The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-16 00:00:00

Comniertiai fait .—b£4 DM. At twelve o'clock, 68 hales Bombay, and 57 bales Sunn Hemp, 2 tons Coir Fibre, 545 bags and 287 pockets Bengal Rice.—Browne, Hunter and Ce. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 18, Hackin's-hey, 682 bags Broken Bengal Rice.—A. and S. H. Sleigh. At twelve o'clock, at 27, Tithebarn-street, 18,000 East India Kips, 200 Dry River Plate Ox Hides, 200 Dry River Plate Horse Hides, and 1,500 Salted River Plate Horse Hides—lsaac Hadwen, jnn., and Co. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, Tower-buildings, 10,200 Dry Salted East India Kips, 1,065 Dry Salted Hides, and 1.006 Salted Horse Hides—John an d ___ Samuel Beckwith. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, Lancaster-bUild ings, 1.635 Ox and Cow Hides—James Gordon and Co. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, Sweeting-street, 1,240 East India Kips, and 100 Tanned Hides—Arnold, Leete, Roscoe and Co. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 10, Cook-street, 640 bales Jute—Edward Grey and Co.; At tw( lve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 5, Exchange i,,liidings, 102 bags Pimento—Salisbury, Turner and Grey. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, Oldhall-street, 18 tierces Jamaica Coffee.—N. Waterhouse and Sons. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 114 bags Malabar Coffee.—T. and H. Littledale and Co,. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 30, Exchang e _ alley North, 500 bags Bengal Rice.—Shang, Higsou and Co. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers. office, 9, Temple-courts a quantity of Fruit, co ..sisting of Currants, Raisins, Muscatels, Almon , ' At the brokers' and Figs.—Houghton and Levy. East, 2 Exchange-place, Exchange-street „ „, *6 - 4 bundles PiassaVa—Harpin and Co. Commerrat to A V. Tins DAY, the 16th instant, at Twelre o'clock, 53 Bales Bombay HEMP, 57 Bales Bunn HEMP, 2 'lons COIR FIBRE, 545 Ba g s I Bengal RICE, 287 Pockets - BROWNE, HUNTER & CO., Brokers. App'q to J rnie DAY, the 160 instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, 18, Wickin's-hey, 8132 , 8ags Broken Bengal RICE, landing ex Medina, in Albert Dock.—Apply to A. St S. H. SLEIGH. Brokers. TO-MORROW. To-moasow, the 17th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Publie Saleroom, 237 Bags SALTPETRE. iio* iandiok hl Madeira, in the Alb..rt Dock.—Apply to FRANCIS J. EATON, Broker. To-mognow. the Ina inv., at One o'c , oea, at the Broker's Office, 7. Exchmge-chambers, Tithebarn-street, 16 Casks Am , rican SPERM OIL, 20 Talk Thick TALLOW OIL. FRANCIS J. EATON. Rrokcr. Apply to To-nouttoW. the 17 h instant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Public Saleroom, Exchange-buildings, 220 Tons I agui-a LOUWOOD, ex Barkill, King's Dock.—Apply to messrs. W. and J. Tyrer, Mer chants; or to ROW & SLACK, Brokers. To•uoßaow, the 17th ins'ant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office. 2, Dale-street, 40 Cases GUM ARABIC, 794 Bags MYRABuLAB&S, 16 lons Loose DO., 97 Bales MADDER ROOTS. BItOWNE, HUNTER & CO., Brokers. THURSDAY. OA rIiVa3DAY, the 18th i-stant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Broker..' Office, 2, Dale,treet, About 9 Tons BU ,, FALO HORNS, eX Christopher Newton.—Apply to BROWNF, HU VTFIR lz CO.. Brokers. 'weLve o'c.ock, On TIUZSDAY next, the 18•11 instant. at Commercial Saleroom, 2000 Boxes ) Turkey FIGS, 2.00 Drums 13 Cases, Boxes Turkey FIGS, 100+ Drums Turkey SULTANAS, IS Barrels Persian Di ITO, landing ex Andes (s.s.); 10 Cases French PLUMS, in cartoons and bottles, Apply to GEORGE HAIM , AcII & SON, Brokers. FRIDAY. On FRIDAY nrat. the 19th last , at Twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, Apsley-building', Oldhall-street, 2003 Bundles RATTAN CANES, just landed.—Apply to Alessrs. Thomas and John Brocklebank, Mer chants or to JEFFERSON & TAYLOR Brokers, BY ORDER OF THE ADMENIsTRATRIX. SMALL CELLAR OF CHOICE WISES. MR. GREEN, JUN., will SELL by AUCTION, on Friday next, the 19.. h instant, at Six o'clock in the Evening, at his Rooms, Hamilton street, opposite. till Town Hall, Bir , ei head, the following very • hoice Bottled WINr:S :— ¢ Cases, 1 dozen each, sparkling CHAMPAGNE. 15 Dozen BU( ELLAS. 40 „ Fine Gold and Pale SHERRY. 30 „ ,Su , ,erior Old Crusted POll 4 , Pale BRANDY. The above 'Wines will be sold in I .ts to suit purchasers, and are of an exceedingly fine quality, and fully me, it the attention of Con noisseurs. Samples may be tasted at the time of Sale, and Catalogues had of Henry t,reen, Auctioneer and Valuer, Hamilton-street. kl.rkenhead. FLATS. MR. GREEN, JUN., will SELL by AUCTION, iparA T o - m orrow (W.doe,day), th- 17th Instant, at Two tint A-2 o'clock in the afternoon, at Mr. Street's "Hope and Anchor In Morpeth Dock Quay, Birkenhead, the Flat JOHN, 120 tons burth n, with iron knees and well fastened; together with the mores as she now lies. The Flat THE ARCHER, 63 t ns burthen, with iron knees, and well fastened; Masts, Sails, ato Stores. Now tying in Egerton Dock, Birkenhead —Fur further particulars apply to the Auctioneer, Hamilton -street, Birkenhead. PATENT ASPHALTE ROOFING FELT.