The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-04-16 00:00:00

FOREIGN Ai\D COLONIAL. The coral fisheries on the coast of France, 1 1 4th s e last year, gave a produce of, says the Monileur Parisien 100,000 francs. The massacre of the Bishops Jinbert, Messrs. Chastan and Manban, with 70 Christians, all Roman Catholics, at Corea, is confirmed by the Friend of China. The same paper adds, that in addition to the above, who were all be headed, 180 other Christians were put to death by strangu lation. RESPITE OF JOHN BROWN. AMERICAN SLAVE CASE.—It is announced in an American paper, by the last arrival, that " the young man sentenced to death for aid. ing in the escape of a quadroon slave has been pardoned by the Governor of South Carolina. He is, however, to be publicly whipped." FRANCE.—The goverozsent, it is said, has determined on abolishing slavery in its colonies. A sum of two mil lions sterling is to be appropriated, in imitation of the English plan, in purchasing from the masters the liberty of their slaves. The plan is not vet matured, but we may expect to hear something decided on the subject before the close of the session. The. French papers confirm the account, that the Porte bad yielded to the demand addressed to it by Great Britain and France that a formal assurance should be given, that in future no renegade returning to Christianity be put to death in Turkey. The following is the official note, dated March 2, which has been handed to. the English and French ambassadors :—" His highness the sultan is irre vocably resolved to maintain the friendly relations, and strengthen the bonds of perfect sympathy which unite him with the great powers. The Sublime Porte engages for the future to prevent, by effective means, any Christian abjuring Islamism, being put to death." ALARMING RUMOUR.—We in our last gave Cape news to the Ist of December, but have since received some papers of earlier date, in one of which we regret to ob serAe mention of a report current in the settlement, that her Majesty's brig of war Rapid, of 10 guns, Lieutenant- Commanding C. E. Earle, belonging to the Cape station, bad been sunk near Benguela, after a smart fight with a Spanish slaver, and that every soul on board had perished. Her Majesty's steamer Thunderbolt had been despatched to ascertain the precise circumstances in connexion with this unhappy affair. The following officers were on board the Rapid :—Lieutenant-Bommanding E. C. Earle; second master, W. Studwell •' assistant-surgeon, W. Maitland ; clerk in charge, H. Niblett.—United Service Calcutta Gazette, February 9. DR. KALLEY AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN POR TUGAL.—The case of Dr. Kalley, who was last autumn illegally imprisoned at Madeira, on a charge of " blas phemy and heresy," and " abetting apostacy and heresy," has been tried at Lisbon and Funchal. On the 24th February, the Judge Conservator at the latter place passed the following sentence :—" Supposing the British subject, Dr. Kalley, to have disturbed the public order of this island, by preaching doctrines opposed to its religion, as is sworn by the witnesses ; and considering this preaching an abuse which degenerates into crime; nevertheless, the said Dr. Kalley, as a Protestant, which be is, is not pu nishable, seeing that there does not exist a law to punish in the person of the accused the act charged. I, there fore, declare the accusation given aga i ns t th e sa id D r. Kalley irrelevant, and order him to be held clear of guilt." Baffled on the religious question, Dr. Kalley's prosecu tors, it is said, are going to institute proceedings against him as a disturber of the public peace. IRELAND. IRISH EDUCATION.—The proposed grant this year to the National Board is £27,000, being an increase for the year of £22,000. A man charged with the murder of Mr. Waller and Miss Vereker, at Finnee, escaped from Nr.nagh gaol on last week. OLD AGE! ! !—MORE THAN " FOUR-SCORE YEARS AND TEN.—Mrs. Henderson, who nursed the late Archbishop of Dublin, Dr.Magee, attended divine service in St. Audoen's Church, Dublin, on Easter Sunday morning last at seven o'clock. She is now one hundred and four years of age; she walks to and fro from the church, and was a commu nicant at the Lord's Supper.—Dublin Statesman. DEATH OF ROBERT COI) RTENY, OF BALEDMOND, ESQ. This well-known and extensively connected gentleman died, at his residence, Ballyedmont, in his 87th year, on Thursday. He was one of our oldest, and while health of our most active magistrates, as well as one of the most considerable and improving landlords of the part of the country in which he resided. For years that reach beyond the recollection of many that read of his decease, he had been in the habit of giving employment to a large num ber of our labouring population, among whom notwith standing his decided Conservatism, he was popular, as among those of his own class of life he was respected.— Cork Conservative. SIR R. PEEL AND THE STATE TRIALS,—The London correspondent of the Dublin Evening Mail contains the following :—" London, Monday.—The meeting of Con servative members, held at Sir R. Peel's official residence, Downing-street, to-day, was very numerously attended. In the course of his statement, Sir R. Peel made this important announcement.—That as the Government were determined to bring the evil doers and the disturbers of the public peace to justice, it behoved them to see that the inhabitants of Ireland were left no just grounds of com plaint. This announcement sets at rest the question as to whether Mr. O'Connell and the other traversers are to be brOught up for judgment. THE REPEAL ASSOCIATION.—An important question continues to be urged by the Warder—ls the repeal asso ciation lawful? Its avowed object is the repeal of the union, which the government have declared they will re sist, even to civil war; yet it is allowed to prosecute that end. Sooner or later it will come to this, that it must be made unlawful, if (as seems now admitted) it be at present no crime, to seek to make Ireland independent of the im perial legislature. Mr.. O'Connell is convicted for seek ing it by intimidation and other unlawful means ; it is im plied that he may use other means if be will ; and whilst that is law Ireland will be cursed with this agitation from end to end. He himself alleges that it is anything but a sudden passion of his which we might hope would pass away; ," in looking for Catholic emancipation," he told the association on the 29th of last August, " I always said looked to it only as a step towards repeal." This is not exactly what he said before the Committee of the House of Commons, when he was " looking for the Catholic emancipation ;" but Mr. O'Connell will often puzzle the historian.—lrish Correspondent of the Record. O'CONNELL IN A QUA EE.—At the great Cork dinner given to Mr O'Connell this week, the honourable d'hd learned gentleman thus alluded to the probability of his imprisonment :—" I am as sure as any man that hears me here that I will go into prison. (several voices : You shan't.') I must, for others command. How is any man foolish enough to imagine that I will not. There are three ways of avoiding the prison. First would you recommend me to make an abject submission ?—(Cries of ' No.') Now we are perfectly agreed on that. The second would be the result of a writ of error. I confess I know so much of the judges that, though in my conviction as an old lawyer, putting self out of the question I have the clearest possible case, still never believe any one who pro phecies the result of law suit.—(Laughter.) Still, though there ought to be a fair chance, don't rely on it at all.— (Cries of Ohl') The third way of avoiding it would be by the Government abandoning the present prosecution, and holding us by recognisance, to come up at some inde finite period.—(Cheers.( Will the Government do that? They will not. They cannot. They won't relax. They cannot relinquish, from this inanifest reason, they have not the manliness to shrink from it. MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—A dreadful tragedy occurred in Dublin on Tuesday se'nnight. A man named West, a painter by trade, resided in Essex street, wito his wife, a young woman of great personal at tractions, but unfortunately addicted to the shocking vice of drunkenness. The parties lived together on very affec tionate terms whilst the wife remained sober, but when she indulged in drink she became very abusive, and dread ful quarrels ensued between them. On the day in ques tion, when there were only an old and infirm woman, the mother of West, and one of the children, a fine boy, about eight years of age, in the room, one of these quarrels took place. The man, in a frenzy (:)f passion, seized a sword stick, stabbed the unfortunate woman several times through the body, and then attempted to destroy himself, the poor old mother receiving several wounds in her at tempts to save him from his frantic violence. Some of the neighbours having come in and secured him, the un fortunate man begged eagerly of the bystanders to be al lowed to die ; and after he had stabbed himself, prayed fervently for the welfare of his child. The deceased had borne two children, and was enciente. The following was the verdict of the coroner's jury :—" We find that the said Mary West came by her death from the effects of several wounds inflicted on her person by her husband, John West, with a cane sword, at about eight o'clock in the, evening of . the 2d of April instant, in a room occu pied• by the said West and his wife, in the house, 45, Essex-strW." AWKWARD EFFECTS OF THE DECISION ON THE PRES BYTERIAN MARRIAGE QUESTION.