The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-15 00:00:00

JANUARY 15, 1856. j SCRIPTURE READERS' SOCIETY. Tire annual meeting of this society took place last night, I the Collegiate Institution. The hall was well filled by a l'esPeetable audience of ladies and gentlemen, and the chair Ras occupied by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of fester. The following gentlemen were likewise on the plat her; viz.: —The R ev . D rs . M`Neile, Taylor, and Hume; the ~.4evs• W. Poll oc k, T. C. C owan , J. Bardsley, J. J. Butler, W. • Palloon, T. Pain, C. W. Lawrence, J. Hassell, T. M. Lester, °• Powell, Williams, T. Moore, I. Holmes, Power, Harker, H. Carpenter, T. W. Moeran, esu e , Levison, Woolam, Gilmour, Hunt, Dandy, Wolseley, and J. R. Conor ; Messrs. M. Gregson , A t edgson, C. Bushell, H. J. Webster. J. K. Rounthwaite, 414 >y Ilalhe,ad. The Rev. W. POLLOCK read prayers, after which TheLoun BISHOP, on rising, said,—l feel great pleasure in : kin g_ se many friends assembled to give encouragement to society. It is a society for bringing God's word under the °f lee of many who would not otherwise have any knowledge of that Holy Word at all. This, it may be said, and truly, h. _ ,. 811(411 (1 be the work of the clergy. The town of Liverpool is ''''' ul arlY happy in the excellence and zeal of its clergy; but .r Can do no more than man's labour in man's time. They are Willing to do their work, and they do it ; but they are too b e a ' t , in number for so great a work. To aid these, we may to e laYmen employed in going about reading the Scriptures ten who would never be brought under the notice of a ..dergYraan, the rounds of the clergy being too extensive to m st of their overtaking all. When the operations of the 13 ttire Readers have been fairly in work, many will be e eglit to a regular attendance at Church, and so will be tea within the circle of the influence of God's Holy Word. a society deserves, and, I am happy to say, receives the I ltenatate and aid of liberal Christian men. It cannot, , b ablsS be said that all is done for our society which should he ''one, bat we are glad to find we -enjoy extensive and widely -I)rea(i'sYmpathy ; and, secure of that, we need not fear that Vir e shall w an t p ecun i ar y a id. Mr. Campbell, the Rector of Liv erpool, had intended to be here, but the feeble state of his hea lth has prevented his leaving his residence at Childwall at s 0 l ate an hour and on so cold a night. A letter was read from The Rev. Rector Campbell, apolo -183-11g for his inability to attend, but conveying an expression °`, s Pproval of the society. 2 11 e Rev. T. C. Cowart . , secretary, read the 'report, from L oeb appeared that though the income of the society had ; v4l 4'2,000, yet, on - the year's account, there was a deficiency : . 12 5. The number of readers, the report stated, has been ma de framtwerity-seven to thirty-one. The nnmberof visits , 4124 e last year by 'the readers was upwards of 96,000, being i l l : l '6'e addition to the number of visits of the preceding year. e • reports of the readers represent in many of the districts se improvement among the inhabitants in their moral and —u tletis deportment ; and in the cleanliness and orderly ap 33rence in their dwellings. Small depoti have been established the different districts for the distribution of Prayer Books , Testaments. The establishment of these has been at fleded with the happiest results; bttt it is unfortunately too 'le that much evil still prevails, and manifests itself in tziej etis forms in Liverpool. The value of Scripture Readers I )eeirmanifested in various ways, and in none more than 47 the establishment of mutual improvement societies. The te xatnittee, under the straitenedeircumstances of the society, 1 : 1 :k'llestly call upon their follow-townsmen to aid them 'with die ineans of carrying an their good work. ~3 14: 0RECI-SON moved the first resolution, which was to the the report now read:be adopted, printed aud.circu ,..te4. The society, he said, • had been instituted four years ,r;t'a grapple with the monster evii by which the•popuk k.ft of Liverpool, in common-4 that of other large towns, ha s been and still is beset. Tocombat this we send men who are carefully selected for their moral rectitude, their energy, their tart, in pressingsreligious truths upon those with Ilona they came in contact. The discharge of their duties is a ttended with difficulties not easily appreciated by those wha i a re hot minutely acquaintedswith the nature of those duties 'hey have to labour amonglhose who are averse, in many, Le t in all respects, to thespregress of their labours. .In con lesion he moved - the adoption of the report, andthe appoint rit of the committee, and also urged upon themeeting the of the society for general support. The Rev. W. P43LLOCIK; in seconding the resolution, said he f elt honoured in having been called on to take so prominent a part in this 'sneer:mg, asheilad from the first been a member 54.„ the Scripture Readers' 'Society, and had alk'along been a ',either of the standing committee. The working and success 4:4 the SOeiety badbeeireminently useful in allaying jealousies , : 4e llg those who had at. first objected to lay agency in such a TrIE, and had led .to the 'complete establishment of a unity " feeling and action in , opposition to popery--an opposition W hich has been always inscribed in the articles of our church, ~._kad which we h ave de r i ve d f rom oar mar t yre d f ore f a th ers . Ile scheme had, on .the whole, been well received by the rple of Live r p oo l ; i n t h e fi rs t year o f its existence we ieeived up war d s o f £ 1;8 00 , an d h a d th e coun t enan c e o f th e 'STI,'d Bishop and of the two Rectors of Liverpool, for we then two. It had been •met also in the kindest and most L ell evolent-spirit. by the laity of Liverpool, who have on many occ asions left their counting-houses and their.warehouses, and - 't with the committee 'to consult as to the best mode in ;well they could aid .usin our good work. If there is any among of liberality' to this society, it is not to be met with s fe eng the members of oar working committee, for in these have the contributors of large donations. One gives a o two give seachs£66, and several others contribute in gelar decrees. In allusion to the labours of the committee, LlP:ade :feeling and- eloquent reference to the part taken on a - 7F of the Bee ietybythe late Archdeacon Brooks, and in doing get he Paid a feeling tribute to the memory .of that departed bsatlemau. 'The .rev. speaker explained the regulations by Tevollie.h the society guided the conduct of their readers, and at tolsiderable length combated the views of those who objected r e s,l l ,e employment of lay-agency in spreading the benefits of t - von. He narrated several very impressive anecdotes FL l 3l.3trative of the efficiency of the teaching .afforded by the algure Readers, dwelling at length upon the cases of two I,7'aPsy women who, .having fallen from the paths of virtue, Cadre reduced to the greatest misery ; but whose dying hours been consoled and cheered by the religious services of i;, 4l l 3 ture Readers. 'ln conclusion he said, if we are employing sZneient arid lawful agency, an agency acting in obedience W i le laws of Christians charity and love ; and if in spite of di e their efforts the state of the lower portion of our town is e ss graceful and appalling.; and if, in spite .of eleven gaol c ite in the year, we still furnish calendars.of crime which ss'ate the astonishment ofjudges and juries, it surely becomes i n ci se who have the means Ito afford our society such . aid as enable it yet more effectually to oppose the growing and al arming evil. 