— A chtap, durable, and perfectly Waterproof Roofing, One Nutty per squ re foot. W. W. POWELL. Office a. .d Warehouse-8, CABLE STREET. T HIS DAY, R. J. NODDER Will respectfully offer his Selection of Parisian and English RIDING and WALKING HATS, BONNET-I, and CAPS, with every description of Trimmings, Feathers, Laces, &c., of the most fashionable and tasteful kind. 81, CHURCH STREET. NORTHERN TIMES PERMANENTLY ENLARGED DOUBLE ITS ORIGINAL SIZE. IT IS NOW AN EIGHT PAGE DAILY PAPER, POSSESSING THE LARGEST CIRCULATION, ANT/ IS THE BEST ADVERTISING MEDIUM IN LIVERPOOL. SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS SIXPENCE EACH. The NORTHERN TIMES is delivered every morning at Subscribers' residences, within five miles of the Liverpool Exchange, by special messengers, by Eight o'clock, for the Annual Subscription of £1 18s. Od. in advance. OFFICE, 19, SOUTH JOHN-STREET, LIVERPOOL. E4e kottOrn finn TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1856. THE DAY'S NEWS. Yesterday afternoon we received intelligence that the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steam ship Com pany's vessel the City of Washington had passed Cork at noon. She will, therefore, in all probability, r each Liverpo o l at an early hour to-day. The City o f Washington beings advices from * Philadelphia three days later than those brought by the steam . s hi p Niagara, which a rr i ved here at an ear l y h our yesterday morning. In the po li t ical world the re i s now a lul l ; a ll of Parliament, parties seem to be resting upon their oars until a still nearer approach of the meeting when no doubt some inkling of the intended p,,licy of the present Government will transpire. Meantime we may mention that there is a strong rumour in political circles that Lord John Russell is about to return from the Continent ; that he has i no intention of relinquishing his seat n th e House of Commons for one in the Peers ; that he fee!s he can yet strike a bold, if not a most effectual one, for the Premiership, and that his best plan of doing so, and of baffling Lord Palmerston —between whom, it would seem, there is anything but a friendly understanding—is to produce his long threatened Reform Bill. It may be, that the frequent meetings of the Cabinet have reference to this particular matter, as well as to other contem plated changes in the ministry. Reports are still prevalent that, on the other side of the " Speaker's Chair," there is still much anxiety to divest Mr. Disraeli of his enviable position, and to effect a union with the leading Peelites, so as to , have Mr. W. E. Gladstone as the leader of " her Majesty's opposition." A few days more, at least as soon as the Christmas holidays are over, we will certainly have more tangible and reliable information on these points. At the same time there is no doubt that a great movement and change in the aspect of political parties is at hand. We hope it will be a change for the better, and that we are on the eve of a period when the public corruption, the unequal laws, and the prodigality of our rulers under which we live, shall all be throughly cut off by the pruning hook of Reform, in both Church and State, Among the local items of intelligence to which we Would direct attention is the annual meeting of the Liverpool Society of Friends of Foreigners in Distress, which took place yesterday, in the Clarendon Rooms. His Worship the Mayor presided, and gracefully introduced the Committee's report, which, together with the speeches delivered, will be found in another column. From these our readers will gather the useful and truly benevolent character of the society, the important benefits it confers to unfortunate and cast-out strangers, whilst society in its turn, reaps much advantage by the distribu tion of the aid which has been spent among the indigent and distressed of other lands. Taking into account the objects of this society, we can heartily recommend it to public patronage and support. We regret to see that crime is still rapidly on the advance, and that notwithstanding everything which can be done, murders are yet of frequent occurrence. Our paper to-day records the ac count of the examination of Martha Davis, by the Police Magistrates of Southwark, for the murder of a female named Ann Cox. Again on Saturday, John Hannah was tried, convicted, and sentenced to die for the murder of Jane Bonham, near Leeds, on the 11th of Sept. last. All this in the face of Marley's deed, and of Jackson, now lying at Chester, awaiting the fate that befel the wretched Marley this morning. The particulars of the execution will be found in another part of to-day's impression. We perceive that our cotemporary, the Kentish Mercury, explains the reason why no one has yet taken the field for the vacancy in the borough of Greenwich. The reason is because it will cost 6,0001, and no one is so foolish as to spend that amount of money. Overtures have been made to the son of a peer of the realm, but the sacrifice of hard cash has frightened him. The editor then goes on to expose the corruptions of the borough, and in the same paper he plunges into a long argu ment against the Ballot. He has the courage, however, to open his columns for debating this topic, and he and the Vice-President of the Ballot Society have begun die co;itroversy. No question ever promised to get on so well as the Ballot now does. The battle has fairly begun, and it mast be fought out. We are still without any intelligence of the cap- ture of the murderer of Mr. Little, though the recent discovery of the bag of silver has induced the police to hope of ultimate success in bringing the diabolical assassin to justice. It is now stated to be the intention of government to off3r a reward for the detection of the murderer of Mr. Little. Mr. Horsman, chief secretary, has again visited the Broadstone terminus, for the purpose of ascertain ing the progress made in the enquiry, which is now carried on with renewed energy. . . A letter from the Emigratioi, Commissioners has been published in a provincial journal, intimating that of Cie single women sent out to Adelaide at the public expense during the last year, Ireland had supplied more than her share, and that no more Irish women should get a free passage until the deficiency in the English portion of the emigration should be made up. The Washington from New York has arrived at Southampton, and the Hermann from Bremen, via Southampton, has put back to the latter port, having broken her centre shaft in a hurricane on the Atlantic. Happily no lives were lost, and both ship and passengers were brought safely back to Southampton. Our Continental advices are still occupied with the Neuchatel affair, which seems to have