The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-02-08 00:00:00

TO ADVERTISERS. bey respectfully to call the attentic Merchants t fact LIVER POOL 11.1 ILAK 1 Y NEWSPAPER tUt JESTER. SD AY, and th UAL) I s, and others, MARKET IN t Half-past " ' fit n %fbcrpoot &tataiatti TUESDAI intention of NING FEB. 8 st, we intimate( 1. VIZ , the disastrous ris with our Ea .eceipt, on Wednesaay last, of further and aentable intelligence by the Overland Mail. The ue of failures of houses of the first standing late. Of five of these the lia- in g an the de sden, Broth( Hug Colv lyal Cockerell Shearman, Mulli )n less than two mil- .eported assets are short pected to reach near the ut down. The follow- their engagements id Co and Co, Estimated Liabilities. assets. £lll,OOO £109,500 240,000 280,000 217,000 125,500 1,257,000 1,300,000 92,000 85,000 £1,917,000 £1,891,000 Of the above, Messrs. Hughesdon and Co. and Cockerell and Co. are to be wound up under the Insolvent Court ; Lyall, Matheson and Co. are to be wound up under inspection; whilst trustees are appointed for the present to manage the affairs of Colville, Gilmour and Co. and Shearman, Mullins and Co. Of the prospect of a satisfactory liquidation of the debts of these firms, the correspondent of the London Times, dating from Calcutta, on the 23d Dec., thus remarks Liabilities are certair claims upon indigo conc prising the original p to the unprofitablen liens of cliff nds, confl *various other dra first, are apt to of the firt lets are doubtful, esoecially part of i Judi claims, often com state, are swollen by the I are large in proportion Morig laicns to priority, and 'e been overlooked at ppearance. Moreover, in :ounts, the whole property , without marking off that curities are held; whereas, ,e method of the London ated as available for the according to the liquidation of t only the estimated surplus which are specifically se generally are t firms exceedingly des The same remarks apply to the condition of the hold out hopes of its W sion of a working capil " the nature of the secu nate solvency and posses premising however, that ties, in which part of it is invested, may make the rendering it again available for purely banking purposes a matter of difficulty and time." The Bank is said for many years to have been little else than an indigo establishment, and to have at this moment no better prospect than such establishments. Many of its factories are stated to be worthless, and the best of them to be nearly unsaleable, and likely to be unproductive without further extensive outlay, which there is little chance of being made. Under such circumstances, and with fears im pending of further failures, it is not wonderful that the whole commercial fabric in India should be in confusion ' • that distrust should prevail on every side; and that nearly every article of produce should be unsaleable except at ruinous sacrifices, especially for produce suitable for the British market. With such the case—with the produce which India has to offer in exchange only capable of being realized at a loss alike to the native grower and the merchant, we can be as little surprised that British manufactures and products are more de pressed in value than ever. The following, which from the Bengal Harkura, is equally applicable to the condition of affairs in other presidencies : In the import trade there have been no symptoms of nproved demand. Indeed, the depression has been dmost greater than at any period since the commence ,ent of the present troubles. The destruction of confi - and impossibility of obtaining discounts on any European or native, or of selling Hoondees "- anterior, take away from the usual as well as the inclination to however, beginning to be sold during the last week is deci stem of internal trade is placed e footing, even the great eduction in the extent of all snipment to this country must fail to prcduce any effect upon prices. Cotton - acceptances , . against miss iedly lower general mark( Until the s 3 i more secur twist and Metals arce an exception, are only Leable at prices under previous transactions We must again direct attention to a statement above that the firms which have suspended in Calcutta, as also the Union Bank, have had their capital largely engaged in the Indigo cultivation. No doubt some of the large houses, which have suspended in this country, are similarly situated. Several of them, too, are proprietors of sugar estates, and _ are in other branches of enterprise, employing, feeding and clothing a numerous popu lation, and actively developing the varied resources of this fine possession. When we notice, therefore, announcements of a " general decline in produce ; " 4 -dined nearly 1 r. per maund ; " .lout a bu'r - " that opium has J rs. JO' and that it is said of Indigo that— that " sugar that silk i without a buyer; Sin declined 40 rs. per chest; `The season could not have opened under more unfa vourable auspices. The miserable result of the London osition of our general trade, have produced a general inaction in the market. There appears no inclination either among English or ice the operations of the season, actions are for America." October and almost the a —we feel ourselves fully warranted in laying aside for a while to come any expectations which might have entertained of early improvement or enlargement of our Indian commerce, which can materially benefit the manufacturer or the British :ated system of credit, ex- Intinent, and in whose sus of two hundred millions of shattered at its base— the temporary ex- dst Ca tentation the it the h, tTnctionof theefa j cilitTes by which it was supported ; and that system of credit, or something more solid in its stead, must be re-erected before we can de- pend upon our Indian fellow subjects resuming thefr former large exchanges of their products for those of British industry with this country. We ) enable us to effect this, first ourselves he afresh to consume our wonted amount of Indian staple of East India sugar, rice, indigo, arid, we fear we mu , opium for the Chinese market. We heard much a few weeks ago from the apo lo.gists for our present banking and monetary sys tem, of the over-trading and the kite-flying, of the fictitious capital, in short, with which our unfortu nate East Indian merc h an t s h a ve been carrying on their vast operations. We heard nothing of the sort w hen the result of th ose vas t opera ti ons seemed to stimulate, amongst the native Indian population and the people of China, the consumption of our manufactures. W e heard of nothi ng th en b u t th e illimitable extension of our commerce with these countries, If it is the fact, however, th a t th e position of our great Indian houses has been one based upon fictitious capital, it is equally so that the dependence of our manufacturers and o ur statesmen upon the extension of Indian demand for their goods has been based upon like fictitious grounds. Our past demand from the Indian em pire has been created by the very operations, on the part of our merchants, which are now so severely reprobated. A vast population, without the means to carry on an extensive cultivation, without the necessary implements and skill to perform the various processes, by which the products of their soil are prepared for the British and other markets, have been aided and provided with those means by the enterprise, the capital, and the skill of British merchants; and have, in addition, been enabled to become consumers of British products, and been placed in a 1 life, the pos ~ition to acquire the habits of civilized ssion of which form the surest gua- rantee of their continuous value to us as fellow subjects or as allies. Those efforts of our merchants been arrested. The millions devoted by them Lion o: the riches of ti to ena I now by in NM 1 I M g' Mr. LITT LED. their views, to the same effec Mr. L. remarked, that in the uaintance with Liver now suggested, its greatne pidly than it had arisen Lord J. RUSSELL entire revenue of the kingdom. The evils of the existing tea duties had been fully shewn