The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-10-01 00:00:00

they never have it in their pOwer to exercise a sound discretion in their measures; by having unlimited con fidence placed in them by others, and by being at liberty to choose what they considered best for the general good ; they were the slaves of a faction, and so far from desiring liberty, actually hugged their chains. They never aspired to do, and they never dared to do, what we rejoice to perceive our Conser vative Premier is doing at the present moment with the applause of all good men. The other weapons from their armoury are only sub ordinate instruments to assist the first; the grand complaint is the delay of ministers—the subordinates are brought up merely to show how dreadfully perilous that delay must be ; then follows " distress"—the " corn laws"--and .the " budget," The people are famishing—and heartless men that you are, say the Cobdenites, you will prorogue without imposing an B s. duty on foreign corn, which is now being imported at one or two! How unfeeling, how anti-free trade, and illiberal is this ! Nothing further need be said to show the absurdity of the opposition party than the bare statement of such an argument as this. Truly may it .be said that the people ask for bread, whilst these calico patriots offer them only a stone. They clamour for a fixed duty on corn which would neces sarily raise the price —and cry for other things in the name of the people, which would be of about as much use to the people, as if when they asked for fish they should be given a serpent. The whip budget was condemned by the nation for the vices and rottonness visible in the face of it; but the mere revolution of time has 'brought it to an open shame—damned it to everlasting . ridicule. There was first a corn duty which could not be enforced, or if enforced, which must have greatly aggravated the alleged distress ; then there was to be an increased duty on Canadian timber, which could not by any means be raised within th e current year, unless by downright plunder and robbery; and lastly, there was to he a reduction in the duties. on foreign sugar, which from the present low prices of that commodity, it appears, would have afforded no benefit to the consumer, nor increase to the revenue. The name of " budget" ought to be pain ful to the ears of a Whig during life —no, they should " never mention it." What, then, do the opposition mean by alluding to the subject ? Surely the country has had enough of their quackery, and will have no more of their physic. " But the people are starving— there is great distress." Yes, and this is what Whig government has brought us to ; will the opposition remember this ? Sir Robert Peel, in the course of his speech on Monday night, said that he "was willing to admit, and he had made the observation on a previous occasion, that much distress prevailed in several dis tricts, particularly in those where cotton was extensively manufactured; but whilst he made this admission, he }oust caution the house, and particularly hon. members opposite, against making exaggerated statements of that distress." He then mentioned his having made diligent inquiry concerning a very deplorable case mentioned by Mr. Hindley, the member for Ashton, and stated, by him to have occurred at Oldham ; but the affecting tale ap peared to have no existence but in the imagination of the narrator; no tidings could be obtained of it on the spot ! However, we trust the poor will not suffer from the exaggerations of such mistaken advocates. Sir It. Peel said, that it was his intention, " whenever any severe cases of distress were brought under his notice, to institute an immediate inquiry. It was resolved that an investigation should take place into every case of alleged distress, with a view to its mitigation. In order to effect that object he would exercise the official authority placed under the control of Government." Such an assurance will greatly allay the anxiety Which such tales of woe as the free trade agitators are accustomed to relate, are calculated to excite, and we may entertain a pretty strong assurance generally that the case of the poor will not by any means be the worse for being in the hands of such a man and such a statesman as Sir Robert Peel. With regard to the renewal of the Poor Law Commission, without any alteration in the act, that measure was evidently inevi table under existing circumstances. That the law must be greatly modified few will deny ; ministers can have no motive-for desiring to preserve it in tact, eon t"`Crln the almost unanimous wish of the country ; but a short delay can do no harm, and especially as in , t he interim s uch important relaxations as those alluded b y Sir James Graham on Tuesday evening, will be Made. • LOCAL NEWS A Belgian paper states, that the steam-ship the British Queen is preparing for a voyage to Constantinople. FLEETWOOD ON WY RE.—Extracted from the population return for Fleetwood, the remark being in the handwriting of the enumerators. The population is stated to be 1500: " Five years ago there was not a soul abiding in the district, it being a rabbit warren." The Right Hon. Lord Morpeth, the late chief secretary for Ireland, and Norman M`Donald, Esq., the late under secre tary, arrived from Dublin on Monday last, in her Majesty's steamer, Merlin, Capt. Townley. We are informed that Lord Morpeth is going to make a tour of the United States, and will embark on board the Columbia, Halifax packet, to sail on Tuesday. WATEn. CoLoutt DRAWINGS.—We perceive that the dis tribution of prizes in Mr. Grundy's scheme of the beautiful water-colour drawings, exhibited in Liverpool some time ago, will take place on Tuesday next. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday afternoon, as a little ° O l7, six years of age, named James Makin, son of a labour ing man, living at 45, Thomas-street, was running across South John-street at the time two carts were passing, he tan fortunately fell, and the hind wheel of one of the carts passed over his head, which caused intant death. No blame what ever appears to have attached to the driver of the cart. RAILWAY TRIP TO LIVERPOOL—We perceive, from the Birmingham papers, that on Tuesday week next we are to have another large importation of the mechanics of Birming ham. They purpose spending the whole of Tuesday in visit ing the lions of Liverpool, and on Wednesday take a trip to Rhyl, returning the same evening to Birmingham. CHESTER RACES.—A NOVEL PICTURE.—There is exhi biting„ gratis, at Mr. Palmer's, the artist, Bold-street, a very ingenious picture of Chester race course, cut out of paper by Mr. E. L. Glew. The figures are capitally done, and the busy and animated scene has the effect of a finished painting. This work is to be disposed of by shares, and the list is nearly filled up. Nouns OF BustsEss.—We are happy to find that the shop -keepers in the neighbourhood of ,St. James's-street, Great George-street, and Tosteth-park, have, in conformity to former regulations, agreed to close their establishments at eight o'clock, commencing this day, Friday, October 1. It is to be hoped that this excellent at rangement will be entered into in every district of the town where earlier closing may be considered impracticable. We congratulate the shipowners on the increasing pros perity of the Liverpool Society for the Registry of Shipping. It certainly behoves the shipowners to give their most stre nuous support to the society, which has been so long called for, and so much wanted in, Liverpool ; and the best mode of giving effectual support is for the shipowners to register, register, register, as their ships arrive, and not On any ac count to omit this essential first great requisite. THE PHYS-II ARMONICA-PIAN o.—This very beautiful in strument is on the eve of being removed from Liverpool, we therefore give a word of advice to those who have not heard it, to pay Herr Breuiiig a visit without delay. The extraor dinary execution of Herr Breunig, combined with tile taste he exhibits in blending skilfully the tones of the two instru ments together under the Phys-harmonica, is well worth list ening t o . The sweeping volume of tone which alternately rises and falls, conveys to the ear a wild and unearthly music, while the exquisite notes of the Piano by itself leads the hearer completely captive. We are surprised to find that thousands instead of hundreds have not been to hear the Phys-harmonica. Its unquestionable merit, and the abilities of Herr Breunig, have a right to command public attention. MR. RICHARD OASTLER.—The friends of this estimable gentleman are about to collect, from the admirers of his ster ling principles, a sum of money sufficient to support him in comfort and respectability during the closing years of his activ e a nd useful life. Sufficient is already known of Mr. Oastler to secure the praiseworthy objects comtemplated by a few of his more immediate friends. The Protestant public can never forget his persevering advocacy of scriptural prin ciples—his self-denying exertions in the cause of the op pressed creatures in the factories —his sacrifices of money and time for the spread of conservative feeling, and we are much mistaken if the present opportunity will not be speedily seized upon, for the purpose of testifying the high estimation i n which Mr. Oastler is held as a m an, and in which his exer tions are regarded by the public. When the plans are a lit tle further matured, we shall be happy to give any additional information as it reaches us. THEATRE Rol AL.—The entertainments advertised to take Place next week are of an unusually attractive character. Mr. Clarke appears to think that the public shall have no Cause to complain of a want of novelty, for no less than four new engagements are entered into. Opera is to be the rage ; and it will delight all the musical folks to find that Mr. and Mrs. Wood will appear, supported by Mr. Giubielli and Miss Poole. It is many years since we saw the latter, who was then a remarkably clever child, playing all sorts of charac ters, with an immense show of talent. The first opera will be " Sonnambula." In the course of the engagement " Norma" will be produced. MR. JOHN MARTIN'S PICTURES.—This is the last day on which these magnificent paintings will be seen in Liverpool. The advertisement in our columns announces that the Union Gallery, Slater-street, will' positively and finally be closed this evening (Friday). If there be any lover of the noblest class of art who has not hitherto beheld these marvellous Productions of genius, he would do well to hasten for that Purpose when he has laid down this paper. - MARINE SOCIETY.--II will be seen by an advertisement which appears elsewhere, that a meeting of the members of this very excellent society will take place to- morrow , at the Rooms of the Shipmasters Asssociation, a t one o'clock. The meeting is convened for the purpose of taking into con sideration the rules of the society, as revised by the commit tee appointed in February last for that purpose. The matters which will be brought before the meeting are very important, and it is to be hoped that there will be a very full attendance .of the members. We understand that the society hai now -as much as £ll,OOO funded. It is absolutely necessary . that twenty-five members should b e p r esent, to carry the objects of the committee into effect. LIST OF PASSENOERS PER BRITANNIA, CAPT. R. B. CLELLAND, FROM BOSTON, 16th SEPT., 1841.—Messrs. A. Soliliac, Robert Maclean, B. De Loys, W. B. Scott, Samuel Phillips, James H. Fowler, J. S. Allen, A. Desevre, Almv, George L. Phillips, H. W. Meade King. D. Lentworth, John Hirst, Dudley Hall, James Cushing, A. T. Evche, 11. Henry, S. Hirst, James Adam, Grindlay, Randall, Lane, Fraser; Captain T. J. Smith; Mrs. Downs. LIVER.