The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-12 00:00:00

I THE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1856. Ribtrpool '-tanba-rb, FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. MONDAY AIONNING. HER Ninny' and the Court return to Londen in the course of to-day, the royal sojourn at Buckingham Palace being to extend till the 22nd of March, the day after Good Friday, when the QUEEN will return to Windsor, to spend the Easter recess at the Castle. Among the regal notabilities of the past week has been the institution of a new Order of Merit, and the promulgation of the rules by which it is to be regulated. This, when first spoken of as a matter in contem plation, was looked on as a vigorous step in the right direc tion, and the project was hailed by a general acclaim of welcome. Henceforth, merit was to have an acknowledged official position, and everyone rejoiced in " the good time coming." In this, as in numerous other instances, it has been found that 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view. A closer inspection of the " Order of Merit" denudes it of many of the golden rays of promise with which expectation had invested it. The " Victoria Cross," the badge of the new Order, it is provided " shall only be awarded to those officers or men who have served in presence of the enemy, and shall have performed some signal act of valour or devotion to their country." From this it is evident, that although the distinc- tion will be bestowed without regard to rank or station, no merit will be recognised by it which is not of a military cha racter. Many shrewd, and not over-caustic observers, remark an anomalous and absurd practice in a nation which owes so much to a cultivation of the arts of peace, and which is de cidedly of a non-military character, resolutely shutting its eyes, and refusing to see in its worthiest sons any merit which is not entirely of a military order. To take an example, familiar to all by the recentness of its occurrence, let attention be for a moment directed to the admirable service rendered by the mercantile steam marina of this country, in the con veyance of troops and stores to the seat of war, with a degree of rapidity and regularity hitherto unknown in the history of war. The builders of these steamers, the contri- vers of the mighty engines through the instrumentality of which that invaluable service was performed, are not consi dered to have any claim to recognition in the "Order of Merit." A prophet is of no honour in his own land, and men of science are subjected to like neglect, if not even to more contumely, in Great Britain ; their services are not only unrecognized by the state as of any merit, but worse, if their merit should be espied and honoured by the potentates of other lands, such acknow ledgment of " merit" must be hidden in their own country. Cases directly in point have just occurred. Conspicuous among the contributors to the great Paris Exhibition, were one or two gentlemen belonging to Glasgow, and so striking were their contributions, in point of excellence, that the EM PEROR, of the FRENCH conferred on them the Order of the Legion of Honour; those gentlemen were ROBERT NAPIER, the unrivalled maker of marine steam-engines ; Jonx TEN NANT, of St. Rollox, proprietor of the largest chemical works in the world ; and WALTER Cnum; the highly scientific calico-printer. These men, although considered worthy of decoration, by a foreign sovereign, have no claim upon the "Cross of Victoria," the badge of the "Order of Merit" of their own country ; but worse, they are forbidden to wear the order of distinction, which their merits have earned for them, among strangers. Our gallant allies have their Legion of Honour, into which men of every profession, whether civil or military, may be admitted, the claim to admission being merit ; the British Sovereign has been advised to institute a "new Order of Merit," from which every kind of merit, save that of a strictly military character, is carefully excluded. Verily, as Sterne says, " They manage these things better in France," Doubt has been expressed relative to the new Order, in several quarters, on another account than that already glanced at. Some affect to fear that it will be put in lieu of that incentive to heroism, promotion from the ranks, which has so recently been introduced with such happy results and so favourable augury into the British army; if this suspicion prove well-founded, the "New Order of Merit" will speedily be discovered to be no great boon to the army, while it is entirely useless as respects any branch of civil employment. To anticipate dissatisfaction, or to prog nosticate mischance in a case where the movement has been admittedly in the right direction, is no wise policy nor any generous act; and so hoping for the most favourable result from an institution, the want of which has been long felt and frequently complainel of, the general public will watch with curious scrutiny, and see how the "Victoria Crosses" are bestowed; and will accord fitting honour to those whose breast is decorated with the coveted badge. - The Parliamentary "sayings and doings" of the past week have been notable in more respects than one: A great sensa tion was created in the House of Commons on Monday evening by the sweeping measure introduced by Mr. ROBERT LOWE, the member for Kidderminster, and Vice-President of the Board of Trade. Every one felt that the proposal for abolishing Town-dues upon goods imported into seaports was specially levelled at Liverpcol, although—with the cunning peculiar to the Manchester school of politics—he contrived to mix up one or two other ports along with the great maritime emporium of Europe. The antecedents of Mr. Lows would have induced many to think that one wedded to a daughter of the ()REEDS of Aigburth would not have been desirous of despoiling the town in which the wealth of that family was accumulated; and not a few considered that his not very remote interest in the Weaver tonnage dues would have restrained his hand in making an onslaught on the Liverpool Town-dues. All who thought or agreed in this line, laboured under a delusion ; and whatever reasons may have existed for his following a contrary course of action, in him the Liverpool corporation " Found not a generous friend, a pitying foe." The measure which he introduced on Monday night, in a speech of keen, cold, unsympathising hardness, is one of great import ance to the threatened localities—of little or no significance to the nation. It is generally believed and said iu the Club circles to be an emanation from the spleen of Mr. CARDWELL, excited by the ejection of that consistent "personal patriot" from the mis-representation of Liverpool. The project is said to have been hatched nearly to maturity by him, and on his quitting office to have been imparted to the Manchester plotter against the interests of its seaport. These gentlemen, in turn, ever on the alert to secure what will mortify their rivals, if they cannot also benefit themselves, perceived in the CARDWELL pet a measure which would serve the first of these purposca, and they set themselves with might and main to compass its adoption by the legislature. In this object they have been so far successful as to enlist a subordinate govern ment official on their side, and the display of Monday night has been the consequence. In dealing with the alleged facts of the case, Mr, LOWE displayed a large amount of careful and somewhat showy cramming ; but was evidently not at all well up in his lesson. In taking up the gage of battle in defence of the Liverpool Town-dues, Mr. HonsFALL appeared to great advantage. His ready coolness of manner, and the aptitude of his illustrative arguments told well with the House, and has established for him a position which many men of equal talent and far greater Parliamentary experience have failed to attain. It was immediately felt that he understood the subject, and could grapple with its details, while he was also manifestly able to comprehend and unravel the sophistries by which the Vice-President of the Board of Trade sought to disguise the real nature of the question at issue. The demoli tion of Mr. LowE's assertion as to the bad sanitary condition of Liverpool, was very happily done, while, at the same time, it afforded Mr. HORSFAIL the opportunity of paying a grace ful tribute to the professional skill and natural sagacity of Mr. NEWLANDS, the Borough Engineer, whose services in carrying out the sanitary arrangements of the British camp in the Crimea, have not hitherto met with that publicity of acknowledgment which they are admittedly entitled to. The - few but well ordered remarks of Mr. HORSFALL told well, and considerably reduced the pretentious dimensions of Mr. Lows, who in his reply considerably modified several