The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-26 00:00:00

On TxtrusDAY, the 15th Janua7. 1857, and following days, at the Brokers' Office, 2, Dale-street, i ,I. 2,500 Ba'es East India, } WOOL '- - 100 Bales Egyptian, • - i ' BROWNE, HUNTER & CO., Brokers THE] NORTHERN TIMES PERMANENTLY ENLARGED DOUBLE ITS ORIGINAL SIZE IT IS NOW AN EIGHT PAGE DAILY PAPER, POSSESSING THE LARGEST CIRCULATION, BEST ADVERTISING MEDIUM IN LIVERPOOL. SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS: SIXPENCE EACH. The NORTHERN TIMES is delivered every morning at Subscribers' residences, within five miles of the Liverpool ntchange, by special megqengers, by Eight o'clock, for the Annual Subscription of . 7 EI 18S. Oil. in advance. OFFICF., 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET, LIVERPOOL AMUSEMENTS, PUBLIC MEETINGS, &c THIS DAY Theatre Royal—Pleasant Neighbours, and Pantomime— seven p.m. Boni Amphitheatre—Equestrian Company—half-past six St. George's Hall—Jullien's Concert—eight p.m. Queen's Hall—Hoffman's Organophonic Band—eight p.m. Clayton Hall—Miss Julia St. George—eight p m. Allsop's New Crystal Palace—Lime-street—ten a.m. to ten p m. Freemason's Hall—Gallery of Anatomy—eleven a.m. to ten p.m. Royal Colosseum—General Entertainment—half•past six. Liverpool Academy's Exhibition—ten a.m. to ten p.m. *** For particulars see advertisements in first page. at !Mantra (TIMM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1856 THE DAY'S NEWS The local incidents of the day are neither numer ous nor important. A few hours before the Christ mas festival was ushered in, a thunder storm of a severe and unusual character burst over the town. Shortly before eight o'clock on Wednesday night, vivid lightning flashed in every quarter of the town. This was succeeded by peal after peal of heaven's artillery. The old and the timid became alarmed, as the repeated thunder claps caused everything around to tremble. The circumstance was much commented upon by many of the oldest inhabitants. A thunder storm in the dead of winter, and in the midst of a heavy snow shower, and all this on Christmas eve, was regarded as a somewhat remarkable phenomenon; and they, whom the immortal Burns once satiracally termed the "unto gude," were disposed to ejaculate pious appeals to the Deity for pardon for the past and a happy hereafter, conceiving, as many of them in stantly did, that the day of final retribution was at hand. The lightning left its mark behind. Fortu nately no lives are, as yet, reported to be lost, but many persons are said to have met narrow escapes. A young man, connected with one of the print ing offices in town, was thrown down on the Land ing stage, and was insensible for some time after. He still complains of great soreness in the right side. A respectable lady was in St. John's market at the time, and in the act of purchasing a goose, when the lightning passed down the back of her hand, but without touching it, and then set the goose in a kind of blue flame, to the consternatihn of all around. Of course the goose was not pur e 'lased, but the lady in question was so much alarmed that she has not yet recovered from the shock sustained. The lightning appears to have made an effectual attack on the ship Lillias, coal-laden to Savannah. The destructive element struck her and entered the cabin, which soon became a sheet of flame. Through the exertions of Mr. Hewitt, his assistants, and the dock gatemen, on duty at the Stanley Dock, where the ship was lying, the fire was subdued, not however, without doing considerable damage to the ship and the raiment of the Captain and his first officer. The weather continues to manifest a very wintry appearance. Frost and snow are on the ground, and present appearances would seem to warrant the expectation that eighteen hundred and fifty-six will take his depar ture on the thirty first instant, bequeathing to his successor a mantle of ic 3 and a snowy carpet. That great day—Christmas—has again come, and p tss2d away. It did not do so without thinning the ranks of the community by the death of a gentleman whom rogues and felons knew and fo u-ed, not for the inhumanity of his nature, but the firmness with whichhe enforced bridewell disci pline. Mr. Parkinson, of the main Bridewell, died yesterday morning. He has been in the service of the Corporation of Liverpool for thirty years. He was a gentleman much respected by all who knew him, and even criminals were forced to bear testi• mony to his courteous and gentlemanly bearing, the total absence of anything unfeeling in his nature, and a desire to oblige and satisfy all as far as stern dictates of his official duties permitted. From what we can learn, this annual and national holi day passed off satisfactorily. We believe that the police sheet this morning will present a rather numerous array of charges of" drunken incapables," and " drunken disorderlies." This is only a com mon occurrence, but it is one which all true phil anthropists deplore, and for which they, as well as statesmen and senators are as yet unable to find a remedy. The question of what shall we do with ou r Convict population is becoming one of universal discussion. The failure of the - " Ticket-of-Leave system forms the prominent topic of Judges' charges and of newspaper leaders ; and, although there are a few newspaper writers to defend the scheme, yet, taken as a whole, it is all but universally condemned. Among the latest im portant remarks upon the question, are the letters of Mr. Moncton Milnes, M.P , and Mr. Justice Willes. The learned judge had before made some obs rvations on the subject, but a few days ago, when sentencing two ticket of leave men for bur glary, at the Warwick assizes, ho was most em phatic in his denunciation of the entire scheme. After alluding to the Act of Parliament authorising " penal servitude" instead of " transportation," and stating that he could not see any difference in the treatment to be pursued to both classes, concluded by saying :—" If government intended to be mer ciful to you, I should have thought they would have transferred you to prisons in which you might have been instructed in a. trade, and been enabled to get your livelihood afterwards. You having been convicted so many times, I see no reason why you should have been set at large, nor any hope that, when set at large, you could gain employment and abstain from doing wrong. I think it is a great hardship upon men who have lost their character by being sentenced to penal servitude to let them loose in a country where persons will not employ them. I cannot under stand why, either for tho sake of the public or the sake of youtselves, you, having been sen tenced to four years' penal servitude in January, 1855, you should be let out to commit fresh depredations in the same town as before, in August, 1856. Those who did that act may justify to themselves the proceeding, but for my part I cannot justify it, nor