were now proceeding in compliance with an act of parliament, which they were bound to obey. The present rate was merely to cover the expenses of the establish ment. All extraordinary expenses that might be incurred at fires, in cases of insured property, would have to be borne by the insurance offices to the utmost farthing. Mr. PLATT asked if the rate would not extend to 'l'oxteth park. The TOWN-CLERK replied, that it was confined strictly to the limits of the old borough. Mr. GEORGE HOLT said, that but very few of the dwelling houses in the town, comparatively, were insured; scarcely any but those which were under mortgage, so that the rate would not fall so heavily on the dwelling-houses as might at first be imagined. Mr. HOR NnY said, the Town-clerk had stated that, last year , the expenees were £1,050. Now, £1,061 had, he said, been.pro duced by the rate, in addition to £290 received from the insua ance offices ; from this it would appear, that there must be a clear balance of £3OO in their favour. Mr. J. Hormes said, there had been a previous balance against the rate, which the Town-clerk had omitted to mention, of £290. The TOWN-CLERK said, that of this £230 had been paid into the bank, leaving the actual balance about £7O. The Tow N-c LE roc read over the forth of the rate, and the mo tion of Mr. Holmes was agreed to. TABLE OF FEES. Mr. WAr sist - ey, as Chairman of the Borough Court and Court of Requests Committee, presented the report of the latter respecting the table of fees to be taken by the officers of the local courts, stating that they had proceeded in the business under the guidance of their legal adviser, the Town-clerk. The Tows-CLERK read the report as follows: At a meeting of the Borough Court and Court of Requests Committee, to which the table of fees to be settled under the mnuicipal act were referred, on the 20th December, 1836, the following letter from the Home Secretary was read : " Sir,—Lord John Russel directs me to inform you, that, hav ing received from the councils of boroughs for his confirmation and allowance, tables of fees proposed to be taken in pursuance of the 121 th section of the municipal act, and having perceived in them great disparity, and want of due proportion in the amounts of the fees, his lordship has considered it would be con venient and advisable, that a revised and uniform table should be prepared for the consideration of the Borough Council and of the i espective officers. The enclosed tables of fees have been prepared with this view, after a careful revision and comparison of the seve:at tables transmitted by the Councils. I am directed to desire you to lay a copy of each table before the Council for their consideration, and to request that those copies may be re turned, with any observations which they may deem it necessary to make thereon. The other enclosed copies are sent for the officers to whom they are respectively addressed, to be returned with their respective observations in like manner. " In making observations on the enclosed tables, it will be convenient that the observations should refer to the letter at the head of the table, and to the number of the fee in the margin.- 1 am, sir, (Signed) S. M. Putwes. " To the Town-clerk of Liverpool." The table of fees referred to in this letter was retaken into consideration, and, First, the table of fees for the clerk of the peace for the borough, with which were considered the courts' table and the table heretofore used in this borough, the former being higher than the latter, and both higher than the table transmitted, to the Home-office. Resolved—That the table transmitted to the Home-office, of the same may be finally settled by his Majesty's Secretary of State, be proposed to the Council for adoption. Secondly, the table of fees for the registrar of the Borough Court. Resolved—That the same, subject to alteration for adopting it to the practice of the court, as the same is now under revisiou, and to the costs of the attorneys, now submitted to the Asses sor and to he laid before the Vice-Chancellor, and two of the Judges, for confirmation, be adopted; such alterations not on the whole increasing the fees to the registrar according to this gYarate, ct'el t it's?. v of State. - 'f' h i rd, i t lietali for'll' m a Resolved—That the same affords, on the whole, a sufficient allowance, but that the fees fall heavily in many cases where they cannot be well borne, and lightly in others where more may be amended without the allowance being on the whole ex tended. And that it is, therefore, expedient to re-construct this table, and to submit the same, as re-contructed, to his Ma jesty's Secretary of State, not, however, increasing the yearly amount. Resolved—That the Town-clerk he directed to communicate these resolutions to the Ilmne-office, and be authorised to carry the same into effect by the necessary alterations, revisions, and corrections. Resolved—That the chairman be requested to report to the council. Mr. ROBINSON, seconded by Mr. Hornby,-inoved the adop tion of the report, which was agreed to. HOISTING SACKS OF FLOUR INTO WAREHOUSES. The MAYOR stated, that he had received a petition from the flour-dealers in Liverpool, numerously and respectably signed, complaining of a clause in the new code of by-laws which they said would put them to considerable loss and inconvenience. It was agreed to refer the subject to the by-law committee. The TOWN-CLERK stated that the by-laws referred to, were before the Secretary of State for his approbation; it would be therefore desirable not to take any steps for their alteration at present. Mr. It ATiiiioNE said he believed the by-law referred to, was, that individuals were not to raise flour by means of horses only where such a mode would prove inconvenient or obstructive to the public. The Towe-ceeRK referred to the by-law in question, and it was found that Mi. Rathbone's view of the subject was correct. Mr. RATHBONE explained that be did not wish to take the subject out of the hands of the by-law committee, but merely that the true meaning might go abroad and allay apprehension. WATCH COMMITTEE. Mr. WA I.MSLEY said a report having gone abroad that lotus error had been committed in laying the watch rate, he wished to ask the 'Town-cletk if the precept had been strictly correct. The TOWN-C LERK said it was correct, and that the proceeding had been governed by the opinions of the most eminent counsel. He (the Town-clerk ) had heard of such a saying, and it appeared to him that the individual who had made use of it, had read only the first part of the 84th section, which declared, after certain notices and appointments hail been complied with, the old pro visions in local acts as to watching, assessment or collection of rates to provide for