The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-24 00:00:00

BONE PHOSPHATES, in Crust or Pulverised; BIRD ISLAND and MEXICAN GUANO, for Analysis, ARNOTT, BROTHERS TO EXPORTS :K LES VINEGAR JAMS, &c., Always on Sal ssly fur KxpOrta .Y & CO., 3 South John-street. CHEESE FOR EXPORT, NORTH WILTSHIRE, TRUCKLE, and Other CHEESE, E always in Stock, and carefully packed Apply to CLIBBO S THOMAS, 35, North John-street, LUMP AND POWDERED ARSENIC, IRISH MOSS, VEGETABLE NAPTHA, RECTIFIED MINERAL NAPTHA GREEN COPPERAS, SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. JOHN MATTHEWS & CO., Argyle street. Apply to TEM ANNUAL ►SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES is TWO GUINEA' PER ANNUM EVENING EDITION fur An Evening Edition of the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES it now Published every Afternoon, at Three o'clock, containing the Markets, together with all the News of the Day, up to the hour of going t Sze kurtlitrn firm THURSDAY, JANUARY .24, 11856 THE Currency is a subject on which there is a great diversity of opinion; and there is not another question connected with our political notions and social system, on which rivals and opponents watch each other's statements equal vigilance We have, how ed to lay aside, for the resent, our opinions as to the reforms required in our monetary laws, and to confine ourselves to exposing the palpable defects of the Bullionists' doctrine, and demanding from those who advocate it, what they would propose to remedy the glaring evils of their crotchets. In undertaking such a tusk, we must confine ourselves to official statistics, and unquestionable data We have no objection irrency, provided there be whatev a suffi, enable the employers of serve a fair commercial ed to sustain pro- labour to pay v rate of gi Barrels CURRANT es Turke: 86 Boxes D 5 Serons Fa] Bones ) D Cases PI SA RDI ales G A 1118 interest fo duction an taxation to price THIS DAY 24th instant, at Twelve o'clock, Commercial saleroom. DITTO, tinthian (s.s. LL ALMONDS BADENACH, Broker. at Twelve o'( Temple-cour. catel RAISINS, in layers, Black Smyrna RAISINS, an ALMONDS, ex Vivid, I IT fO. } ex Celerit DITTO, an SHELL ALMONDS MM PARRY, Broker. TO-MORROW welve o'clock, LIAM & JOSEPH WHITE, Brokers. en bale. —Apply to Messrs. Frederick Apply to anding ex Ruth and Co., U Apply to MIS DAY ..n. to a metallic fley of it to vanes ; to pt.( nsumption; to pay taxes, and add , and to discharge all those func- tions which a well regulated Currency of any other _ character would perform. It was the natural scarcity of gold up to 1848 which made us view the whole of our Banking law! as most 1 trad towards th lasses 1 cruelly unnatural scarcit. Ind it is ivitnessed at several different periods since 1848, that has unalterably confirmed our opinions, with regard to JONES LOYD'S theories, and PEEL'S Banking nostrums. 1847 was a year which developed the murderous effects of the one, and the incalculable dangers of the other. Large numbers of human beings were swept off the face of the earth, and thousands of the most affluent were beggared by usury ; all caused by the efflux of gold—the basis of our note circu lation—in strict obedience to the natural laws of supply and demand. In that year we had to struggle against famine. In that year we had little over taxa ever-memorable and, in the reserves wer lonth of October, the Bank's the note circulation being maintained at about 19,500,000/, This was ou concerned, at a season when gold was naturally position, as far as le a 1 tender was scarce. At the present mo men t we are suffering from an unnatural scarcity. And what is our position ? We have embarked in a great war, and taxation has increased to, in round numbers, 100,000,000/. The Bank of England's reserves have fallen to 10,41( 3,9511.; and the actual note circulation is only 19,387,300/., being actually less than it was at the former period. Now, we should very much like to hear the Bullionists justify this state of things. The war has had little, or nothing, to say to the drain of bullion, for its entire absorption of the precious metal would not take from us the increased quantity of gold produced year by Fully three-fourths of a war expenditure must take place in the countries which supply the munitions required to carry it on. An army of 100,000 men in the field could not consume, in pay and supplies purchased in foreign countries, more than from six to ).0001, seven millions of money in the which we have Australia alone pro of gold annuall, year, agains inn an average of 11 and it is, therefore, useless to say our military chests have drained us of our bullion We commenced this war under the most favour- The Bank of England became able auspice wholesale buyers of gold in 1818, and they con- tinued to bu. though we have a ip to May, 1854. I for some explanation of the Bank's bullion operatio those dates we have not yet received a reply from any quarter, notwithstanding the avidity with which the advocates of the Bank Charter Act of 1844 seize every opportunity of exposing the fallacies, those who differ from them in opinion, may venture to put forth. It may, however, have escaped the attention of the London Times and other bullion oracles ; and we will, therefore, re ish to know what has ;old bought by the Bank of England, turn made to the House of Corn. peat it once become of as shown in the mons, on th ' turn in question was House of Commo fE'S motion " The re red to be printed by the II June, 1851, in ' which we find the Bank bought and gold gold as " follows : Ist Tan. to 31st Dec., 1843, £5,79 ~ 1849, „ 1350, „ 1851, 3,646,658 2,938,223 116,771 735,953 307,323 7,099,584 15,350,771 1,377,705 8,706,696 3,560,955 44 to 3 1,091,990 2,678,032 Total, 44,631,960 £10,556,328 1 4 From these figures it ill be seen that the Bank of England purchased, between the first day of and the last day of May, 1854, 34,075,6321. more gold than they sold ; and now we want to know what has become of that January huge amount of metallic treasure ?" We have waited since the 7th instant for some ex planation on this most vitally important sub and since our enquiries have not been answered, we think we may take it for granted the present scarcity of bullion is most unna tural, and the usurious embargoes laid on the trade and industry of the country are equally unjusti g_t.,_ The accumulation of 44,631, 9601. of gold within a period of five years and five months—leaving a balance of 34,075,6321., after 10,556,328/. had been sold—is a phenomenon character. It shows us the most astounding what may be done to increase the metallic basis of our circulation, simply by the Bank becoming purchasers in the bullion ' The price of gold being only 775. 