Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-19 00:00:00

A POPULAR HISTORY Or TIIII WORKING CLASSES (Addressed to the Working Classes themselves.) PART SECOND. CHAPTER FOURTH IN AND INTRODUCTION OF'T DIFFERENT UTES RESP. )NASTERIES; AND THE RE CI ETY le Important fee are in the history ea now claims our spe with ne lz it, I iall t part of this entiT period g of subordination sub; of per ndividual, during E NATIONAL rom the hig dependence was precluded infir Ltenance and prote From the same motive, says :Mr. Wade, cattle, he " took care to his n tion of the tillers was scrvic ance for the every reason to bel But when 1 erfdom bectorx 'A is vicyarce by the absence of habit to make Irovision had Re one to take cal pit 3 the lord, in exchange comps left to h r mainten- ich there is ed through life as abolished., the labourer r, and wa and inclu,t ness said old age, said f him from motives of its condition w as unprovided ova of t one of s either from misconduct or misfortune, ,LLbt:", t.l ustody of his iv remarked, may per ving his bread and his few who would not, ,re fer a the natural c sometimc be reduced to wart nish any solid a liberty. A prisoner under keeper. as has been hapa be confidmt of water da ly ; yet there are even m treed° .th the contingent risk of starvin precarious chance of subsistence to regular meals in a jail. If is to the growth of commerce and manu factures that we must seek for two of the principal cause§ -of the . origin of the poor, and simply from this . fact, that an inseparable evil attends them both, in their being the means of rapidly increasing popnlatiou, without providing at the same time the means of its steady support. Commercial employment, we well know, depen upon a variety of things for its subsistence. There is the change from a state of peace to war in a country, for instance--the continual invention and the im provement of machinery, and the ever-varying change of taste and fashion of the times each of these are occurrences - which have a material effect ,on its depression or success. Subject, therefore, in early times—as they are as the, peopl to such out of the fo. became nec actuations of employment as arose mer and latter of these things, it secure tl in order to prevent distress and such vicissitudes, that some provision should be ma maintenance, inde le for their occasional )endent of their occupation And hence, in the .i'ear 1391, amongst other acts of a like nature, it was declared by the Legislature, " that in all appropriations of tithe for the support of Monastic Institutions, a certain portion should be set apart for the maintenance of the poor." We have here, therefore, in such a regulation as this, the foundation of the system of Poor Laws. It is.quite evident, indeed, from numerous acts and public statutes in existence at the time of which I am writing, and for long after it, that for nearly two centuries prior to the Reformation, the Legis lature was sedulously struggling against the evil which accompaned the transition from a state of slavery to free labour • and that their policy w as directei to obje c ts similar to those which some few years ago engaged the attention of our own Parliament—namely, td analyse the mass of vagabonclage, ture, and rea _,;11 infects society— to punish the former, and relieve the htter. The legislature of 1391, in order to. remedy the evils of imposture, enacted that' every one found practising it should suffer " branding, whipping, or imprisonment," and even travellers were. liable to t} unless provided with passp)rts. (1' I - wards, a more sure method of distinguishing the truly destitute from impostors was adopted, when lose pe 'era! yea's after- such as were allowed to beg, were licensed by jus tices, and lnd their names afterwards registered. It may be here observed, that the same mode of licensing beggars was continued in Scotland, up till within the last few years. Such mendi cants. were distinguished by a badBc which they wo:e upon their arm, and a wallet which they carried slung round their shoulder ; and once a om each house the last wciit puTO to Colle hip broker: meat, &c week t 1 holo type of this privileged mendicant in Edie Ochil tree, so graphically described by Sir Waite] Scott, as he "that brings the news and country ae farm steading to aaither, mid gingerbreld. to the lisses, and helps the lads to mend their fiddles, and the gudewifes to clout their pans, and plaits rush-sw Is and grenadier- caps for the weans, and has skill o' cow--ills and horse-ills, and kens mair sands and tales than a' the barony besideS, and gars_ ilka body laugh wherever he comes." In the present age, society has decided against this species of respectable beggar, as a person entitled to be supported at the public expense. The rules under which the possessions of the world are divided, are. too clearly defined to permit of his holding a share in the allotment. Professional begging, indeed, is declineno . i'v . to enc'ou- the necc 1y of those who ad one which t rare. Hen to it the criminal act of imposture. That the impostw e system has existed with full vigour, and With steady uniformity in this country for upwards o ,ury, we may in it day with the wring our knowledge of the prey following picturesqt Grose, in 1792. " That be' c , he,_ "and a very beneficial one, is Ts mut printed by Captain and it is that the community is un vernment of a kink: uperior,.. who appoints t whic err 0113 a particUlar district or .walk, walks are farmed to inferior bie:-.hern at certain daily sums. In this community, natural defects or bodily infirmities are reckoned advan tages, and pre-eminences. A man who has lost re le g y i elds the pas to h i m w h o wants b ot h , an d who h as neither legs nor arms iL had. of hi s professio, very extraordinal excepted. nearly at sailor, who n ~a- n instance which was giN d but one eye one leg, This man asking in mail iage the daughter -ited blind was answered by her ' - thanked for the honour in should I' l a n : accepted, had not his daugnter received some overt from one who crawled with his hinder parts in ur : 1 4 1) orr id ge pot, " But to return to our story. It would appear that inconven'enc,es arose from hogging being authorised' years, by sev the legislature, _ for, within five were made in tt ...0 impotent poor ; and from the ex p re ,_, some of these the legislature seem s to have