The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-08 00:00:00

THE itibtrpoot tanbarb+ TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1856. NECESSITY OF COMBINED ACTION UPON THE PART OF CHURCHMEN. - THAT "-the children of this world are wiser than the children of light," we are assured by authority which precludes doubt or question : and yet, unless men are strangely altered within the last eighteen hundred years, we may venture to say that He Who spake the above quoted words, in speaking them rather remarked upon a self-evident fact, than revealed a previously hidden truth : for certain it is, than no one can pay the least attention to the ordinary course of things without perceiving that far more practical wisdom is manifested by those, who have mischievous ends to accomplish, than by those, who profess to be, and no doubt generally are, anxious to do good. The ends proposed by the former are bad : but they manifest skill in their selection of means ; and, when they have selected them, they use them with diligence and perseverance. The ends proposed by the latter are good : but, when they have proposed them, they too frequently blast every prospect of success by want of skill and energy, or, worse still, by intestine divisions. And by ,no parties is the general truth of all this more clearly exemplified than by those, who are anxious to uphold and defend the Church, on the one hand ; and, on the other, by those who are anxious for her overthrow, or, which is the same thing, for her being reduced to the same level as is occupied by the multifarious sects by which she is surrounded. The Church's foes are of various parties, separated from each other in doctrine and discipline as widely as the poles ; yet, having a common object in view, they wisely combine for its accomplishment, their differences notwithstanding. As regard discipline, what difference can be greater than that which exists between the Wesleyan and the Independent ? as regards -- (TOctrine, — what greater than that between either of these and the Baptist P or between all three and the Romanist ? And yet, if an attack is to be 'made upon the Church, we find them frequently combining their forces, and always employing them upon. the same side. But Churchmen, whose dif ferences are nothing like so important, and who, being members of the same body, have one grand interest in common, viz., the defence of that body, regard each other with suspicion ; and fritter away in internecine contests that strength which, if directed against the common foe, would be irresistible. We are no ad vocates for that indifferentism which constantly urges men to sink their differences, and keep them out of sight, as if they really were of no consequence ; but _we do think that, when common interests are at stake, it would be wise either to postpone their consideration, or at least so to discuss them as not to interfere with that combined action which is absolutely necessary for successful defence. What would be thought of the Politician, who, though convinced of the justice and necessity of the present war, should refuse to vote the supplies necessary for carrying it on, because they were asked for by men upon the other side of the House ? or, what would be thought of the citizen, who should refuse to arm against an invader of his native country, because some of his neighbours already in arms differed from him upon the corn-laws, or the bill for reform of Parliament ? And yet to our poor thinking Churchmen are acting just as absurdly, just as wickedly and unpatriotically, when they permit their differences to hinder combined action with refez elm to ends, which are admitted by all to be desirable, if not absolutely necessary. Thoughts of this kind are, from time to time, forced upon us by various circumstances, and just now by the near approach of the time when Parliament will re-assemble. What have Churchmen been doing during the recess ? They know that, whenever Parliament meets, the Church will be threatened with various measures, the carrying of any one of which would be confessedly injurious to her. They know also that, in order to her efficiency, much is needed, which, as things are at present constituted, only Parliament can provide. There are attacks to be met and defeated, and wants to be provided for; and yet Churchmen, rather than combine for either pur pose, are willing to leave everything to the chapter of accidents. We are aware that there is a growing disinclination upon the part of many Churchmen to have anything to do with, or to seek anything from, Parliament ; and, no doubt, a careful study of the history of the past is calculated to strengthen it. The State never gave the Church anything for nothing ; and while its best-intended acts have frequently _proved most detrimental, the Church has been reduced to a state of absolute bondage by the submissions which have been exacted from her in return for them. All this we admit ; but, still, we maintain that it is necessary to deal with things as they are. The fact is, that Parliament possesses the power of injuring the 'Church; and there are many, both within and without its walls, ready and anxious to put that power in motion. If we can persuade it to give up this power, to relinquish all claim to legislate upon matters in which the Church is interested, well : but until we do this,—(of which there is as much likelihood as there is of a railway to the moon, or of the reali sation of any other incredible or impossible scheme,) — it is our duty and our highest wisdom to endeavour, by all lawful means, to hinder such damage as Parlia ment has the power to inflict. We ask nothing but -_ simple justice, protection as regards that which is our own, and the rejection of measures calculated to inflict injury and injustice. But, besides what the Church already possesses, there are many things which, in order to her efficiency, she sorely needs ; and which, as things are at present, only Parliament can bestow. But herein also we simply ask for justice. We ask not for State-grants, or subsidies, the very bestowal o? which would only serve to rivet still faster the fetters with which the Church is already bound. What we do ask, is the removal of restrictions. Now it, may be all very well to argue, that Parliament had no right to impose them, and that the Church, as a spiritual corporation, ought to be free from all inter ference from stich a quarter, at least so far as regards . matters in which her efficiency is involved ; but, again, the simple fact is that she has been interfered with— restrictions have been imposed ; and, without a revo lution, which every true Churchman would deprecate, no power but that of Parliament can remove them. These, then, are the two objects for which Churchmen of all parties should combine, first, to procure the rejection of all measures calculated to inflict injustice and injury upon the Church ; and, secondly, to obtain the removal of those restrictions upon her free action, by operation of which she has been reduced to a state of almost helpless bondage. We spoke last week of the necessity which exists for an increase of the Epis copate. We ask for no State-grants for this purpose; but we do ask for liberty of action, which, while at present denied to the Church, is enjoyed by every sect in the country. Suppose the funds necessary for an additional Bishopric to be given by a single individual, or raised by subscription among many, nothing fur ther could be done without Parl iamentar y permission. Not all the clergy and laity of England, with the bench of bishops at their head, could subdivide the most populous diocese, or add one to the existing number of the Church's chief pastors. But we are glad to think that we can perceive in some quarters signs of change, which lead us to hope, that Churchmen may possibly be more drawn together than heretofore for the purpose of advancing those objects wherein all, or nearly all, are agreed. A con temporary remarks that, on the subjects of coadjutor bishops, and free and open sittings in churches, we may anticipate the co-operation of that party which takes the Record for its organ ; and that, speaking of the alienation of the working classes from ,public worship, the Record declares its foremost cause to be the vicious arrangement of nearly all our churches and chapels." "It is important," (says the writer) " when we speak of this, to bear in mind the real date and origin