Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-29 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE WEEKLY PRESS. PRINCE ALBERT'S PROMOTION. Prince Albert has received the honour of promo tion, but the public will be as much mystified as ourselves when it learns the rank to which the Prince has been raised. His royal highness has been promoted to be " Prince Consort." He is made what he really is. This seems to convert his royal highness, bodily, into a kind of identical pro position ; and the conversion into himself raises in the mind a variety of puzzling questions as to the consequences Nothing has been happier than the married life of the Prince hitherto; what is to happen after he is made officially "Prince Consort?" We observe that persons who are appointed to any office under the Crown kiss hands on the occa sion ; but although the order in Council was egreed to at the meeting of Council on Thursday, it is not reported in the Court circular that Prince Albert kissed hands "on his appointment to be Prince Consort." The leading journal accompanies the first announcement of this intelligence with an explanation that only increases the perplexity. "No one can object," says the Time 3, " to the dis tinction which is thus conferred on the husband of the Queen after seventeen years of married life." But when we look to the capacities of the House of Commons for objection, the assumption appears too strong. People might naturally object to the distinction, since it is a distinction without a difference—unless, indeed there is to be a differ ence, and then every reasonable person might object. Another explanation is still more incomorehensible. " Suffice it to say, that it makes Prince Albert legally, as he is already actually, a member of the British royal family." TY:4 almost compels us to ask in what re l a ti on y he stands to the royal children, if not " legally ?'' Some question had already been raised as to the position of Prince Albert towards the heir-apparent, as the Prince of Wales advances in years and takes a more conspicuous place before the public The position of Prince Albert in the order of precedence had already been settled, and yet there was some thing indeterminate in his relations on public occa sions Perhaps that is now rendered more definite, though the public understood it well enough before. It is also explained, however, that hitherto Prince Albert has had no recognised or reeognisible title abroad, and ihathis being rna2e Prince Consort of the United Kiogdotn—whatever that may mean—places him in the " Royal" rank on the Continent, whereas hitherto he has only stood in the " Serene" rank. Her Majesty has then, certainly, transgressed no bound of moderation, when, after a reign of twenty years, she confers on her husband a title which, without giving him any authority at home assures to him a high and definite position abroad. . . . His Royal Highness the Prince Consort of the United Kingdom will be to us pretty much the same as his Royal Highness the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. But, in spite of the poet, there is much in a name ; and, if there be increased homage rendered to this new title on the banks of the Spree or the Danube, the English people will be happy to sanction and adopt it," The Queen has, indeed, crowned the prover bial devotion of English wives ; for what ordinary woman, even in this country, would thus actually equip her husband for going oat " on the spree."— Spectator. LORD PALITERSTON'S STAR. The suspicion is taking rapid root in the minds of the new members of the House of Commons that the Palmerston ministry is not likely to last, and the instincts of the younger members point to the same conelusionst in this respect as the opinions of more experienced politicians. A reaction against Lord Palmerston has certainly begun. His want of knowledge of domestic affairs has been strikingly visible even in the present short• session. People are at last getting wearied at his jaunty self assurance and his faded attempts to pass for a witty speaker. Many, too, have got hold of the notion that some clever diplomatic artifice is in reserve, for the purpose, when next session ar rives, of adjourning the promised Reform Bill. Others, also, calculate that there will be a ministerial crisis about Christmas, as the winter solstice has often had an agitating effect on the vivacious deportment of the noble viscount. The notion certainly has got abroad that the proposed Reform Bill, in any true parlia mentary sense, is a mere delusion. Adroitness in dealing with single individuals is Lord Palmerston's chief accomplishment. In knowledge of the law and customs of Parliament, and of public business generally, the premier yields to several members of the House of Commons, amongst whom we might mention Lord John Russell on one, and Mr. Henley on the other side of the house. Personal dexterity, however, will not plan measures, sway the public out of-doors, or rule parties. The late time of life at which our premier has becon3s a leader has militated against his efficiency. He still occupies a neutral position, and his majority wavers to and fro because it is known that the liberals have only a temporary chief with a transi tory. system. A cabinet without convictions must palsy a large mAjority. As a Minister for Foreign Affairs, the public opinion of the country finally condemned Lord Palmerston. As a Home Secre tary the noble viscount confessedly failed, but the mismanagement of the war gave him a chance. We are not at war now, and the commonplace character of Lord Palmerston's views about military Feaucation and army reform have extinguished the 'supposition that the premier is a great organiser. The new members in the house observe, also, that Lord Palmerston is looked on as a "parlia mentary middleman," playing fast and loose with opposite parties, and that " the house" accepts him only for the convenience of the hour. Could it, therefore, be cause for wonder that Lord Palmer ston's star should be rapid in its declension? A name may be better than nothing. It may also be worse. When the people see a cabinet of incapables propped up solely by the traditional reputation of a single minister, it begins to wish that he were less famous, and to doubt the advantages of a great man who only uses his power to promote the reign of mediocrity.