The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

FIRST-CLASS GOODS TwENTY PER CENT. BELOW MANUFACTURER'S PRICES. FLECTRO and SHEFFIELD PLATE, -CUT LERY, IRONMONGERY, BRASS, COPPER, and TIN WARE, at the above great reduction, in order to clear out, immediately, the Stock of the late Mr. W. Drury. 23, CASTLE STREET SERVANTS WANTING SITUATIONS PERSONS WANTING SERVANTS, should Advertise in the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES, CHARGE SIXPENCE Published every morning, at 19, South John-street, Liverpool, and 9, Princess-street, Manchester. TO CORRESPONDENTS. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer ; not necessarily for _publication, but as a guarrantee of his good faith. ~ lire cannot undertake to return rejected communications. All communications, Books for Review, etc., to be for warded to the Editor must be addlessed to the Publisher, CHARLES WILLMER, and those from London may be sent to the care of Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. Riirttru 13gitii fg)ittito. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1853 " IT is certain," says the Morning Post of yester day, " that the forces of England and France, having entered the sea of Marmora, cannot quit it with honour till the Pruth be recrossed by the invader of the territories and of the rights of our ally." War, then, is no longer probable only; it is cer tain. This is the conviction of the French embassy in London; and, on a calm review of the present aspect of affairs, as developed by the latest intel ligence from Constantinople, Vienna, and Paris, some ingenuity and even imaination will be want ing to suggest a doubt of the substantial accuracy of this melancholy conclusion. There is only one hypothesis that can invalidate it. That is, of an order being given for the Russian troops to repass the Pruth and retire within the dominions of their own sovereign. But apart from the humiliation which such an order would imply, the same " latest intelligence " leads us to infer that such an order is a most improbable contingency. In the first place contracts have been entered into, and pro vision made, for the Russian forces to go into win ter cantonments, and, in the next, a considerable body of troops has been moved nearer the Danube, thus encroaching yet further within the territories of Turkey. Besides, the Russian Emperor is at this moment in conference with the Emperor of Austria at Olmutz, and a numerous band of diplo matists ; and the order for the troops to retire, ii given at all, would not be given until the close of their deliberations. In succeeding numbers we shall endeavour to give our readers, from official sources, a correct view of the means at the disposal of Austria to en dure the contest which seems impending. Let it be borne in mind, that she is not embarking in the conflict, as she did during the French revolution, to resist aggressions upon her own dominions, but to aid it against the territories of a nominal power. Her quarrel with Turkey is not a just one. The elements within her do not arm her for it ; and European opinion is opposed to the policy she is adopting, Under such circumstances it is madness in her rulers to_ unite at this moment and upon such a question with Russia. But, we hope, her election is not finally made. With regard to this country we readily a dmit that we are under grave obligations to maintain Peace we desire to maintain : but we do vary in its operations, according to the circum- stances, prosperous or advers occasion THE subject of STRIKES has a peculiar interest a the present moment. It must always have ar intimate bearing upon the commerce and manufac tures of the country. Even at this time, when on] free commercial policy is yet developing itself, anc the transition from restriction to freedom, it the practical results of that policy, is still going on it certainly deserves more than ordinary attention That the general prevalence of strikes just nov affords evidence of prosperity, cannot, we think, b( questioned. There is undoubtedly a reversal o the old order of things, under which the producing classes of this country restraint instead of liberty, was the characteristi of our commercial system. The demand in the market of labour exceeds the supply. We are not blind to the fact, that some other causes have been at work besides an unrestrictive policy, to produce , of each particular It is not, then, too much to hope, that there is nothing in such transactions to make it necessary for bodies of workmen to declare war against their employers, as they have done in many parts of the kingdom, and more particularly in our own coun ty, in order to obtain the wages to which they be fairly entitled. We would counsel for bearance on both sides. Let not the masters stint the hire of their workmen, when they can afford to give it liberally ; but let not, on the other hand, the workmen be either too exacting in their de mands, or too rash in enforcing them, The one party should remember, that they cannot be em ployed at all unless their employments will yield a profit; and the other, should never forget, that trade by which he profits largely, deserves to be rewarded liberally. If it be true, that industry is the philosopher's stone, which turns all metals, and even stones, into gold, surely they who com bine to wield so magic an influence should, as fellow-labourers, share in the due appropriation have too long suffered, when I of so precious a product. IT is not an agreeable subject to enter upon discussing; but to one that is so full of pressing, though painful interest, as the cholera undoubtedly is, we cannot too early direct our attention. For the pestilenceis not only in this country again, but it is at our very doors. Our object, however, is not to create alarm, but to counsel precaution. We believe that it is quite possible, if not to arrest the progress of the scourge, at least to check its ravages ; and if ever it could with truth be said, that to be forewarned was to be forearmed, it will be found so, in truth, with respect to this fresh visitation of so fearful a plague. The circumstances of Liverpool, in connection with such a subject, are rather peculiar. In the first place, in point of general density of popula tion, it considerably exceeds all other English towns, having as many as 100,000 inhabitants to the square mile,—while Manchester has only 83,000, and Birmingham not more than 33,000 to the square mile. Then, until lately, a most vicious construction of the dwellings