the expenses and payment of watchmen, &c., should cease and determine. The proviso at the conclusion of the 92d section of the act must have escaped the notice of the person alluded to. It was as follows, " provided that in every case in which before the passing of this act any rate might be levied in any borough, or in any parish or place made part of any borough under the provisions of this act, for the purpose of watching solely, by day or by night, conjointly with any other purpose, it shall he lawful for the council of such borough, to levy a watch rate sufficient to raise any sum not greater than the average yearly stun which during the last seven years, shall have been expended in the maintenance and establishment .of watchmen, constables, patrol or policemen, within the district where such rate was levied, and for that . purpose the council shall have all the powers hereinbefore given to the council in the matter of the borough rate, where any part of any borough shall not at the time of the passing of this act be within the provisions of this act authorising the levy of such rate for watch ing as aforesaid, it shall he lawful for the council from time to time to order that such part or so much thereof as to the council shall seem fit, shall be rated to the watch rate in like manner as other parts of the borough to be specified in such order, and such watch rate thereupon shall be levied within the part men tioned in such order in iike manner as the other part of the borough so specified; and all such sums so levied in pursuance of such watch rate shall be paid over to the account of the bo rough fund." It would therefore be seen, the Town-clerk said, that the power to levy the watch rate rested in the provisions of the sr.unicipal act itself, and not in any of the old acts. The reference in the 92d section as a proviso was only made for the ' purpose of giving the maximum which they were empowered to 1 levy, which was, that it should not exceed the annual amount of expenditure on an average of the last seven years. 'rhe MAYOR announced that the business was concluded, and the council separated. THE FIRST GEORGE—LADY WORTLEY'S CHARACTER OV nisi.—The King's character may be comprised in very few words. In private life he would have been called an honest blockhead ; and fortune, that made him a King, added nothing to his happiness, only prejudiced his honesty, and shortened his days. No man was ever more free from ambition ; he loved money, but loved to keep his own, without being rapacious of other men's. He would have grown rich by saving, but was incapable of laying schemes for getting; he was more properly dull than lazy, and would have been so well contented to have remained in his little town of Hanover, that if the ambition of those about him had not been greater than his own, we should never have seen him in England : and the natural honesty of his temper, joined with the narrow notions of a low education, made him look upon his acceptance of the crown as an act of usurpation, which was always uneasy to him. But he was car ried by time stream of the people about him in that, as in very action of his life. Ile could speak no English, and was past the age for learning it. Our customs and laws were all mysteries to him, which he neither tried to understand, nor was capable of understanding if he had endeavoured it. He was passively good natured, and wished all mankind enjoyed quiet, it' they would let him do se The mistress that followed him hither was so much of his Own temper, that I do not wonder at the engage ment between them. She was duller than himSclf, and conse quently.did not find out that he was so; and had lived in that figure at Hanover almost-10 rears (for she caine hither at three score,) without meddling in any affairs of the Electorat6, cOn'- tent with the small pension he allowed her, and the Inmettilof his visits when he had nothinr, else. to do,' which hai,pened very rord Wit ar 111:1' 1.4.4 THE LIVERPOOL CHORAL SOCIETY. This flourishing society held its third public meeting for the performance of sacred music on Tuesday evening last at the Amphitheatre. The meetings of this society have always an animating appearance, the audiences invariably being large ; and, on the present occasion, the house presented as crowded an appearance, and as respectable an auditory as we have wit nessed at any of its previous meetings. The character of the music attempted speaks well for the musical talent of the so ciety, and for the proficiency of its members. On the present occasion no less musical flight was taken than a soar to the sub limities of Handers " Messiah." This, after so recent a per formance of this oratorio at the late Liverpool Festival, was a bold wing, indeed, for a young society.' The overture with which this oratorio commences was very brilliantly executed; and we cannot here forbear testifying o'er approval of Mr. M. Maybrick's talents as a conductor; he kept the orchestra to gether with that unity and precision of effort which alone can secure, and are of themselves almost sufficient to produce effect. Mr. E. Stott sang the recitative, with accompaniment, "Com fort me," very tolerably, and in his usual style. This gentle man's style is steady and fixed; he invariably sings about the same mark, and may be depended upon. The chorus which followed was given with that marked precision which distin guishes the Liverpool choristers, and was exceedingly well ex ecuted. The recitative by Mr. Pemberton, " Thus saith the Lord of Hosts," was given with this gentleman's usual well trained style. Mr. Pemberton possesses a voice of considerable compass, and has it in good command. His intonation is ge nerally correct, and his execution' good. There is, however, a peculiar quality of tone about his voice of rather a harsh nature, and in an audience like the one on Tuesday night, a deficiency . of volume. Mr. Dutton's recitative, " Behold! a virgin shall conceive," was rather below mediocre. The air and chorus which followed, however, " 0 thou that tellest good tidings," were very well given. The recitative, with accompan iment, b y Mr. Davies, "For behold darkness shall cover the earth," was decidedly the gem of the evening. This gentleman possesses a fine melodious organ, capable of great volume of tone, and the evenness of his crescendo and its round fullness was very beau tiful. The air and succeeding chorus were splendidly given. The succeeding recitative, "'!'here were shepherds abiding," was sung by Miss Leach. This lady appears to us to have con siderably improved in her singing. Her execution of some of the cadenzas was very pretty. Her voice, though powerful and sweet, is rather thin in quality of tone. One great beauty of her singing is her great steadiness and