The Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-12-28 00:00:00

• • • THE DAILY TIMES, FRIDAY, DECEMBER PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT, LAST NIGHT. Handers great Oratorio "The Messiah" was most brilliantly performed last night at the Philharmonic Society's Hall before a splendid audience, who,evidently appreciated the unrivalled treat. When we write of this grandest of musical compositions having been inter preted on that occasion by artistes such as Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. W. H. "Weiss, Miss Banks, and Miss Ryles, with an orchestra anti chorus of 250 performers, con ducted by J. Zeugheer Herniann, and accompanied on the organ by Mr. George Hirst, and by Mr. Thomas Harper as principal trumpet, we scarcely need to add a single word of laudation or criticism. Of conrse there always will be some little eontreteinfis in the fulfilment of any programme, but taking it all in all we have no hesitation in pronouncing last night's " Messiah" one of the finest ever heard here or elsewhere. Gener: ally the artiBtes named were in Eatii s tai VdNei And each sectindbd the 13thet's efforts Itith a degree of goodwill iiiid success which went far to make up for every un avoidable shortcoming. Although this magnificent oratorio is • ao rarity to the musical public of Liverpool, there is too good reason to believe that many are igtOrftht of its beauties. It may not be out of dace, therefore;, to divOt sonic itt its leading m'e features. This reeu will, we, hope., be instructive to those Who babe Yet to„hear, the ,‘ ‘ ‘,l4lesOah,",vl3,ile we trust it wilt serVe„to. refresh agreeably the thetnory of its penfpaaea legit bight: itts Oratorio, it is well known, contains, besides the Overture and Pastoral Symphony for the land, 22 full Choruses and two short Quartetts ; 16 Airs and 16 Recitatives, of which nine are accompanied. It is divided into three parts. The Overture is one of Handel's finest, and grows greater and grander as it is heard and studied. Simple and majestic in its opening introduction, its harmonies nei;ertheless fat from common and exceedingly impOsini, while the allegro thchement is a fugue strictly and profoundly treated. i The opening dignified recitatikp ritence iMiires:Sea the bearer :with tbeAinkreksive character and "sculptured grandeur" of the composer's recitatives; how truthful, natural, gentle, and consoling the comfort; how majestic the command to "prepare the way of the Lord," while the joyous air to which it leads (No. 3) has a general character of repose, save where, about the middle, it passes so boldly into the key of A. Handel's attempt at separate word painting may be traced in the passages " the crooked straight." In the magnificent chorus, No. 4, "And the glory," there is much grandeur of treatment, the words , "For the mouth of the Loid lidOi spoken it" being tnost impressively declaimed. "We feel;' ; say§ a recent *titer in the Quarterly Rei;iefv, "iii that aWful clibrus, that these thr.ce Magical notes which announce in claps of thtinder ' that all fleslt—"ehall eight better, belong order of eth6ieai beings with wings, that they . might the sPetitaneous with the sounds, than to a Milzielable race, merged in clay and chained to earth, eligh they feel they hardly stand upon it when they hear them." The pause at the end, and the succeeding slow Adagio show how the composer brought everything, even silence, to assist in bringing out the desired effect. No. 5 introduces a bass recitative, of a very different character from the last, and leads to an air,which affords opportunity for a display of vocal excellence of the highest order. The slow movement is full of melody ' while some very striking modulations occur iii the Vrestissimo. The charming chords, in G minor, "And he shall pdrify," though not a strict fugue, is treated in the fugal etyin, and demands considerable accuracy of execution, and freedom of voice from the choristers ; the unexpected effects produced on the words, " That they may offer," &c., giving great contrast to the previous portion. A short recitative then introduces a lovely melody, No. 9 which comes in as a relief to the prtVicnis declamatory Music, the charming instrumental accompaniments adding greatly to its effect, while the chorus breaks suddenly in with the subject in the finest manner, and when this is closed the concluding sparkling symphony most fitly prepares us for the marked change of music which then takes place. The powerful recitative, No. 10, leads to an air which involuntarily makes one feel the gloOni Whieh it de scribes, amidst which occurs a bright burst on the words, "Have seen a light," and which are vividly brought out in the happiest manner. Then follows a chorus, " For unto us," No. 12, which is a feature of the first part, and which—sublime as the words are—should be heard by all who wish fully to realise this. The manner in which the words, " For UNTO US a child is born," is introduced, and the leading up of the subject to the grand united exclamation, " Wonderful," &c., cannot be adequately, described, but will not fail in rousing the feelings of the hearers to the highest pitch of excitement—nor though this is repeated four different times is the excitement and astonishment lessened in the least, from the surprising resources of Handers genius. There is something inconceivably grand in the first hearing of this chorus, and it is one of the most valuable legacies to the world which its com poser has bequeathed. At the musical festivals in Eng land, the audience generally stand during its performance. This choris terminates the first section of the Oratorio containing the prophecies of the Old Testament directly prefiguring the advent of the Messiah. The second section, narrating the birth of Christ, commences with . the pastoral symphony, forming an elegant and graceful repose after the last chorus, seeming, by its flowing tones, to breathe out, "Peace and good-will to man." Four short recitations bring us to a chorus, " Glory to God," No. 17, which is also generally received by the audience standing. With what a rich burst of harmony doefi it startle the ear, while the rapid instrumentation of the first four bars increase the amazement and wonder ; "Peace on earth" steals softly along, while the exquisite effect of short staccato notes leads one tremblingly to anticipate the next magnificent burst of voices which seems to ascend higher and higher; again, but in more assured strains, "Peace on earth" glides along, while the short expectant chords prepare for the next beautiful movement, "Good-will towards men," so charmingly worked out, while the concluding symphony dies away at the close, as if retiring from the scene. The third section, comprising the Saviour's ministe rial life, commences with a jubilant air (No. 18), which has long formed a model for all similar compositions. Its exuberant richness sometimes tempts the singer to a little self-display, but its spirit is that of pious confi dence and religious adoration, which the following reel, tative continues, and the air, " He shall feed his flock," gives expression to these feelings in the most charming way. Handers originality and melodic genius is no where more prominently displayed than in the rendering of these words, both in the felicitous rythm imparted to the words, and the elegant phrases to which they are set. The chorus, "His yoke is easy," is extremely striking and peculiar, from ,its cleverly conducted move ment and harinonisation—light and buoyant in its cha racter, it requires particular attention from the singers, that it may float along, without once descending from that region of light and joy which it seems to present to view.,) . Part 11., opening with a section devoted to the suffer ings and death of the Messiah, assumes a grave and solemn character from the first chorus, "Behold the Lamb," which, in its commencing phrase, is closely imitated throughout; its slow time, sustained treble passages, and general subdued effects, give it an im posing and•dignified effect. Then follows the well known'air, "He was despised," held in so much esti mation by critics. Nothing in music more forcibly depicts the emotions of grief and pity; the combination of musical sounds and vocal utterance were never more impressively united than when here delivered with that tenderness and feeling of contrition which the air is intended to convey. We have next three choruses of surprising grandeur, Nos. 24, 25, and 26, which may be treated as three movements of one chorus, so intimately are they con nected—the expression of the first being highly penitential; the second, " And with his stripes," a fugue of the most strict and severe style, having, however, more interest for the musician than for a general audience ; the third, "All we like sheep," however faulty it may be in seeming to rejoice in "Going astray," is extremely beautiful, fresh, and melodious, both in its plain and more florid passages. Handel was doubtless led astray from the general scope of the passage by the wish to suggest the crowded hurried flight of a flock of frightened sheep, and the desire to give some gladsome relief to his audience from the previous severe music, in which he has succeeded ; but, in the most striking passage at the end, he returns to the former style and preserves the unity of the piece ; and this passage, energetically given, pro duces a greater impression than all the previous portions of the combined chorus. The short pathetic recitative (No. 27) is followed by a stern chorus, remarkable for a distinctness of character from all the others in the Oratorio. "He trusted in God" opens with a fine phrase by the bass—as if the men were more hardened than the other sex ; then taken up by the tenors and treated as a fugue, while the melody of the phrase, " Let Him deliver Him," is so characteristic that it at once brings the ancient Jews to recollection. The very individuals are brought before us, Tieing in tantalising strains of reviling, and - uniting at the close with an intense vehemence, of which the next two recitatives and air are the natural sequence, touching and pathetic, as they are, in the highest degree. The air, "But thou didst," commencing a section of the work devoted to the resurrection and ascension, is a delicious melody which will ever charm the hearer; while the spirited chorus, "Lift up your heads," in its simple construction and expression, seems to introduce us to a new atmosphere after the intense feeling of the previous section. A few words of recitative brings us to another