The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-21 00:00:00

law of the land, The House of Commons may rely upon it that nineteen men out of twenty of the popula tion of Great Britain, if appealed to, would pronounce their recent proceedings, in the case of Stockdale versus Hansard, as contrary to both law and equity—as gross ly tyrannical and oppressive—and as subversive of the liberty of the subject. We have not met with a single individual who would , pronounce any other sentence than one of unqualified condemnation on the whole of these arbitrary and unprecedented proceedings. The natural exclamation on witnessing such an invasion of the rights of Englishmen as that in which the House of Commons has been, for the last month, engaged, is, " thank God that we have a House of Lords." Since the passing of the reform act, the House of Commons has been gradually degenerating in charac. ter, until, at length, it is generally acknowledged, even by those who clamoured for " the bill. the whole bill, and nothing but the bill," that the liberties of English men were in safer custody under the old system of rotten boroughs than they are at present. The liberals in that assembly have fully justified the predictions of the conservative press, when it warned the country that the advent of the self-styled reformers to office would be the commencement of " a reign of terror," The last act by which the " tyrant majority" have chosen to signalise themselves has been the committal to Newgate of the son of Howard, the Solicitor of Stockdale, who is a youth of nineteen, articled to his father, and acting under his instructions, and a poor clerk of the name of Pearce, whose only offence ap pears to be that he faithfully discharged his duty to his employer. Against these persons—the one insignifi cant on account of his youth, and the other on account of his subordinate capacity—the House of Commons has proclaimed war. 'What a glorious enterprise ! How worthy of a British Senate Is it not time that the House of Commons should be checked in its insane crusade against the law and its administrators ? Is it not time that public meetings should be held in every part of the country to protest against such a monstrous assumption of authority as that which the House. of Commons has arrogated to itself ? Is it not time that the people of Liverpool should- make some stir in this matter ? Do we really live in a free country ? Are we in the enjoyment of free institutions? Are our laws any thing more than a dead letter ? We understand that ward meetings are to be held in London to consider the case of those whom the House of Commons have wantonly com mitted to prison for presuming to seek and administer justice. Why should not Liverpool follow the exam ple ? Let us show that we value the privileges which are secured to us by the laws of the land. A firm and unanimous remonstrance may yet bring the “tyz ant majority" to their senses. We therefore call upon all classes of our townsmen to join in such a remonstrance. I l et the matter be brought to a crisis in one way or another. An intelligent correspondent of the Morning Herald says that he "knows no question more proper for the shibboleth of a constitutional party than this is." We Perfectly coincide with him in this sentiment. The Conservatives ought to take up this question as their shibboleth. Let it be the ground of a general appeal to the feelings of the nation. We have no doubt of the result of such appeal. It would issue in the utter consternation and discomfiture of the " tyrant ma jority." It would effectually repel the invasion of liberty of which the House of Commons has been guilty. 1 • We deeply lament that several of the Conserva tive leaders, including Sir Robert. Peel himself, have been betrayed into a false position on this question of privilege. We hesitate not to say that they have ma terially injured their reputation by their. active co operation with the Whig despots of the House of Commons. It is not, however, too late for them to retrieve their error, • Many of them are, no doubt, anxious to undo what they have done. They now perceive that they have been unwittingly aiding the enemies of the Constitution in one 'of the most de termined attacks ever yet made upon the liber ties of Englishmen. . They now see that the uni versal voice of the Conservative press of Great Britain and Ireland is against the monstrous preten sions of the House of Commons. Let them summon moral courage enough to acknowledge their error, and to commence the work of reparation. If they do not, they will have to answer for it at the hustings. It is, indeed, grievous_ to have to express ourselves in terms of such strong remonstrance : but the truth must not be either concealed or postponed to mere party consi derations. There prevails throughout the country a feeling of deep and intense indignation against the late unprecedented assumption of power on the part of the House of Commons. Englishmen feel that trial by jury —not unaptly designated the Palladium of our liber ties —has been attacked ; and they cannot be expected w to br oo k suc h an i n di gn ity without e ven o ff er i ng a re monstrance. Let the Conservatives of Liverpool, we say once more, show that they will not suffer the House of Commons to ride rough-shod over the liberties of Englishmen. SOCIALISM TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL MERCURY. SlR, — }laving perused your leading article in last Friday's Paper, (headed Socialism and Mr. Robert Owen,) I be.- leave to offer a few remarks to you upon the subject. In the first Place, after quoting the words .of the celebrated Charles Fox, that " if opinions are absurd, they should be met with contempt; if specious, by argument; and if seditious , by Prosecution ;" and after having yourself stated that " t his niiapplies with peculiar force to this country," I was Inuch su rpr i se d to find you attempting to prove, through the whole ra of your remarks, that the only sound policy to be Pursued, in preventing the spread of the social tenets, is to treat them with silence and contempt, as though they were nothing more than a compound of absurdity and specious ness, and without the least tincture of sedition. You are, Perhap s , sir, not aware that the fundamental principle of socialism is, that " the mind of man iS made for him and not L him"—that he is a perfectly irresponsible being—that it is unjust to punish him for any crime he may commit; and, consequently, that it is an act of injustice to tolerate any go vernment or laws whateVer. These, sir, are the opinions they have declared again and again in the face of the whole w orld, and I think no rational man can doubt their being seditious in the highest degree. If opinions such as these are allowed to be openly promulgated without receiving any check, wh ere w ill sa f ety b e f oun d f or lif e or proper t y ? or h ow long would the present constitution of the country be allowed ~c ! , stand ? It i s an impossibility to reconcile two such oppo site prin c i p l es as t h e necess ity f or a government , an d th e to ersPonsibility of man. For what man, laying the least claim consi can believe in the latter, and at the same time der it an act of justice to tolerate the former ? A friend le e t tn u in e , some time ago, in my hearing, asked one of their w eut r ?l'S (and that too before a crowded audience) if when he Wife m) ,ole, supposing him to be a married man, he found his orand children murdered ; and if he had it in his power to or lush the perpetrator of the deed, whether he would do so not?, And he unequivocally and distinctly stated he ~h°ll,E l not. For as a combination of external forced the man into commission of the deed, iL(not crime) lie should think it an act of the greatest injustice to punish him for it. And this is not only the opinion of a single individual of their community, but the opinion of all. And what government, I would ask, is justified in tolera ting such opinions ? For think you, if they had but the slightest prospect of success, by an appeal to physical force, they would long remain quiescent? No, they would soon embrace the views of Satan in his address to his fallen angels— peace is despaired. For who can think submission ? War then, war Open or understood must be resolved." And acting upon them, they would hurl the Queen from the throne of her ancestors, and trample the noble constitution of England in the dust. Secondly, you have quoted a paragraph from the Morning Chronicle, and by your manner of quoting it, you give your sanction to it, stating that to " commence a legal warfare against opinions," it would not stop" with the Socialists, nor with the Unitarians, nor with the Roman Catholics, nor with the Dissenting Voluntaries, nor with the Methodists." I, for one; have yet to learn it would ever begin with either Unitarians, Roman Catholics, Dissenting Voluntaries, or Methodists. Nor am I aware that either of the foregoing believe it unjust to punish an aggressor of the laws, or that it is an act of injustice to tolerate a government. It is not on account of their religious - opinions, that legal proceedings ought to be instituted against them, but because they exert themselves to the utmost in propagating doctrines that endanger the safety of the state. Again you state, that a stranger to read the Bishop of Ex eter's speech, would imagine socialism to be a heresy of re cent date, and that he would be surprised to find that the system was publicly avowed by Mr. Owen, and put to the test of practice considerably more than a quarter of a cen tury ago. Now, sir, you will find, if you take the trouble to inquire, that at New Lanark in Scotland, for a number of years after its establishment, the children. were educated in the Christian belief. And, even it appears from your own showing, that his opinions upon the subject of religion were , not publicly known until the year 1823; and that I think you will not deny is considerably less than a quarter of a century ago. There are, sir, many infidels with whose opinions government would not be justified in interfering with, by any summary process whatever, and with whom, perhaps, the arguments made use of by Dr. Watson in his Apolont for the Bible, have more effect; but a man may not be a believer in the inspired Scriptures, and yet be a sup porter of law and government ; for instance Hume, Gibbon, and many others whose opinions respecting religion were well known, but who nevertheless did not poison the minds of others with sedition. Why you should, sir, as a finish to your remarks, attack the ministers of the church, and pass quietly over the ministers of that system, which declares there is no moral difference between Burke the murderer and Howard the philanthropist, (and who are, generally speaking, interested individuals,) 1 am at a loss to deter mine, except it- is, as I should hope not, for party political purposes.—l remain, sir, yours, J. C. • ALTERATIONS IN THE NAMES OF DocsS. — On the day of the Queen's marriage the Brunswick half-tide basin was denominated the Coburg Dock, and the Brunswick half-tide dock was called the Union Dock. of 11: 4 'he 09' ,re ` l tter thi s ier s go- or , )rts sill oa t 4 ) s, die TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SlR, — Subjoined is an extract from a letter I received from my brother, Capt. Clegg, in which he gives an account of what passed between him and the captain of the steamer Vale of Clwyd, on the occasion of his engaging with the lat ter to tow the ship Huddersfield into this port on the 14th January, and whieh is an answer to the paragraph which ap peared in the Liverpool Chronicle of the Bth instant, re flecting on my brother's conduct in that affair. I shall make no observation on the paragraph in question, except merely to remark that although the necessary repairs of his vessel detained my brother in brother in Liverpool eighteen days after his return, this statement, so calculated to injure him in the estimation of the public, did not appear until he had sailed the second time, when there was little probability of his being able to answer it for several indriths at least. EXTRACT ABOVE REFERRED TO " We were close to the N.