The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-08-15 00:00:00

'TO ADVERTISERS. respectfully to call the attention of iict.rdzants, Brokers, Auctioneers, and others, the important fact that the LIVERPOOL STANDARD IS NOW THE ONLY NEWSPAPER ETBLISHED WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, ran be read on that clay by the thousands 9f Manufacturers and others attending THE TUESDAY'S MARKET IN MANCHESTER. lae. STANDARD is taken at all the Newsrooms and respectable Inns in that town and the ,mounding manufacturing district. SECOND EDI 7 lON is published at Half-past Tvn, in time for the North Mails, containing the _ - .IEARKETS, and any news of importance that ,nay arrive in the course of the morning. Ebr Ribrrpoot &tantiarZi. TUESDAY MORNING, A UG. 13, 1348. THE motion brought by Mr. Ewart before the 331.r - ise of Commons on Tuesday night, for a " re :a' on of our present system of taxation, especially a view to extend the commerce of the country ;nod to increase the employment and comforts of - tree people," suggests one of the most important 4;e3lljects to which Parliament can devote its atten tion during the recess. Our present fiscal system - is one of the most anomalous pieces of patchwork to be found in any country. It was framed origi lazily, bit by bit, without the slightest expectation -of its. becoming permanent; successive Ministers 'limed upon whatever form and object of taxation ewred most likely to supply the wants of the - moment; and, when we set about reducing its - magnitude, a very slight discretion was used in *dotting where the knife was to he applied. We remitted this or that duty, in preference to dealing -iriith the system as a whole system, because it re presented the amount which we could spare at the lime, or because some party in office had pledged simself to the particular subject of the community most interested in its remission. We have, in fact, oustematically pursued the very course most likely to prevent a comprehensive effort of remodification 'tieing attempted, by cutting away inconsiderable - items, reducing our income to the margin of our 'ependiture, and thus leaving the larger items, IG , tla of customs and excise, untouched, because we were not in a position to risk a possibly large 41efuliency. To some extent it may be said that Sir Robert Peel's revision of the tariff was a corn 3rrehensive measure. But even that measure was crae-sided. It was not so much a modification of taxation as a measure for the encouragement of the manufacturing interest, and a bid for the trade 't the foreigner, at the expense of British industry. We are not at all inclined to enter into this ques tion with the'same views professed by Mr. Ewart maul the party of whose opinions he is the repre sentative on this occasion. We cannot see our way clearly to a system of direct taxation, which van be adopted to fill up any large breach made in the national revenue. The experience of the past session of Parliament has shewn us with what un -willingness direct imposts are submitted to ; and Ice - know how unwillingly our present direct taxes are paid. Moreover, it is a principle in political mconorny, now pretty generally acknowledged, that moderate import duties fall as much upon the 'Eoreign grower and producer as upon the home m:osumer. The object, therefore, we apprehend, of any minister who is induced to attempt the ask of dealing with our system of taxation, must lee to avoid, as much as possible, the unpopularity ,c,r any large increase of direct taxation, and to seek for articles of taxation upon which reductions - may be made, which will promote consumption, said thus save the revenue from any large diminu tion, and, at the same time, of which the benefits will be directly felt by the mass of the people. .11 arti 1 , 1 rritsr% sok art hickni- 4.e. *h. VtirtOMS, is that of tea, a reduction of the duties :ten which will be felt as a boon to every consumer, mild will promote the increased morality of the 'people, whilst it will give an incalculable impulse to our commerce with one of the most populous , countries in the globe. A few other articles may be beneficially dealt with in the same manner; and amongst the first of these we may mention French wines, the substitution of which in tbis Imnintry for some of our more potent and stimula ting drinks would be most grateful to a large por gen of our middle classes. 'Bat we would not confine ourselves, as appears to be the favourite object with our political econo rlinitrts of the free-trade school, to the customs de partment of our revenue. There is much to be achieved in the way of benefit to the community, by a few judicious changes in the duties levied under the heads of excise and stamps; and espe cially as regards some articles, the manufacture of -which is injuriously affected by the interference of - the officials engaged in collecting the revenue de rived from them. Amongst these are the duties -on soap and paper, both of which are impolitic, as hindering the spread of cleanliness and of know ledge, and at the same time preventing improve ment in the processes of manufacture. The win ' ow tax might, with infinite sanitary advantage, Ike removed; and we should most gladly be able to afford a remission of the duty on advertisements, :and cheapen the poor man's dwelling, and at the Tame time add to the amount of his industrial , occupation, by abolishing the duty on bricks. In the stamps department, without entering at present into the much-mooted question as to the justice or injustice of the l egac y an d p ro b a t e du iles, we feel assured th a t a cons id era bl e modifica t3on might be made, and important benefit con ferred upon the community, w ith ou t a f ar thi ng o f toss being incurred by the revenue. The taxes .mapon conveyances of small properties, by way of mortgage or absolute sale, are enormous, and de :eat their own object, so far as revenue is concerned. Whey are glaringly out of proportion to the taxes upon large properties, and also to those upon mer •Acantile transactions; and operate as a serious dis .4couragement to investment in the soil, or in build ings, by parties engaged in business, on account of the cost of rendering such investments available -on any sudden emergency. If all that is desirable to be remedied in these departments cannot be Zone at once, let a portion be attempted; but let that attempt be made in a bold and comprehensive fphit. Let us have a modification of some of the ;most productive items, rather than attack this or hat petty impost, the existence of which is scarcely felt, and thus tie up our hands for years from grappling with duties of greater amount and im iortance. There is another question—and an important -one—which we should gladly see occupy more of :die attention both of Parliament and the public. Ntre refer to the cost of collecting our revenue, and the constitution of the boards of customs and ex rise. We should like to see the boards in question made more immediately responsible to Parliament, zud a little light occasionally thrown upon their proceedings. and especially, so far as the Board of Customs is concerned, to know the rule by which their appointments are regulated. We did expect o have seen the whole subject of our system of taxation entered upon by the Financial Associat ion :of Liverpool, as one peculiarly fitted for the conF oleration of the members of a great commercial icommunity—infinitely more fitted for it than in 'quiries into the pension list, and semi-chartist Atttacks upon the Royal expenditure. Would that iiey would take our well-meant hint ! PRESENTATION.--Mr. ll`Vitie, station master at Wam libray, Caledonian railway, having for a considerable time, with the full consent of the session authorities, been at - much trouble in transmitting a letter bag, and thus con 'erring an obligation upon the district, was recently pre ented with a handsome family Bible, as a token of respect -.and gratitude. An elegant set of china was at the same time presented to Mrs. M'Vitie. CRICKET.—A match between the St. Helen's and iivertonClubs was play e d on W e d nes d ay , on t h e groun d -of the former, which terminated, after a very spirited :contest, in favour of the St. Helen's Club. On Friday a %match was played between the Liverpool and Wrexham clubs, on the ground of the former, Liverpool winning by .17 runs. On the 2nd, 4th, and 10th instant, a match - .between the Kensington and Olympus clubs was played, lon-the ground of the latter, which terminated in favour of athe Olympus by 47 runs. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. VICE CHANCELLOR'S COURT.