The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-07 00:00:00

TO ADVERTISERS. We hey respectfully to call the attention of Merchants, Brokers, Auctioneers, and others, its the important fact that the LIVERPOOL STANDARD IS NOW THE ONLY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, to4ich can be read on that day by the thousand Manufacturers and others attending THE TUESDAY'S MARKET IN MANCHESTER. Wie STANDARD is taken at all the Newsrooms and respectable Inns in that town and the surrounding manufacturing district SECOND EDITION is published at Half-past Two, in time for the North Mails, containing the MARKETS, and any news of importance that !nay arrive in the, course of the morning 7Libtrpool 'taithari. TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 7. 1848 THE speech of the Chancellor of the Excheqw on Monday week, apologizing for the budio ori ginally announced by Lord John Russell, contains some statements which are calculated materially to weaken whatever small amount of faith any por tion of the public may have been led to place in the financial ability of her majesty's Whig govern ment. Nay, we may almost say, they are destruc tive of much of our confidence in the elastic cha racter of the country's resources. We have before our eyes the assured fact of a large deficiency in the last year's revenue, ae( pect of an increased expendi which we are about to enter. To meet the further deficiency thus reasonably to be anticipated, and which is estimated at a little over three millions sterling, we have had proposed to us an increase in the existing Income Tax, to which the country, in a fit of almost universal indignation, has refused to submit; and we are now driven to the necessity of drawing upon the unappropriated balances in the aachequer to release us from our insolvent condition. We much fear, however, that in framing theit nied by the pros estimates for the coming year, minist fairly looked their d the deficiency is likely to be very much g they have calculated upon. In the fir-* with us a question of very great c country has as yet arrived at the ffienlties in the face minimum of re- venue , productiveness ; whether the cloud, whicl as lowered over our commerce and our industry has passed by, or whether we have yet felt its dark st shadow. At present we look in vain torany glimps of coming sunshine. The springs of industry are still relaxed : and commercial enterprise is all but suspended. We have a confession of these facts from the lips of the Chancellor of the Exchequer It is not." he himself. ys, ' easy to anticipat what the income will I. 1 am sorry to say that symptoms of ret in their progress as we at one time anticipated ; and though the income of the corresnot ding auarter of of so rapid 1847 was not one of extraordinary receipts, I regret to say, that the receipts up to this time hare fallen of, as compared with it, to the extent of upwards of And," he adds, "that notwithstanding an expectation of some extraordinary receil the excise department, which will swell the amount £400,( of the April quarter, be is not prepared to say that Me deficiency will be greatly reduced." But let us see what are the data upon which the Chancellor of the Exchequer bases his estimates for the coming year. " I estimate," he says, " the Custo s at £19,774,000. ►ry adversity, and We have had another of extraordinary pr course is to frame the estima received from the Customs it the year after the reductions made in the tariff by the Right Hon. Gentleman cpposite (Sir Robert Peel), and I assume that the sum to be received in the ensuing year from the Customs will be about what it was in 1845-6." Now, we must contend—and we do so, fearless of all contradiction—that wehave nottheslightest right to anticipate for this year a customs revenue equal to that of 1845-6. That year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer states, preceded one of "extraordi nary prosperity, which was followed, it is true, by one of "extraordinary adversity." but it is not ne- cessary, or in the usual course of things that we should alternate between extraordinary prosperity and adversity : that. nn-4- - should he a fact one of extraorc because last year was one of c . . extraordinary adversity. We decline gh from health to sickness; but we do rapidly eno not so rapidly reassume our previous state. -- ra las descensus—; sed retrograri, hic labor, hoc opus eat." We have in the social, as in the corporeal system, a middle condition—the valetudinarian condition—to pass through ; and a weary and oft times tedious passage we find it. But let us glance he features Avl ich di tinguished the financit told are to be the charact It preceded, we are remin( a year of no ordinar3 the commercial class( by the boon of a lar Of manufactun 5-6, which we are eristics of the year 1848-9, 1 year 1 I:the year of "extra- The spirits of ly been inflated s of a w materials rt e d largely, an d the consumption of our population was at the maximum, every branch of industry being fully employed. It is true that in the latter part of the year we had the first visitation of the potato disease in Ireland ; but we are- told by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that this adverse circumstance did not tell upon the state of the revenue till after the *July quarter. in which the receipts were very large. In the year 1845-6, moreover, it will be remem- surplus of income over expenditure, amounting to three millions ster- bered ti ling, which enabled him, .'after re-imposing the property and income tax, to give a further stimulus to importation and to consumption by the repeal of an additional number of duties, which pressed upon the industry of the country, by en- Lancing the cost of the raw materials of manufac ture, and also the cost of subsistence of the people. We cannot discern the slightest ground for the assumption of government that the coming year may be fairly measured in revenue productiveness with the year referred to. We are it this moment suffering from recent ex( +l,. 1 ssive importations of some foreign production ; and an increased consemption as will be required to take off our surplus stocks and give new life to our foreign trade. Our tea trade—a large revenue producing trade—has been notoriously a losing one for the last three years ; and the receipts from this source may be set down at something approaching to a million sterling less than in 1845-6. The prospect of a large timber trade is not very pro mising, situated as almost every branch of industry is at the present moment; arid the same doubts hang over our prospects, with respect to several other articles, which contribute largely to our cus- toms revenue It is very questionable, too, whether any revival of commercial and industrial activity can be antici pated within the next twelve months, sufficient to restore to our population their ordinary ability to consume either imported produce or excisable arti cles. The most favourable accounts of the cotton crop of the present year do not warrant us in in dulging in the hope of a supply su ffic i ent to employ fully our manufacturing population ; a nd it must be borne in mind that, with a deficiency of the means of paying the foreigner in manufactures, w e cannot import without producing derangemen t in our monetary affairs. There is no prospect either, of a very signal increase in the number of those employed in rail wa y f orma ti on f o r some time to coine,—a fact whi c h, connec t e d w ith f ur ther short time working in the manufacturing districts, must tell severely not only upon our Customs but the Excise as well. We feel assured, moreover, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer overrates the pro ductiveness of other important branches of the revenue, viz., stamps, taxes, and income tax, from which he calculates upon an aggregate amount of £16,690,000. It will be found, we fear, that de. creased commercial activity and retrenchment forced upon all classes of the community, will combine to disappoint his expectations from these sources. " Of 'course, wettive no wish-to stand forward as alarinists, or'to destroy the confidence of the com munity in the natural elasticity of the country's resources. But we cannot withhold the expression of our honest opinion, when we are impressed, after mature consideration, with a conviction, that the nation is being misled, and that its position is painted too much in couleur de rose. Of course, our opinion will pass