The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-07 00:00:00

gommertfal Saltt. THIS DAY THIS DAY, the 7th instant, at One o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 13, Exchange-buildings, 11 Cases Brown } Havana SUGAR, 4 Do. Yellow 18 Do. White Do. DITTO, all faults. ex San Mannel.—Apply to T. & H. LITTLEDALE & CO., Brokers. On account of whom it may concern. THIS DKr, the 7th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 17. Exchange-buildings, 9 Bales Damaged Upland COTTON, and A Quantity Wet PICKINGS, ex Ellen Hood. from Savannah.— Apply to DUCKWORTH & RATHBONE, Brokers. On acconnt of whom it may concern t THIS DAY, the 7th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, Royal Bank Buildings, 13 Bales American COTTON, all faults, 24 Do. Surat DITTO, do., A Quantity Wet Surat PICKINGS. Apply to MOLYNEIJX, TAYLOR & CO., Brokers. NEXT WEEK FRIDAY. On FIMAY next, the 14th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 13. Exchange-buildings, 1500 Bales JUTE. T mark, 175 Do. &Inn HEMP, 25 De. Aloa FTBRE, lately landed.—Apply to Messrs. Thomas and John Brockle bank, Merchants, or to T. & H. LITTLEDALE & CO., Brokers Tint ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES is TWO GUINEAS m ANNUM. EARLY DELIVERY OF THE "NORTHERN TIMES."—Any subscriber within four miles of the Liverpool Exchange, or at Rock-ferry, Tranmere, Birkenhead, Woodside, Oxton, Claugh ton, Seacombe, Egremont, or New Brighton, who does not receive his copy of the "NORTHERN TIMES," by Eight o'clock will oblige the publisher by addressing a note to him at the office notifying the fact, in order that the cause of complaint may be investigated and removed. As our messengers commence their delivery at five o'clock on each morning, it would greatly facilitate its completion if subscribers would have letter-boxes in their doors through which the papers might be dropped, as the detention as some houses is very great at present, and causes delay and disappointment to other subscribers. EVENING EDITION An .Evening Edition of the NORTHRRN DAILY TIMER is now Published every Afternoon, at Three o'clock, containing the Markets, together with all the News of the .Day, up to the hour of going to Press. WILL POSITIVELY CLOSE ON THE 15TH. FIRST EXHIBITION of the FRENCH SCHOOL of the FINE ARTS in Liverpool, including MAD'LLE ROSA BONHEITR'S GREAT PICTURE OF "THE HORSE FAIR," Is NOW OPEN at the Liverpool Academy Rooms. Old Post-office place, Church-street, Admission "ts Catalogues. &I. Gentle men's Season Tickets, ss. Ladies' Ditto. 3s 6d.—Open from Ten till Vise o'clock. The Exhibi.ion is now onen in the Evening, from Seven to Nine o'clock. Admission, 6d. B. FRODSHAM, Secretary. ilottrn Cmttg FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1856 THE majority obtained by the Government on the division on the Church rates Abolition Bill, is probably one of the most signal triumphs we shall have to record in the present Session on any ques tion embodying a popular principle, or possessing a germ of long deferred justice. The objects of the present bill are precisely similar to those sought in its prototype of last session. It will do away with the right of the Established Church to enforce the payment of church rates by the subject, and the power of a vestry to render their payment obligatory on Churchmen. This is pre cisely the change a great majority of parishes seek• as Sir WILLIAM CLAY clearly proved. The hon. baronet brought forward returns, showing, that out of 238 rural parishes, 109 were opposed, and 129 did not object, to a rate. But there were only 99 cases out of the 129 where a rate had been levied, and out of this there were only 47 instances in which it had really been paid. This proves, very conclusively, that without taking into account the large number of parishes in Corporate and other towns, a very large majority are passively opposed to the church incubus. For this encouraging change we are fortunately not indebted to any very protracted or angry discussion. The decision of the House of Lords in the Braintree ease, in which it was laid down that a church rate was only valid when passed by a majority of rate payers, removed all doubt as to the power of Vestries, and opened that door of which the public have availed themselves to such a remark able extent. The highest legal tribunal in the land, the decisions of which are binding on both branches of the Legislature, having recorded their judge ment in favour of those who object to compulsory rating, what becomes of the Parliamentary opposition to a bill, which proposes simply to extend the benefits of the decision of the law Lords to dissentient Churchmen of all sects of Dissenters? Such an opposition is as unlonsti tutional as it is unprincipled. Such proceedings smack rather too strongly of Machiavilianism for the present age. And the Legislature should really weigh a little the social and sacred importance of subjects on which they record their votes. If the country was called on to support a pauper estate, a poor institution,,or a bankrupt class, the generous forbearance, and unbounded liberality of the British public would be found as ready as ever to contribute towards its relief. But where we have to deal with a Church whose revenues are estimated at from six to nine millions a year, a paltry income of 700,0001. per annum, derived from church rates, assumes a character very much akin to the " fri " volous and vexatious." If Lord JOHN MANNERS' statistics are to be relied upon, it is quite evident that Churchmen constitute six-sevenths of the opponents to those imposts, for the noble Lord tells us that, of the 700,0001. they yield annually, 600,0001. is contributed by them. If, therefore, there is a majority of Vestries, which, in populous towns, are composed principally of Dissenters, the noble Lord must see very distinctly that the opposition which he complains of is based on principle. The Dissenters care not one groat about the amount of money exacted from them ; but they claim, as a civil and religious right, to be released from the payment of a tax. for the support of a wealthy Church to