The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-16 00:00:00

TO ADVERTISERS. We beg respectfully to call the attention of Merchants, Brokers,. Auctioneers, and others, to the important fact that the LIVERPOOL STANDARD IS NOW THE ONLY NEWSPA PE R PUBLISHED WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, which can be read on that day by the thousands of Manufacturers and others attending THE TUESDAY'S MARKET IN MANCHESTER. The STANDARD is taken at all the Newsrooms and respectable Inns in that town and the surrounding manufacturing district. A SECOND .EDITION is published at Half-past Two, in time for the Ncrth Mails, containing the MARKETS, and any news of importance that may arrive in the course of the morning. ett Eibtrpool &tanbatt. TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 16, 1848. A superficial observer, who bad watched the many changes which have occurred during the last few weeks in the materiel of our Government, and the positions of its various officers, would jump at once to the conclusion that we are a marvellously clever race—a people to whom legislatorial ability comes by intuition, instead of having to be attained by long and laborious experience. We have seen noble lords and gentlemen drafted from office to office, with a dexterity which a thimblerigger would envy; the statesman who was yesterday immersed in the details of the India Board, or in the manage ment of the buckhounds, equally immersed to day in the business of the Board ot Trade, whilst another, to "make way" for him, is handed over to the Board of Control, to the War-office, or to a seat at the table of the Railway Commission; and each, apparently quite as much at home in his new duties as if he had been apprenticed to them. There is a change of names and titles at each shuffle of the political pack ; a new distribution of salaries; but the official machinery appears to work just as usual, neither to have sustained damage nor to be driven at a greater speed. There is a growing feeling abroad, however, amongst men who are accustomed to look below the surface of things, which points to a very diffe rent conclusion, to be drawn from this apparent universal aptitude of our legislators for every sort of business. The public are asking the questions, —what can be the value to the country of these costly departments of the Government, which seem to go on equally well whether a wise man or a blockhead is at their nominal head ? How are they constituted ? Whose are the real hands which pull the wires ? These questions will, by and by, have to be answered. We must know something more of the actual working of these departments than the mere fact that this or that ministerial suckling is the ornamental Sir Oracle, upon whom deputa tions have to wait, and who attends in his place in parliament to answer questions, and to be - sponsor for the doings of the unknown conclave inside the mysterious bureau. We must know whom we have to trust and through what channel, poisoned or pure, the small amount of informationthe reports and representations, statistical or otherwise, with which from time to time we are furnished—has had to pass before it reaches the public. For years past, in some of these departments, the existence of an imperium in imperio has been most palpable. The seals of the Colonial Office have passed from hand to hand, from Whig to Coserva: tive, from the enemy to the staunch supporter of colonial interests. Yet the policy of that office has had invariably an anti-colonial leaning. The few measures devised for the promotion of the welfare of the colonist have been cunningly crippled before' they were permitted to see the light, and more effec tually disabled afterwards by the same hostile influ ence. Can it be believed that the legislature would have_been only at this moment informed, through the agency of a committee, of the ruinous consequences of our policy towards our West Indian fellow-countrymen, if the business of our Colonial Office had been honestly conducted—if the masses of evidence, accumulated and smothered in the secret pigeon holes of that office, had been fairly brought before its notice? Would we have now to hesitate between the retracing of our steps, from free trade to protection, or a grant of com pensation •to the ruined planters, if the country had been allowed to contemplate the cost of its free trade policybeforehand--if mawkish sentimentalists and one-sided humanity mongers had not decreed in their own hearts the ruin of these colonies, in stead of their regeneration ? We should not. For years every fact, every missive from colonial autho rity, every representation from the public bodies has had to filtrate through a poisoned channel, before it has reached the ears of parliament and the public; and the result has arrived. We open our eyes at last when the vehicle, whose somnolent influence has been carrying us along so comfortably, has almost reached the bottom of the precipice. We must turn to the Board of Trade, however, for the most glaring instance of the injurious work ing- of these public departments. For years we have been looking to that Board for returns to guide us—for the basis, the facts and the figures upon which we have grounded our estimates of the national prosperity or adversity, and the working of our commercial policy; and most astutely that Board has been advancing all the time the progress of the known opinions, not of this or that minis ter who happened to be at its head, but of two or three of its subordinate and working officials. These gentlemen astounded us from time to time with their tabular statements. Did any member of either house presume to doubt the excellent results of an anti-national commercial policy, he was set tled at once by a report or a blue book. Or were we urged by a minister to go a little further in the work of pulling down, he invariably came ready armed with statistical proof that pulling down was, in reality, building up. Tables of figures and facts were prepared, at a few days notice, and some were on hand, ready cut and fashioned to prove any thing, and as much of it as he liked, provided its tendency was in the right direction. We have it confessed by Mr. M`Gregor that the schedules of the new Tariff Bill itself were drawn up in the Board of Trade, Sir Robert Peel, their reputed father, being only permitted to officiate, as physi cian, in bringing them into the world ; and up to the present moment, surrounded though we are with suffering directly traceable to that measure,. we have offered to us once a month official proof that it is succeeding to perfection ! We have had our eyes, however, at length opened to the fact, as indeed we suspected long ago, that in not one of these carefully compiled documents can we, or ought we, to place the sligthest confi dence ; that they are garbled and one sided throughout. We referred last week to the able ex posure made by Mr. G. F. Young of the very un fair return, printed periodically, and purporting to give the imports of foreign produce and manufac tures, in which, whilst such items as our import . of divi-diVi are carefully furnished us, there is not a line or figure to inform us of the amount of our imports of foreign manufactured cottons , s ilks, woollens, &c. Of course, it would not do to allow the gulled and starving manufacturing operative to learn the extent to which his labour was, day by day, being supplanted by his foreign competitor. It would not do to tell him that the free trade he had been petitioning for meant only French gloves, French lace, French silks, German linens and hosiery, and luxuries cheap for the rich, and want of employ ment and poverty for himself. The gentlemen at the board of trade knew that an honest and full return would show the import of these articles to be increasing ; and that the remnant of protection which was to have kept them hack is utterly power less to effect that object. But such a full report, we repeat, it was not desirable to furnish—for many reasons. It might damage a few political reputa tions, whose owners, not having quite finished their work of destruction cannot as yet spare them. We have still left a shipping interest to be de stroyed; and the day of its attempted destruction is near at hand. A hostile committee has already sat for the purpose of collecting evidence to justify ouch an alteration of the Navigation laws as will amount