—The Great Wizard of the North is drawing capital houses to see his clever performances. We never saw such dexterity displayed, tricks of hand so smartly executed, or deceptions so well managed. Where all is capital we cannot particularize. The pudding trick, however, is the most laughable; while that with the birds and rabbits excites the most astonishment. The Lancashire Bell Ringers are very clever performers—they keep excellent time. THE AMPHITHEATRE.—The entertainments at this theatre are of a most. amusing character. The pantomine of Obi goes off with great spirit. Mr. Howell is an excellent pan tominest. Mr. T. Mathews is a droll actor. The horsman ship is clever, and the gyinanastics beyond the usual run of excellence. At this holiday time there is abundant amuse ment for all the little " masters and mistresses.'; A SON OF CRISPIN.—John Swift, a shoemaker, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in London-road. When the defendant, Crispin, wassailed on for his defence, he said, " Plase your worship, I was passing the monument, and I just said to the monument, `you was a good man when you were alive,' and so be was ; and, place your worship, I did nothing more." Mr. Rushton: " Were you not drunk ?" " Plase your worship, I was not to call drunk, but hearty." Mr. Rushton : I saw you myself, and you were very dis orderly, and making a great noise in the open street ; and if you repeat this conduct, you will be fined. Discharge him." " Fined! did your worship say ? I have not a farthing." Crispin was so ihtent on the word fine, that he persevered till he was forcibly ejected from custody. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Monday last, a man of the name of William Yates was taken suddenly ill whilst superintend ing the building of a new warehouse near to the Custom house. He was first seized with vomiting, which lasted for a minute or two. Finding himself gradually getting worse, he expressed a wish to be taken home, and, having proceeded a few yards, he was obliged to sit down. He was immedi ately taken to a neighbouring house, and a surgeon was sent for: but the unfortunate man was dead before his arrival. A post mortem examination of the body was made by Mr. (-Iraham, surgeon, who found a large quantity of blood ef fused within the pericardium. An inquest was held on the body, and a verdict to that effect was returned. COTTON SWEEPINGS.—One of the porters employed by the warehouseman of Messrs. Green and Taylor was placed before Mr. Rushton, on Tuesday, charged with having stolen several bags of cotton sweepings. An inspector of police stated, that he had apprehended the prisoner with four large bags full of cotton sweepings. They were all addressed to different parties in the Isle of Man. In the middle of one, of the bags was a large jar, full of palm oil. The jar was was covered with a piece of canvass, on which was also written the address of an individual in the Isle of Man. The inspector, having cautioned the prisoner, questioned him as to where he got the property. He stated, that it was given to him by a warehouseman. The inspector, not being satis fied with this account, took him into custody. One or two of the bags were produced in court. The cotton was evi dently sweepings, but it was tolerably clean, and it appeared in fair condition. Messrs. Green and Taylor's warehouse man stood forward and stated, that the prisoner had been employed by him as a porter. The cotton was the sweepings of the warehouse-rooms, after the removal of cotton which had been stored in them. He (the warehouseman) had gathered it together, and put it into bags. The prisoner asked him if lie would give him some of it, and be told him he might take two bags. Mr. Rushton.—What right had you to give him leave to take it? The warehouseman said, it was merely the cotton that had been strewed about the floor after the warehouses were cleared, and, instead of sweeping it out, he had gathered it together, and put it into bags. Mr. Rushton said, it was evident that not the porter, but the warehouseman, was to blame. Mr. Green, (who attended on behalf of his firm,) in reply to a question from Mr. Rushton, said the warehouseman had no authority to give away this cotton. However, it was only the sweepings of the warehouses, which would otherwise have been proba bly swept away altogether. Mr. Rushton.—Had you palm oil in your warehouse? Mr. Green.—There was some palm oil in the cellar recently. Mr. Rushton said, the evil proba bly commenced in this : the men found they might take what was called sweepings, and they were at the same time tempted to take other things. Mr. Dowling said, in most instances the mischief begun much earlier ; for when the met: found they might take sweepings, they generally took care, while the cotton was in the rooms, to make the sweepings worth taking. Mr. Rushton said there was a great trade going on in damaged cotton in this town; and much of the cotton that found its way into the hands of certain parties was pil fered from warehouses. Mr. Rushton, after cautioning the warehouseman, discharged the prisoner. THE LOYALTY OF MANCHESTER WHIGS.—We have never over-estimated the character of whig loyalty in general ; and most assuredly we have never rated high the character of Manchester whig loyalty in particular. We could lay our finger upon the names of a round dozen at least of the most prominent of the whips of that borough—of some of the elite of its whim corporation—and of not a few of its Russell jus tices,—which belong to men who in times past, when whig gery was not the sunny side of politics, possessed reputa tions somewhat a hi Jack Frost ; and we are the surprised to observe the professions of the last ten years—the assump tions of profound devotion to the royal person and deference to the royal will—give place to noisy and turbulent demon strations of opposition so soon as the light of the royal countenance ceases to shine exclusively upon the parterres of whig radicalism anti the favouritism of an O'Connell-Mel bourne administration has no more sops to throw in the way of hungry aspirants to tax-collectorships, factory or poor-law commissionerships, registrarships, or other similar lucrative appeasers for the gnawing stomachs of atrabilious democrats. A poet' who well knew human nature has told us that " Loyalty is still the same Whether it win or lose the game ; True as the dial to the sun, Although it be not shone upon." Will the loyalty which has been so loudly claimed by the Manchester cottonocracy come scatheless out of a trial by the test here pointed at ? We trow not. The lips which ve lauded the name of our present gracious Queen are the bkline which have heaped odium upon the name of every mo narch other race who has not fed them with'enrrupt patron age ; and those very lips will, before twelve months are pas sed away, be busy spitting up their venom up upon the name of " Victoria ". The leaven of Huntite sedition is not ex tinct. The serpent has no parted with his fang, though for a time he may have cast his skin. Knighthood has not changed the course nature of a Potter—a sinecure has not ta ken away the democratic furor of a Shuttleworth—the bench even cannot elevate the stolid republicanism of a Walker to the feeling of genuine loyalty, or raise the tribe of Kershaws, Callenders, and other parvenus one step in moral elevation above the sweepers of their own warehouses. We look for no change in the character of the opposition to be offered by these men. to the policy of her majesty's present government, from that which they have offered iu days past, but not for gotten.—to other governments, notwithstanding their assumed devotion to the person of the sovereign ; and al though time has not yet developed it, we are quite prepared to see it extend to bitter and rancorous hatred of that sove reign herself. WOODSIDE FERRY.—The inhabitants of Woodside were on Thursday surprised by the publication of a notice by the proprietors of the ferry, that from and after that day no con tracts would he taken by the company. The object and effect of this resolution are easily explained. For many years the proprietors of the ferry were in the habit of con veying across the river, to and from Liverpool, all persons resident at Woodside who subscribed a certain fixed sum per annum. For instance, the first of a family paid £2 10s., the second £l, the third 155.. the fourth 10s., and so on, per annum. In this way a family of four or persons and one or two servants could have the right of ferry, and the use of the boats at all times of the day, for a sum rarely exceeding induced to ss. In this way some thousands of persons were to take houses and make Woodside and its environs their residence, the sail across the river, and the freshness of the Cheshire air being inviting, and the contract charge by the ferry, not being considered an objectionable tax. The charge to strangers, casual passengers, and non-contractors being twopence, which, although a small sum, becomes a large one to those who have to cress once, twice, or oftener every day. In consequence of this moderate ferry charge, houses were built in all directions, tenants were found for them as soon as they were finished, and rents were obtained at an extrava• gant rate. The hardship operates in this way. For instance, some families who have hitherto paid £4 or £5, will now have to pay for the same accommodation from £l3 to £25, and . some who paid f rom £6 t o £8 will have to pay from £ 5O Ito /0 a : yeay, a sum equal to, if not exceeding. the whole rental of their houses. What, then, is to be done ? The lessees of the ferry have a right to make their charge of 2d. ; but whether by doing so they are consulting their own in terest, or fulfilling the moral obligations of their predecessors, is another question. One thing, however, is certain. if the new charge is persevered in, multitudes of families will leave the neighbourhood, and property become much dete riorated in value. THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CONIPANY.