in the report of the select parliamentary committee last year, which had entered into an inquiry into our commercial relations with China. He pointed out that the Chinese had recently retaliated upon our policy by heavy additional duties.on such of our manufactures as were co ued in the interior of that ued, would eventually shut .ountry would lose more by maintaining the present tea duties, tban by reducing them ; for by the foriner system ad enlarged upon the necessity, by a remunerative field for our staple products. Mr. BRODRIBB explained to his lordsh 3 the result of E and Mr. CROSSLEY 21so enforced at considerable length. entire course of his ac he never vet knew the com- would recede even more ra- after attentively listening to the several speakers, replied that he fully appreciated the moral and social bearings of the question, but he was obliged also to weigh all the financial bearings of the question, and in doing so he was constrained to dissent from one of the resolutions of the meeting represented by the deputation—" That this meeting is of opinion that no direct loss would accrue to the revenue from a consi- derable reduction of the duty on tea ; but that if even a temporary deficiency were to arise, the considerations of a social and moral character inseparably connected with this great question are of paramount importance to those of a mere fiscal nature." The argument here used had been applied in the instance of the reduction of the rate of postage, and the result in that instance hardly justified a repetition of a like experiment. That reduction was made by the Government on moral and social views, at a time when the country could afford it; and, though great ad vantages had accrued to the community from the mea sure, the revenue had yet failed to realize the expectations held forth from that branch. The reduction of the tea duties might be found to produce a similar result, for the two questions were parallel, and both supported by similar arguments. The consumption of tea would certainly in crease with a reduction of the duty, but he did not acqui esce in the extent of that consumption assumed by the members of that and the late deputation. However, it was in its financial aspect merely that the subject would have to be considered by her Majesty' first minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and it would be for them, being responsible for the revenue of the country, to see if any means could be hit upon whereby the question could be safely dealt with. Mr. R. GLADSTONE was about to indicate wherein the analogy between the reduction in the duties on tea and in the rate of postage did not apply ; but Lord J. Russell declined further discussion on that point as inopportune. The deputation then withdrew, much gratified by the courtesy with which they bad been received by the noble Premier. THE MAGNILOQUENCE OF THE MANCHESTRIANS. Our neighbours of the cotton spinning metropolis are getting quite tiresome with their eternal iteration of their new honours. We cannot take up one of their papers without being puzzled with constant references to " this city," " our Cathedral," " our See," " our Bishop," or " the arms of the See of Manchester." It is painful thus to be made to forget, in such magnificent titles, the plain homespun locality of tall chimnies, smoke, and ill-fed weavers. People are actually puzzled to find the "Cathe dral," well enough as they have long known " th' ould Chnrch ;" and when they are told of the "see" of Man chester, they are naturally led to conclude that Neptune has at length been won to consent to gratify the aspiring of the Manchestrians to become the owners of a " port" by bringing the veritable green sea up to their Bonding Warehouses, to take the place of the Duke's Canal and the muddy Irk and Irwell. All that seems wanting' to crown their aspirings appears to be the possession of a "Lord" Mayor. A simple "Mayor" is derogatory to so great a people. Lord Elkanah Armitage, or Lord Wat kins, or Lord Bake, ("that is to be,") would be much better; although, as those best public instructors of our happy neighbours—the Manchester Guardian and the Courier,—cannot as yet agree whether their Bishop should be addressed as " your Lordship," or " your Grace," there might be some danger of less erudite authorities claiming for their chief magistrate the title of " Royal Highness." Loral p.ttus. Mr. Cardwell, M.P., has given ten guineas to the Col legiate Institution, and is therefore a life member. - Robert Theakstone, Esq., of Bootle, has been appointed a magistrate for this county. The Archbishop of Dublin has made a large and valu able donation of books to the Roscoe Club. The Old Roan (Liverpool) Steeple Chases (two), will take place on Thursday, the 17th inst., weather permitting. The Antelope steamer, from Liverpool, arrived at Rio on the 4th of December, and was to sail for the River Plate on the 16th. THE ALBERT Docx.—On Tuesday, the Earl and Countess of Sefton, accompanied by another noble lord and lady, visited the Albert Dock and warehouses. The Corporation have resolved to erect six additional baths and warehouses, two in Toxteth-park, two in Liver pool, one in West Derby, and one in Everton. A handsome silver salver has been presented to Captain Charlewood, late secretary of the Cheshire Junction Rail way, by his brother officers engaged on the line. A few of the members of the new Hebrew Congrega tion, Liverpool, have recently presented the Rev. Dr. Raphall, of Birmingham, with a silver cup and salver. The Rev. W. Hughes, Incumbent of St. David's, Liver pool, has been appointed a Surrogate for the Diocese of Chester. _ On Tuesday night a splash was heard at the Salthouse Dock, as of some one having fallen in. and in about an hour afterwards the body of a man unknown was dragged out. RAILWAY IRON.—A vessel, arrived at the port of Li verpool from New York, has brought, in addition to a general cargo of American provisions, 63 tons weight of railway iron, consigned to order. On Thursday, alttle boy named John George Greaves, whose parents live in Mill-lane, Everton, fell into a stone delph in which there was some water, near his father's house, and was drowned. On Wednesday morning, a child four years old, named Perry, living in Newsham-street, was sitting by the fire when a piece of wood dropped from the grate and set fire to its clothes from which it was so much injured that- it died the same night. The secretary of the Early Closing Association declined to accept the invitation to the Roscoe soiree. Mr. Flower, the president of the former institution, has resigned his office in consequence of deeming the refusal uncourteous and most impolitic. LIVERPOOL ACADEMY.—At the annual meeting, in the Exhibition Rooms, on Monday, Mr. Barber was re-elected president, and Mr. Walcott was appointed treasurer. Mr. Buchanan was elected secretary in the place of Mr. Herd man. BETTER TlMES.—Messrs. Lownsborough and. Harding, the estate agents, confirm the statement made in the Journal of Saturday last, by Mr. Williams, as a favour able sign of the times ; that during the last month, Janu ary, they had themselves more applications and enquiries for property, of various kinds, than at any previous period since their commencement. TRANMERE FERRY.—On Monday, the Court of Ex chequer gave judgment against Mr. Chamberlain, the owner of this ferry, in his action against the Birkenhead Railway Company. The Court decided that the branch railway to Monks Ferry was not an evasion of the clause in the act of parliament, which prohibited the company from making an extension line to Woodside Ferry, until they had made one to that of the plaintiff. CAUTION TO MoTnEßs.—On Friday an inquest was held upon the body of an infant, aged about three months, the child of some parties named Lloyd, who died of con vulsions produced, no doubt, by having had a mixture containing syrup of poppies administered to it by its mother. The mother having misunderstood what the druggist said, gave the child nearly double the proper quantity. INQUEST.