of his most showy averments. The question, however, is too momentous a one to be treated hastily, and the enemy too unscrupulous and untiring to ad mit of apathy on the part of those who should strengthen the hands of their representative. The Manchester men will exert all their influences, and bring all their wiles to bear in favour of the measure. In addition to this, Mr. LOWE, by declaring his bill a Free-trade measure, will have secured the votes of many members who take names for things, and are satisfied to be saved the trouble of thinking by being fur nished with a plausible pretext for recording what can be represented as a popular vote. These constitute considerable odds against a question which is made to turn upon legal right, and against which the ad captandurn rulgus plea of diminished imposts can be so readily yet so groundlessly directed. The House of Peers presented an unusually brilliant and interesting appearance on Thursday night, great attraction being found in the.e.spected debate upon Lord LYNDHURST'S motion for referring the question of life peerages to a com mittee of privileges. At five o ' clock , th e a tt en d ance o f p eers and visitors of distinction was very great, and the array of strangers behind the woolsack and below the bar was such as is but rarely witnessed. The qkiestion to be debated was the constitutional legality or illegality of the patent for creating Baron PA.nicr a peer for life. The matter has excited much iAterest, and no small amount of discussion in the various aristocratic, 'parliamentary, and legal circles, and the utmost anxiety'svas evinced to hear the venerable Lord LYNDIIURST open his case against the Government. The attendance of peeresses: was not so numerous as has frequently been the case, when an important debate was pending, occasioned, no doubt, by the greatly diminished space allotted to their accommoda tion since Lord REDESDALE complained that the house was so filled with ladies that it looked like a casino ; among those present were the Duchess of ARGYLL and Viscountess PAL 3IERSTON. Many foreigners of distinction were present, in cluding the MAHARAJAH -DHULEEP SING, who now attires himself in European costume. The members of the House of Commons mustered in great force, and were there represented by Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. LAYARD, and other men of mark among the various sections of the people's house. The tall, ' thin, and elegant figure of Sir FREDERICK THESIGER was striking and conspicuous as he stood listening with evident satisfaction and reverence to the speech of Lord LYNDHURST. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE and several other members of the judicial bench were among the privileged auditors stationed about the steps leading to the throne. When the venerable nobleman rose to speak every eye was rivetted on his person, and all ears were eagerly attentive to his eloquence. For a considerable time past Lord LYNDHURST I has abstained from senatorial conflict, and the knowledge that he was to reappear in the arena, added to the importance of an occasion, otherwise felt to be one of uncommon interest. - In personal appearance, Lord LYNDHURST has suffered less from the assaults of time than from his great age —now eighty four years—and the extremely laborious life he has led might have been expected. He is still tall, and is as courtly in his demeanour as ever. He stands erect, and although somewhat slow in his perSonal movements, his mental faculties are still alert and vigorous. His voice is yet obedient to his nicely modulated ear; and although some of fine aural organization affected to detect slight musical inaccuracies in his intonation, the display lie made on Thursday evening was one, in all re spects, worthy of the first senatorial assemblage in the world Calm, self-possessed, and clear, he delivered himself of a lengthened address, remarkable alike for its vast historical knowledge, its lucid arrangement, and the convincing character of the arguments founded on the cases quoted. He admitted that the subject under debate was one re quiring much delicacy in handling, lest it should assume, on the one hand, the implication of personal dislike to the subject involved in it, or on the other might infer a desire to limit the just and indefeasible prerogatives of the crown. Against the first he appealed in eloquent and con vincing terms to the great personal worth and professional eminence of Sir JAMES PARKE, declaring his conviction that that distinguished individual was in every respect deserving of the peerage ; but further that he was entitled to a full and not a stunted share of the honours inferred in such a dis tinction. As regards the exercise of the royal prerogative, he frankly admitted that the creation of a life peerage was not an illegal stretch of the prerogative, further than that he showed that it was far from unprecedented. His tour de force however lay in the argument, which he supported with great logical clearness, that such an exercise of the prerogative was unconstitutional, inexpedient, and dangerous. The ques tion as put and successfully argued by his lordship was, whether a Minister of the Crown, almost invariably the organ and instrument of the House of Commons, shall or shall not be entitled at will to modify and mould the upper House of Parliament into obedience to his wishes by such a creation of I life or temporary peerages, as would denude it of its con ' stitutional independence. " The hereditary principle of this house" said his lordship "is a great and important advantage. It strengthens our desire to support the stability and con stitutional powers of the house. The hereditary principle is entwined with every part of our constitution. We in this house .enjoy hereditary rights in common with the crown. We mutually support and assist each other. As hereditary legislators, we form a barrier and a defence to both branches of the constitution ; to proteet them from danger, from what ever cause it may come." " The hereditary peerage," says an able constitutional writer, " is, in same degree, a check to the power of creating new peers—whereas peerages for life would obviously be liable to be given away with far less caution and reserve. A peerage for life would probably be used as a retirement and reward for the mere creatures of the Ministry, and inefficient or worn out functionaries, and a Minister would be enabled at any time to gain an ascendancy in the Upper. House by a sufficient infusion of his own adherents." The defence of the life peerage project was left principally in the hands of Earl GRANVILLE and the LORD CHANCELLOR, the latter of whom took upon himself the entire responsibility of recommending the creation, he not having consulted with the law advisers of the crown upon the subject. He laboured arduously to defend the principle of life peerages, and laid much stress on the bare legality of the proceeding as admitted by Lord LYNDHURST. The Earl of DERBY supported the motion for referring the patent of the Wensleydale peerage to a committee of privileges, which was in effect to condemn life peerages. All the law lords who spoke on the subject, except the LORD CHANCELLOR, ex pressed themselves as adverse to the creation of life peerages; Lords CAMPBELL and ST. LEONARD'S declaring their convic tion that such peerages are illegal. The discussion, which was a protracted and unusually animated one, did not terminate until nearly three o'clock, when Lord ImsDnunsfs motion was carried by a majority of thirty-three. Whether the affair will end in an extension of the patent for the Wensleydale peerage into one of the ordinary form or not, is still gravely debated by those who profess sonic knowledge in the tactique of parliamentary proceedings. Some of these gentlemen pro fess to foresee a stormy debate on the same subject in the ' House of Commons as looming in the not distant future. Upon what ground the discussion in that quarter is to be based they do not state. The same night which witnessed so arduous a contest among the Lords was one onwhich considerable " expectation" hung, in the Commons. Sir CHARLES NAPIER. had a notice on the paper, by which he hoped to " pitch into" the late First Lord of the Admiralty. The veteran " salt" made his appearance early, armed with lots of papers and heaps of documents, with which he meant to rake Sir JAMES " fore and aft." He was evidently made up for mishief, and seemed like young Norval - in a proper mood To chide the thunder, it at him it roared ; but he was disappointed, motions having preference of priority cccupied so much of the sitting, that the gallant Admiral had to postpone his long-threated castigation of Sir JAMES GRAIIAM for another week. During the week several matters, important in a parlia mentary sense, have taken place out