The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-23 00:00:00

opinion that it wou l d mater i ally weaken t h e ti e eribetween the Principalities and the suzerain power, ire be an en croachment on the rights an d pri et,es of the latter. The Neufchatel question is oaoCher matter to which the attention of Austria f Particnlarly directed, and the Volksfreund, one t ,,the orga ns o r the Ultramontane party, has day blurted out a piece of news which is well tb °rth the attention of British politicians. " Nei ., e l; Austria nor France," says the Vienna paper; h aul object t o P russia sending troops to Schaff balh,, as it will a ff or d t h em an oppor t un it y o f a n _ n ctrig their ou t stan di ng accounts w i t h T ess i n Geneva." A cry is being got up against the erSwiss C onfederation, and some of the German ta n s of the press hint that perhaps t h e fi tt i ng ti ee T ent is at hand f or putt i ng an en d t o th a t poll monstrum, the Swiss Republic. Many expei 0,,,1e.ed professio na l po li t i c i ans are , h owever , of ton that the Neufchatel question will be ami ;o7 settled, an d the proverbially t i m id fi nance "4? cl Of ten quotes th e N or th G er man adage of for cc ~ t J e ?nachen. gilt nicht ." (Rhodomontading counts hot b 0 ) Austrian military men say it would against Et afe for Prussia to undertake anything 80,601‘ Svvitzerland with fewer than 60,000 or Stat e ' In ", and officers belonging to other German Swig 8 use t he same language. It appears that the btina authorities are resolved to lose no time in lea r „ gil M their Royalist prisoners to trial, for we aire"..,,oY electric telegraph, that true bills have % v i c " l Y been found against sixty-six of them. A the tresiding in this city, who is well acquainte he intention s of his Government, says that _Prisoners will be tried, and amnestied as soon . rei:tentenee has been pronounced on them. It is tai e . ecl that the bail demanded for Count Pourl offe„-,wars 80,000 francs. On Sunday the political str ay still in confinement can see any one who . tie is 9 EIII on them, as no order or ticket of admis rsequired. te pr work a , Which has just quitted the press is likely . Wora - u c e a great sensation in the Roman Catholic Prie st i • N author is th e R ev . Thomas Braun, a vho - me at Holzkirchen, in Bavaria. Mr. Braun. Cath n l i s • a man of great learning, and a zealous P° e' t i e' Some time since denied the right of the C0nep,," 3 ,. ; Make the doctrine of the Immaculate th e , z r,on a dogma of the Roman Church. On core r ,'" .f June last the rev. gentleman was ex- hi n: Z u t tllcated for heresy, and he now defends find for the charge. The book will never Per s , l „‘ a IvaY into this priest ridden country, but a it i s who has seen it in Germany tells me that extre 3 not ,„ tt lelY well written. The charge of heresy the s tv .'ulY boldly refuted, but the Papal Bull of 11 11111 ' December, 1854, which decrees that the ati`raeulate Conception is one of the dogmas of the an Church, is denounced as " illegal, heretical, teeol?refane." According to the canonical laws,Ec . u h sew Councils Councils are alone privileged to establis I)o,c."greas, and consequently His Holiness the l assumed a power to which he had no legal that The Wiener Zeitung continues to assert eor c i a ,`.' e Austrians are well content with the Con toeo:Plid the New Marriage Laws, and endeavours T h "urrn its assertion by the following remark— e outcry at first raised by the press has ei rf te ceased, which would not have been the case nation had not disapproved it." The . truth Per - Matter is, that the Austrian press is not - eivraitted to censure any measure which has C eu e ,, cl the sanction of the Emperor. Matrimonial ca o „' l3 have been formed in all the provincial ep`ctlis) and the defensor matrimonii in the archi ;?°pal see of Vienna is Dr. Fessler, who on arch °nee professor of canonical law . and fort i, -esu it• A diligent search is now being made %.,,,;-3 remains of Duns Scotus, In 1304, Dun b s . tili s ql s. Who had the cognmnen of " Doctor Su Th ;," Was engaged in a long controversy with ra %l a ! of Aquinas on the subject of the Im ctiatef„4" Conception. As a reward for the opinions ae C'ained by the " sharp-witted doctor" on such r ne lll , portant point, he is to be canonised, if his th e ual remains can be found at Cologne, where z ei :V, Were interred in 1308. The Protestan K i rc h en C` u ng thus announces its satisfaction that the thavarian Government has given such a check to th e Consistory to L e rejoice to fi n d th at our present i men t s are no t likely l ia , s ," realised, an d congratulate our Protestant b ret h ren in th qa ari a on the p ro t ec ti on w hi cha Catho li c K ing h as afforded iti trc ,lgainst their o wn Hi g h C ons i s t or y i n it s attempt to b `tuee the Roman regime. T ato " C onstantinople correspondent of the Oss . er f„ 1 , re Triestino, who is almost always well ua 4TM writes that Esa Khan did not . surrender , a t because he was in want of provisions, but the -° : ts equence of a quarrel with Emir Sirdar ext g .,° 4 of Dost Mohammed. Esa Khan was th e r b'elY well received and is kindly treated by creia t rio Th e followingns is news of the 12th f rom Con stan' kno w :---On the 12th of November it was not ci;tl e n at B ag d ad that the war b etween E ng l a nd sra had be gun , Th e British Minister and sclad' u ne Were still in the neighbourhood of Bag leev r ialib B e y, R e d sc id P ac h a ' s s on, was to ti v e 4 cti the 1 2th for Paris, with instructions rein to b " 3 the Co n f erence. It i s re l a t e d t h a t a railway, ieD call ed " The Imperial Turkish Railroad," is D a „„ e , constructed from Constantinople to the • . 1:1 Principalities. PRUSSIA The 1:r BERLIN, Thcc. 20. Neufchatel affair is progressing much more r , )tp 'Y towards its crisis than could have been . hop e r , et ed a week or ten days ago. The acceleration 1 4c e - r n i rB to date from the moment that this cabinet ld itit e ,: n ' ait ted that the emperor Louis Napoleon would re so - l'se no dif f iculties in the way of the King's l a i t it tti i e i f g to those measures which he reserved to in the London Protocol of 1852. One day I) rn :,beginning of this week the representative of ‘.)fti'l.., v a , Herr von Sydow, acquainted the President i l 'ecen e t.' Federal Council, by word of mouth, that t bytc re clatnations of Prussia, backed as they were havi n e re Presentatiyes of the German Confederation, s ! t let 1 ,1, 4 811 ewn themselves to be fruitless, he wa i olt Er r ,, -- Led now to break off all further diplomatc . the - 15 ,' °1 -Iree with the Swiss Federal Government , ~,,,r r °mr u ssian mission would according withdraw su bje '7 e rne, and the protection of all Prussian h hr e f i ,: e 's in Switzerland, and the custody of the bee ; ve s of the Prussian mission at Berne, ae ear committed 7 °l- emitted at the request of Prussia, tothe t f ° l the French Minister accredited to the Swiss hela.ekteration. The Federal Council has since then Rojo ex traordinary e xtraordinary meeting, at which it was re the r ` t ° convoke