rejoicing chorus, "Let all the angels," (No. 35) in which the theme is first given in simple harmony by the full choir. Then follows a fugue on the same subject, which is repeated again and again by diminu tion, and thus forms an accompaniment to itself—while the full power of the chorus is concentrated at the close, forming a climax of great beauty; The somewhat ineffective air (No. 36), and the chorus " The Lord gave the word," beginning a section nar rating tng triumph of the ciespel, are frequently oinittedb The air, " Hew 'beautiful," is an eiqnisite ttlnipositioni in which there are many fine limas Nihish will interest and delight the listener: Next We have the thediftii. Chorus (No. 25), " Their sound is gone out ;" then follows one of the finest and most effective of all Handel's songs, " Why do the Nations ;" always forcible to the most casual hearer, it is full of points that startle and delight the most pro found musician. The chorus No, 27), "net Us break," is striking and most elective . ; and the air, " Thoti slielt break them," has hardly till equal or a solo 'Voice, some points being quite electrifying. Then, as if the climax were reached, the Hallelujah chorus bdrsts on Us with dazzling splendour. After the repetition df the word "Hallelujah.," "like the Agiind df iiiaily *aters," the iinikin of Voices ed th e *ordsi "POr the nord," has the gtandost cited, and the wonder' and admiration are still faither enhanced by both thesesubjcts beingworked tegether: . Then comes. the, passage; ,"the Iting dnni of this NiTerld;" WhAi In it,A _;dtittati.; arid feitiie, gives such additional force to the lest of the movement, while the ascending passage, "King of Kings," sud denly broken off by all the 91'01e4c4 coming together in: , . plain counterpoint, is quite startling ; the sudden pause and final Hallelujah closes the movement, and leaves the listener overwhelmed with the sublimity of the - 4 seiitutiezit: ife mist briefly notice the third part, which describes Infidence and assurance of the believer, add the otvdFi erriPle,;;n4nt .(3f.the d ft "' . contains Of a different character from the other portions, and thus the composer overcomes the difficulty of keep ing up the interest excited by the last choruses. : The first air is well known and appreciated, and is followed by an alternative quartett and chorus, the first and third being in slow time, while the two choruses are, in con trast, given in quick time. " The trumpet shall sound" (No. 51) is one of these airs, which astonish the hearers by its accompaniment, but has, beeri much objected to by some emincrit 'Cities, The ConbliiditiF Chorus (No. m . "worth is the Lamy, is worthy of and of,this is stately, and slow, accelerated on the words, "To receive power," while the succeeding fugue, so melodious and cheerful, is yet a masterly specimen of scholarL ship and learning. The final movement, the "Amen" chorus, is a strict fugue, upon which Handel concen trated all his powers, and. so produced a specimen of writing which has perhaps no rival in ability, mid which will ever remain to attest his wonderful skill. Such were only some of the effects produced by last night's performance of this great Oratorio ; much was necessarily. left to. the powers, tastes, and feelings of the soloists paints were brought into prdminenee and tinei= petted beauties displayed lihich are misled by inferior artistes. flicked the frequent performanbe of thiS grand OrateriO lids so inEreased the n Undid- of €ritics; that nothing less than a high order of merit. Will satisfy. Last night's performance did nothing to reduce the high reputation of the Philharmonic chorus and their talented conductor ; and it was pleasant to see so many hundreds of people gratified and, we believe, benefited,: by/hear ing this great work so worthily rendered. ACCIDENTS. REPORTED AT THE ROYAL INFIRMARY, YESTERDAY.—Catherine Evans, domestic servant, run over by a cart ; leg fractured.—Thomas Stockford, of Frederick-street, run over by a spring cart in Clayton square; anekle sprained: The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia Com pany's steamship Glasgow sailed for New York yesterday, with £83,443 in specie. The Montreal Ocean Com pany's steamship Nova Scotian also sailed yesterday, for Portland, but took only £5OO in specie. THE COVENTRY RIBBON TRADE.—It is believed that it is in contemplation, at the forthcoming ball at Lea mington, in aid of the funds of the Warneford Hospital, to encourage meads fof the use or the Coventry ribbons, and that the Countess of Aylesford, Lridy Willoughby de Broke, Lady Somerville, the Hon. Mrs. Bertie Percy, and other benevolent and influential ladies of the neigh bourhood, have organised "Ribbon Quadrilles" on that occasion, each of these ladies selecting a colour in Coventry ribbon for their respective quadrilles. We also find the following paragraph subjoined to the announcement of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hos pital ball In the present depressed state of the ribbon' trade, the lady patronesses express an earnesk wish that the ladies attending the ball should appear in ribbons of Warwickshire manufacture." If the ladies attending balls throughout the country were to follow these praiseworthy examples, charitable contributions for the relief of the distressed would not be needed, for. the weavers would no doubt have abundant employment. Among other instances of the kind sympathy expressed by the fair sex towards the weavers of Coventry may be men tioned the fact that the Baroness Brunow has set an example to ladies of rank by ordering a dress to be so trimmed as to consume 500 yards of Coventry ribbons. The subscriptions in aid of the distressed are fast approaching the handsome sum of £lO,OOO. The sub scriptions collected by Mr. Eaton, silk merchant, of London, announced a few days since, include donations from several eminent firms of the following amounts : Fourteen of £lOO each ; ten of £5O each ; one of £3O ; three of £25 each ; one of 20 guineas ; four of £2O each ; eight of 10 guineas each ; nine of 110 each, &c. ; making a grand total of £2,6oo.—Birmingham Daily Post. THE REVIVAL IN JAMAICA.—A correspondent of the Freeman, writing from Bethlehem, Jamaica, furnishes an interesting account of the revival. He says :—" The effect of this revival tells already upon their former amusements and sinful practicea ; finery in dress es pecially, if they have come by it in an improper4way, together with trinkets, &c., have, in many instances, been destroyed. The chapel and yard here, was, on Sunday week, strewn with gaudy ribbons, necklaces, ear rings, &c. MultitudeS who were living in a state of concubinage are making baste to be married; and as for rum, nothing will induce many who drank it to excess, now to touch it. One rum seller told me he did not sell one-fifteenth part of the liquor he formerly did, and that no remuneration he could offer the fiddler would induce him_ to Play, as formerly, on the Saturday ; 'Nothing you can give me will pay me for my soul,' was the reply given to the alluring bait held out to him. The drums, dresses, &c., of 'the John Carrooing set, which were to have turned out during the approaching holidays, have • been destroyed, although when the' prayer meetings commenced, a short time since, the drum and fiddle, &c., were raised to their highest pitch to silence the prayer meeting. . But prayer has prevailed. Animosities, feuds, and quarrels that had taken place year s ago , an d which had disturbed the peace of old families and neighbour hoods, which had, in some instances, been smothered but not quieted, have, I believe, since this revival, been put out. Mutual apologies have been made, and mutual forgiveness tendered, with the assurance of love and friendship towards each other; and thus, instead of distrust and envy, there are exhibitions of harmony, love, and peace. And in looking round upon the altered state Hof Society, we cannot but exclaim, God wrought !" The Lord hath done great thinks for us, whereof we are glad.' " THE NEW PRESIDENT—Abraham Lincoln is a gaunt giant more than six feet in height, strong, and long limbed. He walks slow, and, like many thoughtful men (Wordsworth and Napoleon, for example),' keeps his head inclined forward and downward. His hair is wiry black ; his eyes are dark grey; his smile is frank, sincere, and winning. Like most American gentlemen, he is loose and careless in dress, turns down his flapping white collars, and wears habitually what we consider evening dress. ills head is massive, his brow full and wide, his ;rose large and fleshy, his mouth coarse and full ; his eyes are sunken, his bronzed face is thin, and drawn down into strong corded lines,.that disclose the machinery that mores the broad jaw. This great leader of the "Republican" party—this Abolitionist—this terror of the " Democrats"—this honest old 'lawyer, with a face half Roman half Indian, so wasted by climate, so scarred by a life's struggles, was horn in 1809 in. Kentucky. His grandfather, who came from Virginia, was killed by the Indians. His father died young, leaving a widow and several children. They removed to Indiana, Abe being_at that . time only six years old. Poor and struggling, his mother could only afford him sonic eight months rough schooling ; and in the clearings of that new, unsettled country, the healthy stripling went to work to hew hickory and gum trees, to grapple with remonstrating bears, and to look out for the too frequent rattlesnake. Tall, strong, lithe, and smiling, Abe toiled on as farm labourer, mule driver, sheep feeder, deer killer, woodcutter, and, lastly, as boatman ()lithe waters of the Wabash and Mississipi.— Once a Week. HOTEL LIFE IN NEW YORK.