to confiscation of the property of the Bri tish shipowner. We say for that purpose; for not only was the selection of members of the committee grossly unfair, the proceedings of its chairman and the vice-president of the Board of Trade, those of a partizan, but it closed its sittings, leaving the bulk of the witnesses in favour of the Navigation Laws unheard. We are promised shortly a mea sure, as the result of that committee's (imcomp/ete) inquiry ; and again we have the astute staticians of of the Board of Trade concocting, by a series of returns, a case in favour of the enemies of British industry. To the indefatigable exertions of Mr. G. F. Young, the shipowners of the kingdom are under the deepest obligation for drawing attention to the glaring dishonesty of the returns in question. The series of " statements" to which Mr. Young points, as unfairly concocted to serve a purpose, are contained in parliamentary paper No. 588, of last session, presented to the late House of Com mons on the 30th June, 1847, "by her Majesty's command, purporting to elucidate questionsrelating to shipping, which had arisen out of the evidence given before the select committee then sitting on the Navigation Laws (Mr. Milner Gibson, vice-presi dent of the Board of Trade, chairman), and which are evidently intended to support the testimony just previously given by Mr. G. R. Porter, the then head of the statistical department of that Board. That, however, to which he now particularly directs attention is marked number four in the series, and is entitled "a statement of the tonnage of British ships that entered the ports of the United King dom from different foreign countries and British possessions in each of the years 1824 and 1846; distinguishing the tonnage employed in the trade with British possessions, and which is protected by the Navigation Laws from the tonnage employed in the trade with foreign countries, and which is un- protected from competition with foreign ships." We cannot give the whole document, but shall briefly state the results at which the concoctors of the statement arrive. In the " protected trade" they place the tonnage from the Coast of Africa and Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena and Ascension, Mauritius, British India, British North America, Australia, West Indies, Fisheries, Jersey, Guernsey, &c. ; and the tonnage from all other countries they refer to as " unprotected." The `• protected" ton nage was in 1824, 893,097 tons, and in 1846, 1.735,924 tons, showing an increase of 842,827 tons; or 94.37 per cent. The tonnage, asserted to be "unprotected," was in 1824, 904,223 tons, and, in 1846, 2,558,809 tons, showing an increase of 1,654,586 tons, or-182.98 per cent—nearly double that of our "protected" trade. The object here was clearly apparent ; and it is not to be surprised that the return in question was eagerly seized upon and triumphantly quoted by every journal and par tizan opposed to the Navigation Laws. We now turn to Mr. Young's crushing exposure of the dis honesty of the whole statement " And now, Sir, to the di'proof of this bold but un founded • statement.' Will it be believed that the ton nage employed in every one of the trades enumerated in the column described as 'unprotected trade' is actually protected in a high degree, and in some cases to an extent amounting to exclusion as absolute as that of the colonial trade; and this .by the very laws which are invidiously and, I must add, insidiously represented as applicable alone to the ' protected trades,' enumerated in the oppo site column ? Yet such is the indisputable fact, as an examination of the Act of Navigation will instantly con fi rm. I take the:trade with China as an illustration. It is denominated an unprotected trade, and as such is de scribed as having increased from 28,270 tons in 1824 to 54,593 tons in 1846. Now did the compiler of this docu ment ever hear of a single foreign ship entering the ports of the United Kingdom within the whole period from China ? Was a single ounce of tea ever imported from China for the consumption of this country except in British ships ? Does he doubt that the owners of Ameri can ships would eagerly avail themselves of permission to compete with British shipping in this valuable trade? What is it that prevents them ? The law—What law? Why the Navigation law ! How then, I ask, could the compiler of this ' statement' have the effrontery to make her Majesty tell her Parliament and people, that the trade with China is an unprotected trade, and that therefore it flourishes ? Sir, be must know well that the case is the same with many of the states of South America, and with all that do not possess merchant shipping of their own. Knowing that by the Navigation Laws, goods, the pro duce of foreign countries, are not permitted to be import ed into this country to be used therein, except in British ships, or ships of the country of which such goods are the growth or produce, or in which in some cases they may be found, he cannot but be aware that this restriction, varying, it is true, in effect, in proportion to the tonnage possessed by each country, but acting as an exclusive pri vilege to British ships in some, and ensuring to them a proportion of all, does constitute a great, an efficient, and a valuable protection ; and I confess, that with this know ledge, notwithstanding my experience of the reckless as sertions of political economists, and of the successes they often achieve by, the matchless boldness of their.a.ump tiOnS, it does amaze me that any public functionary of. station and information should have ventured to *ciliate so largely on the credulity or carelessness of his oppo nents, as to have expected that such a misrepresentation could possibly pass undetected or unrebuked. I repeat, because I have proved, that the trades described as un protected for the purpose of depreciating the Navigation Laws, are all really protected by those very laws ; and having thus demolished the fact alleged, I leave the worthless inference deduced to your discriminating judg ment and impartial conclusions." This ought to he sufficient for ever to damn these laboured statistics, as utterly unworthy of credit. Mr. Young adds, however, another prostrating blow : " But I cannot, Sir, suffer the occasion to pass without exposing 'bviefly the distortion of facts for the purpose of misleading and deluding the public, of which these state ments are also full. One illustration may suffice, but it shall be a crushing one. The inward entries from France, which in 1824 were 82.650, will be perceived to have in creased in 1846 to the enormous amount of 556,821 tons. Well, indeed, if this were an unprotected trade, and gave employment to such a tonnage, might free traders cite it, as the ' statistical department of the Board of Trade' has done, as conclusive evidence of the tendency of their sys tem to develop and extend the naval resources of the country. Sir, I have received, while I write, a return laid before parliament, during the present session, on the motion of Lord G. Bentinck, (Parliamentary Paper, No. 28,) and just printed, which tests the real value of this monstrous statement, and must, I think, make the cheeks of its concoctors tingle with confusion. By this return it appears that the steam vessels entered inwards from France, in 1846, were 47 in number ; their tonnage, 7101: and that they were manned by 698 men. These are all included in the ' statement ;' while, can it be believed ? they are absolutely made to figure as 228,189 tons of the British shipping declared to be engaged in the trade with France, and advanced to prove the inefficiency of protec tion, and the propriety of repealing the Navigation Laws !! ! One vessel alone, the Magician, of 96 tons, is I actually made to represent 14,208 tons; and another, the Prince Ernest, of 145, to stand for 24,215 tons, the astounding exaggeration being produced by the calculation including the repeated voyages, which in the former of these cases were 148 in number, and in the latter 167. Sir, I will not comment on this discreditable and almost incredible attempt to deceive the public on the important nuestion on the Navigation Laws; but I en treat you not to forget, when you are examining these re turns, that if you find in the depreciated column 14,000 tons of British shipping engaged in the trade with India, you look at the exponent of