Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-27 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS AT THE WORKHOUSES AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. As is customary at Christmas, those who have the management of our workhouses and various local charities and public institutions, were sedulous in their attention to the numerous inmates of the establishincnts which fell under their pecit7iar care. Christmas day falling this year upon Sunc?ay, in most instances, if not indeed :in all, the festivities 'of the occasion were deferred till yesterday, when, as will be seen from the smhjoiaed .reports, every effort was made to secure: the happiness said gratification of the de pendants. In general, the entertainments provided for the occasion consisted of the "good old English Christmas fare," roast beef, plum-pudding, and ale, varied, of course, in some degree, to meet the require ments of varying age and sex. In all, however, the prevailing characteristic was an increasing _anxiety to provide' that which would . be most conducive to, the comfort and happiness of those who received the bounty. It is but right to . add, that the kind intentions of managers and directors were zealously and ably car- . ried out by the officials and their subordinates in the different establishments. At all times it is gratifying to observe and to record the soothing influences of be- , nevolence, and never more so than when applied for the amelioration—even though that should be but temporary —of the condition of those who, from whatever cause, have fallen under the irksome control of Poverty's unemperable bar. With unfeigned pleasure, .therefore, we point attention to the gratifying proceedings which took place yester= day in the different charitable and other asylums in Liyerpogl. THE LIVERPOOL WORKHOUSE. The usual Christmas fare of roast beef and plum pudding was most liberally dispensed to the inmates of this extensive establishment yesterday. The dining hall on •the occasion was tastefully decorated with wreaths of evergreens and gay festoons of artificial flowers, and the festive and, holiday appearance of the large apartment was enhanced by the cheerful and happy faces of the poor people who partook of the repast. Upwards of 800 were accommodated in the dining-hall, but the same fare was dispensed' to nearly twice that number in other parts of the building. Mr. Denton, Mr. Smith, Mr. Turner, and Mr. E. By ford, members of the Select Vestry, and a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen were present in the dining room during dinner. Some idea of the magni tude of the feast may, be gathered from the following. list of the articles consumed, which was handed to us by the storekeeper :—Beef, 2,240 lbs. ; Plum-pudding, 2,100 lbs.; Bread, fine white, 2,200 lbs. ; Ale, 12 brls. or 432 gallons ; Breakfast, Coffee and White Bread and Butter; Sapper, Tea and White 'Bread and Butter— Ceffee for breakfast, 60 lbe.; Tea for Supper, 20 lbs. ; Oranges provided for the sick and children. `At the conclusion of the repast, Mr. Scott, the chap lain of the workhouse, offered up thanks. Mr. DENTON then ascended the raised platform in the centre of, the hall and addressed a few appropriate words to his . audience. He said he was sure that it must be a very gratifying and pleasing sight, not only to himself, but to all the ladies and gen tlemen in the gallery, to observe sce many cheerful and happy faces. They ought to be thankful not only to those who had taken care of them and given them this prosision, but to Almighty God, for preserving them to this day to commemorate so great an event as the birth of our Lord and Saviour, who came into the world to save all. At the request of Mr. Denton, the whole of the pau pers here joined in singing the doxology. Mr. DENTON, in resuming, said that in the happy faces which surrounded him, he saw an earnest that they were well taken care of; and the one to whom they were most deeply indebted was the worthy governor, Mr. Carr. He thought there was no workhouse in England, or any other part of the world, which could boast of one who was so tender-hearted, and so fit for his office as Mr. Carr ; while at the same time great praise was due fo the subordinate officers belonging to the establishment. As one of the oldest members of the Select Vestry, he (Mr. Denton) would take upon himself to wish them all, in the name of that body, " A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year," Three enthusiastic cheers having been given for the governor, Mr. CARE returned thanks. He said he could only claim credit for having done his duty to the best of his, ability. It afforded" him the greatest gratification at all times to contribute to the happiness of so many people as he saw around him. But in this instance he was only the servant of the Select Vestry, and only carried out their wishes ; and he was sure the more effect he gave to those Wishes, the better pleased were , they. He begged to call for one hearty cheer for the providers of the feast, the Select Vestry of Liverpool. (Cheers.) 'Mr. DENTON, in returning thanks on behalf of the select vestry, said, that their chief desire, their chief aim, „and their chief end, was to give all possible, relief to the poor who were worthy of such consideration. It was no crime to, be poor ; but it was quite possible that such a body as the select vestry of Liver pool, might , be imposed upon by those who were, not altogether such as should be the recipients of the funds of the parishioners. But the vestry had every desire to confer upon the poor and the unfortunate all the eoinforts and convenience which they could ; and theY liad every confidence.in Mr. Carr that he would_ carry out their wishes and desires in that respect. Three-cheers-were given for the:Rev.