The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-18 00:00:00

DIJCROW'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE OF ARTS 'ILL SHORTLY CLOSE. 'THIS EVENING, (T UESDAY ,) t h e 18th inst. and during .1 the Week, Previous to the Close, WHICH SHORTLY TARES PLACE, And as an acknowledgement to his Li verpoo l P atrons, M r. DUCROW will give A BENEFIT TO TUE INFIRMARY AND NORTHERN HOSPITAL, THE DISPENSARIES, AND DISTRICT PROVIDENT SOCIETY, Tomorrow, (WEDNESDAY) the 19W/instant, Under th e especial Patronage and Support of the Right Worshipful the MAYOR. To render each Evening's En tertainment more attractive than ever, two of the Grandest Spectacles of the Season, THE SIEGE OF ACRE, AND THE TOU RNAM ENT, Will be played on the same nights, with an entire new Ro tation of DUCROAV'S SCENES IN TICE CIILCI.E. LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH-STREET, ADDITIONAL ATTRACTION. Mr. J. L. HATTON, for a Limited Period. In consequence of the numerous applications at the Box office for the repetition of JACK SHEPPARD, it will be performed every Evening during the Week, with two New Dramas. • Mrs. RAYMOND. NEW SONGS AND NEW DANCES. ripHIS present TUESDAY EVENING, the 18th instant, and during the week, the Evening's Entertainments will commence with a new Drama, of powerful interest, (never acted here,) written by Mr. Higgie, of this Theatre, as acted with the most distinguished success in London, entitled THE ROYALIST; OR, THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. King Charles the First Mr. F. Gardner. Richard Ludlam Margoth (a Trooper) Mr. Higgie. Saucy Dabb s .. M r . C. F . M ars h a ll . Lasceline Hastings (the Rose of Newark) Miss Baldie. Arnica Mrs. Barton. An Admired Shawl Dance byMademoiselle Chevalier. To be followed by a laughable Farce, entitled THE VALET DE SHAM. Mr. Tweezer (a headstrong old Gentleman) Mr. Tilbury. Captain Trivet (a prejudiced young Gentleman) Mr. Higgie. Clipper (a polished Lady's Lady) Mrs. Raymond. A Popular Pas de Dews', from the " Daughter of the Danube," by Misses Thomassin and Lidia. To conclude with a new version of the celebrated Historical Drama of JACK SIIEPPARD ; OR, TIIR , TIOUSERREAKER OF 1703. Owen Wood Mr. Tilbury. Joe Blueskin .. Mr. J. L. Hatton, In which character he will sing " The Jolly Nose," " Now Farewell my Rowry Towries," and the Chorus "- Ni x m y Dolly, P a l s , Fake Away." Jonathan Wild . Mr. Barton. Jack Shepherd Mrs. Barton. Tickets and places for the Boxes may be had of Mr. BitEigott the Box-office, from Eleven till Three o'Clock. Boxes, 35.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, 6d. Second Price at Half-past Eight : Boxes, 2s, ; Pit Is. ; no Second Price to the Gallery. Doors to be open at Half-past Six o'Clock, performance to commence at Seven precisely. TO CORRESPONDENTS. In the Rev. Hugh M`Neile's " Reply to the Rev. Thomas Drew," which appeared in our last publication, there was an omission of a part of a sentence. It occurred in the last paragraph but one, which was wrongly printed thus : " Only be united among yourselves : explain the principles, and urge the claims of the Church Education Society. There you have the true line drawn between latitudinarian ism as regards Christianity. and bigotry as regards any human formula, and you teach nothing else." It should have stood thus :—" Only be united among your selves : explain the principles, and urge the claims of the Church Education Society. There you have the true line drawn between latitudinarianism as regards Christianity, and bigotry as regards any human formula. There you teach Scriptural Christianit) to all without exception, and you teach nothing else." r Ziberpool &tanbatt. TUBSD AY MORNING, FEBRUARY 18, 1840, A year has just elapsed since the publication of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD was resumed under its present management. That resumption took place, as most of our readers must be aware, under circum stances which rendered the future success of the paper somewhat problematical. Many of . the old subscribers, whose patronage had been extended to the STANDARD in former years, had been led to transfer their support to other journals, under the impression that the STANDARD was defunct—an impression which our Radical contemporaries took much pains to strengthen and perpetuate. To this disadvantage, sufficiently discouraging in itself, was superadded the more serious loss of several adver tising connections. Confident, however, in the strength of the Conservative body in this great com mercial town, and anxious that the "good cause," which had been so long and so successfully advocat ed in the columns of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD, should not suffer any detriment from the loss of an organ whose services had been so generously appre ciated, the present proprietors of this journal at once resolved upon its republication. The result has fully justified their anticipations. The Conservatives of Liverpool have once more rallied round their STAN DARD—that STANDARD under which they have so often victoriously fotight the battles of the Constitu tion against the combined forces of Whiggery and Radicalism, Popery and Infidelity. It is now our pleasing duty, at the termination of our first year's probation, to return our grateful acknow ledgments for the large and increasing measure of support which has hitherto attended our career. The Conservatives of Liverpool .have fully justified the confidence which we reposed in their attachment to the principles which we have advocated. From these Principles, which include the support, in unimpaired, integrity, of our glorious Constitution in Church and State —the maintenance of a monarchical form of Government, checked and controuled by an heredi tary House of Lords, exercising independent legisla tive functions, and a House of Commons, freely elected by the peop le—the defence of those rights and privileges which are the inalienable birthright of every British subject—the support of an Established Churchthe furtherance of a religious system of na tional education—and the most uncompromising hostility to every form of error, whether it be the blighting superstition of Popery. the insidious poison of Socinianism, or the pestiferous blasphemy of the filthy and degraded Socialist—from these principles w e shall never deviate. They constitute the broad basis of our political creed. They form the founda tion also of our national greatness and prosperity. It shall always, therefore, be our maxim, as it is our motto, to be ready, in every emergency, " With hearts resolved, and hands prepared, The blessings we enjoy to guard." In entering upon another year in the history of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD we i;ledge ourselves to lender our journal worthy of increased support. ° ur Present number will bear witness to our anxiety ing to e eti furnish n copious and accurate reports of public of local and general interest, as well as early and authentic intelligence from neighbouring towns. We allude, in particular, to the report of the great meeting for Church Extension, and to the account of the proceedings in the Chamber of Com merce at Manchester. Among the improvements which we have recently in troduced into the LIVERPOOL STANDARD we wish to direCt the attention of our readers to the original intelligence which we have, for some weeks past, given on the subject of Railways. Information of this description must possess a peculiar interest in Liverpool, which may be considered the central mart for shares of every description. It is necessary to add, that w e h ave selected our 'Tuesday's for giving publi c it y to our publication Railway Intelligence, as a preliminary step towards giving to the STANDARD of 'Tuesday in each week a more commercial character than it has hitherto assumed. While, however, we shall endeavour to carry these plans into execution, we shall not strive the less to render the LIVERPOOL STANDARD one of the best FAMILY NEWSPAPERS in the kingdom. The enemies of the West India Colonies are con tinuing their reckless and mischievous system of agita tion, and require to be most vigilantly watched, and most perseveringly opposed. There is nothing to which these men will not resort in the eagerness of their zeal against the injured and calumniated planters. Messrs. Sturge, Scoble, and, Co., are by no means par ticular in the choice of the weapons with which they carry on their war of extermination against the West India interest. Personal abuse, misconstruction of Motives, garbled statements of facts, and even gross perversion of the truth, have been severally, and, we are sorry to acid, but too successfully, resorted to in this unholy warfare. Among the most glaring of the ,falsehoods put forth by the pretended "friends of the Negroes," we Would unhesitatingly point out the assertion that the emanci pated N eg roes has ., e been as diligent, in the West Indies, since the termination of the apprenticeship, as they were under a coerced system of labour. That this assertion is utterly unfounded and diametrically opposed to fact we are fully prepared to show. We know of no fairer criterion by which to judge of the comparative industry of the Negroes in the West Indies, previously to the abolition of slavery, and sub sequently to that period, than by examining the amount of produce imported from the Colonies, during the last few years. We have before us an elaborate statement of the imports, deliveries, and stocks of the principal articles of colonial growth, compiled by Mr. J. S. Kewley, of this town, which furnishes us with the means of completely refuting the assertions of the Anti-Slavery folks respecting the alleged prosperity of the West Indies. The principal article of import from the West India Colonies is sugar. Let us see how the facts of the case stand in reference to this important staple. The average annual import of sugar from the Colonies, for the six years previous to 1835, appears to have been 255,000 hogsheads ; from 1835, when the Apprenticeship system commenced, to 1838, when the Negroes were finally liberated, the average was 220,000 hhds.; while the produce of the last year hai dwindled down to 179,800 hhds. The supplies of 1839 shew the enormous decrease of 75,200 hhds. as compared with the former period, and of 42,200 as compared with the latter. A comparison between the imports of sugar -for the years 1838 and 1839 respectively, will serve still more strongly to prove the indolence of the Negroes since they obtained their freedom. The fol lowing will exhibit the imports from each of the Bri tish plantations during the last two years : 1838. 