The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-04-20 00:00:00

0, 1847. -We believe we vessel has ceased . We hear that India Mail Steam :base of her, for ate. The Great resent Saturday pose of shipping ampton. From voyage, and, at t it is the Com end a large sum , refitting, Ike.— v Talbot Baines, Le grand jury, on rich might have or of the Leeds t scheme of Na that such would pprehensive that nted the learned all the clearness rging the grand for one, rejoice bional education ; abject of greater nit education . at e it accessible to lion as you dis ;ions and moral n do you provide arge. a EDUCATION.— adon, last week, that-in 1833, the chools of all de schools it was voluntary system Lcation than the idebted to them he exertions the Ist year they had s. The number NI at 1,200,000, government in press and punish nding money to assistance than tspectian was ap are comparatively these measures Alen the country. ted ; up to 1833 , never furnished France applied to this purpose ; m ; England was arms, its people e quotations of y, when the last 3int it gradually fter the conclu market began to y to the intelli at export of bul sols in the early he middle of the nd suddenly fur he RUE so-French long maintained, ise, a re-action to Ise of the month )etween this time 7k. On the Bth anted their mini additional fall of lth consols stood s-action of 2 per tent has not been riven way to 861. about s to 1 pre n, the price ad g sustained, and, cm declined to 1 tion brought the lium. With the owever, also kept wn in about the noted 4 discount. en 21 and 2 dis- t a meeting in >e of supporting Bishop of Nor utation 2,125,000 ry in the schools (nig classes ; but lan 1,000,000 of ,hat considerably e instruction they hand a letter he )ridge, near Man listrict under his rtal beings ; that L state of avowed Ls not one single h a good educe- L this neighbour was recently Bur -1 connected with Lhabitants in 011 4 etween 2 and and out of the-e ing school, Wile were more than and 12 who were These things system ; and let had not stood at, year by year, to meet volun ;liters and church- dnesday, with be bllowing remarks 'abbath caused by eek.—" We pub ;e which was run rich disreputable 1 the actors were ocality in which it nch steeple-chase carried through, . The horses, - aS vith very few ex here cannot be a the Sabbath de lever would have ie of the persons ge public opinion ntcuse, and which spirit of vulgar a which it is con ,n to the score of of the individuals n, in the steeple entured to take a a England, unless in society at once, tability of the very tion to hold ccnn distance of a few rence whatever in hich would be fatal consider the par !), had perpetrated ,winarket or Don- H. Inglis's speech lan Catholic Relief Attorney- General nv was specifically it originally stood le subsequent alter ), it was proposed to 30th Charles H. ite of the 25th of f the statute of the ts 11., entitled An the King's Person sts from sitting in s (Sir H. Inglis's) mentioned the last e his seat in either certain declaration. the act of 1829 the In had ceased, and )th houses without at was not the case red by that statute f Rights—a statute spirit of innovation had the hardihood it the first meeting as bound to recite, in one, that declaration, most gracious Sover iring of many whom declaration soon after .hed to ask whether kl be pleased to state nuld hold good in this this measure of the (Mr. Watson) had he whole of the act ded ? And whether of Rights to work concerned, which it hich he trusted the nal testimony borne a (hear, hear), being state—as a republican Inglis) said, by our a declaration of prin' tion of the occupation which the house of rone. If the throne" testants, prepared to autism ; prepared t° of Protestantism, b u t m which was professen R. H. Inglis) for one , e throne. Every one, a younger branch 01! d been selected fort he ts, and on the eXPq SS m. 1 hat declaration oman Catholic church, 3titution ; and he co e i i ia and ought to be .i 1 4 risked by the bil the hon. and kerr ii i s statute in w hich o f indeed, the It!1 c l ara tion, as he j ;; ig on the Sovereign' April 20, 1847. lora! Ottus. - The steam-ship Caledonia, for Halifax and Boston, will sail to-day. We believe that a negotiation is now going on between the water companies and the Corporation. On Monday an infant died in the arms of its mother, ' While she was passing up London-road. The Rev. T. Nolan will attend and speak this evening at the meeting of the Birmingham Auxiliary to the Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews. On Tuesday night, a female, residing in Bingham-court, Moorfields, named Elizabeth' Peel, 'fell down, and died from pulmonary apoplexy. WOMAN BEGGING WITH A DEAD CHILD.—On Su . turday, a woman, named Rafferty, was found begging in Castle-street, with a dead child in her arms. The sewerage of the town is now engaging the serious attention of the sanatory committee. A careful survey of the town has been made with a view of supplying defects. The mayor has intimated his willingness to the early closing association, to preside over a meeting if a requisi tion be presented to him. On Thursday, the body of a man, who appeared to have been in the water only a short time, was found on a sand bank near Eagtham. A few days ago a lady underwent an operation for cancer in the breast in this town. Mr. Bickersteth, surgeon, was the operator. Ether was used, and the patient ex perienced no pain. A gentleman has been in Liverpool making arrange ments for laying the electric telegraph, between this town and London. The wires and apparatus are to be intro duced into the Exchange News-room if possible. SUDDEN DEATH.—About five o'clock on Thursday, a marble mason, named William Griffiths, whilst working' in Mr. Spencer's yard, Brownlow-hill, fell down and in stantly expired. The Liverpool Dispensaries are now relieving about SOO new cases weekly, and have given medicines and medical aid to upwards of 10,000 patients since the commencement of the present year. Messrs. John Dawson, John and Charles Grayson, - Thomas Vernon, and John Wilson Green, have been ap pointed by Government, Shipwright Surveyors of Stea mers for this port. On Tuesday, about £5O damage was done by fire to the premises of Messrs. Hughes and Jones, joiners, Elizabeth street. The stove u n d er th e wor k- s h o p h a d been over heated, and ignited some of the planks. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Tuesday morning, Mr. John Fletcher Herbert, half-pay officer in the army, who had been for some time past lodging at the house of Miss Owen, Chester-Street, Birkenhead, was found dead in bed. The total number of poor Irish who have arrived in Liverpool during the present year, is upwards of 90,000. Of these about 30,000 are supposed to have emigrated to foreign countries, and 60,000 either to have settled in Liverpool, or to have gone into the interior. MELANCHOLY DEATH. — On Wednesday morning, Ann Davidson, who keeps a lodging-house in, Prince Edwin street, was found dead in bed, with her face downwards. She had been much addicted to intemperance, and went to bed on Tuesday night very much intoxicated. About two months ago, a lad, named John Williamson, was knocked down by a car in the Old Haymarket, and one of the wheels passed over his legs. He was taken to the Northern Hospital, where he died on Saturday last of the injuries he had received. It did not appear that there was any blame attributable to the driver of the car. FATAL AccIDENT.=On Friday, during the time that one of the ferry-boats was approaching the steps at George's Pier, a man by some accident fell overboard, and being carried down by the stream, got jammed between the pier and a flat, which was coming up the river. Of course he was immediately killed. BIRKENHEAD DOCKS. — The Charlotte, W. R. Carter, from the Mauritius, entered these docks on Friday. This fine vessel is the property of Messrs. Barton, Main, and Higginson, and is 553 tons register. She brings 8768 bags sugar, 5 cases liqueurs, and 3 cases pickles, imported by Mr. W. Allen. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday, as Francis Chew, aged about 30 years, was in the act of coming on shore from a vessel, called the Sisters, in the Brunswick Dock, he was accidentally jammed between two bales of cotton. He was, when picked up, unable to walk, and was taken immediately to the Southern Hospital, where he died the day after. FEVER.-A poor fellow engaged in ventilating the pa rish-office has fallen a victim to the prevalent contagion, and is dead. Mr. James Martindale, some years clerk at Christ Church, and now relieving officer, and his assistant, are hopelessly ill of typhus fevor, caught in the discharge of their duties in Lace-street and other streets in the lower parts of the town. DEATH BY SEA SICKNESS. — On Wednesday morning, a child seven months' old, named Maria Brannan, died suddenly on board the Drogheda steamer. It appeared that the parents of the deceased brought her along with them, on Tuesday evening, from Drogheda, on board the Faugh-a-Ballagh, and it was then quite well. About twelve the same night, the deceased was taken with sea sickness, which continued about an hour, when she died. The cause of death was congestion of the lungs. DEATH OF A BOY FROM DISEASE ON SHIP-BOARD. — On Friday the body of a boy unknown was found in the hold of a vessel called the Mary, lying in the George's Dock, with one side of his face completely gone. It ap peared that deceased had been with the vessel to the coast of Africa, and in the voyage home had been ejected from the forecastle by the seamen, he being afflicted with scurvy. The cook, it appeared, had attended upon him, but the precise manner of his death did not appear. EXTRAORDINARY VERDICT.