which. they do not belong. They look upon it as a s p ecies of grasping avarici ousness which ill becomes any class of Christian religion ists, seeking to draw around them the love and affec tion of the multitude. They set up no right to compulsory taxation, and ask for no arbitrary power whereby to compel men to support the thousands of little and great temples of worship, with which they have studded this and the whole of the Bri tish Isles. They have a religious contempt for money clauses in an Act of Parliament, where the preaching of the Gospel is the sole object they seek to promote. They look for the success of their mission in the amount of work and labour they perform, and not to a dusty and ill defiued statute law for a certain number of loaves and fishes. To this they oppose the voluntary system ; and while Dissenting Churches are left to struggle with the winds and waves unaided, and seek no legislative succour in moments of bitter trial, they simply ask that, as they do unto others they may be done by. But here we are treating of a cause which is almost without a constituency. The most that the defenders of Church rates can boast of is 47 rural parishes which really pay rates, 178 members of the House of Commons, a great majority of whom must necessarily have voted for their retention in direct opposition to the feelings of their consti tuents. The whole 178 members who voted were surely not returned by 47 parishes. The next general electionmay, however, correct this anoma loos state ofthings, should the present attempt to obtain relief be foiled by parliamentary tacticians. Sir GEORGE GREY stated broadly that the bill was introduced to put a stop to further agitation on the subject, and that it was now proposed only to do away with compulsory rating in parishes where rates had been refused for a sufficient time to show that the ratepayers were determined in their opposition to them, the Government reserv ing to itself the privilege of proposing amendments in committee, to the effect, that those who were exempted from the payment of rates should not have any voice in the levying or application of such imposts. This will exclude all Dissenters from Vestries when any question connected with the Church has to be considered. This Lord JOHN RUSSELL urged, " would tend to the separation of " the Established Church from the mass of the " people, and after such a step the Church could " not maintain its dignity, property, and position." There is much truth in these predictions ; but we question if Dissenters will be as anxious to interfere in Vestries when Church rates are abolished, as they are at present. They do not seek to be chosen Church-wardens and Vestry men for the sake of being catechised. They only seek the honours and responsibilities of such offices that they may protect their pockets. And once they find that they can button them up and walk away in safety, it would be difficult to show any grounds to justify a belief that they would take any part whatever in the management of Church affairs. They do not envy the Church of England its dignity, and as for its property, that is wholly beyond their reach. They will never touch the six or nine millions a year which it enjoys. They will leave time and conscience to deal with such matters, while they endeavour to supply to the masses that accommodation which is now taken up in our National Churches by pews for the rich, which are by no means as well filled by their tenants, as the Dissenters would wish to see them. We need not, however, offer any further remarks on this head, until the question of Church property, and its equitable re-adjustment, is brought substantatively before the Legislature. The present measure is simply an act of justice, which has been long withheld, and, if it is meant to be one of relief, it is hoped that it will be made as universal in its operation as possible, and that we shall not have the entire discussion re-cpened in the session of 1857, in order to obviate the difficulties arising from the short-comings in the bill of 1856. OF all the questions which are to confound our " collective wisdom," the rights of women appear to be the most likely. All that men can say, in rhyme or song, the excesses of devotion, or extra vagance of adoration lavished upon the fairest portion of creation, are not enough to satisfy them that they engross every thought, and direct every action, of their bewildered lieges and humble ser vants ! They forget that we think them angelic, beautiful, soft, kind ; and leave them fully one half of this delightful planet to themselves, to turn it inside out, and make it go faster, up or down, roundabout, or any way they please, than that which man reserves to his pitiable self. In vain do Benedicts prostrate themselves at the shrine of their domestic divinities, and join in the chorus— " The lords of creation, men we call, They think they rule the whole, They are much mistaken after all, For they're under a woman's control: This has ever been the way : Did not Adam, the very first man, The very first woman obey?" Here is an admission which, coupled with the passiveness of the bachelor, and the incessant solicitude of the " single young man" to be enslaved, ought to satisfy Venus herself, and malt() the dame of Ephesus dry up her tears, and be of good cheer. Still, as we have no wish to bring Babel about our ears, we will freely admit that there is, in the petition of the fair Amazons, which appeared in our columns on the 25th ult., much that is grievously falBo, much that is intolerably cruel and unjust ! Why should a woman, who by her talents and industry earns a respectable income, be brought to beggary by her drunken and dissipated lord ? Why are the proceeds of her unremitting toil, attention to business, and economy, to be swept away to pay debts which she or her children had no part in contracting, and which can only be discharged by taking the bed from under her? Again, why should the poor woman be denied that privilege which is conferred upon the rich, of releasing herself from a union which promises nothing but misery and disgrace ? In the