The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-19 00:00:00

_----- TIT. on, sal arnesw rherever nt it V / he was 'mild be n minis' !eligiou s , us, thst provid e r, hear' .to b e Le doub t mtifuld Y assist' 1, but i ll was ab, h e ow" their conid and w" resi.c ? —lO ed wo' t v strq; injur o te )odY 4 Llling c)/3 n•ovel l ; lso tifo lure, -- ad o tbe t ,rshiP avving 6 ' scenl; f a wn.- in t ite Iterf, 1-- n )f &O r worto FEBRUARY 19, '1856•] A FREE LIBRARY FOR BIRKENHEAD. A PUBLIC meeting of the ratepayers of Birkenhead and the terrounding district was held in the Town-hall, Birkenhead, on Saturday, having been convened by Mr. John Laird, chair tlan of the commissioners, in answer to a numerously signed requisition, for the purpose of adopting measures for the es tablishment of a Free Public Library and Museum in the town, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Libra 'lea Act of 1855. Mr. Laird occupied the chair; besides whom Were Messrs. P. M. Dove, R. Lamont, A. Wen (clerk to the 'oramissioners), Keightley, R. Bryans, &c. The hall was tolerably well filled, the trading classes predominating over that of the lower order on the social scale. The CIIIIIIMAN having explained the object of the meeting, azd . Mr. WALB having read the requisition, Mr. PeueY M. DOVE then rose and moved the first resolution That, in the opinion of this meeting, the establishment of a free public library and museum is highly desirable, and Would greatly conduce to the instruction z recreation, and „korai welfare of the inhabitants of this district ; and that the rublic Libraries Act, 1855, ought to be,'and that the same be, adopted for the district aforesaid."—The speaker said he had much pleasure in acceding to the request made to him to take tome part in the proceedings of the meeting, from a deep sense . 2f the importance of literature and learning generally , and from the advantages which the culture of the intellect would have upon the whole of the community. Comparing the Present time with the past, it would be found that the exigencies had never been greater than at the p resent da y Taring the whole history of this country. That thought had occurred to him some three or four weeks ago, when preparing .. e s otne manuscript leters for the purpose of rea din g them to the ttistoric Society of Liverpool. Amongst them were some letters of Benjamin Franklin, addressed to a friend of his, and dated Dec., 1788. In one of them was a request that an ency clopaedia might be sent out for the use of a young student of Philadelphia, having heard that books under that title had rlcently been published in England. The book was to be sent but by one of the spring ships ; showing bow different the 'elations between man and man in different regions of the earth were at that time compared with the present. At that _Period it was evident there were do fast-sailing vessels at all times of the year. There were no builders of steam vessels— he mi g ht say there were no John Lairds—(applause)—conse quently the young student alluded to had to wait from Decem ber, 1788, till the spring ships had arrived, 'before he could Study his (tycloptedia. He thought, therefore, he had made Pod his position, that the difference between the days of Franklin and our own was such as to show the importance of generarknowledge now compared with what it was then. The destinies and prospects of this nation are now vast and magni tent ;Commercial and political events are raising the Anglo- Saxon race to a pre-eminence in the intellectual struggle that is likely to take place in the world. No class of men can lonffer afford to be ignorant. If the field be not occupied by Us, it will assuredly be taken possession of by a race similar to %tr ee own—by our active and energetic transat lantic brethren. 'le wished, therefore, to impress upon them the necessity of 'a9ing in this town what must be done in every town in Eng land. Benevolent men wereleiking forward to this improved 'state of things. Mauy of them might be too Old to live to see `their anticipations realised, bat no doubt they would 'adopt the language of Franklin in one of the letters to Which he alluded. He said —" It is an important thing * to see the world getting better and happier, though we are about to leave it." But what is the-object, he (Mr. Dove) asked, in 'establishing a free library here ? It is surely primarily to develope and to make 'useful to others a p ower which 1 8 all but universal in n - an. The vast majority even of the 'working classes have that within them which, if brought out by early culture, and then matured in after years by further veading, wonld makelhem different beings, and give life and action to faculties of the very possession of which they would otherwise be wholly 'unconscious. It was not merely or oz. elusively wealth which:they desired for them, nor that which Produced wealth; it was rather that they should produce amongst ill claseesin 'this country a more general and genial humanity, which should act between mind and mind, and re sult ultimately in a better state of soeiety ; because, 'if they improved in' real knowledge,'so would they in their relations to one another. It was therefore necessary, and he wiehed to impress it upon them particularly, that they should' look to the character of • the books to be selected for such aperpose, so as to'have them suitable. He did not stand there en that occasion as the advocate of any section'of the religionists of this country, but he would venture to assert that NO knowledge Which impiously dethrones the Creator from the homage which is due to Him, or which did not increase the feeling of reverence for His laws, wotild•ever benefit a nation. We havoonly, lie said, to glance at the history of ancient nations most distinguished for learning, to - find an illustration of the appallingfact that the exercise of the accutest intellect may be joined tOthe Practice of the grossest sensuality. From tis he drew the inference that 'they must be careful what sor h t of ',knowledge they imparted, believing that the knowledge 'which only reached the head, and did not touch the heart, was uot of that land which would benefit the community. (Hear.) But 'thereewas another object, and it was purely a benevolent and rPhilanthropic one, to give to our fellow-townsmen 'a solace 'which, if once appreciated, will seldom fail in its effects. * When all around in their worldly concerns wasTervaded with 'doom and darkness, there would be found in bookethat which Calmed the tronbled spirit • and often, at his fireside, a man, by reading an intellectual book, found a short respite from the troubles which surrounded him, and obtained lessons of phi losophy which' enabled him the better to bear the ills that - flesh is heir to. He advocated the reading of the Bible as the only book' that would produce these results under all cir cumstances. However, the present object was to refer to, and to recommend those other means which,.thaagh immea surably less, , were yet the gifts of a munificentereator. He might say that the reading man lived in a new world, com- Pared with those who had not been in the habit-of cultivating an acquaintance with the writers of old, and receiving wisdom from those who had gone before them. The late Sidney Smith bad said that if it were not for the love'of knowledge and books he would rather be the merest hedger and ditcher than the most Powerful man in the world. His love of know ledge was such that he considered the :pleasure of it far greater than wealth and power. But there might be a further object producei by the establishment of a library. It might be that some rising genius in Birkenhead -would be enabled, by the aid of the free library, to furnish his mind, and bring it to maturity. ; such a one might rise to be an honour to Bir kenhead, and add another star in that galaxy of intellectual luminaries that form the glory of this country. (Applause.) He referred teethe difficulties which even somedeur eminent Poets and writers had in obtaining books in former times ; but by the establishment of the free library he hoped all would be furnished with knowledge for the•development of those noble faculties with which they bad been endowed. In Lancashire there were already four such institutions, contain ing 80,000 volumes devoted to the public -use. :Each of these books had been• used eleven times, and provision-was made for replacing them as they became worn out • and one of the best results which had attended such establisbinentsevas the union of all classes, not only as regarded the funds: necessary for their foundation, but by the subsequent participation in their advantages. They were libraries for the town, and not of any section ; ar_d he believed that under the amended act .they would become increasingly popular. For the reasons he had stated, he gave his hearty concurrence tothe resolution that had been placed in his hands, which he begged leave to move. (Applause.) Mr. LAMONT had great pleasure in seconding the resolu tion, and in doing so he must state that he hoped it would Pass. He coulduot imagine that any ratepayeravoald make