—The Derry Standard gives the following " case in point " as the effect of the uncertainty of the marriage law :—lt appears that a man named Boyd, who was transported for bigamy some time since at the Derry Assizes, by Baron Pennefather, has recently returned from his banishment, exulting in his liberty, and blazing out a full-blown martyr —a miracle of " injured innocence. This man has actually written to Baron Pennefather for advice in the dilemma in which be finds himself placed by the unfortunate affection of his two wives. Like Captain Macheath, in Gay's opera, h e exclaims— " How happy could I be with either, " Were t'other dear charmer away." Here is a copy of Boyd's letter :—" Please your Worship, —Maybe you don't mind, but I do, that I was tried be fore your honour nine or ten years ago, for having two wives. I gave a guinea to a counsellor to get me off, which he said he would do, because I was a Churchman and it was a Presbyterian minister married roe. Your honour would not listen to him at all, but said that a Presbyterian minister could marry a Churchman well enough to one of his own, awl your honour sentenced me to be transported for seven years. It would be a long story to tell of the voyage out, and the horrors of Botany Bay—(may your honour never know them!) When my time was up I was let off, and, after living near another year in the colony, I was able to get borne. Here I am, but I don't know what to do about the wives. My father and mother died when I was in foreign parts, and left me a snug house with a hit of land, and the women are both willing to come to me. Not wishing to get into more trouble, or to come before your honour again, or anybody like you, I want to know which of them has a right to Your honour to ld me that I ou g ht to ha ve kept to I tTi e e . first, but I hear their worships in London say that 'the second. is tire right one. Maybe I may keep them both, for they are civil and good creatwes, and would live gether very agreea4e. But in air to have % Only one, and it be all the sam to your honour, I would as soon keep A/lofty, that was the first one. Seeing they have found it, since your honour sat upon me, that I never broke the law, and so was wrongfully transported, maybe your honour will allow me something for my hardships abroad and my expenses home again. No more at pre sent, only please send an answer, and soon, to your ho nour's humble obedient servant." RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY. GENTLEMEN,—The circular issued by order of the board of directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Rail way, calling upon the shareholders to do everything in their power to discountenance your undertaking as being highly injurious to their interests, appears to have greatly excited your ire, if I may judge from the style of your secretary's letter to the chairman of the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway. As a shareholder in the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, cordially concurring in the sentiments expressed in that circular, 1 feel it my duty to endeavour to expose the false colours under which you have ushered your bantling into the world ; and. in doing so, I trust I shall not lay myself open to the charge of making statements " equally at variance with good feeling as with the ordinary usages of society." Yon bead your prospectus by stating that yours is " the line recommended by the government commissioners." Your secretary asserts that the " Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle" line can only be regarded in the "light of a scheme got up in opposition to the recommendation of the government commissioners,"—and again, " that such meetings as that over which Mr. M'Call presided are crusades against all projects, however beneficial they may be to the public, which are supposed to interfere in any way with the interests of the Glasgow and Ayr, or Edin burgh and Glasgow Railways ; and that such meetings are held for the purpose of disseminating, in an irrespon sible way, whatever statements shareholders may make against the government line of railway." These observations imputing the most selfish and un worthy motives to gentlemen in every way as respectable and honourable as themselves, come with a singularly bad grace from parties who are, at the same moment, com plaining of the usages of society being violated by what they are pleased to call unprecedented and unwarrantable attacks upon themselves ; of the justice and good taste of these accusations, I must leave the public to be the judges, and will at once proceed to the main object of my letter. I will not offend against "good feeling," by saying that you have, by yourselves, or by your secretary, said that which is not, but the suppression of the truth—and of truth most important for the public to be acquainted with, in order to arrive at a right conclusion as to the merits of your undertaking—l do most distinctly charge upon you. That the government commissioners did, on the 15th of March, 1841, give the preference to the line from Car lisle by Lockerby, Beattock, &c., is most true, under the circumstances which then existed and in accordance with the instructions which they had received to select the line which would embrace the greatest number of requi sites for the object in view—one line only being then con templated—but did the cornmisssioners recommend thit line in the contemplation of circumstances which now exist, and which their report shows clearly that they anticipated as probable ? Let them speak for them selves. EXTRACT FROM THE FOURTH REPORT ON RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND GLASGOW. We are led to believe, from all the information we have been able to collect, that the amount of traffic which, in the present stale of the commercial and other relations of England and Scotland, may be expected between Edin burgh and Glasgow and the south, is not such as would be likely to afford an adequate return for the outlay of capital required for the construction of two distinct lines of railway, the one from Darlington to Edinburgh, and the other from Lancaster to Glasgow. Were this other wise, we should subdivide the question into two branches, and consider, in the first instance, which of the several lines would be most suitable for a communication from Lancaster to Glasgow, as well as to the west of Scotland, and to the north of Ireland, and which would be the best route by Newcastle to Edinburgh, Under such cir cumstances we should have awarded the preference to the east coast line, whether deviated or not, between the two last named places, and have then weighed the merits of the various routes to Glasgow; but, seeing the extent of capital that would be required for the construction of two distinct trunk lines, the one to Edinburgh, and the other to Glasgow, we feel under the necessity of recommend ine, at present, the construction of one line only ; and after a careful review of all the circumstances of this im portant question, we give the preference to the line from Carlisle by Lockerby, Beattock, Lanark, and Hamilton to Glasgow, with a branch to Thankerton or Symington to Edinburgh, as being the general route which would fulfil the greater number of requisites in the railway com munication under consideration. We give this opinion, however, under the supposition that, antecedently to the construction of this line, the railway shall have been formed between Lancaster and Carlisle, or that both lines shall be undertaken simulta neously ; but shou‘d this not be the case, and parties should be found to construct the line from Darlington to Edinburgh, then the western route ought to be aban doned for the present ; and in that event, we should award the preference to the east coast line over the Hexbam line. The report was issued. as already stated, in March, 1841, we are now in April, 18-14, and what,: let una tusk, are existing circumstances? The Branch from Leith