been convinced of the necessity o f a compulsory maintenance. Although such a Ind no of a celeb father, the laws res alterationi iecting t aw wus not immediately put in force -ct it Seems to have been conceded from the egulations of the statute, that the pool ld be maintained by the Public rn of Henry VIII., we find yen at ? down to the r great cOmplaints being made against the increase of pauperism then; and abundance of statutes in existence for providing for it. There can be, no doubt that much of this increase was to be traced to the dissolution of the monasteries. By the sup pression of these, the large number of 50,000 monks, we are told, were converted into miserable state pensioners. These persons, unaccustomed to the active exertions of industry, were thrown a mong the busy crowd, to whose manners and mode■ of life a long seclusion , TG VA:GA- of the 11 attention, the sECONI Throughout the lar chain 'stem, a regtl .est to the ly,-6,ll.thought and each looked I `which the commo.nity But, if the l''..eforuat It is true ited from tht -portion of the -pertaining to t. • siOns of th ads, it m aore distinguisi ment than t 1 tinned for hority iuperstition I Tie for viewin Consti charit is noto by the c from the world had 'rendered them indifferent. The necessary tonsequences. of forcing so..many helpless individuals into society could only be to add to the amount, and still more to aggravate the of wrete'aedness and vagabonclage under so long suffered. brought with it this ry evil, it far more than - compensated for mount of good which it afterwards pro- gat the. parties who principally dissolution of the Monasteries acy, who acquired the chief bbev hinds, with the tithes has been observed Dosses- .!-lergy remained tied up iii their formed an insuperalile obstacle to the development of the productive power of the country, which would probably have pres .ed spectacle of internal improve- of the Con rated no tinent that con- ,er the victims of an im- L. Yet strange to Say. the people were unfavourab to the t as a measure which deprived s?,;iving and hospitality Of the 3 can be no doub ational History of England, But the•blirid elee iary spirit inculcated 14N- the Romish Church e cure, of beggary rho monastic -foundations ered in different counties, but by no means at , could never answer the end of ot - the Moilaste regular distant, and limited succour, meted out in just pro- portion to the demands of poverty. Their gates might indeed be open to those who knocked at them for alms, and came in search of streams that l must a ,vs be too sea apprei It does a thirsty multitude in or the people ►norance, and the hen - sions of the t at require me to state the ergy to impress them with mistakc fact that idency of the Reforma he people remain unenlightened, they must always continue subject to their superiors, or those nee over them. The condition of the great body of the Irish at the present day affords a too painful and striking illustration of this truth. But, even in our own time, a similar union of selfishness and vulgar apprehension characterised the conduct of the Working Classes, when they opposed the introduction of machinery and steam power. Yet who will dare to gainsay now that these have not been productive of incalculable benefit to every one, however much many may have temporarily suffered at the time by their attrac tion P Even with respect to their chief complaint, the deprival of monastic charity, Sir Frederick Eden (2) with reason greatly doubts whether the monasteries generally troubled themselves with relieving the poor that did not belong to their own Too often, indeed, instead of applying incomes of those to the purposes either of religion or charity, they appropriated them to the enriching of their own fraternity_ Ample proof is afforded of this in au act that was passed in the reign of Richard the Second, compelling them to restore to the poor a portion of their rights, and allow likewise a decent main tenance to the parish priest. The necessity for such an act sufficiently shows that the charity of the monks was not of a very lively character. Altogether the future welfare of the country was much dependant upon the work of the Reforma tion ;" for by the dissolution of monasteries, science and literature became more diffused among the people, whilst they were likewise benefited by a more. who po3sess influ demesnes regular execution of justice ; the ecclesiastical branches of the aristocracy were destroyed, and many of the obstacles that had opposed the progress of industry being removed, the working classes, as well as the middle ranks of society, began to rise both in wealth and inde pendence, in the manner I have already alluded to in a former chapter. Among the carious funds appropriated to the relief of the poor subsequent to the Reformation, .there were many derived from curious sources ; -and perhaps, if some of these were sought to be adopted at the present day, they would help to • lessen very much, I doubt not, the grievous burden of poor rates. In 1558, for instance, Church wardens were empowered to levy twelvepence upon every parishioner who omitted going to church. Such a' law as this in existence at the present day, would either produce a large revenue, or serve to do away with the complaint of parsons •having to deliver their discourses to " empty benches." There were also penalties for swearing, tippling, and disorderly conduct on. the Lord's clay. It is much to be regretted, that the power of inflicting similar penalties does not still exist, for perhaps never was there need for some kind of interference to try and suppress a practice which has become far too common amongst men of late — I mean that of swearing. How contemptible is this practice. I would only say this much in refe rence to it; that Whenever you hear any one using profane language, you wilt not wrong him if , you pQ l Vityle, that this is only one of a nest of viper s which he carries in his heart ; and, although this is the only one which now hisses, yet each, in his turn, is master of the poor wretch who is giving his life blood to feed them. Persons who lay any . claim to .respectability, are seldom heard. using an oath. Politeness needs not such. embellish ments; and truth and sincerity always despise such auxiliaries. Yet although the - ie penalties referred to ma 3 have been instrumental in