The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-05-05 00:00:00

May .5, _1816.. Korai anb proinntial 11035. On Tuesday, the body of r male child was found wrap- Ptd-in flannel on some vacant ground in Toxteth-park. An iron steamer, called the Tynwald, intended to ply between Liverpool and the Isle of Man, was launched from Mr. Napier's building-yard on Tuesday. On Tuesday, a beautiful little iron steamer, for the Woodside Ferry, to be called The Wirrall, was launched from the yard of John Laird, Esq., Birkenhead. NOBLE COLLECTIONS.-At Christ Church, Salford, ott Sunday wcek, after sermons by the Rev. H. Stowell, incumbent, the sum of £258 was collected in aid of the schools. 'A deserter from the Bth Regiment of Foot gave himself 12 ,P to the police on Monday. Mr. Rushton remanded until communication could be bad with the War Office. On Saturday, a poor old woman, aged 7-1, residing in Beresford-place, Wellington-road, trod upon a piece of orange-peel lying upon the footway, fell, and broke one of her thighs. WEST DERBY UNION.—At the meeting on Tuesday the business was unimportant. Mr. Smith's motion for Prohibiting the guardians dining in the union house was I w, no member seconding it. ART UNION PRIZE DRAWING. — At the drawing in London, on Tuesday, through W. Cole, Esq., Honour able Secretary, Birkenhead, our townsman, Mr. J. B. Cooper, drew a £7O prize ; and Mr. J. Brittain, of Bir.• kenhead, one of £2OO. Stirling is dramatising " Raby Rattler," the work of one of our townsmen, and is going to produce it at the S tirreY, in the most brilliant style, after which Mr. Ham mond intends to give a Liverpool audience an opportunity of judging of its merits at the Adeiphi. On Friday night week, Joseph Pritt, first mate of the P rovincialist, from this port, was drowned off the North Quay, Londonderry, through falling into the water whilst going down a ladder into a small boat which was going to his ship. GERMAN EMIGRATION. — It is expected that upwards of 80,000 persons will emigrate from Germany during the Present season. There are over 500 of them in the neigh bourhood of the London docks, waiting the sailing of the New York liners. . . Madame Celeste is said to be the wealthiest actress on the stage. Besides enjoying a large revenue from her Past and present exertions, she has just taken possession of her late husband's property, amounting to upwards of XlO,OOO. • On Tuesday, as a poor soldier's wife was crossing to Cheshire with the view of travelling to Woolwich, to join her husband, she fainted on board one of the Woodside boats from sheer exhaustion and want of the necessaries of life. Williams,n Tuesd a y, th ree l a d s , n amed Matthew M'Coy, Jas. by Mr- and Jas. WlCeown, were committed for trial Mr- Rushton, on a charge of having stolen several ar ticles of plate, the property of Mrs. Mary Ann Langley, a w idow, residing at No. 113, Field-street. On Tuesday, a middle-aged female, of respectable ex terior, named Mary Harvey, was committed for trial by Mr. R us h ton, on a charge of having stolen about eighty Yards of silk, the property of Mr. William White, silk mercer, of Ranelagh.street. ~ ,SutiGGLING. On Tuesday, three Belgians, named -c,agle Bart, John Peters, and Jaffer Soifer, were brought tip 05 1 a charge of smuggling tobacco. Peters, who had h; '1 Possession 341b.was fined 405., and to be imprisoned 20 naYs in default. The other two prisoners, who had 'to., were fined £lOO each. tot The P r i nce Alb ert, A mer i can li ne - o f-p ac k e t- s hip, 1,000 , Captain Sebor arrived at Spithead, on Sunday night, from America. She left Sandy Hook on the sth, in com pany with the Roscius, of Liverpool, which arrived here on Sunday. t A STRANGE SToRY.—On the 7th ultimo, Joseph youth about sixteen years of age, son of Henry tivilev, of Shadow Moss, in Northern Etchells, near erp oo i , the vomited a living reptile of the Lizard ' tribe, body of which was about seven inches. It was the cwoasequence of drinking at a brook, in a field in which he as at work as a plough driver, in the autumn of 1844. LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS.—The new street w hi c h w ill fo rma continu a ti on o f C o p era s-hill, is about to be opened Immediately. The workmen have entirely razed to the ground Messrs. H ug h es ' s wor k s hops, in Gill-street, and arenew street briskly employed removing the -materials. This be the will form an extensive thoroughfare, as it will mpst direct way down into the town to all persons frequenting Gill-street market. A W om „ the 24 th AN BURNED TO DEATII IN BRIDEWELL.-00 tilt., Johanna Gallagher was put into Rose-hill rritlewell, for being drunk and disorderly. On the fol 2Yving morning she was removed to the main bridewell, with the view of being brought before the magistrates, and tearing off a piece of her handkerchief to light her Inge, thre w it care l ess l y d own , w h er e co mmun i ca ti ng w ith her clothes, she was speedily in a blaze. She was so se riously burnt that she had to be removed to the Northern Hospital, where she died on Monday last. On Monday, John Gallagher was sentenced to two in loonth's i m p r i sonmen t, f or creating a disturbance hir xenhead, and beating the police. A man named Kelly, for not assisting the police when called upon to do so, was ordered to pay 40s. and costs, or to be imprisoned for one month. The money was paid. On the evening of Saturday about 150 men assembled at the corner of Ivy street, making a disturbance, when the police interfered, and the mob taking part against them, they were severely %bused. The prisoners were the primary movers in the affray. FATAL ACCIDENTS.—On Wednesday, as a little girl, three years of age, named Catherine Molyneux, was sit ting in an excavation made for the purpose of laying wa ter-piping in Prussia -street, the wheel of a cart which was Passing slipped in, and the poor girl was so much injured that she died shortly afterwards.—On Monday se'nnight, , 58 an aged f ema l e, name d Ell en L ang t on, was go i ng up B runswick- roa d with a basket on her head, a cow ran against her, and trampled her down. Her left arm was fractu re d , die r l on and she received other injuries, of which she Monday last. "lARGE OF PERJURY.—On Tuesday, an elderly man ~- 4, 1 11c d George Spears was charged with this offence. The jpr_Asoesner, it appeared, - had . been employed by Mr. George hrn , a hatter, residing in Baxter's-court, to pawn for m , a watch. Jones was afterwards taken ill, and the rson srer appeared and made affidavit before C. Rawdon, 'sq., the magistrate, in conformity with the provisions of sag h, for regulatin the business of pawnbrokers, that he -48 himself the own g er of the watch, and that lie had lost 13r.Mislaid the ticket which he had , 1i Upon the fro 0 f this affidavit he succeeded in obtaining the watch ltl ab - ,7 1 , 0 tb,e pawnbroker • but on the recovery of Jones, the e 'acts trans fret; and the prisoner was apprehended. ir w as committed P for , trial at the assizes. ir t ”, 01 8 i 0 " 1 !. PROVISIONS.—The following . is the list of pro cio4ins i mported into the port of Liverpool, from the prin ovs Irish ports, during the past week, according to the 2,g4 al returns being from the 9th to the 16th inclusive:— 1931firhins, 282 h a lf fi r ki n s, 707 baskets and casks, and vvei,;; ° zes of butter; 387 sacks, 1,849 barrels, 325 tons 2477,,` , and 960 bushels of wheat; 5,524 sacks of flour; 456 ~,n s weight of oats; 1,717 sacks, 186 tons weight, and 1 10 ' tile r Packages of oatmeal; 44 tons weight of barley ; 609 l ac ks, and 343 barrels of malt; 141 casks of whiskey; feathuarrels an d 3 ti erces o f b acon; several packages of liu e er s and seeds ; 718 boxes, 27 parcels, and 49 bales of 24 kegsd cottons; 94 packages of hams; 4 80 barrels and cask:" °f pork ; 673 kegs, 63 firkins, 23 tierces, and 16 • ; f lard; 40 sacks of farina flour, and othe h e 'es, too numerous to particularize, of no importance. ssa ltsz It u b cortN.—On Wednesday, a wcrkman,. named qe„, e tt Jones, who had been in confinement in conse st V e° of derangement, effected his escape, and procured 444 nife at a grocer's shop, with which he cut his throat, wif,. B °,on after exp'red.—Joseph Pimblet , and Mary, his pl c have been apprehended under circumstances of sus• I th . " of having poisoned two of their children. On the 3 4 of March last, an inquest was held on the body of dearnea Pimblet, when a verdict was returned " Found died in bed," Within a fortnight afterwards another son ilafter a short illness, and was interred without any 9ui l ; he I- 7. About three weeks s i nce a thi r d c hild was t a ken ett circumstance arroused the suspicions of the chief • tstable, who entered into communication with the i r s ' a 3' magistrates, and with the coroner. The result lt 8, that the coroner issued his warrant for the disinter b_ent of the body of Richard Pimblet, and the affair is 4 d ergong investigation. An order for the disinterment bh James Pimblet, the child which first died, has also e en issued. TFEMALE PENTTE*TIART.