can I follow the ex ample set by those persons, for facts have proved the proceedings to be fallacious and injurious to criminals and to the public. You two young fellows are well able to earn an honest livelihood and I heartily wish that you could. I hope, for the sake of the convicts themselves, that we may return to a system which sends them out to a colony where labour is in great demand, and where they may (as many transports have done) regain good characters and become useful members of society. In order to give you a chance of being sent to such a place, in the event of the former, system being renewed—as many persons, together with myself, fervently hope it will be—l will sen tence you to be transported for 20 years." On Wednesday, we gave a brief report of the triple execution at Winchester. The detailed reports of this legal tragedy which have since reached us, are really too barbarous and too shock ing for the mind to dwell upon. The idea of keep ing three unfortunate wretches standing on the scaffold for nearly fifteen minutes with the rope around their necks, is monstrous in the extreme, , and manifests a total want of consideration upon the part of those on whom the arrangements for the execution devolved. We never heard of such refined cruelty. The advocates of " capital punishment' urge, that hanging by the neck, from its instant deprivation of life, is desirable, but can they vindicat3 the bungling of Cal craft, albeit the " improved principle " of pinioning was adopted, or the culpable negligence of the prison authorities in so constructing the gibbet and arranging the ropes, as to cause one quarter of an hour to pass before the fatal bolt was drawn. Indeed, the more we see and know of " capital punishments," the more are we convinced that they are not in unison with the spirit of the age, and, moreover, quite insufficient for the objects and purposes intended. The Weekly meeting of the West Derby Guardians was held on Wednesday, when the Board agreed to reprimand Mr. Fitzpatrick for his negligence in not attending one of the pauper patients. It will be per ceived from the report of the proceedings in another column that Mr. Fitzpatrick rather lost his temper, and for a time seemed, by his observations to the board,to give greater cause of offence than the words appended to his report, which originally called for the interference of the board. The proceedings of the Dock and Health Committees held this week on Wednesday do not call for special remark. There is not much foreign intelligence of moment this morning. According to our Berlin advices, the Prussian Government has issued orders to all military officials to hold themselves ready for a mobilisation, the definite order for which they may expect to receive immediately after the commence ment of the new year. Within a fortnight after the publication of the definite order the troops must all be on the march. Each of the eight provinces is to contribute a division with its full contingent of landwehr, 16,000 strong; making, together with a division of the guards, a total of 144,000 men to be sent to the south as a demonstration against Switzerland. It is said that this projected war with Switzerland is anything but popular with the Russians, inasmuch as they have no animosity against the Swiss, nor will it be easy to excite any. The following telegraphic despatch has reached us from Berlin via Paris :—All the preparations which have been made here up to this time have for their end to provide for the march of 135,000 men on the 2nd of January. The Prussian troops will be formed in nine divi sions, one of which will be furnished by each corps d' armee. The divisions are to be composed of four corps, supported by a division of reserve. Count Groben is appointed Commander in Chief ; the commanders of the corps are Generals Weller, Wussow, Bonin, and Schack. The Prince of Hohenzollern will command the division of reserve. The division of the guards of the Ist corps is to be under the orders of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia. With regard to Switzerland we are informed that the Federal Council, in an extraordinary council, held on the 21st inst., decided on calling out immediately the staffs of four new divisions : the second, commander-in-chief F. Veillon ; the fourth, commander-in-chief Kutz ; the sixth, commander. in chief Egloff , the eighth, commander in chief Zirumeoli. Each staff is immediately to repair to its own head quarters, and there await the orders that may subsequently be issued. It is also said that the greatest emulation prevails among all the cantons iu the exertions which they make to comply with the requirements of the circular issued by the federal government with regard to the completion of the equipments and numbers of the troops. The government of Argovia has granted a extraordinary credit to the board of military admi nistration. The canton of Berne has allowed 180,000 francs for the purchase of greatcoats for the soldiers. The federal board of military admi nistration made some weeks ago a contrast with an Alsatian house for the delivery of 20,000 rations of bread. It is evident that Switzerland will not be caught unprovided. Respecting the approaching Conferences at Paris, the last information we have received from that city informs us that the sub stance of the instructions received by the Turkish Ambassador as regards the Conferences is that Bolgrad and the Isle of Serpents shall be given up by Russia. Full and complete fulfilment of the treaty of Paris for the organisation of the Danubian Princi palities. To settle as soon as possible the Turco- Russian frentiar line in Asia, when the season of the year will permit it. The great Powers are begged to take into serious consideration the state of Turkey, which desires to develope its resources, to become a strong Power, and to be no longer a source of anxiety to the West. Its rivalries of influence, and the lamentable misunder standing on the Treaty of Paris have prevented it from occupying itself with the great com mercial and financial measures which its wants require. The Sardinian Plenipotentiary has re ceived instructions. The day for the opening of the Conferences ha -, not yet been fixed. The French and English Governments are perfeetly agreed on the points tinder discussion. The Conferences will only be occupied with the questions of Bol grad and of the Isle of Serpents. It is hoped that the Neufchatel question will be amicably settled. The Bank of France will discount bills at 75 days' sight. Oerammeamil Commeretal art!. NEXT MONTH. On T Hu nsnAy, the 15th January, 1857, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' ( e, 2, Dale-street, About Vrons NDIA RUBBER, ex Magrieo.