taken a decidedly serious turn in consequence of the refusal of the Federal Council to liberate the Royalist prisoners Prussia has declared, in a note addressed to the Great Powers, that she considers herself freed from the engagement she voluntarily entered into in the London protocol not to resort to military measures. Immediate military prepar ations are mentioned by some, while others think a mobilisation of the Prussian army not very pro bable. In any case the Federal Council would do well to reflect on the line of action it has pursued. From Bei lin, we have the following respect ing this 'affair— The Neuflhatel affair progresses very slowly, and, "like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along." Herr von Sydow, the representative of Prussia, has received orders to withdraw to Sigmaringen, where he occupies a post in connection with the administration of the Prin cipality of Hohenzollern. This withdrawal of the Prussian representative is, however, not a diplo matic recall, but serves only to show to Switzerland that as long as the prisoners are not released Prussia cannot treat ; the personnel of the Prussian mission at Berne are still there. About a week back the representatives of France and Russia, in conformity with the example of those of Austria, Bavaria, and Baden, made fresh representations to the Federal Government of the danger and impolicy of the course it had adopted, and renewed their remons strances for the liberation of the prisoners. The Federal Council refused again to listen to these well-meant representations of the foreign governments, and in so doing was backed and encouraged by our diplomatic representative there. The next step that the Government will take is to present a report to the German Bund, showing what little effect its cumulative represen tations have had in Berne, and this report, backed with similar and corroborative reports from the Governments of Austria, Bavaria, and Baden, will then probably be referred to a committee to con sider what further steps the Bund may find it expedient to take in the matter. Our Neapolitan letters state that the soldier who attempted to assassinate the King was hanged on the morning of the 13th inst. It is alleged against him that he was an insurgent in 1848, was amnestied in 1852, and entered the army by means of forged papers. All is quiet. We have just received a telegraphic despatch, which states that Prussia is decided on an armed intervention in case the Royalist prisoners should be condemned. It is asserted that the military preparations are already made. By the arrival of the Niagara yesterday morn ing, we were enabled to lay before our readers a copy of the President's Message, the last which General Pierce will deliver,—at least for years to come He makes a justification of his conduct in the Kansas question the principal feature of his message, which, in other respects, professes to be congratulatory. The internal prosperity and finances of the Union are buoyant, and its foreign relations are peaceful. The only circumstance which is not congratulatory is the state of affairs in Mexico and Central America. Financial affairs are stated to he in a satisfactory condition. The Central American difficulty has been happily got rid of, so far as Great Britain is concerned. He would indeed have been fastidious, if discontented with the concessions already made. But there is a little cloud displayed in reference to the Sound Dues that may lead to a future tempest in the po litical atmosphere. He does all he can for his party, but fortunately on the present occasion the Power is by no means equal to the will. It is a display of petty spites and impotent malevolence. By th e Niagara's news we learn that the difficulties between the New Granadian Government and Mr. British Minister, in relation to the payment Griffiths, th e of the M'lntoah claim, have been amica- Apply to THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. bly adjusted, and that no steps will be taken to effect a blockade of the ports of that republic by the British fleet. is without a parallel in history. Finally, we are rejoiced to find, that the Message is as pacific as we could well wish it to be ; and the Central American question is in a fair way of being ami cably settled. PRESIDENT PIERCE'S Message resembles all the State documents which have gone before it. I A more complete pocket edition of the history of a year of human life and national existence could not have been produced by the abridging hand of a GOLDSMITH or a PINNOCK. The condensed narration gives the broad outline, and distin guishing features, of a great family of giants struggling for ascendency among themselves, while they are at peace with the rest of the world. This contest has arrived at very remark able dimensions, and bids fair to grow in propor tion to the increase in the numbers and prospe rity of the combatants, who, like most other people, seem doomed to the toil of averting mis fortunes in order to make room for calamities. This may not be so; still, if we judge from com parison, it appears as though the promised pro gress of a young country was beset with as many difficulties and dangers, as the retrogression and downfall of the mightiest empire. The same mountain of cardinal errors, moral weakness, and national sin, faces the great and youthful Col lossus that follows in the wake of the grey headed and withered HERCULES of our time. Man's cupidity, revelling in the most wanton, social, and political depravity—the tyrant claim ing property in the flesh and blood of his fellow creature—mental' power—political sagacity, and cultivated genius distorting truth—outraging Divine law, and disgracing humanity, are things which are to be found among the toys in the Republican cradle, as well as among the hobbies which we associate with the crutches of Mon archy. The past and promised growth of the United States is perfectly astounding ; but it is not un alloyed