The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-01 00:00:00

THE Ktberpoot tanbatt. TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1856 ECCLESIASTICAL ROUTINE WHEN England the other day, after forty years of peace, found herself at war, she was quickly convinced, by painful experience, of the necessity for various changes and improvements in her military system. Her system, like her old tents and old weapons, had been laid up in ordinary since the eventful day of Waterloo ; and, when suddenly called into action, ►vas, like them, found to be utterly unfit for service. The routine, which had answered upon the whole tolerably well in other times, was found to be unsuited to the present ; and a change was imperatively called for : and, however unwilling the grey-beards of the service may be to admit the fact, a change has been commence& which nothing but a speedy and imei pected return of peace, if that, can hinder from, becoming complete and entire. Had the necessity for such change been urged before the war broke out, few, if any, would have been convinced ; and even those few would hardly have thought it worth their while to enter upon any agitation in order to bring it about. But the English are a practical people, and are far more readily influenced by one fact than by ten thousand arguments, however rational may be the theory in support of which they are urged : and, accordingly, no sooner did they hear the accounts of hunger and cold, disease and death, among our troops, with which the papers teemed some twelve months ago, than they loudly demanded a change in the system which had led t 6 such melancholy and pernicious results. We will not say, that they did not go in some = respects a little too far ; we will not say, that the blame was in every case apportioned with strict justice : all we insist upon is this,—that, as soon as they were convinced by the stern logic of facts that a change was necessary, a change was demanded. Now it is somewhat strange that a people, which is so readily convinced by facts in questions of a civil or military nature, should be so difficult to move in matters ecclesiastical. The evils of an antique military routine have but lately been demonstrated ; and already routine is condemned. The same incubus has been weighing upon the Church, and producing un numbered evils for, at least, the last hundred and fifty years, and scarcely a voice is raised against it, except by those who would fain sweep the Church away from the face of the earth. It may be that the difference may be accounted for by the fact, that, whereas the evils of military routine were developed and demonstrated at once by the outbreak of the war, those which afflict the Church, and retard her progress, have been of more gradual growth. The former could not but be seen and felt. The latter have come upon us imperceptibly, so as that we are not conscious, at any given moment, of things being in a worse state than they have ever been. And yet we are convinced, as we are certain that all will be, who will patiently inves tigate facts, that routine is the very bane of the Church. Take, for example, the number of our dioceses. Origi nally they were seven, one for each kingdom of the Hep tarchy : but our forefathers knew nothing of routine, and consequently found no difficulty in increasing them. At the period of the Reformation they were more than twenty ; and by HENRY VIII. were in creased to within one of their present number : and yet the population has increased five-fold ; the north has become in many parts more populous than the south ; and large towns and cities have sprung into existence in places where then a few scattered cottages alone proclaimed the presence of man, many of them pos sessing more inhabitants than whole dioceses three hundred years ago, nay, some of them, more than dioceses of our own day. If this were all, our case would be a strong one. It would be this : that we have the same number of Bishops, plus one, which were considered necessary three hundred years ago for apopu- lation of just about one-fifth of our present numbers. And even if we were to admit the truth of Mr. HORACE MANN'S fancy statistics, and by which he endeavours to prove that only one-half of the population belongs to the Church ; and further admit that the Church has no duties to discharge towards, and no concern with, thosewho dissent from her; still the disproportion would be sufficiently glaring, about two-and-a-half to one. In other words, we should require somewhere about forty additional Bishops to place the Church upon the same footing, with reference to the popula tion, as at the Reformation. But, in point of fact, this is not all ; for it is well known that of all the additional dioceses which HENRY VIII. considered necessary, only a portion were founded ; and, besides what he did, and intended to do, in the way of new dioceses, that he provided for the revival of the Chorepiscopi, or country-bishops of the Primitive Church, under the somewhat erroneous name of Suffragans. By an act passed in the 26th year of his reign, no less than twenty-six towns were appointed, principally in the south, from which these assistant Bishops should take their titles. " They were to be consecrated," says BINGHAM, "by the Archbishop, and two other Bishops, and by the act to have the same episcopal power as suffragans formerly had within this realm ; but none of them either to have or act anything properly episcopal, without the con sent and permission of the Bishop of the city, in whose diocese he was placed and constituted." In fact, they would have been pretty much to their respective Bishops in their dioceses, what Curates are to Incumbents in their parishes. It was, then, con sidered necessary at the time of the Reformation, not only to have a larger number of Bishops than at present, fixed in permanent sees, but, to provide by these suffragans for cases of emergency. If, for example, the Bishop of any diocese required assistance, he was to present two persons to the King, who should nominate one of them to be his suffragan, and require the Archbishop to consecrate him. This act was repealed by 1 and 2 PHILIP and MARY, tap. 8., but wAS . reci.73:. l . !n the following reign, and remains in force, we believe, to this hour ; though, since its revival, it has never been acted upon. And why is it not acted upon? The wants of the Church are admitted, nay, cannot be denied in face of such facts as one which we noticed only a few days ago, viz., that, in consequence of advanced age and infirmity, the Bishop of DURHAM had handed over the administration of his diocese to, the Bishop of MANCHESTER, —to a Bishop whose chief city would a l o ne find more than sufficient occupation for his whole time and energies. Why, then, instead of adding an a dditional burden to on e a l rea d y over burdened, was not a suffragan consecrated to assist the aged Bishop MALT BY ? Why, some ye ars ago, was not a suffragan appointed for Bath and Wells, instead of additional labour be in g thrown upon the B eca use it would have Mate Bishop of SALISBURY . P been contrary to routine : which same routine also requires each Bishop to have a Cathedral with a Dean and Chapter, a Palace, and four or five thousand a year, and thereby raises very terrible obstacles to any permanent increase of the Episcopate. And though the Church is failing, miserably failing, in her warfare with the world ; and our mining and manu facturing districts are approaching day by day more near to a condition of absolute Heathenism ; yet Churchmen cannot, or will not, see any necessity for departing from a routine, which dates from a period when the state of things was altogether different from that which exists at present. MEICCA:NTILE ADVICES from St. Petersburgh, of the 18th ult., contain the significant announcement that the banks have limited the amount of their cash paynients, " owing t o the scarcity of bullion ;" but that they bad not ceased issuing such entirely. This will explain the urgent efforts recently made at Berlin and elsewhere tQ raise a loan, on almost Any term, FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. MONDAY MonxING. DURING Christmas week the metropolis has been the theatre of fun and frolic, as have likewise been ail other places throughout the length and breadth of " _Kerrie Englaude." In London at least there has been no apparent lack of enjoyment, or of the means of procuring it. Christmas-day, the greit Christian anniversary, was celebrated as a London. Christmas generally,. is : after the celebration of an early and earnest religious ser vice, it was set apart as a day of festive pleasure, and social and