of doors. Not a few of the vacant parliamentary scats have been filled up, several of them re-electing their former, and a considerable number- re ceiving new occupants. At Leeds the Right Hon. T. M. BAINES was returned without opposition on Wednesday, as was also, on the same day, Mr. SAMUEL WARREN, Q.C., for Midhurst. Mr. WARREN is new to parliament ; and in his address to his constituents, after his election, the learned gentleman declared his strict adherence to the constitutional party, at the head of which stands the Earl of DERRY, In the person of Mr. WARREN the electors of Midhurst have paid a graceful tribute to literature and mental culture by electing him their representative. To a clear and sagacious intellect, highly tutored and refined, Mr. WARREN adds sound religious and political views, warm sympathies, and an ardent wish to benefit his fellow-men. As an able constitu tional and practical lawyer his accession to the legislature must prove highly valuable ; but as an honourable and honoured member of the republic of letters, his admission to the senate must be hailed as a triumph of no mean or trivial order. The Cambridge University election made favourable progress ; and, so far as appearances could warrant conjecture, the return of Mr. WALPOLE was from the first beyond the reach of danger. This was tardily acknowledged by his oppo nent. On the close of Saturday's poll, the Hon. Mr. DENMAN withdrew from the contest, leaving Mr. WALPOEE master of the field, and member for the University of Cambridge. The Edinburgh constituency have indirectly lent their imprimatur. to the promotion of the literary element in the legislature.by "the election of Mr. BLAcR, au extensive and respectable bookseller and publisher, as their representative, in the room of Mr. 31ACAULAT, which they did ou Friday last. THE SABBATH QUESTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sitt,—l have on more than one occasion, in the columns of your paper, recorded my protest as a Churchman against the slothful and irreligious custom which prevails in Liverpool of shutting up the churches and chapels on the afternoon of the Lord's-day, and thus practically depriving many of the aged and Infirm, as well as children and servants, of the only op portunity or which they can avail themselves for attending public worship, and d r i v i ng many others to seek employment or amusement in wandering about the streets and outskirts of the town. The consequences of this most inexcusable apathy to the wants of the people, on the part of the clergy, are now begin ning to manifest themselves iu the denial of the sacredness of the Sabbath, and the demand for legalized amusement in those hours which the ministers of religion have so lo ng abandoned to every man's own devices. It may seem a hard and hasty judgment to throw on th e clergy the blame of the Sabbath desecration movement, and it is not in anger but in sorrow that Ido so — the proof of its justness appears in the fact, that itis chiefly in London and Liverpool, and one or two other large towns, that this move ment has arisen and is progressing, that is—in the very places where the clergy think proper to shut up the churches on half the Sabbath-day. In the smaller towns there are, al most everywhere, three services on the Lord's-day, even when there is but one officiating minister ; but here, with two clergymen to almost every church, two services only are attempted, Can we wonder that Popery and Secularism, if not positive infidelity, are progressing with such rapid strides? Can we wonder that they take advantage of a state of thingS so evidently in their favour, and clamour for the secularization of the Sabbath, with as much earnestness as they contend for the secularization of national education ? And can we be surprised if they succeed in both ? We, as churchmen, have abandoned our high and holy principles, have ceased publicly to instruct the -young and ignorant in the duty of keeping God's commandments by catechising in the church, and we need not wonder that we are now told that to keep the Sab bath•day holy is incompatible with the spirit of the age in which we live. From the total absence of all reverence for revealed religion which characterises the writings put forth by the advocates of Sabbath desecration, it is evident that it would be a' mere waste of time to attempt to reason with such writers—one can have no - common ground to stand upon —they can neither understand one's principle nor appreciate one's motives. It is important, therefore, that, to arrest the progress of the evil, all ministers of evangelical religion, of whatever denomination, should set themselves earnestly to the-task of fortifying the faith of their own people, and , urging them to endeavour, each in his own sphere, to inculcate the sacred duty of keeping holy the Sabbath-day. , It may be that this attempt to violate the sanctity of God's 'holy day, and set at nought His word, will cause religious men to forget some of their differences, and lead them . to see that the gratification of their unholy rivalries has, given their enemies an advantage over them. The moving spirit in this matter is the Papist. Cardinal Wiseman suggested the open ing of the National Gallery on Sundays, two years ago. Mr. Vincent Scully, an Irish Romanist, now makes the motion in the House of Commons. These are . ardently seconded by the Socinian body, and by that portion of the democratic press which delights in nothing so much as weakening the autho rity of law and order, whether human or divine, and can con ceive no higher gratification than the scattering of a church or the overthrow of a throne. Shall these—the Papist, the Socinian, and the "Revolutionist—succeed ? The religious mind of England must answer the question. For the encouragement of those who may be moved by what I have written to exert themselves on the side of religion, I will conclude by quoting the Divine promise to his people of old (Isaiah lviii., 13, 14) :—" If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath,from doing thy pleasure on ray holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words : then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, VOX. PROSELYTISH. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sfu,—The church of Rome has lately been boasting much of the accession made to her ranks by the perversion of some members of our Protestant communions ; and that she should be able to instance many such cases is not at all surprising, at least to those who are acquainted with the means she employs to effect this object. I shall, with your permission, detail the circumstances attending an attempt at proselytism made a few days ago by a holy father, not far from the docks. A Protestant was engaged working in the docks, and caught cold from repeated wettings, and was suffering from inflam mation. Three of his fellow-workmen, who were -Roman Catholics, brought the priest to see him, and, leaving his reverence with the sick man, retired. The father confessor began his operations at once, and having delivered a long homily on the necessity of baptism, of which the sick man entertained no doubt whatever, he proceeded to shrive the poor sufferer. He asked him very particularly if he had been in the habit of drinking ardent spirits to excess, also if he were in debt, intending, no doubt, as fully to cancel the guilt of intemperance as the obligation of his debts. Some might, perhaps, say that the holy man's motive in the latter enquiry was not altogether disinterested. Then came ques tions which proved that his reverence had long been engaged in raking up the polluted dunghill of " D. Dens on the Confessional." But, sir, I forbear, and only add that the• sick man is still a Protestant, and lives to tell the story. His wife having providentially entered the room, soon rid the sufferer of such an impertinent intruder. I would wish to procure some employment for the poor fellow elsewhere• than where he has been lately engaged, as I fear on his return to his fellow-workmen they may show him little mercy. If any person, not a Jesuit, should be anxious to help me in• this matter, and should make further enquiry of you, please give him my name.