—FRIDAY. (Before Sir J. L. Knight Bruce.) EX PARTE HIGGINSON. IN RE HIGGINSON. The object of the petition in this case was to annul a fiat against a bankrupt, who had consented to become surety for debts amounting to £113,000, and for which he had given his guarantee to the Royal Bank of Liverpool. The debtors to the bank were Messrs. Barton, Irlarn, and Higginson, the latter partner being brother of the bank rupt whose petition was before the Court. From the affidavits it appeared that the bankrupt was to have re ceived, as a counter-security for his guarantee in respect of the sum of £60,000, an assignment of some ships belonging to the Messrs. Barton and Co., as registered owners. It was admitted that this assignment had not been registered. It did not appear clearly from the evi dence whether the Royal Bank of Liverpool had made it part of their terms of accepting the guarantee of the petitioner that he should, if necessary, realise the security of the ships so assigned. Messrs. Barton, Irlarn, and Higginson became bankrupt on the 13th of November, 1847, in consequence of their non-payment of the amount due to the Royal Bank of Liverpool. in July list a fiat was issued against the petitioner, who had previou.dy taken proceedings in equity for the purpose of restrain ing the Royal Bank from making him a bankrupt, under the Bth section of the Ist and 2d Vict., c. 110. An ex parte injunction for this purpose:had been granted by the Vice Chancellor of England. A motion to dissolve it had been refused, The Lord Chancellor, on appeal, had, however, dissolved it. It was contended, in support of the petition, that the Royal Bank of Liverpool ought not to have made Messrs. Barton, Irlam, and Higginson bankrupts without giving notice to the present petitioner (their security), so as to enable him by registering the assignment to prevent the ships, which were the subject of it, passing to the assignees of Messrs. Barton and Co., Vie reputed owners ; and that by neglec ting to give such notice, they had, contrary to equity, withdrawn from the petitioner his counter-security, and then made him a bankrupt in respect of his own guarantee. It was also argued, first, that the Ist and 2d Vict., c. 110, sec. 8, was substantially repealed by the sth and 6th Vict., c. 122, sect. /1 ; and, secondly, that under the second act the public officer of the bank could not make the requisite affidavit of debt. His Honour thought the grounds mentioned for annul ing the fiat were moral merely, but not amounting to equitable grounds. The objections in point of law must and could be only decided by an action, and he ordered the case to stand over until that had taken place. Father Mathew has accepted an imitation to a soiree in Liverpool, previous to his embarkation for America. The Royal Colosseum is, it is said, about to be removed from London to Birkenhead. The new landing-stage will be removed 100 yards fur ther north at noon to- day. The committee appointed by the Liverpool shareholders in the Dutch Rhenish Railway, have recommended a me dium course between that pursued by Mr. Reid and that of the Liierpool deputation. FIRST FRUITS OF THE " PIKE."—A correspondent of the Mercury states that the claims made by Capt. Francis against the Corporation, for gauging the water at Riving ton Pike, is something like three thousand pounds ! ! A very beautiful aurora borealis appeared in the neigh bourhood of Liverpool, on Tuesday night, between twelve and one o'clock ; and several shooting stars were also seen by the persons who observed the aurora. ARTILLERY BARRACKS AT LIVERPOOL.—The Board of Ordnance have ordered sheds to be erected at Liverpool, at an expense of £4OO, for the permanent accommodation of an entire company of the Royal Artillery. On Wednesday, Jane Farin, a child two weeks old, daughter of parents living in a street at the north end of the town, died suddenly. The cause of death was suffo cation, supposed to be from being overlain. Among the party of insurgent leaders who appeared near the Silver Mines, Ireland, was a General Mack manus, who comes from Liverpool, and for whose arrest the authorities are very solicitous. On Tuesday, John Hayes, an apprentice on board the ship Ann, lying in the Canning Dock, was leaving his vessel, when he fell from the stage into the dock, and struck his head against some steps. He died about three hours after the accident. On Thursday morning a pbteton, belonging to Mr. Thomas, of the Stork Hotel, was so injured, by coming in contact with the opposition omnibus to the Old Swan, that the horse took fright, and ran at a rapid pace down Manchester-street, and up St. John's-lane. Happily, the only injury was the smashing of the vehicle. NORTH AMERICAN MAILS.—The steam-ship Britannia, Captain Lang, sailed from Liverpool on Saturday after noon for Halifax and Boston with the usual mails and a large number of passengers. The homeward mails by the steam-ship Hibernia, Captain Shannon, which would leave New York on the 2nd and Halifax on the sth inst., are now due. NEW PATENT.—In the list of patents granted in July is the name of Charles Purnell, of Liverpool, dock-master, who has taken out protection for curtain improved appa ratus to be applied to timber-loaded and other vessels laden with materials, the specific gravity of which is lighter than water—preventing the necessity of abandoning them at sea, by ridding them of the superincumbent water, and enabling them thereby to carry sail. At the Wesleyan Conference a letter was read from Mr. Michael Ashton, of Liverpool, stating that, on ac count of his health, he was under the necessity of resign ing his office as one of the treasurers of the Contingent Fund. Dr. Beaumont paid a well-merited tribute of praise to the services which Mr. Ashton had so long ren uerea, anti constaerea min, in every way, worthy of the warmest affection of the Conference. FIRES.—Early on Saturday morning, a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Kelly, ship bread-baker, Liver street, which did about £lOO worth of damage.—On Sa turday night a fire broke out in a warehouse in Blundell street, sub-let to various tenants. Only the part occupied by Mr. Tyrer as a cooperage sustained any very serious damage. The exertions of the police are spoken of in high terms by Mr. Tyrer, Mr. S. Abbot, cabinet-maker, and other occupiers of the premises. REVIEW OF THE TROOPS.—On Wednesday, the vari ous troops encamped at Everton, were reviewed by Major General Sir William Warre. They consisted of the 81st and 46th regiments, and one troop of the fourth dragoons. There was also a battery of artillery. The troops were put through a variety of military exercises, in which they acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of the Major General, who expressed himself well satisfied with their general discipline and efficiency. A great number of per sons were on the ground. We are glad to perceive that the yachts of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club have been highly successful at the late regattas in Ireland. The Bacchante, 80 tons, IL L. Jones, Esq., won the 100 guinea prize given by her Majesty at the Kingstown regatta. The Drift, 55 tons, won the Railway prize of 40 guineas, and the Enigma, 25 tons, E. Rodgett, Esq., won another prize. The Drift and Enigma also won at Belfast. There are now belonging to the Royal Mersey Yacht Club some of the finest yachts in the kingdom, and we cannot but consider that the promotion of the scientific art of yacht sailing fostered by this club is a credit to the town. BIRKENHEAD POOR RATES.—THE LIVERPOOL COR PORATION SUMMONED.-011 Thursday the Corporation of Liverpool were summoned before Sir Edward Cust and J. S. Jackson, Esq., for non-payment of poor rates due on the Birkenhead Ferry and the adjacent premises. The ferry, hotel, and premises had been rated at £1202, which amount was objected to in consequence of the hotel being unoccupied. The Corporation offered to pay on the value of £6OO for the ferry, and £lOO for the tap and stables. They were also willing to pay after the rate of £3OO for the hotel when occupied. Sir Edward Cust said he thought the offer of the Corporation fair and handsome, and the overseers acquiescing in this view, the rate was reduced accordingly. SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE.—A meeting of the mem bers of this valuable institution took place. at the rooms in Mount-pleasant, on Friday evening last, for the pur pose of forming a discussion class. Between thirty and forty of the members attended, and the business was gone through with much satisfaction to the meeting. A few rules were suggested and passed for the future guidance of the class, and a committee elected to carry out the resolu tions. A somewhat lengthy conversation took place as to the appointment of the president, it being deemed a mat ter of vital consequence to the prosperity of the class. Mr. C. R. Hall was ultimately chosen by a considerable majority. Mr. Joseph Hammond was afterwards elected secretary. _ _ MR. GRAHAM, THE TRAGEDIAN. — The benefit of this accomplished actor comes off to-morrow, Wednesday, evening, when we have no doubt, from Mr. Graham's talent and the rich bill of fare he has published, that he will have a crowded house. Mr. Graham's efforts during the last fortnight have drawn enthusiastic applause from delighted audiences at theßoyal Amphitheatre. Last week he played as Leontes, in the " Winter's Tale," and Hamlet. In both characters he appeared to great advan tage. In the latter performance, which certainly calls forth all the powers of the best actors, he was very effective in the closet scene with his mother, in which he was " to speak daggers but use none." It was throughout an ex cellent piece of acting. His soliloquies, in which the play so much abounds, were also well, and even elegantly delivered. TROOPS AT EVERTON.—We have seen, with considera ble surprise, the announcement of the formation of a camp at Everton. Our youthful feelings have experienced a severe shock from this startli ng i n t e lli gence . Everton is associated in our minds with every thing sweet, and we shudder at the possibility of the toffee districts being pro claimed. There has been a rumour of a rising among the hard-bake population, and five hundred bullets (disguised as brandy-balls) have been seized by the police, as well as a million squibs, which, upon having the outer coating sucked off them, turned out to be made of explosive ma terials. Something has been said about drilling in this quarter, and the formation of squares ; but we have ascer tained that the formation of squares is a very harmless practice with reference to hard-bake, to which the process has been limited.—Punch. CHINESE WORLD IN MINIATURE.—We are glad to find that the interesting and instructive exhibition at present on view on the site of the Old Islington Market is pa tronised as it ought to be by our intelligent townspeople. The enterprising collector deserves such encouragement. After years of patient study, he has gathered thousands of objects illustrative of Chinese life and manners, all of which, from the colossal figures of the Chinese idols, 11 feet high, to the minutest specimens of natural history, are well worthy of frequent inspection. An extraordinary in sight is obtained into the mental and moral qualities of the Chinese, as every thing in their moving and living world is here displayed "all the same as old Canton." Every visit has only increased our wish to go again, and, as the collection deserves painstaking investigation, we recommend all par ties who wish to investigate its wonders and gather suitable information on the subject to possess themselves of season tickets. We feel persuaded that no one who does so will be sorry for our hint when Mr. Langdon removes his won derful exhibition. EQUITABLE RATES.—III conietmence of the rejection, by the Town Council, of the proposal of their own com mittee on the question of rates, to assess all the Corpo rate and Dock property within the parish, a meeting was held on Wednesday, of the Equitable Rating Committee appointed by the last annual Vestry, when it was resolved to adopt means for obtaining a fuller and more deliberate decision of the Council on the two points separately, and also for inducing the parochial authorities to convene a Special General Vestry of the parishioners on the subject. NEW TELEGRAPH.—The model of a new system of telegraphic communication was exhibited on Friday in the Liverpool Underwriters'-rooms. The apparatus and the principle upon which the system is based are each ex tremely simple ; the former consisting of gutta percha tubes containing water, which water, when raised at one end of the tube by pressure applied at the opposite ter minus, signifies various given signals, according to its greater or lesser elevation. Practical experience would demonstrate, we believe, however, that gutta percha is a substance much too liable to contraction or expansion from the state of the atmosphere; and the same objection applies equally to the water enclosed therein. RATES OF KIRKDALE TOWNSHIP.—A memorial from the ratepayers of Kirkdale has been sent to the Town Council, complaining of the heavy local rates laid upon the township, and earnestly calling the attention of the Council to the actual necessity of affording the township some alleviation in at least two of the rates, the paving and the general rates. The memorialists suggest the practi cability " of extending over a period of two years the rates now laid for one, as they feel persuaded that this would be sufficient, underjudicious and economical management, to meet the exigencies of the township for that period, and would also tend very materially to check the disastrous consequences which have been mentioned as already de veloping themselves." THE CAMP AT EVERTON.—The camp not only remains at Everton, but it has this week received a numerous acces sion to its occupants. The 46th regiment, which replaced the 9th, numbers about 800, and to these have been re cently added three companies of the 81st. two com panies of dragoons, and a strong force of artillery. In all, there are at present stationed in this neighbourhood something more than 1,000 men, and it is expected that the whole of the 81st regiment will pitch their tents with the 46th. The presence of so considerable a body of military has, of course, given full confidence to the moat timid of the inhabitants, and set at rest whatever appre hensions might have been entertained of the insurrec tionary animus of a portion of the Irish population ; while,on the other hand, it has furnished the desideratum of a novel sight to all those who disbelieved in the dan ger, and still question the propriety of the recourse to such a defence. The district around the fields at Everton swarms each day with visitors. AFFRAY WITH THE POLICE AT WEST DERBY.—We regret to state that. on Monday, a very serious assault was committed on the county constabulary at West Derby. The facts, as far as we have been able to glean, are as follows :—A benefit society, bearing the name of " The Women's Club," held its annual festival on Monday, at one of the inns in the village, and the jovial guests did not separate till " the wee short hour ayont the 'twat." Seveaal, of course, were intoxicated, and their uproari ousness led to interference by the police. The constables were attacked and severely beaten, and one of the force so much injured that he has since been confined to bed seriously ill. Five persons, Wm. Gore, Thomas Case, John Gore, James Forbes, and Joseph Thompson, were subsequently arrested ; and, with the exception of the former, for whom bail has been accepted, now lie in Kirk dale gaol to answer for the offence. There is said to be evidence to prove that the attack on the police was pre meditated. The prisoners have already undergone one examination before the county magistrates here, and we learn that they will be again brought up to-day. A MAN SUFFOCATED.-011 Friday morning, Thomas Perry, in the employ of Mr. Rose, the contractor for re moving night soil, was suffocated whilst in the act of clearing a place in a court in Blenheim-street. It is pre sumed that, by agitating the mass of decomposed matter which filled the tunnel, a quantity of gas had been sud denly evolved, by which the poor fellow's life was destroyed. He was a native of Liverpool, 46 years of age, and has left a widow and seven children, the youngest of whom is only three months old. lhe tenants of the adjacent houses, who have only access to the offices connected with the ash-pit, by a covered passage, state that they are frequently conmpelled to quit the houses, owing to the intolerable stench which proceeds from the place, and have never been free from sickness since they resided there, but do not know where they would be better among houses of that class. In another tunnel, in a different neighbourhood, six of the nightmen attempted, on the three last nights, to enter for the purpose of cleansing, but were unable to proceed, three of them having been taken out in a state of insensibility. THE BRAZILIAN FRIGATE "ALroNso."