1839. hhds. hhds. Antigua . 12,200 12,600 Barbadoes Demerara and Berbice Dominica Grenada and Tobago 15,800 13,600 Jamaica Nevis and St. Kitts 8,700 12,900 St. Lucia and St. Thomas St. Vincent and Trinidad 29,850 25,200 Total imports 228,300 179,800 This statement shows a falling off in one year of 43,500 Mids. It is a singular and instructive fact—a fact which may be noticed as connected with the imports of other articles of Colonial produce, as well as with that of sugar, that those Colonies show the greatest falling off where the Negroes and the Executive Gorern ment have been most under the controul of the Anti- Slavery agitators. This is particularly evident from the imports from Jamaica, Demerara, and Berbice. The falling off in the imports from Jamaica amounts to 17,800 hhds ; and the imports from British Guiana show a decrease of 18,400 hhds. Thus, out of the total deficiency of 45,500 hhds., we find the enormous amount of 36,20() hhds. in the Colonies of Jamaica and British Guiana alone. Now, it is notorious that these unfortunate Colonies have been more exposed than any of the others to the machinations of Scoble, Sturge & Co. What are we to infer from the result afforded by the preceding figures ? Can we come to any other con clusion than that of imputing all the mischief, the in dolence, and the consequent ruin which have been witnessed in Jamaica and British Guiana to the bad coun sel which the Negroes have received from their pre tended friends ? Where the Negroes have been left to themselves, they have been found generally disposed to labour : where they have been meddled with by the agents of the Anti-Slavery Society, they have been uniformly idle and discontented. In the article of molasses, again, we find a similar diminution in the aggregate amount of imports. In t he year 1835 the number of casks imported was 51,100; in 1836, the import was 50,900 casks; in 1837, the import was 52,000 ; in 1838; the import was 60,700; and in 1839. the import was 48,000 —showing a falling off, in the last year, of 12,700 casks The imports of rum exhibit a similar falling off, as far as Jamaica and British Guiana are concerned, though the aggregate amount from all parts, including the East Indies and foreign countries, shows a trifling increase. The following is a statement of the imports of rum, from all parts, during the last five years:- 1835. 1836. 1837. 1838. 1839. puns. puns. puns. puns. puns. 48,700 44,750 41,100 42,900 43,400. The discrepancy between any two of these amounts is, certainly, not very considerable : but when we come to look at the imports from Jamaica and British Guiana, we shall find a very serious deficiency. The following is a table of the imports from these Colonies during the same period :- 1835. 1836. 1837. 1838. 1839. puns. puns. puns. puns. puns. 39,000 36,900 30,600 33,500 27,450 Thus the imports of last year have been 7,300 puncheons less than the average of the four preceding years. The consequence of this falling off in the im ports of the West India rums has been a considerable advance in prices. The high prices of rum during the past year has attracted supplies from foreign parts to a very considerable extent. All this, has, of course, operated injuriously to the West India interest, and consequently to the trade and commerce of this country. In the article of coffee, also, there has been a most serious falling off in the imports from the West Indies during the past year. In the year 1838 there were imported into Liverpool 8,100 casks from the British plantations : whilst, in the year 1839, the import was only 6,300 casks. We believe the falling off in the imports to London, Bristol, &c. is still more consider able. The facts which have just been adduced are, we trust, sufficient to negative the assertions made by the Anti- Slavery Committee respecting the prosperity of the West Indies and the orderly and diligent conduct of the Negroes. The truth is, that, in the two principal colonies—those of Jamaica and British Guiana—the Negroes have been grossly misled. Every tie of gra titude and reciprocal affection between them and their former masters has been, in numberless instances, rudely dissolved by the lying insinuations of a set of needy and interested agitators, whose policy it has been, like that of the "Big Beggarman," to fatten upon the imaginary grievances of the Negroes. Every insidious art has been employed to poison the minds of the latter against the planters. Habits of indolence have been in consequence of the advice of their leaders, acquired by the Negroes. They have extensively resorted to the squatting system, and commenced the cultivation of small patches of land, each for his own maintenance and that of his family: and, as each family consumes what is thus produced, the exports of the British plan tations are necessarily diminishing. We see no cure for this evil but one—an extended system of free im migration, which, by producing greater competition, will force the Negroes to accede to such an amount of remuneration as can be afforded by the planters. Such a system must be speedily adopted, or the West Indies will he ruined. The meeting held at the Music-hall in this town, on Friday evening, on the subject of Church Extension, and in support of Sir Robert Inglis's intended motion after Easter, was one of the most important and inter esting ever held in Liverpool. The speeches of the Rev. Rector Brooks, the Rev. Mr. M‘Neile, and Mr. Horsfall, appear to us specially to claim attention. The eagerness of the operative and humbler classes to gain admission, and the deep interest they took in the ac tual proceedings, are points too material to be lost sight of. had the room been twice as large as it is, we believe it might have been filled with an overflow ing audience : but it had be en f oun d necessary to put a check upon the issuing of tickets of admission at a very early period of the week. We notice this, for it is important that our rulers should know that very many in the humbler walks of life have intelligence enough to see that the welfare of the class to which they belong—their own happiness, and that of their children and their children's children—are involved in the decision to which the legislature must speedily come on this vital question. It was truly stated in the petition which was adopted at the meeting, that on the poorer classes " penal mea sures, whenever necessary, are apt to fall with peculiar weight and severity." And it was also stated, with equal truth, that it is little they can do to help them selves. When we reflect, indeed, how dependent, un der any form of government, the poorer classes are upon those who are above them, and how exceedingly liable they are to plunge headlong into misery and crime, if they attempt to take the remedy of even ac tual grievances into their own hands, they ought to be objects of much deeper sympathy and solicitude than unhappily they are. But those real grievances are, strange as it may appear to some, the very ones of which that class is ordinarily least conscious : the most pressing evils to which they are exposed are those on which they have never reflected. Under the ancient parochial system, every village in the ,kingdom, down even to the population of 150 or 200 souls, had a church and a pastor; the church being often spacious enough to hold the entire population, and the seats open to all, as is the case to this clay in most of, or all, the Roman Catholic churches abroad, and as, we doubt not, was the case in the early ages of Chris tianity, long before the errors of Popery were grafted upon it. Whatever else thd Church of Rome may have to answer for, it is not responsible for the intro duction of that system of pewing, which might, we ad mit, have been so regulated as to preserve inviolate the rights of the poor, but which, as it has been suffered to prevail, is a disgrace and a scandal to Protestantism. From a want of vigilance, and perhaps of firmness, on the part of successive incumbents and churchwardens, in very many instances the ancient churches of the land (as population has gone on increasing) have be come appropriated to a particular caste. Yes—startle as we may at the expression—to a particular caste; that caste being the wealthier and smaller portion of the community; until, to speak plainly, the poor have been altogether deprived (we had almost said robbed) of their share in an inheritance bequeathed to the com munity. Many a time have we been grieved to mark in crowded churches, where our liturgical services Were performed in the most impressive manner, and where pure evangelical