perfect7self-possession. The air by her, " Rejoice greatly," was sung with much sweet ness and very brilliant execution. The following recitative, "Then shall the eyes of the blind be open," was sung by Mrs. Heaton, a cantatrice who has, we understand, but lately come to reside in Liverpool. We can pronounce her a most decided acquisition to the vocal corps. She has a contre-alto voice of fine quality, and some of her tones reminded us of M r s . A. Shaw. The following air by the same lady, "He shall feed his flock," is a sweet legato movement, and was sang with a rich ness and volume of tone which was perfectly delightful. In the second part the air by. Mr. J. Stott, " He was despised and re jected of men," was very sweetly sung ; and the chorus was very efficient. Mrs. Brand sang the recitative, "He was cut off nut of the land,' very prettily. Her voice, however, has a thin ness and poverty of tone about it. She executed the air, "But thou didst not leave his soul in hell," exceedingly well, and met with a partial encore which she acknowledged. The air by Mrs. Dutton, " How beautiful are the feet of them," passed off without anything remarkable. The succeeding quartet by Mrs. Dutton, and Messrs. Stott, France, and Hadley, " Their sound is gone out into all lands," was well executed. The air by Mr. Pemberton, "\Vhy do the nations," was again a feiture in the evening's performance. Allowing for the want of sufficient volume and a slight coarsness of tone, it was a very brilliant performance. The shake and cadenza at the conclusion of each sentence, "A vain thing," and "Is he anointed," were beauti tifullv executed and met with deserved and very loud applause. The - following chorus was given with almost electrifying pre cision. The succeeding fine recitative, "He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn," was assigned to Mr. Dodd. We have before expressed an opinion, or rather re/'rained from expressing an opinion on this gentleman's singing. When, however, parties place themselves before the public as professors of any art, and as candidates for public estimation, they must stand or fall in that estimation by their proficiency or otherwise in that art and science which they profess; and they, of course, subject themselves to public criticism. We should not have entered on this long nreamble had we not understood that our previous refraining trout criticism of his singing at Miss Hyams' concert, has given to this gentleman "grave offence." We will, hu.iever, strive to win his favour, if such be his with, by entering on a fair and impartial though passing criticism of his performance. in the first firtissimo with which he made this recitative commence he pitched his voice far beyond its power, and as a natural consequence by applying too heavy a clapper to the bell of his organ he gave it a most decided crack, with which it clanged most unharmoniously throughout all the rest of the part assigned him. Like Milton's beautiful description of the opening of hell's gates, it "Grated harsh thunder." — The quality of his tone is also disagreeable having a peculiar thick flatness about it. In turning from the natural requisites to the formation of a good singer, we do not find any thing more to admire in his singing in what depended upon acquire ment. The emphasis was ludicrously misapplied, and his pro nunciation in the cadenza of the air, :I like a pot-ter's ves-sel," was, to use a very mild term, erroneous and unmusical, and par took of the same unfinished character as did the singing of the whole piece. We would strongly advise this gentleman, if he wishes to escape critical castigation, to practice yet, for some time, his sol fa la, and his chromatic ascending and descending scales, and the numerous family of " the graces" which we re member to have seen, when " scrapers of cat-gut" in by-gone years, classed under the head of " Rudiments of music," before he again attempts to sing in public. The " Hallelujah" chorus which follows was splendidly given, and strongly reminded us of its magnificent performance under the able conducting of Sir George Smart, with an orchestra and chorus embodying the principal musical talent of the country. Perhaps the must striking part which failed in the comparison was the trumpet accompaniment. Here the splendid and thrilling tone produced by Harper was greatly missed. The tone produced was clear, but was not certain, and it was thin in quality; it wanted that splendid precision and fulness of lip which render Harper the trump of trumpeters. But the greatest fault of all was in the instrument, which was horribly out of tune, and in some of the high notes was a full semi-tone flat. The performance of the choristers was all that we could wish. The succeeding air by Miss Leach, " I know.. that my redeemer liveth," was very . prettily sung with that peculiar steadiness which characterises her, and met with loud applause. The following recitative by Mr. Davies, " Behold I tell you a mystery," was snug with a tine even full tone. The grand chorus at the conclusion was bet by VIP fiaettv state of the audience who began to retire. the per,ormance in say ing so, we do not wish to speak in disparagement,) on the whole was characterised by that feeling of flatness which generally appertains to a lengthened performance of sacred music where there is not a continual succession of first rate and extraordi nary talent to arouse and fix attention. We cannot conclude, however, without congratulating this society on the success of their efforts in propogating and encouraging a taste for music among the middle ranks of society; the result of which was very visible in the ',proficiency end evident improvement of the choristers LIVERPOOL, POLICE. Sine RonaEtty.—Yesterday at the Police-office, two men named John Murray and Robert Davison, were brought before the Magistrates charged with having the night before broken open the companion of the smack " John's," lying in Salt house Dock, and stealing therefrom a coat. Francis George, dock policeman, deposed to seeing the prisoners go on board the smack the night before without any thing with them. In two or three minutes he saw Murray leave the vessel and look about him ; he then went on board again and returned with a blue coat over his arm when he stopped him. Ile said a young man on board had given him the coat to take on shore. He then left Murray in charge of another constable and went on board the "John's." He found the companion broken open and hearing a voice below he procured a light and went down where he found the prisoner Davison. pretending to be asleep on the hunker. He then took him into custody. On asking him if he was one of the crew he replied , " You never mind, it will be all right." He 'then conveyed both prisoners to the station, and in about a quarter of an hoor Samuel M'Cullock came and owned the jacket. M'Cullock deposed to being master of the vessel "John's" lying in Salt-house Dock, and that he threw the jacket in question on his bed the day before in the cabin. He came on shore leaving a boy in care of the smack. At about 5 o'clock he was sent for to the vessel and found the companion had been broken open and his jacket gone. Ile afterwards found it at the station. Neither of the prisoners be longed to his vessel. Mnrrayi in defence said, Davison gave the jacket to him, and' Davison said he was in liquor at the time. The depositions for their commitment were ordered to be taken. - _ _ ASSAULT.