Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-05 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE. IVe do not hold ourselves responsible ,for the opinions of our correspondents.] THE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS. TO TIIE EDITOR. OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. SlR,—i am convinced the people of Everton will give you credit, particularly the friends of the enrolled Volunteer Rifle Corps, for the faithful and accurate reports given of the meeting on this subject on Wednes day evening, and which appeared in your journal of Thursday morning last, at which were present the Wor shipful Mayor; T. B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P. ; J. J. Stitt and F. A. Clint, Esqrs. It is gratifying to perceive that, no matter what shades of political differences characterise the members of the Town Council of Liverpool, and which may cause divi sions on municipal matters, Messrs. Stitt and Clint have not forgotten the well-known saying-: In moderation, placed in all our glory, Some would call us Whig, and others Tory. Their speeches at the meeting in Everton show to any caLdid mind that they are men , of business—men of principle ; and RIM toe, who willnet "sacrifice principle at the shrine of expediency." When a despot or usurper tales it into his head, that he could fill the chair of the Macedonian monarch, who, - after kicking the world before him,_ thought there Wlt'S no more for him to do, only console himself with the bitter reflections, that he had done no good and a great deal of harm. and threatens to invade the country that gave him'hread to cat, and apparel to put on, I do not wonder at all why the . yonth of England, Scotland, aye, and Irdland, too, shoul4 arise in their strength, and tell this proud marauder that he had calculated without his 'host. 'At the meeting referred to, our worthy mayor, who has gained . laurels which are durable in themselves, for the active rat he has taken in this movement since its commencement, Mr. T. 13. Horsfall, M.P., and Messrs. J. J. Stitt, and 'F. A. Chet expressed themselves in speeches which must redound 'praise to their names, d.fying any invader to attempt to put his unhallowed fiot on our time-honoured-soil. The people of Liverpodl, as a whole, cannot but feel proud of such men ; and my desire is that the matter be followed up securely. Sir, if I don't forget - history, in 1798 when the undle of the present Emperor of France attempted to invade England by making Ireland his stalking-horse, he en deavoured to land his French troops at Killala Bay, in the north-west of Ireland. No sooner had the gallant Irish Volunteers learned this fact than they prepared for the invader and his army, and, with redoubtable valour, sent him and his French cruisers " back to where they cline 'from." These things appeared to happen, if history be not a fable, in "the days of my hot youth, when George the Third was King." I say, then, let us not fear the threatened invasion. Hare we not, I ask, as strong-and as powerful an army of (civilian) volunteers as the world .can produce*? Where 'are our wooden walls ? Ready; I say; at a _ . moment's warning to meet the fleets of the world; and, If attacked, would repeat the dying words of one of England's greatest naval commanders at Trafalgar : " England cosiessed that every man that day had done his duty." I glory, in my country. I admire her free institutions and her glorious Constitution ; but I can never broach the fact, that where the Word of God's Truth is widely spread and disseminated ; or where 'a Great Supreme is respected and adored by the Church tbraugh a Redeemer, that we would be left in the hands of an invader, the same as Philip of Spain wanted to have us when be trimmed out his formidable armada, which was shattered t) the winds by the breath of God's mouth. On this account, however, we are not to "rest on our oars." We should always be prepared for the worst. With good men to guide the State ship, I fear not the result. Victoria still, thank God, reigns Queen among the nations; and, carrying out the great behests of her grandfather, she bids defiance to the world. " The flag that braved a thousand years, the battle and the breeze,' ouAlt to triumph. Let the youths volunteer, which will redound to their glory and honour hereafter ; and should they not be called upon to fire a shot (as I think they never will), they will have the consolation of know ing that, as England ()Tows stronger and greater in the eyes of the civilised world, they have done their duty to their Queen and to their country.—l am, sir, your obe dient servant, A SPECTATOR. December Ist, 1859. ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH EMPEROR TO THV EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. SIR,—My attenticn has been called to an article in this day's Courier in which my name appears as one of four gentlemen who have addressed a letter to the Em peror of the French. I shall be very much obliged if you will permit me to give the statement a most unquali fied contradiction, as until I saw the article in question I was in total ignorance of the whole affair.—l am, &c., JAMES S. IRVING, Of the firm of Irving, Son, and Jones. Blackstock-street, Dec. 3, 1859. THE GREAT MEETING OF SHIPOWNERS. In reference to the important meeting of ship owners held in London n Tuesday last, the Durham Advertiser says the subject is one deeply inter esting to every town and district of maritime England, indeed to the whole realm, and may thus far, at least, be pronounced upon, that our universal maritime interests are enormously and fearfully depressed. As to the cause of such depression, the very petition to Parliament unan imously voted at the meeting acknowledges them to be things "on which much difference of opinion is known to exist in the public mind." There seems, however, to have been little differ ence of opinion in the London Tavern, where the chief resolutions—attributing every evil to one sidedness of free-trade, in the want of reciprOeity —were carried by a majority of the whole meet ing, excepting one, a solitary champion, who very barely escaped the vociferated sentence of "Turn him out.' The solitary champion was the hon. member for Sunderland—Mr. Lindsay. It must be confessed that Mr. Lindsay is an extremely unfortunate man, both as a senator and a shipowner. In both capacities " the stars in their courses fight against him." As a ship owner, if his own views are correct, he has all the shipping world dead against him ; and, if in correct, he is fighting furiously against his own interest. The grounds of difference between the belligerents were thus briefly defined