—HOW great was the contrast between the American hotel life into which we were now thrown and the quiet domestic life at home! The ladies were certainly relieved -almost entirely from household cares. There was no marketing, no anxiety about providing for dinner, no trouble about servants, no "washing day." Our meals were served to suit our own convenience. ' Breakfast might be obtained from half past six till eleven, and on a scale of which even our neighbours north of the Tweed have no conception. I was totally unable to do justice to the good things which surrounded me, and my waiter consequently manifested a good deal of anxiety on my account. After, I had partaken of a steak, potatoes, and fried oysters, and had assured him that I had made an excellent breakfast, he would gently remonstrate—" Sure, you want something else ? A little broiled fowl, or an omelet ? Well, you will have some hot cakes ?" Hot cakes are an American institution (every custom, I should remark, is termed an "institution" in America). These hot cakes resemble crumpets, and are gene rally served in a pyramidal form, a large cake forming the base, and the small one the apex of the pile. A little butter is placed between each cake, and syrup (refined molasses) poured over the whole. An Englishman is filled with astonishment when he for the first time beholds an American taking breakfast at an ordinary hotel. Before him is placed an array of dif ferent dishes, according to the season. He will first despatch half a melon ; this is merely to prepare the appetite for what is to follow. Next he will take a little shad; then a steak, with a few "fixings" in the shape of potatoes, roast, boiled, or stewed; followed by a dish of toast immersed in milk, some oyster fritters, and lastly, by hot cakes. Luncheon is served from Ito 2 to those who wish to partake of it. In a small dining room dinner is served from 2 till 5, and again from 6 till B—the latter meal being intended for guests who arrive too late for the principal dinner, which is served in the large dining-hall at half-past 5. Tea is on the table from 6 till 9, and supper from 9 till 12. The half-past 5 o'clock dinner at the Fifth-avenue Hotel is a most imposing sight. The dining-hall is a very large and handsomely-furnished room, and having no pillars, it presents a light and cheerful appearance. About 350 guests usually sit down, and: a waiter is allotted to not more than five diners. The waiters are marshalled like a company of soldiers, under "colonel," or head waiter, and a "lieutenant-colonel,," or second head. Having asked each guest what soup he will take, and received his orders, the waiters take rip a position. The head waiter, at the top of the centm:e table, calls " attention" by the stroke of a bell ; at a signal, every cover is lifted from over the side dishes, e: rcb man faces about, and the whole march out in file. The same order and precision are observed in bringing it the tarts and the- dessert, in clearing the tables of dishes, and in removing the cloth. Every delicacy of the season — without a figure of speech—is included in the bill of fare.—America as It Is. TIIE DOCK BOA:RA The weekly )ieeting ,of this ,boar' : was,held yesterday . . . at the Dock-offices: Mr. Brocilebailr, presided, absence of Mr. Charles Turnerarid Elie . . members„ present were—Messrs. Mondel, Rankin, Smith, Bold, Boult, Tobin, Littledale, Segar, Ilubback, Farnwortb, liolme, Laird, Langton, Evans, Inman, and Bushell. bit AVOItIiS COMMITTED, The proceedings of this committee Included g teCoM , thencl4tibn to let 06 square ydrdg of laud, oii the Uotth Side of tlie Groat Float, nefir Thomas Hughes, fOr is. P'ei.'• square yai4 per annum ; and a fiirthero6, thdt the additional rails .required for tho riedoni,mddatidii of iho goat ldld delhi dt cost of t4;060,' and that the land be let to the,tiade on a seven years', lease at the rate . of is. 30: per square . • yard. per ,annum,, an p ,04iti911. 5 per cent. as interest On the cost of and 71per oeiitopon, the cost of all the walls and buildings.—The sUbjeCt of the' indemnity required from vessels entering the Morpeth Dock at Birkenhead had been referred to the engineer and harbour-master to prepare a special report upon.—The communication from the manager of the Woodside ferry, requesting a continuance of the light at the end of the - new wall of the Woodside Basin having been taken into consideration, the matter had been referred to the engineer with the view of having the spotlighted, bjr,fa§: • hainig niaed the eonfiririitioii of the proceedings, Mr. BOULT asked why the board should pay for the light on the new wall. He thought they might with propriety order the Birkenhead Commi3sioners to keep up the light. Then they were for spending £4,000 at Birkenhead for additional rails; but he did not see that there was any.agreement on the part of the coal trade to do additional work. They had put up a high level drop on thii sidc; oh certain promises acid apectations ; but the trade Had paid it fdithitig 0 it till this day. 0011:the Othe day they bad a deplatiOti kidm the salt trade,Who NVaii€ed • the use of the lift, when one gentleman said he would sink £20,000 a-year himself. He thought; under those circumstances, they should be cautious how they spent money on outlay. Mr. Boult complained also that the proposed rent for the land was too low, and thought the proceedings should be referred back for further consideration. Mr. LAIRD said one reason for the rails was, that when they were laid down, other trades besides the coal trade would be able to use the quays. The coal trade paid the Trust £5,000 or £6,000 a year, and by these facilities the revenue might be increased. He was sur prised to hear Mr, toult complaining of Is. Bd. a yard being asked. lie had said it should be is. 6d., although his general btlmplaittt it as that the land at Birkenhead was vibith nothing. (Langhter.l The tents asked from the trade, he Was afraid, the' would not pa'. it should be generally known in reference to those rents, that they were charging for land on the extreme north of the works, on the Wallasey side, Is. per square yard per annum,—the land being two miles from the entrance to the docks. Mr. TOBIN said Mr. Boult had assumed that the engineer had laid down all the lines which were neces sary. He had only laid down the main lines, leaving time to determine what other additional .lines were requisite: Mr. Boult had again urged that the coal petiole should stipulate that they would do a certain amount of trade, but as a practical man he should know that they could not do that. They showed what the trade was,. and what had been its rate of increase—that in 1851 it was only 62,000 tons, and that it had increased to 300,000 tons in 1859, and that without any facilities. Mr. believed the coal trade would expand to an extent they had no idea of. He did. not think it ad visable on the part of the board to ask high rents. The first object was to attract business by inducements. Seven years would shortly elapse, and then they might ask any amount of rent they thought proper. Mr. BOLD said, as to the light on the wall, it was only proposed to continue that during the winter months ; but he took it that the board would have that light on their piers at the other side of the river, the same as this. Mr. SMITH said the revenue they derived from ships and goods was an element of much greater importance than the mere element of rent for a certain amount of land. After a few remarks from the Chairman, Mr. EVANS said, in the old Town Council an alder man of the name of Richard Leyland used to ask, when he thought things monstrous, where is the money to come from ? If they let things below their value they were only burdening one thing to take it off another. They were injuring commerce to such extent. It was a sickly business which could only be nurtured by throwing away the money of the docks to support it. If it would not bear the rightful aid ordinary charges it was not worth having ; it was a trade which never would attain to any great or vigorous extent whatever. There was a-great deal going on out of doors : one was for iron, another for coals, and this one for steel ; and they were always acting on private and separate interests, and overlooking the general interests. The proceedings were then confirmed. TILL iVAREHOUSE COMMITTEE, The proceedings of the Warehouse Committee were read and confirmed, but did not contain any item of special interest or importance. THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. The proceedings of thig committee were also read and confirmed. Mr. BOULT wished to be informed why there was no mention made in the proceedings of the committee of the additional new bell for the landing-stage at George's Dock, which was a matter of great importance, and would, no doubt, be thoroughly appreciated by all. The CHAIRMAN remarked that it seemed to be an omission. He also confirmed the statement made by the previous speaker as to the great importance of the bell on the landing-stage, more particularly during this foggy weather. The proceedings of the Pilotage Committee were read and confirmed without any discussion. THE DOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE. the proceedings of this committee were read. They embodied a communication sent to the committee by the Corn Trade Association, having reference to the subject of affording increased accommodation to merchants and others interested in the corn trade, for the purpose of carrying on that business. The committee reported that they knew of no space which could be devoted to the accommodation of persons in the corn trade. It had been suggested to them that there was a place at the north end which could be converted into this purpose; but the committee were of opinion that there was no space in the particular locality named which could be appropriated for the erec tion of warehouses suitable for the corn trade ; and the only place which, appeared to them applicable to the use of that trade was the Brunswick Dock, subject to such alterations in its' formation as would make it suitable for the erection of warehouses, &c. Mr. EVANS thought the committee might have assigned some reason why no other place besides the Brunswick Dock could be made available for the purpose already named. Mr. TOBIN remarked it was desirable that the public should know the grounds upon which the committee was justified in coming to the decision that they had come to. He did not feel inclined, and he did not want to cavil at the conclusion at which they had arrived, but still he thought that some strong reason should be assigned for the course of procedure adopted by them. (Hear, h6ar.) • • The CHAIRMAN quite agreed with these remarks, and thought that the committee should not have made such a report without specifying the reasons which induced them to make it. He saw that the chairman of the committee was not in his place, and he therefore hoped that some of the members of the committee present would be good enough to give such information in the matter as they might have it in their power to supply the board with. Mr. EVANS remarked that they had got. the east of the Queen's Dock, which would do very well for the purposes required by the corn trade. Mr. SMITIL rose and said that the question of provid ing accommodation for the corn trade was no doubt a very important one. He thought that most of the mem bers of that board