the Federal Assembly. Yesterday bre,..:Presentative of Prussia, at the German Diet, I „,enf,, ° ,, t eci a report of the ill-success that had at ved, - ,',the representations of Prussia to the Swiss ittly Fr" Government in Berne, but I do not hear of nieut motion having been found on the state- Ile Ey , 4 * am told, however, that the report contains von,7 lll le intimation that was forwarded to the th e 8 2 ,`, 3 9 1. France, England, Russia, and Austria, on th e `,"lnst., to the effect that Prussia now considers f elt total tot al fruitlessness of diplomatic efforts as lf in n j , proved, and herself relieved from her se Iliel t ; se d obligation of abstaining from other ures In the verbal communication made by ! tort e Sydow, there has been nothing m .. en d . °f any further ultimatum, or of any period of a been pointed out as open for the reception NZ mediatory steps on the part of any foreign Reap e r; the ultimatum is held to have been super Fed: °Y the distinct and unanimous refusal of the rr l i n ' t al Council to release the pFr risoners as a preli in:trY to negotiation. Neither France nor Austria -•+tlnr ilVert Manifested any desire of intervening to P, 2 d er `° o necessary consequences of the course the to t , al Council has taken, there is nothing now its' l r e vent this Government from any day putting Air . Ds in motion against the offending Re tll,lll° most moderate of the men entrusted with fib s ' n et " of government in Berne aver that in the ° f o f any overtures on the part of the King ll esia, they really have no power to release Asi.,Prisoners before trial, and that the Federal ttri; rflb , l Y is the only authority competent to do 104 of section 11. of the Charter, which lB4B')vise Confederation drew up and adopted in ties Asubsequent to the forcible disruption of the Neu Jittherto existing between the Principality of TL l e e 4tel and ig of Prussia), says,— " Court of Assizes with the assistance of a jury, who THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. have to decide as to the facts, adjudicates .. (B) in cases of high treason against the Confederation, of rebellion, or riotous resistance to the Federal authorities ; (C) in cases of crimes or offences against international law : (D) in cases of political crimes or offences which are either the cause or the consequence of disturbances which have given rise to an armed intervention of the Federal Power. It is corn petent to the Federal Assembly with reference to crimes and offences of the foregoing nature to issue amnesty or pardon. The text of this latter sentence leaves it indis tinct, whether it is competent even to the Federal Assembly to pronounce an amnesty or pardon previous to trial ; the Assembly is now convoked, and with it rests the last decision as to whether it has that power, and, if so, will use it; the informa tion that has reached me from well-informed quarters in Berne represents it as improbable that the Federal Assembly will avail itself of its com petency if it possesses it, and then adopt a con ciliatory course. Should matters turn out as feared, the Prussian troops will proceed to occupy the Swiss territory contiguous to Baden, probably the whole of the country between Basle on the west Schaffhausen or Constance on the east: from this line, as a base up to Zurich, the whole country is flat and open, and presents no difficulties to its easy occupation. The 'Change here has been for some time past the favourite arena for every species of warlike rumour, to the loss of the many and the gain of the few; the Government has been represented as making large purchases of grain for the purpose of driving up the prices of corn; and the Government has been represented as about to issue a new loan for 40,000,000 thalers, for the purpose of producing a baisse. It is, however, true that in the Ministry of War everything is ready to put the troops in motion at a few minutes' notice ; the march routes are made out, the halting stations fixed, the sup plies at hand, and nothing is wanting but the Royal order. The entire force that will be set in motion will amount to four corps d'armee, about 120,000 men ; in consequence of the receat return to the old military arrangement of the privates serving their full three years, instead of 1 year, as it had practically' become of late, the regiments are now at their full peace strength, and should the reserves be called out they will be at their full war strength. It is not easy to ascer tain which troops will be employed : one naturally assumes that the 7th and Bth, the two corps d'armee of the Rhenish provinces and Westphalia, with their landwehr, making up the whole force to the strength of four corps d'armee, will be set in motion, and their places in their usual station be supplied by other troops drawn from the central provinces, and they again be replaced partially by troops from the eastern provinces. This, I believe, will be the course adopted, as admitting of the greatest expedition and facility of movement. I am, how ever, told that the Rhenish and Westphalian corps d'armee will be left at their present stations, and the troops employed for the occupation be selected from the rest of the army ; the consideration that would recommend this latter plan is that the hard ships or the glory would thus be more equally distributed over the whole army, and the whole amount of injury and impoverishment attendant on the calling out of the reserves and the landwehr would not fall on the Rhenish provinces and Westphalia alone. For the command of these troops it does not appear as if the General were yet designated. General von Bonin, late Minister of War, and now Governor of Mayence, is confidently spoken of as selected for the service ; on the other hand General Count von der Groeben the Com mander of the Guard, is looked on as likely to have an opportunity of seeking those laurels in Switzerland which he failed to reap in Electoral Hesse in 1850. In the case of the former being appointed we shall see the popular spirit and sympathies taking the lead in the affair with a prospect of energetic and skilful strategy. In the case of the latter we shall recognise the King's influence as preponderant, and look forward to a feeble and inglorious conduct of the military operations. A letter in the Nord of Brussels says it is gene rally thought in diplomatic circles here that Switzerland will return to calmer and more reasonable feelings. I can affirm to you as po3itive that Prussia has already obtained the authorisation of Wurtemburg and of Baden for her troops to pass through those states, in order to take military possession of Schauffhausen. It is not necessary to have that authorisation further confirmed by the Diet—in the first place, because Prussia acts in her own personal name ; and next, because she has already received the approbation of that body. Switzerland will consequently act very imprudently if she allows herself to slumber in a false security. The King of Prussia cannot abandon the prisoners of Neufchatel at the very moment when Switzer land persists in bringing them to trial, and