truth—the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness—was preached from the pulpit, that the poor, to whom, when first promulgated, it was special ly addressed, formed no part of the attentive auditory; unless, indeed, a few could be discovered in the remote corners and passages of the edifice, or standing, with out an interval of rest, in the aisles. We know of one parish, that of Stoke Damarel, in which the town of Devonport is situated, where, with a population of 40,000 inhabitants, there is nothing bnt aisle room for the working classes, as far as the churches and episco pal chapels are concerned. And it is a fact, that in the principal and most ancient church of Birming ham, with a capacity to hold 1800 persons, so completely had the poorer classes lost all share of the sittings, when the present rector, the Rev. Mr. Mozeley, came to it, that, being a man of peace, and perhaps too reluctant to avail himself of remedies which might have involved him in unpleasant disputes with certain of his parishioners, he purchased some fifty sittings of privileged pew-holders, to add to another fifty (we think that was about the number), which had not been appropriated to the wealthier class of parishioners. Again, take the parish of Sheffield (we refer to Sheffield and Birmingham, because they have been the scenes of recent outrage and insubordination). Fourteen years ago that parish, having then a popula-. tion of from 70 to 80,000 inhabitants, had but three churches ; the exact number of sittings they furnished, we are not, at the moment, able to state, but probably some 4 or 5,000;--hut, be that as it may, the free and unappropriated seats did not exceed 100 !! ! Who can wonder that, when the doors of- the sanctuary were thus in a manner closed against them, the work ing classes should have learnt to spend their time in pot-houses, until intemperate habits have become the characteristic of the Sheffield artisans, and infidel principles abound among them. In no town in Eng land, probably, is the scoffer at religion to be more frequently met with than in that very parish of Shef field ;—so we are assured by a clergyman who has .assiduously laboured in visiting from house to house in a district of it. A race have grown up, who, from infancy, have had no religious principles whatever in stilled into their minds : ignorant of the Sacred Vo lume, but as they make it serve for a jest-book ; their wits sharpened to a certain extent by congregating to gether; and presenting to the faithful pastors, now tardily and far too scantily sent among them, a hard ened and impenetrable front, that requires that the minister of the Gospel should be armed in all the panoply of faith, to encounter and bear up against it. And, if we turn to our own town and neighbour- hood, we have here much, very much, to mourn and lament over. We heard, but the other day, an intelli gent friend, who has long been a resident in Liverpool, and an attentive observer of things passing around him, °estimating, from facts which he had collected, that a number not fewer than 80 or 90,000 of our own population never enter a place of worship of any de scription. Now, to what does all this tend ? We will give the answer in the words of Machiavel, a states man of no ordinary sagacity. " There is no surer prognostic," says that eminent man,—" There is no surer prognostic of impending ruin to any state, than - ror public worship to be neglected and despised." Here we have a great statesman and philosopher, speaking as a man of the world, and without the slightest refwr ence to Christian principles, unconsciously bearing testimony to the truth of the declaration the Almighty made by his prophet of old, when addressing his Church,—" The nation and kingdom which will not serve thee shall perish ; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." It is a momentous consideration for the rulers of a country, and for all who have station, Wealth, and in fluence in it, including as well its merchants and tra ders, as its landed proprietors and the cultivators of the soil, how much the Providence of God has placed at their disposal. To suffer, on the one hand, as the source of revenue, and in deference to the doctrine of free trade (pushed, in this instance, to a most unwarrantable extent), beer-houses and gin-palaces, which plunder the working classes and their chil dren of the fruits of their honest toil, to be multi plied in every nook and corner of the empire (in Glasgow the spirit-shops are one-tenth of all the houses), and these places to be furnished with the most pesti lential publications, is to deal with the people in a way that is enough to call down the bolts of heaven upon the heads of all whO are parties to the injustice and the wrong. And, on the other hand, the injustice and the wrong are as great, in withholding from them the op portunity of worshipping God, as their forefathers did. The population of England and Wales is now doubling in fifty-three years. It has increased by upwards of six millions since 1800. If it were not for the proprietary churches which have been built in the last thirty or forty years, the destitu tion would, in many neighbourhoods, be ten times greater than it is. But what has the building of these proprietary churches done for the lower classes ? Next to nothing ; in some absolutely nothing ! In many of them, the idea of inviting the poor never enters the heads of those who sit at ease in their carpeted and cushioned pews. And then we have wonder expressed at the demoralization, the want of natural affection, the sabbath breaking, and the infidel principles, which in evitably follow such neglect; and common sense is in sulted. The poorer classes of this country have grievances, and the want of churches and schools, in which they and their offspring can have an opportunity of being faithfully and religiously instructed, and pre pared and fortified to meet and resist the temptations which a state of poverty, or a scanty supply of this world's goods, brings along with it, is unquestionably one of the greatest. Our remarks have extended so much, that we can say nothing at present on the state of the public finances, as bearing on the subject of Church Extension. At a future opportunity we shall not shrink from noticing the connexion. In the mean time, we beg to remind those who may he disposed to ask, from whence, with an increasing defalcation in the revenue, the money is to come—that while only a million and a half of public money have been devoted to the building of churches since the days of Queen Anne, little short of five millions can have been spent on the building and fitting up of gaols and lions es of correction. Since the commencement of the present century, we know of one parliamentary return, at all events, which the House of Commons ordered to be printed the 10th October, 1831, which gave "the total expences incurred in building, fitting up, and furnishing" such places, since the year 1800, at £3,400,000. And glancing at another par liamentary document, we may form some idea of the expence of prosecuting " felons." The return happens to be for the year 1832. Now park ! This is for "prosecuting," only: not a word about clothing and maintenance. In the county of Lancaster, there were, in that year, 126 cases tried at the assizes, at an average charge of £4O Os. ld. each; and 2,587 cases. at sessions, at an average of £7 19s. 4d. each : in all, £25,656 158. 4d. spent in one year in prosecuting only. We may be told that this number of committals 'and trials was an evidence of considerable activity and vigilance, at all events, on the part of the magistracy and the police. On this subject we have no complaint to make : we have nothing to allege. But, of this we feel assured, that if the population be not religiously brought up; if pastors and teachers, churches and schools, are not pro vided,.in proportion to the demand and the want,—no police regulations, no penal statutes, no punishments however terrible, will restrain those, who from infancy to hoary hairs, have neither been taught to fear God, nor to regard man. In proof of this we have only to refer to the fact, stated by Mr. Slaney the other even ing in the House of Commons, when he made his motion respecting the Causes of Discontent in the country ; that the amount of plunder in one year, in Liverpool only, was £700,000 !!! The country wants a paternal government, acting upon Christian principles, and conservative of the rights of all. Nothing short of this, can save it from anarchy and ruin RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. PROSPECTS OP THE SHARE MARKET. The improving appearance of the money market is already producing a favourable impression upon railway property. A considerable number of railway companies are now in a con dition to take up money on loan, under the authority of their Acts of Parliament, but the unfavourable state of money mat ters has hitherto prevented them from adopting this method of relieving their shareholders for a time from the necessity of answering further calls. This difficulty, however, is now vanishing ; the rate of interest offered by railway companies for loans upon their debentures is beginning to he readily ac cepted by capitalists, and it will, we trust, in a very short while, be in the power of several of these companies to re lieve their proprietary from the drain for money to pay calls, by the unexpectedly severe pressure of which they have been for some time so seriously inconvenienced. The effect of this seasonable relief must be immediately felt ; and although only applicable directly to stock upon which a large portion of the amount