current only for what it is worth. But so long as even a doubt can be raised as to the correctness of a Minister's calculations, we hold it to be sheer folly to be satisfied with meeting an admitted deficiency by borrowing from accidental exchequer balances, and most dangerous to delay for an hour the duty of entering upon a full apd detailed examination of our actual position, with a view, if practicable, to place the revenue of the country upon a more solid and certain founda tion,—one less likely to be affected by the constantly changing circumstances of our foreign and internal commerce and industry. We must, however, reserve our remarks upon this part of the subject for another article. SUDDEN AND LAMENTED DEATH OF AN ESTEEMED TOWNSMAN We regret to announce the sudden demise of Mr. Elijah Harrison, under circumstances of peculiarly melancholy The deceased had been for many years a mer chant of Liverpool, and in that character, as well as in private life,—such were his Christian deportment and ex tensive benevolence,—was universally respected. He had recently left his residence, at Chalcot, in Wiltshire, to which he had retired, but from which (owing to old and endearing associations,) he returned to this neighbourhood, about twelve months ago, and occupied the house, in Toxteth Park, (recently inhabited by Mr. C. H. Horsfall.) His lady had for some time been seriously ill, and indeed she is not yet entirely convalescent. On the 25th ult. deceased visited his beloved partner in her chamber. and, while talking with her complained of a slight pain in his chest. He retired to another apartment, hoping that a brief repose would relieve him from a little languor, of which he had also spoken. Shortly afterwards, some letters were read to him by his niece, while he reclined in bed. Whilst this was being done, as if by a singular pre sentiment of his approaching dissolution, he made a re mark to her as to his strong feeling of the inefficacy of a death bed repentance, and then he complained of the pain rising to his throat, and affecting his interest ireatbing, and instantly his head fell and he swooned sway. One of the male servants of the establishment ushed out for medical assistance, and happening to meet fr. James Lawrence, (formerly Mayor,) and his lady, ex- pressed his opinion that his master was in a fit. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence hastened to the house, and Mrs. Harrison, hearing of her husband's dangerous illness, was, on her urgent importunities, assisted from her bed into his room to see him. The two ladies reached his bedside only in time to witness his de parture from this world of sorrows. Mr. Harrison was 61 years of age, and the immediate cause of his death is stated to have been defective operation in the region of the He bad no family and was interred at St. Michael's, Park. He has left a name behind untarnished as h merchant, and more than ordinarily emblazoned haracter as a man. He was always usefully em hiring his residence here as an active honorary If several of our religious and charitable societies, rything he did and said reflected the deep seated religious principles which guided him continually. The Woodside ferry committee have decided on con tinuing the present plan of running the steamers. The Corporation entered into possession of the water works on Wednesday. On Monday, a child, five years old, named Robt. Reed, living in St. Andrew-street, was burnt to death whilst left with some other children. Gilmour is now trying his hand as a trader at Ramsey, Isle of Man, under the firm of " Trowsdale and Co." or- is from Liverpool PARK ent Coi It is understood that the Improve mittee and the Finance Committee are to con- to the eomple :ions in t On Monday week, Robert George Swann, a little boy, living with his parents in Comus-street, pulled a pan of Limself, by which he was severely scalded. hot toff He Hog The - Juvenile Charibble Society has relieved during the past two months no fewer than 601 families. In each case the parties were visited by the self denying honorary iety_ prior to the relief beirig afforded. Irket has been commenced at Lytham. The krchitect is Mr. Charles Reed of Liverpool. The build ing will be in the Roman style, to accord with Lytham Hall, close at hand, the seat of T. Clifton, Esq. THE KNOTT MONUMENT.—Mr. Edward Davies, sculp tor, of Fitzroy-square, London, son of the late Dr. D. .iest 1 Davies, Phy:-ician to the Duchess of Kent, and a native A new of Carmarthen, is the successful competitor for the statue of General Knott, to be erected in this town. The first application of self-acting water closets to cot tages, under the sanatory act, was introduced by Mr. Jo seph Spencer. architect, of Clayton-square, in some buildings lately erected for Mr. John Lane, brewer, of this town, in Cockspur-street, near Pownall-square. FEMALE DEPRAVITY.—An inquest was held before Mr, Curry, on Thursday. ou the body of an infant, still born, whose mother, Ann Lynch, is only fifteen years old ; she resides with her parents ( poor people) in Coiling wood-street. The girl delivered herself during the tem- The screw steamer " Levantine," bound for Malta and Constantinople, which sailed hence on Saturday week, was dtiven on shore upon rocks near Wexford, on Sunday 1 of water, but her cargo will be saved " was a fine vessel of 210 tons burthen She was fu Levantine and the property of Messrs. Mongredien of this town. CURE OF INFLUENZA.—A clerical friend, who resides in the Wirral' district of Cheshire. informs us that after ufferin; much from a lingering attack of influenza, he 'ect ter, per cure (as he thinks) from taking the following prescrip tion :—A tea spoonful (when the disease is most afflicting) of a mixture composed of equal parts of spirit of nitre, paraeoric, and syrup of squills. SUDDEN DEATH OF JOSEPH RIDGWAY, ESQ.—A pain ful feeling was excited on Thursday on 'Change by the announcement of the death of Mr. Joseph Ridgway, cot ton broker, Rumford-street. The deceased was in his own office a few minutes before one o'clock, apparently in good health and spirits, and was attending to a person who was looking over samples of cotton. He retired to the water closet, and was discovered there in a few minutes afterwards quite dead. His death was the result of san- guineous apoplexy. A REFLECTION.—The Liverpool Mercury and the London Times are very like each other—particularly the Mercury. The leading journal is remarkable for its oneness; produced by many, a unity of tone nevertheless pervades it, and the general combination results in an exact uniformity. It is precisely the same with our local contemporary—but with a difference. The Times is brilliant—the Afercury is for ever dull ; it never deviates into sense or brightness, eternal darkness rests upon its columns, and the machine sympathisirrr with the machines who write in it, prints it off in that kind of acid milk which is endued with a strong affinity for lampblack. The acorn contains a miniature oak, and in the natural history of the Mercury the paragraph encloses the germ of the leading article thing reflects Like Pope's tasteless landscape, one ugly another, and a leaden dullness deprives all he stupid are always vulgar, and ill- anners are the inevitable sequence of ignorance. if we look for all these in the Mercury, we shall not be disappointed ; and where so many bad attributes are collected, a slight disregard of veracity is in perfect keeping. The Mercury has betrayed feelings of discomfort of late ; perhaps good , . . this : to cater for the indulgent and venerable ladies who patronise him, and leave large questions for those who understand them.—Journal (radical paper.) ST. DAVID 3 DAY.—Wednesday last being the anni versary of the Patron Saint of the Principality, the _ . resident in this town and neighbourhood of the Welsh Charity Schools attended St. David's Gaurch in the forenoon, where Divine service Wll9 performed in The el language spected incumbent, Hie rcev. w. vv Llanddyfuan, Anglesey, preaching On tl ing for his text, Ronia s, chap. v aiii, vc At the conclusion of the sermon, the annual examination of the children took place in the school-room, Russell street, A. F.Halihurton, E-q., presiding on the occasion. The result of the examination was as gratifying to the respectable auditory as it was creditable to the teachers. In the evening, the annual dinner of the Cambrian So ciety was held at Mr. Whiteman's, the Brunswick Hotel, Hanover-street, where a numerous and highly respect- able company sat down to an excellent entertainment, got up in Mr. W.'s best style. R. D. Jones, Esq.. pre sided, supported by the Rev. W. Hughes, Rev. W. M. Williams, Rev. Mr. Edwards, J. Games, Esq., M. D., John Lloyd, Esq., Dr. Marsh, &c. ; Capt. Jones, Port madoc, E. P. Jones, Esq., Edward Roberts, Esq., Thos. Hughes, Esq., Edward Williams, Esq., &c. ANCIENT BRITONS' SOClETY.