'a t e resolution was adopted unanimously. esill hymn was here sung, during the singing of which the ection was made.] li The Rev Dr. MiNaiLa i on -rising, was received with cheers. .4e said it must now be obvious that the establishment of this il ' l etY was, to use a common but expressive phrase, "a step us t he right direction." By its aid the back streets, the alleys, 4 0 ' 1 the lowest haunts have been explored. There we have ti Ni that the desert is indeed barren, but not now, however. wi ev e the presence of some st r eams of living Raters. We flinch to comfort us, as well as not a little to discourage to the warfare in which we are engaged—not against any - ' ll or individual, but against drunkenness, irreligion, and prY• These are enemies more fatal and dangerous to our Ittzl'atilation than all the soldiers ,of the Emperor of all the 4 ias. He was far from desirous.of underrating the disas r and miseries of reel war, but these cannot compare with t he f rightful evils of sin. The one great sin of drunkenness s se ,to more cr ime, s u ffe r i ng , and destitution than were to be th e " With among the horrors of war. We hear with a-shock sot narrative of casualties occurring in the Crimea, but do ds o r,eflect that in England more deaths have been caused by Isi . "Seoness, within six weeks, than have occurred during the Zit e O 7 •'s c ir r ee an kti_ e in nn t e h s e s C w r a im s ea a f f r r zn h : f te l cal m er g it r i o es wi o n f g wa o r n . e. T in Ni er nool there was one beerhouse for every one hundred onty-nine individuals ; and 'within last year 25,111 had been taken into .custody by the police. as it Pray give some indication of the effects of drunkenness, en s is well:known that by far the greater number of those i 4 l9f apprehension arise directly from intoxication. This d t1 , 41 , eting more misery on our community than can be pro lajs4 by foreign wars. The scenes to which allusion has in to g so eloquently made to-night, we are brought directly kti o Contact with. They are the every-day arenas of for our:society. It is in them that the read 110,.'eatow their most strenuous labours. I cannot say Ki th far legislation may be a competent mode of dealing saps this monster evil ; but surely it cannot he neces sti-.;)„ to have so many places for the sale of intoxicating ela ss e e. Nor will I say how far the example of the upper li k b ee in abstaining from the use of intoxicating liquors ti o tbe efficacious in arresting the evil. Such a considera t' fall itia 8 Theont exactly within the scope of our society's opera- C'lss_'• ob'ect of that society is to bring the blessings of to j the hearths and homes of the poor and the is I , s :a t at and the depraved. Christianity is not negative. It latß t a mere refuge from guilt. It is a passion, and is cake ts th s ' excite love in the bosom of man. The love of Christ oz o ` ni oo ei zt4a le inpg power a o n f de Christianity. e lt l o s r to w c i a i r ic r?: 4., this fo 4 0 f Scriptu e re-readers has been called into existence, and the as leb it seeks the public aid. In conclusion, he moved t i ,os b rAtion of the resolution which was to the effect—" That - i -°1 " 4 1 and religious condition of the working classes is of ahq be l ePest interest to the community, and that it is the duty terest of all to promote their improvement? , n4 O . C aRISTOPHER BUSHELL seconded the resolution, and SO, said it is not man's reason we have to fear. That tn l i oia exalts him above the brute, and which makes him that It l a t h e was when he stood erect a man, is not to be discarded. I lata,ss e misapplication of reason which is dangerous. In the etle. °rid all is harmony, and so also with the moral e .xsl s Reason if thus applied in sincerity of inquir will aovvledge that man is a sinful creature. He re- Tteat ic 7 great length the various evidences of adaptation and I ,,etitte e e,P l the physical and moral world, and from these th e conclusion that the Scripture Readers' Society fi b 'Red harmony with the requirements of this town, and "„eatiar Claims on the support of the wealthy and in xhe ' Sd ootod motion W as b,A s, put from the chair, and unanimously m ello/Z sss f t hankst was then passed by acc l a mation to the meeting separated. LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL. A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the Town Council was held on Wednesday last, to take into consideration " the report of the special committee on the supply of gas, presented -to the Council on the 30th day of October last, the eonsideration of which was then postponed; the reply of the directors of the United Gas Light Company to such report ; and the further proceedings of the special committee thereon, including reports from Messrs. Clegg and Taunton." John Stewart, Esq., the Mayor, presided. _ _ The original report of the committee, and the reply of the directors of the Gas Company, which have already been pub lished, were taken as read. The report of Mr. Clegg was an elaborate scientific vindi cation of the opinions which he had given to the committee, " that the quality of the gas materially affects the registration of the meter," and which the directors had called in question. Mr. Taunton's report was the defence of the mode of testing which he had adopted. A letter from Mr. King, addressed to the chairman of the committee, and replying to a part of Mr. Clegg's report, was also read, and then came the following resolutions of the committee, which were submitted for the approval of the Council : 1. That it be recommended to the Council to propose to the Gas Company that the share property of the company be con verted into bonds of the company, bearing a fair and equitable rate of interest, and that the undertaking be managed by a board of nine directors, three of whom shall be appointed by the Council, three by the consumers of gas, and three by the bondholders. _ _ _ . 2. That this committee be re-appointed, with instructions to make the above proposal to the company, and to confer with them on the terms upon which the same shall be carried into effect, and to report thereon to the Council, and with further instructions to recommend to the company,—(a) That an immediate reduction be made in the price of gas. (b.) That the borough engineer for the time being shall have access to all departments of the company's works, with every facility for testing the quality of the gas and ascertaining the pressure at which it is supplied. •(e.) That the company con sent to the appointment of officers responsible to the Council, to test, examine, and adjust the meters on behalf of the con sumers. (d.) That the powers of the auditor be extended, so as to enable him to have access to all documents and accounts which he may think necessary to enable him to report fully on the financial position Of the company, and to ascertain that all moneys are paid out of and carried to the credit of the proper accounts. Mr. KITCHEN, chairman of the special committee, in along and elaborate speech, moved the adoption of the resolutions. In the course of his observations he reviewed the various steps which had been taken by the special committee, dwelt -at con siderable length on the nature and value of the reports by Messrs. Clegg and Taunton. He alluded to the statement of the committee that the rental of the Gas Company had ma terially increased, while there had been no increase in the cost of manufacturing gas, and contended that ne reduction in comparison with the advantages the company had enjoyed, had been afforded to the public. In conclusion he moved that the preceding resolutions be adopted by the Council. Mr. A. C. STEWART seconded the motion. The MAYOR remarked that the first resolution of the com mittee proposed an arrangement of very great importance, — an arrangement which, as he understood, would involve the conversion of the whole capital of the Gas Company into bonds, bearing a certain rate of interest,—and he was not aware that Mr. Kitchen had advanced any argument whatever in support of such a proposition. He had not noticed that he had said a single word about it. Mr. KITCHEN said the proposal was not that the Corporation shouldbny the Gasworks, but that the - capital of the company should be converted into bonds, as was the case with the capital invested in the docks. With respect to the proposed appointment of a Meter Inspector, 'that would involve the; Connell in no expense, as when the time arrived he should suggest that fees should be taken, as was done now by the Inspector of Weights and Measures; and he anticipated that those fees would pay the salary and 'expenses of the office. Some conversation ensued as to the precise nature of the different propositions embodied in 'the resolutions—the kind. of security which it was proposed to afford to the shareholders in the Gas Company—and the precise character of the super— vision to which the affairs of the -company were to be sub jected; in which several members of the Council took part. — A vote was taken, when there appeared For the motion—Messrs. Crosthwaite, Anderson, Woodruff, A. C. Stewart, Sheil, W. Nicholson, Bradley, Hornby, Loving iston, A. Shand, Tobin, Fleming:, R. Gladstone, Kitchen, ttiikin, and Halhead. Against the motion—Messrs.'G. Holt, J. C. FernihattOt, Brancker, Robertson, Pa.rnworth, Gregson, Bennett, Preston, Parker, Robinson, Gardner, andYthe Mayor. 12. The motion was therefore -carried. The gas-proprietors present did not vote. The other recommendations , of the committee were' then put, and agreed to stem.