abstract all this is wrong. But then there are two sides to the matrimonial tableau, and here we come, we are proud to say, among the brighter where we can revel a little i n rays of hope, agreeable realities,—where the mal-vivant holds an isolated position in the world's multitude. Those against whom women would enforce their rights, fortunately for society, are comparatively few ; and it would be rather unfair to ask the laiger number of those whose wives will have sovereign sway ; who will do such naughty things as run in' debt, and commit all those offences with which husbands are charged, to submit to the wrongs of which the ladies complain. It is rather hard to expect that that passive mortal, man, will submit to all the eccentricities of a bacchanalian Empress, or a wantonly extravagant muyer casera. There is, in fact, a road to ruin for men as well as women, but then the latter exclaim, with Mr OTAFFERTY "It iS not so much for the length of the " road I care, as the width of it." Now, the ordinary path of life is neither too wide, nor too long, for the millions that have to travel it. But the portals of the law are too wide, and too far off for the thousands who abandon their self-respect, and bring poverty and desolation on their innocent offspring, and their unhappy partners. How to remedy these defects, is indeed a question which it would be well to solve and set at r w e i s l l t ; 1 e n a o d t t t o h a a n t y w t h e i a n p g peh l r ike e an revolution, v o that it i t ion,but neglecting it i sthem just possible we might remove a vast amount of suffer ing that exists in married life, in which morality does not hold the unimpeachable position it ought. Many industrious and highly exemplary women are wholly ruined by profligate husbands ; and a far greater number of really honourable, and struggling men, are brought to want by equally abandoned wives. For this state of things, the NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, PRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1860 Liverpool advocates of the rights of women have not, we fear, suggested to the Legislature a practi cal antidote. To interfere between DARBY and JOAN is as difficult as it is notoriously dangerous. Lord BROUGHAM, Sir R. PEEL, and all those who have tinkered with Hymen's chains, whether in the shape of Divorce Bills, or as mere Counsellors, have had ample cause to regret their intermeddling. We would, therefore, recommend the fair Peti tioners to reflect a little before they appear in Parliament and ask for laws which, we fear, they would be the first to " honour in the breach." To our mind there is but one remedy for the complain_ ants—keep single! Don't believe the men ; have nothing to say to them ; let them not profane the hem of your garments. Fly handsome whiskers, foreswear delicious moustaches, piercing eyes, and all else that is " adorable," and let the world know, that,— " Damsels so delicate and so fair, Will never touch an animal so like a bear !" This is our panacea for that chronic complaint that, we fear, is now about to assume the character of a furor. As for the luckless men who have fallen victims to Cupid's snares, we would merely con gratulate them on being as well as they are ; and entreat them, if they regard the peace of the many to leave the slips of the few as they found them Let old bachelors single young entangle themselves with the rights of women as soon as they please; but let those who are initiatea in the mysteries of " better or for worse" endeav- our to keep their ground, and speculate no more in a lottery in which so much has been nobly won and unfairly lost, THE COURT The Duke of Cambridge visited the Queen on Wednesday, at Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess tl'Aumale also paid a visit to her Majesty. Prince Albert rode on horseback with the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, attended by Captain the Hon. 13, de Ros and Mr. Gibbs. Prince Arthur and the Princesses Alice and Helena, took a drive in an open carriage and four. Prince Albert, attended by Viscount Torrington and Captain the Hon. D. de Ros, went in the evening to the Society of Arts, Adelphi. Her Majesty, accompanied by the Princess Royal and the Princess Alice, honoured the Haymarket Theatre with her presence in the evening. ILLNESS OF EARL GRANVILLE.—On Wednesday th e friends of Lord Granville were much alarmed on his being attacked by a severe illness, which at one time gave rise to the most serious apprehensions. We are happy to learn that all doubts of his speedy and entire recovery, are now removed. THE CRIMEAN DOG.—Sandy, the dog of the Sappers and Miners, who has obtained considerable notoriety for his adventures in the Crimea, was taken on Tuesday by his owner, Lieut. George R. Lempriere, R.E., to Buck ingham Palace, as lin. Majesty the Queen had previously sent down a letter for the dog to be brought up for her inspect;on. + SLIGO ELECTION, WEDNESDAY, 4 r m.—The nomination took place to-day. Somers and Wynne were proposed. The former made a clever speech, and was well received. The tories were working very hard, but unless some of the liberals should vote for Wynne, he has no chance. ---..___. Sir Thomas Redington has resigned his office of one of the Secretaries to the Board of Control. The office is now a permanent one, unaffected by ministerial changes, and is, therefore, incompatible with a seat in Parliament, which Sir Thomas seeks, having just addressed the electors of New Ross. THE SOHO MURDER.