Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-03-11 00:00:00

lintOtru Eimtg. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1859. THE DAY'S NEWS, In the House of Lords, last night, Lord Stanley of Alderley, in presenting a petition, enquired whether any change was contemplated in the government of Singapore. The Earl of Carnarvon, in reply, said the matter was in negotiation. In the House of Com mons, Lord John Russell stated the terms of his intended amendment on the Government Reform Bill, which are as follows : " That this House is of opinion that it is neither just nor politic to interfere in the manner proposed by this Bill with the free hold franchise as hitherto exercised in Counties in England and Wales, and that no re-adjustment of the franchise will satisfy this house or the country which does not provide for a greater extension of the suffrage in cities and boroughs than is contemplated in the present measure." The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave an indication that the government would give way on the Forty Shilling Freehold portion of the Bill ; after which a debate ensued upon the late funding of Exchequer Bills, and a motion that no funding should in future take place without the special authority of an act of Parliament ; but the motion was withdrawn. Sir A. Elton introduced a series of resolutions for the extinction of Church Rates. Lord Bury called attention to the Newfoundland Fishery question, and Sir E. B. Lytton said that a mixed commission had been appointed for the .purpose of making enquiries on the spot. Meanwhile the captains of English and French vessels were instructed to act with the greatest forbearance. The steamer Indian arrived yesterday from Port land. There is some interesting news from Canada. According to the Toronto Globe, the Government is suffering from internal dissensions. The meetings of the Executive Council had lately become very stormy ; the leading members were known to be playing at cross-purposes ; so that altogether there was a likelihood that the Cabinet would commit suicide, if not speedily disposed of by the House. In the C ana di an Parliament, the Hon. S. Smith, P ostmaster-General, had introduced a series of resolutions, alarming the necessity of an address to her Majesty, on the subj . ect of subsidies to ocean steamers, The e object of the resolutions is Canadian line to claim for the of steamers at least equal consideration from the mother country with the line carrying the mail to the United States. They ask for no preference, but they do hope to be relieved from the great discouragement of competing upon unfair terms with the Cu line sustained by a subsidy from the British government of £BOO,OOO per annum. "Take all subsidies away," says Mr. Smith, "or put us on an equal footin g . fir Smith contends that Great Britain, by thus neglecti. Can ada, is counteracting all her former efforts in her n E To what purpose have costly canals and rail v : a u y s r. been built by British capital and avowedly for Im perial objects if you extravagantly subsidise shi ps which draw all trade from Canadian ports to New York and Boston. The money invested hi light houses, piers, wharves, canals, and railways is all sunk by their policy, and those who have guaran teed our debts are doing their best to make us bankrupt. Mr. Smith said that 7,Q00,000/ of our debt had been incurred in this way, the avoWed ultimate object of Great Britain being that the St. Lawrence should be the outlet of a trade which was to be drawn from the•opposite shores of the Pacific. The above is an extract from a Toronto correspon dent of a Montreal journal. Despatches from St. John's, N.F., state that Mr. Shea, Speaker of the Assembly, has resigned, in consequence of some obnoxious appointment in con nection with the Fisheries, and it is rumoured that a formidable attempt will now be made to break down the present government. The following is extracted from a speech of the Hon. Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia in answer to the Hon. Joseph Howe :—" As regards the ques tion of a Federal Union if the leader of the oppo sition had waited patiently until the government could bring down the papers and develope their action, he would probably have found that the course proposed would meet with the unanimous concurrence of this house, as, with reference to a Federal Union of the Provinces, I presume there is but one opinion in this country." We have San Francisco dates to the sth February. Business was brisk and money easy. There had been heavy rains, and the whole country was excessively muddy. News from the mines favourable. From Oregon intelligence is that the Indians are quiet. The Indians in Southern California were troublesome, and General Clarke was about to ' proceed with 500 men to chastise them. A bill to legalise decimal currency had been introduced in Vancouver's Island Assembly. Large amounts of merchandize were being smuggled into British Columbia from the adjacent American towns. Frazer River had risen several feet and was free from ice, and miners generally were at work. The Paris correspondent of the Daily News says : "It was inferred from the telegram that Lord Cowley's mission had substantially failed, and a great many sales were made under that impression. It must be admitted that if Austria intends to hold by the declaring of her official journal, there is an end of the expectations that she would consent to aban don her position in Central Italy. The renunciation of an obsolete clause in an old treaty with Naples appears to be the only concession which she is ready to make. However, later in the day, the rumour was set about, and found many believers, that— , notwithstanding the article of the Vienna Gazette —Lord Cowley had obtained important concessions which would probably be satisfactory. The Rente for account fluctuated in the course of the day between 69f. 20e. and 68f. 50c. It closed at 68f. 90c., with a rise of 5c., the