-Our readers are already aware that the new method of taking portraits, by a process of fixing the reflected person of the sitter, has recently been introduced into this town by the Liverpool Photographic Company. A few spirited individuals came to the determi nation of securing to the public of Liverpool the advantage of obtaining portraits the most wonderful, the most correct and faithful, which has for some time been possessed in this country by London alone. Let the reader imagine bis exact image reflected on a mirror, and that image rendered per manent in a few seconds by means of some secret process affecting only the mirror, and who would not wish for so faithful a representation of himself to present to his dear friends or relatives. This is accomplished by photography, and such portraits may now be obtained at the Photographic .Institution in St. James's Walk, for one guinea, which the combined skill of the most talented artists England or the world ever saw could not produce, if rewarded with ten thou sand times the sum. We had yesterday an opportunity of witnessing the mode in which portaits are taken. The com pany have secured the services of two eminent artists from the Polytechnic Institution in London, Messrs. Goddard and Cooper. A number of portraits were taken, which astonished not only the parties present but also the friends of the sitters ; and one or two, which were taken when the sun was sinking below the horizon, and after he had ceased to shed his rays on the building, were perfect specimens of art and most ad mirable likenesses. The civility of the artists above named, who, immediately on a likeness not being approved of by the parties produced another specimen, (the sitting not requiring more than a few seconds for each portrait,) and their gentle manly attention to those visiting the institution, deserve great praise, as well as the polite conduct of Mr. Rolph, the manager, and the company generally. Although the com- Puny may be considered as scarcely yet fairly at work, the in stitution having been open little more than a week, yet each day bas witnessed a more lively interest on the part of the public and many distinguished families, not only of this town, but from distant parts of the county, have visited the place, and had their portraits taken. Although the process of taking likenesses is by the light of the sun, yet it is by no means necessary for the purpose, that that luminary should lie shining in his splendour ;—on the contrary, we have seen most excellent portraits taken when he has been hidden be hind dark clouds, and when the sky has been observed, rain falling, and a storm prevailing. A very correct likeness was yesterday produced of the police commissioner, Mr. Dowling. Many of the leading gentry of the town were present during the day. In the course of the afternoon some amusement was afforded by the likeness of a lethar gic old gentleman, who was represented as comfortably enveloped in th e arms of Morpheus. The likeness was pronounced admirable, but the cause of his appearance, asleep, led to inquiry, when the gentleman, good humour edly, confessed, that during the few moments he bad sat on the chair, sleep had overtaken him, and, " true to nature," so the portrait exhibited him. On the whole, however, those who have not seen the operation of the art, will do well to pay a visit to the Institution, and we dare pledge ourselves for it, that if they put a guinea into their pockets, previous to going, they _ will return with a reflection of their own persons, rather than the metallic representation of her Majesty. Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.—Colton. SHIPPING IN THE PORT,OF BELFAST.—The wand for the last few days has been more or less easterly, and consequently favourable for vessels entering our harbour. We had yester day the curiosity to count the shipping with which our river and docks are at present crowded; and the result of our calculation was 144 craft of all rigs, from the New Bridge coffer-dam to the southern entrance of the new channel—a more numerous fleet than has floated on the Lagan for many months past.--Northern Whig. MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY The Annual Meeting of this Society, for the show of live-stock, roots, seeds, implements of husbandry, &c., took place on Wednesday, in the Old Infirmary Yard, Lime. street, and was followed by a dinner at Lucas's Repository, Great Charlotte-street. The weather in the early part of the day was unfavourable, rain in frequent showers having fallen during the forenoon, and the atmosphere being withal rather chilly. Many tine high fed animals, which would otherwise have been exhibited, were consequently not brought up, lest they might suffer injury after the fatigues of a journey, by exposure in an un covered area. About noon, however, it brightened up, and the show was, on the whole, highly gratifying, affording, indeed, a further proof of the benehcial effects of the society in inducing an honourable competition amongst the agricul tural community of these di.triets. The attendance in the yard was numerous, though not, we think—Owing probably to the weather, and also to the recent " national" meeting on a large scale, which satisfied the curiosity of the general public to some extent for a season— so great as might otherwise have been expected. Amongst the distinguished individuals present we observed Sir I'. S. Trafford, Esq., of Trafford Hall; Wilson Patten, M. P., of Bold Hall ; John Ireland Blackburne, Esq., of Hale Hall ; Sir Richard Brooks, Bart. ; Webb Hall, Esq.. the celebrated agriculturist of the West of England, and many of the influential landed proprietors of this and the adjoining counties. The Right Hon. Lord Stanley was ex pected on the ground, and also to preside as Chairman of the Society at the Dinner; but his lordship's recent re-election as member for the northern division of Lancashire, and the urgent demand for his official services in the metropolis, rendered his attendance impracticable on this occasion—to the regret of his numerous admirers, and particularly of those who anticipated their accustomed treat in listening to his able and entertaining addresses at the banquet, as President of the Society. The arrangements on the ground Were highly creditable to the committee. Sufficient space was found at the east side of the yard, as in former years, for the exhibition of the whole of the implements, stock, &c., with the excep tion of the stallions, who were located on the west side, in part of the large excavation now in progress for the founda tion of the new court-houses. A large tent was erected for the seeds, roots, &c. The judges having made their selection of prize animals, &c., affixed the tickets. The exhibition was opened at half-past 12 o'clock, to members gratuitously, and to the public on payment of 2s. 6d. each, until two o'clock ; after which time the charge was a shilling. The following gentlemen, who are correspondents of the society, contributed every information in their power to those who attended the exhibition :—Mr. J. F. Cannell, Castle street, Liverpool ; Mr. George Harriot, Ormskirk ; Mr. C. Birkett, Preston ; Mr. Alexander Bannerman, Chorlcy; Mr. James Fair, Lytham ; Mr. Tebay, Winstanley, near Wigan ; Mr. Benson, Bury ; Mr. William Seddon, St. Helen's ; Mr. Henry White, Warrington ; Mr. William Palin, Stapleford Hall, near Chester ; Mr. James Green, Prescot ; Mr. John Dowson, Gronant, near Holywell ; and Mr. Mayson, Wind mill Inn, Manchester. Taking a general view of the exhibition,_ we'should say that it was one of the best that has yet taken place under the auspices of the society, both as regards the stock and the im plements produced. Although we arc not ourselves practical agriculturists, a peep round the yard enables us, with the assistance of an occasional hint from one or two of " the knowing ones," to supply a few particuiars respecting each department. HORSES There was, on the whole, a very fair, and of some descrip tions an excellent display, particularly of draft horses, and of those for general farming purposes. There were a considera ble number of stallions, many of them animals of good action, fine proportibus, and "distinguished" pedigree. The one, two, and three-year-old colts, geldings, and fillies produced by persons solely dependent on agriculture were of good promise, though, it must be admitted, few of them were superior in size and muscle. Amongst the teams of three waggon horses, a fine " trio" was shown by Mr. Fincharn, of the Raven Glass Works. Some splendid draft horses were shown. The first prize, for the best pair of horses used in Liverpool, was gained by Mr. Richard Thomas, of this town. The second was awarded to Messrs. Tayleur, Almond, and Co., coal proprietors, the latter pair also winning a sweepstakes for the best pair of waggon horses. They appeared to us to be quite equal, if not superior, in symmetry and action to any on the ground. They were greys, and, when shown in the ring by Mr. Gleave, (agent of Messrs. T., A., and C 0.,) were the ad miration of the whole yard. The brood mares were not very numerous or generally prime. By far tile finest for farming purposes was exhibited by Mr. Henry Broughton, and ob tained the first prize. CATTLE There were several fine bulls ; but by far the finest was a beautiful, large, symmetrical animal belonging to Richard Almond, Esq., of Standish. He is of a roan and white color, and is named " Violin," got by Paganini, whose sire was Magnum Bonum. He is a regular beauty, perfect in every point, and became not only " the bull" but the " lion" of the show. He is only two years and eleven months old, and won the prize of ten guineas at the Manchester Meeting ou the previous day. Mr. Barton, of Caldy, and Mr. Webster, of Upton, (in Cheshire,) showed two fine bulls, the former obtaining a prize of 10 sovereigns. Mr. Robinson, of Bold, also showed a bull, as extra stock, for which the society's medal was awarded. A beautiful farmer's bull, a roan, ob tained a prize of 10 sovereigns for Mr. Barton. Amongst the cow and bull calves there were some of a very compact and promising description. The show of cows for feeding after milking was good. Our townsman, Mr. Davies, of Copperas Hill, took a prize of 3 sovereigns. Mr. Hayes, of Prescot, showed a very large, fine, fat cow, and was awarded 5 sovereigns, the first prize. For two remarkably tine cows, in -calf, Mr. P. Greenhall, of St. Helens, obtained 7 sovereigns. For another, (both of the short-horned breed,) Mr. Almond, of Standish, got the second prize. Our neigh bour. Mr. S. Scotson. of Toxteth-park, was again a success ful competitor in more than one department. He obtained a prize for a one-year-old heifer and another for a two-year old. Of this last description, a heifer brought by Mr. Al mond got the first prize of 4 sovereigns. The show of pigs was altogether extraordinary, exceeding, indeed, all former displays, and adding to the long established reputation of the county in the rearing of excellent porkers, We never indeed saw so fine a collection, whether as regards breed or condition, and we have no hesitation in saying that if their proprietors had had timely notice and fair play at the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting ; in July, they would have left nearly all, if not all, the competitors on that occasion immeasurably behind. They attracted very great and de served attention. Mr. Tomlinson, of Pottery-brow, Tox teth-park, showed a splendid sow with six pigs, and a fine boar of the most approved modern breed. They obtained prizes of three and four sovereigns respectively. Mr. B. Martin also got a prize of three sovereigns for a fine boar. The breeding sows were of the choicest description. One large sow with fifteen thumping " young uns " was a sub ject of wonderment. They filled a whole pen. There was another fine one with nine. We observed a very large fierce looking grizzly boar with a turned up snout, and enormous tusks. He appeared to claim descent from the porcine wood land aristocracy of " the olden time ", with a look of wild ness that would render him an ugly customer to meet in a narrow lane. His shaggy countenance seemed the veritable original of the so frequently depicted and popular sign► of the " boar's head ". SHEEP, The show was not numerous, but on the whole choice. Some fine fat wethers from the estate of the Hon. Edward Mostyn Lloyd Mostyn, Bart., of Mostyn Hall, Plintshire, obtained the first prize of two sovereigns. In yearlings, long . wool ewes, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Lowndes, of West Derby. Mr. Scotson showed the finest long wool rams, and Mr. Lowndes the second—both gaining prizes. There were also some fine fat ewes, and yearling short wool lambs, but we could not obtain the names of the owners — which we suggest it would be gratifying to the public to affix on future occasions to the prize cards. IMPLEMENTS These were numerous, and for the most part of great practical utility, combining much ingenuity of invention with simplicity and ease of working . A large thrashing machine, to be turned by h an d, was shown, manufactured at the Earl of Ducie's celebrated iron works. It appeared, however, to be rather too heavy for two men to turn. Of ploughs and horse-hoes there was a good assortment, but nothing new ; the iron plough, o n the Scotch