The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-29 00:00:00

ON SALE, at FAWCETT, PRESTON and CO.'S FOUNDRY THREE LARGE CRANES, co mpl e te, and in good working order. Immediate application is re tpiested.—No. 13, York -street. rIN SALE, SITES f or MANUFACTORIES , on j the London and North-Western Railway, three-and-a half miles from Liverpool, with a command of coal free from cartage. Cottages for workmen can be had in the locality. Apply to " E. 8.," NORTHERN DAILY TIMES Office. The substantially-built American Ship k r CI: B. L. HARRIMAN, Mil - -=-•÷ 642 Tons; built in 1851; length, 144 feet; breadth, 32 feet ; depth, 20 feet; flush 'tween deck, 7 feet high ; well-fitted cabin on deck ; masts, spars, sails, and rigging nearly new ; well found ; now discharging in Vic toria Dock.—For further particulars apply to S. & W. PEARCE, Washington -buildings. FOR SALE, a few Half Barrels sugar-preserved CANADIAN OX TONGUES, containing 21 doz. each. Samples can be seen. Apply to FORBES BROS., 25, South John-street. Commercial Oaltcs. THIS DAY. Tins DAY (Thursday), the 29th instant, at One o'clock, at the Brokers' Office, No. 1, Chapel-street, About 150 Bales of COTTON, all faults. Apply to GILL, TITHERINGTON & GILL. TO-MORROW. TO-MORROW (Friday), 30th instant, at 12 o'clock precisely, at J. A. Bencke's Office, 2, Hargreave's-buildings, A Quantity of Damaged HEMP, Per " James," from Riga.—Apply to J. A. BENCKE, Broker. TO-MORROW (Friday), 30th instant, at Twelve o'clock, at J. A. Bencke's Office, 2, Hargreaves-buildings, 18 Coils and 1 Warp BOLT ROPE, 27 Coils CORDAGE. Ex " Marshall," from Cronstadt.—Apply to J. A. BENCKE, Broker. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer; not necessarily for _publication, but as a guarantee of his good faith. We cannot undertake to return rejected communications. All communications, Books for Review, etc., to be for warded to the Editor must be addressed to the Publisher, CHARLES WILL3tER, and those from London may be sent to the care of Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. kartymt THEATRE ROYAL. Williamson-square. THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. Taxa Evacuro (Thursday), 29th instant, the Performance will commence with TIME TRIES ALL. To be followed by the Grand Comic CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME! entitled THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL and THE GRASSHOPPER'S YEAST; or, HARLEQUIN AND THE GENIUS OF SPRING ! rounded on the Popular Poem by Mr. Roscoe, of Liverpool.— Harlequin...... Signor Lauri. Pantaloon.. Signor C. Lauri. Columbine.. Madame Masotti. I Clown .... Signor F. Lauri. Admission—Dress Boxes, 45.; Upper Boxes, 35.; Pit, 25.; Gallery, Is. The Box-office is open from Ten to Three o'clock daily, for securing Seats and taking Private Boxes, under the direction of Mr. T. Shuttleworth. Children in arms will not be admitted. Doors open at half-past Six, the performance to com mence at Seven o'clock precisely. ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. HOLIDAY NOTICE. Tats EVENING (Thursday), 29th inst., and following Evenines, the Entertainments will commence with, for the Fourth Time in England, R 0 B R 0 Y I produced by Mr. Pablo Fanque as an EQUESTRIAN SPECTACLE! with new Scenes and Incidents introduced from the Novel. In order to pronuce the Celebrated Drama in Its new form in the most creditable manner possible, Mr. Pablo Fanque has engaged, at a considerable expense, the valuable services of MR. GOURLAY, the Acknowledged Successor of MR. MACKAY, for the representation of Scotch Character, and who will make his Fourth appearance In Liverpool, This Evening, in the arduous character of BAILIE NICOL JA llVlE.—Several of the most popular members of the Metropolitan Theatres are engaged, among whom will be found Mr. Rayner, Mr. T. Kirk, Mr. Birken. heft; Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Raymond, Miss Hodson, the popular vocalist, and ►arious others. Rob Roy has been pronounced by the Press of, Edinburgh and Glasgow never to have been correctly produced until brought forth by Mr. Pablo Fanque with his celebrated horses. —To-morrow (Friday), the 30th instant, there will be • Gran I DAY PERFORMANCE. Doors open at Oone, commence at Two. In consequence of the extreme length of the Evening Performances, the Doors will Open at a quarter past Six, and commence at Seven. Admission : Dress Circle, 3s. ; Side Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Pit, Is. 6d. ; Gallery, tid. Second Price—Dress Circle, 25.; Side Boxes, Is.; Pit, Is. ; no second price to Gallery; second price to Boxes and Pit ROYAL ADELPHI THEATRE, Christian Street, Islington. Tuts EvsntNo (Thursday), the 29th instant, the Performances to commence with Mr. Courtney's celebrated Drama, entitled THE HEART TEST! Principal characters by Messrs. Hill, Hastings, Jackson, Mesdames Oliver, Peel, &c. To conclude with the gorgeous new Comic Pantomime of THE VALE OF GEMS; or, HARLEQUIN AND SINBAD THE SAILOR, AND Tntt FAIRY or CORAL GROT (written expressly for this Establishment, by Mr. John Courtney, author of " Time Tries All," " Tricks and 'trials," &c., &c.,) which has been in p re p arat i on f or the last three menthe, with new and magnificent scenery, costumes, and appointments. Sinbad the Sailor, Miss Carre, from the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Nautila. Miss M. A. Egan. Harlequin, Mr. C. Brown. Pantaloon, Mr. Jackson. Columbine, Miss E. Gibbs. Clown, Herr Teesale. Sprite, Signor SylrauL—Dress Boxes, 21.; Side Boxes, Is. 6d,; Stalls, Is, Pit 6d.; Gallery, 3d. ROYAL PARK THEATRE. Parliament-Street, near St. James's Market. • *,,* EXTRAORDINARY CHRISTMAS ATTRACTION. Tilts EYZNING (Thursday), 29th instant, the Performances will commence with the favorite Drama of THE SAILOR'S RETURN; or, THE PARTING GIFT! inwhlch Miss Marriott, and the whole strength of the company will appear, To conclude with (fourth time) the New Magniloquently Grand, Comical, Local, Operatical, Cabalistical, and Anachronismatical CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, entitled, ORMsHEAD THE GREAT; or, HARLEQUIN & JENNY JONES, AND THE FLOWER OF SNOWDON. Written expressly for this theatre by the author of " Ye Siege of Leverpole,"&c., with new and beauti ful scenery, by Mr. John Wright, from her Majesty's Theatre, Mr. Liver, and assistalits; properties by Mr. frames; Music, composed by Mr. Hope ; Machinery, by Mr. Jackson ; dresses by Mr. West and assistants; and the whole produced under the immediate superintendence of the Lessee, Mr. R. Edgar. Snowdrop, the Fair Flower of Snowdon, with a few "airs " which the author has thrust upon her, Miss Marriott; Lushisne, a doubtful specimen of a Fairy, afterwards Clown, Mr. J. Appleby ; Davydd Jones, an ancient Briton, Mr. Wilmore, afterwards Pantaloon, Mr. P. Anderson, from the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane; Edward Morgan, with a" terrific com bat," Mr. 2. Lennox, afterwards Harlequin, Signor Guarrino, from her Majesty's Theatre; Jenny Jones, the Flower of North Wales, Mrs. J. Appleby, afterwards Columbine. Mad'lle Rose, from the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh; Sprite, Signor Vilderini, the wonderful contortionist from the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. The remainder of the characters by the entire Dramatic and Pantomimic artistes attached to the establishment, forming the most complete and Powerful cast ever submitt e d t o a L i verpool public. The antomime will be preceded by a grave Episode, in which the shades of Joe Miller and the Author will have very lively representa. tives. Doors open at half-past six. to commence at seven o'clock pre cisely. Prices of admission.