The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

cap has been given in to the army accoutrement folks, who have received instructions from the Commander-in- Chief to cut it down in size, and so enable the soldier to do duty with greater ease. The old cap, notwithstanding its immense height, was not very heavy, but it caught the wind, and was an impediment to the wearer. This is one of many improvements in military ,costume which for years have been loudly called for. I may mention that at the Tower the issues of military stores are at present un precedentedly great. Large quantities of clean old linen sheets are also selected for the hospitals ; their mournful application may be easily imagined ; they are for the wounded, and are the remains of the good old regime when coarse linen sheeting was used instead of the cheaper, and it may be warmer and more comfortable cotton or long cloth, which cannot with safety be applied to gun shot or other wounds. In the face of all the preparations—most expensive they are—the PREMIER, who has a dread of war beyond any man living, is holding out for peace, contending that, so long as there is the slightest hope of the blissful state, war is not inevitable. On the contrary, the noble Earl at the head of the Opposition sees nothing but war, and a fierce one. In this view he is supported by some of the most sagacious Peers in the House. Lord DERBY told Lord ABERDEEN on Friday night, in a tone and manner never to be forgotten by those who were present, that he (ABERDEEN) was the only adult in Hun MAJESTY'S dominions who held such peaceful opinions. The head of the Coalition took the cut without saying a word, but looked very black, as the saying is. It may be interesting to know that the chiefs of parties, in both Houses of the Legislature, have had meetings, the result of which has been the evident quietness of the de bates ; which have been—contrary to all expectation—tame in the lowest degree. Ministers and the Opposition — though much cannot be said of either—are loyal, even RICHARD COBDEN and JOHN BRIGHT—DO easy matter — have held their tongues. Both sides have refrained from making, or asking for disclosures, which might be prema ture and hazardous. It is the opinion not of one or two sound statesmen, but of many, that IsticßoDes would slink outof the war, could an opportunity be afforded him of doing so with a good grace. Yea, further, that such an oppor tunity may be a f forded to him. All that has yet been done in the way of preparation may be deemed almost as a finale to the naval and military displays at Spithead and Chobham, last autumn. There are all sorts, or rather were, all kinds of rumours in the city on Saturday after noon ; but the wags of the Stock Exchange, after a hot luncheon, washed down with stiff old port from the wood, to be had in the neighbourhood, are not very nice in con cocting, or slack in circulating their jokes, which are always received—more or less. Such was that statement which occupied a couple of hours before high change time on Saturday, that Nick was willing to withdraw his horns if he had indemnification for the expenses of his military movements. Fudge ! Meantime, it is worthy of remark that tallow, the great staple of Russia, has fallen in price ; ao also saltpetre ; though some wise ones stated, a few days ago, that it had risen in consequence of a larger sup ply being required in the manufacture of gunpowder. Fudge again , . To my certain kowledge there has not been an extra peck of gunpowder granulated at our mills for the last two months over the usual averages of former and peaceful years. It may be amusing to observe that, probably, in our country's history, there never was such a stock of gold coined, uncoined, and in dust, in the Mint and Bank depositories, nor so much gunpowder in our ar senals, and at Hounslow and Dartford, as are to be now found there. The proceedings of the House of Commons, in the early part of the week, were diversified by one of those displays which, for a good number of years, have been but few. Breach of privilege 1 These are ominous words, one would think : they mean, however, less than they say. The Times paper, it appeared, came out strong on certain of the Irish party in the House and out of it. Strange to say, they had a meeting, or rather a series of groupings, in and about those very commodious and con venient rooms devoted to reading and writing, eating, drinking, and smoking. Mr. ISAAC BUTT, a good Conser vative, and one of the few really clever Irish members in the House, was chosen to be the orator on the occasion ; and, having called the attention of the House to the ob noxious article, moved to the effect, that the clerk read said article at the table of the House, together with pre vious statements made in the Freeman's Journal, impu ting to the members of that House a trafficking in places for money. The hon. and learned member said he should call attention to these articles as involving a breach of the privileges of the House of Commons, and move for a select committee to inquire into the allegations of such trafficking. When Mr. BUTT came to the word "move,'. there was a pause, it being thought that Mr. HARRISON the printer of the Times, and Dr. GRAY, the editor of the Freeman, were to be " hauled up," as the phrase is. Mr. BUTT knows better practice, and, like a sensible man, slightly wincing with others, and, I rather suspect, be lieving in part the imputations, calls for an inquiry rather than for the appearance of printer and editor. When that is the case, the usual course is that the printer of the of fending paper be " called to the bar" of the House. Except in two instances, this extreme course, during the last twelve years, has not been adopted or enforced; nei ther has the extremer proceeding of sending the parties away in custody. One of these cases had reference to an individual whose name, for a long series of years, was as much in the public eye as NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, during the last war, or WELLINGTON'S, during the last half cen tnry—a name which, if pronounced now, calls up many remembrances—JonN JosErn LAWSON, the well-known — by name—printer of the Times. Mr. LA.WSON was never of robust frame; delicate and gentlemanly in personnel, his peculiar avocation, its demands upon him, his responsibi lities in a thousand different modes, increased the seeming delicacy of his structure. He was, moreover, exceedingly nervous, in the common application of that word. But he got over his fright like a man. The other case was that of Mr. BITTLESTONE, now an honour to the Bankruptcy Court, established not far from your busy town of Liver pool. Mr. BITTLESTONE was before the Lords, and -committed for some supposed breach of privilege, in that always well conducted and well behaved jour nal, the Morning Post, then, as now, considered an authority in their lordships' house. Mr. B. was committed —to a handsome room, with a bed in it to be sure, in the proximity of the peers' chamber. Here the incarcerated editor received his friends. He had for his gaoler and companion one of the gentlemen porters of their lordships' house. I forget whether BITTLESTONE had to pay his fees. I think they were remitted. These are, or were, rather heavy,—say £4O—long or short the duration of imprisonment. If the party should be of a penitent and contrite spirit,—some good-natured member of the legis . lature, such as Sir ROBERT HARRY INGLIS, the present Earls of ELLESMERE and CARLISLE, after making a few observations, move that the party be discharged, which is always carried nem. con. BROUGHAM, easily nettled, used to threaten such proceedings in fiery language upon every occasion ;—the noble and learned lord, much to his credit, cooled down long before the time for the culprit being brought up. Lord DENMAN, the late Lord LANGDALB, and JOCK CAM PBELL f requen tly softened the ire of HARRY! O'CoxivELL was frequently like BROUGHAM in this regard : blustered away awfully in making a charge, which rarely came to a head. O'ConwELL was tabooed once. For several nights his speeches were not given : BARNES of the Times, as Ton MOORE calls the late editor of that journal, said the paper could not do without them • O'CoNNELL was given by the " leading journal," and wa s . instantly followed by the others. The remarks about *breach of privilege, of course, do not apply to members " w h e n they " fall into a breath." The offending member leaves the house, most commonly followed by a friend into the library, where an arrangement is almost sure of being e ff ec ted. The breaches of privileges, as applied to " stran fore in both houses,are still very numerous,very stringent, and some of them apparently very trivial. Eating an orange, for example, is a breach ; you may suck one on the sly, however, without reproach ; so also you may eat a sandwich, as a horse eats beans in a nose-bag,—with your hat before your face. A lorgnette is dreadful; if bino cular, and applied to any of their lordships or members of the lower house, immediate expulsion is the penalty. Several distinguished artists, in these days of illustrated works, have tried hard to make sketches secretly in both houses, but have been foiled ; others I know have resorted to the thumb nail to carry away a lineament, and have done so at their utmost peril. The gluons H.B. (DOYLE pore) use d to b e a frequent attendant in both hou ses, but carried away the likenesses of our legislators in his senso rium (I suppo se that's the