of the working classes has prevailed ; while their situation has generally been very unfavourable. When the Health of Town's Commission, a few years back, visited our town, it was put on record, that as many as 55,532 of its inhabitants lived in courts, and as many as 20,160 in cellars—that there were as many as 1,982 of these courts, and 6,294 inhabited cellars—and that the arrangement was such as to bid defiance to the entrance of fresh air, and to render its free circulation a matter of impossibility. Of the courts, it was ascertained that nearly one-third were closed at both ends, that but about half were open at one end, and that only about a fourth were open at both ends; while, as to the cellars, it was found that they were generally but some ten or twelve feet square, frequently less than six feet in height, occasionally without any window, too often having only the bare earth for a floor, and thus, of necessity, both dark and damp. The streets inhabited chiefly by the working classes," the Report at the time stated, " are on an aver age, perhaps, about eight yards in width; they sel dom exceed ten, and sometimes not more than five yards across. Each house is usually occupied by two or more families, exclusive of the cellar ; and most of the densely peopled lodging-houses are situated in these streets. As a general rule, the houses have no thorough draught, being frequently built up against the houses in the courts behind." Then their numerous population had scarcely any means of disposing of the large amount of refuse organic matter necessarily eliminated, so as to prevent its contaminating the atmosphere ; while the drainage was generally bad, and the supply of water defective. Many thousands, therefore, of our neighbours were compelled by the circumstances of their position, to breathe a most corrupt atmos phere, and to dwell amongst filth, a state of things which was most conducive to the prevalence of epidemic disease, and which had, no doubt, a powerful effect in aggrevating the virulence of the cholera. But these evils have been mitigated. We refer to them only for the purpose of comparing them with our present improved condition, and deriving hope from the contrast. Local Acts are in force, under the operation of which a better construction of dwell ings for the working population has been promoted— proper ventilation has been secured—efficient sewer age has been provided—and more effectual means have been placed within the reach of even the poorest classes, of disposing of their refuse organic So that we are in an infinitely better position than before, for grappling with such a foe as that which now threatens to invade us again. Another, and a most important consideration, is the improved condition -of the great bulk of our working population, arising from the general plen tifulness of employment, and the better wages which most of them are enabled to obtain. In this point of view, we may regard the recent reforms in our fiscal and commercial policy to have had a powerful sanitary effect upon large bodies of the people, whose comforts have been augmented, and their health promoted. It is the remark of Dr. Southwood Smith, "that any deterioration in the physical condition of the poorer classes would not only make them more liable to be attacked with epidemic disease, but would render the disease more severe and fatal; whereas, the better they are fed, and the warmer they are clothed, the greater is their resisting power." And certainly our poorer classes are now both better fed, and more warmly clothed, because they find the means of living so much within their reach. There is a decided change for the better, too, in the moral habits of many of the working classes. Our schools have not been without their influence. Our Baths and Wash-houses have had a good effect. And if cleanliness be a social virtue, it is also a physical protection. Still, amid all this encouragement, let us not rest in any false security—as false that must en tirely be so long as any proper precaution re mains to be taken. We have yet amongst us too much filth and foulness, to render it at all possible that we shall escape another visitation of the pestilence which is again in our isle, and which, at this very moment, for aught we know, may be hovering over our heads. Nor has it lost any of its fatal viru lence since last it was felt as a scourge in our land. Judging from its ravages at Newcastle and Gates head, we might almost fear that it has, if anything, increased in its malignancy. Our only hope, there fore, is in our better ability to resist it—as well matte' from our present vigilance, as our past improve ments. But we must yet be on the alert. Her Majesty's government has, with praise worthy alacrity, already directed, by an Order in Council, that the provisions of the act for the pre vention of epidemic, indemic, and contagious dis eases, be immediately put in force through the whole of Great Britain; and Liverpool is not behind hand in giving effect to so necessary, so indispen sable a precaution. The very attention which has in this emergency to be given to such a subject as that of the public health, may result in a permanent improvement of the sanitary state of our town. Hitherto its mor tality has been at much too high a ratio,—higher than London, Manchester, or Birmingham,—the deaths being 1 in 28.75 of the population, while in London it is 1 in 37 . 38, in Birmingham 1 in 36.79, and in Manchester 1 in 29.64. " The causes of this unfavourable position of Liverpool," it has been officially declared, " both absolutely and relatively, will be found to be the same as those already indi cated as the sources of the higher mortality of towns generally, and which appear in Liverpool to reach their maximum degree of intensity." Let it be further attempted, now, to reduce this maximum —we believe that it has been considerably reduced already—and.if the exertions which must now be renewed be rigourously and properly directed, it may happily turn out that the curse we resist di rectly as a curse may indirectly become a blessing. Is there really any hope for Ireland ? We may well ask this question; and at no time more oppor tunely or appropriately than now. Not long since we were disposed to believe that a " charm" had at length been discovered for Ireland's miseries ; and that the genius and patriotic munificence of WILLIAM DARGAN had realised the fabled " Four leaved Shamrock," whose extraordinary properties generations had extolled, and which, like