The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-12-18 00:00:00

THE 71,tivrpoot tanbarb. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1855 FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. MONDAY MORNING. ON Monday last the Court removed from Winds'or to Osborne, where HER MAJESTY and the Royal Family will remain till the middle ^ of the present week, at which time they and the Royal Household will return to Windsor Castle, there to celebrate, in good old English style, the Christmas festival, and spend the season's holidays. Arrangements have been made for having MnauL's grand Oratorio of Joseph per formed at the Castle on New-Year's-Day, on a scale of courtly and musical ,magnificence rarely equalled in this country. Madame GOLDSCIIMIDT will, it is understood, take part in this performance. For some little time past, great commotion has been shown at the Military Clubs and places of resort, and within a few days gossip has been unusually busy in relation to certain movements connected with the army, in which the name and alleged interference of the PRINCE CONSORT have been freely mixed up. Intended novelties in the art of tailoring and hating, not hutting, the army form grounds of discontent and sarcastic remark among all ranks and grades in the military service. So much has already been said of the infantry hat and the cavalry coat skirts, that simple-minded men and the ordinary run of civilians fondly imagined the inventive facul ties of an army clothing artist had been gratified if not satiated ; and that the spirit of pragmatical innovation had been effectually rebuked. Such, however, it appears, is not the case, and a new regimental hat is promised to the officers of the line, of such rare beauty, that it is supposed they will deem themserfei - happy men in being allowed each to acquire one at the moderate charge of five and twenty guineas, and the superannuation of their present costly though inelegant " golgothas." Everyone who has attempted to cater for the public knows to his cost the ingratitude which pervades all classes of that many-headed monster; and it is said that even royal designers of military coat-flaps, buttons and jack boots do not meet with more than a compensating amount of thanks from subalterns with attenuated purses, and field officers who are stupid enough to prefer. decorations awarded for meritorious service to the filagree ornamentation of coat sleeves with recondite designs in gold lace. Such an extent of obdurate ingratitude as is implied in the last-mentioned supposition is indeed distressing, nevertheless 'tis true, 'tis pity, And pity 'tis 'tis true, a head -thatch of marvellous form and surpassing esthetic proportions is threatened to the army, and its members are greatly apprehensive of the consequences. Another, and a more important matter ffiin the "hat," has unloosed the tongue of gossip, and made scandal, oral and typographic, busy with the name of Prince ALBERT, and his distinguished position in relation to the army. The recent army warrant, enacting that an invidious distinction, existing in favour of the household troops, giving to their officers an ipso facto superiority of grade, shall cease, and that actual service in the field shall be the future ground of grade pro. motion, has given dire offence to the officer's 'of the three re giments of Guards.— These officers have prepared and for warded a memorial to the QUEEN, which the Times says was secretly proposed and secretly presented, demanding that the warrant shall be rescinded because a few officers of the Line _will by its provisions receive a temporary priority of rank. This memorial has, it seems, been signed by the colonels of the three regiments of Guards, including the Duke of CAM BRIDGE and Prince ALBERT. The interference of Prince ALBERT is looked on with extreme dislike and much jealousy by all military men. His individual influence with the QUEEN, his exalted position in the State, his personal inexperience in military affairs, are, each and all, cited as conclusive reasons why he should have stood aloof from any such movement, which is loudly condemned as at variance with the spirit of the time. This matter has given rise to much comment, and when it is remembered how many meritorious officers have been left behind In the competition for employment and pro motion, simply because they could bring no influence to bear upon the authorities at the Horse Guards, it ceases to be a cause of wonder that this interference on the part of His Royal Highness should re-provoke criticism on the influence he has exercised is reference to the highest military appoint ments. Jos iv Br Lmithorrgirpationt - towards accused parties, and ever -merciful in the interpretation of questionable facts and ex-parte allegations, is exceedingly jealous of anything bearing the semblance of self-seeking and shabbiness, and doubly suspi cious upon the subject of military abuses, to which, of late, he has had his attention most painfully directed. At this particular juncture, the interference of the oldest field-marshal, though one of the youngest generals, in the British army, is felt to be particularly ill-timed and indiscreet. It has opened,up the channels of rumour and suspicion, as to the exercise of " a power behind the throne," and singularly infelicitous allusions to the predominance of German policy, which is said to dominate and thwart the constitutional advisers of the crown. While military clubs have been agitated by the subject above mooted, and the matters collaterally arising out of it, the political clubs of the Metropolis have been the arenas of an activity unusual at this season of the year. Everybody supposes that during the few days of December, which pre cede the advent of Christmas, legislators, forgetting their senatorial anxieties, are busied in preparation for duly cele brating the festivities of our great annual holiday time, and everybody believes that they are, at present, doing so. In this conjecture, 5eary. 1 .104.ra54&4144-unfrequently the - case, is grievously mistaken. True, here and there we find a rural M.P. presiding over the annual bucolic celebration of his dis trict, stimulating the patriotism, and sympathising in the con tentment and rejoicing of his hearers ; but this is no faithful index to the real state of affairs. For some time past the political clubs of London have had an unusual attendance of members. What adds to the seeming importance of this unseasonable congregation of political somebodies, is the won derful fact that each seems surprised at the presence of his fellow, as if all had secret missions of their own to fulfil, and believed that no one else even dreamed of a probable coadjutor. From this state of matters the knowing ones profess to draw very conflicting inferences. By one set the conclusion is held to be obvious that a dissolution of Parliament is imminent ; another, and these are looked upon as the better informed upon the subject, infer a " staggering state" of the minis terial omnibus. Theoretical and practical disagreements on many points of vital :policy are known to exist among the members of the recently patched up cabinet. The posi tion and prospects of the war are fertile themes for anything but friendly discussion. The PREMIER and Lord CLARENDON are said -to have agreed to differ on some very important affairs of foreign policy. Other members of the Cabinet are likewise known to entertain views on the question of peace very different from those expressed by Lord PALMERSTON. Since it was first jumbled together, many screws have become loose in the Cabinet, and fair reason exists for believing that, in even the most -recent accessions to the Ministry, round men, to use tbe,..._airaile of__Mr.- DRUMMOND, have got into square holes, and feel most undeniably that they are not " the right meu id the right places." These and other " coming events" throw the shadows of a ministerial break-up strongly before the eyes of a sorely puzzled people. Ministers and their abbettors maintain that the PALMERSTON Cabinet is a "strong government," yet, singularly enough, it seems completely paralyzed whenever it attempts to move ;—they represent it as united in purpose and combined in operation, yet, at every tiin — if Ts threatened with dismemberment— every indicated 'action becomes the signal for revolt among some of its members. Numerous individuals, deeply versed in the science of political straw-throwing, maintain that the "signs of the times" are portentous in their indications of a ministerial break-up before the re-assembling of Parliament. The commotion about peace, which still agitates the public mind, is held by many to be a mere device for directing at tention from the ministerial squabbles; while others, with a greater show of. probability on their side, maintain that these rumours are in reality stock-jobbing artifices, concocted with as much skill and as little foundation in truth as the late alleged scarcity of sugar in the British market had its origin in the fortuitous amount of the sugar imports. Both affairs, - these parties affirm, had their origin in a fertile imagination, and an unscrupulous appreciation of individual profit. On this particular subject, the game is still pertinaciously