any objection to it on the score of cost. The legislature, in its wisdom, had passed a very simple act, enabling-such.institu tions to be formed in such townships as that. Ho not wish to make any political remarks, but he must say,he thought this act was one of the fruits of the freedom of our country ; and our representatives had given a great boon to their con stituents in helping forward this movement. It was one of the results 'of popular elections, he believed. He was not going to detain thane with any further remarks, but he hoped if there happened to be any • gentlemen present who were greater ratepayers, or who held a higher position than their Poorer brethren, they would consider that a greater reason why they should help forward such a movement.as . thet. He hoped they would show that evening that they appreciated the establishment of such a provision, and unanimously autlao 'rise their guardians of the district or the commissioners to -establish, without delay, an institution such as had been ex vplained by his friend Mr. Dove. Mr. GREEN (au empiey‘under Mr. Laird) moved a nega etive to the proposition, on the ground that the education of 'the people had been SO neglected by those who ought earlier 'to have seen to it, that afire library would be no boon to them ; :and that, tired of waiting for their betters to assist them, the 'working men themselves were about to establish a concert hall, 'with evening lectures, schools, and reading rooms. Other treasons why he was opposed,to a new tax being laid upon the ,Peeple for a purpose like tide, lay in the coming ten per cent. ducoroe-tax, and the inability of the authorities to put the roads in Birkenhead in repair with the means at their .dis posal. Mr. XOWNSEND, in supporting the proposition of Mr. Dove, stated that the present free library at Liverpool, which now numbered 55,000 volumes, originated about eighty years ago with a number of gentlemen who kept the few books with which they commenced in a box at a coffee-house. He men tioned this fact as one of encouragement to the promoters of this meeting. Mr. Haenrson, of the Canada works, as one well acquainted with the habits, wishes, and mental,capacities of the working men of Birkenhead, rebutted the slander that they were unable to read, and asserted that such a library as the one contem plated wouldhe a great boon to them, wed that among the good things it would accomplish, would be the bringing _together, under the same roof, and for the same improving and elevating Purposes, both master and man. In answer to a question from the body of the hall, it was stated by Mr. WA LN. that the maximum rate authorised by the act was one penny in the- pound, that the election of a Committee of management rested with she commissioners, and that the composition of such commiteee was not confined to members of their own body. Mr. Hornblower, Mr. Bailiff, Mr. Walker, surgeon, and Dr. Baylis, also supported the motion, which, on being put to the vote, was carried nem. dis. A vote of thanks to thechairman terminated the proceedings LIVERPOOL POSTOPPICE.—From the estimates of the vevenue department for the ensuing financial year the following local postoffice particulars are gathered. The salary of the Liverpool postmaster is £l,OOO per annum, being higher than that of any other provincial postmaster with the exception of Manchester, where the salary is £1,300. In addition to this, the poundage on the sale of postage labels and envelopes amounts to £3BO per annum, in which item the emoluments of the Liverpool office are intermediate between those of the Postmasters of Manchester and Bristol. Rent, rates, taxes, coal s , and gas amount to £216 per annum, and the annual allowance for incidental expenses to £1,614. The establish ment comprises a chief clerk, two principal clerks, a comp troller and an assistant-comptroller of sorting offices, an in 'aPector of letter-carriers, two assistant -inspectors, eight first class clerks, sixteen second-class clerks, and seventeen supple mentary clerks, whose united salaries amount to £6,468 per annum.: The letter-carriers and sorters are 178 in number, comprising 20 first-class men, receiving from 31s. to 355. each Per week ; 23 of . the second class, at 7 fro of the fourth m 265. to 30s. • 46 atof the third class, at from 2 2 5. to 25 5. ; 8 class, from 18s. to 21s. ; ten temporary sorters, at 18s.; and one extra letter-carrier, at 17s. 6d. The annual amount p a y able to the letter-carriers (92 in number) is £4,902. The wages of 13 rural letter-carriers amount to £203 per annum, and there are 86 messengers, stampers, and porters, whose wages amount, in the aggregate, to £5,563. 58 sub-postmasters ,and receivers, la connexion with the principal office in Liverpool, receive salaries amounting to £522 ; and there are two letter-carriers at sub-offices receiving 10s. each per week. The total amount te.quired for the expences of yearshe postoce establishment in Liverpool for the ensuing is estimated at R 20,1920. MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. AT THE THEATRE ROYAL, Mr. Copeland has seen fit to withdraw the pantomime, and to woo the attendance of regular playgoers by a revival of the legitimate drama. To carry this intention into effect, he has secured the aid of Mr. Barry Sul livan, whose histrionic merits have long insured him very general favour with the Liverp:ll connoisseurs, as they have also won for him the admiration of other auditories of refine ment. During the past week he has appeared on the Liver pool boards in the characters of Sir Giles Cverreach, Don Ccesar de Bazan, Richelieu, Hamlet, King Lear, and The Stranger, a wonderfully diversified range of parts for one actor in one week. In all of these he was, at least, respectable, and, in some of them, great. His impersonation of the mystic Prince of Denmark was attractive and ingenious, and his read ing of the part displayed no small amount of well-directed study, The character is, iu all respects, a difficult one to ren der effectively before an audience, but in its representation Mr. Sullivan was, in a high degree, successful. Lear, a cha racter of equal difficulty, though more startling in its peculi arities than Hamlet, Mr. Sullivan played with good taste, and a fair appreciation of his author. The hurricane bursts of passion, which, from time to time, rend the mental texture of the " foolish fond old man," were shot forth with great energy, and told well with the house. His declamation seemed, in some instances, rather formal and scholastic, yet, on the whole, his performance was such as to merit warm applause. Last night he appeared for the second time as Richelieu, and enacted the wily, proud, old statesman with great judgment and ability. To-night he re-appears in Hamlet, and to-mor row Shakespeare's celebrated tragedy of "Macbeth" is to be produced with entirely new stage effects. The original vocal music is to be retained, but re-arranged by Mr. T. G. Reed: the instrumental music to be arranged expressly for the revival by Mr. E. Fitzwilliam. New scenery and costumes have been designed and executed, together with appropriate machinery, and, in short, every effort has been made to render the revival attractive and interesting. The character of Macbeth will be sustained by Mr. Barry Sullivan ; and, that of Ludy Macbeth by-Mrs. Vickery, from the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane, who will make her first appearance in Liverpool on this occasion. AT THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE the equestrian company from the Cirque Imperiale de France continues nightly to draw crowds of admiring spectators. The feats of graceful performances by the male and female equestrians excite the most lively admiration, while the tight rope and other displays are received with equal satisfaction and applause. THE British and North Americam Royal Mail steam-ship America sailed hence for Boston on Saturday, with 104 passen- -- gers and a large cargo, besides the usual inail. - AcusraLLlAN MAILS.—The sailing ship Kent, Capt. Cole man, left Plymouth Sound on Saturday morning at eight o'clock, and the screw steam-ship 'Royal Charter, Captain Boyce, in the afternoon, at four o'clock, both for Port Phillip wind easterly ; fine breeze. • DITICE OF LANCASTER'S OWN RIFLES.—The recruiting for 'this distinguished corps is - going on most favourably. Captain Littledale has sent to head-quarters during the last fortnight seventy-three fine young fellows : he is ably assisted by an efficient staff of sergeants and men, and the vacancies caused 'by the volunteering into the line will soon be filled,up. Able bodied men should lose no time in making application to Ser- geant Neal. THE other day, at the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Station, in Southport, a man .was taking a hamper from the cart which contained sixteen live rabbits, when the bottom came out of the hamper, and 'the rabbits scampered away in all directions. Many of them got into the goods department. Two dogs were employed, and a chase ensued, which, after an hour's hunting, ended in the rabbits being recovered.