—Press. SOMETHING LIKE A MAJORITY, Mr. Hayter, who draws his influence from the pure wells of English (voters) undefiled, rubs his hands at the extreme end of the treasury bench, and ejaculates, "Ah ! this is some!.hing like a majority!' Lord Paltnerston is perfectly satisfied with the House of Commons. It supports him through thick and thin. The liberals, whose toncues were fierce upon the hustings, sit abashed in the presence of the big, bold. laud-voiced minister. Never was there a more servile or worthless house. With a few exceptions, the liberals, with strong opinions, are men of the weakest nerve, liable to all sorts of jokey lag and cajolery. Whether the question before them be political financial, or administrative, they follow th e P rem i er ' s l ea d, an d aro l aug h e d at . by tne Tories. A s f or t h e b u lk o f t h e Whi gs , who . went upon the Palmerston cry, they are the exclusive property of Mr. Hayter. What has become o f all th a t was sa i d at the general election ? Where is Lord John Russell? Where is Sir James Graham ? .Silent one and silent all, like the dead men i at Therinopylise • 't Next session." is-the promise n eyery mouth: Perhaps it.will then be .g nex t Parliament," This year, at wry rate, Mr. Hayter has his gatga in order, and the whip cracks musically over a team of four hun dred British representatives —Leader. THE " LITTLE BILL" FOR THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT• Every House of Commons its stending joke, either in the shape of an eccentric member, or an annual ridiculous motion. The present new house is no exception to the rule, but the• subject which they now seem to regard in the light of a iilie is no joke to the heavily taxed public—namely, the enormous cost of the New,Palace•at Westminster. Every one who has a taste for bricks and morter knows to his cost that when once he gets into the hands of an arohitheet it is as difficult to extricate himself as if he were in the fangs of a dishonest lawyer. The House of Commons is precisely in THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL I MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1857. this predicament. They have got into the net of Sir Charles Barry, and struggle as they may they cannot clear themselves of its meshes. It must, however, be admitted that they hear chains with very good temper, and al though occasionally an old and crusty member may grumble when the estimates are under dis cussion, yet in the end they cannot help laughing, as it is really ridiculous that the House of Commons of the freest country in the world should he com pletely ruled by one individual, and that individual their own paid agent. Like the Old man of the Sea in Sinbad the Sailor, the more the House of Commons kicks and plunges the firmer he holds on, until at last the house, wearied out with its own exertions, in sheer despair votes him the money he wants for the coming year. In a financial point of view there never was a greater failure than the New Palace of Westminster. Originally the esti mate for the entire building was £250,000 ; this was speedily increased until it amounted to £750,000, and has been year by year augmenting until more than £2,000,000 has been spent, and a prospect of another £1,000,000 being required. But the absurdity of the thing is that a considerable portion of this money has been expended in remedying defects of design and execution. For instance, ' when the new house was finished it was discovered that if a call of the house were made, and every member atended in his place, there would not be accommodation for more than tie o-thirds. Again, when the house met for the first time in the new building, it was true they could see one another. but as for hearing, that was out of the question. The splendid ceiling, upon which such large sums had been expended, had therefore to be taken off and lowered several feet. Then came the question of ventilation. Members were placed in the most variable climate possible ; at one time inhaling hot sulphureons air, and the next exposed to cold draughts of wind, which compelled them to button up their coats. A variety of plans were tried, the architect finding fault with the professor of venti lation, and the professor laying the blame on the architect. Committee after committee sat, and after expending thousands upon thousands it was found that good ventilation could be obtained by simply adopting the old-fashioned plan of opening some of the windows. A variety of other mishaps might easily be related, but they are so well known that it would be useless. Successive Chief Commissioners of Works have tried to curb Sir Charles Barry, but in vain. Lord Carlisle, the Duke of Newcastle, the Duke of Somerset, and L ord John Manners, attempted to " bell the eat," but in vain. Sir Benjamin Hall, the present Chief Commissioner, on entering office, determined, according to his statement in the House of Commons, to check the continued expen diture. Sir Charles Barry was plainly told, "It is no use your coming to me with fresh designs ; I will not look at them until the works already sane- tioned by the House of Commons are completed.' Sir Charles, although refuted, was not defeated, and this year there is a vote asked for from the house of £30,000 in excess, but teis will not be granted until the fullest particulars are given as to the purpose for which it is required. But this is not all. The palace has been so long in erecting, that, positively, the portion first built is actually decaying before the last is finished. Sir B. Hall fairly admitted, not only that the rust was making its appearance generally through the gal vanised iron, but that the stone was crumbling away. The defect of the galvanised iron might be made good by substituting, although at an immense additional cost, sheet lead, but nothing can he done to save the stone from decaying. A variety of ex perimente have been tried, but it will be impos sible to judge of the effect for some years, and in the interim the work of decay is rapidly • progress ing. One of the principal beanies of the struc ture was the sharpness with which the elaborate ornaments ofthe building were executed. Not a single piece of sculpture or carving in the entire building but was rigidly inspected by Sir Charles Barry or ' his assistants, and if the slightest imperfection was perceived, no matter whether it was on the top of the Victoria Tower or in a dark vestibule, it was at once removed. It is, therefore, very sad to con template the probability of so much labour and expense being thrown away. Under any circum stances, however, it is quite clear that now, in addition to the sums which will annually have to be voted for the completion of the building, there will also appear the significant item—" So many thousands for the repair of the Houses of Parlia ment." It is, however, but justice to the architect to state that he has been much hampered by the House of Commons itself. There have been committees of all kinds, and each in its turn has pro posed various alterations, which in many instances have clashed with one another, and the unfortunate architect has been obliged to follow the orders given to him, whether in accordance with, or in opposition to his own opinion. The case of the Palace of Westminster should, however, teach a useful lesson to the House of Commons. New offices, at a large expense, are about to be erected. In order that the House of Commons may not make the same mistake, when once the plans are decided upon, let the execution of them be com mitted to one individual, the Chief Commissioner of Works, for instance, and make him responsible for their due completion. If this is done, and there is one simple and undivided authority, there may be reasonable grounds for hoping that a repition of the mistakes o the Palace at Westminster will be avoided in the new buildings.