-Mr. Scott, the chaplaire and, after lie had returned thanks in suitable• tern* the interesting proceedings were' brought to a, close. WET DERBY WORkH01:18E. The inmates of this workhouse, about 700 in number, inelude-the---paupers-ohargeable-not--only to- the-West Derby Union,. hut,. also those belonging to the extra parochial place of Toxteth-park. The workhouse for the laiter,Rlacp will be soon _ ready for .occupation. These poor people were yesterday regaled with a Christ mas 'consisted of a 2-lb of roast beef, an ample, supply : of =boiled potatoes, and a pint .of beer for each person. After dinner the men were allowed pipes and tohacdo, and t. 4 ,1 old women, snuff. In the evening each inmate had for tea a pint of tea and a pound of bun loaf. The, Nvas splen didly decorated, and several of the gua r di ans were amongst' the visitors who had come to welcoini the un fortunate. After dinner, grace was said, and Mr. EBWAItt) GOUGH, the governor of the house, proposed the health of the Queen, who he said was the head of this nation both by example and by position. Vie:toast , was responded to' by three hearty cheers f th( -ate- coin t inmates. The GOVERNOR next gave the health of the guar dians of the poor, whose orders to him were always to treat the poor liberally; to let them have such things as were good for them, and those things to be of the best quality. (Hear, hear.) The toast was received amidst loud cheers. Mr. PILLING, one of the guardians, responded ; and in doiag so, said he could cordially endorse every word the governor had said. The guardians were most anxious to let the poor have every comfort that could be given them, consistently with the duty which they (the guardians) owed to the ratepayers. (Applause.) The GOVHRNOR then proposed the health of the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Lester. He was sure the poor would feel as much pain as he did in parting with that most excellent gentleman. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CLEAVER. the clerk to the Board of ituardians, sad he had very great pleasure in proposing the health of Mr. Gough and his wife, the master and matron of the Workhouse, who had been working day and night f9r more than a week in preparing the feast that had been given that day. The master and matron felt for the poor, many of whom hail filled different. positions hi life to that which they now occupied. He did not say every one in the workhouse deserved to be there, for many were brought there by the direct act of Provi dence, and without any act of their own. Many of them, no doubt, would look back with shame to their past life, but there were, on the other hand, many of the inmates of that house as deserving as those who paid for their support. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that a line of distinction would be'always drawn between the really unfortunate and those who by their acts deserved to be poor. (Hear, hear.) In this world it was ordered by the Almighty that there should be different ranks and stations in life ; but there was a time coming when we should all be equal. In the world to come there were no workhouses, no differences in the sumptuousness of dinners, but we would all meet on an equality, and those who had done their part propefly in this world would receive the promised reward of the good. His earnest wish was that the inmates might so conduct themselves in this world as to deserve in the future the encomium 1 of their great Creator, and that they would , sit down at the marriage feast of the Lamb with those who were I, now poor anddeserving, and with whom they now as -1 sociated, and with the great and good men and women of the world whom they did not know here below. He hoped that the inmates would increase in good conduct, and show to the master and matron that they were deserving of that consideration which was extended to them by that worthy couple, by the guardians, and by the ratepayers. He would call for three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Gough, and long life to them. The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm, The GOVERNOR, in returning thanks said, that both himself and the matron deeply sympathised with the poor in all their sufferings, and if there was anything they could do at any time to alleviate the sufferings of the inmates of the institution they would do it with pleasure. That was the last time he should meet many of the inmates—he referred to those belonging to Tox teth-park—and he said from the bottom of his heart that he wished them all many merry Christmases. (Applause.) Mr. STONE felt now, as he did always, though. he had ceased to be a guardian of the poor, au anxious de sire.for the good and welfare of the inmates ; and. so 'long as they remained under the protection of the worthy governor and his wife, their wants 'would be well attended to. Now. there was another worthy gen tleman (whose health he would ask them to drink) to whom they were indebted for the excellent manner in which the' business of the union was conducted. Mr. Cleaver did all he could to serve the ratepayers, the . guardians, and the poor. (Applause.) _ _ The toast having been well received, Mr. CLEAVER, in respousling, said it was his highest ambition to . see the rights of the poor carried oat, so that no wrong should come to any. He hoped he had performed his duty in that respect; and if he had. he had fulfilled one of the highest wishes of his existence. He hoped he would never forget the claims the rate .payCrs had oa the guardians; but, at the same time, he should alwaYs remember that the poor had a just right to receive what they did at the hands of the ratepayers, Provided their characters were such as to enable the guardians to give them the relief sought. He would assure them that so far as he could he would see that the poor were neither injured nor oppressed. (Applause.) Loud cheers were given for the master, matron, and for the guardians ; and the visitors then retired. THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. The inmates of these schools were treated yesterday 'to the Christmas dinner, usual each year at the insti tution. The large room in the building, known as the dining hall, was quite filled with children of both sexes, and a gleam of cheerfulness, such as seldom appears on the face of poverty, shone from ever: - countenance. At twelve o'clock the children took their places in regular order, and soon after, a plentiful supply of beef and potatoes was placed before each. The clatter of tin plates; when the "interesting " part of the proceedings commenced was almost deafening. But even when no voice could be heard above the din, a single blast by Mr Coates, the governor, on his whistle acted like magic, and deep silence prevailed until license was again granted. After the meat and potatoes had been disposed of, the "second course," consisting of plum pudding, was served up. This is a part of the business that is looked forward to by the boys and girls for months before the time arrives when they can realise their expectations ; and as a proof of the value set upon the dish, many a peg-top and other toy is sold for the " Christmas plum pudding." long before the day of merry making. " The proof of the pudding