place). Hence mostly all the por traits you se e a Lord BRO ndhave seen—the late Duke of WELLINGTON, u GnAlis Lord JOHN RUSSELL, DISRAELI, SIB THORPE, though in m a ny points ca p i tal, are conventional likenesses at best. whcn WELLINGTON'S nose, or BROUGHAM'S, ""‘ *PI 9 =VA in Punch, for example, had the same But to return to ISAAC Burl's motion. A spirited, though brief, debate ensued, the two points being chiefly —that the sum of £3OO was sought for by an M.P. to ob tain for another party the situation of guardian of the poor in Ireland, an office which was abolished within six or eight months after the proposal was made ; that Dr. GRAY, the editor of the Dublin Freeman's Journal, a a man well known throughout Ireland, was appealed to by the applicant for the place, who was told by the doctor that he had as well keep his money, for it was in contem plation to abolish the office ; and more wonderful still — unaccountable, indeed—that 'Dr. GRAY, an individual of great talent, great acumen, daily in the very " eye of Ireland," should have the affair locked up in his own breast for three long years! Tom DUNCOMBE wound up the discussion in a spicy speech, concluding by saying to the effect—Had not the noble lord (J. RUSSELL) given notice that he was to bring :in a bill to prevent bribery and corruption among the poor electors who may get a pot of beer, or, as in the case of Liverpool, receive half-a crown ? Were these parties to be punished, or their crime to be placed on a parallel with that of those who had corrupted members of that house ? The honourable member's question was answered by " cheers in the affirmative." It is altogether a curious affair, and some of the Irish members, instead of being angry with the English press —or part of it—for bringing forward the question, ought to be glad of an inquiry —which, by the bye, was granted by Lord Jams RUSSELL right willingly. Sailors in the North Sea, it is said, when afraid of a stroke from the caudal fin of a whale, throw out a tub to amuse—bemuse—the huge creature ; hence the appli cation of the familiar phrase of a " tub to the whale" to every scheme intended to divert attention. The govern ment coopers have a few such tubs on hand at present. They will be needed long before the end of the session. Among the "tubs" is certainly not one touching the future conduct of railways, for T can assure the readers of the Liverpool Standard that a short, but stiff and un mistakeable, measure is at this moment being framed for an improved mode of railway management, the measure bearing almost entirely on boards of direction. It may not be generally known how such measures are framed : The member of the government to whose department the business of the intended measure is more immediately considered to refer has instructions to proceed ; he de livers to his man of business—if not his secretary, a young barrister of sound education—the memoranda for a mea sure ; it may be to an individual scarcely ever heard of. Thus the gigantic poor-law bill was chiefly framed by EDWIN CHADWICK, a barrister, who had read much, thought he thought more, and was, as he is now, dis tinguished by a natural tact of condensing with per spicuity and perspicacity. CIIA.DWICK was never educated —never held a brief ; I question if he ever had a wig and gown—of his own. Yet he did the Poor-law Bill, upsetting everything for three hundred years, yet on the basis thereof! Mr. CHADWICK was eulogised as a non such for his handiwork and headwork ; got a good appointment under the bill, and a Something of the " Bath," to form an elegant handle to his hitherto un adorned name. PALMERSTON, they say, has got the heads of the Railway Bill, and a gentle swain, learned in the law it is understood, is under command to lay the fruits of his lucubrations on the desk of the HOME SE CRETARY with "all possible despatch." I believe—l know indeed—that railway directors—railway shareholders— will have to sacrifice—(l suppose they will use that phrase) —a goodly amount of their present incomings, in order to a more numerous, more effective, and bettes paid staff of servants, than ever entered into their "Philosophy of money-making. The framer of the proposed measure knows that an "official" at a station cannot eat his dinner —give tickets—take money— see if it be good or bad — look after an out-going train—and at the same moment keep his weather eye awake on the look-out for an in coming one. These are business details • a learned lord will supply in the measure a law clause of a higher order, making the directors immediately-responsible, by punish ment of fine or imprisonment—or both. Can I say more without breach of privilege already spoken of ? No. The bill is safe; I refer not to the debate in the House of Lords. Among the railway directors of this great country are to be found men of first-rate respectability, honour, and intelligence—nor would I deprive GEORGE HUDSON of all these qualities. The secretaries are remarkable for their intelligence, and I say this from knowing their characters more than their rails. Liverpool, situated in the very centre of railway net-work of England, must feel deeply interested in this question. Let directors look ahead ; I am only sorry that I have doubts of the measure being law, until after Easter ; the aforesaid " tub" system, principal cooper, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, being busy with what he knows he can't carry—the Jew " tub." The Re form Bill he will manage, because its provisions are not worth a doit. There will be the usual bow-wow about the ballot—barking at the moon as profitable Referring to the Jew Admission to Parliament Bill, allow me to state that namby-pamby feeling—" little affected prettiness"— was never more personified than by Lord Joins RUSSELL, when proposing it the other evening. He minced his old phrases, without a particle of burly defiance,—self-satis faction, honest conviction, or the self-imposture of some who firmly believe themselves to be noble-minded fellows. Lord Join( RUSSELL, when he proposed the Jew Bill, proposed it as if he didn't now care for it—" keeping the word of promise to the ear." The Jews, at present, care , more about the price of marine stores than their admis sion to Parliament. The Earl of HA RDWICKE, though in his 54th year, a rather dashing sailor, as he showed not long ago at an Italian port, where he threatened to make macaroni of the authorities, if they did not immediately lower their pride to the English Jack—the son of an Admiral, moreover, who, after having been afloat half a century, was drowned in Southampton water in hail of his dining room windows—this same Earl of HiRDIVICKE is rather a good scholar ; he is D.C.L., a favourite at Court, and so is his lady ; a supporter of the Coalitionists, at least the Conservative portion of them, for he hates radicalism as rats are .said to hate and shun a rotten ship ; he is, how ever, a reforming sailor. It was a pity he did not speak out the other evening in that worst.of places in the world for hearing—the House of Lords. Perhaps, the noble earl only wanted ABERDEEN to hear him. Certainly some of his details were enough to make the young " smoke and bounce" admirals of other nations (are there any ?) laugh heartily. The noble and gallant sailor also slyly observed he would mention no names. 'Twas well. His speech . . - was a capital corollary to the current jokes touching old port admirals, and he dilated with a degree of spiteful pleasure on the mature age of the commanders of our wooden walls, who certainly form strange contrasts in years and physique to the Duncxxs and HOODS of the last war. The average age of our full admirals at present is 75, vice-admirals 69; of 16 officers in the retired list the united ages amounted to 1,027 years ! Of the same number, 16, in the active list, the ages amounted to 1,038. No committee was given, the navy being in a capital state. In a high moral and intellectual view, the city of Lon don, perhaps, was never ea distinguished as it was the other day in bestowing the freedom on Dr. LATARD, the renowned explorer of Nineveh. The entertainment in the evening, which crowned the proceedings of the morning, was fitting in the extreme, especially as regarded the selec- . tion of the company. The occasion showed the necessity of a gentleman and an educated one filling the distin guished office of chamberlain. Sir Joan Kay's address was pre-eminently marked by those attributes—eloquence and orthodoxy—necessary to the character of the scholar and the Christian. This is no place for animadverting on " modes of faith." I know that the city chamberlain spoke to many a heart, when he told LATARD that he did not think it possible to imagine an intellectual condition of society in which discoveries like his could have been deemed unimportant ; in which it would not have been a gain to the strongest faith to see testimonies to the sacred records rescued from the slumber and oblivion of 3,000 years (query more), in which it would not have awakened the noblest sensibilities of the Christian mind to be able to see with one's own eyes, and touch with one's own hands, the sculptured forms which Israel's prophets (" most con secrate of old") describe—which Israel's kings beheld — which Israel's oppressors boasted of. These were relics of the truth of the Scriptures of the LIVING GOD. Such, or such, were the chamberlain's observations. The ban quet was attended by eminent ancient scholars, antiqua rians, archite s ,senators, &c. Roses and