The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-02-09 00:00:00

Ing example of That entily of whose existence the in novators had so little notion—namely, a Conservative democracy; and we challenge the united kingdom to show us anything better. Whilst Whigs and Radi cals flattered and supposed they were exalting the peo ple, they did, in truth, entertain a most contemptuous and unworthy opinion of them. Liberalism, whatever it may pretend, is a system that tends inevitably to de base. A people taught only by such a system might well be feared as one that would never rest till not a fragment of all that is venerable in the wisest and best of institutions should remain ; but all such fears con- cerning a Conservative democracy—concerning a peo ple scripturally enlightened, and imbued with deep re verence for the doctrines taught by the Church of England—are utterly baseless, silly, and absurd. The changes that threw so much power into the hands of the people were tantamount to an appeal to the powers and principles of Conservatism ; and here in Liverpool at least, she buckled on her armour and put forth all her energies to meet the difficulties and dangers to which she was exposed. The battle of the constitution was in the hands of the democracy, and so effectually have they fought it that the victory is now nearly achieved, and ultimate triumph is certain. May we not say, then, to the Conservative democracy of other great towns, go ye and do likewise ? In our remarks last week upon the subject of inland bonding, we cautioned our fellow-townsmen against entertaining any hope of assistance in the maintenance of their interests from that body, which, by a ludicrous per version of language, is enabled to style itself " The Town Council of Liverpool." The proceedings of that body on Thursday last, upon the motion brought before it by Mr. Birkett, afford ample proof, if proof were wanting, that until it shall have been further purified by the voice of the constituency—until the unwholesome remnant of Whig-Radicalism which still defiles the seats of the Council Chamber shall have been swept out by the active disgust of the public—the Council itself will never be other than, whet it has hitherto been, a baneful excrescency fastened upon the town, hostile and destructive to the real interests of the peo ple and prolific only of barefaced and dishonest job- The Council of Liverpool will not make any effort to protect the interests of the inhabitants from the injury which will be entailed upon them by the passing of the inland bonding measure. The Council, we are told by Mr. Alderman Evans, " had been neutral " upon this question, and "ought to be neutral." We know full well • what the Council has been. It has been treacherous and venal upon this as upon all other oc casions. Mr. Evans and his party, sold the interests of the people of Liverpool to procure parliamentary sup port for their warehouse scheme; and they have now the unblushing profligacy to tell us that they are justified in doing so again—that they ought to be neutral upon a question which affects the interests of a large portion of the constituency, and which strikes at the prospe rity of an important branch of the commerce of the town. But is it on principle, we ask, that this pure and immaculate body are so anxious to preserve their neutrality ? We reply, without hesitation, it is not . 1 The Inland Bonding Bill is pregnant with injury, amongst others, to the owners of warehouse property ; and the owners of that particular description of pro perty it is notorious—and it is rendered more so by the debate of Thursday—are a class proscribed and on every occasion insulted by the " liberal" party in the Council. But let us see with what arguments these gentlemen are prepared to justify their " non -interference" upon the subject of inland bonding. We are told by Mr. Evans, who appears to be the ready mouthpiece of his party whenever any questionable or injurious measure is to be promoted—that the bonding bill of last session contained clauses which would render it ineffective; and that, in any case, the transfer of the warehouse business of the port to inland towns could not injure Liverpool. It was very improbable, we were assured, that warehouses to any extent would ever be built in Manchester; and yet it was not only just but politic that the privilege of bonding should be conceded to that and other inland towns. It might be, we answer, that the bill of last session was, like other Whig bills, imperfectly framed; but it would not be difficult, we imagine, to find, even amongst the corporate body of Liverpool, a gentleman whose notions of local patriot ism would allow him to suggest to the promoters of the measure the means of correcting that imperfec tion. Mr. Alderman Evans and the inland bonding gentry would not object to hunt in couples, when the game to be run down was the proscribed property of the warehouse owners. This argument then, at least, is not only futile but dishonest ; and little better can be said of those which rest upon the supposition that the measure, when once conceded, will never be put into practice to the injury of Liverpool. Mr. Evans and his " liberal" compatriots know full well that, however trifling may be the advantage gained by the inland towns, the injury to Liverpool will be certain and great. He knows that the leading object of the measure is to secure those very warehouses which he assures us will never he erected ; and that with the transfer of any portion of the business of warehous ing, other and important branches of the commerce of the port must inevitably be included. It.is preposterous to suppose that the change medi tated by the promoters of the inland bonding measure can be effected without being attended with serious in jury to almost every class occupied in the commerce or interested in the property of the town of Liverpool. The owners of the existing warehouses are not, as the Council•would have us believe, the only parties whose interests are at hazard. There is not a branch of trade from that of the broker downwards to the la bourer, whose prosperity would not be interrupted by the measure in question. There is not a description of property, whether in warehouses, in offices, or in dwell ing -houses, the value of which will not be seriously deteriorated. Is it decent, then, we ask, or is it honest, to treat the opposition proposed to be offered to it in Parliament as that of " a party"—as that of the ware house owners only ? Another of the arguments put forth by "the rump" of whig-radicalism, through their useful instrument, Mr. Evans, in - favour of their non-interference policy, is that it will enable the corporation to subdue the jealousy and ill feeling which is at present entertained against that body, and against the people of Liverpool generally, by Manchester and other inland towns. We do not for a moment doubt that so far as the Corpora tion is concerned, the hostile feeling alleged to exist against it may he subdued. Our neighbours will come to regard that - venal body with too Much disgust, 'as the betrayers of the interests and property of their fel low townsmen, to allow any feeling of a more elevated character to exist longer in their minds. The picture now presented to their gaze, of the once respectable Corporation of Liverpool stooping to abandon their position, as the protectors of the local and commercial advantages of the town, and truckling in abject subser viency to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and its " visionary" schemes, is not calculated to render the people of that town enamoured of the possession of such a body, however effectually it may convert hostility into contempt. With respect, however, to subduing the hostility alleged to exist against the people of Liverpool by the inland towns, we must confess that we cannot see the advantage of allaying such a feeling by a sacrifice so great as the Council now wishes to betray us into. The town of Manchester is not satisfied with being the centre of the manufacturing district—the market for the manufactured goods of Cheshire, Lancashire; and Yorkshire—but seeks, at an exorbitant expense to the country, to become also a bonding town, and to carry away a large portion of the trade of Liverpool. Her hostility against us is that of the marauder who is de sirous of appropriating our property ; and we are not inclined to appease that hostility by leaving the door open, o r a idi ng t h e intruder in his appropr i at i on . That th e d ec i s i on of the Council upon t hi s quest i on is calculated materially to assist the object of its pro manote_rs we fear is b ut too certa i n. I t was ver y ju s tly fere a i argued by Mr. Bushell, that th 9 " non-inter ynce of the Coun c il wou ld f urn i s h t h em w i t h the our;',argument which they could have in its fa of such gcl it is not qu i te clear whether the furnishing Evans a n d ar gument is the only ass i s t ance w hi c h Mr. gentleroan, has occasionally have cont r act e d t o ren d er . Th a t influence boasted of the great parlia mentary their which he and others have at lit3l3°2 al u :lio c ord dock ,warehouse bill •order to secure the passing of their know, how much o f i:hand it might be instructive to vice of the Manchester influence is to be at the ser vice agreed upon. Could th is as the quid pro Mr. Birkett's " is be ascertained, perhaps —to use the appropriate and elegant language of Mr. Alderman Earle—might not prove to have been misapplied. The people of Liverpool, however, have been enabled by Thursday's proceedings, " to ascertain who were for the town and who were aga i ns t it," an d must now , i t i s plain, trust for protection to their own exertions alone. The Town Council has no sympathy with their inter ests, no inclination to promote any other cause than that of jobbing and corruption. Happily the days of its despotism are numbered. The head of the unclean thing, whig-radicalism has been crushed—the limbs one by one mutilated by the disgust of the community, and cast out into the congenial mud from which they were originally formed. Another effort on the part of conservatism—another rally in behalf of the good old town—and the filthy tail must follow the other mem bers and be trampled into the kennel. When that consummation is achieved—when the whole brood of Whig aldermen have been replaced by men of principle, interested in the prosperity and , the property of the town—we may expect to see a proper respect mani fested by that body towards public opinion—but not till then. LOCAL NEWS, SPIRIT TRADE.—A good opportunity is presented to any one wishing to embark in this business, as will be seen by Mr. Poole's advertisement. TOOTHACHE.-Of all the " ills that flesh is heir to," there is none that excites less sympathy than the toothache. It is not a " killing disease." Who ever heard of a man dying of the toothache ? Although it may not -be a mortal malady, it is nevertheless a most annoying one; but like everything else, it can be alleviated, if not cured, by Eggleston's toothpaste. His oxymel of horehound is also an admirable remedy for coughs. WICKLOW ALE.—The waters of Wicklow are celebrated for their purity. In this county is the confluence of those two streams immortalized by Moore in his charming ballad of the " Meeting of the Waters." It remains for some other bard to immortalize the " Wicklow ale," which for its purity, brightness, and delicious flavour, presents a fitting theme for the poet's song. We can recommend from expe rience this very excellent beverage : it is equal to, if not better, than any other. It is peculiarly adapted to the use of families. FUNERAL SERMON.