—At the annual meeting, on cauesday, Adam Hodgson, Esq., presided. During the s t Year, no fewer than thirty unhappy outcasts have restored to their friends and the paths of virtue, by C a ns of the society, and former inmates of the institu ti:)..° have frequently called to express their gratitude for fo,„ benefit s rece i ve d th roug h th a t instrumentality. In e course of the past year there had been 90 applicants ti n t. dirlissions; 61 of these had been taken in the Proba tinarYr. Ward . : and there was now remaining in the house le st: , lll .e total number since the commencement of the li a h.„'“ltion was as follows : Admitted since the first estab owt;'ent• 1,370; expelled, 167; eloped, 54; left at their friellrggestion, or dislike of rul es , 538 ; re s t o r e d t o th e ir tnti on B, or placed i n serv i ce , 455 ; remove d to other insti tared 89 ; died, 17. T wo y ears ago th e committee vep cretio ° lay before the publie, as far as prudence and dis hiaell Permitted, a brief statement of the sad extent and In th e l r r effeFtS upon society at large of the crime which it the qui . object to co un t erac t. L as t year th e y rei t era t e d Jeluent of the appalling fact, that every year 500 tcre'"ole creatures, in this town alone, fall into a prema life o i 7 av e, the victims' of the horrible consequences of a the r Pro stitution. There is a balance to the credit of Tti n t stitution of £lBl. cent _ GR EAT BRITAIN STE A M SHlP.—This magnifi eroftT:ssel, which has been fitted up with one of Wood nPr!tent screw propellers, and had many chang!s 0.1 en . t e tt. ] t her r , giling and machinery, made an expert riP for the purpose of trying the effect of these on e u • ehQuee l on Wednesday. She left the Cohourg Dock at to n, i i tock on Wednesday ; having on beard Captain Clax- I Voocl e ; ( r,: , Mr. Brunel, Mx. Field, Mr. Guppy, Mr. 1) 0 e t it) format it (the patentee of the screw), and a number of Re who were desirous of witnessing her 4 b Ou t e• She ran for Holyhead, which she reached abut seven saevoleinieo'clock ; beating the t he nit Nimrod, "°wlY tower Perhour. During the niAht, she steamed * l4l the d Ilra then turned Dubliniverpo until daylight, when abe fell in mail steamer Prince. The full steam ,ioesty leftthe Nimrod she left the Prince, as she bad ,s'so afterward e Nimrod, about a mile an hour. She V , :a r 8 a short trial with the new iron steamer %p t ev"env, r eckoned the fastest boat out of Liverpool, and t it :vent ed flOriwlth.her until the vicinity of the banks 14,P!rery appeared er trial. Tile engines worked . well, and 4 ri "eBt 'Peed 41f statut e to answer its purpose admirably ; the (undermiles steam alone) was about thirteen and f:lar ge a_, now per hour . ; and, with the assistance of 1 test , ell .,"_`: no erful sails, she bids fair to prove the "k w afloat. CORRESPONDENCE. LOSS OF THE COLONIES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Stewkley, Bucks, April 29, 1846. few days ago I received through the post office two or three copies of a printed letter, addressed to you by Mr. Isaac Buchanan, of Glasgow, and dated March 19, 1846. Having myself been in two or three of the Colonies, and resided some years in one of. them, when I had an especial opportunity of being acquainted with its laws and commerce, the great value of these possessions has made on my memory a deep impression, which the lapse of many years and further acquaintance with the world have had no tendency to obliterate. The various important advantages of emigration forci bly presented themselves in promoting the wellbeing of the emigrant, annually increasing the trade of Great Bri tain. and consequently its strength and resources. As the noblest efforts of the human mind, in science and every department of literature, are recorded in the language of England, already spread over so considerable a portion of the earth, I hope it would not be vanity to wish it still more widely spread, diffusing civilization and the blessings of Christian knowledge among the most distant nations. These previous impressions the admirable letter ad dressed to you by Mr. Isaac Buchanan has the mote confirmed. His few hints with regard to emigration are most valuable, and for my part I would willingly contri bute to an " income-tax of twenty per cent. for the first year," &c. Free-trade seems fully to deserve to be termed " sui cidal policy." It is sad to reflect on the state of society in this coun try—the cool, undisguised want of integrity—the betray ing of vast interests by those who had undertaken to defend them. May the Almighty avert from us those judgments we have so much reason to apprehend ! You will, I hope, pardon me for trespassing on your time in this long letter, the purport of which is to thank Mr. Isaac Buchanan very cordially for his able address to the public, and yourself for its publication. I am, Sir, your faithful servant, RICHARD ROBERTS, Vicar of Stewkley, Bucks. ON THE SANITARY STATE OF SOME PARTS OF LIVERPOOL-LETTER VI. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. BRUNSWICK-ROAD. The lower portion of this drain was covered over, grated, and turned from its course, to run under a back lane, in order to build cottages on a plot of ground which formed part of its bed. This was done by one individual, at an expense of £4O. Why is a drain, which is altoge ther a public affair, suffered to remain a nuisance, in mul tiplied senses, and to become a burthen on a private purse. The mud at the bottom end is sometimes two or three feet deep, and no scavengers ever see after it, on the testimony of the party who, in self-defence, has often done the su pererogatory work of getting it cleansed out. It is a favourite jumping-place for school-boys, and they could scarcely select a less happy quarter. The authorities appear undecided, from accounts, as to whose duty it is to attend properly to this escaped watercourse ; and whilst they contend, and each party endeavours to re move the burthen from its shoulders, disease, like the fox in the fable, where the lion and bear contend for a carcase, carries away the victim. This is a reproach to society, and would not be tolerated in many other coun tries to which we are in the habit of considering ourselves superior. Ancient Rome would not have suffered such danger of delay. We must copy them before we excel them ; at present, in these matters, we are immensely be hind them, let people think as they will. A Roman Edile had powers as summary as a coroner possesses now in his own court. This officer, in ancient Rome, would soon have settled these disputed points ; and the cases of fever which have occurred there during the continuance of the nuisance, and will yet occur before it is done away, would not have presented themselves as victims of mis management and ignorance of the elementary principles of sanitary measures. Such a study for political charac ters would prove more advantageous to themselves and society, than party janglings and unmeaning watchwords. The Whig and Tory are no longer contradistinguishing terms ; and disputes about these decaying schools are only like lost time ; and in the present non-sanitary condition of society, are children's pastimes on the brink of a river or precipice. Suppose the cholera were to revisit us : it has already proceeded from India and Persia, so far as to have invaded Russia, if accounts be correct. Now the ques tion ought to be asked, in contemplating such a possibi lity, how are we prepared to receive this scourge? As far as one can judge, worse than ever. The cellars emp tied of human beings, but filled with filth—sewers neglected right and left—every sanitary regulation waiting to be fully enforced. Then whenever it comes the evil will drive the public to the services, gratuitous or otherwise, of medical men, and Cholera Boards would have again to be formed, perhaps in as much haste as formerly. Let them do what they can now, and take the proper advice and suggestions whilst there is time to do it; if delayed, all might be bustle and imperfection, instead of the deli beration requisite for the efficient removal of the predis posing causes. A neat row of houses near Brunswick-road is open at one end to the current of air from the drain, and has had, I am told, typhus fever in several of its houses last summer. There was also a great deal of fe er in Ep worth-street, at the back of the burying-ground of Brunswick-street Chapel. Is this preventible ? If so, why is no effort made to economise human sacrifices to the ' minimum ? The lesson lies broadly open before us; if we do not take the warning, the sybilline leaves of cholera or other pestilence may diminish the chances of immunity and exalt the cost! I have given the analysis by Dr. Brett, which suffi ciently proves the deleterious qualities of the drainage water,and relying upon the immutability of physical