\V. light-ship, with a leading wind, when the steamer Vale of Clwyd spoke us. He asked me if I wished to be towed in. I told him I did not, as I had a fair wind, and it was the pilot's opinion we could do very well without him : however, I considered, and thought he might as well dock us, and asked him what he would do it for. He said £2O ; if 1 did not give it he would leave us ; and in fact he did leave us. I hailed him, and told him I would give him £l2. He took some time to consider, and at last said it would be better to take it than go in without it. "Had he been a humane man, he would not have bargained to assist us had he thought we were in distress; but I assure vou we could have got in just as soon without his assistance: I had not been on shore live minutes before the captain of the steamer followed me to sign his bill, and I believe his re ceipt will be dated the evening of our arrival. He also ac knowledged that we could have done without him, except in running her into dock. (Signed) " JOHN ARDEN CLEGG, Milford " Feb. 13th, 1840." I have thought it my duty to my brother, in his absence, to lay before the public the above plain statement, but decline any further correspondence on the subject. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, MAINWARING CLEGG. Liverpool, Feb. 20th, 1810. P.S.—Absence from Liverpool prevented this statement appearing sooner in your valuable paper. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, SlR,—Can you give me any good reason why the morning letters from the post-office are not delivered in Lord-street until ten o'clock, and frequently at a much later hour? Under the old regulation the letters were delivered at nine o'clock.—L'our's, H. T. H. Lord-street, Feb. 20, 1840. NORTHERN CIRCUIT Mr. Justice Coleridge; the Right Hon. Thos. Erskine. WESTMORLAND — Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Appleby. CUMBERLAND — Thursday, Feb. 20, at Carlisle. NORTHUMBERLAND—Monday, Feb. 24, at Newcastle upon-Tyne ; Town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the same day, at the Guildhall of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. DURHAM—Saturday, Feb. 29, at Durham. YORKSIIIRE—Thur.3iIay, March 5, at the Castle of York ; City of York, the same day, at the Guildhall of the said City of York. NORTH LANCASHIRE—Thursday, March 19, at Lancaster, So UTII LANCASHIRE—Tuesday, March 24, at Liverpool, TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD. Liverpool, Feb. 20th, IMO.' SlR,—Having frequently noticed that you take an interest in the important maratime affairs of the town, I beg leave, through your columns, to make a suggesti on w hi c h I think would be of great benefit to the port, as well as conducive to the saving of life and property at sea. I refer to the surveying of ships previous to their sailing, in order to ascertain whether they be perfectly seaworthy. The vessels insured at Lloyd's may be - considered as safe, as that association very wisely appoints a qualified surveyor at every port, to inspect vessels insuring with them ; and super intend, from time to time, vessels building or repairing. The insurers, in this case, know what is the amount of their risk, and, for their own sakes, will adventure nothing on ves sels not seaworthy. Other insurance companies arc also cautious, but not to the same extent. One class of vessels is never insured, though of the best quality, and the best found. I allude to those belonging to extensive shipowners, who, of course, own so many that the average cost of the insurance of the whole, would mcecd the average amount of loss. The class, however, to which I would principally call your attention comprises vessels not at all, or not wholly insured, and many of which, from the ignorance or cupidity of owners, become the coffins of their crews. My suggestion is that the government should appoint a qualified surveyor of all ships and vessels in every port, so that none may be permitted to go to sea that are not sound and strong in hull, and well found in sails and rigging. We have acts to prevent " jerry-built" houses. Let us have an act to put a stop to " jerry-built ships." Should you favour me by inserting this, I shall enter into some few details that will be read with astonishment. My remarks do not apply to respectable shipping-houses. My suggestions would rather be for their advantage. I am, sir, &c., NAUTICUS. LIVERPOOL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. The annual meeting of the subscribers and friends to the School for the Deaf and Dumb was held on Tuesday, in the Royal Institution, Colquitt-street. The attendance was very numerous, and highly respectable. RICHARD RATH BONE, Esq., was called to the chair, and after a few appropriate remarks, he requested Mr. Corner, one of the secretaries, to read the report. - • Mr. ComEnt read the thirteenth annual report. The donations received up to the present time, the report said, amounted to about £2900, which, with the sum expect ed to accrue from the sale - of the old building, would, they trusted, prove sufficient to cover the mere expense of erect ing the new building. A large outlay, however, would be requisite for furniture, and many. other unforeseen expenses which occurred on entering new premises. The committee therefore hoped that donations would continue to flow in from those who had not yet contributed, so that they might have the satisfaction of opening the new school-unfettered by any claim upon it. It had hitherto been a source of re gret that the annual subscriptions had not been commensu rate with the expenditure. This item of receipt, however, was increasing, the amount of the past year exceeding the previous one by about £l3O. There were also several addi tional subscriptions already sent in for the present year. It was obviously so desirable that this branch of income should be maintained, all others being so precarious, that the com mittee ventured to press this more especially on the notice of the subscribers, with a view that the latter should endea vour to obtain amongst their friends fresh annual subscribers. The committee spoke highly of the exertions of Mr. Rhind, the talented preceptor of the institution. Those exertions, they said, were fully evidenced in the great improvement in the children, and in the order and regularity throughout the institution. The committee considered it mainly through his zeal that the institution had risen so rapidly in public estima tion. The progress of several of the pupils in articulation was such as to warrant the hope that, in after life, it would go far towards compensating for the privation with which it had pleased Providence to afflict them. The number of visitors and their interest in the institution had increased during the past year. The report proceeded as follows : This `` is a charity, the importance and useful ness of which cannot be duly appreciated without witnessing the method of teaching in the school, and the consequent effects of the expansion of mind on the manners and characters of the children. A child bereft of the organs of speech and hearing, whose mind must necessarily be almost a blank, first enters the schocl very little removed from a state of idiotism, but, as the mind receives impressions, symptoms of thought become observable, and in time the intellectual smile betoken ing the reasonable creature animates the countenance and amply repays the toil and care of the preceptor." The report stated that a small fund had been established by some charitable individuals, for assisting to clothe some of the most destitute class of children in the school, and which, under the superintendence of Mr. Rhind, had already come into operation. Mr. Rhind would take charge of any trifle that might be contributed to this fund. To satisfy the desire of the children for reading, during their leisure hours, a school library has been established, to wards which the committee acknowledged several contribu tions. . The committee tendered their thanks to the ladies' com mittee, to the medical gentlemen who had superintended the health of the children, and especially to their late respected chairman, the Rev. Rector Campbell, on his retirement from that office through indisposition, for the very valuable aid which, for so many years, he had rendered to the institution. Appended to the report was a list of the pupils admitted, and who had departed, since the last report. There had been admitted eight regular and two private pupils. Of those who had left, ten were regular and one a private pupil. Four had gone to learn trades, one had gone to the country, two had died, one had been taken away by his mother, who was un able to pay for him, and three had been removed, having completed their education. The children remaining in the school are 51. Total number of children admitted since the establishment of the school 135, of whom 80 are now usefully employed in various occupations. Forty-five of those now in the school are the children of poor parents, and are educa ted gratuitously. Mr. Ricuartu CROSBIE DAWSON read the accounts ; after which the meeting was addressed by the Rev. W. May nard, Mr. J. P. Alston, Mr. Lawrence Heyworth, Mr. Morris Reynolds, Mr. Platt, Mr. James Heyworth, Mr. H. R. Sandbach,.Mr. R. C. Dawson, the Rev. J. North, the Rev. J. L. Townsend, the Rev. T. Bold, and Mr. T. B. Barclay, by whom the several resolutions were moved and seconded. Mr. RHINO, the master pf the institution, then brought forward his several classes, and astonished the assembly by showing the progress which they have made in the several branches of learning. The highest class consisted of three boys and three girls. The boys in this and some of the other classes fee have before remarked, and have noted their pro gress from year to year, and we are bound to say that their improvement has been wonderful. The classes in question (the highest) not only showed, in the progress of their exami nation, that they could write with facility and beauty, which, indeed, most of the pupils can, but that they were capable of answering without hesitation the most difficult questions in history, scriptural lore, arithmetic, and many other branches. Their quickness of apprehension and rapidity of intercommunication surprised everybody. At the conclusion of the examination, one of the pupils, an intelligent lad, aged about thirteen, sp o k e th e following address, with the inten etiooanbleodf s t h o o m w a in k g e i t o he in i a rr tn og ie r t e i s o s g I v h h e i e p h u pt i s r n R a r l i t i i n c d u l has n hee "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ,—A few years ago I was quite dumb and ignorant,—unable to express my thoughts and wishes, or to converse with those around me ; but now, through your Christian sympathy, I have been taught to read, and write, and cipher; to think, speak, and understand lan guage ; to hold social intercourse with my