—Apply to BROWNE, HUNTER & CO., Brokers, Apply to Sor .alr. " DAN WEBSTER." Just Import NI from the Havana, Some Cases CIGARS, of this and other celebrated Brand•. Apply to It. MORRISON & CO., 3, Old Hall, Oldhall.strt et. PL , :ACHES, PINE UYSTERS, LOBSTERS, s ALM 0:CI, &c.. Fresh in Hermetically Sealed Tins of 21bs. each, Just received from an eminent Arr o Est.l3l6hment, In quantities suit purchasers. Samples may be seen and tasted at Messrs. H. mor FRAM & CO.'s, 34, Oldball•street. F OLEY'S AMERICAN GOLD PENS °CHARLES WILLMER, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL STATIONER, 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET, Respectfully Intimates to Merchants, Traders, and Dealers, th he has be, n apponte-d Sole Agent for the Sale of FOLEY CELEBRATED AMERICAN GOLD PENS, which are universally acknowledged to be far superior to any other Manufactured either in Ame, kit or t , is Country. They are sold Cheaper, are made of the hest Gold, with superior Points, and are war ranted to wear at least ten years. I n America they have been exten sively used far that period, and are preferred to new ones The Prices range from FIVE SIII t.LINGS to a guinea each. Supplied Wholesale, by Charles Walmer, - iJ , South John-street, Liverpool. M USIC FOR 1' H E MILLION To learn sweet mus'e, you only need go To Seventr-Aine Dale-street, where y u will find A master of talent, whose genius doth show In playing the Accordeon, to strengthen the mind, Flutina, as graceful, is taught with success, Whose soft thrilling notes arc. delightful to het While the chaste Concertina doth magic express, To gladden the heart when rude sorrow is n The name Is GEORGE JORDAN. whose fame is well known ; The Cornopean, Saxhorn, and Flute he repairs ; Thus, Musical Instruments, when old they are grown, He manages neatly to powertul He deals in Accordeons and F!utinas too, And Concertinas unrivalled for sweetness of tone; Igow, Christmas is coming, he promises you To teach you tbOse Instruments sweetly, you'll own. VIE ART OF PLAYING on the Accordeon, Flu• ins, or Cancer- Itina taught in a superior style, in a few easy Lessons, for Ten Shillings. AcCorcleons, Flutiaas, Concertinas, Mus . c Boxes, Cornopians, Sax horns, Trombones, Clarionets, Flutes, Violins, and every other artHe In the Musical line. of the best make, cheaper than any other eat .blishment. Fvery description of Musical Instruments tuned, tepaired, or taken in exchange at GEORGE MUSICAL WAREEIGUSF., JORDAN'S 79, DALE STREET, (Opposite Sir Thoma,'s Buildings, Liverpool.) riE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY CHRISTMAS DAY. It is said that a " green Christmas makes a fat church yard," but hero the proverb endeth. The contra, it may be supposed, deprives the " last resting-place of poor humanity" of its future t enants for some time longer. Be this as it may, our present has not been a " green Christ, mas," although, up to ten at night on the eve of the great festival, there was no special indication to the contrary. Wednesday was gloomy and changeable—cold rain, with showers of heavy sleet, prevailed during the day ; but• from four up to nine, the atmosphere was soft and foggy. About the latter hour there was a heavy sleet shower, accompanied by several flashes of bluish sheet lightning and repeated heavy peals of thunder. Soon after this a considerable fall of snow came down, and during the night a smart frost set in, and, as the snow was soft, the effect of the frost made the streets like a sheet of ice, and it became difficult, on the part of man and beast, to make good footing. The quadrupeds (horses are very fearful of slipping) tumbled about the streets in all directions, whilst the bipeds kissed the mother earth in hundreds ; and, in many instances, the process of falling was much augmented in conseqeence of the " top-sails" being "light," for it is " Christmas time," and every one knows that hallowed period " comes only once a year." So the meaning is plain. Early yesterday morning the streets pre sented as ugly an appearance, to pedestrians, as could be well looked upon. The sun rose, however, in much splendour, and continued so till he sank to rest. It was reported :that two persons had been killed by the lightning of the previous evening, but upon enquiry, we cannot obtain any authenticity for such a report ; nor have we, we are happy to say, heard of any accident or mishap to disturb:the:pleasures of the day. Of course, as on all such occasions, there were some few who com. menced the enjoyment of the good things of this life at an earlier hour than usual, and some having been found luxuriating inlthe channel, others clinging for support to a friendly lamp post, after imbibing:too much strong drink were, through the kindness :of the police, locked up for safety, and were thus deprived Zof their liberty and the good cheer provided for them. This, with the addition of a fine of a few shillings, will be their punishment while all classes of the community were celebrating and enjoying this time-honoured festival, the poor whose necessities have compelled them to seek assistance from their more afflaent brethren, were not forgotten; and while each domestic hearth were rejoicing in the savoury smells from the "roast beef and plum pudding," the halls of our workhouses re-echoed :with the cheers of the inmates, who on this day had the pleasure of partaking of the same substantial fare. To them it was, indeed, a joyous occasion, and each heart seemed to forget for the moment the bitter pangs of poverty, and by their looks testified the gratitude they felt to those who had been instrumental in thus, for the time, alleviating the misery attendant on being dependant on others for home and sustenance. At the workhouse on Brownlow-hill, per haps containing a larger number of poor than any other union workhouse in England, each inmate had a boun tiful supply of the good old English fare, while the poor in the West Derby Union, to the number of about eight hundred, partook of the same luxury, and it was, indeed, a pleasing sight to see such a number of England's unfor tunate sons and daughters, of all ages, from youth and healthfulness to decrepid old age, thus provided for on this great holiday. In each of the above establishments, the governors and matrons made every exertion to add to the comfort and happiness of those for whom they were providing, and were assisted in their labours by several of the guardians, who were in attendance. The inmates of the Kirkdale School of Industry were similarly provided for, as were the inmates of all the charities in the town. So all this was a great treat, and it is our hope that the time .honoured custom of providing on such an occasion— a grand dinner to the poor—and making their hearts rejoice, when all others are rejoicing, will never be for gotten by those who have the wa,' oiling over them. Thus have we concluded the Christmas of 1856, which is now numbered with the past of these festive occasions• FEARFUL FIRE ON CIIRISTMAS EVE On Wednesday evening about eight o'clock, a most fearful fire broke out on board a vessel lying in the Stanley Dock, and