I ouNA's apples, or the Amrita of the HINDOO divinities, would confer fresh life, vigour, and even immorta lity, on the nation. But it does not seem as if the Sister Isle should ever have her wounds cicatrized. They present palpable evidence of almost hopeless incurability. Every known art has been resorted to—every avail able appliance of skill tried—nothing, in short, has been omitted that the necessity of the case required—but to no conceivable purpose under Heaven. When we flattered ourselves, in our idle fancies, with the thought that _lreland's wounds presented signs of healthy action, lo ! they opened out afresh, and with increased virulence and Things were better to-day FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT LONDON, MONDAY tVE..NING. It is hardly possible to describe the alarm and even terror which prevailed in this city on Saturday, owing to the state ments in two of the morning papers, that the United Fleets, or portions of them, had been ordered up to Constantinople from the anchorages they have kept for the last three months There was perfect recklessness in the general desperation ; and property was parted with at reduced values, as if the wealth of the nation was about to be extinguished in one universal bankruptcy. Nor was this the case only with British securities. All others were involved hi the general fall ; and men who rose in the morning that they might get 94 easily for their Stocks, found before night that scarcely any body would buy for so loaf as 91, Indeed, there was a panic, such a one as we have not seen since 1847. There was a material variation between the statements as to the movements of the combined squadrons, made by the two Journals in question. One, the Morning Post which has intimate relations with the French Embassy, and whose announcements with regard to the Russian and Turkish affairs, are written by Count Wallaski himself, broadly asserted that all the ships of the allies, had gone up to Constantinople; but the Times, inspired by the more correct suggestions of Lord Aberdeen, stated that only two vessels from each sqUadron had proceeded within. Another material variation between the two was also obvious. The first led to the inference, that this combined movement had been made in consequence of some further hostile demon= stration, on the part of Russia; but the second declared that it was a simple precautionary measure for the protection of the lives and property of British residents. Whithever of the two versions turn out to be correct, either was cal culated to excite some degree of alarm, but nobody could have anticipated, at eight o'clock in the morning, that by noon the whole of Capel-court and the sensitive regions sur rounding it, would have been so utterly prostrated by the intellegance. The aggressions of Russia, and the insolent tone in which they are justified before the Western Powers, have given to Turkey, a hold upon the sympathies of this country too firm to be shaken, even though Austria should, contrary to her interest, isolate herself from England and France, and attach herself wholly to the Czar. Indeed, the more the Czar strengthens himself apparently by this alliance, the more obvious it becomes, that the contest will, in fact, be whatever it is nominally, one against despotism and arbi trary government. Independently, therefore, of the justice of the case, which is as perfect as anything can be, the people of this country cannot sympathize with the Czar ; they cannot wish him good luck; and, I have reason to believe, t hat if blows are resorted to, he will find no incon siderable array of British volunteers, helping the Turkish army, to bring him to reason and moderation. Nor will money be wanting, though the city will be shy of loans. But, if the city will not respond to the Turks' necessities, in this way, it, certainly, will not to those of Russia or Austria, both of whom, and particularly the latter, have as much need for ready cash as any tradesman in the world, who ventures upon extensive operations without adequate means. With such feelings as these, with a general readiness to strike if need be, both at Russia and Austria, and with the strongest conviction that in this quarrel Turkey and England and France, have justice upon their side, the views of the sailing of the squadrons or a part of them, excited fax diffe rent emotions at the west end than in the city. The military and naval clubs were in the very intoxication of excitement, and forthwith rules and plans were consulted by groups and handed over by individuals, in order to foresee, if possible, all the possible contingencies of interest. It was unanimously decided in naval circles, so far as I can learn, that it would not be impossible for the Russian I Let in th Black Sea to be destroye'd by that very moment ; though of course such a supposition was a little de trop, and only to be dreamed of by the warmth of youthful ardour, or the burnings of middle-aged enthusiasm. This state of feeling, which began early in the day, so far from moderating as time _wore on, was strengthened by the reception of two telegraphic despatches which arrived early in the afternoon, one was that several French vessels of war were seen procee ding towards the north seas ; and the other that the fleet now in the Cove of Queenstown were under sailing orders, for some unknown place, and that neither men nor officers were permitted to leave their ships. Both., of these announcements, susceptible of a warlike interpretation, which in the prevailing turn of mind of most people at that moment appeared the only mutual interpretation, were inexact. The French ships, supposed to be proceeding to the North seas, were only proceeding to one of the northern ports of France, to give the Emperor now upon his tour there, an opportunity of seeing them; and the orders for the flees at Cove were imaginary.: So dissipated the alarms and fears, or rather I should say, the excitement at the West End, arising out of these special points. But the interest felt in, the presence of any part of our naval forces before Constantinople, did not pass away with the temporary emotions induced by these inaccurate specialties : and up to the moment I am writing, there is the greatest impatience manifested to know something more. Such a condition renders all of us liable to take up with, and be governed by, the miserable scraps of news, generally untrue, or grossly exaggerated, which are doled out by the con tinental telegraphs, and, as if to enjoy the