—Wednesday last being St. David's Day, the anniversary of the above old esta blished benevolent society, was celebrated at the Bruns wick Assembly Rooms, Hanover-street. About 80 of the members and friends sat down to a sumptuous dinner, got up by Mr. Joseph Jones, the proprietor of the rooms, in a manner that gave great and general. satisfaction. Mr. R. P. Williams, the president of the society, occupied the chair ; the vice-chair was filled by Mr. John Roberts ; on the right and left of the chairman sat Ellis Jones, Esq., It. T. Lodge, Esq., M.D., Messrs. Thos. Hughes, Wm. Evans, Edwr.rd Hughes, David Pugh, Maurice Williams, John Conway, John Evans, and Thos. Hughes, of Aber gele. Notes were read from Richd Griffith, David Evans, and Robert Evans, Esquires, expressing unfeigned regret in not being able to attend, and stating their determina tion to support the society as they had heretofore done. After the cloth was drawn, the following toasts were given and received a most enthusiastic reception :—The Queen, may her reign be long, prosperous and happy; the Prince o f W a les, may he be a protector to his principality ; Prince Albert, and the rest of the royal family ; th e Bi s h op an d Clergy of the Diocese; the nobility of Wales, in particu lar Lord Kenyon ; Sir Watkin William Wynn, Bart.; the thea th ry e Mayor and Town Council of Liverpool ; surgeon honorary ;E.lTli.s JLodge , o od n g es e; Esq., Esq., M.D. ; s m u e r m ge b o e n r s of o the f th ey society societ ; It. Pros perity to the Ancient Britons' Society ; Oe s y Byd i'r laith Cymraeg. The proceedings of . the evening were enlivened by numerous songs, duets, trios, and quartettes, by Messrs. Roberts, Abrahams, Thomas, J. Evans, and R. Evans, accompanied on the Welsh harp. by Mr. John Jones. The company broke up. about ten o'clock, much delighted with the evening's amusement. TIN LIVERPOOL STANPARP. Porirramonc SocurrY.—At the lag meeting, Mr. J. A. Forrest read a paper " on a new mode ot manufac turing white paint.' He suggested that an excellent body paint, superior to that manufactured from lead, might be made from the white oxide of antimony. It had many advantages. He had ascertained that though it was now high in price, were there a demand for antimony, that metal could be obtained in abundance at about £l2 a ton, whereas the lead used Lost! £24 10s. The new paint was consequently much cheaper ; it was not so apt to lose its colour, and would spread over a much larger sur face than an equal weight of the paint manufactured from lead. Mr. Forrest was prepared with apparatus to show the process of preparing the antimony, by means of sul phuretted hydrogen, but a wire broke, and the operation failed. WELSH CHAF ITT ScnooLs.—Wednesday last, being St. David's day, the annual examination of the children of the Welsh charity-schools took place in the school-room, Russell-street, in the presence of the directors and friends of the institution. The girls, after reading a portion of the sacred scriptures, were questioned by their mistress (Mrs. Cotteen), aad acquitted themselves in a most satis factory manner. The boys were examined in reading, geography, English history, &c. ; and by the ready an swers they gave to the multifarious questions put to them by the master (Mr. Frederick Edwards), evinced a tho rough acquaintance with these several rudiments of edu cation. The Rev. William Hughes, pastor of St. David's then addressed the children, and exhorted them to carry into practical effect the religious education which was daily inculcated to them in these schools, without which educa tion was worse than useless. A. Fowden Haliburton, Esq., presided on the occasion, and after complimenting the directors of the institution upon the present efficiency of their schools, strongly adverted to the necessity of con necting religious instruction with the education imparted in our elementary schools, and would rejoice to see this principle recognised more extensively than heretofore throughout the world. Mr. Alderman Griffith, in pro posing a vote of thanks to the president, observed that he had received from him the handsome donation of £2O, in addition to a subscription of £2 25., which, for many years, he has made to the institution. After singing the national anthem, the children each received two buus and a penny. WIRRALL FARMERS' CLUB.—The annual meeting took place at Neston, on Thursday, and the attendance of the gentry and agriculturists was numerous. The show of live stock took place at Hinderton, and some good specimens were brought forward. Amongst the principal prizes awarded were to—Mr. W. Walker, Stourton, best stacking and thatching, first prize, £3. Second prize— R. W. Barton, Esq., Caldy, £3. Third prize—Mr. Vaughan, Landican, £l. Best Stallion—Mr. Ellison, Woodchurch, £5. Best Boar—Mrs. Grundy, £3. Best , Bull—W. Webster, Esq., £6. Best Cow—Mr. Charles Ellis, £4.—The ploughing match took place on the race course, a short distance from Neston. There were a num ber of competitors, and the contest was maintained throughout with considerable spirit. The principal prizes were-Ist class. George Pearce, ploughman, Mrs. Hart, owner, first prize; 2nd class, John Knowles, first prize. After the ploughing (in which 39 ploughs were engaged) a number of gentlemen who had taken part in the pro ceedings of the day dined together in the National School room, where a substantial repast was served up by Mr. John Wright, of Neston. The chair was occupied by Charles Stanley, Esq., and the vice-chair by Thomas Hoggins, Esq., agent to the Earl of Shrewsbury. Amongst other gentlemen present we noticed J. D. Case, Esq. ; Robert King, Esq. ; Ellis, Esq. ; Gregory, Esq. ; Stewart, t sq. ; Parry, Esq. ; Dr. Bruid ; Case, junior, sq., &c., &c.—The usual loyal toasts having been given, the Chairman read a letter from the Hon. Lloyd Mostyn, M.P., the president of the club, stating hii regret, that the pressure of important business in Par liament precluded the possibility of his attendance, and also stating his desire to do all in his power to promote the interests of the club. He concluded with proposing the health of the Hon. Lloyd Mostyn, observing that that gentleman bad laid out large sums of money in im proving the dwellings of his tenantry. (Applause.)—The chairman in giving " Prosperity to the Club" remarked upon the benefits and improvements which had resulted fiom it. It was now absolutely necessary, in consequence of the opening of the trade in corn, that they should cul tivate the land at the cheapest rate, and this was only to be done by availing themselves of the modern improve ments in agriculture. They would then be able to keep pace with the manufacturers and get the greatest quantity of produce at the least expense. The other toasts were " Sir W. Massey Stanley, Bart., the Patron of the Club," " The Chairman," " The Earl of Shrewsbury," &c. — The prizes were then distributed, and the utmost convi viality characterised the proceedings. LOC'AL MEETINGS Dom COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—PIans of small build ings to be erected on the pierhead, to furnish additional accommodation for the water-guard department, were submitted, and ordered to lie on the table for a week.— The sub-committee recommended that, under the pecu liar circumstances stated, the British and North American royal mail steamer America should be accommodated with a berth in the graving -dock on her arrival here, for the purpose of being examined by the Admiralty surveyor. Confirmed. WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting was held on Wednesday; Mr. Sheppard in the chair. During an inquiry upon the expediency of giving money to pau pers who were desirous of leaving the workhouse, Mr. Latham, the relieving officer, stated that at the last meet ing of the board 10s. was given to a Mrs. Hunter, and in two hours afterwards she was found lying upon some steps in Upper Harrington-street, in a helpless state of intoxication. A gratuity of £25 was given to Mr. Taylor, of the fever hospital, in consideration of the arduous duties he performed, the risk he ran, and the small amount of his salary, which was only a guinea and P half a week. The Chairman said that there was now £lBOO in the bank to the credit of the board, and this too at the close of the year, notwithstanding the great amount of pauperism which they had had to contend with. Mr. Harrison prOposed that application should be made to the Town Council for the amount expended (£300) in the formation of a sewer in Mill-lane. SELECT VESTRY.