favourable aspect of the news being less credited, as the bell rung, than it had been a few minutes before. Various reports were afloat as to the Vienna Metallics, some stating that they had fallen five per cent. to-day, and others that the fall was only a per eent. It is deplorable that the telegram from the Vienna Bourse, which so materially affects the market, should be kept back for the use of a few privileged speculators instead of being regularly posted for general information as soon as received. There was no ultimate change in the Rente for cash. Mobilier fell sf. There was very little alteration in the final quotations of the railways. At the Dock Board, yesterday, Mr. Smith's motion to rescind a resolution giving the contract for building offices on the timber land at the Canada Dock to Messrs. Robert Thompson and Co., was withdrawn, after a long discussion. A motion by Mr. Forwood to direct the solicitor to report upon all railway bills affecting Liverpool was also withdrawn. Mr. J. Pemberton Heywood yesterday intimated his consent to the request of the deputation who waited on him to solicit him to become a candidate for the southern division of the county, upon the retirement of Mr. William Brown. From the report of the medical officers of the borough, read at the Health Committee, yesterday, it appears that the public health is satisfactory, and that, although the deaths for the week ending Saturday were a few more than the preceding, the majority were very old persons, who died in the course of nature, and not from disease. Disease of all sorts is on the decline. There is literally nothing new from the Continent this morning. DOING AND UNDOING IN THE COUNCIL OUR report yesterday of the Town Council meeting contained a record of one act and deed which we cannot but consider very discreditable to our Muni cipal Parliament. It was the passing, by a majority of nearly two to one, of a motion to this effect,— " To rescind the following resolution of the Council, passed at their meeting on the 2nd inst., so far as relates to the appointment of a general superinten dent of the markets, viz., That a general superintendent of all the markets be appointed, at a salary not exceeding £3OO per annum."' Now this is as gross an instance of doing and undoing, in the short space of a few days, as ever threw disrepute upon any public body. One has a right to expect that men in the responsible positions of Aldermen and Town Councillors would take care that their votes were such on any occasion, that what they did one week they would not come forward and undo the next. It is no right way of transacting the public business, to veer about from one opinion to another, without any tangible reason, every few days, so that the votes of one meeting have to be rescinded at another. Surely there can be no due consideration of the matter in hand, when a vote deliberately given one week has to be upset the next. It is not as if anything had occurred to - point out a mistake—to Phew that they were not aware of something seriously affecting the question which had since come to light, Nothing of the kind can with any fairness be pleaded on this occasion. It was a matter of opinion —perhaps of conviction—then, in one direction ; and now it is only a matter of opinion in another and a totally opposite one. The appointment of a Superintendent of Markets was decided to be desirable then, and nothing has since taken place to make it otherwise. It was all very fine for a worthy Alderman to get up and repeat that " he considered the appointment so monstrous, that he did not see how any person could support it ;" that " he denied it would be attended with economy, but asserted that it would be more expensive ;" and that "it was also unjust to the present superintendents : there had never been any complaints made against them ; then why remove them ?" All this was utterly out of place ; for the question had been set at rest already by the Council having deliberately decided against it. More consistent, perhaps, was another worthy Alderman, who " expressed his regret that he had not been present at the last meeting to have given his opposition to the decision that was arrived at ; but, very unusually for him, he had been called away, and did not return until it was too late to record his vote." Yet he was bound, upon every principle of right and regular proceeding in a public body like a Town Council, not to lend himself to undo what a majority had in his absence formally and solemnly decided it was expedient to do. Certainly those who had become candidates for the appointment have very great reason to complain of their being thus made game of. No doubt they must have been put to great trouble, if not also some expense, in obtaining testimonials, and making other preparations. And now they are to be coolly told that the appointment for which they were invited to apply is not to be made ! Altogether, we repeat, it is a most discreditable affair. And hence he has had recourse to the old device o the artful,—"Assumed a virtue, though he had it not." The resignation of his Majesty's cousin, the Prince NAPOLEON, is perhaps the surest sign we have yet had of the Emperor's altered purpose ; and it is an act of deep significance. In one point of view, it may probably be meant to be regarded as an act of propitiation. The Prince has all along, it is understood, been the great instigator of war, and has, it is believed, done more than even his Imperial cousin to provoke an outbreak. He might, it is true, as the Emperor has done, have made a virtue of necessity, and have sought to propitiate by desisting. But then his position with the King of Sardinia is personally, if not politically, different. He has married Sardinia's Princess on the express condition of obtaining French assistance for that Power against Austria. He is therefore doubly, whilst Louis NAPOLEON was only singly pledged. And here is the awkward place in the latter's new position. He has set