distrust and ex citement arising out of this yearning curiosity, Lord Clarendon sits inaccessible in his Cabinet, at the Foreign Office, permitting the French embassy to give to the British public whatever version of facts it may think proper. But all throughout this Russia-Turkey affair, through a servile adherence to a foolish precedent, we have been indebted to foreign sources for-early intelligence, and have been obliged to make the best, or the worst of it. Accounts have been received here, by telegraph, from Constantinople, to the 16th. They make no mention of the appearance of the squadron there, but state that the city was tranquil. this result But the great cause has been the set ting free those pent-up energies which are inherent in such a nation as ours. A free course has been given to that spirit of commerce which must ever have mainly to do with the advancement of a people ; and already the effect of it is, that new life has been given to the producing capabilities of the country, and new opportunities presented to all who have brains, and hands to turn them to good account. The revivifying influence has pervaded all the classes who were capable of being made contributors to the production of the nation's sure manifestations f the auspicious progression which, under the peration of the new policy, is going on all around •ealth : and these strikes arc Strikes are, however, evils which we cannot but leprecate. Symptoms they often are of health and strength in the body where they prevail ; and they may be made conducive to its growth and advance ment. But they are better avoided. The end they Aim at may be just and fair, but the means adopted are seldom, if ever, judicious ; and if we were in a position to make a calculation, pro and contra, be• tween master and the men who have been parties to the vicious strikes that have, from time to time, occurred in this country, we have no doubt that the account would be found to tell immensely against the men, as a matter of loss and gain. Not that we would have our working classes pre vented from making the best they can of their skill and labour, which constitute their capital, and which they are as much entitled to make as their masters are of theirs. The system of free interchange, which is one of the commercial policy now conducing so singly to the prosperity of the country, must not be confined to but one party interested in its operations, but must extend to all. There must be no more exclusiveness—no more seething of mere class interests, whether one side:or the other. Men, and even bodies of men, have been too apt to imagine they may have peculiar interests, at variance with those whom they serve, if not also with those of the great mass of man kind; and it may seem consistent with human nature to reason for our own class, but it is op posed to sound policy—it stands in the way of a proper distribution of industry—and it prevents a profitable appropriation of its fruits, It is con sequently opposed to the very interests intended to be served. No—there must be no such selfish ness in our system now. There was a time, when the distribution of labour and subsistence was not left to the _direction of any reasonable or natural causes, but was controlled by a more arbitrary and selfish agency. Any idea of securing the greatest plenty and happiness for the greatest number of persons, according to the ordinaryforms of justice, and a common regard to the public welfare, was never thought of. It was all for those who had the power to get, and to keep. They were able, in other times, to put labour in fetters, and sink it solely for their own mere selfish gains. These were the palmy days of monopoly. But they have passed away, never again to return. Upon no other plan can this kingdom be governed here, than that of political justice and commercial prosperity. Social order cannot, for all time to come, be maintained without it, Mighty arts of human power have been discovered, and are now in opera tion, stimulating commerce, invigorating industry, creating, at once, more wealth for the master, and more means of subsistence and enjoyment for the workman ; and influences are now actively and powerfully at work which no government could with impunity attempt to arrest, though a wise one could not shrink from the effort to direct and controul without wishing to confine them. It is then, we humbly conceive, an inevitable consequence of such operations, that the workman should be found demanding higher wages for his time and labour. Oppressive laws have been re pealed, which practically prohibited industry from gaining customers for its produce. A prosperous state of commerce has ensued. Formerly the sphere of commercial influence was curtailed—the progress of mechanism and capital was checked— and the number of customers for our produce was confined— ) that it too often happened that our production arose, our consumption was diminished, and abundance ceased to be a blessing. But now, under a better state of things, the elements of social happiness, are allowed space for healthy action— industry has a better chance of success—there is a readier market for its products, and the means of the industrious must, of necessity, be multiplied. An extension of commerce ought to increase the enjoyments and the happiness of all, whether they depend on the wages of labour, the profits of capi tal, or the rents of the soil. And it will•have this effect. The profits of capital are remunerative— the rent of land is already rising, and labour is sharing, and will yet share, in the general pros- But then it is not nec sary to have recourse The interchange of to strikes to realise this interests between employers and the employed, is much too intimate, and much too mutually de- pendent, to be adjusted by means so rash, so violent and so conflicting, as strikes generally are labourer is worthy of his hire, and masters know and feel that he is, and must eventually act upon that knowledge and conviction. The contract is a simple one. The one has no subsistence, but he has his skill and his labour to dispose of ; the other, having a surplus of the former, is willing to ex change it for a product which the workman is able The amount and quality of that shb istence must of course depend upon circumstances, in which there is a mutual concern. The em ployers must profit by the exchange, and the employed must subsist by it. This should be a fixed principle in all such transactions. But in propor tion as the one increases his profit, so