The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-12-15 00:00:00

MIE Dec. 1.5, 1846. ?Loral anb Vrotnnrial ,ews. NEW IMPORTATION. The "Lincoln" cigar, war ranted to smoke "Brieht." SATURDAY EVENING CONCERTS.—A third donation of has been received from Robertson Gladstone, Esq., in aid of the objects of this institution. Last week, a sailor, named Alexander Stepom, belong ing to the ship Mischief, lying in the Queen's Dock, fell from the maintop, and died of concussion of the brain. On Friday, a man named Gilbert Jonea, aged 22, whilst at work on a roof in Sefton-street, slipped off, and frac turing his right thigh, died of the injury. A gentleman had his pocket picked on Tuesday of £l5 at the Liverpool Bank, while waiting to pay in some money. Major Jebb has opened a court at Warrington, to en quire as to the incorporation of the town All formal op position to that measure is withdrawn. The Rev. H. S. Joseph, late of this town, has been appointed by the visiting magistrates to officiate pro tem. as chaplain of Chester Castle. He is a candidate for the permanent appointment. A man named John Goldsworthy expired at the Northern Hospital last week, from injuries sustained five weeks ago, in the tunnel at Upholland, by the falling of a fragment of rock upon him, while engaged in undermining DEATHS BY BURNING.—There were no less than four inquests held last week before H. Churton, Esq., the coroner for Cheshire, on children burnt to death; and during the previous week five were held. On Sunday, in consequence of the new arrangements made by Mr. Dowling, 180 of the borough police were enabled for the first time to attend their respective places of worship. ALKALI WORKS.—In the action Gerard v. Gamble, re ferred at the last assizes to an arbitrator, £3OO damages have been aw irded to the plaintiff for injury to his woods at St. Helen's by the defendant's works. Captain 13issett, late of the Duke steno-shin, and one of the most intelligent and competent gentlemen con nected with the merchant service of this port, has been appointed assistant surveyor for the underwriters of Lloyd's-room, Liverpool. Mr. Thomas Dennett, junior, son of Mr. Thomas Den nett, of this town, whose attainments at our Mechanics' Institution, where he received the first elements of his education, were some time ago subject of comment, has, at Trinity College, Dublin, obtained the first honours in mathematic a, logic, and the classics. PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM-SHIP COM PANY.—At the half-yearly meeting on Tuesday, a divi dend of eight per cent. was declared. The company pos sesses a fleet of twenty-one noble ships, with a tonnage of 21,850 tons, and 7310 horse power. Besides these, there are now building, in London and Glasgow, two steamers of 1200 tons each, and four of 1000 tons each. The com pany also has an independent insurance fund of £160,000. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT SEA.-111 July last, as the England's Queen, Captain Sheddings, which left this port on the 15th June, was on her way to Bombay, Robt. Atkin, a well-educated boy, fifteen years of age, from Blackburn, and nearly related to the owners, fell over board. Mr. Thompsen, the chief mate, immediately jumped over the ship's side, and attempted to save the you'll, but unfortunately both were drowned. LIVERPOOL. JULY RACES.—The following stakes close and name on the Ist of January next instead of the Ist of May as was the case last year : —Mersey Stakes for two year-olds, the Liverpool Cup (formerly called the Trades men's Pla'e), the Derby Handicap, the Grosvenor Stakes, the Bentinck Testimonial Stakes, all in 1817 ; the St. Leger, Sefton, and Knowsley Dinner Stakes, for 1848, and several Produce Stakes for 1848, 1849, and 1850. Trig LOYAL ORANGE ORDER.—As we announced in our last publication, a general meeting of the Grand Lodge, of the above order, was held in the town on Wed nesday last, at which a most excellent code of laws was agreed to, which gave the utmost satisfaction to the dele gates from Rochdale, Sheffield. and other districts, where the brethren muster strong. The books, laws, and ordi nances are now publishing, and we believe the most fasti dious Protestant cannot take exception to them, and we would recommend the perusal of them to those who wish for a well organized Protestant Association. The new and splendid packet-ship New World, arrived at this port on Thursday from New York, having sailed from New York on the 13th ultimo. She is 1,600 tons burthen, and a perfect model of naval architecture. Her cargo consists of 1.700 quarters of Indian corn, 1,250 quarters of wheat, 4,300 barrels of flour, 1,100 barrels of apples, 4,000 boxes of cheese, a considerable quantity of provisinns, &c. She is consigned to the house of Chao man, Bowman, and Co. ; lies in the Waterloo Dock, and is well worthy of a visit from her immense proportions. HOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—The plans for the alterations of the treasurer's office were approved of.— The Secretary read a list of persons applying to be en rolled as master porters. Mr. Tobin thought a difference ought to be made between the working man and the gen tlemen porters. (Laughter.) Mr. Middleton : They ought all to have a badge. The Chairman : They are all (Laughter.)—Mr. Molyneux stated that the table of rates for the Albert Dock had been prepared. It was ordered that a copy should be handed to each gentle man of the committee, and the subject was deferred for -decision till next week. BIRKENHEAD Docks. —We understand that Mr. Massey, the eminent contractor, has agreed to take the contract for the above extensive works. The sum to be paid for their completion is said to be half a mill on. The large tunnel leading from the upper part of Wallasey Pool to Woodside ferry is expected to be completed in about a fortnight, and then Mr. Brassey's contract will, we hear, .commence. The utmost activity prevails all over the works, and no doubt the inhabitants will soon have the pleasure of seein g one of the docks at least in active ope ration. A large ship now on leer way from the East In dies, with a cargo for Manchester, it is anticipated, will be discharged at Birkenhead in the early part of next year. —Chester Courant. Sr A. Knight delivered a stirring address on the even ing of Tuesday last, at the South Corporation School, on the sanatory condition of Liverpool. The mortality amongst the children in this town, was frightful to con template, for, out of every one hundred children born, forty-nine died before they were five years old, and, in Vauxhall-ward, the average was sixty-four out of every hundred ; in addition to that, lie stated that the average at which the working classes died in Liverpool was fifteen years. Sir Arnold Knight concluded with some direc tions as to the importance of personal cleanliness, and advised those whom he was addressing to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the commodious baths lately erected by the Corporation. The meeting was af terwards addresssed by Dr. Sutherland, Mr. J. A. Tinne, Dr. Duncan, and Mr. W. Barry. THE BOWYER COLLECTION OF PRINTS AND PAINT INGS.—The admirers of the fine arts will be gratified to learn that this enormous and valuable collection of prints and paintings is about to be disposed of by allotment. We had the pleasure during the past week of a cursory examination of a few of the framed engravings, now cn private view at 51, Bold-street. They are not of that kind usually selected for art unions, but all of the first character —many of them proof impressions of the finest plates ever published, and some that have not yet appeared in public. The frames, which are deep and elegant, are in gold maple, tiger wood, cherry, walnut, and indeed every known variety of furniture timber. There is one novel peculiarity in these frames ; instead of the usual gold flat, there is inside the glass a broad crimson-velvet flange, which gives to the prints a warm and pleasing ap pearance. The encouragement to the advancement of art created by club subscriptions is well-known, and, as in this instance, works to the value of forty-five thousand will be divided, the opportunity is an uncommon one. By a subscription of a guinea an allo tment valued at ! £250 may be obtained, while there is a certainty of at least a print valued at £1 12s. Mr. Cutter, of Bold street, is the agent for Liverpool. THE REV. HUGH M'NEILE.—AN EXAMPLE TO IRISH LANDLORDS.