of the evil of which we complain. The pew-system, or rather the whole internal arrangement of the churches and chapels of the metropolis, is not ancient : it is not Roman Catholic, nor is it Protestant. It took its rise nearly two centuries after the Reforma tion, in one of the darkest and most deplorable periods of the whole British history. . . . The first half of the last century, within which most of the present churches and chapels were built, was a period in which religion, morals, science, and literature were all at the lowest ebb. Unblushing corruption in the govern ment, and vulgar selfishness among the people, cha racterised the age. Yet a traditional respect for the I religion established by the law still existed. The churches of the City were rebuilt; and, as the West minster parishes largely increased in population, new churches were built for them. But, throughout the whole, one principle of action is everywhere discernable. The upper and middle classes built the churches for themselves. Examine any of them, and see what pro vision is made for the largest class of all—the work ing men and their families. Enter St. Clement's Church, or St. Martin's, St. Paul's, Covent-Garden, St. George's, Bloomsbury, or St. John's Chapel, and see what seats have been provided for those who form two-thirds of the population. A few benches up the middle aisle, or at the back of the galleries, constitute nearly the whole accommodation set apart for those whose numbers, in the immediate vicinity, must be told by thousands. What wonder is it, then, if the mechanic, entering such a church, and feeling himself regarded as almost an intruder, resolves to go there no more ? Is not the resolution, on the part of a man not yet religious, a very natural one The truth is, we have gone in the very teeth of St. James's injunc tions, and are now reaping that which we have sown." The simple remedy is repentance, and imme diate restitution." This, from cooh a quarter, is a hopeful sign ; and we would earnestly commend it to the attention of all, especially in Liverpool, who lament the Church's pre sent inefficiency, and wish to see it remedied. FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. MONDAY MORNING. THE season of merriment and feasting is now coming ra pidly to a natural termination. The citizens having ex hausted the ordinary means of killing time during the holiday season by endless rotations of visitings, inspections of the new pantomimes, attendance at the exhibitions, and having greatly pleased themselves without edifying others by criticisms on the various amusements which form the staple topics of con versation and enjoyment during the good old Christmas pe riod, have begun once more to turn that ever-revolving wheel of industry which plies its ceaseless rounds in the metropolis. Conspicuous among the cheering events which render the fes tive season delightful, is the frequent exercise of that active benevolence whose mission it is in so far to equalise the par tial gifts of fortune by making the poor participators in the bounties of the rich. The example in this, as in most chari table deeds, was, as usual, taken by the QUEEN, whose New Year's-day charities, to the extent of £550, were dispensed on Tuesday forenoon to six hundred of the poor of the parishes of Windsor and Clewer. The charity in this instance con sisted of food and articles of clothing, and they were distri bnted in the Riding-house of the Castle in presence of HER MAJESTY, the PRINCE CONSORT, and the whole of the Royal Family, together with the illustrious guests who were partici pating in the royal hospitalities. In the evening of the same day, METHYL'S sacred drama of " Joseph," transformed into an oratorio by the introduction of descriptive recitatives, composed by Cusms, organist to the QUEEN'S private chapel, was performed in St. George's Hall. The drama, in its present form, has been translated into English by W. BARTHOLO3LEW. SIIAKSPEARE, who lets us into many other secrets, makes us also acquainted with various cares affecting royalty, and emphatically declares Uneasy is.the head that wears a crown. It so happens, however, that most of the difficulties with which he surrounds his crowned heads are matters of serious moment, and it is questionable if even his teeming invention could have,realised so dire a mishap as that which has threat ened' to disturb the peaceful arrangements of Her Majesty QUEEN VICTORIA. The Windsor Castle theatricals are to be revived ; and, on the 10th of this month, one of the pieces se lected for representation was " A Nice Farm," Mrs. F. MATTHEWS, Mr. CHARLES MATHEWS, and Mr. ROBERT ROXBY being selected to perform the leading characters in the comedietta. " One man may lead a horse to water, but twenty shall not compel him to drink," says the proverb. Otte sovereign may command the services of any one of her sub jects, but it requires the authority of another potentate to se cure the co-operation of " Her Majesty's faithful servants." Our liege lady VICTORIA may have perfect sway at Windsor Castle, and in all other portions of her dominions, but King SMITH is head of the reigning dynasty at Drury-lane Theatre, and it so happens, that, at the present conjuncture of affairs, there has been a diplomatic arrangement between the wielder of the real and of the mimic sceptre. His Smithian Majesty refuses to allow his subjects to take service, even as volunteers, in the theatric armies of the QUEEN of BRITAIN! " This is the first time that our House has been embroiled with the House of BovEzon," was the modest remark of VESTRIS, the dancer, in reference to some cause of offence he had given to the Court of Versailles. It has been reserved for the second half of the nineteenth century to witness a similar embroil- Ment between two great houses. The House of SMITH has become embroiled n ith the House of BRUNSWICK. Flow these rival houses are to be reconcile it is difficult to conjecture. One thing only seems certain, the House of SMITH will not give way. CHems MATunws is the ambassador from Drury ; and he pleads as his reason for not taking part in the Windsor theatricals, that King SMITH, to whom he owes dramatic allegiance, has strictly "forbidden him to perform at Windsor;" and in this condition, with true diplomatic reserve, he leaves the cause of this prohibition in the dark—or to be guessed at. The Monarch of Drury Lana, however, has. another, and more. communicative emissary in the Era, which unfolds the canna, Belli : this it does in a style which would do credit to a negc. tiator no less adroit than Lord JOHN himself, the newspaper protocol having decidedly the advantage over his Lordshiis double-headed Vienna, interpellations, in so far as they are comprehensible. It commences by an assurance that "the. play-going mind'" has for some time past been puzzled to find out "why HER MAJESTY does not visit Drury Lane Theatre." With the true liberality of an envoy who has made up his mind to uphold his position through good report and through bad report, he admits that HER MA.TESTZ has an undoubted right to please herself in bestowing her patronage ; but dextrously adds, that the " exception of Drury Lane creates perplexity in that portion of the public gifted with "a play-going mind." He, with wonderful as well as. com mendable naivete, gives indications of the point at which King SMITH'S shoe pinches : "the QUEEN'S box at Drury Lane is a national custom almost amounting to.a right," says the diplomatic Era. Whose right, however, he does not state, but it also involves an annual payment of £2OO. In the meantime matters are run to extremity by the House of SMITH against the House of BRonswxes. Windsor Castle has been put in a state of dramatic blockade. The QUEEN will not go to Drury Lane, and, unlike the tactique of MAHOMKT, Drury Lane cannot go to the QuEnsr. The potentate of Drury makes reprisals, and will hot allow his histrionic trio to convey their Nice Farm to Windsor, Such a state of matters is indeed serious. Many well-meaning people, not so well-gifted with prescience as the astronomers of Laputa, can perceive no means of escaping from the difficulty so promising as an Austrian intervention. The nature of the dispute seems happily adapted to the genius of such a pacificator. How beautifully the terms of amity could be arranged by such a diplomatist, in some such terms as the following :—The Royal box to be established at Drury Lane in all