laws, which, when suspended in man's favour, constitute a miracle ; it can hardly be requisite to go into any demon stration of the effects following the operation of these causes. I have however stated, from the lips of many residents, the fact that fever has been common in the vicinity. But lest the testimony of non-professional wit nesses should be taken exception at—although their evi• dence is valid enough for proving the occurrence of ill health, and would only break down in the question of specification as to what kind of disease; and as I have stated not only the effects in general terms, as sickness, but also in particular as being fever—l turn to profes sional evidence, which will be satisfactorily conclusive. Mr. C. B. Greatrex, who is medical officer for the rural and municipal districts of the township of West Derby, has kindly permitted me to state that he has attended four cases In private practice in this immediate locality, during the year from May 1, 1845, to May 1, 1846. Now, though this number is not great—yet as it gives only the cases attended by one medical man—it would be necessary to multiply this figure by some other term from 2,3, and 4 upwards, which should represent the number of other medical practitioners in the habit of at tending patients thereabouts, and who had prescibed for fever there during the year, in order to get a true estimate of the proportion of cases per annum ; but as this cannot readily be determined, another way lies open to me, in or der to gain an idea of the fever cases which are to be lo gically attributed to the proved adequate and existing cause. Multiply this individual experience by the num ber of years the cause may have been in active opera tion, and the result will be too many for the philanthro pist to contemplate, even if the low figure of six be adopted, a figure which represents the time I know it to have been existing from personal observation. I can only at present appeal to my own knowledge in the absence of other actual data, although I doubt not that this might be multiplied again by another six or still higher term. Take then, the low mark of twenty-four cases of fever, as very fairly inferred to have occurred. Very fairly, I repeat, because the year of winter and spring 1843-44 was the epidemic year, when so many cases of fever surprised the inhabitants living upon all the higher ridges of land upon which Liverpool and its suburbs are built. Take further, the most probable, I may say indeed the most certain fact, that one of these twenty-four cases was fatal, and we have a great fact, though a very common fact too common, for caring about but though the crowd ing and jostling cares and interests of life con.ign too often the departed to the grave, and to oblivion at one and the same time : yet in vital statistics the unit is a figure which may work out serious results :—Yet further, in morals how stands the unit of a life lapsed through disregard of the first dictates of sanatory common sense. In fact, one in twenty-four cases of fever is far too favour able a mortality. Facts teach us that in typhus fever one in twelve is a common average, which would give Iwo lives as sacrificed, literally, to the persistence of• causes which are, and have been all along, remediable, and capable of complete' neutralisation. But, revert to the single solitary death as inevitably deducible from the facts already before us. Is society just towards itself to allow the continuance of the cause? The former generations have suffered these evils to accumulate around. One excuse may have been urged for them :—tbey were much engaged in wars, and reeling Europe occupied their chief attention. Their descendants are permitted to cultivate the arts of peace and therefore we have more leisure to at tend to pressing social and domestic duties. The motto of the arms of Liverpool ("Deus nobis here otia fecit") asserts the conviction of the fact that God bath given Ler the enjoyment of a plentiful leisure Is there not a correlative conviction possessing the minds of this busy community of a still more pious character, viz., that blessings entail a stewardship of them, and stewardship-duties, to be accounted for both at the bar of earth and heaven ? If so, and it must be so, then, in the name of rationality, of goodwill, and of a piety even no more exalted than that of the heathen from whose poetry the motto quoted has been borrowed,—let every effort be made to render back that " duty" towards society which Admiral Nelson well said " England expects of every man." Then only, and rightfully, can those in office enjoy that otium which otherwise never is what it would seem to be. For those in office to cease from their public minis trations, is but to enter upon a new chapter of ennui, un less they have won their "otia" and their dignities by untiring zeal and labour in the rectification of every evil, and in using their utmost endeavour to change a merely sub-ventive for a strenuously pre-ventive system of relief and cure. Then will the legion of preventible diseases be prevented. When, in municipal economy, the salutary preventive, supplants the merely expedient, subventive plan of management, then the practical wisdom of pre vention over cure will be illust►ated, and its cornucopia of blessings be emptied forth in a shower of good results, incalculable and unforeseen. Our charities towards our indigent neighbours or fellow•creatures, wherever they are asking for assistance, or pining away without even the petition of a complaint, should assume aliva‘ s, as far as possible, this healthy direction. It is nobler than the other. The preventive rouses our own energies, as well as those of the party we seek to benefit; therefore, it is better for them and for us. This is a sterling and unal loyed virtue; the other may become possibly so adulte rated, so indiscreet, so thwarting to natural and moral principles, as to pander to a vice, and be almost a vice in the bestower—at all events an idle and sentimental virtue, partakinit of the ideal more than the real, and therefore bad in humanity.—l am, sir,. &c. G. C. WATSON. Bedford•street, May 2nd, 1846. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. 7 - LICENSED VICTUALLERS. A public meeting of this body was held on Wednesday. in the Music-hall, to consider the clause intended to be inserted in the Sanitary Bill, to the effect that public houses shall in future be closed during the whole of Sun day, except between one and three in the afternoon. Mr. Solomon May was called to the chair. Mr. H. DANSON moved the first resolution, to the ef fect that the clause was unnecessary, and in the course of a lengthened speech, said that there were 1400 public-houses and 600 beer-shops in Liverpool, so that the £-1000 di vided among them would be about £2 each on the aver age. If the £4OOO were divided among 100,000 of the inhabitants, —assuming that that was about the number of the lower-classes who drank in public.houses,--it amounted to about 91. a-head ; and was it not a most dreadful state of things for a man to spend 9d. on a Sun day—(laughter)—rather, was it anything unreasonable for a man toiling six days in the week, to spend 9d. on a Sun day ? Ninepence never paid for Mr. Higgins's wine on a Sunday. (Applause.) He was satisfied that to the mind of a peculiarly religious man it was no very enviable po sition to stand up and oppose the passing of Mr. Hors fall's motion ; but the fact was, that the motion was un timely. To reduce the comforts of the poor man in the present barefaced manner was intolerable. Supposing £6OOO or £7OOO were received in the public•houses of Li verpool on the Sunday, it, should be remembered that there were many thousands of sailors entering and leav ing the port continually. Mr. Horsfall, though he en tered into statistics, omitted to mention that there was a large amount of intemperance, drunkkenness, and crime, laid to the door of the publican with which he had nothing to do. Mr. Sands, in seconding Mr. Horsfall's motion, referred to the number of drunkards brought before the bench on the preceding Monday ; but Mr. Sands should have candidly referred to a speeeh delivered by Sir J. Graham, on that and other important subjects, in which the increase was accounted for. Seven-eighths, or it might be, nine-tenths, of the cases brought before Mr. Rushton, were against beer•sellers and not against publi cans. Those who sell on the Sunday morning ought, in every case, to be punished ; and he, speaking on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers and the Protection Societies, was of opinion that in every case in which the law was in fringed on the Sunday morning, a fine ought to be im posed without fee, favour, or affection. There were two classes of licensed victuallers in Liverpool,—the one an honest class; the other a grinding class, who should be denounced and turned out of all respectable society. He contended that the clause for, closing