perhaps 14 magnificent ships of 1,000 tons each, exhibiting in substantial truththe proved results of our maritime commerce, raised and sustained under the protective policy of our Navigation Laws; while, .if .your eye should glance at an equal amount of tonnage in the opposite and vaunted column, you may, perchance, but be required to take as of equal value for naval security, .some beggerly steamer of less than 100 tons." _ _ Have we, with this evidence before us, been one iota too severe in denouncing this boasted " statis tical department" of the 'Board of Trade as an en gine ready prepared and constituted to mislead statesmen and the country, with respect to the most vital questions upon which they are called upon to decide? We have here an instance of a committee sitting for the purpose of deciding the fate of one of the greatest bulwarks of our country's greatness —her merchant marine—the nursery from which her fleets are manned—the source of the supremacy of the British flag in every sea. The chairman of that committee was the vice-president of the Board of Trade, notoriously a hostile partizan ; the chief witness was the head of the statistical department of that' Board, as notoriously an opponent of the Navigation Laws; and to back up his evidence comes, in the nick of time, this unfair and glaringly incorrect document. Can it be tolerated that such an agency, capable of being thus used to pervert and misrepresent facts so important, should be kept up at the public expense ? Any impartial man will unhesitatingly say "NO." On Tuesday, a fire broke out at Upton Hall, Cheshire, by which a shippon was destroyed, and damage done to the extent of £l5O. Mr. Charles Furnivall, professor of music in this town, has written an opera, in three acts, entitled Minona, for which also he composes the music, and intends bringing it before a Liverpool audience the first opportunity. FIRE IN YORK-STREET. Yesterday evening a fire broke out in the cellar of a labouring man in York-street, but the timely arrival of the fire-brigade soon put a stop to the devouring element. ROYAL. MERSEY YACHT CLUB. — The opening cruize has been fixed for Saturday, the 27th instant. The day for the first sailing match of the season has been fixed for Tuesday, the 13th of June. At the monthly meeting of the Wallasey commissioners, on Thursday, the by-laws which prohibit bathing on the sea beach, in the township, were rescinded by a majority of twelve to four. THE OAK AND THE ASH.—The oak has opened its leaves this spring earlier than the ash. This augurs the approach of a hot and dry summer. On Monday, Win. Davies, of Upper Frederick-street, was found dead in bed. The cause of death was aneurism of the aorta. Mr. George Hudson, who for some years has been a resident in Liverpool, was sent for to London by the Attorney-General, on Saturday, to give evidence as to his alleged claim to the Devonshire estates, in consequence of a memorial sent to her Majesty. At the adjourned special meeting of the Birkenhead commissioners, held on Monday night, the improvement rate for Birkenhead and Claughton was fixed for Is. in the pound, the lighting and watching rate Is, and the sewerage rate 4d., for the township of Birkenhead only. DEATH FROM BURNING.—A few days since some children, the eldest only eight, living in Lace-street, were left alone in the house, when the clothes of one, five years old, caught fire, and she was so much injured that she died on Saturday. . On Sunday week, a prize fight took place at Cabbage hall, for a sovereign. The men fought for two hours and forty minutes, and both having then their eyes closed up, it was agreed to increase the stakes to £5, the men to fight again when sufficiently recovered. At a preliminary meeting of rate-payers in Toxteth park, on Tuesday, it was determined to call a meeting for the purpose of having the docks rated. From the state ment of Mr. Sheppard (the chairman), it appeared that the local rates of the township now amount to 103. in the pound! HANDSOME DONATION.—Mrs. Brown, the widow of the late Thomas Brown, E-q., of Clarence-street, has con tributed £lOO to the funds for the support of the schools in connection with St. Silas Church, in this town, in con sequence of a wish expressed to that effect by her late husband prior to his decease. On Wednesday last, John Jones, a labourer employed at the new tunnel now in course of excavation at Edge-hill, was preparing a piece of rock for blasting, when a poreion of it gave way, and fell upon him. He was killed on the spot. The weight of rock which fell upon the deceased was about two tons. On Monday last, John Hope, aged 33, residing in Cop peras-hill, committed sub ide by hanging himself. The deceased had been for some time complaining of general debility and sickness ; his mind had also been depressed in consequence of the stagnation of trade and other matters. Our advertising columns of this day contain the twenty second report of the Directors of the Standard Life Assurance Company. which must, be highly gratifying to all connected with the Company. We also observe that the directors have opened an office in South Castle street, undei• the charge of Messrs. J. and D. L. Murdoch. On Thursday, Margaret Inglis, of Hunter-street, died from injuries received from being burnt. It appeared that so tar hack as the 19th of January last, she was in the act of passing a table in the house on which there was a lighted candle, that her gown caught fire, and that she was severely burned all over her back. Mr. Ross, F.A.S.S., who lectured, on the 25th of April, at the Portico, on the Druids, has been solicited to deliver an illustrated lecture, on the same subject, to the Arch Chapter and Primitive Lodges of Druids, in this town, of which notice will appear in future advertisements. Mr. Ross' lectures are both instructive and pleasing, and well illustrated by diagrams. The Rev. W. J. Conybeare, A.M., Principal of the Collegiate Institution, has been presented to a valuable living ill the South of England. He resigns his office at the Collegiate at the termination of the current half-year. The pupils of the institution, by whom the reverend gen tleman is highly esteemed, having spontaneously entered into a subscription for the purpose of presenting him with a memorial of their regard. WATER.—We have already stated that the yield of water at the wells of the late water companies has far ex ceeded the estimate of Mr. M'Donald, and therefore egregiously that of Mr. Hawksley. Some of our con temporaries have published figures on the subkTt, hut as the accuracy of these has been called in question (though we have no reason to ouestion it), we will postpone giving any further statement on the subject, until the official calculation appears. TRANSATLANTIC STEAMERS.—The Hibernia, Captain Shannon, took her departure from this port on Saturday. for Halifax and New York, with the usual nails and fifty passengers. The United States Capt. Hackstaff, will leave for New York to-morrow, and the Niagara, Capt. yrie, for Halifax and Boston, on Saturday. The Acadia, Capt. Stone, which would leave Boston on the 3d instant and Halifax on the sth, may be expected to arrive in the Mersey to-day. LECTURES ON ASTRONOMY.—Mr. C. Popham, the emi nent lecturer on astronomy, has engaged the Theatre Royal for four nights in the present week, to give a series of lectures on the sublime and interesting subject of astro nomy, during which he will make plain and comprehen sible a subject too often enveloped with technicalities. From the collection of diagrams, views, and chromatropes, alluded to in Mr. Popham's prospectus, we are led to ex pect that a rational and edifying combination of amuse ment and graphic instruction will be embodied in the lec tures and exhibitions announced in another column. THE BRUNSWICK CLUB.—The rapid progression of this useful tradesman's society, must be alike satisfactory to its conductor and the public. Day by day there. is an accession to its number of members (now 500), and equally proportionate are additional and increased advantages announced. Whiteman is ever on the alert to the com fort of his patrons, and the late untollerably hot weather having suggested a luxury, he has opened the baths in connexion with the Hotel to the members of •the club, on terms most advantageous. Indeed, so numerous now are the privileges of members, _that, ere long we expect to bear of all Liverpool-being subscribers. MR. PAGAN, OF DUTTON HALL, NEAR FRODSHAM.