by the chair man, Mr. W. Crawford, M.P. whose own in t2nded moti on f or a parliamentary enquiry, last s_'ssion, was superseded, it appears, by Mr. Lind say's. Mr. Crawford attributes the whole mari time depression to legal d isqualifications and re quirements ; and Mr. Lindsay to th e heavres • sure of fiscal burdens, passing tolls, Local charges, light-dues, &c., We leave the combatants to their respective weapons and tactics, only . observing that what was so fiercely battled for in discussing the reso lutions, was utterly abandoned in the final peti tion, the petitioners "abstaining from any expres &on of opinion as to causes, and simply praying for investigation." But the object, no doubt, was, and very naturally, to give the said claim full agitation out of Parliament before being mooted within it. And it must be confessed that if Mr. Lindsay charged stoutly upon the Reciprocity ranks, with his statistics as to French and Span ish exports, they were met with corresponding vigour. With the delicate question of the hon. member for Sunderland's foreign predilections, as indica ted by certain letters to his American friends, and the extracts from which produced " loud bursts of derisive cheers" from the meeting, we will not meddle. They are choice bits for his home acquaintances and Liberal constituents. The attempt to revive, on its old grounds, the old quarrel between Protectionist and yree-trader, m ay very safely be left) to the good sense of the country; and Just as safely, we trust, the great subject of shipling_interest depression may be left to OW ITisdom of Parliament. THE NEW FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. An interesting gathering of some of the principal merchants and literati of our town took place on Saturday evening, in the rooms of the Free Public Library and Museum, Duke-street. The gentlemen were convened by a circular, issued by the committee of the Free Public Library and Museum, which explained the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of consi dering the subject of the arrangement and fittings of the new museum, and the reports which have been presented. Tea and coffee, with the necessary sub stantials, wire provided in the large room of the library, and on the various tables were displayed, in tempting beauty, the rich and valuable pictorial, and antique 'tomes belonging to the institution. The refreshments having been cleared away, Mr. J. A. Picton, the energetic chairman of the committee, was calledupon to preside . ; and amongst the other gentlemen who took part in the proceedings we observed Messrs. W. Brown, Dawson, Brockholes, Dr. Speer, Hartnnp, Alfred King, Merton, 'George Holt, Estill, Towson, Dr. Macintyre, Professor T. C. Archer, Rev. A. Ramsay, Nicol, Cariss, A. Higginson, Weightman, Rev, Dr. Raffles, Dr. Col lingwood, J. Brierley, D. Buxton, J. T. Danson, F. Howard, Audsley, Rev. Dr. Hume, Huggins, S. Martin, Dr. Turnbull, Duckworth, Joseph Bonit, Rev. H. Higgins, S. B. Jackson, J. Weightman, Dr. Dickinson, Arderman Woodruff, Dr. Edwards, Dr. Nevins, Dr. Lankestcr, &c., &c. 'The CIIAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that the building erected by the munificence of the excellent gentleman who was present amongst them (Mr. Brown) was now approaching completion; and the committee of the Library and Museum having only one object in view— that of -rendering the institution the most useful in every one of its departments for the 'inhabitants of this great community that could possibly be made—had thought it right not to rely on their own judgment, being principally composed of men of business, and not much accustomed to scientific pursuits. They had thought it would answer the purpose better to get the opinions of those gentlemen in the community who were most conversant with science, art, and literature—to consult together as to those, points which _ required discussion—to consider in what manner the building could best be laid out for the great object for which it was intended. They had had very elaborate and excellent reports from the officers of the institution—Mr. Dalton on the subject of the library, and Mr. Moore, the curator, on the subject of the museum. They had also been favoured with reports from the Rev. Dr. Hume and the Rev. Mr. Higgins; and since the circular had been issued, requesting infor mation on the subject, several other reports had been sent in which would be read to the meeting. He might suggest that in reference to the library itself,t here need not be so much discussion. The b nilding was originally intended by Mr. Brown for the reception of the library. The connection of the museum with that was a subsequent thought, and it was erected by Mr. Brown with a dis tinct and definite understanding, that the museum was in no way to encroach upon, or interfere with the space that N;ould be required for the fall development of the library in all its departments. (Hear, hear.) At present the library contained about 26,000 volumes.. A certain space would be required for the aecomodation of the present treasure of the library, and for. the use of the public and students frequenting the rooms. But it must be quite obvious that increasing as we were at present, it would be unwise to commence with less provision of space than would be re quired for 100,000 volumes. That would take up nearly one-half of the building. The remaining portion, the west hall, the rooms above it, the west wing and the rooms above that, the basement below the west wing, and the open area which was left blank and not appropriated to any purpose—the whole of these were adapted and applicable to the purposes of the museum. He respectfully suggested that they should consider first what department of science, art, natural history, and so forth, were the most required by the wants of the community—(hear, hear)—and what proportion of space, the other things being equal, would it be desi rable to give to those respective departments. Then these would to a certain extent interfere with the actual existence of the collection they now possessed. The Derby Museum, they were all aware was settled under an Act of Parliament upon trustees, and it was entrusted to the Cqrperation for the benefit of the population of Li verpool ; but they were not at liberty to deal with it as if it was their own property. But he believed they would be at liberty if it should be thought desirable, to classify the Derby Museum along with other objects, or to keep the collection separate. The great hall had been laid out with a design that statuary, sculpture, and large objects of interest convected with archaeology, architecture and painting, might be there