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Vestry was held on Tuesday. Mr. Thornely moved that a return be made of the number of children in the Indus trial Schools, and at the Workhouse in Brownlow-hill, and also at the house in Soho-street, specifying boys and girls, who are orphans, who have fathers, or mothers, or both, whether the parents reside in the parish, and whe ther they (the parents) have a settlement in the parish. After a brief conversation, it was carried.—The Sub committee reported that Mr. Blanchard's claim would be met by a payment of £221 Is., and they recommended that the sum named be paid him out of the voluntary rate, provided he received that sum in full of his account. —A letter was read from the vaccinators, repudiating certain charges which had been made against them at the last general meeting of the board.—For the week ending the 26th of February, it was reported that 3,341 Irish case; had been relieved at a cost of £BO 4s. 6d., and that the number of fever cases visited in the town and the workhouse that wi..TIL was 880. BIRKENHEAD Dock commissioNEus.—The usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday. From the proceedings of the committees, which were read by the Law-clerk, it appeared that the board had issued a writ against the commissioners, requiring them to pay a sum of £3OOO which was owing. it was stated that the bank held £55,000 of bonds as security against the £3.000. Mr. ThompPon considered it unfair that the bank should raise an action against the board at a time of such difficulty and pressure, and when the commissioners were about msking an arrangement with the government to carry on the works. It appeared as though the bank were taking an unseemly advantage, and wished to obtain some undue preference by such a proceeding, and the fact ought to go forth to the public. He thought that Mr. Mallaby, as chairman of the board, would not sanction any such pro ceeding. The Chairman said Mr. Mallaby had no doubt been ordered by the bank to take proceedings. . • Several other members considered the course pursued by the bank as objectionable and uncalled for, seeing that they held the £55,000 as security. WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS.-At the monthly meet ing, on Thursday, the special sub-committee eppointed to consider the bye-laws, reported the great difficulty which stood in the way of maintaining the law relating to bath ing, and therefore suggested its repeal Several members thought that no unreasonable impediments ought to be thrown against bathing ; but ultimately the decision was deferred for a month. The Law-clerk said the special Ferry Committee had taken measures for opposing the bill which was likely to be framed by the crown, relative to the future docks and great float. In the bill passed in 1844 the commissioners had had a clause inserted, secur ing the right of the inhabitants of the 'several townships to the promenade which was to be constructed, to have slips constructed in the sea wall, and to have the right of thoroughfare at Birkenhead. The committee had reason to believe that the Dock Commissioners had sold their right at the time they gave up the docks and works to the Crown. Mr. Mann said it was the duty of the commis sioners to watch the matter. The Law-clerk said it was the intention of Lord Morpeth to frame a bill relative to the great floodgates, and bring it before parliament. After some conversation, it was agreed that the Crown should be petitioned on the subject, and that every effort should be made for having the privileges sought in the bill of 1844. TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday. It appeared from the Finance Committee's report, that Mr. Neilson had been sent to Manchester to obtain the charges there for coroner's inquests, and he reported that the aggregate charge for the last five years in Manchester was £2895, whilst in Liverpool it was £9309. Adding one-sixth for Manchester, to make the population of the two towns equal, £482, that would make £3377, and would show an excess, supposing the populations to be equal, of Liverpool over Manchester, to the amount of £5932. In Manchester no allowance is made to jurors, whereas in Liverpool every juror receives for every in quest Is. 6d. In Liverpool, too, more money is paid to surgeons than in Manchester, in the proportion of £B7 to £24.—Mr.. G. .11. Lawrence hoped some reduction would be shortly made in the coroner's charges, but as the matter was still the subject of negotiation, discussion ought to be avoided. The proceedings of the Education Committee were confirmed, after Mr. Aikin and Mr. Rathbone had com plained of the small salaries given to the teachers in the schools When the Health Committee's proceedings had been read, Mr. Harbord called the attention of that committee to the necessity of passing some stringent regulations with reference to the wretched lodging-houses of the town. He said that shortly the spring tide of emigration would be commencing froi Liverpool, and that the emigrants would be sent in a state of fever on board ship, by stay ing after their arrival here in those lodgings.—Mr. Tinne admitted the importance of the subject, but said it had been postponed in order that the by-laws might receive mature consideration in the first instance.—A watch rate of one penny was laid upon Liverpool, Everton and Kirk dale, and those parts of West Derby and Toxteth-park which are within the borough.—A rate of 3-16th parts of a penny was laid, under the provisions of an act of par liament for the establishment of museum.... Mr. Earle moved the appointment of Messrs. Earle, Hornby, Morris, Cooper, Bennett, Parker, .Danson, Turner, Tinne, and J. Holme, as a committee, to report whether any alteration in the present system of laying and recovering parochial and other local rates be advisa ble. He complained that many persons able to pay rates failed to do so, and that they, particularly the cripples, came whining and crying before the committee, repre senting that they could not pay, when they really had plenty of money. He therefore sought for a change, and hence the necessity for his motion.—Mr. Tinne seconded the motion.—Mr. Harbord said that hundreds of thou sands of poor wretches were systematically robbed in Liverpool by the landlords promising to pay rates for tenants, and then declining to do so.—The motion was carried. _ _ A motion by Mr. James Thompson, for the opening of Burlington-street from Love-lane to Great Howard-street, was referred to the Finance Committee.—Mr. G. H. Lawrence said, however, that the improvement was im practicable, and that the landlords were asking such im mense sums for the property that £12,000 would not effect it.—Mr. Parker thought that Limekiln-lane ought to be improved before Burlington-street was opened. Mistrat There is a monster Irish repeal meeting announced to take place in the Free-trade-hall, Manchester, on Satur day, the 18th instant. On Tuesday, factories at Ashton-under-Lyne, with steam-power equal to 1200 horses, were reduced to short time. On Sunday week, an affray took place in the township of Leagrim, near Stoneyhur , t, between Henry Greenwood, gamekeeper for John Weld, Esq., and two poachers, which resulted in the death of one of the latter. On Tuesday morning a boiler exploded at the cotton mill of Mr. Richard Walker, Blue Pitts, near Rochdale, by which three persons were killedulmost instantaneously, and two others seriously injured. Mr. James Fell, the out-door inspector of weights and measures in Manchester, has been appointed inspector of weights and measures for Liverpool, at a salary of £2OO per annum. Mr. Fell has rendered great service in Manchester. _ _ _ STOCKPORT.—A gentleman passed through all the leading streets in this borough one day last week, and noticed that on both sides of the way, throughout all the thoroughfares, he did not observe one customer in any shop. A young man, named Joseph Johnson, living in Man chester, paid a visit, few days since, to some friends at Huddersfield, and, after leaving the latter town, nothing was heard of him until Tuesday last, when he was found in Lincolnshire, having to all appearance been acciden tally drowned. How be came there cannot be ascertained. A RAINY MONTH.