—l remain, your obedient servant, Feb: 9, 1858. MELANCTHUS.. LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL. - r THE quarterly and monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday ; John. Stewart,. Esq., the Mayor, presiding. After a question, put by Mr. Robertson. Gladstone, as to the legality of introducing new matter for discussion at the present Council, without previous notice. (no intimation of this being a quarterly meeting having been macleoni the summons), had been answered in the affirmative by the Town-clerk, the subject of TIIS GOVERN3ftST ITTACK 021' THE LIVERPOOL.TOWN DUES was introduced by Mr. Picrom, who said it had always been considered that any question affecting the privileges of the Council as a public body should take precedence of every other business, he, therefore, seeing, that no other gentleman gave indication of moving in the matter, had been induced to allude to it, deeming the subject of interest paramount to any other, threatening, as it did, serious iniury to the interests and property of the town. (Hear, hear) He considered it expedient and advisable that the chief magistrate should call a town meeting on the subject, that the•opinion of the inha bitants may b fairly taken upon the matter ; and if they were content to sit quietly, and allow themselves to be robbed. of their property, the Council would, at least, be exonerated of blame. His chief object in alluding to. this topic was to ensure that whatever steps were deemed,. expedient to protect that property might be done with promptitude and energy. If there be a proper spirit actuating the inhabitants of this town, they will, as if with one voice, petition. the Houses of Parlia ment, and request to be heard by counsel, and through their representatives, and, by every means in their power, bring the matter in its true• and just light before the legislature and, the country, in doing which they would present a very different view of the case to that contained in the ad captandnnz speech of the Vice-president of the Board of Trade. From that speech it appears that every sum re ceived either from. dock dues or town dues, has been charged against the corporation, while for expenditure on the other," no credit was given beyond that for-a.few paltry items of no real:importance. whatever. Instances are given of vessels having taken part of their cargo onboard in the Birkenhead Docks, and part in the river, being subjected to dock dues ; and this is charged against the corporation; which had nothing to do with the matter. In a leading article in the Time: it is made to appear that nothing bad. ever been done by the cor-• poralion for the commercial interests of the town or of the country beyond the expenditure of the paltry sum of £3,000 or £3,000. Not a word as to the- expenditure of £73,000 for the Revenue-buildings, and land which would be worth two or three times as much more. (Hear, hear.) In London,,it should be known, all these things are constructed at the•ex? pense of the government, while-here we have to pay customs, and to provide a building in which they are to be received. The great lauding-stage also now in construction—that would cost a large sum of money, and would be paid for entirely, by the corporation. Reference bad been made to St. Gcorge's hall as having cost an enormous sum, taken from the-p,ookets of Manchester and other towns in the manufacturing districts. What was that building erected for? To facilitate-the dis pensation of justice in the southern division of the-county of Lancaster, in which Manchester, Bolton, Bury, and the other manufacturing towns in this division of the county. are as. much interestd as Liverpool. Were they to lose sight of the large outlay incurred in, improving the various; avenues of commerce, and to be told that the sums expended in• that manner was of no advantage to the commercial interests of'the country? In conclusion he moved,—" That the• Mayor- be requested to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough, to be held in St. George's-hall, on. an.early day, to consider the course to be pursued in consequenee•of the bill introduced int©, the. House of Commons. by the govern ment for the abolition of passing tolls and reg,ulationsof local charges on shipping, or on goods carried in ships,,and pro posing to abolish such dues without compensationor• equiva lent to this or any other corporation entitled, to. such dues—a measure subversive, of the rights of property, which have hitherto been held. sacred in this country?' - Mr: - Honsort. seconded the motion. Mr. HonmnY expressed a general coreurrence.in the views stated by Mr. Picton, and also concurredwith him in thinking that the matter was of such deep importance that the council should be called together on an early day, when they would have an opportunity of reading the• bill, which would be brought before the house, and considering what stens they should take. _ _ Mr. It GLAMONE made a few remarks on the subject, in which he severely ridiculed the general management of affairs left ha the hands of government, and expressed his conviction, that the attempt of government to usurp the management of the Liverpool town dues was, in itself, so .monstrous and absurd, that the country would not for a moment listen to it. The MAYOR, while concurring in the views expressed as to the importance of the subject, suggested the propriety of wait ing till the bill itself was actually in their hands, before decid ing upon any particular course.of action, otherwise they might resolve on something which might turn out very injudicious.. Considerable discussion ensued as to the best mode of pro ceeding, under the present circumstances of the case; after which, on the understanding that the time for calling a,public meeting be left in the hands of the Mayor, Mr. Pictou's mo tion, with the following addition, was unanimously adopted : "That the bill be referred to the Birkenhead docks committee, with power to add to their number, and that they be. empow ered to take all steps necessary for the protection of the pro perty of the corporation and the interests of the inhabitants; and that the Mayor be authorised to affix the common seal to any petition or other document necessary in the course of the proceedings of the committee." THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The minutes of the proceedings of this committee included a recommendation to increase the salary of Mr. John Surr (auditor in the town-dues office) from £l5O to £lBO per an num; also a recommendation to continue the contract with Mr. Fraser for printing, for one year from the Ist of March next. After some discussion, the question of the printing was referred back to the committee, with instructions to procure tenders for its performance ; and the question of Mr. Surr's salary was postponed till next council. The other matters contained in the minutes were confirmed. WATCH, LIGHTING, AND FIRE PREVENTION COMMITTEE. In moving that the proceedings of this committee be con firmed, Mr. GBEGSON, the chairman, made allusion to the new bill introduced into Parliament for the regulation of the police throughout the country; and the TOWN-CLERK stated he had made arrangements for obtaining a copy of the bill so soon as it was presented. The proceedings were confirmed; as were also those of St. George's-hall committee, in moving which latter it was intimated by Mr. J. H. TURNER, that during the past month the nett sum drawn for letting the hall and other wise had been £229, of which £ll9 16s. had been received for the organ performances. The proceedings of the Dock Committee, of the Improve ment, of the Markets, of the Education, of the Gaol and House of Correction; of the Gardens, and of the Church Ex penditure Committees, were severally confirmed, with the exception of a recommendation from the latter to light with gas the clock of St. Michael's Church. It beinc , now after three o'clock, and the Town-clerk having go to London by the five o'clock train, the remaining proceed ings were adjourned until Wednesday next (to-morrow.) ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE. PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. Ven. Archdeacon Bland to the Rectory of St. Mary-le-Bow, Durham. Rev. C. Bowen, Rector of Revesby, Lincolnshire, to the Rectory of St. Mary's, Cheater. Rev. F. C. Cook, M.A., one of Her Majestv'ti" Inspectors of Schools, to a Prebendal Stall in St. Paul's Cathidtal. Rev. H. J. Hillier, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, to the Vicarage of Cardington, near Bedford. Rev. J. W. Holdsworth, M.A., to the Vicarage of Linton, Kent. Rev. .1. Holley, 8.A., to the Rectory of Barton St. Andrew, Norfolk. Rev. G. R. Moncrieff, M.A., to be one of Her Majesty's In spectors of Schools. Rev. J. Nesbit, 8.A., Curate of Bromley, to the Rectory of Deal. Kent. Rev. R. S. Oldham, M.A., to be Domestic Chaplain to the Right lion. the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. Rev. E. Palin to the Perpetual Curacy of Summertown, hear Oxford. _ _ _ _ Rev. B. Budge, to be Chaplain of the Bridewell Hospital House of Occupations. Rev. E. C. Tit - ylor, M.A., to the Curacy of Doncaster. Rev. H. Tindall, to the Rectory of Bulphan, Essex. Rev. J. Turner, to be Chaplain of Bethlem Hospital. ltev. C. H. Townsend, M.A., to the Curacy of Laverstock, near Salisbury. DIOCESE OF CHESTER. PREVERMENTS. — The Rev. William Henry Hopkins has been licensed by the