which, if it had not been timely discovered, might have led to the most serious consequences, as the destruction of property would have been immense. The fire was discovered on board the barque Lillian, coal laden for Savannah, and was ready to put to sea. During the thunder storm which passed over this town about that hour, the electric fluid struck the vessel, and was the immediate cause of the conflagration. When the fire was first discovered, flames were issuing from the cabin. The alarm was immediately given at the Temple-court Station, and instantly Mr. Hewitt, superintendent of the fire bri gade, with the men under his command, proceeded to the scene, with the reels and hose. At first, much difficulty was experienced in getting on board the vessel, from the position in which she was moored in the dock, but that difficulty having been over come, with the assistance of a staff of dock gatemen, it was seen that the cabin was in flames. An immense body of water having been brought to bear on the devouring element, the danger was soon over, and, by the united exertions of all engaged, th e :damage was confined to that one vessel, but not until the clothes belonging to the captain and mate had been destroyed, as well as a portion of her stores, mizenmast, sails, and other articles. The damage is estimated at from £l5O to £2OO. The time the fire was first discovered to its being distinguished, occupied nearly two hours, principally owing to the difficulty experienced by the fire brigade being enabled to get to her, therefore, it is surprising that a greater amount of damage was no t done, and which, we doubt, would have been the case had it been for the exertions made by the brigade when they got into operation. At the time of the fire, the iron screw steamer Khersonese was lying alongside of the which may have been the cause of attracting the electric fluid. SUNDAY QUERIES.—At this particular season, Christ mas presents and New-year's gifts are among the common occurrences of the season. We know no more appropriate gift than the " Sunday Queries," edited by Mrs. Birrell. The work contains much useful and valuable informatiom respecting the scriptures, and as such we recommend it, not only for distribution among children, but emigrants pro ceeding abroad should possess copies, a perusal of which cannot fail to make them wiser and better Christians. LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT,—BEFORE MR. COM MISSIONER STEVE N N RE Bien IRD FLYNN.—The bankrupt carried on the business of a provision dealer in St. James' street. His Honour delivered judgment on the the certificate this day. He held that the charge of reck less trading, urged en behalf of the assignees, had been sus tained, and the certificate should therefore be suspended for eight months, and be of the second class, but with protection. Mr. Evans appeared on behalf of the assignees, and Mr. C. Aspinall for the bankrupt. THE BLIND ASYLUM, HARDMAN•STREET.-111 accordance with the time honoured custom which has Drevailed in this institution since its establishment, its inmates wel comed in on Christmas eve the advent of this happy season with song and festivity. They assembled at seven o'clock in the dining halt of the asylum, and spent the interval until ten o'clock in singing and in partaking of huge mince-pies, bun loaves and wine, which were generously supplied by friends of the institution. Around the gas lights evergreens were tastefully woven, and an air of cheerful comfort pervaded the room—clean and bright as most scrupulous neatness could desire, which made the whole scene homely and happy. The programme was prodigiously long, each of the inmates (male and female), a goodly number, having some one song to sing, not to mention the catches and choruses, which particularly were creditably given. We have heard, we admit, many a time much better singing, but we have never seen a company more sensible of the joys of music than the humble one whose Christmas merry-making we witnessed on Wed nesday night. The concert was wholly under the manage ment of the inmates themselves, the piano accompaniments being performed by the females, but Miss Hiles and Mr. Henry Johnson, who have the charge of their musical instruction, were present assisting and sharing in their enjoyments. Mr. and Mrs. Adanbrook, the governor and matron of the institution, were unremitting in their attention to the poor sightless beings committed to theft charge, and whose healthy appearance and cheerful demeanour bore the most eloquent testimony to the fidelity with which that trust is discharged. MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL The cotton market on Wednesday evening closed with animation ; prices being in favour of the seller. " Fair" cotton being quoted at 7 7.16 for upland ; 7 for Mobile, and 7a for Orleans. The sales on Wednesday were 25 000, and the prices paid were for the most part + to 7 per lb. higher than on this day week. This applies to American descriptions. Other sorts are al3o a point or two higher. The market both to-day and to niorrow will be closed, and no business of any kind transacted. The total sales of the week, up to Wednesday evening, were 04,460 bales, against 35,475 bales imported. The quotations for "fair" cotton were—uplands 7 7.16 ; Mobile, 7 ; New Orleans, V, per lb. The Liverpool Share Market Iva§ firm during e greater part of the day, closing steadily at the highest quotations of the day. The transactions consisted of Blackburn, 7 ; East Lancashire, 2211; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 97; Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 18.-1 ; London and North Western, 105 k, 8, a s ; Manchester, Shef field, and Lincoln, 33i ; Midland, 82; North British, 10; Dover, 22 ; Grand Trunk of Canada, 13 1.16 ; Great Luxembourg, 10 15-16 d ; Great Western of Canada, new. 22p. ; and Liverpool Commercial Bank, 14 The closing quotations of the day were as follows :—Aberdeen, 13 13±. Blackburn, 7 78, Chester and Birkenhead, 171 171. Caledonian, 311 31 ; 7 -,. Chester and Holy head, 19 191. Eastern Counties, 91 93. East Lancashire, 22- F t- 224. Great Northern, 22 221 - Ditto A shares, 9 116 9 3-16. Great Western, 694 69 1 1. Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock, 97 974 Liverpool, Crosby and Southport, 18i 18a. Lon don and North Western Stock, 105± 105 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 331 334 Mid land Stock, 821 821. North British, 915 16 10. North Staffordshire, 54 sd. South Eastern and Dover, 22 1-16 22-& York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 201 204-. York and North Midland, 291- 30. Leeds Capital Stock 184 18a. Buffalo and Lake Huron, 1 - ln. Dutch Rhenish, 11-16 Great Western of Canada, 244- 241 Do. New Shares, 21 2gp. Great Luxemburg, 11 1011: Money continues in active demand in all quarters, owing to commercial requirements for bills falling due at Christmas, so that the Bank rule is fully maintained. On Wednesday, the stock markets showed increased strength. Business was limited, but purchasers preponderated. Both in London and at Paris a hopeful feeling continues to prevail relative to the Swiss question. The pressure for money is also regarded as merely temporary. The funds closed firmly, at an advance of H per cent. over the final quotations of the previous day. The leading English railway stocks advanced / to -7" per cent., and French shares were sensibly higher. Consols, which closed on Tuesday at 931- to 3 - 7 - ex div. for the Bth January, touched, on the following afternoon, 94, and closed at 94, " sellers." The official business report is as follows :—Three per Cent. Consols, for account, 93-1, 931, 931 94 ex div. Three per Cent. Reduced, 938, 1, 94 New Three per Cents., 93, 94. Bank Stock, 216. Three and a half per Cent Exchequer Bonds, falling payable in 1858, 98Z; ditto, 1859, 98t. India Bonds, 2s. prem. Excheqner Bills have again fallen ls. to 25., owing to the pressure for money. The closing quotation was 2s. dis. to 2s. prem. The London Railway Share Market opened quietly on Wednesday but soon assumed an im proved appearance, purchases preponderating. The advance, which was well maintained to the close, amounted to h to Z per. cent in most of the heavier stocks. The late fall in Great Northern stock has brought forward buyers, and a rally of 1 per cent has taken place. South Eastern and Caledonian advanced about 4 , per shake. Very little business was done throughout the day, but the market closed firmly. In the afternoon the Lon don and North Western stock was quoted 1054' to 1052; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 961 to 971; Great Western 69 691; Midland, 82 to 824 ; Berwicks, 20& to 21-4- ; South Eastern's, 22 t 0221 London and South Western, 538 to 53a; Caledonians 314; York and North Midland, 2 H to 308 ; and Great Northerns, 221 to 221. The produce markets, both here and in London, have closed for the Christmas holidays. A London firm have issued the following circular on Wednes day evening.:— The public sales of produce this week, which have not been very extensive, have gone off without animation. For suger there has been but little demand, and the small quan tity offered has been sold at about previous rates. Coffee has realised full quotations, and the marketis firm; a floating cargo of Rio has been sold for the Me:titerrancan. In saltpetre scarcely any business is reported, and quotations are quite nominal. Rice continues steady, the chief transactions being in low qualities. A slight decline has been established in the value of black pepper. In tea a very large business has again been done at advanced rates. Common congou is quoted 10/d per lb. The excellent circular of Messrs. Brown, Hunter, & Co., just issued, contains the following brief review of commercial operations during the past year , " In reviewing the coarse of events of the past year, it is satisfactory to observe the remarkable stability which has characterised the commercial community, notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances that have existed ; probably there never has been a year in which fewer failures have taken place in connection with business operations. It having opened under a continuance of the war with Russia, prospects were far from encouraging ; and had hostilities been prolonged for any length of time, as seemed probable from the vigorous preparations made throughout the winter, the consequent evils of dearer money than has been experienced, with necessarily increased taxation, have been averted; and commerce has escaped the ordeal of a greater pressure, that wonld have severely tested its elasticity. The sudden return of peace, however, was not without its ill cff , cts, for, with a stringent money market, and the imme diate reaction from high to unduly low prices of many articles of produce, heavy losses were entailed upon holders. Happily, the prosperous condition of the trade of the country, evidenced by the great activity that has prevailed in the manufacturing districts, a well employed population, and the great increase in the value of exports of British manufactures, which exceed the previous year nearly twenty millions, by stimulating the demand for, and keeping stocks of produce moderately low, has sufficed to counteract a continuance of depressed prices, and Las averted losses which must have taken place. It is, therefore, with pleasure, we have to record that the year closes with a far more favourable retrospect than was anticipated at its commencement. The position of the money market, as affecting the value of produce, is a most singular featu-e, among other characteristics that have marked this year's progress. In October, 1855, in conse quence of the great drain of gold to meet the expenses of the war, the rate of discount at the Bank of England was raised to 6 and 7 per cent. on short and long dated paper, and remained so until May, exercising a most injurious effect meanwhile upon prices and, in fhe latter month, it was reduced to one uniform rate of 6 per cent. Immediately after, increased activity in business, and an advance in the value of produce, followed ; and, as the stock of bullion in the Bank rapidly augmented, two further reductions, in June and July, were made to 5 and 43 per cent. From this period, a decided change took place; a great demand for gold for Franca set in, together with large purchases of silver for tranernis don to Lelia and China. The bullion, which had reached nearly twelve millions, began todecrease, notwithstanding large arrivals of specie, which were not only immediately absorbed, but the efflux of gold could not be arrested, and, in October, the rate was twice raised from 43 to 6 per cent., on 60 days, and to 7 per cent, on bills having longer to run—and in November to one uniform rate of 7 per cent. The stocks of produce meanwhile havin g greatly diminished, and deficient supplies being exoected,the effec t of tight money was just the contrary to that experi • fenced in the early part of the year, prices during the recent monetary panic having advance-1, thereby showing, fortu nately for the interests of the mercantile community, that the trade of the country is on so secure a basis ne to rise, as it were, triumphant from the clogs end impediments of a wavering money market, so easily affected from without ; but there surely must be something wrong in the currency laws of this country, that when there is a trifling diminu tion in the stock of bullion in the bank cellars. such high and exorbitant rates of interest should exist, which tend materially to fetter commerce, and to restrict the operations of merchants, from the difficulty of negotiating bills, having long to run, whilst at the same time there is plenty of money in the country for all legitimate purposes. The prospects f r the approaching year are, at present, encouraging, and