—Last month was by far the wettest February Manchester has bad for the last twenty years. The average fall of rain in the February of 16 years is just 1-31 inch.; and ,the month of February, 1 848, in Manchester, has had a fall of rain very nearly five times greater than the usual quantity falling in February. At the late Lancaster assizes, a witness was called to verify the signature to a deposition, by the counsel for the prosecution, and being rather tardy in entering the box, Mr. Baron Alderson inquired the cause of the delay. " She's so deaf, my lord, that she can't read writing, ex clairred the crier of the court, without betraying the least consciousness of the bull he had perpetrated. MR. COBDEN'S POPULARITY INMANCRESTER.—It was proposed, last week, to re-elect Mr. Cobden Chairman of the Manchester Mechanics' Institution, for which honour the name of Mr. Aspinall Turner also stood for election ; a vote was taken, and Mr. Cobden was rejected by a majority in the proportion of five and a half to one, the numbers being—For Mr. J. A. Turner, 109 ; for Mr. It. Cobden, 20. Not even Mr. Cobden's boasted in fluence as the first man of all the free traders is able to influence the old proverb that "no prophet hath honor in his own country." People will soon begin to doubt whether free trade itself is so popular in Manchester as it has been represented to be. LANCASTER ELECTION.—We are glad to see that the Hon. E. H. Stanley, (eldest son of Lord Stanley, and grandson of the Earl of Derby,) is a candidate for the representation of 'Lancaster, vice Mr. Gregson, unseated for bribery. Mr. Stanley refuses to give any pledges) but says : I have no hesitation in declaring that I am tirinly determined to maintain and uphold in its full integrity, the Protestant church, as established in these realms ; and to consent to no measure which I may believe to, be detrimental to the interests of that church ; that I de sire to promote and encourage the religious and moral education of all classes of the community ; and that while I desire that commerce should be free from all unnecessary restrictions, I hold myself bound to follow up no theory, however sound in itself, to an extent which may be prac tically at variance with that encouragement which it is the interest and duty of every government to extend to the industry of its own subjects." Mr. Armstrong is the liberal candidate, and the election will take place tomor row(Wed nest:ay). MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL SI/- MEM—The first annual ploughing match, in connexion with this amalgamated society, took place on Thursday, at Winwick. One field not being suffioient to accommo date the entire entry. two suitable grass fields were selected for the occasion. The competitors were divided into two clas,=es, having two separate prizes,—the first for adults, and the second for young men not more than twenty years of age. Seventy-two candidates started for the first class, and six for the second. There was a numerous gathering of spectators of the interesting scene. The quantity of land ploughed was about seventy statute perches for the first class, and sixty for the second; and the time occupied for the completion of the work averaged from three and a half to five hours. A dinner took place in the evening, Robert Neilson, Esq., of Halewood, in the chiir, when the following were named as the success ful competitors Owners Ist—Andrew Caunce 2d—James Glassford Ploughmen. Ist—John Swinton Hizgin , on POLICE INTELLIGENCE, ILLICIT DEALING IN WHEAT.—OR Friday, the three mates of the ship Samuel Hicks, were sent to trial for selling wheat, what they termed " wheat sweepings," but which, in reality, was good. The buyers, two Irishmen, were also committed for buying an article which they must have known to have been stolen. CELLAR OCCUPATION.—Forty-six informations were heard against parties occupying unhealthy cellars on Tu esday, and the usual fines inflicted. The occupiers in many cases hold possession with a tenacious grasp, and the duplicity of some is most extraordinary. The Health Committee have an herculean task before them. POACHING.—On Thursday, two men, named Henry Norman and James Swift, were brought before the Bir kenhead magistrates, at the Police-court, charged with poaching on the preserves of Sir William Stanley, Bart., at,Storeton. Norman, who had been twice previously punished for the same offence, was sentenced to two months' hard labour, and Swift to one month. OVERLOADING.—SeveraI cases of overloading vehicles were heard at the Police-court on Tuesday, fura fin's in flicted. Amongst the parties was an omnibus driver, named Smith, against whom an information bad been laid by a gentleman named Wood. The omnibus, which was constructed to carry eleven persons, was laden with fiften. The driver was fined twenty shillings and costs. ROBBERY OF PLATE.—On Wednesday, a young man, named John Markey, was brought up at the Police-court, and charged on suspicion of stealing a quantity of silver plate, consisting of two silver egg-stands, one salt, three spoons together with a Bible, the gift of Sheridan Knowles to the daughter of the owner of the property, Mr. Emery, of Bootle, whose house was robbed on Mon day night of about £5O worth of plate.—Mr. Rushton ordered the prisoner to be taken before one of the county justices, he himself having no authority to take the case into his consideration. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF WEARING APPAREL. — On Wednesday, Rose Mullen, and her husband, Michael Mullen, were committed for trial, charged by Lewis Howell with stealing wearing apparel from his house at Evcrton. It appeared that on Tuesday evening the fe male prisoner went into the complainant's house, and, watching her opportunity, carried off some clothes and two pair of boots. The theft was discovered almost im mediately, and the prisoner detected while in the act of coming through the lobby. She had the property upon her, which she threw down on being discovered. A va riety of wearing apparel and other articles were found in the prisoners' house, a portion of which were identified as having been stolen from persons in Prescot-street and Brownlow-hill, a few days ago. COINING: CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.—On Saturday Thomas Rowe, an Irishman, was charged with having base coin in his possession. The prisoner lodged in O'Donovan-square, Ridley-street, out of Hopwood-street, and, in consequence of information received, Mr. Super intendent Anders, with two or three officers, proceeded to search the room occupied by the prisoner, where they found some plaster of paris, a crucible, a pi:we of metal melted down, and, in the ashes, two base shillings. It was some time before the officers could gain admittance, and they thought they heard the window of the upper room (where the landlord himself slept) opened and some thing thrown out. Search was instituted, and three rusty o d pistols (one of forniVahle size) were found lying upon the ground. The prisoner denied all knowledge of the articles, and said that, although he had taken the lodgings three weeks ago, he had only that night commet.ced their occupancy. Remanded. JUVENILE DEPRAVITY.—A young lad, well known to the police, and whose name is John Wainwright, was brought before Mr. Rushton on Thursday, charged with having stolen part of a shoulder of mutton from the shop of Mr. Harking, in Lime-street. He attempted to show• his innocence, but signally failed, and was committed to prison for one month.—Another and rather extreme ease of juvenile crime came before Mr. Rushton on Friday. A mere child, who gave his name James Donahoe, was charged by Mr. Pratt with stealing a kettle from a shop door in Great Charlotte-street. Though so young a child, it was not his first offence, he having been dismissed when in custody on a similar charge some time previously. The chief superintendent of police offered it as hiS opinion that the boy had been instructed to commit the theft by the mother, who he thought had disposed of the proceeds of the former act. The woman was sent for, and said she had six children to provide for, having lost her husband. The magistrate, after a caution, gave the child up to her. A LUNATIC IN BRIDEWELL.