The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-10-20 00:00:00

Oct. 20, 1846. Loral anb Vrobinrial 17).t1u5. Mr. John Bright has consented to become a candidate for the representation of INlanchester at the next election. Mr. Rushton, the son of our stipendiary magistrate, has been called to the bar, and will make his forensic debut at the approaching quarter sessions. Strom' TIME.—We are sorry to hear that it is the in tention of several millowners in Preston to adopt working short time at an early day.—Preston Guardian. On Tuesday, Miss Jump, an elderly lady residing i❑ Moor-place, fractured her leg by falling into a coal vault in Green-street. _ . A few days since a female named Mary Ryan, living in Princes-street,destroy t d herself by taking poison during a fit of insanity. CELLARS.—On Wednesday, forty informations were laid against parties for letting cellars, and on Friday the same number of cases were heard. The receipts at the Manchester Custom House during the quarter ending the 10th October inst., exceeded those of the previous quarter by £2,610, and those of the cor responding quarter of last year by £39,176. There are now being erected in Byrom-street, opposite Great Crosshall-street, a series of cottages, in distinct tiers, not unlike those model lodgings in the course of erection in London. The Warrington electors eissati,fied with the vote of J. I. Blackburne, E'.q., on the Maynooth grant, have pre sented a requisition to Gilbert GLeenall, Esq., inviting him to become a candidate. _ The committee - of the Lyceum have presented the sum of £l2 to the Sailors' Home, being the amount received for seats for viewing the procession on the 31st July last, less the expense incurred. On Monday week the Jewish anniversary was held in the Town-hall, Manchester, Rev. Hugh Stowell in the chair The deputation were the Rev. A. Thomas, secre tary ; and the Rev. T. Nolan, incumbent of St. Barnabas'. The Birkenhead iron steam-frigate, 1400 tons and 460 horse power, is ordered to be fitted up immediately for the conveyance of troops, for which she will be admirably adapted. We perceive that Zadkiers Almanac, which has had an extensive sale for sixteen years past, is reduced in price to Sixpence. It is likely to sell largely ; but we hope that the prediction of disease in the wheat may not be as correct as was that this year regard;ng the potatoes. On Friday whilst the local pensioners were firing in a field at Low Hill, three gentlemen were driving past in gigs, the horses in which set off at full speed arid were not stopped until the drivers had had several narrow es capes of being upset. On Wednesday, a man, at Ashton, who had put a piece of cotton into his pocket with which he had lighted his pipe, had his clothes burnt off his back, but, with the ex ception of scorching his hands, he was not otherwise in jured. On Saturday night, a destructive fire took place in the large warehouse, containing 10,000 pieces of calico, &c., adjoining to. and connected with the mill of Messrs. William Bayley and Brothers, at Stalybridge. The da mage done to the stock is estimated at about £2,500, and the total loss will be between £3,000 and £4,000. On Thursday, a horse and gig, belonging to Ambrose Lace, Esq., being left standing in Canning-street, the horse took fright, and ran away down Duke-street, Berry street, Bold-street, Church-street, and Lord-street, to Evan William's stables, in Cook -street, fortunately with out doing any damage, The Londonderry Sentinel states that Captain Coppin, of that city, intends to offer his services to the proprietors of the Great Britain and the underwriters, to rescue that fine ship from her present position. Captain Coppin is a man of great talent and ingenuity, and quite as likely to effect the object as any one living, if it is practicable. EMBEZZLEMENT. — On Saturday, Patrick Ilaherty, an errand boy with Mr. Robert Milroy, earthenware dealer in the Pedlars' Market. was committed by Mr. Rushton for trial, charged with having received £3 from one of his master's customers, and, instead of accounting for it, laying it out in new clothes for himself. AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH. — On Saturday morning a man, of the name of James Armstrong, who resided in Shepherd-place, Finch-street, sat down to his breakfast, apparently in as good health as he ever enjoyed, and in a few moment fell back in his chair and died instantane- ously. He followed the occupation of a knife-grinder i❑ the public streets. . . _ _ . At the meeting of the Anti-slavery League in Man chester last week, a resolution was passed. condemnatory of the Evangelical Alliance, which at its recent sittings negatived a resolution in opposition to the system of slavery At the League meeting, Mr. Prentice moved an amendment, but it fell to the ground without a seconder. Stay GG LIN G.—On Tuesday, Edward Richardson, cook on board the ship Emigrant, lying in the Brunswick Dock, was brought up on a charge of having smuggled 171bs. of tobacco from that vessel, The possession of the tobacco was proved, and the prisoner remanded until further inquiries should be made by the law officers of the Crown. A young man, of respectable appearance, who gave his name Samuel Judd, surrendered himself on Thursday, at the Vauxhall Bridewell, stating tbat he had committed a robbery at Leicester. He was brought before Mr. Rush ton on the following morning , when he said the stolen ar ticles were two maps, a box of colours, two books, and a pair of boots. He was remanded. THE POOR.—Our Scottish friends will find by adver tisement in this day's paper, that through the persevering zeal and energy of the Ladies's Clothing Society, this year also an opportunity is to be given of assisting their poorer brethren,—and such aid is the more needful when this season the poor are generally threatened with so many hardships. BAPTIST CHAPEL, BYROM-STREET. TlliS chapel baying been sold to the London and North-Western Railway Company, in consequence of their new tunnel to the North Docks going under it, the trustees have pur chased from Thomas Shaw, Esq., a piece of land on the east side of Shaw-street, at the south-end of the Collegiate Institution, and are about to erect a commodious chapel, from designs by Mr. W. Hosking. MODEL OF ANCIENT JERUSALEM.—AS this instruc . tive biblical exhibition is about to leave Liverpool, we strongly recommend those who have not yet seen it, to lose no time in doing so. An hour could not be better spent than in contemplating this beautiful work of art. It is not to be considered a mere exhibition got up for show, but one which cannot fail to make a lasting and gratifying impression on the mind of every visitor. It will shortly be removed to Manchester. OPENING THE PORTS.—On Tuesday evening last, a public meeting was held in Manchester, at which a memo rial to Lord John Russell was adopted, stating the present dearth and dearness of food, especially in Ireland, and praying that the ports may be immediately opened for the free admission of all kinds of grain. " Sir Robert Peel," said one of the speakers. "had given us total repeal, but not immediate. Lord John Russell had now the oppor tunity of doing the rest, by making the repeal immediate." INg o „ AsMATION UNDER THE BUILDING ACT.—On Tues "Y., Henry Hoskinson was summoned by Mr. J. Robin 80n0 one of the town surveyors, for making an alteration in a dwelling -house without giving notice to the surveyor. It appeared the defendant had made some additions to a but cher's shop in Limekiln-lane, in which the surveyor al leged there was a projection over the window of about 3 feet, the extent allowed by law being only eighteen inches. It was proved that the building had been altered in con formity with the act since the 2nd of May. Mr. Rushton said that was sufficient, and the information could not, consequently, be sustained. Five men are in custody, charged with a threefold high way robbery in Tranmere. Their names are John Ben nett, Patrick Hughes, Edmund Sharpies, Thomas Rodgers, and Alexander Driscoll ; and it appeared that they had been drinking with another man, with whom they left the public house. On reaching the tanyard of Mr. Higgins at Tranmere, they suddenly knocked the man down, beat him most severely, and emptied his pockets. Whilst engaged in this transaction, a passer-by cried " Shame !" when they suddenly set upon him, treated him in a similar manner, and took 245. out of his Pockets ; and a third party was afterwards robbed after the same fashion. WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meet ing of this body was held on Tuesday, Mr. J. Shepperd In the chair. The bank book showed a balance in the hands of the treasurer of £1049 Bs. 10d. A letter from the Poor Law Commissioners as to the administratio n of medical relief in Toxteth-park through the Dispensary, Putting a series of questions as to the arrangements deemed necessary, was referred to the overseer of the township for the requisite answers. Mr. Fell, the medi cal officer, reported that twelve fever patients had been admitted to the house during the week, and that, with two exceptions, all were doing well. Two had been dis charged during the week cured. WHEAT FROM VAN DIEMEN , S LAND.