fellow-creatures, and how to be useful in after life. Permit me, then, to offer you the grateful thanlis of myself and fellow-pupils, who are receiving similar advantages, for the benefits you have con ferred upon us ,—the happiness you have imparted, to us, and the prospects you have opened to us, by instructi ng us in our duty here, and the anticipating of everlasting felicity here after. And that Divine Providence may abundantly bless you for your kind efforts in our behalf, especially in providing a new institution for the better accommodation of ourselves, and a greater number of others like ourselves—deaf and dumb—is our sincere prayer." The same lad afterwards repeated the Lord's Prayer ; and, at the desire of his tutor, asked several persons how they were, distinguishing the sexes, and the singular from the plural. During the time that the class was occupied in writing out certain of their exercises. Mr. RICHARD RATHBONE then stepped upon the platform and said, as the Rev. Rector Campbell had retired from the office of chairman, the committee had resolved upon request ing him to become the president of the institution, an office which had not before existed. Mr. Rathbone proposed the following resolution :—" That in testimony of respect for the unwearied interest in the prosperity of the School for the Deaf and Dumb, evinced by the Rev. Rector Campbell, and of gratitude for his valuable services as chairman of the com mittee, he be appointed president of the institution." Seconded by Mr. DAWSON and carried. The meeting broke up at two o'clock, highly pleased with the proceedings. THEATRICALS AT MAN CHESTER. — According to the Man chester Guardian the present season at the Threatre-royal In that town has been extremely unsuccessful. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-TUESDAY. SUSPICION OF FELONY AGAINST TWO POLICE OFFICERS.-ADJOURNED EXAMINATION. At the Police Court this day, the examinations in the case in which Joshua and John Fell, police officers, were impli cated (as reported in our last), were resumed. Mr. Davenport a p peare d f or t h e two Fells ; and a third prisoner, a miserably-clad girl of about eighteen years of age, named Elizabeth Lewis, was also placed at the bar. Mr. Dowling said that there was no further evidence tobe adduced against the male prisoners. The female stood charged with being the original pledger of the watch at Mr. M`Pherson's. Mrs. and Miss Kermode were again sworn, and stated in brief the manner in which the watch and the nine shillings had disappeared from the desk where they had been depo sited, in their shop in Cable-street, to the same effect as de tailed yesterday. Mrs. Kermode added, that no one could come into the shop without being seen by her or her daugh ter from the parlour behind, either by the door or by a small window of four panes. Mr. M`Pherson, pawnbroker, being sworn, said he re ceived the watch in pledge from the female prisoner on the 12th of February, about four in the afternoon. She said the watch was her husband's, and called herself Mary Williams, Preston -street, in which name he made out the ticket. He next saw the ticket on Saturday last, when the tallest of the male prisoners %facne and redeemed the watch. He was dressed in his uniform, and said he was taking it out for a friend, who had got into some trouble in a house of ill fame. By Mr. Davenport.—He made no secret of it. Mr. Dowling intimated that he had no further evidence. Mr. Davenport submitted that there was no evidence against Joshua Fell, who found the ticket in Queen's-square, and afterwards disposed of the watch, not knowing it to have been stolen. He could prove that he was not the person who had stolen it, inasmuch as he had been out of the town on the day on which it was taken, on the service of that court. The Court intimated that it had yesterday been admitted that he had not stolen it. Elizabeth Lewis being asked what she had to say, said that as she was going along Cheapside, with a basket of matches, a little boy c a me to h er wi th, die watch, and asked her to pledge it for him, and that it was his father's. A police officer here stated that the cellar in which he found the female prisoner was filled with little boys who went about thieving, and little girls who were brought up to pros titution. This being all the evidence, a brief consultation was held on the bench, after which Mr. Harvey spoke nearly as fol lows : Joshua Fell, sorry am Ito say that you have disgraced your self by the transactions that have come to light through these examinations ; and I the more regret this as you before pos sessed the entire confidence of the Police Committee. You had an opportunity,. by continued good conduct, to have risen to higher station; but that you have thrown away, and have entirely forfeited their confidence. It appears that you picked up the ticket in the street, and though you well knew that the property did not belong to you, you redeemed it, and applied it 'to your own uses. My colleague, Mr. Holmes, perfectly agrees with me, that for such conduct you ought to be dismissed the police servile, and you are accord ingly so dismissed. You, John Fell, we consider equally to blame. You had the watch a considerable time in your possession, and it is one so remarkable in appearance, and also in the seal arid keys, that you must have knoWn it to be that which was described in the bills as having been stolen. The police officer Flyman, who had brought the watch to the office, was convinced that it was the same the moment he saw it a se cond time. You are therefore equally to blame with the other prisoner, and are also dismissed the service. It is for tunate for both of you that you have escaped being tried for felony. The two male prisoners were then liberated. The female prisoner was put back. The officer who gave information in the case, was then called, and Mr. Harvey said to him : Flyman, Mr. Holmes, and myself are of opinion that you behaved in a very proper and becoming manner in this case. It is evident that in givinc , your evidence, you were not actuated by malice or ill-fe eling. b We are, indeed, much pleased with the fairness and perfect honesty with which you gave it, and think you entitled not only to be well spoken of, but worthy of being rewarded by the Watch Committee. We shall instruct Mr. Highton to communicate our opinions of your conduct in that quarter. The officer bowed and retired. Mr. Harvey afterwards called Mr. Highton, who attended on the part of the Watch Conuhittee, and instructed him to communicate to that body Mr. Holmes and his own high approbation of the conduct of Flyinan, whom they recom mended as worthy of a reward. ATTEMPT TO BRIBE A POLICE-OFFICER. Catharine Swatter, a female of dissolute habits, was placed before the magistrates, charged with having robbed Robert Williams of the sum of seven pounds sixteen shillings, under the following circumstances : Robert Williams stated that he was a sailor, and one of the crew of the ship Commerce. He lodged at the house of Mr. Evans, in Barlow-court, Rigby-street. About six o'clock on Monday night he went to the office of Messrs. Anderson and Garrow, in South Castle-street, to receive his wages. He received the sum of seventeen pounds and some silver. He afterwards paid six pounds seventeen shillings for a watch at the shop of Mr. Sewell. He also paid two pounds odd to his shipmates, when he had seven pounds and about sixteen shillings left. He went to several public-houses, and drank pretty freely. BY way of taking great cam of his money, he put his sovereigns into his left-hand.trowsers pocket, . sepa rate from the silver. In Oldhall-street he met the prisoner, who invited him to go home with her to her residence, in Gebrge-street. He imprudently complied, and accompanied her to her residence, where lie fell asleep. When he awoke, as a natural consequence of the situation into which he had allowed himself to be led, he found his pockets turned inside out, and all his money had been taken from him. The pri soner was then in the room with him. He said, " I have been robbed." She said. " Your money must have fallen out of your pocket ; and immediately she began a pretended search for it, and picked up a sovereign and a half and a shil hug. A constable was sent for, and Police-officer Thomas came. On hearing what had occurred, he took the prisoner into custody, and the money last alluded to into his care. VoiiCelOffieer Thomas (No. 338) stated, that he was on duty in Oldhall-street on Monday night. A little past eleven o'clock, he received information that the last witness had been robbed in a house in George-street. He went there, and found the prisoner. Williams said, " I have beenonly u,hrobbed have by this wo an_ s_ seven.sovareignand half." sh e sa id , have not seen any money which he had, picked up." Witness took that money into his care, and the prisoner into custody. As he was taking her out of the room, the prisoner put a sovereign into his hand, and said, " Keep it, and say nothing about the- matter." lie took her into the street, and said, " You may as well give me the other money which you have." She replied, " 1 have only two sovereigns." She placed her hand beneath her apron, and produced another sovereign, saying, " That is all I have." She again requested that he would keep the sovereign which she had given him, and say nothing about the matter. He took her to Bridewell. The officer produced the three sove reigns, half sovereign, and the shilling. The prisoner, having been cautioned in the usual manner, was asked what she had to say in her defence. She replied, " I never saw a farthing that he had except what I picked up. He is swearing falsely." She was committed for trial. il IGHWAY ROBBERY. Thomas Phillips was placed at the bar, charged with having on Saturday night or Sunday morning last, assaulted James Lawton, in Sawney Pope-street, and robbed him of his watch and the sum of five pounds. The circumstances of the case as detailed in the evidence were as follows : James Lawton stated, that he was a blacksmith, residing in Rigby-street. Between twelve and half-past twelve and one o'clock on Saturday night last, witness was on his way home through Sawney Pope-street. He had been collecting accounts and had taken a little liquor. He had in his pos session a watch and live sovereigns. When he had got some distance up the street he was suddenly seized round the waist by several persons. At the moment he was seized, hands were thrust into the pockets of his trousers, and a man came up in front of his person and snatched his watch from his fob. He was then pressed down to the ground on his knees, and before he could recover himself the man had ran away. He heard them running in the direction of Marybone. When he recovered, he found the witness Catherine Owens close to him. Ile informed her that he had been robbed. She said she knew one of the men. Witness examined his pockets and missed his five sovereigns and his watch. Ile was unable to identify the prisoner. Catherine Owens stated, that she was the daughter of Thomas Owens, residing at No. 92. Fontenoy-street. About half-past twelve o'clock on Saturday night, she was on her way through Sawney Pope-street, having been making some purchases at a baker's. She saw the prisoner, Thomas Phillips, and another man pulling at the person of Lawton. The latter said, " You are robbing ice." They appeared to be pulling at his waist, and they pulled him upon his knees. The prisoner and his companion ran in the direction of Marybone. Witness stood there till Mr. Lawton got