when the French Government has openly declared in his favour. It is objected that the Germanic Con federation, fearing to s?e its trade with Switzerland I fall off, will use all its efforts to paralyse the move ments of Prussia. It is incontestable that diplo• macy has not yet completed its work, and it is still hoped that it may succeed in effecting an amicable arrangement, if Switzerland consents to conces sions ; but it is easy to comprehend that, if she persists in her refusal, the conduct of Prussia is too clearly marked out for her now to draw back." • ITALY. A letter from Florence, of the 15th, describes the entrance that day of the Grand Hereditary Prince of Tuscany and his wife, the Princess Anna Maria of Saxony, in the midst of salvos of artillery and ringing of bells. A detachment of mounted gendarmerie opened the procession, then came five carriages, each drawn by six horses. The reigning Grand Duke and Duchess occupied the the third carriage, together with the yonng married couple, escorted by the body guard. The cortege „was extremely brilliant, and was received with enthusirstic acclamations. Florence was illuminated at night, and among the transparen cies were some combining the arms of Tuscany and Saxony. Bonfires were lighted on the neighbouring hills. The Grand Duke, the young married couple, and the Archduke Charles drove through the streets an an open carriage. • SPAIN. The Madrid Gazette of the 17th publishes the following decree, re-establishing the octroi duties in all the towns throughout the country : Article 1. In place of the general tax imposed by the law on the budget of the 16th of April last, are reesta blished from the Ist of January, 1857, in all the towns throughout the kingdom and the islands adjacent, the duties on articles of consumption (consumos) and octroi, uniting them in a single contribution, which is to be denominated consumos, payable on the articles specified in the tariff annexed. Article 2. Are and shall continue to be free from duty wine and oil used in the fabrication of brandy and soap. Similar articles from the Colonies or foreign parts shall pay the same duties as national produce, conformably to the third article of the law of the 17th of July, 1849, with the exception of those liable to the special duties mentioned in the tariff. Art. 3. No corporation establish ment, enterprise, or individual, of whatever class or condi tion, can be exempted from this contribution. Art. 4. Equivalent charges may be imposed to the amount specified for each articie in the first and second tariffs for the pur pose of covering the provincial and municipal obligations. Art. 6. No charge shall be levied greater than that authorised by the present decree, except it has been first examined by the royal council in accord with the council of ministers. No other article can be taxed to meet the provincial expenditure than those comprised in the preseat contribution. Art. 6. The contri bution on articles of consumption shall be levied on their entrance into towns, and at a distance of 2,000 Castilian veres, reckoning from the walls to the last inhabited house by the shortest road. Art. 7. The duty on butcher's meat shall be payable by head or by weight, at the choice of the payer. Art. 8. Towns, rot the capital of a province, nor inhabited ports, may conclude a treaty with the Minister of Finance equivalent to the duties for con sumption, but the term of the treaty cannot be less than one year or more than three. Art. 9. The inhabitants are collectively responsible for the payment of the suns men tioned in the treaties concluded between the municipalities and the government. THE TWO SICILIES. The Official Journal of Palermo at last announces the arrest of Baron de Bentivenga, the chief of the late movement, as well as the submission of a great number of Abe insurgents, and the dispersion of the others. A letter from that city says :—Numer ous bands of prisoners are arriving here every day. The judicial authorities are actively engaged in examining into the affair. There is no doubt that the leaders in the insurrection will be con demned to death. It is, however, stated that orders have been sent from Naples prohibiting any execution, the royal clemency reserving to itself beforehand every latitude for deciding the fate of the guilty. The English frigate Dauntless anchored in Palermo Roads on the 7th. The whole island is perfectly tranquil. A letter from Naples of the 16th states that the wound of the King is nearly healed. On the day after receiving it his Majesty had a slight fever, and for a few days kept his bed. A deputation from Palermo had arrived at Naples to congratulate his Majesty on his escape, and another was expected from Messina. THE AUSTRIAN OCCUPATION OF THE PRINCIPALITIES. A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 10th, in the Bourse Gazette of Berlin, says " Count V. Ester hazy, the Austrian ambassador, has just had an interview with Prince Gortsebakoff, in which some conversation took place on the subject of the reply of the Cabinet of Vienna to the Russian memoran dum. The Prince remarked that the pretension of Austria to occupy the Principalities until the question of the frontiers should be settled, was inadmissible for two motives—first, from the declaration of Count Buol at Paris, that the evacu ation of the Turkish territory by Austria pre sented less difficulty than that by France and England, and that it should take place before ; and secondly, because the projected instructions drawn up at Paris for the members of the commission, for the organisation of the Principalities, declared expressly that the Divans could not meet until the foreign troops should have evacuated the Princi palities. Tue Austrian ambassador confined him self to replying that Russia could not invoke the Treaty of Paris so long as she occupied any point of the Bessarabian territory, which she was bound to cede to Turkey. This conference was conse quently without result ; and it is probable that the Russian cabinet will reply in writing to that of Vienna, which may perhaps cause a new delay in the meeting of the Conference of Paris" CHRISTAINS. THE MARKETS-SPORTS AND PASTIMES, Our notice of the Christmas markets was necessarily confined on Saturday. Saturday, in point of fact, was the Christmas market day, and the different emporiums through town where all the fruits of the earth, tenants of the air, and cattle of the field were provided .for the sup port or mankind, were decked out and garnished to the best advantage ; and those who could not, and those who would not purchase, had ample opportunities of feasting their optics and admiring the specimens of beef, mutton, and all the other etcetras provided for those who did purchase. Many, however, refrained from laying in the stock necessary for their festivities until to day, or to-morrow. Yet, on the whole, we believe the markets were well attended on Saturday, and a great deal of business transacted. The prices of beef and mutton, in fact of all sorts of eatables, are considered very high. The following may interest our reathrs, and may