— This gentleman will be known to most of our readers as the eminent cattle salesman, lately resident in Liverpool. He has latterly become a Cheshire farmer, reposing upon the well and honestly earned wealth of his long and active life. The _Dumfries Courier contains a full report of a public dinner of 150 agriculturists in that town, for the purpose of marking the respect they have long cherished for. Mr. Pagan's character, as an extensive purchaser of cattle for the markets of the south, and latterly as the first of the salesmen for Dumfries and Galloway, resident in Liverpool, and of presenting him with an elegant silver jug and cup, suitably inscribed. The proceedings were of the most gratifying character. INTERESTING SPECTACLE.—A few days ago there was an assemblage of steamers in the Cobourg Dock which could not be paralleled in a similar space in any port of the world. The following is the list of the vessels, with an approximation to their tonnage and power :—The Great Britain, 3,500 tons, 1,200 horse power; Niagara, 1,700 tons, 800 horse power; Hibernia, 1,400 tons, 600 horse power ; Caledonia, 1,200 tons, 450 horse power • Hibernia; 680 tons, 370 horse power; Alehonzo (steam frigate), 600 tons, 300 horse power; United States, 2,000 tons, 1,000 horse power—Total 11,080 tons. 4,720 horse power. The six steamers first named are British built, and the United States was built in New York. These vessels form a navy in themselves, with capacity for carrying upwards of 11,000 tons, and with nearly 5,000 horse power. NEW UNITARIAN CHAPEL, HOPE-STREET. —On Tuesday, the foundation stone of the new chapel was laid. The proceedings were opened by Mr. Swinton Boult, the chairman of the congregation of Paradise street chapel. Mr. Barry, one of the architects, followed, who presented the trowel to Mr. Thomas Bolton. After some suitable observations, Mr. Bolton proceeded to lay the stone with the usual formalities, and, when it was de posited, three cheers were given. The Rev. James Martineau next delivered a long address, in the course of which he alluded to the parallelisms and the contrasts in the circumstances under which the foundation stone of this chapel, and the one in Paradise-street, were laid. Mr. J. B. Yates, Mr. William Rathbone, the Rev. Lewis Lewis, severally delivered their sentiments. In the even ing the building committee, under the superintendence of the builders, Messrs. Furness and Kilpin, entertained the whole of the workmen at Mr. Whiteman's Brunswick Hotel. Mr. Kilpin occupied the chair, and the vice-pre sident was Mr. Hornblower. The cost of the building will be about £7500. RECENT FAILURES.—The Courier says—" Observa tions calculated to mislead having been made in connexion with the embarrasments of Sir Thomas Brancker, and also of Mr. Tomkinson, the extensive builder, we have been at some trouble to ascertain the facts, and the cor rectness of the inforination we are about to give may be confidently relied upon. We learn that the difficulties of Sir Thomas Brancker have been chiefly caused by depre ciation in railway shares, and the unfavourable issue of some mining operations in which a considerable portion of his property was invested. The stoppage of the Royal Bank was likewise a source of great inconvenience to him; and as much misrepresentation is afloat on this head, owing to the position which he formerly held with the bank, it is but justice both to Sir Thomas and the bank to state, that his liabilities to the establishment are very small, being under £3,500. And against this the directors hold forty shares, ou which £5OO each has been paid, and which were quoted at the time the bank stopped, at £B5O. With respect' to Mr. Tomkinson, it was not, as stated by a contemporary, his connexion with the Herculaneum estate which caused his failure. From that he had been deriving a large profit. An unfortunate railway contract in Yorkshire, heavy sacrifices arising out of his contract with the Birkenhead Dock• Company, a considerable loss with the assize coura, together with a large outlay upon his Runcorn quarries, and the great difficulty of obtaining money to meet such large engagements, are the causes which have led to the embarrassment of one of our lead ing tradesmen, whose industry and benevolence had been for so many years the subject of admiration, and whose misfortunes every one deplores. Another failure which has excited much sympathy is that of Mr. William Potter, one of our most eminent merchants, a gentleman respected wherever he his known for his high character, and beloved for his amiable qualities. His embarrassments have been caused exclusively by the depreciation of his immense property at Birkenhead." CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER.—On Saturday an inqui sition was held, before the deputy borough coroner, on view of the body of a new-born female child. A woman, named Jane Pearson, was in custody on suspicion. Jane Roberts, who lives in Shannon-street, said the pri soner had been her servant. About seven months ago she appeared bulky, and complained of swelled legs, which she' atttributed to dropsy, and witness entertained no suspicion of her being pregnant. On Thursday evening witness went out, leaving Jane up. On her 'return home she found the accused in bed, and was told by her that she had been very ill, but was much better, and would be enabled to attend to her work in the morning. The accused got up next morning as usual. Witness's suspicions were roused by information she received from a friend, and she went to Jane's room, and, on searching her box, found the body of a full-grown, new-born child, pinned in a piece of rag. Witness taxed her with having delivered herself,. Prisoner did not deny it, and went on her knees,, begging that the circumstance might be kept secret. ISl.r. Burrows, surgeon, who had examined the body, sad that the child was full grown, lie found the ftiee tad neck of a. lipid THE LIVERPOOL STANIIARIi. hue. There was a piece of tape encircling the neck ; tied tightly on the left side. The ends of the tape were car ried round the chin and over the front of the head, and were tied tightly on the left side of the lower jaw. A part of a printed apron, in which the body was wrapped, was thrust tightly into the mouth, and adhered to the lower lip, which was considerably compressed. He found, on a post mortem examination, that, from the floating of the lungs, and other indicatives, the child had been born alive, and, in his opinion, strangulation was the cause of death. He also thought that the cord was tied round its neck while it was living. The jury returned a verdict of "wilful murder" against the mother, and she was sent to the Kirkdale prison, to be hereafter tried for the offence at the next assizes. LOCAL MEETINGS. FEMALE PENITENTIARY.—The annual meeting was held on Tuesday last. The Rev. F. Parry took the chair. It appeared from the report of the treasurer, Jos. King, Esq., that there was a balance against the institution of £199 15s. 3d. The treasurer said if exertions were not made, he would be considerably out of pocket. The ex penses seem to have been economised by the ladies' com mittee. One matron had been discharged, and a change connected with this gave promise of other savings. The" number of inmates was reduced from sixty-five to forty five, though there was no diminution of applicants. 'There have been forty-two applications for admission. The total in the house was eighty-four. Fifteen were restored to their friends in 1847, and nearly the same number since the present year commenced. The average number in the house during the year has been fifty-five. 485 individuals have been restored to their friends from the commencement of the institution. Several extracts from the diary of the ladies' committee were read, giving favourable accounts of the state of the inmates. THE LIVERPOOL AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.