—Dress Boxes, 35.; Front Boxes, 2s. Pit, Is.; Gallery, Ed. Half-price to the Boxes at Nine o'clock. Books of the Pantomime may be obtained at the Theatre. GAME PIES! GAME PIES !—The Celebrated Yorkshire Game Pies !—The greatest Treat of the season for Christmas Parties. Suitable for Ladies, as well as ffpieures, and everybody else. Made only by W. LAWTON, Bin HOTEL, Queen-square—who contracts for Public Balls, Suppers, and other lar ge E n t er t a i nments — where w i ll be found ood Beds, Good Viands, Good Wines, &c . THE NEW YEAR! A BARON OF BEEF WILL BE ROASTED AT THE MANSION -HOUSE HOTEL, 11, DRURY-LANE, ON THE 2ND OF JANUARY. HIGH WATER IN THE MERSEY. Tins DAY—Morning, 10h. 8m .... Afternoon, 10h. 34m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1853. RECENTLY we called attention to the s übject o Female Prostitution—a social evil difficult to treat of, owing to the false delicacy and absurd notions which obtain respecting it in the public mind, and which have in great part been occasioned either by the unwillingness or intentional silence of jour nalists and religious teachers to express themselves upon a topic of such vital importance. It is pusil lanimity, nay, it is injustice to be conscious of an evil and to refrain from speaking of it. No good end can be served by this means, but rather the reverse. We should not suffer our kindly feelings and our generous impulses to take the places of reason and judgment. The sense of duty should outweigh all other considerations and rise superior to all other influences. If a loved and valued friend be labouring under a disease which we know must ultimately prove fatal if not immediately checked, it would be extremely improper and morally wrong not to render him sensible of his danger, and urge him to seek the needful aid. Our feelings certainly might dispose us otherwise ; but these are not always to be studied. Duty must in no wise become subservient to expediency. So with regard to the body politic. If we perceive rank disorders or chronic. distemp ers ex i s ti ng w ithi n our soc i a l system; threatening to exhaust its energy, poison its sourcos of life, and finally destroy its vitality, he would be a bad citizen and a worse patriot who would smother his emotions, conceal his thoughts, or refuse manfully to expose the mischievous calamities which are the precursors of such doleful events. In discussing social evils we act not from impulse but conviction—not from vanity but Duty, which WORDSWORTH admirably characterises as " the daughter of the voice of GoD." And although in our late articles on Prostitution we may have wounded the virtuous susceptibilities of a few, we know that we have likewise called forth the commendations of the majority_ of our fellow townsmen. The causes which contribute to female demorali. sation are manifold, and may be regarded as moral, social, and physical. Although it is not possible to step all the avenues to this vice, or neutralise all the combined agencies at work to effect it, nevertheless much might, could, and should be done to stay its rapid and rabid course, and render its consequences less pernicious both to the unfor tunate individuals themselves who are the subjects of it, as well as to the entire community, who are either directly or indirectly affected thereby. As medical science has not distinguished itself in this country of late years, what a field of investigation does this matter open up ?—one eminently worthy of patient industry, and equally calculated to re. ward genius, and adorn its brow with an unfading garland. But this suggestion we make en passant. Every four or five years our towns swarm with a fresh influx of poor fallen girls, who in a short time will also disappear to give place to others as Young, as thoughtless, and as unhappy as themselves. The mortality amongst this class of the. community is frightfully great—more so than is generally known, or scarcely would be accredited. It is a melancholy fact that out of the thousands of young gay, flaunting, reckless women who are now run ning their giddy round of pleasure, the majority will, within the next half-dozen years, have passed into that— "Undiscover'd country from whose bourne No traveller returns." 'Tis an excellent work to endeavour to restore the erring and reclaim the lost Whatever lifts Humanity towards GOD is praiseworthy. But it is a far more excellent work, and a more essential and easier duty to employ preventive, than correc• tive measures. The one may not prove successful; the other must. We are of opinion that the social causes of female demoralisation are more potent than those of a moral or physical character. Nor do we believe, as long as those causes exist, that any amount of moral training would be effectual in preventing the spread of so dire an evil. Want of occupation or ineffi cient remuneration, if employed, and positive des_ titution, force numberless women to adopt a life of infamy. We want such men as THOMAS HOOD to sing other songs beside the Song of a Shirt, in order to elicit human sympathy for overworked, ill-paid, and destitute woman! Distress forces many a poor, weak, wavering girl to enter upon a course of life which otherwise she would shrink from, and against which all her womanly instincts would revolt. The other evening we happened to meet with a miserable young creature--rather good- ' looking and interesting—at the corner of Lord street, who solicited our charity, even lo the ex tent of a half-penny! Upon her own testimony she is but sixteen years of age, and has neither father nor mother. She really looked 'a most miserable and destitute object, and we have little reason to doubt the veracity of her statements. Upon inter rogating her as to her position, &c., she unhesi tatingly and ingenuously answered to the best of leer avinby, ktua (mller gave us ner address, if we wished to become satisfi , xl as to her representa tions. She would gladly enter into service, if she could but procure an engagement—but that is ab solutely impossible, owing to her inability to ap pear in decent clothing. Now, this girl might be virtuous. She is so for aught we know ; nay, more, she