The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-04-11 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL STATIONERY, BOLD BY CHARLES WILLMER, WHOLESALE STATIONER AND PRINTER, 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET, LIVERPOOL. Dn of Merchants, Brokers, Trades ?ectfully drawn to the fol- it others, is LETTER PAPER Per Ream. For 3 Reams s. d. £ s. d. , 6 0 0 17 6 6 6 0 18 0 6 0 0 17 0 Superfine large thin Cream Laid. Blue Wove Ditto ditto Yellow Wov( Bank Post (Towgood's) f Foreign 7 6 1 1 0 Correspondence j French, extra thin.. 761 1 0 FOOLSCAP OR CUSTOM HOUSE PAPER. Thin Blue Laid Middle Yellow Wove, L ! 4, 1 Adhesive, full letter size Taick Yellow Wove, ditto... ENVELOPES NOTE PAPER Per Ream. For 3 Reams •••• 9 0 1 6 0 .... 9 6 1 7 6 ss. per 1000, ... 6s per 1000, es, or 3s 6d per ream r 3s 6d per ream 1 Laid, 1 Wove, 1 Half-bound, calf 6s; 480 do, 7s; ACCOU •ery descri mane beat style, on the short Orders from the Country r lye prompt attention. LETTER COPYING BOOKS, 3d and indexed, do, 7s 6d ; 580 do, 8s 6d BOOKS, red on the premises, in the and at prices equally low. WHOLESALE PAPER WAREHOUSE, 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET, LIVERPOOL WILLMER'S RLTLIN GUIDE, for APRI X.Y AND STEAMBOAT -PRICE TWOPENCE. yCH kftLES WILLm au, 19, South John-street, and by all Booksellers Zatts. THIS DAY On account of whom it may concern. THIS DAY, the 11th instant, at Half-past One o'clock, at Golding and Nash's saleroom, Corn Exchange, Bruns- wick-street, About 509 Barrels Damaged Western Canal FLOUR, on the quay, ex Ellen Austin, from New York ; A Quantity Damaged INDIAN CORN, on the quay, ex Rocklight, prom New Orleans ; and A Quantity INDIAN CORN, in warehouse, ex Silistria, from New Orleans.—For par ticulars apply to J. & M. HARNETT, Brokers. On account of whom it ma concern. Tins DAY, the 11 th instant, at falf-past One o'clock, at Golding and Nash's saleroom, Corn Exchange, Bruns wick-street, 1000 Barrels Superfine FLOUR, sundry brands, and all more or less ship damaged, ex Ellen Austen, from New York.—Apply to A. F. and R. Maxwell, Merchants, or to JOHN TOMLINSON & SON, Brokers, THIS DAY, the 11 th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, Colonial-buildings, Dale-street, 370 Bags LINSEED, all faults, ex Delhi, from Calcutta.—For further particulars apply to BITSHBY & CO., Brokers. THIS DAY, the 11th instant, at One o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 230 Tons DIVIDIVI, Tlermana, from Rio Hache.—Apply to JOHN & SAMUEL BECKWITH, Brokers. the 11th instant, at One o'clock, at the rokers' office, 1, Oldhall-street, ties sea damaged Mobile COTTON, nz on the quay, north-east Prince's Dock,— UNNINGIIANI & HINSHAW, Brokers. TO-MORROW TO -MORROW, the 12th instant, at One o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 32, Exchange-alley North, 12 Barrels Broken Refined SUGAR, 3 Casks Sweepings DITTO, jast landed ex Cameleon, from Amsterdam.—Apply to JOHN B. BRANCSSR & SON, Brokers. NEXT WEEK M 0 " .N 4 DAY On account of whom it may concern On MONDAY next, t t Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, About 120 Bales COTTON, &c., all faults, saved from the wreck of the Constitution, from New York ; lying at the Wreck Shed, north end of Prince's Dock.— Apply to Messrs. Bowman, Grinnell & Co., Merchants, or to SAMUEL BEARSLEY & CO., Brokers, 36, Exchange-street East. On TUESDAY a TUESDAY. of the Brok 750 Bales JUTE, t Twelve o'clock now landing ex Patrio Apply to Id or to t side Prince's Dock. srs. Thomas and John Brocklebank, Merchants, T. & H. LITTLEDALE & CO., Brokers. WEDNES2DAY Oa WEDNESDAY next, the 16th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Public saleroom, 464 Bags SALTPETRE, just arrived ex Patriot Queen.—Apply to Messrs. Thomas and John Brocklebank, Merchants, or to T. & H LITTLEDALE & CO , Brokers. On WEDNEiDAY next, the 16th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Public saleroom, Exchange-buildings, 147 Bales Bombay MADDER ROOTS, ex Howden ; in Highfield's, Robert - street.—App ly to T. & H. LITTLEDALE & CO., Brokers. THURSDAY On THURSDAY next, the 17th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 13, Exchange-buildings, 375 Bags Bengal LINSEED, 430 Do. Yellow MUSTARD SEED, 444 Do. Bombay RAPESEED, 100 Do. Malabar PEPPER. T. & H. LITTLEDALE & CO., Brokers. Apply to EARLY DELIVERY Op THE "NORTHERN TIMES."—Any subscriber within four miles of the Liverpoll Exchange, or at Rock-ferry, Tranmere, Birkenhead, Woodside, Oxton, Claughton, Seacombe, Egremont, or New Brighton, who does not receive his copy of the "NORTHERN TIMES," by Eight o'clock will oblige the publisher by addressing a note to him at the office notifying the fact, in order that the cause of complaint may be investigated and removed. As our messengers commence their delivery at five o'clock on each morning, it would greatly facilitate its completion if subscribers would have letter-boxes in their doors through which the papers might be dropped, as the detention at some houses is very great at present, and causes delay and disappointment to other subscribers. EVENING EDITION ar An Evening Edition of the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES is 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 to Press. Ticm ANN DAILY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NORTHERN TIMES is TWO GUINEAS PER ANNUM. e Fitt stn (giattl FRIG APRIL 11, 1856 THE mercantile community are deeply indebted INTOUN, for his able and lucid cal operation of the Bank it difficulty in deal- to the Earl of I exposition of the pm( Charter Act of 14-14. The gr rd cur N icy, is to avoid theoretical speculations, and to select those facts which bring the defects of past legislation home to the public at large in an intelligible shape. This Lord EGLINTOIIN did in the House of Lords Monday last. The noble lord commenced by g, that the present Bank Charter Act was I in 1844, for ten years, after which time it was liable to be terminated on the expiration of tice, and that the Bank of England ing with banking a statin establishe one year y be said to be now waiting for a new charter ; but that ho believed few persons would desire to see the act renewed, without the might consequen subject's undergoing " a most searching investiga -4 tion." Here we have the very cogent reason which has induced the Bank to suffer their charter to