The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-01-19 00:00:00

1547. ming last, Siloortields,:t 4 ins, M.A.,! mold' Knight n, who takal the iniptov a meeting of lale-street, to of ale. The, brewers, lima understand; )ther parts of ce of the rise held at the ling, by the iociation, the price of the Iwn open at was crowded lose who are Mr. James iles, in forcill ; the princi. were to pt.'''. act as a ser. monthly Clarendon . ' chair. The of new sub• one of £lO accompanied 3St he felt in at a branch d. its body, on present :-- eton, Wood, 1, Sandbach, orth graving ty feet wide, e Dock Stir s of the pro et below the ock gates six six feet six e sills of the es below the kat pruvi&iov ltrodueing a .ks being ex to do .so at if not done gate should exact situa ition. Mr. shipbuild the goe.- 1 the south on the 27th The old ninety-ad ratting; the ninute, and 'as reported completed decided to w Brighton one of their the King's on the .ssel which la double I at the en ie surveyor had passed outwards, Through vessels had • g a total of .ase in the as resolved ises should it Masters' •ecommend e master of Dk Solicitor rshaw; and • Committee ccording to his office, r to make .age on the as to Elias .lommittee. sting to be amer, was ee. nn of art is of abodes is hitherto say that in vould here if the best own social r, and now nt of " in- we desire Le merit of !, the fruit L view that sonic pr°" Oda. snail . e been de ; their-spi unframefit five o r six g of printS much, and e do hope, the result ntal frame which the ever found A, effected teehnicallY idled with Ang, or bl ple is new, • 'ply to pasts gut the de ch is but 0 , metal, and h is passed m 1 receive ate tracer/ vantages o f yet others on" the ma' mitation of s, and hav -1 its sharp-, ary method ant, and so y no ineams to the ins', For man) lanufacturo table frame en a source ,ful produc' An outer/ tfacture ac pices of the must advo-r pd prints, 64 the middle time. if it be 1 1 °" mys a prir" ,. nother 80' of a shillia ► an inferio r now bee' ;e which ar those whim imeti prim overed wi examples. ,0 re eXpees o A reduce g . 0 0" 3 to prodot' of 52,130/d' for Lancß" , Mr. Hiele' nens, prvxinceil ° Jan. 19, 1847. Loral eWs. Thee are 136 horses entered for the Tradesmen's Cup at Liverpool ; and 45 horses for the Derby Handicap. A highly respectable gentleman in this town has retired from the Evangelical Alliance, in consequence of the resolution of the British branch of the Alliance, " that no slaveholder be eligible for membership." A meeting of the Roman Catholics of this town was =held on Friday last, when a liberal collection was made for the relief of Irish distress ; eleven firms have put down their names for £lOO each. --- A correspondent of The Times remarks, that, " hitherto, the Irish poor-rate has not reached sixpence in the pound son the average, while m Liverpool the rates are swelled to four shillings by the influx of Irish paupers," A -petition to the House of Commons, for the use of sugar and molasses in breweries and distilleries, was last week numerously and influentially signed in the Ex change News Room. Mr. F, L. Hausburg, of Church-street, (according to his usual custom at this season,) has, during the past week, distributed clothing to his work boys, and coals to his numerous workmen. Mr. Capes Ashlin, who filled, with so much credit to himself and satisfaction to the board, the situation of treasurer to the Highway Commissioners, will, we are glad to find, be appointed treasurer to the new Health Commit tee. ROBBERY AT ROCK FERRY.—On Tuesday night, at the Rock Ferry, near to the spot where Mr. Peacock was robbed and murdered some time ago, a man returning from a fair at Ruthin, was knocked down and robbed of £'2l. MERCANTILE DESPATCH.—The Huma, from Malaga, -with 5439 packages of raisins, and' 43 pipes of oil, was discharged in the Albert Dock, on the 12th instant, and the whole of her cargo housed and piled in the warehouse in four hours and twenty minutes. PRAISEWORTHY EXAMPLE. Messrs. Sanders and Claxton, corn merchants, have given orders to their ware housemen to give to their working men an advance of 3s. per week in their wages. Mr. Sanders went personally to all the corn merchants to solicit them to make a similar, advance. An inquest was held on Saturday before Mr. Curry, on view of the body of Elizabeth Bennett, wife of John Ben nett; car-driver, Marquis-street, and who was 47 years of age. She had been suffering from asthma, and on Fri day morning was found dead in bed. On a post mortem examination it was found that deceased had died from pulmonary apoplexy, the result of natural causes. SHOP ROBBERY.—On .Tuesday evening, the shop of Mrs. Tonge, smallware dealer, &c., Clarence-street, was robbed of a quantity of steel-pens, pencils, and other articles. The thieves cut part of a pane of glass within from thetheir window, and carried off all the property reach. The robbery was not discovered until the shop was being closed. A sermon was preached by the Rev. F ieldin g Ould, in Christ Church, on Sunday week , in behalf of that valua ble institution the Eastern Dispensary. The collection amounted to £2B 13s. 6d. Mr. Ould intends appealing to his congregation, on Sunday next, for a collection in relief of the awful destitution which prevails in various parts of Ireland. Mrs. Thornton, of The Elms, West Derby, distributed on Christmas Day, according to her usual custom, a number of sheep to her poor tenants, also nearly 100 pieces of flannel to the female scholars of the West Derby School, and a pair of stockings and reward books to the same number of boys of that school. The new church at West Derby has been erected at the sole expense of this benevolent lady. SMALL DEBTS ACT.—The following places will be comprised in the Liverpool district :—The Liverpool old borough boundary, together with Toxteth-park, West Derby, Croxteth-park, Everton, Kirkdale, Walton-on- Hill, Bootle-cu m - Li nacre , Fazakerky, Kiikbyr Waver- Awe, Allerton, Garston, Childwall, Litherland, Lunt, Netherton, Orrell, Ford, Sefton, Aintree, Great and Little Crosby, Ince Blundell, and Thornton. DARING ROBBERY IN LIMEKILN-LANE.—On Friday afternoon, a fellow knocked at the door of Mr. Charles Williams, of Gildart-gardens, and learning that he was not at home drew a razor from his pocket, and threatened to kill Mrs. Williams if she made any alarm. He then stole her pocket containing half-a-crown ; and from a box up stairs abstracted six sovereigns. He then knocked Mrs. Williams down and escaped. FRENCH FRUITS.—A vessel arrived at this port from Bordeaux, has brought an entire cargo of plums and prunes, the production of France, in a dried state, con sisting of 220 barrels, 203 half-barrels, and 130 quarter barrels of the latter description of fruit, and 57 cases and 122 boxes of the finer kind, known in the trade and by . the public as French or imperial plums. A complete cargo, and to such an extent, of these articles is most unusual. DISTRESSING CASE.—On Thursday week, a family named Connor, consisting of nine persons, lately come from the county of Mayo, Ireland, were found huddled together in a celiar in Ashley-street, Toxteth-park, in a most deplorable state of destitution, where they had lain all night upon the bare flags, and had nothing to eat or drink. To add to the calamity, one of the number, a may, was found dead, having expired about five o'clock the same mornins. SIGNOR SAPID S CONCERT.—It affords us much plea sure' to find, by advertisement, that Signor Sapio has decided on giving a rich musical treat, in the shape of a concert, on Wednesday evening, the 20th instant, at the Concert -hall, Lord Nelson-street. The list of names en gaged for the occasion is worthy the notice of the dilettanti Of our town, and, no doubt, Signor Sapio will have a bumper, so as to reward him for the great exertions and expense this concert must necessarily put him to. SINGULAR ACCIDENT.—On Friday a leading horse, at tached to one of the waggons belonging to Messrs. Ken -worthy and Co., was placed so near the edge of the King's Dock that it fell in. Happily the dock at the time was free from shipping, owing to the prevalence of easterly winds. The horse found room enough to swim about, but nearly an hour elapsed before the parties were able to pilot it to the crane, where it was hoisted up, greatly ex hausted. The horse is said to be one of the most valuable of the kind in the town, and it is yet uncertain how far it has been injured. DEATH FROM SWALLOWING HOT LIQUID. —On Thurs day morning last Mrs. Collins, who lives in New Bird street, placed a kettle of hot cocoa on the hob by the fire, while her son, aged three years, was playing- about. While she was washing her hands, she heard the child call ont, and found his clothes wet with the liquid. She thought, as he was not scalded in any part of the person, that he had been drinking out o f th e k ett l e. Mr. Cameron,' surgeon, was called, and found the little sufferer labour ing under inflammation of the windpipe, of which he died next day. He was of opinion that the inflammation might have, been caused by his swallowing hot water. THE RELIEF OF THE POOR.