—The annual meeting of the friends of this society was held on Thursday evening, in the Concert-hall. John Cropper, Esq., was called to the chair. Mr. Davies, the secretary, read the report, which deduced from the character of the times the necessity for more strenuous efforts to carry out the principles of the bible society. The receipts of the parent society for the week ending March, 1848, amounted to the sum of £90,146 Bs. 4d., being consider ably less than those of the preceding year, at the same time the free contributions from the auxiliaries were £451 I2s. sd. more. The issues of the scriptures for the last year were 1,124,067 copies, making the total issue of the society 20,865.837. The annual subscriptions of the Liverpool Auxiliary Society were £422 10s., being 10s. less than those of last year. The contributions of the Ladies' Branch amounted to the sum of £256 15s. 11., being less than that of the previous year by £127 16s. 6d. The amount received for the sale of books last year was £591 I4s. 71d., less by £514 17s. 7d. than the receipts of the former year. The country associations had con tributed £355 I ls. lid. ' being less by £l3O Is. 6d. than the year preceding. The total amount received by the auxiliary, from all sources, was £2282 2s. Ild., which was £135 less than the average of the last five years; but when compared with the year ending Dec. 31, 1846, it exhibits a deficiency of £723 7s. 6d., stated to arise from a diminution to the extent of £5OO in the sale of books.. The copies of the scriptures distributed by the auxiliary and its affiliated branches were 15,746, and and from its establishment in 1811, 371,136. The report was unanimously adopted, and the meeting was subse quently addressed by the Rev. Mr. Kelly, the Rev. Mr. Carpenter, the Rev. B. Owen, and other gentlemen. THE LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION. —A meeting this body was held on Wednesday at the Clarendon-rooms. Mr. R. Gladstone presided, and ex plained that the meeting had been called to hear the re- - port as to the proposed amalgamation with the National Confederation to bring about the system of direct taxa tion. The report was to the effect that as the National Confederation insisted upon the immediate adjustment of local taxation, the•Fivancial Association could not amal gamate with them, their object being to reduce the na tional burdens and substitute direct for local taxation. It recommended a reduction of the expenditure, a reduction in pensions ar►d sinecures, a diminution in the number of persons employed in the public serrice, and a reduction in the salaries of all persons in the government receiving above £l,OOO per annum, and concluded by recommend ing a considerable alteration in the mode of collecting the taxes. The report having been read, the chairman, after some observations on its contents ridiculed the appoint ment of the Master of the Buck Hounds to the Vice-pre sidency of the Board of Trade. The government did not understand the present position of the mercantile commu nity, and it was for the meeting to say whether they would not chew them their duty in the present emergency. Mr. Boult suggested the propriety of abolishing all excise and customs duties, and substituting a direct taxation. He also referred to the inefficiency of the suffrage, and the un due influence of the House of Lords. After some further discussion, the report was passed, and the sub-committee appointed to arrange the definite objects of the club, and report to a future meeting. - On Friday another meeting of the council of this body was held at the Clarendon rooms, Mr. Robertson Gladstone in the chair. The chair man stated that Mr. Wylie, who had carefully considered the subject, bad drawn up a rough sketch of the plan of financial reform which he conceived the association should adopt and advocate, and which might be referred to a com mittee. Mr. Wylie then read the paper—an address from the council to the public. .It referred to the great amount of the national expenditure, and especially to the increase of £7,200,060 in the estimates since 1835, under the head of "forces," and suggested that., without impairing our army or navy, the outlay in time of peace should he brought down from its present amount, £18,900,000, to £12,000,000. It was also nrooescd to reduce other items—justice. dip lomacy, miscellaneous, &c.,—retaining the 1:28,000,000 on the-national debt, and thus making a total expenditure of £44,000,C00. To do this it was proposed to tax pro perty, and not industry. The value of the real property of the country was stated at. £2,400,600,000, one per cent. upon which would yield £24,000,060, whilst five per cent. upon schedules B, C, D, and- E, of the property-tax was estimated at £4,000,000, which united amount, £28,000,000, it was proposed should be specifically applied' to meet the charge upon the national debt. The other sources of in come were estimated to be (nett expense of collection being deducted) first, stamp•, £6,000,000; spirits, £8,006,000 ; sugar, tea. tobacco, wine, and coffee, (at present producing £15,000,000,) £8,000,000; total, £50,000,000. The taxation should be on articles on which the cost of collection would be the smallest, and the probate and legacy duty on. real. property should be placed, and the duties on certain insurances. be repealed. The repeal of the assessed taxes and excise, with the exception of spirits, was included in the plan, and the revenue of the post-office was to be devoted to the exclusive expense of that depart ment, the surplus to go for reductions on other items. It was hoped that the crown lanes would liquidate the civil list and the expenses of royalty. Mr. Wylie, in conclu sion, quoted a letter from Mr. Cobden, expressing an opi nion that there should be a reduction of taxation of at least £10,000,000.- 7 Messrs. Robertson, Holland, Wylie, and Shiel, were appointed a committee to draw up a plan for the approval of the council, and the meeting separated. TABLES OF MORTALITY. We have received from the registrar-general a return of the mortality in the various districts of England, for the quarter ending March 31st, 1848, from which we glean the following facts : In the districts of the kingdom generally, exclusive of London, the deaths in the winters of the five years 1844- 8, were 32,494, 35,310, 31,332, 40,816, and 41:255. The deaths in the districts of Lancashire and Cheshire in the five winters were 11,368, 12,896, 11,928, 15,557, and 15,444, and nearly equal in the last two years to the deaths in London, althou :h the population was only 1,530,460 in 1841, when the population of London was 1,948,369. Typhus, scarlatina, booping cough, and small pox, were epidemic in many parts of the country. The mortality of Birmitigham, Manchester, and Liverpool, still remains excessively high. The deaths in Birmingham were 1660 ; the population was 138,187 in 1841. Birmingham has, in its site, many advantages in a sanatory point of view ; and the occupations of the people are not insalubrious ; but the beneficence of nature appears to be defeated by the negligence of the authorities. Water, pure air, and a perfect system of drainage are not provided, as they might be, for the whole town ; and the consequence is, that want, and the epidemics abroad, have destroyed thousands of the lives of the inhabitants within the last two years. The fatal effects of collecting large bodies of labourers without adequate house accommodation have been illus trated in Lincoln. The Registrar of the Home Sub-dis trict after remarking that the deaths in the quarter were 161, adds:— "This return shows, that within a period of 21 years, the mortality has been doubled. The fact is accounted for by the increase of a temporary population connected with the forma tion of railways, without a sufficient increase of accommoda tion; which has induced typhus and measles. There have been 19 deaths from fever, 14 from influenza, and 27 from consumption." The mortality in Liverpool and Manchester is still ex cessively high, but not so high as in the winter of 1847. There is a manifest improvement in Huddersfield, Hali fax, Bradford, and Leeds. In Sheffield and York the mortality was higher in 1848 than in 1847. The extent to which vaccination is neglected in some parts of the country is deplorable, and inconceivable. Such facts as the following are, it is to be feared, not un common in other districts besides East Sunderland. "Deaths, 140: considerably above the average; 69 morethan in the corresponding period of last year. The increase is prin- I cipally to be attributed to the prevalence of small pox in the district. 