looks so. But if such be the case to-day, what guarantee have we that such will be the case to morrow ? We would gladly have taken the trouble to inquire after her did our other duties permit. Such, however, not being the case, we shall be glad to furnish her address to any benevolent indivi dual who may wish to rescue so young a fellow creature from ruin—which otherwise must even tually overtake her. We confess it is difficult to meet every case ; per haps it is impossible. We cannot, however, re frain from observing that the establishment of Refuges for homeless or destitute young women, servants out of place, and such, like, would tend materially to stem the tide of prostitution, which at this moment threatens to inundate the land. We are confident that for the one fallen woman which a Magdalene Asylum may reclaim, . such Refuges would save a thousand from falling. And every moralist knows that it is far more easy to preserve virtue than to restore it when lOst. But a woman's virtue is a phoenix that can expire bui once, and from whose ashes there is no resurrec• THE Free-Trade propositions of the United States Government have excited the attention of the American Press ; and every paragraph in the Secretary of the Treasury's report has been re viewed with the utmost jealousy and care. Inte rests never before heard of, and which appear to be but very imperfectly understood, have been brought forward either in support or in direct opposition to some one of the proposed conces sions. From the New York Times we learn that a Mr. JOHN FARELL, of the firm of HIGGINS AND CO., of New York, had recently had an interview with _several members of the Cabinet relative to the free admission into the United States of Irish sewed -inuslins. Mr. GUTHRIE, the Secretary of the Trea sury, is said to have promised to take the matter into consideration, .and to have expressed his. regret that the facts brought forward by Mr. FARR= were not submitted to his notice before he had made his report to Congress. In commenting on this subject, our American contemporaries ran into an endless variety of mis takes. They tell us first, that the sewed muslin, which is a Scotch trade and one that is far from remunerative to the Irish people, is a branch of industry which requires the encouragement of the American Legislature ; while they inform us that the linen trade of Ireland is in the hands of Eng glish capitalists ; and as its benefits are confined to a few localities only, the free admission of linen into . the Union should be dealt with in the most cautious manner, considering also that there are various interests in Ohio and other Western States, which would be materially injured by the proposed measure. What these interests really are it would be diffi cult indeed to discover. The States have no flax trade, and do not cultivate flax for any other pur pose beyond producing flax seed, and under a more perfect and just system of trade, Ireland would become one of Ohio's best customers for her seed both for sowing and crushing purposes. The New York seed, as it is called, is becoming more popular every year in Ireland, and if it were shipped at the proper season, it would displace three-fourths of the. Riga and Dutch seeds now imported. . . As for the flax fibre the Americans cannot dress it at a cost which would enable them to compete with the Irish, Belgian, or Egyptian growers. And we are not at all certain that the fibre itself is of a quality sufficiently good to hold out any. hopes of success in this branch of the flax trade. It would be difficult, therefore, for our contempo raiies to adduce any really solid grounds to support these allegations. And we may here observe that while the Irish people are always ready to acknowledge benevolence, come from whatever _quarter it may, and while they esteem philanthropy, they still have a more profound regard for that most godly attribute—justice ; and when our American cotemporanes applatid the proposal of their Government on the score of philanthropy towards Ireland, we beg to remind them that the free admission of American cotton into the ports of the United Kingdom was a measure which mainly sustained the American Union, while it took from Ireland the trade best suited to her soil, and the wants and habits of her people. To restore a frag ment of that element of Ireland's past comfort and prosperity, we therefore hold it to be an act of justice rather than a mere effort of philanthropy. As for the spinning and weaving of flax we are also inclined to believe that the American manufacturer cannot compete with Ireland. Taking the standard of wages in the two countries, the yard of Irish linen sold at ls. could not be produced under 4s. in America, and the cultivation of an acre of flax which costs little over ten pounds in Ireland would cost forty pounds in the States. Where, then, has America a real interest in flax. The object of the propOsed reform is to remove glaring anomalies in the economic system of America, and to bring within the reach of her. citizens at the lowest cost all those articles which they cannot produce for themselves at a profit, or with a positive appearance of success. And to attempt to stdltify the views of the Government by an array of erroneous state ments is not very philanthropic. The linen and flax trade of Ireland is one, how_ ever, which not at all understood on the other side of the Atlantic, and in order that its importance to America may not be underrated, we need only state that Ireland produces more linen and . linen yarn than all the rest of Europe put together. And the American papers are wrong when they state that the Irish linen trade is in the hands of Englishnapitalists, and that the cultivation of flax is confined to a few counties, and that therefore, the admission of linens, duty free, would be of no service to the people of Ireland. To answer this latter point, we need only refer to the government statistics on the isubject, where we find that no less than 137,008 acres of flax were grown in Ire; land in 1852, and that the cultivation of this valu able plant had been extended to every county in Ireland. The number of scutch mills employed in dressing the fibre, are as follows : — Leinster , • nineteen ; Munster, fifteen ; Connaught, six; and Ulster, nine hundred and sixtee n . T o t a l , n i ne hundred and fifty-six. With this large • number of mills, only one-half of the flax grow ers wants are supplied. With regard to the spinning mills .being in the hands of the capitalists of England, we can posi_ tively affirm that the only English firmin Ireland is that of Messrs. Chadwick, Blundel, and Co., of Drogheda, and these gentlemen produce the finest mill spun flax yarn in Europe, while the firm of Murray and Co., of WaringstoWn, have worked up the produce of one acre of flax, to the value of nearly 40001. These important results have been attained by the outlay of an enormous amount of capital in labor, and the most untiring application of vast practical knowledge ; and we are at a loss to conceive why these two great elements of commer cial success should be singled out as unworthy of encouragement from the American Legislature. The proposed modification of the States tariff, must have been designed for the general benefit of the American people, and unless their parliament be prepared `to lower the standard of wages to a level which shall . enable them to compete with the European cultivators of flax, and manufacturers of nen, the continuance of the present duty of venty-five per cent. on linen, will be unjust towards le Irish, and oppressive towards the American THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. citizen PRIVY COUNCIL.