—Pres ton Chronicle. SIMPLICITY.—On Thursday, at the Liverpool Police-court, John Wilson, aged 25, on Shaw's-brow, timidly ap proached the desk of the magistrate's clerk, and, presenting a document printed and worded like a summons, asked when his case would come on. Taking up the paper, Mr. Garnett read it aloud, to the amusement of the court. - It was dated from the Court of Hymen, signed " I. Lovewell," justice of the peace, and commanded "John M. Wilson" to appear at the said Court of Hymen to answer a charge of "having wilfully, feloniously, and designedly waylaid and entrapped, and having violently and feloniously assaulted and stolen from the plain tiff in this cause a heart," &c., and cautioned him not to fail, under the penalty of being tarred and feathered. Mr. Garnett asked the defendant what he had to say to the charge, to which he replied that he slid not know, as he was unable to under stand one-half of it. Mr. Garnett then informed him that the case did not come under the jurisdiction of the magistrates, and he left the court a happier if not a wiser man. HOBE AND ANOTHER v. WCARTHY.—At the Liverpool County Court, on Thursday, Messrs. Hore and Co., passenger agents, sued Mr. John WCarthy, provision and ship-store dealer, New Quay. 'The action was to recover £l5, the value of certain surplus gores taken from the plaintiffs' ship North; ern Belle, by defendant's agent, at New York. In September last the plaintiffs were sending out passengers, and gave the defendant an order to supply those passengers (forty-one in number) with provisions for seventy days, that being the time which the act of ~Parliament required the-ship to be supplied for. The order was supplied, and the defendant sent in a bill charging at the rate of 25s per head for the forty-one passen gers. The vesselfmade a very rapid voyage, and upon her ar rival at New York the defendant's agent there took possession of the surplus stores, which he sold off, and retained the pro ceeds, rendering .an account of the sales to his principal here. It was to recover'the value of these stores that the action was brought. Verdict for the plaintiffs for the full amount. SELECT VESTRY.—The Rev. Rector Campbell presided at the fortnighly meeting on Tuesday, when Mr. Woodruff called the attention of the board to a subjeet, , ef - great importance. The board, he said, would be aware that within tha last few days the government had introduced -T. bill into parliament, the object of which was to do away, tow certain extent, with the town dues of Liverpool. They would also be aware that, as the bill was introduced by the government, it would require no ordinary effort to get rid of such an objectionable and unjust measure. He :had consulted 'the. Rector on the subject, and they bad arrived'at the'conclusion that the subject was of importance to the parish as to justify the board in taking active steps in the matter. They proposed to place themselves in communication with the Mayor, and 'to call a future meet ing of the board, with the object of seeing what steps should be taken in reference to the matter ; and he hoped whatever course they might adopt would meet with the approval of the committee. The-proceedings of the Finance Committee con tained a letter from the Poor-law Board, asking whether the surcharge of EN. Ss. 4d., made upon Mr. Bradley by the auditor, had yet. been paid. Upon this resolution the com mittee resolved, as their opinion, that the question was one which should lte?takeri up by the general board, and dealt with, instead of being allowed to remain exclusively upon one member. Aftersome conversation had taken place on the sub ject, tne Chairman expressed an opinion that the resolution, if, passed as it stood on the books of the Financecommittee, would compromise the whole board, and he suggested that a resolu ' tion should be come to that the board petition the Poor-law Board at once on the subject of the overcharge. Mr. Bradley said this was all he wanted. The original resolution come to by the committee was withdrawn, and a resolution, that the Vestry petition the Poor-law Board on the subject, was unanimously agreed to. PROPOSED NEW IiARRET.—On Friday, a meeting of the , inhabitants of the north end of the town was held, at the house of Mr. Banbury, Oldhall-street, to memorialise the town council to build :a market on the siteof the old Borough Gaol, instead of disposing of the land , by auction. Mr. McGuffie, who presided,- said he wished it to be clearly under stood that he did not identify himself with any of the resolu tions that might be adopted, or pledge himself to anything that might transpire. lie thought it necessary to say so, from the position he held as w councillor, and as one of the markets committee, before whom , the resolutions adopted at that meet ing might ultimately have to come. Mr.Brumfitt acted as secretary.—ln answer to the chairman,' Mr. Brumfitt said he had sent circulars to many of the residents in the north-west side of the town, though not to Vauxhall or Scotland wards. — The chairman said he hoped there were parties there from the neighbourhood of Pownall-square ; and he asked if there were, but no one replied.—As Mr. Murdoch was about to be called upon to move the first resolution, Mr. Thompson rose and said, before any further business was entered upon, tit would only be fair to adjourn the meeting, to enable them "to get the attendance of parties from every ward. It would not be fair to hold a meeting in which the two wards 'mentioned had not a voice. There was plenty of time. The finance committee met every Friday; so he begged leave to move that they adjourn to next Wednesday evening, at half-past seven, and in else meantime to properly advertiseit.—Mr. Councillor Godfrey seconded the 'motion, as it was only fair to give every one a thane.—Mr. Murdoch supported the motion.—Mr. Edward Pafford was sorry to see Mr. Thompson and Mr. Godfrey, who were so much interested in the borough gaol, take part in the proceedings. It would look,very much better to leave it in other gentlemen's hands.—Mr. John Bunbury was pro ceedingto comment upon the proposed new market, and stated thatthe new meeting had been called .by two or threegentle men attire north end, who were not individually interested, — when ,the chairman called him to order.--A gentleman re marked, it would be a pity to let that meeting pass without discussing .a little . = the subject. Oa the motion being put, it was unanimously adopted, and the meeting separated. ROBBEET are £l6O BY A TICKET.OT-LEANE MAN.—The ship Rangoon, Captain Huskins, arrived 'in the Mersey .on Wednesday, from Madras, bringing as a prisoner from that place a modern Jack Sheppard, named Thomas Jones, who was arrested in Madras on the charge of having stolen 146 sovereigns, 25k dollars, and a diamond ring of the value of £lO, the moneys and property of Captain L. O. Legg, of the British ship Berkshire, while lying in the French port of Pondicherry, in the East Indies. The history of the prisoner is remarkable, and worthy of record. He is a young man, about twenty-eight years of age, about five feet six inches in height, slender make and rather gentlemanly in appear ance. His travels in the East having exposed 'him 'to the effects of a tropical sun, his skin is considerably bronzed, giving him the aspect of a foreigner. It appears that he is a native of Liverpool, and that, some six years ago, he _was . tried at the assizes, and sentenced to ten years' transportation, for the crime of burglary. Having served the greatest portion of the time in a penal settlement, he appears to have obtained a ticket of leave ; but nothing was . known or heard of him by the authdrities until the 21th of August last, on which date be was found doing duty as a seaman on board the. English ship Berkshire, Captain Legg, at the port of Pondicherry. On ' the night of the same day, Jones was found wanting, and subsequently is was discovered that the captain's desk had been broken open, and about £l6O and a diamond ring stolen. Some short time afterwards the prisoner turned up at Madras, where he was apprehended in October, on the above charge, by Mr. Elliott, the chief superintendent of police at that place. He was then put on board the Rangoon for conveyance to England, and arrived here as above-stated.. Detective Carlisle took charge of him on being landed, and escorted him to bridewell that evening. He appeared to be perfectly acquainted with that establishment, and solicited the favour of being located at No. 12 cell for the night. In conversation with Mr. Campbell, the bridewell-keeper, the prisoner spoke in familiar terms of the town, the bridewell, &c., and said that' he had been perfectly well acquainted with the late stipendiary magistrate, having been in his company on several occasions:--the last time he had that honour was particularly impressed upon his memory, seeing that that gentleman committed him for trial. On Thursday, he was brought before the magistrates, but no evidence was gone into, Mr. Superintendent Clough having stated that he had received a communication from a solicitor in London, saying that the prisoner would be