Lilies— " Violets dripping all with dew," are rather dear at this season. VESTRIS is extravagantly fond of FLORA'S offerings, especially if they are exotic — especially still if they are scarcely to be had ; consequently, high priced, or priceless. I have heard of gardeners trembling with trimming-hook in hand, when VESTRIB'S " green and gold" made its appearance at shop-counter or garden-gate. In truth, she is a tasteful creature. I have known the exquisite plants and flowers, which margined for the evening the way to the Royal box, so costly as to swallow up all the profits of a queenly visit. VESTItIS had VICTORIA'S smiles. CHARLEY MATTHEWS, spouse of the syren—for accomplishments never equalled on English stage. She has sung beautifully in six languages in one night. CHARLES, I was about to observe, is as expensive in his way ; he wears the prettiest boots on the stage, (he never dirties them in the streets,) the most elegantly made up waistcoat, trousers without wrinkle, coat geo metrical. All their dramas are , most extravagantly " mounted," demanding great supplies from the Treasury. CHARLES was non est in the middle of the week ; he was, they say, in the neighbourhood of that ugliest of streets— Cursitor, called—singing something about " Locks, bolts, and bara." The theatre was shut for the night, but the irrepres sible gaiety of the manager was not at its last kick, for he scarcely ever played more volatile in his life than on the following evening. SMITH, at T.R.D.L., crams his prodi gious house every night. BROOKE is playing six times a week. That won't do—for BROOKE, I ween. The finest posset—of " lamb's wool" even that ever was made would not suffice to keep down larynchal irritation under such work. Hence huskiness has supervened. BUCK STONE is picking up a few pence over his expenses by " Guy Mannering " and the sybil CUSHMAN. MICKY produced, in capital style, a play on Saturday night— " Ranelagh" by name,—redolent of false character, paste, puff, powder, patches, hoop, and brocade. It was very grand, and very successful. The theatre absolutely swarmed with critics (oh ! oh !). Mrs. C. Klux is getting better : so is not Mrs. WARNER. THE COST OP EPIDEMICS.—During the sitting of the government commission, held at Newcastle-on-Tyne to in quire into the cause of the fearful ravages of cholera in that town, Mr. J. 13. Hume, the chief commissioner, from evidence that had been laid down before him,. made a cal culation that the epidemic had cost the town £3,800 for medicine and burials alone, and would cost it £5O a week for eight years to support the widows and destitute— nearly 30,000. In addition to this sum, he said, some thousands of pounds had been collected and distributed by the vicar. There are also 200 benefit societies in the town, and taking_ the average loss at £6OO eac h, ma d e £lO,OOO more.—Morning Chronicle. • PROW:JCL—There has been an active demand for Sugar this week, and full prices have been maintained. Coffee quiet, For Rice lower rates have been accepted. In Tea a fair amount of busi ness in Congous, other kinds neglected. For Palm Oil and Tallow, a good demand at full prices. Jute rather flat. To-DAY the show of Sugar continued limited, and the sales were consequently confined to 70 hhds. vacuum pan Demerara at 395. 9d. to 41s. 6d., and 60 hhds. Porto Rico at 355. 9d. to 375. 6d. per cwt: Nothing has taken place in Mo lasses, Rum, or Coffee. 500 bags Para Cocoa were sold at the close of last week at 28s. per cwt. The transactions in Tea are to a moderate extent, and at about previous rates. The news by the overland mail has not had any influence on common Congou, which rules nominally at ls. ld. per lb. About 4,000 bags Arracan Rice changed hands on Satur day at 15s. 3d. per cwt., but this price has been refused to-day, and no further business has taken place. Wool.—We have again to notice a quietness in this market during the past week ; the attention of the trade is now occupied with the public sales in London, which are progressing with pretty good spirit, at about the opening rates ; and until the close of these sales, we do not expect to see much activity in this market. Prices remain without alteration.—lmports for the week, 1,472 bales, viz., 109 Buenos Ayres, 800 Peruvian and Alpaca, 477 Mediterranean Ports, 70 coastwise, and 16 Irish. HULL FORTIFICATIONS:The Admiralty committee of survey concluded their labours on Thursday. We hear that the evidence was overwhelming and decisive as to the removal of the citadel, but, we believe the block house is to stand. It is capable of mounting several guns.—Hull Packet. THE DIRECTORS of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham intend to open the building on the 24th of May—the Queen's birthday. Some intimation has been conveyed to the directors that her Majesty, although taking no official part in the ceremony, will be present on the occasion of the opening. THE CANTWELL-CANNOCK CASE.—The case of Miss Margaret Cantwell against Messrs. Cannock and White, the proprietors of one of the Dublin monster drapery houses, is again before the public, the arena being shifted from the Commission Court to the more imposing tri bunal of the Queen's Bench, Dublin, with the Lord Chief Justice and a special jury for the arbiters of the great legal contest. The lady, who, it may be recollected, was acquitted of a charge of having purloined a yard or two of velvet riband, has brought an action for false imprison ment, &c., against her prosecutors, and for four whole days popular excitement has been strained to a pitch that might lead one to suppose that the issue involved the set tlement of the question which just now agitates all Europe. The damages were laid at £5,000. The reply was not concluded until Saturday, after which the Chief Justice proceeded to charge the jury, who retired shortly before two o'clock, and remained in deliberation for upwards of two hours and a-half, when they returned a verdict, find ing for the plaintiff on the first count—false imprisonment, and awarding £3OO damages and 6d. costs. Upon the second count—malicious prosecution—the jury did not agree. The j ur y were th en di sc h arg ed. The charge of the Chief Justice was favourable to the plaintiff. The jury was composed of Ave Romanists, sia Protestants, and one quaker, THE LIVERPOOL STANDXRD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER, ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notes issued ... £29,523,620 Governmt. Debt £11,015,100 ;Other Securities 2,984,900 Gold coin &bu11'n.16,523,620 'Silver bullion ... £29,523,620 £29,523,620 BANKING D Prop. Capital ... £14.653,000 Rest ... 3,349,523 Public Deposits 2,121,718 Other Deposits 12,608,926 7-day & other bills 1,144,582 :PIRTILENT. Gov. Securities £12,537,716 Other Securities 13,570,465 Notes ... 6,966,505 Gold & Silver Coin 703,063 £33,777,7491 £33,777,749 There has been no particular feature in the SHARE MARKET in the past week, alternating with the prospects of peace or war. Railway reports are proving more satisfactory than expected, which causes steadiness. Stock continues scarce for delivery. Should prices recede a little, there would be some good buying.—Caledonians, 261 4 ; East Lancashire, 16 8 9; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 651 -1 6 5Z- ; Lancaster and Carlisle new shares, 12; ; Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 15 •, 1 ,- ; London Stock, 1014 c 4c 4 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 22+ s ; Midland Stock, 62} ic 3 *; North British, 8+ ; South Eastern Stock, 18 11 3 ; G. N. E. Purchase, 4 3. 1; Magnetic Telegraph paid up, 501. COTTON.—The market has been more active than for a considerable time past, owing partly to the latest accounts from the other side, and also to the easier state of the Money market for discounts, the improvement of the Funds, and the general decline in Corn. The probability of a speedy ter mination of the strike has also operated in the same direction, and spinners have become larger pur chasers. The sales of the week up to Friday amounted to nearly 60,000 Bales, of which above 40,000 were taken by the trade, but though the demand has been considerable, we cannot notice a corresponding advance in prices, the only rise in quotations during the week being Id. per lb., for Middling Uplands. The stock of American Cotton here is 80,000 Bales less than this time last year, but the total stock of all kinds is a trifle in advance, being 629,480 Bales as compared with 627,850 last year. On Saturday the sales amounted to nearly 9,000 Bales, and To-DAY they reached 10,000 Bales, of which about 3,000 were on speculation and for export. The market was firm, and prices generally may be quoted about 1-16 d. higher. The following is a comparison of present rates with those of the corresponding period last year. 1853. 1854. bid. 5 15-161 6 9-16 d. 51-id 5 13-16 d. 6 5-16 d. New Orleans, middling Uplands, middling . SALES. IMPORTS. STOCK DESCRIPTION. PRICRS. Week Pvi. Week This Feb.lo. ending onsly ending Year. Feb.lo. this yr. Feb.lo. Sea Island .. 9 0130 700, 2280 4.0* Stained .... 9 10 260 8256 59753 Boweds 7* 11430' 35800 314080 Mobile 4* 6* 4970' 12500 } 19574 12415: 1 ) •• • • New Orleans. 3* 8 26960 i 85380 Pernmns, &c. 74 450, 5590 .... 7627 . 2460 Bahia, &c. 6i 500, 3470 .... 3584 9310 Maranham 6* 71 1460 1 3850 .... 10785 22820 Demerara,&c 81 30 1 100 ... 104 230 Egyptian 5l 11 2730! 14840 ..... 1965 68370 Com .W. I . 4* 6* 1801 170 308 962 4220 Surat Madras Bengal 3* 1501 210 .... 