Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-17 00:00:00

LATEST TELEGRAMS. INDIA. , _The followingtelegram was received at the ° reign Office, from Acting General Consul Green, on Wednesday, at 12A5 p.m.:— ALEXANDRIA, Feb. 11. The steamer Northern, from Bombay, arrived at S uez on the 'Bth, with Bombay dates to January 25th. The rebellion in Oude is entirely suppressed. The Begum and some followers are gone, by 'Light marches, into Nepaul, partly forcing her way, Partly bribing the Sepoys of her party, and said to be plundering the Nepaul villages. A corps of observation remains ou the frontier. The Nana is supposed to be with the Begum. l'irigadier Showers, with a column from Agra, scup with the rebels under Tantia Topee at on the 16th . of January, having marched miles in three days. They defeated and dis persed them, killing about 300. Three chiefs fell °II the field, and one on an elephant was over taken and killed by Lieutenant Hadfield, of the Agra Police Ca 'i lry. On the same day a body ,°f rebel s crowed he river Sardah into Rohilcund, but Were driven back. , The following-- is latest from Allahabad, Jan. 18 th, 7.23 p.m :- The Commissioner of Rohilcund reports that the rebels, who numbered 20,000 to 30,000, were defeated with slaughter, and driven across the ta I'd* their guns taken, and Nurput Sing, of ooza, and Benee Sing killed. There has been a disturbance in the Nizam's .I,erritories, and parties of marauders, composed of ltohillas and Deccanees, are doing much mischief en the borders of Berar. The Duraty Commissioner, while at Rassade on the 15th January, was attacked. Brigadier Dill C aine to his assistance. Some fighting ensued, and in the pursuit of the enemy several casualties eeeurred amongst the officers. JOHN GREEN. This telegram was received at Malta, per Ripon, ~ 1 p.m., 15 Feb. _ _ ARTHUR FANSHAWE, Vice-Admiral. FRANCE PARIS, Wednesday Evening. The Presse has received from the Minister of the Interior a warning, on account of having Published an article signed Leouzon Leduc. The Warning states that such polemical discussions are of a nature to raise ill-founded uneasiness in the public mind. THE FRENCH , FUNDS PARIS, Wednesday. 1 p.m. Bourse opens flat with a further decline in Rentes, which are quoted 67.60. 3.30 p.m. An improvement took place towards the close of the Bourse, and Rentes are 67.70 for both Money and Account, being same as yester day's closing. Railway Shares in some instances have declined 13f.; the uncertainty in reference to political affairs causes stagnation of business—. 4 1 per cent for Money, 972 Bank Shares 2,900. THE PRINCIPALITIES MARSEILLES, Feb. 16 1 : Advices have been received from Constantinople to the 9th inst. The Journal de Constantinople, of that day, con 'roils the statement that the Porte has protested a gainst the ele c ti on o f A. C ouza , a nd appeals t o the Conference of the powers. Letters express doubts whether the Sultan will l 'e tr eeive the Moldavian deputation. 15,000 Turkish - r , ° °l 3B are stationed along the banks of the D anube. kte Tile attitude of the Rouman population is repo be Frequent conferences have taken place thewe ort eo e Sir Henry Bulwer, Baron Prokesch, and P. TURKEY CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 15. °ll Thursday last, a Frenchman established at Rodosta fell a victim to vengeance. Count Lallemand , first secretary to the French EUlbassy at Constantinople, despatched the drago n and a body of police, by the Salamandre, to ..,E,Lodosta. F our t een cu l pr it s w ere arres t e d , an d 4111 s atisfaction was given to France. THE lONIAN GOVERNMENT. ATHENS, Feb. 10. Advices have been received from Corfu. A ~a rg e majority o f mem b ers o f th e l on i an Parlia '2eet app ear d e t erm i ne d t o re f use th e discussion ~ the reforms proposed by Mr. Gladstone, and it 401 e g)eeted that, should the parliament be dis ved, the present members will be re-elected. H.M.S. . Admiral Freemantle, comma ORION ding the Channel has written to the Admiralty, stating at he was under no apprehension as to the safety of the Orion. D EATH OF THE DUCHESS OF LEINSTER DUBLIN, Wednesday. C The D uc h ess o f L e i ns t er di e d y es t er d a y a t b a ,, is ton, near Maynooth. Her ladyship was w e ,t°ved by a ll w h o k new h er , an d th e p oor , t o • 4 °M she was a most bountiful benefactress, will in deed deplore the melancholy event. DEATH OF THE MARQUIS OF BRISTOL. le T he death of the Marquis of Bristol is announced. t i e was in his 90th year. The Earl Jermyn, M.P. for 41 7, succeeds to the Marquisate. IMPORTANT WAR NEWS. T he Independance states that the French Nr ernment is preparing a memorandum which Will contain an exposition of grievances against The dangers of the status quo will be pointed out, and explanations frankly' demanded. I ' the sam e ti me , th e d ec l ara ti on w ill b e ma d e reat F rance, w hil e d es i rous o f peace, is far from r ionn• war 'l ' 6 Hanoverian Chamber of Deputies, having lea rnt that the government had not taken decisive l o qe Ps to prevent the exportation of horses, has Eld sis tecl that the general prohibition should be opted without delay. ar At the same time that the British Cabinet ad dressed a note to the Sardinian Government, I:„`"tin.z out the danger of an aggressive feeling, Malmesbury also addressed a note to the i n. "lnei of Vienna. The Cologne Gazette says that, A l 'ePly, Count Buol declares the readiness of I 'lstria to diminish her garrisons in the Roman "Zations to the exact number fixed by treaties. one semi-offi c i a l P russ i a n G aze tt e , i n an a r ticle 11. laly, i ns i sts on t h e necess i ty o f respect i ng z ea ties, and the Vienna correspondent of the nlependanee confirms that report. Ahe Cabinet of Berlin had transmitted to the ustrian, Government reassuring explanations of t o views in case of Servian eventualities, caculated o co nipromise the common interests of Germany. tot German German States have given similar assurance t he Austrian Cabinet. Th e Gazette de Saint Petersburg declares the lalcrured armaments, attributed to Prussia, as K u re inventi ons . T het Times states that Sardinia has established d, r egiments for the purpose of enrolling Austrian -wrters. ri. EL ftTioN OF BARON MEYER DE ROTHSCHILD.