be taken as a sample of the different markets :—Turkeys, prime, will sell from 5s to 15s each ; geese, from 3s to lOs each ; plovers, 8d each ; and hares from 2s to 3s 6d each ; fowls, from 3s to 5s 6d a pair; ducks, from 4s to 5s ; black game, 5s 6d to 7s ; pheasants, 6s to 8s ; wild ducks, 3s ; partridges, 2s to 3s 6d ; and grouse, 5s 61. Grapes are 10d per Ib, pines Bs, asparagus (very rare) lOs a bundle; seakail, 5s per basket. During Friday and Saturday, there were immense arrivals of geese and other poultry from Ireland or from other parts of the kingdom. We may state, as a curiosity of the trade, that one wholesale dealer (Air. Quinn, of John's Market,) has an order from retailers for the supply of two tons of Irish geese . Three dealers alone, Mr. Thomas Carroll., Mr. James Quinn, and Mr. Jahn Carney, expected jointly to receive into their hands not less than 10,000 geese. IN JAMES' MARKET There is an extensive exhibition of the best stock of meat, beef, mutton, pork, lamb, veal, &c., and a great variety of game of all sorts. Many of the shopkeepers, however, did not decorate as usual, waiting to this day and to-morrow, as coming near the day of the festival, to ornament their stalls. The market, however, looked well on Saturday, and there was a good share of business done. In the other markets there is not much to notice, beyond the fact that in all there is a goodly display of meat with the usual decorations. In many of the streets there are butchers' and provision shops that attract the passengers' attention, the most remarkable being in London Road, Islington, Commutation Row, Dale street, Great George's Place, and Great Homer street, in all of which there is a fine exhibition of the substan tials of life. BIRKENHEAD Birkenhead has made more than usually extensive preparations this year, to give Christmas a very hea ty welcome. With peace, of course, there comes increased employment, and there is evidently more money to be spent by the working classes than there was two years ago. The streets presented everywhere a very animated appearance. The shopkeepers have used their utmost exertions to render their wares attractive, and, judging from appearances, the grocers and provision dealers especially must have turned over a very large sum. tinues to attract, and as for Mr. Lowthian, there can be nothing more than he has done in the way of perfection. Indeed, in this respect, we should not have named him again, as it would be unnecessary, seeing he was so per fect and excellent in his line, but for the following facts, which may interest the public : Mr. Lowthian has dressed a "Loyal Baron of Beef," of the finest quality ever seen in the market, for Mr. Morrish's Mer chants' Dining Rooms, Lancaster Buildings, Tithe.barn street, and what think you, reader, the weight of this " monarch " is ? Nothing less than 560 lbs,, or five hundred weight, of eight atones each ! This will be dressed by Mr. Morrish in his usual style of excellence, and, no doubt, will be more admired (as it is so much superior in all respects) than that of last season. A greater &eat even than this baron of beef will be pro vided by Mr. Morrish, in the wonderful Cape sheep exhibited by Mr. Lowthian, and mentioned in our paper of Saturday, and for which Mr. L. challenged the world to produce anything like it. This will be also " done up," or ‘‘ brown," if liked better,. at Mr. Morrish's. There are several other first class houses which are sup plied by Mr. Lowthian, amongst which may be men tioned Mr. Dixon's, commercial Hotel, Canning place (Custom House), who, as usual, has pravided a stock that cannot fail to aflord his numerous and respectable patrons a first rate treat and every gratification. The " George Hotel," Dale street, is another of the first class homes - supplied from this stall, and the mutton, beef, lamb, Sco„ laid out for each and all, cannot fail to " do duty in the proper quarter." Amongst the curiosities out of the markets, and nerhaps one of the greatest curiosities in the town, and the exhibition of which created quite a sensation, was " the pig," shown by Mr. Brundrit of the London Road. This monster lump of fat and flesh was_ brought from the stye and shown alive in his sToii, and attracted a grett amount of attention, the visitors being so numerous, that it was with difficulty that the police could keep a a clear passage. The pig was actually so fat, that it could not see out of its eyes, and had to be fed by the hand, not being able to rise to take its food. Over its head was exhibited a large placard from which it ap peared that it was bred by Mr. W. Clare of Waltoabreck, and fed by Mr. J. Philips of Priory Lane, It was named '• Impudence," and had, during its existence won prizes at Birmingham, Liverpool, Radcliffe. Don caster, Holm firth, Burnley, Preston, Lancaster, and St. Helens. Thig monster pig will be slaughtered this morning, andovill be again shown in the shop, and we should certainly recommend those who are fond of seeing to what perfection even a pig may be got, to visit the shop and see for themselves, It is supposod that this animal wilt weigh, when killed, upwards of GOO lbs Among the many well stocked and handsomely decorated shops on Saturday night was that of Mr. John Williams, wholesale shipping butcher, 43, Mersey street, near the Customhouse. It attracted considerable notice, both on account of the great abundance and superior excellence of the various carcases shown, as well as for the neatness of the arrangements of the establishment. Mr. C. Brabin, 146, Great Hamer street, has on show a pig weighing no less than 50 score. This enormous animal was bred by J. P. Heywood, E 1 .., of West Derby, and is considered a very fine specimen of the " Swinish Multitude!" Besides the articles alluded to, there are others which constitute indispensable ingredients at the Christmas board. For instance, the grocer's shop is only second tri the butcher's. In this respect, there are some shops belonging to Messrs. Mullins and Co.—one in Dale street, the other in the Quen's Arcade, and the most superior of all in Miil street The mountains of fruit of all carts, and other ingredients requisite fur plum pudding, cakes, and other " good things" displayed in this latter house is t r uly wo nd er f u l. I n addi tion to the requisites here. there is a degree of artistic skill, exhibited in the shape of mirrors, evergreens, and other matters, that set off the whole to vast advantage, bat these adjuncts, although pleasing, arc nothin^, when compared to the extensive stock of real substantial good articles which Mr. :Mullins offers at the lowest figures that genuine articles can be had at. Again, there are two houses, " though last not least," to which reference must be made. These are the celebrated Merchants' Dining Rooms of Mr. Anderson, Slater's-court, Castle-street, and. Mr. Ross's Eldon Dining Rooms (under Bankruptcy Cone.), South John-street. In these establishments "Scotch Haggis and other favourite dis' tronised not oily existence of those friendly societies in the country sated, in point of fact, that spirit of indepen.lenee