47 persons have died of small pox, (only one after vaccination). Out of the 140 deaths 84 are under the y ears. Here 47 persons, chiefly children, died ; and this im plies that some hundreds besides were injured and disfi gured, by a disease that may be almost altogether pre vented by vaccination; and which the legislature, under the administration of the poor-law, has placed within the reach of every poor child in the kingdom. In St. Martin's district, of Liverpool, there has been a great decrease of mortality, as also in Great Howard street, which, however, may in part be accounted for by the removal of the fever sheds, and the dispersion of the poor who resided in cellars. " Otherwise, ' the report states, " there is no improvement in the health and clean liness of the inhabitants." It adds what is most import ant to be noted, that " Disease and filth abound more in the upper rooms than formerly in cellars." Dale-street and St. Thomas's district are in a healthy state. In Mount-pleasant, the deaths have been fewer than in the last quarter. Fever, however, bas been prevalent an d fatal. In Islington there has been a largely increased mortality, ascribed to the prevalence of pneumonia, bron chitis, typhus, and scarlatina. St. George's is generally healthy, In West Derby the mortality continues above the average, arising from typhus and scarlatina,, but the epidemics are subsiding. In Toxteth-park there is a de crease. The report from this district recommends that cellars allowed to be occupied should, when vacant, be whitewashed with hot lime, lay which, Ree,tileiltial, diseASe would be much lessened, BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMPLETION. The three bills introduced into Parliament relative to the Birkenhead Docks, went before a select committee of the Commons on Tuesday last. The committee included Lord Charles Wellesley, Admiral Bowles, Sir G. Strick land, Sir P. Egerton, Mr. Tollemache, the two members . for Liverpool, &c. A large model of the entire works was placed before the Committee. The Bills were sup ported by Mr. Sergeant Wrangham, and two other bar risters and Messrs. Austin, Talbot, and Venables ap peared for the Liverpool Dock Trustees. The several railways interested in Birkenhead were also represented, as were several petitioners, owners of land, ratepayers, owners of coasting vessels, &c. Mr. Sergeant Wrang ham, in a speech of three hours' duration, supported the bills—entering into all the details of the money already , expended, some of it illegally, by the Dock Commis sioners, the provisional offer of government towards the completion of the works, &c. A sum of £370,000 would be required to accomplish this and pay the outstanding debts. With regard to the coasters, he contended that as neither the admiralty nor the conservators of the river had assented to their view of the case, they had no claim upon the attention of the committee with regard to the northern point of the works to which their petition related. With regard to the petition of certain inhabi tants and ratepayers, he submitted that if they represented the trading public, the arrangement with the crown would be clearly beneficial to them ; for it was the only mode by which the works would be completed, whilst the bar gain was expedient and advantageous. The valuations made by Mr. Stewart showed that the arrangement with the Crown would be advantageous to the Crown, whilst the estimates of Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Rendel estab lished the fact, that the bargain was a provident one as regarded the works. This, however, was a question entirely for the committee. To the petitioners of Sea combeand Wallasey these measures would be eminently advantageous, for they would be represented in the Dock Coinmission by three members. He considered that no valid objection could be made to the chairman of the trust being a barrister, nominated by the Crown, for after what had occurred the Crown ought to have a veto, so long as the Crown advances remained unsatisfied, The present was not a time to consider of an amalgamation with the Liverpool Dock Trustees. - The works must he completed before such a negociation could proceed. He wished the independence of trade on both sides of the Mersey to remain ; and if an union has hereafter to be made, to enter upon its consideration equitably towards both, but the present was not the time to go into the question of amalgamation. It would be most unfortunate if, now that the Crown was willing to stretch forth a help ing hand to complete this vast design, the whole should sink from the want of the necessary funds, caused by the refusal of Parliament to assent to their application. The works could not be completed without the aid of the Crown. Give the Crown permission to act upon its own discretion, well-advised and deliberate as it always was, and a valuable estate, a mighty boon to the commerce of tie Mersey would be created. Refuse it, and all that had been done at so much cost would return to its original chaos—opera interrupta minceque murorum ingentes— and so would end the dream of Birkenhead. The only witness examined this day was Mr. Hookey, harbour-master of Birkenhead, who proved the dues and rates charged on the dockage in Liverpool, upon vessels going to the latter placc after landing cargoes at Birken head. On Wednesday the Committee again met, and Mr. Rendel was examined at great length as to his estimate for the completion of the works. He expressed his opinion that the bargain with Government would be most advantageous to the public, as the works would thereby be completed. The next witness was Mr. Dun can Gibb, who approved of the designs for completing the works, but on the whole his evidence was considered as unfavourable to the promoters.. On Thursday, Mr. Rendel said, in further evidence, that the completion of the upper part of the Pool was essential to the success of the scheme. In reply to questions put by Mr. Cardwell, he said that he considered the security to the Crown to be good, and was surprised that the bond holders did not think so too. Mr. Maynard,.solicitor to the bondholders, said that bondholders to the amount of £390,000 had signified their assent to the arrangements with the Crown. There was but one dissentient—Mr. Wm. Stewart. Mr. Talbot addressed the committee against the rating bill. He considered the effort to obtain the bill most audacious and unjust to the dock estate.. It went to alter the estates of the mortgagers. He considered it a transfer of the security,—an attempt to' get for Birken head what she was not entitled to. He proceeded to show at great length, that, if Birkenhead were, as proposed, converted into a distinct and independent port, the Li verpool Dock Estate would be seriously injured, inasmuch as its tonnage and goods rates would be almost taken away, and the security of the bondholders- destroyed. Mr. Bremley-Moore, on being examined, said, that when the Birkenhead scheme was first promulgated, it was represented that no rates would ever be charged, or any privileges asked for Birkenhead. Reductions had been made in the Liverpool dock rates in the years-1836, 1845,. and 1847, to the amount of £1,400,000; and a further reduction was now going on at the rate of £40,000 per annum. If the present bill were successful, it would operate upon all vessels trading foreign, both inwards and outwards. A vessel of 700 tons entering Birkenhead would pay there Is. lid. per ton. amounting to £39 , 7i. 6d ; she might then go over to Liverpool, remain there four months, and then load outwards by paying 24-d., which would be only £6 11s. 3d., and would leave £32 16s. 3d. in favour of Birkenhead. This was upon the tonnage only, no rates being charged upon coasters. In July, 1847, the foreign rates upon tonnage were £10.852. As suming the whole of the foreign tonnage had gone into the Birkenhead docks, and afterwards passed into the Liverpool docks, there loading outwards, they would have paid £2888; leaving a loss to Liverpool, per month, of £7963. Assuming this system was in operation upon all the tonnage coming to Liverpool, it would make the total loss amount to £209,000 per annum. There would, therefore, be a deficiency of £75,000 upon the interest of the debt. Mr: Marrow, collector of the Liverpool dock rates, produced documents confirmatory of Mr. Moore's. testi mony. The committee then adjourned. The Committee met again on Friday, when Mr. Mere wether opened the opposition on the part of the Cheshire Junction Railway Company, who opposed the bills be cause they