respects, except the rent; the equivalent for which being the permis sion for MRS. F. MATTHEWS, ME. C. MA.THEWS, and ME. R. ROXBY to play at Windsor Castle for the honour of the , thing. Every one feels satisfied these would be terms on which the individuals in question would be only too happy to render their services. While public attention has been somewhat rudely stirred by such theatrical and nncourtly s t r if e , th e genera l hum of prepar ation, which is almost always expected as a prelude to opening the parliamentary campaign, seems totally absent. Frequent,indeed almost daily,meeting s of ministers, give token that the members of the government are not entirely oblivious as to what the country expects from them when the opportu nity for asking questions shall arrive. In the meantime poli tical speculation of all kinds seems dead or dormant. The leaders of all parties seem more intent on watching the move merits of their opponents, than desirous of revealing th e i r own plans of parliamentary strategy. Many topics for late- THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. ' resting discussion will readily present themselves when par liament assemblies, not the least interesting of which will be a consideration of how the funds for carrying on the war are to be provided. The publication of the revenue returns indicates the unpleasant fact that there is a deficiency of £400,000 in the actual expenditure to make up ; besides which there is also a large provision to be made for the war expenditure otPthei current year. Here is a fine nut for the economists of all classes to crack, speaking, as these facts do, of coming loans and increasing taxation. However complete the legislative and ministerial lull may be, these topics are engrossing much attention out of these charmed circles, and lively anxiety is expressed by many in relation to the war expenditure ; the present state of the money market, and the operation of the Bank Charter Act of 1844. True enough, on this last subject there is much conflict of opinion. A large amount of "au thority" exists in favour of repealing the Act altogether—an extensive section of the monied public are favourable to a mere modification of its provisions, retaining its principle entire— while a third, and by no means contemptible, portion are op posed to any alteration at all. The Bank Charter Act is a measure on which it is understood Sir ROBERT PEEL bestowed the utmost attention, and that he believed it to be so perfect that he set his heart on it with all the enthusiasm o devoted love—some do not scruple to say that he looked on it as the crowning measure for securing the ascen dancy of a plutocracy, rich only in money-wealth. Not. withstanding all the care and caution which he bestowed on its concoction and consolidation, it was once in most material jeopardy from the vote of a parliamentary committee, of which he was himself the chairman. The story is thus narrated, and it is not very generally known. In 1848, when Sir ROBERT was not in office and Lord JOHN RussELL was Premier, the support of the former was invaluable to the Whig Cabinet, who, in return for that support, agreed to back the pet scheme of Sir ROBERT against all odds and chances. The act was not popular among the Radical section of parliament or of ministers, and a committee was appointed to inquire into its operation. The alliance between Sir ROBERT and the Cabinet was perfectly understood and acted on, and accordingly when Mr. HuasE, who was not in the secret, moved the adoption of a resolution by the com mittee for repealing the act of 1844, Sir CHARLES WOOD, the Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer, moved a counter resolution in favour of the act ; Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who had never attended a meeting of the committee, came down and voted against Mr. HUME'S* resolution, which was rejected by the casting vote of the chairman, Sir ROBERT PEEL himself. On this occasion Mr. DISRAELI, Mr. THOMAS BARING and others of the Conservative party, left the committee without voting. The result of the vote puzzled Mr. HUME greatly, the grounds of the combination by which it was brought about he could never unravel, and it is said the secret springs of action which led to it have not yet been revealed. The prospects of peace, which have for some time past occu pied so large a share of public attention, have "grown fine by degrees and beautifully less," until now no' one can find for them " a local habitation or a name." Consideration seems to be now prudently and properly. directed to the discovery and provision of means, by which, at the commencement of operations in spring, the Allies shall be able to deliver heavy and vital blows at different points of the Russian territory. Preparations of the most vigorous and energetic character are being made for striking heavy blows against the enemy in different quarters. Many circumstances point with unmis takeable precision to the Baltic as one scene of terrific' action, so soon as its waters shall be sufficiently freed from ice to admit of uninterrupted navigation. " There is no use in hesitating," says the Post, understood to be deep in the secrets of Lord PALMERSTON ; " there is nothing to be gained by the system of cautious delay—it is time that we should not only show, but should actively employ, our enormous strength by sea—that we should show them that no' strength of defence, that no armament of forts is suffi cient to secure them from the force of the British attack. We must appear close to St. Petersburg with argu ments which Russia cannot answer. We must see what conditions of peace she will venture to offer when the last sail of the navy on which she has spent her time and her treasure is demolished—when even CrOnstadt is insufficient to defy the armament that we are now gathering for this ex ploit." Big words, indeed, are these,.but not bigger than the occasion calls for—not higher in their - tone than thearmament to which they are applied will fully warrant, if that armament is meant, indeed, to go forth in its might. Let it also be borne in remembrance that the Post is not given-generally to flourish " in King Cambyses' vein," but is rather remarkable for the sobriety of its tone; and is nce a little entitled to respect for the accuracy of its information. What, it may be asked r is the extent and power of that armament, from which so ranch is expected ?—and in what does it differ from those which have already, on two occasions, promised so much i and accomplished so little ? The fleet is, really, something stu pendous to contemplate. It is to consist of twenty ships of the finep and eighteen frigates, armed with such a number of guns,. and capable, of throwing such a Weight of projectiles, as has never before left our shores.- These are to be accompanied by a line of floating batteries, heavy mortar-ships and gun boats, amounting in all to 243 sail, and carrying the enor mous number of 3,140 guns. Such- a flotilla it can never be the intention of any sane Minister to send to the Baltic, or any other sea, merely for. the purpose of taking care of the ships of which it is composed, and avoiding danger, as has been the case with those which,wen sent in the , two first campaigns-. While this immense armament is being got ready for despatch,. the Russians appear to- feel, satisfied that this time the war is not to be conducted on the principles of drawing-room conflict. They are concentrating troops•in the vicinity of St.. Petersburg, and taking active measures for putting the capital in. a condition to resist a siege. They are also busily engaged in strengthening.the fortifications-along their vast line of frontier in the interior. As an indispensable corollary to-such expensive expeditionsasthe Allies are fitting out for attacking Russia at different and distant points-in Enrope and-in Asia,. the plausible fiddie-faddle of Lord Joni Russumand his friends, as to no alteration in the boundaries of Russia; must he given up. No -good purpose of even a temporary character can .be attained.. by entering a territory on se many different points, if we mean to abandon them at the end of each campaign. If dismemberment of the Russian Empire must follow,the obstinacy of the autocrat, he must be prepared for it. The time has long since gone by when the war could be carried on against Russia with the arms of courtesy ;. the struggle is- one for very life, .and