-- -on Meyer de Rothschild was returned for Hythe S ° l„ P ,,,P °B ed• His election, with that of Alderman e t)-- t"s, makes the third member of the Jewish °l4taunity now in the House of Commons. ICkIiTLEBOIcE ELECTION—Mr. Jacob Bell is unable, ;11 account of ill health, to come forward as a can didate 1: r Marylebon e . M r. Wilki nson, l a t e member for _,Etinbeth, i s ment i oned, as well as others, b u t w ith no uefinite result. r , The Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Privy .v,euncil for Trade and Plantations have received; through t,he Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy , of a tlesVatch from her Majesty's consul at Lisbon, transmitting opies of notices of the Board of Health at that capital, declaring the ports of the U n it e d St a t es t o b e cons idered free from infection with yellow fever, and also that the Ports of th e B alt i c Sea and of tlle Gulfs of F_ inland_ othnia acre considered clean, FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE: FRANCE PARIS, Feb. 15, It is said that Austria has sent in its adhesion to the meeting of the Conference of Paris about to assemble for the purpose of taking into considera tion the double election of Colonel Couza. All the Powers Who.ware parties to the Treaty of Paris, have agreed to this meeting, but it does not appear that any time has yet been fixed for the opening of the discussions. THE NORTHERN TIMES, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1859 LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. W RE M Or A BRITISH SHlP.—Private advices from Belize, Honduras, dated the 17th ult., says that the Fortitude, Captain Lord, from Patook to Queenstown, which had previously gone on shore on Cape Gracios a Dios, had become a total wreck. Hora HALL LECTURES.—Yesterday evening, P. H. Gosse, Esq., delivered his second lectureon the subject of "Marine Zoology" in the Hope Hall, Hope-street. The subject was handled with great ability, and proved, with the aid of illustrative drawings, very instructive and interesting. BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—A special meeting of this body is called for to-morrow (Friday) morning, at half-past nine, for the purpose of considering the arrangements entered into between the London and NortliWestern and Chester and Birkenhead Railway Companies ; also, to receive the report drawn up by the committee appointed to investigate the matter. The report of the parliamentary committee will also come under consideration. TER UNITED STATES MAILS.—The screw steamer City of Baltimore, sailed shorty* before one o'clock yesterday afternoon for New ork, with nearly 180 passengers, and a large cargo of British and Continental manufactured goods. She will be followed by the Europa, which is appointed to sail on Saturday. The mails close at 9 o'clock, and at 10 with late fee. The receiving box, on the Landing-stage will be open to 11, by payment of the late fee of. Is. CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS. —The farewell performances of this minstrel band, will take place in St. George's Hall, at half-past, two o'clock to-morrow afternoon, and at eight o'clock the same evening. .The company will shine out at their parting with all their best attractions, and as their departure for Paris will take place immediately afterwards, the time should not be lost by those who wish to hear the last of them. We need not add a word in favour of a company, whose merits the public, of every place they have visited, have so warmly appreciated. ACCIDENTS ON SHIPBOARD.—John Harris, a rigger, residing at No. 4, Kent-place, Stone-street, was yesterday engaged in repairing the sails of the schooner Liz z i e Dansford, lying in th Stanley Dock, when he fell from the topmast-head, and received several compound frac tures on the thigh, arms, &c., and many severe wounds and bruises on various parts of the body. He was removed to the Northern Hospital. Ho is in a very precarious condition, and fears are apprehended for his recovery. J. J. Taylor, a seaman ou board the R. H. Tucker, fell from the topmast-head of that vessel at sea, some ten or twelve days ago, and received a fracture on the thigh, &c. He is at present lying in the Northern Hospital. CORONER'S INQUESTS.—The Coroner held the following inquest& yesterday :—On the body of Mary Pool, 45 years old, 'who died at Liver -terrace, Jnbilee-street. The deceased• Was in the habit of taking fits, and she fell into one on Saturday last, when her clothes caught fire, and she was so much injured that she died in the Royal Infirmary. Verdict "Accidentally burned."—On the body of James Elliott, who was the driver of the parish hearse, and on Saturday he was driving the vehicle to Walton, when the shafts broke and the horse ran away. The deceased was thrown off, and received, such injuries that he died. Verdict "Accidental death."—On the body of Robert Humphries, 17 years of age, who was engaged at the goods station of the railway at Love-lane, and it appeared that he got between some waggons, but how there was no evidence to show, and was crushed, so that death followed. Verdict " Accidental death." BALL IN . AID OF THE SOUTHERN EIOSPITAL.—WO in vite especial attention to the announcement of a ball to take :place next Wednesday evening, in the Royal Assembly rooms, Great George-street, under the patronage of the Alderman and Councillors of the Ward. No one will feel surprised at the interest we manifest in such an entertainment, when we state that the proceeds of it are to be devoted to one of the most valuabld of all our public charities, the Southern and Toxteth Hospital. No under taking can appeal with a better grace to the people of Liverpool ; and as there is no disguising the fact, that a mere demand for charitable contribution does not meet with a very general welcome, the incentive to benevolence offered in this case, by the opportunity of enjoying a delightful evening of festivity, will have no slight effect in backing up the appeal. We can only say that we trust the supporters of the Southern Hospital, who undertake this effort, may be as successful as they and the institution deserve. THE STRANGERS' FRIEND SOCIETY.—The annual meet ing of the Strangers' Friend Society was held at the offices of Mr. Beloe, yesterday, his Worship the Mayor (William Preston, Esq.) in the chair. Amongst the gentlemen present were George Arkle, Esq., John Fare worth, Esq.,. John Eden, Esq., Adam Hodgson, Esq., George Holt, Esq., William Blain, Esq., "the Rev. Mr. Pollitt, George Brown, Esq., William Andrews, Esq., William Litherland, Esq., Thomas Kaye, Esq , George Pennell, Esq., Mark Lester, Esq., &c. Mr. Beloe having read the report and accounts, commented upon the peculiar elasticity of the society, and its suitableness to relieve those cases of sudden and unforeseen distress with which this large commercial community was from time to time visited. Since he had been connected with the society, he had invariably found that the charity of the public had kept pace with the wants of the day, so that whilst the subscription list remained almost station ary, the amount of donation s seeme d t o f orm a f a i r i n d ex of the amount of distress in the town ; thus, in 1855, when most misery prevailecL the donations increased from £lB3 to £506 ; and again, in 1858, when, added to the severity of the season, the utter prostration of commercial credit caused a very alarming amount of casual poverty, the donations and legacies increased from £l6O the previous year. to £867. Messrs. Arkle, Hodgson, Holt, and other gentlemen, in moving and seconding the various resolu- i j ions, which will be found in our columns, expressed their gratification at the report and accounts, as" also their 6oitinued confidence in the usefulness and management of the charity. The Rev. Mr. Pollitt expressed his thankfulness for the corteous manner in which thoe cases had been attended to which he had recommended to the society, COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.