565 3490 59500, 193220 31166, 241624 629480 THE SMOKELESS FURNACE. ttbrrpoot 77-,tanbarb. 71?031 OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. MONDAY MORNING. IT is Unnecessary for me to dilate at any great length on the certainty of war—its actual existence at this moment — neither is it required of me to notice the extensive and salve preparations for such a state as I see are being made by the government. Distinguished officers of both ser vices have paid numerous and frequent visitts to the FOREIGN SECRETARY since Thursday last. Sir CHAS. NAPIER, as I was the first to intimate some time ago would be the case, goes into active command, and General EVANS has the same orders for the land service. Both officers look hearty for their years. They are known in the services by the appellation of " Dare devils ;" the General was a soldier of fortune, and made his way up to his present high position by'heading, when a young offi cer, several " forlorn hopes ;" he was determined to die or rise in his profession. The Coldstream Guards, a fine body of men, are now doing duty at the Tower of London, previ ous to a large section of them-starting for the seat of war. They mount guard on the ramparts of the ancient fortress in forage caps, which give a very odd, aswellasundignified, appearance. Your readers are aware that the usual head covering of this gallant corps is a huge bear-skin cap, about two feet in height—most formidable in size; and as incon venient. The frame-work is constructed of wicker, which is covered with the costly skin of Bruin. This cumbrous cut to the last. Parties when they offend are handed over to the custody of the Serjeant, who must, as a sine qua non, have been a military man, in the line or militia. Col. PER, ctvs.t., I believe, belonged to the latter. He was long the Irish champion of high Conservatism, .and was rewarded some years since with the serjeantcy , of the House of Peers —a capital berth, requiring only fall-dress attendance occasionally during their lordships' sittings. The colonel wears a rapier, more as a synabol of authority than for use ; for I don't think, were the gallant. Serjeant-at-Arms to draw it, a mouse would be frightened. Col. PERCIVAL is now stricken in years, and a very heavy man in person ; he had a fit in his club the other day, but has got well over it. _ . . COMMERCIAL 4 , MONETARY NEWS. MONDAY NIGHT. NOTWITHSTANDING the near approach of the crisis with Russia, and the excitement caused by the active preparations for hostilities on a large scale, commercial affairs during 'the week have been in a state of quietude, as though there were nothing likely soon to occur to disturb peaceful operations. The telegraphic despatches have pr e sented their usual various and contradictory ac counts of the progress of the war, and the negotia tions relating thereto ; but the Funds have main tained their value, the fluctuations, indeed, having been very slight. The returns of the Bank of England, on Friday, showed few alterations worthy of notice, there being a very small increase in the stock of bullion, and a decrease to the amount of a million and a quarter on public and private de posits ; money for commercial purposes has been rather easier, and nothing has occurred to disturb the confidence which has prevailed for some time past. The reports from Ihe manufacturing districts show that, notwithst; nd ng the warlike demon strations from the witl dra val of 'the Russian Am bassador, and the active preparations for hostilities, trade has considerably improved, though prices have not experienced a corresponding advance. This improvement has been stimulated in some measure by the advices of short supplies of Cotton from America, and also by more cheering accounts of trade in the India and China markets. It is also anticipated that the strike at Preston is draw ing to a close, the masters having commenced the movement of opening their mills to such of the operatives as are willing to return to work. In the Woollen districts trade is still very dull, and the Hosiery and Lace trades have as yet shown no signs of improvement. The Corn markets through the .country have experienced a sensible decline, varying from 2s. to 4s. per quarter on Wheat, and a corresponding rate of fall on other articles. This appears to have operated to induce farmers to sell, as the quantity of English Wheat at Mark Lane this morning was much larger than for many weeks past. The return from the Bank of England for the week ending the 4th of Feb., gives the following results, when compared with the previous week : Public deposits ... £2,121,718; Decrease £393,666 Other deposits ... 12,608,926; Decrease 877,308 Rest ... 3,349,523; Increase 10,129 On the other side of the account — Government securities £12,537,716, Decrease £695,000 Other securities ... 13,570,465; Decrease 418,157 Notes unemployed ... 6,966,505; Decrease 202,135 The amount of notes in circulation is £22,557,115, being an increase of £208,730 ; and the stock of bullion in both departments is £16,226,683, showing an increase of £3,469, when compared with the preceding return. This monthly meeting of the Liverpool Polytechnic Society was held last night, .at the Royal Institution, in Colquitt-street. In the absence of Mr. Newlands, the president, Mr. Grantham was.-called to the chair. Mr. E. H. Bramah, law-clerk to the Birkenhead trustees, Mr. Andrew Leighton, Mr. Michael Neville, and Mr. William Bennett, were elected members of the society. Mr. John Lee Stev ens then read a paper on " The Subversion of the Smoke Nuisance," and gave a full explanation of his patent smokeless furnace. -He complained of the want of earnestness on the part of the Corporation of Liverpool in their endeavours to suppress the nuisance of smoke, and denied that he wished to claim exclusive patronage for his plan over that of other inventors. There was plenty of room for . all, and the great difficulty which he had experienced of late was to supply the many demands for his furnaces in the metropolis. All he wanted was fair competition, and he claimed no other favour than that which the merits of his invention de served. He then proceeded, with the aid of large coloured diagrams, to explain the peculiarities of his invention. At the far end of the ordinary furnace is placed a supple mentary bearing bar, under which, at a few inches from the upper fire-bars, is a small grating, upon which a portion of incandescent. fuel falls from the furnace beyond the supplemental bearing bar ; and, at the end of the furnace, there is an opening, in which is placed two plates, protruding into the furnace, with an opening between them for the admission of air. The oxygen of the atmosphere, passing through the ashpit, over the grid plate, and between the two caloric plates, becomes heated, and in that state comes into contact with the gases passing off from the body of the furnace, and so combining with the carburetted hydrogen, ignition is produced, and the flame carried along the flues in place of the black smoke. Mr. Stevens denied that he proffered to prevent all smoke, but he proffered to reduce the dense black smoke produced from the fuel ordinarily in use, to the thin semi-opaque vapour from the best anthracite, and also to save the cost of fuel to the extent of from ten to twenty per cent. In this there was no deception, he had no means of practising it, for the working was under the control of the proprietors and engineers where it had been tried, and their reports were the testimonials to which he referred. The invention was an advantage to those who tried it, the saving in fuel alone would in a year or little more pay the first expense, in addition to the prevention of the smoke nuisance, and therefore, while he spared no labour to make its merits known, he was not begging for its adoption, as he was sa tisfied in a little time he and his co-proprietors would have more demands on them than they could well supply. He said he had, in April, 1853, made an offer to the Corpo ration of Liverpool to put up his invention at his own expense and risk, if they would give him the oppor tunity : he now withdrew that offer, for he did not see why he should be making experiments at Liverpool when he could find employment in London, Manchester, Leeds, and other places. If any one, however, were willing to try it, the question of royalty he would leave until per fect satisfaction were given. He concluded by mentioning several places where the furnaces were at work, or being erected. Mr. C. WYB WILLIAMS took advantage of the opportu nity afforded for discussion to read some testimonials in favour of an invention of his own, for the prevention of smoke. Upon being called to order, he said that Mr. Stevens' invention must be successful, but it was only to certain furnaces, and under particular circumstances. After some few remarks from the Chairman, thanks were voted to Mr. Stevens and to the chairman, and the meeting separated. WAVERT_REE LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH TIM ordinary monthly meeting of the Wavertree Local Board of Health took place last night, in the Public Buildings, Wavertree. The chair was occupied by the Rev. W. Badnall, chairman of the board. There were also present Messrs. Hill, Bowers, Anderton, Davies, Witham, Gore, Chafl'er, Rishton, and Picton. The minutes of the last meeting were read, after which the chairman read a communication from Mr. Leigh, on the part of the Marquis of Salisbury, relative to a contri bution for the purpose of carrying out a supplementary sewer which