which had enabled tha British inhabitants of these iy went to carry kith thorn their own principles of self g)vernin-ni. (Cheers ) he spirit of independence which originated these swieties, was, in fact, the foundation of all our institutions. In process of time, these societies had reached a very sur prising magnitude. Some of them numbered many thousands of members. But even in friendly societies it had occurred that disputes would arise. For the settlement of these disputes, the law had provided no remedv. and the conseoucnce was, that these societies had from time to time been driven into the Court of Chancery to settle any disputes which arose amofig their own members, or between themselves and other bodies They all knew what a bottomless pit t Chancery was—what a leech the Court of Chancery w He believed some one had compared the Court of Chancery to a sucking leech with its tail cut off—the more it sucked the more it bled, and the blood coming in at the one end was running out at the other. At length the legislature interfered, not with respect to lronlotion ( )cieties 'e sitnple way purpose of endeavouring to establish a by wh!clt their disputes could be arra Acts of Parliament had been passed from tine to tint urisdiction to magistrates, to arbitrators, and giving finally, and very recently, Co - the count these were legal remedies, and whilst law i very expensive, it did not always bring about the d ourts. But all The expediency of desigi'ling so the regulation of all friendly soviet be'. ter mode for an I especi of burial societies, having been brought recently before the public, it had occurred to some gentlemen on the platform to originate a society in this town which might emitall within itself its own court of appeal. The subject had been mentioned to several gentlemen in the town, some of whose names were to be seen in the pla• cards on the walls. The subject had been well considered by these gentlemen, who were members of every political party in Liverpool. He had gone himself advis , ,dly to gentlemen representing every political party, in order to show that the society was got up for no political purpose and with no political end ; but that it was simply an institution originated for the benefit of the working classes in general ; and he had received assurances of support from those gentlemen simply because they be lieved that it would add materially to the social comfort of the people. This society would only differ from other societies in having the guardianship of a committee of merchants and gentlemen of the town, so as to avoid all appeals, whether to a magistrate a County Court, a Court of Chancery, or any other legal jurisdiction. It was not proposed to interfere in the management of the society's ordinary bust siness by the guardian committee; because, if the working classes could not continue to organise such societies, and to manage them for themselves, it would be quite impossible for any set of gentlemen to keep a society upon its legs which could not keep itself upon its legs. (Hear, hear.) The purpose which the guardian committee would serve, was simply this: It had been found that the great masses of the members of the society were working people, who had not, of course, the means of checking the accounts, and had ❑ot the means of controlling the affairs to the same extent as other societies formed among persons of a higher rank. It was, therefore, simply proposed, that there should be attached to the society now about to be established, a committee of gentlemen, sa hose duties should be these : Before the annual meeting was held, the accounts and the report intended to be submitted, should be handed in to the guardian committee, and should undergo their supervision. If they were satisfied that the accounts were correct, and that the report was a fair report, then both should be handed back to the ordinary committee of the society, and would subsequently go before the members with the assurance that they bad been checked by the guardian committee. Another duty which it was pro posed should be execised by the guardian committee, was that of holding some check over the officers and collectors. It was not proposed that every petty and trivial complaint should be laid before the guardian committee, because the promoters supposed that the ordinary committee would be able to deal with all such questions themselves. _But if there should occur the corornitt shm,l,l ihit a very ver y ltr ainority of was that the guardian committ e would be able to deal with the question, and supersede the necessity of any application to the courts of law. It was proposed that the ordinary committee should consist of thirteen members, and that the guardian committee should entertain no application unless it were made byfive at least of the committee, or if the committee should refuse to take the matter in hand, then the guardian committee might consider it upon the application of twenty-five members. In considering' these quesams, however, the guardian committee would not interfere wiCu the ordin ary independent action of the society's committee. He had, in point of fact, ventured to put it to every gentleman, who, as a member of the dock committee, the council, or utile 004t.r public board, urged that he had too many other duties to discharge, that of the guardian cotninittt hours in the year. These, then, would nev occupy two simply the objects part of hi 4 duty, as their chairman, to discuss the pro priety and expediency of the society's constitution. It was his duty simply to stile the object of the meetimr, and leave those present to discuss whether the proposals would be expedient or otherwise. One only point on which he might remark on closing his observations, was that the promoters of the society disclaimed any rivalry with any other institution, and wished to maintain the society on its own merits. There were several other such societies in the town, but lie apprehended it was perfectly well known that a very wide field still remained open for the introduction or a new one. Without the subscribers of other societies, a very wide field re mained for this, and hefelt confident that the promoters of this society would be able to find untilled soil. (Hear, They therefore disclaimed any rivalry to other societies, or any allusion whatever to the manner in which they conducted their business. Whether other so cieties conducted their business ill or well, was nothing to the promoters of this society. They believed that -a society could be founded which would be able by a new set of rules, and by the addition of a guardian committee, to do the business better than it was done at present, and that was the matter which they had in hand. The chairman then resumed his seat amid loud applause. Mr George Smith was called upon to propose the first resolution. lie expressed his entire concurrence in the declaration of the chairman, that the society was origi nated in no spirit of rivalry•, and added, that if it were he should have taken no part in the proceedings. It was not necessary to dwell much upon the general