remain so long in abeyance. They enjoy, it is true, all the privileges and profits of the Act of 1844, still they do so only on sufferance. The Legislature dreads to undertake the renewal of a measure so generally denounced; and the Bank Directors are fearful of the consequences of agitating a question, in which they know they would be opposed by nearly every merchant and trader in the country. This is saying little for the strength or consistency of the Government, whose duty it is to see that those institutions, whose existence is closely interwoven with the material interests of society, are preserved intact, or for the perfection of a law which, we are told, few persons would desire to see renewed, without undergoing a most searching investigation. This country is now probably on the eve of a career of considerable commercial enterprise, as Lord EGLINTOUN observed; and it therefore be comes necessary for mercantile men to consider well the actual conditions on which they engage in any large increase of trade. Banking discounts stand first on the list of conditions to be taken into account in such cases ; and what are we told by the House of Lords on this vitally important Why, that "during the last eleven years point " forty fluctuations of interest had taken place, " varying from 2 to 7,8, and 9 per cent.; whereas " in previous years the fluctuations were few and " trifling. These fluctuations appeared to be on " the increase, for during the last four years they had amounted to eighteen, and during the last " year to eight." Now, these fluctuations take place in obedience to the movements of gold—a commodity over which we have no more control than we have over the cotton, sugar, coffee, or tobacco crops of other countries. And when the precious metal does leave us, the Governor of the Bank o f England stated, in 1844, that " the means of get.. `• ting back the gold is by making money dear, " and causing a fall generally in the price of comm. " dities, which will bring back gold, and prices will ",fall in consequence of the increased value of money:' With such a system as this in operation, it is quite impossible for any man in trade to guard against loss. The Bank Directors are told that they are to act simply as bankers, and are not to consider the changes which may take place in taxation or the general condition of the nation. And since these individuals show that they have not been losers by the fluctuations which have taken place within the last year, why should they care whether the means taken to get back gold should cause " a fall generally in the price of commodities ?" It matters not to them how much the manufactures and other pro ducts of the country are depreciated in value in the foreign markets where gold is to be obtained, so long as they can raise their rates of discount to 6, Y, and 8 per cent. By regulating the amount of circulation the public shall have, they can compel those requiring banking accommodation to go to them and pay the high rates they demand, while they are at the same time depreciating the bor rower's goods in value ! This may occur forty times in eleven years, or eight times in one short twelve months ! These fluctuations, Lord EGLIN TOUN told the House of Peers, have increased very remarkably within the last few years. And it is strange that, with the " fall generally in the price of commodities" which must attend every advance in the Bank's rate of discount, the dividends increase. It would appear, in fact, from the Bank's having recently divided ten per cent. among their stock-holders, that the more frequent the general fall in prices of commodities the better it is for the monopolists of Thread. needle-street. It seems as if they had, under the operation of the Bank Charter Act, of 1844, a direct interest in depressing the fair and natural price of all those products on which the industry and capital of the realm is expended. The Ministry who would shrink from an investi gation of such a system is, what ?—as Lord DERBY asked on Monday. Lord EGLINTOUN has proved that the Act of 184.4 has been eight times within a year of war opposed to the commercial and indus trial interests of the country, and " Bearing " the prices of all commodities totally irrespective of supply and demand—and what is still worse, in a season when the burdens of taxation were nearly doubled, as compared with the eleven years in which only forty fluctuations took place. In 1855, the Bank of England Directors altered their rates of discount eight times, knowing fully well that by lowering the price of money they advanced the prices of all commercial commodities, and that they would be depressed by raising the rates of discount ! Such a piece of machinery as this was never before suffered to exist in any civilised, to say nothing of a trading country. The mercantile and industrial classes are, how ever, not the only victims of the pernicious act in question. It places the fund•holders and public annuitants generally, in a most hazardous position. Lord ,:TaLinToux reminds us that Mr. HORSEY PALMER, when speaking of the panic of 1847, stated that, " if the Bank of England had " attempted to relieve itself by a sale of " Consols, the price of those securities would have " gone down to 60." Where would have been the annuitant interest then ? and what would have become of the convertibility of the 1 4,000,0001. of notes issued by the Bank on Government Stocks ? The baseless fabric of that enchanting vision— convertibility—would have passed away, leaving not a wreck behind, if the Bank had done that which it should always be able to resort to for safety. We say, then, that there is imminent danger in leaving the country exposed to the recognised and generally admitted impracticability of our present banking laws. The remedy, Lord EGLINTOUN suggests, for the existing incongruities, is a return of One Pound Notes, to be issued as legal tender, to increase the note circulation, now based on Government Stock, to 18,000,009/. or 20,000,0001., the adoption of a minimum rate of interest, and to add to the present Board of Directors a Governor and two Sub-governors, to be appointed by the Crown, with a view of assimilating the Bank of England to that of France, on the simple ground that, as within the last four years we must have had twenty changes in the rates of discount, the Bank of France has only made two ! One and all of these proposals would probably be gladly received by the public—but where should we be at the end of a year or two hence ? Gold would still be the basis of our circulation. When it was called for by other countries in the ordinary course of exchange, the Bank, though limited to a minimum rate of interest, would, nevertheless, be left to employ those means of getting back gold, which would cause " a fall generally in the price of commodi ties." A minimum rate of interest is not what is wanted in commerce, but a fair commercial maximum, with a stringent enactment against usury. Give the country these two safeguards against the forced depreciation of its products, and we shall have fewer fluctuations, and lower banking dividends, all of which are matters, the Ministry may rest assured, which cannot be " tided over," as Lnrd DERBY told the Duke of ARGYLL in Monday's debate. TIE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVRRPOOL, PRIDAY, APRIL 11, 181$6 MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL, LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY EVENING. There has been a very great activity in the Liverpool Cotton Market to-day and a most extensive business has been done at full prices, the sales reaching 22,000 bales, of which 15,000 have been taken by the trade. The Liverpool Share Market opened firm at the closing prices of yesterday, and continued steady for the greater part of the day, but closed a shade easier :—Aberdeen, 13k 14. Chester and Bir kenhead. 16 161. Caledonian, 301 xd 308. Chester and Holyhead, 168 164. Eastern Counties, 104 10$. East Lancashire, 191 191. Great Northern, 23k 231 Ditto A, 94 101. Great Western, 641 651. Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock, 881- 89. Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 161 161. London and North Western Stock, 100,-, 1012, Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 288 29. Ditto Pref., Hz- 111. Ditto New 6 per cent. Pref., 7-16 9-16 p. Midland Stock, 741, 75. North British, 81 81- 4 . North Stafford shire, 6 514. South Eastern, 218 2.2. York, New castle, and Berwick, 191 198. Y or k a n d North Midland, 281 28k. Leeds Capital Stock, 16 161. Dutch Rhenish, 1 13-16 1 15-16 p. Ditto 31p. Great Western of Canada, Shares, 3 31 7 p. Ditto Great Luxembourg, el 624. New Shares, 3g Ditto 2n(l issue, 2 13-16 26 268 L .TEST INTELLIGENC THE CONGRESS PARIS, THURSDAY EVENING To-day there has not been any meeting of the plenipotentiaries at the Minister of Foreign Affairs, nor is it probable that there will be any before Saturday In consequence of the increased charges for Lighterage at Melbourne, we learn that the owners of the Black Ball and White Star Lines of Aus tralian packets have advanced the rates of freight for goods to the wharf to 70s. per ton, but goods for the bay are still taken at 555. per ton by both lines. FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, Just after closing my letter last evening, I learned that what has been resolved about the congress is this—that instead of continuing to sit, as it has been doing since the signing of peace, it will nominate a commission, consisting of one member for each power, to examine into the condition of Italy and other states of Europe, and to draw up reports or protocols, or whatever may be the diplomatic name thereon ; and that afterwards another grand congress will be called, to take the documents into consideration, and to decide on them. Now that peace has come, the question of the Fusion " of the two Bourbon families and their partisans has again come on the tapir. I am informed that the fusion may be considered as accomplished, the little Count do Paris (Louis Philippe's grandson) has written to the Duke de Bordeaux to recognise " his rights " as legitimate king of France, and to say that though "extraordinary events have suspended the exercise of those rights, they continued to exist." The meaning of this is that the Count de Paris—in other terms the family and party of which he is the nominal head—makes an amende honourable to the Legitimists for the revolutionary reign of Louis Philippe, and that the two parties will henceforth be united in their opposition to the Bonapartean government. At a meeting of the creditors of Mr. W. 0. Young, held to-day, a statement of the probable assets and liabilities was read. This gave liabilities to the amount of 65,7501., and assets of 25,2491. A long conversation took place with regard to a patnership which was supposed to subsist between the above gentleman and Mr. Beckwith, of New castle ; and it was finally agreed that the meeting should be adjourned until an investigation had taken place in this matter. Mr. Pitcairn and Mr. Stevens consented to act as inspectors. The Funds opened firmly this morning and soon attained a fresh rise of -3 to per cent. In the afternoon a reaction took place, owing to some influential sales, coupled with a certain feeling of disappointment at the maintenance of the existing rates of discount by the Bank directors at their ' weekly meeting to-day. The closing prices were 7,- per cent. below those of yesterday, being 958 I. In general character the market remains steady. The whole of the gold ex Red Jacket, amounting to upwards of 400,0001. has been sent into the Bank, the demand on French account having ceased. It is known, however, that the shipments`to the East, of gold drawn from the Bank, have, during the last fortnight, been very heavy. This drain which is partly in connection with the Turkish Loan and partly induced by other government requirements in that quarter will tend to induce the Bank to postpone the abrogation of its seven per cent charge for the 60 to 95 days' bills. The demand for money, which is stimulated by the new foreign undertakings now in course of intro duction into this market, will also operate in the same direction. In the Discount Market com parative quietude prevailed, to-day's instalment on the new loan having been provided for, whilst the release of the dividend money imparts relief. At Paris to-day the Three per Cent. Rentes closed only sc. below the final quotations of yesterday, so that the recent advance is well maintained. The Railway Share Market was rather better this morn ing, but did not maintain the improvement to the close. The closing quotations stood as follows : Caledonian, 61/ 613. Eastern Counties, 101 104-. East Lancashire, 76 78. Great Northern, 94 95. Ditto A. 79 80. Great Western, 6411 65. Lan cashire and Yorkshire, 883 888. London and North Western, 101 a 101:i. Manchester Shef field, and Lincolnshire, 282 29, Midland Stock, 741 741. North British, 341 35. South Eastern and Dover, 723 73. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 781 794. York and North Midland, 562 57k. I am assured that the London Times greatly exaggerates what it is proposed to do about Italy. Count Cavour does not in reality demand so much as he is represented to do, and the French Emperor cannot certainly grant anything like it. The newspapers announce the death, at Rouen, of M. Carrel, father of the celebrated Armand Carrel, editor of the republican National. The Timer has been seized by the police to-day, for having published some verses, hostile to the existing government, ascribed to Berdinger. The Assemblee Nationale publishes an article, in which it advocates an alliance between France and Austria, on the ground that the state of Turkey, in whom they have united interests, requires it, and that France cannot, with due regard to her own interests, adopt the revolutionary policy which England has for some time followed towards the Continental states, and especially Italy and Spain. A - number of literary men and publishers have formed themselves into a commission for promo. ting the sale of Lamartine's new periodical, Cours Familier de Litterature. They have done this in consequence of his being so reduced in fortune as to be obliged to write for his bread, and in consequence, also, of the public not giving him that support which they ought to do, considering his celebrity. The text of the manifesto of the Emperor Alexander, announcing the conclusion of peace, which has arrived to-day, and which will be in your hands (via Belgium) as soon as this letter, has wounded the vanity of the French. They think that he ought, in justice to them, if not to the English, have refrained from claiming the honour for Russia, of having repulsed the enemy at Sweaborg, as well as in the White Sea and on the coasts of Liberia; and that out of regard to them, if not to the English, he ought not to have represented his concessions as insignificant. PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS BY MAGIS TRATES-WHAT IS A " GENTLEMAN ?" TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN TIMES Sir,—Yesterday I attended at the Police Court, in order to hear a case which I understood would come before the bench. I was told, on presenting myself at the door of the centre court, that I could not be allowed in, as the magistrates were investigating a charge against a "gentleman," and that the enquiry was private. Had the accused been a poor man, whose existence perhaps would depend on his character, would their worships treat him so leniently as they seem to have dealt with the " gentleman ?" whom I understand was charged with a henious and serious crime. What, therefore, consti tutes a " gentleman ?" And had tha magistrates a right to shield a criminal, by not exposing his case in the usual way, because he stands in society as a "gentleman ?" These are questions, perhaps, that may be put to the Home Secretary, with this notice, &c, I am, sir, your obedient servant, R. S. Liverpool, 10th April, 1856. THE " DELICATE" INVESTIGATION.—Yesterday, shortly after one o'clock, Messrs. T. D. Anderson, and T. Bolton, entered into the " delicate" investigation alluded to yes terday, in the magistrates' room, at the police court. Th e magistrates, after consulting for some time, resolved to hear the case in private, and intimated to the reporters that their presence would not be required i n th e room. We are of.opinion that the holding privat e i nves ti gat i ons into matters of public notoriety leads to confusion, mis representations, and incorrect reports, If the idea of preventing publication be entertained by their worships, they are quite mistaken, for our reporter is in possession of all the facts, nearly as fully as their worships; but not being permitted to be present, he declines publishing them. It may be questioned whether the magistrates possess the power of excluding th e reporters , an d, even if they have, the policy of doing so is objectionable, for the reason stated. The reporters attend not out of curiosity, but in the discharge of a duty, to supply the public with the information which the public expect from the journals. We are aware that, in consequence of the paragraph which appeared in our paperyesterday, that several persons from 'Change attended at the court in order to hear the details of the case; but, after wait ing some time, they went away, remarking that they could see it all in the papers the next day. Well, we cannot satisfy them, for which their warships may be thanked. We may remark, that the complainant resides in Bold-street, and the charge was one against a person for an unnatural offence. We refrain from saying more, lest we might not be strictly accurate, but we believe the enquiry resulted thus—the defendant, who, we under stand, resides in the neighbourhood of Woolton, was fined L 5 for an assault, and ordered to enter into sureties of £2,000 to be of good behaviour in future. OXTON AND CLAUGHTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The Committee of this Season held their first meeting yesterday, when it was determined upon having two shows this season, the first on the sth July, and the second on the 28th August, to be held in Birkenhead Park, as before. William Ryrie, Esq., of Fir Grove, Claughton. was appointed secretary and treasurer for the season. CORONER'S INQUESTS.—Yesterday the coroner held the following inquests :—On the body of an unfortunate girl, named Mary O'Brien, aged 23. She was a confirmed thunkard. She died, according to the medical evidence, of apoplexy, brought on by excessive drinking. Verdict accordingly.—On the body of a man named Michael Dalton, aged 45, who died from having drunk a great quantity of rum, which he got on board a ship where he was at work. Verdict died of excessive drinking. SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL.—WEEKLY REPORT, APRIL 10, 1856.