—The Incumbent of St. Jude's, Liverpool, and his respected brother, of Belfast, are examples of what Irish landlords should be. In the Belfast Corn. mercial Chronicle we find the following from one who signs, "A Tenant on a Neighbouring Estate :"—I wish to inform the public, through your excellent paper, of the example set yesterday by Mr. M'Neile, of Parkmount. He met his tenants on the Redbay estate, and the Rev. Hugh M'Neile's tenants from Glenariff, at the hotel here, •by appointment, to ascertain the circumstances of every individual at this trying season, taking down the names of all such as required employment for the winter, which be has so arranged that each shall be set to work near his own home, and paid full price for his labour. He also re commended them to prepare their land for turnips, car rots, parsn ips, and cabbages for next s eason, not rel y in g much on potatoes ; and to every one who has the ground ready at the proper time, Mr. M'Neile will supply seeds of the best kind, gratis. All appeared highly satisfied with the arrangement made, and Mr. M'Neile's declara tion, that hunger must not be felt by the poorest amongst them. The tenants deserved all the kindness bestowed on them by their excellent landlord, as there is not a better conducted or more industrious set of people to be found anywhere ; this is proved by the fact that the rents due at last May are all paid. If all the other landlords come forward speedily with similar measures for the benefit cf their poorer tenantry, we shall not have occasion for presentment session', or any other effort to meet the difficulties of the approaching winter at this end of Lower Glenarm." THE MANCHESTER ELECTION. — The friends of the two candidates (the Earl of Lincoln and Mr. Bright) are actively at work in behalf of their respective favourites. On Wednesday last, a numerous meeting of the requisi tionists to the noble earl was held at the Albion. On the platform appeared a large number of the most influential merchants and gentlemen, who spoke most enthusiasti tally in the cause. The principal speakers were Mr. Alderman Neild, (chairman,) Mr. John Peel, Mr. Jere miah Garnett, Mr. James Aspinall Turner, and Mr. Malcolm Ross. Deserved encomiums were passed on the character, consistency, and principles of the noble lord ; and the conduct of his opponent in now stating, that distinctions between parties are now not only in exist ence, but persons who disregard old party associations are guilty of discreditable conduct, and inflict dishonour upon their relatives, was freely canvassed, w hereas, he had, when attached to the league, advocated the adoption of a course which would beat down the fences between Whig and Tory. A handsome letter from Lord Lincoln was read, signifying his more than willingness to come for ward, if he received such a requisition as would warrant a belief that a majority of the constituency would accept of him. It was also stated that the requisition had ob tained no fewer than 1,500 influential signatures. On the following day, Mr. Bright's election committee held their weekly meeting at Hayward's Hotel, but it was not very numerously attended. The speakers were, the chairman, Mr. R. Nicholson, Mr. Bright himself, Mr. W. Shuttle worth, and Mr. Prentice. A committee of sixty- two gentlemen was appointed. A strong opinion begins to prevail, that before another Parliament is assembled, Lord Lincoln will be the member for Manchester; but Mr. Bright's friends, on the other hand, are very eon Gaeta. SOUTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES. CROWN COURT.-TUESDAY. Mr. Baron Rolfe having entered the Court, the Clerk of the Crown immediately after proceeded to call over the roll of justices, mayors, and coroners, for the county and the several boroughs in the southern division. The following gentlemen were then sworn of the Grand Jury :—Sir Thomas Bernard Birch, Bart., of the Hazles, foreman; Richard Alison, jun., Woolton Heys, Esq. ; Robert A.ndrews,'ltivington-hall, Esq.; Elkanah Armi tage, Pendleton, Eaq. ; Richard Burley, Manchester, Esq. ; James Brancker, Aighurth, Esq. ; William Earle, Liverpool, Esq.; Richard Earle, Huytoo, Esq.; Richd. Edwards, Roby ball, Esq. ; Roht. Gladstone, Manches ter, Esq. ; Gilbert Greenall, Walton-hall, Esq. ; John Stock Turner Greene, The Hall-houses, Bedford, Esq. ; Lawrence Heyworth, Yewtree-house, Esq ; John Lang shaw, The Hollins ; Esq. ; Joseph Langton, Liverpool, Esq. ; George Hall Lawrence, Liverpool, Esq.; Henry Lawrence, Liverpool, Esq.; James Lawrence, Park-hill, E-q. ; Thomas Moss, Otterspool, Esq. ; Nicholas Ro binson, Liverpool, Esq.; William Gillibrand Unsworth, Maghull-hall, Esq. ; Joseph Need Walker, Calderstones, Esq. ; and Joseph Brooks Yates, West Dingle, Esq. His LOR.DSHIP then proceeded to deliver his charge, which it is now unnecessary to give. Owen Morris (25) and Thomas Kelly (50) were in diqed for having, at Great Lever, feloniously stabbed and wounded Robert Johnson, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. The jury found the prisoner Morris guilty of inflicting the wounds with intent to com mit grievous bodily harm, and Kelly guilty of an assault. Morris was sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour for two years, and Kelly to 12 months' imprisonment. A little boy, only twelve years of age, named Matthew M'Clellan, was indicted for having, at Bury, feloniously stolen a mare, the property of Joseph Gaskell. The pri soner was convicted. Sentence deferred. Neal .31Manamy (26) was indicted for having, at Pem berton, teloniow , ly assaulted James Russell, putting him in bodily fear and danger of his life, and violently stealing from his person one sovereign, three halfcrowns, and various other monies and articles, the property of the said James Russell. The prisoner was convicted of rob bery without personal violence, and was sentenced to im prisonment and hard labour in the house of correction for 12 months. CROWN SIDE—NISI PRIUS COURT.—TuasDAY. (Before Mr. Justice WitormanN.) 211i/ton Wallwork, aged 32, was indicted for marrying one Betty Jones, at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, on the 17th July, 1846, his first wife being alive. The jury found the prisoner guilty, but the sentence was de ferred. _ _ _ . Joseph Shepherd (50) was indicted for having, at Man chester, feloniously assaulted John Marsh, and robbed him of a silver watch-guard, of the value of 15s. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Joseph Turtonshaw (33) was found guilty of having feloniously cut and wounded Bernard Foy, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Sentence deferred. Newton Barrow (26) and Thomas Taylor (62) were indicted with having, on the night of the 2nd November, burglariously entered the dwelling-house of Mrs. Mary Hankinson, a widow lady, residing in Rosamond-stre' t, Manchester, and stolen thereout two silver spoons, some wearing apparel, and other small articles, of the value of £lO, the property of Thomas Coward, a lodger with Mrs. Hankiuson. The jury acquitted Taylor, and returned a verdict of guilty of larceny against Barrow, who was sen tenced to seven years' transportation. CROWN COURT.-WEDNESDAY., Filman Casey (30) was convicted of having, at Salford, feloniously stabbed Charles Bradburn, with in tent to do him some grievous bodily harm, and was sen tenced to fifteen years' transportation. SHOOTING AT, WITH INTENT TO MURDER. Wm. Lacey (35), Michael Taylor (27), Richard Cullen (40) were indicted for having, at Fulwood, near Preston, feloniously assaulted William Miller, with intent to rob .him, and also with having, at the same time and place, shot at Jane Miller, with intent to murder her. It appeared that the prosecutor, Mr. Miller, is a sur veyor and land agent, carrying on business at Preston, and that he reisdes at Clayton-villa, Fulwood, about three miles from that town. The villa was oocupied by himself, his daughter, two female servants, and a man servant. On the evening of the 17th of November last, about six o'clock kthe man servant being absent on his master's business,) a knock was heard at the front door, when one of the female servants went to open it, and on doing so several men rushed into the lobby. Miss Miller, a grown up young lady, on hearing a noise, came out of the par lour and saw four men standing in the passage, and being aware that there was an alarm bell at the outside of the house, the rope attached to which communicated with the interior, she went for the purpose of ringing it, but was stopped on the stairs by one of the men (Lacey) who pre sented a pistol at her and fired. All the parties were armed with pistols. She succeeded in getting away and regaining the front door when another pistol was fired, from the effects of which she fell down and became insensible, the candle which the held in her hand having been previously extinguished. Mr. Miller then came out of the parlour and went towards the kitchen, when one of the fellows seized him, asked him for his money, and threatened to shoot him if he did not give it up. The man, however, repeated his threat, and while that was going on one of the servants succeeded in getting