main tained by the Morning Chronicle, the hazy oracle of the GLADSTONIA.N This astute political organ, only a day or two no, drawing _on the authority of that M r s. GAmr with which it is in correspondence in the says From Vienna we rece i ve as . A us t r i a n capital, surances that the prospects of peace grow brighter every day, and were never so sure as now. The value of any guaran tee held outby so mythical a diplomat as the auth or Vienna valeat ; but any reference correspondence, to will, of cour se , b e of the Chronicle's taken by the initiated qua n t um that journal, and its , m orning" foreign news, impels a reminiscence - of the re'efg"entcondulcDtsioof s That gentleman,it: . political idol, the Right. Hon. WILLIAM EIVA.RT aja it will be remembered, having possessedliimesfeltfhoef good d c s i b en ip t courage to assist iu tying up the redder Britannia till she " drifted" into also w a r He w the further bravery to undertake the prosecution t o on the ready-money principle. a war wit s h ecu n t n ia s n sia o ' f b t a l d ie taxation defray the cost of each year's aema ke each year's hostilities, and indig mangy repudiated the idea of a loan. H doing so, the financial ruler of the war ; and reverse of safe He was, in h ow ever, in that capacity he adventured upon a project denounce d as the ' or economical by the Duke cF WELLINGTON—he carried on hostilities on the principle of a " little war." This pet hobby of the right hon. gentleman he was forced to dismount from, but not before he had entangled the nation in an expense, through ruismanagd resources, tenfold as great as that which a vigorous prosecution of the war would have entailed upon the country- ; while he also caused, through the same means, an expenditure of brave life such as no country can afford to throw away. Having accomplished this much, he was smitten with a sudden fit of conscientiousness, and could - not on' any terms consent to remain a member of any Cabinet which , allowed the elite the illustrissimi yin of its composition to be told the truth by the country, or the House of Commons; or any committee which that house might appoint. Repudiating the Cabinet which would not shield him from the scrutiny which condemned his shallow, if not absolutely treasonable, policy, he has taken up the dignified position of an itinerant lecturer at popular institutions, and contents himself, for the present, with wordy efforts to ruin the con- stitution he was only too successful in injuring as a minis ter. He now counsels the abandonment of our colonies, as he previously mutilated the war preparations, in obedience to the behests of a cheese-paring and candle-end economy, and a strongly-suspected partiality for Russia. To men who have only common sense for their guide, and reason for their moni tor, it seems inexplicable that one who so stoutly insists upon maintaining the integrity of Russia, and defends as inviolate the territorial thefts which she has recently committed, should in cold blood, and as the pastime of a political leisure, only les; mischievous than public employment, advocate the dismem berment of the British Empire. Yet, such is the course adopted by the Right Honourable Member for the University of Oxford. He shrunk with horror from the bare idea of a dismemberment of Russia during the debate on the Vienna Conferences, yet he unhesitatingly advocates the propriety of stripping Great Britain of her colonies, while he, also, it is well known, aspires to seize the helm of public affairs, in the ministerial crisis which he and his friends strive so hard to bring about. While the Ministerial break-up seems imminent and inevit able, there are not wanting many who, in the working of the movement, still see rather the indications of a Parliamentary dead-lock and a dissolution ; Of this belief are many of the leading Rads of Manchester, who, with the proverbial sagacity which is supposed to be peculiar to the pig-headed tribe, see right into the wind's eye of the political horizon. Those gentlemen, disgusted with the anti-national policy of the Right Hon. T. M. GIBBON, and the right nothing JonN BRIGHT, are preparing the seats of those gentlemen for new occupiers. Such individuals, ever in extreme, have cast their wooing glance upon Lord PALMERSTON, and mean, it is said, to nominate him in opposition to the pugnacious peace Quaker. True,_ his lordship repudiates the connexion, and, with that ascerbity of banter which forms a constitutional feature in his character, says, in answer to the request of having such honour conferred upon him, "Me go to Manchester to meet JOHN BRIGHT ! not likely ; I have too much of him in the House of Commons." The " knowing ones "of cottonopolis, however, never understand a negative at bargain-making in its negative sense, and entertain no belief in the veracity of politicians. They apply their ordinary rule to the present case, and, in the refusal of Lord PALMERSTON, see only one instance more of political coquetry, and infer that in saying no he really means yes. Strong in this complimentary conviction, it is said they will in reality put his lordship in nomination. So much for having acquired the character of a political joker. Considerable additional light has been thrown on many of the disputed points of the Crimean war, and on the opera tions of the Allied armies immediately preceding that expe dition, by the publication of a " Sketch of the War in the East from the departure of Lord RAGLAN to the capture of Sebastopol." It is from the pen of Mr. Woons, late special correspondent of the Morning Herald, at the seat of war. The judicious letters of this gentleman produced a great and deserved .. .effect in relation to the conduct of the war, as that was delineated in his nervous but not querrulous despatches. The substance of his remarks have been by him carefully digested, and, in the work which he has just published, he, as already said, lets in new light upon many of the dark and dim spots which tinge, though they do not tarnish, the bright course of events in the Crimea. He directs the rays of his concentrated salacity upon the early movements of the campaign, demonstrates the inadequacy of preparation at the time it was undertaken,' and incidentally makes out a strong case of incapacity against Lord RAGLAN, as its conductor. He denounces the encampment on the swamps of Devna, where the British Army suffered so severely before the expedition to the Crimea was undertaken—censures the inadequacy of the transport accommodation, which led to such frightful loss by the want of tents, of ambulances, of proper medical stores, and by the want of baggage animals. He also condemns unmeasuredly the lateness of the season at which the expedition was undertaken. In all this, un fortunately, there is nothing new. It has all been seen and heard and declared before ; but Mr. WOODS does not confine his remarks and investigation to matters which have been already inquired into. On the contrary, in his narrative the reader becomes for the first time acquainted with circum stances of vital importance, which, if they had " an ear and understanding," have hitherto, at all events, had "no tongue." Of this description are his comments on the Battle of Balaklava, in which he tells us that but for Sir Com( CAMPBELL disobeying orders, or rather counter manding an order of General AIM'S to withdraw a most important field battery, the Russians would have succeeded in seizing the town which it was the main object of their attack to effect. He also points out the unhappy results of those un seemly bickerings which early showed themselves between the Earls of LUCAN and CARDIGAN, declaring, however, the former to be the better officer, and attributing to his caution alone the fact that the Light Brigade was not annihilated through the rash impetuosity of Lord CARDIGAN in the first affair of the Bulganak. He casts the chief portion of blame in reference to the fatal Light Cavalry charge at Balaklava on the mistake of Lord RAGLAN in issuing his second order, before he was aware of his first having taken effect. He severely stigmatizes the carelessness of the British comman ders in not paying attention to the repeated representations of General EVANS as to the insecurity of his position, and holds the assault at Inkerman to have been induced by a cul pable neglect on the part of the commanders of the British army. The battle, he maintains, to have been without plan or stategy on their part, and to have been in all respects, and in every sense of the word, a "soldiers' victory." In his narra tive of campaigning incidents, Mr. WOODS is peculiarly effec tive; but of these an abundant supply has already been served up to an admiring or indignant public. While fully exculpa ting Captain CHRISTIE from blame or responsibility in regard to the loss of the Princes, he confirms, in the main, every particular of the gross mismanagement which led to such frightful sufferings and disasters in the British army during. the winter. His reference to Captain CHRISTIE'S death is thus concluded :—" As I. have already stated, Capt. Cunlstia died of the ordinary Crimean fever, which was then commen cing to show itself among the Allies. A ' broken heart,' as it has been sometimes