domestic joy. The initiative in this national_ mode of celebration was properly taken by Her MAJESTY THE QUEEN, who in the private chapel of Windsor Castle, accom panied by her Royal Consort and their youthful family, ushered in the day by attendance on Divine Service. The .Royal baron of beef, flanked on either side by the traditional boarl head, and woodcock pie, and decorated with holy. and ivy were placed cold on a sideboard of the banqueting-hall of the Castle, at an early hour. The baron is in all respects a joint worthy of the ancient and well maintained hospitality of England. It weighed four hundred and twenty-five pounds, and was cut from a five-years-old Highland stot, fed by , PRINCR ALBERT at the Norfolk Farm in the Windsor Great. Park. In quality it was admitted to be of rare excellence, and along with its portly companions it continued to grace the sideboard for the refection of the royal and noble guests who were honoured with the entree to the Castle during the. week - . To-morrow (New-Year's 7 day) HER MAJESTY will dis pense her annual bounty to the poor of Windsor and Clewer, to the amount of £250 in food and clothing. While the quiet and stately Christmas festivities of royalty have been observed with the customary ,magnificence at Windsor Castle, and with a slightly diminished grandeur, though with an equal amplitude of cordiality, in many a lordly hall throughout the country ; and while the yule-log has been kindled and the yule-flagon quaffed in many a yeoman's cottage, the in-dwellers of the " wen" (the epithet by which old COBBETT delighted to stigmatise the metropolis,) have been neither idle nor abstemious, so far as can be judged by external indications. Besides the substantials and dainty fare prescriptively devoted to Christmas, London has presented attractions more than usually numerous and seductive. The Theatres, Concert-rooms, and other exhibitions of a kindred character have been more than usually cared for,- and have been more than usually attended. The Crystal , Palace, the- British Museum, the National Gallery, the Polytechnic, the Panopticon, the Zoological Gardens, and Panoramas without number, have contributed pleasure, mingled with instruction,. I , to thousands upon thousands to whom a holiday is at once a time of rest and recreation. If the close of the year brings with it a season of festivity,- in which the joys of social intercourse and the harmonies of domestic happiness are more widely disseminated than on or dinary occasions, it also brings with it matter inducing serious thought and is provocative of grave reflection. It is the period which, of all others, is peculiarly fitted to suggest anticipa tions of the future, and with these to inwreath it may be a withered chaplet of flowers which bedecked the past. In the language of the great Scottish bard : This day, Time winds th' exhausted chain, To run the twelve months' length again. I see the old bald•pated fellow, With ardent eyes, complexion sallow, Adjust the unimpaired machine To wheel the equal, dull routine. The absent lover, minor heir, In vain assail him with their prayer; Deaf as my friend, he sees them press, • Nor makes the hour one moment less. Conspicuous among those thoughts which "will not be re pressed," and which flavour with a dash of sorrow the brim ming cup of anticipated pleasure, are the memories of those who have been "snatched away in beauty's bloom," or, like ripe ears, have fallen before the mower's scythe. Few in dividuals, and still fewer households, have not some such me mory to haunt and sadden them. For each has had his dream of joy, His own unequall'd pure romance, Commencing when the blushing boy First thrills at lovely woman's glance. And each can speak of whispers in a milling ear, Of kisses on a glowing cheek, Each kiss—each whisper far too dear, For modern lips to give or Speak; While individual-experiences, however, are most potent in guiding restricted feeling, and while poignancy of emotion is at all times most efficiently soothed by generalised sensations, there always exists in the human mind an extent of 'Sympathy so widely diffused as to link whole communities in a common bond of regret, or to awaken in their bosoms a unison of chastened admiration—something which all can deplore, or in which all can take delight. No spell is so potent for these purposes as that which is awakened from the tomb ; the obi tuary, like the church-yard, is the ground on which all meet on equal terms. Casting the eye retrospectively over its sombre pages, food for reflection is forced on even the most thoughtless. That for the year whose-knell ia.now.ringing contains the names of many whose deeds and acts were " familiar in our ear as household words." Without alluding more pointedly to those of the illustrious dead who have been sacrificed ou the altar of war, and whose memory will retain a lasting verdure in the proud remembrances of a grateful nation, it is impossible to forget how many of those who, for good or evil, exercised a telling influence on public affairs. The Senate has to bewail the loss of a conscientious legislator, and the model of an English gentleman, in the death of Sir ROBERT INGLIS ; and an earnest upholder of right in the case of Colonel SIBTHORP ; in the sturdy old Radical, JOSEPH Hums, the House of Commons has lost a distin guishing and characteristic feature ; and in Sir WILLIAM MoLsswosxm the Cabinet has to deplore the removal of a man of character, who, however bewildered by cob-web mysticism in politics, deservedly maintained the character of personal honesty, and was generally admitted to be above the stimulus of selfish ends. Art has sustained severe loss in the death of the venerable Comm- FIELDING, and the energetic PATsrc PARE; as music has in the broken and now silent lyre of Sir HENRY R. BISHOP. Physical science has to mourn over the ashes of DE LA BECHE, and Professor GREEN - HOUGH ; and classical literature must lament the severing of that silver cord which linked elegant erudition with the name of DEAN GAISFORD. Within the last few days artistic refinement has lost an enlightened and munificent patron in the death of the patriarchal Memenas, SAMUEL RoGERS. In even so brief a retrospect, the sensitive reader is tempted to exclaim with the poet— . Hark ! how the sacred calm, that breathes around, s's Bids every fierce tumultuous passion cease, In still small accents whispering from the ground A grateful earnest of eternal peace. Having, as it were, closed the record of the past, the appr0a.......s of the year, which will be ushered in by to-morrow's matin chime, invites a forward glance; and here again "grim-visaged war " presents " his wrinkled front," and lays his withering hand on even the fairest anticipations. It invades and vales the counting-house of the merchant—abates the niTtble celerity of the shuttle—and slackens the bounding sail of the mariner. It dins its discordant rattle in the court-yard, of the, ducal domain—sends its shriek into the happy cirels:which surrounds the domestic hearth—and with its harrowing groan affrights the home of peaceful industry. With such.an array of unwelcome attributes, as the accompaniment of war, it can not be a matter for wonderment, that men of all political per snasions sigh for the return of Peace ; yet it is infinitely ere dit'able to the sagacity as well as spirieof the Britiih pedide, that, though anxious for the cessation of the wa4,they are not prepared to accept a peace which would be but a.compromise— a brief armistice to shift . the burden of hostilities from, their own shoulders to those of their posterity. The-rumours of an proachiug settlement of the dispute, which have of late been current, have without doubt engaged the anxious attention of all ranks of the community, au.d the various items of the. alleged terms of accommodation have been keenly scrutinised. Like other misty sayings, - xvhich originate from oracular minds, the suggested terms of peace have shown a consistency akin to that Of the quicksand, and, have proved themselves to to be _ _ _ - like the borealis race That flit ere you can point their place. Each succeeding day has seen new -rumoured proposals, differing from those of the preceding day chiefly in be coming more and more unlikely. Sober444ed men are satisfied that the course of hostilities has proceeaed either too far or not far enough to admit of their 'cli'scontinuance at the present time. Russia has been so beaten as to make her know that she cannot get out' of the struggle as it stands, without a serious loss of prestige ; and she has not yet been sufficiently mauled to make her submit 'to palpable de gradation. The latest " peace rumour" has