ought the other to be improved in his subsistence. This, too, should be a fixed principle, though it may to supply peace We an not fear war in a just cause. prepared fo: war, as both Russia and Austria will speedily dis cover. We shall not fire the first gun ; but, engag ing in the contest for the defence of public law, ii conjunction with France, we shall not abandon i until that law is respected and observed. The statement that the SULTAN had refused to sign a declaration of war against Turkey no doubt applies to the alternative required by the Ulemas of an abdication or war, which alternative we now know was abandoned upon its being found that the SULTAN would be supported by the whole forces of the Allied Powers both against the fanaticism of his own subjects and the aggressions of his great- est foe In the meantime it is asserted that Austria has withdrawn herself from the joint action of the other powers, which bestowed such infinite trouble upon the reduction of the Vienna note—England, France, and Prussia—and allied herself to Russia, because Turkey refused to accept that note. No event is more probable in itself, but there are grounds for believing it is not yet a fait accompli. Austria is far from entertaining cordial feelings towards England or France, but she would not, we presnme, venture upon so decided a step until she was perfectly in possession of the real views of Russia. She would then, and not before, be in a position to make her choice. Her choice, however, will depend upon the result of the Olmutz con- ference, Assuming that Austria does commit herself to Russia, she by that policy becomes hostile to the Western Powers. She commits herself irrevocably to the principle of coercive and arbitrary govern ment even more than she has already , and by that act assumes the position of the Power which has most to lose and least to gain out of the conflict. She voluntarily incurs most serious peril for an impossible object; and runs more serious risks of dismemberment than at any time during her re- verses under Napoleon. Should war arise, Austria therefore will become as great a point of interest, both in a military and a political sense, as Turkey. She will indeed, ir one respect, present superior features of interest for she will have to contend at once with a revo lutionary spirit throughout her heterogenous do minions, the fanatic resentment of the Turks and the military power of France. Here are difficulties enough to induce her to pause. Add to these the fact that she is bankrupt in 'purse and destitute o: credit, and some idea may be obtained of he] ability to carry on a lengthened contest against the Powers of the West. visicidity It has been averred over and over again, that Ireland's worst miseries are of her own creating. And surely none not wilfully blind to facts of periodical occurrence will impugn the nature of the testimony. There are certain inflammable ele ments cognate with Irish nationality, which, how ever they may seem to smoulder for a while, only require the gentlest breath of Bigotry to provoke into a terrible conflagration. Of this we have lately been furnished with a melancholy example. We allude to the dreadful riot which occurred in Lisburn on the night of Thursday last. An ac count of which mid& was supplied by our Dublin Correspondent yesterday. In good truth, it would seem as if Ireland's re peated warnings and bitter chastisements went for nothing. The same narrow-minded prejudices— the same petty animosities—the same detestable politico-religious feuds, which for so long a period have desolated and cursed her soil, again and again manifest themselves in all their hideous deformity and pristine horrors. Suffering, generally speak ing, has a beneficial tendency upon nations as well as upon individuals. It unites the unfortu nate with the golden bond of sympathy, and softens down asperities unaffected by aught else. " Miseris sucurere disco," was the saying of one who had expe rienced, in his own person, its wholesome and salutary teachings. But, unhappily, Ireland ap pears to be without the pale of its influence. She stands as an isolated exception to all other coun tries on the face of the earth, of the omnipotent sway Bigotry exercises over every sentiment of nationality, patriotism, and religion. When diseases are chronic, or when they interfere with the vital organs, the remedy becomes more difficult to effect, and the recovery less hopeful. We should be sorry, however, to pronounce Irish evils incurable. On the contrary, we do think that, with an extensive and efficient system of Education, old prejudices may, in time, be destroyed, and new ideas become ingrafted in their stead, which would ulti mately work the regeneration of that country. As it is, PANDORA'S box of evils have found a con genial resting place on Irish soil—but perhaps HOPE, which is said to have remained at the bot tom of her casket, may operate as a counteracting agent—and that Ireland may, ere long, like the bird of fable, rise triumphantly from her long prostration, ere the hearts of those regardful of her interests sicken with despair. THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, AND THE LATE STA TISTICAL CONFERENCE AT BRUSSELS.—III the pre sent complicated state of our relations with Russia, and the intense interest which is felt in this coun try relative to the aggressive steps of that Power against the independence of Turkey, a little in cident, which oozed out during the proceedings of the late statistical conference at Brussels, may not be uninteresting. The straw thrown up in the air is said to indicate the course of the tempest, and many persons will infer from what we are about to state that the governmental mind of Rus sia is so absorbed in schemes of conquest and ter ritorial aggrandizement, that the peaceful pursuits of statistical science have ceased to possess charms for it, and that so far as the Autocrat is concerned, rather than encourage statistical science in his ex tensive dominions, he is ready, when he has ar ranged other and more important matters to his own satisfaction, to avail himself of the knowledge acquired by the labours of others, at the smallest possible cost. There were 26 governments re presented at the conference at Brussels, com prising, the leading ones of Europe and America. The representative of each government gave a ,description of the manner in which the statiratie_st of his country were made up. Russia was not repre sented, and the absence of a representative for that country formed the subject of conversation, and it was elicited that a letter had been received from the Russian government on the subject. This excited an interest to ascertain the nature of the contents, but a feeling of contempt soon occupied the place of the former, when it became generally known that the letter announced, that the statistics of the Russian Empire were taken by, and for the government; that they were not cognizant of any defect in the present system in operation, and con cequently, they had no need to send a representa tive to Brussels. The letter, however, significantly added, " that if, in the course of time, a defect was experienced in the present system, nothing would hinder the government afterwards purchasing a copy of the proceedings of the conference." So much for the desire of Russia to promote civilization and science. DEATH BY DROWNING.