—EFFECTS OF JEALOUSY.—Yesterday at the Police office, a young woman named Mary Hughes, and a respectable looking middle-aged woman named Mary Anderton, were charged before the Magistrates by another 'female named Jane Croft, for going to her house an breaking and destroying her furniture. The complainant stated that she had a• charge to make against Mrs. Hughes, for going to her house on Tuesday morning last and saying there was a correspondence going on between her (complainant's) daughter and her husband. The night before she came to her house and brought two women with her and asked if her husband had been there that day.— She (complainant) replied that he had not, when she retorted that she (complainant) was "a bad woman." One of the other women then said " is the infernal faggot here ? bring her out." The women then commenced striking her and her son and her daughter, and throwing her mugs and pots about and spilled all her flour. Mr Hall,—" Well young woman what do you say ?" Margaret Hughes,—" Your honour that lady has harboured my husband along with her daughter knowing him to be a married man, for the last two months; and when I went to ask for him to her house I was ill used: and last night when I went there to ask for him, her son threw a jug of water over my cloak, and was going to beat me with the tongs when this good woman (the other prisoner) protected me. And they gave me this black-eye. 'The other prisoner said there was a great scuffle and the mugs got broke in the scuffle. One of the police gave the prisoner a good character as a quiet and respectable woman. Mr. Hall, (to the prisoner Hughes.) " Because you are jealous of the daughter von ought not to create a disturbance in the mother's house. 'The prisoner, (with great violence,) "So long as I catehed them together in Dale-street I had a right to go and tell her mother of it." Mr. hall , If your husband is a good-for-nothing fellow and chooses to go elsewhere, you are not to go and abuse them. I shall fine Anderton who had not the same provocation as you, half-a-crown, and remand you to the last to consider whether I shall require you to find bail to keep the peace." A TEETOTALLER'S A DVlCE.—Yesterdav, a dirty-looking fe male, was placed before the magistrates, charged by a demure looking personage, named Michal Sullivan, a member of the teetotal society, with abusing him for a teetotaller, and creating a disturbance in his house. The complainant who was possessed in au eminent degree with that affected, and conceited man nerism which often distinguishes members of particularsocieties from its ease of acquirement, and the fancied importance which it gives them, and, as often, tends to attach a slighting, and dis respectful nick-name to the whole body to which they belong, then proceeded .4 with measured step and slow" to deliver him self of his complaint. He said, " Your worship. This woman (who is disgraced by standing in the dock) is ester to the latiy of whom I rent my hou s e" Mr. Hall.—" Well, what did she do to you?" Complainant.—" A few days ago she came for the rent as I was meditating over my fire. But I would not pay her the rent till she was in a fit state to receive it, as she was in a shock ing state of inehre—ety." Mr. Hall. " Well, what did site do to you ?" Complainant.—" Well, sir, listen. So i gave her some good advice, and told her to go home, and get sober, and come then to me, and I would pay her the rent." Mr. Hall.— " Cannot you cut this long story short, and tell me what she did ?" Complainant.—Well sir she came to my house calling me a teetotal this, and teetotal t hat, and a teet otal' the other, till I told her ie she would not go away, I would fetch the • po—lice. And last night I was reading a teetotal temperance . publication over my fire side, when this poor woman (who has disgraced. herself by being placed at the bar) came in, and be gan abusing me in a similar manner, so I went out, and fetched in one of the po—lice—men. I ant sorry for the poor woman, htit she is over-persuaded by those who are not her friends, oc 4-i'SkiitillY to get inebre_eted." Mr. Hall.—" Then you had better take her home, and give her some good advice.' (Com plainant stared.) (To the prisoner.) Don't you trouble him; do you hear, go and enroll yourself in the society to which he belongs." The prisoner bobbed a curtsy, and walked out of the dock, whilst the complainant, with becoming deliberation, and a look betokening no little surprise, that a man of his consequence should be so unceremoniously treated, walked out of-court. A POPULAR COURSE OF CHEMISTRY, AT THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. LECTURE It. On Wednesday evening Mr. Hemming proceeded. The next metal for our consideration is the valuable and use ful metal mercury. Mercury, like the previous Metals, appears to have been known at a very early period of time, aud, like old and silver, it is found frequently in a native sta te of p urit y . Like those two metals, it has been found in all parts of the world. Great . quantities exist in China, in Hungary, Spain, and South America. We have very valuable mines at Idria, which' twilit veryletely produced 100 tons per annum. The mines of Almaden, in Spain, have been much more productive. These mines have been worked for a long time; for Pliny tells us that all the Vermillion used in Rome was procured from Spain. Soon after the period when gold was discovered in South America, there were 1,200 tons of liquid mercury remain ing in the magazines of Almaden after they had exported a large quantity for the purposes of reducing the gold and silver ores. We have no mercury in England; but it is said that small quantities of it have been found in Cornwall and Scot land. It is most abundant in nature as Cinnabar me. In South America native mercury is found very abundantly. In some cases it found in the fissures of rocks, and in others it percolates tArough the rocks, aud is procured by placing . vessels underneath to receive it. When we meet with the ore in com bination with sulphur, the following process of- reduction is resorted to .