been thrown out in the shape of a pamphlet, which has appeared In Paris, under the title of "The Necessity of a Congress to Pacify Europe," and the object of the writer is, laconically enough, expressed in the title. Many of those benevolent gentlemen, who, with a singularly sensitive eye to the rise and fall of stocks, profess great skill in the art of "seeing visions and dreaming dreams;" with wonderful disinterestedness of purpose, point to the publication of this brochure in Paris, as indica tive of its unison with the sentiments of the EMPEROR. No body believes in the probability of such a conference; but many are uncharitable enough, to say they descry in the " scope and tendency" of the pamphlet a remarkable sympathy with the pulsations of the Stock Exchange. A congress of another sort is authoritatively stated as about to assemble in Paris ; that is, a military council or conference to arrange the plan of proceedings by the allies in the next cam. paign. At this conference, the interests of Britain are to be entrusted to the care of the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, Sir R. AIREY, and Sir EDMUND LIONS. The conference, it is said, has been conceded chiefly to the representations of Marshal PELISSIEB, who will also be present. The object, to secure unity of action and a combined plan of operations among the allied commanders, the want of which, although always ac tuated by the most friendly feeling, has been severely felt during the two last campaigns. The Times, which has an unwearying partiality for prying into the secrets of states and individuals, and penetrating the resolutions of such important. conclaves as this war conference, has got its "witching eye" upon the affair, and has already so wormed itself into the intri cacies of the "mare's nest," .as to find out.that "what plan of campaign is resolved on will, of course, be a secret till the hour of its execution arrives." When the glory of political sagacity and foresight can be concentrated in so occult a de liverance, who would not be an oracle ? Jesting apart, it is to be hoped that some arrangements may be come to by which not merely the general plan of the campaign may be settled, if another campaign there is to be, but that all its details and particulars may be so far determined on, as wholly to exclude the possible intrusion Of that awful bugbear "chance medley" from any share in the operations. The absence of Parliamentary duties has in numerous in stances afforded opportunity or excuse for honourable mem bers 'to direct the streams of their pent-up oratory against the auditory nerves of their constituencies, and in every instance the conduct of the war and the probabilities of peace have formed leading topics for the display of their eloqUenee—a spirited maintenance of hostilities as the only means of secur ing an honourable and satisfactory peace being the general prescription,. and that has met with uniform and enthusiastic approbation from the rffteners. A night or two ago, the - ore- - torical interlude was played at tedious and enormous length_ by the LORD' ADVOCATE of Scotland, who, at a soiree in trae . Assembly Rooms, Leith, addressed a large gathering of his , constituents, together with their wives and sweethearts. The' notabilities present were principally Free-churchmen and other dissenters, assisted for the nonce by a strong phalanx of Whig lawyers from Rainburgh. To this respectable, but motley gathering, the national representative of Scotland ad dressed himself at great length, the general stream of his very wordy eloquence being applied in white-washing all the Mi nisters, past and present, who have been in any degree blamed for misconducting the war. Like a true - descendant of Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant, he bedaubed Lord ASEDDEEN, Lord PALMERSTON, and Lord PANMURE, with fulsome adulation, be stowing a similar meed of his discriminating admiration upon . all the other Ministers to whom he has booed, or may have to boo-as their humble servitor and Loan advocate. His admi ration of everything was seemingly sown broadcast. to the winds, or on the drowsy ears against which he rattled it. The. House- of Commons even, that tribunal which so sharply condemned the- incapable and insincere waNministry which he-laudi so. much, and all other institutions of the state, came in for a share of his highly valuable laudation. The bohea he had imbibed had inspired him with. a: spirit of almost universal admiration; but, true to its-established character, that treacherous beverage insinuated- into his gentle nature a-leetle, just a leetle of its scandalous tempera ment, and through its influence the political sucking-dove was incited to abuse. The milk-and-water torrent* of the Loup ADVOCATE'S wrath was poured upon the audacious and trucculent Press, which, taking upon itself the ungra cious but important task- of telling the truth, drove from office a ministry whose ignorance and supineness were-only equalled• by their insincerity and factious selfishness:. If ever. the- British- nation was indebted to the intelligence andi independence of the Press,- it was so at the close of last year, when it aroused the ire of an indignant people in wrath- against those- who, by their incapacity and treachery, were cruelly sacrificing the lives of our brave countrymen—squandering the national treasurer' , —and bartering the national character for the sake of gratifying their personal predilections: The House of Cons--1 mons, which. Mr. MONCRIEFF . lauds—the country he wou/4 - ; willingly cajole, both recognised thevalue of the service ren dered by the press, and practically. thanked it for its hones labours and fearless intrepidity, by echoing its sentiments, and. giving validity to its condemnation-- These services and thie; press, however, are alilte repugnant to the feelings and desires • of the MAC SYCOPTIA.NT school - of statesmen, whose chief if not whose only object is to make-matters--smooth at head quarters. The press -has a -higher-duty. to- perform than is. recognised or dreamed of by such politicians, and that duty it: performs Rine like laehrpnce from censors of the 31oNenize, calibre, who are disturbed by any shaking np.of the soft easy cushions On which knaves repose and fatten. From the official press critic of modern Athens it is pleasant to escape, and to reveLamong the delights of• pure and unso— phisticated art. Such delights have been recently afforded, to a moderate extent of indulgence, by - the charming singing _of the whole world's favourite, JBMITY LiND. This admirable vocal artiste appears to-night, in Exeter-hall,for the first thr..e as chief soprano in HANDEL'S oratorio, of• "The MnssrAzi.!.' Expectation is high as to her singing the music of this nollo oratorio. The. simple, expressive, and truly artistic style of her vocalization inspire the highest hopes of excellence, and every one is prepared to. witness her triumph in the arduousy , yet noble effort. Much has been said,.and said foolishly, ante the imtrained and instinctive character of this gifted lady's • singing. Instinctive. it no doubt.is, and impulsive too, but.. the instinct and the impulse both.are subservient to, an& regulated by,. careful. and assiduous study. With her the: critic's maxim, ars .celare aria's, is reduced to practice, and the result is,. the eloquence of song.poured, ortt in the richness. of expressive and seductive melody. She truthfully enunciates. her own sensations, and these find. .in echo in the hea.e.. -- a. every listener.. _ THE FAT.T. OF-KARS. THE LIVERPOOL BTANI3AI,D. TO THE. EDITOR OF THE.LIVER,POOL STANDARD:. Sra,,—The fall of Kars (nosv..too surely authenticatedYmnst. cause one universal feeling z .of indignation throughout...the kingdom. Every true Engliabman must feel a strange thrill. of anger and regret, that the brave garrison should have been left to• starve into surrender. The spectacle of brave old.. General Williams—the no lesaspiritedVasif Pasha—the sub._ ordinate Turkish and Englisho£rxcers and men—all abandoned.. to their fate, calls for something mere than indiplation; it demands the sternest reprehension. We for some time heard _rumours of the inevitable fate.of the "beleaguered city_ . ;7 it, was• said by many that the bra-ce‘ defenders could not possibly hold out much longer, but we treated it - rather as an idle tale. We imagined the gallant defenders of Kars were possessed of lives charmed aggnst destruction ; a second_ Londonderry was, in, fact, before our eyes! We now awak from our stupefaction to tl unpleasant and galling truth, that Kars-uolonger owns the,Turkish sway,and that the Russian, eagle now flaunts itself, over her blood stained walls 7 -a reproach to us, a triumph _ to the MAseovites. "-'Tis true, 'tis pity, And pity 'tis, 'tis true!". We now discover that, after all, these gallant heroes were but men ;, and, as . such, were bound to, satisfy, the cravings of nature, or be reduced to the horrors .of cannibalism. The terrible scenes of Londonderry would have been repeated, without the relief experienced by that noted place. And now the oliestion.comes : "How is it„that all this has occurred ?" " Who" ( as the Daily News observes) " is the traitor ?" Could not help have possibly been sent to these unfortunate men? It is . for wiser heads to settle, but it strikes my unsophisticated mind that Kara could hare been relieved, our national pride been spared the wound it has received, and. Atouravieff been deprived dthe success his obstinacy would. seem to have deserved. The story of Kars will be tow in ages to come, and in ages to come the names of those who ought to have aided the suffer ing garrison will be held.up to opprobrium and disgrace. This victory will no doubt be made much of at St. Petersburgjand, indeed, the advantages derived are important), and who knows how far the Czar win be encouraged to proceed after this tem-. porary success to the Russian arms ?