tried in the metropolis. He was consequently handed over to the particu lar care of the police, for the purpose of being conveyed to London, THE LIVERPOOL , STANDARD. COMMERCIAL and MONETARY NEWV. MONDAY NIGHT. ME Public Funds maintained the high value whi6 they have recently attained, and even graduall3 advanced, until Friday morning, when several!sales of Stock caused a slight reaction, and the publication, shortly afterwaxds, of the following letter from the, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announcing the inten tion of the Government to contract another loan, created a kind of panic, the decline being almost two per cent., while the subsequent reaction has been but trifling : Downing-street, Thursday Evening. Gentlemen,—l request that you will make it known in the usual manner that, on Monday next, the 18th instant, at one o'clock, Lord Palmerston and I will be ready to see any gentle men who will be willing to contract for a loan for the public service,,in order that - we may afford them information as to the amount of the loan, and the time and Manner of bidding. Lord Palmerston and I will, at the same.time, Communicate to the gentlemen present the conditions upon which we shall be prepared to receive offers for funding a portion of the Exchequer Bills now outstanding. I hope it will be convenient to you to meet those gentlemen, at the Treasury, at the hour named. G. C. Lzwis. To the Governor ant Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England. It will be observed that nothing is said as to the *mount proposed to be borrowed, but it is believed that the loan will be for Twenty Millions, and the amount of Exchequer Bills to be funded Nine Millions. On the other hand, however, it has been asserted that the sum at present required will be much smaller, leaving further arrangements until after the termina tion of the Peace Conferences. - Money ,for, commercial purposes has been in active demand, and as the announcement of the 'Chancellor of the Exchequer renders necessary a provision for the first instalnient of the projected loan, the supply has been inadequate. The rates of discounts have con sequently increased, but as the fullest confidence is felt in the result of the pending negotiations for peace, the tone of public feeling continues satisfactory. The Bank Returns published on Friday show a decrease in the stock of Bullion of £92,157, but as there is .at the same time a decrease in the actual cir culation of £317,260, the reserve of notes unemployed has increased to the extent of £192,515, making a total surplus under this head of £5,601,500. Amongst the other changes may be noticed a decrease in." Other Securities" of £348,068, and also in Private Deposits of £758,002. The Corn-markets during the week have shown a 'continuance of the recent decline, there being an evident disinclination to purchase for more than immediate necessities in the face of large supplies Which may reasonably be expected, and the diminished, consumption owing to the 'long`continuances of high prices. There can be little doubt that the conclusion of terms of peace will tend materially to augment importations from the Black Sea, and the disengage ment of shipping from the transport service will also lead to increased supplies from the American continent, which have only been kept back from scarcity of freights. The quantity remaining of home-growth is also very large, and as falling markets will probabli induce holders to realise, we may anticipate further reductions in price. The receipts of specie during the week amounted tb about £569,000 by 'the West India mail steamer. The exports are estimated at £200,000, With - respect to probable receipts, the Times of to-day, in its ‘City article, says : Large arrivals of specie are known to be on their way to this country. The James Baines, from Melbourne, which is expected:to bring £400,000 or £500,000, is overdue, since, sup posing she sailed at her appointed time—the 25th of Novem ber— she has now been 83 days out. According to the last advices from Panama, Her Majesty's ship Brisk was en route for England with £360,000. The letters from New York lead to the belief that some moderate amounts will, probably, in future arrive thence 'by each packet, while at Alexandria the rate of exchange has taken a turn which will suspend the transmission of gold from this country to Egypt. At all the continental cities'likewise the changes have a-firm appearance. Oh' the other hand, remittances at the rate of et least £lOO,OOO a-week are expected to be made to Constantinople during a considerable period on account of the Turkish Loan, and until peace be' absolutely concluded the demands for the British Commissariat will still continue heavy. The return from the Bank of England for the week ending the 9th February gives the , following results, when compared with the previous week.: — Public Deposits ... £3,683,327 ; Decrease ... £99,552 Other Deposits ... 13,049,256; Decrease ... 758,002 Rest ... ... 3,492,520; Increase ... 82,438 On :the other side of the account: — Government Securities £11,422,361 ;.Decrease... £670,000 OtherSecnrities ...... 17,868,429 ; Decrease... 348,068 Notes unemployed The amount of notes in circulation is £18,803,375, being a-decrease of X 317,260, and the stock of bullion in both departments is £10,613,719, showing a decrease of £92,157 .when compared with the preceding return. ISSUE DEPdRT3IENT. Notes issued ... £24,407,875 Govermut. Debt £11,015,100 ,Other Securities 3,459,900 Goldeoin & bull'n. 9,932,875 ' Silver bullion ... 24,407,875 £24,407,876 ANKING DEPARTMENT. Prop. Capital ... £14,553,0001G0v. Securities £11,422,361 Rest - 3,492,520 Other Securities 17,868,429 Public Deposits 3,683,327 Notes ... 5,604,600 Other Deposits 13,049,256 Gold*Silver Coin 680,844 '7 -day & other bills 798,031 £35;576,1341 £35,576,134. Ix our SIIARE .MARKET the 'late advance has been I well supported, and at the settlement just past stock was more scarce. than the dealers,anticipated, and, con sequently, contangoes declined as the settlenient pro gressed. The unexpected announcement of the loan on 'Friday caused-a sudden and rapid decline of about 1 per cent.; yet from this, on Saturday, the market rallied considerably, and to-day is as high as before the promulgation of 'the loan, closing with a decided upward tendency. The London ,and North Western meeting takes place on Friday, at which it is expected the airectors will make such a statement as will re a.ssure.the public respecting this stock as an invest ment for capital. The Leeds meeting is expected to be .equally satisfactory. In our ;local stocks there is not much change. Banks are steady. Insurance shares quiet Royals, buyers at £4 15s. ; Fire and Life, sellers, £9. The meeting of this company passed off satisfac torily,:and a dividend ofplOs. per share, free of Income Tax, was declared.--rWe .annex this day's— Caledonian, 28 ; Great Northern A., 91 Lancashire and Yorkshire, 81 4 82 I- 4. ; . London and North Western, 1004 1014 1' • Midland, 762 • North Eastern., Berwick capital stock, 19.; South 'Eastern, 191 ; Dutch Rhenish, 4p; ditto new shares, 24p ; Great Western of Canada, 264. ,Corrox.—The trade has been very 'buoyant during the week, there having been large purchases from the trade as well as on speculation, and prices have advanced fully 3-16 d. per lb. on middling, and from Sd. to 4d. on fair qualities. The sales for the week up to Friday reached 92,070 bales, of which 27,530 were taken on speculation, -and 9,440: for export, leaving 55,100 for the trade. To-DAY the sales were 10,000 bales, in cluding 4,000 for speculation and export, and the market closed firmly. The following is a comparison of present rates with those of the corresponding period last year : 1855 1856 5A- 6 51 61. New Orleans, im l iddling air Upland, middling „ fair ::: 5' .5 ... 51 6; SALES. DrscretrTioN. P It I C E 6. Week Previ ;ending onsly IMPORTS. STOCK Week This ending y d .., Feb.ls Feb. 15.1 Sea Island Stained Boweds New Orleans_ Bal►ia, &C. Marankam Deinerara.&c• • • Egyptian. C0m.W.1.&c... Surat Madras... , • . • . Bengal Ikeb.li. chia yi.l 8 G 34 600 3660 4/ 8 60. 280 4/ 7 16950' 82520 5 64 11660: 26880 4/ 7 I 40540 136020 6 GI: 1453 1 . 6790 51 6/i 2850' +440 6 6/I 910 4 110 210 51 10 I 2993 15390 - - 630' 1590 24 5 12650 57020 31 4f f 760 280 114691 69697 JJ 264130 155612 , 195784' • 6449, 20250 3653 6669 18810 1751, 18520 •• • 1 620 7808, 38420 2824, 1411 1850 ) 2465 19675: 47250 140 92070 339350' 79243 309244 409990 PRODUCE.—There has been a fair demand for Sugar both for export and home - consumption, which has been firmly. Jnet at a decline of 6d to is per cwt. In Coffee a very limited bnsiness without change in value. Of Tea common qualities are rather lower, but better kinds, both green and black, in fair demand. No improvement in .Rice. and prices 6d per cwt, lower. Run very dull. For Palm Oil lower prices have been taken. Tallow dull ; Petersburg, Y.C., in small parcels, at 58s to 59s per cwt. To-DAY we had more business doing in Sugar, especially in foreign kinds for export, the transactions, including Saturday's sales, comprising 90 hhds. 200 brls. Demerara at 35s to 365, and at 39s 6d to 425, for grainy ; 800 mats 'Mauritius at 36s 6d ; 550 bags grainy:. Bengal at 39s to 40s ; 500 bags Dates, price not reported ;- 275 bags Madras, all faults, at 30s to 30s 6d ; -110 hhds. Porto Rico at 35s 6d ; 850 boxes Havannah chiefly at 24s to 25s 6d ; and 4,100 bags Braill from 20s to 21s per cwt in bond. Nothing has transpired in Molasses; Rum, or Coffee. 