The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-05 00:00:00

PEtiltAftY 5, 1856.] • Mr. Joshua Dixon and Mr. Thomas Sellar have been elegy to fill the vacancies respectively. e law with reference to gentlemen elected to fill vacan ei 4111e8 at th e b oar d occurr i n g between the annual meeting had been found by the council to operate prejudicially ; and they mould, therefore, suggest that an alteration be made to the effect that directors elected to fill vacancies whose period of nee will expire under two years, shall be entitled to eon 'Mae until the third annual meeting after their election. ~„:r h e directors retiring by rotation to-day are Mr. F. A . Mr. Edward Higgin, Mr. Joseph Hubback, Mr. ''l 4l ' l €l3 Robertson, and Mr. W. J. Tomlinson, who are ineli pie for election during the present year. Five vacancies, :erefore, occur, which must be filled up at the present !' e tillg- The usual return of the attendance of directors is aid on the table. BYLAWS FOR ARBITRATION. ,J, f llr council have found it necessary to make certain alte "'• ,tons in these laws for the purpose of expediting re f e rences ; ✓un they request the sanction of the Chamber thereto. L A resolution, embodying this change and that recommended reference to the term of office of directors e l e cted to fill a !ancies occurring between the annual meetings, will be submitted for your adoption. On closing this report, your council beg to repeat their cordial thanks to the members of Parliament for the bo rou g h and the southern division of the county, for the valuable services Which they at all times rendered to the Chamber, and for the Y assistance they have given to the various matters in ^iLich their aid had been required. ...the Treasurer, Mr. Joint Minx, read the Treasurer's ' , atement, which showed that the total receipts duri n g the Year had been £839 Os. 2d., and that, after providing for the e itPenditure, there remained a balance of £ 126 19 s. 2 d. The msurer congratulated the Chairman on the increase in the somber of members during the year. The members now somber 680, the increase during the year having been 30 . The CHAIRMAN said, before asking the meeting to give its s anction to the report which had just been read, he would ~,eaPass on their patience while he offered a few rem arks on Z,,e, or two subjects which appeared to be of great loc al inte ,7". "rhe first he should touch on was that of Doc k Erten enl but in doing so he had no intention of tiring the meet mit with a long or intricate statement of details. Still, as he co nsidered so important an appendage to the town as its noble ns were not matters of ephemeral moment , b u t would last ' t ag after the present generation, and many of its s uccessors, . 4 " 4 Passed away, they were deserving of g reat and consider ne attention. The object of his remarks Was chiefly to di rect attention to the encroachments made by the sea on the b arth side of Wirral, which, it was well known, were consider ; so mach so, indeed, as to cause serious apprehension in the minds of scientific men, that those encroachments might Wntinue so far and act so extensively as to inv olve the allasey.pool. Such a state of matters demanded the Post serious attention, and he trusted that ere long some 44e arareS would be adopted with regard to the subject which Would allay the public uneasiness. The next topic to which he IrOuld refer was the post-office, concerning which much had ueeu said and suggested; and he need not remind the mee tin g that it had frequently engaged the attention of the Chamber fld of the Council. He experienced much pleasure in saying that every communication on the different matters connected With the post-office, emanating from the Chamber, had met I W ith the most prompt and courteous attention. He should, in t he first instance, allude to the new arrangement which had taken place in the private box system. Since the proposed Ziange in the rates for these bores he waslad to learn that Je hundred of these boxes had been given up, to the great benefit individuals and firms, who, besides the saving of cost, experience an advantage in the more frequent as well as in the earlier delivery of their letters. The growing requirements of the hoSt-office in so great and so rapidly-rising a commercial town as l'rferpool necessarily occasioned a great demand for additional a ccommodation ; and that had been brought under the notice of 'the Government, who expressed a desire to do all in their Dow er to remove the causes of complaint. Notwithstan din g t heir anxiety to afford this accommodation, it was found im ,dossible to afford it without 'changing the site of the building. °efore this can be effected, great caution must necessarily be exercised, and a considerable time must elapse. Still it would be of importance for the Chamber and the public to bear the platter steadily in mind. Another subject, which had been referred to at some length in the report, had refer :nee to the. operation of the Bank Charter Act, under such circumstances as thOse which had lately pressed W ould and disturbed the money market. On that subject it Odd be borne in mind that a committee of members o f '. O Chamber had been appointed to consider the matter, a nd to report to the council. They had done so, and it W as proper he should state that the terms applied to that subject in the report were not those of the Council, but of the e canmittee which had been appointed to attend to that parti cular matter. The clauses of the act , he might observe, con fer upon the Bank of. England certain privileges over other establishments which desire to carry on the business of bank log. It also gave the Bank of England a preference in trans actingthe businessof Government, which,by many people, was considered invidious, and such as to give that establishment an undue advantage in regulating or interfering with the monetary affairs of the country. This matter, which, as he ad already said, had been submitted to the attention of a committee, was of such deep importance as to demand, and it ! 10 doubt would receive, the utmost deliberation ; but , from its eery magnitude and importance, the committee would do well 4. _ Y lo be cautious in not pronouncing a judgment too hastily. The "eXt point on which he should remark was the gratification it 'norded him, in being able to congratulate the Chamber, an the increase of its members, and on the comparatively flourishing state of the finances. To effect this latter object Bleat attention and economy had been necessary on the part of the Council ; but they had carefully attended to that im- Portant branch of their duty, and the result had been so far satisfactory. Yet another topic remained to him for remark on, and that was one he might refrain from alluding to when he coserved that it had been entirely omitted in the Queen's '''Peech. (Hear, hear.) But when he reflected on the inti mate commercial and personal and friendly relations existing hetweenihis country and America, and when he still farther remembered that more than half of the trade of this large and populous district was dependent on our connexion with America, he felt assured that every man in Liverpool must he aware that to go to war with that country would be an act of suicidal insanity. (Hear, hear.) The Americans were of the same family as ourselves ; they spoke the same language, and ‘lrere at one time part of ourselves—altbough there may have been some heat and irritation at the time of their separation from na, that feeling was happily passing away. At the present time „ 14 kis country was so completely armed in all ways, as to be able, Without prejudice to our standing with other nations, to make concessions which less powerful and 'less fully prepared states could not do. (Hear, hear.) The present seemed to him a time peculiarly suited for making such concessions in a grace ful spirit. Central America seemed so much more a matter Pertinent to the feelings of the Americans than to us that we f light give it up without any seeming sacrifice. To them it Was so.very near, to us it was so very distant. The other matters in debate seemed so much affairs merely o f eti q uette, untt on them also we could afford to make the concessions of a strong man, who willingly gives up what is of no real value, 4. _ Prevent misapprehension and anger on the part of his more feeble brother. In conclusion, he begged to move that the report be adopted and printed, and circulated among the members. Mr. MACPIE said he felt great pleasure in seconding the Motion, which pleasure he considered to be the greater as he Was fully aware of the onerous duties the Council had to perform, and when he reflected how wellthoseduties had been performe d. The small attendance in the room he looked upon as an evidence of the implicit confidence reposed in the Council by the members of the Chamber, for if they had not be en per fectly aware that there was nothing in the manage ment of the Chamber with which they could find fault, instead of the Mull attendance of to-day there would have been such a l unnber present as would have far