public-houses on Sunday morning was called for by public necessity and public opinion. He regretted to say that illicit distilla tion was now being carried on to as great an extent as ever in Liverpool, although the police were doing all they could to prevent it. Mr. BREWER seconded the motion. The other resolutions were to the effect, that drunkken ness arose principally from illicit distillation, and spirits imported contraband, vended retail in sailors' lodging houses, cellars, and other private places—that the pro posed clause would turn the current of business into the hands of the unprincipled and needy—and that the clause should be strenuously opposed, and they were moved and seconded by Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Timothy Parkinson, Mr. W. Livesedge, Mr. E. Marshall, Mr. John Johnson, and Mr. Charles Chalk. The following memorial, founded on the resolutions, was agreed to be presented to the Council:— " The Memorial of the undersigned Licensed Victuallers and other inhabitants of Liverpool, " Sheweth,—That your memorialists have learned with sur. prise that it is the intention of some of the members of the Town Council to promote the insertion of a clause in the Sana tory Bill, the effect of which would be to close public-houses from the hour of three o'clock, p.m., on Sunday, until five o'clock on Monday morning. " Your memorialists respectfully beg leave to represent that such a clause is calculated to interfere with the right of the subject, and materially to curtail the social comforts of the middle and labouring classes, whilst it will not interrupt those occupations, such as the working of the docks and railways, the sailing of steam•packets and merchant-vessels on that day, from which source the wealthier portion of the community de rive so large a portion of their income, whose command or per sonal comforts. from their greater wealth, will not be interfered with by the enactment of such a clause : further, that habits of drunkenness in the population of Liverpool is not wholly attri butable to the licensed victuallers, but that the evil is materi ally aggravated by illicit spirits, distilled and imported contra band, which are vended retail in seamen's lodging houses, cel lars, and other places. Which facts are well known to the police, though, from the difficulty attendant on detecting the same, few cases are brought before the magistrates; that the causes here alluded to materially interfere with the interests of the fair trader, and your memorialists are c I' opinion that the intro duction of any such law will promote the illegal trading of the unprincipled, and greatly damage the interests of those well disposed to carry on their business according to law. '• Your memorialists cannot leave the subject without advert ing to a circumstance which they fully believe has greatly tend ed to aggravate the evil of ardent liquors being vended contrary to law, viz., the great number of additional licenses granted during the last few years, which, by depreciating the business of the fair trader, has tended, in some instances, to lessen the personal feeling of responsibility on the part of a few unprinci pled licensed victuallers, whose illegal gains will be still more promoted by any further restrictive measures. " Your memorialists, therefore, respectfully pray that the Council will not entertain any clause which may tend further to restrict the business of the licensed victualler. " And your memorialists will ever pray." A child named Christopher Arlein, about twenty months old, living in Kew-street, was scalded to death on Tuesday, a pan of boiling water having been incautiously left in his way. DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—The secretary re ported that the men employed at the new docks had stated, on being asked last Saturday evening, that they were not members of any union.—A question was asked as to what age it bad been decided by the committee persons applying for situations under the Dock Trust were ineli gible. In the course of some conversation on the sub ject, it appeared that a rule had been passed on the Ist of August, 1844, limiting the age to between 25 and 35, but it was the general opinion of the members present, that in many cases that law was found to act too arbitrarily, and in the case of Mr. Cowan, who was six months above the age, it had been put aside. It was ultimately ngreed that in future it be left to the discretion of the committee. —The sub-committee recommended that the. buoy on the east side of the George's Basin be removed 50 feet from its present position.—The accounts of the dock and light dues were read, showing an increase over the same period last year of £l2.—A. communication was also read as to the want of accommodation at the south docks, &c. The secretary stated that plans had been prepared, and that they had been placed before some of the committee con nected with the timber trade.—A letter was placed before the committee from the agent of the Drogheda Steam packet Company, stating that there was not sufficient dock-room for their steamers now, and that they would be placed at greater inconvenience when the new iron steamer came upon the station. They, therefore, prayed for more accommodation. Referred to the sub-commit tee. SWINDLING.—Two men, named John Robinson and Thomas Nichols, were on Tuesday charged with an at tempt to swindle Robert Frazer, a young gentleman with a strong northern accent. The trick attempted is a very old one. It appeared that a third party, seeing Frazer staring about him with stranger-like simplicity, set him down at once as a " green 'un," and accosting him, prof fered his services as cicerone to show him the Great Britain steam-ship. The offer, made with such apparent kindness, was as readily accepted ; and the two having duly examined the gigantic proportions of this leviathan of the deep, the man's kindness did not stop there, but he offered to give Frazer a glass of ale if he would accompany him to a neighbouring public-house. They accordingly repaired to a house in Stanhope-street, where they found the prisoner Robinson, and bad not sat long before the prisoner Nichols came in. The conversation then turned upon cards, and a pack being produced, the young gentle man was induced to bet, and in a very short time lost no less than three sovereigns —the other parties in the mean time exhibiting a plentiful array of the needful. It was proposed to Frazer that he should bet his watch, and his suspicions becoming all at once aroused, he called out lustily for the police, when his money was immediately returned to him. Two policemen in plain clothing, who, knowing the character of the parties, had been hovering in the neighbourhood, then rushed in, and took the two prisoners into custody. On their being searched a num ber of counterfeit sovereigns were found, and also several "flash notes." The prisoners had been previously known for the same kind of work, and were committed for trial. —On the following day Frederick Smith, another of the gang (supposed to be the most deeply involved), was brought up and committed. PAVING AND SEWERAGE.—At the weekly meeting of commissioners, on Tuesday, Mr. Gladstone brought for ward the motion of which he had given notice, to the effect that it wes not expedient for the public interests to pro ceed further with any of the bills before Parliament pro moted by the Board. The grounds on which he founded his resolution were, that in a great town like Liverpool, where the object was to legislate for the good of the whole community, one great governing body was likely to be more effective in its operation than where there were several divided ones. Besides, the Corporation had funds at command, while the trust had none; and it was a matter of regret that two public bodies should be com peting against each other to obtain that which was so essentially desirable, and what, on reflection, every one would be satisfied must be best attended t o if left in the bands of the Corporation. Ile thought they wouid find the feeling of the town-was not with them, and if the Cor poration wolld only devote their attention to the subject, and come with a well-digested measure next session, any effort of the Board would be perfectly futile. Mr. Higgins seconded the motion. Mr. Walthew said he had exam ined the bills of the Council and the Highway Board, and he found that the bill of the former body contained no provision for an abundant supply of water ; if they had been desirous of improving the sanatory state of the town, they ought to have provided a supply for domestic and other purposes, as they were well aware of the unhealthy state of the town, arising from the want of it. He moved a resolution to the effect, that it would be most injurious to the interests of the rate-payers, if the Board were to withdraw their bill; and that it be persevered with, Mr. Denton seconded Mr. Walthew's motion. Mr. Procter, seconded by Mr. Brancker, moved a second amendment, to the effect that a special meeting of the inhabitants be called to take into consideration the two bills of the com missioners now before Parliament, to be held at the Sessions-house, on Friday, the Bth instant. After con siderable discussion, Mr. Procter's resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr. Cooper, it was agreed that a special meeting of the Board should be called for Wednesday, to consider.the two bills. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF TIME OCCU PIED AND EXPENSE OF PERFORMING A MONTHLY VOYAGE BETWEEN -ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA, VIA INDIA AND THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. MR. WAGHORN ' S PROPOSED ROUTE, VIA INDIA, PER STEAM. Time occupied between Southampton and Singapore, according to latest returns, about .. ... Singapore to Sydney, from 25 to 30, say.2B days. In all about MR. WHEELWRIGHT ' S PROPOSED ROUTE, VIA PANAMA, Time occupied from Southampton to Chagres, 33 to 35 days, say.. ..... ... 34 days. Crossing of Isthmus Panama to Lima •• • • • . ___ ... _ . ... 8 days. Lima to Sydney, per sailing vessel, has been accomplished in 37 days, but say.4s days. In all about ....... EXPENSE. Capital required under Mr. Waghorn's scheme, for 4 stcamers of 1,200 tons each, say £45 per ton, £216,000. Working of the line at an expense of 225. 6d. rer mile. Steamed, 9,000 miles per month, or 108,00 per annum, £121,500 ; wear and tear, say 124 per cent., £27,000.... ........ ...... £148,500 Capital requird under Mr. Wheelvrrigbt's scheme. for 6 sailing vessels of 400 tons each, say £2O per ton, £lB,OOO. Sailing expenses per month, £250 each, or per annum, £18,000; wear and tear, say 10 per cent., £I,BOO .. The foregoing statements exhibit only the ac tual expense of working, and the deterioration under the different schemes, consequently, to give a sufficient return for capital embarked (X 216,000 under Mr. Waghorn's scheme) 71 per cent. (£16,600) must be added, thus requiring gross receipts of .. and it is presumed that the revenue in the outset will be but little, an annual payment from Go vernment, of certainly not less than £120,000, would be requisite to support the undertaking. To give an additional 7i per cent. under Mr. Wheelwright's scheme, would require gross re ceipts of. and a corresponding payment from Government of about £20,000 per annum, _ . . . Thus whilst only about five days more would be occupied by Mr. Wheelwright's route, the favourable state of the winds between Lima and Australia render the voyage per sailing vessel nearly as certain as by steamer. It has also the additional advantage of embracing New Zealand. Without including this important colony, it is confidently believed that the Government would not give their sanc tion or support to any mail or contract with Australia. To include New Zealand under the route by India, would involve additional time, and such an increase of capital and annual expenditure, as even the strongest advocates for a steam communication could not recommend. Under these circumstances, agreeing, as all do, upon the propriety of having a monthly communication with New Zealand and Australia, it would certainly be advisa ble to take up Mr. Wheelwright's route via Panama. The necessary sailing vessels could be put upon the pas sage between Lima and New Zealand and Australia, in connection with the West India Mail, and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steam-ships, within nine months of obtaining the Government contract ; and even should the estimated results not be realised, and at a future period a steam communication considered requi site, the present outlay would be but comparatively small, with a very large annual saving, and the sailing vessels, being suitable for any trade, might either be continued on the passage, in connexion with the steamers, or with drawn therefrom, at a trifling loss or inconvenience to the owners. We understand that a preliminary meeting of mer chants, ship-owners, and others interested, was held here on Thursday, for the purpose of considering the plan pro posed by Mr. Waghorn and his friends, for a monthly communication by steam with Australia, which meeting broke up without coming to itny de fi nite resolution on the subject. An opinion prevailed, however, that the capital required for the requisite steamers was very great, and that the annual payment from government, sufficient to support the undertaking, was more than could at present be expected. The benefits to be derived from a regular communication with Australia and New Zealand were admitted by all the speakers, but the plan of performing it with fast-sailing vessels instead of steamers was, on the plea of economy, and as being likely to receive the sanc tion of the government, more favourably viewed by the meeting. Reference was made at the meeting here, as well as at the London meeting, to a scheme proposed by Mr. Wheelwright, of establishing a monthly communica tion by fast-sailing vessels, between Lima and New Zea land and Australia, in connexion with the West India Mail steam-ships, and the steamers of the South Pacific Steam Company. As Mr. Waghorn's scheme is now before the public, we think it but fair to give the fore going, which is the staple topic-of conversation by a party whose only object is that of securing at the earliest period the best attainable communication with these important colonies. Before leaving the subject, it is but right to notice, that there is some difficulty in comprehending Mr. Waghorn, from the report given of the meeting in Lon don, for while, in his speech, he has not forgot New Zea land, his proposed scheme, if we understand it aright, terminates at Port Jackson, thus leaving out the former altogether. GENERAL MISCELLANY. The Duke of Wellington completed his seventy•seyenth year on Friday. At a wedding party in Scotland, the other day, one of the guests unknowingly ate a piece of 'opium and died in consequence. A boy, nine years old, has banged himself at Shoreditch because his mother refused to give him a half-penny to buy a ball. The foundation stone of a new Roman Catholic Church the estimated cost of which is £ll,OOO, was laid at Burnley last week. A young labouring man named Henry Cook committed suicide last week at itoldfast, near Upton, on Severn, by taking arsenic. He was said to be in love. The statement that a noble Viscount, a relative of a highly esteemed Evangelical minister in London, was about to leave the Anglican church and join the Roman communion, has been denied on authority. The weil-known Clara Seyton, who has been for some time past giving lectures in this and other towns, was be fore the London Insolvent Court on Thursday. The case was adjourned. Keying, the high commissioner to the Emperor of China, has requested Sir T. Cochrane to record his name as a donor of 900 dollars (about £190) to the Seaman's Floating Hospital. The money has been paid. Captain Hamilton, of Port Glasgow, has bequeathed the sum of twenty th ousand pounds to the Free Church, to be divided between the sustentation fund and the mis sionary schemes of the Free Church. A London newspaper informs its readers that " an ad ditional number of sentinels are to be placed in Hyde Park, to prevent the robberies which happened last win ! ter." Much curiosity was excited in Covent Garden Market, on Monday, by the appearance of two pecks of French green peas for sale, and for which the vender demanded £2 10s. On Saturday week, William Somerville, one of the po licemen on the Caledonian Railway, while attempting to quell a disturbance, was.killed in the most barbarous man ner, near Lockerbie, by the railway labourers. On Thursday, the Dukes of Richmond, Buckingham, and Cleveland, and the Earl of Lonsdale, had audiences of the Queen at Buckingham Palace, to present addresses against the repeal of the corn laws. On Sunday, the inmates of Mallow Workhouse not only refused to eat the Indian meal, but rose up (ft masse and denounced those who had introduced it. The riot was such that the police had to be sent for. ANOTHER VICTIM.—Miss Bridges, eldest daughter of Matthew Bridges, Esq., of Aldershot Manor, Surrey, was received during Lent into the Romanist Church at Prior Park.—Church and Stale Gazelle. .Bailey's statue of the late Duke of Sussex was inaugu rated at Freemason's-hall on Wednesday, in the presence of the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master, and a large party of masonic brethren. In Herefordshire and Devonshire it is not considered an excess for a man, when mowing or making hay, to chink from twelve to sixteen quarts of ough cider in a A female named Maria Smith has been committed, at Northwich, for trial on a charge of having administered centharides to a fellow servant and also to a younger girl. They were domestic servants in the employ of a gentleman near Northwich. Mr. John Formby recommends farmers, after planting their potatoes, to sow the same ground with turnip seed, treating the turnips as weeds when the potatoes come up healthy, but suffering them to remain in patches where the potatoes . fail. EXPORTS, 1845.