with human frailty, or wholly free from man's blindness and cruelty. The type of his fallen state—the original plitical sin—slavery, is still rife in what President PIERCE calls, by way of a paradox, we presume, " The Great " Republic of the World." There are many worlds in eastern fable, and it must he to one of these that Mr. PIERCE alludes, for no statesman of those countries which really hold a respect able position, and lay claim to a high degree of political morality, dare say to Europe, that an enactment, which gave its King's, to say nothing of its citizens, a monopoly in human flesh, was " a compact of perpetual moral obligation," and that its " repeal would constitute an odious breach " of faith." -We must import statesmen from the Union, when we need rulers with sufficient hardi hood to give utterance to such sentiments, and to reveal the secrets of a twelvemonth's Govern ment, such as President PIERCE is about to sur render to his successor. We repudiate all origi nal and imitative compacts with SATAN ; but Mr. PIERCE says of the American Abolitionists, who think as we do, that " they have entered a " path which leads nowhere, unless it be to civil " war and disunion ; and which has no other "possible outlet." This is a mere piece of poli tical superstition, which is opposed to proper religious teaching and healthy moral conviction. It is the climax of a frightful category of illusions, and with them we must leave the Abolitionists to deal for the present: Mr. PIERCE was, is, and will ever remain a slaver ; and, if his successor belongs to the same stock, we shall have slave grown produce cheaper than it can be obtained from those free nations where the industry of the labourer has been most shamefully neglected. Turning from the incomprehensible portion of the Republican Message, which has, no doubt, confounded and enraged the people of the States, we. can find much to encourage the Abolitionists, and true friends of America's peace and progress. Financially, the Union is incomparably rich Her income amounted, for the fiscal year, t o 92,850,117 dollars; and the expenditure, includ ing 15,776,390 dollars paid to Mexico and in liquidation of the public debt, to 72,948,792 dollars, leaving a surplus income of 19,901,325 dollars. The customs, it appears, contributed more than 64,0000,00 dollars towards the re venue, and the sale of public lands 8,821,414 dollars. The former of these items shows, in our humble opinion, the extreme folly of adhering to a high and prohibitive tariff, and the latter the true source of income on which the States should rely. Within the year the Government have sold, and located with " military scrip," no less than forty millions three hundred and twenty eight thousand one hundred and eight acres of land. This vast and' growing demand for the soil, shows the rapid strides the Union is making in population and agricultural prosperity. To drag from the necessities of the multitude, 64,000,000 dols. for a Government whose average expenditure for the next five years will not exceed 50,000,000, while they have suet a pro lific source of revenue as their public domain, is a grievous hardship, Mr. PIERCE seems to view the system as most impolitic at the twelfth hour, and he recommends a change to the consideration of the citizens. Whether the vanishing PRESIDENT'S advice will be taken, remains to be seen. The slaveholder stands more in need of Free-Trade than even the Northern manufacturer ; but that both classes would be benefitted by free imports, is quite clear. The most prosperous trade —the most mighty limb of commerce of which we can boast —is our unshackled cotton trade. Had that inexhaustible spring of employment and profit been taxed by our Legislature for the last thirty years, what would it have been to the England or America of to-day ? It owes its greatness, as America does, to the absence of harsh and arbi- WE have recently witnessed two most fright ful tragedies in Liverpool from fire in our narrow, foul, and barricaded courts. Poor FAGAN and family were burnt to death owing to the impossibility of getting at his wretched hovel to give the sleeping husband, wife, and children the alarm. And now we have to add poor DANIEL APKILLoP and his wife to the list of sufferers. In the latter instance there was some reasonable means of access to the scene of deso lation ; but there are hundreds of courts in Liverpool similar to that in which FAGAN and his family lost their lives. These disgusting rookeries are, in fact, closed up at one end as if to prevent the possibility of retreat in case of fire, and free circulation of air where the greatest number of persons are congregated in the narrowest space. When a fire occurs in the first or second house in a court, it cuts off all com munication with the main street, for those living at the enclosed end. Had the flames spread to the cottages at the back of the house occupied by FAGAN, nothing could have saved their inmates from destruction. They were all shut in by high walls on every side. Those who oppose the opening of these courts must, how ever, see the danger to life which we have pointed out. The health of the poor also requires the most perfect ventilation we can bestow upon them. Our courts are wretchedly damp, owing to the shutting out of a free current of air, and clean liness cannot be secured where the flags are always wet, and the lower floors of a house damp. The public health is therefore endangered by the system of court closing we have been follow ing. The original design of the concoctors o f this nuisance has never been sufficiently explained to justify the authorities losing sight of it, now that a lamentable loss of life has attended it. That all the poor people in the house in Raglan place were not burnt to death appears to be little short of a miracle. A few moments more lost in sleep, and all must have perished. The barricades prevent the police going through these very places where their