—Obserter. sometimes with very similar tastes. When a traveller once visited the Rajah of Tanjore, he found him reading—the Vedas ? No ! He found him reading Shakspere. Well, the man who reads Shakspere, and understands but a very small part of him, is fit to be a member of parliament." The Saturday Review sketches the House of Commons on a supply night:—" The ministry begin by trying to look cool and good-humoured, with as much success as a landsman generally achieves when he is going to be playfully shaved with an iron hoop, and a bucket of tar water on 'crossing the Line." But, as the evening wears on, they give up the attempt. The bland smile fades from the features of Wood; Mr. Lowe perspires freely, and even the gentle Ramsdell is betrayed into a retort. All feel the effect, except Mr. Wilson who takes matters arithmeti cally, look upon his supporters only as inconstant units of a constant quantity, and so contrives to keep his temperature and his temper. Except the all suffering government, all the talent has fled from the house ; all, that is to say, that the electors of England, in their late mania for blood without the brains, have mercifully spared to us. You will in vain look for Graham or Russell, for Gladstone or Pakington, on a supply night. It is the day of small things; Sir Henry Willoughby is listened to as a financier, and Mr. Bentinck as the leader of a party. The Bores of Supply reign supreme, and the graces of a metropolitan diction are the order of the day ; the letter h " is put under the table with the mace—most people sleep, some snore, a few talk, nobody listens—and the reporters sharpen their pencils with supreme indifference, contemptuously regardless of the piteous glances of some young half fledged bore, not yet quite hardened, whom an exactink con stituency or a vaulting ambition have plunged into a shorfless sea of bad grammar, and whose entreat_ ing eyes say, as plainly as eyes can speak, "Do, do, mend my sentences for me." A tenant league meeting in Ireland, convoked for the purpose of adjusting the claims of rival editors, a Knights bridge vestry, entranced by the eloquence of Mr. Westerton, are dignified and august bodies com pared to the House of Commons in supply." POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-SATURDAY. GRA,,rING THE ANNUAL LICENSE TO THE ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. On Saturday fitret,....?!Sessions was held at the Police court,a Chapel-street, for the yurpoge of granting the annual license to the above theatre. The magistrates on the bench were Messrs. Stitt, Jeffery, W. It.athbone, and Anderson ; and Mr. Copeland, the 19ssee of the theatres, accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Efinaley, and several other gentlemen, entered the couri shortly after twelve o'clock. When Mr. Hindley, in the usual form, applied for a renewal of the license for the Amphitheatre for the ensuing year, Mr. W. RAMBO:fit, addressing Mr. Copeland, said that there had been some very serious complaints made as to the characters that frequented that house, and as to the way they conducted themselves. He then called upon. The CHIEF CONSTABLE to state the nature of the com plaints, and that officer stated that one part of the house, the pit, was frequented by a great number of prostitutes, who were permitted in the prJmenale, by the side of the pit, and as many as 50, 60, 70, and even 80 had been seen there. He suggested that that portion of the house should be abolished, as he did not think such scenes would be enacted there if it was open to the boxes, and he thought it would add much to the character of the house. Mr. RATIIBONE then quoted that portion of the license which rendered the lessee liable to a penalty of £2O for permitting prostitutes to assemble within the walls of the theatre ; but, at the same time, stated that he did not entertain any objections to theatrical amusements in general, as they were important relaxations to the rich as well as to the poor, but it was the imperative duty of the bench to see that they were conducted according to law, and in this case the lessee was liable to a penalty of £2O, for permitting, or giving any encouragement to such characters assembling. Mr. CoPELAND here, evidently labouring under much annoyance and excitement, addressing the bench; said that he could not delegate the power of answering the charges that had been brought against him to a solicitor, or any other person, but would answer them himself, as it was a personal question, and one that affected his character as a gentleman and the father of a family, and he repelled, with the utmost indignation, the accusation that had been made against him. Mr. RATHBONE exonerated the Chief Constable from any blame, and stated that from the complaints that had been made, the subject had been brought before the bench of magistrates. and that he had brought it forward on his own responsibility, the magistrates having concurred in his views. Mr. COPELAND had no doubt but that the magistrates were fulfilling their duty, but, with all respect to the magis trates, be begged to say that he had had the management of the Amphitheatre for thirteen years, and during that time there had never been a single complaint against it. When he first took the Amphitheatre he and they were all aware, that it had not a character for respectability, but since he had it, there had never been one complain i t against it. He was told that he was liable to a penalty of £2O, for every improper character that was there. How was he to know who were proper and who were improper characters to be admitted. How was he to know who were prostitutes and who were not. He would repel with scorn and indig nation the accusation, that he. the father of a family, and a gentleman, permitted such characters, to his knowledge. Mr. ANDERSON Said it was not the first complaint that they had heard. They had been told that prostitutes were in the habit of frequenting the Zoological G irdens to the exclusion of respectable persons ; they immediatly directed the attention of Mr. Atkins to it, and the result had been, that he had made an alteratien, and there had been no complaints since. Mr. COPELAND said that he paid policemen for being at the theatres, and he thought the police should be respon sible to the magistrates. He was willing to do all he could to assist the police, whom he was willing to pay ; bat he would not permit it to go forth to the world that he sanctioned either prostitutes or thieves there. Mr. RATUBONE said the bench did not accuse Mr. Cope land of it. It might be without his knowledge; but they had, before granting