forcing Our ancestors to be a church-going people, we do not find the morals of the masses to have been dither exact or rigid. But this is to be implied to the ignorance existing amongst them, which was still very great, and the increase of indigence together, which was accompanied with its usual calamity= an increase of crime. Thus a magistrate in Somersetshire, in the year 1.390, affirms that forty persons had been executed in that county in a year, for various f e l on i es , t hi r t y -fi ve burnt in the hand, thirty-seven whipped, and 183 discharged ; and that those who were discharged were wicked and desperate persons. He further adds th a t th e other counties of England were in no better con dition than Somersetshire,• and some of them in a It is diffi3ult, however, to determine upon the C3rial of Inc Virtues that elevate a nation in one country, passes in the'next to a - different. region; vice chano.es its form wirhoutr ' oBiwr its essence the marked features of _ titer stand out in relief from the individual cliai )1 . history, -owl. misl Auaa out neral caw manner constitutions and a bad form of r subvert t idginent as to improv THE NORTITER;N TIMES, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 19, 1859 MOZCETARY .AND COMMERCIAL. LIVERPOOL, Friday Evening mderate business has been dolie in the Cot ton Market to-day, the sales amounting to 8,000 bales, inclusive of 2,000 taken for speculation and 'export. Of the week's business, we quote the fol lowing report from the circular of Messrs. Wright, junior, and Co. The activity prevailing in our cotton market at the date of our last oirettlar advices per Canada, continued unabated for the following two days, and prices hard ened for the current qualities of American descriptions. The Europa's advices had the effect .of temporarily check ing- the ardour of buyers, and caused lull in the demand; but a favourable report from Manchester stimulated the inquiry, and imparted renewed strength to the Subsequent, daily operations, which (with the exception of Tuesday's transactions) have been on an extensive scale, both specu lators and exporters participating in, the business with some degree of confidence, based more particularly on the prospect of. continued large consumption than any mitigation of the evils to be apprehended from. political chases, or other influences of a controlling tendency lioliers continue to hold their stocks very freely, an( although we must advance quotations 81 per lb, nothing of, an animated character sign a li zes the..business in pro gress: Peace or war is still an open question, freely dis cussed, and vague of solution—few anticipating imme diate raptures -'as few, probably, regarding the preser vation of order as certain ; and, in such an indefinite position, all are inclined to encircle their operations within control 'rather than extend them over space Wand • time. The same causes tend to the present easy condition of money matters'; the public securities are still by the unsettled future prospect of affairs. steadily at the quotations, 2,000 to speculators and exporters, and offerings free. The total sales of the week, including what has been forwarded from th e s hip' s s id e, amount a 83,133 bales, of which 69,200 are American. Speculators have taken 14,810, and exporters 7,110, leaving 66,510 bales of all kinds to the trade. The impart fox bales, of which 21,719 are Ameii nown to be at sea from American uoi 8,000 bale. 86,000 bale ioday's Ordinar 40 to fild 5d to 6'd 5d Jo aid PRICES TO-DAY • N. Orleans Fair, . Middling, 6 1-16 d.. Mobile „ 7d „ • 6 15-16 d Atlantic .„ 7 1-16 d „ 61d Total taken for consumption, 1859, 323,160 b15....1858„ export (,actual) „ 27,716 , „• 16,660 „ American Brazil Egypt'n E . India W. India Total 303,910 16,990 19,270 22,250 270 362,720 Sanction 1858.116,100 24,810 4,450 81,330 4,170 230,880 Messrs. Edmund Jardine and Co. in their circular, say : • Stock this day The animation which characterized our market last week has been still more marked during the present, and although on Tuesday a somewhat quieter tone was per ceptible, probably from the tenor of advices from the States per Europa which arrived pn that day, with accounts of depressed markets there and large receipts, yet they failed to have any permanent effect, and with large daily sales, prices have been in favour of holders kd per lb. in American descriptions on last Friday's quotations. Brazils have been in very active request, and they are to id per lb. dearer. In the lower qualities of Egyptian an advance of Id. per lb. has been obtained, but the better descriptions are unchanged. Surati have also partaken in the general improvement, and are ed. per lb. higher. The general Produce Markets in Liverpool during the week, have not been characterised by any great amount of activity, but there has been a fair amount of business done in most articles, and prices have been tolerably regular. Brazil Sugars have been dull, and rather easier in prices, but West India have sold freely at previous rates. East India remains without change. There has been no change in Molasses, and prices have been regular. Rums remain without change. There has been a good demand for Coffee, both for consumption and export. Business has, however, been limited by the short supplies. Cocoa has been dull. There has been a better demand for Rice, but no improvement has been shown in prices. Ashes have been flat. Extreme prices have been paid for Saltpetre. Some samples of Kooria Mooria Guano have been sold at £4 10s, and Some Peruvian at £lO per ton. Jute re mains quiet. Palm Oil has advanced in price, and is now very firm at £44. Oli ve Oil has become firmer in price, the sales being about 150 tons. Tallow is firm at 54s for South American, and Ms to 54s 6d for P.Y.C. Tea has been very firm but not active. During the week very little animation has been experienced in the Liverpool Salt trade, and prices remain steady. The' quo tations were—Common Salt, 4s 6d ; rough do., Gs to 9s ; stowed Ist class, 7s 6d to 8s butter do, 6s. There has been rather a better feeling in the Liverpool Stock Exchange to-day, and prices generally have had a tendency to improve. The transactions have been rather more numerous, but still not large. They were as follows : Eastern Coun ties, 121; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 951, 95?