alleged, had nothing whatever to do with his death, for up to the last hour of his life he was confident of refuting the charges against him. But to this day our transport captains—than whom it would be difficult to find a more public-spirited, zealous, and upright body of men—una nimously regard Captain CHRISTIE almost as a murdered man, and as a scapegoat of the government, who unhesita tingly sacrificed him that others might be saved." This book of Mr. WOODS' is making, as it was certain to do, a great sensation among all ranks in the metropolis. - The musical event of last week was the re-appearance of JENNY LIND, whose fascinations have lost none of their charms in the person of Madame JENNY GOIDBCII3IIDT LINZ, Whoie revived song crowns the musical history of the present year. On Monday night last this matchless vocalist appeared at Exeter Hall, and poured forth in mellifluous strains and warblings the dulcet melodies of HATDR. She appeared in the oratorio of the " Creation ;" and was welcomed with a truly English fervour by a crowded and brilliant audience. The pure, simple, and expressive style of her vocalization was, as heretofore, striking and delightful. Her exquisite natural organ, tutored by art, and directed by a taste intuitively pure, found scope and captivating exercise iu warbling such en chanting melodies as "With verdure clad." In welcoming this old and all but idolized favourite, the.musical world of London, both amateur and professional, on Monday night at once performed a duty and received delight. Madame Gonriscrimmr returned to them the same earnest, simple minded, and accomplished daughter of song, as when she first won their affections and received their plaudits ; if changed in anything—a fact not easily perceived—she is considered by many to be improved. To-night she sings in " Elijah," the music of ..which some unaccountables prefer to that of the "Creation," on•which occasion another bumper and another triumph are of course awaiting her. Early in the year she starts on a short provincial tour, in the course of which your readers will be delighted to learn she is to visit the " Queen of the Mersey," where, without doubt, as before, she will meet with a kindly greeting and a hearty welcome. In the metro polis great diversity of opinion is expressed regarding her ; but it is the diversity of admiration, and is in itself the highest compliment which can be paid. Some express themselves in favour of one peculiar beauty in her style, some of another, but all concur in her general and unapproachable excellence. Her powers of voice and execution are unimpaired,'while those higher attributes which depend on the Clevelopement of genius and the cultivation of the intellect are present in, if possible, still greater force than before. The grace, sweetness, and Ibrilliancy which first captivated her auditors, continue still to ' enthral them in a silken spell, and at the present moment 61Ae is hailed, as she as ever, been. the " Queen of Song." '"' ----- -- THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SOUTH 1-11VCASHI1ll s WINTEI? ASSIZES. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11. (Before Mr. .Tustiee Wighiman.) THE Court met at nine o'clock this morning. Immediately on taking his seat, his lordship passed the following sentences: —Lucas Lowe (29), labourer, who pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary, at Bury, on the 17th September, and against whom there was a similar charge for the 18th, and another for alikroffence on - the 26th August, - four years penal servi tude ; William Davies (42), packer, Emma Booth (28), and Sarah Smith, a factory hand, who had .pleaded guilty to forging a promissory note, and uttering it at Manchester, twelve month? imprisonment and bard labour each; George Moss (39), coach-springmaker, who pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy, four months' imprisonment ; Charles Fishwick (44), labourer, who pleaded guilty to a similar offence, six mouths' imprisonment ; Robert Bird (20), millwright, con victed of an indecent assault upon a female, two months' im prisotunent ; Mary Leman, factory worker, who had pleaded guilty of, concealing the birth of her child, at Wigan, two months imprisonment. Ralph Parr pleaded guilty to a charge of unnatural criminality, committed at Nateby, and had sentence of death reCorded'against him. CRIMINAL ASSAULTS.—Seth Eccles, a quarryman (41), was committed of a criminal assault on Ellen Rigby, at Longridge, on the night of Friday, the Bth of October, and was sentenced to fifteen years' transportation; Thomas Howard, an earthen ware dealer in Manchester (52), was convicted of a like offence against Ann Oldknow, a girl 14 years of age, who was his I servant. - The prisoner was sentenced. to be transported for fifteen years.—John Ormrod, a lad under 16 years old, was convicted of a similar crime committed on Mary Ann Smith, a child only three years old, who had been frightfully injured. The prisoner was sentenced to be transported for twenty-five years. Asseimx ARISING OUT OP A COLLIER' STRIKE.—Philip Hadfield (27), and Benjamin Wild (32), both colliers, were convicted of an aggravated assault upon Joseph Harper, also a collier, at Spotland, on the night of the 16th of October. It appeared the prisoners were both turn-outs, and that Harper had refused to join in the strike. On account of this, they as saulted and severely injured him. They were each sentenced to be imprisoned for fifteen months, with hard labour. ATTEMPT TO Mt RDER A W.IFE,BY HER HUSBAND:J=IU Hague, labourer (40), was charged with having, at Levens hulme, on the 10th of November, feloniously cut and wounded Eliza Hague, his wife, with intent to murder her. The jury found the prisoner guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Sentence : six years' penal servitrge. The court rose at twenty minutes to seven o'clock. brutality. The jury returned a verdict of "guilty." against the prisoner, and he was sentenced to be transported for twenty years. The court rose at a little past six o'clock. WEDNESDAY. CHARGE OP MURDER AT LIVERPOOL—John O'Neil, a la bourer (25),. a sallow-complexioned man, 5 feet 6 inches in height, attired in moleskin trousers and vest, and a blue flannel shirt, was charged,:upon a coroner's warrant, with the wilful murder of Thomas. Cahill, at Liverpool. After a protracted trial, the jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter, l and he was sentenced to be transported for life. • MURDER NEAR MANCHESTER.—Patrick Healey, weaver (20), was indicted for the wilful murder of William Bell, at Gorton, near Manchester, on the Ist of SepteMber last. The evidence was defective in identifying the proner as the man who stabbed the deceased, . who was killed by a stab in the abdomen, and, under direction of the judge, Healey was acquitted. MANSLAUGHTER AT WlGAN. — James Ascroft (23), collier, was indicted for the manslaughter of Bridget Ascroft, his wife, at Wigan. Evidence was adduced, arid-after a protracted trial, the jury returned a verdict of " guilty," and the pri soner was sentenced to be transported for fifteen years. MANSLAUGHTER AT HAYDOCH. — Joshua Tunstal (38), labourer, was indicted for the wilful murder of Hannah Bailey, at Haydock. The prisoner, it appeared, lived at New Boston, near Haydock, about seven miles from Liverpool.. Oh the night of the 19th September there was a' benefit society's meeting at Haydock, and on that occasion some . complaint was made that he had been guilty of an infraction of the'rules. When - he left the club he was in an excited state, and was heard conducting himself violently. The - evidence showed that in a paroxysm of excitement the prisoner went home r and seizing a poker, went to the house in which the deceased;- an old woman, lived with her son, and attacked her with great violence, beating her on the head and person. She had eight ribs fractured, the fragments of some of which lacerated the lungs, and the wounds caused death in about two hours. The" jury returned a verdict of "guilty of manslaughter," andthe prisoner was sentenced to penal servitude for five years: STABBING AT LIVERPOOL.--Sanmed Farrell (20, shoe.; maker, was indicted for having, at Liverpool, feloniotisly stabbed and wounded Elizabeth Eades, with intent to murder her. He was found guilty of unlawfully- wounding,- and. sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for nine months. STABBING A PoLIcE-02FicEn.—George Tighe (19), dock• labourer, was indicted for having, at Liverpool, 'feloniouslY stabbed William Jakeman, with intent to do him some . grievous bodily harm. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to transportation for 15 years. • WOUNDING AT LIVERPOOL-.-William Banks (19), an American coloured seaman, was indicted for having at Liver:; pool, on the 14th of August, feloniously . wounded James Ross, with intent to murder him. The prisoner, on being asked whether he desired to- avail himself of his right to be tried by a jury composed one half of foreigners and one half of Englishmen, said , he would be tried by an English jury. The jury found the prisoner guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm ;, and his lordship-seutenced him to penal servitude for seven years: The Court rose at half-past six o'clock. THrIMAY. The Court met this morning at nine o'doeL CITTTING AND WOUNDING AT LIVERPOOL.