the license, A right to ask Mr. Cope land to confer with the authorities to check, as far as poF , ible, the evil that had been complained of. Mr. COPELAND said he was quite willing to place the matter in the hands of the police, but he did not feel, after having the Theatre R )yal, and the Royal Amphi theatre, for so many yearn. and having raised the taste in Liverpool, which he fancied ho had done, and placed it in the proud position in which it then stood, he did feel that be should bo disgracing himself in his position if he took the lease again with the imputation upon him that he had Permitted such an act as he had been accused of. _ _ Mr. RATABONE : Are you willing to co-operate with the authorities? That is the question that should be answered before the license is renewed. We do not want our time oeltnpied by long speeches, to make a public display. Mr. XEPPERY: Has there ever been any information laid before the magistrates ? The Chief Constable : There has. Mr. COPELAND-said, it may be satisfactory to the magis trates, and to the police, that such accusations against him were unfounded'; but there were some parties who were opposed to theatrical amusements. He had been much injured by one of the papers in the town—The- Liverpool Mercury, The writer of Liverpool Life had written articles against the theatre wheth were perfectly libellous. He was perfectly willing to leave the subject in the hands of the Chief Constable, and he could take what steps he liked to prevent the admission of bad characters. 'the police were in possession of information that he was not nor could not be. He could not stand at the door of his theatres and say ' let this man in, he is a proper, character : do not let this man in, because he is an improper one.' Or let this woman in and turn that one away. No, he would not accept the lease under such terms. Mr. ANDERSON : It has been suggested that the prome nade should be abolished—Could not that be done? Mr. &femme]: : And would not the exclusion of such charaeers tend to increase the respectability of the house?' Mr. COPELAND explained that when he took the Amphi theatre it had been previously only a circus,—having a ring for the centre. To make such a place adaptable for dramatic performances, he had bean obliged to convert, for the season, that ring into a pit, and in doing that he had to enclose it, so as to confine the voices of the actors on the stage. But he would not - have the stigma attached to his character that such a " lobby," or, as it had been termed, "promenade," was the resort to his knowledge of the characters that had been represented. He would not have such a statement go forth to the public without contradiction. He would say, with all doe res pect to the magistrates, that he was a gentleman, and the father of` a family of five daughters, and he would not have such a statement brought against him without stating that he repelled it with all possible indignation and scorn, and rather than have the lease renewed with such an imputs tion against him, he would not accept of it at all. He would admit that he did feel very much excited, because he had been taken by surprise, as after the many years he had had the theatres he could never have thought that such accusations could have been brought against him. Had ho been served with notices that such would have been the case, ha would have been prepared to meet it. Mr. ANDERSON : There has been complaints, but the magistrates have refrained from acting on them. Mr. EINDLET then was about to explain to the bench the great iniprovemen's that Mr. Copeland had made in the theatrical world in Liverpool, by introducing the greatest novelties, which the bench admitted. A long conversation ensued, in the course of which Mr. Copelaud strongly repudiated the idea that he had any knowledge, or that it eves done with his sanction, that improper characters were permitted in the house, and expressed his perfect willing ness to place the house under the control of the police ; who were at full Übe; ty to reject such characters from coming in, and if they were in, he would be happy to h a ve them ejected and their money returned ; but he could not, as the manager of the theetre, undertake to do such a business, because he conceived it was the sole daty of the police. Mr. GARNETT then real the clause in the lease, from which it appeared that the manager was liable to the penalty for admitting such characters. Mr. JEFFERY explains I this to Mr. Copeland, and after some further conversation, in which it was understood that Mr. Copeland expressed his - desire to comply in every respect with the wishes of the authorities as to excluding such characters, the Chief Constable wished to know whether Mr. Copeland. would consent to assisting the authorities in closing the promenade at the back of the pit. • Mr. COPELAND said that that mid not be done , and -why should it ? In all the theatres on the continent there was a place appropriate for persons to walk between the pieces, and why should those who did right be debarred from such a pleasure for tho sake of those few who, did wrong. Indeed the lobby was so necessary, that he had, at that every time, builders in the Theatre Reyel making a similar one in thet eetablishment. Ultimately the license WAS again renewed, the bench repeatedly stating that no accusation had ever been made against Mr. Copeland, as to his being aware that such improper characters were permitted in his house, and Mr. Copeland expressing the great pleasure that he should, .feel in assisting the authorities and the police, in reforming any abuses that might have ocearred in that establish ment. PETTLEMWNT or THE DISPUTE BETWEEN NEW GRANADA: AND GREAT BRITAIN.—The British Macintosh claim in New Granada has been settled, and New Granada pay s 560.000 dollars in paper, instead of cash. Diplomatic intercourse between the two countries has been reamed, BIRKENHEAD MODEL YACHT CLUB. SECOND MATCH OF THE SEASON. On Saturday the second match of the season, for boats belonging to the Model Yacht Club, came off on the Mersey. The day was most delightfully fine, but, unhap pily for the lovers of aquatic sports, only the faintest breeze stirred the heavens. There was not more than wind enough to give the yachts, with every yard of can vass which they could spread, steerage power, and at in tervals, when the breeze died away, it was almost a drifting match. The course was the same as on former occasions ; and there were two matches. The first was for a silver cup, value £l5, the course being from Woodside-basin round a flag-boat stationed off East ham, thence round a flag-boat stationed off the Dingle; back round the Eastham flag boat, thence back round the Dingle flag boat, returning direct to Woodside-ferry, pass ing between the shore and flag-boat moored on the south side of the pier, leaving the last-mentioned flag-boat on the starboard hand. All other marks and flag-boats to be left on the port hand. Time : 1 & minutes up to five tons, and one minute over. The following five boats started : Name. Owner. Tons. Distinguishing Flag. Elfin A. Whitworth...3 -1.. White, with red diamond. Glide T. Wilkinson _7l_ White and red diagonal. Charm James Poole Red and white. Mayflower Geo. Harrison... 