—On Sunday morning the Rev. H. M'Neile preached a sermon in St. George's Church, Ever ton, on the occasion of the lamented deaths of Mr. Wain wright, surgeon, and Mrs. T. B. Horsfall. Ile sacred edi fice was quite crowded. The text selected was from John xvi. v. 33,—" These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribula tion ; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The discourse of the reverend gentleman on this affecting passage, was full of power. None heard it without emotion, and very many were compelled to give vent to the feelings which 'it excited, in tears. The Rev. D. James also deli vered an appropriate sermon on the occasion, in St. Mary's, Kirkdale. MONMOUTHSHIRE ELECTION.—The conservatives of England, and all friends of good government, will rejoice to learn that at the last hour Monmouthshire is likely to be saved. A requisition was yesterday to be delivered to Mr. Octavius Morgan, signed by no less than five hundred free holders and electors of that loyal county, calling upon him now to stand for its representation, and assuring him of an easy victory. Mr. Morgan cannot, we hope and trust, be so unmindful of the public interests, and of his own sacred du ties, as to shrink from the high fortune and noble task pre sented to him, by declining this generous and well-timed re quisition.—Times of Friday.—[The Merthyr Guardian states that Mr. Morgan's return is certain. He has issued his address, and calls upon the electors in very spirited terms to support him at the poll, which takes place to-day. We wish him heartily God speed.—Ed. L. S.] THE WEATHER.—A few days prior to, and since our last publication, the weather has undergone a remarkable change. Winter has come back upon us with almost more than its former severity. About the middle of last week the wind set in from the north east, and from that quarter or the east it has blown keenly ever since, bringing with it smart falls of snow, which have again covered the earth. From the ac counts we have received, similar weather seems to have pre vailed throughout other districts—and in the south the weather seems to have been more intense, if possible, than in any other quarter. One of th e sentinels at Windsor Castle was found on Friday last lying in an insensible state, brought on by the cold ; and from the papers of yesterday we learn, that at Kingston a man was found frozen to death : be was discovered huddled up, and without either motion or warmth. The surgeon who examined the body gave it as his opinion, that the deceased, tired with walking, had sat down, fallen asleep, and by that means become a victim to the extreme severity of the weather. RADICAL PROSECUTION DEFEATED.—The professed libe rals have for many years talked and boasted about the liberty of the press—but if once a conservative attempts to exercise the slightest power, either of censure or ridicule, the boiste rous liberty brawlers proceed, without loss of time, to consult some pettifogging attorney—and without the sightest notice to the party whom they intend to victimize, apply to the Queen's Bench for a criminal information. We only wish the conservatives would give the radical newspaper printers a taste of the same quality, as they appear to relish such pro ceedings. These remarks are called forth in consequence of a Mr. Lewis Jones, a radical town councillor, of the borough of Shrewsbury, having applied for a rule, calling on the pro prietor of the Shropshire Conservative to show cause why a criminal information should not be filed against him. Mr. Justice Williams said that all the insinuations contained in the article complained of might be untrue and without foun dation, and Mr. Jones had had an opportunity of stating so on his oath. A great part of the article which the learned counsel had read was altogether unintelligible, and that part of it which he (Mr. Justice Williams) could understand was perfectly harmless. At all events, there was nothing in it that called for the special interference of the court. If Mr. Lewis Jones felt himself aggrieved by the publication, he had a remedy either by action or indictment.—Rule refused. May we live to see the liberals (!) gain many such victories. LAUNCH.—Yesterday, at about a quarter past twelve, a fine ship, " the Bengalore," belonging to Messrs. Chapman and Willis, was launched from the building-yard of Mr. Cato, west side of the Brunswick Dock. Notwithstanding the extreme coldness of the day, the scaffoldings, and the yard generally, were crowded with spectators, amongst whom were many ladies and gentlemen of the highest respectability. The ship, as seen from the stocks, excited universal atten tion and admiration. She is, in truth, one of the finest ves sels ever brought out of this port. In materials, she is what in technical phrase is called " a twelve years ship ;" in other words, her timber is " heart of oak," which has been sea soned for that period. The model of the Bengalore is every thing that a nautical man can desire in a merchant vessel, combining capacity for stowage, with a bottom that will " walk the waters like a thing of life." The launch, though, from the shortness of the run, of brief continuance, was beautiful. When on the water the vessel appeared to great advantage. She is of about 500 tons burthen. We learn that she was specially surveyed by the whole of the Liver pool shipbuilders, and pronounced by them to be a first-rate vessel. On her first movement towards her destined element, her name was given, in admirable style, by Master Matthew W. Willis, a fine youth, son of one of the owners. After the launch a number of ladies and gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous cold collation and wines, and the healths of the owners and the builders were drunk with great enthusiasm. The Bengalore is, we learn, intended for the China trade. THE ROYAL CHRISTENING—THE POOR OF LIVERPOOL. —To-morrow the solemn rite of baptism will be performed to initiute into the Christian church the infant Heiress- Apparent to the British throne. It is an occasion that must prove truly grateful to the heart of every right-minded Eng lishman. The sacrament of the national church serves in this case as a pledge of principle —an ensign of security —a cord that reaches to and draws the affections of all classes alike, and unites them to the throne by a higher and holier tye than any merely secular or civil ceremonial, however august or imposing. As a constitution-loving and Christian people, we rejoice greatly at such a moment, and most na• turally, for it furnishes us with great cause of thankfulness to Almighty God. We are now about to receive a new, public, and solemn assurance, that the royal infant whom it has pleased God to bless her Majesty and this highly-favoured nation with, will be brought up in the " nurture and admo nition of the Lord," and in a reverential regard for those lessons of sound wisdom which she can learn alone from that sacred volume on whose solid and enduring truth our church is founded. Thus briefly as to this interesting ceremony ; the important subject which next demands our attention is the MODE in which we may best testify our feelings, and exhibit an enlightened apprehension at the event. The civil authorities of this great town, we regret to say, have offered no instructions, or given any directions whatever on the sub ject ; and the omission is a serious one, since the present is, unhappily, a season of unusual distress and suffering among the working classes—urgent beyond anything we have known in Liverpool. Abridged in their sources of employment, they are of course abridged in their means of living ; and the sub jects of such privation are now, we lament to say, most nu merous. We need not speak of the extraordinary incle mency of the weather —the most severe that has occurred for years ; but at such a time, let those who know no want of food or raiment picture to themselves what must be the state of those who are destitute of fuel, and clothing, and even food! We shall say no more, but to suggest that a better mode of testifying sympathy at, and commemorating the event of to-morrow, could not be devised than that of coming forward liberally to the relief of the hundreds who are now ready to perish in this town from the want of every necessary of. life. MR. JUSTICE LITTLEDALE.—Ori Saturday, for the last time, Mr. Justice Littledale took his seat on the bench. The Attorney-General, as the mouth-piece of the bar, presented to his lordship a valedictory address, expressive of the great respect they entertained for the high legal attainments, learning, and sound judgment, that had always characterised his lordship, while presiding on the judgment -seat. The whole bar, and the spectators, who were very numerous, remained standing during the delivery of the address. Mr. Justice Littledale then, in a firm voice, but sensibly moved, replied in a most feeling manner, and concluded as follows : " It is now upwards of fifty-three years since I first began my legal studies, and I have been in my present situation upwards of sixteen years. At the advanced period of life to which I have now attained, I am desirous of being relieved from the labour attending it, as I am greatly afraid that neither the mind nor the body will long be equal to the ex ertion. Permit me, however, to express my gratification that in thus retiring I carry with me the esteem and kind feeling of thegentlemen at the bar, who have been so kindly pleased to express their good wishes for my future happiness. And now, gentlemen, permit me to express to you my great desire that every good may attend you, and that the bar of England may always maintain that high character for inte grity and learning which has ever distinguished it. Gentle men, I now leave you—Farewell." His lordship then rose, and bowing several times to the bar, retired. SINGULAR DEATH OF A. BOY, BY HANGING.—An in quest was held on Saturday week, at the Cross Axes, in Great Howard, on the body of a youth, named John Birt wistle, aged 15 yeart. On Thursday last the mother of the deceased saw him go up stairs, and in about ten minutes afterwards she heard a barrel roll or. the floor, and called out to him to ask him what he was doing ; but he returned no answer. In about a quarter of an hour after, on the brother of the deceased going up stairs, he found him hanging by the neck in a rope which was used for a swing. He had tied a skirt round hi s nec k, prev i ous t o fi x i ng the rope ; and, as h e was a you ng man fond of tryingexperiments, it was supposed that as he was standing on the tub it had given way, and he was caught unexpectedly. There was no reason to suppose, that the deceased had hung himself intentionally, as he was both comfortable and happy. Verdict, " Accidental death." CAUTION TO S HOPKEEPERS.—At the police court yester day Jane O'Bryan and Bridget Whelan were charged with having committed a robbery in the Shop of Mr. Peter Marsh, linen-draper, Scotland-place. It appeared that on Saturday afternoon, the two prisoners went into the shop and asked to be shown some prints. Several were shown to them, without a sale being effected, but during the conversation Mr. Marsh observed them to stoop so as to be able to reach some shawls which were in the window. For this they were ordered to be turned out of.the shop, but whilst this was being done, two shawls fell from the person of O'Bryan. Of course the wo men were brought back, and on further examination, two more shawls were found upon her. Nothing was folind on Whelan, but it was proved that she had introduced O'Bryan. An officer being called in, they were taken into custody.