—On Saturday, before Mr. Curry, on view of the body of Patrick Welsh, aged 30. Deceased, it ap peared, had been seized about Christmas with swelling of the body and lower limbs, and had got better, but on Thursday had a relapse, which carried him off. Mr. Graham, surgeon, who made a post mortem examination, pronounced death to have been caused by pulmonary apoplexy, the result of natural causes. A splendid service of silver plate has been presented to Mr. James Ward, of the York Hotel , late champ ion pugilist in England, by a nu/111 er of the leading mer chants, bankers, &c. of Liverpool, as a token of their appreciation of his manly honesty and worth. Mr. Ward has lately come out strongly as an amateur artist in oil paintings, and his only daughter has made a very success-, ful debut as a pianist. FERRY BOAT SEIZED. — It will be remembered that the Wirral, Woodside ferry boat, lately came into collision with the Flambeau steamer, when the vessel sunk. The case has been before the Court of Admiralty, and in con sequence of the Wirral failing to enter into the required arrangements, that boat was seized. on Wednesday . last, and will, we believe, remain in custody of an admiralty bailiff until bail be obtained for her. BRITISH ANTI NORTH AMERICAN ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS.—After the 25th March, the sailing day from America of the above steamers, from Boston and New York will be changed from Saturday to Wednesday, com mencing on Wednesday, the sth April, instead of Satur day, the Bth. No alteration in the sailing day from Li verpool, which will continue to be Saturday. The weekly I sail/rigs will commence from Liverpool on the Bth April, and from America on the 3rd May. dustry amongst the native them to rea which on an exis s of N of well directed enter of CIVI tion from a region which holds one bird part of may be accused of taking a gloomy view of f)ject; and most glad should we be to find our fears falsified by experience But it certainly s the manufacturing and industrious classes in Great Britain are concerned, we repeat our conviction that they may )one their e _ tations of an early resumption of Indian demand for their products for some time to come, unless, indeed, the East India Company can bring them selves to regard the inhabitants of India as a people worthy of a higher lot than that of mere contribu tors to the dividends upon their stock. That body has much of usefulness within its reach. Roads may be made to facilitate the transmission of native produce from the interior, The heavy yoke of the salt duties may be lightened, if not removed, though the latter is quite practicable. The culti vation of cotton may be encouraged; and a less arbitrary mode of collecting rent from the Ryots may be adopted. But any great and striking result from such measures must be still the work of years. THE LIVERPOOL DISPENSARIES The general annual meeting of the governors of this in- stitutioii was held on Friday, at the P - arish Offices. There were present the Rev. Rector BROOKS (the Chairman), and other governors and officers of the respective dispen- Mr. D. H. GIBSON, the secretary, read the report, of which the following are the heads : "The committee had encountered unusual difficulties during the past year, on account of the unhealthy state of the town, and the influx of Irish paupers. The dispen saries had to treat no fewer than 6,258 cases of fever, which had involved serious expense. Notwithstanding the strictest economy, 200 gallons of wine had been used in these cases alone. In the Southern D spensary, al though Toxteth-park was withdrawn from it, there had been treated nearly 400 cases of fever more than during the preceding year. The total number of all cases during the year had been 37,256, and of these, 14,809 had been visited at their own houses. Total expenditure for the year 1847, £3,213 ; total receipts, £3,026, skewing a deficit of £lB7, which, added to that of last year, makes the present debt £603. Owing to the com mercial pressure, many liberal supporters had been unable as before to contribute, but the subscriptions had, not withstanding, increased by £3o,—showing the sympathy of a generous public. With the debt owing, however, and the prospect of calls on the resources of the dispen saries, unless the friends of the sick poor come liberally forward, a serious curtailment of their operation?, must be the result. The committee conclude by a very forcible appeal to the benevolent, and commend their cause to the ministers of religion, as that there can be no purer act of Christian charity than administering to the neces- sities of the poor and the afflicted." - Mr. BOOTH moved that the report read be printed and circulated, as usual, which was unanimously agreed to. The accounts were also passed. Dr. SUTHERLAND moved thanks to the chairman, which, as well as thanks to the medical officers, and the clergy who had preached in behalf of the dispensaries, was passed. Officers were appointed for the ensuing year, with a few exceptions, the same as those before in office. The CHAIRMAN said he had served for three years, and thought that he should retire, and that the vice-presidents should succeed him. The meeting appreciating his valuable services, re quested him to continue to preside, and he consented. After the usual thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated. FIRST ANNUAL SOIREE OF THE ROSCOE CLUB. On Tuesday last the first annual soiree of the above club was held in the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, and a more interesting and better conducted festive meet ing has seldom been held in Liverpool. In one respect alone, we believe, were the anticipations of a portion of the members and others present disappointed, viz., the absence of the literary and other guests of eminent rank, who had been invited. The proximity of day appointed to the commencement of the parliamentary session, and the limited notice which the committee had it in their power to give, fully account for the deprivation. The club were, however, favoured with the presence of a good portion of the talent and respectability of the neighbour hood, both upon the platform, and subsequently as par takers of the dance. Amongst the gentlemen on the platform we noticed Henry R. Sandbach, Esq., the presi dent of the Roscoe Club, who occupied the splendidly carved chair, belonging to Mr. Mayer, of Lord-street, and formed out of one of the rafters of the house in which Roscoe was born ; the late Mayor, G. Hall Lawrence, Esq.. ; William Rathbone, Esq. ; John A. Tinne, Esq. ; Captain Greig, staff officer of the district ; J. B. Langley, Esq., of the Manchester Atheneum ; Rev. Dr. Booth, Rev. Dr. Hume, W. W. Mortimer, Esq., &c., &c. Several of our local vocalists were also stationed on the platform during the proceedings, including Miss Whitnall, Miss Fairhurst, Mr. Ryalls, and Mr. Roberts, with Mr George Holden as conductor at the - ar •forte, v ''o terspersed the various speeches with glees and songs, During the entrance of the company, between half-past six and seven o'clock, the excellent band of Mr. Goodall played several pieces, amongst which one—we believe the Nightingale Waltz —was enthusiastically applauded, and most wonderfully executed. The CHAIRMAN described the design and the operations of the club since its formation, and the encouragement which it had received. He read an interesting and appro priate letter from James Montgomery, the poet, and ex pressed an earnest anxiety for the future welfare of the club. The audience was subsequently addressed by Mr. Langley, secretary to the Manchester Athenaeum, Mr. Rathbone, Mr. John Smith, Dr. Booth, Dr. Hume, Mr. Tinne, and Mr. Mortimer. The preliminary portion of the proceeedings having been concluded, the Chairman requested the assembly, whilst the forms in the body of the hall were being re moved for the dance, to adjourn to the refreshment room below. This department —not the least entertaining on such an occasion—was superintended by Mr. Horsfall, confectioner, of Church-street, and, both