as such it must be fought out. A. curious coincidence of indications-appears to mark-the course of feeling, in respect to the present war, _as was at tendant on the great struggle which. raged with such extra ordinary and perilous-violence at the- commencement. of the century. Then,.as-now, a few degenerate sons of Albion. took every opportunity and means of exhibiting sympathy with the enemy. Then,.as-now, every opportunity was seized to throw discouragementiu the way of our progress, and, like the peace at-any-price faction,of the present day, the disaffected of that period were continually discovering symptoms of lukewarm-. ness on the part of our allies, and were eqeally ingenious and communicative - with, respect to the resources of the enemy. In point of fact, itovvonld seem that, cowardice and, treachery are ever actuated.by the same motives, and are at- all times equally skilled izthe use of the same weapons. For- the last few weeks-all the Russian organs, of whatever calibre or pre tence—bothßritish and continental—have been busy in repre senting, that the EMPEROR, and people of Prance are both tired of the war, and that its longer continuance, if it be per severed in,. must be maintained by Britain. single-handed. On the twenty-ninth of last month a grand militaryfele was given.in Paris, every indication of which was. widely at va riance with such an opinion. The occasionmas the celebration of the return of the Imperial Guard from the Crimea, and never since the year of Austerlitz has France displayed such a spec tacle of military ardour-and. enthusiasm. Monarch and people vied with each other in.rendering the entry of these brave men into the capital a triumph. The military feeling reached a pitch of enthusiasm which. sober Englishmen have a difficulty in understanding, but is easy of comprehension to him who knows the warlike partialities of Frenchmen—above all, to him who knows. with what exuberance of hope the youth of France, of the middle and lower ranks, look to the career of arms as the ladder to fortune and to fame. The address made to the returning heroes by the EMPEROR was calculated in the highest degree to influence the martial sentiment, and every one resident in France knows that the war never was so po pular among that high-spirited people as it is at this moment. A similar feeling pervades our own countrymen. It is math. felted by less palpable signs. Like their personal and collective courage, it is more earnest than demonstrative, but it is not the less truly there. The nation stands on the tip-toe of ex pectation—by the people no effort has been spared, no means withheld which ingenuity could suggest to bring the contest to an honourable end ; the people are now in a mood to demand realization and to scout pretence. AN INTERESTING EVENT.—On Friday morning last divine service was celebrated in the parish church of Studley, when a large congregation of parishioners and neighbours assembled to unite with Sir F. H. Goodricke, Bart., and family, in re turning public thanks to Almighty God for the preservation of Lieut. Goodricke, under circumstances almost miraculous, at the attack on the Redan. Lieut. Goodricke, a very young officer, volunteered from his own regiment into one going to the Crimea. At the final attack his revolver was struck with three balls, either of which from the position in which the pistol was held, must have proved mortal had it struck him self. His sword point was carried off by another ball, and a fourth passed through his coat. As the English were retiring another ball struck the gallant officer in the breast, and passed right through him, near an artery. This wound was pro nounced mortal. Lieutenant Goodricke has, however, returned home, and is now likely to recover. TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS. ON Tuesday, a meeting of the Council was held for the purpose of appointing trustees, &c., for the different local institutions : —ln compliance with the terms of the trust, the Mayor was appointed a trustee, under a local Act of oth Geo. IV., for enabling the trustees of Mrs. Ann Molyneux's Charities, in Liverpool, to grant building leases, and for better vesting the estates in them.—The Mayor and Messrs. Fleming and Gregson were appointed trustees, under the local Act of 7th Geo. IV., for establishing St. James's Ceme tery.—The Mayor and Mr. Alderman Bennett were chosen to execute the powers given to the mayor and senior aldermen by the Local Act of 10th Geo. IV., cap. 15, relating to the School for the Indigent Blind, at - Liverpool, and the chapel attached thereto.—The next proceeding was the appointment of forty-one members of the Council as commissioners, to carry into execution the Local Act sth Geo. IV., for the better regulation and encouragement of pilots, and the appointment of three members of the Council as auditors under the act. All the members were re-appointed, except in those instances where there had been changes in the Council, in which cases Mr. J. M. Wood, Mr. J. Bigham, and Mr. J. Moss, all of whom had left the Council, were succeeded respectively by Mr. J. Lawrence, Mr. Sheil, and Mr. Roger Haydock. PERILOUS CONDITION OF THE WALLISEY EMBANKMENT. On the motion for the appointment of the Commis sioners of the Wallasey Embankment, Mr. Samuel Holme called attention to the great danger which the embankment had of late sustained from severe gales, accompanied by high tides. The damage resulting from this cause last quarter it would take upwards of £3,000 to repair. The total amount of rates which the commissioners were enabled to levy amounted to £3,000 only per annum. The commissioners had had to incur a debt of nearly f 04,000 at the bank, the result of the damage done in one year alone, and more than half the rates which they were entitled to raise during the next year had already been disposed of._ . Under these circum stances, and considering the rapid decay of the foreshore from the incursions of the sea, he urged that the Dock Committee, who were owners of a large amount of property on the other side of the river, should unite with the Corporation in the erection of a sea-wall, beginning at Seacombe, and ending at Hoylake, a distance of about eight miles, which would cost about £400,000 or £500,000. The appointments were then filled up as follows :—The Mayor and Messrs. Hornby and Samuel Holme. Forty-one members of the Council were then appointed commissioners, under the acts relating to the churches of St. Paul and St. John. The members were re•elected ; except Mr. John Aikin, appointed in the place of Mr. Arthur Hen derson ; Mr. Farnworth in place of Mr. W. J. Horsfall ; and Mr. John Lawrence, in place of Mr. J. M. Wood. The gen tlemen who had served last year as commissioners to inspect, audit, and adjust the accounts of the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks, under the Dock Acts, and the appointment of commissioners under the Income and Property Tax Acts, were re-elected. TICE IMOPOSED PIER-ILEA.D Amongst the Mayor's communications was one signed by a number of brokers,. merchants, and others, complaining of the inconvenience caused by the irregularity of the clocks near the pier, and suggesting the establishment of a central Pier head clock, to be illuminated, and high enough to be seen by parties approaching either the north or south bridge. After soma discussion it was decided that the memorial could- not be entertained. WEDNESDAY. The monthly meeting of the . Council was held on Wednes• day, the Mayor presiding. FINANCE COMMITTEE.-INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OP THE CURBENT TEAM. The' proceedings of the Finance Committee included a report from the Sub-committee of Finance ; and upon the probable income and expenditure of the Corporation for the year commencing Ist September last and ending the 31st August next. The committee were of opinion that the in come of the Corporation, from. all sources,. could not be estimated at more than £177,682, nor the compulsory ex penditure., of all kinds, at not less- than £160,994, leaving a gross surplus of £16,598. The several branches of discre tionary expenditure, which the Council has been. in the habit of making, for the public benefit of the inhabitants, on ac count of the Corporation Schools-, the charities,• and the Observatory, would require, if continued, a sum of £3,147, and there were sundry hnprovements- already ordered which would cost £1,950. These two sums, making together £5,097, being deducted from the gross surplus of £16,598,, would leave a net surplus of £11,501. Last year the Council had voted, out of the stirplus income, the amount charged, to the several townships,- on account of the watch-rate, andqf this arrangement were - ' continued the parish -of Liverpool would be benefitted to the' extent of £8,525 10e: 6d.; the township of Toxteth-park to the extent of £1,405 15s. 10d. ; the town ship of Everton to the extent of £897 12s. Id.; the township of West Derby to the - extent of £687 10s. 5d.; and the town ship of Kirkdale to the extent of £303 13s. ld. These several sums, amounting in the whole to £11,820' Is. 11d., would, if they were voted, leave an estimated deficiency:of £319 'is: 11d. Mr. HOIMBY; in moving the confirmation of the proceedings, said the Council would have been prepared to expect that the re port would have been far less favourable than had been the Can , for several years. Last year the estimated surplus was £30,600';. this year it wa5.216,600 only, showasg a falling off of £14,000. The deficiency,. however, was not'owing to any apprehended falling off of income, which was expected to ex ceed the income of last year by about £5,000, in consequence of the greater productiveness- of the Town-dues, but was attri butable altogether to large , additions to their expenditure,• which additions were expected to- amount, within the year, to £19,000. The principal items , of increase would be the interest on- the bond debt of the Corporation, which would exceed the amount paid under the same head last year by £6,700, and the• loss upon the Birkenhead purchase, £7,000. There would , be - an increase of £l,OOO under the head of the Mayor's allowance, in consequence of the expenses• incurred, by order of the-Council, in celebration of the fall of Sebastopol. The accumulating fund would . call for an additional sum of £6OO ; and the aggregate amount of these items of increase would be, according to the estimate of the committee, £19,000. He would first move that the 'report of the committee be received and printed for the information of the-Council ; which having :been agreed to,. the annual donations to the charities were proposed by Mr. Homby, and agreed to; and the grants in aid of the watch. 'rate ordered to be made as usual. Mr. Hamby then moved the confirmation of a resolu tion directing the sale by auction, on lease for seventy-five years, of the property now in possession, and this resolution was adopted, after some discussion,. by a majority of 34 to 10. WATCH, LIGHTING, AND ME' POLICE COMMITTEE. t ME. HODEYON'tik CHARGE AGAITHR THE POLICE. The proceedings of the Watch, Committee included certain resolutions having reference to what passed at the last meeting of the Council on the alleged existence of bribery in the police force, and on the mode in , which investigations into charges of bribery had been conducted. The first of these re olutions was in the following terms : " That, after the remarks made on the conduct of tile chair man, at the last meeting of the Council, the committee em brace the earliest,opportunity of expressing, in the strongest manner, their confidence in him, and of bearing testimony to the undeviating rectitude of his character, his stricthonesty of purpose, his unremitting attention to the duties of his office, and his unwearied zeal in their discharge." This was followed by another resolution, to the' same effect„ and almost in thesaine words, having reference to the, vice chairman. Then came these , further resolutions : "• The attention of the committee having been called to the statement made by T. L. Hodson, Esq., before the Council, of 22 per week being given to ' the police force' to prevent in formations, resolved, that a special committee, consisting of all, the members of the Watch Committee, be appointed to inquire into and report upon such charge,-and that the Town-clerk be, instructed to write to, Mr. Hodson, informing hies of this re solution, and requesting him to afford them any information. he may have upon the subject,. on such day and atsuch hour as may be most convenient to himself." It appeared,. from the further proceedings of the committee,, that the Town-Clerk had written to Mr. Hodson in accordance with the instructions of the committee, but that no answer had, been received to his communication whereupon the committee resolved, at their meeting on_the 2 2nd of December, that the investigations should take place at the Town-hall on•the-fol lowing Wednesday, at two o'clock, and instructed the Town clerk to write •to Mr. Hodson, again, and to inform him. that the committee would thanksbina to attend the meeting,to afford the Special Committee any information , he might possess, to aid them in their investigation. The Special. Committee met accordingly, at the time-and place appointed, but Mr. Hodson did not attend, nor wasany communication reeeived,from him; and after waiting half-an-hour for him, the meeting broke up. Upon these facts beingreported to the General . Committee, the following resolution was, adopted : "That as the publication of serious charges against the con duct of officers in the-police, which are not sustained, tend to impair the efficiency-.of the whole force, and, to weaken the confidence of the public therein, the committee deem it proper to call the attention of the Council to the course pursued by Mr. Hodson, whohaving, in his place-bathe Council, ventured to.promulgate a specific charge that some member or members of the police force habitually accepted bribes to suppress in fbrmations, as detailed in the above report, declines, when, called upon, to afford the committee-the means of investigat, ing this serious charge, and of correcting : the , evil if found to exist, and yet has not done the force thejustice of withdrawieg the accusations." Mr. GREGSON, in moving the confirmation of the proceedings of the committee, called attention to the resolution, and ex pressed his opinion that the Council generally would agree with it. Mr. MUNCHER seconded the resolution, and, in a marked manner, called on Mr. Hodson either to come forward and substantiate the charges he- bad made, or to withdraw them. Mr. HODSON 'replied at considerable length, expressing his conviction that the chairman and members of the committee discharged their duty in, a straightforward and conscientious manner. After a few remarks from Mr. JOHN Auctiv,Mr..GODPRET, and Aldermen PARKER and LANGSDALE, the proceedings of the committee were confirmed. DOCK COMMITTEE. - INCREASE OF THE DOCK RATES. The proceedings of the Dock Committee having been read, Mr. CHARLES TURNER moved their adoption, referring es pecially to the proposed increase of the dock rates, and stating that the committee, looking at the financial position of the trust, at the increased pressure in the money market, and at the decrease of tonnage resulting from the alterations which had been made in the mode of measuring ships, under the pro visions of a recent act of parliament, had come to the conclu sion that it was prudent, at least, if not absolutely necessary, that some increase should be made. It was abundantly evi dent their present revenue, as shown by the income of 1854-5, was not sufficient to meet their expenditure, and, although some gentlemen were of opinion that they might safely rely upon the increase of trade to make up the deficiency, the majority were of opinion that the sufficiency of their income to meet their expenditure should not be left in any manner of doubt. The addition of ten per cent. to the tonnage duties would barely make up the loss occasioned by the altera tion in the mode of measurement. With respect to steam vessels, indeed, the loss was considerably greater than the ten per cent. would cover, but the committee were bound by law to put both steam and sailing vessels on the sa me footing. The addition of ten per cent. to the charges was thought only fair, because goods had had a great advantage over tonnage in previous revisions of the rates. After one or two unimportant questions had been put and answered, the proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the St. George's-hall, Markets, Educa tion, and Gaol and House of Correction Committees were read and confirmed.