—We stated last week that, of the Irish paupers in this town for the week ending the 9th instant, 29,417 individuals had been relieved at the Parish -office, and for the week ending the 16th instant, 64,900 have been relieved. It will thus be seen that the numbers in the last week were more than dou ble those in the preceding. We regret to state, that in Lace -street, Midghall-street, and others of the lowest purlieus of the town, in which the paupers have taken up their abodes in great numbers, fever has been very much upon the increase within the last fortnight. This, indeed, was to be expected, for, as Skibereen and other parts of Ireland incontestibly prove, disease f o ll ows f am i ne a l most as ve ce rtainly as effect is produced by cause . Th e accounts have heard from the relieving-officers of the deplorable state of some districts of the town, where whole families are now lying upon b e d s o f s i ckness, and death is busyin cutting down the wretched victi ms are tr u ly appalling. ART-UNION OF LONDON.—This society has achieved a Victory which must be hailed with Satisfaction by every admirer of the fine arts, and well-wisher for the advance ment of our country in the increase of knowledge, taste, and refinement, as connected with the arts generally. A toYal charter of incorporation having been granted, the existence of this society is no longer precarious, but esta blished on a basis which must secure its future prosperity --the funds, operations, and management, receiving com- Petent superintendence. The council will make such advantages future arrangements as will present an accumulation of characterbe distributedieWasomgrks of a more beautiful and elevated Prevented scrupulous in number variety, and value, will we have little doubt but ; uul and as all obstacles are removed which considerably Parties from becoming subscribers, but that the list for this year will be augmented. We direct attention to the nu merous to the ri zes sPecimens h will be distributed as e prize-holdersual; selected b. and seven engravi Y th iti" titled fil l Prints cartoons, and a .Proportioneo the works wobe t a o n ti b e_ tit• engravings in outline of the compe irrespeetiv of to which every subscriber will be en past year are now e .; p ri zes- The engravings, &c., of the tart' f or Li eing delivered by EennuaeidAwiTiothNouldNeolatyw,i the Honorary Seere tionsshoulvderP-b 001, Mr. John R. Isaac, to whom subscrip . MUSICAL EDUCATlON.—Notwithstanding b g ei t n h g e n b ow oa d st u e e d (Infusion and cult' • • th ths e very certain that cu t ltivation of music in the present day, it is Fated, but to much was not only more generally culti 'n•nlong the educatedbetter yarpose, among our ancestors. beth, the most classes in the days of Queen Eliza solid and substantial glorious era in our country's annals, a, able skill in its knowledge of music, and consider attainments indeed were were almost universal. Such person who had were so generally diffused, that any lady or pretention to a, liberal education—any gentlerna betrayed ignoraoenn moving in respectable society—who ill-nurtured I j3 - r o e the art, was looked upon as mean, pany. Of this, proc l a , and unfit to mingle in good corn who paint the manners of be drawn from the writers the present day, knowledge theo Elizabethan age." In music " have given place to in the science and skill in and legerdemain, and music is atroNoellous feats of execution as a frivolous pastime. It is nevreequently regarded but What has not inaptly been termed tfitehless certain that is one of our most sublime and intelleet:itiviine science," and should therefore be cultivated i n a p a r en joyments, We refer our readers to the announcement b n y iyi r manner. titt, who has recently been appointed org an i st ' reter's church ; and doubt not but those who desire St a_ound musical education will avail themselves of the a u reisional skill. Mr. Hackett is well known as the author of an excellent work on Psal m ody. e Perceive that Mons. J u lli en w ill g ive a grand con _w , at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, on Monday ging, Feb. 22nd. ten th e _, ANICAL SURGERY.—We feel pleasure in directing „, attention of surgeons and invalids to the advertise -.ent o column. of Mr. George R. Bell, which appears in another Emu.' E s PATENT VENTILATORS.—The value of good a dtion, free from drafts, is becoming better under tieandsy. Of this we have satisfactory evidence in _ , g a rea o t growing demand for the above simple, effec ud Nvithal cheap, appliances for the securing a suffi -6,,1:t _ 8 J2PIY of pure air. They are highly recommended i.L,Lnetlealth of Town's Commission. Mr. J. A. For .4YetPoolthe Se e adv. Old Haymarket, is the Mentee'a agent for . LARGE IMPORT OF CHINESE SUGAR INTO LIVER-1 POOL.—Within the last few days we have had arrivals from China, with cargoes of a varied character, and in one or two instances with little or no tea. The vessels from Canton have brought fourteen thousand five hundred bags of sugar. Another vessel, from Shanghae, has brought 490 bales, 24 boxes, and 80 cases of silk. There are also 60 bales of China grass, 90 cases of China ware, 226 cases of sweetmeats ; also 1000 boxes of cassia, ard 250 chests of rhubarb, 200 jars of soy. It is evident-at our large exports to China are stimulating merchants to ransack for other returns than tea. Sugar is likely to increase, and become a very important celestial trade. SUICIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INSANITY.—OR the morning of Wednesday last, a man named John Ed wards, residing in Ashton-street, Toxteth Park, threw himself out of his bedroom window, while labouring under insanity, and was so much injured that he died in three hours afterwards. It appeared, at the inquest, on Thurs day, that the deceased had been of unsound mind for months, and had threatened so to destroy himself. The verdict was " Temporary Insanity " ; but surely the friends of the deceased were guilty of great ignorance or neglect on observing his condition, not to send him to the Lunatic Asylum, which is open to the reception of all who are dangerously affected in mind. RAGGED SCHOOL, NAYLOR-STREET.L-The Rev. George Dover, directed, lately, a survey to be made of the district belonging to St Bartholomew's Church, chiefly with re spect to the state of education in it. The result was the discovery that no less than 1,120 children capable of re ceiving instruction, were in the habit of attending no school whatever. Poverty was the general reason given for this neglect. To supply, in some degree, a remedy for this evil, a ragged school was proposed. The suggestion was adopted. The Church of England School Society kindly assigned one of their rooms, and fitted it for the use of gas. Teachers, sufficient in number to open the school three evenings in the week, offered their services ; and it is hoped a fourth will shortly be added, To meet the necessary expenditure, the contributions of the wealthy are solicited. ACCIDENT AT THE AMPHITHEATRE.—On Monday night last, an accident which might have been attended with serious consequences to three persons, occurred at the Amphitheatre, Great Charlotte-street. n the course of the evening, af ter one of the acts, a man who had been seated near the front gallery, and had left the theatre for A few minutes, returned, and in the attempt to spring into his former place, had the misfortune to miss his foot ing, and fall upon two ladies, who were seated in the pit. The bench upon which they were sitting was split, but, marvellous to relate, with the exception of a few bruises the man and the ladies were, we believe, uninjured. Of course many persons who witnessed the occurrence, thought there must have been a loss of life, and great was their surprise at seeing all the parties leave the place without any broken bones. ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. — lnquests were held on Friday on view of the body of Edw. Graving, whose death was caused by his accidentally wounding himself with a knife while making a skewer, five weeks ago ;—on the body of a man unknown, found dead on Friday morning at the bottom of a newly excavated vault in the burial ground of St. Patrick's Chapel, Toxteth Park. The vault was newly dug, out of the solid rock, and was 24 feet deep. How the deceased got into the yard, which is enclosed in a rail ing 5 feet high, is not known. His skull was fractured and this was the cause of death. Deceased had on a blue coat, black trowsemil, and cloth cap ; dark hair and about 5 feet high. In his pockets were found a small sum of money and a book entitled " The Garden of the Soul." — On the body of Edw. 111`Donald, who on the 26th Dec. while intoxicated, hurt his face and one of his thumbs, from which lock jaw supervened, of which he died on Tuesday last. Verdict accordingly.—There were some other inquisitions, bnt in each of the cases it appeared that death had been the result of natural causes. _ _ DESTRUCTION OF A PACKET-SHIP.