has been paid, yet it must operate indirectly upon all share property, and have the effect of restoring confidence and gradually advancing prices. There are many stocks upon which we think there is ample room for a rise ; and when these shall have attained a fair market value, the friends of railway investments will be enabled to turn their attention to those lesser lines which are now struggling through a feeble infancy in almost total neglect. TENDENCY OF RAILWAYS TO INCREASE PAS SENGER,TRAFFIC, AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE WORKING OF THE LONDON AND BIRMING HAM LINE. The following statement, which has been published in the form of an appendix to the half-yearly report of the London and Birmingham railway, will serve to show the steady pro gress which this great undertaking is making in the amount of its traffic. For the six months previous to the 30th June last, the aggregate number of passengers travelling upon the line was 267,144—and for the six months ended 31st Dec. 341,420—shewing an increase in number of passengers during the past hilf-year of 74,276. The average number of pas sengers per day during these two periods was respectively 1476 and 18351—the increase per day being 359 k, or nearly 2-41- per cent. Of course, to render this a fair mode of cal culation, the number of miles travelled by each passenger, during the two periods, must be alike ; and from the same document we find that such has been the case—the average number of miles travelled by each passenger, for the half year ending June, being 65, and for the half year ending December, 651: The evidence here afforded of the increasing prosperity of the London and Birmingham Railway is valuable, not only • as it applies to this particular line, but also to other lines, as • illustrating the workinT of the railway system generally. We find it stated, at a meeting of the London and Birmingham Railway Company, held on Thursday last, by Mr. Levy, an extensive road contractor, that " he had never known traffic so bad for the last twenty-five years as it had been since July last." We know too that the commerce of the coun try since that time has been unusually depressed, and we have had no peculiar causes operating within the last six months to produce an increase of travelling ; yet, on this railway, a considerable increase—an increase of one-fourth-- has taken place. Front the mode of calculation pursued, we find too that such increase has been not only in the number of passengers, but also of miles travelled, or (to use the phrase of the road) that both long awl short passengers hare increased. We can therefore only attribute such a result to the power which railways possess of developing and increas ing the resources of the different districts through which they pass, and thus continually creating for themselves an additional supply of the materiel of revenue. Let those who are constantly decrying the advantages and affecting to doubt the profitable working of railways generally, account other wise if they can, for this gratifying result of the labours of their more enterprising neighbours. We can only see in it satisfaction for the past, and grounds of bright hope for the future. BIRMINGHAM AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY.— HALF-YEARLY MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of the above company was held on Wednesday last, at the Bell Hotel, Gloucester, and the re ports of the directors and of the engineer were received with the greatest satisfaction by the proprietors assembled. By the former it appeared that the sum of £7O per share had been called for, amounting to the gross sum of £665,000; and of this sum, on the 31st December, the arrears were £77,119. Up to the date of the meeting, however, the total amount of arrears (exclusive of the calls upon a few shares which were declared forfeited by the meeting), had been re duced to the sum of £29,860. It was also intimated to the shareholders that negotiations were in progress to unite the Birmingham and Gloucester with the Bristol and Gloucester line, in order to form one continuous railiray from Birmingham to Bristol, under one direction. This arrangement, it was suggested, would ma terially advance the interests of both companies, and their solicitors had been instructed to apply to Parliament jointly for a bill to secure the necessary powers. The arrangements, however, were not sufficiently advanced to enable the directors to bring the matter fully before the meeting, and the share holders were assured that no decisive step would be taken without mature consideration, and their opinion of its pro priety being first taken. From the report of the engineer, W. S. Moorsom, Esq., it appeared that the works upon the line had been greatly re tarded by the wetness of the season ; yet that the opening of a portion, from Cheltenham to Bromsgrove, might be calcu lated upon before the month of May ; a further distance of nine miles in the month of October or November ; and to Camp Hill, near BirminghaM, before the end of the present year. The short extension line to the London and Birmingham railway, which will then comprise the whole of the unfinished works, is expected to he completed in the spring of 1841, when the entire undertaking will be. in a finishedstate. It was stated by the chairman, in reply to a question from a proprietor, that although the cost of the entire line, with the extra accommodation and works which had been found necessary, would exceed the amount of the revised estimates, the company had power, under the original act of Parliament, to pay for all works contemplated at present, as well as to stock the line, and he believed upwards of XlOO,OOO to spare. The extra works alluded to were stated to consist of in creased engineering powers, increased accommodation in carriages, and more accommodationi in point of station-room, than had ever been contemplated, and which it had been found advisable to provide at once, to meet the demands of a traffic greater than the company had originally ventured to calculate upon. • LONDON AND GREENWICH RAILWAY COM PANY—GENERAL, MEETING. The first annual general meeting of the proprietors of this company (being the termination of the first year from the completion of the railway) was held on Thursday last, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, William Shadbolt, Esq., in the chair. The attendance was exceedingly large. The report, which was read by the Deputy-Chairman, (Josiah Wilson, Esq.,) after detailing shortly the past pro ' ceedings of the Directors, went on to explain the arrange ments required to enable the Company to accommodate the traffic of the .various other lines which are intended to run along the Greenwich line as their entrance into London. A strong opinion had been expressed by the parliamentary com mittee on railways last session, th at so extensive a traffic as is expected on this line, when the :Brighton and South East ern lines aye opened, could not be safely accommodated un less an extra width of road was previously constructed ; and it was stated that the directors has! endeavoured to form an arrangement with the Croydon Railway Company, b)%which this object might be effected, on tams mutually beneficial. This arrangement, however, they, have not been able to form ; and the Croydon Company having a previously existing con tract with the Greenwich for the toll upon their traffic, which would he insufficient to remunerate the: atter, after incurring the expense of widening their road, both Companies are now before parliament applying for the necessary powers to enable t hem to fulfil the requirements of the committee. With respect to the working of the railway it was an nounced, that from the experience gained upon their own line, and from the working of others, it had been found that more ease and steadiness of motion., combined also with greater economy, would be secured by substituting wooden sleepers with a heavier rail, for the present stone sleepers. The directors, therefore, recommend that the whole of the line should be relaid upon this princ'iple during the present summer. Although, owing to the unfavourable season and other causes, the traffic upon the line had not equalled the expec tations that had been entertained, the directors were enabled to declare a dividend of ss. on each original share, leaving a reserve fund of £1307 15s. 2d. NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY. A considerable portion of this iallway is so far completed as to allow of the permanent way being laid ; this is done on the greater part of the line. The most forward district is that situated between Derby and Barnsley. One line of rails is now nearly all laid for the whole distance, which is about 50 miles, great exertions having been made to accomplish this, as it is expected the directors will pass along the line with a locomotive engine, between the towns of Derby and Barnsley, very shortly—probably next week. In the neigh bourhood of Belper, Clay Cross, Staveley, &c., the works are proceeding night and day, in order to have a road through the large excavations in those districts. The first class sta- tions are nearly all contracted for, and several of them are in a forward state. The Eckington one is nearly ready for the roof; the Chesterfield and Southwingfield stations are also far advanced ; the Leeds and Sheffield stations have been let out during the week. The latter one is contracted for by Mr. Crawshaw, and will be situated near the entrance of the Sheffield and Rotherham railway. It will be a large and convenient station ; the cost is estimated at about £8,000. Shejfield SHEFFIELD AND ROTHERHAM RAILWAY. HALF-YEARLY MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Sheffield and Rotherham Railway Company was held on Wednesday last, but we regret that we cannot find room for. the details this week. We are glad to find that the undertaking is in so prosperous a condition as to allow of a dividend at the rate of .C 6 per cent. per annum being declared. We are glad to find also that the shares are on the advance, being now about 7 premium. A highly respectable correspondent informs us that a new station at the Sheffield terminus, with booking offices and other rooms suitable for the joint use of the Shef field and Rotherham Company and the North Midland Com pany, is being erected on a splendid scale, and is expected to be finished in April ready for the opening of the North Midland, the two Companies having agreed on the prelimi naries of a treaty whereby passengers may travel from Shef field to' Leeds or Derby in the same carriage in which they seat themselves at first, and thence forward to the metropolis of the county or kingdom.