to Kilmarnock is completed by the Glasgow and Ayr Com pany. " Parties have been found" to construct the line from Darlington to Newcastle. A bill is before parlia ment, with hardly a doubt of success, to make a line from Edinburgh to Berwick; and an announcement has ap peared in the public papers that surveys have been made, a company formed, and the funds provided, under the auspices of Mr. George Hudson, (a well known name in railway matters,) for carrying a line from. Newcastle to Berwick to complete that line, to which the commissioners declare they would, "in such event, award the prefer ence,"—and—mark the conclusion—" Then the western route, (the Caledonian,) ought to be abandoned for the present." This, gentlemen, is the government commissioners' de cision—and the case has arisen when, if called upon, they would do that which they have not yet done—" Consider which of the several lines would be the most suitable for a communication by Lancaster to Glasgow." Having thus disposed of your claim to be " the govern ment line of railway," I will brieft consider your pre tensions that the Caledonian is greatly preferable to the Dumfries line, as a communication from Carlisle to Glas gow. At page 49 of thecommissioners' report, it is stated, " that the gradients on Mr. Locke's two Clydesdale lines are, it is true, of an unusual character, the principal plane in both cases having an almost continuous slope of 1 in 123 for a length of 18 miles;" but by way of qualify ing this it is added, " as this line, in all probability would not have an abundant traffic, it would be injudicious even supposing it to be practicable, to incur a large expense for the purpose of reducing the gradient to one of less incli nation." This remark has reference to the line receiving both the Edinburgh and Glasgow traffic, but the former being now lost to it, the subscribers must judge for them selves how large a dividend they would be likely to receive were the line made. But the difference in the gradients between the Caledonian and Glasgow and Dumfries line will more clearly appear, from the mode adopted by the commissioners of adding to the length in proportion to the inclination to be surmounted. At page 50, the line from Carlisle to Glasgow, by Kilmarnock and Beith, is stated to be 120 miles 60 chains, and the equivalent dis tance 124 miles 54 chains, whilst the line from Carlisle, by Lockerby, is 100 miles 74 chains actual distance, but 116 miles 78 chains, equivalent distance, so that accord ing to the commissioners' view of the matter a person going from Glasgow to London by the Caledonian, would be 20 miles in distance, but only about fifteen minutes in time shorter than by the Dumfries line, an object cheaply accomplished, no doubt, at an extra expense of £500,000. Local traffic, too, is usually deemed of some importance, as an element in the composition of the receipts and divi dends. A reference to the statistical tables, which it would be tedious to give in detail here, will show a popu lation of three to one in favour of the Dumfries over the Caledonian line. It would be uninteresting, as I think the public will deem it unnecessary, to pursue the sub ject further. You boast, and doubtless, truly, that your subscription list is full, which can hardly be matter of surprise, when the names of your provisional committee are looked at. The Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle will also, I have no doubt, be taken up, and the promoters of both lines will have to stand or fall upon the merits of their respective undertakings, before a tribunal, where the interests of Scotland and the wishes of its inhabitants will carry more weight than any array of names, however respectable, the majority of whom can have no interest in the matter beyond the anticipated profits of a mere com mercial speculation. By the decision of this tribunal I am content to abide ; " a fair field and no favour" is all a fair opponent can require. Yours, &c. AN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY SHAREHOLDER. SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.—There has been, within the last few days, an understanding come by to the rival companies northward from Perth to Aberdeen.where by continuous railways further north. through Dundee, Strathmore, Blairgowrie &c., will be formed, which must prove excellent auxiliaries to this undertaking as feeders. —Edinburgh paper. An important event in railway annals is now on the very eve of completion, viz., the junction of the Liver pool and Manchester Railway with the Manchester and Leede, at Hunt's Bank, Manchester, by which that long desired and most important object will be gained, viz., the connexion of the western with the eastern ocean, by railway—between Liverpool and Hull—and that in the short space of about ten hours. This astonishing work will, it is now evident, be completed so as to enable the carriages to come to the Hunt's Bank station within the time originally stipulated, viz., Ist May, 1844. EASTER EXCURSIONS.—The number of passengers on the Eastern Counties Railway, from Easter Tuesday to Wednesday inclusive, was 13'454, of which 5,439 tra velled into the country, and 8,015 up to town. On this, as on the Brighton and Dover lines, the great proportion of traffic was up to the metropolis. The excursion tickets issued on the Brighton line, from Monday to Wednesdayinclusive, inclusive, was 5,720 ; and on Easter Monday and Tues day, to D over , 1,270. Th e num b er o f p a ssengers on the Blackwall line, on Easter Monday, was 13.570 ; on Tues day, 10,220; and Wednesday, 8,970, the chief proportion of which were visiters to Greenwich Fair. A guard on the Dover railway, named Nunn, was killed on - Monday last, through incautiously standing up while passing under a bridge near the Maidstone station., BOLTON AND PRESTON RAILWAY.—OD Wednesday last, a special general meeting of the proprietors of shares in the Bolton and Preston railway, was held in Bolton, at which a draft of the bill to amalgamate the North Union and Bolton and Preston railway companies, was submit ted to the shareholders. After some discussion, it was approved of, and the seal of the company was affixed to the bill. EXTENSION OF RAILWAY COMMUNICATION FROM BELFAST TO THE INTERIOR.—A company is about to be formed for the purpose of extending railway communi cation from Portadown to Monaghan, with a view to far ther extension towards Longford and the banks of the Shannon in one direction, and towards Enniskillen and the west of Ireland on the other. We understand that arrangements have been made for proceeding immediately with the preliminary survey of the proposed new line.— Northern Whig. RAILWAY COMMUNICATION.—The importance of rail way communication from the British to the Bristol Chan nels, and the desirableness of a junction between the South-Western and Bristol and Exeter Railways have been felt by the publie. Both these objects are now likely to be attained. A railway is about to be proposed from Southampton, through the New Forest, between Ring wood and Christchurch, to Lytchett, which is immediately at the back of Poole Harbour ; from this point it will be continued to Dorchester, thence to the River Reo, and extending to Bridgewater. It is not yet decided whether there shall be one or two companies, but this will be known in a week or two.—Sherborne Paper. ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAYS. — Dr. Pauli, the eminent Bavarian enginber, who came over to inspect and report upon the works from Kingstown to Dalkey, to the King of Bavaria, has returned to Munich, and sent in a report most decidedly favourable to the atmospheric system. The French government have determined on the adoption of the atmospheric system, so successfully carried into effect for the first time between Kingstown and Dalkey. That government have entered into a contract with Messrs. Samuda, the patentees, giving them 250,000 francs for the use of their patent, on a line of railway from Paris to Meaux, twenty-six miles, and appointing Mr. Joseph Samuda the sole manager of the undertaking.— Dublin Paper. DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT THE LONDON AND CROY DON RAILWAY COMPANY.—A dreadful accident oc curred on Thursday morning, at the terminus of the London and Dover and London and Croydon Railways, Old Kent-road, London. At this station, which is the joint property of the two companies, there is an iron roof for the reception of passage trains. This roof gave way, and buried a number of workmen under the ruins. Two men—one a carpenter, the other a labourer—were killed, and upwards of a dozen others so severely wounded, that the lives of many were in jeopardy. The cause of the misfortune was the columns supporting the iron ties of the roof not being sufficiently braced, and consequently, getting out of the upright, the superincumbent weight caused them to give way. RAILWAYS.