money, at moderate value, would doubtless exercise a material influence over the tone of commercial transactions; still, however, as prices are mainly regulated by supplies and demand, any superabundance or diminution of the former must necessarily subject them to fluctuation, rela- tiTely with the briskness or slackness that may enced in the latter. le ever'. The - same authorities thuirnatiue the movements of the Wool trade since the Ist of Jan. last : Notwithstanding the dearness of Money throughout the year, the Wool Market has manifested great buoyancy , with an increased deniand and general upward tendency in price.. The reduction of the duty- into France gave a great stimulus to the first London sales of Colonial WOol in February, whim prioeiOadVaiked 3d per Ib, and the Succeeding sales in M lb, which, hOwever the quantity brou until gbo y opened at a further r] ;lost befc i the middle of the 2d per In Jtily 100 bales Id per lb, which lasted . _ of May were re-established ; a f November sales of ld to lid per ) Closing r ) folio nent in The total quantity sold 'during the yea ~aainst 211,455 bales in 1855 Atistealia have not. t in this marl ,aving to t o admirably adapted f increased, would not only be a but the ch arges also a just cot the imports of this port. East India Wool has o the. year in great favour, and July 'receded a id per lb. in cor mem oontradts for army and navy c gumption an , regularly att( ad have Darin z for al e paet month t descriptions of long w been obtailied. The arriials of East I amoutit to about 10,500 bales, wig be brought to auction early in 'Tannery, and there is every prospect of a favoUrable I now iefly adapted for blankets and It we have lately s samples of ye it is evident that the qua nor qualit improved by crossing the breed, and- there is no doubt but that the consumption would then not only be greatly in creased, but the'value would also be enhanced, for it would be applicable for a variety of manufactures, and the result would ba highly satisfactory to shippers. With reference to the resolution of the Stock Exchange Committee adopted on Monday, the Great Northern Railway Company have intimated that in all cases where the - stock of the company appears to have been regularly purchased in the market they will confirm the transfers without hesitation: The ordinary stock, which left off yesterday at 881, closed this evening at 89, and the A stock improved from 74 to 76- The prospectus has been issued of the South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Railway with a capital of 150,0001., in 101. shares. The line, 27 miles in length, is to connect the Barton terminus of the Manchestar, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway with the Thorne terminus of the South Yorkshire Railway. In the first instance a single line of rails is contemplated. The average stock of bullion held by the Bank of England in both departments during the month ending the 22nd of November was 9,677,0701, being a decrease of 403,5301 as compared with the pre- vious month, and a decrease of 1,557,2381 when compared with the same period last yoar. The stock of specie held by the Scotch and Irish banks during the month ending the 22nd of Nov. was 4,377,469/, being an increase of 33Z,3401 as compared with the previous return, and an increase of 161,765/ when compared with the corresponding period last year. The following report on the Cognac vintage is from a circular of Messrs. Martell and Co. : In handing you our report of the result of the vintage in this district it becomes indispensably necessary that we should explain the position in. which we are placed by the peculiar circumstances ann. Adding us. The produce here is estimated at about half an average crop. This would have enabled us to meet a moderate demand throughout the next year, had not a portion of the supply been absorbed by con siderable purchases of wine for actual consumption in other parts of France where the vintage has failed. Such an nu_ expected demand will, of course, materially lessen the quan tity of new brandy; and this circumstance, .combined with the exhaustion of 1855'5, and - older descriptions renders it impossible for us to fix prices. There is also another im portant fact which increases our embarrassment. We advert to the large importations of foreign corn spirits which _ have been made into this country from 'various pars of to I Europe, and which there is too much reason to apprehend are being used to blend wittrbrq and - we need scarcely roportion to ti carried will be i c he diminution of and the conseqn'enfei thus arrived at a cris ever imperativ genuine Cognac brandy hancement of its value. We have rs caution More than ; more especially as w not disguise fcom ourselves the great difficulties we shall have to-con tend with, to find that high quality of brandy which alone can justify our placing our brand upon it. We have, therefore, determined to reduce our sales until more abun dant vintages may enatle us to extend them. MURDER OF TWO SOLDIERS AT MALTA On the night of Thursday. last, soldier of the 28th regiment, n half-past nine o'clock, a found lying in the street, near the Carmelite church in Strada Teatro, Valetta, with a knife wound in the abdomen, from which the bowels protruded. He was at once conveyed to the principal police station, whence, after receiving medical assistance, he was carried to the Military Hospital in Strada Mercanti. On his way to the station the wounded man informed' Inspector Psaila that he was stabbed in Strada Ponente, near Strada Santa Lucia; that he observed at the time two women at a balcony near, and that the man who stabbed him was of the middle size and stout. The women were found and questioned, but they at first denied all knowled crime. They, however, at length, with considerable relth:- tance, admitted having seen a man give a blow to a soldier, who fell at the stroke, hut regained his legs immediately, and then followed the person who had struck him a few yards down the street, where he fell a second time, but getting up again, turned and ran up the street, calling " Police, police !" The man who bad struck the soldier was also obsirved to return, and enter a lodginghouse close by, and was heard to say something to the keeper of the lodginghouse, who was standing at the door. Upon this information, the latter part of which was confirmed by the lodginghouse keeper, a man named Spiridione Zimmit, residing in the above mentioned lodginghouse, was arrested, he being the only man who had entered the house after the crime was committed ; and upon his being brought into the presence of the wounded soldier he was at once recog nised by him as the person who had inflicted the wound. The accused is a native of the lonian Islands, born of Maltese parents. The knife has not been discovered. Nothing certain has yet transpired to explain the motives which led to the perpetra tion of this horrid