—Railway Times. WEEKLY RETURNS IF RAILWAY TRAFFIC. (From the Rai, !way Magazine.) • NAME. Passer- I Cash. P.mile • P.mile Passeng. gers. pr.wk.p. day. per day. X. X. X. Birmingham 1120581 1074 15-1 South Western 2196 371 51 -- Great Western .. 2.3071 75 10i- Greenwich.. Manchester& Leeds 10-159 5991 441 61 1494 Binning. & Derby — 703 184 2 York &N. Midland 1455 330 224 34 2GB Croydon Midland Counties 2732 266 17 21 390 Eastern Counties 3927 561 Glasgow & Ayr 1326 534 5 1 221 Ulster.. — — I SUSPICION OF FELONY AGA: OFFICERS, rNsl."rwo POLICE Before JOHN tioLatEs and R. E. HARVEY, Esquires. A case which excited very great interest in a crowded court, came on for hearing yesterday, before the magistrates above named,—Mr. Rushton being absent, on business in London. John and Joshua Fell, police constables, were placed at the bar, the former on suspicion of having stolen, and the latter with having received a silver watch, the pro perty of a young man named Bamber. The prisoners appeared in respectable undress, and were unattended by counsel. Mr. Dowling, Police Commissioner, briefly stated the case to the bench, as it afterwards appeared in the following evidence : Mrs. Margaret Kermode said, I live in Cable-street, and on Wednesday week Mr. Bamber, now present, came to board and lodge at my house, recommended by Mr. Carus, publican, of the same street. On Wednesday last; Mr. Bamber came to me and said he felt uneasy about the weeks' rent he owed me. I told him not to distress himself as he was recommended by !Or. Carus ; but he persuaded me to take his watch as security ; and I told him that would ter tainly satisfy my husband, as we had often lost money by lodgers. He also gave me four shillings at the same time, keeping one shilling out of five, which he said he might want, and that was all the money he had. I took the watch and the money and put them into a desk in the shop where We keep our money ' • Bamber s a id be would not lose the watch for X 5, and I said it would be there and safe, when he paid us. I took the key of the desk from the nail where it hung, to put in the watch and the money, and after locking it, hung the key again on the nail. This was in his presence. I afterwards saw the key in the drawer of the desk. It was about twelve o'clock. At three o'clock the same day the police came to the house. The watch produced is the same that was given to me, and was afterwards missed. It had a piece out of the face of it, and a crack ; and it wound up in front. There was a seal, a green stone, and two little keys. Mr. Bamber was twice in the house on that day after he gave me the watch. He came and had his dinner, and went out through the shop. Nobody was in the shop at the time lie went through. Besides the watch, there were taken from the desk nine shillings in money, namely, the four shillings given me by Bamber, and which was placed separately, and five shillings that were in another place. There were also twenty shillings in a small tin box in the desk, without a lid ; but these were not taken. Kermode, the daughter of the last witness, said, — I saw my mother put the watch and money into the desk. It was about a quarter to twelve o'clock. In about three quar ters of an hour after, I went to give change out of the drawer, and saw the watch there then. Bamber came in a little af terwards, and enquired when the dinner would be ready. He went out again ; but cannot say whether lie went straight through the shop. He had to go through the shop to get out. I did not see him again till he was sent for, after three o'clock, and after the watch was missed. That is the same watch. Alexander AV Pherson said,-1 am a pawnbroker in Tithe barn-street. On the 12th of February (Wednesday) a watch was left in pledge with Me, by a young woman. She said it was her husband's, and she pledged it in the name of Williams, of Preston-street. I lent twelve shillings upon it. I gave the girl a ticket. The ticket was afterwards brought to me by the tallest prisoner, (Joshua Fell.) Ile said he wanted to redeem it, that it belonged to a friend of his who had got into a house of ill fame, and he would take it out. Ile redeemed it, and I got the ticket back. I had never seen the officer before. - That is the same watch. William 'limber, a young man, said he was a printer. The watch produced is mine. I gave it to Mrs. Kermode on Wednesday, and never saw it till yesterday morning, at Mr. Dowling's house. Mrs. Kermode, on being recalled, said that the last wit ness left her house on the night of the day on which the watch was taken. Police-officer 334 (Flyman,) I lodge in Durham-place, to gether with John Fell. Before five yesterday evening, while we were going to bed, a rap came to the door, and the mis tress of the house (as we understood the witness to say) called out, " John, you're wanted." He said to me, " Flyman, can you lend me a shilling? I am going to try it again." I told him there was a shilling on the window and he might take it. He did so. He said, "my mother has a watch, and it's a good goer : I did very well with the last I bought from her, and I'll try it again." He went and brought the watch, and looked at it, and said, " it is French made, but Lancashire built." He said he would get a new dial to her ; it would improve her very much. Re looked at the seal and keys, and remarked that the letters were upside down. I said they were of course cut in that way so that the impression from them would be right. At three o'clock that afternoon, we (the officers) were served with bills, giving a description of the watch, at the station. John Fell was present at the time. From the description I was almost convinced is was the watch Fell had shown me ; but as I had not seen the inside, .1 could not he positive. I mentioned it to my inspector when I saw him, that I thought I had seen the watch. I gave the bill I had to the pawnbroker, think ing I could sufficiently remember the description. • In the morning I and John Fell went up again to go to bed. He took the watch out again, and laid it on the shelf where he generally put his watch. We went to bed. I afterwards got up, and looked at the inside of the watch, and then I was fully convinced that it was' the same that was described. I took it to Mr. Dowling. The witness was cross-examined by John Frost, and ad mitted that the latter did not conceal the watch, but pro duced it openly. He repeated that Frost took it to the window soon after day-light, and looked at the inside. Joshua Frost here said he had gone to the country on duty, by the railway, and did not return until Thursday evening. This Mr. Dowling knew, as he gave him the order. (The court said Mr. Dowling would be examined, and the prisoner might afterwards cross-question him.) Mr. Dowling sworn.—Yesterday morning the last witness came to me, and brought the watch now produced. I sent for the Fells, of course, separately. I first saw Joshu a . I asked him if he had a watch. He said " Yes." I asked him where it was, and he took a watch out of his pocket, which was something like that produced, in outward appear ance. I asked him if he had sold a watch to his brother. He said that he had : that he had found the ticket for it near the Amphitheatre, on Wednesday or Thursday, he was not certain which. Ile added that he had taken it out of pledge at Mr. M'Pherson's, and repledged it at Mr. Brown's, Copperas-hill, for Bs, and afterwards sold the ticket to his brother for 7s. I then called in John Fell, and be said he had bought the ticket for Bs, and that he took it out of pledge at Brown's, where it was in for 7s, and he paid is He said the watch was pledged at Brown's, in his brother's name. William Bamber was recalled, with a view to his account ing for where he had been on Wednesday afternoon and even ing, after he dined at Mrs. Kermode's. He said that being put out of the way by losing his watch, he was occupied chiefly in inquiring about it. He had also called at Mr. Carus s, in Cable-street, at Mr. Pannell's, in Byrom-street, and at Mr. Aspinall's, at which last place some money was due to him. He was also several times at Mrs. Kermode's. He had'a bottle of ginger-beer at Carus's that night, but did not change the shilling ;he had to pay for it. He did not pay for it. Mr. Brown, pawnbroker said :—This watch was brought to my place on Saturday last, and pledged in the name of Joshua Fell, for Bs. There was a great resemblance between the prisoner John Fell, and the person who brought it ; but but he could not say positively it was he. The watch was redeemed on the same day from my assistant, who says she could pot identify the party. Mr. Dowling said, with reference to what Joshua Fell had said ; that he had certainly given him an order to go to Sut ton to serve some summonses, and it was probable that he was absent from the town on Wednesday. Joshua Fell said, he had been there and had served the summonses. He had slept at Prescot that night. The court intimated that they did not doubt that fact, and said that bill and notices read at the stations, affected only John Fell. Inspector Fresh sworn. I was at the station to which John Frost belongs, on Wednesday, and heard the notice read. I think John Fell was on duty then ; am not quite sure. On Saturday John received two bills describing the watch. John Fell.