—The packet-ship Thomas P. Cope, Miercken, from Philadelphia, Nov. 26th, for Liverpool, was struck by lightning on the evening of the 29th ult., lat. 45 15, lon. 65, which set fire to the mainmast-head and rigging and cargo, consisting of hemp and tallow. Captaim M. immediately cut away the main mast,,and attempted to extingish the fire but did not suc med. In this state they remained till the evening of the fifth instant, when the British ship Emigrant, from Li verpool for St. John's, New Brunswick, fell in with them, and took off part of the passengers, when a gale sprung up. On the morning of the 6th the remainder of the passengers, captain, and crew, were taken off. In three hours after the smoke and flames arose suddenly to a great height, and the ship disappeared. Ship W. Irving, Caldwell, at Boston, fall in with the Emigrant 16th inst., lat. 42, lon. 67 20, short of provision and water, and took off Capt. M. crew and passengers, and carried them to Boston, and supplied the Emigrant with bread and flour. The T. P. Cope was ensured in Philadelphia for 18,000 dollars. It is stated that the cargo was principally in sured in England. THE COUNCIL WATER BlLL.—This bill makes no reference to the " Pike " scheme, and merely empowers the Council to purchase, " if they shall see fit," the pre sent waterworks, and adopt such arrangements as such purchase may render necessary. The water is to be always on, at high pressure, and the rate charged to the inhabitants is never to exceed the cost of supply—no profit is to be derived from the works. The following is the only clause likely to occasion remark from ratepayers:: —" And be it enacted, that the owners of all dwelling houses or parts of dwelling-houses occupied as separate tenements, and receiving from the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses a supply of water, the annual rack rent or value of which houses or tenements shall not exceed the sum of ten pounds, and of all dwelling-houses or parts of dwelling houses let or occupied for a term or period of less than one year, shall be liable and subject to the payment of all rates, rents, remunerations, and other charges made by the Council •, and the powers and provisions herein con tained for the recovery of rates, rents, remunerations, and other charges from occupiers, shall be construed to extend and apply to the owners of such houses and tene ments." Bistrtrt 4/ tius. The Mayor of Manchester has called a town's meeting for this day (Tuesday), to relieve the present distress in Ireland. Two boys, respectively eight and eleven years, were drowned, on Monday, whilst skating on a pit at Hollin worth, near Rochdale. Mr. Simpson, butler to Mr. Hesketh, of Tulketh-hall, has left £5OO to the Preston Dispensary, and the same sum to the trustees of Thornton School, near Fleetwood. THE LATE MRS. TOWNELEY.—Scarcely a week has elapsed since we had to record the death of Mr. Towneley, of Towneley, and we now have to add the death of his lamented widow.—Preston Chronicle. A meeting was held in Manchester, ou Wednesday, to promote a subsciption to Major General Wemyss, who is about to remove from that neighbourhood, on account 'of promotion, consequent on the late brevet. On Saturday, there was a fall of coal at the Black Wagon Colliery, Rowley, by which four men were killed, and three others so much injured that they are not ex pected to recover. On Tuesday, an old woman in the train from Wigan, got out on the wrong side at Huyton, just as the train from Liverpool was passing. It went over her, and tore off a leg and an arm. She died almost instantly. The late extraordinary rise in the price of barley and malt has compelled the brewers of Chester and the ad joining neighbourhood, and the county of Flint, to make an advance of f our -p ence per gallon on the previous prices. t h o e o t k h e a re dr re o drove vNoe. 1. u s c e x e l p - — = A s h a ll o t c t h o e r M o o f oc K h e e n s t d e al r l f a o s r t RATHE R of s h eep about h 4 4 200' . News arri ve d a t Kwewnh w e ek i d ec a hk l on Thursdacy trio/lung of h i s having b een ro bb e d o f t h e wh m ol r e . suf t.t .. sim on, an actor, belon ging to the Queen's Theatre, Manchester, cut h i s thgi(i:alTiith a razor, on the addited to drun discharge by the sth instant. The deceased was kenness, and had in consequence g re atl y manager. STRANGE AMUSEMENT.—WhiIe the mayor of Chester was engaged at the late fire at the Dee Mills, some person, for a " lark," entered his dining-room and carried out several articles of furniture into the street, amongst others, an open plate chest, containing articles of consi derable value. HAYDOCR LODGE ASYLUM. This asylum, which some time ago acquired a not very creditable notoriety, now contains 396 patients. There are at present con fined. there, 32 private male patients, and 20 private female patients ; 147 pauper male patients, and 197 pau per females. _ SIGNS OF THE TIMES.—The stocks of the pawnbrokers in Wigan have latterly increased so rapidly, that some of them were induced to close their shops on Thursday week, and have come to the conclusion either to limit the days of taking in goods on pledge, or to close their shops altogether, for a day or two in each week, during the prevailing pressure. SHORT TIME IN BURY. None of the mills are work ing full time. The extensive mills of Messrs. Greg have been at a stand for six weeks ; and those of Mr. L. R. Openshaw have been stopped since the beginning of last week. The foundries are also working shorter hours than usual. The shopkeepers are loudly complaining, and many families are in great distress. The applicants for relief increase every week, and it is in contemplation to establish soup kitchens. A PROPHECY OF NIXON,—The superstitious in and about Chester see in the recent destruction of a consider able portion of the Dee Mills by fire, the fulfilment of a prophecy reputed to have been uttered by the celebrated Cheshire prophet, who, tradition says, flourished in the reign of Henry the Seventh. It was to the effect that the Dee Mills, at Chester, should be thrice burnt down in the space of 60 years, which is really the fact, the first fire havinr , occurred in 1789, the next in 1812, and the third and last in 1847. WHICH IS THE POPULAR COLOUR ? — Yesterday a lady alighted from her carriage near St. Ann's-square, and entering a fashionable mercer's requested to be shown the newest fabriques de modes. The polite shopman was assiduous in his attentions, and profuse in his commen dations of the beautiful products of British looms, which lay outspread on the counter. "It is yet early," said th k e lady, "to ch oose spring patterns. Pray, which are liely , to be the prevailing colours here in the coming , seas " ? The lady's accent was that of London ; and c t draper inferring she was but newly a resident in Man matters, h e ester, and his mind having been running on election promptly replied : " Lincoln green for my lord, and Bright drab for the quaker. Since his lord ship's visit here the Forester's colour has been decidedly in the ascendant, all the drabs are down, and even the silver shade is at a discount with the veriest of the roundheads." The l a d y was surprised at the turn given to her inquiry, but the draper having explained, she chose the cavalier's colour ; and determined that when Nature assumed her own beautiful hue with the approach ing spring, she would also array herself in the popular colour—Lincoln green.—Mancheater paper. SHORT TlME.—Several of the principal mills of Ashton and Stalybridge continue to work four days a week, and this, with the high price of provisions, causes loud com plaints among the working classes, who are being fast re duced to a very dis tressed state. RECIPIENTS OF Poon RELIEF.—The Board of Guar dians finding that a portion of the relief funds which they distribute is expended at gin palaces and spirit vaults, in order if possible to put a stop to such mis-application have issued a notice offering a reward of ss. to any person who shall detect one in the receipt of relief from the guardians spending their money in those places. This notice was read to the paupers assembled on Thursday morning at the Union Offices, and it was universally ap plauded.—Manchester paper. COINCIDENCE IN BIRTHS.—It is a somewhat uncom mon circumstance to hear of children of the same family being born at intervals of time on the same day of the month ; hit it must be a much more unfrequent occurrence, where, in one family, the rarity has become doubled, or repeated. A case of the latter description has occurred in the family of Mr. Joseph Noblet, of Head Nook farm, Myerscough, who has four sons, the eldest of which was twelve years old on the 28th of April last ; the second ten on the 28th of April last ; the third eight on the Ist of September last ; and the fourth six on the Ist of September last. Further, the above four children were all l born between four and five o'clock in the afternoon.— Preston Pilot. DARING BURGLARY.