-, , 95a, 951 Lancaster and Preston £lll shares, 91 p. ; London and North Western, 95-0 4 ; Midland, 1011, 101fi ; South Eastern, 221, 22 3-16 ; Dutch Rhenish, 51 d ; Grand Trunk of Canada, 7 7-16 ; Great Western of Canada, 151, 1&, 151 451. After official hours, sales were mad e i n Eastern Counties at 12 3-16 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, at 951; London and North Westerns, at 951, 95;' 7 ; Manchester and Sheffield, 38 ; Midlands, 101f2 4 ; and South Easterns, 221, 22 3-16, 24. The final closing prices were : Black burn, 111, 111 ; Chester and Birkenhead, 66, 661 ; Caledonian, 85, 851 ; Chester and Holyhead, 481, 481 ; Eastern Counties, 12 3-16, 121 ; East Lancashire, 951, 96 ; Do. £9 shares, 4, 1 p ; Great Northern, 105, 106 ;' Do. A, 88, 89 ; Great Western, 56, 561 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock, 95*, 951; Ditto shares, 1, p ; London and North Western Stock, 951, 95 ;do one-eighth shares,ls-16, 13-16 d ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 38, 381; Midland Stock, 1014, 1014 ; North British, 591, 60 ; North Western, 13'1, 131 ; fordshire, 5 xd, d ; North East North StatL 13er wick , 79; York - and North Midland, 781 Leeds Capital Stock, 481, 481 ; South Eastern, and Dover, 22 1-16, 22 3-16 ; Deitch Rhenish, 5,1, 5 d ; Great Western of Canada, 154, 16 ; Ditto New Shares, 41, 4 d ; Great Luxembourg, ; Grand Trunk of Canada, 72-, 7 7-16. The Manchester Goods Market has been quiet to-day, chiefly on account of the trade being under heavy contracts. For the India markets, some purchases were made on Continental accounts, but the home trade continues la ngu id. P r i ces have been very firm, both for goods and yarns, at the recent advanced quotations. The C ne leading .orn Trade continues dull in all t 1 ..ei:ets of the country, and purchas_ made to supply immediate wants. In Liverpool, this morning, the market was very thinly attended, and only a small business was done, generally at about Tuesday's prices. At, Wakefield the busi- onh s ah, ness was small, but factors showed no disposition to force sales, and hence prices were tolerably well astained Ile Board of Trade returns for the month of December have at length made their appearance. They were issued to-day, and show that the 'value of goods exported ivas' 10,058,7691., showing an er last year of 2,910,7281., and over the same month of 1856, of 13,5431. For the year 1858, the total exports were valued at 116,614,3311., against 122,614,3311. in 1857, and 115,614,3311. in 1856. increase ov The half-yearly meeting of the London and North-Western Railway Company was held at Euston-square to-day, when the report of the directors, which has already been published, was, after some discussion, adopted unanimously, and the dividend of four-and-a-quarter per cent. will be paid on and after tile 26th inst. A specialineeting of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway Company was held to-day, at Newcastle, for the purpose of considering the proposal of the amalgamation with the North Eastern. After'a lengthened discussion, the meeting was adjourned until the annual meeting in March, to give time to the shareholders for enquiry. At the meeting of the North Eastern shareholders, at York, this day, the, proposal for amalgamation with the New castle and Carlisle was unanimously agreed to. The half-yearly meeting East of the Lanca shire Comp an y was h e ld at Bury to-day. The report of the directors was adopted unanimously, but not until after some discussion had taken place, during which the chairman stated that " it was understood that the amalgamation bill last year was defeated in the committee of the House of Lords, by a majority of oue only." A dividend 1 at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum was declared. The retiring directors were re-elected. The London Stock Exchange ha,4 been heavy to-day. Consols, after opening at the closing prices of last night, receded to 954 , -, 95t, at which they stood at noon ; subsequently they were still more depressed, and •at the close the highest quotation was at which they continued after official hours. The other securities closed finally as follows : Three per Cents, 954-, 96; Bank Stock, 227,'229: Exchequer Bills, small and large, 36, 39' pm. iarket was dull all d s had a down- . The London Share M.._ and both English and Foreign Sham_ ward tendency.. The .final closing prices were as follows :--Ambergate, 64, 6 ; Caledonian, 'B5l, - ditto Preference, 103, 105 ; Eastern 60k, 61,1-; East Lancashire, 95, burgh and Glasgow, 714, 724 ; CoUnties 97• F., Great Northern, 1041, 105; Do. A., - 88, 96 ; Ditto 8., 137, r3B ; Great Western, 561, 56 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 951, 95k; Brighton, 109, 1091 ; London and North Western, 951, 951 ; London and South Western, 921, 92.1 ; Man ieflield, and Lincoln, 371, 381; Midland •, North British, 59, 60 ; Ditto Preference, North E astern Berwick, 9321, 94 ; 1011,101 111, 11:-: political lmeiit must Tents to i . more favourable. circumstances have cOnsti- rations than fitted to the observance of morarot will justify the loses - his liberty, loses half nn. Yet reason and experience 2ntence of Homer, that "he who virtue." The reason those who have acquired, or may hope to lost likely- to in . law protects Id her - a filial much to gain by the most interes- acquire property or to respect t. others as a parent, are most willing to obecl 3 who I tizens, at ted in the preset 1 •) In the have a 's'tartil' ion of an honourable characte iglis• of King \Vii Liam an 4 Queen Rune, t to th when associated with th( ployed in them. r". Thus, th ;sing tones, I Dr resort [nese persons and such as described " all loose, idle vagrants, pretend to be Irish gentlemen, and will not -4- or betake thernsel--- but waude; to ans l Thonest trade or liveli- about to !louse arnoni their fosterers, followers, and others, and also loose persons of infamous lives and char ac t ers. " The punishm en t .ass i gned to them was imprisonment and transportation. (2) History of the Poor. (3) History of the Middle Ages. [END OF PART SECOND:I TRADE AND NAVIGATION REMRNS The following are the amounts of Me principal articles of commerce exported from England.in the month of December for the last three years:— Apparel and slops Beer and ale Coals and calm Cotton, calicoes, mus- 1856. 