—l did not hear any notice read. I was not there when any notice'was read. Joshua Pell said that it was not likely that if he thought the watch was stolen he would go and pledge it in his own name. John Frost stolensaid ;h he was but ifaccusedthet wereo f e as e watch, ,t sn not it to be reasonable to snpp ose t h a t h e wou ld have openly sit ewn it to Flyman. Meantime, lie should Mr. Harvey here said that there was something very strange gsem e in fu t r h t e he w r h i o h l f e er e m a s a v e h a a n h d e t h h t a i t t h day.) remand the prisoners until to - morrow—(thismust endeavour to ----------- . MISS YANIEWICZ'S CONCERT.—Thislady's concert took place last evening in the Templar's Hall, Great George Street, and it must have b een ver y gratifying to her fe elings to have had so large an a uditor y . The room was fil led. The entire performances g ave decided satisfaction, a nd went off excee d ing ly well, - but we have not space for b upon them: SOCIALISM. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, SlR,—Seeing the seducing manner in which the so-called " social system " is presenting itself to the eyes of the banefulrate portion of the commun ity, and the effects it must eventually produce upon the whole nation if allowed to continue in its onward career, poisoning the minds of all who imbibe its principles with the grossest immorality, I think it is quite time for every man possessing the least re gard for the sacred truths of Christianity, nay even for mo rality alone, to at once exert himself to the utmost of his power in endeavouring to abolish it for ever from the face of the earth ; and in no other way can it be done but by the interference of the legislature. It is worse than useless to trust to the go o d sense o f th e peop l e f or counterac t ing this wide-spreading evil. It is well known that a large portion of the community are exceedingly ignorant, and liable to be carried away with an y romance o f d octr i ne ; an d , such being the case, h ow can we won d er at their being led astray b y socialism, dressed up as it is by its missionaries to suit the taste and inflame the passions of their hearers ? I have fre quently attended their meetings in Manchester and else where, and it is scarcely possible to conceive a more degraded and ignorant assemblage of persons than is generally to be found there ; and th ere t h e b enevolent (though well-paid) missionaries industriously gloss over the worst features of their system, and administer to the licentious appetites of their hearers, by preaching up the blessings they will enjoy in coinnzuntty, without laws or government of any kind, except their own wild passions, —without marriage, —almost without work,—and without tolerating the rights of private property ; and upon such principles as these they profess, in their wild ravings, to be able to reform the world ; and any attempt to convince their poor dupes by reason, after listen . - mg to such smooth-tongued perverters of truth, is nearly equal to the folly of " casting pearls before swine." Should the people of England allow socialism to gain the ascendancy, then would brute force triumph over justice —yes, then would the helpless have to bow down at the oppressor's feet. Do away with the idea of future rewards and punishments— couple that with the belief that man ought to be irresponsible here, and you will at once give loose the reins to despotism; anarchy, and bloodshed. What bar would there then be twixt the murderer's knife and the throat of his hapless victim ? And, parents, what bar would there be betwixt the licentious cravings of depraved wretches, and the honour of your lovely daughters? The arm of brother would be raised against brother—of parent against child—and child against parent. " England expects every man to do his duty," were the memorable words of a mighty warrior ; but there is a mightier far than he, who sits enthroned on high, who will require us to do our duty, and use out utmost endea yours to banish infidelity from the land. Then let petitions, praying for the legislature to prevent the publication of so cialist doctrines, and to prevent their holding meetings to propagate those doctrines, lie for signature at all the churches and chapels in the kingdom, and I doubt not but tens of thousands of signatures would soon be attached to them. Kirkdale, Feb. 11, 1840. J. C. TO THE EDITOR OF THE " LIVERPOOL STANDARD." Si R, — lnstructions have been delivered to the officers about the docks, which, if my information be correct, stands unri valled fer ignorance and oppression. Well might Capt. D. call them " a set of cobblers and blacksmiths." INDEPENDENCE. QIJERY.—Has the Surveyo r had fresh instructions? lith February. TOWN MISSION.---The annual meeting of the Town Mis sion Society was held in the Music Hall, Bold Street, last night. The room was crowded to excess. Thomas Sands, Esq., presided, and the meeting was addressed by several speakers. ADDRESSES OF THE COUNCIL TO HER MAJESTY AND PRINCE ALBERT.—Yesterday a special meeting of the Coun cil was held in the Town-hall, for the purpose of agreeing to an address to her most gracious Majesty, and another to his royal highness Prince Albert, on the occasion of their mar riage. The committee appointed on a former occasion pre sented the addresses, and stated in their report that they had intimated to the Lord Chamberlain that they would be pre sented by the Mayor, Mr. Alderman Sheil, and Mr. Bushell. After a few remarks from those gentlemen, and from Mr. Isaac Holmes, the addresses were unanimously adopted. They willije presented at her Majesty's first levee since her marriage, which will be held to-morrow (Wednesday). The following paragraph was intended for our publication of Tuesday last, but the mass of intelligence respecting the Queen's marriage prevented its insertion on that day : We take the opportunity of directing the attention of our general commercial readers to an advertisement in another column, headed " Guarantee Society." We have been favoured with a prospectus of this society, embodying a highly respectable directory ; and the well known profes sional house of Messrs. Cotton, as the solicitors. It appears on first impression to be one of the really useful, in principle and object,—amongst the many societies lately offered to the public support—embracing an extensive range of utility. as well as a philanthropic design. A society of this kind being much needed, bids fair, under judicious management, to give to the shareholders a fair remuneration on their invest ments; and at no very distant period of time, to become an institution of first-rate importance in the metropolis, as well as one of general advantage to the country. CONCERT ON BEHALF OF THE DISPENSARIES AND IN FIRMARY.—Next Tuesday a grand miscellaneous Concert will be given at the Theatre Royal, the profits of which will be wholly appropriated to the support of the Dispensaries and Infirmary. The orchestral arrangements will be on the same scale as the subscription concerts, which have just ter minated, • and which have proved so successful. The vocal performers will be Miss Maria B. Hawes, Miss Whitnall, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Stretton ; and the instrumental, Miss C. Weller and Mr. Lidel. We hope to see a crowded house. Indeed, we have no doubt as to that circumstance, when we bear in mind how, in this case, benevolence and amusement are so judiciously combined. THE: OLD ENGLAND NEWSPAPER.--The Old England newspaper, published in London, is one of the cheapest and best of the metropolitan prints. It is carefully prepared, and great attention is paid to the publication of the earliest and most authentic information. On the occasion of the Queen's marriage, the proprietors made great efforts, and we believe they accomplished more in the same time than any other London weekly paper. THE CHARITIES OF LIVERPOOL—TRU ROYAL AMPHI THEATRE.