for the abun dance provided and the excellence of the various viands, tarts, jellies, pastes, cakes, fruit, &c., did great credit to his catering. We need not say that the room in which it was set out remained accessible during the whole evening, and was visited pretty regularly in the intervals between the different darces. As soon as the room was an nounced to be cleared, the earnest business of the evening began with a country dance—the Triumph—which was succeeded by quadrilles, polkas. galloppes, and waltzes, until a somewhat late hour in the morning, when the old favorite English dance, Sir Roger De Coverley, closed the scene of gaity. The band was one of the finest which it has ever been our fortune to hear, and gave unbounded satisfaction, comprising as it did some of the first solo performers in the provinces, and under the able leadership of one of the most talented violinists of the day, Mr. Goodall. The lished compositions of the able leader. Amongst them was a set of polkas, composed expressly for the occasion by Mr. Goodall, entitled the Roscoe Club Polkas, which were played as beautiful and effective music deserves to be played, and will, when published, carry the name of the club, to whom we understand they are to be dedicated, to many a circle in which it might otherwise remain un known. The introduction is a beautiful clarionet solo, played by Mr. H. George, and containing - a cadenza in half notes, which was very finely played. The polka commences with a piano movement, followed by a very e ff ec ti ve f or t e . The second polka contains an introduction by the full band in unison, the subject being afterwards t a k en up b y th e orpheiclide and cornet solo, and flageolet and clarionet alternately. The third is introduced by the trumpet solo ; the first part is a piannissino movement f or corne t an d orpheiclide and flageolet and clarionet. The second part is a very beautiful and original, movement executed by the violins. The fourth contains an introduction by the cor net, after which the subject is taken up by the flageolet. The second part is composed for the full band, and the trio is a solo for the first and second cornet. By many who did not mingle in the dance it was remarked that they felt sufficient delight in listening to such music, and in gazing upon the happy scene with which they were surrounded. Altogether this soiree was most successful ; and in th ese dull times it must have been a delight to every one prese n t to witness the buoyancy of sp irit which was everywhere perceptible. The arrangements made by the stewards and the honorary secretaries were most excellent, and their attentions to their guests worthy of all praise. We do not care, and many will echo the sentiment, how soon we have another Roscoe Club Soiree ; and have only to regret of it that, like Christmas, " it only comes once a year." Unlike that sacred festival, however, it might be made to come oftener, by w hi c h we should be saved from the dis tressing reflection on each recurring celebration , that we, had become a year older, =EIP THE TEA DUTIES A deputation of a very influential character, appointed at a recent public meeting held in this town, had an in terview with Lord John Russell, at his official residence in Downing-street, on Wednesday last. The two mem bers of parliament for Liverpool introduced the deput tion, and strong' upported their object. The deputa tion consisted of Mr. R. Gladstone, on behalf of the terested in the tea trade; Mr. J. R. Jeffery, on behalf of the tradesmen and shopkeepers ; Mr. R. Crossley, as the President of the Tradesmen's Guardian Society ; and Mr. H. Littledale, as the representative of the commercial and general public of Liverpool. Mr. GLADSTONI assured the noble lord that the depu tation represented the unanimous wish of a community THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. 21ff E %W" • - Z.VX==Zl=6l6 WATER TO LIVERPOOL.—Part of the men employed in ganging the water on the line of this great undertaking, from Waddlesworth Brook to Rivington, still continue at work, and it is probable that extensive operations will be proceeded with ere long, and be the means of affording employment to a considerable number of hands. It is in contemplation to establish a new periodical, to circulate almost exclusively among the fellows and mem bers of the learned societies, for the purpose of reporting to each body the proceedings of its contemporaries. It is said to bave originated with Dr. Hume, of this town, and that be is to be the editor. DISTRESS ING ACCIDENT.—On Thursday, an inquest was held on the body of a young man, twenty years of age, a plumber and painter, in the employ of Mr. James Gildred, of Stirling-street. The unfortunate young. man T whilst working in previous from a Mulberry-street. GIRnA SOCIETY -7.1 e annual meeting was held on Thursday evening. Mr. William Smithurst. of Scotland road, was elected president for the ensuing year, and Mr. John Pemberton, upholsterer, Duke-street, vice- president. The anniversary dinner has been fixed for Tuesday, the 22nd instant, at the Queen's Hotel, Lime-street. The retiring president, Mr. R. Crossley, according to custom, pected to be present SUICIDI six o'clock, on Friday morning, a ler, who at a house in Chis- enhale-street, jumped through one of the bedroom win dows into the street, and injured his h ea d so much that . . he (Ilea in an instant. it appeared that he had only gone to lodge at the house on Wednesday evening, and com plained of being unwell. A man named Lynch. who was passing ny at tne time, narrowly escaped being killed, for Butler struck him on the shoulder in the course of the fall. ANOTHER DEATH OF A CHILD BY FlRE.—Yesterday fortnight, Mary Chadwick, seven years of age, living with her parents in Fairclough-street, went into a neighbour's house opposite her own, and a little girl, named Wall, who had gon 3 in search of a playmate, found her standing on the fender by the fire, and told her to come off, which she did, but her frock had caught fire. The other little girl endeavoured to put it out, but before the fire could be extinguished she was so severely burnt on the back that she died on Friday. IRISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ISLINGTON.—Sun day week, being the anniversary of the opening of this place of worship, sermons were preached by the Rev. Dr. Henry, of Belfast, and the Rev. Dr. Raffles, when col lections were made, amounting to about £65, to liquidate the debt on the building. A sale of' ladies' work, for the benefit of the poor, took place on Tuesday, when upwards of £36 were realized. In the evening a tea party was held in the school-room. On Wednesday evening, the children connected with the Sunday school held a convi vial meeting in the same place. IRISH PAUPERISM. —On several days during last week, the number of Irish offenders brought bethre Mr. Rushton exceeded the average of forty per day ! The borough gaol contains at this moment more than one thousand prisoners, (five hundred being about the usual average,) and the workhouse is so full that many shivering vagrants have been denied admittance. But for the night asylum, deaths must have occurred in the streets from sheer starvation. On Thursday a poor woman, just out of fever, was brought and laid at the door of the bridewell for shelter. The paupers refuse to be sent back to their own country, and many are committing offences against the law, in order, avowedly, that they may be put into gaol. PRESERVATION OF PAINTINGS.—At the meeting on Monday of the Liverpool Polytechnic Society, in the course of an interesting conversation on the qualities of gutta percha, Mr. C. J. Smith threw out what we consider an excellent suggestion in regard to the preservation of valuable paintings. Paintings, it is but too well known, are frequently destroyed or injured by the dampness of the wall against which they may be hung; and the world has often had occasion to deplore the perishing influences to which the noblest works of art have been exposed. Mr. Smith suggested that if valuable pictures were backed with a thin coating of gutta percha, it would enable them, in a great measure, to resist the influence of the atmos phere, and render them all but imperishable. AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.