7_ ..Blue, white, and blue. Snake ....T. Wilkinson and blue diagonal. The start took place at 1.5637; and they rounded East. ham in the following order : If. M. S. Charm .... Snake, Glide • . 2 37 31 • Mayflower . . ....... .... 9 .., 38 34 Elfin.... They rounded the Dingle in the same order, the time being ; Ch4rm, Snake, 3 35 47 Glide, Mayflower, • . Elfin, The Charm maintained the lead althrough; and they reached the winning flag-boat as follows : Charm, Glide, Snake, Mayflower, 4 56 0 The time of the Elfin was lost, and the Charm was decl4red the winner. The second race was fur a silver cup, value five pounds, for second class yachts, the course being from Woodside Basin round a flag-boat stationed off .Hastham, thence round a flag-boat stationed off the Dingle, returning direct to Woodside Ferry—leaving all flag-boats as in first•class match. The following boats started : Name. Owner. Tons. Distinguishing Flag. Gadfly .. J. Watkins _ _ 1 White, red cross. Hornet.. W. C. Wrenshall.. white, and blue. _ 2 White . and Blue. Wasp . . 8. Bishop The Wasp was declared the winner, beating the Hornet by three minutes and twenty-three seconds. Tho yachts were followed throughtut the race by one of the Woodside steamers, which was filled with company. It was. arranged that the presentation of the cups should take place at the Canning. Hotel, Birkenhead, where the ' members were to dine in the evening. THE BELGIAN FREE-TRADERS AND THE LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION. The Economiste Beige, the organ of the Belgian Inter national Association for the reform of Customs' Duties, published part of the second address of the Financial Reform Association on the 20th instant, promising the remainder in its next number. We translate the follow ing passages from the editorial introduction :-- - The system of fiscal duties which still 1 prevails in England, although infinitely preferable to the prohibitive system, for which it has been substituted, is still exposed to weighty objections. It is, in fact, only a stage on the road to commercial freedom. Thus it does not satisfy the pure free-traders. They would go further—they would go to the end ; and, therefore, they demand, frankly and resolutely the complete suppression of Customs' Duties. To attain this end they founded in 1848, a Financial Reform Association, one of whose addresses, on the subject of the Income-tax, we published on the Ist of February, and whose second manifesto we re-produce below. from this it will be seen that the association demands the suppression of Customs' Duties, and Indirect Taxes, and the substitution of a proportional tax on the cdpitatised income of all members of the community, with the exception of the indigent classes. " This manifesto has been warmly attacked by the Times ; but everybody knows that it is the habit of the Times only to reflect the dominant opinion of the day; and that, consequently, it is hostile to every idea which is not sufficiently accepted by public opinion, sure to support it whenever it becomes popular. Thus, it was, at first violently opposed to Mr. Cobden, and the Anti-Corn-Law League,. and afterwards declared, Kr. Cobden, declaring the league to be decidedly a great fact. Let the Financial Reform Association, in its turn, succeed in con verting public opinion, an d the Times will no longer refuse either its support or its praises. It is a liberal and reforming journal of the eleventh hour only. " One word more on the programme of the Liverpool Financial Reform Association. We are convinced that the authors of this programme are in the right ; we are as fully persuaded as they are, that the suppression of customs duties and indirect taxes would be followed by immense and wonderful progress ; but we do not believe that this progress can be realised in our own country just at present. We have not yet cleared the stage" of the protective regime, be it remembered, and we find ourselves in presence of an opinion hostile to any radical reform of our tariff. Now, experience proves that, in matters of reform, we mast ever calculate, above all, the state of opinion :—experience proves that when opinion is outraged, at least in a free country, it receies instead of advancing. This is the reason why, in giving our full adhesion to the essentially radical programme of the Liverpool Financial Reform Association, we do not counsel its adoption is our own country, where the essentially moderate programme of the Customs' Reform Association appears to us to be alone in, harmony with the present state of opinion, alone truly practicable." REDUCTION OF THB DANISH TARIFF. —A letter front Copenhagen, of the 21st inst., state 3 that the Danish government, in compliance with the wishes of several foreign governments, and especially those of England and France, has resolved to reduce the exorbitant import duties (they are larger than in any other country of Eu rope) which it has heretofore imposed on cotton, woollen, and silk fabrics, porcelain, glass, spirits, wines, hardware, and other manufactured productions; and that it has for that purpose nominated a commission, consisting of merchants, manufacturers, and government functionaries, to revise the tariffs. IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LATE DOrGLAS JERROLD The first of a series of entertainments of a diversified character, set on foot by some literary men of eminence. "in remembrance of the late Mr. Douglas Jerrold," was held at the St. Martin's Hall on Saturday night. The entertainment consisted of a miscellaneous concert. Madame Clara Nevello sang (for the first time) a song by Macfarren—" Little Dorrit's Love," The performance gave the greatest satisfaction to a crowded and respectable audience, and afforded to the friends of the deceased writer, therefore, a gratifying proof of the estimation in which his memory is held by the public. A MILITARY SHOOTING MA7CH.-00. Wednesday, a math took place at Chatham amongst the Royal Engi neers, with Lancaster Rifles: The whole of the men of the corps who have gone through their course of training (about 60 in number) in the first class, fired 10 rounds each at the target, at 600 yards distance. The first ten of them were afterwards selected to compete for prizes by firing 10 rounds each, at 700 yards. The firing was very good, some of the men hitting eight and nine times t corps ;2:—d Duncanl s Private f,, prize, G r e g Jorohan gold Lance-CorporalTThom, om ring a 7 i In h y e a t r d en s r o The nd he s O followingprizesyards, a w n e d r were five si.o n a n b d y s the e h e t i u m n e a s e a r 4th, Lance-Corporal Roddo c k, a silver pencil case. The three met best shots received 2 i. 6d. each, and the three • time-piece ma e r n en t -i i p o r ,c ed e a; m B3 e i nrl 3rd, oe:f Privatet hwatche last rec ived Is. 6d each, A considerable number of engi neer otheers, and officers from the garrison were present. A Bisnop IN DIFFICULTIES.