—On Monday evening, an opening dinner was given at the Salutation Hotel, Mersey street, by Mr. Patrick Collins, on his enteringinto pos- session Of the house. A number of gentlemen of fecal eminence, and many connected with the mercantile marine, met together to celebrate the occasion. The dinner was served in the first style of excellence, and entirely supported the high character and reputation of its former management. Indeed, the present proprietor, Mr. Collins, is in every way well qualified to sustain the respectability of the house, as, judging from his pleasing • „ manners, his deportment, and his ivinnini, address, he is sure to merit a continuance of the old patronage to this established hotel, as well as gaining him many new friends and fresh supporters- Dr. Higgins ably filled the chair, with Mr; Collins as croupier. After the usual loyal toasts, the chairman, in a most eloquent and forcible speech, proposed the health of the worthy host, Mr. Collins, which was received with the warmest applause. Mr. Collins responded, and in suitable terms acknowledged the high compliment paid him, a comparative stranger, by so. many men of position honouring him with their presence upon this occasion, and said he would always strive to merit their approba tion. The vice-chairman proposed the health of "Cap tain George Shearer, "• the retiring tenant, whom ho characterised as a man of honour, integrity, and straight forward manliness in all his dealings, and wound up . in a most eulogistic speech, by wishing him health, happiness, and prOsperity its his future career. The company endorsed the compliment by a burst of enthusiasm. Captain Shearer acknowledged their politeness. After the health of the chairman, mazy other toasts were pro posed and responded to. The meeting was enlivened by many songs. A German bard was stationed in the ante room, and played several pop*lar airs in the course of the evening. All passed off with eclat. MR. AND MRS. CHARLES. MATHEWS AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.—Mr. Mathews retains all the vivacity and the easy rattling comedy of former days ; but it seems to us that his waft is not as distinct and effective as it used to be. A frequent hoarseness or imperfection of articulation was evident, especiall7- in his performance of Affable Hawk, his celebrated part in the "Game of Speculation." Except for the defeek however, Mr. Mathews is all that he ever was, and stilt remains without a rival in the peculiar line of comedy of which he has been for many • years. the representative upon the English stage. Of Mrs Mathews, do not feel that we can speak with the gh praise which other journals have given her. Tier manner is always of a very strangely marked kind, fre quently broadening into extravagance, and something„ we e:annot help saying, degenerating into vulgarity, Even of her milder moods, pertness rather than vivacity seems the principal characteristic. She is, however, discreet in choosing only such parts as harmonise to a considerable degree with her style ; and in " Nothing to Wear" and " My Mother's Maid" two pleasant little farces written by 'Air. Mathews himself—is seen to the best advantage. Mrs. Mathews has undoubtedly two great requisites of an actress, handsome face and fine figure; and with a house BP:t disposed to be over critical, is very successful in the Style of comedy she selects. An addition has been made to the theatrical corps in the person of Mr. Blakely, who appeared in several prominent characters, among which was poor Basil Baker's part, .Earthworm in the " Game of Speculation." Mr. Blakely has no inconsiderable amount of comic talent, but he allows It to run into fre quent and sometimes almost repulsive eXtravaganee. Earthworm, his comicality bore too strong an affinity to that kind of humour with which singers of " Lord Love!" and similar facetious ballads delight uproarious audiences in Cider Cellars and Caves of Harmony. Theatrical audiences are, however, quite as much to blame for defects of this kind as actors. When mere facial contortion and ludicrous getting up of costume bring down more frequent peals of laughter than the most genuine touches of comedy, , the temptation to a performer .to win such an easy suc cess must be all but irresistible, Among other improye ments, we would suggest to Mr. Blakely, when _performing a character supposed to be French, to pay a little atten tion to pronunciation. Even Stratford-at-to-llow itself need not pronounce gins d'armis as if written "John - Manx," As a whole, however, the performances at the• Theatre Royal are exceedingly well put upon the stage,. and the leading artistes neditably supported by the iota], company.. _ - MERSEY DOCKS, LIVERPOOL, AND LIVERPOOL COR. . FOR/MON, PROPERTY RATING BILL. - Reasons foi Second Reading of Bill.