displayed to the best advantage. It would be a large appartment surrounded with an arcade; and they had already a number of excellent casts from some of the finest models of antique sculpture, which were deposited in St. George's-hall till the new building was ready to receive them. These would require accommodation in the first instance, and being disposed of, then the remainder of the building would be laid out in the way they thought best. (Hear. hear.) Additional reports were then read from Dr. Cuthbert- Collingwood, Mr. Duckworth, Mr. R. A. Made, Mr. Morton, Mr. Danson, and Dr. Inman. The CHAIRMAN said there was a difference of opinion as to whether the geological selection should be arranged geologically, or the fossils merged into general natural history specimens. There was also a difference of opinion as to the extent the natural history depart ment should assume. Mr. F. HOWARD suggested that much room might be economised if, instead of the large objects themselves, photographs of them were prepared, with a scale under neath the picture stating the diminution which had been made from the natural size. - • Mr. BROWN, who was received with warm applause, next addressed the meeting. He apprehended that they were there simply to hear the views of gentlemen on the various advantages that would accrue from the mode in which the museum might be appropriated, and the vari ous spEcimens allotted in the various cases, so as to con vey the greatest quantity of instruction to the masses that a collection of that kind was capable of. (Hear, hear.) He agreed with Dr. Inman that ninety-nine out of every one hundred persons, who entered a museum, merely walked through it to see a sight without it making any valuable impression on their minds ; and he, therefore, thought that the museum certainly should be secondary to the library in point of accommodation. (Hear, hear.) He objected to laying out large sums of money for the pur c h ase of collections, as he felt sure they would soon have as many specimens as they could accommodate. With respect to to the library, they must all be aware that, for one who d derived derivedi any k kn n ow i le d dge from visiting a museum, a from reading books; and their great object wasw knowledge convey to the masses the greatest possible sum of know ledge at the least expense, and with the greatest facility. (Hear, hear.) Professor ARCHER advocated the establishment o f a department in the museum of the products which commerce and art had to deal with. He also approved of an industrial museum, and he was quite satisfied till we had an industrial museum in Liverpool, we should not have attempted to supply the great museum necessity of the town. (Hear, hear.) Dr. LANKESTER, in a lengthy address, spoke in favour of dividing the museum into three branches—an edu cational museum; a museum of the natural products, whether mineral, vegetable, or animal, whie:n. art ap plied itself to ; and a general natural history museum. Dr. NEVINS thought the suggestion of, Dr. Inman that a catalogue of• articles in the mriseum should be provided a most admirable one ; arid one that would give an interest to the student that, could not be over estimated. If such a book were published, there would be so great a demand for it the the expense of printing it would be more than repaid, Mr.. J. T. .DANSON th'.iught the object which Mr. William Brown had in - view—the establishment of a great, free public lihrary-Lshould take precedence of everything else. (Hear, hear.) He sincerely hoped that the library would soon number 109,000 volumes.' But then where were they to pnt the books ? He held to the opinion that the library should be kept upon one floor, and that the loWar i floor. Mr. GEORGE HOLT was strongly impressed with the opinion that Mr. BrOwu's (I,sire was to establish a grand free public library for the people. "With regard to the scientific arrangement of the museum he, suggested that to carry out fully that part of the question would require a building as large as that which was intended to con tain both the library and museum ; whilst for the accommodation of art a St. George's-hall itself. would be required . ; and, although he had great esteem for science and art, he believed the great motive in Mr. Brown's mind in the erection of this great building was the providing for the people -a great free library, and to that intention he would give primary attention, at the same time, taking care that the Derby Museum was properly preserved and extended. He knew that the committee, presided over as it was by Mr. ricton, and in a position to receii - e the adVice of Mr. Brown, was able to deal with the whole question. (Hear, hear.) It could not be left in safer hands ; and, although it was very considerate in that committee to invite them there that evening, he thought they should, with perfect con fidence, return into the hands of that body of gentlemen the arrangement and disposition 0 the property under their charge. (Applause.) The Rev. Dr. Humn said if he could get an illustrated book, he preferred it ; but if not, he was glad of a book without illustrations; and if the library and museum could both be had, the one as the plate to the other, he would be glad ; but if not, then the library was very desirable, and to be considered first. In reference to the character of the museum, he thought that as our town museum was a general one, so it should be general in its charaeter—not exelu . sively following the tastes of one set ofpeople, but. endaavouring to meet the wishes and wants of all as far as possible. He was strongly in favour, of a geological collection separate from other collections, and expressed a hope that many individuals, who might cease to require or to care, for their own private collections would hand them over to the public. (Hear, hear.) Mr. S. B. JACXSON spoke in favour of a geological collection distinct from other portions of the museum. A gentleman, whose name we did not learn, suggested that there should be one column composedof the various stratical formations of the earth, for the benefit of the geological student. The Rev. Mr. HIGGINS said typical collections in natural history were instructive. He would ask could they be so in antiquities, or works of art, or economic products ? Dr. LANXnSTER replied that the space occupied by these latter collections was comparatively so small that they would not need to be selected. from. No other gentleman being disposed , to address the meeting, The CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the committee, ex pressed their thanki to the gentlemen present for their attendance, and the valuable suggestions that had been made. The