aside his virtual engagements to Sardinia, in renouncing his warlike objects,—if he really has renounced them. How he will get out of this dilemma with Sardinia remains to be seen ; though it is one with which he arid VICTOR EMANUEL have only to do, and they must settle it between them selves. But the Prince—VlCTOß EMANUEL'S son-in law—made such, in fact, as a war expedient - is al together, we repeat, differently situated. The least he could do was to resign his office under one who was playing false with so near a connection, and to whom he had put himself under such peculiar obliga tions. The real nature of the French Emperor's altered policy, —or, at least, profession of policy,—is the greater facility it affords for the successful mediation of England. Lord COWLEY'S mission to Vienna was one, it is confidently stated, purely suggestive. We hear that he was not the bearer of any kind of ultimatum, the reception or the rejection of which on the part of Austria was to decide the question of peace or war. " The nature of his non-official and not official mission," said the Memorial Diplomatique a day or two since, " excluded the presentation of any peremptory propositions. It is evident to all those who are conversant with diplomatic proceed ings that Lord COIiVLEY is more particularly charged to bring about between France and Austria a state of feeling sufficiently friendly to serve as the basis of an ulterior negociation, which would then assume an official character. In spite of the sinister prog nostics which the manufacturers of news are pleased to propagate," adds that semi-official journal, " we are happy to learn that the negociation confided to Lord CowLEY has already made an important pro gress. Certain principles are said to have been admitted on both sides, and this preliminary under standing will give rise to counter propositions, the sole object of which will be to determine the bearing and the application of the principles so accepted." So that, if this be true, the altered tone of the French Emperor, and the consequent resignation of his Majesty's cousin, the Prince NAPOLEON, may at any rate be traced directly to Lord COWLEY'S mission. It may, at the same time, be true, as we see it stated in some of the latest Continental advices, that the firmness of Austria, combined with the disposition of the German States to assume a strong attitude, has induced both France and Sardinia to moderate their demands; while the preparations for hostilities have been discounte nanced, both by the banking and mercantile interests, in Paris and the departments, whose transactions have already been seriously prejudiced by the unto ward course of events. These several influences have very probably had their effect. Yet it is very doubt ful if they would have prevailed, but for the diplo matic efforts of the British Government, acting in harmony with public opinion both here and on the Continent. Still there remains, after all, the Italian question to be settled, not only as it bears upon Sardinia, but upon the Papal States. It is become already a sub ject of alarm, that the very evacuation of those States by foreign troops may give the greater oppor tunity for the success of French intrigue; for, as it has been with only too much semblance of truth observed, " as it now appears that France has a right to interfere wherever there is a cause, just or unjust, to defend, it is obvious that Austria cannot cross her frontier to put down disturbances without provoking the immediate hostility of France." So that the inferences of the same writer are perhaps but too reasonable, or too palpable, when he goes on to say, —" on the whole, the evacuation adds but little to the prospects of peace. It is true that the measure was demanded by Lord CLARENDON at the Congress of Paris, and that no plausible reason can be fur nished for the permanent occupation of a foreign territory. But the interference which the Central Italians have really cause to deprecate will exist as long as the Catholic Powers guarantee the per petual immunity of the Pope. A just or plausible demand becomes odious when it is put forward for the purpose of hastening on an unnecessary quarrel. It is evident that the French Government has not spent several millions, and caused universal alarm at home and abroad, for the sole purpose of improv ing the condition of the Legations. When the ostensible cause of quarrel is removed, there will be abundant complications behind ; and already the official press of Paris is deprecating the assumption that the concessions offered by Austria will furnish a solution of existing difficulties."* OIL TUESDAY next, the 15th instant, at Half-past One o'clock, at the Commercial Saleroom, Temple-court, 237 Boxes American BACON, Apply to Messrs. Wakefield, ex Henry Clay, from N Nash, and Co., Merchants ; or to Apply to GEORGE BADENACH and SON, Brokers On TUESDAY, the 15th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at 2, Dale-street, 500 Bales JUTE, 50 „ Bombay HEMP. BROWNE, HUNTER, and Co., Brokers Apply to On THURSDAY, the 17th instant, at Twelve o'clock precisely, at the Brokers' Saleroom, 54, Hanover-street, SO Bales Paraguay TOBACCO, _ all faults, all faults, Columbian 3 8-1 51 60 „ G 8 at-Liid Greek Palmyra PP 3 Cases stripped German „ 2 „ Flat-laid do. „ 15 Boxes Cavendish lf 7 Hhds. Kentucky leaf „ 9 Tierces Maryland • PT lying in bond in H.M. Tobacco Warehouse, King's Dock.—For further particulars, apply to EDWARD SAMUELSON and PIKE, Tobacco Brokers. TT ISTORY OF THE WORKING CLASSES, Every Saturday, in the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES, Price Ote-Af'enny. ommercial sales. THIS DAY Tins DAY, the 11th ins , ant, at Twelve o'clock, at J. H. Rayner and Co.'s Office, 16, Exchange-buildings, About 1,200 Bales fine JUTE, open for inspection, in Fielden's, Rumford-street, and Campbell's, Grad-well-street, —Apply to Messrs. Fielden, Brothers, and Co., Merchants ; or to J. H. RAYNER & Co., Brokers. THIS DAY, the 11th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 16, Exchange-buildings, 300 Bags American Red CLOVERSEED, 30 Bags Timothy SEED, 50 llhds. fine new Dutch sowing FLAXSEED. RAYNER and Co., Brokers Apply to THIS DAY, the 11th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 16, Exchange-buildings, 568 Barrels American ROSIN, ex Alexander, from Charleston.