-013 Sunday morning about 9 o'clock, a police officer on duty at the Brunswick Quay, saw a watchman named John Walker, struggling in the water, close by a boat from which he seemed to have fallen. The officer ran to his assistance, and succeeded in getting Walker out of the dock, and had him conveyed to the Southern Hospital, but when he reached that Institution, he was found to be dead. The deceased was the sexton of the Scotch kirk, in Mount Pleasant and was much respected for his sobriety and general good conduct. HORRIBLE - DEATH.—On the evening of Thursday last, an accident of a horrible nature, which resulted in the death of a young woman named Anne Grant, occurred at No. 1, Houghton-street, a house of ill fame. During Thursday Miss Grant appears to have been drinking some wine, and about nine o'clock she went up stairs for.the pur pose of dressing, but in a few minutes afterwards came rushing down stairs, screaming in the most alarming manner. Startled by her cries, some of the inmates of the house rushed out of the parlour, and beheld the unfortunate woman at the bottom of the stairs enveloped in flames. She had no dress on ; but her underclothes were in a blaze, the rapidity with which she descended the stairs causing them to burn with such fury, that when assistance was available,, every thing had fallen a prey to the flames, except the bands of the several articles of dress, which fastened close to the body. The unfortunate woman's body was found to be severely burned. A rug was at once thrown over her, and medical assistance called in. The burns were dressed with oil, and covered over with wool, and she was removed the infirmary, where she died on Sunday evening. Before her death, in reply to a question as to how her clothes took fire, she said she was arranging her hair, and whilst doing so she stood on some lucifer matches which were on the ground. One.of those she supposed to have ignited and set some of her under. , clothes on fire ; and the first intimation of danger she had was when she saw the reflection in the looking-glass of the flames creeping up her dress behind. The 11 1 ,-fated woman was,inler 21st year. ACClDENTS.—Yesterday morning Thomas Clancy, passenger in the emigrant ship " Evan," bound for New York, and lying in Fiupkisson's Dock, fell from the deck into the hold of the vessel, thereby causing a concussion of the brain, and fractured ribs. Thomas Wilson passenger on board the Commodore steamer, when she was entering the river on her voyage from Glasgow, on Sunday eveningit during the gale, sustained a compound fracture of the leg, by the slipping of some casks of oil. Edward Roche, 30, Court Maguire-street, Ship-carpenter, working in Sand Engraving Dock, yesterday afternoon, fell off the stage, into the dock, thereby sustaining a fracture of his thigh, and a compound fracture of the arm. Peter Kelly, Brook-street, same afternoon, while drunk and fighting, was knocked down and fractured his leg. Yesterday afternoon, John Connor, I, Sand-street, labourer on board the Steamer Telegraph, Nelson Dock, while carrying a sack of flour, fell off the stage into the dock, and fractured his leg. Yesterday evening, William Dickson, Ship-joiner, working in Prince's Dock, fell into the hold of a ship. Yesterday afternoon, Robert Walsh, Seaman, American Ship, Ondyuee, outward bound in the river, whilst working aloft, furling sails, was struck by a man whose name did not transpire, nick-named Scotty, with a marline spike, inflicting a severe scalp wound. The Captain had this man sent in irons on shore. FIRE EXTRAORDINARY AT MANCHESTER.—On. Sunday morning about four o'clock, information reached the Town's yard, Clarenec-street, that a strong smell of fire pervaded George-street, and the neighbourhood. ➢Tr. Rose, superintendent of the fire brigade, immediately dispatched several firemen for the purpose of ascertaining whence the unwelcome smell proeeeded. After diligent search they, in conjunction with a private watchman and the policeman on the beat, discovered smoke mysteriously issuing from one of the groves in St. James's church yard. On further examination it turned out that some alterations were being made in the church, and that there had been thrown upon the grave a quantity of shavings, which in some way or other eecame ignited. The rain which fell heavily at the time soon extinguished the flames. THE CHOLERA. [FRO3I THE GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH, WHITEHALL.] Newcastle, Sept. 23 : Deaths. Cholera Diarrhcea Gateshead:— Deaths. Cholera.. • Diarrhcea . The total number of deaths from cholera and diarrhoea in Newcastle during the present outbreak has been 1,062. In the same period (viz i the first twenty-three days) during the prevalence of epidemic cholera there in 1831-2 the number of deaths was 180. The total number of deaths from cholera and diarrhoea in Gateshead to the present date has been 277. During the like period (viz., the first seventeen days) in 1831-2 the deaths amounted to 130. THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Saturday, Sept. 24. —The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's chartered steamship City of London, Captain J. Cargill, sailed this afternoon for Gibraltar, Malta, and Constanti nople, touching at Lisbon, to land the following distin guished passengers, who have embarked by this vessel, viz : —The Ex-Queen of the French Marie Amelie, the Prince and Princess de Joinville, and the Princess Francoise. These personages are attended by the Duc de Penthievre, the Duchesse de Maurice, Comte de Montesquieu, General Comte Dumas, Mademoiselle de St. Aubin, Mademoiselle de Mussy, M. Trognon, M. L'Abbe Guelle, M. de Mussy, Mademoiselle Muser, M. Carnelle, and the suite consists of four ladies'-maids, four footmen, and a groom. The illus trious party proceed to Portugal to pay a visit to the King and Queen of that - kingdom. They were accompanied to Southampton by the Due d'Aumale and several other members of the ex-French Royal family and a considerable number of persons assembled in the docks to witness the embarkation. The City of London takes out on .freight specie value £50,000 sterling, and 250 tons of general cargo. The screw steamer Douro, from the Levant, will be due at Southampton on or about the sth proximo. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Madrid is about to be taken off the Peninsular mail line in order to be fitted with new boilers. Her place will be occupied by the Sultan, a steamer of 1,100 tons and 400 horse power. Captain Chapman, recently commander of the Mag dalana, on retiring from the service of the West India Mail Com pany has been presented by the directors with a purse con taining 100 guineas, as an appreciation of his character and services during the 12 years that he has conducted the com mand of the several ships of the company. MR. LEVI'S LECTURES ON COMMERCIAL LAW.— Yesterday, Mr. Leoni Levi was announced to lecture on the Law of Contracts, at the Chamber of Commerce , but owing to the attendance of persons being limited to two or three, the lecture was not delivered. It is announced to be deli vered on to morrow. Mr. Levi's lecture at the College Institution, was also postponed. LIVERPOOL PILOT COMMISSIONERS AND THE . CO ASTING STEAMERS. Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, a Meeting of the Pilot Com missioners of this port, was held in the Council Chamber, Town , liall. The Mayor occupied the chair. The following commissioners were present :—Messrs. James Bateson, John Bigham, William Nicholson, William Gibson, Joseph Cornish, William Brice, William Mann, John Worrell, John Woodruff, T. L. Hodson, Thomas Wagstaff William Potter, James Parker, E. D. Falkner, and J. N. Wood. The meeting was called to consider the claims of owners of coasting steamers to an abatement in the rate of pilotage; and also the recommendation of the pilot committee thereon, for the reduction of the same to such an amount as would not leave a greater charge on that class of vessels than what was due from it towards the pilot establish ment, which was maintained for the general benefit of the port, and to which the owners of coasting steamers have, and • demand a right to share, especially in eases of emergency arising in the channels, and entrances to the • ports ' and fix the rates of pilotage on coasting steamers ; also to elect commissioners to supply vacancies, and likewise to appoint a member of the pilot committee. MR. JOHN NELSON WOOD said, the pilot committee had called this meeting of the commissioners, in the first place to fill up the vacancies, cauE3d by the deaths of others, and also to fill up a vacancy in the committee. But the principal object, and one of the greatest importance, was that, of regulating the rates of pilotage on coasting steamers to this port, They were aware a pilot's bill had recently passed, containing a clause which the committee thought proper to oppose, as being highly injurious in its effect on the pilot establishment, and also detrimental to the mercan tile interests of the port. •At the same time to meet the views of the only complaining party against the rates of pilotage on the owners of coasting steamers, the committee had now to submit to the commissioners present, what that reduction should be, and he hoped the commissioners would consider the same and adopt it if they thought proper. In his opinion, and in the opinion of the committee, this reduction ought surely to satisfy the coast ing trade. The reduction they proposed to make would be a serious loss to the pilot establishment, and in his (Mr. Wood's) opinion, the pilots of Liverpool were net over well paid at present, and he should like to see them better paid. for it was a notorious fact, that of the three great ports in the world, the pilotage of Liverpool was only one-third of. that charged at New York and London, whilst the dangers from shifthig sands and banks were greater and cOntbrus4 in Liverpool. He should therefore propose for the adop tion of the commissioners, that, with the consent of Her Majesty in council, the following regulations be made with respect to the rates of pilotage on coasting steamers that is to say, that coasting steamers, outward bound, proceeding to sea without a pilot, be altogether exempt from the pay ment of pilotage, and that the rate of pilotage for coasting steamers inward bound, be reduced from four shillings, to one shilling per foot, where the services of a branch pilot are not required on board the steamer. And that this regulation take effect at the expiration of one calendar month, from the consent of Her Majesty in council being obtained to this regulation." Mr. W. MANN seconded the motion. He said the proprietors of coasting steamers had been for some time wishful for some alteration to be made in the rates, and the - Pilot Committee had not been unwilling to listen to such wishes on their part ; but until this present act of parlia ment was passed, in the last month, the Pilot Committee was precluded from making any reduction or alteration. They had not the power to do it, but now that this act had passed, the Pilot Committee had taken this matter into its conside ration, and proposed to the commissioners the alteration ex pressed in the resolution. The owners of coasting steamers some of them, with a sort of pilots of their own on board, but none of them felt entirely independent of the pilot establish ment. On the contrary, it was very frequently the case that they obtained the services of branch pilots during the win ter months, and then did without them during the summer months. Some, on the other hand, in fine weather made their way without a pilot, but when bad weather occurred then they hoisted their. ack for them. Now, the Pilot Committee hadmet their requirements liberally. The resolution claims no pilotage on steam coasting vessels going outwards without a pilot, neither did it force them to take one, but when they asked for a pilot they were to pay the present rates, and he (Mr. Mann) believed the owners did not object to this. The charge to 13 made was ls. per foot inwards. and that was considered as some remuneration, and some