committee were alive to the fact that they could not hope to please everybody, but they desired to say that theirs• was a singleness of purpose—to ad minister the affairs of the library and museum in the best way possible for the public interest. (Cheers.) Dr. Macintyre moved and Mr. George Holt seconded a vote of thanks to the • chairman, which was agreedlo with the utmost cordiality, and the meting broke up. BANKRUPTCY COURT. On Saturday last, Mr. Commissioner Perry gave judg ment in the case of John Green, bookkeeper, of Birken head, as follows :—This was the application of the bank rupt, made by his solicitor, Mr. Woodburn, for the allowance of his certificate, which was opposed by Mr. Bretherton on behalf of a creditor named Clark, against whom proceedings were instituted by the bankrupt, first in the county court, where a debt exceeding £5O had been claimed, but was reduced to £5O in order that it might be tried in that court ; and then the case was given up by the plaintiff, who paid the costs of abandon ment. Afterwards, on the 2nd of February in this year, the bankrupt brought an action in one of the superior courts for a larger sum, which was referred by consent to a Mr. Whittingham, at the suggestion of the counsel for the defendant Clark. Mr. Wlaittingham, after nire meetings employed in the investigation of the accounts between the parties, certified that there was nothing due to the bankrupt. The costs to which the defendant was put in consequence of these proceedings amounted to £7l Bs. Mr. Bardswell appeared for the assignees, and had no objection to offer to the allowance of the certificate. Mr. Bretherton urged in opposition to the bankrupt that the action was vexatiously brought, and in annoyance ; that the bankrupt had brought himself within the provisions of the seventh clause of the 256th section of the Bankrupt Law Consolidation Act, 1849.. But I cannot go along with Mr. Bretherton as to this part of the' case, for the action involved a question of accounts between the parties, was referred at the request of the defendant's counsel, and occupied a portion of nine days in investigation before the arbitrator, who, from the language in which the bankrupt has characterised his decision, has given a judgment opposed to the strong, though perhaps erroneous, impressions of the case enter tained by the latter. Besides this reason, the action complained of as vexatious was brought in the month of February in this year, more than six 'months before the filing of the petition of adjudication, and is, therefore, not within the provisions of the section before mentioned. Another point urged by Mr. Bretherton was that the bankruptcy had been deter mined upon solely for the purpose of defeating Mr. Clark'.s claim, and there is strong reason to entertain the opinion that such was the case, for the bankrupt has made statements in his examination which are, in my opinion, shown to be contrary to the fact by the testimony given by Mr. Galloway and Dr. Edgar, state ments which appear to me to call for the censure of this court, a bankrupt being at all events espe cially bound to tell the truth when he presents him self before this court on the question of his certi ficate. A third ground of objection was, that the bankrupt had given to his son-in-law, Mr. Faulds, a creditor who has proved his debt for £203, a fraudu lent preference by bill of sale. That ground is estab lished ; but Mr. Faulds has given up any interest he had under the bill of sale for the, benefit of the 'creditors. This does not relieve the bankruptfrom the consequences. of giving such a preference, though the court may be induced to visit the matter more leniently under the circumstances than it would have done had the estate been put to any expense in defeating the claim of Mr. Faulds under it. Under the circumstances of this case, I think that' the certificate should be suspended for five calendar months, but with protection, and that it should be of the second class. - SUDDEN DEATH OF A GENTLEMAN AT EUSTON • STATION.—A most lamentable instance of sudden death occurred at the London terminus of the North-Western Railway, on Thursday afternoon. Mr. John Corsbie, a medical gentleman residing at York, had, in conse quence of the delicate state of his health, come to town for the purpose of consultinc , an eminent L on d on physician. fie returned in a cab in company with his nephew to the station, with a view of returning to Y or k Fy ntting out of the cab h e c b o y the mp la i a n f e t e d r o n f o of feeling n rain. ill, and sat down i n th e nus O ual n waiting-room of the station. Shortly after, the nephew observing a peculiar change in his appearance, M r . Skelding, of Euston-square, the surgeon of the com pany, was sent for, but the unfortunate gentleman expired speedily after his arrival. Mr. Corsbie was about 60 years of age, and it is believed that the heart being diseased, the excitement of the journey and its object was the cause of his death, THE LOSS OF THE ROYAL CHART ER. OFFICIAL REPORT. The following is the report to the Lords Committee of Privy Council for Trade of Mr. Mansfield, the magi strate, of Liverpool, and Captain Harris, nautical asses sor, who held the recent inquiry at Liverpool into the loss of the Royal Charter : "MY Loins,—ln accordance with the instructions which I received from the Board of Trade I have, with the assistance of Captain Harris, nautical assessor, held an inquiry into_ the circumstances attending the loss of the auxiliary steam clipper_ ship Royal Charter. The ship was originally ordered to bebuilt by Messrs. Moore, of this town. The builder was Mr. cram, of Chester, and the keel was laid at Sandy Croft, on the River Dee. Before any considerable progress had been made in her construction the firm of Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., who are managers for and now represent the Australian Steam Navigation Company—the registered owners of the Royal Charter—took her off the hands of Messrs. Moore. At cr about this time Mr. Cram failed, and the further progress of the shipbuilding was con ducted by Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., on their own account. Some changes were made to fit the vessel for the purpose, which were ultimately attained —an addition was made to her length at' either end, and the original specification was departed from in other respects. It is not material to dwell upon this part of her history at• any great length, as, at time of her transfer to - Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., her keel only was laid, and a portion of the frame set up. Nearly all the material had been provided by Mr. Cram, and was