—I am, Sir, your's, 8r..c., Prescot, Dec. 2k1856. OBSERVER. S:I',ECIDEEZCS:OE THE LORD'S P_RA.ZER. THE following specimens of the Lord's Prayer, in the style in use' at various periods, will exhibit the changes which our vernacular has undergone since its formation, six centuries ago : A.D. 1258.—Fader ure in heune, haleweide beith thi heune, cumen thi kuneriche thi wille beoth idon in heune, and in erthe. The euerych dawe bried, gif ous thilk dawe. And voraif ure .dettes as vi,vorzifen are dettoures. And lene ous nought into temptatioun bot' delyvor ous of uvel. Amen. A.D. 1300.—Fadir our in hevene, Halewyd by thi name, thi kingdom come, Thi wille be don as in hevene and in erthe. Our urche dayes bred give us to day. And forgive us oure dettes, as we forgive our dettoures. And lede us not into temtation, Bote delyvere us of yvel. Amen. A.D.-1380. Oure fadir that art in hunes halowid be thi name; thi kingdome come to, by thi will don in erthe as in benne, geve to us this day our breed oure other substaunce, forgeue to us our dettis as we forgauen to our dettouris, lede us not into temptation; but delyuer us from yeul. Amen. A.D. 1534.-0 oure father which arte in heven hallowed by thy name. Let thy kingdome come. Thy wyall be ful filled as well in earth as it ys in heven. Geve vs this days oure dayly breede. And forgive vs our treaspases, even as we forgive our treaspacers. And leade vs not into temptacioun ; but delyver vs from evell. For thyne is the kyngedome, and the power, and the glorye for ever. Amen. A.D. 1582.—0vr father which art in heaven, sanctified by thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, in earth also. Giue vs to day our super-substantial bread. And forgiue vs our dettes, as we also forgiue our detters. And lead vs not into temptation. But delieuer us from evil. Amen. A.D. 1611.—Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heauen. Give vs this day our dayly bread. And forgiue us our debts as we forgiue our debtors. And lede vs not into temptation, but deliuer us from euil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for euer. Amen. THE DOC.K . Co3l3ll=_E. TIIE weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held on Thursday last, Mr. C. Turner presiding. The other members present were Messrs. Shand, Evans, Holden, Langsdale, Palmer, Hubback, Smith, Rankin, Robinson, Anderson, Mondel, Rounthwaite, Holme, Barber, Brocklebank, Little dale, Lockett. The routine-business comprised the acceptance of- tenders for refined olive oil by Mr. Clay, for Muntz's patent sheathing, by Messrs. Bibby and Sons. A recommendation of thanks, and a small reward to the crews of life-boats of the Point of Ayr and Hoylake, for services rendered to the barque-Laura— a vessel sunk on Hoyle Bank. Applications were considered, and the requests accorded, from Messrs. Jacot, Taylor, and Tipper, and Guion and Co., for permanent stage-berths in the Bramley-Moore Dock. The secretary was instructed to inti mate to the Watch Committee that at the expiration of siz months the head-constable's hotise will be required as a resi dence for the senior harbour-master. The Mersey Steel and Iron Company accepted tenancy of land at the south end, on the terms prescribed by the committee - . DECREASE IN THE DOCK RATES VPON SHIPPING AND GOODS. Mr. RAIIKIN, chairman of the sub-committee, said this sub- ject had been tinder deliberate consideration;• and, looking at the table of rates that existed, they saw that the tonnage had been paying, from the year 1818 to the year 1827 ; inclusive, at the rate of 46 per cent., and goods 54 per centoof the whole rates. In the next ten years, from 1828 to 180/, tonnage had been paying at the rate of 45 per cent., and goods at the rate of 55 per cent. Then, a change took place in the mode . of mea suring ships, which increased the tonnage very materially ; and about the same time various reductions were made upon goods, In the next ten years, in' consequence of those changes,- from 1838 to 1847, tonnage paid. 5% per cent., and goods 4,7 i per' cent.,that is, just changing:theposition of goods and tonnage ;- and from 1848 to 1855 it is , still further increased, tonnage being 55 per cent. and goods 45 , per cent. The committee then proceeded to add 10 per cent.: Vo- the rates nn tonnage, and , in all cases 10 per cent. on goods;: but, in some instances, such as- cotton which was reduced fully more than one-half, in the' year 1844, when the Birkenhead. docks were established—ini point of fact, to prevent any of the: trade of Liverpool going over to it, cotton was reduced, as it was generally supposed > - _ . _ very unnecesearily. We were, np to. 1846, cliarging foi Mobile 01 per bale, and for New. Orleans, B'd. New Yorli'ian d - Bbiton were paying Bd., and :Georgia, 7d. These were - reduced in 1848—Mobile and New Orleans to 4id. ; New York, Boston, and Georgia, to 4d. a bale; Maranham and Pernambuco; whiz were 4d., were reduced: to 2d. ; East In dian, vklelywas sd, was reduced to 3d.;: and: Egyptian from 3d. to f.. 1& is•no..sr proposed by the comtuitten that - some thing lite an:tedium rate should be established upon cotton, which will' make all American cotton 6:14 "South American 3d. ; and East Indian: 7 .-Id. Proceeding from this-, there is the article of plane; that . has been 'increased, and a few other things have been , addeo.. These are the main. , alterations in the schedul:OS - of rates there are some minor 'alterations, of course, but not: of sufikient importance to name; .Probably the increase Tvilf , amount :a. about £37,000, whielf , sofaar as my own private vie - or'extencli,ay be considered as nottequi&ite for making good anything in the shape of deficiency, but fear the purpose of affirdiig greater accommodation to they trade of Liverpool, by eitlio erecting sheds, or railways, or: adding to the docks from tiibt to 'tines;. as may be required.. It is- true, if the rate of initrat shouldicontinne high for a seriesof years, we may have to take some part of this £37,000 for current expenses, but if it hordd,onll7; extend over the present and next years, lam hopes that this additional revenne , that in to be derived will go'for the permanent improvement; 'so we will be less depenclintliponborrowett money than we 'are - at the present moment It is with , tliat view I favour the idea of a higher rate on shipping-and. goods: tau at present eniits„ so: that we can go on with , ' iinprovements without borrowing so much money, holiling4t'as-iny own opinion that thereduc , tions made in 1848 wereuncalledi fbr. A lengthened conversation took. place as to the rating of . tonnage, particularly as that was regulated for steam-ships,. by a clause in the Merchant Shipping Act. The Chairman,. Mr. Smith, Mr. Rounthwaite; Afr:. Lockett, and Mr. Shand,. took part in the conversation; after-which the motion for tile increased rate was unanimously agreed: te,. to come into ape , - ration on the sth of Janatty. - The Clumsier( said the next (Institt to,be considered was , that relative to goods. Mr. STIAND then farmalry moscedi three the- revised rates upon goods should be tines on amEafter thesth of January.. Mr. RAMON secondedithe,motion.. At the request of Mr. BA.sitzp; Mr. RAlvitiiir at ;alit stated the fipnvs , as to (cotton. In 1848 Mobile cotton sto( xl at 9,td.?; it was , reduced hr 1848 to 4id. • It is proposed novl it shalli be 611,.whielt is 11d.. more than it is at present, and 31d. less-than