—Apply to J. H. RAYNER and Co., Brokers THIS DAY, the 11th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 7, Exchange-chambers, 6 Barrels Fine American BEES' WAX, now landing per Fidelia, from New York.—Apply to FRANCIS J. EATON, Broker. NEXT WEEK On MONDAY next, the 14th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 3, Exchange-alley North, Chapel-street, About 100 tons LINSEED CAKE, ex Emma, from Marseilles.—Apply to Messrs. Mahler, Brs., and Sultzberger, Merchants ; or to THOMAS SILL, Broker. NEXT MONTH On THURSDAY, the ith April next, at Twelve o'clock, at the Public Saleroom, Exchange-buildings, 300 Chests Bengal INDIGO, consisting of consumers and shippers.—Apply to Messrs and John Brocklebank, Merchants ; or to T. and H. LITTLEDALE and Co., Brokers NOTICF M If 160 Boxes ORANGES marked 11 o and 25 Boxes Bitter ORANGES marked 8 1 % . shipped at Messina, by Edward Oates and Nephew; and also 205 Boxes Bitter ORANGES, marked W. D. B. shipped at Messina, by John Sofio, all consigned to order, by the steamer Mceander, which arrived here on the 2nd instant, are not claimed before Monday next, the 14th instant, they will on that day be Sold by Public Auction, for account of whom it may concern. JOHN BIBBY, SON, and Co. Liverpool, 10th March, 1859 Oa cafe, JAMES BANKS, CASTLE-BUILDINGS, DERBY"-SQUARE, LIVERPOOL. FENCING WIRE, Black, Bright, and Galvanised; TELEGRAPH WIRE and SIGNAL CORD, Wholesale and for Exportation. TO EXPORTERS AND BOTTLERS. ON SALE, William Whitwell and Co.'s INDIA PALE AND MILD ALES, in first-rate condition. PARRY and CO., Agents Stores-15, North John-street. AMERICAN SOLACE. CHARLES TURMEALT AMERICAN SOLACE. AMERICAN SOLACE. 1 CHARLES TURMEAII AMERICAN SOLACE. AMERICAN SOLACE. } CHARLES TURMEAL' AMERICAN SOLACE. TO CORRESPONDENTS, fader no circumstances can we insert communications not accompanied by the author's real name and address, not neces sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, &c.—TIIIS DAY ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE—Madame Celeste. HENGLER'S CIRQUE VARlETE—Miscellaneous Attractions. THE PARISIAN GALLERY OF ANATOMY, Paradise-street. MANDERS' MENAGERIE Foot of Shaw's-brow. ROYAL COLLOSSEUM.—Miscellaneous Attractions. For particulars see advertisements on Bth page. THE FRENCH EMPEROR PACIFIC Louis NAPOLEON has at length hoisted the white flag,-- we will not say, as some of our contemporaries are insinuating, that he has shewn the white feather : we believe that lie would have fought, if he had not found it inexpedient to do so at present ; and the important question, next to that of peace or war itself, is what really constituted the inexpe diency. In our humble opinion, as we have said before, it was nothing more or less than his finding the public opinion of Europe too strong for him. * Saturday Review, t CiviLisEn AMERICA :" By Thomas Colley Grattan, late her Brittanic Alajesty's Consul for the State of Massachussetts. THE NORTHERN TIMES, FRIDAY, IVIARCH 11, 1859 CIVILISED AMERICA, CIVILISED AMERICA t is the title of the last English work on the United States ; and it is one that possesses strong claims to the attention of those who take an interest in the material and social progress of that great country, and in the results of that peculiar political system which is in course of trial there upon so magnificent a scale. The author had opportunities of no ordinary kind, for acquiring a knowledge of his subject. A residence in the country for many years, in a public capacity, and with the personal advantage of moving in an extensixe social circle, and one in which he has constantly brought into familiar intercourse with the native notabilities of the day, afforded him means of forming his opinions of men and things, the most intelligent and the most instructive which could well be enjoyed. The work is designed, the author states, to be " a practical essay on a great nation"— " a record of events, a gallery of portraits, and a miscellany of opinion ;" and in all this it is most valuable, because it is so reliable. It is further described to us as "the result of several years' acquaintanceship with the people of whom it treats, a people easy of access, but difficult to un derstand, offering to the observer a mass of incongrui ties, and swayed by agitations which defy a steady description." Such is the character of the work-- such, too, was the way of acquiring the qualification for describing the peocle and their institutions, of which it treats. It incidentally inculcates an impor tant moral; and this it is whic.h induces us thus prominently to notice it. The moral of such a work would at any time be instructive,—a work telling so much truth respect ing the New World and in a way to be understood by the Old. But at the present conjuncture of our own country it has a seasonable importance. There is a popular yearning among us, if not after republican institutions, yet after that which, republican in principle, and in spirit, would in no long time lead to the adoption of such institutions. And here, in these interesting volumes, we have it clearly demonstrated to us that " the democratic forms of America are widely inconsistent with the interests, traditions, and capabilities of European nations,"—and that " to force those forms upon the people of the Old World would be almost impossible, and could be effected only at the cost of a struggle more terrible than the object is worth ." So that the work is eminently calculated to en lighten the public mind of England regarding a country to which many are looking with interest and much hope, and to show it how the case really stands