vigilance and pro tection are most required. When a riot takes place and the constables are needed in force, there is only one point at which they can effect an entrance. The disorderly know the advantage of this arrangement full well, while the quiet and sober poor who are compelled to live in courts deplore the want of a safe retreat most bitterly. But the subject may not be thought of sufficient importance to require the prompt attention of the Corporation. We may be left to go on until some still more heartrending calamities occur than those which have happened within only a few weeks of each other. When cholera becomes a plague, or one half of the inhabitants of our entire courts have been burnt to death, then, probably, something be done to let the air into these homes of filth, and to let out the people in moments of danger from fire. But it is not necessary, surely, to wait for a repetition of either of these catas trophes, in order to get those whose duty it is to attend to such matters, to bring the subject under the notice of the Council. By open ing the courts we should have so many short streets through which the police would pass occasionally during-the night. This advantage, added to those of a sanitary character which would improve ventilation, would add very materially to the maintenance of both the peace and health of the poorer sections of the borough. May'we then hope that some of the philanthropic and reasonable members of the Council will call the attention of the Corporation to the subject. The fire which occurred in Raglan-place, though not attended by the same sacrifice of life, will, it is to be hoped, serve as a timely warning to habitual drunkards who set no bounds to their brutal thirst for the drink which robs them of the sense required at every moment of their existence for the protection of life. THE PAST PROGRESS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF AUSTRALIA. It is only a week since we made some remarks upon a subject akin to our present heading. But, although it may seem extraordinary, that we should so soon again refer to the same subject, yet to us and all other public journalists who take, an interest in the rapid and extraordinary development of the resources and wealth of our Australian colonies, we consider it a duty to notice the latest facts in connection with these interesting regions, so that all who desire to try their fortunes in this second land of promise may know exactly how they are likely to fare on reaching the antipodes. By this means they whO are still in that unhappy and unpleasant position—doubt--can at once determine to proceed or stay at home. It is only a week to-day since we received full files of Melbourne papers to September 12, Sydney, to September 11, and from other quarters of an equally late date. A careful perusal of their contents warrant us in stating that of the present wealth and futuae i , greatness of the Australian colonies it is almost impossible to speak in a manner that will not by some be regarded as inflated and over drawn. Our answer to such an insinuation is, that at the present moment Victoria, the junior of the Australian colonies, has, within the short space of not much more than ten years, attained a commercial position much more signi ficant than the majority of the Continental States. of Europe. Her gold fields, to all appearance, are inex haustible ; yet she does not rely upon them, valuable though they be. Her trade and commerce has grown, and is growing with a rapidity that borders on the marvel lous. Melbourne Bay is studded with ships and steamers of every clime. From the north to the south, and from the east to the west, Christians, Jews, Turks, and Infidels, alike swarm to this wonderful quarter of the British possessions. Hence it is, that last year the total exports from Victoria amounted in value to 11,775,000 1 , and of this large amount the United Kingdom received 10,276,0001, and our other colonies 1,372,0001. The:value of the gold exported was 8.255,0001, the whole of which, with the exception of 320,000 1 shipped to other British colonies, was received in this country. On the other hand, Victoria received, in exchange for her gold and other produce, articles from this country to the value of 10,942,0004 and from our British colonies 4,467,0001, the total value of ht - imports being 17,659,000 1 . The colony of New South Wales, the elder of the group, sent us its produce to the value of of 2,307,0001, and to other colonies y, including 1,624,00011 LThe entire exports of the colon trary taxation ; and if every other branch of ex changeable industry were released to-morrow from the jaws of " Protection," we should witness all around us, in a few years, that which we see in cotton. The Americans have a source of revenue on which they can rely for centuries to come ; and that they should tax their necessaries to nearly double the amount required for the government of their country, is an anomaly which those to foreign countries, amounted to 4,030,0001, of which sum 773,0001 was the value of the gold produced in the country. But, again, we have South Australia, which is " rich" in its own peculiar way. It cannot boast of gold or silver mines, but there is abundance of copper, and the agriculture and pasturage of the colony had proved, and is still proving it to be, a most desirable resort for industrious and steady emigrants. As a proof of the growing importance of South Australia, we may mention that last year that colony was a customer to the manufacturers and producers of this c nintry of goods to the value of -e1,628,000, and from our colonies of £392,000 while the South Australians sent us in return their raw material to the value of £611,000, and to British colonies, principally Victoria, they exported produce of the value of £708,000. Tasmania has been long and favourably known as a desirable resort for the British emigrant. Gold has lately been discovered there, and it bids