it was , seven, years ago. New Orleans was 81d. ' and was , reduced in , 1848 to. lid. • it is now proposed it shall be 6d. Nevr , York,. Boston, acrd Georgia cotton was Bd. and 7d. ' • in,18•49-it was• reduced to 4d., and it isproposed now th at it shall stand , at 6d. East Indian was 5d...; it was reduce' 1 in 1828:.to 31, and it is now proposed it shall bell. South American 'cotton Wat+ generally 3d. or 4d. ; in• 184 8, it was redi teed to adz; is , M)11 proposed it shall be made. 3d. Some- criscussion ensued on the relative rates of cotton, in which Mr. Smith," Mr. Shand, the Chairman, Mr. Barber, Mr. EfarA. Mr. Robins on, andiMt MOndel took part, after which the motion was ai ;reed to, 1000 copies of the revised rates were ordered to be printed; fov sale. The , secretary w: as directed: to give the usual notice of the new rates coming into operation on the sth of January. A letter was rea .d from Messrs: W. and H. Brancker, asking the committee to reconsiclEr the .rezulations adopted for the shipment a coal in the Stanley Dock. The secretary was desired• to inform the Messrs. - Ettaucker that the committee could. not alter tl ose regulations: The?.general bit siness of the committee then terminated. CO tURT AND , _FASHION. Sra Guar-Gm 1 izymorz- will hoist his flag as Commander inr•Chief at Port ;mouth, this-day. CiI+TAIN Cs. tRLES EDEN. is appointed Comptroller of the Coast Guard. CABTAnc Lo: aD GEOROB PAATIair, C. 8., is appointed paid Aide-de-eamp t< ) the Queen. Tirn mooch , :went of the Empress of France is expected to take place- between the 16th: and 25th of March. This is au thentic:. Her Majesty's health is excellent. HI& Excene Icy Baron:-de Hochschild, the Swedish Minister, has left Lond on on a visit to -Lord. Palmerston, at his seat, Broadlands, E :ants. Dzsazrzol : to some-extent is taking place from the British German. Leg ion, recently disembarked at Scutari from England ax. SIR SoSIAB CLOETII, C. 8., will leave England, by the next packet, for Barbadoes, to assume the command of the u i the Windward and Leeward Islands. LORD PA NMIIRE has directed that the-title of Secretary-at- War be no.' longer used,. and that insalEfuture communications and eorres pondence- his • lordship •iiis to be addressed only as Secretary - 'of State for; War. Pkaaricr lIBLY to the departure of - the-Mug of Sardinia from Windsor, her Majesty-presented the King with one of the finest and most valuable- thorough-bred mares in the royal stud: at Hampton Court, namely,the-Flea. Petrie of Monday says. nothing is definitely settled 'with regard to a-. proposed visit of the Sultan to Paris. His highness has-, accepted the-Cordon of the Legion d'Hon neur, whieh is a great innovation on Oriental customs. Christmas-day, divine service•was prformed in the prt rate chapel of. Windsor Castle. The , Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred,. the Princess Royal, Princess Alice, Princess,. Helena, the Duchess of Kent, and Prince Ernest of Leiningen attended; The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor officiated, and•administered the Holy Sacra ment. • THE EARL OF CA.anxEsedied at Edinburgh on Monday. His lordship, who was lord-lieutenant of the county of Caith ness, was in the 65th year-of his age:. He married, in 1813, Frances Harriet, youngest; daughter-and co-heir of the:Very Rev. William, Leigh, Dean or Herefhrd,by whom he had issue James, Lord Berriedale, who succeeds to the title and estates,. and Alexa - Ader Eric George, an °Seer ih the army. LADY PAL4llERsToN,acoonapanied. by their Excellencies the Turkish, ,Danish, Swedish, and Sardinian Ministers, paid a, visit to the Southampton. Docks• on Saturday, and were appee:- rently ranch gratifiect with, their examination of the many: magnift4ent steamships now in the basin. They were attended by Mr.. Hedger, the (*.Amster. The distinguished party also inspected the I ited States.' mail steamship Washington,. in the, great gravingdeek, which ship, it is now ascertained, has received no iojnry,beyond,damage to the copper,durin&her temporary stranding on the tope. Sand, on the 22nd ult.-. Ton NEw. Laßre.Aatrermr..—The elevation of the-:Right Hen. Baron Parkato the House of Peers by the title of Baron Aropthill has beenannouneed, and will probably be pnbiisbed e*cially in the-new. Gazette. His lordship is the youngest son of the latealr. Thomas Parke, of Highfield, near Liver pool, who, we:believe, was a merchant of that place, by a daughter. of Mr. William Preston. He was born in:1782, and in 1817 married Cecilia, daughter of Mr. Samuel F. Barlow, of Middlethorpe, Yorkshire. He was educated:, at. Trinity College, Cambridge, of n hich he was elected a scholar in 1800, , 1 and graduated. B.A. in 1803, as sth Wrangler, and Senior ChanceMes,Mede/list, in the same year with Professor Pryme, the late Mr. Justice Coltman, and Dr. Davys, the present Bishop, of Peterborough. For some time after• taking-his degree•heremained in residence in the ITniversity„ and was elected. Fellow of Trinity in the following year. He was not called to the bar until some ten years later, his name appearing among those called at the Inner Temple inEaster Term, 1813. His steady and persevering industry here._ brought him early into notice, and business flowed in upen, him with sufficient rapidity to warrant him in vacating his. fellowship at Trinity by marriage, as we have said above, within four years after he became a member of the bar. lieneeforth his rise was rapid. In 1828, we find him promoted to: the bench as one of the puisne judges of the King's Bench,,on. the death of Sir George S. Holroyd, from which be was. transferred to the Court of Exchequer in 1834, in the place of the late Baron Taunton. It does not appear that Lord lunpthill ever rose to the bench: throngh the intermediate steps of king's serjeant, or "one of his majesty's counsel, learned in the law." He never held the office of attorney-general or solicitor-general, and never occu pied a seat in parliament. His lordship has long been the oldest judge upon the bench, from which he might have re tired many years ago with the usual pension, had, he been less actively and laboriously inclined. As it is, be has the ex perience of 28 years on the judicial bench to carry with him to the assistance of the law lords in the upper house, who are now only five in number —viz., Lords Lyndhurst, Brougham, Campbell, Cran,worth, and St. Leonard's—and to whom his assistance will be peculiarly valuable. The: newly-created peer has no male issue, his lordship's only surviving child be ing a daughter, who is married and resides in Bedfordshire. The park of Ampthill belonged to the late Lords Carteret, and is still the property of the Thynne family; and it is not a little singular that Baron Parke should have chosen his title from a place with which, though rich in historical associa tions as the residence of Queen Catherine, the first wife of Henry VIII., he has, we believe, no more permanent connexion than a temporary lease of the mansion.—Timer. • - IMITATION.—" Envy will merit as its shade pursue ;" and among the various ungenerous modes in which tins feeling is manifested, there is perhaps none more despicable than the manner in which the sordid and unworthy endeavour to profit by the skill and success of the talented and persevering, and by imitating their productions, at once to deprive them of their just right, and to wrong the public, who are deceived by the fraudulent imposition. To such an excess has the system of base counter feits been carried with that indispensable requisite for the toilet, ROWLAND'S MACARSSAR OIL, that the spirited proprietors have adopted, at an enormous expense, an entirely " NEW LABEL," designed and executed by those admirable artists, Messrs. PER KINS and BACON, which is considered the ne plus ultra of engrav ing, and is of such consummate excellence, as to defy all attempts at imitation. ANNUAL DINNE.R. MERSEY STEEL AND IRON WORKS' BENEFIT SOCIETY. Or Monday, the members of the above excellent society held their annual dinner at their club-house, in Toxteth-park. The members assembled at an early hour in the lecture and newsroom belonging to the Mersey Steel and Iron-works establishment, and here received from the treasurer their dividend of the surplus funds of the society, and we understand that the return amounted to some 40 or 50 per . cent. of .the monies paid in by the members. Few of the many societies of - this kind in Liverpool could show so satis factory a result. We congratulate the society on its pros perity. The neighbourhood of the works wor'a a gay and animated appearance, as the men, preceded by their band, marched to the club-house to partake of their annual dinner, and We can feel certain that the men themselves were equally gay from the fact that each .one had a goodly dividend in his pocket, whereby he Might, when he retarded home, not only enjoy himself, but Make his wife and his children par takers of his joy. and of his pleasures. All tfa.. members having arrived at the club-rcorn, the club dinner, which was most sumptuously provided for' them, was sat down to . ;. and at the principal table we observed their worthy empyers, Geo. H. Horsfall, Esq., and ThoS. 13-.