would be available for property in that locality, and for carrying out which Mr. Halhead and others had agreed to contribute, was read by the chairman. The communication stated that the noble Marquis was willing to permit the sewer to be made through his grounds, but objected to pay anything towards its construction. He was, however, willing to allow access to the sewer at all times and in all places where that might be necessary. The Chairman likewise inti mated that he had received a note from Mr. Halhead, in timating that the proposed contributions amounted to £7OO. It was dated the Bth of February; and in addition to the information as to the £7OO, and allusion to the difficulty occasioned by the Marquis of Salisbury's refusal to contribute, it expressed also Mr. Halhead's willingness to appear before the board if desired, and give any addi tional information in his power; or otherwise, so far as he was able, to assist in carrying out the object in view. Mr. CHAFFER said, that as the proposal alluded to by Mr. Halhead pre-supposed the pecuniary co-operation of all the landed proprietors connected with the scheme, and as it now turned out that one of them, the Marquis of Salisbury, the most extensive and important of them, re fused to contribute anything, the proposal could not now be entertained. Mr. RISTITON believing that the board was now in a better position than it had ever been with respect to such questions as the present, should move that no farther step be taken in the matter. The LAw-CLzitic, on the suggestion of the Chairman, stated that he had had an interview with Mr.. Leigh, on the part of the Marquis of Salisbury, and some others con cerning this matter, and that Mr. Leigh had said Lord Salisbury would not object to the sewer going through his ground, but could not, he (Mr. Leigh) thought, be ex pected to contribute any money, as he would receive no benefit from it. In fact, that he would receive as much benefit from the sewer now in course of construction by the Corporation of Liverpool as from the one under consi deration. While Mr. Leigh, on the part of the Marquis of Salisbury, did not say he would not give any money, still he would not give £250. The CHIIIiMiN then directed attention to the original motion connected with the business, and dated 13th June, 1853, from the readily , of which it appeared, that all the proceedings of the board in relation to it were strictly in order. _ _ _ _ Mr. PICTON said, of course under the circumstances now explained, the matter was at an end ; but he thought it could not be entirely or consistently concluded without the board expressing a sense of the valuable services rendered by Mr. Haihead. Mr. CHAFFER. concurred with Mr. Picton, in his sug gestion of the value of Mr. Halhead's services, but thought also, that that gentleman should be informed that if the proprietors would raise their contributions to £l,OOO, the sum originally considered necessary, the proposal might yet be carried into effect. Mr. RANI Es also concurred in expressing his conviction that an arrangement might be carried out. A conversation ensued, in which several of the members joined, and in the course of which it was elicited by Mr. Picton, that the sum of £250, proposed to be exacted from the Marquis of Salisbury, is rather more than his lord ship's proportion of the charge ; while it was also stated, that some other of the proprietors were charged rather less than their proportion. Ultimately, Mr. PICTON moved, that so soon as the proprietors agreed to contribute the sum of £l,OOO, the matter might be proceeded with. Mr. ItlsirTox seconded the motion, which was unani mously adopted. SEWER IN MILL-LINE. Mr. BOWERS, in pursuance of a notice he gave at last meeting, moved that a sewer be made from opposite to Mr. Lynch's Muse; through Mill-lane, and down to the sewer in Wavertree-road, and that it be made into a spe cial district, and that a special district rate be levied on the district for execution of the said sewer. Mr. PICTON wished to know the amount of annual rental of the property which would be benefited by the sewer. Mr. BOWERS said that, including Mr. Gladstone's pro perty, and that of the Olive-lane, the annual rental would amount to about £1,400. He also said the length of sewerage would be about 1,300 yards, and would cost about 10s. per yard. On the recommendation of Mr. Picton, he amended his motion to include a sewer in Olive-lane, and to instruct the law-clerk to take the neces sary steps to carry out the resolution. Mr. BISECTOR seconded the motion, which was unani mously adopted. A communication was next read from several parties, complaining of inadequate remuneration for ' carting materials to the highways.—Referred to the committee. — Permission was granted to Mr. Tyson to build premises in conformity with a plan produced. WAVERTREE POND. Mr. PICTON called attention to the Pond, which was, he said, greatly abused by carelessness and through the number of cattle driven there to drink. The green and the foot-path leading through it, past the pond, were in such a filthy condition as to be a positive nuisance. He would suggest that the green should be levelled and fenced in by posts and chains ; that a few ornamental trees be planted, and the green put into such a condition as would be an ornament to the village, and would exercise a civi lizing influence over the youth of the place. He would further recommend that a paved path be constructed round the pond, so as to afford a firm footing on its margin. He did not mean to make any specific motion on the subject now, but would conclude by giving notice of his intention to do so at next meeting. — TheoITATIBMIN and - several other members having ex pressed their concurrence in Mr.Ticton's views, and after the transaction of some routine business, the meeting separated. THE LIISITA.RIA, South American and General Steam Navigation Company's fine screw steam- ship, which arrived on Saturday, from the Brazils, made an unprece dented passage out and home. THE CLEOPATRA. — The accounts brought by the Lusi tania report the arrival at Rio Janeiro, on the 20th of December, of the steamer Cleopatra, from Australia to Liverpool. It was expected that she would leave Rio early in January, and she may be looked for here every tide. TILE BIN s' COLLECTION.—It is reported in town that an interesting collection of prints, drawings, ma p s , c h ar t s , plan s, inns is po now rtra in the collected by the late M r . Th omas B market. To any one who values the subjects of local history or antiquities, it would afford a rich store of materials, many of the articles now being unprocurable. The accumulation of these literary mate rials must have cost the occasional labours of a whole life, and a pecuniary outlay of more than a thousand pounds; an expenditure which can never be repaid, except by taking into account the pleasure and amusement afforded to the collector during his life. Our object in noticing the matter now, is to urge upon our civic authorities, with all respect and earnestness, that a generous offer, which we under stand has been made, be met in a corresponding spirit, and that the collection be secured to the town. The public expect that the Corporation, or the committee of the Free Public J4brary, will let no convenient opportunity pass of enriching #OlO, collection, egpociauy in kVA WNW/. tile materials of BY the British and North American Royal Mail steam ship Niagara, Capt. Leitch, which left Boston on the Ist instant, and arrived here last night, at half-past eleven, we have intelligence from New York to the 31st ult. The Niagara brought 97 passengers, and $62,000 in specie. The steam-ship Asia hence, arrived at New York, on the 31st ult. _ _ _ The steam-ship Cambria, for this port, sailed from New York, on the 30th ult. The Ohio, Rezeau, hence, arrived at New York, on the 29th ult ; and the Vanguard, Norton, on the 30th ult. The ship Elizabeth Bruce, Brown, before reported lost on Carysfort Reef, left Liverpool on the 23d November, bound for Nobille, with a cargo consisting of 350 tons of salt, 50 tons iron, 72 crates and casks of crockery, 8 boxes and 1 bundle of dry goods. She struck the Carysfort Reef on the evening of the 10th ultimo while in stays, and soon was driven high up, and hard and fast. Captain Brown commenced throwing over cargo to lighten the ship, but could not drive her into deep water. She soon sprung a leak, and on the 13th had three feet of water in her hold. On the 11th the wreckers discovered her, and offered to get her off or save the cargo, and they were en gaged by Captain Brown. Her anchor was taken out and a hawser attached, upon which they got a heavy strain, but could not move the ship. The sea running high up to this time, they were obliged to boat all the cargo, and so saved all but the iron. On the 14th, the sloop Parallel was hauled alongside, and the bar, rod, and hoop iron placed on board of her. In the meantime all were em ployed throwing overboard the rest to lighten the ship, but to no purpose, for she bilged on the 16th, when she was stripped and abandoned. The vessels with cargo and materials all arrived at Key West. The steam-ship Ohio, Capt. Fox, arrived at New York on the 29th ult. from Aspinwall, with the California mails, three hundred passengers, and $1,000,000 in gold dust on freight. The screw steam-ship City of Glasgow, from Liverpool on the 6th ult., with 130 passengers, arrived at Philadel phia on the 29th ult. Captain Beaver, of the Sea Foam, was found secreted in the