--JOhn Verdi naut Grimer, a foreign sailor, was indicted for having, at Liverpool, stabbed, cut, and wounded Lewin Sehom, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The prosecutor, whose evidence was interpreted, is a German,. by trade a shoe maker. The prisoner, being also a German; was tried by a jury consisting one half of foreigners and the other half of Englishmen. The jury found the prisoner "Guilty of unlaw fully wounding," and his lordship sentenced him to be im prisoned and kept to hard labour for twelve Months: - ATTEMPT Te. MURDER A WOMAN AT- LIVERPOOL.— John Brophy (22), labourer, was-indicted for having, at Liver pool, on the Ist of October, attempted to drown. Mary Ann Hammond, with intent to murder her. The details of this case, which occupied a considerable time in hearing,-showed a savageness of inhumanity on the part of the prisoner, such as is but rarely unfolded even in a criminal court. The case was clearly proved, and the prisoner was sentenced to be transported for twenty-five years. STARVATION OP - CHILDREN IN- LIVERPOOL... -- Williarn Aspinall. (42), clerk, and Mary Aspinall (35), his wife, were indicted upon the coroner's inquisition for having, at Liver pool, wilfully killed Emma Aspinall, their child:- The pri soner Mary Ann. Aspinall was also indicted for killing and slaying the said Emma Aspinall. The court was-crowded with spectators.- This case, which was a, sad one, may be briefly narrated. The prisoners, who lived in Eldon-place, Vauxhall-road, had a family of ten children, viz-."seven sons and three daughters The male prisoner - was .a clerk in the employment of the-London and North Vi-esterst Rail way Company, at a salary of £75 a-year. - His eldest• son, 17 years of age, was also in. the same company's servic% - at an annual salary of £2O: Notwithstanding this- amount of income ; the whole family was involved in, the very extreme of wretchedness, filth, and misery, chiefly, as it appeared; through the intemperate habits and gross negligence of the female prisoner. The scene which-presented itself to the eyes of the police when they entered the miserable dwelling-was-gel - ening to behold. On• a squalid and nearly unclothed, bed lay the dead body of Emma, the- child for causing whose , death the parents were put upon their trial, andbeside is lay another at the point of death, and which in fact died within, a few hours afterwards. The other children were stretched , upon boards oh the floor, with only a-thin piece of dirty ealicolor a cover ing ; or laid upon the uncovered bottoms of two old chairs and a broken sofa- The dead child, ,one year and ten months old, and that which . died soon after, were in the last stage of emaciation. Their bones- almost literally protruded through the skim, and , externally their bodies presented the appearance of skeletons.. On a post ntortern examination. their stomachs were found destitute of any indications of food ; and the •medical gentlemen, three in number, who examined the bodies, stated it:strongly and dis— tinctly that the cause of death was the want of food. Evidence • was adduced 'which showed, that the children were greatly neglected ; and: that even the father and.the eldest son—the sources of support for , the -whole family—were likewise sadlz neglected in their meals-and otherwise ; but that on Sundays, when the father was at home, he was in the habit of getting pig's-cheek, and. snaking soup for the whole family. It was likewise shown that the mother of this miserable family was , in the halsit of complaining that she-did not get sufficient money, and that she-upbraided her unhappy husband for hot giving her more, and stated that she should have matten chops and port wine for her own support, adding that she was sure he got money enough to afford her these luxuries.. After a trial which lasted fully seven haws, the jury returned a verdict of " not guilty" as regarded the male prisoner, and he was acquitted in the case of Um woman, they returned a verdict of." guilty." The learnediudge said he would defer the sentence and on the following day she was.ealled up, and; after an impressive address from his lordship„. sentenced to be imprisoned for two years, with hard labour, the first and last week to be• solitary. On Thursday evening the court adjourned, at a' quarter past seven. FRIDAY. The court met this morning. at nine o'clock. UNHAEVY AllsAuvzrausx,—John Leyland, a respectable young man, was charged with the manslaughter of Emmanuel Speakman, at Pennington,,on the 6th of November last. From the evidence, it appeared that the unfortunate event arose out of the rejoicings held on that day at Pennington, in commemo ration of Gunpowder-plot Day, and of the, battle of Inkerman,. at which rejoicings fire-arms were freely and incautiously used by the prisoner, and also by others. While he was discharging a pistol; some one accidentally struck his arm, and thus gave an unintentional direction to the pistol, the contents of which were lodged in the head and back of the deceased, causing his death on the following, day. The whole of the fatal transaction turned out to be.purely accidental, and the prisoner was dis charged, on a verdict of not guilty, given by the jury. MALICIOUS STABBING.—James Jacob, a seaman, a man of colour (25), charged with having, at Liverpool, on the 31st of July last, maliciously cut and ,wounded. Charles Wire,, was acquitted. MANSLAUGHTER.—Edward Larkins, ship's cook, a man of colour (45), charged with the manslaughter of his wife, was ac quitted.—Edward Glover, shoemaker (34), was charged with having caused the death of his wife, by beating her. He was found guilty : sentence deferred. SHOOTING WITH INTENT TO MURDER.—John Culshaw, boatman (17), who was charged with having, on the 27th of November, shot at John Flptcher, with intent to murder him, . was found guilty, and sentenced to be imprisoned for twelve months, with hard labour. • • - MANSLAUGHTER.—James Jeffers, tailor (23), was convicted of the manslaughter of John Craddock, in a public•house quarrel in November last. Sentence deferred. CHARGE Or PERJURY.—George Howarth, factory worker, was charged with having, at Blackburn, on the 27th August, committed wilful and corrupt perjury. The jury acquitted the prisoner. MALlctous STABBING.—James Mountsey was convicted of a charge of having maliciously wounded John Williams, at Preston, and sentenced to be imprisoned for :our months. MANSLAUGHTER BY A PARENT.—Thomas Keegan, tin man (33), was charged with having, in November last, killed his infant son, John Keegan. The evidence showed a long course of wanton and atrocious cruelty practised by the father against his unhappy child, until at last it fell a victim to his SATURDAY. Assiouf L u r n r la l fu t y ß w At o tZ d F in — g E j d a w m i e n s B Gas err k y i , ll a (3 b 22, liff 7a wa s con victedthedischarge of his duty, and, On account of some mitigating cir cumstances, was sentenced to receive the comparatively light pullz A ent G liari z so y nm ri e i n ß t L w A it ii h n h L a o r n d p lal o 3 r ou r r il fz , s Axx ix m o nths. iziclm HOTEL.—Patrick Conolly pleaded not guilty to having, onlhe 6th December, killed and slain Ambrose Dunleavy. The facts of the case are these :—The prisoner was the proprietor of the American Hotel, in Regent-road, in this town, and on Wed nesday, the sth Dec., the deceased (Dunleavy), an Irish farmer, and a witness, named Mackenzie, also an Irish farmer, who had been lodging at the same house with Dunleavy and his wife, for ten or twelve days, were in a public-house, kept by a person named M`Mahon, where they met the prisoner. In the course of the evening some words occurred between the deceased and the prisoner while in M`Mahon's, about bagatelle, at which they had been playing. They afterwards made up their quarrel ; and about twelve o'clock they all left M`Mahon's house together. The prisoner invited Dunleavy and Mackenzie to his house, saying that he would give them something to drink. M'Mahon left them at the corner of the street, and Dunleavy (the deceased) and Mackenzie went with the prisoner to his hotel, where they staid for some time. While having some drink, the discussion about the bagatelle began again be tween the prisoner and the deceased. They got to angry words about the game; and the prisoner at the bar afterwards told the deceased that he could get him work at the docks. This excited Dunleavy. At this time Coolly was standing near the door of the bar, in which position Dunleavy struck him, causing him to reel several steps into the bar. Dunleavy im mediately turned and ran cut of the door, into Blackstone street. The prisoner at the bar stepped three steps further into the bar than he had been knocked by the blow, and put his hand out as if picking something from a shelf ; he then ran after the deceased. Mackenzie followed, but he was for a moment stopped by the door closing with a spring. When he got into the street, he found the prisoner and Dunleavy on the pavement, nearly close to the door, face to face, holding each other and struggling, but not striking. As he came up, he saw Dunleavy suddenly throw himself back. Mackenzie