—On Saturday, a return was issued of all moneys raised under acts, whereby railroad companies have been incorporated, from January 1826 to January 1844, distinguishing the sums raised as principal from the sums to be raised by loan or mortgage. The return con tains the names of 121 railways, and the titles of no fewer than 250 acts of parliament, which passed in the years mentioned, under which the moneys were raised. The entire sum was " Seventy-nine millions, twenty-six thousand, and three hundred and seventeen pounds! !" of which enormous sum £57,387.735 was capital in joint stock, and £21,638,582 to be raised by loan or mortgage. From May 1833, the London and Birmingham railroad was empowered to raise £5,500,000, of which amount £3,500,000 in joint stock, and £2,000,000 by loan or mortgage. This appears the largest amount set forth in the return. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. CLERICAL NEW'S. CHURCH PREFERMENT.-It will gratify our readers to bear that the Rev. W. Cardall, M.A., late curate of this parish, has been presented to the incumbency of the Holy Trinity Church, West Bromwich, Staffordshire.--Lan caster Gazette. THE INTENDED NEW CHURCH AT RUNCORN.—The building, which is in the early English style, with a tower and spire, will, it is calculated, be able to contain nearly 1,000 sittings, 400 of which are intended to be free. The cost is estimated at 5,767 10s. exclusive of the value of the old materials. The amount of voluntary subscriptions, in the township of Runcorn, was stated to be nearly £1,500, which, it was expected, would be increased to £1,700 ; Sir R. Brooke had subscribed £3OO, and the Rev. R. Greenall, rural dean, had promised £5O, subject to certain conditions ; and £l,OOO was calculated upon from other sources, including the church building societies, and Christ Church College, Oxon, thus leaving about £3,000 to be levied by rate upon the parish at large. THE WEATHER. The weather has been most delightful the whole week. Nothing can be finer. In garden and field the utmost activity prevails, and everything is full of promise. The lambing season goes on admirably in this neighbourhood. We hardly ever remember having seen so many twins. 7 .— Lancaster Gazelle. We have had fine spring weather since ourlast. Ve getation is universally looking well. There have beers slight and refreshing showers of rain in some parts of the county during the week, but we have had none in Leeds or its immediate neighbourhood. Rain would be of, essential service.—Leeds Intelligences. Spring has come upon us now in all itv freshness. Per the last Sew days we have been favoured with warm sun shiny weather, a brilliant atmosphere, and gentle breezes. The sowing of the seed, under such favourable stjspices, goes forward rapidly; and every thing promises that the seed-time will be finished under the most favourable cir cumstances.—Seoltish Guardian. DREADFUL FIRE IN LONDON.-SIX LIVES LOST. On Thursday night, shortly before twelve o'clock, a fire, attended with great destruction of property and loss of life, broke out in the extensive range of premises beloaging to Mr. Williams, 287, Oxford-srreet, the corner of Gilbert street, and known as the Crown and Cushion wine vaults. The building was four stories high and had a considerable depth and frontage. The fire began in the counting-house, adjoining the bar, in which was deposited a large quantity of spirits, and which was speedily enveloped in one mass of flames. At that time three children were sleeping in the upper part of the building. There were also two fe male and three male servant in the place as well as Mrs. Williams and her sister. Such was the fury of the flames, that in a very few mi nutes they had extended to the bar amongst the spirits, which, once on fire, spread with the most surprising rapi dity up the stair case, to the upper apartments. The ex citement which followed was the most painful to witness. At the second floor front a young female, named Fritchley, made her appearance, and before sufficient time had elaps ed to procure a ladder, she was compelled to throw herself down to the ground to escape suffocation • fortunately the only injury she received was a few burns about the knees. By this time the St. Marylebone parochial engine arrived, and was drawn in front of the blazing premises, and an abundant supply of water was flowing from the water works belonging to the Grand Junction, from which the engine was set to work. No sooner bad the firemen got this engine into operation than one of the vats of spirits burst, and the liquor becoming ignited, the flames rushed out of the windows with terrific violence. burning Mr. Bridge, the engineer, about the face very badly. As the different engines arrived they were taken to the best posi tions, and were all set to work. By the time, however, they were got into full working play the flames had reach ed nearly every room in the building, causing great appre hension for the safety of the contiguous buildings ; in fact, it was feared that tue whole of Grosvenor Market would have been destroyed. The fire continued to blaze most fiercely until a quarter past one o'clock in the morning. Almost every part of the building and its valuable contents were destroyed. Mr, Williams is insured, to certain extent, in the Licensed Victuallers' Fire Office. A great number of buildings are damaged. The origin of the fire could not be ascertained. On Friday, as soon as the ruins were sufficiently cooled, the brigade men got over the roof of the adjoining houses, and by raising the ladders reached the party-wall of the premises, and upon looking over saw what appeared to be the body of a man lying on the floor of the second-story front. At first the ruins appeared in such a tottering condition as to render it dangerous to ap proach. Ladders, however, having been placed over the most dangerous portion of the floor, the firemen found the body to be that of the poor pot-boy Jacob, who appeared to have died from suffocation, for his hands .covered his face, and be was lying flat on the floor, not much burnt. The firemen having lowered the body down the front into the street, they proceeded to make further search, and in the course of another hour and a half, they found five other persons—three women and two children. They were discovered entangled in the burnt rafters in the back floors, but it was impossible to recognise them, all traces of human form having been destroyed. It was a frightful sight, and many of the firemen in removing what they supposed to be the bodies of the two servants, were actu ally moved to tears. Each servant had :a child clasped in her arms. The body of Mrs. Williams was subsequently found dreadfully burnt. The police, upon being made ac quainted with the discovery, sent intelligence to Mount street Workhouse, and the authorities there sent shells, into which the blackened remains were placed, and they were then handed over to the custody of the beadle. Upon Mr. 'Williams reaching home, his state of mind on learning what had befallen his wife and family can be bet ter imagined than described. The utmost danger is apprehended from the fearful state of the walls : and the superincumbent masses of brick work, &c., hanging over the interior of the building, ren der the task of exploring the building highly dangerous. FACTORIES ACT.—Mr. Brotherton, M.P. for Salford, has procured a return of the number and names of per sons summoned for offences against the Factories Act be tween the ht day of January, 1843, and the Ist day of January, 1844. &c. We find from this return that the total number of convictions in the four districts of Messrs. L. Horner, T. Howell, Saunders, and Stuart, amounted to ab out 192. The offences were principally the over working of children, or the employment of children under age, and at night, & c . F rom a summary ap p e nded to this return, under the provisions of the Factory Act, from 1834 to 184 , 3, both i nc l usive, amounted to 3,401, being an average of 340 a year ; that the gross total amount of penalties in 11.1(‘:ted.. for th e sa i d offences during the above decade was zt.6,89J ; and the total amount of cost £2,123. EXTRAORDINARY DEATH BY POISON, AT BLACKBURN. The Blackburn Standard, of Wednesday last, gives a long and painfully interesting report of the death (as it appeared by evidence at the coroner's court) of William Wheaton Ball, a comedian, who had recently arrived in that town. The inquest was held at Mr. John Wilson's, the Dun Horse Inn, and it appeared that the deceased was very respectably connected, and had at one time been a man of property. Deceased went to the inn on Easter Monday week—arriving by coach from Manchester, and remained there until