to the bell and giving the alarm. This had the effect of scaring them, for they all ran off immediately without being able to accomplish their purpose, namely that of robbing the house. Taylor was the man who presented the pistol at Mr. Miller, and Cullen was identified as one of the party. They were all spoken to most positively by Miss Miller, though she ap pears to have taken time before she identified them when before the . magistrates. They were arrested o❑ the day after the occurrence at a public-house called " Barrett's, ' situated at a short distance from Mr. Miller's villa. The prisoners are Irishmen. The prisoners called witnesses to prove an alibi ; and if the evidence for the defence were credible, which the jury considered it to have been, two of the prisoners were drunk in Preston, and the third was drunk at home, at the very time the robbery was committed. It appeared that this evidence for the defence bad not been given be fore the magistrates, i❑ consequence of the magistrates' clerk having then informed the attorney for the defence that, as the prisoners were so distinctly swor❑ to by Mr. and Miss Miller, and the servant woman, the magistrates were determined to commit. His LORDSHI r, in summing up, said emphatically that magistrates and magistrates' clerks greatly mistook their duty when they excluded any evidence whatever which might tell for or against the prisoners, "Because," said lie, " if the alibi here set up were the alibi of truth, it was right then that the prisoners should have the benefit of it, and at all events it could since then have been sifted by the prosecution for the purpose of ascertaining whether it was true or false, whereas, by the shutting it out alto gether, the prosecution have been taken by surprise, and have been prevented from sifting it at all." His Lordship stated that of the fact of the robbery, or attempted rob bery, having been committed at Mr. Miller's there could be no doubt ; the question was, whether the prisoners were the guilty parties? The jury, without quitting the box, returned a verdict of acquittal, and the prisoners were discharged. THE RAPE AT EVERTON. Mr. MONK applied to his lordship to postpone the trial of Jonathan Phillips and Elizabeth Anne Lyons, on the ground of the absence of the principal witness, Elizabeth Lyons. Before the rising of the court, his lordship said the case would be postponed until the next assizes, and the recognizances of the witnesses respited. NISI PRIUS COURT.-`WEDNESDAY. Jamesllrtnan (24) was acquitted on a charge of hav ing, at Manchester, killed and slain David Rooney. Robert Lees (29) was found guilty o❑ a charge of hav ing forged a receipt for a post-office order, with intent to defraud S. Seddon. Ann Hunt (17) was convicted of a common assault at Manchester, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Bernard 111`Grath (26) was found guilty on a charge of having, at Manchester, together with two other persons, feloniously assaulted Thomas Lester, and with great per sonal violence robbed him of a watch, hat, and 10s. i❑ silver money. Sentence deferred. William Hughes (25) and Mary Hoy were acquitted on a charge of having, at Liverpool, feloniously and bur glariously broken and entered the dwelling-house of one Michael M'Kenna, and stolen thereout three shirts and three jackets, and other articles, his property. Thomas Jones (45) was found guilty of having, at Li verpool, feloniously stabbed Aaron Tyson, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Lydia Tyson (40) pleaded guilty to a charge of having, at Liverpool, feloniously married Thomas Holmes, John Tyson, her former husband, being then alive. Mr. JAMES, for the defence, addressed the court in mitigation of punishment, in consequence of the misconduct of her first husband towards her. Sentence deferred. Thomas Size, Michael Barry, and Nathaniel Alcock, all pleaded guilty to charges of bigamy. Sentences de ferred. CROWN COURT.—THURSDAY. A young man, named Christopher Clark, was indicted for stealing £5O from the house of Mr. John Lennan, Crown and Thistle Inn, Preston. The prisoner had been drinking in the house, and the money was missed from a box in the next room to the one in which he had fallen asleep. He had immediately afterwards left the town. Guilty. Ten months imprisonment. BURGLARY. Andrew Brown; 26, and William Brown, 21, (could both read and write imperfectly), were indicted for hav ing, at Warrington, stolen certain moneys, goods, and chattels, to the value of £5 and upwards, in the dwelling house of Peter Wilson, who keeps the White Bear Inn, at Warrington. They had taken lodgings for the night. In the morning they were gone, after ransacking a drawer down stairs. Upwards of thirty pieces of lucifer matches were found, partially burnt, and a small box in which money had been placed, to the amount of £lO, was also found, wrapped up in the bed-room carpet. During the day the prisoners were observed by Mr. Jones, the de puty constable, about two miles from Warrington, on the road to Newton. Upon seeing Mr. Jones they ran across some fields, and for some time they escaped, but ulti mately one of them was found secreted in a ditch, with three sovereigns and some silver and copper upon his person. In about half an hour afterwards the other was found lying in an old pit, his clothes saturated with wet. A bunch of skeleton keys was found near. Guilty. Ten years' transportation. NISI PRIUS COURT.-THURSDAY. ALLEGED MURDER AT LIVERPOOL. James Hunter, 37, was charged with the murder of Charles Winslow, at Liverpool, on the 24th of November last. Mr. Blair conducted the prosecution, and Mr. James appeared on behalf of the prisoner. Mr. BLAIR stated the facts of the case, which were as follows :—On the night of the 23d ult., the deceased, Charles Winslow, with two other persons, named Marley and Bryans, were drinking at a public-house in Strand street,- neer the corner of Crooked-lane. All the parties were sailors, and they were far advanced in liquor. They left the public-house about midnight, and proceeded along through Canning-place, towards Crooked-lane, where they saw two men, apparently sailors, standing at the corner. Some words of an angry character passed between the de ceased and the two men, hut how it arose did not appear, and they then went up Crooked-lane together quarrelling. A private watchman, named Seymour, went up the lane, where he saw six or seven mendressed like sailors, and three women, quarrelling and fighting. lie saw the deceased near where the affray was going on, and immediately af terwards the prisoner came down from the forth r end of the lane, and struck him a blow in the stomach, but whe ther with a knife or not he could not say. The deceased turned round, made use of some exclamation, and then ran towards Canning-place, in the direction where Bryan and Marley had gone. Seymour followed the deceased, who came up to Marley, and complained of being stabbed, having at that time received the wound which subsequently caused his death at the hospital. The prisoner was found guilty of Manslaughter. His LORDSHIP, addressing the prisoner, said, the case indeed was one of an aggravated character, the act was a most cruel one ; and, though the jury had negatived that degree of malice which made the offence one of wilful murder, instead of manslaughter, it was morally as well as legally speaking, but just below that of wilful murder. The use of such an instrument as that produced, was an offence of the deepest aggravation ; it showed a cruel dis position, and a recklessness of human life and suffering, and it was fit to make such an example as might be a warning to all of the consequences of such violence, and the use of an instrument capable of producing such fatal effects. He sentenced the prisoner to be transported for life. Simon Hickey, 40, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with having stolen .1:38 in gold, and some silver, the property of Henry James Russell, on the high seas. Sentence deferred. Richard Smith, 51, pleaded guilty to a charge of having in his possession a mould for making counterfeit coin.