had expended a considerable sum of money in opening a railway communication with the docks, in expectation that those docks would not be rated, and that money would not have been laid out if the rates at present proposed had been contemplated. They had also ex pended £BO,OOO on the edge of the great float-, under the belief that a fixed level of thirteen feet was to ba main tained in the float, and unleSs that level was maintained, the company's land would be useless. Mr. John Laird was called, and stated that the railway company had expended £300,000 on the faith of the dock works being carried out in their original integrity, and that they would never have thought of carrying the line to Manchester if they had not believed that the great float' was to be.made into a dock and the rates made as low as possible, in order to compete with Manchester. He had not received any notice of the alteration in the level of the great float. In his opinion the inner and outer works should go on together. If the outer basin was not kept clean by „sluicing from the inner pool it must be kept clean by dredging, which would be expen sive, but how the expense was to be met he did not know. Mr. W. Gibb, member of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, stated that that town took a warm interest in the entire scheme of the docks and railways,.on account of the proposed cheap railways and intended docks, but the proposed rates would change the feeling of Manches ter towards the scheme, inasmuch as they would mar its advantages. Mr. Lowndes then opened the case on behalf of the coasting trade, which ,by the present bills would be de prived of the advantages which they obtained under the act of 1844. _ _ _ Mr. W. Marrow proved that the amount of tonnage dues received from coasting vessels at Liverpool had in creased fifty per cent between 1843 and 1847. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. INFORMATION UNDER THE SANATORY ACT.—On Tuesday, William Byrom, estate agent, Kent-square, agent to Adam Lodge, Esq., of London, was fined £5 for refusing to repair nineteen privies and ten ash-pits in Roper's-row, Lodge-lane. A SAVAGE Doc.—On Tuesday, Thomas Fazakerley, of Bridgewater-street, was fined forty shillings and costs, for allowing a large dog, of ferocious disposition, to go at large. The animal had bitten a little child three times within the last three months. STOWING AWAY EMIGRANTS.—OR Friday, Terence Smith, a tidily-dressed Irishman, was brought before Mr. Rushton, charged with having defrauded a young woman, named Margaret Flynn, out of a sum of £1 4s. 6d. He had offered to secure her a passage to America for £l, and induced her to purchase a large chest, which he at last requested her to get into, that she might he stowed away ! He was discharged on technical grounds, but it will be proceeded against by information. CHARGE OF DAMAGE.—On Wednesday, the owners of the flat Charles, summoned Captain Hackstaff, of the steamer United States, for £7 9s. Gd., amount of damage done by the steamer whilst being removed from the Coburg Dock to the Graving dock. It was the opinion of the pier -head master that the hands on board the flat were to blame, and the other circumstances of the case bearing out this opinion, the case was' dismissed, Mr. Rushton remarking that flatmen were generally very careless, relying more upon the strength of their boats than any thing else. STABBING.—On Wednesday, Elizabeth Wilson was charged with stabbing Margaret Kaye, in Peter-street. From the evidence, it appeared the prisoner went into the house, and going up to Kaye said, " Receive the contents of this, killer of my heart ;" at the same time striking her in the breast with a sharp dagger-knife, seven inches long. Prisoner said, "Now I have had my revenge," then threw down the dagger, but picking it up again, struck Kaye again three times, wounding her so severely that her life is despaired of. The prisoner acknowledged the offence but said she had seen her husband sitting with his arms round Kaye's neck. The witness denied that the prisoner was married, but said that she lived with a man. The prisoner was remanded, in, order to await the result of the injuries inflicted upon Kaye. MISCONDUCT OF SOLDIERY. —On Saturday, Mr. Rushton heard a case in which Mr. Breed, merchant, of this town,. was complainant, an Michael Brennan, Pay sergeant of the 43rd re g iment, Michael Cassidy his orderly, and two privates of the same- corps were defendants. On the 22nd March, the two, first-named defendants were billeted upon thri housa of. Miss Keale, who keeps the Commercial Cee'ee-house, in Dale-street, and came in the afternoon, when thn rooms were full of gentlemen, dining CO: taking 'Rink, r.oll4,thirtY to fifty soldiers came along Nay 10, 184 g. with the sergeant, filling the kitchen and front passageE. Miss Kcale remonstrated against,so unusual an intrusion at the busiest hour of the day, but the orderly swore at anti was very insolent to Miss Keale, and refused to leave. During the excitement Mr. Breed came for a lunch, and was requested by Miss Keale to interpose, which he did but ineffectually, as the men refused to furnish any in formation. On leaving he again asked the men their names, when the sergeant ordered two of the soldiers to take hold of him and put him out, which they did by force. Mr. Rushton said Cassidy had behaved in a very bad manner, but over his conduct he had nojurisdiction. The sergeant it appeared was a man of good character. He expressed his regret at what had occurred, but he was much excited and could not get on with his work. The other men were allowed to go, but Mr. Rushton inflicted a fine of £5 on the sergeant, or a month's imprisonment. The fine was paid. SHARP PRACTICE.—John Hughes was summoned by the Gas and Coke Company on Tuesday, at the Police court, for a sum of money said to be due. The case turned upon a dispute of 145., the defendant stating that. he had been insolvent. and owed the company some money. He commenced business again, paying the sum in question on the new account, but the company cleverly credited the old account with it, and wanted it paid again. Several papers were handed in, and the collector did his best to throw dust in the magistrate's eyes, but missed his object. Mr. Rushton said it was very dexterous, but would not do. They might call it ability, but he called it cunning. The claim was disallowed. HEARTLESS CASE OF SWINDLING.—CAUTION TO COUNTRYMEN.—On Thursday, three men, Liver, Col lins, and Frith, were brought before Mr. Rushton, charged with having defrauded a Yorkshireman named William Frith of £4O. The complainant, a respectable small shop keeper, thinking the sea air would benefit his wise, who was ill, to leave Yorkshire and take a shop in Liverpool.. For this purpose he sold up his stock, and came here on foot, arriving here on Friday week. He brought with him only a sovereign and some small amount in silver. Not finding a place to be let that would suit him, he strolled about the docks, where he met two-of the prisoners, who claimed acquaintance with him as belonging to the same county, and gained his confidence by the mention of the names of parties in that county whom he happened to know. They all adjourned to a public-house, and there the third prisoner, who pretended to be quite a stranger to the others, made his appearance, and said he had had left to him £2,300 by an uncle, and had come from the country to secure it. The others affected not to believe him, and he then produced a pocket-hook containing £3O in notes (flash), which he said he had already received as part of the legacy. He added that if any one would shew him that he was worth £5O, he would lend that amount on se curity of a promissory note. The complainant, after some further conversation with the parties, put down his sover eign as a guarrntee that he would produce the sum on the Monday following. The silly man then went to Yorkshire, and raised the sum by borrowing it from neighbours. He returned to Liverpool on Monday, in company with his wife, and found one of the prisoners waiting for him at the railway station. The others afterwards came up, and they all went to a public-house in Circus-street. There the parties induced him to deliver up his £4O; and to accompany one of them to purchase a stamp for the promisory note. The man, however, made an excuse to leave him for a short time, and did not retur n ; an d, on going back t o the public-house, he found that the others had decamped with his money. On Thursday, two of the• detective police who had received information, succeded in capturing the three offenders. In the house of one . ol' them was found a gold watch and £lO. The complain-• ants wife had strongly advised him not to advance the. money. Two of the prisoners are said to be beer-house. keepers. They were committed for trial at the sessions.