principle, being still the fa vourite for general supplies. A new turnip-cutting machine for sheep, in the form of an upright cylinder, with the knife affixed to a horizontal wheel at the bottom, was much ad mired. It is by Mr. Richmond, of Salford. The cylinder has two divisions. The turnips fitted into these are turned out in uniform oblong square slices with great accuracy and speed. Each revolution of the wheel makes two cuttings. There were a considerable number of hay and straw cutting machines, nearly on the same principle, with knives of con vex and concave edges affixed to a fly wheel. Machines or mills for the crushing of beans, malt, corn, &c. were also nu merous and ingenious. We noticed a turnip cutter with a vertical enclosed cutting wheel, the whole resembling a French clock or time-piece, by Mr. Broadbent, of Staley bridge. A model of a tidding or grass-spreading implement on wheels, was much admired; as was a pendulum churn, easily moved by a lever like a pump handle. The pendulum (a large ball of iron) is fixed under the fulcrum, and the " piston rod" of the churn moves perpendicularly like that of a steam engine. The contrivance is simple and effective. It is, we believe, by Mr. Vickars, of Manchester. Messrs. J. and C. Whalley showed some good implements of various kinds. Our townsman, Mr. Cartmell, of London-road, steam engine and agricultural implement maker, was on the ground with some excellent machines, including an admirable turnip cutter, with a vertical cutting wheel. By turning it one way it slices the turnips in circles across; the reverse motion re duces them to oblong smaller slices, for sheep. Mr. C., at the last national agricultural meeting, and at the Liverpool annual exhibition, obtained four prizes,—one for a hay and straw cutter, one for the improved double turnip cutter no ticed, and one for a mill for crushing oats, beans, &c., for which last he obtained the prize from the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The high finish and efficiency of these and other machines by Mr. C. attracted much notice. ROOTS, SEEDS, &C The show of roots, (in the tent erected for the purpose,) was truly excellent. Mr. Skirving, of Walton, exhibited many superior sorts of Turnip and Mangel Wurzel, of great size and symmetry. The roots of the improved Swede of his new variety, surpassed all we have ever seen in bulk and weight. Six of those, exhibited by this gentleman, weighed together above 2401b. ' the largest being as much as 261 b.! He also showed a bundle of Italian rye-grass,fourth crop, and upwards of 18 inches in length. A fine sack of white wheat, of this year's growth, was shown by Mr. Nelson, of Hale Wood. Mr. Taylor, of Bootle, brought two drum-head cabbages, each weighing 301 b. Some good Swedish turnips were also shown for a sweepstakes by farmers. There were also samples of the new vulture manure, or "Guano," from South America, the extraordinary chemi cal effect of which in inducing fertility, though used most sparingly, has been fully tested by Mr. Skirving and others. Amongst the stock, &c., shown, (not for competition,) were a fine pair of buffaloes, sent by Arthur Henderson, Esq., of Walton. They are of a mouse colour, and almost destitute of hair. Two very fine Alpachas, or South American moun tain sheep, were exhibited by Mr. Worrall, of Knotty Ash. This interesting animal has a long neck, resembling that of the deer. The wool is very long, black, and silky ; a n d it i s in contemplation to naturalize the species in this country as a valuable adjunct to our farming stock, the climate, and the commonest herbage of our sheep-walks being suitable to their nature. Mr. Lynn, of the Waterloo, showed a pen of fine young pigs, a cross between the Neapolitan and the Sussex. The parents of both were with them. The Neapolitan is of a dark colour, with few bristles. The litter was fine, and ex cited great attention. Amongst the curiosities exhibited was an extraordinary fungus, brought by our townsmen, Messrs. J. and C. Whalley, a native of the West Indies, and in the form of a huge vase, chased in alto at the bottom of the cup, and with a regular stalk to correspond. This extraordinary production, a freak of old mother Nature, is three feet and a half in height, and measures five feet seven inches round the middle. The lip overhangs, in the usual classical or bell style ; interiorly, it forms a perfect basin, and it is in all respects a curious " variety" of the mushroom tribe. The parties on the ground appeared to be highly gratified by the show, which concluded about four o'clock. THE DINNER. The annual dinner took place in the evening at the great room of Lucas's Repository. A sumptuous.and most profuse entertainment was provided by Mr. Horne, the truly liberal host of the Mersey Hotel. The tables literally groaned be neath the weight of the substantials and delicacies which his care had prepared. We regret to state that the attendance was unusually slender, not more than one hundred and sixty gentlemen being present. This may be attributed to the un favourable state of the weather for a numerous muster, and to the unavoidable absence of the right hon. Lord Stanley, the secretary of state for the colonial department, who has heretofore been the life and soul as well as the princip al at traction of these meetings. G rea t num b ers w ho live in the country, and had come hither by railway and other convey ance:., returned to their homes just previous to the hour ap pointed for the dinner, on hearing that the noble lord was not likely to be present. The chair was taken by Sir Richard Brooke, Bart., of Ninton Priory, Cheshire. On his right we noticed the Hon. Richard Bootle Wilbraham, M.P., John Ireland Blackburne, Esq., M.P., Richard Corbett, Esq., James Aspinall, Esq., Richard Earle, Esq., Robert Neilson, Esq., Arthur Henderson, jun., Esq., John Hornby, Esq., Richard Ledger, Esq., Ja mes G reen , E sq . To the left f the chairman we observed the Mayor, John Wilson Patten, Esq., M.P.,the Hon. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Edward Cast, John Shaw .eigh, Esti, Richard Leigh, Esq., - Norris, Esq., Peter Greenh a li, E sq ., M.P., S amue l Sand bar!), Esq., .R. Sandbach, Esq., &c. &c. - . The CHAIR M AN then gav e the following toasts,—" The Queen, Duchess of Lancaster," " Queen Dowager, and the rest of the royal family," " Prince Albert," " The Army and Navy," all of which were received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. Captain Durie acknowledged the last toast. The CHAIRMAN said he need not propose the next toast, but would give it,—" The health of Lord Stanley, and pro sperity to the Liverpool Agricultural Society." (Tremendous cheering.) No one regretted the absence of Lord Stanley mole than he did. The number of meetings of this kind over which Lord Stanley had presided would be remembered by all present. The society had been established thirteen or fourteen years, and he had taken the chair at every anniver sary. The company would all know the reason of his ab sence; it was occasioned by public business, and their regret would be lessened by the recollection that he was serving his country. The show had not been so large on this occasion, but this might be attributed to the fact that the great agri cultural meeting of the Royal Society of England had been so recently held in this town. There was one falling off in the interests attached to thfh society, but he would leave those gentlemen who had given their time, trouble, and at tention to its business, to explain how it was that there had been so comparatively slender an attendance. He had only been called upon at the eleventh hour to fill the chair, and trusted the meeting would excuse his deficiencies. Mr. J. W. PATTEN, M.P., rose to respond to the toast, and was received with loud cheers. He said their worthy chairman had observed, in proposing it, that they should all feel regret at the absence from the dinner of Lord Stanley. No one felt that regret more than he (Mr. P.) did, having not only witnessed his lordship's conduct in the chair, but the interest he took in whatever tended to promote the agri culture of the'county. But, in regretting his absence, he confessed that he found some consolation in the reflection that among the vice-presidents of the present year they had the chairman, who, from his character and station, and the respect he had gained of all the agriculturists, had proved himself to be a proper substitute for his noble colleague who was absent. (Hear.) In consequence of his having resided in the neighbourhood of his hon. friend, the chairman, he could bear witness in his behalf to his readiness on all occa sions to come forward and to take any share in the promo tion of the agricultural interests of the Country. Ile bad at the present time taken the chair with his usual kindness, and without having made any preparation. For these several reasons, therefore, he would give them, with great pleasure, the chairman's health, coupling with him the other vice presidents of the year—namely, the Earl of Sefton and Sir Joshua Walmsley. The toast was drunk with loud cheers. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said that the flat tering manner in which they had drunk his health had given him confidence and pleasure, as well as a feeling that he had not given offence by taking the chair. He confessed that he had always felt an interest in everything that related to agri culture, and to the benefit of his country at large; but, in taking the chair, he had not come prepared for making speeches. He was no spokesman, but he sincerely wished to assist the society by every means in his power, and to pro mote its interests, and be earnestly hoped that the fact of his having presided there that day would not, in any respect, diminish its usefulness. In conclusion s he wished them all health and happiness, and prosperity to the society. (Cheers) The CHAIRMAN next rose, and said he had much pleasure in giving them the next toast. It was the health of the Earl of Derby. (Cheers.) There was no doubt but that, as the lord-lieutenant of the county, as well as in his capacity of a private gentleman, his lordship's wishes were with the society. (Drunk amid cheers.) The Hon. Mr. WILBRAHAM, M. P., with the permission of the president, rose to propose the health of a gentleman who was present, and from whom, he hoped, they would receive some useful hints. In conjunction with " Success to the Royal Agricultural Society," he would give them the " Health of Mr. Webb Hall," one of its members. (Loud cheers.) Mr. HALL returned thanks. He had only a few moments to spare before his departure from Liverpool ; but, before he left, he wished to express his gratefulness to the society for the attention it had shown the visitors. He had been an humble member of the Royal Agricultural Society from the earliest period of its foundation, with an earnest desire to foster the views developed by that society for the improve ment of the agriculture of the country. He felt that there was not the slightest reason for supposing that the founda tions of the national society for the promotion of the scien tific pursuits of agriculture would trench on the more minute usefulness of the various local societies of the kingdom, but on the other hand he was convinced that the fact of the local societies having one great centre of communication, through which the desires of th e various others could be carried out, would create a tendency for information which would be received and advanced in a way which could not be so suc cessfully accomplished by any other means. It was only necessary to point to the Agricultural Society in Scotland for proof of the great benefits to be derived from such a source of