—An inquest was held the other day at the Old Swan, on the body of a young man who, on returning from Liverpool with a milk cart, was unfortunately killed by falling under the cart, the wheel of which passed over his head. The facts having been clearly proved, the foreman of the jury announced a ver dict of manslaughter against the cart-wheel, and being convinced that the wheel, and the wheel only was in fault, persisted in that verdict, despite of all the explanations of the coroner. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Saturday, an inquest was held before the borough coroner, on view of the body of Mary Hasion, aged 45 years. Deceased came from Ireland about four weeks ago, and then appeared to be quite well. On yesterday week she and her son went to lodge in Rey street, and on the following day she was taken ill, when the landlord of the house forcibly turned them out, the deceased being at the time in bed. Deceased died in the street half an hour after. Mr. Cripps, surgeon, who made a post mortem examination, attributed death to inflammation of the lungs, the result of natural causes. ' The ceroner severely animadverted on the conduct of the landlord in turning the poor people out, which he had no right to do. Deceased died on some steps in Ray-street. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death arose (as the surgeon who examined the body said) from disease of the lungs, arising from natural causes. THE PROPOSED ROSCOE CLUB.—Our worthy chief magistrate, Mr. George Hall Lawrence, has consented to call a town's meeting, to give the first public impulse to the establishment of the proposed club for the personal advantage, comfort, and mental improvement of the young men of Liverpool. The meeting is called for Thursday evening next. We heartily congratulate the spirited com mittee on the successful progression of their patriotic toil. The public will be gratified to learn, that the honorary secretaries have received promises of support from some of the most talented gentlemen of the town and neigh bourhood. At present among the patrons are to be found Lord Sandon, M.P., William Ewart, Esq., M.P., Earl of Sefton, and Sir Howard Douglas. H. R. Sandbach, Esq., has accepted the office of President, and we 'may omen Emscith:e T fo h l o lo m w a i s ug ß l i l a s e t kb o u f rii V e ice , Tresiclents :—J. A. Ti we n li ne fro , Eyre , Evans. Wi l lii ; arp sq. a ; tl . l T b a ( m m e % Esq. ; William R. Sandbacb, Esq.; Esq. ; Hugh Hornby, Esq. ; Thomas Sands, Stitt, Esq. ; Charles Robertson, Esq. ; Willi am P otter, _ Esq. • Thomas Jevons, Esq. ; ev. Dr. Sheph er d ; R ev. Dr. Raffles ; and Richard Sheil, Esq. HEALTH OF THE TOWN.—Mr. Richard Shaw, of the Savings Bank, Bold-street, writes to a contemporary as follows :—" Much has been said of the state of the town with respect to sickness and disease, but I have all along considered the statements and accounts hitherto circulated to be greatly exaggerated, and submit, for the information of your readers, the following account, which I have col lected from a society held at this institution, called " The Liverpool Friendly Society," and which, from the large number of members, I conceive should be a good criterion as to the general state of the health of the town :—On the first Monday in April, 1845, there were sick 128 out of 3,311 members, or about lin every 25. Ditto, April, 1846, ditto, ditto, 99 out of 3253 members, or about 1 in every 34. Ditto, April, 1847, ditto, ditto, 88 out of 3478 members, or about lin 391. Although I have only se lected one day in each year, yet during the whole of the past severe winter, the general aspect of the society has exhibited a healthy appearance, there being less sickness than in the two previous years, although the society has . increased its number of members. The members of this society reside principally in the lower parts of the town, and those places where fever and contagion are said to be committing such havoc." CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTEP..—AII inquest was held on Saturday before the borough coroner, on view of the body of Jane Connor, aged 30 years, the wife of Thos. Connor, marine store dealer, Waterloo-road, who died in Rose-place, to which she had been removed, on Thursday morning. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been very harshly used and abused by her husband, and, from the evidence of his own daughter and others, denied even the necessaries of life. Deceased made a de claration, before Mr. Snowball's clerk, while she was un der the impression that she was dying, to the effect that she had been maltreated by her husband, who had dis eased and beaten her over a series of years, so that she was discharged at one time as incurable. The opinion of the surgeon, Mr. Callan, jun., of Marybone, was that death was caused by confirmed consumption, arising chiefly from venereal disease, the lungs being tuberculous. Death might be accelerated by external violence or ne glect, but of such violence or deprivation he had himself no positive proof. If- the violence deposed to by the Witnesses had been done, it would accelerate death, and undoubtedly did so, if what the witnesses said were true. The violence might be done without his being able to detect any marks sufficient to show the same on his exa mination of the body. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against the husband, who was committed to Kirkdale to take his trial at the . next assizes. The details of the case were much too painful to be Published—showing a great degree of depravity, both on the part of the husband and the wife, the latter, however, being the less blameable of the two. The prisoner, a morose-looking stout man, was taken in custody to Kirk -dale. CHESTER R.ters.--It is certainly generally a novelty to get anything genuine in the shape of wines or spirits at the races, but we feel sa ti s fi e d th a t th ose w ho attend the C hester meeting, will find nothing but what will bear o a f nal th Y V S A a d t e l t p h h, Woodside. spaciouse i; mar craee erected by Mr. Gleave, lutexceued.His wines and, brandies are ~~- - LIVERPOOL POLICE INTELLIGENCE. REMOVING NIGHT SOIL.—On Tuesday, several infor mations were heard against parties for removing night soil, not being contractors under the corporation. In most cases they were fined 20s. and costs. ILLICIT DISTILLATION. — On Tuesday, James Johnson, alias James Hughes, was convicted in the penalty of £lOO for working a private still in Athol street. It was proved that the prisoner rented the premises, and superintended the working of the still.' He had previously been fined four times for similar offences. IMPOSITION BY AN IRISH PAUPER.-011 Tuesday, an Irishman was brought up, charged with having applied for relief at the parish station in Stewart-street, at the same time having ss. 101 d. in his pocket. The offence was proved. The prisoner was committed to gaol for fourteen days, and the money found upon him ordered to be appropriated to his maintenance. A CHIMNEY SET ON FIRE BY " Mercury."—Mr. Wm. Appleton, who keeps a public-house in Hanover-street, was summoned before the magistrates on Thursday, for having allowed one of the chimneys of his house to catch fire. The defendant said that two men came into his house on Tuesday morning. and after having called for two glasses of ale they seized the Mercury newspaper, and having ignited it, thrust it up the chimney, thereby setting, it on fire. Acquitted. WORKING ON GOOD FRIDAY.—On Thursday, Mr. Hurton, printer, was summoned before the magistrates by one of his apprentices, for stopping his wages, because he did not work on Good Friday. The defendant ad- - mitted that he had stopped the wages, but there was an understanding that the boy should have threepence per d h u o c u t r e f d o w r h e e x i t i ra he ti s m to e p , p a e nd dfr th o e m s h a isw e o a r m k. mount should The co td o b a e d inanet said he had worked frequently on Sunday ; but it appeared he always got paid for it. Mr. Rushton said the lad had a right to all the protection which his indentures afforded, and could not be required to work on, Sunday or Good Friday. He considered it improper to work apprentices on those days, and the complainant must have his wages. ALLEGED DAMAGE FROM THE NEGLECT OF A PILOT.— On Thursday, John Pritchard, a pilot, was summoned be fore the magistrates at the Police-court on a charge of having caused considerable damage to a Spanish vessel, and also to a schooner called the Ocean, in consequence of mismanagement. It was stated that the ships were lying abreast of the Duke's Dock, at anchor, when the defendant, who was in charge of a vessel, commenced re moving, her preparatory to her being docked. She ran into the Ocean, by which both vessels were much damaged. It was alleged that the pilot ought to have set some of the sails before weighing the anchor, in order to obtain proper command over the ship. It appeared that some of the master pilots had offered to compromise the matter, but the defendant refused. Mr. Rushton said, the defendant appeared to have been to blame, and must be held respon sible for the damage to both vessels. He ordered Mr. Askew to make a survey as to the expense of repair, and he would then decide accordingly. NON-CLEANSING OF MIDDENS BY THE BOROUGH CONTRACTORS.—On Saturday, Richard Pickering, Ro bert Birch, Paul Brenton, and. Richard Okell, contractors with the sanatory committee for the cleansing of all the middens of the borough, were summoned before Mr. Rushton for an infraction of the contract. There were several complaints against these contractors, for the non cleansing of middens in various parts of the borough, but the only case investigated on Saturday was one brought forward by the Rev. David Thom, dissenting minister, of St Mary's-place, High-street, Edge-hill. A gentleman in court said that sixteen of his houses would be empty that morning in consequence of the middens not being cleaned, and Mr. Rushton said the matter was becoming a very serious one, and as several parties unauthorised to empty middens had been fined, the law, which inflicted a fine of £5 on the contractor, in case of neglect, must be carried out, for it was dangerous to public health to per mit middens to remain in their present state. Mr. Thom said he had given proper notice on the 7th, to have his midden emptied, and it was not until the 14th that the place was cleansed. The contract made between the de fendants and the corporation was produced, and the pro per notices on the defendants were duly proved.