—1 n patients :—Discharged : cured, 12 ; relieved, 3; at own request, 3 ; irregular, 0. Dead, 2 ; entered, 20 ; under treatment, 49. Out patients : cured, 47 ; entered, 46 ; under treatment, 40. Treasurer, James Houghton, Esq. Visitors, T. Farnworth, Esq., and B. Platt, Esq. Honorary chaplain, Rev. D. T. Barry, B.A. Physicians and surgeons for the week, Dr. Cameron, and Mr. Minshull. House surgeons, Mr. E. C. Garland, and Mr. William Townsend. _ _ HISTORIC SOCIETY. —The literary section of this society met last night, in the grand jury room, St. George's Ha'l, Mr. 'l' Sansom in the chair. Among the donations acknow ledged to have been received were, from the Royal Irish Academy, volume 22, part 1. Science, and part 2, Polite Literature, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, volume 6, part 2; from the Philological Society, parts 12, 13, 14, for 1854, of the Transactions of the Society, and the Arch eological Cambrensis ; from Mr. Brown, twelve Greek and Roman Coins. Rev. Dr. Hume exhibited two soap -stone fi7, , tre., representing the Hindoo Mars and Janus; Mars, or Kartikza as he is called among the Hindoos, was represented by a mild faced man sitting on a peacock, while Janus was portrayed with an elephant's head and protuberant stomach. When a youth he is said to have lost his head in battle. His mother took him to Bramah (Saturn), who told her to appropriate the first head she came across, which happened to be an elephant's. Both figures are very finely executed. Dr. Hume also exhibited a silk purse envelope used in India, used for the purpose of conveying important letters and documents with safety and secresy. The paper for the even ing was "On Shakapeare's play of Hamlet," by the Rev. Mr. Ramsay. THE COURT The Queen held a Privy Council and Court, at three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, at Buckingham Palace. The Council was attended by the Prince Consort, the Earl of Harrowby, Viscount Palmerston, Sir George Grey, Sir Charles Wood, Lord Stanley of Alderley, and the Marquis of Breadalbane. Her Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Hon. Francis Earl of Ellesmere to be the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Lancaster, the customary oath of office was administered to his lordship. At the Court, Sir Alexander Malet was presented to the Queen at an audience by Viscount Palmerston, on returning from his post. Prince Albert, attended by his Equerry, rode on horse back. Her Majesty had a dinner party in the evening. The company included the Duchess of Kent. Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Spat], Lord George Lennox, Viscount and Viscountess Duncan, Lord and Lady Colville, Lord Redesdale and the Hon. Miss Milford, Lord Panmure, the Right Hon. Sir G. Cornewell and Lady Theresa Lewis, and Major-General Whinyates (Royal Artillery). ATIILONE ELECTION.-At the nomination of the candi dates yesterday, the show of hands was in favour of Mr. Ennis. Mr. Reynolds retired from the contest, but the Hon. Mr. Hancock has demanded a pall, which com mences at eight o'clock on Saturday. A sharp contest is expected, MURDER or Mits. KELLY.--Yesterday the coroner's inquest empannelled to enquire touching the death of this unfortunate lady, returned a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.—The Morning Herald publishes a despatch, which states that the nephew of till deceased has been arrested. THE FORGERY CASE.—Head Police Office, Dublin. — Mr. Knighting, late clerk in the transfer office of the Great Southern and Western Railway, was yesterday brought up in custody. The Rev. Dr. Gordon was present, and examined for the prosecution. After the examination of this witness, an application for bail was made and refused. Mr. Knighting was then fully committed to abide his trial by jury. ANOTHER CAPITAL CONVICTION OF A WOMAN.—Yester day, at the Central Criminal Court, Celestine Sommers, aged twenty-four years, was convicted of the wilful murder of her daughter, Celestine Sommers, on the 17th February last. The circumstances of this case must be fresh in the recollection of our readers. The sentence of death was passed by Mr. Justice Crompton, and the wretched convict, who had maintained great self possession throughout the painful enquiry, was removed from the bar in a state of insensibility. THE SCHOMBERO—COMMITTAL OF CAPTAIN FORBES,— We have to-day devoted a large portion of oar space to a full report of an investigation into the conduct of Captain Forbes, touching the unfortunate loss of the splendid ship Schomberg, which we have no doubt will be read with deep interest. Notwithstanding the extraordinary decision arrived at by the Colonial bench, in the committal of Captain Forbes to take his trial for neglect of duty, we apprehend that a perusal of the evidence will tend to remove, to a great extent, the unfavourable impression that had previously prevailed here in reference to his conduct. Our space to-day precludes further remarks, but we intend to review the evidence in our paper to-morrow. QUICK PASSAGE TO AUSTRALIA.—The Monica, of Liver pool, James Jackson, master, arrived out to Melbourne in seventy-five days, being the shortest passage made this year, cx.mpt the passage made by the Red Jacket, which vessel made the run in one day less. The captain writes her owners :—" We had very severe weather after leaving Liverpool. I got as far as Rathlin Island, in the North Channel, and had to run back again ; and it was the 27th October before we passed Tuskar, from whence to Cape Otway, entrance of Hobson's Bay, Melbourne, we were but sixty-six and a half days, which is considered to be one of the best passages made, considering the ship being deeply laden." On arrival at the Heads, Captain Jackson was presented with a very complimen. at y address from his passengers, in appreciation of his gentlemanly behaviour, and of his abilities as master of a vessel. THE CRIMEA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SEBASTOPOL, MARCH 24 The weather (I rejoice to say) yesterday showed signs of amendment; for a fortnight we had frost, snow, and sleet, which would have not disgraced the severest portion of the most inclement winter, but on Easter Sunday, spring favoured us with a reminder that she still retained her place among her four visitors, and meant to make her appear ance some time or other. Today she has sent us a warm sun, a southerly wind, and a genial atmos phere, as though she knew on this day the Races of the Allied Armies were to come off, and every one would be disappointed if she withheld her