9d. market. per ounce is all in their favour, notwithstanding that gold is dearer in London than in Paris, Ham burg, and some other places. But we must leave the advocates of banking restriction and usury, to NOR'] uggest remedies for the anomalies and evil their own system We shall only undertake to expose its injurious effects on ever interest of the Empire It has taken from labour that fair remu neration which would enable it to support its just proportion of taxation, and has taxed property to make good the loss to the State. It is fast render ing a just and necessary war intolerable, and its advocates ipreach "economy" and " restriction at a moment when production, and consumption, should be sustained and encouraged, by all human means Taxation has been increased nearly 100 per while the available means of trade are Jven less than they were in 1947, and the rates of discount rule from 6 to 10 per cent. Do the Bullionist organs approve of all this ? Will they have the barefaced effrontery to call it " a " healthy state of things ?" Will they never be made to understand that they are addressing themselves to an enlightened public, who must some day see through their perversion of truth ? Have they no more loyalty than is required to hold up the convertibility of nineteen millions pounds of paper based on little over 10,000,0001. of gold, or no more patriotism than to remain silent when asked to explain what had become of the immense quantities of gold which have reached this country since January, 1818 ? We hear a great deal said about the importance of agricul tural statistics,:by which the farmer may be shaved of the modern appendages of the yeoman ; but what are they compared with the value of those gold statistics, which would prevent the industry, skill, and intelligence of the country being sacrificed, to a system which the public only require reliable figures to expose or demolish ? We will, however, wait another fortnight for our bullion oracles to answer the question we have put in this article. And if they should:fail to do so at the expiration of that time, we will repeat it again and again, until the disclosures made in the late Mr. Humes return be satisfactorily explained ; as the country is now suffering the cruellest perse cution from a declared scarcity of the yellow metal—as artificial as a famine 'would be if the Government locked up a million quarters of wheat, and refused to give any explanation when called upon. THE COURT WINDSOR, JAN 22.—There was no addition to the relay. The Queen and the royal dinner party y Prince walked in the Horne-park this mornir of Clarendon had an audience of her The Earl Mapsty in the afternoon. The Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard and Sir George Couper, arrived in town yesterday morning from Frogmore. Her Royal Highness paid a visit to the Duchess of Gloucester at Gloucester house, and in the afternoon left London on her return to Frogmore. RETIREMENT OF ME. MAcAuLAY.—Mr. Macaulay ha s issued a farewell address to his constituents at Edinburgh, on retiring from Parliament in consequence of ill-health. CABINET CO use:lL—Yesterday afternoon, a Cabinet Council, of protracted duration, was 1 at the Foreign office, Downin g - s t reet. There was a very full attendance of ministers NEW COLONIAL Blsnornlc.—The Queen has been pleased,to constitute the Colony of Western Australia to be a bishop's see and diocese, to be called the Bishopric of Perth, and to appoint the Ven. Matthew B. Hale, Archdeacon of Adelaide, to be ordained and consecrated bishop of the said see. EASTE CO UNTIES R *AY DlSPUTES.—Yesterday, Mr. Waddington, M.P., Ex-chairman of the Eastern Counties Railway Company, issued his final reply to the committee of ;nvestigations. lie asserts that the recent agitation has lowered the value of the property nearly 2,000,0001 sterling; but, if supported by the shareholders , he hopes to b e a bl e t r i um ph an tly , t o retrieve their interests. -4 , -- V Lmeruats.—Last evening the second of a series of L ILLAGE ectures under the above head, was delivered at the assembly-rooms, Wavertree, to a highly respectable audience. Mr. Picton was the lecturer, and the subject "Paris." A most agreeable evening was passed. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.—I N RE ROBERT BURNS—This bankrupt applied yesterday for his certificate, and was sup ported by Mr. Etty, who examined the bankrupt relative to his failure in a patent that he had taken out. The learned gentleman asked for a certificate of the first-class. Tha commissioner granted an immediate certificate of the first class, and remarked that he was sorry to find a man who had conducted himself so honourably compelled to seek the protection of the bankruptcy court. LIVERPOOL ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—The usual periodical meeting of this society was held last evening at the Royal Institution, Co!quitt-street, J. Hay, Esq., the president of the society, occupied the chair. Mr. J. Westmoreland and Mr. H. F. Price were unanimously elected associate-members of the society. Mr. J. 11. Weightman (the secretary) announced the following donations :—Part 2 of vol. i. Illustrations to the:Dictionary of Architecture, from Mr. W. P. Griffin ; the proceedings of the Essex Archaeological Society, from that society ; Nos. 1 and 2 of the Building News, from the editor ; the Irish Reporter, from the proprietor ; minutes of the proceedings of the Royal Institute of British Architects. The usual routine business baying been disposed of, Mr. Boult announced that the Elms' testimonial fund was closed, and mounted to within a few shillings of £1,450. It was ' to invest £1,400 of that amount in dock bonds, for -rnoration would allow 5 p er cent.. The would go to Mrs. Elmes and her son deaths it was proposed to which t r