—On Monday three men were apprehended at Manchester, on a charge of having been concerned in a daring burglary, committed at a farm house called Ladybarn, near Burnages, four miles from that town, on Saturday morning. On that morning, at an early hour, a party of ten or twelve men, with faces blackened, and armed with bludgeons, broke into the house in question, occupied by Mr. John Wood, a farmer of 70 years old, supposed in the neighbourhood to be a hoarder of money. They went to the bedroom of the old man's nephew, Mr. Charles Wood, and fastened him and his wife down, and then proceeded very leisurely to demand the old man's money from him. They remained threatening him and searching the house, making his servant girl carry a light, for about an hour and a half,' and at last bore off a booty of about £24 in money, a watch, and some other valuables. It appears that though they threatened to hang Mr. Wood, and to set fire to the house, he resisted all attempts to get a disclosure of his hoards from him, and they were indebted to the fears of his servant for what they did obtain. There was no conclusive evidence against the men taken in custody, but after a long examination at the New Bailey Court house, before Mr. Trafford, they were remanded. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. LIVERPOOL POLICE INTELLIGENCE. CAUTION TO SMOKERS.—On Wednesday last, Captain Stewart, of the ship Celia, appeared before Mr. Rushton, at the Police-court, and was fined ss. for smoking a cigar on the quay of George's Dock. STEALING CARPETING. — On Friday, at the Police court, Matthew Morton was charged with stealing a roll of carpeting from the warehouse of Mr. Hutton, No. 22, Byrom -street. Constable Burnie, 272, deposed to having apprehended the prisoner with the carpet in his possession about seven o'clock on Thursday evening, as he was making his way along Cheapside. Mr. Wm. Dixon, assistant to Mr. Hutton, identified the carpet, and stated, that he missed it from the warehouse about six o'clock on Thurs day evening. Committed to the sessions. ROBBING A TlLL.—Janhes Taylor, a well-known thief, was brought before Mr. Rushton on Friday, charged with having stolen 16s. out of the till of a shop in Forbes street, kept by a person named Cubbin. The fellow watched his opportunity, and seeing Mr. Cubbin leave the shop, rushed in and abstracted the money from the till. He was seen by a girl, who identified him. This occurred on Saturday week ; and on Tuesday evening last he was detected in a similar depredation in the shop of Mr. M`Millan. Mr. M`Millan having occasion to go out on the evening in question, left his shop in charge of his daughter, a mere child. Taylor came into the shop, and, after striking the little girl with a stick, ran off, taking a lump of butter. He was committed to the sessions. AN IMPOSTOR. — Patrick Shaughnessy, an Irishman, was brought up on Friday, charged with begging on 'Change the ,previous day. The man had been exceed ingly importunate, and was repeatedly cautioned to leave the town before he was taken into custody, but without effect. After being put in bridewell, it was found that he' had £6 in the Savings Bank in this town. A letter was also taken from him, by which it appeared he was pos sessed of money in Ireland. Upon Mr. Rushton saying he should be sent to prison, the fellow became greatly alarmed, and, in a whining tone, begged for mercy. The magistrate said it was a gross case, in which advantage had been taken of the public sympathy in a time of great distress, and ordered him to be imprisoned for one month. Two grown-up lads were brought before Mr. Rushton, on Thursday, on a charge of having created a disturbance at the house of Mr. Rowland, one of the assistant over seers of the parish, the night before. Mr. Rowland stated that they were in the habit of coming to the Parish-office daily, and making it a sort of rendezvous—that they re fused to remain at the Workhouse, and that one of them had broken the windows of the London Mansion-house some time ago, because the lord mayor refused to relieve him. Five of them came to his (Mr. Rowland's) house the night before, supposing that he was busy at the Parish-office at the time, and had he not, fortunately, been at home, they would, in all probability, have pro ceeded to extremities. Mr. Rushton ordered them to find bail, themselves in £lO, and two sureties in £5 each, or to be imprisoned two months in default. FELONY IN BOLD-.STREET.—On Saturday, two females, named Anne Akehurst and Margaret M'Gill were brought before Mr. Rushton on a charge of having been concerned in a robbery of Mr. Thomas Smith's glass and china es tablishment, 54, Bold-street. It appeared that the felony was found out through the instrumentality of Officer Bates, one of the detective force. On Saturday morning he observed the prisoner Akehurst, who is a policeman's wife, knocking at Mr. Smith's kitchen window. In the course of a very short time she was admitted into the house by the other prisoner, M`Gill, who acted as Mr. Smith's servant. On coming out she was pursued and apprehended by Bates, in Berry-street, and in a basket, which she carried under her shawl, were found some can dles. On searching her lodgings Bates discovered four china cups and saucers, an amber-coloured phial, a cream jug, and other articles of glass and china, which were all identified by Mr. Smith as his property. There was very little doubt, from the evidence, that M`Gill had given the property to the other prisoner, as she had access to the ware-room, which adjoins the kitchen. Both the prisoners were committed for trial. LIVERPOOL MENTAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SOIREE. On Thursday evening last, the annual soiree of the members and friends of the Liverpool Mental Improve ment Society, was held at the Royal Assembly Rooms, Great George-street, and on no previous occasion do we remember to have seen that capacious apartment present a more pleasing appearance. The number present would amount to nearly three hundred, and amongst them was a fair proportion of those " gems of n a t ure ," the ladies— whose presence gave a cheerful and enlivening tone to every proceeding. On the platform we observed Mr. G. Holden and Mr. H. H. Singlehurst, delegates from the Literary and Scientific Society of the Mechanics' Insti tution ; Mr. J. F. Turner, Mr. Leake, and Mr. Barker, of the Essay and Discussion Class of the Manchester Athenaeum ; Mr. Samuel, Mr. Hogg, and :many of the leading members of the society. At about seven o'clock the chair was taken by Dr. HODGSON, who in opening the business of the meet ing, stated his reasons for supporting societies of the kind. He said—The first thing that strikes me is the improving associations to which they lead. At a time of life when np n oo e r e t t d ; nogi degrading, grt h society aad:sietnahlngve i ed, s sbk iwg:lrahndodn. but t io e si d T: , truho a :ntn n or ei;tnni is ss mostconscious tuut lslde o f b e fli l e t tkh , oee i fl t trueahi nso likelihood surely d t s i a i elevating, ch ::_e ri i ) e o ti i e n: s ,m w e h n o cit, does not feel a love of men talnlOlnf e t ee. joining a nU nd gl t b rs i au l r far a m the intimacies formed at other places, not perhaps any o marked upward t9n vilPirnogtrheesms ly t o o f arise, dency, with such friendships as and surely we must feel that, were it only la; vention of evil, such societies deserve our wai ?r mest Pre en couragement. Nor is their spirit merely negative. Th e good dispositions which each brings with him are strength ened by sympathy and combination; each shares in the good of all, alternately giving and receiving good. The good resolutions, which in solitude might have languished and died away, are here conjoined into consistent habits by the silent power of example and unanimity cf feeling, compared with which the most serious and solemn didactic exhortation is but a sorry teacher of morality. Good of every kind becomes animated with congenial thoughts and pleasing recollections ; it is a part of enjoy ment, not a check on enjoyment ; and becomes uncon sciously but powerfully the rule of life. And further, we may be assured that the only friendships which endure through life are those which ate based on good. Evil divides not less than it corrupts; alienation succeeds to such friendship as exists among the vicious ; and even when the yoke is shaken off, there is a bitterness not to be escaped in the remembrance of confidence misgiven, time wasted, and powers abused. Friendships, on the other hand, which have taken root and sprung up will not fail to blossom and bear fruit through after life. Again, by such societies as these a purpose and an object are given to private reading and study. Persons designed for certain profes sions, such as the bar, have a definite course of study marked out, from which they must not depart ; but to the great majority of young men who are designed for busi ness life, the whole field of literature is open—the wh o l e world of thought is before them, where to choose, " but without a Providence to guide." Or if the lighter sorts of literature be not systematically preferred—if history, and biography, and philosophy, find not unwilling stu dents, the reading is sure to be desultory and discursive, having .no point at which to aim. It thus becomes, at best, an intellectual dissipation, a higher order of trifling, a literary lounge, a shelter from one's own tedium, a sup port for one's own weakness—which, again, it tends