The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-11-09 00:00:00

g for dorff f his the f her late :cote hak ;cen- ugh, il ; 100 pre- rigs any :ept nen ply ,urt re- out 11r. ' tier cler the ire ;le : of _ Nov. 9, 1847. oral pals. Closing The M a y or h as sen t a d ona ti on of £5 to the Early ulosing Association. The tea-dealers and grocers of this town have agreed to tlose each night, except Saturday, at seven o'clock. . JAMES' BAZAAR.—The Mayor has contributed £ 5 towards this excellent object. The half-yearly meeting of the City of Dublin Steam- Packet Company last week was very satisfactory, and a di vidend of six per cent. per annum was declared. • On Monday, Thos. Hall, a shipwright, while engaged l a Caulking a vessel in the Queen's Graving Dock, fell 'r°nl a plank and fractured his skull. He died on his way to the Northern Hospital. SUICIDE.—On Thursday Joseph Darry, aged 69, living In York-street, Everton, destroyed himself by puncturing Ills neck with a knife. He had been of unsound mind for scree time. The name of the man who committed suicide in an e u t°Pty house in Cazneau-street was William Ashcroft. ~„"te,was a blacksmith, and had been for some time affected insanity. NBvvv MAGISTRATES.—At the Kirkdale Quarter See '4l2lls, on Thursday last, Thomas Townley Parker, Esq., t E,.L Sutton Grange, near St. Helen's, took the oaths as a Justice of the Peace for this county. On Wednesday night last, two women,. named Doyle and Tupman, quarrelled in Paul-street, Mrs. Doyle, striking at Tupman, hit the infant child of the latter, and hurt it so severely that it died soon after. Doyle has beet committed for manslaughter. CHARTER FOR BIRKENHEAD.—A requisition to the overseers of Birkenhead is in course of signature, request ing them to call a public meeting, to consider the propri ety of memorialising the commissioners to obtain a char- Ler of incorporation. NOVEL SALE BY AUCTION.—The leopard, brought over from India a few days ago by Captain Ord, was sold by auction on Monday last at the Ship Inn Great Crosby. Mr. Mather, naturalist, Williamson-square, was the pur chaser. The North Cheshire Agricultural Society having merged into that of Manchester, which is now amalgamated with the Liverpool Association, it is purposed to extend the operations of the South Cheshire so as to include the Whole county of Chester within its limits. On Wedasday, Daniel Huson, 6, lad twelve years of age, living in Slater-court, Ben Johnson-street, died of congestion of the brain, caused by having drunk immo was 13' of nun the day previous. Above a pint of rum of a given to him by some person and, with the exception sm allquantity given to some one else, deceased drank the w hole of it un dil u t e d. ATA- 1 . ACCIDENTS.—On Sunday, a man, named ll ligsworth, who resided in Hurst-street w alked over the Albert Pi er h ead, and although promp t means were used to get him out, life was extinct when the body was raised f rom the water.—On Sunday night, a man, named Uns livorth, employed watching the sewer in Mill-street a fell a wn, and was so much injured, that he died in few hours. THREE BOYS BURNT BY FIREWORKS.—On Thursday evening, while the children of a gentleman in Everton I vere arranging some fireworks for the next evening , in h onour of Guy Fawkes, they proceeded to test the value ,se • a sunflower ' • but as it did not ignite rapidly enough , o ne of th em threw some powder on it, when the whole of & squibs exploded, and three little boys were so dread "?Y burnt that Dr. Nottingham had to be called in ; and b !s doubtful if medical skill can prevent their faces from e ing marked during life. I‘CURIOUS DEATH.— On Saturday week, Andrew B. ,'avidson, a boy, ten years of age, residing with his 'avents in Bedford-street North, was standing with a ;t.inaber of o th er b o y s , w h o were playing with gunpowder Bedford-street North, and whilst there some of the r i ?"'der exploded and burned • him on the forehead and• in • e yes. On being removed home he was attacked with 2 ,,: t baitin g and purging, and died on Monday. Upon a ni e ,„alortem examination, it appeared that the mucous fo r ;7,vone of the stomach had been corroded and per th"Leci ; that the perforation of the stomach had been c a i : se of death ; and that that had evidently been °c if:oiled b y previous disease. o i „,,RE E LECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—A change has been " me in the selection of premises for the use of the officers and the public, by which the latter will be enabled to wise the full advantages of the telegraph, without mud( Other delay. Instea d of the rooms in Lancaster Build- Tithebarn-street, the company have engaged the I vn ices, No. 3, Exchange Buildings , at present occupied 4 1 -7 the P russ i an consu l a te, and which stand on the side of Lae Exchange area, opposite the newsroom, The mains, which had been laid in Exchange-street East, have been P!rtially taken up, and will be conveyed round the front 31 the Town Hall to the above premises by Wednesday next, so that by the end of the week the whole apparatus %lay be expected to b e complete, and the establishment 1 . active operation AN EXTRAORDINARY COINCIDENCE. Two BOYS DROWNED .--An .:An inquest was held on Saturday, before • borough Coro ner , on view of the body of William • Yes a cott ay twelve years old, who resided with his uncle t d eceased a In a e ho O'clock on Fridayusne in i Stanhope-street. About seven home, and as he did not return home on night. made t left his friends became on that alarmed, and search bein g near the house, the body of the deceased was found in a pit next morning about nine o'clock. His cap was previously found on the bank. On the same day, an inquest was held on the body of J ames Griffiths. This boy a l so res id e d w i t h h i s uncle, in a court in Eaton-street, Windsor, and was 16 years old. At the sam e h our o f t h e same night (Friday) deceased left tue home, and about ten o'clock he was found drowned in :1)eo1 of water in a delph. H e was seen i n the water v,,, but being out of reach, he sank before any assist could be given. Verdict—" Found drowned." ROYAL BANK.—Last week there was a meeting in determine of the shareholders of the Royal Bank to r e a t aline what should be done. It is pleasant and re ai7f.Ving to contrast the language used at this oftmeeing Atlantic, that which is so popular on the other side the a l : 44 k. Liverpool is the great mart of American com fr-ree• Let American merchants take a lesson in honesty u °ll l their customers. Mr. Alderman Thompson " urged h ands the sh a reholders the necessity of putting their k n n de in their pockets, that all those who had deposited leleY lin the bank might have their claims liquidhonest ated." J. Cooper said " their first duty was,like 1 1, to pay their debts. One thing was perfectly certain, ssd that was, the necessity of raising a sum of money to 0, 1181. 3 , the depositors, and for that purpose he would 4 i`eerfully contribute." Mr. Josias Booker, (the chair re ), hoped " that all would cordially join in promptly th l e \ring the mischief that had been done, and s tradeo In e World that Liverpool merchants and Liverpool- A 4P. Were actuated by a spirit of honour in all their trans ia+nis, and that, no matter.at what cost to themselves, iigrity and honour should characterise all their proceed gs•(Loud cheers.) In this strain every one spoke; 1 „ --1 in this way it is that British merchants and trades ea look at pecuniary difficulties—not to consider how m a shuffle out of their responsibility—not to` re ir,"`nate"y just claims—not to defy helpless creditors—not Play the rascal with impunity, and scoff at or bully ,„,"a se they swindle—but how, "at whatever cost to them tres," they may best be able to do what is right. We s hould like to see the American papers giving the senti iZeats expressed at this meeting, and to hear an American ..2udiator commenting upon them. We are quite sure ene thing, that he would pay us the trifling compliment I' l [ n declarin g his prefer ence f or an E ng li s h debto r , th oug h ° might be utterly incapable of earning for himself the oataa preference.—J ohn Bull. LOCAL MEETINGS. WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS.—The monthly meeting Llas held on Thursday ni g ht a t th e Li scar d Hotel, present —4 r A • Wynch (chairman), and twelve other commissioners. report read suggested the application for powers to p arl• iament next session, to erect a ferry, in consequence receiving a definite answer from Mr. Smith, the Ow ner of the Seacombe and intended new ferry. The re 'l:" was confirmed by a majority of two. Mr. Goulburn car ried a motion for rescinding the bye-laws affecting iIIe ,VIY the conduct of hackney coaches and bathing ma ihlll.,ea• A committee was appointed on the subject, and tv .. taw-clerk was instructed to ascertain the extent of the .4._'lhority possessed by the commissioners with reference the beach. WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—At the meeting on Wed ir:slay, Mr. Shepherd was in the chair. A motion was fade that steps should be taken against the townships the calls due on the 12th of October, but a -counter lecaalution was carried.