is in the eating," and the manner in which ft was proved left the excellence of quality undisputed. Several large baskets of oranges were brought in, and as each child left the room he or she took one, and the band boys two. The • Rev. Mr. Holmes was present, and he, as well as Mr. Coates and the several teachers, appeared to take a deep interest in the children, and to be much pleased at their amusing endeavours to get the largest, oranges, and other little incidents_connected with theproceedings. We may here mention, to show the healthy state of the inmates, that of about 850 children, only fourteen were in the infirmary and unable to , join the others. I These, however, were not neglected, for little extras were I provided for their enjoyment, and such as toulit not partake of the good things had, toys given them for their amusement. This state of matters in the schools con trasts very favourably with the health of .the , same number of children who have their natural guardians to care for them ; and it also reflects • great credit • on the management; During the afternoon the band played several airs, and the children were allowed to romp about and amuse themselves in whatever way they pleased, and there can be little doubt that most:of them looked_ upon yesterday as the happiest day in their.lives. • SAILORS' HOME. In common with the other institutions in town, the Sailors' Home was yesterday the scene of mirth and festivity. A little after noon the boarders were collected in the dining-hall to the number of 200, and treated to substantial Christmas fare, 'in the shape of goose and roast, beef. The, room was decorated in keeping with the festive :character of the occasion.. Festoona of ever greerfs, done up in the most tasteful manner, hung from the pillars running up the centre of the room ; and over the central chandelier a triumphal arch was erected, from which .";hung the royal initials, V. R. ' All around the•walls were bangwith flags bearinrariouamottda and devices. Of the two 'on .each side of the door, that en which is indissolubly the right bore the fatilc motto connected with the Nelson, " England ex p ec t every man to do his duty." At the uppes end of the room the Royal Arms, and the heraldic in s i gn i a , o f t h e town of Liverpool, occupied the space between the windows. The chair was occupied by Mr. Willi ams, superintendant of the indoor department, supported 04 the right by the Rev. J. J. Butler, chaplain, and en the left by Mr. Hanmer, secretary to the establishraent. After dinner, a bowl of rum punch was broyaght in. After Mr. Williams had drunk the health of ti',e boarders and expressed his desire to render them v comfortable as possible, the usual loyal and patri,atic toasts were drunk with cheers, such as only 8118.0'... s can g ive. The healths of Captain Ainley and Mr Willi ams were pre posed by a boarder, and drunk 'With immense enthusiasm. The health of the Rev. J. 4.. Butler was then proposed, which met with a similar reception.—An old boarder said that everyone had forgot the Sailor's Home as an institution. From his own experience he could speak of its benefit. Before he came there he was a beggar and now he considered himself a gentleman,. so great had been the saving to him, that whereas he had no thing he could now boast of a little property.' In the evening a fiddle was provided and the room cleared, to give "Jack " an opportunity of enjoying himself in a dance. The boarders were permitted to bring in their friends and relatives to spend the remainder of Christ mas in a manner somewhat in keeping with the season as enjoyed in the "happy homes of England." Jack did not fail to avail himself of an opportunity so con genial to a sailor's ideas, and, by the kindness and fore thought of Mr. Williams, the company spent a most happy and agreeable evening. INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM. ,The Christmas feast at this excellent institution was given on Sunday, but yesterday was observed as a holi day, andlthe bill'of fare at dinner .was of Ulittle extra description, including choice joints from a home-fed pig. Messrs. Palgrave Simpson, Harmocid Banner, and other gentlemen were present during the day, and it is needless to add that owing to the exertion's of Mr. Clarke, the master of the institution, the boys enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent. LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.-SATURDAY. , . (Before Mr. J. S. MANSFIELD.) THE CHARGE Or EMBEZZLEMENT AGAINST A Co3i mEnciAL TRAVELLER. —George Pearson, lately in the employ of Mr. Wood, fruit merchant, Mathew-street, who was brought up last Saturday on the charge of embezzling £2OO, the property o f his employer, was discharged.—Mr. Clarke Aspinall, who was for the pro secution, appeared and stated that the prosecutor had come to arrangements with Pearson, and, therefore, de clined to carry on the prosecution.--)In Bluck (who last week appeared for the prisoner) further explained that his client had satisfactorily accounted for the defi ciency the same day he was admitted to bail. THE CLAIM AGA.INST A BURIAL So cmry.—Mr. Deighton, who appeared on behalf of the. defen dants, when this case was tried a few days ago, before Messrs. Shand and Rathbone, applied for warrants against Patrick Cearns and Thomas Brown. The in cidents of this case we reported, but may probably not be remembered by our readers. Patrick Cearns in sured the life of a person named Thomas Brown, in- the Royal Liver Society, about two years ago. About the end of November, he transferred him to the Royal Legal Burial Society. This person was at that time in such a bad state of health that he died in a few days. Before the transfer, Cearns presented a fine, hale, robust young man to their agent as Thomas-Brown, and it was in con- sequence of this person being seen alive after Brown had' died that the society refused to pay the money, amount ing to £B, for which Cearns summoned them before the magistrates, 'who dismissed' the case. Mr. Mans field granted the warrants. CHARGE OF MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS.—Phil ander Hall, second mate, and Daniel Devonport, boatswain, of the American ship John Bright, now lying in the river, were brought up on the charge of having, upon the passage from New York, caused the death of a. seaman, named Green,. by maltreatment. Mr. Cobb appeared for the defence. John C. Pritchard was called, who stated that he was a passenger on board the ship John Bright, from York. He shipped about the 19th of November. On the Sunday morning before they sailed, all the sailors were called to the quarter deck for inspection. As they were running aft, he saw the boatswain strike the deceased a heavy blow on the arm with a chain, who stopped and seemed to be in great pain. Both second mate and boatswain then struck him with their fists till he lay down upon the deck, when the second mate jumped upon him. The captain was at this time standing , upon the poop, and asked the deceased if he would work. He said no, he could not work with, the second mate. One day on the passage he was working with a sail, which he left,' to do something else ; the second mate saw him from the poop, and seizing a rope's end, aimed two blows at • him, and .called out to him to take hold of the sail.. Having missed him, he came down from the poop, and struck hint on the head with the rope.. The man en deavoured to screen himself, by crawling behind some barrels. The second mate ordered him out, and continued to strike him with the rope along . the deck. On another occasion he saw the boatswain send him up into the fore rigging when he was scarcely able to stand. He saw the second-mate another day kick him half along the deck till he complained he had sprained his. ankle.—John Percy More, who said he was a surgeon, though only a passenge r i n th e s hip. H e attended the deceased in his last illness, He died from inflammation of the lungs. Mr. Mansfield : How do you know he died from inflammation of the lungs ? Did you make a post mortem examination of the body ? Witness : No. I know from the symptoms. Mr. Cobb : Have Nu any doubt that he died from this cause ? Wit ness : one whatever. Mr. Mansfield : Was it not rather a strange thingfor a man to die ofinflammation of the lungs in a few hours.? Witness : No ; the man was in a dying state when. I saw him.—Mr. Mansfield : I suppose ill treatment would accelerate death ?—Witness : Oh ! yes, it would.. The witness said be examined the body of the deceased, but found no marks of violence upon it. He admitted, however, that his examination was rather cursory.—John Hackett was next examined, who was also a passenger. He said that on the Sunday before the vessel sailed he heard cries of murder, which brought him upon deck, - where he' saw the second mate and boatswain kicking the deceased. Some days after he had a conversation with him, in which he said that he wished some one would throw him overboard, as the second mate and boatswain were gradually killing him. He had seen his body which: bore marks of maltreatment. He has seen the second, mate sometimes go np to the deceased, say, " Well, old skunk, what are you after, to-day P! and then strike him brutally in the.face. He has also seen him take a large packing-needle and push it into him, when he was so , weak. as 'not to be able to walk, fast enough along the .deck. It was about four days before he died that he . said that the seeonchgnate and, the boatswain< were 'gradually killing him. The surgeon. was'.recalled,. , and _was again, questioned by Mr. Mansfield us to whether ill-treatment viauld:ac celerate death: Hei gave the..same answer anbefore. The prisoners were remanded for a. week, in order 'to allow time for laying the evidence before 'the American ambassador and the Foreign Secretary of State. EXTENSIVE ROBBERIES OP LINEN : DRAPERY.— J. W. K. Leonard and another young man named Hake, both assistants 'in' the 'employ of Mr. Wynn, linen draper, 85, Lendon-roadi were 'brought up on the charge of robbing their employer of "it large quantity of drapery goWi.. Detective Carlyle said that Mr. Damon; publican, - Scotland-place, came to the Po liCe-OffiCi3i, and gave inforination that a person, named Ross haelleft a box in his house *which he said. contained an aceordeon. He (Mr..Danson) had the curiosity to open it,-and found. it was almost filled with kid gloves. He took .possession of the box, and. went with it to several drap , ers in town, and showed them the glovei. Mr.Nynn,. m London«road, identified the gloves as his. He then searched Ross'a hotise, where he found a great quantity of drapery goods, whiehhe said had been brought to him by Leonard ' one of thoprisoners. There was a Piece of velvet, of which a double-breasted vest was to be made. When the prisoners were takesa into . custody they said the cloth had' been supplied by Ross.—Mr. Wynn was called, who identified the articles as his. Tho'cloth, he said, was not suitable for gentleman'lv, clothes, it -was only adapted to make cloaks, tie., for' ladies:--Mr. Cobb, who appeared. for Rossi askedif he. might be put in the witness box, as it was evident the prosecution could not be carried= without him, and he was willing to tell everything he knew in r..atEnce to it —G. T. Ross was then called. He said he was a tailor and theatrical costume maker. The prisoners, he said, were the persons who brought all the articles to his house.—The prisoners were remanded till Wednesday. WIFE e. HUSBAND.—Mr. Cobb applied for protection to Rose Drielsma, a lady .which had been married in August, 1854, to Dr., Kish, but who had deserted her about three years and three months ago, and was now living with a Mrs. Dean, in Sir Howard-street, and by whom he had two children. Several witnesses deposed that they lived together as man, and wife, and had done so for some time. Mr. Mansfield granted the order for protection, YESTERDAY. (Before MR. J. S. MANSFIELD.) MATRIMONIAL QUARRELS. - Mary Borster was brought up at the instance of her husband, o:larged with creating a disturbance on the street g I .'Ais house, NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. Frederick Borster stated that the prisoner, his wife, was separated from him, and that he allowed her a certain sum Weekly, which he paid into the workhouse. She came On Saturday asking for her allowance. He told her to go to the workhouse, where she would get it. She returned again on Sunday, and he gave her - .in charge. ; The prisoner, who was a decent-Looking young woman, said she had been extremely ill-used by her husband; instead of leaving him voluntarily, as he had stated, she was put out of the house, and told to get her living as she might. She was an entire stranger in Liverpool, having come from London only in August last. Her husband did everything in his power to damage her character in the opinion of those who were inclined to do a little for her. • He had even tried to destroy the proofs of their marriage, by tearing the marriage lines. —Mr. Mansfield said 'he had nothing to do with the quarrel between her .and her husband, but he had to see that there were no disturbances created on the streets. He would, however, discharge her if she would premise to live peaceably, and go to the Workhouse for her money, A§SAULTING A WOMAN.