-eon. A memorial from the inhi , .bitants of Newby terrace, complaining of a naisance, and asking 1W lights, was referred to the Health and 'Lighting Committees. The common seal was affixed to a return of prosecutors' :expenses, and the Council adjourned. 4LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY. A MEETING of this Societrwas held last night at lite Royal Institution, in Welt:at-street ; Mr. Edward Jones, the presi dent, in the chair. Mr. SMITH exhibited .a newly-invented apparatutf for giving instant alarm in ease of 'fire, which he explained' 'by a well eiecuted model. It may•be briefly described as an alarum confined by a cord which-brol - e at a comparatively low tem perature, and thereby sedthe -alarum free, the arrangements being varied to suit different kinds of preniises. It was accompanied by a plan for turning water on to the fire at the time of giving the alarm, the discharge of water -being con fined to the localitrof'thefire. The subject elicited a discus sion, in which the invention-was generally approved of. Mr. Arthur Jackson appeared to exhibit an ,experiment -similar to that which he .had had the pleasure <of showing them about twelve months -since, but with this difference, that to-night he should deteriorate the gas with about 20 feet of atmospheric air, hoping that the discussion which it might lead to would enable• members to determine the real cause of the increase of light. by the insertion of the platinum wire, and which was very considerably greater, in proportion, -.when the gas was reduced-in quality. He wished it to be distinctly borne in mind that he did not deteriorate the gas for the purpose of showing that it was possible to adul terate in that manner.—as it was quite foreign to the subject, --...-Jsut that it was deteriorated solely for the object of the .experiment. It had been asserted that no one would be so foolhardy as to dare todo so. In answer to this, while gas was burning under pressure, as it always does, he did not think it possible for more danger to arise from this than from ordinary gas. It was true, if some bubbles were inflated, in a vessel containing soap-water,mith atmospheric.air and gas, -and then fired, the explosion -would be very loud, but no one would so set fire to a large volume of gas, whether-it-was pure or otherwise. To set the minds of gentlemen at rest, before the experiment was made, it was necessary to mention that it had. already been done in the presence of Dr. Edwards, Mr. Boult, and others, so no fear need he entertained; and, at the suggestion of Mr. Abrahams, . he, (Mr. J.) had inserted a number of wires in the interior -of the gas-tube, so.as to act in the manner of wire gauze, -which did not allow - the flame to pass through, while the gas was at liberty to -escape ; although he had made repeated experiments without any such precautisn. It was remarkable, he said, to see how most persons flew to. the conclusion that the,-eause of the increase of light was in-consequence of the platinum wire becoming red-hot. As to the platinum accumulating. au intense heat, such was not the-case. Although in the: interior of the flame it was far from leing red-hot; in fact ifit could be kept quite -cold the increase would be the same, as would be readily proved by passing it. ,quickly through the flame, which is inerea,sed so long as the platinum remains inserted. However paradoxical it might; appear, it was nevertheless a positive fact,- that although the illuminating power -was considerably reduced with the gas thus deteriorated, when -burners of the ordinary description „were used, it was greatly augmented when the platinum yire was attached, eonsiderdbly more so than when the gas was in its pure state. The subject elicited a discussion, in,which several members took part, and the meeting shortly afterwards adjourned. A GREAT SENSATION AT THE CAPE. TILE following letter from Cape Town,ls dated October 19 : " Cape Town has: been in a great state of excitement for the last month. It was announced that a very rich gentleman had arrived in the ,lightning steamer, rejoicing in the well known name of Montefiore, as agent for the great Rothschild, with power to invest • capital at the Cape in whatever he might consider most advantageous. The mining and tramway shares rose immediately, and everybody thought there was a good time coming for the Cape at last. The bank and two or three of the largest•houses were advised by the Rothschilds to give their nephew, Moutefiore, unlimited credit. Although a Jew, he gave £l5 to the Cathedral, £lO to the Synagogue, £5 to the Wesleyans, £lO to the public library, and £lO to the Museum—in fact, scattered his money in all directions. There were Montefiore races,when a greater number.of horses •started than had ever been known on the course before, and gentlemen riders hurried from ,all quarters—myself among the rest. Twenty-four started to ride for the Montefiore Stakes, value £5O. Champagne was as common as Cape beer, and the Montefiore' drove about the course in a carriage with four outriders—the cynosure of all eyes. The ladies called him duck,' and the gentlemen a regular brick,' although he was only 6ft. high, wore spectacles, had deformed legs, only half the proper complement of feet, the toes of both having been cut off (10, he said) by a railway engine. He gave a grand dinner—no room was large enough for so magnificent a person—so he ordered the lower rooms of the hotel to be knocked into one—such a dinner ! The in vitations, bill of fare, and programme of music were done in gold. Over 100 sat down. His health was drunk after dinner, to which he responded in a very neat speech, and as the small hours advanced his delighted guests placed him in a chair, and carried him on the shoulders round the room in triumph, to the tune of He's a right good fellow.' One old gentleman actually kissed him, and called him his brother. The dinner was followed by a ball—the ball, like the dinner, was magnificent—the room was crowded—and Mentefiore outshone all other attractions ; dinner succeeded dinner—and even the Cape gentlemen were shamed into giving him a dinner, which they did to the tune of three guineas a-head, much to their surprise. At last he announced that he had an engagement in Ceylon, and must be off. He accordingly took his passage, and put his traps on board; the ladies fainted, and all expressed their grief. The vessel went to sea, and the nephew of the Rothsehilds had not gone in her. Hopes revived—he proposed for a young lady—was fortunately refused; in a few hours after he was arrested and safely lodged in 'gaol on the minor charge of debt, backed by the graver one of forgery. I forgot to tell you, that on his arrival at Cape Town the principal director of the bank called on him and requested he would patronize his bank—which he did not fail to do to the amount of £1,800! This was the Cape career of a fearfully and wonderfully-made Jew, who I am told has been advertised in the Ceylon papers as having absconded; a crippled Jew, wearing spectacles, answering to the name of Moses Solomon—no doubt the same. He was brought np to the court on the 15th, and remanded until letters are received frppt g.ngland about the bills." THE NEW CUNARD STEAMER PERSIA, THE LARGEST STEAM SHIP IN THE WORLD. by Thursday - last, this magnificent specimen of marine architecture made her appearance in the Mersey, at about half-past three o'clock in the morning, after a run unpre cedently rapid from the Clyde. The Persia had only left the Cloch light, near Greenock, on Wednesday afternoon, at four minutes before five, and she completed the whole run of 203 miles within the singularly short period of ten hours and forty-three minutes. A run from the Cloch to the Cumbraes, a tedious and intricate navigation of 152 miles, was performed in fifty-oue minutes, the latter point having been reached at 5 47 ; from the Cumbraes, in an hour and seven minutes, she was abreast of Pladda, at the south end of the Isle of Arran, and at 7 36 she made Ailsa Craig, a distance from her starting point of 43 knots ; at 8 40, she was off Corsewall Point, and reached the Mull of Galloway at 10 12. The Point of Ayr, in the Isle of Man, was passed at 11 45 p.m., and at 3 40 a.m., on Thursday, she arrived off the Bell-buoy, a total distance of 175 knots, or 203 miles, having throughout the whole dis tance maintained an average speed of 19 miles an hour. On Tuesday, the Persia, the noble iron paddle steamship just completed by Messrs. Robert Napier and Sons for the Cunard Company, made her first trip in sea water, subsequent to the adjusting of her