—We have learned from a gentleman of Wallasey that Mr. William Peers, manager of the powder magazines, at New Brigh ton, distributed gratuitously, at the commencement of the severe weather, 18 tons of coal to the necessitous in the township of Liscard, Seacornbe, and Wallasey, and that he recently again gave 60 tons more in the same localities; and with a consideration scarcely less generous than that which dictated the gift, sent them free of expense to the habitations of the deservinc , poor. No comment is re quired on the act of kindness; but, as the labouring classes in the places named have, during the winter, suf fered, and are many of them yet suffering, great privations from want of work, we may express a hope that the noble example will induce some of the wealthy residents to ex tend their charitable aid to the needy in other ways, until the opening of spring permits the full resumption of field and garden operations. FRENCH AND DRAWING.—From testimony before us, it appears that the results aimed at in the mode of teaching adopted by Mons. Chapuis, whose advertisement appears in another column, are,—to give to the pupil a pure and correct pronunciation, which can be acquired by the ear only. To acquaint him with the French phraseology, so very different from the English. To initiate him in the language by constant inversions of French sentences, having always a complete sense. To give him a perfect knowledge of the rules of the grammar, which are con stantly explained and used in practical exercises. To faci litate to the pupil the way of explaining himself correctly in French, as the leSsons may be considered as-matter For To enable him to write correctly in French, both by the knowledge he has acquired of the language, and by the spelling of the spoken words he has written. With respect to Mons. Chapuis's qualifications as a draw ing -master, he has established a reputation amongst us justifying all our anticipations.—Mercury, _ _ DEATH BY THE FALLING IN OF A SEWER.—On Satur day, an inquest was held before the borough coroner on view of the body of Henry Edwards, aged 27. It ap peared that deceased was employed on Friday, with others, in making a sewer in. Lower Harrington-street, Toxteth park. The sewer, or rather excavation for the sewer, was about twelve feet deep, and five in width. Deceased was employed in the bottom. The sides of the cutting were composed of loose soil, and planked up to prevent it from falling in. While the men were working a quantity of the soil at one side gave way and fell upon deceased. He was extricated . as, soon as possible, but was found to be quite dead. There was a large cut on the left side of his head. As it appeared from the evidence of the contrac tor, the ...orporation,, and several of the men employed, that planks had been fixed at the sides, and shores to sup port them which they considered sufficient, the jury re turned a verdict of " accidental death." Several other labourers were injured by the fall of the soil, &c., one of them so severely that he was sent to the hospital. TIMBER TRADE.—The principal attraction last week was the very large auction sale which occupied the trade three days. The company was exceedingly numerous and highly respectable ; the amount of business transacted was more than was expected, and prices were a shade higher than for the last few weeks. 260 logs of Quebec yellow pine timber were sold at 144-d. per foot ; 23,000 feet middling quality at 13111. to 13id. per foot, and 5000 feet at Ind. per foot; 21,500 feet Quebec red nine at from 194 d. to 21d. 'per foot; 18,800 St. John and Mira michi spruce deals at from 2d. 3-16 to 24-d. per foot, of 2 inches ; 7000 Miramichi yellow deals at from 2 3 16ths to 24d. per foot, of 2 inches. The sales of mahogany have been very- extensive, and consist of 548 logs Honduias mahogany at from 34d. to 10d. per foot; 3581 logs and curls Cuba and St. Domingo mahogany at from 4d. to 4s. 4d. per-foot; 600 logs Cuba mahogany at from sd. to Bs. 3d. per foot; 120 planks Rio rosewood at from £l4 5s to £lB ss. per ton ; 1027 planks Bahia rosewood at from £5 15s. to Z/1 15s. per ton. PRESCRIBING DRUGGISTS.—An inquest WaS held on Saturday, before the borough coroner, on view of the body of John Davies. aged 42. Since Christmas, de ceased had complained of pain in the bowels, and it ap peared he had gone twice since his illness to Mr. Thompson's, druggist, in Stanhope-street, who gave him on the first occasion two pennyworth of tincture of rhubarb, mixed with fifteen drops of laudanum. This he drank off in the shop. On the second occasion he gave him the same quantity of rhubarb, with double the stated quantity of laudanum. Mr. John Gilmour, sur geon, said he had been called on to visit deceased, and found him labouring under anasarcis and bronchitis. On a post mortem examination, he found extensive disease of the viscera, which had caused death. He considered the quantity of laudanum taken was improper under the dis eases disclosed by the examination, and that it might have accelerated death, but he could not take it upon himself to say that it did. The jury returned a verdict of " natural death." The coroner, before dismissing Mr. Thompson, who in stating the facts affecting him as a witness, said that druggists had no business to prescribe medicines, or recommend people to take them without a recipe from a practitioner. He added that he differed from the jury in their verdict, and thanked Mr. Gilmour for his attendance, as. he considered the case one proper for investigation. OPENING DINNER. — On Thursday evening last, Mr. Mullen, landlord of the new hotel, the Wellington, at Liscard village—recently licensed—entertained his friends by a dinner given, in celebration of his having commenced business on an extended scale in that handsome and com modious establishment, and in grateful acknowledgment of past favours. Nearly the whole of the invited guests attended on the occasion, so that the large club-room was insufficient to accommodate the whole, during the repast, and a considerable number were served in other apart ments. Upwards of seventy, in all, were present, in cluding several professional gentlemen, and many of the most respectable tradesmen of the vicinity. The enter tainment comprised substantial joints and delicacies, the whole of which did honour to the cuisine, and were done ample justice to by all present. On the cloth being with drawn, a chairman was appointed for the convivial portion of the evening, and the loyal toasts were followed by others appropriate to the occasion, each introduced in a manner that appeared to be highly satisfactory. The healths of Mr., Mrs., and Miss Mullen were respectively introduced in deserved terms of commendation, and drunk amidst deafening applause. Among the toasts that suc ceeded were,--" Increased prosperity to the inhabitants of the parish of Wallasey ;" " The agriculturists and gar deners, and may they not be re-visited by the potato rot; " The proprietor of the hotel, Mr. W. Strong, and long may he and his tenant remain on those amicable terms advantageous to both ;" " The town and trade of Liver pool," coupled with a wish that those in the management of the docks on the Lancashire and Cheshire shores may soon shake hands, so that the " good old town," and the new town of Birkenhead may ere long together constitute the port of the Mersey. Three young men who were guests volunteered a number of glees, which were sung with much taste and effect. The conviviality was kept up for several, hours, and the guests departed highly gratified, and ex pressed their best wishes for the increased prosperity of the Wellington, MELANCHOLY SUICiDE AT HIGHER TRANMERE.