—This fine vessel made her trial trip on Tuesday. She was got out of the dock about five o'clock in the morning. At that time Admiral Grenfell, and the officers and crew, together with the splendid brass band belonging to Mr. Hick, were on board. She sailed out as far as the Black Rock and back, and then waited to take on board a number of ladies and gentlemen. This done, the engines were set to work, and she made a beautiful start at about half-past seven. She sailed away along the Welsh coast, within a short dis tance of Holyhead, occasionally firing her 64-pound guns, and the band playing some beautiful overtures, also seve ral sets of quadrilles, waltzes, and polkas, to which a number of the ladies and gentlemen on board kept good time in the merry dance. In this pleasing manner the day was spent, the vessel being brought into the river again almut. .4- raelit, when all the visitors went on shore, highly gratified with the treat they bud lied on board, and expressing their very great satisfaction with the working of the engines in every respect. The band and a number of friends repaired to the Brunswick Hotel to partake of refreshments, where the evening was spent in conviviality. The healths of Admiral Grenfell and his family, the officers, Mr. Hick, &c., and prosperity to the vessel, were drunk and responded to by the parties pre sent, when all returned to their respective homes, very much pleased with the day's amusement. WHICH TESTIMONY IS TRUE ?—ln the letter from Ireland by Mr. Whitty, published in the Journal of Sa turday week, the writer says—" Many dreaded rebellion, but, with the exception of the aristocracy and the Orange men, all wished the experiment, if made, successful." A few lines further on, the same writer states—" Contrary , to the general opinion, the initiated contemplate com mencing in the north, and reckon confidently on a great accession of Orangemen"—the very men who, according to his previous declaration, hoped the outbreak would be unsuccessful ! So much for this witness. As we have thus alluded to this noble body of men, we may as well give the evidence of the London Times in their favour—a paper which until very recently never alluded to them hut in terms of anything but a complimentary character. That journal says—" Of course there is a quiet strength and an immense strength on the side of loyalty in Ireland. There is a well-disciplined and well-appointed army of 45,000 men, including 10,000 police, worth twice the amount of those very miscellaneous, ill-trained, and ill. officered forces we had in 1798. There are also a million and a half of Orangemen, as superior to the Cells in per sonal courage and strength as they are in loyalty and INTELLIGENCE. Every Englishman who has had the opportunity of comparing the two classes, is persuaded that these million and a half are more than a match for the six or seven millions who claim to monopolise the Irish title and soil." MANSLAUGHTER—CAUTION TO DRIVERS.—On Mon day a child narred Sarah M'Cluskey, daughter of parents living in a court off Edmund-street, died at the Northern Hospital, in consequence of being run over by a horse and cart. The deceased was crossing Edmund-street when a cart,`driven by a lad named Cornelius Jones, was coming along the street at a furious rate. Several passers by see ing the danger likely to arise to the deceased called out to the driver, but he took no notice. The horse ran against her, knocked her down, and the near wheel went over her body. She died about three hours afterwards at the hos pital. Jones was taken into custody at the time of the occurrence. The cart belonged to an Irishman named WlCenna, who said he had engaged Jones to drive ; he did not know that he was to pay him anything, but to such boys were usually paid ls. 4d. per (lay, while men received 21s. per week. The coroner remarked that the occurrence might, in fairness, be brought home to the owner of the cart, who had, for the sake of economy, entrusted the sole charge of the cart to a mere boy. It was a disgrace to all large towns, and particularly to Liverpool, to per mit such boys to drive vehicles through the streets. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Jones, but expressed their belief that the owner of the horse and cart, M`Kenna, was absolutely more culpeble than the unfor tunate prisoner, for having allowed the boy to drive. They fully agreed with the Coroner as to the criminality of those persons who engaged boys as drivers. Jones was committed for trial at the assizes, and as he was leaving the court, he burst into tears, and earnestly called upon his mother to protect him. His wretched mother, who sat at the back of the court, sobbed bitterly, and wrung her hands appa rently in an agony of despair. "Oh ! mother, mother," cried the boy, " will you take me home ?" "Oh ! my son, my son," exclaimed the sorrowful mother, " are we never to meet again ?" PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE CHOLERA.—A meeting of the Health Committee was held on Thursday, at which there were present nine members—six being absent. Mr. Tinne presided. It appeared that 725 orders had been issued for the emptying of ashpits. During the week 1661 loads of soil had been carted away. 36 nuisances had been inspected, and measures taken to remove them. 129 notices had been served for the draining of filthy and un wholesome cellars. A conversation took place on the subject of providing public urinals and cabinets d'aisance, the deficiency of these conveniences, especially in the neighbourhood of the markets, being much complained of. Referred to the engineer. It was reported that 3000 dead dogs had been taken out of the pits in Toxteth-park, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Harbord, Earle, and Walthew was appointed to report on the state of the pits in the neighbourhood, with a view of getting them filled up. An important letter was read from Dr. Duncan, the medical officer of health, on the precautions desirable to avert cholera from Liverpool. He first alludes to the predisposing causes —impure air moistur e — an d urges court and cellar drainage, filling up the stagment of pools, and an ample supply of water. He states that within the last few months nearly 2,000 filthy houses have been cleansed, through the committee, and points out several nuisances that still remain to be removed. As to mea sures of alleviation, should the cholera unfortunately ap pear, he recommends an addition to the parochial medical staff, and to the dispensaries, so that relief might be given in the early stages of the disease ; secondly, the providing of hospitals in different quarters for the destitute. He states that it is the generalopinion of the medical profession that the disease is not contagious. He thought the public should be made aware of this by placards. A series of stringent resolutions for the carrying out of all the recom mendations were adopted, and copies were ordered to be sent to the Select Vestry, the Water Committee, and the Dispensaries, CORRESPONDENCE. THE ALFONSO STEAM FRIGATE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SlR, — Were it not for the high repute and large circu lation of your paper I should not trouble you, but having had a paragraph headed " The Brazilian Frigate Alfonso" put before me, containing much untruth, I have to re quest you will give it immediate contradiction. Ist. The engines are 300 horses' power. 2nd. I had the honour to be the designer and contractor of 11. Ai. steam frigate Fury's engines, and was also the contractor and designer of the Alfonso's, as well as the sole inventor of the im mense wrought iron framing. Yours, &c. JOHN RIGBY. P. S. I beg to observe the machinery of the Fury was executed by me at these works. J. R. Hawarden Iron Works, Flintskire, August 13, 1848. [We have only to say that we think Mr. Rigby might have conveyed his corrections of our slight errors in a little more courteous language. In such reports as our correspondent alludes to, we can have no object beyond making them as accurate as possible.] TIIE NEW ORGAN AT ST. PAUL'S, PRINCE'S- PARK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SIR,—In the Liverpool Mail of Saturday last, a short paragraph announced the opening of the above instrument, in which, through an unaccountable mistake. I am styled the organist of the church. I consider it due to Mr. W. H. Buck, the recently-appointed organist, to state that such is not the fact, having merely consented to preside at the opening by desire of the Rev. Dr. M'Neile and other gentlemen connected with the church. I am, Sir, yours faithfully. W. T. BEST. 23, West Derby-street, August 14,1848. THE MILITARY AT EVERTON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sir,—l beg, through the medium of your valuable jour nal, to call the attention of the authorities to the