—TWO vessels have arrived at this port from Launceston, Van Diemen's Land, with cargoes of bark, gum, mahogany, and wheat, the produce of the colony. One of them, the Bei.j unin Heap, brings 2,848 bags of wheat. It is in linen bags of fine texture, and the grain of excellent quality ; hut in consequence of the mahogany steaming in the ship, and communicating a slight moisture to the grain it will re quire to be turned over two or three times, as it is tech nically expressed before it will be dry enough to enter into consumption. 50 sacks of the wheat, we are in formed, are consigned to a gentleman in Staffordshire from a friend in the colony, and intended exclusively for seed. CABINET MAKER'S BALL AND TEA-PARTY. On Friday week, a ball and tea-party were given by the cabinet. makers to their friends, at the Oddtellow's Hall, host, B. Sykes, Sir Thomas's-buildings. About 150 sat down. Every delicacy of the season, appropriate to such an entertainment, was provided by the worthy host, on his usual scale of liberality, and the guests enjoyed them selves t, the utmost. Dancing was kept up with great ,_ S pirit until a late hour, and a most enthusiastic and Kindly feeling characterised the whole proceedings. A more rational or delightful evening's amusement could not have been enjoyed, even by the magnates of the land ; and the company separated, pleased with each other, and highly gratified by the attention and hospitality of their e ntertainers, The room has undergone a complete reno vation and improvement. CHARGE OF STEALING A HORSE AND GIG.—On Thursday, a man named John Place was charged by Tho mas Cooper, who represented himself as in the employ of a Mr. Naylor, with having stolen a horse and gig, the pro perty of his master. It appeared that the witriPss had been to Pownall- square, with the vehicle, on Wednesday Morning, a n d h av i ng to transact some business at one of the houses in the square, he left the gig in the street; when he had finished his buiness, he returned t o th e s pot where he h a d l e f t the gig, but it was found wanting. Upon making e nqu i r i es of the bystanders, it transpi re d th a t a man, having th e appearance of a painter, had driven off in the gig, saying he was going to take it h went to his master ' s immediately, but itwas e not there Place, howeve r , returned in the course of theevening, with the gig, in a state of intoxication. Fined ss. for being drunk. On Friday afternoon, whilst the 3rd Buffs were paraded on 'Change, a private, who was drunk, made a blow at one of the officers with his musket, and missing his aim, he then attempted to stab the gentleman with his bayonet. The blow was, however, parried. The man had been re primanded by the officer for arriving late. He was placed under arrest, and taken with the regiment to Dublin. SUICIDE.—On Friday night a man, name unknown, committed suicide by hanging himself in a new building, at present in course of erection at the back of the straw berry gardens nearly opposite the Zoological Gardens. He perpetrated the dreadful act by tying a rope round his neck and fastening the end of it to one of the joists of the first floor. He had the appearance of being a decent labouring man, and he was for some days before looking for work in the neighbourhood, but without effect. The sum of 101 d., in copper, was found in his pockets. The body was con veyed to Mr. Field's public-house, where it was viewed by the coroner's jury on Saturday. ALLEGED REFUSAL TO FLAG A COURT.—OD Tuesday Mr. John Robinson, building-surveyor, appeared to pre fer a charge against Mr. Charles Shaw, of having refused to flag a court of which he was part owner, in Claremont place, Kirkdale, after the usual notice had been given. The defendant appeared in company with several other parties who held property in the court and stated that there was no objection to do what was required ; but as the place was a thoroughfare, they wished to know whe ther the whole was to be laid with flags; if so, it would soon be broken up by the carts, which passed up and down. The surveyor said that carts were not allowed to go up, and posts were placed at the entrance to prevent them. After some argument between the defendant and the surveyor, Mr. Rushton requested the whole of the parties connected with the property, together with the surveyor and Inspector Fresh, to make an examination, and report. CASE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—At the Borough Court, yesterday, George Clay was again placed at the bar, charged with embezzling money to the extent of about £l,OOO, belonging to Messrs. Leo Schuster and Co., his employers.—Mr. Beswick stated the circumstances of the case, and the payment of the several amounts, which we stated in our last, to have been received by the prisoner, was proved. The total amount of money recovered by Inspectors M`Mullen and Maybury, and now in the pos session of Mr. Beswick, is £509 18s. His total deficien cies are £1,047 18s. When waited upon by the two Man chester inspectors in Liverpool, he said he was not the party; his name was Johnson, and he was about to sail for America. He afterwards said, when he saw the offi cers knew something of him, " Well, I will not deny it. My name is Clay. Railways have brought me to this; they caused me to take my master's money." He was committed to the sessions for trial.—Manchester Paper. DESPERATE ASSAULT ON A POLICE-OFFICER.—On Tuesday, Robert Bond and John Leigh were brought up, charged by officers 450 and 259, with having assaulted them, and stabbed the latter with a knife. It appeared that, early on Tuesday morning, the prisoners were drunk, and behaved in a disorderly manner in London road, when 259 desired them to go home. This, how ever, they refused to do, and upon the officer attempting to take them into custody, Leigh attacked him, drew a knife, and cut his body several times, but fortunately having on his top coat, no serious wounds were in flicted on his person. The coat was cut through in six or seven different places. Officer 450 came up at the time, and he also received severe blows from the prisoner Bond; but a reinforcement of the police arriving shortly afterwards, the prisoners were conveyed to Bridewell. Leigh was ordered to pay a fine of £5, or be imprisoned two months : the other prisoner 405., or in default suffer mprisonment for twenty-one days. BIRKENHEAD MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.—The an nual meeting of the members and friends of this institution was held at the Craven-rooms, on Thursday evening; J. S. Jackson, Esq., in the chair. The chairman called upon Mr. Hancock, the treasurer, to read the report for the past year. The report stated that the institution was at present in a flourishing condition, and that there were now upwards of 60 members. During the late strike the institution had fallen back, but since then it had thriven considerably. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to William Jackson, Esq., for allowing them to have the house which they occupied rent free. Among the gentle men present who addressed the meeting were W. B. Hodgson, LL.D., principal of the Liverpool Mechanics' Institution, J. Hicklin, Esq., and Christopher Bentham, Esq. Several excellent speeches were made, and the chairman, in the course of Lis observations. stated that he was glad to inform the company that the unhappy feeling which had existed among the leading men of this rising and populous place had been amicably arranged, and that all was now going on prosperously as before. THE LIVERPOOL TRACT SOCIETY..—OD Tuesday eve ning last, the 32nd anniversary of this Society was held in the Music Hall. A number of rev. gentlemen and re spectable townsmen were present. Dr. Byrth of Wallasey, occupied the chair, and eloquently set forth the advantages of the society to Protestant Churches at large. In conse quence of the remodelling of the Liverpool branch, no statement of accounts or a report were given, but these will be supplied to subscribers at the close of the year. The London Society has bountifully supplied them with tracts. Among other new features in the society's efforts men had been employed to deliver tracts to persons at tending the races, and also to persons who arrived by the cheap trains on the Sunday. The chaplains of the Infir mary and the various hospitals had also been supplied with them, much to the satisfaction of the committee. Mr. Jones, secretary of the parent society, explained the great amount of benefit which it bad effected at home and abroad. Other speakers followed, adducing equally grati fyi❑g facts. Operations were to be commenced in China, and much success was anticipated. A liberal collection was made at the close. SEAMEN'S WAGES.