—About noon on Friday a police constable, on duty in Mill-street, at the corner of Warwick-street, observed a man named Philip Dunn, with a crowd of twenty or thirty persons about him. The officer went to ascertain the cause, and questioned Dunn, who was acting in the most incoherent manner, where he lived. He replied, "In Heaven !" Further answers and extravagances satisfied the officer that the man was in sane, and he took him for present safety to the South Dock Bridewell. Mr. Jones, the bridewell-keeper, sent the officer to the South Dispensary ; Mr. Leech returned with him, and pronounced the prisoner insane, giving a certificate to that effect. News of the occurrence was sent to the Porish-office, in Toxteth-park, and Thomas Challis Case, one of the overseers, came down and hand cuffed the lunatic, but refused to take him away till another medical certificate, independent of that of Mr. Leech, could be obtained. No other medical gentleman came. The bridewell-keeper then sent the lunatic, in charge of the officer, to the workhouse, but the governor refused, in the absence of a proper order, to take him in ; and he was conveyed to the main bridewell. The occur rence was investigated by Mr. Rushton in the morning. Mr. Case produced a document to show that he would not have been justified in removing the man on the certi ficate of any medical gentleman filling a public office. He had gone, he said to seek Mr. Magee, but he was not in, and his absence was the cause of the delay which had oc curred. Mr. Rushton said he should have called in some other medical gentleman. It was the duty of an overseer, in such a case, to take the man before a justice of the peace, and have him removed without delay to a lunatic asylum. Bridewell was no place to keep such a person in. The moment he came under the care of the overseer he should have been removed to a ward house, or some convenient place. Mr. Case said the Tosteth-park autho rities had no such place. Mr. Rushton : " Then you must get one. You are liable to penal consequences otherwise, and I advise you to lay the whole of the cir cumstances of the case before the authorities, stating the difficulty you are in." FIRST CLASS Newton .... Wm. Canncer Lostock.... Geo. Glassford SECOND CLASS Daresbury.. Thos. Swinton Plumby W►n. Higginson GROWTFI OF COTTON AT PORT NATAL.—SOI most gratifying evidence of the capabilities of Port Natal to produce abundantly and constantly every quality of cot ton required for manufacture, was given at a meeting of the Blackburn Commercial Association, on Wednesday. Some questions were asked as to the respectability and probable stability of a company which had been formed at Port Natal for the cultivation of cotton. We are in a great measure enabled to answer the inquiry by a refe rence to the proceedings which took place at a meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Thursday last. It appears that a gentleman named Bertheil, of the firm of Messrs. J. P. Jung and Co., merchants, of Cape Town and Port Natal, who was one of the originators of the company, in which he holds fifty shares, attended the Manchester meeting, and offered excellent evidence both as to the respectability and prospects of the Cotton Com pany, and the easy means by which cotton could be cul tivated at Port Natal. Families of Germans had been sent out, and were each to receive 210 acres of land from the Company-10 acres to be quite free for their own use, on condition that they cultivated cotton on the other 200 acres, and took the crops to the warehouse of the owners. It was shown that for small capitalists, say with £4OO, a very profitable cultivation of cotton could he forthwith commenced. All the papers published at Cape Town and Port Natal, spoke very favourably of the Company. Out of 2,000 shares, 1,500 allotted to Cape Town were taken up in less than two hours : the other 500 were re served for Port Natal and England ; and we shall be very much surprised if a single share is by this time left. — Blackburn Standard. MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.—LOSS AND EXTRAOR DINARY RECOVERY.—The Manchester Courier contains particulars of the following extraordinary affair:—On Tuesday afternoon last Mr. Appleton, the principal ma nager of the banking establishment of Messrs. Hardcastle, Cross and Co., of Bolton, was in Manchester, and dined at the Star Hotel, Deansgate, with several other gentle men from Bolton, amongst. whom we may state was Mr. Thomas Cross, bleacher, of Mootfield, one of the partners in the bank.. After dinner, the party, numbering about a dozen, adjourned to the " smoke room," where, after remaining in conversation until about four o'clock, Mr. Thomas Cross rose to leave for the Bolton Railway Sta tion, on his return homewards. Wishing to have some conversation with him, Mr. Appleton accompanied him to the hotel door, where they remained together some few minutes, when they mutually shook hands, and separated, Mr. Cross proceeding to the railway station, and Mr. Appleton rejoining his friends in the smoke room of the Star Hotel. On re-seating himself, however, he made the painful discovery that he had lost from his pocket a roll of notes amounting to £1250. He searched his dress and every portion of the room, but in vain. The other rooms of the house where he had been were also searched. He had felt the notes in his trowser's pockets shortly before. He then acquainted Mr. Beswick, chief constable, who advertised bills, offering a reward. Mr. Beswick after wards entered the smoke room, where he found about a dozen gentlemen whom he had seen there before. He told them the notes were lost there, and addressing one of them, a wealthy man and hitherto considered respect able, he inquired if he know anything of them, saying also that he must make a strict search. The man appear ed indignant, hut being peremptorily questioned further, he at length falteringly and faintingly acknowledged that he had picked up " something." Do you know what it is, have you looked at it ?" exclaimed Mr. Beswick, " No, I don't," was the rejoinder of the gentleman ; when hurrying him into an adjoining room, Mr. Beswick, who from the moment he laid his hand upon the gentle man's shoulder seemed to be convinced he had got hold of the right man, shortly returned with the lost notes in 1 his hand. . . THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ELECT On Monday, the Council and magistrates of Chester proceeded in state to the Palace, preceded by the police force and the civic regalia, for the purpose of presenting an address to the Bishop, on his preferment to the see of Canterbury. The address, after expressing sentiments of reverence and affection for the professional and personal character of his lordship, and regret at his removal from a city where he had done so much to ameliorate the con dition of the unfortunate, the distressed, and the destitute, contained the following sentences " It is no part of our province, combining as we do persons of various shades of opinions, to enter upon questions affecting the present position and future prospects of the Protestant Church as established by law in these realms, but we may be privileged to express our sincere belief that a more vigilant de fender of the principles of the Reformation than your lordship is not to be found within the pale of the Establishment, and our ardent hope that iii these days when public opinion (not hastily expressed but deliberately matured) is favourable to an en lightened toleration being extended to all cusses of her Majes ty's subjects, that the advancement of your lordship to the highest honour anti trusts in the Established Church will tend to preserve, strengthen, and enlarge the influence of those principles, and that they will be upheld in their full integrity so far as your lordship's example and influence may prevail. We congratulate your lordship on the attainment of honours which are most worthily bestowed, accompanied, however, by grave responsibilities, which our past experience of your lordship and your labours within this diocese assures us you will faithfully discharge. We congratulate the Church that in these times, when somewhat of disquiet has fallen to her lot, that in the ele vation of your lordship she will enjoy the pastoral superinten dence and affection of a firm supporter of the Christian faith and a lover of peace. We congratulate the people amongst whom your lordship will