lives, itablish two scholarships, of £35 each, for pupils of the Royal, Collegiate, and Mechanics Institutions, for students or student members, in architecture or the fine arts, to be specially exam i ne d b y t h e trustees, and in case of their not being able to decide, the mayor for the time being to have a casting vote. Each scholarship to be enjoyed for two years, an d the endowment to be in perpetuity after the decease of Mrs. Elmes and her son. The balance of £5O to go to defray any incidental expenses, and the balance, if any, to be given to Mrs. Elmes. Boult congratulated the society on the prospect of the foundation of the scholarships, which were much required. The secretary then read a letter from Mr. Goodwin of London, congratulating the committee and the town, on having shown such an appreciation of the talent and ability lie late Mr. Elmes, as to have raised a sufficient sum or the maintenance of his widow and son. Mr. Huggics then introduced a subject very interesting to architects, and upon which some con s id era bl e conversation followed, namely —the most advantageous mode of admitting light to dwell ing houses or public buildings, by Skylights or by windows. No decided conclusion was arrived at. In the course of the -ening several designs for the stained glass windows of lston church were exhibited. One of them was from a iber of the institution, but as they were for competition, , mes were attached to either. Mr. C. Davis then read ler of the evening, " Notes on Isometrical Perspec ' I, c explained by diagrams and models. A tive," which vote of thanks concluded the business, lIERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1866. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SECOND EDITION. THE PEACE PROGRESS A despatch dated Berlin, yesterday, states that a circular issued by the St. Petersburg Cabinet declares that Russia has made concessions to meet the representations of the friendly powers, solely with a view to the establishment of peace; that the interests of Russia in no way demanded this peace, and that the concessions were in no respect made on account of her interests, M. de Budberg had that day received a circular from Count Nesselrode, which makes known to the representatives of Russia at foreign Courts, the motives of the acceptance of the Austrian propo- sitions, and which informs them of the Chancel- lor's intentions relative to future negociatious THE FRENCH FUNDS. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, To-day the business on the Bourse closed at the subjoined quotations :—Four and a Halfper Cents•, 94f 40c ; Three per Cents•, 68f. 65e THE PEACE MOVEMENT. There is but little to add to what is already known upon the subject of the position of affairs since the acceptance by Russia of the Austrian proposals. f : - .We learn from Berlin, under date of the 22nd inst., that the Journal de St. Petersburg of the preceding day has the following ; " In consequence of the general desire of Europe, the Russian Government has not wished to delay the work of reconciliation by entering into negociations of detail, trusting that her moderation will be duly appreciated." The statement of the English journals, that Russia has been required not to re•fortify the Aland Isles, is not credited bore. The necessity for economy had be come so great in Russia, that the Czar, in regulating the Budget for 1856, struck out all pensions granted within the last two years, unless for military service. In the diplomatic circles, it is expected that the Allies will maintain an army of occupation in Turkey, till the reforms in favour of the Christians are brought into exe cution, and firmly established. Dif f iculties are appre hended on this point, on the part of both Russia and Turkey. An army of occupation, it is said, must be required for the Principalities, which must be English or French, or mixed. A letter, dated Jan. 19th, informs us that the Vienna diplomatists are still occupied in discussing the con ditions of the armistice which is to be concluded, but nothing is likely to be definitively settled until the preliminaries of peace, with the signature of the Russian Government attached to them, have arrived from St. Petersburg. In so-called well-informed circles, it is affirmed that the commanders of the belligerent armies have already received instructions to suspend hostilities, bat there is reason to believe that the assertion is incorrect. The Austrians, although they have not smelt powder during the war, are fanatically inclined to peace, and therefore when the Peace Congress has met, France and England will probably have occasion to observe that Austria will play the part of moderator rather.than that of thorough-going disinterested ally. .The propositions just accepted by Russia contain everything that Austria can possibly desire, but it is not so certain that they contain everything that is requisite to a definite and satisfactory settlement of the Eastern question. The free navigation of the Danube, and the abolition of the Russian Protectorate over the non -united or schismatic Greek subjects of the Porte are matters of vital import ance to Austria, and she will therefore take excellent care that they shall be settled to her complete satisfaction; but it is doubtful whether she will display Equal firmness on the other three points. The fifth proposition, which is extremely elastic, was at first rejected in toto by the Rus sians, and now the Austrians affect to attach but little importance to it. What is meant by the following words ? " The, belligerent Powers reserve to themselves the right that appertains to them of bringing forward. in the interest of Europe, special conditions over and above the four guarantees." Is it in the interest of Europe that the Aland Islands, which are within forty miles of the Swedish coast, should be transformed into a second Swea borg ? Is it in the interest of Europe, of which Turkey is in future to form an integral part, that the roads and harbour of Sebastopol should be commanded by the artil lery of the northern forts, and that the Caucasian coast should again be larded with Russian fortresses and block houses ? These are matters which will be discussed at the Peace Congress, and 'public attention has therefore been thus