---The ore is first reduced to powder ' and then mixed With one quarter its weight of slacked lime. This mixture is heated in a retort : those of Almaden are made to contain 80 potinds, the beaks of which are immersed in refrigerators for the purpose of condensing the mercury as it comes over in the vaporous state. The rationale of the process is very simple. The sulphur at a high heat leaves the mercury and combines with the lime. In some cases iron is used; but lime is much cheaper, and is generally preferred. But in each the same rationale obtains. The mercury, being left in its native state, is distilled over and condensed by abstraction of heat. Mer cury thus obtained is a remarkable metal differing from others. It is a perfect fluid of within 700 e; it boils at 660', and freezes at 40° below the zero of Fahrenheit's scale.- Mercury is some times frozen by the natural temperature of the atmosphere. This occurs in high northern and sonthern latitudes. It has fre quently been frozen in Hudson's Bay,When it has been beaten on an anvil until it has been as thin as a sheet of paper. It is not ,a ductile metal; it has so little tenacity that it cannot be drawn, into wire. When snow is on the ground, it is by no means difficult to freeze mercury. It is first reduced to zero by mix ing.snow and salt together, and immersing the mercury in the mixture; We then have to reduce it 40° lower, and this-we do by means of other freezing mixtures. The materials of which the freezing mixture is made must likewise be similarly re ' duced to zero before mixture. In this way large quantities have been frozen. Messrs. Allen and Pepys, of London, dur ing a severe winter, froze no less than 5G pounds of mercury. sir bile in this state, a person was desirous of touching the me tallic mercury; but he was quickly compelled to withdraw his hand, as it communicated a feeling similar to that of iron at a white heat. Sir J. Ross states, that if he touched mercury, or any other metal at the same temperature, it communicated a sensa tion similar to burning, and the skin stuck to the metal. It would, therefore, seem that the sudden deprivation of large quantities of caloric from the hand produces the same feeling as the ae•es sion. of caloric in large quantities. While it has been frozen in Hudson's Bay, a piece of it was thrown into hot water, but that instant it deprived the hot water of so much heat to liquify it, that the water became frozen , and the glas s was broken by the expansion of the water. When mercury is exposed to the' atmosphere its colour becomes tarnished, probably by combin ing with the sulphuretted hydrogen. It is a heavy metal, being 13 a times heavier than water. A pint of mercury will weigh nearly as much as a gallon of water. Frozen mercury is heavier than liquid mercury, in this it differs from frozen water, which being lighter than iquid water very fortunately floats upon it. Mercury evapotates spontaneously at all ordinary temperatures above 32°. This has been proved by a very deli cate experiment; Dr. Faraday covered the inner outface of a stopper with a leaf of gold, and placed it in the neck of a mercury bottle, and he found it coated with mercury, at all temperatures above 32, but not at that temperature or under. Mercury evaporates at high temperatures with very great ra pidity, in consequence of which the mercury mines are very destructive to the health of the miners. In South America there is a large mercury mine, called Guanea Velica, one'of the largest mines jn the world, being 480 fathoms deep, and 170 in circumference. In this mine there are streets and squares, aittl even a church, where divine service is performed on Sunday's; and saint days. The miners are all slaves, and to prevent them escaping, they are badly clothed. The temperature of the mines is high, and the vapour of mercury entering the lungs of the miners, salivates them, and shortens their life. The employment of water gilding, as it was formerly conducted, was considered very unwholesome, and few workmen could be found to work in it. It is usual to immerse the article to be gilt in a solution of nitrate of mercury; this will cover the metal with a coating of mercury. The article is then slightly brushed over with an amalgam of gold and mercury, and subjected almost to a red heat, and then we have a superficial coating of gold upon the metal. Formerly this operation was carried on at an open fire, and the vapour came into the apartment. The mode now adopted is to heat the article in a stove provided with a mica or talc window, so that the workmen can watch the process . . The - old mode was found exceedingly injurious to the workmen; so much so that many marvellous stories are told of its effects. Boyle found metallic mercury in the head of one of these workmen six months after ha had worked as a water gilder. In the. Philcisophical Transactions of 1665, it was stated that'the body of a workman was so impregnated with the metal, - at a long period after be had left the business, that if he touched a piece of copper it would be amalgamated, and if the copper . was put into his mouth it would be coated with mercury. This effect. is experieaced by those who take large quantities of mer curial medicine, as the vapour will pass through the body in large quantities, and coat all the gold it touches with mercury. Although not subject to oxidation by exposure to the atmos . pkiese,it absorbs. moisture...from_ the_atmosphere ;. on, this ac count, therefore, in the manufacture of delicate philosophical instruments,.it becomes necessary, even if we may not require a vacuum above the thermonieter, to boil the mercury to ex pel the vapour. A few years ago mercury was sold at a moderate mice. about 2s. 6d. per pound wholesale. It is now 4s. per pound. ne re, Ur LIM iliac all Lb. brought to England is purchased by one house in Lon don, who, by this monopoly, are enabled . to charge what they like for it. It is, however, difficult to obtain pure mer cury, as it is alloyed with lead and bismuth. It is a singular property of mercury, that if we amalgamate it with bismuth we may add one quarter its weight of lead to it without rendering it less fluid, and if we squeeze it thus alloyed in a piece of cha moy leather, the lead and bismuth will pass through the leather as well as the mercury. -If we attempt to distil the mixture,. part of the baser metals will evap o rate in th e same manner with the mercury. In order then to purify the mercury we had bet . ter heat it with sulphur, and then refine it by the same process described for reducing the ore. We may test whether there be any bismuth present by dissolving the mercury in nitric acid, when, if a little of the nitrate be dropped into water a white