more than filled the !tom. (Hear and laughter.) As had been well stated In the report, there seemed little reason to doubt that more would be done in the present session of Por tia, ment than in the last in reference to the law of partnership ; !t Would, therefore, impose a serious duty on the Council watch over that measure. He for one trembled f t the bare idea of such a subject being dealt With by a government not conversant with the principles 4 .11.1 details of 'commercial matters. (Hear.) He felt regret to think that so little respect had been paid to this e hamber by the Dock Committee, and regretted that so little intercourse with them had been sought by that committee. When it was considered how extensive were the interests re- Presented by this Chamber, he thought more might have been communicated to them, and that more intercourse might have advantageously taken place between the Dock Committee and th em ; and, if so, he thought it would have been better. (Bear.) In reference to removing the Post-office, he consi %red it so obvious that business of all kinds was being cen tered round the Exchange, and in its neighbourhood, that he Should suggest means ought to be taken for the erection of a aeries of buildings somewhere there, in which all public busi ,,ness might be transacted. In rspect to the expressions used '7 the chairman in connection with the disputes between this country and America, he concurred in the sentiments con- Yfted with the exception of one word. He would suggest ,nat the word " conciliation" should be substituted for concession." Having made these observations, he should - conclude by cordially seconding the motion. Air. C. BUSHELL begged to offer a word in deprecation of 'Le remarks which had been made by the chairman in refer ence to our disputes with America. (Hear.) He, for one, considered the discussion of such subjects by a body like the Present as excessively inconvenient. They ought to be left a the hands of the government. It was, in his opinion, im- Possible to estimate the difficulties which might arise out o f t he publicity which might be given to very simple and well intentioned words uttered by a gentleman occupying so im portant a position as the chairman of this meeting. Although at his own part concurring with the sentiment expressed,. he. hesitated to accept even so mild a term as conciliation, seeing that the utterance of any such expressions had a tendency still further to complicate a subject already sufficiently diffi •ctdt. The CHAIRMAN explained that the language and the allu sions he had made to the subject were entirely his own, and Were used by him as an individual, without any intention of committing the council or the chamber. Mr. F. Boma differed from the opinion that such matters Were beat left to the decision of Her Majesty's Ministers. In 4 4 Opinion too much of that sort of feeling had been already a cted on. The whole misunderstanding he considered to be merely a diplomatic quarrel, which would be best settled by the withdrawal of the diplomatists. The motion was then put from the chair, and unanimously a dopted. The second resolution, which had reference to alterations in Zunie of the be-laws, was moved by the CHAIRMA.N, seconded ROBERTSON,, and unanimously adopted. 4 ._ Mr. BOULT, Mr. MAUVE, and Mr. BUSHELL were appointed . 'al s.Crutinize the votes tendered for the new directors. P. T. BAINES directed attention to the law which pre 4!nted the re-election of retiring directors, as one detrimental ' 0 the interests and working of the Chamber's business. kr. BOULT, after a few remarks on the Sound Dues, moved I:v . l c:solution approving of the construction of a line of Mag netic Telegraph communication between Liverpool and ; and that the resolution be communicated to the 'cir Committee. Mr. LAMONT seconded the motion, which was unanimously "Tied. i t 4, r• MAME read the annexed communicati that the matter on the sub '. of the postal arrangements, and moved r emitted to the Council:— • e mails to and from Scotland are still in an unsatisfactory must There are two mails northward ; for the one, letters e at i 6 be posted before 1.20 p.m., which is a most inconveniently ▪ Y hour ; for the other letters may be posted about 8p m. zn... unt then they are not delivered even in Edinburgh and Glas- , I'd about eleven or twelve next forenoon, which is incon aeieapnta 3' late, and, of course, not till hours still later in reY, Greenock, Dundee, &c. The only thorough remedy is p o 'lneashire. mail for the North. At present the very im 'Ant correspondence of Liverpool and Manchester is either despatched too early or kept till too late, as we have just seen, to save having such a mail, although it is clear we want one. If that correspondence which, now that Liverpool has become so great a packet station, especially from America and Austra lia, is more considerable than ever, must still go by a London mail, let the hours of that mail be made to suit Lan cashire. Such a mail could very well leave London at 5 p.m,, with the letters collected there during the day for Scot land, and reach Edinburgh at 5 a.m. Indeed, the express train that now traverses half the distance, might, as formerly, traverse the whole, and be connected with the various mail trains which distribute themselves over Scotland. Now, as to the mails from the North, we have only one. But such popu lous places as Liverpool and Manchester may well claim two. A second can easily be granted ; what more easy than for the express train that leaves Edinburgh at 9 25 a.m., and reaches Liverpool at 5, to bring a bag? I doubt if the commercial men in the North are fully aware of the needless detention for hours to which their foreign and colonial letters arriving here must often be subjected, in Glasgow, if they go ,by the first mail, in Liverpool, if by the second. But there are other respects in which Liverpool has not all the advantage to which it may well be held entitled. Whereas London has ten de liveries daily, we have but four. Whereas Liverpool has its latest delivery at 430 p.m., London has THREE after that hour. No wonder, then, that a thousand of our merchant firms cling to the clumsy system of service by high-charged boxes, nor even that the greatest firms in London do entirely without them, and would, no doubt, reject an offer of such a miscalled facility, as a burden and not a boon. How can the Government expect us to dispense with boxes, and how can it conceive justice is done to those firms who have consented to dispense with them, when the number of deliveries to boxholders is no less than nine daily, but to non holders only four ! I refer to the regular deliveries, those of the ordinary mails; but there is another important advantage given to the boxholders. No sooner does an American or Australian mail-packet arrive,—a matter happily of almost daily occurrence now at our port, though not so in London, — than a delivery takes place to the boxholders, while the others must wait till the letter-carriers go their round, which would be no hardship if, as in London, where deliveries are hourly, the delay is at the worst very short. I believe lam correct in stating that the' number of collections at the London receiving houses is also ten at least. Here they are four only. The fewness of collections and deliveries will appear grievous if we remember that, between half-past seven in the morning and nine at night, there are twenty differently-timed despatches, and fifteen differently-timed arrivals, of mails. Whereas the earliest collection at the receiving-houses is at 8 a.m., in London, the earliest here is at about 10 a.m. Whereas the latest collection there is at 10 p.m., our latest is at 7.30 p.m. Now let us compare with Edinburgh and Glasgow. Those cities have their first delivery at 7 and 7.15, a.m. ; ours is at 8. The latest collection at the receiving houses there is at 10, p.m. ; here the latest is at 7.30, as already stated. Letters posted in any receiving house by 9 o'clock, are delivered in any part of London by -i- past 11, and so on for every succeeding hour till 5 o'clock. Letters posted by 6, p.m., are not delivered till between 8 and 9i same night. That is, a person living at one extremity of the town or in its outskirts, may feel assured that a letter p osted any time during the day, for a person living -at the opposite extremity or outskirts, will reach in about two hours, and an answer be due in about two hours after an immediate posting of the reply. To prevent the suspicion of this being an overstrong representation, I have allowed the maximum time, the close of the letter-carrier's round. In Liverpool, a person being in Upper Parliament-street posts a letter before half-past nine, a.m. It is not delivered in town till between eleven and half past twelve. If he posted it before a quarter to twelve, it is delivered between balf-past one and three o'clock. If he post before half-past two, it is delivered between half-past four and six o'clock. Thus, the time taken to deliver a letter posted in a receiving house in Liverpool is about an hour more than that taken in London, where