hereafter dwell that they will have the advantage of the residence of a prelate not only pre-eminently fitted to fill the highest station in the Church, but who is de serving of their affection in the less dignified but useful capaci ties of friend, neighbour, and citizen." The Bishop, on receiving the address, spoke as follows " Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,—lt is difficult for me to ex press the strong emotion with which I have heard your address, speaking of me as it does in terms far more honourable than I had any right to expect, or am conscious of deserving. My appointment to the Primacy has been received in many quar ters with a favour which I could not have presumed to antici pate. But the opinion which is especially valuable is that of my neighbours and fellow-citizens, who have had opportunities of judging concerning me, and speak from their own observa tion ; and I must be devoid of all proper feeling, if I did not acknowledge a high degree of gratification for the testimony which you now dyer me, founded on the experience of twenty years, during which we have been known to each other. I may advert to another source of satisfaction derived from your Ad dress. I cannot but be conscious to myself that lam removed to a station of far greater responsibility, and far greater diffi culty, than that which I have hitherto filled ; and I cannot but feel an apprehension, lest I should prove inadequire to the right discharge of my duties, many of which are new and strange to me. Under such disquietude, there iii consolation in reflecting that the duties which 1 have hitherto discharged were once new to me, and that in the opinion of kind, but dis passionate observers, i have been found faithful in the fulfil ment of them. In this thought I take courage, trusting that the same Power which has hitherto strengthened me, may sus tain me still, and the same grace which has procured me favour in the judgment of my fellow-citizens at Chester may prove sufficient for me in the high eminence to which I am now called. Certainly in one respect you do me no more than justice. I do hope to be always a vigilant defender of the doctrines of the Reformation. Toleration, in its fullest legitimate extent. will always be my principle ; but toleration must not slide into indifference ; there is an essential distinction between truth and error; and one of the chief dangers of the present day is the danger of confounding them. The Scriptures assure its what is Truth ; and what I receive as truth from the Scriptures, it will always be my endeavour to maintain, uncorrupted by German neology on the one side, or by Romish tradition on the other." CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE, The proceedings against the Bishop of Hereford are not to be carried into the House of Lords. THE LATE PRIMATE. - At the meeting of the Gospel Propagation Society a few days since, there was a very large attendance of members, including, among others, the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Llandaff, Exeter, Salisbury, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir R. H. Inglis, Bart., M.P., the Dean of Manchester, Archdeacons Sin clair, Jones, Thorp, Hale, and Hamilton, Hon. and Rev. C. L. Courtenay, Rev. Sir H. R. Dukinfield, Rev. Drs. Spry, Russell, Jelf, Wordsworth, Vivian, &c. &c. The Archbishop of York presided. The Earl of Harrowby with moved, and the Bishop of London seconded, ?_ a s q e u r a ie li s tie : resolutions expressive of the grateful sens e . of the society whenever of the late Primate's great exertion s . on its behalf, and sorrow at the loss it had experienced in his death. In the course of his remarks Earl Harrowby said :—How can I --how can any one of us — forget that winning gentleness of manner, that graceful simplicity of demeanour, which which,s o firm nessp e c o u f l nar him, d principles weret ln g a u n distinguished y h e e nv d oe o n u r meansla energye Archbish op incompatible o actio n , occasion called for them. It is no time now to go into evidence on this point as to th e general government of the Church ; but, at any rate, w ithin these walls thi s un i on of qualities will not be quest ioned . . By his conc ili at i ng spirit, by the largeness of his views, he harmonised ele ments amongst us not always of themselves most harmo nious ; and the facts stated in the resoluti ons s h ow t h e spirit and the energy which he threw into our proceedings. When he first guided the operations of the society the principle of Episcopacy was scarcelyarcely admitted i n t o our colonies. During his ad min i stration , and und er hi s guidance, the absence of it became th e except i on — an exception, happily, fast disappearing. He found 5 Bi s hops in our Colonies, he left 21 ; he found 122 Mi ss i onar i es i n the service of the society, he left full 334, and thew March 7, IS4B. certainly not less zealous, not less fitted for the task of preading the Gospel of Christ amongst our extended Colonies, than the smaller number." _. CALCUTTA CATHEDRAL.—From the final Report of St. Paul's Cathedral, Cal c utt a , we l earn that •• the sacreo, edifice was consecrated according to the edifyi ng f or ms o f , our. Protestant National Church, on Friday, October 1847, being the anniversary of the day when the first stone was deposited in 1839." It is recorded with grad' tude to Almighty God, that, from its commencement to the present time, this difficult undertaking has been one of continued progress and success, without a single failure in any part. The estimate of the cost was four lacs of rupees ; the actual outlay has been rather more than five- The building is now complete, inside and out, with cloar bells, painted windows and organ. The style is denomi nated by the Bishop `• lndo or Christian Gothic." Some parts are imitated from Norwich Cathedral, some from Canterbury, some from York; some are new variations occasioned by climate. The material is a kind of brick. dressed with Chunar stone, and covered inside and out with chunam. which takes a polish like marble. The external length is 248 feet ; width 83 feet ; length acrost transepts 116 feet ; height of the spire 206 feet. Therein _ no nave, but a western vestibule 46 feet by 22. The Cathedral may be made to receive 1,300 or 1.400 people- It is intended to be at once a Parish Church, a Mission . Church for service in the vernacular languages, and so Metropolitan Cathedral. There will be a body of sit Cathedral Clergy, who will help forward the cause of the Gospel by their literary labours. The staff of lay offrcero is also complete. There are to be two full services es Sunday, daily morning prayers at seven a.m., and Bar Communion once a month, and on certain Festivals..." Colonial Chronicle. RAILWAY AFFAIRS. The line from Hull to Louth was opened for public traffic on Wednesday. The Directors of Rastrick's Direct London and Man chester Railway are about to make a further return of 10$. per share. _ _ - Captain Claxton has been engaged by Mr. Stephenson to assist him in transporting the Conway tube for the Chester and Holyhead railway. The line of the Scottish Central Railway from Stirling to Greenhall, where it joins the Edinburgh and Glasgow, was formally opened by the directors on the 22nd ult. At the Eastern Counties Railway Meeting. Mr. ilud son announced an increase of traffic on the half-yeat amounting to £70,000; but the dividend is only Bs., owing to the consolidation and extension of the stock receiving dividend. The list of calls for March exhibits a total of £2,203,651 being a decrease of £1,304,406 as compared with the cor responding month of 1847. Of this amount £1,262,00 0 are called upon French and Belgian lines, the shares of which are but partially held in this country. The meeting of the proprietors of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway was held on Saturday, when it was again adjourned for a week, Mr. Mozley stating that matters were in progress, and that he hoped an amicable settlement would be come to in a few days. At the half-yearly meeting orthe Bristol and Exeter Railway Company, on Thursday, a dividend of £1 13s 94 per £lOO share, free of income tax was declared. A re; solution was passed approving of the recommendation et the directors to work the line independently at the expirti' tion of the present lease. RAILWAYS V. SHIPPING.