presence. Most fortunate, indeed; was the day for one of the grandest sights this Crimean land has ever beheld. In the valley of the Tchernaya, still covered with the mouldering remains of very different contests, was held the first Spring Meeting of the army in the East. The snot itself abounds in historical interest and natural beauties. In historical interest, for for here a little more than a year before those same nations—now met together for the peaceful sport of horse-racing —were engaged in one of the bloodiest battles ever recorded. Opposite you were those towering heights, long and wearily gazed upon with longing eyes by French and English, still brissling with Russian batteries and crowded with Russian troops ; while through the extensive valley- flowed the stream of the Tcher naya, that with its quiet waters marked the boundary line of so many and such fierce contend. ing passions. Here were thousands of French and English crowding the plain, where a few weeks back it would have been certain death for one of them to be seen, shaking hands and chatting with men whom so short a time back they would have delighted to have shot. In natural beauties, the spot is hardly less fruitful, for few are the spots on earth on which the eye could rest with more pleasure than the valley of the Tchernaya. Looking on the scene from the slight knoll on which was the grand stand, you saw exactly opposite you the far-famed Mackenzie's Heights towering above the whole range of mountains, which gradually sloped away from its dark sides, in the most beautiful and fantastic shapes, as far as the eye could reach, till it was shut in by the grey honey -combed rocks containing " The City of the Dead" on the one side, and by the bolder hills over the Belbek on the other. Behind you rose the Inkermann range, no less precipitous and characteristic in form, and now adding a . name to Engli s h s t ory. B etween the gigantic sines lay stretched for many a mile the valley of the Tchernaya, gradually narrowing towards Sebastopol, and opening on the other side on the plain of Balaklava. This valley once abounded in orchards and vineyards, and beautiful pasture-land, but under war's stern touch, it is now one vast desert plain, only relieved by the few trees still left on the banks of the river. Such was the scene where our first Spring Meeting was neld. To add to it, the art of man had not been wanting. The grand stand did much credit to the ingenuity and good taste of the French. It was erected on a slight eminence in the middle of the plain, and was ornamented with the branches of the evergreen and juniper ; in it were two seats, which were occupied by Generals Codrington and Pelissier ; the space in front was kept clear by Zouave sentries, while in the rear, the ground for fifty or sixty yards had been planted with small fir trees and evergreens, giving it the appearance of some fairy garden suddenly rising in the midst of a wilderness. In this garden, if I may so call it, French bands were stationed, and played opera airs throughout the day, The band of the cuirassiers (all mounted) elicited especial applause. At this place there was always a great crowd, listening to he bands, and staring at Pelissier's Arab sheik, and brilliant escort of Cuirassiers and Chasseurs de Afrique. Just beneath the grand stand was the starting post, and around it was grouped an assemblage of marquees, tents, and upturned artillery waggons, that gave quite a home character to the scene. The course was along the banks of the. Tchernaya, and a better course a man need never wish for. At the starting-post it was estimated there was from time to time collected together from 20,000 to 30,000 men, comprising almost every creed and nation under the sun. Though contrary to orders, many Russians came across the Tchernaya, and the French went over to them in crowds. The Russians lined the whole bank on their side the river, and among them was seen several priests in the peculiar costume cif the Greek Church, and some Albanians in magnificent dresses. General Luders himself came down for a short time. He is a fine, tall, military-looking, man ; he drove down in a Russian drosky, with the usual three horses abreast and conversed with some French officers who had crossed the river. The races began at noon, and terminated about 6 30 a.m.; and the two first were won by a Frenchman, a Count de Thalon. They went off (as the papers would say) with great eclat, and were a sight to be remembered for a life time MARCH 25m.—The same spring weather, and we begin to hope that winter is over at last. MARCH 20th.—Spring still cheers us with a feel ing of comfort, to which we have long been strangers. To-day there was a grand review of the French in the plain of Balaklava ; R. corps d'armee was out, about 20,000 men, a regiment of Cuiras siers and some artillery. It was a grand sight; the men (though small) looked active and steady ; the Cuirassiers have a very imposing effect, but which, owing to their being so badly mounted, they lose on a nearer inspection. The same day some Highland games came off at Kamara ; they were held in a small dell at the entrance of the mountain pass, on the road to Baidar. The little level bit of ground was entirely shut in by lofty mountains on every side, and the view of the games from the hill on which the 92nd camp stands was very pretty. The sword-dance excited the most attention ; it was exceedingly well done. The different regiments had tents pitched, where cham pagne lunches were to be had, while their bands played the well-known airs of their native land. Miss Nightingale is now in the Crimea, and I regret to say this foreign land was to-day . very nearly being her last resting place. She had a narrow escape of her life. It seems she had come to the Crimea with a body of nurses for the hos pitals. She was proceeding with a party of these to the hospitals of the Army Works Corps when the accident took place. They were being driven in one of the ambulance waggons, and for greater security had been strapped inside the cart. At a turn of the road, the mules took fright, dashed away with the waggon. and upset it down a deep ditch. The ladies were struggling underneath the waggon, unable, on account of the strap, to extricate themselves, the mules kicking, and the danger every moment becoming more imminent. At last the strap was undone, and they were all got out. Miss Nightingale, I am glad to say, received no injury ; but two of the nurses were seriously injured in the spine, and were taken to the hospital in a fainting state. They are still in a dangerous condition. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—l was much pleased with the letter in your last Saturday's paper respecting the above society, and much astonished that no notice has been taken either by the com mittee, Messrs. Tobin, Charles Turner, J. B. Lloyd, Arthur Henderson, Joseph Hubback, and Robertson Gladstone, or by Mr. Hackett, of the very reasonable demand, made by your correspondent, for a statement of the society's accounts for the last four years. I humbly think these gentlemen should take some decisive step to satisfy the subscribers, who form a large and influential body of the inhabitants of Liverp Dol. I quite coincide with all your correspondent has said, and think the Sacred Harmonic Society, recently designated by one of your cotemporaries as a " local myth," has been so long shrouded in mystery, that it is high time the curtain was raised, and the machinery exposed. I thank you, in the name of the subscribers, for taking the matter up, and am, yours, &c., ANOTHER UNFORTUNATE, MESSRS. MARE'S BANKRUPTCY.-At the audit meeting held at the Court of Bankruptcy before Mr. Commissioner Hlast, Mr. Lee, the official assignee reported olroyon tha M t the 'da government and other contracts were progressing favourably under the direction of the assignees, and that the whole of them were expected to be completed before the dividend meeting, which is fixed for the 20th of May. The amount of assets in hand at present is not large, but it is thought probable that a dividend of 10s in ;the pound will be declared at the first dividend meeting. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THERSDAY Their lordships met at five o'clock. A discussion took place on the subject of the su in reference to the road through St. James's Pal expression of opinion was generally against r Duke of York's column. CAVALRY HORSES IN THE CRIMEA. The Earl of ALBEMARLE enquired as to the truth of the report that the horses belonging to the Calv alr y Artillery, now in the Crimea, were to be sold there instead of being brought home. He believed that such a —flrharog V G proceeding was disparaging to British arms, anti the horses might be purchased by Russians to eetibiL 39 trophies. Lord PANMURE explained that only the horses would be sold, not take thossetahliatn::nerbeeruoolf a m considered worth bringing home. The sale would °' take place in the Crimea, but in Turkey. ANNEXATION OF ODDS. The Marquis of CLANRICAR DE offered sonic obsery.tr , q ty regarding the annexation of Oude, stating that th e all y of 1837 with the King of that pro v i nce had been w " ignored in the transaction. aty 1 ° The Duke of ARGYLL in reply, said that the t,.rentr 1. question had never been ratified by the Board of C o n o f He deprecated discussion on the subject till the NO P' Lord Dalhousie, who was now on his way home. Their lordships rose at a quarter to seven o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TffuRs The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock NEW MEMBER, Mr. R. NESBITT took the oaths and his penham. seat for GYP' 110 14 Mr. D!LLWAL gave notice that on Ap r il 17th, he svublie move an address to the Crown, p ra ying that ons, executions may be carried within the walls of the przs in which the culprit may be in custody. NOTICE OF MOTION COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA In reply to Mr. EWART, Lord PALMERSTON acknowledged that the sl regula.ions of Russia, were prejudicial to eorame r , c i e la i t transactions, but he thought that the period at negotiations for peace were pending, was not the taus, for introducing such a subject. The Rouse might t• assured that the subject should not escape the attentwu of her Majesty's Government. intern. THE EDUCATION RESOLUTIONS. jb ee t The House having gone into co mm itt ee on the Su of education, Lord J. RUSSELL proposed the following reso l u tion :. 0 That in the opinion of this H ouse it is expedient extend, revise, and consolidate the minutes of the mittee of Privy Council on Education." helve Mr. HENLEY observed that Lord J. Russell's se, t h e contained all that was objectionable without any safeguards and advantages which were to be fount Fro that propounded by Sir J. Pakingten last year. , rt he the indefinite expression " To extend the minutes the t 61.5 Council of Education w ,' which mixed up , not resolution with the hole scheme, he woulu ht consider the resolutions sep ara t e l y , an d h e thottgafe that under the circumstanc es th e course most hsiar to the House and country an d t o th e no ble lord fie self would be to move the previous question. wer (Mr. Henley) objected, in the first place, to the Pf te rsi which the noble lord proposed to give to the inspect in by which they would be authorised to enter any scP ° ,2 is ed London, to report the system of education. He cri t '' - his at some length the various propositions, and stateu belief that the proposition with regard to insPe e . t sio n would excite hostility, and that the effect of the 0 div'.. of districts would be to d es t ro y th e paroc hial sP L ste , With regard to the proposition s as t o charitable ies he urged that it would add considerably to the diffie e ` 5 of the question. It was p ro p ose d th at th e scriptuore lst should be required to be read in the rschools, and me at further religious teaching should be left with the Mr school committees. This would le a d t o diff e rent deser t o tions of education in differ e nt pl aces , an d changg wo i of be constantly made according t o th e re li g i ou s opinionoes the majority of the com m itt ees , un til i n the en d all relic • teaching would be abolished to put an end to disP A u t he He objected to the rate for education altogether , aec:, B of also objected to the prop os iti on t o ma k e ere ploye children under a certain age , pay a sum for the educatio t the effect of which, he apprehend e d, wou ld be to pre y °, such children from being employed, and thereby create dislike to education. Mr. ADDERLEY considered that snch'a, course as till! proposed by Mr. Henley would be equivalent to ass ert ing that the education of th e coun t ry was in a satisfa ctory , condition. He agreed as to the advisability of educa ti 4 by a rate, but expressed his opinion that it could not 4 carried out in this country at the present time, and tir noble Lord had made the same proposition over an 'g t 7 h again, and had failed to carry out that design. 