annoy ance caused by the military being stationed at Ever ton, without proper precautions being taken to prevent such large assemblies gathering about them. On Sun day last, coming from church iu the morning through Everton, I found people not only exposing fruit, cakes, &c. for sale, but also crying them. These, with men with tables with nuts, &c. should be at once put down, espe cially on the Sabbath. I would also particularly recom mend that no person be allowed in the field where the military are stationed, as this would materially assist in suppressing the assembly of such characters as now fre quent the place, and which is becoming so detrimental to property at Everton. AN EYE WITNESS. SMITH O'BRIEN'S DUELS. Some time ago Mr. Smith O'Brien, whilst a Conservative, felt himself insulted by Tom Steele—recently in so distressing a light before the public—and sent him a challenge. Steele accepted it and met him, O'Gorman Mahon (a well-known fire eater, now in the house), acting as Tom's second. Steele was a brave man, but the most nervously excitable that ever lived, while O'Brien, on the turf at least, was as cool as a statue. The result of an exchange of shots between two such men was that, while Tom's bullets went off almost at right angles to his man, the latter tore with his first fire the breast of Tom's blue coat. and with his second a portion of the collar. O'Gorman Mahon seeing this, and fearing that, as practice makes perfect. O'Brien's next ball must be fatal to more than broadcloth, sought to remove his man, presuming that Mr. O'Brien must then be satisfied; but Mr. O'Brien was not: the " moon-calf " stuck in his throat, and he wanted to see if he could not stick something else in Tom's in return. "Then (said Mahon, standing before his friend,) if Mr. O'Brien will have another shot, he must have it at me." The descendant of the Irish kings was not particular whom he killed, and was willing to accept a substitute; but his second would not allow the ex change, and so the affair ended. Of the two principals in that business, one has since jumped over Waterloo-bridge, and the other is a proclaimed rebel, subject to be shot or hung. Not long after this, Mr. O'Brien fought Mahon's brother, and in this, as in the previous instance, the now outlawed chief was destined to be the Conservative champion. The collision arose out of a contested election for Clare, in which his brother, Sir Lucius was one of the candidates. The writer speaks from a distinct recollection of the transaction. Mr. Wm. Mahon was making some charges against "the house of Dromoland" on the hustin g s, when he was interrupted by Smith O'Brien, who addressed him in the following words, with as much neat ness and calmness and courteous bearing as though he were paying him a compliment :—" As a member of the house of Dromoland, sir, (bowing,) I have bnt one reply to make to your aspersions, and that reply, as a gentleman and a man of honour, you will I am sure receive in the spirit in which it is given —you lie, sir!" (bowing again.) Mr. Mahon liited his hat in acknowledgement, Smith O'Brien and he leaving the court together without the slightest fuss, each accompanied by a friend, who rather followed instinctively than by invitation, and without the least attempt at interference on the part of the sheriff. In less than an hour from this interchange of civilities they were both standing within twelve paces of each other on the public race-course, close to the town of Ennis, while at least a thousand people were present to witness the proceeding. I have heard the unfortunate outlaw called a coward on several occasions within the last few weeks ; but I have said upon each, and I now say, that no coward could ever bear himself with the cool, gentlemanly, courteous self-possession that he then dis played: he reminded me at the time of what Sheridan says,— Your courage should be as keen yet as polished as your sword." Turning up his right cuff as deliberately as though he were about to wash his hands for dinner, he took the pistol from his second—the two friends retired a couple of paces—the we rd WWI given —both weapons were raised, and only one went off: in fact Smith O'Brien's second had given him the pistol without cocking it, and when the former pulled the trigger it of course refused to play hi. finzer. He handed hack the still luadect weapon so his friend, saying, will, a 11 , De. nell, you only half did your work." Judging from O'Brien's self-possession, perhaps it was a fortunate thing for his antago nist, who might, however, have stopped the bullet without being greatly damaged, as one of his legs was made of cork.—Bristol paper. COMMITTAL OF A BANKRUPT.—IN RE JAMES HOWARD. —On Tuesday the adjourned examination of this bankrupt took place before Mr. Sergeant Ludlow. The bankrupt, who had carried on business as a grocer and provision dealer, in Marybone, had refused to answer some ques tions as to the disposal of his property, put to him by Mr. Turner, the official assignee, and in consequence he was summoned to the court on Friday week. It was then eli cited that the bankrupt had destroyed several old papers connected with his business, had never kept any books before 1847, that any loose accounts he had ever kept had been used up in the shop, that the books he then showed commenced in 1847, that he considered his stock was worth about £5O at the time of his bankruptcy, and cal culated his liabilities at £9OO, and his total assets ac £lOO, leaving a deficiency of £BOO. He considered his losses to have arisen from being robbed of £2OO by his clerk on Good Friday last, and to other losses, and household expenses. In cross-examination he said he could not give any accurate account of his alleged losses, that he had gone over to Ireland to look after the half of a £lO note, the expenses of which journey cost him £5, and that whilst there he had borrowed £2OO from an old woman aged 80 years, telling her he was in perfect solvent circumstances, and agreed to pay her £lO per cent. interest for the mo ney. Mr. Tyrer, who appeared for the creditors under the fiat, pressed for a committal, in consequence of the false answers the bankrupt had given as to his affairs. He added, that the bankrupt had got a quantity of flour from Messrs. Richardson and Son just before he called a meet ing of his creditors. and never paid for it, and he had not taken any steps to find out the clerk who had robbed him. His Honour expressed his disapprobation of the bankrupt's conduct in strong terms, and said that as to his alleged robbery he did not believe a word of it. He ordered the bankrupt's committal to gaol, refusing an application to allow any thing out of the estate for his family. MDLLE. ALBONI.-it is with extreme pleasure that we look forward to the opportunity of again hearing the de licious tones of Alboni's superb contralto, and we are con fident few, if any, of the delighted crowds who listened to her at the Collegiate Institution last year will receive the notification of another visit from this queen of song with out gratification, or be absent from the concert on the evening of her appearance willingly. Hers is an organ of such surpassing excellence in point of quality, of so exten sive a range, (nearly three octaves); the manner in which she emits and sustains her notes is so free from fault, her vocalization is so easy and agile, and her intonation is so certain, at all times and in every portion of her varied re gisters, that we defy any person, with even a shadow of musical taste, to have the delight repeated. Her rapid passages are given with all the brilliancy that the finest sopranos exhibit, and few, if any, can surpass her in fa cility. Had she only been ushered into this country with all the eclat that another fair songstress was surrounded by, she would, in our estimation, have held even a supe rior position in public estimation than the nightingale, while no one can deny that in London she deservedly di vided the palm with the star of Her Majesty's Theatre. A contemporary, whose attention is almost exclusively given to musical matters, and whose critiques, in this re spect at least, have been marked by the utmost impartial ity and liberality—the Musical World—thus speaks of her :—" We do positively assert, and do faithfully believe, that a more admirable contralto never adorned a dramatic arena." Her success in London during the last season has not at all differed from that she achieved upon her first appearance. Indeed, time has only tended to confirm the critics in the opinion they formed of her abilities, when the first tones of her incomparable voice sounded in their ears. That she