—Her Majesty will hold a privy council this day, (Thursday), at Windsor Castle. Mr. Henry Eliot, son of Lord Minto, is appointed secre tary of legation at Vienna. BANKRUPTCY.—On yesterday, before Commissioner Perry, Stephen Coute, of this town, slater and plasterer, obtained a first-class certificate. Yesterday a lad named Thomas M'Lawland was warming himself by the fire, when his clothes became ignited, and he was most seriously burned. ACCIDENTS. —Yesterday two men named James Ireland, and Thomas M'Annesly were seriously injured while engaged in their employment, by heavy bales of goods falling upon theni. A young man named Jenkins, employed on the railway at Stirling, has just been arrested, on a charge of abstracting certain jewels sent by the rail last year, and which he, in his capacity as clerk, had an opportunity of abstracting. Tha annual dinner, to celebrate the foundation of the Mercantile Travellers' schools, was held in London on Tues day evening. The Lord Mayor presided. The total sub scription was £2OOO. The Cape Colonist records the ceremonial of the foundation of a Roman Catholic church at Fort Beaufort, eastern dis trict of Cape Town, on the loth October last. The Right Rev. Dr. Devereaux was the celebrant bishop. Mr. Joseph Hume, jun., Mr. Trinon, and Mr. F. Bate man, have been named commissioners to inquire into the causes which may have led to, or aggravated the late out break of cholera at Newcastle. A letter in a Dublin journal complains that Dr. Hincks, a distinguished Protestant clergyman in Ireland, is about to abandon his efforts to decipher the Babylonish inscriptions copied by Layard, in con Sequence of the 'discouragement of the government, and of the efforts of the Scotch friends of Colonel Rawlinson. ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT.—Mrs. Taylor, a married woman, in endeavouring to get into the Woodside boat from the Liverpool landing-stage, yesterday evening, fell into the water, and was, with much difficulty, extricated from her perilous position, after being several minutes in the river. The steamers were putting off at the time, and she rushed inside the chain endeavouring to reach the boat. • SERIOUS ACClDENT.—Yesterday, a man named George Holland, while engaged in the Kirkdale works, was assisting in the process of blasting, he incautiously went too near the gunpowder, which exploded, and he was most seriously in jured. It is expected that his sight will not again be restored, he being chiefly injured in the face. We have the best authority for stating that the Russian High-Admiral having recently inspected the Czar's Baltic fleet, one-half of the ships were at once condemned as worth. less, and it was determined to build, on contract, a number of screw line-of-battle ships one account says no less than thirty !—Daily News. THE DIPLOMATIC DUEL—MADRID, DEC. 21.—The medi. cal report issued last evening, respecting the condition of M. de Turgot, was more favourable than the preceding one, and stated that the febrile symptoms had somewhat abated, The bulletin of to-day says that he continues in the same state. It is thought that amputation of the leg will be necessary. ANOTHER CASE OF STABBlNG.—Yesterday morning a man named James Meadows was conveyed to the Northern Hospital, seriously wounded in the right breast. The in jured man was on his way home to Kirkdale, when he and the person with whoM he was in company quarrelled on the road, and they fought, when the person, who is in custody, but whose name we have not been able to ascertain, plunged a knife into his breast. At present he is in a very dangerous state, and not able to appear against the coward who struck him. Diocrse or MArrcnrsTru.—The Worshipful Dr. Hag gard, chancellor of the diocese, has on the nomination of the Lord Bishop of Manchester, appointed the Rev. Alfred Hew lett, incumbent of Ashley, near Manchester, to be one of his surrogates. The Lord Bishop of Manchester, on Tuedsay, licenced the Rev. Edward Pechie Stock, B. A., to the curacy of Radcliffe, near Manchester, and the Rev. Henry Lloyd Bickerstaffe, to the curacy of Saint Andrew's, Man chester. DEsTßucrivE FIRE.---On Sunday forenoor, a fire broke out in the farm steading of Fernley Law, near Corlinton, which resulted in the destruction of a considerable portion of the premises, and the loss of about 15 of the cattle. The building forms three sides of a square, one side of which is the dwelling-house,the centre is. occupied.as shedsi , and the third as a byre and coal shed,--/V: .8, MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. • LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The position of affairs in political circles con tinues to produce feelings of depression in the London Stock Market, and everything tends" to show a growing want of confidence in Lord Aber deen's premiership. Recent events have helped much towards infusing increasing doubt into the public mind as to the stability of a cabinet corn posed of such conflicting prejudices, all of which are at this moment on their trail. On foreign affairs we have the very antipodes of political predilec tions ; while, on the subject of parliamentary reform, the . extremes of party compose the ministry, who have to agree among themselves before the public are to be admitted to its diacuseion. The possibility of a thorough and positive understanding being come to between all parties in the cabinet on these subjects is held to be purely problematical: and whilst these impres sions were gaining ground, greater anxiety is begin ning to manifest itself as to the exact position of affairs in the East. Acted upon by such influences the funds must continue to - decline in value ; whereas if it were not for the existence of these two serious disturbing causes, the general condition of the country would justify a range of prices for our public securities which has never before been attained. Consols opened at 934 buyers, being per cent lower than the closing price of yesterday, but towards the afternoon they advanced 4 per cent., from which they again receded, and finally closed at 934, being a decline of fi per cent since yesterday. Three and a