the work to be done, and the distance to be traversed, are both so much greater. Now, as to the answer to such a letter : If it have been posted before half-past nine, the answer is due by six o'clock, that is, in eight hours ; whereas, in London, an answer is due after about five hours. But what is worse, you cannot count on an answer the same day to a letter posted after breakfast time; whereas in London, a letter posted any where by three o'clock, is entitled to an answer in due course the same night. It must be evident that what is possible in the way of speedy and frequent deliveries in so large a city as London, must be as easy, or rather, much more easy, in the comparatively limited area of Liverpool. Nor can it be fairly alleged that the correspondence which passes through the receiving houses of London, for distribution within London itself, is so important as to justify ten deliveries, but that the like " intramural" correspondence of Liverpool is so unim portant as to deserve only four. If there be ground for such an apology, I blame the Post-office itself. The excuse is virtually a confession that by omitting facilities it has stunted the growth of a branch of business which it ought to have fostered and fed, by affording such ample accommodation to meet the natural wants of the public, as any private individual or company, if favoured with a lease of the postoffice, would have felt it a matter both of duty and interest to supply, and when sup plied, make known, till it should be thoroughly availed of. Thousands of letters are sent by special messengers, and thousands are left unwritten for want of adequate frequency and promptitude of deliveries. Depend on it the trade might be made a paying one. See the resolute manner in which, for a price -no more or little more than that of the postage penny, our newspaper proprietors furnish sheets of news, and also deliver not later than eight o'clock. I use the very words of one of their advertisements :—" At or before -eight o'clock every morning in Liverpool, and within four miles from the Exchange and four miles from Wood side Ferry. We can promise this confidently, for the en gagement is under a penalty." (Hear, hear.) This matter of early delivery has hitherto been neglected—to say nothing of business convenience. Much domestic happiness de pends on it. Why should the toiling man of business be de prived of receiving his private letters, in the bosom of his family, before he leaves home for the day ? That is one illus tration among many of the advantages and pleasure which we lose in consequence of the present grievous tardiness. I should think there are few men, indeed, in this community so fa vourably situated that they can wait till the postman's cheerful knock, and yet reach their offices in what they, or those who employ them, reckon good time. As to a later collection from the receiving -houses, I, for one, find the inconvenience of the recent alteration, which closes them at half-past seven instead of nine as formerly. Now-a-days, when evening at tendance at places of business is nearly at an end, these re ceiving-houses have acquired a social import and an im portance that did not belong to them in the bad old times when merchants and their clerks loitered down town till nine or ten o'clock at night, after simmering away the forenoon and afternoon in such intermittent half-employedness, as to have plenty of leisure for throwing off their private let ters, in the intervals, by the dozen, if they had chosen. But choose they would not then, either in the counting-house or at home; for the penny postage had not yet been intro duced, which has so greatly and so happily increased the means and the occasions for letters of the class I refer to. I hope that these great boons can be conferred on the public without increasing the toils of the letter-carriers, who come to their work quite early enough already, at half-past five in the morning. An earlier delivery can easily be accomplished by enlarging the staff, a change which would be generally bene ficial, as it would facilitate an increase of the number of de liveries, as well as the bringing the time taken to perform them within the London standard of an hour for each de livery. These subjects have already been represented to the Postmaster-General by the Council. I hope, notwithstanding the silence of the present report respecting them, they will be again urged, and continue to be urged till success crown your efforts. Mr. BUSHELL seconded the motion, which, after a few words from Mr. Reed, was adopted. The CHAIRMAN then moved that the thanks of the Cham ber be voted to the Members of Parliament for South Lanca shire, and for the borough of Liverpool, for the valuable aid they had afforded in forwarding the views of the Chamber. The motion was carried by acclamation. On the motion of Mr. LAMONT, a vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried by acclamation, and the meeting sepa rated. The scrutineers afterwards declared the following gentle men to be elected : namely, Messrs. T. B. Forwoed, W. J. Lamport, F. A. Hamilton, C. Bushell, and T. H. Holderness. MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. JIILLIEN'S CONCERT. — On Wednesday evening, M. Jullien gave a grand concert in St. George's-hall, which was crowded in every quarter on the occasion. The audience was a brilliant as well as a crowded one, and the general performances were greatly applauded. The charming vocalization of Madame Gassier was particularly admired. Her singing of the romance from Trovatore creating quite a storm of applause, as well as a hearty and well-deserved encore; which the lady answered by singing, in charming style, the favourite finale from La Sonnambula,"Ah non giurge." The various instrumental performances were, as usual, characterisediby all that precision and facility of execution which have so long formed distin guishing features of M. Jullien's celebrated band. The beautiful hall, as we have already said, was filled in every quarter, and it presented a gay spectacle to the eye, while it would be difficult to meet with anything which at once sug gested so perfect an idea of elegance, joined to perfect comfort. The ventilation, as everyone knows, has been most carefully studied in theory, and the application of the theory to prac tical use has been in all respects most successful. In reference to this subject, we have much pleasure in giving currency to the :subjoined remarks from a contemporary :—" One word about the ventilation. We were particularly attentive to this, in consequence of having heard several complaints ; and really we are at a loss to understand what more can be desired than is provided, unless it be folding doors near the entrance, to keep out the cold air which enters when the brazen gates are opened. And the temperature of the hall 'was in no place above 65 degrees Fah. The means of pass a current of fresh air through the hall are such that itsperature rises in proportion to the force of the stream, and moisture is sup plied, so that the air is never dry. This is a point in phy siological physics of much moment, and receives a scientific regard from Mr. Mackenzie." THOMAS'S SHILLING CONCERTS at the Philharmonic-hall were brought to a conclusion, for the season; on Saturday, after a delightful course of musical performances which ex tended over four weeks. The vocalist for the past week was Miss Fanny Huddart, whose beautiful style of singing elicited and deserved warm approbation. The style in which these con certs have been got up, and the efficient manner in which they have been conducted in every way, reflects great credit on the liberal spirit and musical taste of Mr. E. W. Thomas, with whom they originated, and by whom they have been carried on under circumstances of great discouragement. Throughout the whole of them he secured artistes of the best talent, and made every exertion for the gratification of those patrons who encouraged him by their presence ; the chief cause of regret being to be found in the limited numbers who occasionally assembled to enjoy the performances, richly deserving as they were of extensive patronage. AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, the pantomime has seemingly exhausted the strength of its attractions, and is about to be laid on the shelf. Last night our old favourite, Baker, took a benefit, appearing as Tyke, in the School of Reform. The house was good, and the veteran actor received a welcome which spoke forcibly the esteem in which he is held. This evening the Lauri family take their benefit, on which occa sion Sheridan's favourite comedy, the Rivals, will be per formed. Wednesday, being Ash Wednesday, the theatre will be shut ; and on Friday Miss Meng.% the elegant Columbine, takes her benefit. She deserves a Dumper. The pantomime is to conclude the performances each evening that the house is open this week. Ax THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, the interesting perfor mances of the equestrian company and their coadjutors in the arts of balancing and other elegant athletic feats, continue to draw nightly crowds of gratified spectators. They are to have morning performances every Wednesday and Friday during the remainder of their stay. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD• COMMERC.T.AL and MONETARY NEWS. 4 , ^-- MONDAY NIGHT. THE tendency of the Public Funds during the week has been upward, owing to the increasing confidence in the negotiations for peace proving successful, but towards the close there was a slight depression, arising probably from the demands for money which have been more than usually active, both at the Bank of England and on the Stock Exchange. The high rate of discount has consequently been fully maintained, and in some instances an advance, particularly for loans on Government securities. The Bank returns on Friday, for the week ended 26th of January, shows a decline in the stock of bullion in both departments of £79,209, which may be considered very moderate, when taken into account with a decrease in public deposits of £594,034, and in other deposits of £640,692. The actual circulation of notes has also diminished by £72,065, while the decrease in the reserve of notes unemployed is only £38,225, leaving the balance at £4,874,975, so that, notwithstanding the present pressure for accommodation, there is nothing to impair public confidence. The return from the Bank of England for the week ending the 26th January gives the following results, when compared with the previous week : Public Deposits ... 0,261,203 ; Decrease ... £694,034 Other Deposits ... 12,871,553; Decrease... 640,692 Rest ... 3,376,632; Decrease... 11,420 On the other side of the account : Government Securities.. £12,636,261; Decrease £1,101,985 Other Securities Notes unemployed 4,874,975; Increase ... 38,225 --- • . _ The amount of notes in circulation is £19,298,605, being a decrease of £72,065, and the stock of bullion in both departments is £10,346,103,5h0wing a decrease of £79,209 when compared with the preceding return. Similar remarks are equally applicable to the low qualities of Red and White Deals from the Northern European Ports, a strong current of popular approbation setting in in favour of the American varieties. In reference to the aggregate amount of present stocks, much diversity of opinion has been expressed from time to time by the trade, and statements have in some instances been hazarded by parties who ought to have known better, to the effect that the stocks were unusually large. That, in parti cular, the article of Deals was so greatly in excess of all pro bable demand, that a large portion of them were likely to go into decay in the yards in which they are stored. The entire fallacy of such assertions will be best manifested by reference to the subjoined statement of the actual quantities of all the various descriptions of Wood held at the present time. From that statement it will be clearly seen that, although some particular descriptions may be in excess, the bona fide aggregate is very considerably less than it was at this period of last year or the year previous. Of the motives which may have prompted the remarks to which allusion has thus been made, it is no part of our business to speak. The direct effect of such mystification on the condition of the market, and ultimately on the public interest, falls more legitimately within our province to comment on. Parties at a distance, who are led to believe the misrepresentations alluded to, have good ground for complaint, when on entering the market, either as buyers or sellers, they are painfully disabused of, the erroneous impressions they have been induced to form. The re sult is disappointment and dissatisfaction, and they consequently regret the misfortune of having subjected themselves to the direction of ignorant or interested guides. Timber and deals held in stock, in cubic feet, from the Bri tish North American colonies, and the northern ports of Eu rope, for the years ending first of February :- 1854. 1855. 1856. Total.. 9,527,655 feet. Total.. 9,333,240 feet. Total.. 9,269,310 feet. The preceding tabular view of the stocks at present in hand, while it clearly shows that the quantities of all kinds are moderate—under rather than over an average—indicates also the probabilities of a good trade during the year 1856. From the prevailing low prices, particularly of deals, which are lower in Liverpool than in any other port in the kingdom, and far below their relative value in comparison with timber in the log, the likelihood is, that shipments will find their way more readily to London and elsewhere, till the balance of price and value between Liverpool and other ports is re-esta blished. These considerations, taken in connexion with the fact that the stock of colonial wood held throughout the king dom is very bare, give just reason to induce the expectation of a rise in the value of most, if not indeed all kinds, before any new imports can be brought into the market. The pros pects of returning peace .are cheering to all, and even already begin to exercise a favourable influence on the money market. Manufacturers look forward to increasing demands for their productions; these demands being stimulated by the pro spective cheapness of food, and the reviving energies of trade once more directed into its legitimate channels. Should these prospects be hapily realized, every branch of industry will be extended and promoted, and in such a state of affairs no room exists for disbelieving that the trade in timber, forming so large a proportion of the imports of the United Kingdom, will share largely in the general benefit. Messrs HOLME and SLATER, of Birkenhead and Liverpool, say : The import of Honduras Mahogany this year has been considerably above last, and with the exception of 105,030 feet, all the cargoes have come into the Docks here, which, from the facilities afforded, have become the favourite resort of the importers of this bulky article of commerce. The facilities for shipping wood bought at this side is fully appre ciated by the buyers, who give a preference to the mode of business adopted here, the price at which it is sold covering the expense of loading on the railway truck, or putting on board a vessel in these docks. The import has been 2,453,709 feet against 2,166,000 feet, viz., 2,348,679 feet here, 105,030 feet in Liverpool against 1,602,439 here, 663,680 feet in Liver pool. The consumption has been 2,451,492 feet against 2,196,000 feet. The present stock is estimated at 696 logs, 229,217 feet, against 737 logs, 227,000 feet last year. The following table shows the number of vessels, and their tonnage, employed in the timber trade of the Mersey during the year, contrasted with those employed in the previous one:— From January 31, 1855, to January 30, 1856. British America 397 vessels 307,294 tons. Baltic 434 318,119 From January 31, 1854, to January 31, 1855. British America 421 vessels 311,109 tons. Baltic 330,678 Mr. EDMUND CaLLONER says : The consumption of Deals considerably increases each year, and is likely to continue even to a greater extent, as compared with Logs, owing not only to their ready adaptation and fa cility of transport, which enables foreign to enter freely into competition for freight with British vessels, the ships of the United States being now extensively in the enjoyment of the Deal trade carrying between our colonies and Liverpool, fast displacing British ships in this respect, whilst the Log is almost exclusively carried by the latter, but also from the yearly increasing difficulties of procuring the Log. the large trade lately established between Canada, the United States, and other places, diverting the supplies from this country. Mr. JAMES HOUGHTON says : Although during the last twelve months the country has been deeply engaged in war, the consumption of Wood gene rally does not appear to have fallen off in comparison with the preceding year; it must, however, be borne in mind that, during the greater portion of the year, the money market was comparatively easy, and the scale of prices lower than those now ruling, and that, during the last three months, under the influences of dear money and advanced prices, a considerable falling off has been experienced. How the consumption will. rule during the next six months it is difficult to say : should peace be obtained, on the one hand, more activity in the home trade may be expected, and an increased consumption ; but, on the other hand, a high scale of prices, combined with a pos sibility of lower rates of freight ruling in the next season of import, may tend to postpone the demand which, under other circumstances, might have been expected to follow more im mediately. If, however, the war be continued, and conse quently the value of money sustained, a limited consumption will in all probability be the result. ISSUE DEPARTMENT. Notes issued ... £24,173,580 Governmt. Debt £11,015,100 ,Other Securities 3,459,900 'Gold coin & bull'n. • 9,698,580 !Silver bullion ... £245173,580 £24,173,580 BANKING DEPARTMENT. Prop. Capital ... £14,553,000 Gov. Securities £12,636,261 Rest ... ... 3,376,632 Other Securities 16,750,656 Public Deposits 3,264,203 Notes ... 