—Sarah Jenkins, alias Hannah Smith, 24, pleaded guilty to uttering two counterfeit shillings at Great Bolton. William Hamby, 24, was charged with having at Li. verpool caused the death of George Lockley, by neglecting to attend an engine of which he had the superintendence, belonging to the Liverpool and Bury Railway, which was employed at the works near Walton-on-the-Hill. The jury immediately acquitted the prisoner. MANSLAUGHTER TN LIVERPOOL. Owen Tulley, 38, was indicted for having killed his wife, Catherine Tulley, at Liverpool. Mr. Blair prosecuted ; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Atkinson. The prisoner, who followed the business of a tailor, resided with his wife in Thomas-street, where they kept a small hucks..er's shop. On the evening of the 21st of September, while at tea, some words took place between them, during which deceased got up and went into the shop for the purpose of serving some customers. When she came back, the prisoner complained that it was no use keeping a shop while she neglected it by drinking. Deceased asked if she was drunk then, and he said she was, and gave her a blow on the head. A woman named Murphy, a relative of the deceased, then came in, to whom she related what had occurred, as regarded the prisoner striking her. Mrs. Murphy said it served her right, upon which the deceased seized hold of her by the hair, and a scuffle ensued. The prisoner then interfered to separate them, when deceased attempted to strike him, and while she was stooping down he gave her a kick in the lower part of her person. The deceased was then placed on a chair, and a quantity of blood flowed from under her clothes ; she shortly afterwards relapsed into a state of insensibility, and died the same evening. His lordship having summed up, the jury retired, and, after an absence of three quarters of an hour, returned, finding the prisoner guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. He was sentenced to a fortnight's imprison ment (solitary). THE LIVERPOOL STANDA.RD. MANSLAUGHTER AT STRETFORD. Eaton Brown, aged 28, was indicted for the man slaughter of John Royle, at Stretford, in the month of October last. _ _ The prisoner and the deceased were engaged in getting potatoes for a farmer in Stretford, along wi'h some other men. They began to throw dirt and potatoes at each other, and, amongst other things, the prisoner kicked Royle the groin, and caused his death, at the Infir mary, on the day following. The jury returned the prisoner guilty, with a recom mendation to mercy, on the ground that the thing might have happened through misadventure. llis lordship sentenced the prisoner to three months' imprisonment. MINT CASES. Frederick Brown, 29 (could neither read nor write), was charged with having in his possession, et his house in Blakeley-street, Manchester, a mould for making shillings. His lordship said he would consider a point raised, and give his opinion on the following morning. Thomas Buckley was charged with uttering counterfeit shillings, at Prescot, Knowsley, and Huyton, in Novem ber last. The money was paid for drink at several pub. lic-houses and beer-houses. The prisoner was found giulty. William Craujord, 17 (could read), was charged with uttering counterfeit shillings, in November last, at Bolton. The prisoner was found guilty. Sentence deferred. CROWN COURT.-FRIDAY. Matthew M'Lellan, the little boy who had been con victed of horse-stealing, was brought up to receive judg ment. His lordship said the testimony upon which the, prisoner had been convicted was of the clearest possible nature, but, from his extreme youth, it might be inferred that he had been a tool in the bands of some other party, and, under these circumstances, his punishment would be comparatively light to what it otherwise might have been. The sentence was, that he should be imprisoned to hard labour for four months, two days at the end of each so litary. Thomas Foldes pleaded guilty to stealing in a dwelling house, and was:sentenced to eighteen months' imprison ment, and hard labour. Susan Fielding and Samuel Housley, who had been convicted of two cases of bigamy each, but each case un der extenuating circumstances, were sentenced, the female prisoner to four months' imprisonment, and Ilousley to two months. ALLEGED CIIILD MURDER AT LIVERPOOL. Ann Dillon was indicted fur the wilful murder of her illegitimate female child, by throwing it into the river Mersey. Mr. Hulton and Mr. Fletcher conducted the prosecu tion, and Mr. Brandt, by the intimation of his lordship, undertook the defence of the prisoner. The circumstances of this case have very recently been published. Early in the morning of the 11th of August, the dead body of a female child was found on Bootle shore, which, upon being examined by a surgeon, he came to the conclusion that suffocation from drowning had been the cause of death. The prosecution went to show that, shortly before the body was found, the child had been in the care and keeping of the prisoner ; and, to prove her intentions of destroying the child, evidence was called to the effect that the prisoner, in the course of a conversa tion at Dublin, had spoken of the incumbrance the child was to her making a livelihood. Mr. Brandt addressed the jury in behalf of the prisoner at considerable length. He commented upon the discre pancies in different points of the evidence, and submitted that, first, there were doubts as to the subject of death— it was not shown that the child was the child of the pri soner : there wet doubts as to the mode of death—there was no proof that death had been the result of suffoca tion ; and there was still graver doubt that death had been occasioned by an act of the prisoner. llis lordship, having summed up, instructed the jury that it would be for them to decide whether the child was the child of the prisoner, and, if so, whether its death had been occasioned by any act of hers. If they had any rea sonable doubts upon these points, they must be given to the benefit of the prisoner. The jury retired from court, and returned with a verdict of not guilty. MURDER OF THE EARL OF DERBY'S GAMEKEEPER. Our readers will remember that a man, named John Roberts, with others, was tried at the winter assizes of 1843, for the wilful murder of Richard Kenyon, a game keeper in the service of the Earl of Derby. The circum stances, as they then transpired, were these. On the night of the 149th of November, 1813, Kenyon and others were out in his lordship's preserves at Knowsley, and hearing the report of fire-arms, proceeded to the spot whence the firing proceeded, and there found a body of poachers pursuing their lawless avocation. A scuffle took place between the parties, during which Roberts was seen to level a gun, which he fired, and Kenyon fell, mortally wounded, and died four days afterwards. Roberts and others were apprehended, and tried on the capital charge. They were all found guilty, and Roberts was condemned to death, a sentence which was carried into effect. The sentence of the others was commuted to transportation for life. A short time ago, a man named Henry Robin son, a soldier, in barracks at Dublin, impelled by re morse, detailed the particulars of the affray alluded to, and stated that he was guilty of the murder of Kenyon. A police-officer was sent to Dublin to apprehend the pri soner, and the latter revealed circumstances connected with the affair which agreed in every particular with the facts elicited at the trial of Roberts. Robinson was tried yesterday for murder, and found guilty, but was strongly recommended to mercy by the jury, as well as by the Earl of Derby. The judge said these should be placed before the Secretary of State, but advised the prisoner to prepare for the worst, as it was probable the sentence might be carried into execution. NISI PRILTS COURT.-FRIDAY. ROBBERY AT WARRINGTON. Samuel Bell. 31, was indicted for having, on the 19th August, feloniously broken into and entered the ware house of John Tickle, at Warrington, and stolen a large quantity of tea, tobacco, and other articles, his property. Mr. Pollock stated the case to the jury. On the morn ing of the 19th August the warehouse of the prosecutor was entered, and a large quantity of grocery stolen, under circumstances which showed that several persons had been concerned in the robbery, and that they must have had a horse and cart. The evidence against the prisoner was that he was seen in a spring cart of a peculiar de scription, at Warrington, on the night of the robbery, and it was discovered that the cart came from Liverpool, and had been hired by the person under pretence that he wanted it to fetch a chest of drawers from a place called Kirby, and the prisoner was traced to and from Warrington on the ni_ht in question. Upon the prisoner's cellar being searched a tea chest belonging to Mr. Tickle was found, and it was proved that the prisoner and another man had sold a quantity of tobacco, similar in quality to that stolen from Mt. Tickle. A long written document was read, purporting to be a confession by the prisoner, in which he stated that he was engaged by two men at Liverpool to go to Warrington, and that they brought back a quantity of tea and other articles, which the other men took away. Mr. Atherton addressed the jury for the prisoner, con tending that the prisoner had nothing to do with the rob bery, and that he had merely been hired by the other men in the ordinary course of his business as a porter. The prisoner was found guilty, and his Lordship sentenced