—Mr. Pickering said there two or three thousand middens to be cleaned, and he had no idea until lately that the town was in such a state. It would break the Bank of England if the contractors were to be fined in every case of neglect. There were no fewer than ninety-three middens at pre sent to be emptied in one street.—Mr. Rushton said 'the defendants must pay a fine of £5 for Mr. Thom's case, but ultimately consented to postpone the case until this (Tuesday) morning at ten o'clock. AN UNNATURAL HUSBAND.—On Saturday, an ill-. looking fellow, of brawny proportions, who followed the occupation of a stevad ore, and gave his name Francis Mooney, was brought before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of having savagely assaulted his wife and thrown her out of the window of the house in which he lived. The wretched wife, whose Christian name is Margaret, and whose ema ciated appearance told but too plainly of her sufferings, said, in a feeble voice, that she lived in Bishop-court, Park-lane. About eleven o'clock the night before, the prisoner came home, and abused and threatened her so much, that she was glad to make her escape next door. In the morning, thinking that the prisoner had had suffi cient time to cool, she returned home ; but the moment he laid eyes on her he seized her by the hair and dragged and kicked her about the room. She succeeded, after a severe struggle, in rushing down the stairs, and making her way again into the house next door, whither the prisoner fol lowed her. He seized her in one of the bed-rooms, kicked her over the face, legs, and body, and pitched her head foremost out of an open window into the streets. Fortu nately, her cries of " murder" attracted a crowd of persons in front of the house, and they, seeing her descent from the window, grasped and held her fast as she was approach ing, head foremost, towards the paving stones. But for this timely interference, there is every reason to believe, that, from the violence with which she was hurled out, she would have been killed upon the spot. As it was, she had two wounds on the scalp, a swollen face, and parts of her body were beaten almost to a jelly. The prisoner made a vigorous resistance to the persons who endeavored to take him into custody. He seized a poker, and swore that he would be hanged for the murder of the first person who attempted to enter the premises ; but, after a short time he was overpowered. He was committed for trial. A SMUGGLER IN THE POLICE FORCE.—On Friday, police-officer 646 (John Powell) was brought before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of having stolen several articles from on board the Royal Mail Steam-ship Hibernia. Superintendent Clough stated, that the prisoner was stationed on board the Hibernia for the purpose of watch ing her and preventing plunder, and that at eight o'clock on the morning of that day (Friday) he called at the station for the purpose of going off duty for the day. The superintendent, from information he had received, called him back when he was leaving the station, and asked him what he had got in his pockets. He admitted that he had a bottle, and the superintendent found that it was a bottle of rum. On searching him further the superintendent discovered that he had 13 small wax candles, 49 cigars, 7 heads of Cavendish tobacco, 3 paicels of tea, a very neat parlour bellows, richly varnished, and th a t some o f th ose articles were secreted in his hat, and others of them inside the lining of his cape. The steward of the Hibernia identified the wax candles only, as part, to the best of his opinion, of the ship's stores. The prisoner said, that as to the candles they were pieces which were not generally used. He had bought the tea, and gave Is. 6d. for the bellows. The tobacco had been given him by the seamen on board the Hibernia, and every officer who did duty on board the Hibernia was supplied with pieces of tobacco in the same way. The bottle contained a mixture of rum, gin, and brandy, glasses of which liquors had been given him on board, and he had mixed them all in the bottle for the purpose of drinking at home. Mr. Rushton said he was afraid that this was a system of petty plunder on r t a h g e eo p u ar s part to o f ptti t lihu h int e ldik s ee u i b yt hhoiereawdit.inoaafntyep himself.roeovffiffi ecncTeetrrhisne,gsptaaipn.it.ldsiuoonlntldieeledarrt;oitasnsi:oboaruossedorrudebiae: the first t w o i to pay a fine of 403. for smuggling the tobacco, or , i n default, to b e imprisoned fourteen days, and to be dis missed the force. Elistrirt polio. Mr. Beamont, solicitor, is spoken of as likely to b e the first mayor of Warrington, under the new Incorpora tion Act. . . The customs revenue of Manchester has increased on the quarter endinc , April sth, compared with the corres ponding quarter of' the previous year, £5,677, and the in crease on the year is £95,894. Dr. Mendelssohn was to arrive in Manchester yesterday to conduct a full rehearsal of the band and chorus of the Hargreaves Society, preparatory to the performance of " Elijah," on Tuesday (this evening.) A verdict of manslaughter has been returned by a coro ner's jury at Wigan, against the engineer and fireman employed at Rose-bridge Colliery. The boiler exploded through neglect, and killed a young man of the name of Heaton. WREXHAM CHEESE FAIR.—The second of these fairs, on Tuesday, was abundantly supplied with cheese, about 150 tons having been pitched. Small dairies realised 555. to 60s. and a large prime, 635. to 65. The attendance of buyers was good and very little remained unsold. NEW COUNTY MAGISTRATE3.—OH Wednesday, at the quarter sessions, held at Preston, Edward Parker, Esq., of Alkincoats, near Colne, and C. Smethurst, Esq., of Chorley ; and on Thursday, Henry Master Fielden, Esq., Witton House, Blackburn, took the oath, and qualified as magistrates of this county. The workpeople employed at the Old Brick Mill, Halli well, near Bolton, have presented to Lord Ashley, for his humanity towards the factory operatives, a neat and hand some bobbin rack, with chastely moulded bronzed brass stand, beautifully turned ivory flower basket, and scarlet velvet pincushion, together with a silver thimble. „ . LONGEVITY.—In the parish of Tarvin near Chester, there have been about 300 funerals from August 18, 1842, to March 18, 1847, out of a population of 700 souls ; and among these, there have been between the ages of 50 and 60 years,' eighteen; between 60 and 70, twenty-seven; between 70 and 80, twenty-nine ; between 80 and 90, twenty-three; and between 90 and 100, four. Making 55 between 50 and 70 years ; 52 between 70 and 90 ;. and the whole 111 above 50 years of age. INCORPORATION OF WARRINGTON.—The new charter of incorporation, after describing the boundaries of the borough, enacts that Warrington shall in future be go verned by a corporation, to be called ” The Mayor, Alder men, and Burgesses of the Borough of Warrington," hav ing a common seal, and full municipal powers. It further provides that the governing body of the Town-Council shall be composed of a mayor, nine aldermen and-neoun cillors, to be chosen by the burgesses of the following wards :—The North-West Ward, the South-East. Ward, the North-East Ward, the South-West Ward, and the Latchford Ward : each of the four first-mentioned wards to return six councillors, and the Latchford .Ward to re turn three. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. THE EDUCATION SCHEME.—The Manche4ter Town, Council on Friday discussed a motion in favour of the Government scheme of education, which was ultimately carried by a majority of 26 to 8. Petitions to both houses of Parliament were then adopted, praying that the mea sures now proposed by Her Majesty's Ministers " may be liberally supported." At the Education meeting in Manchester, the Rev. Hugh Stowell boldly claimed for the Established Church the merit of a larger practical voluntaryism than for dis sent. The number of churches, he said, built by the free will offering of the Church's own children during the last fourteen or fifteen years, was quite equal to all the chapels built within the same period by Roman Catholics and Dissenters together. FESTIVITIES AT RUNCORN.—On Tuesday, Runcorn was the scene of unusual festivities, in consequence of the eldest son of Philip Whiteway, Esq., attaining his majo rity. At an early hour in the morning, flags were dis played in different parts of the town, and the numerous vessels on the river were gaily decked. Upwards of fifty of the workmen employed by Mr. Whiteway were regaled • at the Royal_ Hotel, with a good substantial dinner of roast beef and plumb pudding. The health and happiness of Mr. Whiteway, Jun., was proposed and responded to in an appropriate and eloquent speech; numerous other toasts were given, and the company separated:highly pleased. In the evening a ball was given. FLEETWOOD A RABBIT WARREN.—A curious discovery has been made at Fleetwood, of which place it is very fairly boasted, that what was once a desert rabbit warren is now the site of some of the most stately buildings in England. It happens that during the winter months, one of the large rooms at the splendid Euston Hotel, Fleet wood, has been closed. Sometime this week, or the last it was re-opened, and was found to be occupied by eight and twenty rabbits which, born and bred in the soil, had, in the interim, burrowed their way up through the floor, into the dainty apartment and took possession of what they had a natuarl right to look upon as their own. It is clear that Fleetwood is a rabbit warren still.