is again to delight our senses is certain by a reference to Mr. Isaac's advertisement, and at so low a price, too, in comparison with the charges on any former occasion, that every person can now seize the opportunity, and find a good excuse for going. Our only fear is that Mr. Isaac will not receive sufficient to defray his expenses, for, not content with having a piano accompaniment, de termined to render the concert attractive, and to give every possible eclat to the vocal music, there will be a full or chestra, led by Mr. Herrmann, and conducted by Osborne, the . celebrated English composer and pianist of Paris. But this is not all : we are to have Mdlle. Corbari, who accompanied Alboni on her prior visit and gave so much satisfaction, both in 1847 and 1848, to the habitues of the royal Italian opera,—her Adelgisa was especially com mended by the press, and the marked improvement she displayed last year has only been succeeded by equally ap parent advances this season. Signora Salvi is also one of the party. His voice is characterised by brilliancy and perfection of tone, being of extensive compass and power ful. He appeared several years since in some concerts at the Theatre Royal with Madame Dorus Gras, and subse quently at our Philharmonic, where his exquisite taste was duly appreciated. Signor Paltoni moreover is included in the prospectus ; he is so well known little need be said of him. His utility in concerted music renders him valuable; a good singer also of comic songs he is always appreciated —and Mr. Isaacs will not add a little to the interest of the performances by assisting Mr. Osborne in a piano , forte duet. We shall thus have a great treat offered to us on most liberal terms, which we hope unitedly will in duce our readers to avail of the opportunity of gratifying themselves, and supporting, even in the face of the sneers i of a neighbouring city," our townsmen's character as due appreciators of real musical talent, LOCAL MEETINGS. DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—The tenderof Messrs. Bancroft for oil for the lighthouses, &c., was, after some conversation, referred back for further consideration.—A statement wai read of the coat for extra watching at the Albert Dock, amounting to £3901 0 occasioned by the recent excited state of the town. The chairman remarked, that there were some further expenses yet to come, and it was desirable to know to what account the whole should be charged. After a short discussion, it was agreed that the amounts so incurred should go to the general charges. Mr. Molyneux announced that a new book of rates, to come immediately into force, had been signed by the Mayor, and would be ready for distribution in a few days. John Lloyd was appointed assistant in the transit sheds at the Albert Dock.—A conversation then took place as to the removal of vessels from the Trafalgar to the new docks, and who was to bear the expense, seeing that such vessels would have to be brought into the river. The surveyor suggested a plan for taking from one dock to the other by the removal of part of a wall, which was approved of.—Mr. Tobin asked whether Mr. Ashton, recently recommended to fill the situation of dock master at the new docks, had furnished a certificate of his age. The secretary replied that he had not yet done so, but Mr. Ashton himself felt confident he should be able to satisfy the committee. SELECT VESTRY.—On Tuesday, the usual fortnightly meeting of the Select Vestry was held at the Parish. offices, Lime-street. The Rev. Rector Campbell pre sided. The committee of the Industrial Schools reported that, in their opinion, the chaplain should be required to devote the whole of his time to the moral and religious in struction of the children, and give special instructions to the monitors and monitresses for one hour each day, varying the course in which the schools are taken every alternate week. Mr. Swainson observed that there was a very large deputation from the Manchester schools at Kirkdale the day preceding, and that they expressed their entire approbation of the Liverpool establishment. They stated that they had experienced great benefit by having a resident chaplain in the Manchester schools. Mr. Ur quhart said the chaplain at Manchester watched over the moral training of the children during the entire day. Mr. Ferguson stated that when the chaplain at Kirkdale was originally appointed, it was upon the distinct under standing that he was to devote the whole of his time to the instruction of the children in the schools. The con versation dropped, upon the understanding that the chair man's suggestion would be carried out, and , that the com mittee would consider and report without delay upon the necessity of a more vigilant discharge of the chaplain's duties. A letter was read from the Poor-law Commis sioners with reference to the giving of relief to vagrants. It stated that the Board had received representations re specting the rapid and numerous increase of vagrants in different parts of the country ; that it was impossible to come to any other conclusion than that the system of giv. ing relief to casual poor was a great cause of vagrancy, inasmuch as the giving of food and lodging to all who traversed the country diminished the risks of a vagrant life ; but experience had shown that general coarseness of fare inflicted injury on the poor but deserving wayfarer, and that a sound and vigilant discrimination was obvi ously the best remedy against vagrancy. The letter went on to observe that the power of exercising this discrimi nation was in the boards of guardians. The communica tion was referred to the Workhouse Committee. The out-door relief administered for the week ending the sth instant, was read. Compared , w the ,cprresponding week of the previOus year, the m x i •nded has been £l3O less, and the number of case I I fewer this year. In reply to Mr. Hand, Mr. Fe . stated that the case of Nelson, late one of the paris collectors, had been submitted to Mr. Lowndes, with a view of ascer tainining whether Nelson could be sent before the ma gistrates on a charge of embezzlement, and that the an swer was expected in the course of a few days The case was a very important one, and Nelson's defalcations, so far as was known, was £2l 12s. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. Samuel Towers, Thomas Castle, and Thomas Livesey, of Dale-street, were each fined 2s. 6d. and costs for al lowing theircars to stand for hire in front of their pre mises. A CHARGE DISMISSED.—An unfortunate ' g irl was charged at the Police-court on Friday, with having stolen some wearing apparel from a procuress keeping a brothel in Manchester, calling herself Rosenberg.—Mr—Rushton dismissed the case, stating that he would sooner believe the prisoner than the prosecutor. POOR PROCEEDS OF POCKET-PICKING.—Frank Old acre, a boy, who states that he earns his livelihood by scavenging, was brought up on suspicion of having picked a gentleman's pocket at the camp at Everton. The boy was observed pressing on the gentleman, and on the latter searching his pocket, he found that a half-consumed cigar was gone ! The prisoner was remanded. CAUTION To CAPTAINS. A summons was heard against Captain M`Kay, of the ship Jenny Lind, for bringing into dock 25 lbs. of gunpowder, instead of depo siting it at the Magazines. The defendant had acted in ig norance of the rules of the port, and Mr. Rushton said the penalty was £lOO, but he would inflict the lowest fine, which was 20s. and costs. ROBBING AN EMIGRANT.—A man, of decent appear ance, who gave the name of William Nellins, charged Ann Wilson with robbing him of £4 Bs. The complain ant said he was a stranger, and had come down to Liver pool to emigrate; he was induced to go and lodge at a house at Heaton-street, where the prisoner resided, but, after being there a short time, he found that his money 1,,50n folror, The urisoner. who was the only persnn on the premises, was taken into custody. .Some of the money was found. The prisoner was sent to gaol for three months. INFORMATION UNDER THE BUILDING ACT..— On Thursday, at the police-court, Mr. John Robinson. build ing surveyor of the North District, appeared against Mr. William Layfield, builder, of Bootle-lane, Kirkdale, who had been served with a notice to remove one purlin and eleven spars from the roof of Live houses now being erected by him in Elizabeth-street, Kirkdale, contrary to the 61st section and schedule Bof the Building Act. The case was proved, and the defendant directed to enter into his own recognizances of £lOO to make the work to the satis faction of the building surveyor within one week. CUDDY, THE CHARTIST SELLER OF PIKES.