4,874,975 Other Deposits (12,871,553 Gold & Silver Coin 647 , 523 7-day &other bill 844,027 £34,909,4151 £34,909,415 Oun SHARE MARKET his been very buoyant all the week until this morning, when the tone became more quiet, owing to the Times article on the American dispute. The upward tendency, however, has been scarcely checked by this new phase of that foolish quarrel ; there is still a disposition to advance. The London dividend has been announced at 51 per cent., with £40,000 surplus, and the report about to be issued is stated to be most satisfactory. The inde fatigable activity of Lord Chandos is beginning to tell upon the dividends of this company, and, instead of any further decrease, it is now confidently stated that a return to 6 per cent. is more than probable. Local stocks are steady, and continue to be bought for in vestment. Large numbers of Insurance and Bank shares have changed hands during the week. The Fire and Life Companies are expected to issue a good statement this week, showing receipts and profits much greater than those of any previous year. We annex this day's prices :—Blackburn, 54 ; Caledonian, 281 • Lancashire and Yorkshire, 81/ -1 4 ; London and North Western, 101 1004 ; Midland, 698 70 698 70 691 ; North Eastern Berwick capital stock, 18* ; South Eastern, 18-g- K + 11-16 ; Lancashire and York shire 6 per cent., pref., 131 ; Great Western of Canada, 25+ 1; ditto new, 3p ; Bank of Liverpool, 231 ; Borough Bank, 10+. Corrox.—There has been considerable animation during the week, and, while holders have not been forward in pressing sales, there has been an active demand, not only for the trade, but also for specula tion and export. The consequence is an advance of *d to 3-16 d per lb., and there is little doubt that a diminution of the pressure on the Money-market will cause prices to go still higher. The sales for the week up to Friday were 84,500 bales, of which 15,080 were taken on speculation, and 12,000 for export, leaving 57,420 for the trade. To-DAY there has been again a good demand, the sales being 12,000 bales, including 2,000 American, and 2,000 Surat, for speculation and export ; and the market closed firmly, without, how ever, any change in Friday's quotations. The following is a comparison of present rates with those of the corresponding period of last year :- --- - - New Orleans, middling . 1855 1856 :.. 5 5 3-16 .. 5 61 ... 5 5 11-16 ... 51 6 Upland, middling „ fair SALES. IMPORTS. STOCK ,_____A--__ : , , , ••••••••••-• DESCRIPTION. PRICES. Week i Prey'. Week This ending 1 onsly ending -,,, "r. Feb. 1. Feb. 1. 1 thisyr. Feb. 1. n — -- Sea Island Stained Boweds Mobile 5 53 6300, 16230 1 59909 135350 New Orleans_ Pernams, &c 53 71 13501 3870 30931 539 1 22200 Bahia, &c. Maranham 6 63 860 3040 1751 j 1751 20070 Demerara,&c — .... 1 50 ....! .... 700 Egyptian 5 9 3280: 9510 47, 4984 41150 Com.W.l.&c 5 9 350 960 238 14111 2750 S ur at Madras Bengal — .... 140 .... I .... 140 . 84500 197710 91837 218348'419480 PRODUCE.—The demand for Sugar for home con sumption has subsided, and prices have declined is per cwt. In Coffee little doing. With Tea the market has been better supplied, but sales have been restricted, owing to the firmness of holders. For Cocoa lower rates have been accepted. Rise much depressed, and sales with difficulty effected. No business in Rum. Saltpetre dull. Palm Oil neglected. In Tallow little doing • Petersburg, Y.C., 59s to 60 s per cwt. To-DA Y the sales in Sugar were confined to 500 bags grainy Bengal, at 44s 6d per cwt. Nothing has taken place in Molasses. Of Rum, 70 puncheons Demerara have been disposed of, at barely previous prices. 40 bags St. Domingo Coffee are reported, at 52s per cwt. The Tea market continues steady ; common Congou to 911:1 per lb. Nothing has occurred in East India Rice, but 100 tierces Carolina have been sold at 25s per cwt. Saltpetre continues to decline, 40 bags hav ing been purchased at 36s per cwt. for 1 per cent. refraction. We have also to report 500 bags Calcutta Linseed, part all faults, at 65s per qr. for sound, and 60 bags Cutch, at 32s per cwt. Woor.—There has been nothing of any moment doing in this market during the past week. Imports for the week ended February 2nd :-2,705 bales Peruvian, 21 Mediterranean, 10 Cape of Good Rope, 88 Irish, and 6 coastwise. Total, 2,830 bales. Messrs. W. GREAILE and Co., in their monthly circular, say,— • Since our public sales, which closed on the 19th ult., the wool market has been very active, particularly for those sorts suitable for continental demand, for which there has been a very brisk competition, and prices in some cases have ex perienced a considerable improvement. There has also been an active demand for home grown wools suitable for combing purposes, upon which the advance is more marked than on foreign descriptions. The pacific turn which political affairs have lately taken has also had its due effect upon the market. Stocks of all descriptions are very light, and the tendency towards a still further advance is very general. The supply of low foreign wools continues very light, and, since the public sales, some considerable purchases have been made in Egyptian, Turkey, Smyrna, Syrian, and other Levant and Mediterranean. Wools, at an advance on the auction rates, leaving the mar ket very barely supplied for future requirements. In English and Irish wools a large business has been done, and some speculative purchases have been made at an advance of id -to Id. per lb.; a fair business doing in Laid Scotch Wools, but without any material change in prices. The next series of London public sales is fixed to commence on the 14th inst., when about 40,000 bales will be offered. Messrs. Jos. ROBINSON and Co. say : Since the issue of our annual circular, the wool market has exhibited great firmness, and all connected with the trade admit that a drawback is impossible in value, whether war continues or peace ensues. In the event of the pending nego tiations being amicable, the raw material would rapidly advance in price. The stocks of all descriptions have been almost cleared, so that purchasers find great difficulty in supplying themselves. This position of affairs will doubtless be rendered still more awkward from the announcement by the French government of a considerable reduction of the import duty on all wools from this country ; thus enabling the continental consumers to compete more successfully with buyers here, and causing a large increase in the export demand, which the last year has proved to be greatly in excess of all previous ones. Fleeces grown in this country have already experienced the influence of the reduction of the duty in France, and a rise of fully id per lb. is observable on combing sorts. This advance will, ere long, be increased, the quantity in staplers' hands being reduced, and what is in the bands of the growers is chiefly held for rates that are quite unapproachable at present. TIMBER.—As this is the season when the brokers in the timber trade publish their annual circulars, we give the following extracts from the principal ones. Messrs. A. F. and D. Mackay say : The quantity of Wood, of all descriptions, at this Port from the Baltic, has been less during the past than in any one of the preceding five years. One natural consequence of this has been an increase to some extent of the value of that which has been brought in. Probably a more important matter than the enhanced value of this material will be found in the fact that it has occasioned a greater consumption of our own Colonial and other American Woods, such as Pitch Pine, Quebec Red Pine, and other sorts, which are found by expe rience to be equally serviceable, if not preferable, for all do mestic and other purposes, notwithstanding the strong pre- Flake which previously existed in favour of Baltic Timber. MARKETS FOR MANUFACTURE. MANCHESTER.—The market continued to exhibit a gradual but constant improvement at the beginning of the week. A better feeling was manifested, larger purchases were made, and prices showed a steady advance. On Tuesday the demand was more general, and rates that were not easily obtainable last week were then readily paid. The transactions of the day, though not to be called extensive, were far from incon siderable. Since Tuesday the same healthy tone has been maintained, and attended by a development of a greater degree of animation. The upward turn of the Liverpool cotton market has imparted a degree of firmness here, and yarns especially have attained a decidedly higher range—the extent of the advance being, in all cases, a full I,d. per lb., and, in a majority of instances, fully id. per lb. more has been attained. Goods are also, in most instances, quoted per piece higher, and in the absence of stocks of all descriptions, this is paid, and for some sorts which are scarce a slightly higher charge has been demanded and obtained. Still there is not the same general improvement here as in yarns, whilst the advance in the latter has placed many manufacturers in a somewhat more unfavourable position.—Manchester Courier. ROCHDALE.