—The following committee way appointed by the House last Session as to Ritting.l üblic Property :—Sir Cornwall Lewis, chairman, Sir .Tame ElPhinstone, Sir Francis Baring, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Edward Pleydell Bouverie, Right. Hon. T. H; Sotheron Estcourt, Mr. Ker Seymer, The Hon: C. Howard, The O'Donoghoe, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Eliot Yorke, l a i tn r a tin g John Locke. The committee rep or t e d i n f av9nr of is property :nerally the Case of the Li s verioa docks, and came to the follow ing conclusion on the subject :—" The case of the Dock Trust of Liverpool, appears to your committee to depend exclusively upon the peculiar provisions of the Private Act by which the appropriation of the revenues of that trust is governed, and upon the construction of those provisions by the. Court of Queen's Bench. .It is wholly independent of the general law under whiCh the pro perty now_exempt would be rateable. If any injustice be cleated by the operation of the existing Private Act, it ought, in the opinion of your committee, to be rectified by similar legislation. Your committee will only remark that the general objections to the exemption of property already adverted to, extend to the case of the Liverpool docks, while the present l aw of rating can be applied to it without difficulty, there being a beneficial occupation and a large re venue f rom which - the rates could be paid." The present bill is promoted to carry out tho resole- tion Of the committee appointed by the House, that a Private Act should be obtained to do away with the exemption of the Liverpool docks from liability to poor and other local rates, and it is surely a case in .which the If necessary to go into the merits of the question (whieh ought not to be necessary after the above report of the committee), to induce the. House to allow the parties to be heard, it may be shortly 'stated-1. That the. Liver pool docks are now the only commercial docks in Eng land which are, not rated. 2. That the Birkenhead docks on the opposite shore of the Mersey, and now belonging to the same board, are r tted. 3. That the trade of the docks creates a large amount of pauperism whenever the winds are contrary or depression of trade exists. 4. The warehouses belonging to the Dock Board have already been rated with the sanction of Parliament, and there is .istinction between ware partof the dock proport Ln7i' . other and other 5. Whole streets of house, paid poor rates, have bee taken downby'the 'Dock Boa - rd. 6. The present bill not only seeks to rate the docks, but also other property in Liierpool belonging to the 'Corporation of fiveipoOl - at present partially exempt, and they do not oppose the bill. 7. That the plea of exemption of the Liverpool docks is the wording of a -Private Act of Parliament, which prescribes how the revenue of the docks is to be applied, and because it does not mention rates and taxes, is construed to mean a prohibition to pay those necessary outgoings. The present opposition is got up at the insti g ation of the Dock Board by gentlemen connected with Manchester, who will try to introduce into the question the old grievance of the Liverpool Town Dues, and it will he contended that if the Dock Board pay rates they will have to increase their charges on shipping th" ''--* for the purpose. _tie answer is, that this question has nothing to do with the Town Dues, but if it had, and there is any good ground to urge against the bill it can be done in committee, but why should the Liverpool docks not pay the usual taxes like all other establish ments ? Taxes are part of the necessary working expenses of almost every undertaking in the kingdom. All other docks, railways, waterworks, canals, and other property used for commercial.purposeS have to pay poor rates. The report of the committee of the House is surely sufficient to justify the . second reading of the bill, and to entitle the parties to be heard. • ELECTION OF A BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONER Much commotion was observable in Birkenhead during the whole of yesterday (Wednesday), in consequence of the election of a commissioner to fill the place vacated by Mr. Eddowes. It was confidently expected by many persons that there would be some mutual arrange ments made by the friends of the candidates, but we understand that at a late hour on Tuesday night the breach between Messrs. Gough and Hughes was widened, and there was nothing for it but to go to the poll. Accordingly yesterday morning the voting Commenced at ten o'clock. For about an Hour or two . there was little difference perceptible, but shortly before twelve o'clock Mr. Gough took the lead, and improved up to two o'clock, when the votes stood thus : Gough Hughes Majority for Gough, The polling continued until four o'clock, when Mr. `rain, Clerk to the Commissioners, announced the result, viz.:--- Gough . Hughes Majority for Gough On the returns being announced, immense cheering took place. Mr. Gough was grObted with three times three. Mr. Gough, iii a few words from the Bench in the Town-hall, thanked the ratepayers for theW indepen dence. He stigmatised the conduct of his opponents as most ungentlemanly, and said that the opposition was one of the most infamous that had ever taken place. He will enter upon the duties of Commissioner as the repre sentative of the people of Birkenhead, determined to watch narrowly their interests in every particular. Instead of there being only two parties in Birkenhead, there are now in reality three—the Red List, the Blue Daring the polling- a personal altercation took place between Mr. Nathaniel Cook and Dr. Baylis. The latter gentleman called Mr: Cook a fool, and several other un- was a disgr ace to the Cominissio'ners, that he was a hypocrite, &C: &c. SPECIAL MEETING OF VII INFIRMARY TRUSTEES 3 ROYAL A special meeting of the trustees of the Royal Infirmary was held at one o'clock yesterday, in the Board-room of the• institution, for the pur pose of deciding upon the step to be taken to relieve the Infirmary of a debt of about £6,000, at present hanging over- it. The chair was taken by Henry Lawrence, Esq., and among the gentlemen pre sent were—Messrs. Gibbon; Hutchison, Cropper, Brooke, Wilson, Robinson, Hornby, Lanzton, Gregson, Frear, Rev. R. Leicester, Perkins, Peel, King, &c. The Chairman, in a few; words, explained the object of the meeting Mr. Hutchison, treasurer, entered into a full explana tion of the circumstances: under which the debt had been incurrad, which mainly arose from the necessity of intro ducing a‘ system of sewerage into the building `in which, up to• a. recent period; it was dangerously defiehent. The Sanitary Act of 185* would have rendered it compulsory upon the committee to carry out such measures:of sewerage as the Health Committee might direct, but the committee did not wait to be thus compelled. There were also great alterations made, in the staircases which were narrow and inconvenient to an extreme degree ; and in 'tale kitchen, by means of which the patients could now have their food conveyed directly through a shoot to the several wards. .All these improvements rendered A necessary that the public should be appealed to on behalf -r 4.1.