—Lancaster Gazette. THE PORT OF RUNCORN.—The Gazette of Tuesday contains an announcement appointing Runcorn to be a port, and declaring that the limits of the said port shall commence at Warrington Bridge, following the course of the river Mersey, and including both shores, until a line can be drawn from Chapel Farm-house, on the Lancashire shore, to Eastham Church, on the Cheshire shore, includ ing the shores and waters of the river weaver, to Frodsham bridge. The following places are to be the legal quays for the lading and u b .nladinc , of goods : the New Dock, ex tending north-east and south-west, on each side 180 feet, the - Old Dock, similarly bounded and situated, extending on each side 400 feet ; the Lower Basin, similarly bounded and situated, extending on each side 490 feet ; the Old Basin, similarly bounded and situated, extending on each side 970 feet; Francis Dock, similarly bounded and situ ated, extending on each side 320 feet ; and also all that open place called Old Quay Docks, similarly bounded and situated, extending on each side 1,611 feet. CHESHIRE GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS.—These ses sions commenced on Monday last, at Chester Castle, before Trafford Trafford, Esq., chairman, and a tolerably full bench. The report of the chaplain ated, that after a sermon on the subject of the recent fast, upwards of thirty of the prisoners voluntarily observed the day, by abstinence and humiliation. There was a long discussion on the bill for the appointment of a stipendiary chairman, which, it seems, will be opposed by the government. Ultimately, the chairman having intimated his willing ness to preside at the next sessions, it was resolved to postpone the question as to proceeding with or withdraw ing the bill, for further consideration. A sum of £350 was voted to provide a lock-up at Lymm, as was also a grant for rebuilding the lock-up at Congleton, the amount of which was not named, Mr. Wilbraham observing that it was not desirable that it should go forth to the public, wherefore, be did not explain. The sum of £9O was voted for a lock-up at Hyde, and £lOOO for the repair of one of the county bridges bordering on Lancashire. A proposition of Sir Edward Cust, to grant a pension to Benjamin Richardson, late turnkey of Chester Castle, fell to the ground for want of a seconder.—The treasurer then produced the estimates upon which the next county rate is to be levied. The estimates of the first quarter I were set down thus :—Expenditure : County bridges, £1,645 ; county gaol, £350 ; house of correction, £l,OOO ; general payments, £5,368 14s. Gd. ; prosecutions at sessions, £1,680 2s. Bd. ; advance to gaoler, £270 ; balance in hand, £377 7s. Ord. ; total, £10,091 4s. 24d. To meet which there would be :—County rate, £1.073 8s 7d; I river Weaver £5OOO ; from lords of the treasury £5,313 5s 6d; ' fines, £217 16s. Od. ; repayment by gaoler, £270 ; balance £l6 14s. 12d. ; total, £10,091 14s. 2d. The expenses of the following quarter, which regulate the county rate, were stated at :—Bridges, £1,155 ; house of correction, £lOOO ; general payments, £4,730 17s. 9d. ; prosecu tions at sessions, £1,259 9s. Sd. ; at assizes, £1,527 6s 2d ; advance to gaoler, £270; total £10,342 13s. 7d. The income :—Balance in hand, £377 7s. ; River Weaver, £5000; constabulary rate, £1,513 15s. 6d. ; fines, £237 Bs.; repayment by gaoler, £273; total, £7,398 14s. Gd. A county rate of three farthings would produce about £3,200, which would thus leave a balance in favour of the treasurer of about £270. A county rate of three farthings was then ordered. SIR ROBERT PEEL IN BLACKBURN.—On Monday even ing, Sir Robert Peel arrived in Blackburn from Drayton. The right hon. baronet travelled by railway to Preston, and came thence in his own private carriage. His arrival, having reference only to his own private estates at Os waldtwisle, in this neighbourhood, was intended to be strictly private, the letter received at Miss Garth's hotel, Blackburn, simply stating that dinner would be required for " two gentlemen " shortly after seven, and that beds would also be wanted. The second gentleman was Mr. Spark, we believe, a practical agriculturist from London, who had attended Sir Robert with a view to conducting some extensive improvements on his estates, such as tho rough draining, &c. He stayed but a night at the hotel, and left at about eight on Tuesday morning for Oswaldt wisle, three miles from Blackburn ' • where, attended by Mr. Westall, local steward of his estates, and Mr. Spark, he walked about some five or six hours, suggesting and de termining upon various important improvements ; and left shortly before four o'clock for Manchester, where it was supposed he would pass the night. Sir Robert Peel's estates in the neighbourhood of Oswaldtwisle produce him about £4,000 per year ; and he has not visited them since 1834. A circumstance occurred during Sir Robert Peel's stay at the hotel, which has afforded as much amusement to the inhabitants as it must at the time have caused asto nishment to the right hon. baronet himself. It appears that a person in the bar, who had by continued oblations to the " Jolly God," raised internally an extraordinary no tion of his own importance, ventured into the august pre sence of the late premier, with a modest request that he would be so good as to walk down stairs, and allow a num ber of his (the applicant's) friends to take a general in spection of his illustrious person ! Vain would be the en deavour of pen or pencil to paint the vast and overwhelm ing surprise of the party appealed to. He looked almost through his unceremonious visitor, who looked back again with complacent self-satisfaction, as if indeed he were about to achieve a triumph'worth recording. But the fun lay all the other way, for with a brevity befitting his own dignity, and the peculiar circumstances of the case, Sir Robert rang the bell, and issued directions that "that man " might be " taken away !" And so he was, with considerable expedition.—Blackburn Standard. [The right honourable baronet proceeded via Manchester to Drayton. At each of the stations where he was recog nized he was loudly cheered.] EXTRAORDINARY CONFESSION OF A LIVERPOOL PICKPOCKET.—At the Knutsford petty sessions, held on Wednesday last, Ann Carruthers and Catherine Wallace were indicted for picking a lady's pocket on board of one of the Woodside ferry steamers. No evidence was pre ferred against the girl Wallace, who made a very extraor dinary confession. She said she was twelve years of age, and had known Carruthers for about four years. She (witness) lived with her mother in Toxteth-park, and prisoner lived opposite to them. Prisoner af terwards removed to another house in the same street, and otla M oi use ' kiort herself. Witness ,re Ipefr.. went aaL:setpoie t srt o eioisd. ifoa l heeserreh afterwards t t,ep l . ki h aTgi e ri: r ida and tg , esmht sold beer by retail, up to the time of her apprehension. the f t e drinking par_ s ci t ) h u e i p rd ek t e o p r i ws moneyo a n s : r . man ner being so gentle that the party despoiled could not feel practice in this way for about a fortnight, so as to become expert. The prisoner afterwards said that she . woultlse her into the street to pick ladies' pockets of their purses &c., and that she would be close by, so that anything might be passed into her hand. They first went out about Christmas to St. John's market, and prisoner picked a lady's pocket of three shillings. They afterwards went to several shops, where prisoner succeeded in pick ing the pockets of several customers. They had some success after this. On the 23rd of February, witness and prisoner crossed the Mersey twice by the Woodside boat. On the first occasion witness took a purse out of a lady's pocket, and . handed it to prisoner, who took the money out, and threw the purse into the water. Prisoner on landing at Woodside took some silver that had beetiin the purse, and gave the remainder, which was foreign coin, to witness, to get changed in Liverpool. On the passage back, prisoner picked another lady's pocket of a purse, containing coin and a gold seal. On crossing a second time, witness picked a lady's pocket, and the two parted at the pay-gate, but both were apprehended, and witness dropped the purse on board, on being taken back to the cabin. The lady to whom it belonged first noticed it. The prisoner had taken witness several times to the thea tre to pick pockets, and she (witness) had on one occasion got lls. 6d. from a lady's pocket. The value of the pro perty stolen on board the Woodside ferry steamers has been reported at the Birkenhead police-court to amount, since Christmas, to near £lOO. The prisoner Carruthers was convicted, and sentenced to 7 years' transportation. oaekor took witness( serveder natloe, well ; but on black free land, the roots have been so thin and unpromising, that some few farmers have ploughed up and sown with oats. Potatoes have not been so gene rally ventured upon as in former years, so that the breadth of this crop will not amount to an average . Ne • vertheless, a large quantity of " earlies" have been planted in the localities around this town, both in Lancashire and Cheshire, and good hopes are entertained of a profitable return. In Cheshire, and especially at Wallasey,•More ton, Upton, &c., the market gardeners have long since planted, and are still planting, this crop ; those put ear liest in the ground being now some of them three inches above the ground, and in large leaf—being carefully pro tected in sheltered sides of fields or gardens by layers of dry grass, cut from the sand-hills on the neighbouring coast, and removed when a little warmth or sunshine pre sents itself—great labour, and worthy of its reward. Large quantities of peas, beans, onions, turnips, carrots, , &c. have been sown, and cabbages planted, as a set-off to any possible failure in the potatoes. The weath er was fine for getting in the Lent grain, and it is to be hoped that the oats and barley will be highly productive. With respect to fruit, it is yet rather early to prognosticate; but as the blossom is but in few instances developed, no par ticular injury can have yet accrued, and we hope to be enabled next week to furnish a favourable report. The grass, in consequence of the cold, is rather backward. We had a relaxation in the temperature on Saturday, with slight and genial rain.