would remember that some five years ago it was in contemplation to make • vast changes about the north end of the town, and it was about the same time in contemplation, in connection with the cor poration, to widen Sefton-street (of which property they had got' possession), in the neighbourhood of George's Dock, which would provide very ample and suitable accommodation for the corn trade. It was not now necessary for him to go into detail as regards the cir cumstances that prevented that scheme being carried out ; but all he could say was that when the Associa tion of the Corn Trade came to them the other day and introduced the subject of providing more ample accommodation for their trade, the committee entered with a great deal of care and minuteness into the con sideration of the question. After some deliberation they found that the Canada Dock was appropriated to the • purposes of the timber trade ; the Huskisson Dock was appropriated, also the Bandon Dock ; in like manner the Bramley-Moore Dock was employed by ships engaged in the American trade,—and having gone the whole range of the docks they found in them one object or other that was fatal to the erection of such warehouses as were suitable for the corn trade. When they came to the Brunswick Dock they found themselves in this position, that that was a dock only partially employed in the way in which it had been formerly employed for the timber trade, for all the purposes of which trade it was found to afford ample and sufficient accommodation. He, therefore, thought, in the interests of the general commerce of this great port, it was quite cothpetent to deal with the Brunswick Dock for general purposes, so as to afford the corn trade every facility in it as well as the timber trade. (Hear, bear.) And so thought the committee. As regards what had been said by Mr. Evans respecting the desirability of making the east side of the Queen's Dock available for the purposes of the corn trade, he thought that Mr. Evans, as a member of that board, should know that some five years ago, it was contemplated by - them to purchase a certain piece of property on the east side of the Queen's Dock, and make a dtcf life froM" . "ltipppinfi.'„frttt! F4eft,on-syeet, by which .atratigement„ample.p.cititics,woOd be affotded to the, corn, or 4ny. i ptlig wade ; ;, but. tbesp.schenies . not havin i k been carriecl l cirt, it appeared : ticab.Ay an i d otter impossiliy to put warehouses in the place mentioned by Mr. Evans. Mr. EVANS—What do you say to the east side of George's Dock ? Mr. SMITH—The land is not the property of this board, Mr. Es'Arrs—l beg your pardon, it is our property. Mr. S - .9..'frit—T was not aware of that, The CilAirim<& remarked that a e'ettain portion of the land referred to' belonged to that ho'a'rd: Mt: S lirt replied e'ert if Stich' Were the Page that that po'rtion of the land Wag Ih'e plopert: df the" board, still George's Dock could not be made aN t allable' for the purposes of the corn trade, as it was the shah' lowest ciock . in Li.erPool, and conseciVently not answer able for the Cori trade. It was true it might ET Made, to accommodate vessels from the Bahia which were of light tonnage, and drew only a small quantity of water; but certainly not for the vessels which traded with America, and were engaged in the enormous corn trade with that country. In conclusion he thought that the Brunswick Dock was the only dock that could be made to answer the purposes of the corn trade. Mr. RANKIN thought that the matter was a very important one, and that some place should he found ;thick toiild afford accommodation to the corn trade. fie suggested the West side of the Prince's Dock, as a suitable locality for that puriose. it *as aceedingly desirable that some arrangements shotild be made with the corporation, either to have or not to have accommo dation provided for the corn trade. Mr. EVANS thought that inasmuch as corn was not an article either to be pilfered or stolen, it did not so absolutely require an enclosed dock. Mr. I.IIJHBACK hoped that a copy of the resolution heiii to the seCretark of tht born Trade Asso ciation; WhiCh Wetild sirdit that body What cdfisidetation ha!d been given to the matter by that beatd. He thought that the suggestion of Mr. Raniiii shoUld be carried out, namely, to erect temporary sheds for the corn trade ; and he felt certain that many persons in li that trade would be perfectly satisfied to have double ' storey sheds for this article. He contended that all their sheds, at the north end particularly, whether intended for steam or American trade, should be over looked with an upper storey. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BOULT said it was to be regretted that the corn trade did not take action in this matter sooner, and now that the board did take up the subject he hoped that they would not rest contented with a half way of doing it: He thought that the great difficulty to be grappled With, in respect to the subject of the corn trade, was the nifisariee of cartage, instead of employing which he recommended that the Coin should be drafted direct from the vessel into the warehouse, Which would obviatC the necessity of cartage. He hoped that neat session they would be in a position to go to Parliament with a complete plan to obtain full powers to make their docks both ample and sufficient for the accommodation of the corn trade and every other trade. Mr. HOLME agreed with these remarks, and also observed that one of the principal objects they had in view, with reference to the subject of giving ample accommodation to the corn trade, was concentration. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that this matter would have the serious consideration of the board, and that they would not go into it in the half-and-half way in which they generally dealt with such subjects. Mr. BOLD said he was authorised in stating that the North-Western and Great "Western Railway Companies were prepared, if the Dock Board would build suitable warehouses on the other side of the water, to take their buildings at once, at a fair rent or a reasonable interest. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN thought that the question should be referred back to the Docks and Quays Committee, which was accordingly done. THE MASTER PORTERAGE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read and con firmed. A communication from Mr. John Harrison, accom panied by a voluminous correspondence that passed between him and the Secretary of War, was referred to the Finance Committee. A letter from the Bridgewater Trustees was also referred to the 'Works Committee for their consideration. The board shortly afterwards separated. LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY. (Before Mr. RAFFLES.) THE POOR-BOX. His worship acknowledged the receipt of £1 from K. 8., a Friend," for the poor-box. ASSAULTING THE POLICE. Mr. William and Mr. Francis Smith, described as grocers, having shops in Cable-street and London-road, were charged by Officer Gray (645), with being drunk and disorderly in Whitechapel, and in addition, Francis was charged with having assaulted the officer. Gray stated that he heard a row in Whitechapel, and on going for ward he saw the two prisoners and another person, not now present, arguing and creating a disturbance. The absent man wanted to charge the Messrs. Smith with having- assaulted him ; but the officer not having seen the assault, could not take the charge, but seeing the two gentlemen were drunk, he took their names and address, which they gave, and intended to summon them, and to let the other gentleman summon Francis Smith for the assault he complained of. He then wanted them to go away, when William Smith struck him on the chest and kicked him very severely in the shins, and hurt him much. He then took them to the station, and charged W. Smith with having assaulted him, and F. Smith was charged by the absent man with assaulting him, and both were booked for being drunk. Both prisoners denied being drunk, but Bridewell-keeper Kearney said they were drunk when brought to the station-house. W. Smith denied having assaulted the officer, but Police-constable 513 said he saw him strike and kick Gray in the legs. The prisoner Francis Smith said the whole thing originated in this way—l went in a cab for my brother, and when coming along Whitechapel he slapped me on the shoulder and my hat fell out of the car, and then my brother jumped out to get it, when he knocked against a man who fell down. I then got out of the car, and the moment I did so the man got up and charged me with having assaultdd him, although I never laid a hand on him. Mr. Raffles: Well, he does not appear to charge you now, and I will dismiss you for that, but I fine you ss. for being drunk. The other prisoner I fine 20s. for the assault on the officer. The prisoner said he did not assault the officer. Mr. Raffles said the officer was one of the most experienced in the town, and he must take his oath in preference to the word of a drunken person, besides the other officer saw you strike him. The fines were paid, and the prisoners discharged. OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT OF A CAR OWNER. Richard Fox, a car owner and driver, was brought up by Leech, an officer at the Tithebarn-street Station, on three charges—the first with having assaulted him, the second with having broken his uniform hat, and the third with having assaulted and abused Mr. Mellor, dis tiller, and demanding more than his fare. Leech said : After five o'clock the previous evening I saw the prisoner dragging Mr. Mellor along the platform, and using very bad language to him. I requested him to desist, and if he had anything to say to him he knew where to find him. I got him as far as the door, when he gave me a blow on the side of the face and knocked me down. He then knocked my hat into pieces. He produced the chapeau, and certainly such a shocking bad hat we have hardly ever seen. Its exhibition caused much laughter. Mr. Raffles : What's the value of the hat ? Ten and sixpence, sir. Mr. Raffles : Was he drunk. He was. Prisoner (violently) : No I was not dt:unk. The bride well keeper who took the charge said the prisoner was mad drunk. Mr. Mellor said : I engaged this man to drive me for an hour or a little more yesterday, and when I got to the station (I was going by express train) I found I had him twenty minutes ever the hour, and I gave him 35., and he then said I must give him 4s. I told him to call at the office as I was in a hurry, and he knew me well enough. I was just about getting► into