1 ", regard to the first of the series of resolutions, he was pre pared to support it, and he did not see what ()Weal there was to the extension and r ev i s i on o f th e minutes ° the committee of council on education. of Mr. ELLICE was opposed to an y compu l sory sys tem education, but thought that the House should fairly 03' sider any proposition that offered itself to their consider ation on this great question, especially one coming iron the noble lord, the member for the c ity o f L on d on , wh° had given much attention to the subject. Mr. WARREN admitted that the voluntary system 11 1 c1 ,, been very beneficial, but thought that it was necessary resort to a compulsory system, such as that proposed b., Lord J. Russell, to co-operate with the voluntary sYst erii i He generally agreed with the noble lord's plan, but urLen him to re-consider the resolution relating to the alienate' of the property of charities. Mr. W. EWART reminded the H ouse th a t the Comm. l ; sioners of Education had reported that 836 applicatu iog had been received by them f rom t rustees o f charitableto funds, praying them to take the trusts off their hatuis hie prevent spoilation. He did no t agree w i t h a ll the lord's resolutions, but he was of opinion that, for hoWeV`. long they delayed th e l ev yi ng o f a rate for educat i o n, thet must at last admit it as the pl an most worthy o f this Coun try. He thought that reli g i on of different denominations could be best taught by the ministers of those denoraiß _ tions, and he would prefer th a t m i n i sters should teach ti?ou children the foundation of thei r re li g i on at a f i xe d hour il l o the day, according to the proposition of Lord 1° Russell. Lord R. CECIL did not believe that, under any cir cuni e t stances, a rate for the support of education would ID e t i with the approbation of the publi c . H e agree d that e education of the country was a n a ti ona l duty, and bew b l a national duty and conferring a national benefit, all "gt to contribute to it, but he would propose to carry this, a, by charging education upon th e f un d s o f th e na tl y ° 3 l rather than by taxing the small es t portion of nati ons property for its suppo r t. H e objected to eo mpuls°, l. 4, education on the ground that its effect would be to dept' d a poor man in many cases of one-third of his income, a „ il ds he objected to allow religious t eac hi ng to be in t h e ha' es of the local commissioners, on th e ground that chaub: , o f would be constantly taking place in the constitutio n the committee, and that each change would prodece n d change in religious teaching whi c h wou ld l ea d i n the e to infidelity. d Mr. M. MILNES supported the res o l u ti ons , a nd sta te s his opinion that the objections raised aga i ns t th e m exist s only in theory. Sir JAMES GRAM kM pointed ourthe benefits that resulted from the voluntary system, which was now making raPi e io progress, and refused to assent to th e reso l u tions, , t O . effect of which would be to impede its further extensi? of He disputed the statement that the people of this count were uneducated, declaring that by free efforts the me, s ' to of instruction were rapidly increasing. He proceed comment upon the resolutions verbatim, objecting t° t oe first three, on the ground that they interfered wit h 1 - to discretion of the executive government. With regard rating uneducated persons, he objected to that propositiod of the noble Lord, amongst other reasons, on the grail°, that it placed a veto in the po wer o f ra ti ng i n the Privy d 11 Council. On the plan of r e li g i ous t eac hi ng pro p o s , , , e . 6 also took exception, as it were to a majority of the r 3.„,, a payers having the control o f th e religi ou s instrue" of the children. He p o i n t e d t o the system ° a national education pursued in America, t show that . , b voluntary system was the only one th a t cou ld meet success. The resolutions of Lard John Russell were neither religious nor secular, and he expressed an opinion system should be founded upon the voluatary prit.( combined with religious instruction. Sir J. PAKINOTON replied to some of the reasons addac' d by Sir G. Graham against the resolutions, and obser v % that in the general spirit of th e pl,, n he agreed with O f noble lord, he, however, recommen d e d the withdraw al ° 8 the resolution relatin g t o c h ar i ta bl e trusts. His objee tif4l t o on this subject of th e reso l ut i ons was that they wou ld educate the people, but he would vote for the propositi( b u e of the noble lord, i n th e h ope t h at they would lea d t° t d introduction of a bill, em b rac i ng a ll t h e su bj ects contained in the resolutions, with the approbation o f th e house.On the motion of Mr. BRETHERTON, the debate was then adjourned. The Joint Stock Bank Bill, on the motion of Sir J° ll SHELLEY, was read a second time. The Medical Profession Bill was ordered to be referred t° a select committee. The Report of the Committee of Ways and Means sy brought up and agreed to Mr. WILSON moved that the names of Mr. Irate° Mr. Kirk be added to the Committee on Local Dues Shipping. The dame of Mr. Vance was agreed to. Mr. VANCE then proposed the substitution of the nal° e Mr. Beamish for that of Mr. Kirk. . Oa 3 division, there appeared—. For Mr. irk's name Against it 94 Majority against Government The name of Mr. 13Parnish was then added. Ott the motion of Colonel DUNNE the name of Lor was substituted for that of Mr. Scott on the transports committee s relating Mr. NAPIER brought in a bill to amend the la' to the election of poor-law guardians in Ireland. The House adjourned at a quarter past one o'clock ~,t e' PATAGONIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.—It will be pe--- -1 : o f by au advertisement in another c )lurnn, that the cl 3lP ' n d the above society will be advocated on Sunday nest, u tl ipli that a meeting will be held the following evening, at wu t i e the Rev. G. P. Despard, who is about to moglvd 6 4, - 0 missionary to Patagonia will be present, Wits scrotal of most influential clergy and lety.