—John Miller, residing at 53, Pitt-street, was bronht up on the charge of assault inc, his landlady, Mrs. Kline; who keeps a public house in that greet. Mr. Bluck appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Cobb for .the prisoner. It appears that on Saturday night an Irishman came into the shop, and asked for some liquor. The prisoner apparently had some objection to Irishmen being served with intoxica ting drink, and protested ag ainst it. Mrs. Kilner, how ever, insisted on serving het customer, upon which the prisoner struck hei a violent blow on the face. Mr. Cobb submitted that the son of the prosecutrix had come from Manchester, that a quarrel had taken place! between him and the prisoner, in which the latter was struck, and in an attempt at retaliation had unfortunately strnek Mrs. Kilner. Mr. Mansfield said that he had no doubt the prisoner had been severely handled in the affair, although not more than he deserved. He would in consideration of this mitigate the penalty to £1 and costs. AsRACLT ON A POLICE-OFFICER.—Miehael Lavelle, a shipwright, and Edward Dray, a carter, were charged with assaulting Police-officer 82k1. Mr. Black appeared on behalf of Lavelle. The officer said that, on Saturday night, about half-past six, he saw a servant girl in Jordan-street, St. James's-place, carrying a basket, con taining several articles for domestic use. The prisoner Dray accosted' her, with a request for a "Christmas box." The girl refused, but the prisoner insisted on having one, either out of the basket or money to get drink. She told him to go away, upon which the pri soner gave her a blow on the head; tore her bonnet off, and knocked the basket out of her hand. The officer at once took him into custody, when he struck him on the face, and kicked him several times: In conveying the' prisoner to Jordan-street station, Lavelle came up, and made an attempt to rescue Dray, and also committed an assault on the offeer. Mr. Bluck brought forward a witness to prove that the officer had mistaken• the man. The evidence of the witness, however, failed to substantiate this, and his worship fined Dray £5 or three months' imprisonment,. and Lavelle £2, or two months' imprisonment. POCKET-PlCKlNG.—Cornelius Foram was brouht up on the charge of picking:pockets in St. John's Market, on Saturday night. A man appeared as a witness who saw him with his hand in a lady's pocket, and gave in formation to an officer. The officer stated that imme diately before he took the prisoner in custody, a woman had come to him giving information that she had, been robbed of some money, and that she suspected a perion answering to the description of the prisoner. Mk. Mansfield sent him to prison for one month. ROBBERY FROM A SHIP.—John Blunt, a young' man not of the most prepossessing appearance, was charged with stealing a haversack containing a quantity of wearing apparel, and other articles, from the ship Robert Parker, lying in the Brunswick dock, on Thurs— day night. The articles were found in his possession, and identified by the prosecutor. Having been con— victed on a previous occasion, the prisoner was com mitted for trial. THE GREAT EASTERN STEAM-SHIP. Everything connected with the great ship, says the Observer, remaits at present in statu quo. The ex, penses -on board have been reduced to the smallest pos., sible amount, and pending the inquiry going on before the arbitrators between the company and Mr. Scott Russell, no works other than those which are absolutely necessary are being carried on. When the arbitratiox may be concluded it is impossible to say, as the numer ous engagements of Mr. Hawkshaw, and the other engi neers who act as referees, prevent their devoting much time to the subject. The questions which they have to decide are exceedingly intricate. The question, of course;: as beta een the company and Mr. Scott Russell, is with respect to the fitting of the ship for sea after the launch. With all that took place before, the arbiteas tors have nothing to do, whether with. respect to that part of the ship built by Mr. Russell, under his original contract, or the portions completed by the Eastern Steam Naviptien Cempany, under the direct inspection of Mr. Brunel. It was, of course, a matter of great impor tance-to have the ship ready for sea as soon as possible, and, after careful consideration on the part of the board, it was decided that as Mr. - Scott Fus sell possessed all the requisite plans and models, and was also the only engineer who would under take the completion of the paddle-engines, the con tract should be given to him. By the terms of the con tract' the vessel was to be fitted entirely as a first-elan ship, and ample security was-given for the 'performance of the conditions of the contract. Time was an import-. ant element in the contract. The sum agreed upcn was £l2s,ooo, to which £4,000 , was to be added in the event of the works being completed within a specified. time. The work was to be carried on under the con trol, and responsibility of Mr. Brunel as engineer, and • arbitrators , were 'appointed to settle all questions which - might arise. The tunount of work to he done was. something-. enormous,, as may be supposed in a vessel which was ten timcs.the size of the Great -Britain. Some portions of the work, were only required to be of a temporary character; among these many of the cabins, which were Only put up-avowedly to serve for a short voyage, and some e other parts of the ship, ,such, as the - deck, were to be completed after she' had made her firSt - vOyage or trial trip. Wh en the ship left the Thames, Mr. Brunel, it is understood, stated that a sum of about £5,000 would be required ,to be. expended in 'addition works,- in order to:bomplete the , ship, and - thaiwholvdemands of the Board: - .of Trade may be complied with forsomething under £3,000. There am various t; .which have been., niggested, but which are not, considered as essential; and when once the field.Of suggestimtis thrown open to any persen—pxos fessional or neneprofeasional- 7 -it is easy.