—The chairman said he did not Ow where the money was to come from.—Additional t 3, 111 1 3 s were ordered to be placed in Mill-lane, as soon as necessary arrangements could be made. A call of I rtY per cent. on the declared averages of the out l°,wriships was ordered to be paid on the 23rd instant. 'le relieving-officer informed the board that there were t a tteat many children in the workhouse whose parents i_d died of fever, and who were not chargeable to them, t were removable. It was then agreed that all above age of seven years should be sent to their native suecon eunder charge of some person. The chairman, n shown landlord, bore testimony to the great humanity rn to his unfortunate countrymen by the Board. .-"L'IRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—The usual monthly 'ueeting was held on Tuesday. J. H. Greene, Esq. was m et ed to the chair. The proceedings of the Market Com tee recommended the establishment of a market for • e stock, except cattle, in the neighbourhood of the mar and contained a scale of tolls for the purpose. It ran recommended that the rents of the shops, stalls, &c., „(14,_ reduced to £3, £2, and £1 each. This, Mr. Pike s " .4t ecl, had led to an additional number of tenants. The t, l 'eceedings were then confirmed. The minutes of the e rrY Committee stated, that the receipts for the past I nonth were £1609, and for October, 1846, 1751. The I ,,, e ceipts from the 23rd April to the 31st October, 1846, t e te £13,648, and for 1847, £12,240. The total expendi tZrewas £8683. The Chairman said the present mode of et .'"ung the boats would add considerably to the receipts Vtr, wnship the fe.—The -financial staeent of the aairs of the rry w ot as n ready, and as it m as li wkely there might ,? som e instructions to be given to the parliamentary s'tai,nlittee. The board adjourned for a week. ( 1. 13 ,../RICENHE AD Dom( COMMISSIONERS.—On Wednes -"" the usual monthly meeting of these commissioners % as held at their rooms, Hamilton-square. In the ab- P ne e of Mr. Mallaby, the chair was taken by William ~ettet, Lee Esq.Mr. Pike moved, " That it be proposed to thatworkhouse company, by a deputation from that board, • e „„ t heY pay to the Dock Commissioners the sum of , wh _vvli on account, and a like sum monthly until the „.__ule of their debt be discharged, and that, in case this c e ar sition be not at once acquiesced in, the law-clerk th e u stl'ucted to take immediate steps for the recovery of withentire debt." This motion, which was eventually fon o ra, urn, caused considerable discussion ; and then the carried ;_« proposed by Mr. William Laird, was th e 1 That a committee be appointed to investigate they whole matter of the cost, and to devise the best means could for carrying on the works immediately." He observed, that it was the anxious desire of the wareho us company to give every possible assistance to effect this object, and that in fact it was their interest to do so, and the sooner they did so the better for themselves. This motion was carried ; and in the end the meeting was ad journed to that day week, to receive the report of the committee appointed to investigate this important sub ject. THE ROYAL BANK. MEETING OF THE DEPOSITORS. On Thursday, a large meeting of those persons having deposits at the Royal Bank, not being proprietors, was held at the Clarendon-rooms, to determine upon the best plan to obtain a speedy settlement of their accounts, with the least possible inconvenience to the company. Mr. R. Harboard was called to the chair, and Mr. Cross attended professionally for a few depositors.—Mr. Sutton said he had received a circular from the Bank implying that terms had been proposed by them and accepted by the depositors. He himself had acceded to those terms, and if that circular were correct why seek for a new arrangement that might be hostile to the bank. Several other depositors concur red in this remark.—The Chairman said the amount of deposits exceeded £600,000, about £200,000 of which were placed at the disposal of the bank, upon their terms. Some had refused the terms, and others had not replied. Some had borrowed money at a heavy per centage, and deposited it ; and it was fair that they should receive a quid pro quo. He suggested a com mittee of two or three gentlemen to confer with the directors, and report to a future meeting. Mr. S. Holme, a shareholder, suggested a forbearing spirit suit able to the exigencies of the case. If the depositors would agree to the proposition of the directors, that the payments should be made—one-fourth immediately, one fourth in three months, one-fourth in six months, and one-fourth in nine mouths—he had no doubt the bank would be re-established on a firm basis ; that it would be for the benefit of the town that it should resume business ; and that every depositor was perfectly secure of receiving his money, because they had the guarantee for it of a proprietary, whose wealth he was under the mark in re presenting as being to the amount of £15,000,000. (Hear, and applause.) He was informed, and he believed correctly that the bank had now £200,000 in bills and cash; for within the last few days considerable sums had been paid in. He believed that before the Ist December the bank could pay to those to whom they were indebted from £250,000 to £270,000 ; but say only £200,000, they would still have assets to the amount of £400,000 at least. If arrangements now pending could be carried out, the bank would be enabled to resume business, particularly as a large number of the depositors would not require their money. So far as those were concerned whom he repre sented, they would not draw out a shilling. He did not, however, think that the depositors should be satisfied with 5 per cent. interest, but should seek a larger amount. He should press for a higher rate of interest, say 6 per cent, particularly if the depositors agreed to the proposition of the directors as to the times of payment. He had no doubt but that many of them would receive their money in six months.—Mr. Robinson moved that the depositors present should be satisfied with six per cent, and the mo tion was carried, there being only three dissentients.— After some further discussion, a deputation of five gentle men, including the chairman, was appointed to express to the directors the opinions of those present. This closed the business of the meeting. ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS This meeting was held on Saturday, and there were about sixty shareholders present. Mr. Josias Booker occupied the chair, and stated that the week which had elapsed since the last meeting had afforded time to the committee then appointed, to report on the propriety of either resuscitating the bank, or going at once to liquida tion. The report was then read, and we supply the heads : Upon the adjustment and transfer of debts and credits, the liability of the bank will be considerably reduced. The amount of early available assets were much under rated in the former report. The committee are strongly in favour of re-opening the bank, and had taken steps in London towards that end in a quarter where their proposition will, they believe, be favourably received ; and, with the leave of the proprietors, they will follow up this step. In conclusion, they (the com mittee) recommend a further attempt to revive the bank, by power being obtained to create 4,000 shares of £lOO, to be preferent to the extent of seven or eight per cent. per annum •, to liability only on transactions of the bank from the date of re-opening, and subject to the revision of the deed of settlement, as recommended. Such shares to be first offered to the present shareholders, and to be transferable as soon as paid up. Payment to be made on the 10th of January, and to bear interest on the day of payment. The CHAIRMAN explained the proposition more in detail, and his views appeared to be satisfactory. He then addressed the meeting at some length in reference to the report, and was received with much applause throughout. It would, he said, be highly improper, if not cowardly, for any one concerned to sacrifice his property in alarm, in order to get rid of his liability ; and it should be re membered that, wealthy as were the proprietary, many persons would be seriously injured by the winding up of the concern. There were two courses open : one of re suscitation by one united effort; the other, liquidation. He trusted their decision would be in favour of liquidation by the continuation of business. Mr. HOLME now saw nothing to prevent the bank from resuming business. He advocated, for the depositors, the rate of interest (six per cent.) proposed at the meeting of those persons. He put it to the shareholders, that while they resuscitated the bank, they only fulfilled their duty to the depositors, preserved the credit of the town, and conferred a benefit on the town at large. 