—WooI: Manufacturers are not disposed to purchase at present large quantities ; and therefore business is confined to immediate wants. Flannel: Large manufac turers are not desirous of taking large orders at this season, owing to the fluctuations in the value of wool. Trade in home made goods is very healthy, all things considered. Yorkshire goods have been very flat, and profits are cut down to a minimum. The upward tendency in the raw material cripples many. BRADFORD.—WooI : There has been great activity among the dealers in the country, and at prices beyond what can be realised here. The spinners pause at such rates, and the difficulty they find to cover cost, discourages them from keep ing pace with the high prices now demanded.—Yarns : There is a fair amount of business doing. Old orders are fast running out, and where such are required to be replaced, they can only be done at an advance, and with no disposition in the present uneasy state of the wool market to sell for lengthened delivery.—Pieces : As no new engagements can be entered , upon, except at an advance, the business effected is under the usual amount, and, the establishment of prices more nearly approximating the cost, is only a work of time. LEEDS.—At our Cloth-halls on Tuesday there was much less business done, but some rather large deliveries of goods having taken place during the week, the qiiantity passed to accounts has been a full average. Prices are firm, with rather a tendency upwards ; and the stocks remaining low in the clothiers' hands, the mills in consequence continue in full activity. There is quite as much doing in the warehouses as is usual at this season. NOTTINGHAM.—Lace : We have had an improved feeling in our market this week. We believe the American season is opening very favourably, and that there will be a scarcity of many goods in that market.—Hosiery : The demand for the home trade continues fair, and for all classes of goods stocks are very low, and prices tending upwards. Yarns are very firm, and spinners are looking for higher rates.—Nottingham Journal. LEICESTER.—There is a great want of employment expe rienced here in all ordinary branches of manufacture, and this is rather increased from the tendency to rise in the wool markets. This again induces great caution amongst manu facturers, who fear that even present prices may not be long maintained, and that even if they be, there is but little chance of remuneration for investments in manufactured goods. COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL.—The schooner Lewtas, from Newry to this port, was run into on Friday night, (which was very dark,) to the west of the Northwest Lightship, by the schooner Ann, which had sailed hence in the afternoon. The former lost her foremast, and had her port bow stove in; and the latter lost jib-boom, cutwater, &c. Both vessels got back to port on Saturday. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—The eighth ordinary meeting of this society was held last night, at the Royal Institution, in Colquitt-street ; M'Andrew, Esq., the president, in the chair. Messrs. John Cunningham, Henry Duckworth, and William V. Bird, were elected ordinary members of the society. Mr. T. C. Archer exhibited a stick of a peculiar quality, part of a plant grown in India ; and also a helmet of a picturesque form, and nearly white, manufac tured from the fibrous material of the same plant, which, he suggested, might form a valuable material for our manufac tures, particularly that of paper. Mr. Wm. Hine read the first part of an elaborately-written paper, entitled " A Plea for the Emperor Tiberius," and, at the conclusion, was re warded with a vote of thanks, after which the meeting broke up. THE LIVERPOOL TOWN MISSION.—The twenty-seventh an niversary meeting of this mission was held in Hope-hall, on Tuesday. A large number was present, but the ball was not filled. Mr. John Cropper occupied the chair. The annual report stated that during the past year 61,979 visits had been paid to the dwellings of the poor; 11,865 visits to the sick; and 369 persons had been visited on the death-bed, The in door meetings had numbered 3,252. No less than 142,726 tracts had been distributed. Evening schools for adults had been opened, in addition to those for children, and had been well supported. The report enumerated several instances of successful efforts in softening the hard hearts of ignorant, pre judiced sinners, and gave encouragement for extended efforts. Mr. Houghton, the treasurer, read the financial statement for the past year, from which it appeared that the expenditure had exceeded the income by £77 Os. 2d.; but as there was a balance from the previous year, the sum of £156 4s. 7d. remained to the credit of the mission. The meeting was then addressed by the Revs. W. M. Falloon, Joseph Taylor, J. B. Lowe, &e. LATES NEWS. INDIA. We have intelligence from Calcutta of the 22nd, Hongkong of the 16th of December. The Times' correspondent, writing from Calcutta on the 22nd December, says : _ _ _ - - The fortnight has passed almost without incident. The only important event is the introduction of bills for the punishment and future government of the Santals into the Legislative Council. The rebellion itself seems again to be dying out. The troops find the Santals in their villages, and are met with professions of goodwill and offers of assistance. The Governor-General has recently taken a remarkable step in advance. He has addressed a circular to the five govern ments and the commissioners of independent provinces, requiring them to prepare an annual report on the territories under their administration. Each of these reports is to resemble a President's message, to contain the history of the presidency or province for the year. It will detail the im provements in legislation, police, education, public works, and all other departments, after the fashion of the report which Lord Elgin, some months since, presented for Canada. Those reports are to be immediately published in India and forwarded to England. They will form, in the course of years, a complete index to the history of British India. Meanwhile they will show the government at home how we are getting on, enable them to estimate the Indian rate of prog ress, and, above all, permit them to decide on the results of the different systems in force. I am informed that Lord Dalhousie will leave India positively on the sth or 6th of March. Lord Canning is expected in Calcutta on the 26th of February, and will for a few days remain a guest at Government-house. CHINA. A letter from Hong Kong, dated 15th December, says : Admiral Sir James Stirling still remains here. Commodore Elliot arrived from the north, in H. M. S. Sybille, on the 25th of November, but brings no intelligence of importance beyond the ascertained fact that there is a navigable passage from the Gulf of Tartary to the Amoor River. The Russian fleet seen in De Castries Bay no doubt made their escape by that channel. H. M. steamer Styx, Commander Bruce, left for Singapore and England on the 6th instant, and H. M. steamer Rattler, Commander Fellowes, sailed for England on the 9th inst. The latter had on board two Russian officers, Lieutenant Pouschkine and Mr. Schilling, and a number of Russian sea men, prisoners from the Diana frigate. H. M. S. Nankin sailed on the 9th inst. for Trincomalee. The French ship Sybille and steamer Colbert are now in harbour, and the Virginie, Admiral Guerrin, is at Macao.. The intelligence of the fall of Sebastopol was celebrated on the 3rd instant, by a royal salute from all the Allied men-of war in harbour, as well as from the battery on shore. The American Commodore Joel Abbott, of the United States' ship Macedonian, died here yesterday, after a protracted illness. The trial of the American Consul Keenan stands over, pend ing the recovery of Chief Justice Hulme, who has been seriously indisposed. Commander Vansittart, of H.M. brig Bittern, has been pre sented with a testimonial and an address from the mercantile body in Shanghai, commending the gallant conduct of the officers and crew of the Bittern, and thanking them for the eminent services lately rendered to the trade by the destruc tion of pirates on the coast. The Chinese bankers and merchants at Ningpo have also come forward to testify their gratitude, and have, among other acts, subscribed £l,OOO, to be forwarded to the mother of Mr. Turner, late master of the Bittern, who was killed in action ; and £2OO to each of the three seamen who lost their limbs in the engagement. In Chinese politics we have nothing new to mention, and no authentic intelligence has reached us from the interior. At and around Canton all is quiet, and the Chinese appear more confident of tranquillity than before. Rice remains plentiful, though somewhat dearer. Imports at Canton have been in limited demand, and prices are somewhat lower. Stocks are light, however, and improvement is looked for. 