with various matters and things, political and social, which it is sought to introduce among our own people. The political institutions of the American Republic, in their operations, and in their effects, as seen and felt in every day experience, are such as must not only be most distasteful to the English mind, but most injurious to the English character. " Subser viency to party," it is shewn, " is the general disgrace of American statesmen, scarcely one of whom takes up for conscience sake a position opposed to the faction to which he has pledged himself." Again, it is described, how " the men who seek public distinction, do so more for the love of place than the love of truth. Their ambition is for gain rather than for glory." And see what is the :natural consequence, " scarcely an individual of independent fortune enters the political ranks. Almost all public men are adventurers in America. Politics are with them a speculation, not a sentiment. They consequently bend to the prevailing opinion of the party they espouse, and they espouse that party from interest, not principle. Faction has absorbed the public morals of the State is a mockery. Every question, to excite a general sympathy, must become a question of profit and loss; and it is in proportion as it resolves itself into a consideration of money, that it attracts attention." Now no one here in England, we are sure—no one, at any rate, whose opinion is worthy of any attention —will say that this is a desirable state of things, but very far otherwise. But it is an unavoidable result, it would seem, of the preponderance of the demo cratic element which so thoroughly pervades their whole political system. Patriotism In a social point of view the irresistible influences of such a system are anything but inviting. " There is no where," it is frankly conceded, " a class of people having truer elements of happiness than the rich inhabitants of American cities. No real good of life, suited to their condition, is beyond their reach. They may have education, accomplishments, luxuries, and refinement. They may relieve distress, foster talent, encourage the arts, ornament their native places, and perform enduring acts of beneficence. But these nobler paths of ambition are too wide for them to walk in. They require the narrower ways of a niggard ostentation, in which they may meet no obstruction from the vulgar herd. They must stand aloof or move apart." And such being his convictions derived from his own knowledge of a people with whom he lived so long on friendly and familiar terms, he is constrained to declare, " for his own sake, and for that of all who have the means of enjoying even the moderate refinements of Europe, that he should be sorry to exist for ever under such a system as that of which he has related his experience,"—a declaration which he accompanies with a disclaimer of any desire to treat his subject flippantly, or to speak with asperity of those in whose society he for so many years lived and moved. The end of the wkole matter, as regards the Americans themselves, is the entreaty of them to ponder well the following laconic truths, which involve a few of those practical lessons which Englishmen may learn from the study of republican institutions,—to wit, that " Aristocracies are built on the indestructible rights of property. Demo cracies on the indefeasible rights of liberty. And as wealth, tending to corruption, is the basis of misrule ; so freedom, while fostering virtue, is that of good government. The few must always be the rich ; the poor the many. Then if property become practically more sacred and stronger than liberty, the few will assuredly become oppressors, and the many be enslaved." LIVERPOOL AND THE RAILWAYS. THERE can be no question, after now nearly thirty years' experience of Railways, that they have, upon the whole, done much for the interest of the port and town of Liverpool. But it is equally unquestionable that they have, at the same time, done so much for certain other places, which may be regarded as competitors with Liverpool in the race of maritime and commercial progress, that it is evident there must be no sacrificing of local advantages, for either personal or national objects, if we are to maintain that pre-eminence which the mercantile enterprise of many years has gained for the place. London, Glasgow, Hull, Fleetwood, Southampton, Milford, and other and minor places, have been brought by the Railway system into competition, more or less direct, with Liverpool ; and if we do not, therefore, look closely to our own local interests, we shall assuredly, in no long time, be most injuriously interfered with. Before that system came into general operation, Liverpool, from its superior facilities of access from the great seats of the cotton and woollen manufactures of Lancashire and Yorkshire, the potteries of Staffordshire, and the iron and coal of the inland counties and of Wales, secured probably not less than three fourths of their various and extensive products for exportation. But now, the other places we have named, having, through similar means of locomo tion, gained advantages which enable them to compete with us as ports of shipment for the staple products of these important districts, we are placed in a very different, and much more critical position. Most undoubtedly; then, as was ably argued in our columns, by a corrc:spondent, a day or two since, one must come to this very grave conclusion, —"that if Liverpool is to retain, much more if she is to extend her trade, whilst she has so many rivals, she must be made as cheap a port for the transit in and out of produce as possible." The revenue and the expenditure are already about balanced, and the Mersey Board is committed to a large outlay for new works, to meet the prospect of an expanding trade, and to such new works must involve a large annual addition to her expen diture on interest. But there is another consideration which it is impossible to resist. Not only