on the premises ; this, after an examination by the builders employed by Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., was used in the construction of the vessel. A portion of this iron, recovered with great diffi culty and expense from the wreck, has been produced and tested by the Liverpool - Corporation machine. It is decidedly above the average strength of iron plating used for shipbuilding, and the average strength assigned by Mr. Fairbprn for good Staffordshire plate. When the ship was completed it was necessary to launch her diagonally, owing . to the shalloWness of the water at Sandy Croft. During this operation she stuck fast on her ways, and great efforts were necessary to get her afloat. It does not, however, appear that she received any injury at this time. In proceeding down the Dee she took the ground off Flint, and here her keel and the adjoining portions amidships received serious injury, so as to necessitate extensive repairs in the graving dock at Liverpool. There is some discrepancy in the evidence, but it is probable that on this occasion she was strengthened by the addition of two bilge keelsons, having been originally constructed with a keelson and two sister keelsons. Of her rigging it is sufficient to say that her masts and spars seem to have been amply sufficient, and, though very large, not out of pro portion to the size of the vessel. Her tackle seems to have been generally good, and her heavy sails were of No 1 and No. 2' canvas—the quality of • stormsails in ordinary ships. The ground tackle .seems likewise to have been free from objection. She carried two bower anchors and a sheet _anchor of requisite size, and all of Trotman's model. She was provided with 300, fathoms of chain cable of full two and an eighth inches in diameter, tested by the maker, Mr. Woods, of Chester, to seventy-two tons.. From the performance of this cable, immediately previous to the loss of the ship, it is reasonable to suppose that the material and work manship were good. Her engines, which -worked a two-fan screw, were of nominal 200 horse-power, and were able to propel the vessel in dead water, at the rate of about eight knots an hour. Upon proceeding upon her first voyage, she was heavily ballasted, as her builders apprehended she would crank, owing to her narrow beam. In the Bay of Biscay, however, she en countered very rough weather, and put back to Plymouth. Here she was examined by the emigration officers and surveyors, who recommended some trifling repairs to obviate her making water, as it was supposed, through her deck. These, however, had nothing to do with the seaworthiness of the ship. " In accordance, also, with their recommendation, she was lightened of 00 tons of ballast, the result of which was that her sailing properties improved, and she was enabled to stay and- wear with facility. lam assured by the witnesses who have subsequently made voyages in her, that she was far from being defective in this respect, regard being had to the greater time necessarily requi site to bring a long vessel round. Upon her returning from her first voyage, it was observed by the surveyor of the Liverpool Underwriters' Association, that sonic of the paint had cracked at the joining of the butts out side amidships, and that in those places there were streaks of rust. This, he stated, was invariably the case with long iron vessels on their return from a voyage. It does not, however, appear that wooden ships, after en countering heavy weather, are free from an analogous indication of a strain in their butts. Some suspicion, however, seems to have acted upon the minds of the owners, and with a view of giving her additional longi tudinal strengthening, a massive stringer, the greater part of the length of the ship, was introduced on either side between decks. "After this nothing . further of any importance as regards the strengthening of the ship, seems to have been done. _ "It may be proper, at this point, to state that, from the evidence, I have arrived at the conclusion that the Royal Charter was, at the least, fully equal in strength to the average of ships of her class built at the same date (1855). Whether this be sufficient is a question which in reality does not arise in the present inquiry. Even if it did, I should hesitate to generalise from an isolated instance, on very imperfect evidence, and where so much is left to conjecture. A much wider induction is necessarily applied to the subject by underwriters, in the ordinary course of their business ; and to those of the public who may be ignorant of the fact, it may be of interest to learn that, cccteris parilus, there is no differ ence in the premium paid for . insuring Wooden or iron vessels of the same class. " Upon her last voyage the - Royal' Charter, after an unusually quick passage .from Melbourne, arrived off Queenstown on the 24th of October.' She proceeded up Channel, and passed the Tuskar Light about four a.m. on the 25th. About half-past four or five p.m. she was abreast of Holyhead. Up to that time the weather had been fine, with a light breeze a-head. A c'aange then took place, and it - became hazy ova- the land. - The vessel proceeded in her course, rounding the Skerries at six or half-past six p.m. Point Lynas Light was in sight at a quarter to seven p.m., at a distance of six or seven miles on the starboard bow. At eight p.m. the wind was from the N.E. to E.N.E., veering and blowing very hard, and had been increasing in strength from the time the ship passed Holyhead. - - She was heading at this time about east by south. At a quarter to nine Captain Taylor gave orders to starboard the helm, to which the quartermaster at the wheel replied, The helm is a-star board already.' At a quarter to nine orders were given to take a cast of the lead. In a quarter of an hour they first succeeded in getting soundings with the hand lead in 1.8 fathoms. The screw propeller was at work, but the ship, notwithstanding, was drifting rapidly to Leeward, as denoted by the lead. Shortly after this soundings were again taken in fifteen fathoms, and about half-past ten, p.m., an attempt was made to stay the ship. This appears to have failed, for shortly afterwards the port anchor was let go, and one hundred fathoms of chain cable payed out. At 11.15, pin., the starboard anchor was let go, with seventy fathoms of chain. The two anchors brought the ship up. At 1.30, a.m., of the 26th the port chain parted outside the hawshole. Orders were then given to get up the stream anchor, which weighed only 15 cwt., and was stowed in the after orlop. The sheet anchor, of 50 cwt., was stowed in the fore hatchway. It took about an hour to get up the stream