— They were committed for trial at the next sessions. NORTHERN ClRCUlT.—Laticabter, Saturday, March 20 Liverpool, March 25 ; Appleby, Feb. 18 ; Carlise. Feb. 20 ; Newcastle, Feb. 24; Durham, March 2; York, March 6. Before Mr. Justice Maule and Mr. Serjeant Acherley. Mr. J. Gwyther Hughes, son of John Hughes, Esq., M.D., of this town, was on Saturday, the 30th January, called to the bar, by the honourable society of the Middle Temple. SUICIDE BY POISON.—On Friday an inquest was held on the body of a seaman, named Nathan Morrison, who put an end to his existence by swallowing threepenny worth of arsenic on the previous evening. The deceased lodged in Ritnmer's-court, Chapel-street, in the house of a widow named Searchwell. TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO A CLERGYMAN.—The Rev. Robert Wilson, BrA., curate of Walton-on-the-Hill, h•s been presented, by the congregation of St. Martin's Church, where he has occasionally officiated, with the " Library of Anglo-Catholic Theology," now in course of publication, as a slight testimonial of their regard. SMOKING ON THE QUAYS.-At the police-court on Thursday, a customhouse-officer, named William Butreath, was charged with smoking a cigar on the quay. The police officer stated that there were some crates packed with, straw near the spot. Mr. Rushton strongly reprehended the dan gerous practice of smoking on the quays, and considered it the more blameable in a custom-house officer. The defen dant was fined ten shillings and costs. MR. W. J. HAMMOND'S BENEFIT.—This gentleman's benefit takes place on Friday next, the last night of the dra matic company's performance at the Amphitheatre. Mr. Hammond is so esteemed a favourite with the playgoers, that a good house may be confidently anticipated. " Lodo iska," " Turn-out," and " Forty Thieves," are selected as the entertainments. MR. S. WERBE'S CONCERT.—The testimonial concert to this accomplished and excellent musician and composer is announced to take place on Thursday next, when a good at tendance of the " musical world" of this town may be ex pected. The programme consists of Webbe's " Laudate Pueri," quartett and chorus ; Webbe's " Adeste Fidelis" ; Webbe's glee, " Hence, all ye vain delights" ; Herz's " Po lonaise," by Mrs. St. Albin ; Webbe's glee, " Thy voice, 0 harmony" ; Stephenson's glee, " Whither so fast" ; a glee of Weber's ; and Bishop's " Welcome, lady fair." The second part commences with Webbe's delicious glee," When winds breathe ,oft," which is succeeded by Bishop's solo and chorus, " Daughter of error" ; Hummel's solo and,cho rus, " Alma Virgo " ; fantasia on the piano -forte, by Mrs. St. Albin ; Bishop's chorus, " The tiger crouches in the wood " ; the " Tramp Chorus"; and, as a finale, Bishop's " Though he be now a gray friar." A very great treat may be anticipated on this occasion. LIVERPOOL GUARDIAN SOCIETY.—The annual meeting of this society took place on Thursday evening last, at the Adelphi Hotel, Mr. George Summers, President, in the chair, for the purpose of receiving the annual report, the election of officers and committee for the ensuing year, &c. Tne report, being highly satisfactory, was unanimously adopted, from which report we find the society is in a very prosperous condition, and that not only its members, but the public also have been greatly benefited by its operations during the past year. We understand, that, within the last two years, there has been an increase of five hundred mem bers, making a total of more than one thousand. Mr. Hast ings, of Lord-street, was unanimously elected the President, and Mr. G. Walker. London-road, the Vice-president for the ensuing year. Mr. R. Jones, Whitechapel, was re elected the Treasurer. THE ASSIZES.—The Judges of the Northern Circuit commence the Assizes at Appleby. on Thursday the 18th inst., and at York on Saturday the 6th of March. It is n o t yet etermined who is to be the new Judge, but we appre hend that if the appointment should devolve upon Mr. Wight man, as is expected, the learned gentleman will not come into the Northern Circuit this turn, but will exchange with one of the other learned judges. If the Solicitor-General or any gentleman from another circuit should be appointed, the same objection to his travelling this circuit will not arise.— [lt is now, we believe, definitively settled, that Mr. Wight roan is to replace Mr. Justice Littledale. The appointment, it is believed, will give general satisfaction to the profession, amongst the gentlemen on the northern circuit in particular.] " THE WILL-W-THE-WlSP."—There is now, at the west side of the Salthouse Dock, a beautiful schooner of this name, built by Messrs. Humble and Milcrest, and owned by Captain Highat (now retired), formerly commander of the ship " William Jardine," the " Gipsey," and the " Eliza beth." She has the appearance, and will, we doubt not, show the sailing qualities of a first-rate yacht. Her equip ments are superb ; and we should say she will eclipse most, if not all of her competitors, as a fore-and-aft rigged vessel. She is, we learn, bound for Algiers on a private mercantile speculation, with a full and valuable cargo. She is of about 101 tons burthen (new measurement), and will take with her considerably over that weight of fine goods. The top timbers of the " Will-o'-the-Wisp" are of mahogany, and she is in every respect a credit to her owner and to the port. The figure-head, representing " Will," is a regular puzzler. ALLEGED FATAL ASSAULT.—At the Police-court on Fri day, three women, Elizabeth Molineux, Mary Breckle, and Mary Gibson, were brought up to the bar on' a charge of having so assaulted Elizabeth Davies, that all hopes of her recovery were at an end. All the parties, it appeared, were fish-dealers, with the exception of Gibson, who is servant in public-house. The alleged assault was said to have taken place at a public-house on Saturday night last, and the three parties in custody were apprehended in consequence of a de claration made by Elizabeth Davies, the injured party, to superintendent Brown, who wrote it down and read it to her, she being at the time perfectly sensible, and expressing her belief that she was dying. The declaration was to the effect, that she bad gone into the public-house where the pri soners and others were drinking ; that she there saw her son, who was a fisherman, and blamed him for not being with his boat ; that she threw a small quantity of ale at him from a glass, and that the two first-named prisoners (whose names she gave) successively struck her, and kicked her whil e s h e sat down, and that the servant Wilson took her by the hair and dashed her against the stairs. She attributed her ap proaching death to her violence. Mr. Davenport appeared for the prisoners, and stated that Elizabeth Davies was the aggressor herself, as might be proved • that she threw glasses of ale at the prisoners, and broke a glass for which she paid ; and that she had on Sunday been fighting in Pepper-street, and had had another fight on Wednesday. He therefore urged that they should not be confined, but admitted to bail. The landlady of the public-house said that Davies had paid lOid. for three glasses of ale thrown, and for one glass broken. Mr. Brown, who bad seen Davies a short time be fore the case came on, said she was now speechless ; that she had had a blood vessel ruptured, and that there appeared no chance of her recovery.: Mr. Rushton said, under the cir cumstances, he was bound to remand the prisoners. If the woman died, the case would come before the coroner, and the testimony alluded to by their attorney be fully investi gated. He then directed Mr. Parkinson to accommodate the prisoners at the Bridewell, not to send them to the gaol. ROBBERY BY A SERVANT.—On Friday, at the Police Court, a smart-looking young woman named Charlotte Hughes was placed before Mr. Rushton on a charge of rob bing her master. Mr. William Peacock, hosier and laceman, Ranelagh-street, stated that the prisoner had been in his service. On Thursday night, in consequence of his having missed several articles in the house, he searched the pri soner's box. He found in it a pair of sleeves sewed up, which he cut open, and found in them, amongst some fea thers, 7 pairs of gloves, about 29 yards of lace, 1 pair of hose, and other articles (produced). His private mark was on two of them. The prisoner had been employed to tack the gloves together when they came in, and he had no doubt but they were his property. He had net of a similar kind. He also found a coral necklace, a gold ring, and two handkerchiefs, which belonged to his sister. A constable was sent for, who took her into tastody. She told him that she had received £l2 from a clitain who was to marry her. Mr. Peacock's sister identified the ring, &c. belonging to her. They were worth 365. The articles belonging to Mr. Peacock were worth about 245. The prisoner said, in effect, that she had found the ring, and that she had bought the other articles at a shop lower down in Ranelagh-street. She was committed far trial at the Sessions. A REFRACTORY PAUPER.—At the Police Court, on Thursday, a lame boy, who had been in the Workhouse, was charged with having wilfully broken seven panes of glass in that establishment. He bad a sore leg, and wished to go out, but was not allowed ; whereupon he smashed the win dows. On being asked what he had to say, he stated that he was sent before the Select Vestry, who ordered him to be put into the Lunatic Asylum ; that he was not, however, sent there, but was confined in a dark cold hole, with his leg ill ; and•being so treated, he, in his passion, broke the win dows. Mr. Rushton. closely questioned Mr. Nightingale, surgeon, and another witness, from the Workhouse, and it clearly appeared that the prisoner's story was a mere fabrica tion ; that he never was ordered to the Lunatic Asylum, or put into a hole or cell, but into a warm comfortable room, where other of the inmates of the house were at work. It appeared that he was one of the most refractory in the house. He was sent to gaol for twenty-one days. STEALING BRASS -WORK, MANILLAS, &c.—At the po lice-court on Thursday, two men, Edward Roberts and Tho mas Crellan, were placed at the bar, charged with having stolen a quantity of pieces of copper, or composition of crooked form, called manillas, which pass in Africa, by way of money ; also a quantity of new brass hinges, and other articles. Robert Brennand, warehouseman to Messrs. Ha milton, Jackson and Co., merchants, Tabley-street, said that they had a warehouse in Hurst-street, in which there were some casks containing manillas. These were all safe on Monday, but on Tuesday he observed one of the casks broken open, and missed a quantity of manillas, about one cwt., worth 75 shillings. He gave information to police officer Kehoe, who found about 301bs. weight of manillas, in the possession of Francis Kelly, a marine store keeper. The latter stated that they were brought by the prisoner Roberts, and a man named Welsh, on Monday night, and that he bought them for 44d a pound, and paid Roberts 10s. 10 3 / 4 d. for them. Roberts, and the prisoner Crellin, soon afterwards came to him with some more, but he refused to buy them. His wife corroborated this testimony. Ro berts, it appeared, had worked in the warehouse where the manillas were. A sample of them was produced, and was precisely similar to those sold to Kelly. The other articles were not identified. The prisoners were committed to take their trials at the sessions. THE "SHAVING" QUESTION.