—The total official value of the British and Irish produce and manufactures exported from the United Kingdom in the year ending sth of January. 1846 (as shown by a parliamentary return), was £134,599,116, and the total deeiared value £60,111,081. A family at Pillgwenlly had a narrow escape the other day. An arrow-root pudding was made, and they par took of it; but, fortunately, their stomachs rejected what they had eaten, for it was found that dry white-lead had been sold in mistake for arrowroot ! SINGULAR MURDI:R.—At the Circuit Court of Justi ciary, on Tuesday, before Lords Moncrieff and Cockburn, Ann Carruthers, of Gretna, was found guilty of the mur der of her child, by putting into its mouth small pieces of coal. She was sentenced to be transported for life. An old lady who, during the lasi three months, had laboured u n d er gr eat excitement in consequence of her daughter, who had been decoyed away by a young man with whom she had formed an attachment, died suddenly last week in London. DIMINUTIVE DOG.—We have seen, within the last few days, a curious specimen of the canine species; a spaniel, four months old, weighing only 19 ounces, and not more than four inches in height. The colour is dark brown and white.—Derby Mercury. At the annual meeting of the Shakespeare Society, held in London on Monday, it was stated that no less than 23 volumes illustrative of the drama in the sixteenth century were in preparation. An autograph signature of Shake speare, attached to the mortgage deed of his house in Blackfriars was exhibited. It had been offered to the British Museum for 200 guineas. An experiment made at Glasgow of the practicability of establishing a public nursery for the care of children whose parents are prevented by their avocations from taking care of them at home, or of children who are orphans, has proved successful. Healthy children, from. eighteen. months to six years of age, are admitted at the nominal charge of ls. 6d. per week. Those who wish their children admitted as day boarders only. are °barged. is per week.. Miss Garwood. a young lady of wealc ititelleet, possessed of a fortune of £30,000, has been carried off from the resi _ :dence of her aunt. at Kilhunr,,by a son of an upholsterer of London. The young lady left a note on her dressing table stating that she was going to be married to the in dividual above alluded to. Mr. Jones, carver and gilder, of Bath, has. in his pos session a canary bird, gifted with the power of articulating clearly several words. Mr. Jones had the honour of pre senting the bird to her Majesty the queen at Windsor Castle on Wednesday week, when her Majesty expressed herself much pleased with the feathered curiosity. Three men, implicated in the riots which occured in February at Inverness, when the populace attempted to Prevent the shipment of some potatoes, have been tried and convicted before the Circuit Court of Justiciary. Two of them were sentenced to nine and the third to four months imprisonment. A FEMALE KILLED BY A COIV.—A few days ago, while Mrs. Todd, the wife of a farmer at Low Fields, near Piercebridge, Durham, was passing through the cowsheds of the farm-house, and in the act of picking up sorre hay, one of the cows struck her behind the ear, which caused her death a few minutes afterwards. In the village of Fledborough, in Nottinghamshire, which, at the census of 1841, only contained, along with the hamlet of Woodcotes, a population of 112 souls, there are now residing three families immediately adjoining each, who number amongst them, 36 children. The first having 11 children, the second 12, and the third 13. MINER'S STRIKE.—In consequence of the exorbitant price for iron still asked in South Staffordshire, the de mand has decreased to a considerable extant. Several masters having given notice to their workmen of a reduction in their wages, to the amount of threepence a day, the miners on Monday last etruck work to the number of 2000. DREADFUL ACCIDENT.—AR accident of a very serious nature, and which, it is feared. will end fatally, occurred on Wednesday at St. George's, Gloucestershire, to four workmen, who, while employed in painting the interior of the church roof, were precipitated to the ground, a depth of fifty or sixty feet, and received extensive fractures of their limbs and other injuries. A public meeting of the members and friends of the Glasgow Emancipation Society VliS held on Tuesday for the purpose of passing a memorial to the general assem bly of the free church, imploring them to renounce Chris tian fellowship with the American slaveholders, and to send back their money. Resolutions were adopted by ac clamation in favour of the object of the meeting. THE VICTOR OF is said in military circles that the colonelcy of one of the regiments now vacant will be conferred on Sir H. G. Smith, the victor of Aliwal. The emoluments - of the colonel of a regiment are esti mated at £l,OOO a-year ; but should the regiment be serv ing in India, about double that amount whilst so serving. PEDESTRIANISM.—George Clarke has undertaken to walk, at the West-end Retreat Gardens, Heigham. Nor wich, 1,500 miles in 1,000 successive hours, walking a mile and a half at the beginning of each hour, He com menced this wonderful task at seven o'clock in the even ing of Saturday, the 11th rat. CAUTION TO CHARITABLE SOCIETIES.—Sunday week was the day appointed for the collection in London at all the Baptist chapels for their missionary society, and at one of these meetings in the evening, the abominable trick was played of obtaifiing 9s. as change for a half-sovereign at each of the doors, both of the half-sovereigns being afterwards discovered to be counterfeits. STOICISM.—A few days ago, while an Irish labourer was engaged with two waggons on the Dundee and Perth Railway, by some accident one of his hands was entirely cut off, and fell on the line. The sufferer picked it up, and, looking at it for a. moment, txclaimed, with an oath, "You are no use to me any longer, anyhow !" and threw it into the river. The effort was above his strength, as he immediately fainted and fell.—Dundee Advertiser. The fracas in the House of Commons on Friday week, did not terminate there. Colonel Peel sought Mr. Dis raeli, and addressed an observation to him of a nature that induced the member for Shrewsbury to send Lord George Bentinck to Colonel Peel for an explanation. Lord George was referred to the Hon. Captain f{ous, with whom his lordship bad so satisfactory an interview that any further proceeding was deemed wholly unnecessary. CHESTER CATTLE FAIR.-0a T.lUrad iy, the fair WaS tolerably attended for the time of the year. Calving cows were in demand, and prices ranged from £l5 to £lB. Fat beef was worth 51 and 6d. Pigs were about the same as last fair. Cheviot hog sheep were worth 225. The show was tolerably good. Useful horses were in demand ; but the show was but indifferent. CHESTER CHEESE FAIR.—On Wednesday, upwards of 120 tons of cheese were pitched. The demand was good, a large number of country dealers being in atten dance. Prices were fully equal to those of the same pe riod last year ; and rather better than last fair. They ranged from 555. to 655. Some few prime dairies were unsold, as high prices were asked. On the whole the fair was satisfactory to the farmers, who, however, complain of their prospects for the future; PIINISFIMENT OF DEATH.—A. great public meeting was held on Wednesday evening in the large room at Exeter Hall, to consider what means ought to be used for the abolition of the punishment of death. The hall was crowd ed in every corner long before the hour for the commence ment of business. W. Ewalt, Esq., M.P. was unani mously called to the chair. It was moved by the Rev. Mr. Christmas, and supported by Mr. Wrightson and Mr- H. Vincent—" That a society be now formed, to be called " The Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishments." RAPE CASES IN WESTMORLAND.—The four railway labourers (two Smiths, Gloucester, and Gunner) who in so diabolical a manner, on Sunday evening week, violated the persons of Miss Elizabeth and Jane Dover, on Knipe. Scar Moor, Westmorland, and who absconded early on the following morning, on Wednesday night last were ap prehended at Hartlepool, in the county of Durham, by Charnock and Stephenson, the two railway police stati oned at Hackthorpe, after a chase of nearly 100 miles. They have been 'committed to take their trial. THE BOY JONES.