must Liverpool be made as cheap a port, but as accessible, and in all respects as convenient, as possible, " for the transit in and out of produce;" and also for passenger and general traffic. This is the great end that ought, first and above all, to be looked to, in every thing that is done by Liverpool men, with regard to the Railways coming in the direc tion of the town, with which they may happen to be connected. Large dividends upon their shares are no doubt very desirable, provided they can be legitimately obtained. But it is infinitely more desirable that they should ever be ready to make even that a secondary consideration, when the immediate interests of their town have to be pro moted. We would fain hope that it is this motive which has actuated our Chamber of Commerce to petition Parliament against the amalgamation of the Lancashire and Yorkshire and East Lancashire Railways,—that their opposition to it arises from a consideration that, by creating a monopoly, it would operate unfavourably to our local interests. And upon similar ground it is, that, as was pointed out in our columns by another corres pondent, the Liverpool Stations Junction Bill, also before Parliament, should be carefully attended to, especially in connection with the sub ject of the extension of the line from Garston to Liverpool, so as to secure an additional outlet in that direction, and more particularly in further ance of the Great Northern's efforts to give us another complete line to London. Under a deep sense of the importance of such an advantage as this, we cordially concur in the remark, that although, " the Great Northern Company may be satisfied to coalesce with the London. and North 'Western, yet any arrangement that may have the effect of again confining our business with London, by act of Parliament, to the one line, should be closely watched by the Chamber of Commerce, and by the traders generally." Looking to the security advantage in another direction, one cannot but regret that the Chester and Birken head. line is not in a better plight. One of a similar may even participate in the regret, on its account, that the dock works at Birkenhead are not being prosecuted with even more energy to secure their completion within the time prescribed by the Act of Parliament, notwithstanding that the several questions between the Directors and the Birkenhead Commissioners have been amicably arranged. But it surely cannot be that the Great Western and Chester and Holyhead Companies are treating this important branch fairly, or they would not be parties to imposing upon it so exorbitant a sum as £16,000 a-y ear for its accommodation at the Chester station, — an amount, as was shown, equal to 16s 8d per cent. on the entire capital. These companies obtain direct access to Liverpool by the line to Birkenhead ; and it is thereby a most important feeder to their respective railways, that certainly ought, in common justice, to be taken into account, which it would scarcely appear to have been done, on assessing the charge at the Chester station. All such matters as these, we; say, bear closely upon the interests of Liverpool ; and the Chamber of Commerce, and even the Town Council, may give their attention to them, we are persuaded, often with great advantage to the town. It is most important to gain all that is attain able in the way of means of intercourse by railway with every quarter of the kingdom, if Liverpool is to maintain its maritime and mercan cantile pre-eminence. Other and rival places are making astonishing advances through such means ; and we must secure them for ourselves also, as fully and effectually as it is possible to do, or we shall assuredly be left behind in the great and keenly-contested race of commercial progress. THE COURT The Prince Consort rode on horseback on Wednesday, attended by Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge. Prince Leopold and Princess Louisa took a carriage drive. The Princess Alice, the Duke of Montrose, the Earl of Derby, and the Earl of Malmesbury, dined with the Queen last evening at Buckingham Palace. The Berlin journals contain the following interesting notification : " The birth of our son has been hailed in all parts of the country by sympathies which will remain as deeply engraven upon our hearts, as the reception given us a year ago at the time of of our marriage. We do not think we could choose a better day than that of the baptism of our child for addressing to the whole country our warmest thanks for the joy it has displayed, and for the cordial con gratulations to which it has given so touching an expression. May we, with the help of God, raise up our son for the honour and happiness of our dear country. " Berlin, sth March, 1859. _ " FREDERICK WILLIAM, . " Prince of Prussia, " VICTORIA, " Princess Frederick William of Prussia, Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland." LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. LIST OF PASSENGERS per Ethiope.—Mr. Van Veersore, from Cape Coast Castle ; Dr. Thompson, Mr. I. Loventhal, Mr. T. M. Sherrington, from Sierra Leone ; Lieut. Moffatt, from Gambia; Mr. Dothridge, from Madeira; 13 seamen and one boy from Sierra Leone. FRIGHTFUL.—A fellow asked another yesterday, in the Police Court, What relation is the State of Virginia to th• Married State ?" and the reply was, " the same relation that Peg-top Trousers are to Manslaughter." There was terrific sensation about the place, and three persons were carried out swooning ! and strait jackets were ordered for a dozen !!! IMPORTANT TO STAMMERERS.