—At the monthly meeting of the Society for the propagation of the gospel, held on Tuesday, a letter was read from the Right Rev. Dr. - MacDougall, Bishop of Labuan, containing details of the recent insurrection o f th e Chi nese i n Rarneo. He said— " Our buildings are not burnt, but they are utterly plun dered and damaged,; 1,0001. would not cover my private loss r besides all my ,teautiful church furniture, plate, vest ments, harmonium—all gone or smashed, I shall want a schooner more than ever now; boats, will, I fear, for a long time, be utterly unsafe. I live in a flannel shirt, which is the chief part of my wardrobe, and for the want of a razor I am fast turning into the likeness of an Eastern bishop with a long beard. My dearest, wife has shown in all a noble pattern of cool courage and spirited endurance. throughout, but short commons, and ronghing it, are telling sadly upon her and her children." Bishop MacDougall, before taking holy orders, was a medical man, and a practising surgeon in King's college hospital. POLITICAL GOSSIP. The United Service Gazette states that Vice- Admiral Edward Harvey has been nominated to succeed Vice-Admiral Gordon, as commander-in chief at the None. A committee of the House of Lords is now busily engaged in shaping out a practical bill to restrain the indiscriminate sale of poisons. We (Record) have great pleasure in announcing that the Rev. John Bowen, M.A.,_ rector of Orton Longueville, near Peterborough, has, on the re commendation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, been appointed to the vacant see of Sierra Leone. The appointment is most creditable to the Secre tary for the Colonies. Mr. Bowen is a man of decided christian character, clear evangelical views, and strong missionary sympathies. Mr. Roebuck recently a dd resse d a circular to the liberal members of 'Parliament, inviting them to as semble at the King's Arms, in New Palace-yard, to concert reform plans for 1858. The Leadir says that the circular did not meet with a cordial response. Only from forty to fifty members attended at the King's Arms; the proceedings were marked by coldness and caution, and nothing was attempted except the nomination of a committee. It is no secret that Mr. Roebuck is looked upon in the House of Commons as a pretender, who dues the work of the whigs in the disguise of a reformer." The Dimatch says :—" We are informed that the new government offices are to coat five millions, that the houses of parliament have cost two mil lions, and nobody Can tell when they ate to ba finished, and that 500,0001. could easily have been saved upon the contract. But what we chiefly notice here is that the building already stands in need of extensive repair, and that the stone is crumbling away to dust, and stealing off, so as to threaten to tumble to pieces, although 'a sort of cosmetic was applied to it at a great expense to arrest the progress of ruin. A more scandalous job never was perpetrated. There were the Edinburgh stone quarries, and there was the town built from them exhibiting edifices that had stood the blast of a hyperborean climate for hundreds of yeays. That stone was examined prior to the commencement of the New Parliament Palace, in the view of being applied to it. But jobbery, jealousy, and humbug carried the day. English stone was preferred; the result is before us—tile Westminster edifice is. going . to pieces.. Now, we say this matter should be probed to the bottom There is no alternative conclusion betwixt that of. the most scandalou s , ignorant incapacity, and the sheerest jobbery." - The At,t'unday Times says we ought to have, in the House of Commons, representatives of Calcutta, Delhi, Agra, Lahore, Madras, Bombay, and Karachi. "It would then by degrees be made apparent that the inhabitants of India, whether Hindoos, or Muslims, are men like ourselves, and THE CROPS. An excursion through several of the midland and southern counties, together with our letters from many other districts of the country, enable us to state that there is everywhere a magnificent promise of all kinds of agricultural produce• The wheat crop, now everywhere in ear, never, as a general rule, promised better ; and though, with the barley, it is beaten down in places, by the thunder-storms of the past ten days, both bid fair to 3 ield well at harvest time. As to green crops, potatoes look uncom monly well ; a bulky and healthy growth above ground must be taken for what it may yet be worth, as indicating a corresponding growth below The mange' wurzel crop is now being generally thinned —the plants have come up satisfactorily. Turnips are suffering severely from the fly, and the usual remedies are being advocated with the usual confi dence, and tried, we must add, with the usual failure. Among these are the plans of dusting the young plants with lime as soon as they appear, and every morning afterwards before the dew has left them (two or three bushels per acre will suffice)—of sowing common turnips with the Swed ish, and both in abundance, the object being to save the latter by the preference which the fly exhibits for the former (this is Mr. Poppy's device)—and of catching the insect by drawing a beetle trap or fly catcher over the rows. This beetle trap disturbs the fly, which leaps, and is caught on an adhesive screen: we name it hero as it is accompanied by testimonials to its efficiency ; but we have little confidence in any expedient of the kind for saving the turnip crop of a farm. The work of haymaking is everywhere vigorously proceeding, and a heavy crop is being made under, at present, the most favourable circumstances.—Gardeners' Chronicle. SINGULAR PLACE POR A NEST.—Near a South Eastern Railway station, of Appledore, a couple of yellow-ham mers have built their nest in a small hole right under the iron rails of the up-line. The birds are now sitting on four eggs, and although the trains are constantly running above them, they do not seem to be in the least degree disturbed. THE SLAVE TRADE —Since the Deputation, headed by the Earl of Shaftesbury, waited on Lord Palmerston, the Government has been far from idle, and Sir Charles Wood has frankly declared the intention, as soon as the neces sary arrangements could be made, of increasing the West Indian squadron, and of adopting some energetic system of cruising on the cost.ol Cuba. AN EARLY FLING AMONG TR3 DERR.