utility of burial socieles. Few who paid any attention to their effect among the working classes, could not but admit the powerful tendency they possessed to create a spirit of self respect and self reliance. (Cheers) It was well known that they had been the means, in that town, of saving to the parish funds many hundreds of pounds. People were not perhaps generally aware that the investments in the friendly societies of Great Britain exceeded five millions. There were some friendly societies in the country whose annual revenue exceeded those of some corporate bodies. Between the year 1795 and 1332, there were in round numbers about 90,000 friendly societies enrolled in this country, and at the end of that period, not more than 5000 of these institutions were still in existence That was a clear proof that in the constitution of these societies, or i❑ their management, or in the law aff sting them, there wa3 something defective (hear, hear) ; and, to meet that defect, the committee nuw contemplated the formation of a society which would give perfect security to the working classes, by the joint institution of a guardian committee. (hear, hear.) Without dwelling further on the advantages of burial societies, he would take the Eberly of drawing their attention to the social condition of the country generally, because, according to the opinions of the most eminent statesmen of the age, England's greatest difficulty was her social condition. What matter that they la,:d their boasted constitution, their representative form of government, their railways, their steamboats, and their tele- hear.) graphs, if they were at the same time told tha classes of the Continent were, sicially speak g, generally —Lord John Russell, Llrd s feeling for the leading men of England— Alberuarte, Lord Stanley, and others who ne,.. the condition and welfare of the working classes generally —were determined to grapple with this subject upon the working classes that the prosperity and of England depended ; it was from their ranks armies were recruited; and it would be an advanti officers also were recruited from the people. (Che, conceived that the gentlemen to whom the chairman rt could not better employ a portion of their time thar development of what he might call the provident the working classes. (Hear, hear). Most of tt men were their legislators ; they were all me position, too; but he believed they could legislate effectually for the welfare of the people outside the Town Council as they could do ,inside (hear, hear), and that by supporting this society they would do a great deal of good. (Hear, hear.) If they conceived that administrative reform was necessary in state affairs, who would deny that it should also extend to the working classes ? And what better means of promoting•that admistrative reform amongst the working classes than by instituting such societies as this, which would bring the rich and the poor together. (Cheers). He believed that it would be for the advantage of the work jog classes to form such a society, and he, therefore, begged It was • S') in the habits of ese gentle- ' __ ~.~= to move the following resolution :—" That it is expedient to form a new burial society in Liverpool, to be called The Protective Burial S kiety, which shall be established and manazed under the St/ rlArin -C - mtree of merchants and gentlemen." (Cheers.) Mr. D tvid APlntyre seconded the resoluti unanimously adootel than com- on, which was Mr. M‘Night moved the thanks of the m:eting to the Town C mincil for the use of the hall. Mr. James B el seconded the resulu unanimoudy adopted Mr. Hem: he bes -- - o to his Worship the Mayor, and the other gE t alien an interest in the subject before the T 1 . . . said he w rcd to the working: classes of I rz for th time, but sti S a WO formatiOn of the 8 as they had m me, it v oKever small, to who ha He knew that ,rdians c Liverpo ity at any t3rnplaied t in lAverpc not mor s9ciety would numb, nly within the had a b tv, properly s) ea!lt , nseqaenee, however, of their r the legis members t still then THE MARK ET The display here is in every way worthy the energy of the shopkeepers and stall occupiers in the building, and presented a marked contrast with the exhibition last year. Entering at the east end, we find, at the extremity of the first stall, a very beautiful arch of gas jets, the design being in imitation of laurel leaves. Between this and the first fountain is erected another arch of gas jets, from which spring upwards two sprigs of jets, in imi tation of laurel leaves also. From the centre of the arch is suspended a Brunswick star. of about 800 jets, and above this is a huge crown of gas jets, and on either side of it the letters " A." The next arch is between the first and second fountains, and bears the very appropriate motto of " Peace and Plenty." The fourth arch is a short distance beyond the second fountain, and is similarly constructed to the previous one, the motto being., " Unity is Strength." " God Save the Queen" is the motto over the fifth arch, which is, of course, of a more ornamental description than the two last we have noticed. The sixth and last arch, near the west entrance, is similar in device to that near the east entrance. The people of Birkenhead are indebted to the liberality of the Gas Company for this beautiful exhibition. The obese animals, which are all the fashion at this period of the year attract the connoiseurs in the matter of fat beef, pork, and mutton; whilst epicures swarm, too, to the butchers' shambles to sharpen as it were their appe tite by an inspection of what is soon to be " the roast beef of Old England." It has been the fashion to exhibit enormous lumps of fat, generally called fat beeves or sheep ; this year, however, the Birkenhead butchers seem to have amined at procuring well fleshed beasts, instead of animals which, in the end, have to be consigned almost entirely to the tallow chandler. The display of beef, mutton, pork, lamb, veal, &c., is excel lent in quality, and extensive as to quantity. Indeed, if we had not St. John's Market to boast of, Birkenhead would carry off the laurels for this year. THE AMUSEMENTS. Not for the last six or seven years have we observed more extensive preparations making for the Christmas amusements, and when we take all things into account, the quality of these entertainments are of a much better class than heretofore. At the Theatre Royal, the Adelphi, and the Park, great preparations are going on to bring out new pantomimes with wonderful effect, and from what we have heard these will come out with gorgeous splendour. A company of equestrians will open the Royal Amphitheatre, and Mr. Thomas, with that degree of enterprise that has characterised his manage ment of Clayton Hall, off;:rs an attractive entertainment. Mr. Hoffman, at the Queen's Hall, Bold street, is pre paring one of the most beautiful treats ever presented to the public, and this, along with his present favourite entertainment, cannot fail to afford the public the best of enjoyment. By the way this house was crowded on Saturday evening by a fashionable audience, who