crime. Scarcely had the public mind recovered from the excitement caused by the discovery of this murderous act, than another soldier named Charles Souch, also of the 28th Regiment, was found lying dead on the bastions near Queen' Adelaide's Church. As the body presented no sign of violence it was at first supposed that the unfortunate man had laid down in a fit of intoxication and had perished from ex posure, and, in fact, the first medical report was to that effect. But upon a post mortem examination of the body, held at the Military Hospital, in the presence of the the magistrate, Dr. Ceci, a knife wound in the back was discovered, penetrating the aorta and other vital parts, which must have produced almost instant death. At present there seems little hope that the perpetrator of this foul deed will be brought to justice. It has been ascertained that the dead soldier had been thinking on the fatal night in company with the wounded man Schofield and a third soldier of the same regiment. According to this man's statement, he had left Schofield and Souch, rather the worse for liquor, at about a quarter to 9 that evening, when he returned to barracks, they refusing to accompany him. Spi ridione Zammit is under examination before the magistrate, Dr. Schembri. The government has issued the following notification :—" Whereas Richard Bench, private in Her Majesty's 28th Regiment, was, during the night of the 4th instant, barbarously murdered, a reward of £lOO sterling is hereby offered to any person or persons, not being the perpetrator or perpetrators of the deed, who shall discover the offender or offenders, and give such information to the executive police as shall lead to the apprehension and conviction of such offender or offenders, the aforesaid reward to be paid by the cashier of tho Treasury on such conviction. And in the event of the person giving such information having been an accomplice in that crime, his Excellency the Governor is pleased to promise her Majesty's most gracious pardon to him so far as he was concerned in the murder of the said R. Souch. By command of his Excellency the Governor, Victor Houlton, Chief Secretary to Government.—Eilace, Valetta, Nov. 25." Malta Times. CENTRAL ASIA.—BERLIN, DEC., 21.—Alexander von Humboldt has just received a letter front Robert. Sehla gintweit, dated from Leh, in Ladak, 26 - h of Septetnber last, announcing that he and his brother had succeeded in crossing the chain of. the Kuenlun mountains. and reaching Eltshi, the capital of Khotan, where no European had set his foot since the time of the Benedictine monk Goes, in 1604. (Leh, the town from whence the letter is dated, is situated in 34 deg. 10 min. north latitude, in Little Thibet, close to the sources of the Indus, in the angle formed by the eastern spurs of the Himalaya and the Kuenlun, to the northward of which lies LLiotan, in the so-called High Tartary. THE ARCTIC SHIP RESOLUTE AND TV AMERICAN OFFICE.RS. Captain Hartstein has returned to the Resolute, fr°° visit to Viscount Palmerston, where he states he was entertaiee with the utmost cordiality. On Tuesday morning, the deputation from the Shipeo' ner Association of Liverpool, comprising Mr.'S. R. Graves, ch a ':, man, Mr. J.. Smith, and Mr.' F. A. Clint, arrived et r' r ; mouth, and inspected, the Victory and Clarence yard, wh e , ° ,. they were embarked - hi Mr. J. Davies, - master a ttendav l, ; ; that establishment, accompanied by Mr. J. Garratt, of the 'e of Garrett, Gibbon, and Sons, agents to Lloyd's for the se•. lute. They were rec lved at the gangway by Capt.. 0 0 , - 1 and officers, and conducted below. After an introduction deputation were invited to the quarter deck, where the owci and crew were assembled, together with Chevalier Pega lar the vice-consul, and Mr. Davies. M Graves then addressed Captain Harsteir as follorto :e of tbe Shipowners' Association of Liverpool be co here to day to offer you the congratulations of its memr,sicl -4e arrival on our shores. The circumstances o',o ' - ‘e auspicious erect indicate that in the e 7 ‘ erc i,) -epidity, and sympathy our countries Op :and it is impossible to foresee the ber'et' alt to mankind from a : rivalry between 1 0 g i ' J interchange of those ennobling sentiments ceo has not, leased Preividence to bless with s'i c red bold efforts of your country to restore °et ~o untrymen, yet oh" 0 met with a high rower froo h u man skill had failed to extricate h er , fo , the apparent destruction which awaited her, has been o ra iv lOusly preserved, that she might iift the means of affordi4,bell people of America a further opporttoity for evincing.:p strong sympathy, and drawing in'o closer u n ion the fr' di l ipe relations of both countries. If in after years Sl' . ov, gh t r o• G ences of opinion should arise between our reapective bet manta, we have but to remember the Resolute an i,et priceless cargo of goodwill—freely sent, and as freely' I `.' ce ,i t ? —to feel assured that the threatening clouds must i 3 be dispelle I and pass away. We have learned with ol tr io satisfaction that her Majesty,with that thoughtfulness for 5c , 4 61 Ri l e is so distinguished, has placed at your disposal the "n re 0 1 'ing to your homes in a manner befitting the na tu ß is Yet we cannot help saying regret is m ingled of for we are deprived of offering to yo u ~ 1 0 0 _ptian more in accordance wit', to t ,.,. The trading community of Liverpool is h oe9v o i , ours with more than common ties of interest, intercoul friendship; we watch with deep interest every act disturb or strengthen those ties, and we receive with o , e ' ca , l this munificent gift of the President and people of Atue l n i er! an additional pledge of unity. These feelings the shird"ot of Liverpool have recorded , with the simplicity of troth ru address we have now.the honour to presept_to you ' l lO 4 " To CAPTAIN IiZiiTATEIN, OP THE triiTTED STATZ S AND To HIS BROTHER . OFFICERS AND CHEW of *RESOLUTE. ji " We, the Liverpool Shipowners' Association, desire t.AP arri"- By des e 'each other, the veneroue not say lost—our m the sacrifice - 8 made ha of return your visi that satisfactions officers, and crew, a re , feline to you our sincere congratulations on your safe art. , England, having navigated to these shores the discover?. Resolute, as an offering of friendship and goodwill o° ' 'United Statei of America to this country. 4 Weieco g nise in this act of the United States a ge „ LOP testimony of the kindly feelings of its Government and r to the. British nation, and of an earnest wish to foster sentiments of mutual regard and esteem which cone titfitd „,t1 real basis of cordial amity and enduring peace. tov•I "The circumstances of a common ancestry and a S o ot language, a similarity of laws, and in many ; respects ae 1 i d of interes . s, to say nothing of private friendships and P°oill ties, unite your country to ours by bonds which canne'o",tiei be severed, but-spontaneous acts of friendship by themeo ll to the other, such as that which it has been your plain tV to accomplish, are the best evidence to mankind at large °OOl indissoluble character of those bonds, and engender the n ot) confidence in the nations themselves that the pea ce ~to# has so long happily subsisted between them will e°- t undisturbed. • .