-011 Thursday, a young man named Thomas Dolphin Weaver committed suicide, at Higher Tranmere, Cheshire. De ceased was respectably connected in London. The body was discovered on the forenoon of Thursday, behind the residence of H. B. Walker, Esq., Yoke-of-Egg-lane. In the right hand a pocket-pistol, quite new, was still grasped. In his pockets were found powder, several bul lets and percussion caps, half-a-crown, sixpence, a penny piece, and a letter addressed to Mr. Warry, druggist, Hamilton-street, Birkenhead, with whom the deceased had been on terms of intimacy, and who had assisted him in various ways. In the letter the deceased expressed his obligations to Mr. Warry for past kindnesses, and added that an additional obligation would be conferred upon him if he would pay two or three small accounts, the money for which would be found in the looking-glass drawer at his lodgings. The deceased visited Mr. Warry on Wed nesday evening, and remained at his house till eleven o'clock. He then appeared in excellent spirits. The let ter was dated Wednesday, and it is supposed he had writ ten it after reaching home. The body was removed to' the Queen's Arms, Lower Tranmere, to await the inquest. The deceased was staying with Mr. Jackson, Oliver street, Birkenhead, and usually crossed to Liverpool at nine in the morning ; but on Thursday morning he said there was no hurry. He left the house soon after, and a through the Feb. 8,184 g. DOCK COMMITTEE,—THURSDAY.—There were present the Chairman, Mr. Bramley-Moore, and sixteen other members.—A model of Mr. Talbot's improved plan for the construction of graving docks was submitted. Mr. Talbot suggests the dividing of each graving dock by means of sliding gates, so that any vessel may be shut up without interfering with the other vessels in the dock, the main object being to do away with the masonry requisite for the erection of gates of the usual form, by which one or two of the north docks are at present divided. The surveyor, in his report on the subje c t, sa id h e h a d no doubt the scheme would be very desirable if it could be carried into execution, but the plans were not sufficiently perfect to enable a correct opinion to be formed. He (Mr. Hartley) felt inclined to think that the cost would exceed that incurred by the present plan. The matter was referred back to the Sub-committee of Works.—The Sub-co i mraittee produced the return relative to the Albert Dock Warehouses, ordered last week. It appeared that the quays were roughly valued at £112,000, and the ware- , houses at £359,000. A statement of the accounts for the three months ending 24th January was submitted, and is. noticed in an article in our present number.—There was no other public business of importance. BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMMISSTONERS.-At the usual monthly meeting, on Wednesday, Mr. Bryans explained, lest it should be misund • .erstood in' Liverpool and else .iead Commissioners were not pro , , of the bill emanating from Birken head, which proposed to interfere with the Liverpool dock and town dues.—Mr. Hicklin said that the Finance Com mittee should take some immediate steps-for the sale of the Plant, or to devise some other means for raising money to meet the pressing demands which were made on the commissioners.—The Chairman then read a letter from William Laird, Esq., resigning his office as. one of the Dock Commissioners, in consequence of his other duties at the Birkenhead and Chester Railway preventing him from attending to his duties as a commissioner ; after which, the Chairman read a letter from Messrs.•Mallaby and Townsend, on the part of the North and South-Wales Bank, requesting payment of the balance which was. due to them, and stating that, in event of the balance . not bein g paid before Saturday, they w er e i ns t ruc t e d to ta k e legal proceedings against the commissioners, for the' re covery of the same.—Referred. motets in any way BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—At the usual monthly meeting, on Tuesday, the report of the Finance Com mittee was read. It recommended that Mr. Wilcox , be appointed general superintendent of the finances of the township ; that his salary be £250 per annum, and that he be required to furnish security to the extent of £lOOO. The minutes also contained a letter from Mr. Townsend, solicitor to the Park-land Company, stating, that owing to the depression of the times, he was afraid that the company would have to be broken up, and wishing the committee to at least modify the terms of the pur chase of the land. The committee resolved that the com mittee should have until the 21st instant to elect whether they will abandon thepurchase or not. The receipts at the ferry in January were £1207, whilst in that month of 1847 they were £lsl4.—Mr. Thomson asked what had become of the bill for imposing a tax on property, to pay the interest on the bonded debt ? The Chairman said he had no information on the subject. Mr. Thomson said he supposed the matter would end,•as he had anticipated, as a flash in the pan. SELECT VESTRY.-At the meeting, on Tuesday, a letter was read from Mr. Lamonby, the relieving-officer. who was recently dismissed from St. Anne -street district, requesting to be furnished with a• copy of the charges which had been preferred against him : it was resolved that the same be given to him, The Vestry Clerk, how ever, observed that as the matterwas now before the Poor-law Commissioner, the vestry had nothing more to do with it ; and, therefore, if Mr. Laraonby was desirous of having his case re-investigated, the Poor-law Commii sioner was the proper party to apply to for that purpose. —lt was resolved to send the Town-Council another copy of the Vestry's resolution as to the Dock Bill, as expres sive of the Vestry's confirmed opinion on the subject.— A desultory conversation took place on the subject of increased accommodation for the paupers, both the gaol and workhouse being full ; after which, the matter was referred to the Workhouse Committee.—lt was reported that sickness is decreasing in the workhouse.—The Relief Committee reported that the sum expended by the parish. in bread and soup, from the 24th to the 29th of January, was £l2B 10s. 11d. ; the out-door relief; during the same period, was £Bl4 9s. 5d., of which £590 9s. 9d. was given, in " kind," and £223 12s. Bd. in money, which, when compared with the corresponding week_ of last year, shewed a decrease in the total expenditure-of £l6B-3s. 2d. —ln consequence of the election of Mr. Molyneux as a. vestryman, at the special meeting, en Monday.week, being. illegal, another election took place, when that gentleman,. Mr. Denton, and Mr. Morris were proposed, and Mr. Mo lyneux was again elected. He had a majority of one over Mr, Morris.—The next business was the appointment of two surveyors. There were eleven candidates, but only six were proposed and seconded. The voting was as fol lows :--For Mr. Culshaw, 13'; • Mr. Boult, 8; Mr. Woods,. 2 ; Mr. Edwards, 3 ; Mr. Hay, 1; Mr. Picton, 17. Mr. Culshaw and Mr. Picton were accordingly declared duly elected. had entered the right temple, ,and pass, Seen instantaneous. De ceased served his apprenticeship with Mr. Tyrer, ship broker, of this town. About two years ago he commenced brain, so that c h must have business in the same line, but was not succes. then entered the service of Messrs. Ashley, Brothers about twelve months in the service of the last named em ployers, he obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of placing himself under the medical care of his brother, a surgeon, in London. He expected to have been able to resume the duties of his situation in about two or three to remain two months in London, and it became neces sary that his place in Messrs. Ashley's office should be filled np. He only returned to Liverpool on Monday week, but a situation had been obtained for him in the office of Mr. Francis, ship-broker, Snekeland-buildings, and he had entered upon his duties only a week. The de ceased is described as a young man of excellent character, intelligent, and amiably disposed. He was about thirty years of age. His mother is alive, and, with his brother, resides in London. It is stated that he had a bill from an attorney for £lO, and, being unable to , meet it, the interest and expenses nearly doubled the amount, and he was threatened with an action. He failed in endeavouring to raise the money by loan, and recently became depressed in spirits. It is added that had he lived another day, he would have heard from a friend who would have relieved' him from his pecuniary difficulties. The inquest was held before Mr. Churton, on Saturday. TITITEBARN-STREET STATION.