precipitate will indicate the presence of bismuth. This preci pitate is called the oxide of bismuth, and is sold in enormous quantities under the denomination of pearl powder. Lemery,. who introduced this cosmetic into Paris, made a rapid fortune by its sale.: There is one little inconvenience attending its use, and that.is, that if a lady who uses it approaches too close to any mineral watere as those of Harrogate, which contain sulphu retted-hydregiip, the pearl powder will immediately become , black. &little weak acid will, however, remove it. We haVetwseoxides of mercury, two sulphurets of mercury, and two chlorides of mercury. the combinations of mercury are all very important. The first oxide we will consider is the peroxide of mercury, a compound of 200 parts of mercury, and 16 parts, by weight, of oxygen. This is made by expos ing mercury in shallow vessels with a broad bottom to the heat of a sand-batb, and at the end of several weeks we find a simple film of oxide of mercury. We must have a very long, narrow tube to place in this vessel to prevent the evaporation of the mercury. This substance is, however, very interesting to the chemist as being the material from which Dr. Priestley first obtained oxygen gas. He filled a flask full of liquid mer cury and a little of this peroxide, when by heating it with the, sun's rays through a lens, the oxygen gas was separated from the metal by_the heat, whilst the metal united with the liquid mercury. He instantly examined the air he had then obtained, and introduced a taper into it, and. found that the taper burnt very much better than in the atmosphere. He next immersed a mouse in some, and found that it lived, a much longer time than. it would in the same quantity of' atmospheric air. This disco very of its property of supporting life induced Priestley to make use of that singular expression' which proved the priority of his claim to the discovery of the gas which was disputed by Lavoi- Hier; Priestley had said that he had found an air which if he could breathe alone earth would be a heaven to him, and that only two living beings besides himself had inspired it, which were two mice. There are various methods of obtaining this perqxide; we dissolve mercury in nitre acid, and evaporate to drydess, and applying heat for a long . time, but not a red heat, until all the water of crystallization Is driven off, and we have nothing but a peroxide left. Another is to precipitate the solu tion of mercury in nitric acid by means of an alkali, and by heating it to drive , off its water, this will give us peroxide of mercury . in the shape of a red powder which is very. useful in the preparation of oxygen gas. In the state of commerce a quail iity of red leadjs mixed with it. This we can easily detect by heating a portion of it. when the mercury will be dissipated, and the lead, if any, left behind as a yellow oxide. The most whimsical method of making the protoxide of mercury, which, like the peroxide, can be made by a variety o f p r ocesses, was adopted by a chemist on the continent. lie placed a quantity of mercury in a bottle, and tied it to the sail of a windmill, by which means every portion of the mercury being brought ra pidly into connexion with the atmosphere, he had a small quan tity of black or, protoxide of mercury formed. We may make it by triturating mercury with any substance which wilt divide . it, and cause it to present a num ber of s urfaces to the atmos phere. The black oxide is the base of the famous blue pill, and of various other useful medicinal compounds. The blue pill is made by triturating fluid mercury with conserveof roses and li quorice powder. We make these oxides by anothet mode • by t r eating bichloride of mercu r y with caustic p otash we obtain peroxide of mercury, whereas if we take the prutochloride of mercury we make the protoxide. 'These are not, howeve r , t o b e recommended, hilt are merely interesting methods of producing the oxides. The red, or peroxide of mercury is, used in medicine, but it is of a poisonous nature. Mercury was in troduced as a medicine by Paracelsus, and it is asserted that he performed many miraculous cures by its means. This Para celsus was a most impudent. boaster. In one of his essays, he says that " he has more experience in his beard than was con: . tamed in all the universities in the world." As he was upon this subject, Mr. Hemming alluded to another eccentric iudi vidual, Basil Valentine, who discovered, by chance, the re markable power of the metallic antimony. He was-operating upon some antimony, in pursuit of the philosopher's stone, and threw some into the hogs' trough. The swine thrived upon the food. Seeing that it was beneficial to them, and produced medicinal effect, Valentine thought that it would prove equally beneficial to the nieuks of his monastery. He administered tf to them, but it killed the greater part of them. On this sti• - ;1 count the metal was called anti moire, antimony, a name which it bears to this d,ay.. Basil commences his discourses in some what similar language to that of Paracelsus, by telling the world that all shall follow him, &c. Now, with respect to the chlorides of mercury, one of them is of very great importance in medicine, forming calomel. It is called by physicians; submu• riate of mercury, but it is a chloride. The per-chloride and it' are made in the first instance from sulphuret of mercury and common salt. We may make calomel by Scheele's process, hut it does not seem to be so much approved of as the common process by mixing nitrate of mercury with common' .salt. It is, usually made by boiling, first of all, two pounds of mercury and thirty ounces of concentrated sulphuric acid. The rationale is simple. The sulphuric acid combines with the soda of the common salt and converts it into sulphate of soda, and the chlorine unites with the mercury. In order to make the car, rosive sublimate, the common salt, mercury, and sulphuric acid are mingled in different propOrtious. In manufacturing Q k~a calomel, however, it invariably happens that a small portion of corrosive sublimate is formed with it, hut the corrosive sub limate may' he separated by washing with hot water, as water dissolves the corrosive sublimate but not the calomel. Mu- . riate of ammonia was formerly recommended for the purpose of removing the corrosive sublimate, but it is now kuown that, although this will dissolve corrosive sublimate, it will form another portion. We may make . the • bischloriCle of mercury, but less conveniently, by. the direct action.of chlorine upon lie mercury, for if we heat mercury in. chloriva it will burn, although we oauuot burn it under ordivarf circumstances: We may also buin it with the voltaic battery, but not with a common fire, because it escapes in a state .of vapour. The sulpburets of mercury are also important substances. We have two of them, one of which was known at an earlypeviod. Cinna bar, or vermillion, is described by Isaiah as being used as a Pig ment in his time. 