fair to rival some of the more opulent and extensive commercial of the group. Every day adds some new fact to demon strate that, ere a century passes this quarter of the world will stand pre-eminent in all that contributes to tl greatness of a people. Churches, colleges, and schools are reared with rapidity; cities are beautified, squares and streets laid out, and public buildings erected with a rapidity and beauty that would shame the mother country. Internal improvements are going on rapidly. Railways will soon form a network over each of the colonies. The electric wire is being laid down from colony to colony. In a word, everything that can render this portion of God's creation far famed, a pleasant and a prosperous abode for the British emigrant, a model for agricultural, mining, and commercial industry, has been put in operation. To speak of the beauty of the Australian landscape, to delineate the brilliant plumage of its feathered tribe, the resources and the capabilities of all the colonies would be a task of a herculean character, Suffice it to say they are unequalled as whole in another part of the globe. They who wish to employ they indus try, skill, and ingenuity in other than their native lands should make Australia their future home. They should not halt between two opinions. This reminds us that we have lately paid a visit to that wonderful, but no less far-famed maritime palace—the :Steam-ship Grea Britain—of whom Messrs. Gibbs, Bright and Co., are the consignees. She is now undergoing extensive repairs and alterations. She is in a forward state of preparation for the voyage' to Melbourne, her appointed day of sailing being the 15th of February. The history Of the Great Britain proves that for strength and durability she cannot be surpassed; whilst her performances, under both steam and canvas, shew that her sailing powers are first class. She has had a new stern post, forged at the Mersey Foundry, which is said to be the most ponderous piece of wrought iron ever put together for any purpose. She is to be fitted with a new double blade screw, of fine pitch, to be attached to a lifting apparatus ; and has a new figure-head—lion and unicorn—life-size ; her masts have been moved forward, alterations also have been made in her rig to enable her to carry one-fourth more canvas than heretofore; and a full poop has been built on deck. In consequence of altering the position of her masts, she will have one instead of two funnels, and that will be oval in shape. She will be able to carry nearly 600 passengers, about 2,000 tons of cargo, 1,000 tons of coal, be sides stores and water for a voyage to Australia. By these improvements it is expected that the voyage will be perform ed from port to port under sixty days. But, ever alive to the interests of the passengers, attd studying how their health, comfort, and happiness can be best promoted while on the voyage, the owners have paid particular attention to the ship's ventilation. The berths are both roomy and airy, whilst the state cabins are so constructed as to satisfy the most fastidious. The arrangements for cooking and serving up the provisions are most effective. There are baths and water-closets in abundance, and a large portion of the fore saloon on deck is set apart as an hospital. The main saloon is constructed to dine 103 first-class passengers. There is a separate cabin for the la-lies, which will be fitted up with a library and a piano -forte, so that when the weather is unfavourable for promenading the deck, they can enjoy an intellectual or musical treat. Their comforts have been attended well to. The ship has been made perfect in every respect. And she will go forth wanting in nothing which can secure a speedy run, or impart to all on board health, and a pleasant time during the passage. The Great Britain is to be com manded by Captain :Gray, a gentleman of extensive nautical experience, and who has already earned for him self the esteem and admiration of the many thousands who have sailed with him since he took charge of his noble craft. It must be a source of much comfort to pas sengers to know that their captain is cool in danger, that he is ever on the alert, and that whilst insisting upon order and decorum, he administers his authority with becoming gentleness, and in such a way as to win the gratitude of all with whom he comes in contact. Our knowledge of Captain Gray enables us to say, that in all these respects he stands pre-eminent. Many and un bounded have been the praises which he received whilst engaged in the transport service. In him the wounded soldier, who had gone forth to battle in his country's cause, found a kind-hearted friend, who left no means untried to assuage grief and relieve pain and suffering. It is a remarkable and an important fact that of all the emigrants he has carried out to Australia there has not been a single death. Captain Gray is fortunate in having first-rate officers—men who are bent in carrying out his instructions- Inleed the second mate, Mr. Turner, has distinguished himself in a very marked manner, and left on record an unparallelled instance of daring bravery and courage. When in the transport service, and as the Great Britain was running between Genoa and Constantinople, a man was washed over board. The ship was steaming ten or eleven knots an hour. An alarm was raised, Mr. Turner jumped over board, and notwithstanding the danger, got hold of the man who was in the act of perishing, and kept him above water until a boat was launched, and he was placed therein. Great interest will be attached to the forthcoming voyage of this truly noble vessel. Expe rience of her past performances induce the hope that she will eclipse her consort the Royal Charter, and that she will run to the Antipodes in a shorter space of time than any sailing clipper or screw or paddle steamer ever did before. She will start on the voyage with the best wit- hes of the country at large for her safety and