compasses, by running some 20 miles down the Frith of Clyde, and returning in the afternoon to the " Tail of the Bank," opposite Greenock. With from 201 b. to 211 b. of pressure upon the square inch, she easily made 18f statute miles an hour, while the paddles . gave 174 to 18 revo lutions in the minute. Wednesday, however, was reserved for the formal trial or pleasure trip, and at the same time for the final departure of the ship from the Clyde for the Mersey, whence she departs for New York on the 26th current. The Messrs. Burns, of Glasgow, the resident and principal share holders in the Cunard Company, had invited a distinguished party to enjoy the trip, and at half-past 8 they left by special train for Greenock, whence they were carried to the Persia in a 'tender, where they met with a cordial reception from Capt. Judkins, the future commander of the ship. The party on board mustered 220 ladies and gentlemen, including peers, Glasgow merchants, country gentlemen, rimean heroes, &c. The day was surpassingly lovely. The sun speedily brushed away the morning frost, and shone out with unclouded splen dour, while there was scarcely a ripple on the sea. The ship speedily proceeded on her way, and stretched down under easy steam a few miles past 'the Cumbrae Lighthouse. With only 15 pounds of pressure and 161 revolutions, she made the dis tance between Cloch and Cumbrae, the usual testing ground on the Clyde, in 68 minutes, a distance of 15 2-3 d miles. But this trip was not by any means intended for a trial of speed, being in every sense of the word a pleasure sail.; and an oppor tunity for testing the real powers of the ship being reserved for the passage to Liverpool, for which she was to sail on re turning with the party. The performances of the Persia on the Clyde excited the admiration of-all. The Persia, as already said, is built of iron, and her engines are constructed by Messrs. Robert Napier and Sons. She was launched in the Clyde on the 3rd of July last, and the inter vening period has been fully occupied in laying her machinery, and fitting her out as the most magnificent floating hotel and goods transport that has ever breasted the waters. She is the largest steam-ship afloat in the world, far exceed ing in -length, strength, tonnage, and-steam power the Great Britain 'or the Himalaya, and exceeding also by no less than 1,200 tens the internal capacity of the largest of the present splendid Cunard liners. Her chief proportions may be summed up. as -follows : Length from fig-are-head tatalfrail 390 feet. Length in the water::.::.:..:... 360 „ Breadth of the hull • , Breadth over all.. .. Depth , . 4, . 32 „ Burden .. „ 3600 tons. Diameter of paddle-wheels 4O feet. _ According to the strict government rule of admeasurement, 'her power is equal to that of •DOO horses ; according to the Tian laid down in the Earl of Hardwicke's bill, her power is 'equal to that of 1,200 horses ; and according to James Watt's old established rule of '33,000 . 1b. to the horse, she-is espected to work up to the pitch of between 4,000 and .s,ooo . horses. Stupendous as 'the Persia • is, the lines of'beauty have been so well worked -oetin'the, preparation of her model, that her appearance is singularly graceful and lightsome. Yet this mighty fabric, so beautiful as a whole, is made'up of innu merable pieces of ponderous metal, welded, jointed, and rivetted into each other With exceeding deftness. The framing of the ship is 'very heavy. 'The 'space between each frame is only 10 inches, and the powerful frames or ribs are themselves 10 inches deep, with'doable angle irons at the outer and inner edges. The 'hew is constructed in a manner at once peculiar, and affording the greateSt possible strength to-thisimportant, part of the &lip. The framing is so placed to' the-stern, that' the effect is that, in' the case of collision with other ships, or with rocks or icebergs,lthe strain would fall upon the very strongest material - within the structure, and the'Persia would have a good chance of , safety and successfUlrresiaance, while. ordinary Tess& would "indeed be in great peril. She is not as some ships have been constructed of late. The plates or outer planking of the ship, so •to speak, are laid alternately, so that -one adds strength to the other, and they form a whole 'of •wonderful compactness and solidity. The keel plates arell-I6ths of an inch in thickness; at the bottom of the ship the platesare 15-16ths an" inch in thickness;, from this section to tine 2, load water-line they are of an inch and above this they are 11-16ths of an inch in thickness. The plates round the gunwale are kths of,rar inch in thickness. The Persiadms seven water-tight compartments. The goods are to be stowed -in two of these -cllvisions, each about 90 feet long, 16 in -breadth, and 20 feetin height. These goods' stores, or rather tanks, are placed in the centre line of the ship, with the' coaleellars or bunkers on each Side of them. At the same time,' the vessel is so , constrncted , .as to have in reality a-double bottom under these goods' chambers, so that if the outer were' -beat in or injured, the inner would, in all likelihood, protect the cargo dry •and intact. The chambers are perfectly water-tight ; and in :the event ‘of accident to the hull, these tanks would of themselves float the ship. The liner has two engines, and eight; large tubidar boilers and two funnels ; and, , we need only -speak of her machinery in general,- which is all ready, as being first-class. The firing space for the boilers is placed in the fore and aft line, instead of across the ship, as is usually the case with smaller vessels. She has separate'sleeping accommodation for 260-passengers, disposedalong what may he called the main ,deck, lying im mediately above the-goods and coal stores. These cabins have each 8 feet 6 inches Of head room, and, coupled with the ex cellent system of ventilation introduced into all the Cunard liners, we need scarcely say that they will be, alike pleasant, airy, and healthful. Exclusive of the wholesome accommoda tion for-the officers and engineers, -there are in the forward part of 'the ship about 420 berthsfor the sailing crew, firemen, and stokers. The total number of-persons employed in work ing the ship, from the captain downwards, is 160. Above the main ded: there is a 'deck-house covered in, the roof of which affords a promenade 'from stem to stern. It contains the main dining saloon, about 60 feet 'in length by -20 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. It is copiously lighted from the sides by plates of glass placed in the alternate panels. In front is that important adjunct, the pantry, which has about 300 square feet of area ; and before the funnels is the kitchen, of equal size, with. its -cooking ranges, exceeding most and equalling, any of the culinary establishments of the most ex tensive and noted. hotels:in the kingdom. But we have not space to enter further into detail than to say, that on this deck and belowit are also to be found the bakery, the butcher's shambles, 'the scullery, the cowhouse, the carpenter's work shop, the-lamphonse, the doctor's shop, the icehouses, ..the bathrooms, and no fewer than 20 water-closets. The weight of the iron in the Persia, when launched, was 2,200 tons. When the engines are on board, and fully loaded, the weight of the immense mass will be -6;400 tons, at which time she Will-draw 23 feet of-water. Her coal cellars are con structed to receive 1,400 tons•of coal—an staple supply to carry her on her voyage across the Atlantic as fast as she can burn them. She •has also accommodation foraboat 1,200 tons mea surement of goods. This may be considered small when the' extraordinary capacity of the Persia is considered ; but it must be remembered that her main design is that of a floating hotel, and that the goods of the liners of the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-ship Company are principally those by which the manufacturing • ingenuity and refinement of the East minister to the comfort and luxury of the West. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. THOMAS'S Si i,i,o CONCERT& The fourth annual series of .these charming entertainments was commenced on Tuesday evening, iw the Philarmonie Hall, the concerts being continued each evening.of the week, together with •a -day per formance on Saturday afternoon. On.each of • the occasions they have been well attended, and highlyintelligent audiences have, by well-timed plaudits, testified their -satisfaction with the excellence of the performances. The chief attraction ofthe week was the admirable singing of Madame Amadei, a contralto of 'great power and excellence. The quality of voice possessed by this lady is somewhat similar to that of Alboni, to whom, and to whose style of execution, she beers resemblance in more respects than one. Madame Amadei during :the last week sung a uumber of Italian arias, with good effect, and in these she elieited marked and well-de served -applause; but the enthusiasm of the audience was most strikingly evoked by some of our own popular melodies, conspicuous among which were the plaintive Irish and Scotch ballads, " Savourneen deelish," and " 0 Nanny wilt thou gang wi' me." The instrumental portion of the concerts was, as on the previous occasions, excellent ; the at tractions being in the present instance:heightened by the addi tion of several new performers of high merit and celebrity. Among these latter are M. Prospere, opheicleide, late of Jullien's celebrated band; M. de Folly, flute, from the Royal Italian Opera ; M. Gobin, cornet-a-piston, from the Conser vatoire, Paris; Mr. H. Chipp, violoneell ist, late of Her Ma jesty's private band; and a juvenile but clever performer on the violin, Master Isaac, a -pupil of Mr. H. Blagrove, to whose delicate and polished style his performance bears pleasing testimony. Among our old favourites in the orchestra we also recognised with satisfaction the valuable aid of Mr. Thomas, in himself a host, and Messrs. Liddell, Baetens, Streather, Serge, Jennings, Frewin, Chisholm, &c. The cha racter of the music has been lively, but not to the exclusion of the more grave and expressive. Dance music by D'Albert, Strauss, Lanner, and others, has been varied by selections from Les Huguenots, and Lucrezia Borgia; while the less showy though really more attractive ballads of our own country have not been neglected. This week the vocalist is Miss P. Horton, who is to read selections from Shakspeare's plays, with the music, commencing last night with the Mid summer Night's Dream, with the whole of Mendelssohn's music, composed for that fine drama. This evening the chief portion of the entertainment will consist of selections from the Tempest ; and to-morrow the Macbeth music is to be given. From the preceding outline, it will be seen that these entertainments are to be conducted with a spirit and intelli gence of selection in admirable keeping with the executive power and skill by which they are to be placed before the public. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, the pantomime forms the lead ing attraction, and continues to draw crowded houses nightly. Daring the past week the evening's amusements were com menced with the lively comedietta " Charles 11., or the Merry Monarch," the (part of Captain Copp being admirably sus tained by Mr. B. Baker; Mary Copp found also a pleasing representative in Miss Landon. Mr. Lorraine as Charles 11., and Mr. F. L. Villiers as Rochester were not so happy in their representations. On Saturday the second morning performance of the pantomime took place, and as on the previous occasion BROMLEY'S PATENT EMPIRE SOAP, which heretofore has been difficult to be obtained, as very few of the grocers will keep it. To use their own words, by way of explanation, they state,—" Were we to buy it, it would reduce our sales fully one third, as two pounds of the Empire Soap will go as far as three pounds of any other soap ; we should also lose our profit on soda and washing powders, as neither of these articles are required when the Empire Soap is used, in either the hardest water or in sea water." What the grocers are displeased at in this soap is its strongest recommendation to the notice of the large consumers, private families, hotel keepers, laundresses, &c. It only requires to be used with a light hand. And besides the above advantage it saves half the usual labour, consequently less friction and wear in the clothes, and will not injure the colours in the most delicate prints ; and is equally valuable for every other domestic purpose, even for toilet use, as it is a pure soap, free from rosin and other useless ingredients, which not only add unnecessary weight to the soap but detract from its cleansing properties. To be had wholesale at the Works,. No. 22, Cherry-lane, and from the following dealers :—Mr. Edward Davies, chandler, No. 84, London-road; Messrs. Tasker and Price, 209, London road ; Mr. John Dixon, grocer, No. 48, Pembroke-place; Mr. William Davies, grocer, 58, Mill-street; Mr. David Drew, ship store merchant, 40, Waterloo-road ; Messrs. Scott and Taylor, ship-store merchants, 28, Mason-street ; llossrs. Buttner and Schonstadt, ship-store merchants, 11, Hurst-street; Mr. W. H. Maitland ; ship-store merchant, 45, Regent-street. One Trial will prove the superiority of this soap. W. (HULL & CO- PRODUCE.—The dulness in the Sugar market has increased, and prices have again given way. Coffee in fair demand. In Tea little doing. Pepper steady. Rice dull. Rum without spirit. Nothing doing in Saltpetre. In Palm Oil a moderate business, at £46 lOs to £4B per ton. In Tallow little doing ; Petersburg, Y.C., 68s to 69s per cwt. Jute in good request. TO-DAY the demand for Sugar is still sus pended, and we have nothing to report. 300 puns. old indirect Cuba Muscovado Molasses have been sold for distillation at 18s per cwt. Nothing has occurred in Rum or Coffee. The Tea market continues mode rately firm ; commonCongou 94d to 9-1-d per lb. A small lot of Bengal Rice has been taken at 14s 9d per cwt. 200 bags Bengal Rapeseed are reported at 70s, and 700 bags .Nigger Seed, to arrive, at 64s per qr. Jute continues in good demand, 750 bales having realized £l5 to £l9 5s per ton. METALS.—Manufacturers' Iron continues firm iu price, and in very fair demand. In Scotch Pig Iron there has been an improved demand since our last, and prices have advanced fully 3s per ton from the lowest point last week. In other metals there is no change. WooL.—The transactions of the past week are only limited, purchasers suspending their operations until the auction sales, which open to-morrow. About 12,000 bales East India and low foreign wools will be .offered, and a brisk demand with high prices is anti cipated. Imports for the week-96 bales Australian, :34 Irish, and 10 eoastwise. Total, 140 bales. it Was honoured with the attendance of a large and delighted audience. Among those present, the juveniles greatly pre dominated ; and by no means the least interesting portion of the spectacle was the assemblage of happy faces which beamed astonishment and pleasure as they gazed on the wondrous feats of clown and pantaloon. AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, the performances of the high class troupe of equestrians still retain their hold on popular sympathy, and attract crowds to witness the various feats of dexterity and elegant horsemanship which are dis played there every evening. ORGAN PERFORMANCES IN ST. GEORGE'S HALL.—Since these performances have been resumed they have constituted a source of great and interesting amusement to the public. The noble instrument is heard to great advantage, under the able hands of Mr. Best, who displays its capabilities in such a manner as to excite admiration and astonishment. The mag nificent Hall, too, is felt to be another object of great attrac tion, and its splendid acoustic arrangements are now begin ning to be duly appreciated. A prejudice existed in some minds to the effect that it was not well adapted to the con veyance of musical sounds. Experience, the great foe to un sound opinions, has dissipated the prejudice referred to. Madame Gassier, when singing here at M. Jullien's concerts, was heard with such brilliant effect in every part of the house, that most people laboured under the impression that she made great efforts to accomplish the purpose of being heard ; whereas, on the contrary, she herself declared that she never sung in any saloon or hall so easily ; similar testi mony to its excellence, as a musical hall, was also borne by M. Jullien himself. LIVERPOOL INFIRMARY FOR CHILDREN. T3/2 annual meeting of the subscribers and friends of this institution was held yesterday, at the Public-hall, Hackins_ hey, Mr. M. Gregson in the chair. Amongst those present were the Rev. W. Pollock, Messrs. Boult, Spence, A. Ste. phens, Edwd. Higgin, Chapple, and several others. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that the institution had only been established a few years ; but so far, he was happy to say, it had been successful ; and their object was now to extend its usefulness as far as possible. The meeting would hear the details with regard to the institution from the report. The Report was then read by the Rev. C. BRITTAIc, hono rary secretary, from which it appears that " for the year 1855, the committee feel they have great cause for thankfulness, and every reason to'congratulate the subscribers and friends of the Liverpool Infirmary for Children' upon the highly satisfactory results which have attended their exertions dur ing the last twelve months. The number of patients entered since January, 1855, is 811, giving an increase of 33 per cent. upon the preceding year. " The treasurer's account is also very cheering, and induces the committee to believe that the ' Liverpool Infirmary for Children' has now acquired such a position of acknowledged usefulness and influence as to justify them in looking forward to a speedy extension of its plan of operation; and they would, therefore, urge its friends to vigorous and continued efforts in -order to the attainment of those advanlages in which it has hitherto been deficient, but which are bow so urgently de manded. " The requirements are 1. The services of a resident house-surgeon, to be continually on the spot. " 2. A house suitable for the accommodation of in as well awoutputients, where beds may be provided for those severer cases which require the most constant care and attention." An analysis of diseases of children admitted during the year '1865., showed the following::—Diseases of stomach and bowels, 273; diseases of lungs - and air passages, 154; diseases of nervous system, 18 ; diseases of eye, 23 ; diseases of heart, 2-; teething, 48 ; scrofula, 31 • skin diseases,:s4 ; infantile fever, 61; scarlatina, 36 ; measles, 11 ; diseases of teeth, 35; -surgical cases, 58. Total, al. The Rev. W. PoLLocic observed that the benefits of the -institution appeared to be - in a direct ratio to its modesty and unobtrusiveness. For five years it had been doing a vast deal of good in Liverpool, and yet large numbers of people had never heard of its existence. He believed the institution was very much indebted for its existence to the benevolent in terest which the chairman felt in the poorer classes, and •largely indebted also to Mr. Stephens. He congratulated the -institution on having 'obtained the services of Mr. Brittan, upon whom he passed - a high eulogium. Alluding to the con -duct of parents of 'the poorer classes, Mr. Pollock said that `they were, to a great-extent, given up to a sort of fatalism -with regard to their offspring, and he was afraid that,—not 'fict much from unkindness as from ignorance and a low stand ard of feeling,—a - great deal of carelessness and indifference to -infant life existed. The preservation of infant life, and the 'checking of the progress of malignantepidemics, was a matter of equal importance to the rich, as well as the poor. The in •stitution, too, which they were met to support, eminently be -came us as Christians. Mr. Pollock moved the adoption and Trinting of the repert. Mr. EDWARD Hlct-Grx seconded 'the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. FnEnnntox Clre.pplx moved the adoption of the 'Treasurer's report, which showed a balance in hand of ,E 75. 31r. Chapple warmly took up the view of the importance of the institution, in the light alluded to by Mr. Higgin. Mr. JAMES Loan seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. S. H. SAMUELSON moved Viat measures be at once adopted for the admission of in-door patients, and the appoint ment of a resident house-surgeon, with the requisite attend ants, nurses, &c.; and that a sub-t.emmittee be appointed to :promote this object. Mr. CHARrES BATTEN seconded the resolution, which was ,carried unanimously. Mr. A. STEPHENS announced that a gentleman present had promised to givelß2o, if nine other subscriptions of £2O each -could be raised, for the procuring• of beds for indoor patients, -and the appointment of a house surgeon ; or, he would give £lO, if nineteen other subscriptions of £lO each could be .raised.—(Cheers.)—Mr. GRAPPLE promised to give £2O, and. Mr. BATTEN guaranteed to raise a like sum.—Other resolu tions, chiefly .of a complimentarytharacter, were spoken to by Mr. SPENCE, the Rev. Mr. BANNismit,"and Mr. BRAKELL, and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chair •man, acknowledged by Mr. GREGSON. The following donations were announced at the close of the meeting towards the supply of beds, &c. :—Mr. Gregson' £2O; Mr. Chapple, • £2O ; Mr. Edward Higgin, :020 ; Mr. Samuelson, £5. AT the meeting of the Photographic Society, on Tuesday night, it was statedthat in future•the meetings will be held in the Royal Institution, by which a saving of £2O a-year will be 'effected. FATAL BURNING THROUGH VTR INCAUTIOUS ..IJSR OF LUCIFER MATCHES.—Yesterday an inquest was hold on the body of John Edward Blackbaru,,aged six years, son of. Joseph Blackburn, residing in Mann-street. On Saturday morning the boy was left in bed by his mother, who went down stairs to get breakfast ready, and shortly after she was called up by him, and found his ifight-clothes on fire. He was so severely burned that he died the same day. Some lucifer matches had been left in the bed-room, and the deceased said he lighted one of them by rubbing it against a piece of paper, and acci dentally set his bed-clothes on fire. The jury returned a ver dict of Accidental death." LIVERPOOL SAVINGS' BANK.—We.2Te glad to learn that considerable improvements have recently been made in our local Savings' Bank. The object of the managers is to afford to depositors as many facilities as , possible, and we confidently believe that the present order of business is eminently cal culated to produce that end. The nature of the changes made will be sufficiently understood, when we state that the bank is open for .receipt and payment of money, every day in the week, except Thursday, from half-past ten to half-past two, and on Saturday evening from 6to 8 o'clock. Any sum from is. to £3O is received at one time. The notice required pre vious to the withdrawal of money is 7 days =if the sum do not exceed £ls, and 14 days for larger amounts. FIRE.—In our advertising columns of this day will be found a notice, published by direction of tb,e Watch Committee of the borough, informing the public of the different places at which fire-stations have been established. The increasing wants :of the town have for some time demanded that, instead of col 'lecting all the apparatus of the fire-police at a fewrentral spots, -they should be distributed over .all parts of the borough. tiWhen a fire breaks , oat it is of the utmost consequence that ifthejmeans of its extinguishment should be immediately ap plied ; the activity and zeal of our fire-brigade are,well known, and we are happy to find that their usefulness will be further promoted by the liberal supply of stations, machines, &c., to which we have referred. We would recommend our readers to cut oat the advertisement, and cause is to be affixed to some conspicuous place in their dwellings, that all the inmates may know,where to apply for assistance, should such a calamity as fire happen to occur. BANICRUPTCY Conar.—,Re Thomas Hunter : The bank rupt a joiner and builder, in Liverpool, being unopposed, on Wednesday obtained a firit.elass certificate.—Re John Crfp- Thishankrupt came up before Mr. Commissioner Perry for his certificate, and for examination of witnesses. Mr. Snell was examined respecting certain advances alleged to have been made by the bankrupt to .a Mr. Hudson, of this town, who .claims to be the heir of the dukedom of Devon shire. From the examination, it appeared that Mr. Crippin had advanced some hundreds of pounds to assist Hudson in carrying on thesuit. Mr. Evans, on the part of the assignees, and a gentleman from the office of Messrs. Fletcher and Hull, addressed the court in opposition to thecertificate, after which the case was further adjourned to Saturday, when the case was adjourned sine.die to give the bankrupt an opportunity for obtaining a re-examination. SCOTT v. THE COAFORATION OF LIVERFOOL.