'BY ELECTRIC & INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPHS.] LONDON. Monday Night. NEW ORDER OF MERIT. The Globe says : We have reason to believe that a Royal Warrant for forming an Order of Merit has been already signed by Her Majesty, and that a copy will be presented to Parliament, in the course of a few days. Its provisions will, we think, be found of a very satisfactory character, founded as they are upon the principle of the honourable recognition of personal gallantry, in whatever rank of the army or navy it may be displayed ; thus, in all likelihood, the order will con sist of only one grade, and for this distinction every individual, whether private soldier or ablebodied seaman, up to the admi ral or commander-in-chief, who will have distinguished him self by a conspicuous act of personal valour before the enemy, will be eligible. In granting the order, the particular reason for which it is awarded will be specified, and along with the decoration the recipient will be entitled to a small annual pension. The order is not intended as a reward for continuous good service, as that is already recognized in different ways. It will be confined to the naval and military, and it is probable that the first batch of creations will comprise most of those who have evinced conspicuous gallantry throughout the late operations in the East. - THE EAST. MARSEILLES, Monday. The Indus has arrived. She brings advices from Constan tinople of the 24th, and the Crimea of the 22nd ult. The despatches were to laud at nine a.m. Little doing in the port RUSSIA. The St. Petersburg journals, of the 25th ult., announce ex treme activity in all Russian produce, with a constant rise in prices. The privilege hitherto enjoyed by the " Russian Company for Marine, Fluvial, and Land Carriage Insurance," of its shares being a legal tender as payments to or from the state, has been withdrawn. The Russian Government have advertised for bar iron for overlaying the sides of floating batteries. AUSTRIA. At Vienna, on the 31st ult., the premium on precious metals fell about one-half per cent. All stocks were lower. ITALY. The official gazette Vetoil states that recruits are still raised in Sardinia for the Anglo-Italian Legion. HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY. Their lordships assembled at 5 o'clock. Lord BRouomot gave notice that he would introduce a bill to establish the right of appeal in insolvency cases in the county courts. He also called attention to the excessive amount of costs in the county courts. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that a bill had been prepared by government for the improvement of the county courts as regards the costs payable there, but whether the right of appeal in insolvent cases was embraced in the bill he could not state. He however promised that the remarks of his noble friend should receive the attention of government. Earl GREY gave notice that, on Friday next, he would ask the Secretary of State for an explanation of a contradiction between Colonel Rose's despatch of 25th March, 1853, and Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's despatch of 27th May following, in relation to a memorandum of Pisani as to the account given to him by Rifaat Pasha and the Grand Vizier, with reference to the substance of a note verbale preSented by Prince Men schikoff to the Porte. In reply to the Marquis of Clanricarde, Earl GRANVILLE stated that the clock of the Houses of Parliament would be put up immediately. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH asked when the papers rela tive to Kars would be laid on the table. Earl GRANVILLE, in the absence of the Foreign Secretary, could not state the exact day. The Earl of DERBY hoped the papers would be presented in a separate form.. Lord WODEHOUSE promised that Government would attend to that suggestion. Their lordships adjourned at 5 45 p.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY. The House met at four o'clock. Mr. McEvoy took the oaths and his seat for Meath. A number of questions were put by hon. members on dif ferent subjects, but none of them were of particular interest. Sir G. GREY stated, in answer to a question from Mr. Keating, that a measure founded on the first report of the County Commission was in preparation, and would shortly be introduced by the Lord Chancellor. PASSING TOLLS AND TOWN DUES. ----- The House then went into committee on the Acts relating to Merchant Shipping, when Mr. LOWE moved for leave to bring in a bill for the Abolition of Passing Tolls, and the Regulation of Local Dues upon Shipping. He stated that the measure which he intended to propose was the necessary consequence of the alterations lately made in the laws relating to shipping He said, that in some cases, the tolls and dues charged upon shipping consti tuted a heavy tax upon commerce, and were often applied to purposes not connected with it, and cited the case of Liver pool as one in point. He stated that the bill would apply to all ports in the United Kingdom except that of London. Passing tolls were to be swept away altogether; and with re spect to the debts which had been contracted upon them, in the case of Dover and some other places t they would be charged upon the consolidated fund, the Admiralty taking the ports, with all their responsibilities, into their own hands. In the case of debts contracted upon the security of town dues, the rights of the creditor would be respected and provided for by a con tinuation of the security, in a manner which he detailed at some length. Special customs, as to the charities, would be abolished altogether. Deferential dues charged upon foreign shipping, for which compensation was paid to municipal cor porations and public bodies, out of the consolidated fund, to the extent of £52,791 per annum, would also be abolished. But, on the other hand, it would take upon it debts to the amount of £60,000, by which trade and commerce would be greatly benefited. All exemptions from local dues now enjoyed by freemen of boroughs such as Liverpool were to be repealed. After a few further observations, the right hon. gentleman concluded by entering into some calculations, from which it appeared that the changes which he proposed would relieve the shipping trade of the country to the amount of £263,000 per annum. Mr. HEADLAM stated several objections to different points in the proposed measure, which he said would affect the interests of Newcastle, and he hoped that time would be given for its consideration. _ _ Mr. HORSFA.LL warmly defended the Corporation of Liver pool in respect to the application of the Town Dues, and said the legal question of their title to those dues should be settled before the house proceeded to legislate. He hoped that time would be given for full consideration of the bill before the motion for the second reading, After a few words from Mr. RICE, Mr, MILNER GIBSON said the people of Manchester would hear with satisfaction that government had determined that they should no longer be taxed for the support of the muni cipal institutions of Liverpool. He approved of the bill. Mr. LIDDELL dissented from the proposed measure alto gether. Mr. LINDSAY, on the contrary, approved of it. Mr. WATSON considered that it would unduly interfere with the rights and property of corporations, but be reserved his objections. Mr. Lows having replied, leave was given to bring in the bill. Sir GEORGE GREY obtained leave to bring in a bill. to amend the Metropolitan Police Act. The principal object was to place the charge of the force in the hands of one corn. missioner, with a salary of £1,600 per annum, instead of two, and to appoint two assistant-commissioners, with the power of justices of the peace, at a salary of £1,200 per annum each. Lord DRUMLANEIG brought up the Queen's answer to the address in reply to the speech from the throne. A number of bills, on different subjects, were brought in and read the first time. Mr. PELLA.TT moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law with respect to Crossed Bankers' Cheques. Mr. WlLsox said he would not oppose the motion, but the government did not pledge themselves to support the details of the measure. The motion was agreed to. The LORD ADVOCATE obtained leave to bring in bills to amend the laws of Bankruptcy in Scotland. The house adjourned at 10 45 p.m. THE FUNDS, STOCK, AND SHARE MARKET. The American question caused a slight tone of flatness in the English Funds during earlier hours, but there was even tually a recovery to the closing prices of Saturday. The fall , in Corn, and the arrival of bullion from Australia, had a favourable influence on quotations. In the Railway market sales predominated, and business was in most cases effected on lower terms, but the last prices showed steadiness. Land, Bank, and Foreign Stocks opened:rather heavy, but rallied, and closed firmly. CLOSING PRICES Consols, Account 9O/ Bank Stocl• 2ll 13 Do. Money 9 fr Exqr. Bills, L. S. lO 5 dis. Three per Cents. FOREIGN STOCKS. • 20zi 1 Turkish . 103 6 Do. (new).. 100 i ex. div. . 92 4 Great West. Canada 2si 128 32 Do. (new) RAILWAY SHARES. A inhergate,Nottingliarn, London, Brighton, and and E. Junction 4i f South Coast 97 9 Caledonian Do. Preference Eastern Counties East Lancashire 72 4 Lincolnshire 2si Edinburgh & Glasgow.. Midland Stock Great Northern 9l 2 North British 3O 2 Do. A. 1 ,7 9 Do. Preference 99 100 Do. B. 124 6 North Staffordshire 8 7i Great Western Lanc.and Yorkshire Bl4 2 York, Newcastle, , and Do. Fifths - Berwick ... 