his death. He had talked with the landlord of the places he had visited in Italy and eke where, and on general subjects. On Good Friday night both went up stairs to go to bed. Deceased had pre vionily brought his writing desk into the bar, and took from it a parcel, on which he wrote a direction that it was not to be delivered before nine next morning. It was sealed at each end and directed to Mr. Miils in Penny street. The deceased on retiring asked the landlord for a glass of rum and water, to take up stairs with him. He appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. He also took pen and ink with him, expressing a hope that they would not be wanted early in the morning as he did not like to be disturbed. He had written three or four letters which he put into his desk. Mr. Mills (alluded to) called about 10 o'clock next day, and being etit to deceased's bedroom, came down and said he could not waken him. Deceased was immediately afterwards found in a dying state, undressed, and in bed ; surgeons were sent for but the deceased died shortly after eleven o'clock. Mr. Wilson saw a letter in the room addressed to him, and a sum of 245. was laying upon it. It was as follows : " Blackburn, sth April, 1844. " Sir,—This will inform you, when you find me dead, the cause therefore. " You will find by the contents of the accompanying letters lam poisoned, and by the phials remaining. I have placed on the table a sovereign and a few shillings, with which you will be paid, and any other expenses in curred can be defrayed from Devon, or the produce of the effects left. " I have desired Mr. Clough, solicitor, to advise yon on the disposal, according to instructions he or you will receive from Devon on the subject; and you will please have the trunk corded, directed, and forwarded as per instructions. " I wish you to send to Mr. Clough immediately on the discovery. " I am, Sir, yours, " W. WHEATON BALL. " Mr. J. Wilson, Dun Horse Inn. " Please to forward all the letters as quickly as possi ble." Several letters and papers were on the dressing table. One letter was directed to W. Rogers, Esq., Theatre, Boston, and thanked him, and his company, for past kindnesses. The other letters were also read. One was to Mr Savery, solicitor, Modbury, Devon, whom he had met on the coach,—requesting him to call at the inn, and see his wishes executed, and enclosing him a snuff-box as a token of his regard. Throughout the whole . of the letters deceased expressed an anxiety that his trunks should be corded up and forwarded as by directions which he left. The letters were all written in a kindly but busi ness-like manner—the language evincing a man of educa tion, and great coolness as to death. The last letter was addressed to his wife, at Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Devon. It commenced with—" When you receive this, my dear est Kate, I shall be free from all the troubles of this world, and I hope in peace" ; and, after some affectionate expressions, concluded— " May God ever bless you!— " I have swallowed the poison. W. W. B. " 'Tis now midnight, so 1 shall not be dead until the sixth of April." The words " I have swallowed the poison", were writ ten in a hand less clear than the preceding part of the letter, and the last sentence in a still more tremulous hand. The other papers found in the deceased's room were a list of furniture, &c., in Brook Cottage, " the property of William Wheaton Ball, Esq.," which was to be de livered up to his wife Mrs. Catherine Savery Ball ; a mem. of sums of money at interest in 1832 (amounting to £7720) and in 1843 (amounting to £6114 193); a copy of a bill of costs from 1832 to 1842 (amounting to £957 14s. 2d,) ; a mem. of the disposal of three sums of £3OOO, £1560, and £3160; and a copy of a deed of sepe ration (dated April, 1843) between deceased and his wife, and which set forth that deceased was to be allowed by his wife £52 per annum, and £8 per annum for the use of furniture of his own in Brook Cottage. Three phials were found in the room that had con tained and were labelled " Laudanum." He had pur chased, it appeared, three ounces. The deceased, it fur ther appeared, drank but moderately. Mr. Mills (before alluded to) first met deceased on the previous Thursday. and did not know him before. A letter was produced signed by Arthur Dillon (25th of March) from the Harp, Covent Garden, stating that the deceased had been en gaged to perform for Mr. Mills at a salary of £1 per week—to do the heavy business of the theatre. De ceased called on Mr. Mills on Friday, and was to play in "The Wife." He received the book to copy his part but returned it on Saturday, with •a note stating that if he would call at noon he (Mr. M.) would know all. Deceased appeared fully acquainted with the theatrical profession, and also to be quite cool and collected. The friends of the deceased in Devon had been written to by the coroner, but there had not been time for a reply to be received. The jury returned a verdict :—" that the deceased died from the effects of the laudanum he had taken ; but whether he was in a sound state of mind or not at the time of taking it there was no evidence before the jury to show." The deceased appeared to be about 35 or 40 years of age. HORRIBLE OCCURRENCE.—On Monday morning la'st, a journeyman tanner named Frost, residing at Whitewell, in Norfolk, murdered four of his children, by beating out the brains of the three eldest with a hammer, and drown ing the youngest, an infant only ten weeks old, by putting it head foremost in a large potful of water. The neigh bours were alarmed by hearing the cries of the agonized wife of the murderer. She screamed, "Oh ! my chil dren !" and, when the parties who heard her went into the house,they found the children dead in different parts thereof. Frost has been accounted an honest, respectable man ; and he always appeared very fond of his children. He seemed but little concerned at the horrible deed which he had committed, and made no attempt to deny it. An in quest was held on Tuesday last, when, after the evidence had been given, the prisoner, who was duly cautioned, made a commentary on the testimony, and concluded as follows :—I saw the hammer produced by the policeman. I had washed the handle of the hammer a little. The hammer produced is the hammer 1 committed the act with. I think the evidence of Mr. Harsant correct. I think I gave the children more than two blows each. I wished to put them out of their misery as quick as I could. I cannot say how many blows I gave the eldest child. I cannot say how many blows I gave them. I think I gave the eldest child more blows than the others." The jury returned a verdict of " wilful murder," and the prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next as sizes, at Norwich. It is said that he has lately belonged to a new sect, called the " Revivalists," and been very active among them as a preacher. It is generally believed, in Whitewell and the neighbourhood, that he committed the above series of horrible murders on his children under the influence of fanaticism. THE CASE OF J. L. BROWN, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.— A special meeting of the Birmingham Anti-slavery Com mittee was held on Wednesday week, at the Police-office, to consider the case of a man now lying under sentence of death, passed upon him by a judicial court, for aiding a slave to escape. The case was spokm of by Lord Den man, some time ago, in the House of Lords, and excited universal indignation. Several resolutions were adopted, and among them a vote of thanks to Lord Denman, and also to Lord Brougham, for the part they have taken in holding up to the abhorrence of the world the enormity of condemning a man to die for doing his duty. One of the resolutions adverted to the fact that this deed occurs under a republican government, and truly says that it has tended to render the boasted American institutions odious in the eyes of the civilised world. A. suitable, feeling, and expostulatory address to " American cit;zens " was adopted at the above meeting, and forwarded to the United States for publication. It concludes in these words :—" Citizens of America !—You live under a go vernment which professes to be democratic, and you tell us truly that liberty is the birthright of all men, Do justice to your principles. Give to every man his freedom, and then, and not till then, will the moral influence of America promote the cause of freedom in every part of the world." A letter has since been received from Lord Denman acknowledging a letter from the society. His lordship states, " I am not entirely without hope that the appeals which have been made to the ruling authorities may secure our fellow-creature from the doom that •ap pears to await him. That he is very probably a fellow subject also, your distinguished townsman, Mr. Joseph Sturge, apprized me ; and with the utmost satisfaction I found Lord Aberdeen eager to interfere in his behalf." THE FUNDS.