—The boy Jones, of palace-entering notoriety, who it will be remembered, was some years ago shipped no board the Warspite as a boy of the second class, did not come bone In her, but was transferred to the Inconstant shortly before the Warspite's leaving. He bad then attained the rating of an ordinary seaman. At climbing he had no superior in the Warspite; on one occasion be climbed to the main truck, and seating him self there, threw off his bat, jacket, and shirt, and flung them on deck. He is represented as well conducted, and a very good seaman, considering the time he has been at sea. MANSLAUGHTER OF A HIGHWAYMAN.-011 Wed nesday last, a large number of the neighbouring villagers were congregated in Margate, celebrating the festival or a benevolent society ; James Sutton, a person of respectable connexions, being of the number. About half-past ten, as John Price, a carrier, was returning home, Sutton leaped from behind a hedge, and demanded his watch. A struggle ensued, and Sutton was sa much injured that he died in a few hours. The coroner's jury, after al. ngth ened consultation, returned a verdict of " manslaughter" against Price, considering the violence more than neces sary._ _ _ A SAGACIOUS HORSE.—On Monday week, while some half-a-dozen of carters were returning from Dunkeld to Perth, they halted at Bankfoot to take a dram, and drank till they were all in a beastly state of intoxication. They were helped into their carts, and resumed their journey, trusting entirely to the sagacity of their horses. One of the batch having awoke from a confused sleep, attempted to stop his horse, and finding himself unable, had the te merity to throw himself before the wheel, but the noble animal, as if aware of his danger, shoved him aside, and moved on, leaving the greatest animal of the two to find his way home the best way he could.—Edinburgh Regis. A DANISH INDIAMAN RUN DOWN.—Soon after eleven o'clock on Monday night, as one of Mr. Green's first class ships, the Seringapatam, was running down Channel, in charge of a pilot, on her way to Portsmouth, bound to the East Indies, she came into collision with the Herrick, Danish East Indiaman, cutting her down amid ships to the water's edge. The crew of the latter bad just time to escape on board the Seringapatam, when the masts went by the board, and she turned bottom up. The Seringa patam had her bowsprit carried away, and sustained so much damage that she was obliged to return to Blackwall to have her defects made good. A MUSICAL BED.—The last novelty from Germany is a musical bed, which receives the weary body and imme diately "laps it in Elysium." It is an invention of a mechanic in Bohemia, and is so constructed that by means of bidden mechanism, pressure upon the bed causes a soft and gentle air of Auber to ISe played, which continues long enough to lull the most wakeful to sleep. At the head is the sleeper wishes to rise, when - th; time arrives, the bed plays a march of Spontini, with drums and cymbals, and, in short, with noise enough to rouse the seven sleepers. This unique bed becomes therefore the ne plus ultra for the wakeful as well as the sluggish. EXPENSE OF THE POOR-LAW COMMISSION.-It ap pears from a parliamentary return just published that eleven commissions were issued in 1840, and fifteen since that time. The total expense of the poor-law commission in England and Ireland, by salaries of the officers (whose names and situations are set forth), is stated at £31,129 18s. The expense of the commission in the year 1842, 1843, 1844, and 1815 is given as follow's :—£33,799 12s. 6d. in England, and £20,653 sa. 2d. in Ireland ; £31,925 2s. 341. in England, and £21,608 ss. 2d. in Ireland ; £30,962 13s. si. in England, and £18,351 13s. 2d in Ire land ; and £30,394 Os. sd. in England, and £18,334 6s. 3d. in Ireland. BLACK RAIN.—A. most extraordinary storm of black rain fell in the northern part of Worcestershire on Wed nesday week, and excited the greatest alarm. For two hours, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., this extraordinary shower lasted, and the pools, water-courses, and even the Severn itself, were completely turned black. The storm extended over Abberley, Dunley, Stourport, and Bewdley, to the great alarm of the inhabitants of those places, the air be ing during that time completely black. Our informant (says the Worcestershire Guardian), who describes this singular phenomenon, states that the rain had a smell as of soot and paint mixed, and that any article dipped into it was blackened. We give this information as we have received it ; it is possible that the rain was charged with the sooty impurities of the Dudley co-il field, which sur rounds-the districts where the rain fell. DREADFUL ACCIDENT.—On Friday week five men were engaged landing some large blocks of marble from a barge by means of a crane at a wharf close to Vauxhall -bridge, London.. A large block of marble, two tons in weight, had just been fixed to the crane, and the men were in the act of raising it, when the platform un which they stood , which projects about twelve feet over the river, and six teen above it, suddenly gave way, and they were precipi tated some into the river and others into the barge. They were immediately conveyed to the Westminster Hospital, where they met with prompt attention. One poor fellow was dead, a second had his thigh so frightfully lachrated and smashed that in spite of all the remedies used he died in half an hour; a third bad so severe a compound frac ture that it is feared amputation will be necessary ; and the other two are in such a dangerous condition from in ternal injuries, that there is little hope of their recovery. CUSTOMS REVENUE. 1845.—The following (derives from parliamentary papers) is !he,n et produce of the prin cipal items of customs revenue in the year ended January 5, 1846 :—Butter, £265,017; cheese, £140,567; coffee, £697,220; corn, meal, and flour, £355,320; currants, £244,050; molasses (treacle), £167.237; raisins, £156,093; silk manufactures, £323,185; rum, £1,145,899; brandy, • £ 1 ,187,761; sugar, £3,228,849, exclusive of £345,620 for Ireland; tea, £4.1G9.446, besides £723,904 for Ireland; tobacco and snuff, £3.274'961, besides £927,1f 9 for Ire land ; foreign wine, £1,711,718, besides £379,519 for Ire land; deals, battens, &c. £606,359; timber not sawn, split, or dressed, £381,158. Total net produce of (ustoms duties inwards, in Great Britain, £19,275,313; Ireland, £2,319,512. PLACES REGISTERED FOR THE CELEBRATION OF' MARRIAGES —From a parliamentary return just printed, we find that on the 31st December last the number of places of religious worship in England and Wales. regis tered for the celebration of marriages, was 2,467, of which 143 are in Middleses,.22o in Yorkshire, and 236 in Lan cashire. Classed by religious denominations, 5 are fo reign churches, 78 Calvinistic methodists, 267 Armenian methodists, 195 presbyterians, 599 baptists, and 970 inde pendents or congregationalists. In Lancashire the regis tered 'places of worship for marriages, are thus classed de nominationally :—Church of Scotland, 3; united secessi on 3 ; English presbyterians and unitarians, 13 ; presby terians not otherwise defined, 11 ; independents or con giegationalists, 63 ; particular or Calvinistic baptists, 10 es general or Arminian baptists, 1 ; baptists not otherwise defined, 14 ; Wesleyan methodists, 11; new connexion do., 6; primitive do., 3; Wesleyan methodist association 8 ; independent methodists, I ; Welsh Calvinistic metho dists, 2; Lady Huntingdon's connexion, 3; Roman Ca-. tholics, 71 ; New Jerusalem church, 6; Christian Israel , ites, 1 ; evangelical friends, 1, ; undeecribed or of derma. minations not previously specified, 5 ; total number of buildings registered in this county, 236. CAKES, &c. OF INDIAN CORN FLOUR.—Johnny Coke Indian fluur or meal scalded, and the dough rolled or pressed out to half an inch in thickness ; cooked one side at a time in front of the fire on a sheet of tin, a, plate, or any material of suitable shape.—Pone Coke : Stir into , one quart of new milk three eggs, slight- to the taste, and. as much Indian flour as will make a moderately stiff bat ter, to which add a tea-spoonful of carbonate of soda dis saved- in a little warm milk, and a little lemon peel, or any other flavouring article. May be baked in tins or moulds.—lndian Cup Cake : Two cups of Indian and. one of wheat flour, or in that proportion ; made into a thin batter with milk, eggs, and a little salt • cooked on a bakestone.—lndian Cake: Three quarters Of a pound of_ white Indian flour, three quarters of a pound of white su gar, half a pound of butter worked to a cream, and six. eggs, make a very delicious cake.—lndian Crumpets Indian flour scalded, and after being made into a thin batter with eggs and milk, are cooked on a bakestone same as wheat floor crumpets; a little carbonate of soda or barm may be added.