-to run up ,a , toreTabie good ilat, and More especially when the cost of theta is to be dbfrayed by other parties. The whole amount of these suggested alterations and additions. would be covered by from eight to ten thousandpeunds. In thd face of- such 11 state of things as this, it, is-diffi 7 cult to account 'for the 'panic which appears to, have seized the , Praprietots=of this - magnificent vessel. There is surely not lesslround for'confidenee 'in her.now than when shelayt and unfinished hull in the Thantei. Her pow.era,,h4ve been tested, and 'they have been been found to be in every respect eqnal to the: antieipatiens,of her designers and- . huilders e l-,,The shiphas made more tlyin r thO fifteen knots an hour which were required by Mr. ;Binnel; and which. gives her seed of 50 per cent. over , that Which is stiptOate4,. for the Mail-contracts With the line of oceaß steamers already at work. And this spred is. attained with an economy of fuel and horse power which even exceedi the anticipationvof- Mr. Brunel. With - respeet to its commercial:prospects, those surely, are in no degree altered , -for, the ~.worse . since it has - been proved that, with immence carrying power, the noble.ship. haa.the qualities ( of, gp4t,epeed and economy in,.con ,suraptiMa of fug': ; ,It is to-be regretted that conflicting opinions, prevail amonj; the directors and shareholders to such an extent as to interfere, to a considerable degree, with the satisfactory, working of the undertaking. Upon this and 'many other pointi connected with' its adminis tration, no -death:ill explanation will be afforded at the meeting of the shareholders called by the directors for the 11th of January. The chairman and directors of the company have expressed their determination of asking for .the appointment of a' committee of share holders, and of giving.the fullest explanation upon many matters, with respect, to which a great deal of misrepre sentation has been disseminated by persons whose sole object appears to be to throw discredit upon an. under taking which has in it many of the attributes of a great Rational work, The volume which is looked forward to with so much curiosity as revealing in a certain measure the extent or nature of Mr. W. H. Will's direct contributions to Household Word', is to be published on January by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. It will be entitlw " Old Leaves gathered fron`frauseh.old Words LITERATURE. GEOGRAPHICAL TERMS, CONSIDERED AS TENDING TO ENRICH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. By the RC V, A. HUME, D.C.L., &c., &c., &c. Liverpool.: 1859. This is a most interesting pamphlet on a subject which deserves greater attention than perhaps it gene rally receives, even in the ordinary routine of education in our schools ; and we regret that it has been so long overlooked by us—having come into our hands several weeks ago. The learned author, Dr. Hume, treats our geographical terms as tending to enrich the English language —as undoubtedly they do tend to amplify our language very considerably indeed, and in amplifying enrich it. " Some years ago," says Dr. Hume, "a paper of mine was printed, entitled Philosophy of Geographical Natines,' the object of which was to 'show that from the earliest times to the present hour, and in all countries, the names of places have been imparted on fixed princi ples. Though the individual who assigns a new name, may appear to himself to act capriciously, he is in reality verifying a known rule unconsciously : so that the . knowledge of these principles, and of a few terms from foreign languages, unlocks to us the meaning of a vast number of local words. Thus Ras-ton, gres-ton, Nor ton, and Sat-ton, represent places which are related in direction, to a larger central town ; Middle-ton is the central Point between more important extremities Entre Rios is the country between the rivers; Snea-fel the snowy mountain ; and Deena - -ponts the two bridges."' This introductory remark will give the reader some idea of the manner in which the subject is treated. But at the same time, as the learned author further shows, in pursuing researches of this kind the attention may often be arrested by an opposite tendency, and one not taking effect to anything like the same extent as the other. "It is thereciprocal action of geographical terms," he says, "in giving back to language significant and useful words. Pew suspect that such a fact exists, and I am not aware that any one has done more'than merely notice it, in connection with two or three words. To anticipate a little, for the sake of illustrations words of this kind include the terms bayonet which comes from Bayonne, deli' from Delft, and muslin from , Mosul. Thus the names of foreign places enrich the English language; and as our productions are very numerous, English local names , enrich foreign languages in return. Sometimes, as will be seen, places in any particular country add to the words of that country itself." 'We might extend this exposition of the course that is pursued by Dr. Hume in dealing with the subject, to which it is evident he has devoted considerable attention, and which he illustrates 'in the course of his pamphlet very fully, and in not a few instances very amusingly. But our space forbids us to dwell upon it further : we must conclude, therefore, by quoting his own final remark on the whole subject—that "Thus, the reci procal influence goes forward, geography being, as it were, both active and passive. These names, like the Orin& in an echo, have their incidence and reflexion; the object on which they fall, and from which they are transmitted, being at one time the surface of the earth, and at others a human being or a natural or artificial object. And though, like the echo, these sounds wax fainter in the distance, their characteristics are pre served; and their notes are still distiaguishable. amusing myself with their examination, I venture to , believe that I have gathered and arranged some impor tant and carious information but the point for which', I think the remarks particularly' valuable is, their sUggestiyeness." THR POETICAL WORKS OF JOSEPH ADDISON ; GAY'S FABLESI AND SOMERVILLE'S CHASE 7, with Memoirs' and Critical Dissertations, by the Rev. GEORGE GILFILLA.S. Edinburgh: Tames Nichol. The volume whose title stands at the head of this notice is a• very handsome one, printed from a large clear type,-on beautiful paper, and altogether it forms a very handsome bock, consisting of three hundred and eighty-six pages demy octavo. Having said so much for it external aspect, we have a few words, and only a. few, to add in commendation of the series of which it forms the latest published portion. It is the forty second volume of Nichol's Library Edition of British. Poets ; a publication