—Since writing the above, we have learned that the wheat crops in some parts of the neigh bouring districts have suffered considerably by the long continuance of hasky easterly winds. Yesterday, how ever, the air was much milder ; the sun shone out re splendently ; and it is to be hoped that all will yet be well, notwithstanding what may be termed the encroach ment of March into the middle of April. In the neigh bourhood of Qrmskirk, which furnishes large quantities to the Liverpool market, and thence to Southport, a good breadth of land will again be planted with potatoes. There is also a much larger breadth of wheat sown than heretofore in this portion of Lancashire, which, though short, is of good colour, and looks well even on the moss land near the sea. There is some excellent farming to be seen here, the farmers having cultivated the land until it resembles garden land rather than open fields. We learn that in Lincolnshire, notwithstanding the severe weather, the wheats, though here and there some what starved, are still, upon the whole, rather promising. THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. We have seldom had to notice so backward a season, the weather having been unusually cold for so advanced a pe riod of the spring, the easterly winds checking the develop ment of vegetation. It may be remarked, however, that a late spring is generally safer in this country than a forward one, when crops and blossom, prematurely drawn out, have a chance of being nipped in April by the frosty air of a few nights. Nothing is yet so far forward as to be in jured in this way, and the probability is that, as- in Swe den, we shall have summer upon us all at once, and that all will yet b - congenial and productive. It is also likely that the prolongation of wintry weather will have dissi pated the disease in the land—if such it be—which caused the failure of the potato and other produce last year. The wheats, and especially those that were sown rather late, have suffered severely from the east winds, in Hereford, this, and other counties, but though many of the farmers are desponding, we think, from past experience, that a kindly season hereafter may yet redeem them. In the " Tylde," or principal corn plain of this county, seeding may be said. to. be over. On stiff soil the wheat looks CORRESPONDENCE. " THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL," AND " THE YOUNG MEN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOCIETY." TO TILE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SlR,—Reference was made, by several of the speakers at the late annual meeting of the Young Men's Society, to the charac ter and conduct of the Society for the Propagation of the Gos pel. By one of the rev. gentlemen it was afhrmed, through the medium of plain inference, that the venerable society only re quired from the candidate for a missionary appointment the testimony of his college, the proof of his ordination, and the evidence of his having subscribed to the articles of our church. I shall content myself with proving, that this is far from being the whole truth. I readily admit that the society does institute an inquiry into the educational qualifications of her missionaries ; and I have yet to learn that she either acts an inconsistent or an uncalled-for part in doing so. Had the clerical speaker taken the smallest pains to inform himself on the subject, he would have known from the papers of the society that a list of queries must be replied to by the candidate in the first instance—that those queries refer to vastly more than the mere fact of his education, ordination, and subscription—that lie is required to a p pear b e f ore a b oar d of examiners in London—that lie is obliged to give a reference to at least three beneficed clergymen—and that those clergy men are requested to state explicitly their opinions as to the qualifications of the applicant. I submit the followin.” as an illustration of the society's practice, an d I b e li eve it to be a • fair specimen of the course taken under all similar circum stances :—A gentleman applied to the committee of the society in the year 1843, for an appointment to one of our colonies. The form of which I have spoken was forwarded to him, and the names of three unsuspectedly orthodox clergymen were inserted by him as those to whom lie was best known. They were forthwith written to by the secretary; and, in addition, a private note was sent to a fourth clergyman, who was consi dered the leader of what is now generally known as the evan gelical party in the parish where the candidate resided. The society corresponded with this excellent man in the clearest and most confidential manner, as to his opinion of the candi date in question, and received from him both ample and satis factory information. The preliminaries having been complied with, the applicant was requested to appear before the board of examiners; and I have it upon the best authority, that ques tions of the most searching character were put to him touching the Tractarian controversy. Such, then, is.the practice of the venerable society; and although it wisely declined entering into any pledge further than that which has been deemed suffi ciently stringent to guard the entrance to the priesthood at home, yet, in its secret and unobserved movements, it will bear comparison with any of its kindred institutions, in its endeavours to maintain the purity of the faith and the unity of the spirit. The Rev. Wm. Chave, who appeared at the meeting as a deputation from the parent society, stated that the Propagation Society had refused to give any pledge that it would not admit known Tractarians to the list of its agents—that this refusal had been made to the Rev. Messrs. Close and Bickersteth— and that it implied so much positive unsoundness in the body making it, that it became absolutely necessary to form a new and, as I think, rival society. It was rather remarkable that the speaker should have omitted to add, that, in the judgment of the rev. gentlemen who made the demand upon the society, its refusal to comply with their request was so far satisfactory to themselves, that they declined leaving its ranks; and that at least *one of them (the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth) to this hour continues a parochial patron, and personal subscriber to its funds! I own, sir, that I am not an admirer of the spirit which could lead a brother to bring such grave accusations against a society upon whose existence the church in our colonies is suspended ; and . although I hail with gratitude to God every effort to enlighten the minds and convert the souls of our poor Settlers in the dense forests of our remote possessions, yet I am free to confess that I am suspicious as to the propriety of new societies appearing, when the church possesses an institu tion hallowed by age, and living in the esteem and confidence of her own faithful bishops. I object to such societies on ac count of the additional expense incurred by their management; because they arc calculated to produce a spirit of hostility and mutual distrust at home; and because the existence of so many separate societies has a most unfavourable influence upon the minds of the classes amongst whom the respective missionaries labour. Will you permit me to say, in conclusion, that I most heart ily subscribe to the following invaluable testimony of our venerated and beloved diocesan ' • and I cannot but think that hi 4 sentiments will command the confidence of all who wish, in the language of our truly eloquent Canon M'Neile, " to maintain evangelical truth with New Testament order." The Bishop of Chester writes—" Though I have not been a regular attendant on the meetings of the society for the Propa gation of the Gospel, I have seen enough of its proceedings to he satisfied that the committee, in regard to the clergy engaged by them, have a single eye to their fitness, both as to personal and ministerial character, for the duties entrusted to them. And if, at the present moment, the resources of the society should be contracted, which require so much addition, conse quences must follow which it is lamentable to contemplate. Our colonies must be reduced to a state of spiritual destitu tion, a zealous body of clergy be withdrawn from the work for which they have left their native country, and a check be given to the progress of Christianity, at the very time which, in the providence of God, appeared most favour able for its extension." Yours, &c., G. W. W. EXCISE INFORMATIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sia,--Having, as a Shopkeeper, been put to a great deal of inconvenience in my business, either through the injustice of the existing laws of my country, or by the unwise administra tion of those laws, by parties in whom is vested the powers of execution, I feel that I have a claim to the notice of the public Journals of this town, and I therefore hope you will permit me to make public, through the circulating medium of your paper, the following statement of facts, which in their character are most oppressive. On the afternoon of the 22nd of March last, a supervisor of Excise, and two officers, entered my shop, and immediately commenced a strict search over every part of my premises, and after tasting, smelling, burning, and examining through a microscope upwards of thirty samples of Snuff, these men pro nounced them to be highly adulterated, and informed me that they must effect a seizure of the whole, and