a carriage, when he came behind and seized me by the collar, and dragged me violently along the platform, using very foul language. He was drunk at the time, and I think his conduct very outrageous. Mr. Raffles : I think so too ; what have you to say to the charge ? Prisoner (excitedly) : I was not drunk. Mr. Mellor only gave me 2s. Mr. Mellor : I gave you over 3s. 6d. to get rid of you. Mr. Raffles : I fine you 10s. 6d. damage for the hat; 20s. for the assault; and order you to be reported to the Car Committee for your conduct. WHAT MRS. STEPHENSON GOT FOR HER SYMPATHY A respectable-looking elderly female, named Mrs. Stephenson, charged a sailor, named James Riley, with having assaulted her. She said—Last night, I was going into a baker's shop in Park-lane, to order some bread, when I saw the prisoner standing at the door, bleeding from a cut in his forehead, and I said "oh, poor lad, I am very sorry for you, who hurt you ?" And then he drew from me, struck me a blow in the mouth, and knocked out one of my teeth. Mr. Raffles : Was he drunk ? Ile was sir. Bridewell-keeper Wil son said he was so drunk, that at the station- house he commenced a furious attack on his own shadow on the wall, and he had to be put in irons, to prevent him from killing himself or some one else. lie was fined 40s. and costs, or two months' imprisonment.' (Before Mr. CASTELLAIN.) CHARGE AGAINST AN ATTORNEY. Mr. Charles Pemberton, the well-known attorney, was summoned by Police-constable 64S with furious driving. Mr. Bremner appeared for the defendant. The officer stated that on the morning of the 6th instant he saw the defendant drive his horse and gig furiously down West Derby-street. He was going at the rate of at least ten or twelve miles an hour. He called on him to pull up, but he would not, and witness followed him about 100 yards or so. Mr. Bremner said what might be called furious driving in one place and under peculiar circumstances, would not be so in another place. The son if the defendant, who was in the gig with him at the 0.04 vYmitd tell his Ntotsl4 that the pace was not more than eight miles an and fire West Id • d. herby-street cou called furious drying There was no olostruetio whateer t 6 st=ett: at th 6 time there vjas o yellicldof any sort passingeptvia cr tre rther were no lego e _the street whose lives could be eildaineereff—evqiything i was and eight miles an hour was i=cy irlrions ()riv ing in that street ; although, perhaps, such pace in Dale-street, or a great thoroughfare of that sort, where unfortunately some accidents bad happened recently, and which led to informations being laid by the' polite for furious driving, might be taken as such. an liork was a very rapid pace fors lidise, and he (Mfr. nrerriner, thought but few gendem'en in tiverimol posessed hofses abbe do' that theY dvinei shoiild he very prodci of such en! animat. The ,dffi l cer lir . . nerdhertori was flogging the bOrse ,as hard as Ne could` With tli6 Whi l pa`e the time. Air. Castellani nut had he fun control of the torse 1. )- es sir,' he had. Mr. Castellain Was there inY • oliStru& • 4 I tion in the street by vehicles; cars; or the like ? None, sir. Mr. Castellain Wa's there aril perpon in the street likely to be in danger ? N'orie that Isaw. Mr. Pemberton's son, who was with him at the time, was called by Mr. Bremner for the defence. He said the pace was not more than eight or nine miles at most, and that continued only for a short way down West Derby street, and when at the end, near Pembroke-place, he pulled up and went very slow. There was no person in the street, nor any vehicle to obstruct the gig. Mr. bastellairt said I think the officer in the first instance, Was perfeetlY right in lalirig the Information for furious driving, for such is very dangerous in our streets. However, as it appears there was no one put id dangef, nor any vehicle in the street at the . time, I will not inflict any penalty in this case, as no doubt it will prove a caution in future. I dismiss the complaint. BAD MEAT. insiketor Jones summoned Elizabeth Smith, of Park lane; for hating diposed for sale a quantity of beef not fit foi hmthni food. 'the ease Was probed, and a fine of 20s. and Costs imposed 'oft the defendant: (Before Messrs. Cisiitairt and ljcierin.) A POLICE-OFFICER CONVICTED OF AN ASSAULT: Mr. Miller, the keeper of a licensed eating-house in Skelhorn-street, summoned Police-officer Morrison, No. 29, for having assaulted him. Mr. Cobb appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Bluck for the defendant. The case lasted a considerable time, and several witnesses were examined at both sides. The history of the affair is as follows :—On the morning of the 20th an "unfor tunate female" followed a man into the house of com plainant. She was drunk, and created a disturbance in the house, and as she would not go away, an officer was sent for to remote her. The defendant came, and was requested to remote the woman, but he refused, and after some altercation with the coMplainant he knocked him down add maltreated hint; and then took hint to Hotham-street statidn add made a cliarge there against him for being drunk and disorderly. The charge was not taken, and this was the case on the part of the complainant, which was fully proved by him and two respectable witnesses. An important question arose as regarded the removal of the drunken woman from the house by the officer, when Mr. Wybergh read the 41st section of the recent act of Parliament, which com pels officers to remove drunkea and disorderly persons from all licensed houses, public or refreshment, at the request of the owner ; and Mr. Wybergh said it appeared to him that the officer in this case had not performed his duty, when he did not remove the woman as re quested. The Act of Parliament compelled him to do so, and he supposed the Watch Committee had given orders to have the act carried out. Inspector Dodd, who was present, said the Watch Committee had given orders to have the act carried out strictly. Mr. Wy bergh said he thought such was the case, and therefore the officer did not perform his duty. On the part of the defence the woman was called, and she stated that Mr. Miller was beating her when the officer came up. She said he was drunk at the time, but she admitted that she was drunk herself. The bridewell-keeper at Hot ham-street said when the complainant was brought there by the officer he was drunk, and the female charged him with having assaulted her, and the officer charged him with being drunk and disorderly ; but both charges were withdrawn. The magistrates sent for the police report hook, and it appeared that the officer had been once fined 2s. 6d. for an assault on a civilian. Mr. Cobb and his client said there was no vindictive feeling against the officer, and Mr. Miller begged that the magistrates would be as lenient as possible with the defendant. The magistrates said they could not inflict less than 20s. fiße on the officer. Inspector Carlisle asked if their worships wished to have the man reported ? They replied not, as the fine met the entire case, and he should not be punished a second time for one offence. SECURITY FOR RAILWAY TRAVELLERS. The French Minister of Public Works has just addressed the following circular to the engineers in chief charged with the control of the railways, calling their attention to different measures calculated to secure pas sengers against such dangers as that of which M. Poinsot was lately the victim. The hon. minister says : "Sir,—The act committed on the 6th instant, on the Eastern Railway, has caused the most painful and the most legitimate emotion. The public has seen in this frightful event the revelation of a danger, the exist ence of which appears to have been never suspected. Doubtless, if we reflect on the criminal audacity required to accomplish such a crime, and if we think on the Co-operation of circumstances, which could alone allow the murderer to escape the surveillance of the agents on the line, and the very dangers of that attempt, we shall be led to see in this deplorable event only one of those exceptional facts which are beyond all calculation. Nevertheless it suffices for such a crime to have been committed for it to be the duty of the administration to scrupulously seek, with the co-operation of the railway companies, for the pro per means of preventing the recurrence of it, and of tranquilising the public feeling. Among those measures, that which first presents itself to the mind, and which, in fact, appears the most effectual, would consist in organising the control of the train in a permanent manner, by means of the circulation of agents on the footboards of the carriages properly arranged for that purpose. This system, which as already been in practice on the Northern and Southern lines, is, I am aware, not much approved of by the public, who complain of the frequent derange ments which it occasions. Considerations of general security must, however, evidently give way to simple questions of convenience. This control of agents of the trains, effected at any period during their passage, appears to be a serious guarantee which ought not to be neglected. It would be well to examine whether, in order to complete this control, it would not be possible to place at the disposal of the passengers in each com partment a visual signal, which could be hoisted above the carriage, and which would call the guard placed in the front part of the train. This signal might be lighted at night by means of a reflector placed above the lamps. There has been also suggested as a useful measure the establishment in the carriages of glazed panels, forming a communication between each com partment; this system also merits examination. Lastly, as a malefactor could not escape from the train except at a moment when its speed had somewhat slackened, either on coming near stations or bifurcations, it is important that a special surveillance should be exer cised at those points. I call your particular attention, sir, to the different measures which I have just pointed out. Be kind enough to examine them in concert with the company the control of which is canfided to you, and let me know as soon as possible the result of that examination. "ROURER." The lord chancellory living at Mission, Notts, has been presented to the Rev. Colne Postlewaite. A marriage will shortly take place between Captain Ferguson, of the Grenadier Guards, and Miss Hood, eldest daughter of the Hon. Col. and Lady Mary Hood. _ _ _ WHAT is A CLOWN ?