1-le moved the adoption of the report. -Mr. JONES seconded the motion, and his remarks were succeeded by those of Mr. COOPER. • • The report was unanimously adopted amidst consider able applause. Mr. COOPER moved the re-appointment of the com mittee of proprietors, to continue their valuable labours, which was seconded by Mr. Edward Bury. Mr. TARR, after remarking on the benefits conferred on the town by the Royal Bank, said that if the bank were closed, the shares would only be worth £2OO, whereas if it were kept up, there was every chance that they would bring their original value of £5OO. Liverpool was now suffering from restricted bank accommodation ' • and if the Royal Bank did not resume, another bank must, of neces sity be formed. He begged to propose five names as a committee to form the necessary arrangements to re-open the bank at an early day, and re-organise its constitution. At present the committee consisted of seven gentlemen, who had shown great exertion and persevering labour ; but he thought the number too great; and as Mr. Holme had remarked on the desirability of joining the tradesmen with them, and so enlarging the operations of the bank, he thought it desirable to have Mr. Holme's name added to the list. He proposed the following gentlemen as the committee :—Mr. John Highfield, Mr. Josias Booker, Mr. Francis Shand, Mr. John Bibby, and Mr. Samuel Holme. The CHAIRMAN, before the amendment was put, al luded to the services rendered by Mr. John Stock, a man of good business habits, and said so highly did he (the chairman) value Mr. Stock's assistance, that he would not consent to act without him. After Mr. Holme had announced his willingness to serve, Mr. COOPER said that the addition of his ( Mr. Holme's) name would inspire a confidence in town which would enable them to carry out the objects they had , in view. The CHAIRMAN stated that both he and his colleagues would be delighted to have Mr. Holme associated with them. Mr. Cooper's motion, with Mr. Holme's name added, was then put and carried unanimously. In answer to a question, the CHAIRMAN said that he thought the question whether or not the depositors should receive six per cent., had better be left to the directors. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried by ac clamation. The CHAIRMAN said he wished them to understand that those who took the preference shares, superseded the call. The preference shares were to bear interest at seven per cent. from the time of payment, and this ended the bonus shares. . A great many preference shares were then signed for ; and the meeting broke up. In pursuance of the report, a circular has been issued to the proprietors, requesting them, as the number of ap plications for the preference shares is very great, to signify before Wednesday, (to-morrow), how many they will require. THE DOCK COMMITTEE. At the weekly meetiniOnrii;;;Ki,trieTe were present fourteen members, including the Chairman, J. B. Moore, Esq. The Committee of Works recommended the erection of sheds for shipwrights at the graving docks, namely, two at the Clarence Graving Docks, one at the Queen's, and two wt the Brunswick—cost, £67s.—Confirmed. Mr. HENDERSON stated that the new Crosby lighthouse was lighted up on the 2nd instant : that Lieut. Lord had inspected the whole of the arrangements and considered them most efficient. The Harbour- - masters' Committee reported that they had had an interview with Mr. Cubitt, in the presence of the harbour-masters, as to the removal of the landing stage one hundred yards further to the north. Having heard Mr. Cubitt's explanation, they concurred in th e recommendation that the stage be removed as proposed. Some conversation followed as to removing the stage, and Mr. J. HARTLEY stated that the depth of water at the bank had latterly increased ; but if the bridges were fixed it might be necessary to remove them again, at great expense. The bank had been going and coming, and could not be depended upon.—Mr. ROYDEN sug gested cross-moorings to secure the stage more effectually. —Mr. Tonnt thought it should be fixed properly at once, and take its chance of the removal of the bank.—Mr. HENDERSON said that from the great cost of the stage it ought to have a fair chance.—Mr. AIKIN said he had no hesitation in saying, in spite of engineering opinions, that if it were removed further north, the entrance to the Dock (George's) Basin would be obstructed.—Mr. HARTLEY said (to a question) that if one end of the stage got aground it would break immediately.—Finally, on a division the recommendation was confirmed by a majority of 11 to 3. RETIREMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN. Mr. BOLD said he had a pleasing duty to perform, and that was to propose a vote of thanks to their chairman, who, on that occasion, was presiding over the committee fonhe last time. He believed all would join with him heartily in the feeling he was expressing as to the conduct of their chairman during the four years he had been ap pointed, and it was unnecessary to point out the services he had rendered, or the ability he had displayed in carry ing through the various acts of parliament entrusted to him by the committee since he had been their chairman. Many months, taken from the attendance to his private affairs, must have been involved in the great sacrifices he had made, which no man, without being paid for liis.ser vices, could have been called on to do. He concluded by moving the thanks of the committee to the chairman. (Applause.) Mr. ToBIN seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The CHAIRMAN thanked the committee for the flatter ing manner in which they had been pleased to speak of him, and said it had always been his endeavour to dis charge his duty faithfully and impartially. He felt con siderable obligations for the kindness he had at all times received from the Trust generally, and the facilities af forded him by the committees. He could not but express his gratification, since he had the honour of sitting there, at the increased prosperity of the estate. When they met there six years ago, the tonnage of the port was 2,423,000 tons, but this year it had increased to 3,351,000, being an increase of 926,000 tons during the time he had had the honour of sitting there. Such a course of prosperity was without parallel in any port in the world. He had also to notice with satisfaction the previous measures which had been passed for facilitating the carrying on of the commerce of the port. It was admitted that the ex tension of the docks at the north end of the town was very much wanted, and if one fact were wanting to confirm that point, it would be the increased tonnage during the period he had quoted. It was such an in crease that the new docks would scarcely be able to meet it, and, under present circumstances, he looked forward to the proposed dock at Wapping being attended with great advantage. There was one gentleman, however, to whom they owed deep obligations in carrying out their measures, and that was Lord Sandon ; on all occasions he had come forward to give them his services, and he hoped to see the day when that name was to receive the full honour to which it was entitled. In conclusion he said, that in taking leave of them he thanked them for the honour they had conferred upon him. The financial business was then proceeded with, and the reporters withdrew. [The proceeding relative to the Chairman arises from the fact that his term of office as an alderman expires to day (Tuesday), and the vacation of his seat, as chairman, is rendered necessary; he is, however, re-eligible.] POLICE INTELLIGENCE. • SMUGGLING.—On Thursday, Andres Zuchantiqui and Jose Barrandica were each fined 20s. and costs, for smug gling cigars from a vessel in the Prince's Dock. ROBBING A HOUSE.—On Wednesday, at the Police court, Mary Devine was committed for trial for stealing a watch from the house of Mrs. Jackson, Toxteth-park. She offered the watch in pledge in Brownlow-hill. IMPUDENT ROBBERY.—On Tuesday, a woman, named Marrow, was committed by Mr. Rushton, for stealing two cushions from a car in Bedford-street, while the driver was taking his dinner. PICKING POCKETS. On Thursday, a respectable female, whilst walking along Byrom-street, was hustled by a party of lads, one of whom she caught in the act of handing her purse to another of the party. She imme diately tripped up the young rogue into the kennel, and handed him over to a policeman. On Friday, he was committed for trial. A Rica BEGGAR.