—The 'proceedings of the Health Committee were read and confirmed, with the understanding that a letter to which Mr. Alderman Bennett called the attention of the Council, suggesting an improvement in the manner of num bering the houses throughout the borough, should be consi dered by that committee, before any steps were taken to pro ceed with the numbering upon the plan recommended by the Borough Engineer.—Tlie proposal of the Health Committee for the erection of new public offices, on the site of the Sara cen's Head, was referred to a select committee of nine mem bers of the Council—the Finance, Watch, and Health Com mittees each contributing three.—The proceedings of the Gardens Committee were read and confirmed.--The proceed ings of the Church Expenditure Committee included a recom mendation to discontinue the payment of the salary of the organist of St. Peter's Church, after the expiration of the present year. A discussion arose, and eventually the recom mendation was not confirmed, and it was left open to the committee to make any futnre proposition on the subject. The proceedings of the 'Water Committee, of the Library and Museum Committee (including power to raise, by rate, a sum of £5,600 for the service of the current year,) of the Baths-Committee, and of the Hackney Carriages Committee, were read and confirmed. ME BIRKENHEAD AMALGAMATION SCHEME.—The special committee on this subject recommended the Council to with draw the bill for the municipal amalgamation of the two towns, in consequence of the refusal of the Birkenhead bond holders to assent to the proposed arrangement, although Mr. Hornby said the Birkenhead Commissioners, as far as they were concerned, were satisfied with it. The recommendation of the committee was confirmed. The Coroner's account, amounting to £4O 12s. 2d., was ordered to be paid. An application from Mr. Surr, auditor in the Town Dues office, for an increase of salary, was referred to the Finance Committee. The Council adjourned at three o'clock. THE ROYAL FIRE AND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. (FROM THE MORNING HERALD.) IT appears now to be almost universally acknowledged that the conductors of the daily press should not forget, among their multifarious duties, the necessity of warning the public to be cautious in its known tendency to snatch at any corn. mercial bait which presents itself, however extravagant or impossible of attainment its promised allurements may be. If this be conceded as respects ordinary business-speculations, it behoves them to be doubly watchful in such matters as life assurance, where the victim, once spell-bound by specious promises, is likely to remain enthralled until, possibly, the savings of a life are expended, and until, in old age, the bursting of the bubble suddenly surprises him with the heart breaking announcement that his family are destined to penury in place of the competence which it had been the dream of his life he had provided. Considerations such as these, we suppose, have led many of our contemporaries in the metropolis and elsewhere recently to draw the attention of their readers to the position which has been attained by one of the many excellent establishments now in existence connected with life and fire assurance. W e allude to the Royal Insurance Company ; and certainly the success of that company has- been so rapid, and itas so mani festly followed on sound prudence in the management of it s finances, that we consider it advisable to refer to its proceedings as an example to the conductors of similar institutions. The attention of the public appears to have been first and mainly drawn to this company by the wisdom which marked its financial operations in the year 1849. From the annual report read at that time, it appears that, after paying ample interest to its proprietors during. the four preceding years, there remained a reserve fund of $108,e40 to be disposed of. Considering the practice and banefil example of many modern public companies, here was clearly a , stropg temptation to divide'a large'snm among the shareholders, which,-as it turns out, might have been done in safety,• as the manager stated in his speech, a year or two since, that every subsequent year has yielded a profit and added to the surplus capital, after paying a dividend to the proprietors. However, instead of following the course we have indicated, the directors of this respectable company added from the sum named about £90,000 to their permanent capital ; for the in-. creased protection of its insurers. This step distinctly shows that the company has always acted on thaprinciple enunciated by one of the directors at the last annual meeting of the pro prietors —" thatthe interests of the assured have a paramount claim on the - directors—a claim superior even to that of the shareholders themselves." From that moment, as might be expeed, the company attained the• highest consideration throughout the country, and has retained ever since. The result io shown in the unexampled fact that` its fire revenue alone rose, in about five years, from little-more than £30,000 to about £130,000." A further cause of this rapid growth _lies somewhat below the surface, but is yet of importance. From inquiry we learn that no fire office possessing half the above racenue annually. deposits its accounts with the registrar-generak , This fact has recently been noticed with just - commendation by one of our contemporaries. Instances have -followed each other of late years of•firms and companies enjoying a celebrity almost the growth of generations, flourishing by. the sole aid of their established prestige, multiplying by these means their vast responsibilities, and thus only heaping up by the aid of their annual -resources, which serve but-to defer the anal catastrophe, an -ultimately is.kmslAn nclgta = '.O dvuleStle , and public woe. These events could never have happened to the same extent if the public had had -the means to sift and examine the posi tion of these establishments annually during their - existence. It has been truly said that the "wealth of the oldest com panies may have dwindled. instead, of accumulated," so far as the information which they afford to the public gives any sign. The resources and balance•-sheets of this great company are, on the contrary, annually registered, and unmistakeable evi dence is thus given. periodically of its capacity to meet its engagements. But we should not omit the- life branch, which has chiefly attracted attention lately. The-reversionary bonasto assurers on this branch is stated to.he•"equal on the average .to 80 per cent. on the premiums: -paid from ages 20 to 40. Although this amount of bonus, strikingly large and satisfactory as it undoubtedly is, is not' unprecedented, as some have stated, it has evidently reached a-point of magnitude which is not likely to exceeded in permanence by any respectable-and prudent office• computing its-liabilities on so sound a principle as that recited in the actuary's report.. This is, indeed, „self-evident from the statements-of- that document itself, to the effect that the• mortality has been more favourable than the ordinary tables of mortality—the• expenses unusually small; and that the interest on the investments has yielded fullTs per cent., without the loss of a single fraction by bad debb—a financial success in itself almost unexampled, we should think, in such large transactions.. If with all these- advantages the result preduees such a bonus as that adverted toy people may indeed look with sus picion on any company. either declaring, or- leading their assurers to anticipate larger results in the wayof,profit. The opinion acquires greater strength in our minds when we remember that the bonus is stated to be larger than that latterly given by some of the most successful. and flourishing offices either here-or. in. Scotland. It has been asserted that uo check can be devised by which: either the public-or-even the government, if assurances offices were placed under its control, should be able to test the com parative soundness or danger of each. We confess that, look, ing at the report ot the actuary of this company, we arrive at, a different conclusion. The bases ()this mathematical investigation, of the liabilities of this company are: given in plainer terms, and freer from, technicalities, than.: in, the report of any other actuary that we , happen to recal.ot the moment. The safety of the,coraputations is prove ,by the. following facts : The rate of interest assumed is fixed at; 3 per cent. Con sidering the fluctuations to which interest of money is liable, taking