anchor, and when this was done, at about half-past two a.m., the starboard cable parted. About three or half past three a.m., the ship took ground ; her heel seems to have struck first, - and her head canted round to the westward, broadside on to the wind and sea. It appears that the screw stopped when the ship struck. The main mast was then cut away ; it fell abeam, and not in the direction of the screw. The foremast was also cut away, but did not fall till the ship was washed upon the rocks, about five a.m., or two hours after she first struck. "About half-past seven to eight a.m. the vessel parted amidships, and a melancholy loss of life ensued. Such is the narrative afforded by the few survivors of the loss of the Royal Charter. "In reviewing the evidence before me, it is my pain ful duty to notice the apparent want of preparation to encounter stormy weather shown by the Royal Charter in her course up Channel. - She came up Channel with her skysail masts on end, and yard across. It is true that the weather was fine in the morning, and there might have been no indications of the coming hurricane.; but it is certain that in such a dangerous sea, and at a time of year when storms may be expected, the stanchest merchant ship would be only prudent In making all snug litort, and the best equipped man•of--war would 'infallibly do so. "I have no evidence before me to show whether the barometer gave any indication of the approaching gale. There were two, if not three, of those instruments on board. If they had been noticed they would in all probability have suggested caution. At five p.m. there were two courses open. The Royal Charter was close to Holyhead, and might have run in there for refuge, or she might have put her head to the westward, and kept the Irish Channel open. At six p.m. the Skerries were rounded, and the wind increased to a gale. At nine p.m. the wind and sea had increased so much that, though under full steam, the ship refused to answer her helm. " It was then found that the ship was drifting bodily to lee Ward, and no course remained but to let go the anchors. To the anchors, it will have been observed, that the ship held for four hours, and it is to be lamented that the resolution was not immediately taken to cut away the masts. Had she been .so relieved, her only chance of safety—viz., holding on to her anchors— might possibly have been secured. It is evident that with the top hamper aloft, the steam power was inade quate to keep the ship under command. Had the masts been sacrificed at first, as they were ultimately, the steam power might have availed the ship more effectually. "It is very likely that the captain of the Royal Charter was deterred from this course by the appre hension that the falling rigging and spars might foul her screw, thus repeating the catastrophe undergone by the Prince in 1854, off Balaliln,va ; but it should be remembered that the Prince was supplied with a three bladed- fan, while- the Royal Charter had a two-bladed one only, which could be hoisted up in a short time and with little labour. ".I am well aware that in making these animadversions on the measures taken by the Royal Charter I may encounter some difference of opinion; but having the advantage of judging from the event, I cannot help concluding that a fair chance of safety was sacrificed by the course pursued. " I may here also advert to what appears a dangerous pacrtice, viz., to steam ahead to the.anchors in a gale of wind, and in a seaway: " A gale of wind, as is well known, is not uniform in strength, but there are moments of comparative lull. During these the steam power, not being readily con trolled, is apt to shoot the ship ahead. After this, when a violent gust occurs, the ship drops astern, bringing up with a sudden and a severe jerk on her cables—a kind of strain most likely to make them part. "It is not impossible that such may be the true ex planation of the parting of the cables of the Royal Charter. "All the evidence concurs in showin,, ,, that the force of the gale was terrific, and unexampled on that coast. Nothing conclusive can be 'arrived at towards solving the question whether a wooden ship would have held to gether lon g er, or so long as the Royal Charter. As far as I have had information on the Subject, I have no ground to impute blame to the life-boat people. " The coast-guard were early on the spot, though stationed ten miles off. The two pilot boats, according to the regulations of this port, were in their proper cruising ground off Point Lynas. One of them saw a blue light, probably from the Royal Charter, and kept a sharp look-out accordingly, but immediately after wards the darkness was so great, and the rain so thick, as to make it impossible to see from one end of the pilot boat to the other. The wind also became so high as to put out her lights repeatedly . ; and even had she neared the Royal Charter there was such a sea running as to make it impossible to put a pilot on board. " The offiCers and crew to the last were.indifferent to the preservation of their own lives, and solely intent on their duty. Taking into account the unexampled fury of the gale, which entirely neutralised the powerful action of the screw propeller, so that the ship was no longer under command—a circumstance which Captain Taylor could not have anticipated—and "considering also the apprehension-he may have entertained, while at anchor, that the masts would foul the screw if they were cut away, and possibly that the action of the screw to ease the cables could not be safely intermitted.—l do not think that this is a case in which I could report that the ship was lost by the default of the master. "J. S. MANSFIELD, " Stipendiary Magistrate, Liverpool. " Liverpool, Nov. 28, 1859." "I concur in the above report. " llv. HARRIS, Nautical Assessor." The following letter was addressed to the Board of Trade by the underwriters at Lloyd's : _ "Lloyds, London, Nov. 24. "To €'Dowd, Esq., conducting, on behalf of the Board of Trade, the inquiry into the loss and con struction of the Royal Charter, at Liverpool. "Sin,—We, as underwriters, are severe pecuniary losers by the Royal Charter; and it having been stated in the public prints that her chain_cables or anchors parted, and consequently, that their failure was the pri mary cause of the catastrophe ; and not having observed that an inquiry has been. directod.with a view to ascer tain their efficiency, we respectfully suggest for your con sideration that information is desirable-- "As to the diameter of link, length of each cable, and weight of oach ; the number of anchors and weight of each respectively, including stocks ; the means taken to ascertain their efficiency when purchased; the data of purchase ; the price and makers' names, and why a third cable was not let go when two had parted." (Signed by 22IUnderwriters.) LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.