—On Tuesday, Bridget Dougherty, an old Irishwoman, was committed by Mr. Rushton to the Borough Gaol for seven days for begging. On being searched by the assistant matron at the gaol, there were founcrsecreted amongst the filthy rags with which she was clothed, and upon her person, ten sovereigns, four half crowns, ninety-three shillings, and thirty-nine sixpences, in all £l6 2s. 6d. She stated that she had been in this country about ten months, and for some time past she had been receiving 4s. a week from the parish, and that land being now very cheap in Ireland, in consequence of the distress, she had been saving the money to " buy a little farm!" CAUTION TO SERVANTS.—On Friday, Mrs. Ashcroft, of Great George-square, widow of the late Dr. Ashcroft, appeared at the Police-court, to charge a woman named M`Leone with a theft perpetrated in her house. The wo man, with her son, a lad about twelve years of age, under some pretence called upon Mrs. Ashcroft, and whilst in the hall, in the absence of the inmates, got possession of a child's dress which was hanging up, and with which she made off. She was captured with the stolen property in her possession, and conveyed to bridewell. Another lady attended for the purpose of laying a similar charge against the woman ; it was not, however, gone into, as she was convicted on this one, an d sentence d to three months' imprisonment. The boy was discharged. EMBEZZLEMENT. Two young men,. named Henry Jones and Richard Yates, were examined at the Police court, on Friday, on a charge of embezzlement.—Mr. Thomas Wilcock, tea dealer, Chester, proved that some time ago he paid Yates £8 ss. 6d. on account of Messrs. Palmer, his employers. Subsequently he paid Jones £4 ss. for them.—Mr. Heath, of Chester, stated that, on the 12th of October, he remitted a £lO note and a post office order for 3s. 3d. to them, the receipt of which was acknowledged by Yates. There are proofs of other pay ments to both prisoners, but none of them had been ac counted for to Messrs. Palmer. In the possession of each a betting book was found, and Yates had some en velopes of letters which had contained remittances. Yates endeavoured to exculpate Jones. _ AN UNFOUNDED CHARGE.—On Tuesday, Thomas Ford, a man residing in Birkenhead, was brought up at the Police-court, charged by a man, named John Crook, with robbing him of ten sovereigns. The statement of the complainant was to the effect that he had ridden in a coach to Kirkdale in company with the prisoner, and had ten sovereigns in his pocket on starting ' • but on leaving the coach he found that the prisoner had taken his money from his pocket. The prisoner, in his defence, said that it was true that he had been drinking with the complain ant, but had not taken his money. They had been for a day or two enjoying themselves at several public-houses, at an outlay, the enumeration of which was sufficient to show that little capability could exist on the one part to take care of, or on the other to feloniously appropriate, money. The prisoner was discharged. A CURIOUS CASE.—On Wednesday an inquiry took place before Mr. Rushton, respecting the loss of eight bar rels of flour, belonging to Mr. Ellis Owen, which were al leged to have been taken by Messrs. Geo. Dennistoun and Co. It appeared that there were two vessels, side by side, in the Brunswick Dock, landing flour, one called the Ve nilia, and the other the Amelia. After the discharge of the latter, it was ascertained that she had eight barrels more than her complement, while the former had eight short. How this strange mistake occurred no person could tell. Mr. Rushton said the plaintiff had failed to show that the eight barrels in the possession of Messrs. Dennistoun and Co. were of the same brands, marks, and quality as those missing, and this proof was necessary be fore he could adjudicate. It turned out in evidence, that nearly the whole of the flour landed from the Amelia was sold ; to trace the flour will now , therefore, be a difficult matter. From the st a te men t of one of the witnesses, it appeared that Messrs. Dennistoun requested the plaintiff's men to examine their flour before it was sold, but the an swer was that the barrels were without brands. CAUTION TO SEAMEN.—On Friday, a case of consi derable importance to the merchants and shipowners of this town was heard before Mr. Rushton. It appears it is the practice of many sailors to ship from this port to British America, and when there desert their vessel, and engage for the run home at higher wages. On reaching this port, by paying ten shillings to the customs, they are allowed another ticket. During the past week, a man named Neill Cook, who had deserted his vessel zt Quebec, gave notice to the customs of his intention to apply for a ticket to enable him to re-ship on board another vessel. The ship which he deserted happened to be in port at the time, and the captain gave such information as led to the detection of the prisoner. Mr. Rushton haying inquired what amount of expense the captain had been put to to procure a substitute, he was told £l5 13s. 4d. The magistrate then spoke at some length on the dishonourable practices resorted to on the part of the men; and com mitted the prisoner to gaol for three months, saying the men might as well rob the vessel of her cargo as act in such a manner; he was determined to punish every man hi the same way. Shortly afterwards another man was brought up under similar circumstances, and he also was committed for three months. CURIOUS CASE.—In July, 1840, Mr. John Bibby, a merchant of the utmost respectability in Liverpool, and rounder of the Royal Bank, was found drowned in a pit in a remote field near Aintree, six miles from Liverpool, and three from Mr. Bibby's residence at Bootle. On the Preceding evening Mr. Bibby had dined at the Royal Bank, and had partaken rather freely of wine. He left about eleven o'clock, and took a car to a spot within 300 yards of his own residence, as he was in the habit of do ing, but he never reached home. As he was a gentleman of great firmness of mind, it was supposed by his friends that he had been waylaid and thrown into the pit where his body was found, and in this opinion they were con firmed by the discovery that his watch was missing. Search was made for it, and the pit emptied in vain ; the watch could not be found ; but as there was no mark of violence on the body, it was considered possible that the deceased bad been robbed of his watch, and that he had wandered to the place of the fatal accident. Last Wed nesday, however, new light was thrown on the transac tion ; a stranger took a watch to Roskell's, watchmakers, in Liverpool, to have it repaired. On looking at it, they discovered that the original number had been defaced and another substituted. On further examination they found their own private mark, placed on the watch when they had repaired it for the late Mr. Bibby. On Saturday the stranger called for it, and on being questioned, the watch was traced to a disreputable character, the keeper of a disorderly house. Two men are in custody, and the police are making farther ineuiry .—London Times. [We were aware of the facts before our last publication, but suppressed them at the request of the police.] EXTENSIVEROBBERY OF MONEY FROM A CHESHIRE LADY.—On Thursday, two men, John Burgess and William Mitchell, were brought before the sitting magi strates of Birkenhead, on a charge of being concerned in the robbery of Mrs. Mathison, of Capenhurst-hall, Cheshire. The prisoners had been brought up at the Guildhall Police-office, London, and were sent down to Liverpool, and thence to Birkenhead. Mrs. M. stated that on the 26th of last month she received at Heywood's bank in this town a £lOO Bank of England note, and eight sovereigns, &c. She went home the same day by rail from Birkenhead. No one was in the carriage with her at first, but afterwards five or six men got in, one of them like Burgess. She got out at Sutton station, and on going into the office, discovered that her purse and its contents were gone, and the train had started before she could give the alarm. She could not identify any of the prisoners. Emanuel Franklin, of the firm of Franklin Brothers, Lord-street, bullion m erc h an t s , sa id t h at two men called on the 27th October, wanting American notes for a £lOO Bank of England note. He changed the note accordingly, and be gave the court an account of the American notes given. The prisoner Mitchell was one of the two men. John Durandu, bullion merchant, of Waterloo-road, said that on the 27th October, Burgess called, and said a friend of his had a numbe r of American. notes to change. He (witness) asked him where he got them, and the reply was, from America. Witness said THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. he thought the notes had been stolen, probably f r om Franklin s. The prisoner said that he would go with him in a car to Franklin's. Witness said he would not Lave anything to do with them, but he