1857. £197,180 . £181,371 124,119 155,600 168,717 186,121 1858. £194,191 206,384 196,975 Bcd 2,704,494 1,945,844 3,008,984 Cotton yarns Earthenware and por- celaine Haberdashery. &c. Hardware and cutlery Leather, unwrought Ditto, wrought Saddlery and harness . Linens (cloths of all kinds, and cambrics) Linen yarns Steam machinery Other machinery .... 34533 34-0,879 22,348 146,654 25,649 84,073 188,753 275,584 143,115 20.600 29;756 16.551 123,502 28,256 -24,410 31,210 22,474 401,047 162,520 200,114 104,388 112,261 152,695 56,890 425,336 155,864 42,251 153,308 73,959 192,111 Metals—Pig iron Bar Iron - Wire Iron Cast Iron .. Wrought •iron Steel, un wrought 44,663 413,239 332,554 12,849 315,551 52,541 228;173 51,28€ 211,61 15,781 49,608 207,926 54,329 87,186 149,260 33,980 55,800 Copper, unwrought Ditto, sheets and nails Lead ........ Tin, unwrought Pin-plates Oil seed Painters' colours . . . Pickles and sautes . . . Plate, plated ware,jew- 70,236 143,507 31,650 22,822 113,275 85,173 34,560 36,541 53,799 28,070 82,292 41,217 27,978 50,118 72,133 19,502 12,226 ellery, and watches Salt Silk manufactures (silk only) Other articles of silk Silk manufactures m'xd with other materials Silk, thrown 50,099 18,826 27;862 58,949 12,720 38,335 14,131 26,086 92,529 85,303 30,792 twist and yarn 147,808 22,970 19,607 140,218 21,053 12,650 13,233 21,876 Spirits :,British) Stationery 64,178 23,579 Sugar, refined Wool Woollens (cloth) Flannels (mixed, stuffs, carpets, Sre ) 28,178 80,880 223,323 23,087 16,091 177,659 Worsted stuffs Woollen and worsted 262,642 200,179 159,051 288,673 135,433 107,36.5 DOCK RATING 35,360 10,022 44,972 43,118 21,55 C 55,673 25,308 13,814 18,801 58,342 23,795 37,713 205,835 341,715 320,684 249,148 TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES Sir,—l would not have ventured to have again addressed you upon the subject of dock rating, if I had not noticed a petition in favour of the bill, placed in the News-room for signature, today, with an array of arguments in it, that if con sidered upon for a moment, serve more to show the impolicy of rating, than to prove the justice of such a course. This petition, in one of the leading clauses, sets fortLi that because our docks are comparatively empty, when an East wind blows, they should be rated, because many men are out of employment, or in other words, make the docks accountable for the winds. Another clause has, that the docks have displaced rateable property. What rates do our wise pro moters of the petition expect they would have got out of the beach, for the docks are constructed upon the site of the shore, except the Wapping, and here, instead of a quantity of squalid dwell ings, we have a fine range of dock warehouses paying rates. - The argument goes on, that because certain joint-stock enterprises are rated, the docks should be, which are a source, of no profit or emolument to any person or body, but are the direct cause of these enterprises being profitable to their shareholders. The next clause reads that the rates would scarcely be felt, spread over the amount of pro party frequenting our docks. Does the writer of the petition mean to say that £50,000 per annum extra would not be perceptible in the dock rates P I can scarcely think he has given a moment's con sideration to the subject. This amount comes up to 1-6th of the present dock revenue. . Then, again, 'because the Liverpool are the only docks in England not rated, they should be. The Liverpool Docks, thanks be to the shrewdness of the promoters, are not commercial docks. They yield no revenue to anyone, being quite different in this respect from every other port ; but in course of time, if left free from rates, they will be almost free docks, much to the benefit of the town. It strikes me that the promoters of the Rating Bill are not going the right way to work. The sense of the town has not been taken upon the question. Let the inhabitants of the old town have a word in the matter. Piace before them the pros and the cons of the case ; and I shall be sur prised. if the good sense of the town does not reject a measure so calculated to drive away the trade, and thereby ruin the property owner, the mer chant, and tradesman—for they are all dependent t 1,2 9n the one source, the docks and the trade they bring. A. B. F. SUPERINTENDENT OF MARKETS TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES, Sir,—Allow me your kind indulgence for a few words, in answer to an article that appeared in the Mercury of Tuesday last, relative to the appointment of a " General Superintendent of the Markets," The boast of an •Euglishigan is fair play—all on an equal footing, hand-to-hand, as it were ; S aud the boast of the Press, in general, is the guardian of this fair play. For once it is at fault, in the nre-judging of the appointment of a person to the newly-created, not vacated, office as he would have it. That the article has em anated from a friend in court, appears pretty certain, doubtless the head constable could tell the story of its getting up ; sad more than this could he tell, though we may " search the country and a better man cannot be found." How singular that thirteen years have passed and this virtuous man has never come forth ; is it because we have not had a new office created with £3OO a-year, the pickings, that this mighty clever man has not been held up sooner to the public view. What a loss to the nation that such abilities have not been sooner rewarded. , cl, find a man fit to compete, and thus is Major Greig endeavouring to thrust him upon the committee ; they cannot, of course, have much choice—sup posing them a committee of gentlemen who really admire matchless men, - 'ssiug the rare qualific with ; Sybbald -is blessed doubtless he has in his day performed wonderful things ; the Major knows it, so does Mr. Campbell, of the Health department, who, if he chose, could " a tale unfold," hOw, once upon a time, a certain person was fined heavily for absence from duty. Yes, but Mr. Campbell could tell how that absence happened, and how it was covered by fine, and this by one who was not his equal. Our appointments are to be on the scale of our pocket boroughs, at least judging from the article in question. Happily, we have on the com mittee gentlemen who will not allow them selves to have thrust upon them any one, with out a thorough investigation of his merits, though he be paraded by the head