were most liberal in their applause of the whole entertain. ment. The new monodrama was introduced last night— we shall notice it to-morrow. Mr. Heath, at the Colos seum, offers new and excellent fare to his friends, who are numerous, as the state of the house nightly proves. YESTERDAY EVENING We took another glance through all the markets, and we can say, that consider able animation prevailed everywhere, the places being quite full of purchasers and spectators. It struck us that there was an increased supply of all articles in the different markets, particularly in St. Join's. We have already noticed this noble market in detail but still we cannot help referring once more to the stalls of Mr. Lowthian and Mr. Tonalison the latter con- by our esteemed northern friends but by hundreds who admire all sorts of good living, are dail highest perfection, and 1 up in th - E7 • 1. , - , AV F. 0.101%; 11,1/1/ the gentlemen who so extensively patronise these houses. Having said so much, there is one word more—in reference to the "game pies'' of Mr. Wilkie, of Harrington-street; and we believe, from the report of the best judges in these matters, that the pies will be found (as we know they will) the most admired and recherche things in that peculiar line in Liverpool. For the present, we must take our leave of the points we have been on, but not of the festivities and other matters ; but our readers and the public will permit us to say, and with all sincerity, A HAPPY CHRISTMAS LITT ERPOOT, PROTECTIVE BUR I A SOCIETI PUBLIC MEETING YESIEBDAI A public meeting was lie 1 in St. George's llall for !he workinr ; classes, to be called the Liverpool Pro tective Burial Society, under the superintendence of a guardian committee, to be composed of some of the leading merchants and gentlemen of the town. Owing to the hour at which the meeting was held, twelve o'clock noon, being inconvenient for the working classes, there was a very small attendance. Only a few of the seats immediately unr!er the platform were occupied, the rest of the_hall being compLtely empty. On the motion of Mr. Woodruff, - the chair was taken by Mr. Frederick S. Hull. The Chairman proceeded to explain the object of the meeting. He said he had requested the Town Council to grant the use of the hall for that occasion, and the request having been complied with, advertisements were issued calling the meeting for eight o'clock in the evening, that being the most convenient hour fur the working classes. But in so doing the promoters of the meeting were not aware that they were contravening a rule of the council for the regulation of the building, that no public meet ing should be held there commencing later than one o'clock in the day. It was only on Saturday morning that the gentlemen organising the meeting found them selves under an obligation to change the hour. Either from deficient instructions, nr front the ignorance of the posters themselves, there were now standing on the walls, notices for two meetings, the first for a meeting to be heid at eight o'clock in the evening, and then a notice for a meeting to 131 hell at twelve o'clock in the day, which came after. He did not know whether the posters wished persons to attend twice, or were anxious to give persons an opportunity of selecting which they would attend. However, he need scarcely inform his hearers that theri was to be but the one meeting. Not only was the hour for the meeting inconvenient fir the working classes, but, unfortunately, it was very incon venient to many gentlemen who wished to attend ; among the rest, the Mayor, Mr. Robertson Gladstone, and Mr. J. R. Jeffery. The Chairman here read the following letters of apology:— Town-hall, 22nd December. My Dear Sir,--I will be with you in good wishes to day though I cannot attend in person.—Faithfully F, Hull, &ti 'ours, F. SHAND Union Court, 16th Dec. 1856 My dear Sir,—l shall be glad to do any thing in my power to aid the cause you have kindly undertaken ; but my hands are so full of one kind of business and another, that I could not take the chair at the public meeting; so you must bo so good as excuse me.—Yours very truly, Frcdk. S. Hull, Esq. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE. 22nd Dec., 1856. My Dear Sir,—l regret exceedingly it will not be in my power to a tt en d t h e mee ti ng a t t we l ve t o d a y, f or p romot i ng so desirable an object as the Protective Burial Society appears to contemplate, as I have to attend the Birkenhead Dock Com mittee of the Council at 11.30. Most cheerfully do I wish you success, as there can be no doubt that such associations must be productive of considerable good to our wor king classes. —Sincerely yours, JAS. R. JEFFERY. F. S. Hull, Esq: The Chairman said, he believed that most of the gen tlemen who wished to attend, were prevented from the same cause ; some committee meeting of the council. He should now, although the meeting was not very nume rous, endeavour, as briefly as he could, to bring before them the objects for which they had been called together. They would observe, from the words of the advertise ment, (which the chairman read), that the object pro- posed principally was a very important one, although probably it was not one which would invite much discussion. He would not enlarge upon the general objects of friendly societies. They all knew that these were societies which had originated from time to time among the people themselves. They were not societies which had been pressed upon them by any Government, or by any set of legislators. They had always sprung spontaneously from the people themselves. The nearest approach they had to these friendly societies were the parish boards. These boards had, however, emanated from the legislature, and from time to time been kept up and improved by it, and their object was to tax the rich for the support of the poor. But the friendly societies were vo!untary organizations, formed among the middle and working classes by themselves, in order that they might avoid coining for relief upon the public funds, and might maintain that spirit of independence to which such such societies owed their crigin. The which was also win? rEsllution la De given, who have :Cheers.) init y had not as their °hie of be out of plage a vote of thanks ive part in promot a lowed themselves Hear, hear ) .s much wanted in [asses would because that committee position, tt y cauld nd could not doubt its He was certain that societies of this an extent in this country four or fly DO metri So many members, and, s !that they try at rease among in the cc s to be was something t of parliament to secure the safety of He was n .t one of those who believed legislature of any cei!lntry could better the social of the people of that coti!ltlY, unless the people es would assist in the labour. Hear, hear.) It was well th.t the legislature should pass laws for them, and facilitate the institution of such societies ; but, st,.' l - if the people themselves did no t d o t h e i r d uty, mere l aws for L 4 air improvement would be in vain. (Hear, hear.) That oppor tunity was now afforded them i i the establishment of this society. It would afford them a safe investment for their money, and he therefore believed that the working men of Liverpool would-not be insensible to its benefits. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, the spelker claimed for burial socie ties the support of all parties, because, while they relieved the parish rates, they tended to mak such societies, b wanted besides an the inv, stmnts th•it th self reliant and independent. That in would be taken further by them, f. the working classes enience, he was sure, institution , infirmary, or hostaal est that there was no ,hed for their benefit not subscribe if col- to which the workitig class lectors were sent out7tmougs Mr. Shepherd seconded th that he thanked with all h lid in doing so said gentlemen for corning forward in the formation of an believed would be of the cuss to had the honour to belong, namely, the working class's, It had been h 6 endeavour at all times since he took a part in the government or management of societies amongst the working classes, to try to have a society formed on the broadest possible basis. Ho held that it was necessary, when they were forming a society of that description, every care should be taken in order that it was formed on the broadest possible basis, and when he said the broadest possible basis, he meant that every olstacle ought to be removed that stood in the way of the most humble man from coming in and participating in the benefits arising from the society. In framing the laws of the present society, every care would be taken that those stumbling_ blocks and obstacles would be removed. There would ba no entrance money to pay, there would be no charge for cards ; there would be no charge for the copy of the rules, and there would be no money to pay for changing from one benefit to another, consequently every obstacle would be removed out of the way of the most bumble man who would wish to join the association. (Cheers ' n' least was ' ,he ben which he h he the right It was his owr, opinion of many thinking, working m •eatest stumt spell social institutions; but, in - ibis case, the); • moved. (Hear, hear.) The aivant a ges to b e de r i ve d f rom the establishment of an institution of this kind, would be felt -throughout all parts of society. It was a movement by which every human being who joined the society should necessarily be benefitted ; for, when a man contributed a single penny a week, for the purpose of securing decent interment, it showed that he was beginning to practice those economical habits which were so necessary to the sa ety of society. It had been felt that a sufficient amount of proteetion or security was not afforded under existing circumstances, to parties contribrting to these societies ; but here, a guardian committee stepped in, and obviated all the difficulties hitherto complained of on that bead; for, as had been r ' •ely re- mentioned to them, everything would be done in n open, above board manner ; free discussion would be always invited on the management of the society, and by that means those differences which ranccd an ninny entire in other societies, would be avoided. If any suggestion could be given by any party present, wishing to see the institution carried into effect, such suggestion would be thankfully received. He hoped that all parties would give their assistance, but particularly the working-classes ; because after al, the battle was to be fought by the working mere Let them think then, seriously, what they were doing; let them think when joining the society, that its welfare de pended on them ; and that, althoug'i the contribution might be small, yet, that every man had a right to see that it was properly spent—as if were a large amount. (Hear, hear.) Let each man attend its meetings, , and demand to see the reports and accounts, and it they aid not do that, they subni ittwouldhead to coni guaranteevethe mie te of g thatenthtleemaecncouinn whom tswere first they all had confidence. (Cheers.) Gentlemen to whom they looked up for protection in all matters, snd that they would not be passed unless approved by such committee. (Cheers.) If, with all these means of correction within their power, abuses crept into the society, they would have themselves to blame for it for T. t looking after their own business ; for, if a man wanted his business done well, he should either do it himself, or sea that others did it. He would like to see the working classes study this matter better. A greater virtue could riot bo practised by any man than making provision for his family and their decent inter ment. He knew what it was to work for a day's wages, and that. if the exnenses were ever so economical, it would be a long " pull" in the family for a considerable time a wards, unless the father had made provision for such an event by joining a society. (Hear, hear.) The working classes should consider that, and they and the middle classes should join such societies ; for, as they knew that such associations would exist, it was the duty of every right minded man to try and raise them in the social scale—to make them what they ought to he, and to see that every person contributing to them would derive the benefits they were calculated to bestow. (Hear, bear.) Such an oppor tunity was now afforded to the working classes, and he hoped they would avail themselves of it. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion Mr. Shepherd said, that had it not been for the chairman they weuld have never been able to command the power, in regard of a guardian committee, which they now did. No gentleman could have at straightforward manner than he did, or with a more since- n.nnle. He acted, not as a ,cted in a more _,,,:re desire to se. lawyer to the society—, —l3 It he acted as the wizen, the philanth (' that 1- Lear, hear) mist—(cheers)—and 1 Hull would live to s Sh ephE s of his The motion was clrried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Walter M'Gregor, Mr. B. he chair, vacated by Mr. Hull. On the motion of Mr. M'Phillips, seconded by Mr. Ifichael Murphy. thanks were voted to Mr. Hull for his ;onduct in lartin took the meeting separated. I THOL BENEVOLENT SOCIETI cioty was held St. Nichol is C .p5l, Coppers.'" There was a sof the society. The Rev. € of which y subscriptions or donr, led upon Mr. J itroductory rein s, in the course )f the society to be the raising, fund to distribute amongst the un., the secretary, nade by the treasurer it From the stateme to read the ,eared that the total income for the past year was £451 11s9ci and that at the present tiwo of £75 17s. 7d. On the motio Mr. Lynch, the report was receiv to be printed for circulation. The f Mr. D ed by ad directed the exertions of Nfr. Y Mr. Sheridan, after condcd a vote of of its funds, and eulo- :s, mov a vote of thanks to Messrs. O'Riley moved for their past services, at. 7roposed their 1 e-el e hen moved by ►d secethded by Alr. J. Brow entered ato to raise the ft. li WU ber of gentleme 1. A vote of th liberally Eubscrib& eluded the business of the moe society rim was Mr. H. 8 LIVERPOOL (