him to seven years' transportation. STABBING. Richard Cardwell was indicted for having, on the 21st November, stabbed John Wittle, at Samlesbury, with in tent to maim him. Mr. Wigham stated the case to the jury. The prosecutor, who is a gardener, called at a pub iic-house in Samlesbury on the night in question, and hearing a noise in another room, went to see what was the matter. He found the prisoner and some other young men rolling about on the floor. The prosecutor tried to separate them and got thrown upon the floor and rolled about. Upon leaving the house, the prosecutor found he had received a wound in the breast. Upon cross-exami nation by Mr. Monk, a most extraordinary statement was made by the witness. lie had never charged the prisoner with having stabbed him ; but a day or two after the dis turbance in the public-house, and after he had been to a surgeon, a public officer came to him, and took him before a magistrate, and he was absolutely locked up and put into custody, because he refused to prefer a charge against the prisoner, a person who, as far as he knew, had done him no harm. His Lordship observed that there appeared to be a most extraordinary mode of doing magisterial bu siness in the neighbourhood of Blackburn. The foreman of the jury said that the jury thought so too, for it was quite clear that the prosecutor had never ordered the pri soner to be charged with the offence upon which he had been committed. Mr. Monk said ,he almost regretted that the jury had stopped the case, for he should have made some extraordinary disclosures. The jury then stopped the case, and acquitted the prisoner. CHARGE OF BIGAMY. James Chadwick (not in the calendar) was indicted for having, at Manchester, on the 23rd of March, in the pre sent year, intermarried with Eliza Bostock, his former wife, Ann Chadwick, formerly Ann Fisher, being alive. Mr. T. C. Foster appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Monk for the prisoner. The facts of the case were as fol low .—Some years ago the prisoner married a female named Hannah Fisher, who died. In the month of Sept. in last year, he married Ann Fisher, the sister of his deceased wife, with whom he lived only a short time, haying heard that a marriage with the sister of a former wife was illegal. In the month of March in the present year, he married a female named Ann Bostock. The friends of the second wife hearing of this, caused him to be apprehended, and brought before Mr. Maude, at Man chester, when the facts of the case having been fully stated, Mr. Maude ordered the prisoner to be discharged, he being of opinion that the marriage of the prisoner with his first wife's sister was null and void. It was un derstood that the prosecution was instituted by a society of gentlemen, who have run the risk of violating the canon law by marrying the sisters of their deceased wives, in order to have the question fairly raised before the judges. Mr. Foster contended, that under the Levitical law, the marriage of a man with the sister of his deceased wife was perfectly legal. It was true that it was opposed to the canon laws; but these were .rot based upon any act of parliament. Ile con tended at some length, that the prisoner had not com mitted any offence within the criminal statutes, by marry ing his first wife's sister, and that therefore the marriage with her was perfectly legal. Consequenrly the marriage of the prisoner with Elizabeth Bostick, during the lite time of Ann Chadwick. constituted the crime of bigamy. Mr. Monk, on the other side, contended that the mar riage with Ann Fisher was quite illegal, as it was forbidden that a man should marry his wife's sister. Mr. Justice Wightman having consulted Baron Rolfe, said it appeared to him that the best course to be pursued would be this, that the jury should find a special verdict—simply stating the facts as to the consanguinity of the parties in the or dinary form of a special verdict, and stating that upon the question whether the persons were guilty or not, they would bow to the decision of the court. Ile (Mr. Jus tice Vightman) would give his judgment to the effect that the prisoner was not guilty, and that the prosecution could move for a writ of error. He thought this would avoid any difficulties. If the prosecutors were advised to try a writ of error, this would be the proper mode of reaching the question ; therefore the facts that would be found by the jury would he simply the facts of the two marriages,— that on the 14th 5ep.,1845, he married Ann Fisher, and that subsequently, on the 23d March, in the present year, he married Eliza Bostock. They would also find that Ann Fisher, to whom the prisoner was married on the" 4th Sept., 1845. was the sister of Hannah Fisher, to whom the prisoner had been previously married on the 27th of June, 1825, and who was deceased at the time that he married Ann Fisher. Now that really was the whole case, and as to the question whether the jury would find the prisoner guilty or not, they must say that they did not know, upon which he (Mr. Justice Wightman) would give his judg ment that he was not guilty. The jury would therefore find a verdict stating the facts which he had mentioned. lie thought that would be the best course.—Mr. Monk observed that lie was not sorry that his lordship had cur tailed his (Mr. Monk's) argument.—Mr. Justice Wight man said that he entertained a very strong opinion upon the subject, and therefore he need say nothing more upon the matter. The jury accordingly returned the special verdict as desired.—Mr. Monk said he thought it right to state that his client, having heard some doubt passed upon the validity of his marriage with his sister-in-law, he had gone to the Rev. Mr. Wilson, one of the chaplains at the Collegiate Church, at Manchester, from whom he obtained a document stating that the second marriage with Ann Fisher was utterly null and void ; and it was not until then that he again got married. The prisoner was then discharged. SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Baron lior,Fri.) Mary Goulding, for concealment of birth, was sen tenced to six months' imprisonment. Robert Blinkhorn, Matthew Harmer, and John Bailey, were indicted with having committed a robbery and rape on Catherine Holt, in Salford, on the 3rd of October last. They were acquitted. This concluded the business of the Assizes. SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Justice WIGHTM AN.) His LORDSIIIP proceeded to pass the following sen tences •—Bernard M`Neild, for a street robbery, to one year's imprisonment : Edward Neild, for embezzlement, nine months ; S. Hickey, for stealing a piece of gold from a fellow sufferer in a shipwreck, nine months ; TV. TVearer, for forging an order for the delivery of goods, (the second conviction,) to be transported for seven years ; Robert Lees, for forging a postoffice order receipt, twelve months ; Thomas Buckley and Samuel Cranford, for passing base coin, six months each : Nathaniel Allcock, Milton Wall worth, Michael Berry, and Thomas Size, severally con victed of bigamy, each three months imprisonment, and Lydia Tyson and Ellen Pollitt, for the same offence, two months; James Lyon, convicted of stealing a lease at the last assizes, at which time judgment was deferred, nine months ; John Edwards, fur the uttering of a forged re quest for the delivery of goods, twelve months; Richard Smith and Frederick Brown, for being severally in pos session of a mould for coining, each twelve months ; Sarah Smith, alias Jenkins, for passing base coin, (the second conviction,) twelve months. The term of impri sonment in each of the above sentences to be accompanied with hard labour. . _ . Patrick 0 ell, GI, was acquitted on a charge of hay ing, at Warrington, committed a criminal assault on Mary Shaw, a child under the age of twelve years. CONCEALING BIRTHS. Jane Sprout, a respectably-attired young woman, of about twenty-three years of age, was indicted for having, at Halewood, secretly disposed of the body of a female child, of which she had been safely delivered. She was found guilty, and ordered to be removed from the bar. As she lett there was a smile upon her countenance. Ann lows, another young woman, was indicted for having, at Rusholme, near Manchester, concealed the birth of her child. She was convicted. Both prisoners, Sprout and Jones, were then put for ward to receive their sentence. His LORDSHIP said, they had been convicted of an offence of a most serious character, not so much from the mere fact of the con cealing of the bodies as from the fearful consequences to which such concealment too often gave rise. He found in their respective cases this difference, that Jane Sprout, down to the last moment, and, if the evidence were to be relied upon, even after the time of her actual delivery; denied that she was