constable, and the divisional superintendents • others are as deserving, and man y w ith much more superior abilities. The article is intended to damp the energies of those disposed .to make an effort. May we hope that it will not have this effect ; better men, so far as abilities are concerned, can be found out of the police than at the present time can be found in it ; and if matters can be sifted, it will be found that a " better man can be found" without a search through the country. A corner for these few words, in your valuable paper; will oblige, yours, &c., CALIXTUS, MAIL NEWS. - The Bombay letters will be delivered in London on Monday. • The screw steamers Lord Arlilew and Lord Worsley having arrived in New Zealand, the mail service between Sydney and the various ports in New Zealand was commenced. on the Ist November. The Airedeles sans this week, to be put upon the line, .which is to consist .of four -steamm bern, 48, 48 Yarl 901; ditto N Canada, 15i, 16 ; ditto Nevv North ?w, 1021, 103 ; Great Western of The dema - ud for money yesterday was of the scription both at the Bank of most limited c Englani and in cliSco - unt circles. Business has of course been checked by the uncertainty apparent in the state of foreign politics, and hence the gradual diminution in the general inquiry. The payment of the late instalments on the Chilian and Austrian Loans has not exercised the .htest infi provincial banks continue to male leposits of their surplus funds at the diseaunt companies and the private discount establishments There were no Bullion operations at the Bank yesterday, and the transactions in the open market were of an unimportant character. The Silver Market remains steady, without any essential alteration. The Funds were favourably affected this morning by news from Paris, of the effect produced by the warning to La Presse, on account of its bellicose article. The general tendency of the Stock Markets throughout the day was favourable, and, although there was a general absence of animation, Funds closed y per cent. higher than yesterday. Discount Market without change, and inac tive. No Bullion operations at the bank. The scrip of the new Australian loam. recovered this afternoon from to dis. The Bombay Exchange as reported by telex graph, appears to be less favourable to this country.— Daily News City Article, Thursday Evening. The English Funds opened this morning without alte ration, but there was subsequently a tendency to im provement. ,During the last few days the investments of the publip have been rather large, and consequently in -the absence of any fresh foreign news there, is an imme diate disposition to improvemont.- 7 -Times City Article Thursday Evening. RAILWAY NEWS. ---,The improvement of traffic returns is general. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway has increased £3,190 ; East Lancashire, £1,044 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, £1,034 ; Eastern Counties, :E1;374 ; Midland, £2,290 ;. North Eastern, £1,182. The South-Eastern dividend is at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum ; Eastern Counties, 3,1 ; Caledonian, 4, being 1 per cent. less than last year, but £4,500 is carried forward, after charging £7,000 to account of Parka- Caledonian Stock advanced on mehtary expense: Thursday. South 1-Eastern )ck wa3 scarcely affected in announcement of a higher dividend than price by the BANK OF ENGLAND KETURN Ace Punt, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Vic., cap. 23, for the week ending Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1859 : ISSUE DEPARTMENT DEBIT. CREDIT. Notes issued Other Securities Gold Coin and ot ier Bullion 233,539,330 BANKING DEPARTMENT DEBIT. CREDIT. Proprietor's Capital. 14,553,000 Government Seen -10,693,147 Rest _ 3,351,321 rides Dapaiit Dapoilti oth Sevea-da Bills . 538,893 I Notes 13,049,935 799,948 I Gold and Silver Coin. 682,824 , £40,871,422 Total Compared with the returns of the previ. the above shows the, following results : £40,871,422 us week, Active Circulation Bullion Rest 20,489,345—Decreas 139,100 19,747;154 3,359,321 —increase —lncrease L-day & other 1 Ls 799,918—Decrease Public Deposit Other Deposits Govern Secu- 10,69 u, rities Other Securities 7,620,265—1ncrea5e 14,538,898—Decrease 594,032 43,239 16,422,463—Decrease 13,019,135—Increase Notes unemuloyed 1311 to tiobi: per Mil N EXCIIA.NGES Amsterdam short Antw3r Bruss2l. Hambu Ditto Marseilles. Frankfort. Vienna Petersbu Madrid . LIVER.POOL PRODUCE. —Colonial, &e.: In Sugar the, business is confined to 350 bags Benares at 44s to 47s ; and 500 bags Pernalni at 253 per cwt., in bond. Nothing has transpired in Mo'asses or Ruist. At aaction, 300 bags Ceara Offee, part all "or sound. The business in 5s 3d; and 7,000 142 s to 47 !s. 5.000 b woad, ineladir and 15 ton FORE' , Three Mont Three Month, - 1184 10 80 10 ... 80 YESTERDAY'S MARKETS 9 Zll 7 74 14 4 no change 363,083 99,950 151 to 11 ... 16 17 ... 11 ... 18 171 ... 11 .. 18 32 . 25 ... 37 32 ... 25 ... 37 G ... 13 ... 6 7 ... 25 ... 15 FOWLER & FREAN. 3,079 saltA Rio Grande ; tare 6 1'). 270 ditto 10 ditto 391 ditto per cwt gs Moulmein at t 6s 6d. per cwt 30 tons, all faults, at iti3 Hache Fustic at $5 )f Arteoods, 110 tons Lima -15 to £l5 5s for sound ; Ashe3 dull at 29s 64 for Pots ; and 325 for Pearls; 40 ions Nitrate of Soda at 16s for fine ; and 153 bags Calcutta Saltpetre taken at 42s to 45s per cwt., for 6 to 2i per cent. refraction. Nothing done in Brimstone to-day,. the sales for the week, are about 230 tons at £7 17s 64 to £8 for thirds ; and at £8 to £8 5s per ton for best seconds ' • 23 casks G. L. and Cos. Tartar, have been sold on private terms ; 1,000 bales Gambier on the spot at 14s 3d to 145 6d for heated, and at 15s 6(1 for sound, with 50 tons to arrive at 14s Gd all round ; 900 seron3 Gum Gedda at 23s Gd to 243; 20 tons Alum on private terms ; and 100 boxes Large Pearl Sago at 17s per cwt. Oils: Palm quiet at £44 per tun; and nothing to notice in Olive. Tallow at 54s for P.Y.C. ; small sales of //min at 4s 104 per cwt., for common. Seeds: 150 bags Bengal Rapeseed at 485 Gd ; and 150 bags Nigerseed at 38s per quarter. We have further to report 53 tons good Smyrna Valonia at £l7 ; and 450 bales Mexican Fibre, part all faults , at £2l to £2l 103 per ton for sound. LIVERPOOL COTTON.