-SATURDAY. (Before J. S. MANsrfELD, Esq.) WANTED AN INTERPRETER.—John Bottice, a young man and "a native of the sunny South, well known on board the Tranmere boats, which he sometimes enlivens with the dulcet strains of an organ, was brought up charged with stealing a sovereign Trom'a young woman, on the previous evening. It appears - they had met in a public-house. After regaling herself with two glasses of beer, the nymph felt in her pocket for the money to pay for it, and discovered that a sovereign, which she had a few minutes before, was gone. She consequently gave the prisoner in charge on suspicion, as he was sitting next her.—The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say to the charge, gave his head a very mourn ful shake. Asked if he could speak English—he shook his head again, and threw into his face an expression of vacancy and surprise. Mr. Hunt, the interpreter, was called for, but he had just left court. The magistrate then intimated his intention to send the prisoner for trial, on which he suddenly broke out—" Let me off, sir, and I'll give it now."—lle was sent for trial. A BAILIF;'s GONDUCT.—itobert Cahill, a very dis reputable specimen of a class which don't stand very high in public opinion, was brought up on the charge of ob taining money on false pretences. Mr. Bluck appeared for the prisoner. The prosecutrix, Margaret Owens, boarding house-keeper, Queen-street, stated that she had fallen behind in payment of her rent, the prisoner was in consequence sent to distrain for the amount, viz, £8 Bs,- The bailiff, however, wishing to temper justice with mercy, told the poor woman if she could raise the sum of £2105., he would not proceed with the distress, but would use his influence with the landlord's agent to give her time to pay the balance. She accordingly borrowed the money from a friend and handed it over to-the pri soner, who ostensibly went off with it to the agent. Instead of doing so, however, he returned in a ort time, when Mrs. Owen was out, and seized every article of furniture, which was sold on Wednesday last, and the amount revived from Mrs. Owens had not been placed to- her credit. Mr. Black contended that the prisoner had not been allowed a,reasonable time to pay back the money, which he was prepared to do. Mr. Mansfield asked if the prisoner . was known here, and being told that he was convicted about three pars ago of felony, remarked that the profession of bailiff was one generally taken up by convicted felons. The pri soner was sent for trial. THE STRIKE : A PROPOSAL.—I would ask Mr. Potter (if he has any real desire to terminate the lock-out).to• put the matter beyond all doubt, byindueing the several societies to strike out all the rules about "blacks," &c. (which even Mr. Edwin James condemns), and to adopt two additional rules as follows :—" Ist. No member shall, by intimidation, insult, or obstruction, or by striking, or threatening to strike, or by spoiling the work, _tools, - or property of a non-member, attempt to force any . workman to join the society; nor shall any member incite others to acts of intimidation or annoy the society subscribed for sickness or other benevole nt the support of strikes." ance towards non-society men. 2d. That no funds of objects_ shall, directly or indirectly, be appropria te d to as to /cave it perfectly optional with a workman .. join or refrain from joining them; and, allowing labour to go unshackled, give a man the opport . ii . nity . of using his If the societies will do this, t so skill and industry to advance his position in the world, 1, for one, shall be quite ready to urge the Association of .Master 'Builders to abandon the putting of ,the "declaration." --A MASTER BUlLDER.—Builder. LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL, There will be a meeting of the Council, on Wednes day next, the 7th instant, at eleven o'clock in the fore noon, in the Council Chamber, within the Town-hall , as a monthly and special Council, to take into consider ation and determine upon the following subjects, viz. 1. The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Finance Committee, comprising-1. Recommendatio n to accept the tender of .Mr. John H. Mullen, being the lowest, for the erection of an engine-house and store room at the Borough Gaol ; recommendation that the fines on the renewal of lease of property in Wood street and Fleet-street, amounting to £1,068 19s. lcle be commuted, on the principle adopted by the Councar by the payment of £6B 19s. ld. in present money, and an annual rent of £43 15s , payable half-yearly during the currency of the lease ; recoramen" dation to direct the surveyor to take measures for illu minating the north dial of the Town-hall clock ; recom mendation to allow the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to take charge of and work the chain -testing machine for six months, from the Ist of January next the board guaranteeing the Corporation from loss, anu• keeping the machine, buildings, and premises in rep 2. The proceeding•s, resolutions, and reports of the Watch, Lighting, Fire-Police, Fire-Prevention, Hackney Carriage Licensing, and Gas Committees, comprising * report on the strength of the police force, and recom mendation to appoint twenty additional constables.- - 1: The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Holt' Committee, comprising bye-laws under the Local Govern ment Act, 11.858 ; report on common lodging-house* recommending appointment of three inspectqrs, at 3 0 * per week each, and one chief inspector, at 335. pe r week (in addition to one inspector already ern' ployed), to attend exclusively to those place* 4, 5. The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the . Courts of Law and St. George's-hall Committee, an d of the Markets Committee.-3. The proceedings, reso tions, and reports of the Education Committee, coin" wising—recommendation to increase the salaries o f the following teachers at the. South School, in consequenc e ' of the resignation of Mr. Owens, viz., Thomas Robin' son from' £5O to £65 ; William Ilignett from £4O to £5O ; James Forsyth from £3O to £4O per annum ; re solution statinc , that the half-yearly examination at the Nortjs School' will take place on Monday, the 19th, instant, and at the South School, on Tuesday' the 20th instant, at ten o'clock on those day s ; 7. The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Geo. and House of Correction Committee, comprising a r e : commendation to accept the tenders of the f o llowing parties for articles required at the gaol during the ensn" ing year :—Messrs. Etches and Wilson, and igr * Catherine Close for b u t c h ers ' mea t ; Mr. Juull Philips for white and brown bread ; Mr. Bryan Renshaw for oatmeal; Mr. Charles Whitfield na r " vey for milk ; Mr. Thomas Milner for grey cloth; e 8. The pr6ceedings, resoluti ons , an d reports of the Town-hall Establishment Committee.