would keep the note he had, and he, the prisoner, might call in the morning. Witness then gave information to the police. Adam Spellman, No. 10, Lombard-street, London, bullion dealer, said he had seen both prisoners on the 28th Oct. Mitchell produced a quantity of American notes, and called himself Capt. Bridgewater, of the ship Wellington, lying in the St. Catharine's dock. Witness purchased the notes. Both prisoners afterwards came with more notes, which he said he could not do until next day—when Burgess called, and he gave him into custody. This finished the evidence at present against the prisoners, and Mr. Dowling, in whose custody they had been brought from Liverpool, sought a remand' of the case, which was agreed to, and fixed for Wednesday. ALLEGED CASE OF MANSLAUGHTER. — On Thursday, a man named Thady Freeman was brought before Mr. Rushton, charged with an assault on Patrick Falkney, who was at the time in a dangerous state. Before the case was gone into, intelligence was brought into court that the man was dead. The prisoner was therefore handed over to the coroner, Mr. Curry. On Friday, the inquest was held, and Freeman and his wife were brought up as being implicated in the man's death. John Mc. Nulty, a labourer, living in a court in Shaw's-brow, said that deceased was thirty-two years of age. Three weeks ago, on Sunday, he, (witness,) deceased, Freeman, and his wife, a man, named Grady, and others, were drinking in a public-house, in Dale-street. Words arose between deceased and Freeman, and the latter struck de ceased on the head. When they got out into the street, Grady struck deceased at the back of the, head with a stick, and deceased immediately said, " There is iron or lead at the end of the stick." The blood flowed from the back of deceased's head ; and at the same time Freeman's wife struck him about the head. Witness took deceased to his house in North-street. His head afterwards swelled, and a surgeon was called, who attended him up to the time of his death, on Saturday week. Another witness, who corroborated these facts, said, that after Grady inflicted the blow, he secreted the weapon in a grating. Mr. Lynch, surgeon, said he was called to de ceased on the 18th ultimo, and found a wound on the head, which was followed by erysipelas. He did not at tend him again for two or three days, and then found him in a comotose state. Death ensued by erysipelas, caused by a blow of a stick or a fall. Witness, on his last visit, found a man holding a basin under one of the deceased's temples, and, on inquiry, was told that Dr. St.. Pierre had bled him. That person was then in the garret, and afterwards came down stairs, and admitted to witness that he had interfered with his patient, that it was unprofes sional, but the danger was positive, and that lie had been , urged by the man's friend to bleed him. It appeared ' from their evidence, that he had put the man in a sitting posture in bed, whilst he dashed cold water over the pa tient, put salt in one of his ears, and on his stomach ; he also put vinegar in his eyes, and administered some yellow stuff to him. Besides this, he bled him in three places in the arm, on the temple, and on the ankle. The re mainder of Mr. Lynch's evidence went to say, that the bleeding was decidedly improper, and that the treatment, generally, adopted by Dr. St. Pierre, accelerated death. It appeared on re-examination of witnesses, that the bleeding was attempted by the counsel of the friends, but that very little blood was taken away owing to the low condition of the patient. In reply to questions by the coroner, Mc. Nulty and Mr. Lynch said that they thought that Dr. St. Pierre had had some drink, but was not po sitively drunk. The coroner, on addressing the jury, said that he had gone to the Town-hall, and had received the highest professional advice, the result of which was, that he should adjourn the case until Monday, and in the meantime order a post mortent examination. The co roner took Dr. St. Pierre's assurance that he would then be in attendance. TESTIMONIAL TO A CAPTAIN. The following letter has been sent to Captain Burns, of the ship St. John, just arrived here from St. John's, New Brunswick : _ Dear Sir, —We the passengers on board the good ship St. John, of and from St: John, New Brunswick, cannot take leave of you without expressing our respect for the truly efficient and skilful manner in which you have dis charged the responsible duties of your office, during a passage of twenty days across the Atlantic. At all times we have found your demeanour that of a gentleman, and your unwearied anxiety for the safety of the vessel, and our individual happiness, such as to leave an abiding impression of gratitude on -our minds. We will not soon forget the very happy time which has passed so agreeably in the vessel under your command, and it is our prayer that He "who rides on the whirlwind, and di rects the storm," may long preserve you in all your jour neyings, so that others may afterwards enjoy the same privileges as those which we have so richly experienced, owing to your unwearied assiduity and attention, and for which we feel called on thus cordially to express our ap probation and thankfulness. With sincere good wishes for your prosperity and hap piness, We remain, dear sir, • Most affectionately, your friends, Alex. M`Leod Stavely, Minister of St. John's, N.B. James Law, A.M., Minister, Richibucto, N.B. Alexander Petrie, Liverpool, Arthur H. K. Allan, Fredericton, N.B. Mrs. Iroine, St. John's, N.B. Miss Reid, Ayrshire. Off Mizen Head, 26th October, 1847. The following is the worthy captain's reply : Ladies and Gentlemen,—l beg most respectfully to ac knowledge the receipt of your most gratifying compliment, dated 26th Oct. 1847, in which my conduct, during a voy age from St. John's to this port, is appreciated by you in the most flattering terms ; and 1 beg also to state that the assiduity and attention for which you so cordially thank me, shall be exercised on all occasions under similar cir cumstances, and I trust, in return, you will accept my best but most humble thanks for the high eulogiums so recently conferred upon your most obedient and humble servant, ARTHUR BURNS , Master of the ship St. John. THE ANTIQUITIES FOUND AT HOYLAKE. A pamphlet bearing this title has made its appearance — from the pen of our talented and respected townsman A. Hume, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A., of the Collegiate Insti tution, and corresponding member of several antiquarian and other scientific societies. The author has evidently brought to his task the fruits of much antiquarian research, and has treated his subject —not in itself very fertile—with that extreme and retiring modesty which is the frequent concomitant of genius. The topic is one of much interest in this locality, and scarcely less so to the topographical in any part of the kingdom ; for who, of the thinking world, can be dead to the feelings and speculations to which the contemplation of physical mutations of territory give rise ?—the sub mersion, as in this case, by the inroads of the ruthless ocean, of a probably extensive and assuredly fertile dis trict, peopled by a race long since gathered to their fathers, vet leaving behind them, on the site of their habitations, relics, though simple, o f th e i r s t a t e o f c i v ili zat i on and ingenuity. The work is illustrated by drawings on stone. It appears that in the spring of 1846 the author hap pened to be at the parsonage of Hoylake, where he saw some curiosities on the chimney-piece, which he was informed were but " a small portion of tEose procured by a poor man in the village who occasionally amused himself by picking them up on the sea shore." These he exhi bited. Shortly afterwards, the interest of the curious was again excited by the finding, by the late Dr. Carson, of a L l i l v b e e r a p r o i o n l g , o m f a a rk s s kul of l a a n nd tiq o u t i h ty er . re E li v c e s n n t e u a a r ll t y h , e aft sa e m r e sev sp er o a t, l visits,procuredhe te place e a e c n e entire ton as theckoft Submarine hehumbleco Forest,llector extracted from the to which several members of the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society made an excursion in 1845. It lies between the Leasowe Lighthouse and the mouth of the Dee ; and our author remarks, that "to whatever cause the fact is attributable, it is unquestionable that a place in which large quantities of vegetable matter attained maturity and fell to decay, is now daily covered by the tide." The area, over which the articles were found, is several acres in extent, and consists of " a bottom of light blue clay, with black earth like turf, at the top." It is lower than the adjacent land, but not probably more than two feet; and a sand-hill —variable according to the state of the wind—rests upon this bed, and presents its side to