• fall, Esq., MS., Wm. Clay, Esq., manager ; the Rev. Harcus Messrs. - J'. Cookson,. R. L. Clay, J. Roberte,..l.;lL Hughes, John Jents;.J. Massam, J. Richardson, J. Cookson, tre. &c. Letters of apology. were read from T.' D. Anderson, Esq., Geo. Swainson, Esq:,- J. Denton, Esq., Mr. Hodgson' (surgeon to the club),-&c. Grace having been , said by the Rev. Mr. Harcus, and the routine business of the society, reading the report, &c., being transacted, GEO. H. HonsFILL, Esq:,• took the ehair, and in doing so observed how much he regretted- the' absence of his worthy brother - , who had so often accupifal; that position, and expressed Ms confident hopes of his' return with renewed healtlit to take again his wouediplace - amongst them. (Hear, hear.) , • The , ClTAnzzarf then rose and: said, the: first toast in all assembes of Englishmen walr;. "The health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen." He: begged to propose it to them in a bumper. (Loud cheer:) , Band.—'God save the Queen." • The CICAAVRaItAI , I next proposed, 'Prince 'Albert,. the Prince et Wales, and all the Royal Family:" lie" observed that tNeTrince" Albert had deserved well of his - country,. in his endeavours - for" the amelioration of the condition of its lower ordera: , Hohad,, in no small degree, been-instrumental in the establishment' of model lodging-hoes " for the labouring classes; • and, had also• taken part, but a short' time back, in the establithine. nt of the Midland Institnteut Birmingham, • an institution• designed to be erected for the advaticnetit of science and Ort among. those who had hitherto 'been debarred , the benefits of'an.education of sohigh an order and character. They were also very well aware of the part ti of taken. in the Great Exhibitinnof 1841, the time he had labouredfor it, and thswsum he- had subscribed to it. With =this toast,- also, he (the." Chairman). would particularly associate' and.. mention the - Royal.Ditke , who. had so recently visitedqiiver pool, and whose. - visit was so opportunely of advantage...to. celebrate the. - anniversary of' the success of ourarrns."- The. Duke of Cambridge" had i . in the Crimea, shrunk fioni• 119' duty, and had iperilled and inured himself to every-danger and privation with. the commonest soldier there. (Lon& cheers.) He proposed. to. them ; "The Healths of His Royal Highness PrinceAlbert i .the-Princeof Wales, and all the Family, particularly":.remembering the Dake of Cambridge • Band—" The Britigi • Grenadiers." The CHAIRMA.7 , next rose to propose " The Army and Navy ;:" a toast helield , to be most dear to every English. heart,. and more especially at the' present time and under nisting circumstances:'. Our • army had had the opportunity,. he remarked, of attesting its prowess and its bravery ; and. in most difficult and trying, and,. indeed, distressing positions, it had shown itself worthy of its- ancient grandeur, and only awaited its fair chance . of covering itself with glory. Elan fumy, though it had not the• opportunity of achieving for itself that renown for , which it was always so famed, had yet, for its country, effected • what was of more importanee— it had caused a powerfuli , detriment and loss to our enemy,. and„ continued the Chairman, we shall yet behold, for both Army and Navy, days that may compare with those of - a , Rodney and a Nelson's,. a , alarlhorouph and a Wellington's.. (,I remendons cheers.) Band.—" Rule Britannia,"- - followe& by "The Red, White,. and: Blue." The VICE-CIIAIRMAN arm . B:. Eastward) proposed, in the most feeling and heartfelt terms,.the next toast, which was, "'The health of our esteemed-and. much respected principal, William Joseph Horsfall„ He- regretted, as they all regretted, the absence frota , their annual dinner of their kind and excellent master, Mr. W J. Horsfall, who had on other occasions been with them. It had been their happiness to see him presiding over then, and he-trusted that they might soon see-him once again among them, occupying his usual place. (Cheers.) He felt sure that, although absent, he was that day thinking of them. lie proposed, in: conclusion, the health (and better health to him) of W. J. Horsfall, Esq., their worthy master, who was always-wishful to do his utmost endeavours for their benefit and welLbeing. (Applause.) The band here played a gay: and. lively air, and the men followed with hurrahs that made-the club-room ring. Silence being restored, G, H. HORSPALL, Esq., sal& that Mr. Benjamin East warldid his brother but justice when he stated that it was both his endeavour and his wisk,to• make all Isis workpeople comfortable, and to use his utmostpowers for their permanent interests and well-doing. He- might tell them, and he felt sure that they would be glad ta-hear it, that he had had that morning a letter from his brother,.and.he stated that he now felt sure he was getting betteri. because he took a renewed interest, in his former labours and occupations. My brother (continued Mr. H.) details the workshops and manufactories, &c., he has seen abroad, and adds, "I have seen nothing in which there is not an improvement at the Mersey Iron Works, excepting only the smiths' shops;" which, said Mr. H., made my mouth water. (Laughter, and." hear, hear.") He hoped, however,. when his brother rettstmed, that he would give them the benefit of Isis practical knowledge, and make those im provements which he had both the ability and power to effect. (Hear -,hear.) He had also to state that his• brother had desired :him to pay his donaticin: to- their society. (Hear, hear:) He had purposely delayed writing to his brother last Saturday s that he might be enabled: to: convey the expressions of their i kindness and good-will, of which he would take care . to nformlnm, and he felt assured.that those feelings of sym pathy and :cordiality would be received by his brother with every reciprocity of feeling, anchwould afford him very great pleasure: (Hear, hear.) Mr. GdULDER proposed, in a, brief and neat speech, the health of T. B. Horsfall, Esq. MP.. Band--" The Old English beutionan:' T. 8... HORSFALL, Esq., on rising to respond, was receivediwith loud cheers. He thanked the men of the Mersey Steel and Iron Works .for. the- kind and warm recep tion they had accorded to him that day. He begged to thank them, also, for the privilege, and a privilege he considered it, of being invited to associate with. them on the occasion of their annual festive gathering„ and: ta hear and witness. the result. of their society's labours, In the course of a long and eloquent -speech, the honourable-gentleman impressed on the men some wholesome truths,: and the sound advice which he gave appeared to make- a: very sensible effect. He referred, in pleasing and complimentary terms, to the kind offices of the rev. gentlemen who sat by him (the Rev. Mr. Harcus), who had been delivering.ta the men a course of Ten Lectures in the Works' newsroom,. which, had he been at home, he stated, he would only have been too happy to have listened to him himself. Ile had, however, but lately, been made aware of how much they were indebted to the rev. gen tlemen, and he felt sincerely : obliged to him. Nothing was or could be more important than. the education of the masses,. through such means as lie: had adopted, the combining of secular instruction, in lectures with moral and religious. teaching. The question of. education was a national question.. Itawas one which must ocenpy the attention of our national legislature ; and, he observed,. that standing towards them, as he did, in a two-fold capacity, he felt bound to tell them that he considered it botlneeessary and 'expedient that some— thing should be done.