specially directed to them. Referring to the proceedings at home, the Globe of last night says :—" It is highly satisfactory to know that the warlike preparations of the government are proceeding as if no pacific intimation had been received. Gunboats are being completed and commissioned, mortars are being cast, recruits come in increased numbers in consequence of Lord Panmure's recent change in the bounty, drill and rifle practice are carried on with assiduity, stores are being shipped off—all with an energy unsurpassed at any period of the war. As an indication that preparations are not decreased in point of extent, we may mention that within the last few hours a requisition has been sent for transport accommodation for 4,000 horses—nearly 60,000 tons of shipping. General Codrington's army, according to the latest accounts, numbered more than 54,000 men, in admirable condition and spirits, and were fast approach ing the highest discipline. This training and preparation for a campaign will go on until we know absolutely that there will be no campaign. It is not necessarily to be argued from all this that the government distrusts the desire of Russia to come to terms in the interest of European security. A knowledge of her internal circumstances would perhaps suggest a different presumption. But Lord Palmerston has the honour of England in his keeping, and while meeting cordially the advances to peace, he will carefully provide for a possible failure of diplomacy, by bringing into full working order that machinery which, in conjunction with the arms of our Allies, has hitherto been so instrumental in achieving success ECCLESTASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.—The Lord Bishop of Manchester on Tuesday, at the Diocesan Registry, licensed the Rev. J6hn Atkinson to the stipendiary curacy of Saint James's, Preston ; and the Rev. Joseph Furnival Brindle, M.A., to the stipendiary curacy of Saint Thomas's, Preston. THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE—A correspondent writes to a London cotemporary in the following terms :—The claims of Sir John Franklin to the honour of the discovery of the North-west Passage were strongly insisted upon by several high authorities, before the select committee of the House of Commons on Arctic Expedition, appointed to inquire into the services and claims of Sir Robert M'Clure. Among those authorities, it may be sufficient to name Sir Roderick Murchison, Admiral Beaufort, Sir John Richardson, Capt. Washington, the present hydrographer to the Admiralty, and Lady Franklin herself. The claims advanced on behalf of Sir John Franklin's crews were, perhaps, very naturally and properly considered by the committee to be based too largely on conjectures to admit, with the informa tion then before them, of being brought into competition with those of Captain M'Clure. The result of the expedition of Messrs. Anderson and Stewart to the mouth of the Great Fish River must now, however, be con sidered as completely establishing the views brought before the committee by the friends of Sir John Franklin. The most interesting discovery (in the absence of any written documents) made by Messrs. Anderson and Stewart, is that of th e remains of the b oat b elonging to the Terror, found on M ontreal Island, t h e crew of which, by complet ing the li n k connecting the open water along the coast of North America with Barrow Straits, discovered the North-- West Passage as completely and precisely in the same sense as Captain M'Clure did at a subsequent period in another part of the Polar Sea. The rewards and honours conferred on Sir Robert M•Clure were well merited and well bestowed ; but, with the evidence now before us, his claim to the merit of the discovery of the North-West Passage can no longer be maintained ; the true discoverers bei ng unquestionably the remnants o f the crews of the ill-fated expedition of Sir John Franklin. MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. ..--.---...-- LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY EVENING , Share 25i 26} Luxembourg, 82. 9u s country A telegraphic despatch from Madrid announces that the Cortes has approved finally of the project for establishing a new General Society of Credit and Spanish Capitalists' Bank, by the monied classe's of Madrid, who looked with a jealousy upon the opening of a branch establishment of the French Credit Mobilier Bank in the capital of Spain. The introduction of French means and experience in conducting public undertakings, seems to be considered most beneficial to the State by the government; and they give every facility to enterprising capitalists to carryout their projects. The Madrid Gazette publishes the decree which concedes the constructing of the Saragossa line of railway to the Grand Central Railway Company of France. The batch Government have published their custom's receipts for the past year, showing that there is a steady increase in the principal items, and that the commerce of the Low Countries is in a satisfactory condition. The total receipts in 1855 was 59,233,073 florins, against 58,223,184 fls. in 1854. In the items coming under the head of direct imports, the increase is about 200,000 fls., by sea and land, although in the former there is a small decrease. The produce of the excise duties amounts to 1,300,000 fls., being 300,000 fls. greater than the amount received in 1854. From the postal service there has also been an increase of some thousands of florins, compared with the returns of 1854. The English Stock Market to-day was remarkably buoyant. Prices closed at the highest point of the day, and per cent. higher than yesterday, namely, 90_a 901 A favourable impression has been produced by the statement that the Czar has transmitted orders to his generals to suspend hostilities. The prospect of peace now afforded is exercising material influence in the Stock Ex change. Speculative transactions for higher prices have again been freely prosecuted to-day in several departments of the market. At the same time there is a decided increase in the demand for securities on the part of the public. The Discount Market maintains a rather easier appearance, the supply of money being good. At Paris to-day the Bourse sheaved great buoyancy, a rise of 1 per cent. in the Three per Cent. Rentes was finally established. The arrival of the Champion of the Seas, and other vessels homeward bound from Australia, is almost hourly . looked for, the wind to day being favourable. The Railway Share Market to-day was again very buoyant, and a large amount of business was transacted. Speculative operations for a rise continue to be freely effected, and the public are investing liberally, especially in guaranteed and preference Stocks. The quotations at the close stood as follows : Caledonian, 56-A 57. Eastern Counties, 811-16 8 13-16. East Lancashire, 72 74. Great Northern, 961 97. Ditto A, 81 83. Great Western, 551 55 . 