the -scope of an extended series. of years, any higher rate than this would, we opine, be unsound. If the legislature solely required that at the periods of valuation each office should declare the rate of interest it adopted, that singlestep in the right direction would riot be unattended with, good results. But further, the future premiums receivable are not taken, it appears, at the rate which the assurer has undertaken to pay, but at a smaller sum, which, in the actuary's opinion, wouhLat 3 per cent. interest just provide the exact amounts, assured. It is clear that this is, another act of judicious prudence, providing another element of safety. It is obvious that each office includes in its annual charges for assurance.a sum to cover future expenses, as well as to provide a..profit on its- transactions. If this be the tnse, it is equally evident that if the present value of those future payments in, full were taken to reduce the present amount of liabilities of a company, the computer would be anticipating as an immediate disposable sum the future profits, and we - aid be giving a delusive appear ance of prosperity to the ace , ..mts, contrary to. fact. Thus again we have a feature in life , valuations which, if required to be stated, would tend to the security of the assured. The actuary, having stated his mode of valuation, explains the' sources of future profit in the following plain terms, intelligible to the masses who are interested in.life assurance : "There remain, therefore, untouched, for your entire security and future profit, over atul above the ample aeserve set apart to meet future liabilities under your present engagements, the fol lowing items, viz.:— "1. The additional interest above 3 per cent, which you will receive on the said reserve and on the future premiums. "2. The amount of annual premiums now receivable beyond, that which is involved in the calculation, This has already been. referred to as the "loading," and will be-an addition of upwardw of 20 per cent. " 3. The probable advantage of a more favourable decrement of life than the tables of mortality would indicate, arising from the high standard of eligibility which has been adopted by. the company. "4. The property arising from policies lapsed or surrendered.' , The statements from which we have taken these remarks are contained in a little almanac lying before us, which is circulated by this company, and which contains very interest ing and useful information on fire and life assurance, as also on other general subjects. We have taken up this subject, and selected as our example this influential company, as the management, or rather the mismanagement, of many of our commercial establishments, as well as insurance offices, has recently startled the prudent and violently shaken the confidence of many ; and we con sider that by holding up to public commendation anyinstance importantsuch an n epresentnd beingo f the governeda rs of b y a an est sound a b hs judgment hmet fo r a n s d o unshaken integrity, we are helping on a better state of things successf or th e has and a t b e y n d t e h d i s thecase at society, l aret, r ll o u m s t r t a h t ienegmtion theen t directors of public companies generally the truth of that homely, though oft-forgotten, proverb, that after all, and in the long run, " honesty is the best policy. While upon this subject, we would call the attention of some of the most eminent insurance companies to the fact, that there are now in existence many small offi ces w hi c h , from the nature of the business transacted by th em, we are certain cannot be in a prosperous condition; and we would, therefore, suggest that some steps sho u ld b e t a k en e i ther to , amalgamate the affairs of these doubtful concerns into one or more respectable establishments, or that the more fortunate undertakings should gradually absorb their smaller brethren, and thus prevent anything like public scandal being brought upon a principle which, under proper management, we look upon as one of the most valuable of the age. [JANUARY 8, 1856• ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGESCL PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. Rev. J. C.' Bates, M.A., of Queen's College, Oxford, to the Incumbency of King Sternriale, Derbyshire. nes Rev. W. Blow, M.A., to the Vicarage of Layer Breton, Colchester. Rev. W. H. Davies, to the Curacy of Shipley, near liors l l4 Rev. C. J. D'Oyley, to the Incumbency of St. Mark's p Church, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, formerly Long-acre VD' London, Rev. J. D. Gray, to the Vicarage of Abbotsley, Rev. Hobson, to be Chaplain of Kilkenny Goal. , Rev. H. Howes, M.A. to the Rectory of Spixworth, g at, Sunning near A. W. Pearson, 8.A., to the Curacy of near Chertsey. College, Rev. M. Roberts, M.A., Chaplain of Magdalen ford, to the Rectory of All Saints', Saltfleetby, Rev. J. W. Ramsey, Curate of Grays Thurrock, to the ' of Rolvendon, Kent. F?rr efh Rev. R. S. J. Shirreff, to the Rectory of Woodham Essex. Rev:J. Todd, to the Vicarage of Ardleigh, Essex. .„ Weo" Rev. H. Tudway, ',M.A., to the Rectory of Walton-MP' in Gordano, Somerset. se%. Rev. G. C. Tufnell, M.A.. to the Vicarage of Takely, Hantioflde nsbir6 Rev. 'l'. Wildman to be Domestic Chaplain to the Itig u d e riDe the Earl of Galloway, at Galloway House, Wigtonshire,u e licen of th BisLo of Glaolsow and Galow. R o doef' Rev. ce C. M. W ilson p , S.C.C., to the Rectory o f White near Chipping Ongar. b DIOCESE OF IVIAN - CIIESTEE.— The Lord Bis..oP o f g lv , 1 ,0 chester, on Wednesd a y, li cense d t h e Rev. John Bob'P' the stipendiary curacy of St. Oswald's, Collyhurst Ernest Augustus Lan g , 8.A., t o th e st i pend i ary c urao ; 14 James's, Birch, near Manchester; Rev. Alexander Shaw go. 8.A., to the stipendiary curacy of St. Paul's, Preston' Edmund Boteler Chalmer, 8.A., to the stipendiary St. James's, Manchester ; and the Rev. John Leighton F to the chaplaincy of the Manchester General Ce l Harpurhey, in the place o f th e R ev. Ch ar l es Marsh a ll' signed. COURT AND FASHION. Her Majesty and th e C our t h ave rema i ne d a t during the past week. 0 6 LORD STANLEY has left Knowsley for Hughendou on a v APPROACHINGthe Ri Hon. B. Disraeli. *we e tl! AN MARRIAGE is announced ue.- - • Lady Emily Curzon, daughter of the Earl Howe, and Colonel Kingscote, of Kingscote Park, Gloucestershire' w itli 1 ) 4 THE MARRIAG E OF S IR R OBERT P EEL M , Barv., tsP t. the Lady Emily Hay, i s p os t pone d unt i l the 17th ins lof t The Duchess of Wellin g t on w ill ce l e b rate the ev ent grand breakfast in the Waterloo Gallery of Apsley 11 P 119 00 MR. WILLIAM Ross, brother of Majo r -G enera l Su' g oo, Rose, is about to form a matrimonial alliance with the o j Miss ,Thellussou, daughter of the Lady Rendlesbail l, sister f the Ld Walsingha. DO' Their Royal a Hi y ghnesses the m Duchess of Kent, the fr Cambridge, P-' Ed -d •ince _Three sward of Saxe Weimar, and Pri ri ,'" a ili nest of Leiningen ha v e b een on a v i s it to h er Ma j es ty the week. The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred came to Lendl c e Wednesday, and visited the Duchess of Gloucester at Gl° 31r ter House. Their royal highnesses afterwards attendeu.,4l Faraday's lecture at the Royal Institution, and then retu x " to Windsor. rsd' i l LORD PALMERSTON, who h a d b een s t ay i ng s i nce Thum the guest of the Queen, t oo k l eave on Saturday fo rr yo having to attend a meeting of the war department. Palmerston accompanied his lordship to town. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge- was Pr-,' d at on Friday, at the meeti ng h e ld a t th e war department, °„'"dor, which Lord Panmure, Lo r d P a l merston Lord- Clare‘lrooil Lord Hardinge, Sir Ed mun d Lyons, • and 'Sir Charles attended. TB Hon. Wyndham Quin, /ate' of the Grenadier u g or only brother of the Earl of Dunraven,,is about to 00 3 0 1 trimonial alliance with C aro li ne , third daughter of -A d jji 4 Sir George Tyler, M.P., of Cottesell, Glamorganshire• 5 .0 Harriet Tyler, eldest daughter of the Admiral, will be 1113 ,411 at the- same time to M r . Ed w . P . Ri c h ards; of Plas in the same county. ON Saturday, Her Majesty and his Royal,Hi g h ne ss mill Albert, attended by Lady Ely and the equerries in waitink i r the Castle,-and travelled by a special railway t r ain tor t s don, in order to inspect the G a il ery o f Paintins- in B _Ato Colours, in , Pall-mall East. Th e R oya l cortege re turnet'o, the Castle from town, by a special railway train. Her t he jesty, before leaving L on d on, pa i d a visit - to her ann'"!oo Duchess of Gloucester, a t h er res id ence, Gloucester Du Park-lane. . 