50 bags Guayaquil Cocoa are reported at 47s per cwt. There has not been niuch passing in Tea, but a plenti ful assortment • - of all kinds is upon show ; common' Congou is not offered under 9d‘ per lb., but at this price there are few buyers. 1,100 bags Bengal Rice have found sale at lOs 3d for good broken, and lls 3d to lls 9d per cwt. for middling white ; also 200 bags Saltpetre at 33s 6d per cwt. for 31 per cent. refraction. We have also to report 80 bags Pimento, all faults, at 4d to 48d ; 100 bags white Pepper at 7ld per lb. ; and 300 tons Jamaica Logwood, to arrive, (to be taken with all faults) at £6 17s 6d per ton. WooL.—ln anticipation of the large public sales just commenced in London, our market has been rather quiet during the past week, and the report that they have opened very briskly, at an advance of 12d. per lb., upon fine wools, has increased the tone of this market ; the low Wool sales have not yet com menced, and from the very light stocks, both here and in London, some improvement is anticipated in these sorts also. In Egyptians, Turkey, Smyrna, &c., there has been but little doing since our last ; some few sales of Donskoi have been made, but wiihout any improvement in prices. Imports for the week 326 Bales, Portugal ; 306, Meditteranean ; 121, East india ; 5, Buenos Ayres; and 15, Irish :—Total, '773 bales. METALS.—There has been a considerable decline in the value of Scotch Pig Iron since our last; and the latest quotations are 66s per ton cash for store warrants 'f.o.b. at Glasgow. Manufactured Iron is in gobd 'demand, without change in price.- In other metals there is not much doing, and no alteration in value. SERIOUS EMBEZZLEMENT. — On Tuesday last a confidential clerk, named Robert Wilson, in the employ of Messrs. Brock ,lebank and Co., the , extensive merchants of this port,: ab- Isconded, taking with him a large sum of money belonging to his employers. The following description has been issued by the police, coupled with the offer, of a reward of £2OO to any who will give such information as will lead to the ap prehension and conviction of the offender :—" Wilson is about 54 years of age, about 5 feet 3 or 4 inches high, stiff, made, sallow complexion, dark hair and large whiskers, rather flat full face, has a serious thoughtful appearance. Walks very steadily, with his arms, which are rather long, close by his sides. Usually dresses carefully, although clothes much worn ; had on when last seen a black dress coat, long in the skirts, gray mixture trousers, and Blucher boots or shoes; generally a coloured neckerchief, which is loosely tied; hat, which looks large; has altogether a very respectable appearance. A native of Whitehaven. He is well known at Monks' Ferry and Woodside, and lately resided at Thornton, near the Spital Statiou, ou the Chester Railway." A FUGITIVE SLAVE IN LIVERPOOL — The American ship Asterion, Captain Day, which arrived in the Mersey on Satur day, brought a slave woman, under rather peculiar circum stances. It appears that, while the ship was loading in New Orleans, the woman made her escape, whereupon her master offered a reward of five hundred dollars to any one who would restore to him his " property." The police, as is usual in such cases, made strict search throughout the city and on board the vessels in the' harbour, but she eluded their vigilance, and found a friend in the ship's boatswain, who secretly conveyed her on board, and kept her in his berth during the whole of the passage, which occupied about twenty-five days. The strangest part of the affair is, that, with the exception of her liberator, her presence in the ship was unknown to the cap tain, officers and crew. When the vessel anchored in the Mersey, the custom-house officers went on board, and, while one of them was rummaging in the boatswain's berth, he found her concealed amongst the hodclothes. He brought her upon deck, and she was afterwards removed ashore, and taken to Queen-street. She is a mulatto, about twenty or twenty-five years of age, was tidily attired, and appeared to have been well treated during the voyage. INSTITUTION FOR THE TRAINING OF NURSES. — The first annual meeting of this institution was held at the establish ment, Slater-street, on Friday, Mr. E. Cropper presiding. The report stated that six nurses now in the house had passed their probation, and two others had been engaged to enter it. A considerable number of patients had been assisted gratuit ously, and the number attended for small fees was as large as could be expected, the nurses being at home scarcely two days together. The demand, in fact, had been greater than the iistitution could supply. An urgent appeal was made by the committee for increased support, and the document closed • with a number of testiolonials to the efficiency of various nurses supplied by the establishment. The treasurer, Mr. J. Cropper, read the statement of accounts, which showed that the expenses during the year had been upwards of £2OO. The ftrnisbing of the house had cost £141; housekeeping, £35 18s. ed. ; salaries, £5O. 14s. •8(1 ; rent and taxes, 06135. 9d. ; printing, £lO 4s. 9d. The donations had been £226 ; the subscriptions £4B ; nurses' earnings during eight months, £4B es. The treasurer rernaeked that, if they could mintain nine good nurses, the institution would be self-sup sorting. On the proposition of the Rev. Mr. Howson, seconded by the Rev. Dr. M'Neile, the report and statement of accounts mere adopted. ENGLISH AND IRISH MAGNETFC TELBGRAPH COMPANY. — rile annual meeting of shareholders in this company was held yesterday in the Clarendon-rooms, Mr. Harrison in the chair. From the report and accounts read and adopted, it appeared that the receipts for the half-year ending 31st December, 1855, had amounted to £29,259 10s. 441. ; and that the total charges during the same period were £19,198 3s. Bd., leaving a sum of £10,162 6s. 10d. available for dividend, which would be paid at the rate of four •per cent. per annum. Among - the items of receipt there were £16,589 10s. sd. for messages, news, royalty, and rents ; and the items of expenditure con tained £1,042 15s. for the maintenance of apparatus and wages of workmen. The sum of £5279 18s. Bd. had likewise `been expended in salaries, stations, offices, and wages.—The chairman, in moving the adoption -of the report, said if the "income continued toincrease asst hacklone for the last half-year they would be able to declare a dividend of 6 per cent. next year. Mr. McDonald, accountant 'to the company, was ap pointed an auditor, in room of Mr. Busby, who had died. The following gentlemen were appointed directors, vlz. : Messrs. T. D. Hornby, Langton, Barton, McDonald, and Barton; after which the meeting separated. LETT V. MARTINDALE.—This was -an action brought in the Court of Common Pleas, on Saturday, by the plaintiff, a gentleman residing in Cumberland, to recover the sum of £2,010, alleged to have been received`by the defendant, a cot ton broker, at Liverpool, under circumstances which would not entitle the plaintiff to retain the money. It appeared from the .evidence of Mr. Lett that in the month of September, 1855, he was desirous of investing the sum of £2,000 iu the purchase of a bond of the West Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company. He accordingly communicated with a stockbroker. at Liver pool, Mr. Gladdowes, to whom he remitted by a letter of credit the sum of £2,010, being £2,000, the purchase price of the bond, and £lO for the broker's commission. Subsequently, I learing that the bond had not been taken up, he made in -quiries, and found that the money forwarded by him to Mr. Gladdowes had found its way into the hands of the defendant .under the following somewhat peculiar ,circumstances :—lt appeared that the defendant was very intimate with the stock broker, Mr. Gladdowes, and was acquainted with all his money transactions, and, among other matters, he was aware ithat the letter of credit in question was expected. From the evidence of Mr. Flint, the clerk of Mr. Gladdowes, it . appeared that the defendant requested him not to let the money be applied in any way without his knowledge. Upon .the morning of its arrival the defendant went to Gladdowes and informed him that he had to pay £2,000 for some cotton that day, and that he would be a severe loser if he did not .have the money. Mr. Gladdowee, hesitated for a considerable time about such an appropriation of the money ; but, upon the solemn assurance of the defendant that he would return it in the course of the day, Mr. Gladdowes endorsed the letter of credit, and, accompanied by the defendant, went to the bank and received the money, the whole of which he placed in the hands of the defendant, who, however, handed Mr. Gladdowes £lO, saying that was for his commission, and that he (the defendant) only wanted £2,000. In the afternoon of the same day the defendant sent for Mr. Gladdowes, and said that he wished to settle the money matters which they had between them,,and placed upon the table the sum of £52 2s. 7d., which he alleged to be the balance due to Mr. Gladdowes. The latter gentleman was much surprised and alarmed, and at first re fused to take the balance, but subsequently did so, and found it necessary to leave Liverpool for a time.