ran forward, and seized the prisoner by the waist, and the prisoner then called out police. Dimleavy ran away to the left, and crossed as if to go down Regent-road. At that time, the po licemen, who were on duty at the Bramley-Moore Dock, came up, and about forty yards from . the door us Blackstone-street, at the corner of Regent-road, they found the deceased man lying senseless, unable to speak and dying from the effects of a wound in the heart, and another in the lower part of the body.. As the police were coming up,the prisoner threw some thing down on the grating close tothelouse. Mackenzie con tinded to hold the prisoner, who said. he was stabbed, and that if he ( Mackenzie) had not come up, he should have been destroyed. Heappeared lame of one leg f andrequirett holding up. On the policemen coming up, both. the' prisoner and Mackenzie- were taken into custody, and the deceased was conveyed to' the Northern Hospital, where it was' found that he was- dead. On search being made by the police; the knife was found on the grating near the . prisoner's house, and the deceased had no such knife as that in his possession. The abovefacts were clearly proved, as alstrthat the woun d on the prisoneFs thigh had been inflicted by himself in the struggle with Dunleavy. The jury, after a brief deliberation;. returned a verdict of "guilty;" and the prisoner,- after a suitable admonition from his lordship, was sentenced to be transported for twenty years. The prisoner, who'betrayed no emotion, was theuremoved. BUBGLABY JET' ANIITOVr:ITNDER-LYNN.—John Ogden (48), a factory-worker, and•Josepb Taylor (50), a navvy,. were in dicted, the former . for stealing, and the latter for receiving several articles, the property of William Hague, or Ashton under-Lyne, whose-house was entered on the 9th of Novern ber. Taylor was acquitted ) and Ogden found guilty:- Two previous convictions being recorded against him, he watrsen - tenced to four years' penal servitude. POACHING AT CBOVTNTIr.—JO6II Moody (32), a labolter, was indicted for illegally , poaching on the ground of the Earl of Sefton, at Croxteth, on the 13th of October. He va found guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labour, for four calendar wont& SENTENCES.—The following prisoners were then called It* and sentenced : —Charles Gcrdon,.forbUrglary, three months' imprisonment ; William Kaye,'.fin , larceny, six months' im prisonment; Edward Glover; , fortaanstaughter, four months' imprisonment; James Jeffers,'.for mansloughter, four years' penal servitude; Owen Cathervand. William Hague, for per- Pity,. twelve months' imprisonMent. Ms; terminated the `business of the assizes, and after - §ome'remarks from the jury Upon. the difficulty of hearing experienced by them,,the Court rose,.shortly after three o'clock.- SECOND COViU. (liVare Gilbert Henderson, .E'n4 Rheorcli?l, - of Liverpool.) TUESDAY, Dnezmtnn: ASIAITT.T . VPON A POLI C EMA.N. —Sam uel •Farns- (29), foundry worker, and William Taylor (23), lidsourerovere . akurged with having, at Liverpool, on the 4th of- Septbinitker;. unlawfully and inaliciouely inflicted upon William Walton. grievous bodily harm. After a long trial the jury acquitted both prisoners. • GAOTIT' TroBDETOr AT LtvEuraim—John o.4leman (26), striker (a returned convict), and Joseph•Groft (2.6);. Labourer, were indicted for having, at Liverpool; en the 25th,of October, felOniOnsly assaulted Philip Farally, -and , with "viblenee stolen from, his 'person twenty sovereigns End 1 otherrrwneys, The jury found -the prisoner s gu ilty, an d th ey - were sonteneed to fourteen Tears' transportati on eac h. Cole man was transported for ten -Teas about fi v e y ears ago, and returned to Liverpool six months suite: HORSE' Jonas-; (33); .farm , labourer, was charged with, stealing a. horse, the 'property of Mr. Thomas' Wood ; tke landlord of the Red Ision.lnn,.Silford, on the_l7-th of November; The jury found. ihim guillisN. and he was sentenced to ten , months' imprisonment.. Suortutizzo—Ann Ratcliff b, a siiklydooking. woman, who appeared in the docl with an infant:hi her armsk was in dicted for having, on the sth of :November-idst, at. Liaierpool, stolen a pair of boots. in the shop of Mary Fletcher Planning ton. The jury fdund the prison er guilty, .and she vvas sen tenced•to six weastimprisonmez it. GAROTTS R05.33Enx...--John S .mith (2v}, labburer, indicted for haring, on the 3rd. Akagt, 1854, assaulted _ and _forcibly robbed Henry Dasksvorth, was fc iund guilty, and sentenced to 14 years' transportation: EPLIZEZZLEMSZCIL—George , Wa lmsley (25); butcher, was in dicted for having, at Muoh. Woo lton ha- being a servant to Mary Ann Blaclburni. emhezzl. ed hie sum of £9 14s. 54., which he had recehged on accoani tof his mistress. The jury found the prisoner guilty,. and he was.• sentenced to four mOntheiMprisonment. SmanixoEs.--13efore• the ris - it ,g of the court his lordship proceeded to pass sentenae• urn the following.priioners, pre viously convicted Sir Lith and, Mary Ann Hardie (the fszt-named baprincipaL, am 1 the last' as his accomplice), for robbery with violence:. Snail :,h, 14 years' transportation ; Hardie, eight moatlng- imprison ment.—Jane Morris, .for the concealment of the- birth of he r female- child, four months' imprEsonment. oourt,at s I little before six o'clock, ad journed until' ninetbe.folliawinf ; morning. WEDNI ;SDAY. SVERSP STEATargeis—James ( 'iropper,.. Mary Taylor, Edward Cropper, Win. Bromley,. and R )ger. Bromley were indioted for having .stolen taro ,shesp,. the property. of Richard Hardman, farmer, at Falingei. near Roc hdale, on the 27th of October last:— The jurx retired,. and after an:absence of about two hoars, -returned with a .verdict t of guilty against James Crop per,William Braraley,. and R oger Bromley, and a verdict of not guilty as regards the ether prisoners. Sentence dsferred. CoNCEA.Lltbavtr, Os: BrltTi r.—Ann, Dean (19), a, factory worker, charged. with coneea ling the-birth of her illegitimate cad, at Manchester,. was act Flitted. ASSAULT UPON A FEMAL7i, AT LITXRPOOL.—WiIIkm Hayes O'Brien (27), and Dennis O'Brien (A); tailors, were - indicted forliaving, at Liverpool, on. the 17th November, assaulted and wounded Bridget Begley, with intent to do her some grievous bodily.harm. The prisoners were both found guilty,. Wm. Hayes O'Brien was sentenced to he imprisoned and kept to hard labour for six, and Denis O'Brien for four months.. STABBING AT loxanrooL.--Jebn Robinson, a groom (sh), was indicted for having at LiverpOol, on the 22d of September, cut and wounded William Hughes,. .with intent to-murder him. The jury found: the prisoner guilty,, but recommend. him to w e a n ia e ns r e c s y men o ot n net i s.ea cco t un o, t be of im t p h r e is p o r n o e vc a A ction kep h t e I t i o ad h, r_ a eoei l v a e b 9. He 0.. for CHABGE PE FORGEBY.—Tbk,mas Crellin Scott, bookkeeper (36), was indicted for having, at Manchester, GP_ ,the 9th No vember,forged a receipt, purporting to be a receiptefrom John Baxter f0r. , 1 ewt. of lead, with intent to deframl.i. , his. master, Mr. John Jiolt, lead merchant. The jury retaxned. a verdict of "not ggilty." The prisoner was also acquitted on a charge of having embezzled certain:sums of money received by him on account of his employer.. TWJRSDAY. MAIHILARGHTER AT 141Aa/nPooL.-111ary.Ann Roper (53), was indicted for the manslaughter of a young mare, named Robert Main, at Manchester, on the 10th a November last. A veardiet of not guilty was returned, and:. the prisoner was immediately discharged' from custody. STA RI:INa AT LIVTIFOOL.—James Cregau (22),a seaman, was eharged with stabbing a man named.Wllliam Moseley, at Liverpool, on the 13th November last.. The prisoner was found guilty of unlawfully wounding. Sentenced to be im prisoned and kept to hard labour for twelvemonths. BURGLARIES.. MANCHESTER.—}Ienry Campbell (17), a packing-case malwr, and John Breen,(l4), a joiner, were con victed of breaking into the house of a. woman named Taylor, living at Huline, Manchester.—Henry. Campbell was also indicted for having, in company with Edward Torr (16), a cabinetmaker burgiariously broken and entered the house of Mrs. Buckley, Exe-street, Manchester, on the Bth of November Inst, and stolen dresses and other wearing apparel to the value., of £B. Verdict guilty.. Several previous con victions were proved against Rreen, and he was sentenced to six years' )enal servitude. A Rrevious conviction was also proved against Campbell, and, he was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Torr was sentenced to be kept in penal servitude for four years. FOTMERY AT LIVERPOOL. — Robert Quinn, a middle-aged man,. whose name did not appear in the calendar, was charged with forging a promissory note for the payment of money. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to 16, mouths' imprisonment, with hard labour. FORGERY AT MANCHESTER.—A respectably dressed young man, named William Holt, was indicted for having, at Manchester, on the 7th instant, forged a request for the, delivery of goods. The prisoner was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour for twelve calendar months. The business of the second court concluded at half-past four o'clock, when the court adjourned. SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITIITE.—The second lecture of the winter series was given at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson street, on Tuesday, by Professor Griffiths, on " Popular and Fashionable Scepticism." COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY THE LORD-LIEUTENANT OF LANCASHIRE.—Second Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia : Astley Jephson, gentleman, to be ensign.— Third Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia : Ensign Peyton Sheals to be lieutenant, vice Patten, appointed to the Ist Life Guards ; Ensign Thomas Conroy Knox to be lieutenant, vice Walker, resigned. THE AFRICAN PRINCESS who was brought home by the late Captain Forbes, R.N., in the ship Bonetta, having ob tained her from the King of Dahomey, is on a visit to the Queen. The Princess is placed, at the expense of Her Majesty, with Mrs. and the Rev. Mr. Scholl, formerly a missionary in Western Africa, and who had the charge of the interpreters in the Niger expedition. Mr. Scholl is the chaplain of the Naval Hospital, Chatham. LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL. AN adjourned meeting of the Council was held on Wednes• day, the Mayor t John giewatt, Esq!,) presiding. The proceedings of the Markets Committee were read and confirmed without remark. EDUCATION COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read, and Mr. Miff- NER, in moving their confirmation, informed the meeting that the examination of the children would take place at the North School, on Monday, and at the Scuth School on Tuesday. The proceedings were then confirmed. TOWN-HALL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE. The proceedings - included a recommendation to appoint William Evans to the situation of hall•porter, at the salary paid to his predecessor. Mr. FERNIITOTIGIT objected to the recommendation, on the ground that the appointment of a stranger over the heads" of the old servants of the Corporation unfairly interfered with their reasonable expectation of promotion, and he thought Gerard should have had the place. He moved that this part of the proceedings be not confirmed. Mr. WAGSTAFF seconded the amendment. On a division, the amendment was rejected by 10 to 14, and the proceedings of the committee were confirmed. HEAtTIi COMMITTEE. The proceedings included a recommendation " to rate to the several rates, under the sanatory acts, those owners of property who had refused to enter into composition for the payment of these rates." This recommendation was adopted. After some observations from Mr. Dovzu, Mr. COOPER, and other gentlemen, the TOWN-CLERS explained that the Council were obliged to compound if the owners chose to do it, and they were equally bound to rate those owners who neglected or refused to enter into composition within the time pre scribed. On the motion that the general proceedings be confirmed, Mr. DOVER called attention to the urgent necessity which existed for re-numbering the streets. The Health Committee were anxious that the Council should impress on the Finance Committee the importance of giving them authority to pro ceed with the work at once,. After some conversation, the TOWS-CLEUIC explained that, it the Health Committee passed a resolution, asking permis sion to proceed with the numbering immediately, and the Council confirmed that resolution, the Finance Committee would• have no discretion but to• order payment of the ex pense:.. . . With this understanding the matter was allowed to drop. Mr, CRARLE4 TURNER called attention to the difficulty and intonvenience which were frequently experienced by strangers from. the existence of two or more streets of the same name; in different parts of the towrh The charges made by the Health Committee ; to the owners of houses, for'making communicating drains; were brought before the Council by Mr. - BRADLEY and Mr. Pwrolf ; but from explanations made by the. MAYOR, the Towx-cmus, and Mr. DovEs,, it appeared that the right of owners to drain their own property was expressly reserved by the act of Par liament, and was not , to be Interfered with—that it was only where the owners neglected, after notice, to drain, that the Health Committee interfered; and that the questieri of charge for work done by the committee, in reference to houses- not otherwise drained, is, upon the whole, favourable- to the owners. The proceedings of the tOMmittee were confirmed; THE GAIEENS' COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were also read and:oon firmed- WATER; COMMITIBE The proceedings included a very elaborate report front Mr. the treasurer, and Mr. Duncan, the water engineer; in reference to the management of the Chorley Waterworke: Mr. Iron; in moving that the proceedings be confirmed, referred-to the report as having been.prepared with consider able care, and as going necessartlyiery mach into detail, tht object being ta establish the best possible system of manage— ment, which, he believed, had been &tie with so much success, that he anticipated no difficulty whatever in reference to this part of the property. Mr. DENVETT thought it would hebetter, if possible, to let :the water-rents at Chorley, in the- game manner in which turnpike tolls were let, in order to obviate the necessity of !keeping up an: expensive establishment. Mr. Homtl - in reply, pointed out that the establishment at ;Chorley, although efficient, was on a litnited: scale, and was ,maintained at a very moderate expense. The .proceedings- wave confirmed. ASNEr MU SEUM COM2ktlfBE. The proceedings-of tbio committee included a reounrmenda ion; to the Council , to , paso a resolution underta.king . to indem nify -Mr. Ely .a-nd-his-co-obligets against any', claim under the bond given by them-to the Customs authorities, in respect to the model of ":'ancient Rome" and to authertgethe-Mayor to affil=-the common. sval to.such resolution. 31,14 - :*PfCTON, as chairman. of the committat; , explaitnid that this was a model which bad been exhibited some years , ago, under the name of " - Brunetti's Model- of Ancient Rome," but which, for a *considerable- time past, had been. lying in Liverpool- unclaimed: that it had been advertised. both in England-and America,. in the hope of finding:the owner, without success ; :that ,the Customs authorities;-- in. whose custody it had remained,. were willing to give it up , to , the consignees; upon being indemnified by them. against any future claim, for which:purpose they required a penal bond' in. the sum , of £2,000, being. four times the estimated- value;: and:. that the-consignees, on their part, were willing- to give it up to the Corporation for- the• purpose of being placed in the musetun,_ upon being: repaid the freight and eharg,es,. and being indemnified against -any - claim in respect of such bond_ He did notapprehendthat the Cbuncil would be running : Any. risk in aseenting to this • recommendation, inasmachias-if any future.time an owner•shouki appear and substantiate his charge, all that the Council would have to do would: be to give up the model, being.. reimbursed what they raightshave paid for freight and-charges. The recommendation having been adopted, the generalpro ceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of thei-ruckney Carriages and Baths-Com mittees were-then read and-confirmed. ETERENERLD , IOCKS COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read aad con firmed. Mr. HouNurliaid the , Dock aaid Amalgamation Bills, which were to be brought before Parliament in the ensuing session were in a forwartLstate of preparation, and would soon• be ready to be submitted-to , the Council. He would sagged that. when prepared,ia special meeting should be held to 'owl sider them. Mr. HonsoN intimated. his intention to oppose, to 'Lite ut most of his power, the adoption of Mr. John Ilartley's. plans ; but no discussion took-place.. The Coroner's. bilh_amounting to £4l 18s. 6d., was, an,the motion of Mr. Hornby, ordered to be paid. • THE COUNCII..&ND THE GAS COMPANY. The Mayor's communications, included a letter fronsuMr.; George Hall Lawrence,. enclosing the reply of- the Gas Com- ' pany to the report—of. the special committee of the Town, I Council, and expressing_ a hope that if that report were to be; taken into consideration by the Council, the company's reply would be considered at the same time. _ _ 1 After some discussion, it was agreed, on the suggest!On of Mr. S. HOLME, to apppint a special day (the 9th January), on which the whole subject might be considered. A memorial from the ineu employed at the North Landing stage, for an increase-of wages, was referred to the Finance Committee. A letter from Mr;Splney Herbert to the Mayor, asking his co-operation in reference to the " Nightingale Fund,'.'