„ ;,...i4t,,f;hn. if the committee wished to avoid trenching upon their capital funu. Mr. Cropper moved , " That the.bmstees recom mended the alterationl requested to co-operate, by all means in their pont , raising, th e amount requisite fn the liquidation ofb , heavy debt incurred by the enlargement and the sanitar improvements o f the Infirmar.:' Mr. Cropp er s.arid improvements warms ullichh be earnestly b,made. een - Air. Obarles Wilson seeoridod the m o t carried . unanimously. Gibbon proposed, " That with NabilititU extensive, the trustees recognise the T i pec,. - which committeeman remaining be fund fa placed, of en croaeu further the instit u ti on , while they recommend that that Inca-sun be resorted to on ly in case of urgent n ee d . " Mr, Gibbon stron g ly the up o n recommended that, if possible, the reserved fund should not be encroached upon, and hoped it would go forth to the public, that even if every shilling of the reserved fund were to be taken, it would not pay off the debt (Hear, hear.) Mr, Gr,-- Son which was .gity. under gson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A voto of thanks was then passed to, the chairman, and the proceedings terminated, THE PEACE OR WAR QUESTION, The Independence Belge thus sums up the rumours of the . day :—" A reunion of the Confer ence of Paris ought to take place shortly, for the purpose of examining the modifications introduced into the regulations of the Danabian traffic, even if it were not necessary for the solution of the difficulties that have arisen in consequence of the election of .Couza for both Moldavia and Wallachia. • Those who hope. for peace' look with much pleasure upon this necessity, thinking that it will be impossible for the plenipotentiaries to meet without occupying themselves with the questions in which Europe is at present so deeply interested. The - precedents established by Vie .Congress Paris doubtless give ground for this opinion, but there is reason to believe that in spite of these precedents, against which, •by the way, she has acted on other occasions as well, Austria will formally oppose the idea of the Conference enter ing even indirectly into the discussion •of those questions which would in reality be the principal motive for re-uniting it. Again, is it absolutely certain that if the Italian question were brought before a conference to-day, the discussion would necessarily lead to a pacific solution of the difficulty ? We think the reverse might be feared. In the present position of affairs, and when the differences in the sentiments of those Powers that would be directly engaged in the dis cussion are so great, the most likely result of a debate would be to widen the breach, instead of tending to a settlement. It is said that the French Government are preparing a memorandum, in which its grievances against Austria will be dis _ tinctly set out, and the conclusions drawn from them very concise. It will dwell upon the dangers of the present situation, and while laying great stress upon the declaration in the Emperor's recent speech, that France wishes for peace, will frankly admit that she does not fear war. In the meantime military preparations are going on, and the War Department is necessarily occupied with collecting stores in the south. It is asserted that General MacMahon has received orders to have a second division in readiness to follow that of General Renault, which has been recalled to France, and to be prepared for embar kation at a moment's notice. We have already made public the reply of the Turin Cabinet to the despatch of the English Government, warning it of the dangers of an aggressive policy, and it is known that a despatch of a similar tone was addressed at the same time to Vienna, by the chief of the Foreign Office. The Gazette de Cologne makes an announcement, to • the effect that Count Buol has replied by a despatch, in which he declares that Austria is ready, at the request of France, to withdraw from the Legations all her troops which exceed the number fixed by treaty for the garrisons. One of our correspondents has already informed us that an Austrian despatch, couched in these terms, had been received in Lon don, and immediately communicated to the French Government. The Gazette de Cologne also assures us that the same declaration was made by. Count Buol on the 9th to the Prussian Government, and was accompanied with a request it might be brought to the knowledge of Count Walewski. Confirmation has been received of the news brought from Vienna by the telegraph, by which we learned that tranquilising assurances had been transmitted from Berlin to Austria, referring to the events that might compromise the common interests of Germany. Our correspondence adds that similar assurances have been given by the other German States, and that the presence of the Duke of Saxe Altenburg in Vienna is not the result of chance. " The Gazette de St. Petersburg says that the statements made with regard to the military movements of Russia are purely fictitious." AUSTRIAN OPINIONS. VIENNA, Feb. 13 The Viennese are labouring under a severe attack of despondency, and appear to be impressed with the conviction that war is inevitable. If told that the crisis is almost over, they reply that Napo leon wishes to pick a quarrel with Austria, and will not fail to find a pretext for breaking the peace. The policy of the Emperor of the French is so tortuous, so incommensurable, that it is impossible to foretell what he will or will not do a few weeks hence ; but as things now stand the chances are in favour of peace. A short time ago the attitude of Austria, was provocative, inasmuch as she positively , re fused to evacuate the Legations unless desired to do so by the Papal government—but at present her policy is conciliatory. It is not likely that she will consent to refer the Italian question or questions to an European Congress, but she will neither refuse to withdraw her troops from the Papal States within a given period, nor will she decline to employ her influence at Rome in order to bring about administrative reforms. Diplomatic secrets are nowhere better kept than in Austria, but still it has transpired that this government has expressed its desire to come to an amicable understanding with the French Cabinet in regard to Rome (the Papal States). The continued silence of Prussia gives extreme annoyance to Austrian politicians, but in my opinion it is well for Europe that the Berlin Cabinet displays so much reserve. If Austria could positively calculate on the active support of Prussia, she would hardly fail to take some step which would lead to a collision between herself and Sardinia, and in all probability to a prolonged European war. The charge which has been brought against Austria, of being presumptuous when in prospe rity-, is well founded, and the " hang-fire " policy of Prussia must, therefore, be considered a kind of guarantee for the maintenance of peace. Fears have been expressed that Austria will attack Sar dinia, but I know on good authority that the army in Lombardy has received strict orders to act simply on the defensive. In