-Mr. Stafford, founder and only professor on scientific and experimental principles for the Removal of Impediments in Speech, having been eminently successful during the last thirty-eight years, as may be seen by his recently published pamphlet of testi monials and cases, which may be had gratis (by respectable families and individuals) on application to Mr. Stafford, 82, Russell-street (late of Alfred-street), Liverpool. Mu. ANDERTON AND MR. ELLis. —We are generally against increases of official salaries, when the payment comes out of the pockets of the people, but the advance made by the Corporation, in the salaries of the above gentle men, are well bestowed. They are both most deserving officers, obliging, and affable, but above all, they are intel ligent and highly efficient in their offices, and really deserve the advance, for they have heavy and important duties to discharge iu their departments. MUNIFICENT DONATIONS OF THE MAYOR OF LIIiRPOOL TO THE LOCAL CHARITIES.--41r. William Preston, the Mayor of Liverpool, who is allowed £2,000 a ye,ar, to maintain the dignity and hospitality of his office, after 1 2 ;ving aside the sum actually expended in the year bY 3 70 or for carriages, &c., has handed over the sum of £l,.eir, to the various charities, the cost of the civic hospitori tl e d on even a more bountiful s c a l e than usual, being deftai a A n ta. d A e l v A e T red Ho h p i n s HALL. — Ye sterday of his o . o'n purse.---Evening Express. Y lec e Pr P ores:o E r sscs A li li Hall, on " America); Life and Literature." The chair 7 0 occupied by Mr. BWinthal. The audience was nel numerous as the lecture de:iierved, but those who Were. attendance must have been struck by the acute discernnA powers of the lecturer, as he brov,!rht before their node? t;i2 literature of America. As Professor* Allan is comps unknown unknown in Liverpool, we might here mention that fewire tsurteredayineviienleilig the many lecturers who from time to time vis it calculated to leave an impression on the minds of an , s h i 4 ence, from the practical manner in which he deals witn,ich subject. The lecture of last evening was one frail' r ile d more information was to be obtained than from a lengW e sojourn in the middle of American life. COUNTY COURT, Yesterday.—(Before J. K. Blair, 1 ' 5 0 41 Judge.)—A TAILOR'S Birm..--Mogford and A.ntwis V. 105 Armitage. This was an action' to recover the sum 0 e lls, for goods made and delivered. The plaintiff's 1 - 4 , tailors in this town, and the defendant is captai n of ,', Havana. Mr. lime appeared for the plaintiff's, and .5 Atkinson for the defendant. It appeared that the Sew were supplied in 1841, and the defendant pleaded A for , statute of limitations, also that the goods had been paiudant It was stated by one of the plaintiff's, that the defers be could not be found by them after the debt became d ue ' in „ being mostly at sea. The defendant did not appe-,case court, but his father was called in evidence. Ti le e resulted in a nonsuit. There were a number of other etts disposed of, but were not possessed of any public illlereSL. WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The weekly was held on Wednesday, at the West Derby work, house, Mr. Abrahams in the chair, and the other nienLoc present were—Messrs. Wensley, Parkin, Woods, Kirkus, Marsh, I. Edwards, Richmond, Ledge r ' Medcalf. Cheques for out-door relief were drawn, follows : Mr. Potts, £l3O ; Mr. Olney , £36; an - , the Lythgoe, £23. Mr. Gough, the governor, reporte d 6: number of paupers in the workhouse to be—last week , ' w oe admitted since, 21 ; discharged, 23 ; dead, 2 ; in the 11°10 this week, 656, of whom 361 belonged to T o xteth - P sr o f corresponding week last year, 702. Mr. Hall, initst:i rst the hospital, reported the number of patients in thellesr9; to be -last week, 115 ; admitted since, 8 ; discharge u tA n g dead, 5; in the hospital this week, 109 ; corresP oll ",.s, - week last year, 125 On the motion of Mr. Abrallsri Mr. Hall was appointed master of the hospital, subj ec. three months' notice. of LIVERPOOL REFORM CLUB. The first meeting, the Liverpool Reform Club, for the purpose of e u "'•„,ht , sion, took place in the club debating room last lei There was a very large attendance. Mr. J. It.,., le , e re' presided. The subject of discussion was the "u ° lo, ment Reform Bill," and a very animated debate took which was kept up until after ten o'clock. The foll e ,„"iy: motion was finally proposed, and carried unanime7died " That, in the opinion of this meeting, the rel is se ;bet Reform Bill introduced into the House of Commons Tot, Majesty's Government is highly unsatisfactory se nt because it disfranchises at least 100,000 of the P re the freeholders. Secondly, because it does not recognise git ust claims of the working classes. Thirdly, bece n :o places the boroughs entirely at the mercy of the ' le l tlf' classes, by giving votes to non-residents. And , ' es b or becanse by the introduction of voting papers, as a toil tote for the ballot, the electors may be readily intitnld e of and coerced." The proceedings closed with a g thanks to the chairman. The next discussion w.' mee t pg of place on Wednesday evening. . 11g WORKHOUSEWOUKOUSE COMMITTEE.—The usual weekly meet ti n 8 this committee was held yesterday, Mr. CI- were" Cropper in the chair. The other members present . 4y recl , Messrs. Smith, Gair, Critchley, Denton, Bairstow , t tsil Owen, Crellin, and Peck. The medical officer reP ° that the number of deaths in the establishment, du la week ending Bth inst., was 29, of whom 5 were Tn e f ots. women, 1 child above two years' of age, and 13 3 1 s of The number of patients under treatment last w e t ! d edf 682 ; new cases admitted since, 152; cured and dise'l.ith 4 4 , 153 ; now remaining under treatment, 662; of w hi t e r 0, 1 were fever, 20 itch, and 5 small pox cases. The In as thig the vagrant sheds reported that there were relieved ill t o department, during the week ending sth inst'' a ls following destitute persons-170 males, 76 females, nu ife eY children ; total, 261; showing an increase over lastoo in males 3, females 10, being a nett increase of 13. of, compared with the corresponding week of last year 9 bo ise appeared a decrease of 23. The governor's return s „,00 that the number in the h ouse l as t wee k was 9,292; 11 749 9, this week 2,194, b e i ng a d ecrease on th e last week - or and a decrease of 533 when compared with the 0 00 0 ponding week of last year. A sample of soup ma de W' a small quantity of peas, which were recommended Il e to Robertson Gladstone, was submitted to the comm it" decide whether it could be used as food for the Pe l l The committee were unanimous in its condemna ti° e ;b l6 unfit for human food. It was quite black and &sag o f in appearance. The rem a i n d er o f th e business Wa's routine character. eta lu `WIVES.