—The defendant's counsel admitted the facts as above stated, but contended that there was no privity between the defendant and the plaintiff, and that, at most, it was only a case where an agent had mis applied his principal's money.—The Lord Chief Justice directed the jury to find their verdict for the plaintiff, but reserved leave to the,defendant to raise the point at law hereafter, if so advised, upon his bringing the money into court, or giving security within a week.—Verdict accordingly. CAPTURE 0•F A GANG OF BURGLARS.- - During the past few months many daring burglaries have been committed in the neighbourhood of Barnsley, and loud have been the com plaints of the inhabitants at the burglars so long escaping detection. Police,constables and night watchmen have been appointed, but to no avail. On Monday, however, a gang of burglars was cleverly broken in upon and captured at Hoyle Mill, a little hamlet almost a mile from Barnsley, with part of the booty of the burglary committed at Thurnseoe, at the residence of the Rev. Thomas Wood Simpson, the rector (in which plate to a considerable amount was stolen), in their possession. Arrangements having been made between Super intendent Green, of Barnsley, and Mr. 'White, of Bolton, to capture the gang, on Monday evening about six o'clock, Mr. Green, assisted by constables White and Hirst, proceeded to Hoyle Mill, to the dwelling of a fellow of suspicious character, named William Bonson. After taking a rapid survey of the premises and making a search in the outbuildings, they found two large dishcovers concealed in a pigstye close by. With these White was left in charge, and Mr. Green and Hirst went towards the house. The outer door leading into the front room they found open, and they entered very cautiously ; and, on looking through a crevice of the door into the inner room, they could see four men engaged in breaking up something resembling the stolen articles. Mr. Green tried to open the door, and, on finding it fastened, burst it open and surprised the burglars in the act of breaking up the silver plate, which they were doing with hatchets and other instruments, having on the table a file and a bottle containing aquafortis, with which they were testing the metal. The burglars, on finding their retreat thus unexpectedly discovered, appeared thunder struck, and exclaimed, 'By - ! there's Green," and soon began to make preparations for escaping. At first they scarcely knew how to act; but, after a moment's pause, they set upon Mr. Green and his assistant, and a most desperate struggle ensued, and finally two of the burglars threw up one of the windows and made off. White, on hearing the struggle, was coming towards the house, and on perceiving the two men jump from the window, pursued them, and succeeded in cap turing one of them, named William Bonson, on the turnpike road, about 200 yards from the house. In the pursuit Bonson had thrown off his shoulders a bag containing some silver dishes, and other valuable portions of the property. This White secured; and, after a desperate struggle, succeeded in overpowering the burglar, and brought him back to the house. Mr. Green and Hirst had also, after a severe conflict, in which they had received • some heavy kicks and blows, succeeded in overpowering and handcuffing the other two men. The pre- Ulises were then searched, when a large portion of the booty in Mr. Simpson's robbery. was discovered, among which were two electroplated dish covers, two silver dishes, two silver de canter stands, `one pair of sugar tongs, nutcrackers, 11 dozen of. plated dessert knives and forks ; grape scissors, a piece of beef, mutton, cheese, and sugar, nearly the whole of which has since been identified by Mr. Simpson as his property. All these were taken possession of by the officers, and the prisoners were conveyed to Barnsley, and lodged in gaol.--21fanchestei 'Guardian. LATEST NEWS. BERLIN, Feb. 13, The health of the Empress Dowager of Russia causes some apprehension. One hundred brass guns from Kars have been placed at Tiflis in Alexander-square. General Williams is unwe-- THE PEACE CONFERENCES. PARIS, Feb.l7. Lord Clarendon and Lord Cowley arrived yesterday evening at Paris. To-day, at two o'clock, Lord Clarendon was received in a prii;-ate audience by the Emperor. Count Buol, the Austrian plenipotentiary, arrived at Paris during the night. The Conferences will probably open on Saturday. Baron Manderstrom, the Swedish minister, arrived at Paris to-day from Vienna, THE CRIMEA. 111.tusEILLEs, Feb. 16. The Jourdain has arrived with o.dvices from Constantinople of the 7th, and from the Crimea of the sth instant. • On the 4th instant the French blew up Fort St. Nicholas, at Sebastopol, with complete success. TURKISH REFORM BILL. • Telegraphic advices from Trieste, state that the Sultan has sanctioned the new Turkish Reform Bill, containing twenty one points ; among which are :—" Abolition of punishment on account of change of religion; admission of Christians to state offices, military honours, and representation in Council of State ; Bank credit for commerce ; and reform of currency." ALLEGED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE. The Paris correspondent of the 'Post writes ---" There are two false statements - which have gone - the round of the conti nental press. It has been stated that the' governments of France and England are not agreed on the questions to be mooted at the congress. Such is not the case. If there be any difference whatever between the two cabinets, it is simply reduced to this : the Emperor's advisers were addressed in the first instance by Austria, and the ultimatum came through Paris. Her Majesty's government then agreed with that of the Emperor on what terms the interests of Europe could be secured against the designs of Russia. Hitherto the action of the allies—that is, France and England—has been perfectly unanimous ; and if the envoys exercise the same union and decision which has hitherto characterized the proceedings of their respective governments, there can be no doubt as to re sults. I beg to draw your attention to this assertion, because the enemies of the Anglo-French alliance are singularly active just now in promulgating mysterious assertions." [BY ELECTRIC & INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPHS.] LONDON, Monday Night. DEATH OF THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. The Duke of Norfolk died this morning -, at Arundel Castle. By his death a Knighthood of the Garter becomes vacant. SERIOUS ILLNESS OF MR. SERGEANT WILKINS. Sergeant Wilkins was seized with illness in the Court of Common Pleas to-day, and was removed to his chambers. His state is reported as serious, spasmodic affection of the chest being the cause of illness. - THE NEW LOAN. The new loan is to be for the sum of £3,000,000. For every £lOO subscribed in money the contractor is to receive 3 per cent. consolidated annuities ; and the biddings to be made in such annuities. Interest to commence on the sth of January. The loan will be made in five instalments. The instalments are payable as follows : February 26th, Deposit of 20 per cent. March 13th, Payment of 25 „ 29th, „ 25 „ April 10th, „ 15 „ 52 24th, 15 „ The funding of Exchequer bills will amount to £3,000,000 sterling. Several questions were asked, in reply to which the Chancellor said that the preference would be given to one bidding for each operation ; for every hundred pounds of Exchequer bills, £lOO 6s. stock will be given • the amount of Exchequer bills at present out is £23,000,000 sterling. No discount will be made for payments in advance. After some discussion the meeting separated. THE BALTIC FLEET. APPOINTMENTS. Rear-Admiral Richard Dundas, to be Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic Fleet. Captain the Hon. Frederick Pelham, to be Captain of the Fleet in the Baltic. Rear-Admiral Baynes to hoist his flag on service in the Baltic Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour to be Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies. LOSS OF THE POLYPHEMUS . STEAM FRIGATE. The Admiralty has received the following from H.M. Con sul-general at Hamburg : " I have great satisfaction in reporting that the Quarter master, Samuel Fletcher, and 15 seamen of the late Polyphe mus ship, who were in the two boats, have been saved by a Danish vessel, and have just arrived from Hgerting. They will go in charge of the chief engineer, Mr. Wood, with the other men, to London." The Danish government have issued instructions to their postmasters to confiscate all letters not registered. The