—Our Mercurial contempo rary does occasionally hit upon strange subjects upon which to exercise his amazing profundity. The last question upon which he has been employing himself is, however, we must acknowledge, of infinitely greater 'importance than usual ; and we would suggest to our contemporaries generally the propriety of giving every possible circulation to the fact at which the Mercury has at length arrived, as the result of his arduous examination. This fact which has now for the first time been promulgated is, that the barber who shaves our venerable friend—(who in spite of his old womanly propen sities has a beard)—in that operation is compelled to lift his razor 160 to 180 times ! The face of our ancient must, we really fancy, be a little curious, composed of hills and valleys, ridges and sharp turns, or surely an ordinary shaver could denude it in less than this great number of cuts. Such, how ever, is the fact. The Mercury has actually to submit to 160 or 180 impositions of the razor in the process of getting rid of his beard; and we have no doubt that upon the data thus furnished we shall eventually arrive at other results of infinite importance to society. At present we are ourselves busy in the solution of the following intricate question, viz.:—Given the number of strokes required to remove the beard of Mer cury, and the length of the razor to ascertain the strokes re quired for the beard of Mahomet. By the way it would be patriotic in our contemporary to offer his peculiar face (and it must be peculiar we think,) as a test for the shaving fra ternity —a SHAVEROMETER 1 LIVERPOOL CHARITABLE SOCIETY.—We beg to call the attention of our readers to the claims of the Charitable So ciety, for which a sermon is advertised to be preached, by the Rev. Hugh M`Neile to-morrow (Wednesday) evenin g , a t St. Mark's Church. ihe society is conducted by members of the established church, and its object is to visit and relieve the sick and destitute of all denominations, and as far as its means extend, to alleviate their misery. Its visitors—whilst relieving the bodily wants of those to whom they are called—. endeavour, by kind and Christian counsel, and by the distri bution of portions of Scripture and suitable religious tracts, to direct the attention of the sufferers to those higher sources of consolation of which they stand so much in need, but of which too many are entirely destitute. Articles of clothing and bedding are also supplied by the society; but at the last monthly meeting, in consequence of the expenditure of the society having exceeded its income, it was found necessary to restrict this branch of its labours, and also to limit the extent of relief bestowed, It is earnestly hoped that a benevolent public will step forward at. the present inclement season, when hunger and comparative nakedness are the lot of so many of our fellow-creatures, and enable the society to carry out to a greater extent its benevolent and Christian objects. LAUNCH.--Yesterday, about half-pas twelve, a fine barque, the " Dicky Sam," was launched from the building yard of Messrs. Seddon and Co., Trentham-street. This vessel is of about 360 tons burthen, and was built for Messrs. Hall and Co. She is, in every respect, a crack ship, and was much admired by the connoisseurs who were present. After the launch a number of ladies and gentlemen partook of a sumptuous cold repast in the mould-room. EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE Pooß.—The exhibition of the Caracci pictures yesterday produced £l3 165., 276 persons having visited the rooms during the day. On Saturday 150 persons inspected the pic tures at the Postoffice-place Rooms, and the sum of £7 10s. has been paid into the Thames Steamer Subscription. We hope that the theatres and other places of exhibition will follow Mr. Buchanan's noble example. FINE ART.—There are on view to-day some fine works of art at the Hodgson Gallery, including pictures by Rubens, Teniers, Vernet, Wouvermans, Cooper, and other masters of celebrity. There is a fine " Holy Family," similar to that in the Postoffice Gallery by Venusti, by Piombo. It is rather singular that works by t wo of Michael Angelo's pupils should be exhibited in the same town at the same period, alike in subject and design. Some of these pictures are very well worthy the attention of amateurs. CONSECRATION OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH.— The church of St. Bartholomew, recently erected in Naylor street, will be consecrated for divine worship this day by our venerated diocesan. The right reverend prelate will preach a sermon, on the occasion of which we will endeavour to present our readers with a sketch in our next publication. The situation of St. Bartholomew's church is one of that destitution and poverty which could only he reached by the establishment, and on that account it especially commends itself to public support. The rev. gentleman who has been appointed to the incumbency is zealously devoted to his sa cred profession, and from his zeal, piety, and example, much good may be expected to arise in the district. We perceive by the advertisement that a procession will be formed at the Blue Coat Hospital, at ten o'clock, to proceed to the church. " A SHEER OLD HuLtc."—Yesterday, one of the venera ble lazarettes, which has for many years been a floating warehouse in the quarantine-ground, opposite the New Ferry, on the Cheshire shore of the Mersey, near this town, was brought into the Coburg Dock, towed by a steamer. Her great bulk and sombre appearance excited much curi osity amongst those assembled on the quays. She is " The Newcastle" ; was built, so far as we can learn, in lgl2, on the eve of the last American war; was a 64-gun ship, and one of the fastest in the British navy. It is stated that she performed a voyage from Halifax, in Nova Scotia, to Ports mouth, in eight-and-a-half days—a feat not since accom plished, even by our modern and fast-sailing steamers. In her upper works the Newcastle has no appearance of such capability ; but she has been much altered above water, and judges in such matters admit that her model below is, as re gards the carrying of sail and metal, fully equal, if not su perior, to anything produced in the naval architecture of the present day. A flat had run athwart her bow chains, and became so entangled that it was necessary to " cut and run." She has on board, we are informed, about 2,000 bales of Egyptian cotton, and draws a little above 17 feet of water. The yellow flag is flying at her main (jury) mast; and her larboard side is coated with ice. Though entirely black, and without decoration, she is still a fine specimen of " the wooden walls of Old England." FIRE IN TOXTETII-PARK.—On Sunday evening, about a quarter past eight o'clock, a threatening fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Morrison, joiner and builder, Mile street, Toxteth-park, near the Dingle. The alarm was given, and the fire police of this town were on the ground at a quarter past nine o'clock, beaded by Mr. Whitty, head con stable, and Mr. Hewitt of the fire department. The fire, which had broken out in a drying stove, was for some time very alarming, there being a large quantity of timber horsed in the adjoining yard, on the east side of which were a num ber of valuable dwellings. Although there was a deficiency of water, and the frost so keen that it almost froze the pipes, such was the judicious management of Mr. Whitty and his assistants that the fire was speedily suppressed, so far as re garded danger to the premises and contiguous property. The smoke from the burning timber in the stove was most suffocating, and the parties engaged in putting down the con flagration had to pursue their operations with tears in their eyes. A great quantity of timber, in boards, was removed from the immediate point of danger, and the fire in the stove (which was under ground) was " suffocated" by closing the doors and other apertures that would have given admission to the air. The timber ignited was, we learn, of the value of £l5O ; but the greater portion of it was saved, and the whole, we are informed, was insured. The police officers, under the directions of Mr. Whitty and Mr. Hewitt, were most effective. Mr. Maxwell, superintendent of salvages for the Fire Offices was also present, and expressed his great satisfaction with the prompt services of the fire police— several of whom (as the remains of the fire continued to smoulder), remained on the ground till half-past four o'clock in the morning. CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE MIDLAND COUNTIES RAILWAY.—A conspiracy to defraud this company of the sum of £225. was attempted this week in Leicester under the following circumstances :—A short time since it had been found necessary to affix a notice in the office of the railway, stating, that in order to guarantee the safe delivery of money parcels, a per-centage on the amount, in the shape of an in surance would be required. A youth, of the name of Richards, a cripple, and formerly a clerk in a respectable coach-office in the town, called at the parcel-of f ice of the company with a small parcel purporting to contain £225. and addressed to a farmer in Derbyshire. He tendered the amount of insur ance on the parcel, for which the clerk in the office gave him a receipt. The porter of the railway company happening to call at the time, the parcel was handed over to him. He said that the parcel should be opened there or at the company's office. He accordingly opened it, when it was found to con tain nothing but a letter enclosing two pieces of waste paper. The letter, which, with the address on the parcel, was in the handwriting of the youth, purported to be from a person of the name of Biggs, in London. It stated that the money alleged to be enclosed was in requital of kindness formerly done the writer by the farmer in Derbyshire, and that on re ceipt of it a letter in acknowledgment should he directed to a person named Walker, post-office, Leicester. The youth Richards was taken into custody, and underwent an exami nation before the borough magistrates. He made an unre served disclosure of the entire transaction, and has impli cated two other persons in the conspiracy, at w ;lose instance, he said, and for the consideration of a sovereign, 'le had been induced to attempt this fraud. Prom the discle,ures made by the youth, one of the parties has been apprehended; he is a job-smith, and a leader of the chartists in the town. He too underwent an examination, when his identity was fully established as a party concerned, and he was held to bail to take his trial for the offence. " THE PRESIDENT" STEAM-SHlP.