0v 0; ALARMINE , ILLNESR OP LORD ADOLPHUS FITECId e a —Rear-Admiral Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence= is in 3 1 ,101 critical state, arising f rom a re l apse o f gout; from a o.l ' frer attack of which the no bl e an d ga ll ant a d m i ral had b ee n 56 icsi ing for the last three weeks. On Friday morning he fear' assailed by the most serious symptoms, and the greatest ' were entertained,,.when the members of hi s l or d s hip's fs r lo learnt from the medic a l a tt en d an t s th a t t h e i r pa tient;es seized with gout in the head. About three o'clock , on S ti d 0,4 morning a decided change for the better took place, 9 , 11 ,.,, 5 t0 medical advisers hold out hopes of his lordship's ntt l ., — ,e , recovery, although it could not be said he was out of de 3cll Up to a late hour in the evening the noble lord remained."' thl the same, and the favourable change noticed early. 13 morning continued. - vma ere r , IMPERIAL PRESRSJP , MO HER MAJESTY.—The Napoleon, with fine taste and delicate courtesy, has sea' ift to the Queen a very pretty and very precious Christnoliii It is in the form of a -lady's album,—and the substance IV is an artistic Memorial, of Her Majesty's Visit to Paris• cb drawings are in water-colour, by the most renowned Fr v „ s J masters. The Queen at , Boulogne is by M. Morel Fatio,:oo, the departure from that port by M. Mozin. M. Chave t vet' arrival at s t a r u e s t e tributes ut two dstt .h i 1 Cloud. u s Io mu t r a dp. e t i r e i l l s f - se t u o wp , t po h et e r z y r Td a, album—The w e ewin g Queen'ss a rieat übrr;i b vsa a t lrritlaitet artists is Qs ...n.ss MM. taus ass • mi. Etzgen Lam known in England. The case which contains these treasar;; is got up in the most exiinisite style, and with all the rich lye of ornamentation for which French design is renowned. of book, we believe, wa s p ro d uce d for trio Emperor at a cos a: thousand guineas.—Athenceron. DEATH OF THE MARQI.7IS• OP AITP4DURY, Marquis of Ailesbury expired on Friday morning, at TC' The ham-park, the family scat, near Marlborough, Wilts- N O venerable marquis had be en in declining he a lth for the a 03 three years, so that th e mem b ers of his Lordship's 11 were not unprepar e d f or th e mournful, event. The vers e F ) Peer was born on the 14th-of February, 1773, so that be The on the verge of attaining..the advanced age of 83 yea, f rs'„ g ed deceased marquis, previous to his- accession to the tise — Av til , Peers on the death of his, father, the Earl of Ailesbury, in 1814, represented Marlborough in the House of Cotn' - i plic during several Parliaments, and was, throughout his IL / . 0 1 life a zealous Tory of the old, school and warm. supPorntie' " our Protestant institutions." The• noble deceased ceeded in the family honours by his eldest son, George„. i t of liam FredrickSarl Bruee,Lieutenant-Colonel Commalw.„ber. the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Cavalry, born 20th Nove_nipe 1804, who married, 11th of May,. 1881, Lady Mary enfig Herbert, third daughter of the late Earl of Pembroke... A , Lordship was, in 1839 5 _ summon d t o - t h e H ouse of I.o— title of Baron Bruce, of Tottenham. 4 TER ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION 02 , HER MAJEST „es 0 YEAR'S GIFTS.—On New Year's Day the gifts to the neld, ing poor of New Windsor) Holy Trinity, and Clewer Ps r re ol were- given in the Ridi ng S c h oo l . Th e arrangements 'ye," a similar description to. those of former years, and the 0 , mittee of management consisted of the Hon. and VerlwlN the Dean of Windsor,_Colonel Phipps, and Colonel Bid do with the Rev. Henry. John Ellison, vicar of w inasoq . Rev. Henry Hawtzee, . Holy Trinity ; the Rev , „„ c ielt Carter, Clewer; and.. other clergy, the churchw'' t i a rF overseers, and some -of the leading residents of the tY, parishes. Her Majesty_ and tbe Prince Consort, Wi t rock Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the rest of the j og family left the Castle at ten o'clock, walked to the Il p r tO c e i School, and took their places as-usual in the gallery ci r ', l l. eastern entrance, from which.. they had an excellent 13 ;0 1 the proceedings. In preparing. the list of recipients ca r t yro f taken that the poor to whom the gift did not extend 10- 5 _ 0 09 should be included.in. the present distribution. The r" .. value altogether was X 65.0. FOR:SIG,ZV _OU'ELLIGENCE. THE. MEDITERRANEAN. 5 10 By the Peninsular, and Oriental Company's stsa o. l ".ter Indus, Captain. Brooks, with. the India, China, and M e -q7 b , ranean mails,we have dates fro m Alexandria, Dec. 234- P: i d o' 27 ; Gibraltar _3l. The- Indus, brings 38 passengers , s" freight two pa:ekages of specie, value not stated. Co/ At Alexanaria were the screw-ships Lady Jocelyn. , - DIP politan, and ; Austrian corvette Venus, and a large-fleet of merchantmen. 10 ift a Mexican. 5 0°5 From Gibraltar, we- have dates to the 31st ult. -in c 'aSty' The steam. transport Caroline left for Balaclava on, they and not for England, as previously stated. Her 3 S II o til e ship London, from the Black Sea, left Gibraltar an t he ni for England, in tow of the Prometheus steam-s loo ge sailing transport Dunbar was at Gibraltar with u , C 7,a p . 4 powder,,shot, and, shell from Malta, which s he would la paratory to proceeding to Spithead. The Cambrian t so, transport, which left Constanti no pl e on th e 21 s t insta l ' 91 ) ,, Malta the 26th, put in to Gibraltar to coa l on. the 30th' has fourteen horses on board for England, i n charge ci, oi'gr, ' et i v grooms, the property of British officers who. have sell' 1/1/'' the- Crimea. til 0 The Swedish brig Solide put into Gibraltar on the 8 2r it 4 to land the mate and four seamen belonging to the :0.01 schooner Jane, Joseph Robinson, master, twenty days ° •Ilve Maryport, bound to Marseilles, with a cargo of coals, 3,0 was run into by the Solide off Fuengirola, near gail y V, previous night, about a quarter-past seven• o'clock. Cort collision the five men got on board the Swede; and, O A tl e Robinson and one of the crew are missing, it is fear,. ; they must have gone down with the schooner. Wile „ !', accident happened the vessels were not more than 6 0 from the land. -- WEST INDIES AND PACIFIC. osiesl/0. The Tyne arrived on Friday with the mails. Her , - - j e to Thomas in Antigua, i ° o f• for the Admiral 6 1; s ag h tu i eß p nec M rem e ou d fd e Medea :mcweoeantsii detainedcoming to t t o h S er t e. somethedays' Cyane, of 20 guns, which refused to salute the Bri, tP , l i lj t ,t United States slecT_D r i ; ty °fI:5;f:: The cause assigned by the Cyane was that an Amex' e l sse l ) tp ject (a slave) had been taken out of an American s' A 0 Antigua. At Demerara The weather continued dry' fired, 0 Francis Burke, a gentleman from Montserrat, had a r i tee! pi British Guiana, and applied to government for a P` e iP e d protect an invention, to separate and prepare in all loft ,l manner the fibres contained in the plantain, banana , s o , o p other vegetables, for various manufacturing purpos4,iti°43 Grenada the weather continued favourable to the P l3 ,7 , r ini lli r and some fine seasonable showers had fallen. Freya ' i oiS for we learn that the crop of sugar which was making ,inn oo l usually good. At Porto Rico the cholera, after I , i 7 j a nio vi some time about the outskirts, had entered San " le' was committing great havoc among the inhabitants. 1001 fever was also existing at Martinique. Ic l tr From the Pacific we learn that a great movemen tsquati been discovered near Naciamento, ninety miles 9 , DV ception, in southern Chili. The Republic of Boliv i locl ,o' come peaceful, and all the revolutionary successfully quelled. From Peru we learn that th! er e D o te tion was still in session, and many projects of law 5 5 , 0 0 11 ,4,1/ brought forward by the deputies. Amon.. them Si ', Li g Ir t v suppress freemasonry and prevent lodges from b e e i , an re' another proposed that the Jesuits should be expel' th eir," same day a counter bill was introduced to legaliz e ..,,porV silence in the country. The most extraordinary a nd ni' l proposition made is the project of law, introduced Roca, to sell the Chincha Islands, Ce e°llt ty rr stll°Yal 1,2 7til I