bishop to the perpetual curacy of St. Paul's Church, Werneth, in the county of Chester, void by the resignation of the Bev. John Rodgers. Patrons, G. and C. Andrew, Esqrs. —The Rev. Edmund Hampson has been licensed to officiate in the Licensed School-room in connexion with Price's Patent Candle Manufactory, Bromborough Pool, Birk enhead, in the county of Chester, on the nomination of the Rev. Charles Barton, incumbent of Bromborough. Dn. TRAVERS TWISS, Vicear-General of the province of Canterbury, has been appointed by the Bishop of Hereford to the chancellorship of that diocese, vacant by the death of Chancellor Corbet. A SUPPLEMENT to the London Gazette contains the regulations and ordinance for the amendment of the statutes of Exeter, Lincoln, and Corpus Christi Colleges, in the Univer sity of Oxford. TEE REV. ALEXANDER WILSON has been appointed secretary (pro tern.), by the Committee of the National Society for Education, during the first canonical residence of the Rev. J. G. Lonsdale, Canon of Lichfield, Secretary to the National Society, Reader at the Temple,. and Chaplain to the Bishop of Lichfield. CONTEMPLATED ATTACK ON TEE 'BUD CITURCIL—EarIy in March, Mr. E. Miall, M.P., will move tlmt the House of Commons resolve itself into a committee, to "consider the temporal provisions made by the law for religions teaching and worship in Ireland." Quin or ANNE'S BOUNTY.—The receipts and payments on Queen Anne's bounty in the year 1854 amounted to £206,060. Of the receipts £14,224 arose from first fruits and tenths, £14,355 from benefactions, £21,872 from the sale of stock, £74,637 from capital income, and £25,685 from the sales of bounty lands and old buildings. On the other hand, £74,820 was paid to the clergy, £12,006 paid for purchase of houses and lands, £28,731 paid for erection of residence houses, £48,706 lent on mortgage to build, &c., glebe houses, and a 6,811 paid for purchase of stock. THE INCITAIIIENar OF DARLINGTON.—The commission is sued by the. Bishop. of Durham, to inquire into charges of drunkenness against the Rev. A. J. Howell, perpetual curate of the parish of Darlington, concluded its investigations on Monday. The Ven. Archdeacon Thorpe said that the charges of drunkenness and something like habitual ' drunkenness had been so far proved.' as to present prima facie evidence against Mr. Howell, and it was their intention to make that report to the bishop, who would be morally and legally required to proceed against him. The case had divided the town into parties, and a subscription was made for paying the legal expenses of the defendant. EPISCOPAL AND c.tPITITLIIC ESTATES BILL.—The Mar quis of Blandford, M.P., and Mr. G. Butt have renewed a bill to make a better provision for the management of episcopal and capitular estates. They propose, after January 1, 1857, that all the profits of such estates shall be received and managed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The latter will enter into an agreement with bishops as soon as their (episco pal), real estates become- subject to the management of the commission for the payment of incomes. A committee )f the Ecclesiastical Commission, tobe called the " Episcopal Estates Committee," will have the charge and management of all the vested estates. This committee will consist of a triad of mem bers, viz., the First Church Commissioner, a lay member,. to be appointed by the Queen, and a third, to be named by the bishops.. The second and' third members of the committee will receive salaries of £1,000:- Existing bishops may =lie armngements affecting future. ones. Bishops may take and farmlands not exceeding 100 acres. The commissioners may,. in certain cases, place tithes under the bishops' control. Deans and chapters of cathedrals are to furnish the Ecclesi astical. Commissioners with statements of their entire charges and outgoings, to be certified by the visitor of the cathedral, and, when the correctness of such statements has been estab lished to the satisfaction of the commissioners, provision will be made for the payment of such charges, &c. The deans and chapters will also supply a return of moneys received by them,: and; tlie• deficiency will be made good by the commissioners.- After three years the management of real estates may, if the dean and chapter require, be transferred to corporations aggm gate. Draear OF THE BISIIOP OP CAULISLIL—The Hon. ands: Right Rev. Hugh Percy, D.R., the 55th Bishop of Carlisle,• died suddenly, at Rose Castle, near Carlisle, on Tuesday. The. deceased prelate was third son. of the first Earl of Beverley,by,-. the second daughter of Peter Durrell, Esq., of Beckenham, Kent, sister of the first Lord Gwyder ; and was brother to the. secoutLEarl of Beverley. Dr. Percy was born in the parish-of St. George, Hanover-square, on, the 29th of January, 1784, se that he had just completed his 72nd year. He was twice married—first, in May, 1806; to •Mary, eldest daughter of the Most Rev. Charles Manners Sutton, Archbishop of Canterbury; she died in September, 1831.; secondly, in February, 1840, to Marys second daughter of the late V,ce-Admiral Sir William Johnstone Hope ; she died in 11551. The late prelate was edu cated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. in 1805: He was consecrated: Bishop of Rochester in June, 18Z;_and was translated to the see of Carlisle in the following September, so that he has presided over the latter diocese mose• than 28 years. He• was also Chancellor of Saila bury.; and prebendary of St.. Paul's (appointed in 1816), and was patron of 45 livings. By his first marriage- he has- eleven children. His, sixth child and eldest son, Algernon Charles, married, in July, 1839, Emily, eldest daughter of the late Right Rev. Reginald Heber, Lord BWiop of Calcutta. His sixth daughter was married in July, 1834, to Holmesdale, eldest surviving son of Earl Amherst. Among the bishop's surviving brothers and sisters may be mentioned the Earl of Beverley; the Countess Dowager of Asliburnham ; the Hon. Rear-Admiral Josceline Perc7,, C. 8., (twin with the bishop,) who-married a sister of Lord Hither ton ; the lion. Rear-Admiral William Henry Percy, a commis sioner of excise ; and the Hon. Charles Bertie Percy, et' Gay's Cliff, Warwick, who married the granddaughter andlieir of the late Bertie Bertie Greatheed, of Guy's Cliff. The• late Hon. Lieut.-Colonel Percy, who was aide-de-camp to Sir John 'Moore, at Corunna, and tothe Duke of Wellington, alrlifater . 100, was also a younger brother of the Bishop of Carlisle.. The • deceased prelate had bees ailing for a day or two, but no serious results had been; apprehended by his medical' attend , ant or, his family. It was only last 'week that, at a public meeting at Carlisle, conducted by churchmen, the bishop was strongly condemned for obstinately persisting in refusing to consecrate the cemetery there, unless a wall:was erected between the two.portions. COURT AND FAS.FLIO.N: A pension of £lOO a-year from the Civil:List has been granted to Mr. Samuel Lover. Among the West-end gossip it is said that the Duke of Cambridge is exerting himself to get up a, subscription of £60,000 to buy an estate for Lord Hardinge.. THE will of the Tate Lord Raglan has. been proved, in London, under £t 000 ; it was made iu EDgland, in April, 1854, bequeathing all to Lady Raglan. The will of the late Samuel Rogers has been proved under £40,000. The Royal Mt►il Packet Company's beat Vivid, Captain Watson, arrive' at Dover, from Boulogne, on Sunday, with his Excellency Lard Cowley and suite on hoard. His Lordship dined at the Ship Hotel, and left for Leadcin by the 7.30 p.m. train. HER MAafSZT has been pleased to confer a baronetcy upon Lieut.-General Sir J. Burgoyne, K.C.lt, in consideration of the long and faithful services which,, from an early period in the late war down to the siege of Sebastopol, have connected his name , with the principal achievements of the British army. IT iSIITHIPTStOOd that the appearance of her Royal Highness,, the Princess Royal in the great world will, for this season, be limited to the palace, it not being thought expedient to apply to Parliament for the sum necessary to maintain a household while-she is so young, and it being essential to the dignity of a princess of her rank, if she visited a subject, that her Royal Highness should be attended! by a lady-in-waiting and; an. equerry of her own court.—Court Journal. Wit believe that the Duke of Wellington has tendered his resignation as Master of the Horse. It will have-been ob-. served that his grace voted, in the majority against gavernment upon Lord Lyndhurst's motion for referring LordWensley dale's patent to a committee of privileges. It is also said that the Lord Chancellor tendered his resignation upon ; finding his opinion on the same subject at variance with these of several among his colleagues.