up, and he said, " I have been robbed." Witness told him that she knew one of the men. Witness here swore to the prisoner as one of the men whom she had seen robbing Mr. Lawton. She was only about four yards from them when it was done. She had known the prisoner nearly seven years. Inspector James Cottam deposed, that he received infor mation of the above circumstance on Monday night, and also that the prisoner was concerned in it. He knew him, and where he lodged. Between twelve and one o'clock that morning (Tuesday) he went to a house in Harrison-street, in search of him, and found him in bed. He told him that he was about to take him into custody on a charge of having robbed a man on Saturday night, of a watch and five sove reigns, at the corner of Fontenoy-street. He replied, "I am innocent. I can bring sufficient evidence of that. lam so well known in that neighbourhood, that if they saw any one running, dressed as I am, they would immediately say it was me." Witness had not then mentioned anything about running. He took the prisoner into his custody and then to Bridewell. The prisoner was, after the usual caution, asked what he had to say. He replied, "I have nothing to say at present." He was committed for trial. WEDNESDAY. THEFT BY A SERVANT. Ann Carr was placed before the magistrates, charged with having robbed her mistress, Jane Edwards, of Fazakerley street. The prisoner was left up to clean the house, and she took the opportunity of collecting together a pantity of property, with which she decamped. Mrs. Edwards met her a few days after in Bold-street, and gave her . into custody. The prisoner said her mistress had given her the goods. She was committed for trial. CAUTION TO SERVANTS, HOUSEKEEPERS, C.C. Sarah Dowling was charged with having stolen certain carpets, the property of Mr. James Anderson, Rupert-street. Mary Lowey, servant to the latter, stated that she left several pieces of carpets in a wash-house, in the yard, the door of which was open ; they were left there till the follow ing Friday afternoon, when she missed them. Information was given to the police, and part of the property was disco vered to have been pawned at the shop of Mr. Jones, pawn broker. Halsall, a constable, heard that the prisoner had been concerned in the affair, and he in consequence took her into cuttody. Mr. Latchford, an assistant with Mr. Jones, proved that the prisoner had pledged the carpets with him. The prisoner said a person had given her the carpets to pledge. She was committed for trial. YESTERDAY. (Before JOHN }IOLMES and FR HEYWOOD, Esqrs.) William Crosbie and Thomas Cooper, two newly-enlisted recruits, were placed at the bar, charged with having altered a billet, with the intention to defraud Joseph Parry, of Lam beth-street, beer-seller. Francis Featherstone, a clerk in the billet-office, said that yesterday (Wednesday) he brought an order for the t wo pri soners to be billeted previously to leaving Liverpool. A billet was issued upon Parry for their accommodation for one night only. Sergeant Young said he 'took the order for the bill e t t o the office, and that the names of the prisoners were written. upon it. He received, altogether, 61 billets, a n d d e li vere d theirs to the prisoners. 11F was sure it was for only one night. The one was written in letters, and not represented by a figure. Mary Parry, wife of the beer -shop-keeper, said that the two prisoners brought the billet to her about four o'clock yesterday afternoon. It was for their accommodation for four nights. She mentioned to them that it was very s t range another billet should be so soon issued, especially as t h e last was for four nights. She paid them Bd., on condition of their finding accommodation elsewhere, and told them th a t if they would come the following day, at any time, s h e would give. them 2s. for the other three nights. She gave the money to Cooper, but in the presence of Crosbie. Wh en her husband came home she sheaved him the billet, and h e discovered that an alteration had been made in it—that the figure 4 had been inserted with different ink to the other parts of the document. He went to the billet-office, where he fraud was immediately detected, and the prisoners were given into custody. The Billet -master said that frauds of this kind had become so frequent that an arrangement had been made by which billets were now granted to recruits for one night only. In one case, which occurred last week, the offender escaped, owing to his being marched off before he could be appre hended. Cooper made no defence ; Crosbie said he never had had the billet in his hands. The Court told them they had committed a very serious offence, for which they were liable to severe punishment. They should, however, be remanded till to-morrow [this day], for the purpose of their commanding officer being con sulted. LIVERPOOL ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN AND PRINCE ALBERT. The following are the addresses of the Corporation of this town to her Majesty and her illustrious Consort : ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the borough o' Liverpool, in Council assembled, hasten to offer your Ma jesty our dutiful and heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your Majesty's auspicious marriage. While we rejoice in this happy union which promises to much to your Majesty's domestic felicity, an union springing not less from your private attachment than from a desire to gratify the wishes of your faithful subjects,—we beg to ex press at the same time our ardent hopes, that a reign so aus piciously commenced, may be marked by every blessing which your Majesty's benevolent heart can desire, and that under your Majesty's beneficent and enlightened sway, this natiod may witness the increase of our prosperity, the firm establishment of our civil and religious liberties, the spread of knowledge, the removal of injudicious restrictions upon the springs of industry and commerce, and the return of social happiness and individual comfort amongst all classes of your Majesty's subjects. Deeply grateful for that unqualified expression of your Majesty's spmpathy with the feelings and wishes of your people, which has secured to your royal person their love and admiration, entertaining the sincerest sentiments of loyalty and attachment to your Majesty and to the illustrious object of your choice, and with our fervent prayer that, un der the .Divine favour, your Majesty may long enjoy a glo rious and happy reign, we now lay this, our humble address, at the foot of the throne. Given under our common seal this seventeenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty. ADDRESS TO PRINCE ALBERT. To His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, We, the Mayor, Aldermen,and Burgesses of Liverpool, in Council assembled, begged to offer your Royal Highness our cordial welcome upon your arrival in this kingdom, and our warmest congratulations on the celebration of that aus picious event, which has so closely connected your Royal Highness with the best interests and wishes of the nation. We rejoice that her Majesty's choice has fallen upon a Prince, not more illustrious by his historical descent than distinguished by those personal qualities ar►d accomplish ments which are so well calculated to insure the domestic happiness of her Majesty. Trusting that every earthly bles sing may attend our gracious Sovereign and her Royal Con sort, we respectfully present to your Royal Highness this address, sincerely expressive Of our high esteem and regard. Given under our common seal this seventeenth day of Fe bruary, one thousand eight hundred and forty. TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF A CHAPEL BY FIRE. We regret to state that on Wednesday morning the Inde pendent Chapel in Great George-street, of which the Rev. Dr. Raffles is the minister, was totally destroyed by fire. The following are the particulars, from which it will be seen that this was an instance of the most complete and rapid destruc tion by fire ever known. _ _ _ It appears that about eight o'clock on Tuesday night, the two large stoves connected with the apparatus for heating the building, were lighted, in order that the school-rooms under the chapel might be in a comfortable state of warmth for the children on the following morning, and that the chapel itself might be warmed, preparatory to the intended per formance of divine service on the evening of Tuesday. One of the officers of the patroling police, who regularly visits the chapel in his rounds, was in the building during the night, and noticed that it was exceedingly warm. He again entered it at six o'clock btl Wednesday morning, and made the same observation, which he communicated to the chapel-keeper. The latter did not conceive that this por tended any danger, and he reminded the officer that he had recently on one occasion made the same observation before. The increased heat was attributed to the circumstance of new stoves having been recently fitted up in the chapel, and the officer, with this explanation, coincided in the views of the chapel-keeper, and was satisfied. A. little before eight o'clock he again visited the chapel, and all appeared safe. At eight o'clock a gentleman connected with the chapel was in the building, but he did not perceive anything that gave him alarm or uneasiness. About half-past eight o'clock, a man, who was passing, saw smoke issuing from a portion of the building. Being convinced from its volume that it arose from some unusual cause, he immediately ran and acquainted the police-officer on duty. The latter went to the spot, and saw sufficient to convince him that no time was to be lost in procuring as sistance. He despatched a messenger to the Fire-Police Station, and in the meantime busied himself in getting up the plugs, and preparing the pump, in front of the building, for action. A glance at the interior of the chapel showed that the tire had communicated from the flues to the woodwork (which, we understand, consisted princip a ll y o f re d p i ne, the com bustible property of which had been still further increased through the circumstance of the building having been over heated by the new stoves for about a month past), and that the flames were spreading with a rapidity that would prevent anything effectual being done till the arrival of the engines. Mr. Hewitt, with a strong body of the fire-police and four engines, was on the spot shortly before nine o'clock, but in the brief space of twenty minutes, which had elapsed since the message was sent, the flames, having nothing but wood work to feed upon, had spread fearfully, so that at the hour last named the whole interior of the extensive building was in a complete blaze. As there was plenty of water ready, the engines were got immediately into action, but every endeavour to save the inside of the building prcoviQ hopeleSs. The south-east wind, which blew pretty fresh, rushing through the large open area in front of the chapel, blew out' the flames from the windows on each side completely across Nelson-street and Great George-street, and threatened destruction to the opposite buildings, which, in several instances, took fire, and would inevitably have been burned down but for the water thrown upon them from the engines. The windows of many of the houses in Great George-street were broken by the heat, which was, during a short period, so intense that the men employed in working the engines were unable to endure it, and were twice or thrice compelled to abandon their labour. Mr. Whitty, who arrived on the spot a few