—Great changes are taking pl ac e every Y ts sts the consumption of Wines in this country, and the..,04 for sitting down for many hours after dinner and dr v 7, to heavy and intoxicating wines is happily fast giv,.ell ak ee the use of good wholesome light wines, which, if "`i.ve moderation, assist digestion and act as a restorsolhol delicate health. But it is worthy of attention a nd es s ot call forth some explanation, that the use of wines a°, 0 0 . 1 increase in proportion to the population and aee,nt s ecf; of wealth in this country. The panic of 1857, r'';l the consumption of wines considerably, showing at l i k, r tag,„ past year, in comparison with 1857, a decrease in ',. wines of 383,209 gallons, in Spanish 119,942 gs', otb e `, French 50,494 gallons, and the produce of 1 105 ", tl l , ll. countries in proportion, whilst the only excepted Oor shows an increase, is in wines from the Cape of Goe the to the extent of 270,100 g a llo ns . F or th e last ten /,°: o the' consumption of Portugal wines, in comparison NV' ; A i 1 11 1 , 11 countries, has fallen off very considerably, and SP B7 ses ° remained stationary, whilst the use of lighter ''esrli France, Sicily, and the Cape of Good Hope h °g f tbe °B , 4 doubled, and w ill d ou btl ess go on i ncreasi ng, ioei countries continue to send us some good wholesome ed s by far the largest quantitie s o f w i nes are no w Co s esti!" , meals and not after as in former years, and conse t l%tion s ' preference will al wa y s b e g i ven t o th e lighter desef i r ta di e For this statistical information we are Indebte d °f 30/ Annual Circular of Messrs. W. a n d A. Gin*, 1 )0 1 11 / Oxford-street, London, and of Dublin and -b rial jar, 311 ivhich house, by official returns, paid duty last Y ° 5 6,6 3 South African Wines alone, to the extent of o f gallons. k dfl° HISTORIC SOCIETY. —A meetin g o f th e literary_ .„. c 5 this society w as h e ld l as t evening, James Wo-e-koogr" s l M.D., in the chair. Th e f o ll ow i ng donations were a WI lodged by the s e cre t ar y :—" Th e P rocee di ngs of ,t ll , e t i s tiosi Society," vo l. i x ., N o . 33 , " Th e J ourna l o f the o ` 3 l . o sl° Society," vol. x x ii., p ar t 1 , an d " Th e Q uar t er ly P u mr. the Geological Society," vol. xv., part 1, No. 57. sir " E. Smith read a d escr i p ti on o f a large and i n terest'l bee ri t i of ancient Blitish i m pl emen t s i n stone. TheL.lidigsmt found during th e l as t t wen t y or t hi rty years by -11,fhotald Tindall, of Yo r k an d B r idli ng t on ( w h o kindly sez . 0 5 7, exhibition), in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I t „ a t that there lay a dist r ict th ere very lit t l e k no w, eve- a ocei", sent, contiguous to the sea, and w hi c h was inhabited, ,00s ing to Ptolemy, by a tribe called the Par i t implements, the ch as e, an d d ome stic n s— a ddi i l J,",,t collection displayed. It i nc l u d e d, in o f to celts and hammers o f s t one , a l arg e numb,e e fro ni weapons, comprising every form of arrow-hena/ with rudely edged splinter t o th e ar ti s ti ca lly f o rmed bar bteethea great variety of the larger javeline and spear heads/ s i t % a s / with knives, saws, and sling stones, in -various persl . shape. Mr. William Wallace .Fyfe editor of the s ofa/ County Chronicle, exhibited, th roug h Mr Ecr ° Y d tor, jce l some Roman articles in pottery, painted In ° .A . nr oest er ' recently exhumed from the castle grounds at l ' be a P re t ; many others of a more perfect character having oons't sented by Mr. Lawrence, the governor of the _ se d museum. Among the objects shown was one corarriag a bronze ring, connected with plates of zinc, for s a e a " . Th i : a large cortex or cork, a portion of which still rem ains ' of , e article was presumed to have formed the stoppe r o f to_ amphora, or large vessel, used to supply the tam 3 00 06 ancients with wine or water. The paper for Old Set; was on "Runic Inscriptions, Anglo-Saxon a nye rsar! n g dinavian," by Mr. Alexander Craig Gibson. A e l • t neen ensued on the reading of the paper, after which ' ./ adjourned. , LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY C OUR T —YesteruS is os Mr. Commis s io ner P err y.) —R e H. MinnetrY• : an kruPtli a e d adjourned application f or a cer tifi ca te. The and applies been a fancy soap ma nu f ac t urer i n Duke-street,, was for his certificate six months ago, but the pe tition re oe t t o o ti adjourned, as the assets of the bankrupt did n ot perab er o •n, amount of £l5O required by the act. gr. _ AO O 4 appeared yesterday for the bankrupt to renew O r e W o beri a and Mr. Yates appeared for the assignees. l‘ in kru pt d r to contended that, although the assets of the ban po jtion to fact only realize £l3B 19s. 4d., yet he was ili n d a tFii al i f i s ed show that the estate had been sacrificed, a re , s t proper amount had been received it would ha_ . ! o2 .ot , ' • more than the requisite sum. He stated that, 4 1 3 .160; int things a press, which cost £34, was s old fete_ 5 01 a, wrought iron pan, which cost £23 10s, w a s solo w s £5 4s 4d ; and a shandry, which cost £5 s s/ _ t ad not ' ce 17s 6d. He urged that, if an estate which nut o tr °d t g b e realised more than £l5O, was sacrificed so ar bor() y 0 s in smaller amount, the bankrupt ought not ', a a l as Ills() deprived of the benefit of the act. The es' n -t to re t he adjourned for six months, t enable the bankr jo °teat"' the additional amount 'required, with Pr • pu le' meantime. .Re cad Ikaiadon; The bankrupt'