—In the Vice 'Chancellor's Court, on Saturday, the ease of Scott v. the Cor poration of Liverpool was heard. This was a suit instituted by the plaintiff, a contractor, for an aceount of certain works which he had executed far the corporation, and for the purpose of obtaining payment of the money owing to him in respect of such works. To this suit the engineer of the corporation, Mr. Hawkesley, was made a party, and it was alleged against him by the bill that he had improperly withheld his certificate of the execution of the works, whereby the plaintiff had lost a considerable sum of money. The cause now came on for argument upon a demurrer put in by Mr. Hawkesley, for whom it was contended that he was not a necessary or proper party to the suit. The Vice-Chancellor was of opinion that there was nothing in the terms of the contract which could preclude the plaintiff from making Mr, Hawkesley a party to this suit. CO:IDLE RCIAL and 11101VET4R1 7 NEWS ' LATEST NEWS. MONDAY NIGHT. IT would appear by the decline in the value of the . Public Funds, and which is attributed to the expected failure of the attempted renewal of negotiations for peace, that more weight has been attached to them than they at any time deserved. The feeling, no doubt, is, that a continuance of the war will necessarily require another loan, by which so much more stock will be thrown upon the market, a consequence of the present state of affairs which might long since have been anticipated. At the same time, it may fairly be presumed that the Bank Charter Act of 1844 will undergo discussion in parliament, and a modification of it may be the means of considerably relieving the present monetary pressure. The bank returns published on Friday show another decrease in the stock of bullion of £283,234, and as there is also an increase in the actual circulation of £200,190, the decrease in the reserve of notes unem ployed is £443,475, leaving a balance of £5,520,375. The public deposits have decreased £329,397, while other deposits have increased £245,328, so that the changes are comparatively trifling. The next account will probably show a still larger decrease in bullion, owing to the payment of the dividends, but this cir cumstance will also tend to render money out of doors easier. The arrivals of specie during the week have been only about £lOO,OOO, whilst the exports have ex ceeded that amount. The return from the Bank of England for the week ending the 3rd January gives the following results, when compared with the previous week : Public Deposits ... £5,514,535 ; Decrease... £329,397 Other Deposits ... 12,607,840 ; Increase ... 245,328 Rest ... 3,285,323; Increase ... 49,995 On the other side of the account : Government Securities.. £10,827,515; Increase ... £402,223 Other Securities ...... 19,871,874; Increase ... 94,014 Notes unemployed ...... 5,520,375; Decrease ... 443,475 The amount of notes in circulation is £18,900,805, being an increase of £200,190, and the stock of bullion in both departments is £10,536,909, showing a decrease of £283,234 when compared with the preced ing return. IBY ELECTRIC & INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPHS.] LONDON, Monday Aright. THE WAR. DESPATCH FROM GENERAL CODRINGTON. The Gazette contains a despatch from General Codrington-, dated Ist Jan., enclosing the copy of a letter from Omar Pasha, addressed to General Simpson, in acknowledgment of a despatch from him, dated the 30th October, announcing Her Majesty's intention to bestow the Crimean medal on the Ottoman troops, also enclosing the weekly medical report. Omer Pasha expresses his appreciation of the most gracious condescension of Her Majesty. Dr. Hall reports that the health of the army continues very satisfactory: There was an absence of serious disease, and although the admissions under head and chest affections, and frost bites, were numerous, they were generally slight. The few serious cases were all caused by exposure when drunk. The Land Transport Corps still enjoyed less health than the troops, and more than one-half the deaths for the week had occurred in that corps alone. The admissions for the week were 1,271, and the deaths 36, against admissions, 1,423, and deaths 40, for the preceding seven days. ISSUE DEPAMT3iENT. Notes issued ... £24,421,180 Governmt. Debt £11,016,100 Other Securities 3,459,900 Gold coin & bull'n. 9,946,180 Silver bullion 824,421,180 £24,421,180 BANKING DEPARTMENT. Prop. Capital ... £14,553,0001G0v. Securities £1 0 ,8 2 7, 515 Rest ... ... 3,285,323rher Securities 19,871,874 Public Deposits 5,514,535 Notes ... 5,520,375 Other Deposits 12,607,840 Gold & Silver Coin 590,729 7-day & other bills 849,795 £36,810,4931 £36,810,493 OUR SHIRE MARKET has been very dull and inactive all the week, and prices have been declining almost daily. The operations, however, causing this have been almost altogether those of the dealers selling in anticipation of a new loan. Local stocks are in de mand for investment, and maintain their prices fully. We annex prices :—Eastern Counties, 8t; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 751 6 ; London and North Western, 931 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 23 ; Midland, 63 ; South Eastern, 16 15-16 ; Great Western of Canada, 241 ; Luxembourg preference 5 per cent. bonds, 3; Liverpool and London Fire and Life, 6p ; Royal Insurance, Lip. COTTON.—The market during the week has been dull, and prices have declined about -e i d to Id per lb., owing chiefly to the continued tightness of the Money market, and the apprehension of a further advance in the Bank of England rate of discount. The sales for the week up to Friday amounted to 45,020 bales, of which 2,750 were taken on speculation, and 3,890 for -export, leaving 38,380 for the trade. TO-DIY the advices by the Asia were received too late to have any influence on the market. The sales amounted to 7,000 bales, including 1,500 for speculation, and prices were without alteration. The following is a comparison of -present rates with those of the corresponding period last year : New Orleans, middling 1855 1856 .. 5 1-16 5 7-16 52 6 .. 415-16 a ... Upland, middling „ fair.—.. SALES. IMPORTS. St'OEIC (---.....--, f ----. A---, ---.. liEscittr rioN. PRICES., Year. Week , Previ- Week Th i s lending f ously ending Jan.ll tJan. 11. this yr. Jan.ll. I_ -- Sea Island Stained Boweds Mobile 4‘ 52, 3870 4510 1 24296 38851 New Orleans 4i 77}1 16450: 7710 1 •Pernams, &c 6} 72 700 1020 .... 403 21190 Bahia, &c. Maran ham sg 6j 950. 140 .... .... 21130 Demerara, &c 6ir lO ...- .... .... 740 Egyptian si Ba. 1870 980 530 530 45970 Com.Vir.l.&c 4i 350 .... .... .... 2300 Surat 3724 77530 Madras Bengal ,---- -- -- --, 1 45020 23720, 27484 52588 418800 MARKETS FOR MANUFACTURES. MANCHESTER.—The demand has been more languid this week than for some time past. As regards prices they have been pretty well maintained. The general absence of stocks, and the orders in hand in some quarters, prevented much anxiety on the part of producers to make sales; and though in most cases some concession has been accepted, there has not been any momentous decline. Perhaps id per lb will fairly represent the full decline in the value of yarn : and in some descriptions these reductions have not occurred, though in most, buyers have the turn in their favour. The demand for the Mediterranean continues pretty active, but for India there has been but little doing. For China and Germany also only a very limited inquiry is experienced. Manufacturers are cautious in their ,purchases, and only buy small lots, in the expectation of reduced rates. Goods have only been in limited request. and , a slight concession does not seem to induce opera tions. India shirtings have been dull of sale, and are lower. Printing cloths are less in demand, whilst T cloths, long cloths, and domestics, are not in much inquiry.—Manchester aurier. _ . ROCHDALE.—WooI: Prices remain firm, and in some cases a shade higher has been given than last week.—Flannel: There is little alteration from last week in home made goods. On the whole, in Yorkshire goods there has been an improve ment. Several London buyers have been in town, and have given a little activity to business. BRA.DFORD.—WOOL: The demand for some weeks past has been beyond the wants of the consumers, who are in better supply than for some time; and as they cannot continue their purchases, except at higher prices, they are only adding such articles as will assort their stocks ; and the business done this week is under an average.—Yarns : The spinners are generally working full time, and that to order, but chiefly on old contracts, which, at the current price of wool, would be a decided loss. There is no disposition to accept new orders, except at higher prices, which are not willingly conceded.— Pieces : The advanced price of yarns has rendered this branch of the trade profitless. Unless a corresponding improvement can be realised, the production must be still further curtailed, and already there are large quantities of looms totally idle. LEEDS.—We have this week bad rather brisk markets at our Cloth Halls, and the deliveries direct from the manufac tories have been to a larger extent than for some time past. For the India and China markets there is no alteration in prices. The stocks are low, and the mills generally are well employed. Many of the larger buyers have been in the town this week, and although their purchases have not been large, yet, on the whole, business has been better than usual so early in the year. NOTTINGIIIM.