to in crease, not to diminish. Very different is the effect of systematic and continuous reading on a given subject, for a certain time, and for a certain purpose. The mind is more acute, and active, and on its guard ; it sifts and. compares statements which before it might have received. implicitly or rejected without inquiry; it adds fact to fact, and thought to thought, in an orderly and close connec— tion ; and the ideas are no longer an undisciplined rabble, but a compact,well-armed,and well-drilled phalanx,ready for action at the time of need. Reading thus becomes a mental gymnastics, and ceases to be a pleasant dream, from which one wakes with a chaos of confused andindistinct im pressions. But again—the power of uttering thought, so as to transform it into the mind of another,, or still better, so as to stimulate another's independent,thought, is a pos session which it is as important as is difficult to ac quire. Practice—practice—practice 131 the only. recipe. He who will not speak till he knows precisely. hew to speak, is like the old scholastic who would not enter.the water till he knew how to swim. And when, and where, and how, is this practice to be obtained ? When the se rious business of life has been begun, it is too late. The apprenticeship must precede the journey-work. Save in such societies as these, I know not where the needful ex perience and self-possession can be gained. Here they may be gained to a very great extent ; and be it observed, it is not sought to produce finished orators, or special pleaders, or powerful declaimers, but to give to every one such a control over his own language and his own feelings and thoughts, as to enable him, without trepidation, or bashfulness, or hesitation, to utter forth what truth is in him ; so that neither his own attention nor that of others, shall be fixed on the• vehicle and mode of utterance, rather than on the substance of that which is uttered. I know that there are persons fluent and glib of speech, without a correspondent depth of thought, persons who dilute an infinitesimal portion of ideas with a copious de luge of watery truth ; and that such persons excite in the minds of the discerning a distrust of all ready speech. But the two things are surely not incompatible. Nor can it be truly said that clear utterance has no reflex bearing on clearness of thought. Our own, ideas gain greatly in precision and in force by the very attempt to impress others with them. A thought seen through the medium of ano ther's sympathy is no longer the cold abstraction which it was in the solitude of our own mind. It has a new warmth, vitality, and energy. By speaking then, and writing too, but more especially by speaking (for then the communion of mind with mind is more rapid and direct), do we greatly aid our efforts to obtain order, precision, and accuracy, and readiness of thought. Nor let me forget to allude to the excellent school for temper, for taste, for presence of mind, which is here presented. One here learns to bear with patience and good humour, the dissection of his ar guments and the exposure of his mistakes ; to seize with instinctive quickness the salient points of an opponent's reasoning, or of a statement of facts, and a promptness of reply, without which a man may, as it were, have much money in the bank, but is really poor, for want of ready cash to meet the exigencies of the moment. The French speak of " les esprit des escaliers," the wit of the stair case, which remembers only in going down stairs the re tort or repartee which, in the dining room, at the proper time, would have been most effective. Here we learn to substitute a ready and timely wit for this lagging, tardy, staircase wit. And further, I know no better, or so good way of disciplining the various powers of mind to effec tive, bemuse combined, action. These may be, and often are, trained apart, but memory, and imagination, and ob servation, and wit, and reflection, must all work together to produce any great result ; the sun's rays must be drawn into a focus, ere they kindle a flamc ; by such contrasts as are here afforded, there is a new call for concentration of all the faculties of the mind. Mr. HUGH GAWTHORP, of Birkenhead, then addressed the meeting, and eloquently descanted on the many happy days and numerous advantages he had enjoyed since his first connection with the society. When he joined it, he could not have uttered two words consecutively before such an assemblage. He was so nervous that he would have been laughed at • and though now he might not have altogether got over the objection, he was enabled to con vey to them his ideas of the benefits such an institution had the power of disseminating. He argumentatively combatted the assertion of some, that such societies, by occupying the attention of youthful minds, disqualified them for business, and asked where one had been thus deteriorated by attending to mental improvement, how many were there unable to follow, beneficially, their avo cations from not having attended such societies. He con cluded by hoping that the Mental Improvement Society would go on prosperously progressing from year to year. Mr. HAYLOCK was then called upon by the president, and amidst frequent rounds of applause, spoke nearly as follows : When Julius Caesar, 1900 years ago, landed on this island, he found it a wild, uncultivated country, and its inhabitants for the most part little, if at all, superior to that of the brutes by which they were surrounded ; they were, in fact, what Shakspere says men must be—" if the chief good and market of their time be but to sleep and feed—beasts; no more !" They had no fixed abode, no settled occupations ; they lodged in miserable huts, or na tural caves ; they painted their bodies as the American Indians do at the present day, and, like them, were the victims of a bloody superstition ; the undressed skins of animals formed their only covering, and for food they were dependent upon the precarious supplies of the chase or the spontaneous fruits of the earth. Such was then the condition of this island and its inhabitants; now it stands at the head of all the nations of the earth, and its people are the chief of men. Not alone is England supreme on land and mistress of the sea ; not alone is she preeminent in war, in commerce, and in manufac tures ; but she is first also in literature, in science, and in art. Unequalled and unapproached in all the elements of material greatness, she towers far above and beyond all others in moral dignity and grandeur. To use the lan guage of a distinguished foreigner, with whose eloquence this very room has recently resounded—" This is Britain the peerless, that centres within herself all that the most favoured nations, ancient and modern, could boast of." Various have been the means by which a change so vast, improvements so wonderful, have been effected. The speaker then briefly pointed out some of these, and conti nued,—Did time permit, I might cite numerous other valuable aids to our progress as a nation ; it would be de lightful, for example, to expatiate upon the blessings of commerce, but I must pass on to the most important— the ONE before which all others " pale their ineffectual fires,"—an instrument of capabilities at once so vast and so minute as to be equally potent in preventing w in i ( i l i i c viva h d has l vice already national lynsubverte subverted empires, injustice—an changed instrument dynasties, exploded superstitions, emancipated slaves, given liberty to conscience, and unfettered the industry of nations— an instrument which is now striking terror to the hearts of tyrants and oppressors, and cheering the drooping spi rits of the injured and oppressed, and which, we are well assured, will eventually, by God's blessing, convert this earth into a Paradise, realising the poet's prophecy— Oh God ! the future yet shall see, On this fair world of thine, The myriads wise, and good, and free, Fulfil thy blest design. The dawn of Truth, long overcast, Shall kindle into day at last,. Bright, boundless, and divine! And man shall wal k the fruitful sod, A being worthy of his God! I need scarcely add the instrument I allude to is the Printing Press. With its introduction into this country commenced, as it were, a new era. To it, unquestion ably, may be attributed that diffusion of knowledge and general enlightenment whichbrought about firstthe Refor mation, then the Revolution, and subsequently those other important political and social changes, which have made us what we are—the dread and envy of the world. Through its instrumentality, the deep-thinkers amongst mankind, the chosen men of God, as I may with truth reverently call them, have given forth to the world their noble thoughts, their glorious imaginings; and while un folding to men their rights and duties, have imparted to them the spirit bravely to seek and guard the one, and honestly to perform the other. This holds good of literature in general, but it applies with peculiar force to to that particular department of it which is designated, par excellence, " The Press"—our newspapers, maga zines, and reviews. It may be true that these do not ge