ever pregnant. With respect to Ann Jones there was no evidence of her having denied her pregnancy before she was delivered. He cons'dered, therefore, that in that respect the case of Jane Sprout was of a far more aggravated character than that of Ann Jones. The sentence was, that Sprout should be im prisoned six months, and kept to bard labour, and that Jones should be imprisoned four months. MANSLAUGHTER. John Guy, 20, stood indicted, upon a coroner's inquisi tion, for having, on the 21st of September last, at Liver pool, with force and arms, feloniously killed and slain James I‘l'Conville Laird. His lordship stated that, in this case, the grand jury had thrown out the bill sent be fore them. The prisoner was acquitted. The trial of the men charged with the conspiracy at Newton, seventeen in number, was postponed until the next assizes. They are charged with a conspiracy in having placed men in the neighbourhood of certain works for the purpose of preventing others from getting em ployment there. This concluded the business of this court, which closed at one o'clock, and his lordship left by the express train for London. THE LYING-IN HOSPITAL. The annual report of the committee of this charity has just made its appearance. It has been spoken of as " an able and elewnt document." It is so, and deserves the earnest attention of those interested in the charity, as also the benevolent portion of the community. It is an ap peal that few who reflect and who regard the welfare of their fellow -creatures can very well turn a deaf ear to, or look upon with an apathetic or an indifferent eye. It appears evident that from the increase and increasing number of applicants for almission, considerable exertion must be used to meet the demands upun the charity. This, i n stead of damping the interest or spirits of those who have so far conducted so ably its affairs, should prove an exciting stimulus to place it out of the reach of depres sing influences. A charity of so interesting a character requires but little recommendation. Calling attention to its progress, the report says : From the increased number of applicants for admission, over former years, (and the amount would have been greater, but for the removal from Horatio-street having partially inter rupted the affairs of the charity,) is establishe , .: the fact, that the Hospital is gaining ground in estimation and your committee believes, that were its ex cellencies more fully understood, and the benefits that are conferred by its agency more generally known, a warmer feeling in its favour would be every where excited. Cases of extreme distress are not unfrequently brought into notice ; and married women are received within the Hospital's walls whose destittfte position would excite sym pathy in the hardest hearts." One portion of the report cannot fail to be perused with the deepest feelings of interest and sympathy, as exhibit ing the desolate state of some of the inmates of the wards previous to admission. The picture is vividly painted, and has evidently been drawn not from imagination. Of the necessity for a lying-in hospital in Liverpool, a curious-instancy is adduced, by no means, we are told, a singular one : " To show the necessity for an institution like this in Liver pool, your committee might adduce a variety of cases that have come under its notice. One especially your attention may be drawn to, of a female. who. exhibiting symptoms of labour, in one of the railway trains, was brought here at the direction of the Railway Company. If the Lying.in Hospital had not ex isted, where could she hnve gone to ? To the Workhouse ? It is a question, under the circumstances of her condition...whether she wt.uld have been there admitted. To the Infirmary? There no accommodation could have been provided. Where else then could she have been taken ? Your Hospital was her only re fuge, and here she received that care and attent on, stranger as she was, that even among her kinsfolk and connections could not have been more amply provided." A very excellent arrangement has been adopted during the last year, which we think cannot be too frequently brought before the public. We allude to the " Nurses' Register." Persons qualified for these offices may be ob tained, (either monthly or wet nurses,) on application and payment of a small fee, (which is repaid into the hospital funds,) thus doing away with the annoyance and uncer tainty of searching up and. down the town for persons in this capacity. Those only who have experienced this troublesome office, can speak of its irksomeness, and the disappointment frequently attendant upon the search. By this register, all trouble and doubt are dissipated, every person appearing on it being well qualified for the duty required : " Your committee has now to advert to the establishment of a register for monthly and wet nurses kept in the Hospital; and it is considered that this must be to the public a most valu able convenience. The existence of this register has only to be known to be admitted as such. Persons capable of undertaking the deeply onerous and highly responsible offices of nurses, in either capacities, applying for admission on the register, undergo a strict examination by the medical officers, and, if worthy in every respect to avail themselves of the opportunity of recom mendation, on payment of one shilling, their names can be placed on the books. Persons requiring nurses, (and wet nurses especially ought not, by those who care for their chil dren's health through life, to be lightly or carelessly chosen,; on payment of 2s. 6d., can select any of those disengaged. It may be bens stated, that any of , these selected monthly or ordi nary nurses may be implicitly trusted, as the medical officers pledge themselves that a most rigorous and particular examina tion is Instituted by them, as to their eligibility. The fee. are added to the bazaar fund, which will presently be noticed. The great convenience of this register is too obvious to require further comment. It has so far succeeded, and will fully an swer the intention when better known." The school in midwifery is doing well. When we recol lect how many hundreds of females are unemployed in this town, it is quite surprising that more attention is not turned to this high l 4-lucrative profession. Any female of good ability, and some address, might, in a very short time, perfect herself in this branch of medical science, and place herself in a comfortable position. Good mid wives and nurses are sought after with avidity, and I , “.ge sums may be realized by those of good character and steady habits. We have been assured, that a course or two of lectures given at the hospital will enable any one to undertake the office. _ The ladies' committee appears to have been very zea lous in furthering the objects and interests of the charity, by donations in various ways. We perceive that several presents have been given to the charity in bedsteads, &c. In the medical report, we find that since the com mencement there have been 3063, intern and extern. But the most extraordinary statement—it strikes us at least so to be—is the following :—Total deaths in fiv' years, 2 out of 561 cases 1 Loth of which came into the hospital in a dying slate, in consequence of ill-usage or want. This is remarkable, and is a strong claim indeed upon the confidence of the public. Two deaths only in 561 cases! It is clear from this, that the utmost care must be taken of the patients, and that the blessing of Providence rests upon the humble labours of those inte rested in it, in warding off the dreaded blow that fills so many motherless homes with mourning. We earnestly recommend this charity to the notice of the public—standing, as it does, alone in the town, able, and willing, and ready, to do all the good in its power — shedding comfort to the needy, and a means of increasing medical science. At no time is the fate of woman so deeply interesting to her fellow-creatures as during the time of acceuchement ; and it is our duty to do all we can to alleviate their trouble. In the homes of the poor, cheap food and cheap medicine are administered totally unfitting for the time or case; and it is in charities like this we find them rescued from ignorance and privation. It will, we feel convinced, be - seen with pleasure, that an appeal will be made to the public. at St. Silas's Church, on Wednesday, (toimorrow,) in aid of the funds of the Hospital, by one who never applied for help from his townsmen in vain ; and we cannot but regard it as a for tuitous circumstance that the Rev. Canon M'Neile should have to address a congregation in a church almost adjoining the Hospital. WEST DERBY UNION. At the meeting on Tuesday a circular to unions from the Po‘ r Law Commissioners was read. It contained instructions as to the course