• for the- furtherance of education;, through the length and hreadth of the land, A bill had been. brought in by Sir John Pakington, another was brought inby. what was called the Manchester school,and another was broagbt in by Lord John Russell,. Some proposed a secular education,. and no religious teaching;. some proposed one thing and some another, but not . one .or all of these schemes • combine- (Mr. H. said) what to my mind seems necessary. Of this, ,one, thing, I am, however, convinced, that no education, ; no. training, no teaching ; can or will be right or satisfactory to. the country unless i4,he based upon the Bible. (Louacheers.) He did not underr4e a secular education ; he felt fully and strongly its desirability and advantage, only (conenued he), let it be stayed by religious principles ; this and this only would make it really valuable.. He could give them..illuetra tions, if illustrations were needed, of the hopelessness of educating our. youth without it. How many a father had witnessed his. son's progress in intellectual knowledge only proving to both a curse from want of relig,ieue, principle to direct that knowledge might. He did not speak this without hi - a -knowing. of such cases. It was notemerely what might be, but what really had been. After adducing ether and striking.evidenees. in support of these viewa..on edneation, he proceeded to say that he had yet another matter to which he might refer ; as it bore upon Themselves. and indirectly had affected, the country generally. He referred to the re strictions, the. unnecessary restrictions to. the export of machinery to foreign countries on account of the war. He did not, nor could he, object to the absolute. restriction of all goads...and material that might be made. available against us bf the• enemy, but what he did contend, for was, that a competent person should be appointed to take the super vision. of the matter, that there would,he no more restrictions such as there had been, which only injured the manufacturers of this. country without at all furthering the country's in terests. He bad, in conjunction; with others, attended a deputation on the subject, and he. was happy to state that they had, to some extent, . succeeded ; it had been clearly proved that the present restrictive• system was bad, that the enemy was not injured, whilst the manufacturers and people. of this country were the losers. He was determined not to let the matter rest, so far as the restrictions were un necessary, injuring only this, country and its manufacturers; without offering a single redeeming feature, either by enabling us that aid to cripple the. enemy, nor yet of depriving the enemy of offensive means against ourselves. (Hear.) In regard to the war itself, he stated that if the late - government had been remiss in its due support of our brave army in the commence ment of - the struggle, he believed that the present govern ment were determined in carrying on the war with vigour and energy, and every help ought to be-afforded them of so doing, as means of securing a safe, a permanent, and an honourable peace. He had no doubt, in regard to our brave army or navy, that (as his brother on his right had stated) they would again produce a Rodney and a Nelson, a Marlborough and a - Wel lington. (Loud cheers.) Our bravo men in the Crimea would do their duty towards their country, they would never dis grace the name of Englishmen. Many looked to the past his tory of their country, and to the past deeds of their country men, and they feel that 'Tis a glorious charter, deny it who can, That is breathed in the w3rds—l'in an Englishman ! (Loud cheers.) He had taken up much of their time—too much he was afraid —(no, no)—and he would therefore con clude with expressing his earnest hope that they would all enjoy a happy and a merry Christmas with their children, sweethearts, and wives. (Great cheering.) Mr. P. EASTWOOD (treasurer) begged to propose the health of G. H. Horsfall, Esq., who so ably presided over them, though he said he could not but confess he would rather that he had not been called upon by circumstances to do so, because it offered to their view the fact that the one who was [JANUARY 1, iSS6. • t t 1 0 1 a o n e u e u 3 p l y r i H t wasthhisat n d d aL sst a o y Very good health. He might a l so s t a t e th a t their onu address ; proposed unanimously at th e l as t c l u b meeting fo rt year, would then be presented. Mr: J, HUQICES then read, on behalf of the men i— • the society's address "To GEORGL" HENaI' HOESFALL, ESQ. " The Annual . Address of the Members of the 3 f ersell them - Steel and Iron-works Benefit Society. . He al b l e , gg an ed d proposed t? "Established -and-twenty 1834, 3 i - nears; t - he ouryears societya of practical usefulness, and th e goo d it h as w rought 331 us. The year through which we h ave j us t pass ed has been, 3 t.)19 whole, , a. prospe r o us one . • .Alth oug h we have bt,,i l more than usual• degree of sick ness , w e y e t have had le;or fewer accidents in the works than fur many years pas t ; t h, have we had to mourn the lo ss o f a single member by "We have received fro m th e wor k s thi s yor, degioge these ye have has witnessed now live itsontl sum of £3l .12s. 2d. in fines. F o r thi s g ift, w e feel' the ` esPec iavy called upon to thank the esteemed proprietors, and og r o i cellent manager, Mr. Clay ; and it may afford them e ( o l iy pleasure with ourselves, to knoll* that it effects good, utit tber, in a direct manner, by repl en i s hi ng oarfunds, but , A l ' acts as a strong incentive to others of the men to .i o i ll 4 , society. At the last club meeti ng no l ess th an 41 new .„ hers were enrolled for the ensuing year. rael • " Under all these circum s t ances we s h ou ld' have o'teace ourselves happy, bad we not cause of regret in the aT e y from our annual dinner, th rou gh ill h ea lth , o f o ur rnalo teemed principal and patron, your brother, Mr. W l4/ I Joseph Horsfall. It gives us great pleasure, however, Y: re is that be is so very much impr ove d i n h ea lth , an d we sule' hope and trust that he may so continue t o i m p r ove; ho e, "Daring his temprary absence from us, you, s ir, m tlie however, so kindly und e rtaken f or hi m , b o th i n regnr" bat works and towards this soc i e ty, as t o ma k e us feel feebly the change which has been rendered necessary. t a, It remains for us to thank you, which we do most beer m ,t not . only for the kind support granted us, during th e „ce.l year,- in which you have been more immediately cone 4 .'" : t with us as' our acting principal . , but also for the kind ins 'the which' vo , & have always manifesTed in our society, an d for ready fiend - to help us on all occasions. " With , ropect to ourselves. --v that iv may— we hope an, pray `Oar sev'ral stations wisely fill ;' e en, to and that oetemen continued active- exerti ons ma y aerie', „ f eee worthy of' pent' con2dence, and induce both you ano r e el branches of your family to take the same lively interest , to have thesame kind, solicitude which you hitherto hare, t ee in the efficient , management and continuous prosperity" °l as Mersey Steel and Iron Works Benefit Society." cheering.) Band—"Annielattriee' eel G. H. HORSIDAM4 Este r in reply, said that he felt °J ;.: O 6 , to them for their hearty receptio n o f hips, but he had l' 9 " for tieipated the homottt of haring an address' presented hinbste, - which, be said, he could znot but feel both gratified and p lea • It would be alwaya a 'pleasure- to him to foster any good i/ls e r Wien among them; he chameterized this' society as ° l _t e e eeedingly well managed, • and , deserving of every encelel, o t men t. The Works' news-yoom e he would remind them, ha e, come up to his anticipations-1" they (the masters) were reaueet any time to re-open it, provided, th e y h a d th eue surancee to it would be frequented by the men , or th ey we re real j e receive any suggestionse•and the- men had, al says 1 11 ° 313 :4 access to them, and could •at any ti m e ma ke known to did their wishes. If the room could , be- used for lectures s OC it those they had lately heard '• from- the Rev. Mr- liarc u '; to would be a source of great pleasure-to him to do an ythior le i l further such efforts, and the room' would be always at t to service., and so soon as they wisriied, he was- readY gore , supply them with newspapers- and periodicals ; as b (Hear, hear.) Only let teeree. he am. anxiety to. Pr° fi ' 7 them. • (Hear.) Before he satdown•hewished to thank- teem one-and all, and, he said, pertioularly et) thank Mr. Clal e per the- kind forbearance with Meth , that!gentleman and . ree selvos-haci received every remark of :his; necessarily,- at " I c i l e ' e etude and inexperienced, as they , were practical men an i; o f was not. He had not the advantage of hie-brother's-IN"ge`; of lenerelotle and he wished to thank-them;-for the ametu i eee• knowledge he had culled, and ho -begged tceassure-thens °Vi e sincere' obligations, and of the- confidence- he placeetia !t e e all..(Cheers.) He might be permitted • to, p ro p o se Oil,' to the•healtle of their friend the Reel Me. •Lrurons (chests ) ' to whom-they were 1.0 much indebted.