—It appears that for the first time for nearly a century, the Three per Cent Consols are at par, or £lOO money for £lOO stock. The last time they were at £lOO was in 1749, the year after the peace of Aix-la- Chapelle ; at which period the amount of the public debt was rather more than £78,000,000. The highest price the Three per Cents ever rose to was in June, 1737, and again in May, 1739, when they attained the high price of £lO7. Between the years 1729 and the year of the re bellion, 1745, the Three per Cents were never lower than £B9, and for a considerable portion of that period they were above par. A ga i n , i n March, 1792, they rose to 97k, when the amount of the national debt was .£239,350,0 00 . During the period between the peace of Paris, in 1763, (when the amount of debt was £138,774,000), and the breaking out of the American war, they fluctuated between 80 and 90 per cent. Towards the close of the American war—namely, in February, 1782—they were as low as 544. At the termination of the American war, the debt was £249,851,628. In the years 1797-8, in consequence of the great success of the French armies on the Continent, and of the mutiny at the Nore, and of the rebellion in Ireland, together with the failure of the attempt to negotiate with the French republic, the price of stock became less than it has been before or since that time. In May, and again in June, 1797, the Three per Cents Reduced were as low as 461. In the September of that year the Three per Cent Consols fell to 478, being the lowest price to which they have ever fallen. Dr. Hamilton, in his valuable work on the national debt, states that they were also at that price in January, 1798, The Three per Cent Consols have not been under 68 since the latter part of the year 1820, when they were 678. The highest price the Five per Cents ever attained was 1071, in August, 1791 ; and the lowest price was 591, in January, 1798. The highest price the Five per Cents ever attained was in August, 1791, when they were 1221, and the lowest price was in August, 1798, when they were only 59g.—Globe. LOCAL NEWS. The British and North American royal mail steam-ship Hibernia, Captain Judkins, will leave this port for Hali fax and Boston on Friday next. NEW MAGISTRATE.-At the Court-house in Preston, on Friday, Hugh Hornby, Esq., of Ribby Hall, took the oaths and his seat as a magistrate for this county. We hear that W. Waring Perry, Esq., of Linden House, Rock Ferry, has taken th e manors of Broxton and Bickerton, of Sir P. de M. Grey Egerton, Bart., for 11 years. NEW MAGISTRATE.—On Monday last, at the Lancas ter Sessions, James Clarke, Jun., Esq., of Swarthdale House, son of the late Recorder of Liverpool, took the oaths, arid qualified as a magistrate of this county. "THE SAUCY ARETHUSA."—The Arethusa, now em ployed in the quarantine service at Liverpool, is to yield her gallant name to some embryo frigate, and henceforth is to be known as the Bacchus. NARROW ESCAPE.—On Tuesday last, a boy, 11 years of age, the son of Mr. Wainwright, while playing in the fields near the tanneries, on going near one of the pits fell in. Fortunately he was seen by a roper, who instantly jumped in, and saved him from drowning. FARMERS' ARMS BOWLING GREEN, PARK-ROAD.— This green has been entirely relaid and throughly drained, and the Farmer flatters himself that it will now bear an advantageous comparison with any in the neighbourhood. It will be opened on Wednesday next.—See advt. A cast-iron Pulpit has been erected in the Jewish sy nagogue, Seel-street. The first lecture was delivered from it by the Rev. D. M. Isaac, on Good Friday. We believe this is the first regular pulpit erected in a Jewish place of worship in this kingdom. On DlT.—That a Branch Railway from Crewe to Li verpool, by means of a tunnel under the river at Runcorn, to terminate somewhere in the neighbourhood of St. Luke's Church, is in contemplation. If true, the journey from London to Liverpool will be reduced upwards of an hour. THE FAIR.—Our Easter Fair commenced on Monday last, when there was an unusually good supply of cattle, and improving prices were obtained. The attendance of strangers at the fair has also been very numerous, and more money appears to have been spent than for many years past. —Blackburn Standard. PUBLICANS FINED.--TBC police-court was principally occupied on Friday in hearing informations against publi cans and beer-sellers for opening, and selling liquors, at illegal hours on Sundays. Fourteen publicans were fined in sums varying from 20a. to £s—the majority of them above 40s, and sixteen beer retailers were mulcted in like amounts. COMMITMENT.—On Thursday James Moony, who was tried for forgery during the present assizes and acquitted, was brought up before Mr. Rushton, charged with steal ing a hat from Robert- Owen. The case being proved against him, he was committed for trial. He was formerly an attorney carrying on a respectable business at Wigan. NEW SCHOOLS AT BLACKBURN.—The foundation stone of the intended new schools in connexion with St. John's Church, Blackburn, was laid on Easter Monday, amidst a large concourse of the clergy, gentry, and jam. bitants. The ceremony was performed by Jos. Fielden, Esq., who presented the land. In the evening a tea party took place, at which about £750 children sat down. Se veral speeches were made by gentlemen present, and the meeting spent a delightful evening. We are informed that Mr. Stephenson is now preparing surveys for a line from Chester, which will communicate with the Chester and Birkenhead, and the proposed Ches ter and Hollyhead Railways, and extend by Wrexham and Shrewsbury to the great iron districts of the kingdom ; thus forming a most important commercial line, connect ing popular manufacturing and agricultural districts with the river Mersey and its docks. We understand that a prospectus will shortly be issued, and that Mr. Mallaby is engaged to apply for the Act of Parliament. DAY SCHOOL IN CONNEXION WITH GREAT GEORGE STREET CHAPEL.—A new day school has been erected in Bedford-street, Toxteth-park, the funds for which have been subscribed by the congregation of Great George street Chapel. It will be opened on Monday next, and there is accommodation for about 300 pupils. A great number of applications have already been made for admis sion ; thus affording a proof that such an institution was much wanted. On Tuesday night last a tea party was held, at which the Rev. Dr. Raffles presided, and some excellent addresses were delivered on the occasion. FASHIONABLE WEDDING.—On Tuesday morning last Miss Ellen Either Tobin, daughter of Thomas Tobin, Esq., was married, by the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, in St. Peter's Church, to Jaques Myers, Esq. The wedding party proceeded in eight carriages from the residence of the bride's fa her, Rodney-street, and so splendid a cortege attracted an immense and gratified crowd. The church was crowded with ladies in elegant and appro priate costumes, all eager to see so fair and charming a bride, and to do honour to families whom every body respects. 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, bow 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 produces the most salutary effect, and for such purpose FRAMPTON'S PILL OF HEALTH stands prominent in public opinion. —See advt. OUR NEW CHIEF CONSTABLE.—We understand that the officers and watchmen of the Glasgow Police Esta blishment lately agreed to present Captain Miller with a testimony of their respect, previous to his entering upon the discharge of his duties in Liverpool. With this view a subscription was set on foot, a small sum being contri buted by each; and it was resolved t 3 devote the proceeds to the purchase of an ormolu clock or time-piece. A very handsome article has accordingly been purchased. A small sum being left on hand, the subscribers laid it out upon a neat riding whip for the Captain's use.—Seotlish Guar. INTERESTING TO LADlES.—Persons of delicate com plexion are susceptible of the influence of the atmosphere at this peculiar season; and ladies, whether frequenting the crowded saloon, the cloSe assembly, enjoying the rural ride or drive, the summer promenade, or the aquatic excursion, should invariably have recourse to that invaluable disco very, ROWLAND'S KALYLOR, which is found to be the most gentle yet efficacious preparation that science has discovered for the preservation of female beauty and grace. Throughout season, time, and climate, this faith ful auxiliary arrays the neck and arms in radiant brilliancy, and perpetuates the vivid bloom of juvenile attraction.