success, and the earnest and universal desire, that eventually her spirited and enterprising owners will :meet that due reward which such gigantic and noble efforts so truly merit. PORTLAND AND CHICAGO (From the Portland State of Maine) "The opening of this road from Montreal to Toronto with the Great Western, the Michigan Central, and the road from Montreal to Portland, in Maine, gives Chicago another direct and most important thoroughfare to the Atl.ntic seaboard. We think our Chicago friends will find Portland their beat winter port, and on the establish ment of lines of steamers to Portland, their shipping port all the year round. The distance between the two cities by the present route is as follows : Portland to Montreal 292 miles Montreal to Toronto 333 Toronto to Detroit 224 6. Detroit to Chicago 282 " 1031 Portland to Toronto is Detroit 849 " " " Chicago lO3l " This distance will eventually be reduced by the Com pletion of the air Ine, the MissisquOi Railroad from Island Pond to Montreal, shortening the line 40 to 45 miles. There will he a further reduction of the distance 10 miles on the completion of the line from Toronto to London. With these reductions the distance from Portland to Chicago will be reduced to 980 miles. The shortest line from Chicago to Boston is 1016 miles, as follows : Chicago to Detroit Detroit to Suspension Bridge 229 " Suspension Bridge to Rochester " Rochester to Albany 229 " Albany to Boston 20() " 1016 To New York the distance is 50 miles less, the difference between Albany and Boston, and Albany and New York. The difference in distance is not the main thing in favour of the Grand Trunk Line. Besides easy gradients ensur ing cheapness of working, there is a single company to deal with, for the principal distance; and already contracts are made by which goods can be taken up or laid down over the entire line of the Grand Trunk and Great Western Roads, between Detroit and Liverpool, by means of the Railways and the Montreal Ocean Steam-ship Company. Portland, therefore, is now the ocean terminus of the greatest line of Railway in the world; bereafte2; as we believe, a chief packet station for ocean steamer, The aggregate lengih of line of the Grand T r u nk QumParl now in operation is 853 miles, and by its Con necting lines_ in Canada, which serves as teeders to it, this aggregate" equal to 1,029 miles, as follows : Portland to Montreal . . ...... "- . 29 2 Branch to Quebec... .............................. 44 to Sr.. Johns .............................. ....... 533 Montreal to Toronto Toronto to Strattord Grand Trunk Line open . ................. 653 ....gl Toronto to Coldogwood Prescott to Ottawa City ... 28 Cobourgh to Peterborough . ............ 1,029 r In addition to the above the Great Western RaiP.M' °,„ Canada should be added, extending from Torontnelt; Detroit, 224 miles, which is on the sam e guage, 1.2 te r e f as that of the Grand Trunk Line. T here are, therefexit at this time in operation 1 2 5 3 miles of railway in Can w ? a , in connection with the Grand Trunk system• vvbie ll , t ive naturally concentrate the foreign trade of t heir resp::.,„,,, localities to this port, and on the completion o f th toria Bridge, cars loaded at Windsor, o at Collingwood on Lake Huron. at Toronto, or a11..", 0u t intermediate station, will pass on to Portland,wilf, any change ofload. In addition to these lines are.l; to operation branches are in progress ti'oro 13rockllocr Ottawa, from Port Hope northward to Lie dsa c Y ;lfor d, pposite the :extension of the Grand Trunk line troilq most There is to be a line to London, twenty-01%00 where the two lines connect, and give a g- lin!! line to Sarnia. On alb. completion of the 01 , ' now in progress in Canada, the re will be over, Ae s!ft miles on the same guage, forming the Grand Trunk snsilf Besides these, the connecting lines in Maine e` r ,: t iosi extend east to Bangor, 110 miles from Danville Je r! '„ ) rs and north 2Q miles from the Leels junction to Liver7ago Falls. Portland is to be the winter seaport of C , b- 0 0 as well as of Toronto, Detroit, and Montreal. he St , shortest route from Chicago to Liverpool is by td,Di Lawrence River, but, when the St. Lawrence is c'e':f'Of the way of Portland. The comparative dist ance routrs to Europe are as follows : Portland to Liverpool 2 640 1111/e5.. Boston to Liverpool 2 72 0 " New York to Liverpool 2,8 8 °," But shortness of distance is not the chief ad tor! Portland harbour is pre-eminently a deep water ba r A s of as distinguished from Boston and New York. Iresatioe any size may enter at any time, of tide, or any ° , o 7 el ant e ,, of weather. whereas the Cunard steamers do not, at la to pass the bar at Boston or New York, excel ) ; s tate' tide. Mr. Edward Cunard has recently publlsheoL. flor ment on this subject in reply to the strierrices of f liers!! ton and New Y irk press. The new stearner, r oof' grounded in passi' g Sandy Hook, on her firs' e lreg voyage from New York. All that Portland n O W, 7 1 , 1 4 e . to become at once the shipping port for the Wes",;bsr l 7; of steamers and packet vessels to Europe. Onc " r oitbl, for ocean steamers being built by the city, are ~r ess el' advancing towards completion, but any number of the size of the Cunard and Collins steamers " afloat at the wharf of the Grand Trunk CosuP3nY. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE' TATTERSALS.—YESTERDAY. • CHESTER. CUP. 1000 to 20 agst Tasmania _. . - 1000 ... 15 ... Cen: urion 1000 ... 10 ... Alincepie 1000 ... 10 ... Vengeance 1000 ... 10 ... Warlock 1000 ... 10 ... Maid of Derwent WOO ... 10 ... Alice , te i OSBORNE, DEC. 13.—The Queen and Princ e Waia Off yesterday morning. The Princess Royal wen t out The royal children took their usual exercise.' with t he O,BORNE, Dec. 14.