— Times. APPROACHING MARRIAGES.—A matrimonial . alliance will shortly take place between Lady Jane Hay„ daughter of the Marquis of Tweeddale, and sister of the Duchess of Welling ton, and Sir Frederick Arthur, Bart. We are also enabled to announce the approaching marriage of the Lady Rachel Rus sell, youngest 4.laughter of the late Duke of Bedford, and half sister of Lord John Russell, with the Lord James Wandesford Butler, son of the.first Marquis of Ormonde. Sir Thomas Whichcote, Bart., is also about to be united to Miss Mont gomery. Mn. BRASSEY.—By a decree dated January 12, Mr. Brassey, the eminent engineer, has been appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Since 1839, Mr. Brassey has been connected with the construction of the principal French rail ways, We believe it 'was M. Charles Laffitte who called the Attention of the Minister of Public Works to Mr. Brassey's merits. The Rouen, Havre, Dieppe, and Boulogne lines, have all been executed under the auspices of the firm to which Mr, Brassey belongs, which, moreover, it will be remembered, constructed the Balaldava railway in the Crimea ; and at the present moment they are employing an army of workmen in the cause of progress and civilisation in their undertakings in England, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Savoy, Italy, and Canada. ORDER or VALOUR. —The London Gazelle of Tuesday contains the " instrument," under the Queen's sign manual, for constituting the new naval and military decoration, to be styled the " Victoria Cross," to consist of a Maltese cross of bronze, with the royal crest in the centre, and underneath an escroll, inscribed "For valour," to be suspended from the left breast by a blue ribaud for the navy, and by a red riband for the army. For every additional act of bravery a bar is to be added. The merit of " conspicuous bravery" alone to claim the honour. The decoration may be conferred on the spot where the act was performed, and in presence of the naval and military force to which the hero belongs. Doubtful claims to be referred to the Secretary of War and Commander-in- Chief, or Lord of the Admiralty. In case of a gallant or daring act by more than fifty men, one officer, one non commissioned officer, and two men, are to be selected by their compeers for the decoration. The cross carries with it an annuity of £lO per annum, with an additional ,E 5 for each bar. Any person convicted of treason, cowardice, felony, or infamous crime, or accused of such, and not surrendering for trial within reasonable time, is to have his uameistruck off the registry. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE DREADNOUGHT. BY the ship Dreadnought, which sailed from New York on the 24th ult., and reached the Mersey on Saturday, we have intelligence to the 23rd ult. The Africa arrived out on the 22nd. The Washington correspondent of the Tribune says : " Amid conflicting statements, information from an authentic source warrants the assertion that so far from a special. Me ssage relative to our foreign affairs being about to be sent to either branch of Congress, it has not at any time been con templated, much less has it been the subject of cabinet consultation. Though this government has demanded the recall of Mr. Crampton and the British consuls engaged in recruiting for the Crimea, it can as confidently be stated that there has been no purpose in or out of the cabinet to withdraw Mr. Buchanan from England, unless at his own request, Negotiations between Great Britain and the United States are still open, despatches having been sent out by the last steamer, and nothing has occurred since the transmission of the President's Message to Congress to change the aspect of our relations abroad. Mr. Boyce's resolution, offered in the house to-day, declaring our relations with Great Britain to he of the most serious eharacter, and indicating that we may be on the eve of startling events, was not, as supposed, submitted with the consent or knowledge of the executive, but was Mr. Boyce's independent propAtion." larn.---Advices from Port-au-Prince to the Ist instant,. confirm the previous accounts of the defeat of the Haytiens, with the loss of between 200 and 300 soldiers, with many of their best officers, beside all their munitions of war, provisions, and the Emperor's military chest, containing all the funds intended for the prosecution of the war. Faustin I. had marched 30,000 men against the eastern side of the island, and his defeat is represented as most complete. Faustin had escaped from the battlefield, but his place of refuge was un known, and General Santander had offered a reward of 10,000 doubloons for his head. So great was the feeling against him, that it was the general opinion of the inhabitants of Port-au- Prince that if his Majesty escaped falling into. the hands of the Spaniards, he would be shot by his own people. ARRIVAL OF THE HERMANN. By the United States' mail steamship Hermann•, Captain Higgins, which arrived at Southampton on Sunday, we have intelligence- to the 29th ult. The mail steamship•l3altic, from Liverpool for New York, arrived out on the morning of the 21th ult. The Washington, from Southampton, reached , New York on the - 21st ult. Congress was still without a Speaker. The last ballot was. Banks, 91 • Richardson, 67 ; Puller, 29 ; Campbell,- 5 ; Pennington, Shorter, and Porter one each. Theminnber necessary to a choice was 98. In the House of Representatives Mr. Boyce offered a•resolu tion to the effect that as relations with Great Britain were-cf the most threatening charadter, indicating the eve of most startling events, it was the imperative duty of the House-, at such a juncture of peril, to organise itself by the election of a•. Speaker. Mr. Stephens, in reply, said, that if the country was on the eve- of war he knew nothing about it. The . mo. Lion was tabled. The New Verlt Tribune publishes the followine , from , their Washington correspondent, dated Jan. 217:—T1he• Government has received no official information as to the recent bloody outrage in Kansas, announced by telegraph;. Senators today formally confessed as to the policy of advising the President to send-military to Kansas to preserve peaceand protect the territory against Missouri invasions. Southern 4 senators predict that civil war is inevitable in a short time. On the 23rd ult. the same correspondent says :—Mr. Bu chanan writes that he will relinquish his mission on the 12th: of February, whether - a successor be nominated or not. He will appoint Mr. Campbell, the consul at London, to the post of Charg6 d'Affaires. There being no Secretary of Legation at the present junetare; this proceeding .may temporarily em— barrass our relations, as-the intelligence of Mr. Crarnpton?s , recall will occupy Lord'Palmerston at the same time. CALIFORNIA.—The- steam-ship Daniel Webster, from San , Juan de Nicaragua, arrived at New Orleans on the 25th with two weeks' later news from California—viz., to the sth: of January. The United- States' mail-steamer Golden Gate;. left San Francisco on the sth nit. with 500 passengers and, $1,300,000 in treasure: The steam-ship Star of the West had sailed from San Juan for- New York with 350 passengese , and $600,000 in specie:. The California news is generally unimportant. A severe shock of earthquake was experienced? at San Francisco on the 2nd - inst. The trial of Corey for the murder of General Richardson was in progress. Attachments-- had been issued against Lucien. Hermann, an extensive money agent at San Franciscg.for nearly $150,000. The Sacramento Valley Railroad had been , opened a distance of 22 miles. The news from the mines is of an encouraging nature, and new-- rich diggings have been discovered on the American river:_ The San Francisco markets were dull, the demand from the:- interior being light. In flour and grain the transactions were to a limited extent. In Northern California.: LiuLiam depredations still con ;inued. From Nicaragua we learn that everything was prosperous-1 and orderly. General Walker was receiving accessions bye, every steamer, and it is• said that his effective force o;•1' Americans numbered between 800 and 900. Gregon dates are to th"o-20th of December. Nothing badi , been heard of Colonel Kinney's party, which had left to attack Fort Walla Walla, which was in possession of tha. Indians. Intelligence from Honduras. to the 22nd of December reports an unusual dulness in- trade. The prices of mahogany were low, wages depreciated, and:a large amount of mortality had existed among the Whites. The Belize correspondent of. the New York Herelds::saya.:,--"England was riveting her rule more firmly on the colony. It has' now been ordered that: an vessels shell be registered,. and. that no foroignoy shall owaL a ship hoisting the Etitish flag., unless he take the oath of allegiance to that government and become naturalisel Many persons had already done so. A vessel of the West India squadron was in , port, and. her commander had caused, some alarm by beating to- acme in the night and firing some broadsides for practice, Shipping business was mere active." commmalAL IN"ITILLIGENCE. In the New York:. Money-market money was in gq demand, and the turn,of the market was in favour of the lender. Foreign exchange was irregular, but the tendency:of the market was toward. finer rates. The quotations for bills on London for good signatures was 108 to 1081, but most. of the business had beendOneat Ng,- to In breadstufrs State and Western flour was heavy, and was quoted at 6.1b0 - lower. Southern flour was d&i for the extreme grades .but medium was in fair. demand. Canadian and rye flour was steady. Wheat was . inactive and oats dull. The cotton market continued depressed, and quotations for somedescrip tions were reduced: ie.. Hops continued dull and heavy: at 6 to 10. The provision market was heavy. Freights are dull and lower. To Liverpool, f10ur,.2a.