minutes after the engines, saw at once that the interior of the chapel was doomed to destruction ; he therefore directed the exertions of his men to the saving of the walls and the portico, and to warding the fire from the opposite buildings. In these ob jects they succeeded; but it is still doubted by some whether the walls will not, to secure a perfectly safe building, have to be taken down. The portico, too, has been slightly in jured. The progress of the fire was so rapid, that it may be thus described :—At half-past eight it was discovered; at ni ne , on the arrival of the engines, it was at its height ; and at half past nine the whole interior was destroyed—nothing remain ing thereof hut a mass of blackened and smouldering embers. Dr. Raffles, we understand. was in Manchester at the time of this disaster, but we are informed that a messenger was immediately despatched to inform him of the misfortune that has deprived him and his respectable congre ga ti on of their spacious place of worship. The building, we understand, was insured in two offices to the amount of £4OOO or £4500. ANOTHF.II. ACCOUNT. About half-past eight o'clock, Mr. Dutton, the cabinet maker, in Nelson -street, saw smoke issuing from one of the vestry windows of Great George-street Chapel, and immedi ately gave the alarm to the foreman of Messrs. Samuel and James Holmes, who have a timber-yard and mortar mill ad joining the chapel. The foreman took several of the work men with him who had just returned from breakfast, and burst open the front door of the chapel, hoping that if Messrs. Holities had a large supply of water on their premises, they might have succeeded in extinguishing the flame before it had spread too far. But on effecting an entrance, only the work of a few seconds, the inside was filled with smoke and flame —the heads of the gas-burners had milted off with the heat, and the gas was pouring forth on all sides in fiery streams of several feet long. Such was the rapidity of the flames, and such was the intensity of the heat, that the men were com pelled to make a hasty retreat, and, although the fire-police with several engines were on the ground in a short time, in less than an hour from the first discovery of the fire, the whole building was completely destroyed. None of the pews were lined, and the immense quantity of dry timber, forming the pews themselves, fed the devouring element with unusual rapidity. At one time it was feared that the timber-yard of Messrs. Hohnes would have been de stroyed, but a large body of their workmen being promptly on the ground, most of it was removed beyond the fear of danger, and a very trifling quantity only was consumed. There can be no doubt whatever that the fire was caused by the warm air stove, which was probably connected with some of the floor timber. The damage done must exceed £7OOO. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. We have . been favoured with the following interesting ex tracts, by a mercantile house of this town, from a letter, dated " Government House, Perth, Western Australia, 14th March, 1839 :" I would particularly call your attention to the whale fish ery, in case any of your friends should wish to try it. Black and sperm whales abound on this coast, from Cape Lewin to Swan River, and all to the north of that, and are killed in great numbers by the Americans. Forty or fifty vessels have been, and are at present, on the coast. The fishing corn mences in December, and is at its height in the present month Upon English e n t erpr i se to see (March.) It cries shame Americans taking the fishing before our eyes, in our har bours and bays, whilst there is not a single English flag to be seen. A vessel, fitted out in England, might return within the twelvemonth, with a cargo of great value, or she might tran ship her cargo, and continue the fishing. Si r our late governor, is to exert himself to get a company esta blished, on his arrival in London, in furtherance of this ob ject. A person coming out here w ith f rom £lOOO to £2OOO, would in the course of a few years realize a fortune. Sheep increase at the rate of 80 per cent., from which 25 per cent. is to be deducted. Horses and cattle are all dear. Sheep are sold here at £4 10s. to £5 for ewes. Several thousands would be taken off if brought out, as they are in great de mand. If care were taken not to overcrowd them, and give them plenty of water every day during the passage, they might be brought out so as to remunerate the undertaker. Horses may be brought from the Cape to cost, freight and all. under £2O, and they sell here from £6O to 1:70. The situation of Perth is on that part of the River Swan called Melville Water : it is very fine. The Government House commands a noble view ; but, with the exception of the soil near the river, all for seven miles round Perth is as sandy as the sea shore. Our garden is of as beautiful mould as any in England, and we have grapes, peaches, and ap r i cots i n a b undance. In other gardens the vine is extensively cultivated, and in a few years we shall make wines. Nothing can be finer than the climate of this country. • In the summer it is rather hot, the thermometer standing some times at 90 to 100 ; but when the sea breeze sets in, it is not much more intense than a hot summer's day in England. Our evenings and mornings are always cool and pleasant. The natives are perfectly quiet, and are a singular race ; clever, and by no means ugly or ill-shaped. They carry wood and water for us, and boys to a certain age will keep sheep and cattle; but they always go i nto the bush at last, the parents threatening to spear them if they do not. They all live in and about our towns and houses, and sleep round their fires in our streets, and it is a picturesque sight to see them with their wild looks and kangaroo cloaks, their spears and miros, or throwing sticks, beside them. All the neces saries of life are extravagantly high here, frequently 300 to 400 per cent, above the English prices. Sometimes they are even more, and they are never less than 50 per cent. ; but as t he colony is ety only small, it can only b e a limited quantity hat it can Ws. off. , - PRICES OF SHARES, FEBRUARY 20. Prices. This day Last RAILWAYS, &c. Per Share. Prices. Birmingham and Gloucester 7O paid 56 5 0 Ditto and Derby 90 76 10 0 Birkenhead and Chester Bolton and Leigh lOO paid tii o 0 Bolton and Preston Bristol and Exeter 25 .... Chester and Crewe 4O .... 40 10 0 Dublin and Drogheda Eastern Counties Edinburgh and Glasgow Ditto Leigh and Newhaven 9 paid 3 5 0 Glasgow, Paisley, S.: Greenock 17 paid 16 12 6 Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmar Iso paid 0 0 0 Greenock, and Ayr Grand Junction Ditto half shares 3O .... 84 0 0 .... 84 10 0 Great Western 65 .... 71 0 0.. Ditto new shares 30 . 29 10 0 .. Hull and Selby Lancaster and Preston 42 10 0 30 5 0.. Liverpool and Manchester Ditto quarter shares Ditto half shares Loudon and Birmingham 9O 151 15 0 .. Ditto new shares Ditto quarter shares Ditto an Southampton 5O .... 44 0 0 ... 44 10 0 Ditto & Brighton 30 19 0 0 .... London and Croydon Leeds and Manchester 6O 71 0 0 .... Ditto half shares Leicester and Swannington 5O .... 71 0 0 .... Ditto, (new) li paid 49 10 0.. Manchester, Bolton, & Bury .. 83 ... 29 5 0 .... Manchester and Birmingham.. 25 .... 13 0 0 .... Ditto and Ditto Extension .. 7 .... 410 0 .... Midland Counties Newcastle and Carlisle lOO .... .... Ditto quarter shares North Midland New North Midland lO .... 15 0 0 .... South Eastern and Dover North Union St. Helen's and R uncorn Gap 1 075 0 paid 0 0 0 .... York lud North Midland 4O paid 51 10 0 .... BANKS. Royal Bank of Liverpool 500 .... 738 o oexdiv74s 0 0 Bank of Liverpool --, Commercial of Liverpool 10 .... 17 12 6 .... 17 12 6 Liverpool Union lO 13 0 0 .... 12 17 6 Northern and Central - Albion - North and South Wales lO .... 715 0 .... of Manchester IO .... 11 7 6 ... M'chester & L'pool Dsct. 15 .... 915 0 ...„ South Lancashire Liverpool Banking Company Borough Bank lO 15 17 6 .... Commercial Bank of England 5 .... 4 1 0 .... East of England lO 97 6 ""Plicenix Bank Wilts and Dorset 7 los. 712 6 .... GAS, WATER WORKS, &c. Exchange Buildings .lOO paid 164 0 0 .... L'pool and Harrington Water Works } 35u _ .... 4,_ ~ 0 0 . .. Bootle Ditto Stock.... 325 0 0 ... L'pool Coal Gas Company.... Stock.... 370 0 0 .... L'pool New Gas & Coke Co. .iel 00 .... 196 0 0 .... Ditto new shares are now paid un. ASSURANCE COMPANIES. Liverpool Marine Assurance Company 1 25 paid 2 2 6 .... Ocean Assurance Company.... 10 .... 72 6 .... Liverpool Fire and Life ', los. 2 1 6 ... DOCKS, FERRIES, NEW COMPANIES, &c. Anderton Carrying Company is .... 97 6 .... Woodside Ferry .... Egremont Ferry l2 10s. .... Rock Ferry Monk's Ferry Steam Tug Company 8 10s. 412 6 .... .-; o o Harrington Docks 100 .. 00 0 . Apothecaries' Company Asphalte (Liverpool‘ ; (Poloneeau) 2 .... 015 0 . 41 0 0 152 L 0 41 10 0 SHARE MARKET, THURSDAY EVENING. Since our last a considerable improvement has taken place in the market for Railway property, and a good business has been done•at full prices. The feeling to-day is still improving, and several de scriptions of stock have changed hands at an advance, Holders are still very firm, and from the active demand which exists, we may expect a further rise in most of the favorite lines. FIRE NEAR GEORGE'S DOCK.—At a quarter past eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, a fire was discovered to have broken out in the warehouse of a sailmaker's room, occupied by Messrs. Byrne and Co., on the east side of George's Dock. How it originated is unknown. The engines arrived in a few. minutes, and the fire was soon extinguished. " THE LIVERPOOL."---This steam-ship has been for some time at the south end .of the Canning Dock, " dis charging" her engine s , b o il ers, an d machinery, and we may add her paddle boxes and all the deck encumbrances, pre paratory to her going into one of the graving docks to be thoroughly overhauled, and widened, her hull being found worthy of a very considerable outlay, to give her—all that she required—greater bearings, and a consequently lighter draft of water. She is, we understand, to be remodelled by Messrs. Thomas Wilson and Co., the celebrated builders of " The Prince," " The Princess," and many others of this port, (including " The R o y a l William,") that have proved , themselves, for their tonnage, the fastest and most seaworthy, of any yet afloat. The " Liverpool," will, doubtless, by such builders, be made equal to any of the Transatlantic contemporaries. She will be widened by seven feet • and will then float muc h li g ht er . N ew b o il ers are also made for her, on an improved principle, by Messrs. M. Dixon & Co. ; and these we learn, will oocupy less room, and be much lighter than those hitherto used. The Liverpool will have a spare deck, like the " United States ;" and will be ready for sea by the end of May. Captain Engledue superintends her naprovements. ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.-We perceive by the advertise ment that Madame Ducrow has announced her benefit. Considering this lady's great merits, the effective manner in which she will be supported by the company, the splendid style of the performances, and the magnificent spirit of the worthy proprietor, we cannot but strongly recommend the public to crowd the building on this occasion. LIVER THEATRE.