hold of the vessel, and was lodged in gaol, together with the mate and crew, to an swer the charge of shooting William Crammer, mate of the David Smith. Above $84,000 has been subscribed for the purpose of rewarding the captains and crews of the ships Three Bells and Antarctic, and the bark Kilby. Besides the above sum, they are to have silver trumpets from the legislature of the state of New York, medals from the Marine Society of Boston, gold snuff-boxes from the corporation of the city of New York, Medals from the Massachusetts Humane Society, some appropriate testi monial from the Board of Trade of Baltimore, and some thing handsome will yet be done by the • national legislature at Washington, which is always tardy in its movements. We have accounts of destructive fires in Colchester, Conn., Oswego, Chicago, and Montreal. In the former place a large India rubber manufactory was destroyed, and we regret to say one of the overseers perished in the flames. Five hundred persons were thrown out of work by the calamity. A large fire also occurred in Washington. It is now probable the President will not transmit the Gadsden treaty to the Senate in its present shape, but, on the contrary, will direct the resumption of negotiations, for the reason that the treaty does not dispose of the Tehuantepec question—which has been a serious matter of dispute between the two nations—and also because Mr. .Gadsden's agreement provides that any American citizens who may have been engaged in filibustering expeditions against Mexico, shall be given up to the latter country. The patent cartridge manufactory of Mr. French, in Ravenswood, Long Island, blew up on the 28th ult., de stroying several lives, and strewing many acres around with arms, legs, and pieces of human flesh. A shower of bullets was sent in all directions, and many were driven into private dwellings. Accounts have been received, by way of New Granada, of the progress of the Darien surveying expedition, together with the startling announcement that a portion of the party belonging to the English ship Virago have been massacred by the Indians. The rumours of revolutions in Bolivia and Peru are confirmed. In the former country the administration of General Belzu has been deposed, and the revolutionists have taken the management of national affairs into their own hands. The postponed trials of the Gavazzi rioters have been concluded at Quebec. The court ordered the acquittal of four of the prisoners, for want of evidence, and the rest have been acquitted on the ground that the indictment charges the intent to destroy the church, instead of merely assaulting the padre. LIST OF PASSENGERS.—FromBoston: Capt. J. V. C. Minnett, lady, and two children, Mr. J. Vinning, Mr. Miller and friend, Mr. J. E. Dodson, Mr. W. H. Merrill, Mr. G. D. Watson, Mr. D. Living, Mr. Muir, Mr. Chas. Sierra. Mr. Ping, Mr. J. L. Inches, Mr. Silver, Mr. Stairs, Mr. S. Bull, Mr. H. Fox, Mr. G. Greig, Mr. J. Boyd, Mr. Tilley, Mr. Fotherby, Mr. J. B. Kemp, Mr. J. Gilchrist. Mr. T. R. Jones, Mr. J. Reynolds, Mr. D. L. Levitt, Mr. J. Gennis, Mr. Win. Warwick, Mr. R. Spavin, Mr. D. Collins, Captain Harrison, lady, and child, Mr. C. Sorrill, Mr. Harrison, Mr. M`Donald, Mr. Magee, Mr. Cul liman, Mr. P: M'Culloch, Mr. J. Hardy, Mr. C. Kirkpatrick Mr. D. G. Perkins, Mr. J. Curlin, Mr. J. B. Forbes, Mrs. Hilton and son, Mr. T. W. Shepherd, Mr. Bright and lady, Mr. B. Fisher, Mr. Phillips, Mr. J. Phillips, Mr. Handy, Mr. Winterbottom, Mr. Orkney, M. A. Stumericr, Mr. Stenberg, Mr. Rumaltho and son, Mr. C. Mangin, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Thureuse, Mr. Cameron, Mr. P. Briscoe, Mr. N. Curtin, Mr. A. Bennett, Mrs. R. Thues, Mr. Wm. Marshall, Mr. King. From Halifax : Mr. Duffus, Mr. Bell, Mr. Kenney, Mr. Dorll, Mr. Parkes and nephew, Mr. Mignorrity, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Knight, Mr. Kaye, Mr. Can ningham, Mr. Morton, Mr. Dogherty, Mr. O'Dwyer, Mr. Ze Musarur, Mr. Maher, Mr. Russell, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Fuller ton, Mr. Donkin, Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Warren, Mr. Wood house, Mr. Crawford, Mr. M`Leod, Mr. Stranach. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, JAS. 31. STOCK.—The tone of the market was decidedly better. In almost every stock higher rates were offered or obtained. The sales, however. were not very large. CorroN.—Sales during the past week, 8,482 bales, viz. ; 7 Export, 3,910 bales ; home use, 3,326; speculation, 991 ; in transitu, 225. The Board accepted the resignation of F. L. Tslcott,Esq., as president sud member, and unanimously MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 13. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. LONDON, MONDAY EVENINO.—After official hours the markets closed rather heavily. Consols for Money, 911 -1; for March, 911 THE MUM—The Globe believes it may state with confidence that Lord Raglan will have the command in chief of the land forces about to proceed to the Mediter ranean. _ _ . . . .-..—... AIISTRALIA.—A portion of the letters from Australia have been duly delivered, and their general tenor is satis• factory, although there are exceptional points. THE EASTERN WAR. (From the Second Edition of the Herald.) ROMISH LECTURE: MR. ANDERDON AGAIN. LIST night, at the Concert-hall, the Rev. W. H. Anderdon, a pervert to the Romish Church, delivered his second controversial lecture ; in which he undertook to prove, that, as there was a church on earth, "it was not a Protestant body." Protestantism, the lecturer said, like many other terms, had considerably advanced and expanded in the lapse of time. The spring deeper than in political changes, and the principle of Protestantism had been inherent in man since the fall ! If they were to define it, it might be called an act of intellectual and moral rebellion which made an individual or a section rise up against the authority vested in the great whole, disbelieved its mis sion to teach and govern, and so rejected its creeds or its precepts. Protestants, therefore, differed from what was called infidelity in this :—lnfidelity pure rejected the Divine authority speaking through the moral government of the universe or the written word ; Protestantism re jected the same authority speaking through the church. It was one principle manifested on a different subject matter. Both rejected what was really Divine and au thentic, and called it human and fictitious. Protestantism, then, was the most ancient form of human opinion. It seemed to have begun with our first mother, Eve, when she determined to take the forbidden fruit, for she did but exercise her private judgment, in what was after all simply a matter of faith against appearances. Dathan and Abiram were Protestants of the first rank. They were the Crammer and Ridley of the new Mosaic Reformation, and they stood up, to adopt Protestant lan guage, with a modest meekness, to assert the independence of the human mind against the dictating old man, who was the lawgiver of Israel. They and Borah would have been delighted could they but have seen such reformers as would arise in the distant 19th century. Protestantism, in its very nature, was the direct opposite of the church, inasmuch as it abhorred the very notion of such an autho rity as should be inherent in a church. A Protestant generally, taking out such exceptions as were miracles of mercy, was an unbeliever, as he was more or less of a Protestant ! That was the assertion of Count de Maestre. If God had spoken to a certain amount, he was to be heard to that full amount. To take all He had said in every part as an integral part, was to accept His Revela tion ;—to halve and quarter it, to weigh part against part, to summon the eternal words to the bar of our private reason, and a lawful king had ere now been brought before the revolutionary tribunal of his born subjects—to sub mit the divine declarations to the analysis of our poor judgment—to call one book canonical and another apocry phical ; or this doctrine revealed truth, and that unwar ranted tradition, just because we so decree ; or one funda mental and another non-essential, by the standard and measure of ourselves—all that, he said, was not to accept Revelation, but it was to Protestantise and pull to pieces ! The Protestant believed that he went by Scripture, but he was really going by tradition fully as much as the Catholic; the only difference was this, that he was taking a human instead of a Divine tradition as the rule of his faith. Man professed to reveal, for he professed to interpret, and they knew that in human things the judge who interprets and applies the law, occupies a position nearly as authoritative as the legislator who just framed it. Mr. Anderdon then went on to show how satisfied Romanist were of the truths of the doctrines taught by their church, as one proof of their truth and efficacy. He gave a scurrilous sketch of an English gentleman's attend ing church, sating on the pew that his father sat in, using his Prayer-book for a while, kneeling on a hassock, and then composing himself "to criticise the sermon." This was hailed with loud laughter and cheering by the audience. He next quoted expressions of Goethe, favour able to Romanism, although he was the idol, and might be the parasite, of a Lutheran court. Men were furious, the lecturer said, because the Catholic church would not change. She was the only corporate body influ enced by the succession of time. She inherited as a fore taste of eternity the fruits of her experience, and her faith was without decline. The tourist from New Zealand would have completed his sketch of the ruins of St. Paul's from the broken arch of London-bridge, before a syllable or iota should have faded from Pope Pius's creed ! (Loud cheers.) We cannot pretend to carry our abstract further, from the lateness of the hour. During an interval in the lecture, a gentleman, whom we understood to be the Rev. Mr. Bardsley, asked if questions would be permitted at the conclusion ? Mr. Anderdon answered, that as that was only a lecture, and not a meeting for discus sisn, it would be inconvenient, and the gentleman had better postpone any objection or reply he had till next Monday, when, we may state, that the Rev. J. B. Lowe lectures in reply. SECOND EDITION. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE NIAGARA. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1854• conferred the office of president upon Charles Easton, Esq., the former treasurer; they also voted that the market throughout the week had been irregular, and closed with a dull feeling. The quotations are mostly retained. Prices adopted this day for the following qualities by standard samples:— NEW YORE CLASSIFICATION. N. Orleans Upland. Florida. Mobile. & Texas. Ordinary Middling Middling fair 11* Fair BEEADSTUFFS —Flour was unsettled during the day, but closed dull and heavy, in the absence of the Asia's news. The transactions amounted to 12,500 hbls. Wheat varied little. The operations in corn consisted of 25,000 bushels, showing an easier market. PaovistoNs.—Pork was in still better demand, at conside rably improved figures. The operations in lard consisted of 200 bbls. good to prime, at 10 c. to 103 c. per lb. Subse quently an advance was claimed. Beef did not vary much. Beef, hams, butter, and cheese remained about the same. FRElGHTS.—Engagements to Liverpool were light, as ship pers were disposed to await later news per Asia. About 1,500 brls. flour were engaged at 48., and some lots of grain were taken at 13id. to 14e1 .in bulk and bags. Cotton was at id. to 11-32 d. NAVAL STORES.—Crude turpentine was rare, and worth 37ic. to S 5 50c. per 280 lbs. Spirits turpentine seemed inactive to-day, at 68c. to 69c. per gallon. There were 1,000 bbls. common rosin disposed of at SI 621 c. to s'l 75c. NEW ORLEANS, JAN. 28. Cotton was heavy yesterday, the sales barely reaching 2,000 bales at fully ;c. decline. Strict middling is quoted at 91c. The sales of the week foot up 23,000 bales. The decrease in the receipts at all the Southern ports is now 6)6,000 bales. CHARLESTON, JAN. 27. The sales of cotton to• day reached 1,200 bales, at prices ranging from 8c to 10c. The market sh ,ws no change. PRESTON STRIKE.—The mills are now open, and some hundreds of operatives have resumed work ; but the great bulk still stand aloof, persisting in their demand of "a full ten per cent." NEW BRUNSWICK.—The St. John, N. 8., and Liverpool packet-ship John Barbour, Captain Marshall, arrived at this port on Wednesday, from St. John, N. 8., after a passage of 17 days 13 hours, bringing four days' later news from New Brunswick. The vessel experienced numerous gales of wind on her passage home, and had the weather been more moderate, several days would probably have been saved in the run. The members of the House of Assembly were beginning to arrive at Frederickton, as it was expected the house would open soon for the des patch of business. Several important bills for the develop ment of the resources of the province were to be brought forward. A new election of members would take place after the present session was over. PABLO FANQUE's EQUESTRIAN ENTERTAINMENTS. — From an advertisement it will be seen that the unrivalled troupe of M. Pablo Fanque is about to be withdrawn from Liverpool. The performances of this company generally are of a high order ; and, with his characteristic enter prise, even to the last he is adding to the attractions of his company. WOMBWELL'S MENAGERIE.—This renowned collection, which is being exhibited in the Old Haymarket, is, as usual, replete with interesting zoological novelties. In it will be seen the gentle giraffe, the elegant gazelle, the noble lion, and the agile tiger ; the ponderous and saga cious elephant, the uncouth rhinoceros, and a splendid collection of ornithological beauty and grace. The attrac tions, as might be expected, are drawing crowds of grati fied spectators. LUMLEY V. GYE.—This cause is specially fixed]to be tried in the Court of Queen's Bench on Monday, the 20th instant, and is 'expected to occupy more than one day. The action, it will be remembered, is brought by Mr. Lumley, of Her Majesty's Theatre, against Mr. Gye, of the Italian Opera, Covent-garden, to recover compensation for the non-appearance of Mdlle. Wagner. The damages are laid at £30,000. For the plaintiff, Sir F. Thesiger, Sir Fitzroy Kelley,:Mr. Hog-gins, Mr. Cowling, and Mr. Huddleston have been retained ; and for the defendant, the Attorney-General, Mr. Willes, and Mr. Creasy will appear. A special jury has already been nominated by Messrs. Lewis and Lewis for the plaintiff, and will be re duced in a few days. The case has created a good deal of interest in the theatrical world. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. PARIS, SUNDAY EVENING.—The following private tele graphic despatch appears in the Debats :—" Constanti nople, January 28th.—On the Russian squadron receiving intelligence that the combined fleets had left Sinope and returned to Constantinople, they put to sea. Five frigates proceeded to Chefkatil, and attacked the fort. but were obliged to sheer off without obtaining any success." A similar story has already reached London. acheq. Bii No later authentic foreign news. ItUrnours were current in Paris of a possible re-opening of negotiations, but there is nothing to show that they are deserving of credit. Their lordships met at five o'clock. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE gave notice that to-mor row he should move that an address be presented to her Majesty, praying that further information respecting the cessation of diplomatic relations between this country and Russia, be laid before the House. The Assessed Taxes Bill was read a second time. The LORD CHANCELLOR, owing to the absence of Lord Brougham, postponed his motion till Thursday, respecting the transfer of testamentary jurisdiction from ecclesiastical to civil courts. In reply to Lord Ellenborough, and unction... Bristol and Exeter Caledonian 1)o. Preference East Anglian Eastern Counties East Lancashire 64 6 Eastern Union A Ditto B and C Edinburgh & Glasgow Great Northern BB 9 Do. Do. Great Western Lanc.and Yorkshire. Do. Fifths Leeds Northern London, Brighton, and South Coast MI NINO The Earl of CLARENDON said, he should have no objec tion to produce papers relative to the policy which Den mark intended to pursue on the Eastern Question. Adjourned at twenty-five minutes past five. Noveau Monde Registered Cordeliera Ave Maria Carson's Creek Port Philip LAND Australian Agricultural4l 33( dv S. Australian 37 9 B. American ARRIVALS. English. Wheat 4129 Barley lOO9O Oats llO9l Malt l4OOO Beans Peas 348 Flour PRODUCE MARKET. LEEDS STOCK EXCHANGE. Midlands, 62 a ; North Westerns, Bk. PUNDS, STOCK, AND SHARE MARS P- 0 O l t] The Funds exhibited steadiness, and have sligh tl Y Railways firm, and in a few cases a shade bert er ortri, feature being an advance of 2 per cent. in Grea t Stock. In Australian Land and Bank Shares, till' 90 unimportant. Mines dull. Foreign generally quiet. and Dutch improved. CLOSING PRICES. 5 11 Consols, Account .. ll Bank Stock ... . .. .. ,"11 0 Do. Money • . 911 2Ey gills, L... P. Three&QrperCents 93 7 i id F OREIGN STOCKS. rasa we' --- Mexicans i 25 $ Spanish Do. Threes Spanish Deferred Do. Threes lBi 194; RAILWAY HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY, FEB. 13. A mberg.,Nottingliam, SHARES. 1i London &N. Virestero ijg London & S. Westerldi Manches., Shelf., sn Lincolnshire ..... ... Midland Stock ..... • , Midland Halves ...... 9 North British ..... ••• / Do. Preference / Norfolks . t ........ •• North Staffordshire• • Shrevrsbury and Si r ' mingham . ..... Do. L. & N. W. jut; 1 1 S. Eastern and DoV`A" . 4 1 York, Newcastle, / 10- r Berwick ..... •" I e' Do. Weigl Do. PrefereSC l A 0 York and N. MidlaW" ir Do. Preference'' 1 SHARES. Agua Fria ....•••••,• , B. Australian ..... ••", Freehold ..... ..... ' j r" Australasian ..... •• / Colonial .... .. MariPosa ........... • OI i SHARES. t' Peel River ........ 7 I, Van Dieman's ....... • N. B. Australian ..."' . CORN MARKET. ade The supply of English Wheat is larger, but treitt.4 steady at the decline of this day week. Foreign u p ctl o but rates unaltered. Town-made Flour is t i e l,f, American not lower. Barley, Beans, and Peas 6 ost„ o l , slowly, but are not cheaper. Dealers purchased 'te tiously, but prices were well supported. Fine Peas have brought full terms; other sorts are Seeds unchanged. forl4i 0 ; 4 ) i s 8982 n 4 51 ird A English Wheat, is. to 28. per quarter cheaper t 't o er, steadily at full prices—only four floating cargoe s 's, Oats 6d. to Is. lower. Barley, Beans, and Peas , ' cheaper. Sugar: Foreign inactive, but not cheaper; AA .. A better demand ; brown lumps, 445. ; grocerh, lo a f ' 48s. 6d. Coffee: There is little doing; native Ud,i o o., 48s. 6d. Tea is quiet, but there is no actual de949 The demand is larger: Madras 14s. 6d. to 15a. tf; demand increasing. Indigo, very slow of sale, 0 ' reduction. TALLOW MARKET. Tallow firm, but sells slowly ; P. Y. C. 625. 