the sea, from four to twelve and even twenty feet high. The collector, an old inhabitant, has occupied the leisure hours of 18 years in procuring them. The most important of them are,—upwards of 100 buckles, 20 rings and fragments, 6 skewers or pins, 80 tags of straps, 3 needles, 2 needle cases, 3 brooches, 3 fibulae, 8 amulets or beads, one fish hook, one key, and a cross. Dr. Hume describes these seriatim with reference to the drawings, and enters into an interesting inquiry as to the respective probable dates of their formation, and the several uses to which they were a ppli e d. Th e details are highly interesting, and exhibit much antiquarian research. Dr. Hui states : " Until the time of Edward 111., however, Wirrall was still a forest ; but it was not the less fitted to be the posi tion of British towns and villages. This circumstance may also in part account for the quantities of timber still found here, similar to those which are found in Bagmere and Ellesmere two centuries ago. From the period when Wirrall was disafforested, it, of course, became much better known. The Roman station at Hilbre was taken possession of by monks, and the shepherd, the husband man, the sailor, and the ecclesiastic, passed frequently over the district that had long been known only to the forester or the sportsman. Villages were no doubt built, and others extended; and there can be little doubt that the convenience of Hoylake for purposes of navigation caused it early to attain considerable celebrity. For several centuries it was the practical Liverpool of our north-western coast. It was one of the great landing places from Ireland. It has been celebrated in history as the place of embarkation of William 111. at the period of the revolution ; and it was the place from which William Penn sailed with his friends when going to colonize or " plant " the State to which he gave his name. Since that time, strange causes have been in operation, sufficient to account for more than all the changes which these anti quities suggest to the mind." Several highly interesting extracts are given from vari ous authors relative to the locality, including some from Captain Denham's " Mersey and Dee," from which it appears that, from the tidal action, " the inhabitants of two or three villages may have been dispossessed by Father Neptune, when they fancied that their name and fame were sufficient to endure for ever. And if we carry our thoughts back, not 150 years only, as Capt. Denham foundations informed of houses could have been distinctly traced at a recent has done, but 300 or 400 , how much greater must the changes have been that have taken place in all that time." the that Our at t ut t h he or lo fu w rt -w he a r te s r t o at f es s , pr t i h n a g t t D id r e . s Traill , period on the Hoyle Bank. ~.-_ Bistrirt Rtbio. The strike still continues at Ashton-under-Lyne, and on Friday fears were entertained for the preservation of the peace. Nothing however occurred. The operatives parade from mill to mill, and it is feared that an attempt will be made to-turn out the hands from the mills at work. RIPE STRAWBERRIES IN NOVEMBER.—On the 2d inst., a very fine dish of Alpine strawberries, quite ripe, and of good flavour, grown in the open air, was gathered in the garden of Mr. Michael Delaunay, of Crumpsall, near Manchester. MAMMOTH• MACHINERY.—We noticed the transit through the town of an immense wrought-iron shaft, ma nufactured by Messrs. Peel, Williams, and Peel, of the Soho Iron Works, and destined to be used in the con struction of the Wapping tunnel, at the Liverpool termini of the Liverpool and Manchester section of the London and North Western Railway. This immense mass of wrought iron, upwards of ten tons in weight, is, we be lieve, the longest ever constructed, being 31 feet long, and 15 inches in diameter in the centre, and 17 inches at each end. There was also a large three-sheave pulley of 16 feet in diameter, and weighing upwards of 10 tons, in tended for the same destination. —Manchester Courier. THE BOILER EXPLOSION NEAR ROCHDALE.—The in quest on the people destroyed by the explosion was con cluded on Thursday week. The jury brought in a verdict that " John Leach came by his death accidentally, from the explosion of the steam-boiler, caused by an undue pressure of steam ; that the safety valve was defective in construction, and neglected in condition ; and that it ap peared the mercurial steam gauge was plugged with an iron plug, and, consequently, useless." The jury also expressed their opinion that Richard Booth, the engine tender, was incompetent for his situation, and that great blame was attached to those who employed such incom petent persons. Similar verdicts were returned in all the other cases. INFANT MORTALITY AT MANCHESTER.—The Regis trar-General reports that, in the last quarter, the epidemic of fever has been more fatal in Lancashire th a n in Lon don. In Manchester, Salford, and Chorlton, 4,154 deaths were registered from all causes. Diarrhoea and fever were the prevalent diseases. Typhus carries off men and women in the prime of life. Diarrhea destroys more children, and becomes dangerous to adults in the form of cholera. The Registrar of Deansgate, Manchester, says—" More children have died in the district during the last quarter under the age of five years, than in most other quarters there have been deaths at all ages. This is an astounding fact, yet perfectly consistent with prior observation ; if the general mortality be large, the infant mortality will ever be found to bear its duo proportion, and the causes, in such a district as this are perfectly obvious. In the calamitous season just passed, manufactures have been at a stand still; food has been unattainable by the poor, for employment they had none ; famine made her dwelling in their homes, and her attendant horror, typhus, relent lessly swept his victims to the grave. During the sickness, which either terminated in death, or rendered the removal of the poor to the fever hospitals necessary, their offspring have been neglected and uncared for; some have sunk under the malady of their parents—others, deprived of the nourishment nature had supplied, have pined and wasted away, the victims of inanition, their glands diseased, and incapable of assimilating the incongruous food supplied to them. The disease of autumn s also done its work fearfully amongst them, no less than 103 deaths, almost entirely of children, being recorded from diarrhea, under the drain of which the exhausted frames of the little suf ferers rapidly sunk. In the close, ill-ventilated, and densely-crowded rooms where the poor hive together, contagious disorders make rapid progress, extending from one to another, and acquiring increased virulence from the filth and noisomeness with which they are nourished." SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE FROM MANCHESTER OF THE CELEBRATED T. P. GILMOUR.—During the last fortnight this city has been honoured as the residence of a man by no means unknown to fame, having for that period been selected as the abiding place of T. P. Gilmour, alias Parr, &c., &c., &c. Long known in Liverpool as a most con summate artiste, we suppose he must have found his lau rels getting somewhat tarnished, and, bent upon proving that honesty is not the best policy," he must e'en come to Manchester to put his notions into practice. Unfor tunately for him, Fame, which is trumpet-tongued, had conveyed his name here, and simultaneous with his arri val in this city, the agency of steam brought the police some two dozen copies of his portrait, from the easel of a distinguished artist. A brief memoir of his life also ac companied these kindly souvenirs of his friends the police, with a caution to their brethren in Manchester that he was by no means to be trusted too far. Acting on such kindly suggestions, the distinguished visitant to our city was silently honoured by the police with a deputation to meet him at the Railway Station. and, without overwhelm ing him with any oppressive demonstration of welcome, they saw him safely located in, or rather watched him to, his lodgings in Stock-street, Cheetham. Safely enscon sed there, Mr. Beswick, the chief superintendent of po lice, did not neglect to provide him with a suitable number of attendants, who, like the Magi described in the Ara bian Nights, waited upon him unseen. As the gentleman issued forth day by day, to distribute his orders amongst unsuspecting tradesmen, two clever officers of the detec tive police accompanied him in all his rambles. Fast as he gave his orders (which he did with a liberal hand) a policeman followed after, and apprized the parties who he was, so that the orders he gave, which varied from a pair of boots to £lOOO worth of yarn, were never executed. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Gilmour would no doubt have remained here, in the hope that some fish would have come to his net; but on Thursday, whilst seated at Mr. Brown's eating-house, in Deansgate, he was disagree ably surprised by a visit from Mr. Beswick, who had learned the old gentleman's whereabouts, and paid him a special visit. With his characteristic politeness, Mr. Beswick addressed him as an old friend, and to convince him how highly he esteemed him, he showed him his por trait, handsomely done in bronze and gold, telling him, in a cautionary way,-that there were sharks about, and advising him to leave the town, and return to Liverpool as soon as possible. At first Mr. Gilmour took this ad vice in high dudgeon, no doubt deeming it anything but friendly ; but ultimately he admitted that it would per haps be the best course, and he promised to leave Man chester the next day. " Here," said Mr. Beswick, " you will find it no go, we are not to be done in Manchester," and accordingly, true to his promise, Mr. Gilmour de parted on Friday, finding that credit without substantial reference was an indulgence not afforded here, especially in such suspicious times as the present.—Manchester Courier. SLEEP.—The poet Young says, " Sleep is great nature's second course—the balm of hurt minds." Johnson says, "It is the parenthesis of human woe." Sleep being thus appreciated by mankind, how desirous ought we to be that all should tranquilly enjoy " sweet repose," the general obstruction to which is through an unhealthy action of the liver or other viscera. A little attention to the " young disease," by having recourse to.a mild aperient, often pro duces the most salutary effect, and for such purpose Frampton's Pill of Health stands prominent in public opinion. * Among the many discoveries that characterise the pre sent age, nothing has contributed so much to the comfort and ease of the community, nor conferred such a boon upon suffering humanity, as that important discovery and never-failing remedy for gout and rheumatism, Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills. Thousands would join in the observations of an elderly female, as made to Mr. Foggett, the agent at Thirsk, " That she would rather be without butter to her bread and sugar to her tea, than Blair's Pills." This important medicine is sold by all medicine vendors. Price 2s. 9d. per box. Observe the name of " Thomas Prout, 229, Strand, London," on the govern ment stamp. IMPORTANCE OF AUSTRALIA. (From Blackwood's Magazine.) Within the last quarter of a century, discovery has turned to the islands of the Pacific, perhaps the most favoured region of the globe. Our great continental colony of Australia, its growing population, and its still more rapidly growing enterprise—its probable influence on our Indian empire, and its still more probable supre macy over the islands which cover the central Pacific, from the tenth to the forty-fifth degrees of south latitude ; have for the last thirty years strongly directed the observation of government to the south. And a succession of ex ploring voyages, from the days of Vancouver to the present time, have been employed in ascertaining the character of superb shores, and the capabilities of vast countries, which will perhaps, in another century, exhibit the most vivid prosperity, cultivation, and activity, of any dominion beyond the borders of Europe. Australia has an importance in the eyes of England, superior perhaps to all her other colonies. The climate is obviously more fitted for the English frame than -that of Canada or the West Indies. The English settler alone is master of the mighty continent of New Holland ; for the natives are few, savage and rapidly diminishing. The Englishman may range over a territory of two thousand miles long, by seventeen hundred broad, without meeting the subject of any other sovereign, or hearing any other language than his own. The air is temperate, Lough so nearthe equator, and the soil, though often unfertile, is admirably adapted to the rearing of sheep and cattle. The adjoining islands offer the finest opportunities for the commercial enterprise of the Englishman ; and its direct ness of navigation to India or China, across an ocean that scarcely knows a storm, give it the promise of being the great eastern depot of the world. Van Dieinan's Land, about the size, with more than the fertility of Ireland, is said to resemble Switzerland in picturesque beauty; and New Zealand, a territory of fifteen hundred miles in length, and of every diversity of surface, is already re ceiving the laws and the population of England. The distance is the chief drawback. Sydney is, by ordinary ship's course, sixteen thousand miles from Lon don, and the voyage, under the most prosperous circum stances, has hitherto occupied about four months. But better hopes are at hand. On the 20th of last May, a charter was obtained by a company for establishing a steam communication with Sydney, which proposes to make the whole course within about two months. The route is as follo A s,—making twelve thousand seven hundred and thirty miles in sixty four days :—From England to Sincapore, by Egypt, eight thousand three hundred and ninety miles. From Sinca pore to Port Essington, by Batavia, two thousand miles. From Port Essington to Sydney, two thousand three hundred and forty miles ; the rate being one hundred and ninety-nine miles a a-day. The first portion occupying forty-two days,—the second, ten,—and the third, twelve. The subject was, for a considerable time, before govern ment, and various plans of communication had been sug gested.—A route by the Isthmus of Darien, and the route by the Cape with a branch to the Mauritius. The route by Egypt and India has at length been chosen, and the most sanguine hopes are entertained of its success. The steam establishment will have the further advantage of shortening the distance by one-half between Calcutta and Sydney ; and reducing it to thirty days, or perhaps less. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUMMARY. We are glad to say that during the past week greater confidence has been exhibited in commercial circles ; but though the markets are steady, there is not much im- provement in prices and business continu es t o b e tran sacted cn a most limited scale. There seems to be a growing feeling that the worst is past, but though a slight improvement has set in, it is not of course expected that trade will for some time resume its accustomed vigour- The state of our various markets will be found under the usual heads. The highest point reached by Consols during the week was 8.31. which they reached on Friday and maintained on Saturday. The lowest point was on Monday, when they were depressed as far as 811, but since that day they have gradually risen. It may be accepted as fair evidence that money is be coming more easy, and confidence on the revival, that Messrs. Overend, Gurney, and Co., the great discount firm, gave notice on Friday, that in future they will not give more for money on call than 5 per cent. The rate allowed by them previously was 6 per cent. ; therefore money is now 1 per cent. cheaper. By the return of the Gazette of Friday the movement of the Bank of England for the week ending on the 30th ult. gives the following changes compared with the week ending on the 23d ult. :—ln the department of issue the notes in circulation had increased £144,045, which had been produced by the increve of £119,157 of gold coin and bullion, and an increase of silver bullion to the extent of £24,888. On the debit side of the banking depart ment the Rest had increased £23,384, the public depo sits had decreased £70,362, the private or other deposits had increased £330,933, and the seven-day and other bills had decreased £15,678, making the total of liabili ties £32,629,628. On the credit side the Government Securities had decreased £286,100: the other securities had increased £942,769, the notes had decreased £370,530, and the gold and silver coin had decreased £17,162, which squared the account. The bullion in both departments of.the Bank had increased from £8,312,691 to £8,438,874, being a difference of-£126,183. The paper in actual cir culation, including the seven-day post bills, had increased from £21,265,188 to £21,764,085, being a difference of £498,897. A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Rickards, Little, and Co. ' whose stoppage occurred on the 9th u lt., was held on Wednesday. From the statement submitted to the creditors, it appeared that the liabilities of the firm amount to £144,676, while the assets do not exceed £50,430. It was ultimately carried that the partners should be allowed to liquidate the affairs of the estate under an inspectorship. A meeting was held on Thursday of the creditors of Messrs. Barclay, Brothers, and Co., whose failure took place on the 13th ult. From a statement submitted to the meeting, it appeared that the liabilities of the firm amounted to £389,504, and their assets to £398,491, thus showing a surplus of £8987. A large portion of the assets, however, consisted of sugar estates in the Mauri tius, which had been transferred by the Mauritius agents of the firm, and there were creditors who held drafts of the Mauritius agents upon the London firm, who would not permit the transfer to be completed unless their claims were secured. The settlement of the claims thus described would reduce the assets of the estate to about 14s. in the pound, and when the contingencies connected with the future prospects of realisations in the Mauritius are taken into account, the dividend that will be ulti mately obtained must be expected to fall considerably below that amount. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the affairs of the house should be wound up under inspection. The failure of the Honiton bank (Flood and Lott) was announced on Thursday. It was an old firm, having been established in 1786, and its authorised issue was £19,015. According to the published return on the 9th ult., however, its outstanding notes am oun t e d on ly t o £14,906. The total liabilities are not supposed to be large, and the partners express a full conviction that they shall pay 20s. in the pound. It transpired in the course of Tuesday that the private bank of Adams, Warren, and Co., of Shrewsbury and Market Drayton, had suspended payment. The author ised issue of this concern is £9700, and the whole of the operations have been conducted on a very limited scale. The London agents were Masterman and Co., who pre sume that the cause of their failure is the customary one, of the funds being locked up in securities not immediately available. The suspension of Messrs. Coates and Co., American Merchants, of Bread-street, Cheapside, with branches in Nottingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, was also announced. For the last fifteen years the firm have been extensive buyers of manufactured goods for the merican market, and disappointment in the receipt of remittances is stated to be the cause of the stoppage. The liabilities of the house amount to about £lOO,OOO. On the 4th of the month, the bills which fell due were most satisfactorily met. In London no failure whatever was reported. Messrs. T. and IL Littledale and Company, of Liver pool, m their monthly circular, which was issued on Thursday, give a statement of their application to the Bank of England on the stoppage of the Liverpool Royal Bank, from which it appears that the rumours on the subject were completely at variance with the facts. They say, as mis-statements continue to be published, and much misapprehension exists as to the late application to the Bank of England, we think it well to state the facts for the satisfaction of our friends abroad, which were simply these :—" The stoppage of the Royal Bank, on the 18th October, proved the climax of mistrust and alarm. At such a juncture it was needless to apply to any other kcal bank to take up the account ; we therefore went to the Bank of England and asked them to open an ac count with us, on similar terms to those we had with the Royal Bank, and to afford us facilities of discount to the extent of 4100,000, both which were acceded to in the handsome manner. No loan of consols or advance of money was required or securities asked for, nor have we yet availed ourselves of the amount granted for the discount of a sin gle bill." We take the following remarks on the present position and aspect of mercantile matters from the same source :—" We wish it was in our power to give a more cheering view of the position of commercial matters, or to express the confident hope that all danger was past, that the storm had spent its fury, and that returning sunshine might now be looked for. That the worst is over there can be little doubt ; but the awful wreck that has taken place, the number of fallen firms, the vast sacrifice of pro perty, the masses of dishonoured paper, and the large amount of bad remittances still to be expected from India before the tidings of disaster can reach Calcutta or him, all tend to destroy confidence, or rather to prevent its re turn, and seriously to curtail the means of obtaining ac commodation. Recovery will be slow, but gradual. The measures of the government, authorising the Bank o f England to extend their issue without limit at a minimumrate of 8 per cent. on good bills and good securities, has no doubt prevented further disasters, particularly amongst the banks ; but the remedy comes too late to be of effec tual service, confidence being so completely destroyed that few bills are negotiable, and securities in the midst of a prostrate trade are almost useless. A certain extent of consumption, however, must go on, and the present state of things will prove a total stop, or nearly so, both to exports and imports. Our markets at home and abroad will shortly get freed from every kind of stock, and trade may then resume its wonted activity ; this, how ever must be a work of time. The Bank of England rate being fixed at 8 to 10 per cent., and no limit put on its issue, has made money more plentiful, and produced a greater disposition amongst money-lenders to avail them selves of the profitable usury. The amount of paper cir culation will rapidly diminish, unless we have a great re vival in business, and we think the present high rates will not long be maintained." We also extract the following state of the cotton mar ket, during the past month, which, however, will have been gathered from the statements which appear in the Standard, week by week : " The state of the cotton market during the past month has been that of extreme depression, under the influ ence of the unprecedented pressure for money, and the general derangement of trade, arising out of the nu merous and extensive failures that have taken place. Prices have continued to fall, week after week, and in American descriptions a decline of nearly Id. per lb. has taken place, and our quotations for all sorts are regulated accordingly. During the last week, the market assumed rather a more steady and uniform character, and prices having declined to a point materially below any other market where cotton is produced or consumed, i has at tracted the attention of for e i gn b u y ers , an d n .cases where the credits were available several Orders have been executed. The sales in the month amount to 81,400 bales-12,300 on speculation, and 7,700 for exp or t, leaving 15,300 per week for the trade, which is less than even the present reduced consumption. The import in the same time has been 87,300 bales, and the stock is now 418,490, against 570,900 last year." The commercial intelligence from India by the present mail is not of a character to lessen anxiety as to the state of things that may ensue when the news of our recent dis asters shall reach that country. Money being comparatively easy, the purchase and shipment of produce to England is actively going on, and we have consequently still the un pleasant fact of freights being firmly maintained. On the other hand, it appears that the demand for several descrip tions of manufactured goods continues to present signs of revival. That this revival, however, will greatly extend cannot be expected, while the present price of cotton and iron, and the pressure for money here shall prevent its being stimulated by sufficiently large and cheap arrivals to counteract the possibility of a rise of prices. CORRESPONDENCE. BIRKENHEAD POOR-RATES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SIR,—On Tuesday last many persons were summoned at this place for poor-rates, and several papers report that some defaulters pleaded that I had let them their houses at a higher rent, that they might be free from taxes, and me pay them. It is in part true. They being in general poor, and keepers of lodgers, preferred paying their rates weekly or monthly, with their rent, if I would pay their taxes, which they could not meet in large yearly sums, when demanded. My collector consented to the proposal, on condition they paid their rent, but not else. The plain fact is, that in few of those cases has half the rent been paid, in some not one-third ; and in none the whole, nor near the whole, even including occasionally taking rents from separate apartments, which the inmates have in a few cases desired, should be taken, fearing they might otherwise still be held liable by paying to those who might apply it to their own use, and yet I believe they have paid as much as they well could under present distressing cir cumstances ; but not a penny of complainant's money, under tax stipulations, has ever come into my hands ; and I think I should have been sent fora few yards, to ex plain, before reporters published such offensive matter. By inserting this letter in your valuable paper, you will much oblige, sir, yours, &c., D. APPLETON. Birkenhead, November 6, 1817.