—The activity noticed in the cotton mar- ket at th week. I throughout the present Tuesday, was caused by the tenor of the At - JaeAna aiviees, each day's transactions have been general and extensive, and with some little display of firmness on the part of holders, an advance of per lb. has been obtained on American descriptions, at which the market closes steadily. - Braz:l and Egyptian saleable. Surat in fair demand at Ad per lb. auvance. leulation, rather more kly sales are 38,430 bales, of which - 14,810 are on sp and 7,110 for export. DESCRIPTIC Import. iSal es d. d. d 4,2)4 600 Sea Island ... 51 to 19 12, 21,360 Upland 10,590 Mobile ... 17,515 36,1;30 New Orlean 2,016 6,680 Brazil 2,007 4,446 1.1;:r3-ptiaa .0 13; 7 1-16 285 7 ,490 71 9'l Cl 5-16 I£olWest India —7 7,9301 East India ... I 33,533 183,4301 8 14,440 7' 20,460 7i 1.250 51 27,010 I - 3i9T - 650 Livnaroot, mornings mark. Friday's attendance. Dullness continued to reign, but as of late so repeatedly noted the value of all articles must be written stationary, with a moderate retail trale passing just to meet present wants. American Oaty lied Wheat, 5s 6d to Gs ; French red, Us 3d to 63 4d ; White 6s- 9d to 7s; Danzig, 7s 10d to Be. 2d per 70 lbs —-- and Mixed Maize, 298 6d to brought an av Yellow White, 33s to 359 6d per gn, 4 to Irish Old Ott, 3s 4d to 3s81; Scotch and For 4d per 45 lbs. Barrel -Flour ran;;'_ from 20s to 25s p Sack Flour frov 29s to 37 per 2SO 26s per 240 lbs 6s 8d per 70 1b: LIVRAPOIL ox hides, average 65.1 lb. x.tra heavy, av 7 3ratri;B2 163., ight ox, average 431 163., at Oatmeal 2 is Irish Red Wheat, 5s 3d to (is Oats 2s 9d to 3s 4d per 45 lbs At RA DI”. SL 3L-1 pa I ;An lb cow, average 481 lbs., at VI tare I lbs. 50 ditto bull, average 87 lbs., at 51 per lb. ; tare 7 lbs. 10 ditto damaged ox, averaga 64 lbs., at 41,1 to 5k par lb. ; tare G lbs. 1,576 salted Mote Video horse Hides, average 32 lbs. - , at Its each. 344 salted Buenos Ayres horse hidea, average 28 lbs. to 31} lbs., at lOs Gd to lls 3d each. 1,300 drysalted Brazil hides—Ceara's, soand, aver age 334 lbs. to 34 lbs., at 714 to 81 per lb. ; heavy, averse 431 lbs., at 7d per lb.; first damp and city damaged, at 6d to 7id per lb.; seconds, at 54 to 5.1 d par ; thirds, at 31d pe r lb. i 5,000 East India Kips —Beagal drysaltel, good cure : Sound. average 7A Ib3 ,at 131 per lb.; first rubbed. average 7,1 lbs., at 914 per lb.; marbled, at ?}.l per lb, Fair dry,salted : First rubbed:aver az„! 1 lba, at 81,1 to 81d par lb.; 02011 i rubbed, average 8 lbs. to 8 1-5 lbs., at 614 to 634 ; snand heavy, average 10 lbs. to 11 3-5 lbs., at Od to 612 1 ; extra, average 11 2-5 lbs. to 1.5 i lbs., at s;d to 61-d per lb. drysalted : First rubbed, average 7 lbs., at 51d to sid per 1b.,; rcovers; at 2d - to 41a per Madras : Dry and brined, first class, average 51 lbs. to 5a lbs. , a t 4sd to 44d per lb. ; seconds, at 3 5-3:1 to 3id; first light, averag e 2 lbs. to, 2k lbs., at 4i d. to 5d per lb. • . seconds, at. 3fd per lb.; heavy, average 93 lbs., at 31d (in bales nnassorted) to ald_rt 33 casks tallow at 50s'6d to nyrna valorda &t £l7 per ton. IS ordinary, at £lO. 50 tons cattle bones , to £5 lOs per ton. 1,500 sheep skins, washed, et 6d per lb. • lb.; damp, at 14 , 1 to 211 d per lb 51s per cwt. lag tons nu tons Rio Hache divi div comm gage 31 lbs LONDON Pa as this wee', Lion in the 11:CE. -- '3ugar : We cannot alter general quota' although there has been a great want of anl• aarkot, but • the importers have shown firmness, - 11 woald not sts 6d to Us. • rediied dull; )ncinatiN;e - Ceylon, The market firm, with 'au upward tendency. sold at 51 Cotton X limitcd , ss done at pre pported. Rum LOUs rat A fair , s have been fit has been dull of sal Spices have .11y have had a:quiet ap- *3 market supplies w.ro very Wh-•at : English, very little Foreign, at rotail demand for earsoe3 were all bid for, and but they would 'soon go: Flour unal and much inquired for. Barley : A "•'lly last Wednesday's rates.. No "moans not pleatiful, and quite that sellers asked more 1 business. Irish very quiet. Second of Foreign wheat and oats, Weathei mild and 'fl, for the flintiness of imp. terad. Indian Cotn sea good conionaptive d3mt change i Malt firm. 'I) Ley, 'which ch ort.—Stnnlieg Attendance of buyers limited to London wheat nominally as on Monday. Barley in in value. Oats in good request at full NOrfolk flour unalterec: LI HOP.—The s ar of new Hops was limited, and the all kinds was ste at fully ltst week's quota— were a slow sale, but not Lirling and, old 1.6:1D0N TALLO --Thl market remains dull at yesterday's the spot. 52s 6d to `s2s Sd ; the same for ;els opened at 951 to 94 both for money continued steady at this price all the ad prices without The last price of Ty inanimate, inactiv, the French Rent, JONEY. —C t, and hl Canadians dull ; Fr WAKEFIELD Corer. —No alteration can be cinated in the price of wheat in to-day's markets. Factors not anxious to sell. On the other bani, millers do not purchase freely. Fine barley scarce, and sells at rather higher prices. Beans and oats were also unaltered in value. Iris.-- Ihe farmer ;es. Very little pt .11y unaltered. and no our, and graia or fl wheat a fair supply, and a good de from last day's rates ; oats in request at .5d per barrel; barley. more -looked after, and pric3s .er ; foreign wheat strongly in request; very little here in prime condition; maize, some speculative buyers, but business checked by holders asking more money. withou CORK BUTTER.—We have had at market to-day 200 firkins, and thc., quotations were—Firsts, 1305.; seconds, 130 s; thirds, 104 s ; fourths, 85s; fifths, 645, per cwt. GLASGOW COTTON.—There has been rather more business doing here this week, and what has been gold must be quoted id per lb. higher than the week previous. GLascow CORN.—Wheat unchanged ; holders firm, but not much going. Barley dull. Oats without change. Beans and peas stiff. GLAseow Pio IRON. - The market has been steady. Business reported at 51s 7d, cash prompt, which is the nominal closing quotation. No. 1 G.M.8., 51s ; No. 3,50 s 9d. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. HIGH WATER Econ. Height, THIS DAY WIND At LIVERPOOL, -N.W HOLYHEAD,-N.W.