fact the troops which were not long ago pushed forward to the Ticino have been withdrawn, and the front of the army is now turned more to the south (to the Po) than the west (to the Ticino). During the last day or two it has been rumoured that revolutionary proclama tions have been found in the possession of a corporal " in a regiment of hussars quartered in Brescia," and yesterday it was stated that the regiment had " as one man" refused to put into execution the sentence of death passed by a court-martial.. The story is false from beginning to end. There are no hussars quartered at Brescia, or in the neighbour hood of that city. Not long ago it was related that some Hungarian regiments had been transferred from Lombardy to the German provinces of Austria, " because it was doubted whether they could be depended on," but the report, like very many others of a similar description, was un founded. The truth of the matter is, that two or three of the officers of " Haller " hussars, who were on friendly terms with some Italian nobles residing at Pavia, were desired to break off the connection. The Wanderer and the Presse have received official " warnings" for copying from a Turin paper an offensive pun rela tive to the alliance between the house of Savoy and the family of Napoleon. Very many copies of Laguerromere's pamphlet have been sent to in fluential individuals residing at Mayenee, and it is worthy of mention that the covers of the pamph lets have on them the seal of the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The lucubrations of the French publicist find no favour here, but still some few grains of wheat are to be found in the Chaff. Yesterday evening Baron von der yfortden informed‘the Bavarian Chamber that the States belonging to the Zollverien had not resolved to prohibit the export of horses. The Minis ter added, " that in eensecinenee of the NO* ' declarations of the great. Powers, the danger of a war, which would find the whole of Germany united, was no _longer so, imminent." Baron Lerchenfeld, who made the motion relative to the prohibition• of. the export of horses, observed that very many horses were bought up in the south of Bavaria. On the Bth inst., the United Chamber s • of Nassau unanimously proposed that the Ducal Government should petition the German Diet to prohibit the export of horses and munitions of war from the Federal territory. In 1822 M. Genz, a political writer of great ability, who was long in the employment of Prince Metter-; nich, published an essay,..with the title,. Could the Allied . Powers have made one realm out of the ~Italian States in 1815 .?" The essay, which was generally considered a chef d'ceuvre, contained the following remarkable passage, which will. doubtless be new for the majority of your readers : —" If Napoleon ever seriously thought offorming Italy into one State under a . new dynasty, the measures which he took were not of a nature to further his plan. _Out of the possessions of the House of Austria, and some few, fragments of conterminous territories, he formed a kingdom, which was governed in his name. Piedmont, Parma and the ancient Republic of Genoa were declared integral parts of the French territory, and Tuscany, Lucca, were given by Napoleon as presents to his relatives. Tfre Papal domains were transformed into a French province, and the Kingdom of Naples was first given by Napoleon, as an independent State, to his brother, and then to one of his vassals. It was not Napoleon's policy, , and probably it was not in his power, to make a whole out of such heterogeneous elements. Instead of preparing the Italian races for the realisation of such a plan, he took pleasure in keeping alive the ancient jealousy, the ancient hatred, between the Lombards, Piedmontese, Florentines, Romans, and Neapolitans." The Wiener Zeituny states that 1,000 guns of the largest calibre are to be cast at Mariazell, in - Styria, in the course of this year. The Oestei.reichische Correspondehz, in an Official article, says that the military measures which have been taken in the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom are of a strictly defensive nature :—" Prepared to prevent the realisation of the revolutionary plans directed against her territorial posses sions, Austria will not cease to respect the independance of her neighbour. The Austrian government, whicl. will never permit the rights of its Sovereign to be infringed on, fully reeognises the rights of other States to arrange their forms of government according to their real or supposed necessities, and trusts that they may ensure everlasting welfare of the people:" AUSTRIA The, Tames' correspondent at Vienna, writing on Sunday, says that the Vienese appeared on that day to be labouring under a fit of despondency, and to be impressed with a conviction that war was inevitable. A short time ago the attitude of Austria was undoubtedly provokative, but at present her policy is conciliatory. Although she will consent to refer the 'ltalian, ques tion to an European Congress, she will neither refuse to withdraw her troops from the Papal States within a given period, nor will she decline to employ her influence at Rome for the promotion of administrative reforms ; and the Government has expressed its desire to come to an amicable understanding with France in regard to the Papal States. The Vienna Gazette states that 1,000 guns of the large calibre are to be cast in Syra during the present year. It is reported in high military circles at Vienna, on Sunday, that Prince Windischgortz was going tn a mission to Berlin. The cash payments of the Bank of Austria, 1s described as being almost suspended for the pre sent, on account of difficulties thrown in the way of persons desirous of exchanging notes for silver. NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION RAILWAY COMPANY The half-yearly ordinary general meeting of this com pany was held at the London Tavern yesterday. Mr. Henry Pease, chairman of the company, in the chair. The report stated that the directors had much satisfac faction in announcing the termination of the suit apinst the North Eastern Company for the money due on the contract with the Leeds and Thirsk Company for the purchase of a portion of the Wail branch. The amount of the purchase-money, with interest, and £4OO for costs, making in all £8,186 6s 10d, had been received by the board, and a conveyance of the property' made to the North Eastern Company. The money had however, been received so short a time before the last half-yearly meeting that the directors did not feel justified in incurring the expense of issuing warrants for the in terest of is 4d per share, due on the 30th June ; that would now be paid, together with the interest due up to the 31st December. The following statement of accounts was also read— Dr. : Balance on the 30th of June, 6,0801. 