communication. He might also point to Scotland for an example of the manner in which the great landed pro prietors rallied round their tenantry and rewarded their industrious labourers ; and he rejoiced to find, that not only in the national society were the same dispositions prevalent, but in the Liverpool society also. The tables before him showed that the town of Liverpool had sincerely at heart the general interests of the country at large. (Hear and cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of " The Mayor and Corporation of Liverpool," with thanks to them for the use of the ground on which the show had been that day held. Though that ground was about to be built upon, he had no doubt but the mayor would take care they should he accom modated with a similar plot on future occasion , . (Hear and cheers.) -- - _ - The MAYOR said he felt exceedingly grateful for the very kind manner in which his health had been proposed and drunk. He was sure he expressed the common feeling of the inhabitants of the town, when he said that they felt gra tified in making the society an offer of the land on which their exhibitions had taken place. (Hear, hear.) He wished he could say that the corporation for some time to come would have land for similar exhibitions at their disposal, but he feared that such would not be the case ; nevertheless, as long as they had any unappropriated land in their charge, so long would they feel a pleasure in tendering it for such useful purposes as the present. (Hear and cheers.) People were much in the habit of contrasting the agricultural and com mercial interests of the community, but, in many respects, he believed them to be identified one with the other. (Hear, hear.) He had been for a long period a resident of Liver pool, during which he had witnessed the full tide of pros perity flowing in in favour of those interests, and he had always rejoiced at the success of the landed property in the neighbourhood, it being of immense importance, inasmuch as it afforded a large amount of employment to the working classes. He regretted that there was a cloud over the com mercial community at the present moment, but he believed that it would be of short duration, and that there existed ma terials for still further improving and increasing the general trade; and with the expression of such a hope, as well as thanking them for having proposed and drunk his health, he begged, in conclusion, to return them his sincere thanks. Mr. LEDGER here read over the names of the successful candidates of the day. Previous to so doing, he men tioned that the premiums offered for bulls last year would be given this year, but that the committee regretted to be obliged to withhold the premium from the party who had ob tained the prize last year, in consequence of his having re fused the use of his bull to certain subscribers on the condi tions named. The premiums for the three first bulls this year would not he given until next, as they were to serve the cows of the subscribers in the interim at 10s. each. When the reading of the list of prizes had been concluded, The Cu AIRMAN proposed the heaiths of " The Members for the County." Mr. PATTEN, M.P., rose in the first instance, as the senior member, to return thanks. He confessed that it was the power and not the will he wanted to be of equal assist ance with his three colleagues to the agricultural interests of the country. Every member of the society had the greatest reason to congratulate himself on the benefits which the Li verpool society had conferred on the southern division of the county. Before the society had been established, it would have been impossible for them to collect, within their show yard, such an admirable collection of beasts as they had that day witnessed. The society had moreover afforded an im petus to that first principle of agriculture—namely, draining; and, in proof of the fact, he instanced the case of Mr. Wil son, who, in his own neighbourhood, had, in two years, and in 350 acres of land, laid down 73 miles of draining. Mr. Patten concluded by offering a public reply to certain com munications which he had received respecting the Royal Agricultural Society's recent meeting in Liverpool, and coin plaining of the regulations which were then entered into. It should be recollected that that society had not been of 13 years' standing, and that it had not the advantage of making the several salutary arrangements of which the Liverpool society might justly boast. Having been in the council of that society, and having seen the arrangements entered into throughout, lie felt bound to say, in justice to it, that he ne ver witnessed greater assiduity evinced to render its opera tions efficient. (Hear.) He felt that the benefit which had already resulted from that meeting would be felt for many years to come ; for he had travelled through many parts of the county since, and had seen many improvements in ma chinery and agriculture going on which never would have taken place, if the farmers had not had an opportunity af forded them of coining to Liverpool, and seeing the im provements which had been brought together in the show yard of the Royal Agricultural Society. (Hear, hear.) After assuring them that his services should ever be devoted to the interests of the cause they had at heart, Mr. Patten resumed his seat amid loud cheers. The lion. Mr. WILBRAHAM next returned thanks. After alluding, in highly eulogistic terms, to Mr. Patten's conduct as a public man and a private g entleman, he proceeded to re mark upon the great improvement which had t a k en p l ace i n the practice of draining and the culture of turnips. With re gard to the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, he confessed it had struck him, from the commencement, that they had not given sufficient notice beforehand of that meet ing, or taken means to obtain for it publicity ; because, had it been generally known, the competition would have been greater. He would not detain them further, except to ob serve, that whether as a private gentleman, or a member of parliament, he would be happy to give his best services to the success of the commerce and agriculture of this great country. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of " The Judges." He felt highly indebted to them for their exer tions, ability, and impartiality. (Cheers.) - , , • Mr. JONATFIAN BINNS returned thanks. He had been one of the judges of the horses, and perhaps that was, at all times, 'one of the most difficult duties to perform ; because there were so many opinions as to the particular description of horses which ought to be selected and adopted. They had had that day some very heavy-legged as well as light horses ; but, according to the directions of the society, the judges had adhered to its rules by selecting those which were best adapted for agricultural purposes. He could not help feeling a wish that many of the horses which had received premiums had had more bone. Some of them were more powerful, and had greater strength without activity, than others. Some had heavy legs with much hair upon them, and were not calculated to go speedily, but would flag on heavy work. Some of the horses he had given premiums to would do as much work in a day as many of the heavy legged horses would do in a day and a half. Many of the horses were so intractable that they could not be drawn along—they were obliged to be followed and made to go. It would be advantageous to the farmer if horses, when they were fillies, were accustomed to be le d a bout and have some thing on their backs, and be kindly treated, instead of being gagged and having bits in their mouths. He thought that the treating of horses generally was very often cruel, and that great improvement might be made with respect to the breaking of them in ; in fact, the treatment of that noble animal ought to be conducted in a much more generous manner than it .was at present. (Applause.) Nearly every horse, when young, might, by treating him in a proper spirit, be made docile and quiet; but, in consequence of the cruel treatment to which they were subjected, by putting bits in 1 their mouths and fettering them, they became vicious and some of them nearly useless. He suggested that, in future, horses should be brought to the show-yard with halters in stead of blinders, as the latter prevented the judges from seeing their heads. With respect to the neat cattle, he had only to observe that some very beautiful animals had been exhibited. (Hear.) After remarking upon the excellency of Mr. Almond's bull, he proceeded to state that the show of pigs at that day's exhibition had been far superior to those exhibited when the Royal Agricultural Society were in town. He then proceeded to remark upon the general use of marl, which he condemned. With regard to the feeding of cattle within doors, on green fodder, he strongly advocated such a course. He then concluded amidst loud cheers. The CHAIRMAN, after the health of "The Members for the Boroughs of Lancashire" had been drunk, and acknow ledged by Mr. Blackburne, M.P., for Warrington, and Mr. Greenall, M.P., for Wigan, proposed the health of " The Managing Committee." Mr. JOHN FORMBY said the anxiety evinced by the com mittee of management to gain information was deserving of admiration; they were equally desirous to impart that in formation to every one who asked or sought for it. (Hear, hear.) They met with very great farmers, men of informa tion, and clever in every department of farming—thev saw that their farms were not well cultivated. How could this be? Why, it was because their occupiers were short of capi tal; there was not money enough; these men undertook more than they could manage. Such a farmer as those he had spoken of was more anxious to be a large farmer than a good one. (Hear, hear.) If this was not the case England would produce twice the produce, and feed double the in habitants which it now did. (Hear, hear.) Let them con sider how many farmers there were who would be glad to maintain farms, but could not, for the land was occupied. (Heat.) Let them look at a crop of turnips—Mr. Jones's, for instance; did they for a moment suppose that it was farming alone which had produced this ? No; it was not farming, but his bank in Brunswick-street. (Laughter.) His object was in the address he was then delivering—and he cared not though his words went throughout England—to advise all the gentlemen in that society to divide their farms into two. He earnestly hoped they would consider this. Why should not England be, as it ought and might be, a garden ? He would say that turnips ought to be generally cultivated; for how much more was a crop of turnips worth than a crop of hay ? The reason was this : To produce a crop of turnips a great deal of money was required; and, notwith standing, a crop of turnips paid, and paid well too. (Hear.) With the permission of the company he would Offer a few re marks upon one or two other subjects, and amongst them, in the foreground, was draining, which was highly essential to a farm. - The subsoil plough - had been brought into notice. He hoped they would turn their attention to this. He had been requested to introduce another subject to their notice. A person that day had said to him, " I am completely eaten up by game." His (the speaker's) reply was, " I shall get into a desperate hornet's nest if I tell the country gentlemen they should not preserve the game." He scarcely knew whe ther or not he ought to have made the representation ; but let no man take it for granted that because a practice was ancient it was right. The matter was deserving of considera tion. The observation he was about to make would, perhaps, make them laugh ' • he could not conceive why moles should be destroyed and rabbits protected—that sparrow heads should be paid for, and crows considered useful birds. (Laughter.) Several other appropriate toasts were then proposed, and the company separated a little before nine o'clock. ABSTRACT OF THE LOG OF THE BRITANNIA, September 16th, Wind E., 3h. 20m. p.m., discharged the pilot. 