amount asked by the Danish government to capitalise the sound dues is 63,000,000 dollars. HOUSE OF LORDS• MONDAY. The Committee of Privileges sat to-day at 2 o'clock in the case of the Wensleydale peerage. Further evidence was handed in respecting old life patents. Lord LYNnnunsT inquired whether the Lord Chancellor •required any further searches. The LORD CHANCELLOR replied that no objection would be raised by him with regard to the searches, but he begged to state that he had on that morning received a letter from the Deputy-Keeper of the Rolls in Ireland, stating that there had been granted in that country a later peerage for life than any that had been laid before their lordships, and he might, of course, require the production of that patent. Lord LYNDHURST gave notice that at the next committee. he would move a resolution to the effect that, having con sidered the patent conferring a peerage for life on Sir James Parke, the committee were of opinion that such patent did not entitle the grantee to sit or vote iu parliament. The committee was adjourned till 6 o'clock on Friday, and their lordships having resumed, the sitting of the house was suspended till five o'clock. The house resumed at five o'clock. On the motion of Lord REDESDALE, a resolution was passed that no private bills be read a second time after the Bth of July. The EARL of ALBEMARLE presented a petition from the native and British merchants of Singapore, praying for protec tion against piracy in the Indian seas. The Vice-President of the Committee on Education Bill, the House of Commons Offices Bill, and the Metropolitan Police Bill passed through Committee. The house adjourned at 5.50 p.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY. The house met at four o'clock. Mr. Black took the oaths and his seat for Edinburgh. Mr. GiEsoN gave notice that, on Friday next, he should move a committee of the whole house, to obtain leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Oath of Abjuration. In reply to Mr. LUSRINGTON, Mr. LowE said a bill would shortly be brought into the House of Lords to establish a system of Agricultural Statistics. Mr. PEEL, in answer to Mr. LAYARD, stated that General Simpson had not recommended any list of officers for pro motion for distinguished services in the attack on the Redan ; and that the brevet rank granted for that service had been selected by the Commander-in-Chief from the list sent home by General Simpson, of officers who had been returned by the staff as having been engaged in that attack. COURT OF CHANCERY (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion for the second reading of the Court of Chancery (Ireland) Bill, which proposes to abolish the Encum bered Estates Court, and transfer its jurisdiction to the Courts of Chancery, Mr. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD, in a long speech, moved that the bill be read a second time this day six months, strongly objecting to any attempt to place, at one stroke, no fewer than 6,000 families in the Court of Chancery against their. will. Mr. POLLARD URQUIIA.RT seconded the amendment. Mr. DEASY supported the bill. Mr. McCANN expressed his intention to vote for the amendment. • Mr. ELLICE hoped the house would watch the progress of this measure with jealousy. Mr. WHITESIDE declared that it was impracticable for the Court of Chancery, either reformed or unreformed, to fulfil the duties imposed upon it by this bill, and he further op posed it as a gross job. Mr. SERJEANT O'BRIEN was decidedly in favour of the bill, because the Court of Chancery could give a parliamentary title to unencumbered as well as encumbered estates. Mr. GEORGE spoke in favour of the Encumbered Estates Court being continued until it had disposed of the business and petitions now before it, and of all new petitions after July next being addressed to the Court of Chancery, but he suggested that all the bills before the house relating to this subject should be referred to a select committee. Colonel DUNNE opposed the bill. Mr. BLAND approved of the bill. Mr. FERENC"( had not heard any reason sufficiently strong to induce him to vote against the second reading. Mr. M`Msuos opposed the measure. Mr. MALrics approved of portions of the bill, but dis approved of other parts of it. He urged that the bill before the house and the bill introduced by Mr. Whiteside should be referred to a select committee. Otherwise he would vote against the second reading. Mr. H. HERBERT supported the second reading. Mr. CAIRNS, as one of the persons on whose report the bill was founded, defended their recommenddaon, and would therefore vote for its second reading, 'because it proposed to carry out those recommendations. There were, however, some of the details of the bill which were at variance with the report ; and he trusted that, after the second reading, they would be referred to a select committee. Mr. G. BUTT objected to the bill, an d particularly to the provision which empowered th e L or d-Lieutenant to appoint the chief clerks. He trusted the bill would be referred to a select committee. Sir E. PERRY expressed his determination to support the bill. Mr. KENNEDY supported the proposition to send the several bills connected with the subject to a select committee, other wise he must vote against a second reading. Mr. P. O'BRIEN supported the second reading, and depre cated sending the bill to a select committee. Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD supported the bill, and defended the provision vesting the appointment of the chief clerks in the power of the Lord-Lieutenant. He agreed to refer the bill to a select committee, but objected to the other bills being also sent to that committee. Mr. NAPIER could not support the second reading. After a few words from Mr. BENTINCII, Mr. Dimini urged upon the Solicitor-General for Ireland the propriety of greeing to the proposition to send the bills to a select com mittee. Mr. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD having made a few remarks, Mr. J. D. FrrzastALD declined to send the other bills to a. select committee. The amendment was withdrawn, and the bill referred to a select committee. Tne Draina ze Advances Act Amendment Bill, the Turn— pike Trusts Bills, and Common Enclosure Bill, was read them second time. Report on supply received. Charitable Uses Bill passed through committee. On the motion of Sir G. GREY, a select committed was ap pointed to enquire in the present constitution of the Ecclesi astical Commission for England. Into the operation of the acts referring to it, and into the expediency of continuing the act for the Improvement of Episcopal and Capitular Estates in England, and of Consolidating the Church Building Com mission with the Ecclesiastical Commission. Select com mittees were appointed on the Formation of Parishes Bill, and the Public Prosecutors' Bill. The house adjourned at 12.30 a.m. THE FUNDS, STOCK, AND SHARE MARKET. From the confident statements circulated this morning,_ that the loan would not be one-half of the amount previously anticipated, English Funds opened a per cent. higher, but were subsequently disturbed by a pressure of money sales. At 10 45, however, the terms of the loan were announced, and Consols rapidly rose 4 per cent., touching 912, but from the suddenness of the advance the highest price was not sup ported. The bidding for the loan takes place on Friday next, at 10 a.m. Railways have shown increased activity, and the principal Stocks a marked advance. Land, Bank, and Foreign Stocks participate in the improvement. _ - CLOSING PRICES. Consols, Account 9l* *'Bank Stock 212 14 Do. Money 9Ol 1 Exqr. Bills, L. 5.... 2 dis. 2 pm. Three per Cents. 93it 4 Mexicans.... Russian .... Do. .... Canada Land FOREIGN STOCKS. .... 213 i i Turkish 104 6 Do. (new). 92 4 Great West. Canada, 128 35 Do. (new) RAILWAY SHAKES. Ambergate,Nottingham, London, Brighton, and and E. 3 unction 4i i South Coast 97 8 Caledonian Do. Preference Eastern Counties East Lancashire - 7l 3 Lincolnshire Edinburgh & Glasgow.. 52 4 Midland Stock Great Northern 914 2i North British 29 30 Do. A. 76 7 Do. Preference 9B 100 Do. B. 123 5 North Staffordshire 7 64 Great Western Lanc.and Yorkshire Bl2 2.; York, Newcastle, and Do. Fifths — Berwick Leeds Northern 144 154 York and N. Midland.. 51 2 On 'Change, Tallow, 595. 6d. to 655.; for speculative con tracts, 535. to 545. middle of the year, and 51s. 6d. to 525. at the end of the year. Hemp, £33. Linseed Oil, 335. 6d. to 345. Scotch Pig Iron, 653. 6d. to 665. No particular sales in CAonial produce. . 1001 . 251 61- • Si i . 24i 5 LONDON CORN MARKET.—(From Kingsford and Lay's Cir.. cular.)—Supply of English 'Wheat moderate ; the condition is still bad, yet the whole was cleared out at an improvement of Is. to 2s. upon the prices of this day week. Old Foreign met a much more general, although retail enquiry, at the prices of last week, or about 2s. advance. But the demand was limited to finest sorts. Barley, Beans, and Hog Peas, bring last week's prices, but White Peas, 2s. cheaper. A fair demand for Oats, at an advance of 6d. per qr. In Flour little doing ; last week's rates are barely supported. ARRIVALS. English. Irish. Scotch. Foreurn Wheat 5167 23157 Barley 8569 30 Malt 10957 57 50 Oats isso .5240 22S 4265 Beans -- Peas — Flour 250 sks.4.; 25179 bris. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.—The supply of Beasts and Sheep being small, trade is better. Calves in demand.— Beef, 2s 8d to 4s 8d ; Mutton, 3s 8d to 5s ; Veal, 55 to Os ; Pork, 4s to ss. Beasts, 3,985 • Sheep and Lambs, 19,670; Calves, 33 ; Pigs, 205 . Arrivals :—Holland Beasts, 285 ; Sheep, 50 ; Calves, 11; Spanish Beasts, 315 ; Scotch Beasts, 451; Norfolk and Suffolk Beasts, 2,000 ; Cambridge, Leices ter, Lincoln, and Northampton Beasts, 100; Iris 4 oasts, 200. LONDON PRODUCE MARKET.—Sugar dull at p .u 5 rates. Coffee sells slowly, but is not cheaper. Rice : r • •1 sales and full terms. Cotton wanted and scarce. Rum aet;ve. COLONIAL WOOL SALES.—SaIes improving: Prices 2d. to 3d. above last series. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET.—Business has Alit beet tent brisk to-day, and prices continue to have a drooping teency, Some sales were made this forenoon at 665. for Mixed Num bers, although, at the close, rather a better feeling was mani fested. No. 1., G. M. 8., is quoted at 675. 6d. MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE.—Eastern Counties, 10 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 811 821 ; Midland, 801; Dovers, 191 7-16 1. LEEDS STOCK EXCHANGE.—North Eastern, Leeds, 15 1-16 Ditto, No. 1, 3,1 pm. ; Ditto, Berwick, £lB 18s. 6d. • Mid land, 691 ; Eastern Union, 8., 71 ; Lancashire and York shire, 82 ; Dovers, 191. BETTING AT TATTERSALL'S—Tins DAY: LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE.— 8 to 1 agst Sir Peter Laurie,. tk ; 9 to 1 agst Emigrant, tk ; 25 to 1 agst Jemmy the Black, tk ; 100 to 1 agst Minerva, tk ; 25 to 1 agst Jean du Quesne, tk ; 20 to 1 agst Seaman, tk ; 30 to 1 agst Potter, tk : 25 to 1 agst Free-trader, tk. GREAT METROPOLITAN.-15 to 1 agst Phyrra, tk. GREAT NORTHERN.-7 to 1 agst Fandango, tk. Livußrool, SPRING Cur.-9 to 1 agst Glimkel, tk; 9 to 1, agst Omar Pasha, tk. Two THOUSAND GUINEAS.-10 to 3 agst Yellow Jack, tk; 7 to 2 agst Fly-by-Night, had the call. CHESTER CT/P.-500 to 15 agst Courtenay, tk ; -15 to 1 agst Yellow Jack, tk ; 1,000 to 15 agst Cockatoo, tk. DERBY.-7 to 1 agst Wentworth ; 10 to 1 agst Fly-by- Night ; 8 to 1 agst Eglington, tk ; 15 to 1 agst Rogerthorpe, tk ; 100 to 10 agst Barbarian Colt, tk. MANCHESTER CHAMBER OP CoMMBRCB.—A few days before the departure of Lord Clarendon for Paris, the direc tors of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce sent a memo rial to his lordship, in which they referred to the gross and, culpable neglect of the interests of commerce at the Vienna conference of 1815, and expressed a hope that during the coming negotiations at Paris advantage would be taken by his lordship of any opportunity that might arise to increase the number of outlets for British commerce, and promote its interests in any other way. A reply, promising most careful consideration to the suggestion, has been received. PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS IN THE LIVERPOOL CUSTOMS.—Mr. James Griffin has been promoted from the second to the first-class of lockers ; Mr. James M. Hume from the third to the second-class; Mr. Robert .1. Russell from second-class weigher to be third-class locker ; Mr. Stephen. Corcoran, from the third-class to the second-class of weighers ; Mr. Henry Wright from the inspectorship of patrol to be tide surveyor; and Mr. David 31`Clure, tide-surveyor at Passagei. Waterford, to be tide-surveyor at this port. Mr. Henry Sathest has be promoted from boatman of the first-class to be tide-surveyff at Milford ; and Mr. John Gilliland, extra clerk, to be third clerk at Londonderry. ASSAULT.—Yesterday, James Quin, or James De Quin, whcr has opened an establishment in York-chambers, North John street, in which he professes to carry on business as a general merchant and commission agent, was charged before Mr. Mansfield with assaulting David Rose, a young man in the employment of Mr. Clegg, a tradesman of this town, from whom Quinn had obtained goods to the value of £5, but which 'Mr. Clegg was unable to obtain payment of. From the evi ence, it appeared that the lad had been sent repeatedly for i ., ayment of the account, but had been unable to obtain it. On riday last, when at the office of Quinn's, the latter assaulted • im, and struck him severely. The assault was clearly proved, and Quinn, who declared the whole was a conspiracy to ruin him, was ordered to pay a fine of 40s. and costs, or to be im prisoned one month. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Sunday week John Hardie, a joiner lodging with his brother-in-law in Victoria-street, Everton, in, passing along Boundary-place, slipped on a piece of orange peel, and fell backward, striking the back of his head against the projecting curb, and sustaining a severe injury of the upper part of the vertebra. He was found in a state of in sensibility, and removed first to the Bridewell and then to the Workhouse, where he recovered sufficiently to state who he was, and where he lodged. He was then suffering from paralysis. He was taken home, and surgical attendanc ee e thlrferom there , called in, but he continued to grow worse, and died on Friday morning. ' LIVERPOOL CUSTOM-HOUSE.—Appended to the estimates of the revenue departments for the financial year ending the 31st March, 1857, is an explanatory paper, setting forth in detail the salaries and allowances of the officers of Customs of the port of Liverpool, the pay of extra and glut officers, and incidental charges. The total amount required is estimated at £115,610, being an advance of £3,322 on the cost of the esta blishment for the year now drawing to a close. One of the principal items in this addition is an increase of £6OO in the salary of the collector, which is fixed for the ensuing year at £l,BOO. The addition of six clerks in the Long Room raises the estimated cost of that department from £5,605, the amount voted last year, to £6,645. This part of the establishment has been subjected to revision, partly to provide for the in creased business, and partly for the collection of the light dues, a duty which has been transferred to this department. The light dues will now be collected at an expense of about' £650 per annum, whereas until recently the charge was £3,600; the difference will consequently go to the public ac count, and more than balance the increased charge for extra clerks' salaries in this department. In the warehousing department, also, the estimates indicate considerable altera tions. The salaries of the comptroller and assistant-comp troller r fiftyuo m l l while e ; t r o andtofihfae fifty-seven. number accounts ishueemvreebn e.ar r e r oT e f receive eiuv be subordinate r deachtwoina estimatet a ae n additional codlri a et d rti kovhnasi this lcise principal o f department,increasedp fore, is £9,350, being an advance of £375 upon the vote of last year. In the water-guard department there is an addition of £5O per annum to the salary of the chief inspector of the river, now raised to £380; and two additional tide-sur veyors of the fourth class increase the cost of that branch of the service from £4,355, the amount vote d last y ear, to £ 4,595 . In the incid en t a l charges, a saving of 1.:300 in the pay of extra officers and clerks, of £lOO in travelling charges and sub sistence allowances, of £7O in boats stores and repairs,. and of £460 in tradesmen's bills is anticipated ; but provision is made frorre postage, rep a a n i d r s ooff £2lO l fo u r for fuel and gas , for an increa laneous expences, including carriage of parcels. In those branches of the service which we have not mentioned no alter ation will be trade" in either the number or salaries of the sf o g f 4B £ 7 lo fo officials. The establishment for the ensuing year, therefore, will comprise the collector, £1800; the comptroller, £700; 36 Long Room clerks, at salaries from £7O to £500: the comp troller of accounts in the Warehousing Department, £460; the assistant-comptroller, £360 ; 60 clerks, at salaries from £75 to £300; the inspector-general of the Out-door Department,£6oo; 9 landing-surveyors, at from £4OO to £500; 85 searchers and landing-waiters, at from £l5O to £350; the inspector of gaugers, £4OO ; 2 assistant-inspectors, £350 each ; 12 gaugers, at from £125 to £300; 2 timber-measurers, at £l5O to £l2O respectively ; 7 messengers, at £6O each ; 24 superintendent lockers and re-dipping officers, at from £lO7 to £127; 140 lockers, at from £77 to £92; 100 we i g h ers , a t from £43 to £5B, with ls. per day extra whe n e m pl o yed; 2 inspectors of the river, at £3BO and £3OO respectively; 29 tide-surveyors, at from £l2O to £200; 28 inspectors of patrol, at from £9O to £lOO ; 240 tide-waiters and patrol, at from £43 to £7O, with ls. per day extra when employed; 66 boatmen, at from £3B to £4B, with ls. per day extra when employed; the coast officer and landing-waiter at Runcorn, £100; tide-waiter and boat man at Runcorn, £6l; and the coast officer at Garston, £BO. f 1 I ~~ 1 MI I