—Hosiery : In most branches of the hosiery trade there is a fair and healthy business doing, and this por tion of our staple manufactures is in as healthy a condition as could reasonably be expected, considering the many depressing circumstances which are in operation.—Lace : we have little variation in the condition of the lace trade to report. There is an absence of excitement, and although a few buyers have made their appearance in the market, the trade is very quiet. —Nottingham Journal. AT THE LIVERPOOL Corm , or PASSAGE, last week, George Patrick Rooney, joiner and builder, of Upper Parliament street, obtained a verdict for £2lO from Mr. Richard Hutchin son, surgeon, Upper Stanhope-street, for work done and material supplied. The defendant had employed plaintiff to build a house and offices at the corner of Catherine-street; but, after the work had been proceeded with some time, the defendant withdrew from the contract, on the plea that the house would not be finished by the time specified, iu conse quence of the plaintiff's delay. THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS: The Times' Vienna correspondent writes, on Monday morn ing,—" The Emperor of Austria displays great firmness, and insists on the unconditional acceptance of the proposals of which Count Esterhazy was the bearer." The Times' correspondent thinks there are chances still of an arrangement. Count Nesselrode's reply, containing coun ter propositions, was couched in terms extremely mild and conciliatory. When, however, Count Buol learnt that Russia did not accept the propositions "purely and simply," he sent instructions to Prince Esterhazy to at once break off all diplomatic relations. The writer cannot say whether Prince Esterhazy was ordered to demand his passports and quit St. Petersburg, but the rupture of relations with Austria, the Times' corres pondent is assured to be a fact. May it not be safely conjec tured that Austria's unwonted energy may _induce Russia to approach still nearer to the demands of the Allies, and that the difference will be narrowed so as to' be little more than one of words, when the Allies and Russia might agree to split such difference. In Paris, therefore, the news of the impres sion made at St. Petersburg by the rupture of relations with Austria is awaited with impatience. The Times' Paris correspondent is told that the English Government has been asked by France, whether they can supply vessels for the conveyance of a French force, amount ing to 80,000 men, 6,000 horses, and 100 guns. It is not said for what point, but there can hardly be a doubt that it is for the Baltic. The Times has letters from its correspondent with the army of the Caucasus, down to the 20th of December. They give particulars of Omar Pasha's difficulties, caused by bad weather ; also details of his retreat. The Russians did not molest him. The Times' Crimean letter, of Jan. Ist, is entirely devoid of interest. Health, abundance, and comfort, reigned through out the camp. Letters from the Sandwich Islands state that a French whaler had been chased for two days in the neighbourhood of the Kurilles Islands, by a Russian corvette, which she escaped in a snow storm. THE FUNDS, STOCK, AND SHARE IitARKET. The news this morning from Vienna caused the English Funds to open lower ; but upon the impression that Austria would now act with decision, a rally of per cent. ensued, which was subsequently supported. Railways more active, and in the afternoon showed a tendency to advance. Land, Bank, and Foreign Stocks, little changed. CLOSING PRICES. Consols, Account B6l i I Bank Stock 2051 7i Do. Money — Mgr. Bills, L.S., Three per Cents. - 2 Omnium — FOREIGN STOCKS. Mexicans l9l 20 Turkish Russian 1)o. Canada Land l2O 5 Do. (new) SHARES. London, Brighton, and South Coast 93 4 London &N. Western 934 London &S. Western B4 5 Manchester, Shelf., and • _ _ Lincolnshire.... 22* 2 Midland Stock 621 3i North British 2B 9 Do. Preference 9S 100 North Staffordshire • 9 9i S. Eastern and Dover s6it York, Newcastle, and Berwicit * 66 7 York and N. Midland 44 5 ,HARE& Peel River N.B. Australasian Van Diemen's .. R A I LWA A mbergate,Nottingbarn, and E. Junction Caledonian Do. Preference Eastern Counties East Lancashire. 69 70 Edinburgh & Glasgow 5O 2 Great Northern BBi 9i Do. A. . 73 4 Do. B. ll9 21 Great Western Lanc. and Yorkshire 76i Do. Fifths Leeds Northern l2l Australian Agricultural 26 8 S. Australian Invest Crystal Palace 2 After official hours, Consols remained very steady, notwith. standing the unfavourable tenor of the President's Message. Railways also finally close at the best. Ou 'Change, little business. Tallow, 675. 9d. to 68s. on the spot. Scotch Pig Iron, 765. Spelter unaltered. Linseed Oil, 425. 6d. to 425. 9d. LONDON Colo . MAinzeT.— (From Kingsford and Lay's Circular.)—The supply of English Wheat is small, and the condition being bettter than of late, enabled factors to obtain an advance of 2s. upon the quotations of this day week. The little business transacted in Foreign was at last week's prices. Barley, Beans, and Peas are each is. qer qr. dearer. Oats, a steady trade at late rates. Country Flour brings an advance of is. to 2s. per sack, and barrels meet a fair sale at the ex treme prices of last week. ARRIVALS. English. Irish. Scotch. FOreitn. Wheat 5BOB 25 1977 - Barley 10829 72 170 - - 1 , 41a1t 22150 20 Oats 6915 199 - 415 37928 - Beans Peas — -- Flour METROPOLITAN CATTLE 3IARRET.—Beef, 3s to 5s ; Mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 10d; Veal, 4s 8d to 5s 8d ; Pork, 4s 2d to ss. Beasts, 3,841; Sheep and Lambs, 29,160; Calves, 116 ; Pigs, 600. Arrivals :—Holland Beasts, 525 ; Ditto Sheep, 690 ; Ditto Calves, 82; Scotch Beasts, 400; Norfolk and Suffolk Beasts, 2,000; Cambridge, Leicester, Lincoln, and Northamp• ton Beasts, 400; Irish Beasts, 150.—Beast trade firm at last Monday's prices ; Sheep cheaper ; Calf trade better. LONDON PRODUCE MARKEL —Sugar : Rather more doing at previous rates ; few public sales declared. Coffee dull : prices barely supported; several parcels announced for auc tion. Tea bought cautiously—sound common Congou, ad. to 9d. Rice : Larger demand—Madras, to arrive, 14s. to 14s. 3d., paid. Tallow firm : Fine new P. Y. C., 868. 6d. on the spot. MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE. — Lancashire and York. shire, 76 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 281 ; South Eastern, 17. LATEST SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Henry,ane from , ofiruii Maryport wrec t o wreck ed ed a tElsElsinore. Jane, Marseilles : believed to have foundered. The Superb was totally lost in the Black Sea : all hands, excepting, the captain, drowned. RAMSGATE, 13Th.—The Thomas Forrest, from Shields, was assisted in, nearly full of water. MALAGA, JAW. I.—Nautilus, from Sunderland, after dis charging most of her cargo, sunk in the harbour. CALCUTTA, DEC. B.—Glorioso, from London, has great part of her cargo damaged ; Juan Fernandez, for London, got ashore—shifted cargo, is discharging, and must be docked. HAMBURG, DEC. 12 . — Weather again frosty, and much' young ice formed. The steamer Pollux, from London, is only able to get as far as the lowest part of Altona. A telegraphic despatch from Galatz, dated 31st Dec., states that the ice in the Danube had become firm, and at that place and Ibraila about 50 ships were frozen in, as well as all the others between those places and Salina. At the Salina Mouth there were from 400 to 500 vessels, which, owing to a want of lighters and to contrary winds, could not get out to BETTING AT TATTERSALL'S—This Dlr. CRESTER Cur.-1,000 to 30 agst Coroner, tk ; 40 to 1 r.gst Imogene, tk freely ; 50 to 1 agst Fatalist, tk ; 1,000 to 16 each agst Fandango, Yorkshireman, Aleppo, Yorkshire Grey, and Maid of the Moon—all tk ; 1,000 to 10 each agst Chicken (Irish), Epaminondas, Cotutenay, and Simony—all tk. Two TRW:TURD GIIINEAS.-4 to 1 agat Ply-by -Night, off. LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE.--7 to 1 agst Black Swan and Harry Lorrequer, coupled. DERBY. - 9'i to 1 agst Ply-by-Night, off; Bto 1 agst Went worth, to £4OO ; 13 to 1 agat Yellow Jack, tk ; 9 to 1 agst Ellington, off; 14 to 1 agst Rogerthorpe, tk and off; 20 to 1 agst Polmoodie, tk ; 60 to 1 agst Aleppo, tk. CI:MIMI" STEEPLE CHASE. —Postponed till the 17th o r 18th. LI Par' Dn ient igreea v erpo° l Board' w ere ttheil by, lie et, ?a-