to be pursued with regard to the poor under the late removal and non-removal act. The chief point of instruction was, that the poor, resident aad irremovable, but not having a settlement, are, in case of des►itution, to be relieved and attended to just as if they had a settlement in the place in which they are found to be in want. The medical-officer of the Fever House reported that three new cases only had been brought into the house during the past week, three had died, five had been discharged cured, remaining in the house nine. He also expressed his regret that in many instances the sending in of patients is delayed until the disease is too far advanced to be checked, and that, in such a case, patients are further injured by removal. Mr. Thomas William Christie, of Knotty Ash, was elected medical officer for the rural division of the exten sive and populous township of West Derby. The gover nor of the Workhouse was instructed to make arrange ments for regaling the inmates on Christmas day with roast beef and plum pudding. During the meeting, the following letter from the four overseers of West Derby was read by the Clerk of the Board : " Public Office, Low-hill, West Derby, 7th December, 1846. " Gentlemen,—We, the undersigned honorary over seers of the township of West Derby, are des rous of re presenting to the Board of Guardians of the West Derby Union, that we find ourselves placed in a very painful position, and even open to reproach, from the present in efficient mode in which relief to the poor is administered by the relieving officer of this district, which is not only painful to us, but most inconvenient, and distressing to the poor applicants themselves. The overseers are now under the necessity of informing all applicants for relief after 10 o'clock, a.m., that they must make their appli cation on the following morning before 10 o'clock, to the relieving officer at; the Union Workhouse. Under these circumstances we are apprehensive that during the ensu ing winter, (if some remedy be not speedily adopted to facilitate the administration of relief more promptly in all cases of sickness and urgent destitution, than what has been the case hitherto) some unpleasant circumstances may occur which might bring odium not only on the Overseers and Board of Guardians, but also o❑ all con nected with the administration of the New Poor-law. " In thus bringing this subject before the Board of Guardians, we consider we are only performing our duty to the suffering poor of this township, and that the evils complained of may be effectually remedied, we would suggest to the board that the relieving officer of this dis trict should be required either to give his attendance more than once each day at the Union Workhouse, or to reside in a more central part of his district, in order that the poor applicants may not have to return to their homes without the necessary relief having been administered or even their cases visited until the following day, which we are of opinion is a system not sanctioned by the Poor law Amendment Act, and which ought not to be allowed merely to serve the convenience of any relieving officer, who ought at all times to be accessable to the applications of the poor within his district. " In conclusion, we are also desirous of representing to to the board our firm and decided opinion that all relief administered by the relieving officer (between the meet ings of the board) ought to be given in kind and not in money, as at present, (see the general orders of the Poor law Commissioners, Article 20, on the duties of relieving officers,) which we trust the board will order in future to be strictly carried into effect, thereby preventing a disal lowance of all sums charged for relief, so illegally adminis tered, by a protest to that effect before the auditor. We are, Gentlemen, very respectfully, . . _ T . wOHN PEERS, Overseers of the Poor PETER JONES, of the R. M. BECKWITH, Township of West Derby WILLIAM POWNALL, To the Chairman and the Board of Guardians} of the West Derby Union. THE COURT 5 FASHIONABLE WORLD. The Royal family remains in the Isle of Wight, and her Majesty and Prince Albert, with the young princes and princesses have taken their accustomed exercise in the grounds of Osborne House, and on the sea beach, as the weather has permitted. The Conde de Montemolin, accompanied by Lord John Manners, is gone on a visit to the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. On die, that proposals of marriage, on the part of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, have been accepted, with the approbation of her illustrious parents, by a fair daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland. ADDITIONS TO TIIE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—Mr. Atkins, with his usual promptitude, is again catering for the ensuing season. During the last few days a number of rare and valuable animals, some entirely new in this country, have been added to the collection ; and the pur veyor is now himself on the continent, with a view of mak ing, by purchase, still further additions to the managerie —a fact that should incite an increasing patronage for the ensuing year. CONFECTIONERY. — The professions of our old friend Gibbons, in his confectionery advertisement to-day, are certainly great, but those who know him, (or rather the excellence of the articles he manufactures,) will admit that they are not exaggerated. To the Scotch has ever been awarded the credit of being the best bakers of the world ; but if in this, as in other businesses, there is a pre-eminence, we certainly must give it to this native of the " Land o' Cakes," for while he is first in enterprise and introducing novelties, he still provides the acknow ledged excellent Blair, Athol, and other suitable festive cakes—indeed , Christmas parties cannot do better than patronize him. THE ARMS MANIA IN IRELAND. This dangerous movement goes on apace. Birmingham is absolutely panting under its exertions to supply guns, rifles, and bayonets, for " starving Ireland!" The " fins pisantry" appear to have more than human appetites, and can digest gun barrels, and munch their stocks, quite as easily as they can accomplish the same feats with potatoes and buttermilk. Unfortunately, however, our fellow countrymen are occasionally tempted to put this new food of theirs to its legitimate use, previously to making a meal of it—to shoot an unoffending individual or two be fore swallowing their newly-acquired aliment. Popping off a bailiff or process server is nothing in their way, and never has been much ; but it is a little singular, that wits the means of this gentlemanly and humane amusement, kindly afforded them by the liberality of the British peo ple, the " fine pisantry" should resort to the Gothic prac tices recorded in the following, which we quote from the London Times of Friday : " The Evening Mail states, on what that journal con siders competent authority, that an overseer in the em ployment of the Board of Works has been barbarously murdered in the county of Clare. It if , said that the body of the wretched man was C , 41 into pieces with reaping hooks. No other particulars are given." Surely Lord John Russell ought to send to a people thus evidently preparing themselves for a graceful use of the " better sort of food," which is to result from the pre sent potato calamity,—to wit, the use of butchers' meat—a supply of carving knives. Cutting up a human being, or any other subject for practice, with a reaping hook, is ob viously not the most handy way of doing things. Another similar affair is recorded as having occurred in the county of Galway :—" On Monday evening last Mr. Lynch was entering his own gate, when he was fired at from behind, and it would appear the shot mortally wounded but did not kill him. The assassin or assassins —for it is supposed that he was attacked by more than one person—beat him dieadfully on the head, and, not content with depriving him of his life in that manner, they houghed and mangled his body in a shocking manner with some instrument, supposed to be a reaping hook." Of course, it will be supposed that this poor gentleman was some dreadful oppressor of the poor—some human. ogre devouring the substance of widows and orphans. No such thing. He is described as " one of the kindest and most benevolent gentlemen within the district in which he resided—a most inoffensive gentleman, greatly esteemed by every person, rich and poor, in the neighbourhood." Why, therefore, this " houghing" and " mangling," un less we are to believe that Irishmen are naturally blood thirsty ? It is a problem to us, we must confess;, and would almost lead us to the conclusion, that in this por tion of her Majesty's dominions the people are, under the blessed influence of Popery, relapsing into a state little removed from cannibalism. The very material question arises, bowever,—What is to be done with such a people ? They are starving, we say ; and it is urged,—" Give them employment and. money to buy food." Well, we have tried the experi ment. We have given them employment—and they re fuse to till their fields. "We have given them money to buy food—and they buy guns, and use them, to destroy the lives of human beings. How long is this sort of thing to go on? Has Lord John Russell no better way of managing Ireland than that of arming its rebellious and murder-loving population? If he has not, it is time that he confessed his difficulty, and handed over his trust to other and more capable hands. BROTHER JONATHAN'S AWKWARD MISTAKE.' Making war does not appear to be quite so easy a thing with our brother as gasconading about it. He has got himself into rather an unpleasant fix in his Mexican affair. A correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune thus speaks of the present feelings of the gallant volun. 