611.1;111 on the spot. Stock, 38,157 casks, against 40,3 48 last year. Deliveries, 1,747 casks, against 1,81 6 last year. LONDON WOOL SALES.—Turs Biddings rather more brisk, and prices fully up to rates. C MARKT. Beasts did not sell so weII TTLE . Sheep m E aintained los t g°9 rates. Calves are cheaper. Ato Beef 2s 8d to 4s 6d Veal Mutton..... 3s 2d to 5s Od I Pork .. 3s g" ARRIVALS. Beasts 4900 1 Calves .......... Sheep and Lambs Norfolk and Suffolk Beasts Cambridge, Leicester, Lincoln, and North' 10 / ampton Beasts Scotch Beasts Irish Beasts Holland 8ea5t5... . ...t Do. Sheep Do. Calves... Do. Pigs Spanish Beasts Do. Sheep French Beasts •• • 101 •• • '2 .. • • jr .............. O MANCHESTER STOCK EXCIIA 65slp 1L Caledonians, 261; Lancashire and Yorkshire/ ,4 0 Northern, N 0.2, 'l7, paid a pm.; London an •"01 1 tern, 104 a ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, lands, 62a i; Dovers, 18 5.161 a. GLASGOW CORN MARKET. The week opens with a steadier aspect,apPar...ge n. wheat and flour, but not much actual business corn neglected. X 0 LATEST SHIPPING INTELLIGO — P A The Dolphin, from Aberdeen, is abandoned. fr oo l , GRAVESEND, 12TH.—Arrived : Golden State, 5 tAI luxe ; Alipore, from Hong Kong ; Earl of Sha l l e rovaT Madras ; Ostrich, from Port Louis ; Jaunts, ~ — a r et Pernambuco ; Kosma, from Baltimore ; ma r ' from New York. MARRIED.—On the 13th instant, at Fornilvpl by the Rev. Lonsdale Formby, Thomas of Melling, to Anne, third daughter of " wood, Esq. LIVERPOOL: ( „ n iri5 , ( . 1: 4 :1 Printed and Published every Tuesday 11, 'V!: Proprietor, ROBERT PEARSON THAC i n' rit: f r Percy-street, at the STANDARD GENERA Lifc OFFICE, No. 4, ST. GEORGE'S Casscs NT , Tuesday, February 14, 1854. HOUSE OF COMMONS—MoNDAY, Fan. 13. The House met at four o'clock. Colonel WATKINS took the oaths and his seat for Brecknock. In reply to Mr. Layard, Lord J. RussELL explained, at some length, the instruc tions under which commanders of the combined fleets had acted in the Black Sea, and stated that the recent return of the fleet was owing to Admiral Dundas not finding the anchorage at Sinope such as had been represented, and the Admiral was of opinion that if he continued cruising for two months, as had been intended, the efficiency of the fleets would be so impaired as to endanger its power of performing the service required of it. With reference to the mission of Count Orloff, his lordship said that in the objects the Count had in view he had entirely failed papers on the subject would shortly be produced. In reply to Sir de Lacy Evans, Mr. S. HERBERT stated that the artillery practice at Woolwich was impeded by the passing of steamers up and down the river. THE LIVERPOOL FREEMEN. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition, from the inhabitants of Liverpool, praying for the disfranchisement of the Freemen of Liverpool, and detailing the corruption which prevailed in elections for that borough. He moved that it be printed. THE NEW REFORM BILL. Lord J. RUSSELL, at a quarter-past five, rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to further amend the laws relating to the representation of the people of England and Wales. He reviewed the circumstances under which the preceding bills for reforming the representation were brought in, and noticed especially the differences which prevailed between the two houses of parliament in 1832, observing that he anticipated no such great differences with respect to the present measure. With regard to the approaching war, he said he thought that war could be carried on as it ought to be, and at the same time to carry out those domestic measures of reform which have become necessary. He referred to the state of the representation in 1797, comparing it to what it is at present, with a view to show the progress that had been made, and what remains to be done, in order more fully to represent the people at large. He said that although a large disfranchisement had already taken place, many boroughs yet remained, the population of which was not sufficient to justify their sending members to the House of Commons ; at the same time, he did not concur with those who thought equal numbers necessary. There were twenty nine boroughs, containing 300 electors, of which the population was under 5,000. These would cease to return members. There were also thirty-three containing less than 500 electors, and under 10,000 inhabitants, who now return two members ; of these one member would be taken away. He dwelt on the necessity of preserving a balance of representation with respect to towns and counties. With respect to the West Riding of Yorkshire and South Lancashire, he would divide them into two dis tricts, and give four additional members to each division. To towns containing a population of more than 100,000, he would give three members—electors to vote for two candidates only—the third candidate having a certain number of votes to be elected to .represent the miniority. The me tropolis was to be excepted from this arrangement—but he proposed that Kensington and Chelsea should form one borough to return two members, the Inns of Court should return two members, and the University of London one member. He would create the following new franchises for boroughs and counties :—Receipts of £lOO salary pay. able half-yearly, or quarterly possession of £lO a-year from Funds, Bank, or Bast India Stock, or payment of 40s. yearly income or assessed tso' graduates of any University in Great Britian W• right of voting, and any person having a deposit of P' aA a savings bank for not less than three years, sh oed right of voting. £lO householders in comities right of voting in those counties. Sufficient ] the working classes had not been done in the Befo rri of 1832 ; but, at that time, it was most imP°r ttipt the influence of the middle classes should be P • He deprecated universal suffrage. All persons above £6 los.a year to have a right to vote, but 60'01 have resided two and a half years before being r it 4 the register, and should be upon the register trio ro and ten months before voting. (Disapprobati on ' ) register of electors should be final—payment of r st *J o i taxes no longer to be insisted upon after the Wirt' their existing interests ; the old Freemen to have the right of voting. (Hear, hear.) The Act W w- 11 quired a member accepting office under Governolo be re-elected should be repealed. (Hear.) He e Oll by observing, that this plan would correct defects ii/ A representation, by widening its basis. The noble lorl was listened to throughout with deep attention , tile' sumed his seat amidst considerable applause. Mr. LIDDELL adverted to some features of thePt hoped that, under existing circumstances, the Iv' would not be persevered in. Mr. BAILLIE asked Lord John Russell whethel ptinciples would apply to Scotland ; and Mr. 141 j made a similar inquiry with regard to Ireland. Mr. ELLICE and Mr. GEACH defended the caaPv of Coventry. _ nin s 4 . Colonel SIBTIIORP said the freemen of Lbw— better men than those on the treasury bench. 2 11 After some observations from Sir B. HALL,' DEGATE, Mr. R. PRILLIMORE, and Mr. Ttrpss ol Mr. Hums objected to the limitation in the conferring the franchise on the working-man. so il Mr. DRUMMOND condemned the measure as j. step in revolutionary progress, and as one ivW tend towards the establishment of democracy. 0 Mr. BALL said great disappointment would b e , 3 a Ireland if a similar measure were not introduce' course of the present session. Lord J. RUSSELL said the Chief Secretary for and the Lord Advocate for Scotland, would, at $ time, bring in measures of a similar kind. lie (1 4 the measure from the charges of Mr. Drumul c° explained the various provisions alluded to. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE thought the bill a most ei jo measure, and the only thing the ministers had to to convince the country they were in earnest. ( 0 hoped they would not listen to any proposi ti ' 4 postponing the bill on account of war. After some observations from Mr. E. 13° : A MURROUGH, and Mr. MALL IRE, leave was given in the bill. Sir W. MOLESWORTH obtained leave to bring to facilitate apportionment of rent when part of lease are taken for purposes of church building 4 Mr. BUTT moved the nomination of a cotal°7 l ) twenty members to investigate the charges ale certain Irish members. Mr. LucA.s suggested that a bill of indemnity for A , nesses should be passed ; and dwelt at much le n ' the practice of selling government offices. a ti After considerable discussion, Mr. BUTT pro Polo the number of the committee should be reduced t ° but the motion was ultimately withdrawn. Other business having been disposed of, the adjourned at twenty minutes past nine o'clock. TATTERSALL'S BETTING.—THIS DAY. e LINCOLN STEEPLE CHASE.-7 to 2 agat Maid of tb tkn ; 6 to 1 any other. LINCOLN SPRING HANDICAP.-4 10 1 agst aC tile r Killer, 5 to 1 tkn freely. ..totte l d LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE.-8 to I apt Bon n t o , agst Miss Mowbray; 12 to 1 agat Peter Simple; Burnt Sienna, tkn ;25t0 1 agst Morice Daly. ,310 1/ ' CHESTER CUP.-30 to 1 agst Toro; 30 to 1 alga.'" to 1 agat Talf.mrd, tkn ; 50 to 1 agst Royalist. ogr THE DERBY.-4 to 1 agst Autocrat ;7to 1 agst );l es t 25 to 1 agst each, Ruby and Acrobat ; 1,000 to D" Early Bird and Burlington. CITY ETTING, TWO O'CLOCK STEEPLE CH ASE.— B 4to 1 agst Maid of the . West, OS; 1 agst Topsy, offered. . lief , SPRING HANDICAP.-4 to 1 agst Jack the GiRII...- 83i 65 i 64,