—The;Queen and Prince, eter " royal children, walked in the grounds at Osborne /10 day. The Maharajah DhuleoP Singh a rrived ce to her Majesty. Sir John Logan was atteedai3 his Highness. go' Her Majesty will, it is said, by an act of sing°l ar tb° and courtesy, evince her sense of the good Pellet ( " ° eP United States, by paying a visit to the Ite'clial bidding Captain Hartsteih and his offi cers weleew - rti o His Royal Highness Prince Dhuleep Sing, B°fl 1,0 46_ , la'e Runjeet Sing, Rajah of Lahore, embarked foi her Majesty's yacht Fairy, Master-comman der Southampton Docks, on Saturday, to proceed on to her Majesty at Osborne House , The P rillcC r opil / ‘ accompanied by Sir John Logan and Captalevir'ec, Royal His Highness will leavo Osborne again °//'" day next. bas le s The Marchioness Dowager of Con Yn r ,n ni ba England to pass the winter with Lord 11- Londesborough, at their chateau, near Cow es ' O S The Countess de Jarnac has arrived at Cis Hotel. lb° THE COURT, &c. le EXCELLENT PASSAGE.—WO are gla d ta 1 0 the New York pocket ship John T. Boyd , bel : i ge f rr Messrs. W. Tapscott and Co., m ode her last 1 this port to New York in the short space of 22 °I Close o ff FORTIFICATION OF ST. PETERSBURb• tha Cracow reproduces the statement made dat 0;04 that St. Pet, rsburg is about to be fortified. heelg Generals Behm and Todleben were named as Olt charged eith the executio of the object. tat e 0 1 A WRONG CONVICTION-We are authorised tele°,,let'-`j John Miles, who was some six weeks sinee,7l9o,l(asis smuggling tobacco, and fined in the penalty a i l 0 sif; t ar months, has been honourably discharged• aarruhaintli p eal s o th f e t e h m e p K lo i l o m w e s n i t ey of H h o i t s el, fo ß rm oo e t r le m . aster , 1 - deliV i l (/` t g ua th i 8 ! OJ A I% have since been captured, and are ' s r u b ffer a in e six months' imprisonment. „ s e ' tl/ F a,O , - „ LIST OF PASSENGERS PER NIAGARA.'" fr ir, '" Mr. J. Ramuit and lady, Messrs. W. N• tae' J. L Newell, J. J. Burgess, S. S. Waters , 1 11. ,, - S. S. Bradley, J. Ross, T. May, C. C. Fiske , „;reie ff. D. Bell, E. Stuart, J. M. Dickson, O. P A c' bsta t ' v ied? Stewart, F. Cutting, E. Evans, J. Cleon Aghaby, J. S. Hildreth, J. Gourlie, dr. vv;erboll J. e-iiter' lady, and infant, Mess's. A. B. Ottley, L . 'l* S' ‘ , 7 j,(1 1 1 1 Melis, W. Mundie, Mrs. Haworth, Mts^r e ' A Os A "; 0 J. N. Nickalls, J. Popper, Mr. T. G. Hakes , 4 " - Ifs lu g' ' f' ir , Messrs. S. Clemeeson, T. Moss, and W in ; Bryan, lady, and three children. FROM 111 " t- ia ll ee; r6 ' Blanc, Mrs. Chambers , CThnel Robinson, sorP-it;o' Connors, Frost. Longrvortl,l Duggan, and l‘ fr A a ' f lov e : a ti ° h p TIM LATE FIRE AND LOSS OF -LIFE IN or" n.," - -Yesterday evening, the borongh corone4,ool°;oet4o inquest on the bodies of Daniel and Pa n %Atilt/2, 1 3 01.A it lost their lives in the fire at Raglan Plact n esrv,,eie'rbf full report of which fearful calamity arkradre-yeaa paper of yesterday. The coroner said he " ra 'pr n ea se„" o letter on the subject, and if the contents w e ot t p tu e evidence to be true, it was a most illaP n t r it tl e n iesli s enquiry. He would not say moreab,ltri eviderice would be laid before them, st7 oo t . be t r bt ree o o o l / 1 . 04 0 0 he deemed it desirable to adjourn to said he saw by the papers that coroners al. 00 0 04 were holding inquests into fl, es where the,:erte revel( of life, and Mr. Justice Earle had praised the sed 1 0 1 , much, as it was calculated to elicit the ca ns _ A • US . fires. The enquiry was then adjourneu feet ° 'V P (this day) at half-past eleven o'clock. CATHOLIC Issmtrre.—Last l it a blf delivered in the hall of the Catholic n i g ns titate f Holland, proprietor and editor of the 13e ( l iei g uad t oes t o upon the e °' Genius and Character of l ' ha je 011 2, a rt's li i0 There was a numerous auditory, an d tb`l e t , r i e feyer• ef Mr. John Yates, junior, whoa in feW "' lee s ' O i tot dI be a „00: introduced to the audience the subjet the m , c otarioa Holland delivered a lecture remarkab le information condensed into a c o rnparati enlY ie 0 1 11 0 ed without, at the same time, any f I ,lyel c i e- 1 0 . interest. Among the public journa/all': aorw,,-aollie111)0 Holland holds a distinguished place, and 11 e i r ed ' h be d i by any of his cotemporari.s in carefully Ol t oble pet stesbi and versatile ability. To the great sabien,tiee O die ece 0; undertaken he rendered la-t night fal l t he 11 % iat ere t et w re i p th ea t t h ed e n a c p e p e l s : s t a a r s ) e t li e m at i i t d s ad of ‘hthiseitrimapep, r a e ll e c i l a. ,lo: l oo lea ta jo A vote of thanks was 'paised by acciaraatin SO ' i bis% at the close of the proceedings. d 420 1! SUICIDE IN THE NORTH DOCK 8 81915. Ogl e 0 1 ' 1 0° morning an unfortunate Gdrinan Doha C/ ,',10 1 Giimsarage, was arrested in St. 11. iota 11 .0 80 0 'ibe charch, Great Howard street, by nlr tbs t , l 't connected with the church. It aPPe n- direr I )l 'th% a b t fto - ttle nate fellow had taken a quantity altar, and this was got with bin in a " - jag , alkt e g bi‘ °r h S iindle i il , l - 51)°14 He was locked up in the North dock stal er taki r fri ol ,lo o'clock Mr. Phillips, the resident kW I .dtralls a e t 0 bla Tor bo tl d him, seeing he was destitute, cut . 10 . A tie to bt riseae r. ce p, s e 0 own table and took it to the cell one in the cell at the time with the to Ol e o{ o °l o ol quarter to three Mr. Phillips aga in Ija hatidlt ef a- 4 10 he found the prisoner hanging by !us - A ree,' OP c ir , o a n d h p o w o n k j th ati a d t uasedsutrogfeaosnteawtahs to e nr o3o . lt pt:; te l lj e :r o f o r r w a ig i l ': lile was gone. It appeared that tbe to e ,„ o der: 4 oo'o4 that the deceased had to go on la tt i i s:in te e h e i l l " c s te e s r e t i e f a :(ll o l3 4 / 11 e s himself, and even then her had was sou to r r ou order to accomplish the object. He _ o k or to be quite sensible. The jury nd . a the ba to far t.; ol and at the stone tithe recommended t it an he wo t l tie o to wouldtt should h o e ob sbe erobservation o r enmtoo promptlyv m e a d itjeonr d The Gedr e t c i og o o:ne a o doubt, Ai , \ ',