quarter per cents 95% to 954. Bank Stock, 219 to 225. Exchequer Bills, 3s. to 6s. preni. The Railway Share Market was languid to-day, 'and a further decline of prices took place. Great Northern, 84 to 85. Ditto A, 83% to 84%. Lanca shire and Yorkshire, 67 to 674. Ditto Fifths, 6% to 61. South Western, 103% to 104%. North British, 30% to 312. North Staffordshire, 5e to 5%. York and Berwick, 634 to 64. Manchester, Sheffield, taid Lincoln, 22% to 231 Eastern Counties, 134 to 13%. Caledonians, 54% to 551. Ditto Preference, 99 to 101. In the Miscellaneous Share Market there was scarcely any alteration. In the Foreign House we notice a decline in Mexican and Buenos Ayres Stocks, but the amount of business done was trifling. Mexicans, 231 to 24. Spanish New Deferred, 461- to 461. Ditto Three per Cents, 21k to 21i. Ditto Passive, to 5. The present state of the weather, the season of the year, and the large speculative operations going on in the French Corn Market have led to an advance of 2s. per quarter on the price of English *wheat in the London market. The short supplies of Eng lish grain, which we have noticed for some weeks, have also helped to advance prices, but as this weather will induce farmers to prepare their grain for market, a larger quantity may be expected be fore long, and when French speculators find them selves overtaken by the reaction which must inevi tably follow the arrivals of the vast fleet of corn laden vessels now at sea; our markets will become more steady, and less in favour of holders. The business inifavour of Foreign wheat was extensive, and at the extreme rates of Friday last. Barley was quoted ls.. to 2s. per quarter dearer. The following are the latest returns of the arri vals :—British—Wheat, 570 qrs. ; barley, 1,060 qrs. ; oats, 680 qrs. ; malt, 400 qrs. ; flour, 480 sacks. Foreign—Wheat, 1,890 qrs. ; barley, 1,140 qrs. ; oats, 5,030 qrs.; flour, 6,290 barrels. It was stated on 'Change_ again to-day, that the British merchants at St. Petersburg were gradually bringing their affairs within a narrow compass, in order to be prepared to leave at a short notice. And several who had entered into contracts for hemp, tallow, and other products, had disposed of them at a pecuniary loss to Russian firms. These and other rumours of dreary character had produced a further decline in the value of Consols which were done after the official closing at 931 to 93.1. The report that the King of Sweden intended to join the Emperor of Russia was contradicted by the Swedish merchants. On the London 'Change, Scotch Pig Iron was quoted at 795. 6d., and several long transactions on•Spelter at 241. per ton on the spot to 251. per ton for spring delivery are reported. Saltpetre in demand at 30s. to 325. Tallow, 58s. 9d. to 595. on the spot, and 695. forward delivery. The Liverpool Cotton Market was remarkably firm to-day with a good inquiry. The sales amounted to 6,000 bales of which 10 were taken speculation and for export. Our Shire Market was much depressed, and the business done was at a further decline, Caledo nians, 27*, I; Eastern Counties, 131, , 7 3 ; Lancashire, and Yorkshire, 66/, 8; London and North Western, 1038, 4; Midland, 621,1; South Eastern, 188, I; York and North, 238, i; Sheffield Stock, 23, k. The railway traffic returns reported to-day show the following results when compared with those for the preceding year :—London and North Western railway 55,1421., increase 5,2751; Manchester and Sheffield railway 7,8481., increase 7041. ; Lancashire and Yorkshire railway 17,8621., increase 1061. Business was renewed to-day in the Manchester Stock market with marked activity. Caledonians 271; East Lancashire 161; Kendal and Windermere 13,1; Leeds 67* 67;_ Sheffields 23; Midlands 63*; Dovers 18 7-16-i ; Eastern Counties 13 to 131. The Leeds market also opened with considerable animation, and closed firmly. Caledonians 27*-4 ; North Westerns 8 1-16 ; Leeds 661 : Dovers 18i ; Midlands 628. THE FUNDS, STOCK AND CLOSI• SHARE MARKET, LONDON !TH PRICES. - ednesday. December 28th, 1853. London and N. W..... 1031 44 London and S. W 78i 9i Manchester, Sheffield, & Lincolnshire 224 Si Midland Stock 63 i North British 3oi 1* Do Preference Norfolks North Staffordshire 5 i Shrewsbury and Birm Do. L. and N. W. guar. South E. and Dover —604 1 York. New., and 8er..63i 4i d p Do. Extension Do. Preference York and North Mid Do. Preference FOREIGN STOCKS. Mexican 231 4} Spanish New Deferred ..46i t Do. Passives 2li 2} Do. Threes .Q 5 Russians Do. 9B 9 LAND SHARES ..;43 5 1 1 39 41 ENGLISH MARKET. Consols Account 93§ 2 Do. Money • • Bank Stock .. ....219 20 Exchequer Bills, L. Do .. 3 6 pm Three and a Quarter per cent. 954 RAILWAY SHARES. Ambergate, Nottingham, and Eastern Junction Caledonian 54 .52 Do. Preference 99 101 Bristol and Exeter East Anglian Eastern Counties.. - 13} East Lancashire Eastern Union, A Do B. & C Edinbro' & Glasgow Great Northern ...84 5 85i 41 Great Western Lancashire & Yorkshire 67 Do. Fifths Leeds Northern London Brighton and South Coast 99 100 Agricultural North B. Australian Feel River South Australia EDINBtTROII MARKETS.-YESTERDAY. CORN. —We had a large supply of grain ; sales ready, with the exception of OATS which were rather dull. CATTLE.—Large supply of SHEEP ; sales dull, and 2s to 3s a head lower; number left unsold. Cattle large supply ; sales dull, and prices down 3d .1) Dutch stone. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET.—YESTERDAY. The feeling in our_PiG IRON market was rather dull to day, sellers prevailing; prices not giving way materially, Warrants being dull quoted, 79s 6d cash; No. 1, g.m.b., 82s ; No. 3, 765. SHARE MARKETS.-YESTERDAY. LIVERPOOL.—The market was a very bad one, and the tendency of shares was to recede considerably, almost all Railway stocks having been so affected, in some cases to a considerable extent. Caledonian, 27& 2N ; Eastern Coun ties, 13 ; London and North Western, 104 ; Midland, 63 ; North British, 7.16.3 s ; South Eastern Stock, 18k. MANCHESTER.—To-day the following were the sales : Caledonian, 271; Cork, Blackrock, and Passage, x.d. ; Eastern Counties, 13k; East Lancnshire, 167 1 1 ; Kendal and Windermere, 13 1 , ; Lancashire and Yorkshi re , 674 7; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 23; Midland Railway Consols, 631 3 k ; South Eastern, 182 7-16 t. THE LATE ROBBERY AT A SILK WAREHOUSE IN ALBERT STREET, MANCHESTER.