— See advt. GILL-STREET MARKET,--On passing through Gill street, a few days ago we perceived, on looking into the spacious yard attached to the new market, that the little shops now in course of erection are nearly completed These are intended for pedlar's. The establishment of a good pedlar's mart would be an acquisition to the neigh bourhood. We understand that they are already nearly all let. Gill-street market has been found a great conve nience in this district, and as we believe that meat and all descriptions of provisions can be obtained considerably under the current rates charged elsewhere, while the qua lity of everything is by no means inferior, it ought to be impressed upon the minds of all families in its vicinity that they should do all they can to give it cordial support and encouragement, as they cannot fail to find a great ac commodation in its establishment. The shops, stalls, and standings continue, we understand to be all let to respec table and enterprising tenants, who will no doubt offer an increase of choice articles as public support is given. In an advertisement elsewhere it will be noticed that some of the cellars are to be let connected with this market. For the purposes of curing meats, as, indeed, for the stow ing of anything in which good ventillation and dryness are necessary, these vaults are not to be excelled in the town, while the rents, as it appears to us, are fixed at a very low rate. PUBLIC DINNER AT THE EGREMONT HOTEL.—Mrs. Sharpies having renewed her lease for the hotel and ferry at Egremont, a public dinner took place, on Friday last, under the patronage of the Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, as a re opening of the hotel. The dinner was attended by up wards fifty gentlemen, principally residents at Egremont and New Brighton, and those of our readers who recollect the good fare which the hostess used to give when at the Golden Lion, in this town, may form some idea of the entertainment on Friday. There was an abundance of everything that is in season, and we never saw the good things of this life appear to give greater satisfaction to the partakers than on this occasion. The wines, also, were excellent. The chair was occupied by Henry Winch, Esq., who was most ably supported by M. Fischer, Esq. Amongst the company present we noticed the Rev. J. Tobin, John North, Esq., James Bateson, Esq., W. H. Gilliat, Esq., William Armstrong, Esq., T. Bouch, Esq., J. B. Huches. Esq., Benjamin Buchanan, Esq., Richard Bateson, jun., Esq., John Driver, Esq., W. Mann, Esq., and S. Brabner, Esq. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr. North, in proposing the health of Sir John Tobin, made a very eloquent speech in reference to that gentleman's high character, styling him the " prince of merchants." The address elicited the warm applause of the whole com panai m r t i y t y d i h d a not g separate e u d t a i d a l e a v t e e r y h o o tt a r e , a the p . - - gp pe rae a na r y i t. t e l s g tT h ul i i g ne hly delighted with the entertainment. WALTON VESTRY MEETING.—On Tuesday last the annual vestry meeting was held in the parish church, for purpose of auditing the accounts and transacting the ge neral business of the township. The Rev. J. G. Legh, the newly-appointed vicar, occupied the chair. The ac counts for the past year were read by Mr. T. F. Roskell, one of the churchwardens, from which it appeared that the whole receipts during the year, added to a balance in hand of £l2B, were £BO9 2s. 10d., and there had been ex pended the sum of £BO9 7s. 5d., leaving a balance due to Mr. Roskell of 4s. 7d. ; there was also about £7O owing to the parish, which had yet to be got in, and which might be appropriated to the liquidation of Mr. T. Birkett's account, £3O of which had been paid during the past year, leaving about £l3O yet to be cleared off. The accounts were passed without opposition. On the nomination of the vicar, Mr. Thomas Harrison was appointed to the office of churchwarden for the ensuing year; Mr. Robert Pendlington was also elected to serve as sidesman, and a motion was carried, giving them power to pay off all the old debts at present remaining against the township. Mr. Roskell, seconded by Mr. Mackerell, moved a rate of ld. in the pound for the next year, which was put to the meet i ng and carried. The sum of £2O per annum, voted to Mr. Clarke, the late organist, was ordered to be con firmed. Thanks were then given to th e l ate churchwar dens for their valuable services, and also t o th e v i car, who p had e rie s a o ce ably a witnessing presided the o nt that c o a c f c a a l s w and hichrthe latter manner acknowledged, and expressed the gratification he h a d ex in which the meeting had been conduct d. The state ment of accounts was then signed by the various officers, after which the meeting adjourned. April 16, 1844. ALTERATION IN THE MAILS.—It w ill be seen fr o m the official announ cemen t i n our a d vert i s i ng page , that va rio us alterations in the desp a t c h o f th e D u bli n an d London mails took place o n F r id ay . H er M a j esty ' s ma ils hue forth will leave Kingston every morning at seven o'cl fork► bringing the D u bli n an d I n l an d Ir i sh ma il s i n time the London m a il, w hi c h w ill b e d espatc h e d f r om t h e station at Lime -street every evening at 8 o'clock inste ad of 7 o'clock a s h ere t o f ore. W e b e li eve a genera l accele ration will take place throughout the kingdom, not by e . 1.1 increase of speed, but by a grea t er expe di t i on at the dir" ferent stations. The Manchester Guardian of Wednes day says, that this is to be the case along the northern lines, but from the announcement of the Grand Junction Company only one train, that at forty-five minutes -0 0 one p.m. is to leave Birmingham at ten minutes past on! ‘ or thirty-five m i nu t es b e f ore t h e ordinary time. v; course the change her,: will cause a corresponding one Manchester and the adjoining towns. COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.—TIIB terminat i on o f tor. Wesley's course is a matter of regret to all by whom it was attended. We have previously said, that Dr. Wesley has attracted l arger au di ences than have ever atten d e d any lecture-room in Liverpool, and his last lecture, oe Friday, was better attended than any which preceded it. The service, by the lecturer, which was introduced, re' ceived. as it merited, loud applause. The gem of the evening, however, was the extemporaneous performance, of Dr. Wesley o n th e organ, w hi c h was listened to Witil breathless attention throughout, and, at its conclusion , was greeted with enthusiastic and long-continued applaus e from all parts of the house. We hope that Dr. Wesley may be induced to revisit us again upon a future occasion. He will always be welcome. Professor Jones, of King g College, London, it will be seen, succeeds him, to-mor row, in a course which may be expected to prove interest ing. After him comes our old friend Professor Greenbank. whose exemplifications of the styles of oratory practised by Sir R. Peel, Lord J. Russell, Lord Stanley, - O'Connell , Lord Lyndhurst, Sbiel, &c. will, no doubt, be highlYgre", tifying and prove extremely attractive. DOCK COMMITTEE.—Present, Messrs. Moore, Nicolr Barclay, Holt, Holmes, Middleton, Chilton, Trot:many Aikin, Royden, Tobin, Bold, Kendall, and Ripley. The Surveyor obtained leave to let the Brunswick D o ck dry either the next or following springs. Leave was given to the Marine Surveyor to bring into port the iron light ship Prince, to have her keel deepened, and bilge keels placed on her sides. The plan of a railway, proposed to be placed on the east side of the King's Dock by the Railway Company, at their own expense, for the use of sub-com mi tt e e, h uo e bt-i p coo ll; tmt e was re. Bm s o ll rl b .d m A, l is t ke t i e cn d o nhadandeddabpyp res i g n edra Mr. Tobin, d hTi o os f bs . je: T ,t.m h e ro. C; h ai tihl r e i man said, that, for reasons stated to the parliame n tar y" of Chil ton was appointed in his place. In reply to a question from Mr. Ripley, it was st a t e d t h at i t was intended W introduce into th e new dock bill a clause authorising the' committee to remove ships from one dock to another a fter . three days' notice. The clause would be a modification of the old one, to meet the difficulty that arose out of the alteration by the Council. The committee then proceeded to matters of finance. WEST DERBY UNION. —The following persons have' been elected guardians for the different townships in the union :—West Derby, Richard Sanders, Thomas Roberts, Thomas Jefferies ; Bootle-cum-Linacre, Edward Asbury Parker; Everton, Richard Shaw, Richard Bradshaw r. Fazakerley, John Pinnington ; Kirby, Hugh Bullenl . Kirkdale, John Robert Metcalf, T. Fleetwood Roskell; Walton-on-the-hill, T. Sleddon ; Aintree, R. Mercer; Great Crosby, Joseph Bispham Leatherbarrow ; Little Crosby, James Williams; Ince Blundell, Thomas Baines; Litherland, James Parr; Lunt, Peter Almond; Nether tan, Edward Darwin Whitehead ; Orrell and Ford, John Birch ; Thornton, John Tyrer ; Toxteth Park, John Sheppard, James Robertson, John Hughes, Thomas Huntington, John Payne ; Childwall, John Walker ;• Allerton, Peter Pilkington ; Garston, William Hilton; Wavertree, Rev. William Badnall, M.A. At the first meeting of the new board, held on Tuesday, the 26th ult., John Sheppard, Esq., was unanimously elected Chairman for the present year; Thomas Roberts, Esq, was elected" vice- chairman ; and Edward Asbury Parker, Esq., d e puty, vice-chairman. INQUESTS.