1. Lanca shire and Yorkshire, 80i 81. London and North Western, 971 981. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 254. Midland Stock, 691. North British, 301 31. South Eastern and Dover, 61 61- 1 . York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 71 72, York 4 and North Midland, 471 .191. THE KNIFE AGAIN.—On Frir?ay last the ship Driver arrived here from New York, and a man (a sailor) named William H. Barns, was sent to the Northern Hospital, suffering from a wound inflicted on him with a knife, by another sailor, The man died in the hospital yesterday, and an inquest will be held on the body this day. The alleged assassin is in custody. CORONER'S INQI7EsTs. - -Lir j eiterday the coroner held the following inquests :--On the body of a child, named John Rose aged 2 years, who was scalded on Wednesday sen'night, in Brook's-alley, by some hot water falling on him, and from the effects of which he died. Verdict, accidental death.—On the body of Isabella Kirkpatrick, 56 years of age, who resided in Park-lane, and who had been ailing for some time from palpitation of the heart. On Monday evening she died suddenly. Verdict, died by the visitation of God. SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL.—WEEKLY REPORT, JAN. 23, 1856.—1 n patients :—Discharged : cured, 15 ; relieved, 3; at own request, 3 ; irregular, 0, Dead, 2 ; entered, 18; under treatment, 69. Out patients : cured, 44 ; entered, 41:; under treatment, 32. Treasurer, James Houghton, Esq. Visitors, Mr. J. Ingram, and Mr. T. Rogers. Honorary chaplain, Rev. D. T. Barry, B.A. Physicians and surgeons for the week, Dr. Cameron, and Dr. P. trie. House surgeons, Mr. Charles Royston and Mr. E. C. Garland. THE CASE AT BOOTLE.—As we hoped, this case has turned out to be the result of different causes from those to which the reports in the locality attributed the death. The name of the deceased was Mary Burrows. She was 42 years of age ; and it appears she was much addicted to drink—and her husband stated she would have drink, no matter how she got it. On the Monday evening, between eight and nine o'clock, she was very drunk, and whilst in that state she fell down and died. Dr. Hodgart stated that he was called to see the deceased on Monday night, and found her dying, ;n fact she died five or six minutes after he saw her. He bad made a pest mortem examination of the body, and found the cause of death to be congestive apoplexy, no doubt the result of excessive drinking. The jury found a verdict accordingly. PROFESSOR RETZLAG'S LECTURES.--The first of a series of lectures, announced to be delivered by Professor Carl Retzlag, formerly of the University of Ros tock, upon the " History of Europe since the Congress of Vienna." was given last night, in the Theatre of the Mechanics' Institution, Mount-street. There was only a moderate attendance. Professor Retzlag commenced his lecture at eight o'clock. The first° lecture was wholly of a merely introductory character, Professor Retzlag properly considering it necessary/ to, give his audience a general glance at the condition of Europe previous to the event with which his proposed course of lectures was to begin, in order more clearly to show the causes which produced that event, He, therefore, took a rapid and comprehensive survey of the condition of Europe during the prevalence of the feudal system, and the different causes which, operating in different ways throughout European nations, developed them, gradually, into the relative positions of social progress and freedom, in which, at the close of the last century, they found themselves. He 1, showed how, in some nations the causes operating naturally developed a repub lis•An goverment, or a form of monarchy like that of Great Britain, resembling a republic in the freedom of its institutions, while others remaine'l still weighed down by the heavy forms of despotic or aristo cratic monarchies. Between the state of this country a century back and its present condition, with its railways and telegraphs, its cheap press, and diffused literature, he drew"a vigorous contrast, and showed how most of the social disorders and civil strife of earlier days was due to the fact that the population of each district, having no means of intercourse, by travelling or by correspondence, were thoroughly localised in mind, and felt no general patriotism, or brotherhood, towards j the; other parts of the country. He then surveyed in like manner the condition of France before and after the revolution, and in the same manner the other principal countries of Europe. Thus he brought his hearers, in a brief but comprehensive sketch, down to that epoch of history which is to be the starting point of his course of lectures. The introductory lecture was remarkable for its correct, clear, and even eloquent English, so that only by the accent of the speaker could the audience have known that they were listening to a foreigner. The assembly evinced their gratification by frequent applause. The Liverpool Cotton Market has been very firm to day, and prices have had an upward tendency, with a large business, the sales reaching 14,000 bales, and included 4,000 taken on speculation and export. The Liverpool Share Maiket opened at an advance of three quarters to one per cent. upon the closing prices of yesterday, and quickly improved a further half per cent, for Midland Stock upon some speculative buying. And after a decline of Z- to ff per cent., rallied to about the highest point of the day. The market closed firm at the following prices :—Aberdeen, 111 11-I. Chester and Birkenhead, 133 131. Caledonian, 281 284. Chester and Holyhead, 12 123. East ern Counties, 8 11-16 81. East Lancashire, 181 183. Great Northern, 231 24. Ditto A, 10 1-16 10 3.16. Great Western, 55 553. Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock 80-2- 801 Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 15 151. London and North Western Stock, 98 981. Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln, 25k 25g. Ditto Preference, 131 133. Ditto New 6 per cent Pref., 3 &p. Midland Stock, 691 69;- 1 . North British, ig 72. North Staffordshire, 81 84d. South Eastern, 18. - 181.• York, Newcastle, and Berwick. 172 171. York and North Midland, 231 24. Leeds Capital Stock, 131 14. Dutch Rhenish, 13-16 x all 15-16 p. Ditto New 93 2-Ip. Great Western of Canada, Ditto New Shares, 31 31p. Great It will be seen on reference to the letter, pub lished in another column, of our Paris corres pondent, that the French Government has decreed an alteration in the duty on Wool, charging the import on the weight, instead of ad valorem, as heretofore. This is an indication of a more liberal commercial policy, and will, in effect, reduce the duty one half, by which a boon will be conferred on the Wool trade of tb A LIVERPOOL CORRESPONDENT LANDING TRANSPORT CORPS, Balaklava, Dec. 5, 1855 Military discipline is " waking up ;"—the mantle of the " Iron Duke " has fallen at last on the shoulders of one who wears it imperiously, and courts martial are the order . of the day. Only fancy that I, who was generally considered a de cent sort of' fellow at home, handy at able to wield a sledge hammer, or a lady's pen without flinching, and , to give a stave of " Ruh Britannia," or " The Englishman," like a man boldly and fervently, " a la Braham "—that I, your present correspondent, have actually been twice tried by (what sounds most awful to many) a court martial; and you may desire to know how such a disgrace could fall upon me. Listen, then, to my " plain and unvarnished" tale. In my last I told you I was appointed to official railway duties, and was commissioned to deliver corn and provender to the stables for the use of the mules spoken of in my last letter. Well, one day I landed grain at Balaklava, which, by some magician's wand, was found to be partly oats, when it should have been anything all barley, and I was further charged with "neglect of duty "in not taking a receipt for it. On a fair and impartial investigation of the " Barley Case," I was found "not guilty ;" on the " Receipt Affair" guilty, but no punishment was awarded on account of previous good conduct. So you see after all there is nothing like keeping a good cha racter to help out any unfortunate wight, whom malice, or offended dignity, might consign to the halberds. I am considered by my comrades to have been a fortunate fellow in coming' off " Scot free," as my Captain is a most severe man, and very much disliked in the regiment, and had he not left the 30th "in double quick time " it was not improbable he might have " lain like a warrior taking his (final) rest," with a bullet wound about him; but, " discretion being the better part of valour," he saved his bacon, by "amputating his mahogany !" The termination of the above cases not being ,uite to my Captain's taste, in the course of a week after, that valiant son of Mars sent me again before a court-martial " because I did not hear a noise in our hut when I was asleep," and also charging me with insolence to the Sergeant-major and himself, in claiming " the right to be brought up in the morn ing," instead of being kept a close prisoner in the hut, as before, for three days. I was again heard most patiently, and with the characteristic fair play that ever distinguished a British court of justice, I was nominally fined, and my pay reduced sixpence a day. It must be understood that discipline exacts a sentence, often unjust in itself, but still necessary to uphold the authority of our superior officers—and I shall ever remember, with lively gratitude, the considerate kindness shewn to me on these occasions. The name of my prosecutor may not interest you, but it is a pity not to men tion the initials, in case any stray friends may recognise the portrait of Captain P in any remarks on the 39th. He is facetiously known out here as " The Corkscrew," from his stopping the men's grog or bottles whenever he could. I must draw my narrative to a close till the next mail, when I may entertain you with some sketches of daily incidents in camp lif e. G. A. N. A FORTUNATE SON OF MARS. —A private soldier named Benjamin Shaw, belonging to the 2nd (Queen's Own) Regiment, at present stationed in Mallow barracks, re ceived a letter on Friday, announcing that he had been left five hundred pounds a-year by an uncle, who died in England last September. Shaw is represented to be a very steady, correct fellow, and is quite a young man. Ho declares that his good fortune will not induce him to relinquish the " trade of arms," as he would immediately get his name on the list at the Horse-guards to purchase a commission. DISSOLUTIONS OF PARTNERSHIP.—T. Crawshaw, M. Ro binson, and T. Holgate, Old Accrington, Lancashire, blacksmiths, so far as regards T. Holgate ; T. Clifford and J. Gorton. Tong-with-Hanlgh, Lancashire, soda water manufacturers ; J. Jones, B. Sproule, T . G reen, W. Tay lor. T. Bold, a n d J . Phillips, Liverpool, ship bread bakers ; J. Jones, B. Sproule, T. Green, W. Taylor, and T. Bold, Liverpool, provision merchants; G. Okell and J. Kendal, Afanchester, stuff merchants; W. Brown and E. Walker, Birstal, Yorkshire, painters; J. Curtis and J. Richardson, Leeds, upholsterers ; W. Horton, and S. C. Silyerwood, Sheffield, manufacturers of skates ; T. C. Hounsell, W. Hounsell, and W. Schenk, St. John's, Newfoundland, merchants ; T. Routlidge and T. B. Routlidge, Pontefract, Yorkshire, drapers; C. Ullathorne ani G. T. Stewart, Liverpool, drapers. THE MURDER OF ROBERT STIRLING, ESQ.—On Tuesday morning, information was received at the chief police office, London, which may facilitate the apprehension of the persons concerned in this atrocious murder. It will be remembered that amongst the articles taken from the person of the deceased was a silver engine -turned watch. It being suspected that the watch is in the possession of an unlicensed pawnbroker (dolly -shop keeper), her Majesty's Secretary of State has engaged to remit the penalty, and advise the grant of her Majesty's pardon to any unlicensed pawnbroker or other person, who may have taken the watch in pledge or purchased it, not being the actual perpetrator of the murder, provided he or she pro duce it promptly, and give evidence as to the person from whom it was received, and a reward of .