'eers, lately so buoyant and confident:— "The reaction that has taken place in the army, upon settling down quietly after so much fatigue and excitement is really painful in its effects. There are few here whose hearts do not ache to see their homes and families. The uncertainty that prevails with regard to the future causes much uneasiness. Judging from present appearances the wisest and longest-sighted of the officers have arrived at the conviction that the war has only commenced." Poor fellows! We presume the tune of " Yankee Doodle" would have pretty nearly the same effect upon them as the "Rang des ['aches" upon the Swiss soldier, or "Farewell to Lochaber" upon the Highlander. A let ter from an officer in the army, given in the same paper, contains the following unpleasant admissions : " There never was a nation so much mistaken as ours in regard to that of Mexico. I mean in respect to its military resources. The people are warlike, and have an abundant supply of the munitions of war. Our battles with them improve them as soldiers. Our invasion is held by them in abhorrence, and has united all classes in determined resistance against us. The battles of Palo Alto, Besaca de la Palma, and of Monterey, were battles with their frontier army. From this place onward, if we have to march on further in this direction, we shall meet their borne army, made up of hardy mountaineers and a better class of soldiery. So far I consider we have not injured their nation, but done it a service, by defeating their old officers, thus causing their army to be placed under the direction of younger, more ambitious, braver, and more accomplished generals. " In fact, so far from the war being ended, it bas just commenced. Our position is critical. Our supplies, at Camargo, 180 miles distant, must be waggoned to this place. This long line has no protection. The Ranchero troops, numbering near 2,500, are behind us as guerillas, and if they choose to act, our trains must be cut off. Although this is a rich valley, its supplies are inadequate to our wants, except in beef, for any length of time. Oar army, or the effective part of it, is too diminutive to meet a strong force. It is weak, physically, for it has now been in campaign over thirteen months, with scanty clothing, and much hardship and exposnre. The volun teers are numerous, but, with the exception of those regi-, ments commanded by late officers of the army, without discipline. 1 suppose our whole army will muster, when all arrive from below, 9,000 men for duty, and we hear the Mexicans have one on the advance to meet us of 30,000 men. I am convinced, and so is every officer of the army, that we have done wrong and committed an ir reparable error in leaving the Rio Grande to march fa this direction." In future we trust our beloved brother will attend to the maxim, " Look before you Leap!" • SKATING IN BIRKENHEAD PARK. — The lovers of skating will now have an opportunity of enjoying this de lightful recreation almost at their own doors, the com missioners having given permission to all persons, without distinction, to make free use of the two extensive lakes in this beautiful park. We visited the park yesterday, and observed several skaters on the upper lake; the ice, how ever, on the lower lake was not considered sufficiently strong ; another night's frost will, no doubt, remove all danger. A VETERAN. — The heroes of the late war are fast dis appearing from amongst us, and in a few years' time, but for the opportunities afforded us by our Indian cam paigns, we might possibly arrive at the disagreeable pre dicament of having an army without a soldier who has ever seen a battle, or even smelt gunpowder, except at a review. It may, perhaps, not be known to many of our readers, that the little village of Thurstaston, Cheshire, contains one of the few, who can now remain, of the gal lant crew of the Shannon, renowned for the chivalrous engagement with, and capture of, the American frigate, Chesapeake, in Boston Bay, the history of which achieve ment is familiar to most readers of our naval annals. Richard Molyneux was sergeant of marines on board the Shannon, and one of the first to obey the order to board the enemy, in the performance of which feat he received a severe scalp wound, not sufficiently desperate, however, to prevent his taking an active part in the melee which. ensued. Our hero is at present comfortably settled as host of the head inn at Thurstaston. where he occasion ally " fights his battles o'er again," and is especially ex cellent in his execution of the well-known ballad— " The Chesapeake so gay, Out of Boston sailed one day, All to take a British frigate neat and handy, oh." HIGHWAY BOARD, THURSDAY. - Mr. Duncan re ported that three feet of brick work and the stone coping were all that were required to complete the tower and chimney of the Green-lane Water-works ; that the roof ing of the boiler-house was all but finished, the fixing of the boilers, well advanced, and that the joiners were fix ing the sash panes in the windows; that the erection of the engine was in a forward state, and as soon as the workmen were finished on the tower the setting up of the stand piping would be commenced; that one of the cool ing ponds was pitched with stone up to the high-water line, and that the excavation of the other would be out of hand in the course of the present week. The Chairman hoped the works would be got into operation before the board was handed over to the Corporation. The Trea surer, Mr. Capes Ashlin, laid before the board a state ment o; the collection of the rates for the year 1845, ended 30th September, 1815. The total amount collected within the year was £17,575 Hs. 5d., including the sum of £3,543 15s. of arrears, which, when added to the pre vious year's collection, gave (exclusive of the rates for public companies) £B2 18s. fild. per cent., being an in crease this year of £1 6s. per cent.. There appeared to be a decreased per centage this year in Mr. Greetham's and Mr. Widdow's districts, which were wholly accounted for in the former case, and partially in the latter. There was an increase in the number of payments in all the wards, except Scotland and Vauxhall. The number of payments received by the collectors was 14,741, and the number paid into the office was 5,448.. The amount of money collected by the collectors was £38,901 19s. Ild., and the amount paid into the office £8,673 18s. 6d. The number of persons served with notices to appear before the members appointed to hear appeals against rates ex ceeded eleven thousand, and it was stated that legal pro ceedings were now being taken against those who had neglected to attend, or pay the rates according to the or ders made in their respective cases. The Treasurer spoke highly of the efficient services and upright conduct of Mr. Archibald Tweedie, the chief clerk in the office, and the board referred the further consideration of the report and statement to the joint Sub-committee of the Watch and Highway Trusts to award the bonuses to the collectors, according to the merits and diligence displayed by each in the collection of the rates in their respective districts. The Chairman said that in Toxteth-park above 5000 summonses had been issued for the non-payment of rates. MADAME VESTRIS.—The Musical World says, "We understand that the highly -talented and most popular actress and vocalist,MadameVestris, is about to bid fare well to the stage, in consequence of declining health. She intends closing her theatrical career next season. She makes a parting tour in the provinces, and returns to London, to appear, for the last time, on the boards of the Italian Oper " a-house, where she made her debut to many years since. Madame Vestris will pay a farewell visit to Liverpool, and appear at our Theatrc.Royal.