—Jack Sheppard has been reproduced with considerable success ; and several light pieces have been added which have greatly contributed to the popularity of this pleasing place of recreation. The " bill of fare" which the advertisement reveals is unexceptionably good ; ,it speaks for itself, and therefore, on this occasion, we shall content ourselves with merely drawing attention to it. THE LIVERPOOL DEPUTATION TO ADDRESS TIER MA JESTY-."—OUT London correspondent writes, " At the Queen's' levee to-day (Wednesday) I observed your mayor's carriage;. it was for some time in front of St. James's Royal Hotel, whilst the deputation were getting laced for presention. The mayor looked extremely well, though I could not divest my self of the idea,—` How like a man-milliner !' They were in full court dress. Alderman Shiel seemed unused to such paraphernalia. As the carriage passed me, he was busily en gaged in adjusting his ruffles, which appeared to fret his wrists to an itching sensation ; indeed he became quite as fidgetty as Madame Mantilini, when she had discovered a bad fit of her own building. Mr. Councillor Bushell looked very well —in truth he looked full four Pecks." ST. DAVID'S DAY.—We perceive, from the advertise ment, that Mr. Evans, the worthy landlord of the British Hotel, Moorfields, has announced a public dinner to take place, at the above hotel, on the 2d of March, (the Ist hap pening to fall on a Sunday), to celebrate the anniversary of the patron saint of Wales. We have no doubt that the well-known taste and liberality of the host will attract many of the Welsh residents of Liverpool and its vicinity to this truly national festivity. It will be seen that Mr. Roberts, the celebrated 'Welsh harper, will perform on that occasion. It was hoped that the Master of the Temple would have followed Dr. Chalmers's Hanover-square lectures by a course on the Church of England; but various adverse circum stances compelled Mr. Benson to abandon, for the present, the intention. But the Rev. Hugh M`Neile has consented to take his place, and to deliver a course of six lectures, at the same place, in the second and third weeks of March.— Morning Herald. THE PUBLIC CHARITIES.—We beg once more to call attention to the concert at the Theatre-Royal next. Tuesday, for the benefit of the lnfirmdry, the Dispensaries, and the District Provident Society. These useful, nay, indispensa ble institutions 9nust obtain the maximum sum fixed by the corporation. Let there, then, be no hesitation in coming forward with the necessary aid. Whilst upon the subject we may mention what was done for them on Wednesday night, at the Royal Amphitheatre, through the generous instrumen tality of Mr. Ducrow. The following statement has been politely furnished to us : Total sum in the house .£7B 12 6 Deduct expenses for gas, printing advertisements, door-keepers, policemen, bill-men, posters, and supernumeraries Leaving a balance of receipts of Add donation from Mr. Ducrow 4 16 6 Making the total proceeds to be divided .... 40 0 0 No charge whatever was made for horses' keep, for the equestrian and dramatic companies, scenes, properties or other departments. Such conduct as this speaks its own eulogy. PRESENTATION OF TILE MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL AND THE DEPUTATION AT THE QUEEN'S LEVEE.—We perceive, from the Court Newsman of yesterday, that his Worship the Mayor of Liverpool, gccompanied by Mr. Alderman Shiel, and Mr. Councillor Bushell, were introduced by Lord Nor manby to her Majesty, to present the address of congratula tion from the corporation on her marriage. We have not yet heard any thing respecting the baronetcy. CONSERVATIVE SPEECHES.—We perceive from an adver tisement, which appears in another column, that Mr. Painter, the spirited publisher, has determined upon issuing cheap editions of all the principal speeches delivered by the Con servative leaders, in both Houses of Parliament, during tile present session. We feel assured that such an undertaking will be duly appreciated by the Conservatives throughout the country, and that these corrected reports will command a very extensive sale. They are very neatly got up, and will form, when collected 'together, a volume of great Interest. MILITARY MOVENIENT.—Two troops of the Queen's 9th royal lancers marched from the barracks, in Ipswich, on Tuesday se'nnight, en route for Norwich, where part of the regiment is quartered. They have been succeeded by two troops from the latter place. The exchange took place agreeably to the usual order from the Horse Guards. Sir Jeffry Wyatville, the architect, died on Tuesday, at his house in Lower Brook-street. Sir Jeffry was in his 74th year; by his death there is another vacancy in the number .of Royal Academicians. REPRESENTATION OF STOKE-UPON-TRENT. —The elec tors of Stoke-upon-Trent have addressed a requisition, very numerously signed, to Mr. Alderman Copeland and the Hon. Frederick Dudley Ryder, son of the Earl of Harrowby, inviting them to become candidates for the representation of that borough, in the event of a dissolution of parliament. The worthy alderman returned the affirmative answer, which the constituency of Stoke, by whom he is held in high and just esteem, expected from their tried and faithful represen tative. Lord Sandon has accepted the invitation on behalf of his brother, who is at present upon the Continent. DEATH OF GENERAL DURHAM OF LARGO.—It is with pain and regret we record the death of James Durham of Largo, general in the British army, and joint convener of this county, which took place at Largo House, upon Thurs day morning the 6th instant, after a short illness. He was born, we understand, in the year 1754, and died at the ad vanced age of 86. General Durham entered the army as an officer of the Dragoons in 1769, and has thus been in the service for the space of no less than 70 years.—Scotch paper. There are only three Roman Catholics (Sir Thomas Es monde, of Wexford ; Mr. Balfe, of Roscommon ; and Mr. Laler, of Killarney), amongst the list of sheriffs for the 32 Irish counties. This circumstance is not by any means to be ascribed to political or religious causes ; but merely to the fact, that the number of persons professing that creed, and holding station or possessing property qualifying them for the office, is so few in compa r i son w ith t h a t o f the Protestant gentry.—Dubliii Evening Mail. A soldier of the garrison of Valenciennes, a few days ago, swallowed a tive.franc piece. At first he was very uncom fortable, but appeared soon afterwards to be quite at ease, and now walks about gailey with the money in his stomach. On this occasion, a local paper states, that a medical man of Valenciennes relates that about 40 years ago, an old invalid died in the hospital at Lille. As soon as the breath was de parted, some of his relations came and begged his body might be opened, as when he was engaged in the Hanoverian w ar he had swallowed a c rown-piece, thepiece crown-piece , th e n w -p o i r e t c h e six as found,francs which might still be reco vered. The o p eratio n was per formed in' their presence, and lodged at the entrance of the intestines, and given to the m. They went sway rejoicing with the only inheritance that ?ell * to them. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. TRADE WITH CHINA. The following has been received at Lloyd's:— " Board of Trade, Feb. 17, 1840 . . " Mr. Le Marchant presents his compliments to the chair man at Lloyd's, and by the president of this board, trans mits to him the enclosed copy of a letter from the president to the chairman of the East India and China Association on the subject of the importation of tea from the coast of China. " Board of Trade, Feb. 17, 1840. " Sir,—Having understood from representations which have been made to me, that much anxiety is felt by mer chants and others connected with the tea trade, with respect to the admission of tea brought to this country in British bottoms from the coast of China, and having been in com munication with the Lords of the Treasury on this subject, 1 beg to i n f orm you t h at tea, water- b orne at Canton, and received on board the importing ship at the most convenient place on the ccait, for the purpose of taking in her cargo, is held to be imported from Canton, aud, therefore, admissible for consumption in this country. I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) " ' H. LABOUCHERE. " To the Chairman of the East India and China Association.' " SWEDEN. Letters from Stockholm of the 31st January state that the ministry had in a body offered to resign, the opposition in the Diet being so decidedly against them. HANOVER. The Gazette of Hanover of the 12th contains a proclama tion from King Ernest, convoking the Chambers for the 19th of March, stating that he recognises only the constitution of 1819, and calling on the corporations and colleges who have hitherto abstained from voting, to proceed, without loss cf time, to the election of representatives. TURKEY. The Semaphore, of Marseilles, quotes the following ad vices from Constantinople, of the 27th ult.:— " The great topic of the day is the quadruple treaty between Russia, England, Austria, and Prussia, for securing the en tirety of the Ottoman empire, of the conclusion of which the Porte has received official notice. The despatches brought by the Odessa steam packet to M. de Boutenieff must have been of great importance, since the garrison of the town was employed to break the ice in the port to make a passage out for the vessel. Another Rnssian packet has arrived from London, with letters for the Russian and English ambassa dors, who are living upon terms of the closest intimacy. Not a day passes at either of the embassies of Russia, England, Austria, and Prussia, without toasts being drunk to the suc cess of the quadruple alliance. They are in perpetual con ference-And interthange of courtesies.. Lord Ponsonby is perfectly at ease about the Russian expedition into the Khanat of Chiva s being fully convinced of the good faith of the Emperor Nicholas. At the same time the return of Kiamil Pacha from Egypt has put the European diploma tists into commotion, as th e y ha v e b e e n f urn ish e d with a copy of a letter from MeheMet Ali to Khoshrew Pacha, in which he states his firm resolution not to come to any compromise under the most respectful and submissive language. The French Ambassador has not yet received any satisfactory answer to his demand of a Hatti-Scheriff, striking with the Sultan's rebrobation the holy war raised in Africa without his sanction. GREECE. The following from Athens, of the 27th ult., is quoted by the Mediterraneo of Malta : " The culpability of the late minister, Glarakis, in the af fair of the conspiracy, is too glaring to allow of any of his friends saying a word in his favour ; and although money and influence is used to conceal the part taken by Russia in the conspiracy, enough has been brought to light to show the King his real position, and to open his eyes to the treason of his pretended friends. A week ago, Sir Edmund Lyons had an audience of King Otho, in which it is said his Majesty expressed his desire to see the relations between Greece and England restored to their former friendly footing, aria stated, as an earnest of his good will, that he had rescinded the de cree for transporting without trial the relatives and friends of brigands and deserters, sending, at the same time, ships of war to convey those transported back to their houses. This decree was the production of Glarakis and done at the insti gation of the Russian minister to afford an easy mode of re moving any person who might be obnoxious to the Philor thodox Society. The King also stated his intention of im mediately assembling the