17th, Wind E., distance 164 miles. 10 30 a.m. passed the Caledonia. Fine clear weather. 18th, Wind E.N.E. 11 a.m. arrived at Halifax. 530 p.m. left Halifax. 19th, Wind N.N.E., distance 136 miles. Fresh breeze, and dark cloudy weather. 20th, Wind E., distance 184 miles. Strong gales, and dark cloudy weather. 21st, Wind L., distance 174 miles. Strong breezes, and cloudy weather. 22d, Wind variable, distance 220 miles. Moderate breeze, and cloudy weather. 23d, Wind N., distance 216 miles. Strong breezes, and squally weather. 24th, Wind N.N.E., distance 212 miles. Strong breezes, and squally weather. 25th, Wind N., distance 215 miles. Strong breezes and cloudy, with a heavy sea. 26th, Wind variable, distance 225 miles. Light winds, and cloudy weather. 27th, Wind S.E., distance 142 miles. Blowing a strong gale, with a heavy sea. 28th, Wind S., distance 198 miles. Blowing a strong gale, with heavy squalls. 29th, Wind N., distance 234 miles. Strong breeze, with a heavy sea. 30th, Wind variable, distance 264 miles. Moderate and clear water. EVERTON AND KIRKDALE FLORAL AND HOR TICULTURAL MEETING. The autumnal meeting of the Kirkdale and Everton So ciety took place yesterday, and was one of the finest that has yet " come off . ' The exhibition was announced in the placards as being of " dahlias," but comprised plants, flowers, and vegetables. It was held, as usual, in the spa cious tent in the pleasure-grounds behind Mr. New's ' the Derby Arms, in Kirkd a le, an d was n u m erously attended, the company comprising many of the first families and indi viduals in the locality, and not a few from considerable distances. The tent presented a beautiful appearance. At one end was a fine device of a crown formed of dahlias of various colours, representing gems cushioned on a basement of evergreens. This was the production of Mr. W. M`Gregor. At the other end was hung a splendid semblance of a rug, with the crown as a centre piece, encircled in bays, and bordered in deep purple and gold—all in dahlias. This devise was got up on a very short notice, by Mr. Murray, at Mr. Skirving's Nursery. The effect of both these pieces was truly striking; and the only regret was, that such orna.. ments, far exceeding all that the loom or the needle can accomplish in richness of velvet fabric and colouring, must so soon fade. There were many very beautiful plants and flowers, both of the green-house and the garden ; but the superlative excel lencies were in the fruit and vegetable departments, which would have done honour to any " national," much less local, show in the kingdom. The fruit was truly exquisite in appearance, and, doubtless, in flovour. It consisted of every variety that can be brought to perfection in this our northern clime, and excluded few that " love a southern zone." The pears and apples were peculiarly excellent— particularly a dish of each by some " great unknown." Amongst the successful showers of plants and flowers in baskets, &c., was Mr. J. C. Shaw, who obtained six or seven prizes for justly-admired individual plants and constellations of floral beauties. One of them was a fine greenhouse plant. The dahlias were resplendent. We never before saw so brilliant a display in size, colour, and symmetry. The first prize for thirty blooms was awarded to Mr. Davies ; the second to Mr. Skirving, both nurserymen in this vicinity. Both collections were superb, but Mr. Davies' excelled in size of bloom. One of his flowers, in particular, a white dipped with blue, attracted the notice of connoiseurs as ex ceedingly perfect in form and delicate in colour. Amongst the " maiden" growers we must notice Mr. Knight, of Rochdale, who won the first prize for six dahlia blooms, — the more creditably in consequence of the distance he had to come, and the expense incurred in so long a journey as a competitor : he also won the first prize in a sweepstakes for six blooms. The only seeding dahlia shown was brought by Mr. Lodge, and gave promise of his becoming a first-rate cultivator of this deservedly popular flower. T. Rawson, Esq., a most enterprising grower of plants, flowers, and vegetables, also gained a prize in a sweepstakes for six blooms. The vegetables were of superior size and quality. 'Wm. Horsfall, Esq., obtained the first prize for celery ; Mr. W. E. Makin the second—thelast grown close to Walton Church. The only onions shown were by the latter gentleman, and they were truly prime. Our townsman, Mr. W. J. Gaudy got prizes in cauliflower, celery, and other fine vegetables. Mr. Robert Jones, the chairman of the committee, was present, and, after the show, announced to a full attendance of the members that there was every prospect of the future shows of the society being such as would render it one of the first in England. The exhibition passed off with the greatest eclat, and was enlivened throughout the day by Mr. Stubb's band. The mayor honoured the meeting by his attendance. The following is the list of the PRIZES. AMATEUR GROWERS.—Mr. W. Thompson, Wellington-- road, a silver cup, value 6 guineas, the gift of the President. —Second pan of 12 blooms, R. W. Preston, Esq. Third ditto, T. Rawson, Esq. First pan of 9 blooms, T. Rawson, Esq. Second ditto, R. W. Preston, Esq. Third ditto, W. P. Freme, Esq. MAIDEN GROWERS.—First pan of 6 blooms, Mr. Knight, Rochdale. Second ditto, Mr. J. B. Leatherbarrow. NURSERYMEN'S PRIZES.—First pan of 30 blooms, Mr. T. Davies. Second ditto, Mr. W. Skirving. SWEEPSTAKES.—First pan of 6 blooms, Mr. Knight, Rochdale. Second ditto, T. Rawson, Esq. SEEDLING DAHLIAS.—Prize, Mr. W. Lodge. BEST DEVICE OF DAHLIA BLOOMS.—First, (Harmonic,) Mr. W. Skirving. Second, (ditto,) Mr. W. M`Gregor. STONE PLANTS.-1, Manettia glabra, R. Alison, jun., Esq. ; 2, Lysandria petiolosa, C. S. Parker, Esq. ; 3, Ardi sia cranulata, R. Leyland, Esq. ; 4, Filliberlia grandiflora, Mr. W. Skirving. GREENHOUSE PLANTS.-1, Fusihia fulgens, Mr. Skir ving ; 2, Pimilea sylvestris, Mr. Davies ; 3, W. Camellia, T. B. Molyneux, Esq. • 4, Pelargoniuin. J. C. Shaw, Esq. ERICAS.-1, R. Leyland. Esq. ; 2, C. S. Parker, Esq.; 3, R. Alison, jun., Esq. BASKET OF PLANTS.-1, J. C. Shaw, Esq. ; 2, T. B. Molyneux, Esq. ; 3, Mr. Skirving. Cur FLOWERS.—J. C. Shaw, Esq. PANSIES.-1, T. 0. Grady, Esq. 2, Mr. W. Thompson. SEEDLING PANSIES.—T. 0. Grady, Esq. FRUITS.—Best basket, Earl of Derby. Pines—R. Ley land, Esq. Melons—T. B. Molyneux, Esq. Peaches-1, W. R. Preston, Esq. ;2, R. Alison, jun., Esq. Nectarines —l, R. Alison, jun., Esq.; 2, Mr. Gandy. Black Grapes —l, T. Sands, Esq.; 2, Mrs. Phillips; 3, W. Horsfall, Esq. Apples-1, W. P. Freme, Esq. ; 2, Mr. W. E. Makin. Pears-1, Mr. Makin; 2, Mr. J. Smith. VEGETABLES.—Best basket, R. Leyland, Esq. Celery 1, W. Horsfall, Esq. ; 2, Mr. Makin. Cauliflowers—Mr. Gandy. Lettuce—W. Horsfall, Esq. Cucumbers-1, J. C. Shaw, Esq. ;2, H. Garnett, Esq. Cabbages—W. Hors fall, Esq. Carrots—R. Leyland, Esq. Turnips—Mr. J. Gandy. EXTRA. PKizEs.—Basket of Plants—J. C. Shaw, Esq. Basket of Fruit—R. Leyland, Esq. Apples—Mr. Makin; ditto, ditto. Plums—W. P. Freme, Esq. Cabbage—T. Rawson, Esq. Celery—T. Rawson, Esq. ; ditto, C. S. Parker, Esq. Onions—Mr. Makin. " What o'clock, Pat ?" inquired a traveller. " Next to nothing," answered the Milesian with great confidence. " What do you mean ?" asked the traveller. " Not quite one," replied Pat, " an' it f o ll ows i n coorse t h a t w h a t i sn 't one is next to nothing." DESTRUCTION OF N . IR. GRE EN ' S BALLOON.—The requi site supply of . gas having been obtained, the inflation was renewed last mght, and so far completed as to render the ascent to-day certain, when, by the violence of a squall of wind and rain, between one and two o'clock this morning, the balloon was completely torn to atoms, and Mr. Green's ascent at present from Hull rendered thereby impossible. — Hull Times, Tuesday. ASSASSINATIONI OF LORD HOWICK.—Yes, Lord Howick has been assassinated. His fearless assertion of " free trade principles," has made him obnoxious to popular furor : some conservative demagogue at Sunderland, devotedly determined to rid Sir Robert Peel of such an enemy, has raised his wicked hand against the leader of that powerful party in the House of Commons, which consists of Lord Howick and Mr. Charles Wood ; d ou btl ess f or th e p urpose o fpreventing the junction of the t wo h a l ves , hith er t o so l uc kily divided in the new parliament. " Howick and free trade " was the battle-cry which drew down upon the whig lord the shaft of vengeance ; and thus he fell a martyr, vice Cobden, to corn law repeal, at Sunderland, anno Domini 1841—that is, he nearly fell. It was indeed bruited that be was killed out right; but on examination, the horror of his fate dwindled away, like the magnitude of the whig free trade under scru tiny ; the story grew fine by degrees and beautifully less ; a man had shot at Lord Howick ; a man had shot, and Lord Howick's finger was hit by astone. Lord Howick has not actually attained martyrdom, but it was almost as good : he was in the situation of that lucky dog who got the next to the prize in the lottery.—Spectator, Radical paper. OUR PORTFOLIO.—No. 3 For all that Doctor Pusey and his learned associates can do, we doubt if in this age the dispute about church cere monies, and the externals of public worship, will set the world in flames, or that it will continue very long at its pre sent moderate and still moderating temperature. The fact is, the question has been thoroughly argued aid acted out long since, and the end at which we must arrive is so thoroughly seen, that in engaging in the discussion, we are like persons reading over a story the second time : the at traction of curiosity is destroyed—we are already acquainted with the denouement. A good book, however, will generally bear a second perusal, even after its pages have ceased to be magnetised with this attractive property—and the high church controversy may also be occasionally resumed in the same way, and be found neither uninteresting nor uninstructive. The mind of man oscillates between the unattainably pure, and the superstitiously gross, , and he seeks at one time pre maturely to disenthral himself of mere material elements — whilst at another he sits down hopeless of all attempts to rise—a mere worshipper of sticks and stones. Popery is the most elevated point at one extremity of this theological sliding scale—the system of the Scottish covenanters, or of English quakerism, may stand highest on the other. There is, however, a vast difference between the two; both, in deed, are errors of excess ; but on the one side there is an appreciation of what is right and pure, although it is un attainable ; on the other, the proper object to be desired is lost sight of, and another totally and essentially different is taken for it, set up, and established in its place. In the one case a true spiritual worship is at least sought after; in the other the mere excitation of the senses is absolutely used as its substitute. The covenanters declared war against every instrumentality which seemed to call in the aid of sense, even in its lowest form, to the services of religion; it ap peared nothing less in their eyes than a remnant of heathen ism; or rag at least of the scarlet lady to do so ; the ceremo nialists, on the other hand, appealed to the beauty and splendour of their rites—the impressiveness of their cathedral worship—the mysterious complexity of their sacred edifices— " the high-embowed