—" You are a clown," said I, meditatively. " What is a clown ?" Ile did not answer me in words, but, placing his hands on his knees, stared at me steadfastly, and then, having fixed my attention, his face performed a series of the most fearful contortions I aver beheld. With one horrible spasm he made his mouth appear to stretch from ear to ear ; with another, his nose wagged from side to side ; with a third, his er.brov.s went up and down alternately, giving the different sides of his face two directly antagonistic expressions. I was shocked and horrified, and called to hill to desist. " And yet," thought I, "there arc natures wEo can delight in these, and see in them matter for mirth and laughter." " Old man," said I, gravely, " las it ever occurred to you that in this horrible cum mixture of expression, wherein grief wars with joy and sadness with levity, you are like one who, with a noble instrument before him, should, instead of sweet sounds of harmony, produce wild, unearthly discords, the jang ling bursts of fiend-like voices ?"—All the Year Round. TILE PAROCHIAL MlND.—There is a popular idea that every vestryman is an oratorical greengrocer or a discontented tailor, with mean views, a loud voice, and an abusive tongue. Some vestrymen may be of this order, like some members of Parliament ; but underlying this sort of scum (scum always floats to the top) there is often a solid substratum of sound sense and discretion. The faculty of ready utterance is generally possessed by smill minds, which have little in them to check volubi lity It is the mere parochial orator who brings ridicule upon the good old system of local self-government : while Ulm men who do credit to it, and are the working bees among the buzzing drones of the parochial hive, are seldom heard. It is they who do the work ; the others tali about doing it, but really obstruct it ; and are, happily, the minority. The revenues of the larger London parishes amount to sums which many a full blovn continental State looks upon with envy. Yet, on the whole, these are collected and dispensed with rea soluble accuracy awl judgment. The majorities in vesaies must, therefore, consist of men of unsullied principles and active business accomplishments, who work hard and talk little ; otherwise, parochial affairs could not be so well carried on as they are. It must alv , ,ays be remembered that the shortcomings of local adninistrative bodies depend, not upon the noisy un grammatical speechmakers, but upon those who elect then. Parish government is representative government, ani the ratepayers pull the strings.-dl/ the Year Round. RULES OF Ti ASSOCIATION. The following are the rules and regulations 44"rhifih have been framed for the constitution and goN!erifni`ein & this valuable association Y.' The The Ohiiedi ot Ist/liitiou is to assist in giving "rohi'n'teeitaefp l 3, , gtkl to promote rifle shooting throui c"ca'fr. 2. Tb 9 I.6ociaiioii' will detts( fenlithrl subscri l?4is of 10s. pnd' upwards, ariifof tl dotif.v.iOA' of and upward:. Thek,niV have ,the piiiitege of becoming members of the IN a t i l c4itl Rifle Association, by increasing their annual subscriptions or les, t6'2.ipL; half of which will be paid to the National Rifle As'so-Ati6n;' or by doubling their donations, half of which will be aptlied in the same manner. Donors of not less than £2O for prizes in any one year di the county meetings will be enrolled as members. ''ire pro/Alt, of the association shall be vested in three trustees, to' h'e *pointed by the council. 4'. The Lord-Lieoerianf Ur the sounty to be the patron or the . association. s'. Ttete stalf ble a president annually - efeefed by the council, Who' shalt dot fot the office of president for three years. 6. There, shall be ivielie vice-pl 6 rel'en'ts a i4~u'ally elected at the yearly general meeting n'ecenther, 7. There PbaTl . be a council of twenty- - One ordinary members (exclusiie of members) elected at the general meeting in December; Cr 411;41;1'one-third shall in each year vacate office (in the first th';c7 e64.6iid year, according to alphabetical order, afterwards in the 6ider of their election), but shall be eligible for re-election. Five shall be a quorum. The council shall have power to appoint sub-committees. 8. The patron and president of the association and the trustees shall be at officio members of the council, and there shall he a tfeastiter appointed by the trustees, who also shall be ex yficio a Member of the council. 9. The council shall have the sole niatiagetnent of the income and the funds of the association, rencleAlg ait account at the annual meeting in December, such account having been previously audited by a person or persons not rnernbers of the council to be annually named by the totincil tot that purpose. The council shall also have the entire managentent rind superintendence of all the Other affairs and Concerns of the . Amer/don ) and shall do all snob acts and deeds as shall appeat to them neces sary to be done fo't the purp'o'se of Carrying into effect the objects thereof. 10. The council shall be regulated In their proceed ings by such byelaws as may from time to time he efiacted by them, established byelaws not being in any case altered, or new ones proposed, without at least one month's notice of such intention being given to each member of the council. 11. There shall be a paid secretary appointed by the council, who shall be removable at their pleasure. Clerks tray also be appointed, and offices taken, at the discre tion of the council. 12: There shall be a general meeting of the associa tion in each year ; held in Chester / In the month of December ; at this meeting the council shall be elected, vsho shall afterwards elect the president for the ensuing year. 13. There shall be at general meeting of the Associa tion each year towards the end of August or beginning of September, in such part of the county as shall be deemed by the council most advantageous for the advancement of the objects of the association. At this meeting it will be open to all volunteer artil lery or rifle companies in the county to send a certain number of their members (the number to be fixed by the council) to compete for prizes, provided that the persons so sent are bond fide effective members of the company from which they are sent. Volunteers to pay such entrance fees as the council may decide upon. H. Prizes shall also be given which shall be open to all corners belonging to or resident in the county, whether belonging to volunteer companies or not, on payment of a certain sum by each competitor, which payment shall entitle him to a certain number of shots. Troops quartered in the county to be considered resi dents for the time being. 15. An umpire shall be appointed by the council. 16. All members of volunteer corps competing for prizes will be required to appear in the uniform of their corps. 17. An officer will be appointed to take the command of the volunteers who may have assembled to compete for the prizes. This officer will be responsible for the maintenance of order and discipline at the different ranges. 18. The council shall decide the number and amount of prizes to be given, as well as fix the extent of the ranges, and settle all the details connected with the meeting, and they shall cause due notice of all such matters to be given to the public. 19. The firing shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the School of Musketry at llythe, unless otherwise ordered by the council. 20. The prizes, which are restricted to enrolled volunteers, shall be competed for with any rifle of a bona fide Government pattern in use by volunteer corps in the county, and with the Government ammunition. The minimum pall of trigger to be 31b. 21. The prizes open to all corners on payment of the entrance fee, may be shot for with any description of rifle, provided its weight does not exceed 101 b. 22. In no case shall hair triggers or magnifying sights be used, but a prize or prizes may be given without these restrictions. 23. The place of meeting in the ensuing year to be announced publicly at the December meeting. 24. All entries shall be made at least fourteen days before the meeting, and no subsequent entry shall be made except with the permission of the council. VICTOR EMMANUEL AND FRANCIS 11. When Victor Emmanuel was at Florence in the spring of this year, he wrote to the young King of Naples, giving him good advice, advising him to grant a constitution, and offering him the alliance of Piedmont. Here is the letter : Dear Cousin,—lt would be useless for me to point out the political state of the peninsula, since the great vic tories of Magenta and Solferino annihilated the influence which Austria exercised upon our country. The Italians are no more the people of thirty years ago, to be led like sheep by their rulers. They have acquired the full knowledge of their rights, and they possess the wisdom and strength necessary to defend them. Public opinion has, on the other hand, sanctioned the principle, that every nation has the incontestible right of governing itself as it thinks best. When once the overpowering influence of Austria was conquered, it was natural enough that the people of Italy should get rid of the minor princes, and try to constitute a powerful and inde pendent community. We have, therefore, reached an epoch at which Italy must be divided into two powerful States, one in the north, the other in the south, which, by adopting a similar course of national policy, should assist the Italian leading idea of our time, which is unity. But to carry this project into effect it is, I firmly believe, necessary that your Majesty should at once abandon the fatal course you have hitherto pur sued. Should you resist my pressing advice, which I beg you to believe is the result of the truest affection for your welfare, and for that of your royal dynasty — should you repudiate my friendly proposal, a time may come in which I should be placed in the terrible alter native of endangering the most urgent interests of my own dynasty, or of becoming, in fact, the chief in strument of your ruin. The principle of dualism, which, if successfully established and honestly car ried out, will at the same time ensure our happi ness and the happiness of our colintry, may be still willingly accepted by the Italians. If you allow a few months to pews without following the friendly advice I give you, your Majesty will, in all probability, expe rience the bitterness of these terrible words, "It is too late !" as a member of your family did at Paris in 1830. The Italians will then concentrate in me all their hopes, and there are duties which, however pain ful they may be, must be fulfilled by an Italian sove reign. Let us therefore work together at such a noble work; let us urge upon the Holy Father the necessity of granting the requisite reforms ; let us unite our States in a bond of real friendship, from which the great ness of our country will surely spring. Grant at once a liberal constitution of your subjects ; surround yourself with the influence of the men who are most esteemed for all they have suffered in the cause of liberty ; dispel all kinds of suspicion in your people, and let an ever lasting alliance be established between the two most powerful States of the Peninsula. We will then work together to insure to our country the great blessing of being the sole arbitress of her future destinies. You are young, and experience is not generally the lot of youth. Allow me, therefore, to impress upon your mind the necessity of following the advice I give you in my twofold capacity of a near relative and of an Italian sovereign. I anxiously wait, by the return of the confidential courier who will present this letter to your Majesty, a satisfactory answer.