con sideration towards the maintenance of the establishment. So that those coasting steamers might, when they required it, obtain the services of a pilot, because if every vessel could go out and come into this port in fine weather, without a pilot, they would be unable to maintain the establishment for the supply of pilots in bad weather. The amount was so small, one shilling per foot inwards, he believed, so far as as he could hear, it would meet with the concurrence of the proprietors of the coasting steamers. The MAYOR : This resolution would render it imperative on all coasting steamers inwards to pay ls. per foot. Mr. Porrnit : All vessels without retaining a pilot, and not those coming in using a pilot. Mr. BIGHAM : What will be the loss to the pilot establish ment if this arrangement is carried out ? Mr. ROWLANDS : It is a difficult matter might possibly amount in the aF F ...e..4. eoxr The MA04034.: Per annum ? Mr. RowLssins : Per annum. A very serious item in ti earnings of the pilots, and so important to the - interests of this great port. Mr. Ro w.syr : It is a very serious item of reduction, is the matter of £l,OOO. The resolution was tl carried unanimously maritime BATESON then moved, and Mr. Wrweat seconded, that the Pilots' Committee take the ne cessary steps for obtaining the consent of her_Majesty in . Mr. JAM' Gn3sox Council to the new arrangement. Carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. J. N. WOOD, Mr. George Ken dall was elected a Commissioner in the room of Mr. William Dawson, deceased, and Mr. Joseph Mondell, in the room of Mr. Henry A. Stewart. _ _ _ _ on the Motion of Mr. Porn.; Mr. MONDELL was elected a member of the pilots' committee, in the room of Mr. George Kendall, deceased. The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Mayor. His worship in returning thanks remarked that the pilots of Liverpool, had always attended well to their duty, and he trusted the reduction which was about being made, would be an inducement to the owners and captains of steamers to find them constant em ployment, being assured, that one would always feel more secure on board a vessel with a pilot, than without one.— The proceedings then terminated. MEETING OF THE LIVERPOOL AUXILIARY OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. —Last night, the annual meeting . of the above Society was held at Dr. Raffles's chapel, in Great George's Street. Mr. James CRosFIELD was called to the chair. Dr. RAFFLES opened the meeting with prayer, after which the CHAIRMAN then alluded to this being the 30th anniversary of the Auxiliary Society, and to the fact that little more than fifty years had elapsed-since the initiation of Protestant Christians Missions. He spoke of the immense fields now being opened in the vast plains of India, and especially in China. Dr. RAFFLES then read the cash account of the Auxiliary Society. The amount of its subscriptions for the Parent Society during the last year amounted in all £758 Bs. Bd. The Rev. THoistes of Trowbridge z moved the first resolution to this effect, that the meeting give the glory of all the success of missions to God. He remarked that since the commencement of Pro testant missions uniform success has attended the cause, and that all suffering should be lost to view in the abundance of the success. Everything now encouraged and stimulated forward; fifty years ago, only here and there could be found a servant advocating Christ, now they were an army of 10,000 men, 2,000 of those men were of our own colour, and speaking our own language. The remaining 8,000 pos sessed a greater interest, they were men converted from heathenism, many of them were pioneers to our own country men, in the South Sea islands, in other instances they succeed them taking up the cause, and carrying it on after them. The other great means in missionary hands, were the tran slation of the bible, and the establishment of schools ; by all these means the word of God had been revealed to 600,000 of the human race ; when Dr. Morrison, said the speaker, a simple and earnest youth stood on the quay at Liverpool, about to embark for China, a merchant said t o hi m , w ith a look of scorn, "do you think you can convert the manda rins." He replied " I don's think I can, but I know God can." Now look at the result of that man's labour, it pro duced what was now called a rebellion ; but which will 'be called a glorious revolution by and bye. He next alluded to Madagascar. which he called the most interesting field of christian missions ; 14 years ago the missionaries were cast out from thence, leaving behind them 200 disciples, but now, in that island there were 800 professed sincere christians, Rev. JOSHUA. HARRISON, of London, in seconding the motion, spoke upon the spread of the gospel, and described it as the true panacea for all the ills of the human family. The Rev. Mr. GILL, a missionary from Western Poly nesia, moved the second resolution which recorded the hand of God in the success of the South Sea missions. Mr. Gill observed that he left this country fifteen years ago, and was scarcely adapted to address such a meeting, and he might say he had the honour of being surrounded by natives, speaking exclusively the native language, his own language had not been thus improved. He had been in this country about three months. He did not know what the London Missionary Association meant to do with retired missionaries ; but during that period he attended 66 services. Mr. Gill then gave a most interesting and detailed account of Western Polynasia, which excited the greatest interest in the meeting. He contrasted forcibly the frightful state of demoralized slavery in which the people were plunged at the commencement of the mission, and their present state of comparative civilization. He also introduced to the meeting a most interesting converted youth, and excited much hilarity amongst the ladies by describing with much humour the predilection of the Polynesian ladies for modern European and American fashions, and their admiration at the great variety of shapes in the article of bonnets particularly. Mr. Gill concluded by a very impressive appeal to the people of Liverpool, to give from their wealth to the Missionary cause, which has been nowhere more signally successful than in the interesting Archipelago from which he has lately returned. The reso lution being seconded, a number of other gentlemen addressed the Meeting. The resolutions were carried. THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.