— It will be remembered, that about two months ago, a silk warehouse in Albert-street was entered early on a Sunday morning, by a number of men, who effected an entrance into the premises by means of a boat which they had stolen from a wharf in the neighbourhood, and that they stole therefrom a quantity of silk, the value of which was up wards of £lOO. The silk was removed in a cart to the house of a person named Walker, a weaver, at Collyhurst. The re ceiver of the goods, and other four persons, were apprehended and brought before the magistrates on a charge of belng con cerned in the commission of the robbery. One was discharged, and the other four were committed and tried, and convicted at the last sessions; three of them for breaking into the warehouse and stealing the silk, and the other, Walker, living at Colly hurst, for receiving the property knowing it to have been stolen. Yesterday morning, at the Manchester city police-court, a person named Michael Mayan, was brought up before the magistrates on a charge preferred against him by Inspector Mayhury, of being one of the persons who broke into the warehouse and aided in the commission of the robbery. On the application of the inspector, the case was remanded to Fri day, RUSSIA AND TURKEY. PROGRESS OF EASTERN AFFAIRS (From our Second Edition of Yesterday.) No later news from the Danube, or from Asia. The Poet's Paris correSpondent states that the last news from Russia is to the effect that the Emperor has in a non-official communication to the courts of Berlin and Vienna, stated his determination not to agree to any proposals for peaceful negotiations, unless considerable con-. cessions were made to Russia. The Times says, in a leading article, that it can not conceal the fact that the real obstacles to any beneficial result from the propositions lately submitted to the Porte, lie with Russia, and are not likely to be removed. The progress of the war, the vast extent of hostilities or hostile pre parations now in active progress, and the passions, religious and national, excited by the contest, effectually exclude the idea of an armistice, and has rendered negotiations far less practicable than it has. been at any previous moment. If the Emperor of Russia had desired peace he has had ample facilities to insure it, but every day brings us fresh evidence that he has availed himself of pretexts chiefly to keep in check his most formidable opponents, to carry on his own plan of operation, and to bring the whole question in the, spring to a more positive issue. The Austrian Government has published, in the official correspondence, prepared at Vienna, under the eyes of the minister, a mean and drivelling article, to all appearance by the Russian embassy. The, Cabinet expressly denies that "it has assumed a less friendly or menacing attit u d e towards Russia, and declares that " she has not in the least re nounced her friendly sentiments towards her allied neighbour, and will not have to renounce them in future." The article adds, that the " intimate friendship between these two great monarchs is the surest guarantee for the peace of the world, and for the conservative interests of Europe." The Times fears that the appearance of this declaration at Vienna at such a moment is an evident proof that the independent portion of the Austrian Cabinet is unable to hold its ground, and that a degree of pressure has been applied which the enfeebled Empire cannot resist. The ink is scarcely dry on the protocal of December 5, when the cabinet of Austria are ready to repudiate its spirit, and to defeat the influence it might have exercised on Russia. With respect to Russian intrigues in the north, the Times learns from good authority, that an attempt has been made in Sweden, by a mandate from St. Petersburg, to engage that country in this contest, with a view to closing the Swedish ports, and eventually the Baltic itself, against English and French vessels. The main tenance of neutrality and independence is of vital interest, for Sweden and Denmark, and it is to be hoped that the King of Sweden will not betray his country's independence to Russian counsels. As regards Russian policy in the East, the Times refers to the intrigues obviously directed against the interests of the British Empire are demonstrated by the Persian declaration of war against Turkey. The movement in Affghanistan, and the expedition to Khiva. The article concludes by stating that that "if we place these facts in the scale and weigh them against the Russian assurances that the Emperor is ready and willing to treat for peace : all such declarations will stand for very little, and we must look to other modes of arriving at the termination of this dispute. The course to be pursued by the Maritime Powers is now clear and straitforward, and instructions are on their way to Constantinople which will cause the decided measures now agreed upon, to be carried into immediate effect. FURTHER PARTICULARS. On the 14th the ambassadors communicated to Redschid Pacha the proposals of the great powers. A Divan was convoked for the 20th, but on the re presentations of the ambassadors it met instead on the 18th. After a long and animated discussion, it was resolved to authorise the ministry to state that the Sublime Porte would be willing to send a plenipotentiary to some place in neutral territory, not Vienna, for the purpose of treating for peace, provided the Porte should not be asked to accept anything it had refused, and that the old treaties, now abrogated by war, should not be renewed. Supposing Russia willing to treat on these terms, the Porte will meet her plenipotentiary in preen of the representatives of the four powers, as pro posed. With reference to the evacuation of the Principalities, the Porte will be willing to accept the guarantee of the four powers that they should be evacuated immediately upon the conclusion of a treaty of peace. The Constitutionnel contradicts the late rumour of dissensions between Great Britain and France, which, it was asserted, had paralysed the action of the fleets in the Bosphorus. Letters from St. Petersburg, of the 13th, state that the Court Gazette publishes a violent attack upon the French government, for allowing a play called " The Cossacks" to be performed in Paris. Accounts from Tiflis of the 6th of December say that Prince Beboutoff's victory over the Seraskier Abdi Pacha was the most considerable affair which has yet taken place between the belligerents in Asia. Abdi Pacha's force consisted of 20,000 regular infantry, besides militia, and 10,000 cavalry and 45 guns. Beboutoff attacked him with about half the number, stormed his camp, and took tents, baggage, ammunition, provisions, and 24 cannon. The loss on both sides was very severe. The Turkish artillery was admirably served, and the artillerymen were killed at their guns; and many political refugees were amongst them. The Seraskier fled precipitately, and part of his army has disbanded itself. The Russians have, in twelve days, defeated the two largest corps dannee of the Turks, and taken 39 cannon. The larger part of the Imperial force has consist- ed, in eN .- ery instanee, of regulars and militia ; and the commanders-in-chief also were Georgians—viz., Princes Beboutoff, Orbellian, and Andronikoff. The general result of the campaign in Asia has been unfavourable to the Turks, A letter from Stockholm appears in the Times, dated the 11th. It says—" Stockholm is in a great state of excitement to-day, caused by the arrival of a Russian courier, with a note commanding Sweden to close her ports to English and French vessels and subjects: The royal . family is greatly in fa your of Russia, but the nation, to a man, is against her." ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The usual fortnightly meeting of this society was held last night in the Royal Institution ; Mr. VERELST in the chair. A communication, addressed by Mr. C. B. Yarrow to the president, on the subject of brick making, was read. It minutely described the manner in which London bricks were made, and pointed out their superiority to those made in Liverpool ; but he observed that he saw no reason why the latter could not be made to equal in symmetry and firm ness any produced in London. Passing from this subject, he alleged that Liverpool, were it not for its natural advan tanges, would be one of the worst places for filth and disease; whereas London, with no such local advantages, must be a wonder of health and cleanliness to every think ing mind. Liverpool, however, could be made a model town in that respect. The writer, in conclusion, intimated that it was his intention to have alluded to the subject of !‘ cattle feeding, and the keeping of poultry," were it not that he feared trespassing on the society's time. Mr. PICTON briefly replied to the statements contained in the communication. In some of them, he observed, he fully agreed, but the simple reason for the inferiority of Liverpool bricks, as compared with those made in London, was that here they would not give the money for a superior quality. He admitted that the whole system of brickmaking here required revision ; for while all other tradesmen and arti ficers had gone on improving, those employed in the operation of laying bricks seemed to have become worse ; and he had no hesitation in stating that they were the lowest and most utterly devoid of any knowledge beyond the mere routine of their business of any class of tradesmen he had to deal with. The SEcairrAnx observed that the letter, coming from a practical gentleman, they could not regret the time it had occupied them. _ _ The remaining portion of the evening was occupied in the reading of a paper by Mr. Howard, on Ruskin's " Stones of Venice," in which he strongly dissented from, and censured the views of, that gentlemen on architecture. The Dundalk Democrat states that ten Roman Catholic Bishops, twenty-two members of parliament, and " many other friends of independent opposition" have accepted invi tations to a banquet to Mr. Kennedy, the "league" mem ber for Louth. Mr. Kennedy, who thus takes so prominent a part in the Irish agitation s was formerly agent to the Marquess of Bath on his Monaghan estates, and is brother to the friend and secretary of the late Sir Charles J. Napier, G,C,B, THE DECIMAL SYSTEM OF C01Na4 ,, - ACCOUNTS. PUBLIC MEETING—YEsmittAT. On Yesterday a town's meeting, convened by the was held in the sessions -house, to take into eonsicl e t the question of the introduction of decimal coinag e ' twelve o'clock the chair was taken by his WorSliii f MAYOR. Amongst the gentlemen present were--3 11 ',t; fall, M.P. ; Mr. Brown, M.P. ; Mr. , Thornely, Messrs. J. P. Heywood, W. Earle, W. Rathbone, / t Booker, Alderman Bennett, G. G ran t, J o h n Camp' Bold, F. A. Clint, R. Benn, W . J . T oml i nson , Cl Holland, James Aikin, John Aikin, E. Proctor, F. A' milton, J. R. Jeffery, J. B. Barclay, H. Neill, C. Bober; John A. Tinney, T. Mo o re, E. H ea th , J . Baron, It 1 : 1° T. Bouch, J. A. Picton, James Smith, R. Gill, T. m' derson, E. Higgin, Dr. Ihne, M. M'llveen, W. As James King, H. Dowie, W. Smith, &c., &c. The MAYOR called upon the town clerk to read there sition under which the meeting was convened. The TOWN CLERK read the requisition, which bore, 1 1 ! 1 ..1 others, the following signatures :—Messrs. F. Sn i president of the c h am b er o f commerce ; T homas Bend vice-president ; William Brown, M.P. ; T. B. Horst' M.P. ; Edward Heath, C. Robertson, Hugh Hornby, Lister, T. B. Blackburne, George Crosfield, J. R. Jeff A. H. Wylie, Joseph Malcolmson, T. and H. Littledale Co., W. Henderson, T. F. Bennett, John Gordon Brown , C. Tonge, William Moon, Rawlins and Son, W. RathbolA J. Aikin, J. P. Heywood, Jas. Myers and Co., H. C. char man, Thomas Bold, Adam S. Gladstone, Walter M'Grer r : George Holt, John Aiki n , T. an d J . Brocklebank, PP. and Boult, Jevons and Co., &c. The MAYOR said he had received a requisition very nil rously signed, reques ti ng hi m to ca ll a meeting of te, inhabitants to conside r th e ques ti on o f d ec i mal coinage. .fre thought upon that question there could be no doubt that did decimal system, if introduced, would save time, trouble, al l expense. (Hear, hea r .) It was th ere f ore of great i m port' ance that a meeting should be held to consider how the! might advance the questi on . H e un d erstoo d t h a t the Chamber of Commerce had circulated throughout the tie, the report of the com m itt ee w hi c h sat i n parliament 11"',4 session upon decimal coinage, and certainly no commuel'i could be more competent to consider that question than th e l h i great commercial community. H e h a d therefore mud pleasure in presiding at thi s mee ti ng, an d h e had no d o s that those who would address them would be able to convie d the meeting that if the change took place, it would be: great advantage to the community at large. He now beg to call upon Mr. William Brown to move the first resolutios . (Applause.) Mr. Baowx, who was loudly applauded, then address , the meetin g . He said the gentlem en w h o h a d presente d the , requisition to his worship the ma y or , w hi c h h a d been rt' kindly complied with, h a d reques t e d hi m to move the Of, resolution. He would rea d th e resolution, but before 06 proceeded to move its ad o pti on , h e would read to them 010 ~ letters which had b een rece i ve d thi s morn i ng b y him, ft°' two gentlemen who were desirous of attending the m eeting' but who, not being able to do s o , h a d sen t in writing „ttil views they entertained on thi s i m p or t an t quest i on. Brown then read the resolution,which "was, that as the de mal system of money an d accoun t s a ff or d s great facility, s „ al is more clea r , s i m pl e , an d correct t h an that at present in 1 ",,f in this count r y, it is o f great i mportance to the interests trade and commerce that it should be adopted." The lette , ' which he proposed reading to them were one from the r es; pectel principal of the C o ll eg i a t e I nst i tut i on, and the O. from Lord Stanley. Mr. Brown then read the followi l4 letters : " Knowsley, December 20, 1863. " DEAR SIR.—I received your circular and accompael note this morning. I q u it e agree i n your remarks, and sh„ be ready to support y ou i n any s t ep you may th i n k fit take with a view of popularising the decimal schtme. 