—Believe me, your Majesty's most affectionate cousin, VICTOR EMMA:WEL. Florence, April 15, 1860. To this letter, it is said, not only no answer was given, but the orderly officer who took it to Naples was not even allowed to deliver it to the king, as he had been directed to do. M. REICHARDT, TILE TENOR.—This charming tenor singer is now in Paris, and respecting his performances in that gay capital, we quote the following fropi La Rowe ct Gazette Musicale :—" M. Reichardt, the cele brated tenor and composer, has lately arrived in Paris, where he purposes to pass the season,—a fortunate event for our Parisian salons. On Thursday last we had the pleasure of hearing him at one of our most fashionable and aristocratic reunions, where he obtained a most spontaneous and enthusiastic success. Accompanied by the Princess Metternich. the feminine Maecenas of all artistic celebrities, M. Reichardt sang, in the most exquisite style, two of his recent compositions, 0 belle e'toile; odoux regard; and La Berecusc. The applause of the aristocratic and critical audience was all that could be desired by either a vocalist or a composer." Dr. Thompson, Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, died on Wednesday. About thirty miles of the Smyrna and Aden Railway was opened on Monday last. Sir E. Head, Governor-general of Canada, is on a visit to the Duke of Newcastle at Clamber. The Right Hon. B. Disraeli and Mrs. Disraeli have gone on a visit to Sir Lawrence and Lady Talk at Hahlon House, Exeter, THE MEMBERS FOR EDINBURGH AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS. The! Members for Edinburgh—Mr. Adam Black and Mr. MoneVeff, toed-Advocate—met their constituents in the Music-ind thdre . on' Monday,. and, the meeting being one of unusual inteleS't„.oWing to' the keen contro versy that divides the city on the subject of the Annuity Tax Act passed last session, whereby, tliOtt,sh the tax is reduced one-half, the voluntary dissenters vrilY net. be able to Fade it as hitherto, the hall was crammed to excess within ten or fifteen minutes after the doors were opened. The nt'inher present was probably from 2,200 to 2,400. The members Were &flowed to the platform by a large number of leading eitiZens ; including Sir W. Gibson Craig, Sir William I)inibet,. - .1‘1.1 1 ., Sir W. Johnston, Mr. ',l t eriaySs, M.P. ; Afr..Maitland; golieitor-General of Scalar :4i W. Chamber's; - Mr. It GI/ambers, Pro fessors Pilla& c . Chrilsti'soti;- and' Blitekie, Caplain Sir William Hamilton, gs:C.- The Lord ProVvst occupied the chair. Both the hononYthiVgentlonert experienced the greatest difficulty in obtaini a' bearing, the per sons composing the large meeting apparently about equally divided between friends and foe: ; and the latter demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the coVse which had been taken by bath their liberal represen tatives with respect to the bill for the abolition of the annuity tax, and by Mr. Black with respect to the goVernment Reform hill of last year, with all sorts of noises, gassings; and groans. A -rote of thanks to Messrs. Black and :litoterP.igt was ca'r'ried by the prominent majority. Mr. Black, in the' course' of h'i's a4dress (which was ceneiantlY interrupted), gaVe' the foiloeving most sen sible eipet'lliOn' of the grounds on . Which fie opposed the Government Measure of reform :•—Like other men, I have felrr,d l a' notion of the manner in which Parliament should be feiThifeti. This theory I have repeatedly propounded to my angtitatits .; and when the question was before the House of Cesnmons I felt that I should be guilty of unfaithfulness if, when Ilse Ministry appeared to be venturing on a dangerous course ("Oh ; oh!" hisses and cheers)—l would have considered myself unworthy of being your representative (a voice, "So you ate ° ) if I bad refrained from publicly giving my reasons for differing horn a material part of the bill then under consideration. (Cheer's and hisses, and a voice, "Treacherous Adam." Laughter,) My lord and gen tlemen, I can assure you that I felt it zo easy task to screw up my courage to sacrifice the good opinion of states/kit Whom I had admired and followed, and the 1 approbation of &inlets whom I highly valued. The theory I then Maintained Wets the same as I have again arid again propednded in public Wettings at home, that the systend of P'arliarnentary representation 11 a mere machine —an instruniea f. for the' promotion of good goternment, and that if it get out of fear Or defective ; it she old lie repaired and improved, but thdt ibe proposed alteration must first be proved to be necess - ‘/I . to the well working of the machine. ("Oh, oh," ettl a' voice, "You're a high Tory.") I hold that the franchise is not a right, but a trust. I maintain that it is a sacred trust to be exercised for the benefit of the community, and that the only claim that any class can have for being invested with this trust must be founded on their qualifications to exercise it; and before any change should be made it should first be proved that the community Will be benefitted by it. Now, here let me observe that I distinctly and decidedly again and again declared that I would not pledge myself to any plan of Parliamentary Reform, but would leave , myself free to be guided by circumstances. (Hear, hear, and hisses.) At that tint, raid in the circumstances we were then placed, I was dispostal to recommend £6. And why ? Because, in the first place, Lord. J. Russell had moved and carried a resolution against lir. :Disraeli proposing, among other things, £6 as the limit of the franchise, and on that occasion I voted with my party itt what was really a party motion (yells and hisses), and thus got in sonic degree committed, although if I had voted on the other side I should have been worse committed still, for then Mr. Disraeli, for the Protectionist party, showed their willingness to offer the same bribe to the Radicals, or to come even lower ; and Mr. Bright, besides many of those who glory in the name of Advanced Liberals--(cheers and laughter)—would hardly be content with a £.5 franchise, and would only take it as an instalment. (Hear, and a voice, " Quite right, too.") All parties in the House of Commons appeared to me to be committed to the lower ing of the franchise, and in these circumstances I was disposed to recommend the highest limit that was likely to be got; but when the question came to be looked at by the members more carefully, they found that the numbers of the new constituency would be so great that they would give an undue preponderance to one class, and that class the lowest—(cries of "tab, oh l")—and surely he would be a bold man who would maintain that, for the purpose of improving the machine, the inhabitants of houses between £lO and £6 rent would infuse into it more intelligence and independence than the inhabitants of houses at £lO and upwards. (A voice, "So they would.") If they are no more than equal to those already intrusted with the franchise, they would not improve, but would most probably encumber the machine (cries of " Oh, oh !") ; and if they are not equal in qualifications, then they will infuse a deteriorating principle into it. (Hisses, and a voice in the gallery, "We are the people.") About this time that very class of men—the skilled workmen—indicated the use to which they would put political power if intrusted to their hands, by entering into one of the most dangerous and suicidal combinations (" hear," and hisses) ; for a mere delusion they sacrificed the interests of the public, their own comfort, and the health and happiness of their wives and children. (Cheers, and a void, " Mind the Queen's Park meeting.") At the same time, Mr. Potter, the leader of the London strike, in his evidence before a committee of the House of Commons, testified that the London Secret Committee of the Trades' Union could influence 600,000 workmen in all parts of the kingdom. (A voice, "Prove it," and "That is false.") When all these circumstances were fairly brought to light and considered, many of the members, and even some of those who rejoice in the name of Advanced Liberals, were staggered, and coincided in my views. (Hisses.) I will only say that I was convinced then, and am convinced still, that what I stated in the House of Commons was the truth (hisses and cheers), and I considered it a sacred duty to declare it, whatever might be the consequence. (Pro longed cheers.) Ido not object to a fair proportion of the working classes being admitted to the franchise, but don't let us be swamped by them. (Hisses, and a voice, "Resign.") I am not unwilling to admit a large propor tion of the working classes. (Impatience.) What I say is this—l consider that a safe plan would be to give votes to holders of property yielding 40s. a year, whe ther a freehold or not; and I would reduce the county franchise from £5O to £lO. (Cheers and hisses.) From what I have seen of the House of Commons, I doubt if any party will be able to construct a spick-and-span new Reform Bill. Although the bit-by-bit procedure has been ridiculed, I am convinced that it is the only one ! that will succeed ; and if Ministers would adopt Mr. Locke King's measure for reducing the county franchise, I have little doubt that it would be carried. (Hear.) potting ,(,)4 uttitigetut. FORFEITS. The Racing Calendar, just published, contains the " forfeit list," which shows about 600 horses to be in default. Persons interested must bear in mind that no horse in this list can be entered for any of the numerous stakes which close on the Ist of January, or for any other stake, or run for any race for which they may at present be entered, until the amount of the forfeits standing against them have been paid. In several instances the forfeits are properly payable by the subscriber who named the horse, and not by the owner; but these forfeits must nevertheless he paid • and the subscriber's name can be left in the "forfeit fist" as owing the amount to the person who has paid, to qualify the horse. INDEX TO THE CLOS Abingdon Jan. 1 Ascot I Bath Bedford Bibury Club Brighton I Catterick 1 Chelmsford I Chester Devon and Exeter Doncaster Egham 1 Epsom Spring Epsom Summer I Goodmood Hampton 1 Harpenden 1 Hungerford Lewes Lincoln 1 Liverpool Spring 1 No OF STAKES, 1861. Liverpool July Jan. 1 Manchester Newcastle Newmarket Northampton l Nottingham Spring I Nottingham July 1 Odiham Plymouth ]Pontefract Reading Salisbury 1 Stamford 1 Stockbridge Stockton Thirsk 1 Warwick Spring ............ Winchester Worcester York Spring ..... ; .... : ...... York August 1 SALE or HORSES.—An event of not a little interest in the sporting world was expected to have come off yesterday, being no less than the sale of Butcher Boy, the celebrated trotter, which took the shine out of the Daw, once the unrivalled champion of the trotting circle in this neighbourhood. The exchange of ownership, however, did not take place, albeit the great interest excited amongst a large number of betters, and other lovers of the turf, who were congregated at Lucas's Repository in Great Charlotte-street, where the sale was fixed to be held. Several other fine animals were exhibited, but did not change hands. HUNTING FIXTURES. The WYNNSTAY PACK will meet on Friday, December 28, at Quinta Saturday, December 29, at Otelcy Park Each day at half-past ten. Master, Sir W. W. Wynn, 'Bart., M.P.; Huntsman, J.Walker. The CHF:SHIRE HOUNDS meet on Saturday, December 29, at .............................. Twemlow Hall Monday. December 31, at .........Three Greyhounds, ltudhthea Wednesday, January 2, at .............................. Duddon Heath Thursday;January 3, at Appleton Hall Saturday, January .5, at Oulton Park Ntnuday. January 7, at Booth's Obelisk Wednesday.. January 9, at 'Wrenbury Station Thu-sday, January 10, at Cholmondeley Saturday, January 12, at Asti° Each day at half-past ten. LATEST NEWS. (in BRITISH AND IRISH MAJNETIC TELEGRAPH.) SERIOUS ILLNESS OF COUNT CAVOUR. MR'S, Dec. 27. Count Cavour has been unwell- He has been bled once, and is now in a more satisfactory state. Signor Riccardi, the son-in-law of Parini, is dead. ROYALIST CONSPIRACY. NAPLES, Dee. 26'. Several prnons have been arrested on a charge of having beerr in correspondence with the Royalists at Gaeta. THE BOURSE AND THE TURKISH LOAN. Iv_tars, Dec. 27. The fee for admission to the Bourse will conti nue to be levied. The day for closing the subscription to , the Turkish Loan is postponed until the stii.lanuary next. AUSTRIA. THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA. VIENNA, Dec. 27.. Lieutenant Latour has arrived at Lisbon front Madeira. lie sent a telegram on the 26th inst... stating that the health of the Empress was quite satisfactory. THE AUSTRIAN REFORMS. The 111(vot Post of to-day says the Minister of Justice has appointed a special committee for drawing up regulations for conducting civil law suits. ITALY. THE DECREE ANNEXING THE NEAPO LITAN PROVINCES AND THE ROMAN STATES. TURIN, Dec. 27: The official Gazette of to-day publishes four Royal decree's, dated Naples the 17th December, declaring the provinces of Naples, Sicily, the Marshes, and Umbria to constitute an integral part of the State of Italy, The h in; will leave Naples on the 28th ins*, THE FRENCH FL - NDS. PARIS, Dec. 21; 3.35 p.m. The Bourse has been very dull so-day, and scarcely any business was done. Retries, clased,at 68f., or 35e. lower than yesterday. THE EAST. SARDINIA AND THE PORTE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 19. The Sardinian ships are still detained at Galate . and Sulina. Their cargoes of munitions have - ken sequestered by the Hospodar, in compliance. with orders from the Porte. The principalities are agitating in favour of. Hungary. The Bengal steamship arrived at Suez on the sth instant. The following appeared in our later editions of yesterday : THE CALCUTTA AND CHll'ist MAILS. The Euxine, with the above mails, groved at Mar seilles at 4 a.m. yesterday. The mails left for Loudon at 10 a.m. The Calcutta and China mails will reach Loudon to-night. THE WEATHER. At Beeston, near Nottingham, the thermometer on Christmas-day, at four feet above the ground, was 8 deg.. below zero, and on the grass 13.8 deg. below zero, or 45.8 deg. of &est. At Wallingford, Berkshire, same day, the thermometer was at zero. At Birmingham. same day, 3 deg. below zero. At West Hartlepool, 2 dog. below zero. The ice on the Serpentine in Hyde-park is 33 inches thick. About 10,000 perms were upon it yesterday, and thousands were congregated on the frozen surface of the ornamented waters in the other parks. GAETA. 'no Paris correspondent of the Post telegraphs that the garrison of Gaeta has been diminishcl in numbers , by the dismissal of a portion of the Royal G-uard, whose fidelity was doubtful. The remaining defenders of Gaeta arc in a deplorable state ; nevertheless, the place is still good, and the defence may be prolonged for some time, in consequence of the distance of the attackiin bat teries. CHINA. According to a telegram from China the silk settlements for the fortnight had reached 6,000' bales, making 15,000 bales for the month, being about 14.000 bales in excess of last year. Prices for good silk a little higher ; other sorts the same. Quotation of exchange Gs 5 1 5 d, showing a favourable movement for this country of about 1 per cent. ITALY. ROME, Dec. 23. The Liberal party is irritated against the police for having ordered the closing of the Cas telnuovo, and has set up an open opposition to. the measure. The last allocution of the Pope has net yet; been published. The Gionudi di Roina publishes a proisst,. signed by twenty-two prelates of the Marc against the acts of the Sardinian government. Several thousands of soldiers who left Gaeta and entered the Roman States are returning to the Abruzzi where the reactionary movements continue. Prince Alfred left 'Windsor yesterday on h vita to Berlin. He will embark on the sth of January - orl board the St. George, which proceeds to the Nott American and West India station. THE SCANDALOUS STORY RESPECTING THE MARQUIS OF DOWNSHIRE. With reference to this affair, which was first broached by the London correspondent of one of the Manchester daily papers, Earl Amherst writes to the papers as fol lows :—" Having seen the paragraph in your paper os r yesterday copied from the Globe, and referring to tbe Marquis of Downshire, I beg leave to state that letters` have been received from members of his family, dated Naples, the latth, which contain no allusion to the sup posed occurrence, and there is, therefore, the greatest probability that the whole story is an infamous fabrias tion. P.S.—I see there is a telegram 'froth .Iqaples• of the 21st, which is•also silent on the subject." To this communication die Times subjoins the follow,-- in; observations : " We have heard an explanation, which we believe to' be correct, and which attributes the whole ingenious& compacted fabric of scandal to a misapprehension of the' common idiomatic phrase " thrown overboard." It is said that a letter was written by one of the party on board the Sylphide to a friend at Turin, in which he described a very trivial disappointment sustained by another of the party by the words we have quoted. The phrase, however vague, is in such common use, and so perfectly understood in RS restricted sense as "foiled" or "disappointed," tbut ncr Englishman would probably have misapprehended it, meaning. An imperfect acquaintance with English idioms, however, would easily explain such a miscon ception, and when once repeated and transmitted with apparent authority from Italy to England it would assume the plausible shape in which it was related in society. Whether or not this is the true explanation, we believe the whole story to be entirely without foundation, and that it will be contradicted, upon authority as soon as the course of post permits.'" AFFAIRS IN ITALY. The most contradictory reports are given of the state of affairs at Gaeta, and the general aspect of the Italian question at the present moment. The statement that the greatest anarchy prevails in the kingdom of Naples is both approved and denied. An Italian correspondent of the Times says that the year 1861 will not perhaps grow very old before French troops are in possession of Gaeta, and possibly of Naples itself. The Turin correspondent of the Daily News asserts, on the other hand, that the commencement of hostile operations against Gaeta on its sea stikis thought to be at hand, as orders had been sent to the gunboats at Ancona to leave immediately for Naples, and, the ships of war stationed at Genoa and Spezia had been,sent to the same destination. The same writer takes a hopeful view of Venetia. Many Austrian statesmen, he says, rnognise the desirability of setting Venetia free, and at Vienna people begin to talk of the probable abdication of Francis Joseph, and of a regency by the Archduke Maximilian, whose opinion it is that if the empire is to be saved Italy must be abandoned. A SOLDIER KILLED BY lIIS COMRADE.-011 the night of Tuesday last a shocking event occurred at the Hut b arr acks, occupied by the Military Train Corps, at the encampment at Woolwich. It appears that some dis pute took place between John May, a private of the 2nd battalion of the corps, and a comrade named Charles Knight, the latter accusing the former of keeping pos session of a pipe which belonged to him. May left the barracks, but was pursued by Knight, who attacked him in a savage manner, and May fell heavily, receivin g , a fractured skull from contact with a large stone. The sufferer was soon conveyed to the hospital of the corps, where every attention was paid him, but the injuries received were so extensive that he died within tw o hours after admission. On hearing of his comrade's death, Knight ran away from the barracks, an d, a lthough s e veral pickets were sent in pursuit, h e h as not y e t been found. Information of the eccurrence has been sent to Mr. C. .T. Carttar, coroner for West Kent, who will hold an inquest on the body. r of to of of nt at 3e Ty ee