—Yesterday, at the Central Crimi nal Court, the trial of William Bousfield, charged with the wilful murder of his wife and three children on the 2nd ult., came on before Mr. Justice Wightman. The appalling facts of the case must be so fresh in the recollection of our readers that their repetition is superfluous. It is enough to soy that the jury, without hesitation,pronounced a verdict of guilty, and Mr. Justice Wightman immediately passed upon the prisoner the sentence of death, without any hope of mercy. The wretched man, who had remained seated during the trial, was removed from the bar by two of the turnkeys in a fainting state L')CAL Dues ON SIIIPPING:—We understand that Sir Frederick Thesiger is to move as an amendment to Mr. Lowe's motion for a select committee to inquire and report to the house, to what extent, and in what manner, the recommendations contained in the reports of the commissioner appointed by her Majesty to inquire into local charges on shipping, presented to both Houses• of Parliament by command of her Majesty, ought to be c - ir_ tied into effect, to leave out all the words after the word house," for the purpose of adding the words, " upon the several matters referred to the commissioners appointed by her Majesty to inquire into local charges upon ship ping in the ports of the United Kingdom, and Islands or Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man.'' --40-- ADDITIONAL CURATES' SOCIETY.--We have much plea sure in calling attention to the annuli meeting of this society, announced for Monday next, in the Blue Coat School, at half-past one o'clock. The society is conferring!. benef is upon 2,187,786 of the working classes, in our large towns, and hasi the opportunity of aiding a furth= popula tion of 1,243,994, if it only had the means. Ire — hope the society will be rewarded for the trouble and expense in curred in this effort, by having a large attendance: The facts collected by the organising secretary will, no doubt, be full of interest; and when two gentlemen like Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Hoare, are willing to put themselves to great personal inconvenience, for the purpose of pleading the cause of Home Missions, we hope their disinterested exertions will command the attention of the laity of Liver pool, who are always ready to assist in these good works. We hear that another noble subscription of £lOO a year has been given to the society, by a Liverpool gentleman, for the purpose of increasing the ef f iciency of the fond began by Mr. Naylor's subscription of .£2OO per annum. We perceive, from our advertising columns, that on Sunday morning next the Rev. Dr. M`Neile will advocate the cause of the institution, from the pulpit of St. Peter's Church. HOUSE, C HURCH STREET, A NIMATE D SCENE AT COMPTON —'Tis an old saying, and a true one, that " its an ill wind that blows nobody good ;" and, although we regret the failure in trade of any one, yet seeing such things are inevitable, there cannot be a doubt that the failure of Messrs. Crook & Co., of Glasgow, has brought within the reach of the ladies of Liverpool one of the most extensive and varied stocks of goods perhaps ever beheld in the northern capital of England. The stock was disposed of in bankruptcy at just £13,000, and Messrs. Jeffery, Morrish, & Co., of Church-street, became the purchasers, at thirty-six and a half per cent. under cost price; it may give some idea of the extent of the stock, when it is stated that in the depart ment of carpets, damasks, furniture chintz, &c., the amount was about £3,300; in silks, velvets, and crapes, nearly £4,400; ribbons, laces, &c., about £1,500; stuffs, prints, and haberdashe r y, near l y £ 1,300; napery, linens, blankets, and hosiery, over £1,400; and in shawls, furs, &e., £9OO. It having been announced for some days back that this extensive, splendid, and valuable collection of goods would be offered for sale yesterday, at Compton house, the ladies of Liverpool were on the qui vive, and very shortly after the establishment was opened hundreds of ladies flocked in to purchase what they required, and to see and to admire the splendour of the articles laid out. The scene soon became one of interest and anima tion—we might almost add furore —for on few occas'ons have we witnessed any thing more pleasurably exciting. The emporium was laid out with every kind of drapery goods that could delight the eye and please the fancy. Thousands of ladies proceeded with an earnest de ire to purchase as soon as possible. The bustle, the anxiety, and curiosity shown throughout the day, was certainly never equalled before in this town in the same line. Every department was thronged to repletion, and the assistants, numerous, active, and polite as they were, totally failed to supply the innu merable demands, fir silks, satins, and everything, in fact, that the vast stock presented. The ladies, however, had not al to themselves, for gentlemen crowded in also. There is a great advantage which the ladies have in the present instazice, all the goods in their peculiar line are appropriate for the present and the immediate coming season, and are of the finest fabric and most modern fashion. The scene should have been witnessed. One thing was really wonderful, and that was the continuous stream of ladies that kept entering the shop, during the whole day—it seemed as if the ladies of Liverpool had previously resolved to devote the day in attendance at Compton House MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. ---~--- LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY EVENING There has been no change in the tone of the Liverpool Cotton Market to-day. The demand continues brisk, and with an ample supply prices are well sustained. The sales to-day amount to 10,000 bales, and include 2,000 for speculation and export. The Share Market has been very inactive throughout the day, closing a shade below the opening prices. The following are the closing quotations :—Aberdeen, 134- 131. Chester and Bir kenhead, 14i 14 , 1 Caledonian, 28 15-16 29. Chester and Holyhead, 12,1 13. Eastern Counties, 9,3 91. East Lancashire, 18 181. Great Northern, 23 23k. Ditto A Shares, 91 10. Great Western, 61 614. Lancashire and- Yorkshire Stock, 83-1 831. Liver pool, Crosby, and Southport. 15 151. London and North Western Stock, 991 100. Manchester, Sheffiold. and Lincoln, 244 254. Ditto Preference, 1.11 11i. Ditto New 6 per cent. Pref., ,3p. Mid land Stock, 69k 70. North British, 7 11-16 7 13-16. North Staffordshire, 6 6;31. South Eastern, 20 7-16 20k. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 19k 191. York and North Midland, 26 261 Leeds Capital Stock, 153 151. Dutch Rhenish, 1 -ap. Ditto New Shares, 21 2,1 p. Great Western of Canada, 251 251. Do New Shares, 3 3,1 p. Great Luxembourg, 81 811. In the Manchester Goods Market there has been a steady demand to-clay, and a fair amount of business has been done at full prices for both goods and yarns. The prospectus of the Tut issued; the-object is t Constantinople and other cities of the Ottoman empire. A firman or co - cession has been applied for, the company aspiring at the attainment of an exclusive privilege for supplying with gas all places within the Turkish dominions. The project is stated to enjoy influential support in Constanti nople. As regards the supply of coals, the pro moters contend that no difficulty will be experienced, even apart from the produce which is shortly to be left this coon' luction of rs hav for Constantinople with full powers to conclude the necessary arrangements. The capital is fixed at 100,0001, subject to future increase. The shares are to he of 11 each, to be fully paid up on allotment. Advantage is to he taken of the new Limited Liability Acts. In the event of the project not being carried out, it is promised that the- deduction on account of preli minary expenses shall not. exceed is 6(1 per share. We are informed that the Eueadorian Commis sion of A geney received yesterday a further remit tance 00,1851 lOs 6d on account of the Eucadorian dividends. Accounts from Belgium give the following state ment of the position of the National Bank on the 29th of February ;—Specie, 55,089,535, being an increase of 4 millions compared with the close of January; notes in circulation, 98,176,320, being a decrease of 3,300,000 f compared with the corres ponding period in 1855; portfolio, 76 762,360 f, being a decrease of 4 millions at same date, and accounts current, 34.386,8001, or two millions less than last year. This result is considered very satisfactory, especially as the amount of specie on hand represents more than half of the notes in circulation. At the lath half-yearly meeting of the Railway Passengers Assurance Company yesterday, the directors' report stated : _ - The amount: received and due for premiums of assurance during the past half-year is 4,211/. 9s. 7d., being 3,961/. 6s. 7d. on account of railway accidents, and 2501. 3s. on account of general accidents, which, added to the receipts of the previous six months, makes the total income for the year just closed 8,782 t. Os. 51. From the statement of accounts circulated amongst the proprietors, it will be seen that the amount received the 31st Dec. last is 3,4901. 6s. 2d., forming with the balance from last half-year, the sum of 6,319/. 14s. 4d. to the credit of the revenue account. The expenditure includes the ordinary working charges, government duty, and the sum of 1,5581. 10s. paid as com pensation, leaving a balance of 1,683 1 . 55., which, with the amount due from clearing house and agents, forms the sum of 2,4041. 8 , , sd. ; out of which the directors recom mend the payment of interest upon the paid-up capital at 4 per cent. per annum, free of income tax, reserving the surplus to meet the usual charges, for government duty and commission, and the risks upon existing policies. The extension of the company's business to insurances against general accidents is stated to have led to a considerable improvement in the receipts. Since its first formation the company has already paid 18,873/. as compensation on railway accidents alone. The concession founded on the firman of the Sultan for the construction of a canal from Ezer• naboda to liustendge is made to a company for Mr. Wilson, of London, Mr. Forbes 99 year Campbell, and Count 111 - orny, represent French and Engish interests, as tlfree of the five founders of ihe company—the others are Count Breda, of Austria ; and Rifaat The Funds were heavy today. Prices showed a drooping tendency throughout the day, and closed per cent lower than yesterday. The final quota tions were 9l 91,3. The general tightness of the Money Market exercises a depressing influence. In the Stock Exchange to-day the demand was more activ anticipation of tomorrow ment in the scrip of the New Loan 3 were to 6 per rities. In the Discount Market also the pressure for accommodation was considerable. The approaching settlement of the monthly account in Consols likewise checks prices, speculation for a rise having hitherto preponderated. The continued depression of the Paris Bourse formed another adverse feature, the news of the recovery at Paris this afternoon failing to reach our market until after business hours. On the other hand, the investments of the public continue steady, and give a fair basis to the market. The French Funds to day, during the earlier hours of business, ex perienced a fresh fall of about per cent., but the 3 per cents had recovered at the close to 72f. 40c. money, and 73f. 10c for account. Some further parcels of gold were sent into the Bank, in addition to the 100,0001. purchased by that insti tution , yesterday. The tightness of the money market assists the retention here of a portion of the late arrivals, exporters finding it difficult to raise at once the large sum required for the purchase of the mass of gold brought in by th e James Baines. The specie ex the Parana is ex_ pected to be delivered on Monday next. The Rail way Share Market to-day was flatter, being preju diced by the heaviness of consols. The closing prices were thus quoted :—Caledonian, 574 581. Eastern Counties, 91 0. East Lancashire, 71 72. Great Northern, 911 92, D o. A., 78 I ) Great Western, 691170. Lancashire and Yorkshire, 84 831 Lon don and North Western, 991 99.1' Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 25 251 Midland Stock, 691 70. North British, 301 U. South Eastern and Dover, 66 661 York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 76 77. York and North Midland, 52 521. LAUNCH OF MORTAR BOATS.—Yesterday, Mr. Laird launched from his building yard, at the Dingle, two very strong and splendid mortar boats, built after the plan of Mr. Laird, of which the Admiralty approved. The boats are not at present named. They are 130 tons each, and said to be the most substantial vessels of the sort ever launched from a Liverpool yard. THE WEATHEn.