£5O will be paid on its production. This is independent of any claim the person may have to the whole or a portion of the large reward of £5OO already offered, and to be paid to any person or persons who may he instrumental in obtaining the conviction of the murderer or murderers. FATAL CARRIAGE ACCIDENT.—OR Tuesday, as Miss Parnell, the daughter of Mr. Hugh Parnell, solicitor, of - Upper Clapton, and New Broad-street, City,, was proceed ing in her father's carriage along Baker-street, at the back of the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road, the whole of the coachman's seat, together with the footboard, suddenly gave way, and fell forw ar d on th e h aunc h es of the horses. George Jacobs, the coachman, and a footman, were on the box, and falling therewith, were unable to extricate them selves. The horses becoming frightened, started forward at a wild gallop into the Bagnigge-wells-road, until they arrived close to the House of Correction, when, turning off on to the pavement, the animals dashed headlong into a shoemaker's shop. Fortunately, the occupant of the shop had time to escape by a back door at the instant, or his death must have been inevitable. The horses and carriage were instantly overturned, Miss Parnell thrown forward with great violence, her head going through the front window of the carriage, the glass cutting her face in a fear ful manner. The coachman and footman were entangled beneath the vehicle and horses. The latter becoming doubly furious at the impediment they had met with, plunged in a frightful manner, and the unfortunate men for several minutes lay directly bent.,th the animals' hoofs. Assistance having arrived, the sufferers were quickly extricated, and the horses set at liberty. Miss Parnell, who was bleeding pro. fusely from several severe wounds about her head and face, was removed to her father's residence, at Upper Clapton. The coachman was most dreadfully injured ; he was removed to the Royal Free Hospital, where he expired soon afterwards. The footman was not so severely injured. The shoemaker's shop is a low small domicile, built in an old fashioned style, several feet below tke pavement, DISCIPLINE IN THE CRIMEA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—Please to insert the accompanying second letter from Balaklava—the first having given much satisfaction to several of your readers. The present will bear out the conclusion, that, however, inert and relaxed the camp discipline was, on our first landing in the Crimea, the present rigid court martials will satisfy "John Bull " that the Land Transport Corps earn their pay before they get it. Genuine letters from the seat of war convey a more correct panorama of passing events than any for mal official communication.—l am, sir, yours, &c.. Your letters and newspapers are received very regularly, and they tell us more about the war than we know, who are here in the midst of it, and the honours accorded as paid to our Generals, are more imaginative than true. We pass heroes here with as little ceremony as a commoner in London ; and, if we are7not thought to be " a band of heroes," equal to any of the Spartans of old, all I can say is, let some of the " Cobden school" come out here for one campaign only, and see a little real life in the Crimea. FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) name a daily newspaper editor of high sta ing, who makes his newspaper express fullest confidence in peace, and _ frankly confesses to his friends that he h, has none. As to the Government, its journal, by the pen, and its partisans by the tongue, vo\ that it is quite determined to make peace, and quite convinced that there will be peace ; but it is easy to see that there is much uncertainty beneath their bluster. As to the Emperor, I am again assured, by people who ought to know, that he is not for peace, and that his present peaceable atti tude is only assumed from interested calculations. It will be some days yet before ;we 'shall be in possession of the official despatches of the Russian Government announcing its acceptance of the Austrian propositions—they are not expected at Vienna until the 24th. It is said that Prussia hesitates to accept the offer made her by the Allies, to take part in the approaching conferences, on condition of declaring against Russia in the event of peace not being obtained. If this be true, it is an indication that Prussia knows that Russia is not sincere in accept ing the conditions of Austria, and that the Confer ences will be a mere sham. The Bourse at the early part of 'the day mani fested great discouragement, but afterwards rallied on receipt of the news that the Russian Govern ment had ordered Gortschakoff to suspend opera- yet 1. The Moniteur of yesterday, contained an Impe rial decree, making some alterations in the Wool duties, but I refrained from mentioning it until I should have an opportunity of inquiring of busi ness-men the precise signification of it. It was, it appears, the imposition of the duty on wool by weight, instead of ad valorem as heretofore, and it reduces the duty nearly one-half. These alterations cannot fail to be advantageous to the wool trade in England. Months ago, you may remember, told you that the French Emperor was determined to adopt a liberal commercial policy. THE PEACE QUESTION The Independence says —The preliminaries of peace cannot very well be signed before the Ist or 2nd of February. The official document signed at St. Peters burg on the 16th by Count Nesselrod e and Count Ester hazy, must first be sent to Vienna: It roo, despatched to the Governments of France and England. As soon as their representatives at Vienna have b e en authorised to attach their signatures, an armistice will be immediately proclaimed. It will then be decided in what place the negotiations will be carried on. The diplomatic usage is, that the preliminaries and the definitive