—The benefit at the Amphitheatre to-morrow night, the proceeds of which Mr. Ducrow, with his charac teristic liberality, intends to devote in aid of the subscription for the public charities of Liverpool, we sincerely trust will be numerously attended. Everything that his ingenious and active spirit could suggest will be done to merit support by Mr. Ducrow ; and, when we consider the object, we cannot allow ourselves to doubt that the public will not realize the expectations that are abroad as to their liberality on this occasion. The particulars of the performances will be found in the advertisenient. In noticing the kindness of Mr. Ducrow we have not a less pleasing duty to perform in doing justice to the humane and considerate conduct of Mrs. Stebbing the proprietor of the Amphitheatre. That lady, on learning the praiseworthy object of the performances, immediately pro mised the use of the house, for the evening, without any charge. In conclusion we may state that the theatre is well lighted and well aired ; that the accommodations are superior, particularly in the boxes, which are kept in admirable order by Mr. Minster, whose attention and politeness to the com fort of the visitors has been a theme of general remark. THE STEPHEN WHITNEY AMERICAN PACKET—This fine vessel recently accomplished her first voyage from New York to Liverpool, and she is now lying in the North Graving Dock receiving repairs. Her accommodations are the most convenient and commodious of any packet of her tonnage, and the decorative portions are admirably splendid. To these advantages must be added, the experience and gentlemanly manners of the commander, Captain Thompson ; for, with out disrespect to any officer occupying a similar position, we must say that the owners have been extremely fortunate in the selection they have made. Yesterday an elegant dejeune was given on board the ship, at which, between thirty and forty gentlemen were present. The viands and the wines were of the first quality, and the attendance most assiduous. Capt. Thompson presided, supported by the American consul at this port, Colonel Ogden ; and the vice president was Mr. Sands, one of the consignees. Amongst the toasts proposed were, "The Stephen Whitney," " Capt. and Mrs. Thompson," " Her most gracious Majesty and her illustrious Consort," " The American Consul," " The Consignees in Liverpool and New York," " The Port and Trade of Liverpool," " The City and Trade of New York," " The Owners of the Stephen Whitney," and a variety of others, all of which were received with great applause. The company separated about four o'clock, highly gratified with the entertainment provided for them, and with the politeness of the worthy commander of the vessel. DEAFNESS.—We have great pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to the Second Edition •of Neill's report on Deafness advertised in our columns this day. THE MULTIJM IN PARVO, or E. and T. Taylor's Concen trated Meat Lozenges, have excited the attention of all classes from the admirable nutritious properties they possess, being composed of the finest meats by a process, which renders them even peculiarly adapted to the most delicate stomach. The invalids, travellers, and sportsmen have here a desideratum never before attempted, as two or three dissolved in the mouth will afford the most satisfying nourishment, whilst their portability, (being contained in a lozenge box of the ordinary size,) ren d ers th em accessible under any emergency, whilst the trivial cost places them within the reach of all. None are genuine but those which have the signature of E. and T. Taylor, 17, Lower Holborn, London, who have appointed agents for the sale of them in every principal town throughout the British empire. The Rev. W. A. Strange, late o f the. Royal Institution, Colquitt.street, has been unanimously appointed Head Master of the Abingdon Free Grammar School. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Friday, the 14th instant, a woman of the name of Betty King,- a widow, residing at Prescot, was washing clothes in her own house, apparently in good health, when she wad seized with a dizziness and other violent pains ; the soap she held in her hand fell, and she became insensible. Mr. Myers, the surgeon, was sent for, who attempted to bleed her but it was of no avail ; she was already in the agonies of death, and in an hour from the time she was first seized, she was no more. DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.—About eight o'clock on Satur day morning, the 13th instant, a very distressing accident occurred at Prescot. A boy, of the name of Thomas Mercer, about seven or eight years of age, was playing with his sister, about four years old, and another younger ; the youngest had hold of the elder sister, and the boy ran to the corner of the house where there was a loaded gun, he presented it at his elder sister, saying, if she did not get out of the way he would shoot her ; he had no sooner said so than he fired off the gun, and as he was so short a distance from her, the shot flew over the youngest child's head, and entered the breast of the other girl, so concentrated as to have the effect of a ball. She instantly fell, and only breathed twice. The boy had frequently struck off caps, and he was not aware that there was anything in the gun; but as soon as he saw the ran out of the house fatal effects of his thoughless joke, he in a state of mind bordering on distraction. After so many who peex.rtueaniu similar accidents have occurred, doubtlessly many will attribute the blame to the p arents the gun within the reach of the children ; but t. will be considered as an following circumstance perhap s t lt i e o hf n et of his fault. A person called to borrow this gun f ro , the deceased's father, an d was to call for it in a f ew minutes. The father fetched the gun from his bed-room whereght b h e e always kept it, and p laced it i n the co rner that it might ready when the person borrowing it should call. Mrs. Mer cer was in the house with the children, and only went to fetch some coals to put on the fire, and in the instant of time that she was away. ANOTHER ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday last, two children of a weaver, at Ince, named Wv a ' there was a pot boiling o n Yana playing together, the fire, there was the iron which weavers dry their yarn w ith in the fi re, when the elder child accidentally took hold o f the handle of the iron and raised up the rfot, which on the younger child, llset, emptying the boili n g water scalding it on the breast, arms, &c. in e a dreadful ma nner ; the poor little sufferer lingered in agonis ing pain until Saturday night, the 15th inst, when it died. ABSENCE of MIN 13 .—A young gentleman, an enthnsiastic sportsman, of Warrington, was sitting in the parlour with his mother, when there - came a bird fluttering to a branch opposite the window, and pitched upon that far its resting place. The young sportsman was immediately seized with a desire to exercise his favourite vocation, and having a gun in the room, he deliberately loaded, capped, and fired, just missing the head of his mother, without ever its occurring to him that there was anything heavier or less elastic than air, between his gun and his victim, until the squares of the par lour window, smashed in a thousand pieces.--[The above is a fact The parties ars knows to oci REPORT.] LIVERPOOL INSTITUTION FOR CURING DISEASES OF THE EAR. No. 5, MOUNT-PLEASANT, NEAR THE ADELPRI HOTEL. Established August, 1839. Number of Patients who have been prescribed for, and who have obtained Surgical Assistance during the month of J'entiary Total since the commencement . . . . 121 . . . SlB Attendance on Tuesday and Saturday, at eleven o'clock Mr. Neill, Operating Surgeon. NONTII r 0 R T.j OPHTHALMIC INFIRMARY, SLATER-STREET, Established A.D. 1320. New Patients admitted in the month of Jan 2BO Patients prescribed for, and who have received Stu - gical , 88 Assistance during the month of Jan. Totai since the'coinmencernent.... 29,327 Dr. Edwards and Mr. Nell, Surgeons. Mr. W. P. Hutchinson, Treasurer. and spied f with M. • rn to de o be tided gust, er's tOe off. I t !(i with ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Manchester Monday Trening. The annual me e ti ng o f th e Chamber of Commerce took place this day, and was rather numerously attended. 3..8; Smith, Esq., the president of the chamber, filled the chair. A very lengthy report was presented from the board Of directors, of which the most important portions are sub joined. It entered into a detailed statement of the steps taken by the directors in reference to the following subjects : —Equalization of the duties on sugar and coffee; the duty on raw cotton ; the Manchester and. Birmingham extension railway ; timber duties ; the penny postage ; steam commu nication with India via the Red Sea; cultivation of cotton in India ; Mexico ; the Prussian League ; and the interruption of the trade with China. It then proceeded—.• " The board have j us t glanced at the principal subjects which have occupied their attention during the past year,— a year that will long be remembered for the extreme difficul ties and losses sustained by the capitalists of this aistrict, as well as for the privations and sufferings endured by great numbers of the industrious classes. The combined evils re sulting from a fluctuating scale of duties upon foreign corn, in first enhancing the price of food in the home market, and then causing a contraction of the currency in the sodden pay ment for a supply of grain from abroad, have, during the past year, inflicted upon the entire trading and industrious communities, a vast amount of embarrassment, - loss, and misery. In the midst of the distress brought upon us by the operation of an to wise and unjust law, it affords some consolation to observe the great progress which sound com mercial views have made in the public mind. When, a little above twelve mouths ago, a majority of this chamber publicly declared its hostility to the principle of imposing a tax upon the necessary food of the people, many persons were found who were opposed to any change whatever in the present law ; but, although differences may exist as to the ex tent of alteration necessary, the experience of the past year has forced, upon every enlightened and reflecting mind, the conviction that the present Corn.law must be repealed. The great and rapid change of opinion which has taken place upon this subject may, doubtless, in a great measure be at tributed to the persevering efforts that have been Made to rouse and enlighten the public