—Since Friday last, we have had a con tinuance of fine dry spring weather, and agricultural opera tions are progressing with great rapidity in the rural districts. Up to yesterday, the atmosphere had been warm and mild, but yesterday there was a nipping air, which could not be mistaken—it was a fine March day. On the whole, the seascn, so far, has been highly favourable. THE LATE CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—The land and house property, household furniture, and effects of Robert Wilson, who is at present in jail on a charge of having embezzled large sums of money from his employers, the Messrs. Brocklebank, were put up for sale by auction yester day and Wednesday. The property is situate in the locality of Oxton, Cheshire. It was stated that the sale took place under a trust deed. LEGAL FELONT.—A very audacious felony was committed yesterday in one of the poltca courts, under the very nose of justice, and although it caused both annoyance and inconve nience, yet the fact created a considerable amount of mer riment when it became known. A legal gentleman, of great ability, and whose business about the courts is extensive, was engaged in some case, at the conclusion of which he was amazed to find, when he wanted t o g o awa y , that his hat had, by the aid of some third party's legs, walked off ! The " tile" was, of course, a "bran new one ;" but the thief had not only the hardihood to commit the offence, but he was heartless enough not to leave even a " shocking bad hat" in place of the " real London patent." The gentle man was obliged to send to hi' head dresser's establishment for another " castor," and it is to be ho7.ed he will take more care of it than he did of tl e lost property. He vowed vengence (if he could catch him) agai st the thief. There is one thing in which the rogue will be disappointed—the hat is sure not to fit him ! LATEST INTELLIGENCE . ♦ THE CONFERENCES PARIS, THURSDAT EVENING The fifth sitting of the plenipotentiaries in conference took place to-day, but the proceedings are enveloped in complete secresy. -- RUSSIAN SHIPS OF WAR IN THE BALTIC A despatch from Hamburg bearing date the sth instant, mentions that two Russian ships of war, accompanied by three gun-boats had sailed out of Sweahorg after the breaking up of the ice, and had appeared in the Baltic. --,,4b,,-- THE FRENCH FUNDS, PARIS, THURSDAY EVENING On the Bourse to-day the transactions in the Funds closed at the following gnotations:—Four and a half per Cents., 97f. 25c ; Three per Cents., 73f. 10c. THE CRIMEA CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES The ilioniteur of yesterday says that Marshal Pelissier has informed the Minister of War that the resolution passed by the Plenipotentiaries on the 25th of February last, relative to the armistice, in the Crimea on tit On the 29th Fet the Tralctir-brid Staff of a delegated by f 11Tarrth the Chiefs of the Commander-in chief of ti Russian army, it was decided that there should be a complete suspension cf The Konigsberger Zeitung, published in Berlin on Wednesday, corroborates the above intellivence in the following terms :—" On the 29th of February resolutions of the PENINSULA.II, MAILS (FROM OIIR OWN CORRFSPOWDENT SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 6. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam ship Sultan has arrived with the Peninsular mails. Her dates are—Gibraltar, Feb 27 ; Cadiz, Feb. 29 ; Lisbon, March 1; and Oporto, March 2. The Sultan' brings fourteen passengers, £3OOO in specie, and a full cargo. INDIA AND CHINA MAILS (FROM OUR OWN CORIVSPONpENT.) SOU lIIAMPTON, M ARCH 6 The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Ava, Captain Field, arrived hero at eleven o'clock this morning, with th e heavy portion of the India and China mails. Her dates are :—.:klexandria, Feb. • Feb 20; and Gibraltar, March 1. The Ava brings 81 passengers, and a cargo corn prising one package of specie, value not stated; 1,026 sacks beans; 168 bags gum ; 11 packages elephants' tusks; 32 bales flax; 5 zembrils rice; 3 bags coffee ; 486 packages raw silk ; 9 boxes tortoise shell ; 67 boxes oranges; 1 bag spice ; and 261 packages general merchandise. The weather at Gibraltar, previous to the arrival there of the Ava, had been very bad, and on her homeward passage she experienced variable weather. On the 29th ult., off Cape de Gat, she passed' the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Alma, bound for Alalta. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE 4„Q, Malta, GIBRALTAR, Feb. 24.—Arrived--The steamship Arno, days•from Marseilles, with madderroots, for Liverpool, (cleared). 29'.h.—The steamship Africa, 10 days from Alexandria, and 5 from Malta, with a general cargo, for Liverpool, (cleared). In consequence of the very boisterous state of the weather in the Bay of Gilyaitar on the 28th, a number of vessels which arrived in the harbour have not been reported. Among them is the Taurus, steamship, from the eastward, bound to Liverpool. The Great Tasmania which has been for some time weather-bound at Qibraltar, took advantage of the east wind and sailed for the westward on Saturday afternoon, bound to Portsmouth. _ Ha Mi./sErtyls SKIPS AT M AI,TA. —The Royal Albert, ifannibal, four two-deckers, and a number of war steamers. AT GIBRALTA It, —H.M.S. Ariel. FRANCE (FROM OUR . OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS,'NVIMNESDAY EVENING The principal subject of discussion to-day amongst the Parisians, has been the declaration of Lord Palmerston in parliament, as to the signing of the document which the Belgian papers so impu dently and so audaciously represented as contain ing regular preliminaries of peace, and even as equivalent to a formal treaty Parisians now see clearly, what t r. luctant to believe, that the famous documen does not advance peace reply new ac, ditions 3 by .1 is of the Austrian con The secresy observed with regard to what takes place in the Couferetices,is so profound that it would be idle to give you details of what is said on the subject well informed official people frankly confess that they know