'fheciphrastus likewise mentions it in his works. The only difference_ between sulphuret and bi-sulphuret con sists in the difference of sulphur employed ; we: have . 200 parts mercury combining with 16 parts sulphur, and 32 parts'sttlphur. The proto-sulphuret may be made by triturating for souse time , the mercury and sulphur, until all the globules disappear. This is, however, an unsciantific mode of doing it. The:better mode will be to mix the sulphur and mercury, in a ladle, and, to heat them, but here without great care the sulphur and -tnercury will :escape. The best way is to pass a current of sulphuretted hydro gen through mercury, and then, we have it. The per sulphate of mercury or vermillion is.sometimes obtained direct from the ore. The Chinese method, by Which they make very beautiful cinnabar, is to distil the ore with iron. We make it in England by mix ing mercury and sulphur, and then subliming them, after which it' is carefully dried and ground to powder. We have two nitrates of mercury, as well as two sulphurets of mercury. The proto nitrate may be made by adding the mercury to the acid with out heating it, but if we heat it, the compound will be a per nitrate. Copper will precipitate the mercury from solution irt the nitrates. In addition to this we may apply sulphurettecl hydrogen. The hydriedate of potass will give us .a very beauti. , ful crimson precipitate. The Ferro,cyanuret of potassium, and tincture of gallsovill each give a dirty green or English. white, and the chromateofpotass will give aprecipitate of a red colour. A very remarkable compound of mercury, called fulminating mercury, has lately been extensively used; it was first intro duced by Howard. It is made by mixing 100 grains of mer cury with l ounces of nitric acid; when the mercury is dis solved we add two ounces of strong alcohol very slowly, as otherlise considerable effervescence would take place. In a very short time a black powder precipitates : we are then to wash this precipitate with large quantities of waier, and to dry it by a temperature not exceeding that of a steam heat, otherwise explosion may take place ; as it is a dangerous substancejo handle, detonating with. a fearful explosion, small quantities only should be experimented upon. This substance is now used in the manufacture of percussion caps; at first chlorate the of • potass an I sulphur, with a small.quantity of charcoal left. after gunpowder has been washed, was employed for this purpose. It .` was found, however, that the metal of the nipple was converted into a sulphuret, unless platina was employed, and therefore the fulminating mercury was substituted, which explodes as readily as the other compound without injuring the - nipple. The cap beingplaced on the nipple and struck, explodes and fires • the gunpowder in the barrel. To-morrow evening Mr. Hemming terminates his course. TO JOSEPH WALMSLEY, ESQ., Corn Merchant and -Town Councillor—Patron of St. Luke's • Church—Chairman of the Watch Committee—Head of the Con stahulary Department—Factotum of the Reformed Council— Chairman of the Tradesmen's Reformed Association—Author of the eelebratedWurk entitled " What have the Council done ?" Src., Brc. DEAR JOSHUA,—Times have sadly changed with us, that is, with you and me. We are old school-fellows, but our acquaintance has ceased for some time. You are now a great man, a very great man; and, as I could not for the world . ventuue to speak to you now, (although you were my fag when you were " a bit of a snivelling lad,") I take this Method of laying one or _two grievances before you, because I am sure, from your übiquity, that you are the man to redress them.-- I hear of you everywhere—the most diligent man at all tavern dinners, even the murky atmosphere and sulphuric smells of Scotland-road and Vauxhall cannot ,prevent youri • patriotism. You are most vigilant in the character of inspector at all dram-shops, and your super-human exertions have done • much towards the amendment of public mom's, for which the public are deeply indebted to you. I fear theywill not show • you much gratitude, and that when you have done your best they will be uncivil enough to say that you have been an un profitable servant. But to the point. You must know, dear Joshua, that Mrs. Smith would.have a bit of a box down on the North Shore, just beyond yogi house; last Summer, and, after we left the shop at night, we used to g o _ down there to sleep ;• but our passage along th e footpath of Great Howard-street was , regularly disputed by droves ,of those household animals, re gularly called pigs, urged forwards by, stalvmrth fellows, " mighty an' decent." and armed with long gkciuiens of " the finest pisantry," and not t 9 be spoken to without danger. ; Mrs. Smith has already had two pelisses spoiled by these and her last green boots turned quite another colony by the ordure on the footpath, so that at last we have.sported a one- horse shay, and, about two days ago, for the first.time in my life, I took the reins into my hands, a thing my wife never per mitted the to do before, and we arrived in safety at Bootle. But the next morning we were, coming to ope,a shop pretty • early, and such threading, and crossing, . and .shouting, and whipping had we to get through the coal carts by the canal that I have almost resolved to send the pony to Lucas's and give up the cottage altogether. One cart was in the middle of the street, and when I asked the mail to " shift" he shouted out, "go look!" Another.was in the off4bannel, and I was obliged to cross the street and pass him on the wrong side. One. driver was half a mile behind his cart, and another had no driver at all. I do assure you my dear Joshua that a voyage to the Polar Seas is not halt so dangerous as a journey to Bootle. I have some idea of imitating you, and turning author, and writibg a volume of my travels to and from Bootle: only I shall not let the Public have•my book gratis, as,you have so liberally done. My wife has asked me a hundred times of what use are the new day Police? and I declare I cannot give her a satisfactory answer. • Perhaps it is, that they are yet young hands at their business, — and three fourths of them being Irishmen and Papists, we must not be too hard upon them, as they are what Mrs. Wigging our neighbour calls "a hignorant set." lily wife' thinks that if Mrs.Walmsleywtnt that way home, the' . -- carters and the pigs would be refeimea; but as that lady usually • goes by the way of the North Free School, it is better to let .yott know