—At the annual meeting of the Berwick General Shipping Company on Tuesday last. a dividend of 10 per cent was declared. During the pro ceedings it was remarked that railwly communication ir inflicting great injury on the shipping of the port, in the conveyance of good.' between Berwick and Leith, and Berwick and Newcastle. CALEDONIAN RAILWAY.—This important railway Ws° opened throughout for traffic on the 15th current, between Carlisle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and all places in connection with the London and North Western and Lancashire and Carlisle railways. Mail trains now run twice each war daily between London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, without change of carriages. From official returns it appears that the amount of traffic for the last week, on upwards of 3,518 miles of railway, was £148,323, thus accounted f0r:—£68,325 for the conveyance of passengers only, £42,829 for the car' riage of goods, and a remainder of £37,169 for passengfri and goods together, not respectively apportioned; been an increase of £23 , 911 over the corresponding week a last year, when the mileage was 2,711. The average earn!ngs per mile last week were £42, whilst in 1847 the( were £45. _ LAND SLIP ON THE NORTH UNION RAILWAY. 7° Tuesday night, about ten o'clock, it was accidentally (it covered that an embankment between the Euxton an Coppul stations, on the North Union line, about efg miles from Preston, bad given way. Before eleven o'cinl one end of the wooden bridge had sunk consider a bly, ant the embankment adjoining suddenly fell in to the depth 0 1 about twenty feet, carrying with it both lines of rail, an d : leaving a frightful chasm, into which the exp r ess trail' from London, then coming up, would, but for the clie covery, have inevitably been driven. ALARMING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—OD ThUTSua.T, fearful railway accident was well-nigh happening, by carelessness of not attending to the signal at the statil at Weedon. There is an iron bridge to let g overnrnol, boats through, for the service of the barracks and militaral prison. This bridge was open and the proper sig% given, but owing to the inattention of the g uard, 1 :,,, notice was taken of the signal, and the en g i n e fell the middle of the boat, which instantly sank. No,_li v j a : i happily, lost. Had it been th e ex p ress t ra i n , !Ali'? " nearly clue- the cnnaenuenees might have been feaital. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE.—?'behaIf-yearly m e % ing of this company was h e ld a t M anc h ester, on W e aoe" day last. Mr. Houldsworth, the chairman of the coal' parry, presided, and gave a satisfactory account of the state and prospects of the company. Notwithstand i l the commercial depression of the c o untry f or the • months, the gross income of the company, on the sir, extent of mileage, exceeds that of th e cor respondqt months of 1846 ; the sums being, for 1846, £260,667 , 1847, £273,220 A dividend of 31 per cent. on the lo' t h year was declared, subj e ct to the i ncome t ax . The leng,., of railway which the company has in course of constru4 tion is 127 miles, •of which 51 miles will be openef l 0 1 July, and other 51 m il es b y D ecem b er next. A ca ll ed £5 will be due on the £5O Manchester and Leeds sin. in April next ; and at the same time a call of £5 will made upon the Liverpool and Bury £5O shares. THE FRENCH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMEN T ' COUNT MOLE. Mole is much more of a statesman—much more ofd politician—mu c h more o f a man o f t h e world, than eitlo" Guizot or Thiers. He is now in his 69th year, and d e r ; scended of an illustrious legal family. Early in life. mote than forty-five years ago, he entered the service o f Fran under the First Consul, as A u dit or o f th e C ouncil o f Stoll and subsequently filled high administrative funetil nr under the Emperor. Mole has been a French Peer many years, and therefore his discourses do net fiQ—u b r e in the Chamber of Deputies. But although his na rri.e not in the mouths of th e p u bli c , lik e th e names o f Guiz ol Thiers, and Berryer, every educated Frenchman hp° 0 that he is one of the foremost and most considerable 1 8 , e e , of France. He is rath er a man o f th e wor ld th a n a lib rather, or a man of science ; yet he is infinitely more, ° „ f r il , scholar and a man of science th a n M. Thiers and unr6, stands all questions of diplomacy and administration ' B o s nitely better than either Thiers or Guizot. Though 1, so brilliant, showy, orlively a person, in public or sonie , as the deputy for Aix,—though less quick and apprel'f je , sive and ready, he is more solid, steady, and relic Though he could not write a state paper so quickly I te g so glowingly as M. Guizot, yet when written by him, 8 be being fully perpended and slowly elaborated, it woulu ot o less open to criticism or objection—it would be 0 ,0 neatly and more succinctly drawn up, and p r esent fe", f h assailable points to a rival or an enemy. Mole, the u ti, not so ready, is sounder and safer, and his style, in spec is ing and writing, though not so glowing, is more c 13 500 and pure than the style either of Thiers or Guizot. language is rather choice and correct than flowing, ratd, distinguished by propri e ty an d e l oquence t h an b y c 4 O - , ousness or strength. He is calm, clear, neat, often nious; always equal to his subject ; sometimes, he far above it. Now that Talley rand, Hauterive, and ederer are dead, he is possessed of more anecdotal hist° than any living herniae d'etat in Paris, and is, perll 4o the best and most classic raconteur in France. countenance is open and gentlemanlike, and ther e 0, breadth and elevation in the forehead. He is ra ther O l e o thin, and delicately shaped, and possesses i n an em,i, ll degree what our neighbours call the "air distingue. M. ARAGO, MINISTER OF MARINE. L. .. 40 Is one of the first savans in France, and his rePir c r, as an orator is brilliant. He was born in 1786, and 's r petual secretary of the Academy of Sciences, meiP,Aberool the office of longitudes, and one of the m os t WO"' he is moderate in expressing his opi n i ons, though scientific men of tlic,age. The Repub/icari priiito 1 110 ay ; extreme views. The Mor n i ng Ch ronicle, how ev er :i s c ioit that even in the scie n tifi c worl d the great mathema— es, is known by the violence of his temper and the harsb ri ti b. of his character ; his p o li t i cs are of the most ardent repo!, licanism. The Ti mes says he cannot string three O b i together in p u bli c , a l t h ough he has long been called his flatterers " the Consul Elect of the Republic." 0' M. DE LAMARTINE, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN Ar", g - je l Is known as th e historian of the Girondins. 13 0 puty for Maco n , an d more th an t hi rty years ago serve st el re appnticeship as a diplomatist, an d was name d Mil li o r Plenipotentiary by Charles X. in 1828 and 1830. Lamb tine, now in his fifty-eighth year, is a gentleman Of tri; and fortune. He is everywhere a poet, ever, at tb ° oo bune. Like most poets, however, he is rather fick/ 8 ,00 inconstant, vain, and imprudent. For a length of ' be t/ he occupied a very undecided position in the Cho!" ~o, but he eventually ranged himself on the side of the uSrdeo sition. From that period M. de Lamartine took a de, part in favour of progressive reform, and ridiculed 00 Guizot Cabinet as the Ministry of "limitations. ,a voted against the Pritchard indemnity, and was prizlwir the Opposition as an invaluable acquisition. The ft!i; : ! ing is an expression of his policy in his own WO " The organic and progressive constitution of the democracy, the expansive principle of mutual charity social fraternity, organized and applied to the satisfy of the general interest " ...40 111e It appears by a parliamentary return just issed tbet co y, number of persons in trades or professions whose I n d A S amounted to £l5O, and did not exceed £2OO, en kir, paid the income tax for the year ending the sth el 1845, was 38,392. The gross income on which 01 these persons was charged amounted to X6,102, 19 ; 5 0 , the sum received for income tax, to £177.980 I 3' jtp, The total number of persons en g aged in t r ades en fessions who paid the income-tax in the above...eel was 111,818. In 1846 there were only sixteen Aon, who paid the income tax on incomes exceeding .1:4,95, and the amount these sixteen persons paid was T o r The wealthy are caught sometimes, There w ere ions with incomes between £lO,OOO and X5O.Uw! • C l' " 1 1l bet C OM or S. ir.