—On Wednesday, John Gallaghan appeared to prefer a charge against the captain of the Sea King, for refusing to pay a balance of wages amounting to £2 13s. 4d., but as it appeared that the whole of the crew, with the exception of two, had behaved mutinously on the voyage, the complaint was dismissed. After the case had been heard, the captain stated that there was a seaman in court, who had threatened to cut his throat, and used op probrious language towards him. Mr. Rushton ordered the person to be taken into custody, and ordered him to find bail, himself in £3O, and two sureties in £l5 each, to keep the peace, or be imprisoned for one month.—On Thursday, Richard Clarke preferred a complaint against Capt. Charles Elliot, of the Miracle, from Quebec, for having deducted a certain sum from his wages. It ap peared that he had signed the articles on the Ist Septem ber, in Quebec, bet did not go on board the vessel, and was arrested in a state of intoxication and brought on board. The deductions were for pilice expenses and two days, when he was incapable, from intoxication, to do his work. It also appeared that a shippinc , order for £4 had been granted wh nhe signed the articles. Mr. Rushton thought the captain had acted justifiably ; the deductions were proper,—and dismissed the complaint. AN IGNORANT COOK.—On Saturday, Mr. John M`Loughlin, the master of the ship Archer, was sum moned to show cause why he refused to pay Sherwood Banuacloft his wages. It appeared that the complainant shipped at Quebec, as cook, and that he was to have six guineas per month. The captain refused to pay upon the ground that the fellow was as ignorant of the art of cook ing as he was of the most abstruse of the arts. The mate, Thomas Morgan, gave a most deplorable account of his deficiencies. In fact, it would appear from statements of captain and mate, that he was unable to roast, boil, fry, grill, or devil anything. Sometimes the meat wou'd be done to rags" ; at others it would only be half done; and never once, upon the passage, did he hit the happy medium of taking it up and dishing it at the proper time. Under these circumstances the captain and mate were obliged to eject him from the galley and cook for them selves and the crew. He had only received wages to the amount of £1 18s. Mr. Rushton said he had received more than he was worth. Ships were filled with impos- I tors at high rates of wages. Here the complainant had shipped at the rate of £BO per annum, and he had the modesty to ship as cook, when, in fact, he was so bad a one that the captain and mate had to cook themselves. The complainant :—" Am I to have no more money f" Mr. Rushton :—" Not a farthing more." EARL GROSVENOR'S BIRTHDAY.—On Thursday, and the two following days, the city of Chester was enlivened by splendid and enthusiastic festivities, in celebration of the coming of age of Earl Grosvenor, eldest son of the Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster. On the first day, the shops were closed, and business entirely suspen ded, so that all classes might have an opportunity of show ing their respect to a family whose liberal support to public charities, and acts of kindne ss t o th e i n h a bit ants, h ave l ong endeared them to all ranks and parties. Flags, banners, emblems, &c. were displ a y e d i n a ll di rec ti ons, and a tr,- umphal arch was thrown across Grosvenor-read, from the King's Head. The bells of the cathedral and other churches rung forth merry peals, bands paraded the street, and all was hilarity and mirth. Two tbousand tickets, value seven shillings each, available either in silver coin or meat and drink, had been previously distributed among the citizens as a gift from the noble Marquis, to enable them to " wake merry and be glad" on this auspicious occa sion ; and various social parties assembled at the different hotels and inns to enjoy a good dinner, and to drink long life and happiness to the respected Heir of the Noble House of Eaton. The boys of the Blue-coat School. preceded by their juvenile band, marched with appropriate flags and banners to Eaton Hall, where universal festi vity prevailed. Marquees were erected in front of the noble mansion, and in these an immense body of the tenants, labourers, &c., were sumptuously entertained with solid English fare and stout English ale. Appro priate toasts were enthusiastically drunk, and a good band enlivened the proceedings. Rural sports and dancing closed the scene. The festivities continued at the Hall during the two following days, and the females resident on the estate were regaled with tea and other refreshments. The children of the various schools supported by the family were also entertained. The first day closed by a brilliant display of fire-works in the Park, and the picturesque locality, lighted up by bril liant variegated lamps, resembled a scene of enchantment. The Marquis and Marchioness, and others of the family, honoured the festivities with their presence, and the most influential of the citizens of Chester were spectators of the scene. On the evening of the first day about 200 of the gentry and tradesmen of the city and neighbourhood sat down to a banquet at the Royal Hotel. The arrangements were tasteful and liberal, and the room presented a gor geous appearance. Behind the president's chair was the crest of the ancient city, with the couplet in gold— " Long may the house of Eaton stand, The pride and boast of all the land." There were a variety of other appropriate devices. T. Dixon, Esq., presided. The toasts drunk were numer ous, and many of them were most ably introduced and responded to. Many of our townsmen were present. The company were enthusiastic in demonstrations of respect to the House of Eaton. At nine o'clock, there was a splendid display of fireworks at the Roodee, by the talented pyrotechnic artist of our Zoological Gardens. The proceedings of the two last days were marked by the same enthusiasm that characterized the first day. BACHELORS' CHAMBERS.-With a view to ensure the comforts and character of a home to the young men who come to Manchester from all parts of the kingdom to acquire the requisite knowledge of a trade, business, or profession, a plan has been proposed for the erection of a building, under the title of Bachelors'"Chambers, with extensive ranges of healthy sleeping rooms, a general breakfast room, baths, &c., on terms so reasonable, as to be an important consideration to this class-of young men. To ensure somewhat of the order and regularity of a family home-, it is proposed to appoint a superintendent, and a general committee of management, and to have a code of rules and regulations. An eligible sire has been proposed at the corner of Booth•street and York-street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, which is sufficiently near to the Athenaeum and other public institutions. BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—On Friday evening a special meeting of this body was held, to consider the propriety of rescinding certain resolutions affecting the formation of streets, formerly passed by the board. There were present twenty-five members, W. Potter,Esq., in the chair, who stated that the meeting was called to re consider the level of corporation road with reference to the tide, and the roads abutting upon it, upon which se veral resolutions had been passed, which as there was some dispute at the time it was legally necessary to re scind and repass. The resolutions were read, and on the motion of Mr. J. Laird they were rescinded. That gen tleman moved the new plan and stated that the alteration purposed would be a benefit to the owners of the pro perty, and would greatly improve the streets leading in the road alluded to. The resolution was agreed to. Ad journed. DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.-It was ordered that an addition should be made to the transit shed at the east side of the Clarence Dock, for the convenience of the Dublin and Belfast steamers.—A. space at the Prince's Dock was appropriated as a deposit for wrecked goods, at the request of Messrs. Chapman, Bowman, and Co., who have been appointed receivers of droits to the Admiralty. —A letter was read from Schroeder and Co., com plaining of delay in the discharge of the ship Penelope at the Albert Dock, and asking compensation for eight days' loss, at the rate of £lOO per month. A com munication was read on the subject from the superinten dent and others at the dock, stating that the delay had arisen owing to the bad stowage of the cargo, and its con dition when landed ; the time occupied in discharging was only forty-two hours.—A letter as to the accommo datio❑ for certain vessels at the west transit shed of the Prince's Dock, was referred to the Harbour-master's Committee. It was recommended by the Harbour-mas ters' Committee that the application to allow carts to re main during the night on the dock quays should be re fused, as i❑ the opinion of the head constable, they would afford shelter to bad characters and obstruct the opera tions of the police. A letter was received from the se cretary to the tidal-harbour commissioners with copies of the proposed harbour conservancy bill. The matter was referred to the Harbour-masters'-committee to report upon. A letter from William H. Phillips, inviting the attention of the committee to a new fire annihilator which he had invented, was referred to the committee of works. A complaint of Mr. Eccleston, as to the state of the Queen's Graving Dock, and the inconvenience and expense he had been put to in consequence, was referred to the Harbour-master's committee. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Cubitt, to the effect that every exertion was being made to expedite the completion of the landing stage, and to get it moored, if possible, by next spring. THE LIVERPOOL STAN D►'RD. RODNEY : STREET WARD. A meeting of the burgesses of this ward was held on Tuesday evening last, at the Portico, Newington. It was convened at the request of Mr. Samuel Mime, in conse quence of some aspersions on his character in the Mercury, relative to the corporation contracts, and the building was crowded in every part. J. N. Wood, Esq. was called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN explained the circumstances under ' which the meeting had been called, and complimented Mr. Holme in the highest terms. lie trusted that gentleman would be triumphantly returned as representative for Rodney-street Ward. Mr. PAYNE, the chairman of the then read a let ter, received from Mr. Birkett in July last, declining to come forward again as their representative, on account of ill health. He also read a letter from Mr. Sarni. Holme, in reply to a requisition from a number of electors, so li. : citing him to come forward as a candidate for Rodney_ street Ward. The letter was to the effect that Mr. Holme had no objection to come forward, but he should require a public meeting, in order that he might state the peculiarity of his position on some points which to him were matters of feeling and delicacy. Mr. Payne con cluded by stating that Mr. Holme was present t o g i ve any explanation required, and it would be their duty after hearing his statement, if they approved of what he said, to elect him ; if not, to choose another. Mr. HOLME then came forward, and after s t a ti ng t h at his object in calling the meeting was to set himself right with his fellow-townsmen, alluded to his election some years since for St. Peter's Ward, by the unprecedented majority of 120 votes. He then proceeded as follows : " 1 had for some time before been under an h onoura bl e e ng agement with Mr. Tomkinson—a man of whose ac quaintance any one might be proud—that whenever the contract for St. George's-hall came to be taken, I should join him in becoming a contractor. Mr. Tomkinson, seven months after I entered the Coun c il, did b ecome the contractor for that building; and that gentleman, with whom I had been associated in the erection of the Cus tom-house, and of many other public edifices, as well as railway works, called upon me to redeem my pledge. He said, we had our machinery together, our men had been accustomed to work together, and at his time of life it would be a very important consideration. I felt the diffi culty of the posieon I was placed in : and I am not going to conceal from this meeting that I did conceive it an ho nour to be associated, not only with Mr. Tomkinson, but with a beautiful and classical edifice which would be an honour to the town and to the tradesmen engaged in rearing it. (Cheers.) And when I read the clause in the Municipal Act, and saw how very stringent it was, I did not go to a conservative to ask his opinion, but I wrote a letter to Mr. Wm. Earle, a gentleman whom 1 had long known in private life, and known him only to respect him. He stated to me in reply, that he thought there would not be the slightest objection to my doing the brick-work for Mr. Tomkinson, and he would be glad if I would under take it. I put the question also to Mr. Radcliffe, the Town-clerk, and he stated that there was nothing in the law of the case to prevent me doing so. ' It was as per fectly open to me,' was his own expression,`todmoetitioe brickwork of a building with any other gentlem an , as i t was for the proprietor of a coal mine, through anot h er party, to supply coals to the Town-hall.' I was still dis satisfied, however; and circumstances having taken the continent, I calmly deliberated upon my position, and I felt that, whatever my own opinion might be, the tradesmen of Liverpool placed great confidence in me, and that I had them to consider as well as myself; and, though it was with me a matter of feeling, and of perfect indiffer ence, except for the reasons I have mentioned, yet I could not persuade myself that I was not infringing the spirit o f immediately the act of parliament. Therefore, on my re turn, I consulted with Mr. Robertson Gladstone, then Mayor, Sir Thomas Brancker, and Mr. Ambrose Lace, who agreed with me in thinking, that though I was under no legal disability, yet that in all probability I might be considered as infringing the spirit of the act. I did more. I again wrote to Mr. Radcliffe, a gentleman who, as you know, though he never carried his politics into his office, yet differed from me in political opinion—l wrote to ask him whether, notwithstanding his opinion that I might legally do any thing of the sort, it would not be an in fringement of the spirit of the act. Mr. Holme then read the reply of Mr. Radcliffe, the purport of which was that he did not find any reason for varying the opinion given by him as to the law in the case of a sub -contractor for I bricks ; nor did he see that, in law, there was any differ ! ence between the case of a sub-contract for bricks and 1 that of a sub-contract for brick-work—either being equally independent of the contract with the Corporation as to price and profit or loss. After giving the subject every consideration in his power, he was obliged to state that, in his opinion, such sub-contract would be contrary to the spirit of the act, being fraught with all the dangerous con sequences which it was tLe object of the act to guard against. What (said Mr. Holme) was the open and ho nourable course to pursue under these circumstances ? Was it to say I was only a sub-contractor, and, therefore, that I was within the letter of the act ? Was this the course I pursued ? No. I did that which every honest and honourable man ought to do. I paid the fine ; I re signed my seat in the Council ; and it was to me no slight satisfaction that, when I retired, so much more able and efficient a man succeeded me, and the electors had the be nefit of the eminent services of Mr. Stewart. (Cheers.) When I made the agreement w ith M r . T om ki nson, it was stipulated that it was only to last three years. I will not enter into particulars, and say why it has been extended to four, and not likely yet to be completed. There have been alterations, and a variety of occurrences, which it would be improper to state here; and I do nut see why, for the sake of finishing certain paltry matters still re maining over, I am to be prevented for the nest three or four years having my seat in the Council. This is a question which I leave the electors of Rodney-street Ward to settle for me" (applause.) Mr.Holire then referred to the subject of the Ilercury's aspersion that lie (Mr. Holme) could " hardly avoid being a contractor or a sub-sub-contractor aith the Corporation." He never intended to contract for any corporation work in future or to tender for it ; and as for sub-contracting he was never a sub-contractor under any man, and notwithstanding the extent of his business, no trade-man had ever been a sub-contractor under him. He did not make respectable tradesmen into journeymen, but his plan was this :—he took an estimate from a respectable master mason, a respectable master plumber, a respectable master slater, a respectable master ironfounder, and a respectable master painter ; he in cluded their estimates in his own ; they stood or fell with him and he paid them and always had done, to the utter most farthing, the amount of their various contracts. He stated publicly that neither he nor his partners ever yet put a penny in their pockets of the profits which ought to have gone into the pockets of those who wor k e d for them. Hi always refused also to give an estimate for any public building of a benevolent kind. (Applause.) Then, said Mr. Holme, you will say to me—" You are a monopolist, because you have not nought in the cheapest and sold in the dearest market," but a man may not buy in the cheapest, and sell in the dearest, and yet not be a monopolist. He may be enabled to let a man live, and live himself ; he may be enabled to let a poor tradesman live who is honourably connected with hisn, and whose politics he never asked. And here I may say th a t I d o not know the politics of any of my men, either trades men or workmen, unless they choose to come an d tell me what their politics:are ; and here I state, upon my ho nor as a gentleman, that at this moment I am in utter ig norance whether my workmen, or tradesmen, or the fore. man m y e mploy, is on the register of this ward or no t . Now ni sir, I admit that the system of general cont rac ti ng . is a painful one , but one in which seems to be impera tively called for by the times which we live; and there fore it is not my fault. You will have free trade in this respect. (Hear.) You will have general contracting ; and therefore if you will have it you must make the best of it, and the only course is to let every man live as well as ourselves. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Holme then noticed the strenuous exertions which were necessary for improv ing the sanatory condition of the town, an observed that only the other day he was surveying. some property in Orcel street, leading from Vauxhall-road, and there found a court with a number of houses, and an atmosphere suf ficient to poison any body. He found in a cellar 12 feet by 9, two children in bed, with a disease resembling the measles, and the whole cellar a floating mass of putre faction ; and the court was swarming with people of a wretched description, such as it would pain any heart to see. The worthy candidate then denied that he was or had been inimical to dock warehouses, and stated that when the first municipal reform council was elected he sent a rough draft of a plan for erecting three new docks on the site of the Albeit Dock, and advised that large lots of land shoul be appropriated therefor warehouses,and that with that object the land should be leased to the East and West India Association or any others who wanted it. Mr. Holme then took a rapid view of the probable greatness of Liverpool in future years, and concluded by saying that he should be most happy to answer any questions which might be put to him. ale resumed his sat amid loud cheers. Mr. GODFREY, surgeon, who said that he was politi cally opposed to Mr. Holiyie,but sincerely anxious to have such intelligent and business-like men in the council, then proposed that Mr. Holme as a fit and proper per son to represent Rodney-street Ward. Mr. E. G. DEANE seconded the motion amidst loud cheers, and it was passed unanimously. After three enthusiastic cheers for Mr. Holme, the meeting separated. DANGER OF THE GREAT WESTERN STEAM-SHIP. The Great Western, on her last outward passage, reached New York on the morning of the 30th ult. after a most stormy .passage from Liverpool of eighteen days. Her larboard paddle-box was washed away, she lost two of her quarter-boats, and her deck cabin was considerably damaged. She encountered the gale of the 20th and 21st, commencing at S.W. and veering gradually to N.N.E. with a terrific sea, and besides the washing away of the quarter boats and paddle-box, sundry other damage was done to the ship. A heavy sea started the ice-house and large iron life-boat from their fastenings, and washed them to leeward, and with much difficulty they were tem porarily secured. The ice-house contained some seven or eight tons of ice, and was fastened by cleets and staun chions. A splinter struck the captain on the head while standing on the poop, and the force of the blow, together with the sea, carried• him over the lee quarter, and he was only saved by the nettings. After this sea had passed over, the mater gained on the pumps. The sails on the yards, strongly secured by ropes and gaskets, were blown from their furls, and streamed out to leeward in ribbons. But all this was as nothing. About one p.m., whilst most of the passengers were seated in agonising suspense in the lower cabin, holding fast to the tables and settees, a sea struck the vessel, and a tremendous crash was beard on deck. Instantly the cabin was darkened, and tor rents of water came pouring down through the skylights. Scarcely had the waters reached the floor, when all in the cabins and state-rooms sprang to their feet, and simulta neously, as if by concert, the ladies uttered a scream of agony, so painful, so fearful, and so despairing, the sound of it will never be forgotten. Several fainted, others clasped their hands in mute despair, whilst many called aloud upon their Creator. The crash was caused by the tearing up of the benches and other woodwork on the quarter deck. These were hurled with violence against the skylights by the same sea which broke the windows of the salson, drenching the berths on the larboard side, driving out their affrighted occupants, whilst it smashed by its weight the glass over the main cabin, and thus forced its way below. This was a period of intense emo tion. So vi olent were the shocks of the vessel, although firmly braced, it was with great difficulty the p issengers could prevent themselves being hurled from their seats, and dashed with such violence against a part of the ves sel as to endanger life or limb. Many received severe contusions and bruises, notwithstanding all their efforts. It was an awful hour. The most thoughtless cowered in their heart before a danger which none but a fool or a brute would have mocked, and all, therefore, accepted the invitation to meet in the cabin for prayers. The Rev. Dr. Smucker prayed. Rev. Mr. Marsh read the 107th Psalm. Rev. Dr. Beecher made a few solemn remarks. Rev. Dr. Balch repeated the words of Our Saviour, " Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me,”—commenting briefly on their consoling im port, and then invited all present to join with him in the Lord's prayer ; after which he pronounced the Apostolic benediction. The wind, far from abating, was on the in crease. The lulls in the storm being less frequent, and the squalls, if anything, more terrific. The whole ocean was one sea of foam, lashing up into terrible waves, wild and angry, whilst the spray and wind seemed driven through the rigging and over the ship, as if with demoni acal power. As darkness came, clustered together in the cabin, the passengers all thought and reflected on their fate. Most, if net all of them, had given themselves up for lost. For what with the heavy labouring of the ship, the terrible noise and howling of the wind, the continued frequent thumpings of the sea, the quivering and shaking of the groaning timbers, the carrying away of so many portions of the vessel's upper works, and the knowledge that they were perhaps for another night to be exposed to the full power of a raging hurricane, left little to hope for. In the evening, about nine o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Balch, at the request of several passengers, administered the Holy Communion in the cabin, to upwards of sixty per sons—many of whom received it there, for the first time in their lives. " Monday, 21st, 12 30, continues the log, the storm commenced raging again in all its fury, and the sea a per fect foam, until eight a. m. at which time the clouds be gan to break, and the squalls less furious. Got the ship's head to the N.W. and hauled the yards round, the sea still raging as before, and nearly ahead, curling and breaking over the ship in every direction. At noon the storm ceased but the sea continued more violent till two p.m. at which time it ceased gradually with the wind—having lasted about thirty-six hours; during which time, it gives me much pleasure to state, my officers and crew conducted themselves with great coolness and presence of mind." A most graphic description of the storm has been pub lished by the possengers, who appear to have had a very providential escape. They several times gave themselves up for lost. After the storm had ceased, they drew up a resolution of thanks to Almighty God for their deliverance, and also a most complimentary address to the captain and officers of the ship. They subscribed £2OO for the cap tain, officers, and crew, and presentee the money in two beautiful purses worked by two of the female passengers. They also opened a liberal contribution, with the view of creating a fund for the relief of families whose heads and supporters have been lost at sea, and in compliment to the ship, as well as in commemoration of the signal mercy they experienced in her, it is to be called the " Great Western Fund." When the danger bad all passed the captain said, "Thrice on deck I thought destruction inevitable. Each time a sea of such magnitude and power came at the ship, and I thought it was all over with us. But unexpectedly each broke just at the side of the ship. Sir, the hand of the Lord was in it." The steamer Hibernia reached Halifax on the morning of the I.t instant, after a fine run of 111 days from Liver pool. It does not appear from the Halifax papers that she encountered any very heavy weather. GENERAL MISCELLANY. The import duty on Wheat is now ss. per quarter. A young man named Pollitt was last week killed by the machinery in his father's mill at Wheeloch,near Sand bach. Mr. George Hudson, M.P., was presented last week with the freedom of the city of York. Neatly 14,000 cwt. of bonded flour were exported from this country during July. The corporation of Appleby hale elected the Rev. Joseph Milner mayor for the ensuing year. At Gedney vicarage, Lincolnshire, some plants of In dian corn have reached, this year, the height of 1L feet, and are well supplied with pods and grain. It is said that the Right Hon. Chas. Tennison D'Eyn court, M.P. for Lambeth, has conformed, along with all his family, to the Romish faith. The Gazelle, of Tuesday, contains the names of 323 soldiers of the 60th and 86th European Regiments, who died in the East Indies in June last. At Leeds, a child being thirsty put its mouth to the spout of the tea kettle, which was on the bob, and drank of the hot water, which caused its death immediately. By an explosion of foul air, on Monday night, at Walker's iron works, Newcastle, three persons were killed, and several others severely injured. The Manchester Guardian and the Leeds Mercury, both Radical journals, are at loggerheads as to their no tions about general education. George Matthews, who:stabbed the man on the New castle railway, has been committed on the charge of wilful murder, and John Hughes, charged as aider and abettor. On Thursday evening a lady, name unknown, left Der by, having stolen £4OO. By means of the electric tele graph, the fugitive was arrested on reaching Birmingham. The Enterprise steam-vessel, trading between Yarmouth and Rotterdam, on her homeward passage, on Thursday evening week, encountered a very heavy sea. The vessel luffed, and from forty to sixty sheep on board were killed. REDUCTION IN 11IE PRICE OF BREAD.