nothing, and even those who were kind enough to give me the details for warded in previous letters, now declare that they have learned nothing new. The truth is, that the discussions on the first three sittings of the Conferences showed the difficulties that exist, and that the discussions which have since taken place thereanent, have not yet been brought to a conclu sion, so that in reality there is nothing new to tell. The Russians and their partisans continue to manifest the greatest . possible confidence in the conclusion of pease. According to them, Russia will consent to any sacrifice for the sake of peace, not because she is beaten, but because she is determined to break up the Anglo-French alliance, and afterwards to conclude an alliance between Russia, Franco,. and . Austria, against England. The good gentlemen, however, really go a little too fast. They continue also to flatter the French, and particularly the Em peror in the most extravagant way, and to sneer at England with the greatest malignity. Only yes terday, I understand, Count Orloff administered to the Emperor a splendid dose of flattery in these words •` Sire, we are a set of mere twaddlers in the Conferences, and for my part I beg of your Majesty to come amongst us, and to settle the things .in your own way !" Moralists tells us that no man is altogether indifferent to flattery ; judge then of the effect which Russian flatterers must excite on a vain flattery-loving people like the French. The budget of 1857 was presented yesterday to the Legislative Body. It estimates the ordinary and extraordinary expenses at 1,695,000,000 f, and the receipts at 1,710,000,000 f. The Empress, I am informed, has this day taken possession of. her apartments, and will not quit them until after her accouchentent. The ceremonial to be observed on the birth of the Imperial baby has been drawn up; it fills, I am. told, a volume and has been printed for the use of the Court function aries. If the baby be a boy, the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour is to go to the Palace to present him with the 'Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. The military medal is also to be conferred on him ! From thiS, judge of the rest. The Moniteur publishes a long report to the Emperor from the Minister of War on granting the annual prize of 800 f. instituted to encourage the cultivation of cotton in Algeria. The report alleges that that cultivation is steadily spreading, and that it is very satisfactory. The extent of land now devoted to the production of cotton is 1,200 hectares; the hectare is 2 4 1 English acres. It is, in the province of Oran that the culti vation is chiefly made. If all that is said about Algeria be true, Algerian cotton will, before long, find its way in large quantities to the European markets. The problem, hoivever; is to produce it as cheap as by slave labour. _ _ . News from w Constantinople to the 25th ult., via Trieste, has arrived to day. The Sardinian lega tion had notified to the Porte, and to the English and French Ambassadors, that the government Approved of the' protest made by, Baron Tecco, its minister, against his exclusion from the confer ence's on the Principalities. General Vivian was preparing a reconnoissance towards 4rabat, where a good many Russian troops were collected. DOCK COMMITTEI -.0--- ^YESTERDAY, The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held at one o'clock, yesterday, in the dock offices, Mr. V• Turner in the chair. .a. "XV %.,•••••. • Other members present—Messrs. Palmer,. Evans, F: Shand, Brocklebank, Gregson, Barber, Smith, Robertson Gladstone, Mondell, Anderson, Lockett, J. 1101 me, Rathbone, and Robinson. A letter was read fr o m M r . J ose ph Gilbert, civi l engineer, of Stafford, intimating that he is aware of plan by which the docks and river could be greatly improved, and offering to divithre his secret for a con" sidcration. He also stated that his views in the matter had been "enlightened, renewed, and -revi! paragraph which he saw in one of the Liverp( however s:ranie t a few years since; and tha might be to others, it was to him no new idea had many deliberations and cogitations with now no more, on the subject." The letter vague, if not mysterious, and it was difficult t the writer's'object in the multitude of words in he sagaciously contrived to wrap it. Mr. Barber: 1s he offering his services as a neer ? (Laughter.) The Chairman: I think he has some scheme imagines will benefit the port, and he Offers, to div if he is assured of compensation. The letter was referred to the committee. A letter was read from Messrs. Howson, Pril and Co., shipwrights, suggesting that in the applil for berths in the graving dock the different con . might be allowed to enter as at present, subst their own name for that of the ship. The Chairman observed that such a privilege have the effect of giving to large shipowners an uni letter )00 tons often d papers cargo in two c Ted ou ion of ghts, and it w they maintained, to remove the goods so disc the quays, ,within forty-eight hours. In _ the hardship of this regulation, they mentioned tha they had been summoned to the police ollice,a tea' (1;11° lowed, and s I from discharged tiorn mers as the consiznees would be entitled to in the case of a sailing veEsef. The Chairman said that it might be a fair subject of consideration how the time could he extended, hut he not see how they could make any distinction betwt:e" sailing vessels and steamers. Mr. Lockett observed that they had already great difficulty in keeping the berths clear, and that if a rule such as that suggested in the letter were adopted, tb ° ,. difficulty would be increased. In this instance, the flu" was with the master-porter, who should have given the consignees timely notice of the discharging of the vesse l ' Mr. Mondell remarked, that the bill of lading of a steamer was quite different from that of a sailing vessel. It came across the country to the merchant, and as he received it in time, he should be on the alert, and pre' pared for the removal of the goods. Mr. Rathbone suggested that a portion of the guar might be let for the deposit of goods awaiting removal- The Chairman replied that the present width of t il e, quays would not permit it, as, un f or t unate l y , t h e y vie r " made too narrow. po rters The letter was referred t o th e master- committee A letter was read from .Messrs. James Baines and CO,'' requesting an early berth in the gr av i ng d oc k for the i r vessel the James Baines, as she must sa il w ith the mail s for Australia on the 6th April. It was referred to the, harbour master's committee, with i ns t ruc ti ons to grea`, the accommodation if possible. The tender of Messrs. M'Corquodale and Co., ror printing and stationery w as accepte d , i t b e ing t he lowest of those sent in. The amount for the printing was £498, and less discount £473 ; and for stationery £986, less discount £937. This concluded the general business. HEALTH COM'MITTEE.