nerally, or even frequently, first promulgate great original ideas, but if they are not the fountain head, most assur edly are they the channels through which the evergushing streams of truth and wisdom flow around, fertilising, pu rifying, beautifying the earth. Worthily has The Press" been named the fourth estate of the realm — against it the other three are powerless—the public opi nion it generates, and fosters, and embodies, is omnipo tent ; and whether for good or ill—l believe for good— sweeps all before it. Nor is its influence solely poli tical: it is equally at home whether occupied in hold ing up to popular scorn some petty local job or im position, or in forcing upon the attention of the legisla ture some great social wrong. It is useful, aye essential, alike to the merchant, the tradesman, and the mechanic ; in fact, it is incalculably beneficial both to the community at large, and to each individual member of it. Every one who pays the least attention to the signs of the times, cannot fail to note its important bearing upon the best interests of society at the present day, by the discussion of such questions as the health of towns and sanatory improve ments, poor-laws, and the hours of labour in factories, the condition of Ireland, and national education, What it is doing now, it has been doing to a greater or less de gree ever since it had an abiding place amongst us. If further evidence is wanted of its power,—its beneficial power,- we need only look to other cuuntrico. It would appear to form an esssential element in national freedom and prosperity ; for whether we look on the old world, — to France or Spain, or Germany, or Austria ; or on the new, to the United States, or the South American re publics, we shall find that the freedom and prosperity of _these nations correspond with the freedom and ability of their press. So much is this is the case indeed, that given the one we can predicate the other. We are sometimes reminded of the old proverb, " We never know the value of a friend until we feel his loss." By way of application, it is asserted that the journalists and literary men of this country are not esteemed and honoured as they deserve. True,- we do not decorate them with' crosses of the legion of honour, or often make them prime ministers as in France, and yet we have had a Canning at the head of affairs ; and Macaulay, the most b r illi an t essa yi s t o f th e age, has a seat in the present cabinet. True, we don't, like America, send our Everitts and Washington Irvings on foreign embassies, but neither do we even occasionally hand them over to the tender mercies of Judge Lynch, or familiarise them with the bowie knives and rifles of the far west. If we do not honor our Dickenses and Jerrolds, and Fonblanques, and Carlyles, our Times and other able editors and writers, in the same ostentatious way as do our continental and transatlantic brethren, it may be the shrewd practical good sense of John Bull has discovered that such men of genius are better employed in the closet or at the desk, than in leading parties or in dancing attend ance upon foreign potentates. If they are not ministers, they are minister makers and directors, which I take to be the nobler office ' • and I believe after all, th ey are pa id as. liberally, and esteemed as highly, and venerated as much as the literary men of any other land. Be this as it may, however, let it not be said that we are wanting in our allegiance, and while we honour the great men of our common country, let us not forget our local journalists. Liverpool can boast a press which, whether taken singly or in the mass, will bear comparision with that of any other provincial town in the kingdom, and a portion of it has peculiar claims upon our gratitude. If we are im pressed (as I venture to take for granted we are) with the importance of a free and independent and intelligent press, we should be desirous- to diffuse its blessings over all the land,—we should wish it to enter the cottage of the peasant as freely as the mansion of the peer, and we ought, therefore, to honour those who have recently so greatly enlarged the circle of its influence. It was fitting that Liverpool, so celebrated for the enterprise of her mer chants, should have journalists animated by the same spirit. It was fitting that she should be the first of pro viaciattowas to indulge the poor man in the luxury, I might say necessary, of a good and cheap newspaper. The experiment is a bold one, but the result I hope—l believe there are already good grounds for hoping—will prove it to be as wise as it is bold. Long may its projectors and adopters prosper ! "Let us aid them all we can, Every woman, ever man ; Smallest helps, if rightly given, Make the movement stronger; 'Twill be strong enough one day, Wait a little longer." I am far from wishing to depreciate the value of the other portion of our local press. I acknowledge its importance and its merit. There is " ample scope and range enough' for all ; and I trust all will prosper, and continue to in crease in public usefulness. In conclusion, I beg that you will join me heartily in wishing—with especial reference to the cheap newspapers of Liverpool— PROSPERITY TO TEE PRESS. Mr. HoG6, Secretary to the Liverpool Mechanics' In stitution, replied. Mr. C. H. DAVIE then rose to move a vote of thanks to those gentlemen who had honoured them with their com pany that evening, as deputations from Manchester. An interchange of material wealth, he said, had long existed between Liverpool and Manchester, and he thought the time had now come when there should be an interchange of mental wealth, the benefits from which would be innu merable—(cheers)—and as a first step towards it, he begged to bid the deputation welcome in the name of the society, whose desire it was to foster and keep up a cordial and friendly feeling with those around them. Mr. R. C. HALL, in seconding the motion, entered lengthily into the subject, but limited space compels us to omit his address. Mr. R. LEASE, jun. from Manchester, in an excellent and effective address, acknowledged the vote. Referring to the remarks of Mr. Davie—why, he asked, in these days of cheap transit, should the Liverpool and Manches ter Societies. not join in the discussion of some of those great questions which now interest the world ? It would not fail to be productive of much good. (The proposition was received with much applause.) He announced that the Manchester Athenaeum Society had the advantage over the Liverpool Society in one respect ; they admitted ladies to their discussions. At the conclusion of each de bate, also, a show of hands was taken, which served as an index of fhe progress and tendency of public opinion. As an interesting illustration of this'fact, he remarked that when the subject of peace was long ago discussed, most of the members were in favour of " time-honoured war;" but after the last debate, only two hands were held up in its favour. Mr. H. H. SINGLEHURST then addressed the meeting in a very pleasing speech. He " cordially dissented" from the opinion of a preceding speaker, that the working classes had themselves now to blame if they were not well educated ; and, referring to debating societies, showed the tendency they had in destroying dogmatism, promot ing charity and respect for the well founded opinions of others. He concluded with proposing " Success to the Liverpool Mechanics' Institute Mental Improvement Society." Mr. GEO. HOLDING, also from Manchester, seconded the motion in a quaint practical speech, replete with good sense. Mr. JAMES BLENKINSOP, one of the earliest members of the society was called upon to reply :—He described the practical results he had himself experienced by his connexion with such Societies. They were not only ad vantageous in developing the power of giving expression to our thoughts, but were the only means by which errors of thought could be eradicated. He regarded his joining the Mental Improvement Society as an era in his life that aroused him from a sleeping lethargy—and though none of the members aspired to be orators, they acquired the mode of thinking, and applying their thoughts properly. After thanking the meeting for their wishes of success, Mr. LANGTON moved a vote of thanks 'to the ladies ; to which Mr. EDWARDS, in a laconic and somewhat original address, replied. Mr. SAMUEL moved a vote of thanks to the President, Dr. Hodgson, which was carried unanimously. Dr. HoncsorT said, he had had so often to reply of late to similar expressions of gratitude, that he felt himself a bank rupt in thanks, he had to pay more than he had earned, and they must accept a composition of 6d. in the pound, and he would apply the remaining 19s. 6d. in the best form he could, in actual service for the society. The president concluded amidst the most enthusiastic ap plause. The room was then cleared, and preparations made for " the festive dance." The arrangements were admirable, and in every way complete. The band, which was con ducted by Mr. Gribbin, played the most popular and fas cinating tunes of the day, and whether in the quadrille, the waltz, the gallopade, or polka, the soul-stirring