—lndian Muffins : Pour boiling water into a quart of Indian flour and reduce it to a thick batter;, when cooled a little, add a table spoonful of barm, two eggs well beaten, and a tea spoonful of salt ; set it in a warm place to rise for two hours ; then bake it in shal low tins in a quick oven. QUARTERLY TABLES OF MORTALITY. —These tables for the quarter ending Mania 31, 1846, have just been published by authority of the Regaitrar General. The returns are obtained from 115 districts, sub divided into 576 sub-districts. Thirty-four districts are placed under the metropolis, and the remaining 81 districts comprise. with some agricultural districts, the principal towns and cities of England. The population was 6,579,693 in 1841; 43,708 deaths were registered in the last winter quarter (ending March 31). This number is less by 5,166 than the number (49,874) registered in the winter quarter of 1845. If the increase of the population (of about 1.74 per cent annually) be taken into account, the mortality will also be found to have been less in the last winter than in any of the eight previous winters. This marked diminu tion of the mortality occurred in more than two thirds of the districts from which returns are procured; but is most obvious in the metropolis, in the western and north western divisions. In the districts of the northern divi sion alone, of England, the mortality was considerably higher than in the winters of 1844 and 1845 ; and this is referred by the registrars to epidemics of scarlatina in Sunderland. Tynewouth, and Carlisle. The mortality was considerably above the average in the winter quarters of 1838, 1840, 1841, and 1845—and much below the aver age in the winter quarters of 1843, 1844, and 1846. SHOCKING OCCURRENCE.— On Saturday afternoon last a young woman, about twenty-four years old, threw her three children from Battersea-bridge into the Thames. The wretched woman was seen to go upon the bridge with an infant in her arms, and accompanied by a little girl about four years old, and a boy about seven. When she got to the middle of the bridge she walked to and fro a few yards in a hurried manner, and then threw the chil dren one after the other over the railings into the river, and was getting over the balustrades herself when she was prevented doing so by the passers-by, who gave her into custody. At the station-house she stated her name to be Eliza Clark, her age twenty-four years; that she was the wife of William Clark, a journeyman painter, living at No. 7, Cumberland -street, Marlborough-road, Chelsea. and that the children were her own. During the time oc cupied by the above proceedings attempts were being made on the river to save the unfortunate children, which were successful in one instance, that of the second child, (a girl,) four years old, which was immediately carried to a public house, where it received every attention and is recovering. The infant child was also promptly got out, but life was quite extinct. The prisoner was examined at the West minster Police-office ; her answers were very incoherent, and a belief was expressed that she was insane. She stated that her husband was in the habit of coming home drunk, and ill-treating her. This is denied by the neighbours-of the unfortunate woman. She is described as an uncom monly neat, clean-looking person. The husband has not found by the police. THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.—The first point is de cided at once by a reference to the Scriptures. . BETad l a )oevh w adAeu nsehtlhtil delivered hodskes ndel:iobttwtroiyntol, disobedientb flyoy thatr witchcraft, appointed offences tffeic,eleDeityci opponentsde s, cer tain when hhh for ei o n nh i suseekitl in later t rralttliasyhtleoorprfpttdiuvemtnirocsie incorrigible,e s sgo h , aef m a rtn eerdn crime dt was hoa o esf f ; con sidered as comparatively exempt from the hand of justice. thus cut off from tghhetthetyo the borrowed j f aucdt Judaism s m however, ar luolne rules 08f a o r ad e pretence to prophecy were declared to be worthy of death. belonged e living. nfor Thos e cet them that we have sa)i nog tha t ri rejected ritual. But this answer overlooks the essential consideration, that the principle has been sanctioned by the Deity. It may be easy to admit that rules fitted f or Judaism are not - fitted for Christianity; but in neither dispensation can man be authorized to suppose it possible that the Almighty has ever commanded an act which is in its own nature a crime. If death is an act wholly beyond the right of man in all cases, its infliction in the Jewish code would be a contradiction of the divine wisdom and virtue. But the sacrifice of life by divine command is older, by thousands of years, than the Mosaic code. It is as old as the code given to Noah, declaring that " VCho so sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." It is true that this precept has teen idly misconceived by the body of commentators as simply a prohibition of murder. Its true purport was the prohibition of canni balism. The permission to eat animal food was then first given to mankind ; but man was expressly guarded against being the subject of an appetite which, however repulsive to human feelings, has often been exhibited in the savage state. It amounted to this—whoever kills man for food shall render himself liable to the penalty of death. Of course the act implied murder.—Britannia. WELL EARNED REWARDS.—It is the intention of the East India Company to confer a signal mark of the high esteem in which they hold the services of Lord Hardinge and Lord Gough, by a grant either of pensions for life or of gross sums of money. Which of these two methods will be adopted, it is not yet decided ; but on the prece dent of Warren Hastings, it will most probably be the latter. That able man, than whom no Indian viceroy before or since his time has more contributed to extend and consolidate the British power in the east, received a specific grant of .£60,C00, instead of an annuity of £5,000, as was originally proposed. The same proposition, with respect to the annuity, has been in contemplation for the present Governor-General ; and a pension of £2,000 has been named for the Commander-in-Chief. In reference to the latter, the reward, though less in amount, is per haps greater in degree, because it has not hitherto been the custom of the company to confer pecuniary rewards on the officers of the Queen's army. These are properly left to the gracious consideration of the sovereign, whose ate servants they are. But in the instance of Lord Gough, it has been remembered that he commands in chief the Company's forces as well as the Queen's ; and this considetation, supported doubtless by his dis tinguished services, has induced an exception in his favour. When these munificent intentions of the Company shalt be carried into effect, and the pensions of £5,000 a-year which are to be proposed in the House of Commons on. Monday shall be ratified by the popular voice, the con quest of the Panjaub will have earned for Sir Henry Hardinge a Viscounty and £lO,OOO a year for life, and. for Sir Hugh Gough £7,000 a year for life, with a Ba rony. THE GOVERNMENT MEASURES.—In the course of one of his addresses last week, as candidate for the Fal kirk boroughs, Lord Lincoln said, " We may differ in our views upon general politics, but I think you will agree with me in this, that after the failure of Lord John Rus sell, and after having seen the resolution with which the present government came forward to push these measures, I think you will agree with me, that if, by the result of this election, or any other election, we should be again compelled to retire from the helm of affairs, these great measures will be materially retarded. I do say, and I assure you I feel it to be the case, that in your bands rests, in a very material degree, the fate of these measures ; I will not say their ultimate fate, because, as they are based upon good principles, it will be impossible ultimately to stop their progress. But it may retard them ; and you who have watched narrowly the proceedings in parliament, know that a.measure once retarded or delayed is greatly prejudiced, and, when it does pass, may pass under very crisalvantageous circumstances from those originally pro posed. I should regret, for the sake of my country, the defeat of these measures at the present moment. I assure you the position of the ministry among their old friends is not such as to render office very desirable for its own sake. should, for my own part, be glad to be relieved from that position. But under much obloquy we have under-. taken these measures, and I do think we are bound to see them carried out, whatever may be the result. In my own person the government has met with a defeat at the hands of the Protectionists. I believe the protection party in these burghs is sm a ll ; b u t if I am aga i n de f eate d by a party, t y, feel that must, union of the prote c ti on i s t party w i t h a port i on o f t h e free trade it willbe a without govern ment at this junct ure . an d might have the effect of retard ing these measures for a time • A cargo of cattle has just arrived in London from Prim - exaggerating my own im portance, blow to the pert a n p c _ _ sia, whence no importations of beasts bad Prolamin,' ta ken place.