—This noble vessel (the largest steam-ship in the world) is again ready for sea, and will sail for New York to-morrow (Wednesday). No expense has been spared in the refitting of the ship, and, from some improvements in the engines, it is fully antici pated that she will much exceed her former speed. She is still considered a " wonder" in bulk as well as in beauty ; has been visited daily, for some time past, by many ladies and gentlemen ; and we trust will yet prove a highly profit able investment for the proprietors. The dining and smok ing rooms on the spar-deck have been removed, (where, in deed, they were an encumbrance,) and admirable accommo dations have been substituted on the main deck. " The President" is now commanded by Captain Roberts, who was for two years the deservedly popular captain of " The Bri tish Queen, belonging to the same enterprising company. She will take with her about 2,000 cases of valuable silks and Manchester goods, besides a large quantity of bullion. About sixty passengers have already engaged berths, and many more are expected. The proprietors have, indeed, spared neither pains nor expense to render the vessel comfortable for all on board ; and she is, in reality, a palace afloat. Captain Roberts takes with him the first officer who sailed with him in the British Queen, and his experience as an ocean steam navigator gives him a high claim to the confidence of all who may embark with him. It will be remembered that we noticed this ship at great length in July last, after her first, or trial trip, hence to Cork and Dublin and back. We see no reason to alter our opinion of her capabilities, and have no doubt but she will realize all the expectations formed of her powers and her speed. Of her 'splendid and admir able accommodations it were superfluous to say a word. We may add, as a concluding item, that the larders and the wine cellars are replete with the good things of this life, and that the passengers will doubtless live " like fighting cocks." REPEALERS IN LIVERPOOL. The repeal cause is not thriving in Liverpool, nor, if we may judge from a correspondence that has been published between a Roman Catholic priest, named Parker, and the " foremost man" of all the repealers, is it likely to do so. The correspondence is a curious sort of production, but quite characteristic of the parties, and of that apostate system of which, unfortunately for themselves and others, they are no insignificant supports. Mr. Parker's letter is one of complaint. He says that the repealers of Liverpool violate the Sabbath and the sanctity of his chapel with their political meetings and petitions, and do not pay due attention to the remonstrances of their cler gy ;—and thus he has been compelled to represent the mat ter to one who, he supposes, may have more influence over them on such a point, and to request he will use it for the purpose of curbing all such turbulent and insubordinate cha racters in their indiscreet proceedings. To this the agitator replies—that he is quite " shocked" at hearing of the conduct of th e repealers in the vicinity of St. Patrick's Chapel, Toxteth-park, Liverpool; that in Ireland no petition is signed in the vicinity of any chapel without the permission, express or implied, of the clergyman (priest), and that there the repealers look upon a pious submission to the " anointed priests of the most high God as one of the in gredients to obtain the divine blessing on their glorious ef forts." In the few parishes in Ireland, he adds, "in which our venerated clergy are opposer/ to repeal, or are neutral (and they are few indeed', we find no difficulty in procuring signatures to petitions without spewing disrespect to any clergyman. The priest-fearing agitator then expresses his hope that the Liverpool repealers will give no more annoy ance to their clergy ; states, that his son John, who is deeply grateful to them, as he is, for their kindness, writes, by the same post (3d instant), to some of his friends, imploring them to use their influence to keep their petitions from the vicinage of the Catholic chapels, as deem it wrong to have them there; "long as any o f th e clergy and concludes by assur ing his reverend correspondent, that " if the scandal were to continue, he would himself go down to Liverpool, to prevail on other repealers to discontinue it." These letters afford a choice illustration of the doctrine and practice of expediency — a doctrine which we may show, at some other time, is three parts Popish in its origin. Ob serve, that Priest Parker's charge against his congregation originates in his views in this respect. It is not the violation of the Sabbath in itself, be it remarked, of which he makes complaint; indeed, without passing a sentence of condem nation upon his own church, he could not do so—for he him self acknowledges that in Ireland it is a "general practice to hold meetings in, and to procure signatur es t o po li t i ca l petitions at the church (mass - h ouse) on Sundays." The ground of his complaint is, that the same system is attempted here in England, where it is considered a 'violation of the sa credness of the day, and would be a cause of scandal; that he had himself pronounced it inexpedient; and that, in de fiance of his authority, the repealers had persisted in it. Priest Parker could not condemn , as Wrong in itself, that which Romish priests and bishops in Ireland freely permit ; but he might forbid it as inexpedient; and this accordingly is the ground, and the only ground, which he puts forward as furnishing him with an occasion for interfering prohibi tively with the repealers and their doings. And how does the agitator receive th e comp l aint? ' With his usual submission and pliant servility when " an anointed priest of the most high God" (of Anti- c h r i st pay we) bath spoken. " Anxious as I am," he says, " for support from the Liverpool repealers, I will not accept of it if th e y s h ow any disrespect to the Catholic clergy, or to any one of them." We must further remark, that as Pri est P arker does not condemn the desecration of the Sabbath as being rebellion against the express commandment of Jehovah, so neither does he exp ress a n Objection to the practices of re p ea l ers from any dislike entertained by him to the treasonable nature of their project. No; his objection is fou n d e d on expedi ency in both cases, and its policy is the o n l y one which Fa ther Parker seems to know of, or deal in. All he requests is that these Sabbath -breaking , chapel-desecrating repealers may move a little further off, or cover their machinations with a somewhat better cloak of dissimulation. It may not be amiss, finally, to observe how completely the Romish priests have the repeal, and indeed every other sedition in which Papists are concerned, hi their own keep ing, and at their own command. This is apparent from the submissiveness evinced by Mr. Daniel O'Connell in this correspondence, and, indeed, is certain from all we know of Popery, and its doings both in Ireland and elsewhere. It will be no inappropriate wind-up to this exhibition of the fallen fortunes of repeal in Liverpool, to advert to a case which came before our Police Court last week, when the pro prietor of a new movement-enterprise. called The Repealer,' Journal, came forward to claim protection against his prin ters, who had, a day or two before, summoned him for their wages. The particulars of the battle have been already given to the public, and we need no t repeat t h em h ere. S u ffi ce i t to observe, thatl when doctor and nurse-tenders thus begin to quarrel over an unfortunate bantling in the very first week of its existence, small must be the hope of its ever arriving at years of discretion, if, indeed, it be not defunct already. THE EXHIBITION OF PICTURES BY THE. OLD MASTERS, AT THE POSTOFFICE-ROOMS. We now resume our notice of these exquisite productions, and hope by this time many of our townsmen have been gra tified by an inspection of them. No. 12. Backhuysen—" A brisk Gale." This painter's works may, we think, be easily recognised, from their free ness of touch, peculiarity of subject, and vigour of delinea tion, as well as the animation of his objects. In this picture nothing can be more springy than the appearance of the sea. The little boat to the right is fairly lifted up. The vessel with her topsail backed, in the middle of the picture, is charmingly painted. The canvas is free and flowing, and appears actually distended by the gale. The galliot to the left is well put in, and happily drawn. — Backhuysen's pic tures are generally sea-pieces, and have great merit. No. 13. Rubens—" The Holy Family." A very beautiful little gem. It is the original sketch of one of this great master's fine works, and as such may be highly esteemed. It is from the Lucca Gallery. 14. Domenichino—" St. Cecilia Playing on the Organ with Angels." The countenances are all very fine. The cherub in the centre is a fine study. This picture comes nearest to the Three Caracci of any we have seen. It par takes very much of their high character. The drapery is beautifully painted, especially the sleeve. St. Cecilia has a noble and enthusiastic expression : her figure is graceful and easy. We notice thi s pi c t ure as one o f a very superior quality. The colouring is very bright.—Domenico Zampieri, or Domenichino (little Domenic), so called from his youth when he commenced his studies, was born in 1581, at Bo logna, and died at Naples 1641, aged 60 years. He received the first principles of art from Denis Calvert. He was after wards placed by his friend Albano in the school formed by the Caracci at Bologna. Domenichino visited Lombardy to study the works of Parmigiano and Correggio, and after wards proceeded to Rome to contemplate the works of Ra phael. He assisted Annibal Caracci in painting the cele brated Farnese Gallery. His style is of an elevated charac ter: firmness of handling and brilliance of colour is always distinguishable. The characteristics of the Bolognese school are noticeable in this picture. H is works are highly esteemed. No. 15. Gaspar Poussin—" A Classical Landscape." A very fine picture, remarkable for its depth of shade. The trees and their foliage have a peculiarly natural expression. An air of great repose and serenity is prevalent throughout this work. No. 16. David Teniers—" An Interior, and of Figures Dancing." A clever picture, conveying a good idea of Dutch gentility in former times, when the stately minuet was the favourite dance.:—Teniers was born at Antwerp in 1610, and died there in 1694, aged 84 years. Teniers studied under his father, Adrian Brouwer, and also in the school of Rubens. The talent of Teniers was very ver.atile : he had great facility of execution, firmness of touch, and breadth of design. Without the vulgarity of Ostade, he depicted the low life of his country with much spirit and fidelity. He was the Wilkie of his time. His paintings have a high finish, and he knew where to leave off—not the least merit in an artist. The picture before us is from the gallery of the Duc de Berri. No. 17. Ostade—" An Interior, with Peasants Regaling." A clever picture, perfect in all its details, from the mugs on the walls to the boor swinging on his chair, and pouring out the liquor. This is an amusing picture, and free from that coarseness which is too prevalent in this painter's works. The boor laying down the law is very cleverly drawn, as is the " vrow" at the door. Sir David Wilkie has highly com mended this picture. It is finely finished, and carefully worked up. We like this picture very much for its simpli city and truth of subject. It presents to us a scene of Fle mish life. The figures are all animated. Every object is worth an examination, and shows that the painter did not look on things with a superficial eye. 18. Vanderneer—" A Winter Scene." A brilliant and beautiful specimen of this master. The colour is purity it self. It has a true frosty look about it, with a clear winter sky. Although this scene is a cold one, yet it has a glow about it as if seen when warm with exercise and the excite ment of exertion. The clearness of the air is remarkable. The snow on the houses is piled with all the lightness of down, while the figures on the ice have an animated appear ance. The children on the pool are charmingly painted. This picture will be much admired: it is a beautiful work of art. No. 19. 