-YESTERDAY The usual weekly meeting of this committee wa at half-past two o'clock, yesterday in the Council ( ber, Town-hall—Mr. Dover in the chair. Other me present : Me.srs. Beckwith, Robertson Glad M'Guffie, Hodson, Crosthwaite, Sheil, Johnson, Mt' Tinne, and Hay dock. HEALTH OF THE TOWN, The medical officer of health reported that hi t' ending on the Ist March, the deaths register( borough amounted to 220, being 23 fewer than in vious week, and about the same number below rage of the corresponding period of former years, parish of Liverpool the deaths were 149, apd in townships 71. The deaths from diseases of t class were few lan in any week of the prey months. They amounted to. 49, of which 19 hooping cough, 9 from scarlatina, 8 typhus, I. 1 small pox, 1 syphilis. From diseases of the deaths were registered, showing a decrease of ) pared with the previous week. The mean tei of the week was 44 7-10 degrees, being 54 degr than the week preceding, and 3 degrees above tl of the season. The borough engineer reported that he had the gas refuse deposits and found that the nuisa from them was not caused by spontaneous comb !"rom persons mischievously setting the mass lighthig shay incandescent, and he suzgested that the corn have it extinguished by having water pi obtain ten the town, but t portion of the The cost of the wor building survevo tor of r I various operations in tneir several uepartments during the , v-; from which it appeared that 102 nuisances complainya ihabitants had been inspected means t unhealthiest ( ld 474 cellars had 1 remedy them, 1291 houses in t containing 2063 apartment under examination, with the view of improving ti le , sanatory condition, and 202 lodging-h ouses h a d a lso Ix ed and reported on. examin( A memorial, numerously and respectably signed, C Ofli C i : plaining of the nuisance arisin g from St. John's yard was referred to the town clerk. This concluded the business. ATTEMPT AT MURDER IN BRAMLVA MOORE DOCK A terrible attempt at murder was made y e sterday nor'; ing, at one o'clock, on board the ship City of Mobile, in the Brarnley-Moore D oc k. Th e affair created a sell ; sation in the neighbourhood. The conk of the abt' v , ship is an Austrian, named Marquis Delfs, and it see m a he, without any apparent or alleged complaint, tc")",d rifle pistol, lo a d e d w ith ball, wen t up to a sa il or nttu l- dt John Scanlan, who belong s t o t h e same vess el, a", fired deliberately at him. He a i me d at t h e cen t r e of Ol af man's body, but, in consequence of the movement , 10 Scanlan, the ball entered his hip joint, shatteriag bone and entering the abdomen,where Ted. it alarm was at once raised, and the assassin was instant secured and taken to . the Cl arence D oc k stat i on , wh ere he was charged with th e o ff ence. Th e woun ded 10 4. 0 was forthwith conveyed to the Northern Hospital, "b us ,, every attention was paid to him by M r . W a ll, the 110'1 surgeon EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER, At the police court sittings, before Mr. Gr an t. the • vol+ Boner, who is a well-looking man, about T 6 years of av ed was brought up by Inspector Stewart. Mr. Bluck apPe ai i i is for the accused man. The inspeotor said; on going th e rounds about one o'clock that morning, he was "in th e Bramley-Moore dock. He hea r d a no i se on board He ship City of Mobile, and thenthe report of a pistol. a hastened in the direction, a n d h ear d voices on board , t 3 o " o t heard a person say, " C oo k , Cook, why did you the man?" He called an officer, and both went on I)° ,; e d when he found the p r i soner being held by a man niTi,,a Thomas Lang, belonging t o the ship. Witness as,,j Lang what the prisone r h a d d one ? and he ropl i e d 0 , shot a man with a pistol, at the same tim' giving hi ll ' weapon. (A rifled pistol produced.) He then t0. ,1 prisoner to the dock station, house, and order ( ' wounded. man to be put into a car by the constable , at once conveyed him to the Northern Hospital. viously, however, a g t the station, the wounded non I `. l -r.hc titled the prisoner as the man who shot hiro• inspector aided that he called at the hospital afterv,k:_,,, and the surgeon said the ball had ent ere d the wou ,l " man's hip, and was lodged in his abdomen. Mr. Muck : Do you know whether it was by ac' i/ or design that the man was shot ? Witness ' sir. do 01 Mr. Clough said it would appear that the prison the wounded man had been on shore together , a gone on board apparently very good friends. Mr. Bluck : That is so much the better for my it shows he had no,malice against him, no matter li unfortunate affair took place. I hope the poor in recover, and then we shall be able to get the troll him. AI present I know there must be a remand , therefore, think it better not to offer any remark: the whole matter comes to be fully investigated. . o n e of Thomas Lang, the man alluded to, was called, "L' n ot the officers said that he was so drunk that he v " Q „ber• fit to be examined. The man declared he was quite . 01 the He was sworn, but a second or two in the box pro con onstable's statement. He could hardly speak tw ° Th d rho WO s, and he was ordered to stand down. „Tile prisoner was then remanded for a wee man, it was said, lies in a serious state. 1,