mind upon this momentous question ; and the board have seen with satisfaction that the public spirit and i n t e lli gence o f i ts i n h a bi tants h ave ra i se d Manchester to the foremost rank among the hundreds •of towns which have united to effect the abolition of one of the most unjust and destructive laws :ever passed by the legisla ture of any country. " The board have purposely delayed the calling of a gene ral meeting of the members of the chamber, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning parliament for the repeal of the corn-laws, thinking it expedient to wait till after the late all-engrossing public demonstrations in Manchester. in favour of the same object, had taken place. They feel it, however, to be a paramount duty to give to the members an opportunity, at least once in each session of parliament, to petition for a repeal of this law, and they recommend their successors to take the earliest opportunity of calling a special general meeting of the chamber for this object. - " The present juncture calls for increased exertion on the part of this chamber to emancipate our council from the fetters with which its energies are hound. The tariff of the German league will shortly undergo a revision ; and upon the policy pursued by our government previously to 1842, frith' reference to the import duties upon the productions of Ger many, will depond whether we shall regain the rich - and extensive markets of central Europe for our manufactures, or whether they shall be for ever closed against us. it is expected that the' tariff of the United States will come under discussion in that country in the course of next year. A vast population has grown up in the interior states of the union, whose surplus production consists of corn and other' articles of food, their voice will go far to determine the cha, racter of the future commercial intercourse between America and this country. If wisdom direct our proceedings; we shall adopt'such a policy in regard to import duties upon the natural productions of the United States, as will secure to us increasing commerce with the people of that important country. The Brazilian treaty expires in about two 3ears, and the government of Brazil has already given notice that it will not consent to its renewal, and unless our diserimi nating duties, which operate as a prohibition against the ins . - portation of the coffee and sugar of that country be - relaied, we shall probably be excluded from that important market. Remembering that our exports of cotton goods to the Brazils exceed in amount those scut to any other country, it Will be seen that this is a subject of vast importance to the trading interests of this district. " Whilst still suffering a continuance of the long-pro tracted prostration of our manufacturing industry, it becomes a matter of the deepest importance to inquire how we are to create such a demand for our productions abroad as shall give the means of subsistence to this industrious community, and supply a profitable field of employment for our capital. ‘.‘ It ought not,to, be concealed, that most of the prosperity which we enjoyed in 1836, and the few previous years, was caused by an increase of credits, the offspring of an unnatu ral extension of banking and currency operations here and in America. Our manufactures were, in consequence, sent to the United States in far greater quantities than its people, under the existing law, which restricts the interchanges be tween the two countries, either required or could pay for ; and when an end was put to the system of credit, out of which this excessive importation into America arose, it was found that a very large amount of British goods was held there in stock, whilst, at the same time, a great increase of the manufactures of this country had, from the same causes, been going on. Our merchants bad also glutted almost eve ry distant market with their shipments. The excessive bank ing operations, in which this over-trading originated, are obviously not likely to be soon repeated, nor is it desirable that they should. The inquiry is therefore forced upon 14s, where shall we find other and more legitimate channels for an outlet for our manufactures ? "The board have given the most anxious consideration to this question, and they have arrived at the unanimous con viction, that, nothing but the removal of those legislative re strictions by which our commerce is impeded—nothing, in short, but the carrying out in practice that principle of free trade which has, for nearly twenty years, been theoretically only the rule of our commercial policy, can impart to this district a solid and durable prosperity." After some further proceedings, thanks were then voted to the Directors for their services of the past year, and to the Chairman, and the meeting broke up. GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. The following are, the Times of Departure fro m Li rue.street, Liverpool, and from Liverpool-road, Manchester : TIMES OF DEPARTURE. FROM LIVERPOOL AND NIANCIIFSTER TO BIRMINGHAM. 3 30 a.m. First Class, joins London Train at 8-30 a.m. 6 a.m. Mixed 12 8 15 a.m. First Class 1 /5 p.m. 10 30 a.m. First Class • 4 p.m. 12 15 p.m. First Class ,•,, 6. p.m. 9 4 p.m. Mixed 7 p.m. First Class FROM BIRMINGIIAM TO LIVERPOOL A?..,,TD ArANcirEstErt 2 15 a.m. First Class—Meets N. Union Train to Preston at Parkside. 6 a.m. Mixed Train do i 30 a.m. First Class - 2 15 p.m. First Class 245 p.m. First Ciass--Meets 1.71,10 n Train to Preston at Parkside. 3 30 p.m. Mixed 0 p.m. First Class On Sunday the Departures will b e 3 30 a.m. First Class, joins London Train at s 30 a.m 8 15 a.m. Mixed 10 30 a.m. 1 30 p. m , ~ • 7 p.m. „ 12 ... • 2 15 a.m. First Cl ass 7 30 a.m. Mixed 11 30 a.m. „ 245 p.m. „ The Trains on Sundays stop at First Class Stations Only. LIVERPOOL AND rggr CHESTER RNILN'VAX First Class Se con d Class PROM L 9 POOL TO MANCTIESTE.P.. - Morning.. 7 0 Morning 8 45 „ 10 0 19 11 0 90 1 1 45 „ 2 0 Aftern. .. 2 30 Aftern. 445 „ 530 „ 7 15 Evening .. 7 15 Mixed Stop only at Newton & Prkside 4, Except on Saturdays, when ti ON Sr First Class Second Class 1 S 0 Morning.. 7 0 Morning I 5 0 Aftern. .. 5 30 Aftern. 7 15 Evening .. 7 15 Mixed Stop only at Newton & Prkside I To PRESTON PROM LIVERPOOL. 8 43 Morning.. First Class 11 0 >. rt 30 2 4 Aftern.7 15 „ • • • MixedS .; r e s O t 1 I c d la C :s ass ON7 sut FROM MANCHESTER TO 1.'1'001.. First Class • Second Class ---7 Morning.. 7. 0 Morning 9 0 „ ..10 0 i 1 15 „ .. 1! 45 '99 2 0 Aftern. .. *2 45 Aftern. 5 0 „ .. 5 50 7.15 Evening.. 7 15 Mixed I Stop only at Newton & Prkside 5 his Train does not start till Three. NOA VS. First Class Second Class 8 0 Morning.. 7 0 Mornin 5 0 Aftern. .. 5 50 Aftern. 7 15 Evening.. 7 15 Mixed 1 . Stop only at Newton &Paside • AND WitiAN. , • , PROM MANPF. ITSTER-. 9 0 Morning... First Class 11.15 ~ .. ' '„ 2 45 Aftern. .. Second Class l 3 " r , • . :VI i X ed . I 7 15 ~ ' .. First - Clas s 7 0 Mornin fi .... M ix&d 5 :10' Afternoon .. • „ ~ .TON. , .: , 7 o Morning.... 'Mixed 530 Afternoon.. „ TO 330 PROM LIVERPOOL. 545 morning.. Drat Class 12 0 ,9 •• • • 9. 3o Afternoon .. Second Class 30 9, • . .. PROM MAMCIIESTER. 911 Morning.... Fimt Class 11 13 „' tt 45 Afternoon .°.:BBc6fad Class 5 30 .. • . y 4io ?di S - -. , Q Morning.... gl.lO Class 5 'Jo Afternoon lit LENS. • n PROM IUANCIIRCPtti. ow sul , o Morning.... Second Classii 5 30 Alternooll.. PI PROM LIVIRPOOL.TO ST. I 715 Morning Second Class 10 0 „ 11 2 30 Afternoo n 530 .. .. 11 7 30 Monting.;.,;..fieicond Class 10 0 „ 1145 ?' 2 45 Afternoou 5 39 "MAYS. I7 s 0 Morning.... SeCOTili Class 3 30 Afternoon.. ORN GAP. paom MANCIIESTRA. 7 30 Morning.... Second Class 11 45 5 30 Afternoon .. NDAVS. 7 0 Morning.... Second Class 30 Afternoon 0 Mornin on so g.... Second Class 5 :to Afternoon .. f• TO RUNG , FROM Livicayool.. 7 15 Morning.... Second Class 11 45 5 30 Afternoon .. ON sr, 7 0 Morning.... Second Class I S 30 Afternoon .. As soon as the stamped covers come into use, let every person sending a letter, the reply to which will be a favor to himself, enclose with his letter, a stamped cover for the reply. If stamps to be affixed to the outside of letters are'aiso used, it will be still easier to enclose one of these. AN ORIGINAL.-- A cotter's wife in a certain parish, read in the newspapers that " Pri nce Alb ert ' s N aturalisation Ex hibition Bill " had been brought up to the House of Lords. " God forfend us! " cried the horror-struck 01d..-woman— " can that be true ? Prince Albert's ta'en an Exhibition Bill (Bull) into the House o' Lords! There vrcgt sorely be a ring in his nose ! •"--4,yr Advertis er . • •• • .;• PISCATORY NOVELTY.--At Grove's, ,v,nuring.-eross, a parcel of fish appeared on the marblestick terl, For ViscOunt Melbourne," as follows —vl3. 3 .. sa ii nfam . 3 doz. smelts, 2 lobsters, 3 pairs soles, 31b. eels. Isn!ttbis some thing striking ? Smoke must soon appear ..at,,tisenSOP of the noble premier's kitchen chimney —we hope the f/Of brie ace will not be alarmed at this fact.--.Heraid...',l cf 3 ' 51 THE INVERNESS BURG ...PolortiVr4 .1120 new candidate on th e lib eral intere s t for this. di s t iig ketf burghs, arrived here yesterday in company withcMr.., e nd Ellice, jun. Esq. 1‘1..P Mr. Mo rr i so n and Afr.,liiii:r.rame by way. of Edinburgh, where they_ re mained: during': Sunday, and proceeded nor th nex t day by. the•. Perth ntril They have been visiting part of the . electors, and. -a.s. canvass over the Iyurglis.-.-Nra rl will immediately commenceov • . as Courier. •T4l able era 'the tion !s of 1 the Rfvr Ling. is fit plied 1 to- see be at .d to rede. Post, t, the it the . r of they