provincial councils, which the late Home Minister, under the dictation of Russia, refused to do, as these councils contain the germ of a representative Go vernment, which Russia wishes Greece never to possess. These two acts, and King Otho's request that Sir Edmund Lyons would give him the support and encouragement of England to carry into effect the system his Majesty has re solved to adept, lead us to hope that ere long we shall see a change for the better in this hitherto ill-governed country. But the only change which can benefit Greece is the granting a constitution and free institutions, for this alone will gua rantee it from Russian influence." COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, DUBLIN. MALONE V. O'CONNOR. In this important Irish property case, involving an annual rent-roll of £14,000, and which has already occupied the at tention of the court for a protracted sitting of nine days, the arguments of counsel on both sides were brought to a close on Thursday. The learned Judge presiding, Justice Cramp ton, was to have charged the jury the following day ; and from the great length of the pleadings, and the number of witnesses examined—upwards of sixty—it was thought that the address of his lordship would occupy the entire day. The rumour in Dublin was that nine of the jury were in fa vour of the defendant, while the remaining three were so strongly affected by the case for the plaintiff that it was con jectured they would by no means agree with the opinion of the majority, the result of which division would he their re maining in until they should be discharged by the learned Judge. In the event of this, the course will be either to order a new trial, or to have the case tried on appeal before the HouSe of Lords. The subject has already been before the Peers, and the present trial is an issue sent down by their lordships, on revising a former decision of the Irish Chan cellor. The case is one of great interest and importance, and bets to aiarge ampunt are pending the result. THE QUEEN'S LEVEE, &C.-WEDNESDAY. (From the Court Newsman.) The Queen held her first levee this season yesterday after noon, at St. James's Palace. Her Majesty and Prince Albert arrived from Buckingham Palace, attended by their suite, and escorted by a party of life guards. In her Majesty's suite were the Mistress of the Robes ; the Duchess of Bedford, Lady in Waiting ; the Marquis of Headfort, K.P., Lord in Waiting; General the Hon. Sir William Lumley, Groom in Waiting, Lord Alfred Paget, Equerry in Waiting ; Mr. Cowell and Master We myss, Pages of Honour in Waiting. His Royal Highness Prince Albert was attended at the levee by the following officers of his household :—Viscount Bovingdon, General Sir George Anson, G.C.8., Colonel Wylde (Equerry to his royal highness), and Mr. Seymour. Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Sussex and Cam bridge, and Prince George of Cambridge, were present. Their Serene Highnesses the Reigning Duke and Prince Ernest of Saxe Coburg Gotha also attended the levee. In their serene highnesses' suite were Baron de Lowenfels, Baron Ernest de Poelnitz, and Baron Alvensleben. Count Mandelelon, the Wertemberg Minister, had an audience with her Majesty in the Royal Court before the levee, to deliver a letter from his Sovereign. His excellency was introduced by Viscount Pahnerston, G.C.8., her Ma jesty's principal secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Sir Robert Chester, Master of the Ceremonies. After giving audience to his excellency, the Queen passed into the throne-room, and took her usual station, Prince Albert standing by her side, the Lord Chamberlain and the Lord in Waiting being in attendance near her Majesty. The Entree company were then first introduced. PENANCE IN ST. PETER'S CHURCH.—Between eleven and twelve o'clock on Wednesday morning, Church-street was crowded with a mass of persons who had either been to see, or were anxious to see, a woman belonging to that class of persons proverbially famous for their power of tongue— viz. a fishwoman—who, clothed in white, had been doing penance in St. Peter's Church for having applied to a quon dam female friend, in the same calling, an epithet of the most unseemly kind. This penance was performed for the pur pose of warding off a threatened persecution on the part of the calumniated dame, who, with a small troop of most re spectable-looking friends went to church to witness the cere mony, in a half-broken small cart, the horse being ornamented with a few white rags or shreds of ribbon, and a youth in-- side, carrying a shabby pro lenzpore flag, consisting of a piece of white calico or linen attached to a stick. The ceremony was, to the regret of many, performed privately, in the vestry of the church. When the repentant fish-wifeleft the church, she, to escape from the gaze and pressure of a curious and laughing crowd, got into a hackney coach, and was driven away. MODEL OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.—\I'c learn that a magnificent model of the battle of Waterloo, executed by Capt. Siborn, will shortly arrive in Liverpool for public ex hibition. It has already been shown in the metropolis, where it elicited unqualified praise. The scale is nine feet to a mile, the figures are about 190,000 in number, and, to gether with the innumerable other objects comprehended in the plan, trees, houses, horses, wagons, and artillery, are said to be finished and arranged with the most wonderful ac curacy. It has been the work of many years, and is under stood to have cost the ingenious artist not much less than five thousand pounds. BIRKENHEAD CATTLE AND CHEESE FAlRS.—These fairs, which were instituted during the last year, answered the ex pectations of the projectors so well, were so great a conveni ence to dealers, and produced so much benefit to the town and neighbourhood. that preparations to renew them with additional eclat have been in active progress from that time to the present. The first, for the year ensuing, takes place we find on Tuesday, the 28th of April, the second on Friday, the 3d of July, and third on Thursday, the Bth of October, in each instance, occurring two days before the period fixed for the great fairs at Chester. The proximity of Birkenhead to Liverpool, and the short distance from Birkenhead to Chester, to which the unsold might easily be driven and con veyed, will doubtless occasion a plentiful supply of stock and produce, and a mumerous attendance of dealers. STEAM-SHIP BRITANNIA.—This truly splendid ship, the first of the North American Steam Navig a ti on Company's ,1 Royal Mail steamers, was brought up the Clyde on Thurs day night to receive her machinery, which is to be supplied by Mr. Robert Napier, Vulcan Foundry, under whose su perintendence the hull of the vessel was constructed. Since her arrival at the Broomielaw the Britannia has had many admirers, and we doubt not will have many more before she leaves the Clyde. The opinions of those who have seen her in s. in our harbour, and who know well what a g ood ship should have, bear us out in the description which we gave of h our notice of her launch from t he buildin g - yard of meesrs Messrs. Duncan and Co.. Greenock, eight days ago..—.Gi aBpow . Courier. PROTESTANT MEETING.—On the evening of Tuesday, a large and respectable meeting of the members and friends of the Liverpool Operative Protestant Association was held in. the School-room belonging to St. Jude's Church, in Oakes street, Daulby-strect , London-road. The Rev. W. Falloon took the chair, and, after soliciting the di v i ne bl ess i ng , h e addressed the meeting in a very able speech of considerable length. He contended that it was the duty of every true P ro t es t a nt to resist and expo se the principle of Popery ; and h e further showed in what th e errors of that church con sisted. The my. gentlem an was much applauded throughout his speech, which seemed .to make peat impression upon the meeting. In conclusion, he called upon the meeting to peti tion the House of Commons against the enormity of grantin annually a portion M ....of the public money in support of the Popish Colle ge of aynooth.--Mr. Watham followed with a powerful address, after which he mov e d th e a doption of a petition prayin g the discontinuance of further grants of public money toward s the support of Maynooth.—Mr. Radcliffe se. conded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. D. Scott next addressed the meeting, and narrated the his tory of the grant to Maymoth, showing how the Papists had diverted it from the objects contemplated by Mr. Pitt. He moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carri e d by acclamation. Mr. Radcliffe then proposed cheers for the three watchwords of Protestantism, Sciii4ural Education, Church Extension, and Repeal of the Popish Emancipation Bill. The doxology was afterwards sun g, MtlYnooth petition and the meet i ng • separated, great numbers signing the an and the petition icr church cxtQuSitM. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN GLASGOW. We regret to announce that the old spinning-mill in Cheapside-street, Anderston, belonging to Messrs. Bonlds worth and Sons, was on Sunday morning totally' destroyed by fire. About nine o'clock or thereby, smoke was seen to issue from the north end of the fifth flat by some persons on the street, who gave the alarm, by which Mr. Hetherington, the manager, and other persons connected with the work, were brought to the spot. Almost immediately after the smoke was first observed, the flames began to pour out of the windows, and spread with a celerity truly astonishing ; in a quarter of an hour the whole roof was enveloped in fire, and soon after fell in with a dreadful crash—scarcely half an hour having elapsed from the time when the first symptoms of fire were discovered. The work of destruction now proceeded with a rapidity almost inconceivable—flat after flat becan e a prey to the flames, and, with their machinery, lay in a short time a heap of ruins on the ground floor of the building. The old nature of the work, which contained a great deal of wood, and the combustible materials with which, in common with similar works, it was filled, naturally tended to this rapidity of destruction, and defied all efforts used to save even a vestige of it from the flames. The sight was for some time truly awtul, and had the occur rence taken place during the night, it must have presented a spectacle of rare grandeur. The flames occasionally rose to a height that seemed to rival the altitude of our • tal lest spires ; and as the floors successively gave way, vast clouds of smoke and dust shot into the air, veiling, by their density, alike the building and the immense volume of flame that was consuming its interior : again the flames obtained the mastery, and, strengthenetl.4v,the accurnula tion of new fuel, blazed broader and brig - than before. While the fire was at its height in the main i ilding, sparks, and even large bodies of burning material, W. re carried by the wind, in showers, to the works situated on the east side of the street, also belonging to the Messrs. Houldsworth. Fortunately the large spinning factory, there situated, is fire proof, and escaped uninjured ; but two cotton stores, one story high, which were covered with tarpaulin, soon caught fire, and were completely destroyed, together with an im mense quantity of cotton, wool, and merino yarn, which they contained. From the proximity of these stores to the gas works, great fears were entertained lest an explosion should take place, attended with an extension of the fire, the conse quences of which, the place being surrounded with build rigs, it was impossible to calculate. By the exertions of the fire. men ' however, this dreaded calamity w a s averte d. I n deed, but for the well-directed efforts of the fire establishment, both of Glasgow and Anderston, the results must have been infinitely more serious than they are. The Anderston en gines, two in number, were promptly on the spot; and, though an effort was made to save the main building, this was soon found to be hopeless. Behind the work, however, stands what is called " the Barracks," a range of dwelling houses occupied by the workers, and containing, we believe, from 300 to 400 families. This building was placed in very great jeopardy, and so alarmed were the inhabitants that they began to remove their furniture with every despatch. The loss by this fire must be very great. The property was, we understand, insured to the amount of £14.000. Upwards of 200 hands have been thrown idle. This mill was one of the oldest about Glasgow, having been built N years ago:— Glasgow Covrier. Prince George of Cambridge left Brighton on. Tuesday, for the purpose of attending the levee on Wednesday. Col. Stowell, the commanding officer of the 12th lancers, also left Brighton, for the same purpose. In consequence of his royal highness's departure, the grand fan c y d ress b a ll, a t which the prince was to have been present, is postponed from this evening till next Tuesday. TILE BUONAPARTE FAMlLY.