our grievance at once. Things in general are looking.up,—the 'money market is fir mer,—and Goines has been defeated. The kuttling Conserva tives are aettog and drinking all over, the country,—thele nothing to read about but Tory feeds and Tory gatherings mall directions. But pshaw ! the nasty bigots are nearly extinct, ' and another election or two like our last municipal, will exitn guish them quite. Rathbone has behaved himself very civilly• of late. Lloyd's list has been heavy. Cajeput is a drug atpre, sant. Lords Melbourne and Johnny of course dine with us at. the Amphitheatre one of these days. Capital job that new road along the shore will be for your property and mine, and the great 'public convenience too. It has been long wanted, and Squire Leigh ought to have had it done sooner. Peas steady. Barley. is enquired after, and several sales have been made at the last quotation. I thought a little information on these matters would' be serviceable to you, as you are so very much engaged in pdb lic matters that you are not often to be'found at your office. • I am, dear Joshua, your faithful friend, JOHN SMITH.—No. 2096. • N.B.—Dont forget what I have said about the carts and the. pigs. If, should summon use before the Watch board I can prove all I have told you. , . TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL, ST4ND..4RD. SIR,—I perceived in your paper of Tuesday arieeiPaii . the . cure of the tooth-ache, which you treated lightly. Being afflicted' at the time with it, and having been so far a length of time, I determined to try the slaked lime, and I found the pain le ave almost immediately. For the sake of the thousands that suffer by it, I give my name and address, and I shall feel happy in affording any information I can.-1 am, yours very thankfully, GEO. WATSON, Cabinet-maker, Lime-street. Liverpool, December 22, 1836. = • = THE TH EATRE-ItO YAL. The French company of actors do not appear to " take" with the Liverpool audience. We confess we are not much surprised at this. The pieces performed have been of a most trumpery character in themselves--as. pieces, barren of incident and plot, ar.d abounding only in long coneersatiops, interlarded with an occasional bon nail and jets &esprit. I laidpovrty of amusing requisites, in the ground- work, has little from the representation. The whole corps, with the exception of M. Bernard. are of very mediocre talent. M. Bernard himself is the soul of the corps, and is really . possessed of very consider able comic powers. Signor Saxon' and. Miss Adelaide O'Bryatt have delighted each evening by their beautiful and e l egan t dancing. The house bas.been but thinly attended, but the au dience has been generally select. On Monday evening Mr. Forrest cOraminces.his engagement with the play of "Othello," • characterwhich par tvrhhei first kes ,varied Mr. him in and ra Stuart, we believ e , a pp ears i n the public estimation in Liver pool-4s logo. This, we expect, will pr ove a hi g h treat. She ridan Knowles' play, " The: Wreckerla Daughter," has been brought out at Manchester, for the first time, we, belieVe in any provincial theatre, arid has proved highly successful. The Man chester papers contain long critiques of the play itself as well a s,of the performance. It has been announced for repetition each night during the week. We are glad to hear that .our favourites, Miss.Faucit and Mr. Stuart, have proved successful in their debut in this piece, in the principal eharaetets: Miss Faucit, as Marian, has taken ironnd in one of the most difficult characters ever drawn b . Y . the author. The Manche.4ter papers have given a verbal criticism cif this- lady's style of speaking , occasionally in an affected tone end manner. This has been noticed by the Liverpool audience, and with the hand of friend ship we have, by noticing, endeavoured to induce this promising actress to amend it, We can easily imagine that if her affecta tion of manner should prove offensive, by running counter to, the spirit of the character, that in Mcinchester it would be doubly,,. so. Mr. Stuart has preserved his acknowledged station, and has met witlkgreat Applause in his representation of the charac. ter of Robert, the "wrecker." We shall be anxious to see the piece brought out here. . • , PREFERMENT.—The Rev. T. G. James, 13. A , of Brazening. College, Otford, has been appointed to the Incumbency of the. Church of the Holy . Trinity within Habergham Eaves, in-the Chapelry of BurnlY, in the nomination of the Vicar of Whalley, A SaLF-DEVOTED ARCHITECT.—The chapter-hall (of the mo nastery of Batalha, about 60 miles north of Lisbon), which you .enter by the southeast cloister, is accounted a great curiosity. being very extensive, immensely lofty, and supported only by - its outer walls, without a single column or pillar. They have a singular tradition attached to this noble building • t wice was it built, twice roofed in; . and twice, when the scaff o lding was re moved, the walls gave way, and it became one heap of ruins ; but the architect would not be thus foiled in his magnificent un dertaking. A third time the Walls were raised, the richly groined roof rising spirally at its centre once more united them ; all the best energies of the spirit which had conceived, and the perse- : Yerauce which had yet again produced the work, had been hausted in the undertaking ; and Alphonso Donaingues, after having surveyed, with mingled pride and dread, the lordly pile he had reared, swore that if a third time his skill failed, he would not survive the disgrace , but find a grave'arriong itsturns. • Iu vain was he dissuaded from what was universal) 'considered an act of voluntary immolation ; he walked cobalt() the centre , Whit h &teed," Per of the hall; he issued his directions with ar l Pufa telineeicei portion by portion he saw the mighty beanie, h b t eeu him and a painful revolting death, reiadveif b y aps, e w , tire last prop Wd" his reluctant assistants ; at leng th drawn away,' and many covered their eves . with their hands to shut out the m i sera bl e spectacle; but there,was no necessity for the precau tion : the, architect stood unarmed and secure: his inighty •ivozk. was above and around him, vast, magnificent, and wonderful— a memorial of his undying genius. It is asserted that King . Sohn was so charmed by the spirit and daring of the heroic Do , i llg ues, that he commanded him td place within the hall sense commemoration of the (keel:, With a modesty equalled only - by his genius, the architect obeyed; and a small figure, not exceed ing a foot in length, is seen iu the act f o 'supporting a portion of , - the edifice where the roof touchesbn the north is are-, presentation of Alphonso Domingues.—Miss Pardoe's-J,Traits and Traditiwu of Portugal,. .„ ~.• .• • _ .