-At the special Sleeting of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, on Monday, the chairman, Mr. Houldsworth, commented upon the great advantage which would accrue from having a central passenger-station in so large and important a town as Li verpool, and stated that the proposed site in Titheb-rn street was the most eligible spot that could be secured. The cost of the proposed extension of 700 yards was esti mated at £300,000, but the advantages to be obtained were well worth.a greater outlay. The chairman stated that the directors were prepared to recommend that the dividend to the shareholders in the late Liyerpool and Bury Company should commence from the opening of the line from Bury to the Borough Gaol at Liverpool. In answer to Mr. Price, the chairman stated that one-half of the cost of the proposed extension would be borne by the stock raised, and to be raised on 32 extension shares, and the other half by the East Lancashire Company. The votes having been taken, it was found that there were in favour of the proposed extension 9&,913, —against it, 7,514,—a majority of nearly 90,000 votes. LOCAL. MEETINGS. TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS At the usual monthly meeting on Wednesday, the Mayor announced the death of Mr. Thornhill, to whose zealous discharge of his public duties, he bore strong evi dence. The Finance Committee's proceedings comprised a recommendation to increase the salaries of Mr. Topping, Mr. Driffield, Mr. Tyson, and Mr. Arron, and the ap pointment of two clerks to the Clerk of the Peace at sala ries of £BO each. Mr. G. H.. Lawrence, in movinc , the confirmation of the proceedings, observed that Mr. Top ping had been in their service since 1843; Mr. Dtiffield had been with them three years ; and Mr. Tyson had been with them almost beyond the memory of man—cer tainly beyond the recollection either of himself or Sir Thomas Brancker. He further observed that Mr. Wright, the Clerk of the Peace, had been appointed at a nett an nual salary of £5OO per annum, but large amounts for printing and engrossing indictments had to be deducted from that sum, and these deductions were, for the most part, occasioned by the great increase of the criminal business in the borough. For instance, in the first year of his appointment there was a- deduction of £l4O from his salary; in the second year; a deduction of £193; in the third year, £184; and in the present year, £270. There were six sessions held in the year, at which 833 cases on the average were tried ; and when such large deductions, occasioned by so large an amount of business, had to be made, it was only fair that the Clerk of the Peace should have the two additional clerks now proposed, at salaries of £l6O per annum. Mr. Lawrence concluded by stating that the Earl of Harrowbv had sent the Corporation his father'a valuable parliamentary , -library, which library would be sent to St. George's-hall, and would, with the law library already belonging to the Corporation, form a large and excellent collection of works. The warm thanks of the Council were ordered to be sent to his Lordship, and the Council adjourned. The Dock Committee proceedings were then read, and the- MAYOR explained' the position of the Council with reference to the Dock Bill, and after several memorials against the bill had been read, Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORS said he approached the subject of the Dock Bill with very great reluctance, but he felt satisfied that the more it was discussed the more would the necessity become apparent for going to parliament in the present session. The grand objection was the rating clause—(hear, hear.)—but that clause could be introduced, if the Council wished to introduce it, and it might be en tertained by parliament. He then stated the desirable ness of going to parliament this session ; and in doing so he said that the interests of the merchants and trades people of Liverpool were identical. The amount of freight unpaid in the Albert Dock warehouses, in consequence of the defective nature of the Albert Dock Act, amounted to £107,000, and unless the Dock Committee now went to parliament to amend the act that money would continue to remain unpaid. Was not the locking up of this vast sum of money an injury to the tradesmen of the town ? He was happy to say that, including the expenses of the Albert Dock quays and warehouses, the returns for the last three months showed that those warehouses were paying an interest of something between seven or eight per cent. He reviewed the circumstances under which he desired to locate the timber trade at the north end of the town, and said it was absolutely impossible to accommo date that trade at the south end. He hoped the question would be amicably settled, and that no feelings of jealousy would be entertained, for the interests of the Corporation and Dock Trust were identical, —they were sisters, and if one was injured so must-the other be injured also—(hear.) It was now the intention of the Council to seek powers to build dock warehouses when and where they might think proper, but at present they intended to limit them selves to the erection of warehouses round the Wapping Dock. The MAYOR said the first question for the Council to decide was, whether they should go to parliament at all ?- And with the view of helping them to a correct answer to this question, he called upon the Town-Clerk to read a legal opinion which had been obtained upon the subject, The TowN-ctEßK.accordingly said that he had laid, a case before Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. Crompton, and the Recorder, and that he had now obtained the opinion of these eminent legal gentleman. He then read the case and opinion. The opinion of Sir Fitzroy Kelly, and Mr. Crompton, was as follows : " We are of opi n i on th a t th e resolution to proceed with the bill in parliament is within the powers of the Dock Committee, under the first section of their. Act, and that it is the duty of Council to confirm that resolution and bona fide to carry it into effect. Under the 69th section of the Municipal Reform Act, a bare ma jority of the Council might annul it, but such a proceeding would be a breach of duty and a violation of, the act of parliament." The Recorder added—" I agree with this opinion, but think that two-thirds will be requisite to an nul the resolution of the Dock Committee." Mr. Worth ington, the Dock Solicitor, had also submitted a case for the opinion of counsel upon the same point. His case was submitted for the opinion of Mr. Wilde, the parlia mentary draftsman, and Mr. Quayle and they, said that the provisions of the dock act were imperative—that the trus tees. must make the application to parliament or subject themselves to an indictment—that it was the duty of the f Dock Committee to pass the necessary resolution to make the application to parliament, and record the same in their book—that then the resolution should be submitted to the Council, and then the resolution should be submitted to the Council, and that that resolution would be final and conclusive, unless annulled by two-thirds of the Council. He (the Town-clerk) felt it his duty to state that Sir of the • Dock Committee was governed by a bare majority of Fitzroy th e D K e e e k l yAaent Acts, w Mr. ere C e r f o e m pi p e t e n n , after that a every careful a.et perusal e te to the contrary had been repealed by the Act, and that a bare majority of the Council could annul all the doings of the Dock Committee. It was his duty