music was a theme of general admiration, and while the youth and beauty of the meeting found recreation in threading through the dancing throng, the sager portion, who were seated on the platform, denoted by their smiling faces the climax of enjoyment. The refreshments, which were provided in the ante room, under the superintendence of Mr. Horsfall, were most excellent, indeed there was a superabundance of viands of the richest and rarest kinds, as well as tea and cooling liqueurs. At an early hour in the morning the party broke up, each delighted with the management, and many loudly expressed their satisfaction. THE NEW LIVERPOOL EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY. This excellent institution which, in its peculiar pro vince, is excelled by none of our charities in the philan thropy and utility of its objects, has since its establishment attained a celebrity far the rapid restoration of the bless ings of sight and hearing, amongst those afflicted with a partial or total deprivation of both, which has perhaps rarely, if ever, been achieved by any asylum in this king dom. This success we attribute, in the first place, to the generous disposition of our townsmen towards their dis tressed fellow-creatures, and, in the second, with not less justice, to the talent, zeal, and unwearied perseverance, over a course of years, of the medical officers—Dr. Ed wards, and Hugh Neill, Esq. surgeon. Entertaining these opinions of the institution, we were much interested in even a cursory visit to the new and more extensive premises recently obtained by the com mittee for the transplantnient of the establishment, and which is fitted up with all possible neatness, comfort, and convenience for the patients and their attendants, con sistent with due economy. From Harford-street, corner of Mount-pleasant, the Infirmary has been removed to the large house, facing down the latter street, and known as having been formerly occupied by the late Dr. Carson. A finer, or more accessible and airy site, could not have been chosen within the borough, or a building in any direction more suitable ; the original plan without and within being such for convenience, light, and ventilation, that, beyond the requisite new furniture, comparatively small expenditure was requisite to immediately adapt it for the purpose. The house may be said to be almost iso lated, as it has three open sides, a main facade (with a handsome portico) to the west ; another frontage to Ox ford-street on the south, and an open windowed side, fac ing an extensive flagged yard, on the north. The interior divisions are such (with a fine stair-case lighted from the roof in the centre) that ample air and light are admitted into each room, to which easy and rapid access is obtained without that modern defect of single or lob-sided houses, of dark and long passages. It is, in fact, at once compact and spacious as a whole. The entrance for the patients is by a door into the yard, from the north branch of Mount-pleasant—a street which, from its forming (by the way) almost a right angle with the same named street below, ought long since to have obtained a new cognomen. rom the yard they are ad mitted, by a porched door, into the Receiving Room, a comfortable apartment, painted green, with benches and forms, and (at this season) a good fire. This is in itself a great improvement over what could he accomplished in the old establishment, where, for want of room, the poor blindor affected in vision, who must be naturally anxious for advice and relief, were necessitated to " bide their time" in the open air. Close to this room (which was previously one of the two front parlours) is, across the hall or front passage, the Surgeon's Consulting Room, in which he receives the patients, inspects their peculiar diseases of eye or ear, performs operations when necessary, and furnishes his recipes for medicines or applications. The patients fur nished with such documents pass homeward by a small and adjoining laboratory, where their prescriptions are pre c ared, and, to avoid conf u si on ( as th e num b er o f ' door into the yard, if not received as in-patients. On the same floor is the Matron's Room, and others. On the next floor above, is the committee-room, over the consulting-room, and in other parts spacious bed rooms for patients, with three neat and modernly-con structed bedsteads in each, well appointed with mattresses, bedding, &c., all peculiarly clean and comfortable. We were much struck, indeed, by the cleanliness and comfort thoughout—indispensable requisites to that cheerfulness in the patients, which must • be a strong auxiliary to the scientific efforts of the medical officers. We were induc ted by the very civil and assiduous matron into most -of the apartments. In one of them were seated, round a cheering fire, many of the male patients, who though with their eyes bandaged, or partially so, and all of them no doubt in the expectation of comparatively speedy restora tion to the " beams of day," rose from their seats at our entrance, and respectfully saluted us in their several ways. This we considered a high and affecting compliment to the " management" of the institution. There is generally but one window in each room• and in each ward, and these are more or less obscured by green Venetian blinds, as the eyes of the patients in convalescence can bear the light. There are also day rooms and dormitories for fe males, entirely apart from the males. In the third story, or attic, we observed amongst other rooms, one large room, an apartment with six beds, equally as well fur nished as those below, and all beautifully clean. Thez c are on the premises hot, shower, and cold baths, with every convenience for washing and cleansing the person. Seventeen beds are in use, and thirty more could be made up, if the funds would permit. The average number of Mr. Neil's consulting and in-door patients is, we learn, 70 a-day, but this is sometimes greatly exceed ed. On Saturday se'nnight, he prescribed for no fewer than 126 applicants. Mr. Barrow,his able assistant, pre pares the medicine. During our very short visit, (not exceeding twenty mi nutes,) Mr. Neil, who happened to arrive, took the writer of this into his consulting-room, and passed before him about a dozen of his in-patients, variously afflicted with blindness, exhibiting the eyes of each, detailing the ope rations performed, and questioning them as to the state of their eyes, the period they had been respectively under treatment, &c. Their replies were most kindly, intelli gent, and grateful, and we shall not soon forget the plea sing impression they left upon onr mind ; though we must say that his apparently rapid, but scientific, hand ling of their eye-lids was, from want of custom, painful to us, though by no means, as it appeared, to them. We learn that between 300 and 400 useful mechanics, belonging to the foundries, iron works, &c., of the town, and to the railway as far as Crewe (now part of the Lon don and North-Western) have had their sight entirely or partially restored after accidents, at this noble institution, during the past year ; yet, strange to say, the mas ters keep aloof from, or think not of; contributing to the funds. Surely this is an oversight ! If these companies (or proprietors) would contribute but £5 annually each, the institution might progress in utility without other aid. We hope and trust that this hint will be as generously responded to as it is sincerely given, without attaching blame or reflection on any one, for we can well conceive that amidst the various contributions which are more publicly called for, and the multifarious toils of business, this less assuming, yet genuine charity may be overlooked. Let us remind them that the loss of hearing (for the reco very of which this institution has been also eminently successful) is itself a painful and impoverishing bereave ment ; and that the loss of sight, however able the suf ferer may be, is, independent of all existing strength of limb or power of mind, an entire cutting off of every phy sical and useful energy in the unfortunate subject, besides withdrawing from him all outward objects, plunging his mind into despondency, if not despair. We know of but one gifted man, who after physical darkness set in upon him, produced a piece of immortal writing, by dictating to his daughter, who became his amanuensis. We allude to Milton, the author of Para dise Lost. But even he, great and philosophic as he was , thus in that sublime work affectingly t ouc h es u p on hi s loss of vision Seasons return, but not for me returns Day, or the sweet approach of noon or even ! We could add much in behalf of the Eye and Ear Infir mary, with reminiscences of its progress, but as the an nual meeting took place yesterday, we prefer referring to the report and details. TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. The adjourned meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, to consider the recommendation of the ma gistrates for an increase of salary to Mr. Rushton. The Mayor took the chair; and after the presentation of a memorial, respectably signed by upward of 1300 