‘This association," representing the shipping int ere°ll ' 01 art this port, has witnessed this graceful act on the IA• United Stites with. the greatest iileastire fled satisfactiee;„ tb t fl.igs and those of your country are •blend d together rely harbours ot commerce throughout the world ; and eire 0 0 4 , upon every occasion when the good feelings which the f community of each country bear towards each 00001 encouraged by • more than ordinary acts of frienclabir ° part of either of their Governments. an d ''"d We have now only to express our earnest hope otforti that the same protecting Providence which enabledLltt bring the_ Resoluteln _safety_ta--England,through ---zw O a culties and perils of unusually tempestuous weal°, tbr conduct you in safety to your homes, and that you ay individually long enjoy health,"hippiness and prosrrito,, " S. R. GrtAvEg, Chair In pursuance of a special general meeting of the °- floc], held the 201 day of Dec., ,1456." I lr To this Captain" Ilaits:ein made - tl4 following r e i e o, Gentlemen, to say that I feel honoured by, this unln. i ' t6 ee ° : mark of your cedsideration *Pular but - ft;obly expitss J o e', of the compliment which you have thus paid througnoo3 the government whose representative I now have.tbe ' of to be. Meeting you as diilegstei 'from the shipoWn ers t I b great commercial city of the United Kingdom, I rejoice -01 kindly feeling thus manifested for a nation with whe°,reseti' eats you- are so -intimately connected:— 'ri: mission to your government you can read the ArnericanS towards the people of this country, and ca t' of i ; o ; believe that your happy allusion . to the, mutual bond' ° c oJ and a community of feeling between us will meet with a o 0 11 response., The advanc,ementof science add the art s, t greg;, both nations have, in a spirit of generous rivalry , '°ositioiio; contributed,, have changed our ancient geographiell P Miles and seconds have become almost synonymous o'srbuttki now the iron messengers of our commerce 41y like 5te50,,,,,,, weaving between us a fabric of mutual interest. w. p itic4 spirit of friendly emulation, enterprise, and enlighteee.bejr;! which has given to our shipping interests the distinguispr 1 they occupy throughout the universe ever continue. 011 . ,, 5 4 eipression of . friendly: interest and congratulation, ' to ,r and officers of the Resolute, be pleased, gentlemen, our hearty thanks. The deputation and officers (who had stood uncoverlo; the whole of the interesting ceremony) then went be el 5 partook of a splendid dejeuner in the gunroom, Pr e ' ll . c e;c li s o by Captain EL.rtstein, Lieutenant Wells filling the li t of) Here the toasts of " The Queen," " The Presid e/ 4,14, 4 ; United States," " The United S rvices of Great 13r1 ,: $ th America," " The Deputation from the Liverpool As s t ° ll - 0 1 4 .to , were given and responded to with generous e11, i. j)9 and on the deputation leaving the ship in the gig of 0 01 of the Clarence yard, the crow of the Resolute ralAlb rigging and gave them three hearty cheers, heartily returned by all in the gig. The deputation b y 0 pleased with their visit to the ship and their host" tainment on board. • re CHILD MURDER.—This fearful crime has hoopla "0 of late in Liverpool, as there is no week withouVor4J•4 the sort coming before the - coroners court. On " il l r i d the coroner held an inquest on the body of o ,` rVIS male child that was found in the midden at 12 tif li fr oo y , heim-streot by one of Mr. Ross's night men, ann,o 6 o ;l l evidence of surgeon Kemp, it appeared thatthe cb' alive, and that death was the result of 10 haying been exposed to the cold. Verdict, wiT o olc of, against some one unknown. (Do the police ove r u ollf such cases as this ? their usual vigilance, if exere7 i 0 11 cases, could not fail to detect the offenders, all: 00 11if example is made, this sort of crime, will, to o . 10" P tinue, but increase). The coroner held another the body of W. H. Bell. aged nineteen. who d u i n e ildl l 9 sequenca of accidental injuries received at a "71;0 Wood Btreet Park, and a verdict of accidental - re'urned. 4 01 ;t 1 •YRmf GIFTS AND TIONOURS TO THE PRINCE O. - „t Writing on this subject, a Berlin cdrresponu e ;peel us that he has learned that Sir Colin C a '7llo shortly leave England as the bearer of the ins Z : ) Order of the Garter to the Prince of Pru ss ,: t ioSill,i' presume that it is intented that their preset:olo;Y take place here on the Ist of January, 1857, tiw s tele) the Prussian army intends to celebrate irl he r e f pressive manner as the 50th anniversary of t'i t 104 entering, its ranks. The regular army, or, at;10 1 1 here, the standing army, will present his R,?„,Thisi l to:j j l ll with a splendid shield, the artistic merits 01 take a later opportunity of describing. for C 'e l , produce of the subscription of all ranks in the.,tea; 0 4 1 contributions of the offisers having been lit: 1 14 1 On i f d each. The landwehr has embodied its contri" e gg helmet of gold, surmounted with a Ge° f g e y Dragon, the symbol chosen some years since -yoliPe) to commemorate the suppression of the r e wer e oki Baden, on which occasion the Prussian forces toio the supreme command of his Royal Higha e ltioslli l e of every man of the landwehr having the gra. , fer ai i ii c y contributing his mite, even the amount of 011 „, e p P j tenth of our penny) has been wiliingly rece,",: a ted'pli fully registered. The King, who lately CEl L „,, — ith 50th anniversary, will present his brother " w itic re tY decorated.sword. The garrison of Memel,: l il t 13 0 el the Prince, then only nine years old, fir t h: Irtny, will send up a deputation to present te lit ions of the extreme north-east poirt of dO e of,,J , where the Court took refuge in the clar; succeeded Jena,- and where it was living at t il the AaeP i yotzu,g Prince's entering. The Russian and et a regiments of which the Prince is chief Wilitsoley? tions to congratulate ; the Houses of No 0 4 0 0 Deputies resolved unanimously, at a recent se loo 9, $ll with closed doors, to offer their congratulatan 910iet occasion, and the commercial classes. 11 „, e OVAC t i,e / exerting themselves, though somewhat In; their sympathy with the general sentimella cowity popular entertainments will also be got up organised for the purpose, to which the K' l it ers 1 invited to come and gratify his numerous o°3 preseuce, j, 226,015 bales pers'iti it Wool 34 to dispose of thei a to be regretted, for tiiiere splendid lope to see a pc tion of article dir, :ed to this .hroughout Prices prices.railied ld to lid ut mu variation. demand