to aHnedeeseneeklafodreda by. e in in g Council, and they were further of opinion, that anything sl state this distinctly, in order that the Dock Committee n roa o spi w tairo in n s ' erted, would according to ttm a hh n i eagt o hl opinion h i 7 n ue i ni o rfd n ateth h ri aes e tyga h tnc a hld d ao obtained atuhsgeebitheir tifpl: in London, pass the standing orders of parliament,, and by suggesting that the following resolution be now passed by the Council, " That in the opinion of the trustees, it is desirable that the bill be pro ceeded with in the present session, but that the ware houses to be erected under the powers of the proposed Dock Bill ought, on their occupation by the trustees, to, be subject to parochial and other local rates and taxes, as sanctioned by parliament in relation to the Albert ware houses, and that if a clause be not introduced, rendering oa carried. ho are u the warehouses liable to such rates, that the bill b e with drawn." The reading of this resolution was receiv e d w i t h l oud applause, when Mr. Hugh Hornby moved th e a d opt i on of the resolution read by the Town-clerk, whi c h was seconded by Mr. unimportant, with w a p ri t d hh the w e The rest of the business brought before the Council was resolution to erect tiraonteas o w f iuti l c Healths baths exception and Committee eventually f sah wse sr,eryin and t u h e a h t ai in arrears, that, peremptory orders be se a t roun d t h at t h ey must be paid within fourteen d a y s , or suguanses will be issued. six th localaddi /District prim The Rev. E. Unsworth, of Granby-row. Roman Catholic Chapel, Manchester, has died of fever. EDUCATION OF POLICEMEN.--The watch committee of the Manchester Town -council have agreed' to establish a library and newspapers for the use of the police force, the funds for the supply of which are to be obtained out of tho fines imposed on the men for breaches of, duty.. --On Wednes&y morning last; =:a portion of the circular chimney at the Ravenhead Flint Glass-works, near St. Helens, fell in with a loud crash. A. considerable quan tity of the materials alighted upon a building, in which, had the occurrence taken pl ace a f ew minutes later, there would.have been a number of m en at.work. Mr. John Forrest, solicitor, of Preston, and Deputy Prothonatory of Lancaster, committed suicide on Friday, by cutting his throat. He had been depressed in spirits for some time. Many of our readers will remember the deceased. He attended the assizes, and sat in the civil court under the judge. He was sixty years of age. The hands in several of the mills at Blackburn have turned out rather than submit to the reduction of ten per cent. on their wages. The operatives in the neighbour hood of Darwen have, on the other hand, submitted to the reduction. A fortnight since a fire took place at Messrs. Buins and Dean's cotton mill at Dukinfield, when £BOOO worth of property was destroyed; and, on .Sunday, another fire broke out, which did near £2OOO damage. They are be lieved to be incendiary acts. POTATO ROBBERIES BY IRISHMEN.—The farmers of Speke, Halewood, and Woolton, have long been suffering from the midnight ravages of a band of robbers, who have for a length of time, eluded the observation of the guar dians of the public peace. Their depredations have chiefly been confined to the despoiling of potato-holes in the fields of the numerous farming community, who reside in the locality we have mentioned. Three persons of the names of Martin, Bryan, and Leannon, have been com mitted to Kirkdale, to await their trials at the next ses sions, on a charge of being,concerned in these robberies. EXCESSIVE ASSESSMENT. UPON A COLLIERY,—On. Tuesday last, before the bench of magistrates assembled, at Prescot, Messrs. David Bromilow and Co., of Preston brook Colliery, appealed against the assessment of that, colliery as it stood upon the rate-books of the township. of Prescot, dated in June last. They objected to it on. the ground of unfairness, inequality, and incorrectness_ Mr. Gaskell Taylor, solicitor, of St. Helens, represented. the appellants, and Messrs. Brown and Traverse, the overseers. It being the rule of law that the assessment for the purpose of a poor-rate must be fixed at what any mine or other property would let to. a tenant for, the bench reduced the assessment to £55. A SINGULAR AGREEMENT.—Twenty-nir t e years ago,. Betty Winal, then residing at Tarleton, bottled a quantity of white currants in their green state, being then in. the 33d year of her age. Having kept them some time in. a state of preservation, William (her husband) and she agreed, that they, should be kept while they both, lived, and that they should be made into pies at the funerd of the one who should die first. The wife departed this, life on the 2nd of this month, and was interred at St. Peter's Church, Preston, on the sth, the family having removed to Dawson-street, Preston. Their mutual. pledge was fulfilled, and the pies made of these currants were served out, after returning from church, every attendant taking a slice. Though the currants had been kept. twenty-nine years, they were as fresh as if just taken from the trees. —Lancaster. Guardian. DEPRESSED STATE OF RAND-LOOM WE' AvING.—Two young women, in consequence of the factory wherein they were employed being closed, betook themselves te,lituid— loom weaving. They obtained work ; but the price they ar e paid is so miserably low, that we really , wonder how' they can afford " salt to their porridge." k or threescore yards of cloth, about a yard wide, and twel ve p i cks to the qua rter, they receive (we are almost ashamed to name the sum) eightpenee And to earn this miserable pittance they have to ply it closely for two.live-long days--a scale of labour which brings each of them in t wo s hilli ngs pe r w eek ! By dint of unremitting toil, a good weaver, they told us, would earn three and threezienee! Such is the condition of the poor hand-loom weaver. What an lustrious example does it offer of England's manufacturing. greatness !—Preston Chroaiale. AFFRAY WITH . POACHERS.—A.gang of poachers, about: ten in number, entered the p r e serves o f G. A. L. K ec k : , Esq., in Holmes,Tarleton,, on the night of M on d a y we ek. About two o' c l oc k, t h e k eepers, after hearing severa l in s hots fired i n th e di rect i on of the plantations, lost no time obtaining assistance from the farmers in the neighbour hood, alo ng w i t h t h e i r servants, amount i ng to thirteen of fourteen in number, and proceeded to the plantations. It anpeara the poachers were armed with stones. as well ita rifles, for on the keepers making their appearance, one of them received a severe blow on the left arm with a stone. The poachers soon after got upon the road leading to Tarkiton, and. were closely followed by the keepers. Finding that they were pursued they made a stand, at a distance of about twenty yards from the keepers, when one of the gang began to utter abusive as well as threat ening language, and almost immediately fired his gun of the keepers. Mr. Robert Cookson, keeper being in front of his corcrades, received nearly the whole of the contents of the gun in his left side and arm, with one of the shots a little above his temple, and is now lying in a dangerous state. A reward of £5O is offered by Mr. Keck. SICK HEADACHES, BILE, AND INDIGESTION, CHKEP BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—TiIe innumerable pr oo f s of the efficacy of these invaluable Pills in the cure of bile, sidc headaches, and indigestion, are so convincing, that eyed person subject to these distressing complaints should ita mediately have recourse to them for relief, for no medicine has hitherto been discovered that possesses such powerful properties ir: i curing the above-named disorders. it aut. so peculi:drly on the system, that all impurities of the blowd are removed, and the patient becomes permanently v:tred and invigorated. Holloway's Pills are also an. Le' fallible remedy for liver complaints, and rank in th 42 highest estimation as a general family medicine,