persons, Mr. SANDS moved the amendment of the bye-law re lating to Mr. Rushton's salary, which he wished to be raised from £l3OO to £lBOO per annum. He regretted the allusions which had been made at former meetings to the old magistracy, and he would not have moved the resolution had he not been convinced that Mr. Rushton was inadequately remunerated. He had never spoken to Mr. Rushton on the subject, and the movement originated entirely with the magistrates, who held Mr. Rushton in great esteem. Mr. Sands then referred to the great in crease in the number of cases coming before Mr. Rushton, and said that there was no occasion for a second court. Though Mr. Rushton's salary was equal to that of any London magistrate, it should be remembered that Mr. Rushton did as much work as was done in any of the three courts in London, where the magistrates were paid £3200 annually. Mr. R. HOUGHTON, jun., briefly seconded the motion. Sir T. BRANCKER, with • great reluctance, opposed the motion, because he entertained a high opinion of Mr. Rushton. But the Council must pay the same salary to Mr. Rushton's successor. In Manchester the borough magistrates took a great share of the police business, and the justices of Liverpool should be as efficient. The Council should remember that the salary was not a charge on the surplus income, but the burgesses were charged with it. Mr. PARKER very ably addressed the Council against the proposed increase. Mr. LACE spoke in favour of the increase, because he was strongly of opinion that Mr. Rushton was underpaid, and because he was greatly in favour of uniformity of de cision, which could not be gained by the creation of a se cond court. After Mr. Nicot, had urged on the borough magis tracy a greater attention to their duties, and Mr. Joan HOLMES and Mr. RATEBONE had spoken in favour of the in crease of salary, Mr. SAMUEL HOLME approached the subject with some reluctance, because it appeared somewhat ungracious to resist any recommendation coming from the magistrates. In a placard published on the walls of the town about ten years ago, Mr. Rathbone and Mr. Hugh Hornby declared that they would set their faces against jobbery, and that they would promote economy. He agreed with the admirable principles set forth in this placard, and he considered the salary paid to Mr. Rushton was amply sufficient, and that it would be well for the unpaid to relieve him from some of his extraneous duties. He stated that on three several occasions, within the last few years, he had been kept waiting for an hour each day in the police-court. If four hours a-day were sufficient to discharge the duties of of the police-court, could Mr. Rushton be said to be over burthened ? Look at the judges of the land ! They sat day after day for nine and ten hours. There were many questions coming before Mr. Rushton, which any man of common sense could decide ; and surely the informations for nuisance did not require the talent of a great lawyer. He then referred, at some length, to the debates for and against the £l3OO a-year to Mr. Hall, at the time it was originally proposed, ald showed that Mr. Vincent Higgins and others were then firmly opposed to so large a salary. He said that, almost without exception, it was the general opinion of Liverpool, that there should be two courts, and that Mr. Rushton should attend to the criminal business solely. The town demanded and would have two courts, and though the time might be staved off, there must be two courts, and in years to come there must be three courts. It was a question of time, and not one of money ; and he would oppose the motion, if for no other purpose than to establish a second court. Mr. EARLE said the opposition to Mr. Rushton was based to some extent upon the fact that some gentlemen were not elevated to the bench. With respect to an ob jection about the rapidity of decisions in the police-court, he asked what necessity therewas for along s peech in ordering a fellow to pay ss. and costs for being found staggering drunk in Lord-street ? (Loud laughter.) Mr. HORSFALL said that Mr. Lace's opinion that only one stipendiary magistrate ought to be appointed, in order to obtain uniformity of decision, was entitled to little weight, for if uniformity of decision was so desirable, why not only appoint one judge ? (Hear, hear.) He should oppose the motion on two grounds ; Ist, that he could not see why Liverpool should pay £6OO a-year more than Mr. Hall received at Bow-street ; and 2ndly, that if the motion were adopted, the wants and wishes of the people of the town would not be met. Mr. Huck' HORNBY concurred in the motion. He felt, however, severe regret that it should have been introduced at the present time, for the way it had been introduced in and out of the Council could not have failed to hurt Mr. Rushton's feelings. The magistrates were unanimously in favour of the increase, and they were a very numerous body, composed of both political parties. The increase was brought forward originally and now by Conserva tives. The magistrates had recommended it upon two grounds ; Ist, that the duties had greatly increased ; and 2ndly, that they were efficiently discharged. Mr. J. B. LLOYD alluded in eulogistic rms to the assist ance the stipendiary received from Mr. Ellis, one of the magistrates clerks. Mr. BOOKER said that one universal opinion prevailed in the town, that Mr. Rushton held the scales of justice with an even hand. Personally he knew nothing of the man, except that he had smarted under the severity of his fines. He had sent a person to watch his decisions, and found they were given irrespective of men and of party. __ _ Mr. HIGGINS, seeing such an opposition to the grant. thought that an amendment ought to be moved, that the salary be raised to £l5OO, instead of £lBOO, as an ac knowledgment of Mr. Rushton's services. The amendment not having been seconded fell to the ground. _ _ _ - Mr. HODGSON should oppose the motion inasmuch as the salary was not only adequat e t o th e duties required of the stipendiary magistrate, but greater than was given to any other stipendiary in the country. The unpaid came forward now to load the shoulders of the man who had been doing their work for them, forgetting that it was " the last straw that broke the camel's back." Could Mr. Rushton be so overloaded as to be made to do what three magistrates in London were paid for doing ? He was for having a Mayor's Court established, believing that the Mayor had no very onerous duties to discharge ; and in saying this he spoke from the experience of the past year. lie contended that the Liverpool magistrates were cyphers, and that they ought to be elevated to the dis charge of such duties as rightly and properly fell to their .---1 knowledre notions. lie said that eighteen, magistrates did the whole duty of the town of Birmingham, where there was a po pulation of 200,000 inhabitants. Mr. MORRIS said the time of the public should be con sidered, and that the establishment of a second court, to be called the Mayor's Court, would relieve Mr. Rushton of much of his arduous labours. Mr. Amity said he had reserved himself until that pe riod of the debate, for the purpose of replying to any re flection which might be made upon Mr. Rushton ; but no reflection had been made, and it was universally admitted that he discharged his duties in the most admirable manner. The MAYOR promised not to shrink from presiding in a second court, should that be the wish of the Council. He was long in favour of the establishment of a second court, but doubted the propriety of calling it a " Mayor's Court." He would rather that all the magistrates would join together in sharing the burthen,and he said he should bring the subject before the magistrates at an early period. He promised to vote in favour of the increase, out of re spect to the recommendation made by the magistrates, and the conviction he entertained of the able manner in which Mr. Rushton discharged his duty. Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE believed that the second court in Manchester had been found to work remarkably well. He cordially a g reed in all the eulogies passed upon Mr. Rushton : but if he discharged his duties well, he was only doing what was expected from him. Mr. SANDS briefly replied. The Council then divided, when there appeared— For the increase Against it . Majority against it.. The motion was consequently lost. The following gentlemen voted in the division : _ For the increase, Councillors—Messrs. R. Hou ghton, W. Rathbone, John Holmes, H. Hornby , J. Allan, C. Robertson, W. Earle, J. Booker, A. Lace, W. Watson, R. Benn, R. Houghton. Alderm en—J. H. Turner , Thomas Sands, R. S. Crook, and the Mayor. Against the increase, Cou nc illors — Messrs. Thomas Shaw, W. Atherton, James Holme, James Stitt, C. S. Middleton, T. Littleda le, jun ., Tyrer, J. A. Ti nne , T. Robinson, T. Toulm in, G. G. Hornby, T. Royden, J. Cooper, J. N. Wood, S. Holme, J. Procter, C.W. Reade, Henry Danson, J. P arker, W. Ben ne tt, R. L. J ones , W. Mann, J. G. Morris, Aldermen—D. Hodgson, T. B. Horsfall, R. Griffiths, Sir T. Brancker, W. Nicol, Bramley-Moore, W, P. Bushby, and T. Chilton.