—On Wed nesday, the Metropolitan bakers reduced the price of bread respectively from 10d. to 91d , and from Eqd. to Bd. per four pound loaf. During Mr. Newman's recent visit to Paris, he visited several churches, fell on his knees before the relics of se veral saints, and nrayed over the crown of thorns shown as that which Christ wore on the cross. The oracle of dissent, the Nonconformist newspaper, shows its estimate of the registration of conventieles for the purposes of marriage, by placing the announcements under the head of " Trade and Comme rce. At the Ipswich Mechanics' Institution, on Tuesday week, Mr. Wilderspin said, that when he had not a single shilling in his house, and his poor dog was as thin as his children, £5O came from the Prime Minister of England, Sir Robert Peel. Another diabolical attempt at the destruction of pro perty by explosive substances was made on Saturday evening last at the Castle Mills, Sheffield, when injury to the engine and premises to the extent of about £lOOO was done. A young man, named Starr, curate of Northampton, who was on a pedestrian tour in North 'Wales, has for some time been missing, and is supposed to have perished on Snowdon, which it was traced he had ascended with out a guide. AMERICAN CORN TRADE. Foreign letters assure us of the purchase of very large quantities, on ac count of English houses, and that speculative sales of 100,000 were made, after the Carnbrias news had been re ceived.—Herald. • MAGISTRATES.—From a parliamentary return it ap pears that since April, 1842, 14 2 justices of the peace have been appointed, of whom 87 were appointed in Lan cashire, 22 in Cheshire, 21 in Derbyshire. I 4 in West- moreland, and 127 in the three Ridings of Yorkshire. During the storm which prevailed on Monday night, a chimney, connected with the Railway Spring Works of Messrs. Rawson and Shearer, in Sheffield, was blown into the steeet, but fortunately the hour of the night had cleared the neighbourhood from foot passengerss It appears from the Oxford papers that Mr. Lawrence Heyworth has been brought for ward as a candidate for that city on the Radical interest. It is a curious sign of the times to see the name of such a thoroughgoing re former associated with the representation of the city of colleges. On Sunday se'nnight, Ann Linner, a young woman standing behind the counter of a cook-shop, in 'Spital fields, London, quarrelled with a man named Daniel Crawley as to the price of some meat which he was about to purchase, and, taking up a carving-knife, stabbed him in the breast. He died on Saturday. NEWSPAPER ENVELOPES.—To the ingenuity of Messrs. De La Rue and Co. the public are indebted for an en velope to secure the safe transmission of newspapers. The price is 1001 or Is., and will, no doubt, tempt many who are desirous of preventing those disappointments that so frequently occur by accidents at the post-cffice. On Monday evening, as a man was walking on the west side of the London-road, Southwark, with a lighted pipe in his mouth, he was suddenly knocked down 131 another, who was running in an opposite direction, the force of whom drove the ste m of the pip e co m plet e ly through his gullet, injuring him so severely, that little hopes are en tertained of his recovery. By leave of Prince Albert every poor person, man, woman, and child, applying for a ticket of leave to gather chesnuts on the royal domain, is pt ovided with one by the bailiff resident on the farm, at Windsor, and for every bushel of chesnuts brought into the store provided they are paid 2s 8d in money. These chesnuts are to be sold for the benefit of the resident poor. On Monday, the regiment called the Third Buffs was proceeding through the streets of London, with colours unfurled and drums beating, when one of a drove of beasts going to Smithfield, irritated by the noise and glare, dashed among the soldiers, throwing over two of the men, but was repulsed by slight pricks of the bayonet. It then darted among the crowd, and killed a little girl ten or twelve years old. SINGULAR ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—LateIy a young female attempted self-destruction at Tonbridge by con cealing herself in a chapel, intending to remain there several days, and so starve herself to death by taking no food. She was, however, discovered, when nearly in a state of insensibility, and eagerly drank some sacra mental wine which was offered to her. She is now in a fair way of recovery. THOMAS CLARKSON.—The memoirs of this remarkable man omit to mention that he was a clergyman of the Esta blished Church. Such, nevertheless is the fact. He was made a deacon in early life, but his exertions in the cause of emancipation brought him into connexion with many estimable Quakers, whose views he imbibed to a consider. able extent. The consequence was, that he dropped the title of " Reverend," and ceased to officiate as a clergy man. A court-martial was held at Portsmouth on Monday last, on the First-Lieutenant of H.M. steam-ship Retri bution, for punishing a man by confining him in a coal hole. The punishment, it seems, is common in steamers ; but as steamers are a novelty, the punishment also is a novelty, and has never yet been authoritatively decided to be right or wrong. The court triumphantly acquitted Lieutenant Story, thus establishing the legality of the "coal-hole" discipline. HUDSON'S-DAY PRODUCE.—The annual arrival of furs, skins, &c., from the territory of the Hudson's-bay Company has just taken place by the vessel Prince Al bert, which has arrived in the London-docks from the district named, extensively laden with furs and skins of the most valuable descriptions, all of which are now free of duty, in addition to a large quantity of feathers, oil, seahorse teeth, whalebone, and other productions of that northern region. HONEST FIRM.—DUDLEY OLD BANK.—The in spectors of the affairs of Messrs. Dixon and Co. have been enabled to arrange for the payment of the last in stalment, making 20s. in the pound, on the debts due fram the Dudley Old Bank ; and it is expected that a considerable surplus will be eventually realized for Mr. Dixon from the remaining assets. We understand that although no money has yet been provided by Mr. Dalton, debts amounting to £212,000 h ave b een pa id an d sat i s fi e d in full, under the management of the inspectors, and the unremitting exertions of Mr. Dixon. IMPORTATION OF SHEEP.—The " Accounts relating to 'I rade and Navigation," for the seven months ending Aug. 5, show a most extraordinary increase in the number of sheep imported. In the first seven n oaths of 1845. the number was only 1966, while in the month of July last it reached 9767; and the total importations this year amount to 23,992. There have been 2026 lambs imported in the first seven months of this year, against only 49 in the corresponding period of last year. The number of cows and calves imported have trebled, and there is also an increase in oxen and pigs. A brutal murder has been committed on a man named Samuel Hockin, a cooper, at St. Mabyn, Cornwall. He was found on Saturday morning week lyinglin the road, and on being lifted up breathed once and immediately expired. Upon being examined it was discovered that he had been struck on the back part of the head by a heavy instrument, which had broken the skull so that the brain protruded. Suspicion fell upon a woman named Ann Treverton, with wtom the deceased had cohabited, and she has been taken into custody. A large stone bad been discovered near where the deceased was found. THE TESTIMONIAL OF SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE.— This testimonial is exclusively ornamental, adapted for no special purpose, but being as it were a kind of minia ture monument. It is 31 feet high, weighs 1,319 ounce s of silver, covers a large quadrangular base. The most prominent figure which surmounts the whole work repre sents David conquering the lion and rescuing the lamb, and is emblematical of the conquest of oppressive force, and the delivery of innocence, effected by the mission of Sir Moses Montefiore. This is the chef de oeuvre of the whole work, and reflects ;he greatest work on the model ler. The figure of David is extremely beautiful, and is an excellent impersonation of strength. REFORM YOUR WASHING BILLS.—A correspondent of the Builder professes to have made a " very careful es timate" of the laundry expenses of the metropolis. He computes them at five millions per annum ! He proposes that the necessary and expensive lavations of linen, &c., should be carried on on a large scale, and that washing companies should be once more set on foot. The certain effect of such establishments—if skilfully conducted— would be to abolish the extensive and not unamiable sis terhood of washerwomen, and to save the metropolitan public 20 per cent. on the washing bills, or—should the " careful estimate " prove correct— one million per annum. Ax OLD SOLDIER.—" On Friday last," says the Aberdeen Journal, " Alexander Duncan died in this city, at the great age of 111 years. He was a native of the pa rish of Cairney. He enlisted in the army in 1777, and was discharged in 1803, returning to his original craft as a shoemaker, and drawing his pension for forty-three years. Although his appearance bespoke the frailties of extreme age, yet he was able to step about until within a few months of his death. For some years after he had completed a century, he regularly drew his pension in proprid persona, on which occasion be failed not to drink his Sovereign's health with all due loyalty." FATAL FILIAL AFFECTION.—Late on Monday evening Mr. Mills held an inquest at Hammersmith, on the body of Eliza Rogers, aged 47. It appeared that deceased, a person of very feeble health, had lost her father some time since, and was in the habit of visiting his grave, in Hammersmith Churchyard, at all hours and season•. On Friday morning she was found lying near her father's grave, in a state cf semi-nudity, and almost lifeless. Though she received prompt medical assistance, she ex pired in the course of the day. It was proved that on the Thursday night, which was a very tempestuous one, she stole from her bed, and, scarcely clad, visited the churchyard. A DISGUSTING TRlCK.—Yesterday we were informed by the superintendent of the. Eastern Union line, that some fellow had amused himself by writing with a diamond obscene language upon the windows of several first-class carriages travelling between Ipswich and Lon don. It has been found necessary to remove several of the panes of glass, which are very expensive. The com pany have offered a reward of £2O to any person who will give information of the person or persons implicated in this disgusting affair. We earnestly trust that we may have the opportunity of publishing the name of the un manly scoundrel who could be guilty of so disgraceful an act.—lpswich E.rpres. A WOMAN KILLED BY HER HVSBAND.—On Tuesday considerable sensation was created in the neighbourhood of Queen-street, Birmingham, in consequence of a poor woman, named Keefe, having been killed by her husband. It appears that the unfortunate woman was addicted to intemperance, and that her husband was a person of op posite habits. They had lived unhappily for some time past, and on Tuesday evening she got intoxicated, when her husband came home, and finding her in that state, he commenced kicking her, and inflicted injuries upon her person of which she expired in about an hour after. Keefe was immediately taken into custody. At the in quest, a verdict of homicide by misadventure was re turned. MURDER BY A CAPTAIN.—We learn from Stettin, that Captain J. Dickens, of the brig Flower, of Hull, having lately taken in his cargo at the port of Stettin, sent for a pilot to take the vessel out to sea. When the man arrived, he represented to the captain the danger of stir ring in so thick a fog as then existed ; but the latter in sisted on going. The pilot at last refused to stir, on which a violent quarrel ensued between him and the cap tain, which ended in the pilot's being thrown overboard. He, however, immediately came to the surface, and was climbing up the side of the vessel, when the captain drew out a pistol, and shot him dead. The perpetrator of this deed was arrested by the crew, and delivered up to the authorities.—Eastern Counties' Herald. PROJECTED EPISCOPAL ALLIANCE.—We have re ceived a strange account of a projected alliance or combi nation of all the Episcopal churches in the world, which is said to be now set on foot at Rome under the influence of the present liberal pope. It is asserted that a Spanish bishop has communicated the project to an English cler gyman, and declared that his informant was a Roman cardinal. The idea, so far as we can learn, seems to be to abate the papal supremacy nominally into a mere patriarchate, and to make a few doctrinal changes or explanations for the satisfaction of the various Episcopal churches of the east and west who are to be comcombined.We cannot imagine that there is any thing v er y serious in this alleged project,, if indeed the plan shall have been at all mooted at Rome. We live. however, in strange times, and the idea has not been altogether overlooked by the Tractarian party, so that if such a project do turn up, we shall not be taken by surprise.—Dublin Statesman. FATAL FIGHT BETWEEN Two BROTHERS.—EarIy on Thursday morning, a distressing occurrence took place at Steeple Claydon, Bucks. Thomas Shirley, a young man of that place, was in a fight killed by his brother. The young men, Thomas and John Shirley, sons of Thomas Shirley, labourer, were, with two companions, drinking late on Wednesday night, at the Milk Pail public-house, in the above village ; they quarrelled about some gin, and a fight ensued ; they fought near the village pound for about one hour and a half, and about seventy rounds. In the last round, John, the younger brother, struck Thomas, and knocked him down ; he lay insensible; a looker-on carried him home. On his being taken to his father's cottage he vras found to be dead. The father had only these two sons. A Nsw SPECIES OF MONOMANIA.—The whims and caprices of some of the biped race may truly be said to amount to a monomonia. At Stratford, i❑ the neigh bourhood of the metropolis, within the boundary of this county, resides an old eccentric personage, possessed of considerable house property, who has a monomonia for empty houses, and to such an extent does he indulge in this species of madness, that houses which would' realize an annual aggregate rental of between £5OO and £6OO per annum he allows to stand empty, nor will the solicita tions and importunities of his best friends induce him to let them. He is in the daily habit of calling on some of his neighbours, as he states, for a chat to pass the time away, but when interrogated about permitting nis houses to stand empty, he invariably replies that he has not time to attend to that matter. The loss already sustained in parochial rates, &e., in the parish of Westham, from this empty house monomania, is estimated at from eleven to twelve hundred pounds.—Essex Standard. ATTEMPT TO POISON A FAMILY.—On Monday week, an attempt was made to poison e.family of five persons, named Bramah, residing in Wood-street, Wakefield, and the head of which is a tailor. It appears that an appren tice in the family, a youth, had mixed some arsenic with the porridge which was intended for supper, and of which they all partook. He himself also took a small portion. The parties were only saved by the immediate application of the stomach pump. ne boy acknowledged that he had introduced the poison into the food, that he intended to poison himself, and that the devil had tempted him. He was remanded for further examination. IMPROVED PROSPECTS OF THE POTATO CROP.—A. few weeks ago it was the general impression in Covent-garden market and the other potato markets in the metropolis that before the middle of November a single potato could not anywhere be had. Within the last eight or ten days a change has come over the opinions of the potato dealers in London, and they now admit that, though the prices of that esculent may not be much lower than they are at I present, yet that the metropolitan markets will be liberally supplied with potatoes until the end of next spring. They have received intelligence from various parts of England, Scotland, and even Ireland, especially from tho southern parts of the latter country. to the effect that large fi-Ids in which the potatoes were looked on as totally destroyed have unexpectedly and agreeably turned out, on proceed ing to dig them up, to be in a sound and healthy condition of from 60 to 70 per cent. Not only, therefore, have all apprehensions in reference to seed vanished, but, as just remarked, this part of the food of the lower classes will continue to be liberally supplied for mouths to come, without any increase on the present prices. MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF A YOUNG MAN AND WOMAN.