19s Id ; received from North-Eastern Oompany, for purchase of Wath branch, 6,000/. ; interest thereon, 2,1861. 6s 10d; interest on 5,6761. consols, 83/. 8s 5d ; dividends not paid, 2221. 13s Id; total, 14,573/. 7s sd. Cr.: Interest, 295/. 2s ld; postage, 2/. lls 6d ; printing, stationery, &c., 281. is 8d; Wath branch, 201. 2s 6d ; travelling expenses, 44/. 17s; salaries and audit, 111/. ; balance in hand, 14,071/. 12s 8d ; total, 14,57 3 / 4 7s sd. The Chairman, in moving that the reports and accounts be adopted, congratulated the meeting that the suit with the North Eastern had at length been brought to a successful termination. (Hear, hear.) The pro posed division of 2s 8d per share would, .take about 7,000/., leaving a balance in hand of about 7,0001. The directors did not expect to be in a position to continue the half-yearly payment of is 4d per share. There were other claims outstanding against the company for which they might be personally liable, and he was sure the shareholders would not object to their retaining funds to meet these claims, if they should arise. (Hear, hear ) The suit against the North Eastern Company had beery attended with considerable expense, but he believed that the 400/. would cover it. Mr. Hunt seconded the motion. Mr. Scholefield did not mean to oppose the motion ; but he did not see why the directors should retain so large a balance in hand—they ought to divide it all amongst the shareholders, and wind up the company. (Hear). It was new . to him to learn that the directors of a railway company had incurred any personal respon sibility. It was those who , divided the money would be responsible ; as long as there was any money in hand claims would be sure to arise. . _ Mr. Plint explained that, as one of the directors, he was anxious to continue the payment of the interest. The chairman only intended to convey that the board was not to be considered as pledged to that course. The motion was then agreed to. The retiring directors and auditors were then re elected, and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors, the meeting separated. THE CASE or Mn. PooLE.-- I The Archbishopof Canter bury has fixed Friday next, Feb. 18, for hearing Mr. Poole's appeal, at the Palace, Lambeth. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has appointed the Rev. Henry White, curate of St. James's, Dover, to the incumbency of the Savoy Church, in the. Strand. MODERN YOUNG LADIES.—As for Romance it has had its day. Young women in whose fresh untutored mind and generous hearts it had known from time immemorial' its sure stronghold and sanctuary, have• gone over in ei body to the enemy, and now range themselves under the , brown banner of matter of fact, stern reality, and com mon sense. They . no longer pore. over Byron and Lamartine, delight in moonlight and. solitude, and the sacred sympathy of one congenial spirit. They study M•Culloch and Adam Smith, and light the candles directly it is too dusk to read or write. Moreover they have grown gregarious in their habits -; they incline towards committees, and take pleasure in associa tions. They know too much about sanitary laws, and pay too great attention to them ever to think of such things as moonlight rambles, or meditation, after dark at an open window. The Juliet& of the 19th century would entirely decline holding any clandestine communication with komeos from a balcony. In the -first place they would consider it weak and nonsensical ; and secondly:they, wouldn't like to risk catching cold. They have a wholesome consideration for rheumatism and catarrh—disorders ovhich the damsels of my day regarded with lofty and incredulous disdain. As for thin shoes, except for dancing, they appear to have altogether vanished from the feminine toilet " Balmoral" 'b oo b, soles half-an-inch thick, and "military heels," ha re usurped their place. Those boots, and tho martial - re d petticoats now so familiar to every eye, are to me elor ima t manifestations of the change that has ow ow Ore s pi r it a womanhood.— llsg r es xagazinf, LANCASHIRE FEMALE REFUGE, The annual meeting of this institution was held in the Bible Repository, Slater-street, at two o'clock, yesterday. Mr. Barclay peesided: There was but a thin attendance. Among those present were—Messrs. W. Gregson, Adam Hodgson, George Holt, J. Newman, W. Edwards, A. Gladstone, &c., &c. _ _ _ Mr:Gregson read the annual , report, from - which it appeared that, during the past year, in consequence 1 / f the insufficiency of funds, a sub-committco' had been appointed for the purpose of endeavouring to , abtain the pecuniary support necessary to enable the Institution to carry on its work. The result of the sub-committws labours had hithtrto, been very encouraging. The tbtal number of females during the oast year in the Refuc7t was 36, of these lg left, 2 having been restored to theffriends ' and 9 placed in Service; 7 left the house from dimontent, and was removed to the Workhouse from ill-health. Of the 9 placed in Service, 7 were doing well ; the other 2 had riot been heard of. At the beginning of the present year there were 17 inmates in the house. There was z in hands of £75 is 2d Mr. A. Gla"istone read the statement 'of account and mentioned that the comnrittee found it necessary to mak e sow alterations and improvements in the 'drainage, whiaz would involve a cost of about £l3O. They were vgry desirou3 of forming a special fund for that purpose, bang- unwilling to encroach upon their reg,ular annual fund. Mr..Aclam liodgrmoved that the report be adopted; and that the committee, &c., be re-appointed. Mr. Newman seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously Mr. Geo* ..;:e bolt hire Female Refuge; having proved its efficiency as a reformatory, is deserving of the sympathy and the generous support of Christian philantlirophists, more especially as it is not of that class of reforthatories which can obtain pecuniary aid from Government." Mr. Gregson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies' committee, to the Rev. F. M. Harke, and T. Robert Batty, hopourary medical attendant. MT. Gladstone mentioned, that having met Mr: William Rathbone that day, that gentleman expressed his regret at his inability to attend, and placed .ElO. in his is . nanc towards the special fund, as a fine for his non-attendance (Applause.) Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting separated. wEST DERBY BOARD OF GUARDIANS The usual weekly meeting of this board was held yesterday, Mr.. 11. Edwards in the chair. The. other Kirkus, guardians present were—Messrs Ledger, Wensley Stone, Roberts; Shaw, Smith, Parkin, Bolshaw, Taylor, I. Edwards, Richmond,Rain- Hayes, and Medeaife: Abrahams Morris )rd, Woods, Rosco -Mr. Potts, £125; Mr. Olney, LIS nrcl Mr. Lythgoe, The returns showed that the number of paupers in the workhouse last week were 675; admitted since, *born, 1; 6G7, of \s-hom 359 belonged to the Tox.teth Park district last year, was 669 The proceedings of the Hospital Committee contained a recommendation, that the chaplain of the house should conduct a special service on Sunday for the convalescent patients. _ _ _ The confirmation of the proceedings was moved by IVf.r. Stone, and carried. The Clerk was instructed to write to the chaplain On the subject. _ _ _ A notice was read from the Nike Office ; by which it appeared that an accident had taken place with' the , hearse of the workhouse; and that the driver had received • 'cries. It was awreed that four some in_ 011,11/1.0 UC pat on the hearse, for the purpose of making it 'more secure and steady. Mr. Smith read some correspondence between the Poor Law Bbard and iltr. Gounir, in reference. to some naLerneuus Lau were maae by Mr. Rees, the auditor, as to the state of the accounts. It appeared that there were a number of errors in the books, which, in Mr. Gough's reply to the board, were attributed to the late porter and bookkeeper Mr. Kennedy, who was lately dis missed for misconduct. Mr. Gough further stated, that as Mr. Kennedy had kept the books for four years previous, without any complaint, he had no reason to doubt his Competency to fulfilthe duty in a proper and satis factory manner. , lie (Mr. Gough) also desired to con vey to the board, that in future he would exercise a stricter supervision over the details of the accounts in the department referred to. In a subsequent letter, how ever, the board did not relieve Mr.. Gough " from the duty of seeing that the books and accounts of the Workhouse were properly and correctly kept," and ex pected he would do so in future. - The matter was referred to the Visiting Committee. Mr. Smith moved that a pauper named Chmbidge, who had been employed as an assistant in the portnes office for a length of time, be appointed as a successor to Mr. Kennedy, the late porter and bookkeeper. lie contended that such an appointment would be a great saving to the union. Mr. Kirkus reminded the board, that there was a rsOn already appointed temporarily, and on trial for a - month Mr. Taylor seconded the motio: After some discussion, Mr. Ledger moved as an. amendment, that - the consideration of the matter be postponed for a fortnight, when he said they would be in a better position of knowing how to act. Mr. Kirkus seconded the amendment, and contended that the appointment would be no saving, nor did he think it would be•a wise one. In reference to what the- Poor Law Board had written on-this subject lately, he referred to past transactions to prove that it was no new office, but one that had long ago been sanctioned by the Poor Law Board themselves, and the following, is the copy of a letter he wrote to the Poor Law Beard,:— TO' THE POOR LAW BOARD " . Walton-on-the-Hill, -Feb. 10; 1859. "My Lord and Gentlemen,—l beg to address you on the proceedings of the West Derby Board. Some time was consu and agreed to the alteration to permit the duties of book keeper and porter to be performed by one person. The alteration was found to act well, and has done so no to the present. The late officer, Mr. Kennedy, was dis missed for irregularities and'a breach of both morality and discipline ; and now certain parties, not from any desire to , benefit the Union, but out of spleen, pique, and spite to a certain officer, and that officer a valuable one, have endeavoured to, prejudice your minds ' and so by a side wind to annoy him and frustrate the board by calling upon the said officer to do duty he was not ap pointed to perform ; and you, acting up to that power of E oz u t g e l d a , n o d r , have e ra b l e iatin which e s ne o uherunii i i s fo l r i m ke e l d y , t n o li b s e le t d h , e o c r ur b se ran of to else stultify yourselves, to request the board to do away with what has proved: a good arrangement, and your desire to entail upon the Union two officers in the place of one, no ,good to any party acruing, from. the alteration backward. - I may be wrong . , but my impression is that secret correspondence carried on by your board in. reference to any union is Contrary to the spirit of English, freedom and law, and more worthy of foreign despotism than English liberty. Trusting you will review your. decision, and allow. those who should know better • he re . what is wanted than any red-tape officials, be they ever. so honourable, I am, your obedient servant, ticvs.,. ~ Rs, It was only the other day you thought remo nstrate in reference to the appoi n t ment and sa fi l tto, ary of a nurse at the hospital, although it is the usual salary ;. and the party was perfectly satisfied with, the bargain. The Poor Lam Board may be useful as, a board of re ference, but must be a bugbear if allowato control such minutho." Mr. Kirkus concluded by. saying he would vote for the amendment, and he hoped' theboard' would act inde pendent, and n o t be infilieneed in any way by the personal animosity- of Mr. Shaw ; or Mr. Smith. Mr. Sh aw sa i d he. 'was not in the habit people,, na--- of going to. the. "Brown Ike some and urgo,g on ; 011 1g - to make an sTr. Kirkus objected to these remarks. Itr. Shaw said he did not use any names and then continued to say that the system, heretofore. adapted had Poor on some member of tike‘ board. .w 7 lio"a1(1 76; Pot been a ,ccoos one, as the correspondence of the that day testified. . - Mr. Hues remarked, that- it might be supposed, from the remarks. of Mr. Shaw ; that these, errors had been going on for years,_ whereas it had. only been for the last few months—at the most not longer• than the last year, or they woald have been, detected by. the auditor ; and the person who kept the books was now dismissed. The matter was put to the vote, and the a mendment was carried by a maiority: of 12 to 9. Mr, Kirkus mow :a that a vote of thanks be give, to. Mr. Field, for his kind liberality in inviting and allowing the children of the house to soo his panorama. rapeat his mo ti on an amendme n t on t h e motion ot. The motion was unanimously ma tigiyea to. that he would Mr. Ledger re a notion of motion for that (tiy. f or t_ night, that the'otHoo of bookkeeper and port€T• shall be ocnoimit t i i rl i a. iu ts e di c i l laiy i t n iflo o gr n tan e vieg p i e ni rs zt a ias i o i e . Mr. Ledger. • . , This concludel the business,