—A. few days ago, Captain Chisholm, Ratagan House, fired at a stag in Glen undalan, on the estate of Ratagan. Although he knew he hit him, yet the wound was not mortal, and the stag bounded off at a swift pace over Torlysich hill, and came with rapid, though uncertain step, down upon Sheal Passing closely behind the house, it cleared at one bound a wall of seven feet high. Meantime several dogs pursued the antler monarch into Lochduich, and succeeded several times in turning him shorewards. ' Two mountaineers arriving in haste, plunged into the sea, and struggled bravely to make him captive, bat the stag proving the better navigator, their endeavours were ineffectual. At last they obtained a boat, and were enabled to capture their prey. They pulled with might and main, bet the deer was half-way accroas the loch towards Invetinate, a distance of ablut a mile, when vanquished. The Captain retraced his steps homewards in a disconsolate mood, cha grined at the supposed loss of his prize, and might say with Duncan Bite Macintyre, " Siubhal fridhe re an la, thilg mi spreadhadh nach d'rinn fenm dhomh ;" but on ap proaching the honse, we can imagine his astonishment and surprise when his lady met him, and hailed him with the glad tidings that the monarch of the glen, which he had wounded, was secured alive, and bound captive in her own good keening. The stag was regaled for two days on beer and eggs, and was recruiting wonderfully, but on the second day they took him out to get the air and some pasture feeding, and tied him to a tree. He at once snapped the rope, but as good luck would have it, the captain was stadding close by ; he rushed upon him, grappled with him, and threw him down. It was" the work of a moment to take the egian-dubh out of his hose, and there and then despatch him—the captain knowing well, the, if be should let him slip the second time, he would -probably never see another sight of him.—lnverness Courier. A YOUNG LADY BURNT TO DEATH.—We lamsnt to record the melancholy particulars attending an accident which bafel Miss Ellen Sperling,.daughter of Mr. James Sperling, solicitor, who was so shockingly burnt at the residence of her mother, in Crouch-street, Colchester, on Wednesday evening, that death terminated her sufferings in a few hours. From inquiries, we learn that about half past seven o'clock the deceased, who was about twenty years of age, was in the act of sraling a letter, when a lighted wax taper on the table at which she was standing accidentally ignited the top flaunce of her muslin dress. She immediately cried out to tho servant in attendance, "Oh ! Susan, I'm on fire, smother me up !" and rushed out of the back door into the yard . to the pump, at which she attempted to extinguish the flames. Failing to accomplish this object, and being now completely enveloped in a mass of fire, she ran back into the house and tore up the dining-room carpet, which she wrapped round her, but which was soon consumed. The servant. who was the only parson with her in the house, got Miss Sperling out of the dining-room into the passage and shut the door, fearing the house would be set on fire. She then gave ,an alarm in the street, and Mr. Green and Mr. Buckingham living near, immediately ran in to the unfortunate young lady's assistance ; they promptly wrapped around her a hearthrug, brought from Mr. Colvin's, a baker, but the flames and s.noke were intense and suffocating, and Mr. Green's hands were severely burnt in his praiseworthy efforts to save her. Miss Sperling's clothes were- com pletely consumed, end her body frightfully 'burnt and blackened from head to foot. Mr. Philbrick, surgeon, first arrived, and Mr. R. S. Nunn, the family surgeon, Dr. Duncan, and Mr. Mercer, house surgeon at the hospital, were afterWards'ealled in to the unfortunate young lady's assistance, when every means were employed to allay her suffering, and save her life, but she lingered in indeseri hAle suffering till half-past twelve o'clock,. when she ex pired, in a state of consciousness to within half an hour of 'her death. An inquest was held upon the body on Tbursday,at the King's Arms Inn, whet the, jury returned a verdict of accidental death.--- ChelmsfordChronicte. cAsa AND DEED BOXES.—The next importan t thing to the posses sion of rash is, how (when you have got it) to keep it safely, either in the counting-house or at home. The same remarks apply to deeds and other valuable documents. We have seen a large and varied stock of both these desirable articles, manufactured ex. restly for Mr. E. T. Hall, of South John-street, that challenge attention. The, e boxes are made on new and admired principles, and possess patent locks, which defy the ingenuity of any "pick-lock" in the world to open, except with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitors, and others, these new safes, on a small scale, must prove valuable indeed. —Noriliern Daily Times, 21st Meg, 1857, LIVERPOOL BEFORE MB. R. SFIZIL. ASSAULTS UPON VIM POLlM—PettriCk Larney, a sailor, was charged with assaulting police-constable 410, in the execution of his duty on the previous night. The police. man stated that he was proceeding up 01(lhall-street, when he saw two females with a gentleman. He, at the request of the gentleman, went and told the two females to go about their business, and while ho was so doing, the pri soner came up and assaulted him. The prisoner, in his own justification, denied all knowledge of the assault, but said that he had a drop of drink, and was walking the street, when he was caught hold of by a policeman. All he knew of the matter was that he got a little drink, and then when he saw the policeman he had 30s. in his pocket, but when he was booked he had not one farthing. The bridewell keeper stated that the defendant had been pre viously convicted for an assault upon the police. The magistrates ordered the defendant to pay 20s. and costs, and in default of the payment of which, he was to be imprisoned for the period of two months. James Rogers, another sailor, was charged with assaulting police-constable 376. The constable stated that he was passing through Williamson-square, when he saw the defendant lying in a helpless state of intoxication. He wowed him, and advised him to go home, when he imme diately attacked him, and kicked and otherwise assaulted him. He was fined 20s. and costs. ROBBERY.—A young girl, named Mary Canningham, was charged with obtaining a quantity of wearing apparel by false pretences. It appeared that the prisoner was in the habit of going to the houses of persons who kept mangles, in the vicinity of Scotland-road, and getting the clothes of other persons. A great number of cases were proved against her, and the prisoner was sent for trial. CAUTION TO CRILDREN.—A. little boy, named Noble O'Neil, was committed for fourteen days, for throwing stones in Pembroke-place. The offence was clearly proved by the policeman, and by the female who was injured by the stone striking her in the face. BIRKENHEAD.-FRIDAT. (BEFORE R. I3RYANS, ESQ.) CAUTION TO MASTERS OP DOMESTIC SERTANTS.