—On the 30th of September last, Caroline Hemingway, aged 16, and Henry Westerman, aged 19, both living at Ossett, (in Yorkshire,) were seen together in a lane leading to the river Calder, at Healy-mill,, be tween nine and ten o'clock at night, and were never after wards seen alive. The body of the female was found floating in the river sevaral days afterwards, and on Wednesday week, that of her companion, at a spot near Wakefield—a fortnight after they were missed. Inquests have since been held on both, from which it appears that the father of the girl had broken up his house, gone to reside at an inn, and left her without a protector. She then lived in lodgings at a person's house in the town, and Westerman, whose parents permitted him frequently to stop out all night, used to go and whistle her out. She was let in at any time when she returned in the night, without question, and thus both parties were encouraged in their vicious habits. The parties who were accessory to this were strongly reprimanded by the respective juries and coroner. The girl, it appeared, was not pregnant, and how these almost children came to their deaths re mains a mystery. BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES.—Mr. Josh. Freeman, one of the inspectors of forged notes at the Bank of England, attended before Mr. Alderman Gibbs, at the Guildhall, London, on summons for detaining a sheet of paper be longing to Mr. Alfred Mortimer Job, a stationer, in Bread-street. Mr. Freshfield, solicitor for the bank, said the circumstances of the case were rather extraordinary. A man named Thornton destroyed himself a short time ago, while in custody, charged with having possession of a forged bank-note. At his lodgings were found a plate and implements for preparing forged notes ; and it was discovered that Mr. Job had manufactured the paper for him. The paper had the curved or waving bar in the wa ter-mark precisely like the Bank of England notes ; and by one of the acts for preventing the crime of forgery, it was enacted that no person should manufacture paper with a curved or waving bar water-mark, on pain of transpor tation for fourteen years. The way in which Mr. Job met the inquiry induced the bank to believe he had offended inadvertently, and no proceeding was taken against him, though the mischief be had enabled Thornton to commit was enormous. He had manufactured for him paper for 10,000 notes, which might have been filled up as £lOO or £l,OOO notes, and circulated in India and Europe. The paper bad fortunately been seized at Alexandria, on its way to Cairo, where Thornton had an establishment.— Mr. Alderman Gibbs having referred to the act, said Mr. Job was certainly mistaken in saying there were words of limitation in favour of paper made to be used abroad It was unlawful, under any circumstances, for any one but the Bank of England to make paper like theirs in respect to curved or waved water-mark lines. Mr. Job was then induced to withdraw his complaint. MARVELLOUS RAILWAY INClDENT.—Yesterday week a gentleman of the name of Parker, of Sydenham, Kent, was travelling by the mail train from Derby to London, in a first class carriage; his only companion being a gen tleman about thirty years of age, remarkably handsome and perfectly gentlemanly in his appearance and manners. After some preliminary conversation, he requested to have the window kept open, and offered Mr. Parker his wrap per if he felt inconvenienced by the cold. Other conver sation ensued, and he stated that he once possessed a large fortune, which he had squandered; that he had now re tired from the army, and had not been so happy for a long period as at that moment; adding that some friend had given him £llOO to pay his debts, and £5OO more to buy furniture; and that the first thing he intended to do was to buy a dressing-case, which would cost him 35 guineas, which Mr. Parker remarked he thought would be a great pity, as no doubt he already possessed one. After some further conversation, which began to alarm Mr. P ar k er, he suddenly dropped on his knees, and in a most energetic and fervent manner prayed for his friends the Dukes of Beaufort and Wellington, and more particularly that his dear mother, who had died in his infancy, should appear, &c. After rising from his knees he exclaimed to Mr. Parker, " Did you hear a noise? You must have heard that God was speaking to me." At the same moment a train passed, the engine of which he declared to be hell. Mr. Parker by this time being grew ly alarmed, tried in vain to soothe him ; his only reply was, " Have you re pented of your sins !" at the same time throwing off his boots, coat, and shirt, with his gold watch, chain, and seals ; he began to slap Mr. Parker in the face, exclaim ing, " You must come along with me !" and thrusting his own head through the window, he cut his head and neck in a most shocking manner, and was soon covered with b'ood. He then returned with double fury, and beat Mr. Packer about the head and face most severely. Expecting to be murdered every moment, Mr. Parker entreated him (in order to gain time) to pray again, which he instantly did ; while Mr. Parker, at the imminent risk of his life, opened the door and made his way to the next carriage, where there was only one gentleman; who, having beard all that load passed, helped him in and shut the door. They had scarcely done this when the madman appeared, en deavouring to force his way in also, and it requ red the united efforts of both to keep him out, so he returned to his carriage. This happened near the Watford station. Frequent and unavailing appeals were made to the guard for assistance, stating that a gentleman was dying, and the reply was that being after their time, they could not stop, as the Manchester train was close behind them. his, however, was no excuse for the guard not going to the carriage to ascertain what was the matter. All Mr. Par ker knows further of his strange companion is, that the guard of a following train saw a man in a state of nudity running by the side of the road,which can cnly be accounted for by'his having thrown himself off the train, which was then going at an increased speed. A servant was at the terminus of the Euston.square station, waiting for his master; but Mr. Parker being in a dreadfully bruised state, and most anxious to get home, did not wait to hear the result of this strange encounter ; but we are happy to say he is now nearly recovered from the effects of his vio lent bruises and most alarming position.—The following additional particulars will supply the sequel of this strange affair :—At an early hour cn Tuesday last, some labourers saw a man almost in a state of nudity running about a field near Kensall-green Cemetery. The men told him he was trespassing, and that he must go back, when he becan - e so violent that it took 12 labourers to secure him ; and so convinced were they that he was an escaped lunatic, that they buund his arms, and then handed him over to the po- Lee. He was then taken to the workhouse of St. Mary Abbott's, Kensington, and conveyed to the insane ward. Mr. Guazzaroni, who is medical officer of the workhouse, was sent for to examine his state and condition, and ef forts were made to cleanse him from the dirt and mud with which he was covered, which was found to be a most difficult task, as it was discovered that his arms and ether &c., was so grouted , that they w e r e with great parts of his body had numerous lacerated wounds , in which the mud, difficulty cleansed. He gave no account as to how he got into the wretched plight in which h e was, but on be ing questioned as to his name and where he had come fr om , he stated that his name was Osborne Markham, and that his apartments were No. 91, Mount street , Berkeley wasimmediately lkl r. Markham O s - N sq l u o a u r n e t ... str A eetT nge w es h s e e nb r e found that Os borne lived there, and that that vntletrian had been ex pected home on the previous evening from a shooting ex cursion at the Marquess of Bute's ; that he had come up on the previous evening in a first-class carriage of the mail train on the North 'Western Railway, his man servant being in a second-class carriage ; and that on the arrival of the train at the terminus, the servant, on going to the carriage in which his master had sat, found it empty, and his master's c l o th es , w i t h the exception of his trousers and socks, with his gold watch, &c., lying on the seat : that in consequence it was thought that the un fortunate gentleman had cast himself from the train dur ing its progres, and his friends had been in active search after him during the night. In the course of the day, Mr. Osborne was removed to his apartments in Mount street. The unfortunate gentleman was afflicted with delirium, brought on by an attack of brain fever.