741 15,f Leeds Northern l4 15 York and N. Midland.. 49 50 Mexicans.. Russian .. Do. Canada Land LAND SHARES. Australian Agricultural 151 61 Peel River S. Australian Invest.... N. B. Australasian Crystal Palace On 'Change, Tallow down to 575. `for P. Y. C., and Linseed Oil to 655. Scotch Pig iron, 765. Nothing particular in Colonial. Indigo and other Dyes firm. LONDON CORN MA.RICR . D. — (From Kingsford and Lay's Cir cular.)—The supply of English Wheat, added to that left over, made a large show ; a few picked samples sold at a decline of about 6s. per qr. upon the prices of this day week, at which the remainder was vainly offered, in consequence of a large influx of panic-stricken farmers and country dealers, who ap peared desirous of realising even at a much greater sacrifice. Foreign was obtained at a reduction of ls. to 2s. from the rates of this day week, but, owing to the state of the market for English, millers refrained from purchasing. Barley, Beans, and Grey Peas, 25., and Oats is. cheaper. White Peas unaltered. Top price of Town-made Flour, 3s. per sack less. A similar decline in Country Marks. ARRIVALS. English. Irish. Scotch. Foreign. Wheat 4787 17674 Barley 7922 25 Malt 14923 31 Oats 2256 11294 2772 7291 Beaus Peas — Flour 1326 ski.& 11955 brio. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.—The Beast and Sheep .zade dull, at reduced prices. Calves in demand and dearer. Beef, 2s 8d to 46 8d ; Mutton, 3s 6d to 45 10d ; Veal, bs 4d to 6s 4d ; Pork, 46 2d to ss. Beasts, 3,919 ; Sheep and Lambs, 21,560 ; Calves, 54 ; Pigs, 274. Arrivals :—Holland Beasts, 552 ; Ditto Calves, 28 ; Scotch Beasts, 300; Norfolk and Suffolk Beasts, 2,200 ; Irish Beasts, 200 ; Cambridge, Leices ter, Lincoln, and Northampton .Beasts, 200. LONDON PRODUCE MARKET.—Sugar dull at previous terms. Coffee : Fair inquiry, and prices are well supported. Rice brisker, but not much dearer. Cotton wanted, and fully as dear. Tea not lower, but sales small. Tallow dull and cheaper. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET.—Business was dull to-day, and very few transactions are reported. One sale of 600 tons at 755. 6d., with 14 days, is mentioned, at which rate the market left off. Warrants offered at 765. cash ; No. 1, G.M.8., 765. 9d. ; No. 3,74 e. 3d. MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE.—Lancashire and York shire, 81/ 82 811; North Western, 1001 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 71 dis.; Dover, 181 11-16. LEEDS STOCK Excuelvom—Great Western Canada, 251. LATEST SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. The steamer City of Manchester, arrived at Marseilles on the Ist inst., from the Crimea. Sarepta ; William Penn ; and Helen, with wheat, arrived at Antwerp on the 2nd inst.—discharging : cargoes damaged. MALAGA, JAN. 15.—Eight posts are now in arrear, owing to bad weather. ALEXANDRIA, JAN. 22.—Atwick, of Hull, for Liverpool, abandoned • supposed foundered: crew saved. Egyptian Witch, will, it is thought, be saved. Merchant, of Falmouth, put back on the 17th, damaged is discharging. Carrick fergus, for Falmouth, put back damaged on the 21st : is dis charging. Wanderer, for Falmouth, put back on the 19th, damaged and discharging. SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE. DEAL, FEB. 4.—The screw-steamer ➢langerton reports having ran down the Joseph Willis, from London to New Zealand, six miles off Folkestone. The two chief officers, 24 of the crew, and other persons, are supposed to have landed safely at Folkestone. The fore compartment of the Manger ton was full of water. She landed 25 persons, including three dead bodies, one of which was a passenger. BETTING AT TATTERSALL'S — THIS DAY. LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CIIASE.-7 to 1 agst Sir Peter Laurie, tk ; 15 to 1 agst Black Swan, tk : 16 to 1 agst Emigrant, tk ; 16 to 1 agst Victor Emanuel ; 20 to 1 agst Minerva. Two THOUSAND GIIINEAS.-100 to 8 agst Enchanter, tk. CIIESTER CITP.-15 to 1 agst Yellow Jack, tk ; 21 to 1 agst Yorkshire Grey, tic ; 25 to 1 agst Epaminondas, tk freely ; 25 to 1 agst Mishap, tk ; 33 to 1 agst Courtenay, tk ; 40 to 1 agst Scythian, tk : 50 to 1 agst Sugar Plum ; 1,000 to 15 agst Warlock ; 1,000 to 15 agst Cockatoo. DERBY.-100 to 7 agst Artillery, tk ; offers to take 10 to 1 about Fly-by-Night ; 20 to 1 agst Coroner, tk ; 25 to 1 agst Vanderdecken, tk. HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. EARLY on Sunday, a mother and her three children were murdered by the husband and father. William Bousfield about 34 years old, resided at 4, Portland-street, Wardour street, Oxford-street, London, where he kept a small cigar and newspaper shop. He was a carpenter ; but, having a turn for the stage, he neglected everything in order to gratify his desires in that respect, and has recently attended the Princess's Theatre, where he was employed as a supernume rary at is. per night. He had been married several years, and his wife had borne him three children. Being an only daughter, she was much beloved by her father, Mr. Jones, a man of some property. He lived in the house where they resided, the shop and parlour of which he allowed them to occupy rent free. The wife was a very industrious woman, and paid great attention to the business, which, under her management, was progressing very favourably. Lately the murderer has been jealous of his wife ; but, it is said, with out the slightest clause. Matters at one time became so un pleasant between them that Bousfield was offered by Mr. Jones a sum of money to enable him to go to America if he would leave his wife behind ; but he refused ; his jealousy ap peared to increase ; and it is believed he then formed the determination to commit the horrible crime which he carried into effect. On Saturday last, about midnight, Mrs. Bousfield closed her shop, at which time the husband was at home, and, what is extraordinary, no noise was heard during the night, by the persons living in the house. About six o'clock, on Sunday morning, the murderer pre sented himself at the Bow-street police station, and informed the constable that he had murdered his wife and family. He was taken to the inspector on daty, to whom he repeated the intelligence. The inspector at once despatched some men to the place mentioned. Upon gaining admittance from the street, they proceeded to the back parlour, and finding the door locked, they broke it open, and entered the room. On one bed lay the eldest child, a girl, about eight years old; she was covered with blood, and it was found her throat was cut, the wound dividing all the arteries, and extending nearly across the neck. On the other bed were the bodies of the mother and the two other children—a girl, about four years old, and a boy, about eight months old. Mrs. Bonsfield's neck had a wound in it about four and a-half inches wide, and very deep, from which the blood was flowing fast. On her arms were five other wounds. The infant's throat was also cut. They had all been dead some time, the bodies being cold. It was soon ascertained that the instrument with which the dreadful deed had been committed was a carpenter's chisel, which was found covered with blood. The four bodies were removed in shells to St. James's work house, in Portland-street, and the murderer remains at Bow street station, for examination before the magistrates. THE LENT ASSIZE. THE following arrangements have been made for holding the Lent Assize : NORTHERN CIRCUIT. Judges.—The lion. Mr. Baron Martin and the Hon. Mr Justice Willes. Lancaster, Monday, February 18 ; Appleby, Thursday, 21; Carlisle, Saturday, 23 ; Newcastle and town, Wednesday, 2T; Durham, Tuesday, March 4 ; York and city, Saturday, 8; Liverpool, Saturday, 22. NORTD WILES AND CHESTER CIRCUIT. _ _ _ Judge.—The Hon. Mr. Justice Erle. Welshpcol, Monday, March 10; Bala, Thursday, 13; Car narvon, Saturday, 15 ; Beaumaris, Wednesday, 19 ; Ruthin, Saturday, 22 ; Mold, Thursday, 27 ; Chester and city, Satur day, March 29. SOUTH WALES AND CHESTER CIRCUIT. Haverfordwest and town, Monday, March 3 ; Cardigan, Thursday, 6 ; Carmarthen, Monday, 10 ; Swansea, Friday, 14; Brecon, Saturday, 22; Presteign, Wednesday, 26 ; Chester and city, Saturday, 29. Mr. Justice Williams will join Mr. Justice Erle at Chester, to hold the assizes for that county and city. BITING A POLICEMAN'S Noss.—George Tinling, Henri Alroy, and Thomas Wainwright, three decently-dressed men, were brought up before Mr. Mansfield, on Saturday. charged with assaulting police-officer 288, in Beacon-lane, Walton, a few nights ago. There had been a drunken quarrel and a fight, and the officer had gone to quell the disturbance. While doing so he was knocked down and assaulted by all the prisoners, but Tinling also ferociously bit him severely on the nose. They were all convicted, Alroy and Wainwright in penalties of XI each and costs, and Tinling £2 and CO:U. be se° (I the, to the b of are nil'. ies, Lich Ind ese the i