—Under this heading, in our impression of Friday last, we gave the particulars of a gross assault committed by Mr. Robert Holt, cotton dealer, whose warehouse is in 11, Prescot row, Tithebarn-street, but resides in Queen's Terrace, Price street, Birkenhead, on his servant, Mary Graham, for which he was fined 10s, and costs ; and we also added that after his conviction he had given her into custody for embezzlement. To-day the girl was brought up on the charge of having embezzled the sum of Ge. lid., the money of Mr. Holt, her master, and which bad been given her fur the purpose of paying the milkman. Mr. Holt was in attendance accompanied by a milkman named Wareing, residing in Watson-street, Birkenhead, Mr. Hilt stated that the money was given to her some time in May last to pay for the milk, but that she had not done so. The witness was then called on to prove the non-peyment,when he said " I really cannot swear she never paid me—l cannot swear it. The worthy mag'strate then said the case fell to the ground for want of proof. It must be dismissed, and. the prisoner discharged. Prisoner : I can take my oath that I paid him. Magistrate : Well, you are discharged. There is no proof you did not. Mr. Holt : I did not wish to press the charge hard against her ; and if she had been committed, I should have begged her off. [We made our comments upon this case, following the report of it, and the result is just what we anticipated. The attempt to destroy the Nor girl's character was quite evident. No doubt Mr. Holt thinks himself a very humane man, but we would recommend the girl to lay the case before some respectable solicitor.—En. N. T.] WIIOLESALE ROBBERY BY SERVANTS.—Jane Croft and Elizabeth Peak, the former a domestic servant, and the latter a nurse in the service of Mr H. P. Sorge, of Grange-lane, Birkenhead, Professor of Music, were charged with the following wholesale robbery, the discovery of which took place under very curious circumstances. It appeared, from the statement of Miss Cross, who is living next door, that on Wednesday night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, she went up into the drawing-room of her brother's house for the purpose of shutting the window ; previous, however, to so doing she looked out, when she saw something lying on the leads or roof of her brother's shop. She accordingly took it in, and, upon examination, dis- covered it to be a lady's dress, nea-ly new ' and two children's pinafores. Having shown them to her brother and mother, they recommended that they should be sent into Mr. Sorge's, thinking they might have fallen out of the window, which was done, and he immediately identified them as his property. His suspicions then became excited, and the house was examined, when another dress and a silk mantle were also missed. He then determined to keep watch during the neat night, and, while so doing, he heard the prisoners in conversation nearly the whole of the night. Tho next morning a police officer was sent fur, and when he came he questioned Croft about the missing articles, and charged her with having stolen them, which she denied, or that she knew anything at all about them. He then did the same with Peak, who also gave the same denial. Having told Croft that she must go to bridewelt, he left the house with her, and when they had got a short distance she said, " I will tell all about it. The other girl (meaning Peak) is as much or more to blame than I am, as she (Peak) was going to have the dress and I the mantle ; that she (Peak) had admired the dress ever since she had been in the house, and the things are concealed underneath the roof of the house." The officer then returned with her to the house, and, leaving Croft in the kitchen, he took Peak up into the attic, and, pointing to a trap door in the ceiling, seised what was up there, when she replied, " I know they are there, but the other girl put them there." He then examined the trap door, and found that soma fresh nails had been used to fasten it, but upon getting it open he discovered the missing silk dross and cape, and also two petticoats and two sheets. He then also took her iuto custody, and they were both taken to the lockup. Croft, in answer to the charge, said, " I have nothing to say. I had something to do with the cal e, but not with any of the other things." And Peak said, " I had nothing at all to do with them." Beth prisoners were fully committed for trial, on Monday next, at Chester Castle. ELECTION COMMITTEES.-BATURD AY. CAMBRIDGE, The committee resumed this morning, Mr. Deasy in the chair. The evidence in support of the allegation that the agents of the sitting member. Mr. Steuart, paid the travelling expenses of many of his voters was continued. An elec tor, named Harris, was examined, and he stated that he received £1 14s. for his expenses. MARLBOROUGH. This committee met again this morning, Mr. Ker Seymer in the chair, when the argument relative to Mr. Baring's qualification was continued. M A Y 0. This committee re-assembled at the usual hour, Mr. Scholefield In the chair. Mr. Turner, an elector, stated that he resided at Bailin robe. Mr. Conway and Mr. "Moore canvassed him to vote for Mr. Moore and Mr. Palmer, but he declined. The witness also deposed to the efforts of Mr. Conway, who was called Father Conway, to deter electors voting for Colonel Higgins. The whole of the morning was occupied with this de scription of ovideace. PONTEFRACT. This committee resumed their inquiry this morning, Mr. Headiam in the chair. The evidence of undue influence was proceeded with, and Mr. Robinson, the manager of the Yorkshire Banking Company, examined on that head., ROCHDALE. The committee re-assembled at the usual hour this morning; Sir J. Y. Buller in the chair. The evidence of bribery and treating was continued. Mr. John Malone, a grocer, at Rochdale, stated that he was canvassed by one Henessy to vote for Sir Alexander Ramsay, but he told him he did not intend to vote at all. Henessey offered him £5 if he would vote for Sir Alexan der Ramsay, but witness indignantly refused the offer, and voted for Miall. Daniel Nuttal, another elector, stated that Richard Mills, a chemical manufacturer at Rochdale, called upon him a few days before the election, and had offered him 108. to absent himself on the polling day. John Wood, a woollen printer at Rochdale, stated that he was a tenant under the brother-in - law of the sitting member. Mr. Entwistle, to whom he had to pay a ground rent, and in March last he owed him £l6. Mr. Rhodes, the agent of Mr. Entwistle,:called upon him, and' said he would give him a receipt for the rent if he would vote for Aamsay. Witness refused the offer. He had since paid the rent. WAREA AM: The committee met again this morning, Mr. Gaskell in the chair. _ _ _ The eiklence of intimidation Was gone into, and Biddy Davis, the wife of an elector, deposed that her husband was asked by. Mr. Pike if he did not vote for Squire Cal craft; he said if he did not vote it would be a bad day for him, and that he should not remain in his service. He also promised that her husband should want for nothing if he voted for Calcraft. _ Several cases relative to the agency of Mr. Pike were pat in.