—On Wednesday an inquest was held on the body of Betsy Dent, a child, four years old, who vier burnt to death in Hadley -street. The deceased had been left with her brother in a room, and by some accident her clothes came in contact with the candle. On the same day, also, an inquiry took place touching the death of Agnes Ann Minch; who was run over by a cart, in Eccles street, from which she received such injury as to cause her death shortly afterwards. Verdicts in accordance with the evidence were returned in both cases.—On Sa turday four inquests were held before the Borough Coro ner. The first was on the body of an unmarried female, named Ellen Quayle, a servant, nineteen years of age, It the employ of Sarah Wiggins, of Queen A nne - s t ree t. •"' appeared, from the evidence, that she had died from the ' effect of an irrit a ti ve poison, believed to be oxalic Bela' and that she w as fi ve months enciente at the time. The jury returned a verdict to the effect, that she had taken the poison while insane, and that her insanity had been produced by the base and heartless conduct of her Para mour. The second was on the body of John Fortune': who was killed in Marybone, by the whe e l o f a ca rt having passed over his loins. Th e third was on the body . d " 4 in t . Cain, a man, thirty-ei g ht y ears of age, who died in a fit, in Stockdale-street ; a n d th e fourth was on the body of Jesse Merritt, who was sculling a boat in the Prince s Dock, let slip the oar, and, in trying to catch it, over balanced himself aad was drowned. DR. WESLEY AT THE COLLEGIATE.—On Tuesday evening Dr. Wesley 'delivered the seventh, and last even- , ing the eighth and concluding lecture of his courseo n The " Church Musi c ," a t th e C o ll eg i ate I ns tit u tion. Th lecture on the first-named evening was a continuation of his review of the ecclesiastical music of the eighteenth and nineteenth ceuturie s , with inuct r t i o ns from Boyce, Arc -wood, Sphor, and M ozart , and. by particular desire, the Te Deum from the Doctor's forthcoming Service in E. The lecture last evening wa s c hi efly confined to an ac count of the resuscitation of the c h ora l serv i ce in t h e church, and its subsequent history do wn t o t h e presen t period. This lecture was illustrated by syecimens of mu sic in the present century, including a chorus and anthem by the lecturer's late highly-gifted father. The continued attendance of a crowded and respectable audience (amongst whom we noticed most of the musical savans in this town) affords the strongest evidence of the value of the lectures themselves, which were all that could be desired on the of which they treated. Indeed, they could not fail to prove highly intellectual, instructive, and interest - , ing compositions, when it is considered that they emanated from one to whom genius has descended as a birthrigh t, pbeerefnorhmeladncien npnotshseesnsirognana,satanthehecilrolsoeomnf. and in whose family, for generations, musical skill ha s 's lee' las p t r n ' ig W ht esleY's ture, realised the most extravagant expectations of the connoisseurs in music. It was a splendid exhibition of artistic skill. The instrument felt and acknowledged the touch of the great master who presided at it, and who drew forth tones which, from simple grandeur, became an elab,)ration of intricate and finely-woven harmonies, that excited a burst of applause from a hitherto silent and al most breathless audience. On the whole, this course of lectures closed with an eclat worthy the artist, the subject, and the noble institution in which it was delivered.—lll admiration of the past, we must not neglect to direct the attention of the members of the institution, and the pub lic generally, to the next course of lectuies, commencing on Tuesday next, namely, that by Professor T. Rymer,. Jones, on the " Development a n d M e t amorp h ose s of Animals," which will be illustrated by numerous dia gra ms.—Journal. THE NEW GAOL IN WAVERTREE-LANE.—The work of demolition now in progress in Wavertree-lane ' has so nearly ao ll ds this a p peaSubur banre d ; v d i o c u in b i t ty is apprised speedily tinhabitants ornamented t eEdd by y a Edge-hill, - h i buildingl , that t o h f e i s character somewhat different from the tasteful vill as a nd r elegance a and with them, of course, the large an d no i sy family o' rooks which have made them f or many a year an ail home. he old mansion itself (Pl um b' s Hall) has disap peared, aristocratic district. The ttall el whichshave give ne peered, and a heap of unsightly rubbish only indicates the scene of former elegance, wealth, and comfort. On i ts site will soon arise a new prison —the largest and best ar ranged in the kingdom, to be used in place of the present gaol in Great Ho war d •street, long known as the "'French Prison." The new gaol will occupy an area of eleven acres, with a frontage to Wavertree-lane of about three hundred yards, and is to contain accommodation for up wards of 1,100 prisoners, in the following divisions, vix• - ", 500 adult male cr i m i na l s , 150 ma l e j uveniles, 300 femal e prisoners of all ages, and all classes, and 63 male debtors' The building will be three stories in height, besides th e basement, which is to be used for stores, workshol 36 ', kitchens, ventilating apparatus, and o th er appur t ena nces requisite to an establishment of such magnitude. TO whole will be enclosed by a massive boundary wall of ade : quate height. The main entrance will be from Wavertree road, through a lofty gateway. On either side of the gate' , way, and outside the boundary wall, will be the residence' into a spacious eourt-yard, from whi c h w ill diverge the of the governor and the chaplain. The gate wa y w ill OOP_ different tr em i t y of t avenues hisc leading a fiigt flight the f s b t a e t p h s - bath-rooms, I e ms ; entrance buildings of the pris on , comprising, on the gro un . 6 floor, the offices for the m ag i s t rates, governor and bl clerks, with room s f or th e surgeon and a residenel for the deputy- governor. The upper story will be fitternd A u t ct t t h o e ethsi up as a chapel, adapted to contain one-half the pristin e at a time, and so arranged that each prisoner shall hay et full view o f th e pu l p i t, and yet not be able to see any ntiktil t i prisoner. At the f ur th er en d o f t h e entrance hall, „-.4 passage will open by foldi ng d oors i n t o th e centra l , or Pro hall, from w hi c h a corr id or, on e i ther s i de, will l ea d the male and f e m a l e cr i m i na l pr i soners. Al ong t h e Ge o, o tral corridor will be situated the debtors' apartments, wb it h are to consist of six day-rooms on the ground floor, exercising yards attached, and sixty cells on the uP,, stories. The prison f or th e a d u lt ma l e cr i m i na l s will I I cupy the space to the right of the central hall. The 03 . will be warmed and ventilated upon Dr. Heed's ? I I be The female priso n , an d th e pr i son f or t h e boys, wlclor' erected at the west ern ex t rem ity o f th e cen t ra l c arp th e and will radiate for a central, or inspection hall, , 0 : 0 01 same manner as the adult male wards. The boys 0 1 will be effectually separated from the female wards , i os will be adapted for the purposes of i ns t ruc ti on in va , 'd in trades. A selection of the boys will also be emplo_ e h icla cultivating upwards of an acre and a half of ground, r 7 ii ia will be left vacant for the purpose. Five sets of exe_ u u t, ra-_ yards, each containing2oseparate yards, will be laid be dieting from a central tower, from which the officer .. i nc iple . able to see all the prisoners as they exercise. The til a r on which this prison will be built is precisely sll"-k a ils the " ta d the model prison at Pentonville, London. Al so b ~, ings will be adapted to carry out the separate o,r ~a t 00_ 7 , system of prison discipline ; but still so arranged . I f„i n ie could be easily made to suit a system on the prtu'„,[,, association. As far as structural arrangemen! sg in believe this prison will be one of the most perfecte,. kingdom.—Slightly condensed from the .Tourn I 'I and