whish has now 'nearly completed the first great division of the undertaking, compris ing the works of the British. Poets from Chaucer to Cowper. To complete this great division, six. volumes are still wanting ; , but these are an nounced to constitute the issue of the year 1860. They will consist of " Chaucer's Canterbury Tales," with Tyrwhitt's notes, in three volumes ; " Cowley's Works," in- two volumes, and a- sixth volume, compris ing "Specimens, with Lives, of the less-known British Poets," . from Chaucer to Cowper, "In the preparation of the text of Chaucer," says Mr. Nichol, in his -pre liminary-:-notice of the ensuing: year's issue, " the plan. will be , adopted which has proved so adeeptabl-..5-: in the case of Spencer. ' The text, so , far as can be effected without impairing its integrity, will be modernised: Where this is not practicable, the necessary explana tions will be- given in the. margin." To comprehend what is meant by this promise, it is requisite to go a little back, and to include in: the retrospec', what was &ne in the case of the author of the " Faerie Queene." The works of Spencer were published this year in five volumes, the antiquated' orthography of hi.s day being' superseded by the adoption of the medera spelling, except in. such eases as would interfere with the rhythm, airs 4 where that would:oecur, to re tain the original form s giving in that, aimell as in the case et obsOlete Words, 'glossarial explanations in. the Margin, so that the , inconvenience of referring to .age- 7 nerd glosiarY is obviated: TheSame:course is proposed to be follOWed with respect to Chanier:;, in short, Mr. Nichol's desire is to do for Chaucer and Spenser. 14 yr many of our best-scholars have employed themselyes 7 admittedly with, advantage to the publie-4n. doing, fob ShaisPeare. The portion of this laiidable intenti'o'n, which has, been,accomplishecl has 17Clet with yierat and deserved approbation, and is such as to. fOrm agunrap. tee for tbe - SuCceSsfut achievement of that which is, to come. In this somewhat gibernian retrospect, which has been looking 'quite as mach forivard as 'backward,. We have been insensibly led into a divergence from that Which ought to beimmediately before us, - we mean the poetry- of Addison,. Gay, and, Somerville. To- the etU dent of English poetry it *not be neCessary—indeed, desirable—tO say 'anything of the learned, artistic, and polished elegance . , Of 'Addison; who alike in prose i r and poetrY - conferred a finish and a seeiningly artless grace upon his ,writings Which won fer them the good opinion of contemporary critics, but which did more than that which exrcised a refining influence on # the,English langUage `and` his, had no SMall.share in elevating and purifying thesentimeq a s s, well as improving, the style of ,Engliih' literature Of the sententious wisdom enunciated in Gay's fables, all classes ,of . readers are students and admirers. True, their, terse anti. sagacious as well as generalised veracity has led mos t readers to regard them more in the light of dear, familiar house . hold apothegms than to consider, far less canvass, their Merits as pnetical effusions. Yet, a closer examination of their merits in this last-named point of view will show us clearly how much even wisdom may gain from its asso ciation with grace and sweetness. The placid flow of Gay's versification is so beautifully wedded to the epigrammatic terseness and strongly- expressed lessons which, he incul cates, as to enhance their value by the graceful manner lin which they are presented. Am on g , rea ders of the - present day the peculiarities of Somerville's Chase are not very generally known. To many, however, who have no pretensions or desire to be considered among the Ninarods of the ttnie, much -true poetry will be retaily. Tuesday, December 27, 1859. apparent on a perusal of the " Chase;" and as a specimen of a particular dais of Englisi, poetry, its oraision in an edition of the British Poets would have been unpi::. donable. This latter remark takes us back once more to our retrospect. It should have been stated although the first division of the work has not yet been completed,- some progress has been made with the second. Of the modem poets there have been already published eight vo lumes, in which are comprehended the works of Scott, Burns, Bowles, Grahame, and Kirke White. All of the published works are happily distinguished by the character; istics of a full and accurate text, general completeneil of version, uniform beauty of appearance, and extraor dinary cheapness. MUSICAL, DRAMATIC, LITERARY, AND ARTISTIC NEWS AND GOSSIP. London has been merry with preparations for the Christmas week. Nearly all the theatres, from Covent Garden to the Royal Grecian, are busy with clown, - columbine, sprite, and pantaloon ; and this week given' up to the genial spirit of the, seam, all will be laughing„_ with the little folks from school at the fine old practical jokes—as clown knocks down the small boy, bonnets: the policeman, and pockets the hot poker. Other places of public entertainment, more or less serious in their invitations, are on the alert. A fancy fair is to be held at the Crystal Palace, with a gigantic Christmas tree, magic lanterns, and the likes The Great Globe and all that it contains is at the public service. Mde. Tossaud is waxing, stronger in attractions. The Colosseum offers music, mimicry, Swiss waterfalls, caves, stalactites, ruins, and magnificent panoramas. The—but the list would be almost endless. At the beginning of January, Devonshire and Corn wall are to have a penny daily paper, the Westerfl Morning Amos. Mr. Hotten, of Piccadilly, had in the press a volume' of "Political Sketches," by Mr Hollingshead, author or "Under Bow Bells," and which, like that work, is ir • collection of papers from Irowehold Words, The announcement of a volume of poems by Miss Muloch, the authoress of "John Halifax,. Gentleman," (says the Critic), need not, it seems, have •occasioned the surprise which it produced. She has long been known among her friends for her poetic talents. For many years poems in Chambers's Journal—inclaiing some spirited translations in a series of articles on Tasso-1-- bearing', the initials "D. M. M." were generally attri-: buted to the Scottish. popt, David Macbeth Moir, author of " Casa Wappy." These were, however, by Miss Dinah Maria Muloch. The best news which has come from France during the week, says the Literary - Garette, is to the effect that efforts are being made (av rather vague assertion) to