roof, With antique pillars massy proof, And storied windows richly dight, Casting a dim religious light ; and the ceremonies, gorgeous and various, performed within them. To want sensibility to be moved by such things, was in their opinion to want a sense—to be deficient in taste and refinement, and they denounced the iconoclests as Goths and Vandals and barbarians. Meanwhile, moderate men saw that there was a juste milieu between these extremes ; they knew that " neither at Jerusalem nor in Samaria is the place where men ought to worship"—that the spirit which gives life to pure adoration is neither to be won by the most rigid exclusion of all external appliances, nor by using them in the profusest abundance, and they steered a course as evenly as they could between the Scylla on the one side and the Charyb dis on the other. In this spirit the services and ordinances of the Church of England have been constructed, and so long as that just and temperate and judicious spirit remains, so long will they be as little as possible departed from. With regard, however, even to these services, it would seem that there is a diversity of sentiment—and that there are some who hold them to be almost necessary to, and an essential of, true spiritual worship itself. Now this we think to be a serious mistake. We fully admit their uses ; we ac knowledge almost their necessity in the common course of things ; we uphold them as pleasing in themselves—so lemnising their effects—and gently preparative of those high and holy frames most akin to the exercise of spirituality in congregational devotion ; but we see them always as mere creatures; we know that they are iu themselves nothing— that true spiritual worship is not dependent upon them—that by no necessary alliance of cause and effect can they produce it ; that without their aid it can exist in its highest degree, as with all their appliances, choirs, chants, and solemn tem ples— " Where through the long-drawn aisle, and fretted vault, The pealing anthem swells the note of praise " they may utterly fail to raise one atom of it. If such instru mentalities may be used in compassion to human infirmity -7 in tender regard to " mortal spirits" which "tire and faint," it is absolutely necessary to guard against the idolatry and superstition which would convert them into ends, and rest in than. " The hour cometh and now is," said the Saviour, " when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth ; for the Father seeketh such to worship him" — arid neither places nor ceremonies, neither times nor seasons, are indispensable to such worship. To Him— " whose temple is all space, Whose altar, earth, sea, skies," such distinctions are unknown. He is himself the great source of all true worship, and it is vain to think that we can give him back any thing which he has not first given us. To suppose that we can raise the Spirit of God by chant or organ, by stole or genuflexion, by incense or procession, is to believe in a species of witchcraft, and little less than an insult to the Deity. There is no command given in the New Testament for the use of such ceremonies, and of course no blessing promised to their performance, however sincere it may be; neither, on the other hand, are they—so far as they come within the rule of doing all things "decently and in order"—in anywise forbidden. They are a matter of convenience—of discretion, and, we might add, of taste, and will affect different men differently. Into these reflections we were led a few day since by read ing, in the Morning Post, of September 22d, an account of the new parish church at Leeds, at which the archbishop of the province, the bishop of the diocese, and several other prelates and church dignitaries assisted, whilst, as it is stated, " the presence of from three to four hundred of the parochial clergy, from all parts of the kingdom, in ecclesi astical costume, added much to the solemn dignity of the occasion." The church, which has cost upwards of .Z 30,000, owes its origin, says the account, " to the ardent zeal of the vicar, Dr. Ilook, and the liberality and devotion of the churchmen of Leeds and the immediate neighbourhood." We come now to the remarks of the writer; and as they have been suggestive of that train of thought at which we have been glancing, we shall transfer them to this place : " So grand an ecclesiastical display as this is not very re markable in England in these modern times ; but there is good reason to expect that, under Providence, au impulse has been given to the mind of the people which will lead to many more such solemn and effecting occasions of doing honour to God and His Church. " We know that many will be disposed to sneer at what we have been describing, as niece pomp and ceremony. Not a few may perhaps be disposed to visit it with censure, as a restoration of popish vanities and superstitions. We regard such sentiments as mere prejudices, and we hope that such prejudices will gradually wear away, and that the who:esoine and comforting influence of the church will rise triumphant over them. It is not thought absurd or unreasonable to have pomps and ceremonies, magnificent processions and heart-swelling music, when the object is to do honour to an earthly potentate; why should we object to such natural means of doing honour to the King of Kings ? A public favourite, even in these days of rationalism, is saluted with banners, and the sound of trumpets and flutes, and throng ing companies, cheering with their voices and applauding with their hands. Why is this ? is it to make the object of all this honourable notice wiser or better ? No ; it is the natural outpouring of admiration or gratitude. It is the expression of an inward feeling, and that sort of expression which kindles by a common impulse the mind of the multitude so that it leaps up in one bright blaze of sympathy. And shall we neglect such natural means where the honour and glory of the Deity are concered ? Common sense is sufficient to assure us that we should not. As the object is higher and holier, so should the ceremony be higher and holier—more orderly—more solemn—more calculated to inspire the mind with awe ; but this distinction being granted, we do not see why the natural means of uniting many minds in one com mon feeling of exalted reverence should be neglected. It is very true that some minds are capable of such lofty abstractions, or they are so rich in the imaginative faculty, without any suggestion through the senses, that they may rise to the highest contemplations, and become wrapt in the sublimest devotion, without any ceremonial or local asso ciation. But such' minds are exceptions to the mass, and religion is not given for the sake of the philosophic few, but for all who will bend their hearts to the simplicity of BE- Ltuvr , G. Granting, then, that even sacred ceremonies may be carried too tar, so as to become theatrical, (which is no more than granting that an excellent thing may be abused by carrying it to excess,) we contend that, to all the extent to which Christian propriety can go, they are of great—nay, of the greatest—practical value in elevating ordinary minds out of the common track and beaten way of wordly impressions, and warming the soul into animated devotion." The mistake which this writer falls into is that of calling a ceremony—(the mere opus operatum of an external form)— " devotion ;" and such is the grand error of the Tractarian party all through. He compares the homage which men pay to a fellow worm—" earthly potentate" though he be — with that which is due to the King of Kings, and he asks why should we not resort to the same natural means of pay ing honour to both ? The question is an extraordinary one ; but the scriptural answer is at hand, and may be given in these words :—" Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Our own Heber too has answered it : " Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odours of Eden, and offerings divine, Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean. Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine Vainly we offer each ample oblation ; Vainly with gold would his favour secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration ; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor." If what he saw at Leeds gave this writer such vast delight, in what an ecstasy would he he with the magnificent displays at St. Peter's, at Rome, during Easter? He does not seem to us to have formed any scriptural notion at all of the spi ritual service which the God of the Bible requires. He ap peals to " common sense" as the tribunal to decide this matter, and speaks more than once as if he thought that the omniscient and heart-searching Being, whom the Bible re veals to us as the sole object of worship, could be satisfied with " pumps and ceremonies, magnificent processions and heart-swelling music," like an earthly sovereign, who can see no further! This is miserable delusion. DISAPPOINTAIENT.—Not long before the famous majority of 91 drove the %chic-radical government from office, some superannuations in the Bristol Custom-house were very conveniently discovered to be advisable; whereupon two Berkeley ducklings were sent down from Gloucestershire to till the vacancies. On examination they were found too young ; and, dire mishap ! ere the patri o ti c L ord Lieutenant conld introduce another brace to place and pay, the whig game was up—the conservatives h e ld t h e honours, and his lordship lost the odd trick. Th e New York Mirro,. says that a Yankee down in the Bay State has invented a kind of musical clock, and that he has it attached to a cradle hung on pivots. The pendulum rocks the cradle, and the musical department sings the baby to sleep. MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee took place yesterday. There were present the following members:— Mr. Alderman Benn (chairman), Messrs. Horsfall, T. Holt, Smith, Mellor, Aikin, Alderman Evans, G. Holt, Tobin, Holmes, Martin, Ripley, Middleton and Chapman. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. Mr. Hartley's annual report of the work done and the ex penditure from the 24th June, 1840, to the 24th June, 1841, was read by the secretary. It detailed all the new works and improvements of the docks, and works connected with the navigation of the Mersey, effected or in progress, including the Queen's Graving Dock, for the admission of steamers of the largest class ; other graving docks ; improvements in se veral of the docks and basins, and their cleansing and re pair : the erection of sheds, cranes, chew-legs, landing stages, lights in the light-ships, lighthouses, landmarks, in Wirrall, &c, sea sills, and gates, deepening new sheds, weather boarding of sheds &c, &c. The gross expenditure was £70,357, 8s 2d reduced by deductions to a total of £68,565 9s 10d. This it was stated was very nearly within the estimate, and was considered favourable as compared with the expenditure of the previous year, and the heavy nature of the work accomplished. PAVEMSNT AT THE QUEEN'S DOCK. The state of the pavement on the east side of the Queen's Dock, which was very bad, was next discussed. That on the west side, was scarcely, it was rema r k e d, i n a b e tt er condition. A motion was agreed to that the solicitor of the Board of Highways should be written to, giving notice that if the needful were not done without unnecessary delay, the parties amenable should be proceeded against by indictment. APPLICATION FROM A MASTER OF A VESSEL. --- A letter applying for a remission of dues, addressed to the committee, and signed Wm. Russell, master of the ship Fran cis, was read. He stated that he had taken on board 1,400 cocoa nuts at the Brazils, solely his own property, which he had intended for exportation. His vessel was, however, or dered to Memel, where, after discharging his general cargo, he had retained them,merely as dunnage for a return cargo of wheal:. Considering them of trifling value, he had landed them here, and giving them to a reduced tradesman, without any emolument to himself, or the ship. He prayed for a re mission of the amount of dues between the import from the Brazils and the continental port—amounting to X 5 6s. The chairman said that if he had landed them at Memel and re shipped them, he would have avoided the higher duty. It appeared to be the general opinion of the committee that the case was a hard one, and the amount of difference was accor dingly remitted. STOWAGE OF THE DOCKS An application was read from Messrs. Baring Brothers, to place a quantity of iron, of about 200 tons, on a vacant space on the west quay of (as we understood) the Waterloo Dock, as a convenience. As the committee had been in the habit of permitting a similar privilege on the west side of the Prince's Dock, on payment of a certain rental, it was agreed that it should he conceded on this occasion, on con dition of its being stowed compactly, paying a rent, and occupying the ground only a short time. SIGNAL LIGHTS AT THE BASIN ENTRANCES. A letter was read from the North Harbour Master, stating that the new signal lights were ready, and suggesting that public notice should be given before they were put into use. A short discussion ensued respecting the colour of these lights, which, it appears, it had been proposed should be green, in order to distinguish them from the others. Lieut. Lord, the Marine Surveyor, was called iu and consulted on the subject. He did not approve either of green or blue lights, inasmuch as they greatly impoverished the illuminat. ing power. Red was best for a coloured light, but even that had a damping effect. In the Rock Light-house ten retlectors were required for the red revolving light, and only sia for the white. Digtinguishing white and red lights could, however, be fixed either horizontally, triangularly, or vertically to attain the object in view. Mr. CHAPMAN remarked, that the exhibition, without mature consideration, of so many varied lights might tend to create confusion, and proposed that the subject should be referred to the Harbour Masters' Committee, who were preparing a report on steam-boat lights—the Glasgow boats having one set of signal lights, and the Dublin boats another. The committee concurred, and the subject was accordingly referred to the committee named to report upon. RUNCORN According to the mo►►thly return. 214 vessels of, ist 11,058 tons, had entered the port of Runcorn last ►nouth, the dues on which a►nounted to £5B lls. Bd. The general business of the committee here concluded, and the reporters retired. IRON VESSELS TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, SIR,—Yon would much oblige me, and I think at the same time confer a benefit on science and the public, by al lowing me the use of your columns to state a few facts re specting iron vessels, and particularly as regards a vessel called the Iron Duke. It is generally known that this ship lately received some damage by striking on a bank off the Island of Lesson, and put into Gottenburg in a leaky state. She had undergone some alterations at the iron shipbuilding establishment with which I am connected, with a view to improve her steering qualities. This was effected by carrying out a false stern post and counter, her original form being too full to allow her to steer well.* Hearing of her misfortune, I naturally became anxious to ltarn all particulars, and was kindly favoured by Messrs. Anderson, Garrow, and Co., with all the circumstances, as they received them from the captain. His first letter stated, that, while passing over a bank, the ship struck violently several times in the hollow of the sea ; that no leak was perceived till she had cleared the bank, but afterwards the water gained fast upon them, and they ran her ashore in the Harbour of Gottenburg, with 8 feet water in her hold. lat once gave au opinion as to the cause of the leak which has since proved to be correct. When she was in the Graving . Dock, we found that she had been originally built with a very shallow keel, and that a pine log had been attached to it by bolts and straps as a false keel. This was all torn off, as might be expected, when she struck, carrying with it the straps and bolts ; and it was through the holes left by the broken bolts that the water had entered. I have the captain's last letter now before me, in which he states :—" On Saturday last, the ship was hove down, and on examining we found the false keel and fore foot completely gone, with all the straps and one bolt broken " in the main keel ; all the other bolts were more or less " disturbed. I - had the opinion of several carpenters and - experienced men, who advised me to have all the bolts ' taken out, and replaced with screws put in from the out " side, which was the most expeditious and secure way of " stopping the leaks. Accordingly the blacksmiths and " boiler-makers were instantly employed, and the ship up " right at one o'clock on Tuesday, stauncher than ever she " has been since she was launched." He concludes by say. ing :—" I am getting the deck and poop sides caulked, " which are the only repairs required." He does not allude in any of his letters to the least injury being sustained by the iron hull, except those occasioned by the bolts and straps of the unfortunate false keel, which never should have been put on. - - . _ - The spirited owners, Messrs. G. llartrick and Co., of New Ross, writing on the subject, state :—" In our opinion " it triumphantly establishes the superiority of iron over " wood for naval purposes, as most assuredly had a timber " vessel met with such an accident, her repairs must have " been very extensive. It was unfortunate that the wooden " keel should have been ever put on, as we feel convinced. " had she been without it, she would have come off the bank " free from damage, even though she had been striking vio " lently for days instead of hours." When any accident happens to an iron vessel, the circum stance immediately goes the round of the papers ; the story is magnified by prejudiced and interested persons, while the causes are carefully concealed ;—and yet I can assert, with out fear of contradiction, that if the whole truth were at all times stated, even the accidents that occur to iron vessels would tend, as in the case of the Iron Duke, to confirm their superiority. I will relate an instance of this kind. Some time since it was stated that the Vulcan iron ship had put into Plymouth leaky ; but no one thought it necessary to state the causes. She was, however, a short time since in this port; and while in the Graving Docks I went to see her, and then for the first time learnt the cause of the leakage. I was told that, while in the Baltic and near the land, she struck on a pointed rock with so ►mach violence, that the mate was nearly thrown into the sea. No notice was taken of the circumstance; she came home, was sold, reloaded, and again went to sea ; and it was not till then that any leak was discovered. On exa mination of her bottom at Plymouth, the effects of her acci dent were first perceived. The plates, although of great strength, were indented near the bow, but not otherwise in jured. Some of the rivets, however, which held the angle iron frames, were broken ; and caused the leakage. So that an accident, which probably few wooden ships would have survived, remained unknown probably, except to the crew, for months, and, when discovered, was repaired by a few new rivets. The public, however, are not alone to blame for the pre judice which still exists against iron vessels. During sixteen years that I have been interested in them, I have examined all of any importance that have been built in this country, and I scarcely know an instance where there has not been a departure from the well-established principles of shipbuild ing—some arising from the necessity of the case, and some from the ignorance or whim of the builders. The most common cause of these deviations is the desire to obtain a light draft of water; and to do this more effectually, the keels have been made too small, the lines too full, and not unfrequently the materials too light. The consequences are, as sailing vessels they drift to leeward, and steer imperfectly. False keels, which are exceedingly dangerous, have iu some instances been attached, as in the case above alluded to of the Iron Duke. 1 feel satisfied that you will have much pleasure in assist ing to correct impressions which are likely to retard a great national improvement, and therefore do not hesitate to re quest you to insert the circumstances. The time is fast ap proaching when iron must entirely supersede wood for ship building, and every doubt as to its superiority be removed. I am, sir, your obedient servant, JOHN GRANTHAM. Liverpool, Sept. 27th, 1841. * The captain states that her steering and sailing qualities have been much improved by the alteration. UNPARALLELED CASE IN THE CHRISTIANRORI byD. our^-At the confirmation held at the parish church yesterday, worthy diocesan, the Bishop of Chester, two sister s were i presented to his lordship for participation n that sacred rite, by Dr. Whittaker, of the names of Betty and Ellen Wilcock, who attained the age of sixteen on the first of July last. They were brought into the world by the Caesarean oper ation, and we believe a similar instance cannot be found on record. As a proof that foreigners are fast putting up machinery for competing with this country, we may state, that the A m erican ship Henry, Capt. Pierce, was lately chartered and cleared from Liverpool to Ostend, there to be laden with machinery and workmen for the manufacture of cotton, to be conveyed to Vera Cruz, and put into work in Mexico. The machinery was made at the Phoenix Works in Ghent. — Manchester Guardian. Private letters from Exeter contain unpleasant intelligence regarding the state of banking credit in the west of England. There had been a sort of general run, both on the private and joint-stock banks, with their branches, in Exeter and other towns in Devonshire. The run, however, waspromptlY met, it is understood, with plentiful supplies of gold in evert instance ; and, therefore, it may he presumed the panic has died away. There is little doubt that this run is m ain i l , y, a ll i t le tributable to the distrust created by the late failure r bank of llobhousc and Co. at Bath.-- nig e h l t iv murdered on HORRIBLE MURDER.—On Saturdalyftirninglast, able farmer•, named Richard Blake, was ser o u f Golden. What the lands of Langinstown, in the parish a respect able fit were his ife, renders this horrid deed more revoltsin the startling fact, that the perpetratoer Th father and sister have to human nature is her father, mother, and sister. are on Monday last, before was held on the body of the , fled, but the wife and mother e a ce verdict of wilful murder re re in custody. An inquest George Bradshaw, Esq., and Comvidll i • turned.—Tipperary A „ E .—A person of the name of SINGULAR CIRCUM gs:iftitOyldfield Carr, near Poulton-le. of hens, having for a week 116of3oile of them which was a constant layer, past lost the e ggsßFyieldhea,rdwShhoaL ake strict search for four or five days, but caused him t° °I but on Thursday last he saw the hen come without suCCCSOS, ff li a e a apple tree in the garden, in which was eresidin immediately of a ladder and examined it, when to his great surprise he found nine of her eggs de posited there : the nest was about eighteen feet from tbs , c , a n c i k u l g i i n ,i g e f u r e o x m t. ground.