. was read; but it was stated that the Council had uo power to..make a grant of public money, in aid of such an object, and that it must be left to individual subscriptions. One or two other matters of no public interest havirg_been disposed of, the Counciladjourned. DESTRUCTION OF WORKS OF ART: TO THE EDITOR OF THE " TIM ES." SIB,—As the proprietor of the celebrated engraved4ates recently destroyed, and as having been the person under whose order this act, whieh.has so. unexpectedly called forth so much public notice, has' been done, I feel confident that you will kindly permit 11:10 a space-in your potential columns,.in:answer to some of the-observations made, and to justify thatwhich I have done—first, as the exercise of a private right ;: and, secondly, as having for its end a public good. Thefirat point may, I think, he disposed of in a very few words:. the• plates were mine, they, were comprised in a very large purchase , from Sir. F. G. Moonpn•his- retirement, and they were bought for profit; anddf I considered that in their destructioul could in a desirable-manner realise a profit, I had a right to do so. I mean an abstract right but, if in exercising this right, ac knowledging the public duty of every member of satiety not to mar by eared of his- the social good, I perceived that that good would be. benefitted, I say then that that act would be doubly warranted. This then I have, secondly, to.prove; but, before It proceed to this, it would be well to state one er two facts bearing upon, the case in question. The plates, wheadestroyed, were, undoubtedly, all of them in fine-condition; they were all steel, and capable,. if I had pleased, of taking. off 3,000 impressions each,.which have been attributed to.them, arising from the superior excellence and talent of those who. engraved them. But they . were not taken in such numbers.; a very limited number-of impressions were taken ,forthe purpose of being sold at a very moderate price, sufficient to accomplish the end of remunerating the market able value of the plate to be destroyed. In ,a trading point of view this was. the object, all ulterior bendl was to the 'public good. At this moment most of them may be obtained by the public at. about half their original publication price, but the number being so, limited as it is, they will,. doubtless, from the nature of the ease, rise in value as each impression leaves the market. This is not to be denied; of some of them I have myself now not one impression left. Of the positive certainty of the destruction of the plates, under the circumstances of this private transaction having been so prominently brought forward as a public principle, there cannot be entertained a doubt. As to the motives which. induced the destruction of these famous plates which have cost such an enormous sum, it is not, and has not been pretended that they were sacrificed for the pure object of public good irrespective of private interest;; but I do claim' the credit of having public good in view, though associated with-a hope of private interest. I beg also to state that no impressions from the plates were destroyed, as has been asserted by some writers. In a public point of view, I Maintain that the fame of the country as regards the fine arts—l now refer especially to that of engraving—is involved in the non-depreciation of the finest works of our best English engravers : and that if those works are, after the first few years of their production, so far thrown open to purchasers at a very moderate price, that they may be had in a perfect and reputable state at the reduced price of half their original publication, or, in some cases, less, it is the lowest minimum to which, for the benefit to art, and, therefore, for public benefit, they ought to be permitted to fall. This is historically correct with regard to the plates in question. For nearly three years they have been open to the public so to be obtained ; if carried further than this, and what is called made cheap, the plates more generally fall into a worthless state, the printing and materials are done at a cheaper rate, and conse quently very inferior, and so art is damaged; the destruction of the plates , at the right point of time, before their original good qualities are gone—l speak of the finest plates—is in fact not the act of Vandalism it has been called, not the destruction of fine art, but in truth its preservation in comparative purity ; and this is what has now been done. But there are other considerations : the productions of the graver are now twentyfold what they were about that number of years since, and therefore the destruction of a certain number of plates of an important character, and which have had their meed of admiration which they will always uphold—tends to make room for present and future aspirants to fame. There is still a much more important point. which T feel assured must [DEci mBER 18, 1855. carry its weight of argument with all those who are capabl e of forming a right judgment on the subject. It is this classes of engravings are not adapted - by their very nature to all classes of society ; the class suited for the mansion is veil often not suited to the cottage, nor is the class suited to the cottage adapted for the mansion. But more than this, there >s a principle that hi g h c l ass ar t l owere d t oo muc h d es t r oys the production of high class again. If the high class of engroP ings referred to were customarily to be made cheap plates, ° before mentioned, it would go far wholly to prevent the PI: ductions of our best artists being engraved in that way of which they are- se-iv_ortlay, by the eminent engravers who bar furnished to the country such splendid specimens of thei r , talents, and for these reasons : —Th e cos t o f some o f oar tines' plates has often involved in the prodution of each plateanolt lay of four, fiVe, -- or more thousands of pound s ; the cost, ifltu its fair profit, can only be obtained back by a considerable price for the impressions from the plates : this price can oil ' be paid by the wealthy—they are the patrons of the work. Ji; the same work is to be made hereafter common, inferior, an cheap—a few shillings instead of pounds—because, though the same subject, it possesses none of the fine qua lities of the original, these patrons, that would be, cease t o purchase them at the high prices. If the high price demand ceases the cost cannot be obtained back ; if the cost cannot be reimbursed the undertaking cannot be entered into ; and thus high art, 101 /'. ever high it may be, so far as engraving is concerned, will_f° smothered in its birth, and such noble a nd b ea utiful sPe' mens of the graver as we have now for some years past be accustomed to gaze upon with so much pleasure will cease to be produced. It was upon a due consideration of the points which I hav e endeavoured to set forth in this letter, that I destroyed the twelve beautiful plates which have caused so much sensatiettl: The plan seemed to me to combine thr ee l ea di ng go od Poiai a —first, justice to the patrons of art w h o h a d b oug ht at ni' , prices ; secondly, an opportunity f or near l y th ree y e ars pas',, and still existing, for purchasing good impressions of works at very moerate prices ; and thirdly, the sustaining" ) fine art in its essential reputation and character. With my best apologies for the length of this coming- 131 r: tion, I can only say that I shall feel greatly obliged by the in sertion of it in your mighty record. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, 467, Oxford-Street, Nov. 13. TnomAs NOTE.—The Twelve Plates which were destroyed, and aic referred to in the above letter, and in the numerous letters ° the same subject inserted in the public press were as unde r : mentioned : The Waterloo Banquet, pai n ted by W. Salter; engraved in Line by W. Greatbach. The Christening °' Princess Royal, painted by C. E. L es li e ; engraved by . H. c: Ryall. The Queen Receivi ng th e S acrament, painted bYl,,i R. Leslie; engraved by S. C ous i ns . " Shoeing"—The Stnit'f; Forge, painted by Sir Edwin Landseer; engravad by Lewis. The Smithy, painted by Sir E. Landseer ; engraveo by C. G. Lewis. The Sanctuary—Large Plate—painted by Sir I Landseer; engraved by C. G. Le w i s . Th e S anc tuary—S,ef painted by Sir E. Landseer ;- e ngrave d by C. G. L ew i s . The r' a : e e j Return from Hawking, pai n ted by Si r E. Landseer; erlo°. by S.Cousins. Cros s i ng theßridge,painted by Sir E. Lands.e" „, :, engraved hi Line by J. T. Wilmore. The Deer Stalae r o, Return, painted by Sir E. Land s e e r ; engrave d i n Li n e G. Lewis. Christ Weeping over Jerusalem, painted by Eastlake ; engraved by S.- Cousins. The Three Htinw''' painted by Sir E. Landseer engraved by C. G. Lewis. ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIG-ENCO • PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. • Rev. B. Aldridge, D.A.,to the Curacy. of Norzlf,Tedworth, neat • Salisbury. Rev. M. A. Atkinson,-to the Rectotk of Fakenham, Norfoll‘;,d Rev. B. C. Barnes, 8.A., -to the Curacy of Wroxhain 3 ' SANIQUSe, .near Coitishail, , Nortolk. Rev. J. C. Binns, 8.A., to the Curacy of Isham, near We llirls' borough. Rev. G. J. Bird, 8.A., tollacCuracy of East Frantz glunn and : Bexley, near Norwich. near Rev. W. F: J. Blake, 8.A.,--to the Curacy of Great Et:tering , .Fakenliam. Rev. T. Brancker, M.A., to the Prebend of Henstridges in . Wells Cathedral. rara, Rev. J. S. Buddack, 8.A., to. the Curacy of Slantiforii Fo— erse t. Rer. A. T. Carey, to the Curacy-of Monckton Co m be, Sulu As t i Rey.. W. P. Chappell, M.A., to the Se n ior C u r ac y. of the' Fa' Church,liatrapstead, Middlesex. Rev: R. Celtry, 8.C.L., to the Curacy of Ansford, Semerset o t, Rev. •W. P. Creeny, 8.A., to be Chaplain to Adtington and' . tram, iPtestbury, Cheshire. i t ac tle Rev: Davies, 8.A., to the CuTacy of Ditereat, near Cary. _ _ Re r.. C. G. Douton, to the Vicaragzrof Biggleswaile. Rev. G. •Eltort,. to the Curacy of Windford, SOmerset. Rev..Ji.H.