-111,. to 2s. 9d.; grain, 84d and sid. in ships' bags.;,.to-Lon don, 4s. and 12d. -' - : to Antwerp, 4s. 3d. and 13d.;. to Havre, anal nominally 75c. a 20a.; to Rotterdam, 4s. 6d. and 181;: to Hamburg ls. imsliippers' bags; to Bremen, 23c. ARRIYAL OF THE AMERICA, By the British and North Amercian royal mail fitcam-sLip America, Captain.Wickman, which reached this port yester day afternoon, we have intelligence from Boston.,to.the aOth ult., and facia New York, (by telegraph, via likdi.fax), to, the 31st. She brought no. specie. The royal;raall stezur,ship Arabia arrived Halifax. zu the 31st ult. In the.Sennte,..on the 28th ult., Mr. Cass d'elh - ered: a speech on the Central! American affairs, and use strong. language denunciatory of the positions assumed by tine. British. Govern ment. Mr.- Clayton spoke in a similar strain, and!cp.4ated do cuments.: to. show that the British vice-consul; was the real governor f . of Mosquito. In the House of. Representatives a motis»,- . declaring "any agitation of the-slavery quft..tion un wiseand unjust to• a portion of the American people., injurious to every. section, and ought not to Le countenanced," was adopted by a majority of one. Tha, lash ballot for Speaker stood ar,follows.:.—Banks, 99; Orr, .693:Fulter ' 34; Seat ping, S. Necessary to a choice, 106. ixlviees haul been received from California to the sth ult. Nlearly $2;000,000 were en route bouNew-York. The mining news is.of an encouraging nature. Letters from Havana report.that General Concha was about to .return to Havana, to receive tl:.title.of Cunt of Havana. His.succe&sor was expected to be General On the departure of the stearn,ship Northern Light from New York for San Juan, she was boarded by the police in search Of filibusters, but none were found; A. filibustering expedition of 500: men is reported to have landed at San Blas, Lower. California. Fillibusters were leaving the United State& every day to join Walker in Nicaragua. New York harbour and the North. anti East rivers were filled with large masses of floating ice,, and it was only the most powerful steamers that couldcommunicate with Long Islaudi and New Jersey. From Mexico we learn: that the municipal council composed by Alvarez had been dissolved, and new members elected.: Haro y Tamirez, with, large body of followers, was laying siege to Puebla. Fourteen persons. had been drowned by the capsizing : of a schooner in Chesapeake Bay. Governor Walker, of New OrleanS, had died. _ It is stated that the Hon. R. M. Dallas had been offered the post of ambassador. to London, in place of Mr. Buchanan, who wishes to retire, and had accepted it. Daniel Galbraith and Angus Gillespie, who had been in prison at Baal% in default of bail, for enlisting • soldiers fer the British service, had been released on giving bonds to appear before the Rochester Court. A body of fugitive slaves having taken refuge. in. a house at Cincinnati, the police-officers attempted to enter the house. The slaves fired, and wounded some of the spectators. Find ing escape impossible, one of the women cut the throats of her three children. Six of the fugitives were. taken, but eight escaped. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, January 30. Money continues in good demand, and the rates are well supported. Exchange on England was in moderate demand, at 1071 to 1081 and 1081 per cent, Bills on Prance were quoted f 5 20 to f 5 26f. COTTON.—There was a good demand for shipment at the full previous prices, up to the 23rd ult., but since then the market has been very quiet, and sales are with difficulty effected, although, in consequence of the reduced stock, no change in actual quotations can be noted. The sales are esti mated at 17,000 bales in the two weeks. PROVISIONS.—The European news, per Africa and Baltic, received last week, had the effect to depress the provision market still more. The transactions for export consequent upon the advices from Europe have been very limited, the shippers being disinclined to operate under the present peace able feeling and unfavourable state of the money market abroad. The greater part of the meats going forward are shipped from first hands under advance. BREADSTUFFS. — There has been little doing in flour, in consequence of the snowstorm which had prevailed. The transactions were made at an improvement in price of 25c. per barrel on the quotations a fortnight previous. Wheat was in steady demand at previous rates. Indian corn was without change. Freights were scarcely so firm, there being less activity. The rates were: To Liverpool—for cotton, 7-33 d to Id. per lb. ; grain, nd. to £3ld. per bushel; flour, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per bar rel. To Havre—cotton, dc. per lh. ; grain, nominally, 20c. per bushel; flour, 70c. per barrel. To London—flour, 3s. 9d. to 4s. per barrel ; grain, 11d. to ls. per bushel. Nsw ORLEANS, Jan. 25.—The receipt of the Baltic's advises [PEnnttAitv 12, 1866. here completely unsettled our cotton market, and no sales . ,Wel made to-day. The sales ye s te r d a y amoun t e d t o 7,000 D ll , ~r, Corn, 70c. Jan. 29.—Sales of cotton t o -d a y, u p t o noon, I,vvy bales ; demand fair, prices unchanged. (By Electric Telegraph.) NEW YORK, Jan. 31.—Cotton active and firm. Breadstuffi firm ; unchanged prices, but tend upwards. Market to-U . ' for fancy stocks, dull. Money market easier. Freight east ! '" NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 30.—Sales: cotton, 7,000 bales; fir' WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—N0 speaker elected. LIST OF PASSENGERS --- - - Prom Boston :—Capt. Jervis and lady, Miss 13393 Brown, J. Stuart, W. M'Dunnough, A. Brown, J. Morrill, T. Glover, E. Hudson, E. Hudson, junr.; J. J. McCaulay, Ref: H. Petry, C. Ashworth, Routh and f r i en d, F. A. Hasseric,'" N. H. Campbell, W. Mitchell, H. ,Morgan, J. C. Pope, r` Plimondon, C. Roman, W. S. Ellison, A. Lovesque, Cullhocuf. Rotherwell J. S. Orkney, D. A. C a llu m , Stone, Miss OP Miss Marsh, Mrs. Wood, and infant, T. Glidhill, M. , JacQ D J. Myers, J. Bolan, G. Hortmani, M. McCann, Captain C. P Humphrey, J. Smith, Le Faure, J. Butcher, P. A. Benda' and G. Chatterton.—From Halifax J. Vassie, R. M`MurrY, J. A. Morrison, Kenney, Murray,. Tupper, Silver, Ritchie , Desbrisay, Ridley, Quinton, Mcßride,. Baine, Sclater, Duder, Rogers, Lieut: Harvey and lady ; Abbott, Duffus,„,,, t o u chinson, Fraser, M'Phelan, Bl ac k, Thomson, Hart, .1 5 auw Steer*, Kenny, and Miss McMurdo. IR.ELAND., A MATeipaper mentions as a significant sign of the pro gross of Irish? prosperity , that the number of m arr i a ges at the present marry*. season is much greater than it has been fo r a long series. of years. LAST week s Captain Daish, of H.M. revenue cruiser Racer' cruising off Ifoifth Head, fell in with one of the-masts. of the Tayleur, which he towed into Kingstown harbour: It is now in possession of the Receiver of Droits of Admiralty. clue' Tin Sligo Chronicle states that the house of Kelly, of Cloonagh, was destroyed by fire a f ew d a y s ago, ao" his three childrembnrnt to death. In clearing out the dibl7. the bodies of the' children were found, almost every Pa" of them reduced to'a state of cinder. GREAT SOUTHERN , A+ND WERTHRN (IRELAND) PAirvirAT. - ; The directors of this company have decided to recommen v ' that a dividend be paid.. on the original stock of the compllV at the rate of five per cent.