give liberal opinions some chance of a hearing. A new daily paper, entitled Le` PI-ogres. has appeared At Lyons. It has a most efficient staff of editors and contributors, and promises well in every respect. The only fear is, that should it fulfil the promise of its pro gramme in the first three or four numbers, it will be too good to live long. Another noticeable fact is the pur- - , chase of the Courtier de Paris—not by. M. Girardin, as has been stated, but by the.Corate The case for a separation of the literary and scien tific collection in Great Russell-street, says the Athenemon, is said to turn, as the manner of our country is, more immediately on the practical question of present cost than on the question of philosophical arrange ment, or even of 'future saving. Hence the com mittee of trustees are -said to be , engaged, not so much in discussing the, principles of classification as in ascertaining; the prices of land in Bloomsbury and South Kensington - . Even on this lower ground, if the' requirements of the Department of History be fully laid before the board of trustees, the verdict must be given in favour of removal. The fear is that, following. the House of Commons policy, the Bloomsbury part)" May present only part of their need, and so, for the sake of all illusive economy, get the• trustees com mitted to their principle. The fact, we believe, is, that 10 acres are neeed for the ever-growing scientific treasures: this land must be obtained, either now in mass or in plots during the dozen years nett to come. Should this circumstance be fairly stated at the outset, how can the result of a- vote• be doubtful Land on the South Kensington- estate may be obtained by the.nation from her Majesty's Commissioners at leash four-fifths cheaper than from the proprietors of Mon tag,ne-place and Russell-square. The first - , we imagine► may be had for 1'5,000 or. £lO,OOO an acre. The other would have to be bought at - £45,000 or £50,000 the acre. The difference on 'lO acres would" be £400,00 0 ; Why, this sum would build a palace. for the reception of the scientific collections. ACTRESSES ENNOBLED -BY MARRIAGE. martin Folkes, the antiquary, a man of good birth and fortune; is said to have been the first person among " the gentry" who choose a wife from the English st although he did' not "ennoble!' her by so doing star Folkes married 'Lucretia Bradshaw, the representatire of Farquhar'a- heroines, circa- 1725. The " prudent and exemplary conduct" is said to have bee° the attraction• to the learned antiquary. I find the following list of actresses raised by marriage t o elevated rank in Clarke's "Romance of the tocracy." Anastasia Robinson was married to Lord Peter ,- borough, tires. 1735. Lavinia BerwiCk (the origiat e Polly Peachum) became Duchess of Bolton about Elizabeth Farren married the Earl of Derby. Low Brunton married the Earl_ of Craven, 1807. ga r ._ar Catherine Bolton (another Polly. Peachum) married Lord Thualow in 1813. Miss O'Neill married Sir: 11 :' W. Beecher, Bart. ; gtis Foote was married to 01 • Earl of Ilarrington;. Miss Stephens .to the Earl' , e t Essex. Miss Mellon (then. Mrs. Coutts) to the Dakftw. St. Albans. Mra."Nishett Was married to Sir Will Boothbh Bart. I believe 'a daughter of the late JO* Brahana. was ennobled by her marriage;. and there 10_,, probably, one or two instances of a recent date.- 11 °'" and gories. COLLISION AT SEA. STATEMENT BY. IL PASSENGER. ' to , The steamer Lyra," carrying the mails from', Belfast;,,, Fleetwood, sailedfrom.the &mer port on Friday e f . ,0 0 int,. at seven o'clock, with about eighty-pas,senge board. The, night; was.'very stormy, and a tiont:D°'lo,. past one in the morning shnwas run into' by the soha!la 3weetheart, from !Mars-port to. Belfast. loaded coal.. The !sterianf:.the aehdoner "struck the steal io amidships, :leasing her atelier, chains, and boirsnleo the middlo. cotnpartmait , !containing the engines, o r .‘',s: immediately;filled with7water... %Such.ltis 'the fores'7 .o l* might of the water,:that-there were at first syninte nil i a- , the bulkheads, , giving way, and allowing anotliec he. partment to fi x. By' the decision and' enerel -43 ' aa d!, captain, this' Catastrophe, which' would, have. Pr o fatal, was: prcreentect, As, many, of the passengt'e• were in ti,fit statf , were‘set to work to pile theirriugrref against the bulkhead; which thus opposed a solid 11 ' the to the force the,water: 'When . 11.0 sehooneestri l P,ca Lyra, one of the men leaped On beard ; w h e n r she it: o f a second time, anethetfollowed, but the remain the unfortunate crew, four in number,- went € 104 4,01 the schooner hinnediately after, without the , Po. g ."at of anything bomg done to ; take them off, as she_' . "ito, down. stem. Brat,. not above ten minutes a fter collision. The, Lyra ; was now in a most precarious co , nt ilit being alnaost:completely.water logged, and th e °v ile announced that he consisl.ared all hope of savill : in vessel. was . gone ,that .she might go • c 1( 7 0 ,01- five minutes'. or. she might ,hold on for a few The enaotions, among the intimation, weroTanoits. e One family, three in at ri o e, ---,husband, wife, and Child---,tie4;l themselvesdrteoSiof that they might, not be,separated Jia thel 4st en vie of death, , Others exhibited: the .most frauds __4 0 04 1. and shrieked , with, terror and deopair> but the n nn - o ,be calmly : betook them,seh7ea, to k as help from a ! m : o eto hand. Signals. of distress were hoisted and guno 0 4 0 4 fired. When-the last -,charge was about to. be ex ems' a vessel .hope: in; sight,: Which prated to be , the Pa: aa st from Alexandriarto Olasgow,. She approached ab en ats possible to the injured vessel, from which the ga s as passenaera,,ori receivina:_to were immediately loweieal, and although the, 7 ro a on • extremely roug,la the passengers were all trans° 0 0 1, IS P.. ga ti ll 6 a a n ce t coandui.eetsilltor which almost all occasions of danger characte ts_ecip behaved in this extremity capta~' f it e and coolness which ril`td thy. British that wtt r h d , to: sailor.o t wo h tu rehhoen gallantryg is were leaving the wreck, by raising a subseriP'theor crst the amounted to over £l2, to e divided amou r ,„ tf. eo A substantial token of their :T o 0% while the cabin passengers presented an adi . ,,r,7;b11' 1 ,, captain in acknowledgment of the seaman - r sh oto 0 4 ht had displayed in the extremity. an a e took the - Lvro. in tow into Greenock, was given by the passenpezon I from Sligo to Liverpool, fell in with the two te— .L4l L +l 71 tro,