that they acted in consequence of an information lbdged against me. Not being the manufacturer of the snuffs about to be seized, I immediately handed to them an invoice, (which I received that morning,) of a parcel of snuffs then on its transit direct from the manu facturer in Glasgow, and which was at that moment on board • the Commodore steam-ship, and offered to give them an order to obtain possession of that parcel also; but this they at once declined ; and I having no other method to clear myself in a moral point of view, and to prove, (if the snuffs were impure,) that I sold them just as they came from the manufacturer, than by giving up that parcel, I wrote a note to th e E xc i se authori ties, acquainting them that I expected the delivery of that par cel that evening, and requesting that officers might be sent to take possession of it on its arrival; but not the slightest notice was taken of my communication. The parcel arrived, and I got a gentleman, who happened to be present, to seal it up,and I sent the next day to the Collector of Excise, who sent an officer to take the parcel away. Samples of the snuffs seized were despatched to London, to be analyized, and in a fortnight afterwards I addressed a letter to the Commissioners of Excise there, in which I requested a speedy decision in my case, and on Friday, the 16th ultimo, I received their reply, stating, that the supervisor had been di rected to restore my snuffs. But he, previous to doing so, pre tented an account of expenses, amounting t o 13 s . ld., said to be incurred consequent on the seizure, and which amount I • was compelled to pay before my snuffs were returned to me, but this I only did after taking legal advice on the subject. This last appears to me to be as galling . a part as any in the whole transaction. A shopkeeper is quietly endeavoming to gain an honourable and honest subsistence; he is, at the in stigation of an informer, who may be interested in his downfall, pounced upon by three excisemen, who tell him that his snuffs are highly adulterated. They seize and carry off the whole, and detain them for twenty-seven days. His business during that time is partially suspended ; his rent, which is heavy, must be paid; and the quarterly term is in this way nearly one-third expired; and all this is occasioned by the machina- Lions of an infamous informer, whose charges are not only not substantiated, but are proved to be totally unfounded. He is screened, and his name concealed; lie suffers not for his base conduct; his false accusation costs him nothing; while the falsely accused shopkeeper is victim iied by the shock which his business receives—by not being allowed by law to obtain compensation by an appeal to a jury of his countrymen, and by being forced to pay the expenses attending the unjust sei zue T of his goods. From the whole it appears that in England there is no law to render these men responsible, and prevent them, a month hence, from entering my premises, and subjecting me to the same unjustifiable treatment and liability. I am, Sir, yours very ll respectfully, S i A. MILEY. 2, Price-street, Liverpool, 19th April, 1847. JERRY BUILDING. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Sta,—My letter in your paper a week or two since, on the above subject, having elicited an extremely irascible reply i n the Journal of Saturday last, from " A Builder," I trust that you will indulge me with a corner in your next publication for the insertion of a rejoinder thereto. I will not, in imitation of his bad example, give way to , scur rility —merely observing casually, that " the gall e d , j a d e " must , winte," or, if the cap nts, he is at liberty to wear it. With respect to his remark on the quantity of land usually allotted or allowed for the site of a house, he has entirely mis . construed or perverted my meaning, as, Heaven knows, we cannot accuse builders of giving too large a space to each indi , vidual tenement Quite the contrary; or how does it become requisite to make such frequent applications to parliament for the alteration and amendment of our local acts ? I would be understood that it was intended to apply numerically to the stacks of cottages now in course of erection, which no inge nious sophistry on his part can overcome. Again : "A builder" says, regarding the mortgage or sale of property, the owners are quite justifiable in offering an arti cle at the cheapest possible cost. This position is quite tulle enable; for we invariably find, in articles of merchandise, what is salted cheap too often proves on trial the dearest. Slop goods-will not stand the wear and tear of a more substantial fabric - ;. the same with jerry-built houses : hence my assertion is fully confirmed, by the exceedingly great difficulty that now exists of obtaining loans or mortgages on such crazy edifices. As to levying rates on this description of property, how can the owners with propriety object to become liable, when they continually boast of the large per-centage received from small houses, to the great detriment and depreciation of the premises of their neighours that are ratepayers, and who, from this cause, and in consequence thereof, n many instances are under the necessity of quitting their residences, to seek more undis turbed abodes beyond the limits of the borough ;—thus being compelled to unite in self-defence by the formation of a respec table and responsible joint-stock company, • which would like wise have a tendency to benefit the humble classes of Liver pool, in affording healthy and convenient dwellings, and not leaving them unprotected to the tender mercies of a griping landlord. In fact, it is a common practice with this class of builders (jerry) to let nominal tenants into their cottages, having thereby a semblance of being occupied; these parties, on a change of ownership, &c., prove men of straw, and are readily transferred to another lot for a similar purpose; and thus, as a revolving wheel, the nefarious system is perpetuated ad infinitum. I shall conclude the foregoing remarks, by stating it is not my intention hereafter to intrude on your columns, to reply to "A Builder," or any oth er wr it er; f ee li n g satisfied in the con sciousness or assurance of having fully exnosed some of the tricks of trade, and being solely actuated by a desire to con tribute a mite to the measure of public utility. Your obedient servant, Liverpool, 13th April, 1847. EPHRAIM. TOXTETH AFFAIRS. TILE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. n,—Permit me to ask through your columns why the Over seers of Toxteth-park did not appear with their accounts before the auditor? I understand that they are in an awkward posi tion, having excused from payment of rates upwards of 5,000, occupiers, and now as a rule have exempted (their own tenants of course included) from payment all tenants of houses under .4'lo per annum, the landlords pocketing the taxes. Yours, &c., ANOTHER LOOKER-ON. THE WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS AND SEA- COMBE FERRY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SITI,—My attention has been directed to a leading article in the Weekly News of Thursday last, on the above subject, in which some of the Commissioners of Wallasey are severely censured for the part they took in the recent, debate on this subject. The writer seems to be so mew h a t ignorant on the matter at issue, and has supplied the place of argument by broad assertions and low witticism. It would be a profligate waste of time to follow him through the whole labyrinth of his coarse and vulgar article, and I shall therefore briefly offer a few remarks upon such parts of it as seriously affect the repu tation of those gentlemen who conscientiously opposed the establishment of a new ferry. I know not why Mr. Alawdes ley is to be sneered at for his efforts to save the public purse from useless outlay, by those who so loudly boast of their zeal for economy of government and diminution of taxation. Ido not see the cogency of the reasoning by which he is charged with "the filth and squalor" which characterize the streets and lanes of Seacombe, since it is none of his creation; and his vote upon the ferry question cannot affect the state of the roads or the cleanliness of the township. Your contemporary has stigmatized Mr. Mavvdesley's defence of the rights of the ferry proprietors as an advocacy of a "vested interest," wishing by that odious epithet to prejudice the public mind against their claims. I maintain that where the proprietors of a public ferry, as at Seacombe, show a laudable desire to accommodate the public, and to afford them every convenience, it is an act of great wrong to deprive them of their trust. It matters not to the inhabitants of Seacombe who has the management of the ferry, if their convenience is studied, and their wants supplied; and it is very unjust to put the township to an expense which will serve to sacrifice the Messrs. Parry, without benefiting it. Those gentlemen have long conducted the ferry with spirit and energy, have sustained severe losses, and do not now, I be lieve, make it pay a reasonable per centage, in order to serve and accommodate the public. As private characters, they stand deservedly high in the esteem of the inhabitants, and as ferry managers they deserve the highest encomiums. Trusting that you will permit me through the medium of your valuable and widely circulated paper to disabuse the pub lic mind on this important subject, and to expose the wanton ignorance and flippant effrontery of your not over-truthful con temporary. I am, sir, yours, &c., DELTA. THE MINERVA IRON STEAM-SHIP. This beautiful and fast vessel, built by Messrs. Thos. Vernon and Co., for the Cork Steam-ship Company, and to run between Cork and Glasgow, touching intermediately at Dublin, completed a successful trial trip, on Monday night. She is a remarkably beautiful vessel, modelled by Mr. Hazleden, and has proved herself to be a regular " clipper." Her dimensions, &c., are : Length on deck Beam (of hull) Depth of hold Burthen, (O.M ) about , s „ She is propelled by steam engines, of admirable con struction, by Messrs. Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy, and of 400-horse power. The iron-work of the vessel is chiefly of Kennedy and Vernon's patent material, of great strength, with the least possible weight. She•acconaplished the trip to Dublin, with a small party of nautical and scientific gentlemen, (including Mr. Bury, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Vernon, sen., Lieut. Gibson, R.N., Mr. Hazleden, and others.) in 8 hours 48 minutes, and that under disadvantages, the new engines being necessa rily stiff, and the advantage derived from the tide-way being comparatively small, as it only flowed to the height of 131 ft. The distance is 40 leagues, as the bird flies. On the return trip, she made the Skerries, from Kingston, in four hours, being half the distance, and there she was overtaken by a dense fog, which in the absence of a definite sight of land, and some distrust of the compasses in a new iron vessel, rendered it imprudent to proceed at more than half-speed, otherwise she was in a fair way for making the port in eight hours from the time of starting —or 15 knots an hour. The engines made, when at speed, 21 to 22 strokes per minute, with paddle-wheels each of 27 feet diameter. The party were quite delighted by the voyage, and especially by the kindness and ur banity, at the intervals which he could spare from his pro fessional duties, of her commander, Captain Hirste, a gentleman of long experience in steam navigation, and possessed of much general information. The Cabins of the Minerva, (which have not been de scribed,) are well worthy of a passing notice. The saloon, which is about 60 feet long, and of the full width of the ship abaft, is a beautiful apartment, combining taste, elegance, and convenience. Only two state-rooms (with double berths,) are taken off at each corner, forward. The style is fanciful rather than classical, or pertaining to no peculiar style of architecture ; yet the parts so fully harmonise, that the effect is highly pleasing —no mere ,,tricious or highly costly ornament being introduced. The room is cheerfully lighted by seven stern windows, and two square deck lights, with frosted glass of a neat patt ern . Depending by gilded hains, are two handsome globular lamps. There are two elegant mahogany book-cases, of classical and appropriate design ; and the tout ensemble of the apartment is at once chaste and beautiful. The ladies' and the genitemen's sleeping cabins are fitted up with roomy berths, and every possible conveni ence. The fore cabin, not yet finished, will be equally comfortable. We should add, that the dinner and tea services are beautiful—the greater part of silver. The cabin was painted and decorated by our talented townsman Mr. Troutbeck, and he has here added another laurel to his brows, for the wood and marble-work though painted and polished in imitation merely—have been mistaken by many for the real materials. DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE STEAMER GRANA UILE. On Thursday intelligence was received here of the la mentable loss of this fine vessel by fire. The Grana Uile, a fine vessel that has lately undergone thorough repairs in hull and machinery, sailed from the Clarence dock for Drogheda, on Tuesday evening about Light o'clock. There were on board about 68 passengers, a crew of 20 persons, a few individuals to whom free pas sages were given by the company, and we believe two or three with parochial passes making in all, as nearly as can be calculated, about 98 souls. The Grana Uile was 245 tons register, and was commanded by Captain Raw don. The cargo was chiefly grain, but she had on board a number of bales of flax, which were stowed with every care, and covered with a tarpauling, in the lower hold. About 6 A.m. on the following morning,:when off Lambay, all on board were roused by the cry of " fire ! fire!" the cause for which proved but too true. For a length of time every exertion was made to subdue the destructive element, but so great was the confusion and consterna tion, that every one seemed appalled ; for a length of time, however, the most sanguine expectations were held of quenching the fire, the coal bunkers, however. ignited, and the flames raged to an extent that ultimately put a stop to every exertion. The scene that followed, as might be expected, was one of the most heart-rending descrip tion, and can be much more easily imagined than described. There was a frantic rush in the first instance to get pos session of the vessel's boats, into which they plunged, and both boats were swamped, and unfortunately all perished. The vessel kept her course till about seven o'clock, when she was observed by a fishing smack, the Bessy, of Rings end. The captain, Mr. William Pullen, immediately pro ceeded to rsscue the crew and passengers on deck from their awful condition. Mr. Pullen, with the mate, John Parker, George Upham, and an apprentice named Symes, rendered most praiseworthy exertions ; they first picked up a boat, and took from her three or four of the unfortu nate individuals, with this boat and a small punt belong ing to the Bessy, the crew, with the assistance of the hands belonging to the Grana Uile, succeeded in saving all who had the good fortune to stay by the vessel, save the Commander, who vowed that he would not stir until passengers and crew were all safe, a determination which cost him his life, for in the last extremity he took a life buoy and jumped overboard, and was picked up in the steamer's wake. The crew of the smack seeing all hope of saving the vessel at an end, bore straight for Dublin [where she arrived about 6 o'clock on Wednesday even ing,) and soon lost sight of the steamer. None on board saw her sink, and the general impression was, that she still continued to float when they lost sight of her. All who were on deck, or clinging to the vessel when the Bessy reached, were saved, including 45 passengers and 21 of the crew—in all 69.. Those who are lost are sup posed to number 22 persons. One man had his leg broke in jumping into the boat with a child in his arms—three women were injured, and a child scalded. The injured persons were sent to Baggot-street Hospital on the ar rival of the Bessy. On Thursday, an inquest was held at Dublin on the body of Captain Rawdon, before Dr. Kirwan, one of the coroners for the city, and a highly respectable jury. The first witness examined was the mate; he corrobo rated our. introduction as to the sailing of the steamer, and stated that he was two years mate of her. She had on board 43 regular passengers, and 15 or 20 without tickets, a crew of 20 persons, including the captain and apprentices. Amongst the cargo we had 80 bales of flax, which was stowed in canvas in the after hold. At about half-past five in the morning, we observed smoke issuing from the bunker holes. There were no coals underneath, the coals having been removed farther forward, the space underneath being used for stowing cattle in. Noticed the smoke issuing from the after hold, which was stowed with flax and Indian corn to the top. The hatch, which opened in the 'tween decks, was securely covered down. The flax was the last of the cargo put in. We got the hose under way, and worked it as long as we could, till the fire gained upon us. I was present when the flax was lowered into the hold, and did not see any men smoking near it. We had three boats, the number required by Act of Parlia ment, all of which were in good order. When they were to be lowered, there was a general rush to the boats, and great confusion. If the passengers had been calm, and taken our advice, we could have saved every one. When they rushed into the boats, they broke down the davits. Could not say any one was killed by the rush. The cap tain walked from the quarter-deck to the paddle-box, and told them if they would be calm all would be saved. Tea or twelve got into the first boat, which was swamped; the second boat was lowered, but was capsized. On the life boat being lowered, it also capsized, but was held by one tackle. The pilot and two men got into her, when she went adrift, and was afterwards picked up by the Bessy lam certain from 15 to 20 persons were lost. S'aw the captain overboard, clinging to a life-buoy, on the vessel's weather quarter. I think it was about seven o'clock. A. little before eight, the smack kept tacking about (the sea running very heavy) in search of him, and found him floating on a life-buoy, perfectly lifeless. Had not the slightest idea how the fire originated. (Some one here observed the probability of oil having come in contact with the flax.) The mate, after describi ng th e difficulty in: getting the passen gers from the steamer to the boats, in consequence of the heavy sea running, concluded his evi dence by stating that he hoisted a signal on seeing the fishing smack Frederick, of which they took no notice- This, he thought, disheartened the captain, and produced fright amongst all on board. It was here stated that the Frederick had her nets out; that it would have taken an hour to get them in : they, however, could have been left with buoys. The Frederick was cemman hi a person named Whittle. The next witness examined was Captain Pullen, of the Bessy, who was followed by the engineer and some of the passengers, but as their evidence was merely corroborative, we need not detail it. On Captain Pullen being asked by the coroner if he thought the captain bad left the steamer before he ought, he replied, "No ! I think it was high time when the boats had gone. I would have done the same myself." . The coroner, after highly lauding the conduct of the crew of the Bessy, detailed the evidence to the jury, who found a verdict to the effect that the captain was accident ally drowned, but there were no means of ascertaining how the fire originated ; but no blame or want of precau tion are attributable to the owners, captain, or crew. The jury expressed their high admiration of the spirited con duct of Captain Pullen and the crew of the Bessy, and recommended them to the notice of the Humane Society. They also censured the crew of the Frederick. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUMMARY. The step taken by the directors of the Bank of England in advancing the rate of interest to 5 per cent., although. it has seriously affected the price of government and other stocks, does not appear to have repressed the spirit of speculation which forms the prevailing feature of our lead ing produce and food markets, which continue to exhibit a rising tendency. A slight advance in the price of Consols was experienced on Tuesday, which was lost in the course of the day, owing to an impression prevailing that the Gazette accounts of the Bank of England would be unfavourable, coupled with. the advance in the corn markets. The former expectation was fully realized on the appearance of the Gazette, which showed a decrease in the public deposits of £1,017,572, and in the rest a decrease of £599,565, with an increase of other deposits amounting to £1,755,653. The amount of notes in circulation is £20,403,425, being an increase of £548,485 ; and the stock of bullion in both departments is £9,867,053, showing a decrease of £379,357 when compared with the preceding return, and of upwards of five millions below the ordinary stock held. A large portion of this deficiency, it has been ascertained, has been drawn off to cover our purchases of grain in the United States, to which the amount of specie registered as im ported into the three principal ports—namely, New York, Boston and New Orleans—between January Ist and the sailing of the steamer was not much below £2,000,000 sterling, to which must be added very large sums taken out by passengers of all descriptions (emigrants as well as others), of which no record is made. The arrival of the Hibernia mail steamer from Boston, bringing dates to the Ist inst., has renewed the excitement in the market for our principal staple, cotton, which may be quoted fully one halfpenny per pound higher than at the close of last week. The accounts of the crop are generally confirmative of the anticipations held out of a short crop, 1,800,000 bales being now stated as the ex treme quantity, whilst other accounts give it still lower_ The falling off of the receipts at the ports in America was considerable, as compared with the receipts at the corres ponding period of last year ; and hence deficiency in the stocks in the interior is augured. Many good authorities, however, maintain that this test will p rove a f a ll ac i ous one. Holders at the plantations are said to be not at all anxious to hurry the crop to market, the high freights offering for bread stuffs to Europe operating as an induce ment to hold back their supply for the present ; whilst the river shipping is almost exclusively employed in the transport of provision:,, at higher rates than the planters feel disposed to pay. Probably, when this pressing de mand for freights abates a little, we may find that the stocks are not so limited as speculators would indurp nc to believe. Upon this subject the circular of Messrs. White and Lewin, of New York, made up to the 31st ult., states : " The improved feeling and advance in prices has not been confined to this market alone, but has been general throughout the entire south, and has resulted from the fact that a very material falling off in the receipts at the ports has taken place during the past month, and an impression which has become very genera!, that the total crop will be much less than had been previously supposed. In our last circular the excess in the receipts since the Ist of September last, as compared with those of the year previous, was 51,500 bales, while by reference to the comparative statement given above, it will be seen that the figures show a decrease on those of last year of 76,108 bales, making a total falling off in the receipts during the past four weeks of 127,608 bales. The defi c i enc y is likely to 1 , 5 e an in creasing one for some four or five weeks to come, after which it is likely the receipts may keep pace with the limited quantity received last season. At all events the extent of the crop for the season 1846-7 may be ascertained with sufficient accuracy for commercial purposes by the Ist of May. The most gene rally entertained estimate in the extreme south is below 1,800,000 bales, and even in Charleston and Savannah, where hitherto the estimates have been largest, they are reduced to 1,800,000 bales." Another circular, that of Mess rs . S c h m id t and Co of New Orleans, dated March 18th, con fi rms the views ex pressed above, as to the supply being kept back. Refer ring to some large operations in that market, they say : " The cause of this renewed improvement in the condition of our cotton market must be attributed exclusively to the sudden and palpable falling off in the receipts of the article at the various points, and which has created a very general belief, that the crop will be smaller than was first anticipated, not ex ceeding. 1,800,000 to 1,850,000 bales. On the other hand, it is. however, proper to add, that the very sudden manner in which the receipts have fallen off, has awakened suspicions in the minds of many persons, inducing them to maintain that the supplies are purposely kept back, and who, looking to the precedents of former seasons, continue to count with confidence upon a fair proportion of receipts during the remainder of the year. The true state of the case cannot remain much longer a matter of doubt ; in the interregnum, however, without the aid of fur ther and decidedly bad news from Liverpool, material reduc tion in prices here can scarcely be loot ed for." The operation of these accounts upon the Manchester market has been to increase the gloom previously existing and to give a further stimulus to the working of short time. The stocks of goods offering have been generally withdrawn for higher prices than buyers were disposed to give; and unless such higher prices are acceded to, produc tion cannot possibly go on. The orders brought out by the Hibernia are represented to be very considerable; and as manufactured goods are very scarce throughout the United States, it is probable that the demand from that quarter may in time give a little activity to the trade. At present, however, there is no chance of anything extensive being done at the low limits sent out. Our corn market during the past week has exhibited considerable activity, and higher prices have been given for all descriptions. It seems now to be pretty generally held that we can have no relaxation of the existing rates for a while, owing to the demand for the continent and the difficulty in finding tonnage for the stocks held in America. It is anticipated by the growers and merchants that they will be enabled, in the course of a few months, to pour large supplies into this country, their last harvest being untouched this year, and a large surplus of that of the preceding being still available. The shipments from New York alone from September last, when the necessi ties of Europe were first known in that country, up to the middle of March, have been, of flour, 909,949 barrels ; corn, 3,081,314 bushels; wheat, 1,304,846 bushels; and rye, 596,484 bushels. Taking the probable wants of Great Britain for the present year to be 92,000,000 bushels, America has thus sent us about 17 per cent of our defi ciency. It is calculated, howeveii, that in the next five months she can more than make up the remainder, having a surplus of at least 150,000,000 bushels, after providing for her own population. From St. John's, New Brunswick, the date of our papers extends to the 27th of February. These state that a scarcity of shipping had been created by the number , of vessels taken up for employment in the American trade. The subject is thus alluded to " ; Only one ship has been chartered this month for timber or deals, and the rate was 115 s. sterling per stand for having cargo delivered.• All other vessels have been taken up or have sailed for ports in the United States, and some new ships have also gone in the same direction. Inquiries are made for vessels to take deal cargoes, and .E 6 per stand has been offered and refused. No sales of timber to report, but the price asked is 30s. for 20 inch description. Deals are scarce. Red pine is 15s. to 205., and birch 15s. to 225. Gd. Sterling Bank Bills continue 8 per cent." Freights at Quebec were low as compared with the rates at New York. Two ships for Liverpool were taken up on Saturday, March Gth, for flour at ss. 3d., for one or about 900 tons, and ss. Gd. for a ship of 700 tons. There will be twenty vessels (now building) ready for sea by the 20th of May, capable of taking 150,000 brls. flour. Freights at New 'York on the 19th, were quoted at 7s. and 7s. Gd., showing them to he much higher than the before-mentioned quotations at Quebec. It is stated that the Batik of England has been offi cially made the agents in this country for the Ru ssian government. It may be hoped that the autocrat, by way of keeping a good account, will than for for o his surplus god here. e e been more make or e a largemit ed lodgment The amount of business transacted in railwa y shares during the past five days has e considerable time past. No dealings of any particular time, and limited condition of things could not well be conceived. prices, during the greater portion unless snt businessei e r were e entirely occurred no fi suspended, l a sip f e l e y n w,leneka ?lore in ac ti vere d:ede, wat any heavy at successive declines, but no sooner did the Consol market become firmer, than values improved to a proportionate extent, and our usual weekly comparison of prices exhibits a rise in various instances. 1. 1 a