-per annum for the half-year endn*; 31st December, 1855;• leaving a surplus of £?4,000 - i ou t of which £15,000 to be added to the reserve fund, and tbp balance, £9,000, carriefto . the credit of the next half-year 4 account. REpORTS are current of another disagreeable correspencliue 9 between the Irish Lord Chancellor (Brady) and Baron Penne: father, having reference to the motion about to be submitted to the House of Commons by Sir J. Shelley, with respect to the ages and length of service of the present occupants of tile Irish judicial bench. Thevpsbot of the business is, that Oily affair did not terminate to. the satisfaction of the chancellor ,. althosgh his lordship, in the- course of the correspondence , : pretty plainly hinted at the probability of the government' being coerced by the force of public opinion to offer. no opP o ' sition to the motion of Sir John Shelley. 3{oc3". SSA-FIGIIT.—The citizens of Dublin enjoyed a veil interesting and novel treat on Tuesday, on the occa s ion of the; great-gum practice and mock coptnre of a prize by the crew 01 , H. M. S. Edinburgh, CI, in King-don harbour. Targets Vere.. moored at a distance of 1000 yards out at sea; and after serve excellent practice with round shot;-three broadsides were fired' with the.lower-deck guns, and am:attack with five armed boats was then made on an enemy's vessel, represented by a pilot', boat, which was also armed for the occasion. The east pier was throngol with a numerous anti fashionable assemblage and Captain Howlett, with the characteristic urbanity and hospitality of a British naval ofEwer r entertained a numerous company 01r:board, where, after opanmptnous repast, dancing was kept up-to a late hour in the- afternoon, on the quarter deck. The prominent position which, the Edinburgh occupied before Bomarsund, as the flag-ship , of Admiral Shads, wa s not forgotten bythose who witnessed , the- display made, by her gallant crew. AMERICAN (SECRET) COMESPONDENCE. DOCUMENTS WHICH WILL PROBABLY NOT BE FOIINI2 IN THE BLUE BOOK WHEN THE CORRESPONDENCD, CONNECTED W ITH THE AMERICAN QUESTION IP LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT. [FROM THE rtEns.] • LOR.D.CLAICENDON TO , LVISX.II4TAIERSTON. Tuesday. My dear Palmerston,—Cramptottle, last I inclose. Au seems going on as you could desire, andaerce is playing into your hands. ENctise a hiat and (isn't overrun your game. What shall I say to C. I mean, of cconio-privately.—Yours , always, FOreigm-office., CLASNNDON• No. 97. LORD DAIXERSTON TO LORM.',CL.A.RENDON. Wednesday. My dear Clarendon,—Right as a trivet:. Always hint flY thing you like, or rather don't hint—speak out, bang. Po you think we are going a little too fact-?- Well, perhaps we are. But remernbbr Ahat the peace negotiations will go on fast, also, and we must accumulate our. war. capital, or we shall be on our backs.. The Yankee seusatiou must be 'got uP immediately after. - parliament meets. Shape the letter your own way, but recollect—from the moment peace is signed We are froze-out gardiners.—Ever yours,. Piccadilly. PALMERSTON. No. 98. Lona , C.LABEN DON TO 1%1Re.31k4.14PT0N. (Extract.) Yon will not fait; .to make it distinctly understood by the - American blov - ernment that propositlons num on our - part while a certain state-of things exists in Europe are liable to modification should that state of things•be altered. An apo logy, which we might have no difficuLty in making, while our fleets and armies are engaged in tho-•nonthern and southern seas, would be ridibulous -and inathrissible were those forces liberated. Should you.be met by the argument that what is right should be done irrespective of circumstances, you will admit the general;propriety of that:proposition, but will show that the special,: circumstances of the. present case remove it from the ordinary category, and exact,an exceptional - solution." It will be matter of regret with Her Majesty's government' should this view tend to irritation instead of conviction, but we see no alternative. - No. 90.... TITS SAME .TO TMR' SAME. (Private. Extract. • Keep him or simmer, rardear-fellow; but the pot must mot boil over yab; if at all. o. 117. FROM MitccßAllPXON.Tazoin) CLA.RENDON. (Private. Extract.) I . can't make • you understanl these people. They arc - neither Spaniards nor Russians. It you would tell me exactly. what you and Pam want—supplaing you know yourselves- - and would leave me to .workit a - at,. I should know my way— But we shall angst yen will insist in chalking': out my course forme., As it i%.;or-rather as it was, we are in , the right ; but-we are now , . dais oux d—dest to turn a 004 1, cause into a hattone.• In a wctid.,.(lo you want a row ? 11ADCLAJLENDON , T1) , LORD FALMEMSTON. (Inclosing the above.) My dearTam.7--fiegei. dtiiiize i . lege.' 'He wants ta, knor whether we want a row. Hal. ha!--Yours, ever, G. Foreign.-olfite. No. 119.. PALIED.&!I;42'I. TO LORD CLARENDON.. (Extract_ Private.) _ . How good.; Utz:viritaile Areadien. Make it c/Oar,to weak mind; but, I say, take-care what you write. He is.a-raaa to explode.- Send him as article from the Press 4; or.floine where, iumhich the.game- is shown, and hint to him that true words are. often spoken in: joke. He can hardly zniSmulerstautl , that. 13y..the way ; what is the force of America * ?. I;ve.for gotten alla)Jout it. Ouce more, be cautious what-you .say to e- No. 120. LORD CLAXENDON TO mu. cuA.Strcox. (,Extract. Private.) I regret that youshould misunderstand the views- of 11,.11- Government, or, suppose that we should deliberately. direct you in a,,course-caleulated,or at least intended, to.bring on . hostili ties._ At the same time, actuated by a higher consideration than : that of the mere preservation of peace, we do not hesitate to-look in the faea the contingency at whialt,youltint. HS. Government, aware of the feeling of this country in regard to itself, has one- great duty before it, namely, the taking care that while-Europe recovers herself from. the agitaticu of wart while the ruptured relations of States are granulating and re uniting aftec their wounded severeece, the process shall be presided onc by no Government less skilful, than tbat which has brought the war. to an issue.. This—the retaining the present Ministry in office is due to. Europe, and from that solemn and sacred duty we will not flinch. Follow my argu ment,_ my dear Crampton, and now comprehend that, in the present state of the House of Commons, and the country, a war sensation is necessary to the endurance of Lord Palmerston 'S Government. To your able hands. is confided the task of pro' viding that sensation, and I trust that I need scarcely add that we must have it—harmlessly, it' possible—but we must have. it. No. 139. MR. CRAMPTON. IP I,ORD CLARENDON. (Extract. Private.) The President hinted—in fact, said—in the course of dinner, that the policy of H.M. Government curiously resembled that which his enemies had the cruelty to attribute to himself, namely, a desire to appear quarrelsome, for the sake of popU larity, even though such pretence should lead to serious cong. quences. _ _ No. 146. LORD CIARENDON TO LORD PALMERSTON. Unclosing the above.) Pierce is no fool. But it was devilish uncivil to say Pleb A thing to poor Crampton. I think I put the matter neatly lu my last. I thought it would be better than sending a news paper article, which might have frightened him. No 117. LORD PALMERSTON TO LORD CLA.RENDON ‘ (Extract. Private.) Confound Pierce. I hope the story will not get wind. Don't you go telling it to any of your smoky associates ; mind that . ; there's a good fellow. Well, things must go on. I'm afrai,°`, there is no chance of escapi ng thi s i n f erna l peace, b u t we will hope for the best; and in the meantime let Crampton nurse Pierce's wrath, and keep it warm. It may turn out awl!: wardly, for ha sees our game, and of course is the less afraid to push his own. But the sara sara, after me the Deluge, sing whack-fol-de-rol, and the de v il t a k e th e hi n d mos t. Pa that into decorousness for our virtuous Crampton. Mrs. Clarkson, widow of Thomas Clarkson, the anti-slaved reformer, died a few days sines) at Playford-hall, near Ipswich' in her 83rd year. STEEL ENGRAvING.—Our attention has been drawn to 0 exquisite specimen of minute engraving, which may be unque?; tionahly regarded as the very acme of perfection in thi s beautiN' art. It is the production of those eminent artists Perkins, B a coe . ; and Co., and comprises, within an incredibly brief sp a c e , a n unthe' of designs of the most varied, chaste, and beautiful character , including an embossed profile of our beloved sovereign, with th e ..e name of an article of deservedly high repute am ong th e f as hionabl e world. Then we add that this admirable production of Of graver is intended for the protection against counterfeits Rows sera's MACASSAR OIL, WC feel that we have stated enoilg' t to interest our readers in a specimen so admirable in itself, au,' so perfectly adapted to swird the public against fraud nu' l impOsitien. Jones, from the child ren 'ess, a bell, 183 cottribu 41ange 1 46 b tobbil the 1 bbe znitt e Vt i ,e ry :nut ' 3I N ftuld 'attcl E than 0 4 hi sever to as tlee ti xoxt• were Lath the co t „