—It seems that this infatuated personage is likely to be involved in a more serious scrape than he or his friends at first imagined. Mr. Rushton, the stipendiary magistrate, sent for Mr. Yates, the prisoner's attorney, on Friday, and informed him that in the course of this week his client would be again brought up, and committed for trial, upon., the charge 3f having been implicated in a treasonable conspiracy. The trial will possess unusual interest, as it is expected that much of the alarming information in the hands of the mayor and magistrates as to the treasonable designs of the clubs in Liverpool, will be submitted in evidenc?. CHARGE OF MUTINY AT SEA.—On Friday, Captain Graham, of the Mountaineer, attended at the Police court, with almost the whole of his crew, his object being to watch a case in which his steward was the accused, and his boatswain the accuser. The charge of mutiny fell to the ground, and resolved itself into one of attempting to stab. From the account of William Attwater, the boat swain, it appeared that Collins, the steward, had, on the 142 h of July, while at sea, rushed on the boatswain with a drawn knife, and attempted to stab him. A quarrel had taken place between the two men, which resulted in the way already stated. Collins stated, and produced wit nesses to prove his assertion, that he did not attempt to use the knife, until provoked, by being struck several times by the complainant. Mr. Rushton was of opinion that the boatswain's conduct had been extremely flagrant, yet confessed that nothing could excuse the use of the knife. He dismissed the case, and advised the captain to with hold the steward's wages from the time he had been im prisoned, or if he had paid him, to deduct the amount from the boatswain's wages. Etstrirt Relus. Last week a prisoner in Chester Castle named Peter Thomas committed suicide by strangling himself. He had formerly been a respectable publican in Manchester. The bill to confirm the incorporation of Ashton, War rington, and other towns, which have recently had charters granted to them, has been introduced, and it will be passed without opposition. SALT.—A spring of brine has just been " tapped," by Mr. B. Smith, at Droitwich, Cheshire, at the depth of 217 feet, being a greater depth than any before discovered,. the usual depth being 170 or 180 feet. On Monday, as the Fenella, steamer. from Douglas, Isle of Man, was proceeding on her passage to Fleetwood, she ran down a coasting flat, on board of which were two t men, and completely cut her in two. Fortunately, both he men were taken in safety on board the Fenella. The fine Runic Cross, which originally stood in the churchyard of St. Mary's, Lancaster, and was subse quently conveyed to Kendal, where it was purchased by the late• Dr. Holme, is to find a permanent resting-place within the walls of the Natural History Society's Museum, of Manchester. • THE EXPECTED PRICE OF POTATOES.-A person in the neighbourhood of Leyland has bought one hundred loads of potatoes, Cheshire pinkeyes, to be delivered sound, at Christmas next, at 6s. per load, 2401 b. to the load. This shows that some people expect potatoes to be at a reason able price this season. MELANCHOLY SUICIDE. - A distressing occurrence of this painful character took place at Poulton-le-Fylde on Tuesday, when Mr. Arthur Smith, of that town, termi nated his existence by cutting his throat with a razor, without occasioning any disturbance to his brother, Mr. Thomas Smith, who slept in another bed in the same room as the one in which deceased laid. A tesselated pavement, measuring about three feet by two, and composed of about 40 tiles embedded in mortar with black cinders, has been found at Holt Castle, near Rochdale. The curiosity of antiquaries has been greatly aroused by this discovery, as it is said to be the first time that tesselated pavement has been found among the ruins of a Norman building. A seizure of pikes has been made at Manchester by the police, at a place where the manufacturers had taken them to be ground. It is believed that they were not intended for a local market, but were destined for Ireland. The two men, in whose possession they were found, were set at liberty on Tuesday, on their own recognisances. Two further seizures were made on Thursday. DIVISION ON THE BALLOT.—In the majority of 86 on Tuesday night, in the House of Commons, in favour of vote by ballot for members of parliament, were A. Henry, W. Brown, J. Heywood, J. Bright, R. Cobden, J. Bro therton, T. Thornely, T. M. Gibson, G. C. Glyn, G. Thompson, and most of the liberal small-fry, except Mr. Ewart. In the minority of 81 were Sir T. B. Birch, J. W. Patten, G. C. Legh, Lord Ashley, Lord Morpeth, G. Sanders % Lord G. Bentinek, W. E. Gladstone, Sie, August 15, 1845. SOUTHPORT•—The opening of the railway has, notvith sanding the unfavourable state of the weather, proved a great inducement to visitors to resort to this delightful sea-side residence. Upwards of three thousand passengers traversed the line the first week of opening; and last week the number was increased, the receipts being £273 4s. We understand that the cost of working the line, including five per cent. interest on the whole outlay, is calulated at £l2O per week, therefore, although called the " shrimp line," the dividend is likely to be a whale-ing one. THE RECENT BOILER EXPLOSION AT PRESTON.-02 Monday a numerously and respectably attended meeting was held in the Town Hall, Preston, the Mayor in the chair, to consider the propriety of endeavouring to obtain a further investigation into the causes and circumstances of the recent fatal boiler explosion. Speeches were made and resolutions passed condemning the inquiry before the coroner as most imperfect and unsatisfactory ;: and it was determined that the Mayor should write to Sir G. Grey a letter requesting that he will order a further investigation. DARING ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—On Thursday, as the Ormskirk and Preston coach was returning from the for mer town, and crossing the canal bridge at Burscougb, one of the passengers, named Thomas Birkett, of this town, deliberately leaped from the roof of the coach, over the highest part of the embattlement, and into the canal, the descent being upwords of 25 feet. The coach was immediately stopped, and the poor fellow was rescued without serious injury. It appears. that he was at the time in an unsettled state of mind, and had for some days pre vious been contemplating some desperate act.—Prestotr Guardian. ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.—On Wednesday, the' new Roman Catholic Cathedral, which has just been finished in Manchester, was opened for public worship. The admission was by tickets at 215., Ws. 6d., 7s. 6d., ss. and 2s. 6d. One of Beethoven's solemn mass in C was performed on the occasion. The ceremony was, as usual, gorgeous in the extreme, a n d i n th e c h anc el o f the church and on the altar there were 150 priests and seven bishops. Every available seat in the immense building was filled. Amongst the company present we observed the Earl and Countess of Arundel and Surrey, and Sir Thomas de . Trafford's family. GRATIFYINGPRESENT.—The parishioners of Croston, near Rufford, presented on Thursday to their venerable rector a beautiful and massive silver kettle, with spirit lamp and stand. The articles are valued at £5O, and were manufactured by Mr. Wordley, of this town, in his usual chaste and elegant style. The following inscription was engraved upon them —" Presented to the Rev. Streynsham Masters, M.A., on the completion of his fiftieth year as Rector of Croston, by his parishioners, in grateful remembrance of the uniform Christian kind ness and benevolence which have marked his prolonged labours among them. August, 1848." This presentation is peculiarly gratifying, and equally honourable to both parties. The rev. gentleman is well deserving the esteem and gratitude of his flock, who are not in a position to make so valuable an offering without the practice of no little self-denial. IRISH AND ENGLISH Poor AT MANCHESTER.