- —Strong breeze ARRIVED Moulmein I Milade Slaviane Monte Video Boston Newfoundland ........Rotten Monte Video St. Michael's .. Messina Demerara ..Smyrna I Rockingham ... '..St. Michael's Pomona ...... .. Leghorn Peter and James. .. Valparaiso Teazer ;) ....... Havre Maggie ... ....Huelva Triumphant .... . St. Übes Ilos .. St. John, N.B. Bolina British Queen Cestus Emilie .. Mai the MARITIME EXTRACTS LIVERPOOL, Feb. 18. The Rubinow, for Trieste , has put back, with three feet water in her hold, and will have to discharge, having touched the ground near the Reek Lighthouse, when proceeding to sea on the 14th instant. The British ship Sufic', Jame been burnt and sunk in the Hooglily. The John Bull (steam-tug), which was towing the Betsey, from Monte Video, iato Birkenhead Dock, got into collision with a schooner; and sustained slight damage. The Alcibiades (Greek brig), Antanasio. from the Sea of Azoff for Queenstown (wheat), has been lost off Cape St. Vin cent crew saved. at Calcutta for London, has The Celandine, Miller, from Taganrog for the United King dom (wheat), cleared from Gibraltar on the 16th Oct. last, and has not since b3en heard of The• Cosmo cleared at I ice for the United Kingdom Sept 15, and has not since been heard of. Among the ships reported to be missing is the ship Pakenham, of Liverpool. She left the Kooria ',loom Islands in May last, for England, calling at Mauritius, and arrived at St. ll e lena in ta Seotaln`,?r,_ inry-zgel, - having lost her mainmast ia-a storm off the Cape of G43:1 Hope.' She sailed from Fayal ou the 27th of October, 1858, since which time she has not been heard of. Hopes are entertained that her crew might have been picked up lavnm, Feb.l4 stie, of this port, arrived at been in collision on Dec. 2, lifm (name unknown), Monte Video I_, in lat. 17 S, which sunk inunectia,, ,• crew, comisting of 'eight men, saved, and placed on board a Swedish brig bound for Rio Janeiro. 0 W, with aßr GRAVESEND, Feb. 1 1 Arrived : The Aspasia, from Ber- F, Aarhuus ; Ann, Guernsey ; Ellen Doulas, Syidne DEAL, 'Feb: ; The Lady of the Lake, for Port Natal. Passed : The Trente, London to Colomlo; Eliza Thorn ton, London to Batavia; Janet Mitchell, London to Madras; Reullard, Landon to Wellington ; Compeer, London to New Orleans. Put back: The Eliza, Grimsby for Galatz; M. M. Peter, London for Adelaide ; Orient, London for Jamaica ; Mechanic, Shields for Carthagena ; Cumberland, Shields for Carthagcna ; Robert Porter, Shields for Boston; Plymouth Rock, New York for London; Enterprise, Sierra Leone for London; Apollo, Car thagena for London. DUBLIN, Feb. 13. -Arrived : The Orvador, from Tralee. KINGSTOWN, Feb. 18.—Arrived : The Emily, from Ardros san for Nantes. Sailed : The C a th er i ne , for Santander. WATERFORD, Feb. 18.—Arrived : Th e Courier (s), from Mil ford ; City of Paris (s), Bristol; Kate, Galatz. Sailed : The Malakoff (s), for Milford; Ellen Drinan, Llanelly ; Mary Anne, Cork. BELFAST, Feb: 18. gen. Sailed, 17th : 1 Anna Maria, for Arch 3.—Arrived: Tha Hedwig, from Copenha- The Malviva (es), for London. 18th : The QuEE,rsrows, Feb. 18. - Arrived : The Nina, from Ancona; Prince Llewellyn, Malta; Aurora, Sulina ; Maria Charlotte, Malta; D Zevaun, Buenos Ayres. Off : The Perthshire, from Honduras for Liverpool. Feb. 18. Cicero, Alex;mdria Fulwood, hence at Cal Lau Barbadian sa Pau The Gipsey, from Trieste ; le Matanzas, for Trinidad. Arrived at Santiago de Cuba, Jan. 6 1 from Demerara for Liverpool, Jan. 15 riled from Demerara. for Liverpool, Jan. 18. d from Valparaiso for Liverpool, Dec. 28 d from Callao for Valparaiso, Dec. 31. d from Callao for England, Dec. 29. iron Callao for England, Dec.3l. ,c fl from Callao for England, Dec. 31. sailed from Callao for Huanchaco, Jan. 4. an sailed front Callao for the Chinchas, Jan. 4 John Pcile sailed from Callao to. Sharston, from Valparaiso at Iquiqu. Agnes Moos sailed from Iquique for Pi Dec. 14. Electric Florine s Uruguay Templea Valparaiso, Jan. 5 Dec. 21. .gua and Queenstown, Mn Islay, and Astrea, from California ; both at Callao Helen MeGan, from the Chinehas at Callao, Dee. 29. Hol}•rood, from the Chinehas at Callao, Jan. 1, and left on the 10th for .11:Luritius. Caspian, from the Chinehas at Callao, Jan. 1. Rose, from the Chinehas at Callao, Jan. 3. and left on the 10th for England. Alliance, from the Chinehas at Callao, Jan. 4. Melissa, from Islay at Callao, Jan. 6. Don?,lai Castle, from Mo.lbourne at Callao, Jan. 9. William Wright, from tha Chinehas at Callao. Jan. 9 Spas, from Iquique at Callao, Jan. 10 Potosi sailed from Iquique for Mex Dec. 16. Valdivia sailed from Iquique for I and Queenstown, ad Queenstown, Prine3 of Wales Doe. 28. ailed 'from Valparaiso for Caldera, Gondola sailed from Valparaiso for Cobija, Dc BANKRUPTS Richd. Henry Llngstaf, Somerstown, Middlesex, draper James Porsell, late of Cornhill, competitioner. E lward Hewitt, late of Chatham, corn factor. Caution Taylor, Conduit-street thomls London , upholsterer. Bernhard Pollak, Broad-street buildings, foreign importer. Wm. Henry Newton, Stratford, Essex, builder. William B3uld, Wolverhampton, boot and shoe maker. William William Newport, Monmouthshire, grocer. Samuel Dawson, Wakefield, worsted manufacturer. Joshua Scott Thackley, Idle, near York, cloth manu- facturer John Langdale, Brompton, Yorkshire, innkeeper and butcher. seph Gibbon Vicars, Liverpool, victualler HUMILITY OF A QUEEN.—Maud, surnamed 44 The Good," daughter of Malcolm Canmore, King of Scots, and wife of Henry the First, King of England, was so affable, . pious, and humble, that she condescended to relieve the poor widt her own hands, dress their sores,- and wish their feet ; and, being reprimanded for it by a courtier as not agreeable to her royal dignity, she made " That she followed the example of our .used Saviour, and the prescripts of the Gospel ; and chat the brightest jewel in the crown of majesty was agability and courtesy."—:.Voble Deeds of Wooten, - By Eli~trbetic. Starling. QUEEN'S. SPEECH- rim wer --San NEGLECT. —uunsiderable ex citement was manifested on Thursday evening last to hear . the Queen's Speech, and parties congregated in groups in different places to h ear it rea d . Among othersa large party assembled in one of our barber's shops. where it was read'and listened to with great attention. At the conclusion an old ve t eran . arose i n great perplex i ty , and said —" Read on, it canna be done yet." On being a s that i w really ".done." " Week ,, quoth he. that bets a' t ." as "Did ye ever ken the like o't ?" " The mist important thing in the hale session's never ance mentioned—oar railway !"—Border ddeertiar.