•l l .vane,B.D., to the ti Vicarage a:attet-yofosf ile.rnest i i t n ,r oc i o pear Rev.-G:11. Fititlinw, to Usk. sale Rev. G. lit., to the Pei peta a : C uracy of St* N lrevria al . t mOa' 1r43 1 !e, 13 t6 .C. ' L ir A . e :to the Incumbency Neither-ga — ' rear Crewkerne-. Rev. J.-C. Gi &A.,. to the Curacy -of Cromer, Norf 4sll4 'near Rev. W.. G reenw e ll rto the Perpetual Cuiraey of HortOni — Nevvcastle-upon-Tyne... Rev. A. Ttirenbury, B.A. near ~ to the Curacy o f 'Campaey-Ash, --- Market Wickham. Rev. D. Je Harrison,. M.A., to the Incuratency of St.-Pitll 's District, Tottenham. Rev. J. W. Hayward,. M.A., to be Chaplain to the Forces - in Camp at Aldershot. Rev. J. J. Holmes,. M.A., to be Chaplain and Head Master of the Kirkdale Industrial Schools, Lancashire. Rev. J. E. Jeekson, 14t:/U., ]Lector of Leigh Delamere, Wilts, to an Honorary Canonry. in , the Cathedral Church el Bristol, Rev. E. Jones-, to the Vicarage of Llanalmoti.Mynydd-Mawr, Denbighshire. Rev. H. M. Joyce,. .a/ to the Curacy of North an d South 2 . Lopham. Rev. W. F. Kemp, M.A.. to be Assistant Secretary to t he Societr for the Propagatio n of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Rev. F. Kendall, 13:A.,.tp. the Curacy of 'Mundestey. near ' N'orth Walsham. n ear Rev. V. Knox-Child, M.A. Rector } to the of vtlie4.o`. °ii ' Great Dunmow. e fresbN rd ' . Rev. R. J. F. Lambert ) , WA— to the Curacy 0. Somerset W . Chris t . Rev. W. F. Lanfear, 8.A., to the Perpetual Curacy of Church, Weston-super-Mare. Rev. C. H. Leather to the Curse] , aGu"thorpe,neejoik.. Rev. C. J. Langhain, B.A. r to the Curacy of Beerles.;Sglotl.k. Rev. E. Lord, 8.A4 to the Curacy of Needham, N f Rev. R. Mallock,B.C.L., to the Curacy of Barwick, Somerset. near Rev N . V \ O V O . d ß b r . uare • id l g a e r . sh, BA., to the Curacy of Pa rham with Acheston, Rey. W. Molyneuxi M.A., to the Curacy of Regent-El Church, St. Pancras. Rev. H. Moore, M.A4.Vicas of Eccleshall and o f Pen, to the Archdeaconry of Stafford.. . er set.. Rev. G. 0. Mullins, M.A., to theßectory of ChedzoY , Itev. G.-H. Newman, 8.A., to the Rectory of Westrydford, Somerset. Rev. R. A. 11. Norman, M.A., to be a Chaplain of theEsst India Company, in the Presidency of Bengal. villes Rev. G. S. Nottidge, 8.A., to the Curacy of Carlton ,o3l near Lowestoft. Rev. M. Nunes, to the Curacy of Burgate, near Eye.• nery Rev. W. Y. Patchett,. 8.A., to the Incumbency of -the District Church of Drone End, Gedney, near Holbeach. Rev. C. B. Penrice, BsA., to the Curacy of Skeyton, Norfo l i re b, Rev. C. R. Pulling, BA., to the Curacy of St. Jarnes's'Cl u Rochdale. f s t ' Rev. J. R. D. Pycroft, M.A., to the Perpetual CUracr - o John's urch, Tor, to Rev. H Ch . theßice Vicarage of Sutton Courtney, IVdl► the Chapelry of Appleford, Berks.. OD D Rev. It.'Roe, M.A., to , the Rectory of Melbury Osmond , Melbury Samplord, nem , Dorchester. Rev. F. T. Scudamore, 8.A., to the Curacy of Browne , Bunemy. ton ' Rev. P. M. Shipton,S;C.L.,tothe Rectory of Clapt.in, Son' Rev. G. N. Smith, M.A., to the Curacies of PrestonandNe-r ely t sub-Hamdon, Somerset.. Rev. W. - G. P. Smith .to an Assistant Chaplaincy in.the Army in the East. Rev. H. B. Smyth, MIA., to the Rectory of Houghton .* near Dunstable.. near Rev. J. H. Stewart,: M.A., to the Rectory of 3lnlbroo Southampton. n ot Rev, G. W. H. Tayler,. &A., to the Curacy of Utley, Ipswich. Rev. W. S. Turnbull-,31.A.,t0 the Perpetual Curacy of Mt • dh ° per Yorkshire. Rev. T. B. Turner, MA.„to the Rectory of Port RoyalaaMajrii . ; Rev. T. Tuting, 8.A.., to the Curacy of Horndon.ort...the-tr near Romford. Rev. J. B. Tweed, ELA , .,.taa the Curacy of C ape! St. Mary, gIe AC Ipswich. Key. P. M. Walter ; . 8.A., to the Incumbent-; of Ederis °6 Derbyshire. Rev. J. Walker, M.A., to the Perpetual Curacy 0f . ,01d JgaltOfir Yorkshire. Rev. J. B. Wenn, 8.A., to the Curacy of Melton.Constable, oitb` Briston, Norfolk. Rev. H. S. White,.B.A., to the Curacy of "Wattam.Norfolk.. e. Rev. F. T. Woodznen, M.A., of Magdalen Hall, Oxford,.to to Vicarage of Broadwelliwitli Kelmscott, Oxfordshire. Rev. B. Wright„. M.A., to the Vicarage of St. Mattheiesr Wolverhampton. CLERICAL OBITUARY. December 1, at, Dublin, the Very Rev. Theophilus Dean of Down, after a few days' illness, at an advanced age' December 4, at Cheltenham, aged 70, the Rev. James CIO formerly of Halsted-place, Kent. 35 December 7, suddenly, the Rev. Pryce Jones, late and 1 0 ' years curate of Helmdon, Northamptonshire,,eged 68. aid', December 10,,,at Sparshott House, lierks, in his 815 t the Rev. John. Nelson, D.D., and formerly, Fellow, of (Luc College, Oxford/ DIOCESE OF CHESTER. PREVERY-Tan.--WINWICK.— The ReT. Frank George 110P' wood, M.A., has been instituted by the Bishop to the Recto*: of Winwielt; in, the county of Lancaster, void by the death of the Rev. J. J. Hornby, upon the presentation of the Earl o f Derby. Value £3200, with a house. VAcAmc.Y..—The perpetual curacy of Knowsley, in t he county of Lancaster, by the cession of the Rev. F. G. 0°, 1). wood. - Value £3OO, with a house. Patron, the Earl of DervP CoNSACRATIoN.—The Bishop of Chester consecrated °, ll , Friday the new church of St. Luke,. Formby, in the coun t y of Lar.easter. The church contains. sittings for 336 pers° P " of which 109 are entirely free. It has, been erected in meinorY of the late Miles Formby, Esq., by Miss Formby, of Form hall,,and other members of his family, and has been endo We ': with, a parsonage house and glebe for the maintenance of t!l''s minister, in addition to pew rents, and a fund for the reP 3lr of the church. A burial ground is attached to the church. THE hum CHURCH — The deanery of Down has become h fa o cant by the death of the Very Rev. Theophilus Blakely, !,,-1 died last week iii Dublin at an advanced age. The d• was appointed - Dean-of Connor in 1807. Of TEE CONVOCATION.-- On Wednesday, the Archbishel). Canterbury, accompanied by Dr. Travers Twiss, the Vi l T e ; General of the province, and Mr. Francis Hart Dyke',i;gt- Majesty's Proctor, attended at the Jerusalem Chamber, A' r— ve . minster Abbey, for the purpose of further proroguing C° l 4 r . cation, which stood adjourned from the 24th of Oct. last. Dyke, at the Archbishop's request, read the schedule of P te , rogation, from which it appeared that the clergy of the r of vince of Canterbury will be cited to appear for the desPate o business in the Jerusalem Chamber on Friday, Feb.l. Je d S. PAUL AN.D Sr. BARNABAS. — A subscription, 103 se by Mr. A. J. Beresford Hope, has been opened for the Pu er to of appealing against Dr. Lushington's decision in referelt ii i, the crosses, altars, and ornaments at the churches of St• e et- Knightsbridge, and St. Barnabas, Pimlico. A general 01,,e0 ing Of the Committee of the London Church Union has '"the called, and the following resolution agreed to :—" Th at ,, of committee learn with satisfaction, that, in the eailleen Westerton v. Liddell,' and of ' Beal v. Liddell,' it ha s Dr• determined to carry the appeal against the judgment 0 ,"„ t he Lushington, to the Arches Court, and, if necessary , e ty' Judicial Committee of ,the Privy Council. They feel stroll:s, that this judgment, founded as it is upon erroneous a ss i li a tiol , tion of fact, and constituting an act of individual legis'„ n ' o st, rather than a sound interpretation of existing law , d ee ply although it affects no point of faith or doctrine, be ", es' offensive to the religious feelings of English churchm e .:fog pecially in the outrage which it offers to the distingw` t ioit symbol of Christianity. They invite the serious consider3upea of the country unions to this important subject, and relY,,, 10 0 their co-operation in carrying ont the proceedings whiC' become necessary." difil rtblin Stea Steam-ship ton of both. TRANSMII rant, dated Il ewsPapers British color 01 1 colonial another, rid each. IMPROVE; e ng'aged in t St whic B rothers, fo: Pool Arms I street, will a Provement c THE Roe: Wood wa s co rued to a hanged. A kargaret J scarcely be E !Itch a rep buried withi been confine SUDDEN wed a solic Jilted the of had recentl and, as usu entered his letters and 's 1 loomin client e g nbe stretched at TRE cal Co., Chan 0 ' Shanter foreman, a Previous tc _ . estee7nin; Second eon a silver cl several six pleased wit LOMAX nesday, Mr appealed 5 flounced ii aside the w pool, so far as being co nce of a nsented, eir lords l iduary io 1. FATAL A oward 4 , ; As dron-ai of had jt ' l t tye port ketting the q the and' 410 st on to tuiP was rc 4 nched. ? 1. a o n hur, board. TETE REI of the prey anxiously 1 ( ~( If . Sir Join S ir Beni= those of gei anecdote is to ask Loll aleneed by name to be Present Pa' z .,nniotiredi right. I adons !" N. rag the appear pert THE Es rhea' of all the Which our sell woolle Abyssinia, sheep can addition t 4 Australia. Protective albitory cla tnable to and blank ?rend' g , ,has been uritish bl greatcoats killed in THE S 3 meeting ( Was held take inti in ref( steamboat under the John Wal 3. ear. past consume t known in' been four smoke wit 'Work the f I 4 1.: If D