—At a meeting held at Manchester a few days ago, in order tcr adopt a memorial to Sir George Grey, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, we find that one of the speakers (Mr. Hibbert) Showed the amount of the money expended by the township • (not the union, let it be remarked) of Manchester for the sup port of the casual English and Irish poor. In 1847 the amount so expended was .t'5,1393 ; this year, up to June, 1848, the an nual amount was £15,560 , for the English casual poor. For the Irish it was in 1847, £8,740; foe the year, up to June, 1848. it was increased to the enormous - sum of .e 21,170. Th.. total amount in these two years was—English casual poor, £21,405; Irish casual poor, £29,900. The ratepayers of the township of Manchester had thus paid £8,495 more in these two years to the Irish than they had to the English poor. (Loud cries of "Shame, shame.') These poorpeople ought to be fed, but the thing ought not to drive them all to pauperism. While they fed the Irish, it ought to be on the principle of justice. Lord John Russell anticipated the repayment of the sum lent to re lieve Irish pauperism (.W8,000,000), and why should Manchester not receive back this money which they had spent in the relief of Irish distress. The memorial recounted all the facts stated above, and demanded repayment- of the money so expended. COTTON FROM INDIA.—The cargo of cotton, ex Argyra, from India, was on Tuesday last submitted to the inspec tion of the trade, and sales have since been effected in small lots, as it has been determined that the same system of disposing of cargoes of cotton from India, should be pursued in this, as in former instances. The cotton grown from New Orleans seed is of an exceedingly good descrip tion. The first lot of 16 bales realised 4d. per lb. The quality of the single bale of the early-grown cotton has quite borne out the predictions of. the Manchester Com mercial Association, as to what might be effected in the improvement of the cotton crop, by sowing in the latter end of May. It is decidedly the finest sample of cotton yet received from India; its colour and cleanliness ate un exceptionable, and its staple is very little inkrior to the New Orleans cotton received from America. 41d. per lb. has been offered for it by several spinners ; but this has been declined, as it is valued by the broker at sd. per lb. Some samples of cotton have been received by the asso ciation, grown in the Belgaum district; they consist of cotton grown from the seeds of Sea Island, Georgian, Bourbon, and Nurmah cotton. Of these, the Sea Island and Georgian are fair cottons, but still not exactly the de scription of cotton required in this country. The Nurmah cotton has neither strength' nor length of staple, and is quite unfit for the purpose of spinning. These facts tend to show that of all the cotton received from India, that from New Orleans seed is the only sort fitted to compel with the great staple production of America, in the general English market.—Manchester Guardian. AFFRAY BETWEEN THE MILITARY. AND POLICE.—On Wednesday evening last,shortly before seven o'clock, when the last race a' Preston Races was about to come off, a se rious fracas arose upon the race-course. it appears that a fight occurred between two townsmen in one of the booths, when a crowd gathered round, among whom were some soldiers of the 39th Regiment (Irish), now quartered at the Preston Barracks. The police, in endeavouring to obtain admittance to the disturbed booth, felt or fancied themselves obstructed by some of the military, and on e of the latter was at once taken into custody. A rescue was immediately effected by a number of the comrades, an d the police then had recourse to their staves. This was 5 signal for a general struggle. The soldiers, who, at first , had no other weapons, took off their belts, and struck right and left at the police, and at the fire brigade, who had been sent to the ground to assist the force in preserving order. The townsmen, who maintain with more than ordinary unanimity that the police were the aggressors, pressed upon and impeded the latter, and at last tore up and handed to the soldiers a number of the stakes used to keep the ground for the racing, when blood began to flow in all di rections. The police, after a somewhat courageous con test, were compelled to retreat precipitately—several of them having received severe injuries. One had some of his ribs broken; others had ugly cuts over the face and head ; and a large number were greatly bruised about the body and hurt by being trampled on. Six or eight of the soldiers were similarly injured in the fray, which grew at last to the magnitude of a riot, and called for the exertions of all the magistrates that could be mustered in the town, and the influence of all the military officers, to quell it. Peace and order were not effectually restored till past ten o'clock at night. On Thursday, the second day of the races, the military were not permitted to quit their bar racks, lest the quarrel should be renewed. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the London and North-Western Railway Company was held at twelve o'clock on Friday, at the Euston Hotel, London, to receive the director's report upon the general purposes of the undertaking. It was also stated in the notices that a proposition would be made to consolidate into stock such of the £2O shares of the late London and Birmingham Railway, and £4O shares of the late Grand Junction Railway as have been paid up in full. The attendance of proprietors from all parts of the country was very considerable, upwards of 300 being present, among whom were many from Liverpool.—Mr. G. C. Glyn commenced his address to the proprietors by stating that it had been found impossible to present the accounts until that morning, as promised at the last meet ing, owing to the difficulty of collecting the details. Had they distributed the accounts, the calling of the meeting must have been delayed until at least the end:of the pre sent month, a delay for which he was extremely unwilling. to be responsible. His reason for wishing to meet the• proprietors as early as possible, was to put an end to that depreciation of stock which had been going on for some time, by a plain unvarnished statement of the real posi tion of the company. He could not conceive why their stock should hold its present price. Take it as a mere seven per cent stock, thepresent price was decidedly below its real value. (Hear.) It had, however, been depreci ated in the public estimation by a variety of reports, which had been systematically levelled against the company, but which were utterly unfounded. It was impossible to con ceal that, owing to the state of the mercantile world, the receipts had undergone a considerable check ; yet, he vim! happy to say, they would show no falling off in the Pas* half-year. They had not, however, increased ; and it would be recollected that the whole of their policy Pre" ceeded upon the idea of an increase. Under these circin" stances, it was;with great reluctance the directors were obliged to call upon the proprietors to experience a further reduction in the dividend. The dividend would be X- 3 10s. ; and, in declaring it at that amount, the directors believed they were following a course which would the best for the eventual prosperity of the company. On ,tu e other hand, there had been a saving of between £l 2, u n " and £13,000 in the working charges, although about fifty miles of working line had been added to the line.-- - T he 'Chairman referred to the dispute with the engine-drivet's• He stated that they had received such assistance from tn e t north and elsewhere that there would not be the slightes difficulty in carrying on the service without danger to te public safety ; and he hoped that the proprietors wont: support their executive in resisting attempts at dictat . to by subordinate servants as to whom they should enlPlo r ' (Cheers.) The report was then read s and unanimously adopted' After a number of questions had been asked by differ: proprietors, to all of which satisfactory answers turned, report b e It was then moved by the chairman that the repo printed and circulated ; after which several questions „.7 ., put, respecting the capital account, by Mr. Duncufte, and by other proprietors as to the Trent Valley, th It e n r : t. deen and the Caledonian lines, all of which were ani v ' the The Chairman stated that if anything was done with were re Aberdeen Company it would be a mere working arrant" ment. Chait*- In reply to Mr. T. Roberts, of Manchester, the , Ind man stated that the works for the East and Wes; a Docks line were being made, and that he regarded n g• - •. t most important link in connection with the comPagouly was an independent company, and this compa n y w subscribers to it. The report was then unanimously passed. a t The Chairman proposed the resolution of a cn In'" .. ro por the rate of £3 10s. per .£lOO share, and so on 1 P tio T n h f u or di tr de o n th d e w r ili sha b r e es, pa w y h ab ic i l; uwpaosirthaV2rnatehusilayniera,d:r. ~: Sp - e . I. i /lig Wat flak. Mrai Jain Ei Live] whol the E ,but Cu from " befol Two to th L .yn) CEi t a t ;terse