-9. The proceed ings, resolutions,, and reports of the Gardens, Library' and Museum Committee, comprising a recommendatio n to carry out plans for draining and remodelling Falkner square, at a cost not exceeding £80; recommendatio n to expend £3O in trees and plants for planting In avertree Park.-10, 11, 12. The proceedings, resole" tions, and reports of the Water Committee, the Baths Committee, and the Improvement Committee 13. The coroner's account, amounting to £7O 2s. 6 d• —l4. The Mayor's communications, comprising a letter from the President of the Liverpool Law Society, en closing correspondence between the society and th e Secretary of State for the Home Department, relative to the qualifications of John Crosthwaite, Esq., and Wfu; Dixon, Esq., magistrates for this borough ; a memorial from'the Liverpool-Early Closing Association, r equesting that, as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, th e following day may be kept as a general holiday in borough ; an application from the committee of the Berl Mersey Yacht Club for the use of the Town-hall rooms, for a ball in aid of the National Life-boat Institution ; application from the West Lancashire Institution f or ' the Education of Children of Distressed Free/nu/ 1 1 for the use of the Town-hall rooms for a ball iu aid „ t ° the funds of that charity.-15. The following, motions of of which notices have been given :—by Mr. J. Be fery ,• to move the appointment of a committee t°,. „ d called the "The Audit Committee," to superinte',. the audit, by the Corporate Auditor, of the accoun ts of every department under the Corporation, such ; committee to consist of six members ; by Mr. Wu Ham Earle, to move that Mr. Clarke Aspinall be al' pointed a member of the Improve-nent Committee. the, CHARITY SERMON AT THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE. The destitute condition to which great numbers °f the Jews of Morocco have been reduced, being oblige' to seek for safety under British protection at Gibraltar, in consequence of the war now existing between Spain 0 4 Morocco, has enlisted the warmest sympathies of their co-religionists in this country, and a movement 10 consequently become general for the purpose of raising funds to afford them some relief from their s uffering`' The sermon which was preached here last nig ht in the Synagogue, Hope-place, by the Rev. D• Isaacs, was in connection with this movement t or Despite the inclemency of the weather, the synag 4 , 4 , se0 : 0 was well filled, not only with members of the Je ws ' persuasion, but a considerable number of gentle me e . belongi r n e. g v tcs gen v tl ar em io en preached religious a discourse denominations,us a also present. The et and impressive as it was comprehensive and enlarge d 0 1 f its views. His text was taken from the 20th chapte r . 0 Pioverbs, 20th an 1 21st 'verses. " There is trea ftoe to be desired in the corn and oil in the dwelling 0 , wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. He tha' a d loweth righteousness findeth life, righteousness % 14 honour." These, he said, were the sententious mas l ' e j of the wisest man who ever lived, and they had chip the Jewish heart through a long night of captivity. . s h was proud to say that his nation—and he did not 3 `.. 1 c .. to be understood as drawing invidious distal. tions—was the most charitable nation in the w° This fact was sufficiently attested by the vast 5n . , 5 , they have subscribed for charitable but they did not wish to figure in letters of g! ) _ 0 , they did it silently, and without ostentatio,o and "blushed to find it fame." The Jewish natioa; he considered, stood as a breakwater against the sprea„."ich infidelity, for there is no enlightened country o ver lv t il iov , their Scriptures had not spread the web of civilie w ith For ages they suffered much; yet they suffered all for th equanimity, even though their blood was poured rise n like water. Now, however, happier times Ilav e ls re upon them, and in this great country each man, ln e iheM• pose under his own vine and fig-tree. His object b er 9 r ote to-night was as humble one ; he had only a ple a d beer' ment to make, and it was, that 2,700 of their race ii nea dieg . ., obliged to flee from Morocco at the time war was impend between that country and Spain, as they were occ asion . a repetition of those barbarities which on al e l'heY they suffered at the hands of the savage liabyli'pith had taken refuge in Gibralter, for from Sp a ' n alooray whose name their race had to connect so many %via associations they could expect nothing. -I ;d e sti‘ given an account of their great sufferings an d " coo tution, and passed an eulogium on the kind anto hvs siderate conduct of the English authorities c°'' brethren, the reverend gentleman went on t v . o 7 t ho the general principle embodied in his text l - 1 ,0 0-50 obligation to pursue a regular and systematic ati L„,, o o of charity. He desired to impress upolih's be ai` tre lq the great truth, that no man could . g oo • happy who did not know the luxury . of doing f ° after L • Some men wished to be thought charitable .ty were dead, but the time for the practice of chari,.."os the heyday and vigour of youth, and that i_lt" 01 1. respect of creed or country. By such a coursu r , life. will lay up treasure in the garners of ir . amo r re , e eti All such acts are steps nearer the glorious times i" hoo d by their inspired fathers , when love an d brother ,10 would be universally diffused over the world. ; 3 1. 4 , would therefore conjure them to give liberally ,t°, to_ holy cause. Other means might have bee n O c ethe t collect money from the m , but by bringing, them sail to the house o f G o d, they desired to te ar their gift. There, is more true glory in wiping se ' a , of from the distressed than in wading throng-hi se t blood and carnage. Archimedes said if he co : t he fulcrum on which to place a lever, he would lII' an t} fulcrum, I, world, but he would make the heart the , he re • charity the lever, to perform this wondeF. gentleman concluded by an appeal to their gs.n r to and an eloquent invocation of th e divine bl e ounted The collation was then made , and am between £5O and £6O. 6 NORTHERN DAILY TIMES DECEMBER 5, 1859.