—Several members of Na poleon's family are at present hi London. On Wednesday Prince Louis Napoleon entertained at dinner, in Carlton-gar dens, his two uncles Joseph Buonaparte, ex-King of Spain, and Jerome, ex-King of 'Westphalia, and his cousin Prince Lucien Murat, son of Murat, ex-King of Naples. The other guests were several distinguished officers of the Frenctrarrny under Napoleon. SIGNS OF THE TIMES.—A REFRESIIER.—Dan's hint anent the " 500m00 fighting men," has not been thrown away on the lieges. Despite the failure of some chartist emissaries, who a short time since threw out a feeler in the good city of Limerick—a taste for Frost-work appears to be decidedly prevalent in that quarter. Neither Tommy Moore, nor Washington Irving, could succeed in rendering Robert Emmett's (of Thomas-street prowess) memory sufficiently interesting, though one set his wretched story to music, and the other chronicled him losing " All for love ;" both " sleep in the shade," compared to the illustrious, cheap, and portable specimen of the ill-fated young enthusiast's speech, which has been lately printed, and generally circu lated in the town of Limerick. There is an attempt at " method in this madness," too, here and there, throughout the rhodomontade in question. Alterations are made to suit the times and tone of people's minds • while a wood cut re presenting a judge " in very formidable ermine," with the prisoner in front, and guards around, make a forcible appeal to the compassion of the penny-gulled purchaser. But there are few Emmetts now-a-days. However, when Paddy takes to eschewing the native, and reading treasonable speeches, no good to the " Sassenach" is brewing.—Morning Herald. The Count de Hardenberg, Grand Master of the Palace to King Ernest, died at Hanover, on the Ist instant, at a very advanced age. The Hon. Captain Howard, a son of Lord Carlisle, is to be the candidate for Morpeth, in the place of Lord Leveson, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. Mr. G. Anson (and not Sir G. Anson) is to be the trea surer of Prince Albert's household. Sir G. Anson is to be Groom of the Chambers.—Ministerial paper. Sir Thomas Phillips, late Mayor of Newport, has left that town to reside in London, and intends practising as a barris ter. He has already attended three terms.—Bristol Mirror. The Marquis of Hertford has ordered above a thousand blankets, with great coats, cloaks, &c., to he distributed amongst the poor on his lordship's extensive estate.— Belfast Paper. Her Majesty will give a series of twelve state balls, at Buckingham Palace ; the first during the present season will take place the week after Easter, which falls this year on the 20th of April.—Morning Herald. DEATH OF THE COUNTESS OF HAREWOOD.—We regret to announce this event, which took place at Elarc,Arod House, Yorkshire, or. Saturday last. Tne deceased lady . a the eldest daughter of the late Sir John Saunders Sr r.zlit, Bart., and was married to the Earl of Harewood on ihe 3d of September, 1794. We understand that Prince Albert is to be appointed Colonel in Chief of the Household Brigade of Cavalry. an a rumour is also current in military circles that his Roy al Highness is not unlikely to succeed to the colonelcy of one of the first cavalry regiments that may happen to become vs cant—United Service Gazette. VAN AMBURGH.—We regret to learn from a Paris letter that this intrepid man, after recovering from a long and severe illness from a wound in his leg caused by a tiger, has, been again bitten in the arm by a lion, and will be unable for some time to perform at Rouen, where he was to have ex hibited his beasts. Van Amburgh's courage in hitting the lion on the nose to make it loose hold is much spoken of.— Times. ELOPEMENT OF A BRIDEGROOM.-Mr. Fox, chemist, of Neots, was to have been married on Wednesday week to a young lady 6f Eaton Socon. A bridal feast was accordingly prepared at Eaton, and a couple of chaises sent to fetch the bridegroom and his friends; but upon their arriving at his residence he was no where to be found, and has not since been heard of. It is rumoured with some confidence, observes the Wor cester Herald, that the conservatives of West Worcester shire, relying upon their augmented strength by the transfer of the Witley domain and estates to Lord Ward, have re solved upon an attempt to dispossess Captain Winnington of his seat at the next election ; the scion of a noble house re siding in the division is spoken of as the candidate. As actions against the " hon. house," the doors of which Sir J. C. Hobhouse, now a " Cabinet" Minister, once wish ed " to lock up and throw the key into the Thames," appear to be all the fashion, the public will not be much surprised to learn that Mr. Seager, the very respectable distiller, who boasts of having Mr. Sheriff Evans the second member of his firm, threatens, in his turn, to bring an action against the House of Commons for damages in compensation of the ser vicas he is daily losing by the incarceration of his partner!— Morning Herald. COUNTY CONSTABULARY.—We understand that the pro visions of the new constabulary act will very shortly he put in force in this county. Captain Woodford, the chief con stable, and the two assistant chief constables, Captains Willis and Macdonald, visited Blackburn yesterday week, for the purpose of snaking preparatory arrangements. Blackburn will be head-quarters, so to speak, for the northern division of the county, and Capt. Macdonald will be stationed there, as well as a superintendent constable, who is not yet appoint ed. That neighbourhood will also be the Arg , t pr_tion of the county in which the new f orce w i l l be intriidneed ; indeed, we believe Captain Macdonald will take up his quarters- at Blackburn in the course of a week or two, and probably at the same time the men intended for the district will - corm mence their duties.—Preston Chronicle. h Some of our more sanguine conservative contemporaries 4 are indulging in the hope, that the advent of the new field marshal to the palace will modify materially, if it does not terminate, the career of the chamber-plot ministry. We have no such expectation. Lord Melbourne has taken care to bind Prince Albert to his interests hand and foot. His tenure, therefore, at the palace, so far as either the Queen or her husband are concerned, has been rendered even more secure than it was before. As he lives, like Puff in the " Critic," from hand to mouth, by " accidents," another event may possibly just take place in time; to give him a fresh lease of office. We place no reliance on tile rumours of his retirement'. THis quarters are too Cosy to admit:of his dreaming of resigning them, excepting on compulsion.— United Service Gazette. , aerstyateeady issued f or the Queen and P r i nce Her Majesty the Queen Dowager will give a grand dinner nn Albert,th e 9th an d of nn Mach, er 0 a t s o h c e a r rdr aj are already occasion. BEDCHAMBER LAD its.—These form one of the most en rosubjects, and are impressed w i t h the most striking gcharacteristicsssign of any of the heroes or heroines.of the day ; we li ve in that wondrous age, in which aristocratic petti coats can change the politics, and alter the-destinies, of an emp i re . A ministry declares its combined and deliberate conviction, that it has lost the confidence of the 'nation, the power of government, the knowledge what, or hew, to do, save to draw their quarterly salaries. A whole country sympathises deeply, not with them, but with their senti ments on this subject • they tender their resignation ; their successors are sent for; all, it is understood, is fully and finally adjusted. But out the whole cabinet comes,-and an nounces its belief that no other politicians than themselves can save the shattered constitution, or hold the helm of ad ministration, in a sea of trouble. They have evidently causht some new energy, and received new light and direction. The interesting inquiry is, from what source ? from what general council have they obtained a new patent? from what foun tain of infallibility new and great gifts? Have they been at the Oracle of Delphi? Have they heard the directions of the Pythoness, or sat upon the sacred tripod, more illustrious seat than cutty-stool? By no means. These popular poli ticians basked a few hours in the sunshine of their ladies' eyes • regathered and renewed their soiled plumage amid the genial warmth of kindly petticoats ; and, thus rehatched and feathered, stood once more before the nation, like giants re freshed, able to rule the realm, and continue her Majesty's cabinet; and all on the strong, indubitable, and most im pressive plea, that they have certificates and testimonials from a camarilla of bedchamber ladies. These are not all the characteristics of such damsels. Their powers are positively gigantic. They can do unparalleled things. Bedchamber ladies are not only, in nionieLti of dignity, able to exalt poli ticians and reconstruct cabinets, but also to depress inno cence, break young hearts, and crush, with blasting insinua tions, the chastity of female character. They must have rare talents, and yet rarer moral discrimination, who can patronise a roue, a sensualist, a profligate political premier, and prostrate, amid odium and gross insinuations,. an inno cent, pure-minded, and noble female—all at th e same moment. What a sad spectacle must England the wise and the good at the present moment.'_ Melbournee raised to the premiership, and Flora Hastings. crushed to the grave : the former, prime minister the ,present to a re r i ) n a s ae of martyr; the first accounted capable of h u o r lding safety to the empire, and acting for majesty with honour nation ; the second deemed capable licentiousness, of . ict , too latter, the noble blown into honours, and dignities, d t IS, fromfirst to last, gross to enter into any but d eg raded an n:nnd o s u t er th ; e viscount unfeeling, p ' and e '-lady subjected to the most all humiliating, dis tressing,bythe of bedchamber breath, m edical and exp a therel And bidding , liambcr ladiea o . Frafer'i MagaTine, I • l~