- One of them had the effrontery to request the watch and money to be delivered up- to his wife. Mr. Rushton.— No, they shall go to the complainant as a dividend for the loss he has sustained. I , cannot order it, hut, at the trial, I shall make application to that effect.—The prosecutor thanked Mr. Rushton for his kindness, and the prisoners were sent to gaol. Dist rut f--).elys. Dr. Watts was elected physician to the Manchester Royal Infirmary on Thursday. The Preston corporation are going to erect a covered market within the space bounded by Fishergate, Lune street, and Friargate. The ten hours' bill has been well received by the manu facturing operatives, and is working well for the interests both of masters and men. BOLTON. — Nearly all the cotton mills in this town have been running the full time allowed by law during the pre sent week, and the ten hours' bill being now in operation, there appears to be a reasonable hope that the trade will keep in this improved state. HORRIBLE DEATH.—On Thursday, Luke Ketton, ahoy ten years of age, was accidentally.-run over at Long Sutton, Lancashire, by one of Croskill's patent clod crushers. He was attempting to get up to ride,, when he overbalanced himself, and fell beneath the rollers, the spiked points of whicji literally tore him to pieces on the spot.—Notting ham Journal. A tea-party, in commemoration of the passing of the Ten Hours Bill, will be held in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on Wednesday, the ifh of June. It is ex pected that Lord Ashley, Mr. J. Fielden, late M.P. for Oldham, the Hon. W. Cowper. one- of the lords of the Admiralty, Mr. C. Hindley, M. P., Ashton, Mr. Brother ton,_ and Mr. Oastl er w ill b e p resen t. REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.—A rabbit has made her nest beneath one of the sleepers on the Lancashire and Preston Railway at Cadley, about four-miles from Preston. When the workmen discovered 'the nest there were four young ones in it, but on Sunday week it was found that some one had stolen them. Of all the places for a quiet retreat a situation under a railway sleeper appears to ill the most unlikely, though it s eems th a t littl e " b unn y' thought otherwise. CHESTER SPRING MEETING.—The receipts at the grand stand during the four days were £1,40212., being an ex cess h overthe m t b h e e r of proceedsof passengerslast a taken to l)uring the Chester eb past e y ss th o e f ß s l T r Be k el2s enhead railway was 8,789, of whom 4,589 ar rived on Wednesday, the " cup day." On the setae day the Shrewsbury.and Chester trains took 1,020 passengers, and the Bangor about the same number. The total num ber of passengers taken to the Chester station from all lines was 50,170; of horses, 256; of carriages and vans, 26. EMPLOYMENT IN MANCHESTER. — Trade generally has not this week been so promising as was anticipated a few days ago, but still there is no cause of, complaint, as, on the whole, there is much more activity than was experien ced weeks ago. The gloom is not so palpable as during the past months, although it is, the opinion of most prac tical-men that some time must elapse • before it wholly disappears. Employment has this week.been given to an increased number of hands, both in the staple trade and in other branches connected with manufactures ; yet still there are more than 8,000 hands wholly. out of employ ment. STRANGE PROCEEDINGS.—On Monday, eight paupers were charged before the magistrates at Lancaster, with climbing the walls of the workhouse, and absconding themselves without leave, refusal to work, and otherwise misconducting themselves. It appeared that on the police proceeding to the workhouse to apprehend them, they made a vigorous stand, barricading their bedroom win dows and doors. The police were compelled to break open some of the doors, and it was not till after a chase was had after a few of them that they were captured. The case was proved against all of them, with the excep tion of Smith. The prisoners pleaded in extenuation of their offence too scanty allowance of food. Smith was discharged, and the others were committed to the Pres ton House of Correction, with hard labour, for 21 days. FESTIVITIES AT HIGH LEGH.—On Monday last, High Legh was the scene of great festivity, being the day on which the infant heir to the estates of his father, George Cornwall Legh, Esq. was first introduced to the birth place of his long line of ancestors. The infant having been born in London on the last day. of 1847. He was met and greeted on the auspicious occasion of his first visit to High Legh, by the numerous tenantry on horse back, and some hundreds of persons from the neighbour ing towns and viliages. The day being fair, after a nice shower of rain in the morning, added much to the pictu resque appearance of the place, and every one seemed delighted with the object they had come to witness, viz., to welcome the little stranger home. The procession started from the hall at half-past three o'clock, in the following order;—first, two banners ; on the first banner ' was "Long life and happiness to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwall Legh," and on the other were the arms of the family. Then followed a band of music, tenantry on horseback, tenantry on foot, labourers, work-people, &c. THE REV. MR. GER MON'S ROBBERS.—The official in quiries as to this roblery are, we believe, still pending, with what result, as concerns O'Brien and Connolly, the public are extremely anxious to be acquainted. We have been able to glean little available information since our last, but we may state that the watch stolen from the Rev. Mr. Germon has been recovered, and that is now in the pos session of Mr. Superintendent Leary, of the Manchester police force. Although in possession of tolerably accurate information as to the circuitous and tortuous way in which' it has been traced and passed from hand to hand, we are precluded at present from saying more than that it was delivered up by the Rev. Carberry, the Popish priest,- to Mr. D. Lee, a magistrate of this city, who handed it to. Captain Willis, by whom it was in turn given up to Mr.. Superintendent Leary. It is asserted, with what truth we' leave the public to believe, that the watch has bees ill' Manchester ever since it was . stolen and that the pets°' who had possession of it never heard of the robbery • Such is the only account given by. the Rev. Carberry- Let us hope, however, that through the active e xertions. of Mr. Leary the whole mystery may shortly be cleare d up, and despite the jugglery of the confessional, in.which it is sought to bury all trace of tl.e guilty, both the robbers. and the receivers may be brought to justice.—Manchest er Courier. [The Manchester Guardian says that there is little doubt of the guilt of O'Brien and Conully of the crime of which they stand convicted.] CHEAPNESS BUT NO PLENTY.—As an evidence of this we give the following extract from a letter from a high l y respectable mercantile house at Liverpool :—" We 9 e, really very bad here, partly owing to the blockade of t " _ Elbe, which closes all export of bale goods. t o ,. northe r ! Germany, and partly owing to rumours here, whicharel be true, for continued heavy losses on all imports, to the losses last year, must cause a fearful waning of means, and bring down many houses. Cotton is ter rible, The losses on the imports this week will not. T ; less than £lOO,OOO, and what comes on American aceell,',, will not return to the planters more than 21 cents p e ll t c , for an article they cannot grow under 6 cents. W ill the n 1 : 9 continue to produce just to gratify,our love of c heapig!.... It will resolve itself into ultinote dearness. The 11):7 11 chester school have attained s their object--‘cheaplie s , °4 o.o sides, but are worse off 14en, when cotton was dertviv___.. price; for now, howerer.cbeap they purchase the et a terial, they Gannet., firuk buyer* when, it, 14 se" woven.