4i rather wish, for the sake of a vo idi ng nee dl ess change, tuti, we had retained the old name of farthings, instead of subs. tuting "mils ;" but w ith thi s t r ifli ng except i on, I coneu r all the recommendations of the committee. " I should have been glad to attend the Liverpool meetl il l on the 28th, but am engage d t o a tt e nd another II ing on that day at some distance.— I rema i n , yours fa' fully, " STANLO "W. Brown, Esq." " 8, Bedford-square, Brighton, December 26, 185 , 3 '0f "MY DEAR S IR .—I h ave to thank you for six cop' to the letter on decimal coinage, which you have address,ed I the president of the Li ver p oo l c h am b er o f commercef,';ieli will place them in th e h an d s o f persons w h o seem to ne.,`,130 to take an interest in th e su bj ec t . l am very sorry I.":Astis' attend the meeting w hi c h th e M ayor h as ca ll e d for W 74 t) , day but I can express to you in writing m strop the importance of this subject in its coon tion. It is impossible to examine clish weights and mea table, and i n th o t a bl es o f our var i ous x , g that much trouble would be savedbothr master and pupil, and much time would be available for otr A important subjects of instruction, if the decimal system 1111- adopted. acif I speak of weights and measures al' with the curre ~0 because lam convinced that, if the latter is decimalised, , same change in the former will soon follow. I never 7: more impressed with the advantage of the decimal 8 1, 11 :, than when I saw in the Conservatoire des Arts and lifel7; at Paris, the whole series of French weights and messu' in one view. oys in the pence " I will not say anything about book-keeping and ma al ne# tary transactions in general, for my opinions on such raalLs would be worth nothin g; b u t I may ven t ure to add, rill the arguments adduced i n the parliamentary report, Oa, o f your letter, in favour of making the sovereign the uni_ dr ' our decimal system, and against the assimilation of our . cency with that of either France or the United StP appear to me conclusive. I h ave a l so a s t rong f ee li n g ro ,a, favour of retaining our old English words—" pound, P . .ia ling and penny ;" and even as regards th e m il pi ece , I Wo k set set derivation at defianc e , an d ca ll it a "farthing."—l B'l my dear sir, with much respect, yours very faithfully, "J. S. lIowsoll• 'W. Brown, Esq., M.P." Mr. BROWN then said h e s h ou ld procee d t o state to the meeting what had taken place, which brought them to thell present position. M an y y ears ago, t h e f ather of the pres erl Lord Wrottesley broached the subject in the house of core; mons. Little was done until Dr. Bowring took it up sor„ time afterwards, and induced the government t o i ssue to: florin, one-tenth of a pound. Dr. Bowring was desirous tli it should be called the dime, but from high quarters that O . overruled, and it was called a florin. The matter was Lev i there after Dr. Bowring went to India, until the LiverP&P. chamber of commerce took the question up. They appointed a sub-committee to examine into its merits, and the sub" committee presented a report in its favour to the chamber, and accordingly they memorialised government in last No vember twelve-months, in favour of the decimal systems taking the sovereign as the unit. After that nothing Wee done in the matter, until he (Mr. Brown) went to London, when he considered that he could not render a better service to the country, than by moving for a committee of inquiri in the house of commons. His first notice of motion em' braced weights and measures, as well as coinage, but some judicious friends thought that he had better omit the weight.; and measures in the first instance, and go for the decline coin :;e only ; beca use if th e co i nage were once decimal i se d ' the adiantages once dem ons t ra t e d wou ld l ea d , as a matter &, course, to the decimalising of the weights and measures' (Hear, hear.) Prior, however, to this step being taken bi him, the board of trade had issued a letter to parties wile they thought could give information upon the question, to state their views not only regarding the effect of the adqr tion of the decimal system upon commerce, but also how we, change would be r eceive d among t h e wor ki ng and i ndustr i P, classes. The committ ee , o f course, h a d no t to ask for much evidence, for these letters were put into the hands of the committe, and this evidence examined. There probably never was a committee which sat in the house of commove , which was more completely unanimous than that committee, in fixing upon the pound sterling, as the unit e` account. During their frequent sittings there not a single division, and there was but one evidence bl d which it was suggested that the p enn y or the farthing should be the integer, and it was not approved of by the committee; Although questions were asked whether ten shillings world be a proper unit, whether one shilling would be a proper, integer, all that was cons id ere d unadv i sa bl e, and the pony' was adopted. It had always appeared very strange to hid that they in the m os t commerc i a l country of the world should be slow i n a d o pti ng a sys t em w hi ch had been fount * to work well among all other nations w h o h a d adopted Ani‘ (Hear, hear.) At that moment there were probably 47,, millions of people wh o used th e d ec i ma l system of cow. _Der and accounts. Ru ss i a u se d th e d ec i mal system. A mei" of the Zollverei n t oo k pl ace f our or f i ve years ago at Fran,.,4, fort-on-the-Maiue, at which the question was discussed? but some occurrence prevented it from being adopted since' Austria had taken the i n iti a ti ve, an d a d o pt e d i t. France ect they were aware, had adopted it. The United States 1 3 adopted it so far as currency wen t, b u t, strange as it 4 appear, there was no act of the legislature of that count which had ever d ec i ma li se d th e weig ht s and measures. inhabitants, finding from their experience of the deciD" system in coinage, that it produced so much convenienc e ] decimalised the weights and measures for themsen (Hear, hear.) He received a letter the other day frogr friend who took an interest in the question, in which he on - that he would bring the subject before the geographical 1 7 0 0 statistical society, who would memorialise the United Sttif government to send commissioners to Europe with the lig of assimilating the weights and measures of England, _,J, United States, and o th er countries, if they could sucevi-0 They were quite as much alive to the advantages se 50 ,4 were. The whol e p opu l at i on of the Chinese empire sj, the decimal syst em, an d he was told that they were est.e'.o ingly expert an d clever in calculation, so much pc' that although D r . B owr i ng was a very good,,t, countant, he w ou ld b e no matc h for his Chinese ser:d or the Chinese boy, in his service, and he never APO them to make au mistakes. After the revolt of I