7'. F. Lewis—" The Old Commodore." A por trait of a fine old fellow, by a modern artist. The " old commodore" is a celebrated dog, well known to the boatmen and frequenters of Margate. He is drawn with all the free dom, vigour, and spirit of Landseer. No. 21. President West—" The Death of Nelson." This picture will make the warm English blood thrill through every genuine English heart. Men will read this painting as a book, relating the glories of the British navy. None can look upon it without emotion and pride, recording as it does a glorious day in our brilliant annals. We think we hear Braham's noble voice bursting into song, describing the fight— __ " 'Twas in Trafalgar's bay, We saw the Frenchmen lay, Each heart was bounding then." We see before us the figures and faces (for all are portraits) of those whose hearts beat with enthusiasm and courage, and we are at once carried on the deck of " His ship the Vict'ry named," and cordially agree in the wish that " Long be that vict'ry famed, For vict'ry crown'd the day." The picture represents the time when " the dreadful wound, Which spread dismay around, The hero's breast received." His lordship is seen lying in the arms-of the Rev. Mr. Scott and Mr. Smith the assistant surgeon, on the maindeck of the " Victory" ; while Mr. Surgeon Beatty staunches the blood from the wound. Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy has one hand clasped in that of the dying hero, and with the other holds a paper, which he appears to be reading, containing a list of the ships captured from the enemy. On the deck are groups in the most picturesque attitudes—officers giving orders, while others wounded, dying, or dead, are being re moved by their shipmates. The figure to the left in the foreground is Mr. Rivers, a midshipman ; he is being car ried below wounded. The officer lying dead is Capt. Adair ; the figure bending over him is his servant, who appears " absorbed in silent sorrow." The two mids in the corner are Mr. Collingwood and Mr. Ogilby, and near them is Lord Nelson's secretary, wounded, supported by two seamen, one a Sicilian. The officer with a cocked hat is Lieut. Heatley, of the Marines. The sergeant pointing to a ship striking her colours is Mr. Seeker. The ship is the " Santissima Trinidada," which was afterwards burnt. Nelson wished to capture her for the British navy : she was entirely built of Spanish mahogany. The figure waving a cocked hat is Mr. Cheesman, master's mate. The mid in front of him is Mr. Lancaster. Next to him is Mr. Westenburgh, assistant sur geon. The seaman on his knee to the right is Saunders, Nelson's favourite coxswain : the colours in his possession have just been hauled down from a vessel of the enemy. The figures on the right are officers and seamen, who appear deeply interested in the scene passing before them. Under the quarterdeck is Lieut. Ram, wounded. The officers near him are giving directions. At the top of the stairs, on the quarterdeck, is Lieut. Peake, of the Royal Marines, severely wounded. The fourth figure from him is Lieut. Reeves, also of the marines, who appears to be wounded. The officer with a glass is Lieut. Pasco. The colour waving above him is the signal for " close action." Mr. Robins, Mr. Randal, and Mr. Palmer, the signal midshipmen, appear to be giving orders. The " master "of the Victory is perceived with his hand upon the quarterdeck rail, having apparently just dis covered that his gallant admiral is wounded. The details of the picture are all replete with interest, and full of anima tion. Over the rail by the master is the celebrated signal, " England expects every man to do his duty," which seems to have been just hauled down. There are also other signal flags upon the rail. The first vessel on the right is the Royal Sovereign, Lord Collingwood. The mast in the centre be longs to the Redoubtable, French ship of 80 guns. In the distance is the Britannia, Lord Northesk. The t o p s o f th e enemy's vessels seem filled with men. From these Lord Nelson received the wound which deprived us of his valuable life. The hand that fired the rifle fell lifeless the next mi nute, having been picked out the moment after by a marine, who saw the fatal deed. The very beautiful arrangement of the objects, the picturesque attitudes of the officers and sea men, the varied expression of countenance, and the dramatic arrangement of the groups, cannot fail to impress upon the spectator the most lively feelings, and mingled sensations of gratification and grief. The calm and resigned look of the " hero of the Nile" is finely expressed. The whole conveys a vivid picture of the dreadful scene, wherein " England confessed that every man That day had done his duty." This national work—for national it is—created the greatest sensation when it was first. exhibited, and Mr. West received for it 1,000 guineas. We should be delighted to find that the public of Liverpool will not allow it to leave the town. which in all probability it will not, as it is to be parted with after the manner of the disposal of the works of art at the close of the Annual Exhibition. Such are the pictures which compose this gallery, remark able for .their purity, excellence, and merit. It is not the number of pictures that render a gallery good or famous. One fide picture of truth and ability is worth walls of co loured canvas ; and we can recommend these paintings to the notice of our friends, with a firm conviction that they will be highly gratified. If they have not quantity, they have quality, and quite sufficient to dwell upon for an hour or two. These pictures are valued at £B,OOO. CORRESPONDENCE TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, SlR, — Perceiving in the Courier of Wednesday last a para graph stating that Mr. M. M. G. Dowling, the commissioner of police, had been called to the bar of Gray's Inn. May I beg to enquire who has been performing Mr. Dowling's very arduous and onerous duties during his absence while "eating his terms." Mr. Dowling's prowess as a knife and fork man may have entitled him to be called to the bar of the honour able fraternity of Gray's Inn ; but are his abilities in Liver pool worth £5OO. a year? if he is deserving of this high salary, his duties surely cannot be performed by deputy. a • I am sir, A POOR-RATE PAYER. London-road, Thursday. [What Mr. M. M. G. Dowling's duties are, we know not ; if he is paid for doing nothing, he ought to be always on the spot to perform it. We perceive from the Albion of yester day that it is not his intention to resign his lucrative post. — E. L. S.] MESSRS. SMITH AND LAWSON TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. am not much surprised at the excessive modesty of Mr. Lawson, in keeping himself and his exploded and paltry accusation against Mr. Smith before the public. His party fancy there is a hitch, and are determined to make the most of it. But what does this Mr. Lawson require to ap ppease his mighty indignation? Has the public avowal not been made, that another Lawson and not him of St. James's place was the party, and has not the intended Mr. Lawson stood his charge, and is it not confessed by the " Knight of the Cleaver" that Mr. Smith had actually called at his house to explain the mistake? But this will not do; Mr. Smith must do penance for beating this Mr. Lawson and his asso ciates in the late election, and for humbling their braggadocia bravado. Let the public be not gulled at these mock-modest pretensions, and let them consider the following facts. It was at the public house of this Mr. Lawson where Mr. Smith's friends were abused, as proved at the late assizes. Did not this Mr. Lawson obtain a license, and the best stall in St. James's Market, for his liberal zeal ? He perhaps may get something more for his late exhibition. Was not this, Mr. Lawson's brother made inspector of po lice ? Did he not afterwards obtain another license for him self at the Potteries ? It is well known that both these gentlemen are strong par tizans and active canvassers. Is there any mistake about these assertions ? Let them be dettied, and then for the proof. Let them be proved, and what becomes of the stated inaccuracy of the latter part of M. Smith's charge of the favouritism of certain magistrates. Thp fact is, that both Lawson and his brother are both in the possession of public-houses at this moment, the licenses of which have been obtained from their friends. What non settse to ape so much virtuous indignation in the face of these plain and glaring facts. _ Excuse the length of this communication, which I should not have extended to this length had I not heen a constant and determined enemy to liberal cant and humbug.--I am, Sir, yours, &c., _ _ _ A TOXTETH RANGER. Mill-street, Feb. 6, 1841 DISTRESS IN THE TOWN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD Stu,—As it is clear that the distress amongst the poor in the town is at this time most urgent, would it not be well immediately to take some practical steps to obtain subscrip tions? I understand it is intended to hold a meeting at the MUsic Hall to-morrow, to bring before the public the distress in Toxteth-park, and that subscription lists will be left at the various public rooms, &c. This is well ; but it leaves it to persons to call to pay their money. It is also proposed to have sermons I believe in several churches, and this is well ; but still it leaves it to persons to come and pay their money, and I should much fear that the collections will in such cases be.made up by those who are already the givers to all our charities But might not a systematic plan of canvassing the whole town for subscriptions be immediately adopted. Take first the 16 wards, and appoint 10 sets of gentlemen consist ing of two each to every ward, and let them again divide the wards amongst them. Let these gentlemen take their dis tricts and cRII from house to house, and surely a large sum would be raised in the course of a week. Those who have the means cannot refuse bread to their perishing fellow-crea tures, and all or nearly all can do something. I would say take any subscriptions, however small. If such a plan should be thought desirable, I shall be most happy to give my humble services in co-operating with others in so important and ne cessary-a work. I beg to remain, sir, Your obedient servant, JOSEPH CRISP. 38, Church-street, Feb. 8, 1841 OLD BONES TO SELL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD SlR,—Can you inform me whether the citl bones exhibited for sale at the Liverpool Mercury belong to Mr. Councillor Thornhill or not ? Also, whether the profound editor of that powerful journal ever received back the " old umbrella" he so gallantly lent to a lady some dark night last winter? Your kind reply to the above questions will confer a favor on me, and apologizing for the trouble, I remain, sir, DENNIS OTLAHERTY, Marine Store-keeper, &c. New Quay, 3d Feb. 1841. GRANDMAMMA'S ABSURDITIES TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SlR,—Can you inform me why it is that the Liverpool Mercury has discontinued its weekly defence of Mr. Rath bone and the spitting business ?—Yours truly, AN INQUIRER P.S.—No reference has been made lately &->ilTe";;;ilOp ing" business, nor to the " lad who was hanged with a red ribbon." Nothing, lam sure, can grow stale in the columns of the Liverpool Mercury. Aye, there is the in-gen-i-ous de-vice too!! Please, Mr. Editor, reply in French, in order that Bott may understand you; don't mention " tops" nor " bagatelle playing" on Sundays, nor " Joe Miller" nor the " Kaleidescope," nor the " Melange," nor " our circula tion," nor " Oastler the Chartist," nor the Welsh cat which walked on her hind legs twenty-seven miles from Llanfar llonllaw to Llynwelliallallwan,—except in good readable French. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE, MR. LABOUCHERE'S BILL FOR REGULATING RAILWAYS The government measure for regulating the proceedings of railway companies was introduced on Friday, by the Presi dent of the Board of Trade ; and we shall endeavour, on an early occasion, to lay before our readers an abstract of its pro- At present we can only briefly glance at the general principles upon which it is founded. visions By the bill in question, it is proposed to vest in the Board of Trade powers of inspection, generally, over the working of railways, the dictation of bye-laws, the regulation of sig nals, and a variety of other (in our opinion) unimportant matters, the sole object appearing to be to erect an additional body of commissioners, and to provide a further source of patronage for government. Amongst these powers is included a proposal to establish a system of examination and licensing of engine drivers, who are to be tested as to their capabilities, by a court of examiners !appointed for the purpose, without which, and a certificate of character, they are not to be per mitted to conduct a locomotive engine on any railway. We are not told in what school or college the candidates for the honour of possessing government certificates of com petency are to be educated or where they are to practise. It is manifest that men are not born engine -drivers. The art of regulating a locomotive is not a " heaven-descended" art; and we can scarcely see how perfection in it is to be acquired, except as at present, by experience, derived from working, in some inferior capacity, upon an engine. The leading principle which appears to actuate the minis try in bringing forward this bill, is the inclination which whiggery has manifested in every question which it has hi therto touched, to concentrate in their own hands the control of every great interest throughout the country. It seems to have been taken for granted, that the proprietors of railway companies are not competent to manage their own affairs, or are so reckless of the public safety, that they ought not to be permitted to manage them ; and it is thought that the outcry which has of late been directed against the manage ments of railways, on account of the alleged frequency of accidents by that mode of travelling, will cover the ministe rial design to secure to themselves an extensive power of interference in their working. That they will receive in this effort considerable support from the conservative party in parliament we much fear ; and we would therefore strongly urge upon railway proprietors to stand upon their own de fence. A property of 70 millions sterling is now embarked in these undertakings. And we are not so enamoured of government management, within their own peculiar province, as to wish to see interests so vast tampered with by paid officials of government, and the operation of valuable and useful works impeded and harassed by the arbitrary interfe rence of the Board of Trade, or any other board constituted after the ordinary whig pattern. DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA RAILWAY.—The works of this line are proceeding well, and tho shareholders are exhibiting increased confidence. Several of them are paying up in ad vance, the best proof they can possibly give of their good opinion, and the shortest and mcst effectual way of carrying out that opinion to their own benefit. STAFFORD AND RUGBY RAILWAY—(LATE TIIE MAN CHESTER EXTENSION.)—We hear on the best authority that the application for shares in this company, has exceeded the number to be created, and that the deed is signed. Thus in three weeks, the old company has been dissolved and a new one formed, the deed signed, deposit paid, and in a few days the bill will be in parliament. _ GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.—It is on this railway, ac cording to the result of Mr. Wishaw's practical experiments, reported in his work on " The Railways of Great Britain and Ireland," that the highest average of speed is obtained. Yet it was stated, at the annual meeting of the company, on the 29th ult., that, " in the year 1840," it had " carried 485,568 passengers, without one loss of life, or serious in jury to a single passenger, or to any engine-man, conduc tor, guard, or fireman, in charge of them."—Morning Chronicle. We understand that Mr. Storey has resigned the office of engineer-in -chief to the Great North of England Railway Company, and has been succeeded by Mr. Robert Stephen son. The latter gentleman has gone over the whole of the works, and we are informed, has spoken in the highest terms of the substantial manner in which they have been con structed. We have already stated that the line is as yet open for the carriage of coal only, the directors wisely post poning the conveyance of passengers until the embankments, &e. have become fully consolidated. It is believed that the passenger traffic will commence early in the month of April. The success of the company in the transmission of coal may be judged of, from the fact that in the first four weeks the receiots from this source alone exceeded £1,960. The de mand so far from diminishing, is, we learn, constantly in creasing, so much so indeed, that the company has some difficulty in keeping up an adequate supply. The opening of the line has already reduced the price of this necessary arti cle. RA ILROA DS.—Ten years ago, railroads, as a means of gene ral transit for passengers and goods, were almost untried. Now, they are spreading over the country like a net-work ; about one hundred and fifty railroads are already in use in Great Britain and Ireland ; and upwards of sixty millions of money are invested in them. They are upsetting all our for mer notions and altering our social condition ; the are pour ing the country into London, and spreading London over the country. Northwards we are carried as far as Lancaster, a distance of 241 miles from London, in eleven or twelve hours, by the London and Birmingham, Grand Junction, North Union, and Lancaster and Preston ; where, though for the present, it stops, there will, no doubt, be a continua tion, by Penrith, to Carlisle and Glasgow. The same lines link with Wigan, Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool, &c. At Rugby, 83 miles from London, on the London and Birming ham line, the Midland Counties carries us to Nottingham and Derby ; and at Derby we can get, by the North Mid land, and its junctions, to Chesterfield, Sheffield, Leeds and York ; or instead of going on to York, we may double, like a hunted hare, turn of to Hull by Selby, or from Selby to Leeds. At York, the Great North of England Railway, now in progress, will carry us to Durham and Newcastle ; and at Newcastle we can cross the island to Carlisle. Returning to London, we find the Great Western Railway opening to us the western coast ; and by it and its western junctions, not only enahling London citizens to spend a day comfort ably at Windsor, but joining Bristol and Bath, Gloucester and Cheltenham, either now or shortly. The south coast, again, is almost free to us, by the Southampton and Brighton Railways, along with the Greenwich and its adjuncts, to Croydon and Dover, all either made or making. Again, the north-east coast is accessible, by the Eastern Counties Rail way, to Ipswich and Norwich ; and all who wish to avoid the intricacies of the London portion of the Thames, called the " Pool," o r w h o are i n a hurry to reach a di nner of white bait, can be whirled from the city to Blackwell. BROUGII AND STAINMORE.—Our correspondent, writing from this place on the 4th instant, states, " that during the last two days, on account of the very heavy fall of snow, the roads has been completely blocked up and rendered impas sable. A vast number of passengers are at present detained here, located at the Swan and other inns."—Kendal Mere. THE MARQUIS AND MARCHIONESS OF LONDONDERRY. —These distinguished travellers, on their arrival at Corfu from Constantinople, received from Sir Howard Douglas the most cordial testimonies of respect and welcome. They were magnificently entertained by Sir Howard, as well as by the President of the lonian Islands. The noble Marquis during his stay reviewed the garrison. From Corfu they pro ceeded to Corinth in the yacht of the Lord High Commis sioner, which was kindly appropriated to their use. From Co rinth they were conveyed by the Russian ambassador at Athens in a brig of war of his nation, to the Piraeus. At Athens the noble marquess dined twice with King Otho, and at his ma jesty's request reviewed the Greek troops on the plains of that city. Magnificent entertainments were also given on the occasion of his visit by the Austrian and Russian ambas sadors. The noble marquess and marchioness left Athens for Zante on the 6th of January in a steam-vessel belonging to King Otho, and m a d e t h e voyage in the C i ty o f Dub li n . steam-packet from Zante to Malta, where they arrived on the 11th. MEETING OF THE MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (From our own Correspondent) . • MANCHESTER, MONDAY EVENING.—The annual general meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, v; hose proceedings have of late years attracted so much attention in the commercial world, was held this morning, at the rooms in Town-hall Buildings, King-street. JOHN BENJAMIN SMITH, sq., pies ber, and the late candidate for the representation of Wel took the chair, and opened the proceedings by reading advertisement merely. Mr. BOOTHMAN, secretary of the Chamber, then read _ report of the directors for the past year, of which the follow ing are extracts : CORN LAWS . At their first meeting, the directors appointed at the las annual meeting took measures to obtain the opinion of the Chamber upon the system of corn laws existing in this cotr try. A general meeting was held on the 12th of Marc} , petitions were then adopted. These petitions - the sentiments of the Chamber, that the directors feel it necessary to dilate, in this report, upon the impolicy and in justice of those laws, the more especially as constant discos. sion has laid bare the evils which they entail upon the people of this country, and has shown, to all who calmly consider the question, that a continuance in the present vicious sys tem will speedily involve both the agricultural and commer cial interests in one common ruin. But the board would not have the Chamber to suppose that this incubus upon the energies of the country will be removed without further and constant exertion ; and they recommend that the Chamber should never relax in their endeavours to put an end to the present unjust system. 'apress so WI EQUALIZATION OF THE SUGAR AND COFFEE DUTIES This important subject remains in the same neglecl state as when the Chamber held its last annual meeth ...