- (Hear, hear.) Bands—'Quadrille step." fa ell The Rev.. Mr. HAuces observedethat • lie- felt very ee tl ee gratifiedi in. accepting the invitation to- dine with-theme ° big had alkefelt very much pleasure iaedeliverg. to • then le course of . lectures. (Hear.)' He had listened to , theren or s t of the henr gentleman, the member for the tmenewitlee' e ye deal of satisfaction, and he felt g lad' to think- that i_ A n ' t ee strange- composition, the House cf Commons (lie• bop uu i to how. gentleman would not take it amiss), he was P 1191.1 ‘ t t know:and:feel that they would not sanction an ednea ti e r °3 4 . felt forbid the• necessary element of religious principle: ' 4 ,lre fdlly and wholly of the hon. gentlemen's opinions -, t° r " addedewe eau see and judge from the statistics of our e"' to courts -that a secular education cannot, .and dees not, e 5 c 1 crime: We have those continually who-are-able to real writee who- have had the education of 'the intellect, a n eot frequently perceive the want of a religious , printhple would tends to restrain the evil and etevekipe good. Aft e e r e ee excellent speech, the rev. gentleman begged to propose to "" "Prosperity to their society." (Cheers.). Band--" Hail, smiling morn.' Mreelleleerreeni replied in a brief but-very effeetiee - aye — ee . Mr _B. Ea,srwoon, jun., proposed the-health. of tbeir e a cellent manager, William Clay, Es q .. (L ou d- and COutiz i ' eheers)s Band—" Cheer, boys, cheer." for WAti CLAM; Esq., said he was much. bil ohligeltnthorrT ka , of their hearty applause, and would t a k e th a t' o pportiln tharking.them also for the ready manner in - which-,, L'u e wishes4vere anticipated in the regular working.of establishment, and for the endeavour onllie.part of the o° , of departments, and indeed of all, to' aid-iiimin.hisarely duties, The address of that day had: referred to the be y ness efths-accidents in the works during the past year. ', i l had certainly cause to thank Providence. -for. it. ThO t bst had evenduring the past week the ele m e n t s o f accidents the might have• been of serious consequence, but, through, A good providence of God they had been averted. (Hear~) toe slight accident had befallen them in the giving way or l e y machinery which carried their big g...2.n.; they had en. - so roured;lowever, to have every portion of - that maGlirCea r ,) strong.. that it would almost carry anything.. (Hear , -,,„'"; of They might be aware that they were nowauttemptiy" - a it the largest guns that had ever been matie—(cheers) ,--en ,be was-intended when made to be madei-a present of to .. : e y government— (cheers) —by the proprietors of the- V e nt Steel and Iron-works. He hoped, as -he- trusted,. th a " a t. wonld , give a good account of itself ititbe Baltic•ros-t Ye il a Mr. Hbrsfall had spoken to them abeut the news-room a 0 1 he might mention to them that it had been. the' intentiotillaj M. W:.J'..Horsfall to have added a library.of books. H e bs told him (Mr. Clay) that he had a large-assortment of 11 : ° " it ready, and only awaited thei r t a ki ng. th a t i n t er est which was but right and proper that h e s h ou ld expec t a t their e 3 " „ f a t (Hear.) He incited the men to valm•altd. prizethe means t i• improvement proffered to them. Mr : -.Clay bore k. i d to r. molly tothe value of the series of leet ures the-Rec i Harem. had delivered among the m ,,. an d t rus t e d to t',' proving beneficial. (Hear, bear.) Mr.-Benjamin Eaatwo od stated.; and during the evening he had-had the credoaccor!.l.o him, of having planned the works,, and managed. the plant such .a manner that they could turn out the. greatest amouti7j of work. with the least possible labour. (Hear.). He w° like to.tell them, however, that the credit was not solely k ir , be lad. had, continually the experience and. advice of Mr . • Horsffill, who had given him moot valuable. suggestioP; As. a , piece of joint-manufact ure , ( a , l aug h). he might , P lMll e le haps,.be allowed to assume a little of the credit. *master, who had passed through the works with him °.. n t the. halt week, told him that he never. saw more conventpa works,.nor better arranged machinery. (Cheers.) He ef.t the men to turn out by their labour as.much: iron as poesn' A e re, for, said he, the more iron you; turn out,. the more money 1') receive, and don't be afraid efogetting - toe. much. (Elf:, The spring iron trade he expected to be a good one, and if the'Mersey Works, he hoped,. would: share , in its prosperl_'4, He begged to give the toast;Success , to , the Iron TO", and. prosperity to the Mersey. Steel and Iron Works." (Che e '' followed by the band playing lively and stirring air.) Mr. J. H. HUGHES respondek Mr. G.,GOULDER proposed,, - " The. Gentlemen of the O f6e ¢ .: and observed that they were, always kind and sympathislairt towards the men. If he hadoceasion.to, goto the office to P ry a member on the cl u b, he heard from: them, " We are n' e oe" sorry," and if one was taken off,' "-N :e are very glad' this showed sympathy, and, that sympathy was duly app elated. (Cheers.) Band.—" A Quick Stop." Several, gentlemen spoke -to . this: toast. f olv ! The CIIAIRMAN proposed " the,Offi cers o f th e Societlr highly cornplimenteetboth,treasarer and secretary. Mr. EASTWOOD (treasurer) beiefiy returned thanks. : OA Mr. GOULDEE (secretary) said, he was just then rer n „' ic ith, of a story of a certainmusician who addressed his puP,l` all these words,—" Blow. out,. sir:" " Ay," said the Pelt'ateN very flue, but whoa es. the wind to come from." (be n :giber° And liewould say, as he. was called u p on t o res pond, " :; ed to are the words to-. come f rom ?" (L aug ht er. ) He beg' return them all hissery grateful thanks. The Vice-chairman's health being proposed, that gen - see said that it gave- him. very great satisfacti on i n being P r w p v -5 5 at their annu adinnen. He had, perhaps, been to as en e aS most of them ;.there were, also, some few who had be ef connected with them, and he had ,pleasure in 54 .0 *, e as they looked. one another in the face as pleasantly tliat S e ta on the first day they met. (Loud cheers.) He thanked for so kindly drinking his health. Band—" - Auld Lang Syne." • Wel Several: other toasts and. speeches followed, which (0 severally proposed or responded to by Mr. J.. Cooks°' Messrs. Fawcett, Preston and Co.'s), Mr. Roberts,-&c.' The proceedings were kept up with great hilarity, " a 1011 ing the flowing bowl" and singing songs until they ultienlA o separated, about half-past ten o'clock, in highly agrc" - m-Ood with themselves and all the world beside.. .f. P"' CARTER AND CO., of London, who suspended a ye.-., A ct announce a payment in full to all their creditors, with .!:'is .cent. interest, on the sth January next. Th e i r habil' amount to £93,000. f the :”Ami inquiry is about to be instituted into the loss °, l, OP p from . m. screw-steamship Faith, which foundered in the Chan Sil the Isle of Wight, during the bale of Sunday w ee ' . f 03. C iPla u t i had been purchased by the Turkish ' Government, 0 , 10 . to African Steam Navigation Company, and w as on her v '' Constantinople, with stores. O tt, Druid `'-foct EXTRAORDINARY TORNADCL—A report of the 00, • - v, Coquimbo, .t,lioisn.plogrtso.De. blowing .:—On n nee f ; oo S o il W., strong ._ se rc o f with' a heavy cross sea running in three directions, ou . 04 ., strange appearance overhead—a clear, circular u11e,. 11 : 0 10,r 5 ' about 15 degrees diameter, and fringed with bright' 0 csl'i c i • the rest of the sky a dense opaque haze. It now fe,,, r eef eo and the barometer sunk from 28.95 to 26.65. Cies', wi? the topsails and furled all else, which was scarcely dt gi teatl ll ,s a tremendous squall struck the ship from the T.C. 11 ,'" r catiZ up the water in long and parallel f u r r o ws w ith a loud' „a ity, s " noise ; dewed up the topsails, saving them with ditu c w ivg "d, scudded under bare poles for Iwo hours, the wind cooaeotees furiously, with a noise like thunder. - At 8 30 it rn c watch vs but left a cross sea which baffles description, irain e o ;-;11 e - ~ ruining in opposite directions through and ti" qlte M e ' . other. Towards morning it gradually subsided. Bat for my rose immediately the first wave struck the sh,i.P' rec eivitil the timely warning of the barometer, and the h o e ll' a sts mils the first blast right aft, with the yards braced , t t `, concentrate have gone. At one time the tornado see me beams into a focus about 'a cable's length on the This dttngereg i forming a white mass like a waterspout. neighbour took its departure a-head of the ship. Rona . for dr toler i chest( f or se to thf