treaty of peace are never signed in the same place. Vienna is, therefore, excluded. The seat of the negotiations will most likely be Paris. It is stated in the Independence that, with reference to the fifth point, there will not be the difficulties generally apprehended. The French papers, reputed to be connected with the government, are assuming, in the most complacent man ner, that the first four of the Esterhazy propositions express all that France and England demand of Russia, and when not entirely ignoring the fifth point, assuring, their readers that the Allies, or at any rate France, wilt not make use of it, to raise difficulties about Bomarsund. In other words, Russia has only to refuse to admit it, and it will be dropped. The Journal des Debets, of Tuesday, has an article by its chief writer, which concludes thus :—" The peace of 1856, in order that it may not falsify our expectations, must have its basis on the alliance between France and England. It is that alliance which led the war to a successful issue. In that alliance also must peace find its force and efficiency. Weaken the union between these powers, and the peace of 1856 becomes nothing but a skilful calculation of Russia, for subverting by peace the harmony which she could not disturb by war. Maintain the present sincere alliance unimpaired, and the peace of 1856 will have yielded the objects for which the war was prosecuted." The Berlin journal says, that an advice from St, Petersburg of January 21st, informs it that Russia will • not disappoint the hopes of Europe, or allow herself to be prevented by minor points in carrying on the work,' of conciliation. She hopes her moderation will be acknowledged as it deserves to be. The propositions of the English Cabinet are reported at Vienna to have been formally expressed. Before entering upon negotiations, the Cabinet of St. James's insists on the admission of consuls to the ports of Russia in the Black Sea—a precise definition of the Asiatic frontier of Russia —and the abandonment of the Aland isles as a fortified post. These are stipulated as the fifth category.. Russia has not accepted the carte-blanche. The Rus sian Cabinet was made acquainted with the special conditions which comprise the prohibition to re-build Bomarsund, the exact limitation of the Russian frontiers in Asia, and the right of appointing consuls in the Rus sian ports in the Black Sea. The Cabinet of Vienna will have to receive its official despatches from Count Esterhazy, communicating the particulars of the Russian acceptance. It will then have to address the Cabinets of Paris and London, in forming them of what has occurred ; upon that they will have to deliberate, and come to a resolution. As the despatches from Austria can hardly be received for two or three days to come, patience must be exercised by the public if they would avoid falling into error. A private despatch received at Paris, on Tuesday, an nounced that an armistice had been signed in Lonclon the same day. MILITARY AND NAVAL PROSPECTS OF GREAT 13RITAINa —Although we may look back with satisfaction to many things, we have still much to deplore in the past, and grave causes for anxiety in the future. That the war will continue and assume far greater dimensions than it has hitherto done, we can have little doubt. We are equally persuaded that the country will not tolerate any' ministry which is not prepared to prosecute it with vigour, and for adequate objects. It is only by yielding to the unanimous feeling of the nation that an admi nistration, in itself one of the weakest and most incompetent England has ever seen, is able to retain the conduct of public affairs, But, unfortunately, from such a government we can scarcely expect any of those measures which alone will enable us to take our share in this gro at contest with an honour and success worthy of the nation. We may aid our allies by the indomitable courage of our soldiers and the vast extent of our material resources, hut at the same time we bring discredit on ourselves by the inferio rity of the position we have assumed. At the end of two years' war, there is still no man to whom the country can look with confidence t o res t ore h er military fame, and to wield her vast naval power. We can turn, it is true, to the deeds of our soldiers and regimental officers as some balm to Mir wounded national pride ; but, as we have heard it Stated by a high and impartial authority, who has had every opportunity at home and abroad of forming a opinion, we h ave, w i th the best soldiers, in tl world, the worst administrators. Wealth and have both been recklessly squandered ; obtained inferior results at a stupendous cost. Every thing is still within our grasp ; but while we point with exultation to cur great array of ships and gunb oa ts, to our preparations for th e next campaign, and to the heap of provisions and clothing which, now that they are scarcely needed, encumber our camp, let not the country forget that something more is required to restore our national charac: ter to its full and rig/AM height. It is for that we m ust , now contend, as much as for the independence of Turkey and the freedom of Europe.--Quarterly Review, we have • PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING. I have reason to believe that the French Govern ment has this day sent off orders to the Crimea to suspend military operations against the Russians. A telegraphic despatch from Berlin says that the Russian Government has already despatched an order to that effect to General Gortschakoff. Several regiments are under orders to leave the Crimea, and it is said, to-day, that orders have been sent to Marseilles to delay the departure of tl that were destined to replace them. This, 1 eve:, proves little. What is more signitican , that the French Government has not susnen any of its preparations for continuing the war, net countermanded any of its more important ordeng. The confidence in peace that was manifested so noisily, and so offensively, the other day, is by no means so strong to day —at least amongst th© higher classes. I could name, if it were proper so to do, half a dozen political personages of great weight, who believed in peace on Friday last, and do not believe in it now. I could, for instance. is ad ap as