•••• No indication has yet been given that the often repeated com plaints of the merchants, manufacturers, and consumers have had the slightest effect upon the government or the legislature. The merchant still exports manufactures from this country to those foreign states, whose only means of paying for them consists in the production of articles which he cannot bring home, because they are loaded with prohi bitory duties ; and has, consequently, to receive his returns through circuitous channels. The manufacturer is forced to look on, whilst he sees his trade passing progressively into other countries. Consumers pay more than twofold the price for sugar and coffee, which would be required of them, were the monopoly abolished, The extravagant prices which these articles have obtained have, however, produced of late a great change in the habits of consumers ; a very large class have no longer the means of purchasing them at all, whilst the middle classes have become studious to diminish their consumption. The revenue is therefore injured. Thus are the interests of merchants, manufacturers, arid consumers, and even the revenue itself, sacrificed to the maintenance of a monopoly which is unequal to supplying the wants of the country. The Board presented petitions to the House of Commons on this subject in June last. This question must again engage the attention of the Cha m b er d ur i ng t h e present session Parliament. LIVERPOOL DOCK BILL The trustees of the Liverpool Diicks having applied to Parliament for a New Bill, the Board presented a petition to the House of Commons, that no clause might be allowed which should authorise the Corporation of Liverpool to lay dock or town dues, on vessels passing the town of Liverpool, and not intending to use the Docks. The whole community of Manchester are greatly indebted to the attention and zeal displayed upon the occasion by the members for this borough and Salford. This' subject will require the constant atten tion of future Boards. CULTIVATION OF COTTON IN INDIA The proceedings of the board on this important subject, having been submitted to a special general meeting of the Chamber, on the 13th of August last, they have nothing to report in this place, beyond the fact, that the American gen tlemen engaged by the Hon. East India Company left Eng land for their destination, soon after their visit to :Man chester. From the report of the proceedings of the Agricul tural and Horticultural Society of India, it is shown that the improved culture of the cotton of that country is a subject of much interest, and that the arrival of the gentlemen alluded to is anxiously looked for. The board takes this opportu nity of publicly expressing its acknowledgments for the transmission of these interesting documents. On the motion of Mr. HERFORD, seconded by Mr. Isli- CHOLSON, the report was received and ordered to be printed. JAMES CONSTERDINE, Esq. then rose to move the ap pointment of Messrs. Lewis Williams and John Herford as auditors of the accounts for the past year, and in doing so he said,—would the Chamber allow him to express his dis appointment that there was no allusion in the report to the subject of bonded warehouses in Manchester. The subject of inland bonding appeared to him to be one of great im-. portance, especially to Manchester, and it appeared to him that this Chamber ought to have an eye upon all matters of real interest, as well as upon those of a more enlarged nature, affecting the interests of the whole country. (Hear, hear.) It was a subject upon which there was very little difference of opinion among the commercial community of this neighbourhood, and therefore it was one upon which the interference of the Chamber might be likely to have some ef • fect. (Hear, hear.) He could not help expressing his re gret that extreme opinions had prevailed of late years in this body, to the great prejudice of the interests of the Chamber, and the great commercial community it represented; and he feared that the diminished attendance at this meeting, and Cl • the decrease in the number of subscribers, evidenced by the balance-sheet just read, were indicative that this feeling wa by no means confined to a few. He ',should not like tc Withdraw himself from this Chamber, but he thou t ,. that it was to be regretted that the attention of the board had of late been directed to subjects upon which they entertained extreme opinions, and on which they did not represent the general opinions of the community—opinions, in fact ing the effect of excluding from its benefit those who should not only be represer.ted by, but form a portion of, the chamber. He was sorry to express this opinion, because he had no doubt that the directors had been actuated by the best motives—and he had no hesitation in bearing testimony to the ability which they had displayed in carrying out those opinions. (Hear, hear.) BENJAMIN PEARSON Esq. said, that Mr. Deacon Hume, in his examination before the Committee on Import Duties, had put forward opinions on the subject of free trade and the corn laws far more extreme than those of this chamber. (Hear, hear.) Some further discussion took place on the subject, after which the board for the ensuing year was appointed, which . included six new members, several of whom were conserva tives. ;s a majorit It was stated during the proceedings that a meeting would shortly be held for the purpose of drawing the attention of the legislature to the nature of the duties on the exportation of machinery. The meeting then separated. DESTRUCTION OF A LARGE WAREHOUSE BY FIRE Early this morning a fire was discovered in the warehouse of Messrs. Crafts and Steil, George -street and Nicholas street. How it originated has ❑ot yet been ascertained; but from the high state of the wind, the flames raged with great fury. The building was unroofed and completely Rutted ; and it was with the utmost difficulty that the firemen could prevent the flame from extending to the large buildings in the neighbourhood : indeed, some small premises adjoining to the burning building in George-street were destroyed. The engines have continued to play on the ruins during the greater part of the day. Messrs. Crafts and Stell were large Ameri can merchants. The loss it is thought will not be less than £10,300; but it is impossible as yet to ascertain these par ticulars with accuracy. ST. ALBAN'S ELECTION.—ST. ALBAN'S FRIDAY NIGHT —There is little or no doubt of the result of this election Mr. Bond Cabbell will be the successor of Mr. Grimston The Earl of Listowell has appeared as the ministerial candi date, and Mr. Coppock, of Ludlow notoriety, has been down to introduce the lord of the bedchamber. but the affair is worse than labour in vain. The nomination is fixed for Monday (this day) and the polling for Tuesday next.—Morn ing Herald of yesterday. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.—We have received, to-day, from our Ballycastle correspondent, a copy of the Queen's Speech, with a letter evidently intended for some of the Irish jour- nals, which was taken from a carrier pigeon, captured on Sunday last, at the residence of Hugh M'Neille, Esq., An. naville, near Ballycastle. The pigeon remains in the pos session of that gentleman.—Ulster Times. SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE.—Mr. Wire, who accompanied Sir Moses Montefiore in his mission to the east, landed at Dover on Friday evening. He left Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore at Genoa, where they were detained by an acci dent which occurred to oae of their servants on the road from Genoa to Savona. While changing horses in descending a mountain, the fore-horses, not being detached from the car riage, moved on : the servant ran to stop them lest the car riage, in which were Sir Moses and Lady Alontefiore, should be thrown over a precipice, nearly 300 feet deep, into the sea. The horses kicked the servant, knocked him down, and both of the carriage wheels passed over his body, by which an inclination was given to the carriage, and the wheels got locked in a drain, and turned it against a rock on the oppo site side of the precipice. The escape was almost miraculous. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore were unhurt, but the serv ant, although no bones were broken, was severely bruised, and his right leg was dreadfully lacerated. The party re turned to Genoa, where Dr. Burnet, an eminent English surgeon, dressed the wounds of Sir Moses's servant, whose master and mistress determined not to proceed on their jour ne homewards until he should be able to acco m p an y th em . LAUDANUM AND RHUBARB.—The frequent substitution of laudanum for tincture of rhubarb, by mistake, makes it desirable that a test by which they may be distinguished should be made generally known. The taste and smell of the two afford a pretty sure criterion to those in the profession, or others accustomed to their use, the laudanum having a peculiar odour and a nauseous bitter taste, while tincture of rhubarb has more of an aromatic than disagreeable taste. The following test, though not sufficiently accurate to detect a quantity of laudanum mixed with tincture of rhubarb, that might prove of serious consequences, will be able to detect the mistake of one for the other, if such should occur. It merely consists in dropping the fluid on white paper, drying and observing if it undergoes any change when touched with a solution of carbonate of soda, or potass, or with moistened soap. The tincture of rhubarb so treated leaves in paper a deep yellow stain, which, on being wet with a solution of soda or potass, becomes of a reddish brown hue : wet soap an swers, though not quite so well. Laudanum so dropped and dried, leaves a dirty brownish stain, which is not altered b' the alkalis or soap. A LAWSUIT FOR A PENNI! BURGH.—Yesterday the following case Came 0 ,, fore Sheriff Tait : A farmer's wife and datighte, occasion to go to Edinburgh, which they did in one carts. The carter, to protect the clothes of the ladies, the precaution of strewing the bottom of the vehicle wits small bags of straw ; for which, on entering the city, Me: Boyd and Latta, the tacksmen, insisted upon charging t penny, in the name of custom, which was paid. The farme however, being persuaded of the illegality of the charge brought an action before the Small Debt Sheriff Court, for the recovery of the penny. The case was argued on both sides at great length. On the one hand, the tacksmen contended that straw was an article subject to custom, however small the quantity—that even a straw seat or a chaff bed was liable ; in support of which, they banded up the new act of parlia ment, which the sheriff carefully examined. The pursuer, on the other hand, maintained that straw was only subject to custom, if brought to the market for sale. The sheriff was clearly of the same opinion, and decerned for recovery of the penny, with expenses.—Scotsman. THE IRON TRADE.—During the whole of last year the iron trade at Merthy r T y d v il h as b een s uffering under depression At the.cotnmencetnent of the present it• has taken a lively r ton. of, at an advance of from ss. to JOS. ;iv turn, and a continuance is anticipated. Large sales are spo kenat £7 lOs per Quota tions of Welsh bars, on shipment,. are 5 eg`h7e , firm. ton. This appearance is hettlthy,2l,n THE HCRFIELD MURDER.—IN slight. ..h A e ) c o n u r t r l e t i (- o l n l e n the course of the ' past week, to. throw any ot mg hrs Ors' informe d us yesterday, that since his committal Ridge, is not horrid transact o k r ) d n y . i nc Th on e c e lt v is i le nce but a-r4 sll • o n,, Midge has conducted himself with to the ,connty prison; d at Gloucester •perfect prolirittY;' • and is in goo spints.—Bristol Journal. A Coon c , Ex um —A gentletnan was the other day, look ing attentively at some amusing caricatures, in the window of a print-shop, when, on a sudden, he felt some one at his poclFet. As there was only one person standing near him, he instantly turned round upon him, and, looking him full in the face, said, " Your b d sir,i n an , was my pocket !" "Was it sir?" the other very calmly replied ; " I really beg " our s pardon, if it was ; but the weather is so very cold, one is glad to put olvi4 hands writsre !" TSHRRIFF'S COURT, EDI U, 111 ht upon this